2015 summer health journal by Journal Inc

Health Journal North Mississippi

Summer 2015

The Yoga Explosion • Arthritis Relief • Managing Anxiety Healthy Snacking • Suncreen Smarts djournal.com Doctors Weigh In: Obesity in Children • Kidney Stones

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GENERAL DENTISTRY

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Health Journal North Mississippi

Summer 2015

On the Cover

Healthier Snack Options on page 23

The Yoga Explosion • Arthritis Relief • Managing Anxiety Healthy Snacking • Suncreen Smarts djournal.com Doctors Weigh In: Obesity in Children • Kidney Stones

Yoga instructor Nelda Clayton of Shanti Yoga in Tupelo demonstrates the camel pose. It stretches nearly every major muscle. Modification: Rest the hands on the back of the hips instead of the ankles. All yoga photos were taken by Lauren Wood at The Yoga Center in Tupelo.

Health Journal summer edition

Editor Leslie Criss Reporters Michaela Gibson Morris Ginna Parsons

Sunscreen 101 on page 11

Photography Lauren Wood Design Ellie Turner

Table of Contents

Advertising Director Richard Crenshaw

Features Watermelon • 7 Sunscreen • 11 Yoga Explosion • 15 Arthritis • 18 Worry Wart • 20 Snack Attack • 23 Resource & Event Guide • 25

Special Section Advertising Coordinator Amy Speck The Health Journal is a bi-annual publication of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. To subscribe to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, call (662) 842-2611.

The Doctor’s In Obesity in Children • 12 Kidney Stones • 30

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Watermelon Tired of drinking glass after glass of water every day as you try to get in your required amount for optimum health? Pick up a slice of watermelon instead. By Ginna Parsons

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Photos by Lauren Wood 8

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“Watermelon is 90 percent water,” said Nancy Anderson, a registered dietitian with the North Mississippi Medical Center. “Water is a nutrient and I think people forget about that. Watermelon’s got lots of hydration benefits.” Watermelon originally came from Africa, according to The Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition. The seeds were brought to America by European colonists associated with the slave trade. There are more than 50 varieties, with red, orange or yellow flesh. Watermelons are generally classified as picnic or icebox: Picnics weigh 12 to 50 pounds and are round, oblong or oval; icebox melons weigh 5 to 10 pounds and are round or oval. Available year-round, most watermelons are sold between March and October. “Watermelon is also low-calorie,” said Anderson, with only 50 calories per cup. “It also has some Vitamin C and potassium. In addition, it contains lycopene – found in

red fruits and vegetables – which is a benefit for heart health and prevention of heart disease and prostate cancer.” The sweet fruit also contains carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A and that’s good for healthy skin and wound healing, Anderson said. “Watermelon is an excellent choice for a summer fruit, but it’s good to eat a variety of fruits because you get different nutrients from different fruits,” she said. “And when you eat lots of different fruits you get the benefit of not just taking a vitamin pill.” Diabetics need to be mindful of the amount of watermelon they consume, Anderson warned. “There is a limit for diabetics because it has natural sugar,” she said. “It can cause an increase in blood sugar if you eat something like half a watermelon, which is easy to do. Just limit the portion to 1 cup.” Salad Skewers, shown at left 36 sun gold tomatoes 3 cups watermelon cubes 8 ounces feta cheese, cubed 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 36 (3-inch) wooden skewers Gently toss together tomatoes and next 7 ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and chill 30 minutes to 1 hour. Thread 1 tomato piece, 1 watermelon cube, and 1 feta cube onto a skewer, and place in a serving bowl. Repeat with remaining skewers. Drizzle with remaining marinade, and serve immediately. Makes 36 skewers. Per skewer: 26 calories; 1.8g fat; 6mg cholesterol; 137mg sodium; 44mg potassium; 1.6g carbs; 1.1g protein.

Watermelon Granita 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice Purée all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into a 9x9x2-inch metal baking pan. Freeze mixture for 1 hour. Stir, mashing any frozen parts with the back of a fork. Cover and freeze mixture until firm, about 2 hours. Using a fork, scrape granita vigorously to form icy flakes. Serves 6. Per serving: 93 calories; 0.1g fat; 0mg cholesterol; 1mg sodium; 113mg potassium; 24.3g carbs; 0.6g protein.

Tomato Watermelon Salad 5 cups seeded watermelon cubes 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut into 3/4-inch cubes 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Romaine lettuce leaves (optional) Cracked black pepper to taste Combine watermelon and tomatoes in large bowl; sprinkle with sugar and salt. Toss to coat. Let stand 15 minutes. Stir in onion, vinegar and oil. Cover and chill 2 hours. Serve chilled on lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with black pepper to taste. Makes 8 servings. Nutritional info per serving: 116 calories; 7g fat; 0g cholesterol; 13g carbs; 1.5g fiber; 1.4g protein. djournal.com

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Sunscreen 101 Sorting through sunscreen has become an essential summer staple. But with more choices than ever in forms and in SPF levels, how do you make the best choice? The Health Journal asked Tupelo dermatologist Dr. Jeff Houin to illuminate the best options. What’s in a Number? Houin recommends at least a 30 SPF and reapply every few hours or after getting wet or sweaty. Above 50 SPF, you may be paying for numbers that aren’t giving you that much more protection. “If you’re using 85 SPF, you can’t apply only once. Reapplication is key.” Spray On

Spray sunscreens get thumbs up for quick, clean application. However, it really does need to be rubbed in to ensure effective, even coverage. The FDA is still investigating concerns that the fumes could be harmful to inhale, but the jury is still out and the sprays are still on the market. Definitely avoid spraying into the face. Spray on hands and rub in to reduce inhalation issues, but people who are sensitive to aerosols may want to avoid it.

Gel Sunscreen

For people who need to protect hairy areas or thinning scalps, gel lotions can provide good coverage with less mess.

Sticks

These compact delivery systems can be a quick, effective way to get sunscreen onto the skin. They work very well around the eyes.

Lotions

Lotions are the most commonly available. Don’t be stingy with it, Houin says. It takes about 1 ounce to cover the body. Don’t forget to give it 15 minutes to dry before jumping into the pool or sweaty activities.

Bonus Advice:

There’s no such thing as waterproof, only water resistant sunscreen. Sweat or water will dilute or wash off sunscreen. Reapply ever few hours. Don’t forget lips need sunscreen, too. If you don’t like sunscreen, check out swim shirts and SPF clothing and hats. “There’s no excuses,” Houin said. djournal.com

The Doctor’s In

Obesity in Children what parents should know

Childhood obesity is growing at an alarming rate. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. In fact, the 2012 CDC statistics indicate more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese in the United States. Most children become obese because of a combination of poor diet, lack of physical activity and other lifestyle issues. In rare cases, however, a child’s excess weight may be because of a specific illness. Children who consume too many calories and don’t get enough exercise are at risk for obesity. The widespread decrease in exercise and play, along with a rise in sedentary behaviors like TV watching and video-game playing, also keep many children from getting enough physical activity. Children need at least 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity every day. Set a positive example for your children by being active yourself and making exercise a part of your daily routine and try adding family activities. Following a healthier diet can help prevent or reverse obesity. Keep junk food out of the house, or offer it only on very special occasions. Be sure you are monitoring your child’s food portion sizes and make sure your children’s food intake stays within the USDA recommendations for appropriate meal sizes for each food group.

Some children become overweight or obese because of certain illnesses including Prader-Willi syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome or hypothyroidism. Your child’s doctor can screen or conduct tests to screen for these conditions, if suspected. Childhood obesity has both immediate and longterm effects on health and well-being. In the short term, many obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. They are more likely to have prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes. Children and adolescents who are obese are also at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as poor self-esteem. Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases. To help combat these negative factors, parents can make these positive changes in kids’ lives.

Dr. Jose Tavarez is a board-certified pediatrician with Merit Health Medical Group’s Pediatric Clinic in Amory. Additionally, Tavarez hopes to be of assistance to our Spanish speaking population.

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Yoga Explosion

Yoga is in full bloom in Northeast Mississippi. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a standard rotation of group exercise classes at many fitness centers. Dedicated yoga centers have multiplied across the region. In Tupelo alone, there are now three stand-alone yoga centers. By Michaela Gibson Morris djournal.com

Yoga Vocabulary Lesson Yoga – Sanskrit for union or the yoke. Asanas – postures or poses. Namaste – There are a number of translations, but the “spirit in me salutes the spirit in you.” Instructors traditionally end classes with this expression. Pranayama – Breathing techniques. Restorative yoga – Typically gentle, slower-paced classes. Hot yoga – Classes are held in a room that is heated to

85 to 95 degrees. Typically these classes tend to be for advanced students. Bikram is a form of hot yoga. Vinyasa – Means flow in Sanskrit. The poses flow from one to another. Can be taught at a variety of levels, but is often a challenging class. Check the course descriptions. Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyeangar – Refer to specific schools, traditions or philosophies in yoga. Many incorporate the names of their founders.

“There’s always room for more yoga,” said Robyn Gibson, who owns the Yoga Center in Tupelo, where the classes are donation based. “This town has a lot of good yoga classes.” It’s not about the colorful, comfy stretchy pants that are in fashion. More people across the region are finding benefits in the exercise form that stretches the mind and body. “I think it’s coming into its own,” said Amy Taylor Phipps, who teaches yoga at the NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo. “They don’t think you have to be a pretzel anymore.” In a multi-tasking world, yoga classes offer an island of calm that strengthens the body and quiets the mind. “Getting connected to the body is a gift,” said Kaye Cannon, who owns Shanti Yoga in Tupelo. “It’s time away from the phone, away from your worries. You’re in here with just your body and breath.” The exercise form well-known for promoting flexibility is itself pliable, able to bend to the needs of a wide range of fitness and interest levels. They can range from gentle and meditative to physically challenging. At the core of all types of yoga is a focus on deep breathing and what the body is doing as it stretches. “The biggest misconception is that you can’t do it if you’re not flexible,” said Kristi Paxton, owner of Pure Yoga in Tupelo. “Your aspiration in yoga is to connect body and breath.” Making yoga more accessible is a common theme for Tupelo’s yoga centers. The Yoga Center makes its classes available on a donation basis. “I was inspired after teaching classes at the state hospital and realizing there were people who could benefit, but couldn’t afford classes,” Gibson said. Shanti Yoga holds a karma class at 4 p.m. Thursdays, where donations go to the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society. Pure Yoga is offering free classes in Ballard Park this summer at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays.

Indian subcontinent. The poses – or asanas in the original Sanskrit – range from simple stretches to challenging inversions. The benefits of yoga include better balance, stronger core muscles, reduced stress, lower blood pressure and increased range of motion in joints, said Cannon, who has sought additional training to use yoga as part of her occupational therapy practice. “It’s very helpful with arthritis and multiple sclerosis,” said Cannon, who is working on a yoga therapy certification. Strength training typically creates short, tight muscles. The stretching in yoga creates long muscles. It’s great cross-training for other sports. “Yoga can be tailored to fit specific sports like running and cycling,” said Paxton, who is leading a yoga retreat to Costa Rica in February. “Flexibility plus strength equals power.” It can be life changing. The deep breathing can help reduce pain and anxiety. “I stopped having panic attacks when I learned how to breathe,” said Gibson, who began taking classes in the mid-1980s. Yoga isn’t a religion, but people who practice yoga regularly find it can really enhance their own spirituality. Namaste translates roughly “spirit in me salutes the spirit in you.” “It’s helped my prayer life,” Cannon said. “It helps me be quiet and listen.” The “Om” syllable that is sometimes used as a chant in classes stimulates the vagus nerve, signaling the body to calm down. “Humming works, too,” Phipps said. Yoga isn’t designed to be a competitive sport. It’s really important to keep your focus on your own mat and the instructor. Let your body guide you as you practice yoga, Gibson said. You should feel the stretch, but it shouldn’t hurt. Letting your ego push you further is a recipe for injury. “Practice with the body you brought with you,” Phipps said she tells her students. “Not the one you used to have. Not the one you want to have.”

Long history

Yoga can be traced back more than 5,000 years on the

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Flexible Forms

Yoga Tools Tree Pose

instructor Beth Blaha of Pure Yoga, Tupelo The Tree pose develops balance, opens the hips and strengthens the ankles. Modify by holding the foot at the calf or ankle instead of the thigh.

Blocks Used to assist with balance and positioning. Sometimes, they come in an egg-shape.

Blanket Used to add cushioning under the head, hips or back.

Side Plank instructor Nelda Clayton of Shanti Yoga, Tupelo

The side plank poses challenges the oblique muscles in addition to the core. Excellent for strengthening the weak side. Modify by using a knee for support,

Triangle Pose instructor Terri Johnston of The Yoga Center, Tupelo.

Triangle pose stretches the back muscles, obliques and legs and opens the chest. Modifiy it by uses a block to bring the floor to you.

Local Offerings Tupelo NMMC Wellness Center Pure Yoga Shanti Yoga SNAP Fitness-Tupelo The Yoga Center Amory Alive and Well yoga Merit Health Gilmore Memorial Corinth Shala 506 Iuka NMMC-Iuka Wellness Center

New Albany Baptist Memorial Tallahatchie Yoga Pontotoc NMMC-Pontotoc Wellness Center Oxford Hot Yoga Plus SNAP Fitness, Heritage Drive location Southern Star YMCA Oxford Starkville Firefly Yoga Studio OCH Healthplex

Yoga Jellies These gel-filled discs cushion knees to make poses more comfortable.

Straps Used to assist in stretches where extra reach is needed. Mat The mat becomes your home during yoga class. The type of mat can depend on the class, such as absorbent for hot yoga or smooth to allow gliding hands in feet in vinyasa.

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Arthritis

Osteoarthritis can be a real grind. The degenerative form of arthritis results from a breakdown in the cartilage between the joints. In its end stages, it can be bone on bone, without any cushioning left. It’s the most common form of arthritis, affecting some 12 percent of adults – roughly 27 million people in the United States. By Michaela Gibson Morris “Virtually everyone over 80 has some evidence of osteoarthritis in X-rays,” said Tupelo rheumatologist Dr. George Housley, “But not everyone has pain.” It’s the paradox that keeps doctors scratching their heads and why treatment decisions in osteoarthritis aren’t made by X-ray alone, said New Albany orthopedic surgeon Dr. Johnny Mitias. “Pain tolerances differ,” Mitias said. Osteoarthritis and the other forms of arthritis take a toll on more than your joints. A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control shows arthritis increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. A third of adults with arthritis experience depression or anxiety. “If you have arthritis, it’s more complicated to manage those conditions,” said Teresa Brady, senior behavioral scientist with the CDC’s Arthritis Program.

Cause and Effect The molecules in cartilage can lose their water, which affects their resiliency, Housley said. As the cartilage

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wears out, the body tries to repair itself by making more bone – that’s where the so-called bone spurs come from – although they don’t always cause trouble. In many cases, developing osteoarthritis can be the luck of the draw. It’s influenced by the genes your parents gave you and injuries you sustained as you worked and played through life. It can also result from inflammatory arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. There are ways to improve the odds or at least blunt the impact of osteoarthritis. “Weight is not a reason for osteoarthritis, but it worsens it,” Housley said. Likewise, a history of consistent physical activity doesn’t necessarily prevent osteoarthritis, but it does seem to help, Mitias said. “Newton’s law holds true,” Mitias said. “Bodies in motion tend to stay in motion.” Experts disagree on whether running contributes to the development of osteoarthritis, but they do agree once osteoarthritis is causing pain, it’s important to reduce the impact on hips and knees. “Once you have it, running does make it worse,” Housley said. “You want to avoid high-impact activities.”

Treatment Options

Take a Step

Doctors have a range of treatment options to help manage the pain of osteoarthritis. In this region, osteoarthritis is most commonly managed by primary care providers and orthopedic surgeons. Just because a patient is referred to an orthopedic surgeon doesn’t mean they are on the fast track to joint replacement surgery. “We have multitudes of conservative treatments,” said Mitias, who operates on only about 3 percent of the patients in his practice. “I spend more time talking people out of surgery.” Topical lotions and anti-inflammatory medications are available in over-the-counter and prescription forms, Housley said. Low doses of some antidepressants have been helpful. Bracing can be particularly helpful for knees. Physical therapy is often useful, especially for backs, necks, shoulders and knees. “It strengthens the muscles around the affected joint and it can expand the range of motion,” Mitias said. Hyaluronic acid can be used to lubricate joints. Knee and hip joint replacement surgery is considered as a last resort because surgery carries inherent risks, even if they are small ones.

Beyond the doctor’s office, self-management is key for handling osteoarthritis. Decades ago, doctors would recommend people with arthritis choose sedentary lives, Brady said. “We now know that the reverse is true,” Brady said. Walking, biking and swimming are great choices for people with osteoarthritis. In the gym, opt for the elliptical instead of the treadmill. “Treadmills shorten your stride,” Mitias said, putting more pressure on joints. Especially if you’ve been sedentary, begin slowly and work up, Brady said. Exercise should be broken up in 10or 15- minute increments to reach the recommended 30 minutes a day, five days a week. The same strategies that help manage arthritis will help other chronic conditions, too. Reducing weight can help ease the pain especially in hips, knees and ankles. Even a modest weight loss of 5 percent can make a difference. “I don’t think anyone should stop moving,” said Housley, who fights osteoarthritis in his knees. “The hardest thing is to get started.”

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Worry Wart By Michaela Gibson Morris The monster in the closet doesn’t have to be real to eat you alive. Anxiety can run amok, twisting worries into roadblocks that keep people from functioning in their daily lives. “It can become paralyzing,” said licensed professional counselor Shelia Murphree, who serves as the director of clinical services for LifeCore Health Group in Tupelo. “It’s an irrational response to everyday stress.” The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates 40 million adults in the United States have an anxiety disorder that disrupts their ability to function. “Anxiety has a lot of different forms,” said Tupelo psychologist Dr. Joe Edd Morris. “They all boil down to one word: fear.” Generalized anxiety disorder grows out of everyday worries, morphing into a chronic condition where it’s hard to concentrate or complete tasks. In panic disorders, people have sudden feelings of terror that can arrive without warning. It can manifest physically, with racing heart beat, dizziness, and trouble breathing. Phobias take a fear to irrational lengths so that the person upends their lives to avoid it. Post-traumatic stress disorder has its roots in a frightening event. The anxiety returns because of intrusive, viv20

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id memories of the event and can cause negative changes in thinking, angry outbursts and hopelessness. But anxiety doesn’t just stay between your ears. “It can cause physical illness if it goes too far,” Murphree said.

The Source

A little fear can be a healthy thing. It helps you navigate the world safely, avoiding negative consequences from falling off a cliff, steering into the wrong lane or running with scissors. Anxiety has its roots in the fight or flight response that calls the adrenal gland – which makes adrenaline – into action. “It controls how you’re going to handle threats,” Murphree said. “Are you going to fight or are you going to run?” When that adrenal system is triggered too frequently, it can burn out and create a chemical imbalance for which the body can’t adjust. Some people, through a combination of genetic and life factors, are more resilient. But even healthy, robust systems can be overwhelmed. “If a car’s battery is burned out, it doesn’t matter if you have a full tank of gas,” Murphree said. “If the battery is dead, you get nothing.” Anxiety can develop from persistent stress over the

Anxiety First Aid If you feel like anxiety is getting the best of you, here are some tools that can help you regain and maintain your cool. • Take a break - get away from the source of the stress. Come back with a fresh mindset. • Get regular exercise - 20 to 30 minutes of brisk exercise can elevate your mood. • Lay off the caffeine. Too much caffeine – more than two cups of coffee – can make anxiety worse. • Meditate or pray - Find a comfortable, quiet spot. Dwell on a reassuring piece of scripture or count backward from 100. Breathe deeply. • Let it go - Do your best and then move on. • Distract yourself - Read a book, listen to soothing music, watch a movie. Give your brain something else to focus on. • Defend your zzzzs. Sleep deprivation can set up a vicious cycle.

When To Get Help

• When the anxiety interferes with your ability to function at everyday tasks. • Withdrawal from people and activities that used to bring you joy. • Persistent disturbances with sleeping and eating. • Thoughts of suicide. LifeCore crisis hotline (866) 255-9986

Check Up On It Not only can anxiety impact physical health, there are a number of physical health problems that can mimic anxiety disorders. Someone dealing with symptoms of anxiety should have a check up to rule out these conditions as well as evaluate for physical damage from anxiety. • Hyperthyroidism - Overactive thyroid may be making too much of the hormone thyroxin. • Caffeine intoxication - especially if you consume large quantities of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate or other caffeine-containing foods and drinks regularly. • Less commonly - iron deficiency or partial complex seizures.

Sometimes anxiety goes beyond what we can manage ourselves. Here are the signs it’s time to get help:

long term or a single traumatic event. Sometimes, chemical changes in the body – like those during menopause – can kick someone into an anxiety disorder. Traumatic events like a car wreck or the death of a friend or a family member can overwhelm the system. “You may not have done anything to cause it,” Murphree said.

Getting help

Mental health professionals have a range of tools to help people for whom anxiety disorders have overwhelmed their ability to function. The goal is to break the cycles that are reinforcing the anxiety. “You need to develop new ways of thinking because anxiety often boxes you in,” Morris said. In dealing with panic attacks, for example, Morris often suggests a strategy similar to escaping a riptide. “Don’t fight it, accept it, float and let it go by,” Morris said. It works because panic attacks rarely last longer than 30 minutes, because the adrenal system exhausts itself. For many people with anxiety disorders, medications are a part of breaking that cycle. “It’s not a magic bullet,” Morris said. “Medications help therapy work.” The medications aim to try to rebalance the delicate

system of hormones and neurotransmitters. “Not every medication works for everybody in the same way,” Murphree said. “You may have to change. You need a careful process. The body needs time to readjust.” Psychologists and counselors work with psychiatrists and primary care providers to coordinate medications and therapy. It’s important for patients to keep their entire team in the loop about how they are responding. It takes time for the medications to build up, and they often need to be tapered off before switching to something else. “You can’t abruptly change,” Murphree said. “It will make it worse. It’s important to maintain good lines of communication,” But some of the most effective medicine for long-term mental health doesn’t require a prescription. Morris encourages his patients to exercise every day as part of the self-care for combating anxiety and depression. “That’s probably one of the most helpful things in dealing with anxiety, depression or unsettling emotions,” Morris said. Illustration by Sarah Barrett

djournal.com

Health Journal

Snack Attack

Busy summer days can send you looking for a quick snack. But if you’re not careful, those quick snacks can pack an unhealthy punch that won’t look good in a swimsuit. Registered dietitian Janie Cole and her team of graduate students at the University of Mississippi Nutrition Clinic crunched the numbers in search of healthier summer snacks. Sweet/Chewy

Snickers The chewy, chocolatey decadence will lay on 250 calories, 12 grams of fat and 27 grams of sugar.

Granola Bar This bar offers chewy and chocolatey for a nutritional steal – 100 calories, 3 grams of fat and 7 grams of sugar.

Low-fat Yogurt w/ Fruit and Granola For 230 calories, you can have a cup of Greek yogurt topped with 1/4 cup of granola. You’ll get filled up with only a gram of fat and half the sugar.

Cool/Refreshing McDonald’s Iced Mocha The whipped cream, chocolate syrup and cold caffeine sounds like the ticket on a hot afternoon, but it comes with 340 calories, 12 grams of fat and 43 grams of sugar.

= Starbucks Iced Coffee+Milk The 11-ounce low-cal iced coffee delivers the cold caffeine pick-up for 50 calories with only a gram of fat and 3 grams of sugar.

or Starbucks Shaken Passion Tango Tea Drop a sleeve of the tea mix into a cold bottle of water and you have a pick-me-up that won’t send you to the gym. Sixty calories come with no fat and 15 grams of sugar.

Savory/Crunchy

Lay’s Potato Chips A 1-ounce bag of Lay’s delivers 160 calories, 170 milligrams of salt and 10 grams of fat.

Carrots & Dip 2 cups of carrots and two tablespoons of Greek yogurt veggie dip will set you back only 130 calories, delivering half the fat and salt. No charge for the healthy vitamins.

Ants on a Log Two large stalks of celery w/PB2 & mini raisins will deliver protein and crunch for 108 calories. Big on crunch, it slims down the fat and salt that chips carry. PB2 is a peanut butter powder mixed with water that delivers peanut butter taste with 85 percent less fat

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Health Journal

Resource Guide

American Red Cross offers CPR/ AED/First Aid classes at its Westside Drive office in Tupelo. Call (662) 8426101. Anger Management classes are offered 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Cedar Grove United Pentecostal Church on North Veterans Boulevard in Tupelo. Call (662) 844-9637. Autism Center of North Mississippi provides free assessments and early intervention for children with autism. Services offered on a sliding scale. Call (662) 840-0974 or visit www.autismcenternms.com. Health Help offers free assistance for parents with Medicaid and CHIPS. Trained counselors at Mississippi Health Advocacy Partnership offer help and guidance in determining eligibility and other issues. The program also offers assistance for adults who may qualify for federal programs or insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Call (877) 314-3843. National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency provides free confidential information, assessments and treatment referrals for people struggling with addiction. Maintains listings of area support group meetings. Call (662) 841-0403. Nurse Link, a free health care information service provided by NMMC, connects callers with a registered nurse from 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to midnight weekends and holidays. Call (800) 882-6274. Ongoing Beginner Yoga is offered at 9:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays at the Yoga Center in Tupelo. All classes are based on donation. Pay what you can afford to pay. Call (662) 372-3233. Jazzercise is offered at 8:30-9:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; at 12:15 -12:45 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at King’s Gate Worship Center on West Jackson

Street in Tupelo. Monthly fees start at $32. Contact Sherry Reppert at (662) 255-2696 or jazzreppert@yahoo.com. Swimming and water activities are available at the Tupelo Aquatic Center at Veterans Park. Call (662) 840-3768. T’ai Chi Chih is offered at 9 a.m. Saturdays at Lee Acres Park in Tupelo. Described as a moving meditation, the series of 19 movements improve balance, physical fitness, flexibility and stamina. Free. Call (662) 231-5519. Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic provides health care to working or temporarily unemployed Lee County residents who cannot afford insurance but are not eligible for government programs at its Magazine Street clinic. Medications are provided through the clinic pharmacy. Clinics are offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Wednesday morning and afternoon. Call (662) 844-3733. Agape Health Services provides health care to those without insurance. at its 505 North St., New Albany Clinic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the second Saturday of the month. More information available at www.agapehs. org. CATCH Kids offers school-based and community clinics where children 18 and under can be seen free of charge in Lee, Chickasaw and Pontotoc counties. Medications are provided without cost to patients through arrangements with local pharmacies. Call (662) 377-2194. Community clinics are: • 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at 1616 N. Green St., Tupelo and Baptist Association Building in Pontotoc. • 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Morning Star Baptist Church in Tupelo. • 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at 1616 N. Green St., Tupelo and 203 Main St., Okolona. Oxford Medical Ministries provides free health care to workers living in Lafayette and Yalobusha counties who can’t afford or don’t have access to health insurance, but make too

much for public assistance. Call (662) 234-1374. Regional Rehabilitation Center provides long-term outpatient, therapeutic rehabilitation services free of charge to individuals with disabilities in Tupelo. Call (662) 842-1891. Tree of Life Free Clinic offers free medical services to anyone without Medicaid, Medicare or private health insurance at 4:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month and 9 a.m. the third Saturday of the month at its 541 W. Main St. building in Tupelo. Basic dental care – extractions only – identified through the regular medical clinic. Call (662) 841-8777. Bariatric education seminars are held each month at the NMMC Bariatric Clinic and the NMMC Wellness Center, both in Tupelo. Covers issues involved in morbid obesity and bariatric surgery. Speaker is surgeon Dr. Terry Pinson. Call (662) 377-7546 or (866) 908-9465. Diabetes education classes are offered through area hospitals to aid people with managing their blood sugar and reducing the risk for complications from diabetes. • Baptist Memorial-Union County in New Albany, (662) 538-2297 or (662) 538-2199. • NMMC Diabetes Treatment Center in Tupelo, (662) 377-2500. HealthWorks! Children’s Education Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Located at the corner of Robert E. Lee and Industrial drives in Tupelo. General admission is $5. Call (662) 377-5437 or www.healthworkskidsms.org Tobacco Cessation classes are available free through NMMC-Tupelo Community Health Department. Call (800) 843-3375. A Woman’s Place Lunchtime Learning Series is offered monthly through the NMMC Spirit of Women and Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi. The programs, which djournal.com

are usually held in the First Baptist Church fellowship hall in Tupelo, cover a variety of health topics. Lunch is provided for $5 for those who preregister. Call (800) 843-3375. Free car seat inspections will be offered by certified safety specialists at Oktibbeha County Hospital in Starkville. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (662) 615-3364. Infant CPR classes are offered at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at North Mississippi Medical Center Women’s Hospital in Tupelo. Call (662) 377-4934 or (800) 843-3375. Hospitals with maternity services offer a number of classes on pregnancy, newborn care, breastfeeding and preparing siblings and grandparents for a new baby. • Baptist Memorial-North Mississippi, Oxford - (662) 513-1602 • Baptist Memorial-Union County, New Albany - (662) 538-2397 • Merit Health Gilmore Memorial, Amory - (662) 256-6204 • Magnolia Regional Health Center, Corinth - (662) 293-2265. • NMMC Women’s Hospital, Tupelo - (662) 377-4956 • NMMC-West Point - (662) 4952292 • Oktibbeha County Hospital, Starkville - Call (662) 615-3364 Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project offers support for pregnant women by pairing them with volunteer mentors and offering pregnancy and life-management related classes. Call (662) 255-8283 or email tonihill@birthingprojectusa.org. Parenting classes will be offered weekly at the Family Resource Center of Northeast Mississippi on Magazine Street in Tupelo. Childcare provided. Marriage education, fathers-only parenting and parenting during divorce classes also available. Call (662) 844-0013. Parenting classes are offered from 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Cedar Grove United Pentecostal Church on North Veterans Boulevard in Tupelo. 26

Health Journal

Call (662) 844-9637. Free weekly parenting and fatherhood classes for ages 16 to 21 at Families First Building behind the Mantachie Clinic. Call (662) 2824661. Support Groups ACTS – Alcohol Chemical Treatment Series – is a curriculum-based self-help, recovery and educational program for anyone wanting to recover from alcohol or drugs, and their families. ACTS meets from 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Cedar Grove United Pentecostal Church on North Veterans Boulevard, Tupelo. ACTS is free. Call 844-9637. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women working to solve their common problem of alcoholism. There are no dues or fees. • Tupelo: 33 meetings are offered at nine locations. Call (662) 844-0374 or visit www.aa-mississippi.org for listings. • There are also meetings in Aberdeen, Ackerman, Amory, Ashland, Belmont, Booneville, Bruce, Calhoun City, Corinth, Fulton, Holly Springs, Houlka, Iuka, Mantachie, New Albany, Okolona, Oxford, Pontotoc, Saltillo, Starkville and West Point. Call (662) 327-8941 for Aberdeen and Starkville, (662) 697-0044 or (662) 533-9102 for Oxford, (662) 489-6612 for Pontotoc or (800) 344-2666. For a listing of addiction support groups around Northeast Mississippi, call the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency at 841-0403 or check www.msncadd.net. Narconon, an international organization of treatment centers, drug education and prevention services, provides free consultations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week for those with drug addictions. Call (800) 556-8885. Al-Anon is a fellowship of friends and relatives of alcoholics. The group has meetings at several locations: • American Legion Building, Lift Inc. building Fairground Circle, New Albany, 7 p.m. Mondays.

• Cornerstone Methodist Church, Tupelo, 5:30 p.m. Mondays. Call (662) 871-687-1811 or (662) 8718068. • First Presbyterian Church, Tupelo 8 p.m. Tuesdays. • Easy Does It Group, noon Thursdays at Brooks Center at Fulton Methodist Church. Call Bob W. (662) 401-8094. • Peace Seekers Family Group, noon Wednesday and Friday at Calvary Baptist Church, Tupelo. Call (662) 401-8094 or (847) 902-6267. • St. James Catholic Church, Tupelo, 8 p.m. Wednesdays and 7 p.m. Fridays. Groups also meet in Belmont, Corinth and Oxford. ALS Connections support group meets at noon the second Tuesday of the month in the conference room at Longtown Medical Park in Tupelo. Sponsored by the ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter. Open to patients, family members, caregivers. Call Brandi Nickles at (601) 364-3326 or Jasmyne Searcy at (662) 377-7215. Alzheimer’s support groups for family members and friends of those with the disease meet in: • West Point: Quarterly at NMMC-West Point. Call Brenda Johnson at (662) 495-2339 or (800) 843-3375. • Tupelo: 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Cedars Health Center Activity Room. Call Terri at (662) 844-1441 Amputee Support Group meets at noon the first Tuesday of the month at NMMC Outpatient Rehab first floor conference room in Tupelo. Call (800) 843-3375. Bariatric Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in the cafeteria conference room at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi, Oxford. Call Becky Wilson at (662) 513-9671. Bereavement Support Group meets 10 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month at Community Hospice

office, 3289 McCullough Boulevard, Tupelo. Call Community Hospice at (662) 823-9850. Celebrate Recovery is a Bible -based group open to those struggling with addiction, anger issues, grief, guilt, shame, financial loss, abuse, eating disorders or compulsive behaviors. Groups meet at: • 7 p.m. Fridays in the youth building at West Jackson Street Baptist Church, Tupelo. Contact Neil Naron at (662) 891-1773 or Susan Naron at 871-3872. • 6 p.m. Saturdays at NorthStar Church, 112 Bauhaus, Saltillo. Call (662) 869-7778 or email cr@thenorthstarchurch .com. The Compassionate Friends, a support group for families who have suffered the death of a child of any age, is open to parents, step-parents, grandparents and siblings. Information is at www.compassionatefriends. org. • Tupelo group meets at 6 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at NMMC Wellness Center. Call Dave Jensen at (662) 842-1327 or (662) 231-1305, Elizabeth Stamper at (662) 321-5442 or Doug Stamper at (662) 401-6131. • West Point group meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at NMMC-West Point. Call Michele Rowe at (662) 495-2337. Parents, step-parents, grandparents and siblings are invited to attend. Information is at www.compassionatefriends. org. Crossroads Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets at 11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the MSU Extension Office behind Crossroads Arena in Corinth. Sponsored by the MS Foundation. Contact Joy Forsyth 462-7325 or joycforsyth@ frontiernet.net. Diabetes Support Groups meet in: • Booneville: 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at the George E. Allen Library except for June and December. Call Kitti Parman at

(662)377-2500 or (800) 843-3375. • Starkville: 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Oktibbeha County Hospital educational facility. Call Nicky Yeatman at (662) 6152668. • Tupelo: 11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month at the NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo. Sponsored by the NMMC Diabetes Treatment Center. Call (662) 377-2500 or (800) 843-3375. • West Point: meets quarterly at NMMC-West Point. Remaining 2012 meetings: Contact Ginger Carver at (662) 495-2213. The Disability Support Group meets at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at LIFE office, Cliff Gookin Boulevard, Tupelo. People with all types of physical and mental disabilities are welcome. Call Wayne Lauderdale or Emily Word at (662) 844-6633. A Domestic Violence Support Group meets at 3:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Lee County Family Resource Center in Tupelo. Child care available. Call (662) 844-0013. A Domestic Violence Support Group meets at 6 p.m. every Thursday. Call (800) 527-7233 for location. Child care is provided. FACE IT food allergy support group available in Tupelo. Focused on parents of children with food allergies, but open to others with medical conditions that require food avoidance. Contact Amelia at (662) 322-7434 or faceittupelo@live.com for locations and times. Family Hope & Healing support group for those with a loved one in active addiction, treatment or recovery, meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Tupelo outpatient office for the Oxford Centre at 341 E. Main Street, suite A-1. Call (662)680-2636 or visit theoxfordcentre.org. Fibromyalgia Support Group-Tupelo meets at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the Women First Resource Center

215 N. Gloster, Suite D, in Tupelo. Call 842-5725. Gray Matters Support Group for anyone diagnosed with a brain tumor and their caregivers meets meets the last Tuesday of the month at the NMMC Cancer Center in Tupelo. Call Cindy Edwards at (662) 3774049 or (800) 843-3375. Grief Support Groups meet in Tupelo: • 6 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Gentiva Hospice office in Spanish Village, Suite 105, Thomas Street. Free and open to anyone in need. Call the Rev. Danny Rushing at (662) 844-2417. • 6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month in the NMMC North Education Center Room 2. Call Jamie Grissom, NMMC Hospice bereavement coordinator, at (662) 377-3612 or (800) 843-3375. I Can Cope cancer support group meets at noon the second Friday of the month at Bridgepoint on South Gloster Street. Guest speakers. Lunch provided for cancer survivors and caregivers. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Call coordinator Donna Kingsley at (662) 213-8478. La Leche League of Lee County offers mother-to-mother support for breastfeeding. All pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are invited to attend. Other LLL services include a lending library and 24-hour telephone help. For information, call Toni at (662) 255-8283. Lupus Support is available in Northeast Mississippi. Sponsored by the Lupus Foundation of America. Open to anyone interested in lupus. Contact Michelle Harris at (662) 8250224 or (662) 256-2604. Man-to-Man support group for prostate cancer meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in at NMMC East Tower first floor Diabetes Treatment Center classroom. Contact Gail Denton at (662) 3773522 or (800) 843-3375. Mended Hearts, a support group djournal.com

for people who have had heart-bypass surgery, heart disease or other physical ailments of the heart, meet in: • Oxford: Noon the the second Wednesday of the month at in the Magnolia room at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. Call Marian Leggett at (662) 259-2856 • Tupelo: 5:45 p.m. the last Thursday of each month at Room 21 of the NMMC East Tower Education Center. Dinner available for $11; RSVP required for dinner. Call Frances Cobb at (662) 840-4335 to register. Mental Health Family Support Group meets at 10 a.m. the second and fourth Saturday of the month at North Mississippi RC on Highway 7 in Oxford. The group is designed for family members of people with serious mental illness. Call (800) 3570388 or visit www.nami.org. Multiple Sclerosis Support Group-Tupelo meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo. Contact Allison Holloway at (662) 231-5829, Karan Woods at (662) 2319160 or (800) 843-3375. Narcotics Anonymous, a community-based association of recovering drug addicts, meets in the region • Tupelo group meets at the Helping Hands building, 314 S. Church St., at 6 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Wednesday and 7:30 pm. Saturday. • Groups also meet in Ackerman, Amory, Booneville, Bruce, Corinth, New Albany, Oxford, Pontotoc, Ripley and Starkville. New Moms Support Group meets at 10:30 a.m. Fridays at the Breast Feeding Resource Center at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi. Open to all new moms. Call (662) 513-1602. The North MS Pediatric Cancer Support Group (PECANS) is available to families facing pediatric cancer. Call Teresa Farris at (662) 791-1228 or visit North MS PeCanS Facebook page. 28

Health Journal

Northeast Mississippi Down Syndrome Society offers support and information resources for families of children with Down Syndrome. Call (662) 871-2387, e-mail nemdss@ bellsouth.net or visit the group’s Facebook page. Ovarian Cancer Support group meets the first Monday of the month at the Women First Resource Center, 215 N. Gloster, Suite D. Call (662) 422-1938. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group-Tupelo meets at 3 p.m. the first Sunday of the month at NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo. Contact Ginger Gore or Amanda Allen at (662) 377-3729. Second Chance Transplant Awareness Group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month, except for June, at McAlister’s Deli, Tupelo. Call Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, Tupelo office (662) 841-1960. A Sexual Assault Support Group meets at 1 p.m. every Wednesday. Call (800) 527-7233 for location. Sisters Network, Tupelo chapter of the African-American breast cancer survivor’s support group, meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month at the Link Centre in Tupelo. Call Norma Derring at (662) 842-3440. Stepping Stones cancer support group meets at 4 p.m. the last Monday of the month at NMMC Cancer Center. Open to cancer surviviors and their caregivers. Call social worker Cindy Edwards at (662)3774049 or (800) 843-3375. Stroke support groups meet in: • Tupelo at 5 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month in NMMC East Tower Room 21. Call Stacy Scruggs at (662) 377-4058. • Starkville at regularly at the OCH Regional education room. For more info, call the speech language pathology department at (662) 6153020. Survivors of child sexual abuse support group meets at 1 p.m.

Wednesdays. Call (800) 527-7233 for location. T.A.A.P. (Teen Addiction Awareness Program) is a free 10-week program offered by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence building, 200 N. Spring St., Tupelo. The program, which meets for 90 minutes once a week, is open to teens age 13-18. There will be educational sessions on every aspect of drug and alcohol use and abuse. Call NCADD at (662) 841-0403 or www.ncadd.net. TOPS, a weight loss support group, has four chapters meeting in Northeast Mississippi. Fees are $28 for annual membership; $14 for spouses and teens. Call area captain Tina Evans at (662) 369-7151, state coordinator Pat Harris at (662) 3860249 or (800) 932-8677 or visit www. tops.org. • Tupelo: 4:45 p.m. Thursdays at Salvation Army Building at 527 Carnation St. • Saltillo: 5 p.m. Mondays at 167 Pinecrest St. • Aberdeen: 5 p.m. Tuesdays at Southside Baptist Church on Meridian Street. Tupelo Lost Chords Club meets at noon the fourth Thursday of the month at the Longtown Medical Park conference room in Tupelo. The club is open to all laryngectomees, spouses of laryngectomees and interested professionals. Call Lisa Renfroe at (662) 377-3248. Weight Loss Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo. The group provides education and emotional support for those considering or have gone through bariatric surgery. Contact registered nurse Cherri Cox at (662) 377-7546 or (866) 908-9465. Women with Cancer support group, sponsored by the Women First Resource Center, is available in Amory. Call (662) 325-0721. Women with Cancer support group meets at 5:30 p.m. the third

Event Guide (resource guide cont’d) Monday of each month at the Women First Resource Center, 215 N. Gloster, Suite D, in Tupelo. Call (662) 842-5725.

Events In July Summer Day camps offered in July at HealthWorks! Children’s Health Education Center, Tupelo. Call (662) 377-5437 or healthworkskidsms.org. Aug. 1 Weston Reed Foundation physicals for students grade 6 and up 8 a.m.-noon, Aug. 1 at Police Athletic League, Tupelo. Free. No appointment necessary. Call (662) 372-2208. Aug. 6 “It’s a Stall World” 5 p.m. Aug. 6 at St. James Catholic Church life center, Tupelo. Speaker is Tupelo Urologist Dr. Johnathan Kalish. Light meal provided. Free. Register by July 31. Call (800) 843-3375. Aug. 8 Back to School Children’s Health Fair 9 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 8 at Baptist Memorial-Union County hospital lobby and walking track. Free screenings, United Way school supply/ backpack distribution. Free. Aug. 22 Wonderful Beginnings Baby Fair 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 22 at NMMC Women’s Hospital, Tupelo. Free. Call (800) 843-3375. Sept. 1 Mother-Daughter Workshop 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at NMMC North Education Center, Tupelo. Speakers Dr. Cassie Hill and Nurse Practitioner Amanda Weeks. Free. Call (800) 843-3375. Sept. 2 Kidney Disease Screening 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. OCH Community Room, Starkville. Free program through Mississippi Kidney Foundation. Supplies limited; call (601) 981-3611

for reservation. Sept. 15 Lunchtime Learning Series “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” at noon Sept. 15 at First Baptist Church fellowship hall, Tupelo. Speaker Dr. Malinda Prewitt. $5. Register by Sept. 9. Call (800) 843-3375. Oct. 3 Girl Scout Badge Day 10 a.m. Brownies; noon Juniors on Oct. 3 at HealthWorks! Children Health Education Center, Tupelo. Call (662) 377-5437. healthworkskidsms.org. Oct. 6 Pretty in Pink Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 6 at the Summit Center, Tupelo. Speaker breast cancer survivor Carla Carruth Tigner. $5. Register by Sept. 28. Call (800) 843-3375. Oct. 7 Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon noon Oct. 7 at In Bloom, New Albany. Sponsored by Baptist Memorial-Union County. Free. Registration required. Call (662) 538-2197. Oct. 15 Community Health Fair 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 15 in Baptist Memorial-Union County lobby. Free. Call (662) 538-2197. Oct. 17 Great Strides Walk Oct. 17 at Ballard Park, Tupelo. Benefits Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Includes silent auction. Call (662) 678-3234. Oct. 24 Komen North Mississippi Race for the Cure 8 a.m. Oct. 24 5K and 1 mile fun run. Benefits breast cancer education, screening and diagnostics and research. Registration will open in August at komennorthms.org. Early bird registration ends Aug. 31. Team registration deadline Oct. 9. Food Day Celebration 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 24 at HealthWorks! Children’s Health Education Center, Tupelo. Discounted admission. Call (662) 377-5437. healthworkskidsms. org

Oct. 29 Girls Night Out: Be Your Best Self at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at St. James Catholic Church life center. Free. Register by Oct. 26. Call (800) 843-3375. Nov. 17 Lunchtime Learning Series Punctuate Your Home/Relaxed Holiday Decorating at noon Nov. 17 at First Baptist Church fellowship hall. Presented by Room to Room. $5 Register by Nov. 11. Call (800) 843-3375. Nov. 24 “Eat It Up!” camp for ages 5-12 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Nov. 24 at HealthWorks! Children’s Health Education Center. Call (662) 3775437. healthworkskidsms.org Nov. 27 Fun & Fit - “Work Off Your Holidays” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 27 at HealthWorks! Children’s Health Education Center, Tupelo. Call (662) 377-5437. healthworkskidsms.org Dec. 7 Santa’s Sweet Shoppe 4:30 to 6:30 Dec. 7 at the OCH Education Facility, Starkville.Free. Children and families invited to visit with Santa, make crafts, enjoy cookies. Dec. 18 Fun & Fit - “Rock Your Holidays” 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 18 at HealthWorks! Children’s Health Education Center, Tupelo. Call (662) 377-5437. healthworkskidsms.org Dec. 29 “A Break From Your Break” camp for ages 5-12 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at HealthWorks! Children’s Health Education Center, Tupelo. Call (662) 377-5437. healthworkskidsms.org. Jan. 4 “Back to Business Bash!” camp for ages 5-12 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at HealthWorks! Children’s Health Education Center, Tupelo. Call (662) 377-5437. healthworkskidsms.org.

djournal.com

The Doctor’s In

Kidney Stones ‘tis the season

Here in Mississippi we have several distinct, wellknown seasons. We have deer, turkey, dove and quail season, to name just a few. One lesser-known season, though, begins in late April and continues all the way through to October. This season is affectionately known by physicians as “kidney stone season.” Kidney stones are typically formed during these hot and sweaty months because people tend to get relatively dehydrated without realizing it. When we get dehydrated, the urine made in the kidneys gets concentrated and can lead to the formation of tiny urinary crystals. These crystals are the earliest stages of the ultimate stone that is formed. In addition to dehydration, we in the South tend to rehydrate with the wrong beverages – our beloved tea (sweetened or unsweetened, caffeinated or decaffeinated – it just doesn’t matter.). Unfortunately, tea has a lot of minerals called oxalates that just love to help us turn those tiny little crystals into full-fledged kidney stones. Despite popular belief, though, kidney stones themselves do not typically cause any pain. I always tell my patients their kidneys are just the “factory” that produces their urine and those dreaded stones. Their bladder, on the other hand, is the “warehouse” where the urine is stored before urination. The highway that connects the factory (the kidney) and the warehouse (the bladder) is called the ureter. And the horrible pain that we associate with kidney stones actually comes from the obstruction Dr. Jonathan R. Kalish is a board-certified urologist with Urology Associates in Tupelo.

Health Journal

the stone causes as it travels down that long highway from the kidney to the bladder. To make matters worse, obstruction of the ureter is often associated with nausea and vomiting, which only compounds the problem. Most patients describe their pain as severe and end up in the emergency room. As part of a patient’s evaluation, a CT scan is usually performed in order to determine the size of the stone, the degree of obstruction it is causing, and how far down the ureter it has progressed. These factors help to determine whether or not the stone is likely to pass on its own. If it is, certain medications are given to help the stone pass, as well as to help the patient cope with the pain, nausea and vomiting. Unfortunately, not all patients are able to tolerate their symptoms, and some stones are simply too large to pass. Fortunately, specialized surgeons known as urologists are trained and equipped to come to the rescue. We have miniaturized telescopes, lasers and high tech machines known as lithotripters to help break up those evil stones and allow for faster recovery. These procedures are also done as outpatient surgery, so an overnight stay in the hospital is usually not necessary. So, if you or a family member have kidney stone pain this summer, call your friendly neighborhood urologist. A referral is not necessary and oftentimes same day appointments are available.

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