Your Health Today

healthtoday

your Summer 2008

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Your Guide to Healthy Living from MCGHealth

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Raising healthy kids A weighty issue

How stress

affects your heart

Heartburn and cancer

What's the link?

A shoulder to lean on

MCGHealth support groups

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Inside this issue Page 3

ALS Support Group When: Second Thursday of each month, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch is provided) Where: MCGHealth Ambulatory Care Center, 1447 Harper St., 4th Floor, Room BP 4306 Call: The ALS Association of Georgia at 888-636-9940 to reserve a spot

Blood Cancer/Stem Cell Transplant Support Group When: Last Thursday of each month, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Where: MCG Alumni Center, Garden Room, 919 15th St. Call: 706-721-2752 for more information

Brain Tumor Support Group When: Third Tuesday of each month, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

Where: MCGHealth Children's Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., 1st floor, Family Services Conference Room Call: 706-721-0193 for more information

Breast Cancer Support Group When: Second Thursday of each month, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Where: MCGHealth Medical Center Breast Health Services, 1st floor Call: 706-721-4726 for more information

Chromosome Disorders Support Group

• Tips for a safe and healthy summer

When: First Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m.

Where: MCGHealth Children's Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., Family Resource Library, 1st floor Call: 706-721-5160 for more information

Pages 4-5

Huntington Disease Support Group

Focus on Women • PMS or something else?

• The cervical cancer vaccine: Is it right for your daughter?

Pages 6-7

Cancer Prevention

When: First Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m. (dinner is provided) Where: Marks Building, 1429 Harper St., Room 1122 Call: 706-721-2798 for more information

• Chronic heartburn: The cancer connection

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group

• In the nick of time: MCGHealth performs its first heart transplant

When: Fourth Monday of each month, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: MCGHealth Medical Center, 1120 15th St., 6th Floor Call: 706-721-7239 for more information

Support Group for Families Who Have Lost a Baby During Pregnancy, Childbirth or Early Infancy Call: 706-721-8299 for times and location

• New warning signs for ovarian cancer

Pages 8-9

Heart-Healthy Living

Pages 10-11

Family Health • Raising healthy kids: A weighty issue

Page 12

In the News • MCGHealth ALS Clinic receives national certification • MCGHealth among top 100 hospitals nationwide Produced by MCG Health, Inc., Division of Strategic Support and Philanthropy, Marketing Department.

Physicians of MCGHealth are community physicians, faculty of the Medical College of Georgia or employees of the MCG Physicians Practice Group, not employees of MCGHealth. MCGHealth is a not-for-profit corporation operating MCG hospitals and related clinical facilities and services.

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The material in Your Health Today is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment.

For more information, please call 800-736-CARE (2273) or visit our Web site at mcghealth.org.

Tips for a safe and healthy summer

Take advantage Check your of fresh fruits and helmet vegetables onger days mean more

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ummer is a great time to indulge in the tomatoes, berries and other produce from local markets. Fruits and vegetables contain dozens of phytochemicals that protect plants from disease as well as help guard human health. While multivitamins can fill in nutritional gaps, they don’t pack the same punch as these naturally occurring phytochemicals.

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family time, so why not pack up the kids and take a bike ride? Be sure everyone wears a helmet to prevent head injuries. To get the most from your helmet, make sure it:

· bears a seal of

approval from the

Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or Snell Foundation. · fits snugly. Wear the helmet flat on the top of the head, so it can’t move more than 1 inch in any direction. · offers visibility. Make sure the helmet doesn’t block your visibility, and choose a bright helmet that motorists can see.

If a helmet has been involved in an accident, discard it. Even if there’s no visible sign of damage, it may be defective.

Watch for dehydration in children

Dine out the heart-healthy way

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hildren produce more heat and sweat less than adults, increasing their risk for dehydration as the weather heats up. Yet they may not drink enough fluids when playing or exercising in hot, humid weather. Make sure your children drink plenty of water, take periodic breaks in the shade and avoid playing outdoors in extreme heat.

ooking for hearthealthy menu items?

Dining out can be a challenge for people who want to eat right, so dietitians and physicians at MCGHealth Cardiovascular Center have partnered with local restaurants to make heart-healthy menu items available in our community.

Look for the MCGHealthcertified Heart Healthy Dining Program symbol at the following restaurants: · Beamie’s at the River · Bee’s Knees · Boll Weevil Café & Sweetery · French Market Grille · Roly Poly · My Friend’s Place · Takosushi · Walton Way Deli

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Focus on Women

PMS or something else?

How to tell the difference

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f you dread your monthly period, you’re not alone.

About 75 percent of women who menstruate have at least one troubling premenstrual symptom, whether it’s depression, irritability, anxiety, tender breasts, bloating or headache. Many women experience a pattern of emotional and physical symptoms month after month.

“If these symptoms are so severe that they interfere with some aspect of your life, you may have premenstrual syndrome [PMS],” says Erin Holsten, MD, an Ob/Gyn with MCGHealth. If you have PMS, symptoms usually begin in the five days before your period starts and occur at least three months in a row. Symptoms typically last for four days.

A severe form of PMS About 8 percent of menstruating women suffer from a sometimes disabling form of PMS known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). “PMDD causes more severe symptoms than PMS and has a greater impact on relationships and daily activities,” says Dr. Holsten.

“Symptoms occur in the last week of the menstrual cycle and usually improve a few days after menstruation begins.” They include: • persistent sadness or depression • marked anxiety

Looking for comprehensive Ob/Gyn care?

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CGHealth’s Women’s Health Services offers the entire spectrum of women’s care—from well-woman services to high-risk pregnancies, pelvic reconstruction and in vitro fertilization. The program is staffed by board-certified physicians.

Don’t let PMS disrupt your life. Call 706-721CARE (2273) today to schedule an appointment with an experienced gynecologist who can help.

• mood swings and periods of crying • persistent or marked anger or irritability • decreased interest in usual activities • fatigue or lethargy • feeling overwhelmed or out of control • muscle aches, headaches and joint pain • changes in sleep patterns • changes in appetite If you experience these symptoms, consult your physician.

“Major depression is very common with PMDD, but the condition also can occur in women who don’t have a history of depression,” Dr. Holsten says.

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The cervical cancer vaccine Is it right for your daughter?

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very year, more than 12,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, and approximately 4,000 of those women die from the disease.

Fortunately, a vaccine called Gardasil® is expected to decrease cervical cancer rates by up to 70 percent if national guidelines are followed. The vaccine is recommended for girls and women ages 9 to 26.

It’s administered through three injections during a six-month period.

Gardasil is According to Erin expected to Holsten, MD, an Ob/Gyn decrease cervical with MCGHealth, cancer rates by various strains of the up to 70 percent. human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, cause most cases of cervical cancer. “The immune system generally prevents the virus from causing harm, but in some women the virus can survive for years before converting some cells on the cervix into cancer,” says Dr. Holsten.

“Vaccinating girls and women with Gardasil— preferably before they engage in sexual activity— activates their immune systems prior to the time they’re likely to encounter HPV,” says Dr. Holsten. “If a woman who has been vaccinated is exposed to the virus, antibodies will protect against infection.” Talk to your physician to determine whether the vaccine is appropriate for you or your daughter.

MCGHealth active in developing and testing Gardasil

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esearch conducted by Daron Ferris, MD, director of the MCG Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Center, played a major role in the development of Gardasil, the vaccine for cervical cancer. What’s more, MCGHealth was the largest testing site for the vaccine in North America, allowing women in our community to be among the first to receive this preventive treatment.

Want more women’s health information?

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CGHealth’s new iHealth for Women Web site offers health information for women of all ages. Sections are designed specifically for: • teens • mid-life women • young women • mature women Call 706-721-CARE (2273) today to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist who understands the Gardasil vaccine and adolescent care.

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Cancer Prevention

Chronic heartburn: The cancer connection

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ore than 15 million Americans experience heartburn every day. Symptoms of the condition include: • a burning sensation behind the breastbone • a sour taste in the mouth • the sensation of food re-entering the mouth Unfortunately, prolonged, unchecked heartburn can set the stage for esophageal cancer. “People who suffer from heartburn for five to 10 years may have an increased risk of Barrett’s esophagus, a serious precancerous complication of heartburn,” says Ayaz Chaudhary, MD, a gastroenterologist with MCGHealth. “This is particularly true for men.”

Although there are currently no regular screening

The pill cam: A complete picture

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apsule endoscopy is a procedure used to detect conditions of the esophagus and small intestine.

Also known as the pill cam, it can provide images of a section of the small intestine that traditional endoscopies and colonoscopies can’t see.

Patients swallow a plastic capsule containing a miniature video camera. The camera collects and records images on a small device worn on the patient’s belt.

The physician downloads and reviews the images for possible abnormalities.

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recommendations for Barrett’s esophagus, Dr. Chaudhary recommends that people who have suffered from long-term heartburn undergo some form of screening for the disease, generally endoscopy.

See your entire cancer treatment team in one day

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cancer diagnosis can have you running from doctor to doctor with little coordination of care. But not at MCGHealth Cancer Center. Patients with several common types of cancer can schedule individual visits with their surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, social worker, nutritionist, plastic surgeon and psychiatrist all in one day.

After your appointments, the physicians consult and then meet with you and your family to discuss the plan of care and answer any questions. Your care. Your way.

The center also offers:

• the most specialized treatment team in the area, including surgical oncologists, Ob/Gyn oncologists and hematologist/oncologists • advanced medical technology • access to national clinical trials, including Phase 1 trials not available at other local hospitals Don’t take a chance. If you suffer from heartburn, call 706-721-CARE (2273) now to schedule an appointment with a physician who can help.

New warning signs for ovarian cancer

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or years, physicians thought there were no early warning signs for ovarian cancer, a disease that often strikes younger women who are still raising their children. Sadly, ovarian cancer is frequently fatal.

But recent medical studies indicate that patients who have ovarian cancer often experience identifiable symptoms in the early stages. The most common of these are: • bloating • pelvic or abdominal pain • trouble eating or feeling full quickly • urinary symptoms, such as an urgent or frequent need to urinate According to Sharad A. Ghamande, MD, an Ob/Gyn oncologist with MCGHealth Cancer Center, these

Fast facts about ovarian cancer • Nearly 22,000 American women will develop ovarian cancer this year.

• 15,000 of these women will die of ovarian cancer.

• Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among American women.

• Early detection of ovarian cancer greatly increases survival.

• There is no standardized screening test available for this disease.

• Only 19 percent of ovarian cancers are diagnosed in the early stages, when the chances of survival are about 90 percent.

If you experience these warning signs or are looking for a gynecologist, call 706-721-CARE (2273) to schedule a convenient appointment.

Smoking and cancer symptoms are relatively common and may occur with any number of illnesses. So how do you know when to see a physician if you experience them?

Dr. Ghamande advises making an appointment with your gynecologist if: • occurrence of these

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The types of cancer that are causally related to smoking

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The percentage of cancer deaths that are linked to smoking

symptoms is unusual • symptoms occur almost daily • symptoms last for more than a few weeks “Although these symptoms are more likely to be caused by conditions other than ovarian cancer, it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Dr. Ghamande says. “When ovarian cancer is diagnosed early, the chances that the disease can be cured are very high.”

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Heart-Healthy Living

In the nick of time MCGHealth Cardiovascular Center performs its first heart transplant

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he old saying “timing is everything” certainly proved true for Freddie McCullum and his wife Shirley. For years, the heavy equipment operator from Stone Mountain, Ga., had been growing steadily weaker due to congestive heart failure. He had lost his health insurance and was turned down by an Atlanta transplant program, at that time the only one of its kind in the state.

As this was happening, transplant surgeon Kevin Landolfo, MD, former director of the cardiac transplant team at Duke University Medical Center, was building a similar program at MCGHealth. The team he forged consisted of two surgeons, two cardiologists, a nephrologist, two heart failure/transplant coordinators, a medical social worker and other administrative and support personnel.

After four years of planning, the program was certified by the United Network for Organ Sharing in July 2007, when MCGHealth agreed to perform the first nine cardiac transplants free of charge. “As a result, MCGHealth will invest more than $2 million in start-up funds for the program,” says Dr. Landolfo.

Couple finds new hope at MCGHealth As MCGHealth was launching its program, Freddie’s health was declining. “Then we learned about the new program at MCGHealth, and things began to look up,” says Shirley.

The McCullums

Then we learned about the new program at MCGHealth, and things began to look up.

—Shirley McCullum

scheduled an appointment with a member of MCGHealth’s transplant team on March 25. Because of his grave condition, Freddie was at the top of the transplant list. On April 8, as the father of two anxiously waited, a heart that matched his needs became available in Atlanta.

The transplant team shifts into gear Vijay Patel, MD, a transplant surgeon with MCGHealth, immediately boarded a plane to Atlanta to remove the donor heart while Chandra Kunavarapu, MD, a congestive heart failure/heart transplant cardiologist, prepared Freddie for surgery. Dr. Patel returned with the new heart, and Dr. Landolfo began removing Freddie’s ailing one.

Three hours after Dr. Patel removed the donor heart, Dr. Landolfo completed the transplant. The donor heart took its first hesitant beats, then gained speed. “It was a magical moment for everyone,” says Dr. Landolfo.

The next day, Freddie celebrated his 42nd birthday

Transplant team members (left to right) Chandra Kunavarapu, MD, Vijay Patel, MD, and Kevin Landolfo, MD, monitor Freddie’s care after his heart transplant.

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at MCGHealth with a new heart and a renewed appreciation for life.

Stress can take a toll on the heart Exactly what is the “stress response“?

A: The stress response is a protective mechanism that gives your body the energy, speed and concentration to deal with physical threats.

It allows you the option of “fight or flight.”

How does it begin?

A: A tiny region in the brain sets off an alarm in the body.

In response, your adrenal glands release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, the primary stress hormone.

Time management checklist

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ffective time management can help you minimize stress and get the most from each day. Here’s a checklist to help you improve your organizational skills: q Begin each day with a to-do list. q

q q

q

q

q q q q

What effect do these hormones have on the body?

Prioritize your tasks so you can focus on what’s most important.

Say “no” to nonessential tasks.

Delegate roles and responsibilities to others.

Avoid repetition by doing jobs right the first time.

Break large tasks into smaller, more manageable sections.

Eliminate activities that make poor use of your time.

Take periodic breaks.

Get plenty of sleep and exercise.

Take a time management course, if needed.

A: Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts your energy. Cortisol increases glucose in the bloodstream and alters immune system responses.

Why is prolonged stress dangerous?

A: The overexposure to stress hormones disrupts the body’s processes and increases the risk of obesity, insomnia, digestive problems, depression and heart disease.

Don’t give your heart to just anyone

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hen it comes to heart health, MCGHealth is here for you, whether you have high blood pressure, need a pacemaker, have congestive heart failure or require a full-blown heart transplant.

The center is staffed by renowned cardiologists and researchers from such prestigious institutions as Harvard Medical School, Duke University and Brown University. Together, they keep MCGHealth on the leading edge of cardiac care.

These specialists in interventional cardiology, pediatric cardiology, echocardiology, open-heart surgery, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and other areas work as an integrated team to diagnose and treat the full range of cardiovascular diseases. They also operate the area’s only heart transplant center and offer advanced electrophysiology procedures not available at other area hospitals.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 706-721-CARE (2273) or visit mcghealth.org/cardio.

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Family Health

Raising healthy kids A weighty issue

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ediatricians at MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center are seeing increasing numbers of children with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol—problems once considered rare in kids. That’s because the number of overweight or obese Americans ages 6 to 11 has doubled, and in the last 20 years, the number of overweight or obese teens has tripled. The main cause of childhood obesity? Too much food and too little exercise.

“In addition to being at risk for diseases, children who are overweight or obese can be bullied and suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety or depression,” says Reda W. Bassali, MD, a pediatrician with MCGHealth

Healthy snacking

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nacking isn’t necessarily bad if the snacks pack a nutritional punch. Follow these tips for healthy snacking: • Restrict snacking to the kitchen to prevent mindless munching in front of a computer or TV. • Stock up on healthy grab-and-go snacks such as string cheese, yogurt cups and celery sticks.

• Offer something new, like fresh mango or roasted soy nuts.

• Keep a bowl of fruit on the counter, a bag of ready-to-eat carrots in the refrigerator and cans of fruit packed in juice in the pantry.

• Go for the grains. Whole-grain crackers, pretzels and cereals are high in fiber and provide staying power.

Children’s Medical Center. “These conditions can possibly lead to behavior and learning problems.”

Parents, take charge!

Childhood obesity is often a symptom of family lifestyle, so parents have to lead the way in solving the problem.

“Don’t go into denial as many parents do,” says Dr. Bassali. “If you think your child is overweight, see a physician for an evaluation that includes measuring his or

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Pediatric evaluation teams ease parents’ fears her height and weight and calculating his or her body mass index (BMI).”

The main cause of childhood obesity? Too much food and too little exercise.

You’ll also need to improve your family’s diet and exercise habits. To lose weight, both adults and children have to burn more calories than they take in.

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o one knows your child better than you do, so you may be the first to notice subtle personality changes that may signal a worsening condition when hospitalized. When that occurs at MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center, you can call a Pediatric Evaluation Team (PET) to the bedside from any phone in the hospital.

This group of multidisciplinary health care providers will quickly evaluate your child’s health. It’s just another way MCGHealth partners with you to deliver Patient Family Centered Care.

For children younger than age 7 who have no other health concerns, however, weight maintenance may be a better option than weight loss. “This allows the child to grow taller without adding

Worried about your child’s weight? Call 706-721CARE (2273) now to schedule an appointment with an experienced pediatrician.

pounds. Over time, the child’s BMI will drop into a normal range,” Dr. Bassali says.

For older children, weight loss should be slow and steady, anywhere from 1 pound to 4 pounds a month.

Get moving!

Here are some tips to get your kids up and going: • If you want active children, be an active parent.

• Limit television, video

On the food front To decrease the total number of calories you and your children eat each day: • Serve more fruits and vegetables, working up to five servings a day.

• Choose poultry and lean cuts of meat, and bake or grill instead of frying.

• Buy low-fat or fat-free dairy products.

• Limit all fats and avoid saturated and trans

games and recreational

fats and tropical oils.

computer time to no

• Switch to whole-grain breads and pastas.

more than two hours

• Limit the number of times you eat out,

a day.

• Encourage activity, not just exercise.

• Get your children to take part in organized sports, and volunteer to work with their teams.

especially at fast-food restaurants.

• Forego products that are high in sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

• Eat together as a family.

“Even small lifestyle changes—such as drinking water instead of soda with meals and shooting hoops after

• Make lawn and housework family affairs.

dinner—can have a positive impact on your child’s weight

• Plan family outings around activities other than eating.

and health,” says Dr. Bassali.

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In the News

MCGHealth ALS Clinic receives national certification

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CGHealth's Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinic recently became the first in Georgia and the 31st in the nation to be certified by the ALS Association.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, causes patients to lose the use of their muscles, making it difficult for them to visit multiple caregivers.

MCGHealth’s ALS Clinic coordinates the comprehensive, multidisciplinary care these patients need. The clinic allows patients to see their physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, respiratory therapists, dietitians and other caregivers on the same day.

Better medicine, better outcomes, better care. That’s a hallmark of MCGHealth.

Find relief today. For more information or to schedule an appointment at the ALS Clinic, call 706-721-CARE (2273) or visit mcghealth. org/neuro.

MCGHealth among top 100 hospitals nationwide

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CGHealth made the list of top 100 hospitals in the nation in patient safety and quality of care according to the Thomson 100 Top Hospitals® National Benchmarks for Success.

This annual study examines the performance levels of U.S. hospitals and objectively identifies 100 benchmark hospitals based on the two most recent years of data.

What does it take to be among the top 100 hospitals in the nation? Three things: outstanding clinical quality, well-run operations and responsible financial management. The study finds that the 100 top hospitals have higher survival rates and lower complications for patients, while also maintaining financial stability.

The study estimates that if all Medicare inpatients received the same level of care as those at the winning hospitals: • More than 120,000 additional patients would survive each year.

• There would be 138,000 fewer patient complications each year.

• Expenses would decline by $6.23 billion a year.

• The hospital stay for the average patient would decrease by more than half a day.

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