MEDICALEXAMINER FREE T AKE-HO ME COP Y!
TM
HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS
JANUARY 21, 2022
AIKEN-AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006
AUGUSTARX.COM
HATE EXERCISE? Lady abuses pancreas M E D I C I N E
I N
T H E
F I R S T
P E R S O N
Submitted by Dolores Eckles • Evans, Georgia
News flash: not everyone likes exercise. Some don’t even allow “the E-word” to be uttered in their presence. They might reluctantly perspire, but they are not about to sweat. None of this changes the fact that we all need and benefit from exercise. So how can the e-haters still get their paces in? In honor of ‘22, here are 22 great ways (ok, maybe a few aren’t all that great) to do the E-word deed without that E-word feeling. 1. Wiggle while you wait Life is all about waiting, isn’t it? Don’t just sit there during
WAYS TO BE ACTIVE THAT DON’T FEEL LIKE THE E-WORD all those TV commercials. Get up and march in place; walk briskly down the hallway and back; do push-ups or burpees; or both. Ditto for while “Your call is very important to us” is playing. 2. Get stuff done Wash the car. Vacuum the house. Rake
the yard. Do something productive that involves moving. 3. Play Get down on the floor with the kids (or the grandkids) and wrestle. Crawl around and be a kid again. Throw a Frisbee around with the kids or shoot some baskets in the driveway. 4. Play grown-up games I Charades is an example of a game that involves moving but can be done indoors. There are others. Be creative. 5. Play grown-up games II According to WebMD, sex burns about as many calories per minute as briskly walking or raking leaves. Additionally,
I am that lady, and I plead guilty. However, I have been unaware of my abuse for many years until recently when I was hospitalized for 3 days, diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and hypokalemia (too-low potassium). I choose not to dwell on the minutia of the stay but rather focus on what I learned from the experience. My abdominal CT (computerized tomography) scan showed “strings” or filaments surrounding the pancreas, an indicator of inflammation. The function of the pancreas is to make enzymes to break down sugars, fats, and starches for digestion. Insulin is also produced in the pancreas and controls the level of glucose in the bloodstream. Gallstones are one of the most common causes of pancreatitis. The hard stones form in the gallbladder, a nearby organ. The gallbladder and pancreas share a passage into the common bile duct. If gallstones block the duct, the fluid backs up and causes pancreatitis. But how could I have gallstones? My gallbladder was removed when I had pancreatic cancer surgery in 2011. The answer: About 1 in 7 who have inflammation can result in the complication of pancreatitis. Lucky me for being that 1. The doctor’s discharge orders for me was no food or liquids (including H20) for 29 hours. My mouth was a desert, my lips were glued together. The stated purpose of this fast was “to rest and heal the pancreas.” Because all the goings-on made sleep an elusive goal, I had time to reflect on my diagnosis, and gradually I had an epiphany about why my choice of the word “abuse” is accurate.
Please see 22 WAYS page 3
Please see PANCREAS page 5
got medicare questions? YOU CAN GET THE ANSWERS FROM A LOCAL AGENT OR A TELEMARKETER. WHICH WOULD YOU PREFER?
NEW TO
RE?
MEDICA
— 0R —
NEARING
AGE 65?
Soos Benefits Group Your Local Independent Medicare Professional
706-399-1989
I can answer your questions in the way you’re most comfortable with: in person, over the phone, or by video conference.
Renea Soos
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
THE FIRST 40 YEARS ARE ALWAYS THE HARDEST
JANUARY 21, 2022 PART O OF A 26-PART SERIES
O
PARENTHOOD by David W. Proefrock, PhD
Your 10 year-old son has become increasingly aggressive toward his younger brother and sister. Not only has he been hitting them very hard and hurting them, he tried to choke his younger brother last week, and his sister told you he threatened her with a knife. What do you do? A. React firmly to aggression. When he hits his brother and sister, spank him hard to let him know that you will not tolerate him being mean to them. B. Have a talk with him about the dangers of treating his brother and sister so roughly. When he understands that he could really hurt them, he will stop on his own. C. Whenever he hits his brother or sister, hold him and let them hit him back as hard as they can. He will learn that he can’t bully younger children. D. This level of aggression represents a real psychological and behavioral problem. Take him to a mental health professional for an evaluation.
IS FOR OLFACTION
This is a 9-letter word that we usually express in just 5 letters: olfaction is our sense of smell, and like everything else associated with the human body, it’s a fascinating subject. For example, you may know that gustation is actually 80% olfaction. In other words, taste is 80% smell. Without our sense of smell, the foods we eat would taste very bland at best. It’s all further evidence of the line from the old song, part of which goes, “the hip bone’s connected to the...thigh bone...” That’s true yet again because our sense of smell is wired in to multiple interconnected systems to help and protect us. If you answered: As is true with taste sensations, appetizing aromas can cause A. This could actually make the problem worse. Not only increased salivation and stimulation of the digestive tract (can could you be missing signs of a serious psychological probcause - but not always - because food aromas are perceived lem, you are teaching him that violence is an acceptable and processed differently depending on whether we’re starving way to solve a problem. or stuffed). Unpleasant odors associated with danger, like B. This situation is too extreme for a talk. If he is choksmoke or a skunk, can trigger protective reflexes ranging from ing them and threatening them with a knife, he already knows that he could really hurt them. This level of violence coughing and sneezing to fight-or-flight. And some smells are so instinktively (yes, we misspelled that deliberately) and inherently calls for intervention by a mental health professional. dangerous — strong ammonia fumes, for instance — they will C. As with the first ill-advised choice, you are punishing make us involuntarily stop breathing until we can flee the area. aggression with aggression. That never works. He should Our complex sense of smell is also capable of a feat known as be evaluated by a mental health professional. D. This is the best response in this situation. This level of olfactory adaptation, which can be a blessing or a curse. The term describes our ability to temporarily adjust to a smell so that it no violence in a young child is a sign of a serious problem. longer even registers. Someone could work in a paper mill or a While many childhood behaviors are annoying, worrisewage treatment plant and not even notice the smell after a few some, and unacceptable; real violence and threats of real minutes on the job. That same adaptation means people inside a violence cross the line and should be addressed by an home with a gas leak don’t even notice the noxious odorant added expert. + to natural gas. It often takes someone new entering the home (or an explosion) to alert the occupants inside to the danger. Dr. Proefrock is a retired clinical and forensic child psychologist. Another fun fact: some things we perceive as smells are actually reactions from pain receptors in the nasal cavities. Examples include the sharp scents of vinegar, hot chili peppers, and menthol, among others. The very structure of the body’s olfactory factory allows it to
Introducing
THANKS FOR READING!
PATIENT PORTAL! 2604 Peach Orchard Rd Augusta•706-798-5645
always be ready for the next aroma that comes wafting past. As logic would suggest, the sensors are located in the roof of the nasal cavity, ready to catch scents drifting up from the nose and throat just below. Millions of bowling-pin shaped olfactory receptor cells line the local epithelium, the word used to describe the lining of the sinus cavity. Olfactory receptor cells end in olfactory hairs, which are essentially cilia, except these cilia don’t do The Wave like most of their kind. Even so, they greatly increase the surface area of scent receptors, catching molecules and transmitting a biographical sketch of each up to their opposite (upper) end to interact with mitral cells in complex structures called balls of thread or balls of yarn. Well, officially the name is glomeruli, but that’s Latin for “balls of yarn or thread.” From there the chemical scent data is shipped off to the olfactory cortex within the brain where smells are analyzed for appropriate action. One element in the structure we haven’t mentioned yet is the thin layer of mucus in which the olfactory hairs terminate. Airborne odor molecules are captured and chemically dissolved in the mucus, which is instantly detected by olfactory hairs. But the mucus itself is constantly replaced, flushing away “old” odors so new ones always have fresh receptor cells upon which to land. The big question smell researchers debate at dinner parties: how many smells are there? All tastes are said to belong to the 4 major groups: sweet, sour, salty and bitter (plus the newcomer: umami). In the world of smell science, one major camp says there are 7 primary odor groups, another has identified 30, while still other researchers say there are at least 1,000. Not knowing really stinks. +
Convenient 24/7 access to everything you need for healthcare from Barney’s! Available for all Furys Ferry and Peach Orchard customers!
Download the free Barney’s app!
DIAGNOSTIC
+2
Call or visit the pharmacy to set up your portal today!
215 Furys Ferry Rd 5135 Wrightsboro Rd Augusta•706-863-3456 Grovetown•706-869-8535
BARNEYSRX.COM
22 WAYS… from page 1
“research shows that it may help prevent heart disease, though that only seems to be true if you’re in a healthy relationship.” 6. Climb every mountain In other words, take the stairs whenever possible. 7. Be an athlete You know, like miniature golf, ping-pong and bowling. Anything beats sit-testing the La-Z-Boy 18 hours a day. 8. Walk the dog At least twice a day. And please, leave your phone at home. 9. Don’t walk the dog You don’t even have one! But at least twice a day you could pretend you do. And be sure to bring along your phone. Use it to track your steps/ miles. 10. Get a job! After retirement some people become completely inactive. One solution could be returning to the workforce, even part-time. In this economy right now, you will have your choice of jobs. Pick one you’ll enjoy. 11. Don’t get a job! Look, we all know you don’t need the money. So volunteer someplace. You could be a museum docent or a volunteer at an animal shelter or food kitchen. Or you could act, sing, or dance in a theater company. 12. Create a position You can appoint yourself as the person who picks up litter in your neighborhood. Safety first! Wear a fluorescent vest. Be alert. 13. Easy Rider, The Home Game Translation: ride a bike around the neighborhood. It’s enjoyable, yet has E-word benefits, and it gets you out in the fresh air. 14. Go get the mail On foot! There are people who drive to their mailbox. Or they pull up at the box when they drive in from work. No
more! Walk to thy mailbox. 15. Lima Bean Reps It doesn’t have to be lima beans. It could be soup or condensed milk. No matter what’s in the can, it can be used for weightlifting to increase arm and upper body strength. And you can do it while watching The Young and the Restless. 16. Meet on the fly Some people will walk over to a co-worker’s desk and instead of sitting down they say, “Hey, let’s go for a walk.” And they discuss whatever it is while they walk around the building. It all adds up, boys and girls. 17. No. 16, Part II Spend your lunch break walking. Many jobs provide enough flexibility to eat at your desk while you work, so you can use the designated lunch break to take a hike. 18. Protect your car Avoid dents and dings by parking as far from the front of the store or office as possible. 19. Two words: video games You can get quite a workout with a Wii console or an Oculus gaming system. Just be sure you don’t punch your TV set or go crashing through your sliding glass door. 20. Commute from home Working from home due to the pandemic? You can still commute to work: leave the house every morning and walk around the block a time or two and then back home to the office. 21. Multi-task Similar to #1, that treadmill over in the corner collecting dust could be a bookholder. Walk while chewing gum and listening to an audiobook. Or while watching TV. 22. Get a hobby There are lots of hobbies that can involve the E-word as an unintended side effect. They include bird watching, nature photography, golf (miniature or full-sized), dancing, kayaking and canoeing, and of course, juggling. There are tutorial videos on YouTube. +
“And whoever saves one — it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.”
FREE HEALTH CLINIC for those who have no health insurance and whose income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. We provide ongoing primary care, limited prescription assistance, mental health referrals, and more.
Every Second Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM Walk-ins welcome 9am-11am • By appointment 9am-1pm EVEN MONTHS: ODD MONTHS:
University Hospital POB 1, Suite 2-A First Islamic Center Building 820 St. Sebastian Way 3416 Middleton Dr. f Upcoming Next clinic clinic Augusta, GA 30901 Augusta, GA 30907 HERE HERE
f
FEB. 12
3 +
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
JANUARY 21, 2022
MAR. 12
TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR GET MORE INFORMATION:
Phone: 706-513-0582 • Email: Shifacareclinic@yahoo.com
WHY NOT JUST GET COVID ON PURPOSE AND GET IT OVER WITH? This sentiment is not exactly common — or particularly original — but it’s growing. It’s a reincarnation of the measles parties of the 1960s where parents wanted their children to come down with the disease and the “pox parties” of the 1980s, in which parents exposed their children to chickenpox. Public health officials have recently expressed the opinion (or fear) that eventually everyone is going to get the Omicron variant of COVID-19. In other words, why fight it? It’s one thing to come down with some disease or another; it’s another matter entirely — and a very unwise one at that — to actively seek to deliberately get that disease. Doctors say that is a very bad idea for a number of reasons. According to news reports, Omicron symptoms are like a bad cold. But what cold have you ever heard of that destroys a person’s sense of smell and taste into the indefinite future? What cold have you ever had that ran its course and then gradually turned into a series long-term, chronic symptoms that seem to have no end in sight? What cold have you ever come down with where your employer requires you to quarantine for 5 days? What cold hospitalizes and kills people? The thought of staying home for 5 days might sound appealing to some. It might conjure up thoughts of peace and quiet, binging your way through Netflix, sleeping late and basically enjoying a nice little vacation. The official list of typical Omicron symptoms, however, sounds a lot less appealing: fever and chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle and body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. New research also suggests young people are more susceptible to diabetes after having COVID. Even if Person A deliberately gets COVID but has almost no symptoms, what if they happen to infect Person B, and that person has severe symptoms? There are people who are dying from COVID, even Omicron. And people want to get that? On purpose? +
MEDICALEXAMINER
TM
AIKEN-AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER
www.AugustaRx.com The Medical Examiner’s mission: to provide information on topics of health and wellness of interest to general readers, to offer information to assist readers in wisely choosing their healthcare providers, and to serve as a central source of salubrious news within every part of the Augusta medical community. Direct editorial and advertising inquiries to: Daniel R. Pearson, Publisher & Editor E-mail: Dan@AugustaRx.com AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER P.O. Box 397, Augusta, GA 30903-0397
(706) 860-5455 www.AugustaRx.com • E-mail: Dan@AugustaRX.com www.Facebook.com/AugustaRX Opinions expressed by the writers herein are their own and/or their respective institutions. Neither the Augusta Medical Examiner, Pearson Graphic 365 Inc., nor its agents or employees take any responsibility for the accuracy of submitted information, which is presented for general informational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment, consult your doctor. The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. © 2022 PEARSON GRAPHIC 365 INC.
+4
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
JANUARY 21, 2022
#157 IN A SERIES
Who is this? ON THE ROAD TO BETTER HEALTH A PATIENT’S PERSPECTIVE Editor’s note: Augusta writer Marcia Ribble, Ph.D., is a retired English and creative writing professor who offers her unique perspective as a patient. Contact her at marciaribble@hotmail.com
I
f this man was still alive today, it would probably be difficult for him to get through a single day with saying “I told you so” multiple times Ludwik Fleck (above) was a courageous man, and as time has shown, a perceptive prophet, philosopher and thinker. Thought, in fact, was what Fleck thought about. How do people think? What shapes their thinking and the resulting decisions they make? Planet Earth over the past two years would be a perfect petri dish for demonstrating many of Fleck’s conclusions. He coined the term “thought collective” to describe how groups of people, be they medical researchers, politicians, or members of cults or terrorist groups, think as a group, as a collective. In today’s speech some people call this “silo mentality,” where small groups within a company or an ideological faction or society as a whole are isolated from others and their ideas (as if in a silo). This “echo chamber” environment minimizes and may even discourage outside input while magnifying everything within the thought collective, the silo, the echo chamber. Is all this beginning to sound very familiar? It is the reason that large segments of society believe that vaccines and masks and their advocates are the spawn of Satan, while an equally large segment believes these are effective weapons against disease. It’s why so many Democrats view Republicans as the sworn enemies of democracy, and why so many Republicans happily return the favor. Broadly speaking, thought collectives are the reason that “truth” and “lies” need to have quotation marks around them so often: opposing groups can be so isolated within their collective that they never hear anything but their own “facts,” never the other person’s “facts.” Of course, all too often neither side is in sole possession of the truth; it’s somewhere in the middle. Fleck published some 40 papers on subjects associated with human perceptions of “reality” and 80 more on medical topics. All of this establishes him as a perceptive and prophetic thinker, but what about Fleck as a man of great courage? That is indeed a “fact.” Born in 1896 to a Jewish family, Fleck earned his medical degree in 1922 in Poland, a country that was eventually overrun by Germany. After being confined to the Jewish ghetto in the city of Lvov for a time, Fleck was assigned to work for a pharmaceutical company developing an antityphus vaccine for German troops (a subject he had extensive experience with dating back to his earliest post-graduate days). He was later deported to the concentration camp in Auschwitz, and then in December 1943, to Buchenwald, where he was assigned to continue his vaccine research. It was at Buchenwald that a group of prisoners — scientists and medical doctors of various nationalities — largely through the efforts of Ludwik Fleck, produced not one but two antityphus vaccines. One, produced in large quantities and used for SS guards in the camp and also sent to the front lines, was completely ineffective. The other, real and potent and effective, was used for the camp’s prisoners. Buchenwald’s (and Fleck’s) vaccine sabotage program continued undiscovered until the camp’s liberation in 1945. Fleck survived the war and died of a heart attack in 1961. +
by Marcia Ribble One of the benefits of being around other seniors is having a ready source of helpful first-hand information from people experiencing many of the same issues that I face. In the past month I have been experiencing fairly random episodes of such extreme dizziness that I have fallen. This past week I recognized the feelings and was able to use my call button to summon help before I fell. The EMTs checked my blood sugar, my blood pressure, etc. and they could find no reason for my inability to coordinate my body in a standing position. They even checked my cognitive function, which was normal. I knew who is president, the date and year, and all the other basic tests of brain function they use. It was clear that my brain hadn’t suffered a stroke or other malfunction. But what could have caused what I was experiencing? No obvious answers occurred to them or to me. But at bingo, one of the other women mentioned that she experiences episodes of falling and even unconsciousness. It happens when her potassium levels fall too low. Voila! Eureka! I take fairly powerful doses of a diuretic every day, and my episodes happen at about two in the afternoon each time, and occur when my diuretics have reached maximum effectiveness and I have to stand up and walk to the bathroom. In each episode I stood up to walk to the bathroom and could not control my body, lurching and losing my balance completely and falling. That day I had hit the wall on one side, hit the wall on the other side and managed to
fall onto the toilet. I tried three times to pull down my pants and finally managed to do that and go to the bathroom. But then what? I managed to get my pants on, but each time I tried to stand up, the loss of balance was immediately apparent. If I tried to use my walker to get to my chair, I was going to fall, so I debated with myself….to press my call button or try to walk and fall down, potentially injuring myself. I pressed the call button and got help. As a result, now I am making sure that I eat a mandarin or Clementine orange along with taking my diuretics. It brings up my potassium levels to a nice stable level and so far, no more dizziness, My bingo buddy also advised me to take my pills using a sugar-free sports drink which would also accomplish the same thing. I’m going to try that and see if it helps. I have ordered the oranges and the sports drinks. Neither of those things can hurt me and they may be of some help. In any case they are significantly less expensive than a trip to the hospital and a whole lot of tests, which may or may not confirm the theory that what is making me woozy is my potassium levels. Even the trip to the hospital is expensive since ambulance rides are not free. Even if they just do a few things and send me home it could be as much as a thousand dollars. A word of caution: be smart when trying out suggestions from friends. Make sure you are not putting yourself at risk, and try to confirm with your doctor what is going on. I have an appointment with my doctor and will bring up my questions with him in the next few weeks. +
I LOVE THE MEDICAL EXAMINER!
JANUARY 21, 2022
5 +
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
ADVENTURES IN
Middle Age BY J.B. COLLUM
My father loved his Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves and he faithfully watched or listened to the games on the radio. I’m still wrestling with the unfairness of him missing both of these historic events, since he passed away on Labor Day weekend before all this winning happened. As my family and friends celebrated each of these victories over the past few months, it was with the one reservation that he couldn’t be there with us to enjoy it. I know that I will see him again one day though, and I look forward to talking to him about it among many other things. All of this has caused me to reflect a little more about the things we wait around for. Especially things like waiting on our teams to win championships. We have no control or bearing on them winning or losing, yet we spend so much time engrossed with it. I’m not knocking fandom, but it does give you pause to think about the time we spend waiting on the big victories and championships. I don’t want to wait around anymore and I’m very glad that my better half and I have finally started our camping adventure. As I’ve said here before, we plan on taking our rig across the United States to enjoy the beauty of creation. We aren’t waiting until retirement. It is also interesting that the catalyst for this was the pandemic that sent so many people home to work remotely. My company was essentially opposed to working from home, but now has completely reversed the policy to where anyone can work from home, or from wherever they have a good internet connection and some kind of power to run their laptop. Don’t wait around for your team to win a national championship. Don’t wait on anything. Go out there and live your life. Enjoy time with your family and friends and look for new things to do, new places to see, and new things to experience. Then, if you later get to the point that you are unable to do these things anymore, you will have built a storehouse of memories to reflect back on and you will have little to no regrets. When I see my dad again someday, I hope to tell him all about Yosemite, Yellowstone, and so many other natural wonders and beautiful places that we enjoyed while we could. +
{
If you’ve been waiting 41 years for your college football team to win another national championship, you might be middle-aged. And you might just be a Georgia Bulldog fan. Congratulations to the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team, and thank you. You have now fulfilled some last wishes for some of us middle-aged and older folks that remember the 1980 championship year very well. Since I am somewhat borrowing from Jeff Foxworthy, I should mention that I watched an interview with him that happened a day or so after the game. As a lifetime Georgia fan, he made it clear that he understood the deleterious effects that UGA’s many close calls have had on the health of their fans. I personally have thought I was having a heart attack during Georgia games, and once or twice I thought I had lost my mind because it felt like I was in the twilight zone. I mean, did the universe really hate Georgia so bad? There was the 2012 SEC championship game when time expired with Georgia just a few yards away from a winning touchdown, and then having to watch Alabama crush Notre Dame in the championship that Georgia likely would have won. Then there was the 2017 national championship game, which Georgia led almost the entire game. But then the Alabama backup quarterback was put in the game and tied it up in regulation. In overtime, Georgia sacked the Alabama quarterback (I’m not going to mention his name because I can’t spell it, much less pronounce it) and left them with a 2nd and 26, now well out of field goal range. On the very next play, that same quarterback tossed a touchdown pass that won the game. The next year, in the SEC championship game it was basically a rerun of the previous national championship game. Once again Georgia led almost the entire game, but then the backup quarterback, the one who had been replaced the previous year when they came back to beat Georgia, traded places with his previous backup quarterback and saved the day. It was like Rocky and Rocky II all rolled into one, except that Rocky loses both times by knockout a few seconds before the last bell and while he was ahead in the points. Heart-breaking stuff for sure. The same could be said of our beloved Atlanta Braves. So many World Series appearances and only one championship. They had even been ahead three games to one and still lost a series, even the World Series.
{
Don’t wait.
J.B. Collum is a local novelist, humorist and columnist who wants to be Mark Twain when he grows up. He may be reached at johnbcollum@gmail.com
FACEBOOK.COM/AUGUSTARX
PANCREAS… from page 1
When I was growing up, my family had a country general store which sold all kinds of different products, including candy and sugared sodas. For me, every day was Halloween. Our family had hours of hard work, an unhealthy diet, and bad habits. We had little knowledge of nutrition. As a result, my father, younger brother and sister all developed Type 2 diabetes. They died at early stages from the disease. Mother may have been an undiagnosed diabetic. She died of heart failure at eightytwo. Family history repeats itself. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2000 and prescribed oral medication. Insulin shots began about 7 years ago. My pancreas is always on 24-hour duty for years on end with no vacation. The next milestone in my life was being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011. It is an insidious disease with few noticeable symptoms. When my urine turned bright orange, I knew something was not normal. I went to my doctor, who ordered tests and referred me to specialists. I later learned that the initial problem was a blocked bile duct. The early discovery of cancer saved my life. My diagnosis was Stage II A pancreatic cancer. It had not metastasized to other parts of the body. Most persons are in Stage III or IV when their cancer is diagnosed. Seventy-five percent die within the first year. Others have recurrences in years 2 and 3. Only about 5% to 6% of persons lived beyond five years as recently as 2011. With the advent of robotic surgery, the survival rate beyond five years has now crept up to about 9%. In five-year-plus survivors the cancer is unlikely to reoccur. I am a survivor. With the stress of today’s challenges, my blood glucose is a roller coaster ride: too high, too low, and sometimes, normal when the ride stops. I don’t smoke, drink, take illegal drugs, or have sex. I eat to cope. I am an emotional eater. Fortunately, I have not gained weight and have a good diet. Most days, I am active until I reach exhaustion. I work to lower high blood glucose levels and prick my fingers twice daily (or more often) before reading the meter. I am abusing my pancreas, about 80% of which remains after the surgery, by frequently overworking it to produce insulin needed for digestion. That was and is my epiphany. My pancreas is tired and let me know by developing pancreatitis. From experience I know that I have the determination, courage and guidance to stop abusing my pancreas so we can live a salubrious life together. +
EVERYBODY LOVES A GOOD STORY
AND EVERYBODY HAS A STORY. WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOURS.
MEDICINE IN THE FIRST PERSON
Send your interesting (or even semi-interesting) stories to the Medical Examiner, PO Box 397, Augusta, GA 30903 or e-mail to Dan@AugustaRx. com. Tell us if you want it “by you” or if it needs to be anonymous. Thanks!
+6
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
JANUARY 21, 2022
THE
MEDICAL EXAMINER +
IS NOT A
OR A
PILL
CREAM
WINDOW CLEANING • PRESSURE WASHING Free estimates! Call us today at 706-828-1919
It is a TWICE-MONTHLY
NEWSPAPER designed to promote SALUBRIOUS LIVING.
every
READ
ISSUE!
I LOVE THE MEDICAL EXAMINER!
TRYTHISDISH JANUARY 21, 2022
7 +
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT OVERHEAD DOOR
by Kim Beavers, MS, RDN, CDCES Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Chef Coach, Author Follow Kim on Facebook: facebook.com/eatingwellwithkimb
WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Here’s a warm and flavorful chili recipe that’s perfect for adding a little zest to a cold winter’s day!
ON SECOND THOUGHT, PLEASE DON’T.
The Chicken • 1-½ tablespoon Salt-free zesty seasoning blend (like Mrs. Dash original) • 4 cups leftover chicken; shredded OR • 1-½ pound skinless, boneless chicken breast The Chili • 1 Jalapeño Peppers; cut in half and seeds removed • 1 Poblano Pepper; cut in half and seeds removed • 4 tomatillos; paper skins removed and cut in half • ¼ cup cilantro; rough chop • 1 Large sweet onion, chopped • 4 Cloves Garlic (minced) • 1 tablespoon Chili Powder • 1 large or 2 small zucchini; chopped • 2 cans reduced sodium Great Northern Beans; drained and rinsed • 4 cups of reduced sodium Chicken • Juice of one lime • Cilantro (optional garnish) If using raw chicken, trim all visible fat from the chicken and season with spice blend and set aside. Place the peppers, tomatillos, and cilantro in a blender with about 2 tablespoons water. Blend until smooth and set
SINCE 1921
OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY OF AUGUSTA/AIKEN (706) 736-8478 / (803) 642-7269
TM
We sell, install, and service garage doors.
WWW.OHDAUGUSTA.COM Headquarters for the well dressed man since 1963
451 Highland Ave in Surrey Center • (706) 733-2256 • www.gentrymensshop.com
aside. Add the onion to the slow cooker place the seasoned chicken, or leftover shredded chicken plus seasoning, on top of the onions. Add the garlic, chili powder, zucchini, beans, broth and tomatillo sauce. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8 hours. Once done, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred the chicken (unless you used the leftover already shredded). Add
the chicken back to the slow cooker and combine. Serve with lime juice and cilantro. Yield: 8 Servings (Serving size: 1 1/3 cups) Nutrition Breakdown: Calories 180, Fat 3g (0.5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 60mg, Sodium 400mg, Carbohydrate 16g, Fiber 4g, Protein 23g, Potassium 560mg. Plate Plan: 1 Starch, 3 Lean Meats, ½ Vegetable +
ART & FRAME
Custom Framing Custom Mirrors
Gallery Moments Printing Services 526 Georgia Avenue • North Augusta • 803.441.0144
2022
4
DANIEL GREGORY LEOPARD PC AT T O R N E Y
CRIMINAL DEFENSE • FAMILY LAW • PERSONAL INJURY 461 Greene Street at 5th • www.gregleopardlaw.com • 706-724-7511
Art Installation Reframing
FEBRUARY
OURNEXTISSUE
READ THE EXAMINER ONLINE www.issuu.com/medicalexaminer
+8
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER WE EMPLOY ALL REASONABLE COVID SAFETY MEASURES
Daniel Village Barber Shop 2522 Wrightsboro Road
736-7230
YOU COULD SAY OUR EXPERT TEAM OF BARBERS IS A
HAIR BAND
Medical Complex Wrightsboro Road
INS
former Smile Gas
Daniel Field VE
76 Circle K
Highland Ave.
Ohio Ave.
DANIEL VILLAGE BARBER SHOP
Augusta Mall
OPEN FOR BUSINESS:
Tue - Fri: 7:30 - 5:00 Saturday: 7:30 - 11:30 COME SEE US REAL SOON!
Visit us at www.danielvillagebarbershop.com
Stay safe • Save time
Get refills online
Visit parkspharmacy.com
P
ARKS
HARMACY
Hometown. Not big box.
437 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC
803-279-7450
DRIVE-THRU • DELIVERY • PARKSPHARMACY.COM
Now where is that Mystery Word?
JANUARY 21, 2022
I WENT TO REHAB
AND THEY WOULDN’T TAKE ME! by Ken Wilson Steppingstones to Recovery
“I mean, I thought hospitals were supposed to help people! I even have good insurance!” I hear this every week, sometimes after I’ve referred someone to a hospital-based detox program. Why in this world…? Healthcare is complicated these days. It operates by laws, rules, policies and procedures that sometimes make sense and sometimes not. Many of us have been caught in the cross-hairs of need and insurance coverage. Back in the early 90s, you see, insurance companies and hospitals realized that the advent of treatment programs were sometimes abused by addicts, using their insurance card like a Gold Visa card for a month-long staycation at the Best Western. I mean, at the hospital. I mean, it’s cold outside or stifling hot outside and what better place to get 3-hots-and-a-cot than a treatment program! Makes perfect sense, right? Along came “managed care,” which we in the treatment industry often called “managed cost and mangled care.” An insurance-holder could no longer just play the card and get TLC better than they could at home: no dishes to wash, ready-made food, and new friends. Nope, the hospital had to call the insurance company every few days and get more days of inpatient treatment approved. Sometimes as soon as the patient
could stand up straight and had good blood pressure and respirations he/she was discharged and had to go home and return to “intensive outpatient” treatment of 3 hours per day. Bummer. Way to rain on the parade of good intentions. How did this happen? Well, in an effort to be honest and forthright about actual treatment needs and not play cookie-cutter-one-size-fits-all treatment plans, a group of addictionologists and professionals in the field got together and wrote up a menu of criteria for admission to services like detox, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and education only. They likened it to taking your car in to the shop because it was spitting and sputtering and hearing the head mechanic say, “OK, we’re going to overhaul your engine and it’ll cost you $3,000!” They reasoned, “No, some cars just need spark plugs, or an oil change, or a new oxygen sensor,” so let’s save money and give the customer exactly what their car needs to run smoothly again. They were right. Why should an alcoholic who relapsed once after 10 years of sobriety need the Full Monty of a month in a hospital? Maybe he/she just needs a week of evening treatment to get back on track. And maybe the chronic relapser needs a
THIS IS YOUR BRAIN A monthly series by an Augusta drug treatment professional
2-week intensive program focusing on Relapse Prevention and not repeat what he/she learned from the ground up in the last 3 treatment programs attended. So the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) Patient Placement Criteria (Google this!) was born and eventually adopted by most third-party (insurance) payers as criteria for admission, continued stay, and discharge. Regrettably, rather than being an objective tool the criteria over time has seen a lot of subjective interpretations. Some insurance companies use ASAM Criteria more for money-saving than for treatment according to professional and ethical guidelines. When you’re just sitting and watching paint dry sometime, find the movie “Sicko” and you’ll see one director’s interpretation of this system. All that was an introduction to Dimension 2 of this ASAM Criteria! History helps us understand how things work sometimes. Next time we’ll talk about what to do if you go to the hospital and hear “Go home – we can’t help you. Doesn’t matter if you have good insurance.” ASAM. Gives alphabet soup a new word. Wonder if it qualifies for Scrabble? +
769 5-STAR GOOGLE REVIEWS!
Plus 59 PAGES of 5-STAR reviews posted by our customers on our website!
CALL YOUR NEAREST C&C SHOP TO SCHEDULE YOUR SERVICE TODAY
DOWNTOWN W. AUGUSTA MARTINEZ COLUMBIA AIKEN COUNTY 2355 Jefferson Davis Hwy 990 Telfair St 3954 Wrightsboro Rd 4014 Washington Rd 4031 Broad+River Rd 706-724-0900 706-863-9318 762-685-5555 803-590-8606 803-593-8473
VISIT CCAUTOMOTIVE.COM FOR MONEY-SAVING COUPONS, CAR CARE TIPS, & MORE! • Customer shuttle • 6 months same-as-cash financing • 3-year/36,000 mile warranty • ASE Certified technicians • 24-hour towing & key drop • www.ccautomotive.com
Catch the C&C Automotive Show Saturday mornings from 8-10 on 580 AM or 95.1 FM
JANUARY 21, 2022
9 +
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
A ROBOT HAD ITS WAY WITH ME - AND I LIVED A garage is where you store $500 worth of useless junk while your $35,000 car is out in the weather on your driveway. A couple years ago while rearranging my junky carport, I heard a small bop and felt a stinging pain in my navel. I ignored it. Over the next couple years, what was obviously a hernia gradually enlarged. First, grape size. Then kumquat size. It was not truly painful unless I strained hard. But it was uncomfortable, and I continually and subconsciously held my abdominal muscles tight. That is not fun. A doctor friend had a look and explored by belly a bit. He said, “Umbilical hernia. If it doesn’t bother you, leave it alone. It does, get it fixed.” He did not waist time with pleasantries. I thought for 30 seconds. “Who’s the best man to fix it?” “James Bardoner, MD. He does Da Vinci surgery with the robot.” Dr. Bardoner examined me and advised, “We can do in three ways. The older, open method takes two weeks of recovery time and hurts a lot, but costs less. Laparoscopic surgery is quicker but costs more. Da Vinci surgery with the robot is even quicker, more efficient, has shorter recovery time, and costs a little more than laparoscopy. And it’s less painful. What you want?” I considered for 30 seconds and selected quick recovery and less pain. I am not totally stupid and I have never liked pain. He explained three probes would be inserted into my abdomen. He would sit in front of a computer screen over in a corner and operate while not looking directly at me. I reverted to my redneck upbringing. “You mean you’re going to let a robot stir my guts while you’re not even looking at me?” “Something like that.” I said the only reasonable thing. “Let’s rock.”
When I arrived at Day Surgery at Doctors Hospital, I was stripped of all dignity and clothing and told to put on a paper gown that had more holes and slashes in it than the Titanic on the day it went down. I have no idea if I put it on properly. The nurse anesthetist did her thing and told me that within a couple minutes I wouldn’t care about anything. She lied. It only took one minute for my brain to switch off. When it came back on it was two hours later. The robot was out of my guts. My stomach hurt somewhat, but not unbearably. My left side looked like I had been in a bayonet fight and lost. Three new holes were covered with Derma Bond, which is expensive Crazy Glue that Medicare will pay for. My son drove me home, so I am told. I was in and out of the real world and have no idea how we got home. My wife had a light lunch waiting. I slept most of the evening, and had a small ribeye steak for supper. My granddaughter likes ribeyes. No nausea. No vomiting. Just some pain where the robot had stirred in my guts. Not nearly as bad as I had anticipated. I had a prescription for Percocet 5. Take 1-2 every 4 hours for pain. I took 2 at bedtime. Big mistake. It cut the pain, but I could not sleep. My head was numb. My brain was dumb. Some sort of suspended animation, I guess. I experienced a bit of opioid euphoria, but that is not desirable when you don’t feel good. Not something you would pay good money for, and certainly not a “recreational drug,” whatever that is. The next evening Dr. Bardoner called to inquire on my situation. I was fine. Hurt some, but not the end of the world. I heard a strange noise and asked what he was doing. “Walking my dog,” he said. “Walk your dog,” I said. “He needs you more attention than me.”
Read us online at AugustaRX.com
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (most of the time) A series by Flatwoods Frankie
“Tomorrow will be worse,” he closed with. “Good night.” He was right. The next day was worse, but not anywhere as bad as I thought. I could eat anything I wanted. I did not move much. My attack Yorkie lived in my lap. She knew I was punny-fied. She did not move except when necessary, and she did not bark. She’s a good dog. On Day 5, I went back to work. 10 hour shift. By day’s end I was dragging. The girl in the office helped me. Not once did they comment on how I looked. They did tell me later that I looked like I was auditioning for a part in The Walking Dead. I love them more now than pre-surgery. Sometimes a little pain
fine-tunes your appreciation of others. By Day 6, I had taken five Percocets. I do not like them. I will not take any more. No chance I will ever be a pill freak. I must be doing OK. I can stand almost straight up and not resemble Ichabod Crane. Not much anyway. My wife still speaks to me and fixes whatever I wish to eat. I have not missed any meals. She is the world’s best cook and wife. Why she puts up with me is a Mystery for the Ages.
A number of years have gone by since all of this, and I see TV ads for a class action lawsuit for anyone who wants free money for having a mesh-repaired hernia. All you have to do is call in, say you have pain and you get money. No pain: no money. I don’t lie, so I will struggle by on my Social Security and be thankful for not having a hernia any more. What lessons can you learn from all this? • Don’t lift heavy boxes of
junk when you get old. You might get a hernia. • If your guts need stirring, get introduced to the Da Vinci robot. • Avoid Percocets. They make you stupid, and you won’t sleep. • After surgery, whatever you do, don’t cough, sneeze, or laugh. If you do, the next noise coming out of you will render you socially unacceptable and test your religion. • If a friend has surgery, do not go to visit until after Day 4. I can assure you he does not want to make the effort to be sociable with you while you ask stupid questions like, “How do you feel?” Or “Does it hurt?” Or “Can I do anything for you?” • Stay away until the surgical massacre is over by a week. • If you are older, hire a young man to move the junk in your garage. He needs the money, and you don’t need a hernia or some other medical misadventure. You’ll save a lot of money. Trust me. I know about these things. +
Michael Sharkey, MD Lauren Ploch, MD Caroline Wells, PA-C Chris Thompson, PA-C John Cook, MD, Emeritus GENERAL, SURGICAL & COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY
Augusta Office:
Aiken Office:
GADERM.COM
YOU ARE ESSENTIAL DON'T DELAY. GET THE CARE YOU NEED.
+ 10
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
CRASH
COURSE
More Americans have died on US roads since 2000 than in World Wars I & II combined
T
Never. Older drivers in their smaller cars are he graphic below refers to a meeting that more vulnerable when crashes happen. happens often. You and I have seen it a The final piece of the pie is relative age: thousand times, and research has confirmed 16 years is young in people years, but it’s that it’s not our imagination. It’s the old car positively ancient in car years. driven by an old driver. We might see these Let’s say an older driver has a 20-year-old pairings puttering along as we blow past at car, maybe even a classic, that he scrupuhigher speeds. Traffic studies confirm that lously maintains. Regular oil changes, new older drivers aren’t exactly a menace behind tires, all the maintenance boxes checked the wheel. As a group they tend to be safer according to manufacturer recommendations. and more cautious, less apt to take reckless It’s regularly washed and waxed. As old as it chances. Older adults are healthier than ever may be, it’s still showroom slick. before and as a result are driving more miles Great. What’s missing? at later ages than ever before. And they are Depending on exactly how old the car is, crashing less often than anti-lock braking (ABS) ever. Per mile traveled, might be absent, along middle-aged drivers have with its more advanced more police-reported offspring, ESC, or eleccrashes and fatal crashes tronic stability control, than drivers in the 70s an ingenious skid-preaccording to research vention program on by the Insurance Instimany newer cars. Also tute for Highway Safety missing: head-protecting When old meets even older side or curtain airbags Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But in (that one feature alone spite of their admirable driving traits, there is associated with twice the risk of an older are some definite safety issues facing older driver fatality in a collision); blind spot mondrivers. itoring, lane deviation or forward collision One of the biggest is strictly mechanical: warnings; automatic emergency braking; the very cars they’re driving. It’s that pairing back-up cameras. we referred to above. Two new studies found Overall, drivers 75 and older are signifithat drivers aged 70 and older are significant- cantly less likely to drive vehicles with high ly more likely to be driving vehicles at least safety ratings compared with the aforemen16 years old compared to drivers aged 35-54. tioned 35-54 age group. Researchers who Smaller vehicles like sedans and hatchbacks polled drivers found that older drivers either were also seen as more common among don’t understand the value of safety features older drivers, while mid-size cars and SUVs in newer cars, or don’t feel they are necesare more popular among drivers in younger sary for them as low-mileage drivers. age groups. Surprisingly, says the Insurance Institute All of these various factors combine into for Highway Safety, “statistics show that sometimes lethal combinations for older crash risk per mile is higher for drivers who drivers. As a starting point, there is an undrive less, particularly those who travel fewer deniable and constant increase in what one than 3,000 miles a year, than for those who article called “age-related fragility.” The older log more travel. Driving on local roads is in we get, the more vulnerable we are to injury, fact riskier than highway driving, so the tenand the less likely we are, statistically, to dency of older drivers to restrict their highsurvive serious crashes. way travel and stay within their local areas A second very basic factor is that vehimeans they accumulate most of their mileage cle size and weight are important factors in in riskier conditions.” crash survival. Occupants of smaller vehicles Of course, not everyone can afford to trade are exposed to greater forces when collisions in that 1990s dangermobile for something occur, especially if the other vehicle is bigger. newer. Even so, a question worth asking is: When was the last time you saw some grand- how much is protecting your life worth? pa type driving a monster pickup truck? Probably quite a lot. +
YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR ADVERTISERS
MAKES THIS FREE NEWSPAPER POSSIBLE
JANUARY 21, 2022
HUMAN BEHAVIOR WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH Part Two: What to Expect From Therapy by Jeremy Hertza, Psy.D. and Lance Evans, PhD, MBA
Right now, after a bumpy couple of years, you may be feeling all the feelings. You’re anxious because COVID-19 surges keep happening. You’re unsure about your job security because of cutbacks. You lost a loved one in the last year, and you’re still struggling with that loss. You and your family don’t see eye to eye on vaccinations, politics or masking. And even though you’re seeing people again, you feel alone, like you’ve lost the ability to really connect. You’ve been working on yourself to try to feel better. But if self-care isn’t cutting it, it may be time to talk to a therapist. “Whoa! I’m Not Crazy.” That’s often people’s first, knee-jerk reaction to the idea of talking to a therapist. We get that, but that’s not at all what it’s about. It’s important—especially right now when we’re all struggling with our mental health—to think about therapy as helping people manage their thoughts and emotions instead of having to spend a lot of painful time on their own trying to figure it out. In other words, we hope you’d take care of yourself physically, so why not also make an appointment to check in on your mental health? How to Find a Therapist Fine, you say. But how do I even go about finding the right therapist for me? Good question. That, in fact, is exactly the right question you should be asking. Therapy is personal, and just like you wouldn’t go see an orthopedist to manage your diabetes, you should find a therapist to fit your specific needs. A good way to start is by checking with your insurance provider to see who is in your network. You can ask about specialists in cognitive behavioral therapy or counselors to start, or about psychiatrists if you think you may need medication. More specifically, you can see if your insurance company can help you find professionals who specialize in depression, marriage counseling, PTSD, addiction, parenting issues, or aging. Your doctor or your pastor may also be able to provide a referral for you. What to Expect From Your Therapy Appointment If the idea of sitting down with someone and opening up about every sad, embarrassing or horrible thought you have sounds really uncomfortable, we get that too. It is important that you’re willing to be open and honest with your therapist, but it needs to be with the right person. If you don’t feel that way after your initial attempts, it’s OK to find someone else you’re more comfortable with. You can expect your first appointment to feel a little like an interview. Your therapist will want to ask questions so he or she can understand you better and know where you’re coming from. From there, you will work together on a loose framework of short- and long-term goals. You’ll also talk about expectations, appropriate boundaries in your relationship and any other rules. If it helps, think about it as being curious about yourself, with your therapist as the guide to assist your discoveries. As the relationship continues, if you’re still struggling, don’t keep it to yourself. It’s OK to speak up and tell your therapist that the framework isn’t working and that you’d like to try something new. “I Don’t Have Time For This” One other thing that often holds people back from therapy Please see THERAPY page 11
JANUARY 21, 2022
the blog spot — posted by David M. Mitchell, MD, PhD, on January 15, 2022
DID THE UNVACCINATED JUST SAVE MY RURAL HOSPITAL? It’s no secret that rural hospitals have been struggling. According to online data from the University of North Carolina, 137 rural hospitals have closed in the U.S. since 2010. In Appalachia, the rural hospital where I work, which is staffed by a single hospitalist, has been “in the crosshairs” since I arrived in 2016 and has been limping along with subsidies from our regional health system. Over the years, we have repeatedly and fruitlessly discussed how to increase patient volume, increase case-mix index, avoid patient transfers to referral hospitals, etc., so that the “mothership” wouldn’t decide to shut us down. Since COVID-19 has arrived, however, our ICU and medical floor have filled up. High-value, ventilated COVID-19 patients have boosted revenue. Due to a lack of beds at nearby referral centers, many of the non-COVID patients who normally would have been sent down the road for specialty consultations or services have remained in our hospital, one with a subdural bleed after an inpatient fall, one with septic arthritis, one with fulminant liver failure from a Tylenol overdose, one with a creatinine of 8+, and another with platelets of less than 3,000 and hemoptysis. These sicker patients have certainly increased our daily census, case-mix index, and diagnosis-based revenue. So I wasn’t too surprised when, at our last medical staff meeting, our leadership team reported that our little hospital was in the black and not, they specified, just because of CARES Act funds. We were making it work on our own. Well, more precisely, in my opinion, COVID-19 had saved us, with an honorable mention to the high proportion of unvaccinated patients in our area, who were without question the predominant ones in the hospital and on ventilators. Payments to hospitals for ventilated patients are high. References to Medicare reimbursement for COVID cases estimate a payment of about $13,000 for a respiratory infection with major comorbidities, and over $40,000 for those requiring ventilator support for greater than 96 hours. The coronavirus relief legislation also created a 20 percent premium for COVID-19 Medicare patients. From the perspective of a rural county with a median household annual income of less than $27,000 in 2010, those are big numbers. So, for a short moment in time, our small hospital has been feeling pretty good — financially, that is, whereas the staff has been exhausted. Actually, my conclusion was premature: Other leaders reminded me that our little hospital needs to pay back the subsidies from previous years before any kind of celebration could take place. Well, I wasn’t thinking of a celebration. What would we, in fact, be celebrating? The fact that the sick and dying residents of our community made us profitable for once? I don’t feel too good about that idea. There is a bottom-line lesson that just seems to keep popping up like a bad penny in the domain of U.S. health care; that is, our health care system is built around sickness, not health. When people in our communities are sick, we prosper. And that, in and of itself, is sick, because if we had saved lives with a more successful vaccination campaign in our community, we might very well still be staring blankly at each other in the boardroom and shamefully accepting more subsidies, or shutting down for good. So, COVID-19 may simply be a tsunami of profitability that fills our coffers for a short time before slinking back into the sea, leaving behind death, destruction, and the same uncertain future. Thank you COVID-19, and the unvaccinated, for these brief days of financial glory. Or not. + David M. Mitchell is a hospitalist.
Prospering because of sickness is, well, sick.
11 +
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
From the Bookshelf The title of this book (and especially its subtitle, “The Fine & Foul Art of Dentistry”) by Richard Bennett, an author whose previous books we have reviewed in this space before, is no reflection on the skill of dentists. Well, at least not dentists of today. But in centuries past, every dentist’s favorite tool was a pair of pliers. The goto treatment for just about every dental discomfort was one and the same: extraction. Yeah, old-time dentists were definitely smile stealers. But as the old advertising slogan put it, we’ve come a long way, baby. Our dentists are The Smile Givers. Looking back is a sure-fire way to enhance our appreciation for the skill and artistry of their practices. Read this book and you can’t help but smile. Here’s what the Amazon review of this book has to say: An incisive and startling international review of
the evolution of dentistry from the Bronze Age to the present day, presented in a gorgeous package This achingly fascinating book follows the evolution of dentistry throughout the world from the Bronze Age to the present day, featuring captivating, grim illustrations of the tools and techniques of dentistry through the ages. It charts the changing social attitudes toward the purpose and practice of dentistry from the crude and painful endeavors of early civilizations to the fluoridated water, cosmetic surgery, and heightened
THERAPY… from page 10
is time. Enter telehealth. COVID-19 has pushed medicine years ahead in terms of seeing patients virtually, via phone or a secure online connection. For example, our team is available during the day, evenings and weekends. So, patients can book a telehealth appointment over a lunch break without having to add in time to fight traffic. Or they can speak to their therapist in the comfort of their own home, in familiar and soothing surroundings. Final Thoughts We hear it all the time: I tried seeing a therapist, but after one session, I gave up. Please, don’t give up working on yourself. If there’s anything we’ve learned from COVID, it’s how fragile life is, and also how important it is. Taking care of our emotional
expectations of today. Organized chronologically, The Smile Stealers interleaves beautiful and gruesome 3D objects, technical illustrations, and paintings from the Wellcome Collection’s unique medical archive of material from Europe, America, and the Far East with seven authoritative and eloquent themed articles from medical historian Richard Barnett. Including previously unseen illustrations, this comprehensive review of the development of the trade and discipline of dentistry covers topics as diverse as the very first dentures, the smile revolution in eighteenth-century portraiture, and the role of dentistry in forensic science. The Smile Stealers is guaranteed to appeal to those who see the beauty in medicine and biology as it probes the growth of dentistry. + The Smile Stealers — The Fine & Foul Art of Dentistry by Richard Bennett, 256 pages, published in 2017 by Thames & Hudson
well-being is one way to help make our one precious life even more fulfilling. + Jeremy Hertza, PsyD, is the founder and medical director of Inpatient Psych Solutions, and Lance Evans, PhD, MBA, is the director of clinical development at Inpatient Psych Solutions. Dr. Hertza IPS is a health psychology and neuropsychology practice that works with health systems across the U.S. to provide outpatient and inpatient clinical care—both in-person and via telehealth—for Dr. Evans the emotional, cognitive and psychological needs of patients. For appointments and more, visit inpatientpsych.org or call 706204-1366.
Find the Mystery Word yet? SEE PAGE 12
+ 12
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
The Examiners
JANUARY 21, 2022
THE MYSTERY WORD
+
by Dan Pearson
Since you won the lottery, what did you get your I bought her wife for Christmas? a big diamond.
That’s it?
With all your money??? Why didn’t you buy her a car?
That’s it.
Mainly because they don’t make fake cars.
The Mystery Word for this issue: TCISAOIDNG
© 2022 Daniel Pearson All rights reserved.
Simply unscramble the letters, then begin exploring our ads. When you find the correctly spelled word hidden in one of our ads — enter at AugustaRx.com
EXAMINER CROSSWORD
PUZZLE
ACROSS 1. DOE site 4. Just a little 7. Totally overused word 14. Negating word 15. Room within a harem 16. Semper Fidelis group 17. Scull power 18. Witches 20. Like some porches 22. Bush Field abbrev. 23. Remnant 24. Nashville’s Cline 26. Phases 28. Edge decorations 30. Exhort 31. 3-cornered forward sail 36. Process starter 37. Slander, old-style 39. Pen prefix 40. Flag signaling system 42. Singles 43. Podiatrist concern 44. Small beard 46. Pays to use or borrow 49. _______ Medicine 51. Gone by 52. Unrealistic; dreamy. 56. The act of killing a despot 59. Popular ISP 60. Effeminate 61. Rep. counterpart 62. Number of men with a truck? 63. Least fresh 64. Social pest 65. Verb preceding Pray and Love DOWN 1. Augusta rarity 2. What an audience or a big truck might do 3. Scheme
BY
2
3
4
5
14
15
17
18
20
6
7
8
9
10
24 28
30
31 37
33
38 42 44 49
51
52 57
55
39
48
56
54
29
41
47
35
25
32
43 46
34
E X A M I N E R
22
27
40
13
19
23
36
12
16
21
26
11
We’ll announce the winner in our next issue!
45
50
53
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
by Daniel R. Pearson © 2022 All rights reserved.
S U D O K U
DIRECTIONS: Every line, vertical and horizontal, and all nine 9-square boxes must each contain the numbers 1 though 9. Solution on page 14.
by Daniel R. Pearson © 2022 All rights reserved.
4. Prescribed amount 5. Worships 6. Nobleman 7. Famous local corner 8. Division of a hospital 9. Before, in poetry 10. Bro’s opposite 11. Beginning 12. Comes together 13. Short literary composition 19. Food rechewed by a ruminant 21. ___ through; scan 24. Cone maker 25. Doc’s org. 26. Plural word with no singular version 27. Love intro 28. Bridgestone product 29. Some nurses 31. Small blemish 32. For each 33. Campus remembered in Neil Young’s Ohio
9 7 8 7 4 6 3 9 2 1 5 6 4 6 9 5 3 8 1 3 4 8 7 6 1 1 5 4
QUOTATIONPUZZLE
34. Fencing sword 35. Ascend 37. Big monkeys 38. Third person singular feminine pronoun 41. Toward the stern 42. Cereal plant 44. Food Bank color? 45. Situate 46. Deems 47. Home to Memphis 48. Water wheel 49. UGA conf. 50. Monetary unit of India 52. B&Bs 53. Eat sparingly 54. State south of Minnesota 55. Blood blocker 57. Knee inj. 58. Born
U C A H B P A S U I M M S M H A A S E B S C P I I T N Y Y B E O I T T N Y O N by Daniel R. Pearson © 2022 All rights reserved
G T E M S I
2 9 7 4 3 6 9 1 4 R8 5 7 O 1 3 8 I5 6 2
— Robert G. Allen
DIRECTIONS: Recreate a timeless nugget of wisdom by using the letters in each vertical column to fill the boxes above them. Once any letter is used, cross it out in the lower half of the puzzle. Letters may be used only once. Black squares indicate spaces between words, and words may extend onto a second line. Solution on page 14.
Solution p. 14
Use the letters provided at bottom to create words to solve the puzzle above. All the listed letters following #1 are the first letters of the various words; the letters following #2 are the second letters of each word, and so on. Try solving words with letter clues or numbers with minimal choices listed. A sample is shown. Solution on page 14.
1 2
E 1 2
1 2
1
3 2
4 3
5 6 G 1 2
1 3
2
3
4
5
1 2 3 4
6
7
8
9
H
1
2
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
1.GAWWBAWWTC 2.HOWIEEEEAC 3.TANCATH 4.YOHAT 5.RV 6.ED 7.I 8.N 9.G
SAMPLE:
1. ILB 2. SLO 3. VI 4. NE 5. D =
5 1 8 2 6 3 7 4 9
L 1
O 2
V 3
E 4
I 1
S 2
B 1
L 2
I 3
N 4
D 5
by Daniel R. Pearson © 2022 All rights reserved
WORDS NUMBER
1
Click on “MYSTERY WORD” • DEADLINE TO ENTER: NOON, JAN. 31, 2022
7 3 1 5 2 6 4 9 8
8 6 5 4 3 9 2 7 1
4 2 9 7 1 8 6 3 5
JANUARY 21, 2022
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
THEBESTMEDICINE ha... ha...
T
he village simpleton is walking down the street, dragging a brick behind him on a leash. A policeman sees the man and decides to go make fun of him. He walks up and says, “Nice dog you got there.” The fool replies, “What is wrong with you? Are you crazy? That’s not a dog! It’s a brick!” Feeling humiliated, the cop walks away. As soon as the cop is out of earshot the man turns to the brick and says, “We sure fooled him, didn’t we, Rex?” Moe: When did humans discover medical marijuana? Joe: Wasn’t it during the Stoned Age? After waiting for hours in a Moscow bread line, a man was finally getting close to the head of the line when an official called out that they were out of bread for that day. The man was understandably frustrated, and let everyone know about it. Hearing his tirade, a soldier walked over and told the man, “Be careful, comrade. In the old days it would have been...” and the soldier pointed
The
13 +
Advice Doctor
his gun at the man’s head and said, “Bang!” Hungry and dejected, the man walked home through the snow. When his wife saw him enter the apartment empty-handed, she said, “Have they run out of bread again?” “Yes,” he said. “And bullets too.”
©
Moe: What’s the difference between a good lawyer and a great lawyer? Joe: Well, they say a good lawyer knows the law, but a great lawyer knows the judge. Moe: How many do-it-yourselfers does it take to change a light bulb? Joe: Only one, but it takes two weeks and four trips to the hardware store. Moe: What do you call a kid with no arms and an eye patch? Joe: Names? A night club magician asked for a volunteer from the audience. A middle-aged lady timidly came up and he told her and the audience that he could read her mind. “Think of a card, any card” he instructed her. He paused and then asked, “Do you have a card in mind?” “I do,” she replied. “Concentrate completely on that card,” he said before asking, “Is it the three of clubs?” “No,” she said. “The nine of hearts?” he asked. “No,” she said again. Giving up, the magician asked, “What is the card then?” “Sincere sympathies for your loss,” she said. +
Why subscribe to theMEDICALEXAMINER? What do you mean?
Staring at my phone all day has had no Effect on ME!
Because try as they might, no one can stare at their phone all day.
Dear Advice Doctor, My sister-in-law and her family lost everything in a fire two weeks ago. Fortunately no one was hurt, but they lost everything but the clothes they were wearing when they ran out of the house. Do you know anything about how I can start a Go Fund Me account for them? Everyone needs to be careful with heaters during winter months. Being burned out is not something I would wish on my worst enemy. — Trying to Help Dear Trying, As you might imagine, we receive bags of mail from readers each and every day (except Sunday). I chose your letter to respond to this week because you have raised such an important and timely subject. With the pandemic soon to begin its third year of turning our lives upside down, burnout is a natural consequence. It would be surprising if millions of people were not dealing with burnout. The big question is, what can we do to fight it, or better yet, prevent it? The answers depend on our individual situation. Some people are fried because they’ve been working from home since March 2020 with kids and spouse also home and underfoot 24/7. That could frazzle anyone. Others are “in the trenches,” witnessing patients in agony (if not the throes of death) every single day, going on 700+ consecutive days, to say nothing of their own concerns about themselves and the risks they face. These are absolutely extremely difficult times, and if they are not for any individuals reading this, count your blessings. Obviously there isn’t enough space here to address every situation, but here are some general observations. • Don’t let pandemic fatigue interfere with your adherence to health and safety guidelines. Whatever you’re feeling now can only get worse if you stir a COVID diagnosis into the mix. • Yes to physical distancing, no to social distancing. Keep in touch with people you love and whose companionship you treasure. • Working from home? Maintain a regular schedule or routine. It helps to give your days structure and definition. • Avoid “what if” thinking. Take things one day at a time. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for writing! + Do you have a question for The Advice Doctor about health, life, love, personal relationships, career, raising children, or any other important topic? Send it to News@AugustaRx.com. Replies will be provided only in the Examiner.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MEDICALEXAMINER +
+
Why read the Medical Examiner: Reason #22 BEFORE READING
By popular demand we’re making at-cost subscriptions available for the convenience of our readers. If you live beyond the Aiken-Augusta area, or miss issues between doctor’s appointments — don’t you hate it when that happens? — we’ll command your mail carrier to bring every issue to your house! NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP Choose six months for $20 ____ or one year for $36 ____. Mail this completed form with payment to Augusta Medical Examiner, PO Box 397, Augusta GA 30903-0397
AFTER READING
+ 14
7 1 5
6 1 4
THE MYSTERY SOLVED E! The Mystery Word in our last issue was: METABOLISM
UO R NE
TX ISSU
...cleverly hidden in the woman’s hair in the p. 15 ad for READ US ON YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET
N I E R E H R E N N I W THE The Celebrated
THE WINNER: TIMOTHY WILLIFORD! Want to find your name here next time? If it is, we’ll send you some cool swag from our goodie bag. The new Mystery Word is on page 12. Start looking!
MYSTERY WORD CONTEST
...wherein we hide (with fiendish cleverness) a simple word. All you have to do is unscramble the word (found on page 12), then find it concealed within one of our ads. Click in to the contest link at www.AugustaRx.com and enter. If we pick you in our random drawing of correct entries, you’ll score our goodie package! SEVEN SIMPLE RULES: 1. Unscramble and find the designated word hidden within one of the ads in this issue. 2. Visit the Reader Contests page at www.AugustaRx.com. 3. Tell us what you found and where you found it. 4. If you’re right and you’re the one we pick at random, you win. (Winners within the past six months are ineligible.) 5. Prizes awarded to winners may vary from issue to issue. Limited sizes are available for shirt prize. 6. A photo ID may be required to claim some prizes. 7. Other entrants may win a lesser prize at the sole discretion of the publisher. 8. Deadline to enter is shown on page 12.
THE PUZZLE SOLVED S N O W
R O A R
S U D S
T R U E
R A T E S
E G Y P T
S T R A T A G E M
D O S P A A G G E E A A P F E N T S O R A N I C E A L E
A D O R E S S H E I N N S
B A A M R C E O U N N D T S P I P E R O R E T S P D E A I C I E S T A
W E S O M A R I N E R E S S E D E T P A T S R I M N N A K E S E E P O N E G O A T E O R T S L I S T I D E A O E N T W N T E A
E S S A Y R I S E C L O T
TheSUDOKUsolution 2 7 3 9 4 5 1 8 6
9 4 6 1 8 7 3 5 2
5 1 8 2 6 3 7 4 9
7 3 1 5 2 6 4 9 8
8 6 5 4 3 9 2 7 1
4 2 9 7 1 8 6 3 5
1 8 7 6 9 4 5 2 3
QuotatioN QUOTATION PUZZLE SOLUTION Many an optimist has become rich by buying out a pessimist.
— Robert G. Allen
WORDS BY NUMBER We behave according to what we can get away with.
SEE PAGE 12
Love to stare at your phone? Visit issuu.com/ medicalexaminer and stare away.
JANUARY 21, 2022
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
3 5 2 8 7 1 9 6 4
6 9 4 3 5 2 8 1 7
— Composer Ned Rorem
+
READ EVERY ISSUE ONLINE WWW.ISSUU.COM/ MEDICALEXAMINER
OUR NEXT ISSUE
JEWELRY LIFE IS COMPLICATED SURGEON Death doesn’t have to be.
the
We know how to help.
WE REFURBISH AND REPAIR ROLEX WATCHBANDS
CLOCK REPAIR
2022
4
15 +
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
JANUARY 21, 2022
WHEN SECONDS COUNT
1254 AUGUSTA WEST PARKWAY INSIDE BARGAIN HUNTERS
Caskets & More 1944 WALTON WAY • AUGUSTA • (706) 738-2999 • CANDMAUGUSTA.COM
IT WAS FUN FOR A WHILE
CALL AHEAD: (706) 284-0190
TOTALLY TUBULAR
ROLLED SANDWICHES • SOUPS • SALADS
Ready to get your life back?
To view my work visit scscja.org. Click on resources, then merchandise. Click on the ring photo, then the PDF link.
FEBRUARY
Hey man, Roly Poly is like
Steppingstones to Recovery
EYEGLASSES REPAIRED
2610 Commons Blvd. Augusta GA 30909
706-733-1935
Welcome COSTCO and EyeGlass World customers, and former Murphy & Robinson customers!
3626 Walton Way Extension (Walton’s Corner) Phone: 706.736.1099 Fax: 706.736.4401
OrderRolyPoly.com
Thank you for supporting our advertisers!
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY +
ACUPUNCTURE
DERMATOLOGY
Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center 2283 Wrightsboro Rd. (at Johns Road) Augusta 30904 706-733-3373 SKIN CANCER CENTER www.GaDerm.com
Dr. Eric Sherrell, DACM, LAC Augusta Acupuncture Clinic 4141 Columbia Road 706-888-0707 www.AcuClinicGA.com
CHIROPRACTIC Evans Chiropractic Health Center Dr. William M. Rice 108 SRP Drive, Suite A 706-860-4001 www.evanschiro.net
COUNSELING Resolution Counseling Professionals 3633 Wheeler Rd, Suite 365 Augusta 30909 706-432-6866 www.visitrcp.com
DENTISTRY Jason H. Lee, DMD 116 Davis Road Augusta 30907 706-860-4048
DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICS Karen L. Carter, MD 1303 D’Antignac St, Suite 2100 Augusta 30901 706-396-0600 www.augustadevelopmentalspecialists.com
DRUG REHAB Steppingstones to Recovery 2610 Commons Blvd. Augusta 30909 706-733-1935
YOUR LISTING Floss ‘em or lose ‘em!
Steven L. Wilson, DMD Family Dentistry 4059 Columbia Road Martinez 30907 706-863-9445
Augusta Area Healthcare Provider 4321 CSRA Boulevard Augusta 30901 706-555-1234 CALL 706.860.5455 TODAY!
EMF PROTECTION
EMF Safe Homes Sheila Reavill Certified Building Biology Specialist 209-625-8382 (landline) SURVEY•ASSESSMENT•REMEDIATION
IN-HOME CARE Everyday Elder Care LLC Certified Home Health/Caregiver 706-231-7001 everydayeldercare.com Zena Home Care Personal Care|Skilled Nursing|Companion 706-426-5967 www.zenahomecare.com
YOUR LISTING HERE Your Practice And up to four additional lines of your choosing and, if desired, your logo. Keep your contact information in this convenient place seen by thousands of patients every month. Call (706) 860-5455 for all the details!
LONG TERM CARE
WOODY MERRY www.woodymerry.com Long-Term Care Planning I CAN HELP! (706) 733-3190 • 733-5525 (fax)
PHARMACY Parks Pharmacy 437 Georgia Ave. ARKS N. Augusta 29841 HARMACY 803-279-7450 www.parkspharmacy.com
P
SLEEP MEDICINE Sleep Institute of Augusta Bashir Chaudhary, MD 3685 Wheeler Rd, Suite 101 Augusta 30909 706-868-8555
Thanks for using the Professional Directory
CALL THE MEDICAL EXAMINER (706-860-5455) TO BE LISTED HERE
+ 16
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
JANUARY 21, 2022
Aiyan Diabetes Center
Jamie Steinsapir, MD, PhD Endocrinology
Khalil Al Soutary, MD Endocrinology
Julian Nussbaum, MD Ophthalmology
Janaki Nadarajah, DPM Podiatry
Lee Goscin, MD, PhD Endocrinology
Kaushal J. Shah, MD Vascular Surgeon
Augusta’s Advanced Comprehensive Multi-Specialty Diabetes Center • Endocrinology • Endovascular Surgery • Retina Center • Podiatry • Wound Care
• Research and Clinical Trials • Interventional Radiologist • Ophthalmology • Interventional Cardiology
• Limb Preservation Center • Obesity Clinic • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy • Fibroid Treatments • Vein Center
The area’s best team of Board Certified physicians exclusively dedicated to comprehensive diabetes treatment & care, prevention, and research.
Healthy Longevity Center
706-868-0319 462 FURYS FERRY ROAD • AUGUSTA GA 30907 aiyandiabetes.com