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AUGUST 18, 2017

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I dropped a can of paint on my foot When I look back on my life a year ago, I can hardly recognize the life I’m living today. I still had two legs back then. Things can change so quickly. I was on vacation from my job at the end of July last year, so I had some time to do things around the house. I was going to do some painting, and I was carrying a 1-gallon can of paint when I dropped it on my foot. I was barefoot, but the hard solid rim part of the can missed me. The can was sideways when it hit my foot, but it still hurt. I didn’t know whether it was broken or not, but it swelled up so bad that I went to the Emergency Room that night, Saturday night. They took X-rays and said it wasn’t broken and referred me to another doctor on Monday. By then my foot was swollen twice its normal size, so that doctor prescribed pain medicine and anti-inflammatory medicine and told me to come back in a week. That’s when it got real. The doctor told me I had to have surgery. Immediately. Right there in the hallway he looked at me and said, “You are septic.” My wife and son and I didn’t really understand what that meant, so then he said, “You have a flesh-eating virus. You are dying. You have an infection that is spreading throughout your entire body.” I had the same virus (necrotizing fasciitis) as the girl who came to Augusta with the zip

line accident. They took me into surgery and cut off my little toe and went deep up the side of my foot all the way up to my ankle. A day or two later I had to go back into surgery because the infection was still raging. That time they amputated my whole foot, and then the third and final operation they took off my leg just below my knee. I was in the hospital for two more weeks, then I transferred to Walton Rehab for four weeks. After everything healed, I was fitted for a prosthetic leg, which has been a big help. A neoprene sleeve fits over my leg [the stump], and then a hard plastic shell at the top of the prosthetic leg goes over the sleeve and the leg is in place. I go to the gym, I cut the grass. I can get down on my knees. The other day I had to get under my house to do some work. I can do everything that I used to do. That’s what anyone in this situation needs to remember: an amputation is not the end of the world. It’s just a side step. I have to tell myself I won’t let this beat me, because it almost did. When it first happened I had plenty of days of depression. Before the surgery the pain was so great at times that I contemplated suicide. Then I wanted to shoot my foot off. But you always have to keep reminding yourself that there is somebody out there who has it a lot worse than you, and they want to live. It might seen strange to say, but this is the

And it had to be amputated

A monthly series by an Augusta drug treatment professional

WHAT?!?! RECOVERY TAKES A LIFETIME?!?! by Ken Wilson Executive Director, Steppingstones to Recovery ended last month’s column with these words: “For many, recovery is a regimented lifetime process. Did I say lifetime? Yes, I said lifetime. Why? Later, I promise.” As an aside, let me make a confession. Two and a half years ago I signed up for the Weight Watchers program. I stayed in it, dedicated to the letter of their law, for 9 months. I lost 50 pounds of baggage in 6 months! I’m a reasonably smart guy, and a vegetarian to boot, but I

simply was not able to counsel myself on weight loss. So every week I drove to my meeting, weighed in, holding my breath for good news from the WW Police there (at least that’s how I looked at ‘em!) and never gained an ounce. In fact, I averaged a 2-pound weekly weight loss. I also biked 10 miles a day (I only missed 5-6 days for 6 months!) which helped. After 9 months I told myself, “I don’t need to pay this fee anymore. I can do this by Please see RECOVERY page 6

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AUGUST 18, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Kid’s Stuff NOTES FROM A PEDIATRIC RESIDENT by Caroline Colden, M.D., Children’s Hospital of Georgia

Fever facts One of the fi rst thing doctors tell new parents when they are discharged home from the hospital with a newborn baby is to “monitor for fevers, and bring the baby to the doctor or ER if one occurs “. So what is a fever exactly, and why does it matter so much if a baby or child gets one? By definition a fever is a temperature above the range the body normally keeps itself. Fevers are produced by the body via a system of chemicals and signals that start in the brain and influence the immune system to ultimately raise the body’s temperature. Fevers can help the body fight infection, since many bacteria or viruses do not tolerate a certain level of heat, so in a way a fever is good. Continued high fever, though, could mean something serious is going on, and can make a child very uncomfortable or dehydrated, so a balance must be struck. Most of the time, a fever means an infection of some sort is present, but it can also occur due to other inflammatory condition,s so it is important to make note of what other symptoms are occurring with the fever. FAMILY-OWNED AND LOCALLY OPERATED

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The body’s temp can be measured in several ways using a thermometer, most commonly in the mouth (thermometer is placed beneath the tongue), under the arm (the thermometer is angled into the armpit), or rectally (thermometer is inserted into the rectum). Other thermometers have been made in the past few years that allow temperatures to be taken against a child’s forehead or even using the ear. The most important thing to do when measuring temperatures over time is to be consistent with location, because an oral temperature may be different from those taken rectally or under the arm, and this can confuse the situation. So why do we care about fevers? What do they mean? A fever by itself is not a disease per se, but could potentially be a symptom of a disease. Most of the time, other symptoms such as

runny nose, cough, vomiting/ diarrhea, rash, pulling on ears, etc, tcan point you in the direction of what is going on. The age of the baby or child makes a difference in how significant the temperature is. For babies, especially ones younger than 3 or 4 months old, any temperature above 100.4° F (or 38.0° C) is considered a fever and needs medical attention. For older children who are school-aged and normally healthy, a true fever is closer to 101° F. That being said, the way the child or baby is acting (tired, fussy, sleeping more versus active, playful) and whether he or she is drinking fluid, urinating, or taking food or medicines normally makes a big difference in how urgently medical attention should be sought. Fevers by themselves can make a child feel uncomfortable, sweat

more, and get dehydrated because of increased fluid loss from the body. Tylenol and Motrin/Ibuprofen are common remedies that can be given to decrease fevers in a child and can relieve some of the discomfort a child experiences with a fever. ** The most important treatment for fever is hydration; the first thing any parent should do to help a baby or child with a fever is to make sure they have been given enough fluids (water, pedialyte, etc) to drink. ** And as stated before, if a fever occurs in any pediatric patient, the complete picture that includes other symptoms or concerns should be taken into account. Any baby or child who is not acting normal, not waking up, not taking fluids, not urinating, or demonstrating signs of neck stiffness or a worsening rash should be evaluated immediately even without continued fever. +

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AUGUST 18, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Part “V” of a 26-part series

The

GIVE IT A SHOT

Advice Doctor

If you were born during the 1950s, you’ve certainly heard of World War II, but your thoughts on the subject are light years away from those of the person who survived combat in that war. Ditto for teenagers or Twenty-Somethings of today when it comes to Vietnam. In much the same way, it is difficult for some people to comprehend the devastation diseases caused before the discovery of vaccines, by far the single biggest triumph of 20th century medicine. We are not talking ancient history: smallpox alone killed somewhere between 300 million and 500 million people during the 20th century. This horrific disease killed over 80 percent of children who contracted it, and up to 60 percent of adults. The disease was officially declared eradicated via preventive vaccinations in 1979, although the last naturally occurring case was diagnosed in October 1977. Polio, not a word in the vocabulary of Millennials, was a fear-inspiring scourge which paralyzed and killed thousands of people every year before a vaccine was introduced in 1955. Polio is preventable by vaccination, but for those who have it there is no known cure. Although it has been eliminated in the United States, it still occurs in other parts of the world, leaving open the possibility that an unvaccinated person here or anywhere can still contract polio. Public health officials hope to eradicate the disease worldwide by vaccinations as early as 2018.

IS FOR VACCINATION

A no-brainer, right? We could go on to list countless success stories of vaccinations in preventing measles, mumps, chicken pox and a list of other diseases. Getting vaccinated sounds like a slam dunk, right? Wrong. A growing number of people have decided not to immunize their children due, ironically enough, to various health concerns. One of the most widely repeated is the false claim that vaccines cause autism. The original study purporting to show this link has been thoroughly and repeatedly debunked, but even if it was true many a parent of an autistic child has taken great offense to this stand; it suggests autism is worse than smallpox. It isn’t just autism: many vaccination fears are not based on fact, or upon the merest whisper of truth. One example: vaccines contain mercury. True or false? Mercury is lethal, so the answer is important. Being extremely toxic, what would it be doing in a vaccine in the first place? In vaccines produced before the late 1990s, some contained thimerosal, a compound that contains mercury, specifically ethylmercury. What was that doing in a vaccine? Thimerosal prevents the growth of dangerous microbes, so it was often used during the vaccine manufacturing process but removed later in “I would rather expose my child to the process, leaving only trace amounts. smallpox than autism.” A smoking gun? Keep reading. (Photo from Bangladesh, 1973) In other cases, the sheer volume of vaccines necessary for hundreds of millions of people requires packaging vaccines in large vials. Different needles for different patients need to be inserted into the same multi-dose vials, raising the possibility of contamination from outside bacteria. In those vials, leaving a tiny amount of thimerosal kills bacteria and protects the purity of the vaccine. Another smoking gun? Not really: the heavy metal that can accumulate in the body and cause damage to the central nervous system is methylmercury. When thimerosal breaks down, as it quickly does in the body, ethylmercury is formed, and is quickly excreted by the body. Even so, out of an abundance of caution the FDA acted in 1999 to limit the use of thimerosal for infant and childhood vaccines. All but one or two of those that once contained thimerosal are now either reformulated or packaged in single-use vials, eliminating the need for thimerosal. Another vaccine objection: vaccines are manufactured using aborted babies. True or false? Yikes. What moral person with a functioning conscience would want to preserve his life at the cost of an innocent baby’s life? If you have been a long-time reader of this newspaper or health-related topics in general, you have heard the name Henrietta Lacks. Cancer cells from her are still reproducing, although she died in 1951. Normally, cultured cells from humans have a very limited laboratory lifespan. Socalled HeLa cells have been called immortal. What is the point? Derivative components of fetal cells from a legally performed 1962 abortion in England, similarly “immortal,” are one of the prime sources of human cells used in vaccine production. Although that fact carries moral implications for some, it is far different from the image some people mistakenly have of pharmaceutical companies requiring a constant supply of aborted babies for their manufacturing process. That would indeed be loathesome. Reputable health advocates like the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as many faith-based physicians, fully endorse vaccines as safe and morally unobjectionable. Nothing is perfect, however, and even the best vaccines can cause minor side effects for a small percentage of patients. But their enormous benefits far outweigh their tiny risks. +

Dear Advice Doctor, I am a semi-newlywed and don’t get me wrong, I am happily married. But when we were dating my husband was really funny and fun and we were always doing interesting stuff. We were acttive. Now all he does is lie on the couch or the recliner. The most exercise he gets is using his thumb on the remote. How can I get us back to where we were before? — Married to a potato of the couch variety Dear Married, Many people would expect a physician to refer you to a counselor to address problems like this, but you might be surprised by how many patients bring their non-medical issues to doctor appointments, hoping we can help. And we very often can. In my many years of practice I have heard this exact complaint more than once, sometimes from newlyweds, other times from people who have been together (whether married or not) for many years. I like to get to the heart of the matter, and in this case it seems to be the couch. I agree with you 100 percent that lying on the couch is unacceptable. But really, what difference does it make if he’s lying on the couch? Would you feel less insulted by his dishonesty if he stood up and lied to you? If he told you a lie while standing on his head would you feel better? I trust that you clearly see my point. Every stable and successful relationship, whether at home, at work, at school or in your neighborhood, is built upon trust. Every lie told — even so called “little” ones (a term I believe to be an oxymoron: a little white lie is still a lie) — erodes the very foundation upon which the relationship is built. That doesn’t mean brutally honest comments devoid of tact are acceptable either. There is always a place for decency and civility, but never a place for lying with malicious intent — from a couch or any other piece of furniture. + Do you have a question for The Advice Doctor about life, love, personal relationships, career, raising children, or any other important topic? Send it to News@AugustaRx.com. Replies will be provided only in Examiner issues.

MEDICAL EXAMINER

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 news within every part of the Augusta medical community. Submit editorial content to graphicadv@knology.net 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: graphicadv@knology.net Opinions expressed by the writers herein are their own and/or their respective institutions. Neither the Augusta Medical Examiner, Pearson Graphic 365 Inc., or 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. © 2017 PEARSON GRAPHIC 365 INC.

AUGUST 18, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

#50 IN A SERIES

OLD NEWS

Who is this?

POINTS OF INTEREST TO FORMER KIDS by Trisha Whisenhunt, Senior Citizens Council

MY SON THE RENAISSANCE MAN

sk any medical researcher — and we have hundreds of them in this town — what it would mean to win the Lasker Award and they will tell you it would be huge. Life changing. Career altering. The fact that 86 Lasker Award recipients have later gone on to win the Nobel Prize in medicine tells you everything you need to know about how prestigious this award is. If you had to guess, it would be logical to assume Albert Lasker, the award’s namesake (that’s him above), was himself a medical scientist. He was not. He was instead one of the most successful advertising salesmen of all time. If he didn’t invent advertising, he brought it into the 20th Century by using bold and innovative ideas no one had ever tried before. Starting as an 18-year-old office boy at the Chicago ad firm Lord & Thomas in 1898, Lasker’s advertising innovations include championing the introduction in public schools of classes that explained the changes of puberty and menstruation to young girls. Why? Because Kotex was a major client of his firm. He is said to have saved the California citrus industry by creating a market for orange juice at a time when oranges were eaten, not used to make juice. And in an era when smoking cigarettes was a predominantly male habit, he created a new market for the tobacco industry using an ad campaign that promised women they would be slender if they smoked Lucky Strike cigarettes. He handled advertising for Warren Harding’s 1920 presidential campaign, which resulted in one of the largest landslide victories in American history. Abigail Cline His ad campaigns were so successful that within months of his acquiring an interest in the company, its revenues went from $15,000 a year to $30,000 a month. Along the way, Lasker was an astute investor of his incoming wealth: he was an early owner of the Chicago Cubs, and is credited with moving the team into Wrigley Field. He bought so many shares of Pepsodent stock (one of his clients) that he became the company’s second-largest shareholder. Albert Lasker’s most enduring legacy is his philanthropy, using his great wealth in support of medical research. For instance, he and his 3rd wife, Mary, helped over several decades to expand the annual budget of the National Institutes of Health from a paltry $2.4 million to a robust $5.5 billion. The Lasker Award he established and endowed has recognized and rewarded the work of a sterling list of medical researchers from around the world since 1946. In fact, the winner of the 2017 Lasker Essay Contest is none other than Augusta’s own Abigail Cline, a medical intern at the Medical College of Georgia, who bested second place entrants from Harvard Medical School and Johns Hopkins University. Congratulations, Dr. Cline! +

is father and I predicted his career path. We didn’t expect how tall he would grow or his drive for excellence in all things which interest him. He cooks, not just on the backyard grill but using recipes from cookbooks and cooking shows. He cooks for his friends and the girls he takes out. He has an interest in dressing well outside of his job and will only wear a tie with a full Windsor knot - he says he likes his clothes to make a statement. Quality suits and shirts with French cuffs line his closet. He has an interest in a wide variety of books. He enjoys single malt whiskey and collects quality fi rearms. He is an old soul who loves his country, animals and kids. He has a strong faith and dedication to his work. When he gets home, he enjoys music to relax. His choice is vinyl albums on a turntable, and one of his go-to artists is Frank Sinatra. He likes the action films of his generation as much as the next Millennial, but also watches complex dramas. He has been an interesting presence in my life; a son

who was there to help me move without having to be asked; an invaluable advisor on safety and caution in this current state of unrest in the wide world. He volunteered his time to come to our office and speak with my co-workers on making the building we work in safer. He covered things such as keeping the front door locked and a plan for egress in the event of fi re or an attack of some kind. For women home or living alone he suggested an alarm system, a dog, (a

gun if you are comfortable with it; Columbia County Sheriff’s office offers a free gun safety course), better outside lighting and good locks on windows and doors. It’s a good idea to remove shrubbery planted close to the house and to keep your car locked even in your driveway. A common mistake is leaving signs of recent purchases outside, i.e., boxes from new TVs or a computer put out for trash pick-up. He said to break these down and put them inside the cans. He suggests it is also a good idea to carry pepper spray or a hockey whistle attached to your car keys and to carry those keys in your hand, held between your fingers in order to defend yourself. You should always park in a lighted area and as close to the building as possible when out after dark. These proactive safety ideas come from his expertise as a law enforcement officer, referred to these days as a LEO. They don’t get the respect that they once did. The irony of this is that, those who are the least respectful are often the fi rst to scream the loudest when they need help. I am the proud mother of a police officer and the man he has become. At 26, he’s just getting started. Happy birthday, son. +

MYTH OF THE MONTH Cavities? That’s kid’s stuff! Although I’m a family physician with a couple of sub-specialties, neither of which is dentistry, I can tell you that dental issues like cavities are not just for kids. Adults can and do get cavities too. Someone with far greater wisdom that I possess designed humans with a starter set of teeth that fall out before we get the keeper set. That is primarily a size issue (adultsized teeth look big in a ten-yearold’s face. Imagine them in the smile of a three-year-old), but I have always thought it also comes in handy because kids would eat ice cream and candy three meals a day and never brush if they had their way. We are supposed to know better by the time we reach adulthood, but grown-ups can be just

as guilty of poor eating habits and less than ideal oral hygiene. Every workplace has that one person (if not more) who snacks all day long throughout every work day. Unless they are also running off to brush their teeth every time they snack, they are prime candidates for cavities, not to mention other enemies of good health like poor nutrition, obesity, cardiovascular issues and diabetes. At any age, regular brushing and flossing will keep the risk of cavities low. + — by F. E. Gilliard, MD, Family Medicine 4244 Washington Road, Evans, GA 30809 706-760-7607

AUGUST 18, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

WHAT EVERYBODY OUGHT TO KNOW res? k good eno r skin can ugh cer? son.”

o k

ences need to be horsehigh, pig-tight and bullstrong. Keep skunks and bankers at a distance. Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. A bumblebee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor. The words that soak into your mind are whispered, not yelled. Meanness don’t happen overnight. Forgive your enemy; it messes up his head. But remember the jerk’s name. It doesn’t take a very big person to carry a grudge. You cannot unsay a cruel word. Every path has a few puddles. If you are flat broke, don’t pray for a miracle. Get a job! Plant corn when the sun is shining and you’ll eat biscuits when the snow is falling. If you don’t have more money today than last year, get a second job. And if you don’t have more money next year, get a third job before somebody decides you are too dangerous to run loose on the streets. Getting rich is simple. Earn $2, but only spend $1. Then go make $2 more. Repeat daily. Budgeting 101: If you ain’t got enough cash to buy what you want, you can’t afford it.

ABOUT COUNTRY WISDOM

Don’t corner something that you know is meaner than you. Don ‘t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t bothering you none. Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you. Rabbit huntin’ ain’t no fun when the rabbit got the gun. When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty. You can’t find Ruth with Jezebels sitting on your lap. The best sermons are lived, not preached. Most of the stuff people worry about won’t happen anyway. Don’t judge folks by their relatives. They can’t help who they are kin to. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you won’t have to be remorseful. Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain Dance. All wishes come true if you wait long enough - and work like hell while you wait. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’. There is nothing dumber than doing something wrong and then doing it again to see if it will turn out right next time. Sometimes you get, and

E TH

Bes sometimes you get got. The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with watches you from the mirror every morning. Always drink upstream from the herd. Don’t eat yellow snow. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment. Baseball is 70% physical. The other 50% is mental. Inspiration is worthless without perspiration. Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in. Getting a baby inside a womb is a lot easier and quicker than getting the baby out - and a lot more fun - for both of you. If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, just try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around. You may be smarter than others think you are, but you are not as smart as you think you are.

ine c i d E tM

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. You won’t hurt yourself or anyone else. Problem solving, most times, comes down to common sense. Worry if your dog don’t bark when a strange man comes around that your wife claims to not know. Teenage adage: Kisses are like pickles. Once you get the first out, the others come pretty easy. Young man, if you ain’t got it done by midnight, go on home. You ain’t gonna get it anyway. No matter how mean a sleeping dogs is, he won’t bite you. Wake him up and you got a 50-50 chance of going to the ER. Just ask Germany and Japan about WWII. Arguing with an outraged woman is like spitting in the ocean and expecting the tide to change. Three rules for avoiding nasty arguments. Rule #1: If it ain’t worth dying for, don’t

argue about it. Rule #2: Don’t argue with a fool. Rule #3: Follow all rules. If your shoes are too tight your attitude won’t be right. If you know more curse words that you know praise words, your attitude needs big time adjustments. Don’t worry about your heart. It will last a lifetime. If you expect everyone to like and appreciate you, you are on the road to despair. It ain’t gonna happen. Don’t get too down in the mouth, several people still claim to love you. Most of them are blood kin to you and have little choice. God made Eve beautiful so Adam would love her. God made Eve a little bit dumb so she would love Adam. And if that doesn’t make you smile, I’m worried about you. + Bad Billy Laveau is a formerlyretired MD who wields a pointed sense of humor - and now, tongue depressors too. He speaks and entertains at events for audiences not subject to cardiac arrest secondary to overwhelming laughter and glee. BadBilly@knology.net or 706306-9397. F REE T AKE-HO ME CO PY!

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MEDICAL EXAMINER

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AUGUST 18, 2017

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AUGUST 18, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

RECOVERY… from page 1

BE SAFE

WEAR APPROPRIATE EYE PROTECTION

CSRA Parkinson Support Group meeting When: Tuesday August 22, 2017 at 6:00pm What: The programs, services, and fi nancial decisions used to support Parkinson patients and care-givers will be reviewed by selected board members. Where: St. John Towers dining room 724 Greene Street Augusta, GA Contact: Mary Ann Navarro (706) 364-1662 Note:

This event is free and open to the public. +

myself!” Not! So on a few weeks ago (July 1) I signed up for the program once again, 2 whole ounces short of what I weighed when I signed up exactly 2-1⁄2 years ago! What happened? Well, I need the accountability, the weekly reminders of my condition and of my goals, and the knowledge and information provided by this excellent program. The “cheating” on my self-administered program was ounces at a time. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months and months into years...ugh...when I had enough pain, I came around again! You know what? They didn’t beat me up for coming back! They were glad to see me, the same WW Cops that weighed me in before! Similarly, 12-step recovery programs utilize much the same concepts. There are other programs that emulate that program or that have a different focus, but they all have the same reference: Accountability, Information, and Methods (AIM, if you please) And may I add, Fellowship. There’s just something very supportive about being able to sit with 20-50 people struggling with the same condition as me from all walks of life...old, young, different colors, wealthy, poor. We all have red blood and interchangeable organs for transplants. This support system approach works best for most people, most of the time. No, not for all people, all of the time. We all know someone who stopped drinking at the snap of a finger and never picked up alcohol again. Oh man, I just envy that! But facts do point out that no matter how an alcoholic/addict gets well, if they try to go back to “controlled use,” it just doesn’t work. The reasons for this are myriad, not the least of which is the presence of THIQ in the brain (if you didn’t act on my invitation in the last article to Google

“Virginia Davis, 1972, THIQ” check it out). There are several models and understanding of the brain disease of addiction/alcoholism and this is just one, basically that people can inherit a propensity or predisposition to addiction so that when they drink/drug for the fi rst time a different feeling results compared to a person who does not have the chemical in the brain’s synapses. THIQ makes moderate, controlled use of drugs impossible. When the drug crosses the THIQ-infected synapse, the brain craves more. Now. The bad thing is, when one stops drinking/ drugging the THIQ doesn’t go away. It stays right there...one year...five years...ten years...a sleeping giant waiting for Mr. Human to decide, “I think I can drink again now and control it!” Which is why we say, “Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.” It’s interesting that we can talk about the spiritual aspect here in the South. People who desire a spiritual path have learned over the years that they can’t just go to church once or twice and make their growth last for a lifetime without ever attending again. For the most part, spiritual growth requires years of learning and exposure to others for support in order to accomplish. That’s just the human condition. There are thousands, millions, of members of AA/NA who go to meetings weekly who have 10-20-30 years of sobriety. Why do they keep going?!?! Many have learned the hard way that support, fellowship, and rigorous dedication to a tried and true program nets positive results. What do I have to lose if I just try to wing it on my own and think that once I’m in recovery I can quit my diligence? Well, I guess my life.

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AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Southern Girls Eat Clean Tomato Jam - The Perfect Condiment Here is something deliciously new and different: Tomato Jam Well, maybe it’s not “new”.... since tomato jam has been around for many years. I believe it’s origin was from the Mediterranean area, but it was also popular in our country in the mid 1900’s due to all the preserving and canning that was done during that era. Southerners love to can and preserve, don’t we? My mother-in-law used to make something very similar to this jam and she served it alongside pork, chicken or fish. There are many different recipes for tomato jam. This particular version has a definite Mediterranean flare with the balsamic vinegar, oregano and parsley. This fabulous condiment is so versatile, both sweet and savory. We use this as a topping on a grass-fed beef, turkey or veggie burger. It is the perfect alternative over ketchup that is loaded down with high fructose corn syrup. The tomato jam is much healthier than ketchup and more flavorful too. This recipe does have a bit of sugar, but it’s not nearly the amount that you will find in most ketchup brands. Tomato Jam is a great Tomato Jam appetizer when served with goat cheese and crostini or minutes. whole grain crackers such brand) Reduce the heat to low as Mary’s Gone Crackers or • 1/4 cup of high quality and place all of the other Crunchmaster Multi-Seed balsamic vinegar ingredients into the saucepan Crackers. • 2 Tbsp. of organic brown except for the chopped fresh The jam is also delicious sugar parsley. Cook stirring often on toasted sprouted grain or • 1/2 tsp. of dried oregano until most all of the liquid has gluten free bread and served • 1 tsp. of fresh lemon juice been reduced. Approximately with a veggie frittata for • 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. of crushed red 35-45 minutes. breakfast. pepper flakes (according to Once the tomato mixture Enjoy this lovely tomato taste) is a jam consistency, remove jam during the upcoming • A pinch of salt and cracked from heat and stir in the holidays. Your friends and black pepper parsley. family will love it and they Allow to cool and serve or will be begging for the recipe. Instructions: store in the refrigerator in an :) In a saucepan, heat the air tight container up to two olive oil over medium to high + weeks. Ingredients: heat. • 1 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive Place the sliced onions Alisa Rhinehart is half of the blog oil in the saucepan and southerngirlseatclean.com. She • 1 small organic sweet cook stirring often for is a working wife and mother yellow onion, cut in half and approximately 5-8 minutes living in Evans, sliced thinly vertically until the onions have Georgia. Visit her blog • 3 cloves of fresh garlic, softened. for more recipes and crushed Add the crushed garlic information on clean • 1 15 oz. can of chopped to the pan with the onions eating. tomatoes (I used Muir Glen and cook an additional 2-3

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AUGUST 18, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

OUR NEWSSTANDS Medical locations: • Children’s Hospital of Georgia, Harper Street, Main Lobby • Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Ctr, 15th St., Main Entrance • Dept. of Veterans Affairs Med. Center, Uptown Div., Wrightsboro Rd., main lobby • Doctors Hospital, 3651 Wheeler Rd, ER Lobby Entrance • Eisenhower Hospital, Main Lobby, Fort Gordon • George C. Wilson Drive (by medical center Waffle House and mail boxes) • Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, main lobby, 15th Street • Augusta U. Hospital, 1120 15th Street, South & West Entrances • Augusta U. Medical Office Building, Harper Street, Main Entrance • Augusta U. Medical Office Building, Harper Street, Parking Deck entrance • Augusta U. Hospital, Emergency Room, Harper Street, Main Entrance • Select Specialty Hospital, Walton Way, Main entrance lobby • Trinity Hospital, Wrightsboro Road, main lobby by elevators • Trinity Hospital Home Health, Daniel Village, main lobby • University Health Federal Credit Union/ University Hospital Human Resources, 1402 Walton Way • University Hospital, 1350 Walton Way, Emergency Room lobby area • University Hospital, 1350 Walton Way, Outside Brown & Radiology/Day Surgery • University Hospital - Columbia County, 465 N. Belair Road, Main Lobby • University Hospital Prompt Care, 3121 Peach Orchard Road, Augusta

Around town: • Barney’s Pharmacy, 2604 Peach Orchard Rd. • Birth Control Source, 1944 Walton Way • GRU Summerville Student Bookstore • Blue Sky Kitchen, 990 Broad Street • Columbia County Library, main branch lobby, Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans • Enterprise Mill (North Tower), 1450 Greene Street, Augusta • Daniel Village Barber Shop, Wrightsboro Road at Ohio Ave. • Family Y (Old Health Central), Broad Street, downtown Augusta • Hartley’s Uniforms, 1010 Druid Park Ave, Augusta • International Uniforms, 1216 Broad Street, Augusta • Marshall Family Y, Belair Rd, Evans • Parks Pharmacy, Georgia Avenue, North Augusta • Southside Family Y, Tobacco Road, Augusta • Surrey Center, Surrey Center Pharmacy, Highland Avenue, Augusta • Top-Notch Car Wash, 512 N. Belair Road, Evans • Wild Wing Cafe, 3035 Washington Road, Augusta

Plus more than 875 doctors offices throughout the area for staff and waiting rooms, as well as many nurses stations and waiting rooms of area hospitals.

THE MONEY DOCTOR INTANGIBLE WEALTH

inancial advisors spend a lot of time reviewing people’s financial statements which include account statements, tax returns, cash flow statements, and net worth statements. Those documents have a lot of numbers on them. The numbers are important, but over time we have found the numbers are only part of the story. The numbers represent the tangible pieces of your financial picture, but we do not start analyzing the numbers until we have an understanding of the intangible pieces as well. There is a good reason for this: we have discovered that the intangible elements of your financial profi le are just as important when seeking to understand your goals and are a key part of your current

financial picture. What are the intangible pieces? The definition of intangible is something with a value not precisely measurable. Below are a few examples: Human Capital – this is defined as your capacity to work and earn a living. As you get older, we see this intangible asset reflected on your financial statements as you turn your human capital into tangible wages, income, and assets. For younger workers, this is your largest asset, but it is hard to quantify because other intangible items will greatly impact it. If you combine the ability to work with a desire to work and then add a skill or education, your human capital will increase exponentially.

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Habits / Behaviors – this denotes a tangible activity that has intangible benefits or results. We brush our teeth (tangible), so we do not have oral health issues in the future (intangible). In the same way, habits related to our daily or monthly saving and spending habits will help you reach future fi nancial independence. We like to take this a step further during our legacy discussions. Those discussions help families learn to be intentional when it comes to teaching future generations good financial habits. It is exciting to watch as families with a culture of saving and living below their means build incredible intangible wealth with the next generation by passing on good financial habits. As our children become adults they start to cash in on the intangible wealth that you help them build as they start working, saving, and raising a family. Freedom of Choice – there are many crossroads that you will encounter on your path to financial independence. Some of those roads will open doors and others will close or lock doors. We often find that the intangible benefit of being able to change your mind by not being locked into a

predetermined course is huge. This plays out as we help our clients evaluate different options across all areas of their financial plan including taxes, investments, insurance, and estate planning. If a decision to change your mind in the future comes with a high price tag, you should immediately start asking lots of questions. It is very important to fully understand what strings are attached when making a financial decision. Experience – the unknown future, especially as it relates to things you have not experienced before, is very stressful. Planning for your financial future is very stressful, the amount of unknown variables are endless and there is always a major life event you have not expected or experienced before on the horizon. It is hard to measure the high value of support or advice from a person that has experience in a specific area of expertise. The intangible benefits of coaching, guiding, and mentoring results in less stress and informed decisions during life events. What intangible pieces are part of your fi nancial picture? Building long-term wealth that you can see and measure takes having a clear understanding of the intangible items in your life. As you navigate the many financial crossroads in your life, take time to consider the intangible wealth in your life. + by Clayton Quamme, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with Calvary Wealth, LLC (www.calvarywealth. com). Calvary Wealth is a feeonly financial planning and investment advisory firm with offices in Augusta, GA and Columbia, SC.

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AUGUST 18, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Ask a Dietitian

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dietary intake can be related to a multitude of issues including social causes (i.e. being alone or in a secluded environment), psychologically related (i.e. depression and/or dementia), medical (i.e. dental problems and/or swallowing difficulties) and pharmacologically related. The three types of skeletal muscle loss include: anorexia, cachexia and sarcopenia. Anorexia, the decrease in appetite, is common among the older adult population for several reasons: our bodies need less energy due to declined physical activity, our resting energy expenditure rates decline, and/or there is lean body mass loss. There also can be declines in our abilities to taste and smell as we age that leave us with a decreased desire to eat. On top of the body’s normal physical responses to appetite decline, there are medications, illnesses and psychiatric issues which also directly influence appetite suppression.

Cachexia (pronounced kahKEK-see-ah) is defined as a “complex metabolic syndrome associated with underlying illness, and characterized by loss of muscle with or without loss of fat mass.” Cachexia differs from anorexia or normal age-related loss of muscle mass as it has more to do with a dysregulation of pathways creating a disparity between the breaking down and building up of molecules. Cachexia, unlike anorexia, generally is unresponsive to nutritional interventions. Lastly, sarcopenia is natural muscle loss associated with the aging process. Sarcopenia can be caused by changing endocrine functions, chronic diseases, inflammation, insulin resistance and nutrient deficiencies. While there are many approaches to combating nutritional deficiencies and/or malnutrition, one option is appetite stimulants. Megestrol Acetate (Megace) is one such stimulant that has been used to help with weight gain in anorexic and cachexic patients. However, use in the elderly population has shown limited evidence of benefit and possible adverse side effects such as deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Dronabinol is another appetite stimulant that has shown some improvement in appetite in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, but negative central nervous system side effects such as sedation, fatigue and hallucinations limit use in the

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The geriatric population are at particularly high risk for nutrient deficiencies and/or malnutrition. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) define malnutrition as two or more of the following six characteristics: • Insufficient energy intake • Weight loss • Loss of muscle mass • Loss of subcutaneous fat • Localized or generalized fluid accumulation that may mask weight loss • Diminished functional status as measured by handgrip strength There are many screening tools that have been developed to help identify older adults who are at risk for poor nutrition, such as the Nutrition Risk Screening, the Simplified Nutrition Assessment Questionnaire, SCREEN II, the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Research has shown that older adults have difficulty adjusting to constant undernutrition, with subsequent losses in physical functioning, health care utilization, and longer hospital stays. Involuntary weight loss can be caused by multiple factors including inadequate food intake, appetite loss (anorexia), disuse or muscle atrophy (sarcopenia), and inflammatory effects of disease (cachexia). Each cause can have its own causes. For example, inadequate

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AUGUST 18, 2017

APPETITE… from page 9 older adult population. Other possibilities include growth hormone and testosterone administration, but again the risks outweigh the benefits. One future possibility is the administration of the hormone Ghrelin, which is known as the “hunger hormone” since it regulates appetite. More studies are needed before recommendations can be made. The anti-depressant medication Mirtazapine (Remeron) has been shown to promote weight gain in some studies, but its use is not recommended if a depression diagnosis has not already been established. The last group of possible appetiteinducing medications falls under psychostimulants like methylphenidate. Methylphenidate is not traditionally used as an appetite simulant, but some geriatricians have found it may give patients energy to eat and participate in activities. While appetite stimulants seem like a viable option to help with geriatric malnutrition, unfortunately the side effects typically outweigh the benefits. In most cases, sticking to nutritional supplements such as Ensure or Boost, encouragement and/or personal assistance, along with diet texture modification may the best and safest way to help prevent malnutrition. + References: Ritchie, C. & Yukawa, M. Geriatric Nutrition: Nutritional Issues in Older Adults. In: UpToDate,Post TW (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA. (Accessed on July 26 2017). Agarwal, K. Failure to Thrive in elderly adults: Management. In: UpToDate, Post TW (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA. (Accessed on July 26, 2017).

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FIRST PERSON… from page 1 best thing that could have happened to me. I was not on a good road before. This transition has been one of the simplest things I’ve ever done. And the worst thing about the experience? Dealing with the insurance company. The bills are past $1 million, and they have denied most of it. The only attorney I have talked to was of no help. He told me it was all there in the fine print of my insurance policy, so I’m left holding the bag. I would encourage everyone to make sure they know exactly what their insurance does and does not cover. In the end, all anyone can do is live life, accept change and be happy. And pray. And then hold on, because it’s going to be a ride. + — by Bobby Lindsey Augusta, Georgia

We’ve just added this shirt to the haul winners of the Mystery Word contest receive — in addition to gift cards from Wild Wing Cafe and Scrubs of Evans.

FIND THE WORD AND ENTER TODAY! Remember: the Mystery Word is always hidden. It is never in plain sight and it’s never in an article. See all the deets on page 14.

Our next issue will be dated Sept 1

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AUGUST 18, 2017

11 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

The blog spot From the Bookshelf — posted by Shane C. Quinonez, MD, on August 8, 2017 (excerpt)

WHY DIETS DON’T WORK - EVEN FOR DOCTORS Most people reading this, doctors included, would love to lose weight, feel better and live longer. Doctors are a smart and motivated group of people. Unfortunately, that has not kept us from an increasing incidence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension identical to the general population. While this article may have started out sounding like an infomercial, I promise it will not end like one. With that in mind, here is what this article will not do: It will not tell you which is better the Mediterranean, Paleo, or Atkins diet. It will not tell you which foods are healthy and which are unhealthy. It will not tell you which is better: cardio or weighttraining. When I think of what prevents doctors from achieving their health-related goals, Einstein’s quote comes to mind: “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I’ll use this quote to address why people fail in achieving long-term health success. “Going on a diet” is fraught with so many tripwires, failure is almost guaranteed. Here is the typical sequence of events: A person decides they want to lose weight (New Year’s Resolution, upcoming beach vacation, etc). They drastically alter their behavior with a combination of caloric restriction and increased physical activity. The person may occasionally reach their goal. As a benchmark though, only 8 percent of New Year’s resolutions are achieved. Three months later, the person is right back where they started and occasionally worse off. Take the Biggest Loser contestants, for example, who regularly gain back most of the weight they fought so hard to shed. A person usually repeats this cycle many times over the course of their life. Each cycle has them exerting a large amount of effort, expense and time to find themselves exactly where they started. This reversion to baseline is not due to a lack of willpower or discipline, but the result of inappropriate expectations and poor tactics. In the world of on-demand video and free two-day shipping, we are conditioned to expect near-instantaneous turnaround times. We apply this same expectation to weight-loss and fitness. We don’t just want to lose weight; we want to lose 15 pounds in five days. Resultantly, we apply extreme tactics to achieve these results, including completely overhauling our diet and exercise habits in a no-holds-barred fashion. This, unfortunately, does not work and never will. It’s like this: Mr. A is diagnosed with hypertension by Dr. B, who prescribes him an antihypertensive. He gives him a three-month supply and asks him to return in three months. After three months, Mr. A returns. Dr. B asks Mr. A if he has been compliant with the antihypertensive. Mr.A admits he didn’t take a single pill for the first two and a half months, but over the last 14 days, he’s been taking six pills a day. I see little difference between Mr. A’s actions and the tactics employed by most people going on a diet. What’s the solution? For Mr. A it is taking one pill a day. For the rest of us, we can turn to the moral of The Tortoise and the Hare: slow and steady wins the race. The truth is the best diet or workout plan is the one you’ll actually do. It’s that simple and worth repeating: the best [insert diet or exercise] is the one you’ll actually do. +

Failure is almost guaranteed

Shane C. Quinonez is a geneticist.

This is not a new book, but its relevance is as great as ever. And if you happened to read it when it first came out, chances are you still remember it vividly (or have nightmares about it). Described as more horrifying than any Stephen King novel, this book describes itself as “The Terrifying True Story of the Origin of the Ebola Virus.” It’s one thing to read King’s The Stand or Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain, knowing they are fiction. It’s quite another to read about something just as terrifying — if not more so — that is true, not a work of fiction. Truth may not always be stranger than fiction, but it can definitely be scarier. Everyone reading even this far has probably already decided where they stand, those who are so intrigued they’re definitely going to look for a copy, and those for whom a story about a horrific and deadly plague holds no interest. Of course, there are many people lying in graves around the world (not quite as many in the United States,

thankfully) who were not particularly interested in Ebola until they were stricken by it. It’s an important but discomforting fact that new viruses and diseases keep inventing themselves and appearing on the world scene on a regular basis (See the Nov. 4, 2016 Medical Examiner at issuu.com/medicalexaminer/ docs/nov4_16 ) That fact means that any of us could potentially be victims of one of these diseases next week or next month or next year. And it should certainly get the attention of medical researchers and public health

officials here, there and everywhere. No one ever thinks it will happen here, but wherever the next Patient Zero pops up, it will be here for that community. What is surprising about Ebola that is a takeaway from this book, written like a gripping novel, is how complicated it is to deal with virulent outbreaks. Hazmat teams can’t just show up and rinse blood and fluids down the drain. Practically speaking, that drain is connected to every stream, river, pond, lake, ocean and pipe in the world, from that original drain at the scene right to the faucet in my kitchen and yours. It’s complicated. But it’s also somewhat reassuring to know the resources marshalled against viruses as lethal as Ebola. In summary, this is a book that may be slightly dated, but which is still engrossing and important. +

The Hot Zone — The Terrifying True Story of the Origin of the Ebola Virus; 448 pages; by Richard Preston, published in 1995 by Anchor Books

Research News Science non-fiction This definitely seems like the stuff of science fiction, and if the news had been released on April 1 it would seem even more so, but researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center say they have developed a new technology called Tissue Nanotransfection (TNT), which can heal with a single touch to the skin. See what we mean about science fiction? TNT uses nanotechnology to convert skin cells to whatever need might present itself, whether that means coming to the aid of compromised blood vessels or a failing organ. The proper nano-instructions are delivered to the skin “with just one touch. This non-invasive process only takes less than a second.” The targeted cells then take their newly delivered orders and convert from whatever

they were a minute ago to whatever the patient’s need is. As the school’s own website says, “This is difficult to imagine, but it is achievable.” Two drawbacks: so far in animal testing the procedure has only worked 98 percent of the time; and human trials won’t begin until next year. Not that we need another reason to crank up the AC The average American spends 26 minutes and change commuting to work each way. That adds up to almost an hour a day, during which time a group of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis say we can be inhaling a complex cocktail of air pollutants from our fellow motorists. For Columbia County drivers, the most likely CSRA motorists to be standing still or crawling along at 2 mph or less, the fumes can include your own. The researchers measured ambient pollution outside

cars, and well as in-car pollutants measured four ways: windows up or windows down; fan on or AC on. Outside air in some cases contained as much as three times more pollution than inside air, so the study sought to determine the best approach to reducing fumes and pollutants inside the car. It might seem likely that using the fan only versus using air conditioning would be the same —after all, they both use exactly the same ductwork pathways. Instead, using AC was considerably better at improving air quality because researchers found that the cold evaporator attracts particulate matter and deposits it on the system’s air filter more efficiently than air that isn’t cooled. And the effect was most noticeable when the pollution was highest, such as when following a dump truck or city bus. +

+ 12

AUGUST 18, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE EXAMiNERS

THE MYSTERY WORD

I’m going to that diner you like for lunch. Wanna come?.

Sure.

by Dan Pearson

I know you love their jukebox.

I always choose the same song.

No, it’s not the same song. You pick the same buttons. Because I’m an And it’s always B-9. oncologist. Why???

The Mystery Word for this issue: MALAIN

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

7 14

All Mystery Word finders will be eligible to win by random drawing. We’ll announce the winner in our next issue!

VISIT WWW.AUGUSTARX.COM

Click on “READER CONTESTS”

QUOTATION PUZZLE

18 19 ACROSS 1. Blade cover 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 7. Bundle of grain stalks 30 31 32 33 13. Prospects; point of view 34 35 36 15. Indian cotton rug 16. Dirty 37 38 39 40 17. Rower 41 42 43 44 18. Andre Young, to friends 19. Health or fitness follower 45 46 47 20. Plunge 48 49 50 51 24. Fiend 52 53 54 26. Money, especially when gained dishonestly 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 30. Express lane units 64 65 32. Railroad rider 33. Nocturnal hoofed animal 66 67 34. Upright; perpendicular by Daniel R. Pearson © 2017 All rights reserved. Built in part with software from www.crauswords.com 36. Flourish; prosper 37. Trauma pt. destinations DOWN 29. ______-faced 38. Shoe tapping Cuban 1. Former coin of France 31. Grapefruit-_______ dance 2. 4th-5th Century nomad 33. British for hamlet 40. Dawg’s conf. 3. And so forth 35. Vulgar, ill-bred fellow 41. Embossed 4. Entirely 36. Type of bag 43. Annual 5. Open-________ 39. Lockjaw 45. Got up 6. Stash of valuable objects 42. Habitual drunkard 46. Flutter one’s eyelashes, 7. ______ of the Dead (movie) 44. Sea or river bottom possibly flirtatiously 8. Final Johnny Cash video 46. His name is on historic 47. Foot control 9. Sounds of hesitation markers in Summerville 48. MD who treats sinusitis 10. Upper limb 49. Pertaining to the palm of 49. Open to corruption 11. By way of the hand through bribery 12. Even (poet.) 50. Onions’ companion? 51. Host of There It Is on 14. Patella 52. Pleasing WGAC (to friends) 15. Charity supporter 54. In this place 52. Invasive beginning 20. Varied 55. Type of glass (or plane) 53. Bethesda-based health org. 21. Do repeatedly 56. Type of nail 55. Germ-free 22. King James follower 57. Ernie of the PGA 59. Inflammation of the eye 23. Delivery-person for 37-A 58. Military abbrev. 64. Slang for skunk 25. Pertaining to Malays 60. Hosp. drips 65. Word after funeral or 26. It comes before three 61. Facial twitch church 27. Installment 62. Trauma pt. destination 66. Prefix for day or year 28. Florida town named for 63. Understand 67. Save a tree

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.

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.

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.

E 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 O 1 2 3 1 2 3

1 2 1 1 2 3 V 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

1 2 3 4

O 1 2 3 4 5 6

— Author unknown

1.FMAPHHEEBN 2.HIOVAAVUE 3.STSTEEMLO 4.TRORM 5.ORYY 6.YOGO 7.NRN 8.EEA 9.P 10.H 11.I 12.C

SAMPLE:

1. ILB 2. SLO 3. VI 4. NE 5. D =

L 1

O 2

V 3

E 4

I 1

S 2

B 1

L 2

I 3

N 4

D 5

Solution p. 14

WORDS NUMBER

— Fran Lebowitz

AUGUST 18, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

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THE BEST MEDICINE ha... ha...

woman suddenly screamed in pain during labor. “Honey, what’s wrong?” asked her husband. “What’s wrong?” she screamed again. “These contractions! They’re going to kill me!” “Ok, ok,” he said. “What is wrong?” I hate being bipolar! It’s great!

Moe: I have a condition that makes me very hungry when I can’t sleep, so I eat like a horse. Joe: That’s a weird condition. What’s it called? Moe: Insom-nom-nom-nom-nia. Moe: I can’t believe it! I swallowed a sheep! Joe: Are you ok? Moe: No! I’m having internal bleating. The pastor asked if anyone in the congregation would like to express praise for an answered prayer. Suzie Smith stood and walked to the front of the congregation. “I have a praise to share,” she said. Two months ago my husband, Tom, had a terrible

bicycle wreck and his scrotum was completely crushed. The pain was excruciating and the doctors didn’t know if they could help him.” There was a muffled gasp from the men in the congregation as they imagined the pain poor Tom must have experienced. “Tom was unable to hold me or the children,” Suzie went on, “and every move caused him terrible pain.” “We prayed as the doctors performed a delicate operation, and it turned out they were able to piece together the crushed remnants of Tom’s scrotum, and wrap wire around it to hold it in place.” Again, the men in the congregation cringe and squirm uncomfortably as they imagine the horrible surgery performed on Tom. “But now,” she announced in a quivering voice, “thank the Lord, Tom is out of the hospital and the doctors say that with time, his scrotum should heal completely.” The pastor rose and reluctantly, hesitantly asked if anyone else had something to say. A man slowly stood up and walked unsteadily to the front of the church. “As you all know, I’m Tom Smith,” he began. “I just want to tell my wife one more time, the word is sternum.” Moe: Do you know what the best-selling car in Norway is? Joe: Fjord, I would assume. Moe: If Apple comes out with a driverless car, would you buy one? Joe: No way. Moe: Why not? Joe: It won’t have windows. +

Why subscribe to the Medical Examiner? Because no one should have to make a trip to the doctor or the hospital just to read Augusta’s Most Salubrious Newspaper.

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SUBSCRIBE TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER 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

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ON THE ROAD TO BETTER HEALTH A PATIENT’S PERSPECTIVE Editor’s note: Augusta writer Marcia Ribble wrote a long-time column in this paper entitled The Patient’s Perspective reincarnated in this new format. Feel free to contact her at marciaribble@hotmail.com A recent diagnosis of a fractured vertebra led me to the realization of how much has changed in medicine over the 74 years of my life, some of it good, some injurious. Only a few years ago a fracture in one’s spine would have been a really frightening issue, with most people believing that back surgery rarely offered any relief to patients, just adding to the pain without curing the injury. Today the prognosis is so different, so much more positive and hopeful for people with back injuries. For many older patients, their knowledge pretty much remains at the level of many years ago. For them, a similar diagnosis can stir up panic and deep fear. This is true for many diseases that are part of the aging process. I was lucky. My family doctor spent time with me, carefully explaining what was going on, reassuring me that it wasn’t the kind of fracture that causes paralysis (something I might have otherwise assumed). She assured me that back surgery today is a very different thing than it was years ago. I had quickly pulled up images from the past of people spending months in traction, in body casts, in a wheelchair for the rest of their lives, of terrible drug addictions from attempts to relieve near constant pain. I had dredged up my own nightmare scenario, and might have remained in that bad dream if she hadn’t taught me a better way to interpret the data from the x-rays. Understanding that some patients view illness and injury from a 1940s or 50s lens can help medical professionals do a far better job of calming patient’s lively imaginations. That can work to increase patients’ readiness to cooperate with their doctors and nurses and lead to much improved outcomes. This is especially useful when patients are facing years of life dealing, as I will be, with multiple chronic conditions. About ten years ago I first encountered problems with the skin on my legs opening up and oozing from swelling (edema) I was having. It took a number of years before I realized the causes and the treatments that would work: 1. Most kinds of lotion on my swollen legs degrade the skin, causing burns and blisters. 2. Salt is a cause for swelling. 3. So is a lot of time spent with my legs bent at the knees, such as sitting, grading papers, writing articles, watching TV, playing on the computer, etc. The cure for me (always only temporary) involved lots of time with my legs elevated, cautious reading of labels to minimize salt intake and, for me at least, the miracle trio of Mepilex, good gauze that is gentle on my skin like an old cotton t-shirt, and Tubigrip compression. In the case of small lesions with this trio, within three or four weeks the skin can go from not being there to granulized (a new word for me), meaning new skin has formed and is covering the open wound. It looks like we might have found a lotion for my dry skin that will work to moisturize and help keep the skin stronger and less susceptible to breaking down. We’re in testing stage for that one. I am still learning. My doctors and nurses are learning with me, because what works for one patient can raise havoc in another. We all need information that is tested and found to be reliable. That’s where I am with my spine, beginning the work of figuring out what will work best for my own unique issues, seeing my doctors and nurses as part of my team of investigators, ready to use all our knowledge and to find new pathways if the tried and true doesn’t work. +

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AUGUST 18, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE MYSTERY SOLVED

141

The Mystery Word in our last issue was: ANKLE

...cleverly hidden (next to the building) in the p. 9 ad for C & C AUTOMOTIVE THE WINNER: JOHN TSOPANARIAS 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!

The Celebrated 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!

That’s how many back issues of the Medical Examiner are available at

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 of 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.

The new scrambled Mystery Word is found on page 12

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EXAMINER CLASSIFIEDS HOMES, APARTMENTS, ROOMMATES, LAND, ETC. LAND Land for sale: 14 acres, wooded, beautiful rocky creek flowing through; 45 min from Augusta, walking trails cleared to enjoy while planning future development. Perfect getaway or homesite. Outstanding schools (K-12) 4 mi. away. $49,000 (706) 831-9015 ROOM FOR RENT with private bathroom and full house privileges. Martinez $600/mo (706) 840-6860 FOR SALE 3 bedroom/2 bath, single garage Townhouse in Martinez. Master/ bath down, 2 upstairs bedrooms share bath, large loft for office, playroom, den; wood-burning fireplace, covered back porch. Freshly painted with new flooring, lighting and ceiling fans. Easy access to Riverwatch Parkway, Washington Rd, I-20, Augusta. 1987 sq.ft. $147,900. 706-836-7001. ROOM FOR RENT 1 room, private bathroom, 2bdrm MH on private lot. Clean quiet neighborhood. Non-smoker. $600 monthly. Must be stable, verifiable references and income. Cable and Internet included. Warrenville, 5 min from Aiken, 20 min to Augusta. (803) 270-2658 POND VIEW! Evans all-brick 2-story with solar panels. Avg. electric bill $170 in Northwood, 3,400 sqft. Call 1-800401-0257, ext. 0043 24/7 for price and details.

SERVICES PETS Dogs walked, cats sat, in the comfort of your home by retired pharmacist. No kennel noise, fleas, disease, transport cost/time. Avail 7 days/wk in Martinez/ Evans. $15 per visit. References. Call for free interview at your home. Call Buddy for your buddy: (706) 829-1729 HOUSE CLEANING Your house, apartment, rental move-outs. Thorough, dependable. Weekly, or whatever schedule you prefer. References. 706-877-0421 F. E. GILLIARD, MD FAMILY MEDICINE Acute & Chronic Illnesses Occupational Medicine PROMPT APPOINTMENTS (706) 760-7607

MISCELLANEOUS CEMETERY SPACES (2) Sunset Memorial Gardens, Graniteville SC adjacent to lighted military flagstaff, includes granite bench with urn space, installation and inscription. All $4700 ($8600 value). Spaces only: $2700. Call (803) 295-3033

THE PUZZLE SOLVED S H E A T H O U T L O O K U N C L E A N D R E D I V E D E I T E M S C V E R T I C A E R S Z A P R A I S E D S T O O D B E E N T V E N O N S T E R I L E P O L E C A T Y E S T E R

D O N M O A R L A T Y E A T N A N U S

S H A U N T E A L I V E R

H E A V U R R I R S M A T P E L T A P I H R I V O S E R B O O P E D A D E K H E I T I R V I C E S C U

E E N F R E C K L E S E E

SEE PAGE 12

QUOTATION QUOTATION PUZZLE SOLUTION: Page 12: “In real life I assure you there is no such thing as algebra.” — Fran Lebowitz

The Sudoku Solution

FISHING CLUB wants more grey-haired members. Meet 2nd Thurs of month at Harbor Inn Restaurant, 12 noon. “Adventure Before Dementia” Info: (706) 736-8753

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WORDS BY NUMBER

“Everyone has a photographic memory but not everyone has film.” — Author unknown

AUGUST 18, 2017

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AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Why subscribe to the Medical Examiner? The fast food industry alone spent $4.6 billion in one recent year (2012) encouraging us to fill up on French fries, chicken nuggets, burgers, milkshakes, sugary sodas, etc... That’s about $47 million for every $1 million spent advertising fruits and vegetables.

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Tesneem K. Chaudhary, MD Allergy & Asthma Center 3685 Wheeler Road, Suite 101 Augusta 30909 706-868-8555

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Dr. Judson S. Hickey Periodontist 2315-B Central Ave Augusta 30904 706-739-0071

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AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

AUGUST 18, 2017