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DECEMBER 2, 2016

The choices we make

W IT’S BEST TO GIVE AND RECEIVE hat is it with us human beings? We know we’re supposed h to eat our vegetables, but we’d prefer a hot fudge sundae. W We know speeding is dangerous and illegal, yet we do it anyway an — often while looking down at a phone screen. We know it’s wrong to lie, but studies say we do it frequently. We’re supposed to exercise — and we fully intend to. Soon. Very soon. Nobody doesn’t know it’s foolhardy to smoke (and nobody doesn’t like Sara Lee), yet millions keep puffing away and still more light up

their first cigarette every day. Nobody would want to be the victim of a bully, but that doesn’t stop bullies from bullying in classrooms, schoolyards and workplaces all over the world every day. In short, we pursue destructive behaviors with relish. Simply put, we do stupid stuff. It’s puzzling. But with every new year — and one is coming right up — many of us resolve to make better choices. Perhaps understanding why we pursue destructive behaviors can help us make better choices. More about that on page 2. +

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The choices we make Which choice do you think the boy pictured on page one would make? What would your kids choose, the apple or the cupcake? If you said the apple, you get 10 points for wishful thinking. A majority of adults would probably choose the cupcake too. The question is, why? Human beings are considered to be more intelligent than any other creatures on earth. Yet “dumb” animals don’t practice the kinds of self-destructive behaviors humans do. Even so, undertake even cursory research into the mysteries of human behavior and you’ll quickly encounter reams of evolutionary mumbo-jumbo. We say mumbo-jumbo because a.) our supposed animal relatives don’t pull the bone-headed moves we do; and b.) it’s kind of a stretch to connect the actions of 2016 with conduct alleged to have happened tens of thousands (if not millions) of years ago. Consider: If you were on trial for assault or murder and your attorney cited the aggressive, territorial behavior of prehistoric primates as the reason for your behavior, do you think the judge or jury would buy it? Alternately, what if your attorney said, “Your honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, my client was only doing what his first parents, Adam and Eve, did: making bad choices. He can’t help himself. It’s his inheritance.” In either scenario the point is clear: it’s our duty to choose the apple, not the cupcake, no matter what our ancestors did. That’s not to say cupcakes are banned. Who wants to live in that world? Instead, we’re trying to make the right choice the majority of the time. What’s so hard about that? Let’s face it; it is hard. And it seems to have nothing to do with facts. Do you think people who smoke don’t know it’s unhealthy? Of course they do. It’s more complicated than that. Addressing all U.S. deaths in the year 2000, the CDC said fully half of them were preventable just by avoiding behaviors like cigarette use, poor diet

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and lack of exercise. Those are not top-secret facts: everyone seems to know those are unhealthy habits. But as humans we have amazing abilities to rationalize and justify. It is the super-power of the human race. For example, a smoker might say, “My grandfather started smoking when he was 14 and never quit. Lived to be 93 and the doctor said his lungs were as clear as a bell.” Let’s define those statements as 100% true. And let’s further note that a study involving one subject is a statistically insignificant sampling. That grandfather is as much of an anomaly as a newborn baby dying of lung cancer who has never been with half a mile of even second-hand smoke. A heavy drinker might say, “I drink because I enjoy it. It’s relaxing.” Well and good. No one can tell that person those are false statements. For her, they are certifiably true. That might be called taking an individualized viewpoint, looking at a big picture from a very narrow perspective. But let’s say she is the mother of the boy on page one. He wants cupcakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Why? Because he enjoys them. Nothing is more relaxing to him than eating cupcakes. Will she let him enjoy what he wants? Not a chance. Different rules apply, she will say. But do they really? Some people practice bad habits for nothing more than simple defiance: the teenager establishing his independence; the woman who overeats because her husband constantly makes snide remarks about her weight; the man who smokes because his wife nags him about it all the time. Another person will spend hours baking in the sun at the beach or pool, oblivious to the risks. Why? Because the enjoyment is immediate, while the consequences seem distant, if they come at all. Yes, humans are pretty good at justifying self-destructive behaviors. What’s the secret to making the changes we need? See page 3. +

DECEMBER 2, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

The

Choosing better choices Life is complicated, but making better choices in life doesn’t have to be. Sometimes it’s very simple: just doing what one knows to be right, no excuses, no delays, no justifying, no buts. For a business decision, getting all the facts is critically important. In wellness decisions it isn’t so much gathering facts as it is facing them. As discussed on page 2, we usually already know the facts: we should start doing this or stop doing that. Here the key is often facing the fact (which you have known all along) that by continuing to do this or that, or not do this or that, I am putting myself at risk. My life is on the line. Your reasons can be vain or self-centered: my sex life is being affected, or I’m going to get wrinkles from doing this, or I’m going to show

Advice Doctor

that witch in accounting; she said I would fail. Those are all perfectly good reasons to make © better choices. If a reason sends you in the right direction, it’s a good reason. End of discussion. Set goals that are reasonable and measurable. If you’re starting a new habit, start small. If you’re quitting something, set a fi rm date. Decide whether to quit all at once or slow down gradually. Stick to your decisions. Remember that you are one of those complex and mysterious creatures called human beings. That means you will undoubtedly have a few failures and setbacks. It comes with the territory. You have to expect them and dust yourself off and keep heading in the right direction. Dear Advice Doctor, We all have freedom of choice. Let’s use it well. + In the last issue someone wrote in to ask your advice about a situation at their job. They made the rash decision to volunteer for something that they thought would be easy, then found out they couldn’t do it. They asked your advice on what to do about it but you ignored their question completely and talked about safe driving. Are you crazy?

— What Gives?

One family of providers.

Everything you need.

Dear What Gives, I’m actually glad you brought this up so I could offer a better answer. I apologize for not being more clear in my initial response. The person specifically mentioned their rash response, and you’re right: I did ignore that completely. If you’ll bear with me I’ll try again. Generally, a rash is considered to be a minor skin irritation. Usually the cause is something simple, like coming into contact with poison ivy or having an allergic reaction to something like laundry soap or perfume. It can get complicated when a new allergy develops. Sometimes the same soap brand we’ve been using for years suddenly causes a rash. We discount the soap as the source, looking instead for some deviation from past habits. The reason might be a change in formula by the soap maker, or a sensitivity we mysteriously develop to one of the longstanding ingredients. If you can identify the cause, stop all contact with the source of the rash. While a rash is healing, two contradictory actions are recommended: don’t scratch or itch the affected area; and leave it exposed to the air whenever possible. Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can help soothe the rash, and oral antihistamines like Benadryl can help too. Some rashes are more serious: they can be caused by shingles or a severe allergy. Any rash that causes shortness of breath means an immediate trip to the doctor or ER. If a rash doesn’t improve, talk to your dermatologist, doctor or pharmacist. +

AUGUSTA

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.

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(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. © 2016 PEARSON GRAPHIC 365 INC.

DECEMBER 2, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

#34 IN A SERIES

OLD NEWS

Who is this?

POINTS OF INTEREST TO FORMER KIDS

not a factor; young people are just as much at risk. The reasons are not clear. One suggestion is those who live alone don’t take as good care of themselves, avoiding nothing. I often enjoy tend to be a loner by doctor appointments and nothing. unconscious choice. It’s my But a British study suggests failing to take medications. If nature. I like coming home to an emergency arises, there is that being alone has more peace and quiet, and I also no one there to help. connection with shortening admit to a bit of OCD in that The answer is to be life spans than being lonely. I have a place for everything involved. Take a walk, meet According to this study, and I want everything in the neighbors. Join a book more than 25% of both its place. I want my home club or other activity. Pick United States and British neat, clean, and attractive. up the phone and call friends households are comprised of I find it adds immeasurably and family. The point is to people living by themselves. to my personal well-being. get out and be with people The study found that social The balance I have created isolation more than loneliness you care about and meet new was disturbed in a good way ones. This is easy to say and may increase the risk of early when my daughter moved death. A European study done may not be easy for some to back in a few months ago. do, especially when you may in 2010 revealed those age 50 Her idea of neat and clean not see it as a problem. and over reported they met clashed with mine almost Every journey begins with with friends, relatives and immediately. We had a a fi rst step. I know each colleagues less than once a spirited discussion about this month. The number of United time I have made the effort difference and she told me if to extend myself I have States citizens who had no I weren’t more flexible in my enjoyed the experience. If one to discuss important approach I would probably shyness is the issue, there are matters with rose from 10% end up alone. The response therapists who can help with in 1985 to 25% in 2004. The that remained in my head that. (Check your insurance researchers found that age is was, “Right now, coverage.) that doesn’t sound so We all have our bad.” comfort level but I There is a vast have found breaking difference between out of it can bring alone and lonely. surprising rewards. I enjoy my own There are more company and so options than I have rarely feel lonely; space to list them. I am able to keep Whatever you choose, myself busy even make sure it feeds Coming out of your shell is a good thing. if it’s busy doing your spirit. + by Trisha Whisenhunt, Senior Citizens Council

ALONE AND LONELY ARE NOT THE SAME THING

his installment of our series could be called Part II of the last issue. As you’ll recall, John Maynard Woodworth was featured last time. He was the first person named to a position that, since 1871, only 18 others (including a former MCG president) have held since: Surgeon General of the United States. The man above, by contrast, was the fi rst named to a position that dozens of others have since held. His hat suggests the 1700s and indeed, this physician, Benjamin Church, Jr., was appointed on July 27, 1775 to be first Surgeon General of the U.S. Army. (As we noted in our previous issue, Augusta cardiologist Harry T. Harper, Jr. served as a consultant to the Army Surgeon General for 30 years.) Church was not destined to have a long and illustrious career. In fact, he was ousted from the position within weeks. And that was the least of his troubles. Boston born to a prominent family, Church graduated from Harvard College in 1754, and went to London for further studies before returning to Boston and establishing a successful medical practice. He treated some victims of the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770, and as friction between the Crown and the colonies grew, Church was elected a delegate to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and later made a member of its “Committee of Safety,” charged with preparing for war against the British. By the spring of 1775, Church was named as a member of an examining board for army surgeons and to a committee in charge of staffing army hospitals with surgeons and medical supplies. His appointment as the fi rst Surgeon General of the Army was almost a foregone conclusion. There was just one problem: Church was a British spy. The discovery came when Church sent a coded letter to a British officer in Boston using a former mistress as his intermediary. The plot thickened when another of her exlovers intercepted the letter and delivered it to the officer in command of colonial forces, one Gen. George Washington. The letter was deciphered and found to include information about the colonist’s troop locations and strengths and Church’s declaration of loyalty to the British Crown. A court of inquiry was convened with Washington presiding. Church defended himself by stating the letter was written to impress the British with American troop strength in hopes of deterring an attack at a time when the Continental Army was undersupplied and vulnerable. The court rejected that defense, deeming the letter to be “criminal correspondence.” Church was court martialed and jailed, and on Oct. 16, 1775, Dr. John Morgan was named the second Surgeon General of the U.S. Army. On Nov. 7 under orders from the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, Church was confined in Connecticut “until further order from this or a future Congress.” He became ill, however, and was released to house arrest in January 1776. When his health improved by 1778, he was returned to Massachusetts under guard and officially banished in September. Soon after he sailed for the Caribbean island Martinique, but the ship did not reach its destination and was never heard from again. At the time of his presumed death, Church was 44. His widow received a pension from the British government. +

MYTH OF THE MONTH It’s polite to stifle a sneeze It may very well be, but this isn’t a column about manners. From a medical and health standpoint, holding in a sneeze is not a very good idea at all. The mechanics of sneezing mean that it is almost a violent act. People have their glasses fall off their face when they sneeze. Laboratory studies have found that the velocity of the air expelled by a sneeze can be as high as 100 m.p.h. Imagine trying to stifle that much force by keeping your mouth closed or pinching your nose. All that dynamic energy has to go somewhere, and the only options are all somewhat delicate structures, places like the

middle ear and the Eustachian tube. Ruptured ear drums are not uncommon among people who hold in sneezes. Hearing loss can result from that, either temporary or long term. Other fairly common side effects include ruptured blood vessels in the eyes; more unusual but possible are ruptured or weakened blood vessels in the brain. Everybody sneezes. There is no social stigma attached to sneezing, so don’t be shy. Cover, then go ahead and sneeze. + — by F. E. Gilliard, MD, Family Medicine 4244 Washington Road, Evans, GA 30809 706-760-7607

DECEMBER 2, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

WHAT EVERYBODY OUGHT TO KNOW res? ABOUT WHAT I BELIEVE

k good eno r skin can ugh cer? son.”

o k

believe I am an American. I was very young at birth and don’t rightly remember exactly where I was born or who delivered me. When Mother said I was born at home, in a wood frame house, on a tobacco farm, out in the country, I believed her. I will fight anyone who says she is a liar. I also believe that: To be healthy, you must eat right, sleep well, and above all, don’t harm your mind or body. We should have Morning Devotion - with Bible reading and prayer - each morning in school. Back when we did, the big discipline problems were talking out of turn, chewing gun in class, and running in the hall. Now that we have gotten rid of prayer (so as to not offend anyone), the big discipline problems are assault, guns in class, drugs, and pregnancy. Am I the only one who is offended by that? If I break the law, the cop who stops me should not worry about race, religion, or profiling. If a cop shouts, “Halt! You’re under arrest!” I must stop immediately. If I run, he has the right to shoot me in any vital organ or appendage he chooses. Infatuation, courtship, financial security, love, marriage, sex, pregnancy and parenting should occur in that

order. Marriage should come about 4 years before the first pregnancy. There should be a law requiring both parties to have stable jobs for a year and individual bank accounts before they get married. You should start a college savings account before a baby is born. If you can’t afford that, you sure as hell can’t afford a baby. You do not have the right to require me to educate your child. Everyone, including the broke, ignorant, or stupid, has the right to buy lottery tickets. That way they can help pay for college for people who did not follow my beliefs above. Your word is your bond. If you say you’ll do something, you have to do it. If you lie, you’ll fry. There is something in the Bible about that. Foreigners who wish to enter the U.S. should do so legally. Once here, they should speak English, get a job, pay taxes, pay their own bills, and be barred from government assistance. Immigrants should not try to change the U.S. to be like the country they left. They came here because they thought America would be better. I believe they are right. I believe in free speech - as long as you don’t force me to listen to it. Say anything you want. Play any obnoxious

t s e B music on your car radio. Just don’t do it loud enough that I can hear it at a stop light or gas station. If I can hear your radio outside your car, it is too damn loud, and you disrespect my privacy and pursuit of happiness. There is something in the Constitution about that. Everybody should have one pistol and one bullet. Once you use your bullet, you cannot have another, so you better be on your good behavior at all times. If we did that, 98% of the homicide cops would be in the unemployment line. God does not have Alzheimer’s disease. God does not need to be reminded five times a day who is a sinner and who needs His grace. My Father used to say: If you’ve got a religion that needs recharging every few hours or every few days, then you had better get a stronger religion. God is a three letter word. The Ten Commandments

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are commandments, not suggestions. You should only eat dessert on Sunday, and your waistline should not force your belt bucket to stare down at the ground. $1.50 for unsweetened tea in a restaurant is a ridiculous waste of money. Water is free and healthier. No one should go to nightclubs. If you want music, alcohol and sex, marry a good cook, buy some brew, and stay home. It is far safer and less expensive. You avoid second-hand smoke, social diseases, getting a DUI, punches in the nose, and making the front page of The Jail Report. Certain people belong on Bad Billy’s Proposed Astronaut List without Consideration for the Reentry Problem. (Start you own list. Mine is almost full already.) The solution to marital disharmony is simple. The

husband makes all the big decisions. The wife makes all little decisions. The wife decides little things like what you wear, what you eat, how you spend your money, where you vacation, and things like that. The husband decides big things like ending Middle East wars, determining football strategies, reducing the national debt, deciding interest rates, and determining political policies and how to achieve world peace. To be born a gentleman is an honor. To die a gentleman is an accomplishment. Deep in my heart, I believe my Mother would agree with me. If everyone believed that way, America would be a better place. And if you don’t believe this, I still have room for one more on my Astronauts List without Consideration for the Reentry Problem. + Bad Billy Laveau is a formerly-retired 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 706-3069397. F REE T AKE-HO ME CO PY!

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DECEMBER 2, 2016

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AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

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When my baby girl was two and a half years old, she started acting very unusual. She started talking very early and when she talked she spoke in complete sentences. Even at that young age she would talk about how when she grew up she was going to have 13 children. She even had names for all of them. My older children used to laugh at this thinking she was just make believing like all children. One day, she came in the room with a small pillow stuffed up under her shirt and she said she was going to have a baby. This alarmed me and I finally realized she had a problem. After much thought, I realized that maybe she had a need that was not being met. I finally decided to get her a pet. I saw a sign that said

It’s amazing how that changed things. “Kittens free to a good home,” so I took her to get one. I told her the choice was hers, and she picked a yellow kitten, barely eight weeks old, and we brought it home. She named it Cynthia. She carried that very patient cat everywhere she went, practically to the point of abuse, and even slept with it. Later it turned out to be a male cat, not a female cat as we had thought, but he remained Cynthia. She refused to change its name. She loved that cat until it died. She is now 21 years old and

she has a dog — a Golden Retriever — and she has always been well adjusted since the days of Cynthia. I am so glad she taught me about the psychology of very young children, people we don’t think can have needs when that young. We dismiss them as being childish fantasy, but deep down they are real needs. Apparently she needed to nurture something and the kitten and later her dog fulfi lled that need. I always wonder if those pets prevented premature sexual activity and teen pregnancy. I never had a problem with teen dating or pregnancy. It is amazing how a simple thing like that could change a life so much. + — by Anonymous Augusta, Georgia

WE’RE BEGGING YOU We’re never too proud to beg. What we’re begging for is Medicine in the First Person stories. With your help, we’d like to make this a feature in every issue of the Medical Examiner. After all, everybody has a story of something health- or medicine-related, and lots of people have many stories. 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. Thanks!

“The cause was a mystery for a long time.” “And that’s when I fell.” nearest hospital “He doesn’t remember a thing.” “The was 30 miles away.” “I was a battlefield medic.” “He was just two when he died.”

“OUCH!”

“It was a terrible tragedy.” “She saved “I sure learned my lesson.” “I retired from medicine my life.” “It seemed like a miracle.” seven years ago.” “We had triplets.” “It was my first year “I thought, ‘Well, this is it’.” NOTHING SEEMED of medical school.” “They took me to the hospital by helicopter.” TO HELP, UNTIL. . “It took 48 stitches.”

ambulance crashed.” “Now THAT hurt!” “The “My leg was broken “I’m not supposed to be alive.”

“This was on my third day in Afghanistan.” in three places.” “I lost 23 pounds.” “Turned out it was just indigestion.” “At first I thought it was something I ate.” “The smoke detector woke me up.”

Everybody has a story. Tell us yours. Here’s our “No Rules Rules.” We’ll publish your name and city, or keep you anonymous. Your choice. Length? Up to you. Subject? It can be a monumental medical event or just a stubbed toe. It can make us laugh or make us cry. One thing we’re not interested in, however: please, no tirades against a certain doctor or hospital. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

DECEMBER 2, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Sign a lease. Get a check.

Southern Girls Eat Clean Cranberry Chutney — “A clean holiday side dish” Cranberry sauce is a staple dish for any holiday meal. I have always loved the tartness of the cranberries with turkey and dressing every Thanksgiving and Christmas. My mother used to make a cranberry relish with orange zest and walnuts. It was delicious, but it took a while to prepare and it had a good bit of sugar in the recipe. I have to be honest, I even used to love the jellied canned stuff that has loads of sugar. Yep....You know? The kind you slice? I actually read the ingredients in a can of that stuff and decided that I must make my own so that we had a healthier version of cranberry sauce to go with our turkey. My recipe has very little sugar and all organic, real ingredients with no artificial flavors or preservatives. I feel good about serving it as the perfect accompaniment to complete our healthy holiday meals.

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Ingredients: • 3 Tbsp. of water • 1 Tbsp. of organic pure cane sugar • 1 Gala apple, chopped, peeling left on • 1 can of low sugar, organic, whole berry cranberry sauce • 1⁄4 Cup of finely chopped walnuts • 1⁄2 Cup of Pinot Noir wine Instructions: 1. In a saucepan place 2 Tbsp. of water and 1 Tbsp. of pure cane sugar over medium to high heat. 2. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add chopped apple and cook until softened. Approximately 5-8 minutes. 3. Add Cranberry sauce to pan along with wine and walnuts. Stir well to mix all ingredients. 4. Reduce heat to low and

Sweet.

Cranberry Chutney simmer on stove top until the mixture reduces and the sauce thickens. Stirring often to prevent sticking. Approximately 15 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and cool completely. 6. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve chilled. 7. NOTE: If you would like a sweeter sauce... add a bit more sugar. I did not since

the canned cranberry sauce already has a bit of sugar included in the ingredients. + Alisa Rhinehart is half of the blog southerngirlseatclean. com. She is a working wife and mother living in Evans, Georgia. Visit her blog for more recipes and information on clean eating.

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our pharmacist counsels you on your medications, giving you valuable information about possible side effects and how to take your medicine. This happens on delivery, when medicine is picked up at your pharmacy and is a great thing. But is there more to be gained? The counseling you receive at your pharmacy is an example of product-centered

information since it centers on a particular prescription medication. That doesn’t mean it’s only about that one prescription. It also looks at the relationship between that medicine and the others that you take. Of course this is only possible if the pharmacy has a record of all your medications, which is normal if you always use the same pharmacy. Prescription counseling is a great start for drug information but the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 included a provision for Medicare recipients to go a step further by qualifying for an intensive review of your medications and medical history. This is an in-person interview (or by phone if necessary) with a pharmacist and other healthcare professionals and includes communication with your healthcare providers so that a coherent healthcare team is created. The process is called Medication Therapy Management and is provided as a free service if you qualify. Medication Therapy Management was established with several outcomes in mind. These include increasing a patient’s understanding of the

medicines they take as well as why they’re necessary. Another goal is to increase the patient’s ability to selfmanage their health through better compliance with their medication schedule. This improves control over their medical conditions, while for the program it helps measure the effectiveness of insurance plans when it comes to receiving payments from Medicare. This allows for government money — ultimately our own money — being spent wisely, and as we all know that is often a hot topic. Most importantly, Medication Therapy Management aims to prevent adverse events and the costs associated with them. Since the program focuses on medication, the ultimate expression of event

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prevention is the reduction of medication-related injury and death. Also reduced by Medication Therapy Management is healthcare costs due to hospitalizations and other preventable healthcare in addition to the reduction of unnecessary or duplicate prescriptions. So what does this increased level of communication do for the patient in particular and the healthcare system in general? Studies over the past decade have shown that increased pharmacist intervention has been proven to increase both provider and patient satisfaction with the healthcare process, in addition to increasing the cost-effectiveness of the healthcare process. Also increased was patient safety and the achievement of goals as related to a patient’s health diagnoses. It also decreased the physician’s burden of health education and counseling about prescriptions and their related information. Patients had increased access to health services and benefited from an extra check and balance system for medication errors. The qualification for this program is based on a number of factors that includes the number of medications being taken and the number of qualifying conditions that the patient has. In the next issues we will get deeper into Medication Therapy Management and go over the specific conditions involved and review the process used to conduct an interview and how the patient can benefit. Until then, get as much information about your prescriptions from your pharmacy and work to improve your health. + Questions about this article or suggestions for future columns can be sent to us at cjdlpdrph@bellsouth.net Written for the Medical Examiner by Augusta pharmacists Chris and Lee Davidson (cjdlpdrph@bellsouth. net )

DECEMBER 2, 2016

DON’T LICK THE BEATERS Useful food facts from dietetic interns with the Augusta Area Dietetic Internship Program, Augusta University

WHAT’S THE “BLEAT” ON CHEESE? by Alanna Fopiano cheeses available. Cheese is made from not only cow’s milk, but also goat’s milk and even sheep’s milk. Research has stated that diets high in calcium benefit the body by helping the body burn fat even after meals. Goat cheese is a healthy source of protein and calcium, which are both slightly higher than cow’s milk cheeses. Cheese also has a great amount of vitamins and minerals, like phosphorus, riboflavin (or vitamin B2), tryptophan (an essential amino acid used in the creation of proteins), potassium, and niacin. Goat cheese is also a tolerable food to digest for people who are lactose intolerant. There is no significant difference in lactose between goat’s milk and cow’s milk, but the fat molecules are shorter in goat cheese so they are easier to digest. With all of this information, you can now make the holidays rich with your new cheese knowledge. Cheese is high in calories and fat, but also high in essential vitamins and minerals, and is a tasty food that can be easily incorporated many ways into your daily diet. The serving size is one ounce, so be mindful of the amount of cheese you consume. The holidays will never be the same, I do declare. +

Created by Alanna Fopiano • 1 16 oz. bag frozen spinach, chopped and thawed • 1 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped small • 2 cups Parmesan cheese, shredded • 8 oz. Goat cheese, plain • 2 tsp. garlic, minced • 2/3 cup sour cream

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The cooking procedure will be as follows: • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Defrost the frozen spinach so it is easy to mix. Add the artichokes to the thawed spinach. Mix in 1 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Combine the last three ingredients together and mix with the spinach mixture. Put the mixture in a baking dish and sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 20—30 minutes, or until cheese on top slightly browns. Serve warm. Best served with crackers. + Resources ACFEF Chef & Child Foundation and Clemson University. (February 2013). Goat Cheese. Ingredient of the Month. Retrieved from: http://www.acfchefs.org/download/ documents/ccf/nutrition/2013/201302_ ingredient_goat_cheese.pdf. Fopiano, Alanna L. (April 2014). “The characteristics of goat cheese in spinach artichoke dip.” Scholarly article. Walther, B., Schmid, A., Sieber, R. et al. (July 2008). Cheese in nutrition and health. Dairy Science and Technology. 88:4, 389-405. doi:10.1051/dst:2008012.

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t’s beginning to look like that time of year again. The holidays are here, and your mind is fi lled with a todo list so long it wraps around your house. Everyone’s TVs are blasting football games and houses are fi lled with the smells of the kitchen. Many foods are made to entertain and impress your guests, but let’s hit them with some knowledge. A crowd favorite and a personal love of mine: cheese. Cheese is a popular food, but little is discussed about the nutritional facts behind this food. It can be used in appetizers, entrees, and even enjoyed with desserts. But when you pick up a cube of cheese off that decorative plate, do you know what is packed into it? Cheese is a nutrient-dense food that is high in protein, as well as vitamins and minerals like calcium (ACFEF Chef & Child Foundation and Clemson University, 2013). However, the down side is that cheese is also high in calories, fat, and salt. A serving size of cheese is one ounce, which is not a lot. A common visual for one ounce of cheese is two dice! Most people will consume cheese that is made from cow’s milk, which has a high content of fat and calories. So be careful not to eat too much. Moderation is key. There are other types of

Goat Cheese Spinach Artichoke Dip

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• How committed are you to helping them stay in their own home? A. You will work tirelessly to make it happen and have the time to do so. B. You’re able to check on them regularly- at least 3 times per week. C. You have very limited availability to help. D. You have become reacquainted with your parents after estrangement and are only willing to do the minimum. • What is their financial situation? A. They saved every penny that they ever earned/ inherited, and it’s buried in the backyard. B. They enjoy splurging once in awhile, but they also

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invested wisely. C. They have some money in the bank, but spoil themselves periodically and therefore are not positioned well financially. D. They spent money like it grows on trees and now are in a bind. • What level of care or assistance do they need? A. They need almost 24/7 care or supervision for safety reasons due physical or cognitive decline. B. They need help with bathing, dressing, housekeeping, food preparation, grocery shopping, financial management and ensuring they take their medications correctly. They also need a second set of eyes and ears at medical appointments. However, after all of that is accomplished daily, they can be left alone for long periods of time (up to 12 hours). C. They can still prepare simple meals and drive their familiar routes. They also are self-sufficient enough to write checks, and make doctor appointments, however they need someone to oversee the details of money management and medical care. They also need limited help with bathing and dressing, as well as support to ensure medication compliance due to poor vision or a memory that is beginning to fail. They may only require help on the days that their needs must be addressed (i.e. only bathe 3 days/week). D. They are fairly independent, though you know that someone checking in on them — perhaps only 2 days per week for a few hours to offer reminders, possibly cook a nice meal, or take them out for a shopping excursion that they could not accomplish well on their own — would be priceless. More importantly, you know they need an avenue to offer socialization, companionship and routine. Please see A QUESTION page 15

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11 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

The blog spot From the Bookshelf — posted by Natasha Abadilla on November 25, 2016

DOCTORS SHOULD TAKE CARE OF TEDDY BEARS TOO Doctors should take care of teddy bears too. I’m a fi rst-year medical student who recently discovered the magnetic pull of surgery. As one might assume, on my first day scrubbing into the OR under a pediatric surgeon, I was beyond excited. The surgeon’s precision and expertise fascinated me, and the constant activity in the surgical suite was something I could definitely get used to. Adrenaline was as pervasive as anesthesia in the OR, and I knew I’d thrive there. However, the most impactful moments for me in the OR that day didn’t come after the first laparoscopic surgery I observed was declared a success. Nor did they come after I was asked to help assist by cutting sutures. The moments I’ll always remember from my first day “scrubbed in” came when I realized how the medical professionals I was working with paused to remember that caring for a patient isn’t only about snipping and suturing. When the care team and I went to meet one of the patients and his family before his operation, we found a little boy clutching a worn-out teddy bear. The bear was wearing the boy’s medical ID bracelet as a collar. The surgical resident asked about his bear, and after realizing the bear’s collar bore the wrong name on it, he found a pen, scratched out the boy’s name, and wrote “Fuzzy” on the collar. “We can’t have Fuzzy being called the wrong name, right?” he asked the boy with a wink. This simple fi x made the frightened boy visibly relax and give us the slightest smile. After the boy’s surgery, one of the scrub nurses made the team wait an extra minute before bringing the boy into the post-operation recovery room so that she could find an extra Band-Aid. I thought she intended it to be an extra one to give it to the boy’s parents, but instead, I watched her carefully put it on Fuzzy. I could only imagine how big the boy’s smile would be when he woke up and realized his bear had a band aid in the exact same spot that he did. I’m only four weeks into medical school, but I can already sense that it’s easy to get caught up in checking off checklists, figuring out milestone-based ten-year plans, and covering all the requirements we need to bring us to that next milestone. The huge volume of work thrown at us during pre-clinical years and the sheer number of patients we encounter later may be difficult to handle, but we’re able to plow through these things and tackle them logically. These aren’t insurmountable obstacles. The real challenge we face is to avoid being consumed by studying or the sense of accomplishment after a successful surgery. The real challenge is to remember how important Fuzzy is to our patient, and to remember to put a Band-Aid on him, too. In my eyes, doctors are superheroes. They remedy illnesses, save lives. However, what I learned on my first day shadowing in the OR is that solving patient cases isn’t the same as caring for patients. The act of curing is simple, if you compare it to the art of healing. Doctors should take care of teddy bears too. I may not become a surgeon in the end. I may not even become a doctor. Wherever life takes me though, years and years from now, I’d love to be able to say that I never did forget how important it is to pause my day to take care of teddy bears. I hope you’ll be able to say the same. +

“I can see how easy it is to get caught up in checklists.”

Natasha Abadilla is a medical student who blogs at Scope.

There is perhaps no one in all of medicine held in greater esteem by both their fellow healthcare providers and the general public than the ER trauma physician. We think of them as the ultimate doctor because they’re ready to treat whatever comes in at any hour of the day or night. In truth, however, most ERs are staffed by or connected with physicians in multiple specialties, so the same ER physician doesn’t usually have to set a broken bone one minute and deliver twins the next. It’s a little different in this book, however, where there is exactly one trauma surgeon in a small hospital in a small town, the setting for sixteen life and death short stories. Here is an excerpt from the Kirkus review of this book: Although the stories and characters in emergencymedicine physician Green’s debut collection are fictional, he bases them on real experience, giving readers an insider’s look at a rural trauma ward. Unsurprisingly, several stories deal with loss, tragedy, and the difficulty of letting go. Others touch on misdiagnoses of

character: a seemingly neglectful meth-head mother turns out to be a good Samaritan (“Saviors”); in “Family,” an alcoholic and annoying ER regular redeems himself by running off a threatening pill-seeker and becomes the hospital’s trusted security guard (“sometimes all a person needs is a chance to prove himself”). Big-city ERs are commonly the setting for medical dramas, so the particular challenges of an understaffed and remote emergency department will be less familiar to readers, and the stories exploring these particular challenges are among the collection’s strongest. “This

is the only ER in town. I am the only ER doctor awake in the county right now,” writes the narrator (also called Dr. Green) in “The Crew.” He’s awakened at 2 a.m. for an incoming trauma: four teenagers dead or dying from a car accident on prom night. In the big city, a team of 20 specialists might be on hand; here, the trauma team is one doctor (himself), two nurses, and a respiratory tech. The title comes from a private joke—they call themselves “the crew that do,” which is “a quiet comfort in the middle of the night.” They need this comfort even more on this night; doing the math, Dr. Green realizes that there is a “one-in-fourteen chance that one of our kids was in that car.” It’s the paradoxical, poignant condition of their work that, to function well, they have become a tightknit family who can shut down their emotions—even if it could mean coding one of their own family members. Well-written stories about keeping one’s head and humanity amid the rawness of emergency medicine. + Trauma Room Two, by Philip Allen Green, M.D.; 162 pages, published in Sept. 2015 by Create Space

Research News You knew this already And now science confi rms it: mental disorders and physical disorders go hand in hand. Teenagers stressing about the prom? Senior pictures? Sure enough, a zit (or two or three) appears right on schedule. Swiss researchers at the University of Basel have identified a link between the two. Data from 6,500 teenagers revealed that skin diseases commonly followed anxiety disorders. Affective disorders like depression were often followed by arthritis and digestive disorders. Epilepsy was found to be a precursor to subsequent eating disorders. Adding to the vicious circle, anxiety disorders (which lead to skin problems) were found to be more common among teens who had previously been diagnosed with heart disease. Study authors say the findings underscore the need to link the treatment for mental disorders and physical diseases.

Are your kids sleeping well? If so, you’re probably doing a good job of controlling and monitoring their screen time. Ohio State University just released the results of a study which found a direct connection between violent media and violent dreams. In fact, people who watched or played violent media within 90 minutes of going to bed were 13 times more likely to have a violent dream that night compared to those who did not view violent media. Those who viewed media with a strong sexual content were found to be six times more likely to have sex-related dreams. The effects are not limited to children: the 1,287 people who participated in the study ranged in age from 10 to 60. The media we consume does affect our dreams and the health of our sleep, concluded researchers, recommending avoiding visual media with strong

violent or sexual themes for those whose sleep is troubled. Your phone says a lot Psychologists from Lancaster University (UK) released a study late last month which found Android phone users are more honest than iPhone users. Basing their findings on more than 500 surveys completed by smartphone users, the profiles look like this. iPhone users are likely to be: • younger • female • more likely to view their phone as a status symbol • more extroverted Android users are likely to be: • male • older • more honest • more agreeable • less likely to break rules for personal gain • less interested in wealth and status The value of these findings? Your guess is as good as ours. +

+ 12

DECEMBER 2, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE EXAMiNERS +

How’s that little boy of yours?

by Dan Pearson

General malaise, nausea, and a WBBQ fever.

What are his symptoms?

He’s still sick.

WBBQ fever? Never heard of that.

104.3°

THE MYSTERY WORD The Mystery Word for this issue: S TILL BLEATT

EXAMINER CROSSWORD

PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Judges 6. Type of board 11. Mr. Smiley of PBS 14. Permit 15. Long-time show on 39-A 16. Wrath 17. Spontaneous abortion 19. Fat meas. 20. Cold start 21. Offspring, usually of a notable family 23. Respectful address for a woman 24. Tidal area at the mouth of a river 26. Is indebted 28. Only 5 U.S. Presidents had one 29. Crustacean appendage 32. Earthen pot 33. Campus govt. org. 36. “8-Mile” star 37. Related to sight 39. Network airing 15-A 40. Lymph _______ 42. Mysterious person or thing 43. Register (British spelling) 44. _____ Inn 45. Tilted; off-center 48. It could be Scarlet 51. Remains of a fire 52. Indigo dye 54. Not (in Scotland) 55. Based on numerical data 61. Doctor’s org. 62. Reddish dye 63. Small middle ear bone 64. Type of belt (or dog) 65. Something educed 66. Guides

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 1

Click on “READER CONTESTS”

QUOTATION PUZZLE

E S S U N H M E H A W H N T T L E U I U T G T

R T F R R M V R F S O I H N I D C T A A E

DOWN 1. Noblewoman 2. Archie’s youngest son 3. Noted Ernie 4. Cottonmouth, for one 5. An expanse of turf 6. First name of a Johnston, SC high school 7. Common pond fish 8. DDS org. 9. Kids play it 10. Computer users can get it 11. Major shin bone 12. Protective covering 13. Like an elderly person’s skin, perhaps 18. Handwoven Scandinavian wool rug 22. Food regurgitated by a ruminant 23. Military corpsman 24. Snakelike fish 25. Medicinal ointment 26. Sign on many doors

H A E E

27. Uterus 28. The B of IBS 30. State with a guitar on its commemorative quarter 31. Dekalb County university 33. Sucrose 34. Word describing wild meat 35. Exclamation of sorrow 38. Secondary occupation 41. Owner of SRS 43. ____ out a living 45. Augusta _________ 46. Late terrorist’s first name 47. Inexpensive 48. Swoon 49. Jr. naval offcr. 50. _______ signs 53. Evils 56. Blue Jays on scoreboards 57. Mechanic’s quality org. 58. Facial twitch 59. Stroke ltrs. 60. Help Solution p. 14

— Victor Hugo

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.

X A M I N E R

2 4

8 9

1 1

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 1 2 3 4

1 2 1 2

T 1 2 1 2 3

. 1 2 3

1 2 3

G 1 2 3 4 5

— Phyllis Diller

1.ABFGMNSTU 2.AEEINOOPT 3.ADDDGV 4.EHY 5.RT

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

WORDS NUMBER

N Vletters, ACATthen Simply unscramble the exploring ION begin : ( our ads. When you find the correctly spelled word hidden in one of our ads — enter at AugustaRx.com

DECEMBER 2, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

13 +

THE BEST MEDICINE ha... ha...

nock knock. Who’s there? A little old lady. A little old lady who? Hey, I didn’t know you could yodel!

Moe: They said on the news that Sarah Palin wants Trump to appoint her as the new head of NASA. Joe: That’s crazy. Moe: Her argument is actually pretty good: she can see the moon from her house. Moe: You will never believe who I bumped into on my way to the eye doctor. Joe: Who? Moe: Pretty much everybody. Moe: The other day a clown held a door open for me. Joe: That was certainly a nice jester. “I have two wishes I’d like carried out under the terms of my will when I’m gone,” a man said to his lawyer. “Do you think you can accomplish two things?”

“I’m sure we can,” said the attorney. “What are they?” “Very simple,” the man said. “First, I’d like my remains to be scattered at Disneyland.” “Understandably so,” said the lawyer. “It’s the happiest place on earth. And your other request?” “Secondly, I do not wish to be cremated.” Moe: This computer is driving me crazy! I can’t log in. Joe: Did you forget your password? Moe: No way. The computer keeps telling me “Your password is incorrect,” but every time I type in “incorrect” it tells me the same thing all over again. Joe: I feel your frustration. I had to enter a new password on mine, so I chose “14 days.” The computer said that was two week. Moe: I went for a job interview today. Joe: How did it go? Moe: I think I aced it. The interviewer asked me what my greatest weakness is. I told him, “I think listening skills are my greatest strength.” Moe: I try to teach my Mom something new every day. Joe: Why is that? Moe: Aren’t you supposed to learn from your mistakes? Moe: These Apple fitness products do not work! Joe: What do you mean? Moe: I tried the iHop and all I’ve done is gain weight. +

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.

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 The rules are different for diabetics. For most people, small wounds can be allowed to heal themselves. Not so for people with diabetes, especially as we age, especially if we have lost feeling in our extremities. Our hands are easily visible, so checking to make sure they’re OK is easy. Feet are another thing entirely. I have had cuts to my feet that I didn’t know were there until I spotted a puddle of blood under my feet, or I left a wounded animal trail behind me. Even such a small thing as a blister can cause a major problem, threatening the loss of toes, or even amputation of the whole foot. As I’ve gotten older I have learned to check my feet every day with a mirror. But even doing that I missed a couple of black spots under my toes that signaled an infection which required antibiotics. My granddaughter spotted them. Now I know that if even a small problem arises, I need to take myself to the Joseph M. Still Burn and Wound Clinic at Doctor’s Hospital. I felt really silly recently when the intake woman asked me what was wrong and I said, “I have a big blister on my big toe.” A few days before I had gone shopping for too long and had developed a blood blister the diameter of a quarter, but quite thick. I knew that as long as it was closed it was sterile and posed no risks, but my dog KC was dancing around one morning and danced on my foot, cutting the skin and creating an opening where germs could get in. I bled jolly well, so I was aware that the blister had been popped. I called my granddaughter and told her I needed some help. She came over that evening, washed it well with antibiotic soap, and dressed it as expertly as the wound clinic can, but she isn’t qualified to determine if antibiotics are required. So the next day I took myself to the wound clinic to get it checked out. They cut the dead skin off, cleaned it again and bandaged it for me. Two days later I needed to go back to the clinic to have it examined again. At that point, the healing was underway. It looked clean, with no signs of infection. They sent me home with long-lasting bandaging that only needs to be changed once a week. Mepilex. I knew from prior experience that it works beautifully and it did. My toe healed and that was one more adventure I could call a bit of good fortune, and put behind me. If you are a diabetic, the lesson to be learned is that small wounds, treated promptly, do not grow to become deep ulcers and gangrene, requiring amputation. I have learned that it’s OK to look silly when my health is at stake. +

+ +

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+ 14

DECEMBER 2, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE MYSTERY SOLVED :(

IONissue was: Tlast The Mystery Word VinAour A C N S TILL OTABLET

...very cleverly hidden (in the bricks) in the p. 16 ad for AUBEN REALTY APARTMENTS However, we had no winner! Want to find your name here next issue? 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! 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. 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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A QUESTION … from page 10 Decision Time! Based upon your answers above, you can now consider these options: In-Home Care This costs approximately $20/hour if you use a licensed and insured agency. A private caregiver is approximately $12/hour. Therefore, 24/7 care is between $8,500 and $14,500 per month. The assigned caregivers can handle all of your loved one’s needs and it’s a one on one care situation. Assisted Living In this geographic market, the cost is approximately $4,500/month based upon the amount of care and supervision needed. There is also Memory Care Assisted Living which specializes in care for those with significant cognitive impairment. Some Assisted Living communities have both regular Assisted Living and Memory Care options. Assisted Living provides 24/7 care and supervision, meals, medication management, personal care, socialization, and transportation for shopping and medical appointments. Adult Daycare/Senior Center The cost for Adult daycare is approximately $100/day (8-10 hours), which would amount to about $3,000/month. Another option is half-day daycare. Activities, meals, and

socialization are offered. Some Adult Daycare facilities offer personal care such as bathing or they have in house therapy services for physical or occupational therapy. Nursing Home The cost of a nursing home in this geographic market is $7500/month. All personal care needs are met, meals, activities, nursing and physician services, and transportation to speciality medical appointments Ultimately your decision has to be based on a myriad of factors, but the bottom line is whether there is enough money to provide the level of care needed. If not, how much care can/will family or friends provide? Make sure to factor in income, Long Term Care Insurance, savings and other assets, VA benefits, Department of Labor benefits for those who worked at Savannah River Site and qualify, and Medicaid monies. + — by Amy Hane, who holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of South Carolina. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and is an Advanced Professional Member of the Aging Life Care Association. Amy is a licensed Master Social Worker in South Carolina and Georgia, an Aging Life Care Manager and is also a Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager.

EXAMINER CLASSIFIEDS HOMES, APARTMENTS, ROOMMATES, LAND, ETC. FOR RENT 1827 McDowell St., 1 mi to MCG. 2 bdrm, 1.5 bath, LR, DR, den, kitchen. Tile/hardwood floors. New roof. (706) 738-2331 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

CELIA DUNN, DMD 584 Blue Ridge Drive, Evans GA 30809 (706) 650-9700 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 SUNSET MEMORIAL GARDENS Opening and closing at Sunset Mem. Gardens in Graniteville. Sale: $760 (Value: $1520+) Call 706-736-0596 ANTIQUE maple dinette set with buffet corner cabinet table with pull-out leaves. Four chairs with two captain’s chairs. Excellent condition. $300. Double bed early 1930s with mattress spring coverlet shams $150. Call (706) 860-2170 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) 2953033 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

THE PUZZLE SOLVED D

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QUOTATION QUOTATION PUZZLE SOLUTION: Page 12: “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” — Victor Hugo, 1802-1885

The Sudoku Solution 6

WORDS BY NUMBER “Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.” — Phyllis Diller

DECEMBER 2, 2016

15 +

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AIKEN: 803-226-0034 AUGUSTA: 706-922-1611 EVANS: 706-855-1616 TO OUR READERS AND OUR ADVERTISERS, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY ALLERGY

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

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

DERMATOLOGY

Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center 2283 Wrightsboro Rd. (at Johns Road) Augusta 30904 706-733-3373 www.GaDerm.com

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

FAMILY MEDICINE

F. E. Gilliard MD, Family Medicine 4244 Washington Road Evans, GA 30809 706-760-7607 Industrial Medicine • Prompt appts. Urgent MD Augusta: 706-922-6300 Grovetown: 706-434-3500 Thomson: 706-595-7825 Primary Care Rates

OPHTHALMOLOGY Roger M. Smith, M.D. 820 St. Sebastian Way Suite 5-A Augusta 30901 706-724-3339

PHARMACY

YOUR LISTING HERE

SENIOR LIVING

Augusta Gardens Senior Living Community 3725 Wheeler Road Augusta 30909 SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY 706-868-6500 www.augustagardenscommunity.com

SLEEP MEDICINE Sleep Institute of Augusta Bashir Chaudhary, MD 3685 Wheeler Rd, Suite 101 Augusta 30909 706-868-8555

TRANSPORTATION Caring Man in a Van Wheelchair-Stretcher Transports • Serving Augusta Metro 855-342-1566 www.CaringManinaVan.com

VEIN CARE

Medical Center West Pharmacy 465 North Belair Road Evans 30809 Vein Specialists of Augusta Dr. Judson S. Hickey Your Practice 706-854-2424 Periodontist And up to four additional lines of your www.medicalcenterwestpharmacy.com G. Lionel Zumbro, Jr., MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI 501 Blackburn Dr, Martinez 30907 2315-B Central Ave choosing and, if desired, your logo. Floss ‘em 706-854-8340 Augusta 30904 or lose ‘em! Keep your contact information in Parks Pharmacy www.VeinsAugusta.com 706-739-0071 this convenient place seen by tens of 437 Georgia Ave. thousands of patients every month. N. Augusta 29841 Jason H. Lee, DMD Literally! Call (706) 860-5455 for all 803-279-7450 116 Davis Road the details www.parkspharmacy.com Augusta 30907 Medical Weight & Wellness 706-860-4048 Specialists of Augusta THE AUGUSTA Maycie Elchoufi, MD MEDICAL EXAMINER Steven L. Wilson, DMD 108 SRP Drive, Suite B Psych Consultants Family Dentistry Evans 30809 • 706-829-9906 AUGUSTA’S 2820 Hillcreek Dr 4059 Columbia Road MOST SALUBRIOUS YourWeightLossDoctor.com Augusta 30909 Martinez 30907 NEWSPAPER (706) 410-1202 706-863-9445 www.psych-consultants.com

WEIGHT LOSS

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M.E.

PSYCHIATRY

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DECEMBER 2, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Part F of a 26-part series

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never enough Most of us â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially at this time of year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; know that sick, over-stuffed feeling after a big meal when we say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going to eat again for a week.â&#x20AC;? And we almost mean it. For many an unfortunate person, however, there is never any such thing as too much food. These are people who are addicted to food in exactly the same way another person might be addicted to drugs or alcohol. It isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t weakness or laziness or a failure of willpower, although family members may put food addicts through all kinds of anguish. The subject isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t without controversy, but many clinical studies by reputable institutions from Yale University on down have identified binge eating as a real clinical addiction. In a perfect world, people would get addicted to foods

IS FOR FOOD ADDICTION like celery and tofu. But as you may have noticed, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not living in a perfect world. In this world, foods high in fat, sugar and salt content are the biggest triggers for addiction. They react with areas of the brain that release â&#x20AC;&#x153;rewardâ&#x20AC;? chemicals like dopamine. Battling against your own bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internal biochemistry is like trying to avoid sleep: you can succeed temporarily, but ultimately you will succumb. When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a food addict

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and the biochemistry takes over, the deprivation will result in overeating, in the same way a person who hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t slept in days isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to be satisfied with a 15-minute nap. Like other addictions weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re more familiar with, there is a dulling effect over time. The original â&#x20AC;&#x153;fi xâ&#x20AC;? that was very satisfying wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be as fulfi lling the next time. As a heroin addict needs a bigger dose to get the same buzz, so it is with food addicts. Fortunately, there is medical help and support available. Some people recommend your family physician as the fi rst person you should see; others suggest psychologists or dietitians. The important thing is to get help. Augusta has a chapter of Overeaters Anonymous that offers support and assistance. Visit oa.org for local meeting times and non-face-to-face options. +

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The

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Will he ever get one right? Probably not. Questions. And answers. On page 3.