Feb3 17 by Daniel Pearson

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HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS

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It’s got the beat Sure, we all know that already. But why? How? Every year February is observed as American Heart Month, so at every turn for the next several weeks we’ll be reading stories about heart health and heart disease statistics and prevention and all other things heart-related. All month long our hearts will be beating, tallying an average of 100,000 beats a day for each and every one of us. In fact, even when a heart is cut out of the chest for a heart transplant operation (or an Aztec sacrifice, for that matter) it will continue to beat sitting in a pan awaiting placement in its new home. Why? How? What makes the heart go lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub all day every day — and all night every night? It’s a hearty topic for our intermittent series called Body Parts. Keeping the beat Like just about everything else in the human body (and the natural world as a whole), the heart is extremely complex and sophisticated, and its mechanism of pumping is involved and elaborate. A simple lub-dub it is not. As suggested by the illustration, the heart has an electrical system. After all, it’s getting an EKG, the E of which stands for “electro.” (EKG stands for electrocardiogram.) That’s where the beat comes from, the regular pulse, the constant rhythm of our hearts: it’s a reaction to a mild electric shock that originates within the heart itself. The mini-jolt is generated in the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the right atrium of the heart. The jolt is triggered when the right and left atria, the top chambers of the heart, fill with blood. “Full” activates the SA node, which zaps both atria, causing them to contract or squeeze their contents through one-way valves (the tricuspid valve on the heart’s right side, the mitral valve on the left) down into the right and left ventricles. While the ventricles are filling with blood, the SA node’s electrical signal reaches a relay switch of sorts known as the atrioventricular (AV) node. The AV

BODY PARTS: THE SERIES

Please see THE BEAT page 2

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THE BEAT… from page 1 node interrupts the signal for an instant, just long enough for the ventricles to fill with blood. The momentarily delayed electrical signal arrives just as the ventricles complete their fi ll-up. At that instant the jolt of voltage reaches them, causing contractions that send the blood in the left ventricle through the aortic valve and off to the rest of the body, and a split-second later from the right ventricle through the pulmonary valve and into the lungs to be oxygenated. As highly choreographed as it all sounds, what you have just read is like learning A, B and C compared with all the words in an entire encyclopedia. How, for instance, does heart tissue that looks under a microscope like the dessert some people call Heavenly Hash create electricity? Alas, that is an incredibly complex recipe that defies simple description. Although this is an insult to the sophistication of the system, the best way to describe it simply is to say that tissue in the SA node is charged and then discharged chemically, and does it so quickly and efficiently that a healthy heart can often beat more than 100 times a minute. The entire system monitors demand continuously and adjusts automatically, speeding up if you hit a fl ight of stairs, slowing down for the night when you snuggle down under the covers. Of course, creating the voltage is of little value if it can’t be delivered to the appliance where it is needed. In the heart, an elaborate network of nerves designed specifically to carry electrical impulses takes care of that. When each burst of current leaves the SA node, it fi rst travels to the AV node, stopping briefly there as described above. WHAT DOES AN EKG MEASURE? Leaving the AV node, the current The “P wave” marks the contraction of has a big job ahead of it. No disrespect the heart’s atria, pumping blood into the to the atria intended, but all they ventricles. The “Q wave” denotes the have to do is fill up and then open moment they’re full and the electrical their trap doors to let the ventricles current enters the Bundle of His. The “R fi ll with blood. Gravity is their best wave” marks the contraction of Purkinje friend. The ventricles, by contrast, fibers around the left ventricle, the “S have to pump with enough force to wave” the right ventricle. The “T wave” provide circulation for the entire body. signifies the relaxation of the ventricles as They can’t simply be “poked” by an they await the next signal. electrical current; they need to be squeezed. To accomplish this, the heart’s wiring after it leaves the AV node has two branches to serve the large and powerful ventricles. They’re called the Bundle of His after the German cardiologist (Wilhelm His) who discovered them. The left and right branches of the Bundle of His travel down through the septum that separates the left and right ventricles, and then branches out in smaller nerves to almost encircle the ventricles. These smaller nerves are called Purkinje (purr-KIN-gee) fibers, and when the current shocks them, the ventricles squeeze their contents out for general circulation to the lungs and entire body. Then they can relax for half a second before going to work when another jolt of electricity zaps them. +

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

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— Don’t Want a Felon in the Family Dear Don’t Want, This is actually a question I get all the time, especially this time of year. It makes perfect sense when you think about it: we use our hands for practically everything we do, and right now is peak season for dry skin. No wonder dry, chapped, red hands are so common right now. If dry winter air was the sole cause it would be bad enough, but latex gloves, cleaning products, detergents and soaps are just a few of the additional triggers for skin irritation. Once the skin is inflamed, we naturally tend to respond to the itching and irritation by scratching our hands. Ironically, some lotions and moisturizers make things worse because people experience allergic reactions to them. Before you know it, dry skin can even crack open and bleed. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to alleviate the symptoms and get relief. First, as difficult as it might be, avoid scratching raw, red irritated skin. Find a moisturizer that works for you and use it. Limit exposure to chemicals and irritants. Limit the amount of handwashing, but when you do wash your hands, always use lukewarm water and hypoallergenic soap. Those are all good initial strategies, but they don’t always work. In that case, seek help from your doctor or dematologist. Usually being red-handed is at worst a temporary condition. + 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.

AUGUSTA

One family of providers.

Dear Advice Doctor, This is a question I am so grateful to even be able to ask. Things could have been so different. Here’s what happened: my teenage son was caught red-handed shoplifting at the mall. Thankfully, the manager called us, his parents, instead of having him arrested. That’s the good news. The bad news is that our son doesn’t even seem slightly remorseful. What do you think is the best way to handle this?

MEDICAL EXAMINER

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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.

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

#38 IN A SERIES

OLD NEWS

Who is this?

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

DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM

hances are quite good that this man, Andreas Gruentzig, has directly affected your life, or the life of someone you know or love. Although he was born in Dresden, Germany, his pioneering medical career has direct ties to Georgia, specifically Augusta. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the milestone that put Dr. Gruentzig on the very short list (six names) of the innovators The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions calls “Legends of Cardiology.” The epic event that occurred in September, 1977, in Zurich, Switzerland, was the fi rst coronary angioplasty performed on an awake, alert patient. The less invasive procedure was a dramatically easier choice than what had previously been the sole option, coronary bypass surgery. The procedure was a success, eliminating the symptoms and problems of the patient, so much so that the patient outlived the doctor (both 38 years old on the day of the angioplasty) by several decades. This despite the fact that the coronary artery in question was 80% occluded and Gruentzig used a catheter he built at home in his kitchen for the procedure. From the very first coronary angioplasty, Dr. Gruentzig employed a unique method for selecting patients. As one of his colleagues noted, most doctors seeking the first patient for a new and unproven procedure would look for “train wrecks,” patients who had exhausted every other option and, with nothing to lose, would likely agree in desperation to anything offering any shred of hope. Not Andreas Gruentzig. He looked for the healthiest, least risky patients to get this new technology off the ground and running. Judging by the universality of angioplasty procedures today, the strategy seems to have been a wise choice. When Gruentzig presented the results of his fi rst four coronary angioplasties at an American Heart Association meeting later in 1977, he was acknowledged with a standing ovation. The previous year, Dr. Gruentzig had met Emory cardiologist (and Medical College of Georgia graduate) Dr. Spencer King III at a medical conference in Miami, and the two became friends. In 1980, the two were aboard a train traveling near Zurich when the conversation turned to Gruentzig moving to the United States. Shortly thereafter Gruentzig visited Atlanta, where Dr. King introduced him to J. Willis Hurst, chief of medicine at Emory (and also an MCG graduate; see the 11/18/2016 Medical Examiner, p. 10, [issuu. com/medicalexaminer/docs/nov18_16] for more about Dr. Hurst and his Augusta ties). Dr. Hurst was instrumental in recruiting Gruentzig to Emory and obtaining licenses and other documents for someone who did not have the usual credentials to practice medicine in the United States. Dr. Gruentzig directed the angioplasty program at the Emory University School of Medicine from 1981 until his death at age 46 in 1985. On Sunday, October 27, 1985, Gruentzig, and instrumentrated pilot, and his wife, Michaela, were returning to Atlanta from St. Simons when their plane crashed near Forsyth, Georgia. Both were killed in the accident. +

any of us carry all of our identification and pertinent medical and financial information with us at all times. And sometimes we end up regretting it. I have had my purse snatched twice in my lifetime, and both times it was a nightmare getting things shut down and replaced. The funny thing is, I never carry cash, but both times lost a favorite purse. It’s Murphy’s law, I guess. I was also lucky; I had my keys in my hand the fi rst time, and the second time both my keys and cell phone, so at least I didn’t lose those. Law enforcement suggests we shouldn’t keep receipts in our wallets or purses. These may have the last four digits of any credit or debit card we used to make the purchase and criminals can use that information to obtain more. Leave all credit cards and gifts cards home except a debit card and one back-up credit card for emergencies. In the

event you lose your wallet or purse, you don’t have to spend all day calling your creditors and cancelling your cards. This will also keep you from being too inconvenienced financially. Don’t keep your Social Security card or Medicare/ Medicaid cards with you. The information on these cards can be a treasure trove for anyone who intends to commit identity theft or theft of medical services. Leave your checkbook at home if at all possible. Your checks say a lot about who you are. Even if you carry a single check that is already made out to whom it is intended, there is such a

thing as check washing and it could be used to clean out your bank account. Carry your cell phone separately. This may not be as much of an issue for men since they seem to carry their phone and wallet separately. For women, if your purse is snatched with your phone inside, you basically have lost your fi ling system. Who memorizes phone numbers anymore? You may not even recall family phone numbers to call and let them know what has happened. Another aspect of watching out for public theft is to make sure you are being as discreet as possible when entering your pin number at a cash register. It is perfectly acceptable to cast a look around to see if anyone is close enough to see over your shoulder. Position your body in a way to obstruct their view. It is unfortunate we must take so many precautions in this day and age but it is the reality we face. The criminal element has become so brazen, and drug use makes people desperate for a dollar any way they can get it, putting everyone at risk on a daily basis. Even a trip to the grocery store can end in tragedy if one is not aware of their surroundings. The police can’t be everywhere at once, so we must take on a defensive posture to protect ourselves as best we can. +

MYTH OF THE MONTH Do you starve a cold and feed a fever? Or the other way around? There is no need to remember which way the old saying goes because there is little to no medical value in its advice. “Starving is never the correct answer,” in the words of WebMD. Eating fewer calories and thereby depriving your body of vital nutrients, especially at a time when it is fighting off an infection, is not sound medicine. People once thought that eating would make a fever (and most other illnesses) worse in two ways: by the heat generated from the digestive process, and by diverting energy over to digestion that would otherwise have been spent fighting off the fever or other illness.

The heat part of the theory was the reason it was said you should feed a cold: colds come from getting chilled — or so they thought — so eating will help warm up the body and banish the cold. These days we know colds come from viruses, not getting cold, and we know the body needs fuel to mount its attack. Calories and good nutrition provide this fuel. Oh, and drink plenty of liquids too. + — by F. E. Gilliard, MD, Family Medicine 4244 Washington Road, Evans, GA 30809 706-760-7607

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

WHAT EVERYBODY OUGHT TO KNOW res? ABOUT HONESTY IN MEDICAL ADVERTISING

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octors must complete at least 80 hours of Continuing Education Medical (CME) every two years for Georgia medical license renewal. In the olden days, drug companies organized weekend expensepaid trips for doctors to various places, usually in the US, but not always. Once my wife and I were treated to a week in Jamaica. It was an off-season junket with about 70 doctors and their wives. (Some brought their nieces, wink, wink.) Each morning we had four hours of continuing education lectures. In the back of the meeting room, the sponsoring company had a booth, the only one there, and a representative to answer questions regarding their products. Each of us dutifully went by and asked a question and picked up some literature as an act of appreciation. Afternoons were free for R&R. I rented a car and driver, a young black lady who talked incessantly with good information about the island and its history. Jamaicans drive on the wrong side of the road. They are not courteous. Road rage is as common as beards in a mosque. Jamaicans drive with one hand on the wheel and the other one the horn. You can hear them for miles. I heard more horns that week than I had in all my previous life. A few months before, the governor decreed no one could blow horns. They took to beating on the outside of the car door for attention. Hence, all cars had damaged doors and little means to repair them. The governor rescinded the decree. Jamaican drivers hate American drivers. They say we are crazy. Jamaican policemen on the street were slender,

well spoken, courteous, and immaculately dressed in colorful red and blue uniforms. Tourists, me included, had their photos taken with them. We went down a swift, narrow river on a bamboo raft. The four-person raft was questionable in my standards. About 50 large bamboo poles tied together with hemp ropes. Our guide managed skillfully. No hands overboard. No one drowned. The water was clean and cold. We dodged rocks. We stopped to feed the monkeys. The hotel nightclub band played “Yellow Bird” every hour. They had guitars, steel drums, horns, and perfectly matching outfits. The club had two distinguished, slender Jamaican men who asked tourist women of all ages to dance. They seemed to enjoy it. So did the tourists. My wife declined my encouragement. She said she was not good enough. The food was different from my established tastes, but very good. Lots of fresh fruits, some I actually recognized. One afternoon, we sat by the beach, soaking up a bit of unabated sunshine. The ocean was blue and clear. The wind was soft and pleasant. No industrial odors. You could see your feet in waist deep water. A waiter brought drinks from the bar. Neither my wife nor I drink alcohol, so we had virgin piña coladas. On the second day, the waiter asked if I would sponsor him to the US. He explained I could sponsor him, and he would come live and work for me for 2 years without pay. Then he could send for his family. His job at the resort was a good one, he said. He worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for $28 a week — plus lunch. He thought he could make more

t s e B in the US. I politely declined. The next day when my wife excused herself for the bathroom, he appeared to ask if his sister could come be my house servant for two years and then send for him. Magically, she appeared, a striking 16-year-old upon whom Mother Mature had worked long and hard. He assured me “she would be very friendly.” She looked down, blushed, smiled, and widened perfect black eyes that could melt icicles in an arctic storm. Again, I declined. I did not think my wife would approve, and I did not relish a divorce. Without a doubt, someone less restrained than I would take up the offer soon. The offer haunts me to this day. Where is she? What is her future? Hopefully she is a suburban housewife with charming grandkids. I never told my wife. She will learn of my omission when she reads this. She could praise me for being loyal to her. Or she could childe me for not finding some way the help the girl and her family from afar. Or she could lecture me that I did not tell her earlier. Or she could say she does not believe me now. My future in diplomatic relations is uncertain at present, but I will plead ignorance of what was the right thing to do. I hope my domestic court will extend lenience.

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Why do I tell you all this? It is now unethical for drug or medical equipment companies to provide free trips or anything over a dozen donuts for doctors because it might unduly influence prescribing habits. How did the trip influence me? I remember the girl and her brother and their situation. However, I recall neither the name of the sponsoring company nor their products. Advertisers say 2% of those targeted will respond positively to their advertising effort. It did not work on me. Nor did Eli Lily giving black leather doctor bags to all junior medical students with their names embossed in gold affect how I prescribed. Not once have I ever prescribed based upon advertising. Probably neither has your doctor. I still have the bag, but have not used it in three decades.

Most likely when I die my kids will try to sell it on Pawn Stars or EBay. Advertising dollars these days go to magazines and TV, people who have nothing to do with doctors or patients. Does that make you feel safer? Probably not. But the media certainly enjoys th money. And you can be certain nothing on TV will ever mislead you. Yeah, right. Remember who told you every day that Hillary Clinton was 10 points ahead and Donald Trump would never be president.? Now doctors have to pay for CME trips and pay a speaker to teach. Office visit costs must go up to cover the cost of CME. No one but advertising agencies like this arrangement. +

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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AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER Part J of a 26-part series

Joint effort

You can’t see me, but I’m here in this issue.

You’ll have to hunt for me. A hint: my name is Mystery Word. DETAILS, PAGE 12

What happens when a rockhard object meets another rockhard object? If it happens in the human body you call it a joint: a hip, a knee, a shoulder, etc. And with any luck, the rockhard objects never touch. Boneon-bone is a recipe for pain and misery. In normal circumstances, cartilage and synovial fluid cushion joints and make effortless and pain-free motion possible. Abnormal circumstances, however, are certainly common. They include arthritis in its various forms (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two), gout, lupus, fibromyalgia, and injuries new and old. Arthritis, incidentally, is not just for older people; it can even affect children. The prescription for better joint health might be a little surprising: it includes exercise,

even for people who suffer from joint pain. That might sound counterintuitive, but when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. For one thing, exercise strengthens joints. Regular exercise keeps the muscles around joints strong and working the way they should. Secondly, exercise can contribute to weight loss. Excess weight is one of the primary contributors to joint pain. The CDC reports that for every pound of body weight lost there is a corresponding 4-pound reduction in the load exerted on knees, adding that “[even] a modest weight loss (5%, or 12 pounds for a 250 pound person) can help reduce pain and disability.” If exercise just sounds too daunting because of joint pain, start with low-impact options like walking, bike

IS FOR JOINT PAIN riding or swimming, and make frequency your goal instead of distance. Over time you can gradually build up distance as your joints get stronger, healthier, and less painful. Joints are a classic example of the old “less is more” axiom. In this case it’s less movement means more stiffness. One thing that shouldn’t be overlooked: see your doctor early and often for an accurate diagnosis of the exact source of your joint pain and the best plan to treat it. A healthy diet also helps joints, providing vital nutrients and contributing to healthy weight. +

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.

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Southern Girls Eat Clean Basil Walnut Pesto

Instructions: 1. Place garlic and walnuts into a food processor bowl. Pulse until coarsely chopped. 2. Add the basil leaves, salt and pepper and process about

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Without any reason that makes a lick of sense, there have always been a few foods that intimidate me when I think of making them from scratch all by myself. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not so sure why, but homemade pesto was on that list! But I found myself with an overabundance of basil on my Tower Garden, and couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t possibly fi nd a way to use it all unless I made pesto. After the fi rst run, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m beyond hooked!!! This small handful of ingredients produces an amazing flavor combination...but it was the SIMPLICITY of the recipe that calmed my unfounded culinary fears. How could anything that looks and tastes that sophisticated be so easy to make? And to top it off, this recipe freezes beautifully, making it the perfect way to use up your summer herb garden and enjoy pesto throughout the winter. Three of my favorite ways to use pesto are: as a spread with homemade olive oil/ garlic crostini, as a topping on soups or tossed with quinoa pasta. Enjoy! Ingredients: â&#x20AC;˘ 2 cups fresh basil leaves (gently washed and dried) â&#x20AC;˘ 2 large cloves garlic, roughly chopped â&#x20AC;˘ 1â &#x201E;3 cup walnuts â&#x20AC;˘ 1â &#x201E;2 teaspoon sea salt â&#x20AC;˘ 1â &#x201E;4 teaspoon pepper (I prefer cracked black) â&#x20AC;˘ 2â &#x201E;3 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil â&#x20AC;˘ 1â &#x201E;2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Basil Walnut Pesto 1 minute until it resembles a paste. 3. With food processor running on low setting, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube and blend thoroughly. *If you plan to use the pesto within the next few days, add the Parmesan cheese now and blend another minute. (Pesto will keep in a tightly-sealed container for about 1 week in the refrigerator. To prevent it from oxidizing and turning brown, drizzle a small layer of olive oil on top and place plastic wrap flat down on top of the olive oil. Cover with a

tight lid. Remove plastic wrap and stir when ready to use. 4. If freezing, omit the Parmesan cheese and stir it in after you defrost the pesto. + Cinde White is a certified health/recovery coach (myhdiet.com) and a certified introductory wellness chef as well as a representative for Tower Garden and Juice Plus (cindewhite. towergarden.com or cindewhite.juiceplus.com and southerngirlseatclean.com)

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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, Main Lobby • 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 850 doctors offices throughout the area for staff and waiting rooms, as well as many nurses stations and waiting rooms of area hospitals.

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Pharma cy 4 11 Very little if anything about healthcare is inexpensive, and that includes medicine. Tiny pills can command large prices. Over-the-counter medications may be less expensive, but are they also less effective? Find the answers to lots of your drug store questions in this column written by Augusta pharmacists Chris and Lee Davidson exclusively for the Medical Examiner.

THIS IS THE KEY TO EFFECTIVE HEALTHCARE In this era of fast-paced office visits and all segments of the health care system being pushed to do more in less time, every patient needs to be sure to do their part to ensure good outcomes. To illustrate, just last week I saw a case where a mother realized at the last second that a prescription for an antibiotic called in for her child was the wrong medicine. The last time it was prescribed the child vomited immediately after each dose. There was no mention of this when filling the prescription this time. No allergy or adverse event was noted from the previous occasion. In another instance I saw a prescription for an antibiotic from a local veterinarian for a dog with an intestinal bacteria problem. The prescription was filled at the vet’s office, but when we started doing some research we found that the antibiotic given was not an effective treatment for the specific bacteria mentioned. So we are going to have to double-check with the vet tomorrow about changing the antibiotic or continuing as prescribed. In the first instance, always make sure that notes are made in a patient’s chart at both the doctor’s office and the pharmacy in the event of an adverse reaction. Remember, it is ultimately the patient’s or parent’s responsibility to communicate information to all members of the healthcare team. In this case, treatment was delayed till the next day when the new antibiotic could be called in. In the dog’s case, if no research was done to catch the possible error, a dog with loose stools would be given fifteen days of an antibiotic that could cause diarrhea for no useful purpose. The loose stools would at best only get worse and at the worst the dog could pick up a C. Difficile infection on top of the initial problem. The only way to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes is communication, making sure that every patient — human or not — has (or is) an advocate to look out for their best interests. This requires two-way communication. That can sometimes be an issue when we try to contact patients and they have a voice mailbox that has not been set up or is full so no message can be left. Every patient must be responsible for being accessible in case of a question. It may sound simplistic, but it’s also important to listen to any message left so that it is easier to continue an intelligent and informed conversation on the callback. I cannot tell you how times we’ve left a message asking a question for a patient only

Love Potion #9

to get a callback saying “You called my phone; what did you want?” That’s it. No “This is Mr. Jones” or anything, so we are needlessly starting at the beginning, and even when we get the information we sometimes have to try to figure out which family member we called about. If the message was listened to before returning the call, there would be up-front knowledge that this is the pharmacy calling for Mrs. Jones (if that is allowed to be disclosed). Communication is the most crucial key to effective healthcare treatment. So let’s make a resolution this month (they don’t all have to be in late December after all) to be more in touch and more effective communicators. Lives could be at stake. + Written for the Medical Examiner by Augusta pharmacists Chris and Lee Davidson Questions, comments and article suggestions can be sent by email to cjdlpdrph@bellsouth.net

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FEBRUARY 3, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

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

SPICING UP WINTER WITH FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE by Allison Walters, Kendall Patterson and Samantha Decker

unctional medicine is an evolving, evidencebased field that focuses on treating the body as a whole, rather than a set of isolated signs and symptoms.1 The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics defines functional foods as those that “move beyond necessity to provide additional health benefits that may reduce disease risk and/or promote optimal health.2 With the recent push for more natural ways to cure and prevent disease, foods that provide health benefits are gaining more interest. One category of functional foods is spices and herbs. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are

Cinnamon Roasted Vegetables • 1 head Romanesco or cauliflower, trimmed, halved lengthwise, cut into small pieces • 2 lb. carrots, halved if large • 1⁄2 lb. parsnips, halved if large • 2 medium sweet potatoes. Cut into thick sticks • 2 whole garlic cloves, mashed with the end of a knife • 1 Tbsp. olive oil • 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon • 5 2”–3” cinnamon sticks • sea salt Preheat oven to 375°. Place vegetables and garlic in a single layer on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil; sprinkle cinnamon over and scatter cinnamon sticks around. Season with salt. Using your hands, toss vegetables to coat well. Roast until golden and crispy, about 1 hour. (Time will vary depending on size of vegetables.) + From: greenkitchenstories.com

traditionally used in baking and cooking during winter. These spices and herbs add fragrance and flavor to many dishes. According to recent research, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves have a variety of health benefits. Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of the tropical evergreen cinnamon tree and has been used in traditional medicine and food preparation by the Egyptians and Chinese since ancient times. Cinnamon adds a distinct flavor and aroma to many dishes and, according to research, may alleviate symptoms of various illnesses such as reduce blood glucose concentration in diabetes and soothe gastrointestinal disorders and possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functional properties. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the addition of cinnamon to one’s diet may be effective in moderating postprandial blood glucose response in normal weight and obese individuals. The results of a study conducted by Magistrelli and Chezem suggests the addition of 6 grams of ground cinnamon at mealtime reduced blood glucose concentration and enhanced insulin sensitivity. In individuals with type two diabetes mellitus, intakes of 1 gram, 3 grams, or 5 grams of cinnamon for 40 days, may decrease fasting glucose serum, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Cinnamon may also alleviate symptoms of dyspepsia such as gas, abdominal pain, and burning sensations. Also, Polyphenols, which are among the natural dietary antioxidants found in cinnamon, may reduce oxidative stress in the body and prevent cell damage. Anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon may help the body repair tissue and fight off

various infections to prevent diseases. 3,4 Nutmeg comes from the Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree indigenous to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. The Myristica fragrans develops yellow fruit, which look similar to that of an apricot. When the fruit ripens, it opens up and exposes a purple-brown seed, which is where the nutmeg comes from. It is estimated that nutmeg has been used as a spice and in alternative medicine since the 12th century, when it first appeared on the spice trade in Europe. Research indicates nutmeg contains antidiarrheal, antiinflammatory and anti cancer properties. Free radicals found within our body cause oxidative damage to our cells. This can ultimately lead to disease including: cancer, atherosclerosis, inflammation, immunosuppression, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Antioxidants contain properties that help to reduce the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. In past, there were two synthetic forms of antioxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The synthetic forms have since been discontinued from use due to liver damage and carcinogenic potential. This has led to an ongoing search for new, natural antioxidants from plant-based products to protect our bodies from oxidative damage and furthermore disease. A study conducted in 2012 sought to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of nutmeg. The study chose to look at nutmeg as opposed to another spice, because nutmeg had not previously been evaluated for its antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity. The researchers were confident nutmeg

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SPICE… from page 9 contained these properties due to its distinct makeup of various vitamins, carotenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and lignans. Indeed, the study found that nutmeg may be helpful in both preventing and slowing the progression of oxidative stress-related disease and infection.5 Clove is an aromatic herb that comes from the dried pink flowering bud of an evergreen tree called Eugenia aromatica. It is traditionally used in the form of an herb or as clove oil in Indian and Chinese cuisine. Clove has many potential health benefits that derive from eugenol, a phenylpropanoid chemical compound which gives clove a sweet, aromatic fragrance. It is a natural antiviral, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antifungal agent. It also is proven to help with circulation, aid sore throats and bad breath, kill bacterial infections in food, reduce infections from wounds or bug bites, reduce acne, clear respiratory passages, prevent gas and bloating, and may

help prevent certain cancers and blood clots. Clove is also packed full of other helpful nutrients including manganese, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, and omega-3 Fatty Acids. Like cinnamon and nutmeg, clove also acts as an antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress.6 With all of it’s many health benefits, clove is a great addition to your diet. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are all common spices and herbs used in cooking, especially during the cold, winter months. Little did you know that spices not only add flavor, but also add many health benefits. From blood sugar control to anti-cancer properties, there are endless reasons to add these spices and herbs to your diet. So try some new recipes this winter season and add a little spice to your life. + References • Mahan L, Escott-Stump S, Raymond J. Krause’s Food and the Nutrition Care Process. 13th Ed. St. Louis, MO. Elsevier Saunders. 2012: 172.

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• Ford D, Raj S, Betheja R. American Dietetic Association: Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for Registered Dietitians (Competent, Proficient, and Expert) in Integrative and Functional Medicine. Journal of the ADA. 2011; 111(6): 902-913 • Hamidpour R, Hamidpour M, Hamidpour S, Shahlari M. Cinnamon from the election of traditional applications to its novel effects on the inhibition of angiogenesis in cancer cells and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, and a series of functions such as antioxidant, anticholesterol, antidiabetes, antibacterial, antifungal, nematocidal, acaracidal, and repellent activities. Journal Of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2015; 5: 66-70. Doi: j.jtcme.2014.11.008. • Magistrelli A, Chezem JC. Effect of Ground Cinnamon on Postprandial Blood Glucose Concentration in Normal-Weight and Obese Adults. Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2012; 112: 1806-1809. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2012.07.037. • Gupta AD, Bansal VK, Babu V, Maithil N. Chemistry, antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt). Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. 2013;11: 25-31. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jgeb.2012.12.001. • Debjit Bhowmik1 , K.P. Sampath Kumar*1, Akhilesh Yadav2 , et al. Recent Trends in Indian Traditional Herbs Syzygium aromaticum and its Health Benefits. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2012;1(1): 13-22.

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AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

The blog spot From the Bookshelf — posted by Hayden T. Pacl on January 24, 2017

HOW A MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR. PUTS LIVES AT RISK It is clear that the anti-vaccine movement is born out of concern for children and their well-being, and I sympathize with the fear and uncertainty of parents. I do not, however, sympathize with President Trump’s decision to meet with the out-spoken vaccine critic Mr. Robert. F. Kennedy Jr., or his reported decision to have Mr. Kennedy chair a commission investigating the safety and efficacy of vaccines. It is not merely clumsy — children will ultimately suffer for it. To ensure that children are vaccinated on a proper schedule is already a challenge in and of itself. As vaccination becomes more challenging, more children will ultimately go unvaccinated. Since vaccination prevents disease, having more unvaccinated children means more children will get sick. Unfortunately, the illnesses that are prevented by vaccines such as the MMR vaccine — measles, mumps, and rubella — are no small problem. Measles is a terrible sickness that can lead to deafness, blindness, inflammation of the brain, or even death. Mumps, similarly, can cause permanent deafness, inflammation of the covering of the brain, and death. These diseases and their consequences are easy to overlook and underestimate because they have been so far removed from our recent lives. This, of course, is a direct result of vaccines, and it’s what is at stake in the fight for vaccination. Giving the anti-vaccine position any credence at all makes vaccinating children more challenging than it already is. This leads to fewer vaccinated children, more sick children, and more preventable complications and death in children. In meeting with Mr. Kennedy, President Trump has continued a string of actions supporting the anti-vaccine conspiracy and casting doubt on the safety of vaccines. These are inexcusable in and of themselves. As president, however, it is safe to say that his actions carry significantly more weight now than they did before and the damage done is twofold. First, the meeting between a prolific vaccine critic and the president comes across as a legitimization of the antivaccine position. Such validation further complicates this life-saving practice. Even without taking any official action, the president’s carelessness puts lives at risk. Second, the act of forming a commission on vaccine safety headed by an anti-vaccine advocate — as is currently being reported by many sources — would perhaps be the greatest endorsement this dangerous conspiracy has ever had. Such support from the highest office in the land will undoubtedly exacerbate ongoing vaccination efforts, leading to the illness and death of children the movement is purportedly trying to protect. At the end of the day, decisions by President Trump carry much more weight and consequence than did those of businessman Trump. Regardless of the fi ndings or even the formation of the commission on vaccine safety, the president’s actions with respect to vaccine safety and efficacy are already going to cause problems for children across the country. Not today or tomorrow, but it will. +

“There is a lot at stake in this fight.”

Hayden T. Pacl is a medical student

OUR NEXT ISSUE: FEB. 17

The latest offering by Pulitzer Prize winning author David Oshinsky (his last book, Polio: An American Story being the recipient of the aforementioned Pulitzer) profi les this country’s flagship hospital. Established in 1738 as an almshouse and pesthouse (a hospital for people with infectious diseases, especially the plague), Bellevue has a slightly undeserved reputation as a psychiatric hospital. That rap was bestowed upon it by Nellie Bly. As we noted in our “Who Is This...?” profi le of Bly in a previous Examiner, she deliberately got arrested by acting insane for journalistic reasons. Her inside story of life inside Bellevue and the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island entitled Ten Days in a Mad-House was a blockbuster bestseller that permanently cemented Bellevue’s reputation in the public consciousness. Although it is still portrayed as a psychiatric hospital in popular culture, Bellevue is a general hospital; fewer than a third of its patients receive

psychiatric care. As America’s oldest hospital, Bellevue has played a role in practically every disaster, epidemic, and social or medical breakthrough or catastrophe in the past three centuries. That includes Ebola, the dawn of anesthesia, AIDS, typhoid fever, polio, influenza, September 11, the Civil War, cholera, smallpox, yellow fever, tuberculosis and Hurricane Sandy, a disaster that flooded its basement and rendered the pumps for fuel to its 13th floor emergency generators inoperative; as a result doctors, nurses and

orderlies formed a 13-floor fuel “bucket brigade” up the stairs to keep the generators going until 700 patients could be safely evacuated. While most hospitals sat there with doors open waiting for patients to show up, Bellevue sort of invented the ambulance (albeit in horsedrawn form). It pioneered the fi rst nursing school for women and medical photography, and yes, has always been a leader in psychiatric treatment. In short, the history of Bellevue is the history of American medicine. It may be particularly relevant in today’s climate of shrinking compensation for hospitals and physicians from insurance companies. As “the hospital that turned no one away,” Bellevue and its staff has learned how to overcome a perpetual lack of funding that has been ongoing for its entire nearly 300-year history. +

Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America’s Most Storied Hospital by David Oshinsky; 400 pages, published in November 2016 by Doubleday.

Research News You’d better sit down I have sobering news. Actually, don’t sit down. Stand up to hear this news. According to researchers at the University of California San Diego, sitting too much is bad for us in ways we didn’t know before. The long-term risks posed by a sedentary lifestyle aren’t exactly front page news. Lack of exercise has long been implicated in weight gain, which all by itself contributes to increased chances of stroke, heart attack, hypertension and unhealthy blood sugar levels. The new UCSD study, however, looked at the effect of inactivity on chromosomes, focusing on telomeres, a component of DNA found in every cell. Previous studies have noted that as cells repeatedly divide over a lifetime, telomeres gradually get shorter. A molecular biologist could theoretically guess someone’s age with a

fair amount of accuracy just by examining their telomeres. The revelation of the California study was that, all other things being equal, the telomeres of sedentary people were much shorter than those of people who regularly exercise. Active people had telomeres that looked almost a decade younger (8 years, to be specific) than sedentary people. In short, sitting too much can age a person by as much as 8 years all the way down to a molecular level. “Huge leap” in prostate testing “The biggest advance in diagnosing prostate cancer in decades has been made using new scanning equipment.” A trial involving 576 men published in late January in The Lancet showed that more than a quarter of men could be spared biopsies by employing advanced MRI screening.

As many a man with a high PSA reading has discovered to his dismay, a prostate biopsy involves zapping the prostate gland with a 12needle gun. As bad as that may sound, such biopsies can still miss the presence of cancer, fail to provide crucial information on whether the cancer is aggressive or not, and can leave the patient with bleeding, infections and erectile dysfunction. Using “multi-parametric MRI” on men with high PSA levels detected 93 percent of aggressive cancers were detected compared to just 48 percent when biopsies were done. The Lancet report says the advanced scans cost Britain’s NHS 350-450 pounds per patient versus 450 pounds per biopsy. Additional savings would result from catching aggressive cancers early and identifying low-risk cancers that don’t need immediate intervention. +

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FEBRUARY 3, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE EXAMiNERS

THE MYSTERY WORD

So how are the newlyweds doing?

by Dan Pearson

Will there be little munchkins anytime soon?

We are so happy!

Not that it’s any of your business, but we can’t have children.

That’s too bad. It’s not that. We have Maybe a doctor all white furniture. And white carpeting. can help you.

The Mystery Word for this issue: NARROCYO

Simply unscramble the letters, then begin exploring our ads. When you find the correctly spelled word hidden in one of our ads — enter at AugustaRx.com

EXAMINER CROSSWORD

PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Bacterial beginning 5. Managed 10. Spill, as blood 14. In a color, bright or fluorescent 15. Of an axis 16. Movie prefix 17. Astronaut’s drink 18. Wash lightly 19. Fed. food agency 20. Body builders? 22. Augusta’s Antony 24. On the sheltered side 25. Headrests 26. Police communicators 29. ________ card 30. We’re always doing it 31. Local parkway’s first name 32. ____ometer (device for measuring cloud height 36. Not serious 37. Be ill 38. Carlo’s first name? 39. Like good whiskey 40. Passport endorsement 41. Examine account books 42. West ___ Virus 43. Half of all crossword clues 44. Concision 48. Type of glass 49. Local Villa 50. Former Augusta mayor 54. Encourage in wrongdoing 55. Back tooth 57. A in CSRA 58. Augusta painter Ed 59. Religious statues 60. Former Augusta newsman Sykes 61. Hawaii has two

VISIT WWW.AUGUSTARX.COM 1

Click on “READER CONTESTS”

QUOTATION PUZZLE

O A L E U R H Y B G O T E E A R A H N D L B I I C S O R T L S T Y D T Y N E L H A N U O D S T H P

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.

62. Mass of rock thrust over other rocks (Geol.) 63. Mr. Copenhaver DOWN 1. Formicary residents 2. Clean and orderly 3. Suffix for over or under 4. Entrenched 5. Cavities 6. Rust 7. ATM numbers 8. Ernie of the PGA 9. Judging 10. Regatta craft 11. Medical prefix 12. Support, as a foundation 13. Bridge Road beginning 21. “Study” suffix 23. Type; sort; class; category 25. Jones who accused Clinton for sexual harassment 26. Prince of India 27. Highly eager; excited

— Author unknown

28. Embankment 29. Largest city in Idaho 31. Like the Chronicle 32. West Augusta hotel 33. Medical prefix 34. Inflammation in general 35. Permits 38. Bibb County seat 40. C or E, for example 42. Pinch 43. “My kingdom for _______” — Shakespeare 44. Augustans Lee and Betty 45. Sky City’s Coco 46. Construct 47. Chooses in a booth 48. Sell a ticket far above its face value 50. Swill 51. Canal opened in 1825 52. ______less 53. Japanese rice beer 56. Room within a harem

X A M I N E R

5 2

8 2

6 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.

Solution p. 14

Use the letters provided at bottom to create words to solve the puzzle above. All the listed letters following #1 are the first letters of the various words; the letters following #2 are the second letters of each word, and so on. Try solving words with letter clues or numbers with minimal choices listed. A sample is shown. Solution on page 14.

N 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

W 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 O 1 2 3 1 2 3 4

1 2

— Socrates

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1.TTNIKIKOWY 2.NNNNOORISH 3.UUSTOOLE 4.WWHEYD 5.IIO 6.NMN 7.GG

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

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

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

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AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE BEST MEDICINE ha... ha...

n the backwoods of Alabama, Clem’s wife went into labor in the middle of the night. A midwife just up the road was called to assist in the delivery. To keep the nervous father-to-be busy, the midwife handed him a lantern and said, “Here, you hold this high so I can see what I’m doing.” Mere minutes later, a baby boy was brought into the world. “Don’t be in no rush to put that lantern down,” said the midwife. “I think we got another one!” Sure enough, within seconds another baby arrived. Clem was just about to put the lantern down when he heard the midwife say, “I b’lieve we might have one more!” Clem scratched his head in bewilderment, looked at the lantern and asked, “Do ya think it’s the light that’s attractin’ them?” Moe: Why did the deer need braces? Joe: Buck teeth. Moe: What is the ideal weight for an IRS agent? Joe: You mean including the urn?

Moe: My dog used to love to chase people on a bike all the time. Joe: How did you break him of it? Moe: Took away the bike. A little girl and her mother are at a country church when the little girl starts to feel sick. Her mother tells her to go outside and throw up in the bushes behind the church. When the little girl returns, her mother asks her if she threw up. “Yes,” the girl says weakly. “But I didn’t have to go all the way around back. There was a box near the front door that said ‘For the Sick.’” Moe: What do you call a priest that becomes an attorney? Joe: A father in law. Larry and Barry were arguing before class when the teacher walked into the room. “What are you arguing about?” she asked. “We found a ten dollar bill,” said Larry, “and decided to give it to whoever can tell the biggest lie.” “You boys should be ashamed of yourselves,” said the teacher. “When I was your age, I didn’t even know what a lie was.” The boys gave the ten dollars to the teacher. Moe: I offended a couple of young guys today by calling them hipsters. Joe: Some people are so sensitive. Moe: Apparently the correct term is “conjoined twins.” +

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 Every day I read letters to the Editor of the Chronicle arguing that those concerned about a Trump presidency ought to quit crying and forget it. As a senior citizen and a person with disabling conditions, quitting and forgetting it is just not an option. Readers of my column know that I am not one to get political, but I’m making an exception here. Many, if not most of the seniors locally, as well as younger people of all ages with pre-existing illnesses, have reason for deep concern. I am praying that my concerns are baseless, that Trump will keep his promises to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, but I am too aware of years of Republican attempts to eliminate those enormously important programs, to just relax and be confident that Trump will keep his promises. Wish it were not so, but with the Congress, the Presidency, and likely the Supreme Court in Republican hands, my “OMG, this is scary” monitor keeps sounding alarms. I’m believe strongly in patients being activists to protect their health concerns and this is a case when our activism on our own behalf seems imperative. I don’t just want Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid. Like many others locally, I need them to survive. I use them to pay for my home, my groceries, prescriptions, visits to doctors, those things so essential for seniors and others with ongoing medical issues. Without them, a lot of us would face inevitable death from illnesses that are easily treatable. For me, for others like me, these are problems that affect us directly and with enormous impact either for good or for destruction. Trump may propose many changes as he begins his presidency, but to implement them he needs the support of Congress. It’s our job to speak out about our concerns to our Congress Senators and Representatives, to let them know how crucial Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are to our, and our country’s well-being. +

+ +

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125

THE MYSTERY SOLVED The Mystery Word in our last issue was: CONTEST

...very cleverly hidden (on the old garage door) in the p. 7 ad for OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY THE WINNER: ERIKA FLICKINGER! Want to find your name here next issue? 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 issuu.com/medicalexaminer You can subscribe to the online edition free!

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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AUGUSTA MEDICAL EXAMINER, PO BOX 397, AUGUSTA, GA 30903-0397 Total ad cost by number of words as shown above: $ Multiply by number of times ad to run: x Total submitted: $

The Augusta Medical Examiner publishes on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month. Your ad should reach us no later than 7 days prior to our publication date.

EXAMINER CLASSIFIEDS HOMES, APARTMENTS, ROOMMATES, LAND, ETC. FOR RENT 2000+ sqft warehouse space w/ loading dock, Walton Way Medical District. Available 2/1/17. $850.00/mo. incl. utilities. 706-564-1644 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 PART-TIME OPPORTUNITY IMMEDIATE OPENING! MATH AND SCIENCE TUTORS NEEDED: Local tutoring company seeking qualified math and science tutors. Flexible hours. Please reply to: info@maeseducationcenter.com

THE PUZZLE SOLVED A

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QUOTATION

STARTING OUT? KICKED OUT? Refrigerator, stove and dryer, $490. Call 706-231-1653

QUOTATION PUZZLE SOLUTION: Page 12: “Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by color.” — Author unknown

SUNSET MEMORIAL GARDENS Opening and closing at Sunset Mem. Gardens in Graniteville. Sale: $760 (Value: $1520+) Call 706-736-0596

The Sudoku Solution

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

WORDS BY NUMBER “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” — Socrates

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

IT’S A QUESTION OF CARE Q: What is LOVE? In this month of love, we ponder all of the positive feelings that go along with the word love in our language. However, if we break down what love really looks like, it involves honoring our father

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AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER and our mother or any person for whom we are caring, and making sure that as they age, we meet their needs, even if it’s uncomfortable for us. When we’re caring for an aging parent or an aging spouse who is struggling cognitively or physically, we have to remember that love may feel negative. It may make us feel frustrated, tired, hopeless or lonely. We need to focus on why we act out of love: It is because the person needs us to care for them. Ultimately, love is a decision. Love is a commitment. In most cases, if we are caring for an aging parent, they took care of us at one point in our lives. Some may be faced with making decisions for or providing care for a parent that did not

take good care of us, and that can make it even harder to practice love. If we always remember that we are to honor our father and mother and live out our commitment to a spouse, by ensuring that their basic needs are met (and going beyond that if we are emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially able to assist), then we are LOVING them in return. +

GREAT COFFEE DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME OR WORK

For the last decade, Amy Hane has been committed to serving the CSRA community by guiding those going through mental, physical and social issues related to caring for an aging or disabled loved one. She assists families with transitions to higher quality care for the safety and wellbeing of all involved.

ORDER AT WWW.7SOUTHCOFFEE.COM

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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AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

FEBRUARY 3, 2017