Mar6 15 by Daniel Pearson

F RE E!

AUGUSTA

MEDICAL EXAMINER recipe feature PAGE 7

TAKE HOME T HI S C O P WITH Y Y OU !

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

AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006

MARCH 6, 2015

SECRETS of SLEEP The hour of sleep lost to Daylight Savings brings a year-round problem to the fore: chronically insufficient sleep. • Why is this a problem? • Why is it important? • What can solve it? See page 2 for answers

Spring forward

It’s all about wardrobe. (And a little bit about the clock.)

(706) 364.1163 • WWW.SCRUBSOFEVANS.COM • 4158 WASHINGTON RD • ACROSS FROM CLUB CAR • M-F: 10-6:30; SAT: 10-4

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

MARCH 6, 2015

Sleeping sickness E

very person reading this has just done or is about to do the same semi-annual chore: changing the clocks for Daylight Savings Time (DST). Spring forward! How many did you have to change? Five? Ten? Fifteen? Don’t forget the cars. I have startling news for you: you’ll need to change trillions of clocks before you’re through. Allow me to explain: for many people one of the experiences that goes along with changing the clocks is a period of sleep disruption. You don’t sleep well for awhile. It feels like your internal clocks are all out of whack, like you’re going to bed and getting up at the wrong times. It feels that way because it’s true. We operate by circadian rhythms, and scientists have discovered that we don’t simply have one clock ticking away in our brain. There are biological clocks in liver cells, in heart cells, in pancreatic cells, literally throughout our body systems. There are trillions of biological clocks, and all of them experience a one-hour DST disruption. Whatever the clock on the wall says, your body is saying that’s wrong; it’s off by a full hour. If DST was all we had to worry about, we would all be sleeping like proverbial logs. Oh, if only. Instead, we have caffeine and alcohol and prescription medicines in our system

that rob of us sleep. We have TVs feeding us stimulating dramas and dreadful news right up to bedtime. We sometimes also have our own personal and family dramas. We have cell phones and tablets in bed with us — literally. We have electric lights. We have stress and anxiety. In short, we have many reasons to stare at the ceiling during the long hours of night. But don’t ever think, “Why am I awake while the rest of the world sleeps?” If you can’t sleep, you have lots of company. 40 percent of Americans are chronically sleep-deprived, and if you zero in on just teenagers, the figure is 70 percent. Some of these people sleep soundly, at least when they’re in bed. They just don’t stay there long enough. They hit the hay well after midnight and they’re back up long before the sun comes up. Others get to bed at a decent hour, but they can’t fall asleep. Still others drop off right away, but they can’t stay asleep. The reactions vary, too. “I’m asleep on my feet,” says one. “It’s killing me.” But another says, “I really don’t need that much sleep. I’ve adjusted.” Still another says, “I have no choice. If I didn’t have these three jobs we couldn’t make end meet.” One of the most common reactions is to just grab sleep when you can to supposedly make up for the sleep you’ve lost. But here is a sad truth: lost sleep is like lost time. It’s gone forever. Think of it like spending money. You owe yourself 8 hours of sleep per night, but if you pay yourself only six hours a night, Monday through Friday (30 percent of Americans get less than 6 hours of sleep per night; 44 percent of night shift workers get less than 6 hours of sleep per day), by the end of the week you have amassed a tenhour sleep debt (you shorted yourself 2 hours per night for five nights). If you sleep in on Saturday and Sunday mornings and get a full ten hours those two nights, you still begin the new week with a 6-hour deficit. Stick with that pattern and every year your total sleep deficit will be hundreds of hours, and many people do this for decades. It’s like paying the minimum on a credit card; you will never catch up. And it’s getting worse: on average, Americans sleep a full two hours less every night than we did just 50 years ago.

Why it matters — a lot The benefits of getting the right amount of sleep are many. As one sleep scientist put it, “Sleep delivers a whole constellation of benefits.” And you know how many stars are in a constellation: truckloads. It’s surprising what effects sleep — or the lack of it — can have. For starters, sleep deprivation is almost synonymous with obesity. For reasons that scientists don’t completely understand, people who are awake when they shouldn’t be spend their time eating. In clinical studies of sleep deprivation, research subjects — the human guinea pigs — exhibited a 33% higher appetite for fatty foods. Other studies have shown people who are chronically sleep-deprived consume an average of 500 more calories per day than their more well-rested fellows. Combine more food with fatigue and reduced activity and it’s no wonder little sleep means more pounds. But weight might be the least of our worries when we’re running on fumes. Research confirms that the immune system is compromised by lack of sleep. This explains why people get run down and then like clockwork, here comes a cold or flu. But it’s actually much, much worse than that: in controlled studies with mice who were injected with cancer cells and then not permitted uninterrupted sleep, the cancer cells Please see SLEEPING page 8

MARCH 6, 2015

The Short White Coat I which breast-feeding is not recommended – these include HIV; active tuberculosis; if the mother is undergoing chemotherapy; is using drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, or other drugs of abuse; and in cases of special dietary needs or allergies in the baby. However, for the mothers and babies in whom these contraindications do not exist, here are some reasons why breast-feeding is the best thing ever: • Breastfeeding is FREE – no purchase of bottles, formula, milk, and sterilizing supplies for cleaning required. And no need for refrigeration.

• Studies also show that woman who breastfeed are themselves at decreased risk for breast and ovarian cancers.

A med student’s notebook • Breast milk contains the perfect amount of nutrients and calories to help your baby grow. And the production and composition of the breast milk changes with time to accompany your baby’s growing needs. • It reduces the risk of disease in babies – asthma, diabetes, obesity, infection, and perhaps even cancer are all decreased in babies who are breast-fed, studies show. • It helps mothers lose weight and return to pre-pregnancy weight faster. Breast-feeding burns calories!

• As this beautifully depicts, breastfeeding helps mom and baby bond – consistent skinto-skin contact — and just spending time with your baby does so much to help a baby feel loved and thrive, and it helps make the mother-baby bond stronger than ever.

6 months of the baby’s life and if the baby is exclusively breast-fed. This helps with child spacing and allowing the mother’s body to return to baseline before she gets pregnant again.

• Breastfeeding also stimulates the production of certain hormones (such as Oxytocin) that help the uterus heal after delivery, thus decreasing the risk of post-partum bleeding. These hormones also make mom feel happy, helping to fight “baby blues” that can happen the first few weeks after delivering, and just helping naturally to boost that feeling of “goodness” on a daily basis. • Breast-feeding also helps act as natural birth control in moms, especially in the first

READ THE EXAMINER ONLINE www.AugustaRx.com/news

• Did I mention how FREE breast-feeding is? And how it decreases the risk of disease in BOTH mom and baby? Sorry to belabor this point, but I think they are pretty huge zingers. Certainly every woman should discuss with her doctor whether it is safe and recommended for her and her baby to breast-feed. Breast-feeding is not for every mom and baby. But for those mothers who were previously

AUGUSTA

recently finished a rotation in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at MCG/GRU. This means I saw a fair number of adorable, albeit sick, babies brought in by parents who were concerned about their baby’s vomiting, diarrhea, cough, fever, or something else. Especially when a child has been vomiting or experiencing diarrhea, it is extremely important to monitor his or her hydration level. If the baby is losing more fluids than he or she is consuming, dehydration can occur, and that can be a very, very serious problem. So I will always ask the parents whether or not the baby is still eating and drinking, how much he or she is taking, and whether or not the baby is keeping it down. That train of thought then leads me to ask whether or not the baby is being breastfed or bottle-fed. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with bottle-feeding a baby with formula – and in fact there are a few select babies who require special diets with specially made formulas for allergies or medical condition – I thought I would address some of the great reasons why babies should be breastfed for those mothers who are considering it or would like to know more. Breastfeeding really is a wonderful thing, and despite it being one of the most healthy, beneficial, and undeniably natural aspects of life, it is not being done as much these days. True, there are a few situations in

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

on the fence about it, I have perhaps convinced a few to consider breast-feeding as an option. For anyone looking for more information, the above bullet points have been taken straight from the following websites: 1. The American Academy of Pediatrics – http://www2.aap. org/breastfeeding/policyOnBr eastfeedingAndUseOfHuman Milk.html 2. World Health Organization - http://www.who.int/topics/ breastfeeding/en/ 3. HealthyChildren.org http://www.healthychildren. org/English/ages-stages/ baby/breastfeeding/Pages/ Breastfeeding-as-a-Form-ofContraception.aspx 4. WebMD - http://www. webmd.com/parenting/baby/ nursing-basics?page=3 + by Caroline Colden 4th-year medical student at MCG

MEDICAL EXAMINER 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 photography: H + D Photography www.handdphoto.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 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 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. © 2015 PEARSON GRAPHIC 365 INC.

$AVE 25% $OME OFF GREEN! INTERNATIONAL UNIFORM

GET LUCKY WITH THESE SAVINGS!

ANY ONE ITEM IN THE STORE! Must present this ad. Expires 3-31-15.

May not be combined with other offers or discounts. Not valid with $19.95 scrub set or on sale or clearance merchandise. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER

1216 BROAD ST • 706-722-4653 HOURS: MON - FRI 9 - 6, SAT. 10 - 4.

WWW.IUISCRUBS.COM

LIKE US FOR A FREE GIFT!

HOME OF THE WORLD FAMOUS $19.95 SCRUB SET

MARCH 6, 2015

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

OLD NEWS +

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

DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FROM AN ABLED PERSPECTIVE

Do you love strawberries? The Senior Citizens Council is taking orders for fresh, big, juicy strawberries, almost as big as the one above!

The berries will be sold as flats of 6 quarts each at $20 per flat. Please place your order by email: katernce@gmail.com; by phone 706-868-0120; or by sending a check for $20 times the number of flats you wish to: The Senior Citizens Council, 4210 Columbia Road, Suite #13A, Martinez, GA 30907. Order deadline is March 20, 2015. We thank you for your support! Berries must be picked up at our office on delivery day; Friday, March 27, 2015, between 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Our office is located at 4210 Columbia Road, Suite #13A, in Martinez. All orders must be prepaid.

nyone who must deal with a disability faces challenges which the rest of us don’t. When we encounter a disabled person in public we hold open the door, pick up what has been dropped or let them go ahead in the grocery line. We do this without thinking about it. I’m sure it’s done not because we feel pity; it’s simply the kind, respectful thing to do. It costs us nothing to treat our fellow man as we wish to be treated and it’s what separates us from the animals. If I were disabled, I’m not sure I wouldn’t be cranky and short-tempered. But taking it out on well-meaning people or acting as though the world owes me something wouldn’t be reasonable. Whether I were able to accept some assistance gracefully or chose to be treated no differently than others would be my decision to make, but it can’t be had both ways. Learning to navigate using wheelchairs, motorized scooters, walkers and canes must be overwhelming and I can understand and appreciate the time it must take to master any device. I’m wondering if the safety of

These vehicles are heavy and they run silently, a good combination for accidents and injuries if their drivers aren’t safety-conscious.

others is part of the training. I have seen a wheelchair left blocking a ladies room door so no one could enter or exit while a partially-abled woman used the facilities. When told by a security guard that she must move it, she became loud and irate. Canes should not be left lying on the floor or sticking out where others can trip over them. Two weeks ago, I was exiting a rear medical office into the waiting area and walked into a man seated

in a wheelchair less than a foot from the arc of the door. Thankfully neither of us was hurt as I caught myself from falling over him. While I waited for an elevator to visit a client in an independent living high rise, an elderly woman in a electric scooter ran over the back of a fellow resident’s feet, causing a bleeding injury to her heels. There was a loudly debated question as to whether or not this was a deliberate act. I didn’t linger to learn how it sifted out. On my drive to the office one morning I encountered a man in his scooter puttering along in the suicide lane on Columbia Road. While R.H.I.P. is true, (Rank Has Its Privileges) is it always the best idea? My 91-year-old grandmother wanted her lunch to be the entire top tray of her Whitman’s Sampler; I say let her have it. But when it comes to the safety and well-being of others, common sense and courtesy needs to take precedence over lenience based on age or disability. If a person is still in good enough shape mentally and physically to maneuver durable medical equipment, then it follows that they are able to use their best judgment and manners as to how to integrate them into public society without incident or injury to either themselves or others. “Safety first” should be for all of us. +

MYTH OF THE MONTH Prolonged standing causes varicose veins

TO SUPPORT MEDICAL EXAMINER ADVERTISERS

Depending on who you’re listening to, the #1 cause of varicose veins is either standing for long periods of time, or sitting for long periods of time, particularly if you have the habit of crossing your legs. If those two tales are true, why do some people stand or sit for long periods, legs crossed, without developing varicose veins? That is our first clue that crossed legs and standing for hours at a time are not the cause of varicose veins. “But a friend of mine never had varicose veins until she started a job that kept her on her feet all day,” you reply. That may sound like conclusive evidence, but varicose veins are actually caused by intrinsic problems within the veins.

Outside influences — like crossed legs or standing all day — can exacerbate an existing problem, one that might have been so minor before it wasn’t noticed. Other proven causes include obesity and pregnancy, inactivity, gender, age, and genetics. Regardless of the cause, varicose veins can be treated with medications to reduce blood pressure, compression stockings, and vein surgery. Talk to your doctor. + — by F. E. Gilliard, MD, Family Medicine 639 13th St Augusta, GA 30901 706-823-5052

MARCH 6, 2015

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

WHAT EVERYBODY OUGHT TO KNOW res?

k good eno r skin can ugh cer? son.” o

ecently I went to visit an old friend who now lives in Florida. He is semiretired at age 73 and because of that, now only works about 60 hours a week. He is one of those people born to work. Apparently that attitude has done him no harm. US Highway 1 between Alma and Waycross, Georgia, is now a four-lane road with a grass median. It used to be a 2 lane road. It went from Maine to Key West, Florida. Yankees drove down that road going to Florida to bask their lily-white carcasses in the scorching winter sun’s ultra-violet rays. They went home to show off their sunburned skin to their less fortunate neighbors. The chenille bedspread factory that my uncle used to run in Dixie Union, Georgia, is now gone. I use cruise control all the time to avoid tickets from the state patrol. It is also easier to drive that way, plus I get better gas mileage. I came up behind a line of cars in the right lane going 45 MPH in a k

ABOUT THE HIGHWAY TO RESPECT

65 MPH zone. There was no one in the left lane ahead of me, so I eased over into the left lane and began gradually passing cars. Something did not feel right. Then it hit me: a funeral procession. How utterly crude of me: passing a funeral procession. I backed the cruise control down to 45 mph to stay beside the car next to me for the next 10 miles. I was too embarrassed to hit the brakes and move all the way to the back of the line. (Now that I look back on it, that’s exactly what I should’ve done.) On the other side of the median too, cars pulled over onto the outside shoulder and stopped. Over the next number of miles, by my partially accurate count two tractor-trailers, two school buses and more than 48 cars pulled onto the shoulder in respect of the dead and their mourning survivors. Three or four cars did not stop as they came along. They slowed down and rubbernecked as if there was FREE T AKE-H OME C OPY!

AUGUSTA

MEDICAL EXAMINER

I managed to survive seven decades without ever uttering the “F” word or the “S” word. Nor do I refer to women with the “B” word or the “W” word. And never once have I uttered the “G.D.” phrase. (That’s mentioned in the Bible somewhere.) All of that may not be cool today, but it’s the way I am. While it does put me out of step with the general population, it has done me no real harm. Yes, there was a time when we were a kinder, gentler people. Why can’t we get back to that? Maybe that’s what Rodney King was referring to when he asked, “Can’t we all just get along?” +

t s e B a major wreck on the road. They were either Yankees who didn’t know any better or self-absorbed malcontents who have little or no respect for others. I chose to forgivethem because no one is perfect. Certainly not me. After all, I passed a dozen cars before I flanked the funeral procession and realized what I had done, while scolding myself for being insensitive and rude. As I drove along afterwards, I had occasion to think back to an earlier time, before the Me Generation became obsessed with getting everything for themselves and ignoring everyone else. There was a time when manners and decorum mattered. No self-respecting man walked through the door before a lady.

e n i c i d ME

Men tipped their hats to ladies. People in cars waved to people walking down the street in residential neighborhoods. Ma’am, Sir, and Please were more common than seashells on the beach. When you met someone walking down the street, you flashed a smile of greeting and spoke pleasantly, or at least smiled and nodded your head in pleasant civility and respect. (If you do that today in a big city, you might either be ignored or arrested for solicitation by an undercover cop.) Profane four-letter words were seldom if ever used for men, and then only in private. Women did not use profanity at all, in any circumstances. Very few of us maintain these semblances of decorum.

Bad Billy Laveau is a retired MD with a pointed sense of humor. Bad Billy speaks and entertains at public and private events for audiences not subject to cardiac seizure secondary to overwhelming laughter and glee. BadBilly@knology.net or 706-3069397

MARCH 6, 2015

600 private practice doctor’s offices and to 14 area hospitals.

We are Augusta’s Most Salubrious Newspaper

Clinically proven. Doctor recommended.

Next issue: MARCH 20

TAKE ONE TABLET OR SMARTPHONE

HEALTH •

MEDICINE

AUG

• WELL

NESS

recipe feature PAGE 7

KE-HOM

E COPY

recipe feature PAGE 7

AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006

FREE

• HEAL

UST TH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS A’S • HEAL TH • MO MED ST SA ICINE • WELLNESS • HEAL TH • LUB MEDICINE • WELL RIO US N NESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELL EWSP NESS • HEAL TH • APE MEDICINE • WELL R• NESS • HEAL FOU TH • MEDICINE NDE • D IN WELLNESS • HEALTH • MED ICINE 2006 • WELL NESS • HEAL

It’s alm ost swim suit seas on!

FREE TA

MEDICAL EXAMINER

AUGUSTA

This newspaper is delivered to more than

AU GU STA

AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006

Who c ares? APRI

L 18,

Swims uit in swimw season... Is Uh, can ear to go bak that the annual e in we rethin dri • Live k that? the sun on a ve to lose we longer We ight bea Here are the sam might as we some mu ch or poolsid and Àrm up ll start e kind e and so we ch better trivial off of good eno reason thereby raise can lookkgoo — peris benefit of loo stuff that wo on a high • Streng s to cele d ugh ugh no brate “swour risk forrski then yo skin eno kind of h the thoug king better uld offer the te: Regu cancer ur bo imsuit sonn can ht, lar in act season .” cer?? build up , weight-bear nes news is ivity that a Speedo — a bikini or .” length tha natura bone streng ing activity ens life is the same a big dif t a mere 15 l . th, ha dec s bee minutes And the wh lin ferenc Weigh good e. t-bearing e in bone hea ich prevents n shown too a day can som lth activity make • Lowe oft e — like en seen as of the r your • Get Not we walking sic anyth that diabet diabetes ris Thank k less — does age. k. walk jus ing, but on es rates are the tric k one at your walking e sky k. the offi steps in t 3,500 steps study found rocketing aroun ce who shoes next or that pe a mile) a day d. dia (th op system Regular exe hasn’t cau time you’re the stu betes than thehad a lower ere are rou le who the on . Transl rcise see ght that ghly 2,0 risk of dy. ly people bu ati ms g on go 00 : fewer to who wa developin • Decre colds an boost the im ing g lked the • Have ase mu d bouts your c least i fewer ne Let’s s A of h

TAK E

TH •

2014

JANUARY 9, 2015

Be it resolved...

re you a New Year’s resolution fan? Or a resolution hater? Both sides in this annual discussion have their valid points. On the negative side, by the time you read this many carefully made resolutions may have already slipped a little. Statistically, by this date (January 9) 25 percent of all resolutions have already gone down in flames; that many usually fail within the first week. By the six-month mark the failure rate is about half. And by this time next year, the wreckage of 88 percent of all those shiny new intentions of last week’s New Year’s Day 2015 will lie strewn across the landscape. On the plus side, that means a fairly decent 12 percent of all resolutions are achieved after a full year. Building on that positive note, making New Year’s resolutions is evidence of one of the finest aspects of human nature — that we continuously evaluate ourselves and constantly strive to improve, to be better husbands or wives, better moms and dads, better employees, better bosses, and just better human beings. The typical resolutions reflect those basic desires: the #1 resolution every year is always some form of better health. Lose weight. Get more exercise. Eat less junk food or fast food. Eat less, period. Quit smoking. Drink less, or quit altogether.

-HOM E CO P Y! TM

MEDICINE

• WELL

NESS

Who is this? See page 3.

You really can’t fault anyone for such noble goals. After all, health is the ultimate wealth. It’s the currency that makes every other endeavor in life possible. Speaking of currency, improving finances is, broadly speaking, the second most popular resolution category. Common examples include establishing and/or sticking to a budget; saving more; cutting impulse buys; getting a better job, a raise, or a promotion. The third-most common resolutions might be categorized as self-improvement: read more; temper control/ anger management; reduce or manage stress; watch less TV; get more education: learn a new language, skill, or hobby; improve your marriage and other personal relationships, and so forth. All of these are worthy goals. They are well worth pursuing, even if that means getting past occasional setbacks. Since failure is always an option, it’s good to expect it and be ready to keep making progress. There is nothing magical about January 1. If you haven’t made some kind of self-improvement goal, it’s never too late. If you’ve started and failed already, restarts are always allowed. Whatever you set your sights on, keep the letters shown below in mind, as well as what they stand for. Please see RESOLVED page 2

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Time-specific

New year. Old scrubs? We can fix that. (706) 364.1163 • WWW.SCRUBSOFEVANS.COM • 4158 WASHINGTON RD • ACROSS FROM CLUB CAR • M-F: 10-6:30; SAT: 10-4

AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING. Prefer paper? We’re all over town. If you prefer our digital version, the Medical Examiner is always available on your favorite device at ISSUU.COM/MEDICALEXAMINER or at the Medical Examiner blog (www.AugustaRx.com/news) on issue dates. Click directly from any Examiner page directly to websites listed in ads and articles. You can easily view back issues, too. +

MARCH 6, 2015

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Caregiving tips for common Alzheimer’s behaviors by Kathy Crist

Will he wander away again? How aggressive will she be today? One of the most challenging aspects of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is adjusting to the Crist troubling and sometimes abrupt changes in personality and behavior. Pinpointing the emotions behind the Alzheimer’s behavior and then addressing the loved one’s underlying need is the key. Because those with Alzheimer’s struggle to clearly understand words, they respond more readily to tone of voice, facial expressions and body language. A reassuring touch, a smile and eye contact communicate gentleness and compassion, which ease

agitated responses. These are tips we have found helpful in caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s: 1. Eating and Drinking As Alzheimer’s progresses, mealtime routines may need to be adapted to the person’s changing needs. Dementia can limit the sense of smell and taste and the recognition of favorite foods. • Continue with the person’s familiar mealtimes and place (e.g., recliner for snacks, family table for meals). • Give them plenty of time to finish the meal. Rushing increases anxiety. • Keep an eye on chewing and swallowing and, if necessary, advise when to chew and swallow. • Serve small, bite-sized foods that are easy to pick up and chew. • Boost fluid intake by offering small cups of water

or other liquids throughout the day or foods with high water content, such as soups, fruits and smoothies. • Test the temperature of foods and beverages before serving. • Limit the distractions of television and even bright,

patterned tablecloths, placemats and dishes. 2. Bathing and Hygiene Because hygiene care and bathing are private activities, allowing others to assist with bodily cleaning can feel threatening to Alzheimer’s patients. Bathing works best when caregivers help the loved one feel relaxed and in control. • Set a routine time for

bathing. If the person is used to a morning shower, stick with that time of day. • Use an adjustable-height shower chair or tub bench. For added safety, use a handheld showerhead, nonslip bath mat and grab bars. • Select a comfortable water temperature. Check the water throughout the bath time. • Sponge baths are a helpful alternative between showers or baths. A full bath or shower two to three times weekly is a healthy guideline for most people. 3. Rummaging and Hiding Things A loved one with Alzheimer’s may rummage through closets, drawers, cabinets, the refrigerator and other storage places and/or squirrel away random objects from food to medications. • Remove access to harmful items, such as cleaning products, sharp knives,

firearms and power tools. • Create a specific place – a basket, tote bag or chest of drawers – where the person with Alzheimer’s can freely sort through a set of safe, tactile items including socks, stuffed toys or hats. • Ensure mail is safely delivered out of reach of the Alzheimer’s patient, who may toss, lose or hide mail. Consider a post office box or mailbox outside a locked yard gate. Be sure you are getting the in-home care support and respite breaks you need. Flexibility and patience, plus self-care, go a long way in the loving, safe care of those with Alzheimer’s. + Right at Home of the CSRA, a leading provider of in-home care and assistance, supports family caregivers and is dedicated to improving the life of the elderly and disabled. Contact Right at Home at 803-278-0250 or www.csra.rightathome.net

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.

MARCH 6, 2015

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Southern Girl Eats Clean

Orange Ginger Edamame

Daniel Village Barber Shop 2522 Wrightsboro Road

736-7230

TUE - FRI: 8:00 - 6:00; SATURDAY: 8:00 - 2:00

Ingredients: • 1 Package of frozen edamame (Unshelled) • 1/4 cup of soy sauce (Low sodium, gluten free) • Juice of 1 orange • 2 Tbsp. of local honey

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

Place edamame into a gallon size zip-lock storage bag. Pour the soy-orange juice mixture into the bag over the edamame pods. Allow the edamame to marinate for 1-2 hours, tossing the bag occasionally during the

www.southerngirleatsclean.com She is a working wife and mother living in Evans, Georgia. Visit her blog for more recipes and information on clean eating.

FREE WEDNESDAY screenings at Barney’s Free blood sugar, blood pressure, weight/BMI, A1C, and cholesterol testing is being done every Wednesday from 9 am - 12 noon. ♦

Free Wellness Classes

Augusta 2604 Peach Orchard Rd. (706) 798-5645 www.barneysrx.com

All classes are open to the public!

We offer Pain Management, Diabetes Education, Smoking Cessation, Healthy Heart, Chair Aerobics, Ostomy, Breast Cancer, Hepatitis C, and Lymphadema Support Groups and Classes, and Bingo. Call or check barneysrx.com for days and times South Augusta • Louisville • Grovetown • Wrens • Serenity • barneysrx.com • Furys Ferry (opening soon)

Coming soon! Barney’s on Furys Ferry Road!

DANIEL VILLAGE BARBER SHOP

Medical Complex

76 Circle K former Smile Gas

Highland Ave.

Orange Ginger Edamame

“You can get a haircut every few weeks? I am so jealous!” Ohio Ave.

Today I have a super quick, healthy and delicious appetizer for you. Edamame (Soybeans) have so many health benefits: low in fat and calories, high in protein, fiber and almost every other essential vitamin and mineral. The polyunsaturated fats in Edamame include heart healthy Omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Last spring while on a trip to Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC, my husband and I had a lovely late lunch on the patio overlooking the mountains. We decided to order two or three appetizers instead of a full meal. One of the appetizers that we had was an amazing edamame with sort of an Asian soy-orange-ginger marinade. I had no idea what the exact ingredients were. I could just recognize some of the flavors and I knew I had to try and recreate this at home. The funny thing is when the waiter brought the edamame to the table I noticed that there was an empty bowl on the tray. Never having eaten anything other than already shelled edamame, I had no idea why we would need an empty bowl. After trying to bite into the edamame pod, I realized that the pod was not edible and would be very tough to chew. Ummmm, duh! Think of it as sort of like eating boiled peanuts. You just suck the pod and get all the flavor from the marinade two hours to make sure that all • 1 Tbsp. of rice vinegar and then break open the pod • 1 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil pods are coated well. You may to get to the edamame beans. place the bag in the refrigerator • 1-2 cloves of garlic, crushed Throw the shell away. if you prefer, but it is not • 1 tsp. of fresh ginger, finely NOTE: When purchasing necessary. chopped edamame, shelled or unshelled, Remove the pods from the bag always look for organic and non- Directions: and place in a microwave safe GMO brands. A large portion Tie on a cute apron to begin. shallow dish. of the soybeans grown are Heat the edamame in the Then cook the edamame genetically modified. Pesticides according to package directions microwave for 1-2 minutes and fertilizers are also used in and set aside. depending on your microwave. the farming of these soybeans In a small bowl, whisk Serve immediately with a which I believe can be related to together the soy sauce, freshly separate bowl to discard the disease and inflammation in our squeezed orange juice, honey, empty pods. + bodies. rice vinegar, olive oil, garlic and I hope you enjoy! Alisa Rhinehart writes the blog ginger.

Wrightsboro Road

Daniel Field

Augusta Mall

We’re on Wrightsboro Rd. at Ohio Avenue.

OUR NEWSSTANDS SLEEPING… from page 2 twice as fast as they did in mice that Medical locations: grew got their full beauty sleep.

• Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Ctr, 15th St., Main Entrance • Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical 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) • GHSU Hospital, 1120 15th Street, South & West Entrances • GHSU Medical Office Building, Harper Street, Main Entrance • GHSU Medical Office Building, Harper Street, Parking Deck entrance • GHSU Hospital, Emergency Room, Harper Street, Main Entrance • GHSU Children’s Medical Center, Harper Street, Main Lobby • GHSU, Laney-Walker Boulevard transit stop, Augusta • 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. • Hartley’s Uniforms, 1010 Druid Park Ave, Augusta • International Uniforms, 1216 Broad Street, Augusta • Marshall Family Y, Belair Rd, Evans • Mellow Mushroom, 12th and Broad Streets, Augusta • 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... 600+ doctors offices throughout the area for staff and waiting rooms, as well as many nurses stations and waiting rooms of area hospitals.

MARCH 6, 2015

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

remembering what the capitol of Bolivia is, or even who is buried in Grant’s tomb. Yes, adolescents are the single most sleepdeprived demographic group. 70 percent are operating with their sleep tank significantly less than full. Researchers attribute this to two major factors. First is a fundamental shift in their circadian rhythms. It’s like at adolescence they have gone Def Con-3 on DST, springing waaay forward. The child who a couple years ago willingly went to bed at 8:30 is these days just beginning to think about bedtime around the time Jimmy Fallon comes on. The other major factor, lighting the very short candle at the other end, is school. Some kids are waiting in the dark at their bus stops shortly after 6:00 am. Classes can start before 7:30. Here is a news flash: teens are not morning people. Early school starts are in direct conflict with their biological clocks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no high school classes should begin prior to 8:30 am. Is anyone listening? Answer: 3.8 percent of US high schools convene classes after 9:00 am. But statistically, schools with later start times have: • higher test scores • less depression in their student body • fewer car crashes involving students

Yes, cancer can be a deadly side effect of sleep loss. And you thought those bags under your eyes were bad enough. Other lethal tragedies: what comes to mind when you think of 3 Mile Island? The Exxon Valdez? Or maybe your dearly departed best friend? Fatigue is the culprit in thousands of industrial and vehicular mishaps every year, including the ones just mentioned. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says more than 100,000 crashes occur every year that are the direct result of driver fatigue, and those wrecks are responsible for more than 70,000 injuries, more than 1,500 deaths, and incalculable expense, heartache and grief. This is especially troubling with big rigs, when the collision is between an 80,000 lb. truck and a 3,000 lb. car. True, there are regulations about how many hours a trucker can drive without a break and more regs about how many hours he must be off the road. Pilots also operate under these constraints. But who can guarantee that a driver who is off the road as required is actually getting the sleep he needs? Comedian Tracy Morgan’s accident was with a tractor-trailer driver who had not slept in more than 24 hours, according to the formal charges against him. Accidents don’t just happen on the highways and byways, either. In a study of physicians and medical residents, erratic sleep habits led to a sharp increase in errors. Serious diagnostic mistakes rose more than 400 percent in healthcare providers who were sleep-poor. Accidental self-inflicted needle sticks and scalpel stabs were 73 percent higher, and it wasn’t over when they finally got to the end of their shifts: driving home sleep-deprived increases the risk of a crash by 170 percent. People who suffer from insomnia consistently and Reaction time is slowed. Vigilance and significantly over-estimate the amount of time they alertness is compromised. lie awake and the amount of sleep they have lost. Sleep loss might even prevent you from Image: Medical Examiner Graphics Department - not.

Ironically enough, starting school early is self-defeating. It’s like teachers are pouring facts into leaky buckets, because lack of sleep contributes to the inability to focus, concentrate, and pay attention. Sleep scientists liken sleep to clicking “Save” within our on-board computers, but failure to sleep adequately can and will readily erase all or portions of the master disk. Sleep is the difference between failing a test and acing it. Sleeping like a rock We could fill all 16 pages with sleep info and we would not put you to sleep. It’s a fascinating topic, and we’ve barely scratched the surface. But hopefully we have made one key point: being sleep-deprived is serious business and is not to be ignored. If you suffer from insomnia, talk you your doctor. Help is available, some of it pharmaceutical, some behavioral. Among the most common and most effective behavioral recommendations: • have a regular bedtime and wake time, seven days a week • keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet • keep your bedroom free of media and technology • remember that caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol are all enemies of sound sleep There are others, but they are all worth pursuing. As one sleep scientist expressed it, “There is not one single tissue or process in the body that is not beneficially affected” by getting sufficient sleep. Getting enough sleep is, in summary, the single most effective and important thing you can do each and every day [or night] to protect and promote good health. + — by Dan Pearson Augusta Medical Examiner NOTE: Many of the facts and figures thrown about in this article are from an excellent National Geographic documentary. If you’d like to watch it, go to YouTube and search for “Sleepless in America.” Pharmacy 411 will return to this spot in our next issue, dated March 20

Parks Pharmacy proudly announces:

We are now a chain drug store. Pictured: Our chain.

ARKS

HARMACY

Hometown. Not big box.

437 Georgia Georgia Avenue, Avenue, North North Augusta, Augusta, SC SC 437

803-279-7450 parkspharmacy.com parkspharmacy.com

MARCH 6, 2015

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Ask a Dietitian MAKE INFORMED FOOD CHOICES

by Katie Metz, RDN, LD Georgia Regents University Medical Center March is National Nutrition Month! It started in 1973 as National Nutrition Week to promote the profession of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, and as a way to deliver credible nutrition education to the public. However, since 1980 the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics dedicates a whole month to promote improved health and wellness. This year’s theme is “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle.” So you’re probably wondering...What are a few things I can do to start making healthier food choices and living a healthier lifestyle? How can I be a wiser consumer? A healthy lifestyle all starts with making more informed food choices based on your individual health and nutrition needs. Here are a few tips and tricks to try incorporating into your daily routine: • Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. The perimeter is where stores tend to stock fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish. These foods provide natural sugars in the form of fructose and lactose. Challenge yourself to fill your cart with a rainbow of fresh fruits and vegetables. The different colors reflect the different vitamin, mineral, and phytonutrient content of each fruit and vegetable. Avoid the middle aisles that include pre-packaged and processed junk foods that almost always contain sugars added in processing or preparation, commonly seen in the form of high fructose corn syrup. • Don’t be misled by front-of-package nutrition claims or graphics. Want facts? Read the Nutrition Facts panel to determine the suggested serving size, calories, and how much fat, sugar and salt are in that food item. Don’t get tricked into buying foods because of the superhero or cartoon on the box! (You shouldn’t see much of this if you’re shopping the perimeter of the grocery store). • Know what you’re eating. Check the ingredients, which are listed in descending order of prominence. This means that those ingredients listed in the beginning make up the majority of the product. Some ingredients worth limiting and/or avoiding include: high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oil (aka: Trans fat), and sugar. Also, try to steer clear of foods with ingredients you cannot pronounce, such as butylated hydroxyanisole and azodicarbonamide. Say what?!? • Look for food items with 5 or less ingredients. Just think how easy this will be if you’re buying fresh foods found in the perimeter of the store! Pick up some red potatoes, asparagus and chicken breasts for dinner instead of bolting to the freezer section where a red potato-chicken meal would contain a lengthy list of unpronounceable ingredients, additives, and excessive amounts of sugar and salt. • Swap out those sugar sweetened beverages for water! Are you one of those people who sip on a Coke, juice, sports drink, or sweet tea for hours a day, or have one (or two) of those beverages with your daily lunch? Check out the sugar content and keep in mind that 4 grams of sugar equals 1 level teaspoon. • A 20 oz. Coke has 65 grams of sugar. That’s 16 teaspoons, a full 1/3 CUP of ADDED SUGAR! • That beloved sweet tea isn’t much better. A medium at McDonald’s (21 oz.) will run you 45 grams of sugar. Translation: 11 teaspoons = 1⁄4 CUP of ADDED SUGAR! Yikes. The American Heart Association recommends a limit of 9 tsp. per day of added sugar for men and 6 tsp/day of added sugar for women. So just think: if you were to switch that daily 20 oz. bottle of regular soda for a bottle of water, for the whole year the result could be weight loss of as much as 25 pounds! Does this sound daunting? Technology has made it fool-proof. Download the newest version of MyFitnessPal to your smartphone or tablet and easily track your daily food intake with just the scan of a barcode! For more information or to develop a meal plan specific to your goals, visit www.choosemyplate.gov. Or maybe you’re thinking you want something more personal. The CSRA has more than 75 Licensed and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists! If you have a nutrition-related question, feel free to send an email to augustadietetics@gmail.com, where a nutrition expert can address your inquiry. +

One family of providers.

Everything you need.

2541 Milledgeville Road, Augusta, GA • (706) 738-2581

Services oﬀered in the Augusta area: • • • • • • • •

Short-Term Rehabilitation • Physical Therapy Long-Term Care • Occupational Therapy Inpatient Rehabilitation • Speech Therapy IV Therapy • Private, Semi-Private Wound Care Rooms Pain Management • Trach Care Provided 24 Hour Nursing Services • VA Contract Facility Oxygen Therapy pruitthealth.com

Merchants Credit Bureau, Inc. A full service collection agency since 1949

LET US HELP YOUR PRACTICE IMPROVE ITS CASH FLOW AND ADD TO YOUR BOTTOM LINE. 955 Greene Street Augusta, Georgia 30901 No upfront or membership fees Fully bonded and insured

(706) 823-6200 www.mcbusa.com

+ 10

HOPE Through Adversity by Helen Blocker-Adams

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

here is so much hurt in the world. So many people suffer injustice. So many things are left unsaid by national elected officials on issues that impact the public and the world. The daily headlines glare at us with words and images that can take away our joy. There are some people, unfortunately, who have never experienced joy for one reason or another. Despite these issues — or because of them — there is a compelling need for people

to do something, to to be part of the solution. That is a good thing. But as individuals, none of us can do it all. The world’s problems are so astronomical that they seem unsolvable. Most won’t be solved in our lifetime. As you consider the challenges all around, remember you have to take care of yourself too. Don’t get so caught up in life’s “stuff” that you forget about taking care of yourself. How can you resolve other people’s or your community’s problems when yours are looming over your head? How can you be a blessing when you’re struggling? But you can still help others while you help yourself. Find a cause or a mission that you can wrap your arms around and focus on. It might be the one that keeps you up at night or that you just can’t get off your mind. Connect with that group and get involved, but take care of yourself in the

meantime. Sometimes helping others helps yourself. Your mental, spiritual, and physical health is interrelated and vitally important. They work hand in hand. God made it that way. When your life is out of sync in those areas, nothing will effectively work for you. Have you ever built a puzzle and discovered after it is almost complete that a few pieces missing? They just happen to be the pieces that fit right in the center of the beautiful image you’ve created. It doesn’t look very appealing, does it? It’s the same with your life. When you immerse yourself in a project or cause that consumes you to the point other parts of your life are neglected, you’re going to have a mess. And in many cases, you won’t be able to put your finger on that disconnect, but it will be revealed sooner or later. You may think you’re being selfish by taking care of yourself, but I disagree if your heart and intent is pure. It’s not

PET VET

Would you enjoy a

NO PROBLEM. JUST TELL US TO MAKE YOUR ORDER “TO GO.”

3626 Walton Way Extension (Walton’s Corner) Phone: 706.736.1099 Fax: 706.736.4401

OrderRolyPoly.com

about you. But then again, it is about you. I read an article recently entitled “Put Yourself First” written by Rebecca Pratt that had some excellent tips I would like to share with you. • Preserve your physical health with adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition. • Value your emotional health as much as the physical, with a support system of friends and a willingness to laugh— especially at yourself. • Schedule fun activities on a regular basis—it’s just as important to plan pleasure as it is to plan work. • Identify “busy behaviors” (or people) that drain your time and energy but aren’t really important, then dump ‘em, or at least minimize their hold on you. • Kill two birds with one stone, combining family time with exercise, for example, which benefits everyone involved. • Try to look at the problems in your life with new eyes to find highly recommended because these serious disease agents continue to be present in the environment.

ROLLED SANDWICHES • SOUPS • SALADS

ROLL IN THE SACK?

MARCH 6, 2015

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

VACCINE FAQs

accines: they’re not just for people. But you don’t hear animals joining all the anti-vaccine clamor. Here’s why, courtesy of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Q: What are vaccines? A: Vaccines are health products that trigger protective immune

responses in pets and prepare them to fight future infections from disease-causing agents. Vaccines can lessen the severity of future diseases and certain vaccines can prevent infection altogether. Today, a variety of vaccines are available for use by veterinarians. Q: Is it important to vaccinate? A: Yes! Pets should be vaccinated to protect them from many highly contagious and deadly diseases. Experts agree that widespread use of vaccines within the last century has prevented death and disease in millions of animals. Even though some formerly common diseases have now become uncommon, vaccination is still

Q: Which vaccines should pets receive? A: When designing a vaccination program, veterinarians consider the pet’s lifestyle, related disease risks, and the characteristics of available vaccines. “Core vaccines” (e.g., rabies, feline panleukopenia, feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus infection, canine distemper, canine parvovirus infection, and canine hepatitis) are recommended for most pets. Additional “non-core vaccines” (e.g., feline leukemia, canine kennel cough and other vaccines) may be appropriate based on the pet’s particular needs. Q: How often should pets be revaccinated? A: Veterinarians have traditionally vaccinated annually; however, they are now learning that some vaccines induce immunity that lasts less than one year, whereas others may induce immunity that lasts well beyond one

Boardwalk to Bark Place Kennnel & Daycare welcoming dogs 40 lbs and under 5873 Huntington Drive Grovetown, Georgia (706) 840-3141 (706) 556-8127 www.boardwalktobarkplace.com

solutions. If you’re a new mom, for instance, see if you can trade childcare with another new mom to get some time for yourself. • Learn to say “No!” Your yes is valuable and should not be automatic. Instead, reserve it for the things that are most important to you. • Don’t try to change every problem area in your life all at once. Start with one or two items, and then expand as you progressively get things under control. + Helen BlockerAdams is an educator, inspirational speaker, author and columnist, serial entrepreneur, Blocker-Adams events planner and mentor committed to giving people hope and transforming lives. You can reach her at hba@hbagroup-intl.com year. The AVMA recommends that veterinarians customize vaccination programs to the needs of their patients. More than one vaccination program may be effective. Q: How does my pet’s lifestyle affect its vaccination program? A: Some pets are homebodies and have modest opportunity for exposure to infectious disease, whereas others have a great deal of exposure to other pets and/or wildlife and infectious disease by virtue of their activities. Still other pets live in geographic areas that place them at greater risk for contracting some infectious diseases. Differences in lifestyle illustrate the importance of customizing a vaccination program to individual patients. Q: Are there risks associated with vaccination? A: Vaccines have protected millions of animals from illness and death caused by infectious diseases. All medical procedures, however, carry with them some risk. Fortunately, in the case of vaccination, serious adverse responses are very infrequent. Veterinarians minimize risk by carefully selecting vaccines on the basis of a pet’s individual needs and by choosing appropriate injection sites. In an effort to find ways to prevent even these limited numbers of adverse responses from occurring, the AVMA is working with government and industry to redefine how information regarding adverse responses is gathered, analyzed, and disseminated. +

MARCH 6, 2015

11 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

From the Bookshelf The blog spot — Posted by Jamie Jones, MD at heelskicksscalpel.com on Feb. 3, 2015

DRIVING TIPS FROM A TRAUMA SURGEON No one ever wants to meet me...Well, at least inside of a hospital. If you are meeting me in a hospital, it is likely because you have been stabbed, shot, assaulted, or in a car accident. In my non-scientifically proven experience, the majority of my patients are in the hospital due to someone’s bad decisions – either their own or someone else’s. And don’t get me wrong, I make bad decisions all the time. For example, I ate a chocolate doughnut this morning for breakfast. However, no one ever expects their seemingly small bad decision to result in meeting me at the hospital. But it happens. Every. Single. Day. So, stay safe America, and here are some trusty driving tips from your friendly, neighborhood trauma surgeon.

Tire marks across your belly? Not a good look.

1. Seatbelts are good, especially if you are pregnant. I am not going to go into how many pregnant women (just in the last year alone) I have seen ejected from vehicles during car accidents and try to describe the tragedy that ensues. However, no matter who you are – old, young, short, tall, overweight, or what trimester of pregnancy you are in, wear your dang seatbelt. It saves lives, and there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever to NOT wear one. So, can you please just wear it? Tire marks across your belly are just not a good look. 2. Texting is bad. I know it is hard for some of you young grasshoppers to imagine, but back in “the day” somehow I was successfully able to be a teenager and not communicate with anyone for the 15-20 minute drive between my house and my destination. And, believe it or not, my social life did not suffer. There is nothing in this world so important to make you pick up your phone at all while driving. Life seemed to go on just fine before this capability, and you have a much higher chance of your life continuing to go on if you forget that this capability exists. 3. Let’s talk about alcohol. I get it, alcohol seems to have some pretty magical powers. But it will not make you a long-lost member of the Andretti racing family. In fact, it won’t make you a better driver of any vehicle in any way, shape, or form. It will make your reaction times slower, and your likelihood of being involved in or causing an accident exponentially higher. This is true for driving cars, mopeds, motorcycles and yes, even golf carts. Let me also tell you, from my experience: You will probably be fine. But your friends riding with you or the person that you hit with your car will not be. And living with the guilt of confining your best friend to a wheelchair for the rest of his or her life is probably something you don’t want. 4. Speaking of the Andrettis... Speeding really will not get you there any faster. And I can prove this mathematically. The average commuter travels 15 miles one way, with an average trip lasting almost 26 minutes. Increasing speed by 5 – 10 mph for short periods of time will not make up any appreciable amount of time. You will still be late. And let me tell you, being 10 minutes late to work is waaaaay better than not showing up at all. Think I am exaggerating? Don’t want to follow any of the above advice? Don’t worry. I will still be here... at the hospital... waiting to cut off all your clothes, see you naked, and then charge YOU for the experience. Oh, that doesn’t sound like fun? Oh well, in that case, re-read the above, and we can meet for coffee instead. Stay safe! +

From Booklist Vertosick’s is not the usual how-I-got-through-myresidency-and-aren’t-I-smart? account. Rather, Vertosick shows how a steelworker-himself--successfully became a neurosurgeon. He includes the events that shaped his feelings and emotions and his growing knowledge of himself, his patients, and his colleagues, and the fact that some of those incidents seem outwardly minor indicates that Vertosick is a perceptive individual capable of seeing the humanity of both his patients and himself. So his account of his three months in London emphasizes his ability to recognize that there are more aspects to his specialty than just the high-tech ones. And what does such a specialist typically do? Vertosick points out that two-thirds of neurosurgical operations are for the alleviation or control of pain. The neurosurgeon must always assume pain is organic, although this neurosurgeon neatly draws the distinctions between pain and suffering. An engaging and refreshing book. From Publishers Weekly Instead of offering a collection

who chose euthanasia over a life imprisoned in bed. We also meet Sarah, a pregnant homemaker with a malignant brain tumor who refuses radiotherapy and a therapeutic abortion. Vertosick is associate chief of neurosurgery at Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh.

of bizarre medical cases, brain surgeon Vertosick presents a set of harrowing clinical tales that highlight neurosurgery as risky, messy and often frustrating. The result is a riveting report that shatters the mystique of the brain surgeon as a wizard of technical prowess. Many of the patients profiled here die-an outcome not representative of neurosurgery at large, the author reassures us. The cases are drawn from Vertosick’s six years of internship and residency. Among the most memorable are Andy, a Down’s syndrome sufferer with multiple head and neck abnormalities

Amazon.com Review For the patient, an operation is a single defining moment. For the neurosurgeon, each moment in the operating room represents the culmination of decades spent struggling to learn an unforgiving craft. When these two join there is drama, often too much of it. This book tells the story of Frank Vertosick’s metamorphosis from naive intern to neurosurgeon through intimate portraits of his patients and nerve-jangling descriptions of surgical procedures. Riveting, poignant, and sometimes shockingly funny, When the Air Hits Your Brain is a remarkable account of the mysteries of the mind and the operating room. + When the Air Hits Your Brain by Frank Vertosick Jr., MD, 272 pages, reprinted in March 2008 by W. W. Norton & Company

Research News Have you heard the news? If so, consider yourself fortunate — and forewarned. What news? The World Health Organization has released its findings on new research into hearing loss, and things don’t sound good at all. WHO says as many as a billion people aged 12 to 35 are in danger of significant hearing loss, and the culprit is music. Specifically, the danger comes from earphones and earbuds cranking up music to high volume levels for extended play. Ears are designed to automatically turn down the volume in high-noise environments. That’s why leaving a noisy bar or concert or factory finds the outside world to be much quieter than when you entered; your ears have put a damper on things for you. The problem is that the longer and louder the exposure, the harder it is for the system to return the volume settings to normal. WHO found that earbuds are commonly pouring music into our delicate hearing

hardware on the far side of 100 decibels. At that level, hearing damage can occur within 15 minutes. WHO recommends keeping the volume at a reasonable level (they recommend apps available that monitor decibel levels and warn listeners) and to limit the top volume settings to 4 minutes or less, about the length of an average song. For those who crank it up more than an hour a day, WHO says you’d better enjoy it while you can: you could be headed for complete deafness. The Coffee Cure Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reported last week that coffee/caffeine intake and its protective benefits against Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease also appears to offer benefits against multiple sclerosis (MS). In research jointly conducted in Sweden and the US, individuals who did not drink coffee were one and a half times

more likely to develop MS than Americans who drank 4 cups of coffee per day, or 6 cups per day in Sweden. The Swedish study focused solely on coffee consumption; the US study included caffeinated beverages in general. Losing count? If you’re trying to lose weight and counting calories doesn’t work, a study released last month said simply eating 30 grams of fiber per day — without any other changes — was an effective weight loss strategy. Across the board, men are supposed to aim for 38 grams of fiber per day and women 25, but the average American eats only about 15 grams per day. Study authors add that in addition to their health benefits, fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and whole grains tend to be less expensive than lowfiber foods like meat and dairy products. +

+ 12

MARCH 6, 2015

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE EXAMiNERS +

Can you believe that dress color thing that swept the web last week?

What a waste of brain cells. It was obviously white & gold.

by Dan Pearson

Hey, not to change the subject, but did you see that patient who just came in to the ER?

The black guy, the only patient we’ve had in That white guy? the past hour. He was He didn’t look blue to me. completely cyanotic.

Which one?

The Mystery Word for this issue: BRI

EXAMINER CROSSWORD

PUZZLE

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

14 17

Click on “READER CONTESTS”

— Plato

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

5 3

2 9

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.

1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 6

I 1 2 3 4

T 1

D 1 2 3 4 1 2

F 1 2 3 4 5 W 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3

1 2

1.PRIFFFILAST 2.HOOTIEESAI 3.WORMUKEN 4.LEEDRAP 5.ERTL 6.DE

SAMPLE:

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

L 1

O 2

V E 31 24 3

I 1

S 2

B 1

L 2

I 3

N 4

D 5

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

18 19 20 21 ACROSS 1. Dome covering, often 22 23 24 25 5. Blue 26 27 28 29 8. Having two or more colors, like a piper, perhaps 30 31 32 33 34 35 12. Stir up 36 37 38 13. Legal rights gp. 14. Main artery of the body 39 40 41 42 43 15. Chateau in Georgia 44 45 46 16. Lustful; licentious 47 48 49 50 18. Jewel 19. Sick 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 20. WJBF’s affiliation 59 60 61 62 21. Bethesda agcy. 22. Village in Augusta 63 64 65 24. Maj. CSRA employer 66 67 68 26. Winfrey TV 27. Garden beginning? by Daniel R. Pearson © 2015 All rights reserved. Built in part with software from www.crauswords.com 30. Pancakes served with sour cream 68. 1988 Masters champion 30. Bowl ranking system 33. Pale 31. Tolkien letters 34. The green of green eyes DOWN 32. Notion 36. Liver oil source 1. Maddox, Braves great 33. Weapons abbrev. 37. Grant born in Augusta 2. Greased 35. Opp. of bro 38. Black bird 3. Andes pack animal 37. Letters in many front yards 39. Brain _____ 4. Lair 40. Doctors 41. Eccentric 5. Regattta craft 41. Beginning 42. Grasps 42. Hawaiian dance 44. ________ Blvd (in Augusta) 6. Long-sleeved clergy garb 7. _____ mater 43. Giant of the Giants 46. Furrow 8. Hawaiian food 45. Banks of note (1931-2015) 47. Last year’s Jrs. 9. _____ lung 46. Savannah, for one 48. First name of MCG’s 1828 10. Sewing case 48. Grinding tooth founder 11. Morse element 49. Study suffix 51. Debutante, in brief 13. Rick, new congressman 50. Umbilical scar 54. Classical intro? 14. Capital of Ghana 51. Eat sparingly 56. Eggs 17. Norwegian dramatist 52. New Age singer 57. Chocolate _____ 19. Hawaiian honeycreeper 53. Built-up embankment 59. Certain to occur 55. Hippocratic follower 62. Intro to in, out, over, along 23. Invasive beginning (sometimes) 58. English monk 63. Eagle’s nest (Var.) 25. “Star Wars” letters 60. Contend 64. Duct type 27. Augusta’s ____ Park 61. One can be in one’s bonnet 65. Old 28. Thermometer type 62. Grand ____ 66. Domesticated 29. Type of tunnel 67. ____ Excellency Solution p. 14

WORDS NUMBER

THE MYSTERY WORD

MARCH 6, 2015

13 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE BEST MEDICINE ha... ha...

man walks into a drug store and asks the pharmacist, “Do you have any acetylsalicylic acid?” “You mean aspirin?” asks the pharmacist. “That’s it!” said the man. “I can never remember that word!” At the hospital’s annual picnic for its employees, a spur-of-the-moment softball game broke out between teams from the ER and the marketing departments. The ER team won, 11-2. The marketing department noted the event in the following week’s employee newsletter: “In marketing news, the Marketing Department is pleased to announce that it placed 2nd in softball this year, losing just one game during the entire season. Best of luck next year to the ER team, which only won a single game all year.” Five-year-old Becky answered the door when the census taker came by. She told the man that her daddy was a doctor and wasn’t home because he was performing an appendectomy. “My, my,” said the census taker, “that sure is a big word for such a little girl. Do you even know

what that means?” “Sure! Fifteen hundred bucks, and that doesn’t even include the anesthesiologist.” A census taker knocked on a lady’s door. She answered all his questions except one: she refused to tell him her age. “But everyone tells their age to the census taker,” he said. “Did Miss Daisy Hill and her twin sister tell you their ages?” she asked, pointing to a house across the street where two spinsters lived. “They certainly did,” he replied “Well, I’m the same age as they are,” she snapped. “Now we’re getting someplace,” he said. “As... old... as... the... Hills...” he muttered as he wrote the words on his form. At a school dance a shy boy approached a popular girl and asked, “Will you dance with me?” “I won’t dance with a child,” the arrogant girl replied. Taken aback, the boy apologized, “I am so sorry. I didn’t realize your were pregnant.” A woman answered her front door and saw a little boy standing there holding a list. “Ma’am,” he explained, “I’m on a scavenger hunt, and to earn a dollar I still need three grains of wheat, a 4 x 5-inch piece of used carbon paper, and a copy of the newspaper from this date last year.” “Wow, that’s quite a list,” the woman replied. “Who sent you on such a challenging scavenger hunt?” “My babysitter’s boyfriend.” +

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.

The Patient’s Perspective by Marcia Ribble

he weather these past few weeks has been like the best roller coasters in the world, plunging from nearly 80 down into the 20s, and bringing with those plunges and rises in temperature an incredible wealth of diverse weather. Each change of weather brings along an equivalent change in our bodies. Seniors may suddenly get cold after years of being comfortably warm. But the weather changes don’t just affect older folks. They can also cause discomfort in much younger people. When we discuss dangers we face with our doctors, I’ve never had a doctor tell me to be careful not to expose myself to temperature extremes. So much of what I’ve learned has come from personal experience. For example, we once drove down to Detroit from Saginaw to attend a Detroit Tigers baseball game. It was late July. I was nine months pregnant and generally in good health. It was a hot July for Michigan, in the mid-90s and very humid. I felt sick to my stomach as we were driving, even with the windows open. The feeling continued as we walked into the stadium and up the stairs to our seats. I tried to enjoy the game, but kept feeling worse and worse, with breathing that became more difficult and the sense I was about to throw up or pass out. Finally, I got up to use the bathroom, and that didn’t help. If anything, it was getting more humid and I felt worse. I saw one of the workers there and told him I was afraid I was going to pass out. He hustled me to the medical facility where I was not the only person needing help. They took my temperature, which

Talk is cheap. Not talking can be deadly.

was 101 degrees, and gave me cool water to drink. At first the water made me gag, but in a few minutes my temperature dropped and I started to feel human again. They explained that I was on the verge of suffering heat stroke, but the water worked to cool my body and prevent that from happening. When I got back to my seat I felt a lot better, and I kept drinking water all the way back home. I didn’t really think of drinking water as a life-saving prevention at that time. It wasn’t until I lived in Salt Lake City that I noticed that most folks who lived there carried around water bottles, and I began that practice myself. We are rapidly heading toward the Southern summer season that stretches from April to November some years, so be good to yourself and pack your water with you, regardless of your age. Freezing it first will give you cold water for quite a while. + Marcia Ribble received her PhD in English at Michigan State and retired from the University of Cincinnati. She taught writing at the college level, most recently at Virginia College in Augusta, and loves giving voice to people who have been silenced. She can be reached at marciaribble@hotmail.com. Editor’s note: This encore column previously appeared in the Medical Examiner’s 3-7-14 issue.

+ +

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER By popular demand we’re making at-cost subscriptions available for the convenience of our readers. If you live beyond the Aiken-Augusta area or miss issues between doctor’s appointments — don’t you hate it when that happens? — we’ll command your mail carrier to bring every issue to your house! NAME ADDRESS CITY

STATE

ZIP

Choose ____ six months for $20; or ____ one year for $36. Mail this completed form with payment to Augusta Medical Examiner, PO Box 397, Augusta GA 30903-0397

TO OUR READERS AND OUR ADVERTISERS

+ 14

MARCH 6, 2015

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

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

...cleverly hidden (above the shrubs) in the p. 10 ad for OVERHEAD DOOR OF AUGUSTA/AIKEN Congratulations to JAMIE WILLIS, who scores a coveted Scrubs of Evans gift card, 2 movie passes courtesy of Health Center Credit Union, and a $20 Wild Wing Cafe gift certificate. 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

SENDING US A CLASSIFIED?

EXAMINER CLASSIFIEDS HOMES, APARTMENTS, ROOMMATES, LAND, ETC.

Augustagahomesearch.com Foreclosures • Rentals • MLS Roman Realty 706-564-5885

CONDO FOR RENT 2 bdrm 1 bath unfurn upstairs condo; carport; pool; outside laundry. Country Club Hills condos, Milledge Rd near GRU/ASU. $750/$750 dep. We furnish water, you pay electric. (706) 736-7168; email:ronst79@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS

ROOMMATE WANTED! 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath house with pool, 2 minutes from colleges. Perfect for medical or grad students. $425+share utils. 706.993.6082 WEST AUGUSTA House for rent. 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1500 sqft, 1-car garage, 3024 Sterling Road, located off Stevens Creek at Riverwatch Pkwy. $850/mo. Call 678467-7187. FOR SALE: GORGEOUS, immaculate, never occupied townhome located mins from Medical District. 2 bed, 2 bath, master en suite, walk-in closets, office. 1450 sq ft. hardwood floors throughout, fabulous upgrades, custom kitchen and baths. Floor to ceiling windows, fenced yard. Partially furnished! 120k OBO. 803-507-6621.

CEMETERY PLOTS Side-by-side cemetery plots for sale located at the Heart Section of Hillcrest Cemetery. $3600 for BOTH. (706) 798-8495

SERVICES HOUSE CLEANING Your house, apartment, rental move-outs. Thorough, dependable. Weekly, or whatever schedule you prefer. References. 706.267.9947 HEALTH CARE - CNA offering in-home care: companion/assist with daily activities, light housekeeping, meal prep, assist with ambulation, medication reminders, grocery shopping, Dr. appts, errands, etc. Since each person’s needs are different, I will consult with you one-on-one to discuss your needs. CALL 706.833.9787 BIBLE BY PHONE - Free daily Bible readings; for Spiritual Encouragement and Growth. Call 706-855-WORD (9673)

F. E. GILLIARD, MD FAMILY MEDICINE Acute & Chronic Illnesses Occupational Medicine PROMPT APPOINTMENTS 706-823-5250 NOTICE! ATTENTION! If any current or past employer has failed to pay you min. wage or time and a half overtime pay, you may be entitled to an order from US Federal Court awarding you twice the amount of your unpaid wages plus atty. fees. For info, call Arthur H. Shealy, Attorney at Law, 803-278-5149, 1010 Plantation Rd, North Augusta SC 29841. You may be entitled to a similar award for unpaid wages if your employer required you to perform duties during your lunch hour, before clocking in, or after clocking out. BUSINESS ASSISTANCE Ridiculously affordable and highly visible advertising available through the pages of Augusta’s Most Salubrious Newspaper, aka the Augusta Medical Examiner. Have you heard of it or seen a copy? Rates can be reviewed at AugustaRx.com. Questions? Send an e from the website, or call the publisher directly: Dan Pearson at 706.860.5455. or Email to Dan@AugustaRx.com

TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER! THE PUZZLE SOLVED

USE THE FORM BELOW AND MAIL IT IN, OR GO TO WWW.AUGUSTARX.COM AND PLACE & PAY CONVENIENTLY AND SAFELY ONLINE. THANKS!

WHAT’S YOUR DRUG OF CHOICE?

G R E G

Augusta Medical Examiner Classifieds

(OURS IS COFFEE)

D I E T

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING FORM Name Address Work number (if applicable) ( ) Home phone ( ) Category of ad (leave blank if unsure):

.75

1.00

1.25

1.50

1.75

2.00

2.25

2.50

2.75

3.00

3.25

3.50

3.75

4.00

4.25

4.50

4.75

5.00

5.25

5.50

5.75

6.00

6.25

6.50

6.75

7.00

7.25

7.50

7.75

8.00

8.25

8.50

8.75

9.00

AUGUSTA MEDICAL EXAMINER, PO BOX 397, AUGUSTA, GA 30903-0397 Total ad cost by number of words as shown above: $

A L I L N I E O W N I N I D E M O A D E N S R S B N E E V I T R I E M E

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

I R O N

E T U I

D A S H

O R A L

W I S N I D S

O L O G Y

N A V E L

B E D E

QUOTATION The Sudoku Solution

COFFEE IS GOOD MEDICINE

(Copy this form or continue on additional sheet if more space needed.)

Send this form with payment to:

E N Y A

D E N

QUOTATION PUZZLE SOLUTION: Page 12: “When men speak ill of thee live so nobody may believe them.” — Plato

AD COPY (one word per line; phone numbers MUST include the area code): .50

B L C O S T R

L L A M A

SEE PAGE 12

In case we need to contact you. These numbers will not appear in the ad.

.25

O I L E D

VISIT DRUGOFCHOICECOFFEE.COM

9 7 4 2 5 1 3 6 8

5 1 3 6 4 8 2 9 7

8 6 2 3 9 7 1 5 4

1 8 9 5 2 6 7 4 3

2 5 7 4 8 3 6 1 9

4 3 6 1 7 9 5 8 2

6 2 8 7 1 4 9 3 5

7 4 1 9 3 5 8 2 6

3 9 5 8 6 2 4 7 1

WORDS BY NUMBER “Some people find fault like there is a reward for it.” — Zig Ziglar

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.

Thanks for reading!

www.AugustaRx.com

MARCH 6, 2015

15 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DERMATOLOGY

ALLERGY

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

CHIROPRACTIC

Poppell Chiropractic Clinic 1106-A Furys Lane Martinez 30907 706-210-2875 Most insurance plans accepted

COUNSELING Resolution Counseling Professionals 3633 Wheeler Rd, Suite 365 Augusta 30909 706-432-6866 www.visitrcp.com

DENTISTRY

Karen L. Carter, MD 1303 D’Antignac St, Suite 2100 Augusta 30901 706-396-0600 www.augustadevelopmentalspecialists.com

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Group & Benefits Consultants Inc. 3515 Wheeler Rd, Bldg. C Augusta 30909 706-733-3459 www.groupandbenefits.com

Urgent MD Augusta: 706-922-6300 Grovetown: 706-434-3500 Thomson: 706-595-7825 Primary Care Rates

M.D.S:

Medical Services of America Hospice 4314-E Belair Frontage Rd. Augusta 30909 706-447-2626

LASER SERVICES Ideal Image 339 Fury’s Ferry Rd Martinez 30907 1-800-BE-IDEAL • www.idealimage.com Schedule a FREE Consultation

Medical Massage Stuart Farnell L.M.T. 803-646-1846 jsfarnell@att.net www.FarnellClinic.com

Steppingstones to Recovery 2610 Commons Blvd. Augusta 30909 706-733-1935

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

PHARMACY

F. E. Gilliard, MD Family Medicine 639 13th Street Floss ‘em or lose ‘em! Augusta 30901 706-823-5250 Industrial Medicine • Prompt appts.

Steven L. Wilson, DMD Family Dentistry 4059 Columbia Road Martinez 30907 706-863-9445

SENIOR LIVING

MEDICAL MASSAGE

DRUG REHAB

FAMILY MEDICINE

Jason H. Lee, DMD 116 Davis Road Augusta 30907 706-860-4048

RI B

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

DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICS

Evans Chiropractic Health Center Dr. William M. Rice 108 SRP Drive, Suite A 706-860-4001 www.evanschiro.net

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

HOSPICE

Medical Center West Pharmacy 465 North Belair Road Evans 30809 706-854-2424 www.medicalcenterwestpharmacy.com Parks Pharmacy 437 Georgia Ave. N. Augusta 29841 803-279-7450 www.parkspharmacy.com

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

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE Centered in Georgia Diane Young L.M.T. 4488 Columbia Rd Martinez 30907 706-251-2244

VEIN CARE Vein Specialists of Augusta G. Lionel Zumbro, Jr., MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI 501 Blackburn Dr, Martinez 30907 706-854-8340 www.VeinsAugusta.com

WEIGHT LOSS Medical Weight & Wellness Specialists of Augusta Maycie Elchoufi, MD 108 SRP Drive, Suite B Evans 30809 • 706-829-9906 www.mwwsAugusta.com

SUPPORT YOUR PRACTICE - AND THE MEDICAL EXAMINER A simple listing in the Professional Directory is less than $100 for six months or less than $200 for an entire year, and puts your contact information in front of 30,000 readers a month. CALL 706.860.5455 TODAY AND BE IN THE NEXT ISSUE

+ 16

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

MARCH 6, 2015

Lost in the maze? Why enter in the first place?

We know the way. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS • COMPLIANCE • WELLNESS • CONSULTING • EXCHANGES • PARTNERSHIPS • TECHNOLOGY

RUSSELL T. HEAD, CBC, CSA-PARTNER • 706-733-3459 • E: RTHEAD@GANDBC.COM • WWW.GROUPANDBENEFITS.COM