May12 17 by Daniel Pearson

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AIKEN-AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006 From our “Possibly Boring but Still Important News” Department

WATER WARS Attempt

id you know that May 7 - 13 is (or was, depending on when you read this) Drinking Water Week? True. Here’s hoping you and yours got all of your Drinking Water Week holiday shopping done in time. This special week, though, is more about infrastructure, things like making sure municipal water purification is done right and home plumbing is not built with lead pipes...that sort of thing. We’d like to address water from a different perspective: drinking the stuff. It’s quite a privilege, actually. We on Earth have the only verified liquid H20 in the known universe. Our home (the U.S.) has one of the safest public drinking water supplies in the world. Significantly, we’re more or less made of water; it’s our main ingredient. 60 percent of the body is composed of water, although some parts have even higher water content: muscles are said

to be 75 percent water, the brain 85 percent. Naturally, that means we need water to survive. And we’re constantly losing water. Every breath we exhale involves a tiny loss of water. Every visit to the bathroom (#1 or #2) means more water loss. So does perspiration, which happens more than we realize. If you think everyone agrees we all should drink more water (whether they personally do it or not), you’re wrong. Believe it or not, the need to drink water is a highly controversial subject. For starters there’s the so-called “8x8” rule, that we should all drink eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day. That is, indeed, a medical myth, although it’s one that stubbornly refuses to die and quietly go away. It’s not that the basic facts are false — we definitely need water — it’s that we can and do Please see WATER page 2

MAY 12, 2017

Part P of a 26-part series

FAKE NEWS

With all the headlines about fake news these days, let’s not forget about the very real and very important subject of fake medicine. Fake medicine and the placebo effect is so powerful that it is in large part the standard against which all new drugs are measured. Imagine being a pharmaceutical researcher and spending tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars and years of research to bring a new drug to market, and when it’s ready for testing, your new drug’s performance and efficacy is measured against a placebo. What is a placebo? A medicine that has no active ingredient. Well, you might think, that sets a very low bar for new drugs. All they have to do is be better than a fake drug. But that’s the amazing thing. In test after test where no one knew whether they were taking a real drug or a fake drug, people taking the placebo often say they experience genuine relief from their pain or lack of mobility or nausea or whatever they think the drug is supposed to do. (Usually study participants are never told if the drug they took or were given was the real thing or the placebo.) On the other hand, in many studies people experience the “nocebo” effect. Placebo is Latin for “I shall please,” while nocebo means “I

IS FOR PLACEBO shall harm.” Oddly enough, people unknowingly taking a placebo have given researchers a list of nocebo effects caused by the inert medicine they received: sleeplessness, nausea, dizziness, constipation, headaches, shortness of breath. In one study, about 275 people with severe arm pain were recruited to participate in a clinical trail measuring the effectiveness of acupuncture versus treatment with pain pills. Half received pain medication, half got acupuncture treatment. A few dozen people in each group experienced side effects, which is normal and to be expected. Some of the acupuncture recipients had pain, redness and swelling at the site of the needle injections, while some Please see PLACEBO page 15

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WATER… from page 1 get plenty of water from sources that look a lot like milk and tomatoes and orange juice and coffee and celery and hundreds of other foods and beverages. As you might imagine, though, it takes a lot of celery to equal the amount supplied by a single glass of water. As for liquids, some of them from a health and hydration standpoint amount to one step forward, one step back. More about that momentarily. Another aspect of the drinking water controversy is related to the spurious 8 glasses a day rule. Ask any conspiracy theorist and they will gladly tell you the 8per-day rule is the creation, not of Big Pharma, but of Big Water, and they have used it along with dehydration fear-mongering to create a billion dollar industry. Along the way, billions upon billions of plastic water bottles are filling landfills, littering beaches and floating about in the middle of the ocean. Let’s retrace our steps and look at the two primary controversies. “Rule 8” has been around a long time, but article after article will report no scientific studies to back up claims that we need 8 glasses of water per day. On the other hand, in 2004 the well respected Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended, not 64 ounces of water per day, but 91 ounces. However, that daily recommendation is for total fluid intake from food and beverages. Many common foods are mostly water, including lettuce (95%), grapefruit (91%), milk (89%), carrots (87%), yogurt (85%) and apples (84%). Dietitians estimate that on average 20 percent of our fluid intake comes from food, the remaining 80 percent from water and other beverages. Any hint of dehydration detected in the Many researchers have traced the brain’s hypothalamus triggers the release earliest 8-per-day recommendation back of antidiuretic hormones that react to the mid-1940s, so it isn’t the sinister upon the kidneys to enable water to be creation of the bottled water industry. extracted into the bloodstream. We see Even so, it would be hard to imagine the result of this process in concentrated, them doing anything to dispel the myth. dark-colored urine, a signal we need to If we could travel back to the 1940s drink more water. + and the birth of The Rule of 8, it would not be easy to convince people that within a few decades people will pay outrageous amounts of money for bottled water. The industry averages a 4,000 percent markup, meaning that a $2 bottle of water costs a nickel to produce and ship. Bottled water is more expensive than gasoline. And according to news reports, anywhere from 25 to 40 percent of bottled water is straight up tap water anyway. Locally, Columbia County charges $2.24 per 1,000 gallons for low volume users. Some people pay more than that for one 16 oz. bottle. The industry has diversified beyond plain tap water, offering flavors, caffeinated and carbonated/sparkling versions and others with added vitamins and electrolytes. They might look like plain water, but they are definitely kitchen chemistry. Although it grieves many a pure water advocate to even think about it, health experts say that every beverage we drink contributes to our overall hydration, including high calorie sugary-sweet teeth-rotting nutritionally bankrupt soft drinks. After all, their #1 ingredient is water. But a lot of baggage comes with that water. Among the many one-step-back aspects of soft drinks is their sugar content, which brings added calories and added body weight, as well as significant Dehydration occurs when we lose potential for tooth decay. more fluids than we consume. Causes Does caffeine cancel out liquid can include diarrhea and vomiting, consumption? Interestingly, a National side effects of some medications, and Institutes of Health study and another excessive sweating during physical published in PLOS ONE showed no activity, especially during hot weather. It significant change in hydration among can be reversed by drinking fluids, but heavy coffee drinkers. The NIH authors severe dehydration requires immediate noted an acquired tolerance to caffeine’s medical treatment. + diuretic action among regular coffee drinkers; the PLOS ONE study concluded “there were no significant differences across a wide range of haematological and urinary markers of hydration status,” suggesting that coffee “provides similar hydrating qualities to water.” Clinical studies have shown that drinking water is not by itself an effective weight loss tool — it satisfies thirst, not hunger — but it can be if a cola drinker goes cola cold turkey and replaces those soft drinks with water. Does the lack of clinical evidence supporting the need to drink 8 glasses of water each day mean we don’t need to drink it? Quite the opposite. Water is a virtual necessity for life. The page 1 picture doesn’t say the standard “Do not attempt.” It says the opposite. Water is the perfect and best liquid to drink to keep the body hydrated and functioning. It’s available everywhere and is practically free — unless you opt for the needless expense of bottled water. The only question is quantity. The human body is finely tuned to alert us to its needs. As long as we obey our thirst we’ll be just fine. +

ANATOMY OF THIRST

DEHYDRATION IS REAL

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Dear Advice Doctor, We have a new co-worker who is rather easy on the eyes, if you catch my drift, but as a new employee she really doesn’t know anything. She needs training, but to be perfectly blunt she’s lazy and seems uninterested in learning any job skills whatsoever. Apparently she was hired solely on the basis of her sex appeal. To make matters worse, we discovered she is getting paid more than any of us. We’re getting peanuts — some of us after ten years with the company — and this new bimbo is raking it in just for showing up. What do you think we should do? — Pretty Penny (That’s my pay, not my name) Dear Penny, This is a serious issue — possibly life and death — so I’m glad you took the time to write. It’s also fraught with controversy. One of the fi rst steps your employer should take is to post warning signs alerting people who might have a peanut allergy so they are aware before entering the establishment. No one knows exactly why, but peanut allergies are on the rise in Western cultures. It is one of the most common causes of food-related death, although the numbers are still very small. A British Medical Journal article found that the rate of death from all food allergies among children was one death per 16 million children per year between 1990 and 2000. The allergy rate as reported by parents (15%) was much higher than the actual rate found upon testing (1%). While peanut allergies are definitely real, some researchers say media sensationalism has painted an exaggerated picture of the scope of the problem. In fact, one source says of the 30 million annual U.S. hospitalizations nationwide, just 2,000 are from food allergies — not peanuts alone, but all food allergies — and only about 150 deaths per year are the result of food allergies. Anyone who suspects a peanut allergy should definitely be tested to get a definite diagnosis. It could save a life — or free a person from needlessly avoiding peanuts. + Do you have a question for The Advice Doctor about life, love, personal relationships, career, raising children, or any other important topic? Send it to News@AugustaRx.com. Replies will be provided only in Examiner issues.

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(706) 860-5455 www.AugustaRx.com • E-mail: graphicadv@knology.net Opinions expressed by the writers herein are their own and/or their respective institutions. Neither the Augusta Medical Examiner, Pearson Graphic 365 Inc., or its agents or employees take any responsibility for the accuracy of submitted information, which is presented for general informational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnosis and treatment, consult your doctor. The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. SPIN AL

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#43 IN A SERIES

OLD NEWS

Who is this?

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

EMPTY NEST SYNDROME

oes the name Norman Shumway ring a bell? It should, but we’re wondering if he’s a victim of that human tendency to remember the winner, the first, the foremost, and to forget all about the guy who finished in second place. Norman Shumway wasn’t the first in his field, but a strong argument could certainly be made that he was the foremost. Shumway, seen above, was a cardiac surgeon who became so prominent in the field that he is known as the father of heart transplantation. But he wasn’t the first to perform a successful human heart transplant. That distinction goes to Christiaan Barnard, a South African surgeon who, not coincidentally, was a classmate of Dr. Shumway’s at the University of Minnesota medical school. On December 3, 1967, Barnard operated on Louis Washkansky, a 54-year-old grocer, transplanting the heart of a brain dead 23year-old woman who had been hit by a car while crossing a street in Cape Town the day before. Although Washkansky’s life was only extended by 18 days, the operation was considered a success, spawning more than 100 other heart transplants around the world during the following year, including the first one ever in the U.S., performed by Dr. Shumway on Jan. 6, 1968. But the surgical triumph — and the patients — were shortlived. By 1971, of the first 170 heart transplant recipients, only 24 were still alive. Either infection or tissue rejection struck down the other 146, and the procedure fell into disfavor. There was only one American surgeon who continued: Norman Shumway. He realized that tackling the high death rate was not going to happen in the operating room; it had to be solved in the lab. The complex problem of tissue rejection had to be addressed. Shumway and his team devised a real-time method for spotting tissue rejection that avoided putting patients on a steady diet of dangerous immunosuppressive drugs. Using a catheter to monitor heart tissue, drugs were administered only when tissue rejection appeared to be increasing. At about the same time halfway around the world, a fungus growing in the soil of a fjord in Norway was discovered to contain a substance with “exquisite” immunosuppressant properties. The substance, cyclosporin, was fi rst used for heart transplantation by Shumway, revolutionizing and revitalizing organ transplant programs around the world. Using it, Shumway in 1981 performed the world’s first combined heart-lung transplant on a patient who lived five more years and wrote a book about her experience. While still an undeniably major operation, heart transplants are today considered relatively routine, with some 3,500 procedures taking place every year, the majority in the United States. CedarsSinai Medical Center in Los Angeles alone performed 132 adult transplants during 2015. The main reason there are not more transplants is a shortage of donors. At the time of Shumway’s death in 2007, one day after his 83rd birthday, Stanford University, where Shumway was professor emeritus of cardiothoracic surgery, noted that more than 60,000 people in the United States have enjoyed longer lives because they received new hearts through transplant programs. +

am a mother, so I can’t speak to the feelings of fathers. But an educated guess would be that they feel the loss too. When a grown child either leaves for college or an apartment/house of their own, the atmosphere of the home certainly changes. If you have more than one child, the loss is no less acute. However, once the last child is out of the house the change is profound because now routines change. All your time which was taken up with what you did for your son or daughter is now free. It’s time for a positive outlook. A sense of loss is common, but it will pass. You raise your children to be independent, self-reliant and confident. So when they leave and are successful, it is a joyous time because that’s what you want for them. You have done your job well. There is no need to call their apartment or dorm every day. It may give you some reassurance

to do this, but you won’t do them any favors by constant contact and believe me, it most likely isn’t welcome anyway. Boundaries and rules about contact will help. Research shows that marital satisfaction improves for empty nesters. You can begin to grow your life together in the direction of your next step while still being there for your children. For a single parent this can be a time of personal freedom which previously couldn’t be enjoyed. You can take up a hobby or renew one you put on hold while raising the kids. You now have the time and freedom to reconnect with friends

and focus on the things you enjoy in life that you didn’t have time for when the kids were little. This is a time of great adjustment for the whole family and especially for parents, it is a time to learn to let go. It also can be a second (or third) honeymoon. Don’t give in to the dark side: guilt. Bbe happy and have fun. It is bittersweet to see your child pack up and go. It’s real circle of life stuff, but look at it as a new adventure for you, and new beginnings as a couple and between you and your child. It’s amazing how much more children appreciate their parents once they have been out on their own for a while. Even if they are just going off to college, having to develop the discipline to take care of laundry, finding their way around a grocery store and being totally on their own to get up, get to class or a parttime job on time is a lot for some young people. After my eldest daughter left for college and had to start doing her own laundry, I got a call from her asking how I did the wash for six people every day in addition to everything else. I laughed and told her: “It all comes down to organization, darling, and yes, I miss you too.” +

MYTH OF THE MONTH I think I have Alzheimer’s Hopefully you are wrong. In most cases the person with Alzheimer’s has no idea that his cognitive impairment has become as bad as it is. That unfortunate realization is left to others. “I lose my keys ten times a day” might jokingly seem to be all the facts necessary for a diagnosis — and indeed, misplacing things can be a symptom of Alzheimer’s — but the classic illustration of Alzheimer’s disease is that the person who loses his car keys all the time doesn’t have Alzheimer’s; it’s the person who holds up his car keys and doesn’t know what they’re for who does. Of course, most people who say they suspect they have Alzheimer’s are only kidding, but

Alzheimer’s is no joking matter. 2010 statistics listed it as the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, and cases of the disease rose by 46 percent between 2000 and 2006. During that same period, deaths from stroke, prostate cancer, breast cancer, heart disease and HIV all dropped. If you suspect that a loved one truly might have Alzheimer’s, schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. Early diagnosis offers the maximum benefit from currently available treatments. + — by F. E. Gilliard, MD, Family Medicine 4244 Washington Road, Evans, GA 30809 706-760-7607

MAY 12, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

WHAT EVERYBODY OUGHT TO KNOW res? ABOUT HE AND SHE

k good eno r skin can ugh cer? son.”

o k

his is a story about He and She. I use pronouns as nouns because they both still breathe God’s good air somewhere near you. She is to be admired, loved, and accepted. He is to be hated, feared, and rejected. She came up average until her hormones hit. Then She shot up to 5’10” with a sleek figure, warm personality, and quick smile. After high school, She hit the job market. Her looks and personality opened doors. Getting a job was easy. Keeping them was another matter. Too many Hes saw Her as a conquest to be had. She resisted. It did not serve job longevity well. Every He wanted to take her places. She did to always resist. Dates. Dinner. Clubs. Hotel restaurants. To his place to watch TV. Overnight trips. She had a weakness: She believed what people told her. That was Her family’s mindset. Trusting, honest, Christian people. Gradually She came to think her brain did not matter, just her body. And truly She had a body that mattered. She came to peace with dancing in upscale Gentleman’s Clubs. The money was good, even great. Her wardrobe exploded, in quality and quantity. Free trips were a dime a dozen. Anywhere she wanted to go. But then one of the He’s invited her for a two-week trip to Alaska. They traveled well. A fun trip. New places to see. New people. But two weeks morphed into three weeks, then four. Money ran short. She wanted to go home. “No,” He said, “Get a job.” She refused. He beat her and put her to work in a low rent strip club. The beatings were orchestrated to avoid leaving marks that could not be covered with make up. Damaged merchandise gets no great tips. She was totally captive. He took her money every night so she could never afford to escape his will or Him. She didn’t give up that easy. She stole away into the night

with just the clothes on her back and her one night’s pay. She was homeless in a foreign society. No family to reach out to. Eventually She was taken in by a troubled woman who gave her shelter from Her momentary storm. But it came with a price. She had a place to live, food to eat, and no more prying hands in low-rent strip joints. She was given Her first marijuana and later other mild drugs. She was a live-in lesbian lover. No violence. No beatings. Lesbianism was not Her thing. It was a mechanical duty, like washing the dishes or cleaning bathrooms. She came to function that way. It had no personal impact. Just a way to survive. But Her heart and home were in the South, not the frigid Land of the Eskimo. And away from there she was determined to go. When She accumulated enough money, she went home. Back to questioning family. She was received with varying degrees of acceptance. It was hard. A semi-outcast in Her own family. She delved into regular life, got married after awhile, had a son. Worked in accounting for a small company. She surfed Facebook more than necessary. Posted striking pictures of Herself. Her family. Her dog. Lots of family stuff. But she published too much. She trusted too much. She posted that She and a cousin were going shopping for clothes. She had a thing for clothes. A new Facebook He saw the post. His Facebook profile picture was the Joker. He invitation was smooth. “I closed my clothing store and have leftover merchandise in my home. Come over and look through them. You can have whatever you want.” She trusted. “OK. I’ll bring my cousin.” “No. By yourself.” “Not without my cousin. She has good taste.” “Well, Ok.” His house looked innocent enough. Average neighborhood. He was charming, but gruff. He had a wide array of women’s clothes, all on hangers. She did

E TH

Bes not notice the absence of labels. She and her cousin selected a few clothes and left. But the next day she was back. Free clothes were too good to pass up. They became intimate. He secretly videoed the act, then sent the video to all her friends and her current livein boyfriend, who threw her clothes out and changed the locks. Immediately she was homeless again. She had not place to go. She could not leave Him. A new He owned her. Beatings came next. He took her phone. Her car keys. Her money. She lost her job. One night She fought back. But She was no match for his massive evilness and viciousness. He beat her severely. She escaped out the window to her cousin who made a two minute video of her wounds. The list of injuries is too long to itemize here, but a sampling will turn your stomach: broken nose, concussion, 2-inch laceration of scalp, bleeding ear, multiple lacerations of her mouth, black eye, contused sacrum, bruises too numerous to count. You get the picture. Now She cares for an infirm relative in exchange for sleeping on his couch. But at least there are no sexual demands, no beatings, no mental torture. And Him? She went to the police. He was arrested. Bonded out in less that 24 hours. The case was dropped because She dared not risk appearing in court due to threats on her body and life. He posted not-so-vague threats on Facebook. He is fearless in his self-appointed evilness. Many of her clothes are now in His collection to bait the next victim. He gets suspicious packages in the mail from the

IS IT JUST US? or is it getting salubrious in here?

ine c i d E tM

west coast. He walks among us in innocent glory. She hides in fear, feeling the sensation of impending doom. She cries when She confides in me. (Where I grew up, we had a Special Committee who took care of problems like Him. But for better or worse, those days are long gone.) Why do I tell this sad tale? Because trusting too much is a weakness in your armament for survival. Because you are honest, caring, loving, and good does not mean the one before you thinks the same way. Question always why someone does something for you. He has a reason that benefits him. Know the reason. Weigh it carefully. Is it worth the risk? We tell children to not take

candy from strangers in the park. The same principle applies in adulthood. Every transaction is a twoway street, be it financial, civil, or emotional. Every trap is baited with something the target desires or craves. Before you take, know what you must give in return. And keep Her in your prayers. She is strong. She will survive. One day she will thrive. There is hope as long as She is alive. And me? If my thoughts were bullets, he would look like a cheese grater. Ragged holes most everywhere. Some strategically placed. +

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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Southern Girls Eat Clean “Sweet Annie” Kale Salad I’m going to be ‘short and sweet’ about this heavenly salad. Let’s break down the name. “Sweet” Who doesn’t like foods with that word in the title...even if the color of that food happens to be green? “Annie” The name of my newest grand daughter...enough said!!! “Kale” Well, here is where the rubber meets the road. People like to complain about kale, but like my mama always said, “They just need a recipe worthy of it.” (Actually, I don’t think my mama said that...I think it was actually me...oh well...it sounds very southern!). Even self-proclaimed kalehaters love this salad, and I’ve seen proof of that over and over as friends and family gobble it up with compliments to boot. The touch of garlic is a welcome surprise...and all of these flavors mingled together are wonderful. Dark, leafy greens are rich in antioxidants and a host of vitamins (C, E and K) that benefit our health. And when it tastes this good...why not? Whip up a batch today and make plenty: the kale will wilt even though you start out with a bowl big enough to feed a whole crew. The end result is enough to feed a family...but it’s a bowl full of tasty goodness!! Ingredients: • 1 large bunch of curly kale, washed, dried and torn into medium bite-sized pieces • 2 organic gala apples, cored, washed and diced (no need to peel) • 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds • 1/4 cup raw honey • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil • 1 medium clove garlic, minced • 1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)

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Sweet Annie Kale Salad Instructions: Put all ingredients in a large bowl and ‘massage’ the honey/olive oil into the kale for about 5 minutes. The kale will soften and wilt, taking on the sweetness of the honey and apples. (if the bunch of kale is especially large, increase the honey and olive to 1/3 cup each). Enjoy! +

Cinde White is a certified health/recovery coach (myhdiet.com) and a certified introductory wellness chef (cindewhite. towergarden.com or cindewhite.juiceplus.com and southerngirlseatclean.com)

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ealthcare advocates are always campaigning about the benefits of handwashing in the fight against disease. They sound like a broken record, and with good reason: according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), some healthcare providers practice hand hygiene less than half as often as they should. According to the CDC, hand sanitizing could be medically indicated as many as 100 times during a 12-hour shift. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anyone who did that would have hands so dry and chapped they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t provide any level of care!â&#x20AC;? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re happy to report that claim is false. Not only do alcoholbased hand sanitizers reduce skin irritation compared to soap and water (right now weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re gazing at a bottle of CVS hand sanitizer with aloe and vitamin E), but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re more effective at killing germs. And alcohol-based sanitizers do their better job faster. Plus thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no need to find a sink, then wash and dry. Hand sanitizers are uniquely portable for instant use almost anywhere. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, but alcohol-based hand sanitizers cause antibiotic resistance.â&#x20AC;? Again, false. Where are you getting your information? Not to brag or anything, but our source is the CDC, and they

say that the antimicrobial properties of alcohol are attributable to its ability to denature proteins. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Alcohols] kill germs quickly and in a different way than antibiotics...There is no chance for the germ to adapt or develop resistance.â&#x20AC;? Hand sanitizers with an alcohol content of at least 60 percent are most effective at denaturing proteins. A few caveats and precautions are in order. Spores from Clostridium. Difficile, a common infection in healthcare settings, are not killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Anyone who treats a patient with C. Difficile should wear gloves and then wash their hands with soap and water afterward. In no case is glove use a substitute for proper hand sanitation. It is easy to contaminate your hands while removing gloves. Incidentally, it can be prudent to change gloves during a single exam of a single patient, for instance when moving from a contaminated or infected body site to one that is clean and uninfected. When using alcoholbased sanitizers, rub the product in thoroughly on the entire surface of the hands, including finger tips and between fingers. Be sure to use enough sanitizer. With soap and water, wash for at least 15 seconds. Proper, regular and conscientious hand hygiene is a win for patients, healthcare providers, family members... for everyone. Well, not for the germs. +

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MAY 12, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Ask a Dietitian

beverages such as low fat milk with the meals. Hope this summer grows colorful, nutritious, kid-approved foods! Have fun in the sun!

GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES

WHAT ABOUT PICKY EATERS? by Kristen Middleton, RD, LD

It’s time for some summer fun, including diving into planning all of the meals and snacks for your kiddos for the next three months! This can be daunting for some parents, especially if their child is a picky eater. Hopefully, these steps can get your child to eat healthy and have a meal that is seasoned with fun! Seize opportunities to: • TEACH THE RAINBOW - Shopping at the local farmers’ markets can provide a perfect opportunity to teach your child the importance of supporting the local community and also reveal an environment where they can learn new fruits and vegetables. Try playing the “Reach for the Rainbow” game, which can teach the younger children to learn their colors, while giving the older children a chance to be a part of planning future meals. Consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides important phytonutrients that help fight off diseases such as diabetes and heart disease and even depression. • CULTIVATE A GARDEN - A study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shows that through gardening, a child can have the opportunity to develop nutritional knowledge, and it may also increase the child’s intake of fruits and vegetables. It’s significant for kids to develop confidence when it comes to what they eat. Gardening gives kids the opportunity to choose the seeds they want to plant and grow. Children can taste-test fruits and vegetables straight from their own backyard or even just a sunny patio area or windowsill. For children struggling with taste, texture, and picky-eating tendencies during meal times, gardening can provide a different experience with foods. It can take up to 15 exposures to a food before some kids will even consider consuming it. • To learn some basics of gardening, visit www. kidsgarding.org for some terrific resources.

• EMBRACE THE POWER OF PLATING – When trying new foods, make sure that you are serving the same foods on both your plate and your child’s. Children really do learn by example! Also, try arranging vegetable sticks, grapes, and tomatoes, etc., into faces on your child’s plate. Use hummus, guacamole or ranch dressing as fun dips to add some flavor to veggies. Add strawberries, raspberries or blueberries to yogurt for a way to increase a child’s fiber intake. The more colors on a plate, the more a child will have opportunities to learn. Remember to start slowly. Add one new food at a time alongside the regular meal to prevent children from becoming overwhelmed. • Some great kid-friendly recipes can be found at www.fruitsandv eggiesmorematters.org. • BE CREATIVE - When extreme picky eating is a concern, vegetables and fruit can be pureed and added inside another dish (see recipe for Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with sweet potato puree). This is a great way to get some extra nutrition into a kidfriendly food! In addition to purees, make sure to offer the whole food too so the child

can learn taste and textures and visually affiliate the taste with the food. Here are the recommended goals for children’s intake of fruits and vegetables: VEGETABLE GOALS: Children 2-3 years old 4-8 years old

1 cup 1-1⁄2 cups

Girls

9-13 years old 14-18 years old

2 cups 2-1⁄2 cups

Boys

9-13 years old 14-18 years old

2-1⁄2 cups 3 cups

FRUIT GOALS: Children 2-3 years old 4-8 years old

1 cup 1 to 1-1⁄2 cups

Girls

9-13 years old 1-1/2 cups 14-18 years old 1-1⁄2 cups

Boys

9-13 years old 1-1⁄2 cups 14-18 years old 2 cups

adapted from www.frutisandveggiesmattersmore.org

• KEEP THEM HUNGRY - A child’s appetite can be affected by a variety of things. It is common for children to graze (i.e. consuming small bites of food or juice/sweetened beverages etc. throughout the day) instead of eating 3 full meals. When children drink sweetened beverages right before a meal, that can be enough for them to lose their appetite. Keep meals on schedule and serve nutritious

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Prep: 5 minutes Total time: 15 minutes Serves 2 Ingredients: 1⁄2 cup shredded reduced fat Cheddar cheese 1⁄2 cup sweet potato puree 1 TB butter 1⁄4 tsp of salt 4 slices whole-wheat bread Nonstick cooking spray 1 tsp olive oil • In a medium bowl, mix the cheese, vegetable puree, margarine, and salt. Spread two slices of the bread with the cheese mixture and top with the other two slices. • Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add the oil. Put

the sandwiches in the pan and spray the tops with cooking spray. Cook 4- minutes per side, until the bread is crisp and the fi lling is melted. Sweet potato puree: Cut whole sweet potatoes into quarters and steam for 40-45 minutes. Scoop out the flesh and puree in a food processor or blender. A large batch can be made and frozen for later use. + Resources: eatright.org fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org Journal of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Deceptively Delicious. Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food by Jessica Seinfeld

+ 10

MAY 12, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER First Impressions • How does it “feel” and “smell” when you tour it? • Did you schedule a tour or did you just “show up”?

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Staffing • What is the staff-to-resident ratio? • How do they calculate the staff-to-resident ratio? • What is their system to ensure that there are always enough caregivers? • How often do they check on each resident? Health & Wellness • If the person lives in a locked unit, are they allowed to leave the unit — with supervision — to interact with the other residents? • How do they ensure that your loved one drinks/eats enough? • Who handles the scheduled activities so that the residents do not go without stimulation?

Insurance & Cost • Will the facility help file long-term care insurance if someone wants to use his or her policy? • What are the hidden costs, if any? Examples of hidden costs: • Requiring use of in-house pharmacy instead of a less expensive alternative • Incontinence supplies must be purchased by resident • Fee charged for a resident who needs/wants a special diet + For the last decade, Amy Hane has been committed to serving the CSRAby guiding those going through mental, physical and social issues related to caring for an aging or disabled loved one. She holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of South Carolina, is a licensed Master Social Worker in South Carolina and Georgia, an Advanced Professional Aging Life Care Manager and a Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager.

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

Will he ever get one right? Probably not.

Questions. And answers. On page 3.

OUR NEXT ISSUE DATE: MAY 26

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MAY 12, 2017

11 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

The blog spot From the Bookshelf — posted by Linda Girgis, MD, on May 5, 2017

HOW SHOULD OPIOIDS BE PRESCRIBED? According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. in the midst of a major public health crisis regarding the misuse of opioid medications.| Today, more people die of overdoses related to the use of opioids than any other drug or medication. In fact, opioid deaths (including the use of heroin) have quadrupled since 1999. Approximately 650,000 prescriptions are written for opioid medications every day in the U.S. During the same day, about 78 die from overdose related to opioids. However, the ones that perhaps suffer the most are those patients who truly have pain. Many doctors are now reluctant to prescribe these medications. And there are new laws being passed in order to stem the rising epidemic. Patients who need these medications for their medical problems are often made to feel like they are drug addicts and get denied these medications. For healthcare providers, it is often not easy to differentiate patients who may be in fact suffering chronic pain or those seeking these prescriptions illicitly.

We all play a role

How should opioids be prescribed? • Check state prescription databases. Most states now have online sites for healthcare providers to view prescriptions for controlled substances for a given patient. While this has been a great aid, deficiencies still exist. For instance, these records often do not cross state lines although patients do. • Review records. It may be clear in some cases that a patient has an issue with abusing opioids. Also, we should make sure a patient has a condition that legitimately requires the use of opioids. • Limit the number of pills. It is very easy for medications to fall into the wrong hands when there are too many lying around. That is why limits prescriptions to these drugs to a month supply only. • Have the patients sign a pain contract. In this contract, the patient agrees to receiving prescriptions for these medications from only one physician and from only one pharmacy. • Perform random drug screens. These are done to verify the patient is taking the prescribed medication. Opioids have a high street value and subject to diversion. Also, the risk of overdose is higher if a patient is abusing other drugs. • Do not prescribe other medications concomitantly that are known to increase overdose risk, such as benzodiazepines. • Have frequent follow-ups with the patient. • Refer to specialists, such as pain management doctors, to explore other options. Unfortunately, opioid abuse occurs in all races and socioeconomic levels. There is really no way to predict who may fall victim to opioid addiction. Also, it affects patients of all ages. In many areas, opioids are observed to be a gateway to IV heroin use, and we are seeing a resurgence of this drug. It is affecting teenagers as well. People point the blame in many directions. Some blame big pharmaceutical companies who misrepresented the addiction potential. Others point the blame at doctors for prescribing these medications. Still, others blame a weakness in individuals for falling victim to this addiction. We all play a role in ending the abuse. It will never be resolved until we all step into that role. + Linda Girgis is a family physician who blogs at Dr. Linda.

Kirkus Review: “A doctor’s experiences in a unique corner of the medical world.” At Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco, the doctors and nurses provide long-term care for the sick poor; the working and living environments are unlike that of any other hospital in the country. Physician Sweet accepted a job at Laguna Honda since they were willing to offer her a part-time position (extremely rare at the time), and she was interested in continuing to practice medicine while simultaneously pursuing a doctorate in the history of medicine. What was originally supposed to be a months-long stopover turned into a career spanning more than 20 years and countless life-altering realizations about the nature of medicine. In the dozen or so patient success stories, Sweet’s warm, anecdotal style shines brightest. The author’s compelling argument for Laguna Honda’s philosophy of “slow medicine” will make readers contemplate if perhaps the body should be viewed more as a garden to be tended rather than a machine to

be fixed. UTNE review: At Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco, the last almshouse in the United States, health care is almost unrecognizably, well, hospitable. A nurse knits blankets for the patients in her care, and multi-bed wards invite positive social interaction between the long-term and the terminally ill. Time is an ample resource for gardening, for community, and, most importantly, for healing. But even this oasis of humane care is not free from the pressure to maximize efficiency:

A changing administration threatens to pull Laguna Honda into the fast-paced world of modern medicine, where doctor-patient relationships are sacrificed and hospital stays are cut to the minimum. This is where Dr. Victoria Sweet discovers that inefficient health care—the kind that allows a doctor to make an unhurried and accurate diagnosis, and to demonstrate commitment to the patient’s healing process—may be the most cost-effective approach. Sweet paints a dynamic portrait of Laguna Honda over a 20year span, taking sabbaticals for a PhD in Hildegard von Bingen’s premodern medicine and a 1,200-mile pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela that inform her philosophy on the merits of slow medicine. God’s Hotel by Victoria Sweet is at its core testimonial to the body’s remarkable ability to heal when it is provided with the simple ingredients of time and care. + God’s Hotel — A Doctor, A Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine by Victoria Sweet, 432 pages, published in 2013 by Riverhead Books

will work for YOUR PRAC TICE

That’s what our Professional Directory is for. See page 15. Doctors, we can help you reach new patients and make it convenient for current patients to connect with your office. Call us today — 706.860.5455 — to add your listing to the Medical Examiner’s Professional Directory.

OUR NEXT ISSUE DATE: MAY 26

+ 12

MAY 12, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE EXAMiNERS

THE MYSTERY WORD

I imagine working at a hospital can be traumatic at times.

It’s not really all that bad.

by Dan Pearson

Don’t you treat a lot of gnarly combat injuries?

But I thought you told me you work at Eisenhower.

Not really.

I do. At Starbucks in the front lobby.

The Mystery Word for this issue: PLANSI

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. Of the ear 5. Frau’s partner 9. Incline 13. Calypso music from Trinidad 14. Hip bone 16. Islamic chieftain 17. Some are said to be white 18. Slant 19. Aquatic bird 20. Dated 22. Chemical (atomic #53) 24. Wedding words 25. Blue Goose, in brief 26. Blvd. in medical district 28. Sigh of pleasure 29. Building where 48-A works 32. Biopsy destination 33. AU, once upon a time 34. Nobel Prize winner in Literature (1936) 36. Cleckley/Thigpen title woman 37. Grand ___ 38. Mr. Floyd 39. British can 40. A of ABC 42. In place of 43. Small amount 44. Brain ____ 45. Not many 46. Type of fracture 48. Mr. Morris to friends 50. No in Scotland 51. Capital of Dominica 53. About 57. Medical specialist (abbrev) 58. Rule of ______ (in burns) 61. Animal hunted for food 62. Swinging barrier 63. Swelling

8 15

53 58

R L L E C U S W W E D L R L Y O R F Y N D O I R I R I A O E F N I Y O E U S N E Y T U L A Y H L T

31 35

QUOTATION PUZZLE

Click on “READER CONTESTS”

VISIT WWW.AUGUSTARX.COM

61 64

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.

64. Type of chair 65. Scent 66. Downtown Bar 67. Otherwise DOWN 1. Scandinavian capital 2. Labor 3. Chilled 4. Late Augusta historian Ed 5. Prefix relating to tissue 6. Building add-on, sometimes 7. Cap. of Brazil (until 1960) 8. Indonesian currency 9. Former employee? 10. Corner of note 11. Bog 12. “As needed” in med. 15. Catcall 21. Large CSRA employer 23. ______ Craig 25. ______ reflex 26. Jefferson of note 27. Famous film critic

— Sicilian proverb

28. Knee injury ltrs. 30. Brandon ________ 31. Kettering’s partner 32. Meadow 33. Augusta’s ____ Park 34. Canoe power 35. High tennis shot 37. Dwight’s better half 38. What you do with 34 & 46-D 41. Charlie of local note 42. Frivolous; unsubstantial 45. Liquids 46. Scull implement 47. My ______; friends; kin 49. Road division 50. Type of cavity 51. Peruse 52. Be _____ someone; leery 54. European mountain range 55. _____ flash 56. Unit of force 57. Self-esteem 59. Natal beginning 60. Flightless bird

X A M I N E R

1 2 5

6 1

7 9 6 3 8 4 1 3 2

8 6 2 3 1

8 4

9 3

U D O K U

5 9 6 7

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

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4

1 2 3

K 1 2 3 4 5

U 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4

W 1 2 3

O 1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 3

1 2 3 4 5 6

1.AWWSSTTTTMMPN 2.PHEEEHHAHIROO 3.KRILEEONANOOO 4.AUSPEEEN 5.SLENK 6.ATE 7.N 8.D

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!

MAY 12, 2017

13 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE BEST MEDICINE

death row inmate is scheduled to be executed by firing squad. He refuses a last meal and makes no special requests as his execution nears. As he stands before the fi ring squad on the fateful day, he says, “May I have just one final request?” “What would you like?” asks the warden. “Simply to be able to sing my favorite song before I die,” he replies. “That is certainly reasonable,” says the warden. “Of course.” The inmate clears his throat and begins, “One billion bottles of beer on the wall...” Moe: You know how dogs and cats will turn around and around before they lie down? Joe: I’ve noticed that, yes. Moe: What animal rotates hundreds of times after it dies? Joe: I have no idea. Is there one? Moe: Sure. A rotisserie chicken. Moe: What do you call two fleas on a bald man’s head? Joe: Homeless.

Moe: Why were the ants dancing on top of the honey jar? Joe: I give up. Why? Moe: The lid said “twist to open.” Moe: My computer said I had to enter a new password, so I entered “beef stew.” Joe: Sounds okay. Moe: Actually, my computer said, “Password not stroganoff.” “I used to forget my computer password all the time,” said Mildred, “but I finally solved that problem.” “What did you do?” asked her friend. “I changed my password to ‘incorrect.’ Now when I forget, my computer always reminds me, ‘Your password is incorrect.’” “Reverend, I won’t be at services next Sunday,” said the man. “The big game will be on, you know.” “My son, my son,” said the kindly minister, “that’s why God made recorders.” The man’s face lit up. “You mean I can record your sermon?” +

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.

+ +

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

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 At various times of year we have storms roll through, bringing strong winds with them. Such was the case recently, but living in a well-built home, I was not at all concerned for my safety. That confidence was premature to say the least. Midafternoon I went out using my walker to retrieve my mail, particularly necessary because the wind had blown my mailbox door open. As usual, I reached in to get the mail, pulled out a few pieces, including a magazine, and successfully put it into the basket of the walker, but there was more mail to fetch, so I grabbed a few more pieces of mail and deposited them into the walker basket. One fairly large flat envelope laid on the floor of the mailbox, pretty well stuck there. I momentarily let go of the walker to get a better grip on that piece of mail and used my fingernails to pry it up, holding onto the mailbox to steady it with my other hand. I had left the walker’s seat up so I could swiftly put that last piece of mail in the basket. As I turned to do so I watched the wind catch the walker using the seat for a sail and slide it not only down the driveway but four houses down the street. For a few seconds I was amused by having a walker with a mind of its own flying down my street, but then the reality of my situation began to sink in. There I was standing at the bottom of the driveway, clinging to the mailbox for support, not knowing what my next step should be. I have fallen often enough that I ruled out walking to the house where I have a spare walker. It was 4 pm, so that ruled out kids coming home from school who could get the walker for me. The only thing which made sense was to push the button on my rescue device, but I wasn’t sure if that would work, given that I’d shut the door behind me. I waited, hoping someone would come to my assistance, hanging on to the mailbox for balance, certain that risking walking to the house and falling on the convrete driveway was not a good option. And suddenly there was my knight in — a slick black sedan. I waved my arms like a crazy woman, fi rst one and then the other, maintaining my grip on the mailbox. He pulled to a stop and rolled down his window. I quickly explained that my walker had abandoned me, pointing in its direction four houses away. He put his car in park, walked what for him was a short walk and brought my walker back to me. I thanked him profusely and blessed him for coming to help me and expressed a lot of gratitude. I let go of the mailbox to take hold of the walker and nearly lost my balance, recovered nicely, and trucked into the house. Within the next half hour the ambulance arrived and I explained to them what had happened, apologizing for not still being outside waiting for them. They were just glad I was OK. Then my grandson walked in to check on me, also glad I was OK. For people living alone, a rescue button that covers us inside and out can be a godsend. +

a million people can’t be wron n a h t g. Less +

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Moe: My new girlfriend works at the zoo. Joe: I bet she’s a keeper.

ON THE ROAD TO BETTER HEALTH

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Moe: Where have you been? Joe: I went to the store to get 6 cans of Sprite. Moe: Did you? Joe: I picked 7 up instead.

ns the te Join

ha... ha...

Moe: I saw a cop pull over a U-Haul truck. Joe: Probably trying to bust a move.

+ 14

MAY 12, 2017

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE MYSTERY SOLVED

134

The Mystery Word in our last issue was: BREATHING

...very cleverly hidden (by the doctor’s tie) in the p. 2 ad for GEORGIA DERMATOLOGY THE WINNER: BRISEIDA GARCIA Want to find your name here next time? If it is, we’ll send you some cool swag from our goodie bag. The new Mystery Word is on page 12. Start looking!

The Celebrated MYSTERY WORD CONTEST ...wherein we hide (with fiendish cleverness) a simple word. All you have to do is unscramble the word (found on page 12), then find it concealed within one of our ads. Click in to the contest link at www.AugustaRx.com and enter. If we pick you in our random drawing of correct entries, you’ll score our goodie package! SEVEN SIMPLE RULES: 1. Unscramble and find the designated word hidden within one of the ads in this issue. 2. Visit the Reader Contests page at www.AugustaRx.com. 3. Tell us what you found and where you found it. 4. If you’re right and you’re the one we pick at random, you win. (Winners within the past six months are ineligible.) 5. Prizes awarded to winners may vary from issue to issue. Limited sizes are available of shirt prize. 6. A photo ID may be required to claim some prizes. 7. Other entrants may win a lesser prize at the sole discretion of the publisher.

The new scrambled Mystery Word is found on page 12

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

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EXAMINER CLASSIFIEDS HOMES, APARTMENTS, ROOMMATES, LAND, ETC. LAND Land for sale: 14 acres, wooded, beautiful rocky creek flowing through; 45 min from Augusta, walking trails cleared to enjoy while planning future development. Perfect getaway or homesite. Outstanding schools (K-12) 4 mi. away. $49,000 (706) 831-9015 FOR RENT 2000+ sqft warehouse space w/ loading dock, Walton Way Medical District. Available immed. $850.00/mo. incl. utilities. 706-564-1644 ROOM FOR RENT with private bathroom and full house privileges. Martinez $600/mo (706) 840-6860

AD COPY (one word per line; phone numbers MUST include the area code): .25

.50

.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

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FOR SALE 3 bedroom/2 bath, single garage Townhouse in Martinez. Master/ bath down, 2 upstairs bedrooms share bath, large loft for office, playroom, den; wood-burning fireplace, covered back porch. Freshly painted with new flooring, lighting and ceiling fans. Easy access to Riverwatch Parkway, Washington Rd, I-20, Augusta. 1987 sq.ft. $147,900. 706-836-7001. ROOM FOR RENT 1 room, private bathroom, 2bdrm MH on private lot. Clean quiet neighborhood. Non-smoker. $600 monthly. Must be stable, verifiable references and income. Cable and Internet included. Warrenville, 5 min from Aiken, 20 min to Augusta. (803) 270-2658 POND VIEW! Evans all-brick 2-story with solar panels. Avg. electric bill $170 in Northwood, 3,400 sqft. Call 1-800401-0257, ext. 0043 24/7 for price and details.

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

MISCELLANEOUS SUNSET MEMORIAL GARDENS Opening and closing at Sunset Mem. Gardens in Graniteville. Sale: $760 (Value: $1520+) Call 706-736-0596 ANTIQUE maple dinette set with buffet corner cabinet table with pull-out leaves. Four chairs with two captain’s chairs. Excellent condition. $300. Double bed early 1930s with mattress spring coverlet shams $150. Call (706) 860-2170 CEMETERY SPACES (2) Sunset Memorial Gardens, Graniteville SC adjacent to lighted military flagstaff, includes granite bench with urn space, installation and inscription. All $4700 ($8600 value). Spaces only: $2700. Call (803) 295-3033 FISHING CLUB wants more grey-haired members. Meet 2nd Thurs of month at Harbor Inn Restaurant, 12 noon. “Adventure Before Dementia” Info: (706) 736-8753

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THE PUZZLE SOLVED O S L O

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QUOTATION QUOTATION PUZZLE SOLUTION: “Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty.” — Sicilian proverb

The Sudoku Solution 1 2 5 4 8 9 6 7 3

9 8 4 3 7 6 2 5 1

7 3 6 1 2 5 8 4 9

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“Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent.” — Napoleon Bonaparte

MAY 12, 2017

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AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

PLACEBO… from page 1 of a new and untested drug or of needles convinced them that they were experiencing negative side effects. It’s easy to imagine that people who participate in drug studies would feel like idiots if they knew they took a completely inert pill, yet it worked. Or if they got a shot that turned out to be sterile water, and even so it gave them stomach trouble or sleepless nights. Medical researchers would not agree. They know that the placebo effect is a powerful tool that can be used to prove or disprove the effectiveness of any treatment regimen. However, it isn’t only in the lab that placebo power can be utilized for good. A Harvard University study found that when patients in a typical medical practice

got just a little bit above the average in personal care and attention from the doctor and staff, they fared better. All it took were simple statements of empathy such as, “I know how difficult this is for you,” or “This treatment has provided excellent results.” When such personal statements were combined with physical contact touching the patient’s hands or shoulders - patients fared better than other groups in the study who got no such personal attention even when no actual care was administered. More and more people today on both sides of the stethoscope feel that medical care has become progressively less personal and more assembly-line. Placebo research suggests that

spending just a little quality time — less than a minute — can have a powerful beneficial effect if those precious seconds are spent offering a healthy dose of tenderness and humanity. + FREE TA

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people taking pain medication experienced a complete lack of energy; they could barely function. The rest of the study particpants went on uneventfully to gauge the effectiveness of the treatment they had been given. Many people on both sides of the experiment — drugs or acupuncture — experienced significant relief from whichever treatment they received. The twist was that everyone in the study received virtually no treatment. The “pain pills” were made from constarch; the “acupuncture” needles were just “acu” needles, because they were retractible and never punctured anyone’s skin. The people who got relief basically imagined it, as did the people whose fears

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DOCTORS HOSPITAL • EISENHOWER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER • EAST CENTRAL REGIONAL • GEORGIA HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY • GRACEWOOD • MCGHEALTH • PRIVATE PRACTICE • SELECT SPECIALTY HOSPITAL • TRINITY HOSPITAL • UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL • VA HOSPITALS • WALTON REHABILITATION HOSPITAL

AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006

MARCH 15, 2013

THE RAW POWER OF

f there is any one subject in the entire fascinating world of medical science that stands alone in the realm of the extraordinary and the sublime, it might very well be the placebo effect. This article will explore a tiny fraction of the magic and the mystery — and how this amazing phenomenon can be put to use in everyday medicine.

Take two

The most powerful drug known to mankind Know what it is? Ironically, it’s the inert “medicine” that offers no therapeutic effect whatsoever. That, if by chance you were unaware, is the definition of a placebo. Despite that description, placebo lives up to its name, Latin for “I shall please.” Not that placebos always please. More about that in one second. Placebo has earned a lofty perch in the pantheon of medicines, and it got it the oldfashioned way: it earned it. Pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars every year developing new medications, and what do they measure their effectiveness against? To a significant degree, against placebos. Such studies typically pit new drugs against placebos. Half the group is taking the next wonder drug and half are taking an inert placebo, perhaps a concoction of cornstarch or sugar. It must be disconcerting to be a pharmaceutical researcher who has spent years developing a new drug only to have placebos produce better results, but that’s exactly what sometimes happens. For every placebo, there can be its corollary: nocebo, the onset of negative symptoms, also caused out of thin air by inert pills, injections or creams. Nocebo means “I shall harm.”

and call me in the morning.

It gets complicated The preceding paragraphs were merely an introduction to the subject for the uninitiated. Let’s get into some of the placebo research into this fascinating topic. The January-February issue of Harvard Magazine caught our attention and got this idea off our idea list where it has been for a couple of years. In the magazine, researcher Ted Kaptchuk recounts his randomized clinical trial for patients with severe arm pain. Half the patients were given pain pills, the other half acupuncture treatment. In short order, about a third of the 270 people in the study were suffering from acute side effects: some of the patients were experiencing abnormal swelling and redness at the acupuncture sites; some of the pain pill patients reported that the drug made them so sluggish they could barely get out of bed in the morning. For the two-thirds majority, however, the results were better. They pain pills gave them genuine relief, and those who received acupuncture treatments reported even better results. Given the context of this article, you might expect what’s coming: both groups got placebo treatment. The pills that offered relief and caused terrible side effects were made of cornstarch. The acupuncture was also fake. It was performed with retractable needles which never pierced the skin. Researchers didn’t conduct this study simply to humiliate 270 people. Then why do it? Please turn the page.

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PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY ALLERGY

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

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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

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MAY 12, 2017