May20 16 by Daniel Pearson

FRE E

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DO NOT

GO JUMP IN THE LAKE E specially if you’re not a good swimmer, or you don’t know how to swim at all. Sounds like simple advice, almost a nobrainer. Yet for the 2005 to 2014 decade, an average of 3,868 people drowned each year in the United States. That’s an average of more than ten drownings every single day. It’s safe to say that the majority of these thousands of deaths were preventable. The CSRA is no stranger to tragedies of this type. Less than a month ago a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the lake turned tragic when Robert Ballard, a 16year-old Greenbrier student, lost his life. The official incident report said he could not swim, yet went under 20 to 30 yards from shore. Although personnel from six agencies responded (Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia County Fire & Rescue, EMS, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Columbia County EMA Dive Rescue and Recovery Team and the US Army Corps of Engineers) it took almost three hours from the time the initial 9-1-1 call was received until Ballard’s body could be found and

recovered in water about 45 feet deep. with virtually no warning. If Robert Ballard could deliver a message to every What can you do to be safe in and around water? person reading this article today, it’s not difficult to Step one: learn to swim. Make sure your kids imagine what it would be: know how. 1. wear a life jacket, and Supervise like someone’s life depends upon it, 2. avoid all situations that are beyond your because it just might. That’s true even if everyone in personal skills as a swimmer. the water (whether lake, pool or ocean) Some people have the feeling that knows how to swim. The designated wearing a life jacket or other personal watcher should not be reading a book, flotation device (PFD) isn’t cool or texting, or doing anything but watching doesn’t look stylish. It interferes with the swimmers. It only takes a few tanning. “And besides, if it looks like an seconds for trouble to strike. As the accident is about to occur, I can always picture above suggests, drowning is grab a life vest and quickly put it on.” not the loud, thrashing, splashing event True. Also, when you’re driving you that movies and TV portray. That’s why can quickly buckle your seat belt if it vigilance is so important. looks like a collision is about to happen. When boating, wear approved life jackets at all times. That goes for Good luck with that. Safety has to be everyone on board. practiced ahead of time, even when it Avoid drinking alcohol before or seems like there’s not a whiff of danger “Excuse me? Who said life in sight. Unfortunately, peril can arrive jackets aren’t cool?” Please see WATER SAFETY page 6

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MAY 20, 2016

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You’ve watched your friend go from using prescription pain killers as prescribed to having to “doctor shop” with several physicians to get enough pills to last through the month. Sixty pills per month used to do the job, now it takes two or three times as many! Or more. And when he realizes that pharmacies in Georgia and South Carolina now have a computerized method to check online as to his last Rx and from who and for how many, he has resorted to buying them from acquaintances at the going rate of about a dollar per milligram. He used to be “normal,” but now he slurs his speech sometimes, has an unsteady gait, parks erratically in the parking space at work, calls in sick or comes in late to work, falls asleep at his work-station, is forgetful, and maybe asks you for money to pay bills. Hmmm...he’s not normal now! And certainly he is in “denial,” a mind condition that is not a lie (by definition, a lie is “a conscious act”). Even though others around him see that pills have become a problem, he does not see it at all. In fact, confronting him on his behavior will most certainly be met with great resistance on his part with excuses that would take a genius to concoct! He does not understand that he has succumbed to a brain condition we call addiction, a biochemical and physiological response to the use of addictive chemicals – i.e. any chemical that speeds up or slows the synapses in the brain. PET scans of healthy brains compared to addicted brains present a sobering picture. Basically, use of these drugs over a long period of time has caused a couple of things to happen. First, use of these prescription drugs has caused his own natural feel-good chemicals to quit producing as they used to, Please see PAIN page 6

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PROFILES IN MEDICINE

The

Advice Doctor

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A lifetime of service

here are few doctors in Augusta or any other city whose career has been as long and noteworthy as Lois Ellison’s. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1943, she came to Augusta to pursue her medical degree, a quest that was delayed for several years by pulmonary tuberculosis. That detour shaped her career in many ways. After being awarded her M.D. degree in 1950, her post-doctoral training was in the field of cardiopulmonary physiology, a field that was certainly close to home. While continuously employed at the Medical College from 1951 to the present, Dr. Ellison has served the Augusta area, the state of Georgia, and the nation at large through her clinical research and community involvement. She has authored more than 70 articles in academic publications, has been a presenter at countless medical and scientific meetings and

+ Dr. Lois T. Ellison, M.D. (center), flanked by family and (at far right) Dr. Peter F. Buckley, Dean of the Medical College of Georgia, in Atlanta after a Senate Resolution honoring Dr. Ellison this past February. (See page 15) symposiums, and has served or is serving on dozens of executive boards from organizations as diverse as The United Way and Historic Augusta, as well as many oversight committees at MCG. During her tenure as university provost at MCG, she was the highest-ranking female at any U.S. medical school. She also served as the fi rst female president of the Georgia Thoracic Society. Dr. Ellison’s passion for pulmonary health is

shown by 25 years on the Board of Directors of the American Lung Association of Georgia, including two years as the organization’s president; nearly 15 years on the National Board of Directors of the American Lung Association (they of Christmas Seals fame), including two years as its national president; and serving on the Coal Mine Health Research Advisory Council for NIOSH, a branch Please see PROFILE page 15

Editor’s note: with this issue the Medical Examiner and Queensborough National Bank & Trust begin an extended once-monthly series profiling exceptional physicians and others of note in Augusta’s long and rich medical history.

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Dear Advice Doctor, My husband recently got a long-awaited promotion at work. He was beginning to think his career had stalled, so the promotion was wonderful in that respect. On the downside, his workload and stress levels have both tripled (but not his pay — not by a long shot), plus he’s working an extra 20 hours a week. I think he’s in way over his head. Would you suggest that he ask for his old job back, or would that be career suicide? — Stressed-Out Wife Dear Stressed-Out Wife, I can certainly understand your concern and I think you have every right to be worried. This is a very dangerous situation and one that, unfortunately, faces many families every year. In fact, according to the CDC, drowning is the fifth leading cause of death for people of all ages, and the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14 years. Almost by definition, each and every victim is in water over their head — exactly the situation you describe your husband being in. To make matters worse, we’re heading into peak season for water recreation. No one ever thinks it will happen to them — until it does. The best advice I can offer you today is to read the front cover story in this week’s Medical Examiner. It contains a number of proven safety tips for swimmers and boaters, including fishermen and others who may not intend to go in the water, but who are nevertheless near water that is probably over their head for extended periods of time. All it takes is one slip to go from safe and dry straight into a potentially lethal situation. To you and your husband: have a safe, accident-free summer. + Do you have a question for The Advice Doctor about love, life, personal relationships, career, raising children, or any other important life topic? Send it to News@AugustaRx.com. Replies will be provided only in Examiner issues.

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MAY 20, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

#22 IN A SERIES

Who is this?

OLD NEWS +

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

CHRONIC UNHAPPINESS

he handsome medical researcher you see above was born in Scotland in August of 1881, and is famous to this day for discovering a life-saving substance in 1928 which he called “mold juice.” It all started with a lengthy vacation. As the story goes, our hero, already respected as a brilliant researcher, returned to his notoriously untidy laboratory only to discover one dish of staphylococcus cultures had been contaminated with an infestation of fuzzy fungus. The rest were all normal. “That’s funny,” he remarked at the time. Years later he would say of that moment, “When I woke up just after dawn on September 28, 1928, I certainly didn’t plan to revolutionise all medicine [...] but I suppose that is exactly what I did.” Researchers research, and this curious fungus demanded further investigation. He isolated the material and discovered that it killed a number of different disease-causing bacteria. By additional research he discovered that the culture belonged to the Penicillium genus, so with that discovery on March 7, 1929, “mold juice” became “penicillin.” That same year our intrepid researcher, Alexander Fleming, published his research findings in the British Journal of Experimental Pathology. Flemings’s findings were largely ignored, and in fact, he was having doubts of his own about the value of his discovery. Its original appearance was an accident, after all, and deliberately cultivating it turned out to be difficult. Even if it could be managed, it was difficult to isolate its antibiotic agent. Fleming wasn’t even sure that it would be effective in the human body, but he continued his research on penicillin until 1940, all the while trying (and failing) to find a scientist or chemist who could solve the problem of isolating and producing pure penicillin in modest quantities. By 1940 it all seemed hopeless, and Fleming abandoned his penicillin research. At about that same time, two Oxford biochemists (Ernst Chain and Edward Abraham) discovered how to isolate and concentrate penicillin. After they published their results, their boss, Howard Florey, got a call from Alexander Fleming. Thanks to their combined efforts and intellect, penicillin was in mass production by the end of 1941 and was instrumental in saving the lives of countless soldiers wounded during World War II. In fact, the result of Fleming’s research, augmented by the discoveries of Chain and Florey, are estimated to have saved more than 82 million lives. The three shared the 1945 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work. In a 1999 issue commemorating notable achievements of the 20th century, Time magazine called penicillin “a discovery that would change the course of history,” further describing it as “the most efficacious life-saving drug in the world.” It’s hard to argue with that statement. + See also From the Bookshelf on page 11.

re you happy?” We all have been asked that question, perhaps even by ourselves. There is no single definition of happiness. It varies from person to person. The unrealistic quest is to feel happy all the time. I’m not certain that is attainable. Happiness waxes and wanes. It may be more accurate to say we reach a feeling of general well-being and satisfaction with our lives instead of the elusive over-the-top giddy happiness we may feel on, say, our wedding day or at the birth of a child. Happiness takes many forms and has many levels. What about being unhappy? Can those same opinions apply? Are people aware when they are consistently unhappy, or do they assume it’s a natural state of being? If a person is in the habit of complaining, it often surrounds them with negativity and can lead to isolation by driving others away. Is it bad to be alone most of the time? Not necessarily; many love their solitude and the home they have made, but socialization is good for the

soul. Making an effort to get out and see people can be energizing. Dwelling on problems can sap energy and destroy a good mood. Whether the problems are personal or they belong to a partner, other family members or friends, dwelling on them can lead to fatalistic views. It’s always best to confront them head on and attempt a resolution one way or the other. Flexibility is key; don’t be averse to change. Not all

Can’t read the small type? Visit issuu.com/medicalexaminer. Open this issue, go to p. 4 and use the -/+ slide below the lefthand page to adjust the view.

change is good, I’ll admit, but positive change can be exciting. Take a risk; fence sitting gets us nowhere. If one takes a risk now and then, they are bound to find their passion along the way. What our mothers told us is true: don’t care about what people think. It takes major introspection to find the authentic self and no one should waste time worrying about what others think. Mom also said: it’s when they stop talking about you that you have to worry! Strive for a balanced medium. Don’t take things too personally - being defensive can keep one from letting life flow. Accepting truth, being able to let things be and also to let them go is important. Holding on too long can hold a person back. Whether it’s toxic relationships, bad or sad memories, grudges or possessions, there always comes a time to let go. Make room for the new. Try to find humor in things and realize it could always be worse. Being chronically unhappy is a bad habit, and like all bad habits it can be broken. Is there a distinction between chronic unhappiness and depression? I’m not a psychologist so I don’t have the answer, but a guess would be there is a fine line between the two. If someone says they aren’t happy are they actually communicating their depression? If they can’t answer that for themselves, then perhaps an appointment with their physician is the next step. +

MYTH OF THE MONTH A base tan offers protection from sunburn and skin damage You’re heading to the lake or beach for a long Memorial Day weekend and your skin right now is roughly the same color as mayonnaise. Rather than burn on the beach, the idea is to pre-tan in a tanning bed. With a partial tan in place, you’ll be less likely to get a sunburn on the beach. That’s the theory, anyway Is it true? Your first clue should be the title of this column: Myth of the Month. Yes, this is yet another fable. Why? Recommendations for protecting skin from the sun generally suggest using a sunscreen with an SPF (for sun protection factor) of at least 15. That rating means the skin of someone using an SPF 15 suncreen will take 15 times longer to redden than

without the sunscreen. What does this have to do with tanning beds? A decent tan from a salon will provide an SPF of from 1 to 4, say dermatological studies. That’s not nearly enough protection against the sun’s powerful rays. Tanning, whether in the sun or in a salon, dramatically increases the risk of skin cancer. However, there is a safe alternative to mayonnaise skin: spray-on tans and sunless tanning lotions, then using SPF 15 or higher. + — by F. E. Gilliard, MD, Family Medicine 4244 Washington Road, Evans, GA 30809 706-760-7607

MAY 20, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

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

o k

lady we’ll call MM came home from Wednesday night prayer meeting with her two kids. Under her carport, she discovered a majestically coiled, very much alive, threeand-a-half foot rattlesnake. Mr. Rattlesnake was in a bad mood and did not feel inclined to give up his position there on the warm concrete. MM hustled her kids out of the way and confronted Mr. Rattlesnake on the carport. She used a long-handled short tooth metal rake to drag the disgruntled Mr. Rattlesnake onto her sandy driveway. Rattlers sang the warning of impending death. Then it occurred to her: I’m standing here in opentoed, high heel shoes wearing pearls and a church dress ... holding a deadly rattlesnake at bay with a rake. I need a different plan. Things like hiking boots, maybe riding chaps. Only MM would consider a wardrobe change in the middle of a rattlesnake assault. She instructed her 9year-old daughter, who is not fond of snakes, to bring a .22 pistol from the bedside table. MM fired off a few rounds. Some of them

ABOUT REARING CHILDREN

found Mr. Rattlesnake’s torso in non-vital locations. The maliciously intended perforation did not send him to Rattlesnake Heaven. Nor did not they improve Mr. Rattlesnake’s disposition or temperament. The situation would have almost been humorous had it not been so deadly. Striking blond in a long dress, pearl necklace, high heels, surrounded by two crying kids, wildly barking 97-pound Lab named Coco, shooting a pistol at night in the yard. Neighbors usually do not take kindly to such antics. A kid named Jake who lived down the road a bit heard the commotion. Jake’s father was not home. Jake’s mother had a migraine. Dogs barking and gunshots did not go well with his mother’s migraine headache treatment plan. Jake’s mother sent him down the road to see what the deal was. Gunshots in the dark? Dogs barking? And he gets to go see what’s happening? Jake supressed his enthusiasm, hopped in the family golf cart, and presently analyzed the situation. Jake said to MM, “Daddy’s not home. Mama is too sick to get up and about. But I brought a machete. You hold the snake.

t s e B I’ll cut his head off.” The strategy was workable but the logistics were not smooth nor quickly definitive. It was ugly, but effective. Mr. Rattlesnake did not win. Rattlesnake Heaven welcomed a new arrival. When the snake massacre was over, Jake cut the rattlers off as a trophy, unceremoniously disposed of the snake carcass, and proudly went home to regale his family in his heroic adventures. With the danger past, crying children sniffed to a halt. Eyes gradually dried. Coco calmed down and stopped barking. MM changed out of prayer meeting clothes and into more appropriate attire. All was seemingly well. Only is the Deep South does a knight in shining armor appear as a 9-year-old boy on a golf cart with a machete in

e n i c i d ME

hand to rescue an elegantly dressed damsel (and her kids) from distress. But what if that had happened today in our fair city with our more sensitive government and its intervention into how we raise our kids? Jake might have been arrested for multiple juvenile crimes: operating a golf cart without permit; carrying a lethal weapon on his person; cruelty to animals; destroying evidence of a crime scene. The Department of Child Services might have moved Jake to a foster home while a judge decided who should be punished and for what and for how long. Jake’s mother might have been charged with child neglect for allowing Jake to operate a golf cart and to have access to and to carry a dangerous weapon. MM might have been

arrested for disturbing the peace, letting her daughter handle a loaded pistol, and firing a gun in public. Most likely, she would lose custody of her children due to her gross neglect and endangerment of her children. Not to mention conspiring with a minor in a deadly act. And then there is the question of whether the .22 pistol was properly registered. It would seem in this day and time everyone except Mr. Rattlesnake would have violated some law or regulation. Considering all this, I have a question for you: Would Jake (or your child or grandchild) have been better off if reared under our newer, more sensitive city laws? Or down the road from MM and Mr. Rattlesnake? + 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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The Augusta Medical Examiner’s publisher, Daniel Pearson, has continuously published a newspaper in Augusta since 1990, longer than any other publisher in Augusta except the gentleman to the right, publisher of The Augusta Chronicle, “The South’s Oldest Newspaper,” founded in 1785. We’re still wet behind the ears, but proud to have served Augusta area readers for more than a quarter of a century.

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AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

WATER SAFETY… from page 1

This young swimmer has alert adult supervision up top. during boating, swimming or water skiing, or when supervising swimming children. Learn CPR. In the time it takes for emergency personnel to arrive, immediate CPR could make the difference between life and death.

Use the Buddy System — always swimming with a friend rather than alone — and whenever possible, swim where there are lifeguards on duty. Other issues Swimming in the

If you enjoy the +

MEDICAL EXAMINER please tell a friend.

ocean can present special challenges from dangerous currents and unknown depths and drop-offs. Avoid water greater than waist-deep unless lifeguards are present or until you become familiar with the area. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the smallest of swimming venues — inflatable or molded plastic kiddie pools — can also present unique hazards. These pools are usually fi lled by hose with ordinary tap water containing chlorine levels too low to be adequate for pool safety. Chemicals are rarely if ever added and pools of this type do not have water fi lters, all of which highlights the need for swimmer hygiene and supervision. Toddlers tend to swallow

pool water — obviously not a good idea — and many times they’re wearing so-called swim diapers. Manufacturers do not claim that swim pants or swim diapers create a seal to prevent pool water from being contaminated by feces or urine. Frequent bathroom breaks (every 30 minutes or so) and diaper changes (away from the pool area) are necessary to keep pool water clean. If an accident does occur, the CDC recommends clearing the pool of children and cleaning the pool with a disinfectant cleaner and letting it completely dry in the sun for at least four hours. If you have an above- or in-ground pool, remember that being a responsible pool owner (and the law) requires it to be safely enclosed in a

so when he is not using, the feel-good levels are so low that he shows the long-face or a sad depressed affect. So he feels good only when taking the pills or drug. Second, his pain receptors have multiplied in number. Why? The brain knows the value of pain, but his pain receptors have been filled for so long that the brain registers the need to grow more sites to alert him in case he does get into legitimate physical pain. So now he has to take lots more pills than he used to in order to numb these new receptors. We call this “building up tolerance.” Most people addicted to pills have to take as many milligrams to do the job as would put most of us under the bus, to say the least. And of course, he does not want to stop taking the pills because if he does he will be in serious discomfort: flu-like symptoms with diarrhea, stomach ache, aching joints, sleeplessness, anxiety, and other symptoms normal people run from. Now he’s between

If you don’t enjoy it, please don’t tell anyone. +

•

The bottom line Swimming is a fun, healthful and refreshing exercise, especially during our long hot summers. It’s a low-impact activity, making it a great choice for people who might have various aches and pains in bones and joints. Don’t let anything in this article discourage you from enjoying the pleasures of swimming. Just let it encourage you to be safe. +

PAIN… from page 2

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fence that has a self-closing and self-latching gate. Ideally, the pool area should be separated from the house and the rest of the yard by its own fence. That way the yard is safe and usable at all times, whether it’s pool season or not.

Visit issuu.com/ medicalexaminer and stare away.

the proverbial “devil and the deep blue sea” in that he knows he has to reduce his intake of pills (no, he does not want to quit taking them! Not just yet anyway), but if he does he’ll be in physical misery. He’s even called his insurance company and found out that there is no covered medical detox from opiates. Had he only chosen benzodiazepines or alcohol, he could go inpatient for a few days and get some relief. Oh no! So what now? He is lost, and does not yet realize that the same brain which put him in the ditch he’s in cannot get him out. He is beginning to get desperate...and here is when true friends come into the picture. Know in advance that help will be met with both acceptance and resistance. He will accept direction if it has been carefully researched and presented to him in the proper manner. Oh, that word “proper.” What does that mean? Please come back next month to find out. +

MAY 20, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Southern Girls Eat Clean Cheesy-Herb Kale Chips

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One of my goals is to find foods that are so good, I would choose them even if I wasn’t an intentionally-healthy-eater. I can tell you that I would choose these crunchy, (non-dairy) cheesy, bursting-with-herby-pizza-flavor kale chips over any kind of ‘chip’ I’ve ever bought in a bag-hands down. I make these delicious kale chips in a dehydrator. The beauty of a dehydrator is that anything you ‘cook’ in it at 107* or less is essentially a RAW food and still has all of the benefits of a raw food. Why is that important? Because when vegetables are cooked at temperatures over 107*F, some benefits are lost: fiber is broken down, live enzymes are affected, vitamins and minerals are reduced. We often hijack our healthy veggies on the way to the dinner table by cooking the very life out of them! I strive to eat about 80-85% of my veggies raw and the other 1520% roasted, baked or lightly steamed. So, if you want to treat your family to a tried-and-true, beyond yummy, whole-food, crunchy snack in the place of a commercial version that is swimming in transfats, refined Cheesy-Herb Kale Chips salt, and preservatives, give these a try. here--just try to lightly coat water and soak (refrigerated) No dehydrator? Here are most of the surface. It will for a minimum of 2 hours, some tips for dehydrating stick a little more heavily to preferably overnight. fruits/veggies in the oven: the curly edges. 2. Drain water from cashews http://urbansurvivalsite.com/ 6. Place on dehydrator trays and place in a blender or food how-to-dehydrate-food/ and dehydrate at 105 degrees processor. Add fresh fi ltered for 12 hours or until they water just to cover cashews Ingredients: reach the desired level of and process until creamy 1 cup raw cashews crunchiness! See link above 1⁄2 cup tomato paste (part of 1 smooth. for dehydrating in the oven. 3. In a large mixing bowl small can) or plastic kitchen tub, stir 2 tablespoons Nutritional together the cashew cream Cinde White is a certified Yeast with all remaining ingredients health/recovery coach 1 teaspoon dried Oregano except the kale. Stir until (myhdiet.com) 1 teaspoon dried Marjoram evenly combined. and a certified 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder 4. Rinse and dry the kale. Pull introductory 1 teaspoon Onion Powder leaves from the stems and tear wellness chef 1 teaspoon dried Basil into large ‘chip-sized’ pieces. as well as a 1⁄2 teaspoon dried Rosemary Keep in mind that the kale representative for 1⁄2 teaspoon Sea Salt Tower Garden 14 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes will shrink as it dehydrates. 5. Now for the messy part! and Juice Plus (cindewhite. 1 bunch Curly Kale Toss the kale with the ‘pizza’ towergarden.com or flavored cashew cream several cindewhite.juiceplus.com and Directions: pieces at a time. No perfection southerngirlseatclean.com) + 1. Cover cashews with filtered

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MAY 20, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Looking for Likes in all the right places.

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

ANOTHER GENERIC... WILL MY WALLET BENEFIT?

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he latest blockbuster generic has arrived on the scene in the pharmaceutical world and everyone is abuzz about the possibility of lower prices. Crestor is the drug in question. The generic just came onto the market and already the manufacturer and insurance companies have started taking sides. Will the average patient see lower prices? That remains to be seen. The manufacturer has voided all of their previous 30-day free trial cards since the generic hit the market. They still have their reduced copay cards out and available. This sounds great since everyone likes to save money, but some insurances will quickly make Crestor a non-preferred brand so the copay will go up for the consumer even when they use the same copay card they used before this change. Other insurance plans may choose to negotiate with the manufacturer of Crestor to keep the brand name product on the formulary as their preferred product, thereby keeping you paying a brand name copay instead of the lower generic copay. This does not make sense to the customer unless you know that manufacturers are asked to negotiate a rebate for the insurance

company so that the brand name drug then costs less than the generic. This is because the generic is priced at just under the brand name drug when the generic is first available since there is usually only one manufacturer allowed to make it. It is called an authorized generic. The brand name manufacturer can give a rebate to the insurance company making the brand name medicine a less expensive option and they will still make money. Some Medicare plans have already said the brand name Crestor is preferred on their plans for the immediate future. Medicare patients are ineligible to use copay assistance cards per Medicare law, so these patients will continue to pay the full brand name copay each month. There will be no relief for these patients until the generic market is flooded with multiple products and a price war brings the price down to its final level. Where that level is remains to be seen. At that time insurance companies may start to shift to the generic version of this drug. Those of you who have been getting samples from your doctor to help with your out of pocket expenses can expect to see sample supplies dwindle in the very near future. Since the generic is now out, most drug companies will quit putting sample tablets in offices and instead only give out the card to reduce your copay when you purchase your prescription each month. Do not expect this to be the last time one of your medicines goes through a situation like this. Once the trend has been set. more and more brand name medicines will go this route. Check with your doctor if prices get out of control about alternative medicines that may be more reasonable priced. + Questions about this article or suggestions for future columns can be sent to us at cjdlpdrph@bellsouth.net Written for the Medical Examiner by Augusta pharmacists Chris and Lee Davidson (cjdlpdrph@bellsouth.net )

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MAY 20, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

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

FAD DIETS by Michelle Ripley, Augusta University Dietetic Intern Raw food diet, Paleo diet, juice fasting, grapefruit diet, and Atkin’s — these are all examples of fad diets. Information on trending fad diets seems to show up everywhere. If you go to the book store, you will see a large variety of diet books in the weight loss section. Scroll on Instagram or Facebook, and you will often see someone selling their personal E-Book on dieting. Grocery stores sell dietary products to accompany various fad diets. Dr. Oz often discusses new fad diets. Since many fad diets have not been thoroughly studied, it is unclear if following some of them may pose a health risk. Each fad diet is a little different, and may have both positive and negative aspects. Many fad diets are based on restriction, some may restrict calories, food groups, or specific macronutrients. For example, the raw food diet which avoids cooked or processed foods, and the Atkin’s diet restricts carbohydrates. Other diets may drastically reduce calorie intake. These diets may be difficult to sustain, and may restrict nutrient-dense foods. An example of a fad diet is the Paleo diet, also known as the “Caveman Diet,” popularized by Loren Cordain. This diet is based on what our supposed ancestors ate during the Paleolithic area more than 10,000 years ago. The diet allows only foods that would have been eaten by humans in this time period, including meat, nuts, seeds, fish, fruits and vegetables. The diet excludes processed foods such as dairy products, grains and legumes. The Paleo diet promotes increased vegetable and fruit consumption, which are both underconsumed food groups in this country. Meanwhile, sodium and refined carbohydrates are both overconsumed by Americans. Since this diet restricts processed foods, a

benefit of the paleo diet is that it limits sodium (salt), refined carbohydrates, and added sugars. Increased sodium intake has been linked to hypertension, and refi ned

carbohydrates are associated with chronic inflammation, weight gain, and other negative metabolic effects in the body. Although the Paleo diet does have some beneficial aspects, this diet may restrict nutrient-dense foods like dairy products, grains and legumes. Dairy products are an excellent source of vitamin D and calcium, and whole grain products are a good source of fiber, B vitamins, iron, selenium, and magnesium. According to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), Americans don’t consume enough vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C, folate, calcium, fiber, magnesium and potassium. Following restrictive fad diets such as the Paleo diet may lead to increased shortfalls of these and other important nutrients. Another potential problem with following a strict Paleo Diet is that a person would get more than the recommended amount of protein daily, which may place strain the kidneys. The increased meat intake would also lead to greater saturated fat intake, which has been linked to heart disease. There may be positive and negative aspects of every fad diet, and with sometimes confl icting nutrition

information out there it may seem difficult to know what a healthful diet looks like. Nutrition is a wellresearched science. That’s why health professionals use The Dietary Guidelines for America to provide nutrition recommendations. These guidelines are issued every five years, with the most recent edition released last fall. These guidelines are created by a Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human services (HHS) and the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA). The guidelines reflect the current body of nutrition research. Their aim is to promote health, prevent chronic disease, and help people reach and maintain healthy weight. Although these dietary guidelines are based on extensive nutrition research, fad diets will continue to exist. It is important to know what to be aware of when reading about a new diet. Be wary of diets that promise rapid weight loss or which require restrictions of specific food groups. These restrictions may lead to nutrient deficiencies. Also, be skeptical of diets that promise the ability to eat unlimited quantities of certain foods, that recommend specific food combinations, have rigid meal plans, or claim that there is no need to exercise. A balanced diet that follows the recommendations of the dietary guidelines remains superior to most fad diets. + • http://www.justonjuice.com/ how-do-i-get-protein-during-ajuice-fast/ • http://health.gov/ dietaryguidelines/2010/ • http://www.eatright.org/ resources/food/nutrition/ dietary-guidelines-and-myplate • http://www.foodsafetynews. com/2012/01/dont-eat-like-acaveman/#.Vj4omLerTIU • http://health.usnews.com/ best-diet/paleo-diet

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MAY 20, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

The Short White Coat THE INTERVIEW by Jasmine Rivas

hen the attending asked if I had interviewed yet, my immediate thought was, “No, I’m going for the 2018 Match.” There was a moment of silence and I suddenly realized she was referring to interviewing patients. I realized this, chuckled to myself and answered the intended question. “Yes, I have.” Interviewing patients from a psychiatric standpoint is much different than other medical specialties — or is it? As my attending pointed out, there are

many similarities between interviewing a patient in the emergency room or primary care setting and a psychiatric clinic. Defining the history of present illness by deciphering A med student’s notebook between symptomatology is fi rst day in clerkship could go a shared approach across the in one of three ways: love it, board. However, from my hate it or be utterly confused. point-of-view one factor that I felt the latter. sets the field of Psychiatry On my fi rst day, I came apart is that the patient’s home at 4:30 p.m. with an story is less likely to be overwhelming headache and straightforward. feeling quite useless. I am After my fi rst series of accustomed to listening to interviews I came to realize friends or family when they that psychiatric patients are are processing situations, people from all walks of emotions and trying to find life. One thing they have in solutions. However, that common is they are people could not prepare me for the who have been dealt certain continuous hours of listening cards that they are learning to complete strangers who I how to play. Some of them was meeting for the fi rst time. readily reveal their hand, I underestimated Psychiatry; while others rightfully choose or perhaps I overestimated my to keep their poker face. ability to listen. Psychiatry is a field I have The fi rst week had me held an interest in since convinced I could not excel my days in high school in Psychiatry like I once Psychology class. The mind imagined. I had mixed has always fascinated me. One would imagine that my Please see SHORT WHITE page 15

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Kid’s Stuff NOTES FROM A PEDIATRIC INTERN by Caroline Colden, M.D.

SUN PROTECTION I have just returned from a beach trip with my mom to South Carolina, and it was absolutely wonderful. This year I was extra well behaved and wore sunscreen religiously. Perhaps the recent passing of my twenty-seventh birthday made me hyper vigilant about anything (i.e., sun damage) that could age my skin more, or perhaps it’s that I’ve now seen more in my life of the true damage sun can do to skin in the form of cancer. So I lathered myself up, head to toe, fingers to earlobes. And since summer is all but upon us and so are the sun’s rays, I thought I’d share a few quick reminders for basic sun protection that everyone can practice to help have fun without getting those bad burns. It’s important to note that children are especially susceptible to getting burned because they don’t realize the dangers of the sun the way adults do, and they may not notice the fact or the reason they feel hot or burned once damage has already been done. A helpful trick is to apply This should not be your goal. sunscreen BEFORE putting on swimsuits or other clothing, to ensure all parts of the body are covered. One really harsh sunburn in childhood, especially one with blistering, can mean bigger consequences later in life. UVA and especially UVB rays from the sun are responsible for the majority of skin cancer-causing rays, so purchase sun screens and sunglasses that protect against both. Most experts recommend SPF 30 or greater for routine use in the sun. Apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes prior to going outside, and bring a hat or sunglasses, too. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours (or every 1 hour with heavy sweating or whem swimming). Water, sand, and pavement can reflect sunlight, too Don’t forget about protecting the lips! Chapsticks can contain SPF too, which helps! Babies younger than 6 months of age should not be directly exposed to the sun for very long, and should definitely be kept in protective (but light and breathable) clothing and sunscreen. Be smart about how long and at what time of day babies are brought outside. Speaking of times of day, 10 am to 4 pm are the most risky times of day for sunburns to occur, since the sun’s rays are strongest and most direct during these hours. If you start to see pink — or even worse red — on a child’s skin, it’s time to come inside. Chances are they are feeling crispy but won’t realize the worst symptoms until later. Don’t forget how dehydrating it can be to be out in the sun! Drinking plenty of fluids and water (not soda) helps the body do everything better, including maintain healthy skin. +

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MAY 20, 2016

11 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

From the Bookshelf The blog spot — posted by Charishma Nayyar, PA-C, on May 11, 2016

SPEAK IN A LANGUAGE PATIENTS UNDERSTAND You ask your patient to follow instructions and when they see you at their subsequent visit, they have not made the changes you suggested. We have all been there, often placing the blame on their lack of interest in their health. Have you ever thought to dig a little deeper? The average American reads at a middle school level. There have been a series of studies trying to shed light and collect more information on how low health literacy levels impact our healthcare system. The government has even gone as far as creating initiatives to help bridge this gap and encourage health care providers to improve the delivery of health information. With all the efforts that have been employed, there is still little awareness of the issue. Well, here I am to spread the message: We need to simplify the way we present health information to ensure our patients’ understanding I’ll never forget the moment when I was explaining a procedure to parents of a child we were about to operate on. The 10-year-old boy was attentively listening as I spoke to his parents. At the end of our conversa tion, I asked him and his parents if they had any questions. He looked up at me and asked, “What is tissue?” (As I was describing the procedure to his parents I used the word tissue when explaining dissecting through deeper layers below skin level.) The boy had this term confused with Kleenex and couldn’t understand what we were about to do to him. Looking back, I could have chosen a different word when speaking to the family. Just because they were nodding their heads as I spoke, didn’t mean they necessarily understood. As I re-explained what was about to happen using plain language, all three family members got a better hold of what I had been trying to say. I had them walk me through the prescriptions they were being sent home with and how their son should take the medication to ensure their comprehension. It took a few extra minutes, but I was assured that they all had the knowledge they needed to grasp the procedure and care for their son afterwards. As a provider, it is easy to forget what it was like before medical jargon became our primary language. With time constraints, it can be difficult to find a little extra time to sit down by the bedside and walk through every detail ensuring every word is clear. Be that as it may, it is a part of our duty. Perhaps if we chose to incorporate the most basic language when speaking to patients, we would see improvements in patient compliance and patients would feel empowered to make better decisions. Behind every exam room door is a person that deserves to understand their health. The emphasis in medicine is diagnosing and initiating treatment plans, but how can we ensure we are doing our best when patients do not understand what we are trying to say? +

“What is tissue?”

Charishma Nayyar is a physician assistant who blogs at PAsRISE.

your

If the page 4 Who is this? article is a simple line drawing, this book is a huge and intricate painting. The Mold in Dr. Florey’s Coat relates a thousand details about the amazing journey needed for the discovery of penicillin and even more so its mass availablity. If you’ve just arrived here directly from page 4, you’re probably wondering why Alexander Fleming doesn’t even rate a mention in the title of a book about the discovery of penicillin. And you may also be wondering about the title coat. “I thought the penicillin was in Fleming’s Petri dishes.” Never fear, all will be explained between the covers of this fascinating book. It’s quite enlightening. For example, fi nancing was needed to bring this worldchanging antibiotic out of the laboratory and into hospitals and doctors offices. The book tells of Florey’s attempts to garner a much-needed one hundred dollars. He fails, managing to get only $25. Fast forward to today and it takes tens of millions of dollars to bring a drug to

market. And often a decade or more. Yet once Florey and his colleagues got involved with Fleming’s initial discovery, penicillin went from a scientific curiosity known to a handful of scientists to a household word within less than five years. Times have certainly changed. As the book explains, World War II was responsible for accelerating the development of penicillin — and for making it much more complicated and challenging. One of the early team members — Ernst Chain — was a German-born Jew. Resources and funding

were scarce, stretched to the minimum by the war effort. Penicillin research was taking place practically within earshot of Nazi bombs. In fact, Florey and his team had plans to destroy their lab and all their research if Britain fell to Germany. The book’s title refers to an alternate strategy which never had to be employed: the research was moved to the safety of the United States, where it became the highest priority of the war effort after development of the atomic bomb. While Lax thoroughly tells the story of the birth of antibiotics — going back centuries at times — he also takes pains to dismantle some of the myth and lore that have come to surround the discovery of penicillin. Even with the minor embellishments of time removed, it’s a remarkable story. + The Mold in Dr. Florey’s Coat: The Story of Penicillin and the Modern Age of Medical Miracles by Eric Lax; 333 pages, published in June 2015 by Henry Holt & Co.

Research News Lower goals = lower deaths A study published on Monday of this week in the online journal Hypertension says that lowering target blood pressure goals could save tens of thousands of lives annually — and lots of money too. The currently accepted goal for systolic blood pressure (the higher first number) in patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease is 140. Citing evidence from recently completed studies, researchers say lowering the target goal to 120 reduced both cardiovascular events and deaths by about onefourth compared with patients under the current, higher goal. Compared to the alternative, “hypertension treatment is cheap and effective, and fear of side effects should not dissuade physicians from treating to lower goals in high-risk individuals under 75 years of age,” say study authors at Columbia University Medical Center. Pandemics solved An editorial in the current issue of Cardiology says that

based on clinical evidence, there is an immediately available “magic bullet” solution to the worldwide epidemics of obesity and cardiovascular disease. But you might not like it. It’s the E-word: exercise. Yes, the medicine might seem like a bitter pill to swallow. Currently, some 65 percent of Americans never engage in any physical activity, says the editorial. Only about 20 percent of Americans get the recommended amounts of physical activity. Why bother to exercise? Without it, couch potatoes elevate their risk for obesity, heart attacks, strokes, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and some deadly cancers. With it, exercisers can expect to enjoy lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduced weight, lower incidence of strokes, arthritis, diabetes, colon, prostate and breast cancers and heart attacks, plus improved mood, energy levels, sleep, and sex life. Other than that, exercise doesn’t offer a whole lot.

The Gluten Myth An article at Science 2.0 notes that, while there have always been patients with celiac disease (CD) who must therefore avoid gluten, many doctors could go through their entire careers without ever treating one. Today as many as 20 percent of Americans, educated by advertising and authors wanting to sell books, are concerned about gluten. In a 2015 survey of 1,500 gluten-shunning Americans, “no reason” was the most common explanation for their choice of gluten-free foods. The $6 billion-and-growing gluten-free food market is actually great news for the few people with CD, who once had to endure precious few gluten-free food choices. As for the others, the misconception is that a glutenfree diet is a healthy choice without significant drawbacks. In fact, for those without CD or a wheat allergy, a gluten-free diet could pose more risk than benefit, including increased fat and calorie intake. +

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MAY 20, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE EXAMiNERS

THE MYSTERY WORD

Do you know a good CPA or tax attorney?

Not off hand. Why?

by Dan Pearson

I need to set up a dummy corporation.

I’m going to open a tutoring school for failing students.

Really? Why?

The Mystery Word for this issue: HOPSCOTTEES

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. Shrimp 6. Minimalist IV 9. Streetcar 13. Walker lead 14. Screen symol 15. Male lead in a book or movie 16. Office of a bishop 18. Place to make bread 19. Waist band 20. Abnormal breath sounds 21. Monthly expense 22. Type of balloon 24. Top book club leader 25. Write hurriedly 28. Shoulder bones 31. Similar 32. Support 33. Eisenhower, in brief 36. Main part of a church 37. Lying face down 38. Not up yet 39. Coloring material 40. Augusta college 41. Angered 42. Fenway team 44. Only just 45. “The Blue Goose” 47. Uterus 48. Having wings 49. ______ Park Ave. 52. First word of many a tale 56. Baseball glove 57. Brawl 59. Speed relative to the speed of sound 60. Surrounded by 61. Accustom 62. Wan; pale; gray 63. Nevertheless 64. Flexes

VISIT WWW.AUGUSTARX.COM 1

Click on “READER CONTESTS”

QUOTATION PUZZLE

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

— Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997)

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.

DOWN 1. Derogatory term for an ordinary person 2. Forced intercourse 3. Indigo dye 4. Gated area neighborhood 5. Site of WTC 6. Unit of energy 7. Indicate a political preference 8. Singles 9. Jim, noted athlete 10. Like some jackets 11. Large performance venue 12. One of twelve 14. Apple product 17. By mouth 23. Female sheep 24. Lyric poem 25. Soil component 26. Soil component 27. It’s getting a makeover right now 28. Northern borough of 5-D

29. 27-D is down to one of these 30. Bandage type 32. Vigor in style or performance 34. Brooks of AU 35. Whirlpool 37. Ballet step 38. Aloft 40. M.D. reference book 41. Male sheep 43. Unrefined; natural; plain 44. Student ______ 45. Third letter of the Greek alphabet 46. Assumed name 47. Green energy source 49. June 6, 1944 50. Capital of Italy 51. Single entity 53. Part of speech 54. Thin rope 55. Just manages to get by 58. Front part of an apron

X A M I N E R

7 6

5 2

1 8

2 1

2 2

U D O K U

DIRECTIONS: Every line, vertical and horizontal, and all nine 9-square boxes must each contain the numbers 1 though 9. Solution on page 14.

Solution p. 14

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

1 1

2 2

3 3

C 2 3

1 P 1

1 2

U 5 6

C . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

. 2

1 2

1 2 3 4 5 6

— John Howard

1.BIAVIPIECTI 2.ITTHASSUEN 3.SSSCHREG 4.ISIYI 5.NOCCE 6.LLENU 7.GEES 8.E 9.R

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 20, 2016

13 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE BEST MEDICINE Moe: I linked all my wristwatches together into a belt today. Joe: What a complete waist of time.

ight wheelchair athletes preparing for the upcoming Paralympic Games were recently disqualified after they tested positive for WD-40. Moe: Mary had a little lamb... Joe: Well I guess she’s not vegan anymore. Why did the chicken cross the road? You would too if you saw Colonel Sanders coming at you with a butcher knife. Why do space rocks taste better than earth rocks? Because they are a little meteor. What rhymes with orange. No it doesn’t. A reporter asks Donald Trump if he has a sense of humor and if so, what is his favorite joke. “Seriously, I have the best jokes,” says Trump. “I know some professional comedians, and let me tell you, even they say I’ve got the best jokes.” “Ok, let’s hear one,” says the reporter. “When I tell a joke, the whole crowd laughs. Everybody. I’ve got the best jokes. Seriously.”

What do you call a religious drug addict? A crystal methodist. What do you call a catholic leader on weed? A high priest. Why aren’t there any Walmarts in Afghanistan? Because there’s a target on every corner. What has caused Caitlyn Jenner to put on weight? Trans fats. A lawyer sneered at a witness on the stand, “You seem to have above average intelligence for a man of your background.” The witness replied, “If I wasn’t under oath, I’d return the compliment.” My wife asked what was on TV right now. “Dust,” I said. The doctor says I should have the cast off by early next month. +

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

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

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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 I usually wake up before sunrise, which is convenient. My paper arrives around 4 am, so I can start out my day with the TV news and the Augusta Chronicle. Sometimes the news is positive, sometimes negative, but it always leaves me feeling connected to a world larger than myself. Defocusing on myself, my own needs, wants, worries, and frustrations helps me to remain grounded in the real world. I don’t get lost in my own drama. Seniors and others who are largely separated from the world through their physical limitations need to make sure that we maintain outside connections to avoid becoming disconnected and isolated within an ever smaller world. Good mental health isn’t necessarily contingent on being able to get around outside one’s home. For some of us being that kind of active is no longer possible, but there are many ways we can mentally leave and be part of that larger world. Reading a good book can help us to travel into different worlds, expanding our ability to relate to others who come to visit us through the words of an author. I remember as a child reading Heidi for the fi rst time and loving Grandfather and all the other characters in that book. Even today those people are as real to me as my own family. Today there are still writers creating characters, settings, and plots that become as familiar to me as my own neighborhood. I recommend Barbara Kingsolver’s trilogy Bean Trees, Animal Dreams, and Pigs in Heaven. I unashamedly watch the Saturday morning children’s TV shows. I really enjoy the show from the Henry Ford Museum that highlights the development of technologies, in part because I loved visiting the museum and Greenfield Village as a child. I can remember the dusty, woody smell of Thomas Edison’s laboratory, the keen sense of his persistence in developing the lightbulb, the little shock of realizing that his incredible contribution took place in such a small, modest building. The show brings us closer to those people who had an idea and followed through with developing it. The name of the show is Innovation Nation and it’s on Saturday morning on CBS. Those cerebral adventures fit who I am, but not necessarily who you are. You may love the sounds, sights, and smells of a good NASCAR race, the collisions of a hopping hockey game, the ever-moving excitement of soccer, or the quite sedate pace of curling. I watch college football and basketball games, but not baseball unless I’m there while it’s happening. You may enjoy an opera, a concert, or a program on gardening. Some folks get excited by watching political debates. Others would rather choose a show on quilting, sewing, or painting. It doesn’t matter what we choose to engage with; the essential is that we find ways to become and remain engaged with the world. Our mental health will be better for being connected. +

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MAY 20, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE MYSTERY SOLVED

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The Mystery Word in our last issue was: GRADUATE

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WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT EXAMINER CLASSIFIEDS HOMES, APARTMENTS, ROOMMATES, LAND, ETC. NEED A HOME SHORT-TERM? Fully furnished home avail June 1 through Sept 27. No children, no pets, no smoking. 5 miles from medical district. Call Richard: (706) 869-8770 SUMMERVILLE Historic Summerville Condo. Rehabbed, pristine condition. Close to MCG/AU. 1BR/1BA. $1,000 incl water/trash/washer-dryer. Tour and details at www.coolcondoforrent.wordpress.com Call 706-738-5606 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.

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AUGUSTAGAHOMESEARCH.COM Foreclosures • MLS • Builders • Rentals (706) 564-5885

SERVICES HOUSE CLEANING Your house, apartment, rental move-outs. Thorough, dependable. Weekly, or whatever schedule you prefer. References. 706-267-9947 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 706-760-7607

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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 WANT TO BE HEALTHY? (Energy, weight loss, mental clarity) Go to gethealthyat.le-vel.com See video and Facebook. Sign free as customer. BEING PAID WHAT YOU ARE WORTH? Then make more money! Watch movie all out interview: ExtraMoneyInterview.net CEMETERY SPACES (2) Sunset Memorial Gardens, Graniteville SC adjacent to lighted military flagstaff, includes granite bench with urn space, installation and inscription. All $4700 ($8600 value). Spaces only: $2700. Call (803) 2953033

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QUOTATION QUOTATION PUZZLE SOLUTION: “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.” — Mother Teresa

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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 or (706) 829-1729 PET CARE in Martinez-Evans area. Dogs to 40 lbs, $9.00. Cats (1-3), $9.00 For interview/information, phone 706-8291729

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WORDS BY NUMBER “The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine.” — John Howard

MAY 20, 2016

15 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

PROFILE… from page 3

SHORT WHITE… from page 10 feelings and found myself in the gray area of simply not knowing how I felt. I expected these interviews to be, if not easy, then at the least feasible for me. Thankfully, I am reminded that expectations are not usually met by reality in the form that we expect. Moreover, there is beauty in discovering a new challenge and devising a plan to overcome it. That premise in itself is the core of Psychiatry, at least from my current perspective. Today marks the middle of my second week and I’m still in the gray area.

Nevertheless, I have come to embrace the confusion and practice my ability to listen in a meaningful way. Whether Psychiatry is the field for me, or not, I know there is an abundance of knowledge and wisdom to be gained. As they always say, “attitude is everything.” + by Jasmine Rivas, a third year medical student at University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Feel free to contact her with questions or feedback: jrivas@umhs-sk.net

The Examiner’s online archive: www.issuu.com/medicalexaminer

of the federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW). Of her service to the American Lung Association, Dr. Ellison notes that because of tuberculosis, the lung association was America’s largest public health association at the time, eclipsing current giants like the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. Dr. Ellison actually retired in 2000, but that didn’t last long. She was almost immediately invited back to serve as the Medical Historian in Residence for the medical college. She also holds the titles of Provost Emeritus, Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Surgery, and Associate Professor Emeritus of Physiology. Her long marriage to Robert Ellison, an noted physician and researcher in his own right, produced five children, three of whom are doctors. +

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DERMATOLOGY

ALLERGY

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

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

COUNSELING

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

DIABETES WOUND CARE

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

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

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

Aiyan Diabetes Center “A Comprehensive Diabetes Clinic” Dr. Janaki Nadarajah, DPM 706-868-0319 462 Furys Ferry Road

DRUG REHAB Steppingstones to Recovery 2610 Commons Blvd. Floss ‘em or lose ‘em! Augusta 30909 706-733-1935

Jason H. Lee, DMD 116 Davis Road Augusta 30907 706-860-4048 Steven L. Wilson, DMD Family Dentistry 4059 Columbia Road Martinez 30907 706-863-9445

YOUR LISTING HERE Your Practice And up to four additional lines of your choosing and, if desired, your logo. Keep your contact information in this convenient place seen by tens of thousands of patients every month. Literally! Call (706) 860-5455 for all the details

FAMILY MEDICINE

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

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

PHARMACY

SENIOR LIVING

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

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

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

VEIN CARE

Medical Center West Pharmacy 465 North Belair Road Evans 30809 Vein Specialists of Augusta 706-854-2424 G. Lionel Zumbro, Jr., MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI www.medicalcenterwestpharmacy.com 501 Blackburn Dr, Martinez 30907 706-854-8340 Parks Pharmacy www.VeinsAugusta.com 437 Georgia Ave. N. Augusta 29841 803-279-7450 www.parkspharmacy.com

PSYCHIATRY Psych Consultants 2820 Hillcreek Dr Augusta 30909 (706) 410-1202 www.psych-consultants.com

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

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THE DOCTOR IS IN Musical medicine

MAY 20, 2016

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

he fi rst time I felt the healing power of music I was about 9 years old, home with the flu, sitting in the living room with my dad’s Realistic Nova 40 headphones on my ears. I could barely keep them on they were so huge. When he got home, my dad pulled a strange looking album out of his collection and dropped the needle on the fourth song. I sat for a few seconds listening to the quiet hum of the record

“One thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” – Bob Marley player, until the cacophonous roar of clocks on Pink Floyd’s Time began and I jumped back startled, yelling over the noise, “What is that?!” “Just listen,” my dad said with a smile on his face as

he turned the receiver down a little. Shortly after Richard Wright sang, “No one told you when you run, you missed the starting gun,” I felt something change inside me when David Gilmour’s guitar solo tore through my head, starting with guttural blues riffs and sailing to soaring high notes that glided through the air like birds. Instantly, I felt better and I completely forgot how I sick I was. The next year I got my fi rst guitar for Christmas, and music has been a part of my life ever since. For people who truly love music, it does so much more than fi ll the void of a long car ride, provide something to dance to, or cover up an otherwise awkward silence. It puts people in touch with their emotions, calms their nerves, and contributes to an overall heightened state of being. Music’s health benefits have been extensively studied. A study published in The Lancet last year from

the UK reported in a cohort totaling 7,000 people that listening to music at the time of surgery increases patient satisfaction and decreases both post-procedural pain and pain medication use. As the now very-publicized opioid epidemic continues to grow, it is certainly time for more healthcare providers to be aware of non-pharmacologic strategies for patients in need of long term pain management Unfortunately, nearly 30,000 people die every year from opioids and heroin in the United States, and a great many of these individuals are illicitly using the drugs at higher doses or compounding them with other drugs to achieve the same effect. In fact, there are more people dying from opioids than from heroin. Despite its role in the development of innumerable amazing pieces of music, heroin quite simply needs to go. And all the pills like it. The most powerful thing music can do is inspire, and it may mean the difference in

someone deciding if their life is worth more than continuing a losing game against a drug that should never win. If we are going to make opioid and heroin addiction a thing of the past, music and other “alternative” therapies must be pushed into the mainstream to help people cope with chronic pain. Dedicated to all those that have lost their lives to opiate addiction, and all those who have touched our lives through their music. + Dr. Darren Mack is a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia and is a urologist with offices in Evans and Aiken. He may be reached David Russell Photography at (803) 716-8712; via Twitter: @doctordmack and Instagram: @aikenurology The information provided in this article is not a substitute for an evaluation by a licensed health care provider.

See the Medical Examiner blog — AugustaRx.com/news — every Thursday for a dose of music therapy. For easy access to all music posts for the past year, visit www.augustarx.com/news/category/music-therapy/

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