Medical Examiner 09-04-20 by Daniel Pearson

MEDICALEXAMINER

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

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

AIKEN-AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006

• A Michigan man pulled a 4-inch knife on a store worker after she asked him to wear a mask while shopping. • In Louisiana, a convenience store clerk shot at a customer who refused to wear a mask. No one was injured. The clerk was arrested. • A 17-year-old employee of Sesame Place, a children’s theme park near Philadelphia, was punched in the face by a man and a woman after he reminded them to wear masks while in the park. • An employee at a Colorado Waffle House was shot and wounded after confronting a customer who refused to wear a mask. The customer was charged with attempted first-degree murder. • At a New Jersey Staples store, a 54-year-old woman asked a 25-year-old woman to properly wear the mask she was wearing around her chin. The older woman had undergone a liver transplant 4 months previously. The younger woman threw the older woman, who walked with a cane, to the ground, breaking her leg in the process. The younger woman was arrested. • Customers who resisted being removed from a Van Nuys, California,

ANGER

MISMANAGEMENT

Target store for refusing to wear masks broke the arm of an employee.

• A San Francisco bus driver was beaten with a bat, spit on, and called racial slurs after trying to remove passengers from his bus who refused to wear face masks. No arrests were made. • A 35-year-old Washington state resident was arrested and charged with assault after allegedly breaking the jaw of a 72-year-old disabled veteran during a dispute over face masks in a hotel lobby. Cody Hansen allegedly punched the unnamed victim several times, leaving him unconscious. The victim informed officers he made a comment to Hansen’s girlfriend who was not wearing a mask. • An employee at an Oklahoma McDon-

ald’s was shot and two other employees wounded when a customer opened fire after being told the dining area was closed due to coronavirus restrictions. • A 53-year-old Pennsylvania man confronted a motorist who reportedly coughed without covering his mouth in a convenience store parking lot. The argument sparked a physical confrontation, and the coughing man opened fire. No one was injured. Both men were arrested for assault. • In California, a man fired his gun out of frustration after a hospital prevented him from being able to visit a sick relative due to pandemic guidelines. No one was injured. The man was arrested. • A Michigan man shot at employees of a convenience store after being asked to

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wear a mask. No one was injured, and police are still looking for the shooter. • A woman hit an American Airlines gate agent at the Phoenix airport after she was barred from boarding her flight after refusing to wear a mask, per airline policy. • A Pennsylvania man shot a cigar store employee after being told he had to wear a mask inside the store, then shot at police who tried to arrest him at his home, injuring one officer. • A 17-year-old Chili’s hostess in Louisiana, trying to comply with restaurant policy of seating no more than 6 people together, was attacked by members of a party of 13 for not being able to sit together. The employee required stitches to close facial cuts. • In an Austin, Texas, grocery store a man became so enraged when he was told to wear a face mask that he threw several cases of water through the store’s plate glass windows, causing $17,000 in damages. • A security guard at a Michigan Family Dollar store told a family they could not enter the store without masks. The family left, but the father and son later returned and the son shot the guard in the head, killing him. +

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

THE FIRST 40 YEARS ARE ALWAYS THE HARDEST

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

The path I have chosen by Kimberly Savage

PARENTHOOD by David W. Proefrock, PhD

We all handle stress in different ways, and there are many different ways to handle it successfully. Young children often regress. This is not likely to be a successful strategy, but your job as a parent is to understand the stressful situation and help your children deal with it. + Dr. Proefrock is a retired clinical and forensic child psychologist.

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me for being tested? Remember, I had no symptoms and someone who was exhibiting symptoms may have needed that test more than me. What is the right answer? I do not know! Another announcement from the CDC this week, that 94%

“This should come as a wake-up call to all of us.”

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If you answered: A. This is a normal regression in response to stress, but don’t indulge this immature behavior. That is likely to lead to more serious problems. B. This is a normal regressive response to stress. Over-reacting just creates more stress. It won’t help the situation, it will probably make it worse. C. This is the best response. Regression is common when a new sibling comes into the family. You should encourage age-appropriate behavior and make him feel special for being more mature. D. In this case, the immature behaviors, called regression, are normal responses and will probably go away in a short time. There is no need for a mental health professional unless they get worse or don’t go away.

The CDC has come out with some surprising recommendations recently. One of these recommendations is that exposure to someone who is positive for COVID-19 is not an indication to be tested for the virus if you are asymptomatic. As a respiratory therapist I have been exposed to someone who within 24 hours tested positive for COVID-19. I was asymptomatic but was tested because I was going to be in contact with elderly family members and wanted the peace of mind that comes with knowing I am not spreading the virus to my family who may not be as healthy as I am. On the other side of the spectrum, my nephew in college lives with 2 other roommates who tested positive for COVID-19. Although he had cold-like symptoms for a couple days, he chose not to get tested but self-quarantined until he no longer had symptoms because he did not want the anxiety, not to mention the stigma, that comes with testing positive. I have mixed feelings about this because, as I said, I prefer to know. Is it irresponsible of my nephew for not being tested or

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Your 4 year-old son has had a difficult time adjusting to the birth of his new baby sister. He didn’t seem to have any serious problems before she was born. He hasn’t been aggressive toward her. In fact, he has been gentle and loving with her. However, he has started wetting the bed, crying easily, and talking “baby talk.” He even asked for a bottle recently. What do you do? A. This is normal behavior. Indulge him until he gets used to the new baby in the family. B. Be very firm with him about acting his age until he gets over this phase. C. Don’t give in to him. Remind him that he is a big brother and that’s a pretty special thing to be, but don’t worry too much either. D. These are signs of a serious emotional problem. Take him to a mental health professional for an evaluation.

testing should be more selective, and individually we should use some common sense when running out to get tested due to exposure. For example, if I had not been going to see elderly family members I would not have chosen to get tested unless I became symptomatic. I work in healthcare; exposure is a certainty. I think shutting down schools, restaurants, stores, government, etc. for the 6% slice of the population with only COVID-19 is causing more financial, emotional and psychological hardship than we can even measure, and it will take much longer to overcome than we realize. Let me be very clear, the lives lost to this virus are tragic and watching these people die alone is gut wrenching. BUT, for the sake of perspective, during the 20182019 flu season 34,000 people died from the flu according to the CDC and this happens every year! Just a quick side note, if you are sick, vulnerable, feel better wearing a mask, by all means wear it but making it mandatory… again, I’m not sure that is the answer. Throughout this article I have raised questions about CDC recommendations. Working in the healthcare field I can tell you it changes at an unexplainable rate unlike anything I have ever seen before and will not likely see again in my lifetime. In summary I say this: there is a lot of information out there and whatever your opinion happens to be, you can likely find some sort of evidence to back it up. The word of the year seems to be “unprecedented.” We should all keep that in mind and react and respond to others accordingly. +

of COVID-related deaths were caused by other comorbidities exacerbated by the virus came as a surprise to many, but was not a surprise to the people who have been caring for these patients. Would these patients still be alive had they not caught the virus? I do not know that either. I think it should come as a wake-up call to everyone to take a more active role in caring for the only body we have. Maybe we should eat less, move more, drink more water and less soda. I think this virus is here to stay. I think

Sparkle

— Kimberly Savage is a respiratory therapist who works at two Augusta-area hospitals

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AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

MANAGEMENT

Normally in journalism it’s a good thing to have more information than you need. In the case of the “Anger Mismanagement” article that introduces this one, that is the last thing anyone would want. Unfortunately, however, the news items on page 1 are just the tip of a very nasty iceberg. For one thing, they are domestic stories only. There are similar tales strewn across the globe, and plenty more that could have been cited from this country. What is wrong with people? That’s a very good question, and one that has all manner of law enforcement, healthcare, retail, and mental health experts scratching their heads to answer. We will leave them to continue their deliberations. In the meantime, let’s talk about how to avoid confrontations. In the midst of a pandemic and all of its related stress, de-escalating conflict or avoiding it in the first place can be life-saving. Let’s transition from anger mismanagement to anger management. First, a note about the application of what follows: it’s for both sides in this unexpected war, the side that advocates masks and other preventive measures, as well as the side which argues that masks and other preventive measures are of questionable value and an unnecessary infringement on

freedom and liberty. Rule #1: Don’t debate. It’s a waste of time. The very best official advice from recognized experts in healthcare has varied widely over the course of this pandemic. Mixed messages are everywhere. Millions of “experts” on social media regularly emit a torrent of information and misinformation. For every “fact” one side can throw out in an argument, the other side can throw out two. Nobody is going to win or change anyone else’s mind. Don’t even start down that pointless path. Rule #2: Educate. Many confrontations occur in retail settings, so it’s important for stores, whether mom-&-pop or chains, to prominently post their policies on their front doors and windows and their websites so people know in advance what to expect. Make sure employees know the policies, and have been trained in tactfully implementing them. Rule #3: Accommodate. If a person in a retail setting is upset about the limitations of a policy — for example, not being permitted to enter a store without a mask — politely offer all available alternatives: curbside pick-up, home delivery, online shopping, etc. If someone wants to insult you for wearing or not wearing a mask (or something else), in all likelihood that person is a

total stranger. You have never seen them before and you will probably never see them again. Who cares what their opinion is? Move away. Rule #4: Don’t berate. Avoid sarcasm, insults and all other incendiary words and actions. It might not end well if you do. Be unfailingly courteous. Rule #5: Exonerate. Absolve the person in front of you of all blame for the stance he or she is taking. They are either relating their honestly-held personal beliefs, or they are trying to enforce policies they had no role in making and may not even agree with; the mandates came down from their employer, their governor, mayor, or someone else. As such, there is no need to attack that person. Rule #6: Contemplate. Think about the big picture. Is any of this really worth a huge fight? Some people on page 1 who thought masks were an infringement on their freedom are going to spend the next few months or years locked in a cell. Turns out they were right; their freedom is gone for the foreseeable future. Do you think any of the people who end up in prison for attacking someone for or against masks would do it again if they had the chance for a do-over? Management is far better than mismanagement. +

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Why can’t I lose weight? Obviously this is a general question so it will be a general answer, but it does reflect something that many people have experienced: trying to lose weight isn’t easy. Sometimes the very best efforts are canceled by medications which commonly cause weight gain as a side effect. Or physical limitations can severely curtail the ability to exercise. But with those and a few other caveats aside, it is rarely mission impossible. Barring obstacles like those already mentioned, the problems usually stem from that condition many of us suffer from known as “human nature.” For example, have you ever walked a brisk mile or two and rewarded yourself with an iced frappuccino? It’s just coffee, right? Or have you reached a weight-loss milestone after a steaming summer day’s workout and rewarded yourself with a frosty-cold smoothie? But it’s full of fruit so it’s healthy, right? Actually, food-related rewards are the last thing anyone should use for motivation when they’re trying to lose weight. Walk a mile and then go for a healthful smoothie and you have probably sucked all the calories up through your straw that you just burned off during your walk. One idea that has worked for many people is keeping a log or chart that records their weight. Seeing visual proof of regular progress can be an effective motivator, especially seeing a regular reminder of your starting point. Since weight can fluctuate from day to day, some weight loss experts recommend charting your progress weekly. You can weigh yourself daily if you prefer, but enter the results on your chart once a week, always on the same day. Avoid self-torture, like binging on Food Network shows while you’re trying to lose weight. That will just make things harder. Remember also that going on a diet is by definition something you’re eventually going to go off. When that happens those lost pounds can start mysteriously reappearing. A whole new lifestyle, however, is sustainable over the long haul, and it can be as simple as giving up sodas or going for a daily walk (or both). As for rewards, treat yourself to a new book, a scented candle, a pair of shoes — something that’s not edible. +

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SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

#122 IN A SERIES

Who is this? ON THE ROAD TO BETTER HEALTH A PATIENT’S PERSPECTIVE

erhaps the best thing that can be said about this man’s important contribution to the field of medicine is that it’s usually deployed when we’re under anesthesia. But then, we often have to endure its decommissioning. Our mystery man was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in 1891 and graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1914, facts which offer zero clues to his eventual career. The very next year, however, he was admitted to medical school at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, graduating in 1918. In an sign of possible great things to come, fresh out of medical school he was fortunate enough to work with medical giants William Halsted and Harvey Cushing, and to find employment at the then nearly new Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, opened in 1913. (That hospital was destined to merge in 1980 with Robert Breck Brigham Hospital, established in 1914, and Boston Hospital for Women, which dates to just 1966. The three hospitals are now collectively known as Brigham and Women’s Hospital.) As you might surmise from his photograph, one of a very few that seem to have survived, this gentleman was not a lover of the spotlight. In fact, very little is known about his career moves between 1918 and 1937, when something happened that is a big clue to his identity: he became board certified in urology that year (1937), although there is no record that he was ever trained in that medical specialty. Even so he worked as a urologist in Boston and later returned to Minnesota as chief of urology at what is now known as Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Do you think you might know his name based on his medical specialty and the first two sentences of this article? If you’re thinking his last name might be Foley, give yourself a gold star. Yes, this is Dr. Frederic Eugene Basil Foley, the inventor of the eponymously named catheter in use all over the world for more than 85 years. The Foley catheter is undoubtedly a large factor in his recognition by the American Board of Urology in 1937, because as far back as the late 1920s and through the early 1930s, Dr. Foley worked on the development of a way to provide continuous drainage of the bladder. Early catheters were, for lack of a better term, strap-ons, but Foley’s design incorporated a balloon near the tip of the catheter that could be inflated after insertion, keeping the catheter in place without external straps or tape. He demonstrated his invention at a meeting of the American Urologists Society in 1935, and continued refining the design, publishing a paper on it in 1937. While Foley continued to tinker, Paul Raiche of the Davol Rubber Company applied for and was awarded a patent for Foley’s design. Foley appealed, and was awarded the patent. Then Raiche appealed the appeal and prevailed. Foley’s appeal of the appeal of the appeal was denied, and that was the end of the line: the patent stayed with Raiche. Even so, since its earliest manufacture and use, the catheter has always borne Foley’s name. Although Foley catheters are made with materials that have been enhanced since the 1930s, the basic design has never been improved upon. Foley died in 1966 due to complications from lung cancer. +

Editor’s note: Augusta writer Marcia Ribble, Ph.D., is a retired English and creative writing professor who offers her unique perspective as a patient. Contact her at marciaribble@hotmail.com by Marcia Ribble This past Monday I had a doctor’s appointment to do some follow-up and to have her look at my badly infected leg. The nurse unwrapped my bandages and had to leave the room because of the stench. I had called two weeks before to ask for an antibiotic, but the doctor wouldn’t prescribe one without seeing me. I am currently unable to drive, which means I needed to use Columbia County transport which must be scheduled two weeks in advance, so that gave my leg two weeks to get worse. Which it did. The two weeks passed and I kept the appointment. The doctor was serious about the state of the infection and after calling around, sent me to University Hospital to have me admitted there. She knows that receiving proper care at home is not possible. So the transport driver took me to and dropped me off at University. The initial process was pretty easy and problem free. But after that everything started to go downhill. It turned out that every single bed in the hospital was full, and every single bed in the emergency room was full, and after a short period I learned that the people waiting with me in the Emergency Room had been there in some cases since 6 am. I got there at about 2 pm. Those folks and I were still there at 10 pm, and later. We waited all that time without food or water, and it didn’t matter that I was a diabetic who hadn’t eaten since 10 am. Finally at about 11 pm they called my name and took me back to an exam room in the Emergency Department. Quite quickly I was able to be seen by a doctor. He said I wasn’t sick enough to be admitted and

prescribed an antibiotic, giving me my first dose of it before sending me home. That was problematic because by then it was past 1 am and I didn’t have a ride home. Fortunately, my granddaughter in Beech Island was able to come and pick me up and take me home. As part of releasing me, I was told that a case manager would contact me to both schedule an appointment at the wound clinic and arrange for transportation. The doctor didn’t have anyone dress the wound while I was there, so the wound still has no dressing. In two days, no one has called to perform those necessary services. The wound is, if anything, still painful, stinky, and frightening. I remain at risk for developing an even deeper wound that could go to the bone and result in my leg being cut off to save my life, or I could get sepsis and die from that complication. It is a challenging situation that affects many seniors who for whatever reason aren’t driving at the time when transportation is needed. It’s a serious issue for Columbia County and probably other counties too, one that needs to be addressed and fixed so people like me can remain healthy. I am doing my due diligence. I have called and left messages, but that doesn’t seem to be enough because my messages are not replied to, and when I do manage to talk with a live human they just cut off the call and the line goes dead. The PA at my doctor’s office who does help has had the same experience. And it isn’t just University. All the hospitals in the area are having the same problem with being full beyond capacity. They say there are fewer hospitalizations for Covid-19, so that isn’t the cause of the hospitals being so full. Perhaps it’s the full moon? +

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AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

ADVENTURES IN

Middle Age BY J.B. COLLUM

to clear the board. Also my everything didn’t provide enough height from the stiff board to get completely flipped over. Instead, I fell straight down on the edge of the board, and landed on, you guessed it, my head. It knocked me out and I came too as Rick was getting me out of the pool. He later told me that I didn’t make a

middle age. A couple of years ago, I started having fiery pains in my back, right arm, and leg. I went to a chiropractor, a general practitioner, and finally an orthopedic surgeon who ordered an MRI. It started out sounding easy. I just had to sit inside a machine while it took some photos of my spine. The first sign of trouble was when the medical technician said I’d have to lie still in this machine for 25 minutes. Twenty. Five. Minutes. Read that like Captain Kirk. Then the other shoe dropped. I saw the tiny coffin-like machine. I weigh about 285 pounds and I wasn’t sure they could even get me in it without using some lubricant and a team of mules. My face would be inches away from the top of the machine and my arms would be pinned at my side with a device in my hand that would allow me to signal for them to take me out. That put me into even more of a panic. What was going to happen that might make people need this button? I mentioned these disquieting thoughts to the technician, and she asked if I wanted to change my mind. I was thinking about it. I have never thought of myself as claustrophobic or cowardly, but before I let the technician slide me into the MRI, I seriously thought about running out of that place in the immodest outfit they had me in and never looking back. All kidding aside, the next 25 minutes were some of the most trau-

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One of the harsh lessons we learn upon reaching middle age is that injuries from our younger days, that we thought we survived unscathed, are actually just biding their time, holding a grudge and waiting until we get old enough and weak enough for them to exact their revenge. I’ll give you one example. When I was a young man, I can’t even recall the number of times that I fell on my head. Come to think of it, part of the reason I can’t recall how many times likely has something to do with all those times that I, well, fell on my head. Hmm. Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yes, falling on my head. One particularly painful experience stands out. I was about 17 years old and spending the day in the pool at my friend Rick’s house. As boys often do, we tried to best each other with flips and backflips off the diving board. The thing is, though, their diving board was particularly challenging as it had no spring to it at all, so you had to generate all of the lift you needed with just your own two legs. That is where the trouble began. On that fateful day I decided I would start with a relatively simple backflip. I stood facing away from the pool on the end of the board and focused all I had on bending my legs and thrusting straight up as hard as I could to get the height needed for a back flip. The problem was that I put everything I had into the vertical with nothing left over to jump out and away

{

X-rays of my head showed nothing.

sound, but just sank motionlessly to the bottom. I was stunned and had a strange numb, yet tingling sensation in my neck. It hurt to lift my head up, so I was stuck staring down at my chest at a strange imprint. Rick and I both stared at it and tried to decipher what could have caused it. It almost looked like someone tried to draw a face upside down, but only drew the eyebrows, the beginning of a nose, and a chin. Then it hit us: it was an imprint of my face! Initially we were shocked that my neck wasn’t broken, then we began to fear that maybe it was. X-rays didn’t reveal any breakage, but they couldn’t be sure there wasn’t a hairline crack so I was told to take it easy. In no time, the neck pain eased up, the faceprint faded and I was back to normal with no apparent issues. Not so fast! Welcome to

Please see MIDDLE AGE page 6

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SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

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Once I was in the MRI, I started itching, precisely because I couldn’t scratch. Then I felt like I was stuck and I heard a door open and shut like maybe the technician had left and I wondered if anyone would be there to get me out even if I did end up signaling for escape. I wanted out so bad, but I also wanted to figure out what was wrong with me. I started praying and after a few minutes, I was calm, but when I opened my eyes, the anxiety spiked right back to panic level. Again, I closed my eyes and prayed more fervently. At first, I mainly prayed for calm and for help to get me through this. I finally decided that I would pray non-stop until the end. My supplication eventually turned away from myself and toward others who had it much worse. After all, this would be over soon, and I should be grateful that I could even get good healthcare. I then listed all the many things I had to be grateful for in my prayer. This went on for what felt like an hour or more, but it did eventually and mercifully end. As the technician slid me out of the machine and I felt the wetness from tears of

joy that the ordeal was over, I told her how difficult it had been. She then asked, “why didn’t you say so? We could have sent you to the other office with the open MRI.” Despite my recent close communion with God only minutes before, I must confess to an urge to utter some not-so-nice words after that, but I managed to hold them back and simply say goodbye. At least I’ll know next time. At the follow-up appointment, I learned that the diving board injury of my youth was the likely cause of the two bulging discs and two bone spurs the MRI revealed in my neck. That is what had been causing all the pain. Like I said at the outset, don’t think you will get away with the close calls of your youth. Back then, you were just building up an injury debt that you would one day have to pay for with interest and penalties. You have been warned. + J.B. Collum is a local novelist, humorist and columnist who wants to be Mark Twain when he grows up. He may be reached at johnbcollum@gmail.com

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BUT WE FIX WHAT BROKEN BRAKES BREAK.

Boiled peanuts are a salty southern treat that are easy to can. If you are from the south you know that summer brings boiled peanut stands, selling warm salty goodness in a paper bag. Canning your own at home is easy and makes for a great snack all year long. What you’ll need • Pressure cooker • Canning jars • Canning rings and seals Ingredients • Peanuts Green peanuts in the shell - 1 pound yields roughly 1 quart of canned peanuts • 1 pound salt (pickling/ canning) • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning per quart jar (optional) • Water

Instructions Select and wash fully mature, but still green peanuts. They should not be roasted or already cooked or dried. Fully mature peanuts do not make good quality boiled peanuts; use raw or “green” ones. Soak the peanuts in the shell in fresh water for one hour. Discard the water, cover again with fresh water and soak for another hour. Repeat this soaking process one more time for another hour. This makes a total soaking time of three hours, using fresh water each time. Put the canning jars in boiling water for 10 minutes to sterilize. Remove and drain. Put lids and rings in a small pot of almost boiling water for 5 minutes, then use the magnetic lid lifter wand to pull them out. Combine 1 cup of pickling salt or kosher salt with 1 gallon of water. Set this on a burner on low heat (so it does not boil away) until you are ready to fill the jars Get a very large pot of boiling water going, enough to hold all the peanuts you plan on canning, plus room for

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Canned Boiled Peanuts extra water. Then parboil (simmer just below the boiling point) the peanuts for 10 minutes in fresh water and drain. Pack the hot peanuts into hot jars, leaving ½ inch head space Fill each jar to ½ inch from the top with boiling brine (1 cup salt per gallon of water). Remove any air bubbles. Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cajun seasoning, depending on how spicy you like it (optional). Wipe the rims of the jars, put on the lids and rings and tighten them snugly. Place the jars into the weighted gauge pressure canner with 4 inches of water in the bottom. Please follow your own canner’s instruction book on how to use a canner. Lock the lid on pressure canner, put the heat on high and let the steam escape through the vent for 10 minutes to purge the airspace inside the canner After 10 minutes of venting, put the weight on and close

any openings to allow the pressure to build. Once the gauge hits 10 pounds, set your timer for 90 minutes, controlling heat to keep at 10 pounds pressure. When processing time is over, turn off the heat, and allow the pressure canner to completely cool and the pressure to drop to zero before opening the canner lid. Lift the jars out of the water and let them cool on a towel without touching or bumping them. +

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by Gina Dickson, an Augusta mom to six and Gigi to ten. Her website, intentionalhospitality. com, celebrates gathering with friends, cooking great healthy meals and sharing life around the table. Also on Instagram @ intentionalhospitality

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ASK DR. KARP

NO NONSENSE

NUTRITION

Evelyn, a Facebook friend from Dallas, Texas, writes: “How can the average person determine if something is good medical science or nonsense? My friend just sent me a video with some doctors speaking on it. Should I believe it?” I can quickly answer that last question. Should you put any trust in scientific or medical discoveries announced by a video of “experts?”

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

No. Medical scientists never announce scientific findings in videos, social media postings or on the evening news. Instead, medical discoveries are always subject to disciplined and rigorous peer-review and then published in reputable medical and scientific journals. What peer-review means is that at least two independent experts critically evaluate the data, results and conclusions and judge whether they are valid. Peer-review always occurs as an important part of any medical science discovery. Hint #1 for wondering about the truthfulness and accuracy of medical science information is this: if it is reported in a video, on a TV talk show, or on social media…don’t walk away; run! Another important way of determining if medical information is accurate is to understand how the information evolved. Scientific inquiry is a progression of thought. You begin with what is known, you hypothesize an idea, then you design experiments and collect data to support or dispute your hypothesis. Scientific knowledge is not like a pendulum swinging from one extreme to another. Evolving scientific thought is not the same as someone simply changing their mind. Evolution of thought is part of the scientific process. When new information is gained, scientific thinking is adjusted based on the new facts and data. Next, you advance your hypothesis one step further; it is a fine-tuning of ideas and information. Hint #2, then, is this: are the “experts” telling you that everything that is currently known is false, but they have

discovered the “true” answer? If you hear a claim like this, a red light should start flashing in your brain. Today, testimonials and personal experiences are touted as alternate ways of discovering facts, especially on social media and in politics. They are not. I am not saying that testimonials and experiences are not valuable. They can be, but they are the very beginning of scientific discovery, not the end result. Testimonials and experiences should never be used as a replacement for research and facts. They should never be used to make intelligent decisions or recommendations. I have seen the testimonial approach to health care used so much recently, and it is alarming. We need to get back to evidenced-based decision making. If history is the judge, then our culture

should eventually get back to science and move away from “gut feelings.” Hint #3 is this: if the study is being publicized by people telling you their experiences or feelings, beware. It is an advertisement, not a study. What is the “No-Nonsense” advice for today? Be a critical thinker. Seek out peer-reviewed nutrition and medical science data and information. It isn’t hard to do. Use popular sources of medical information as guides or suggestions for further exploration and thought. Don’t accept what you read or hear on social media as a scientific fact. It is not. Go back to the original sources of information and make sure they are evidenced-based. Scientific truth is independent of personalities. Science is data-drive, not people- or personality-driven. +

Have a question about food, diet or nutrition? Post or private message your question on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/AskDrKarp) or email your question to askdrkarp@gmail.com If your question is chosen for a column, your name will be changed to insure your privacy. Warren B. Karp, Ph.D., D.M.D., is Professor Emeritus at Augusta University. He has served as Director of the Nutrition Consult Service at the Dental College of Georgia and is past Vice Chair of the Columbia County Board of Health. You can find out more about Dr. Karp and the download site for the public domain eBook, Nutrition for Smarties, at www.wbkarp.com Dr. Karp obtains no funding for writing his columns, articles, or books, and has no financial or other interests in any food, book, nutrition product or company. His interest is only in providing freely available, evidenced-based, scientific nutrition knowledge and education. The information is for educational use only; it is not meant to be used to diagnose, manage or treat any patient or client. Although Dr. Karp is a Professor Emeritus at Augusta University, the views and opinions expressed here are his and his alone and do not reflect the views and opinions of Augusta University or anyone else.

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Ask a Dietitian

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

HEALTHY EATING MAY PREVENT DISEASE AND IMPROVE IMMUNE FUNCTION

9 +

CRAVING THE WING?

by Cheryl Gullickson MS, RD, LD. Cheryl is a registered dietitian and a member of the Augusta Area Dietetic Association. shown that diets high in fat and sugar are associated with higher levels of these inflammatory markers. Unhealthy weight gain has also been associated with an increase in inflammation in the body. But can healthy eating habits help prevent or reverse inflammation? A recent study published in the Journal of Aging showed that calorie restriction of about 12 percent per day decreased markers of inflammation that lead to aging and chronic diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. The participants who ate less over a two-year period had lower levels of inflammatory markers when compared to control subjects who followed an unrestricted diet. When inflammation is present, the body may have more difficulty fighting infections. A study of older adults who received the pneumonia vaccine and also ate more fruits and

vegetables had a better immune response after the vaccine than individuals who ate minimal fruits and vegetables. Is there a magic supplement that can help build immunity? The evidence is lacking to recommend any specific vitamin, mineral, or herbal supplement to help boost immunity. However, controlling weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar as well as staying physically active (follow your doctor’s advice for a safe level of exercise) are the keys to staying health. A Mediterranean diet eating pattern has been associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers and prevention of chronic diseases. It is a healthy eating plan that can be part of an immune-boosting lifestyle to maintain good health. To follow a Mediterranean Diet, choose more fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, dried beans, olive oil, and fish. Below are food group ideas for eating the healthy Mediterranean way:

FOOD GROUP

SUGGESTED DAILY INTAKE

MEAL PLANNING IDEAS

Vegetables

Choose 4 or more servings of vegetables daily including at least once raw serving daily. One serving size is ½ cup cooked or 1 cup raw

Select vegetables that have a variety of colors—dark green, orange, yellow, red, purple

Fruit

Choose 3 or more servings of daily. A serving = small piece of whole fruit or ½ piece

Fruit makes a great healthy dessert

Whole Grains

Choose 3-4 servings daily. One serving is equal to a slice of bread or ½ cup cooked cereal, rice, pasta

Select whole grains such as oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat breads.

Fats/Oils

Use several tablespoons daily in place of butter or margarine

Choose healthy oils and fats, such as olive oil, canola oil, and avocados

Beans/Seeds/Nuts

Choose several servings of each weekly

Try a natural peanut butter, handful of nuts, or bowl of low sodium beans as an alternative to meat at mealtimes

Fish and Seafood

Low Fat Dairy, Eggs or Poultry

Choose several times a week

Choose one daily

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Choosing a healthy diet can play a role in preventing and treating chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and some autoimmune disorders. But did you know that healthy eating habits may also help boost your immune function to help fight infections? An unhealthy diet that is high in saturated fat and added sugars, excessive calories that lead to weight gain and contribute to a lack of physical activity can cause chronic inflammation in the body that increases the risk for infection and diseases. Elevated inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein or CRP, and interleukin-6, aka IL-6) may be seen when chronic inflammation is present. One study of older adults examined inflammatory markers and found that those individuals who ate more calories, saturated fat, and carbohydrate had higher levels of CRP and IL-6. Other studies have also

+ 10

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

CRASH

COURSE

More Americans have died on US roads since 2000 than in World Wars I & II combined

{

slam on his brakes to avoid hitting that dog lease don’t be offended by the sight of a in the road. He definitely saw a dog in the dummy in this column’s header. Unforturoad. Absolutely. No question he saw a dog nately, though, it is a fact that many crashes in the road. It was there. are caused by driving behaviors that aren’t Soon after the ensuing rear-end collision, simply illegal. They’re also incredibly stupid. which is 100% the tailgater’s fault, the Of all the many ways aggressive driving ambulance arrives to transport the innocent can manifest itself, one of the most unsafe driver to the nearest emergency room. On (and idiotic) is tailgating. the way, a phrase sudden Let’s paint a realistic scenario ly pops into his head. “One that includes a tailgater perhaps that’s all.” He heeds the Suddenly a thought call, driving a huge, ladder-worthy call as soon as he can, which pickup truck, one that shines pops into his head: is a good thing, because he its 1000-watt headlights into the suffered debilitating whiplash “One call, rear view mirror of every car he that simply will not go away tailgates. despite months of physical that’s all.” Having met the tailgater, we therapy. He also suffers much should also introduce the tailgpain and anguish and mental atee. Let’s assume the lead car distress. He’s almost afraid to is being driven by a complete stranger to the leave the house anymore, his attorney tells tailgater. Despite that fact, the tailgater trusts the court. Not that he is physically able to do this unknown person to the extent that he is so. But if he was able. He can’t even look for following so closely that he can’t even see work anymore in his condition, but with the the car’s back bumper or most of its trunk. size of the settlement, he really doesn’t need The car is kind of a clunker. It doesn’t go too to. If he plays his cards correctly, he’s finanfast. It’s in the left lane, the fast lane, not be- cially set for life. And he feels sure that his cause it’s going fast, but because the driver neck and back pain will get better any day will be turning left just ahead. now. It mainly hurts only in court anyway. The tailgater doesn’t know this, but What about the pickup truck driver? He the driver of the clunker is currently unpaid a huge fine for speeding and tailgating, employed, and is returning from the 78th lost his truck because he couldn’t afford the place he has applied to for work in the past astronomical new insurance premiums (it month. This one, like the others, did not cost his insurance company over $300,000 seem promising. Driving back home he is to close the case, so our hero is relegated to very discouraged. His situation has been insurers of last resort), and he now drives a desperate. It’s really beginning to look hopecar that’s a lot like the one he rear-ended. less. Yes, every time someone tailgates, it’s like Ah, but wait! There is an answer! Help giving a total stranger a blank check good has arrived! His financial problems are soon for all the money you currently have and a to be over! sizeable chunk of your future earnings too. All our unemployed friend needs to do is How trusting and generous of you! +

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SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

HUMAN BEHAVIOR You’re talking to someone when you see it start to happen: Their eyes glaze over, they look past you, they’re shifting their feet. When you pause, they start talking about something completely unby Jeremy Hertza, Psy.D. related to what you were saying, or start making their way to talk to someone else. It’s the kind of communication breakdown we all experience— and it makes us feel absolutely terrible. It can also cause a lot of relationship problems at home, at work and in our social lives. Communication breakdown is a big issue that’s even bigger because of technology. Texts, emails and Facebook all are different opportunities for miscommunication. Think about it: One short email could lead to the entire office talking about how rude or aggressive you are. And that email was completely and totally misunderstood. Most of us want to communicate better. But before we can, we need to understand what communication really means.

WHAT IS SAID VS HOW IT’S SAID;

Breaking Down Communication Communication really is all about what you say and how you say it: In other words, it’s verbal and nonverbal. It has to include active listening and knowing when to talk and when to shut up. For example, if your spouse is already stressed, it’s probably not a good time to tell him or her that you really didn’t like what they made for dinner. How you talk also really does matter—is your voice high or raised, or are you just talking about yourself and not pausing to let the other person talk? The first can seem aggressive or like yelling, and the second can just seem rude. If you’re facing the person, if you’re making eye contact and if you have a relaxed arm position, those are all signals to the other person that you’re connected. A Lot To Talk About Fixing all of those parts of communication can seem a little overwhelming. So if you know you’re having problems communicating, start with just one or two things. And know this: Being self aware is a great start all on its own. One easy thing you can try is reflexive listening, which means that you repeat back, in your own words, what someone just said to you. That shows that you really are listening, which is an important part of communication that people sometimes forget since we can be so focused on making our own point. Also work on your eye contact. Don’t glance at your phone, don’t look around the room at every interruption, but focus—but not in a creepy way!—on the person you’re talking to. On the other hand, if you’re the one who feels that you’re not being heard by a family member or friend, think about what it would take for you to feel heard. Then, in a kind way, let the other person know, because no one can read minds. The hope and expectation is that they’re not trying to ignore you, but be prepared in case of pushback. Talk about the fact that you really want to make how you communicate better—which in itself is communication. Also think about this: Could it be partly your fault that you’re not being heard? For example, are you bringing up a work problem with your spouse when she or he is really focused on taking care of your child, or is doing other work where it’s hard to split attention? Waiting until the other person can pay attention can make all the difference. Finally, if you’re having trouble communicating, don’t let yourself fall in the trap of hiding behind technology. Sure, it’s easier to send that text, but it’s much better for you to practice communicating well, especially if communication issues are something that’s really bothering you. After all, trust and communication are the two things that you must have for a great relationship. +

Jeremy Hertza, Psy.D., is a neuropsychologist and the executive director of NeuroBehavioral Associates, LLC, in Augusta, on the web at http://nbageorgia. com. Contact him at 706-823-5250 or info@nbageorgia.com

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

11 +

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

The blog spot From the Bookshelf — posted by Nicholas Stark, MD, MBA, on May 26, 2020 (edited for space)

I’M AN MD IN A FAMILY OF COVID DENIERS I am the only physician in a family of farmers. As I witness the pandemic’s devastating health consequences from the frontlines, I feel a fundamental responsibility to share my experience and advice with my loved ones to keep them safe. However, I find myself battling COVIDdenial propaganda at every turn. Even my years of medical training have not endowed me with the credibility necessary to break down the sociopolitical barriers that separate my family and me on this life-and-death issue. Growing up on a farm in South Dakota, I spent my childhood doing chores, playing sports, and going to church. The ideals my rural hometown cherishes – a strong faith, a sturdy work ethic, and a reverence for constitutionalized personal freedoms – were instilled in me before I could walk. And yet, while those around me seemed content, I felt restless. I longed for the excitement of living in a big city, surrounded by people with vastly different life experiences in comparison to my own. Today, I live in San Francisco and work as an emergency medicine physician on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. While I will always carry pieces of my conservative upbringing with me, most facets of my life have changed since I left my family’s farm for college a decade ago. I am accustomed to frequent disagreements with my family; however, I struggle to reconcile our differences around a critical topic like COVID-19. As I do my best to convince my family that the pandemic is not an expertly-crafted conspiracy, I am struck by how our vastly different perspectives are more aligned with political beliefs than with science. The challenge of balancing my responsibilities on the frontlines while constantly fighting misinformation to keep my family safe has left me deflated. Most of my family believes that the public health response to COVID-19 is beyond excessive. They agree with the South Dakota governor that a shelter-in-place mandate is far too restrictive on their personal freedoms, and they are proud to use their own gumption to avoid viral spread rather than follow infectious control guidelines from public health experts. One of my recent conversations with my family digressed into the argument that the pandemic is simply part of a “corrupt agenda that is weakening our society.” I struggle to respond to this sentiment, both as a physician and as a person. How does one begin to grapple with a perspective not grounded in science and facts? As I work tirelessly through long shifts in the emergency department, followed by phone calls with my family who continue to minimize the pandemic, I have gravitated toward a simple answer: keep calling. I try to listen to their thoughts and validate their fears of the unknown. I do so not in silent acquiescence; despite the frequent awkward pauses in conversation and my generalized feeling of unease, I try to engage my family to the best of my ability through careful questioning and by sharing my own fears and experiences. Most of my colleagues on the frontlines have minimal contact with individuals on this end of the sociopolitical spectrum. When they call home, they are met with affirmations, and their thoughtful cautions are received in earnest. The interactions I experience with my family are quite different; they are not part of my personal echo chamber. However, they are still my family, and I choose to continue loving and respecting them. So I will continue to call. I will continue to listen. I will continue to offer advice to help keep my family safe as best I can from 1,500 miles away. And who knows – maybe tomorrow will be different; maybe tomorrow they will listen. +

Maybe tomorrow they will listen.

Nicholas Stark is an emergency medicine resident.

Unfortunately, many of us need this book. The person who always knows just what to say and when to say it — not to mention how to say it — is the exception. For most of us, getting bad news from some medical tests, losing a baby, finding out a friend has cancer, or any one of dozens of other health-related bombs that one of our friends may have dropped on them (including death), and it can be very difficult to know what to say. Sue Halpern to the rescue. Her book, The Etiquette of Illness, was born of personal experiences and those of her friends. And let’s face it: we’ve all been to these places. In one case, she had lunch with a friend who had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment. One of this woman’s close friends hadn’t called or returned any of her calls in months, roughly since the time of her diagnosis. The friend didn’t know what to say, so she didn’t say anything. All of us can identify with that to some degree. It’s not always easy to comfort someone who has

experienced a death in the family or who has received some sobering and serious bad news from a doctor. Neither do we want to rush in like a bull in a china shop in some imaginary race to be the first to reach out to someone. As the title reminds us, there is etiquette involved. No points are awarded for being the first to extend words of comfort, any more than there are for being the last. It can be beneficial to get one’s thoughts together, do some research on the subject of the person’s diagnosis, and give careful thought to what you’ll say. That’s where this book comes in handy. Halpern, a psychotherapist, social worker, and human being,

offers sound advice on great ways to avoid that nagging guilty feeling we get when we retreat from a friend in their time of need instead of reaching out to help. Granted, we could tweet our friend or send them a text, but that has to rank near the top of bland and impersonal ways to communicate. Nor is there any law against getting help from Hallmark — quite the opposite in fact — but simply buying a card and signing it, or adding a few words (“thinking of you at this difficult time”) is a poor substitute for a few warm words spoken directly to a friend. Better to call or visit and send a card. Ah, but what to say when you call? There is the rub. Fortunately for us all, here’s a book that offers “what to say when you can’t find the words.” We’ve all been there — and will be again in the future. Unless, that is, we learn The Etiquette of Illness. + The Etiquette of Illness, What to Say When You Can’t Find the Words, by Susan P. Halpern, 208 pages, published in 2004 by Bloomsbury USA

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MEDICALEXAMINER

+ 12

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

The Examiners +

I’m getting old.

What makes you say that all of a sudden?

by Dan Pearson

What about noses, lips, mouths, I can remember when there were only a few Uh, I don’t think the and chins? I haven’t seen any Now that you of those in months. private parts. number has changed. mention it...

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

THE MYSTERY WORD O The Mystery Word for this issue: ELLBIRA

N ACAthen begin exploring Simply unscramble theVletters, TIONspelled word our ads. When you find the correctly hidden in one of our ads — enter at AugustaRx.com

EXAMINER CROSSWORD

PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Plant used for food flavor 5. Pace 9. Enterprise _____ 13. Continent 14. Augusta building 16. Capital of Western Samoa 17. Engrossed 18. Pendant hanging from the roof of the mouth 19. Dank; humid 20. Morris follower 22. Sex drive 24. Viper 25. Rule of _____ (in burns) 26. Cyanotic 28. Abbrev. in gynecology 29. Sinoatrial _____ 32. Med intro 33. RMH opponent in 1968 34. Kind; not harmful 36. Electrically charged atom 37. A small amount 38. New York athlete 39. Where the Wild Things ___ 40. What police do 42. Pale 43. Mr. DiCaprio 44. Very sweet (in champagne) 45. It’s followed by 3, 4, or 5 46. Facebook update 48. Graceland singer 50. Dawg’s conf. 51. Save 53. Sunroom furniture? 57. Liver fluid 58. Declare 61. Computer command 62. Damage 63. Like some pools 64. People stretch them 65. Nasal doc

9 15

61 64

DOWN 1. Do no... 2. Jacob’s twin 3. Tears 4. Boat in Paris 5. Decline; downswing 6. Large marble 7. Large flightless bird 8. Pale; ashen 9. Where Oliver Hardy grew up 10. Apple product 11. Prom ride 12. One circuit 15. Irma brought it 21. Exploit 23. Graduate of Summerville Academy (and Pulitzer winner) 25. Bethesda health inst. 26. Main Street Augusta 27. Slow (in music) 28. Non-med doctor’s degree

E X A M I N E R

5 7

S 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.

66. Like, totally excellent 67. They come in groups of 18

We’ll announce the winner in our next issue!

30. Watch faces 31. Heron 32. Gladys Knight backup 33. 2001 computer 34. Casey’s brother 35. Natal start 37. Like very bad friends 38. Jelly container 41. Late Meet the Press moderator (d. 2008) 42. Synonym for 8-D 45. Type of justice 46. I.M. _______ 47. Hidden, medically 49. People Who _____ 50. Expand 51. Augusta painter Ed 52. Chateau in Braselton GA 54. Word with high or cap 55. Brink 56. “Dress for Less” chain 57. Breast self-screen (abbrev.) 59. Fuss 60. The ___ of Steve (2000 film) Solution p. 14

QUOTATIONPUZZLE P T O D L E O O O R I

R K T C O R V S H H C N S O A I I E D E O O S E W E T T O C N N D

1 2 6 8 7 9 2 4 3M6 9 5 8 E7 5 N1 4 3

5 3 4 7 8 1 9 6 2

— Merry Browne

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.

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.

3 1

O A 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 F 1 2 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1.DLOTIIBAA 2.TINSAHIN 3.DTESLF 4.IAYE 5.TB 6.IU 7.DL 8.IE 9.T 10.Y

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

Click on “MYSTERY WORD” • DEADLINE TO ENTER: NOON, June 1, 2020

7 9 8 5 2 4 6 3 1

4 1 6 8 7 3 5 2 9

3 2 5 9 1 6 4 7 8

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

13 +

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

THEBESTMEDICINE ha... ha...

wo sisters, one blonde and the other brunette, inherit the family ranch. Unfortunately, after just a few years they are in financial trouble. In order to keep the bank from repossessing the ranch, they need to buy a bull from the stockyard in a distant town so they can breed their own stock. They only have $600 left. The blonde stays behind to care for the animals, and upon leaving the brunette tells her sister, “If I find a bull we can afford I’ll contact you to drive out after me and haul it home.” The brunette arrives at the stockyard and finds one bull they can afford. The man tells her that he will sell it for $599, not a penny less. After paying him, she needs to tell her sister the news, so she walks into the telegraph office and says, “I need to send a telegram to my sister telling her that I’ve bought a bull for our ranch. I need her to hitch the trailer to our truck and drive here so we can haul it home.” The telegraph operator explains that he’ll be glad to help her, then adds, “It’s just 99 cents a word.” But after paying for the bull she has only $1 left. She realizes that she’ll be able to send her sister just one word.

After a few moments of deep thought, she nods and says, “I want the telegram to say the word comfortable.” The operator shakes his head. “How is she ever going to know that you want her to hitch the trailer to your truck and drive out here to haul that bull back to your ranch if you send her just the word ‘comfortable?’” The brunette explains, “My sister is blonde. Comfortable is a big word. She’ll sound it out very slowly...com-for-da-bull.” Moe: Did you know I lived in Russia before I moved here? Joe: I had no idea. Where? Moe: About fifty miles from Chernobyl. Joe: Wow. Did you ever go there? Moe: Sure. I mean, not all that many times. I could probably count the number of times on one hand, but yeah. Joe: So how many times do you think? Moe: Maybe a dozen. A nice Jewish lady brings her son two new ties as a gift. Later that evening the two meet for dinner and the son is wearing one of the new ties. His mother takes one look at him and says, “You didn’t like the other tie?” Moe: How’s your stand-up comedy dream coming along? Joe: I don’t have any gigs yet. It’s hard to come up with new material, so I’ve decided to learn ASL. Moe: How’s that going to help? Joe: So all my jokes will be ones no one has ever heard. +

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Dear Advice Doctor, The company where I work has announced a major reorganization, but we have all been assured that, although some people will get new assignments, no jobs will be lost. It’s really a very well-run place and I have every confidence it’s going to get even better, but most of my co-workers are like Chicken Little. They think the sky is about to fall. My grandmother used to say you can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs. How can I reassure my friends and coworkers? Not Worried Dear Not Worried, I can personally relate to your question quite well. I have a number of current and past coworkers who are a lot like the people you work with. Whenever this subject comes up — the one about eggs — I try to convince them that their fears are groundless. I’m not trained as a dietitian, but I do know that for most people eggs are a very healthy food. And to borrow your grandmother’s saying, you can’t eat eggs without breaking a few. You know, because of the shell. The typical rap against eggs is that they are high in cholesterol. As most of us know, the body needs cholesterol and produces it daily. The more cholesterol in a healthy person’s diet, the less the body produces. If a person could pull off a completely cholesterol-free diet, the body would produce more of it. Unexpectedly for many in the eggs-are-bad crowd, a number of clinical studies show that eggs actually improve your cholesterol profile. They raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol and they tend to change the LDL (“bad”) cholesterol to a large subtype which is not as strongly associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Eggs are a rich source of nutrients, which makes perfect sense. Lest we forget (and we sort of want to), each and every egg contains all the ingredients needed to produce a chicken. Eggs are good for healthy eyes, heart, and skin, and their ingredients promote brain health too. Research suggests they also help promote healthy weight For most people, eating a few eggs won’t cause problems in cholesterol levels. If you aren’t sure whether they’re a good idea for you specifically, ask your doctor. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for writing! + Do you have a question for The Advice Doctor about health, life, love, personal relationships, career, raising children, or any other important topic? Send it to News@AugustaRx.com. Replies will be provided only in the Examiner.

Why read the Medical Examiner: Reason #261 . W O N SUBSCRIBE TO THE MEDICALEXAM INER R O F Nthe convenience of our readers. O By popular demand we’re making at-cost subscriptions availableSfor I ER doctor’s appointments — don’t you V If you live beyond the Aiken-Augusta area, or miss issuesNEbetween LmailI carrier to bring every issue to your house! N hate it when that happens? — we’ll command your O E E R F NAME E H T ADDRESS ON S U C CITY STATE ZIP O F T S U J Choose six months for $20 or one year for $36 . Mail this completed form S ’ T E L +

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

N O I T in the p. 16 ad for ...cleverly hidden on a windowframe A C A CLEANING CO. AUGUSTA WEST V ON

THE WINNER: WE STUMPED THE PANEL! NO WINNER! 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!

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SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

IT’S A QUESTION OF CARE Advance Directives

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AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

If you have ever accompanied an elderly parent or friend to the hospital or a doctor’s appointment, you’ve probably heard the question, “Are you the power of attorney?” Healthcare Power of Attorney is a type of advance directive in which a trusted person is designated to execute end of life wishes and/or to make medical decisions in the event that an individual is unable to speak for his or herself. The ‘powers’ of a Healthcare Power of Attorney (also known as agent or proxy) are meant to be broad, so it is important to discuss desired medical treatment, or lack of treatment, with your agent at length. If specifics are known, then a Living Will should be considered. A Living Will is a document that can be utilized to express specificities of treatment that are wanted and can include details about CPR, tube-feeding, artificial respiration, comfort measures, and even burial or cremation plans.

Advance Directives are important, because without them families are left struggling to determine what their loved one would have wanted for themselves. These matters are literally life and death, because without direction family members will have to make decisions about life-sustaining medical procedures. I have worked with many patients who are suspicious about completing advanced directives because they feel they will be giving up the power to make their own medical decisions. My argument is that, on the contrary, completing advanced directives and designating a trusted power of attorney ensures that you are able to make your own decisions, even in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself. The person best suited for the role as your Healthcare Power of Attorney may not always be the most obvious choice. Be sure to choose someone who will be able to follow through on your ex-

pressed wishes. A spouse or child may have difficulty with your choices, so discuss this with them prior to designation. Most states have come to recognize the importance and benefits of advanced directives and have made fillable documents available on their state government websites. Always be sure to read the fine print, as witnesses and a notary public are likely required to make the document legally binding. If you have the financial ability, an elder care attorney will also assist with completion of documentation. Once forms are completed, original copies should be stored at home and a copy should be given to your physicians, Power of Attorney, and friends and family. + by Leah Klein, LMSW, MPH, has a dual master’s in social work and public health in 2014. Currently, she is an Aging Life Care Manager and Medical Social Worker, and has worked in the fields of skilled nursing, hospice, and home health.

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