OurHealth Lynchburg & Southside Jun/Jul 2014 Edition

CLOSER CONVERSATIONS. STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS. BETTER HEARING.

For Better Hearing, Consult an Audiologist Call us today for your appointment!

434.509.4662 Lynchburg 2321 Atherholt Rd

www.blueridgeENTPS.com

Douglas Cameron, Au.D. Tammy Garber, Au.D. Carole Read, M.Ed. In association with Dr. Timothy Courville Dr. Joseph Hutchison Dr. Sam Meshkinfam Dr. James Hengerer Andrea Adamczak, PA-C Christie Powers, PA-C Jennifer McCurley, PA-C

table of contents | june • july 2014

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Men and Health: Coaches who MEDI•CABU•LARY.....................10 Local experts define health related terms

JUST ASK!.......................................12

Practice what They Teach

Study the opponent. Recognize your weaknesses. Practice to become better.

For LU’s Dale Layer, VT’s Frank Beamer, and VCU’s Shaka Smart, this philosophy is not only one each applies on the court or field, but also in their lives.

Healthcare questions answered by local professionals

NEW & NOTEWORTHY.............14 A listing of new physicians, providers, locations and upcoming events in Lynchburg & Southside

HEALTH POINTS.........................16 Interesting facts and tidbits about health

THE ANATOMY CHALLENGE..................................19 How much do you about our anatomy? In this issue, test your knowledge when it comes to the human eye!

ANATOMY: Look Out for Your Eyes this Summer .............. 20 Along with summer activities comes a significant increase in eye injuries. Experts at St.Clair Eye Care and Piedmont Eye Center offer tips to keep eyes healthy throughout the summer season.

MEN’S CHART FOR HEALTHY AGING........................ 36 hello, HEALTH!.............................. 38 Capturing the spirit of those working in healthcare and of people leading healthy lives through photos

FIT BITS!........................................ 40 Health and Fitness On-the-Go: ABSolutely AWESOME Abs

Blue Ridge Best of:

Retirement Living Awards

Results Announced in the August/September 2014 Issue

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The Resource for Healthy Living in Lynchburg and Southside

42

Don’t Worry! Be Healthy!

Tips & Twists in the Pursuit of Happiness

54

Anatomy: Easing the Impact of Arthritis

Arthritis is much more than the normal aches and pains of advancing age. It’s actually something of an umbrella term, covering about 100 different diseases and conditions of the joints. And it’s not just a disease of old age.

GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY Tips for Maintaining Emotional Balance as We Age......................... 47 10 activities to jump-start your journey

NUTRITION.................................. 49 FEATURING HEALTHY, FRESH, LOCAL INGREDIENTS: Healthy on the Grill—Bison Burger with Fresh Lettuce and Tomato, Grilled Sweet Corn and Watermelon Sorbet

MEN, WOMEN, AND THE TOTAL BODY................................. 63 Ortho After Hours: When Injuries Happen

LOOKING BACK........................... 66 Images reflecting the history of healthcare in Lynchburg and Southside * PLUS * a chance to win prizes!

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The Resource for Healthy Living in Lynchburg and Southside

june • july 2014

PUBLISHER McClintic Media, Inc. PRESIDENT/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Steve McClintic, Jr. | steve@ourhealthvirginia.com VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION Jennifer Hungate PROJECT COORDINATOR Deidre Wilkes CHIEF DESIGNER Karrie Pridemore ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHY Ed Ip Photography

Sarah Mattozzi WEBMASTER Next Generation Designs

CONTRIBUTING MEDICAL EXPERTS Chapman Brown, RPh Carrington Crawford, DDS John Hoffman, MD Drew Kiernan, MD Elizabeth Vanderburgh, MD Neal Young, MD

CONTRIBUTING PROFESSIONAL WRITERS Peter Betz, MD Tina Joyce Steve McClintic, Jr. Lynette Mutter Rick Piester Edwin Schwartz Deidre Wilkes

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Cynthia Trujillo | P: 434.907.5255 F: 540.387.6483 | cindy@ourhealthvirginia.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS To receive OurHealth Lynchburg and Southside via U.S. Mail, please contact Jennifer Hungate at jenny@ourhealthvirginia.com or at 540.387.6482

@ourhealthmag

COMMENTS/FEEDBACK/QUESTIONS We welcome your feedback. Please send all comments and/or questions to the following: U.S. Mail: McClintic Media, Inc., ATTN: Steve McClintic, Jr., President/ Publisher/Editor: 305 Colorado Street • Salem, VA 24153. | Email: steve@ourhealthvirginia.com | Phone: 540.387.6482 Information in all print editions of OurHealth and on all OurHealth’s websites (www.ourhealthvirginia.com and www.ourhealthrichmond.com) social media updates and emails is for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to replace medical or health advice of an individual’s physician or healthcare provider as it relates to individual situations. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF YOUR DOCTOR. All matters concerning physical and mental health should be supervised by a health practitioner knowledgeable in treating that particular condition.

The publisher does not directly or indirectly dispense medical advice and does not assume any responsibility for those who choose to treat themselves. The publisher has taken reasonable precaution in preparing this publication, however, the publisher does not assume any responsibility for errors or omissions.

Copyright © 2014 by McClintic Media, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. The OurHealth Lynchburg/Southside edition is published bi-monthly by McClintic Media, Inc. 305 Colorado Street, Salem, VA 24153, P: 540.387.6482 F: 540.387.6483. www.ourhealthvirginia.com | www.ourhealthrichmond.com | Advertising rates upon request.

LOCAL EXPERTS D E F I N E H E A LT H R E L AT E D T E R M S

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?

Veins throughout your arms, legs, and body can be classified as “deep” or “superficial.” Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. Risk factors for developing a DVT include decreased blood flow, which can happen when sitting still for a long time such as a plane ride or car trip.

Certain medical conditions including cancer, pregnancy, taking oral contraceptives, trauma, and certain blood disorders can cause blood to be more prone to clot. Symptoms of a DVT include swelling, redness, and pain in the affected leg. A blood clot can also dislodge and travel to the lungs which is called Pulmonary Embolism, and is a serious condition. DVT is diagnosed by ultrasound. Treatment involves blood thinning medications, unless they cannot be used. In that case, an inferior vena cava filter is placed.

Neal Young, MD

Virginia Vein Specialists Lynchburg | 434.237.5893 www.virginiaveinspecialists.com

What is golfer’s elbow?

What is bone density?

Interestingly, most people with Golfer’s Elbow do not play golf! This condition usually develops without any related activity, although, some activities such as golf, tennis, pitching, or hammering may be associated with this common malady. Golfer’s Elbow is also known as medial epicondylitis and is the most common cause of medial (the side of the elbow that rests against your side) elbow pain. Inflammation, and in some cases partial detachment of the muscle that attaches to the bony bump on the medial side of the elbow, generates the pain. Injuries may precipitate this problem; however, this is less common than the spontaneous occurring form. In most cases, pain resolves with a combination of time, rest, activity modification and anti-inflammatory medications.

Cortisone injections and/or physical therapy may be effective in more advanced cases. If none of the aforementioned treatments work and the patient is still experiencing debilitating pain, surgical treatment may be required.

As we age, our bones become less dense, which means they become more brittle or fragile, which can lead to bone fractures. Trauma of any sort can cause a bone to break, but if the bone is losing density, it can break from a lesser trauma, even from something as simple as a fall on the sidewalk. Compression fractures (usually in the spine,) result from no trauma at all, just the constant pressure on the bone from daily living. “Osteoporosis” is lower bone density that has the highest chance of resulting in a fracture.

Osteoporosis is more common in women than men, and it usually occurs after menopause when the normal hormones, which protect the bones, drop to a very low level.

Exercise, calcium and vitamin D can help prevent osteoporosis. Your doctor can help you decide when a bone density test is needed.

Drew Kiernan, MD

The Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia Lynchburg | 434.485.8500 www.occva.com

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Elizabeth Vanderburgh, MD Women’s Health Services of Central Virginia Lynchburg | 434.239.7890 www.whscv.com

H E A LT H C A R E QUESTIONS ANSWERED

BY LOCAL PROFESSIONALS

What are fillings and crowns made of ?

What causes someone to bruise easily?

Why do medications have expiration dates?

Currently, dental fillings are composed of amalgam (silver) or composite resin (white). Amalgam fillings are metal alloys and composites are, in essence, plastic.

Bruising is caused by leaking of blood into the skin. Usually, trauma is the main reason but bruising can be caused easily if the vessels are weakened from disease (such as vitamin deficiency or inflammatory illnesses), medications such as steroids or aspirin-like products or aging.

Medications have expiration dates to guard patient safety. Over time, the ingredients in medications can break down and become ineffective.

Some medications can become more potent as they get older. For these reasons, it is important to check your medications and dates to verify they are not expired. Also check on drug take back programs offered through the area, and as always you can check with your pharmacist if you have any questions. If in doubt, discard the medication completely for peace of mind.

Dental crowns can be grouped into three different material types: metal, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), and ceramic. Metal crowns are typically made of gold. PFM crowns utilize a metal substructure or base coated with tooth colored porcelain. Ceramic crowns are 100% porcelain or another “white� material called zirconia.

Patients typically prefer composite filings and ceramic crowns because of their esthetics or beauty.

However, amalgam fillings and gold crowns typically have a longer lifespan than their tooth colored counterparts. So what is gained in looks is lost in longevity.

Carrington Crawford, DDS Lynchburg Dental Center Lynchburg | 434.384.7611 www.lynchburgdentist.com

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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Lynchburg and Southside

If there is a defect in clotting mechanism such as low platelets, easy bruising can occur.

John Hoffman, MD

Central Virginia Family Physicians Appomattox | 434.352.8235 www.cvfp.net

Chapman Brown, RPh Gretna Drug Gretna | 434.656.1251 www.gretnadrug.com

NEW

NOTEWORTHY

NEW PHYSICIANS, P R O V I D E R S , L O C AT I O N S AND UPCOMING EVENTS

CODE FRESH—Centra rolls out food truck Meet Code Fresh, the newest addition to Centra’s culinary arts division. Centra rolled out the massive food truck this spring to make fresh food more accessible to employees and the community. “We want to make sure our Centra employees are able to enjoy fresh food in convenient locations,” Wren Roberts, director of Centra nutrition services, said.

“Since we are not able to put cafes at all of our facilities,” Roberts said. “Sending out the food truck allows more of our employees to take advantage of their discount and enjoy fresh food.”

Roberts said the employees also plan to bring the Code Fresh food truck to community events and festivals across central and southside Virginia. “We are thinking about where we can go and really help the community,” Roberts said.

Centra is one of, if not the first, healthcare organization on the east coast to offer a food truck. Code Fresh is outfitted with a refrigerator, freezer, gas burners, an oven, a cutting station, a two-basket fryer and a 36-inch flat-top grill. Two employees will man the truck Monday through Friday, serving up fresh lunches at Centra facilities throughout Lynchburg.

The menu will include a mix of salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers and personal pizzas.

To promote healthy eating, Centra will also offer fresh cooking demonstrations with Code Fresh at community events, Powers said. “We are committed to encouraging the community to make healthy food choices,” Powers said.

Plastic Surgery Associates Joins—

Centra Medical Group

Centra Medical Group is pleased to announce that Plastic Surgery Associates has joined their network of primary care providers, and medical and surgical specialists.

The Plastic Surgery Center offers a variety of facial rejuvenation procedures as well as body procedures (breast augmentation, facelift, nose surgery liposuction, tummy tuck, hair transplant and eyelid surgery).

Shelli A Boucher, DMD Jessica M. Jara, MD

The Healthy Skin Center, a division of the Plastic Surgery Center, also offers skin care products and services. (In-office procedures include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, permanent makeup and laser hair removal.

Riley Dental Associates Lynchburg | 434.385.7707 www.rileydentalassociates.com

Centra Medical Group Stroobants Cardiovascular Center Bedford | 434.200.5252

Katie Shook, PT, DPT

Jeff Thilking, LPTA

The Plastic Surgery Center and the Healthy Skin Center are both located in the Oak Vassar Medical Building at 1330 Oak Lane, in Lynchburg.

For more information, including a full list of services, please call 434.200.4350,or visit lynchburgplasticsurgery.com.

Centra Medical Group is a multi-specialty clinic; a network of local family practices, primary care physicians, and medical and surgical specialists.

Through Centra Medical Group, patients are connected to Centra’s wider healthcare system, where award winning services, advanced technologies, and a full range of specialties are available to meet people’s health and wellness needs.

Keith Metzler, MD Centra Medical Group Bedford Medical Bedford | 540.586.7273

correction

Rehab Associates of Central Virginia Hurt | 434-324-9750 or 855-RACV4PT | racva.com

In the April / May issue article featuring Rehab Associates, Joe Spagnolo’s name was misspelled in both the title and article. OurHealth makes every effort to prevent such errors and provides corrections when mistakes occur.

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Rehab Associates of Central Virginia 855-RACV4PT | racva.com

T I P S , T I D B I T S A ND MO R E TO IN F O R M A ND ENT ERTA I N YO U

Fun Facts ABOUT SOME

FAVORITE

Healthy Activities: Walking: On average, every minute you walk extends your life by one and a half to two minutes.

Swimming: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swimming is the second most popular sports activity in the United States.

Cycling: According to Bikes Belong, a bicycleindustry group, the health benefits of cycling are 20 times greater than the safety risks.

Zumba: Zumba was created in the mid1990s when fitness instructor Alberto “Beto” Perez went to teach a group aerobics class and forgot his music. He improvised, using the salsa and merengue tapes he had in his backpack, and a craze was born.

Jumping Rope: Jumping rope involves almost every muscle in your body.

be performed by people of

all age groups, and is helpful in offering an excellent workout, targeting all of the muscle groups of the body.

It is a great

choice for those who suffer from arthritis or multiple sclerosis (MS). The buoyancy of the water assists in supporting body weight, and reducing impact on joints. Water aerobics provides additional health benefits: • Strengthens muscles

Yoga: Yoga is thought to have started in India approximately 5,000 to 6,000 years ago.

• Aids in weight loss

Weight Training: Free weights build

• Reduces impact on joints by up to 90%

muscle mass faster than weight machines. That’s because your muscles must balance free weights on their own, without assistance from the machine.

Source: An excerpt from an article on www.everydayhealth.com by Beth W. Orenstein Medically reviewed by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD

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Water Aerobics can

OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Lynchburg and Southside

• Improves range of motion • Reduces risk of injury

• Improves flexibility • Improves cardiovascular endurance

Stressed Out

‘Laughter is the best medicine’ as the old saying

at Work?

L O L

goes. One of the reasons that it is so good for you is because it is a very effective way of reducing stress. It has been reported that the average person laughs out loud 17 times a day, but people under stress probably laugh a lot less - so you need to change that.

h (Laug

out L

Make a joke of the stressful

situation and laugh about it with oud)!

your colleagues if you can. That will help to build your working relationships as well as relieving everybody’s stress. Or if that is not appropriate, view one of the top 10 funny videos on YouTube, or keep a book that you find hilarious in your desk.

If you feel that there is no way that you could laugh right now, then smile. Fake a smile if you need to. It will make you feel better and reduce the tension for everybody.

support your local farmer’s market!

Lynchburg Community Market

1219 Main Street • Lynchburg, VA phone: (434) 455-4485 Fax: (434) 847-1552 The Lynchburg Community Market offers the best of locally produced fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, baked goods, and specialty items. Farmers sell their products on Wednesdays and Saturdays year-round. Located inside the Market, the Heritage Crafters Gallery and Artist’s Alley complement the two permanent shops, four locally-owned restaurants, and a bakery and cheese shop that also operate year-round. For more information, visit www.lynchburgva.gov/ community-market

Hours of operation:

Community Market—Tues-Sat, 7am - 2pm Farmers Market—Wed, 10am - 2pm; Sat, 7am - 2pm; Heritage Crafters Gallery—Tues-Fri, 9am - 2pm; Sat, 7am - 2pm

ON THE WEB

More at ourhealthvirginia.com

Summer Hydration

Tips for Workouts

Know the signs. How can you tell if your body is well-hydrated?

If your urine is pale, and you require a restroom break at least six times a day, you are probably doing a good job.

Stay hydrated with water during moderate exercise. For a

moderate hour-long workout, you should consume 4 to 6 ounces of water for every 15 minutes of exercise. If your taste buds need a change of pace every so often, seek out a low-calorie sports drink or sugar-free flavored water option—or add a slice or two of lemon or lime to your water bottle.

Get a head start on hydration.

If you are an early morning exerciser, keep in mind that your body is already in a somewhat dehydrated state when you wake up. Be sure to drink at least 8 ounces of water before you begin your workout.

Consider drinking a sports drink.

If you exercise for longer than 60 minutes at a high intensity, or you work out in extreme conditions, consider using a sports drink during and after your workout to replenish your body with the fluid, nutrients and electrolytes it requires. There is a true science behind fluid replacement during exercise, and sports drinks are formulated to meet the needs of athletes.

Beware of energy drinks.

Popular energy drinks are very different from sports drinks. They are full of caffeine and sugar, and can be dehydrating instead of thirst-quenching.

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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Lynchburg and Southside

the

Anatomy CHALLENGE Here’s your chance to see how much you know about the human

eye! First,

find all the hidden words in the word search below.

Next, match up the correct word with

______________

______________ ______________ ______________ ______________

the part of the body in the illustration.

______________

______________

______________ ______________

______________

______________

______________

______________ ______________

[ the human eye ]

WORD SEARCH vitreous gel

iris

choroid

anterior chamber

optic nerve

cornea

macula

pupil

fovea

lens

retina

ciliary body

superior rectus muscle

inferior rectus muscle

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Look Out For

This Summer words | EDWIN SCHWARTZ

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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Greater Lynchburg Richmond and Southside

As spring shifts to summer, Lynchburg residents will spend even more time enjoying outdoor activities. Unfortunately, along with the summer activities comes a significant increase in eye injuries. OurHealth has turned to the experts at St. Clair Eye Care and Piedmont Eye Center for good tips to keep your eyes healthy throughout the summer season.

Good Sunglasses Are Essential Wearing sunglasses does more than make you look good or express your sense of style. Sunglasses block harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV damage adds up over time, so you should start protecting your eyes today, regardless of your age.

Wearing sunglasses may reduce the risk for macular degeneration, cataract formation and pterygium (a benign growth).

“A number of eye diseases have been linked to UV exposure including eyelid skin cancers, cataract formation and age-related macular degeneration (AMD),” says Darin K. Bowers, MD, of Piedmont Eye Center.

Darin K. Bowers, MD, of the Piedmont Eye Center, is boardcertified in both Internal Medicine and Ophthalmology and specializes in advanced cataract and refractive surgery using the latest iLASIK™ technology

“Protecting the eye from the harmful UV rays of the sun is just as important as protecting our skin,” says Gary H. St.Clair, OD, of St.Clair Eye Care. “The eye has natural filters such as the cornea (the eye’s outermost layer that covers the front of the eye) and the crystalline lens (a focusing lens) that filter UV rays. However, these filters do not absorb 100%.”

Gary St. Clair, OD is the principle optometrist at St. Clair Eye Care.

St. Clair Eye Care has two locations in Lynchburg and another in Appomattox.

Dr. St.Clair continues, “The other rays that sneak through these natural filters can damage the light-sensitive, internal layer of the eye – the retina. Over a lifetime of exposure, this can contribute to the development of macular degeneration.”

“UV rays are detrimental to connective tissue cells and fibers, which can lead to premature aging changes,” says Dr. Bowers. “They can also transform healthy cells of the body into more serious tumors like melanoma, which can also develop in the eye.”

“The sun can also harm the white part of the eye (sclera) as well as the delicate skin (continued on page 23)

UV Rays:

Ultraviolet rays are an invisible form of radiation and can cause skin damage during any season or at any temperature. Sunlight that reaches the earth has ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Both types contribute to conditions such as premature skin aging, eye damage and skin cancers. They also suppress the immune system and reduce your ability to fight off these and other diseases. www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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(continued from page 21)

surrounding the eye,” says Dr. St. Clair. “The sclera might develop pinguecula or pterygium.

Pinguecula can be cosmetically unsightly, and pterygium may require surgical removal. So sun wear should be large enough to protect the entire eye and the surrounding skin.”

“Studies show 80% of UV light exposure occurs by the age of 18,” says Dr. St. Clair. “Ride by a school playground in the middle of the day and notice how few children are wearing sunglasses.

This means that all ages, young and old, need UV protection – especially children.”

“For people who spend a lot of time outdoors, it is advisable for them to wear quality UVblocking sunglasses,” says Dr. Bowers. “Glasses should be designated to block between 99100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wearing glasses that are not UV blocking allows the eye to dilate and become exposed to even higher amounts of UV radiation.”

“Regular eyeglass lenses absorb some UV light, but the ultimate shield is a quality polarized lens,” concurs Dr. St.Clair.

Macular Degeneration: Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 and older. AMD is caused by deterioration of a small central portion of the retina, known as the macula. The macula allows you to see fine detail. Early detection of AMD is crucial, because there are treatments that can delay or reduce the severity of the disease. eyelids, nose and ears are susceptible to skin cancers like basal cell, squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas.”

Basal cell and squamous cell cancer are the two most common types of skin cancer. They usually form on the head, neck, face, arms and hands.

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. The first sign is often a change in the size, color, shape or feel of a mole.

“The size of lenses should be adequate to minimize any rays getting around them and into the eye,” says Dr. Bowers. “People who live closest to the equator where sun rays are more direct are particularly vulnerable, as well as those who spend more time on the water where UV rays reflect from the surface.”

Get Out Your Sunscreen Sunscreen and hats are also essential items for eye health as too much sun exposure can damage the delicate skin around your eyes. This may cause wrinkles as well as skin cancer.

“Sunscreen approved for around the eyes is helpful,” says Dr. Bowers.

“Although some UV rays can still penetrate to the sensitive skin.

Combining this with a brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses offers the highest level of protection.”

“Beyond sunglasses, sunscreen for the face and the area around the eyes is also important,” says Dr. St.Clair. “The www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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Cataract Formation:

Pinguecula and Pterygium: A pinguecula is a common, noncancerous growth of the clear, thin tissue (conjunctiva) of the eye. The growth is raised slightly from the surface of the white part of the eye (sclera) and appears as a yellowish bump on the conjunctiva near the cornea (the eye’s outermost layer). Pterygium is a common, noncancerous formation of pink, fleshy tissue that covers the sclera and extends onto the cornea. It is often slightly raised and contains visible blood vessels.

A cataract is a painless, clouding of the eye lens. This clouding blocks light from reaching the retina and may cause vision problems.

Cataracts are common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

Eye Care and Swimming It is generally considered good advice to swim without contact lenses. Eye infections are brought on by exposing contacts to water and improper cleaning. A good way to protect your eyes is to leave contacts out when you go to the beach or pool.

“A contact lens is a type of foreign body that rests on the surface of the cornea,” says Dr. Bowers. “Swimming with them, especially in a questionably sanitized public pool, could lead to very serious infections. Hot tubs can also be associated with resistant bacteria. Wearing contacts while swimming or in a hot tub simply raises the risk one takes with acquiring an eye infection.”

Summer Sands and Your Eyes Nothing can ruin a day at the beach faster than getting sand in your eye. The first general rule is to not rub it. Rubbing promotes the risk of scratching your cornea, which is very painful. Next, irrigate the eye with water to flush out the piece of sand. Tilt your head back, and use your index finger and thumb to open your eye wide. Then flush the eye with a gentle but forceful stream of water. A sports‐ cap water bottle, or a plastic water bottle with a hole poked into it, works well. If you have neither of these, use whatever fresh water is available. If the eye continues to hurt, see an ophthalmologist to ensure you have not scratched your cornea.

“If an object goes into the eye one should not rub it,” says Dr. Bowers. “Water can be used to flush the eye. But if pain persists for more than a few minutes, it should be checked.

High velocity foreign bodies (paint ball, a thrown rock, etc) should be immediately evaluated by a professional.”

“If you have an eye injury or suspect you have a small foreign object in your eye, especially metal, immediately call the office of your eye doctor or go to the nearest emergency care facility,” says Dr. St.Clair. “There is no benefit in waiting.”

Protecting Your Eyes for Summer Sports and Yard Work Frisbees, baseballs, volleyballs and tennis balls all come with the season and so should protective eye wear. If someone is struck in the eye with a ball, apply ice immediately. If vision seems affected or gets worse, go to an ophthalmologist.

“High risk activities like paintball require full face protection,” says Dr. Bowers.

“Racquetball players should wear approved protective goggles. Anyone who is monocular (having only one seeing eye) should wear protective glasses full time.”

Polycarbonate glasses that are impact and shatter-resistant are useful for all sports.

Safety glasses for yard work are now made with bifocals.

The most common ocular injury comes from doing outdoor yard work without protective eyewear. Proper eye protection should be worn at all times with any highspeed machinery such as lawn mowers, weed trimmers, leaf blowers or any grinding metal on metal. High-speed machinery creates projectiles that can not only scratch but also penetrate deep into the eye and possibly cause blinding eye injury.

“It is very important to wear protective eyewear for yard work,” says Dr. St.Clair.

“This eyewear should not only protect the

wearer from UV light, but also from eye injury. An impact resistant material such as a polycarbonate polymer is ideal.”

Dr. St.Clair continues, “It is critically important to protect your eyes when mowing. This includes riding mowers, weed eating, digging, etc. Even if you are in the area of someone performing these tasks, there is risk to an observer.”

“Sunglasses are helpful to protect from UV rays for low risk activities like pruning,” says Dr. Bowers. “Any situation where a projectile could strike your eye should require safety-type lenses (i.e. safety glasses or polycarbonate lenses). People hammering metal to metal should always wear safety glasses.”

Fireworks and the Sparkler Myth The easiest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave the displays to the professionals and watch from a distance. Children are the most common victims of Fourth of July fireworks accidents. Young people age fifteen or younger account for half of all fireworks eye injuries in the United States.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 9,000

Allergic Eye Disorders:

Allergic eye disorders are common. Over-the-counter allergy drops can be helpful as well as using artificial tears to help remove pollen. Dr. Bowers notes, “Once itching starts, avoid rubbing your eyes as this only releases more histamine from tissues creating more itchy symptoms. Cool compresses are also helpful.” www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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Rest Acts Like a Bandage Nothing is better for the eyes than sleep. Closing the eyes acts like a bandage, and gives them time to heal from the activity of the day. You’ll wake up with eyes that are brighter and rejuvenated. So, take that nap! fireworks‐related accidents occur each year. Almost half of these are head‐ related trauma with nearly 30 percent of these injuries to the eyes. One‐ fourth of fireworks eye injuries result in permanent vision loss or blindness.

The most dangerous item associated with fireworks is a sparkler. Sparklers injure people as they produce heat similar to a welding rod. This serious type of damage can do irreparable harm to an eye. It is mistakenly said they’re perfectly safe for children, which is not true. Sparklers are neither safe for children nor for drinking adults.

Eye Exams Serve as Prevention Kids need to have an annual eye exam for school, so schedule one for yourself at the same time. Summer can be a great time to start prescription glasses or contact lenses. Your child can get used to them and learn to take care of the lenses by the time school rolls around.

Prevention is the best way to maintain healthy vision. This means seeing an eye doctor (either an optometrist or ophthalmologist) once a year, and having your eyes dilated every other year. Dilation allows your eye doctor to look inside your eye and diagnose any eye disease before it becomes a problem.

Too often, when symptoms of eye disease become noticeable the condition is too far along for effective treatment.

As with wearing proper eye protection, catching eye disease early can also potentially save your vision.

ON THE WEB

More at ourhealthvirginia.com 26

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www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Lynchburg and Southside

men and health

words | TINA JOYCE

Coaches Who Practice what they Teach Study the opponent. Recognize your weaknesses. Practice to become better. For Liberty University’s Dale Layer, Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer, and Virginia Commonwealth University's Shaka Smart, this philosophy is not only one each applies on the court or field, but also in their lives.

There are many seasons of a man’s life, but few are as clearly defined— or judged—as sports seasons. Games are played, scores are tallied and seasons are completed. In the end, both fans and critics are left to determine whether the particular game or the entire season is considered a success.

Many people are evaluated, in some way, in their respective jobs. However, very few professions are so highly publicized that the general public can assess the outcome of an appearance based on the ticker, the message bar that is continuously scrolling at the bottom of the television screen providing scores and athletic-related updates.

Reprints To order reprints of the original artwork featured on this issue’s cover, contact Jenny Hungate at 540.387.6482 or via email at jenny@ourhealthvirginia.com.

To view additional work by our artist, Joe Palotas, visit www.salemartcenter.com

In the collegiate coaching profession, there are many factors that can adversely affect coaches’ health. What the ticker fails to reveal is these coaches are often husbands, fathers, brothers—and always sons. The ticker displays the score, but their health reflects their lives.

Due to the stress of the profession and the demanding schedule, coaches’ proactive attention to their health is vital. They owe it to their families to recognize the importance and need to balance their own emotional, physical and spiritual health throughout the athletic season and through the seasons of their lives.

OurHealth was granted a glimpse inside the lives of three of the area’s top collegiate coaches: Dale Layer, Liberty University’s (LU) head basketball coach, Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech’s (VT) head football coach, and Shaka Smart, Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) head basketball coach. Each coach graciously answered questions about life in and outside of sports. www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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OH: What is the most stressful aspect of the collegiate coaching profession?

Coach Layer: There is significant stress in meeting the demands of winning, while treating the people around you in a way that would represent Christ.

OH: What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession?

Coach Layer: I find great reward in seeing young men mature, improve, graduate and become successful workers, husbands and fathers.

OH: Was there a particular season in your life where you have felt a healthy balance emotionally, physically and spiritually? What contributed to that balance?

Coach Layer: There are times during the stresses of a season that I feel in balance and times when I do not. Eating and exercising definitely help. Spending time reading inspirational books, including the Bible, help. Seeking counsel from those who can give you fresh ideas and perspectives also helps.

OH: You were on the road traveling for games and recruitment many days this past year. Regarding diet and exercise, what do you do, at home and on the road, to stay healthy with such a busy travel schedule?

Coach Layer: I really just try to make a conscious decision to eat as healthy as possible and make sure I take time to workout. I have to make it a priority to keep those things in my daily routine.

OH: Have you ever had a “gut check” scare – a time when you thought you might be facing a serious health decision and you felt you had to make a health-related change in your lifestyle?

Coach Layer: Luckily, I have not.

OH: What is the most misunderstood aspect of the coaching profession?

Coach Layer: There is a misconception that there is an “off-season”. Recruiting, scheduling, camps, out-of-season training, etc., may require more time and energy than what we face during the regular season.

OH: What was your first paid coaching position? What did you learn in that first job that still impacts what you do today?

Coach Layer: My first paid job was a part-time morning janitor/gym manager in an athletic department. In the afternoons I was free to coach. All jobs within a basketball program are important. I was trained to do anything and everything, literally from the ground up.

OH: What is the one thing you hope your players, leaving your program, remember you taught them?

Coach Layer: I want them to know that a relationship with Christ matters. It should influence every aspect of any profession, under any amount of stress.

OH: What advice would you give other men that might help them jumpstart a healthier lifestyle despite the rigors of a very demanding profession?

Coach Layer: Find a physical, emotional and spiritual routine. Routine is important. Feed your body, soul and mind with good food, exercise, wise counsel and God’s Word. I am in need of all of it—all the time.

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Dale Layer, Head Coach Liberty University Basketball

www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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Frank Beamer, Head Coach Virginia Tech

Football

OH: Was there a particular season in your life you found it difficult to stay physically healthy? Why? Coach Beamer: The 2012 season. Beginning in February 2011, I made an effort to lose weight, and I successfully reached 183 pounds. When we started our 2012 season with a record of 4-6, I found myself not eating and sleeping.

As a result, my weight dropped to 168 pounds, which was my college weight. I didn’t mean to lose that extra 15 pounds.

OH: Have you ever had a “gut check” scare – a time when you thought you might be facing a serious health decision and you felt you had to make a health-related change in your lifestyle?

Coach Beamer: My biggest scare has been with my heart.

Having some blockages and knowing the seriousness of that made me realize I need to change my way of eating and living.

OH: What is the most rewarding aspect of your position?

OH: What advice would you give other men that might help them jumpstart a healthier lifestyle despite the rigors of a very demanding profession?

Coach Beamer: Seeing a young person come in as a freshman and trying to influence him in a positive way. The end results, which are so different from the beginning, are very rewarding.

Coach Beamer: Take time to take care of yourself. It all starts with sleeping and eating, but taking time to [exercise] during the day is important, as well. I’ve found that I make better decisions when I am in a healthy state of mind. www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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Shaka Smart, Head Coach Virginia Commonwealth University

Basketball

OH: Was there a particular season in your life you found it difficult to stay physically healthy? Why? Coach Smart: Anytime you change jobs, it can be difficult to stay healthy because your daily routine is broken. In those situations, you’re usually running around trying to do so many things at once that you’re probably not eating healthy and you’re probably not able to work out much.

OH: Was there a particular season in your life where you have felt a healthy balance emotionally, physically and spiritually? What contributed to that balance?

Coach Smart: I’m still working toward being able to balance all those elements. It’s all about being able to plan and prioritize.

OH: What is the most stressful aspect of the collegiate coaching profession?

OH: What advice would you give other men that might help them jumpstart a healthier lifestyle despite the rigors of a very demanding profession?

Coach Smart: Probably the demands on your time. Trying to balance that demand with time with your family, all when you are running on a lack of sleep.

Coach Smart: Plan and set your priorities. Decide how you’re going to eat. Decide how and when you’re going to work out and make sure you follow that plan.

OH: What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession?

Coach Smart: Being able to develop our players in all aspects of life.

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UROLOGY

Luke Wagoner, OD Wagoner Family Eye Care | 3701B Old Forest Road Lynchburg | 434.385.0213 | www.wagonereye.com

As men age, routine eye exams are strongly advised. As with all medical conditions, early detection is key for the best treatment options. An eye doctor, during a routine annual eye exam, will easily uncover the need for glasses and detect early signs of eye disease.

In our youth, the eyes can change quickly. Often spectacles are required for acuity and alignment.

In our 20s, prescriptions begin to level off and computer vision syndrome often requires custom fit spectacles. In our 40s, we notice our lack of ability focus on near targets with ease, requiring further customization to spectacles. In our 60s and beyond, macular degeneration, cataracts and other sight-threatening diseases often require treatment to reduce further loss of sight.

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Douglas Cameron, Au.D. Blue Ridge Hearing Aids & Audiology 2319 Atherholt Road | Lynchburg 434.200.8760 | www.blueridgeentps.com

Even if you don’t think you have a hearing loss, you might. It can take years to recognize hearing loss as, for so many, it comes on gradually. Identifying and addressing hearing loss allows you to improve your quality of life. A baseline screening is indicated at any age if one suspects loss of hearing. If needed, Audiologists can provide solutions to keep you involved in the activities you enjoy and connected with the people you love.

AUDIOLOGY

CHART FOR HEALTHY AGING

MEN’S

DENTISTRY

AUDIOLOGY

OPHTHALMOLOGY

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Shane Claiborne, DDS Central Virginia Family Dentistry | 16862 Forest Road Forest | 434.515.1388 | www.forestsmiles.com

By visiting the dentist regularly you can make sure your teeth and mouth stay in great shape. It is important to have your teeth cleaned and an oral examination and oral cancer screening exam every 6 months. Dental x-rays are very important and should be taken every year. They are the only way the dentist can check for cavities between the teeth. Fluoride treatments in the dental office are great for both children and adults to help prevent cavity formation. The goal of seeing the dentist every 6 months is to prevent the formation of cavities and periodontal (gum) disease and to detect the presence of any oral disease. Early detection and prevention is the best way to keep your teeth and mouth in the best possible health.

Make sure you have your next dental check-up scheduled!

DENTISTRY

Robert Cook, MD Centra Medical Group Urology Center | 2542 Langhorne Road Lynchburg | 434.200.5297 | www.centrahealth.com

Prostate cancer screenings include a PSA blood test and prostate examinations. Men, ages 55 and 69, benefit the most from screenings.

The American Urological Association recommends shared decision-making for men, ages 55 to 69, considering PSA screening.

Intervals for rescreening should be individualized.

Although PSA screenings are not recommended for men under 55, African American men or men with a positive family history should engage in shared decision-making and proceed based on individual preferences. While routine screenings are not recommended in men over 70 years old, men in excellent health with a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years may benefit.

UROLOGY

OurHealth’s activities photographer, Shawn Sprouse, captures Central and Southwest Virginia residents participating in the

Appalachian Power Festival Run in downtown Roanoke.

Appalachian Power Festival Run in downtown Roanoke.

For the last 15 years, Appalachian Power has sponsored an annual run that coincides with Festival in the Park. This year was no different. On Saturday, May 24th, John Smolak, Director of Economic & Business Development for Appalachian Power, set the runners off in the Appalachian Power Festival Run. The event, along with many others, is one way Appalachian Power gives back to our communities. The Appalachian Power Festival Run is the premiere running event in this part of Virginia. Both hard-core competitors, as well as those participating in their first running event, enjoyed the 5K and 10K courses alongside the Roanoke River and through downtown Roanoke, highlighting some of the best views in the region.

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FITBITS

H EA LT H A ND F I T NES S O N T H E G O

ABSolutely Awesome Abs!

The summer season is upon us! Now is the time to work on ‘summer-ready’ abs. These three exercises are great for shaping and strengthening the abdominal area. These exercises require no equipment, and, can be done anywhere — even on vacation!

#2. Bicycle Crunch

How to properly perform a bicycle crunch: 1. Lie on your back, bend your knees, placing your hands gently behind your head for support This is the same setup as for the basic crunch 2. Lift your shoulder blades about six inches off of the ground, resting your weight on your lower and mid-back.

#1. Basic Crunch

3. Extend one leg straight out from your body, six inches off of the ground.

4. Extend the other leg upward, bending at the knee with your thigh extended up from the mid section.

How to properly perform a basic crunch: 1. Lie on your back, bend your knees, placing your hands gently behind your head for support.

2. Contract your abs and flatten your lower back against the floor.

3. Slowly lift your shoulder blades one or two inches off the floor.

4. Exhale as you lift, keep your neck straight and chin up.

5. Begin the exercise by bringing the knee towards the chest and extending the opposite leg straight out. At the same time, bring the shoulder opposite the bent knee across your body towards your knee. Both should meet at your chest, right knee and left elbow or left elbow and right knee.

5. Hold for a few seconds (don’t hold your breath).

6. Reverse the process by straightening the bent knee and bringing the opposite knee up, meeting it with the reverse shoulder.

6. Slowly lower while keeping your abs contracted.

7. Repeat up to 20 reps (right/left equaling one rep), keeping good form.

7. Repeat up to 20 reps, keeping good form.

Tip: Be sure not to pull on head or neck. Focus on lifting shoulders each time, while keeping abdominal muscles contracted.

Tip: Be sure not to pull on head or neck.

Focus on lifting shoulders off the ground each time, and think about bringing opposite knee toward shoulder, keeping elbows wide and abdominal muscles contracted.

#3. Forearm Plank

How to properly perform a forearm plank: 1. Lie on your stomach on the floor.

2. Place legs about hip-width apart, flex your feet and tuck toes under so the balls of your feet press into the floor.

3. Bend elbows and place forearms on the floor, facing palms toward each other and make your hands into fists.

4. Tighten your abdominals, look down at the floor and keep your back straight -- imagine pulling your navel to your spine.

5. Contract your glutes and legs and lift your hips and thighs off the floor. Avoid pushing your hips up too high or letting them sag to the floor -- your body should form a straight line from your head to your feet.

6. Breathe normally and hold this position for up to 30 seconds. If you feel pain or can’t maintain perfect form, lower yourself to your knees and relax your muscles.

Tip: Attempt to keep back as straight as possible, us a mirror if available. Keep shoulders relaxed, and, drop to knees for a modified version, keeping toes on ground.

ON THE WEB

More at ourhealthvirginia.com Deidre Wilkes, AFAA, ACSM, Certified Personal Trainer Deidre is a certified personal trainer with more than 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. She is the resident fitness specialist for OurHealth Lynchburg and Southside

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, don t worry...

be healthy!

Tips and Twists in the Pursuit of Happiness Happiness Defined:

words | LYNETTE MUTTER

• good fortune; prosperity • a state of well-being and contentment; joy • a pleasurable or satisfying experience Although the first known use of the word “happiness” debuted in the 15th century, we have likely been on a quest for more of it since the dawn of time. The word is believed to be derived from joy, akin to the Greek word for rejoice.

Throughout the ages, we have sought success and wealth and surrounded ourselves with stuff, yet often sustained happiness has eluded us as time takes its inevitable toll on our lives and our health.

It is widely accepted that “Laughter is the Best Medicine.” Research has shown that frequent giggles and guffaws can help lower stress levels. And this is important. Chronic stress can weaken our immunity and increase inflammation in the body, setting the stage for heart attacks, colon cancer, Alzheimer’s and a host of other diseases. Intervening in the inflammatory process might even reverse some of the effects of diabetes. And there’s more.

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Laughter FACT!

one good BELLY LAUGH burns about 3.5 calories!

Laughter FACT!

the

sound of LAUGHTER isn't associated with any one language

Happy = Healthy?

In recent years, the topic of the health and happiness (or emotional resilience) connection has been thoroughly explored and medically proven, but other recent research findings may surprise you: • There is a 50% genetic component to the happiness equation: people who are not excessive worriers, and who are sociable and conscientious tend to be happier. This personality mix can act as a buffer when bad things happen, according to UK and Australian psychologists. So give yourself a little break if you aren’t as happy as you want to be, and still be encouraged that you do have control of about 50% of your happiness factor.

Laughter FACT!

In Groups, Women en Laugh More Than M

• The relentless pursuit of happiness might be counterproductive. Pleasure and feeling positive can be fleeting, and is far less important than the well-being that comes from doing something meaningful. New evidence from a University of Wisconsin Study suggests that people who focus on a sense of purpose as they age are more likely to remain cognitively intact and have better mental health.

So, as we are mindful that the pursuit of purpose is as important as the hunt for happiness, there are some cool tools to guide our journey of discovering exactly what contributes most to our well-being, and how to nurture those aspects of our lives.

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The Happy Challenge Maybe you need a convenient technology tool to help increase the joy in your life?

Consider taking the 100happydays.com challenge, during which you pledge to submit a photo of something that made you happy that day. You can pick your platform – post it on Facebook, Twitter or submit on myhappydays@100happydays.com. Sounds simple enough, right?

As it turns out, 71% of the people who tried to complete the challenge didn’t, citing “lack of time” as the main reason. Think about this a minute... are you someone who equates being busy to being important – and are proud of your super-packed schedule?

As life passes swiftly by, we are losing time to just enjoy the moment. Could stopping to reflect on the now be a key to living on purpose and long-term happiness?

Some of the things people who did complete the 100happyday challenge reported were: • more self-awareness about what makes them happy • being in a better mood and more optimistic • appreciating their good fortune to have the life they have

Happy Habits But if the word “challenge” and “happiness” don’t mesh in your world, check out The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin’s book and blog on her “daily adventures in the pursuit of happiness and habits” where she uses technology and social media to engage and create discussion about this hot topic. With a background in law, the heroine of happiness takes well-researched intellectual ideas from business, novels, science and ancient philosophers and translates them into practical solutions or happiness habits.

For instance, Gretchen recommends that you: • “Fake it till you make it” – just smiling and acting happy will have a positive effect on your emotions and your day. www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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• Take baby steps – come up with short-term strategies that can be celebrated, giving you a feeling of accomplishment along the way to well-being.

• Before you resort to venting and spewing the negative, bite your tongue – Mom was right after all. If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.

• Get up an hour earlier and minimize the clutter in your home – clutter=chaos, which is not a formula for inner peace • Keep an easy diary – just one sentence is enough. Write more if you feel inspired, but keep it simple. No need to overwhelm yourself.

• Bonnie Ware, a palliative care nurse who shares the final days of her dying patients, wrote a well-circulated article and then a memoir about how her own life was transformed by their regrets. The five most common themes when asked if they had any regrets were: • Lacking the courage to fulfill their dreams, often because of the expectations of others.

• Wishing they hadn’t devoted so much time to their work life and had spent more time with their children and mate.

• Wishing they had the courage to express their feelings, rather than suppress them to keep the peace. Never experiencing their full potential led to a mediocre existence, and the bitterness and resentment many felt as a result led to illness.

• Not nurturing friendships and letting them slip away.

• Last but not least: They wish they had let themselves be happier.

Many of Bonnie’s patients did not realize until the end that happiness was a choice and they stayed stuck in the comfort zone of old patterns. “Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again,” says Bonnie.

“Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.”

—Bonnie Ware

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Tips for Maintaining

Emotional Balance Don’t Retire. Get a part-time job or volunteer.

Build a Social Support Network.

as We Age

Isolation is a powerful risk factor for poor health, so it is extremely important for successful agers to develop a support network of friends, family and others before a crisis occurs.

words | PETER BETZ, MD

Relationships are Essential. Successful agers maintain

close relationships with family and friends, as well as develop new relationships by participating in their community.

Reliance and Adaptability. Maintaining a flexible attitude helps successful agers bounce back from life’s misfortunes.

Keep playing. Successful agers cultivate their non work-related

interests before retirement. Engaging in fun activities enlarges your circle of friends, creating a support network and helps you keep a healthy, happy outlook toward life.

Establish healthy habits. Eat Laughter FACT!

Healthy People laugh

100 to 400 new times a day!

That's about 2,800 times a week or 146,000 times a year.

healthy and exercise. Quit bad habits. Drink in moderation and quit smoking. If you’re struggling with health habits, find a role model and observe their habits.

Keep learning.

Retirement doesn’t mean retreating from the world. It’s a time to learn skills and interests.

On April 22, the community of Lynchburg stepped onto the dance floor to Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy”. See the video on YouTube—just scan the QRcode above.

Thank you to Pharrell Williams for inspiring the movement #happyprojecthu for the International Happy Day project!

Develop a healthy attitude.

Positive attitudes are essential for successful aging.

Negative attitudes contribute to physical and mental illnesses which reduce life span and quality of life.

Maintain autonomy. A sense of

choice is essential to successful aging. Individuals who learn how to maintain their independence as their life changes will age successfully.

!

Laughter FACT

e study of Gelotology is th r humor & laughte www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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Laughter FACT!

to LAUGHTER is said S, improve ALERTNES CREATIVITY and MEMORY Laughter FACT!

Most People can't laugh on command

Storytelling. Successful agers are able to tell stories about

themselves and share them with their families. Reliving these stories helps them find purpose in their life.

Peter Betz, MD, is a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist with Centra’s Piedmont Psychiatric Center, where he has practiced since 2001. He also consults with nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the region. He is a sought-after speaker for his knowledge and expertise of mental health conditions in the older population. For the past several years, Dr. Betz has been instrumental in initiating and planning Centra’s new senior psychiatric program and now serves as its medical director. The 12-bed inpatient acute unit opened last October in the former pediatric wing at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital. Dr. Betz received his bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He completed his internship and fellowship in geriatric psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

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Healthy Eats Directions:

Healthy on the Grill Entrée: Burger with Fresh Lettuce & Tomato Makes 8 Servings

Ingredients: 2 pounds ground bison (buffalo) 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh sage 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt 2 teaspoons black pepper 1/2 onion, finely chopped 2 tbsp coconut oil

1. Sauté the onions in the coconut oil over medium-high heat until translucent.

2. Turn off the heat and let it cool. Once cool, add the onions to the raw bison burger meat.

3. Add all remaining ingredients, and mix gently with clean hands.

4. Form patties with the meat, using about 1/4 pound of meat per patty.

5. Grill the burgers on medium heat, about six to seven minutes per side, or until the internal temperature is 140°F for medium rare or 160°F for well done.

Local Buffalo from: Melrose Bison Farm

844 Dry Fork Rd | Gladys, VA 24554 Phone: 434.660.6036 | www.melrosebison.com Email: melrosebisonfarm@yahoo.com Located in Southside Virginia, Melrose Bison Farm has been around since 1890. They believe in using the land in a sustainable manner, and strive to use environmentally friendly methods of pasture management. Their bison are raised on natural pastures and are never given any type of animal byproducts or antibiotics in their feed.

6. Allow the burgers to rest about five minutes before serving. Serve the burger with lettuce and tomato.

Tricia Foley says

SOURCE LOCAL BUFFALO Tricia Foley is OurHealth Magazine’s resident nutritionist.

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HealthyEats Side: Sweet Grilled Corn (Makes 8 servings)

Ingredients: 8 ears corn, husk and silk removed 1/4 cup organic butter (ghee) 2

tbsp minced garlic

1

tsp crushed rosemary

1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

½ C grated parmesan cheese

Directions: 1. Allow the corn to soak in cool water for 1 to 3 hours.

2. Melt butter in a bowl. Season with garlic, rosemary, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper; stir in Parmesan cheese.

3. Remove the corn from water and pat dry.

4. Brush the butter mixture evenly over each ear of corn, and place each piece on a square of aluminum foil.

5. Wrap each ear of corn in foil, and punch holes to allow excess steam to escape while grilling.

6. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat.

7. Grill the corn cobs about twenty to thirty minutes, turning frequently.

8. Remove from the grill and place on a dish.

Tricia Foley uses

LOCAL GROWN VEGGIES Tricia Foley is OurHealth Magazine’s resident nutritionist.

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HealthyEats Dessert: Watermelon Sorbet

2. Pour contents into a strainer.

Ingredients:

4. Finally, add the cocoa nibs.

21/4 pounds chopped watermelon

(about 6 cups)

5. Pour the watermelon mixture into a shallow metal pan and freeze until ice crystals form around the edges, about thirty minutes.

5 cups Stevia

Juice from about 1 lemon

kosher salt to taste

3. Once strained, stir in lemon juice and salt to taste.

6. Stir the ice crystals into the center of the pan and return to the freezer; repeat every twenty minutes until all the liquid is frozen.

7. Serve immediately, or transfer to a storage container and let harden in the freezer for an hour to an hour and a half.

8. Serve in chilled dishes.

¼ cup roasted cocoa nibs (optional)

Directions: 1. In batches, combine watermelon and Stevia in a food processor and process until smooth (about one minute).

Local Tomato, Sweet Corn, Herbs & Watermelon from: Three Springs Farm 530 Trents Ferry Road | Lynchburg, VA, 24503 Phone: 434.384.9493 www.isabellasitalian.com/three-springs-farm Located in Lynchburg, Three Springs Farm grows over two acres of fresh produce and practices pesticide-free pest management. Offering an array of produce, they make sure to rotate their crops to enhance natural fertility of the soil.

Three Springs Farm has been in operation for over one hundred years and is committed to providing the best quality produce in the area.

Tricia Foley’s

WATERMELON SORBET Tricia Foley is OurHealth Magazine’s resident nutritionist.

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easing the

IMPACT of arthritis

words | RICK PIESTER

Turning a doorknob.

Flicking a light switch.

Shaking hands.

Blowing a kiss.

Most of us can do these kinds of things without really thinking about it.

But people who struggle with arthritis think about those kinds of things a lot, if they can do them at all.

Arthritis is much more than the normal aches and pains of advancing age. It’s actually something of an umbrella term, covering about 100 different diseases and conditions of the joints. And it’s not just a disease of old age. About 2/3 of the people who have arthritis are under the age of 65, according to the Arthritis Foundation. And 300,000 children have arthritis.

It’s a serious health problem that is growing more ominous as more and more people live longer lives. Put together, the different forms of arthritis cause more inactivity than heart disease, cancer, or diabetes, and inactivity leads to expanding health problems. It’s the single leading cause of disability in this country, and it places a growing burden on the county’s economy and its healthcare system.

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Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis (OA) also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease. The name refers to the gradual wearing down of cartilage, the material that cushions and serves as something of a shock absorber between the ends of bones in your joints. As the cartilage wears down, the unprotected bones tend to rub against each other, causing pain that can be excruciating, stiffness, and loss of movement in the affected joints.

More than 50 million people in America have arthritis now, and forecasts are that the number will grow to 67 million in the next 15 years.

Arthritis shows itself in many kinds of ways, and at all ages. The symptoms usually come on slowly, and the first signs are commonly joints that start aching and become stiff, particularly after periods of inactivity — such as sleeping.

The affected joints might become swollen or tender, and many people say that changes in weather can also affect the pain that they feel.

Many people first notice trouble maintaining a grip on small objects.

But others report no pain at all, and no problems maintaining a grip.

Jake Shifflett, for example, started noticing the joints in his hands swelling and getting larger when he was in his late 40s. Then he noticed that his fingers were becoming slightly misshapen and crooked. But he felt none of the pain or stiffness that usually signals arthritis.

Now 64, a Lynchburg resident and 47-year employee of the Kroger Company, Jake was accustomed to spending long days working in the grocery store (he is now store manager of the Kroger on Timberlake Road in Lynchburg) with no ill effects until his knees started bothering him seven or eight years ago. “In my work, I spend a lot of time on my feet, on the sales floor of the Kroger store,” he notes, “and as time went on, at the end of each day my knees were hurting worse and worse.”

He went to see H.C. Eschenroeder Jr., MD, a member of the staff of the Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia.

“Dr. Eschenroeder told me I had arthritis in both knees,” Jake remembers. “He told me that he had other patients begging for knee replacement surgery with X-rays that looked much better than mine.”

Dr. Eschenroeder, along with most physicians who treat a lot of people with arthritis, sees more patients with osteoarthritis than any other variety of the disease. It’s the most common form of arthritis. Although medicine doesn’t yet fully understand the cause of osteoarthritis — sometimes called “OA” and also ”wear and tear arthritis” — the name refers to the gradual wearing down of cartilage, the material that cushions and serves as something of a shock absorber between the ends of bones in your joints. As the cartilage wears down, the unprotected bones tend to rub against each other, causing pain that can be excruciating, stiffness, and loss of movement in the affected joints.

Osteoarthritis can damage any joint in the body, but it most commonly affects joints in the neck, hands, lower back, knees and hips.

Common risk factors for arthritis include age (although it’s not uncommon for arthritis to start showing up in the 30s or 40s in some people,) gender (it’s more common in women than in men), and previous joint injuries.

When it’s injured, cartilage doesn’t heal well, and once it’s injured, it is seven times more likely to develop arthritis. Even torn ligaments and strains — along with fractures and dislocations — can dramatically increase the risk of osteoarthritis. In fact, roughly half of the people who suffer this type of injury develop arthritis.

H.C. Eschenroeder, Jr. MD is a board certified Orthopaedic Surgeon at Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia. He specializes in joint replacement surgery.

“Arthritis is serious, but it’s not a death sentence,” Dr. Eschenroeder notes. “Medicine has made a lot of advances in recent years to learn about arthritis and to understand how to lessen the impact it makes on the lives of people who have it. With most of our ancestors, it was pretty much taken for granted that having arthritis meant years spent inactive, with life expectancies shortened and spirits dampened because people with arthritis www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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couldn’t do anything. But today, with what we’ve learned about treating arthritis, people can keep active, keep moving, and keep living better lives.”

Jake and Dr. Eschenroeder discussed the possibility of knee replacement, but Jake decided to hold out, despite the fact that he was now at the stage where almost all of the cartilage in

his right knee had disappeared, and he was suffering the pain of bone-on-bone contact in that joint. “I toughed it out for about 18 months” Jake says. “Dr. Eschenroeder told me that there’d come a time when I would tell him that I was ready for knee replacement, and he turned out to be right.”

That time came in November of 2012, when Dr. Eschenroeder replaced the joint in Jake’s right knee.

The orthopaedist considers joint replacement surgery to be the last stage in what he called a “stepwise” treatment for arthritis of the knee. The first step, he says, is for people with arthritis to understand the nature of his or her disease, and the importance of weight control and the possible use of braces or supports to slow the progress of the ailment.

The next step up the ladder involves prescriptions for the regular use of prescription or over-the-counter antiinflammatory medications. The step after that includes injections with materials such as cortisone, a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that relieves pain by acting to diminish joint inflammation.

The final step, replacement surgery, involves resurfacing the worn-out natural joint with metal or plastic materials that slide together smoothly.

Knee replacement is now considered a relatively routine surgery. About 300,000 such knee replacement surgeries are done in the US each year, with 85% of patients saying they are happy with the procedure, about 10% who do not see a significant improvement and 5% who report worsening of symptoms.

Jake Shifflett is one of the people who is entirely happy with his experience, due perhaps in part to his self-imposed recovery program, which involved a heavy schedule in physical therapy and workouts at the gym.

“After that surgery,” he says, “I left the hospital; at 4 PM and I was in physical

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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that results in a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks flexible (synovial) joints. It can be a disabling and painful condition, which can lead to substantial loss of functioning and mobility if not adequately treated. therapy at the orthopaedists’ office at 10 AM the next day.

He credits Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia physical therapist Courtnie Sparks with a faster-than-average return to normal activity time of ten weeks. “I asked Courtnie to work me hard,” he laughs, “and she sure did.” His knee was totally healed about a year after his surgery.

In the meantime, however, his left knee was deteriorating, becoming as painful as his right knee had been. He went back into surgery for replacement of his left knee in early December 2013. This time, though, he had scheduled surgery far enough in advance that he was able to get in 12 weeks of pre-surgery exercises to strengthen his body ahead of the surgery. “That was very beneficial,” he says, “and overall, I now know that I had waited something like 18 to 24 months too long before I had my first surgery. That would be my advice to anyone— don’t wait until you absolutely cannot handle the pain.”

He returned to work 12 weeks after the second surgery. His surgery was so successful that about two weeks after he returned to his duties at Kroger, Lynchburg experienced a “snow scare”—the state of mind that sends most of us to the grocery store for bread, milk, ice melt, and various additional provisions in advance of the arrival of a heavy snowfall.

“I was the only store manager working that day, and it was a 12-hour day, ten of those hours on my feet on the sales floor,” he says. “When I got home, I told my wife that I doubted I’d be able to get up the next day. But it turned out that I made it through in fine shape.”

What makes us prone to develop arthritis?

In addition to age, gender and the possibility of previous injury, heredity may have something to do with it. Many people who develop arthritis say that one or both parents or other relatives also had it. Jake Shifflett notes that both his mother and father developed arthritis in their hands, and like him, their joints became swollen and fingers became misshapen.

Jake has been an otherwise healthy person, with no diabetes or heart problems, and with a high cholesterol number controlled

my medication. He’s been physically active, coaching his sons’ baseball and softball teams, and playing tennis with one of his sons. And his job has him on his feet and physically active for much of the workday.

doesn’t fully understand what happens, but in some cases the immune system goes off-track, and it starts to attack the body’s healthy cells, such as the synovium, a thin membrane that lines the body’s joints.

The jury seems to be out on whether prolonged participation in certain sports leads to arthritis. One thing that is clear, however, is that regular exercise is important to overall health and preventing many illnesses, and it can help ease the pain and stiffness caused by many forms of arthritis.

And weight control is almost universally cited as an important factor in both avoiding and treating osteoarthritis. “Excess weight plays a huge role in the onset of arthritis,” Dr. Eschenroeder says, “as well as with the acceleration of arthritis.”

The root cause is still a bit murky, but excess weight is an almost universal common factor in many people who have arthritis. Weight bearing joints — such as the hips, knees and ankles — must endure pounds that they are not really designed for. According to the Arthritis Foundation, each extra pound you gain adds nearly four pounds of load to your knees, and each pound increases the stress on your hips nearly six-fold. The cartilage that cushions the joints takes a beating, and it can break down over time.

There’s another problem when you are overweight: fat tissue produces proteins—cytokines—that promote inflammation. In the joints, cytokines destroy cartilage tissue. With weight gain, your body makes and releases more cytokines that will alter the function of cartilage cells and reduce the cartilage.

Osteoarthritis is not the only form of the disease. Much less common, but in many ways more alarming, is rheumatoid arthritis. Commonly referred to as “RA,” rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the body’s immune system. It’s the body attacking itself.

The body’s immune system normally protects us from infection by attacking invading viruses and bacteria. Science www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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Fluid builds up in the joints — most commonly the hands, feet wrists, elbows, knees and ankles — and causes inflammation and pain, which can in turn erode the protective cartilage and the bone it protects. The inflammation often becomes systemic, also affecting the skin, heart and lungs.

The good news with RA is that it’s no longer a “take no prisoners” disease. Where it was once almost a guarantee of a life spent in a wheelchair or worse, earlier diagnosis and vastly improved treatment has put the absolutely crippling aspects of RA largely in the past.

As a result, many people with RA feel extremely fatigued and sick all over. Their appetite disappears; they lose weight or run a low-grade fever.

“The thing to remember,” Dr. Eschenroeder notes, “is that the goal of arthritis care is not simply to cope; it is to relieve pain and to keep people moving, active, and leading better lives.”

RA is usually more difficult than osteoarthritis to diagnose. Where OA can usually be detected by x-ray, diagnosing RA is more often a process of medical history, physician examination, and a battery of laboratory tests.

The Arthritis Foundation estimates that about 1.5 million people in the US may have rheumatoid arthritis, with women affected at three times the rate of men. It usually shows up between the ages of 40 and 60, but it can begin at any age.

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Ortho After Hours:

When Injuries Happen words | RICK PIESTER

You might call it making the best of a bad situation.

You’re a weekend warrior on the gridiron and you’ve dislocated a shoulder while protecting the goal line. Or, that step you missed while carrying something heavy down the stairs resulting in a nasty sprain. Or, you’ve fallen victim to any of the hundreds of painful mishaps—on the sports field, at home, in the garden or anywhere else—that can send you to the emergency room or the urgent care center.

Many injuries happen during the evening, after the doctors’ offices are closed.

And at the emergency room or urgent care center, there’s a good chance you’ll be given a splint and told to see an orthopaedist as soon as you can.

It’s bad enough to have an injury and suspect that you may have broken a bone, but it can be especially frustrating to have to endure the wait in an emergency room or urgent care center, and then wait another day or two to feel that diagnosis and treatment has begun in earnest.

But now, on weeknights and Saturdays, help directly from an orthopaedist is available during the hours when most people get hurt.

Medical staff and support personnel at the Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia have extended their hours to create Ortho After Hours, set up especially to quickly diagnose orthopeadic injuries and get people on the road to recovery.

Orthopaedist Josh Lewis, MD, staffs Ortho After Hours, along with Omar Elkhamra, MD, and others on the Orthopaedic Center team. He notes that Ortho After Hours offers multiple benefits to people of all ages who suffer broken bones, sprains, dislocations, and other painful mishaps after most doctors’ offices close.

“We already see a lot of people who are sent to us by the ER and by urgent care centers for follow-up visits,” he says. “We offer a high quality of care, without the wait that people often encounter elsewhere. And it’s often important that your injury to be treated without the usual wait to see a specialist.”

Dr. Lewis cautions that Ortho After Hours is not the place for people who might have suffered a so-called “open fracture.” That’s a bone that’s broken in such a way that bone fragments stick out through the skin or the wound penetrates down to the broken bone. That’s also known as a “compound” fracture, and the place for that is definitely the ER. But for anything else, Ortho After Hours can save time and possibly even money. www.OurHealthVirginia.com

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The nature of emergency medicine makes it a highly expensive way to receive care. Because it’s part of a fully equipped orthopaedic physicians’ office, Ortho After Hours has complete X-ray technology, casting capability and associated medical equipment to assist with diagnosis and to avoid the higher hospital emergency room fees. And your care is better organized and better synchronized if the first visit is to the orthopaedic practice that will diagnose and treat the injury without delay.

The Ortho After Hours schedule can also be a great help to harried parents, who might otherwise find themselves taking time off during the work day to take an injured youngster to see the orthopaedist after first being seen in an ER or urgent care center.

Ortho After Hours is open from 5 PM to 8 PM Monday through Friday, and from 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday.

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Author’s Addendum: In late May, I had a chance to experience for myself the care at Ortho After Hours, as a patient.

Clearing an elderly relative’s house prior to its sale involved a solid six weeks of lifting and carrying furniture, moving heavy boxes from point to point and generally strenuous work. My back was complaining much of the time, but the work had to be done and there was no one but my wife and me to do most of it.

Finally, on a Thursday afternoon, the sale of the house became final and our work was done. We started making plans to take a rest.

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The very next morning, while getting out of the car, I turned in just the wrong way and a spear of pain shot through my lower back. I was immobile much of that Friday.

Saturday morning saw me registering as a walk-in patient at Ortho After Hours. I had never been treated by any of the Lynchburg orthopaedists, and so I spent about 20 minutes of our 35-minute wait filling out a medical history questionnaire on one of the office iPads. As something of a computer geek, I found the process to be quite pleasant — even entertaining. But I wondered how some of the older or less computer-literate patients might have fared.

Members of the Ortho After Hours staff were unfailingly pleasant and welcoming. After a brief but thorough office visit interview, I was whisked off for X-rays of my lower back.

Shortly after I returned to the exam room, Dr. Lewis greeted me and asked us to accompany him to a pair of nearby computer monitors that were displaying the images that had just been taken of my back. As he went over the images, he filled me in on things I had never known about my own back and the shape it’s in, which turns out to be pretty good, apart from some rather normal agerelated conditions that don’t respond well to the type of punishing regimen I had been putting it through.

I left Ortho After Hours with some prescriptions to get me through the short term, a referral for some physical therapy for more permanent building of strength and flexibility, encouragement to continue my current exercise program and weight control measures, and a hearty recommendation to start practicing yoga or pilates as a way to build further core strength.

The whole process took about two hours, which we consider time very well spent. One recommendation from me: call ahead, even if you plan to arrive at the facility in the next half-hour or so. Patients with appointments tend to be seen a little sooner than walk-in patients.

If you’ve suffered a bad break or are in acute pain, however, you’ll bypass everyone else in the waiting room. That’s only fair.

Josh Lewis, MD is a board certified Family Physician trained is sports medicine at Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia and staffs the Ortho After Hours Clinic. Dr. Lewis completed his medical training at the UVA School of Medicine and his internship at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in affiliation with VCU. He then went on to complete both his Family Medicine Residency and Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at the VCU Fairfax Family Practice.

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