[Part 1] The Family Love Letter Series | Roanoke and New River Valleys Oral Health Resource Guide
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TABLE OF CONTENTS APRIL • MAY 2017
12 Q&A ON HEALTH
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Healthcare questions answered by local professionals
16 THE PULSE Keeping the pulse on local healthcare news, new physicians, providers, locations and upcoming events in the Roanoke & New River Valley communities.
20 BETTER BOTANY| Growing Organic 22 AUTO HEALTH | Don't Let a Vehicle Breakdown Ruin Your Spring Plans
24 PET HEALTH | Spring Into Action
THE OURHEALTH BOOKSHELF Showcasing some of the most authoritative books on how to get and stay healthy.
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THE ANATOMY CHALLENGE Test your knowledge when it comes to SEASONAL ALLERGIES.
ALLERGIES MAKE US SNEEZE
30 AND A LOT MORE
If you’re one of the 50 million people in America who suffer from allergies, you most likely greet spring with equal parts delight and dread, pleasure and pain, sunbathing and sneezing. OurHealth explores the cause of seasonal allergies.
www.OurHealthswva.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS APRIL • MAY 2017
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TOP TEN FAT BURNING FOODS
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OurHealth explores nutritionally dense foods that increase our metabolism and burn unwanted fat.
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Kari Decker, the Wellness Supervisor at Green Ridge Recreation Center, shares the many training benefits of the tactical locker.
THE FAMILY LOVE LETTER OurHealth introduces a new series entitled, “The Family Love Letter.” More than anything, drafting this one document can help ease your loved ones’ pain and stress during an undeniably tumultuous time.
HELLO, HEALTH Capturing the spirit of those working in healthcare and of people leading healthy lives through photos.
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THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF REDUCING WORKPLACE INJURY OurHealth explores how industrial consulting service helps companies improve employee wellness and retain workers.
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HEALTHY RECIPE SWAP Tricia Foley RD, MS, OurHealth's resident nutritionist, shares spring inspired recipes with healthy ingredient swap tips.
HEALTHCARE IN JUST A FEW WORDS In honor of national healthcare recognition month, OurHealth challenges local healthcare providers to describe what their profession means to them and how important it is to their community.
FITBITS | Tactical Locker
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ROANOKE & NEW RIVER VALLEYS ORAL HEALTH RESOURCE GUIDE Your resource guide for oral health in the Roanoke & New River Valley area, sponsored by Delta Dental.
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www.OurHealthswva.com
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april • may 2017 PUBLISHER PRESIDENT/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHIEF DESIGNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER WEBMASTER ACCOUNTING MANAGER DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER | EVENT SPECIALIST DIGITAL MEDIA STRATEGY ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHY
McClintic Media, Inc. Steve McClintic, Jr. | steve@ourhealthvirginia.com Jennifer Hungate Kim Wood Karrie Pridemore Tori Meador Heidi McClintic Laura Bower Heidi McClintic Dalton Holody Shawn Sprouse / www.sdsimages.com
CONTRIBUTING MEDICAL EXPERTS Carrie Champine, DO, FAOOG Susan Dorsey, MD Michele Mills, DDS David Prior, MD Ellen Rorrer CONTRIBUTING PROFESSIONAL Tracy Cornatzer EXPERTS & WRITERS Rich Ellis Tricia Foley, RD Tina Joyce Rick Piester Christy Rippel Sarah Sullivan
ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Kim Wood | P: 540.798.2504 kimwood@ourhealthvirginia.com SUBSCRIPTIONS To receive OurHealth via U.S. Mail, please contact Heidi McClintic at heidi@ourhealthvirginia.com or at 540.387.6482
@ourhealthSWVA
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: 303 S. Colorado Street • Salem, VA 24153. | Email: steve@ourhealthvirginia.com | Phone: 540.387.6482 Ext. 1 Information in all print editions of OurHealth and on all OurHealth websites (websites listed below) and 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 © 2017 by McClintic Media, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. OurHealth Roanoke and New River Valleys is published bi-monthly • Special editions are also published • McClintic Media, Inc. • 303 S. Colorado Street, Salem, VA 24153, P: 540.387.6482 F: 540.387.6483. MAIN: ourhealthvirginia.com | ourhealthswva.com | ourhealthlbss.com | ourhealthrichmond.com | ourhealthcville.com | Advertising rates upon request.
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HEALTH H E A LT H C A R E QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY LOCAL PROFESSIONALS
“
When considering an HSA, you need to look at your overall health status and your healthcare spending patterns. Talk with a qualified health insurance agent; they will help you to determine if this is the right fit for you.
”
– Tracy Cornatzer
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What is a Health Savings Account (HSA), and how do I know if it’s right for me? A Health Savings Account (HSA) is an account used to pay for qualified medical expenses tax-free. An HSA must be paired with a qualified high deductible health plan. You can use funds from your HSA to pay for expenses covered under your insurance plan. You can also use your HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses that are not covered by your insurance, such as dental or vision expenses. Unlike a flexible spending account, HSA funds roll over each year, allowing you to save for unforeseen medical expenses tax-free. There are annual limits as to how much you may contribute to your HSA. For 2017, the Self-only limit is $3,400, while the Family limit is $6750. When you reach the age of 55, the IRS allows you to add an extra $1000 to these caps. When considering an HSA, you need to look at your overall health status and your healthcare spending patterns. Talk with a qualified health insurance agent; they will help you to determine if this is the right fit for you.
Tracy Cornatzer
Sales Manager, Health Insurance Consultants Virginia Farm Bureau Richmond | 804.290.1115 www.vafb.com
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Can yoga relieve my sciatica pain? Sciatica refers to a pinching of the sciatic nerve, which is a large nerve in the back of the thigh that provides sensation and muscle function to the leg. The good news is that most people with sciatica don’t need to have surgery in order to get better. The best way to improve your symptoms and avoid surgery is to build up the support structures around the spine. An exercise program such as yoga that focuses on core and abdominal muscle strength as well as hamstring stretches is an excellent, non-invasive way to help alleviate the symptoms of sciatica. In addition, there are often modified yoga positions that can help you avoid painful movements. As with any structured exercise program, consult with your regular physician to be sure that you’re healthy enough to undertake this kind of activity before beginning.
My results from an HPV test came back positive. Does this mean I will develop cervical cancer? No! A positive test result does NOT mean that you will develop cervical cancer. It simply means that you do have the virus that may cause cervical cancer. It does not mean that you have cervical cancer now. The human papilloma virus (HPV) is thought to be responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. Fortunately, most women who have the virus will clear it on their own within two years. Women who are not able to clear it or experience changes in the cells of the cervix caused by HPV should be monitored with more frequent Pap smears and sometimes additional testing. HPV is so common in women under age 30 that it is not routinely tested for. In women over 30, it is part of a routine Pap smear. Women who have a normal Pap and do not have the virus will not need Pap smears as frequently as those who have HPV.
David M Prior, MD
Carilion Clinic Institute for Orthopaedics and Neurosciences Roanoke | 540.725.1226 www.carilionclinic.org/ion
Carrie Champine, DO, FACOOG LewisGale Physicians Blacksburg | 540.443.0500 www.lgphysicians.com
HEALTH H E A LT H C A R E QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY LOCAL PROFESSIONALS
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Friends often have good information and advice, but when it comes to major personal decisions such as moving to a retirement community, the best source of information and advice will be the person responsible for marketing housing options at the community of your choice.
”
– Ellen Rorrer
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I’m feeling a little discouraged after a friend told me about a waiting list at a retirement community I was considering. Should I just look somewhere else? If the community provides many levels of care or living accommodations, the wait for each level can vary greatly. A person’s projected wait time also varies based on their preferences and requirements. If you are open to any apartment in an assisted living community, your wait may be shorter than if you require a certain floor plan, specific features, or a particular location or neighborhood. If there is indeed a waiting list for the area in which you are interested, it’s best to go ahead and join that list so that you gain your spot and begin to move up as openings become available. At Warm Hearth, and often at other retirement communities, there is no obligation to take a home or residence if one becomes available before you are ready — so until you are ready, you will simply move up the list. The best advice that I can offer to seniors who are looking to move into a retirement community is to talk directly with the community’s consultant, get application materials turned in and stay in touch with the consultant to remain in the know.
Ellen Rorrer
Marketing Consultant Warm Hearth Village Blacksburg | 540.552.9176 www.retire.org
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
My 7-year-old’s teeth are crowded and getting worse with the few adult teeth he has. Should I be concerned? Crowding at an early age is sometimes a concern. I typically send my patients for an early checkup with the orthodontist at around age 8 or 9 if I notice problems with the eruption pattern, excessive crowding, or that the “bite” isn’t ideal. That is also the age that kids get their first Panorex radiograph to check for impacted permanent teeth. It’s a great idea to ask your dentist if an early checkup would be advisable for your child. In cases of severe crowding, the orthodontist might recommend extracting a couple of baby teeth to make room for the incoming permanent teeth. Every child and every case is different.
Michele Mills, DDS
Mills & Shannon Dentistry Salem | 540.989.5700 www.millsandshannon.com
What is the best treatment for vertical frown lines between by eyebrows (glabellar lines)? Glabellar lines can make the face appear stern or even angry. Minimizing or totally removing these “11” lines can go a long way toward making the face appear more relaxed and youthful. There are two methods for accomplishing this: the injection of “fillers” and the injection of botulinum toxin. Both should be administered by a provider with training and experience, as the side effects can be serious. Today’s fillers are less likely to “clump” under the skin or cause allergic reactions. Some will encourage the production of new collagen in the injection site. Fillers can last from 4 to 12 months. Botulinum toxin injections ease the glabellar lines by partially deactivating the muscles that cause these furrows. Without these muscles pulling on the skin, the wrinkles can be lessened significantly. The effects have a duration of three to four months. At times, these two methods may be used together.
Susan Dorsey, MD
Dermatology Associates of Roanoke, PC Roanoke | 540.981.1439 www.dermatologyassociatesofroanoke.com
www.OurHealthswva.com
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KEEPING THE PULSE ON HEALTH
VISTAR EYE CENTER ANNOUNCES NEW ROCKY MOUNT LOCATION >> Vistar Eye Center adds new location with purchase of Rocky Mount-based Angle Eye Center, formerly Saxon Angle and Associates. Vistar's newest optometrist, Troy Mysliwiec, OD, will be anchoring the Rocky Mount office after Al N. Angle, II, OD announced his retirement this year. The transition will be complete this spring. "We have been referring our patients to the ophthalmologic experts at Vistar for years," said Dr. Angle. "This seamless transition is the best option for our patients and ensures they will continue receiving excellent care in the years to come." Vistar Eye Center will maintain the office's current list of eye care services including routine eye exams, medical treatments, and surgical consultations. The new Vistar Eye Center in Rocky Mount will be staffed by a full-time optometrist five days a week with some evening and weekend hours. This is Vistar's second acquisition this year. In early January, the eye care center purchased Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Martinsville. The two locations align with Vistar's growing commitment to the area along the Route 220 corridor. Vistar now offers eleven main locations throughout Southwestern Virginia. For more information or to schedule an appointment with Vistar Eye Center provider visit, www.vistareye.com or call 540.855.5100.
MAY IS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE AWARENESS MONTH >> Looking for a way you can make a difference in a child’s life in your community? Community Appreciation Day and Open House Embrace Treatment Foster Care Tuesday May 23rd | 4 – 6:30 PM 3912 Electric Road, Bldg. C | Roanoke 540.524.2811 www.embraceTFC.com
(PRIDE) Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education by the City of Roanoke Pre-service training The first Tuesday of every month* | 6 PM 1510 Williamson Road, 3rd Floor | Roanoke *Call to register | 540.853.2619
Hope Tree Family Services Foster Care Orientation Sessions April 27 and May 25 | 6-7 PM 860 Mount Vernon Lane | Salem 540.444.0566 16
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
HEALTHY HAPPENINGS RECOGNIZING OUR EVERYDAY HEALTHCARE HEROES AND MORE!
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APRIL •
Counseling Awareness Month
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National Autism Awareness Month
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National Foot Health Awareness Month
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National Minority Health Month
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Occupational Therapy Month
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April 7th: World Health Day
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April 23-29: National Healthcare Volunteer Week
MAY •
Better Hearing and Speech Month
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Better Sleep Month
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Global Employee Health and Fitness Month
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Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month
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Mental Health Month
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National Critical Care Awareness Month
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National Foster Care Month
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May 6-12: National Nurses Week
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May 7-13: National Hospital Week
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May 10: National School Nurse Day
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May 21-27: National EMS Week
Don’t forget to check out upcoming happenings on the OurHealth calendar of events. Visit www.ourhealthswva.com for local health related events including health fairs, workshops, screenings, support groups and much more! www.OurHealthswva.com
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Joshua Adams, MD
Heather Ball, FNP
Casey Bowles, PA-C
Sierra Coartney, DO
Angela Coleman, PA-C
Joy Collins, MD
Andre Douglas, FNP
Lisa Faist, NP
Lauren Good, DO
Kelly Holderfield, NP
Kimberly Horton, NP
Sanjay Jaswani, MD
Chad Lard, DO
Whitney Norbo, NP
Danielle Ogle, NP
Amanda Pallone, MD
Jessica Partin, MD
Rachel Rich, PA-C
Carilion Clinic Aortic Center LewisGale Physicians Roanoke | 540.853.0100 Family Medicine www.CarilionClinic.org Roanoke | 540.265.1607 www.lgphysicians.com
LewisGale Physicians Family Medicine Roanoke | 540.725.3060 www.lgphysicians.com
Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Dublin | 540.674.8805 www.CarilionClinic.org
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Carilion Clinic Internal Medicine Westlake | 540.721.2689 www.CarilionClinic.org
Carilion Children’s Pediatric Surgery Roanoke | 540.985.9812 www.CarilionClinic.org
LewisGale Physicians Family Medicine Bonsack | 540.977.0900 www.lgphysicians.com
LewisGale Physicians Pediatrics Daleville | 540.966.6430 Salem | 540.772.3580 www.lgphysicians.com
Carilion Clinic Pulmonary/ Sleep Medicine Roanoke | 540.985.8505 www.CarilionClinic.org
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
LewisGale Physicians Pediatrics Daleville | 540.966.6430 Salem | 540.772.3580 www.lgphysicians.com
Carilion Clinic Internal Medicine Galax | 276.236.6136 www.CarilionClinic.org
Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Martinsville | 276.670.3300 www.CarilionClinic.org
LewisGale Physicians Internal Medicine Roanoke | 540.725.3060 www.lgphysicians.com
Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Wytheville| 276.228.8686 www.CarilionClinic.org
Carilion Clinic General Surgery Roanoke | 540.224.5170 www.CarilionClinic.org
Carilion Children’s Pediatric Surgery Roanoke | 540.985.9812 www.CarilionClinic.org
LewisGale Physicians Family Medicine Roanoke | 540.725.3060 www.lgphysicians.com
Carilion Clinic General Surgery Roanoke | 540.224.5170 www.CarilionClinic.org
Elizabeth Russo-Stringer, MD Carilion Clinic Institute for Orthopaedics & Neurosciences Roanoke | 540.224.5170 www.CarilionClinic.org
Heather Saunders, NP Carilion Clinic Psychiatry Roanoke | 540.981.8025 www.CarilionClinic.org
Charles ‘Tripp’ Tyree, PA-C
LewisGale Physicians Pediatrics Salem | 540.772.3580 www.lgphysicians.com
Shmuel Shapira, MD Interventional Cardiology LewisGale Physicians Salem | 540.772-3640 www.lgphysicians.com
Joyce Vivian, AGNP LewisGale Physicians Internal Medicine Roanoke | 540.283.3660 www.lgphysicians.com
Samantha Smart, FNP Megan Smith, FNP LewisGale Physicians Internal Medicine Roanoke | 540.265.1607 www.lgphysicians.com
Amanda White, NP
Carilion Clinic General Surgery Roanoke | 540.224.5170 www.CarilionClinic.org
LewisGale Physicians Pediatrics Salem | 540.772.3580 www.lgphysicians.com
Tara Wickline, FNP
LewisGale Physicians Family Medicine Roanoke | 540.265.1607 WestLake | 540.719.0424 www.lgphysicians.com
Gustaf Sylvester-Johnson, NP Carilion Clinic Psychiatry Roanoke | 540.981.8025 www.CarilionClinic.org
William Windham, CEO LewisGale Hospital Alleghany Low Moor www.lewisgale.com
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H E A LT H Y GARDEN TIPS
Growing Organic words | TINA JOYCE
Thinking of growing organic to avoid chemicals on your table this summer? Soil preparation and spring planning can make the biggest difference.
THE COMPOST ADVANTAGE Aged animal manure (e.g., horse manure works very well) in addition to leaves, soil, grass clippings and organic fruits and vegetables that have composted all winter are prime ingredients to help your soil stay loose and fertile. 20
BEGIN EARLY Sketch out a blueprint of your garden, then start growing plants early to gain a few weeks’ advantage and reap the best weather for your prime growing season.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION This is true for success in real estate, and it’s also true for your organic garden. Sunny, fertile soil with proper drainage will give your crop the best chance to flourish.
DIG DEEP Whether it’s in raised beds or in the ground, your garden should have 12” of composted, welltilled soil. Good root development is crucial in organic gardening.
MANAGE WATER
ENJOY THE PROCESS
Rain barrels are a popular way to gather water and irrigate your garden. Slow drip diversions allow you to regulate the water in rows, even when you leave town for a few days.
Growing organic may take a tad more prep time, but the health benefits and satisfaction of growing your own produce this season will be abundant.
or · gan · ic adj: grown or made without the use of artificial chemicals
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
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AUTOMOBILE H E A LT H TIPS
MYTH: MORE CAR BATTERIES FAIL DURING THE COOLER MONTHS More batteries fail in spring and summer than in winter. words | RICH ELLIS
For many, spring means travel over spring break and making exciting getaway plans for the summer driving season. Road trips and dream vacations can quickly turn into travel nightmares, however, when a vehicle breakdown leaves you stranded on the side of the road. Preventive maintenance is the key to ensuring your vehicle can handle the spring and summer heat, the additional miles you’ll be racking up, and to keeping your passengers safe and comfortable. So before warmer weather is here to stay, spend a weekend afternoon this spring reviewing the condition of the following vehicle systems. You’ll travel with greater peace of mind knowing your vehicle is safe and reliable.
– Normal operating temperatures under the hood can approach 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Your vehicle’s cooling system is responsible for keeping those temperatures from climbing even higher, and for preventing the engine from overheating. Follow the instructions in your vehicle’s owner’s manual to check the coolant (antifreeze) level and the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for changing the coolant. Old coolant or not enough coolant can lead to overheating and expensive engine damage. COOLING SYSTEM
BELTS AND HOSES – A vehicle’s cooling system depends on hoses to move coolant between
the radiator and engine block, and in most vehicles, it also depends on belts that turn the fan(s) that dissipate heat from the radiator. Because they’re made of rubber and other compounds, belts and hoses eventually deteriorate due to high under-hood temperatures and environmental exposure. With the engine cold and the vehicle turned off, examine the belts for signs of wear, indicated by cracking or fraying. Visually inspect the hoses for bulges and then feel along the length of each of them for noticeable soft spots. Then replace the hoses if you find problems. Even if they appear to be okay, belts and hoses should still be replaced according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
– Contrary to popular belief, more batteries fail in spring and summer than in winter, mainly because heat kills batteries. Depending on the brand and operating environment, batteries last between two and five years. Check the install date on the top of the battery, and examine the posts protruding from the battery’s top or side for corrosion, which looks like a white or blue-green powdery buildup. Corrosion can lead to problems with starting the vehicle, and it needs to be cleaned off using a battery terminal cleaning brush, anti-corrosion spray and protective equipment. Have the battery tested for free at most auto parts stores. BATTERY
AIR CONDITIONING – It’s just as important to keep your passengers cool as it is to keep
the engine cool. Test the AC system to ensure that all of the vents are working, that the blower motor is moving enough air, and that the air is cold. If the air doesn’t feel cool enough, it could be because the system needs a recharge. Before taking the vehicle to a mechanic, try a do-ityourself A/C recharge and stop-leak product such as AC Pro to find out if that will solve the problem quickly and inexpensively.
– The summer months guarantee that bugs, as well as downpours during thunderstorms, will be pelting your vehicle’s windshield, reducing visibility. Consider filling the wiper fluid tank with a product such as RainX Bug Remover. It helps remove bugs and road grime while coating the windshield with a water-beading product that clears rain quickly. WINDSHIELD
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR A FULL CALENDAR OF
Local Health Events!
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H E A LT H Y P E T T I P S SPONSORED BY
words | TINA JOYCE
Warmer weather and longer days can make you jump into projects and activities. Also, getting your pet out and about is much easier in the sunshine. There are a few things that pet owners must keep in mind this spring, however.
CONSIDER ADOPTING Pet owners tend to be more active, making the health benefits of owning a pet twofold. You can make a difference by providing a forever home for a pet in need; plus, you’re likely to gain emotional and physical payback from the experience.
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BE CAREFUL OF THE RUN-AWAY Sunny days make walks in the park or open windows seem appealing to our furry friends. However, if your pets discover a newfound freedom, they might try to venture off on their own. Identification tags and microchips are important for your pets’ safety and your peace of mind.
BEWARE OF STANDING WATER BUILD IN EXERCISE The warm temperatures may take jogging with your pooch or riding your horse to the top of your weekend to-do list. Be careful to add exercise into your routine slowly, however, especially if your pet (or you) has been sedentary over the winter months.
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Flowerpots and puddles can be filled with harmful bacteria. It’s extremely important to make sure that all pets have fresh water daily, but also avoid water from unknown sources. Even “fresh” rainwater may have traces of antifreeze, oil, or animal feces in it by the time it accumulates where your pet looks to quench his thirst.
CLEAN THE CLEAN UP Spring is a natural time to embark on cleaning and restoration projects. However, cleaning solutions, engine gas and oil, insecticides and even mulch can be dangerous to pets that venture outside. Be aware of the products you use.
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BO OKSHELF words | RICK PIESTER
>> Showcasing some of the most authoritative books on how to get and stay healthy In this issue, we take a look at two books dealing with two mainstays of our metabolism, sugar and fat, and both contain some surprises. The third book is an absorbing discussion of end-of-life issues and how modern healthcare can improve them.
The Case Against Sugar By Gary Taubes Penguin Random House | 384 pages
Is sugar the root cause of most of our ills — stroke, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, diabetes, and more? Gary Taubes is out to change our relationship with sugar, and he presents compelling if not absolutely convincing evidence. He also chronicles how hard it is to avoid sugar; it’s in almost everything we eat.
The Secret Life of Fat:
The Science Behind the Body’s Least Understood Organ and What It Means for You By Sylvia Tara, PhD W.W. Norton & Company Inc. | 288 pages
We all have it, and most of us hate it, but here’s a book that sheds some light on how the body uses fat and how, in moderation, it can be a useful thing. Body fat is actually an endocrine gland, Sylvia Tara tells us; actually, it’s the largest in our body, and it does some work on our behalf. A fascinating read.
Being Mortal:
Medicine and What Matters in the End By Atul Gawande, MD Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt & Company | 282 pages
This is an absolutely absorbing account of how we die — and how we should die — by a practicing surgeon. Through riveting storytelling and lots of tips on how to improve our healthcare, Dr. Gawande makes a persuasive argument on how and why we should make the end of life as enriching as life itself can be.
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How much do you know about
Seasonal Allergies? 1. On average, what percentage of Americans are affected by allergies? A:
15
percent
75
B:
C:
percent
30
percent
D:
20
percent
2. Which of the following is NOT one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies?
3. On average, ___________ Americans are affected by allergies. A:
B: 50 million
C:
30 million
4. Which of the following are symptoms of seasonal allergies?
D: 70 million
A: Pollen
20 million
5. Which of the following is NOT a strategy to avoid seasonal allergy triggers?
B: Grass
A: Showering and changing clothes after working or playing outdoors
A: Itchy or irritated eyes
B: Keeping windows and doors shut
C: Pet Dander
C: Eating more vitamin rich fruits and vegetables
D: Monitoring pollen and mold B: Sneezing or coughing
6. On average, what percentage of Americans are affected by allergies? C: Runny or congested nose
+
+
D: All of the above
Sources: www.aafa.org & www.acaai.org
A:
Between 10 am and 4 pm
B:
Before 10 am and after 4 pm
C: Pollen counts are not affected by the time of day
D: Mold
7. True or False: Immunotherapy or allergy shots, is a form of long-term treatment that decreases symptoms of allergies by injecting a small amount of the allergen into the patient’s skin.
1. C 2. C 3. A 4. D 5. C 6. A 7. True
counts via newspapers, radio, or television
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
g n i r p S Ahh-CHO
Ah
. . . h h
O
Allergies Make Us Sneeze and a lot More! words | RICK PIESTER
If you’re one of the 50 million people in America who suffer from allergies, you probably greet spring with equal parts delight and dread, getting ready for an equal amount of sunbathing and sneezing. Although allergy season seems to have started a bit early this year (with mediumhigh levels of tree pollen being reported as early as mid-February), as an allergy sufferer, you know that the worst is yet to come.
Allergist Saju S. Eapen, MD, of the Asthma and Allergy Center of Roanoke and Salem notes that our area of Virginia has more than its share of allergy-causing substances in the air around us. The verdant hills and lush grasses of the midAtlantic states have few rivals in terms of producing the pollens that make people wheeze and sneeze. And Virginia has the dubious distinction of being among the national champions when it comes to pumping out tree and grass pollens. Richmond ranks high on every yearly list of allergy-heavy cities in the U.S., and experts say that there’s not a lot of difference between the capital area and other regions of the state.
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Roanoke residents, furthermore, are well aware of the “bowl effect” that results from the city’s location. The mountains that surround Roanoke serve to trap air and all of the pollutants within it. This trapped air can be rough on allergy sufferers.
Immune System Gone Awry Allergies (which are medically known as allergic rhinitis) are always bothersome, and there’s lots of data that shows that allergies are the #1 cause of absenteeism from jobs and school. They can even be life-threatening.
New Thinking on
PEANUT ALLERGIES One of the most frightening of foodborne allergies, especially for children, is a youngster’s allergic reaction to peanuts and peanut products. Though rare, peanut allergies are responsible for more anaphylaxis (constricted airway) deaths
Allergies are the result of your body’s immune system gone awry. The immune system normally attacks the body’s genuine enemies such as bacteria or viruses, but allergy-sufferers’ immune systems launch an all-out attack on otherwise innocent substances called allergens. The body mistakenly identifies the allergens as harmful and begins spewing histamine and other substances to fight them off. You feel this battle in the form of itching, sneezes, red eyes and a runny nose within minutes of exposure, followed by the typical congested nose and cough and maybe even a hammering headache. The cause of this misery — allergens — are found both indoors and outdoors. They can come from plants, foods, pets and even some household products.
than any other food allergies, resulting in an almost universal ban of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from school lunchrooms. But conventional wisdom has been turned on its head over the past year, with new guidelines from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases advising parents to give their kids foods containing peanuts starting when they are infants, to help prevent life-threatening allergies. The Institute recommends giving babies puréed food or finger food containing peanut powder or extract before they are six months old, and even earlier if a child is prone to allergies and doctors say it is safe to do so. One should never give a baby whole peanuts or peanut bits, experts say, because they can be a choking hazard. As always, following this advice should be prefaced by the approval of your child’s physician.
The Power of Pollens Pollens are produced by trees, weeds and grasses and are light and dry, picked up by the wind and deposited on everything in sight during the spring, summer and fall. (Flowers also make pollen, but flower pollen is usually spread by insects, without much escaping into the air.) Locally, tree pollens dominate early in the year. According to Dr. Eapen, tree pollens usually begin to appear in early March, but this year’s mild winter has resulted in an early season for tree pollen that began in February. Tree pollens typically extend into April or early May, when our region transitions into grass season. And then, in mid to late summer, the weed pollens (especially ragweed) come into play.
When Mold Makes its Move Dr. Eapen notes that autumn is the season that brings the environmental mold allergens, such as leaf mold that is stirred up while raking wet leaves. (Continued on page 34...)
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n e l Pol To get a sense of how severe an allergy season might be, keep an eye on the weather. Weather conditions can either increase or decrease the levels of pollen in the air around us.
Mild winters generally produce an early pollen season, as trees will start pollinating earlier in
(...continued from page 32)
Mold also lives indoors all year, on window sills, in refrigerators, and in damp areas such as basements and bathrooms.
When Dust Mites and Dander Attack Dust mites are microscopic eight-legged creatures that eat dead flakes of human skin. If you are allergic to dust mites, you are reacting to the mites’ droppings. The mites don’t bite or spread disease. Dust mites thrive in damp warmth with humidity of over 50 percent. They live mostly in carpeting, bedding, furniture and furry objects such as stuffed animals. Animal dander is dandruff-like loose skin cells shed by animals. Dander from pets such as dogs and cats may contain saliva or other substances from these animals. The cells can become airborne, where they will be inhaled.
the year.
Is it a Cold or an Allergy?
Dry, windy weather spreads pollen quickly.
The symptoms of colds and allergies can sometimes be similar, Dr. Eapen says, but there are some essential differences. For one, allergy symptoms are persistent, and they are bothersome for longer than the week or 10 days that it takes for a cold to run its course. The symptoms are also quite specific: There’s the telltale red, itchy eyes, the runny nose, and in some people, skin symptoms such as red and swollen hives, all of which point to an allergy.
How to Address Allergies Rain can reduce the pollen count by washing pollen into the soil before it becomes airborne. However, rain in the late fall or winter can spur tree pollination, and a rainy spring induces grass growth, increasing the amount of pollen from grasses and weeds.
Medicine has developed quick and reliable ways to pinpoint the causes of allergies in individuals. The most common test is a skin prick test, in which small amounts of allergy triggers are placed on the surface of the skin and then lightly scratched in. Swelling or redness indicates an allergy to the substance placed on that part of the test area, and the results are available in 10-15 minutes. Dr. Eapen also notes that blood tests are available for people who have a skin disorder or if certain medications prevent the performance of skin-scratch tests.
A freeze late in the winter can delay tree pollination, which decreases, at least temporarily, the daily pollen count.
Once you know what’s causing your allergy, you can begin to fight back. You’ll know how to reduce your exposure to airborne allergens by keeping your windows closed and cranking up the air conditioning at home and in the car, by staying inside as (Continued on page 36...)
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a s ’ t ha
WPOLLEN COUNT?
Every day, in locations all over America, a rod covered with a sticky substance is attached to the roof of a building. Over the next 24 hours, the rod will be tested for the amount of pollen that sticks to it. Samples are analyzed microscopically to determine how much pollen is in the air. A daily pollen count is the number of grains of pollen in a cubic centimeter of air. As the number increases, people who have allergies will sense an increase in their allergic reaction. A medium pollen count of 4.9 – 7.2 is the point at which most allergy sufferers begin to notice symptoms. A medium-high count is 7.3 – 9.6, and a high count is 9.7 – 12. Most daily newspapers carry that day’s projected pollen count, which is also available in the weather forecast portion of most television newscasts, as well as online at such sites as www.weather.com and www.pollen.com. Some online sites also offer daily pollen count email alerts and other helpful information.
SCAN HERE
to view the current pollen count for your area.
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(...continued from page 34)
much as possible when the pollen count is high (see sidebar on page 33), by taking a shower and washing your hair to rinse the allergens off before you go to bed, by keeping your pet out of the bedroom, and by running a high-efficiency air cleaner in your home.
A Wide Array of Remedies If those measures don’t help that much, there’s also an abundance of over-the-counter remedies you can try. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, four out of five people with allergies don’t even have to go to the doctor’s office. Instead, they rely on any of a somewhat dizzying array of medications in their local pharmacies that may offer effective relief. Physicians say that a perfectly reasonable first approach is to let your symptoms be your guide for taking over-thecounter medications. A congested or runny nose can be treated with an over-thecounter corticosteroid nasal spray such as Flonase or Nasacort, a safe and effective control. Pairing this with an antihistamine to prevent the body’s release of histamines would be a good first step. It’s always a good idea to start taking an antihistamine before the start of a pollen-heavy season to control your symptoms. Look for long-acting antihistamines (Allegra, Claritin and Zyrtec are examples) that don’t have a sedative effect that will leave you drowsy. Dr. Eapen says that it’s important to use over-the-counter medicines consistently for peak effectiveness. If over-the-counter medications fail, immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be formulated for particular combinations of allergies. Dr. Eapen notes that the expense and time investment of immunotherapy is often paid off in a few years in most patients by altering the immune system so that treatment is no longer needed. In effect, you’re cured of your allergy for anywhere between 5-20 years. Immunotherapy is also an important factor for youngsters who can be spared later allergic asthma. Immunotherapy has been refined over the last century to the point that prescription medications are now coming onto the market that dissolve under the tongue — good news for the needle-shy. These sublingual remedies are not always approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but they (Continued on page 38...)
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(...continued from page 36)
“The symptoms of colds and allergies can sometimes be similar, but there are some essential differences: allergy symptoms are persistent, and they are bothersome for longer than the five to seven days it takes for a cold to run its course.” SAJU S. EAPEN, MD
is certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Eapen sees patients at Asthma and Allergy Center in both Roanoke and Salem locations.
are widely used in Europe. Additionally, certain sublingual remedies have been approved in the U.S. for treatment of ragweed and grass allergies, and, in early March, the FDA approved a sublingual tablet (Odactra) for treatment of allergies induced by dust mites. Dr. Eapen sums up by saying, “The question is: When should a person seek an allergy specialist’s help for their allergies? The answer: If a person’s symptoms aren’t controlled by over-thecounter medications and if chronic symptoms affect the quality of one’s life, it’s time for a specialist. Lots of people go through life thinking that nasal congestion and all that goes with an allergy is part of the norm. It’s not. There’s help for you.”
Expert Contributer Saju S. Eapen, MD is certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Eapen sees patients at Asthma and Allergy Center in both Roanoke and Salem locations.
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words | TINA JOYCE
You’ve heard the phrase 'you are what you eat?' Well, not literally, of course. But there is some truth to that cliché. We should seek nutritionally dense foods (the ratio of nutrients to calories) to gain the most benefits from our diet — protein to help promote building muscle, fiber to help regulate the digestive system and carbohydrates to provide energy. There are also some foods said to increase our metabolism and burn unwanted fat. Our food choices alone won’t magically burn off that stubborn fat, but the right selections, combined with consistent physical activity and strength training, will help us on our way to sculpt the lean body we’ve always wanted.
Green Tea
Whole Grains
The catechins (a natural flavonoid and antioxidant) in tea are believed to improve fat oxidation.
Oats and brown rice are at the top of our list. The body burns twice as many calories breaking down whole foods as it does with processed foods. Also, whole grains help us feel fuller for a longer time.
Salmon It’s full of omega-3’s and packed with protein. Not a fan of salmon? Try tuna or mackerel as a substitute.
Beans As with most lentils, black and kidney beans pack in approximately 15 grams of protein per serving and none of the saturated fats that other protein sources add to our diet.
Almonds In moderation because of their caloric density, these nuts provide a healthy alternative to carb-loaded snacks like crackers and chips, which offer little nutrients. Tired of almonds? Pine nuts can also fill this category.
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Quinoa This trendy whole grain can add a tasty protein-packed flair to any diet. It is a perfect replacement for rice and pasta.
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Berries A colorful mix of blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries help prevent cravings (especially sweets) and improve taste.
Lean Meats Our body burns 30 percent of the food’s calories just in the digestion process. Low-fat options include poultry, wild game, and some red meats. Each serving provides an excellent source of protein as well as B vitamins.
Leafy Greens Spinach, Swiss chard, and kale are super foods. It’s practically impossible to overeat these weight-friendly staples. Low in calories and high in fiber, these greens also provide much-needed vitamin C.
Coffee Notice we didn’t say flavored latte. Black coffee can curb the appetite and acts as a stimulant in digestion. Also, coffee contains the antioxidant chlorogenic acid (CGA), which is hypothesized to slow the release of glucose and lowers insulin resistance. However, we have to leave out the cream and syrup or we’re simply drinking our daily calories.
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It’s t 42
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Why Everyone Needs One “The Family Love Letter is a road map for the people beside you or coming behind you,” explains Stewart Barnes, a private wealth advisor with The Myrias Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. that is located in Roanoke County. “It gives them clues and information about your financial needs, assets and other issues that they will have to deal with in the event of your incapacitation or death. It’s essentially a tool to communicate with those that you love in a very systematic way so that items aren’t overlooked or mistakes made during a time of grief and stress. It’s really about keeping people focused on what is important.” First co-authored in the 1990s and updated regularly by Donna Pagano, a certified financial planner, and Jeff Scroggin, a business, tax and estate planning attorney, the Family Love Letter has gained national attention by helping countless families nationwide to organize and communicate their vital financial and personal information with loved ones in the event of death or incapacitation.
The Heart of the Family Love Letter The Family Love Letter is a 40-page booklet divided into five distinct sections:
Advisors and Assets
A Love Letter is not a Will “A will is a legal document usually prepared by an attorney,” Barnes explains. “It covers specific requests and only comes into play when you die. So many other things can come up, including illness, incapacitation or dementia. You’re still alive, but you may not be able to communicate everything. A will can certainly be part of the Family Love Letter, but it’s just one piece of what needs to be communicated.” We don’t get to pick when unexpected life events occur, so there really is no age band for who should have a Family Love Letter. “Is it critical for my 20-yearold daughter to have one?” Barnes asks. The answer is probably not, at least in comparison with someone who has multiple bank accounts and investments, owns a car and home, and has dependents. Depending on the individual and their circumstances, the Love Letter could be simple or it could be very complex, such as in the case of a 75-year-old business owner with real estate holdings. “What we have found is that people who have experienced the death or incapacitation of a parent and had to work through
Financial Information
Insurance and Benefits
Documents and Other Information
determining their assets and wishes really grasp the need for this document,” Barnes says.
What it is The heart of the Family Love Letter is a 40-page booklet divided into five distinct sections — advisors and assets, financial information, insurance and benefits, documents and other information, and family history and ethical will. Each section asks the participant to answer a series of questions regarding the contact info of their banker and insurance advisor, their brokerage accounts,
Family History and Ethical Will
Pictured above: A recent Family Love Letter workshop, where participants can ask questions to accounting, law and financial professionals. www.OurHealthswva.com
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their liabilities, their subscriptions to periodicals, the locations of their important documents, their computer passwords, the locations of any safety deposit boxes and other detailed information. At first glance, the scope of the required information can be intimidating, but help is available.
“It gives them clues and information about your financial needs, assets and other issues that they will have to deal with in the event of your incapacitation or death.” STEWART BARNES A private wealth advisor with The Myrias Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
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Barnes, along with Sheryl Crawford, a financial advisor with The Myrias Group, holds an event at various times throughout the year to explain what the Family Love Letter is. They provide attendees with copies of the workbook at no charge and discuss why it’s needed. That main event is followed by two complimentary, informational workshops held locally at different times to help people work through the document with the experts. Each workshop lasts for approximately two hours, with the first workshop covering sections one through three in the workbook and the second covering sections four and five. These workshops are limited to 20 participants in order to ensure individualized attention. “By walking people through the Love Letter’s components, we’re able to save people time and, more importantly, prevent them from getting stuck so that they’re able to actually complete the questionnaire,” Crawford says. Barnes adds that an attorney and a tax expert are also present at the workshops in order to provide additional expertise regarding the Love Letter’s various sections and to answer any questions that arise.
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“We’ve held approximately 20 workshops since June and helped participants complete their Family Love Letters,” Barnes says. “It’s a process, not a destination. Participants are making progress on things they know they needed to do but haven’t done, and they’re happy that they are able to specify exactly what they want to happen in the event of their death or incapacitation.”
Going it Alone Even without a Family Love Letter, your estate and wishes will still be executed, Barnes explains; it’s just going to take a lot more time and heartache. Your family members may not know if they have executed your wishes properly, and there’s a higher likelihood of family strife. There may still be disagreement even with a Love Letter — but having a Love Letter in which you explain the rationale for what’s in your will, for example, can go a long way toward preserving family relationships. Sharing a couple’s example from one of the workshops that she helped lead, Crawford said that the husband thought his wife’s funeral would be a formal, somber affair and that she wanted a traditional casket. Then he read her Love
“By walking people through the Love Letter’s components, we’re able to save people time, and more importantly, prevent them from getting stuck so that they’re able to actually complete the questionnaire.” SHERYL CRAWFORD A financial advisor with The Myrias Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
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You can get information about upcoming
Family Love Letter
events and workshops by contacting The Myrias Group at 800.332.9053 or emailing Sheryl.e.crawford@ampf.com.
Letter and realized that she wanted the event to be just the opposite: It was important to her that her hiking boots be placed atop a natural box that she’d chosen instead of a casket. While utilizing the workshops and experts’ knowledge and experience can make the process easier and increase the likelihood that it’ll be completed, Crawford does explain that a Family Love Letter can be created without attending any workshops. Participants simply need to www.visitfamilyloveletter.com and order the workbook, which costs $18.95 plus shipping. “The Family Love Letter is a way for the individual to get their voice out there and maybe tell family members things they weren’t comfortable telling them when they were alive,” Barnes explains. “The important thing is to get the information down on paper.”
Next in the Series In part two of this continuing series, the May-June issue of OurHealth will examine the Love Letter’s first section — “Advisors & Assets” — to review the information that will be gathered, why it’s important and what pitfalls to avoid.
Expert Contributers Stewart Barnes is a private wealth advisor with The Myrias Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Sheryl Crawford is a financial advisor with The Myrias Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
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Original photography by Erik Williams. Logo design by Mark Lambert.
On a fun-filled Saturday this March, the Arts and Sciences Department of Jefferson College of Health Sciences and Carilion Clinic’s Children’s Hospital hosted “Senses and ScienceAbility: A Day of Immersion in Arts and Sciences Explorations on the college’s campus at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital in downtown Roanoke. The fun and educational event gave children of all ages and adults the chance to experience the world of science through interactive experiments, activities and presentations. Through workshops, interactive presentations, inquiry experiments and other activities participants had an opportunity to get hands-on during the event to learn more about the world around them. Visit the OurHealth Calendar of Events page at www.ourhealthswva.com for more upcoming family fun events presented by Jefferson College of Health Sciences and Carilion Clinic.
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. . . rds
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e icat d e d s to ay i M m e e us th ls Beca fessiona res i . u s t req doe pro rtan o p hat thcare lthcare t im hea sion f heal how s d d e e f n g o a ro en a p he field e chall them n n i o v t a s ork like h, we h sion ha w s r e t s e e h pl on prof peo g ot tion M r i n i e y h i p t l n man o he e Recog impact Not lives t car the ir alth words e the H l iona in a few nity. Nat u p m u ir comm u s e to or th f s i it
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One of the most important lessons I have learned working in healthcare has been
the power of collaboration
__________________________________________________ One of the most important lessons that I have learned working in healthcare has been the power of collaboration in addressing health disparities. It has been incredible to see the entire community united behind a shared vision of service and health improvement for our most vulnerable populations. When we work together, we can accomplish so much as a community!
Aaron M. H. Boush Community Outreach Manager Carilion Clinic
The character trait I have most developed during my job in healthcare is
communicator
__________________________________________________ The character trait I have most developed during my job in healthcare is being an effective communicator. The healthcare industry is a fast paced and ever changing environment that requires clear, honest and timely communication in order to deliver quality care for those we are fortunate to serve.
Jessica Walters, MHA, LNHA Administrator Friendship Health – Rehab South
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My job in healthcare has helped me in my life outside of work by
experiencing compassion
__________________________________________________ My job in healthcare has helped me in my life outside of work by making me aware of the needs of others on a daily basis. Everyone has a unique set of needs, and I try to make myself available whether that be a listening ear or helping hand. I am passionate about serving others, and this is why I chose to go into the healthcare profession. I try to apply this to both my personal and professional life.
Mary Elizabeth Tekesky, PA-C LewisGale
I help people feel better by
empowering them
__________________________________________________ I help people feel better by empowering them with knowledge. In my job and as a representative for the region's only Level 1 trauma center, I focus on injury prevention and community outreach. I have found that awareness is the first step to preventing many injuries. When we know how to do better and have the resources to do so, we can make better choices and live healthier, happier lives.
Sarah Beth Dinwiddie, BSN RN Trauma Outreach Coordinator Carilion Clinic
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What I love most about my job in healthcare is
the joy and excitement
__________________________________________________ The joy and excitement when I tell a patient that she is pregnant. As a doctor who specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, I see many patients who have been trying for a long time to have a family. Infertility is a very lonely and isolating diagnosis, and it can make people feel sad and guilty that they are not able to become pregnant when they thought that it would be easy. I strive to help patients have hope and optimism as they face the struggle of infertility. It is important for me to help patients gain answers about why they are not conceiving, because this knowledge can help them use specific treatments to increase their chances of pregnancy. My partners and I have many years of experience using medications, insemination, and in vitro fertilization (IVF), to lead to success. In the past 30 years, Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Center of Virginia has helped over 1,000 patients in the region have babies through IVF, and there are thousands and thousands more patients who have become pregnant with other treatments that we offer. I have the most amazing job in the world and am so honored to help people fulfill their dreams of having a baby.
Laura P. Smith MD, FACOG, SREI Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Center of Virginia, PLC
My most memorable day working in healthcare was
rewarding
__________________________________________________ My most memorable day working in healthcare was preparing my first ACL graft. While I wish an injury upon no one, it is really a rewarding experience to be able to basically recreate and make something new for a patient so he or she can heal. As with any injury and recovery process, I always enjoy the follow up visits to discuss and witness the milestones that are achieved.
Mary Elizabeth Tekesky, PA-C LewisGale
I help people feel better by helping them
learn to communicate
__________________________________________________ I help people feel better by providing them the means to communicate with their friends and loved ones which is the cornerstone of a happy life.
Janice Anderson Anderson Audiology
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JOIN THE OURHEALTH COMMUNITY What I love most about my job in healthcare is
the interaction ___________________
>> We would love to hear from you. Write us, tweet us, or tag us today! facebook.com/ OurHealthMagazine
@OurHealthSWVA on twitter
@OurHealth on pinterest
What I love most about my job in healthcare is my daily interaction with patients and the relationships I form with them.
Elliot Fred, DO LewisGale
Working in healthcare makes me feel
effective ___________________ Working in healthcare makes me feel like I can make a difference.
Colleen Mitchell Blacksburg Eye
My most memorable day working in healthcare was
unforgettable ___________________
Having the honor to treat soldiers injured in Iraq during a mass casualty and seeing how brave and courageous our men and women are.
Michael Simpson, DO LewisGale www.OurHealthswva.com
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doing my best
By _________________________ I am able to make a difference in lives everyday. By doing my honest best to deliver quality care with compassion and respect, I am able to make a difference in people’s lives every day. I take pride in having the opportunity to help children and adolescents to be more independent, more active and improve self-esteem.
Julie Zielinkski, MD Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Carilion Clinic
Everyday, I start my job thankful for
the trust of my patients
______________________________ Every day, I start my job thankful for the trust my patients and coworkers have in me. Every day has its challenges and rewards as we work together to solve problems and promote good health. My greatest joy is to see patients embrace healthy lifestyle changes.
Katherine Barnhill, NP-C Physician Associates of Virginia
After a challenging day, I am reminded
to be thankful
______________________________ After a challenging day, I am reminded of just how much of an impact we as physicians make in our patients’ lives. Being an oncologist I am also reminded to not take life for granted and be thankful for every day being alive.
Andrew Fintel, MD Blue Ridge Cancer Care
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Tactical Locker Get outside... Get Results!
Now available at Green Ridge Rec Center, the Tactical Locker is one of the most comprehensive functional training systems anywhere! It’s the equipment of choice for some of the nation’s top military, police and firefighting professionals. Green Ridge is one of the first facilities in Southwest Virginia to offer this unique array of training tools. LIFT: Build strength and power through multi-joint movement and engagement of major muscles while you squat, bench, press and more. Squat rack, bumper plates and kettlebells are just a few of the tools you’ll use in the Lift section!
MOVE: Enhance speed, agility and overall quality of movement through functional training. Pull-up bars, rip trainer, suspension trainer and heavy ropes are some of the equipment that will help you reach your peak athletic performance.
RECOMER: Utilize active recovery techniques and employ myofascial release movement to increase overall mobility and range of motion. Recovery is also crucial to increasing your cardio endurance. Green Ridge offers the use of the new Tactical Locker through its program series and personal training sessions. Trainers and instructors will be your hands-on guides to the equipment while coaching you through targeted exercise routines.
“We are so excited to be able to offer this fantastic new piece of equipment to the Roanoke Valley. The Tactical Training Locker is a fantastic one-stop, full body work out experiences, which allows you to gain over all strength in an outdoor setting. I am excited to get my clients out there!” KARI DECKER Wellness Supervisor at Green Ridge Recreation Center
GREEN RIDGE RECREATION CENTER 7415 WOOD HAVEN ROAD ROANOKE, VA 24019 | 540.777.6300 www.greenridgerecreationcenter.com
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Industrial consulting service helps companies improve employee wellness and retain workers. words | CHRISTY RIPPEL
Everyone wants to stay healthy and reduce injuries, whether at home or on the job. As a nation, we are shifting from a single-minded focus on treating injury and illness towards a system that puts prevention first. This shift towards prevention has been increasingly embraced by companies at the national and local levels. A focus on prevention in the workplace puts value on tackling problems before they result in costly workers’ compensation claims, workforce losses and reduced quality of life due to injury. If building a program to reduce on-the-job injuries is the goal, private physical therapy groups like Professional Therapies, Inc. of Roanoke provide the tools. Bill Mercer, physical therapist and director of services at Professional Therapies, Inc. has been hired by local companies for more than twenty years to root out potential problems. His company provides this service, which is commonly called industrial consulting.
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“As physical therapists, we get a really good education on human mechanics — what muscles do what functions,” Mercer explains. “This is a great asset to a business that is trying to be proactive to prevent injuries before they occur.” Some of what industrial consultants do is common sense, like spotting a worker who is repeatedly holding his elbow at an angle that will eventually cause injury. On the other hand, Mercer explains that some of it is more complicated — like having mathematical formulas that tell the maximum weight that a certain person should be lifting.
HOW TO DO A
STANDING BACK EXTENSION According to the American Pain Society, up to 70 percent of people will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives, and many will progress to longterm, chronic lower back pain. Standing back extensions are helpful for preventing lower back pain, especially for people who spend a lot of time at a desk or bend over often to do daily tasks. So stand up and get stretching!
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Stand with your feet hip-width apart and place your hands on the back of your hips.
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Keep your knees straight as you gently bend back as far as possible.
3
Return to the starting position and repeat this six times, trying to extend slightly farther back each time.
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Physical therapists must obtain a master’s degree, where they receive highly specialized training in body mechanics and in helping people reduce pain and restore or improve their mobility. They also must pass a national exam and be licensed by the state where they practice. Occupational therapists have similar requirements for licensure. While an overlap does exist between the two professions, occupational therapists are concerned with helping people recover from injury to independently perform all daily tasks for living, including job-related tasks. Professional Therapies, Inc. has both physical therapists and occupational therapists who work together to design effective workplace programs.
Industrial Consulting Benefits Both Manufacturing and Desk-bound Professions. When a company seeks out consultation with a physical therapy group, several steps are involved, including meetings between the physical therapy group and the company executives to learn about workplace challenges and any injuries that have been reported in the past. The physical therapists will also talk with the workers and make on-site observations. Hard numbers on reported injuries might tell part of the story, but Mercer spots potential problems when he gets up close to observe, like he did on the factory floor of one furniture company. During this on-site visit, Mercer watched a man assembling the front panels on a chest of drawers. The man had the drawer pressed into his abdomen for stability, his wrist bent awkwardly while using a power drill to drive the screw into the drawer. Mercer was being shown around by the company nurse, who, when she saw the man with a power tool guiding a screw in the same direction as his body, clutched her mouth in horror. She was focused on the possibility of a bloody injury from a slipped screw. Mercer was just as concerned with the man’s posture.
“His wrist and elbow posture were terrible, putting him at risk of tendonitis — or maybe he tears a rotator cuff,” Mercer says. “When the nurse asked him why he did it that way, he said, ‘That’s the way I was shown, and that’s the way it has always been.’” In that type of situation, Mercer says, he wouldn’t just advise the man regarding a better way of holding the drill and stabilizing the drawer: He would also take it a step further and suggest that the company invest in a device to hold up the screwdriver, significantly reducing the chance of injury. While these types of investments incur upfront costs, Mercer says that the cost of paying claims is much higher, and retraining and rehiring new workers is often very disruptive. When they are taught better ways of doing a job, some of the responsibility starts to rest with the workers, as the supervisors aren’t always there to ensure that things are being done in the correct way. “We always say that the employee has responsibility for taking care of their own body,” states Mercer. He often shows workers specific exercises to combat the stress that repetitive tasks take on the body, such as standing extensions for people who bend down often. (See sidebar for how to do a standing back extension.) But knowing better means that the employee has to do better and not fall back into old habits. “You’ll never get every single person to buy in, but if you can get 40 to 60 percent of the employees to listen, things will change,” Mercer says. www.OurHealthswva.com
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Industrial consulting isn’t just for heavy manufacturing and assembly lines: injuries to the hands, wrists, back and shoulders have skyrocketed for desk-bound employees, in keeping with the number of hours that workers spend glued to their desks and computer keyboards. Research has shown that sitting for too long is detrimental, which has led to the rise of standing desks and treadmill desks, which Mercer likes. The value of a chair that is properly supportive and set to the right height in relation to s keyboard and monitor is often overlooked, as is making sure to keep the wrists and elbows at the proper angle. “People often don’t put two and two together that their neck is bothering them and nothing in their routine or environment has changed, except they got a new chair. And that does it,” Mercer points out. Mercer mentions a stock broker that he worked with recently, setting up the man’s office in order to properly address these issues and head off any future problems. Whether you’re holding a pen or a power tool, correct ergonomics is vitally important to long-term health.
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Match the Right Employees with the Right Positions to Minimize Injury Risk. Another element of proactive injury prevention is selecting the right candidate to fill a job based on the job’s physical demands and the candidate’s ability to perform relevant tasks. This used to involve just an eyeball assessment, saying, “This person looks strong enough; this one doesn’t.” Physical therapy groups can now help companies use better tools to size up job candidates, however. Professional Therapies of Roanoke, for example, uses and is a licensed provider for WorkSTEPS, which is a form of functional employment testing. What is functional employment testing? These scientific and objective tests are designed to match a worker’s capabilities with the essential functions of the job. Remember the mathematical formula that Mercer mentioned to determine the maximum weight that a person should be lifting? It comes into play here. WorkSTEPS Inc. says that companies that begin using WorkSTEPS typically experience a 40 to 50 percent reduction in workers’
“As physical therapists, we get a really good education on human mechanics — what muscles do what functions. This is a great asset to a business that is trying to be proactive to prevent injuries before they occur.” BILL MERCER, PT is the director of services at Professional Therapies, Inc. Mr. Mercer is certified as a WorkSTEPS employment testing evaluator.
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“We always say that the employee has responsibility for taking care of their own body. You’ll never get every single person to buy in, but if you can get 40 to 60 percent of the employees to listen, things will change” BILL MERCER, PT is the director of services at Professional Therapies, Inc. Mr. Mercer is certified as a WorkSTEPS employment testing evaluator.
compensation claims and related costs from the previous year, with continued reductions thereafter. Simply put, they claim that a company saves 30 dollars for every dollar invested. Other physical therapist groups might use different systems of evaluation, but the goal is still the same — to match the right people with the right jobs so that less people get hurt. Over his long career, Mercer has seen firsthand how safety efforts on the job are rewarded with a healthier workforce. When the economy was weak, budgets for such programs dried up, and some companies abandoned their efforts. After seeing their employees’ back injuries skyrocket, one such company of 1,600 employees reinstituted a program. “They recognized the value,” says Mercer. EXPERT CONTRIBUTERS Bill Mercer, PT is the director of services at Professional Therapies, Inc. Mr. Mercer is certified as a WorkSTEPS employment testing evaluator.
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Tricia Foley’s
QUINOA SALAD (4 servings)
Salad Ingredients 1 1 2 ¼ ¾ ½ ½ ½ ¼
tablespoon olive oil cup Quinoa cups low sodium chicken stock cup chopped flat-leaf parsley teaspoon chopped rosemary leaves teaspoon chopped thyme leaves medium green apple, diced cup fresh blueberries cup slivered almonds, toasted
Salad Directions
In a medium pan, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the quinoa and stir occasionally until light brown (3-5 minutes). Add chicken stock and allow to boil. Simmer for about ten minutes or until liquid is gone. Pour the quinoa into a large bowl and set aside. Add the parsley, herbs, apple, blueberries and almonds to the quinoa.
Dressing Ingredients ¼ 3 ½ ½ 2
cup apple cider vinegar tablespoons honey teaspoon salt teaspoon black pepper tablespoons olive oil
Dressing Directions
In a small bowl, combine vinegar, honey, salt and pepper, then stir in oil until smooth. Pour over the couscous to coat evenly.
Source: www.foodnetwork.com
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Quinoa offers a healthy dose of fiber and fewer refined carbohydrates than other typically used ingredients, like couscous.
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If a recipe calls for dry fruit, try using fresh fruit instead. Dried fruits usually lack the free water and fiber of whole fruit and are concentrated in sugar.
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Try replacing sugar with honey in your next dressing recipe! When replacing, use equal amounts of honey for sugar up to one cup.
Nutrition
(Nutrition per serving) 200 calories, 6 grams fat, 2 grams saturated fat, 260 milligrams sodium, 12.4 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams fiber and 21.1 grams protein.
Tricia Foley’s
ORANGE ROUGHY WITH CITRUS SAUCE Ingredients 1 ½ ¼ 1/3 1½ 1 3
(4 servings)
pound orange roughy fillets cup reduced fat milk teaspoon salt cup whole wheat flour tablespoon olive oil tablespoon minced garlic tablespoons lime juice
Directions
2 1 1 2 1/2 1
tablespoons lemon juice tablespoon orange juice tablespoon chopped parsley tablespoons green onion, thinly sliced tablespoon butter tablespoon reduced fat milk
Soak fish in milk for ten minutes. Remove, sprinkle with salt and dredge in whole-wheat flour. Heat two tablespoons oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook fish until golden brown, then flip and allow other side to cook until golden brown. Remove fish and set aside. Wipe pan clean. Reduce heat to low and add remaining oil and garlic. Allow garlic to cook for thirty seconds, and then add the lime, lemon and orange juice as well as parsley and onion. Finally add butter and one tablespoon milk and mix until creamy. Pour over fish to serve.
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Eat more fish! Besides being a healthy source of protein, fish is an excellent source of Omega-3 acids, widely considered to be beneficial in promoting cardiovascular health.
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Whole wheat flour is higher in fiber than white flour and may help reduce your risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, and help control blood sugar if you already have diabetes.
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If a recipe calls for vegetable oil, try swapping it out for olive oil. Using olive oil increases heart healthy fats while limiting the amount of saturated fat in a dish.
Source: www.allrecipes.com www.OurHealthswva.com
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Tricia Foley’s
YOGURT PARFAIT Ingredients 4 1 1 2
(4 servings)
cups plain Greek yogurt cup blueberries cup strawberries ounces pecans
2 2
tablespoons honey teaspoons vanilla extract Cinnamon to taste
Directions
Divide the yogurt into four separate bowls so that there is a cup of yogurt in each bowl. Then, in each bowl, mix in one half teaspoon vanilla extract. Add one-fourth cup blueberries, one-fourth cup strawberries and one-half ounce pecans (approximately eight nuts) into each bowl. Finally drizzle one-half tablespoon of honey and sprinkle cinnamon over each serving of parfait. Enjoy!
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Greek yogurt is filled with great probiotics. These healthy bacteria help promote a healthy gut!
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Pecans are high in healthy monounsaturated fat and just a handful a day can lower “bad” cholesterol and keep you feeling satisfied longer.
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Cinnamon is one of the healthiest spices on earth! It can lower blood sugar levels, reduce heart disease risk factors and is a high source of antioxidants.
Nutrition
(Nutrition per serving) 286 calories, 10 grams fat, .5 grams saturated fat, 0 milligrams sodium, 20.5 grams carbohydrate, 21 grams sugar, 3 grams fiber and 23 grams protein.
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2017 ROANOKE & N E W R I V E R VA L L E Y S
B R O U G H T TO Y O U B Y
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B R O U G H T TO Y O U B Y
ORAL HEALTH RESOURCE GUIDE
COSMETIC DENTISTRY Alouf Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry Salem | 540.375.0095 Andrew W. Henritze, DDS, PC Roanoke | 540.989.6600
Justin N. Tebbenkamp, DDS, PC Blacksburg | 540.961.3279 Matthew Glasgow, DDS Blacksburg | 540.552.3111
Mills & Shannon Dentistry Salem | 540.989.5700
Blue Ridge Dental Group Dublin | 888.853.4477 Hardy | 540.328.0098 Roanoke | 540.904.0300 Salem | 540.389.0720 Vinton | 540.342.7865 See full listing to the right
Brian S. Alexander, DDS, PC Rocky Mount | 540.483.3368 Cave Spring Dental Arts Roanoke | 540.774.0061 Christiansburg Dental Christiansburg | 540.257.6995 Coots, Cross, Lavinder & Quinn Roanoke | 540.989.1170 Daleville | 540.989.1170 Cosmetic & General Dentistry Roanoke | 540.362.3047 Crooked Road Family Dentistry Rocky Mount | 540.483.5544 Dr. Cynthia Southern, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Pulaski | 540.980.5129 Hunting Hills Family Dentistry Roanoke | 540.769.5020
Jacob H. Pham, DDS
See full listing on page 76
Blue Ridge Endodontics Roanoke | 540.772.9515 Lexington | 540.772.9515 Kool Smiles Roanoke | 540.613.8411 Lanier Endodontic Group Blacksburg | 540.552.0101 Lawson Endodontics Roanoke | 540.989.9070
New River Valley Dental Blacksburg | 540.951.2260
Matthew T. Ankrum, DDS Salem | 540.552.1100
New River Valley Family Dentistry Blacksburg | 540.552.2551
Michael G. Hunt, DDS Roanoke | 540.563.5858
Paul A. Henny, DDS, PC Roanoke | 540.774.1577
Peters Creek Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Roanoke | 540.562.4001 R. Alan May, DDS Roanoke | 540.366.1001 Real Life Dental Blacksburg | 540.808.4500
Richard L. Anthony, DDS Blacksburg | 540.552. 8870 See full listing on page 76
Roanoke Dental Care Roanoke | 540.685.0105 Semtner Dental Roanoke (Starkey Rd) 540.989.0112 Roanoke (Hershberger Rd) 540.366.8325 Stephen D. McCuin, DDS Radford | 540.639.2921
Roanoke | 540.563.0519 John C. Carter, DDS Roanoke | 540.774.3143
ENDODONTICS
Steven S. Kanetzke, DDS Vinton | 540.342.8756
Robert L. Mann, DDS Roanoke | 540.989.6648
Blue Ridge Dental Group 4664 Lee Highway Dublin | 540.674.8891 12925 BTW Highway Suite 202 | Hardy 540.328.0098 5049-C Valley View Blvd. Roanoke | 540.904.0300 1618 West Main Street Salem | 540.389.0720 1335 Hardy Road Vinton | 540.342.7865 blueridgedentalgroup.com f @BlueRidgeDentalGroup
Robert L. Merian, DDS Salem | 540.989.6648 Robert S. Kidder, DDS Roanoke | 540.989.9070 Lanier Endodontic Group Blacksburg | 540.552.0101 Matthew T. Ankrum, DDS Blacksburg | 540.552.1100
GENERAL DENTISTRY A. Wharton Ramsey, DDS, FAGD Roanoke | 540.342.6800 Amy S. Hunter, DDS Christiansburg | 540.382.4441 Andrew W. Henritze, DDS, PC Roanoke | 540.989.6600 Anne Newman, DDS Roanoke | 540.344.6535 Blacksburg Dental Center Blacksburg | 540.739.3206 Blacksburg Smiles Blacksburg | 540.509.0112
See ad on page 79
Botetourt Family Dentistry Roanoke | 540.992.3420 Brian S. Alexander, DDS, PC Rocky Mount | 540.483.3368 Carilion Clinic Dental Care Roanoke | 540.981.7128 Christiansburg Dental Christiansburg | 540.257.6995 Christopher B. Huff, DDS Blacksburg | 540.951.HUFF Commonwealth Dental Clinic Roanoke | 540.685.0028 Complete Dental Care Salem | 540.387.3844 Cook Family Dentistry Blacksburg | 540.951.8383 Coots, Cross, Lavinder & Quinn Roanoke | 540.989.1170 Daleville | 540.989.1170 www.OurHealthswva.com
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ORAL HEALTH RESOURCE GUIDE
Gregory S. Hughes, DDS Roanoke | 540.366.8325 Guy B. Merritt, DDS Roanoke | 540.344.5636
GENERAL DENTISTRY CONTINUED...
Hendricksen Cosmetic & Family Dentistry Goode | 540.874.2164
Cosmetic & General Dentistry Roanoke | 540.362.3047
Hoskins G. Graham, DDS Fairlawn | 540.639.6688
Crooked Road Family Dentistry Rocky Mount | 540.483.5544 David A. Wallace, DDS Blacksburg | 540.552.7222
Dental Associates of Salem Salem | 540.389.0225 See ad on page 77
Dr. Cynthia Southern, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Pulaski | 540.980.5129
Hunting Hills Family Dentistry Roanoke | 540.769.5020 Jack M. Allara, II, DDS, PC Roanoke | 540.362.3047 Jacob H. Pham, DDS Roanoke | 540.563.0519 James D. Reynolds, DDS, Ltd. Roanoke | 540.769.6370 Jeannene Bradley, DDS Roanoke | 540.366.0335 John C. Carter, DDS Roanoke | 540.774.3143
Dr. William Moore, General Dentistry Roanoke | 540.362.3846
John E. Hilton, Jr, DDS Radford | 540.639.1674
Fremont A. Vess, Jr, DDS Daleville | 540.992.1020
Joseph R. Damiano, DDS Roanoke | 540.362.9519
French Family Dentistry Dublin | 540.674.4191 Floyd | 540.674.4191
Justin N. Tebbenkamp, DDS, PC Blacksburg | 540.961.3279
Gary W. Crawford, DDS Salem | 540.774.1955
Kenneth N. Smith, DDS Roanoke | 540.563.1734
G. Sprinkle III, Family Dentistry Salem | 540.389.0330 General Dentistry, Ltd Vinton | 540.342.2949 Gold & Abbott Ltd Salem | 540.989.5257 Gregory D. Wright, DDS Roanoke | 540.989.4698
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Kevin Greenway, DDS Vinton | 540.342.2949 Kool Smiles Christiansburg | 540.251.0707 Larry W. McCoy, DDS Blacksburg | 540.552.4805 Love Family Dentistry Roanoke | 540.904.2300
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Mills & Shannon Dentistry 3533 Keagy Road Salem | 540.989.5700 www.millsandshannon.com Services: • • • • • • •
Bridges/crowns Dentures Fillings/restorations Implants/inlays Invisalign Teeth whitening Veneers
R.L. Turner, DDS Blacksburg | 540.552.2334 R. S. Sharpley, DDS Roanoke | 540.345.4894 Randy J. Norbo, DDS Roanoke | 540.344.4798 Real Life Dental Blacksburg | 540.808.4500 Richard J. Joachim, DDS Roanoke | 540.342.8781
Richard L. Anthony, DDS See ad on page 83
Michael G. Hunt, DDS Roanoke | 540.563.5858 Michael J. Ankrum, DDS Blacksburg | 540.552.0050 Michael P. Adams, DDS Daleville | 540.992.1140 Michelle Mayerchak, DDS Roanoke | 540.989.4549 Moneta Dentistry Moneta | 540.297.7737 New River Valley Dental Blacksburg | 540.951.2260 New River Valley Family Dentistry Blacksburg | 540.552.2551 Pamela J. Merritt, DDS, PC Roanoke | 540.342.8588 Park Family Dentistry, PC Christiansburg | 540.382.6108 Paul A. Henny, DDS, PC Roanoke | 540.774.1577 Peters Creek Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Roanoke | 540.562.4001 R. Alan May, DDS Roanoke | 540.366.1001 R. Douglas Ross, DDS Roanoke | 540.344.9361
200 Professional Park Drive Suite 7 | Blacksburg 540.552.8870 www.richardlanthonydds.com f @rickanthonydds Services: • • • • • • • •
General cleanings Fillings/restorations Bridges/Implants Teeth whitening Bonding Porcelain veneers Crowns Non-surgical root canal
See ad on page 77
Roanoke Dental Care Roanoke | 540.685.0105 Robert W. Kaiser, DDS Roanoke | 540.366.8662
Roller and Johnson Family Dentistry Roanoke | 540.772.9373 Salem VA Medical Center Salem | 540.982.2463 Scott K. Miller, DDS Troutville | 540.992.1404 Sean Eschenbach, DDS, PLLC Roanoke | 540.366.5373
B R O U G H T TO Y O U B Y
Semtner Dental Roanoke (Starkey Rd) 540.989.0112 Roanoke (Hershberger Rd) 540.366.8325 Sheila L. Hardee, DDS Hardy | 540.721.2448 Skinner Family Dentistry Roanoke | 540.344.6688 Slaughter & Slaughter Family Dentistry, PC Clifton Forge | 540.862.4495
ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY George Kevorkian Jr, DDS, PC Vinton | 540.344.7252 NRV Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Ltd Blacksburg | 540.951.8777 Radford | 540.633.5700
Roanoke Oral Surgery
Smith Mountain Lake Dental Practice Moneta | 540.721.3800
6035 Peters Creek Road Roanoke | 540.362.5900 roanokeoralsurgery.com
Stephen D. McCuin, DDS Radford | 540.639.2921
See ad on page 81
Steven N. Anama, DDS, PC Roanoke | 540.776.6555 Steven S. Kanetzke, DDS Vinton | 540.342.8756
Tamara D. Langebeck, DDS Christiansburg | 540.382.0201 Valley Family Dentistry Roanoke | 540.343.5521 W. Robert Haun, DDS Roanoke | 540.774.7767 William A. Deyerle, Ltd Roanoke | 540.989.4093 William S. Weaver, DDS Roanoke | 540.776.1480 Young C. Park, DDS, PC Roanoke | 540.563.9398 Young C. Park, DDS, PC Rocky Mount | 540.483.7577 Zachary Law, DDS and Associates Vinton | 540.342.4945
Southwest Virginia Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Salem | 540.989.5257 Valley Oral Surgery, PC Roanoke | 540.774.5900
ORTHODONTISTS Dr. Penny Lampros Roanoke | 540.344.2758 George Tate, DDS Blacksburg | 540.953.2141 Kool Smiles Roanoke | 540.613.8411 Lenk Orthodontics Daleville | 540.966.3990 Paul C. Kaiser, Ltd. Daleville | 540.992.5140 Roanoke | 540.362.1097 Rocky Mount | 540.489.3708 R. L. Turner, DDS Blacksburg | 540.552.2334 Richard H. Tate, DDS Salem | 540.389.0491
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ORAL HEALTH
B R O U G H T TO Y O U B Y
RESOURCE GUIDE
ORTHODONTICS CONTINUED... Roanoke Valley Orthodontics 6620 Peters Creek Road North Roanoke 540.563.1640 4370 Starkey Road, Suite C South Roanoke 540.563.1640 490 South Main Street Rocky Mount | 540.563.1640 roanokevalleyortho.com
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY Anderson & Sheppard Pediatric Dentists Roanoke | 540.989.3639 Carilion Clinic Dental Care - Pediatrics Roanoke | 540.224.4318
Davis Pediatric Dentistry Roanoke | 540.563.1660
Kool Smiles Christiansburg | 540.251.0788
Wheelock & Johnson Orthodontics Roanoke | 540.989.5621 Dublin | 540.674.4712
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2612 Sheffield Drive Blacksburg | 540.951.4848 5002 Brambleton Ave Roanoke | 540.772.4848
Darcy Amacher, DDS Blacksburg | 540.394.3300
Hunting Hills Family Dentistry Roanoke | 540.769.5020
Simply Straight Orthodontics Roanoke | 540.206.2203
New River Periodontics and Dental Implant Center
Pediatric Dental Care of Virginia, PC Roanoke | 540.904.2700
PERIODONTISTS Aaron Periodontics & Dental Implants Roanoke | 540.562.3166
See ad on page 81
Linda G. Till, DDS, PC Roanoke | 540.772.3940 Walter D. Shields, DDS, MS Christiansburg | 540.382.7960
PROSTHODONTISTS David W. Farley, DDS, MS Roanoke | 540.774.6667 Natalie Powell, DMD Roanoke | 540.981.7000
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WHICH TYPE OF DENTIST SHOULD I VISIT? words | SARAH SULLIVAN
With orthodontists, endodontists and periodontists, the list of dental specialties can be overwhelming — but we’ve got a handy guide on who to see for what type of treatment. If you need a root canal, wisdom teeth removal, or laser teeth whitening, read below to find the type of dentist you need to visit.
GENERAL DENTIST The general dentist is the one you’ll want to see first to get an accurate diagnosis and referral, especially if you haven’t had a dental visit in a while. General dentists can provide routine cleanings (recommended every six months), fill cavities and refer you to another dental specialist if needed.
COSMETIC DENTIST PEDIATRIC DENTIST This one’s for the kiddos! A pediatric dentist is a general dentist who specializes in children from birth to adolescence. It’s important to start dental visits six months after the first tooth develops or by the child’s first birthday. If your child has reached one of these milestones, you’ll want to find a good pediatric dentist in order to help prevent cavities and tooth decay.
Want a bright, beautiful, perfect smile? Then you’ll want to visit the cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental work that improves the overall aesthetic of the teeth and gums. There are a number of procedures that a cosmetic dentist can perform, including laser teeth whitening, tooth reshaping and bonding veneers.
ORTHODONTIST If you’ve ever had braces on your teeth, then you’re familiar with the orthodontist! An orthodontist is a specialist who deals with the diagnosis, prevention and correction of teeth alignment and the jaws. This dental specialty requires three years of additional study after dental school, plus a one-year fellowship on craniofacial orthodontics. Orthodontists typically use devices such as braces or retainers to fix the alignment of the teeth and jaw. If your teeth are crooked or your bite is misaligned, you’ll want to visit the orthodontist for a consultation.
ORAL SURGEON This unique and internationally recognized specialty often requires a dual degree in medicine and dentistry. Proficient in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS), these surgeons treat injuries, diseases and defects in the jaws, face, head, neck and oral and maxillofacial tissues. You’ll need to visit the oral surgeon for procedures like the removal of wisdom teeth or the integration of dental implants.
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B R O U G H T TO Y O U B Y
PERIODONTIST A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in preventing gum disease and placing dental implants in the gums. They assess the condition of the gums and take X-rays to determine the condition of the bone below the gum line. If you’ve been told that you have gum disease, you’ll need to visit the periodontist for assessment and cleaning.
ENDODONTIST Endodontists are dentists who maintain oral health through the soft inner tissue of the teeth, which is referred to as the “pulp.” The term “endodontist” comes from the Latin “endo,” meaning “inner,” and “odont,” meaning “tooth.” After dental school, endodontists study for two additional years. They mostly specialize in root canals; if you have a bad cavity and you’ve been told that you need a root canal, you’ll need to visit the endodontist for this simple procedure.
PROSTHODONTIST A prosthodontist is an expert in the replacement and restoration of teeth. After four years of dental school, prosthodontists receive three more years of training in an American Dental Association (ADA)-accredited graduate program. They specialize in creating a smooth and beautiful smile through the use of bridges, crowns and partial or full dentures. If you’ve lost a few teeth due to an accident or simply as part of the aging process, you’ll want to consult a prosthodontist to restore your smile. The prosthodontist will consult with your general dentist and oral surgeon to develop a plan for your dental needs.
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WHY IS A HEALTHY MOUTH GOOD FOR YOU? words | SARAH SULLIVAN
Why is it so important to practice good dental hygiene? The answer is that your dental health is critical for the overall health of your body. Poor dental conditions can lead to serious health problems, such as stroke, heart disease, preterm labor and poorly controlled diabetes. Here is a short primer on major medical issues that can arise from inadequate dental hygiene. Your mouth’s major defense system is saliva, which is one of your biggest safeguards against viruses and bacteria. Saliva contains antibodies and proteins that attack viruses and inhibit fungal growth; it also contains enzymes that destroy bacterial membranes. Saliva is a great marker of overall bodily health, so your dentist can collect and test your saliva for a host of major medical conditions, including cirrhosis, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. It’s thought that less-invasive saliva analysis will soon replace blood tests.
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CARDIOVASCULAR INFECTION
STROKE
TYPE 2 DIABETES
PRETERM LABOR
There’s a host of growing
When bacteria get into the bloodstream, they can spread to your heart and cause endocarditis, which is a very serious infection of the heart lining and valves. If you have a strong immune system, this condition is quite rare. However, if your immune system has been lowered by HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy or type 2 diabetes, endocarditis can be a major risk that accompanies gingivitis.
evidence that gingivitis can raise your risk for blood clots and stroke. Bacteria in the mouth can move to the heart, inflaming the arteries and resulting in plaque breaking off to cause a heart attack or stroke. There is a direct correlation between the severity of gingivitis and the amount of carotid artery plaque.
While poor oral hygiene can’t directly cause type 2 diabetes, it can certainly aggravate it. Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing gum disease due to high blood sugar, which provides ample nutrition for bacteria to grow. Chronic gum disease (or any type of infection) can cause insulin resistance, knocking your blood sugar levels off balance and making your diabetes more difficult to control.
Periodontal disease can raise your risk of preterm delivery or low infant birth rate. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 18 percent of preterm and low birth weight cases in the United States every year may be caused by oral infections. Oral bacteria can release toxins into the mother’s bloodstream and therefore the placenta, which can interfere with the fetus’s development and growth. Furthermore, oral infections can cause preterm labor by stimulating labor-triggering substances.
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys