Heathline by Loveland Reporter Herald

Ask a friend.

85 percent of patients say they would “definitely” recommend Medical Center of the Rockies. That’s higher than any other hospital in Loveland and Greeley, according to a government survey. Is it the world-class care, the dedicated and compassionate staff, or the state-of-the-art facility? Simple. All of the above. But don’t take our word for it. Ask a friend about Medical Center of the Rockies. Source: www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov

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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 3

Senior Health Issue

5 Tips for a healthy heart Square dancing Weightlifter, 67, 7 attempts records 9 for fun, health Crandoodles with The Healthy 8 Steve Crandall 13 Plate Prostate cancer support in the 14 doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office and in the community Also inside Health shorts ............................................................................................. pg. 4 Ask Dr. H .................................................................................................. pg. 16 Uncommon Sense with Lovelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dr. Beth Firestein ........................... pg. 17 Destination: Healthy with Amanda Wicker .............................................. pg. 18 Health in a Handbasket ........................................................................... pg. 19 McKee to renovate lab............................................................................. pg. 20 Ask a Health Pro ...................................................................................... pg. 21 When to stay home sick .......................................................................... pg. 22 Keep stress at bay after retirement ........................................................ pg. 23 Loveland health briefs ............................................................................. pg. 24 Loveland health calendar ........................................................................ pg. 25

Health Line of Northern Colorado is a monthly publication produced by the Loveland Daily ReporterHerald. The information provided in this publication is intended for personal, noncommercial, informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement with respect to any company, product, procedure or activity. You should seek the advice of a professional regarding your particular situation.

For advertising information, contact: Linda Story, advertising director: 970-635-3614

For editorial information, contact: Jade Cody, special sections editor: 970-635-3656 jcody@reporterherald.com Jennifer Lehman, special sections reporter: 970-635-3684 jlehman@reporterherald.com

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

Regular exercise, fewer colds Jerry Jackson McClatchy-Tribune

study published this week in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that a penchant for exercise may have a lot to do with you making it to work on a daily basis. Dr. David Nieman, a professor in the College of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University, said, “Exercise is probably the most powerful thing you can do to reduce your sick days this winter.” According to a news release from ASU, Nieman and his colleagues have spent more than 20 years studying the effects of exercise, diet, weight, gender and education levels on one’s health. Regular exercise was shown to have the greatest influence. A brisk walk for 30 to 45 minutes a day increases the number of immune system cells that circulate in the body, Nieman said. Although these levels decline within a few hours, each bout of exercise is likely to enhance surveillance of harmful viruses and bacteria, and reduce the number and severity of upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold.

Seeing photos of loved ones eases pain Rob Stein The Washington Post

re you facing a painful medical procedure? If you’re looking for a way to help deaden the pain, you might think about taking along a photo of your husband or wife, according to new research.

A study involving 25 women found that those who looked at photos of loved ones while they were subjected to heat on their arms were able to tolerate more pain. In the study, published in the journal Psychological Science, they conducted a series of tests in which they exposed volunteers’ arms to different levels of heat, including levels that they had previously determined the subjects found unpleasant. The subjects were able to tolerate more pain when they were looking at photos of their partners than when they were viewing photos of objects or strangers, the researchers found.

Greater Expectations: How life expectancies have changed

Age 45 was considered to be a long life by individuals from classical Rome and Greece, who only lived until about age 28.

67.2

Thanks to modern medicine and better disease prevention in most developed areas of the world, the current world average is 67.2 years. In much of North America, the average is 77.5 to 80.

84.4

Residents of the People’s Republic of China boast the world’s highest life expectancy at 84.4 years. Source: Metro Creative Services

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 5

YOUNG AT HEART Tips to keep your arteries young Alison Johnson McClatchey-Tribune

EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES According to one recent he blood vessels study, cells that regulate that carry oxygen blood flow inside arteries throughout your become six percent more body get stiffer over time, effective with each daily which can put you at risk serving of fresh produce. for heart attack, stroke, de- Cruciferous vegetables mentia and a wide range such as broccoli and cabof other health problems. bage and colorful fruits — But you can slow down blues, reds, yellows and how fast your arteries age, purples — may be espedoctors say. Here’s how. cially beneficial. EAT LESS SALT DO REGULAR AEROBIC Many people focus on EXERCISE fat and calories in foods, Workouts increase the but too much salt may be production of nitric oxide, the worst thing for your ara gas that relaxes and diteries. Shun the salt shaker lates blood vessels. and read labels: salt can lurk in unexpected places, DON’T CHEAT ON YOUR DIET (AT LEAST NOT from breakfast cereals to OFTEN) otherwise healthy frozen dinners. A single fatty meal can

strain your arteries. Within a few hours of loading up on saturated or trans fats, in fact, your blood vessels likely will be narrower and working harder move blood along. LOSE EXCESS WEIGHT Arteries stiffen as people gain weight, especially if the fat accumulates deep within the abdomen. MANAGE CHRONIC CONDITIONS High blood pressure, which places extra force

on arterial walls, damages proteins that help keep blood vessels flexible. Uncontrolled diabetes leads to high blood sugar levels that cause strands of proteins in arteries to bind together, which increases overall rigidity. QUIT SMOKING The chemicals in cigarettes damage the inside lining of arteries, allowing more fatty plaques to stick to vessel walls.

Within a few hours of loading up on saturated or trans fats, in fact, your blood vessels likely will be narrower and working harder move blood along.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

....

Understanding your risk for

• Diabetics are twice as likely to get the disease. • Genetics are only responsible for about onequarter of Alzheimer’s cases.

Alzheimer’s lier on — as early as when a person is in his or her 20s. A cientists are still racing frantic lifestyle, poor dietary choices and inactivity can to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Al- contribute to Alzheimer’s though there currently is no over one’s lifetime. Recognizing behaviors or other cure for Alzheimer’s, evidence points to strategies in- habits that may contribute to Alzheimer’s is the first step to dividuals can take to help slow the onset of the disease making changes to prevent the condition. or help prevent memory loss. KNOW THE FACTS Although the symptoms • Obesity can increase and onset of Alzheimer’s disrisk for Alzheimer’s. ease are most notable during • Smoking after the age of a person’s senior years, scientists say that the neurolog- 65 makes a person almost 80 percent more likely to develical changes of Alzheimer’s actually may start much ear- op Alzheimer’s.

ARA

• Avoid a sedentary lifestyle and behaviors that lead to obesity. • Prevent high cholesterol and hypertension. • Get plenty of sleep and PREVENTATIVE MEASURES Although there aren’t any restorative rest. • Keep the mind active magic pills or potions, there with puzzles, reading and are easy things anyone can other thought-inducing acdo to reduce risk of tivities. Alzheimer’s disease. The Mayo Clinic reports • Stop smoking and greatthat exercise is very imporly reduce alcohol intake. tant to keeping Alzheimer’s • Manage diet to control at bay. In fact, it may be the or prevent diabetes. • Avoid activities that can most important component of preventing the disease. lead to head injuries. • Eat a balanced diet, and Scientists have documented that physical activity effecone that limits processed tively reduces the probability foods. of Alzheimer’s disease and • Enjoy brain-friendly foods, such as those high in other dementias over the duration of time. This makes Omega fatty acids. • Make attempts to reduce exercise an essential part of stress. anyone’s lifestyle.

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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 7

For the Record After bout with alcohol and cigarettes, Pat Howden vows to muscle the most out of life Jade Cody Special Sections Editor

Now abstinent from alcohol and tobacco, he considers himself lucky. t 67 years old, Pat “I was a functioning alcoHowden knows his holic,” he said. “I was a way around the scheduled drinker.” weight room. The Harvord, More than thirty years Ill., resident was recently at ago, after hearing his young Gold’s Gym in Loveland, son ask him why he always on a mission to do 3,350 tri- came home and drank, cep extensions in 46 minHowden began to realize utes, something he believes he had to make a change. to be a world record. “I was so sick ... I could not Howden described him- remember my own kids. self as a former alcoholic “So for the first time in 30 and a former smoker of years, I did not have a three-to-four packs a day. drink. I quit cold turkey,”

he said, acknowledging how lucky and rare it is for someone to be able to quit without outside help. Now Howden, a painter by trade, focuses his energy on working out six times a week, doing thousands of repetitions of curls, tricep extensions and other types of weightlifting. Every Tuesday is record day, and he tries to set records for consecutive repetitions. His goal is to find ways to spread his message about alcohol and tobacco use, and to eventually use his repetitions to raise money for charity in some capacity. “For every rep I do, I want to donate money.

That’s my goal,” he said. With a new lease on life, Howden said his healthy habits include eating plenty of fresh veggies and chocolate milk. “I haven’t had a French fry in I bet 15 years,” he said. Howden plans to set a record for bench pressing 40 pounds more than 1,460 times in a row. “I don’t give up. If you want to do something bad in life, you can do it. “Thirty years ago I couldn’t climb a ladder. I had gout and hemorrhoids. When I quit drinking, I lost 25 pounds in a couple months,” he said. “I can climb a ladder like you wouldn’t believe now.”

RH photo/Jade Cody

Pat Howden does tricep extensions at Gold’s Gym in Loveland.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 9

Do-si-do to Health

Square dancing is healthful and fun for Northern Colorado seniors nators for the club Jennifer Lehman Special Sections Re- started square dancing porter 20 years ago, taking time off when their roups of peo- kids were young and ple all over then coming back. Northern ColSquare dancing is orado and southern uniquely American, Wyoming, from Long- Dennis said, combinmont to Laramie, from ing dance traditions of Fort Collins to Ovid, people that came to gather, sometimes sev- the country. Now, eral times a month, to square dancing is twirl, circle, enjoy each practiced all over the others company and world, in places like move across the floor Japan, Germany and in time to steps and Australia. Square song in the American dance calls, the steps tradition of square sung and announced dancing. by the caller are alAt the Square ways spoken in EnDusters Halloween glish, Dennis said. Dance on October 29, For the Mainstream Santa Claus, Mini Basic level of square Mouse and Toy Story’s dancing there are 70 Woody among many calls and Square others do-si-doed and Dusters members attraveled the dance tend the classes to floor in their squares at help guide new stuClub Tico in downdents, and it takes town Fort Collins. about two months for The Square Dusters, students to be exone of the two square posed to enough calls dance clubs in Fort to enjoy a square Collins, is nearly 50 dancing event. years old. At a square dancing Barbara and Dennis event, there are several Miller, the class coordi- dance sets called tips,

RH Photos/Jennifer Lehman

Local square dancers take a spin at the Halloween square dance put on by the Square Dusters, one of the Fort Collins square dance clubs. which are the length of two songs. In between the tips are round dances which is couple dancing, and often people use this period to take a break before the next tip begins. The driving force behind the square dance is the caller who sings the tunes and then goes through the movements in time with music, sometimes traditional music and sometimes contemporary music that has been re-recorded to work as square dance music. Dennis finds the

challenge of being being able to follow the calls and execute them and have everybody stay synchronized to a certain degree the most enjoyable part. “And it looks so cool when you do (synchronize), and you feel good when you get it all right,” Barbara said. For participants, lessons are a jumping off point to get into the square dancing culture. Lessons help create a bond amongst the people that dance together, Barbara said, and these groups also tend to dance together

at the square dancing events. She said it’s important to spread out and dance with others as well but that it’s amazing how people form friendships with the couples they are dancing with. When Linda and Ralph Goble started lessons with the Loveland Foot and Fiddle square dance club in 2003, there was a surge in their social life. The Gobles live near Red Feather lakes and before they started taking lessons were busy raising their family and running a business with little time left

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

over for a social life. “Once we started square dancing, we immediately made 50 new friends,” she said and these new relationships are her favorite part of square dancing. “I enjoy the social part of it. If there’s a lot of single ladies that don’t have a partner, I share my husband and that gives me time to just run around and socialize,” Goble said. The couple had tried all kinds of dancing before said Goble, but her husband had two left feet and didn’t enjoy it. She convinced him to try square dancing and the were both hooked. “If you can shake hands and walk, you can learn to square dance,” Goble said. Now the Gobles are the presidents of The Foot and Fiddle and the club is celebrating 50 years. In June they started a new square dancing club in Livermore called the Ponderosa Promenaders — the newest square dancing club in Colorado with 17 of their neighbors as members. The couple divide their time between the Loveland club and all the other dances held by the different square dancing clubs in Northern Colorado including the clubs in Fort Collins, Longmont, Greeley, Fort Morgan, Laramie and Cheyenne. The socialization of square dancing, the physical activity — in two hours of dancing people’s pedometers have recorded be-

tween five and 10 miles of steps, — and the mental attention required in the dance make square dancing a unique activity that is beneficial for seniors. Michael Carey, M.D., a family physician specializing in senior care at Windsor Medical Clinic said that square dancing is great for both physical activity and staying social. “A lot of times seniors are kind of inclined to not doing anything,” he said, except maybe go out to dinner. Activities like square dancing help keep them young, he said. Some of Carey’s patients are square dancers and he said the ones who are into are often very enthusiastic, not allowing other activities to interfere with their square dancing events. The physical aspect is important because square dancing can be a good source of exercise, but just leaving the house and doing something is an important part of staying young as a senior and throughout life, he said. Not everyone can get into routine exercise and stretching, but something with a purpose that’s fun like square dancing can be a motivator to stay active, Carey said. “You are as young as you act and you feel,” Carey said. The nature of square dancing requires a level of concentration and memorization that keeps the brain active. The more seniors, or

anyone for that matter, use their brain, the better, Carey said. “It’s pretty easy to kind of decide I’m old, I can sit back and relax and do nothing,” Carey said, which is a bad idea. Carey said it is wise for people to discuss starting up square dancing with their doctor if they have specific health concerns, but most people can do it if they just get out the door and go. “It’s better to wear out than to rust out,” he said. Carey said he plays a lot of tennis and there are people in their 80s that are running him off the court. “It’s all about attitude. Attitude is everything,” Carey said. The seniors that live the best are the ones that continue to be active along with fulfilling any obligations, Carey said, like those they have with work, volunteering or their hobbies. Most people are able to live that

way, Carey said. “Despite the joys of the golden years, we all have some infirmaries, but they are usually not so limiting that you can’t find something that will keep your body more fit and your mind more active.” “Square dancing certainly would qualify.” Carey said that in general, the more people try to do things they would have done at a younger age, the younger they last. “Very rarely do you see a 95-year-old who sat and read all the time by themselves,” he said. “The ones that live a lot longer continue to participate in activities

as if they were 20 years younger,” he said like gardening, cleaning the house, being social and involved. The Millers enjoy the social and health benefits and for them square dancing is a lot more fun than scheduling sweaty gym visits. “We’d rather sweat on the dance floor,” Barbara said. Goble has noticed some health benefits as well. Around the time she started taking lessons, her cholesterol was at 370, when she got it checked again six months later, it had gone down to 275. She said during that time she was do-

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 11

Dance From Page 10

ing nothing except the exercise from square dancing. Goble has also noticed that square dancing helps ease the discomfort of her sciatic nerve. “If I don’t dance, it really starts bothering me. Once I start dancing again, it goes away,” she said. “I know there are people that say they can’t dance because of their hips or their knees. I also think some people think they can’t or don’t want to,” she said. Goble said there are people really getting up in years on the dance floor. “They move slowly, but they move. They are out there doing it because they know it’s good for them. It may be like me, it may be the only exercise I get, the rest of the time I’m driving back and

forth to the dances.” The Gobles make square dancing a part of every vacation. They travel around in their motorhome with a director that lists the square dancing clubs in every state and their contact information. “So when we want to dance, we usually can find a place to go,” she said. The Gobles attend square dance events all over the country every year including the National Square Dance Convention , a four-day dance festival in Indio, Calif. and they spend a week in Montana at a campground where they square dance all day. For more information on where to find lessons or square dancing events in Northern Colorado, contact Linda Goble at 970-498-8997.

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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 13

The Healthy Plate

A Healthy

twist on

Gravy Jim Romanoff The Associated Press

hanksgiving dinner typically isn't a particularly virtuous meal, but there are simple ways to lighten the load. Gravy is a good place to start. Traditionally, gravy is made by browning flour in the fatty drippings left in the pan from the roasted turkey â&#x20AC;&#x201D; clearly not a low-fat technique. Fortunately there are other ways to thicken gravy that don't require all the fat. Cornstarch can be used to produce a gravy that is thick and glossy and reheats well. It's just a matter of using the cornstarch to thicken hot broth or stock (most packaged varieties contain almost no fat), which can be seasoned however you like. To make a cornstarch gravy, start by making a slurry (blend) of cornstarch and a small amount of cold liquid (generally water or broth). You will need about 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken about 11/2 to 2 cups of gravy. Don't add powdered cornstarch directly to a hot liquid; it will clump. The gravy also needs to be whisked briskly to ensure a smooth texture, and must be heated long enough to cook off its starchy flavor. Arrowroot is another plantbased starch that will thicken liquids without flour or fat. Like cornstarch, it will make a transparent, glossy gravy, yet leaves behind no flavor of its own. Unfortunately, arrow-

root-thickened gravy does not reheat well, so don't use it if you plan on having leftovers or want to make the gravy ahead of time. To prepare an arrowrootthickened gravy, use 2 to 3 teaspoons of arrowroot (prepared as a slurry similar to cornstarch) for each cup of gravy. Another excellent choice for fat-free thickening is a quick mixing or instant flour, such as Wondra. This product is a finely milled, low-gluten flour that can be added to hot or cold liquids. Wondra makes a smooth gravy, similar to those made with flour and fat, and almost never develops lumps. Use about 2 tablespoons for each cup of liquid to be thickened. Of course, since fat adds flavor, low-fat gravies can end up bland if you don't alter your recipe a bit. Making your own turkey broth from the giblets or using the defatted drippings from the roasting pan are good ways to keep the flavors vibrant. You also can add other taste boosters, such as herbs or even pureed, roasted garlic. This citrus-miso gravy gets a complex, savory character from the addition of sweet white miso paste, which is made from fermented soy beans and can be found at most grocers near where tofu is sold. The salty, mellow miso complements the flavor of chicken or turkey broth and is well-balanced by the brightness of dry white wine and a touch of orange zest.

CITRUS-MISO GRAVY Start to finish: 20 minutes Makes about 4 cups Ingredients: 2 teaspoons vegetable or canola oil 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons sweet white miso 1 /4 cup white wine 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 /2 teaspoon orange zest Ground black pepper, to taste

In a large saute pan over medium-high, heat the oil. Add the onion and saute until caramelized and golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Add the flour, miso and white wine, then bring to a simmer, whisking and scraping the bottom of the pan. Add 1 cup of the broth and whisk until smooth. Add the remaining broth and the zest. Whisk vigorously, then cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until thickened. Season with black pepper. Nutrition information per 2 tablespoons (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 19 calories; 8 calories from fat (42 percent of total calories); 1 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 2 g carbohydrate; 1 g protein; 0 g fiber; 43 mg sodium.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 15

Finding Direction The hardest thing about prostate cancer is deciding how to treat it Jennifer Lehman Special Sections Reporter

rostate cancer afflicts hundreds of thousands of men in the United States each year and is unique in its number of treatment options. While most cancers generally have one standard of care that is used to treat the illness, prostate cancer has several standard of care options that can be equally effective, said Joshua Petit, M.D. and Radiation Oncologist at PVHS. Thus, the decision of which treatment path to take becomes a more personal one that is up to the patient, Petit said, depending on how advanced the cancer is and how healthy the patient is. The differences between the various treatment options becomes the potential risks and inconveniences and what the person is comfortable with, he said. For patients, having to choose the route of treatment is harder than having the doctor lay the only option on the table, Petit said. After learning of a prostate cancer diagnosis, Petit said the first step is for the patient to gather a team of doctors together that can guide them through the cancer journey: a surgeon,

urologist, radiation oncologist, and possible a medical oncologist and their primary physician. “Once you have a team, you have to talk about what info is necessary to make an informed decision,” Petit said. “The key,” Petit said, “is finding the team of doctors that you trust and who has experience and expertise in treating prostate cancer, because again, every case is so different, the treatment I would give this patient has absolutely nothing to do with the treatment this other person received, even if they both received radiation beam therapy, it may not be similar at all to what this patient experienced.” To begin, patients need to determine if they even want to treat the cancer at all, Petit said. “The thought process is pretty simple,” Petit said, “Do I need to treat this cancer at all, is it likely to cause harm in my life, or is it something I will live with and die from something else.” “That’s the first thing I discuss with a patient, do they even need to treat it,” he said. Some patients may choose this course called active surveillance, because of their age, current health, their preference for treatment and because prostate cancer often grows slowly. Depending on the type of

cancer and the patient’s life expectancy, the best decision may be to move forward with treatment. For patients with localized cancer possible treatment options include surgery to remove the prostate gland, external radiation beam treatment and getting radioactive seed implants. The radiation options have been around for decades but are now more effective than ever because they are more focused and precise with less side effects, Petit said. Radioactive seed implants are made out of titanium surgical clips, like those used in many other surgical procedures, and are implanted into the prostate gland. The center of each clip contains a radioactive material that burns out over time. The clips remain in the body as in other surgical procedures and do not set off security alarms or interfere with having an MRI, Petit said. If the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body, the cancer is then treated as a chronic condition. For these patients, the goal is different, Petit said, the goal is to maintain a high quality of life for many years while living with the cancer as a chronic illness. Related treatment options include hormone suppression

(lowering testosterone slows the growth of the cancer), chemotherapy therapy and the prostate cancer vaccine. Petit said that in general higher risk treatments are used on younger patients, but that most treatment options are available to a variety of age groups and the choice of treatment is based more on the health of the patient and what they are motivated to with their bodies, he said. “With modern technology the treatments are all very well tolerated,” Petit said. Larry Hagan was diagnosed with prostate cancer last summer at age 62. His family physician did the digital rectal exam, “Not one of the more pleasant adventures to go through,” but it caught his cancer, Hagan said. He was referred to a urologist who did the biopsy and confirmed he had prostate cancer. Though it was not unexpected, because he has a family history of it, he said it is still tough to hear no matter what. After the diagnosis is when the hard part begins, Hagan said, because of the several ways one can pursue treatment of prostate cancer. To make the decision about his treatment direction, Hagan spoke with his doctors and friends from church who had gone through it before. Right af-

ter starting the treatment process, he joined the local American Cancer Society’s Man to Man prostate cancer support group facilitated by McKee Medical Center. But what is boils down to is that you still have to make up your own mind, Hagan said. Hagan said Petit laid out all of the options on the line and gave him the pros and cons. “More than anything it boiled down to a comfort level with Dr. Petit, his background and his approach to me seemed the most comfortable,” Hagan said. Hagan did a combination of treatments starting with hormone suppression to cut the testosterone level, slowing the cancer growth and reducing the size of the prostate, he said. Then he underwent external beam radiation followed by seed implant radiation. Hagan said he recently had a physical because he’s considering retirement. His ProstateSpecific Antigen level was down to 0.13, which indicates that the radiation he underwent probably killed all the cancer, he said. Now he said he will wait and see if the cancer ever moved beyond the prostate, because it is common in those cases to wind up with bone cancer. “I would encourage men to not be afraid or not to delay the notorious finger wave or the digital rectal exam,” Hagan said. A patient’s doctors are an important part of the decision making process but friends, family and support from other prostate cancer patients can also be helpful as the patient decides what to do. At the local American Cancer Society’s Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group, facilitated by McKee Medical Center, the need for education and testimonials reflects the myriad of options when treating the illness. John Ratcliffe of Loveland was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the end of 2005 when

he was 69. “The doctors won’t tell you that you’re over it because one never knows if you’re completely over it,” Ratcliffe said, The odds are that something else would get me before that does now, so that’s good enough.” Ratcliffe said the dread of learning a cancer diagnosis spurs the need to evaluate all of the information that is available “to make realistic determinations of how you choose to fight the thing.” He joined the support group soon after his diagnosis to learn about available treatments and to hear first hand what others had experienced with their treatments. “Talking to people is often better or at least a good adjunct to reading the mountains of stuff that’s on the internet, Ratcliffe said, “and that’s the strength of this support group I think.” “I think that is very helpful for people to go to support groups and talk to other men and hear what their experience was like through each treatment,” Petit said, “That’s often times what the decision boils down to, what will the experience be like.” However, Petit said, it is important to know that the experiences of men who have had treatment 5-10 years ago may be very different than what a current patient may experience because every case is specific to the individual and treatment options have continued to improve over the years. Ratcliffe has remained active in the support group for the education benefits and to help offer perspective to other members of the group. For Ratcliffe, prostate cancer was a bump in the road he is happy to leave behind. But because it’s impossible to know if cancer is ever gone completely or will never return, he likes to be aware of new treatment options, learning about other tools

for longevity such as diet through various health professionals that speak to the group and speaking with others about their experiences. “There are some other folks that I have met at this support group that are utterly terrified, (of getting it again) or catching a cold and thinking their cancer is back. I try to reassure these folks that this isn’t the end of the road, that there’s more to life. I think that’s a good things about this support group, people can help each other through this difficulty,” Ratcliffe said. The incidence of prostate cancer goes up with age, Petit said. “In general the older you

are, the higher the probability that you will develop prostate cancer.” The cancer becomes more common with every passing decade of life, he said and while it is less common to see it in men under 40, it is not unheard of. “If you’re going to have cancer, this is the one to have, because its one of the most treatable,” Hagan said. “With modern screening for cancers and modern treatment options, the great majority of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are cured. I think that’s important for people to know,” Petit said.

MAN TO MAN PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP When: 5:30 to 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center Contact: Call 970-622-1961 for more information.

CELEBRATE MOVEMBER t’s time to grow out that stache. According to the website (www.movember.com) for the prostate cancer awareness group Movember, “Movember (the month formerly known as November) is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health.” The organization started in Australia and now claims membership support in Australia, several European countries, South Africa, the United States and Canada. Many organizations have struck up their own interpretation of the month finding new ways to vocalize awareness and support prostate cancer patients and families. To find Movember events happening near you, check out http://us.movember.com/events/find-an-event/.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 15

Finding Direction The hardest thing about prostate cancer is deciding how to treat it Jennifer Lehman Special Sections Reporter

MAN TO MAN PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP When: 5:30 to 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center Contact: Call 970-622-1961 for more information.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

....

HL Ask Dr. H

Avoid weight gain after knee surgery DR. MITCHELL HECHT TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even when given a second chance; and 2) the excess calorie consumption and poor dietary habits that caused them uestion: I recently read about a to become obese in the first place still restudy that showed that most main. people who have had knee re An important reason why gaining placement surgery gain weight weight after a total knee replacement is a rather than losing weight afterwards. Why cause for concern is that it will greatly indo you think that is so? crease the chance that the other knee will Answer: You would think that oversoon need replacement. weight people with severe osteoarthritis An important conclusion from this in their knees would, if given the opporstudy is that weight gain after surgery tunity to walk and exercise again, lose needs to be treated as a separate concern some of the additional weight that resultand integrated into the usual post-op care ed from limited mobility. But according to through nutritional counseling and rea recent study conducted at the Universitraining patients to en courage a more acty of Delaware (January 15, 2010 issue of tive lifestyle. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage), most folks after knee replacement surgery dropped uestion: I was put on Amaryl weight while receiving post-op physical for diabetes and ever since Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve therapy but gained an extra 14 pounds been on it, my weight has been over the next two years. What appears to going up. Can you tell me be the case is that 1) the sedentary whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on? Are there other options lifestyle that folks have due to their degenerative knees is a tough habit to break for me that wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make me gain weight?

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Be thankful . . . . . . . . â&#x20AC;&#x153;For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything thy goodness sends.â&#x20AC;? -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Answer: The weight gain youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re experiencing from Amaryl is due to the fact that it lowers blood sugar by pushing the pancreas to squeeze out even more insulin into the circulation. The insulin molecule is the culprit in the diabetic weight gain mystery. The insulin molecule does more than just lower blood sugar. It encourages the formation and storage of fat in the body; encourages the storage of protein in the body derived from foods we eat; inhibits the breakdown of fats and proteins for energy; and works to enhance the activity of growth hormone. Taking insulin shots will al so cause weight gain; but so does any diabetic pill that works by pushing the pancreas to make more insulin. The more â&#x20AC;&#x153;modernâ&#x20AC;? approach to â&#x20AC;&#x153;adult-onsetâ&#x20AC;? diabetes is to try to increase the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sensitivity to insulin. Instead of putting more insulin into I See DR. H/Page 21 HL-318899

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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 17

HL Act kindly toward family during holidays Uncommon Sense

Dr. Beth Firestein Uncommon Sense

uestion: I love my family, but sometimes I really don’t like them very much, and Thanks giving is just around the corner. My parents live about two hours away. I am 33 years old, I work full-time and I am in a good relationship with my boyfriend of three years. He doesn’t mind going to see my family for Thanksgiving, but it is stressful for me. It’s more enjoyable to be around his family, and they live a few hours away in the opposite direction from my parents. What should I do? Answer: It sounds like you have a loving but difficult relationship with your family. You will probably need to make a choice this year between spending the holiday with your family or with your boyfriend’s family due to the distance between the households. Of course, there is also the option of having an independent Thanksgiving and spending that time with your boyfriend and some of your mutual friends. Here are some factors to consider in making your decision. 1) Are there any special reasons that it would be important to go to your family’s Thanksgiving this year, rather than his family’s gathering? Some reasons might be that this is the only year (or last year) that certain members of your family will be at Thanksgiving. This could be due to a family member having a terminal illness, a relative who will be moving to live abroad, or a special relative you really want to connect with who is rarely at your family’s gathering. 2) How well do you feel you can handle the inevitable stress associated with seeing your family this particular year? If you are in a pretty good place and don’t have too many external stressors in your life, this might be a good year to participate in the family Thanksgiving. Another year might not be so good. Perhaps you can create a new set of expectations with your family around this tradition. Instead of attending your family’s Thanksgiving every year, perhaps you could alternate spending Thanksgiving with your family, your boyfriend’s family and possibly even going away for Thanksgiving or celebrating with your own friends some

ingly common for family members to become estranged from each other for any number of reasons. Some of these ruptures last days or weeks, others can last for months or even years. It sounds like you are at a point in your life where your relationship with your sister is more important than being right about a conflict that happened a long time ago. I encourage you to act on your desire to build that bridge, but it is important to keep a few things in mind. First and perhaps most obvious: just because you are ready to mend the relationship doesn’t mean she is also ready. You can extend the olive branch in several ways. You could send a card or message affirming your past positive relationship and your desire to have her in your life again. It is often helpful to offer a genuine apology for your part in a hurtful situation, or you can simply open the door to a new relationship with your sister by sharing some aspect of your life with her and inviting her to do the same. This is the part you have control over. You don’t, however, have any control over what her response will be. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you are doing this out of love and to make things right. This action frees you from feelings of guilt or the pain of your part in an unresolved conflict. Unfortunately, she may or may not be in a place to accept your gesture of uestion: My sister and I had a reconciliation. If you choose to take this fight about three years ago and risk, be sure that you are ready to accept we haven’t talked since that the outcome, no matter what it may be. time. The issue we fought about, which seemed really important at She may be eager to re-embrace your rethe time, doesn’t seem so important now. lationship, she may reject your invitation I think about her a lot, especially around to connect, or she may simply not be ready to respond and do nothing. Feel the holidays. I want to reach out to her but I don’t know how, and I’m afraid she good about yourself for making the effort. In the best of worlds, she will apprewill reject me. How can I build a new ciate your effort and respond in kind — bridge between my sister and me? if not now, perhaps later. Answer: Holidays seem to bring up a lot of feelings about our relationships, especially our relationships with members Dr. Beth Firestein is a licensed psychologist. of our family. Joys, She has 24 years of therapy experience and losses and unrehas practiced in Loveland for over 14 years. solved conflicts all She may be reached by calling her office at float into our minds. 970-635-9116, via e-mail at It seems like this is firewom@webaccess.net, or by visiting definitely happening www.bethfirestein.com. for you. It is surprisyears. 3) You love your family, even if you don’t always like them. You should think carefully about the fact that you love them and want to have some kind of meaningful relationship with them and how this balances against your own separate needs and comfort or discomfort in being around them. Sometimes it is more important to express our love through action even if this produces some discomfort than it is to avoid that discomfort entirely. It may be a matter of scale: how severe the discomfort and the relative importance of being with your family on the holiday. Keep in mind that you can also carve out quality time to spend with your family at other times, either near the holidays or in between the holidays. These times can sometimes be less stressful and more time-limited: a few hours rather than all day or all weekend. I would also suggest considering your boyfriend’s feelings and the how his family feels about being with the two of you on the holidays. If this is also important to him and to his family, it is also important to take his family’s needs into account. These decisions are complicated and require self-honesty and communication. Whatever you decide let your families know with tact and kindness.

Uncommon Sense with Beth Firestein

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

Destination: Healthy

The health of pumpkin AMANDA WICKER DESTINATION : HEALTHY

T For holistic family medicine, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here for you Dr. Pamela (Horstmeyer) Levine is now taking patients. Dr. Levine offers holistic medicine for the entire family. Special interests include:

acupuncture

To make an appointment, call 970.392.4752.

wo of the things I love about the holidays are the smells and rich colors. Each season brings something new to the table. I know that there are many things at this time of year that are hard on the waistline; however, there are some very healthy additions as well. My favorite for this time of year is pumpkin. Pumpkin is not only a wonderful flavor for our palate but extremely rich in nutrients. Pumpkin is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. One-half cup serving also contains five grams of fiber. Fiber helps reduce bad cholesterol levels, control blood sugar levels, aids in digestion, and plays a role in weight loss. As you can see there are many benefits to having pumpkin in your diet. One way I have incorporated it into my diet was to look for five healthy recipes I could try and share with friends and family. It is a fun way to enjoy the season and stay healthy. Here

is one of my familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorites of the recipes. I am thankful you can join me on this health journey.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies Ingredients: 1 cup applesauce 1 cup whole wheat Flour 1 /2 cup Splenda or sugar substitute

1 cup flour 1

/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup pureed Pumpkin 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 eggs 1

/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups rolled oats

Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together applesauce and sugars. Add pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla; beat. Mix in flours, baking soda, and spices. Then stir in oats. Drop spoonfuls on greased cookie sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes. There are about 50 calories per cookie. Enjoy.

Amanda Wicker is a Loveland native and the founder of Destination: Healthy, a free weight loss support group held at Message of Life Ministries on the first and third Tuesdays of every month. She also hosts Destination Healthy, a segment on NOCO 5 News every Monday Night at 10 p.m. Amanda has lost a total of 130 pounds using diet and exercise. She can be reached at destinationhealthy@gmail.com or at mydestinationhealthy.com.

! 2500 Rocky Mountain Avenue Loveland, CO 80538

970.203.7180 www.greeleymedclinic.com HL-318208

Destination: Healthy

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 19

Health in a Handbasket

Welcome to the Health Age Jade Cody Special Sections Editor

es to help guide its members toward a longer, healthier life. hey say that age The software uses basic is just a number information such as age, — you’re only as weight, height, lifestyle old as you feel. and family health history Tell that to my Gold’s to determine every perGym health avatar, who son’s health age. I’ve named Gordy out of Once created, memanger and hostility. De- bers are asked how they spite being born on the would like their avatar same date and year as I to change. Since Gordy was, he’s 12 years older is packing a few extra than I am. I hate him. pounds in the midsecGordy was created to tion and has the muscle be my identical fitness definition of a bar stool, and health twin, and to I decided a little weight make me feel bad about loss and muscle gain myself. Whatever I have would greatly benefit done in my life, Gordy him, er, us. has done. Whenever I As would be done for spend a night with my Gold’s members, the friends Mr. Lasagna and trainers outlined a new Mr. Beer, Gordy does exercise plan of retoo (don’t worry, Mr. Lasagna is the sober demption that will get Gordy in check, and in driver). just six months, return The staff at Gold’s him to his swimsuit fighelped me create this mini-me by calculating ure. As part of my new my health information. plan, I am supposed to It is part of the Visual start eating at least a litFitness Planner (VFP) software that Gold’s us- tle something for break-

Health in a Handbasket is a monthly feature in which I try a health-related adventure and write about it. If you have an idea for a new adventure, write to me at jcody@reporter-herald.com.

Health in a Handbasket

This is Rhonda, my avatar Gordy’s second cousin. If she follows Gold’s plan of fitness, she can reach her goal of 54 pounds of fat loss in as little as 5 months. Below, additional screen shots. fast, begin working out four-to-five times a week instead of just three, and add a daily multivitamin to the mix. If I stick to the plan, I should see real results in six months, or April 27. I’ll update you on my progress. I like the concept of the VFP software, and I think it could serve as a great visual tool for people with dramatic weight loss goals. It also serves as a good reminder of the impacts of poor health on a person’s life expectancy. Things like smoking, diseases in family history and a sedentary lifestyle bump up a person’s health age. For me, I gained 12 years almost purely on the fact that it considered me a smoker because I used to chew tobacco. If you’re interested in creating your own Gordy or Rhonda, give Gold’s a call, the assessment is free to all prospective and current members.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

Construction underway on Banner lab SARA QUALE, MMC PAID ADVERTORIAL

tient services senior manager, said the system will give physicians the ability to do s part of Banner cardiac and peripheral proHealth’s continued cedures with the newest investment in heart technology available. It will care in Northern Colorado, provide better image quality McKee Medical Center is and offer reduced radiation renovating its cardiac/interexposure to patients. ventional radiology catheteriPhysicians from Banner’s zation lab. CardioVascular Institute of In McKee’s cath lab, which Northern Colorado, serving opened on Valentine’s Day North Colorado Medical of 2000, workers are Center and McKee, weighed installing a General Electric in on the selection of the GE Innova 3100IQ imaging system. This is the same syssystem. This machine is detem used at NCMC’s cardiac signed to perform a range of cath lab. Having one system cardiovascular and interven- at both hospitals makes it tional radiology procedures. easier for staff and physiThe technology is easy to cians who work in both use and continues to allow places. “That improves our the physician to focus on the quality of care,” Bellows patient rather than the imag- said. ing system. Tina Ryan, a radiologic Lee Bellows, cath lab patechnologist, said the reno-

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vation and addition of new equipment is an example of Banner giving employees the tools they need to do their job. Because of that commitment, Ryan said the number of people seeking heart care at McKee is increasing. She cited an increase in the number of cardiac procedures done in the cath lab in 2010 compared to 2009. January-August 2010 showed double the number of cardiac patients compared to what was done in the cath lab in all of 2009. Work began in October and is expected to conclude in early 2011. In the mean time, cardiac cath and interventional radiology procedures are done in a dedicated operating room. What happens in a cath lab? In the cath lab, interventional cardiologists conduct a

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2001 S. Shields, Bldg F (Spring Creek Medical Park)

special study of the heart. This study allows the physician to see the chambers, valves or coronary arteries. To do the study, the physician guides a thin plastic tube or catheter through an artery or vein in the arm or groin. This is a minimally-invasive way to treat some forms of heart disease. Doctors do not surgically open the patient’s chest. They enter the heart through arteries in the legs or arms. Then they use special tools to inject dye, clear blocked arteries or insert a stent (small metal tube) when needed. McKee offers many cardiac and interventional radiology catheterization procedures including: Angioplasty (balloon), Diagnostic Catheterizations, Stent Implantation, ICD/Pacemaker Implant, Peripheral Vascular Procedures and Intervention.

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McKee’s cath lab will look like this once completed.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 21

DR. H From Page 16

the circulation, why not get the body to be come more sensitive to all that insulin that’s already out there? The first step in that effort is weight loss through diet and exercise. As little as 510 pounds of weight loss can make the body a whole lot more sensitive to all the insulin that’s floating around. That’ll lower blood sugar. If drugs are needed, it may be first worth trying a drug like Glucophage (metformin). It works by getting the body to use the insulin that it already has, rather than getting the body to make more. Januvia and Onglyza are pills that modestly lowers blood sugar without any weight gain. Byetta, which does require two injections per day, not only effectively lowers blood sugar but causes a few pounds of weight loss. A once-weekly shot of Byetta is being considered by the FDA.

uestion: I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and diabetes. The oncologist I saw said that the metformin my primary care doctor put me on for diabetes will actually help kill the breast cancer cells. Can you explain how it does that? Answer: There is growing evidence that metformin used to treat diabetes can slow the growth of cancer cells — especially breast cancer. The proposed mechanism by which metformin acts as an anti-breast cancer agent is that metformin lowers insulin levels. The hormone insulin stimulates

cell growth, and cancer cells have 6-10 times the number of insulin receptors as do non-cancerous cells. Colon, breast, uterine, pancreatic and prostate cancer cells seem especially sensitive to the effects of insulin. In particular, breast cancer cells are exquisitely sensitive to the effects of the insulin hormone. Insulin may also influence the activity of estrogen, another hormone that can trigger the growth of cancer cells. It’s been observed for some time that obese folks have a higher incidence of colon, breast, uterine, pancreatic and prostate cancer. Obesity tends to be associated with higher levels of insulin and estrogen. It makes sense then that metformin used in the treatment of diabetes, insulin resistance and polycystic ovarian syndrome (conditions more prevalent among the overweight and obese) may be helpful as an adjunctive treatment for breast and other cancers. Future research will be needed to determine if in sulin-lowering drugs like metformin may play a future role in the prevention of breast cancer. One important question that comes to mind when looking at this research is: Will the use of insulin shots or diabetic drugs that in crease insulin levels increase one’s risk of breast and other cancers? The expert consensus at this point in time is that the benefit of properly treating diabetes and pre venting its serious and irreversible complications out weighs the potential in creased risk of developing cancer in the future. Dr. Mitchell Hecht is a physician specializing in internal medicine.

HL Ask a Health Pro The Missing Molars TED E. MIODUSKI, III, DDS PAID ADVERTORIAL

uestion: Last year I lost two molar teeth in my lower jaw. What are my options for replacement, and are there risks to waiting a while? Answer: These are great questions, and ones that we’re faced with daily. First off, we can’t stress enough to patients that time is of the essence, with regard to replacing missing teeth. Studies have demonstrated that 25 percent of supporting bone is lost during the first year after a tooth is removed. But, it doesn’t stop there. Without the presence of a tooth root or a dental implant, the supporting bone will gradually atrophy, or shrink. This atrophy can result in permanent and irretrievable bone loss, a sunken facial appearance, shifting of adjacent teeth, and even problems with proper nourishment in certain cases. Molars are actually the most commonly missing teeth. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 65 percent of people ages 45-64 are missing at least one molar tooth. This becomes significant when we consider the incredible crushing forces that molar teeth sustain. Without molars in the mouth, there is a decreased surface area for chewing, and

other teeth must bear the burden of heavy chewing forces. Increased stress on other teeth can lead to problems with mobility, pain, fracture, and even further tooth loss. Enter the dental implant. Implants are small titanium anchors placed within the jawbone, designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth. When fully restored, implants look, feel and function like natural teeth. Perhaps best of all, implants can hold the bone in its position, and may help to actually resist bone loss in that site. Research currently indicates that implants have higher longterm success rates as compared to traditional methods of replacing teeth, such as toothsupported bridges. Because implants are not prone to dental decay, they may last much longer than other options for single-tooth replacement. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth or can be used to provide support for a bridge that replaces several missing teeth. Additionally, implants can provide support for loose removable partial dentures and complete dentures. For more information about dental implants, and other options for improving your smile, please call 970-663-1000 or visit www.implantdds.com.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

....

When to take a

Sick Day

fle or a splinter, many other diligent workers maintain near-perfect attendance and n today’s volatile employment market, work- choose going to work when they should be resting at ers who have jobs are home. doing just about anything Going into the office they can to keep them. For when ill is not a smart idea. some, this can mean heading to work even when it Not only does it put other may be best to stay home. workers at risk for catching Other employees fail to take germs, but also chances are sick days because a day out the sick employee’s producof work means a day withtivity will be poor and he or out pay. she may make mistakes that could cost the company Although there certainly are employees who use sick money while under the fog days when they have a snif- of medication. Furthermore, working while sick will delay the body’s healing pro-

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cess, which could escalate the illness even further — leading to more sick days needed. Although every symptom does not warrant a sick day, here are some symptoms that could mean it’s time to take a day off.

ery 10 coworkers.

FEVER A higher fever (temperature more than 101 degrees in adults) could be a signal of the flu or the body fighting another infection. It’s a wise idea to remain at home until the fever breaks. A 2006 fact sheet from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) reported that a worker with the flu is likely to infect 1.8 out of ev-

MOBILITY INJURY Workers who have sprained or hurt a part of the body resulting in an inability to do the job effectively may want to stay home until the injury is better. What’s more, working while injured could cause an even greater injury to occur. Be sure to report the injury to the proper personnel if it was the result of an accident at work.

BAD COLD The first few days of a runny nose and sneezing are often the most contagious. A person who is sneezing and blowing his nose repeatedly could end up infecting the entire office STOMACH ISSUES in the process. Stay home Vomiting and diarrhea are and rest up. Coworkers will symptoms of food poisonappreciate it. ing or other bugs that wreak havoc on the gastrointestinal BACTERIAL INFECTION system. In general, these illStrep throat or conjuncnesses do not last longer tivitis (pink eye) is caused than 12 to 24 hours. It’s by contagious bacteria. It much more convenient — can take 24 hours after the and private — to do bathfirst dose of an antibiotic unroom business in the comtil a person is no longer forts of home. considered contagious.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 23

Keep

Stress at Bay Don't succumb to stress after retirement METRO CREATIVE SERVICES

ability to relax after a and cardiovascular work. stressful event actually be- Seniors should always comes more difficult the consult a physician before erhaps no medical issue flies under the older we get. Such a reali- beginning an exercise regty only underlines the im- imen. radar more than stress. A recent survey by portance of stress prevenWith respect to diet, the American Psychologi- tion for retirees, who can avoid sugar, fried foods cal Association found that decrease their risk of stress and overconsumption of alcohol, as each of things one-third of Americans are or stress-related illness can aggravate an existing living with extreme stress, with some common preventive measures. condition, increasing the while close to half of all health-related stress many survey respondents felt DIET AND EXERCISE seniors feel as their imtheir stress levels are on While seniors might not mune system weakens the rise. be able to do all that they and they become more While stress is a probused to when it comes to lem many feel stems from exercise and athletics, dai- susceptible to disease or work, stress is not solely a ly exercise combined with additional ailments. byproduct of work, and BE SURE TO SOCIALIZE a healthy diet can go a those without work-relat- long way to preventing Stress doesn't just come ed stress can still be over- stress. When exercising, from work or a physical whelmed by feelings of be careful not to over-ex- ailment, it can also be the stress. Simply put, stress ert yourself but be sure to result of a mental ailment, can affect everyone, even include exercise as part of such as depression resultthe nation's retirees. While your daily routine. Exering from loneliness. Just retirement is often seen as cise can include a daily like everyone else, seniors a chance to relax and en- walk out in the fresh air, need to share their probjoy the fruits of a life's or a trip to the gym for lems and concerns as well worth of labors, retirement some light weightlifting as their good times with can also be a stressful time for many people. Getting by on less income can be Stay actively involved in your stressful, as can health issues that might arise as we community, and be sure to age. In fact, a person's

maintain regular contact with friends and family members.

others. Just because you're retired from work does not mean you're retired from life. Stay actively involved in your community, and be sure to maintain regular contact with friends and family members. Socialization comes in many different forms, and seniors should take advantage of communitybased programs to connect with other seniors or even share their experience with younger generations whenever possible. DEVELOP A DAILY ROUTINE Part of the joy of retirement is having the freedom to do whatever you want whenever you want to do it. However, many retirees find that a daily routine helps them instill a sense of order in their lives and avoid stress. The daily routine can include a morning round of golf, a weekly lunch or dinner with the kids, or anything else that promotes a sense of purpose.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

Health News Briefs

CU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE RESEARCHERS FIND LINK TO INFECTION Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and The Children’s Hospital have taken a big step toward understanding what causes one of the most serious liver diseases in infants. The disease is called biliary atresia, It blocks the bile ducts in young infants, through which bile, crucial for digestion, flows to the small intestine. The disease is rare – it strikes in about one in 10,000 births. But it’s lifethreatening. Surgical removal of the blocked main bile duct can buy time but ultimately the treatment in the majority of cases is a liver transplant during infancy or childhood, a procedure that is both complicated and expensive. Until now, doctors weren’t sure what caused biliary atresia, which is important to know in order to develop better treatments. The CU researchers propose that an infection late in the third trimester of pregnancy or soon after birth initiates the bile duct injury. The discovery, published recently in the journal Gastroenterology, isn’t a cure. But it is a big step. For additional news and information, please visit www.ucdenver.edu /about/newsroom.

mountains called Indian Peaks west of the 70-acre site. The two healthcare organizations, through their joint venture called Carbon Valley Healthcare Holdings Corporation, also announced the selection of H+L Architecture/Turning Point Healthcare Advisors to provide master campus planning and design services for Indian Peaks Medical Center. Architectural work for the center will immediately begin. Architectural designs are expected to be completed by early 2011 with construction on the urgent care center to begin in spring to early summer 2011. For more information, visit pvhs.org.

appointment, call 970-3784433 or toll-free at (866) 5695926. Johnell has 25 years of general surgery experience, 20 years of advanced laparoscopic surgery experience, and 10 years of laparoscopic bariatric surgery experience. Dr. Johnell is board certified in general surgery by the American Board of Medical Specialties, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. For more information about the bariatric surgery clinic, please visit www.bannerhealth.com /NCMCbariatrics.

Center. The race on Nov. 25 begins on Hoffman Drive just north of McKee Medical Center and proceeds north to 37th Street to the bike path at Boyd Lake. It then turns south and heads back to 18th Street where it finishes at McKee Medical Center. This route is wide open and beautiful, offering a great run for more than 1,600 Loveland residents who value fitness and family time before the big feast. The Turkey Trot is a 3.1-mile run/walk and begins at 8:30 a.m. Individuals may register for the Turkey Trot in one of four ways: 1) register online at Active.com 2) printout a registration form at McKeeFoundation.com and mail MCKEE MEDICAL CENTER TURKEY TROT ISSUES MIDit in 3) register in person at BARIATRIC SURGEON TO DLE SCHOOL CHALLENGE BEGIN SEEING PATIENTS IN Foot of the Rockies, 150 E. The Loveland or Berthoud Harmony Road in Fort NOVEMBER middle school that has the Patients in the Loveland Collins or Runner’s Roost, at most participants in the 2010 Harmony and Ziegler in Fort area now have access in Turkey Trot at McKee Medi- Collins 4) or register the day their own community to an cal Center is in for an early experienced advanced laof the race starting at 6:30 Christmas present: a $250 paroscopa.m. grant courtesy of the McKee ic surgeon Race fees are $25 for Medical Center Foundation. adults and $13 for kids 12 who speThe foundation, which or- and under until Nov. 24. Afcializes in ganizes the annual 5K treating ter Nov. 24, race fees are $35 Thanksgiving Day race, has morbid for adults and $15 for kids 12 challenged six middle obesity and under. Team registraschools to compete and see tions of three or more are with miniwhich school can send the mally in$20 each before Nov. 24 and most runners to this year’s vasive $30 after. All participants will surgery. Michael Johnell race. The schools are Bill receive a t-shirt. Reed, Conrad Ball, Lucille Bariatric Prizes will go to the top Erwin, New Vision Charter, surgeon overall male and female Turner and Walt Clark midMichael Johnell, MD, leads and male and female the Bariatric Center of Excel- dle schools. Walt Clark took Masters runners along with home the grant in 2009 with PEAKS MEDICAL CENTER AR- lence at North Colorado the top three in each age CHITECT ANNOUNCED 59 participants. Medical Center in Greeley, group. Longmont United Hospital which along with McKee is The winning school will Prizes for Largest Team and Poudre Valley Health receive the grant, which can part of Banner Health. He and Best Team Time will alSystem made two major an- performs surgery at NCMC. be used for a health or wellso be awarded. Door prizes nouncements about a medi- Dr. Johnell will offer initial ness related purpose, said cal center they will build at I- consultations and follow-up Dawn Paepke, McKee Medi- donated by area businesses 25 and Highway 52 in Fred- appointments beginning in cal Center Foundation events will be given away during the awards ceremony. erick in southwestern Weld November at Aspen Medical coordinator. County. For more information Center, 2923 Ginnala Drive. Race fees and sponsorship about the school challenge The medical center will be His office hours in Loveland contributions benefit the or the race, please call Dawn named Indian Peaks Medical will be 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Stepping Stones Adult Day Center after a range of Mondays. To schedule an Program at McKee Medical Paepke at 970 203-2519.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010 25 ....

Health Line Calendar

BREAST FEEDING SUPPORT GROUP When: 10-11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday Cost: Free Contact: 970669-9355

about the programs. Below is the schedule for December classes: Program A for birth to 12 months •December 20 at 11:15 a.m. at McKee Medical Center •December 14 at noon at the Medical Center of the Rockies Program B for 12-24 months • December 13 at 9 a.m. at the Medical Center of the Rockies Program C for 24-36 months • December 13 at 10 a.m. at the Medical Center of the Rockies

cational Series is to offer people with Heart Failure (and their family and friends) information, resources and support. We focus on management of Heart Failure. The series is open to BLOOD PRESSURE members of the SCREENING community who Have your blood want to learn more pressure checked about Heart Failure. by a Wellness SpeThere is no need to cialist. register. Topics are When: 8 a.m.subject to change 4:30 p.m., Monday without notice. through Thursday; When: 3:30-5 8 a.m.-noon on Frip.m. on the second days Tuesday of every Cost: No charge month Contact: 970Where: McKee 635-4056 Medical Center in Where: McKee the Wellness and Wellness Services, Conference Center 1805 E. 18th St. Cost: No charge Suite 6, Loveland DIABETES INFORContact: McKee MATION GROUP BRIGHT BEGINMedical Center Care An informationNINGS Coordination at al/educational Poudre Valley 970-635-4138. meeting for anyone Health System ofUpcoming touched by diabetes fers free Bright Bewho wants to learn dates: ginnings materials Dec. 14 Topic: and share. There for all families in Devices and Surgwill be a different Larimer County eries to Treat Heart subject matter for with children birth Failure — What's each meeting. to 36 months of the next step after Where McKee age. Materials cover medicines? Guest Conference and growth and develSpeaker: Missy Wellness Center opment, health and Jensen, RN, Nurse Cost: No charge. safety, and informaPractitioner No registration tion on community needed. resources. These Contact 970-203- CAREGIVER’S SUPmaterials can be 6550 for more infor- PORT GROUP-FOR obtained through a home visit or by at- mation and topics. CAREGIVERS OF tending a class. HEART FAILURE ED- CANCER PATIENTS When: Call for Registration is reUCATIONAL SERIES times and locations: 2010 quired. Call 970970-635-4129. 495-7528 to register The goal of the or to learn more Heart Failure Edu-

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP When: 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month Where: McKee Cancer Center lobby. Contact: 970622-1961

ticularly for people with Alzheimer's and memory impairment. When: Third Thursday of the month, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Where: First Christian Church, 2000 N. Lincoln Ave. SOULPLAY ART THERAPY Cost: No charge. People whose Care of elderly adult lives are touched by family members or cancer experience friends is available the benefits of exthrough Stepping pressing themselves Stones Adult Day through art. No art Care program durexperience needed. ing meeting times at When: Wednes- no charge. days, 9:45-11:45 Contact: 970a.m. 669-7069 Where: McKee Cancer Center Con- GENERAL CANCER SUPPORT GROUP ference Room When: 5:30-7 Contact: 970-635p.m. Tuesdays. 4129 Where: McKee MAN TO MAN Cancer Center lobPROSTATE CANCER by. SUPPORT GROUP Contact: 635When: 5:30 to 7 4129 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the WORLDWIDE CANmonth DLE LIGHTING VIGWhere:McKee IL Conference and This ceremony Wellness Center takes place around Contact: Call the world to recog970-622-1961 for nize and honor more information. children who have died. More than 200 CAREGIVERS SUPfamily members PORT For caregivers of and friends from elderly adults. The Loveland and surrounding communigroup focuses on ties attend. providing support When: 6:30 p.m. and education Dec. 12 about community Where: McKee resources and behavior issues, parMedical Center

....

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado November 18, 2010

Caring For People of All Ages Quality medicine. Lasting relationships. Compassionate care. General and preventative family medicine for newborns to geriatrics. Now accepting patients. To make an appointment, call 970.624.5170. .624.5170.

Victor Palomares, PA-C

Dr. Kevin Felix

Dr. Susan Beck

3850 North Grant Ave., Suite 200 | Loveland, CO 80538 970.624.5170 www.pvhs.org

3850 North Grant Ave., Suite 200 | Loveland, CO 80538 970.624.5170 www.pvhs.org HL-318207

Where

Experts Work Best. Ask the Expert

Question:

I am severely overweight and have high blood pressure and cholesterol. Can adjustable gastric banding surgery help me become healthier?

Answer:

Two-thirds of Americans are now either overweight or obese and adult obesity continues to rise. Being overweight comes with potentially life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and sleep apnea. For patients who have tried losing weight by dieting or medication and have failed, bariatric surgery is a very good choice. They want to lose weight to become healthier and spend more time doing things with their families. The adjustable gastric banding procedure is done by placing a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach, creating a pouch. This small pouch allows a much smaller portion of food to be eaten, thereby reducing the caloric intake without being hungry. The benefits of the adjustable gastric banding procedure include: • Fully adjustable for each patient • Does not alter the anatomy • Least invasive weight loss surgery with the lowest complication rate • Low risk for malnutrition • Most cost-effective bariatric procedure • Associated medical conditions can improve or be resolved

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Michael W. Johnell, M.D., FACS is a board certified general and bariatric surgeon who has been practicing minimally-invasive bariatric surgery since 2000. He specializes in the adjustable gastric banding procedure. North Colorado Medical Center is a Bariatric Center of Excellence. Beginning in November 2010, patients will be able to schedule pre-surgery appointments as well as follow-up care in the new Loveland office at 2923 Ginnala Drive. Call (970) 378-4433 to schedule an appointment.

Michael W. Johnell, M.D., FACS Bariatric Surgeon Greeley, Loveland, Lafayette Pre-surgery appointments: ( 970) 378-4433 Twitter

Banner Medical Group McKee Medical Center North Colorado Medical Center

www.BannerHealth.com/COexperts

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Banner Health has been named as a Top 10 Health System in the U.S. for patient care according to Thomson Reuters.

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