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Gynecological surgery technology this advanced means less recuperation time and more family time.

McKee Medical Center’s da VinciŽ robotic surgery is minimally invasive and offers women maximum benefits. )RU SDWLHQWV ZKR TXDOLI\ WKLV URERWLF VXUJHU\ DOORZV IRU VPDOOHU LQFLVLRQV ZKLFK FDQ PHDQ OHVV SDLQ VFDUULQJ EORRG ORVV DQG ULVN RI LQIHFWLRQ <RX FDQ KDYH D TXLFNHU HDVLHU UHFRYHU\ VR \RX FDQ JHW ULJKW EDFN WR VSHQGLQJ PRUH WLPH ZLWK \RXU IDPLO\ RU RWKHU WKLQJV \RX ORYH 7KLV OHDGLQJ WHFKQRORJ\ LV MXVW RQH H[DPSOH RI WKH ZRUOG FODVV DGYDQFHPHQWV 0F.HH 0HGLFDO &HQWHU KDV LQYHVWHG LQ IRU WKH SHRSOH RI QRUWKHUQ &RORUDGR

www.BannerHealth.com/McKee ‡ For more information please call (970) 203-2089 1 %RLVH $YH ‡ /RYHODQG ‡ Job opportunities: 866-377-5627 (EOE/AA) or www.BannerHealth.com %DQQHU +HDOWK LV WKH OHDGLQJ QRQSURfLW KHDOWK FDUH SURYLGHU LQ QRUWKHUQ &RORUDGR 16-310623

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Inside

April, 2010 HELAiLT H ne

women’s health edition

Health in a Handbasket See you on the flip side Pages 6 & 7

Skin Care 101 Tips to keep your skin healthy Page 8

Cut Stress

Working moms in Loveland handle balance of work, family Page 13

Staying Fit During Pregnancy Page 21

Loveland Community Health Fair Get details on Loveland’s upcoming Health Fair Page 23 Health Line of Northern Colorado is a monthly publication produced by the Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald. The information provided in this publication is intended for personal, non-commercial, 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 — 635-3614

For editorial information, contact: Jade Cody: 635-3656 jcody@reporter-herald.com

also inside Health shorts ...................................................................... pg. 4 Bristol Palin talks about her pregnancy.............................. pg. 5 Hidden causes of fatigue in women ................................ pg. 15 Crandoodles by Steve Crandall ....................................... pg. 16 Destination: Healthy with Amanda Wicker ...................... pg. 17 Uncommon Sense with Loveland’s Dr. Beth Firestein ... pg. 18 The Healthy Plate ............................................................. pg. 20 The removal of uterine fibroids........................................ pg. 24 Loveland health calendar ................................................ pg. 25 Loveland health briefs ..................................................... pg. 26

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

Drug for menstrual cramps in the works Shari Roan McClatchy Tribune

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British company is attempting to develop a medication designed to target the specific cause of menstrual cramps. The researchers presented data from a Phase 2 clinical trial Tuesday at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco. Menstrual cramps are caused by contractions of the uterus and an increase in the hormone vasopressin. The goal of the experimental medication, called VA111913, is to block this hormone. The other remedies women use for relief — painkillers and birth control pills — only address the symptoms of menstrual cramps, not the cause. “This is a different approach,” said Andy Crockett, vice president of business development for Vantia Ltd., the company developing the drug. “Right now, the current therapies for menstrual cramps are poorly tailored.” While half of all women experience some menstrual cramps, about 10 to 20 percent have a severe condition, called dysmenorrhea. “We certainly believe this drug has the potential to be a breakthrough,” Crockett said. It’s still too soon to know if the drug will work, however. It has passed initial safety tests and is now being tested on 100 women in the United Kingdom and three U.S. sites (Peoria, Ariz.; Austin, Texas; and Salt Lake City). The findings from the Phase 2 trial are expected later this year, but it will be several more years until the medication, if proven safe and effective, makes it to the marketplace.

One in Five

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ccording to the American Social Health Association, one in five people in the United States has an STD (also known as a sexually transmitted infection, or STI). In addition, at least one in four Americans will contract an STD at some point in their lives. For more information and resources regarding STDs and women’s health, visit www.empowher.com.

Think Stock photos

Colorado kids have access to cigarettes

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he tobacco industry spends about $171 million per year in Colorado, much of it aimed at potential new customers. And though federal and state laws prohibit retailers from selling tobacco to minors, kids still have easy access. According to the 2008 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, more than 60 percent of Colorado high school students who smoke were able to purchase cigarettes at their local retailer. Nearly half (44.7 percent) said they were not asked for proof of age when buying tobacco. According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, nearly 90 percent of adult smokers began smoking at or before age 18. For more information, visit www.cdphe.state.co.us. — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

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Bristol Palin to teens: ‘Pregnancy can wait’ “The Secret Life of the American “It changes literally every aspect of your life, and if girls realized how hard Teenager,� about a high school student who unexpectedly got pregnant and is it was to be a teen mom, they would ristol Palin said that if girls knew think twice about having now a young mom. how tough it was to be a mom, sex without the proper In the interview, Palin they’d think twice about having education and proper said she works full-time sex. knowledge.� and takes night classes The 19-year-old daughter of former when she can. Sleeping in Birth rates for teen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said she has and hanging out with mothers dropped 2 perchosen to practice abstinence herself, friends like other teens? cent in 2008 after an inuntil marriage. Such downtime is a thing crease from 2005 to 2007 Bristol Palin, who once said it was of the past. according to a numbers unrealistic to ask young people to abreleased Tuesday by the She credits her family stain from sex, said in an interview Centers for Disease Confor helping her get with The Associated Press that it’s real- trol and Prevention. through. istic for her personally. “I’m very blessed to Palin hopes to help the “I know it’s realistic to ask myself have an extremely supdecline continue by eduAP photo/Mary Altaffer that, because I know I’m not going to portive family and just a cating her peers. Last year, Bristol Palin until I’m married,� she said. good support system, she was named an ambasPalin gave birth to a son, Tripp, in which other girls out there sador for The Candie’s December 2008 and said she “wasn’t — most of them — don’t have,� she Foundation, a division of the apparel prepared at all� for the dramatic brand Candie’s, which has been raising said. changes in her life since then. awareness about teen pregnancy since Despite the challenges of being a 2001. She’ll appear in a new public ser- teen mom, Palin hopes to have more “I don’t think anyone realizes how vice announcement called “I Never kids. difficult it really is until you actually Thought I Would Be a Statistic.� have a screaming baby in your arms “Eventually,� she said. “Long down Palin also recently taped a cameo on the road, though.� and you’re up all night,� Palin said. Alicia Rancilio The Associated Press

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Health in a Handbasket

Flipped Over and cartwheels, we each threw them together with a song to make a routine. My wing man, my dad, found the perfect song for my routine: “I want to be a Cowboy” by Boys Don’t Cry. Wing Dad showed me just the right hen I was a little boy, my part during the song, right after a parents got me involved in jumping front roll, when I would pop everything. My mom was a up and point to my little girlfriend sitregular Yellow Cab driver, shuttling ting in the crowd at the moment the me between karate, T-ball, Pee Wee song lyrics got to “and you can be my wrestling, piano lessons, 4H events, cowgirl.” “meetings” with authority figures ... Not even a week later, I was sharthe list goes on. ing my first kiss with said girl, a peck One time the taxi stopped at gym- right on the cheek while we were nastics lessons. That’s right ladies, in- hiding underneath my friend’s tramsert manly Mr. Furley-esque sniff fol- poline. We married shortly after, lowed by upward tug on belt of though we had to have it annulled at pants, gymnastics. I have decided this summer’s end because I forgot she is the reason I don’t have much body existed when she wasn’t in my class hair today. You will never hear some- anymore. Out of sight out of mind I one say that gymnastics puts hair on guess. your chest. You’ve seen those guys in Anyway, after two years of gymthe Olympics. Muscular, sure, but not nastics, that makes me eight, I learned a hair on them. to do a back flip. I was excited to do Well, it’s partly because I had a sis- this because my hero at the time, ter who took gymnastics and I pretty Gerald Willhite, played for the Denmuch followed her around and did ver Broncos and did a back flip after whatever she did. The other part is every touchdown that he scored. that there was this girl in the class As the years passed, I was more inwho I was smitten over. We were in terested in other sports, and I lost all kindergarten together, so, as you of my gymnastics skills. Which leads might imagine, it was a pretty serious me to now: It’s time to relearn the relationship. We spent most of our back flip. time looking at bugs and pondering I’m not going alone on this, one of Care Bears. If that isn’t love, I don’t my friends, Samm Kress, offered to know what is. help teach me to flip backwards withSo in gymnastics, we all learned out breaking my head. Kress coaches special little moves, then after a cou- cheerleading, and flipped when she was in college ple weeks of perfecting front rolls

After 20 years of staying flat-footed, I’m relearning the back flip

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This photo is doing nothing for my reputation as a gang banger. But, on the bright side, it looks like I have my costume ready for “Dancing with the Stars.” as a cheerleader for Colorado State University. So I’m in good hands. Kress gave me some exercises to begin preparing my torso for the exertion needed to propel your legs over your head. She’s going to teach me form first, then we’re going to practice in the ball pit at a Denver recreation center. Though I’ve never seen one, I’m assuming the ball pit is like the one at Chuck E. Cheese, and after I complete the flip, me, Samm, and the mechanical mice will spend the evening just talking about old times and telling war stories. If all goes well, next month you’ll see photos of me flipping backwards. If not, it’s been a fun ride Health Line readers. Tell my mom I said goodbye.

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.

Wing Dad showed me just the right part during the song, right after a jumping front roll, when I would pop up and point to my little girlfriend sitting in the crowd at the moment the song lyrics got to “and you can be my cowgirl.” Health in a Handbasket

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado April 15, 2010 A7

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baby on my doorstep in no time. • Probably the best thing that happened was that I felt better in the morning. I didn’t used to eat breakfast, but I found that chugging a glass or two of high-protein Vitamin D cow nectar and a little meat gave me energy through noon. It was actually pretty challenging to consume 150 grams of protein. For doing my best Popeye impression, lunch I found it easiest to throw packing in 150 grams of protein a down packages of lean smoked day, as per instructions from CrossFit turkey, earning 30-40 grams of proLoveland trainer Mark Sanchez. He tein at a time. I sampled all of the told me I could add some serious milk based protein drinks, including muscle by consuming more protein, the expensive and slightly tolerable so I listened. During this time I conMuscle Milk and my personal fatinued training on average three times vorite, vanilla Rockin’ Refuel from 7a week — mostly with CrossFit type Eleven. I avoided bread and pasta, exercises. and made a conscious effort to consume fruit and veggies (which is an Here’s what happened: outright lie and I did no such thing). I • I gained about seven pounds, though not in the form of belly fat or did, however, walk more slowly in the fruit/veggie section in the grocery loose change in my pockets during store so as to talk my eyes into selectweigh-in. • My performance in CrossFit rou- ing some of the more non-gross tines (see an example of one below) items, such as carrots, apples and oranges. remained about the same. The rouOverall, it worked. While Kim, the tines still caused me irreversible physgirl I’m dating, said she didn’t notice ical and mental trauma, however. • My measurable strength went up much difference in my overall appearance (even after I bribed her to fast. My max bench press improved by about 20 pounds to 195 — a mark say differently), I know I’ve gotten stronger. Being stronger will eventuI haven’t reached since high school. ally help me make larger gains in my My goal is to hit 200 in the next month, then get a shirt that says “I can CrossFit workouts, and that will result in positive gains in my physical fitbench press as much as an average ness and appearance. high schooler.” After that, I’ll just sit If it doesn’t, I’m going whiffle hen. back as the babes roll in. I’ll have a

Health in a Handbasket

There’s a hen in my Handbasket Jade Cody Special Sections Editor

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arly in his cartoons, Popeye gained his strength by rubbing the head of the rare whiffle hen. I don’t have a clue what a whiffle hen is, but I want one. And as far as I know, Major League Baseball does not test for whiffle hen supplements, so, I smell opportunity. Anyway, Popeye went on to a more vegetarian source of super human strength, spinach, and his career as a cartoon really took off. He got a cute girlfriend and then a random baby named Swee’Pea was dropped off at his house (there’s a side effect I might want to avoid ... no spinach for me). But did you know that soybeans contain six times as much protein as spinach? It’s true. Imagine if Popeye would have popped a stick of Nicorette and a can of soybeans instead of his signature pipe tobacco/spinach combo. Bluto would never see it coming. For the last two months I’ve been

Meet Cindy No, this isn’t Cindy, it’s CrossFit Loveland trainer Mark Sanchez doing a workout called Cindy. The workout is as follows: • Five pullups • 10 pushups • 15 air squats Do as many rounds as you can in 20 minutes.

RH photos by Jade Cody

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Skin care 101: Show that skin some

Love

Dr. Kristin M. Baird, MD of Skin Care Specialists of Colorado mentioned the specific skin care issues Colorado children can face. “Children affected by the dry climate in Colorado may develop dry, itchy skin as well as well as eczema,” Rhema Muncy Baird said. “In the teenage Special Sections Reporter years, acne may become more of a concern. There are aking care of those beautiful skin cells can so many social issues associated with acne, especially in be quite a balancing the teenage group.” act. The skin on a woman If clogged pores and acne will go through several life develop, Spear recommends changes, many of them hora deep facial to get the balmone induced, according to ance back. aesthetician Lorna Spear, the “Don’t assume that you owner of The Spa at Scruples have acne because of a few in Loveland. breakouts,” Spear said. “If Beginning in late childhood and adolescence, skin you treat it as acne, it will irritate the skin even more. A starts to produce oil which can lead to acne. The great- moisturizer is so essential for balancing the skin. Some est mistake teenagers make in regard to their skin is dry- products rip the skin off. ing it out so that the skin has Have someone go in and do to counterbalance it by pro- an extraction instead.” If acne is a severe issue, ducing more oil. Spear recommends teens see “They want to dry up that a doctor and possibly take oil, and then they don’t put antibiotics for a short time to the moisture back,” Spear said. “The body says to pro- clear the skin. In the early to late 20s, duce more oil because you are not getting enough, and skin usually starts to dry. The then you really want to dry it thing that changes the most during that time of life is diet. up.” “People become a lot She recommends starting more on their own and probkids as young as the age of 10 with proper facial care so ably don’t eat as much of the right things,” Spear said. “I that they don’t pick up bad am a firm believer that what habits and develop skin you put in your body absoproblems later down the road. lutely affects your skin. I

Know how to take care of skin at every age

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Metro Creative Services

have inflammation in my body. When I eat right, that inflammation goes away in the skin.” In the 20s to 30s range, many women go though pregnancies or they work a lot and stop paying as close attention to their diet and skin condition. Keeping up with a daily skin routine will go a long way in preserving the skin from future skin problems. “Keep the dead skin cells from building up,” Spear said. “Slough them off your-

self. If you don’t help that process, then [dead skin cells] can create challenges where they are blocking the pore or if you get dead skin build up in fine lines, they will turn more into a wrinkle. As we get older, the skin doesn’t have the same ability to exfoliate itself as it did when we were younger.” No matter what the stage of the skin, the important elements to skin care for each age are cleansing, toning, treating, moisturizing and I See Skin/Page 10

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Skin From Page 8

then protecting. The ingredients are what change to meet different skin age needs. Moving into the 40s, most women start needing a moisturizer for dry skin. In the later 40s, some women need products to help balance hormone changes again. Baird recommended the use of tretinoin cream applied topically to reduce the signs of aging. “As women age I would recommend an evaluation by a dermatologist for a baseline skin examination as many women have difficulty monitoring certain areas,” Baird said. “The back, for instance, is a difficult area to examine. Practicing good skin care with regular exami-

nations will lead to healthier skin throughout a woman’s life. That care starts at as young of an age as possible. “Much of the damage from the sun is done when we are young,” Baird said. SUN EXPOSURE AND SKIN The reason for all of this talk about skin protection is mainly to combat the effects of the sun. “Years of sun exposure take their toll and result in specific changes in the skin,” Baird said. “Ultraviolet rays induce collagen loss resulting in thinner skin which leads to fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, there is fat loss of the face leading to drooping and sagging of the skin, creating deeper creases and heaviness, or jowls, of the face. Also, the sun leads to the production of melanin which is shown by the I See Skin/Page 11

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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado April 15, 2010 A11 brown sun spots on the face and hands predominantly.” Sunscreen should be worn all of the time, Spear admonished. “As far as the health of people’s skin, sun protecting is the number one thing people can do,” Spear said. “You can’t reverse the damage you’ve done but you can certainly prevent it from happening. Re-apply and reapply.” Baird also recommended sun screen as the best way to take care of skin. “A sunscreen should be worn everyday on the face,” she said. “When outdoors for longer periods of time, sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or 45 needs to be applied every two hours and a widebrimmed hat should be worn.” The SPF ratings of sunscreen are there to help people understand the duration of coverage they have, not the strength of the lotion. For example, a 15 SPF

rating will offer 150 minutes of protection and a 30 SPF rating will offer 300 minutes of protection, Spear said. Sunscreens lose their potency after a year, Baird said. Also using a good moisturizer daily and tanning with a spray tan will be a safer way to achieve a summer glow. SKIN TIPS AND TRICKS Charity Sullivan, a medical aesthetician and certified laser technician and electrologist at Vein Treatment Specialists in Loveland starts by asking clients to drink a lot of water. She also recommends a simple ice treatment for skin. Fill small paper cups with water and freeze. Then, tear the edge of the cup back and begin circling the ice all around the face for five minutes. “The ice helps to turn over new cells, it helps to promote collagen rebuilding because blood is nourishing and healing,” Sullivan said. “If you have acne it is going

to kill bacteria and bring blood to the surface to heal the acne. If you have wrinkles, it brings blood to the surface to promote skin growth. Sullivan recommends doing this process twice a day. “It would be great and you would notice a huge difference,” she said. “I will stand in the shower with an ice cup. You can just sit on the sofa and ice your face. It is amazing what an ice treatment can do.” Combating the dryness of Colorado can also be a challenge. “It is hard to keep moisture in our skin,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how expensive the moisturizer is that you out on — it will sit on your skin and then dry off.” To get moisture into the skin, Sullivan recommends applying a thin layer of Vaseline onto the body from the neck down. “If you have to use a dry

towel to buff up, go for it,” she said. Make-up can pose a problem for skin as well. “Makeup has a lot of toxins in it,” Sullivan said. “I always tell people to only use natural mineral makeup. Natural mineral makeup is a makeup you can sleep in that you would be safe with.” The body also takes in pollution and other toxins through the skin. “Your skin is going to breathe in exhaust fumes,” she said. “Your skin does breathe in whatever you are around. The toxins can age the skin. Some of the best skin I have ever seen is someone who is 80-90 years old and doesn’t get into the sun or expose herself to the elements. I have seen beautiful skin on an aged older lady because she led a very clean life. It is all about how we live, what we expose ourselves to and what we put into our bodies.”

Foods that fight and reduce stress McClatchy News Services

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ou know the feeling tense muscles, a knot in your stomach, maybe a headache. No matter how hard you try, being calm isn’t in the cards. Stress happens to everyone, and a recent American Psychological Association poll revealed that people are feeling it more now than ever. Stress affects people in many ways, and tension can wreak havoc on our eating patterns. The right foods can often help tame mindless munching and cravings and, better yet, actually lower overall anxiety and its symptoms. Here are a few favorites from Woman’s Day magazine:

chocolate also contains phenethylamine, a chemical that enhances your mood. The darker the chocolate, the more healthy substances you’re getting in your diet, so look for bars that are 70 percent cacao or higher. SKIM MILK One study found that women who drank four or more servings of lowfat or skim milk every day were about half as likely to experience stress-related PMS symptoms than those who drank less than one serving a week.

OATMEAL Carbs help you produce serotonin, a calming hormone that helps fight anxiety’s negative effects — which is probably why people crave them when they’re stressed. Go with the DARK CHOCOLATE craving and choose healthy sources. High in flavonoids, which are laud- Oatmeal is high in fiber, which means ed for their relaxing properties, that your body will absorb it slowly.

In one fell swoop, you’ll prolong the serotonin boost, keeping yourself feeling full for longer and making sure your blood sugar is in check. SALMON Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids — abundant in fish like salmon — can help reverse stress symptoms by boosting serotonin levels, and that an omega-3rich diet can also help suppress the production of the anxiety hormones cortisol and adrenaline. WALNUTS They’ve been shown to help lower blood pressure, which is critical for those whose hearts are already working overtime thanks to high adrenaline levels. In fact, research so strongly backs their health benefits that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration goes so far as to recommend 1 1 /2 ounce per day.

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

Prostate surgery technology this advanced means less recuperation time and more fishing time.

McKee Medical Center’s da VinciŽ . For patients who qualify, this da Vinci,Ž the most advanced version in Northern Colorado, allows for smaller incisions, which can mean less pain, scarring, blood loss and risk of infection. You can have a quicker, easier recovery so This leading technology is just one example of the world-class advancements McKee Medical Center has invested in for the people of Northern Colorado.

www.BannerHealth.com/McKee For more information please call (970) 203-2089 Job opportunities: 866-377-5627 (EOE/AA) or www.BannerHealth.com Banner Health is the leading nonprofit health care provider in northern Colorado. HL-310622

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How moms handle work and family Learn tips and tricks from local moms walking the same road Rhema Muncy Special Sections Reporter

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eturning to work after giving birth to a child can be a tough decision for mothers to make. Financial security, personal passions and desires for a career are factors that can all contribute to this family decision. With support, ordered priorities and a lot of love, several families in the Loveland area have found a happy rhythm between business and family time. Nearly 10 years ago, Vickie and Kevin Dennis of Flowers For 3 Greenhouse in Millikin found out they were pregnant with triplets. After 13 years of marriage and trying to get pregnant for 8 years, they were able to conceive. When the three girls were born, the couple stayed home from work for four months to care for and play with the babies. Kevin returned to work, but after the babies reached the age of 6 months, he said he couldn’t stand to be away from the family for such long hours and decided to launch a family business. The Dennis family started

by building two greenhouses on a friend’s property in Longmont. Kevin and Vickie would carry around the girls in snugglies as they worked. When the girls grew bigger, they were placed in bouncy chairs and the couple would bounce them while planting. The first four years of the business, Vickie and Kevin would take the triplets to market. People were drawn in to buy plants, and the girls grew up knowing all of the different farmers. “We just took them everywhere we went,” Vickie said. “They have never had a baby sitter. They have learned to be so adaptable and so friendly.” Now the family lives in a small farm house on the same land where the business is permanently stationed. On the off-season, the family spends a lot of time together. During the summer season, an aunt comes out to spend the summer with the family, taking the girls to lessons and other activities while the greenhouse is at the peak of production. “They see mommy and

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daddy working hard,” Vickie said. “Because of the markets, they have learned working ethics, money exchanges, values and how to be very social, polite and good citizens. We kiss on them, love on them and complement them all of the time.” When the stress of the growing season hits, Vickie finds herself missing the luxury of extended time with the family, but she has learned to put herself on a schedule. “I get up in the morning and that time is for the kids,” Vickie said. “We make breakfast as a family together every morning, visit and then get them off to school. We always meet them at the bus at 4 p.m. and have a snack. Then we go back to work and they will either come over and do chores or homework. I get off at 6 p.m an then go home and cook with them. We have our cuddle time the hour before we go to bed to snuggle and read together.” One night of the week the

family has game night. Vickie and Kevin also have date mornings together. Three Saturdays a month, Kevin will take each girl on a oneon-one date. “You have to take whatever situation you have and make it work to the best of your advantage,” Vickie said. “They will only be 9 and three-quarters for one day.” Jill Scanlon is the director of people services at McWhinney. She has four children, ages 18, 15, 4 and 2. Scanlon started working when her 15 year old was 3 years old. “My husband is very supportive and definitely shares in all of the chores at home and grocery shopping,” Scanlon said. “If I had to do it all by myself, there is no way. For me, I love my job and I love to work, so if you have a passion, you are going to make it happen. You will be happy, and you will bring it home with you and your kids see that.” Organization is a top I See Working/Page 14

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Working From Page 13

priority for Scanlon. At night she has a routine of getting everything ready such as making lunches and getting bags packed. On the weekends she makes a list of all the things that need to be accomplished and divvies them out. “You have to be ok if the laundry doesn’t get folded,” Scanlon said. To make time for herself, she exercises every day at lunch and also on the weekends with her husband and kids. “Make sure you keep yourself healthy,” she said. “And make sure that your marriage is healthy and that you are taking time for your relationship with him.” All of Scanlon’s kids have gone through daycare. “For me, it is really about the relationship I have with the teacher,” Scanlon said. “It’s a transition for the mom.” After the second set of children, Scanlon was able to ease back into work part time and then build up into full time as the family adjusted. Flexible scheduling was a big deal for her. Talking with other moms has also created a base of support. “They get it, they know what I am going through,” Scanlon said. “We talk about how to manage. If you are having a rough day and your kid was screaming when you left daycare, it makes you sad. When you talk to someone then you feel better.” Linda Watt, a key accounts manager for retailers at The Group, has successfully pushed her kids into independence. They are now ages 26 and 24. Watt went back to work when the kids were in school, but she had worked it out with their father to have a parent home at all times with them. “We would not have latch-key kids,” Watt said. “No matter what age children are, they really need parents to be there.” When she looks back at her time as a working mom, Watt said that the best thing to do is to spend time getting to know each individual kid so that when adolescence hit, it was easier to talk with them. When her son got into watching wrestling, she learned all the names of the wrestlers so they could have conversations. “When you are with them, the time means so much,” Watt said. “The quality I See Working/Page 15

Reduce the tolls of stress Rhema Muncy Special Sections Reporter

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he buildup of stress can cause a multitude of problems. When it comes to handling the multiple pressures of family, work and home, keeping on top of this health diminishing issue needs to take priority, according to Ann-Marie Yeager, MSOM L.Ac, of Good Health Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs, Inc. “In my opinion, the two big concepts are keep it simple and moderation,” Yeager said. “Often women have so many responsibilities and are pulled in different directions.” Something is better than nothing, she said. The media, family and friends can present many opinions of what a woman should accomplish in a day. Yeager cautioned women to not let those images drive their stress levels. “If they are able to go for a walk 15 minutes at lunch or 15 minutes in the morning or evening, that’s something. It is good to get some fresh air, sunlight and movement. It is about keeping it a simple concept. That way they don’t ... experience feelings of guilt, which causes more stress.” In Eastern medicine, stress is defined in terms of blockage to the body’s energy, or qi. That energy flows through channels called meridians. If there is pain, that means the energy is stagnated or blocked. Qi can also be depleted, causing fatigue and various other symptoms. “When I see patients in my office, I ask them lots of questions to determine a Chinese medical diagnosis to figure out which systems may be out of balance or blocked.” When someone is experiencing stress, there could be a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, she said, such as insomnia, lowered immunity, allergies, digestive issues, anxiety and depression. The Chinese medicine diagnosis would

figure out which systems may be out of balance or blocked. Then, if the qi isn’t flowing, acupuncture can help move the qi or assist in boosting energy. “I could have five patients who have stress and insomnia and treat them in totally different ways, depending on what is going on with the individual,” Yeager said. “Stress presents itself in different ways. It can come out physically with illness, and sometimes manifest into quite serious diseases. In severe cases a medical doctor must be consulted.” Stress can also take a severe toll on emotional health. “We can often tolerate stress, and sometimes major amounts of stress, for a period of time,” Yeager said. “The longer we endure stress, the more is can compromise our health and sense of well-being.” WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS Yeager recommended several ways to take on the stress monster: • Decrease caffeine and be moderate — Caffeine can stimulate the system and cause irritability or agitation. • Utilize acupuncture, chiropractic work and massage therapy • Exercise — If Pilates, yoga or weight training are on the exercise schedule, consult a professional to prevent an injury, which would cause more stress. Or take a brisk walk for 30 minutes to an hour several times a week. • Use herbs and supplements — Seek a trained professional because there are no across the board answers for any person. Even though supplements are natural, they can be dangerous. • Do basic breathing techniques • Maintain adequate sleep, ideally 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours. • Make time for yourself, even if it is just 15 minutes at least once a week. Read, take a bath, ride a bike or sit by a stream.

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Hidden causes of fatigue in women Dr. Aspen Brunk Dawson Chiropractic and Wellness Center

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atigue is defined as physical and/or mental exhaustion that can be triggered by stress, medication, over exertion, or mental and physical illness or disease. There are three different stages of fatigue. The first one is basic fatigue. This is the normal response to overexertion caused by physical or emotional stress. This usually has a rapid recovery; however, it could be a sign of a more serious condition depending on patterns. The second stage of fatigue is called chronic fatigue. This is characterized by a continuous or long-term chronic stress of your body by physical and/or emotional health. Rest does not alleviate any of the fatigue symptoms with this stage. The final stage is called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Center for Disease Control estimates that between one and four million Americans suffer from this. There are over 466 known causes of fatigue. The most common causes being insufficient sleep, nutrient deficiencies, hormon-

Working

al imbalances/adrenal fatigue, overexertion, lowered immune system, dehydration, and sedentary lifestyles. Some symptoms of chronic fatigue include: weight gain under stress, digestive disorders, a.m. and p.m. fatigue, sleeping problems, allergies, and mood changes including poor concentration. A poor diet affects fatigue issues because of the direct link between the brain and the gut. A poor diet results in decreased immune function, inflammation of the GI tract, food sensitivities and overtaxes the hormone system. A poor diet can also lead to insulin resistance as well as leading to an imbalance between the systemic pH of the body. A proper diet is crucial in decreasing fatigue because your gut is the primary barrier from the external environment and is directly tied to the brain and nervous system. Another factor affecting fatigue is immune suppression or depression. This is where chronic infections start and can be very energy depleting. This disrupts the entire physiology of the body. It also causes increased cortisol which low-

and not letting guilt take control. Guilt levels differ according to women’s expecFrom Page 14 tations of their roles as mothers. of time was so much richer Being a busy mother can because it wasn’t wasted.” also take a toll on individualAddie Campbell, MA, LPC, ity, but if being in the profesof Milestones Counseling sional field is important to Services, LLC in Loveland, has her own practice, a hus- the mother, that is a part of band and two children. She who she is. “For me, it re-energizes recommends finding the balme to be able to go back to ance between spending my kids and be with them,” enough time with the kids

ers the person’s immunity. The biggest factor affecting fatigue is stress. Stress leads to stimulation of adrenals which causes cortisol surges. The increased cortisol surges stimulate gluconeogenesis (ability of the body to make glucose from non-glucose sources) and down regulates insulin receptor sensitivity. This causes an overwhelming amount of stress on the pancreas because it is then required to increase its production of insulin to try and balance out blood glucose levels. Increased cortisol also down regulates leptin which creates an inflammatory response in the body. There are several factors that everyone can do to help overcome fatigue. It requires being pro-active in your healthcare by initiating positive lifestyle changes. Diet improvement is necessary to help eliminate the chemicals and toxins coming into your body. Simple ways of improving this is by monitoring your pH levels. This can be done by using pH strips and checking the first morning urine and the second morning urine. Body optimal pH level is 7.35-7.55 and pH body balance is between 6.5-7.5. Campbell said. “The type of work I do is my calling. Sometimes your mission field is not going to be somewhere else — it is your work. When you find a passion for your work where you feel valued, you can energize to be fully at work and fully at home. Be fully present in whatever you are doing.” Campbell explains to her 6 year old that she is going

You can decrease acidity levels by eating high quality whole foods, eating more alkaline forming foods, balancing complex carbohydrates, proteins, and good fats, and consuming enough fiber and water every day. Another important tool is to eat specific for you and eat a wide variety of foods. To help stabilize glucose levels, you need to eat every 2-3 hours, snack on low glycemic foods, get plenty of exercise, eat high quality proteins with each meal, and do not skip breakfast. Other factors to help overcome fatigue are to drink plenty of water throughout the day, have a positive mind set with stress reduction techniques in place and to allow proper downtime for the body to be able to regenerate and rebuild. Dr. Aspen Brunk Dawson is a Chiropractor and Registered Dietitian at Dawson Chiropractic and Wellness Center. Her focus is in nutrition, hormonal balancing, and Chiropractic. She is also certified through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association in the area of pregnancy and pediatrics. Reach her at www.dawsonchiro.com. to help kids. He understands the importance of her work. Campbell also recommends carefully watching family dynamic, life and work shifts. “Things change all of the time,” she said. “Just when you’ve got it with the development stage of the child and things are going smoothly, they will change. Don’t get lost in the everyday things that you lose sight of the bigger picture.”

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

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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado April 15, 2010 A17

Destination: Healthy

Don’t seek unattainable beauty AMANDA WICKER DESTINATION: HEALTHY

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s women we are constantly bombarded with images of what the media views as beautiful. When we see very thin women on the cover of every magazine, we think that is what we must look like. Twenty years ago, the average model weighed 8 percent less than the average woman. Today’s models weigh 23 percent less. This has created an unrealistic expectation of body image for us as women, and has led to the growing number of eating disorders in our country. I find that these images are a stumbling block for some women to even begin to work on getting their weight to a healthy place, because it seems so unachiev-

able. KEEPING WEIGHT EXPECTATIONS REAL Most of us have struggled with • Ask your doctor and trainer for realistic our body image in one way or anweight goals for your shape and build other in our life. Many women I • Be realistic about normal body changes have talked to want to regain a when making goals look they had on their wedding • Take pictures of yourself to watch your day, in college or before they had transformation and be sure not to compare children. This is a great place to your self to someone else start when setting goals. • Take a break from buying magazines It was not as simple for me that may discourage you since I grew up heavier. I did not • Remember your health is more have an image like that to go by important than a number or size for myself. I have had to take baby steps toward figuring Amanda Wicker is a Loveland native out what is healthy for and the founder of Destination: me and my body. This Healthy, a free weight loss support was not a painless task group held at Message of Life for me and I realize that Ministries on the first and third many women struggle Tuesdays of every month. Amanda has with the same issue. lost a total of 130 pounds using diet Finding complete health and exercise. She can be reached at is not just about our destinationhealthy@gmail.com. physical body, but having a healthy perspective as Destination: Healthy well.

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

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Uncommon Sense

Marriage should meet needs Uncommon Sense and desires with Beth Firestein Talk about marriage patterns openly BETH FIRESTEIN, PH.D UNCOMMON SENSE

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uestion: My fiancé and I are working towards combining our households. In the process, we are determining what we want our marriage to look like. Both of our grandparents have very man-authoritative centered marriages, and our parents seem to have woman dominated relationships. How do we find the balance, especially when everyone wants to give us advice? Answer: It sounds like your families have very similar generational patterns of power distribution in their respective marriages. This in itself is pretty interesting. I also find it interesting that the gender power balance shifted so dramatically between your grandparents’ generation and your parents’ generation. I guess this gives the two of you a lot of options. Every pattern has its advantages and disadvantages. The same power distribution might work well and be very satisfying for one couple and not work well at all for another couple. The form of the power arrangement is not as important as whether it meets both people’s needs and desires. I would encourage the

two of you to talk openly about how those arrangements have worked for your individual families. My guess is that there is a mixture of positive and negative aspects to each arrangement. More important, talk openly about how you each feel about these different patterns. You might find that your feelings are very similar, or that one pattern feels better to one of you and a different pattern feels better to the other. More common these days is the option of equitable power sharing in femalemale relationships. This can look many different ways. It doesn’t necessarily mean that both people participate equally in every household duty, but rather that both participate in the responsibilities associated with their home, finances, and other aspects of living together. The assignment of duties is distributed by mutual agreement according to the interests, skills and varying levels of desire or aversion each partner has to doing a given job. Jobs are not necessarily distributed along traditional gender lines. Usually in such relationships, big decisions like the decision to move or the decision for one partner to go back to school for an advanced de-

Dr. Beth Firestein is a licensed psychologist. She has 23 years of therapy experience and has practiced in Loveland for over 12 years. She may be reached by calling her office at 970-635-9116 or via e-mail at firewom@webaccess.net. gree, are made jointly with honest input and negotiation by both partners. Regardless of what the two of you decide, there is one thing I would strongly encourage you to do: tell your parents and grandparents that this is your decision as a couple and that their well-meaning advice is appreciated but not needed. Question: My son is a junior in high school. For the first time this year, he has found teachers he really connects with, and he is starting to excel in his studies. However, several of his friends dropped out this semester, and he is feeling a lot of pressure to do the same. How can I encourage him to keep making these positive choices, especially when his friends make me so angry? Answer: It sounds as though your son is finding the positive momentum and joy of learning that you have probably wished for him for a long time. As adolescents move into young adulthood, they are also learning to navigate the tricky waters of friendship, peer pressure, and defining one’s self as an individual. The desire to belong runs deep in all of us, but the desire to be authentic and complete in one’s personhood runs even deeper.

I think your best option at this point is to continue to encourage him in his pursuits and actively reflect back to him the excitement you hear in his voice about his current activities. I also find it valuable to give your son the advantage of helping him think through the choices he is making and the choices his friends are making in terms of where they are likely to be in two years, five years, or 10 years. Don’t be overly dramatic or disparaging of his friends and their choices. I think the facts are convincing enough. The evidence clearly shows that boys and girls who complete high school have different levels of educational and career opportunities than those who don’t finish. Talk about what he wants for himself in his life and what he thinks it will take to get there. Let him do his own research to check out Department of Labor statistics about what levels of education are associated with what incomes and what income it will take for him to enjoy the quality of life that he wants for himself in the future. It’s also about whether he wants to be bored in a low stimulation job or to become qualified for more

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado April 15, 2010 A19 veloping a problem that may lead to more problems and this may indicate that in fact you do have addictive tendencies. It might be helpful to look and see whether there are other life areas in which you feel you have lost control. Look at other activities such as drinking or shopping. You may find evidence of addiction in these other areas and these can be related to each other. If you have determined that cards and gambling are becoming a problem, you have a couple of different choices. One is to see if you can go for a substantial period of time without gamFast, friendly service bling at all. If you find that 7 days a week you aren’t able to follow through on your intention, you probably have a probM-F 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. lem that you are not going to be able to solve alone. If SAT 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. you find that you are able to play or not to play for subSUN 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. stantial periods of time according to your own decision to play or not, you Highway 287 and might consider enjoying the activity and excitement of East 37th Street cards, but choose situations where money is not at 3850 Grant St., Ste. 100 stake. Rather, consider reLoveland, Colorado 80538 structuring the activity so that you are playing for points or pennies or other minor prizes that don’t impact the finances of your family. Then you are free to enjoy your hobby without worry or guilt.

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stimulating, fun and challenging work opportunities. I think with the right information and your emotional support, the decisions will make themselves. Question: I love playing cards and gambling. This week, my husband approached me to ask if I am developing an addiction. He noticed that our budget was a little over last month, and he was wondering if I had gambled the money away. I got really defensive, but now I feel sick inside. I am the one who spent too much. If I do have a gambling addiction, how can I turn one of my favorite pastimes into a healthy hobby? Answer: It sounds like you suspect that you may have a problem with gambling that is starting to lead to overspending. Playing cards and gambling occasionally does not mean you have an addiction, but when the activity starts to impact your family’s money situation or attracts the concern of your spouse, it is time to sit up and pay attention. Even though you became defensive when confronted by your husband, it sounds like you have quietly started to ask yourself some hard and honest questions and that you are actively searching for answers. I don’t know for certain whether you have an addiction to gambling, but it does sound like you are de-

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The Healthy Plate

Quinoa and Veggies Rachel Rey CSU Nutrition Center

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uinoa and Vegetables is a refreshing spring-inspired dish. With a variety of colors and textures, this dish can be enjoyed as either lunch or dinner. Because of the large amounts of vegeta- QUINOA AND VEGETABLES 1 cup carrot shredded bles, you will feel full with1 Yield: 4 servings /2 cup bell pepper out feeling guilty about the Cook time 20 min 1 cup zucchini calories. Also, the vegetables Prep time 15 min 1 cup broccoli florets are a great source of fiber, 1 cup red chard Ingredients: which will help you to feel 1 /3 cup fresh or canned 1 cup uncooked quinoa full. You could also add tomatoes 2 cups water vegetables such as sweet 1 tablespoon soy sauce 2 tablespoon olive oil potatoes, green beans, snow 2-3 cloves of pressed garlic and 1 tablespoon water peas, mushrooms, or 1 1 tablespoon fresh parme/3 cup yellow onion spinach. Any vegetable san would taste great in this dish. chopped

Directions: Rinse uncooked quinoa with water. Place rinsed quinoa in a sauce pan with water, bring to a boil then reduce heat. Cook uncovered for 10-15 min or until quinoa is translucent. Drain excess liquid. In a sauté pan heat olive oil over medium heat, add garlic and onion and sauté for one minute. Then add carrots, bell pepper, zucchini, and broccoli; sauté 3 min. Next add red chard, tomatoes and diluted soy sauce. Cover and simmer 2 minutes. Place sautéed vegetables on a bed of quinoa. Garnish with fresh parmesan. Nutrition information per serving: 280 calories; 90 calories from fat; 10 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 37 g carbohydrate; 9 g protein; 5 g fiber; 470mg sodium. Rachel Rey is a nutrition graduate student at Colorado State University.

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Fit for Pregnancy Staying fit during pregnancy: Tips for each trimester Emilie Le Beau McClatchy-Tribune

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eeing a pregnant woman run on the treadmill may feel as shocking as watching a pregnant woman sip a martini. But medical experts allow athletic and fit women to maintain their exercise programs throughout pregnancy.

Thinkstock photo

“Some people can do in the first trimester what they were doing before; there are not a lot of physical changes that occur in the first trimester,” said Michelle Pretorius, personal trainer at Fitness Formula Club Gold Coast in Chicago. While the first trimester allows women to continue outdoor activities and exercise, Pretorius said a physician should first approve the program. “The most important thing is to “We have patients who run long dis- check in with your doctor. What they tances during most of their pregnancy,” say goes,” Pretorius said. said Alan Peaceman, chief of maternal SECOND TRIMESTER fetal medicine at Prentice Women’s Women can expect their doctors to Hospital at Northwestern Memorial make adjustments to their exercise rouHospital in Chicago. tine during the second semester. Significant changes occur within the second FIRST TRIMESTER Running on a treadmill or trail is per- trimester as the joints become looser to mitted as long as the woman carefully prepare the body for labor. This increases the risk of injury, Pretorius said. monitors her body temperature and hydration. Other exercises are off-limits The center of gravity also begins to as a pregnancy progresses. shift and activities such as road bicyScuba diving, for example, is not rec- cling and skiing are off-limits. “In terms of running or using the treadmill, the ommended during any stage of pregnancy. Other than this limitation, wom- elliptical — those are fine and I do not en in their first trimester can continue suggest people need to decrease their to bike, weight lift, run, ski or swim. activity,” Peaceman said.

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

Maintaining balance is important for preventing jury and women should also avoid lunges. Squats, however, can be performed throughout the pregnancy. “If you are doing any type of weight training, compensate for the center of gravity,” Pretorius said. In the past, doctors advised women to keep their heart rate below 140 beats per minute. Peaceman does not feel this restriction is reasonable and said women who were fit before their pregnancy can continue with cardiovascular activities. While high-intensity cardiovascular activities are still permitted, women are advised to monitor their body heat carefully. Body temperature increases during the second trimester and women must ensure they do not overheat during exercise. Wearing lightweight clothing and being conscious of overheating symptoms such as light headedness is advised. Pretorius also suggests working out in the early morning or evening when body temperature tends to be lower. Another option is to switch to swimming which has the benefit of aerobic activity without the risk of overheating. “It’s almost impossible to get overheated because the heat dissipates into the water,” Peaceman said. The water also supports the weight during pregnancy which helps avoid stressing joints. For women concerned about chemicals in the water, Peaceman said there are currently no studies suggesting the chemicals are problematic for pregnancy. Women can also incorporate strength training during the second trimester but Pretorius strongly cautions women to not lie flat on their backs during exercise. “It obstructs the vena cava, blood flow to the feet. Exercises on back must be on a 45 degree angle,” she said. Women in both the second and third trimesters are also advised to be conscious of dehydration and Pretorius recommends monitoring water intake to ensure enough fluids are consumed.

Thinkstock photo

The big belly limits high impact activities and Peaceman advises women refrain from exercises or sports that involve jumping. “It’s not because it will injury the pregnancy but because the joints are more vulnerable during the pregnancy,” said Pretorius. Women can continue with weight lifting and aerobic activities that don’t compromise balance. And as long as women feel comfortable, exercise and activity can be continued until the end of the pregnancy.

strenuous exercise. Women who underwent caesarians will need to plan on a longer recovery time. Returning to exercise may be a shorter wait for women who experienced easy births. Peaceman said women with two or three prior birth experiences are more likely to recover quickly and return to the gym at a faster pace. THIRD TRIMESTER Women who need to wait for return By the third trimester, many changes to strenuous activity can still be mobile. have occurred which means adapting Softer impact activities are always an to the new limitation of an expanding stomach. “Your center of gravity has al- POST-PARTUM option while the body heals. “It’s reatered dramatically and you are gaining After birth, most doctors recommend sonable for most women to start walka pound of week,” said Pretorius. ing,” Peaceman said. waiting six weeks before returning to

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado April 15, 2010 A23

Two health fairs come to Loveland Jade Cody Special Sections Editor

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ith two upcoming health fairs in Loveland, opportunities are abundant for those living healthy in Northern Colorado.

Loveland Community Health Fair The Loveland Community Health Fair, now in its 30th year, will occur from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 24 at the McKee Conference and Wellness Center in Loveland. The Fair will offer a variety of free screenings and low-cost blood testing, educational booths, health counseling and more. Sheryl Fahrenbruch, the senior manager of wellness services at McKee, said the fair has drawn increasingly higher numbers since it began in 1980, when 200 people visited the fair in its inception. In 1999, 749 people came in for blood testing, and 857 total people came to the fair; in 2009 1,225 people came in for blood testing and 1,800 came to the fair. She said that so far over 1,500 people have had blood drawn already, and she is hoping to see more than 2,000 people on the day of the fair. Blood draw participants are able to pick up their results at the fair. “We’re just hoping to connect people to the proper healthcare that they might need,” Fahrenbruch said. For the first time in three years, breast health screening will once again be made available with breast health specialist Ann Dorwart. there will be a private room set up for exams. Also, due to public interest, there will be an expansion of skin cancer screenings available.

Foot and ankle screening Glaucoma screening Hearing/vision screening Height, weight and BMI screening Lung function screening Medicare/Medicaid counseling Memory screening Nutrition assessments Oral cancer screening Posture screening Skin cancer screening Vein screening Vision screening Summery and referral TYPES OF BLOOD SCREENING AVAILABLE: Chemistry panel: $30 Complete blood count: $15 Prostate specific antigen: $25 C-reactive protein: $15 Cholorectal Cancer: $5

9Health Fair

As Colorado’s largest volunteer-run, non-profit health fair program, the 9Health Fair is back again at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland. The Fair will take place from 7 a.m. to noon on April 17. The 9Health Fair will feature both free and low-cost health screenings, including heart disease, diabetes, various types of cancer, mental health and more. “The 9Health Fair is an important benefit for Coloradans,” said Gearge Hayes, president and CEO of Medical Center of the Rockies. “The event promotes good health awareness and encourages people to assume responsibility for their own health,” he noted in a press release. All 9Health Fair locations include a $30 blood chemistry screening which provides information about blood sugar (glucose) levels, cholesterol, triglycFREE SCREENINGS AVAILABLE THE DAY erides, liver, kidney, bone and muscle OF THE HEALTH FAIR INCLUDE: function. It may also show warning Accupressure signs of diabetes, heart disease and othAsthma screening er concerns. Balance and strength screening Other low-cost screenings include: Behavioral health screening • $25 Prostatic Specific Antigen Blood pressure testing (PSA) screening for men, which checks Blood Mobile from NCMC in Greeley for prostate gland issues and cancer Bone density screening • $15 blood count screening, which Breast health screening checks the health of your blood Cardiac screening • $20 colon cancer screening takeChair massage home kit, which checks for colon canDiabetes screening cer

Free screenings offered at the 9Health Fair at Medical Center of the Rockies include: Blood pressure Pap smears Breast exams Osteoporosis Oral Finger-stick glucose Hearing Foot Participants can also talk with an onsite healthcare professional. “Our community-driven program is a safe, friendly and affordable way for you to start learning more about your health and taking action to live a long, high quality life,” said Jim Goddard, president and CEO of 9Health Fair. In addition to free and low-cost health screenings, 9Health Fair also offers: • 72-hour follow-up calls by volunteer doctors and nurses to people with critical or alert health results. • Blood work results, including Pap smear and colon cancer screening results, mailed directly to you within four weeks of your 9Health Fair visit. • Free interpretation services. • Free “Talk With A Health Professional” services. • Free health education from local organizations. To ensure proper hydration and a smooth blood draw experience, participants who plan to get their blood drawn should drink plenty of water the night before and the morning of the health fair. The day will also include the Prevent Cancer Foundation Super Colon, a 20foot-long inflatable replica of the human colon designed to educate and raise awareness about colon cancer. The free, interactive exhibit will be on display in the MCR parking lot; physicians will be on hand to answer questions and refreshments will be provided. The Super Colon is sponsored by Poudre Valley Health System and the Fort Collins-based Centers for Gastroenterology. Since 1980, 9Health Fair has impacted 1.7 million lives. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/poudre valleyhealthsystem and click the 9Health Fair tab.

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

Gain insight into uterine fibroid removal John Crane RH paid advertorial

omectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses robotic surgical equipment uestion: I think I’m to remove uterine fibroids too young to have a and repair uterine muscle hysterectomy, but I through small incisions. have heavy bleed- Robotic myomectomies ing and fibroids. What is typically result in less pain the difference between a after the procedure, less robotic laparscopic myomec- blood loss and scarring and tomy and a robotic hysterec- allow a faster return to tomy? normal daily activities compared to open or Answer: A robotic my-

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laparoscopic surgery. Myomectomy is the only surgical treatment for uterine fibroids that preserves fertility, but may increase the need for a cesarean section delivery. Fibroids are removed surgically from the uterus. The other surgical option is a hysterectomy, which results in permanent infertility. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus. They can grow inside the uterus, outside attached to the uterus or in the lining or wall of the uterus. As women age, they are more likely to have uterine fibroids, especially from their 30s and 40s until menopause. About 80 percent of women have uterine

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fibroids by the time they reach age 50. Most have mild or no symptoms. Uterine fibroids usually need treatment when they cause: • Anemia from heavy fibroid bleeding. • Ongoing low back pain or pelvic pressure. • Infertility because they have changed the shape of the uterus or the location of the fallopian tubes. • Miscarriage or premature labor during pregnancy. • Blockage of the urinary tract or bowels. • Infection, if the tissue of a large fibroid dies (necrotic fibroid). In a robotic myomectomy, the fibroids are cut out through tiny abdominal incisions using robotic arms and instruments. The robot, controlled by a surgeon, offers better movement, control and visualization of the instruments than what is available through traditional laparoscopic surgery. This allows for better precision. Compared to a traditional open surgery, the benefits include: • Opportunity for future pregnancy • Less pain • Less blood loss • Fewer complications • Shorter hospital stay • Less scarring • Faster return to normal activities. Women should consult with their gynecologist about the benefits of having robotic minimally invasive advanced pelvic surgery. John Crane, MD, FACOG, is an obstetrician/gynecologist and performs robotic advanced pelvic surgery at McKee Medical Center.

Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado April 15, 2010 A25

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS Poudre Valley Health System offers free Bright Beginnings materials for all families in Larimer county with children birth to 36 months. Call 495-7528 to register or to learn more about these programs. May classes: • Program A for birth-12 months: May 17 at 11:15 a.m. at McKee Medical Center; May 18 at Medical Center of the Rockies at noon • Program B for 12-24 months: May 10 at 9:15 at the Loveland Library • Program C for 24-36 months; May 10 at 10:15 a.m. at Loveland Library

• Cost: Free • Call: 970-669-9355 ASTHMA EDUCATION A four-session educational series to help people manage asthma. • When: 9-11 a.m. for four Wendesdays starting July 7. • Where: McKee Conference and Wellness center • Cost: No charge • Call: 970-635-4138

registration needed. • Call: 970-203-6550 • Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center

HEART FAILURE EDUCATIONAL SERIES 2010 The goal of the Heart Failure Educational Series is to offer people with Heart Failure. • When: Second Tuesday of every month from 3:305 p.m. TRANSITIONS THRU GRIEF • Cost: No charge. SUPPORT GROUP • Where: McKee Medical Mountain Valley Hospice Center is offering a four week sup- COPD (CHRONIC OBSTRUC• Call: 970-635-4138. port group for those grieving TIVE PULMONARY DISEASE) This seven-session multiCAREGIVER’S SUPPORT the loss of a loved one. disciplinary education series Group-for caregivers of When: 10-11:30 a.m., helps with the management cancer patients. Call for times April 7, 14, 21 and 28 and locations at 635-4129. Cost: Free, no registration of COPD. Anyone who has COPD, emphysema or bronrequired chitis is encouraged to attend BREAST CANCER SUPPORT Call: Sandy Te Velde, at along with family and/or sig- GROUP 970-346-9700 ext: 133. When: Second Thursday nificant others. of each month from 5:30 to 7 AARP MEDICARE COMPLETE • When: Classes meet Join neighbors for a Medi- Tuesday from 12:30 to 3 p.m. p.m. Where: McKee Cancer care informational sales Next session begins June 1. meeting hosted by Secure • McKee Conference and Center lobby. Contact: 622-1961 Horizons. This is your Wellness Center chance to ask questions • Cost: No charge SOULPLAY ART THERAPY about Medicare and learn • Call: 970-635-4138 People whose lives are about the Medicare options. touched by cancer experiDIABETES INFORMATION When: May 24 at 2 p.m. ence the benefits of expressGROUP Cost: No charge, pie and ing themselves through art. An informational/educadrinks provided No art experience needed. tional meeting for anyone Call: 303-638-0940 When: Wednesdays, 9:45touched by diabetes who 11:45 a.m. wants to learn and share. BREAST FEEDING SUPPORT GROUP There will be a different subWhere: McKee Cancer • When: 10-11 a.m. Mon- ject matter for each meeting. Center Conference Room • Cost: No charge. No days and Thursdays Contact: 635-4129 BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING Have blood pressure checked by a Wellness Specialist Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-noon for no charge. • Where: McKee Wellness Services

GENERAL CANCER SUPPORT GROUP When: 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays. Where: McKee Cancer Center lobby. Contact: 635-4129 MAN TO MAN PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP When: 5:30-7p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center Call: 622-1961 CAREGIVERS SUPPORT For caregivers of elderly adults. • Cost: No charge. Care of elderly adult family members or friends is available through Stepping Stones Adult Day Care program during meeting times at no charge. • Call: 970-669-7069 • Location: First Christian Church, 2000 N. Lincoln Ave. • When: April 15, May 20, 10 a.m.-noon COMMUNITY CLASSIC BIKE TOUR The tour begins and ends at McKee Medical Center and includes rides of 62, 30, 37 and 10 miles for serious cyclists as well as family riders. • When: May 16 • Where: McKee Medical Center • Call: 970-203-2519

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

HL

Health news briefs

STACEY ELECTED TO LEADERSHIP ROLE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVES Rulon Stacey, president and CEO of Poudre Valley Health System in Northern Colorado, has become chairman-elect of the American College of Healthcare Executives, an international professional society of more than 30,000 healthcare executives. He took office March 20 during ACHE’s 53rd annual Congress on Healthcare

Leadership in Chicago. He is the 77th chairman-elect since the organization was founded in 1933. The ACHE is the top professional organization worldwide for executives who lead hospitals, health systems and other healthcare organizations. UNGER ELECTED ACHE REGENT IN COLORADO Kevin Unger, president and CEO of Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo., has been elected the American College of Health-

Rulon Stacey

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Kevin Unger

care Executives regent for Colorado. Unger, who took office March 20 during the ACHE’s annual Congress on HealthCare Leadership in Chicago, will oversee the organization’s Colorado chapter for the next three years. The ACHE offers educational programs and career development. An ACHE fellow, Unger has been the president and CEO of the 295-bed regional acute care hospital since 2005.

Marianne Pearson

Marianne Pearson completed two years of postgraduate weekly clinical supervision and passed a comprehensive written exam. The licensed clinical social worker designation provides advanced-practice independence and autonomy. ASPEN MEDICAL CENTER TO Pearson has worked for OPEN AT NEW LOCATION McKee since December Aspen Medical Center Internal Medicine, Allergy and 2006. She earned her bacheNeurology will open at new lor’s degree in social work from Northern Arizona Unilocation at 2923 Ginnala versity in 1995 and her masDrive in Loveland on April 19. The office, formerly locat- ter’s degree in social work from Arizona State University ed on 18th Street south of in 2001. She has 15 years of McKee Medical Center, will close Friday, April 16 for the social work experience and move. The new phone num- nine years of post-graduate work experience. ber for the clinic is 970-669To learn more about Can6660. Physicians and nurse prac- cer Care at McKee Medical Center, visit www.banner titioners who will see patients at the new location are: health.com/McKee. Internal Medicine: MCKEE INTERFAITH CHAPEL • Peter Smith, M.D. OPEN HOUSE • Joel Parliment, M.D. An Open House event is • Kevin Keefe, D.O. scheduled at the McKee • Robert Tello, M.D. Medical Center Interfaith • Douglas Webster, M.D. Chapel from 3-5 p.m. on • Colleen Weissmann, April 15. M.D. The newly completed In• Marci Harris, N.P. terfaith Chapel features art Allergy: glass and sculpture by two • William Culver, M.D. well-known local artists. • Daniel Laszlo, M.D. Stained glass and etched air • Ania Kujawska, M.D. brushed art glass designs Neurology: were made by Ed Lucia of • Srinivas Bandi, M.D. Lucia’s Leatherwood Glass. Sculpture was created by J. ONCOLOGY SOCIAL Christopher White of ParaWORKER EARNS bles in Wood. DESIGNATION The new McKee Interfaith A McKee Medical Center Chapel will accommodate oncology social worker in the McKee Cancer Center, re- services up to 25 participants. For more information concently attained the status of tact, Judy Chapman at 635Licensed Clinical Social 4105 or e-mail judy.chapman Worker through the state of @bannerheatlh.com. Colorado.

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