Health Line of Northern Colorado by Loveland Reporter Herald

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June 21, 2012

HealthLine Of Northern Colorado Of Northern Colorado

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AStep Ahead

Prevent and take care of common summertime injuries

Just one more reason to take care of yourself Preventive screenings and annual exams help detect or stop illnesses before they become a serious problem. Keep good health and live life enjoying the things you love most. Immediate appointments may be available at the following primary care clinics in Loveland. Loveland Family Practice 3850 N. Grant Ave. Suite 100 Loveland, Colo. 970.624.5170 • Dr. Kevin Felix • Victor Palomares, PA-C

Foxtrail Family Medicine

*Partnership of Poudre Valley Health System and Associates in Family Medicine

Medical Clinic at Centerra Family Medicine North Medical Office Building 2500 Rocky Mountain Ave. Loveland, Colo. 970.392.4752 Family medicine • Dr. Pamela Levine

Internal medicine

1625 Foxtrail Drive Loveland, Colo. 970.619.6900

• Dr. Ann Davies • Dr. Deric McIntosh

2 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado

• Dr. Mark Berntsen • Dr. Sheila Copple • Dr. Dana Christiansen • Dr. John Ebens • Dr. William Lopez • Dr. Michael Randle • Dr. Keith Thompson • Dr. Daniel Zenk

Poudre Valley Medical Group Primary Care 1327 Eagle Drive Loveland, Colo. 970.619.6450 • Dr. Susan Agrama • Dr. Peyton Taliaferro

Scan the QR Code below for more information about the doctors, clickable phone numbers and maps.

pvhs.org/clinics

Thursday, June 21, 2012

contents

Aches, Pains Stay healthy this summer

Page 8

Flying Germs Airplanes full of germs, expert says

Sweet Craving Why are body needs and wants sweets

Page 20

Page 6

also inside Fatty acids may help dry eye Page 18

Nutrition Roundup.............................................pg 4 Acupuncture offers pain relief...........................pg 9 Think your way to a better life.........................pg 10 Uncommon Sense..........................................pg 12 Menus offer healthy kid items.........................pg 16 Wrist pain needs rest......................................pg 17 Keep feet healthy with the right ďŹ&#x201A;ip-ďŹ&#x201A;ops........pg 19 Health Briefs...................................................pg 20 Health Calendar..............................................pg 21

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, 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: Summer Stair, 303-473-1212 sstair@times-call.com

Fitness Factions: Take a cue from health magazines PAGE 14

Thursday, June 21, 2012

LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado 3

HL Nutrition

Snack Smart, Snack Light Hunger pangs between breakfast, lunch and dinner can strike even those with the most nutritious meal regimens. In fact, snacking has increased in popularity; 97 percent of Americans snack daily, up from 71 percent four decades ago, according to a recent study from the Journal of Nutrition. That makes for a lot of snacking. For those who believe snacks are oﬀ-limits, here’s a pleasant surprise – snacking can actually beneﬁt a diet. In addition to curbing hunger, The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics notes that healthy snacks help keep your metabolism on track, stabilize blood sugar and provide the opportunity for supplementary nutrient intake. The Academy recommends consuming snacks with less than 200 calories. – ARA

In eras past, pushing vacuums whittled waistlines In the 1950s, women didn’t need Pilates or yoga to stay ﬁt. They had 25-pound vacuum cleaners. A recent British study found that back then the average waistline was 28 inches, but today it’s 36, because women had to exert so much more energy around the house than they do now. The study also found that a woman’s average caloric intake then was 1,818, compared to today’s 2,178. – McClatchy-Tribune

Seeds gain repute as a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber Chia seeds have become popular for their omega-3 fatty acids and fiber content. With their neutral taste, they can be consumed in many ways – now they’re even showing up in processed foods such as chips and spreads. Eaten by the Maya and Aztec people, chia seeds have long been reputed to be nutritional powerhouses. A tablespoon of the seeds has 60 calories, 5 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein and 3 grams of fat. Online, they’re about $10 a pound. – McClatchy-Tribune 4 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Ask the Expert:

Heart Attack

What do I need to know about heart attacks? It is very important to call 911 if you suspect you or a loved one is having a heart attack. Paramedics will use special equipment to assess your condition on the scene, and may implement a Cardiac Alert. A Cardiac Alert notifies CVI cardiologists and cardiac catheterization lab staff members at McKee Medical Center to be ready to treat you upon arrival. Patients who are treated quickly as a result of McKee’s Cardiac Alert program: • Experience fewer immediate complications from the heart attack • Have less heart muscle damage • Are less likely to suffer from long-term heart failure Time is muscle – the faster the artery is open, the better the patient outcome.

Where

Experts Work Best.

Jim Quillen, M.D. Cardiologist CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado Appointments: (970) 203-2400

McKee Medical Center & North Colorado Medical Center www.BannerHealth.com/CVI Thursday, June 21, 2012

LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado 5

The Sweet Life Understanding sweetners and why we crave them

Barbara Quinn McClatchy-Tribune

It was a lovely meal. And healthy, too. Fresh ﬁsh. Grilled vegetables. And then came dessert...and that’s all I’m going to say about that. What makes us so enjoy the taste of sweets? According to the latest position paper on “Nutritive and Non-nutritive Sweeteners” from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (http://www.andjrnl.org/article/ S2212-2672(12)00325-5/abstract) our taste for sugar is innate. It’s the sweet taste of lactose (milk sugar) that guides a newborn baby to mom’s breast. And genetics plays a role as well, say experts. Not everyone is “programmed” to desire the taste of sweets. I’ve known a handful of people in my lifetime that could take or leave dessert. I am not one of them. Here’s a quick primer on sweeteners in our diet: Nutritive sweeteners are a source of energy (calories). Some are a natural part of the food we eat such as lactose in dairy foods and fructose in fruit, honey and agave. Some “added sugars” are derived from natural sources. For example, sucrose _ half fructose and half glucose “table sugar” _ is found in cane and sugar beets. “Non-nutritive” sweeteners are those that impart a sweet taste without calories. Examples are acesulfame K (derived from an organic acid and potassium), aspartame (made from two protein-type amino acids), and stevia (a sugar-type molecule processed from the stevia plant). Sucralose (aka Splenda) is another example of a nonnutritive sweetener.

6 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado

Sweeteners do more than impart a sweet taste. Sugar inhibits the growth of microbes (bad bugs) in jams and jellies. It can balance the acid taste of dressings and sauces. It adds volume, texture, ﬂavor and color to various food creations. Chewing gum that contains xylitol _ a sugar alcohol _ has been found to prevent dental caries. We need sugar. It is the fuel that runs all of our body machinery. Glucose, for example is the primary energy source for every cell in the body. Cells _ including brain cells _ will die without adequate glucose. We eat more sugar than we need. Excessive amounts of added sugar provide no redeeming nutritional value other than added calories. And like all extra calories, those that are not burned for fuel get stored as fat. Experts tell us that excess consumption of added sugars is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Sweeteners used in the United States have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be safe for the general public, including during pregnancy. As with all nutrition recommendations, however, safe intake is within the context of an overall healthful diet. Bottom line, says the academy: We can safely enjoy a range of nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners within an eating plan guided by current nutrition research and our own health goals and preferences. We can choose to drink water, low-fat or non-fat milk, and other beverages with no added sugars. We can eat natural sources of sugar (such as fruit) for dessert more often. And we can share those special sweet desserts with a friend.

We need sugar. It is the fuel that runs all of our body machinery. Glucose, for example is the primary energy source for every cell in the body. Cells – including brain cells – will die without adequate glucose.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

We’re here for you. Were Check out our weekly video tips for a healthy, happy summer. University of Colorado Health experts are sharing key ways to live healthier lives in Healthy U Tips, a weekly video series at pvhs.org.

Does your child’s bike helmet really fit?

Dr. Peyton Taliaferro demonstrates the four simple steps you can take to ensure your child’s bike helmet or even your bike helmet - fits perfectly.

How to beat seasonal allergies

Dr. Susan Agrama shares four things you can do if seasonal allergies are getting the best of you.

Dr. Susan Agrama Dr. Peyton Taliaferro

1327 Eagle Drive, Loveland To make an appointment, call 970.619.6450 pvhs.org/clinics Thursday, June 21, 2012

LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado 7

Common summer aches and pains Kristine Smith For the Reporter-Herald

With the beginning of the summer season comes a start of some new aches and pains to remind us that there can be a price for all of this playtime. Living in Colorado,

with this glorious weather, most opt to head outdoors as much as possible which is always a healthy option, unless you overdo it. Strenuous activity can not only cause a temporary ache, but can result in health issues much past the summer months if certain aches and pains are ignored.

MOSQUITO BITES Most understand the need for insect spray, especially around the evening hours. However, these pesky critters are bound to get you at some point. A quick ﬁx is to apply some roll-on antiperspirant to the area as soon as possible, says Ken Haller, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University. The aluminum salt will shrink a mosquito bite down to nothing within 20 minutes. Stash a small travelsize bottle in your purse or backpack and you’ll always be prepared. BACK PAIN OR JOINT PAIN An increase in activity without proper stretching or other preparation can take its toll. According to Loveland physician Kenneth Pettine, of Rocky Mountain Associates in Orthopedic Medicine, “We have found garden-

GETTING OVERHEATED Beside the sensible solution of getting out of the sun and get into an air conditioned environment, dunking your clothes in a river or lake, or under a faucet, will cool a person down initially. Also, continue to drink water. If you feel poorly after 15 minutes, or begin running a fever, call a doctor as soon as possible. Do not forget to stay hydrated, drinking 8 to ten glasses of water a day. Some doctors even recommend 10 to 12 glasses a day as you increase your summer activities.

SUNBURN In Colorado, the sun’s rays can be particularly brutal. If you forget to slather on the sunscreen, or forget to reapply the sunscreen throughout your day outside, a lukewarm oatmeal bath can relieve your stinging skin. Oatmeal has anti-inﬂammatory properties, dilating blood vessels and decreasing redness and pain.

8 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado

ing or yard work to be the most common cause of lumbar strain/ sprain treated in the office during the summer months.” If you feel like you’re extending yourself, you probably are. That is when it is time to stop the activity and come back to it later. Tendonitis, which is an inflammation of the cords that connect muscle to bone, is seen more often this time of year, according to Dr. Dianne McCallister, the chief medical officer at Porter Adventist. She stated in a recent article that there are many simple things people can do to lessen their chances of developing tendonitis, including stretching muscles prior to an exercise session and working on strengthening muscles used for favorite activities. “Ease up or stop if you notice pain in an area and avoiding doing one activity for a prolonged period of time,” she said.

CONCLUSION Regardless of the summer activity being done, there is a risk of some aches and pains to accompany it. With proper preparation to avoid the strain and then proper treatment if the ache does occur, this can be a fun ﬁlled, active summer. As always, call a physician if the ailment does not go away with home treatments or rest.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Acupuncture offers pain relief to some Acupuncture works for me. That seemingly strange treatment where a trained and licensed practitioner sticks needles about my body has been practiced for centuries in Asia. It is used to treat most pain conditions – including lower back pain, shingles and other nerve pain, hand and knee pain, headaches, fibromyalgia and menstrual pain. Official research on the effectiveness of acupuncture produces mixed results, according to the Harvard Healthbeat newsletter. But my experience has been positive, although I would caution that results might take as many as 12 treatments. Traditional Chinese acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely fine needles into the skin at specific “acupoints” along the body’s

meridians. This action can result in pain relief by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkilling chemicals, and might affect the part of the brain that governs serotonin levels, the brain transmitter involved with mood, the Harvard newsletter says. Edward Lamadrid, a Spanishheritage doctor of acupuncture and founder of Integrative Health Studio in Chicago, has spent three decades studying alternative and complementary medicine. He is more direct. The first thing to know about acupuncture is that it is not painful, he says. “The needle is so fine and thin, it parts but does not puncture like a shot needle does,” he says. “Acupuncture can actually be very relaxing.” – McClatchy-Tribune

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LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado 9

Self Help Thinking your way to a better life Heidi Stevens McClatchy-Tribune

“Life’s slings and arrows” is Harvard-educated neuroscientist Richard J. Davidson’s phrase for the events we spend our days ducking, sometimes unsuccessfully. Losing out on that promotion. Getting dumped. Navigating a cocktail party of boors (or bores). The stuff that conspires to keep us in a foul mood, despite our best intentions. And Davidson argues that our response to such events _ and even to full-on tragedies, such as the death of a loved one _ is as much a part of our identity as our fingerprints. “Each of us is a color-wheel combination of the resilience, outlook, social intuition, self-awareness, context and attention dimensions of emotional style,” he writes in his new book, “The Emotional Life of Your Brain” (Hudson Street Press), “a unique blend that describes how you perceive the world and react to it, how you engage with others and how you navigate the obstacle course of life.” Unlike our fingerprints, though, our emotional style can be altered. “We have the power,” Davidson contends, “to live our lives and train our brains in ways that will shift where we fall on each of the six dimensions of emotional style.” That may sound more like your yoga instructor than a guy who has spent the past three decades studying brain chemistry. But study brain chemistry he does, which makes his findings all the more compelling. (And he did spend three months during graduate school in India and Sri Lanka studying meditation, therefore he’s entitled to sound a little like a yogi.) So, the six dimensions. Davidson, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, identifies them as such, based on activity he has identified in specific brain circuits: • Resilience: How slowly or quickly you recover from adversity. • Outlook: How long you are able to sustain positive emotion. • Social intuition: How adept you are at picking up social signals from the people around you. • Self-awareness: How well you perceive bodily feelings that reflect

emotions. • Sensitivity to context: How good you are at regulating your emotional responses to take into account the social context you find yourself in. • Attention: How sharp and clear your focus is. The book offers exercises to help assess your emotional style, mostly from true-or-false statements. (“When I go to a museum or attend a concert, the first few minutes are really enjoyable, but it doesn’t last.” “Often, when someone asks me why I am so angry or sad, I respond or think to myself, ‘But I’m not!’”) Answers yield a score that places you on a spectrum for each of the six dimensions. Scoring 1 in resilience, for example, means “fast to recover”; a 10 indicates “slow to recover.” “There’s no single optimal emotional style,” Davidson says. “Emotional diversity is crucial for the successful operation of society. It’s good, for example, that we have people who prefer to interact with machines over people. “Neither end of the spectrum is necessarily better or worse than its opposite.” Still, he contends, certain emotional styles make it harder to lead a meaningful, productive life. Which inspires both the bad news and the good news from the book. A person

10 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado

Thursday, June 21, 2012

who is self-opaque in the selfawareness department, puzzled in the social intuition department and unfocused in the attention department will likely struggle at dinner parties. (Bad news.) But, according to Davidson’s findings, the brain is malleable enough to kick your scores up or down each spectrum a few notches, paving the way for future social success. (Good news!) “It’s best to regard your emotional well-being as a skill that can be trained,” he says. “In many ways, it’s no different than learning to play the violin. If you practice, you’ll get better.” Essentially, Davidson argues, our brains – and therefore, our personalities – are hybrids of our genes and our environment. “We can’t do anything about our genes per se,” he says. “We’re all born with a complement of DNA that’s just not possible to change. But our brains are constantly being shaped by the forces around us, and we can take more responsibility for the optimal shaping of our brains by engaging in certain, deliberate behaviors.” The extent to which certain genes are expressed, he notes, is largely affected by our environment – or nurturing. “The decades-old neuroscience dogma that the adult brain is

essentially fixed in form and function is wrong,” he writes. The final chapter is devoted to specific exercises for adjusting your emotional style – rewiring your brain, if you will. To change your outlook: Write down one positive characteristic of yourself and one of someone you regularly interact with. Do this three times a day. For social intuition: To enhance your sensitivity to vocal cues of emotion, when you are in a public place such as a subway, a busy coffee shop, a store or an airport terminal, close your eyes and pay attention to the voices around you. Tune into specific voices; focus not on the intent but on the tone of voice. Describe to yourself what that tone conveys: serenity, joy, anxiety and stress. “One of the central messages of the book is that different things work differently for different people,” he says. “I encourage people to try things, to have an inquisitive curiosity and a playful attitude to see what works.” Different strokes for different folks, emotional diversity, we get all that. But we have to know: Is there one person who embodies a truly enviable emotional style? “The Dalai Lama,” Davidson replies, without skipping a beat. “He is someone who I believe has extraordinary resilience, who recovers very quickly from adversity. He has a very positive outlook, in that he is able to maintain very high levels of positive emotion across time. He has extraordinary social intuition – he’s able to pick up on nonverbal cues of others in uncanny ways. “Self-awareness: He is intimately in tune with what’s going on inside himself. He has tremendous awareness of context so that he can behave in ways that are appropriate to any given context. He has an enormous capacity to control his attention. On every one of the six emotional styles, he is an extreme end point.” And he’s probably delightful at cocktail parties.

EMOTIONAL STYLE IN RELATIONSHIPS How do different emotional styles play out in relationships? We asked Richard J. Davidson if mismatched emotional wiring spelled doom for a couple. “I think that there are marriages that work with people who have very different emotional styles that complement one another – if they can find ways to work together,” he says. “For example, if one member of a couple is highly socially intuitive and the other member is not, the highly social one could be the designated member of the pair who enables their social network and who makes social arrangements for the family, whereas the one who’s not very socially intuitive takes care of the house, manages their finances and so forth. “Basically what we’re talking about is an optimal division of labor,” he says. “In order for a successful relationship to work, it’s important that each member contribute in different ways. If two people have identical emotional styles, it actually may lead them to want to take responsibility for the same things. And that may not be optimal either.”

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LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado 11

HL Uncommon Sense A Good Listener vs. A Problem Solver

Be clear what you want when asking for help Dr. Beth Firestein Licensed Psychologist

Dear Dr. Beth: A single woman can be very resourceful by learning to ask questions AND listen to the answer. If you are not ready to hear the answer, don’t ask the question. How do you know when you are ready to listen? Dr. Beth: Thanks for asking such an interesting question. Other people can be tremendous resources when we are struggling with life situations and personal challenges. Every person has a different knowledge base, a different set of experiences and a different perspective. Many times these fresh viewpoints are very helpful and we want advice, but at other times advice can feel intrusive, especially if we are really just looking for information and a listening ear. At some point, you have probably been in the position of having a woman friend come to you with a problem. You may have had ideas about how she can deal with her situation. She may be coming to you specifically asking for advice or she may just want someone who will listen to her vent and be sympathetic toward her situation. It’s tricky sometimes to know when someone wants your input and when they don’t, and people aren’t always clear about what they want from you when they start sharing their personal or business problems. If you are unsure about what your friend is looking for, it is always best to ask. As you point out in your question, people sometimes ask questions but aren’t really in a psychological or emotional place to hear the answers. It can be very frustrating to have a friend

come to you for feedback or advice and then not listen, or completely ignore your valuable insights. The person seeking the support may or may not be ready to listen to your ideas and answers. As the person responding to the request, you need to be aware that your input may or may not be heard and may or may not be acted upon. Offering an opinion is like giving a gift—it has to be given with no strings attached. Otherwise, you set yourself up for disappointment and frustration. If you happen to be the person looking for support, try to be aware of whether you are seeking emotional support, practical feedback, or both. If you can, try to go to your friend or family member when you are truly in a receptive mood to hear what she or he has to say. You always have the choice to take the parts of what they offer that seem useful to you and let go of the rest. You may listen well and still not feel the advice is right for you. Be sure to remember to express gratitude to the other person for sharing their Dr. Beth Firestein is a licensed time and their ideas. psychologist. She has 24 years of One of the greatest therapy experience and has practiced in ways to express gratiLoveland for more than 14 years. tude is simply to listen She may be reached by calling her and let your friend office at 970-635-9116, via email at know that you are payfirewom@webaccess.net or by visiting ing attention to what www.bethfirestein.com. she is sharing with you, regardless of whether

Uncommon Sense with Beth Firestein

12 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado

Thursday, June 21, 2012

you are the “asker” or the “askee”.

Dear Dr. Beth: About a dozen members of my boyfriend’s family are coming in for a long weekend. I know some of them, but many of them I haven’t met before. There are lots of social plans and it sounds like we will be on the go pretty much all day and every evening. And all of them will be staying at his house! I love my boyfriend and I want to get to know his family, but I don’t know if I can take 4 days with someone else’s relatives. Also, I like social things but I am also somewhat of an introvert. I know I need down time and time to myself. What do I do so the situation doesn’t drive me crazy? Dr. Beth: Four days is a lot of time for most people to spend with their own family, much less someone else’s. Of course, most people who are in a signiﬁcant relationship will be dealing with their partner’s family to some extent. These exchanges can often be fun and a great way to hear interesting stories about your current love interest. If you and your boyfriend live in separate houses, you are deﬁnitely at an advantage in dealing with the situation, though some of the same strategies can apply even if you are living together. From your question, it sounds like he has his own house and so I will assume you don’t live together. The key to creating a successful experience with your boyfriend’s family is to participate fully in as many of the activities as you want, keeping in

mind your introverted nature and your own personal time and energy limitations. Naturally, some of these events will be much more important to your boyfriend and his family than others, so this is something to keep in mind as you think about which events you want to participate in. Communicate with your boyfriend in advance of the visit to let him know your feelings, needs and worries. No doubt most of what you share will not come as a surprise to him, since your feelings are quite normal for this type of situation. He probably already knows that you need a balance of social time and “down time” but do gently remind him of this. Ask him which events are the most important to him and let him know you deﬁnitely want to participate in those events. Negotiate with your partner how you might arrange to have the quiet personal time that you also need. For example, if you are spending the whole morning with the family and they are oﬀ on another afternoon adventure, maybe you can let your boyfriend know that you may decide to stay home and rejoin the family for the evening festivities. If late nights are customary in his family but not fun for you, create realistic plans about how you might politely excuse yourself and take some personal time to unwind and get to sleep at a decent hour. Ask for his support in this. In summary, let him know how much you truly do want to get to know his family, but you don’t need to compromise all of you own needs to convince him of this. You don’t need to prove anything to him and he can probably be comfortable respecting your needs as well. Finally, don’t guilt-trip yourself about the things you don’t have energy to do; just enjoy with the activities you do with his family to the fullest and enjoy the ride! After all, it’s only four days.

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LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado 13

Fitness Factions

Take a cue from the opposite sex when it comes to working out Julie Deardorff McClathcy-Tribune

I’m one of those women who likes reading men’s health and fitness magazines. Though they all promise bodies and sex lives that most of us will never have, I’m drawn to the funny, self-deprecating tone, the functional workout tips and the emphasis on sweat, competition and strength training. Yes, women’s magazines have these elements but on a vastly diminished scale. They’re fluffier, in part because beauty products and clothes are considered health-related, but also because women are still plagued by the irrational fear of “bulking up.” We won’t get huge without added testosterone, but some magazines still perpetuate the notion that men should build insanely huge muscles and women need to lose fat. A recent Muscle & Fitness magazine cover, for example, promised

“75 of the Best Muscle Building Exercises.” By contrast, Muscle & Fitness Hers, the female counterpart to the bodybuilder mag, featured thinspiration, including “The Skinny on Fat Loss” and “The Best Natural Appetite Suppressants.” The majority of advertisements touted fat-burning supplements, stimulants and weight loss products. Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazines have plenty of overlapping content. Both recognize that both genders compete in marathons and triathlons, want great abs in 15 minutes and need nutritional guidance. But the editors use considerably different voices to reach their male and female readers. “For Women’s Health, it’s a conﬁding, challenging, sisterly thing – equal parts encouragement, sympathy and advice. It comes from a place of ‘just us girls,’” said David Zinczenko, editor-in-chief of Men’s Health and editorial director of Women’s Health. “Guys tend to be a bit more brac-

14 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado

Thursday, June 21, 2012

ing with their counsel, with a healthy dose of humor – plus self-denigration – thrown into the mix,” Zinczenko added. “First we laugh at ourselves, then we laugh at you, then we deliver the goods straight up, with an expert chaser.” Women’s Health also uses a larger typeface than Men’s Health. Though it may be simply a design decision, larger fonts can elicit stronger emotional brain responses, according to a study by German researchers. The direct “male” approach is what I find appealing. Men’s workouts are usually cast as a way to build a stronger body. Women’s exercises are given cute, superficial names, such as “The Wedding Dress Workout” or “The Bikini Body Booty routine.” Rather than sending the message that exercise builds muscle, confidence and improves mental health, the emphasis is on looking good. If your workout goal is to fit into a swimsuit, you’re using an unsustainable approach to fitness. But if your

is to get healthy – which means incorporating it as a lifestyle – you’ll have a body that you want to show off. Still, some women – and magazines – are catching on. At Details, where 32 percent of the online readership is female, there’s a growing recognition that “the gender boundaries in fitness studios and gyms have been blurred,” said Details senior editor Sheila Monaghan, who edits the health, fitness and nutrition section. “Fitness has become this sort of equalizer between the sexes,” she said. “Everyone wants the same results.”

TAKING CUES FROM THE OPPOSITE SEX What women can learn from reading men’s magazines: 1. Worry more about building muscle than burning fat. Women “focus on working out with low weights and high repetitions, using weights that are significantly lighter than objects they lift all day long, such as children,” fitness trainer Tom Holland wrote in his book “Beat the Gym.” This increases the muscles’ endurance without making any meaningful changes. “It’s a waste of time,” he said. 2. Play games. Men often think of themselves as athletes; they play pickup basketball, hit the driving range or join a soccer game to keep workouts fresh and fun. Chose an activity over the elliptical machine or treadmill. 3. Learn from real athletes. Women’s magazines often feature workouts from actresses who have to look good for the camera. Men’s magazines are full of training secrets from athletes who have to perform. What men can learn from women’s fitness magazines: 1. Join a class. Men were the ones who invented Zumba and Pilates; yoga and barre can also strengthen muscles men didn’t know they had, increase flexibility, help prevent injury and shift the focus from boring gym routines. 2. Lighten up. While women could use heavier weights, men can benefit from lighter ones or even body weight

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exercises. “With men, the major problem is ego; they want to impress the other guys in the gym,” said Holland. “It leads to bad form, decreased results and inevitable injury.” 3. Balance: Men typically train their mirror muscles – the chest and biceps. Incorporating a workout from a woman’s magazine could help target other muscle groups and result in a more balanced physique.

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LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado 15

Healthy children’s options are now appearing on restaurant menus Article Resource Association

Today’s youth might be the first generation of American children to be less healthy than their parents, with childhood obesity more than tripling in the past 30 years. What’s encouraging, however, is that this is a time of increased national focus on healthy eating - and it is going to take all stakeholders to make a true and sustained difference. With physical activity initiatives popping up in communities across the country and recently announced new U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines on school lunches, there are more opportunities for children to thrive. The restaurant industry is supporting those efforts by doing its part to address the nation’s healthy living challenges and to help improve children’s nutrition offerings. Last July, the National Restaurant Association launched Kids LiveWell, a first-of-its-kind voluntary program in which participating restaurants agree to offer and promote a selection of menu items for children that meet established nutritional criteria based on current dietary recommendations,

including the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. Well-balanced lifestyle habits established early in childhood, including healthy eating and physical activity, can help to reduce weight gain and the potential risk of disease later in life. The goal is to provide more healthful meal options for children, including a variety of nutrient-rich food groups, when families are dining out. Through Kids LiveWell, parents are provided with the confidence that they can take their families out to eat and enjoy a nutritious and tasty meal. Across the country, participating restaurants have increased the variety and number of offerings on the children’s menu when it comes to fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat dairy, while limiting unhealthy fats, sugar and sodium. By offering more options and pairing healthful foods together on one plate, restaurants are providing a real-life opportunity for parents to educate children about well-balanced nutrition choices while eating away from home.

Since last year’s kick-oﬀ, the number of restaurants participating in the Kids LiveWell program has more than tripled and now stands at 68 restaurant brands representing more than 22,000 locations nationwide. The brands range from casual dining such as Outback Steakhouse and Denny’s to neighborhood eateries, from quick serve restaurants like Burger King to ﬁne dining establishments, and the variety and volume of brands is slated to grow as the program further evolves. Parents can learn more at HealthyDiningFinder.com, which also has a mobile website for parents on the go. Follow the program on Twitter @ KidsLiveWell and Facebook to stay informed of new participating restaurants and other health and wellness news.

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16 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Wrists overworked?

Take regular breaks and ice the pain Judy Hevrdejs McClathcy-Tribune

Maybe your wrists and fingers swell when you leave work. Or maybe they ache or go numb in the middle of the night. Sounds as if you’ve been messing with your carpal tunnel – that tiny tunnel in your wrist where the median nerve, flexor muscles and flexor tendons travel en route to your hands and fingers to make them open and close. If you’re a keyboard jockey, dental hygienist, factory worker or someone else who has been keeping your hands busy with repetitive motions or holding them for long periods in positions other than flat, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. “That tunnel is very, very tiny. ... So when there’s swelling around the tendons, it fills up the space and causes pressure,” says Debbie Amini, an occupational therapist and member of the American Occupational Therapy Association in Bethesda, Md. “And that puts pressure on the median nerve so the nerve can no longer get nutrition from its blood supply. “People who use their hands and their fingers a lot – like typists – can overuse those muscles to the point they become inflamed,” she says. Other factors that can cause those hand muscles and tendons to swell, says Amini, whose expertise is hand rehabilitation and occupationbased hand therapy: working with very tiny instruments or vibrating machines, holding a pinch or keeping your hands in extreme positions, bent forward or backward. “If your hand is lying flat and you bend your wrist with the fingers pointing to the floor or if you point your fingers toward the ceiling, it’s basically the extremes of either of those positions that increases the pressure,” adds Amini, the director of the occupational therapy assistant program at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C. “If somebody constantly has their hands in one extreme or the other, it’s enough to cut off the blood supply to the nerves so the person can develop carpal tunnel syndrome.” This wasn’t a big deal when people were pecking away at typewriters? “People typing on the typewriter had to stop and move their hands

in many diﬀerent ways. They had to stop and return the carriage or put in a new piece of paper,” says Amini. “The problem now is that you can sit on a computer and never, ever leave.”

ACTION PLAN To prevent or minimize carpal tunnel issues related to work, occupational therapist Debbie Amini suggests: Take a break: Try at least ﬁve minutes each hour “if you are working at a repetitive task with no natural stopping point or is not comprised of multiple types of movements.” No need to decrease productivity; open mail, organize ﬁles. Be proactive: “Do not wait until you begin to have symptoms.” Check it: Don’t hold your hands in exaggerated positions for long periods of time. It exacerbates carpal tunnel fatigue. Position: “Straight across with hands and wrists in alignment as much as possible.” Ice it: Hands hot and swollen after work? Put ice packs on for 20 minutes. “If you haven’t been to a doctor

Thursday, June 21, 2012

to know exactly what is causing the problem, then ice is probably safest.” Also, ice it right: “Make sure there’s some type of towel material between the ice pack and your skin.” Never apply ice directly to your skin. Try an over-the-counter splint: “It holds the wrist straight and keeps the blood flowing well to that nerve.” Some wear them while doing the activities; others wear them while sleeping at night. Avoid heat: “If (it’s) an inflammation problem, don’t add heat because that simply increases the inflammation.” Stretch and shake: Stretch your neck, shoulders and all the way down to your hands. “Shake them out. ... It’s not going to be a cure, but it gets your circulation going, gets those tendons out of that constant repetitive mode they’re in.” See a doctor if pain or numbness in your hands and wrists “wakes you up at night or you’re starting to see changes in your ability to function or you start to feel like you’re dropping things.”

LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado 17

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18 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado

Consuming more fatty acids may reduce symptoms of dry eye Article Resource Association

Summer weather may bring warmer, humid air, but millions of Americans still experience discomfort associated with dry eye syndrome. Dry eye is a condition where tears lack sufficient moisture and lubrication, which is necessary to maintain good eye health and clear vision. Tears not only wash away dust, but also soothe the eyes, provide oxygen and nutrients to the cornea and help defend against eye infections by removing bacteria. The frequency and severity of dry eye varies but may include irritated or gritty eyes, redness, burning, a feeling that something is in your eyes, blurred vision and even excessive watering. This condition has a multitude of causes but generally stems from the following factors: • Age: As Americans age, eyes naturally become drier. Typically, people older than 65 experience some dry eye symptoms. • Gender: Women are more likely to develop dry eye with hormonal changes during pregnancy, while using oral contraceptives and following menopause. • Medications: Decongestants, antihistamines and antidepressants are among numerous medications that can reduce tear production. • Medical conditions: Health issues associated with arthritis, diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome and thyroid problems can produce dry eye symptoms. • Environment: Dry climates and exposure to wind and smoke may trigger dry eye. • Eyewear/surgery: Contact lenses may cause dry eye or make eyes less comfortable if they are dry, and eye surgery may lead to a temporary decrease in tear production. • Cosmetics: When the lid margin is coated with heavy makeup, it can block the openings of the oily glands, which help lubricate the eye. Treatment for dry eye syndrome varies depending on the severity. Several new studies have confirmed the correlation between fatty acids and an improvement in dry eye syndrome. Salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel and other cold-water fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation, enhance tear production and support the eye’s oily outer layer, as well as provide health benefits for your cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems. Additionally, some people can use artificial tears or ointments that simulate the action of tears. There are also oral capsules that can maintain tear production and guard against future tear loss. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends consulting an eye doctor to diagnose the condition and discuss proper treatment. The AOA also recommends adults have yearly eye exams. For additional information on how best to cope with dry eyes, visit www.AOA.org.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Foot Health

Secrets for choosing ﬂip-ﬂops that look and feel great Article Resource Association

Let’s face it - flip-flops are mainstream, and not just because they’re stylish, easy-to-wear and cooler when the weather warms. For many of us, flip-flops are the equivalent of comfort-food for the sole. Slip into those comfy, light, lovely shoes and you feel like summer really has arrived. Yet if you’re prone to foot problems or concerned with overall foot health, you may shy away from one of summer’s great joys, believing flip-flops aren’t good for your feet. After all, 50 percent of Americans have experienced foot pain or discomfort at some point, and improper footwear is a leading cause, according to a survey by the

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American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). “Non-supportive flip-flops cause a common foot injury known as plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot and the heel,” says podiatrist Phillip Vasyli, co-founder with integrative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil of Weil Integrative Footwear. “Flipflops leave feet prone to common muscle overuse injuries, which can be easily prevented with the right footwear.” The good news is, you can wear flip-flops-even if you never thought you could. It is possible to find stylish, good-looking varieties that feel great and are healthful for your feet. The APMA offers some tips for choosing flip-flops: • Look for shoes, including flip-flops, that have earned the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance. This seal indicates the APMA considers the shoe to be one that promotes good foot health. • Choose a flip-flop that bends only at the ball of the foot. You shouldn’t be able to bend your flip-flop in half. • Look for flip-flops made of high-quality, soft leather for the thong and a sturdy, comfortable, supportive base. • Choose flip-flops in the correct size so your toes or heels don’t hang off the edge of the sole. • Replace last year’s worn flip-flops if they show signs of wear. • Wear your supportive flip-flops and stylish, comfortable sandals at the pool, beach or for a fun evening dining al fresco. Save them for another time if you’re planning on doing yard work, playing sports or will be walking for a long time.

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Thursday, June 21, 2012

LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado 19

HL Health Briefs Two Banner Health Clinic consolidate in Windsor Banner Health will merge two medical clinics in Windsor later this summer to achieve efficiencies and improve access to services for residents there. The move will result in the closing of Banner Medical Clinic – Highland Meadows. Family Medicine specialist Anthony Doft, MD, will see patients at the Medical Arts Centre of Windsor, 1300 Main St. Patients there will have access to services on site including endocrinology, family counseling, gastrointestinal, lactation consulting, OB/GYN, orthopedic, physical therapy and stress management. The clinic also offers on-site laboratory, pharmacy and diagnostic imaging. Dr. Doft will join Internal Medicine specialist Lance Barker, D.O., and Family Medicine specialists Jonathan Kary, MD, and Trina Kessinger, MD, effective Aug. 1. Nurse Practitioner Shari Detterer will move from the Highland Meadows clinic to Fossil Creek Family Practice, 303 Colland Drive, Fort Collins (near the intersection of U.S. 287 and County Road 32 between Fort Collins and Loveland). Shari joins board certified Family Medicine specialists Eliz Albritton, MD, and Scott Schaffer, MD., effective June 18. The clinic serves patients of all ages with special interests in women’s health, sports medicine and travel medicine. Medical Arts Centre of Windsor, call 970-686-5646. To schedule an appointment or learn more about Fossil Creek Family Practice, call 970-461-8031. McKee Medical Center awards $20,000 in health care scholarships McKee Medical Center announces five recipients of health career student and adult scholarships for 2012. McKee Medical Center funds these scholarships with contributions specifically for this purpose. Contributors to the scholarship fund include the McKee Foundation Board and the McKee Volunteers. The amount of scholarship funds awarded for 2012 is $20,000. The recipient in the adult learner category is Sarah Patrick and the recipient as a McKee employee’s child is Sara Trout. Additionally, high school seniors were awarded scholarships. They are Lyndie Parker from Loveland High School; Alyssa Mihaly from Thompson Valley High School and Luis Garcia from Mountain View High School. Scholarships from McKee Medical Center have been offered since 1989. Total scholarships of $374,000 have been awarded since the inception of the program. Scholarships are awarded to individuals in a healthcare related field.

Be aware of germs when traveling on airplanes, says expert Harry Jackson Jr. McClathcy-Tribune

Don’t let stray germs ruin your travel plans. Here’s something to brighten up your summer travel prospects. Airports and airplanes are major gathering places for microbes from around the world, says Peter J. Sheldon Sr., a vice president with the Coverall Health-Based Cleaning System a company that cleans places such as hospitals. Nothing ruins a trip more than spending it in bed with a bug you picked up during the travel, he said. And there’s no better way to spread them than pack a lot of people into a small place. So be cautious and take steps to stay well, Sheldon said. The first line of defense, is to carry a hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes. Then, know the favorite places where germs and viruses to linger. 1. The airplane toilet _–The airplane washroom is the germiest place on a trip, or for that matter, any toilet in a transportation hub. E. coli and other infectious agents can be on any surface. The tiny sink, door handles, even the paper dispensers have germs. The facilities devices are rarely cleaned adequately between flights, especially continuing flights. Advice – Avoid using the airplane restroom. If you must, use paper towels to turn faucets on and off and to open the door. Close the lid of the toilet before flushing. Carry sanitizing wipes and use them when you exit 2. Onboard magazines – Passengers don’t wash their hands before reading an airplane magazine, and often they lick their fingers as they turn the page. Advice – Bring your own reading material and avoid touching anything on the back of the seat except the emergency evacuation

20 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado

Thursday, June 21, 2012

instructions. Use the alcohol wipes. 3. Water fountains – Public drinking fountains can harbor as many as 2.7 million bacteria per square inch on the spigot. Advice – Avoid fountains. Bring water in small bottles. Often checkins allow sealed bottles. Or buy water from vendors in the terminal. On the airplane, ask for bottled water from the beverage cart as on-board tap water can carry microbes. 4. The airline pillows and blankets – Of 100 pillows and blankets on an airplane, five will be contaminated with cold or flu viruses from coughs, sneezes or drool, says Sheldon. Advice – Rather than risk the dice throw of on-board pillows and blankets, bring your own U-shaped neck pillow. Or, wear an extra layer of clothing if you’re prone to chills. Use your coat as a blanket and ball up that sweater for a pillow. 5. The security line – No one itches to walk through an airport security line, but you may be itching afterwards if you let your feet go commando. You can pick up foot infections including athlete’s foot and mysterious grunge from others’ shoes. Advice – Always wear socks when traveling to avoid barefoot time. Wear sturdy shoes on the flight in case of emergencies.

HL Health Line Calendar Breast-Feeding Support Group When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (except holidays), 10-11 a.m. Where: McKee Medical Center Cost: Free. No need to register Contact: 970-669-9355

General Cancer Support When: Tuesdays, 5:30-7 p.m. Where: McKee Cancer Center lobby Cost: Free Contact: 970-635-4129

Bright Beginnings for Infants Bright Beginnings is designed to celebrate the birth of new babies and provide families with health, safety, development, play and community resource information. When: July 16, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Where: Family Birth Center Conference Room, 3rd Floor Cost: Free Contact: 970-495-7526 to register Loveland’s Diabetes Support Group When: 6:30 - 8 p.m., July 19: The Diabetic Foot, Dr. Nathan Hunt, Podiatrist Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center, 2000 Boise Ave. Cost: Free Contact: 970-622-1950 Total Joint Education Physical therapists and occupational therapists prepare patients for surgery. This program is coordinated through your physician’s oﬃce as part of the surgery scheduling process. When: Thursdays, 3 p.m. Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center Cost: Free Contact: 970-635-4172to register Breast Cancer Support Group When: TBD Where: McKee Cancer Center lobby Cost: Free Contact: 970-622-1961 Caregiver Cancer Support Group When: July 5, 19 Where: Call for locations Cost: Free Contact: 970-635-4129 Caregivers Support For caregivers of elderly adults. The group focuses on providing support and education about community resources and behavior issues, particularly 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., Loveland Cost: Free. Care of elderly adult family members or friends is available through Stepping Stones Adult Day Program during meeting times at no charge. Contact: 970-669-7069

Man-to-Man: Prostate Cancer Support Group Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center When: TBD Cost: Free Contact: 970-622-1961 Soulplay Art Therapy People whose lives are touched by cancer experience the beneﬁts of expressing themselves through art. No art experience needed. When: TBD Where: McKee Cancer Center Conference Room Cost: Free Contact: 970-635-4129 Blood Pressure Screening Have your blood pressure checked by a wellness specialist. When: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Where: McKee Wellness Services,1805 E. 18th St. Suite 6, Loveland Cost: Free Contact: 970-669-9355

Blood Tests Wellness services oﬀers low-cost blood screenings open to community members; some immunizations are also available upon request and availability. Please fast 12 hours prior to blood draw. Payment is due at time of service. Insurance billing is not available. When: By appointment only. July 3, 17 Where: McKee Wellness Services, 1805 E. 18th St. Suite 6, Loveland Cost: Varies Contact: 970-669-9355 Are You Covered? Join McKee Spirit of Women, McKee Foundation and Seasons Club to learn from experts about health and life insurance and how life events impact insurance needs. Publicly funded options also will be covered. Refreshments provided. When: July 19, 5-7 p.m. Where: McKee Wellness Walk Cost: Free Contact: 970-203-6631 to RSVP

Thursday, June 21, 2012

LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado 21

PAID ADVERTORIAL

McKee Medical Center keeps patients at ease with follow up phone calls McKee Medical Center

Going home from the hospital is a highly anticipated occasion for most patients. Going home signifies that your health has improved and you are on the road to recovery. You leave the hospital armed with discharge instructions to continue your care and happily leave the hospital looking forward to being back in the comforts of your own home. When arriving home, you may begin to experience some anxiety. What did the nurse tell me about taking this medication? How many times a day should I take my medication? When do I come back to follow up with my doctor? The time of discharge from a hospital is actually one of the most vulnerable times for a patient. Leaving the hospital coincides with a landslide of information for your care at home. Processing all of the information about follow up appointments and filling prescriptions when you are recovering from an accident or illness can be overwhelming and confusing. At McKee Medical Center, the nursing staff provides relief from the confusion by reaching out to recently discharged patients with a follow up phone call. These phone calls are part of the continuum of care provided by McKee to ensure patients are receiving the highest level of quality care after discharge. McKee implemented the discharge phone call process several years ago. In its infancy, the discharge phone call system was used primarily to assess if patients were satisfied with their hospital experience. While patient experience remains a top priority, the focus of the call has evolved into addressing discharge concerns and health issues in the immediate recovery period. Through the discharge phone call program, McKee nurses can also identify areas of opportunity for improvement to prepare patients and families for discharge more effectively. Taking feedback from patients, the care team including physicians, nurses, care managers, and educators can begin the discharge planning process earlier and help develop a highly coordinated experience. Patients also have the opportunity to provide feedback on the care provided while in the hospital. One of the largest challenges for patients upon discharge is navigating medications. Adverse drug events are a common post-discharge complication according to the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality. “Our nurses have found numerous episodes of patients or family members not understanding the significance of the medications or patients who are having major issues filling the prescriptions because of cost or transportation barriers, “says Debra Fox, Chief Nursing Officer at McKee. Another success realized by follow up calls is identifying patient issues early to avoid a hospital readmission. “We have patients who didn’t make their follow up physician appointments or needed physician intervention and didn’t realize it,” says Fox. The focus on the after care of patients is so important to McKee that this January a new RN role was dedicated to making this essential connection with patients. Pat Village, director of professional practice and clinical support at

22 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado

McKee, says “This new role allows for a more robust follow up from our staff. The calls are really about how to support the patient and the family. The intent of the call has switched from a touch point in our service to a vital part of our patient care.” Along with providing patient care, the calls “help us close the loop on quality issues by identifying potential issues and taking those back to our unit practice councils to incorporate this information,” adds Village. The highly experienced nurses dedicated to making follow up calls are specially trained in managing emergent needs. They provide support by facilitating follow up appointments and care with physicians, ensuring medications are managed correctly and prescriptions are filled, addressing patient symptoms in real time, and advising patients during their recovery so they can progress to optimum health status. Often times, the discharge phone call nurse will contact patients several times during their recovery period if patients do not have a support system in place or have had recurrent issues. Even though this position has only been in place for six months, the success of this process has been realized by process improvement and positive patient experience. “It is the right thing to do for our patients,” Village said. “It is a wonderful support to our community.”

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Introducing Dr. Jennifer Reeve

Kaea Beresford, MD

Taking Appointments June 1 in Loveland

Is excited to bring CNM care to Loveland and the surrounding communities, delivering at Medical Center of the Rockies.

Susan Bush, CNM

Eric Yeh, MD

Tina Downes, CNM

Announcing Retirement Summer 2012

In-Office Services

John Carlton, MD

Robert Burke, MD

2500 Rocky Mountain Ave North Medical Building â&#x20AC;˘ Suite 150 Loveland, CO 80538

970.493.7442 www.fcwc.com

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Obstetrics Gynecology Digital Mammography Ultrasound Genetic Counseling Essure

Caring for All Women Always

LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado 23

Ask the Experts:

Varicose Veins

I have veins in my legs that are discolored and painful. What are these and how are they treated? Varicose veins are superficial veins that are dilated and bulge under the skin. They can be blue or purple in color and are often found behind the knees and in calves and thighs. They can cause swelling, aching in the legs and damage to the skin leading to open wounds. Varicose veins are treated with a laser procedure to seal the vein. Spider veins are tiny blood vessels below the surface of the skin. These are treated, via injection, through a method called sclerotherapy that causes the vein walls to collapse.

Where

Experts Work Best.

Maurice Lyons, D.O., Cardiovascular Surgeon Kenneth Richards, M.D., Cardiovascular Surgeon Todd Bruce, PA-C, Cardiovascular Physician Assistant NCMC Vein Clinic CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado 1800 15th St., Suite 340, Greeley Appointments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (970) 378-4100

McKee Medical Center & North Colorado Medical Center

24 LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD / Health Line of Northern Colorado