Health Guide 2016

Health

Guide 2016

SUMMER SKIN CARE GUIDE

secrets to better sleep A DAILY JOURNAL PUBLICATION

cognitive health tips

Health Guide You’re Getting Sleepy You need your rest in order to maintain your health.

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2016 HEALTH GUIDE

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Learn not to Burn Tips to keep your skin safe this summer.

Stay Sharp Tips to keep your brain functioning as well as it can as you age.

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ALSO INSIDE Why soda is so bad for your health.............................................. 10 Why being out in nature is so good for children.......................... 11 Physicians, patients need to develop a healthy dialogue.............. 12 Thinking on peanut allergies may be shifting............................... 14 Prevent eye injuries...................................................................... 16 Doctors say skipping lunch not good for you............................... 17 No quick cure for depression....................................................... 18 Understanding heart disease in women........................................ 18 Southside Health Guide is published by the DAILY JOURNAL

For editorial content, contact Paul Hoffman in the Daily Journal special publications department at (317) 736-2721 or by e-mail at phoffman@ dailyjournal.net.

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2016 health guide

Get your rest

Both quality, quantity of sleep are important

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n today’s health obsessed culture, people worry about getting the proper workout and eliminating preservatives from their diet, but often, sleep, arguably the most important health aid, is overlooked.

Insomnia is also considered a personal problem, but sleeplessness does affect society. Research from Harvard Medical School shows the effects of insomnia on the economy, for example. The average American misses 11.3 days each year from work due to some type of insomnia, costing $63.2 billion annually.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowsy driving is also a problem. Being sleepy behind the wheel, rather it’s due to last of sleep, medications or shift work, contributes to driver inattention, poor decision making and slow reactions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving was responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries and 800 deaths in 2013.

The NHTA considers that estimate low, saying 6,000 fatal crashes each year may be caused by drowsy drivers. An estimated 1 in 25 adult drivers reported to the researchers having fallen asleep while driving in the previous 30 days.

The National Sleep Foundation sur-

By Amy May/staff writer veyed Americans’ sleep habits and reports that 45 percent of Americans say that lack of sleep has affected their performance in the last seven days. Among those who get the recommended 7-8 hours a night, 35 percent report their sleep is of poor quality.

Women are more likely to suffer insomnia, while men suffer from sleep apnea.

Mike Merrick, clinical supervisor of the Johnson Memorial Hospital Sleep Care Center, said insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for the full 7-8 hours, which is the recommended amount for an adult.

Between 30 and 50 percent of individuals suffer from insomnia at some point and more than 10 percent have insomnia issues for a long duration of time. Insomnia strikes both young and old.

The causes for insomnia can include physical health problems, such as acid reflux or back pain, or mental health issues like post-traumatic stress syndrome. But many cases have no obvious cause.

Temporary issues that keep people awake, such as having a new infant in the home, worrying about work or suffering a relationship problem, are generally not considered insomnia, Merrick said, since the person will likely resume normal sleep once things are back to normal.

Insomniacs should first consider their sleep hygiene, which is the various habits and environmental factors that influence sleep.

Merrick said people should be sure they have a clean, comfortable bed with good pillows. Make sure the room is cool and dark. Eliminate distractions such as a TV, radio or phone.

“This is especially a problem among teenagers, who need more sleep. They take their phones to bed,” he said.

“And no pets,” he added. “Although this is a controversy.”

If improving sleep hygiene doesn’t help, Merrick recommends people talk to their doctor.

The family physician can check for other health issues that might be causing the insomnia, prescribe sleep aids for short-term relief or refer the patient to a sleep specialist.

At a sleep lab, patients are monitored while they sleep. The technicians can track a variety of physical levels, such as heart rate, breathing, eye movements and oxygen. They will record the patient to check for snoring and attach electrodes to muscles to see if the person is moving too much or straining to breathe.

“By looking at all that information, we can tell when you are in the different

2016 HEALTH GUIDE

stages of sleep and how you’re breathing,” Merrick said.

The most common sleep disorder seen at Johnson Memorial Hospital’s sleep center is obstructive sleep apnea, which is a condition where the soft palette tissues obstruct the airway during sleep. Sleep apnea sufferers generally have very pronounced snoring and may wake several times during the night, sometimes feeling like they are choking.

“Ninety to 95 percent of what we see here is for obstructive sleep disorder,” Merrick said.

The sleep care center also treats periodic limb movement disorder, also known as restless leg disorder.

Both conditions cause micro-arousals.

The person may wake several times during the night, often not aware he is doing so.

The patient may sleep through the night, but he is not getting high-quality, deep, recharging sleep, called REM (rapid eye movement, the stage where dreaming occurs), due to the constant micro-arousals.

“A lot of times, folks think they are sleeping well, but they really aren’t,” Merrick said.

People who don’t get enough sleep have numerous health problems. In addition to being more prone to accidents, they are

at risk of heart disease, stroke and obesity.

The National Sleep Foundation says sufferers have an elevated risk of depression, and have higher overall rates of illness and poorer health in general.

People more likely to suffer from apnea are people with a genetic history of it, older people, smokers, drinkers, the overweight and anyone with a neck circumference of 17 inches or more.

There are no medications to treat apnea.

The most common treatment is a breathing machine called a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) that uses gentle air pressure to maintain a clear airway. Other treatments include dental devices and an implant that stimulates the soft palette area.

“It’s a last ditch effort. There’s not as much data on (the implant),” he said.

There is also surgery to trim out the excess tissue.

“It’s a very serious surgery and it’s not always successful,” Merrick said.

In addition to its sleep lab, Johnson Memorial offers a home sleep study program to check for apnea.

“The great thing about that, you’re at home in your own environment. It’s also much less expensive,” Merrick said. H

Sleep hygiene checklist

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• Try to go to sleep at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. Try not to take naps during the day, because naps may make you less sleepy at night.

• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol late in the day. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants and can keep you from falling asleep.

Alcohol can cause waking in the night and interferes with sleep quality.

• Get regular exercise. Try not to exercise close to bedtime, because it may stimulate you and make it hard to fall asleep. Experts suggest not exercising for at least three to four hours before the time you go to sleep.

• Don’t eat a heavy meal late in the day. A light snack before bedtime, however, may help you sleep.

• Be sure the bedroom is dark, quiet and not too warm or too cold. If light is a problem, try a sleeping mask. If noise is a problem, try earplugs, a fan or a “white noise” machine.

• Follow a routine to help you relax before sleep. Read a book, listen to music or take a bath.

• Avoid using your bed for anything other than sleep or sex.

• If you can’t fall asleep and don’t feel drowsy, get up and read or do something that is not overly stimulating until you feel sleepy.

— Web MD

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2016 health guide

Summer Skin Survival Guide

Three types of skin cancer are linked to sun exposure

By Jennifer Willhite Correspondent

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ontrary to popular belief, a golden brown summer tan isn’t healthy and can lead to significant issues later in life.

Dr. Barbara Sturm, of Central Indiana Dermatology in Indianapolis, says the body tans because it is putting up protective shields when it is being damaged by radiation.

Protecting your skin from the sun’s damaging rays begins with a change in thinking.

“It is the mindset that we look better with a tan,” she says. “But you have to get out of that mode and start teaching your kids that a tan is not the pretty thing.

Natural skin is what our goal is.”

The best thing you can do to protect your skin from the sun is to wear sunscreen every day, she said.

“One general rule is to wear at least an SPF30 sunscreen,” Sturm said. “The second thing to consider is how much you perspire and if you’re going to be getting in and out of water. If those two things happen, then you need to use sunscreens that have more zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in them because they’re more water resistant.”

It’s important to understand that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are physical blocks that sit on top of the skin to block UV radiation, she said.

Making the application of sunscreen a part of your every day routine can save

you from lasting negative effects of sun exposure, she said.

According to the Mayo Clinic, lifelong sun exposure can wreak havoc on the skin and cause everything from premature aging and age spots to skin cancer. It isn’t the sunlight itself that contributes to skin damage and cancer, but the ultraviolet radiation the skin absorbs during sun exposure.

The Mayo Clinic lists three main types of skin cancer associated with sun exposure: basal and squamous cell carcinomas and melanoma.

Skin cancer can affect areas of the body that are normally covered and not exposed to sunlight, Sturm said.

“One in five Americans is going to get skin cancer,” Sturm said. “Since the early

“Lubrication is always a good idea if you get dried out being in the sun. But also using products that have aloe in them, which has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, is good.”

— Dr. Barbara Sturm, dermotologist

2016 health guide

1900s, the risk of melanoma has increased from 1 in 1,500 to 1 in 50.”

Those who are fair skinned, have blue eyes, or existing freckles are at most risk for skin damage related to sun exposure, she says. Individuals who are taking certain medications that make them more sensitive to sunlight should also exercise caution.

Watch for changes People need to be conscious of their skin and be aware of any changes that may arise, because skin cancer doesn’t initially present as dark spots as seen in some media sources, she said.

“Skin cancer lesions can look like a pink bump or small scar,” Sturm said.

“The main thing is if you have something that is changing, you need to have it checked out. Skin cancer can be a whole host of colors, including pink, white and gray.”

It is a common misconception that if a spot appears, you just make a simple trip to the doctor to have it removed and that’s it, no worries. But that isn’t always the case, Sturm said. If a malignant skin lesion is caught early it can be removed without too much complication, but mel-

anomas can spread quickly. And, therein, lies the danger.

So how can you reduce your risk for skin damage from the sun? Sturm recommends three guidelines.

You should not avoid the sun entirely, because being outside offers you the opportunity to engage in activities that keep your body healthy, she said. And the body does need Vitamin D, which it gets from sun exposure. However, it is good to be proactive when spending time in the sun.

First, avoid direct sunlight between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you do go out, apply sunscreen. Also, wear light protective clothing, such as long sleeves, a hat, and sunglasses, she said. You should also limit how much time you spend in the sun.

If you have gotten too much sun, you will know. An obvious sign that you’ve been out too long is when the skin begins to change color, such as redness indicating a potential burn. At the first sign of redness, it’s important to seek shade.

Sunburn is one of the most common reactions to too much sun and can induce headache, lightheadedness, nausea, fever and dehydration.

It is important to get children in the

habit of wearing sunscreen, too. Sturm recommends parents choose sunscreens that have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which stays on the skin and doesn’t irritate the eyes.

“You don’t want to put things on them that is going to make their eyes burn,” she said. “Because then they’re going to want to avoid sunscreen and may put up a fight in the future.”

Various products There are numerous sunscreen choices on the market for kids, from spray-ons to ones that come in a tube like chapstick that kids can apply themselves. Allowing kids to participate in putting on sunscreen can go a long way in preventing burns and instilling a lifelong healthy habit that reduces their risk for skin issues as an adult.

To counteract the effects of the sun, Sturm recommends keeping your skin hydrated following exposure.

“Lubrication is always a good idea if you get dried out being in the sun,” she said.

“But also using products that have aloe in them, which has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, is good.” H

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2016 health guide

Cognitive health tips for an aging population

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By Greg Seiter Correspondent

ognitive impairment, or issues associated with the brain’s thought-processing abilities, can occur at virtually any age.

But in younger people, it is believed to be caused by things such as chromosome abnormalities and genetic syndromes, malnutrition, hypoglycemia, trauma and even poisoning due to lead or other heavy metals.

Today’s society seems to mostly associate cognitive health-related problems with senior citizens.

However, that doesn’t mean the issue is becoming increasingly prevalent within that age group.

“Have we seen an increase in the number of older adults diagnosed with cognitive issues? Yes. But we’re also becoming much more aware of those issues,” said Sandy Coram, LPN – Memory Care Coordinator, Indiana Masonic Home.

“People are now reaching out for help more rather than just trying to take care of family members and carry the burden on their own.”

But Coram said it’s still challenging to identify the specific cause of thought-process

degeneration in most post-retirement adults.

“It’s really difficult to pinpoint,” she said. “Some people are even under the impression that dementia is common in seniors but it’s really not. Dementia is a very broad category of brain diseases, while Alzheimer’s has more to do with spe-

cific memory loss.

“Ultimately, the diagnosis usually comes from a neurologist based off an MRI and testing.”

As with most diseases and disorders,

early detection is a key in treating cognitive impairment. Industry experts say early symptoms can include: · Change in sleep patterns · Changes in mood, personality or behavior · Confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment · Impaired balance and coordination · Loss of vision or changes in vision · Nausea · Numbness, weakness or paralysis · Seizure · Severe headache · Difficulty with memory, thinking, talking, comprehension, writing or reading “We all have instances of forgetfulness,” Coram said. “But if you occasionally forget your husband’s name, don’t initially know who that person is when your son shows up, or while driving, end up in a parking lot and don’t know where you are, it’s probably time to seek help.

“Some people tend to mask those memory losses, so we don’t see them as soon

2016 health guide

as we should. If they have a good sense of humor, they may even try to make a joke out of it,” she continued. “A man once told me his mom had canceled Christmas dinner and she had never done something like that before. That was something very unusual, and it was the first sign for him.”

Experts say brain-related exercise can help prevent cognitive disorders, especially later in life.

Walking, for example, helps improve blood and oxygen flow to the brain, while listening with both the ears and the mind can help improve memory as individuals attempt to later recall what they previously heard or experienced.

Timed games can help keep the mind sharp, while physical activities like tennis and pingpong improve eye-hand coordination and reaction time.

Reading and writing are believed to stimulate brain activity because of the necessity to learn or create new information.

The same principal applies to learning a new skill, a foreign language or maybe even a musical instrument.

Finally, social interaction is believed to be very important in keeping the brain properly exercised.

“Generally speaking, the longer a person can stay active, the longer they can prevent cognitive disorders,” Coram said. “As far as social involvement goes, even people watching or working with hobbies can be beneficial.”

Diet is also extremely important.

“As we get older, we tend to not eat as much,” Coram said. “That’s fine, but we need to make sure we have a balanced diet.

Make sure you’re getting protein, veggies and fruit. Sometimes meals are too big for older adults, and that’s OK. Maybe somebody doesn’t want breakfast so we should offer them a mid-morning snack instead.

“When it comes to combining other diseases like diabetes with dementia, smaller meals become very important.”

Talking with a parent, grandparent or even a spouse about suspected cognitive declines can be extremely difficult for family members. As a result, Coram recommends involving professionals as soon as possible.

“A physician can recommend a neurologist, if necessary, and involve a care team,” she said. “After all, if a doctor tells a person they can’t drive anymore, it’s better than if that person’s daughter has to tell them they

can’t drive anymore.”

She said that if symptoms are detected early, there are medicines that can slow down their progress.

“I also tell my families to meet the person where they are,” she said. “In other words, don’t dwell on reinforcing something or correcting a mistake if the person believes it to be true. For example, if we tell them daily their dog has died, they relive that sorrow every day. I’m not saying we should lie to them, but it is important to go along with them.”

The rate of cognitive decline can vary greatly from person-to-person depending on variables such as the stage at which symptoms were first detected and treated as well as the pre-existing physical and mental health.

“I’ve had people diagnosed who have passed within two years while others have still been alive 12 years later,” Coram said.

“Typically, it’s not cognitive health that leads to death, but rather something like pneumonia or a broken hip. Those are secondary to dementia, but eventually it’s those diseases that take them.

“That’s what is so hard with families.

We can’t really give them a timeline.” H

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2016 health guide

Plenty of reasons to cut soda

By Alison Bowen Chicago Tribune

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hen Dr. Susan Maples sees patients at her dental practice, she tells them to slash the soda.

And she’s not alone. The government’s guidelines, produced jointly from the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture, were released in January. Among the key recommendations? Consume less than 10 percent of calories per day from added sugars.

The Mayo Clinic describes these as sugars and syrups added to foods during processing. The top culprits are desserts, sodas and sports drinks, where they boost flavor but add more calories with scant nutritional value.

And according to a study just published in the medical journal The Lancet, reducing sugars added to sugar-sweetened drinks by 40 percent during a five-year period could prevent 1.5 million cases of people becoming overweight and obese. Researchers note this could also avoid about 300,000 cases of obesity-related type 2 diabetes.

All which explains why cutting out liquid sugar is one of Maples’ passion projects. A dentist in Holt, Mich., she feels passionately about how oral health affects the entire body.

“To drink a soda or a glass of juice as an occasional treat is one thing, but the way we habitually drink it is downright dangerous,” she said, noting that obesity from chronic sugar is linked to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. So consider cutting them out altogether, she said.

And that might include your morning juice.

Think juices, soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, sweet tea, lemonade. These, she said, “turn on the insulin pump like crazy.”

Not to mention the effect on teeth.

“Remember that teeth are the only part of the ectoderm — the body’s outer covering — that will not heal once it is flawed,” she said. H

2016 HEALTH GUIDE

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The benefits of nature for children

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By Alison Bowen Chicago Tribune

ids should be spending less time staring at screens and more time getting grubby in the dirt.

So says Dr. Maya ShetreatKlein, author of “The Dirt Cure: Growing Healthy Kids With Food Straight From Soil.” In the book, she writes about the importance of exposing children to microbes in nature, whether it’s eating fresh food from healthy soil in the garden or playing outside.

“It’s beneficial on so many levels,” she said.

For example, children who spend three hours daily outdoors in natural light are more likely to have perfect vision. More time in nature also correlates to better test performance.

In Japan, they enjoy what’s called forest bathing, which is “essentially immersing yourself in the beauty of the forest.”

“It boosts mood, people feel happier, it enhances focus,” she said.

“They sleep better.”

So the next time you’re outside, take a deep breath. We can inhale microbes too.

“It’s not like you have to do it one way,” she said. “That’s kind of the beauty of it.”

Shetreat-Klein became increasingly concerned about this topic because children were getting more screen time and fewer school minutes for physical education. But, of course, getting outside doesn’t just apply to kids. She herself tries to get outside at least an hour each day.

“All of the things that we’re talking about benefit adults tremendously as well,” she said. H

“It (being out in nature) boosts mood, people feel happier, it enhances focus. They sleep better.”

— Dr. Maya Shetreat-Klein

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2016 health guide

Physicians, patients need to work on healthy dialogue

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o, there’s that daily Facebook newsfeed and its bombardment of provocative promises about the curative powers of everything from pet ownership to meditation.

Meanwhile, five minutes spent tuned in to what Dr. Oz is talking about is sure to add another superfood, spice or yoga stretch to your ever-expanding arsenal of nutraceuticals and hopingthey’re-healthy habits.

It’s easy to see why most of us get confused about what we ought to be eating, taking or doing to optimize our health — and to know when or if to bring our family doctors in on the conversation.

Help yourself According to studies from the National Institutes of Health, a third of Americans seek help for their health outside their doctor’s office, although most do so as a complement to conventional care, not as a replacement for it.

And the U.S. National Center for

By Elaine Rogers The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne)

Health Statistics reports that 18 percent of Americans use herbal supplements, more than double that of the next-most-popular complementary medicines — chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation (8.5 percent) and yoga (8.4 percent).

In addition, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that 92 percent of Americans believe massage therapy is an effective treatment for reducing pain, while 74 percent agree it should be considered a form of health care.

“People are highly motivated now to try to stay healthy by taking vitamins, herbs and nutraceuticals or by seeking out complementary and alternative medical treatments,” says Dr. Darrin D’Agostino, chairman of the department of internal medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

“That’s a good thing. But they also need to be taught to tell their doctors what vitamins they’re taking,” D’Agostino says. “It’s important, because it’s very easy to have

drug interactions when those conversations aren’t taking place.”

Theresa Hocker, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association North Central Texas chapter, says, “It can make them desperate to try anything. …

There is no cure for this disease, so we really encourage people that whatever new things they take or treatments they pursue, that they make sure their doctors know about it. You just never know what might interact with what.”

Prescribing wellness D’Agostino is among a growing branch of physicians practicing what is called integrative medicine, acknowledging the merits of healing traditions like acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga and nutrition — termed complementary and alternate medicine (CAM) in medical circles — and actively incorporating them into their patients’ treatment plans.

He and others say that integrative medicine and the concept of “treating the whole

2016 HEALTH GUIDE

person rather than just the symptoms of illness” are becoming more mainstream, and even conventional physicians are increasingly more likely to discuss the nutraceuticals and wellness therapies patients have already prescribed for themselves, or to make suggestions about CAM treatments they might pursue.

“I believe there is a benefit with integrating complementary and alternative medical treatments such as nutrition, exercise, yoga, massage, etc., into traditional/conventional medical practices,” says Dr. Lea Krekow, an oncologist at Texas Breast Specialists-Bedford and Texas Oncology’s Bedford and Grapevine locations. “Wellness is more than just the absence of disease.”

Dr. Trisha Smith, an internist with Baylor Family Medicine at Highland Village, explains that integrative medicine is about combining the best of both worlds.

“Traditional medicine, unfortunately, does focus on treating disease, and most alternative medical systems focus on tapping into the innate healing powers of the human body,” she says.

“More and more we are seeing a trend

in traditional medicine towards prevention and wellness.”

Personal touch Integrative medical practitioners may keep registered dietitians on their staffs to provide nutritional counseling, or they might recommend alternative therapeutic approaches like massage therapy or acupuncture as complementary treatments to their conventional care.

Dr. Elizabeth Carter, chairwoman of the department of family medicine with Fort Worth’s JPS Health Network, says she was intrigued by her exposure to alternative medical treatments and eventually trained in acupuncture to provide this treatment option to her patients.

“For years, I have been interested in offering more than prescriptions for different symptoms,” she says. “I think there is a place for treatments that may complement traditional Western medicine and some treatments that should be offered before a pharmaceutical medication is offered.”

Dr. Carolyn Matthews, of Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, is a physician who says she headed down the integrative path as a result of personal ex-

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perience with illness.

A battle with thyroid cancer during a pregnancy— and three years of being treated with “massive doses of radioactive iodine” — inspired great personal interest in nutrition and mind-body medicine. Later, she addressed a gluten sensitivity for herself and her son with dietary changes that she describes as “profoundly beneficial.”

“Since starting the integrative medicine program at Baylor,” Matthews says, “I have seen time and again how much better people can feel by making a few tweaks to their diet.”

D’Agostino says people commonly seek nutraceuticals and complementary and alternative medicine for medicinal purposes, “not just for wellness.” He says he believes it is a course of action that ought to be implemented with physician approval.

“Those dialogues are really important,” he says. “We really need to get to a point where people go to their doctor when they’re healthy and become a partner with their physician to become healthy and stay healthy, rather than just going when we’re sick.” H

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2016 health guide

Traditional thinking on peanut allergies may be shifting

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By Jenna Chandler The Orange County Register

t might seem unorthodox, but feeding peanuts to infants at risk of an allergic reaction could actually safeguard them.

Mounting evidence suggests that gradually introducing bits of peanut protein, such as peanut butter diluted with hot water, to high-risk babies as young as 4 months old might help them develop immunity. (Whole peanuts, however, are a choking hazard and should not be fed to babies and toddlers.)

The latest research, published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine, found most children who consume peanuts at an early age will remain allergy-free, even if they stop eating peanuts by age 6.

Now, the National Institutes of Health is proposing new guidelines recommending some children be fed peanut-containing foods — about 6 to 7 grams over three or more feedings — as early as age 4 to 6 months.

The recommendation applies to children who are at high-risk because they already have severe eczema, egg allergy or both.

“In my gut it’s counterintuitive,” said Louise Larsen, of Westminster, Calif.

Larsen strained to ensure her daughter, now 19, never ate or touched the legumes again after a peanut butter and jelly sandwich sent her into anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening allergic reaction, at 15 months old.

But, Larsen added, “I do believe in science.”

Food allergies appear to be increasingly common — they now affect about 1.4 percent of U.S. children, according to a 2010 study by food allergists with Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. That figure is up from less than 0.5 percent in 1999.

There are a handful of theories for the rise — such as the one that says children are not being exposed to as many germs so their immune systems have changed — but no definitive explanation.

For some, eating cross-contaminated food or even consuming traces of peanuts, which can lurk undetected on countertops and on people’s hands, can be life threatening. The consequences aren’t always so severe — sometimes exposure results in hives or a tingling sensation.

To delay or not to delay Parents were once advised to delay introduction of peanuts into their children’s diets to avoid a dangerous reaction. But, for some, that thinking has shifted.

“If you delay too long, you have a higher risk of developing a peanut allergy,” said Dr. David Fleischer, an allergy specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado who helped write the NIH guidelines.

However, the recommendations, which aren’t yet final, say those at highest risk should first get a skin prick test

2016 HEALTH GUIDE

exposing them to a small amount of the allergen. Depending on how allergic the child is, the feeding might be best supervised or avoided.

The proposed guidelines draw upon the results of a clinical trial in the U.K., published last spring in the New England Journal of Medicine. Known as the LEAP trial, it involved 640 infants with severe eczema, egg allergy, or both. They were divided into two groups, one with families avoiding peanuts and another with children fed peanut butter weekly for five years. Nearly 14 percent of those who avoided peanuts became allergic, compared to 2 percent of those who didn’t.

Research published in the journal this month built upon the LEAP study. This time, every participant avoided eating peanuts for one year. After that 12-month hiatus, 4.8 percent of participants who had been exposed to peanuts as infants developed allergies compared to 18.6 percent

from the original avoidance group of infants, researchers said.

Pediatricians who specialize in allergies say the findings are promising.

“This study is something we’ve been waiting a long time for,” said Dr. Wan-Yin Chan of CHOC Children’s Hospital.

The evidence validates how Chan approached peanuts with her own two girls, now ages 3 and 6, who had mild to moderate eczema as babies.

She fed them peanut butter before they each turned 1. It was controversial at the time, Chan said, so she never recommended it to her patients. But she will soon, now that increasing evidence and new guidelines suggest it’s not only safe but beneficial, she said.

“We have had a threefold increase in prevalence of peanut allergies in (20) years.

I think people will be happy to have a solution,” she said.

It’s a solution that many parents are reacting to with trepidation, said Larsen.

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In 2008, she formed an online community for parents of children with food allergies.

Through Facebook, the group, Parents of Kids With a Severe Peanut Allergy, has 8,000-plus members.

“The majority of people feel that this sounds good in theory, and we know that for some people this has worked,” Larsen said. “But for many of us, our children would never have survived being introduced to peanuts, because their first introduction to peanuts was severe anaphylaxis.

“We hope that these new guidelines heavily stress the importance of early testing to weed out babies that might have an anaphylactic reaction,” she added.

Fleischer said he’s also hearing concerns from parents. It’s up to him and other doctors to balance those worries with the science in drafting the final NIH guidelines.

“Our priority is to try to implement things in a safe way to reduce the rapid rise in peanut allergies,” he said. H

“If you delay too long (introducing peanuts), you have a higher risk of developing a peanut allergy, — Dr. Fleischer, allergist

Franklin United Methodist Community is an established Continuing Care Retirement Community that has proudly served Johnson County since 1957.

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16

2016 health guide

Keep prevention of eye injuries clearly in sight

By Mayo Clinic News Network

D

r. Joseph Dolan, ophthalmologist with Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wis., shares his thoughts about eye injuries: We often don’t think about eye injuries when doing daily activities, but as almost half of all eye injuries each year happen at home, we probably should.

Here are examples of common household activities that can cause an eye injury, according to experts from the American Academy of Ophthalmology: l Household chemicals or bleach: Getting unexpectedly sprayed or splashed in the eye can cause anything from minor irritation to a chemical burn. If this happens, immediately flush the eye by putting your head under a steady stream of room temperature tap water for 15 minutes.

Contact your eye doctor or urgent care facility to determine what is recommended as a next step, based on the chemical. l Hot grease or oil splatter: As with household chemicals, the most important thing to do is irrigate the eye and contact your eye doctor as soon as possible. l Drilling or hammering: An activity as simple as hanging a picture can cause a nail or screw to become a projectile or cause fragments to fly off and cause an eye injury.

Seek immediate medical help if you are hit in the eye with any foreign object. l Lawn and garden care: Always wear protective eyewear when mowing the grass, trimming hedges, cutting wood or using power tools. Whether you use a riding or push mower, stop the engine when any one approaches. The mower can cause rocks and other objects on the lawn to fly toward someone and cause injury. l Securing items to racks: Use caution with any objects that have the potential to snap, like bungee cords or rubber bands.

Also keep eye protection in mind when participating in sports. People think mostly of sprains and strains as sports-related problems, but eye injuries account for an estimated 100,000 physician visits each year in the United States for school-age children.

Parents should that ensure children protect their eyes when participating in baseball, basketball, hockey, indoor racket sports and cycling, to name a few.

Also, darts, paint-ball guns and BB guns may seem like toys, but they can cause serious injuries, including vision loss and blindness. Be sure to have a discussion with your youngsters about how to use these items carefully and follow

all safety instructions, including protective eyewear.

Here are tips I give my patients when it comes to preserving their eyesight: l Use protective eyewear while doing projects at home, when working outside and during sports activities. l When spending time outdoors, wear sunglasses that provide 97 to 100 percent UV protection. l Make sure you and your family get regular eye checkups and screenings. l If you have a chronic disease like diabetes, follow through on any physician recommendations related to eye care health. H

We often don’t think about eye injuries when doing daily activities, but as almost half of all eye injuries each year happen at home, we probably should.

2016 HEALTH GUIDE

Skipping lunch?

17

Your doctor wants you to think again

By Allie Shah Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

T

he lunch break at work is becoming a relic of the past, a trend some doctors warn is making us unhealthy.

Just one in five Americans steps away from the desk to eat lunch, studies show. Working straight through the day without a break can lead to higher levels of stress, mental fatigue, physical exhaustion and eventually burnout.

“It’s really important that people keep in perspective the big picture — that they will really burn out,” said Dr. John Murphy, a family physician with Mayo Clinic Health System. “That lunch break is critically important.”

Midday breaks don’t have to be spent sitting and eating.

Getting on a treadmill for a half hour, taking a few minutes to

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connect with family on social media or socializing in person with co-workers can offer a mental break from tasks, Murphy said.

“Stress reduction is so important to overall health,” he said.

Other studies have revealed that connecting with co-workers on a social level is energizing.

Taking a few smaller breaks during the day instead of one long break at noon also can protect the body and mind from the unhealthy effects of prolonged hours of sitting in front of a computer.

As for Murphy, he aims to take a break every day and usually spends it by taking a short walk. He makes time for one other “healthy” activity on his break, he said, checking for the latest news on his beloved football teams. H

Southside Pediatrics Welcomes

Dr. Anne Clark Dr. Anne Clark is a board certified pediatrician who graduated from University of Toledo College of medicine and did her residency training at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. She has joined Dr. Blanchard, Dr. Gloyeske and Dr. Fredriksz at Southside Pediatrics Inc. and is welcoming patients from newborn to 18 years of age.

Call our office to schedule an appointment.

Southside Pediatrics Inc. 7830 McFarland Lane Indianapolis, IN 46237 317-865-2700 30 South Water St., Suite B, Franklin • 317-739-3257 (just 1/2 block south from former Henderson’s Pharmacy) www.franklincommunitypharmacy.com

THE ONLY LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED PHARMACY IN FRANKLIN!

18

2016 health guide

People can’t just snap out of depression

By Mayo Clinic News Network

D

r. Filza Hussain, behavioral health physician at Mayo Clinic Health System, offers some thoughts on depression and society’s views of it: “Our relationship with the word ‘depression’ is paradoxical. On the one hand, we so freely admit that we are depressed because our team lost the Super Bowl or because the store doesn’t carry a desired outfit in our size.

Yet when it comes to talking about clinical depression, the stigma attached with the word becomes omnipotent. Rather than admitting to feelings of sadness, loss of interest in usual activities, guilt, decreased energy, difficulty with attention and concentration, and sleep difficulties, we clam up, put a bright smile on our face and pretend everything is OK. “Why do many people with depression put up a facade and act as if everything is fine?

People say it’s because they’re afraid of the judgment that comes with acknowledging they have a mental health disorder. Even if it’s depression, some patients may say, “I don’t want anyone to know I’m nuts,” or “I don’t want anyone to lock me up.” It’s become so acceptable in our culture to say ‘be positive,’ ‘snap out of it,’ or ‘it’s all in your head’ without thinking what these statements really mean. Do you expect someone to snap out of their diabetes? Or has being positive ever changed one’s thyroid function? Perhaps that pain in your chest radiating to your arm is all in your head, after all.

“Depression is a real illness. There is an organ involved (the brain), as well as receptors and hormones (i.e., neurotransmitters).

There is a lot we don’t understand about this illness, which unfortunately adds to its aura of mystery. But there are treatments that work.

Although you can certainly make positive changes in your life that will improve symptoms, you can’t just snap out of it. It’s not a fault or something you did or didn’t do.

“So, let’s work towards removing the stigma and mystery of depression. Please speak with your physician and ask for more information.” H

Understanding heart disease in women

H

By Mayo Clinic News Network

eart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. While both men and women are affected by heart disease, the warning signs and symptoms can be quite different.

Dr. Amy Pollak , a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic on the Florida campus, says one in three women die each year of heart disease and stroke, and 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented. She says living a heart-healthy lifestyle and making simple changes can be the cure.

Heart attack symptoms for women The most common heart attack symptom in women is some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest. But

it’s not always severe or even the most prominent symptom, particularly in women. And, sometimes, women may have a heart attack without chest pains.

Women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as: l Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort. l Shortness of breath. l Right arm pain. l Nausea or vomiting. l Sweating. l Lightheadedness or dizziness. l Unusual fatigue.

If you have questions, see your health care provider for more information. H

INSPIRING HEALTH, EVERY DAY. Franciscan Physician Network, one of the largest in the Midwest, has over 750 primary and specialty care physicians. Together, we’re inspiring health in our communities by caring for you and your family throughout every stage of life.

Whether you’re looking for a doctor to care for your family’s primary health needs or a specialist to address advanced care and ensure a continuous level of care throughout your treatment, Franciscan Physician Network doctors and clinical teams are ready to care for you.

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