Get Healthy

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A Publication of The Times

what is natural medicine? When to seek natural treatment, a firsthand experience with Chinese medicine, and a look at some unique practices in the region.

ALSO

Cancer in Northwest Indiana Natural Stress Remedies Is Greenware Healthy?

july/august 2010 nwi.com/gethealthy

With a commitment to providing personalized patient care, Porter integrates the most advanced technology to deliver the treatment that makes your life…better.

Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement

The first and only regional hospital to offer OSI surgical technology, which gets you up and moving more quickly with minimal pain.

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The most advanced technology for urologic and cervical surgeries, resulting in less pain, less blood loss, less scaring, and shorter recovery times.

Cardiac & Vascular Institute

Committed to the prevention, detection, and treatment of cardiovascular disease, Porter’s cardiovascular imaging capabilities are among the most advanced in the metropolitan Chicago area. Our team’s capabilities in caring for heart attacks and heart failure are among the best in the nation according to Medicare. (source: hospitalcompare.gov)

Stroke Care Excellence

At Porter, we know identifying stroke symptoms rapidly and with precision is essential. This is why we have stroke protocols in our emergency department with neuro-imaging services available 24/7.

2 Hospitals. 350 Physicians. 7 Convenient Outpatient Locations. VALPARAISO PORTAGE CHESTERTON HEBRON DEMOTTE

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SERVING LAKE, PORTER, LAPORTE, STARKE, NEWTON, AND JASPER COUNTIES

july/august 2010

14

NATURAL MEDICINE

Put aside the prescription drugs—there might be a better way. Healing comes in many forms, and the natural way just might be best for preventing and possibly reversing disease.

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CANCER IN NORTHWEST INDIANA See what’s happening locally in terms of cancer treatment, particularly with children, oral cancer, prevention methods, and post-treatment for survivors. what’s new Local Health News

By Casandra Riddle

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TENDER TOOTSIES Summer footwear is fabulous, but summer feet are often in need of some TLC. To keep your feet in strappy sandal condition, pick up a bottle of J.R. Watkins Foot Scrub. With an impressive 99 percent natural ingredient list, it’s perfect and effective for most skin types. Added bonus: the perky peppermint scent is sure to keep your toes tapping through the end of summer and into cute fall footwear. Find it for around $10 at Target or online at jrwatkins.com. SHAMPOO SANS SHOWER Sometimes fitting in a full shower and hair wash after your workout doesn’t quite squeeze into your schedule. To pull off a fresh, fabulous post-fitness look, grab a bottle of TresemmÊ Fresh Start Waterless Foam Shampoo. With witch hazel to absorb oil, aloe to provide moisture-rich shine and citrus extracts to keep hair smelling and feeling refreshed, nobody needs to know you skipped a step in the shower. There’s a full line of Fresh Start products to stock your gym bag, and keep your ’do looking done. Find them at drugstores for about $5.

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HEALTHY COOKING CLASS Want to expand your prowess in the kitchen without expanding your waistline? St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart is hosting a delectable cooking demonstration on August 11th at 2:00 pm in their Waterfall CafĂŠ. Chef Ryan Smith will be demonstrating an array of appetizers, salads, entrĂŠes and desserts that are sure to impress without overwhelming. The demonstration is free, but registration is necessary. Call 219.836.3477.

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survivor spotlight

WRISTS THAT STICK If your downward facing dog is interrupted by sweaty palms, slipping and un-zen-like internal curses, you’re not alone—you’re in luck. Slide on a pair of slip-proof Stick-e Yoga Wrist Savers, which help keep you firmly planted on your mat during weightbearing poses. The Wrist Savers are nearly weightless, so they won’t disrupt your practice, and they also alleviate pressure on your wrists so you can hold your planks a little longer. Created by the inventor that brought Yogis the Yoga Stick-e Socks, you can pick these up online for $20 at stick-e.com.

the body shop

seeing the

HEALTHY PRODUCTS

By Sarah Tompkins

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LIGHT

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he infection just ate it out,� Jagiela says. Nevertheless, Jagiela returned to his job as an inspector at Ford Motor Company on Chicago’s South Side. Then, as Jagiela puts it, “the unthinkable occurred.� In December of 2000 the kerataconus in his remaining eye developed acute corneal hydrops, a condition causing corneal edema (swelling) due to a rupture of the Descemet’s membrane. “I was totally blind,� Jagiela says. Jagiela’s blindness lasted four months before he saw a specialist in Indianapolis and the subject of corneal transplant (“my only hope of ever seeing again�) was discussed. Hope arrived April 12, 2001, when Jagiela received a new cornea—his donor a young California girl who tragically died in a car accident. Facing permanent blindness was a terrible thought. “I had two daughters who were planning weddings and I thought I’d never see them walk down the aisle,� he says. While overcoming blindness through his transplant “is a miracle,� it hasn’t been an easy

progression. Jagiela developed a cataract and problems with his anti-rejection drops. He also developed a large posterior vitreous detachment (“floaters�) and a macular pucker, and underwent numerous surgical procedures including the cataract removal and an implant. “I could be blind tomorrow,� he says. “I don’t take anyone or anything for granted. I take pleasure from simple things such as a sunset or the colors in a flower garden.� With that, Jagiela gave speaking engagements on the importance of organ and tissue donation and three years ago created New Beginnings Organ and Tissue Transplant Support Group. “There wasn’t one in Indiana except for Indianapolis,� Jagiela says. The support group meets the third Wednesday of each month in the auditorium of St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. There are about 40 members who have had or are waiting to have a heart, liver, pancreas or lung transplant, among other kinds. Support and educational resources are also offered to their families or caregivers. There is a guest speaker at each meeting and in August they host a picnic at a nearby park. When Jagiela reads about people in the paper

who have had or are about to have a transplant, he contacts them to bring awareness about the support group. “The depression some of them go through is unbelievable,� he says. Jagiela, along with his wife Joann, continues to tell his story through speaking engagements about organ donation to various groups and clubs in the region. He’s also a very active member of the Griffith Lions Club and has been on three eyeglass missions to Mexico with another on the horizon in October. Jagiela has served as a trustee on the board of directors for the Indiana Lions Eye and Tissue Transplant Bank, and is chairman for the White Cane Days. He has also assisted in children’s eye screenings through Prevent Blindness of Indiana. “It’s a great feeling to be involved and help people improve their lives through the gift of sight,� he says. Jagiela retains a positive outlook despite some “dark days.� After all, he’s also endured two knee replacements and prostate cancer. Jagiela once asked a priest during confession, “Why me?� The priest told him there may be something coming out of it because he is helping other people through this transition. “I want to help people; I don’t want them to go through this alone,� he says. “I try to do the best I can.� –ROB EARNSHAW For information on New Beginnings Organ and Tissue Transplant Support Group, contact Jagiela at 219.769.4479 or via email at edjagiela@comcast.net.

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edical records consisting of folders stuffed with paperwork will soon be as extinct as dinosaurs. The Internet and tablet-size computers are helping create a revolution in health care—electronic medical records. EMRs “speed up the ability to treat patients,� says Jenny Williamson, executive director of information management

at the Hammond Clinic. Using EMR, physicians can access a patient’s medical history, prescriptions, allergy information and test results on a laptop during an office visit, Williamson says. The Hammond Clinic first began using an early version of EMRs 12 years ago. Then in 2006, the clinic’s physicians began using laptop computers to access

patients’ charts. On October 1 of this year, the second generation of EMRs will be introduced at the clinic and will vastly increase the speed of communication, Williamson says. “This generation of EMR is all patientcentric,� she says. For example, orders for X-rays and lab tests are automatically processed and results are in the doctor’s hands immediately. The system will interface with insurance companies about what medications are covered and will email prescriptions directly to the pharmacy. Another feature will allow patients to blog their questions to their doctors, she says. EMRs can be accessed in urgent care facilities and emergency rooms, which will save time and possibly lives, Williamson says. The EMRs will actually be more confidential than paper records, says Ron Bush, director of development for Diversified Research & Development of Chesterton. “We secure EMRs and store records behind firewalls with cyber security,� Bush says. And unlike paper medical records, EMRs are safe from disasters such as a fire or tornado. EMRs also save money and the environment, Bush and Williamson say. “Paper costs for records for our 60,000 patients were $140,000 a year,� Williamson says. Just one gigabyte of memory can store 20,000 images, Bush says. “We save trees and office space.� –LU ANN FRANKLIN

TREATING CHRONIC PAIN &KURQLF SDLQ FKDQJHV WKH ZD\ SHRSOH OLYH WKHLU OLYHV ,W¡V GLIIHUHQW IURP DFXWH SDLQ ZKLFK KDV D UDSLG RQVHW DQG XVXDOO\ GLVDSSHDUV ZKHQ WKH PHGLFDO FRQGLWLRQ WKDW WULJJHUHG LW LV WUHDWHG ,QVWHDG FKURQLF SDLQ SHUVLVWV VRPHWLPHV GHVSLWH WUHDWPHQW IRU ZHHNV PRQWKV HYHQ \HDUV According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, many people experience chronic pain following a muscle or joint injury, a serious infection or cancer. Arthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain in older adults. Migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, lupus and multiple sclerosis can affect a person through a lifetime. Before a treatment plan can be considered, a diagnosis needs to be made quickly and accurately, according to the staff at Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute in Chesterton. Advanced imaging helps to pinpoint specific musculoskeletal injuries or conditions. At LBJI, those technologies include X-rays with highspeed data transfer, ultrasound, open and closed MRI and DXA bone density scanning. Consultation with other medical professionals, such as physical therapists, helps formulate a treatment plan. Sometimes surgery is needed to correct a condition causing chronic pain. Whether this pain is caused by musculoskeletal conditions, damage to the body’s central nervous system or by other factors, a wide range of treatments is available to help patients. Among these treatments are medications, acupuncture, local electrical stimulation and brain stimulation. Psychotherapy, relaxation therapies, biofeedback and behavior modification offer relief for some patients. In addition, physicians may use placebos, which can result in a lessening or elimination of pain. There’s much more to be learned, and clinical trials being conducted by the National Institutes of Health are finding new answers using acupuncture and are studying the effect of stress on the experience of chronic pain. In addition, chemists are formulating new analgesics and are discovering painkilling properties in drugs not usually prescribed for pain. –LU ANN FRANKLIN

The Pain of Procrastination

on your mind

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We all do it. We all put things off. We all procrastinate. And we often suffer for it—anxiety, embarrassment, guilt. Why do we do it?

tress. Everyone experiences it. It comes from a variety of sources, both good and bad—a new job, the death of a loved one—and according to the staff at the Cleveland Clinic, “Stress results when pressures, challenges or demands in life exceed coping abilities.� It can be a good thing in the short-term. It spurs action. It prompted the caveman to flee the sabertooth. But chronic stress can paralyze a person. It can cause anxiety and depression, can lead to destructive behaviors like overeating and drug abuse, and can even bring on illness—heart disease, headaches, insomnia and more. What’s a person to do?

%UHDWKH Taking long, deep breaths slows the heart rate and takes the mind off problems. Breaking the “panic� cycle even briefly helps a person get their bearings, leaving them better able to cope. *HW D JULS Take control of your time and your feelings. Learn to say no. 7DNH D WLPH RXW Relax and revitalize yourself. Read a book. Take time for play. Try something new. Come back to things with a fresh perspective. 7KLQN SRVLWLYHO\ Look for the silver lining or the humor in your situation. And remember, things can always be worse.

([HUFLVH A great way to blow off steam, regular exercise also moderates emotions. *R WR D KDSS\ SODFH On his website (drweil.com), integrative medicine pioneer Dr. Andrew Weil says, “Recall a scene from the past when you were supremely content, secure and centered. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and picture yourself back there.� There are also visualization tapes a person can use to facilitate relaxation. 7U\ PHGLWDWLRQ PDQWUDP DQG K\SQRWKHUDS\ All of these practices work on controlling thought processes, helping tame anxiety, and promoting a more effective mental state.

([SORUH KHUEDO UHPHGLHV Natural substances, like spearmint and chamomile teas or passion flower, promote relaxation. 0DLQWDLQ RYHUDOO JRRG KHDOWK Keeping the body fit helps keep the mind balanced. Adequate sleep and proper nutrition go a long way toward helping a person make the right decisions, a vital component in managing stress. 'R XQWR RWKHUV 6WHS RXWVLGH \RXUVHOI Volunteer, or help another person accomplish their goals. Often our problems look different when compared to those of others. –TERRI GORDON

food & fitness

Biggest Winner

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LOCAL CONTESTANTS LOSE TO WIN osing weight is certainly a challenging feat on your own, but that challenge can be easier and even lots of fun when you join forces. That’s the idea behind “The Biggest Winner� challenge organized by Fit City Valparaiso. Now in its fourth year, more than 170 people participated in teams of two, three or four members. The program began January 12 and concluded May 11. Teams came up with their own strategies of weight loss and attended monthly weigh-ins and educational classes by Porter Hospital. Participants also were given health and wellness tips through a weekly email. Michelle Guth (34) and Dee Kowalski (53), a mother/daughter team called Sassy by Summer, were the big winners with a 78.9-point average for their team. The second-place team was Nutrition Mission with 59.5 points, and third place went to VAC Winners with 46.3 points. “Points were allocated at the end of the competition comparing the first measurement of weight and body fat to the final assessment,� says Megan Owen, recreation coordinator at the Valparaiso Parks Department. “One point for each pound lost and ten points for each percent of body fat lost. We gave more points to the body fat because you must make a lifestyle change with nutrition and exercise to lower [body fat]. A person can lower the weight by crash dieting and we wanted to deter the participants from that method.� Guth and Kowalski both thought the program would be a great motivator. Kowalski had been on many diets and knew a lifestyle change was needed, so they chose exercise as their strategy. “If I joined a gym but didn’t go, who would care?� Guth says. “So I knew I needed a trainer so I could be held accountable. We went to Integrative Movement in Valparaiso, which is strictly personal training. We both go three days a week and work out at home the rest of the week.� Exercise was a change for Kowalski, who didn’t exercise. “I’m not as strong as Michelle, so I started walking,� she says. “I walk and I strength train every other day. I ride bikes with my grandson.� No food was off the menu, although both kept to the 80/20 rule: eat healthy 80 percent of the time and splurge 20 percent of the time. “Don’t get me wrong,� Kowalski says. “I still like to eat! I don’t limit myself; I just keep an eye on things.� –SHARON BIGGS WALLER

7+( $7+/(7(¡6 :$< Playing sports for fun and fitness

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f the thought of walking a treadmill or attending a fitness class leaves you cold, consider taking up a sport. Sports such as racquetball, golf, basketball and softball can offer a more laidback approach to exercise.You can combine it with your social life by getting your friends together for a game or a round of golf. Or create team building at work by starting an after-work sports league. “Sometimes it’s easier for friends to get together for sports than running,� says Ryan Penrod, senior program director of the sports and aquatic programs for the YMCA in Portage. Penrod says sports can be an easier introduction to exercise, too. “There are two kinds of exercise: anaerobic and aerobic,� he says. “Aerobic exercise keeps your heart rate at a constant level. Some examples are running, cycling, aerobics classes. Anaerobic is not at a constant level of intensity.The heart rate rises and falls in short bursts, so people can pull back to a more comfortable zone if they need to. Most sports fall under the anaerobic category, so this type of exercise is often less daunting.� YMCAs are great places to go when looking to join a sport. Adult leagues or open sports nights are available at all YMCAs and welcome people at all fitness and skill levels. –SHARON BIGGS WALLER

green life

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On May 7th, artists and organizers gathered in Chicago’s Daley Plaza to celebrate World Fair Trade Day during their Chicago Fair Trade event. Organized by Megy Karydes, owner of World Shoppe (world-shoppe.com), the event sought to not only educate the public about fair trade, but also sell a few wares in the process. Purchasing fair trade items, such as jewelry, cultural objects, art, paper, and even food items like coffee and chocolate, helps to sustain the economies of the merchants who produce the items in their native countries. Producers and suppliers in these countries are paid a living wage and they take steps to protect the

environment, thereby empowering them to develop their nation. “The artists are paid a fair wage and that’s the gist of fair trade,� Karydes says. “But I also have two toddlers and one of the biggest pieces of this issue for me is there is no child labor used in the manufacture of these items and they’re not made

by sweatshop labor. I think if my kids were born in a different place how different their life would be for them. So if you’re going to spend a dollar, why don’t you make sure that dollar goes to someone who was actually paid a fair wage and make a difference in their lives and not exploit someone in the process?� According to the Fair Trade Federation in Washington, D.C., buying and selling fair trade really does make a difference. “In producer communities, schools are built, wells constructed, children attend school, and other signs clearly indicate that the income generated by fair trade sales positively resonates in a community. In intangible ways, one can note the impact of fair trade, as well. Cultural techniques are revived; women become valued members of their societies; alternative production methods preserve biodiversity; small- and medium-sized enterprises in the developing world increase their capacity. Through this and other evidence we know that lives have been positively changed, because of fair trade.� To help bring fair trade items into your home, the Chicago Fair Trade organizers suggest a few tips: purchase fair trade coffee, tea, sugar, cocoa and clothes; home goods such as plates, tablecloths and furniture; handicrafts such as vases, sculptures and rugs; and give the gift of fair trade, such as toys for kids, sculptures for adults, and chocolate for everyone. For more information, visit fairtradefederation.org. –HEATHER AUGUSTYN

ask the expert ANNA CONIGLIO, N.D.

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Q: Can you tell me a bit more about natural medicine? A naturopathic approach to health focuses on identifying the underlying cause of a condition and correcting it, rather than treating a specific disease. Instead of prescribing pharmaceuticals for a health condition, we use natural therapies, which are individualized for each person’s need. The goal is to develop an optimal health plan for each individual and teach overall healthy principles. So, I help clients evaluate their lifestyle choices in order to identify the underlying cause of a problem, as well as suggest ways to correct it. Q: What is it then that separates naturopathy from other types of medical practice and advice? Conventional medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases—by way of primary treatments such as pharmaceuticals and surgery. Natural medicine, on the other hand, focuses on disease prevention, based on six fundamental principles. Q: And what are those principles? • The healing power of nature. The body has a powerful ability for self-healing and natural medicine focuses on finding and removing any blockages to this healing process. • First, do no harm. Natural medicine is practiced through safe and effective natural therapies. • Doctor as teacher. Teach and educate clients

how to achieve and take responsibility for their own good health. • Treat the whole person. Natural medicine understands that one “diseaseâ€? can affect every area of life—such as emotional, social or spiritual aspects. • Identify the root cause. Illnesses do not occur without cause. So, in order to recover from a disease, the underlying cause must be found. • Prevention. By focusing on proactive medicine and disease prevention, naturopathy focuses on greater health wellness and reducing the likelihood for illness reoccurrence. Q: What are your goals when evaluating a client for the first time? My first priority is on the individual needs of my clients, and providing natural and safe alternatives without side effects. My goal is to help people discover that they can be in total control over their own health. Overall, natural medicine is focused on support and nourishment by enabling your body to be restored, both physically and emotionally. Q: Is natural medicine for everyone? Natural medicine is safe, helps the body heal itself without adverse side effects—but is not quick and easy. You must accept that it will take considerable time in the process of reversing your condition. You are responsible for your own health—and

I believe that people should be as informed as possible so they can be directly involved in making choices about their own health care. True wellness and health comes from changing your lifestyle and eating habits, which requires time and commitment. Q: Do you have any advice for people interested in taking a more natural approach to their health? You need to have an open mind and be willing to make lifestyle changes to improve your health. It’s a journey, not a destination. Give yourself time to relax and de-stress. Also, balance in your diet is a high priority. I put an emphasis on organic— stay away from processed foods as much as possible. And of course, stay active—both mind and body. Q: What does the future of naturopathy hold? It’s been practiced for more than four thousand years, and today more and more people are turning away from drugs to a more natural approach to health. So, I think that natural medicine has a very bright future. Overall, I believe that people want to be informed about their health, and that’s what I try to do—to help people make the best possible individual decisions. Nothing makes me happier than watching my clients get healthier as we walk this journey together! –STEVEN LONGENECKER

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what’s new

survivor spotlight

the body shop

on your mind

food & fitness

green life

ask the expert

New innovations on the local health care scene, and healthy products that make life easier

A Merrillville man nearly faced permanent blindness, until an organ transplant saved his vision

Treating chronic pain, and the electronic medical records revolution

How to eliminate stress the natural way, and the reasons why we procrastinate

Playing sports for fun and fitness, and two local women share their weight-loss journey

How to fair trade your home, and the many benefits of using greenware

A local naturopath discusses the current and future states of natural medicine

4 letter from the editor 2

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

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Sanker Jayachandran, M.D. a board certified psychiatrist in psychiatry and neurology and also board certified in addiction psychiatry. Vijay Jayachandran, M.D., F.A.P.A is board certified in adult psychiatry, adolescent psychiatry, and addiction psychiatry. She is a Fellow of American Psychiatric Association.

This procedure removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles. This reduces a protruding abdomen. Consultation will involve a thorough discussion of the risks and beneďŹ ts of the procedure as well as an exam, which will aid in Dr. Platis informing you how he will perform your procedure.

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TH 3TREET s -UNSTER ). s Phone: 219-934-6410 Confidential Care is an integrated group practice with psychiatrists, counselors, and social workers.

letter from the editor volume 5 | issue 4

There’s really no easy way to define “natural medicine.” And that’s probably not even the best term for it either, but it’s the one we’ve chosen for the theme of this issue, our first-time foray into the world of natural health.

I

t’s safe to say that the tendency toward Mother Nature for food, beauty and even medicine is becoming more and more mainstream. From books and documentaries lambasting the corporate food industry, to celebrities proclaiming the healing benefits of alternative methods like acupuncture, to a certain Food Revolution that’s taking over our nation’s schools, there’s definitely not a lack of passionate pioneers out there. And the public’s starting to catch on. Could it be that the days of processed food and pill popping are on their way out? Perhaps, but there is still much education that needs to take place. As I said, no one really knows yet how to define this new way of thinking, and abandoning conventional medicine altogether could be detrimental to one’s health (not to mention the economy). So Get Healthy is here to play a small part in educating our readers on what all of this means. On page 14, local doctors (who use both conventional and alternative methods) identify the situations in which a patient must be treated conventionally, and the times when it’s okay to seek alternative treatment. We also give healthy ways to relieve stress, no prescription needed (page 12). And I even experimented with natural medicine myself, when I went to see a Chinese herbalist. Read about my experience on page 16. Almost unanimously, all of the experts we talked to agreed on one thing: natural methods do play a major role in preventing disease. Which is definitely something to keep in mind when reading our special section on cancer (beginning on page 18). In fact, there’s an entire article in that section that’s dedicated to cancer prevention. You’ll also find information on how to help children who have cancer, as well as what postcancer treatment entails. Elsewhere in this issue: how to get your exercise in even if you don’t like the gym (page 25), ways to avoid procrastination (page 12) and an inspirational story about a local man who overcame blindness because of organ donation (page 10). Those are just a few of the many interesting reads in this issue, and we have even more on our website, nwitimes.com/ gethealthy. While you’re there, sign up for our free weekly newsletter, to receive healthy tidbits in your email inbox every week. If you want to start living more naturally but don’t know where to start, hopefully this issue can get you on the right path. We’re all learning together, and it’s the small steps that make the difference. Julia Perla Managing Editor 4

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

Publisher — BILL MASTERSON, JR. Associate Publisher/Editor — PAT COLANDER Managing Editor — JULIA PERLA Art Director — JOE DURK Designers — APRIL BURFORD, MATT HUSS Asst. Managing Editor — KATHRYN MACNEIL Contributing Editors HEATHER AUGUSTYN, SHARON BIGGS WALLER, ASHLEY BOYER, JULI DOSHAN, Rob Earnshaw, LU ANN FRANKLIN, Terri Gordon, seth “tower” hurd, STEVEN LONGENECKER, BONNIE MCGRATH, CASANDRA RIDDLE, ERIKA ROSE, SARAH TOMPKINS Contributing Photographer Robert Wray Niche Publication Sales Account Executives MIKE CANE, ANDREA WALCZAK Advertising Managers DEB ANSELM, CHRIS LORETTO, FRANK PEREA, JEFFREY PRECOURT Production Manager TOM KACIUS Advertising Designers RYAN BERRY, KATHY CAMPBELL, JEFF FOGG, Mark Fortney, JAYME JULIAN, david mosele, JACKIE Murawski, JEFF OLEJNIK, CHRISTINA SOMERS, KATHLEEN STEIN Published by Lee Enterprises The Times of Northwest Indiana Niche Productions Division 601 W 45th Ave, Munster, Indiana 46321 219.933.3200 2080 N Main St Crown Point, Indiana 46307 219.662.5300 1111 Glendale Blvd Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 219.462.5151 Copyright, Reprints and Permissions: You must have permission before reproducing material from Get Healthy magazine. Get Healthy magazine is published six times each year by Lee Enterprises, The Times of Northwest Indiana, Niche Division, 601 W 45th Ave, Munster, IN 46321.

Strong Minds. Strong Hearts.

Powerful Medicine.

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Saint Margaret Mercy delivers this powerful combination every day. With a commitment to the latest technology — and the brilliant minds behind that technology. All wrapped up in the Saint Margaret Mercy hallmark of care. Saint Margaret Mercy. Strong Minds. Strong Hearts. Powerful Medicine.

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To find a doctor, call 800.931.3322 To learn more, visit www.smmhc.com

Communicating and leadership are the highest form of transition in NWI health care.

L

ast month, the Health Care Advisory Council, at the invitation of Dr. Pat Bankston, assistant dean and director of the medical school at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, got together at the Radisson to look at some of the ramifications of the new federal law. Also in June, both Gene Diamond, regional CEO for Sisters of St. Francis hospitals, and Dr. Alex Stemer went on record in BusINess, the Times’ business magazine, with concerns about the future in funding, patient volume and recruitment and succession within medical professions. Both of these events were a continuation of the executive level conversation we first had at our initial Lake County CEO panel discussion at the end of last year. A similar panel—including Dr. James Callaghan, president of St. Anthony Memorial in Michigan City; Jonathan Nalli, CEO of Porter Health System; Thor Thordarson, president/CEO of LaPorte Regional Health System as well as Gene Diamond—will be meeting this month. Once again, the health care leadership has stepped forward to collaborate, even though the field of health care is highly competitive in certain categories. The challenges of implementation of the Affordable Health Care Act are multifaceted and, from certain vantage points, overwhelming. And while the pressure of government deadlines is a reality, there is ongoing proactivity in Northwest Indiana, as there has been for years. Our facilities and institutions have been in a renewal cycle recently. And this is not just in terms of processes and buildings. There have been leadership changes and a remarkable effort to connect at every opportunity. Health care professionals in the region have built a culture of cooperation, and that culture starts at the top. This issue takes a look at natural medicine, which turns out to be quite compatible with the newest thinking on cancer, a special section in this issue. The variety and growing treatments for cancer patients continue to be amazing and in many cases miraculous. The wave of the future is obvious. We are taking responsibility for our individual health and making serious decisions that affect our lives and our children. And increasingly, we will be asked to help shoulder the responsibility for those less fortunate than we are. Picking through the vast amount of information is our contribution in these humbling times. Pat Colander Associate Publisher and Editor

Northwest Indiana health care Advisory council John Gorski Community Healthcare System Donald Fesko Community Hospital Lou Molina Community Hospital Mary Ann Shachlett Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana JoAnn Birdzell St. Catherine Hospital Janice Ryba St. Mary Medical Center Gene Diamond Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc. David Ruskowski Saint Anthony Medical Center

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Tom Keilman BP John Doherty Doherty Therapeutic and Sports Medicine Dr. Alex Stemer Medical Specialists Center of Indiana Paul Chase AARP Dr. Pat Bankston Indiana University School of Medicine Northwest College of Health and Human Services, Indiana University Northwest Phillip A. Newbolt Memorial Health System State Representative Charlie Brown State Senator Ed Charbonneau

Daniel Netluch, M.D. Saint Anthony Medical Center

State Senator Earline Rogers

Carol Schuster, CNO Saint Anthony Medical Center

______________

Thomas Gryzbek St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers

marketing and community relations

Jim Lipinski St. Margaret Mercy Health Centers James Callaghan Saint Anthony Memorial Hospital Trish Webber, R.N., MBA Saint Anthony Memorial Hospital Jonathan Nalli Porter Hospital Ian McFadden Methodist Hospitals Denise Dillard Methodist Hospitals Lilly Veljovic, CEO Pinnacle Hospital Beverly DeLao Hammond Clinic Rob Jensen Hammond Clinic C.D. Egnatz Lake County Medical Society

Mylinda Cane Community Healthcare System Angela Moore St. Catherine Hospital Kelly Credit Porter Hospital Mary Fetsch St. Mary Medical Center Marie Forszt Community Hospital Joe Dejanovic Saint Anthony Medical Center Ellen Sharpe Saint Anthony Memorial Hospital Maria Ramos St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers

John King, M.D. Crown Point

Stacey Kellogg LaPorte Regional Health System

Anton Thompkins, M.D. Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute

Sister M. Aline Schultz Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc.

Willis Glaros Employer Benefits Systems

Colleen Zubeck Medical Specialists Centers of Indiana

Adrianne May Hospice of the Calumet Area

6

Debbie Banik, COO Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute

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what’s new Local Health News By Sarah Tompkins

HEALTHY PRODUCTS

NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE

TENDER TOOTSIES Summer footwear is fabulous, but summer feet are often in need of some TLC. To keep your feet in strappy sandal condition, pick up a bottle of J.R. Watkins Foot Scrub. With an impressive 99 percent natural ingredient list, it’s perfect and effective for most skin types. Added bonus: the perky peppermint scent is sure to keep your toes tapping through the end of summer and into cute fall footwear. Find it for around $10 at Target or online at jrwatkins.com.

PORTER TOBACCO-FREE

All of Porter Health System’s facilities—including the grounds and parking lots—went tobaccofree starting June 1, 2010. The decision to ban tobacco was recommended by a special hospital task force and was unanimously approved by the medical staff leadership and administration. Porter has offered tobacco cessation classes and other resources to associates, their families and community members who want to stop using tobacco. “Although Porter has prohibited tobacco within its hospital and other health care facilities for many years,” says Jonathan Nalli, Porter Health System CEO, “we now feel it is time to take the additional step and implement tobacco-free campuses to promote our healthy commitment to the community and further stress the health risks associated with tobacco.”

FASTER REHAB FOR ATHLETES

Community Hospital Fitness Pointe in Munster offers athletes faster rehabilitation and effective training with new interactive software technology. Dartfish, which has been used by U.S. Olympic teams, highlights movement and combines it with video feedback to aid in rehabilitation and customize performance training. The computer program gives instant evaluations of body movement that can help improve biomechanics and prevent injuries. “Patients in physical therapy typically go through a long healing process and this makes it easier,” says Amy Castillo, MPT, board-certified sports specialist at Community Hospital Fitness Pointe. “We’re able to break down our patients’ movements, frame-by-frame, correct them and get them on the road to recovery much sooner.” The program shows a side-by-side comparison of movements with before and after shots to help patients or athletes view their progress. “When they can see it, it is in their mind and they can better understand what the therapist is saying—it reinforces communication with our patients,” Castillo says. Fitness Pointe is Community Hospital’s medically based fitness center located at 9550 Calumet Avenue in Munster. For more information about the programs and services, call 219.924.5348.

8

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

SHAMPOO SANS SHOWER Sometimes fitting in a full shower and hair wash after your workout doesn’t quite squeeze into your schedule. To pull off a fresh, fabulous post-fitness look, grab a bottle of Tresemmé Fresh Start Waterless Foam Shampoo. With witch hazel to absorb oil, aloe to provide moisture-rich shine and citrus extracts to keep hair smelling and feeling refreshed, nobody needs to know you skipped a step in the shower. There’s a full line of Fresh Start products to stock your gym bag, and keep your ’do looking done. Find them at drugstores for about $5. HEALTHY COOKING CLASS Want to expand your prowess in the kitchen without expanding your waistline? St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart is hosting a delectable cooking demonstration on August 11th at 2:00 pm in their Waterfall Café. Chef Ryan Smith will be demonstrating an array of appetizers, salads, entrées and desserts that are sure to impress without overwhelming. The demonstration is free, but registration is necessary. Call 219.836.3477. WRISTS THAT STICK If your downward facing dog is interrupted by sweaty palms, slipping and un-zen-like internal curses, you’re not alone—you’re in luck. Slide on a pair of slip-proof Stick-e Yoga Wrist Savers, which help keep you firmly planted on your mat during weightbearing poses. The Wrist Savers are nearly weightless, so they won’t disrupt your practice, and they also alleviate pressure on your wrists so you can hold your planks a little longer. Created by the inventor that brought Yogis the Yoga Stick-e Socks, you can pick these up online for $20 at stick-e.com.

Photo courtesy of stick-e.com

A 12-bed neonatal intensive care unit staffed by neonatologists and specially trained nurses is scheduled to open at Saint Anthony Medical Center in November. “This is something we have wanted for years,” says Carol Schuster, vice president of patient services, who has been with the hospital since 1976. “With our number of annual deliveries now up to around 1,600, we are able to justify the need and better serve our parents and their babies.” The hospital’s maternity department, the Birth Place, will house the new unit. The intensive care unit will help reduce the number of infant transfers to other hospitals, and in turn reduce stress for parents, Schuster says. Current procedures require infants who need special care to be transferred to hospitals away from their mothers. “The new unit will further demonstrate our commitment to Sisters of St. Francis Health Services’ Franciscan values, such as that of compassionate concern, by allowing more of our babies and moms to remain together during such a meaningful time,’’ Schuster says. For more information on the Birth Place, call 219.757.6368.

By Casandra Riddle

your body is changing. yourlife doesn’t have to. More than 30 million women are menopausal. More are approaching this time of personal transition, during which various forms of hormone therapy may become necessary to help treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, weight gain, moodiness and sleep disturbances.

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EXCEL HEALTH CARE Tim Rener, R.Ph. · Dan Zurawski, R.Ph. 800 MacArthur Blvd., # 31 Munster, IN 46321 219-836-9950 · Fax: 219-836-9951 © 2002 by Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA). All rights reserved.

survivor spotlight

seeing the

light

Merrillville man has a vision to help others

Edward Jagiela always had problems with his vision. The 62year-old Merrillville man was diagnosed with kerataconus in both eyes as a child. Kerataconus is a degenerative disorder in which the cornea becomes progressively thin and bulges. In 1996 a severe strep infection caused him to lose his left eye.

“T

he infection just ate it out,” Jagiela says. Nevertheless, Jagiela returned to his job as an inspector at Ford Motor Company on Chicago’s South Side. Then, as Jagiela puts it, “the unthinkable occurred.” In December of 2000 the kerataconus in his remaining eye developed acute corneal hydrops, a condition causing corneal edema (swelling) due to a rupture of the Descemet’s membrane. “I was totally blind,” Jagiela says. Jagiela’s blindness lasted four months before he saw a specialist in Indianapolis and the subject of corneal transplant (“my only hope of ever seeing again”) was discussed. Hope arrived April 12, 2001, when Jagiela received a new cornea—his donor a young California girl who tragically died in a car accident. Facing permanent blindness was a terrible thought. “I had two daughters who were planning weddings and I thought I’d never see them walk down the aisle,” he says. While overcoming blindness through his transplant “is a miracle,” it hasn’t been an easy

10

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

progression. Jagiela developed a cataract and problems with his anti-rejection drops. He also developed a large posterior vitreous detachment (“floaters”) and a macular pucker, and underwent numerous surgical procedures including the cataract removal and an implant. “I could be blind tomorrow,” he says. “I don’t take anyone or anything for granted. I take pleasure from simple things such as a sunset or the colors in a flower garden.” With that, Jagiela gave speaking engagements on the importance of organ and tissue donation and three years ago created New Beginnings Organ and Tissue Transplant Support Group. “There wasn’t one in Indiana except for Indianapolis,” Jagiela says. The support group meets the third Wednesday of each month in the auditorium of St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. There are about 40 members who have had or are waiting to have a heart, liver, pancreas or lung transplant, among other kinds. Support and educational resources are also offered to their families or caregivers. There is a guest speaker at each meeting and in August they host a picnic at a nearby park. When Jagiela reads about people in the paper

who have had or are about to have a transplant, he contacts them to bring awareness about the support group. “The depression some of them go through is unbelievable,” he says. Jagiela, along with his wife Joann, continues to tell his story through speaking engagements about organ donation to various groups and clubs in the region. He’s also a very active member of the Griffith Lions Club and has been on three eyeglass missions to Mexico with another on the horizon in October. Jagiela has served as a trustee on the board of directors for the Indiana Lions Eye and Tissue Transplant Bank, and is chairman for the White Cane Days. He has also assisted in children’s eye screenings through Prevent Blindness of Indiana. “It’s a great feeling to be involved and help people improve their lives through the gift of sight,” he says. Jagiela retains a positive outlook despite some “dark days.” After all, he’s also endured two knee replacements and prostate cancer. Jagiela once asked a priest during confession, “Why me?” The priest told him there may be something coming out of it because he is helping other people through this transition. “I want to help people; I don’t want them to go through this alone,” he says. “I try to do the best I can.” –Rob Earnshaw For information on New Beginnings Organ and Tissue Transplant Support Group, contact Jagiela at 219.769.4479 or via email at edjagiela@comcast.net.

Treating chronic pain Chronic pain changes the way people live their lives. It’s different from acute pain, which has a rapid onset and usually disappears when the medical condition that triggered it is treated. Instead, chronic pain persists, sometimes despite treatment, for weeks, months, even years. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, many people experience chronic pain following a muscle or joint injury, a serious infection or cancer. Arthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain in older adults. Migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, lupus and multiple sclerosis can affect a person through a lifetime. Before a treatment plan can be considered, a diagnosis needs to be made quickly and accurately, according to the staff at Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute in Chesterton. Advanced imaging helps to pinpoint specific musculoskeletal injuries or conditions. At LBJI, those technologies include X-rays with highspeed data transfer, ultrasound, open and closed MRI and DXA bone density scanning. Consultation with other medical professionals, such as physical therapists, helps formulate a treatment plan. Sometimes surgery is needed to correct a condition causing chronic pain. Whether this pain is caused by musculoskeletal conditions, damage to the body’s central nervous system or by other factors, a wide range of treatments is available to help patients. Among these treatments are medications, acupuncture, local electrical stimulation and brain stimulation. Psychotherapy, relaxation therapies, biofeedback and behavior modification offer relief for some patients. In addition, physicians may use placebos, which can result in a lessening or elimination of pain. There’s much more to be learned, and clinical trials being conducted by the National Institutes of Health are finding new answers using acupuncture and are studying the effect of stress on the experience of chronic pain. In addition, chemists are formulating new analgesics and are discovering painkilling properties in drugs not usually prescribed for pain. –Lu Ann Franklin

11

GET

the body shop

Electronic Medical Records A revolution in health care

M

edical records consisting of folders stuffed with paperwork will soon be as extinct as dinosaurs. The Internet and tablet-size computers are helping create a revolution in health care—electronic medical records. EMRs “speed up the ability to treat patients,” says Jenny Williamson, executive director of information management at the Hammond Clinic. Using EMR, physicians can access a patient’s medical history, prescriptions, allergy information and test results on a laptop during an office visit, Williamson says. The Hammond Clinic first began using an early version of EMRs 12 years ago. Then in 2006, the clinic’s physicians began using laptop computers to access patients’ charts. On October 1 of this year, the second generation of EMRs will be introduced at the clinic and will vastly increase the speed of communication, Williamson says. “This generation of EMR is all patientcentric,” she says. For example, orders for X-rays and lab tests are automatically processed and results are in the doctor’s hands immediately. The system will interface with insurance companies about what medications are covered and will email prescriptions directly to the pharmacy. Another feature will allow

patients to blog their questions to their doctors, she says. EMRs can be accessed in urgent care facilities and emergency rooms, which will save time and possibly lives, Williamson says. The EMRs will actually be more confidential than paper records, says Ron Bush, director of development for Diversified Research & Development of Chesterton. “We secure EMRs and store records behind firewalls with cyber security,” Bush says. And unlike paper medical records, EMRs are safe

from disasters such as a fire or tornado. EMRs also save money and the environment, Bush and Williamson say. “Paper costs for records for our 60,000 patients were $140,000 a year,” Williamson says. Just one gigabyte of memory can store 20,000 images, Bush says. “We save trees and office space.” –Lu Ann Franklin july/august 2010 | GET HEALTHY

11

The Pain of Procrastination

on your mind

Eliminate Stress, the Natural Way

S

tress. Everyone experiences it. It comes from a variety of sources, both good and bad—a new job, the death of a loved one—and according to the staff at the Cleveland Clinic, “Stress results when pressures, challenges or demands in life exceed coping abilities.” It can be a good thing in the short-term. It spurs action. It prompted the caveman to flee the sabertooth. But chronic stress can paralyze a person. It can cause anxiety and depression, can lead to destructive behaviors like overeating and drug abuse, and can even bring on illness—heart disease, headaches, insomnia and more. What’s a person to do?

Breathe. Taking long, deep breaths slows the heart rate and takes the mind off problems. Breaking the “panic” cycle even briefly helps a person get their bearings, leaving them better able to cope. Get a grip. Take control of your time and your feelings. Learn to say no. Take a time out. Relax and revitalize yourself. Read a book. Take time for play. Try something new. Come back to things with a fresh perspective. Think positively. Look for the silver lining or the humor in your situation. And remember, things can always be worse.

12

Exercise. A great way to blow off steam, regular exercise also moderates emotions. Go to a happy place. On his website (drweil.com), integrative medicine pioneer Dr. Andrew Weil says, “Recall a scene from the past when you were supremely content, secure and centered. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and picture yourself back there.” There are also visualization tapes a person can use to facilitate relaxation. Try meditation, mantram and hypnotherapy. All of these practices work on controlling thought processes, helping tame anxiety, and promoting a more effective mental state.

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

Explore herbal remedies. Natural substances, like spearmint and chamomile teas or passion flower, promote relaxation. Maintain overall good health. Keeping the body fit helps keep the mind balanced. Adequate sleep and proper nutrition go a long way toward helping a person make the right decisions, a vital component in managing stress. Do unto others. Step outside yourself. Volunteer, or help another person accomplish their goals. Often our problems look different when compared to those of others. –Terri Gordon

I’ll get right on that—later! We all do it. We all put things off. We all procrastinate. And we often suffer for it—anxiety, embarrassment, guilt. Why do we do it? “There are only twenty-four hours in the day,” says Dr. Myrna Sarowitz of Schererville, a personal life coach and retired clinical psychologist. “We make choices every single moment, and basically, we do what we want to do and don’t do what we don’t want to do. That’s the simple answer.” When it comes to why we don’t do what we don’t want to do, Sarowitz again boils it down to a relatively simple answer: fear. “Fear takes many different forms,” she says. “I may not even be aware that I’m fearful.” And so, like so many things psychological, procrastination is seated in insecurities. We may fear that we may not be able to do the task, or that we won’t do it well enough. We may fear the opinion of others—and they can’t judge us if we don’t produce. Sometimes what we call procrastination is not really procrastination. Sometimes it is incubation, or planning, or just plain thinking things through. These are positive, productive activities, and Sarowitz says we should call them what they are. Procrastination is a negative thing. “The messages we’re telling ourselves—‘I can’t do it well,’ ‘I’ll never do it well’—are harmful to our mental health,” she says. “The simple truth is: those messages are false.” In short, when we procrastinate, we validate our fears and give them power over us. To make lemonade from the lemon, Sarowitz recommends looking at the reasons we procrastinate, and trying to grow from them. “We may never overcome procrastination completely,” she says. “One of the things we do to ourselves is think we have to be perfect in everything, including overcoming our faults. Maybe we don’t have to overcome it. Maybe we just have to do it less.” And as we do it less, and accomplish our goals, maybe we will gain the confidence we need to grab the bull by the horns and get the job done, leaving us spending less time anguishing over the undone, and more time doing what we want. –Terri Gordon

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natural medicine

There’s a growing awareness that the traditional Western way of medicine isn’t all there is. That the body, given the proper guidance and tools, can sometimes heal in a more natural way. We took a look at what the local naturopathic community is doing to prevent—and perhaps reverse— disease.

14

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

east and west

Blending The term “natural medicine” can mean many things. It may be chiropractics, acupuncture, herbal remedies, dietary supplements, massage or Reiki, among others.

T

he way Dr. Michael Foreit, a boardcertified family health practitioner, puts it, “It is the entire array. It’s your body, your soul. It’s whatever you want to integrate into your life that helps you feel better.” Foreit, who practices at the Comprehensive Care Clinic in Gary, says his education in Western medicine and belief that the body has some natural ability to recover, makes him and his osteopathic colleagues less likely to send everyone directly to an imaging unit and more likely to offer an alternative approach. As one example, Foreit says structural alignment has a lot to do with the function of the body, leading him in many cases to turn to manipulation tactics first. He says this is most often the case with back pain and headaches. However, Foreit says there are some symptoms for which people should immediately go the conventional route. Examples include a change in or loss of motor function or loss of bowel or bladder control, which need quick surgical intervention, but these scenarios are rare. A retired pathologist, Dr. T.C. Wang is a Chinese native originally educated in Western medicine. He now practices strictly acupuncture at the Comprehensive Care Center in Gary.

He says nothing compares to acupuncture when it comes to pain management. This Eastern practice of inserting thin needles into strategic points on the body to restore energy flow is best, he says, for long-term chronic conditions such as migraines, back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, allergies, muscular pain, pinched nerves and more. Wang will not, however, use acupuncture as a first line of treatment for a diagnosis of cancer or cardiovascular disease, although acupuncture to help cancer patients cope with side affects post-treatment is often beneficial. Wang says there are some symptoms that warrant an immediate visit to a Western health practitioner. The sudden onset of a severe headache or stomach pain should be first seen by a traditional Western doctor, as well as fractures or broken bones. Dr. Keith Reich is an osteopathic doctor board-certified in rheumatology who practices with Medical Specialists of Indiana in Munster. He prefers the term “complementary” medicine rather than “natural” or “alternative.” Reich says there are about 100 different types of arthritis for which he often suggests complementary treatments, depending on the type and severity of disease and what organs or joints are involved. With any type of inflammatory arthritis, he says, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus or vasculitis, patients should first be evaluated by a Western practitioner, as there is a window of opportunity to prevent organ damage which could be missed. There is also the concern of delaying proper pharmacological interventions. He says things like naturopathy, chiropractics, and osteopathy with manipulation can all be helpful with non-inflammatory conditions such as back pain and muscular dysfunction. “I myself have gone to all of them, so I think they have a place in our health care system if used judiciously and with somebody guiding the overall health care picture.” –Erika Rose

july/august 2010 | GET HEALTHY

15

Chinese

My Medicine Experiment

“Stick out your tongue . . . Now open your eyes as wide as you can.” • That’s not something you regularly hear at the doctor’s office, but it’s what I was told to do by Dr. William Stimack, N.M.D., of Mind Your Own Body Health Center (formerly Jade Health Center) in Valparaiso. Dr. Stimack has studied multiple medicinal disciplines—in the hopes of finding a way to prevent illness in his family members—and happily landed on Chinese medicine and homeopathy. And, like Chinese herbalists have practiced for hundreds of years, he is able to tell a patient pretty much everything they need to know about their health by analyzing their tongue, eyes and fingernails.

USE OUR MINDS TO BETTER YOUR BODY. . . NATURALLY Specializing in Fingernail, Tongue, and Eye Analysis, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Herbs, Homeopathics, Jade Technology, and Viper Vibrational Therapy.

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I

visited Dr. Stimack’s office for the first time early this year, upon the offer of a free trial. The doctor’s initial analysis revealed a pretty clean bill of health, fortunately, except for some digestive issues. But that’s nothing to overlook. “Seventy-five to eighty percent of people’s health problems are initiated by poor digestion,” Stimack says. And that’s because “more than half of the immune system is located in the stomach and colon.” Also, according to Stimack, a whopping 90 percent of the population has digestion issues. “If you don’t have more than one bowel movement a day, that’s a digestive problem.” There are a number of factors that lead to this problem, he says. Food, of course, is the number one way to either build or destroy the system. “There are tens of thousands of pockets in the colon,” Stimack says. “Food gets trapped in there—especially meat—and it putrefies, then lets off toxic gas that goes through the bloodstream.” If the toxins can’t be released from the body through waste, bad cells multiply at a rapid rate, and diseases like cancer develop.

“The goal is to make more healthy cells than unhealthy ones,” Stimack says. To do so, Dr. Mind Your Own Body Stimack and his team (certified Jade technician Health Center Dr. Shirley Williams and nutritionist Jeannie 4004 Campbell St, Nowarita) implement a three-tiered treatment Valparaiso plan: nutritional counseling, plant-based herbs, and 219.531.0241. Jade/Derma Ray therapy. naturaldoctor.biz Jade and Derma Ray technology consist of wands that emit microcurrents, which push toxins out of the body. The technician runs the wands over the parts of the body that contain trapped toxins. In my case, it was my stomach. But the Stimack team has used the Jade on several other areas: the joints to help treat arthritis, the armpits to break up lymphatic blockage that leads to breast cancer, the skin to repair sun damage and aging, and the sinuses to eliminate congestion. (This worked miracles on me when I came in with a nasty sinus infection.) The Jade/Derma Ray requires frequent treatments, which last only 20 minutes or so: a few times a week at first, then tapering to once or twice a week after a while, for a total of roughly 10 to 20 weeks or more, depending on the patient. Such treatment is bizarre, I thought at first, potentially even a hoax. But after about three weeks, my digestive issues did become regulated, which was a huge relief, and I started seeing other unexpected benefits as well. My skin cleared up, my eyes were brighter, and I had a lot more energy. All this was a result not only of the Jade treatment but also because of the herbs I was taking (which helped build new cells and strengthen the immune system) and the food I was advised to eat (organic fruits and vegetables, almond milk, little to no meat, absolutely no processed foods, lots and lots of water). Thus, the three-tiered system has a three-tiered result: remove the bad, replace with good, and then keep the bad from re-entering. Mind Your Own Body Health Center also has detoxification plans for aiding in hormonal imbalance and the relief of fibromyalgia and other autoimmune disorders, just to name a few. “One of the things that makes us different,” Stimack says, “is we give people hope.” –Julia Perla

GET HEALTHY ONLINE: To read about other forms of natural medicine, see our Natural Medicine Menu at nwitimes.com/gethealthy.

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july/august 2010 | GET HEALTHY

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special feature

cancer in northwest indiana Cancer is all too prevalent in our community, but the many hospitals, resource centers and specialized practices in Northwest Indiana have much to offer in the way of prevention, healing and support. Here, you’ll find the many cancer treatment options available to you—whether you’re the patient, a caregiver or a loved one.

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GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

Prevention Is Possible There’s no magic formula to avoid getting cancer altogether. But there are ways to reduce your risk. The best part: the tricks are cheap, easy and tasty. “I always remember the three A’s: antioxidants, anticarcinogens and anti-inflammatories,” says Leelarani Chigurupati, a clinical dietician for Methodist Hospitals, and a specialist in pre-cancer nutrition. Antioxidants are naturally occurring molecules that slow down the oxidation of other molecules that could get you sick. Bottom line: get your daily dose of antioxidants by eating five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. But there are some fruits and veggies that do a better job of giving you those antioxidants than others, Chigurupati says. The fruits with the largest concentration of antioxidants are berries, which you can buy fresh or frozen for the same effect. Eating a half cup of blueberries, blackberries or raspberries daily should put you right on track to avoiding serious diseases, Chigurupati says. Anticarcinogens are cancer-fighting chemicals, which can be found in tomatoes, asparagus, fennel and parsley, among other vegetables. And antiinflammatories such as salmon, grape juice and olive oil will also lower your risk. But in order to help the three A’s lower your risk of cancer, you need to put in a little effort in the gym. “It’s really important to be physically active to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, which protects against some cancers,” Chigurupati says. She recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Walking quickly is fine as long as you get your heart rate up, but a good mix of aerobic exercise such as running and swimming, plus weight training would be ideal to get you into the best shape possible. And being in the best shape helps your body to naturally fight against disease, infection and—you guessed it—cancer. “Everyone should be following this,” Chigurupati says. “It’s important.” –Danielle Braff

july/august 2010 | GET HEALTHY

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Tony Andello, director of the Cancer around the country, provides weekly Resource Centre in Munster, isn’t classes for young cancer patients quite sure why support groups for (and their parents and siblings) in the those helping and nurturing young martial arts “to ease the pain of very cancer patients don’t attract a lot of sick children while empowering them interest. to heal physically, spiritually and “There’s already an awful lot of emotionally,â€? according to the group’s going back and forth [for parents mission statement. The instructors and guardians],â€? Andello laments. often accompany the kids during “And there’s an awful lot of supports treatment to impart the message that already in place between the pain is “something one does not have caregivers that inspire confidence. to accept.â€? That may be the reason.â€? A theme that runs through the Andello explains that there is a Internet sites that help those who lot of support on the Internet that is help kids cope with cancer is to help fairly focused and helpful, and easily the kids be kids—instead of simply accessible—and a lot of web-based cancer patients. Kids need to have social networking that can help as their confidence restored, whether well. “It’s very empowering when they are being actively treated or people can communicate in a ‘oneare in remission. Caregivers must stop shop’ that builds friendships and remember at all times that the kids support and in which you don’t have are going to be going through the kid to worry about or include any other things, the adolescent milestones, the ‘activities,’â€? he says. normal ups and downs of their young However, if caregivers do seek lives—in addition to the challenges help beyond online support, Andello presented by their cancers and their recommends finding counselors treatments. who “promote wellness.â€? “Support Other things that can be done that should be reality-based, and not at all truly help? If you aren’t the regular scary,â€? Andello says. caregiver, give the He finds learning and caregivers a break and practicing play therapy spend time with the an effective tool, as child; conversely, run A theme that is sand therapy— errands for the parents runs through the Internet drawing in sand or to relieve them of sites that building things like some of their routine help those sandcastles. The key responsibilities. who help to support is to help Also recommended? kids cope the children whose Bringing kids with with cancer is to help lives are affected by cancer special treats to the kids be cancer learn to express lift their spirits. kids—instead themselves effectively, And last but not of simply Andello explains. least, volunteer to cancer “And it’s great to build host or help with patients. Kids need to networks among the fundraising events, have their kids, too.â€? including raising confidence One not-for-profit funds and resources restored, program, Kids Kicking for those groups whether they Cancer, which began that grant wishes to are being actively in Michigan and is terminally ill children. treated branching out to cities –Bonnie McGrath or are in remission.

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After the Fact Pursuing post-cancer treatment

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ou’ve survived cancer. Now what? It turns out, you still have a lot of emotional and physical healing to do. Most doctors will ask to see you monthly, and then every other month to make sure that your cancer is still in recession, says Lisa Danko, nurse practitioner at the Cancer Health Treatment Centers in Merrillville. In addition to having regular visits with your doctor, Danko says, there’s evidence that exercise and healthy eating can decrease the risk of reoccurring cancer. Once you’ve got your physical bases covered, it’s time to focus on your emotional health. “Even though a patient has been diagnosed, treated and potentially cured, there’s always a risk of reoccurrence,� Danko says. “That is very emotional for patients, because they get very anxious that they may learn about something else. It’s emotionally straining to the patient and the family.� That’s where the support groups

come in handy. Most doctors can recommend a local support group for ex-patients and even for their families to help them deal with the fear and anxiety that come along with any cancer diagnosis—even if it’s been years since the doctor told you that terrible news. For the best emotional healing, make sure your support group deals with your specific type of cancer. A new program at the University of Chicago deals specifically with the emotional and physical aftermath of cancer affecting women’s sexual organs. At least 60 percent of women with cancer have had either breast cancer or a gynecological cancer, says Stacy Lindau, MD, associate professor of OB/GYN at the University of Chicago. “The research shows that women don’t get any counseling about the ways this will affect their sexual functioning,� Lindau says. “We find that women really care about this issue, and it can have devastating effects if not addressed.� Accordingly, the University of Chicago clinic, which opened two years ago, speaks directly to the women about how to physically and emotionally deal with their altered sexual organs. “Women can enjoy a good quality of life after being treated for cancer,� Lindau says. “If you have a concern— especially about the issue of sexuality—let your doctor know.� –Danielle Braff

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Oral CAncer Early Prevention is key

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he good news about oral cancer—which is cancer that can occur anywhere in the soft tissue of the mouth, including the lateral border of the tongue, the lips, inside the cheeks, the palate and the gums—is that although oral cancer is often asymptomatic, it can in many cases be prevented and, if detected early, can also be cured. That’s why routine visual screening is so important, according to two dentists who practice with Northwest Oral Surgeons in Munster and Schererville, Dr. Joseph Lovasko, DDS, MS, and Dr. Sherif Mekhail, DDS, MS. Aside from not smoking and drinking or using smokeless tobacco, Mekhail and Lovasko say that patients should be screened for oral cancer by their dentists during routine dental exams. Often, people don’t visit the dentist until it’s too late—after discovering a bleeding lesion in the mouth, for instance, for which they seek treatment. If a dentist suspects any abnormal cells or growths during a routine exam, the patient can be referred for further testing and diagnosis to oral surgeons such as Mekhail and Lovasko, who provide an array of surgical procedures in the mouth, in addition to cancer diagnosis through biopsy. If there appears

to be a need for cancer treatment of some kind, the patient will then be referred to a physician who treats malignancies. The prognosis often depends on the stage during which the cancer is detected. “After diagnosis, if radiation or chemotherapy is called for, it’s serious,� Levasko says. On the bright side, Levasko says that most of the time abnormalities in the mouth detected by dentists are not cancer. Also encouraging is that preventive practices—avoiding drinking, smoking or smokeless tobacco, practicing good oral hygiene and getting routine exams—help people cut their chances of developing oral cancer quite considerably. “Only a very small percentage of patients who haven’t used [liquor and tobacco] develop oral cancer,� Mekhail says. Another important factor to remember is that some cancers may develop in or near the mouth that are not considered “oral cancers,� per se, such as skin cancer and salivary gland cancer. Dentists, physicians and their patients need to remember that the possibility of those cancers needs to be kept in mind when abnormalities are discovered in the mouth. –Bonnie McGrath

The Athlete’s Way Playing sports for fun and fitness

I

f the thought of walking a treadmill or attending a fitness class leaves you cold, consider taking up a sport. Sports such as racquetball, golf, basketball and softball can offer a more laidback approach to exercise.You can combine it with your social life by getting your friends together for a game or a round of golf. Or create team building at work by starting an after-work sports league. “Sometimes it’s easier for friends to get together for sports than running,” says Ryan Penrod, senior program director of the sports and aquatic programs for the YMCA in Portage. Penrod says sports can be an easier introduction to exercise, too. “There are two kinds of exercise: anaerobic and aerobic,” he says. “Aerobic exercise keeps your heart rate at a constant level. Some examples are running, cycling, aerobics classes. Anaerobic is not at a constant level of intensity.The heart rate rises and falls in short bursts, so people can pull back to a more comfortable zone if they need to. Most sports fall under the anaerobic category, so this type of exercise is often less daunting.” YMCAs are great places to go when looking to join a sport. Adult leagues or open sports nights are available at all YMCAs and welcome people at all fitness and skill levels. –Sharon Biggs Waller

food & fitness

Biggest Winner

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Local contestants lose to win

osing weight is certainly a challenging feat on your own, but that challenge can be easier and even lots of fun when you join forces. That’s the idea behind “The Biggest Winner” challenge organized by Fit City Valparaiso. Now in its fourth year, more than 170 people participated in teams of two, three or four members. The program began January 12 and concluded May 11. Teams came up with their own strategies of weight loss and attended monthly weigh-ins and educational classes by Porter Hospital. Participants also were given health and wellness tips through a weekly email. Michelle Guth (34) and Dee Kowalski (53), a mother/daughter team called Sassy by Summer, were the big winners with a 78.9-point average for their team. The second-place team was Nutrition Mission with 59.5 points, and third place went to VAC Winners with 46.3 points. “Points were allocated at the end of the competition comparing the first measurement of weight and body fat to the final assessment,” says Megan Owen, recreation coordinator at the Valparaiso Parks Department. “One point for each pound lost and ten points for each percent of body fat lost. We gave more points to the body fat because you must make a lifestyle change with nutrition and exercise to lower [body fat]. A person can lower the weight by crash dieting and we wanted to deter the participants from that method.” Guth and Kowalski both thought the program would be a great motivator. Kowalski had been on many diets and knew a lifestyle change was needed, so they chose exercise as their strategy. “If I joined a gym but didn’t go, who would care?” Guth says. “So I knew I needed a trainer so I could be held accountable. We went to Integrative Movement in Valparaiso, which is strictly personal training. We both go three days a week and work out at home the rest of the week.” Exercise was a change for Kowalski, who didn’t exercise. “I’m not as strong as Michelle, so I started walking,” she says. “I walk and I strength train every other day. I ride bikes with my grandson.” No food was off the menu, although both kept to the 80/20 rule: eat healthy 80 percent of the time and splurge 20 percent of the time. “Don’t get me wrong,” Kowalski says. “I still like to eat! I don’t limit myself; I just keep an eye on things.” –Sharon Biggs Waller

july/august 2010 | GET HEALTHY

25

green life

Purchase

Power

On May 7th, artists and organizers gathered in Chicago’s Daley Plaza to celebrate World Fair Trade Day during their Chicago Fair Trade event. Organized by Megy Karydes, owner of World Shoppe (world-shoppe.com), the event sought to not only educate the public about fair trade, but also sell a few wares in the process. Purchasing fair trade items, such as jewelry, cultural objects, art, paper, and even food items like coffee and chocolate, helps to sustain the economies of the merchants who produce the items in their native countries. Producers and suppliers in these countries are paid a living wage and they take steps to protect the

environment, thereby empowering them to develop their nation. “The artists are paid a fair wage and that’s the gist of fair trade,” Karydes says. “But I also have two toddlers and one of the biggest pieces of this issue for me is there is no child labor used in the manufacture of these items and they’re not made

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GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

by sweatshop labor. I think if my kids were born in a different place how different their life would be for them. So if you’re going to spend a dollar, why don’t you make sure that dollar goes to someone who was actually paid a fair wage and make a difference in their lives and not exploit someone in the process?” According to the Fair Trade Federation in Washington, D.C., buying and selling fair trade really does make a difference. “In producer communities, schools are built, wells constructed, children attend school, and other signs clearly indicate that the income generated by fair trade sales positively resonates in a community. In intangible ways, one can note the impact of fair trade, as well. Cultural techniques are revived; women become valued members of their societies; alternative production methods preserve biodiversity; small- and medium-sized enterprises in the developing world increase their capacity. Through this and other evidence we know that lives have been positively changed, because of fair trade.” To help bring fair trade items into your home, the Chicago Fair Trade organizers suggest a few tips: purchase fair trade coffee, tea, sugar, cocoa and clothes; home goods such as plates, tablecloths and furniture; handicrafts such as vases, sculptures and rugs; and give the gift of fair trade, such as toys for kids, sculptures for adults, and chocolate for everyone. For more information, visit fairtradefederation.org. –Heather Augustyn

king corn

Corn. Is there anything it can’t do? Although corn has been getting a pretty bad rap lately—being turned into a substance known as high-fructose corn syrup, being fed to animals that perhaps should not be feasting on it, and depleting our soils from mono-farming, requiring the addition of chemicals to grow future crops—it can also be our ally, replacing fossil fuels in ethanol (although not the most efficient crop to use for bio-fuel, it is still better than fossil fuels), and also replacing toxic plastic as the material used for greenware, or drinking cups, bowls, plates, cutlery and food containers. Greenware made from cornstarch has many benefits. These items are biodegradable and compostable and they are not made from harmful plastics. Plus, cornstarch is a readily renewable resource and doesn’t cause pollution when produced, like plastic does. Also, greenware is healthy to use. Cornstarch does not contain toxic BPA like many plastics do, and cornstarch does not produce toxins when heated by hot drinks, like many plastics or worse, Styrofoam. The key to using greenware properly is allowing it to biodegrade after use. Greenware typically biodegrades within three to four months in a commercial composting facility if exposed to light and water—the two crucial elements to any biodegradation—and it will biodegrade within six months in a home composting system. –Heather Augustyn

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ask the expert Anna Coniglio, N.D.

A Naturopathic Approach to Health Naturopath Anna Coniglio credits her mother’s battle with lymphoma for introducing her to a more natural lifestyle—as well as sparking a passion for natural medicine that has given her the ability to change lives for the better. • In 2005, Anna graduated from Clayton College of Natural Health with the degree of Doctor of Naturopathy and afterwards opened her practice in Scherer ville, Indiana.

Q: Can you tell me a bit more about natural medicine? A naturopathic approach to health focuses on identifying the underlying cause of a condition and correcting it, rather than treating a specific disease. Instead of prescribing pharmaceuticals for a health condition, we use natural therapies, which are individualized for each person’s need. The goal is to develop an optimal health plan for each individual and teach overall healthy principles. So, I help clients evaluate their lifestyle choices in order to identify the underlying cause of a problem, as well as suggest ways to correct it.

how to achieve and take responsibility for their own good health. •T reat the whole person. Natural medicine understands that one “disease” can affect every area of life—such as emotional, social or spiritual aspects. • I dentify the root cause. Illnesses do not occur without cause. So, in order to recover from a disease, the underlying cause must be found. •P revention. By focusing on proactive medicine and disease prevention, naturopathy focuses on greater health wellness and reducing the likelihood for illness reoccurrence.

Q: W hat is it then that separates naturopathy from other types of medical practice and advice? Conventional medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases—by way of primary treatments such as pharmaceuticals and surgery. Natural medicine, on the other hand, focuses on disease prevention, based on six fundamental principles.

Q: W hat are your goals when evaluating a client for the first time? My first priority is on the individual needs of my clients, and providing natural and safe alternatives without side effects. My goal is to help people discover that they can be in total control over their own health. Overall, natural medicine is focused on support and nourishment by enabling your body to be restored, both physically and emotionally.

Q: A nd what are those principles? • The healing power of nature. The body has a powerful ability for self-healing and natural medicine focuses on finding and removing any blockages to this healing process. • First, do no harm. Natural medicine is practiced through safe and effective natural therapies. • Doctor as teacher. Teach and educate clients

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GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

Q: I s natural medicine for everyone? Natural medicine is safe, helps the body heal itself without adverse side effects—but is not quick and easy. You must accept that it will take considerable time in the process of reversing your condition. You are responsible for your own health—and

I believe that people should be as informed as possible so they can be directly involved in making choices about their own health care. True wellness and health comes from changing your lifestyle and eating habits, which requires time and commitment. Q: D o you have any advice for people interested in taking a more natural approach to their health? You need to have an open mind and be willing to make lifestyle changes to improve your health. It’s a journey, not a destination. Give yourself time to relax and de-stress. Also, balance in your diet is a high priority. I put an emphasis on organic— stay away from processed foods as much as possible. And of course, stay active—both mind and body. Q: W hat does the future of naturopathy hold? It’s been practiced for more than four thousand years, and today more and more people are turning away from drugs to a more natural approach to health. So, I think that natural medicine has a very bright future. Overall, I believe that people want to be informed about their health, and that’s what I try to do—to help people make the best possible individual decisions. Nothing makes me happier than watching my clients get healthier as we walk this journey together! –Steven Longenecker

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Overall Pulmonary Services - Two Years in a Row (2009-2010) • Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for Overall

Pneumonia – Two Years in a Row (2009-2010) • Five-Star Rated for Hip Fracture Repair – Two Years in a Row (2008-2009) •

With five hospital campuses, 47 affiliated clinic locations, over 1,050 physicians and 5,900 employees, the Northern Indiana Region hospitals of the Sisters of St. Francis are a driving force in healthcare today. Our hospitals are not only highly ranked by national ratings experts, but they provide compassionate care guided by principle and mission. In 2009, we provided over $131,000,000 in community benefits and will continue to work with all the communities we serve with purpose and superior care.

Pulmonary Services – Two Years in a Row (2009-2010) • Dyer Campus • Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for Cardiology Services – 2010 • Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Heart Failure – Four Years in a Row (2007-2010) • Received the Highest Possible Star Ratings for Treatment of Heart Failure – Three Years in a Row (2008-2010) • Ranked Among the Top 15% in the Nation for Treatment of Heart Failure – Three Years in a Row (2007-2009) • Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for Overall Cardiac Services – 2009 • Ranked Among

Ranked Among the Top 15% in the Nation for Hip Fracture Repair – Two Years in a Row (2008-2009) • Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for Spine Surgery – 2009 • Hammond Campus • Ranked Among the Top 5 in IN for Cardiac Surgery – 2010 • Five-Star Rated for Coronary Bypass Surgery

–

2010

•

Five-Star

Rated

for

Treatment of Heart Failure – Three Years in a Row (2008-2010) • Received the Highest Possible Star Ratings for Treatment of Heart Failure – Three Years in a Row

the Top 10 in IN for Cardiac Surgery – 2009 • Ranked Among

(2008-2010) • Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for Cardiology

the Top 10% in the Nation for Overall Pulmonary Services –

Services – 2009 • Five-Star Rated for Hip Fracture Repair –

Two Years in a Row (2009-2010) • Ranked Among the Top 10

Five Years in a Row (2006-2010) • Ranked Among the

Top 15% in the Nation for Hip Fracture Repair – Four Years in a Row (2006-2009) • Recipient of the HealthGrades Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ – Two Years in a Row (2009-2010) • Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Overall Pulmonary Services – 2010 • Ranked Among the Top 5 in IN for Overall PulmonaryServices – 2010 • Five-Star Rated for Overall Pulmonary Services – Two Years in a Row (2009-2010) • Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – Two Years in a Row (2009- 2010) • Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Pneumonia

–

Three

Years

in

a

Row

(2008-2010)

•

Received

the

Highest

Possible

Star

Ratings

for

Treatment

Saint Anthony Memorial, Michigan City • Recipient of the 2010 HealthGrades Gastrointestinal Surgery Excellence Award™

of

Pneumonia

–

2010

•

• Only Recipient of the 2010 HealthGrades

Gastrointestinal Surgery Excellence Award™ in the Region** • Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for GI Surgery – 2010 • Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for GI Services – 2010 •

Ranked

Franciscan

Among

the

Physicians

Top

5

in

Hospital,

IN

for

GI

Munster

* As defined by the federal government’s Office of Management and Budget.

Surgery •

–

2010

Five-Star

•

Five-Star

Rated

for

Rated

for

GI

Surgery

Treatment

of

Heart

–

2010 Failure

•

Five-Star –

Two

**Region is Michigan City–LaPorte, IN as defined by the federal government’s Office of Management and Budget.

Rated

for

Years

in

Cholecystectomy a

Row

–

2010

(2009-2010)

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