Get Healthy March/April 2010

A PublicAtion of the times

men’s health When to go to the doctor, how to know if you’re a workaholic . . . and a cure for snoring?

ALSO

The Alkalinizing Diet Men, Women and Money The Latest Old-School Workout MArch/ApriL 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.

daVinci Robotic Surgery

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

porterhealth.com

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

Now accepting

new patients For appointments call (219) 769-7536.

Connie Vargas, APRN, BC • Michael Kovacich, MD • Julie Koch, MSN, APRN, BC

Michael Kovacich, MD, a Community Care Network physician, offers a personalized, comprehensive approach to meeting your entire family’s health care needs.

• Complete Family Practice

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• Geriatrics • Health Screenings • Hyperlipidemia • Hypertension • Infections • Preventive Medicine

200 E. 80th Place - Suite 100 Merrillville, IN 46410 219-769-7536 www.comhs.org

march/april 2010

18

MAN POWER

You may think that working hard and ignoring an illness make you tough.

Think again.

23

FERTILITY & PREGNANCY

Those struggling with infertility have an endless number of options, right here in Northwest Indiana. what’s new Local Health News

By Casandra Riddle

ROUND-THE-CLOCK CARE

ALL-NATURAL SNACKS Banish fluorescent orange snack food fingers, without giving up on snacks that come from a convenient bag. With popchips, you get the satisfying crunch of chips in a healthier, allnatural form. Popchips aren’t baked or fried.

They’re made with heat and pressure, without fake colors or flavors, MSG, hydrogenated oils or preservatives—so keep a chip clip handy.

Available in seven snack-soothing flavors, from original and barbecue to cheddar (made with real cheese!) and salt and pepper. Find them at Target stores or at popchips.com.

ELIM ELIMINATING ERRORS

EXPRESS CARE

survivor spotlight

THE VEGAN VIEW If the mere mention of vegan food makes you stammer out a “Where’s the beef?” you can rest easy. The Kind Diet, a new cookbook by actress/activist Alicia Silverstone, offers meat- and dairy-free dishes that seriously satisfy cravings from main dishes to snacks to sweets. Silverstone outlines the benefits of a vegan diet, from increased energy to clear skin, and the ways to cover nutritional bases. Even if you’re not willing to swear off animal products for good, The Kind Diet can offer healthier options for everyday dishes. Available at bookstores for $30.

FOOD RULES Need a diet book that’s not quite a diet book, utilizes logic instead of magic, isn’t drier than plain toast and can be read from cover to cover in about an hour? Done. Pick up Michael Pollan’s latest book, Food Rules—An Eater’s Manual, for 64 sensible, memorable rules about everyday eating. Each rule, which he sourced from doctors, chefs, scientists and readers, has one paragraph of explanation, so you’re not at risk of getting bogged down. Rules include avoiding foods with a heavy TV ad presence, dodging cereals that change the color of the milk,, and eating all the junk food you want—as long as you’re willing to cook it yourself. Find it at bookstores for about $10. $10 MIRACLE IN A JAR Sometimes it seems a miracle worker is the only thing that will help skin look bright. And, thankfully, Philosophy recently decided to stick one in a jar. Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer is a fortifying cream that maximizes moisture-retention for soft, smooth skin. Made with vitamin C and glutathione and without petrochemicals, parabens and synthetic dyes or fragrances, it’s a lightweight formula that works well with all skin types, day or night.

Nab a jar at Sephora stores or sephora.com for $55.

NEVER SAY NEVER How amputation became limb salvation At age 6, Lisa Mosher, now 50, of LaPortee was diagnosed with Type I diabetes, in which the pancreas does oes not make insulin, a hormonee necessary to move glucose from om the blood to the cells for energy. rgy When too much glucose stays in the blood, it leads to complications, often with the heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves.

emergency room alternatives

the body shop

HEALTHY PRODUCTS

By Sarah Tompkins

E

ven when taking insulin exactly as prescribed, Mosher’s blood glucose level fluctuated wildly without explanation. This is the most severe form of the disease, known as “brittle” diabetes, setting her up for a lifetime of damage being inflicted on her body.

The first major complication was diabetic retinopathy, in which the blood vessels in the retina are damaged and can lead to blindness.

Thankfully, this condition, which struck her in college, was controlled.

Soon after, her kidneys began on a slow path to destruction, eventually resulting in the need for a transplant.

Her sister turned out to be a perfect match and gave her the kidney she needed in April of 2002.

That fall, fully recovered from the successful transplant, Mosher, a teacher, went back to work. In November, a patch of dry, cracked skin appeared on her heel. The tiny wound refused to heal and resulted in required intravenous an infection that requ February of 2003, she antibiotics. In Februa was walking down th the school hallway snap of her bone when she heard the sn breaking. doctor’s office, she had Sitting in the docto no idea how bad the iinfection really was. “I was there a few hours and they decided my leg had to come off a few inches below the kne knee,” she says. loss of a limb Dealing with the lo less than a year after h her kidney transplant, Mosher w was still able to come back to finish the th school year, using a wheelchair un until her prosthetic leg was ready.

In August of 2003, she returned doctor to show off to her transplant doct thought it was a her new leg. He thoug good time to introduc introduce her to another expert, the man who performs the most pancreas transpl transplants in the country. “They explain explained how this damage that was would stop the damag happening to my bod body,” she says. “He was the way for me really thought this wa to go, before I lost any anymore limbs.”

She was 44 years ol old when she pancreas. “From received her new pan that day forward, I ha have had beautiful blood sugar and have never had to have any insulin,” Mo Mosher says. surgeries in a After three major su Mosher feels she is year and a half, Mosh due a break. The pancreas transplant seems to have solved much of her medical headaches, having improved her retinopathy, given her some nerve function back and eliminating the need for taking insulin altogether.

men, women and money When it comes to sticking to a budget, men and women fail at equal rates, but in different ways. Statistics show that when men deviate from the spending plan, it’s often on a large “splurge” purchase, such as a new car, boat or large TV. Women have better self-control when it comes to big-ticket items, but run up far more credit card debt, particularly women in the 20-35 age group.

WHEN TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM That ache in your side just won’t let up, but you can’t get an appointment to see your doctor for several days.

Your doctor’s receptionist advises you to go to the ER, but do you really need to?

The question of when people should or shouldn’t visit the emergency room was the subject of an educational seminar from Porter’s Healthy Woman program presented by William Yount, MD, a Level 1 Emergency Medicine

Physician from Porter Health System. “The public perceives the ER as a sanctuary and safety net,” Dr. Yount says. “And 40 to 50 percent of our population rely on the ER for their medical care. Most of those people are not insured, and the ER is their only choice.”

Everyone who goes to the ER gets seen, and those who don’t really need to be there or who can be seen at an urgent care facility or at a doctor’s office slow the system down (the average time

Beware

on your mind

spent in the ER is 2.6 hours).

Dr. Blount says it is difficult to make the decision to go, and he’s had the same struggle when encountering health issues with his own family. But you can make a more informed decision.

“The best way to stay out of the emergency room is by developing a good and long relationship with your primary care provider,” Dr. Yount says. “They know your fears and your history best, and can help you make the right decisions.”

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hich harms the budget more? According to Terry Quinn, of the Wealth Management Group in Munster, it’s credit card spending that does more damage over the long haul. “Most couples do some planning for large purchases, such as a car, major vacation or remodeling a home,” he says.

“Spending an extra $500 on a credit card

Top Ten Reasons for ER Visits

of

Gossip

each month isn’t normally planned for.” Quinn compares blown budgets to blown diets; it’s not the single feast that wrecks you, it’s the tendency to say, “I’ll get control of that tomorrow.”

But that’s not to say that the wife is always to blame for the family finance problems. It’s usually the partner who doesn’t manage the money that hurts the budget.

“When I counsel couples, 90 percent of the time, only one partner knows what’s going on with the finances,” he explains. “It’s almost never the person who balances the budget who is also the one who’s overspending.”

Quinn also sees a major difference in the sexes when it comes to investing.

Men, as a rule, are almost always aggressive investors who are accepting of a volatile market.

Women are looking for a more stable portfolio.

Even when a couple gets on the same “financial page” when it comes to managing the budget, it’s still critical to make a joint decision on how aggressive to be in an unstable market.

food & fitness

Is the Alkalinizing Diet Legitimate?

Form Follows

Functi n It’s

early on a Sunday morning in Manhattan. 32 degrees F. Celebrity trainer Xander Phoenix has just woken from a winter’s slumber. He straps on the iPod, shuffles to the beat of a driving techno track, spikes his hair to perfection, and bounces like Tigger from the apartment building he calls home. It’s approximately a quarter-mile run to Central Park, where he will lead a group of overachieving urbanites through a series of monkey bar pulls, bear crawls, kettlebell swings and plyometric drills.

“I like to refer to it as ‘the past and future of training,’” Phoenix says. “Yoga, tai chi, kettlebells are a return to basic human movements.

The current trend in the fitness industry is moving toward functional-based exercises: the kind that trains balance with strength, coordination with core development.

“It is what is referred to often as the mind-body connection,” Phoenix adds.

“With the addition of such physical awareness, exercises can go beyond the close chain [machines] and single plane [bench press] to incorporate movements we use every day, like picking up a laundry basket or shoveling the driveway.”

In Crown Point, Crossfit Fitness is

becoming its own tribe. Scott and Sumi Blake are the owners and lead trainers of the new facility, attracting members from all over the Region. “We are doing exercises that are part of the human DNA. Machine workouts are not necessarily a bad thing, but at Crossfit you get a totalbody workout,” Scott says. Professional athletes have been doing this type of training for years, but it’s only been in the last year or so that local residents have had such services available to them—services like bootcamps and circuit training classes that incorporate total body workouts, maximizing your wellness model.

“It’s an enjoyable way to train,” Sumi Blake adds. “Exercises change every day.

It’s never the same stale routine. Back and biceps Monday, chest and triceps Tuesday, legs and so it goes. We train the entire body every day, including cardio and core work . . . with functional movements that really affirm activities we see in real-life scenarios.”

In the ’80s, with help from Olivia Newton-John, we saw people jump into aerobics. In the ’90s the marathon became en vogue, and the last decade brought us closer to yoga and Pilates. Advanced functional movement is this decade’s offering to further our understanding of fitness. By revisiting the past, we design a plan for the future, and in doing so, maximize our potential as human beings by living healthy, happy and inspired lives.

There’s a new diet in town, and its fans claim it does everything from weight loss to curing cancer to holding back the aging process.

S

orting the facts from the fiction is not easy. The diet embraces vegetables and eschews meat. It also limits the kinds of fruits and grains a person can eat—and not everybody’s list is exactly the same.

The basis for the diet is pH, the measure of alkalinity or acidity. When the body converts food to energy, it leaves behind either an alkaline or acidic residue.

Proponents of the alkalinizing diet (also referred to as an alkaline ash diet) believe avoiding foods that produce an acid ash promotes a more alkaline environment, and one that is less hospitable to disease.

This is a long stretch for Porter Hospital dietitian Jan Yudt. First and foremost, Yudt says, “the body works very hard to maintain homeostasis [pH balance].” She’s not sure you could change its pH if you tried. And, while she did run across some test-tube studies suggesting that some cancer cells seem to grow more readily in an acidic environment, that is a far cry from a “cancer cure.”

Helping to popularize the diet is The pH Miracle for Weight Loss, by Robert Young. According to Yudt, the book espouses drinking lots of water and eating a lot of green vegetables—in other words a very low-calorie diet. “The weight loss comes from the low calories, not from the cells being bathed in alkaline or acid,” she says.

“It is not fact. It’s fallacy.”

Norma Wehrman at LaPorte Hospital agrees. “I think it’s too restrictive,” she says. “It is very limiting. I think it is okay to reduce [intake of meat and processed foods], but to severely limit them is another thing.” She thinks the diet could even be dangerous for people with kidney disease, or on certain medications. Wehrman advocates eating a well-balanced diet, such as that put forth by the food pyramid, and leaving pH balance to the body.

green life

a recipe for

MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANING PRODUCTS

S

For floors, walls and tiles

clean

ince 1959, the legendary “Hints from Heloise” column has been turning housewives across America into McGyver by teaching them how to use everyday household items, such as vinegar, sugar or essential oils, to do miraculous things like remove stains, freshen upholstery and repel insects. Especially in today’s economy when money is tight, turning to those materials we have in our cupboard or closet anyway not only makes good fiscal sense, but it also gets the job done without the use of hazardous chemicals. According to the Clean Water Fund, Americans use an estimated 40 pounds of unsafe household cleaners each year, disposing of those chemicals into our water and air supplies, and depositing those chemicals into our bodies through our lungs and skin. Chlorine, phosphates, petroleum and other toxic compounds are common in these products.

Jeannette Thomas of Westville says it was some research on store-bought cleaners that prompted her change to household items. “I had been using the Swiffer wet wipe things for awhile and this research was coming out about pets’ paw pads being more porous so the chemicals leached through easily,” Thomas says. “This really freaked me out at the time and it got me thinking not just about the pets, but the kids climbing and crawling all over the place.” So she switched to everyday items she had around the house, such as vinegar and citrus fruit, which were a much safer alternative.

“I always do my floors with vinegar and water. I try to get away from using as many products as possible.

I can go to the store and find things that are more in line with how I think, that are environmentally safe, but I like how vinegar cleans. It really cuts through the grease, and I use vinegar and water with old newspapers to clean my windows. I scrub the window with one wet one and then dry it with dry paper, and use that dry one for the next wet one. It makes it look like you can walk right through them. And I don’t have to breathe in the chemicals from store-bought cleaners. I live out in the country and I have a lot of iron in my water, so my tubs get an orange look on them. The store-bought rust remover products are really harsh to breathe in, so I take limes and slice them into eighths and scrub them on my tub, sprinkle salt on and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then I come back and use the rind part of my lime to scrub the rust off. And it makes me want to have a margarita afterwards! Making things yourself is so amazing, so why even bother to buy store-bought when these work so well?”

Nikki Wood of Chesterton says that instead of a rinsing agent for dishwashers, she uses vinegar.

“I picked up the product at the store and thought, ‘Wait a minute, what’s this blue stuff I’m putting on my dishes that I eat off of?’ and decided instead to use vinegar. I think it works great with hot water. Also, dirt’s not bad for us. Chemicals are worse. It’s not the dirt that’s going to kill you, it’s the chemicals that are going to kill you.”

Every household cleaning chore has a cleaner that can be made from common household products. A search online will yield a number of recipes to meet every need. Here are just a few.

Just take one cup of white vinegar and mix with one gallon of warm water and this solution will do the job. For a wood floor, reduce the amount of vinegar to a half cup. For bigger jobs, mix a quarter cup of vinegar, a half cup of ammonia, and a quarter cup of baking soda with a gallon of warm water. This solution will tackle dirty walls or tiles and it cuts well through grease and soap scum.

For stovetops and other surfaces For scrubbing cleaners, simple everyday baking soda works wonders and when added to a touch of water makes a nice paste. Add a squeeze of lemon for a fresh scent. And add a few tablespoons of salt to make a great oven and stovetop cleaner.

For toilets Put a quarter cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and sprinkle with vinegar. Let this solution sit for 30 minutes and scrub with a brush.

ask the expert DR. ADAM PERLMUTTER

Prostate Screening . . . and Robots!

As a urologic oncologist at Porter Hospital, Dr. Adam Perlmutter came to Northwest Indiana straight out of extensive urologic training. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science at Emory University, he attended medical school at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. From there he completed a residency at West Virginia University School of Medicine and then finished at the prestigious Roswell Park Cancer Institute—making him one of only a handful of fellowship-trained urologic oncologists in the state.

Q: Inevitably, you mention prostate testing and you’re going to get a grimace. Is it really that much of an ordeal? It’s not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Screening generally consists of a blood test and a digital rectal exam.

That’s usually on an annual basis, starting at a certain age for various groups. If there’s anything abnormal, then you get a prostate biopsy, which is also generally not as bad as it’s made out to be.

Q: How important is prostate testing?

Screening has been shown to drastically increase the detection of prostate cancer.

Although the majority of prostate cancers are generally not fatal, there are still about 20 percent of prostate cancers that will kill.

Prostate cancer is still the number-three cause of cancer death in the world—behind lung and colon cancer—for men. There are about 200,000 to 250,000 new cases of prostate cancer each year, and some 30,000 men will die of prostate cancer annually.

So screening is pretty important.

Q: At what age should a man go in for a prostate test? Well, there’s an increased prevalence and aggressiveness of prostate cancer for African Americans, so the guidelines used to be age 40 for African Americans and anyone with a family

history of prostate cancer and age 50 for everyone else.

But the guidelines recently changed and now they recommend an initial screening at the age of 40 for pretty much everyone.

and with restoring normal functions after the surgery. It’s all performed through five or six very small keyhole incisions, and involves less recovery time with less scarring.

Q: What about treatments for prostate cancer? Everyone who is a candidate for treatment has several options. The two most commonly used methods are surgery—of which about 70 percent are done using the da Vinci robot, with the rest performed through traditional open surgery—and there are also several types of radiation. Overall, treatment really is tailored depending on the patient’s individual situation.

Q: There’s some controversy about the effectiveness of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. It’s a good test—the problem is that it’s not specific for prostate cancer. There are generally three conditions that cause the PSA to rise. One of them is cancer, but the other two are benign. So it’s really not a specific marker.

It’s certainly a helpful marker, but it’s not specific. However, it’s a good starting point— and after a positive test we would move to a biopsy to investigate further.

Q: The da Vinci surgery machine is your specialty. It looks something like an old-school video game—but how has it changed surgery? The da Vinci began its use in 2001 for prostate surgery and has become increasingly popular because it gives the surgeon the ability to use finer movements.

The nice thing about the robot is that you get 10x magnification and have seven degrees of motion in the wrists of the instrument. They have a lot of mobility; you can get into small tight spaces with excellent visualization.

This all helps with taking out the cancer

Q: Your job deals with a subject that men are often shy about. Is that sometimes a problem? Lots of guys do wait too long because they’re embarrassed. Specifically if they have problems with their erections— usually their wives have to push them to come into the office. It’s sort of a pride issue and it’s hard to seek help. So sometimes they don’t come in until it’s more advanced.

But a lot of patients fail to realize that we see these conditions on a regular basis—it’s pretty routine for us, so what they find embarrassing, we’re accustomed to treating.

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what’s new

survivor spotlight

the body shop

on your mind

food & fitness

green life

ask the expert

The latest in local health care, and nutritionrelated healthy products

One by one, a LaPorte woman emerges triumphant over medical adversities

When to go to the emergency room, and the benefits of fluoride

Men, women and money, and the dangers of gossip

The functional movement fitness trend, and the truth about the alkalinizing diet

Why homemade cleaning products are better for the environment . . . and your health

Prostate testing is invasive at best, but so worth the trouble

4 letter from the editor 2

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

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6 health care advisory council

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12 well-being events

letter from the editor volume 5 | issue 2

In the past year, some male powerhouses have dominated the health scene, giving them celebrity-like status.

D

r. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, was offered the surgeon general position in the Obama administration but declined. Yet between his frequent appearances on news programs and his popular blog, the public just can’t get enough of his health expertise. He had quite a contender this year, however, in Dr. Mehmet Oz. The say-it-likeit-is doc became popular when he appeared frequently on the Oprah show, usually to talk about . . . ahem . . . poop. And following in the footsteps of Oprah’s other favorite go-to guy (whose name rhymes with “pill”), Dr. Oz started his own daily talk show. He has quickly become a household name and is likely here to stay.

Even our president is calling more attention to men’s health.

It’s well documented that President Obama is a bit of a fitness junkie, making time for exercise on a daily basis and playing basketball whenever he gets a chance. There was much controversy when the shirtless (and buff) Obama graced the cover of the Washingtonian last April. Many thought it was inappropriate;

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but perhaps, for one man out there, it was all the motivation he needed to kick-start his own fitness routine. It’s hard to make the excuse, “I don’t have time to work out,” when even the leader of the free world makes time for it.

In this year’s Men’s Health issue, we address some other excuses (“Yoga is just for women,” “I don’t need to go to the doctor”) that are often uttered by the male gender, as well as some very real issues that are affecting more households than we’d like to think. Issues like snoring and workaholism. All this and more can be found on pages 18-20. We also spoke with Dr. Perlmutter of Porter Hospital about the importance of prostate testing (page 32). He swears it’s not as bad as it sounds.

On the other side of the spectrum, we have a special section in this issue about pregnancy and fertility (page 23). Both men and women alike can feel the joy of pregnancy but also the pain of infertility. Many local couples are at wit’s end trying to conceive, but we’ve packaged all of the information we could get our hands on, with hopes to make the impossible possible for these couples.

In addition, our local health experts offer tips on when exactly to go to the ER (page 14), how to make your own cleaning products (page 30), and how to avoid the vicious snare that is gossip (page 16). And if you can’t find what you’re looking for in the magazine, chances are you’ll find it on our website, nwitimes.com/gethealthy. While you’re there, sign up for our free weekly newsletter, which delivers all kinds of health advice to your email inbox every week.

If you’re a man who is struggling to get your health under control, we recommend looking to the many role models in the public spotlight, to figure out what (and what not) to do to get back in shape. We’re with you every step of the way.

Julia Perla Managing editor

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.

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the relentless focus on health care funding

the times health care advisory council continues the emphasis on Prevention and efficiency

T

hough our leadership group has not met yet in 2010, we have been in constant contact with our advisory board members about the business side of what’s happening in our hospitals, specialty health care services and medical facilities around Northwest Indiana. And there is good news about H1N1, for instance. While the swine flu crisis did not leave us untouched, the illness never got to the paralyzing endpoint that some feared. The vaccine held out and for the time being, anyway, the flu is under control. The stimulus has already added billions of extra dollars to Medicaid health coverage for the poor in our state. But the consequences of federal legislation are still being debated in Washington and to a certain extent in Indianapolis. And stimulus dollars that could conceivably go to health care projects continue to be vetted.

Dollars and cents, and which government entity is responsible for what programs, are an ongoing concern and discussion topic. Viewpoints are numerous and no one is on the wrong side. The states have serious questions about under-funded federal mandates, the unemployed are afraid of getting sick and those with jobs and health insurance fear a possible tax on benefits. Yet, the people who work to deliver the high quality services and treatment that we benefit from in Northwest Indiana continue to strive to quickly implement new technology, training tomorrow’s health care workforce in the skills they will need to move forward next year and the year after that. The smoking ban in public places may have failed this time, but everyone knows, especially our legislators, that the fight to protect our health and the health of our children is never going to be over.

The safety net is Northwest Indiana has never been stronger or more vital than it is right now. Our local facilities have a core group of dedicated leaders who work together, communicate and have been part of our communities for years. Thomas Gryzbek is just one example. He has headed up St. Margaret Mercy for 15 years and has been working there for his entire career. His focus is and always has been completely clear: “Our mission is to see God’s presence in the patients we’re privileged to serve and to provide the highest quality service we can,” he said recently. “We continually expand our services and specialties to meet the needs of the medical staff and the community.” With about 45 million Americans currently uninsured, the gaps have been substantial across the country, and Northwest Indiana is no exception. Between 2007 and 2009, Saint Margaret annually provided $70 million in unpaid care to patients. It’s on track to provide the same amount this year. And that, of course, is only one example. Every CEO, every physician, every health care professional in our area has the same top concern—keeping people from getting sick and helping those who are ill to get well.

Through this tumultuous time we have learned a great deal about personal responsibility and consensus-building when it comes to taking care of ourselves and our neighbors. Yes, there are many unanswered questions about the medical care industry and the future, but consider for a moment the progress that has been made. The miraculous drugs that control maladies that used to be death sentences; the life-saving and life-restoring surgical procedures that were unheard of just a few years ago. Each of us has an example of a breathing miracle in our lives. That is what health care is truly all about, the quality and equality of life and keeping one another safe.

Our board will be meeting soon to contemplate the future and the challenges which evolve on a daily basis.

Pat colander associate Publisher and editor

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GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

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

debbie banik, coo Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute 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 adrianne May Hospice of the Calumet Area

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what’s new Local Health News

By Sarah Tompkins

HEALTHY PRODUCTS

ROUND-THE-CLOCK CARE

all-natural snacKs Banish fluorescent orange snack food fingers, without giving up on snacks that come from a convenient bag. With popchips, you get the satisfying crunch of chips in a healthier, allnatural form. Popchips aren’t baked or fried.

They’re made with heat and pressure, without fake colors or flavors, MSG, hydrogenated oils or preservatives—so keep a chip clip handy.

Available in seven snack-soothing flavors, from original and barbecue to cheddar (made with real cheese!) and salt and pepper. Find them at Target stores or at popchips.com.

Methodist Hospitals has started a 24-hour Hospitalist Program where a non-private practice physician is on site and available to patients and their families at all times. The program has been implemented at both the Northlake Campus in Gary and the Southlake Campus in Merrillville.

Hospitalists devote their time to caring for only hospitalized patients. These doctors complement the care given by a patient’s primary care provider or medical specialist while the patient is at Methodist. Hospitalists answer questions, monitor patients and change medications as needed. This often leads to shorter hospital stays, according to a hospital release.

“Methodist Hospitals is continuously looking for ways to increase the quality of care patients receive while at our hospitals,” says Ian McFadden, CEO and president of Methodist Hospitals.

“We are confident that the Hospitalist Program will not only increase the level of inpatient care, but also the patient’s satisfaction of the entire hospital experience.”

ELIMINATING ERRORS

Community Healthcare System hospitals are among the first in the country to use barcoding technology to reduce identification errors in laboratory tests and get faster results.

Community Hospital in Munster, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart are using the same technology that companies use to track packages on laboratory specimens. The True Positive ID Barcode Tracking System assigns each tissue sample a number that is held in a computer database. The system reduces errors caused by illegible handwriting, typos and matching the wrong specimen to the wrong label while using durable labels that can withstand the heat and chemical process of tests.

“Investing in groundbreaking technology, such as the new specimen tracking system, enables our hospitals to attain new levels of patient safety and security, and, set a new standard in the quality care we provide,” says John Gorski, chief operating officer for Community Healthcare System.

Each year Community Healthcare System’s central laboratory processes about 150,000 surgical specimens. Before the barcode tracking system, each specimen had handwritten labels used to create an identification number.

EXPRESS CARE

Saint Anthony Medical Center’s EXPRESSCare is now offering extended hours. EXPRESSCare offers fast treatment for non-life-threatening cases in Crown Point. Starting the weekend of January 23, the center will be open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday hours will stay the same, running from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“Patients asked for expanded hours,” says Dr. Daniel Netluch, Saint Anthony’s chief of emergency services. “It took us two to three months to find the right people to expand the staff to assure we continue to provide the highest quality of care that the community expects.”

Since it opened in August 2008, Netluch says the number of patients using EXPRESSCare has tripled. EXPRESSCare is located at Franciscan Point, Saint Anthony’s outpatient health complex, 12800 Mississippi Parkway. No appointments are necessary, and most insurance plans are accepted. For more information, call 219.662.5700.

8

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

By Casandra Riddle

the vegan view If the mere mention of vegan food makes you stammer out a “Where’s the beef?” you can rest easy. The Kind Diet, a new cookbook by actress/activist Alicia Silverstone, offers meat- and dairy-free dishes that seriously satisfy cravings from main dishes to snacks to sweets. Silverstone outlines the benefits of a vegan diet, from increased energy to clear skin, and the ways to cover nutritional bases. Even if you’re not willing to swear off animal products for good, The Kind Diet can offer healthier options for everyday dishes. Available at bookstores for $30. food rules Need a diet book that’s not quite a diet book, utilizes logic instead of magic, isn’t drier than plain toast and can be read from cover to cover in about an hour? Done. Pick up Michael Pollan’s latest book, Food Rules—An Eater’s Manual, for 64 sensible, memorable rules about everyday eating. Each rule, which he sourced from doctors, chefs, scientists and readers, has one paragraph of explanation, so you’re not at risk of getting bogged down. Rules include avoiding foods with a heavy TV ad presence, dodging cereals that change the color of the milk, and eating all the junk food you want—as long as you’re willing to cook it yourself. Find it at bookstores for about $10.

Miracle in a Jar Sometimes it seems a miracle worker is the only thing that will help skin look bright. And, thankfully, Philosophy recently decided to stick one in a jar. Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer is a fortifying cream that maximizes moisture-retention for soft, smooth skin. Made with vitamin C and glutathione and without petrochemicals, parabens and synthetic dyes or fragrances, it’s a lightweight formula that works well with all skin types, day or night.

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NEVER SAY NEVER How amputation became limb salvation At age 6, Lisa Mosher, now 50, of LaPorte was diagnosed with Type I diabetes, in which the pancreas does not make insulin, a hormone necessary to move glucose from the blood to the cells for energy. When too much glucose stays in the blood, it leads to complications, often with the heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves.

10

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

E

ven when taking insulin exactly as prescribed, Mosher’s blood glucose level fluctuated wildly without explanation. This is the most severe form of the disease, known as “brittle” diabetes, setting her up for a lifetime of damage being inflicted on her body.

The first major complication was diabetic retinopathy, in which the blood vessels in the retina are damaged and can lead to blindness.

Thankfully, this condition, which struck her in college, was controlled.

Soon after, her kidneys began on a slow path to destruction, eventually resulting in the need for a transplant.

Her sister turned out to be a perfect match and gave her the kidney she needed in April of 2002.

That fall, fully recovered from the successful transplant, Mosher, a teacher, went back to work. In November, a patch of dry, cracked skin appeared on her heel. The tiny wound refused to heal and resulted in an infection that required intravenous antibiotics. In February of 2003, she was walking down the school hallway when she heard the snap of her bone breaking.

Sitting in the doctor’s office, she had no idea how bad the infection really was. “I was there a few hours and they decided my leg had to come off a few inches below the knee,” she says.

Dealing with the loss of a limb less than a year after her kidney transplant, Mosher was still able to come back to finish the school year, using a wheelchair until her prosthetic leg was ready.

In August of 2003, she returned to her transplant doctor to show off her new leg. He thought it was a good time to introduce her to another expert, the man who performs the most pancreas transplants in the country. “They explained how this would stop the damage that was happening to my body,” she says. “He really thought this was the way for me to go, before I lost anymore limbs.”

She was 44 years old when she received her new pancreas. “From that day forward, I have had beautiful blood sugar and have never had to have any insulin,” Mosher says.

After three major surgeries in a year and a half, Mosher feels she is due a break. The pancreas transplant seems to have solved much of her medical headaches, having improved her retinopathy, given her some nerve function back and eliminating the need for taking insulin altogether.

photography by ROBERT WRAY

survivor spotlight

But while the diabetes may no longer be wreaking new havoc on her body, there is much damage that has already been done. In 2006, her left foot, which was already missing two toes, had developed another stubborn sore which refused to heal, resulting in the loss of a third toe.

Her foot surgeon, Dr. Christopher Grandfield, thought it was time for her to see a different specialist, cardiologist Dr. Prakash Makam, director of cardiovascular research for Community Healthcare System.

Makam diagnosed her with critical limb ischemia, the most severe form of peripheral artery disease (PAD), and enrolled her in a clinical research trial known as the DEFINITIVE LE Post-Market Study.

Mosher underwent a procedure known as the SilverHawk plaque excision system. The SilverHawk device is a tiny rotating blade used to shave away plaque inside an artery.

Makam says thanks to ongoing

research and devices like the SilverHawk, doctors arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t resorting to amputation quite as readily without proper evaluation anymore. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve changed the pathway from amputation to limb salvage,â&#x20AC;?

Makam says.

Mosher is grateful the right doctors seem to have entered her life at all the right times. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dr. Grandfield says I have Dr. Makam to thank that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going to lose my foot,â&#x20AC;?

Mosher says.

L

ooking back, Mosher says perhaps her other leg might have been saved had they begun looking into her vascular health sooner. She says that because of her stellar cholesterol scores and a diabeticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tendency to have nonhealing wounds, no one had thought to look down that path before. She urges anyone with diabetes and nonhealing wounds to seek a vascular evaluation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just think to yourself, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh well, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a diabetic, it goes with the territory,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; because you can probably head off some disaster if you catch this soon enough,â&#x20AC;? Mosher says.

As for the future and the medical complications it may bring, she remains optimistic, clinging to the words of one doctor who taught her about the role of a healthy attitude in healing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always one more thing,â&#x20AC;? she recalls him saying. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give up, because maybe you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what it is yet. Maybe you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thought of it, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always one more thing to try.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Erika Rose

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

well-being events

Because dates and times are subject to change, please call ahead to confirm all event details. If you would like to submit a health-related event to be considered for listing in the Get Healthy calendar of events, please send the information at least 6-8 weeks in advance to kmacneil@nwitimes.com.

c o m p i l e d by J u l I D O s h A N

FITNESS ONGOING dancercise, 5:30-6:30pm every Tue & Thu, Jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 J.F. Mahoney Dr, Hammond. 219.554.0155. gohammond.com. These weekly classes feature a fun alternative to aerobic exercise with upbeat, energetic dancing.

FEB 21 indoor triathlon, Southlake YMCA, 1450 S Court St, Crown Point. 219.663.5810. slymca.org. Competitors in this new event will compete in the traditional triathlon events, only they will do so in the pool, on stationary bikes and on treadmills. Each component of the race will be completed in a set amount of time and individual distances will be totaled and pitted against others from YMCAs across the state. All participants will receive an Indoor Triathlon T-shirt.

MAR 8 y-run, Southlake YMCA, 1450 S Court St, Crown Point. 219.663.5810. slymca.org. Beginners to jogging and racing are invited to train for the 30th Anniversary Hub Run 5K race in May by starting at square one. Lectures covering topics such as race preparation, nutrition, shoes and hydration will be offered before each weekly class for participants, who must be at least 15 years of age. Mar 1: Sign up meeting.

MAR 10-19 fitness instructor training, 6-9pm, Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave, Munster. 219.980.6806. comhs.org.

After completing this course, participants will be ready to take American Council on Exercise (ACE) or Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) certification tests.

MAR 13 introduction to ballet, 8-9am, Community Hospital, 901 MacArthur Blvd, Munster.

219.836.3477 or 866.836.3477. comhs.org.

Women can learn the basics of ballet and how to incorporate its moves into a fitness routine to help firm and tone the body at this free class.

APR 14 Jump start Pilates, 6-7pm, Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave, Munster. 219.836.3477 or 866.836.3477. comhs.org. Basic principles and information about Pilates will be available at this free, interactive session. Simple and effective exercises will also be taught to those who would like to continue a Pilates regimen in the convenience and privacy of home.

KIDS MAR 29 teens get fit, 7-8:15pm, Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave, Munster.

219.836.3477. comhs.org. Designed for 9- to 15year-olds, this eight-week program is a highly structured, professionally supervised fitness and education program. It addresses adolescent

12

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

SUPPORT GROUPS

health concerns in a fun and uplifting atmosphere.

ONGOING after care breast cancer support group, 7-8:30pm, 2nd & 4th Mon of every month, Cancer Resource Centre, 926 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3349. cancerresourcecentre. com. Women who have completed their breast cancer treatment are invited to share their experiences and address any concerns at this bimonthly support group.

CLASSES/SEMINARS ONGOING c.h.o.i.c.e.s. natural birth & Parenting network, 7pm, 1st Wed of the month, Hebron Community Center, 611 N Main St, Hebron. 219.996.5188. indianabirthchoices. com. This free community program brings together midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, chiropractors, breastfeeding consultants and new and expecting parents. No need to preregister. Mar 3: Green Your Family; Apr 7: Natural Healthcare for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond with Dr. Hayes.

ONGOING lifefit series, 1-2pm, Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave, Munster.

219.836.3477 or 866.836.3477. comhs.org.

Eight classes will make up this series designed to educate the public on how to stop or slow the progression of heart disease. Various risk factors and ways to modify them effectively will be the focus of these free classes, and people are invited to attend any number of sessions.

Feb 23: Get the Weight Off; Mar 2: Exercise for the Heart; Mar 9: High Blood Pressure; Mar 16: Stress . . . This Generation Risk Factor; Mar 23: I Don’t Smoke, Why Should I Care?

APR 16 national healthcare decisions day, 3-6pm, Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave, Munster. 219.836.3477 or 866.836.3477. comhs.org. Three programs are offered in observance of National Healthcare Decisions Day to provide vital information, in the form of a brief presentation and educational material, regarding important health care decisions. A legal representative will be on hand to answer questions and help complete documentation.

APR 21 what you need to Know about women’s cancers, 5:30-7:30pm, Rush University, Armour Academic Center, Rm 994, 600 S Paulina St, Chicago. 888.352.7874. rush.edu. Learn more about diagnosis and treatment options for women with breast and gynecologic cancers as well as the latest information on prevention at this free event.

APR 27 addressing sensitive issues in Men and women, 6-8:30pm, Rush University, Armour Academic Center, Rm 994, 600 S Paulina St, Chicago. 888.352.7874. rush.edu. Pelvic and abdominal health often goes undiagnosed and untreated because it isn’t easy to discuss, but it can also have serious effects. Men and women are encouraged to attend this session to learn how to prevent and treat these issues with nutrition, physical therapy, exercise and in some cases, medical and surgical treatments.

ONGOING alzheimer’s support group, 6pm, 1st Tue of every month,Westchester Library, 100 W Indiana Ave, Chesterton. 800.272.3900. alz. org/indiana. This support group is designed for caregivers of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

It meets monthly to allow participants to share experiences and receive the support they need from others in similar situations.

MAR 3

family & friends cPr

7-10pm Community Hospital 901 MacArthur Blvd, Munster. 219.836.3477 or 866.836.3477 comhs.org This American Heart Association course is for family, friends and laypersons who want to learn the skills to rescue infants and children.

Students will learn the steps to help a choking infant or child as well as CPR, while gaining an increased awareness of the hazards in a child’s environment.

ONGOING brain injury information & support group, 2:30-4pm e very Wed, Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit Family Waiting Lounge, 8th Floor, 1653 W Congress Pkwy, Chicago. 312.563.2700. rush.edu. Open to family members and loved ones of adults with an acquired brain injury such as a tumor, stroke or aneurysm. Information, ideas about what works and what doesn’t work and invaluable emotional support will be available from caregivers in similar situations.

ONGOING caregiver support group, 10am, 2nd Sat of every month, Miller’s Senior Living Community, 5911 Lute Rd, Portage. 219.764.0628.

This monthly group will allow caregivers to share their problems, ideas and successful solutions in a supportive and informative environment.

ONGOING couples confronting cancer together, 7-8:30pm, 1st Tue of every month, Cancer Resource Centre, 926 Ridge Rd, Munster.

219.836.3349. cancerresourcecentre.com. This group is designed for those dealing with cancer and their spouse or significant other.

ONGOING depression & bipolar support alliance, 6pm, 1st & 3rd Wed of every month, Porter-Starke Services, 701 Wall St, Entrance C, Valparaiso; 7pm, 2nd & 4th Mon of every month, Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus, 8701 Broadway, Merrillville. 219.462.3689. porterstarke. org. This unique support group is a peerdirected discussion, with patients being treated for depression or bipolar disorder and their families helping form a comprehensive common denominator of the support needed.

ONGOING gilda’s club, 11am-2pm every Wed, Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine, 5758 S Maryland Ave, Chicago. 773.702.9900. uchospitals.edu. The Gilda’s Club mission is to create a welcome community of free

AS SEEN IN

support for everyone living with cancer. This chapter provides support as well as lectures, workshops and social events.

need a complete audiologic evaluation to discover type and degree of hearing impairment.

ONGOING lupus support group, 6:30pm, 4th Mon of every month, St. Mary Medical Center, 1500 S Lake Park Ave, Hobart.

800.948.8806. lupus.org. The Indiana Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America is sponsoring a monthly support group at St. Mary’s Hospital. This free group is open to the public and is designed to encourage patients and share skills for coping with lupus and associated autoimmune and connective tissue diseases.

ONGOING scoliosis screenings, NeuroScience Institute, Southlake Campus, Methodist Hospitals, 200 E 89th Ave, Merrillville.

219.738.4926. methodisthospitals.org. This free screening is available only by appointment.

ONGOING victory over violence, 5-6:30pm, St. Catherine Hospital, 4321 Fir St, East Chicago. 219.836.3477 or 866.836.3477. comhs.org. This group will meet at the firstfloor Daybreak Behavioral Health Services area and will provide support for those who are dealing with the aftermath of a violent incident.

MAR 23 footwear and foot type screening, 5-7pm, Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave, Munster.

219.836.3477 or 866.836.3477. comhs. org. This fun, interactive screening and informational session is geared towards runners and walkers. Here, they will learn how foot type and footwear affect the entire body. Physical therapists will cover everything from footwear and foot types to knee, hip and spine problems, while teaching helpful stretching techniques and warm-up drills.

Those interested should come dressed in shorts and athletic shoes.

NUTRITION

SPECIAL EVENTS

MAR 3, 9 the scoop on Proteins & the facts on fats, 6:30-7:30pm Wed,11am noon Tue, Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave, Munster. 219.836.3477 or 866.836.3477. comhs.org. Information on the role of protein in the body and how much is required for good health, as well as how fat fits into a healthy nutrition plan will be provided at this free class. Participants will also learn the difference between “good” and “bad” fats.

ThROuGh FEB 28 black creativity 2010—taking charge of you! Museum of Science and Industry, 57th St & Lake Shore Dr, Chicago. 773.684.1414. msichicago.org. African Americans can explore healthier living while learning how to protect and nourish the body with exercise and fresh, healthy food choices.

Health challenges faced by African Americans, including asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and stress, will be discussed in lectures, panel discussions and workshops.

Also featured are the achievements of past and present African American pioneers of medicine.

SCREENINGS ONGOING blood Pressure screening, 9-11am every Thu, HealthQuarters, LaPorte Hospital, 1007 Lincolnway, LaPorte.

219.325.5487 or 219.872.3331 ext 5487. laportehealth.org. These free blood pressure screenings are available every Thursday morning.

ONGOING community coronary scan, Community Hospital, 901 MacArthur Blvd, Munster. 219.836.4599. comhs.org. This noninvasive test takes an x-ray picture of the heart to detect the calcium deposits that are a sign of heart disease. It’s quick, painless and is especially recommended for people who are at risk for heart problems.

ONGOING hearing screening, Community Hospital, 901 MacArthur Blvd, Munster. 219.836.4527. comhs.org. This free screening helps to determine if participants

MAR 20-21 8th annual Pampered woman show, 10am-5pm Sat, 11am-4pm Sun, Jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 J.F. Mahoney Dr, Hammond. 219.853.6378. gohammond.com. This annual show features more than 100 vendors as well as spa services, massages, manicures and pedicures, facials and healthy lifestyle options.

APR 10 spa day at the Park, 10am-noon, Red Mill County Park, 0185 S Holmesville Rd, LaPorte. 219.325.8315. laportecountyparks.org.

The first 50 people to this event will receive a goody bag, and everyone will get the chance to check out information, sample services, products and vendors in the community.

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DRS. NIRENBERG AND LACEY use the latest techniques to solve the toughest foot and ankle problems.

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emergency room alternatives

the body shop

FAST TRACK SYSTEM Many hospitals have set up “fast track” systems in the emergency room to handle the less serious cases. Basic lab tests and x-rays can be ordered from here. Fast track service is often quicker than the standard ER visit.

Porter health Portage Hospital Campus 3630 Willowcreek Rd, Portage 219.364.3000

WHEN TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM That ache in your side just won’t let up, but you can’t get an appointment to see your doctor for several days.

Your doctor’s receptionist advises you to go to the ER, but do you really need to?

The question of when people should or shouldn’t visit the emergency room was the subject of an educational seminar from Porter’s Healthy Woman program presented by William Yount, MD, a Level 1 Emergency Medicine

Top Ten Reasons for ER Visits 1. Abdominal pain. The reasons for abdominal pain are harder to diagnose in women because of the anatomy of the pelvis.

Take this pain seriously, particularly if the pain is new to you.

14

Physician from Porter Health System. “The public perceives the ER as a sanctuary and safety net,” Dr. Yount says. “And 40 to 50 percent of our population rely on the ER for their medical care. Most of those people are not insured, and the ER is their only choice.”

Everyone who goes to the ER gets seen, and those who don’t really need to be there or who can be seen at an urgent care facility or at a doctor’s office slow the system down (the average time

2. Chest pain. Women have atypical symptoms for heart attack, so, again, take chest pain seriously, particularly if the pain is new to you.

3. Fever. Fever is often a pediatric problem. Dr. Blount says to use common sense here. “If there is a coexisting problem or the person is immunesuppressed, then yes, but otherwise most fevers aren’t bad,” he says.

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spent in the ER is 2.6 hours).

Dr. Blount says it is difficult to make the decision to go, and he’s had the same struggle when encountering health issues with his own family. But you can make a more informed decision.

“The best way to stay out of the emergency room is by developing a good and long relationship with your primary care provider,” Dr. Yount says. “They know your fears and your history best, and can help you make the right decisions.” –SHARON BIGGS WALLER

4. Headache. If it is severeonset or the worst headache in your life, don’t wait.

8. Pain. The ER cannot solve chronic pain problems.

5. Shortness of breath.

Don’t wait.

9. Lacerations. May be addressed in a doctor’s office or urgent care facility.

6. Back symptoms. Could be seen in a doctor’s office or urgent care facility.

7. Cough. Go to the ER if the cough produces blood and/or you are short of breath.

10. Throat symptoms. A sore throat may get better on its own.

valparaiso hospital campus 814 LaPorte Ave, Valparaiso 219.263.4600 URGENT CARE CLINICS Walk-in or urgent care clinics offer services for those without a family doctor or for those unable to get an immediate appointment with their current doctor.

Staff includes family nurse practitioners and doctors who treat a variety of nonlife-threatening injuries and illnesses, including sore throats, colds/flu, urinary tract infections, minor lacerations, rashes, sports physicals and simple fractures. Many have x-ray equipment and can run blood tests, although most don’t have on-site labs for immediate results. Walk-in clinics take insurance, but will often offer a discount for those paying out-of-pocket.

Med-clinic at st. catherine hospital 4321 Fir St, East Chicago 219.392.7945 franciscan expresscare 701 Superior Ave, Munster 219.922.4001 2307 LaPorte Ave, Ste 8, Valparaiso 219.476.8855 MedPoint express (in walmart) 2400 Morthland Dr, Valparaiso 800.635.5516 AFTER-HOURS CLINICS After-hours clinics offer the same services as walk-in clinics but are open later.

Porter chesterton after hours clinic 640 Dickinson Rd, Chesterton 219.926.7755

Fluoride Fan Club

I

t’s been decades since naturally occurring fluoride in certain bodies of drinking water was discovered to dramatically fight tooth decay. And it seems that the dental community is as sold as ever on the idea of adding it to the water supply and to toothpaste—as well as doing topical treatment—to prevent dental caries in the population.

Basically, very small and controlled amounts of fluoride taken internally or swished across the teeth while brushing—or applied by a dentist—are absorbed by the teeth, strengthening the enamel and fighting decay—especially in kids while their teeth are forming.

Dr. C. Wesley Barnett, a dentist in downtown Chicago, recalls that before fluoride, Chicago children coming to the University of Illinois dental clinic had rampant decay—and yet the kids in Aurora didn’t. It turned out that the water in Aurora had a natural supply of fluoride in it.

Eva Sandberg, a dental hygienist at Pediatric Dental Health Associates in Chicago, says that at about the same time, dentists discovered that kids in one certain area in Colorado had consistently brownish teeth.

Why? Because there was too much fluoride in the water. She says that even though the kids’ teeth were getting too much fluoride, resulting in a condition called fluorosis, the large amount did not make the kids more vulnerable to problems in later life—such as cancer.

Fluoride is considered safe and very effective by the American Dental Association. In fact, Sandberg says, based on the latest research, it’s even okay for toddlers to use a very small amount of toothpaste with fluoride every other day to protect baby teeth. She and Barnett also caution parents against using distilled water or water that is “purified,” thus losing the fluoride.

Barnett says exposure to fluoride makes the tooth enamel 25 percent harder. And that can be important in combating an over-consumption of drinks with acid like colas and fruit drinks, which tend to de-mineralize the tooth enamel.

“Like anything else, too much of a good thing may not be good, but a little of a lot of things have a margin of benefit,” Barnett says. “The cost of adding fluoride to the water supply is the most cost-effective public health program in history.” –BONNIE

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Beware

on your mind

men, women and money when it comes to sticking to a budget, men and women fail at equal rates, but in different ways. statistics show that when men deviate from the spending plan, it’s often on a large “splurge” purchase, such as a new car, boat or large tv. women have better self-control when it comes to big-ticket items, but run up far more credit card debt, particularly women in the 20-35 age group.

W

hich harms the budget more? According to Terry Quinn, of the Wealth Management Group in Munster, it’s credit card spending that does more damage over the long haul. “Most couples do some planning for large purchases, such as a car, major vacation or remodeling a home,” he says.

“Spending an extra $500 on a credit card

16

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

each month isn’t normally planned for.” Quinn compares blown budgets to blown diets; it’s not the single feast that wrecks you, it’s the tendency to say, “I’ll get control of that tomorrow.”

But that’s not to say that the wife is always to blame for the family finance problems. It’s usually the partner who doesn’t manage the money that hurts the budget.

“When I counsel couples, 90 percent of the time, only one partner knows what’s going on with the finances,” he explains. “It’s almost never the person who balances the budget who is also the one who’s overspending.”

Quinn also sees a major difference in the sexes when it comes to investing.

Men, as a rule, are almost always aggressive investors who are accepting of a volatile market.

Women are looking for a more stable portfolio.

Even when a couple gets on the same “financial page” when it comes to managing the budget, it’s still critical to make a joint decision on how aggressive to be in an unstable market. –SETH “TOWER”HuRD

of

Gossip

Gossip is a universal human experience. Defining gossip is challenging, however. Webster’s Dictionary defines gossip as “revealing personal or sensational facts about others,” while Psalms defines gossip as an individual’s tendency to “backbite with his tongue.” For our own purposes, we’ll define gossip as talking about others, when they’re not present, to a third party.

Social psychologists argue that gossip can be positive. They maintain that gossip transmits valuable information to the social group, such as improper actions to avoid, or important details that improve survival, such as avoiding deceptive or hurtful people. While these benefits are possibilities, most people are familiar with harmful types of gossip.

In its most benign form, gossip is simply a version of “Chinese telephone.”

Credible but personal details about someone are shared with another person. As these facts are transferred from person to person, however, the original message becomes distorted, colored by each person’s feelings, perceptions and beliefs. As the message spreads, the initial statement becomes false and injurious. For example, chitchat about a family moving out of town turns into a rumor about a conflict with a neighbor, which forced them to leave town.

A more socially destructive variety of gossip, the verbal equivalent of the “evil eye,” involves getting back at people we dislike by spreading rumors or half-truths in that individual’s social circle. Office gossip is the most common form, especially in highly competitive environments where decisions may be partially based on “grapevine” communication. For example, a jealous employee spreads a rumor that a coworker is going to be promoted because she had an affair with the boss.

Whatever form it takes, gossip strains relationships, destroys reputations, and impedes upward mobility that is dependent on the opinions of others. In an Internet culture awash with information, gossip is often viewed as benign because it appears to be a credible way to communicate “facts.” However, it is seldom innocent. Gossip is frequently unassertive, mean-spirited and corrosive. It often involves a defense called projection, Dr. Carl S. Hale is a clinical which means seeing our own faults in others. neuropsychologist in What are the alternatives to gossip? Learn to Merrillville who specializes be assertive; talk to the person directly. If you feel in learning and achievement wronged, write a letter. Then send it or tear it up. in youngsters with ADHD, Refuse to listen to gossip by changing the subject. learning disabilities and Forgive, rather than attacking others with a verbal autism. He currently has a sword. And never say anything about any person that u.S. trademark pending for you would not want said about you.

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Man Power

Stress is a condition most commonly experienced by the female gender, but these days, both men and women alike are stressing more than ever. Whether you’re working round the clock to maintain job security, or you’re ignoring your health in order to take care of the ones you love most, you’re not doing your body any favors. We have some pointers on how to relax and make your health a priority again.

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GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

Workaholics Anonymous “You’ve got to work hard if you want anything at all.”

It’s a line from an early ’80s Depeche Mode song, appropriately titled “Work Hard.” There’s just one problem: if you want your health, working hard just might not be the ticket. In fact, being a workaholic could be harmful to your health.

LaPorte Regional Health System president and CEO G. Thor Thordarson fell into—and got out of—that trap. “It’s a constant struggle, because you want to be successful and you want to be good at what you do,” he says. “I came to the realization that nobody at the end of your life is going to congratulate you for spending all your time at the office.”

What helped the married father-of-three was a former colleague’s recommendation to attend a timemanagement seminar. “That was kind of an eye-opener in terms of how you’ve got to plan your life, have life goals and track relentlessly what you spend time on,” he says. “You have to make sure you spend that time on what’s critical.

“I’ve used those principles ever since.”

One of the exercises Thordarson practiced was looking at how much time he had that was truly disposable and how to maximize it. “You have to look at what your priorities are in life and realize you can’t do everything,” he says. “There’s no shortage of people who want to take time from you.”

Thordarson believes it’s good to work hard, but people should go to their jobs refreshed and ready to enjoy the work day and keep it short before going home. “They are probably much more effective and productive than those who are continually tired and burned out from overwork,” he says.

Although there isn’t an exact medical definition for a workaholic, Dr. Joseph Arulandu, a cardiovascular/ internal medicine specialist in Michigan City, says he sees a lot of patients with issues due to overwork. Most of these men work “way more” than 40 hours a week, take their work home with them and are always talking or thinking about work. They also lose the pleasure of things that are normally pleasurable, like vacations.

“Those are signs to look for,” Arulandu says.

Workaholics, Arulandu adds, can suffer from headaches, fatigue and unexplained stomach ailments.

High stress in workaholics can also lead to high blood pressure that can result in heart disease or strokes.

When it comes to prevention and treatment, Arulandu recommends sleep and plain old rest. “The hardest thing about this is you’ve got to convince the person that the world isn’t going to end if they’re not paying attention.”

–ROB EARNSHAW

WHen a SpouSe SnoreS A nudge, ear plugs, sleeping in the closet, a pillow over the head—these are all home remedies friends have tried for spousal snoring. When it comes to the issue of snoring, I often hear a rapid succession of questions such as . . . is it bad that he/she snores? Yes and no. Snoring can often be a sign of a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is a condition where the body stops breathing, thereby lowering the oxygen level, which often causes the body to wake up to star t breathing. OSA can put you at risk for serious health complications, including hear t attack and stroke, high blood pressure, weight gain and sexual dysfunction. why does he/she snore?

Snoring is the noise made by vibration of tissue in the upper airway, i.e. your mouth, nose and back of your throat. The noise is created by turbulent flow of air through narrowed air passages. is there anything that can be done? Sometimes.

Snoring can be caused by many factors: narrowing in the nose, narrowing at the back of the throat or a combination of both. Researchers have tried to isolate which par t of the body the snoring is coming from, to the extent of recording and analyzing sound waves from snoring, without success. Since predicting the site is difficult, we often take many factors into consideration, based on our experience and the physical exam.

Those patients who do desire treatment for snoring should consult an ENT specialist that will examine the areas of obstruction and develop a treatment plan.

In 80 percent of patients that snore, the soft palate is the primary contributor to snoring. For these patients, there is an innovative device

called the Pillar Implant. It’s a minimally invasive device with minimal pain and discomfor t.

These implants are made of a material called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which has long been used in hear t valves and sutures. In an inoffice procedure that takes approximately 20 minutes, the implants are placed in the muscle of the soft palate to add structural suppor t, stiffen the soft palate and reduce tissue vibration. They are permanent and non-noticeable.

So, if snoring is the reason that you have bruises on your side, visit your physician, who will screen you for snoring and sleep apnea. For those people who don’t have sleep apnea, an ENT physician will tell you if you are a candidate for different snoring treatment options. –DR. SHRIDHAR VENTRAPRAGADA

Dr. Shridhar Ventrapragada is an otolaryngologist at Northwest Indiana ENT & Sinus Center, 8840 Calumet Avenue, Suite 204, Munster, Indiana. march/april 2010 | GET HEALTHY

19

Average Joe-ga YOGA FOR MEN

ask most men about yoga and the standard answer you often receive is that it’s a workout for women, a passive form of exercise for the limber. i too was naive enough to believe this before taking my first class four years ago. i was an ncaa all-american wrestler, a tough guy. i had sweat off more weight than one could imagine in my ten-year career. so how could stretching on a mat, in a room full of women, sage burning in the air, even compare with going toe-to-toe with a worthy opponent?

They call the pose Warrior 1. Arms outstretched, one leg dropped back in a lunge, the other bent at the knee. Arguably the most recognizable of yoga poses, Virabhadrasana, or Warrior 1, is named to commemorate the ideal to which all yogis ascribe. The spiritual “warrior” does battle with self-ignorance, the ultimate source of our suffering. I had been ignorant before my first Warrior 1. Mastery of self was going to be much harder than any wrestling match. If Genghis Khan’s army would train doing thousands of sun salutations, clearly yoga isn’t the passive exercise for the weak, but a practice that when respected can bring an abundance of health, humility, clarity and compassion into any man’s life.

Jim Bennitt, yogi and owner of Tejas Yoga Chicago, teaches a class for men only at his South Loop studio. “We want to bring yoga back to men,” Bennett says. “You know, in the old days most teachers in India wouldn’t teach women. It was a manly thing.”

At Tejas, “We offer a class where men aren’t intimidated or don’t feel too stiff compared to the bendy girl next to them. It’s a relaxed vibe in that class where guys don’t need to be ‘on’ at all.

They’re just there to stretch tight muscles and learn how to de-stress with simple breathing and meditation techniques.”

“As men age, quality of life is paramount,” says Mike Zolfo, yogi and owner of the Yoga Room in Crown Point. “As our bodies deteriorate, we are forced to look inward, and to communicate with our bodies in a completely new way. Ailments of age lead to thoughts of our mortality, which is a frightening experience for virile men. Yoga offers more than just physical maintenance. The combination of breath work, stretching, relaxation and focusing the mind provides a synchronistic approach to therapy.”

The physical benefits are worth mentioning too, though.

Zolfo adds, “Regular yoga practice can lower blood pressure by 15 to 20 percent, lower chances of coronary disease, as well as relieve the pain of chronic arthritis.”

Whether using it as the foundation of your fitness program or a complement to the standard weights and jogging, men of every age can benefit greatly from a regular yoga practhe yoga rooM & booKshoP tice. My own practice has brought 418 n Main st much by the way of mental clarity, crown Point 219.226.1000 and an appreciation for my own yogaroom.com body that I would never have understood before yoga. I have teJas yoga learned to respect the practice im1133 s wabash ave ste 101 mensely and highly recommend chicago it to any man looking to lead his 312.386.9642 tejasyogachicago.com best life. –TYLER LENNOx BuSH 20

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

DOCTOR -OPHOBIA Men who don’t want to see a doctor likely prefer the mantra “Ignorance is bliss.” A lot of the time, men know something is going on with their health but don’t want to get checked out because they’re afraid of what might be found.

“It’s true of everyone—not just guys,” says Dr. Ramesh Unni, a urologist based in Merrillville.

“There’s just a stronger tendency in men to bury their heads in the sand. I think it’s a fear of the unknown.”

Unni says that not seeking medical attention is a matter of both gender and race, particularly with black men. “It’s been documented in a variety of prostate cancer studies,” he says. The problem, according to Unni, is prostate cancer tends to show up earlier and in a more aggressive form in black men. “They’re probably the biggest group of people where we see a health impact, at least in urological care,” Unni says.

Symptoms in men that should at least deliver them to their primary care doctor, Unni says, include blood in the urine and difficulty urinating (which includes going to the bathroom too often or having a slow stream).

“Those kinds of things are probably what men should get checked out for,” he says. “As a urologist it’s our job to make sure they don’t have kidney stones or kidney or bladder cancer. Most people don’t, but you should get checked for that if you’ve had blood in the urine.”

Unni says men should also see a doctor if they experience erectile dysfunction, because there’s a strong correlation between ED and a serious health problem. “You have to see a doctor, not only for the obvious reasons, but because it may be one of the first symptoms of cardiac disease,” he says.

Not seeking medical attention is often more damaging to men who are without a girlfriend, wife or concerned family member. “A large proportion of the time it’s a loved one who gets them to go to the doctor.” –ROB EARNSHAW

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A PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES

men’s health When to go to the doctor, how to know if you’re a workaholic . . . and a cure for snoring?

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The Alkalinizing Diet Men, Women and Money The Latest Old-School Workout MARCH/APRIL 2010

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fertility and pregnancy WHEN TO SEEk HELP INFERTILITY INNOVATIONS PREGNANCY HEALTH AND FITNESS WHERE TO GO IN NWI

march/april 2010 | GET HEALTHY

23

trying to conceive? when to seeK helP

O

FERTILITY & PREGNANCY Childbearing is one of life’s greatest joys. But for some couples, it is a near impossibility.

Fortunately, there has been a tremendous advancement in fertility services and treatments right here in Northwest Indiana. In this special section, we aim to bring together the people who need help with the people who can give help, so that the fertility process might be a healthy and hopeful one.

24

GET HEALTHY | nwitimes.com/gethealthy

n the front lines of couples’ struggles with getting pregnant, Dr. Douglas Dedelow says the first step in addressing potential fertility problems starts even before the first round of unprotected, well-timed intercourse.

Dedelow, an obstetrician/gynecologist with Innovative Women’s Health, a practice of the Community Healthcare System with offices in Portage, Winfield and Hobart, urges couples to first engage in a pre-conceptual conversation about medical and genetic history and lifestyles with their doctor.

“You like to address [first] certain issues that might make it difficult for them to get pregnant, two, for them to maintain the pregnancy and three, to really limit their risk for problems during pregnancy,” Dedelow says.

The definition of infertility is well-timed, unprotected intercourse without getting pregnant for one year if the woman is younger than 35, and six months if the woman is over 35. He says a third of infertility cases are attributed to the male, a third are due to the female and a third are unexplained.

Dedelow says it’s acceptable for a generalist like the OB/Gyn you’re already comfortable with to do a basic workup when infertility is suspected, as long as the couple is young and has some time on their side.

If the woman is older than 35, though, Dedelow will likely refer a couple directly to a reproductive endocrinologist.

Dr. Amos Madanes, reproductive endocrinologist with Midwest Fertility Centers, says an expert in fertility should most definitely be the first stop. “The biggest danger is waiting too long,” he says. “We have in life only one resource that is ever-depleting and not replenishable, and that is time.”

The doctors say the general workup centers around four areas: problems with ovulation, a low sperm count, blocked tubes or hormonal problems. A semen analysis is one of the first things that is recommended to determine if there is a low sperm count.

Next might be a look into whether the female is ovulating, and if not, why not? Dedelow says possible underlying reasons could be thyroid disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome or medications that prevent ovulation, for example.

A hysterosalpingogram (HSG), an x-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes, would reveal any blockages or uterine abnormalities. An ultrasound evaluation

and blood test would answer questions related to hormone function.

Madanes says if these tests don’t reveal any specific problems that justify a more invasive treatment, a logical next step might be a fertility pill, such as Clomid, used with insemination, or putting the sperm directly into the uterus.

Madanes says the pill without insemination generally does not work; in addition, women are advised not to take it for more than six months. “Unfortunately, the chance of Clomid working just by swallowing the pill is much, much lower than if they have the full treatment cycle with insemination,” he says.

If pregnancy still doesn’t occur after these basic tests and treatment, more aggressive and extensive options might be considered, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

“The most important advice,” Madanes says, “is don’t wait too long, and once you’ve established that you need help, skip the regular gynecologist and go right away to the fertility expert.”

By an expert he means a doctor with formal training in fertility, such as a three-year fellowship in infertility, and preferably one who is board-certified in infertility. –ERIkA ROSE

exPloring the oPtions— innovations in treating infertility

F

or couples anxious to become parents, the waiting game of trying and failing and trying again can be agonizing. Fortunately, once they decide to seek professional help for infertility, some new innovations can make the chance of conception easier and hopefully in less time.

The doctors at Midwest Fertility Center, which has locations in Munster,Valparaiso, Merrillville, Downers Grove, Naperville and downtown Chicago, are doing some exciting new procedures to help couples achieve pregnancy.

Dr. Amos Madanes, reproductive endocrinologist, says that for couples whose trouble is low sperm counts, there is a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in which a single sperm can be injected into an egg. He says with ICSI, one of the most innovative in vitro fertilization procedures, a couple can avoid a lot of wasted time if they learn up front that there are low sperm counts, which is one of the most difficult scenarios to overcome.

Madanes is also excited about a special test that enables a glimpse into the DNA inside the sperm.

“Sometimes the sperm seems perfectly normal. But

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Founded in 1997 by Dr. Joel G. Brasch, Chicago IVF offers fertility treatments from the simple, such as intrauterine insemination and ovulation induction, to the more intricate, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and epididymal sperm extraction (ESE).

The clinic also treats endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

They offer an egg donation and embryo donation program, as well as microsort gender selection and preimplantation genetics (PGD). The clinic accepts most major insurance carriers and has financial counselors who can arrange payment plans.

MIDwEST FERTILITY CENTER 51 w 86th ave, Merrillville 9305 calumet ave, ste c1, Munster 1101 e glendale blvd,valparaiso 800.244.0212. ivf.us

A leading fertility clinic in the Northwest Indiana and Chicago area since 1984, Midwest Fertility Center offers several options, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques such as intracytoplastic sperm injection (ICSI) and assisted hatching (AH).

Another procedure offered is gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT).

The center has a high success rate with tubal ligation reversal, which is done with laparoscopic surgery (no hospital stay) and guaranteed. They also work with egg donation and surrogacy. The center accepts most major insurance carriers, and offers paymento ptions.

PARTNERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

800 Macarthur blvd, ste 2, Munster 219.836.9490 sethlevrant-md.mymedfusion.com

A small, close-knit practice, Dr. Seth Levrant and his staff treat male and female infertility issues such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and recurrent pregnancy loss. They utilize in vitro fertilization techniques and other technologies, including donor egg and cryopreservation (freezing) of embryos, and reverse tubal ligations. The clinic accepts most major insurance carriers. –SHARON BIGGS WALLER

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pregnancy doesn’t occur, and if there is a high percent of deficient DNA in the sperm, what is going to happen is the woman is not going to get pregnant with the regular insemination and the regular Clomid or fertility pill treatment.” Madanes says screening the sperm for deficiencies can help point doctors to the most appropriate treatment faster and avoid wasting precious time.

Madanes says laparoscopic tubal ligation reversal is a minimally invasive way of repairing and reconnecting a woman’s fallopian tubes. Typically, he says, the traditional method of tubal ligation reversal involves a long incision. Midwest Fertility Center touts the procedure as being a less expensive and more effective option than in vitro fertilization and boasts a 79 percent success rate in patients under age 35 whose tubes were successfully reconnected.

Madanes notes innovations in other surgical procedures to address anatomic abnormalities getting in the way of pregnancy as well, such as the removal of uterine fibroids, even large ones, laparoscopically. –ERIkA ROSE

Pregnancy health and fitness

H

ealthy babies begin with healthy moms.

There are many simple things you can do to prevent problems during your pregnancy. see your doctor // Howard J. Marcus, MD, FACOG, and chairman of the OB/Gyn department at Community Hospital, says it’s important to see your doctor before you conceive if you have any underlying medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, asthma, seizure disorder or a family history of birth defects. “It is also very important to see your doctor early in a pregnancy, because this is when the baby’s organs are developing and you have the

greatest opportunity to make an impact with treatment,” he says.

Birth defects are significantly increased in newborns from diabetic mothers whose sugars are not well controlled. Dr. Marcus says such birth defects include central nervous system and cardiac abnormalities. These can be significantly decreased by good control of sugars before conception and during the first trimester. take your vitamins // The most common birth defect that can be prevented with good prenatal care is a group of abnormalities called “open neural tube defects,” which include spina bifida.“The chance of giving birth to a child with these abnormalities can be decreased by as much as 70 percent with folic acid [folate] supplementation prior to conceiving and through the first trimester,” Dr. Marcus says.

The recommended daily amount of folic acid, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is at least 400 micrograms daily.

Folic acid is included in prenatal vitamins. Daniel W. Zurawski, RPh, owner and pharmacist of Fairmeadows Pharmacy in Munster, says prenatal vitamins are a multivitamin containing the majority of the B vitamins, vitamin C, the fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E, and of course, folic acid. “The majority of prescription prenatal vitamins contain at least 1 milligram of folic acid,” he says. “Some will contain calcium or iron or other minerals, which vary from product to product. There are some prenatal vitamins available over the counter which almost all will contain some folic acid.” get active // Exercise in pregnancy has been shown to have multiple benefits. It can prevent preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Exercise decreases the need for insulin in diabetic mothers.

“If you’ve been doing vigorous exercise and want to continue, talk to your physician first. There are certain medical conditions where exercise during pregnancy is not appropriate,” says Kimberly Roop, MD, medical director of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, which helps expectant mothers manage their pregnancy through the Hoosier Healthwise program. “You run the risk of abdominal trauma with higher impact sports like downhill skiing, soccer and racquet sports. Brisk walking is great.

And swimming is the ideal exercise in pregnancy because of buoyancy. Swimming helps dissipate heat, which keeps pregnant women from getting overheated.”

–SHARON BIGGS WALLER

T

Medication to Prevent Miscarriage

he pre-term pregnancy rate is too high in Indiana, says Kimberly Roop, MD, medical director of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. “We have too many babies going to the neonatal intensive care unit,” she says.

The medication 17-P (alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate) has been shown to significantly decrease the risk in pregnant women who have had an unexplained, spontaneous pre-term birth before, which means more than three weeks before their due date.

Daniel W. Zurawski, RPh, owner and pharmacist of Fairmeadows Pharmacy in Munster, says 17-P is a naturally occurring hormone in the body, a precursor to progesterone. “It has been used to treat abnormal bleeding and infertility in women,” he says. “We have dispensed this medication to patients who have a history of pre-term births or multiple miscarriages. 17-P is only available as a compounded medication which will not be readily available at your local pharmacy.”

Dr. Roop says the medication is given in weekly injections at around 16 weeks in pregnancy. “It doesn’t guarantee, but it decreases the risk of pre-term birth,” she says. –SHARON BIGGS WALLER

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food & fitness

Form Follows

Functi n It’s

early on a Sunday morning in Manhattan. 32 degrees F. Celebrity trainer Xander Phoenix has just woken from a winter’s slumber. He straps on the iPod, shuffles to the beat of a driving techno track, spikes his hair to perfection, and bounces like Tigger from the apartment building he calls home. It’s approximately a quarter-mile run to Central Park, where he will lead a group of overachieving urbanites through a series of monkey bar pulls, bear crawls, kettlebell swings and plyometric drills.

“I like to refer to it as ‘the past and future of training,’” Phoenix says. “Yoga, tai chi, kettlebells are a return to basic human movements. The current trend in the fitness industry is moving toward functional-based exercises: the kind that trains balance with strength, coordination with core development.

“It is what is referred to often as the mind-body connection,” Phoenix adds.

“With the addition of such physical awareness, exercises can go beyond the close chain [machines] and single plane [bench press] to incorporate movements we use every day, like picking up a laundry basket or shoveling the driveway.”

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In Crown Point, Crossfit Fitness is becoming its own tribe. Scott and Sumi Blake are the owners and lead trainers of the new facility, attracting members from all over the Region. “We are doing exercises that are part of the human DNA. Machine workouts are not necessarily a bad thing, but at Crossfit you get a totalbody workout,” Scott says. Professional athletes have been doing this type of training for years, but it’s only been in the last year or so that local residents have had such services available to them—services like bootcamps and circuit training classes that incorporate total body workouts, maximizing your wellness model.

“It’s an enjoyable way to train,” Sumi Blake adds. “Exercises change every day.

It’s never the same stale routine. Back and biceps Monday, chest and triceps Tuesday, legs and so it goes. We train the entire body every day, including cardio and core work . . . with functional movements that really affirm activities we see in real-life scenarios.”

In the ’80s, with help from Olivia Newton-John, we saw people jump into aerobics. In the ’90s the marathon became en vogue, and the last decade brought us closer to yoga and Pilates. Advanced functional movement is this decade’s offering to further our understanding of fitness. By revisiting the past, we design a plan for the future, and in doing so, maximize our potential as human beings by living healthy, happy and inspired lives.

–TYLER LENNOx BuSH

CROSSFIT CROwN POINT 1003 E Summit St, Crown Point 219.308.4389. crossfitcrownpoint.com

Is the Alkalinizing Diet Legitimate?

There’s a new diet in town, and its fans claim it does everything from weight loss to curing cancer to holding back the aging process.

S

orting the facts from the fiction is not easy. The diet embraces vegetables and eschews meat. It also limits the kinds of fruits and grains a person can eat—and not everybody’s list is exactly the same.

The basis for the diet is pH, the measure of alkalinity or acidity. When the body converts food to energy, it leaves behind either an alkaline or acidic residue.

Proponents of the alkalinizing diet (also referred to as an alkaline ash diet) believe avoiding foods that produce an acid ash promotes a more alkaline environment, and one that is less hospitable to disease.

This is a long stretch for Porter Hospital dietitian Jan Yudt. First and foremost, Yudt says, “the body works very hard to maintain homeostasis [pH balance].” She’s not sure you could change its pH if you tried. And, while she did run across some test-tube studies suggesting that some cancer cells seem to grow more readily in an acidic environment, that is a far cry from a “cancer cure.”

Helping to popularize the diet is The pH Miracle for Weight Loss, by Robert Young. According to Yudt, the book espouses drinking lots of water and eating a lot of green vegetables—in other words a very low-calorie diet. “The weight loss comes from the low calories, not from the cells being bathed in alkaline or acid,” she says.

“It is not fact. It’s fallacy.”

Norma Wehrman at LaPorte Hospital agrees. “I think it’s too restrictive,” she says. “It is very limiting. I think it is okay to reduce [intake of meat and processed foods], but to severely limit them is another thing.” She thinks the diet could even be dangerous for people with kidney disease, or on certain medications. Wehrman advocates eating a well-balanced diet, such as that put forth by the food pyramid, and leaving pH balance to the body. –TERRI GORDON

Cheryl Short M.D., FACOG

L. Jennifer Murphy M.D., FACOG

Crystal Strickland M.D., FACOG

Chrys Davis MSN, FNP

• Pregnancy Care (Including High Risk) • Breast Exams • Gynecology-Pelvic Exams • Laparoscopy • Family Planning • Annual Exams • Infertility • Adolescent Gynecology • Mammography • Hysteroscopy/Colposcopy • Women’s Wellness • Menopause • Female Incontinence • HPV Testing • DaVinci Robotic Hysterectomy • In-Office Novasure Ablation

GLENDALE MEDICAL CENTER

1101 E. Glendale Blvd., Suite 102 • Valparaiso, IN • (219) 462-6144 www.weunderstandwomen.com - Most Insurance Accepted -

green life

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recipe for S

clean

ince 1959, the legendary “Hints from Heloise” column has been turning housewives across America into McGyver by teaching them how to use everyday household items, such as vinegar, sugar or essential oils, to do miraculous things like remove stains, freshen upholstery and repel insects. Especially in today’s economy when money is tight, turning to those materials we have in our cupboard or closet anyway not only makes good fiscal sense, but it also gets the job done without the use of hazardous chemicals. According to the Clean Water Fund, Americans use an estimated 40 pounds of unsafe household cleaners each year, disposing of those chemicals into our water and air supplies, and depositing those chemicals into our bodies through our lungs and skin. Chlorine, phosphates, petroleum and other toxic compounds are common in these products.

Jeannette Thomas of Westville says it was some research on store-bought cleaners that prompted her change to household items. “I had been using the Swiffer wet wipe things for awhile and this research was coming out about pets’ paw pads being more porous so the chemicals leached through easily,” Thomas says. “This really freaked me out at the time and it got me thinking not just about the pets, but the kids climbing and crawling all over the place.” So she switched to everyday items she had around the house, such as vinegar and citrus fruit, which were a much safer alternative.

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“I always do my floors with vinegar and water. I try to get away from using as many products as possible.

I can go to the store and find things that are more in line with how I think, that are environmentally safe, but I like how vinegar cleans. It really cuts through the grease, and I use vinegar and water with old newspapers to clean my windows. I scrub the window with one wet one and then dry it with dry paper, and use that dry one for the next wet one. It makes it look like you can walk right through them. And I don’t have to breathe in the chemicals from store-bought cleaners. I live out in the country and I have a lot of iron in my water, so my tubs get an orange look on them. The store-bought rust remover products are really harsh to breathe in, so I take limes and slice them into eighths and scrub them on my tub, sprinkle salt on and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then I come back and use the rind part of my lime to scrub the rust off. And it makes me want to have a margarita afterwards! Making things yourself is so amazing, so why even bother to buy store-bought when these work so well?”

Nikki Wood of Chesterton says that instead of a rinsing agent for dishwashers, she uses vinegar.

“I picked up the product at the store and thought, ‘Wait a minute, what’s this blue stuff I’m putting on my dishes that I eat off of?’ and decided instead to use vinegar. I think it works great with hot water. Also, dirt’s not bad for us. Chemicals are worse. It’s not the dirt that’s going to kill you, it’s the chemicals that are going to kill you.” –HEATHER AuGuSTYN

MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANING PRODUCTS Every household cleaning chore has a cleaner that can be made from common household products. A search online will yield a number of recipes to meet every need. Here are just a few.

For floors, walls and tiles Just take one cup of white vinegar and mix with one gallon of warm water and this solution will do the job. For a wood floor, reduce the amount of vinegar to a half cup. For bigger jobs, mix a quarter cup of vinegar, a half cup of ammonia, and a quarter cup of baking soda with a gallon of warm water. This solution will tackle dirty walls or tiles and it cuts well through grease and soap scum.

For stovetops and other surfaces For scrubbing cleaners, simple everyday baking soda works wonders and when added to a touch of water makes a nice paste. Add a squeeze of lemon for a fresh scent. And add a few tablespoons of salt to make a great oven and stovetop cleaner.

For toilets Put a quarter cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and sprinkle with vinegar. Let this solution sit for 30 minutes and scrub with a brush.

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ask the expert DR. ADAM PERLMuTTER

Prostate Screening . . . and Robots!

As a urologic oncologist at Porter Hospital, Dr. Adam Perlmutter came to Northwest Indiana straight out of extensive urologic training. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science at Emory University, he attended medical school at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. From there he completed a residency at west Virginia University School of Medicine and then finished at the prestigious Roswell Park Cancer Institute—making him one of only a handful of fellowship-trained urologic oncologists in the state.

Q: inevitably, you mention prostate testing and you’re going to get a grimace. is it really that much of an ordeal? It’s not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Screening generally consists of a blood test and a digital rectal exam.

That’s usually on an annual basis, starting at a certain age for various groups. If there’s anything abnormal, then you get a prostate biopsy, which is also generally not as bad as it’s made out to be.

Q: how important is prostate testing?

Screening has been shown to drastically increase the detection of prostate cancer.

Although the majority of prostate cancers are generally not fatal, there are still about 20 percent of prostate cancers that will kill.

Prostate cancer is still the number-three cause of cancer death in the world—behind lung and colon cancer—for men. There are about 200,000 to 250,000 new cases of prostate cancer each year, and some 30,000 men will die of prostate cancer annually.

So screening is pretty important.

Q: at what age should a man go in for a prostate test? Well, there’s an increased prevalence and aggressiveness of prostate cancer for African Americans, so the guidelines used to be age 40 for African Americans and anyone with a family

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history of prostate cancer and age 50 for everyone else.

But the guidelines recently changed and now they recommend an initial screening at the age of 40 for pretty much everyone.

and with restoring normal functions after the surgery. It’s all performed through five or six very small keyhole incisions, and involves less recovery time with less scarring.

Q: what about treatments for prostate cancer? Everyone who is a candidate for treatment has several options. The two most commonly used methods are surgery—of which about 70 percent are done using the da Vinci robot, with the rest performed through traditional open surgery—and there are also several types of radiation. Overall, treatment really is tailored depending on the patient’s individual situation.

Q: there’s some controversy about the effectiveness of the prostate-specific antigen (Psa) blood test. It’s a good test—the problem is that it’s not specific for prostate cancer. There are generally three conditions that cause the PSA to rise. One of them is cancer, but the other two are benign. So it’s really not a specific marker.

It’s certainly a helpful marker, but it’s not specific. However, it’s a good starting point— and after a positive test we would move to a biopsy to investigate further.

Q: the da vinci surgery machine is your specialty. it looks something like an old-school video game—but how has it changed surgery? The da Vinci began its use in 2001 for prostate surgery and has become increasingly popular because it gives the surgeon the ability to use finer movements.

The nice thing about the robot is that you get 10x magnification and have seven degrees of motion in the wrists of the instrument. They have a lot of mobility; you can get into small tight spaces with excellent visualization.

This all helps with taking out the cancer

Q: your job deals with a subject that men are often shy about. is that sometimes a problem? Lots of guys do wait too long because they’re embarrassed. Specifically if they have problems with their erections— usually their wives have to push them to come into the office. It’s sort of a pride issue and it’s hard to seek help. So sometimes they don’t come in until it’s more advanced.

But a lot of patients fail to realize that we see these conditions on a regular basis—it’s pretty routine for us, so what they find embarrassing, we’re accustomed to treating.

—STEVEN LONGENECkER

ADVANCED TREATMENTS ADVANCED DOCTORS