Get Healthy Jan/Feb 2016

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OUR NEW LOOK: Get Healthy Gets a Facelift!

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Mental Health Benefits of

FRESH AIR

HOW FIT ARE YOU?

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Outside and Off Your Screens jan/feb 2016

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contents

jan/feb 2016

notes 4 editors’ 6 hot topics

Health briefs and stats to pique your interest

8 the medical report

Taking ownership of your healthcare

9 your health

Fighting the flu, self-defense instruction, physical therapy for incontinence, and the rise of telemedicine

14 on the table

The health benefits of coffee and tea, and how to make kale taste good

18 the fit life

Yoga as a pain reliever, and just how fit are you?

20 sound mind

New Year’s resolutions that work, and six reasons to get outside

on the go 22 families

How busy parents can fit in fitness, and ideas to get your kids moving too

2632 22

feature package Technology and Health

The good, the bad and the ugly of technology use for your health

32 your best friend Consider acupuncture for your pet’s ailments

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Choose Loss Surgery can Weight Methodist. change your life.

Choose Methodist.

Weight Loss Surgery can change your life.

Obesity is more than just being overweight. It’s a disease. For many, it’s a threat to physical and psychosocial health. Obesity can increase the risk of other diseases including diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea. The Northwest Indiana Center for Bariatric Surgery at Methodist Hospitals offers minimally invasive weight loss surgery to help individuals change their lives for the better. In fact, Methodist Hospitals have helped more than 1,000 people achieve a healthier life through bariatric surgery. Our comprehensive program is designed for success. Led by Dr. James Siatras, a Board Certified General Surgeon and Fellowship Trained Bariatric Surgeon, our dedicated staff offers our patients guidance and support throughout their weight loss journey. We’re with you every step of the way.

Methodist Hospitals employs the latest weight-loss surgery advancements to deliver long-term weight management solutions that improve the quality of patients’ lives.

Dr. James Siatras

FREE

Weight Loss Surgery Seminars

Learn if Weight Loss Surgery is Right for You Presented by: James Siatras, DO

Board-Certified in General Surgery, Fellowship-Trained in Bariatric Surgery

Attend a FREE informational Seminar to learn how weight loss surgery can help you reclaim your life and restore your life.

Thursday, Dec. 17, 6:00 p.m. Southlake Campus • Pavilion A • Suite 430 • Merrillville Thursday, Jan. 7, 6:00 p.m. Southlake Campus • Pavilion A • Suite 430 • Merrillville Thursday, Jan. 21, 6:00 p.m. Southlake Campus • Pavilion A • Suite 430 • Merrillville Make your reservation today. Seating is limited. 1-888-909-DOCS (3627).

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3

editors’ notes

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 1

W

PUBLISHER

Christopher T. White

With every new year, we all make a commitment to change, to make improvements in all areas of our lives. We at Get Healthy wanted to celebrate the New Year with a new look, one that is clean, vibrant, and accurately reflects what this magazine promotes: a healthy, active lifestyle. I hope you will find it refreshing and inspiring. You’ll notice we have new departments, too, with content devoted to nutrition, fitness, mental health, busy families, and even your furry friends. Enjoy!

CO-EDITORS

Giles Bruce Julia Perla Huisman DESIGN DIRECTOR

Mary Garrison DESIGNER

April Burford CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Julia Perla Huisman GET HEALTHY CO-EDITOR

Eve Adams, Christine Bryant, Shannon Rooney, Carrie Steinweg, Amanda Wilson

G

NICHE PUBLICATION SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Get Healthy is getting a makeover. The Times’ bimonthly health-and-wellness magazine has a new design, additional sections and more stories. We are also trying to focus on topical health news from here on out. We hope our readers will notice all the work we’ve put into revamping the magazine. If there’s something you like and want to see more of, or something you think is missing, drop me an email at giles.bruce@nwi.com or call me at 219.853.2584. We want Get Healthy to reflect our readers, so we’d love to hear your feedback.

Mike Cane, Andrea Walczak VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

Joe Battistoni ADVERTISING OPERATIONS MANAGER

Eric Horon ADVERTISING MANAGER

Craig Chism PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Giles Bruce GET HEALTHY CO-EDITOR

Lisa Tavoletti PUBLISHED BY LEE ENTERPRISES The Times of Northwest Indiana Niche Productions Division 601 W 45th Ave, Munster, Indiana 46321 219.933.3200

ON THE COVER

2080 N Main St, Crown Point, Indiana 46307 219.662.5300

Mike and Hope Wittig of Schererville enjoy an active day outside at a neighborhood park in Schererville. Photo by Tony V. Martin.

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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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TAKE CARE OF YOUR DIGESTIVE ISSUES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!!!

Harsh, Dalal, MD, FACG

Navin Kumar, MD

Rahul Julka, MD

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With offices in Merrillville, Highland, Dyer, Winfield, Valparaiso, and Whiting, we are able to schedule patient appointments very quickly to assess your symptoms, recommended a testing/treatment plan or to simply provide digestive wellness screenings and check-ups.

Dr. Harsh Dalal, Dr. Navin Kumar and Dr. Rahul Julka are dedicated to providing the highest quality of compassionate care, placing emphasis on their patients’ comfort, privacy, and health concerns at all times.

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topics CHRISTINE BRYANT

MAKING THE GRADE Antibiotic resistance is one of the top five health threats facing Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Responding to public pressure, fast food chains and meat suppliers are starting to pledge to use fewer antibiotics.

A new report analyzed the practices and policies of 25 of the largest fast food and fast-casual restaurants to see how companies were faring.

In the report card, only Panera and Chipotle received an “A.” Chick-fil-A followed with a “B,” and McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts scored a “C.” Chains with no public policies included Burger King, Wendy’s, Olive Garden, KFC, Chili’s, Sonic, Denny’s, Domino’s, Starbucks, Papa John’s Pizza, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Applebee’s, Arby’s, Dairy Queen, IHOP, Outback Steakhouse and Little Caesars.

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Unequal Ground It’s that time of year when diet fads are at their peak, but if you’ve ever found yourself gaining weight and wondering what you were doing wrong, scientists now know why. • Israeli researchers have found that different people’s bodies respond to eating the same meal very differently—which means a diet that may work for one person may not work for you. While they found age and body mass index appeared to impact blood glucose levels after meals, each individual showed a vastly different response to the same food. • The researchers say the findings show that tailoring meal plans to individuals’ biology may be the future of dieting. Source: Cell Journal

Sharks and Selfies?

Next time you stop to take a selfie, consider this: More people have died from selfies this year than shark attacks.

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Number of people who have died from accidents related to taking selfies in 2015

Number of shark attack deaths nwi.com/gethealthy

IMMEDIATE CARE

EMERGENCY ROOM

DOCTOR’S OFFICE

Care that keeps you on the go.

Wait from home, not the ER.

A doctor is waiting to see you.

The doctor is waiting to see you.

Schedule appointments online for the quickest access possible.

Click to schedule a doctor visit.

Avoid the ER waiting room.

Call for help finding a doctor.

Ingalls now offers the convenience of online appointment scheduling with many of the physicians on our medical staff. If you don’t have a primary care physician, or are looking for a specialist, you may use Ingalls online scheduling to make an appointment with a new provider. Just choose the desired time and office location from our list of participating physicians and nurse practitioners, and click.

Visit Ingalls.org/InQuicker to schedule.

Schedule your appointment online and you’ll be seen on arrival. Ingalls online scheduling shows the next available opening at Ingalls emergency facilities so you can be seen as quickly as possible, or at a time that works with your schedule. Either way, you’ll be waiting in the comfort of your own home instead of the ER. Visit Ingalls.org/InQuicker to schedule.

Would you rather speak to a person to make an appointment? Do you need help choosing a primary care doctor or specialist for ongoing care? Ingalls CareConnection will help you find the perfect match and can even schedule your first appointment. An operator is available 24/7 to help you get connected to the right doctor. Just call 708.915.CARE (2273) to get connected to the right doctor, right now.

Flossmoor • Tinley Park • Calumet City • Harvey • Crestwood

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MEDICAL REPORT

Sharing is Caring

M

aintaining a healthy, satisfying sex life can be difficult for couples, especially those with children.

However, new research shows sharing child care duties can actually improve a couple’s sex life and relationship.

The study, conducted at Georgia State University, found that relationships with the lowest-quality sex life and lowest overall satisfaction belonged to couples that placed most or all of the child care duties on the woman.

Source: American Sociological Association

COUNTING COCOA

60%

Minimum of cocoa your dark chocolate should contain this Valentine’s Day to have more health benefits Source: University of Michigan Integrative Medicine

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Your Personal Health Care

N

Whose Job Is It?

ot long ago, I had the pleasure of presenting to a group of senior adults about healthy aging.

They were a lively and astute bunch.

However, they voiced frustration over the recent changes in our nation’s health care policies. Many complained that they now feel like they have less control over health care choices. The following are the tips I gave them on how to better make their worries and health concerns known.

Take an active role in your health care. Practice reciting the message you intend for your provider. Be clear and direct in the choice of words to ensure an expedient and efficient result. For example, when calling the doctor’s office say, “I am calling to make an appointment because I have a temperature and a severe cough. I had pneumonia last winter.” This direct statement will communicate to the medical assistant the urgency of your request. You may see the physician sooner.

Prepare for your medical visits. Take a trusted family member or close friend with you. Four ears are always better than two. Include a record of your medications and health history written on paper. Make a table of the names of your medication, the dose, when you take it, why you take it and the name of the doctor who prescribed it. Make a list of allergies, flu and pneumonia vaccinations, surgeries, procedures, tests with results, illnesses and your

Bobbi J. Herron-Foster recent hospitalizations with dates. This information is vital for an accurate diagnosis and treatment and is necessary for an admission process if you are hospitalized. Take your medical record with you and keep it in a convenient place for easy access. Write questions down beforehand, then ask them.

Make end-of-life decisions before that time comes. Talk to your family about resuscitation choices. Select a health care representative to speak for you when you no longer are able to speak for yourself. Be sure that person will honor your wishes. Work with your physician to make the right choices for treatment.

Remember, you are a vital part of the health care team. Without you, it is only a best guess. Although you rely on the professionals to answer questions and offer advice, it is your right and your job to have the final say. After all, this time, it’s all about you!

Bobbi J. Herron-Foster is a medical-surgical clinical nurse specialist and a member of the Northwest Indiana Patient Safety Coalition. The vision of the NWIPSC is to make Northwest Indiana health care among the safest in the nation. Visit nwipsc.org for more information.

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Health KIDS’ HEALTH

Fighting the Flu WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD IS SICK According to Dr. Bhargava, t’s that time of year when “Most colds and coughs go away germs spread faster than you by themselves because they are can say “sick day,” but there caused by viruses. A healthy child are ways to help keep your may have a fever as an immune kids healthy. WebMD’s Dr. response because his immune system Hansa Bhargava, one of the is fighting off the infection and nation’s top pediatricians, the fever is due to this. Personally, offers some tips: I try not to use a lot of over-the• Make regular hand-washing, counter drugs to treat my own especially before eating meals, children when they have colds, routine. coughs and fever.”

• Teach children to sneeze or Dr. Bhargava suggests to: cough into a tissue or into their bent • Get plenty of rest. Rest helps the elbow instead of their hands. This will prevent them from spreading body focus on getting well, so keep germs onto everything kids home from school. they touch.

• Drink plenty of • Encourage good fluids. Replenish liquids HOW lost from fever, vomiting hygiene with sticker EFFECTIVE and diarrhea. Fluids also charts or rewards for IS THE FLU help loosen mucus. such things as not VACCINE? • Use a humidifier putting their hands in According to the their mouths. to keep the air in your Centers for Disease • Keep hand sanitizer child’s room moist, Control and Prevenwhich can help break within easy reach, but tion, the flu vaccine up nasal and chest supervise younger reduces the odds congestion. children when using of getting the flu by 70 to 90 percent.

• Talk to your it. Older school-age kids can be given small pediatrician about bottles of hand sanitizer giving over-the-counter to carry in their backpacks. cold and cough medicines. These • Disinfect home surfaces to help medicines should not be given to children under 4. lessen the spread of germs.

• For fevers, give a lukewarm • If your child is over 6 months old, make sure he or she gets a sponge bath to help lower the body’s flu vaccine. (Kids ages 2 and older temperature. Call your doctor for a can start getting the nasal vaccine fever greater than 101 degrees that spray unless they have asthma or a lasts longer than 72 hours. very stuffy nose at the time of their FIND MORE YOUR HEALTH ON PAGE 10 doctor’s visit.)

I

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CARRIE STEINWEG

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Health WOMEN’S HEALTH

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

Fighting Back CARRIE STEINWEG

W

omen should be prepared to defend themselves in the case of an attack.

Officer Chris Lopez of the Schererville Police Department is a certified physical tactics instructor and the instructor of a selfdefense class for women taught twice a year through the department as well as other

classes through Franciscan Alliance. The primary technique he teaches in his classes is how to end an attack quickly by knowing what two key areas to target—one below the belt and one above.

He says the primary target should be the groin area, where a knee or kick is most effective. If that target doesn’t present itself, the eyes should be the alternate target. “You don’t have to be 6 feet tall and 380 pounds of muscle to fight off an attacker and end the fight very fast,” Lopez says.

Patrolman Chris Lopez and Rebecca Vaccaro demonstrate how to break a choke hold.

STEP 1: Raise stronger arm with fist into the air.

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STEP 2: Bring elbow down hard onto joint in assailant’s arm.

STEP 3: Break assailant’s grip around throat.

This will allow you to breathe again, which will help you get away.

STEP 4: Form all fingers tight together into the “goose” position.

STEP 5: Jab fingers hard into the assailant’s eye, then break free and run.

TIPS TO STAY SAFE • Take a self-defense class.

Classes can be found locally for free through police departments and health care agencies.

• Stay aware of your surroundings when out alone and avoid talking on a cell phone, which can distract from dangers.

• Consider carrying a personal defense product such as pepper spray or a stun gun.

• When parking, avoid areas that are isolated and not well lit.

• If something feels wrong to you, go with your gut and get out of the situation.

• If you’re being attacked, do whatever you can to avoid being removed to another location.

• Go for the most vulnerable spots on your attacker—the groin area and the eyes.

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SELF-DEFENSE PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

STEP 1

STEP 2

SENIOR HEALTH

Physical Therapy and Incontinence CARRIE STEINWEG

Women often believe incontinence is something that simply comes with age and childbearing. “It’s not a normal thing,” says Sarahann Callaway, physical therapist with Community Hospital Fitness Pointe in Munster. “Women think that as they age, it’s just going to happen, but there are things that can be done to resolve the problem.”

One treatment for incontinence is physical DID YOU KNOW? therapy, which Callaway Incontinence doesn’t uses on patients once or just affect women. Men twice a week for a fourcan also experience to six-week period. “If incontinence. you have issues, definitely If you suffer from talk to your doctor and incontinence, avoid they can give a referral caffeine and sugary drinks.

Believe it or not, water is for pelvic floor physical not a bladder irritant. therapy,” Callaway says.

Some leading causes “Both therapists (at Fitness of incontinence are: Pointe) have specialized complications with training. ... We can do deliveries, pre-pregnancy an evaluation and get obesity, decrease in started on some exercises estrogen production with menopause, chronic to take your life back.” coughing/asthma, According to a and repetitive lifting. study by the Journal of Women’s Health, 35 to 38 percent of women suffer from incontinence.

If you suffer from incontinence, call Community Hospital Fitness Pointe at 219.934.2840 and ask to schedule an appointment with a pelvic floor therapist.

PELVIC FLOOR DYSFUNCTION Other reasons for pelvic floor pain, which may present with incontinence and can be treated with pelvic floor therapy: • Pelvic surgery • Hysterectomy • Episiotomy • Endometriosis • Tailbone injury

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• Chronic constipation • Post-prostatectomy for males • Pre- or postpartum health issues

GENERAL HEALTH

The Future of Medicine

I

CARRIE STEINWEG

n today’s world, with the aid of the Internet and smartphones, you can do almost anything from the comfort of your home, from shopping to research to communicating with loved ones. The medical industry seems to be heading in that direction as well. Although it’s been slow to catch on, telemedicine allows doctors to treat patients remotely, as photos and X-ray images can be scanned and sent in seconds. In addition, video consultations can benefit those living in rural areas where health facilities are far away or in low-income areas where transportation is hard to come by.

According to the American Telemedicine Association, the last policy revision in Indiana (last January) allows telemedicine in lieu of an in-person exam and to establish a physician-patient relationship. In the State Telemedicine Gaps Analysis, it states, “The board is accepting proposals for its Telehealth Services Pilot Program. The pilot will allow Indiana-licensed physicians, who have an established practice in the state, to provide primary, urgent, and nonemergent care via real-time video, secure chat/ email, or integrated telephony without establishing an in-person physician-patient relationship.”

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Dr. Jay Platt has served Northwest Indiana for over 20 years with quality oral surgery care. Choosing an oral surgeon is an important decision. Our team is composed of experienced professionals who are dedicated to your care. Dr. Platt attends 100 or more hours of Continuing Education per year and provides many Continuing Education seminars to the surrounding dental community often lecturing himself. Dr. Platt has extensive training and expertise in placing dental implants, preserving and rebuilding the jaw, and treating conditions that affect a person’s face, teeth and mouth structures. Dr. Platt has placed thousands of dental implants over the past 25 years - placing his first one in 1989. We have a state-of-the-art Cone Beam CT Scanner in our office which provides 3D images enabling us to better plan for patient care and treatment. We offer a no-cost consultation and a complimentary CT scan if necessary for patients who are treated by Dr. Platt.

Do You Need to Go to an Implant Center?

since surgical procedures are involved, so that each patient receives You have undoubtedly seen and heard t.v. and radio ads promoting the optimal outcome. Some implant centers claim to be the leaders in implant centers which are springing up all over the country. Many of implant dentistry and to have more experience than other clinicians. It is them are advertising the convenience of having everything under one implied that because of the volume of implants placed and restored they roof: the surgeon, the prosthodontist, the dental lab and a CT scan. It is are more experienced. However, the volume of implants placed in some certainly convenient for the patients and the doctors providing treatment cases is for all of their centers. The truth is that some of the doctors to have everything in one location; however, convenience should not be in these centers are very experienced and some are not any more the primary consideration with implant treatment. The most important experienced than their colleagues in the area. Some implant centers factors should be the experience of the treating clinicians, especially have general dentists placing and restoring

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implants who do not have near the training or experience as specialists. It is important to remember that this “advertising” is intended to “sell” the benefits of those particular implant centers, and you should take this into consideration when evaluating your various options.

New Teeth in One Day??

We get many patients asking about the TV commercials and billboards that promise Teeth in A Day®. It is somewhat of a misleading statement. However, Dr. Platt, working with your dentist, can in some cases AFTER planning remove your teeth (if necessary), place implants and attach fixed teeth in one procedure. We are happy to see you to discuss and work with your dentist or refer you to one of our restorative colleagues.

No Need to Change Dentists!

Unlike some “one stop shop” dental implant centers that make you use their dentists; we work with you and your current dentist. We are very fortunate in that in Northwest Indiana and Northeastern Illinois, there are many outstanding restorative clinicians. Dr. Platt works with most of them on a regular basis. We would encourage you to seek treatment from your current dentist whom you have a long standing relationship with. If you do not currently have a dentist, we can refer you to one that we work with frequently.

Please feel free to contact our implant coordinator, Monette, if you have any questions about treatment or to schedule a no-cost consultation.

322 Indianapolis Blvd.,• Suite 100 (Behind Steak N’ Shake) • Schererville, IN Interest Free Patient Financing Available

We Welcome neW patients

Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. • Fri. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

219•864•1133

www.jplattdds.com

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Table

Your Morning Cup EVE ADAMS

D

rinking a mug full of hot coffee or tea is a morning ritual for most. It signifies the start to a brand new day, brings warmth to our bodies and puts a little pep in our step.

COFFEE According to Honna Kozik, registered dietitian and president of the Northwest Indiana Dietetic Association, coffee is one of the best sources of antioxidants in the American diet. She points out that it’s much easier to enjoy a morning cup of coffee than it is to eat the recommended amount of daily fruits and vegetables each day. “Coffee also may have some anti-inflammatory properties as well. It contains small amounts of potassium, niacin, vitamin E, and magnesium,” she notes.

Will decaf coffee give you the same health benefits? “It can be a good place to add some milk and boost your calcium intake,” Kozik explains, “but there are not a lot of conclusive studies one way or the other on decaf since most studies are done on caffeinated teas and coffees.”

TEA The most popular teas are green and black. A cup of black tea has more caffeine content than green tea but still has half as much caffeine as coffee. “Tea is full of flavonoids and antioxidants, which are known to prevent oxidation of LDL, or lousy cholesterol,” Kozik says. “It also can reduce blood clotting, which improves blood pressure and heart health.”

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THINGS TO CONSIDER • The healthiest way to drink your coffee or tea is plain or black. You can add low-fat milk or a dash of cinnamon, but stay clear of heavy creamers and sugar.

• If you find that you are having trouble sleeping, your caffeine intake may be too high. Kozik says this is caused by “drinking coffee or tea and getting caffeine from other sources such as caffeinated pop, energy drinks, or caffeinated pills or medicine.”

• Keep in mind that moderation is key and there are many healthy foods that can also be incorporated into your diet to boost your overall health.

DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH

3 to 5

Number of cups of coffee per day it takes to have a 15 percent lower risk of premature death.

Source: Circulation Journal

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Making Kale Taste Good

D

EVE ADAMS

id you know kale is considered a superfood? Kale is a dark leafy green that is gaining popularity for its health benefits.

Diane Mattingly, owner of Roots Organic Cafe and Juice Bar in downtown Valparaiso, uses kale on her menu because, she says, “in just a single serving of kale, there is an abundance of vitamins and minerals. It is also an antioxidant, which helps to fight off free radicals, and has antiinflammatory and anti-cancer properties.”

So how do you make this superfood taste, well, super? Mattingly says her favorite way to prep kale is to “massage” it, which helps to break down the fibers, making it more

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palatable. To massage kale, chop it, season it with fresh lemon juice and salt and pepper, and mix and squeeze it with your hands.

Massaged kale can be the base of any salad or side dish.

Another way to make this nutrient-dense vegetable taste delicious is to add something sweet to it. Dried fruits such as cranberries, tart cherries or apricots can be mixed into a kale salad, which pairs well with a citrus vinaigrette dressing. Kale is delicious baked into quiche and can easily be substituted for spinach or broccoli in any recipe you already enjoy. It goes well in stir-fry dishes, soups and stews.

Mattingly suggests blending kale with cucumber, celery, lemon and apple for a delicious and healthy juice.

Baked kale chips are one of the simpler ways to enjoy kale, and they have something in common with regular chips: Once you start eating them, you can’t stop.

Baked Parmesan Kale Chips INGREDIENTS

1 bunch of curly kale 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 2 tablespoons finely shredded Parmesan cheese INSTRUCTIONS

1. P reheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Wash kale thoroughly and dry.

3. Place kale flat on large baking sheet.

4. Use extra virgin olive oil in a Misto oil sprayer to spray all over the kale. If you do not have a Misto, then add kale and extra virgin olive oil to a large Ziploc bag, close and shake.

5. After placing kale on baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and Parmesan.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until kale is crispy and edges are brown.

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15

World class orthopaedic treatment right here in the region

By Bob Moulesong

Times Correspondent

Northwest Indiana residents who are suffering from any orthopaedic problem – knee, foot, spine, shoulder, hip, or hand – don’t have to travel to Chicago to find the world-class treatment they need. minimally invasive surgery, or MIS. The benefits of MIS are less tissue disruption during surgery, which leads to faster recovery and better outcomes.

state of the art,World-class treatment Orthopaedic Specialists of Northwest Indiana (OSNI), the largest fully integrated orthopaedic group in Lake County, has been providing world-class care to the patients of Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago area for twenty years.

“Our physicians and surgeons have trained at the most prestigious institutions from around the country and have been continuously recognized for their research and patient excellence awards,” said Dr. Dwight Tyndall, the Stanford and Hospital for Special Surgery trained spine care specialist.

Dr. Khanna, who trained at Washington University and Rush Medical Center, remarked, “The list of nationally recognized universities included Duke, Northwestern, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, The Cleveland Clinic, Loyola University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania and New York University.” He added, “We are especially proud to have such a collection of well trained and highly regarded surgeons.”

Dr. Tyndall and Dr. Nitin Khanna have both developed new minimally invasive spine surgical techniques and instrumentations that allow patients to go home the same day of surgery. In fact, when surgery is needed, the focus of the entire group is

16

Jack Gelman M.D., FAAPS

Hand, Wrist and Elbow

Dwight Tyndall, M.D., FAAOS

Spine Care, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Disc Regenerative Therapy

Sunil Dedhia M.D., FAAOS

Sports Medicine, General Orthopedics, Arthroscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Upper/Lower Extremity, Knee Replacement, Work-Related Injuries/Conditions

“Surgeries that used to take six or seven hours can now be completed in much less time,” Dr. Tyndall said. “Many of these new, state-of-the-art spine procedures can be done on an outpatient basis.”

OSNI physicians have taught surgeons from around the world their minimally invasive techniques and hold clinical academic appointments at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Spinal treatment is not the only specialty offered by OSNI. They also offer joint replacement, foot and ankle surgery, hand surgery, and sports medicine.

“Everything related to the treatment of orthopaedic care is offered in one easily accessible modern state of the art facility,” said Dr. Hecht, who is a University of Chicago trained joint surgeon. He further added, “We, the doctors, felt that we should have a modern and welcoming environment for our patients as well as our staff who do a tremendous job taking care of our patients.” The OSNI office offers easy access to parking as Nitin Khanna Arshad A. Khan Robert W. Coats II Joseph D. Hecht well as all needed diagnostics M.D., FAAOS DPM M.D., FAAOS M.D., FAAOS Spine Care, Foot and Ankle Surgery Hand and Upper Hip and Knee Joint Replacement, (X-rays, Open MRI) and physical Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Extremity Conditions General Orthopedics therapy, all under one roof.

spinal conditions

Joint replacement

OSNI offers treatment for many spinal conditions including disc herniations, degenerative disc disease, cervical disc disease, spinal stenosis, spinal compression fractures, and spondylolisthesis.

Surgical procedures are considered only after all conservative treatment options have been exhausted, according to Dr. Tyndall.

“We conduct a thorough examination of the patient to determine the best course of action,” Dr. Khanna said. “This examination includes digital X-rays and an open MRI to assist us in a correct diagnosis.”

Alternative options to surgery include physical therapy; exercise, medication, and manipulation are explored and exhausted before surgery is considered.

“Many patients can find lasting relief from their painful condition without surgery,” Dr. Tyndall said. “Some patients do not search out help because of their fear of surgery. However, the truth is, there are several alternatives to surgery and when surgery is needed, many procedures are minimally invasive.”

OSNI offers minimally invasive hip replacement surgery that can have the patient home the day after surgery.

Our joint specialist, Dr. Hecht, has helped champion new procedures including anterior hip replacement, which results in less tissue trauma as the technique goes between muscle planes during hip replacement, Dr. Tyndall explained. “The artificial implants used include enhanced polyethylene plastic and metal with ceramic properties as well as permitting porous bone ingrowth rather than bone cement. This leads to longer lasting joint replacements compared to earlier designs.

Specially designed surgical instruments are used to prepare the joint to get the implants in place through very small incisions.” Because the new techniques are minimally invasive, patients can return home sooner, even overnight, and return to normal activities faster than ever before.

Joint specialists at OSNI also offer replacement surgeries for the knee, shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist that allow patients to regain mobility and alleviate pain. Drs. Coats and Dedhia specialize in reverse shoulder arthroplasty for patients suffering from severe rotator cuff deficiency

jan/feb 2016

Get Healthy

or proximal humerus fractures.

“Our physicians employ state-of-the-art techniques to get our patients back on their feet – literally – as quickly as possible,” added Dr. Hecht.

OSNI is one of the very few facilities in the greater Chicago area to offer ankle replacement surgery with Dr. Khan being the only local surgeon to offer it. Dr. Khan, the most recent member of OSNI and a graduate of Loyola, was recently in solo practice. He stated that he joined OSNI because he felt it was the best orthopaedic group in the area and felt that it provided the best environment for his patients.

“Successful ankle replacement surgery is very sophisticated, therefore very few medical facilities can offer this option to patients,” Dr. Khan said. Besides ankle replacement, Dr. Khan also performs other advanced foot and ankle surgeries including complex traumatic and reconstructive surgeries of the ankle and foot such as micro nerve surgery and grafting of peripheral nerves of the lower extremities.

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Patients can see our commitment to future growth by how we continue to bring the best physicians from top programs across the country to our area,” Dr. Khanna summarized. “By being able to attract many top medical professionals to OSNI we avoid group think. We believe in new ideas and innovation in the field of orthopaedic care. We are committed to bringing these advancements to our community and our patients.

sports surgery

Dr. Sunil Dedhia, a Northwestern Medical School and Orthopaedic residency graduate, who specializes in sports medicine and is the team doctor for Andrean and Purdue Calumet College, explained that the culture of OSNI is to put the patients’ needs first. To that end the entire practice is structured to focus on the patients, from their first check-in to their rehab after surgery. He further explained that by focusing on just sports medicine and sports surgery he is able to offer the specialized care that sports related injuries such as ACL tears and shoulder rotator cuff tears require.

To speed patients’ recovery and return to active sports as soon as possible Dr. Dedhia utilizes the latest arthroscopy technology in treating these injuries.

Hand surgery and upper extremity surgery Dr. Jack Gelman, who trained at Duke and The Cleveland Clinic and is both a hand and plastics surgeon, believes that OSNI’s philosophy of offering sub specialized care is good for patient care since it allows patients to be seen by surgeons who are specialists in their field. He added, “This sub specialization allows the very best and most advanced care.”

Dr. Robert Coats is an orthopaedic hand surgeon in the group, who completed his Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Fellowship at the University of Chicago. Having both plastic and orthopaedic surgeons specializing in hand surgery allows comprehensive care of the bones, joints, nerves and soft tissues affecting the hand. Dr. Coats noted that it is a rarity to have such high caliber hand surgeons in one private practice.

Workers compensation

Given the complexity of treating the injured worker, OSNI has a dedicated team of work comp professionals to ensure a seamless process throughout the entire plan of care. If surgical intervention is needed after failure of nonsurgical conservative treatment, all efforts are made to restore function in a minimally invasive, tissue sparing approach and to get the injured worker back on their feet. The team of professionals is well versed in both Indiana and Illinois cases. The OSNI physicians understand that dealing with pain and injuries can negatively affect not only a patient’s performance at work but also a patient’s personal life. Therefore, a team approach involving the physicians, staff, case managers and patients is used to assure timely treatment and return to work.

innovative diagnostic testing ONSI offers innovative diagnostic testing such as an open MRI and digital X-rays. “Frequently, pain forces patients to seek medical help,” Dr. Tyndall explained. “Our focus is to make our patients as comfortable as possible and that begins with having state-of-the-art diagnostic testing right here in our building so patients don’t need to go to multiple places to get their testing done.”

Since many people have a fear of enclosed places such as a traditional MRI, OSNI offers patients an open MRI machine for their test. “We see many patients who are full figured and have difficulty fitting into a regular MRI. Being able to offer these patients an open MRI is a wonderful opportunity to ease their discomfort. They are already suffering; we don’t want to add to their discomfort.” Dr. Tyndall said OSNI also offers state-of-the-art digital X-rays. “Digital X-rays allow the physician to see the results by the time the patient returns to the examination room,” Dr. Dedhia said. “This allows us to shorten the wait time that is often experienced by patients in more traditional type offices.”

The friendly and inviting atmosphere and staff, as well as the recently completed remodeling, both serve to improve the patient experience.

pHysical/occupational tHerapy

Another significant advantage offered by OSNI is on-site physical and occupational therapy.

The physical therapists at OSNI are experts in motion-range exercises to reduce pain and restore mobility and function. The therapists create personal treatment plans that meet the patient’s healthcare and post-operative rehabilitation needs.

“We have a seamless process between physician and therapist,” Dr. Coats said. “Being in close proximity allows our staff to communicate as often as needed to ensure that the patient is receiving the best care possible.” Both Dr. Gelman and Dr. Coats agreed, adding that being able to directly speak to the hand therapists about difficult hand rehab cases helps to speed the patients’ recovery and helps to engage the patients in their rehabilitation.

The physical therapy staff has advanced training in joint mobilization and manipulation as well as orthopaedic non-surgical and post-surgical care. Staff members are certified in a variety of rehabilitations including sports, joints, hand, spinal and pain centralization.

Occupational therapy focuses on hand and arm therapy to increase skill and strength. OSNI employs certified hand specialists to work with patients with hand injuries.

call today to schedule an evaluation with one of osni's physicians (219) 924-3300

a state-of-the-art facility,excellent staff and well-trained surgeons make osni a winning combination and a great resource for patients in the chicago area and northwest indiana.

orthopaedic specialists of northWest indiana 730 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321 • (219) 924-3300 • www.osni.org nwi.com/gethealthy

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jan/feb 2016

17

Fit Life

The Namasté Fix HOW YOGA HELPS RELIEVE CHRONIC PAIN

Y

SHANNON E. ROONEY

Step 1: Neutral stance

18

jan/feb 2016

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Yoga instructor Andy Wichlinski at Fitness Pointe demonstrates a chest expansion pain relief pose with client Pat Armenta. This pose, with an assist, can relieve pain in the shoulder capsule.

For yoga first-timers, Wichlinski recommends trying out a restorative yoga class. Some fitness centers and yoga studios even offer chair-based yoga; Fitness Pointe has a functional living

Step 2: Unassisted pose

yoga class. Attendees are taught ways to incorporate therapeutic movements into their daily lives. Once you’re comfortable with restorative yoga, Wichlinski says, a beginner class is your next step to healing.

Steps 3-5: Gradual assisted raise on hands

nwi.com/gethealthy

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

oga has long been a go-to exercise for people looking to relax and recharge.

And because of its restorative powers, yoga has recently become an important part of maintaining wellness for people who suffer from chronic pain issues.

Andy Wichlinski, specialty exercise instructor at Community Hospital Fitness Pointe in Munster, says the primary reason yoga works for pain management is that it creates resilience in the body and mind, alleviating common stresses that foster pain. The SAVE THE DATE physiological benefits are JAN 23: Yoga and Pain manifold. Wichlinski says Management Workshop, that “conscious movement 10-11:30am, Community with breath work tends to Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 activate the musculature, Calumet Ave, Munster.

866.836.3477. In this nerves and tissue in all free monthly workshop, directions for maximum participants learn how range of movement and movement, stretching strengthening,” all of and strengthening can which keep common pain resolve discomfort. Please register in advance. issues at bay.

How Fit Are You? exercise to strengthen their heart and lungs, or muscular-strengthening exercises, then their overall health and function may suffer,” she says.

Love it or hate it, cardio is important to overall fitness. But any Americans focus on weight and body fat as according to Bogordos and Marci Crozier, director of health indicators of health, but fitness experts say heart promotions at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness, we can walk, not health is just as important, if not more so. run, toward better heart health. “Many of us start out too hard and A recent study by the Mayo Clinic found then stop because it hurts,” she says. “Exercise should not hurt. It that Americans lose about 10 percent of their should feel good, actually.” cardiovascular fitness each decade from their early It you’re starting from scratch, the prospect of major cardio workouts 20s to late 70s. Cardiovascular fitness refers to the efficiency with which can be intimidating. Crozier recommends losing the all-or-nothing the heart pumps blood and oxygen to the body. And considering that mentality and instead focusing on steady improvement. “Fitness cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of Americans, it may be time to should be incorporated into our lifestyle,” she step up our game. says. Fitness schedules with built-in room for To assess your current level of overall fitness, improvement—adding distance or time weekly— Jane Bogordos, wellness supervisor at Franciscan ASSESS YOUR FITNESS encourage success and prevent burnout.

Omni Health & Fitness in Schererville, To establish a baseline of your Crozier recommends keeping the “why” in recommends looking at four components: aerobic cardio fitness, Jane Bogordos of front of you as you work to get healthier. “Staying fitness, muscular strength, flexibility and body Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness motivated to live healthfully can be easier when composition. Weight and body fat, Bogordos suggests taking the adult challenge we truly know what our ‘powerful why’ is: ‘why’ says, should be within normal limits. “However, at presidentschallenge.org, a we want to be healthy,” she says. The best exercise if a person’s weight is appropriate for industry program of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. for you, she adds, is the one that you’ll do. standards but they don’t do any cardiovascular

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jan/feb 2016

19

Mind

Rethinking Resolutions new year, a new you.

Everyone has at least one change they’d like to see in themselves or in their lives, and many people view the new year as a perfect, even magical, time to make that change happen.

The motivation for change is usually good; it’s the resolution method that’s bad. “I call it resolution perfectionism,” says Felicia Houston, licensed clinical professional counselor for Ingalls Behavioral Health. “You set a high goal and you want it done immediately. It’s like going from being a non-runner to expecting to run a marathon by the end of the week. With that kind of all-or-nothing mentality, you’re setting yourself up for failure.”

Another mentality that hinders, according to Angela Ramos, owner of Inspiration Fitness in Crown Point, is when one focuses on what they don’t have or what they haven’t yet accomplished.

“If you focus instead on having a mindset of abundance and gratitude for everything you have and all that you already are, you will stop any Angela Ramos of Inspiration Fitness says the most important aspect to accomplishing a New Year’s resolution is to remove negativity and self doubt.”

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“Typical New Year’s resolutions set the bar too high. Make a concrete plan and give yourself a timeline so you don’t feel overwhelmed.”

-Amanda Littell of NorthShore Health Centers

negativity or self doubts in your head.” This mindset in turns helps make goals more attainable, Ramos says.

Houston points out that 80 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions fail to keep them.

People should go with attainable, flexible goals instead of rigid resolutions. To set smart goals, Houston recommends figuring out how you’re going to achieve them. “If you’d like to get healthy by running, be specific and make it measurable,” she says. “Having an accountability partner who helps you keep track of your progress is important, too.”

Amanda Littell, behavioral health consultant for NorthShore Health Centers, recommends starting slow and pacing yourself. “If your goal is to go to the gym, don’t beat yourself up for not going five days a week if you’re new at it,” she says. “Start out by going two days a week.”

Littell also stresses that goals should not be centered around Jan. 1 but set throughout the year. “Typical New Year’s resolutions set the bar too high,” she says. “Make a concrete plan and give yourself a timeline so you don’t feel overwhelmed.”

If you suffer setbacks along the way, give yourself a break and don’t give up. “Be forgiving of yourself,” Littell reassures. “We’re not perfect, after all. We’re only human.”

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PHOTO BY TONY V. MARTIN

A

AMANDA WILSON

1.

6

Reasons to Get Outside AMANDA WILSON

As Johnny Nash sang about in his famous ditty, stepping outside to enjoy a “bright, sun-shiny day” can make those bad feelings disappear, thanks to increased oxygen levels which help you relax.

4.

2.

5.

3.

6.

Even when the sun is hiding during a Chicagoland winter, just 10 minutes of fresh (albeit biting cold) air will enhance your mental capacity and energy levels.

Don’t forget to take your sunshine vitamin: Soaking up sunlight is the best way to get your vitamin D, which helps fight illnesses from cancer to depression.

Take a walk on your lunch break and practice mindfulness by focusing on the sights, smells and sounds of the great outdoors. You’ll experience greater focus and productivity when you get back to the office.

If winter dreariness has you singing the blues, getting outside for even small amounts of sunshine increases serotonin and dopamine levels, which help combat seasonal affective disorder.

Get the most out of your nightly snooze with some daytime sunshine and fresh air.

Increased serotonin levels also help you sleep more restfully.

Sources: Amanda Littell, behavioral health consultant for NorthShore Health Centers, and Felicia Houston, licensed clinical professional counselor for Ingalls Behavioral Health

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Quality Rehab Care at Hartsfield Village

Our Rehabilitation Center and Nursing staff have achieved a Deficiency-Free Federal CMS Survey and Joint Commission accreditation with Post-Acute Care certification.

Our team of experienced professionals, affiliated with Community Healthcare System®, helps patients recover from surgery, injury or illness. Our personalized care features: • private rehab suites • a state-of-the-art therapy gym • virtual reality therapy • therapeutic modalities • electrical stimulation Joint Commission • shortwave diathermy with Post-Acute Care • therapeutic ultrasound Certification • orthotic and splinting therapy • mobility and balance training

Schedule a tour today at 219-934-0590.

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jan/feb 2016

21

Families

JULIA PERLA HUISMAN

T

Nichole Goodrich of Valparaiso goes to the gym at 4am every day, prior to a full work day. Her workouts consist primarily of weight and interval training.

he scenario is all too familiar: You leave the house early, work for eight to 10 hours, drive home, prepare and eat dinner, clean the kitchen, help kids with homework, give baths, put them to bed, finish up housework or next-day prep, then finally fall into bed at 10 p.m. (probably later).

Work out? Who has time for that?

It is possible for working parents to have a regular fitness routine. It’s also essential. Angela Ramos, owner of Inspiration Fitness in Crown Point, says fitness is important for busy parents, primarily because it provides energy: “It sounds counterintuitive but when you’re exercising you do gain more energy.” Plus, it helps build your immune system, keeps you stronger, and helps you make better food choices, Ramos says.

But how to fit it in? “Keep it simple,” Ramos says. “You don’t need to have an elaborate workout program.” We’re hard-wired to think we need to spend an hour at the gym, but you can get an effective workout in just 10 minutes, Ramos says, depending on the type of equipment and intensity of the workout. She recommends doing dynamic exercises that don’t take much time but have a lasting impact—squats, pushups, lunges, overhead presses, kettlebells, “things

you can do at home and don’t need a lot of equipment for,” Ramos says.

Valparaiso native Nichole Goodrich is a mother of two, works 40 to 50 hours per week, and wakes up at 4am every day to exercise before work.

With the help of an online training company called Revolt Fitness, she discovered the most effective workouts for her body type and schedule.

“The workouts focus on weight lifting with some cardio and a lot of high intensity interval training and plyometrics,” Goodrich says. She also does cardio one day a week, and spends as much time as she can outdoors, cycling and running races.

Her commitment to fitness—as well as careful meal-planning every week—has helped her lose more than 45 pounds in the past year.

To parents like Goodrich who feel they are too busy to work out, she says: “You have the same 24 hours in a day as I do. You just have to choose what you want out of life. Schedule working out just like any other important commitment you have.

This is a commitment to yourself.”

Goodrich points out that there are many resources for working out at home if you can’t make it to the gym: “YouTube has so many videos. ...

Fitness is all over social media. It’s all over television, print, it’s everywhere.

“Trust me when I say, if I can find time to do it, so can you.”

FIND MORE FAMILIES ON THE GO ON PAGE 24

nwi.com/gethealthy

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA KESSLER

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Families

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Kids are busy, too, and have many electronic distractions to keep them from physical fitness. What are some ways to get your kids moving?

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Include your kids in your workout. You might be surprised how much they can do, even at young ages. Planks, situps, squats and lunges are good exercises for kids. For them, it’s fun to do what their parents are doing.

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opractor “Voted #1 ChAir Row!” 2 Years In

Dance! Dancing can burn more than 400 calories per hour. Kids won’t even know it’s exercise; just turn up some tunes and have a dance party in your living room.

Go to the mall. Walking the mall can be a serious workout if you do it right.

Park at the opposite end of where you need to go, then walk the entire mall, upper and lower levels.

(Avoid Cinnabon at all costs.)

Do fitness challenges together. Find 30-day challenges online and do them with your older kids. The competition and accountability will keep you both going.

Sources: Angela Ramos, Inspiration Fitness; Dr. Lisa Gold, Franciscan Physician Network pediatrician

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jan/feb 2016

25

Going Digital The good, the bad and the ugly of technology use for your health

T

GILES BRUCE

here’s no escaping technology these days.

From the desktop computer at work to the tablet and video games at home to the smartphone in your pocket, modern life has become a constant juggling act of gadgets.

But how is it affecting your health?

The answer, it turns out, is complicated.

So Get Healthy turned to some Northwest Indiana experts to find out how to use technology to improve your health as well as how to set limits so you don’t let it overwhelm your physical and mental well-being.

Technology is an increasingly big part of our daily lives and has a large impact on our health.

TONY V. MARTIN nwi.com/gethealthy

GET HEALTHY

jan/feb 2016

27

Technology Can Be Bad For Your Health

E

GILES BRUCE

verybody knows about carpal tunnel, the wrist condition caused by too much typing. But how about “trigger finger”?

Dr. Vineet Shah, an orthopedic surgeon with Methodist Hospitals, says the disorder can result from excessive texting.

When you’re moving your fingers back and forth to text, the tendons can become inflamed. Trigger finger can generally be treated by behavior modification or wearing a splint. “Whenever you can use Siri or voice, that’s a good substitute,” he says.

Trigger finger is just one of the symptoms of technology overuse. Others include disturbed sleep, arrested brain development and weight gain from too much sitting.

“Even if you go to the gym and work out 60 minutes, if you spend more than 6.5, seven hours the rest of the day sitting, your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis increases significantly,” says Jane Bogordos, exercise physiologist and wellness supervisor at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness in Schererville. “Technology’s fantastic, but it’s making us sit too much.”

Bogordos’ solution at her job was to create her own makeshift standing desk. She bought dish racks to put her keyboard and monitor on so she can stand when she’s at her computer.

Tech devices may also be disturbing our sleep. Nicky Smith, a clinical therapist with Franciscan Alliance, says the blue light emitted from cellphone screens and computers inhibits the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls the body’s sleep-wake cycle.

In addition, getting a stress-inducing text message or reading a disturbing news story in bed can make it harder to fall asleep, she says.

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She notes that she once had a patient whose anxiety disorder was found to be caused by watching the news before bed. “We all need good sleep in order for our brains to work optimally,” she says.

Smith recommends being completely free of gadgets for the half hour before you go to bed and not having technology of any kind—and, yes, that includes TVs—in the bedroom.

She also notes that technology can interfere with brain development. She says the frontal lobe of the brain is responsible for controlling impulses, planning, and organizing. But if it’s constantly overloaded with information from whatever gadgets a person is using, it will impair their ability to do those tasks. She says

to limit children to no more than two hours of screen time a day and not let kids under 2 have any.

Technology has also made it easier for youngsters to bully one another, putting them at risk for violence, depression and suicide, says Tim McManus, a psychologist with Ingalls Health System.

He says that, like anything else in life, technology should be used in moderation.

“We don’t eat for five consecutive hours. We don’t work out at the gym for five hours. We don’t need to be on Twitter or Facebook for five consecutive hours,” he says. “Rather than being at home on media sites, you could be coaching or volunteering or doing some other activity in the community.”

nwi.com/gethealthy

Spending time on screens instead of in conversation with each other could be hindering couples’ relationships.

TONY V. MARTIN

How Devices Strain Relationships

H

GILES BRUCE

ow often does this happen to you?

You go out to dinner with your significant other, and both of you spend most of the time looking at your smartphones. Or after work, you both sit on the couch, typing on your laptops. Or at night, you lay in bed together staring at your tablets.

You may be doing more damage to your relationship than you think, experts say.

“What is happening is the quality of communication is really being compromised,” says Nicky Smith, a clinical therapist with Franciscan Alliance. She

nwi.com/gethealthy

recommends that couples have at least 10 or 15 minutes of uninterrupted, face-toface time per day to talk about what’s going on in their lives and discuss any unaddressed issues in the relationship. “Emotional intimacy is just as important as other kinds,” she says.

Tim McManus, a psychologist with Ingalls Health System, says overuse of smartphones inhibits young people’s ability to interact with others. This has consequences when those individuals partner up later in life.

“That has long-term implications for how people develop qualities like reciprocity in relationships, empathy in relationships,” he says. “In this respect, we’ve become, from my perspective, too technologically bound at

the expense of the quality of interacting with other human beings.”

The rise in technology use is also affecting the doctor-patient relationship.

Joseph Fanelli, medical director of behavioral health services at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, says that nowadays physicians often communicate with patients while looking at illuminated screens.

“Doctors writing in a chart, flipping through pages, implies that they are attentive and that they care,” he says. “But the sound of pecking over a computer keyboard may be thought of as a nuisance.”

He notes that the increased use of scribes, who type up notes for doctors during visits, is helping to bring back some of that face-toface communication.

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Use Technology to

GET FIT

N

GILES BRUCE

icole Retherford, of Hebron, was already transitioning to a healthy lifestyle when her employer started offering a fitness tracker app in July. It was just

the push she needed.

Since then, she’s lost 15 pounds. And because the app gives incentives for meeting certain goals, Retherford has earned Amazon gift cards, movie tickets and discounts on her health insurance.

“This definitely gave me the extra incentive to get moving even a little bit more,” says Retherford, 38, a pricing coordinator at Methodist Hospitals.

Methodist partnered with insurer Humana Health to give its employees the HumanaVitality app, which tracks their exercise, diet and sleeping habits. The healthier the employees’ lifestyles, the more points they earn toward insurance discounts and other gifts, such as iPads and fitness equipment.

HumanaVitality is one of a number of smartphone apps that aim to help people improve and track their health on the go.

“These apps have really been coming into play the last couple of years,” says Jane Bogordos,

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exercise physiologist and wellness supervisor at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness in Schererville. “The sensitivity of that technology has advanced enough where you can get instant feedback.”

Another tech-related fitness trend is wearable activity trackers, like the FitBit or Apple Watch. Locally, Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness recently began offering the MYZONE heart rate monitor. People wear the monitor, a strap around the chest, while they’re working out. Afterward, the software tells them how many calories they burned and advises them on how they can most effectively meet their fitness goals.

The app being used by Methodist Hospitals, meanwhile, blends two trends in the world of health: fitness trackers and employee wellness. Using the app, which can be synced with wearable activity trackers, employees track what they eat, how much they exercise and even how much they sleep.

“If you do a 5K, you can take a picture and upload it on your phone and send it to Humana and you get a reward,” says Sally Ramirez, director of compensation and benefits for Methodist Hospitals. “And as we give flu shots, people can take a picture and go to the app and submit it.

Boom—that’s an easy 200 points.”

Since the program started, Ramirez has noticed more staff members taking the stairs and walking around outside. The month after HumanaVitality launched, there was a sharp decline in the amount of chips and soda purchased from Methodist vending machines.

Retherford says the app gives her the extra motivation she needs. “Otherwise, every couple of months, you get into a nice routine of things but you get bored and start slacking. This helped give me an extra incentive to keep up with it.”

HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE ONLINE GILES BRUCE

When it comes to sticking to a fitness routine, accountability is key.

And what better way to hold yourself accountable than by tracking your fitness progress on social media, where hundreds of your friends and family members can see what you’re doing on a daily basis?

It worked for Amber Schulz, a working mother of two from Crown Point. Since she joined an online challenge group in March, she has lost weight, toned her body and found a way to stay consistent with physical activity.

“There is just something PROVIDED about that camaraderie Crown Point resident Amber Schulz before and after that pushes she joined an online fitness you to do challenge group in March. better, that pushes you to want to succeed,” she says. “And then it happens: You begin to see changes in your health and fitness you thought you would never see again.”

Schulz is a home inspector, Beachbody fitness coach, dance coach and mother to two girls. “When you are a busy working mama ... it is very hard to find time to go to the gym and find foods you are ‘allowed’ to eat, much less find people that are willing to hold you accountable. But we all have the time to pop in a DVD and press play for 30 minutes. We all have time to check our phones and peep in on a group of other busy mamas doing the same thing you are doing daily.”

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nwi.com/gethealthy

New Techniques in Joint Replacement “If the components could last longer, then even younger patients could be considered for hip and knee replacement treatment options.”

The metal side of the joint replacement has traditionally been an alloy of Cobalt and Chrome, which is extremely hard (harder than Titanium or Stainless Steel) making it resistant to wear over time. Gradually, the Cobalt-Chrome can develop microscopic scratches which don’t significantly affect the metal itself but leads to wear on the polyethylene plastic side of the joint over time. In the search for materials that can last longer than our previous options, aluminum ceramic surfaces were developed. This ceramic material is also extremely hard but has almost no wear over time, making it a good consideration for younger patients with severe arthritis considering hip or knee replacement surgery.

ARTHRITIS UPDATE:

Regional can partner with you to address your mental and physical health concerns.

6 convenient locations throughout Lake County.

As technology has advanced, researchers have looked to newer materials that might last longer in hip and knee replacements. The original materials used were metals that mimicked the mixture of strength and flexibility of healthy bone. Currently Titanium alloys are used to interdigitate with the bone of the hip because they match that similarity to bone. The interface that rubs on the joint needs different properties, because the materials that rub together have to be extremely hard but durable.

As successful as hip and knee replacements have become, this procedure was initially restricted to patients with severe arthritis at older ages because of concerns that the implants would wear out over 10 years, leading to a more complex revision surgery. As the baby boomer population aged, work continued to try to lessen the failure rate from particle wear which can happen on either the metal or plastic side of the replacement joint.

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31

Best Friend

The Acupuncture Alternative Pets may benefit from this ancient healing method CHRISTINE BRYANT

A

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Dr. Won Han at Munster Animal Hospital gives an acupuncture treatment to Kylee, a dog that suffered from paralysis.

manipulations are applied wheelchair and beginning MUNSTER to promote circulation and physical therapy, Han ANIMAL correct imbalances within the recommended acupuncture HOSPITAL organs. as part of his treatment plan.

Although Han offers the “Within four months, he was 10421 Calumet Ave, Munster acupuncture service to mostly perfect,” Myers says. “Now this 219.924.0101 cats and dogs, it can be used to dog runs so fast we can’t keep munsteranimal.com treat many different animals, up with him.” including horses. He says Han, who has been offering most of the pets he works with the service at Munster Animal cooperate very well.

Hospital for three years, went In addition to acupuncture, Munster through a two-year training process at the Chi Animal Hospital offers other alternative Institute in Florida. It was there he learned therapies in conjunction with traditional about the four branches of traditional Chinese medicine and surgery, including chiropractic, veterinary medicine: acupuncture, herbal homeopathy, laser therapy, magnetic therapy medicine, food therapy and Tui-na, a form of and massage therapy.

Chinese medical massage in which different

nwi.com/gethealthy

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

centuries-old method of pain relief is being used to treat pets in Munster.

Dr. Won Han, a veterinarian at Munster Animal Hospital, practices acupuncture, the traditional Chinese method of inserting needles into the skin to stimulate parts of the body. “We offer it as a means of integrated service in conjunction with conventional therapy, usually when conventional therapy has reached its limits or owners can no longer afford the next level of service,” he says. “They turn to alternative or additional treatments that are available.”

Acupuncture practitioners say the act of inserting needles into specific points on the body produces a healing response, providing pain relief or other health benefits for pets that are similar to humans. It can be practiced in both dogs and cats, Han says, and can improve conditions related to the musculoskeletal, reproductive, neurological or gastrointestinal systems.

“Cats seem to respond quicker than dogs do,” he says. “It usually takes three to four therapy sessions to see noticeable changes with animals, but we have seen changes happening sooner than that.”

Shirley Myers knows the healing power of acupuncture. Han performed the treatment on her beagle, Lennon, after he suddenly became paralyzed due to a slipped disk. “He always sleeps in his cage, and one morning he didn’t come out,” she says. “I went in there, and he couldn’t move.”

She immediately took him to Munster Animal Hospital. “I was just hysterical,” the Whiting resident says. “I didn’t know what happened.” After fitting Lennon with a dog

CHOOSE QUALITY...

CHOOSE EXPERT CARE For people suffering from joint pain and loss of mobility, orthopedic surgery can make a difference in quality of life. Choosing the right hospital for this important surgery can also make a difference.

At Community Hospital in Munster, our board certified orthopedic surgeons embrace today’s advanced techniques and technologies in joint replacement. Innovative rapid recovery practices and progressive pain management options are offered to make joint surgeries easier to undergo, and help patients get moving sooner and enjoy life again.

Whether it’s knee, hip or shoulder surgery, our orthopedic team of physicians and medical professionals strive to provide this expert care to every patient we treat.

Choose Community Hospital for the orthopedic program and surgeons that Healthgrades has chosen among their 100 Best.

Call 219-836-3477 or toll free at 866-836-3477.

Visit www.comhs.org, follow us on Twitter @CHSHospitals or friend us on Facebook at CHSHospitals.