Get Healthy Spring 2016

Healthy Working Out in

Nature

Sleep

and

WEIGHT LOSS

How to lead an optimistic life

into

HAPPINESS Spring 2016

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.

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Spring 2016

1

spring 2016

notes 4 editors’ 6 hot topics 9 the medical report

Fun and unusual health stats

What to do when your back hurts

10 your health

Healthy spring cleaning, vein care, kids’ dental tips, and brain-strengthening activities

14 on the table The resurgence of the community garden

18 the fit life

Where and how to work out in the great outdoors

20 sound mind Why ample sleep helps take the weight off

on the go 22 families

These gyms will watch your kids while you work out

2718 10

feature package Happy in NWI:

How to lead an optimistic life

32 your best friend

What happens when you declaw your cat

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Spring 2016

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DENTAL PHOTO AND HAPPY PHOTO BY TONY V. MARTIN, DUNES PHOTO BY CHRISTINE LIVINGSTON/INDIANA DUNES TOURISM

contents

IT’S TRUE...

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Spring 2016

3

editors’ notes

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3

W I

PUBLISHER

Christopher T. White

What makes you happy? We asked 10 notoriously happy Region residents this question so we all could learn a thing or two from them. Their answers seem surprisingly simple, which I’m sure you’ll find as refreshing as I did.

One thing that makes me happy is sleep, but I don’t get enough of it, according to not one, not two, but three mentions on the importance of sleep in this issue. Looks like I’d better start snoozing.

CO-EDITORS

Giles Bruce Julia Perla Huisman DESIGN DIRECTOR

Mary Garrison DESIGNER

April Burford

Julia Perla Huisman GET HEALTHY CO-EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Eve Adams, Christine Bryant, Shannon Rooney, Mark Loehrke, Carrie Rodovich, Carrie Steinweg, Amanda Wilson

I have two cats, neither of which I got declawed. I had heard removing their claws would be akin to having my fingertips removed. But I could deal with it. A scratch here and there isn’t going to kill me. My couches aren’t that nice anyway.

So when I read recently that the state of New York was considering making it illegal to declaw cats, I was intrigued. We asked freelancer Carrie Rodovich to localize the story.

Apparently, this is a more controversial topic than I thought.

She had trouble finding veterinarians and animal rescue employees who would even talk to her. She did end up interviewing a couple of sources, both anti-declawing. I only wished we had found people with the opposite opinion. But then I wondered: Do they even exist anymore?

NICHE PUBLICATION SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Mike Cane, Andrea Walczak VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

Joe Battistoni ADVERTISING OPERATIONS MANAGER

Eric Horon ADVERTISING MANAGER

Craig Chism ADVERTISING PUBLICATIONS MANAGER

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

Healthy Working Out in

Nature

Sleep

and

WEIGHT LOSS How to lead an optimistic life

into

HAPPINESS Delicious

ON THE COVER

2080 N Main St, Crown Point, Indiana 46307 219.662.5300

Debbie Wells, of Hammond, is one of the 10 happy people we interviewed in this issue.

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. nwi.com/gethealthy

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Cleaning

YOUR

Harsh, Dalal, MD, FACG

Navin Kumar, MD

Rahul Julka, MD

Call Today!

Schedule an Appointment at One of Our Convenient Locations!

Spring is here! As the weather warms up, we are looking forward to opening up the windows to let the fresh air in, throw away clutter, dust away the cobwebs, and restore health to our home. But what about the health of your body?

We would like to challenge you to not only spring clean your house, but also spring clean your colon! How can you do that? By committing to “dusting” away the processed, high-fat foods and replacing them with lean meats (like chicken, turkey and fish), whole grains (like whole wheat foods, brown rice, quinoa and couscous), and a good variety of fruits and vegetables!

You can also look to a detox. There are many different definitions, but in general a detox is a cleansing of the GI tract (stomach, small intestine and large intestine) to get rid of toxins and bring healing to the tissues. A detox could include balancing pH, and removing harmful bacteria, mucus buildup and yeast thereby establishing a healthier digestive system.

The specialist at Digestive Disease Centers bring their expertise and experience to patients throughout Northwest Indiana.

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.

COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE Digestive Disease Centers specialize in comprehensive care of all gastrointestinal and liver diseases with an array of testing and treatment services, including:

A simple GI cleanse could involve making a goal to not intake any refined sugar, alcohol or caffeine for a week and to increase consumption of fruits, vegetables and water.

Please consult your physician or one of our Digestive Disease physicians, if you would like to learn more about detox diets. Please note that, depending on your symptoms and condition, your doctor may not recommend a detox.

You can always improve your digestive health by choosing whole foods and whole grains and cutting back on processed foods that are high in sugar, salt and preservatives. Eat healthy and start your spring cleaning today!

• • • • •

Colon Cancer Screening Colon Polypectomy Upper Endoscopy Esophageal Dilation ERCP

• Video Capsule Endoscopy • Gastric Pacemaker • RFA for Barrett’s Esophagus • H-Pylori Bacteria Breath Test • Hepatitis Treatment

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU HIGHLAND 9731 Prairie 219-922-4900

MERRILLVILLE 5825 Broadway Suite B 219-981-9000

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WHITING 2075 Indianapolis Blvd Whiting IN 46394 219-922-4900

Call Today! Schedule an Appointment at One of Our Convenient Locations! New Patient Appointments Available 1-2 weeks. nwi.com/gethealthy

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5

topics

CHRISTINE BRYANT

SMOKE AND MIRRORS U.S. adults may not be smoking as much pot as originally thought.

While a finding that showed about 12.5 percent of adults said they used marijuana at least once in 2013 is still accurate, adults’ use of the drug didn’t double from 2002 to 2013, which another study reported in the fall.

New findings from researchers discovered that marijuana use did rise 20 percent from 2002 to 2013, but it didn’t double.

Source: National Institutes of Health

33

PERCENT

of adults don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis.

7

HOURS Amount of sleep health care guidelines say Americans need

Risks

Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Don’t Drink Your Energy

If

you consume more than two energy drinks per day, you are at a greater risk of developing adverse heart reactions, including palpitations, a raised heart rate and chest pain. • Researchers surveyed patients aged 13-40 admitted to a hospital ER and found 70 percent had consumed some sort of energy drink in their lifetime—36 percent in the last hour. • Those patients who were heavy consumers of energy drinks were found to have a significantly higher frequency of heart palpitations than those who consumed less than one per day.

Source: International Journal of Cardiology

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Spring 2016

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Preventive medicine is the key to protecting, promoting, and maintaining health and well-being while preventing disease and disability.

Join Dr. Maya Kommineni, Porter’s new cardiologist who takes a whole-body approach to preventive cardiac care, as she discusses new evidence and research about the world’s healthiest superfoods to help you achieve your best health possible.

When:

Thursday, May 12 • 6 p.m.

Where: Porter Regional Hospital Community Room 85 East U.S. Highway 6, Valparaiso To register for this FREE program, call 1-800-541-1861, or visit porterhealth.com.

Maya Kommineni, M.D. Cardiologist

The Green FacTs: AcHiEVing YoUr BEST HEAlTH PoSSiBlE.

Member of the Medical Staff at Porter Regional Hospital.

Porter Regional Hospital is owned in part by physicians.

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Spring 2016

7

Less Work, Better Health

Those living the retired life can enjoy the following health benefits:

93 63 11 50

MINUTES PER WEEK: Increase in physical activity, according to participants surveyed MINUTES PER DAY: Decrease in amount of time spent sedentary MINUTES PER DAY: Increased sleep PERCENT of all female smokers quit after going into retirement.

Source: American Journal of Preventative Medicine

Mosquito Vampires and Ninjas?

If you’re a human, watch out. The female Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that spreads Zika, prefers human blood over other mammals.

Even worse, the females also act as mosquito ninjas, performing sneak attacks by approaching victims from behind and biting ankles and elbows, which helps them avoid getting smashed by a human hand.

TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT A new study found that by raising testosterone levels in older men, their sexual activity improves.

Participants received a testosterone gel to offset their naturally declining levels, and the trials looked at sexual function, physical function and vitality.

Testosterone treatment increased levels to the mid-normal range for men 19 to 40 years old, but had no significant benefit to vitality nor physical function like walking.

However, men who received the testosterone gel did report slightly better mood and lower severity of depressive symptoms than those who received a placebo.

Source: New England Journal of Medicine

Source: World Health Organization

8

Spring 2016

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MEDICAL REPORT

Back Pain When to Get Help

B

ack pain is a common ailment that affects a growing number of Americans on a yearly basis. The vast majority of symptoms will improve over time and not require any type of medical intervention. We will discuss Dr. Nitin Khanna when back pain needs to be evaluated by a health care professional.

Most injuries to the back and neck would be considered strains or sprains. As a general rule, when an acute strain or sprain occurs, an inflammatory process has been initiated. The goal should be to decrease the inflammation. Ice and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication are best utilized to decrease the inflammation.

In the old days, bed rest was prescribed to treat these conditions. Our current understanding is that bed rest leads to rapid deconditioning and weakens the spinal muscles. We recommend gentle stretches and continued light activity during the healing phase. Narcotic pain medication is a poor idea in acute injuries, as there is no antiinflammatory component in these medications and the patient has the risk of developing a dependence.

Patients with a long history of back pain may be suffering from degenerative conditions of the spine such as arthritis and degenerative disc disease. The mainstay of treatments for these patients is routine aerobic exercise such as walking or swimming along with a stretching program.

When symptoms are severe and are associated with radiation of pain in the arms or legs and/or if weakness is present in the arms or legs, I recommend an evaluation from a spine specialist. Often times this is a sign of injury to a disc which may be compressing a nerve. In these situations, an expeditious evaluation can significantly improve the clinical results.

There is an increasing body of evidence supporting minimally invasive spine surgery leading to decreased recovery times for patients. These advanced techniques are based on decreasing the muscle dissection and blood loss associated with open procedures. Spine surgical procedures can now be done on an outpatient basis with little down time for the patient.

Dr. Nitin Khanna is an award-winning surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive orthopedic spine surgery at Orthopaedic Specialists of Northwest Indiana (730 45th Ave, Munster). Khanna’s research has been published in multiple medical journals, and he is the spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery.

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3 words can be so scary.

“You have cancer.”

You also have a right to a second opinion during this unsettling time in your life. Contact the largest and most advanced cancer care team in northern Indiana today. No referral is needed and we’ll take care of gathering your medical records so you don’t have to.

Crown Point 1205 South Main Street, Ste. 301 Crown Point, IN 46307 Phone: 219-661-1640

Westville 1668 South US 421 Westville, IN 46391 Phone: 219-785-3400

Hobart Interim Location 7875 Grand Boulevard Hobart, IN 46342 Phone: 219-942-0033

Hobart Coming this spring!

1320 S. Wisconsin Street Hobart, IN 46342 Phone: 219-942-0033

One Focus. Beating Cancer. ®

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Spring 2016

9

Health

WOMEN’S HEALTH

VARYING VEINS SHANNON E. ROONEY

GENERAL HEALTH

Fresh Start

T

MARK LOEHRKE

he very idea of spring cleaning brings to mind freshness, renewal and healthier living. But this annual domestic ritual may not be rewarding its hardworking practitioners with as much of the purity and goodness they’re hoping for. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the air in the average American home is a minimum of five times and, in some cases, up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. So much for all that time spent scrubbing the baseboards.

What’s to blame for the spring un-cleaning? In a counterintuitive twist, the very cleaning products that homeowners are using every day may, in fact, be doing more harm than good.

In its Guide to Healthy Cleaning, the nonprofit Environmental Working Group assessed the ingredients and chemical

10

Spring 2016

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makeup of more than 2,000 common household products to come up with some stunning ratings. For example: • Of 165 floor-care products tested, 119 received a grade of D (likely hazards to health or the environment) or F (potentially significant hazards) in the EWG ratings.

• Of 147 furniture cleaners tested, 88 received a grade of D or F. • Of 470 all-purpose cleaners tested, 288 received a grade of D or F. If these frightening results are almost enough to make you want to take a pass on so-called clean living altogether, Kim DeLauro from Baum’s Natural Foods in St. John says there are healthier alternatives to help ensure your cleaning is safe and effective. Among the dozen or so natural cleaning products that the store carries are Ecos, a phosphate- and formaldehyde-free laundry detergent that uses a coconut oil base for its fabric softening agent, and Clean Smart, a disinfectant spray that kills 99 percent of germs with no harsh chemicals.

E

veryone likes to have goodlooking legs, but can unsightly veins actually cause health problems? The answer seems to be, “It depends.” Much is determined by the size, visibility and especially any pain experienced due to different types of leg veins.

Physicians rate veins on a scale called CEAP (Clinical severity, Etiology, Anatomy, Pathophysiology). At No. 1 on the scale are spider veins, those fine, superficial veins visible just under the skin. Spider veins are quite common and rarely indicate a problem.

They can be related to more serious varicose veins (a 2 on the scale) but aren’t always.

As veins climb the CEAP scale, they become more serious, ending with a rating of 6, which would indicate an open ulcer on the leg.

Veins don’t always progress from 1 to 6 on the scale, according to Dr. Amjad Alkadri, interventional radiologist and vein specialist at the Vein and Laser Institute in Northwest Indiana. His clinic is the first in the area to perform the VenaSeal procedure, which uses adhesive (rather than laser or heat) to close down incompetent (varicose) veins. It’s an in-and-out procedure with minimal recovery and almost no pain.

To determine whether you need treatment for your veins, assess your discomfort.

“When you have pain, that’s a sign things are progressing,” says Alkadri. If there is no pain, he adds, there is no real urgency.

Alkadri recommends compression stockings for varicose veins, which can delay the progression of disease. Also, stay off your feet if you can.

If you notice obvious leg veins, watch for signs of progression: pain, larger veins, swelling of the leg. These symptoms indicate you should see a vein specialist immediately.

Those pesky spider veins can be shrunken through treatment for cosmetic reasons but they don’t require treatment for vein health.

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FR

33rd Annual FREE

M EE tha ore sc n 2 re 5 en in gs

Southland Health Fair

!

SATURDAY, MAY 21 • 9 AM – 1 PM Matteson Community Center 20642 Matteson Avenue (One block west of Cicero Ave.) Matteson, IL 60443

Screenings Offered:

Everyone Welcome!

(No residency restrictions)

Register ahead at

Ingalls.org/HealthFair No appointments needed.

For more information call Ingalls at: 708.915.CARE (2273)

FREE total cholesterol blood test FREE 12-lead EKG for persons 30 & older $10 lipid profile (HDL & LDL cholesterol & triglycerides – a 12-hour fast is required.) Many other discounted blood tests (prostate, thyroid, glucose, etc.)

FREE cancer screenings for skin, colon, & breast health FREE screenings for arthritis & joint pain, back & neck pain FREE allergy tests, vision & hearing screenings FREE mini-massages, and much more

Special thanks to the Rotary Club of Homewood for their support. nwi.com/gethealthy

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11

Health KIDS’ HEALTH

Tooth or Consequences The importance of dental health for kids

et aside all the unappealing things you’ve likely witnessed going into your child’s mouth.

The business of brushing and flossing on a regular basis is reason enough to get an early jump on teaching oral health skills and making regular trips to the dentist.

We checked in with Dr. Brian Douts, dental director for Portage-based NorthShore Health Centers, to get a better idea of when to get started and how to overcome some of the challenges of keeping kids focused on good dental habits.

Q:

At what age should kids start visiting the dentist regularly?

A: We’re willing to see

patients at any age, but normally when a tooth is first erupting, it’s a great idea to get in just to introduce oral health care, educate parents and see what needs to be done. We see a lot of 5- and 6-year-olds who have a lot of dental issues already, and if they had been in a little earlier we could have prevented or addressed those things.

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Q:

What can a parent do if a child doesn’t like brushing his or her teeth?

A: It’s usually a matter of just

continuously working with the child every day, morning and night. There are different reward systems parents can utilize or even just a lot of positive reinforcement, but parents should also try to give children a chance to manage oral health on their own by letting them brush themselves, and then go back just to check things out and do some touching up.

Q:

At what age can/should children begin brushing their teeth on their own?

A: This is really going to vary

from child to child, but a lot of problems that we see are from parents thinking that their 5- or 6-year-old “should” be doing it on their own, and then they come in for a checkup and they have cavities everywhere. Once a parent notices that a child is efficiently removing the plaque on his or her teeth, that’s generally a good indicator that they’re probably ready to brush on their own. Until then, however, I would recommend that parents continue to help with the brushing, even if the child is 8 or 9 or even 10. Even some older kids still have a lot to learn.

Dr. Douts of NorthShore Health Centers shows patient Aramus Gonzalez, 6, of Whiting, how to brush his teeth.

Q:

What kind of toothpaste should kids use?

A: Honestly, whatever works best for the individual child is the one to go with. There are a thousand different brands out there, so whatever the child is most comfortable with or happiest using is what I would recommend.

If your child has a positive experience with a particular flavor or bottle, that’s as good a recommendation as anything else.

TIPS FOR TEETH Some of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to dental health for kids have nothing to do with visiting the dentist. Stay on top of these habits at home as well: • Never put a baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, fruit juice or sweetened liquid. These can pool in the baby’s mouth and form a sugary film on teeth, leading to decay and infection.

• It’s time to start flossing when back teeth begin to come in.

Toothbrush bristles cannot reach between teeth, leaving those teeth vulnerable to bacteria and decay.

• Limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals to help avoid decay-causing bacteria and acids.

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DENTAL PHOTO BY TONY V. MARTIN

S

MARK LOEHRKE

WHAT IS A PROSTHODONTIST? Prosthodontist are experts in the restoration and replacement of teeth - they make smiles look beautiful and function the way they should. After completing four years of dental school, Prosthodontists receive an extra three years of specialized training in an American Dental Association (ADA) accredited graduate program. Prosthodontics is one of the nine dental specialities recognized by the ADA. Many like to think of Prosthodontists as the “quarterback” of a dental team. They regularly lead teams of general dentists, specialists and other health professionals to develop solutions to your dental needs.

SENIOR HEALTH

Strengthen Your Brain SHANNON E. ROONEY

C

an Alzheimer’s disease be prevented?

Physicians’ opinions vary widely and scientific research is somewhat inconclusive. It’s important to understand how the disease works, says Dr. Hytham Rifai, a neurosurgeon with Franciscan Alliance in Merrillville, adding: “Be aware of your family history.” Individuals with family members who have had Alzheimer’s may be more likely to develop symptoms.

Many physicians agree that adopting “brain-healthy” habits, including lowering stress levels, eating right, and exercising, maximizes long-term brain health and the overall quality of your physical health.

ENJOY A MEDITERRANEAN DIET

Proper nutrition is important for everyone. But some studies have shown that a diet rich in vegetables, beans, whole grains and fish may reduce the risk of cognitive impairment.

WORK IT OUT

Regular exercise is thought to

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slow cognitive deterioration. Even a 30-minute walk per day will increase your overall health. Try incorporating balance activities to stay spry, like yoga, tai chi or balance ball exercises.

STAY SHARP

This is the “use it or lose it” rule.

To stay engaged mentally, learn a new skill like another language— parlez-vous français? Try playing games and puzzles like Sudoku.

Take a new route to work in the morning. These kinds of activities help create new mental pathways in addition to making life more interesting and enjoyable.

CREATING YOUR PERFECT SMILE

PROSTHODONTIST “Our Prosthodontist helped me get my life back,

A Specialist in the Restoration & Replacement of Teeth

now I can go out to eat with friends and family and feel happy and secure about my smile.”

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GET SOME SLEEP

Getting a minimum of six to eight hours of sleep is essential for brain health. Try creating a soothing routine. Turn on soft music, plump your pillows, read quietly.

CHILL OUT

Make time each day to relax.

Stress can alter your breathing rate and impact oxygen levels in the brain. Try prayer, meditation, gardening, reading, laughing at a funny movie. If you can do these with someone else, so much the better.

D. Miller

D.D.S., M.S.D. Prosthodontics and General Dentistry •DENTAL RECONSTRUCTION •DENTURES •DENTAL IMPLANTS •BRIDGES •CROWNS •VENEERS

9333 Calumet Ave. Munster www.ChicagoProsthodontist.com GET HEALTHY

Spring 2016

13

Growing More Than a

GARDEN Community gardens cultivate fellowship, charity

C

CARRIE STEINWEG

ommunity gardens are hardly a new concept. The idea of gardens planted in public places with plots maintained by individuals originated from the scarcity of food during the two World Wars.

Today, community gardens have seen a resurgence. Organized and maintained by volunteers, these gardens sometimes help to provide a spot in urban areas where people can grow their own organic

14

Spring 2016

GET HEALTHY

produce. Some of it is consumed by the farmer, some of it may be donated to food banks or charities, and some allow for the produce to be sold via farmers markets.

The gardens are often designed to be an educational tool, with experts offering instruction or with school kids involved in the process. They also become a gathering place where people converge and engage.

The gardens encourage healthier eating as well. In some cases, they offer a refuge for residents in low-income areas—a place for them to go where their time and labor is put to good use and valued.

PORTAGE COMMUNITY GARDEN

In Portage, a community garden was introduced in 2012 on land leased from the Real Life Community Church. The current garden manager, Eric Forbes, and his wife initiated the project through GrowNWI, with 12 raised beds provided. It has since grown to 60 beds that are rented out for $25 a season with water supplied by the organization. A separate field is filled with crops that are donated to several charities and individual families in need.

“Last year we added an orchard of 20 fruit trees and made raised beds for strawberries, blueberries and blackberries,” says Shane Patterson, president of the Portage Community Garden, which is a registered not-for-profit organization. A butterfly garden is nearing completion and this spring a greenhouse will be added courtesy of a Boy Scout who raised funds and recruited volunteers to build it as his Eagle Scout project.

Patterson says that a core group of about 10 to 14 “passionate, dedicated volunteers” do the bulk of the maintenance, with additional volunteers helping on larger projects.

THREE OAKS COMMUNITY GARDEN

Just north of the border in Three Oaks, Michigan, is an unusual garden that works not as a 501c3 nonprofit organization but is the result of many groups coming together. Now in its fifth year, it was established with a startup grant from the Pokagon Fund. Like Portage’s garden, rental plots are available. Sizes vary and fees range from $10 to $25 a year.

“The garden is on township land inside the village and at the back of the school grounds,” says volunteer Darlene Heemstra. So, through a grant from the casino in New Buffalo, the garden started by collaborating with the elementary school principal to incorporate it into the school’s curriculum. A local garden club maintains a flower bed around the perimeter.

“It really has brought the community together,” says Heemstra. “It helped us all work together.” It also has a sitting area at the entrance, along with two free library boxes. The garden has 46 plots,

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SALAD PHOTO BY CARRIE STEINWEG, HOLY NAME GARDEN PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLY NAME GARDEN, THREE OAKS COMMUNITY GARDEN PHOTO BY DARLENE HEEMSTRA

Table

Holy Name Garden

Three Oaks Community Garden

six of which are reserved for the elementary school. With a hoop house on rollers, students are able to get started working from tomato and pepper seedlings before the weather warms and summer school students do weeding and picking.

Experienced volunteers work with students to teach them about gardening and agriculture.

Three beds are set aside for charity as well as any unrented plots. A local bank donates a plot for Meals on Wheels.

Holy Name Catholic Church Community Garden

Holy Name Catholic Church

in Cedar Lake is in its fifth year of operating a community garden on the parish grounds where everything grown there is donated to various charities.

According to volunteer Anita Torok, the garden started at 1,000 square feet and has since tripled in size. Over the four years since it began, more than 8,000 pounds of produce have been donated. It’s supported entirely by parish volunteers who donate seeds for planting and maintain the garden.

“I think for most of us, it’s a real joy being in a garden.

The idea of planting builds great fellowship, but the reason it was started was to bring Catholic social teaching to life and embrace our fellow community,” says Torok.

“On Sundays you will see parishioners just walking through and being out with things growing and it’s so peaceful. But so many don’t get to eat fresh vegetables, and it’s really rewarding when you deliver to people that are so happy that their kids can have fresh beans and tomatoes.”

Living Well. Living Wise.

AT H A RTS F I E L D V I L L AG E

Hartsfield Village is a Continuing Care Retirement Community that celebrates life to the fullest and promotes successful aging. We provide a plan for your senior living needs now and into your future.

Hartsfield Village features: • Rehabilitation Center • Independent Living • Nursing Care • Assisted Living • Fitness Studio and Spa • Memory Support

HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

10% Ogfulfar* Any Re Pri*cwitehdthisItadem

Ingredients

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10000 Columbia Ave. | Munster, IN 46321 219-934-0750 | 800-297-6188 www.HartsfieldVillage.com

ABC MEDICAL SERVICES

Green Garden and Steak Salad 1 cup mixed greens (arugula, red and green leaf lettuce, spinach) 4 or 5 heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved 5 or 6 cucumber slices, halved 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped 1 ounce steak, sliced (or chicken, salmon or preferred meat) A few shavings of fresh Parmesan Dash of freshly ground black pepper

Schedule a tour today at 219-934-0750.

ABC Medical Services Showroom Is Here To Aid You And Your Family!

Other fresh garden veggies that work well for this salad: red, green or yellow bell peppers, grape tomatoes, and red onion.

Suggested dressing: Bleu cheese

• • • • • • • • •

Lift Chairs Wheelchairs Walkers/Rollators Canes/Crutches Bathroom Safety Compression Stockings Diabetic Footwear Incontinent Supplies CPAP Machines

• Orthotics (braces & shoe inserts) • Services by Certified Orthotic Fitters • Women’s Boutique for post mastectomy needs provided by RN & Certified Fitters • Licensed Pedorthic services provided for shoes & foot assessment

(708) 418-0008 GET HEALTHY

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Orthopaedic Specialists of Northwest Indiana Offers the highest caliber of specialized Orthopedic care to Northwest Indiana & Chicagoland patients.

O

rthopaedic 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.

“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 well as all needed diagnostics (X-rays, Open MRI) and physical therapy, all under one roof.

By Bob moulesong, Times Correspondent

From L-R: 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; nitin khanna m.d., Faaos Spine Care, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery; arshad a. khan dpm Foot and Ankle Surgery; robert W. coats ii m.d., Faaos Hand and Upper Extremity Conditions; Joseph d. hecht m.d., Faaos Hip and Knee Joint Replacement, General Orthopedics

spinal conditions 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.

Joint replacement 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

orthopaedic specialists oF northWest indiana 730 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321 • (219) 924-3300 • osni.org

call today to schedule an evaluation with one of osni's physicians (219) 924-3300 16

Spring 2016

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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.

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.

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 t. 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. innovative diagnostic testing OSNI 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-ofthe-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-theart 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.”

physical/occupational therapy 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 nonsurgical and post-surgical care.

Staff members are certified in a variety of rehabilitations including sports, joints, hand, spinal and pain centralization.

OSNI brings the highest caliber of specialized orthopedic care to northwest indiana and chicagoland area.

OSNI physicans have been awarded compassionate doctor,top 10 doctor in the state, doctors of excellence, america top orthopedist, and Best of the region. nitin khanna md, sunil dedhia md, and dwight tyndall md received this honor for the difference they have made in their patients’ lives. dwight tyndall md also earned the 2015 on time doctor award. nwi.com/gethealthy

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Fit Life

The 3 Dune Challenge is a 1.5-mile course at Indiana Dunes Tate Park.

our mind on 10,000 other things. Stop the insanity and be in the moment.”

EXERCISE CHRISTINE BRYANT

W

orking out can be done just about anywhere—whether it’s in front of your TV on a treadmill, doing chores around the yard or taking a stroll

at a local park.

With warm temperatures around to stay for the next few months, people wanting to increase their heart rates have many more options outdoors to help vary their workout routines.

Here are a few tips to get you ready.

Dress for outdoor conditions. It’s OK to get wet—you won’t melt, says Debi Pillarella, exercise program manager with Community Hospital Fitness Pointe. However, rain gear will help make those raindrops a little more fun and child-like, she says.

“If it’s daytime, watch the sunlight,” she says. “Wear sunscreen and cover your head

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and eyes. Wear breathable clothing—light colors—and carry a bottle and drink sips frequently to avoid dehydration.”

Familiarize yourself with where you’re headed. Brandt Baughman, property

manager at Indiana Dunes State Park, says it’s important that people review maps and determine the lay of the land.

“They should keep their eyes open for landmarks in case they do get lost— maintaining orientation so they always know which way is north,” he says. “It’s also a good idea to keep a cellphone with them when feasible.”

Put that phone away. Though it’s important to have a phone in case of an emergency, don’t text while actively working out, Pillarella says.

“Pay attention to the beautiful surroundings, connect with nature, breathe the fresh air,” she says. “Be mindful, count the trees, identify the lovely flowers, notice the types of wildlife you see. Many of us go through the workout motions and have

Even a random hill in your neighborhood park can provide a great place to work out. In a monkey crawl, for example, crawl on all fours up a hill. Get your legs wide and try to keep your hips low, drawing in your core, Pillarella advises. “After monkey crawling up the hill, stop at the top, take a few breaths, then run or walk down,” she says.

If you spot a large rock, approximately 2 to 5 pounds, hold it in your right hand for 10 steps, then switch to the left hand for another 10 steps. “At the end of the steps, hold it in your dominant hand and throw it as far as you can,” Pillarella says. “Walk up to where it landed, pick it up with your non-dominant hand and throw it with this hand. Repeat this alternating movement pattern for one minute.”

When you come across a park bench, place your hands on your shoulders and see how many times you can sit in 30 seconds.

Be a kid again. Why walk or run when there’s so much more you can do? “How about hopping, skipping, galloping, walking on tiptoes, walking on heels or side stepping?” Pillarella says. “Vary your movements to stay engaged and have fun.”

And don’t be afraid to join your kids and climb ropes at the park, slide down the slide or use the monkey bars, she says.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE LIVINGSTON/INDIANA DUNES TOURISM

Use everything around you.

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ooking for ideas on how to get out in nature as the weather warms? There are several campaigns or activities available yearround in Northwest Indiana.

If you’re ready for a run or hike that will leave your legs screaming, check out the 3 Dune Challenge. To complete the challenge, a person must tackle a special 1.5-mile course at Indiana Dunes State Park, climbing Mount Jackson (an elevation of 176 feet), Mount Holden (an elevation of 184 feet) and Mount Tom (an elevation of 192 feet). “[You] do not need to sign up to do the 3 Dune Challenge,” says Ken Kosky, promotions director with Indiana Dunes Tourism.

“It is basically a well-marked course that people can do any day of the year on their own, or they can do it with the park staff during the occasional guided hikes that take place throughout the year.” For more information, visit IndianaDunes.com/3dc.

If biking is more your style, one of the most recently built trails in the Region is the Dunes Kankakee Trail, a three-mile walking and bike path that begins in the Indiana Dunes State Park and travels south to Chesterton. The trail connects the Calumet Trail and the Prairie-Duneland Trail, creating more than 20 miles of

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trail from Michigan City to Hobart.

“In addition to swimming in Lake Michigan, we are also starting to see people paddling kayaks on the lake,” says Bruce Rowe, supervisory park ranger and public information officer with the National Lakeshore.

“This is a great workout and a beautiful way to see the dunes from out in the lake.”

Another option is Rogers Lakewood Park in Valparaiso, which is home to a disc golf course, a climbing wall, skate park, running trails and a big hill to run up and down. During warmer months, visitors can rent rowboats and pedal-powered boats to take around the park’s lake.

Looking for something unique?

Check out Blastcamp in Hobart.

It’s a former Army base that is now 28 acres of bunkers, trenches, buildings and towers for paintball and Airsoft competitions.

One of the Region’s biggest secrets is that it is home to four National Natural Landmarks. The federal program recognizes the conservation of these sites that contain outstanding biological and geological resources. Nearly 600 landmarks have received this designation, including Hoosier Prairie in Lake County, Cowles Bog and Dunes Nature Preserve in Porter County, and Pinhook Bog in LaPorte County.

The team of professionals at Midwest Neurology Associates is well-known for diagnosing and treating difficult neurological disorders in Lake County.

Team of experts uses the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic treatments to ensure accurate diagnosis and successful results.

• Long Term Care and Follow - up • Nerve Block Treatments for Chronic Pain • Steroid & Therapeutic Botox Injections

• Back Pain • Neck Pain • Shoulder & Knee Pain

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• Convenient Point Of Service Care: • Insomnia • Vertigo EMG, EEG, Ultrasound •

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Pinnacle Hospital, 9301 Connecticut Dr.

Call today for an appointment (219) 836 - 2096

www.mwneuro.com GET HEALTHY

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19

HIT THE RESET BUTTON TO GET BACK TO SLEEP

Mind

Snooze to Lose

Why ample sleep helps take the weight off

F

AMANDA WILSON

or many of us, the recommended eight hours of nightly sleep seems as out of reach as fitting into those skinny jeans from slimmer years. But prioritizing your peace of mind and a good night’s sleep could help you achieve your weight loss goals.

When patients come to see Dr. Steven M. Kalisch, clinical psychologist at Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute in Northwest Indiana, it’s often because they’re stuck in the vicious stress/sleep deprivation/weight gain cycle. “Eight hours of sleep per night is the gold standard and studies show that sleep-related weight gain occurs in people getting five hours or less of sleep a night,” says Dr. Kalisch.

He explains that there are two types of hunger: true physical hunger and “emotional” hunger. When

you’re sleep-deprived and “emotionally” hungry, you develop an increased preference for simple carbohydrates and sugars. When you eat these foods, it has a calming effect on the nervous system by triggering the release of dopamine, chemicals that induce pleasure and calmness.

One of the keys to conquering the stress/sleep deprivation/weight gain cycle is finding healthier ways to generate dopamine. “We want to be able to eat in a more rational way by reducing the stress which predisposes us to eat emotionally,” says Dr. Kalisch. “In addition to reducing stress, increasing the amount and quality of your sleep will help balance your appetite-regulating hormones and increase your sense of satiety after meals.”

Heather Zeto, whose recent weight loss journey motivated her to become a Project LifeFit Coach, experienced this correlation first-hand. “I am a person that truly needs eight or more hours of sleep to function,” says Zeto. “Without that sleep, I don’t have the energy to ‘move’ and then I typically make very poor eating decisions.”

According to Dr. Kalisch, “people who lose weight but fail to get enough sleep often end up putting the weight back on.” Rather than be discouraged, “they need to look at what drives the overeating in the first place. People who are well rested and less stressed make better food choices because their bodies are already generating dopamine.”

A good night’s rest and a peaceful mind help the body generate healthy cravings. So before you get on that scale, put your mind at ease, get back to bed and get some sleep.

For the desperately tired who are desperate to find ways to reset their inner sleep clocks, here are a few tips:

ESTABLISH AND KEEP A SLEEP ROUTINE.

Choose a bedtime that will enable you to get approximately eight hours of sleep a night. To get your body used to the set bedtime, establish a routine. The key words in establishing a sleep routine are relaxation and consistency. To get your body and mind in sleep mode, do relaxing activities like taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music, or deep breathing.

KNOW WHEN TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT AND NOISE.

Keep your bedroom as dark and quiet as possible.

If streetlamps and traffic lights are filtering into your bedroom, invest in quality blinds or a sleeping mask to keep them out. Turn off computers and cell phones at night to eliminate screen lights and notification noises.

For distracting background noise, ear plugs are a cheap yet effective solution.

PLAN AHEAD TO FIGHT JET LAG.

If you’re planning on traveling to a different time zone, give your body time to adjust before you leave for your trip.

At least a few days before you travel, start to adjust your bedtime to match the time zone you’ll be in. With each day, go to bed one hour earlier and get up one hour earlier. Repeat this process, if possible, before your return.

ADJUST TO SHIFT WORK.

Stick with one shift instead of alternating shifts throughout the week. If you’re working the night shift and leave work when the morning sun is shining, wear sunglasses on your drive home to keep as much light out of your eyes as possible.

To make your bedroom as sleep-friendly as possible, turn down the thermostat and keep your room dark and quiet.

Sources: Dr. Steven M. Kalisch, mayoclinic.org

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LOCATIONS IN PORTAGE, CHESTERTON, LAKE STATION, MERRILLVILLE & HAMMOND *Pap Smears and Mammograms are ordered based on family history, age and recommended guidelines from the American Cancer Society and/or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist. Pricing is for screening mammograms only, additional fees may apply if further Diagnostic testing is indicated. Limit of 200 mammograms. Appointments required.

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21

Families

In Good Hands Local gyms with child care

O

nce you become a parent, it’s certainly not as easy to get to the gym as it was in your pre-kid years.

A host of fitness centers in the Region have made things easier, however. Thanks to the child care programs at the following facilities, you can still enjoy some “me” time on the elliptical while your kids play happily under adult supervision. You get to work out, they get to have fun. It’s a win-win.

Barre And Beyond

BARRE & BEYOND 761 Indian Boundary Rd, Ste 5 Chesterton 219.929.1550 barreandbeyondstudio.com

The increasingly popular barre technique is the specialty of this boutique fitness studio, and class members can “tuck” away while their kids are cared for in the adorably named Munchkin Care. There are no TVs or electronic devices in this program; the staff is dedicated to providing interactive, hands-on activities such as crafts, Play-Doh, reading, and coloring on a giant chalkboard. The studio also has mother/child classes called Bring Your Baby to the

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FITNESS POINTE 9950 Calumet Ave Munster 219.924.5348 comhs.org/community/ fitness_pointe

Fitness Pointe’s child care program takes kids from ages 6 weeks to 12 years. All of the children play in one room (except for when the wee little ones are sleeping, in which case they’re placed in a crib in the nursery), and there is an abundance of toys and activities to keep kids of all ages busy: puzzles, board games, dress-up clothes, crafts, and movies, just to name a few.

Child Care Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-1pm Cost: For up to 90 minutes: $3 per child for the first two children in the family, $1 for each additional child. For 90 minutes to 2 hours: $4 per child for the first two children in the family, $2 for each additional child.

Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness baby room

FRANCISCAN OMNI HEALTH & FITNESS 221 US Hwy 41, Ste A Schererville 219.865.6969 franciscanalliance.org/omni

Omni in Schererville is one of the largest gyms in Northwest Indiana, and its robust Kid Zone program follows suit.

There are four separate rooms divided by age groups, each stocked with age-appropriate toys like a train table, play kitchen, bubble machine and educational toys. The staff also leads the kids in additional activities such as crafts, dancing, and holiday parties.

Omni is one of the few gyms in the area with a computerized child check-in system, so parents can dominate the treadmill knowing their kids are safe.

Child Care Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm Cost: $1 per hour for kids aged 6 weeks to 9 months; free for kids aged 10 months to 12 years. Reservations are required for children 6 weeks to 2 years.

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PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Barre and Bring Your Belle to the Barre (for daughters ages 6-12).

Child Care Hours: Mon-Fri 9:45am class; Sat-Sun 8:30 and 9:45am classes Cost: $6 for 1 session, $25 for 5 sessions, $50 for 10 sessions

JULIA PERLA HUISMAN

What About All the Germs?

Will Power Fitness WILL POWER FITNESS 2590 W Morthland Dr, #8 Valparaiso 219.508.3801 lynette-willpowerfitness.com

Will Power Fitness differs from large community gyms in that it takes a more individualized approach, specializing in personal training, suspension training and group fitness classes. Child care is available during the 9am classes, where the kids can play with games, toys, cars, coloring books and more. The child care room has a large window that looks into the fitness classroom, so parents can see that their kids are safe, and little ones can be assured that their parents haven’t left them for good.

Child Care Hours: Mon-Fri 9am classes Cost: $3 per child per class YMCA Locations in Chesterton, Crown Point, Griffith, Hammond, Hobart, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Valparaiso, Whiting

The longstanding YMCA values youth development just as much as it does health, which is why nearly every Y offers not only free drop-in child care while parents work out but also programs for all-day care. Each of the 10 YMCAs in Northwest Indiana offers toys, games, books, puzzles, videos and play equipment for all ages.

Child Care Hours: Varies by location Cost: Free for members

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It’s no secret that gyms are a harboring ground for germs. So for some parents, placing their kids in a germ-filled child care room at a germ-filled gym may be daunting. Dr. Tae’Ni Chang-Stroman of Kids First Pediatrics on 30 in Dyer offers the following advice for apprehensive parents: • Wash hands frequently. The same prevention guidelines that apply to adults also apply to kids, Stroman says. Parents should teach kids proper handwashing techniques and to avoid touching their faces too much.

• Be fully vaccinated.

This not only helps your own kids avoid certain illnesses but will also keep other kids from getting them. Stroman advises parents to ask the gym if their child care program has a vaccine policy.

• Above all, expect them to get sick. “It’s not a bad thing,” Stroman assures.

Kids are going to be exposed to germs at some point, so it shouldn’t keep you from placing them in the gym’s child care. “Expect them to get a few more colds than they would have if they were home by themselves in a plastic bubble,” Stroman laughs.

• Relax. Focus less on the potential of illness and more on the social benefits kids get when playing with other kids, Stroman says. Parents benefit too, from spending uninterrupted time getting in shape, he says: “A sane mother is a happy mother.”

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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 24 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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e in ic d e m g in r e e n io P roof all under one

DR. KENNETH HAM, MD - Orthopedic Surgeon

DR. SCOTT ANDREWS, MD - Orthopedic Surgeon

| Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

| Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

| Independent Medical Examiner

| Specializing in Joint Replacements, Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery

| Specializing in Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy and Hand Surgery

DIVERSE EXPERIENCE

EXTENSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Dr. Ham has extensive experience in diverse areas of orthopedic surgery including general orthopedics, joint replacements, minimally invasive surgery and sports medicine.

Since he began practicing orthopedics in 1992, Dr. Andrews has had extensive experience in sports injuries, joint replacements, traumatic injuries and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

DR. JOSEPH SCHWARTZ, MD - Orthopedic Surgeon

DR. ZESHAN HYDER, DO - Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

| Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery | Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand

| Fellowship trained and certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Osteopathic Surgery

| Specializing in Orthopedic Surgery, Arthroscopy, Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery

| Specializing in Conservative and Surgical management of the spine, as well as general orthopedics

CARING EXPERTISE

INFORMED TECHNIQUE

Each of Dr. Schwartz’s patients receive unsurpassed care for orthopedic problems, with special interest in the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, and in arthroscopic surgical techniques.

Dr. Zeshan Hyder graduated Cum Laude from the University of Illinois and throughout his medical education has published articles on various subjects related to arthroplasty and spinal surgery.

DR. JAMES HONG, DPM - Podiatrist | Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery | Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery | Specializing in Reconstruction Foot and Ankle Surgery

DISTINGUISHED SPECIALIZATION

VA L U A B L E I N S I G H T

Dr. James Hong’s practice focuses on reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle as well as minimally invasive surgical techniques. His secondary languages include Spanish and Chinese.

Dr. Knesek has published articles on complex hip and shoulder disorders in many orthopedic journals and textbooks including the American Journal of Sports Medicine and The Journal of Orthopedic Research.

9001 Broadway Merrillville, IN 46410

801 MacArthur Blvd., Ste 302 Munster, IN 46321

1354 S. Lake Park Ave. Hobart, IN 46342

For an appointment, please call 219.795.3360 26

Spring 2016

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3800 St. Mary Dr., #101 Valparaiso, IN 46383

ORTHOPEDICDOCTORS.COM

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IN NWI How to lead an optimistic life

H

GILES BRUCE

ave you ever met anyone and wondered: How is that person so darn happy?

Well, for this issue, Get Healthy interviewed 10 of the happiest Region residents we could find and asked them just that.

While their answers varied, there were a lot of similar threads in their stories: solid relationships, a strong faith or spirituality, a sense of humor.

Sometimes happiness—or the lack thereof—is out of a person’s control, and could be affected by mental illness or childhood trauma. But Get Healthy hopes you can take some of these optimistic people’s strategies and apply them to your own life. And, in the process, get happy!

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Secrets

happiness GILES BRUCE

1.

Strong relationships.

Many of the happy people interviewed by Get Healthy say their parents were cheerful, optimistic folks who instilled the importance of positivity in them from an early age. So by the time they were adults, that attitude came naturally.

Conversely, some also had absent, alcoholic fathers or grew up poor, and say the adversity in their upbringings strengthened their resolve.

The majority of the interviewees were also in long-term romantic relationships, their supportive partners providing needed stability.

Damian Rico, of Schererville, relayed a chance encounter he had in Las Vegas with Sylvester Stallone.

After meeting the actor, Rico witnessed him get into a heated argument with some TV producers.

Rico then watched the Rocky star’s wife lovingly calm him down, defusing the situation. “That’s the woman I want right there, that’s the girl I want,” Rico told himself.

A year later, he met his current wife.

2.

Empathy. Tammy Maas, a health care worker from Crown Point, says that

when she comes into contact with difficult patients she always thinks about the struggles they’re dealing with. Instead of lashing out, she tries to calm them down.

“We all put on pants the same way, make feces the same way. Live and let live and be respectful,” says Kathy Kasarda, of Porter. “I don’t think respect is something you earn. Respect is something you give to everybody. It’s everybody’s right to be who they are.”

Louie Gonzalez, of Munster, says that being a good listener means more than just paying attention to someone’s words. “I try to listen intently, not only with my ears but my heart,” he says. “You can pick up on things that are not being said. When you’re at peace or being joyful, people can sense that, that you’re giving them your undivided attention and they give you more of themselves and they become more open and honest.”

3.

Faith. Having faith, or at least living a spiritual life, gives you purpose and a sense that you’re part of something greater than yourself, many of the interviewees told us.

“A lot of people feel like their life is accidental,” says Debbie Wells, of Hammond. “If we feel that way, it’s hard to have a

GET HEALTHY

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27

foundational anchor in anything else. Once we know who we are, it’s a lot easier to deal with life’s more difficult issues.”

4.

Overcoming adversity.

For Lisa DeBoer, of Munster, it was brain tumors. For Katy Kletnick, of Munster, seeing a friend die in a motorcycle accident.

For Kasarda, a bad car accident.

For Wells, her youngest son’s neurosurgery. And for Jennifer Young, the death of her mother from cancer.

“I think everyone goes through adversity in life,” says Young, of DeMotte. “Once that situation occurs, you have a decision to make. You either go left or right.

The path less traveled is less easy but it’s definitely the better one in the long run, which is to stay positive and thankful for the blessings you do have and what you will learn from that situation.”

5.

Humor. Anna Brackett-Erb, of Gary, tries to crack up not only others but herself.

“When I wake up, I look at myself and say, ‘What a hairdo,’ and start laughing because my hair be sticking up,” she says. “It was in my family. Everybody try to keep humor in their lives.”

You’ve got to be able to laugh at yourself. Kasarda says her son jokes with her that she has so many fake joints the only things to survive a nuclear apocalypse will be the cockroaches—and her.

6.

It takes work. While happiness may appear to come naturally to some people, underneath they’re often working overtime to keep the positivity flowing.

“Patience is big for me,” says Meagan Barrett, of Crown Point.

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“I have four kids. We have a full gamut of stressors firing off in our house. If I don’t choose joy, it would get ugly. It’s something I have to work on. It’s not something that comes easy.”

7.

A fulfilling profession.

Several of the interviewees work for nonprofits, schools or churches. Rico, the community director for The Times Media Co., says friends sometimes inquire why he works in journalism when he could make more money doing other things; he tells them his story subjects simply inspire him.

“People ask me all the time: ‘Why do you cut hair when you have a bachelor’s degree?” says Kletnick. “I stay where it makes me happy.”

8.

Surrounding yourself with positive people.

Your mood is often determined by the type of people you hang around with, the interviewees say. If they’re negative and cynical, their moods will likely rub off on you. The opposite is also true.

10 REGION RESIDENTS GILES BRUCE PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

9.

Making others happy.

When Brackett-Erb sees somebody who looks down, she always says hi. Without fail, they smile back, she says. Says Kletnick: “When I walk in and somebody else is in a bad mood, I’m too happy for them to stay that way.”

10.

Take charge. The only one who can determine your fate, and your attitude, is you, many of the interviewees say. And just because you’re a pessimist doesn’t mean you can’t become more optimistic.

Maybe their advice can help get you there.

nwi.com/gethealthy

Louie Gonzalez Age: 58 Hometown: Munster Occupation: Campus president of Ivy Tech Community College in East Chicago Why are you so darn happy? “I do believe the joy comes from within. It’s what you radiate. Whatever’s in your heart will be radiated out in your actions and your words and your expressions. Your whole outlook will be picked up by other people. I try to make a conscious effort every morning to be more at peace.”

Meagan Barrett Age: 38 Hometown: Crown Point Occupation: Threeyear-old teacher at a preschool in Schererville Why are you so darn happy? “What comes naturally to me is being outgoing, and I love being around people.

That’s my nature.

When I’m around other people, I just feel happy.”

Tammy Maas Age: 43 Hometown: Crown Point Occupation: Nursing supervisor at Community Hospital in Munster Why are you so darn happy? “It’s all in how you perceive things. I feel like I have to have a positive attitude, otherwise everything I’m going to look at will be negative. If I’m in the mind frame of keeping myself positive, it not only helps my life but permeates into everyone around me.”

Debbie Wells Age: 41 Hometown: Hammond Occupation: Children’s pastor at The Gate and substitute teacher for Hammond schools How are you so darn happy? “The first thing that comes to mind is my faith. ... My faith in Christ gives me hope. It gives me an outlook that life is short but we have a purpose here that God put inside each one of us. Once we connect with that purpose, it gives an other-mindedness view of life rather than an egocentric view of life.”

Kathy Kasarda Age: 55 Hometown: Porter Occupation: Former stayat-home mom, pharmacy technician, beauty salon scheduler Why are you so darn happy? “I was in a really crazy car accident. You think to yourself, Wow, I’ve been given another chance. I could be really bummed out. I’m visually impaired in one eye due to arthritis. But I live in a great place where I’m right across from a national park. I get to see wildlife every day. I think about how I’m part of nature and how we’re all part of this big world.

I never see things in a light that’s dark. There’s a blessing in everything.”

Anna Brackett-Erb Age: 53 Hometown: Gary Occupation: Mailroom and production for The Times Media Co. Why are you so darn happy? “They say laughter is a good medicine. When I wake up in the morning, I’ll be like, ‘Time to make the donuts,’ like the Dunkin Donuts guy on TV. I just be joking.”

Jennifer Young Age: 33 Hometown: DeMotte

Katy Kletnick

Occupation: Socials director for the American Heart Association in Northwest Indiana

Age: 29 Hometown: Munster

Why are you so darn happy? “Every morning when I wake up, I always think about three things: I try to think about what I’m thankful for that I have, what I’m thankful for that I learned the previous day, and I try to be thankful for what is going to happen in my current day. It sounds maybe a little cliché, but it gets me in the right mindset where I’m able to truly give my best in what I do.”

Occupation: Hair stylist Why are you so darn happy? “I think it’s because of my outlook on life.

Negative’s not going to get me very far. If you have a positive outlook on life, more times than not positive things will happen to you.”

Damian Rico

Lisa DeBoer

Age: 42 Hometown: Schererville

Age: 49 Hometown: Munster

Occupation: Community director for The Times Media Co.

Occupation: Sales/retail at Ambiance Your Home Your Store in St. John

How are you so darn happy? “The ingredient is treating people the right way. ... My family was like that: my mom, my grandparents. They were always inspiring. They made people feel so welcome. My mom would buy extra gifts on Christmas, so if someone brought a nephew or cousin they would have something, too.”

Why are you so darn happy? “If something’s going bad or not my way, it’s not like I can change it. I might as well go along with it. You can’t change things, so you move forward, do the best with it.”

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31

Best Friend

Scratch That Declawing cats harmful to overall pet health

A

CARRIE RODOVICH

lthough some pet owners think declawing cats is a harmless procedure that saves their owner from having their furniture used as a scratching post, experts say declawing is like amputating fingertips—and more and more groups are condemning the procedure.

Some countries have outlawed it completely, and states including New York have considered legislation making it illegal.

According to its website, the American Veterinary Medical Association strongly encourages veterinarians to educate their clients about the procedure, called an onychectomy, beforehand. The group only suggests doing it for medical reasons, or if no other remedy prevents the cats from using its claws destructively.

Dr. Holly Anderson is a veterinarian at the Estelle Marcus Animal Clinic in Munster, a subsidiary of the Humane Society Calumet Area. Although the clinic primarily spays and neuters pets and does not offer declawing, she says, people still call about declawing cats. The staff tries to educate them about the procedure.

“The word is definitely getting out there that there are better alternatives as they learn how invasive the procedure really is, but not everyone knows yet,” she says.

Sandy Richwalski, pet division manager for Alsip Home and Garden and a member of the board of directors for Alsip to the Rescue, says people are moving away from the procedure as

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their views of their pets have changed. “Previously, we considered cats pets, and not members of the family,” she says.

“Now, as we start to consider our pets to be family members, we look at medical procedures for them differently.

When we educate people about why they don’t need it, that education is opening people’s eyes about why it isn’t a great idea.”

Anderson says the procedure is equivalent to amputating a human finger at the first knuckle, and can leave the cat with lifelong soreness and pain. There is also an infection risk. “A lot of people think that declawing is going to be simple, quick and easy, and it’s not really the case,” she says. “It’s a pretty invasive procedure and can cause lasting effects.”

Richwalski says it is natural for cats to want to scratch because it helps them mark their territory, work their toe muscles and stimulate their brain.

“For me, the only reason we would do it is if a toe is bad,” she says. “That could be because of frostbite or infection. But we don’t want to do it just to save your furniture.”

Trimming a cat’s nails regularly can significantly decrease scratching, and providing ample scratching posts is vital, the experts agree. There are also soft nail caps that can be applied over the nails, but those require regular maintenance.

“Those three things: the scratching posts, the nail trimming and the soft caps, are all a much better alternative for your cat’s overall health,” Anderson says.

DECLAWING ALTERNATIVES If you choose not to declaw your cat, there are things you can do to reduce scratching, which is normal feline behavior.

• Provide scratching posts, which could include cardboard boxes, lumber, or carpet remnants attached to stationary objects. The objects should be tall enough to allow the cat to fully stretch while scratching.

• Properly take care of your cat’s claws by trimming them every week or two. This will reduce damage to household items.

• Temporary synthetic nail caps can be used as an alternative to declawing. They can reduce injury and damage to property.

Nail caps can be reapplied every four to six weeks.

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association website, avma.org

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