Health & Fitness 2014

and

Health Fitness Solutions to Stop Snoring Help for Depression Tips for Aging Athletes

The Crescent-News March 13, 2014

pg 10 pg 4 pg 15

Osteoporosis and Women

pg 2

Age Defying Tactics

pg 8

Prevent the Cold & Flu this Season

pg 17

PAGE 2 - Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2014

Ask the pharmacist

Should women worry about osteoporosis?

(BPT) — The “silent thief,” more commonly known as osteoporosis, impacts 10 million Americans, with millions more suffering from low bone density.

Osteoporosis is a progressive, degenerative disease that occurs when bone loss outpaces the growth of new bone, weakening the bone and increasing the risk of sudden and unexpected fractures. In fact, up to one in four men and one in two women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

Marc Surak, a specially trained pharmacist at the Express Scripts Therapeutic Resource Center who concentrates on women’s health issues, explained what causes osteoporosis and why women are at greater risk.

Osteoporosis is primarily the result of the body breaking down more bone than the amount of new bones

being formed, Surak said.

“Being female is the second most significant uncontrollable risk factor for the disease, with age being the first,” said Surak. “In fact, 80 percent of osteoporosis sufferers are women due to their lighter and thinner bone structure.

Additionally, following menopause, a woman could lose up to 20 percent of her bone density.”

Surak focuses on helping patients with medication management.

Bisphosphonates are among the most commonly used medications to treat osteoporosis. The medication works to restore the body’s balance of bone development by decreasing the action of bad cells (osteoclasts) that cause bones to break down, and increasing the production of good cells (osteoblasts), which build bones.

As with all medications,

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

Women are at great risk from osteoporosis, a progressive disease that

there are risks. Surak and his team work to help patients manage these risks and gain a better understanding of their medications. He offered the following tips and information to ensure the best possible outcomes for osteoporosis patients.

— Take with water: Bisphosphonates help slow the process that dissolves bone tissue, but they some-

weakens the bones and makes fractures more likely.

times cause stomach irritation. Because of this, oral forms of the medication should be taken first thing in the morning with a full glass of water. Try to avoid taking food, drink, or other medications for 30 to 60 minutes afterward.

— Know the side-effects: Although rare, bisphosphonates can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). People with compromised immune

systems, such as those on chemotherapy or HIV patients, are at the greatest risk for ONJ. Poor oral hygiene and those undergoing invasive dental procedures can also increase the potential for ONJ. As a result, medication should be stopped three months prior to a dental procedure.

Talk to your doctor of pharmacist if you have questions about ONJ. — Keep moving: An active lifestyle, including weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises can help counteract the risks for and slow down the progression of osteoporosis.

— Healthy eating: Follow a healthy, balanced diet that includes eating foods high in calcium, vitamin D and lean protein. Eating fresh fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products is also critical for promoting bone health.

— Call your doctor: You know your body best, if something seems wrong, reach out to a health care professional. If you’re experiencing new or worsening symptoms contact your doctor immediately.

For more information about osteoporosis, visit Express Scripts’ Health Insights blog at lab.expressscripts.com.

Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2013 - PAGE 3

Eye diseases may go unnoticed in people with diabetes (BPT) — With more than 8 percent of the American population having been diagnosed with diabetes, regular dilated eye exams are critical to prevent vision loss.

Diabetes is a disease that interferes with the body’s ability to use and store sugar, which can cause many health problems. Too much sugar in the blood can cause damage throughout the body, including the eyes. Over time, diabetes affects the circulation system of the retina, the lightsensitive lining at the back of the eye.

“Many eye problems show no symptoms until they are in an advanced stage, and that is why we recommend that people with diabetes in particular have an eye examination by a doctor of optometry at least once a year,” said doctor of optometry Tina MacDonald, a certified diabetes educator and a member of the AOA’s Health Promotions Committee.

“When the eyes are dilat-

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ed, an eye doctor is able to examine the retina for signs of diabetic eye disease and prescribe a course of treatment to help preserve an individual’s sight.”

Only 32 percent of respondents are aware that diabetic eye disease often has no visual signs or symptoms, according to the AOA’s 2013 American Eye-Q consumer survey. Additionally, only 39 percent know that diabetes can be detected through a comprehensive eye examination.

People with diabetes are at a significantly higher risk for developing eye diseases including glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, one of the most serious sight-threatening complications of diabetes.

Those with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to suffer from glaucoma than people without. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve resulting in gradual peripheral vision loss.

Many people without diabetes will get cataracts, but those with the disease are 60 percent more likely to develop this eye condition. People with diabetes also tend to get cataracts at a younger age and have them progress faster. With cataracts, the eye’s clear lens clouds, blocking light

and interfering with normal vision.

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that causes progressive damage to the retina. Damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina causes swelling of retinal tissue and clouding of vision. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy may lead to blindness.

Since early warning signs of diabetic eye and vision disorders are often subtle or undetected, the AOA recommends that high-risk individuals look for initial signs and contact a doctor of optometry if any of the following symptoms are present: — Sudden blurred or double vision.

— Trouble reading or focusing on near-work.

— Eye pain or pressure.

— A noticeable aura or dark ring around lights or illuminated objects.

— Visible dark spots in vision or images of flashing lights.

In addition to having a yearly, comprehensive eye exam, the AOA offers the following tips to help prevent or slow the development of diabetic eye disease: — Take prescribed medication as directed.

— Keep glycohemoglobin test results (“A1c” or average blood sugar level) con-

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

Persons with diabetes must be extra careful to have their eyes checked on a regular basis, as the disease can cause blindness. Shown here is a man checking his blood sugar level.

sistently under 7 percent.

— Stick to a healthy diet that includes omega 3s, fresh fruits and vegetables.

— Exercise regularly.

— Control high blood pressure.

— Avoid alcohol and smoking.

For additional information on eye health and diabetic retinopathy, visit www.aoa.org/diabetic-retinopathy.xml.

DIABETICS A few facts about varicose veins ATTENTION The Defiance Area Diabetic Club support — The stronger the muscles, the more effective they are at pumping blood back up to the heart. The best exercise for preventing varicose veins is walking.

— Losing weight and working out more can reduce the risk of developing varicose veins and ameliorate the effect of existing varicose veins. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods, and elevate the legs when possible, especially while sleeping. (It’s

easier for the blood to flow back to the heart when it is flowing downhill.)

— Compression stockings also help. They squeeze the leg, reducing the amount of blood in and pressure on the legs. Don’t try to choose a pair yourself. Seek a doctor’s help to determine how much pressure should be applied to your leg.

— If you have swelling of the leg, flaking or itching skin, or skin ulcers near the ankle, see a doctor right away.

group is available to provide speakers to educate you on various issues facing diabetics.

Some of the topics are carb counting, portion control, meal preparation and physical issues that arise. We are open to Type 1 & 2 diabetics and their caregivers and it’s FREE!

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PAGE 4 - Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2014

Struggling with depression? There is help available (BPT) — Did you know that one in 10 people struggle with depression?

Depression can consist of a range of symptoms and it can also impact every aspect of a person’s life including social, family, personal and work/school life.

Depression affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act, and affects people during their prime working years.

One area people tend to ignore is the impact depression can have on their work life. Depression is evident at work through absenteeism (days away from work), and presenteeism (being at work, but not engaged/ productive). Workers with depression report an extra 1.6 days absent from work each month compared to healthy colleagues.

To help combat the significant impact of depression on individuals and to acknowledge the critical role employers must play, both for themselves and their employees, we have created Right Direction.

Right Direction is a first-ofits-kind initiative to raise awareness about depression

in the workplace, promote early recognition of symptoms, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

This is a program of the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, a program of the American Psychiatric Foundation, and Employers Health, a national employer coalition based in Ohio.

“Individuals with depression sometimes aren’t aware they have the illness,” said Clare Miller, director of the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health. “We spend a lot of time at work, so it’s an important place to share information on depression and to encourage people to access resources and tools that can help to get them healthy.”

Despite advances in treatments, only one-third of people with diagnosable mental health conditions seek care. Many people who struggle with depression may go untreated because they fear retribution or loss of their job if they report their problems. Depression has a variety of symptoms, but the most common are a deep feeling of sadness or a marked loss of interest or

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

Depression can make life in general and, especially at work, quite unbear-

pleasure in activities. Other symptoms include: — Changes in appetite that result in weight losses or gains unrelated to dieting.

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— Restlessness or irritability.

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able. There is help for those fighting depression.

performance at work and feel like you have experienced any of these signs, it is important to seek help because depression is treatable. In fact, more than 80 percent of those who seek treatment show improvement. The most commonly used treatments are antidepressant medications, psychotherapy or a combination of the two.

“People should not have to suffer in silence or be afraid to reach out for help,” said Marcas Miles, director of programs and communications at Employers Health. “Right Direction offers resources for people in the workforce who are living with depression to get the help they need to get back on track.”

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The website offers educational information on common symptoms of depression, a screening tool for depression that can be shared with a health provider, resources for how to discuss this with family and additional resources outside the workplace to access for help.

Support for this educational initiative is provided jointly by Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc., and Lundbeck US, two pharmaceutical companies located in Deerfield, Ill., that are committed to developing therapies and programs to help people living with mental health conditions.

Info on dementia (AP) New research boosts the “use it or lose it” theory about brainpower and staying mentally sharp. People who delay retirement have less risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, a study of nearly half a million people in France found.

Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2013 - PAGE 5

Don’t fumble your recovery Coach Earle Bruce, former head football coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes

Staying active is important and although I might be slowing down, I don’t intend to stop. I still want to be able to play golf, ride my bike or log my daily treadmill miles. Over the last few years, a lot of my buddies have undergone hip and knee replacement surgeries and now are as good as new. Of course, the rehab took some time – especially for those who tried to do it on their own.

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PAGE 6 - Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2014

Study says toddler obesity shrank sharply in past decade ATLANTA (AP) — Toddler obesity shrank sharply in the past decade, a new study suggests.

While promising, it’s not proof that the nation has turned a corner in the battle against childhood obesity, some experts say.

The finding comes from a government study considered a gold-standard gauge of trends in the public’s health. The researchers found that obesity among children ages 2 to 5 decreased — to 8 percent,

from 14 percent a decade ago. That would represent a 43 percent drop.

But the only decline was seen in preschoolers, not in older children. And some experts note that even the improvement in toddlers wasn’t a steady decline, and say it’s hard to know yet whether preschooler weight figures are permanently curving down or merely jumping around.

It is enough of a decline to be optimistic, said Cynthia Ogden, one of the study’s

authors.

“There’s a glimmer of hope,” said Ogden, an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report was published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Health officials have long been hoping for more substantial evidence that they’ve turned a corner in the fight against childhood obesity.

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the nation’s leading public health problems — health officials call it a longstanding epidemic. A third of U.S. children and teens and more than two-thirds of adults are obese or overweight.

Officials are particularly worried about the problem in young children.

Preschoolers who are overweight or obese are five times more likely than other children to be heavy as adults, which means greater risks of high cholesterol, high blood sugar, asthma and even mental health problems.

After decades on the rise, childhood obesity rates recently have been flat. But a few places — including New York City and Mississippi — reported improvements in the last couple of years. Seattle joined that list last week, with a report of recently declining obesity in older school children in lowincome school districts.

More broadly, health officials last year reported at least slight drops in obesity for low-income preschoolers in 18 states.

But they mainly were children enrolled in the federal Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, which provides food vouchers and other services. Experts attributed the improvement to WIC policy changes in 2009 that eliminated juice from infant food packages, provided less saturated fat, and made it easier to buy fruits and vegetables.

The new study is a national survey of about 9,100 people — including nearly 600 infants and toddlers — in 2011-12, in which participants were not only interviewed but weighed and measured. The results were compared to four similar surveys that stretched back to 2003.

“I think it’s fair to say that (this study) is probably the best source of data we have on whether the

prevalence of obesity is increasing with time,” said Dr. Robert C. Whitaker, a Temple University expert of childhood obesity.

The main finding was that, overall, both adult and childhood obesity rates have held flat in the past decade. And there were no significant changes in most age groups.

But there were two exceptions: For some reason experts aren’t sure about, the obesity rate in women age 60 and older rose from 31.5 percent to more than 38 percent. And the preschool obesity rate dropped.

Some health leaders in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta celebrated the latter finding. They say it’s an early sign of a pay-off from campaigns to increase breastfeeding rates and cut consumption of sodas and other sugary beverages.

Some experts were more cautious about the results.

The preschooler obesity numbers fell from 14 percent in 2003-04 to 10 percent in 2007-08, then jumped to 12 in 2009-10, then slipped to 8 in the most recent survey.

So it seems to have been jumping around a little.

“We’re going to need more” years of data to see if the apparent trend is really nosing downward, said John Jakicic, director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center.

Some wondered whether it makes sense that preschoolers would be the ones leading a downward trend in childhood obesity.

For years, most childhood anti-obesity initiatives were older-kid efforts removing soda vending machines from schools and increasing physical education.

Apart from the WIC policy change, there’s been less of a push regarding preschoolers. “Relative to older children, less has been done” to fight obesity in toddlers, Whitaker said.

Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2013 - PAGE 7

Is it really possible for kids to like whole grains?

(BPT) — We know.

Whole grains are good for us, offering fiber, vitamins and other nutrients. But can they really be tasty enough for our kids to enjoy? And how do we add them to more of our meals?

The answers may be as close as your nearest elementary, middle or high school. Schools across the country are introducing whole grain breads, pastas, rice, pizzas and tortillas.

Starting July 1, all of the grain-based offerings in the lunch line will be at least 51 percent whole grain.

Anthony Geraci, director of nutrition services at Shelby County Schools near Memphis, Tenn., oversees one of the country’s largest school districts, serving more than 155,000 students in 270 schools. In 2012, he proactively anticipated the USDA’s new school meal requirements and changed all of the district’s grain offerings to whole grains.

Now, breads and muffins are baked fresh from scratch. Simultaneously, Geraci established a mandate of customer service, focusing full attention on serving the district’s daily student customers.

One of the most successful ways Geraci and his team have introduced new, healthy items is the “no thank you bites.” “Trying something new can be a bit unsettling to kids,” said Geraci. “We decided to ask our youngest customers to choose whether or not to try a new, healthy item by offering it to them in a small sample cup. If they choose not to try it, they simply say ‘no thank you,’ and move on. But if they do try the item, they receive a star sticker and are invited to a monthly ‘constellation party for the stars.’ We’ve found this to be a fun way to test new items as well as get feedback on our new offerings.”

Schools are offering kidfriendly favorites like pizza and stir fry with brown

rice that fit into their whole grain-rich menus. For example, the new Big Daddy’s(R) Primo Four Cheese Pizza has a 51 percent whole grain crust and a slice is only 360 calories. It’s a great solution for familiar taste and nutrient-rich offerings.

You can easily carry whole grain “goodness” into your own kitchen too.

Consider whole grains your blank canvas, said Susan Moores, a Twin Cities-based dietitian.

“They’re a great starting point for creating delicious meals that are incredibly beneficial to your and your kids’ health.”

According to Moores, whole grains are the type of carbohydrates your body wants.

“Whole-grain carbohydrates are an excellent source of energy for the brain,” she said. That’s important for kids at school.

Plus, studies show whole grains contain their own, unique set of phytonutrients, which can rival the phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables.

Phytonutrients are substances found in plant foods that research strongly suggest promote good health; think resveratrol in grapes and lycopene in tomatoes.

To add whole grains to your home menus, Moores suggested teamwork. “Kids are naturally curious about food, they’re interested in being in the kitchen and in learning how to cook.

Leverage that and the fun when everyone is trying a food for the first time.”

To amp up the flavor of grains, cook them in broth or juice, and make a pilaf with chopped onions, adding chopped vegetables, corn or even dried fruit.

Finish with seasoning.

Whole grains work as a side dish, in a casserole, in soups or as part of a refreshing spring salad.

It might take time to make the change, but stay the course. “The rule of thumb: it can take 10 to 12 introduc-

Photo courtsey of Brandpoint

One way to get kids to eat more whole grains is to mix the grains in with

casseroles, soups or salads when cooking.

tions to a new food before grains taste best with the and ingredients to make a child chooses to give it a company they keep. Partner them a sure win on two go,” Moores said. “Whole them with favorite foods fronts: taste and health.”

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PAGE 8 - Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2014

Five daily tactics to defy aging in 10 minutes or less (BPT) — Determined, vivacious, passionate — a lot of words describe America’s estimated 78 million baby boomers. This spirited group is redefining their golden years, staying active by working, traveling and enjoying the great outdoors.

They know that in order to live life to the fullest, they must make their health a priority, and many are dramatically affecting their personal well-being with a few key activities that take 10 minutes or less a day to complete.

Tavis Piattoly is a sports dietitian, expert nutritionist and co-founder of My Sports Dietitian. He stressed that small daily activities can have a cumulative effect on health, and therefore encourages baby boomers to consistently stay active and eat well.

He suggested five ways boomers can keep their

health on track in 10 minutes each day: Quick exercises “Exercise should be enjoyable, so whether it is a brisk walk, strength training or participating in a sport, enjoying what you do will increase your chance of sticking with that activity,” said Piattoly.

He recommended boomers incorporate strength training into their workout routine to prevent loss of muscle tissues — a concern that increases with aging.

Here are three simple exercises: Chair squats — Use any chair and perform 10 to 12 repetitions standing up and sitting down. To increase difficulty, hold a light dumbbell to add resistance.

Wall push-ups — Place arms against a wall and perform 10 to 12 push-ups. If this is too easy, get into the push-up position on the floor, using your knees for

support.

Dumbbell curls or soupcan bicep curls — Use a light to moderate weight dumbbell (2 to 10 pounds) and perform 10 to 12 bicep curls. Don’t have dumbbells? Substitute soup cans.

Nutrient-dense foods It takes only minutes to eat a snack or a meal, and what’s on your plate fuels your overall health. Piattoly recommended starting with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables.

“As we age, our immune system is not as strong as it once was to fight off infections and illnesses, and fruits and veggies could play a big role in fighting off heart disease, cancer and age-related diseases,” he said.

Next, Piattoly recommends eating lean protein, like farm-raised eggs, extra lean beef or omega-3-rich salmon at every meal.

“Since we lose muscle mass at a rate of around 1 percent per year starting at age 35, a diet rich in protein may minimize the rate at which we lose muscle,” he said.

Hey also suggested a balance of healthy fats. “Focus on a mix of healthy fats from sources like olive oil, avocados, almonds, sunflower seeds, pistachios and natural peanut butter.”

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

Simple exercises, healthier foods and socializing are three keys to good health in older age.

Select supplements “Omega-3 fatty acids, especially from fish oil, are beneficial for both brain and cardiovascular health,” Piattoly said, noting that multiple research studies have demonstrated that fish oil supplementation is linked with lower levels of beta-amyloid protein, which may lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition, research shows fish oil supplementation can reduce arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, improve triglyceride levels, and increase HDL (good cholesterol). “I recommend taking between 2,000 and 3,000 mg per day of triglyceride-based fish oil. I personally take and recommend Nordic Naturals.

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Additionally, because between 50 to 75 percent of the population has a vitamin D deficiency, Piattoly recommendeds a vitamin D supplement. “Optimal levels of vitamin D may reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease, as well as improve bone health. Shoot for 2,000 IU per day but be sure to speak with your doctor to determine how much you should take,” he said.

Embrace technology Numerous applications for smartphones and tablets make it easy to track your exercise progress, stay motivated and eat healthy.

Best of all, most apps are free and only take a few minutes a day to use.

“I’m a big fan of MyFitnessPal, a nice fitness and nutrition app where you can track your activity and what you eat. You can visit www.myfitnesspal. com or download the app to your smartphone.”

Be social “One of the best things boomers can do is form a social network of friends who enjoy living a healthier lifestyle,” said Piattoly.

“Surrounding yourself with active people increases your opportunities for healthy activities. Habits are contagious, so associate with people who enjoy regular exercise.”

Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2013 - PAGE 9

White ring around child’s eye can signal cancer At 17 months old, Olivia Gregg was diagnosed with stage 4 retinoblastoma cancer.

According to Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, the cancer can start growing at any time before birth up until about 3 years of age. Occasionally, it is not detected until ages 7or 8.

“March 20, 2012, was the worst day of my life,” said Olivia’s mom Nar. “I just remember the doctor walked in the room, Olivia was sleeping in my lap and he said she has cancer.”

The fight was long and ugly.

For six months, Olivia went through chemotherapy and various other types of treatment.

But Olivia’s cancer could have been diagnosed earlier from a picture taken from her first birthday.

It shows a white ring around her eye.

“I thought it was just a defect, I tried red eye reduction and it didn’t work so I just deleted it,” said Nar. The white glow, though, was actually the flash of the camera reflecting off the cancerous tumor in Olivia’s eye.

One in 80 children will have the glow.

The glow is an indicator of 15 different eye cancers and diseases, according to L.A. Children’s Hospital.

Nar now wants to share Olivia’s story with other parents.

She’s raising money to fight childhood cancer in a “HopeKids” walk in September.

Persons who would like to donate can visit the HopeKids website.

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PAGE 10 - Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2014

Five surprising solutions to help you stop snoring This is the only non-profit national professional society dedicated exclusively to the practice of dental sleep medicine.

The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine recommends these surprising remedies to help you stop snoring and sleep more soundly: Change position — When you lie on your back, you’re more prone to snore. By sleeping on your side or raising the head of your bed 4-8 inches, you can help keep your airway open and prevent snoring. A trick to keep from rolling onto your back is to surround yourself with pillows or wear a rolled up hand towel in a fanny pack.

Avoid alcohol — When it comes to snoring, a nightcap is a misnomer. Alcohol increases muscle relaxation, and relaxed throat muscles can make snoring worse.

Come home from happy Photo courtesy of Brandpoint hour at least three to four Loud, frequent snoring is a telltale that many dentists can help treat with hours before bedtime to minimize your tendency to sign of sleep apnea‚ a sleep disorder oral appliance therapy. snore.

Work it out — Throat ing and the severity of sleep lihood that you’ll snore and effective, custom-fitted oral exercises can reduce snor- apnea by toning muscles raising your risk of devel- appliance that you wear around the airway, which oping sleep apnea. Learn during sleep to maintain an helps prevent it from col- about the available options, open, unobstructed airway. lapsing during sleep. There such as support groups and Oral appliance therapy is a are several exercises you can nicotine replacement thera- comfortable alternative to do that involve swallow- py, to help you quit smok- the traditionally-prescribed ing, chewing and contract- ing and put sleep problems CPAP machine and mask, ing the back of the throat. to bed. and many patients prefer Strengthen your muscles by Visit a dentist — Did you it as a solution for living setting aside time each day know there are thousands of with sleep apnea. If you’re for a throat workout. dentists trained to help treat losing shuteye to snoring Kick a bad habit — and manage your snoring or sleep apnea, visit www.

301 Glenwood dr. • defiance, oH Cigarette smoking irritates and sleep apnea? Dentists LocalSleepDentist.com to • 1 Bedroom Units • All units accommodate wheel and inflames your upper experienced in dental sleep find a dentist near you who Currently Available chairs and scooters airway, increasing the like- medicine can provide an offers oral appliance ther• All Utilities except telephone • Small pets allowed providing apy. provided tenants can properly care for “AADSM recommends • A no-smoking facility them & w / a pet deposit oral appliance therapy for throughout • Inside access to all other people with mild to moder• Individual Control of apartments ate obstructive sleep apnea Heat & Air • Mail delivered inside of the • Fire Protected by a building to locked or those who can’t comply sprinkler system central mail boxes with CPAP,” said Demko.

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(BPT) — Snoring not only keeps you and your bed partner up at night, it can be dangerous to your health.

Typically, as you sleep, air passes through the nose and past the back of the throat without any trouble.

But as muscles relax during sleep, the upper airway can become partially blocked, causing the soft tissue in the throat to vibrate and creating the cumbersome noise that is snoring. Loud and frequent snoring is a common warning sign for obstructive sleep apnea, which is a serious sleep illness. Over time, sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, depression, diabetes, heart disease and more.

“Your mind, body and overall health suffer from poor quality sleep, so it’s important to determine the cause of your snoring and take action,” said Dr. B. Gail Demko, a dentist who has practiced dental sleep medicine for more than 20 years and is president of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

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Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2013 - PAGE 11

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PAGE 12 - Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2014

For asthmatics, triggers change with the seasons (BPT) — Across the country, 25 million Americans are living with asthma. As the winter months come to an end and the spring makes its arrival, the change in seasons can be problematic for adults and children with asthma. It’s important for asthma patients to understand the triggers of each season to prepare for symptoms as the temperature changes.

Asthma patients know the symptoms: coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing and tightness in the chest. The cause of these symptoms is inflammation, or swelling, of the large and small airways in the lungs.

During an attack, the airways become narrower and tightened, making it hard to breathe and reducing the flow of oxygen to other parts of the body.

During colder months, it’s important to know that seasonal asthma triggers exist both indoors and

outdoors. Outdoor activities paired with cold temperatures can put adults and children with asthma at greater risk for asthma attacks. Staying inside can also be problematic because unexpected triggers like indoor dust, animal dander, mold and even wood-burning fireplaces can cause an asthmatic to experience uncomfortable or dangerous symptoms.

In addition to environmental triggers, cold and flu viruses can be a serious problem for people with asthma. Asthmatics are not more likely to contract the flu virus, but because they may have swollen and sensitive airways in the lungs already, contracting the flu may cause further inflammation and trigger symptoms.

With spring on its way bringing warmer temperatures, asthmatics have new triggers to pay attention to. Allergens from flowers

and trees and the change in temperature can trigger an attack in people with asthma.

“Asthma is a condition that requires attention yearround. Patients should be aware of their seasonal triggers,” said Dr. Nemr Eid, a pediatric pulmonologist from Louisville, Kentucky.

“It’s important that I maintain communication with my patients and keep them on-track with their asthma management plans from season to season.”

Being smart about asthma management includes working with your health care professional (HCP) to create an asthma action plan that can be adapted to the season. This potentially life-saving tool includes notes for what to look for during an attack, emergency contact information and proper treatment methods.

To download an asthma action plan, visit www.

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People with asthma have to stay alert to changes in the seasons, especially as it goes from winter to spring.

com. The Get Smart About Asthma website serves as an educational center for patients and caregivers to find important asthmarelated information such as types, triggers and treatment plans.

Asthma symptoms and severity varies from person to person. While some require treatment with a rescue inhaler for the quick onset of symptoms, others use a controller medication for daily asthma management, which can help

prevent symptoms and reduce the use of a rescue inhaler. Knowing and implementing the method for treating asthma symptoms is something every person with asthma should be familiar with. Patients should work closely with their HCPs to identify a treatment plan that works for them. Before seeing a doctor, visiting www.

GetSmartAboutAsthma. com can help and prepare patients for their asthma treatment discussion.

Study says sedentary time means less ability in life

By Mary MacVean Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES (MCT) — It’s not enough for people to get regular moderate exercise as they age.

Researchers say it’s also important not to spend the rest of your time sitting too much.

In fact, for every hour of sedentary behavior, the odds were 46 percent greater that people older than 60 would have some disability in ordinary skills such as getting around the house and feeding themselves, according to a study published recently.

Being sedentary will lead to problems “independent of time spent in moderate or vigorous activity,” concluded the researchers, from Northwestern’s Feinberg Medical School, Rush University Medical Center, Harvard School of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People who replace even half an hour of sedentary time with 30 minutes of light activity can improve their health, researchers said.

Stand-up bingo, anyone?

“A sedentary lifestyle is associated with a variety of poor health outcomes, including increased incidence for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality,” the researchers wrote. But many people may have thought they’d done what they needed to if they met the government suggestion of 150 minutes a week of moderate activity.

Apparently not so.

The question was whether people were sedentary because they were not doing any exercise, or whether being sedentary was on its own a risk factor for disability in what are called activities of daily living — getting in and out of bed, getting dressed, being able to walk in the house.

The researchers used data

from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2003 to 2005.

Those data are a nationwide collection that includes questionnaires and physical exams, and they included 2,286 people 60 and older whose physical activity had been monitored.

The people in that sample spent almost nine waking hours a day sedentary, and 3.6 percent of them reported disability in their activities of daily living. The average waking time was 14 hours.

About 12 percent of them reported no chronic conditions. Fifty-two percent reported arthritis, 58 percent reported hypertension and 30 percent reported obesity. Being sedentary longer hours was related to older age, being male, being more educated and less wealthy, being a smoker and having a chronic illness.

Sitting has been getting a lot of attention lately, to the point that there’s a new adage: “Sitting is the new smoking.” In addition to encouraging everyone to sit less, people are specifically encouraging exercises during TV watching and during work hours, with walking meetings and standing desks, as ways to decrease sedentary time.

“The real problem is that we are raising sedentary children,” said one of the researchers, Pamela Semanik, assistant professor of adult and gerontological nursing at Rush College of Nursing. “It’s so insidious in our culture.”

At her workplace, where people see the results of not moving, people have changed their ways, she said, adding that she has sold her car and reads medical journal articles on a treadmill.

The researchers in the current study said as many as 5.3 million annual deaths worldwide are related to insufficient activity.

Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2013 - PAGE 13

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PAGE 14 - Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2014

Shape up for surgery to improve health, safety and outcome (BPT) — More than 50 million surgeries occur every year and patient safety is always the top priority for surgeons or physician anesthesiologists involved in medical care. If you’re

scheduled for surgery and have weeks or even months to prepare, important actions to improve your health, such as exercising and eating right, can help make surgery as safe

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as possible. They will also decrease your chances of complications and help you get back on your feet faster.

“Surgery is usually the solution to a problem, whether to replace a painful knee or repair a hernia, but there are always risks,” said Dr. Jane C.K. Fitch, president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). “Physician anesthesiologists, surgeons and other medical specialists work with patients before, during and after surgery to help ensure a successful outcome. Patients can take control of their own health by having critical conversations with their physicians and getting healthy before surgery.”

So, what can you do to get yourself in shape for surgery? The ASA suggests patients follow these tips: Eat healthy: Adjusting your diet to include healthier choices in the weeks leading up to your surgery can help you become stronger and recover quicker. If you have a loss of appetite or recently lost weight without trying, be sure to tell your doctor, who might suggest you see a registered dietitian. The dietitian may prescribe a nutritional supplement to boost your immune system, help prevent infections and shorten your stay in the hospital.

Stop smoking: Among the many reasons to kick the habit is that smoking and anesthesia — which you’ll need during surgery — don’t mix. If you smoke, your heart and lungs are compromised and don’t function at full capacity. You are also far more likely to suffer breathing and lung-related complications during surgery and are more likely to need a ventilator after surgery. By quitting smoking before surgery, you’ll not only decrease the likelihood of these risks, but you’re also less likely to have a wound infection, heart attack or other complication.

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One of the tips for going through surgery successfully is to eat a more healthy diet in the weeks or months before the surgery takes place.

Boost your breathing: Taking deep breaths on a spirometer — a simple device that helps you exercise your lungs and improve their function — is a routine activity after most surgeries. Doing these exercises before surgery can help strengthen your lungs so you’re less likely to develop pneumonia.

Control your blood sugar: People with diabetes whose blood sugar (glucose) is not controlled, are more likely to suffer potentially fatal complications following surgery. If you have diabetes, make sure your blood sugar is controlled. If you don’t, your immune system may be weaker, making you more vulnerable to pneumonia and other infections. Controlling your blood sugar will help you heal faster and you’ll likely spend less time recovering in the hospital.

Disclose medication use: Prior to surgery, be sure to tell your surgeon and physician anesthesiologist what vitamins, supplements, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking. You may need to stop taking some of them until after your surgery because they make your blood less likely to clot and increase the risk of bleeding. The long list of risky medications includes

blood thinners such as aspirin, pain relievers such as ibuprofen and common supplements such as St. John’s wort and vitamins C and E. Do not stop taking any supplements or medications without asking your physician first.

Get (or stay) active: If you exercise, keep it up, and if you don’t, try to responsibly increase your activity level in the weeks before surgery. The sooner you begin to move around after surgery, the less likely you are to develop blood clots and pneumonia. Consider getting into an exercise program. It can reduce complications and shorten hospital stays.

Reduce consumption of alcoholic beverages: People who have more than two alcoholic drinks a day are more likely to suffer complications after surgery than light drinkers and those who drink heavily are more than twice as likely to suffer complications that can result in death. Heavy drinkers are also much more likely to get an infection after surgery, have difficulty breathing, and be admitted to the intensive care unit than non-drinkers.

Be your own advocate by following ASA’s tips for improving your health, safety and surgical outcomes.

Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2013 - PAGE 15

Few adults are up to date on vaccinations (BPT) — You want to pass on family traditions, a grandmother’s quilt, or dad’s love of books, but no one wants to pass on a serious illness.

Take charge of your health and help protect those around you by asking about vaccines at your next doctor’s visit.

Vaccinating our children is commonplace in the United States. But few adults know they need vaccines other than flu vaccine and even fewer are fully vaccinated.

Are you one of the millions of adults not aware of the vaccines you need?

Each year, tens of thousands of adults needlessly suffer, are hospitalized, and even die as a result of diseases that could be prevented by vaccines.

However, a recent national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey showed that most U.S. adults are not even aware that they need vaccines throughout their lives to

protect against diseases like pertussis, hepatitis, shingles and pneumococcal disease.

Not only can vaccinepreventable diseases make you very sick, but if you get sick, you may risk spreading the disease to others.

That’s a risk most of us do not want to take.

Infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems (like those undergoing cancer treatment) are especially vulnerable to infectious diseases. They are also more likely to have severe illness and complications if they do get sick. You can help protect your health and the health of your loved ones by getting your recommended vaccines.

The good news is that getting vaccinated is easier than you think. Adults can get vaccines at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, workplaces, health clinics and health departments. Visit vaccine.healthmap.org to help find a vaccine pro-

Some autism questions

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Vaccinations are very important for adults to stay healthy. Information about necessary vaccinations is available at the local health department.

vider near you. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of recommended vaccines. A call to your insurance provider can give you the details.

Not sure what vaccines you may need? The CDC offers a short quiz at www. cdc.gov/vaccines/adults to help you find out which vaccines are recommended for you.

All adults should get an annual flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu and Td/Tdap vaccine to protect against tetanus, diphtheria

and pertussis. You may also need other vaccines based on your age, health conditions, occupation and other factors.

If you are planning to travel outside of the U.S., check on any additional vaccines you may need.

Some travel-related vaccines are part of a series or are needed months prior to your travel to be most effective, so be sure to plan ahead.

For more information about adult vaccines, visit: cdc.gov/vaccines/adults.

Q: What causes autism?

A: That’s what researches are trying to figure out with a host of studies. The causes are believed to be complicated, and not necessarily the same for each child.

Q: How much of autism can be linked to genetic causes?

A: Some experts say that in many cases autism results from both genetic flaws that load the gun and other factors that pull the trigger. So far, they have determined genetic problems account for about 20 percent of cases. That percentage could grow as they continue to find new genetic mechanisms.

Q: What other factors could be involved?

A: Some studies have suggested that obesity during pregnancy raises the risk for autism. Others found a link between autism and older fathers at the time of conception. Also being studied are other factors during pregnancy, including medications, as well as environmental pollutants.

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PAGE 16 - Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2014

High-protein diets: Bad for the middle-aged, good for the elderly

By Melissa Healy Los Angeles Times

(MCT) Consuming high levels of protein — particularly animal protein — is a bad strategy if you’re at midlife and aiming to live into old age, new research finds. But a recent study reveals that in older age, fortifying one’s diet with more protein-rich foods appears to be a formula for extending life.

An article published in the journal Cell Metabolism says that, over an 18-year

study period, middle-aged Americans who had the highest consumption of protein were more than four times as likely to die of cancer or diabetes, and twice as likely to die of any cause, than those whose diets were lowest in protein.

But a high-protein diet had the opposite effect on Americans 66 and older, a group of American and Italian researchers found.

Those whose diets were highest in protein were 60 percent less likely to die of cancer and 28 percent less

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likely to die of any cause than were those whose protein intake was lowest.

“Your stage in life matters,” said biogerontologist Valter Longo, director of the University of Southern California’s Longevity Institute and lead author of the paper, which explores the role of dietary protein from the cellular level to the population level. “Some have said for years that proteins are bad. That’s half right and half wrong.”

Tapping a national database of 6,381 Americans’ health and nutrition behaviors, Longo’s team found that in people between the ages of 50 and 65, following a diet in which protein accounted for 20 percent or more of daily calories consumed increased the risk of death during the 18-year study period to levels comparable to the effect of smoking cigarettes.

Whether the remainder of those younger individuals’ diet was dominated by fat or carbohydrates made no difference to the outcome.

But the source of the protein mattered a great deal: for those whose sources of protein were heavily plant-

based — nuts and legumes — the increased risk of dying of cancer declined and the increased risk of all-cause mortality disappeared altogether.

Among the study’s older subjects, by contrast, the source of proteins was less important. What was important, said Longo, appeared to be that those entering a period of growing frailty reduced their loss of weight and muscle mass with a higher intake of a nutrient that helps sustain and build both.

The article by the U.S.Italian team is the culmination of two decades of study that has coaxed the researchers to look for clues well outside the lab: Longo and his team have studied the dietary habits of a little town in Italy with a high concentration of centenarians, and have traveled to Ecuador to gather information on an exceptionally long-lived family congenitally deficient in a growth hormone linked to cancer.

The findings of Longo’s team are in line with mounting research on the hazards of heavy consumption of red meats and the protec-

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tive effects of plant-based nutrients. But unlike many large-population studies that have found links between poor health outcomes and animal protein consumption, the current study identified the potentially pivotal role that a hormone called insulin-like growth factor-1, or IGF-1, plays in driving age-related diseases such as cancer.

In a subset of the study’s human subjects who submitted their blood for analysis, as well as in laboratory mice, Longo’s team found that heavy protein consumption in middle age drove up levels of IGF-1. In the group’s rodent experiments, higher IGF-1 levels — whether induced by high protein consumption or genetic engineering — promoted rapid cancerous growth when the researchers implanted 20,000 cancer cells under the animals’ skin: 100 percent of these mice developed tumors.

Among mice that were fed a low-protein diet through middle age, and which therefore had lower IGF-1 levels, tumor formation was 10 percent to 30 percent lower.

At the same time, the researchers uncovered evidence that older mice were less able to absorb or process proteins. When they were fed high-protein diets, the older mice tended to maintain or increase their weight — a factor that appeared to keep them from becoming frail. By contrast, older mice fed a low-protein diet lost weight; that, says Longo, appeared to make them more vulnerable to diseases of aging.

IGF-1, produced largely in the liver, is essential to normal human growth and to the process of cell replacement after injury . But it is also implicated in a wide range of disorders associated with overgrowth and cell proliferation, including heart enlargement, the runaway cell growth common to all cancers, and obesity.

Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2013 - PAGE 17

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Preventative steps to take during cold and flu season (BPT) — All across the country this winter Americans have braced themselves for one polar vortex after another and many regions are experiencing their coldest temperatures in more than 20 years. This undesirable weather is driving adults and children alike indoors, where viruses and germs are spreading like wildfire.

According to the American Lung Association, the air in your home contains pollutants like germs and viruses — leading causes of cold and flu. What’s more is that the flu can spread to people up to six feet away without

a sneeze or cough to propel it. These viruses stay suspended in the air for hours before landing on surfaces where they can live up to 24 hours.

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PAGE 18 - Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2014

Man receives support after a diagnosis of colon cancer (BPT) — What if after surviving your first cancer diagnosis at the age of 51, you were re-diagnosed just 18 months later? Metastatic colorectal cancer patient Dave Johnson experienced that first-hand, and was initially reluctant and scared to tell his family, friends and co-workers.

However, he soon learned two important lessons — that he had more support around him than he thought, and that he could control his lifestyle and personal harmony. Now at the age of 55, Johnson, a fulltime banker, has discovered a new sense of inner wellbeing, and according to his physician, is doing well.

Many people find achieving personal harmony and balance difficult. The demands and stresses of everyday life often impede our ability to find inner peace. For those facing a cancer diagnosis, achiev-

ing that balance may feel impossible.

And yet it is as important, if not more, for people living with cancer to find and maintain a sense of inner harmony.

After being diagnosed with an advanced form of colorectal cancer, Johnson knew he had to fight the disease head on, from both a medical and mental perspective. Johnson worked with his physician to choose his treatment, and made the conscious decision to focus on areas of his life he felt he could control.

“Setting goals and priorities, as well as staying active, became very important to me, and helped me accept my diagnosis as my ‘new normal’,” said Johnson. “The ability to fulfill goals and keep both my mind and body busy helped me focus on the sweet spots in life that give me strength and joy.”

Johnson also said expressing his emotions was important to regaining his balance. “There were many days when I could have said ‘why me’ and focused my energy on feelings of anger and resentment,” said Johnson. “I’d let myself experience those feelings but I made a point of expressing those emotions and then moving on, which helped me maintain mental clarity. Additionally, my faith helped me accept the challenges I was going through.”

Johnson stressed the importance of surrounding himself with positive, supportive relationships, including others who were also navigating a cancer journey.

“I learned to celebrate the successes of other patients while supporting those experiencing setbacks. This in turn kept me self-moti-

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vated to fight my cancer with all the strength I had,” said Johnson. “It’s easy to feel overwhelmed after a cancer diagnosis. For me, taking time to focus on myself and my inner being, and creating an environment that was as nurturing and calming as possible,

helped me stay positive in combating my disease.”

For more information and support in fighting colorectal cancer, visit the Fight Colorectal Cancer One Million Strong website at http://crcmillionstrong. org, and talk with your healthcare provider.

Exercise is not a cure-all for diabetes

By TOM VAlEO Tampa Bay Times

Take 5,000 overweight diabetics between the ages of 45 and 75 and divide them into two groups.

One group will exercise and eat less in an effort to lose at least 7 percent of their body weight. The other will take whatever medications their doctor prescribes and learn about their disease, but that’s all.

What’s going to happen?

Obviously, members of the diet-and-exercise group will have fewer heart attacks and strokes, and most of them will live longer, right?

Actually, that’s not what happened in a study named “Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes)”. As reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, the diet-andexercise group lost 6 percent of their body weight on average, while members of the other group lost 3.5 percent. A weight loss of just 5 percent has been shown to improve control of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, and members of the diet-exercise group experienced all those benefits.

Yet, after nearly 10 years, the study was suspended due to “futility” — the two groups barely differed in the number of “cardiovascular events” (heart attacks and strokes) they

experienced.

How can this be? Could the traditional advice about controlling diabetes be wrong?

Maybe, but other explanations might account for the results, according to the authors of the study.

For example, members of the group who received only medical treatment might have received very good treatment, including medications to control their cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.

Members of the diet-exercise group, in contrast, needed less medical management and obtained benefits that may not have become apparent during the 10 years of the study.

In other words, members of the group that received only medical management may suffer more cardiovascular events someday, but not yet.

Also, members of the diet-exercise group clearly experienced benefits, such as less sleep apnea, more energy, better emotional health and, in some cases, a remission of diabetes.

“We kept hearing them say, ‘I can keep up with my grandchildren now,’” said Dr. John Jakicic of the University of Pittsburgh, the principal investigator of the study. “They remained more functional and became less disabled during the study.”

Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2013 - PAGE 19

Hospital director was in denial about heart attack symptoms

By HArry JACKSON Jr. St. Louis Post-Dispatch

ST. LOUIS (MCT) — The day after Helen Sandkuhl’s heart attack, she recalled all the mistakes she’d made. Startling because, “I could have died,” she said. “I should have called an ambulance; they have all the equipment in case something goes wrong.”

And a bit embarrassing because she’s the administrative director of the emergency department for St. Louis University Hospital.

“When I got there, some 30 people were following me around and crying,” she said, noting that it’s common for people who had her condition to die before getting to the hospital.

That’s why she’s spreading the word to women: Know the symptoms of heart disease and heart attack, know risk factors, trust your gut feelings and don’t shrug off that feeling of “impending doom,” regardless of who says otherwise.

Becoming a patient On June 11, 2012, Sandkuhl had an episode of indigestion, primarily nausea. She had been experiencing the indigestion onand-off for some days. She drank some 7-Up. “That’s what we think fixes it,” she said. The 7-Up

didn’t work. Then she took a big swig of PeptoBismol. That didn’t work.

She decided to take a hot shower.

“That fixes everything,” she said. “A hot, relaxing shower. I have a high-stress job, and that usually helps. I was really in denial.”

She found breathing increasingly difficult, and then, “I felt this crushing pressure on my chest and a pain across my back,” she said. “I said, ‘My God, I’m having a heart attack.’”

Her daughter wanted to call an ambulance. Instead Sandkuhl had her daughter drive her to St. Louis University Hospital.

“I can see the hospital from my home; I didn’t feel I needed to call.”

The emergency room staff knew when she walked in the door that she was succumbing to heart failure.

“I had the doctors and everyone leave the room when I put on my gown,” she said. “I didn’t want my co-workers seeing me naked.” Finally on a treatment table, she recalls being surrounded by a lot of people just before she blacked out. Her heart stopped. She had to be shocked back to life.

When she came to, people were crying. One nurse, as they walked to the treatment room, comforted her.

“She asked if I wanted to pray with her,” Sandkuhl said. “That’s what got me through this, God and Dr. Neumayr. The examination found a fully blocked coronary artery. An interventional cardiologist inserted a stent in the vessel.

Women are different Dr. Robert H. Neumayr, the cardiologist on duty when Sandkuhl arrived at the emergency room, said not recognizing the symptoms of heart attacks was more common than it should be. The medical community calls Sandkuhl’s symptoms “atypical” because they are different from men’s symptoms of chest pain and left arm pain.

The American Heart Association and the Heart Foundation note that women’s heart disease symptoms may include nausea, sweating, abdominal pain, weakness and fatigue and are often dismissed as acid reflux, flu, stress, aging and other more benign conditions.

“It’s just that it hasn’t been studied as much as we’d like,” Neumayr said.

“It’s not well understood.

It’s well understood that they don’t exhibit the same symptoms. But why, nobody really knows.” The result is that by the time women seek help, they’re often near death. Sandkuhl

coded only minutes after arriving at the hospital. “If that had happened in the car, I probably wouldn’t have made it,” she said. “I should have called an ambulance. I knew I should have, my daughter knew I should have, but I lived so close. ...”

Neumayr urged women to trust their gut feelings and to watch for signs that don’t go with everyday aches and pains. Often, women disregard their suspicions, too often on the advice of others, including family doctors.

“In my experience, many patients said they felt there was something just not right in their symptoms.

They were concerned,” but they didn’t take action, he said. “There’s a term, ‘sensing impending doom,’” he said. “There’s truth to that.”

Some symptoms not to be ignored, he said, include indigestion that continues longer than normal and is not responsive to antacids.

“I see it frequently where women come in with cardiac arrest, and their family says they’ve been chomping on antacids for a week,” Neumayr said. “Women can

have the classic symptoms, too, but they more typically have atypical symptoms,” he said.

More women die from heart attack, stroke or some other form of cardiovascular disease than all of the cancers combined. Neumayr said that not knowing why the symptoms are atypical is because they’re not studied enough. “It’s a common demon in all medical trials, most medical trials end up being older white males — for medicines, procedural success,” he said. “...

That’s the largest population that uses medical care; that’s the group that has the most resources and the most resources get the best care, and they’re probably the most common patients.”

Spreading the word Looking back, Sandkuhl said, she made the mistakes she’s seen patients make for decades. She had to make some changes in her life, including cutting out fried foods and ending a 35-year smoking habit.

“Of all the things I’ve ever done in my life, that was the most difficult,” she said.

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PAGE 20 - Health & Fitness, The Crescent-News, Thursday, March 13, 2014

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