Health

November 2, 2010

Health The Examiner

• Tracey Shaffer

Healthy slow cooking – Page 8

Dialysis at home Self-treatment gaining in popularity – Page 4

• LARRY JONES

Ear ringing can be a problem – Page 2

Wellness 2-5 • CaLENDAR 6-7 • NUTRITION 8

Give Your Heart TLC For The Holidays Daniel Dunker, MD Carondelet Heart Institute at St. Mary’s

Page 2 Tuesday, November 2, 2010

wellness

Not all ringing is normal Look for causes or call your doctor Why do my ears ring? There are times when I am sitting down in a nice quiet atmosphere to read a book and my ears are ringing.

It is annoying to say the least. Tinnitus is noise and can be a symptom of underlying conditions, or it can be related to exposure to a sudden loud noise. Although bothersome, ringing of the ears is not usually something serious.

Unfortunately, ringing of the ears worsens with age.

Symptoms of tinnitus, often referred to as phantom noises, include ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, whistling or hissing. According to the Mayo Clinic, the pitch may vary from a low roar to a high squeal in one or both ears.

Subjective tinnitus is ear noise that only you can hear. This is the most common type and is usually caused by outer, middle or inner ear infections or nerve damage.

Objective tinnitus is ear noise your doctor can hear when he or she examines your ears.

This condition may be caused by a problem with blood vessels, excessive earwax, an inner ear bone condition or muscle contractions.

If the ringing in your ears causes you concern, talk to your doctor. Tinnitus can be a concern if it is accompanied with hearing loss or dizziness.

For many people, the most common cause of tinnitus is age. People in their 60s may begin to experience phantom noises in their ears.

Other common causes include exposure to loud noises and ear bone changes. More young people are experiencing permanent damage to

Larry Jones Larry Jones is director of the Independence Health Department. their ears through the use of iPods and exposure to loud music. When you can hear music coming out of earphones embedded your child’s ear, it is too loud.

Some of the less common causes include Meniere’s disease, which occurs in the inner ear, stress, temperomandibular joint problems (where the jawbone meets the skull), head or neck injuries and tumors of the head or neck.

Other chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure or narrowing of the carotid artery or jugular vein, can cause your ears to ring.

There is a time when it is important that you see your doctor. Extremely high levels of triglycerides, a type of blood fat, may cause ringing in your ears. If the ringing is accompanied by slurred speech, numbness in the face or extremities or a change in vision, call 9-1-1 right away.

Again, tinnitus is a prime symptom of Meniere’s disease, which causing loss of equilibrium. If you don’t have an obvious cause of your ringing in your ears, it is wise to talk to your doctor.

healthSHORTS New Research: Schizophrenia treatment break through A new class of compounds identified by researchers at Emory University School of Medicine could be developed into drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia. The compounds enhance signaling by molecules in the brain called NMDA receptors, which scientists believe are functioning at low levels in people with schizophrenia.

Led by Stephen Traynelis, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology, a team of Emory researchers sifted through thousands of chemicals and found one, called CIQ, that could selectively enhance the function of certain NMDA receptors without affecting others.

Did You Know?

Nov. 1 marks the start of many health awareness campaigns like Lung Cancer Awareness Month, American Diabetes Month and National Healthy Skin Month.

Health Tip Research shows that, when it comes to safe driving, teens are more influenced by their parents than by the law.

Talk to your teen about pulling over to talk on the phone, knowing the route before leaving and texting only before or after arriving at the destination.

–GateHouse News Service

November is Diabetes Awareness Month THE DIABETES CENTER OF Centerpoint Medical Center Provides Diabetes Self-Management Education Beginning November 29, 2010 you can find The Diabetes Center at its new location: 17611 E. US 24 Hwy., Suite 150 Independence, MO 64056 816-478-2366 (phone) 816-373-7006 (fax)

Tuesday, November 2, 2010 Page 3

wellness

Titanium looks cool, but medical claims are unsubstantiated Remember when PF Flyers could “make you run faster and jump higher?” Or high-tech armor could transform a simple man into Iron Man? But what for us mere mortals with an abiding yearn to feel a wisp of superhumanness?

“Sir, I’d like something a little more technologically advanced than sneakers and a little smaller than an Iron Man suit. Also, could you make it in the colors of my favorite sport teams?”

Viola! We are presented with Phiten, a line of titanium necklaces, bracelets, clothing, tape and beauty products designed to provide supernatural powers (well, sort of). Phiten, what do you know?

True or false 1. It is a Japanese company.

2. Titanium is a natural element.

3. Titanium enhances athletic performance.

Many World Series players wear Phiten necklaces which look like small hula hoops.

They are titanium infused, empowering the wearer to run faster and jump higher. OK, the company and distributors don’t exactly say

Lori Boyajian O'Neill Sports and wellness Dr. Lori Boyajian-O’Neill can be contacted at lori.boyajian-oneill@hcahealthcare.com. that on their websites, because that would be overstating. Rather, they say the product, “emits energy that effectively controls your bio-electric current.”

Explain, please.

“Your body’s energy system influences all of your body’s responses. Phiten products regulate and balance that flow of energy throughout your body.” The “potential results” include, “alleviating pain, enhancing circulation, promoting relaxation; stabilizing energy flow; reducing stress and soothing tension.”

Wow. Will it also get my kids to do their homework? The company warns of counterfeit knock-offs, “which will not provide any energizing benefits that Phiten products are renowned for.” I will be on the lookout and notify the local sheriff, FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Titanium is an element, atomic number 22 on the periodic table. After its discovery in 1791, it was named for the Titans of Greek mythology. It is found in rocks, soil, water and the moon. It is strong and corrosion resistant, two properties prized in all athletes and in manufacturing everything from tennis racquets to jet fighters to orthopedic and dental implants. In 1983, alternative medicine practitioner Yoshihiro Hirata founded Phiten. There is no credible science to support his health claims.

Tim Lincecum, Giants pitcher and two-time Cy Young Award winner, “would never consider pitching without [his Phiten necklace].”

(Personally, I think his powers come from his hair). Watching Texas Ranger’s President Nolan Ryan at the World Series made me think, “Just how did he throw seven no-hitters and strike out 5,714 batters without a Phiten?

Just what was the source of his magical pow-

ers?

Baseball players are well suited for these accessories. They are notoriously superstitious, believing in invisible forces, good and evil. Put your right shoe on before the left.

Please the gods. Left first, then right, you are tempting the gods. Step on the line, you are spitting in the gods’ eyes. Forget to wear your Phiten necklace, you are entering a gunfight with a sword. Ball players are ready targets for marketers, which simultaneously tap into their desire to gain an edge and their deep-seated superstitions.

Phiten necklaces and bracelets can be ordered with logos and colors of favorite sports teams. They are the elementary school ‘Silly Bandz’ for grown up millionaire athletes. Nothing more.

Do any of the Royals wear these titanium wonders? On the off chance that they actually do confer special powers and not to anger the baseball gods (NEVER!), David Glass should order 25 in Royal blue and white. Powder blue makes even titanium seem powerless.

Answers 1. T 2. T 3. F

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Page 4 Tuesday, November 2, 2010

cover

Home dialysis provides kidney patients with flexibility

By PAM ADAMS GateHouse News Service

Dialysis options

ith Fox News on the television and a large glass of ice coffee on the end table, Mark Stuckwisch settles back in the reclining chair for his regular kidney dialysis treatment and his own commentary on the press and dialysis.

He’s in the living room of his apartment, blood flowing from his arm through the dialysis machine and back into his body.

“The press has this misguided notion that people on dialysis are dying,” he said.

“Dialysis is not the death sentence people make it out to be.”

Stuckwisch, 54, has been on dialysis 26 years. For the past four years, he has dialyzed at home on a hemodialysis machine so portable that he’s taken it on a church retreat.

And after his regular treatments, he feels good enough to golf 18 holes. That makes him unique among the vast majority of

W

Conventional home hemodialysis Three times a week at home Daily home hemodialysis Short two to three hour treatments, five to six days a week Nocturnal home hemodialysis Treatments of six to eight hours at night, three or more days a week Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis Also known as automated peritoneal dialysis. With the help of an automated machine, blood is cleansed inside the body nightly, using the peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdomen, as a filter.

hemodialysis patients, and it makes him a strong critic of standard treatment at dialysis clinics.

Stuckwisch says the conventional regimen at dialysis centers — three days a week, four or five hours a day — is “barbaric.”

While kidney transplants are the preferred option for treating kidney failure, the wait for donor kidneys can be notoriously long, and not everyone is a suitable transplant candidate. Most people with end-stage renal disease or kidney failure rely on standard dialysis, essentially an artificial kidney, to do in 12 to 15 hours a week what the normal kidney does 24 hours a day, 168 hours a week.

Not only can it exhaust the body to remove up to two days of fluid in four or five hours, dialysis requires a strict diet to limit fluid build-up and a strict schedule to follow the thrice-weekly routine.

Home hemodialysis is growing, says Dori Schatell, executive director of Medical Education Institute, a not-for-profit group that publishes www.homedialysiscentral. org. However, the numbers of new dialysis patients in conventional centers steadily

swamps its growth.

While inserting a needle in their arm is an obstacle for some potential home dialysis patients, Stuckwisch isn’t squeamish.

He dialyzes four hours a day, five days a week, starting at 3 a.m. each day except Wednesdays and Sundays, when he starts in the afternoon.

He came upon the schedule by accident, he says, but it suits him because he never goes longer than 30 hours without a treatment.

Since he started home dialysis, his weight doesn’t fluctuate as much, he has far fewer problems with swelling, he has more options about what he eats and he no longer takes high blood pressure medications, he says.

Stuckwisch can’t explain the difference between in-home dialysis and dialyzing at a clinic.

In-home dialysis makes him feel like he has his own kidneys.

“There’s no comparison,” said Stuckwisch.

healthSHORTS Heart health seminar next week A St. Mary’s cardiologist will be giving a free presentation at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs.

Dr. Daniel Dunker will be addressing the difference in heart disease in men and women and provide information on how to keep your heart healthy.

The free seminar will also include food, chair massages and health screenings like blood pressure, BMI and bone density.

For reservations, call 816-228-3335.

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A “Green Team” at St.Mary’s Medical Center is hosting a recycling event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10 in the southeast parking lot of the medical center.

The team wanted to give people the chance to recycle because 60 to 70 percent of waste can be recycled, according to a release by St. Mary’s.

Employees are encouraged to bring fluorescent bulbs, any type of batteries, outdated or unused medication(do not flush down toilet), glass, gently used clothing, tin cans, paper, plastic, aluminum, cosmetic tubes, bottles and jars.

Personal documents will be shredded for $10 a box. Broken electronics will be disposed of for no charge.

Saint Luke’s wins award Saint Luke’s Health System won the 2010 Missouri Quality Award from the Excellence in Missouri Foundation.

The award is the official state recognition for excellence in quality leadership, which is recognized as one of the strongest state-level quality award programs in the country.

Hospital officials will receive the award on Nov. 18.

It’s the fifth time Saint Luke’s has won the award.

–Michael Glover

wellness

Tuesday, November 2, 2010 Page 5

Ensure a healthy heart before the holidays Stress of the season can put a strain on existing problems – especially for women It’s only been two days since Halloween, and already you’ll find holiday decorations out on display. But before you get wrapped up in all the holiday activities, resolve to make this your healthiest holiday season ever.

It may be somewhat surprising, but many people still think of heart disease as a man’s disease. Most women believe their biggest health threat is breast cancer, but in reality, cardiovascular disease kills more women than the next five causes of death combined. And we’re moving into the time of the year when the number of heart attacks goes up. Special holiday foods, more alcohol and the extra stress that come with the season get the blame.

Women in particular seem to want to care for everyone else and may ignore their own needs.

So ladies, this holiday season, but yourself at the top of your list; take care of yourself and your heart first—then you can more easily care for those you love.

The American Heart Association says women are more likely to die from their heart

Daniel dunker Daniel Dunker, MD, is a cardiologist with Carondelet Heart Institute at St. Mary’s. attacks because women tend to delay getting help. That could be because heart disease symptoms may be different and milder in women, and they may not recognize heart threat. While the most common symptom in both sexes is chest pain or discomfort, women’s symptoms may be more subtle—extreme weak-

ness, fatigue and body aches. Women are more likely to experience pain in the arms, back, neck or jaw. They’re more likely to be nauseous and lightheaded. Research shows that women go to the hospital on average one full hour later than men do after experiencing an attack, delaying critical medical treatment.

It’s best to take steps to protect yourself from heart disease before a heart attack. Smoking, high “bad� cholesterol, low “good� cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, being overweight and stress are all factors in heart disease—these factors you can control.

Find out what your cholesterol is, your blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, body fat. Know your numbers. Here’s a look at the targets for several factors: n Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL n LDL “Bad� cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL n HDL (“Good�) cholesterol: 50 mg/dL or higher n Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL

n Blood pressure: less than 120/80 n Fasting glucose: less than 100 mg/dL n Body Mass Index (BMI): less than 25 n Waist circumference: less than 35 inches

Once you know the target, you need to find out where you stand. Schedule an appointment with your doctor and develop a plan to improve your numbers. You might be surprised to find out how quickly you will see improvement, if you put yourself and your health first. Learn more at a free holiday event on Thursday, Nov. 11, in the Education Center at St. Mary’s Medical Center. I’ll be presenting a program on women’s heart health and to make it even more of a treat, there will health screenings, chair massages and hors d’oeuvres. You can even lower your stress level by doing a little early holiday shopping.

Doors open at 5:30; the presentation begins at 6:30. Bring a friend. The event is free, but registration is required. Call 816-228-3335 to make your reservation.

Food inspections Jackson County The Jackson County Public Works/Environmental Health Division conducts inspections anywhere food is handled, prepared and served to the public for cities other than Independence.

Blue Springs

■Church’s Chicken, 111 S.E. AA Highway – On Oct. 18, adult and baby roaches were seen by the water heater and in the front counter area. ■Godfathers Pizza, 705 N. Missouri 7 – On Oct. 18, inspectors found the dish washer not sanitizing. ■Wal-Mart Supercenter, 600 N.E. Coronado – On Oct. 18, numerous fruit/drain flies were observed around the peaches on display in the produce department and around the mop sink by the delivery docking area.

Independence

■Fort Osage High School Football Concession, 2101 N. Twyman Road – On Oct. 22, inspectors found drink cups for workers without lids and straws, corrected.

Lee’s Summit

■Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar, 1806 N.W. Chipman Road – On Oct. 18, a drink container with no lid or straw was found on shelf in server station, corrected. – Jillayne Ritchie

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Page 6 Tuesday, November 2, 2010

health

healthCALENDAR Items for the Health Calendar may be e-mailed to jill.ritchie@examiner.net or mailed to: The Examiner, P.O. Box 459, Independence, Mo. 64051, attention Jill Ritchie. The following items are for Nov. 3 through 9.

Spotlights

Blue Springs TAI CHI beginners class, sponsored by Blue Springs Parks and Recreation, 8:05 to 9:05 p.m. Nov. 4-Dec. 30, Vesper Hall. Cost for either class, $49. Call 228-0137 to register.

Addiction groups

Independence Straight Talk, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, First Baptist Church.

Narcotics Anonymous Help Line: 531-2250.

Living Free – Al Anon meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 1723 Appleton Ave. 461-0039.

Community Substance Abuse Committee, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Independence Police Building.

Blue Springs ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, meetings available daily, most sessions are closed, and there are beginner meetings also, 1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner).

There is a total of 29 meetings per week. For times, call 228-7921.

CHAPEL HILL AL-ANON, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday; 9 a.m. Saturday, 1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner).

BLUE SPRINGS ALATEEN, 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, 1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner).

Raytown NEW DAY AL-ANON, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church. 353-5446.

Bereavement groups

Blue Springs Widowed Persons support group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Annex A. 2240677 or 229-8093.

Independents Singles Ministry grief support group, 7 p.m. Tuesday, First United Methodist Church. 228-3788.

Adult Bereavement support group, sponsored by St. Mary’s Medical Center, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. several times throughout the year, Vesper Hall. To register, 655-5490.

Other Infant loss group, sponsored by Carondelet Health. 655-5582.

Fitness

Independence Gentle Tai Chi for those 50 and older, 6 p.m.

Monday, The Palmer Center. Free. 325-6200.

LOW IMPACT EXERCISE, 9 a.m. Mondays, Wednesday, Friday, Fairmount Community Center.

254-8334.

Wake Up Workout, 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, The Palmer Center. 325-6200.

Walk to the Beat, 8 a.m., Monday-Friday, Fairmount Community Center. 254-8334.

PEPPI exercise classes, 10:15 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, The Palmer Center. Free. To register, 325-6200.

PEPPI exercise classes, 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Fairmount Community Center. To register, 254-8334.

PAVEMENT POUNDERS 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Friday, The Palmer Center. 325-6200.

SITTIN’ FIT chair exercises class, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, The Palmer Center. Free. 325-6200.

STRETCH AND TONE, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, The Palmer Center. Cost, $1. 325-6200.

ZUMBA GOLD, dynamic workout to Latin and international rhythms, 10 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Palmer Center. Cost, $2. 325-6200.

TAI CHI by the Three Dragons Way, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sermon Center. Cost, $35 for a fourweek session; $40 for a 5-week session. 325-7370.

WALK TO THE BEAT, 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, The Palmer Center. Free. 325-6200.

Blue Springs Swimnastics, 9 to 10 a.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday; 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Friday, Centennial Pool-Plex. Cost, $3.75 per visit. 228-0188.

Therapeutic swim, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Centennial Pool-Plex. Cost, $3.75 per visit. 228-0188.

Crosstrainer aerobics, 9 to 10 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $2.50 per class.

228-0181.

Prenatal and postnatal exercise classes, 9:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 300 N.W. Mock Ave. 655-5400.

Weight room for ages 50 and older, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $10 per month; $2 per visit; $96 for a year. 228-0181.

Yoga — For beginners and beyond, 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $2.50 per class. 228-0181.

YOGA-GENTLE FLOW, 6:45 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Ves-

| Yourtake | How do you safeguard your health against the fall and winter months?

Marge Pettit Kansas City

“Be careful when you walk outside. Wear proper clothing – a lot of people run out with no coat. Get a flu shot and cautionary things like that. Check on your neighbors.”’

Don Brayton Independence

“I have gotten a flu shot, and I like to bundle up when I go outside. But if it’s too icy or there is too much snow, I’ll stay in, unless there’s something really important I have to do.”

Carol Miller Independence

“On bad days, I stay in – if it’s ice, snow, whatever – to prevent falls. I get a flu shot, though I haven’t gotten it yet this year.”

– Adrianne DeWeese

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per Hall. Cost, $8 per visit, $48 for six classes. 228-0181.

Tai Chi, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $2.50. 228-0181.

Swimnastics, 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday and Friday, Centennial Pool-Plex. Cost, $3.75 per visit. 228-0188.

Stretching exercise, 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $1.50. 228-0181.

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION EXERCISE PROGRAM for older adults, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday and Friday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $1 per session. 228-0181. weight room orientation, 6 p.m. Thursday, Vesper Hall. Free. 228-0181.

Stretch AND TONE, 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $2.50. 228-0181.

Raytown Tai Chi, 11 a.m. Thursday, Elliott Place Retirement Community. Free. 313-6800.

Kansas City WALK AND TALK, 7 to 10 a.m. Monday-Friday, Ascension Lutheran Church, 4900 Blue Ridge Blvd.

358-1919.

PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise), 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Truman Medical Center-Lakewood. 373-4415, Ext. 1175.

Miscellaneous

Independence MATERNITY UNIT TOURS, Centerpoint Medical Center. Call 751-3000 for dates and to register.

Food handler/manager permit training classes, food handler classes, 3:30 p.m. Thursdays at Truman Memorial Building, 1 and 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Independence Health Department; manager class, 9 a.m. Monday. There is a fee. To register, 3257803.

Blue Springs Break Time Club, sponsored by Shepherd Center of Blue Springs, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Timothy Lutheran Church. For older adults with some physical and/or mental limitations. A donation of $10 to the cost of the program is suggested. 228-5300.

Prenatal/Infant/Child programs

Blue Springs Blue Springs/Lee’s Summit Tough Love support group, for families dealing with unacceptable adolescent behavior, 7:30 to 9:40 p.m. Tuesday, First Christian Church. 913-492-1200.

Moms & Moms-to-be prenatal and postnatal class, 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, Family YMCA. 224-9620.

Kansas City Truman Medical Center-Lakewood WIC Nutrition Program, for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago. 404-4WIC.

Screenings/Immunizations

Independence HEALTH SCREENINGS for those 50 years and older, 10 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Palmer Center.

Screenings for blood sugar, blood pressure and diabetic foot screenings. Free. 325-6200.

Blue Springs DIABETIC FOOT SCREENINGS, sponsored by St. Mary’s Medical Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Vesper Hall. Free.

228-0181.

Grain Valley IMMUNIZATION AND BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC, sponsored by the Jackson County Health

Continued on page 7

health

Tuesday, November 2, 2010 Page 7

healthCALENDAR Continued from page 6

Department, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Grain Valley Community Center. Blood pressure checks and childhood immunizations are free. TB tests and payable vaccines by appointment only. 404-6443.

Support groups

Independence Domestic violence group for men, 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Family Conservancy of Eastern Jackson County. 373-7577.

Caring Communities Kinship, 7 p.m. Monday, Cler-Mont Community School. LiLi Moe, 796-6041.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS “Rebel Lunch Bunch” luncheon, 1 p.m. Tuesday, O’Charley’s. Kimberly, 4194276 or Nita, 255-8944.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Villages of Jackson Creek-Memory Care. Free and open to the public. Call Monica Benson, 478-5689.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, East Independence Church of Christ. Kathleen Bessmer, 913-613-5251.

Multiple Sclerosis, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Red Lobster. 833-4151.

ALZHEIMER’S support group, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Fairmount Community Center. 254-8334.

Moms Off Meth, 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, First Christian Church, Room 206. Free. Terri, 210-9574.

CARETAKER’S OF PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER’S, 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Comprehensive Mental Health Services. Call Pat Aldridge, 254-3652, Ext. 222.

SARCOIDOSIS support group, 7 p.m. Thursday, Trinity Episcopal Church. Call Jon Egger, 309-0381.

Caring Communities Divorce and Step Family, 6:30 p.m. once a month, days vary, Blue Hills Elementary School. 796-6290.

Blue Springs Overcomer’s Outreach 12-step, 7 to 8 p.m.

Monday, Blue Springs Assembly. 229-3298.

Arthritis lecture series, 10 a.m. Thursday, Family YMCA. Topics: Fibromyalgia, living with arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and more. 224-9620.

Diabetes, 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, St. Mary’s Medical Center Birthing Center Conference Room. 655-5244.

CHADD (Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Disorder), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Care Net Clinic. Call Jessie Roggenbach, 228-6222.

CANCER support group, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, First United Methodist Church, Room 100. Call 2298108.

Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue, Blue Springs Wellness Group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, James Walker Elementary. 220-7356.

PARENTS OF NICU BABIES, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, St. Mary’s Birthing Center. Moms delivering at other facilities are welcome. 655-5574, option 5.

Breastfeeding, offered by St. Mary’s Medical Center, 10 a.m. Thursday, 206 Mock Ave., Suite 101.

655-5574.

CARDIAC REHABILITATION support group, Thursday, St. Mary’s Medical Center. Time varies, call 655-5433.

CHRISTIAN 12-STEP RECOVERY PROGRAM, 7 p.m. Friday, Blue Springs Christian Church. Call Steve, 229-7311, Ext. 243.

Buckner Caring Communities ADHD Parents, 7 p.m.

Thursday, 13 Sibley Road. Call Ms. Gordan, 650-4415.

Lee’s Summit Dealing with loss, 1 p.m. Monday, John Knox Village, Ambassador meeting room. Call Darlene Gutshall, 347-2310.

Self-help group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, 7 p.m. Thursday, Cass Browning Community Center. Call Pauline Felkins, 524-7702.

Raytown Autism and ADHD, 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, First Baptist Church. Call Johnna, 525-2931 or Janet, 4788117.

Dietary Intervention Network for Autism (D.I.N.A.) meeting, 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, First Baptist Church. 419-3705.

Cancer, 7 p.m. Tuesday, First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. 525-9876.

Liberty Mended Hearts, a support group for heart patients and their families, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Liberty Hospital. 792-7087.

Other Agoraphobia, 7 p.m. 649-9863.

Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, daily meetings, Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault. 931-4527.

Groups sponsored by Carondelet Health. For the BreathEasy group call 655-5236; and for cancer group call 224-3489.

National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Center, 913-652-1542 or visit www.nocirc.org.

Women’s Issues

Independence Women’s Empowerment Groups, sponsored by the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA), 6:30 to 8:30 Monday. For locations, call Karen Costa, 2528388, Ext. 16.

Kansas City Rape Survivors Anonymous, 7 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, St. Monica Church. Call Bobette Agee, 679-1548.

Other Hope House Inc. weekly support groups, open to any female who has been or is now involved in an abusive relationship. For times and location, call the hotline at 461-4673.

– Jillayne Ritchie

Follow Executive Editor Sheila Davis’ journey back into the land of chemotherapy in her blog “Fighting Lymphoma - Round 2” at examiner.net

HEALTH

Sheila Davis

Page 8 Tuesday, November 2, 2010

health

Slow cooker meals are easy, satisfying In today’s society, life is always on-the-go‌ literally! What if you could come home to the smell of dinner wafting through the house? By adding a slow cooker to your dinner repertoire, you can have nutritional meals for your family without having to make a mess in the kitchen after a hectic day.

A marvel in both nutrition and ease, crockpot meals have all the components of a great meal. You can add bagged salad, a whole grain roll or some fruit for something extra, but otherwise open the lid and serve.

While crock-pot cooking does take a small amount of planning and prep work ahead of time, it saves time at the end of the day when all you want is a comforting meal on the table.

Walking into the house with the fragrance of a good, nutritious meal can be comforting feeling. Not to mention, the smell of good ol’ comfort food can be therapy to your tense nerves.

Nothing is better this time of year than some chili for those chilly fall nights.

Simple satisfying turkey chili All you need: 1 lb Honeysuckle Breakfast Turkey Sausage 1 (14.t oz) can no-salt-added Muir Glen fireroasted tomatoes 1 (15 oz) can kernel corn, rinsed and

Tracey Shaffer Food for Thought Tracey Shaffer, RD, LD, is a Hy-Vee dietitian at the Blue Springs location The information provided should not be construed as professional medical advice. E-mail her at 1033dietitian@hy-vee.com. drained 1 (15 oz) can chili beans 1 1/2 cups chopped celery All you do: Brown turkey sausage in a skillet. Add tomatoes, corn, beans and celery in a crock-pot.

Add cooked ground turkey on top of vegetables in crock-pot. Heat on LOW for 4 to 8 hours.

Prescribing antipsychotic medications to children diagnosed with ADHD and either oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder may seem extreme, but it is quite common when standard medication does not decrease aggressive behavior.

However, according to Stony Brook University Medical Center in New York, such drugs may be unnecessary.

Dr. Joseph Blader, assistant professor of Psychiatry Behavioral Science, found results that eliminated nearly all the aggressive and explosive behavior when “implementing ‘firstline’ stimulant treatments� and behavioral therapy.

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healthSHORTS Antipsychotic medications discredited for kids with ADHD

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“And our findings are especially significant in light of recent concerns about the proliferation in the use of other medications with greater side effects, such as antipsychotic medication, than standard stimulant medication when treating children with ADHD who display aggressive behavior,� said Blader.

During the study, weekly behavioral therapy sessions were provided to children and their parents. Parents were taught how to set limits on problem behaviors and how to use positive reinforcement.

The study supports the proposal that coupling stimulant medication with behavioral treatment is the most effective way to curb ADHD symptoms and behavioral problems. –GateHouse News Service

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