Ophthalmologist using latest cataract correction technology
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Cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans age 50 and older with more than 30 million expected to have cataracts by 2020.
In 2010, about 13 percent of South Carolinians were age 65 and older. By 2020, that number is expected to jump to 22 percent. And one medical issue that will impact a large number of those older adults is cataracts. Cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans age 50 and older with more than 30 million expected to have cataracts by 2020. Cataract correction is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States and for the last 20 years the technology has remained virtually unchanged. But last year Mount Pleasant ophthalmologist Dr. Kerry Solomon became the first doctor in the Southeast to use the latest in cataract correction technology: the femtosecond cataract laser. Solomon meets with patients at his new Carolina Eyecare Physicians facility just off Johnnie Dodds Boulevard to determine if they are candidates for the laser procedure, which is performed at the West Ashley surgery center.
This device, developed by Alcon LenSx Lasers, is the same technology used to perform LASIK procedures. By using a laser for cataract correction, ophthalmologists are able to plan and customize each procedure based on patient anatomy as well as create more precise and consistent incisions. “This is the wave of the future,” Solomon says. “In five to 10 years, all surgeries will be done with the laser.” A cataract is basically a clouding of the eye’s lens. Light entering the eye passes through its lens and that lens focuses the light on the retina at the back of the eye. So a clouded lens interferes with how light passes through it, in much the same way that fingerprints or smears on a window interfere with your view of what is on the other side of the glass. In the early days of cataract surgery, patients would have to limit their activity for four to eight weeks and they still needed glasses. About 20 years ago, ultrasound technology was introduced and
cataract procedures became much more efficient and safer. Plus, the recovery time was shortened to just a few days. FDA-approved technology, the LenSx femtosecond laser provides more precise and consistent incisions via image-guided surgeon control. Patients like it because there’s no cutting on the eye and the outcomes are better,, meaning we increase the likelihood patients will see better without glasses. Because of Solomon’s leadership in the ophthalmology profession, he has been involved in the development of the technology and was asked to use it and offer feedback. Now more than 10,000 laser cataract surgeries have been performed worldwide. The only other unit in South Carolina is located in the Upstate. Dr. Solomon has been performing cataract correction surgery since 1990 and has been named one of the “Top 50 Opinion Leaders in the Fields of Cataract and Refractive Surgery” worldwide.
SC gears up for Medicare Part D open enrollment period The Medicare Rx Access Network has re-energized its local partners to help prepare South Carolina seniors for the upcoming Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 Open Enrollment opportunity for Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. More than 773,702 South Carolinians are currently covered by Medicare. While there are still a few weeks until seniors can make changes to their benefits, Medicare Rx Access Network members are
urging South Carolinians to prepare now. Seniors wanting to compare their plans should visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. These resources will allow them to easily compare their current coverage to their medical and financial needs to determine the most suitable option available to them in their area. In South Carolina, those with questions on Medicare and Medicare Part D can also call I-CARE at 1-
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800-868-9095. The Medicare Rx Access Network will spend the next few weeks and months working with local health providers and community organizations to spread the word about the open enrollment opportunity. Eighty-eight percent of Part D enrollees report satisfaction with their coverage, according to the KRC Survey for Medicare Today, done in October of 2011.
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Fertility specialist says to be proactive For many, trying to start a family is an exciting time, but it can also be emotional and challenging. Fertility issues are more common than many couples trying to conceive realize. Local reproductive endocrinologist, Stephanie Singleton, M.D., of Southeastern Fertility Center, advises that couples thinking about starting a family should consider seeing a fertility specialist sooner rather than later. “If a woman has been trying for a year, an evaluation may be beneficial. If a woman is 35 and has been trying for six months, it is time to come in and be evaluated by a reproductive endocrinologist,” states Dr. Singleton. A fertility evaluation does not necessarily translate into a problem. However, it can determine if male infertility is a factor, ensure tubes are clear of scar tissue, and determine if the woman is producing eggs. Perceived expense and lengthy commitments stop many women from taking the next step with a fertility evaluation. Dr. Singleton states, “Fifty percent of our patients are successful by taking a conservative approach. I like to call it a staircase approach. We start with conservative therapy and work up the staircase if we need to.” For other patients, in vitro fertilization may help them conceive, a procedure that is covered by some insurance plans. The number one factor in infertility is age. Singleton says, “Age is one of the most important factors in fertility, and the chances of conceiving decrease at a much earlier age than most realize. At 32-years old, women
see a decrease in their fertility chances. By the time a woman is in her late 30s and early 40s there are fewer and fewer good quality eggs, making it harder and harder to conceive.” Eating right and exercise are good for overall health. A healthy woman is less likely to have fertility issues related to lifestyle, such as obesity, smoking and alcohol. However, many women have other factors that play a role in conception. She states, “ If a woman is over 40 years old, her ovaries know she is 40. Ovaries are in sync with a woman’s body, despite what physical shape she may be in,” says Dr. Singleton. The good news is that in the last few years, Oocyte Cryopreservation, or freezing eggs, has become more common. Freezing eggs is simply the process of taking good viable eggs from a woman and preserving them for later use. Dr. Singleton explains, “In the last five years, this has become more prevalent. It gives many women more control over their life. They can use this to plan a family as they plan a career. For professional women, this is a great option.” For any couple trying to conceive, Dr. Singleton advises to be proactive. “Come into Southeastern Fertility Center and get an evaluation. Often, a couple will step in the doors and have no idea what they are working with. We will help them achieve the goal of starting a family.” She continues, “Getting an evaluation does not translate into fertility issues but it does translate into informed decisions.”
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For any couple trying to conceive, Dr. Stephanie Singleton advises to be proactive.
For more information about fertility treatments and options as well as cryopreservation, log onto www.sefertility.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Singleton or Dr. Patton at Southeastern Fertility Center, please call 843-881-3900.
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Make healthy changes during Childhood Obesity Month Obesity is the most common health problem facing youth in the United States. More than 23 million children and teenagers (31.8 percent) ages two to 19 are obese or overweight, a statistic that health and medical experts consider an epidemic. There are multiple physical, emotional and social risks associated with obesity, including: elevated blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, liver disease, sleep problems, joint pain, depression, low self-esteem and teasing. However, parents can reduce or prevent the likelihood of these outcomes by helping their children make simple lifestyle changes. As September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, it is the perfect time for families to work together for healthy changes. “Childhood obesity is a worsening problem seen among young people today. Not only does childhood obesity contribute to obvious physiological problems, but it also can contribute to psychological problems as well. It is critical to provide children with healthy food alternatives as well as educate them about the benefits of physical activity on a routine basis. Parents, teachers, and adults in general need to model proper
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Pre-cut and bagged vegetables make great snacks and are a healthier option than fried, salty or sugary treats. behavior for young people and encourage healthy habits.” says psychologist, Cabe Loring, PsyD. Small changes at meal and snack times can lead to big changes on the scale and for children’s health. Covering half (or more) of a dinner plate with vegetables
will improve children’s nutrient intake and may reduce their consumption of other, more calorie dense foods. Pre-cut and bagged vegetables make great snacks and are a healthier option than fried, salty or sugary treats. Likewise, replacing a daily serving of sugar beverages (sodas, sports drinks, juice pouches) with water cuts calories and keeps kids hydrated and healthy. For picky kids, parents can spice up plain water by adding fruit slices or mixing in a very small amount of natural fruit juice. Parents can also improve their children’s fitness level and foster quality family time by replacing afternoon television or video game sessions with a family walk or bike ride, an outdoor game like Frisbee or tag, or a group trip to the local community center. Any activity is good activity, but the goal should be 60 minutes of movement a day. This can be all at once, or broken up into smaller chunks of time throughout the day. Children will be most successful with these small changes if parents and other adults at home role model the changes themselves. When children see parents making healthy choices in how they shop
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for food, eat, and move around, they will learn by example. For additional information about childhood obesity, please contact the South Carolina Psychological Association, 512788-0207. To learn more about mind/ body health, visit the South Carolina Psychological Association’s website, http:// www.scpsychology.org or the American Psychological Association’s Consumer Help Center at www.APAhelpcenter. org. South Carolina Psychological Association is the only professional organization in South Carolina representing all areas of psychology: academic, practitioner, public service, and students. As a 501 (c)(6) professional association that represents the professionals of psychology in South Carolina, South Carolina Psychological Association has the purpose to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting human welfare; to foster and maintain high standards of practice, teaching, and research in the field of psychology; and to make available to the public information regarding psychology as a science and as a profession.
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Varicose veins – A comprehensive overview “The procedure is essentially painless and recovery is very quick; within one or two hours, the patient is up and walking out of the office on brand new legs.”
Dr. Joseph Mullaney, a vascular and interventional radiologist with Imaging Specialists and InvisiVein of Mount Pleasant.
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Sixty percent of men and women in America are affected by varicose or spider veins. The intensely painful and unsightly purple veins can rob people of the activities and lifestyles they love.
“InvisiVein is a revolutionary new technique to cure varicose veins,” says Dr. Joseph Mullaney, a vascular and interventional radiologist with Imaging Specialists and InvisiVein of Mount Pleasant. He says that sixty percent of men and women in America are affected by varicose or spider veins - the intensely painful and unsightly purple veins that often rob people of the activities and lifestyles they love. Sometimes considered a woman’s problem, in fact, 40 percent of women as well as 25 percent of men will experience varicose veins. What causes them? In normal veins, valves in the vein keep blood moving forward toward the heart. With varicose veins, the valves do not function properly, allowing blood to remain in the vein and causing it to enlarge. This process usually occurs in the veins of the legs, although it may occur elsewhere. Standing for a long time and having increased pressure in the abdomen may make you more likely to develop varicose veins or may make the condition worse. Patients may experience fullness, heaviness, aching, and sometimes severe pain in the legs, as well as visible, enlarged veins, mild swelling and brown discoloration of the skin at the ankles. At worst, varicose veins can cause thrombosis, ulceration and, in some cases, the veins can burst and bleed profusely. Dr. Mullaney explains that initial treatment is usually conservative: avoiding excessive standing, raising your legs when resting or sleeping, and wearing elastic support hose. Actual removal of varicose veins used to be considered a traumatic procedure with a long and painful recovery. However, there are newer, noninvasive treatments for varicose veins that do not involve surgery: sclerotherapy, laser ablation and radiofrequency ablation. InvisiVein of Mount Pleasant has performed more varicose vein procedures than any other facility in the Low-
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country and offers a VenaCure EVLT laser treatment for varicose and spider veins. “The procedure is essentially painless and recovery is very quick; within one or two hours, the patient is up and walking out of the office on brand new legs,” says Mullaney. The patient’s skin is numbed where a tiny introducer or catheter is inserted. A highly trained radiologist guides a tiny, gold-tipped laser using ultrasound technology. When the laser tip finds its way to the deep vein that has become defective, the laser destroys it. The tip, known as the VenaCure EVLT gold-tipped fiber, helps insure that only the intended parts of the vein are affected by the laser. Once the deep bulging vein is destroyed, the surrounding veins that are also affected begin to shrink. Previous generations undergoing varicose vein surgery would likely have been confined to bed to recover for several day, and often the treatment was more painful than the varicose veins themselves. Now, patients experience only a little discomfort and no recovery time at all. Most major insurance plans, including Medicare, provide coverage for the varicose vein procedures, once it is determined that the procedure is a medical necessity. To qualify, patients must demonstrate symptoms of venous reflux disease, including pain, swelling, cramping, ulcers or bleeding. A period of conservative varicose vein therapy may be required prior procedures at offices such as InvisiVein, including a three to six month trial using compression therapy and compression hose. So if painful varicose veins are stopping you from doing the things you love, or if unsightly veins are keeping you out of your skirts, it’s time to get back in the game. Call InvisiVein today at 881-4020 to see if you are a candidate.
Teen pregnancy prevention: Can we decrease these numbers?
Approximately 750,000 teens younger than 20 years old become pregnant each year, meaning that as the next hour passes, approximately 86 teenagers will become pregnant. Teenage pregnancy affects a number of people in different ways, not just the teens themselves. As the publilc continues to hear reports regarding teen pregnancy, all should commit to working together to find ways to keep those numbers down. Parents having to be informed and willing to discuss pregnancy prevention with their children can be tough. However, parent-child communication about sex can be a great resource.
According to advocates for youth, “Research shows that young people who spoke with their parents about condoms and contraception before they became sexually active were more likely to use protection when they did become sexually active. ” With the growth in technology use and being able to reach more people via the internet, if parents do not share the information, there are millions of others who could - whether the information is correct and reliable is the question. Advice to parents is to be an “askable” and approachable parent, use the correct terminology, have and use factual information from reliable resources and think about
your own feelings and values about love and sex. Additional suggested tips from Advocates for Youth for parentchild communication are to: 1. Reassure your children they can talk to you about anything. 2. Take advantage of teachable moments. A friend’s pregnancy, news article, or a TV show can help start a conversation. 3. Listen more than you talk. Think about what you’re being asked. Confirm with your child that what you heard is in fact what he or she meant to ask. 4. Answer questions simply and directly. Give factual, honest, short, and simple answers. 5. Teach your children ways to make good decisions about sex and coach them on how to get
out of risky situations. 6. Discuss that at times your teen may feel more comfortable talking with someone other than you. Together, think of other trusted adults with whom they can talk. By communicating appropriately and providing contraceptive information - parents, prevention programs and professionals can send the right messages. If everyone does their part, hopefully the next time you read a similar publication the number of 86 pregnancies an hour will be reduced. Please visit www.advocatesforyouth.org for additional information and resources on parentchild communication.
Physicians’ proles
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IMAGE BY METROCREATIVE
Approximately 750,000 teens become pregnant each year, meaning that as the next hour passes, approximately 86 teenagers will become pregnant.
Your feet are not supposed to hurt BY DR. JAMES M. CAWTHORNE SPECIAL TO THE MOULTRIE NEWS
Bunions, hammertoes, corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, painful arches, warts, fungus, heel pain ... they’re often unsightly, uncomfortable and can greatly restrict the movement and style of your life. Your feet are not supposed to hurt. One common complaint I hear a lot concerns heel pain. Heel pain is often characterized by severe pain in the heel upon first getting out of bed in the morning or after sitting for awhile. The pain may diminish after a few steps. The heel may have a dull aching or stone bruise type pain that really never goes away. Treatment options vary. Traditional treatment may begin with evaluation of the patient’s shoe gear. Padding or arch supports may be all that is necessary. Nonresponsive cases may require stretch-
ing exercises, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication or injections. Shoe inserts or orthotics may be prescribed to redistribute the patient’s weight away from the inflamed heel. Patients are happy to hear that the majority of cases can usually be managed with such conservative nonsurgical treatment. That brings me to the small percentage of patients for whom surgery is their only hope for relief of pain. In the past, traditional surgery required a large incision. A new procedure known as endoscopic plantar fasciotomy has been producing impressive results. This procedure involves the placement of a quarter-inch incision on either side of the heel. Into these incisions a thin tube is inserted followed by a mini video camera that will allow the surgeon to precisely release the inflamed plantar fascia from the heel bone. A “single stitch” closes each incision. The patient
may bear weight on the operated foot immediately and can return to tennis shoes in three days. I am aware that many surgeons continue to use the traditional “open” heel spur procedure with satisfactory results, but in my hands I have found this new procedure to be more effective, with the advantage of a faster post-operative recovery. Many of us are guilty of foot abuse: Stuffing feet into tight shoes, pounding workouts, cracked skin and irritations. Though they spend most of their time undercover, feet proclaim their woes loudly. Many people think it’s normal for the foot to hurt at the end of the day. If it hurts to the point where you must give up on activity, chances are you’ve got something that ought to be checked out. PHOTO BY METROCREATIVE
(Dr. James M. Cawthorne practices at East Cooper Podiatry.)
Many of us are guilty of foot abuse: Stuffing feet into tight shoes, pounding workouts, cracked skin and irritations.
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Acupuncturist encourages your body to heal itself Your body can heal itself. Have you ever stopped to really think about that? Have you marveled at how a scratch can disappear, replaced with new skin within days? Or how a bruise fades away without a trace? Robert Stanford, a former Medical University of South Carolina nurse anesthetist, who has been practicing acupuncture in Mount Pleasant for nearly four years, would like you to give your body’s ability to heal itself a little more thought. Nowadays there is a pill or procedure to treat just about any ailment. But in many cases, there is no healing involved, just “relief from symptoms.” Acupuncture operates on the premise that a diseased body is the manifestation of an unbalanced system. What we do to ourselves by practicing poor eating habits, not exercising and abusing our bodies with drugs, cigarettes or alcohol puts us at risk for more serious illnesses. Stanford, who has a MS degree in Health Science from MUSC and 15 years medical experience, says, “I’ve seen how western medicine gets it right, but I’ve also seen how it can come up short,” he says. “Treating symptoms but failing to treat the underlying causes of illness sets you up for more illness. Acupuncture addresses all aspects of your body’s relationship to its external environment.” “When you walk into my office with, for example, a sore back, I don’t just see a person with a sore back. I see someone whose physical body is out of balance
PHOTO BY METROCREATIVE
Treating symptoms but failing to treat the underlying causes of illness sets you up for more illness. Acupuncture addresses all aspects of your body’s relationship to its external environment. with his or her external environment,” says Stanford. “Your state of health is dependent upon the relationship between your mind, your body and your spirit. Imbalance is illness. Balance is health.” So, how does acupuncture help you regain and maintain balance? The first thing Stanford does with new patients is take a detailed health history. Then he takes your pulses. That’s not a typo. He takes your pulses. “Chinese medicine has twelve different pulse locations, and you need to take them on both sides of the body,” says Stanford.
How strong or weak, fast or slow your pulse is tells an acupuncturist a lot about how balanced your body is. From there it’s a matter of determining which areas are blocking the flow of energy, or Qi (pronounced “chee”). Qi, or, life force energy, is in constant motion throughout a healthy body, traveling along meridians. Just like a dam blocks the flow of water in a river, Qi can be blocked along a meridian. That’s where the needles, as fine as a human hair (and not hollow like hypodermic needles) come in. Placing needles in the blocked areas
of the meridians reopens them, allowing the Qi to flow freely, nourishing organs and tissues and allowing the body to regain its innate balance. Back and neck pain are two of the most common complaints for which Stanford’s patients come to see him. These patients are often surprised by how quickly they feel better and are able to discontinue their pain medication. Stanford’s training in both western and eastern medicine gives him a unique perspective on illness. “I am familiar with hospitals and the OR; what those
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experiences are like,” he says. “When patients speak in western medical terms, I have a good understanding of what they are talking about.” Often patients tell him that not only did their primary malady get better after treatment, but all of a sudden they experience other health benefits. “One of the most frequent misconceptions about acupuncture is that it only treats pain,” says Stanford. “That’s just where the treatment begins. Many patients find relief from emotional issues such as depression and anxiety, as well as OCD, ADHD and allergies. Medical doctors have referred patients to Stanford as an alternative to surgery. He has also treated nurses, an MUSC professor and chiropractors. To his knowledge, Stanford is the only practicing acupuncturist in the Lowcountry who has both eastern and western medical training. When asked what he would do with a million dollars to spend on his acupuncture practice, Stanford replied, “I’d use the money to create a platform so people could understand acupuncture, know that it’s available and that it works. You don’t always have to have surgery and take drugs. You can try acupuncture and give your body a chance to heal itself.” To contact Robert Stanford and take advantage of a free consultation, call 843-330-9093, or go to www.coastalacupuncturesc.com to read more about acupuncture and sign up for the newsletter.
Men with breast cancer: Challenges and statistics
A story making news across the country about a Lowcountry man being treated for breast cancer is bringing the disease to the forefront in several ways. The circumstances surrounding Raymond Johnson’s widely reported inability to obtain Medicaid based on his gender is the main focus, but the fact that a young male was diagnosed with breast cancer at all is causing many to sit up and take notice. “We are getting more inquires from patients about the detection and frequency of male breast cancer, “ said Scott Broome, director, Roper St. Francis Cancer Care. “We are encouraging men with questions to see a physician.” According to Broome, 17 men with breast cancer were treated through RSFCC from 2006 - 2010*. “Breast cancer is certainly not top of mind for men when they consider their own health.
Mr. Johnson, who is receiving infusion therapy from Roper St. Francis Cancer Care is brave to speak out about his experiences with this disease and is bringing new awareness to this
has committed to treat Johnson through the course of his chemotherapy infusion treatments, which could require as many as 50 visits. Johnson’s case sounds far
“We are getting more inquires from patients about the detection and frequency of male breast cancer.” Scott Broome, director, Roper St. Francis Cancer Care
issue for men. The key point here is that men should be aware that the disease can occur in males and should have lumps or other abnormalities present on the chest evaluated by their physician.” Roper St. Francis Cancer Care
too familiar to Salim Hasan, who also underwent surgery and treatment for breast cancer with RSFCC two years ago. Hasan heard Johnson’s story and contacted the health system wanting to help, saying he too was denied Medicaid coverage based on his gender
when he applied after he lost his job and benefits just before his radiation therapy began. “I heard Raymond’s story and decided it’s time for me to get involved,” he said. “I am now healthy and doing great, but not because Medicaid stepped in. They said, because I am a man they couldn’t help me,” said Hasan, breast cancer survivor. “The law must change and I want men, especially portly men, to know they can get breast cancer. I try to speak to every heavy man I meet to let him know that he has more of a chance of getting breast cancer than others and being a man won’t stop it.” “Men can do self breast exams, just as women can. Treatment is the same for men and women. They are treated with surgery, hormone blockers, and chemotherapy, and radiation,” said David Ellison, MD, partner, Charleston Hematol-
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ogy Oncology Associates. “In 2010, an estimated 1,900 cases of male breast cancer were reported nationwide and almost 400 deaths. But survival rates for breast cancer patients are consistently improving.” According to the most recent all stage, overall survival rate for breast cancers available from the national cancer database, observed cases for breast cancer patients treated at Roper St. Francis were at 87.5 percent for the years 1998 to 2002, with the state average listed at 84.3 percent and the national breast cancer survival rate at 84.5 percent. This translates to a 20 percent reduction in breast cancer mortality rate for patients treated at Roper St. Francis compared to state and national averages. For more information, visit their website at www.ropersaintfrancis.com.
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