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HEALTHY LIVING tulsaworld.com/healthyliving2015
Finding out you have cancer By Stefanie Forney
and with fewer side effects.” Cancer is a different disease than it used to be, and there are many treatment options The emotional impact of a cancer diagno- available. “The cancer landscape has changed sigsis is life-changing, and the diagnosis affects nificantly -- we frequently tailor therapies to the patient as well as his or her family and each individual,” added Dr. Edwin McCreary, friends. Shock, disbelief, fear, anxiety, guilt, another medical oncologist with Utica Park grief, depression, even anger are part of the Clinic. journey. Everyone’s cancer is different, and each Cancer is the second most common cause case is looked at in terms of the patient, the of death in the US, exceeded only by heart disease, and accounts for nearly one of every disease and imaging. “An entire picture has to be investigated to four deaths, according to the American Cancome up with a holistic plan for the patient,” cer Society. said Dr. Kyle Brett, Utica Park Clinic medical About 1,658,370 new cancer cases are oncologist. “The individual’s family, support expected to be diagnosed this year. This estimate doesn’t include noninvasive cancer system, living circumstances and beliefs are of any site except urinary bladder, nor does it taken into account when developing a plan including supportive services for social and include basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers, which are not required to be reported to psychological needs the patient may have.” Cancer Treatment Centers of America has cancer registries. Cancer most commonly develops in older a “whole person” approach to cancer treatment. people. In fact, 78 percent of all cancer diag“I answer a lot of questions not only noses are in people 55 years of age or older. regarding the cancer itself and options for People who smoke, consume an unhealthy treatment, but also questions about side diet or are physically inactive also have a effects, complications of cancer and its treathigher risk of cancer. ment, and how to treat those side effects A large number of cancers could be prevented. All cancers caused by tobacco use to improve the patient’s quality of life,” said Dr. Laurence Altshuler, director of oncology and heavy alcohol consumption could be intake services, hospitalist and internist with prevented completely. Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Earlier diagnosis and improvements in “I want patients and their families to treatment have improved the survival rate of know the options available to treat their people with cancer. cancer and that we will do everything “There is much more hope than there used to be regarding cancer prognosis,” said we can to help them fight their disease,” Altshuler added. ”I also want them to know Dr. Pam Landon, Utica Park Clinic medical oncologist. “Cancer therapies are allowing pa- that we, at Cancer Treatment Centers of tients to live better quality lives, to live longer America, treat them as a person and will Special Sections Editor
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No one is ever ready for a cancer diagnosis, but your doctor can guide you through the treatment that will work best for you. support them and their families with hope and caring. In addition, I want patients to know that we address quality of life issues, using both conventional and alternative medical approaches. We want to fight their cancer but we also want to enable them to carry on their regular life.” There are various methods of diagnosing cancer, depending on the type and the location. This can include blood tests, scans (such as CT, MRI or ultrasound), and
procedures such as biopsy or removal of a possible tumor. “We address each patient as an individual and empower them to take part in their care. We start by providing them information about their cancer, discussing the appropriate treatments for their particular situation and making sure that their desires and needs are met,” Altshuler said. “We work as a team to provide them with comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of treatment.”
Adjusting to a healthier diet
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No one is ever ready for a cancer diagnosis, but your doctor can guide you through the treatment that will work best for you.
Strength training tips for women (MS) — Strength training might once have been the realm of hulking males aiming to build as much muscle as possible, but active adults now recognize that strength training is beneficial to men and women alike. In fact, strength training can be especially beneficial to women, helping them develop and maintain strong bones and thereby reducing their risk for osteoporosis, a medical condition that afflicts more women than men and is characterized by weak or brittle bones. Though women over 50 are most susceptible to osteoporosis, women of all ages can benefit from strength training. Those who are unfamiliar with such exercise may be hesitant to dive right in for fear of injury or due to the sometimes intimidating nature of strength training sections at fitness centers. But the following tips should help women overcome any such fears as they adapt to fitness regimens that include regular strength training. • Work with a trainer initially. Strength training is great for the body, but women who have never before lifted a weight might want to employ the services of a personal trainer until they are comfortable enough to go it alone. Personal trainers can ensure you are performing exercises correctly and not in a way that can cause injury. In addition, trainers can answer any questions you might have and help you establish strength training goals. • Begin with light weights. When starting a strength training regimen, use lighter weights, only increasing the weight once you are confident you have the motion of an exercise down pat and need a greater challenge. If you
don’t want to add too much weight, you can increase the number of reps so your workout stays challenging. • Expect some soreness, but take stock of any aches and pains. You should expect to feel some moderate soreness after your first few strength training sessions. That soreness likely stems from your body never before engaging its muscles in the way strength training does. But any persistent aches and pains should be taken seriously. It’s important to take note of where the pain is coming from, which can indicate whether or not you are performing exercises correctly. For example, your shoulders should not be inflamed or aching during or after a biceps workout. If they are, your form is probably off and you should consult a trainer to help ensure your form is correct and you are not risking injury. • Work the entire body. Adequate strength training targets various muscles in the body, not just the arms. Women should make sure their strength training regimens include exercises for their shoulders, back, chest, arms and legs. Focus on one or two muscle groups each workout. • Spice things up from time to time. Many people eventually grow bored with their strength training regimens. Women can spice up their regimens by adding repetitions and lowering weights every four to six weeks or routinely looking for new muscle-specific exercises to replace exercises that have grown boring. Strength training might be most often associated with men, but women can benefit from lifting weights in the immediate future and for years to come.
(MS) — Change often requires an adjustment period. Men and women who switch jobs may need a few weeks before they feel fully comfortable in a new office, while students changing schools may also need some time to adapt to their new surroundings. An adjustment period is also common when people decide to adopt healthier diets. What we choose to eat is habitforming, and men and women will need some time to adjust as they kick some bad dietary habits in favor of healthier fare. The following are some simple ways to make that adjustment period a little easier to swallow. • Go slowly. Some people are capable of going cold turkey off of some unhealthy foods when adjusting to a new diet, while others must take a more gradual approach. Unless a health condition that requires immediate change is driving your dietary changes, take things slowly so your body acclimates to its new diet over time. Such an approach may make your efforts more successful over the long haul than making more sudden, drastic changes. For example, suddenly cutting your daily calorie intake in half may force you into old, unhealthy habits when hunger pangs inevitably arise. But gradually reducing your caloric intake over time may make it easier for your body to adjust, decreasing the likelihood that you will relapse into bad habits. • Explain your motivation to loved ones. Adults, especially married men and women as well as parents, may find adjusting to a new diet especially difficult unless their spouses and/or families are making similar adjustments. If you are the only
member of your household who will be adjusting to a new diet, explain your efforts and motivation to your loved ones. Such an explanation will make them less likely to bring unhealthy foods into your home. In addition, your loved ones can become an invaluable source of support as you make this big adjustment in your life. • Embrace positive results, even if they are initially underwhelming. Just because you have adopted a new diet does not mean you will see immediate results. Fad diets meant to last just a few weeks may produce immediate results, but such results likely will not withstand the test of time, and you may even gain weight when you revert to some of your old eating habits. The right diet will produce long-lasting results, but you must allow for some time before such diets lead to significant weight loss. In the meantime, place more emphasis on how you feel than the figure that shows up on your bathroom scale each morning. Upon adopting a healthier diet, you will start to notice how much better you feel than you felt when eating a diet filled with fatty, unhealthy foods. Remind yourself of this extra hop in your step as you continue on the path to a healthier lifestyle. • Don’t give up. Your adjustment period will require some discipline, and there may be moments when you backslide into bad habits. If that happens, don’t allow it to derail all of the progress you have made since switching to a healthier diet. Just accept that you had a setback and resolve to do your best to avoid having another one. The sooner you get back on a healthier track, the better you will feel.
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Allow your taste buds time to adjust to a diet with more fruits and vegetables and fewer salty, fatty and fried foods.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
HEALTHY LIVING tulsaworld.com/healthyliving2015
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, dementia By Stefanie Forney Special Sections Editor
Caregivers must remember to take care of themselves so they can continue caring for their ailing loved ones.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Courtesy or dementia can be a challenging journey. But having important information can with them for a while. Sometimes they make a huge difference. forget words or names. They like to know Debi Covert, administrator of Southern your name. Plains Alzheimer’s Care Center, suggests • Give short and simple information that caregivers seek support. “This may or instructions. Break the task down into include family, friends and support groups. single steps and limit your words. “Put your It’s also vital to acquaint yourself with arm in here. Pull the shirt down. Put the resources in the community, such as the button in here.” medical community, (physician, case man• Use gestures. Show them what you agement, etc), day services, memory care want them to do because often your words communities (asare not undersisted living or stood. Use repetinursing home), Dealing with Alzheimer’s tion as much as long-term care necessary. Be and dementia is stressful facilities, veteran prepared to say services, Medthe same things for the patient as well as his icaid services, over and over long-term care as the person or her family and friends. insurance, can’t recall them To help lighten the load, financial services for more than a (estate planfew minutes at a remember to take a positive ning, financial time. resources etc.) • Offer conapproach. Make a point to and legal sercrete choices. vices (guardian• Ask the perfind the humor in everyday ship, power of son for his or her tasks and experiences. attorney, etc.) help. Other options • Be patient for care include and give the online referral sources such as A Place for person time to respond. Mom and Caring.com. Home care includes • Make a point to find the humor in private companions as well. everyday tasks and experiences. Smile and Communicating with an Alzheimer’s laugh often. patient can be difficult and trying at times Covert also encourages caregivers to so Covert shares these tips: remember to make time for themselves. • Start with a positive approach — Smile. Get proper rest, nutrition and exercise. Seek Come from the front and move to the side supportive counseling when needed. so not to appear threatening. Go slow. “Find things to laugh at each and every Greet the person by his or her name, offer day. Find joy in your day. Rest and take your hand and make eye contact. Offer a care of yourself, and make sure you have a genuine positive personal comment such network of support. It’s vital that caregivers as “You look great in that hat.” take care of themselves so that they may • Offer your name, even if you have been take care of anyone else.”
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Stress manifests itself in many ways, including physically. Long-term stress has been linked to a host of cardiovascular ailments, including hypertension, heart attack and stroke.
Recognize warning signs of stress (MS) — Stress is a part of life for many men and women. But as prevalent as stress is, many people are unaware of the potentially negative side effects that can result when stress goes untreated. According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress forces the muscles in the body to be taut and tense for long periods of time, a guardedness that can make men and women susceptible to stress-related disorders such as migraine headaches. In addition, the APA notes that stress can cause people to hyperventilate, which can trigger panic attacks in those prone to such events. Long-term stress has also been linked to a host of cardiovascular ailments, including hypertension, heart attack and stroke. Stress can be triggered by a host of things, and what’s stressful for some may not be for others. But while people may react differently to certain situations, there are some common warning signs of stress that men and women should learn so they can more quickly address any problems with the stress they might encounter. Physical symptoms Stress manifests itself in various ways, including physically. Physical symptoms of stress may affect the musculoskeletal system, causing muscles to tense up and remain that way until a stressful situation has come and gone. Aches and pains can result as well, and some people coping with stress may experience nausea and dizziness. Stress also can affect the cardiovascular system. When that occurs, uncomfortable
and potentially dangerous symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and chest pain may result. Emotional symptoms Stress also can affect mood. According to the Cleveland Clinic, signs of emotional stress include apathy, feeling on edge, a change in eating habits and changes in sleeping patterns, which may involve sleeping more than usual or difficulty getting to sleep. Cognitive symptoms Some people coping with stress may have to deal with certain cognitive symptoms. Such men and women may find themselves in constant states of worry, and their thoughts may race to an extent that makes it difficult to accomplish certain tasks. Additional cognitive symptoms include poor judgment, inability to focus and feelings of forgetfulness and disorganization. Behavioral symptoms Stress also can affect behavior, and men and women suffering from stress may act nervously. Nail biting, fidgeting and pacing are among the behavioral symptoms of stress, which may be more noticeable to loved ones or colleagues than the individual exhibiting the symptoms. Some people also may procrastinate and avoid their responsibilities when dealing with stress. Increased use of alcohol and drugs or suddenly smoking more cigarettes also are behavioral symptoms of stress. Men and women concerned about stress should consult their physicians and keep an eye out for any potential warning signs that stress levels are reaching unhealthy heights.
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