A Healthy Community Committed To Living Well!
fit city YOUR
April 2012 eNewsletter
Could It Be Your Thyroid? Provided by Porter Health Care System
Y
our thyroid is a tiny, butterfly-shaped gland located in your throat, in front of your windpipe. Chances are you’ve probably never given it much, if any, thought. But if you’ve ever been diagnosed with thyroid problems, you know that this small gland can have a big impact on your health. Thyroid problems are one of the most common health conditions, yet because they share many common symptoms with other medical disorders, they are frequently misdiagnosed or go unnoticed and untreated. More than 27 million Americans struggle with thyroid disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health – and of these, 13 million Americans may not even be aware they have a thyroid problem, according to a recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The reason many people remain undiagnosed is that symptoms of a possible thyroid problem are easily attributed to another cause: fatigue, anxiety, depression, irritability, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, changes in bowel habits or the menstrual cycle, difficulty concentrating, and excessively dry skin or hair. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate the speed of the body’s metabolic functions. Thyroid hormones affect many vital body functions: the heart rate, the respiratory rate, the rate at which calories are burned, skin maintenance, growth, body temperature,
muscle strength, brain and nervous system, cholesterol levels, fertility and digestion, to name a few. These hormones – known as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) – help deliver oxygen to your body’s cells and convert oxygen and calories to energy, fueling your metabolism. Thyroid hormone production is regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is made by the pituitary gland, located in your brain. When your thyroid produces too little or too much of these hormones, it can throw your body’s delicatelytuned balancing act out of kilter. Left untreated, thyroid disease can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, infertility, osteoporosis, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, anemia, arthritis, autoimmune disorders and intestinal problems. The most common thyroid conditions are hypothyroidism, where the thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone; and hyperthyroidism, in which the thyroid becomes overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone. To keep tabs on your thyroid, be sure to see your doctor for regularly scheduled physicals – and if you’re experiencing any symptoms that suggest a thyroid problem, ask for a thyroid test, a simple blood test.
A Healthy Commitment www.porterhealth.com
For more information on keeping your thyroid healthy, visit porterhealth.com and click on the Healthy Resources link.
Fit City is an initiative between the City of Valparaiso, the mayor’s office, and the Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation. Fit City programs focus on the four key areas listed below for improvement in your life:
BODY Physically being the best you can be
CHARACTER Challenging yourself by taking a step out of the ordinary
COMMUNITY Taking time for your family, engaging in social activities with friends, volunteering your time, or meeting someone new
MIND Never ceasing to discover more about yourself or the world
MARK YOUR CALENDARS Join us for a special educational event, “Could it be Your Thyroid?” During the evening, Family Medicine Physician Dr. Maria Stamp will discuss how your thyroid affects your metabolism, as well as how thyroid disorders are diagnosed and treated.
April 26 • 6 pm • FREE
Porter’s Education & Rehabilitation Campus 1401 Calumet Avenue, Valparaiso. Refreshments provided. Space is limited. Register by calling 1.800.541.1861. To find a physician, contact Porter Health System’s free physician referral line at 800.541.1861.
faces of fitness Julie Young of Valparaiso By Kari Bukur
J March 2012—Julie Young after training with personal trainer at Valparaiso YMCA.
“I’ve had to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. I now have so much more energy and confidence!”
ulie Young had
a trainer at the Valparaiso
more energy and confidence!
struggled with her
YMCA weekly. “She gave me
I am always changing it up
weight for as long as she could
a program to follow for the
so I’m not bored. I still enjoy
remember. “I’ve done all the
remainder of the week. I had
all the classes at the Y, but
diets you can imagine…but,
always been intimidated by
adding that extra resistance
I’d lose the weight and gain
the weight room, but I quickly
training has jump-started my
it all back (and then some),”
became comfortable in there
metabolism and transformed
she says. Despite being
and noticed changes in my
my body in only 3 months!”
very active -- competing in
body immediately. Not only
marathons, century bike rides
was I losing weight, but my
(100 miles!) and triathlons –
muscles looked wonderful!”
Julie wasn’t able to maintain
Months into the program,
an ideal weight.
Julie was looking forward
“Last year when my birthday
to her daughter’s wedding.
rolled around, I told my
“I was excited to try on my
husband I’d love a personal
dress and see how small I had
trainer as a birthday gift,”
gotten,” she says. “I’ve had to
she says. She got her gift
go out and buy a whole new
and began working with
wardrobe. I now have so much
October 2010 —Julie Young at the Chicago Marathon.
For 8 servings:
HEALTHY SLOPPY JOES Kid-friendly too! 2 ways to lighten your Sloppy Joe: Use a high-grade ground beef containing a low percentage of fat. Replace the traditional white bun with a whole wheat alternative.
• 1 pound extra-lean ground beef • 1 onion, diced • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1 jalapeno, minced • 1 red pepper, diced • 1 can small red beans or pinto beans, low sodium drained and rinsed • 1 1/2 cups no-salt-added tomato sauce • 2 tablespoons tomato paste • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar • 1 tablespoon molasses • 1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce • 1 teaspoon mustard powder • 3/4 teaspoon salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 8 whole-wheat burger buns
Directions:
Brown the meat and the onion in a large nonstick skillet over mediumhigh heat for 5 minutes, breaking up the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Pour the drippings out of the pan and discard. Add the garlic, jalapeno, and red pepper and cook 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes more. Place a half-cup scoop of the mixture onto each bun and serve.
Join your fit city Since Mayor Costas first introduced the Fit City initiative in 2005, more than 5,000 of us have participated in programming to make us healthier and more active. To receive a monthly e-newsletter of Fit City events and ideas to stay fit and healthy, e-mail Christy Graf at cgraf@valpo.us.
Fit City
Community Garden The Fit City initiative’s Community Garden will return to Foundation Meadows Park this spring. The Community Garden is available for planting, growing and harvesting May through October. Grow your own fruits, flowers, vegetables, and more! Reserve a garden space through the Valpo Parks office for only $20! Call 219.462.5144.
Committee Partners City of Valparaiso Porter Hospital Porter-Starke Services, Inc. Valpo Parks Valparaiso Community Schools Valparaiso University Valparaiso Family YMCA
Fit City is a Valparaiso Parks Department program.
FIT CITY c/o Valpo Parks 3210 N. Campbell Street Valparaiso, IN 46385 219.462.5144
www.valpoparks.org
fit cityEVENTS
YOUR
Ringing In Spring Kick off the running season with the region’s largest race and walk of the spring - the 18th year! 5K run/walk + two-loop 10K run April 7 • 9 am race start, walk begins a few minutes later Valparaiso YMCA, 1201 Cumberland Crossing, Valparaiso Refreshments and T-shirts to registered participants. $19 to $24, depending on date you register. Register online by April 5 at: www.ringinginspring.com
Blood Drive Tuesday April 10 • 9:30 am to noon Purdue North Central 600 Vale Park Road in Valparaiso April 10 • 2 pm to 4:30 pm Porter Starke Services 701 Wall St. in Valparaiso. http://www.valpolife.com/index.php/ health/assistance/15967-be-part-of-agiving-nation-donate-blood
Step into Spring Ahhh Spring…longer days, warmer weather and a great time to step into a new health and wellness routine. Join Family Medicine Physician Dr. Michael Mirochna as he shares ways to maintain your good health and tips on how to live longer and better. April 17 • 6 pm Porter’s Education & Rehabilitation Campus 1401 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso Refreshments provided. Free. Register by calling 1.800.541.1861.
Skincare 101 Nearly half of all Americans who live to 65 will develop skin cancer according to the American Cancer Society. Join Family Medicine Physician Dr. Zeba Ali to learn ways to lower your risk of skin cancer, as well as the importance of early detection and treatment options. April 18 • 6 pm Portage Hospital Campus 3630 Willowcreek Road, Portage Refreshments provided. Free. Register by calling 1.800.541.1861.
Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) KEEP is a FREE health screening program offered by the National Kidney Foundation for individuals at increased risk of developing kidney disease. Services provided at the screening include: Blood Pressure, height, weight and waist circumference. Blood and urine tests to check for signs of diabetes and kidney disease include: blood sugar (diabetes), Hemoglobin (anemia), urine dipstick for albumin to creatinine ratio (protein in urine), serum creatinine to measure how well kidneys are filtering blood, Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate to test for kidney function, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. No fasting is required. April 28 • 10 am to 2 pm Porter’s Education & Rehabilitation Campus 1401 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso Free • Appointments are mandatory to attend. 1.800.382.9971