Southern Illinois Health & Life Magazine

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SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

November/December 2009

health&life T h e g o o d

l i v i n g

m a g a z i n e

f r o m

S O U T H E R N

I L L I N O I S

H E A LT H C A R E

UNLOCKING YOUR BRAIN’S SECRETS

An accident victim beats the odds HOUSEHOLD SAFETY,

A to Z

Where preemies thrive SOOTHE YOUR SOUL IN ANGUILLA

QUIZ: + HEALTH Which party food to choose?

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Contents

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27

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SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

health&life

November/December 2009

Features 8

Unlocking secrets Research points to new weapons against diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

12 Clinical update /

Miracle

7 Better care /

Alphabet soup · A guide to the letters after medical professionals’ names

16 Healthy living /

Best-for-you party picks · Quiz: Can you spot the healthiest soirée

comeback Excellent care and her own perseverance help a woman recover from a near-fatal auto accident.

15

selections?

18 In bloom /

Say Zen · Japanese gardens offer a refreshing antidote to a busy world.

Special care for preemies When babies arrive ahead of schedule, the neonatal intensive care unit gives families peace of mind.

24 Prevention /

Household safety, A–Z

An alphabetical guide to avoiding injuries at home

20 Escapes /

The Caribbean: unplugged

Low in profile but high on island charm, Anguilla remains a largely unknown paradise.

Departments 2 Welcome letter 3

For the record Health for kids · Vaccines vindicated · Ear no

evil · A better way to fight fever . . . and more

4

Health for her · Healthiest cities for women ·

5

Health for him · A prostate-cancer vaccine · “The

6

Choose your baby’s sex with meals? . . . and more

pill” for men? . . . and more Health for seniors · Use that snooze · Snack to stay sharp · Get strong-armed . . . and more

26

Don’t mix these 6 · Avoid these combinations

of food, drugs and herbs.

27 Glorious food /

The great pumpkin

More than a festive decoration, this orange wonder is healthy too!

28 Physician profile /

Skilled & caring

Meet a dedicated plastic surgeon and “people” person.

30 Caring people /

Faces of SIH

Images of the staffers at Southern Illinois Healthcare in action, working to provide excellent care

32 Fundraising focus /

Wheels of life

How do rumbling motorcycles help families cope with the financial strains of serious childhood illness?

COVER IMAGE : MASTERFILE

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SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

health&life THE GOOD LIVING MAGAZINE from SOUTHERN ILLINOIS HEALTHCARE

Welcome LETTER

SIH STAFF president and chief executive officer REX P. BUDDE

corporate director of marketing and communication CHERYL BENN

communications coordinator ROSSLIND RICE

Southern Illinois Healthcare 1239 East Main Carbondale, IL 62901 (618) 457-5200 SIH Call Center Physician referrals, information on classes and hospital services: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

1-866-SIH-2468 (1-866-744-2468)

WAINSCOT STAFF editor in chief RITA GUARNA

art director SARAH LECKIE

senior editor TIMOTHY KELLEY

managing editor JENNIFER CENICOLA

assistant editor KRISTIN COLELLA

editorial intern DIANE SZULECKI

Southern Illinois Health & Life is published by Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645, in association with Southern Illinois Healthcare. This is Volume 1, Issue 1. © 2009 by Southern Illinois Healthcare.

All rights reserved.

Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.

A culture of quality I AM PLEASED TO WELCOME YOU TO the inaugural issue of Southern Illinois Health & Life, which focuses on some of the most exciting advances and trends in healthcare.

Prepare to be inspired by the patient success stories documented candidly in these pages.

In this issue, you’ll learn about our affiliation with the nationally renowned Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Herrin Hospital, the dedication of the physicians and nursing staff in our neonatal intensive care unit at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, the insights of the region’s first-ever stroke neurologist, the hope a dynamic new plastic and reconstructive surgeon offers patients, and more.

Our mission and values—respect, compassion, collaboration, accountability, stewardship, quality and integrity—are at the heart of each of these stories. At SIH, we have developed a culture around high-quality care and excellent patient satisfaction so that no matter who is receiving care, they share the same great experience.

I hope you will join me in looking forward to additional issues of Southern Illinois Health & Life throughout the coming year, all full of inspiring examples of the exemplary healthcare available to the residents of southern Illinois—right here in our own backyard.

Sincerely,

REX P. BUDDE

Memorial Hospital of Carbondale St. Joseph Memorial Hospital Herrin Hospital Center for Medical Arts Miners Memorial Health Center

President and Chief Executive Officer Southern Illinois Healthcare, Carbondale, Illinois

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Health for Kids Vaccines—vindicated!

In 1998, British researcher Andrew Wakefield reported that 12 children had developed autism and gastrointestinal disorders after receiving the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Theories abounded

WEDNESDAY That currently seems to be the most popular day of the week for babies to be born: Last year, 15.4 percent more births occurred on Wednesdays than on the average day.

that the vaccine caused a gastrointestinal inflammation, which in turn released toxins into the body that led to autism. Terrified parents were left wondering whether immunization really was the safer choice, but in 2008 a new study finally put those fears to rest. After replicating Wakefield’s study, pathologists from Columbia University, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concluded there was no link between these conditions and the MMR shot, which is usually administered to 1-year-old children. To do so, they examined 38 kids with bowel ailments, 25 of whom also had autism.

They found that 20 of the autistic children were vaccinated after they developed GI troubles, and that only one autistic child had any trace of the measles virus. The CDC has long stressed the importance of inoculation as a means of disease prevention, and it seems more moms and dads are getting that message: 77 percent of U.S. tots met all their vaccination requirements in 2007.

A better way to fight FEVER Children’s Tylenol may tout itself as “pediatricians’ first choice,” but a new study published in British Medical

Journal advocates giving a

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: BANANA STOCK; MARIA BELL; MARK TOMALTY; WYETH; MAU HOMG; COURTESY OF AIRDRIVES

feverish child ibuprofen

Ear no evil If separating your son from his MP3 player sounds like an impossible task, you’ll want to invest in the AirDrives

(Advil,

Motrin)

over

acetaminophen (Tylenol). The study sought to determine if using these drugs in combination was more effective in reducing fever than administering either

for Kids headphones ($49.99; 1-888-220-

one independently for children ages 6

3650). The special patented design doesn’t

months to 6 years with temperatures of 100

block ear canals, which means incoming

degrees or higher. They found that while the

rock-’n’-roll sounds won’t damage hearing.

combination did reduce fever more quickly

And because exterior noises are audible, your

than did acetaminophen, it had no benefit

child can always remain aware of his or her

over ibuprofen alone. Side effects were similar

surroundings. From crossing the street to answering Mom’s mealtime summons, this safetyconscious headset keeps kids connected to the outside world. Sleek ear grips adjust in size for fit and comfort, while the durable magnesium casing makes them completely drop-proof.

50

in all groups. Thus, the authors conclude, parents who wish to “maximize the time that children spend without fever should use ibuprofen first,” and then consider using a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen over 24 hours.

The percentage of kids between 5 and 17 who’ve never had a cavity in their permanent teeth.

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Health for Her

BRUSH SMARTER

Ab-fab Get into shape Biggest Loser–style with trainer Jillian Michaels’ Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You ($14.95; Three Rivers Press). Our fave Michaels’ ab move:

1

Sit on the floor, your legs straight in front of you.

Raise your legs to a 45-degree angle.

2

Let your torso fall back a bit, but keep your back straight to make a V with your body.

3

Keep your arms in front of you for balance. Hold the pose for 30 seconds.

A flashbulb-worthy smile is a great incentive, but here’s another reason to keep your whites pearly: Studies have shown that poor dental hygiene can have detrimental effects on overall health— and may even lead to heart attacks when bacteria from the mouth enters the bloodstream. So brush better with the Ultreo electric toothbrush ($79.79; www.amazon.com), which uses patented ultrasound technology—a frequency even higher than that used by sonic toothbrushes—and wave bristle movement to remove plaque, massage gums, whiten teeth and reduce gingivitis.

are healthiest:

Choose your baby’s sex— with your meals?

1. Minneapolis/St. Paul/ Bloomington, Minn.

2. Washington, D.C./Arlington, Va./Alexandria, Va.

t seems your diet may affect more than just

I

3. San Francisco/San Jose/ Oakland, Calif.

who minded their calories just before conceiving

4. Denver/Aurora, Colo.

were more likely to give birth to a girl than a boy.

5. Boston/Cambridge/ Quincy, Mass.

versities analyzed the calorie consumption of 740

–American Heart Association

your waistline: A recent study found that women

Researchers from Britain’s Oxford and Exeter unifirst-time mothers before and during pregnancy.

They found that those with the highest pre-pregnancy intakes had more boys; those with the lowest had more girls. Investigators hypothesize that the reason is evolutionary: Since males require more food after birth, our bodies may have learned to produce girls when resources were scarce.

1,050 4

/

The number of extra calories you’ll consume per week if you treat yourself to a tall Starbucks latte daily. Cut it down to a more manageable 175 by drinking a tall coffee with skim milk instead.

NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2009

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ZEN SHUI; SIGRID OLSEN; COURTESY OF ULTREO; JUPITER IMAGES; D. HURST; OLGA BOGATYRENKO

Where women’s hearts

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Health for Him IN THE WORKS: a prostate-cancer vaccine

Warrior-worthy

arms

Sculpt strong triceps with dive-bomber push-ups from

The U.S. Navy SEAL Guide to Fitness and Nutrition, by the U.S. Navy ($14.95; Skyhorse Publishing).

1

Start in the leaning-rest position: Palms are flat on floor, with elbows fully extended and arms at right angles to the body. Legs are spread 3 feet apart, toes touching the floor. Torso is lifted off the ground and perpendicular to the floor, with the hips slightly lifted.

2

Bend your elbows to at least a 90-degree angle and lower your torso and chest to the ground.

3

Extend elbows to raise first your chest off the floor, then your torso, until you’ve returned to starting leaning-rest position. Repeat.

BONUS: For a higher-intensity move, perform the same exercise while supporting your weight on your fingertips instead of your palms.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COMSTOCK; D. HURST; ALAMY; COURTESY OF [HUS]

Music to your ears The hippest headphones today’s active man can use while he’s rollerblading, biking or just cruising the city streets? They just might be the offerings of Swedish clothing designer WeSC. To assure impeccable sound quality, check out the Bag Pipe (DJ Pro) model ($175), which is available at www.80spurple.com.

‘THE PILL’ FOR MEN?

A diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer gives little reason to cheer, but a recent clinical trial offers hope for men with this condition. Last year researchers from the University of Iowa reported success administering a vaccine that allowed these patients to fight off the disease. In the study, 32 men who had advanced-stage prostate cancer were given a combination of adenovirus and prostate-specific antigen (PSA); 40 percent developed immune responses to PSA, a protein whose rising levels are associated with prostate cancer, and 57 percent survived longer than predicted. A larger study is planned to see if these findings stand.

Could a birth control pill for men soon be on the horizon? Last year, an Australian team reviewed 30 studies regarding male hormonal contraception, in an effort to determine which formulation, if any, would offer an effective, safe, reversible form of birth control.

They discovered that a combination of testosterone and progestin can safely

reduce sperm output to levels “comparable to that achieved after a vasectomy,” said author Peter Liu—but not for all men. According to their report, it was less effective in non-Caucasian men. Thus, the study notes, while “considerable progress has been made,” more research is needed.

1.1 million

That’s the number of cosmetic procedures performed on men in 2007, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons—an increase of 9 percent in seven years.

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Health for Seniors

Use that snooze The secret to aging successfully? It just may be getting a good night’s sleep. In a study at the University of California at San Diego, researchers found that subjects who took fewer daytime naps and reported less nighttime insomnia fared best as they got older.

Trouble is, many seniors report getting less than the optimal seven to eight hours of sound slumber a night. To supercharge your shut-eye, doctors advise establishing a regular sleep routine that includes relaxing nighttime rituals like a warm bath. And if you do feel the need to nap, keep the snooze to under an hour and fit it in before 3 p.m.

GAME ON!

29.37

You already know that eating your veggies is key to keeping healthy. But, it seems, loading up on celery and green peppers could give you extra protection against Alzheimer’s disease. That brain boost comes courtesy of luteolin, a flavonoid in these vegetables.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana found that the compound can ease neuroinflammation, which has been linked to age-related cognitive deficits, including those accompanying Alzheimer’s. By disrupting the cellular pathways that trigger an inflammatory response, luteolin has the potential to preserve precious brain tissue, keeping your mental faculties intact.

Get strong-armed “The best gym in the world? You’re living in it.” So say Michael F. Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., in YOU: Staying Young ($26; FreePress). In the book, the docs provide a host of strength moves you can do at home, no equipment required. Among them, the punching bag, which strengthens arms and shoulders:

1

Bring your arms and elbows to shoulder height, your hands clenched into fists that are facing each other. Your knuckles are facing away from you.

2

Spin your hands around in a circle as far away from your chest as you can. Keep your shoulders relaxed, away from your ears.

3

Perform 20 repetitions in one direction, and then 20 repetitions in the opposite direction.

BONUS: For a higher-intensity move, do an additional set double-time, balancing on your toes.

That’s the percentage of baby boomers in Maine’s population, the state with the highest concentration of this age group. The lowest? Utah, at 19.7 percent.

MAINE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MASTERFILE; MICHAL STRZELECKI; FREE PRESS; JIRI MOUCKA; NINTENDO

Move over, Junior—it’s Grandma and Grandpa’s turn on the Nintendo! Meet Brain Age ($18.49; www.amazon.com), a video game for the portable Nintendo DS aimed at older consumers. More than just fun, it’s a workout for your mind, stimulating blood flow to keep it healthy. As you complete the mental tasks, the game keeps track of your score, or “brain age.”

The faster and more accurately you play, the better your ranking—and the sharper your thinking.

Snack to stay sharp?

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Better Care a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) can perform this and other general dentistry procedures because the two degrees are exactly equivalent. The title simply varies among dental universities.

NONPHYSICIAN PROVIDERS: P.A. VS. N.P. Both physician assistants

(P.A.s) and nurse practitioners (N.P.s) have graduate degrees and perform many services once reserved for physicians. P.A.s work with a physician on the premises; they can prescribe medications, examine patients and even assist in surgery. N.P.s, usually found in primary care, have more potential independence—unlike P.A.s, they may practice by themselves, and Illinois law permits them to prescribe under a physician’s supervision. Of course, complex conditions should be seen by a doctor.

EYE DOCTORS: OPTOMETRIST VS. OPHTHALMOLOGIST These

Alphabet soup YOU TRUST YOUR FAMILY’S CARE TO THESE PROFESSIONALS—BUT DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT THOSE LETTERS AFTER THEIR NAMES MEAN? HERE, A PRIMER

ALAMY

PHYSICIANS: M.D. VS. D.O. Both Doctors of Medicine

(M.D.) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) are fully licensed physicians—they simply differ in philosophy. M.D.s treat specific symptoms and diseases using modern remedies; D.O.s (just 6 percent of all U.S. physicians) focus on the body as a whole and are trained to use hands-on “manipulative” therapy to ease pain and promote healing, in addition to conventional treatments.

DENTISTS: DMD VS. DDS Need a cavity drilled? Both

doctors differ in education and scope of services. Optometrists (O.D.s) attend a four-year college of optometry and provide primary eye care (giving eye exams, diagnosing some eye diseases and visual conditions, prescribing eyeglasses, performing minor eye surgery), while ophthalmologists are medical-school graduates (M.D.s or D.O.s) who provide total eye care, from eyeglass prescriptions to surgery.

Often ophthalmologists and optometrists work in the same practice, where optometrists handle more basic care while ophthalmologists tackle more complicated procedures.

FELLOWS: This label can be confusing, as it has two meanings. The first is a title given by a society or college to physicians who have passed a rigorous evaluation.

Common designations include FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) and FACC (Fellow, American College of Cardiology). The second refers to doctors who have completed their residencies but are in the midst of undergoing more-specialized training: a general surgeon training to become a vascular surgeon, for example. ■

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Unlocking SECRETS RESEARCH POINTS TO NEW WEAPONS AGAINST DISEASES LIKE ALZHEIMER’S AND PARKINSON’S

by Francesca Moisin

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CORBIS

“IF THE HUMAN BRAIN WERE SO SIMPLE THAT WE could understand it, we would be so simple that we couldn’t,” said 20th-century scientist Emerson M. Pugh—and indeed, our quest to decipher this most enigmatic of organs has been long and arduous. But recent developments have offered a wealth of new clues that experts believe will have significant results.

One of the most noteworthy new findings comes from a decidedly unlikely source: the Quality Pork Processors plant in Austin, Minnesota. It was conditions there that led scientists to identify an illness called progressive inflammatory neuropathy (PIN)—a disorder that offers unprecedented insight into how our bodies sometimes go to war against themselves.

Last year, 12 meatpackers at the plant began to experience unusual fatigue, debilitating pain and numbness in their arms and legs. Investigating, Mayo Clinic researchers concluded that these symptoms were probably caused by the workers’ exposure to pig brain tissue.

“When those floating porcine particles were Physicist inhaled, the workers’ immune systems immediately Albert Einstein’s attacked the foreign substances, which they perceived as brain was studied harmful,” explains John W. Henson, M.D., Associate after his death Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and science editor of www.AAN.com, the American Academy for clues to his of Neurology website. But instead of stopping there, the genius. systems went on to attack the workers’ own nerve tissue as

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Keep your brain healthy Neurologists we’ve known little about. PIN gives us a unique opportunity to study an autoimmune disease in its entirety.” staying in tip-top Breakthrough therapies have also made waves in mental shape: the neurology community—in particular a gene therapy EXERCISE: “What’s procedure that accomplished the seemingly impossible: good for the heart is restoring vision to the sightless. good for the brain,” “Researchers found a way to combine genetics says Guy McKhann, with neurology for patients suffering from a rare condiM.D., Professor of tion called Leber’s congenital amaurosis, in which a Neurology and Neuroperson’s sight deteriorates from birth until he or she is science at Johns completely blind by adolescence,” says Guy McKhann, Hopkins University.

M.D., Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience at Physical activity Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and coauthor of increases blood flow, Keep Your Brain Young: The Complete Guide to Physical nourishing brain cells. and Emotional Health and Longevity.

EAT RIGHT: There’s no magic diet—“If we had one food for In a University of Pennsylvania study last year, six optimum neurological health, everyone would eat it!” says Dr. volunteers with this malady were injected with millions McKhann—but a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fresh proof copies of a working gene beneath the retina of one duce and low-fat dairy and meat products is beneficial. eye. Vision was restored to four of them, and none expeDON’T SMOKE: Brain health is one more reason to shun the rienced any serious side effects. habit, doctors say, because smoking endangers the heart and Given that the retina is part of the central nervous thus the brain’s blood supply. system, explains Dr. McKhann, “the innovation is striking, because the same treatment methodology could now AVOID DRUGS: ”Do not use cocaine, amphetamines or similar theoretically also be applied to curing other neurological drugs,” says Bhargava A. Trivedi, M.D., a stroke neurologist at diseases, including the big ones—Parkinson’s and Trinity Neuroscience Institute in Carbondale, Ill. “They top the list Alzheimer’s. All the advances we’ve made in genetics of causes of stroke among young people.” may finally start paying off.”

GET REGULAR PHYSICALS: “If you have high blood pressure, Scientists are also abuzz about new Alzheimer’s obesity, diabetes or high lipids in your blood, control of these research involving the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor factors is paramount to prevent stroke,” adds Dr. Trivedi. (atorvastatin). For a recent study dubbed LEADe (Lipitor’s Effect in Alzheimer’s Dementia) they’d they do in other autoimmune diseases. Ironically, genetic hypothesized that lowering cholesterol might halt the similarities between pigs and humans may have trigprogression of the disease, so 320 patients with mild to gered their response, says Frances Dyro, M.D., Director moderate Alzheimer’s were given Lipitor for 18 months, of the Neuromuscular Section of Westchester while another 320 sufferers took a placebo.

Medical Center’s Department of Neurology.

“Although results proved that Lipitor The average “This is very unusual,” says Dr. Dyro, “but it did not dramatically slow memory deterioraadult human gives us an idea of how the immune and nervous tion, there was a ray of light,” says Dr. brain weighs systems can interact with foreign proteins.”

Henson: MRI scans of the patients’ brains approximately PIN was thus found to be a brand-new showed that those on Lipitor had less atro3 pounds. cousin to illnesses such as lupus, multiple sclephy in the hippocampus, the brain area that rosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis. And its regulates short-term memory and one of the discovery may spur the eventual development first regions to suffer in Alzheimer’s patients. of better treatments for those illnesses (as well “Thus, the drugs did have an effect,” as safer pork processing methods). says Dr. Henson. “Perhaps the dosage wasn’t Says Dr. Henson: “The findings offer correct, or this wasn’t the ideal agent, but it fresh insight into how the human nervous and showed that a cholesterol-lowering medication immune systems work together—something may one day be used to cure Alzheimer’s.” offer these tips for

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NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2009

TOP: POLKA DOT IMAGES; BOTTOM: WITR

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YOUR BRAIN’S GEOGRAPHY This map shows key parts of the brain and what functions they’re responsible for.

PARIETAL LOBE: controls visual attention, touch perception (taste, pressure, pain, heat, cold), manipulation of objects, integration of different senses that allows for understanding of a single concept, orientation, recognition

FRONTAL LOBE: controls motor activity and integration of muscle activity, speech, thought processes (reasoning, planning, problem solving), emotions

OCCIPITAL LOBE: controls vision, receives and processes visual information

CEREBELLUM: controls coordination of voluntary movement, balance and equilibrium, some memory for reflex motor acts.

Contains: > Thalamus: controls sensory and motor functions > Hypothalamus: controls emotion, thirst, hunger, circadian rhythms, control of the autonomic nervous system > Amygdala: controls memory, emotion, fear > Hippocampus: controls the conversion of short-term memory to permanent memory

TEMPORAL LOBE: controls hearing ability, memory acquisition, smell, categorization of objects, speech

BRAIN STEM: the oldest and most primitive part of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord. Contains: >Medulla oblongata: controls vital body functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood vessels, digestion and respiration >Pons: controls heart rate, motor skills, digestion, respiration

ON THE HORIZON THE ADVANCES JUST DESCRIBED WILL SPUR NEW RESEARCH IN THE YEARS TO COME, BUT OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN

PHOTOTAKEUSA

NEUROLOGY ARE ALSO LIKELY TO MAKE HEADLINES. AMONG THOSE THAT MOST EXCITE EXPERTS IN THE FIELD ARE:

DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION (DBS). In this treatment, electrodes surgically implanted in the brain transmit electrical impulses to different regions. DBS has been used for more than 15 years to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, but just last year, European research showed that Alzheimer’s sufferers who received DBS for reasons unrelated to the disease displayed unexpected improvements in memory.

“That’s not too surprising, in a way, because DBS reaches into brain structures that make up the limbic system, which supports emotions, behavior, smell and long-term memory,” says Jon Taveau, D.O., a neurosurgeon at Trinity Neuroscience Institute in Carbondale.

“It affects the endocrine (hormone) system, the autonomic nervous system, and centers in the brain that control addictive behavior and satiation. For that reason, DBS may someday be used to treat drug addiction or obesity. But there is a long way to go before we have a

comprehensive understanding of the effects of such ‘neuromodulation’ on the brain.”

STOPPING MS BEFORE IT STARTS. Multiple sclerosis attacks the nervous system, causing numbness of the limbs and sometimes paralysis. But new treatments are available today. Recently there was good news about a decade-old drug called Copaxone (glatiramer acetate).

Says John W. Henson, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School: “It was shown to reduce by 50 percent the incidence of developing full MS in people who experience an early MS-style episode.”

CURING ILLS WITH STEM CELLS. Finally, there are stem cells—those controversial cells that have the ability to develop into many different tissue types in the body. “This topic will be bigger and more important in the coming decade, as scientists learn how to use stem cells to cure degenerative diseases, brain tumors and a host of other neurological conditions,” says Dr. Henson. ■ S O U T H E R N I L L I N O I S H E A LT H & L I F E

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Clinical Update

Miracle comeback EXCELLENT CARE AND HER OWN SPIRITED PERSEVERANCE HELP A QUILTING ENTHUSIAST RECOVER FROM A NEAR-FATAL AUTO ACCIDENT

AT 39, CARLA SHASTEEN HAS DECADES OF memories yet to create. The Herrin resident says she will pick up her love for quilting again soon. She’ll sit in the stands and watch her favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals, put a whipping on rivals Chicago or Milwaukee. And she’ll see the northern lights when she finally takes a dream trip to Alaska.

These days, Shasteen has much to smile about— but a few months ago it looked as if her infectious smile might never be seen again. On January 7, as she was completing her day as a fabric saleswoman for Blank Quilting, Shasteen was behind the wheel of her Saturn Ion just south of Indianapolis when it slid on a patch of ice she couldn’t see on the country road, spinning around on a bridge. She couldn’t control the car, and the driver of a Ford Explorer heading straight towards her had the same problem. The Explorer slammed into the

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passenger side of Shasteen’s car, ripping from its brace the driver’s seat she was buckled into. The impact left her pinned near the back of the car, and it took nearly an hour for emergency personnel to free her from the wreckage.

“Oh my God, she went that long without any care!” says her mother, Delores “Dee” Arnsmeyer.

One of the personnel heard Shasteen say just a few words before she was removed from the car—her mom’s name and one of her sisters’ names, Teresa.

And then she was silent—for weeks.

Shasteen spent the next five weeks in an Indianapolis hospital, in a coma.

“If you saw the car, you wouldn’t know how she could have survived,” Arnsmeyer says. “But they can’t tell me miracles don’t happen, because I’ve seen it. With all the great care she received, with her determination

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and with God’s help, I’ve got her back.” pushed me to get better. And I admit I wasn’t always the For those gut-wrenching five weeks, her family best patient, but I kept saying to myself that I didn’t want and friends were told the chances of Shasteen’s survival to be an invalid. I wanted to walk again.” were slim. Her severe brain trauma led to three strokes.

“Every time I see her, she improves,” says Dr. She’d also suffered a broken arm, five broken ribs and a Glennon. “She kept her eyes on the prize and worked punctured lung. hard. The staff is excited to see her progress. And it’s a Within 10 days at the Indiana hospital, Arnstestament to the entire staff that she’s in the place she is.” meyer was advised to consider removing life support. “I Her primary physical therapist was Ida Caro and just couldn’t do that,” the mom says. “I knew she was a her primary occupational therapist was Keith Thomas. fighter. But we also were told she could come back like a “Patients recover faster when families are there to complete child, or very angry—all sorts of changes could help and encourage,” says Caro. “Carla couldn’t do occur with that type of brain injury.” much her first two weeks here; she couldn’t get up from Yet as she slowly began to regain consciousness, the bed. By the third week, she wouldn’t stop trying to Shasteen began a road to recovery that still surprises walk farther and farther.”

Terrence Glennon, M.D., her physiatrist (doctor who A schedule of speech, physical and occupational specializes in physical medicine) therapy was gradually extended at the facility to which she was “Everyone pushed me to 20 and 30 minutes per session finally moved—Herrin Hospital’s several times each day. It went so to get better. And I kept well that by the fourth week Acute Rehabilitation Center.

By the time she was transsaying to myself that I Shasteen kept walking down the ferred, she still had not walked a hallway at Herrin’s facility didn’t want to be an step or spoken more than a few alone, unbeknownst to her therinvalid.

I wanted to words. “She still had a lot of pain apist, who had his back turned and was scared to move because of for a moment. walk again.” her injuries, and 20 to 30 seconds “That was a lot of fun, —Carla Shasteen was her attention span at first,” leaving him behind,” Shasteen recalls Tracy Dalton, who along says with a smile. continued with Mike Murphy gave her speech therapy. “Carla responded very well. We worked in very basic, 20- to 30second increments at first, because that’s all we could do. I knew she would be a great patient because everyone said she Carla Shasteen enjoys life, she had her family by her side and Terrence constantly and she had a great will.”

Glennon, M.D. “There’s no single predictor or measurement one can apply, with significant brain trauma, for what will happen with a patient,” says Dr. Glennon. “But Carla beat all of our expectations.”

Shasteen is the first to say her recovery is a product of the excellent care she received and the love and support of her mom, family and friends, as well as the fight she personally showed.

“The therapy I received in Herrin was incredible,” Shasteen says. “Everyone S O U T H E R N I L L I N O I S H E A LT H & L I F E

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Clinical Update

A HIGH-RANKING REHAB FACILITY Rehabilitation services offered at the Acute Rehabilitation Center at Herrin Hospital, part of Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH), have consistently ranked high in patient outcomes.

Typical stays at Herrin’s facility are shorter than state and

“We feel very satisfied with her progress,” says Thomas, impressed. “And her love of quilting helped her get her confidence back.”

That passion had taken shape during Shasteen’s formative years at fashion design school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. And the hand and arm movements needed for quilting helped therapists work with Shasteen as she progressed nicely through treatment.

When the accident occurred, Shasteen had been developing a fabric design pattern that experts said would make a national splash—and she has her sights set on submitting it sometime soon.

Now living at home with her mother in Herrin, Shasteen continues her recovery, which will take about two years. She is able to walk on her own, but her activities are still limited. She has, however, already taken a test drive with her sister, Teresa, at the Herrin High School football field parking lot.

“I was ready, and I did it,” she says, beaming that trademark Carla smile. And as for those things she still anticipates—watching the Cards, seeing the northern lights—she says, “I plan to do them all.” ■

national averages, and the extent to which a patient improves also eclipses state and national figures.

Part of SIH’s strength has been its affiliation with the undisputed national leader in care, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, of which it’s been a partner for 13 years, says Jim Osborn, executive director of rehabilitation services.

“They are the rehabilitation hospital—ranked No. 1 in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report since 1991—so they know it inside and out and we benefit from their expertise with special service training here as well as special programs at other locations,” he says.

Prior to the center’s startup in Herrin, there were no other acute rehab centers in southern Illinois. Some 6,000 patients, including Carla Shasteen (see accompanying article), have benefited from the program.

“The thing about rehabilitation is that patients tend to do better when they are closer to home, with family and friends nearby who are able to take part in the process as well,” Osborn explains.

The Acute Rehabilitation Center has 29 beds, and SIH also operates outpatient programs in Carbondale, Murphysboro, Anna and Herrin. About 150 people make up SIH’s rehabilitation services team.

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Special care for

preemies

WHEN BABIES ARRIVE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT GIVES FAMILIES PEACE OF MIND

THESE DAYS THE HOME OF ALISON AND Jeremy Keith is filled with fun and laughter, thanks to 3year-old A.J. and nearly 2-year-old Abby.

“Believe me, there is never a dull moment,” says their mom, a Southern Illinois University–Carbondale graduate and former SIUC softball pitcher.

“They are constantly on the move, doing all kinds of things, but at night they sleep and sleep,” she adds.

“We joke that when we have our next children, we’ll want them to be in the care of the NICU [neonatal intensive care unit] nurses because they swaddled our first two and they sleep right through the night all the time.”

The NICU at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale receives double rave reviews from the Keiths: Both A.J. and Abby were premature babies who required early special attention there.

“We can’t say enough about all of the nurses at NICU,” says Alison Keith. “We saw how they cared for our children and all the others—they’re a wonderful group of professionals.”

When A.J. was born August 29, 2006, about five weeks premature, he needed an eight-day stay in the NICU. “I literally cried every day,” his mom recalls. “No one could find the reason why he was premature, and when it’s your first baby, you want everything to go right.” A.J. developed jaundice during his stay, and he stopped eating for a bit. If not for MHC’s unit, the Keiths would have been forced to seek care for A.J. far away.

Abby was born December 29, 2007, about six weeks premature, and required an 18-day stay in the NICU, which is led by neonatologists Sheila OwensCollins, M.D., and Timothy Pappoe, M.D. “One of the things that stand out about our NICU is that its people are extremely dedicated,” says Dr. Pappoe. “There is a bond that forms, making it different from a typical hospital stay. Most of the people

here are parents, and they understand what parents are going through when their child is in the NICU. That elevates the care.”

Maternal Child Director Cindy Frenkel has been at the hospital since 1973 and has seen great changes in neonatal care. MHC’s unit now is a Level 2-Plus facility, the highest-rated unit in southern Illinois, and it cares for children born as early as 28 weeks into pregnancy.

About 300 newborns each year require NICU care, Frenkel says. The unit includes 13 beds, and the average stay is about nine days. “When we started the NICU, babies seemed to do much better because they didn’t have to receive care two hours away in St. Louis or somewhere else,” she says. “Bonding time is important for families at that stage.”

Besides being a great service for southern Illinois families, the unit is a recruitment tool. “Having these services available here means physicians aren’t shipping all of their patients to St. Louis or other places,” adds Frenkel. “It has allowed us to recruit a lot of obstetricians.”

As for the Keiths, the NICU gave them such peace of mind after A.J.’s care that they knew Abby would be in good hands when she was born. “The people in the unit helped us feel confident and competent about taking care of our premature son,” says Jeremy.

“Our children were in absolutely the best place.” ■ S O U T H E R N I L L I N O I S H E A LT H & L I F E

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The

best-for-you party picks THINK YOU CAN SPOT THE HEALTHIEST SOIRÉE SELECTIONS? TAKE OUR QUIZ AND SEE! WHAT TO WEAR ISN’T YOUR ONLY DILEMMA when attending a dinner party. You’ll also encounter a host of delicious—and often calorie-filled—courses. Which choice will be kindest on your waistline? Circle the answers you think are correct, then check our key to discover how much you really know about your favorite party foods!

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Healthy Living

1.

2 tablespoons of crab dip OR 2 tablespoons of guacamole?

12.

1 serving of lemon sorbet (1⁄2 cup) OR 3 chocolate-covered strawberries?

of mashed potatoes 2. 1ORcup1 large plain baked potato?

salmon fillet (5 ounces) 13. 1ORgrilled 1 pork loin (5 ounces)?

of meat lasagna 3. 1ORserving 1 serving of penne with vodka sauce?

of fried calamari 14. 1ORcup1 serving (6 pieces) of fried oysters?

meatballs 4. 2ORcocktail 2 deviled egg halves?

of pretzels 15. 1ORounce 1 ounce of veggie chips?

of smoked gouda cheese 5. 2ORcubes 2 mini mozzarella balls?

HOW’D YOU FARE?

6.

6 ounces of filet mignon OR 1 serving (9 ounces) of chicken marsala?

of rice pilaf 7. 1ORcup1 cup of creamed spinach? of honey-baked ham 8. 3ORounces 3 ounces of roasted turkey? tossed salad with 2 tablespoons ranch 9. 1dressing OR 1 hard dinner roll? of pecan pie 10. 1ORslice1 piece of chocolate cake with frosting?

1

1 bowl of vanilla ice cream ( ⁄ cup) 11. OR 2 chocolate chip cookies?

2

0–5 CORRECT: Those mysterious extra pounds that just happen to appear whenever your calendar books up just got a little less mysterious. But fear not, social butterfly: Use this quiz and check upon the calorie counts of other party favorites to make healthier selections in the future.

6–11 CORRECT: Your impressive knowledge has likely saved you from more than a few party-food pitfalls, but there’s always room for improvement. Do you easily spot the healthy appetizers and entrées but face confusion with tantalizing desserts—or vice versa? Whatever the case, brushing up on your nutrition facts will serve you well at your next soirée.

12–15 CORRECT: Bravo! You’ve successfully pinpointed the lighter fare with remarkable astuteness, so you can leave a party without the slightest tinge of guilt and uncertainty—as long as you listen to that intuition. That way, you’ll be sure to enjoy a happy and healthy social life. ■

ANSWERS: 8. 3 ounces of honey-baked ham: 125 calories 7. 1 cup of creamed spinach: 140 calories (1 cup of rice pilaf: 220 calories) 6. 6 ounces of filet mignon: 350 calories (1 serving of chicken marsala: 373 calories) 5. 2 mini mozzarella balls: 140 calories (2 cubes of gouda: 200 calories) 4. 2 cocktail meatballs: 75 calories (2 deviled egg halves: 98 calories) 3. 1 serving of meat lasagna: 400 calories (1 serving of penne with vodka sauce: 842 calories) 2. 1 cup of mashed potatoes: 237 calories (1 large plain baked potato: 278 calories) 1. 2 tablespoons of guacamole: 50 calories (2 tablespoons of crab dip: 95 calories) S O U T H E R N I L L I N O I S H E A LT H & L I F E

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15. 1 ounce of pretzels: 110 calories (1 ounce of veggie chips: 120 calories) 14. 1 cup of fried calamari: 300 calories (1 serving of fried oysters: 368 calories) 13. 1 pork loin: 200 calories (1 grilled salmon fillet: 250 calories) (1⁄2 cup of lemon sorbet: 140 calories)

12. 3 chocolate-covered strawberries: 123 calories 11. 1⁄2 cup of vanilla ice cream: 145 calories (2 chocolate chip cookies: 156 calories) 10. 1 piece of chocolate cake with frosting: 235 calories (1 slice of pecan pie: 452 calories) 9. 1 dinner roll: 167 calories (tossed salad with ranch dressing: 181 calories) (3 ounces of roasted turkey: 176 calories)

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by Jeff Iorio

Say

Zen

JAPANESE GARDENS OFFER A REFRESHING ANTIDOTE TO A BUSY WORLD

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moats and streams were thought to protect sacred ground.

“Japanese gardens are very playful,” says Nathan Schofer, landscape designer at Plant Specialists in Long Island City, N.Y. “They use tricks to get you to interact with the garden. Unlike a Western garden, where you’re made to feel a command over nature, a Japanese garden makes you feel a part of it.”

Creating an environment that encourages such interplay is not as daunting as it may sound, and there are many options for homeowners looking to incorporate Japanese aesthetic style. You might choose a rock garden, tea garden, Zen garden or water garden—each of which has its own conventions. Over their 1,500-year history, Japanese gardens have embraced many decorative elements, including ponds, gazebos, bridges and

© GARRY BLACK / MASTERFILE

LATE ENGLISH POET ALFRED AUSTIN ONCE said, “Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.” Indeed, what you grow and how you arrange the little slice of nature that is your garden is no insignificant matter. Japanese gardens in particular embody more than mere horticultural preference—the natural, minimalist forms reflect a way of life, and can be the perfect retreat for those who enjoy leisurely sipping green tea and meditating on questions without answers.

Whereas Western gardens are characterized by geometrically planted trees and awe-inspiring blooms, Japanese gardens instead aim to mimic nature in all its asymmetric, often unassuming beauty. Symbolism plays a large role; the ancient Japanese believed that a place surrounded by rocks was inhabited by gods, while

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JUNIORS BILDARCHIV/ALAMY; © CORBIS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In Bloom stone lanterns. With time (and DECORATIVE CHARM. inspiration), you’ll be able to Bridges are a wonderful create an atmosphere conornamental addition. Many ducive to quiet introspection.

Japanese gardens feature a Here’s how to start mapping yatsuhashi—a narrow bridge your private nirvana. constructed in eight sections A SOOTHING FLOW. with several sharp turns.

Whether you’d prefer a founThe bridge’s slender span tain, a meandering stream or a and sudden bends force visikoi pond, water is an integral tors to proceed slowly, allowpart of Japanese gardens. The ing time to contemplate the sound of a cascading waterfall small, often hidden beauty goes a long way toward mufin the world. Another classic fling the unsettling backJapanese design element, ground noise of everyday life. O P P O S I T E , lanterns are hallmarks of a tea garden. stone lanterns, traces its oriA simple yet elegant option is A B O V E , sand represents water; rocks signify land in gins to the gardens’ use in to build a bamboo fountain tea ceremonies. Experiment this Zen garden. BELOW, Want water? Try a koi pond. that flows into a stone basin. with putting tea lights inside If you decide to incorporate your lantern as the sun sets water into your garden, be sure to include a properly to create an enchanting aura of tranquility. installed pump and filter—moving water keeps itself A SEPARATE PEACE. However you decide to sculpt clean and prevents mosquitoes from breeding. your garden, the most important point is to reserve a GREEN WITH SERENITY. Strive for various shades of space for yourself—somewhere you can go to forget green and a variety of textures: smooth mosses, perky about life’s petty annoyances. Place a table and chairs ferns, austere pines. Some landscaping favorites are in your favorite nook, and retreat there when you’re azaleas, lily turf, Japanese red and black pines and (for feeling overwhelmed. ■ groundcover) dichondria and creeping jenny. Take special care, also, to choose plants of varying height; the eye should be drawn to all corners of the garden.

A TOUCH OF ZEN. One of the most recognizable Japanese gardens is the most abstract form, where white sand represents flowing water and rocks represent mountains or waterfalls. These simple, waterless landscapes, called karesansui, are heavily influenced by the principles of Zen Buddhism.

Even if you don’t opt for a full-blown incarnation of the dry garden, you might consider including some smaller-scale homage to the form.

What appears to be sand is actually crushed granite (about 2 millimeters in diameter), and comes in shades of white and beige. If the area gets a lot of sun, a darker granite is preferable to avoid a potentially blinding glare. The large stones used in a Zen garden will serve as the landscape’s focal point; rock islands are often built to resemble a tortoise or crane, both symbols of longevity in Japan.

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ESCAPES

The Caribbean: unplugged

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LOW IN PROFILE BUT HIGH ON ISLAND CHARM, ANGUILLA R E M A I N S A L A R G E LY U N K N O W N PA R A D I S E runs approximately $1,300 per night and includes a daily continental breakfast, shuttle service between facilities, free tennis clinics and a number of supervised children’s programs.

Cap Juluca’s buildings lie on a milelong stretch of beach along Maundays Bay on the island’s southwestern end. One of the vacation’s simple pleasures was opening the dark, Brazilian walnut doors every morning and peering through the terrace’s pristine-white archways to the azure sea beyond. Cap Juluca abounds with such understated luxuries, from resort staffers who periodically bring beachgoers a cold moist towel to the black lacquer box that arrives on your patio each morning overflowing with succulent fresh fruit. Relaxation is at a premium.

With that in mind, we chose to embrace the resort’s

ALL IMAGES: CHRIS CALDICOTT

MANY TRAVELERS BELIEVE THERE ARE NO more secrets left in the Caribbean. Reel off a long list of Saint Something-or-Others and to each one you’ll get a cool, “Been there, done that.” Somehow, though, Anguilla has managed to maintain a level of anonymity that belies its breathtaking beauty and star power. With shimmering turquoise water and serene, powdery beaches, we discovered this slice of the Caribbean to be largely unspoiled—a rare find indeed. Whitewashed Moorish architecture gives the island a wondrously exotic feel, like a transplanted Casablanca in the sea.

Among Anguilla’s handful of exclusive resorts, a few can cost upwards of $40,000 per week. We wanted luxury, but weren’t quite ready to break the bank to that degree, and thus opted for Cap Juluca, where a junior suite

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ESCAPES

A Caribbean kayak excursion offers close-up views of the azure blue water.

don’t miss this

Shoal Bay Scuba runs PADI

certification for those looking to experience Anguilla’s underwater glory. It’s located at Kú hotel (1-800-8695827; www.shoalbayscuba.com), and a three-day open water certification course costs $375.

Scenery meets serenity with Cap Juluca’s yoga by the sea.

extensive menu of spa and wellness programs. The services are seemingly endless: from facials and aromatherapy to shiatsu massage and volcanic clay body masks. There are couples and prenatal massages as well as group yoga and tai chi. If none of these sound appealing, well, you probably need a massage more than you’re willing to admit.

Treatments are divided into three categories, from light-to-moderate pressure (group one) to more intense therapies designed for hardier souls (group three). We began with the reflexology—a group two selection in which specific points in the feet are manipulated—and can attest that it was one of the best foot massages we’ve ever had. On the other hand, the lomi-lomi massage, from group one, was far more intense than expected. Based on techniques of Hawaiian Kahuna healing, in which the forearms create rhythmic strokes, the 90-minute treatment wasn’t the feel-good session we anticipated, and at times actually hurt.

We’d heard that spas had begun carving out niches 22

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by offering New Age–style treatments, and indeed Cap Juluca hosts a mind-body-spirit program one week each month. Among the services are astrology, transpersonal work and shamanic healing. Initially skeptical, we’d decided to keep an open mind. After all, this was a five-star resort, not some storefront psychic. As it turned out, these sessions were the highlight of the treatments we received.

Astrologist Hubert Delamotte, a genial Frenchman with a waxed mustache, had studied the time and place of our birth before the session. His comments were insightful rather than predictive. And Diana Bourel, who seemed more like a sister than a transpersonal therapist, was amazingly accurate in identifying life issues that perhaps we hadn’t wanted to face. Through a variety of mind-body techniques, she gently prodded us to deal with unfinished business. Most amazing of all, however, was our session with shaman Thierry Liot. Using crystals, gemstones and essential oils, Liot manipulated different points in the body to free blocked energy. During the session, he pinpointed personal, traumatic issues he simply could not have known about. His accuracy was uncanny, and as he worked, we sincerely felt the trauma being released, causing a true physical sensation that bought on tears.

Awakening one’s soul can be draining, and what better way to celebrate newfound enlightenment than with some serious beach relaxation? Until visiting Cap Juluca,

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A shady terrace offers panoramic views and a respite from the sun.

we never truly knew what lounging meant. Here, one can easily lay claim to a beach chair and not stir until sunset.

When hunger strikes, you simply raise a little service flag and a personal attendant magically appears. The staff, most of whom have worked at Cap Juluca for more than a decade, go out of their way to please. One afternoon, our beach attendant went on his lunch break and casually asked if he could bring anything back for us. We had a sudden craving in the interim and ordered, prompting a wounded look upon his return. “Why didn’t you tell me you were hungry?” he asked.

Don’t be misled: There are plenty of alternatives for travelers hoping to fight the seductive lure of daiquiri-induced inertia.

The resort package includes a variety of water sports, including sailing, windsurfing and water skiing. There are also snorkeling excursions to Prickly Pear Cay, where parrot fish, Sergeant Majors, trigger fish and other colorful sea creatures dart from reef to reef. Halfday excursions cost $65 per person, full-day trips are $125 and include lunch and drinks. Anguilla is a top-tier diving destination and is especially well-known for its intentionally sunk shipwrecks.

Avid golfers who have avoided Anguilla in the past no longer have any excuse: The Greg Norman–designed Temenos Golf Club, which opened in late 2006, is available to the public. The course’s first hole offers a spectacular panoramic view of Saint Maarten and the surrounding sea, and promises to be one of the finest 18-hole tracks

in the Caribbean.

In a way, Anguilla offers the best elements of an island getaway without the drawbacks. In some Caribbean spots, there’s a sense that locals view tourists with cool aloofness. Here, the positive vibrations are authentic.

Everyone is quick with a “good morning,” and the upbeat attitude works wonders on your psyche. Even if you bring back just a small slice of Anguillan amity in your carry-on, you’ll be better off than you were at the start. ■

tables

to

try

PIMMS (264-497-6666) Considered Cap Juluca’s top restaurant, Pimms features swoon-worthy French-Asian cuisine

a

few

steps

from

the

Caribbean Sea. Not convinced? Try the tuna and scallop tartar with butterflied tomato, seaweed salad and, yes, beluga caviar.

ZARA’S (264-497-3229) Those looking to dine in style but not break the bank should check out this creative nook, located poolside at the Allamanda Beach Club.

Charismatic

chef

Shamash

Brooks

serves

Italian

fare

with

Caribbean flair, including inspired creations such as the “Rasta Pasta” and what some have called the “best lobster in Anguilla.”

UNCLE ERNIE’S (264-497-3907) This open-air beach hangout on Shoal Bay East is a local favorite. A dish of jerk chicken or barbecue ribs is a reasonable $6, and a cold bottle of Red Stripe can be had for $3. Live music plays constantly, either from Ernie’s or Madeariman Reef next door.

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PREVENTION

by Debbie Bolla

Household safety, A–Z T

wenty-one million. That’s the number of yearly healthcare visits directly attributable to home injuries—many of them from sources you’d never suspect. From paper shredders to

jumper cables to lint, danger is lurking in many unexpected places, but thankfully, most injuries can be easily prevented. Read on for an alphabetical guide to keeping your abode injury-free.

A

LUMINUM COOKWARE—or stainless-steel cookware with an aluminum core—may melt when placed empty or nearly empty on high heat. The melted aluminum can then drip onto skin, resulting in burns.

B

LEACH mixed with cleaning products can create toxic fumes. Combining these substances produces chlorine-active compounds and releases chlorine gas, which can cause acute lung damage. Use the products separately and rinse between applications.

C D

HILD-RESISTANT LOCKS should be installed on any cabinet that contains medications, matches, lighters or cleaning supplies and is within reach of little ones.

RILLS can cause fire, electric shock and injury if used improperly. Wear safety goggles and avoid loose-fitting clothing (oversize sleeves can get caught around the drill). Don’t touch the bit after use since the piece may be hot and can cause severe burns.

E

F G

IVE-GALLON BUCKETS should be kept on countertops when full, to prevent any risk of drowning.

Young children, looking in or grabbing for suds, may end up headfirst underwater.

ASOLINE CONTAINERS should be filled to only 95 percent capacity in order to allow for heat expansion. Store in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from sources of ignition. When filling up, never carry portable gasoline containers in the trunk of 24

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NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2009

H I

EDGE TRIMMERS powered by electricity can cause hearing damage and eye injury from flying debris. Always wear earplugs and protective eyeglasses when operating these devices.

CE PATCHES are likely to form on the ground outside your home if gutters and downspouts become clogged with leaves, branches and other debris. To prevent slips and falls, install guards on gutters to keep them clear and have salt on hand in case ice patches do develop.

J

UMPER CABLES that spark near a car’s battery can cause the battery to explode. (Car batteries contain highly flammable hydrogen gas.)

Take care not to reverse the jumper connection or touch the cables’ ends together.

K

EROSENE HEATERS can help supply warmth during a power outage, but can cause fires if used improperly. Accidents can result from using gasoline instead of kerosene in the heater, inadequately ventilating the space or spilling the kerosene indoors. Be sure to keep kerosene in a clearly marked container, use only in well-ventilated areas and refill the heater outdoors.

L

INT BUILDUP in the dryer or exhaust duct can block the flow of air and cause excessive heat and, potentially, a fire. Be sure to clean the lint filter before and after each load. Replace plastic or foil duct material (which can trap lint) with a corrugated semirigid metal duct, which maximizes airflow.

M

AGNETS, often found in children’s toys like building sets and jewelry, can cause intestinal perforations and blockages if they are ingested. Carefully inspect toys for missing pieces and throw away any loose magnets. Keep toys with magnetic

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: BETH VAN TREES; SEAN MACD; HELIOS

LECTRICAL CORDS should be regularly inspected for damage. Never nail or tack the cords, and do not store them under heavy objects, as excessive pressure may lead to overheating and an electrical fire.

a car because escaping vapors can easily ignite.

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pieces away from children under 6 years old.

N O

ONSKID SURFACES can help prevent falls on wooden decks, basement floors and steps.

Create one by applying an acrylic paint with rubber particles.

VERLOADED ELECTRICAL SOCKETS are at high risk for overheating and producing an electrical fire. Use an extension cord only when needed and return to the “one plug per socket” rule of thumb after use.

P

APER SHREDDERS have been known to trap the fingers of young children who don’t release the item they are shredding soon enough.

Unplug shredders when not in use and make kids aware of their potential danger.

U V

NANCHORED FURNITURE can fall and result in trauma and broken bones. Secure bookcases and entertainment centers to the wall and floor with brackets.

IDEOTAPE your home and valuables to create an inventory, which helps ensure fair compensation from your insurance company in the event of a burglary or fire.

Include name, date, time and location on the recording. Store the tape in a safe place such as a bank safety deposit box.

W

INDOW-BLIND CORDS should be kept out of the reach of children, who may become strangled if caught in the cord. Further reduce the risk of injury by cutting looped cords and installing a safety tassel at the end of each pull cord.

Q

-RAY FLUORESCENCE TECHNOLOGY can detect lead and other harmful elements in household items such as toys, paint, soil and more. Lead professionals can quickly screen such items using an XRF analyzer, a gun-shaped instrument. To find out how to get your home tested, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.

R

ARD WORK causes more than 230,000 injuries per year, from back pain to hearing loss to death. Use common yard tools like lawn mowers and weed whackers with caution, and always wear safety glasses and earplugs when operating any electricpowered machinery.

UALITY OF THE AIR in your home can negatively impact your family’s ability to breathe freely—especially if someone in your family has a history of suffering from seasonal or year-round allergies or asthma. One solution: Invest in a highefficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which removes 99.97 percent of airborne particles.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ANKE VAN WYK; JIRI PAVLIK; GUALBERTO BECERRA; VINICIUS TUPINAMBA

inches from the house (moisture can attract the critters).

ADON is an invisible, odorless gas and the second leading cause of lung cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one in 15 homes has elevated levels, and recent testing has revealed that granite countertops release radon after installation. Find out how to get your home tested at www.epa.gov/radon.

S

PACE HEATERS can reach temperatures up to 140 degrees—hot enough for blankets, drapes and newspapers to catch fire without direct contact. Keep units 3 feet away from flammable objects and place only on hardwood floors.

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ERMITES cause $2 billion of damage each year.

Keep the pesky insects away by storing wood in an enclosed shed, cleaning rain gutters and keeping your air conditioner tank at least 4

X Y

Z

INC OXIDE—a main ingredient in several over-thecounter topical creams including Desitin, Caladryl and some sunscreens—can cause fever, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. If someone in your family swallows this substance, immediately call 911 and have them drink water or milk if they are alert and not yet vomiting. ■

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PREVENTION

Don’t mix these 6 A HALF-DOZEN COMBINATIONS OF FOOD, DRUGS AND HERBS ARE MUSTS TO AVOID. HERE’S WHY o your habits hold hidden hazards? Could be, if you’re mixing certain foods,

D

drugs and herbal remedies that can interact dangerously in your system. Here

are six such combinations you should shun, and the reasoning behind each. And remember: Keep your primary care doctor informed about all medications and herbal remedies you take regularly.

1 Grapefruit + Lipitor

Grapefruit may boast myriad nutritional benefits, but its interaction with the cholesterollowering medication Lipitor isn’t so sweet.

Grapefruit products, including the fruit, grapefruit juice and grapefruit supplements, are believed to slow the activity of the enzyme the body uses to metabolize Lipitor. Consequently, Lipitor levels in your blood may soar, increasing your risk of developing myopathy, a neuromuscular disease characterized by muscle weakness, and rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which the muscle fibers break down and kidney failure sometimes ensues.

2 Warfarin + Dong quai

The Native Americans first discovered the medicinal powers of echinacea centuries ago, utilizing the spinycentered flowering plant to treat infections and wounds.

Today echinacea is sold as an herbal supplement to alleviate cold and flu symptoms and help the body fight infection. But because of its powerful ability to boost the immune system, avoid echinacea if you’re taking drugs intended to inhibit immune function, such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf) and corticosteroids (Kenacort, Medrol, Deltasone), because the herb may block the medications’ effect.

5 Digoxin + high-fiber foods

Though they’re touted for their ability to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, high-fiber foods such as oatmeal and bran muffins should not be consumed in large quantities if you’re taking Digoxin, a medication that regulates heart function. Fiber may impair the body’s ability to absorb Digoxin into the bloodstream, diminishing the drug’s effectiveness.

3 MAO inhibitors + tyramine

If you’re taking MAO inhibitors (brand names Nardil, Parnate, Marplan), an older class of antidepressants used to treat atypical depression, steer clear of Chianti wine, chicken liver, aged cheeses and other foods and beverages containing high levels of tyramine to avoid a hypertensive crisis. Here’s why: MAO inhibitors work by blocking monoamine oxidase, the enzyme that also metabolizes tyramine.

With monoamine oxidase suppressed, tyramine levels in the body can build up and increase blood pressure to potentially fatal levels.

6 Theophylline + caffeine Attention asthma sufferers: If you’re taking theophylline (Elixophyllin, Uniphyl, T-Phyl), a prescription medication that relaxes and narrows the airways, rethink those ’round-the-clock cups of tea and coffee. Theophylline and caffeine are so closely related—they both belong to the xanthine family and bear a similar chemical structure—that consuming caffeine products in large quantities with theophylline can overload your system, triggering toxic effects such as nausea, vomiting, rapid or irregular heartbeat and jitteriness. ■

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: AMLET; STOCKBYTE/ALAMY; ALESSANDRO D’ESPOSITO

You’ll find Dong quai, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, in a host of women’s supplements to relieve menstrual cramps, ease menopausal symptoms and regulate periods. But if you’re taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), a blood thinner prescribed to prevent heart attack and stroke, consuming Dong quai simultaneously can increase your risk of bleeding because of the herb’s blood-thinning effects.

4 Echinacea + immunosuppressant drugs

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Glorious Food

by Kelly Jones

The great pumpkin MORE THAN A FESTIVE DECORATION, THIS ORANGE

RECIPE SOURCE: WWW.CDKITCHEN.COM/RECIPES; IMAGE: FOODCOLLECTION.COM/ALAMY

WONDER IS HEALTHY TOO!

WHEN THANKSGIVING COMES around, the big orange fruit you carved for Halloween becomes the source of everyone’s favorite traditional dessert: pumpkin pie. But in truth the versatile pumpkin is more than a decoration or an ingredient for sweet indulgence. It’s also a pretty respectable source of nutrition.

The pumpkin is believed to have originated in Central America as far back as 5500 B.C. In the 17th century, the Pilgrims encountered it as a staple of the Native American diet. The colonists quickly adopted the pumpkin as part of their lifestyle, and travelers even took seeds back to Europe to share with family and friends.

Hollowing out the shell; filling it with milk, honey and spices; and then baking it over the embers of a dying fire produced an early version of pumpkin pie.

But famous as it is, the pie isn’t the limit of the pumpkin’s culinary promise; just ask television’s The Iron Chef. On one episode of the series, the chefs created fried pumpkin balls, pumpkin salad, sautéed pumpkin, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin crouton soup and even a pumpkin cappuccino. And why not? Pumpkin is cholesterol-free; low in fat and sodium; rich in vitamin A, the antioxidant beta-carotene and potassium; and also high in fiber. Its seeds are even believed to help men avoid prostate cancer.

Surprisingly, this great fruit first took on its signature role as an understudy. Jack-o’-lanterns were an old Irish tradition for All Hallows’ Eve celebrations, but originally turnips, rutabagas, gourds, potatoes and beets were carved out and lit up. The pumpkin’s larger size and easier-to-carve shell made it an ideal replacement.

Though you may have picked a giant for your front

Pumpkin dip SERVES 8

2 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1

⁄2 teaspoon ginger

1

⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup brown sugar • Place pumpkin puree and cream cheese into a large bowl and mix together.

• Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate at least four hours.

• Serve with crackers, gingerbread, celery, carrots, etc.

porch, choose a smaller pumpkin—about 3 to 5 pounds— for cooking. Also, check for a hard rind, 1 to 2 inches of stem, and few bruises and blemishes. Ultimately, shape doesn’t matter, but keep in mind that a 3-pound pumpkin will make about 1 pound of puree. To prepare, first remove the stem. Cut the pumpkin in half with a sharp knife, then remove seeds and the stringy mass from inside. After that, follow the directions for whatever recipe you choose.

Providing spooky illumination on Halloween and tasty pie thereafter, the pumpkin is a proven holiday classic. Enjoy! ■ S O U T H E R N I L L I N O I S H E A LT H & L I F E

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Physician Profile Aisha White, M.D.

Skilled & caring THIS DEDICATED PLASTIC SURGEON IS PROFICIENT IN THE OPERATING ROOM, BUT THAT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING

AISHA WHITE, M.D., UNDERSTANDS destruction. Her family had to flee their home in New Orleans amid the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Her first visit to southern Illinois was on May 8, the day a rare “inland hurricane” tore off roofs, destroyed trees and did millions of dollars worth of damage.

But when it comes to damage to human bodies caused by trauma or cancer, she does more than understand. Professionally, as a skilled plastic surgeon, Dr. White can make a critical difference in people’s recovery—especially because she combines technical proficiency with a devoted, caring personal approach.

Just as storm survivors turn to others for assistance, Dr. White’s patients, including women who have undergone lumpectomies or mastectomies as a result of breast cancer, look to her for help in rebuilding their lives.

“No matter what type of surgery is required, it’s nice to help restore both function and aesthetics to people,” she says. “That correlates to their activities and their daily living as well as their self-confidence.”

For Dr. White, who performs a full range of plastic surgery including cosmetic procedures, one of the most rewarding parts of practice involves working with women through The Breast Center of Southern Illinois Healthcare, offering options for same-day breast reconstruction following surgery.

Jennifer Badiu, administrative director of cancer care services for SIH, says the addition of Dr. White is a real plus. “She provides a huge added value to our patients,” says Badiu. “She offers them possibilities. It’s nice to know that patients have someone who understands and has their best interests at heart.”

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NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2009

the procedures they are considering. Unlike the stereotypical plastic surgeons of television dramas, she is cordial and considerate of her patients.

“What is so beneficial is the type of physician she is,” Badiu explains. “She’s a dynamic force; vibrant and energetic, with just the right mix of empathy. Her enthusiasm is comforting and contagious.”

When she’s not doing a procedure, the doctor can often be found taking time to sit down over coffee with a nervous patient, or personally calling an insurance company to make certain a procedure is covered. Providing this level of care is what she thinks medicine is all about.

“It’s really nice to be at a place where you feel like you can personally help somebody and make a difference,” says Dr. White. “That’s what I’m excited about.” ■

A welcome new arrival A native of New Orleans, Aisha White, M.D., comes to Carbondale from Chicago, where she received her medical degree at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She specializes in multiple facets of plastic surgery; including facial reconstruction, breast reconstruction, hand and finger surgery and cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, abdominoplasty and skin care treatments.

Dr. White is currently practicing at Center for Medical Arts and The Breast Center. She will move into her permanent location at Office Place at Route 13 and Reed Station Road in December. To schedule an appointment, please call 618-549-5361.

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Caring People

Faces of SIH Southern Illinois Healthcare looks at every day as an opportunity—an opportunity to truly provide the best in patient care. SIH’s mission and values focus on respect, compassion, collaboration, accountability, stewardship, quality, respect and integrity. Here are some of the best of SIH—in action.

2.

1.

5.

4.

3.

7.

9.

8.

1. Antwon Anderson, Environmental Services, charms patients and colleagues with his vibrant personality at Saint Joseph Memorial Hospital.

2. Nurse Jennifer Kretz is a reliable voice of strength in the medical-surgical department at SJMH. 3. Katie Calcaterra dispenses needed medications and sound advice at the Center for Medical Arts Pharmacy.

10.

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6.

4. The determination of Michael Scott, M.D., is on display during a break in the action in the busy ER at SJMH. 5. Memorial Hospital’s Fran Menard greets patients, staff and guests almost every day with her warm smile.

6. Memorial nurse Mindy Dudenbostel prepares for the next patient in a fast-paced ER. 7. Volunteers at Memorial play a vital part in SIH’s pursuit of com-

passion and stewardship.

8. Camaraderie: At SJMH, nurse Ashley Jansen and nurse’s assistant Mia Reilly discuss patient care in the med-surg department.

9. Physician’s assistant Michael Staff provides a steady calm that reassures his patients in the Prompt Care Clinic at the Center for Medical Arts.

10. Herrin Hospital ER nurse Lynsie Campbell has a caring approach to patients.

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ESCAPES Fundraising Focus

Wheels

of life

“Improving the quality of life for needy individuals and families facing a financial burden resulting from the medical treatment of cancer and other childhood diseases.”

—Mission statement, Coach Kill Cancer Fund

To find out more, visit www.coachkillcancerfund.org.

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MORE THAN 1,400 MOTORCYCLES rumbled through the highways and hills of southern Illinois in August as part of Kroger’s annual Poker Run for the Fund, which has benefited the Coach Kill Cancer Fund for the last three years.

To date, the ride has generated more than $125,000 for the Coach Kill Cancer Fund, created by and named for former Southern Illinois University football coach Jerry Kill. SIH’s Community Benefits Department administers the Fund, which has helped hundreds of southern Illinois patients and their families. The financial assistance can be used for medical costs due to cancer or other childhood diseases not covered through private and public means. Fund proceeds also help with associated expenses such as transportation and lodging. ■

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