Guide To Good Health_july09

a special publication of ay magazine

GOOD HEALTH 2009 GUIDE TO

The Future of Healthcare Top Health Threats Centers Work to Ensure Long Healthy Life Genetic Testing: A Valuable Tool Find the Diet for You Checkup Chart

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The Future of Healthcare Reform in the United States By Russell D. Harrington, president, CEO, Baptist Health

The issue of healthcare reform is producing a myriad of proposals, which ultimately will result in legislation. This new law will dramatically change our current system of healthcare delivery. The big problem is simple: too many Americans are without health insurance, and the number continues to grow. Currently, more than 46 million Americans exist without health insurance coverage. During the last 12 months, the percentage of people who had health insurance provided by their employer decreased by more than 3 percent — impacting more than six million people. This is the economic and societal backdrop that is pushing the political and policy agenda for near universal coverage. The key policy focuses that need to be addressed are: Delivery — how do people gain access to affordable coverage? Coverage — what level of benefits should be made available to the general population? Financing — how are these benefits to be paid and sustained for the long-term? While no one can accurately predict the future legislative outcome, it is perhaps enlightening to review some of the recent comments made by Pres. Obama regarding this critical subject. Some of these comments include the following: “Healthcare reform is not a luxury. It is a necessity.” “Soaring healthcare costs are unsustainable for families, for businesses, and for governments — federal, state, and locals.” “If we don’t initiate serious reform, one-fifth of our economy is projected to be tied up in our healthcare system within 10 years.” “This window between now and the August recess is going to be the make or break period for this important issue. I would like to have healthcare reform legislation on my desk by Oct. 1, 2009.” “We have got to reform the underlying system to include promoting the best medical practices; creating new incentives for reimbursement; getting everyone to work on prevention and wellness to help drive down cost.” “We simply cannot put more people into a broken system that doesn’t work.” So what does Pres. Obama want to see included in healthcare

2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

reform? Again, from his own words: “All Americans to have health insurance coverage.” “The development of an optional government-run insurance plan to compete with private, commercial health plans.” “Healthcare costs must be reduced.” “The payment mechanisms/incentives should be changed so that hospitals and doctors are rewarded for the quality of care they provide rather than the quantity of patients they see.” “Americans will have freedom to keep whatever doctor and health plan they have today or they can choose another.” “There must be a major focus on prevention and wellness.” “A national electronic health record is essential.” Perhaps the most critical question of all is how will this reformed healthcare delivery system be funded? Again, ideas, which come from Pres. Obama, include: Savings resulting in improvements in the health system, such as better technology and prevention efforts. Allowing the former Bush Administration’s tax cuts to expire for people earning more than $250,000 a year. Limiting deductions for charitable contributions, mortgages, and medical expenses. Trimming $175 billion from the Medicare Advantage plans. Saving $38 million by paying doctors according to the outcome of treatment rather than per-visit charge. Placing a limit on hospital readmissions. Requiring all individuals to enroll in a health insurance plan. Requiring businesses to provide health insurance for their employees. Taxing high-income workers on their employer-provided health insurance. Additional savings in the amount of $300 billion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs will help pay for reforms. Pres. Obama believes a federal government public insurance plan is needed to keep the private sector honest. In theory, this public plan, with fewer administrative costs and no need to make a profit, could provide an affordable option, especially for people without insurance. Critics of this plan to institute a federal-run public insurance plan believe that if the public plan sets premiums and provider reimbursements low, then this undercutting could destroy the private commercial health insurance market. Many believe this type of government-run insurance program will be a big step toward a national single payor system. Healthcare providers state that it is very important that cuts in reimbursement for hospitals and physicians not become the primary financing mechanism for national healthcare reform. 

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TOP HEALTH THREATS FOR MEN AND WOMEN WOMEN 1. HEART DISEASE Many people may be surprised to find heart disease affects more women than cancer. The Mayo Clinic estimates that while women develop heart disease later in life than men nearly 350,000 women in the United States die from heart disease annually. 2. CANCER This category actually includes three types of cancer: lung, breast and colorectal. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 71,000 women will die of lung cancer this year. Not surprisingly, the majority of the deaths are linked to cigarette smoking. “Breast cancer is second-leading cause of cancer death in U.S. Women”; 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2009. Colorectal disease is often thought of as a men’s disease; however, 70,763 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2003. When colorectal cancer is found early and treated, the 5-year relative survival rate is 90 percent. 3. STROKES cause nearly 160,000 deaths in the United States each year and are one of the leading causes of disability; yet nearly 80 percent of all strokes are preventable. Smoking and uncontrolled high blood pressure are two risk factors for stroke. 4. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) This disease kills more than 60,000 American women each year … as many as 24 million Americans may be affected by COPD. To minimize your risk, don’t smoke and minimize your exposure to air pollution. 5. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE Researchers are working diligently to find a cure for this disease, which is more prevalent in women than men — probably because the risk of Alzheimer’s increases with age and women live longer. Warning signs include: memory changes; changes in planning or problem solving skills; difficulty completing familiar tasks; confusion about time or place; and changes in mood and personality. 6. DIABETES Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of this disease, which affects 20.8 million Americans, and generally affects persons older than 40. 7. ACCIDENTS Traffic-related accidents and falls — about 8,300 U.S. women die from falls each year — account for a number of accidental deaths among women. 8. PNEUMONIA AND INFLUENZA Together, pneumonia and influenza kill more than 36,000 women yearly. To protect against influenza, it is important to get an annual vaccine, especially if you have a weakened immune system or chronic illness. 9. KIDNEY DISEASE Kidney failure is often due to complications of diabetes and high blood pressure. To reduce the risk of kidney disease, it is important to control one’s weight and eat a healthy diet. 10. BLOOD POISONING Blood poisoning, also known as septicemia, is a lifethreatening infection developed by the presence of bacteria or toxins in the blood. It most commonly occurs due to infections in the lungs, urinary tract, abdomen or pelvis. It is most often not preventable, but there are steps one can take to protect oneself including: washing your hands often; staying current on vaccinations; promptly treating infections; changing tampons every six to eight hours; and urinating after sex. Sources: Centers for Disease Control, cdc.gov; Mayo Clinic, mayoclinic.com; National Stroke Association, stroke.org; Susan G. Komen for the Cure, komen.org; and Alzheimer’s Association, alzh.org.

MEN 1. HEART DISEASE According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), between 70 and 89 percent of sudden cardiac events occur in men. Though heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, men often develop heart disease earlier than women. Some actions you can take to lower your risk of developing heart disease include: don’t smoke; eat healthy; exercise; maintain a healthy weight; drink in moderation; and manage stress. 2. CANCER The CDC reported that more than 280,000 men died of cancer in 2003. Lung cancer, due to cigarette smoking, is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men. The second and third most common cancers were prostate and colorectal. In 2004, 189,075 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer — 29,002 of those cases were fatal. 3. UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES This category includes “motor vehicle crashes,” including car accidents and motorcycle accidents, poisoning, falls — for example, from building and roofs — and drowning. Tips for lowering the risk of death due to unintentional injuries includes: follow the speed limit; wear a seatbelt; don’t drive under the influence or while tired; use carbon monoxide detectors; and place non-slip mats in the bathtub. 4. STROKE Although stroke affects equal proportions of men and women, men have better chances of surviving than women. Nearly $57 billion was spent directly and indirectly on strokes in 2005 according to the American Heart Association (AHA). 5. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) is “strongly associated with lung cancer,” and includes conditions, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The main cause of COPD is smoking. 6. DIABETES The AHA estimates that one-third of men who suffer from the most common form of diabetes, type 2, are unaware they have it. Many will remain so until they develop a complication, such as impotence or loss of sensation in their limbs. Other more serious complications resulting from type 2 diabetes can include heart disease, blindness, nerve damage and kidney damage. 7. INFLUENZA AND PNEUMONIA These lung infections, according to the Mayo Clinic, are especially life threatening to those whose lungs are already damaged or who have a weak immune system. One preventative measure is to have a flu shot annually. 8. SUICIDE Men commit suicide four times as often as women. Depression among men is underdiagnosed mainly because men are less likely to seek treatment. Risk factors to be aware of include: drug and alcohol abuse; divorce; unemployment; mental illness; and debilitating physical conditions. 9. KIDNEY DISEASE Kidney failure is often a complication of diabetes and high blood pressure; controlling one’s weight and developing and maintaining a healthy diet are just two steps one can take toward preventing these. 10. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE According to the Mayo Clinic, about 4.5 million older Americans, male and female, are living with Alzheimer’s disease. In 2003, more than 18,000 men died of Alzheimer’s, which usually develops in people age 65 or older. There is no way to prevent the disease; however, maintaining physical and mental fitness can reduce the effects. Sources: Centers for Disease Control, cdc.gov and Mayo Clinic, mayoclinic.com.

2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

ADVERTORIAL

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AGING GRACEFULLY As Americans get older, the healthcare system is stepping up to the plate to not only the medical community is working to lengthen our life spans, but to make our lives as fulfilling and enjoyable as possible. According help individuals maintain their physical to the U.S. Census Bureau, “in 2030, when and mental well-being thus achieve all of the baby boomers will be 65 and older, nearly one in five U.S. residents is expected to and maintain a quality of life previous be 65 and older. What’s more, this age group is generations did not know. projected to increase to 88.5 million in 2050, more than doubling the number in 2008 (38.7 million). The 85 and older population is expected to more than triple, from 5.4 million By Amy Bowers • Photographs Courtesy of UAMS to 19 million between 2008 and 2050.” and St. Vincent Health System Many facilities in Arkansas are preparRendering of the new Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging. ing for these boomers, who are quickly approaching retirement age, with programs geared towards enhancing the aging process. St. Vincent Health System welcomed Dr. David Lipschitz to their team as the director of the Longevity Center in July 2008. He accepted the opportunity after a 30-year long career at the University

More Americans are living longer, and

2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) where he worked to help create the Reynolds Institute on Aging. “I left a secure career at age 65 to take on an incredible challenge,” Lipschitz said. “My goal in life is to help revolutionize the healthcare system. During the next 15 years, the population over age 85 will increase 300 percent. It will be harder to get into an assisted living facility than Harvard University. The healthcare system as it is now will collapse in crisis. I want to revise the approach to the way health care is delivered.” Lipschitz’s method focuses primarily on preventative measures and education for seniors and their caretakers. He takes a radical approach to helping seniors feel younger, thus not only increasing their lives, but the quality of their lives. The program at the Longevity Center is two fold. First, it aims to evaluate the lifestyles of those 50 and older with the ReCenter Program, which is a comprehensive evaluation, including a complete physical; nutritional counseling; stress assessment; a customized exercise plan; a 12-week educational program; and primary care for basic medical needs. “This program is designed to prevent dependency, which is the No. 1 health threat for seniors. It is just a fact that as we get older our risk for dependency increases, and we never want to

be dependent on anyone,” Lipschitz said. Lipschitz, who is also an author and weekly columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, has created what he calls the “Passion Plan,” a series of 10 steps to increase your quality of life. Tips from the “Passion Plan” include: seek peace; embrace your faith; exercise; and be an empowered consumer of heathcare, which Lipschitz believes to be the most important. “The healthcare system business is based on the bottom line. Costs are exploding because doctors are doing unnecessary procedures. It is important to ask why you need the operation and what the side effects are.” The other purpose to the Longevity Center is to offer patients 65 and older complete, trustworthy healthcare that is “affordable, accessible and rational,” according to Lipschitz. “The healthcare system now moves patients from specialist to specialist — we are going to do it all.” The Center’s specialized staff includes geriatric physicians; social workers; neuropsychologists; a stress management counselor; a dietitian; an exercise physiologist and more. The Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at UAMS received a generous gift of $33.4 million last month, the second largest gift ever awarded to UAMS. The majority of the funds, $30.4 million, will go to the construction of four additional floors to the current one-level Institute and a pedestrian walkway to connect the facility to the Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute. The remaining funds will be given to the Arkansas Aging Initiative, an extension of the Institute on Aging that oversees eight Centers on Aging across Arkansas to fund the replication of the home caregiver training model that was developed at the Schmieding Senior Health Center, a Center on Aging in Springdale, Arkansas. “We are so excited to have received such a huge gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation; it shows an enormous vote of confidence from them to us. We have been so thankful for their support over the last 10 years,” said Dr. Jeanne Wei, director of the

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Drs. Wei, director of the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at UAMS, and Lipschitz, director of the Longevity Center at St. Vincent Health System. Reynolds Institute on Aging; she succeeded Lipschitz. “The addition to the Institute includes one and a half floors for educational purposes, half of a floor for the building’s ventilation equipment and two floors for research to come up with new and better treatments. The $3 million going to the Arkansas Aging Initiative will aim to replicate the caregiver training program started by a donation by Lawrence Schmeiding [for the creation of the Schmeiding Center] to help teach people in the community to learn to do things like move a person from a wheelchair to the bed.” The Institute on Aging currently offers seniors comprehensive healthcare. Their well-trained staff includes: geriatric nurse practitioners; pharmacists; social workers; geriatric psychologists; neurologists; neural psychologists; endocrinologists; cardiologists; and more all under one roof. “We are improving the care for older Arkansans,” Wei said. “We have a really wonderful rehab program. Anyone 50 and older can come in and sign up to workout here. We have exercise physiologists and trainers to help. Everybody who walks in gets to use the equipment and walks out a lot stronger, more

confident and less likely to fall.” The Institute also has a comprehensive memory center to help ensure the mental health of those 50 and older. “One must exercise their muscles to stay strong, the same is true of the brain. For more information on We help people St Vincent’s Longevity and their famiCenter log onto lies by evaluatstvincenthealth.com; ing their mental for more information state and helping on the Donald W. to treat them and Reynolds Institute on keep them in good Aging at UAMS, log onto mental health for uamshealth.com. as long as possible.” In that same regard, the Institute also offers a mobility assessment program to help seniors maintain their drivers’ licenses. A special drivers’ evaluation program is used to help seniors maintain their driving skills and reflexes. “We really offer a sort of one-stop shopping for seniors’ medical needs. If they are healthy, we are perfectly happy to help them stay that way; and if they are not, we are here to help,” Wei said. 

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Family history can determine many things, including a predisposition for cancer. BY JON PARHAM

Jennifer Pickus’ grandmother died in her mid 30s from colon cancer. Jennifer’s father is in his 60s and has had colon cancer three times. The first time was in his 30s. Her dad’s brother had colon cancer twice. Her dad’s sister had colon, uterine and breast cancer. “It was clear there was something in our family,” said the former Little Rock resident. “For some cancers — especially colon, breast, ovarian or uterine — a family history can be one of the best indicators of its occurrence,” said Kent McKelvey, M.D., director of cancer genetics services in the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. “About 25 percent of the roughly 150,000 new colon cancer patients diagnosed each year will have a family history of the disease,” he said, adding that geneticists will be able to find a mutation in about a third of

2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER patients who have a family history of cancer. “In our family is our genetic history. They determine the DNA code that is passed on,” McKelvey said. “In addition, a family is usually together in the same environment — eating the same things, living in the same area — so environmental exposures are important as well.” DNA is the chemical code in our cells that contains the genetic information responsible for the development and operation of an organism. It is a blueprint passed on from generation to generation. But amid all the information passed on in our DNA can be a defect or mutation that may predispose to a disease. Examining this code can help determine if one has a higher risk for developing cancer. McKelvey cautioned that one only inherits an increased risk of cancer — not the disease

itself. Not all people who inherit the genetic defect for a cancer in their genes will develop cancer, he said. For example, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) noted that women with a specific breast cancer susceptibility gene have an 80 percent chance of developing breast cancer by the age of 65. The risk is high but not absolute and family members who test negative for the genetic mutation are not exempt from breast cancer risk, according to the NCI, since over time, they can acquire breast cancer-associated genetic changes at the same rate as the general population. “Knowledge is power and through cancer genetics we can provide a patient with choices for making a more informed decision about preventive health care,” McKelvey said. “What we do in cancer genetics is prevention, since it is much better medicine to prevent a disease

from developing in the first place.”

GETTING TESTED Pickus, 38, took the first step when she was in her 20s. Knowing her family history, she sought genetics consultation and learned about the genetic syndrome that can cause inherited colon cancer. She, her father and two siblings eventually underwent genetic testing by giving a blood sample. Using a blood sample, geneticists analyze specific genes tied to cancer syndromes for defects or mutations. There are more than 30 defined cancer syndromes that increase the risk of developing specific cancers. Hundreds of genes are involved, so the physician also needs a complete patient and family history before blood is drawn for the test. The genetic test does not return a “yes” or “no” answer on whether a person will develop cancer — only that the cancer syndrome is or is not present. Sometimes, McKelvey said, the test results can be inconclusive. If a cancer syndrome is present, then the patient can consider preventive steps. Increased cancer screenings, such as an annual colonoscopy or mammogram, could catch cancer cells in development or in a precancerous state, allowing surgeons the chance to remove them. In some cases, women with a genetic predisposition for breast cancer have opted to have their breasts removed. Those with a predisposition for uterine or ovarian cancer may choose to have a hysterectomy and oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries). Jennifer Pickus’ test turned out positive. She now has an annual colonoscopy and upper endoscopy exam. Since she is finished having children, she said she is planning to have a hysterectomy and oophorectomy. She said she will encourage her two young children to be tested for the syndrome when they are older. Her two siblings also tested positive for the syndrome while two cousins tested negative, she said. “Every time you find a case of a genetic mutation, there are usually other family members with it as well. The implications can

be dramatic for a family,” McKelvey said. In the case of colon cancer, McKelvey said, if one member of a family has a genetic mutation, there is a 50/50 chance that a firstdegree relative — that is a parent, sibling or child — also will have the mutation. If the test is negative, then the person can be considered to be of “population risk” — that is at no more risk of developing cancer than the rest of the population. That can bring peace of mind, McKelvey said.

WHO SHOULD GET TESTED? McKelvey recommends consultation for: • Those with a family history of cancer, particularly if the history occurs in multiple generations or has a young age of onset. • Those with a family history of an unusual type of cancer or an unusual pattern of cancers, such as colon and uterine cancer in the same family or person. McKelvey said some may think genetic testing is too complicated. While the outcome may not be a simple yes or no, he said, the test result can offer valuable information. He noted concerns about insurance coverage may deter some from being tested. It is against federal law for an insurer to discriminate in coverage based on a genetic predisposition to disease, he said, and a more comprehensive non-discrimination law has passed the House and is now being debated in the Senate. “Genetic testing isn’t something to be afraid of,” McKelvey said. “It’s just another tool in our arsenal to prevent cancer that we didn’t have 10 years ago.” Pickus is glad she was tested. The result was scary at first, she said, but she used McKelvey’s refrain: “Knowledge is power. Now I know for sure, and I can do the things I need to do to watch out,” she said. “I wanted to have that information rather than having to wonder about it year after year.” This article first appeared in Seek, the quarterly magazine of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. 

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LOW CAL LOWDOWN

Many fad diets come and go, but a few have stood the test of time. Get the facts about these popular diets to find the right one to fit your own lifestyle, whether you prefer the support of a group, or just want to live and eat healthier. BY AMY BOWERS AND ANGELA E. THOMAS

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THE DIET CENTER DIETCENTER.COM

Jenny Craig was founded in 1983 and has more than 700 centers worldwide. Registered dieticians and “an expert Medical Advisory Board developed their program,” and each client receives a personalized program with one-on-one counseling. The Jenny Craig program offers Jenny’s Cuisine, which includes more than 80 entrees and snacks, and emphasizes exercise and lifestyle changes. Clients supplement their Jenny food with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, reducedfat dairy and healthy fats. According to Gail Manginelli who works in the corporate office. “[Our clients are taught] how to create a healthy relationship

with food, build an active lifestyle and develop a balanced approach to living.” The company provides a food/body/mind approach, expecting a one- to two-pound or one percent of the client’s body weight weekly. They offer two programs in Arkansas: 20 Pounds for $20 (plus food), their advertised special, and the Premium Program, $359, for unlimited weight loss and maintenance; it includes the benefits of the advertised special. New clients’ height, weight, activity level and age are taken into consideration, and counselors calculate a healthy weight range and BMI and generate a recommended daily caloric level.

WEIGHT WATCHERS WEIGHTWATCHERS.COM

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2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

JENNY CRAIG JENNYCRAIG.COM

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For 36 years, The Diet Center has provided one-on-one counseling and customized diets to its customers. Plan participants may weigh in daily, several times a week or weekly. Their counselors are trained professionals who meet individually with clients to determine which of the Center’s three diets best fits their lifestyle. Kristen Herring, a degreed nutritionist, is director of The Diet Center, 5901 R St., Little Rock, Arkansas. “Our programs are based on healthy eating,” Herring said. “We concentrate on behavior modification, education and meeting our clients’ nutritional needs with immediate results.” The educational aspect includes portion control and stressing the importance of exercise and water. The initial consultation, which is free, includes health and nutrition assessments, a free body composition analysis and counseling to pick a program; because each client is different and the plans are specialized, there is

no “average” cost. The Diet Center’s programs have helped clients who want to lose 10 pounds and those who wish to lose more than 200 pounds, emphasizing life changes and a change in how their clients view food. There are four Diet Centers in Arkansas and about 100 nationally.

Weight Watchers was founded in 1969 by Jean Nidetch, a New Yorker, who recruited her friends to join her as she tackled her own weight-loss challenge. The company’s goal, according to Lori Lewis, president of Weight Watchers of Greater Arkansas, is to teach people how to eat forever.

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THE ATKINS DIET ATKINS.COM

This diet is set up in four phases. During the first phase, which is two weeks, dieters eat from the base of the food pyramid — proteins, leafy greens, vegetables — no carbohydrates, which according to the Web site, helps your body burn fat as a primary fuel source. This phase is designed to jumpstart your metabolism; participants often see big results in these initial two weeks. Atkins Diet plan participants then move onto the second phase until they are within 10 pounds of their weight-loss goal. This portion of the diet includes the introduction of 5 net carb grams per week; phase one included 20 grams of carbs per day. This is comprised of additional vegetables, berries, nuts and seeds. Participants track their carbs, an online component can help with this, and adjust them as needed to

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“Our plan is based on good nutrition and eating everything. Once a client reaches his/ her weight-loss goal, they then have a sixweek maintenance plan,” Lewis said. Behavior modification, such as changing patterns, as well as exercise is key to the plan. “No food is excluded. Our plan is based on the [USDA] Food Pyramid. We believe that if you don’t feel hungry and you don’t feel deprived, you’ll stick to the plan.” Weight Watchers offers weekly meetings during which members weigh-in privately and participate in group sessions. “Our members are inspired by others in the meetings. That’s part of the magic,” Lewis said. The cost to join is $39 and $12 per week — lower if you prepay — and members do not sign a contract. Once Weight Watchers members go through the maintenance phase, he or she simply comes in monthly for weighins and becomes a lifetime member — for free. Weight Watchers has about 200 locations in Arkansas; many groups meet in hospitals, community centers, etc. You may also join online and use their mobile applications to track points and get ideas and pointers.

GREAT FOODS FOR HEALTHY MEN

FOR PROSTATE HEALTH: BRAZIL NUTS These nuts are rich in selenium, which may help reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. One Brazil nut has about 100 micrograms of selenium; 400 mcg could be toxic, so just one or two mixed with other nuts is the right amount. FOR HEART HEALTH: SARDINES Sardines are one of the best sources for heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. They are eco-friendly, packed with protein and low in saturated fat. Choose a no-salt-added, bones-in brand — for the added calcium.

FOR MOOD: EDAMAME Fiber-rich carbohydrates, such as oats and edamame, help prevent mood fluctuations by keeping your blood sugar levels steady. These pods also have protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help combat depression. You can find edamame at Japanese restaurants or frozen at your local grocers. FOR SEX DRIVE: SESAME SEEDS This food is inexpensive and rich in amino acid arginine, which is involved in synthesizing nitric oxide, a compound that enhances blood flow through the arteries and other various male body parts. Toast sesame seeds for a nutty taste and add them to salads, cooked grains or cereal. You can also enjoy them in hummus, which is made with tahini, a sesame seed paste. FOR MEMORY: BLUEBERRIES Much of blueberries’ power lies in the “blue.” The color is caused by flavonoids that protect the brain’s memory-carrying cells, neurons, from the negative effects of oxidation and inflammation. Fresh or frozen, alone or with plain yogurt or topping a cereal, these berries are fantastic. FOR ENERGY: LENTILS Lentils are also rich in fiber and protein, and they provide a good source of energy, iron, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen, and several B vitamins that are essential to energy production. FROM PARADE MAGAZINE BY JOY BAUER

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HABITS FOR A LONGER LIFE

REST UP. Getting the right amount of sleep is important to health and lifespan. A 2002 study, of more than 1 million people, found seven hours of sleep each night produced optimal longevity.

MAKE FRIENDS. Having a network of close pals may be more important than family. A 10-year study in Australia found that people with a large social network were 22 percent less likely to die during the following decade than those who report having fewer friends. USE IT, DON’T LOSE IT. Your mind and body will wither unless you use them, so exercise both. There’s no use in living to 100, if you can’t remember names or take care of yourself. Keep your brain engaged, and get your body moving. In one Harvard University study, vigorous exercise extended lifespan and reduced risk of death. MIND YOUR MIDDLE. Maintaining a healthy weight and trim waistline may be key to longevity. A recent study by the National Institute of Health found that waist circumference was a strong predictor of mortality. Measurements of more than 44 inches for men, 41 for women were associated with 25 percent higher mortality rates. GET FRESH AIR. The New England Journal of Medicine found that a reduction in air pollution in cities between 1978 and 2001 was estimated to increase the lifespan of city-dwellers by five to 10 months, depending on the amount of pollution reduction.

FROM PARADE MAGAZINE BY DR. MARK LIPONIS

2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

The South Beach Diet has three phases; the first is two weeks long. Dieters eat normalsized helpings of meat (chicken, beef ) and seafood as well as vegetables, eggs, cheese and nuts. You’ll eat three meals and two snacks daily. This phase is designed to help participants get rid of cravings for sugar and refined starches. The second phase is designed for steady weight loss; participants add to their diet whole-grains breads, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, fruits and additional vegetables. Once dieters reach their goal, they begin the maintenance plan, which includes every kind of food and a few indulgences. South Beach, like Atkins, has books and online guidance. South Beach dieters can track their weight, plan meals, keep a journal, connect with a buddy and get recipes online.

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MAKE IT A FAMILY THING. In a study of centenarians in the United States, people who had a 100-year old sibling lived longer than others born the same year. Women with centenarian siblings were 8 times as likely to be centenarians, men were 17 times as likely.

THE SOUTH BEACH DIET SOUTHBEACHDIET.COM

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EAT UP. A study of 20,000 Brits eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables daily; drinking alcohol moderately; exercising; and not smoking were habits associated with a potential 14 extra years of life.

ensure their continued weight loss. Phase Three is the pre-maintenance phase. Once participants have established the number of net carb grams he/she can eat without losing or gaining weight (your ACE, Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium) — at the ideal weight — they enter this phase. Acceptable foods include lean proteins, fruits, like bananas, peaches and strawberries, and whole grains and high fiber cereals. Once you remain at your goal weight for a month, you begin lifetime maintenance, which is phase four, during which you eat according to your ACE. For more information, read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution.

A CHANGE OF LIFE

It seems vegetarianism is becoming more popular these days. There are many reasons one may choose this lifestyle. Some chose to rid their diet of meat for ethical reasons, while others just want to eat healthier. There are four main categories for vegetarianism

including: total vegan, which is a diet of no meat or animal products including eggs, milk and cheese; lacto-ovo vegetarian, which includes a diet of no meat but includes eggs; lacto-vegetarian, which includes a diet of no meat but includes milk; and a semi-vegetarian, which excludes red meat only. There are many health benefits to eating a vegetarian diet, in addition to a lower fat intake. “There are a few things a vegetarian diet can help with, such as to lower blood pressure, decrease incidences in some types of cancer, lower risk for type 2 diabetes, lower cholesterol levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease,” Stacy Freeman, registered dietician, said. When one considers eliminating meat from one’s diet, it is essential to be informed. There will be holes in your diet that will need to be supplemented in order to stay balanced and healthy. “A vegetarian diet has to be planned correctly. It is important to see a dietician first, especially if you are planning to go total vegan,” Freeman said. “These diets take special planning because protein, calcium, iron, vitamin D and B12 may be difficult to get. It’s not that a vegetarian diet can’t meet all your nutritional needs, but it just takes more conscious planning to be sure you get those nutrients.” Freeman recommends the following to keep up with these nutrients: iron fortified cereals are a good source for iron; to get protein, try nuts, soy, legumes and peanut butter — these are sometimes referred to as “meat substitutes”; and take supplements for B12. “Some go on this diet to lose weight and to just be more health-conscious, and studies have shown that vegetarians generally have a lower body mass index (BMI) and their weight is usually better. These diets are great from a health standpoint, but it is so important to ensure that you are still getting those important nutrients.” For more information, log onto eatright. org. You can also find information at mayoclinic.com; search for “vegetarian.” 

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HEALTH DIRECTORY HOSPITALS Arkansas Children’s Hospital 1 Children’s Way Little Rock, AR 72202-3591 (501) 364-1100 or TDD (501) 364-1184 archildrens.org Baptist Health Medical Center 3050 Twin Rivers Drive Arkadelphia, AR 71923 (870) 245-2622 baptist-health.com Baptist Health Medical Center 1800 Bypass Road Heber Springs, AR 72543 (501) 887-3000 baptist-health.com Baptist Health Medical Center 9601 Interstate 630, Exit 7 Little Rock, AR 72205 (888) BAPTIST (227-8478) baptist-health.com

Baptist Health Medical Center 3333 Springhill Drive North Little Rock, AR 72116 (501) 202-3000 baptist-health.com

HealthPark Hospital 1636 Higden Ferry Road Hot Springs, AR 71913 (501) 520-2000 healthparkhospital.com

Baptist Health Medical Center 1703 N. Buerkle Stuttgart, AR 72160 (870) 673-3511 baptist-health.com

Jefferson Regional Medical Center 1600 W. 40th Ave. Pine Bluff, AR 71603 (870) 541-7100 jrmc.org

Baxter Regional Medical Center 624 Hospital Drive Mountain Home, AR 72653 (870) 508-1100 baxterregional.org Conway Regional Health System 2302 College Ave. Conway, AR 72034 (501) 329-3831 or (800) 245-3314 conwayregional.org

CALCULATE YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY  Dr Thomas Perls, founder and director, the New England Centenarian Study, has created the Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator. The study, according to MetLife Mature Market Research, is the world’s largest study of individuals 100 years and older and their families. There are more than 40,000 centenarians in the United States — 85 percent of them are women. To read the study, log onto bumc.bu.edu/centenarian; to take the quiz, log onto livingto100.com.

2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

Levi Hospital 300 Prospect Ave. Hot Springs, AR 71901 (501) 624-1281 levihospital.com Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas 2710 Rife Medical Lane Rogers, AR 72758 (479) 338-8000 mercy4u.com National Park Medical Center 1910 Malvern Ave. Hot Springs, AR 71901 (501) 321-1000 nationalparkmedical.com NEA Baptist Memorial Center 3024 Stadium Blvd. Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 972-7000 baptistonline.org North Arkansas Regional Medical Center 620 N. Main St. Harrison, AR 72601 (870) 414-4000 narmc.com

North Metro Medical Center 1400 W. Braden St., N.W. P.O. Box 159 Jacksonville, AR 72076-0159 (501) 985-7000 northmetromed.com Northwest Medical Center — Bentonville 3000 Medical Center Pkwy. Bentonville, AR 72712 (479) 553-1000 northwesthealth.com Northwest Medical Center — Springdale 609 W. Maple Ave. Springdale, AR 72764 (479) 751-5711 northwesthealth.com St. Anthony’s Medical Center 4 Hospital Drive Morrilton, AR 72110 (501) 977-2300 stanthonysmorrilton.com St. Bernards Health Care 225 E. Jackson Ave. Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 972-4100 sbrmc.com St. Edward Mercy Medical Center 7301 Rogers Ave. P.O. Box 17000 Fort Smith, AR 72917-7000 (479) 314-6000 stedwardmercy.com St. John’s Hospital — Berryville 214 Carter St. Berryville, AR 72616

(870) 423-3355 or (800) 8273355 stjohnsberryville.com St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center 300 Werner St. Hot Springs, AR 71913 (501) 622-1000 saintjosephs.com St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center 1808 W. Main St. Russellville, AR 72801 (479) 968-2841 saintmarysregional.com St. Vincent Doctors Hospital 6101 St. Vincent Circle Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 552-6000 stvincenthealth.com/doctors St. Vincent Health System 2 St. Vincent Circle Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 552-3000 stvincenthealth.com/svimc Saline Memorial Hospital 1 Medical Park Drive Benton, AR 72015 (501) 776-6000 salinememorial.org Skaggs Community Health Center 251 Skaggs Road Branson, MO 65616 (417) 335-7000 skaggs.net Sparks Health System 1001 Towson Ave. Fort Smith, AR 72901 (479) 441-4000 sparks.org UAMS Medical Center 4301 W. Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 686-7000

uams.edu/medcenter Washington Regional Medical Center 3215 N. North Hills Blvd. Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479) 713-1000 wregional.org White County Medical Center 3214 E. Race Ave. Searcy, AR 72143 (501) 268-6121 wcmc.com White River Medical Center 1710 Harrison St. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 262-1200 wrmc.om Willow Creek Women’s Hospital 4301 Greathouse Springs Road Johnson, AR 72741 (479) 684-3000 northwesthealth.com

• Convienent to these locations: St. Vincent, UAMS, CARTI & New Outlook • Spacious rooms and suites complete with Kitchenettes • Nonsmoking and handicap rooms • Courtesy transportation • Furnished aparments available by the month for extended stays 301 South University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72205 • I-630, Exit 5A (501) 664-6800 • (501) 663-7043

SPECIALTY HOSPITALS Arkansas Heart Hospital 1701 S. Shackleford Road Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 219-7000 arheart.com Arkansas Surgical Hospital 5201 Northshore Drive North Little Rock, AR 72118 (501) 748-8000 arksurgicalhospital.com Physicians’ Specialty Hospital 3873 N. Parkview Drive Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479) 571-7070 pshfay.com This list is not inclusive of all hospitals and specialty hospitals in the region. Please consult your medical professional for recommendations. 5001 Central Ave, Ste. G/H Hot Springs, AR 71913 501.525.9510 www.travelingwithstyle.net

Summer Hours: Mon-Sat 11-5:30 aymag.com

St. Bernards Healthcare has planned an afternoon of fashion, food and fundraising for their annual Runway to the Cure.

Finding a Cure with Fashion BY AMY BOWERS • PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER FREEMAN

For more information on St. Bernards’ Runway to the Cure, log onto stbernardsfoundation.org. VIP tickets are $30; regular tickets are $25 and can be purchased on the hospitals’ Web site.

2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

Mark your calendars for the St. Bernards Healthcare’s Runway to the Cure on July 24. Runway to the Cure is a fundraiser for the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure that celebrates the lives of women who have battled breast cancer. This luncheon and fashion show is upping the ante this year with more seating, great raffle items and much more. “We are totally revamping our look this year,” said Alicia Storey, Imaging Services representative for St. Bernards. “Last year, we maxed out at 250 seats, and this year we have rearranged the staging to more of a runway style to allow seating for 400.” Audience members can expect a great, emotionallycharged show accompanied by heavy hors d’oeuvres and raffle items, including a Race for the Cure package: tickets to the pasta party; a gas card; a night’s stay at a hotel in Little Rock; as well as the unveiling of the Pink Warriors new team race shirt. “We are so excited about this year’s Runway to the Cure and know it will be a great time for everyone involved and their families,” Storey said. Dr. Charlott Jones, Mary Lee Wierzba and Natalie Teague are three of the beautiful and vibrant survivor models participating in the 2009 Runway to the Cure. Dr. Charlott Jones enjoyed a very fulfilling 57-year career in teaching. She began teaching at the age of 20 and retired five years ago. She taught elementary school, high school and college

and was a museum director. She was born in Jonesboro, Ark., where she currently lives, but has lived throughout Arkansas and Texas. She experienced her bout with breast cancer when she was about 40 years old, after a routine mammogram came back negative. “I felt a pinging sensation in my breast, but it didn’t hurt,” Jones said. She decided to get a second opinion and visited a different doctor who recommended that the troublesome cyst in Jones’ breast be biopsied. “My breasts were full of cysts, which is normal for many women,” Jones said. She had a feeling that the results were not good, and her theory was confirmed when the biopsy came back positive as being malignant. “My doctor decided to operate and remove both breasts. Since my breasts were full of cysts there was no way of telling which of them might also be malignant. I remember being in the hospital after the surgery, and feeling like they were pulling off the whole front end of my body.” After the surgery, Jones’ physicians tested the rest of the breast tissue and discovered that the initial cyst that was biopsied was the only one that was cancerous. “I didn’t resent it,” Jones said. “I was sad that I lost a part of my body, but I knew that they had to do it. I didn’t have chemo or radiation, so I was lucky in that respect, and I have never had a recurrence. It’s been an interesting life, and I can’t complain.” Mary Lee Wierzba’s family received a

double shock when she discovered she had breast cancer in March 1996. After a routine mammogram screening followed by a biopsy of a suspicious lump, she was diagnosed with breast cancer only six months after her youngest sister Janice Rucks was diagnosed. Her family was alarmed, as there was no family history of the disease. “I underwent a lumpectomy followed by 15 months of chemo and seven months of radiation. I felt like I walked through the whole thing in a daze. I’d watched my sister go though it all so I knew what to expect, but it really didn’t totally hit me until the doctor said 15 months of chemo … that was just shocking,” Wierzba said. One good thing that came out of the diagnosis is the strengthened bond between the two sisters. Wierzba said they have never been closer. “No one can understand what it’s like to go through breast cancer except a person who has been through it.” Wierzba had a great support system through her illness. “I think it really scared my daughters and my husband initially, though he never said it did. Then their response was ‘OK, now what do we do to get though this.’ They all stayed so strong through the whole ordeal. My family and friends were all so supportive; they were really there for me.” Wierzba, who finished her last treatments in August 2007, and her sister are doing well — both are healthy and have experienced no recurrences. Natalie Teague received her diagnosis quite by accident in October 2007, at the young age of 37. She had gone to see her doctor for a physical when he asked if she would like to have another mammogram to be safe since there had been a mix-up on her most recent one, and the results were unclear. “I just decided ‘let’s go ahead a do it.’ Just for peace of mind,” Teague said. The results came back that Teague, who had no family history of breast cancer, was in stage one of invasive breast cancer, and her doctors decided that it must be treated very aggressively with a lumpectomy followed by six months of chemo and 31 treatments of radiation. Teague’s primary concern through her battle with breast cancer was her 3-year-old son. “I was very worried about how he would react to all of the side effects of cancer. Luckily, I didn’t have many of the adverse side effects

from the chemo except feeling very lethargic. I knew that when my hair began to fall out he would notice.” Teague had very long hair and decided when the time came to get a very short pixie cut. “When I came back from getting my hair cut, he looked at me and said ‘hi, Mom’ and didn’t even notice it. That was a big thing for me. When I had to wear a wig, and we would be out in windy weather he would say, ‘let me hold your hair on for you, Mommy.’ It never really bothered him.” Teague didn’t allow cancer to interrupt her life. She had a great support system through her friends, family and colleagues. She is now finished with her treatments, but continues to go in for regular checkups. “This has definitely made me look at life from a different perspective,” She said. “I guess this just has to happen to some people in order

to make them realize what is important and to not take life for granted.” HOW TO GET THE LOOK: On Wierzba: White linen jacket, $100, by Jones New York; white Capri pant, $25, by Alex Marie; blouse, $70, by Ralph Lauren; chandelier earrings, $18, by Catherine Stein; bracelet, $48, by Dillard’s Collection; provided by Dillard’s. On Teague: Sleeveless lime green mina dress, $159, by Antonio Melani; gold “pearl” beaded necklace, $68, by Dillard’s Collection; provided by Dillard’s. On Jones: Orange and fuchsia multicolored skirt, $108, by Nygard; sunflower shell, $59, by Jones New York; turquoise Santa Ana jacket, $119, by Jones New York; provided by Dillard’s. 

(left to right) Mary Lee Wierzba, Natalie Teague and Charlott Jones will each walk the runway escorted by family members as friends and supporters cheer them on at Runway to the Cure.

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A Unique

Approach

to cosmetic surgery

" … never forget the fact that we are partners in this venture." “I do not envision my patient relationship as a single experience. I want to take time to fully understand their needs, so that I can provide the highest level of safety, discretion, and care. Cosmetic surgery involves a lifetime of personal attention. I largely focus on the prevention of aging and, when time, the restoration of beauty and form in a natural manner. Your decision

to have surgery is an important one and should be tailored to your individual goals and needs. From the initial consult to the last

postoperative visit and beyond, I want you to feel comfortable and informed with the details of each process. Other times, we desire to restore a natural figure to that which has been removed. Reconstructive surgery continually develops to address these defects. This restorative process is equally important to our team in that we understand the emotions and trials patients endure. Our focus is to make the body whole again in the most delicate ways.”

“It is important that we, the patient and I, develop a plan that best fits that person’s natural figure, expectations, lifestyle, and budget. I believe in fundamental procedures that offer the most lasting outcomes and never forget the fact that we are partners in this venture.”

Michael Spann, M.D. Feel free to contact Dr. Spann at mspann@ arkansasplasticsurgery.com or 501.219.8388

“My fifteen years of intense undergraduate, medical school, and surgical training prepared me for the rigors of a plastic surgical practice. The options of surgeons available to individuals can be daunting. It is important that patients feel confident in the expertise I provide. I am privileged to have trained under some of the best surgeons available and I am fortunate to extend those legacies to my own practice.”

Arkansas Plastic Surgery www.arkansasplasticsurgery.com Now at two locations! 2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

9500 Kanis Rd Little Rock, AR 72205

2200 Ada Ave Conway, AR 72034

SOURCE: MEN’S HEALTH NETWORK, WASHINGTON, D.C.

CHECKUPS AND SCREENINGS

40-49

50+

Every year

3

3

3

HEMOCCULT: Screens the stool for microscopic amounts of blood that can be the first indication of polyps or colon cancer. COLORECTAL HEALTH: A flexible scope examines the rectum, sigmoid and descending colon for cancer at its earliest and treatable stages. It also detects polyps, which are benign growths that can progress to cancer if not found early.

Every 3-4 years

3

3

CHEST X-RAY: Should be considered in smokers over the age of 45. The usefulness of this test on a yearly basis is debatable due to poor cure rates of lung cancer.

Discuss with a physician

3

3

SELF-EXAMS: Breast: To find abnormal lumps in their earliest stages. Skin: To look for signs of changing moles, freckles, or early skin cancer. Oral: To look for signs of cancerous lesions in the mouth.

Monthly by self

3

3

BONE HEALTH: Bone mineral density test. Should be considered in all postmenopausal females. Discuss with your physician.

postmenopausal

3

ESTROGEN: Peri-menopausal women should consider screening for FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (leutenizing hormone) to determine supplemental estrogen therapy need.

Discuss with a physician

3

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDs): Sexually active adults who consider themselves at risk for STDs should be screened for syphilis, chlamydia and other STDs.

Under physician supervision

PHYSICAL EXAM: Review overall health status, perform a thorough physical exam and discuss health related topics.

Every 3 years Every 2 years Every year

BLOOD PRESSURE: High blood pressure (Hypertension) has no symptoms, but can cause permanent damage to body organs.

Every year

3

3

3

TB SKIN TEST: Should be done on occasion of exposure or suggestive symptoms at direction of physician. Some occupations may require more frequent testing for public health indications.

Every 5 years

3

3

3

BLOOD TESTS & URINALYSIS: Screens for various illnesses and diseases (such as cholesterol, diabetes, kidney or thyroid dysfunction) before symptoms occur.

Every 3 years Every 2 years Every year

EKG: Electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities.

Baseline Every 4 years Every 3 years

TETANUS BOOSTER: Prevents lockjaw.

Every 10 years

3

3

3

RECTAL EXAM: Screens for hemorrhoids, lower rectal problems, and colon cancer.

Every year

3

3

3

BREAST HEALTH: Clinical exam by health provider. Mammography: X-ray of breast.

Every 1-2 years Every year

3

3 3

3

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: PAP test / Pelvic exam.

Every 1-3 years

Age 18 3

3

After 3 consecutive normal tests. Discuss with your physician.

3 3

3 3 3 Age 30 3 3

WHEN

20-39

50+

WHEN

40-49

CHECKUPS AND SCREENINGS

20-39

WOMEN’S HEALTH CHECKLIST

3

Discuss

3

40-49

50+

20-39

3

3

50+

WHEN

40-49

CHECKUPS AND SCREENINGS

20-39

MEN’S HEALTH CHECKLIST CHECKUPS AND SCREENINGS

WHEN Every year

3

HEMOCCULT: Screens the stool for microscopic amounts of blood that can be the first indication of polyps or colon cancer. COLORECTAL HEALTH: A flexible scope examines the rectum, sigmoid and descending colon for cancer at its earliest and treatable stages. It also detects polyps, which are benign growths that can progress to cancer if not found early.

Every 3-4 years

CHEST X-RAY: Should be considered in smokers over the age of 45. The usefulness of this test on a yearly basis is debatable due to poor cure rates of lung cancer.

Discuss with a physician

SELF-EXAMS: Testicle: To find lumps in their earliest stages. Skin: To look for signs of changing moles, freckles, or early skin cancer. Oral: To look for signs of cancerous lesions in the mouth. Breast: To find abnormal lumps in their earliest stages.

Monthly by self

BONE HEALTH: Bone mineral density test. Testing is best done under the supervision of your physician.

Discuss with a physician

Age 60

TESTOSTERONE SCREENING: Low testosterone symptoms include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and depression. Initial screening for symptoms with a questionnaire followed by a simple blood test.

Discuss with a physician

3

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDs): Sexually active adults who consider themselves at risk for STDs should be screened for syphilis, chlamydia and other STDs.

Under physician supervision

PHYSICAL EXAM: Review overall health status, perform a thorough physical exam and discuss health related topics.

Every 3 years Every 2 years Every year

BLOOD PRESSURE: High blood pressure (Hypertension) has no symptoms, but can cause permanent damage to body organs.

Every year

3

3

3

TB SKIN TEST: Should be done on occasion of exposure or suggestive symptoms at direction of physician. Some occupations may require more frequent testing for public health indications.

Every 5 years

3

3

3

BLOOD TESTS & URINALYSIS: Screens for various illnesses and diseases (such as cholesterol, diabetes, kidney or thyroid dysfunction) before symptoms occur.

Every 3 years Every 2 years Every year

EKG: Electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities.

Baseline Every 4 years Every 3 years

TETANUS BOOSTER: Prevents lockjaw.

Every 10 years

3

3

3

RECTAL EXAM: Screens for hemorrhoids, lower rectal problems, colon and prostate cancer.

Every year

3

3

3

PSA BLOOD TEST: Prostate Specific Antigen is produced by the prostate. Levels rise when there is an abnormality such as an infection, enlargement or cancer. Testing should be done in collaboration with your physician.

Every year

X

3

3 3

3 3 3 Age 30 3 3

*African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer may wish to begin prostate screening at age 40 or earlier.

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

Discuss

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ADVERTORIAL

ARKANSAS HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION QUESTION: What are some signs of a high-quality nursing home or long term care facility? ANSWER: Finding just the right care for your loved one can seem intimidating. It is an important decision, after all, and you want to make sure your loved one receives the very best care. While many factors can affect your decision, here are a few positive signs to look for during your search: Resident-Staff Interaction: When you visit a nursing home or long term care facility, observe how staff members interact with and respond to residents. In an excellent facility, you will notice that staff members treat residents with dignity, respect and genuine concern. They respond promptly to resident needs, and develop positive relationships with residents and their family members. You should also see evidence that residents enjoy a range of entertainment options, community involvement and planned outings. Residents should be encouraged to pursue hobbies and try new activities. Find out what leisure and wellness opportunities are available for residents, and ask what measures are taken to ensure that residents of all abilities can participate. Unique Considerations: Every resident has an individual set of physical, emotional, psychological and social needs. Consequently, a nursing home or long term care facility that is perfect for one person may not be the right choice for another. Are there specific medical concerns to consider? How close is it to your home, or to other family members and friends? Determine what factors are most important for your loved one, and then evaluate whether or not a facility will meet those needs. There are many excellent nursing homes and long term care facilities to choose from in Arkansas. In fact, Arkansas has emerged in recent years as an industry leader, offering improved care and a strong foundation of facility cooperation. One of these facilities is right for you and your loved one. With some advance preparation, thoughtful questions and facility observation, you will make the right choice. 

2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

ADVERTORIAL

NORTHWEST HEALTH SUN SAFETY FOR SENIORS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR MAKING THE MOST OF SUMMER’S OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

As the weather warms up, people begin to head outdoors to enjoy the sunshine, outdoor activities and occasions that bring family and friends together. Along with these summertime activities come the mixed blessings of heat. Older adults are particularly vulnerable in hot weather to heat exhaustion or worse. After all, seniors, like everyone else, want to continue living life to the fullest, no matter the time of year. And the warming weather is a prime opportunity to encourage seniors to enjoy the summer months, while reminding them of the unique issues heat poses to people as they age. A heat emergency occurs when the heat-regulating mechanism in the body is not working correctly. The results of this malfunctioning can include high fever, collapse, convulsions, coma, and even death. What are the signs and symptoms? Symptoms can vary depending upon whether the condition is mild or severe. Early symptoms include: • Extreme sweating • Increased thirst • Nausea • Muscle cramps • Fatigue & weakness • Light-headedness & dizziness. But by following some common-sense tips, seniors can more fully enjoy the summer weather and avoid overexposure to the sun and heat. How to avoid a heat emergency? To prevent heatstroke, here are some guidelines: • Consume plenty of water and sports drinks to keep the body hydrated, replace lost energy and maintain a normal body temperature • Limit drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine, such as tea, coffee and soda, as caffeine can promote dehydration • Take frequent rest breaks • Wear light-colored and loosefitting clothing • Schedule outdoor activities during the morning and evening hours • Protect your body from the sun with sunglasses, a hat or an umbrella. With knowledge and intervention, heatstroke and its dangerous effects can be avoided altogether. Equipping older adults with information about risk factors and symptoms that can affect their quality of life is a big part of the mission of Northwest Health System’s Senior Circle Program. We want to prevent these issues from happening before they occur, so you can enjoy the summer and beat the heat! For more information about Senior Circle, call (479) 553-4306. 

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2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

ADVERTORIAL

ARKANSAS CARDIOLOGY WHY DO MY LEGS HURT? PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE – DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT Randy Minton, M.D., F.A.C.C. Clinical Cardiology, Coronary and Peripheral Interventional Cardiology Pain in the legs is a common complaint for patients and can be from skin, muscle, nerve or bone. Muscle pain with walking, relieved with rest, is known as claudication, and often is the result of poor blood flow. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) or peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is generally the cause and can be diagnosed in the clinic. PAD is “clogged plumbing” and the symptoms occur downstream from the blockage. All arteries can be affected, and with PAD, there is a 60% chance of heart blockage; 30% chance the patient will have enough heart blockage to need coronary bypass surgery. The first step is the history and physical exam with the primary physician. The simple question ‘Do your legs hurt with walking?’ will often lead to testing, the ankle-brachial index (ABI). This test uses a blood pressure cuff and a hand held ultrasound device to measure the blood pressure in the arm and the ankles. With no blockage, all pressures are equal. If either or both of the ankle pressures are below 90% of the arm pressure, significant blockage may be present and further testing is indicated. Pictures of the arteries are then obtained as an outpatient, commonly with a CT or MR scan, requiring only an IV in the arm. Some cases may require imaging in a hospital with a catheter inserted directly into the artery at the groin. Once found, the blockage can be treated. Treatment of PAD starts with control of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Total cholesterol should be below 150 and LDL (bad cholesterol) below 70. Daily aspirin will help reduce heart attack and stroke risk. Nonsmoking is an absolute for the best outcome. Exercise, can be very effective in relieving symptoms by growing “bypasses” around blockages. The patient should walk daily to the point of cramping in muscles, then rest. Once cramping resolves, resume walking. Gradually, circulation develops around the blockage, and the walking distance lengthens. These vessels will generally maintain their flow longer than the options below; however, they may take several months and many miles to develop. One medication, Pletal, can improve the pain by making the red blood cells more “slippery” allowing them to pass more easily through small arteries Procedural options for PAD should be pursued when symptoms limit daily activity or evidence of tissue damage is present. Surgical or catheter approaches are used and each has its indications and limitations. Surgical bypass grafts route blood flow around the blockages of PAD, and typically are for occluded or severely diseased arteries. This may involve artificial grafts placed in the abdomen from the aorta to the iliac arteries in the pelvis. In the legs, the patient’s vein is used from the groin to just above or below the knee, although the longer the graft and the smaller the artery, the more likely the graft will close with time. These operations require general anesthesia and 2 to 5 days in the hospital. Several weeks of recovery is required before resuming all normal activities and all medical and exercise treatments above should be applied. Catheter options for endovascular treatment are generally preferred by patients, as they are typically outpatient procedures, without general anesthesia, and have a shorter recovery time. The catheter is the size of a coffee straw and the incision is covered with a Band-Aid after the procedure. Balloon angioplasty dilates the blockage and restores normal flow. Springlike tubes, known as stents, may be placed inside to keep the artery open. Laser atherectomy uses light to vaporize blockage, especially occlusions. Directional atherectomy removes blockage with a small cutter and packs the plaque in the catheter to be removed from the artery, usually without the need of angioplasty or stents. Most patients treated with catheters are discharged the day of the procedure and resume normal activity the following day. The blood thinner Plavix is prescribed for 3 to 6 months until healing within the artery is complete, and the same medical and exercise treatments are recommended. Treatment for PAD is underused by patients and physicians often due to the fact that the right questions aren’t asked of, or by, the physicians. Maintaining the use of the legs leads to better overall health and improves heart function with decreased time in the hospital. Start with daily exercise and if symptomatic talk to your physician or seek out a specialist who treats peripheral artery disease. The sooner the problem is found, the better and more complete will be the treatment. 

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ADVERTORIAL

CARELINK CARELINK SUPPORTS FAMILY CAREGIVERS Family caregivers provide the overwhelming majority of long-term care services in the United States—approximately 80 percent. Many say that the experience of caring for a loved one is rewarding. It is also challenging. But family members don’t have to face the challenges alone; CareLink can help. CareLink’s mission is to connect older people and their families with resources to meet the opportunities and challenges of aging. The private nonprofit agency serves Faulkner, Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, Pulaski and Saline counties, providing family caregivers with the resources and support they need to maintain their own lives while caring for older loved ones. The long-term stress of caring for a family member can create serious health problems; respite is crucial for family caregivers to continue caring for their loved ones. CareLink can help not only with providing respite but also with other services to help care for older family members. Those who are just stepping into this new role may find the challenges overwhelming. A call to CareLink is the best way to begin this journey. Information and Assistance operators are trained to answer just about any question there is about aging services, including those provided by other agencies. CareLink can send a packet of resources geared specifically to family caregivers or arrange a time for a staff member to make a home visit to discuss options. More information about CareLink is available at www.care-link.org. Information and Assistance can be reached at 501-372-5300 or 800-482-6359 (voice or TDD). 

2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

ADVERTORIAL

ARKANSAS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL CARE We hear a lot about the importance of investments when it comes to making sure our later years are financially secure. But it’s just as important to invest in your health. You may not like the idea of seeing a doctor when you’re not sick, but taking care of yourself now increases the chances that you’ll have more active and healthy years to come. Here’s a list of steps you can take to prevent future health problems: • Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor about how to get the nutrition you need and about what kind of exercise is best for your body. • Get a flu shot every fall, and a pneumonia vaccine at least once after age 65. Older people are most at risk for complications from influenza. • If you’re a woman over age 40, have a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year. Breast cancer survival rates are as high as 95 percent when the disease is detected early. • If you’re a woman age 65 or older, have regular screenings for osteoporosis. Screening should start earlier for women with risk factors (including family history or menopause before age 45). • If you’re a man over age 50, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening. While medical experts disagree about the benefits, Medicare covers the two most common prostate cancer screening tests once every 12 months. • Have regular screenings for colon cancer beginning at age 50. Colon cancer is easily treated if it’s found early. There are several tests that can detect cancerous and pre-cancerous abnormalities in the large intestine, so talk to your doctor about which one is best for you. • Talk to your doctor about additional screening tests for high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma and other health conditions. Remember, your health is in your hands. Make it a priority every day. 

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2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

ADVERTORIAL

CONVACARE MANAGEMENT Located in Searcy, ConvaCare Management provides administrative services to 15 nursing and rehab centers throughout the state of Arkansas. These homes are embracing the concept coined as culture change. This shift in focus is a new way of thinking. The basic concepts of culture change deinstitutionalizes a nursing home setting, and creates an environment that is more home like and person centered. Chenal Heights Nursing and Rehab opened its doors in March 2008. This is the first newly constructed culture change building in our state. “It brings all who are involved in the care-staff, family, and the elders- to a new way of working together” said Administrator Viki Vinson. The 55,000 square foot center was built in a wagon wheel style. Contrary to many design styles that have the nurses’ station in the middle, Chenal Heights Nursing and Rehab enclosed the stations on each of the four halls. This helps in minimizing the clinical look and feel, while also aiding in noise reduction. This home has also installed a wireless call light system. The system reduces noise by using staff pagers, rather than the traditional means of alerting the nurses’ station with loud buzzing. This home was the second in the state to install this technology resulting in state regulations having to be rewritten to allow it. As part of the call light system, 40 cameras that can be viewed from the nurses’ stations are in place throughout the home to assist in monitoring the elders and their needs. Wander guard devices are also utilized via forms such as watches or pendants. Chenal Heights Nursing and Rehab also houses an on-site rehabilitation department. With over 3000 square feet, the therapy gym boasts innovative equipment and the services of physical, occupational, and speech therapies. These services are available as appropriate for those needing a short rehabilitative stay, as well as those who may require extended care. In Searcy, a replacement facility for Byrd Haven Nursing Home is well underway. Completion of this new home is planned for late summer. Using the same design and thought concepts, this home will focus on the benefits of culture change. Like the Chenal Heights home the new Byrd Haven will feature a putting green, salon, movie screen and spacious living areas. Each hallway in these homes functions as mini-communities. The dining rooms on each hall have a full size refrigerator, stove, sink, microwave, and steam tables. Staff can serve meals directly from this kitchen area, making meal service more traditional. Family style dining such as this creates an atmosphere that is more relaxed and social. Each dining room opens out onto a patio where individuals are welcome to enjoy the courtyards. “Though this is a different look for a long term nursing facility, we still provide skilled services such as trach, wound, and feeding tube care. IV and bariatric care are also available”, said Missy Stroud, Director of Operations for ConvaCare Management. Stroud said there is a lot to learn and there is not yet a blueprint for nursing homes employing the culture change concept. She said training via outlets such as Eden Alternative, a non-profit founded in 1991 by Dr. William Thomas, a geriatrician and Harvard educated person, created a foundation for the venture. The concept is finding its way into the other homes services are provided to by the company. Being admitted to a long term care facility and having to leave your home is very difficult. The slogan for ConvaCare Management is “Family Caring for Families”, something each home is encouraged to live by. 

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2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

ADVERTORIAL

BAPTIST HEALTH At first glance, James Edmondson, 43, of West Memphis, is your typical guy. He’s a busy father of three who enjoys doing a little fishing with his 22-year-old son, taking summer evening walks with his daughters who are 12 and 9, and finding time for yard work or a trip to the grocery store.  It’s not until you take a second glance at this six foot, four inch man with a lean athletic build that you notice the holster device that he is always wearing around his shoulders and waist. The device is an “artificial heart” that is keeping Edmondson alive while he waits for a heart transplant.  Four years ago, Edmondson, who always considered himself fairly healthy, was working two jobs as a driver for both FedEx and the company Pro Drivers. It was while he was on his route that those familiar with the active young man started to notice that he didn’t seem like his usual self.  While taking the stairs he started experiencing shortness of breath and was more fatigued than usual. He thought he just needed to get a little more sleep in between the two jobs, but he also began having trouble sleeping. He would feel as if he couldn’t breath or was “drowning” when he would try and lay down. James Edmondson  Late one night, Edmondson decided it was time for a visit to the ER. After running several tests and no diagnosis, doctors at his local hospital suggested that it might be pneumonia and that he should get some rest. Instead of getting better, his symptoms continued to worsen. His condition became so severe that a cardiologist was consulted and that’s when he learned that he had congestive heart failure.  He was put on several medications and told that his condition would need to be monitored. The medication helped, but his heart continued to deteriorate. Edmondson and his mother, who had been with him throughout the ordeal, learned of the transplant program at BAPTIST HEALTH Heart Center. They knew that was where they needed to go for help.  It seemed that there was no hope until he began visiting with Drs. Steve Hutchinson,  John Ransom, and Derlis Martino, physicians who are a part of the Heart Transplant team. They felt the West Memphis resident was a perfect candidate for a piece of technology that would help pump his blood, in place of his own heart, the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD).  According to the American Heart Association, more than five million Americans are living with heart failure, with about 550,000 new cases diagnosed every year. People with heart failure often have shortness of breath and fatigue. Years of living with blocked arteries or high blood pressure can leave the heart too weak to pump enough blood to the body. As symptoms worsen, advanced heart failure develops. Some patients with advanced heart failure, like Edmondson, are candidates for a heart transplant, which can dramatically improve survival and quality of life. Unfortunately, donor hearts are not always available. In fact, a patient may wait years before a suitable donor heart is found. While waiting, the condition of the heart may continue to worsen. For advanced heart failure patients the challenges of daily activities can outweigh the pleasures of life. On September 29, 2008 Drs. Ransom and Martino surgically implanted the LVAD in James and after a brief hospital stay, he was able to return to daily life with restored blood flow and more energy.  “I can’t say enough about the doctors and nurses at BAPTIST HEALTH.   I was feeling pretty hopeless before I learned about the LVAD. Now I’m back to doing just about everything I was before I got sick. Thanks to God and BAPTIST HEALTH, I’m here today.” said Edmondson.  BAPTIST HEALTH Heart Center’s Transplant program is the only medical center available in the state of Arkansas to perform adult VADs and heart transplants.  For more information on the transplant program at BAPTIST HEALTH Heart Center, call BAPTIST HEALTH HealthLine at B-A-P-T-I-S-T (227-8478).  Kristie Reed, VAD Coordinator;  A final note, James Edmondson received a new heart on May 31, 2009. He is Derles Martino, Cardiothoracic Surgeon & John Ransom, Surgical back at home in West Memphis and is expected to make a full recovery. 

Director of Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Device Program

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2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH

ADVERTORIAL

ST. JOSEPH’S MERCY With 18 medical clinics in Hot Springs and surrounding communities. St. Joseph’s has served the healthcare needs of Hot Springs and its surrounding communities since 1888. As the second oldest healthcare institution in Arkansas, St. Joseph’s is second to none in the region for its scope of services and high caliber of physicians and nurses. St. Joseph’s Mercy Health System – a large-company Gold Award recipient each of the last three years – became only the third business in the state to be presented with the prestigious Ambassador Award. The Mercy Heart Center is dedicated exclusively to the detection, treatment and prevention of heart disease. The Center includes an outpatient heart and vascular clinic with an area for vascular screenings and comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program. Our nationally certified cardiac rehabilitation program was voted “Best Cardiac Rehab” in the state by the American Association of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center is also home to the new Mercy Cancer Center. This center offers comprehensive cancer services all in one convenient location. St. Joseph’s Mercy Cancer Center offers the latest technological advances and is the only Center of its kind in South Central Arkansas. St. Joseph’s team of cancer specialists, nurses and therapists are there every step of the way during cancer treatment.­ The Women’s Center of Excellence is the first in South Central Arkansas to offer the revolutionary imaging technology of the Selenia digital mammography system. In addition to digital mammography, the Breast Center offers stereotactic biopsy, bone density, and ultrasound testing.  In addition, we have a highly professional staff made up of caring doctors, nurses, technicians and the area’s only on-staff certified lactation consultant. Together, they share one goal when it comes to maternal care - the wellbeing of you, your newborn, and your family. The Mercy Diabetes and Wound Center has become the Hot Springs area’s answer to full-service, proactive diabetes care. Our caring, experienced staff of dietitians, diabetes educators and nurses will help you learn to control your diabetes with education on eating healthy, exercising and taking your medicines the right way. 

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2009 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH