Although not all stress is bad, and at low levels, it can serve as a motivating force, stress is an enormous problem in the lives of Americans. Everyday annoyances—traffic, deadlines, even what to have for dinner—can do more than leave you feeling burned out. Stress can cause you to be less productive at your job and the constant strain of stress can wear the body down, so much that you may have to miss work. Stress also can contribute to minor ailments like headaches and back pain, to life-threatening conditions like heart disease.

WHAT IS STRESS? It all goes back to our built-in “fight or flight” instinct, which came in handy when our ancestors were confronted with extremely stressful situations—such as being chased by a saber-toothed tiger. “The stress response primes the body for immediate action,” says Joan Donley, M.D., internal medicine physician on the Baylor Plano medical staff.

WHAT CAUSES STRESS?Stress affects people differently. “Events that may be stressful for some people may not create the same negative tension in you, so it’s important for you to know your stress trigger points,” says Dr. Donley. “Knowing your stress capacity will help you learn to react appropriately and make changes to your life when necessary.” Those who have a high-stress threshold tend to have personality traits that reinforce their ability to deal well with stress. They tend to believe in their job or the task at hand, believe they have some influence in their situation, and recognize change as a positive opportunity instead of a threat.

Studies suggest that women and men react to stress differently too. According to a Harvard Medical School study, women worry about more on a daily basis than men, who only average worrying about three things, including their immediate family, job and money. The average women worries about twelve things, including the same areas men worry about, but they also tend to worry about their extended family, the home, the social and academic abilities of their kids, social ties to neighbors, friends and more.

The workplace is often a major source of stress. Long-term, intense stress levels on the job can lead to a loss of interest in one’s job and eventually lead to burnout. “One way to help prevent burnout is to strive to achieve balance and growth by not becoming too invested in one area of your life,” says Dr. Donley.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH CHRONIC STRESS? There are several healthy ways to deal with stress and help prevent illness down the road.

Take your pick: progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, prayer, visualization, meditation, relaxing music—and make it part of your life.

“I recommend yoga and Pilates to many of my patients,” adds Dr. Donley. Along with similar movement exercises like tai chi, they ease stress by developing body awareness and focusing on balance and breathing.

“Any exercise is great,” she says, “because it releases those ‘feel-good’ endorphins that have a beneficial effect on both body and mind.” Dr. Donley recommends that anyone suffering with chronic stress visit their physician. Possible treatment options include biofeedback, psychotherapy and medication if appropriate.

For a referral to a physician on the Baylor Plano medical staff please visit www.BaylorHealth.com or call 1.800.4BAYLOR (422.9567).

HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT THE BODY? “Our heart rate, breathing and blood pressure rise, we sweat, and the stress hormone cortisol releases more glucose into the bloodstream as fuel for our muscles,” says Dr. Donley. Then once the “tiger” moves off, the stress is defused and everything returns to normal.

But what if you’re not running from a tiger, you’re just running to catch the bus every day? Being under constant low-level stress is like sleeping with one eye open, says Dr. Donley. Unchecked, low-level stress can lead to physical symptoms such as:

•Decreasedimmunesystemfunction

•Increasedcholesterolandtriglycerides

•Highbloodpressure

•Fastheartbeat

•Increasedbloodglucoselevels

•Digestiveproblems

Stress can also lead to psychological symptoms, including:

•Anxiety

•Frustration

Stress-related disease is due to excessive and extended demands on a person’s coping mechanisms. Individuals who face ongoing stress symptoms should consider seeing a physician to help avoid stress-related physical illness. “It’s important to recognize when you’re under stress so you can take steps to relieve it,” says Dr. Donley. “When you reach your breaking point, it’s because so much daily stress has been allowed to build up.”

Screenings include: •Cholesterol/glucose•Electrocardiogram(EKG)•AnkleBrachialIndex(usesbloodpressurecuffstocheck

for peripheral vascular disease)

For women 40+, additional non-invasive screenings include: •CarotidIntima-MediaThicknessultrasound(checksfor

irregularities in the carotid arteries in the neck)•CardiacCalciumScore(detectsdangerousplaquebuild-

up in arteries of the heart)

MapMyWalk.com can help you work out at the right intensity for the right amount of time. It allows you to enter your starting and ending locations and gives you detail on distance, time, pace and calories burned.

According to a recent study, less than one-in-four Americans wear lip protection. Experts say the lips are not only more susceptible to aging from chronic sun damage, but are also more prone to developing serious cancers.

Some research now suggests that apple juice or apple products may aid in boosting memory. Experts say the fruit fights the effects of aging on the brain and may even help protect you from diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Putting the Brakes on Chronic Stress

Diet & Diverticular DiseaseResearch shows that your diet directly affects your health and is linked to many health problems, including diverticular disease. Terilyn Scott-Winful, M.D., gastroenterologist on the Baylor Plano medicalstaffanswersquestionsaboutthisless familiar disease.

What is diverticular disease?Diverticular disease is a spectrum of diseases including diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Diverticulosis is the presence of small pockets in the lining of the digestive tract, typically in the large intestine or colon. The prevalence of diverticular disease is age-dependent; it is less than five percent at age 40 and increases to 65 percent by age 85. Seventy percent of all patients with diverticulosis remain asymptomatic. Occasionally, the pockets become

inflamed, leading to abdominal pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits. When this happens, the condition is known as diverticulitis. 15 to 25 percent of those with diverticulosis later develop diverticulitis.

What causes diverticular disease?The disease is associated with consuming a diet lacking in fiber and water. The condition is less prevalent in Asia and Africa, where high-fiber vegetable diets are common.

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?Frequentsymptomsincludeabdominalpain and tenderness, fever, chills, nausea, and a change in bowel habits. Symptoms usually come on rapidly and cause severe pain, but occasionally, mild symptoms will intensify over a few days.

Shining the Spotlight on Women’s Hearts

HealthQuicks NEWS YOU CAN USE!

Heart disease is the number one killer of all women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. That fact, combined with studies indicating that a woman’s heart is different –literally – than a man’s, has prompted THE HEART HOSPITAL BaylorPlanotolaunchtheWomen’sCardiovascularInstitute,whichspecializes in women’s heart issues.

TheWomen’sCardiovascularInstituteoffersacardiovascularscreening clinic that provides multiple non-invasive screenings that assist with early detection. Results are provided on the spot, and recommendations are offered for necessary treatment. A physician’s order is not necessary. To schedule a screening appointment, women simply call 1-800-4BAYLOR.

TheWomen’sCardiovascularInstituteislocatedinsideTHEHEARTHOSPITAL Baylor Plano at 1100 Allied Drive. The clinic is open on Tuesdays, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano is the first and only freestanding, full-service hospital in this region dedicated solely to heart and vascular care. For a physician referral or for more information about how the hospital can serve your cardiovascular needs, call 1-800-4BAYLOR.

•Lossofmentalsharpness

•Sleepingproblems

•Chestpains

•Fatigue

•Headache

•Backandneckpain

•Irritability

•Depression

NON PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #88

LAKE DALLAS TX

August & September 2008 Events All programs held at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, in Plano Conference Room A/B, Garden Level, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register for a program, please call 1.800.4BAYLOR (422.9567).

Living Well With Cancer Information Session Mondays, August 11 & September 8. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dinner provided.

Weight Loss Surgery Informational SeminarTuesdays, August 5 & 19; September 3, 16 & 30. 6:30 p.m. Presented by Nick Nicholson, M.D., bariatric surgeon. Baylor Plano’s surgical weight loss program offers three options: gastric banding, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy to help you try to achieve a healthy weight.

Diabetes Support GroupThursdays, August 14 & September 11. 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Saturday Mammography ClinicsSaturdays, August 9 & 23; September 13 & 27. Appointments begin at 8:30 a.m. Women’s Imaging Center, Medical Pavilion I, Suite 450.

Sleep Apnea Support GroupWednesdays, August 20 & September 17. 7 to 8 p.m.

Migraines on your Mind? Wednesday, August 20. 12 to 1 p.m. Clifford Fraim, M.D., neurologist on the Baylor Plano medical staff, will discuss the symptoms and treatment options of migraine headaches. Lunch Provided.

Diabetes Self Management ProgramClasses are offered at various times. To register call 469.814.6896.

Tendinitis: Relieve the StrainThursday, September 18. 12 to 1 p.m.Geoffrey Glidden, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon, will discuss the latest treatment options for tendinitis and elbow strain.

Your Health This MonthFriday, September 26. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.Free breast cancer risk assessments and education, sleep disorder assessments and blood pressure screening will be offered. Cholesterol and glucose testing available for $10.

Feeling the BurnTuesday, September 30. 12 to 1 p.m.Feel the burn should apply to workouts, not your meals. John Hyatt, M.D., gastroenterologist, will discuss the symptoms and treatment options of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux.

Weight Loss Surgery Support GroupSecond Wednesday of every month. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Fourth Thursday of every month. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Conference room on the 4th floor. For more information, please call 214.820.7642.

TheBaylorScoliosisCenterispleasedtonowofferclinicalstudieswithBaylorResearchInstitute.TheCenteriscommittedtoresearchintheareasofpain,spinefusion, genetics, and possible scoliosis biomarkers are being investigated. One such study is the Isometric Shoulder Study, designed to assess the chronic pain that both surgical and non-surgical scoliosis patients experience as a result of their curvature. Patients who participate in this study undergo several exercises which measure their range of motion of their shoulder and cervical regions. These measurements are used toquantifythepainpatientsexperience,whichwillhelpphysiciansmakebetterdecisions regarding their treatment. For more information on the Baylor Scoliosis Centerpleasevisitthebaylorscoliosiscenter.com.

On the Research Front

How do I choose the right multivitamin?Choosingthebestmulti-vitamin can be challenging thanks to dozens of options, hard-to-decipher labeling and plenty ofadvertising.CharlesKasbarian,M.D., family medicine physician on the Baylor Plano medical staff gives us some advice on choosing the right multivitamin.

•Lookatthepercentofdailyvalueslist on the bottle label. A lot of the vitamins may say they have 100-percent of all the necessary vitamins and minerals but that would be difficult to accomplish in one vitamin and may not be the vitamin you want.

•Asupplementshouldcontainonly25to80-percent of the daily recommended value for most vitamins since you’ll probably get the remaining nutrients through your diet, and you don’t want

to overdose.

•Keepinmindwhenreading the labels that no more than 150-percent of any vitamin should be

listed.Consuminglarge amounts of vitamin

A could be toxic to your liver so make sure not to exceed 100-percent of the daily rec-ommended amount.

•Watchoutforfancymarketing claims. Don’t be enticed by claims that the

vitaminsarefromChinaorJapan or that they’re derived from

organic products.

The websites referenced herein are provided solely for the convenience of the reader. Neither Baylor Health Care System, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, nor their subsidiaries, affiliates, or community medical centers own these websites or control their content or privacy, and the reference to these websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the entities that own the websites or of the information, products, or services offered by them. Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano or Baylor Health Care System. Photography may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. ©2008 Baylor Health Care System. MOD 08100. 6thED. 40,000. 7/08

4700 Alliance Blvd.Plano, Texas 75093

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Baylor Plano Has The Answers