Photo By Romeo Duncombe-Clarke By: Jeannette Matlock - RHI WESTCHASE, FL – obert R. had been living with hemorrhoids since he was a teen. Back in those days, hemorrhoids were not a subject that was discussed and Robert’s father simply brushed his son’s condition aside. Robert learned to live with the oc- casional pain. Fast forward to Robert in his 50s, when the frequency of pain increased along with protrusions. His primary care physician recommended surgery but warned him it would be painful with a long recovery time. He also warned that Robert might not be able to resume some of the activities he enjoyed. Again, Robert waited and endured the pain and inconvenience. One day Robert heard a commercial on a local Tampa radio station about a new procedure offered at Advanced Hemorrhoid Solutions. He made an appointment to learn more. Dr. Linh Nguyen explained the UltroidTM treatment, an innovative, painless, safe and conve- nient alternative to painful surgery. It is a non-invasive procedure, in which no cutting, burning or heat is involved. This is a great comfort to patients seeking relief from pain, bleeding and discomfort, but who shy away from surgery. In many cases, this procedure renders tradi- tional surgery completely unnecessary. Patients save money and time there are no hospital stays, anesthesia, pre-op planning, long uncomfortable healing times or post-op follow-ups needed. The UltroidTM device, a breakthrough in painless hemorrhoid treatment, works by causing “electrolysis” to occur beneath the skin. A small electrical current is applied to the base of the hemorrhoid with a probe. The electrical current works with chemicals that exist naturally in the human body. Nothing is injected into the hemorrhoid. During the process, water molecules are broken down into hydrogen (H+) and hydroxide (OH-). The hydrogen is released in the form of small gas bubbles and the hydroxide combines with so- dium (Na+) in the blood, forming sodium hy- droxide, which targets the irritated vein and causes it to shrink. While Robert was a little apprehensive, he figured he had nothing to lose and decided to have his first treatment that same day. He said it was “unbelievable how easy and gentle the treatment was.” So gentle in fact, he said “I almost fell asleep during it.” R Photo By Romeo Duncombe-Clarke
Transcript
Photo By Romeo Duncombe-Clarke
By: Jeannette Matlock - RHI
WESTCHASE, FL – obert R. had been living with hemorrhoids since he was a teen. Back in those days, hemorrhoids were not a subject that was discussed and Robert’s father simply brushed his son’s condition aside. Robert learned to live with the oc-casional pain.
Fast forward to Robert in his 50s, when the frequency of pain increased along with protrusions. His primary care physician recommended surgery but warned him it
would be painful with a long recovery time. He also warned that Robert might not be able to resume some of the activities he enjoyed. Again, Robert waited and endured the pain and inconvenience.
One day Robert heard a commercial on a local Tampa radio station about a new procedure offered at Advanced Hemorrhoid Solutions. He made an appointment to learn more.
Dr. Linh Nguyen explained the UltroidTM treatment, an innovative, painless, safe and conve-nient alternative to painful surgery. It is a non-invasive procedure, in which no cutting, burning or heat is involved. This is a great comfort to patients seeking relief from pain, bleeding and discomfort, but who shy away from surgery. In many cases, this procedure renders tradi-tional surgery completely unnecessary. Patients save money and time there are no hospital stays, anesthesia, pre-op planning, long uncomfortable healing times or post-op follow-ups needed.
The UltroidTM device, a breakthrough in painless hemorrhoid treatment, works by causing “electrolysis” to occur beneath the skin.
A small electrical current is applied to the base of the hemorrhoid with a probe. The electrical current works with chemicals that exist naturally in the human body. Nothing is injected into the hemorrhoid. During the process, water molecules are broken down into hydrogen (H+) and hydroxide (OH-). The hydrogen is released in the form of small gas bubbles and the hydroxide combines with so-dium (Na+) in the blood, forming sodium hy-droxide, which targets the irritated vein and causes it to shrink.
While Robert was a little apprehensive, he
fi gured he had nothing to lose and decided
to have his fi rst treatment that same day.
He said it was “unbelievable how easy and
gentle the treatment was.” So gentle in fact,
he said “I almost fell asleep during it.”
R
Photo By Romeo Duncombe-Clarke
PAGE 2 NOVEMBER | 2008 “Tell our advertisers you saw them here fi rst”
PAGE 3NOVEMBER | 2008“For questions about advertising, call 813-872-4448”
The word “laser” is actually an ac-ronym, standing
for Light Amplifi ca-tion by Stimulated
Emission of Ra-diation. The fi rst
working laser was developed in 1960
and was described as “a solution look-ing for a problem.”
Visible light, which we need to see objects in ev-eryday life, appears white. This light is a combi-nation of many different wavelengths all bounc-ing around in different directions spreading out as they travel from the source. Two of the distinct features of laser light are that it has only one spe-cifi c wavelength, and the light travels in intense parallel lines and does not spread out.
Each laser has a special material inside called a medium, which is stimulated to a higher atomic state with some type of energy, usually a bright fl ash lamp. The type of medium determines the wavelength of light produced by the laser. For ex-ample, when stimulated, the alexandrite crystal produces light at a wavelength of 755nanometers (nm) and the precious stone ruby produces light at 694 nm.
Because the light produced is a specifi c color or wavelength, each laser also has a target color that it is attracted to. This is always different from the color of the laser light. When using lasers to remove hair, the target color is dark brown (the melanin of the hair shaft). For vein removal, a laser that targets the red color of blood inside the vein is used. In the case of facial resurfacing or ‘laser peel,’ a laser wavelength is used that is attracted only to the water in the top layers of skin. In each case, light energy turns to heat inside the skin, which damages the target to produce a clinical effect.
During the past decade, the use of lasers by aesthetic medicine practitioners and dermatologists worldwide has grown tremendously. It is exciting to realize that to-day’s technologies are just the beginning.
ADVERTISEMENT
James Markham, R.E., C.M.E.James is licensed by the Florida Board of Medicine to practice Electrology and laser hair removal. He is currently on staff at Tampa Laser Touch in Westchase. In 1999, he became one of the fi rst practitioners to use the Candela alexandrite laser for hair removal in Florida. His areas of expertise include laser tattoo removal and facial rejuvination. He fi nds satisfaction helping patients reach their aesthetic improvement goals. For more information call 813-MY-LASER or visit www.mylaser.com
PAGE 4 NOVEMBER | 2008 “Tell our advertisers you saw them here fi rst”
For more information about Dr. Nguyen, his clinic and the Ultroid ™ treatment
procedure, visit Advanced Hemorrhoid Solutions’ website at
http://www.donotsufferinsilence.com or call to schedule a free
consultation at 813-920-9799.
ADVERTISEMENT
The process is indeed painless, with the patient awake during the procedure. Any potential for discomfort is related to a feeling of “pressure” that may be unfamiliar to the patient. The physician can control that pressure, decreasing it as the patient com-municates with him. During the procedure Dr, Nguyen provides a fl at screen TV so patients can watch DVDs to take their mind off the treatment.
The procedure is convenient, taking only 10 to 20 minutes, so a patient does not have to miss days of work or other activities. A hemorrhoid requires an average of three treatments, one every two to three weeks. It took only three treatments for Robert to feel complete relief from hemorrhoids. Being self-employed, it was important to him that he did not have to miss work.
The vast majority of Americans are unaware of this non-invasive, non-surgical, safe and effective treatment for hemorrhoid disease. That is something Dr. Nguyen wants to change -- and patients can be confi dent in his expertise. He has performed more than 3,000 Ultroid TM procedures during his four years as a specialist and has seen no major complications for any of his patients.
Dr. Nguyen reports a more than 90 percent success rate using the UltroidTM treatment device. There are few, if any, recurring hemorrhoids after treatment.
Dr. Nguyen is happy to announce the addition to his staff of Dr. Bich-Ngoc Pham, a board-certifi ed licensed family physician. Dr. Pham has been in practice for the past eight years, and has been in private practice for the past four years in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was one of the fi rst and leading clinical physicians to utilize the Ultroid Hemorrhoid procedure for treatment of internal hemorrhoids in the New Orleans area. She has performed over 1,500 Ultroid procedures in her private practice.
Robert sings the praises of Dr. Nguyen,
Dr. Pham and Advanced Hemorrhoid
Solutions. “I’d recommend it to anyone
suffering from hemorrhoids.” He feels it
would be foolish to have surgery when
this easy and gentle treatment is avail-
able.
The UltroidTM treatment is FDA-ap-
proved and covered by most medical
insurance and Medicare.
To learn more about Advanced Hem-
orrhoid Solutions, visit their web site
at http://donotsufferinsilence.com/ or call
(813) 920-9799 in Tampa or (727) 209-
0214 in Pinellas Park.
If you are ready to live pain free, don’t
continue to suffer in silence. Contact the
staff at Advanced Hemorrhoid Solutions
and get relief today.
Dr. Nguyen reports a more Dr. Nguyen reports a more than 90 percent success than 90 percent success
rate using the UltroidTM rate using the UltroidTM treatment device.treatment device.
CONTINUED FROM COVERCONTINUED FROM COVER
PAGE 5NOVEMBER | 2008“For questions about advertising, call 813-872-4448”
featuresfeatures1&41&4Advanced Hemorrhoid Solutions Advanced Hemorrhoid Solutions will Soothe Your Silent Sufferingwill Soothe Your Silent Suffering(cover story)(cover story)
33A Brief History Of LasersA Brief History Of Lasers
1010Dramatic Decrease in Disc Dramatic Decrease in Disc Lesion SizeLesion Size
1212For Diabetics: Important Foot & For Diabetics: Important Foot & Ankle CareAnkle Care
1313Body By Design: Body By Design: Get Your Life BackGet Your Life Back
1515Tired of Feeling Tired?Tired of Feeling Tired?...........................................................................
in in every every issueissue55 | | Publisher’s and Publisher’s and Editor’s NoteEditor’s Note
6 6 | | Everyday FitnessEveryday FitnessFat Burning Foods You Can Gobble UpFat Burning Foods You Can Gobble Up
77 | | Health DiscoveriesHealth Discoveries 8-9 8-9 | | Tribute to Non-Profi t Tribute to Non-Profi t (Feature Story)(Feature Story)Gulfside Regional Hospice: Gulfside Regional Hospice: Comfort, Care & CompassionComfort, Care & Compassion
Debbie’s Story:Debbie’s Story:Diabetes Won’t Control MeDiabetes Won’t Control Me
1111 | | Youth RulesYouth RulesThe Fast Food TrapThe Fast Food Trap
1313 | Ask Her | Ask HerGifts For Healthier LivingGifts For Healthier Living
1414 | | To Dine ForTo Dine ForHomemade Sugar-Free Salade DressingHomemade Sugar-Free Salade Dressing
1515 | | Pet BalancePet BalanceStuff The Turkey, Not The DogStuff The Turkey, Not The Dog
from the from the publisherpublisherDiabetes is a hard disease to come to terms with, but millions of people live with it every day. Support systems such as the American Diabetes Associa-tion provide education and the resources we need to live a normal life with diabetes. My grandfather battled diabetes until the age of 91. He taught me a lot of life lessons -- but the most important thing I learned from him was to never give up. Unfortunately, his life ended in a sub-par nursing home. Gulfside Regional Hospice provides the type of care that people like my grandfather deserve, and they offer the opportunity for many just like him to learn about their illness and cope with dying. Sometimes we need help to educate our families about their options for planning their future.
from the from the editoreditorThis month, we celebrated two nonprofi ts, as November is Diabetes Aware-ness Month and National Hospice Month. Although they serve distinct purposes in the Tampa community, the American Diabetes Association and Gulfside Regional Hospice are committed to a similar goal: helping people come to terms with and understand illness.
The Tampa chapter of the American Diabetes Association is small, with only four people on staff, but they provide a wealth of empathy and information, and they help diabetics form support networks. In November, take a mo-ment to think about why diabetes should matter to you. We often underesti-mate the burden of this disease.
Gulfside Regional Hospice treats patients who face life-limiting illness, from cancer to heart and pulmonary disease to Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). Contrary to popular misconception, hospice care is not only for the dying. Gulfside’s doctors, volunteers, nurses, chaplains and many others are dedi-cated to helping the entire family unit cope with losing a loved one in the healthiest way possible.
We were lucky to be able to dedicate space to both of these organizations this month, and I hope you enjoy reading about them as much as I enjoyed learning about them.
PAGE 6 NOVEMBER | 2008 “Tell our advertisers you saw them here fi rst”
ADVERTISEMENT
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Who wouldn’t like to know how to eat and burn fat at the same time? Some studies have shown that certain foods help the body burn up to 38 percent more body fat. Medical researcher Shola Oslo has found that, “Eating half a grapefruit before meals helped patients reduce their insulin levels for two hours after eating. The patients who ate the grapefruit before meals lost 1.6 kg on average, compared to 0.3 kg lost by the patients who were not given the grapefruit, making grapefruit 433 percent more effec-tive at burning fat compared with dieting alone.”
Certain foods have been scientifi cally proven to aid weight loss or contain nutrients that stimulate thermogenesis (fat burning). The body’s main fat-metabolizing organ is the liver. When one chooses foods that help the liver to fat, one can literally turn the body into a metabolism machine….even at Thanksgiving! Here are some foods you can eat on Thanksgiving Day that will boost your metabolism.
Oatmeal: This complex carbohydrate is slow to digest and helps keep blood sugar levels stable. Research shows that consuming oatmeal reduces a person’s cravings for fatty foods. A study from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that women in particular who ate cereal were 30 percent less likely to be overweight than those who ate other breakfast foods.
Berries and Apples: Fiber is the magic ingredient for weight loss. Berries, in particular, are an excellent roughage source. Raspberries are No. 1 in fi ber content, with eight grams per cup. Blackberries come in a close second with 7.4 grams, and blueberries have 3.5 grams. Thanksgiving’s favorite berry, the Cranberry, packs in 5 grams of fi ber per cup! Apples with the skin contain pectin, an insoluble fi ber that serves as nature’s own appetite suppressant.
Beans and Legumes: These complex carbohydrates are fi ber great sources. They stabilize blood sugar while speeding up the breakdown of stored fat. High-fi ber beans such as chickpeas, lima beans and kidney beans make you feel fuller longer as well.
Cinnamon: All you need on your sweet potatoes this Thanksgiving is a sprinkle of cinnamon. Researchers at the United States Department of Agriculture showed that a quarter to one teaspoon of cinnamon with food helps metabolize sugar up to 20 times better than food not eaten with cinnamon.
Turkey with Garlic and Onions: Preparing your turkey with onions and garlic will fi ght off fat. Turkey has the fewest calories per ounce of any animal protein. Reg-istered dietician Lisa Drayer says, “Turkey contains the amino acid leucine, which may play a role in preserving muscle mass during weight loss, keeping metabolism running at full speed.” Add garlic and onions to the recipe and you have added phytochemicals that break down fat deposits and cholesterol in the body, killing viruses and protecting against heart disease. With a little help from garlic and onions, you can burn fat while warding off illness.
Leafy Green Salad: Spinach, spring mix, mustard greens and other dark leafy greens are good sources of fi ber and powerhouses of nutrition. Research demonstrates that their high concentration of vitamins and antioxidants helps prevent hunger while protecting you from heart disease, cancer and memory loss.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal knowing that it is possible to burn fat at the turkey ta-ble!
At Cypress Creek Chiropractic and Wellness Center, they do things a little differ-ently. Dr. Micah Richeson and his staff not only treat people with chronic pain and illness, they take a holistic approach that includes education and treating the whole body.
“We need more people (who are) less sick in this society,” Dr. Richeson says. He is passionate about changing today’s pill- and drug-centric culture. “Children are ex-posed to so many drug commercials these days. Even many healthy people don’t know what to do beyond taking a pill.”
Dr. Richeson’s philosophy is interesting and intuitive, but it’s not something many in his profession may have thought much about. People who are gener-ally healthy still need to pay attention to their ner-vous systems and spinal health. Chiropractic care, like that offered at Cypress Creek, can help patients reach 100 percent physical wellbeing.
“You have to look at the spine and nervous system. The nervous system controls everything. If your nervous system is not at 100 percent, you can’t function opti-mally,” Dr. Richeson says.
He advocates spinal hygiene, exercise and stretching to aid in proper alignment of the spine, this in turn helps promotes wellness and helps alleviate pain without the use of prescription medications or potentially harmful surgery.
Not everyone can heal completely using exercise and diet alone, but many com-mon ailments such as lower back pain, Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) (grinding or clenching of the teeth), headaches and sciatica can be greatly relieved with chi-ropractic care, diet and exercise.
Dr. Richeson is a third-generation chiropractor. His father, grandfather and two brothers are also in the profession. He worked in his father’s established practice for many years, but soon found he wanted the opportunity to create his own envi-ronment that adhered to his unique philosophy.
“It was such a great, unique situation to work with my dad,” Dr. Richeson says, “but I just got an itch to open my own offi ce.”
The motto at Cypress Creek Chiropractic & Wellness Center is Eat Well, Move Well, Think Well. Dr. Richeson explains it like this:
Dr. Richeson and his team happily accept all kinds of patients – people who have suffered injuries or have chronic pain, but his true passion lies in reaching out to families who are generally healthy to improve their quality of life even further. If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Richeson and his philosophy, contact his offi ce at (813) 914-5455 or visit his website at http://www.cypresscreekchiro.com.
Dr. Micah Richeson is a very positive, open and friendly guy. He truly practices what he teaches, and it shows in his infectious optimism and enthusiasm. He can be a great resource for you and your family to learn how to achieve ultimate health, happiness and balance.
Dr. Micah Richeson has been practicing Chiropractic Medicine for the past eight years in Gainesville, FL, and recently opened a new practice in the Wesley Chapel area. Dr. Richeson has a Bachelors Degree in Science and Anatomy. He received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, TX, where he learned eight techniques in treating musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. Dr. Richeson is a member of the Florida Chiropractic Association and has served as the president of the Mid-Florida Chiropractic Society for the past 2 years.
By: Terra Walters-RHI
Spine health Spine health indicates overall indicates overall
health.health. Check your spine to make
sure you’re at 100 percent!
Dr. Micah Richeson’s Philosophy of Wellness
PAGE 7NOVEMBER | 2008“For questions about advertising, call 813-872-4448”
By Betty AlvarodiazWe live in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. Our cul-
ture demands that we stretch our time beyond normal limits
so we can manage a balanced lifestyle. If we’re not running
errands, buying groceries or taking the kids to dance practice
and soccer games, we’re committing ourselves to never-end-
ing projects and deadlines, all while blaming a busy schedule
for the lack of time we have for family and friends.
So how do we make time? And how do we make the time we
do have meaningful?
Find family-friendly information sources online
The sites below provide a family-friendly resource center
focused on learning opportunities for the entire family –
whether you’re a parent seeking advice on your child’s
health or a teen searching for answers about current social
issues and trends. They’re geared toward educating with-
out intimidating with age-appropriate, easy-to-read articles
and stories. FamilyEduation and KidsHealth also provide
interactive, entertaining games and creative ideas to make
quality time
more meaning-
ful and fun.
Best for:Providing a Center for Family Information and Entertainment
Family Educationhttp://www.familyeducation.com/home/
What it does: Family Education is an online resource center for parenting ad-vice, activities for children, family games and recipes.
What’s cool about it: Family Educa-tion dedicates itself to providing educa-tional family information through its abun-dance of articles on a variety of issues. As you browse the site, you can select your child’s age group and the category or topic you’d like to learn more about. The Family Entertainment Center offers fun, creative learning activities, games and toys, movie and TV shows, reviews and tips for holiday and travel fun. Fami-lyEducation also has a database full of hit recipes. The site hosts parenting blogs and message boards where parents can read and post real stories about everyday family mishaps and adventures.
Drawbacks: Certain links within the site direct you to an advertisement that you have skip to get to the actual page you’re looking for. It can be a bit annoying.
Price: This site is free
Best for:Offering Interactive Education for the Entire Family
KidsHealthhttp://kidshealth.org/
What it does: KidsHealth is a family-friendly health information and educa-tional site created by the Nemours Center for Children’s Health Media
What’s cool about it: The site com-prises three mini-sites or sections: Par-ents Site, Kids Site and Teen Site. Each site is craftily tailored to each group. The Parents Site provides practical, positive parenting information from growth and development to emotions and behavior of a child in each stage of life. It even has sections about recognizing and treating common medical problems and infec-tions.
The Kids Site is a colorful collage of articles, games and interactive activities geared toward entertaining and teaching your child at the same time.
The Teen Site provides answers and advice about topics and issues that most adolescents face, including questions about body image, mental health, school pressure and even facts about drugs and alcohol.
Drawbacks: I searched every inch of this site and couldn’t really fi nd any draw-backs. Check it out and enjoy!
Price: This site is free
Dying Well
Ira Byock, M.D.
DescriptionThis study of how to die well displays uncommon vitality. Byock, president elect of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Care, is a gifted storyteller. The case studies, which form the humanistic soul of this work, never devolve into the maudlin or saccharine. Life on the edge of the great crossing is explored in all its sadness and pathos, but Byock also makes room for wisdom, hope and even the joy of fi nal understanding. By recounting the passages of patients in his Missoula, Mont., practice, Byock makes a forceful case for hospice care and against physician-assisted suicide. The family constellation of the terminally ill is also analyzed, with emphasis on a hospice’s ability, through its doctors, nurses, psycholo-gists and social workers, to help those left behind.
When You’re a Parent With Diabetes: A Real Life Guide to Staying Healthy While Raising a Family
By: Kathryn Gregorio Palmer
DescriptionFinding the time and energy to maintain a healthy diet and exercise program is a challenge for any parent–but it can be a matter of life and death for parents with diabetes. Diabetes in pregnancy, if poorly controlled, can increase the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, and prematurity. Mood swings and personality changes during a parent’s spells of low blood sugar can frighten young children. And even on good days, it can be diffi cult for a par-ent to remember to check their glu-cose levels in the haste of getting the kids off to school.
PAGE 8 NOVEMBER | 2008 “Tell our advertisers you saw them here fi rst”
By: Terra Walters - RHI
Cindy Lunsford’s last wish was to marry her long-time fi ancé, Clarence Garvin, before she became too weak. Cindy, 33, had been diagnosed with cancer, and her family – including her four children – thought she only had a few months to live.
Gulfside Regional Hospice reached out to Cindy, offering to pay for her wedding: gown, fl owers, even the reception.
Lisa Bricker, vice president of development, de-scribes the occasion. “It was truly one of the most touching, beautiful weddings I have ever seen. Her wedding took place during the fi rst two weeks of my employment (with Gulfside) and it cemented my commitment to working here. Every day you see someone touching someone else’s lives.”
Cindy fought hard and survived for just over a year after her blessed day. She was married in August 2007, and she passed away after her fi rst anniversary in August 2008.
“That was really hard for us,” says President and CEO Linda Ward. “She was special.”
Stories like Cindy’s are common. The staff of nurses, physicians, chaplains, social workers and volunteers works around the clock to make sure that their 430 patients receive the best quality of end-of-life care.
“Hospice” is not a word to be afraid of. Linda Ward personifi es why the hospice experience is positive and comforting for patients, families and loved ones. Her passion shows as soon as she starts talking about her Gulfside family.
Linda sings the praises of the staff at Gulfside. “They provide compassion and total palliative care. We take a holistic approach.”
Gulfside offers a pet therapy program, and Lisa says the pets provide great joy and comfort to pa-tients and families.
“It’s that unconditional love. They don’t care if your hair is messed up or you aren’t feeling well. They just want to greet you and make you smile,” Lisa says.
“It really takes them (the patients) out of their situation,” Linda adds. “Along with aroma therapy and massage therapy,” patients receive the best care Gulfside can of-fer. They truly want to make all of their patients as hap-py, comfortable and fulfi lled as possible.
Who qualifi es for hospice care?In Florida, anyone with a life-limiting prognosis of 12 months or less is eligible for hospice care. Pull Quote: People often live much longer with the benefi t of hos-pice care
What special services does Gulfside Regional Hospice offer?Along with pain management and palliative care, Gulf-side offers many services. Their staff includes nonde-nominational chaplains, who council people of all faiths along with people who do not belong to a religion.
Gulfside’s chaplains are well-educated, many holding Masters Degrees in counseling. Patients can receive chaplain services throughout their hospice experience. Beyond talking about religious and spiritual issues, chaplains help people work through lifelong problems.
“Not everyone has lived a great life,” Linda says. “Peo-ple with a lot of guilt or grief can ask for forgiveness and receive it.”
Common Myths About Hospice CareMyth: You have to “go to” a hospice center. The truth is, 85 percent of Gulfside’s patients live at home. The rou-tine care schedule for a patient will include visits from a registered nurse, physician, volunteer and chaplain for a total of three or four visits a week. Customized care is also available.
Myth: Hospice costs a lot of money. Gulfside Regional Hospice does not turn anyone away. Thanks to Lisa and her team’s fundraising, they can provide care even for those who cannot afford to pay the full cost.
Myth: Hospice is only for the dying. Hospice care is a philosophy that includes the entire family and the pa-tient’s loved ones.
The Special Gulfside AttitudeHaving to confront death on a daily basis, the men and women who work and volunteer in hospice care have a unique perspective.
“It makes you want to be a good person every
day,” Linda says. “Believe it or not, we have fun! We
celebrate the staff. We have recognition and wellness
programs. We have to shore up those nurses who might
have seen three or four deaths in a day. We have to give
them the strength to go out and do what they do every
day.”
Above all, Gulfside Regional Hospice celebrates life – and helps people cope with life’s end. If you would
like more information about Gulfside, please visit their website at www.grhospice.org or call them at
(727) 845-5707.
PAGE 9NOVEMBER | 2008“For questions about advertising, call 813-872-4448”
EDUCATION
ADVOCACY
FUNDRAISING
By: Terra Walters - RHI
Debbie Kilcoyne is not your typical diabetes survivor. She has type 2 diabetes, but she does not take insulin shots. Instead, Debbie fi ghts back by living the healthiest lifestyle she can, walking at least two miles every day, watching her diet, and participating in events to promote diabetes awareness.
“I control it (the disease). It does not control me. I won’t let it rule my life,” Debbie says, and her conviction is clear. Debbie was diagnosed 11 years ago after several recurring infections. She could not understand why they kept coming back, but the thought that she might be diabetic did not cross her mind.
Blood sugar tests should be part of your yearly checkup
Debbie watched her mother suffer from severe brittle diabetes – a condition in which a person’s blood sugar swings drastically from high to low – all her life, but the conven-tional wisdom back then was that it skipped a generation, so Debbie thought she was immune. It came as a terrible shock when her doctor fi nally tested her blood sugar and found it was off the charts – at 251. Healthy blood sugar levels are less than 120.
As soon as she received her diagnosis, Debbie went to the American Diabetes Asso-ciation. She was shell-shocked and scared, and she needed information and support. Diabetes never goes away. It is something Debbie and millions like her must live with and treat on a daily basis. Luckily, Debbie found a great resource in the American Dia-betes Association.
“The Association in Tampa is truly the most wonderful chapter,” Debbie says. “They send you information and care packages, recommend doctors and offer support.”
When asked what she does to avoid taking insulin shots or using new insulin pump technology, Debbie said she is just very careful.
“I watch what I eat, I portion control and drink lots of water. I exercise daily to avoid Neuropathy (nerve damage affecting the legs, feet, refl exes and motor control). I just try to stay as healthy as possible.”
Diabetes affects approximately 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, but of those only about 17.9 million have been diagnosed. That means that nearly 6 million people have untreated diabetes. Contrary to popular belief, diabetes is deadly, and without proper prevention and care it can lead to am-putations, blindness, heart disease, nerve damage and fi nally death.
Erika Harris, director of communi-cations for the Tampa chapter of the American Diabetes Association, said the ADA helps improve lives in three main ways:
Education – The ADA holds programs, such as the Diabetes Expo, and events where people can meet others with diabetes and collect information. They also have special programs that target at-risk groups such as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacifi c Islanders.
Advocacy – Diabetes does not get a lot of media attention unless it is being linked to childhood obesity, and people with diabetes have suffered discrimination like any other minority group. The ADA is committed to improving laws affecting diabetics and promoting rights like healthy, low- or no-sugar options on restaurant menus.
Fundraising – The ADA raises millions of dollars every year to fund research and improve medical practices to make living with diabetes more bearable. The funding has grown exponentially: In 1999, the ADA raised about $18 million; in 2006, that number had reached $46.4 million.
Thanks to the efforts of advocates like the ADA, new technologies for diabetics are appearing on nearly a yearly basis, Erika says.
This year’s theme is “Why Should You Care About Diabetes?” The answer is that diabetes is extremely dangerous and can go undetected for months or even years, making the risks of complications all the more serious. Living with diabe-tes is a daily struggle, but remaining in the dark about your health is not a viable alternative. It is a good idea to have your doctor test your blood sugar the next time you have a physical.
“You have to watch it every minute of every day,” Debbie says. “It is an ongoing battle to save your life every day. Every day.”
Debbie does not let that stop her from living a happy, healthy, fulfi lled life, how-ever. “It’s not easy, but nobody said that life was going to be easy. (Despite the
diabetes) I still feel blessed that I don’t have can-cer – or lupus – or some other terrible disease.”
Debbie is an outstanding example not
only to diabetics, but to everyone who
must overcome obstacles in life. “Dia-
betes killed my mother at 60, and now
I’m 61. You have to have goals. My goal
is to run in a marathon before I’m 65.”
There is a wealth of information about diabetes at the American Diabetes Association’s website, www.diabetes.org. If you have questions about fi nding a doctor or need information sent to you in the mail, contact the ADA at 1-800-DIABETES (342-2383) or call the Tampa chapter at (813) 885-5007.
PAGE 10 NOVEMBER | 2008 “Tell our advertisers you saw them here fi rst”
The DRX 9000 was created to provide relief of lower back pain (LBP) caused by herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica and facet syndrome. A new case report – titled “Management of Discogenic LBP with the Nonsurgical Decompression System Axiom 9000” -- shows pre- and post-MRI fi ndings on a 31-year-old male with a history of a left disc extrusion of L5/S1 that was com-pressing the nerve root at S1.
In addition, he had degenerative disc disease involving L4/5 and L5/S1. The patient reported a pain level of nine on a scale of 0-10. The patient underwent a series of 27 nonsurgical treatments over a seven-week period. After his last treat-ment, he reported a pain level of only three out of 10 – and he said it occurred only 30 percent of the time. Follow-up MRI demonstrated a dramatic decrease in the size of the disc lesion along with reduced pressure on the S1 nerve root. The study’s authors conclude, “Clinical and imaging data continue to emerge provid-ing further validation of the safe and effective treatment of disc related low back pain utilizing the DRX9000.
Noninvasive procedure reduces LBP and disc
discomfort to nearly nothing
Treatment for discogenic back pain with the DRX 9000 is available at The Physical Medicine Center 14522 University Point Place Tampa 33613 Please contact Dr. Robert Lupo, D.C., at (813) 978-0020 to arrange for a consultation to de-termine if the DRX 9000 may be used to treat your particular case. For more information, visit www.mybackinplace.com.
Please Direct Any Questions or Comments to Dr. Robert Lupo
Clinic Director Physical Medicine Center
14522 University Point Place, Tampa (813) 978-0020
www.mybackinplace.com
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PAGE 11NOVEMBER | 2008“For questions about advertising, call 813-872-4448”
Eric SmithHigh School Health Teacher and Athletic [email protected] .us
Teenagers in 2008 are eating more fast food than ever before. This negative trend seems to increase on an annual basis. Time – or lack thereof – is the most likely culprit for this dangerous pattern.
It is true that we lead busy lives, and too often we use this as an excuse to skimp on our health – and worse, that of our kids. Teens are always on the go, going to school, playing sports, hanging out with friends and participating in extracurricular activities.
Many also hold down part-time jobs. For lots of Ameri-can kids, being active for 16 hours a day is not out of the ordinary. Making the time to eat three healthy meals just seems like too much of a hassle.
Convenience is another factor that determines stu-dents’ food choices. Having any number of fast food restaurants in close proximity, often 10 or more in a mile radius, gives teenagers quick, varied choices for grabbing lunch or an afternoon snack. Unfortunately,
as we all know, fast food is extremely unhealthy.
The third factor is, of course, taste. Students’ taste buds have been trained to re-spond to the familiar fl avors in fast food. Although they know they should, teens do not make food choices based on nutritional content. They fi gure they’re young and healthy, so why not choose a donut over an apple when the donut tastes so much “better?”
Fast food contains huge amounts of saturated fat, sodium and sugar. These three ingredients do not add anything to a healthy diet, and they have been shown to cause long-term negative health effects like obesity and heart disease and can even lead to diabetes.
The good news is: Fast food is not your only option! If you take time to plan in ad-vance to eat healthier meals, it really is not as diffi cult as it might seem. Just like you make a budget to keep control of your allowance or the money you make at work, you can make a meal plan that will keep you healthy.
Plan out your day or week on the weekend, creating a daily menu that you can stick to. You don’t have to choose all “health foods” like tofu and wheat germ, but add-ing fruits and vegetables to your diet is healthy – and can be delicious!
As for convenience, it realistically takes only about 10 or 15 minutes to cook a basic healthy meal, and even less to make a sandwich. You’ll spend more than that driving to the fast food restau-rant and waiting in the line at the drive through. Cooking at home saves money and gas.
Finally, there is no reason why you have to sacrifi ce fl avor for healthy foods. Spic-es, herbs and even butter can make or break a great meal. A little butter is a lot better than a calorie- and carb-loaded burger and fry combination. Adding fl a-vor to your healthy diet will make your cooking taste as good (or likely even better) than fast food.
Fast food gains popularity;
causes health problems
in younger and younger
Americans
PAGE 12 NOVEMBER | 2008 “Tell our advertisers you saw them here fi rst”
Dr. Levin believes and emphasizes that healthy feet promote overall orthopedic health. Many patients with
foot pain also complain of back, neck, and even headache pain. The feet are the base and
foundation that support the weight of our entire body. And, poor foot posture can
impede daily activities.
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Neuropathy causes loss of feeling in the feet, taking away one’s ability to feel pain and discomfort, so you may not detect injury or irritation. Poor circulation in your feet reduces your ability to heal, making it hard for even a tiny cut to resist infection. When you have diabetes, you need to be aware of how foot problems can arise from disturbances in the skin, nails, nerves, bones, muscles, and blood vessels. With dia-betics, small foot problems can turn into serious complications. You can do much to prevent the most serious complication, amputation, by following proactive measures discussed below and seeing your podiatrist regularly.
Podiatry is a vital part of diabetic health
The goals and treatment of diabetic foot problems are not only to save life and limb, but also to get patients healed and moving about as soon as possible. Call 813-973-3535 to schedule your appointment at New Tampa Foot & Ankle.
Diabetics are prone to a variety of foot
problems, often as a result of two
complications of diabetes: nerve damage
(neuropathy) and poor blood circulation.Pho
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PAGE 13NOVEMBER | 2008“For questions about advertising, call 813-872-4448”
any adults
fi nd them-
selves hiding. When
group pictures are being taken they go to the
back behind every one else, they make their kids sit
on their laps, or they just plain refuse to be in pictures
at all. Often intimate moments between spouses only take
place only under the cover of darkness; swimsuits are a thing
of the past; and they avoid going to the gym because no one
wants to have a body that just doesn’t measure up.
Now, there is a safe minimally invasive procedure that permanently removes un-wanted fat. The major risks of fat removal (liposuction) are anesthesia, bleeding and trauma to the body caused by the surgery. In contrast, Vaser Liposelection selectively removes the fat, leaving the arteries, veins and nerves intact. The procedure is so painless that general anesthesia in not required and most pa-tients are back to work in a couple of days. Unlike going on yo-yo fad diets, your fat cells are completely removed so there is no chance of a fat rebound.
Body by Design of Tampa Bay has joined with Tampa Laser Touch to bring this state-of-the-art procedure to the Westchase Area. It requires an artist’s eye and an appreciation of the grace that God has given to the human body to bring about beautiful results, in the eyes of Dr. Robert Miles, medical director of Body by Design. “Patients who are concerned about loose or baggy skin after the procedure are happy to learn that we have a skin tightening protocol unequaled in the Tampa Bay area. By combining intraoperative Lasertight Dermwave treat-ments and using the Nd:Yag laser postoperatively we provide our patients ex-ceptional results.”
Body by Design of Tampa Bay offers free initial consultations.
It’s time to start a healthier life and to stop HIDING! Call Dr. Miles to set up your Vaser Lipo consultation at 727-452-8406.
11998765455
321
This time of year people are making choices about holiday gifts. Consider adding healthier living items to the list as gifts for others or for yourself. There are many items to choose from. Here are my top choices for the season:
Bikes – There are all sorts of bikes to choose from, including mountain bikes, racing bikes, stationary bikes and recumbent bikes. As opposed to being upright, recumbent bikes enable you to sit in the bike. They can also be stationary. If for whatever reason an upright bike is not a good idea, consider recumbent bikes.
Slide boards may provide a change for the avid fi tness person. Between two heavy ends is a sliding surface. You glide back and forth in a skating or skiing mo-tion to work the inner and outer thigh muscles and increase your heart rate.
Heart rate monitors are great for fi tness training. Many have programs for target fat burning zones and building cardiovascular strength. They range from basic to complex.
Home gyms offer options for those committed to working out at home. The least expensive systems are compact resistance tubing units that attach to your door and require minimum space. If you do have the space and wish to purchase a complete home gym, make sure you do your research and are committed to using it. Quite often, advertisers make promises that are not realistic for the average consumer.
Rowing machines are a great option for those who want to do a cardiovascular workout and gain upper body strength. Rowing machines do not stress knees or angles and may be a great choice for someone who is unable to use a treadmill or bike.
Yoga and Pilates mats and duffl e bags are nice gifts for the yoga or Pilates enthusiast.
Boxing gloves, mitts and speed bags can be lots of fun and really get the heart pumping.
Pedometers help you keep track of your steps, and many can convert steps taken to calories burned. Pedometers give you a realistic measure of how much activity you do on a given day.
Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is a wonderfully active way to put the video console to use. Platforms are made for Playstations, PS Ones, Xboxes, etc. You attach a pad that looks like a door mat to the video console. While the music plays, the game gives directions you follow to move your feet to the beat. The arcade ver-sions of the game have been very popular over the last decade.
Shoes are still my number one. Make sure to keep a good pair of athletic walking shoes and get movin’!
M
Shannon Thigpen is a nationally certifi ed per-sonal trainer and fi tness instructor. She is the co-founder of Salsa & Soul Fitness, which can be found at www.salsaandsoulfi tness.com.
Dr. Miles is a graduate of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his Post Doctorate training at University General Hospital and
fl ight surgeon training at Brooks Air Force Base. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a fl ight surgeon aboard Air Force One under
Presidents Reagan and George H. Bush. He has been in private practice in Pinellas Park since leaving the military
Dr Miles is a member of the American College of Aesthetic Surgeons, American College of Osteopathic Family
Physicians and American Society of LiposuctionSurgeons. He is the former two-time Chairman
of Family Practice Department at Northside Hospital and the Tampa
Bay Heart Institute.
Photo B
y Rom
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PAGE 14 NOVEMBER | 2008 “Tell our advertisers you saw them here fi rst”
I have been in the back scenes of the restaurant industry for over 12 years. I recently shed thirty pounds and
realized I have to be more conscious of what I eat, which is diffi cult when my world revolve
around dining out, be it socially or my career. So I am out to fi nd a low-cal, low-carb alternative in a society that thrives on
butter and bread when dining out. Ask me anything at
othing hits home about bad eating habits than hearing the news from your doctor that your blood sugar is so high you’re at risk of becom-ing a diabetic. When I received this news myself just over two years ago along with the order to lose weight, it was just the wake-up call I needed to make some changes.
When trying to eradicate the unnecessary sugar from one’s diet, you come to the awful realization that almost everything at the grocery store contains sugar. People with medical conditions that require dietary changes have to educate themselves, and it can be depressing to read food labels only to discover that you can’t eat the foods you like.
One reason people fi nd it hard to stay on a low-sugar diet is that they fear food will not taste good. Since processed condiments, including many salad dressings, con-tain sugar or high fructose corn syrup, healthy salads are less attractive without a good-tasting salad dressing to compliment them.
Citrus Park Lakeland Clearwater
With autumn comes the onslaught of sports season. As the air cools and the humidity eases, we instinc-tively begin to crave barbeque sauce, the fi re of hot wings, and the smell of smoke from the grill. Living in Tampa – between the Bucs, Lightning, Bulls and Rays – it is hard to keep up with all the excitement!
Smokey Bones does their best to encourage our fanaticism and satisfy our palates. A homey, rus-tic interior with hardwood accents and warm tones compliments the natural family-friendly theme.
High ceilings and an open fl oor plan give guests a decent view of dozens of televisions placed throughout the bar and dining area. Personal sound boxes are available upon request. Not only can you view several different televisions, you can select and change the volume at will.
Personal volume boxes and multiple TVs keep you oc-cupied while you wait for
delicious BBQAll your tailgating and BBQ favorites are on the menu. Naughty faves such as wings, nachos, and
onion rings abound! Healthier options like smoked turkey, grilled salmon and entrée salads are there
for those of who are us trying to behave.
If you have decided to allow yourself a few carbs, the skillet cornbread with honey pecan butter is worth the extra
gym time! If you’re cheating altogether, the handmade donuts put Krispy Kreme to shame.
Fall-off-the-bone ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, and
smoked turkey are the heart of the entrée
selections. Ninety percent of the menu
options are grilled or smoked, so ig-
nore the sugars in the BBQ sauce, pair
your meal with the steamed broccoli
or roasted corn, and enjoy the taste of
football season!
PAGE 14
Fa
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se
op
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By: Jeannette Matlock - RHI
N
The key to creating a tasty diet is
to make the dishes and condi-
ments yourself. It can be time-
consuming, but the time spent
is fun and well worth it. One way
to add taste to your food is with
fresh herbs. You can buy these in
packages in the produce sec-
tion of most grocery stores, but
it is more economical to grow
your own. There is little waste as
you use the amount you need
when you need it (and they smell
divine). Herbs are relatively easy
to care for as long as you keep
them watered and can be grown
in pots on your patio or screen
room.
I am fortunate to have a friend who is
French and a marvelous cook. This home-
made salad dressing is served in many
restaurants in France, and it is better than
anything you’d fi nd in a store. Plus, it’s su-
per easy! Make sure you use the best olive
oil available. Olive oil is healthy -- and the
better the oil, the better the taste.
PAGE 15NOVEMBER | 2008“For questions about advertising, call 813-872-4448”
Jennifer, Cristan and Abe FadalWag, 304 E. Davis Blvd.
Davis Islands, Flwww.wagoftampa.com
813-258-9181
write this article every year because I think it is
so important to remember pet safety during the
holidays. It is tempting to “give the dog a bone”…
or a piece of juicy turkey, or mashed potatoes
drowning in gravy, or…. you get the point.
Your furry family member looks at you with those sad, sad eyes and there is food absolutely everywhere! I know! The average American gains a pound or two over the holidays, but that shouldn’t hold true for our canines and felines.
The aroma of fresh turkey roasting in the oven, creamy gravy simmering on the stove and pies on the table will have your dog drooling. During this month and the next, it is important to watch the health and safety of our pets. Here are a few tips to help avoid an unwanted trip to the emergency vet or a sick pet at the party.
Keep your pe t healthy this holiday season. Say “No!” to human food snacks.
• Keep your pet on their standard diet. Avoid giving them turkey or other meats, since this can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea, all of which can quickly ruin a celebration.
• Keep aluminum foil, plastic wrap, plastic bags and wax paper away from pets. Disposing of these items properly can prevent accidental intestinal blockage while Fido is trying to lick the last morsel of gravy from the cover.
• While a wishbone might grant you a great wish, it can give your dog an unwanted problem. Any brittle or splintering bone can become lodged in the esophagus or puncture a hole in the intestines.
• Discourage friends and family from feeding your dog extra snacks and scraps. Snacks that are high in salt (chips and peanuts) and other fatty foods can cause pancreatitis, which is a life-threatening condition.
• While chocolates may taste great, they contain theobromine which can be hazardous to your pet’s health. Baker’s chocolate is the highest in theobromine and can cause the most problems.
• As with any holiday, see that your pet has a safe haven to move to... away from the festivities. This will give your pet a much needed “Time-Out” from the hustle of the holiday.
• Make sure your pet has their identifi cation tags on during all parties or get-togethers. With people coming in and out of the house, it is very easy for your pet to wander through an open door. It is also helpful to get your pet micro-chipped. Most animal shelters have devices to scan for these chips and can identify and call the owner quickly.
Please join us on November 22 from 10-5 for pet and family pictures at Wag. There is a $6 sitting fee for your pictures. You will be able to view and choose your photos online. And YES! Holiday cards are available.
We will have a “safe” Thanksgiving feast for your pets that day as well!
Happ y Turkey Day, and as always enjoy your pe ts!
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The Maddox Family Wellness Group is a large collection of like-minded individuals from the Tampa Bay area and across the nation. We have a cumulative 80+ years of Health and Nutrition background; with Dr. Maddox DC. PhD. and his experience with tens of thousands of patients leading the way. All this with a singular goal of helping people feel better through Life, Health, and Prosperity!!
