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yourhealthtodayVolume 2, Issue 1 • Your Guide to Healthy Living from Georgia Health Sciences Health System • georgiahealth.org
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Angioplasty and stents: When and why?
One-stop care for Parkinson’s
Top 7 health threats for men
10 symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Pregnant? Avoid these foods
The material in Your Health Today is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment.
For more information, please call 800-736-CARE (2273) or visit our website at georgiahealth.org.
Copyright © 2012 Georgia Health Sciences Health System
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Inside this issue
10
Page 3Tips for a safe and healthy winter
Pages 4–5
Focus on Women• Alzheimer’s disease: Monitoring
your aging parents
• Pregnant? Avoid these foods
Pages 6–7
Cancer Prevention• A precursor to breast cancer:
Atypical hyperplasia
• New therapy for advanced prostate cancer: Provenge
Pages 8–9
Heart-Healthy Living• Angioplasty and stents:
When and why?
• Statins 101
Pages 10–11
Family Health • One-stop care for Parkinson’s
and other movement disorders
• Top 7 health threats for men
Page 12
In the News• Keeping the pace with
cardiac ablation
ALS Support Group Lunch and LearnWHEN: Second Thursday of each month, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Lunch is served. WHERE: Georgia Health Sciences Medical Office Building, 4th floor, Room 4306 CALL: 706-721-2681 for more information
Autism Support Group WHEN: First Tuesday of each month, 6–7 p.m.WHERE: Georgia Health Sciences Children’s Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., 1st floor, Family Resource Library, Room 1801CALL: 706-721-5160 for more information
A.W.A.K.E. Support Group Support for sleep apnea patients WHEN: Fourth Thursday of each month, 7–9 p.m.WHERE: Georgia Health Sciences Children’s Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., 1st floor, Family Resource Library, Room 1801CALL: 706-721-0793 for more information
Blood Cancer/BMT Support Group WHEN: Third Wednesday of each month, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. WHERE: Georgia Health Sciences Cancer Center, 1411 Laney Walker Blvd., 1st floor, Community RoomCALL: 706-721-1634 for more information
Breastfeeding ClassWHEN: Third Tuesday of each month, 7–9 p.m.
WHERE: Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center, 1120 15th St., West Entrance, 1st floor, Patient and Family Resource LibraryCALL: 706-721-9351 for more information
Let’s Talk Cancer Support GroupWHEN: Second Tuesday of each month, 5:30–7 p.m.WHERE: Georgia Health Sciences Cancer Center, 1411 Laney Walker Blvd., 1st floor, Community Room CALL: 706-721-0550 for more information
Multiple Sclerosis Support Group WHEN: Last Monday of each month, 6–7:30 p.m.WHERE: Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center, Augusta MS Center, 6th floorCALL: 706-721-1411 for reservations or information
Weight Loss Surgery SeminarsWHEN: Second and fourth Thursday of each monthWHERE: Columbia County Library (second Thursday); Georgia Health Sciences Alumni Center (fourth Thursday)CALL: 706-721-2609 for more information
Trauma Support Group WHEN: Third Wednesday of each month, noon–1 p.m.WHERE: Georgia Health Sciences Medical CenterCALL: 706-721-0278 for more information
A shoulder to lean onSupport groups at Georgia Health Sciences Health System
georgiahealth.org2
The facts on snacks
After-school snacks can add hundreds of empty
calories to your child’s diet, unless you provide healthy alternatives. The key is to avoid buying high-calorie snacks. Instead, identify nutritious foods your child likes and stock up on them. These could include whole-grain pretzels and crackers, fat-free yogurt, graham crackers, fresh fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and low-fat string cheese. Save sodas, treats and other high-calorie snacks for special occasions.
It’s tea time!
Tea is not only soothing and aromatic, it’s packed
with phytochemicals and antioxidants known as flavonoids. Flavonoids are thought to scavenge free radicals, which can damage DNA and are linked to cancer. What’s more, they are thought to reduce the risk of heart disease. Although green and white teas have the highest level of flavonoids, the substance is present in all real teas, though not necessarily in herbal teas.
Truth in tanning
Tanning salons often claim to offer safe
tanning, but that’s not true. Tanning exposes the skin to damaging amounts of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, whether it comes from the sun or a tanning bed. The UV source in tanning beds gives off up to three times as much UVA, or longer wavelength radiation, as sunlight. This stimulates the pigment cells and causes tanning. But UVA can also damage the skin's immune system, weakening its ability to prevent skin cancers. If you want a safe winter glow, chose tanning creams over tanning beds.
Breathe easy with a CO detector
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and
potentially toxic gas that is produced by incomplete combustion of liquid fuels such as gasoline, kerosene or propane; solid fuels such as wood, coal or charcoal; and natural gas.
When combustion sources are properly maintained and ventilated, the risk of CO poisoning is low. But your equipment can be defective without your knowledge. To avoid problems, consider installing a CO monitor if you live in a home with: • kerosene or propane
space heaters • an attached garage• a gas furnace, stove,
fireplace, clothes dryer or hot water heater
• oil heat• a wood stove
Tips for a safe and healthy winter
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Focus on Women
patients a greater chance of benefiting from existing
treatment and lets families plan for the future,” says
Dr. Smith.
As the U.S. population ages, the instances of
Alzheimer’s disease are growing—and rapidly.
About 5.4 million Americans are now suffering
from this lingering and fatal disease.
“If you are concerned about your aging parents, it’s
important to know the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease,’’
says Suzanne Smith, MD, a neurologist who directs
Georgia Health Sciences Memory Disorders Program. “It
is often easier for a relative to recognize symptoms than
the person who is affected.”
According to the Alzheimer's Association, symptoms
include:
➊ memory loss that affects daily life
➋ challenges in planning or solving problems
➌ difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work
or leisure
➍ confusion with time and place that may cause
people to become lost on their own streets or
think they're in another era
➎ trouble understanding visual images and spatial
relationships
➏ new problems with words in speaking and writing
➐ misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace
steps
➑ decreased or poor judgment
➒ withdrawal from work or social life
➓ changes in mood, such as confusion, suspicion or
depression
Memory loss does not necessarily mean a person has
Alzheimer’s disease, but it does indicate a problem that
should be identified and treated.
“If you recognize one or more of these symptoms in
a loved one, consult a physician. Early diagnosis gives
Alzheimer’s diseaseMonitoring your aging parents
georgiahealth.org4
The area’s only Memory Disorders Program
The physicians at Georgia Health Sciences Memory Disorders Program evaluate and care for patients
with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders, all from one central location. The program offers:• coordinated diagnosis and care by a team
that includes a neurologist, psychiatrist and neuropsychologist
• a comprehensive diagnostic work-up that includes a neurological assessment, cognitive testing, blood work, CT scans, MRIs, PET scans and other tests
• an individualized treatment plan, medications and follow-up care
• psychiatric care, if needed • education, emotional support and information on
local resources • access to clinical trials
Join the programFor more information or to schedule an
appointment, call 706-721-CARE (2273).
Eating nutritious foods is important during
pregnancy, but what you don’t eat and drink is also
important.
“Everyone knows that pregnant women should avoid
alcohol, but there are other foods and beverages that you
should also forgo during pregnancy,” says Kelli Braun, MD,
an OB/GYN with Georgia Health Sciences Women Center.
Fish and seafood“Some seafood can be great sources of protein
and iron and provide omega-3 fatty acids that can help
promote your baby’s brain development. Others may
contain high levels of mercury and should be avoided,”
Dr. Braun says. These include:
• swordfish
• shark
Also avoid raw fish and shellfish, anything caught
in polluted waters and uncooked, refrigerated smoked
seafood.
Pregnant? > Avoid these foods
Dairy products, meat and eggs
To avoid bacterial
infections that can be dangerous
during pregnancy, thoroughly cook all
meat, poultry and eggs, and eat only pasteurized dairy
products. Avoid the following cheeses unless the label
indicates they are made from pasteurized milk:
• Brie
• feta
• Camembert
• blue-veined cheeses
such as Roquefort
Coffee or teaDon’t drink more than two cups of coffee or tea
a day, and avoid herbal teas. Large amounts of some
types of herbal teas can cause contractions and possibly
miscarriage.
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Learn more at these prenatal events
Registration is required. To register, visit georgiahealth.org/classes
or call 706-721-9351.
Childbirth Education Classes Four-week series When: Wednesdays, Feb. 1–22, April 11–May 2, 6:30–8:30 p.m.Where: Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center, 7 West, Room 7001. Take the “B” elevators to 7 West.
Childbirth Tour When: Second Tuesday of each month, 7:30–8:30 p.m.; second Saturday of each month, 10:30–11:30 a.m.Where: Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center. Meet your guide at the concierge desk on 7 West, near the “B” elevators.
Breastfeeding When: Feb. 28 and April 17, 7–9 p.m.Where: Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center, 7 West, Room 7001. Take the “B” elevators to 7 West.
Infant CPR Classes When: Feb. 29, March 28 and May 9, 6:30–8:00 p.m.Where: Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center, 7 West, Room 7001. Take the “B” elevators to 7 West.
Prepare for baby!To schedule an appointment with an experienced OB/GYN, call 706-721-CARE (2273).
• king mackerel
• tilefish
• Mexican-style cheeses
such as queso blanco,
queso fresco, queso de
hoya, queso de crema
and asadero
Cancer Prevention
Women who have breast biopsies generally
expect to discover that their tumor is benign
or malignant. But sometimes they discover
something in between: atypical hyperplasia.
This accumulation of abnormal cells may occur in a
breast duct or lobule and can be a forerunner to breast
cancer. Unfortunately, there are no symptoms for this
condition. “Atypical hyperplasia is often discovered
during a breast biopsy to evaluate a suspicious area found
on a mammogram,” says Edward Kruse, MD, a surgical
oncologist at Georgia Health Sciences Cancer Center.
Scientists believe that atypical hyperplasia is
part of the complex process by which breast cancer
develops. It begins when cell growth goes awry, causing
an overproduction of normal-looking cells. These
cells stack up and take on an
abnormal appearance. Without
intervention, they can
continue to multiply, change
and develop into cancer.
A precursor to breast cancer Atypical hyperplasia
georgiahealth.org6
3D mammography improves breast imaging
Clear, concise mammograms are important in detecting breast cancer in the early stages. Georgia
Health Sciences Medical Center recently became the first health system in Georgia—and one of only about a dozen in the nation—to implement 3D breast tomosynthesis. Also known as 3D mammography, this technology promises to improve breast cancer detection.
By digitally combining multiple X-rays, it reduces distortions created by tissue overlap or density and creates clearer, more detailed images than traditional 2D mammography. Further, it pinpoints the size, shape and exact location of a lump or tumor, because the image is not flattened like a standard mammogram.
See the differenceFor more information or to schedule an
appointment, call 706-721-9729.
What are the risks?If you have been diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia,
your risk of developing breast cancer is four to five times
higher than that of a woman without the condition.
Women diagnosed with this precancerous condition
before age 45 have the greatest risk of breast cancer
when compared to women who are diagnosed at older
ages, especially those age 55 and older.
Treatments and follow-up careSurgery is usually recommended to remove the
abnormal cells. “Women with atypical hyperplasia may also
need more frequent screenings and possibly medications to
reduce their risk of developing cancer,” Dr. Kruse says. © is
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Here’s some good news for certain men with
advanced-stage prostate cancer: Georgia Health
Sciences Cancer Center is offering a new
prostate cancer therapy known as Provenge®.
The first FDA-approved drug that uses the body’s
own immune system to fight prostate cancer, Provenge
offers a targeted alternative to chemotherapy drugs,
which attack both cancerous and healthy cells.
Biologically engineered for each patient “Provenge is made from your own immune cells, so
each dose must be tailored to your immune system,” says
Teresa A. Coleman, MD, an oncologist specializing in
prostate cancer at Georgia Health Sciences Cancer Center.
The drug is administered through intravenous infusions.
Battling advanced prostate cancer Provenge® immunotherapy
7georgiahealth.org
Before each infusion, a physician collects special blood
cells from the patient that help the immune system recognize
cancer as a threat. The cells are mixed with a protein found
on most prostate cancer cells and other substances to rev up
the immune system. They are then given back to the patient
in a series of three infusions at two-week intervals.
“Provenge activates the body’s own immune cells to
seek and attack prostate cancer cells. By stimulating the
natural ability of your body’s immune system, the therapy
may help you live longer and experience fewer side effects
than chemotherapy,” says Martha Terris, MD, a urologist
specializing in prostate cancer at Georgia Health Sciences
Cancer Center.
Moderate to mild side effects The most common side effects of Provenge include:
• chills • fatigue • fever • headaches
• back pain • nausea • joint aches
Is Provenge right for you?You may be a candidate for this therapy if you have
advanced prostate cancer and:
• you are on hormone therapy and your prostate
specific antigen (PSA) levels are rising
• your cancer has spread beyond the prostate
• you are not taking narcotics for cancer-related pain
Expand your options with a clinical trial
Georgia Health Sciences Cancer Center offers dozens of clinical trials, including Phase I trials
not available at other area hospitals. This allows cancer patients to access innovative therapies available only at select centers that partner with the National Cancer Institute and major pharmaceutical companies.
Take the next step in treatmentTo learn more or schedule an appointment, call
706-721-CARE (2273).
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Heart-Healthy Living
Angioplasty and stents: When and why? A Q & A session with John Thornton III, MD, a cardiologist at Georgia Health Sciences Cardiovascular Center
georgiahealth.org8
What are coronary angioplasty and stenting?
A: These therapies are used to open clogged heart arteries. Performed in a cardiac catheterization lab by trained cardiologists, they involve temporarily inserting and blowing up a tiny balloon at the point of arterial blockage. Known as angioplasty, this procedure helps widen the artery. In addition, the physician may place a wire mesh tube called a stent at the site of the blockage to support the arterial walls. If these stents are coated with medication, they are known as drug-eluting stents.
Does everyone with heart disease eventually need angioplasty and stents?
A: No. The current guidelines support attempts to manage chronic coronary artery disease with medications and lifestyle changes. Angioplasty and stenting is generally reserved for patients whose symptoms persist despite medications.
Stents have not been shown to be effective in preventing heart attacks and prolonging life except in patients actively having a heart attack or in other select situations.
What are the risks?
A: With angioplasty alone, your artery may renarrow in a process called restenosis. The insertion of a bare metal stent reduces the chance of restenosis to less than 20 percent. Drug-eluting stents reduce the risk to less than 10 percent.
Further, blood clots can form within stents. Therefore, it’s important to take aspirin or prescription blood-thinning medications as prescribed.
Why is the procedure needed?
A: Angioplasty and stents are used to treat the buildup of cholesterol in the blood vessels leading to the heart. The treatment is a less invasive way to open clogged arteries than open-heart surgery. These procedures may be needed when medications or lifestyle changes don’t improve your heart health, if you have a heart attack or if you experience worsening chest pain known as angina.
Want a second opinion?If you’d like a second opinion on your cardiac
diagnosis or treatment, the skilled cardiologists at Georgia Health Sciences Cardiovascular Center can help. To schedule an appointment for a cardiac workup or second opinion, call 706-721-2426.
H igh cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart
disease and stroke. But a class of drugs known
as statins can lower your cholesterol and reduce
your risk. Medications such as Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor and
others fall into this category.
“Statins work by blocking a substance your body
needs to make cholesterol and by helping your body
reabsorb built-up cholesterol on your artery walls,” says
Preston Conger, MD, a cardiologist at Georgia Health
Sciences Cardiovascular Center. Statins are particularly
helpful in reducing low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or
“bad” cholesterol.
Are statins right for you?That’s a decision you and your physician must make.
If your total cholesterol level is 240 or higher or your LDL
level is 130 or higher, your physician may recommend a
statin.
Statins 101 Get the facts on these
cholesterol-lowering drugs
9georgiahealth.org
But high cholesterol is only one of the risk factors for
heart attack and stroke. “Your physician may consider
other factors before prescribing a statin,” Dr. Conger
says. These include:
• a family history of high cholesterol or
cardiovascular disease
• a sedentary lifestyle
• age
• poor general health
• having high blood pressure, diabetes or peripheral
artery disease
• being overweight or obese
• smoking
Lifestyle changes may helpIf your only risk factor is high cholesterol and you are
motivated to make lifestyle changes, your physician may
work with you to see if that helps.
“Whether you take a statin or not, lifestyle changes
are essential for reducing your risk of heart disease,” says
Dr. Conger. He recommends you:
• stop smoking
• eat a healthy diet that is low in fat, cholesterol and
salt
• maintain a healthy body weight and exercise at
least 30 minutes most days
• manage stress
Possible side effects Statins are generally well tolerated, but they can
cause muscle and joint aches, nausea, diarrhea or
constipation and elevated liver enzymes. People who take
statins may need blood tests to check liver function.
Preventive heart care Concerned about elevated cholesterol? Georgia
Health Sciences Cardiovascular Center offers a team of renowned specialists dedicated to preventing, diagnosing and treating the full range of cardiovascular diseases. To schedule an appointment, call 706-721-2426.
Family Health
Parkinson’s disease and other movement
disorders can gradually strip away a
person’s motor ability, taking a real
toll on patients and their caregivers. What’s
more, these diseases can lead to serious
complications that also require care.
“Studies show that people with
Parkinson’s disease have better outcomes when
they receive interdisciplinary care at a movement
disorders center,” says Shyamal Mehta, MD, a neurologist at
Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center.
The area’s only Movement Disorders Program Dr. Mehta, along with Kapil D. Sethi, MD, and
John C. Morgan, MD, are all neurologists who specialize
in movement disorders. They are key members of an
interdisciplinary team at Georgia Health Sciences
Movement Disorders Program. The team delivers
coordinated care to more than 250 patients a month from
one central location.
Designated by the National Parkinson Foundation
as 1 of approximately 40 Centers of Excellence, the
program has the expertise and technology to diagnose
and treat Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremor,
Huntington’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome and other
movement disorders in adults and children.
Comprehensive, one-stop care In addition to neurologists, the team includes
neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists and licensed physical,
occupational and speech therapists.
Together, they offer a full range of therapies
to slow the progression of these diseases
and manage symptoms. This includes
botulinum toxin injections and other
medications for dystonia and spasticity.
Surgical careWhen medications fail, surgical
options such as deep brain stimulation (DBS)
may be the answer. During DBS, a battery-operated
neurostimulator is surgically implanted in the brain to
stimulate targeted areas that control movement.
In addition, neurosurgeon Cole A. Giller, MD, offers
Gamma Knife radiosurgery, or targeted radiation therapy,
to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and other
movement disorders.
Support and social services A medical social worker evaluates patients and helps
them access in-home care, prescription assistance and other
resources. An outreach coordinator arranges educational
events, serves as a liaison between the center and local
support groups and educates patients and caregivers.
The program’s staff also conducts leading-edge
research in which patients can take part.
Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders
Delivering one-stop care and support
georgiahealth.org10
Leading-edge care for movement disorders
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 706-721-4581.
(5) Stroke. Again, it’s all about a healthy lifestyle.
Giving up tobacco, eating well, being active,
limiting alcohol and keeping chronic conditions under
control will reduce your risk of stroke.
(6) Type 2 diabetes. Left uncontrolled, this
disease can lead to dangerous complications.
Eating well, being active and losing weight are your best
defenses.
(7) Suicide. Untreated depression increases the
risk for suicide, yet men may be slower to seek
treatment than women. If you feel sad, unhappy or angry,
see your physician.
“Taking steps to prevent one of these threats often
reduces your risks for others, so making just one or
two changes can lead to a longer, healthier future,”
Dr. Salazar says. “It’s also important to have regular
checkups and follow all screening guidelines.”
When it comes to health, it’s important to
know your risks and take steps to minimize
them. According to statistics compiled by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the top
health threats for American men include:
(1) Heart disease. This is a leading cause of death
in men. To reduce your risk:
• Stop smoking.
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean
protein and less saturated fat and sodium.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
• Manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and
high cholesterol or blood pressure.
(2) Cancer. “Lung, skin, prostate and colorectal
cancers are of particular concern to men,” says
William Salazar, MD, an internal medicine physician at
Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center. Fortunately, the
steps that will help prevent heart disease will also reduce
the risk of cancer in men. It’s also important to:
• Protect yourself from the sun.
• Limit alcohol to no more than two drinks a day.
• Complete all required cancer screenings.
(3) Accidents, especially car crashes. To prevent
accidental injury or death, wear your seat belt.
Don’t speed, drive fatigued or drink and drive.
(4) Chronic lower respiratory diseases. To protect
yourself from diseases such as bronchitis and
emphysema, don’t smoke,
avoid pollutants, wash your
hands frequently to prevent
infections and get an annual
flu shot.
Top 7 health threats for menThey may surprise you
georgiahealth.org 11
Protect your healthTo schedule an appointment, call
internal medicine at 706-721-1450.
In the News
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Lydia Louise Hitchcock was always racing but
getting to fewer and fewer places. Exhaustion
was keeping the 64-year-old from working around
the six acres she shares with husband Jerry in Toombs
County. “I got to where I didn’t have any energy, was
short of breath,” she says.
When physicians discovered an erratic heartbeat
was the cause, she was referred to the experts at Georgia
Health Sciences Medical Center, where Adam Berman,
MD, director of Cardiac Arrhythmia Ablation Services,
used the new robotically precise Stereotaxis magnetic
navigation system to remove the small areas of heart
tissue that were causing her arrhythmia.
Dr. Berman, who is also a Georgia Health Sciences
University associate professor, teaches other physicians
how to use the technology as well.
Hitchcock said she could “already feel a difference”
when she woke up in the recovery room. “I feel good, like
I should,” she says.
Restoring the heart’s rhythmAblation therapy keeps woman’s heart beating on time
For advanced cardiac careIf your cardiac arrhythmia is not responding to
medications, you can learn more about ablation services at georgiahealth.org/cardio or 706-721-2426.