your health today
DESCRIPTION
MCG Health - Summer 2008TRANSCRIPT
Raising healthy kids A weighty issue
How stress affects your heart
Heartburn and cancer What's the link?
yourhealthtodaySummer 2008 • Your Guide to Healthy Living from MCGHealth • mcghealth.org
Produced by MCG Health, Inc., Division of Strategic Support and Philanthropy, Marketing Department.
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 Web site at mcghealth.org.
Physicians of MCGHealth are community physicians, faculty of the Medical College of Georgia or employees of the MCG Physicians Practice Group, not employees of MCGHealth. MCGHealth is a not-for-profit corporation operating MCG hospitals and related clinical facilities and services.
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Inside this issue
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mcghealth.org2
Page 3• Tips for a safe and healthy summer
Pages 4-5
Focus on Women• PMS or something else?
• The cervical cancer vaccine: Is it right for your daughter?
Pages 6-7
Cancer Prevention• Chronic heartburn:
The cancer connection
• New warning signs for ovarian cancer
Pages 8-9
Heart-Healthy Living• In the nick of time: MCGHealth
performs its first heart transplant
Pages 10-11
Family Health • Raising healthy kids:
A weighty issue
Page 12In the News• MCGHealth ALS Clinic receives
national certification
• MCGHealth among top 100 hospitals nationwide
ALS Support GroupWHEN: Second Thursday of each month, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch is provided)WHERE: MCGHealth Ambulatory Care Center, 1447 Harper St.,4th Floor, Room BP 4306CALL: The ALS Association of Georgia at 888-636-9940 to reserve a spot
Blood Cancer/Stem Cell Transplant Support GroupWHEN: Last Thursday of each month, 5:30 to 7 p.m. WHERE: MCG Alumni Center, Garden Room, 919 15th St.CALL: 706-721-2752 for more information
Brain Tumor Support GroupWHEN: Third Tuesday of each month, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.WHERE: MCGHealth Children's Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., 1st floor, Family Services Conference RoomCALL: 706-721-0193 for more information
Breast Cancer Support GroupWHEN: Second Thursday of each month, 5:30 to 7 p.m.WHERE: MCGHealth Medical Center Breast Health Services, 1st floorCALL: 706-721-4726 for more information
Chromosome Disorders Support GroupWHEN: First Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m.WHERE: MCGHealth Children's Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., Family Resource Library, 1st floorCALL: 706-721-5160 for more information
Huntington Disease Support GroupWHEN: First Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m. (dinner is provided)WHERE: Marks Building, 1429 Harper St., Room 1122CALL: 706-721-2798 for more information
Multiple Sclerosis Support GroupWHEN: Fourth Monday of each month, 6 to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: MCGHealth Medical Center, 1120 15th St., 6th FloorCALL: 706-721-7239 for more information
Support Group for Families Who Have Lost a Baby During Pregnancy, Childbirth or Early Infancy CALL: 706-721-8299 for times and location
A shoulder to lean onMCGHealth support groups
Take advantage of fresh fruits and vegetables
Summer is a great time to indulge in the tomatoes,
berries and other produce from local markets. Fruits and vegetables contain dozens of phytochemicals that protect plants from disease as well as help guard human health. While multivitamins can fill in nutritional gaps, they don’t pack the same punch as these naturally occurring phytochemicals.
Check your helmet
Longer days mean more family time, so why not
pack up the kids and take a bike ride? Be sure everyone wears a helmet to prevent head injuries. To get the most from your helmet, make sure it: · bears a seal of
approval from the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or Snell Foundation.
· fits snugly. Wear the helmet flat on the top of the head, so it can’t move more than 1 inch in any direction.
· offers visibility. Make sure the helmet doesn’t block your visibility, and choose a bright helmet that motorists can see.
If a helmet has been involved in an accident, discard it. Even if there’s no visible sign of damage, it may be defective.
Dine out the heart-healthy way
Looking for heart-healthy menu items?
Dining out can be a challenge for people who want to eat right, so dietitians and physicians at MCGHealth Cardiovascular Center have partnered with local restaurants to make heart-healthy menu items available in our community. Look for the MCGHealth- certified Heart Healthy Dining Program symbol at the following restaurants:· Beamie’s at the River· Bee’s Knees · Boll Weevil Café & Sweetery · French Market Grille· Roly Poly· My Friend’s Place· Takosushi· Walton Way Deli
Watch for dehydration in children
Children produce more heat and sweat less than
adults, increasing their risk for dehydration as the weather heats up. Yet they may not drink enough fluids when playing or exercising in hot, humid weather. Make sure your children drink plenty of water, take periodic breaks in the shade and avoid playing outdoors in extreme heat.
Tips for a safe and healthy summer
3mcghealth.org
Focus on Women
If you dread your monthly period, you’re not alone. About 75 percent of women who menstruate have at
least one troubling premenstrual symptom, whether
it’s depression, irritability, anxiety, tender breasts, bloat-
ing or headache. Many women experience a pattern of
emotional and physical symptoms month after month.
“If these symptoms are so severe that they interfere with
some aspect of your life, you may have premenstrual
syndrome [PMS],” says Erin Holsten, MD, an Ob/Gyn
with MCGHealth. If you have PMS, symptoms usually
begin in the five days before your period starts and occur
at least three months in a row. Symptoms typically last
for four days.
PMS or something else?How to tell the difference
A severe form of PMS About 8 percent of menstruating women suffer from a
sometimes disabling form of PMS known as premenstrual
dysphoric disorder (PMDD). “PMDD causes more
severe symptoms than PMS and has a greater impact
on relationships and daily activities,” says Dr. Holsten.
“Symptoms occur in the last week of the menstrual cycle
and usually improve a few days after menstruation
begins.” They include:
• persistent sadness or depression
• marked anxiety
• mood swings and periods of crying
• persistent or marked anger or irritability
• decreased interest in usual activities
• fatigue or lethargy
• feeling overwhelmed or out of control
• muscle aches, headaches and joint pain
• changes in sleep patterns
• changes in appetite
If you experience these symptoms, consult your
physician.
“Major depression is very common with PMDD, but
the condition also can occur in women who don’t have a
history of depression,” Dr. Holsten says.
Looking for comprehensive Ob/Gyn care?
MCGHealth’s Women’s Health Services offers the entire spectrum of women’s care—from
well-woman services to high-risk pregnancies, pelvic reconstruction and in vitro fertilization. The program is staffed by board-certified physicians.
Don’t let PMS disrupt your life. Call 706-721-CARE (2273) today to schedule an appointment
with an experienced gynecologist who can help.
mcghealth.org4
Focus on Women
Is it right for your daughter?
Every year, more than 12,000 women in the
United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical
cancer, and approximately 4,000 of those women
die from the disease.
Fortunately, a vaccine called Gardasil® is expected
to decrease cervical cancer rates by up to 70 percent
if national guidelines are followed. The vaccine is
recommended for girls
and women ages 9 to 26.
It’s administered through
three injections during a
six-month period.
According to Erin
Holsten, MD, an Ob/Gyn
with MCGHealth,
various strains of the
human papillomavirus
(HPV), a sexually
transmitted infection, cause most cases of cervical
cancer. “The immune system generally prevents the
virus from causing harm, but in some women the virus
can survive for years before converting some cells on the
cervix into cancer,” says Dr. Holsten.
“Vaccinating girls and women with Gardasil—
preferably before they engage in sexual activity—
activates their immune systems prior to the time they’re
likely to encounter HPV,” says Dr. Holsten. “If a woman
who has been vaccinated is exposed to the virus,
antibodies will protect against infection.” Talk to your
physician to determine whether the vaccine is appropriate
for you or your daughter.
Want more women’s health information?
MCGHealth’s new iHealth for Women Web site offers health information
for women of all ages. Sections are designed specifically for:
Call 706-721-CARE (2273) today to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist who
understands the Gardasil vaccine and adolescent care.
MCGHealth active in developing and testing Gardasil
Research conducted by Daron Ferris, MD, director of the MCG Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Center,
played a major role in the development of Gardasil, the vaccine for cervical cancer. What’s more, MCGHealth was the largest testing site for the vaccine in North America, allowing women in our community to be among the first to receive this preventive treatment.
Gardasil is expected to decrease cervical cancer rates by up to 70 percent.
The cervical cancer vaccine
5mcghealth.org
• teens• young women
• mid-life women• mature women
Cancer Prevention
More than 15 million Americans experience heartburn every day. Symptoms of the
condition include:
• a burning sensation behind the breastbone
• a sour taste in the mouth
• the sensation of food re-entering the mouth
Unfortunately, prolonged, unchecked heartburn can
set the stage for esophageal cancer. “People who suffer
from heartburn for five to 10 years may have an increased
risk of Barrett’s esophagus, a serious precancerous
complication of heartburn,” says Ayaz Chaudhary, MD, a
gastroenterologist with MCGHealth. “This is particularly
true for men.”
Although there are currently no regular screening
See your entire cancer treatment team in one day
A cancer diagnosis can have you running from doctor to doctor with little coordination of care. But not at
MCGHealth Cancer Center. Patients with several common types of cancer can schedule individual visits with their surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, social worker, nutritionist, plastic surgeon and psychiatrist all in one day.
After your appointments, the physicians consult and then meet with you and your family to discuss the plan of care and answer any questions. Your care. Your way.
The center also offers:• the most specialized treatment team in the area,
including surgical oncologists, Ob/Gyn oncologists and hematologist/oncologists
• advanced medical technology • access to national clinical trials, including Phase 1
trials not available at other local hospitals
Don’t take a chance. If you suffer from heartburn, call 706-721-CARE (2273) now to schedule an
appointment with a physician who can help.
The pill cam: A complete picture
Capsule endoscopy is a procedure used to detect conditions of the esophagus and small intestine.
Also known as the pill cam, it can provide images of a section of the small intestine that traditional endoscopies and colonoscopies can’t see.
Patients swallow a plastic capsule containing a miniature video camera. The camera collects and records images on a small device worn on the patient’s belt. The physician downloads and reviews the images for possible abnormalities.
mcghealth.org6
Chronic heartburn: The cancer connection
recommendations for Barrett’s esophagus, Dr. Chaudhary
recommends that people who have suffered from
long-term heartburn undergo some form of screening
for the disease, generally endoscopy.
symptoms are relatively
common and may occur
with any number of illness-
es. So how do you know
when to see a physician if
you experience them?
Dr. Ghamande advises
making an appointment
with your gynecologist if:
• occurrence of these
symptoms is unusual
• symptoms occur almost daily
• symptoms last for more than a few weeks
“Although these symptoms are more likely to be
caused by conditions other than ovarian cancer, it’s better
to be safe than sorry,” Dr. Ghamande says. “When
ovarian cancer is diagnosed early, the chances that the
disease can be cured are very high.”
Cancer Prevention
For years, physicians thought there were no early
warning signs for ovarian cancer, a disease that
often strikes younger women who are still raising
their children. Sadly, ovarian cancer is frequently fatal.
But recent medical studies indicate that patients who
have ovarian cancer often experience identifiable symptoms
in the early stages. The most common of these are:
• bloating
• pelvic or abdominal pain
• trouble eating or feeling full quickly
• urinary symptoms, such as an urgent or frequent
need to urinate
According to Sharad A. Ghamande, MD, an Ob/Gyn
oncologist with MCGHealth Cancer Center, these
New warning signs for ovarian cancer
Smoking and cancer
15The types of cancer that are causally related to smoking
30The percentage of cancer deaths that are linked to smoking
7mcghealth.org
Fast facts about ovarian cancer• Nearly 22,000 American women will develop ovarian
cancer this year.• 15,000 of these women will die of ovarian cancer.• Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among
American women.• Early detection of ovarian cancer greatly increases
survival.• There is no standardized screening test available
for this disease. • Only 19 percent of ovarian cancers are diagnosed
in the early stages, when the chances of survival are about 90 percent.
If you experience these warning signs or are looking for a gynecologist, call 706-721-CARE
(2273) to schedule a convenient appointment.
Couple finds new hope at MCGHealth
As MCGHealth was
launching its program,
Freddie’s health was de-
clining. “Then we learned
about the new program at
MCGHealth, and things
began to look up,” says
Shirley.
The McCullums
scheduled an appointment
with a member of MCGHealth’s transplant team on
March 25. Because of his grave condition, Freddie was at
the top of the transplant list. On April 8, as the father of
two anxiously waited, a heart that matched his needs
became available in Atlanta.
The transplant team shifts into gear Vijay Patel, MD, a transplant surgeon with
MCGHealth, immediately boarded a plane to Atlanta to
remove the donor heart while Chandra Kunavarapu, MD,
a congestive heart failure/heart transplant cardiologist,
prepared Freddie for surgery. Dr. Patel returned with the
new heart, and Dr. Landolfo began removing Freddie’s
ailing one.
Three hours after Dr. Patel removed the donor heart,
Dr. Landolfo completed the transplant. The donor heart
took its first hesitant beats, then gained speed. “It was a
magical moment for everyone,” says Dr. Landolfo.
The next day, Freddie celebrated his 42nd birthday
at MCGHealth with a new heart and a renewed
appreciation for life.
T he old saying “timing is everything”
certainly proved true for Freddie McCullum and
his wife Shirley. For years, the heavy equipment
operator from Stone Mountain, Ga., had been growing
steadily weaker due to congestive heart failure. He had
lost his health insurance and was turned down by an
Atlanta transplant program, at that time the only one of
its kind in the state.
As this was happening, transplant surgeon Kevin
Landolfo, MD, former director of the cardiac transplant
team at Duke University Medical Center, was building
a similar program at MCGHealth. The team he forged
consisted of two surgeons, two cardiologists, a nephrologist,
two heart failure/transplant coordinators, a medical social
worker and other administrative and support personnel.
After four years of planning, the program was certified
by the United Network for Organ Sharing in July 2007,
when MCGHealth agreed to perform the first nine cardiac
transplants free of charge. “As a result, MCGHealth will
invest more than $2 million in start-up funds for the
program,” says Dr. Landolfo.
Heart-Healthy Living
In the nick of timeMCGHealth Cardiovascular Center performs its first heart transplant
Then we learned about the new program at MCGHealth, and things began to look up.
—Shirley McCullum
Transplant team members (left to right) Chandra Kunavarapu, MD, Vijay Patel, MD, and Kevin Landolfo, MD, monitor Freddie’s care after his heart transplant.
mcghealth.org8
q Begin each day with a to-do list. q Prioritize your tasks so you can focus on what’s most important. q Say “no” to nonessential tasks. q Delegate roles and responsibilities to others. q Avoid repetition by doing jobs right the first time. q Break large tasks into smaller, more manageable sections. q Eliminate activities that make poor use of your time. q Take periodic breaks. q Get plenty of sleep and exercise. q Take a time management course, if needed.
Heart-Healthy Living
Time management checklist
Effective time management can help you minimize stress and get the most from each
day. Here’s a checklist to help you improve your organizational skills:
Exactly what is the “stress response“?
A: The stress response is a protective mechanism that gives your body the energy, speed and concentration to deal with physical threats. It allows you the option of “fight or flight.”
How does it begin?
A: A tiny region in the brain sets off an alarm in the body. In response, your adrenal glands release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, the primary stress hormone.
What effect do these hormones have on the body?
A: Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts your energy. Cortisol increases glucose in the bloodstream and alters immune system responses.
Why is prolonged stress dangerous?
A: The overexposure to stress hormones disrupts the body’s processes and increases the risk of obesity, insomnia, digestive problems, depression and heart disease.
Stress can take a toll on the heart
Don’t give your heart to just anyone
When it comes to heart health, MCGHealth is here for you, whether you have high blood pressure,
need a pacemaker, have congestive heart failure or require a full-blown heart transplant.
The center is staffed by renowned cardiologists and researchers from such prestigious institutions as Harvard Medical School, Duke University and Brown University. Together, they keep MCGHealth on the leading edge of cardiac care.
These specialists in interventional cardiology, pediatric cardiology, echocardiology, open-heart surgery, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and other areas work as an integrated team to diagnose and treat the full range of cardiovascular diseases. They also operate the area’s only heart transplant center and offer advanced electrophysiology procedures not available at other area hospitals.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 706-721-CARE (2273) or visit
mcghealth.org/cardio.
9mcghealth.org
Family Health
Raising healthy kidsA weighty issue
Children’s Medical Center. “These conditions can
possibly lead to behavior and learning problems.”
Parents, take charge! Childhood obesity is often a symptom of family
lifestyle, so parents have to lead the way in solving the
problem.
“Don’t go into denial as many parents do,” says
Dr. Bassali. “If you think your child is overweight, see a
physician for an evaluation that includes measuring his or
mcghealth.org10
Healthy snacking
Snacking isn’t necessarily bad if the snacks pack a nutritional punch. Follow these tips for healthy
snacking: • Restrict snacking to the kitchen to prevent mindless
munching in front of a computer or TV. • Stock up on healthy grab-and-go snacks
such as string cheese, yogurt cups and celery sticks. • Offer something new, like fresh mango or roasted soy nuts. • Keep a bowl of fruit on the counter,
a bag of ready-to-eat carrots in the refrigerator and cans of fruit packed in
juice in the pantry. • Go for the grains. Whole-grain crackers, pretzels and
cereals are high in fiber and provide staying power.
Pediatricians at MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center are seeing increasing numbers of children
with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high
cholesterol—problems once considered rare in kids. That’s
because the number of overweight or obese Americans ages
6 to 11 has doubled, and in the last 20 years, the number of
overweight or obese teens has tripled. The main cause of
childhood obesity? Too much food and too little exercise.
“In addition to being at risk for diseases, children
who are overweight or obese can be bullied and suffer
from low self-esteem, anxiety or depression,” says Reda
W. Bassali, MD, a pediatrician with MCGHealth
Pediatric evaluation teams ease parents’ fears
No one knows your child better than you do, so you may be the first to notice subtle personality
changes that may signal a worsening condition when hospitalized. When that occurs at MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center, you can call a Pediatric Evaluation Team (PET) to the bedside from any phone in the hospital. This group of multidisciplinary health care providers will quickly evaluate your child’s health. It’s just another way MCGHealth partners with you to deliver Patient Family Centered Care.
Worried about your child’s weight? Call 706-721-CARE (2273) now to schedule an appointment
with an experienced pediatrician.
Family Health
On the food front To decrease the total number of calories you and your
children eat each day:
• Serve more fruits and vegetables, working up to five
servings a day.
• Choose poultry and lean cuts of meat, and bake or grill
instead of frying.
• Buy low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
• Limit all fats and avoid saturated and trans
fats and tropical oils.
• Switch to whole-grain breads and pastas.
• Limit the number of times you eat out,
especially at fast-food restaurants.
• Forego products that are high in sugar or
high fructose corn syrup.
• Eat together as a family.
“Even small lifestyle changes—such as drinking
water instead of soda with meals and shooting hoops after
dinner—can have a positive impact on your child’s weight
and health,” says Dr. Bassali.
mcghealth.org 11
her height and weight and
calculating his or her body
mass index (BMI).”
You’ll also need to
improve your family’s diet
and exercise habits. To lose
weight, both adults and
children have to burn more
calories than they take in.
For children younger
than age 7 who have no other health concerns, however,
weight maintenance may be a better option than weight
loss. “This allows the child to grow taller without adding
pounds. Over time, the child’s BMI will drop into a
normal range,” Dr. Bassali says.
For older children, weight loss should be slow and
steady, anywhere from 1 pound to 4 pounds a month.
Get moving! Here are some tips to get your kids up
and going:
• If you want active children,
be an active parent.
• Limit television, video
games and recreational
computer time to no
more than two hours
a day.
• Encourage activity, not
just exercise.
• Get your children to take part
in organized sports, and volunteer
to work with their teams.
• Make lawn and housework family affairs.
• Plan family outings around activities other than eating.
The main cause of childhood obesity? Too much food and too little exercise.
MCGHealth ALS Clinic receives national certification
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAIDLebanon Junction, KY
Permit # 115
In the News
M CGHealth made the list of top 100
hospitals in the nation in patient safety and
quality of care according to the Thomson
100 Top Hospitals® National Benchmarks for Success.
This annual study examines the performance levels of
U.S. hospitals and objectively identifies 100 benchmark
hospitals based on the two most recent years of data.
What does it take to be among the top 100
hospitals in the nation? Three things: outstanding
clinical quality, well-run operations and responsible
financial management. The study finds that the 100
top hospitals have higher survival rates and lower
complications for patients, while also maintaining
financial stability.
The study estimates that if all Medicare inpatients
received the same level of care as those at the winning
hospitals:
• More than 120,000 additional patients would survive
each year.
• There would be 138,000 fewer patient complications
each year.
• Expenses would decline by $6.23 billion a year.
• The hospital stay for the average patient would
decrease by more than half a day.
MCGHealth's Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinic recently became the
first in Georgia and the 31st in the nation to
be certified by the ALS Association.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, causes
patients to lose the use of their muscles, making it
difficult for them to visit multiple caregivers.
MCGHealth’s ALS Clinic coordinates the comprehensive,
multidisciplinary care these patients need. The clinic
allows patients to see their physicians, physical therapists,
occupational therapists,
speech therapists,
respiratory therapists,
dietitians and other
caregivers on the same day.
Better medicine,
better outcomes, better
care. That’s a hallmark
of MCGHealth.
MCGHealth among top 100
hospitals nationwide
Find relief today. For more information or to schedule an appointment at the ALS Clinic,
call 706-721-CARE (2273) or visit mcghealth.org/neuro.
1120 15th Street Augusta, GA 30912