- HMB 01SU 5 18prod - OXHP · 2005-04-13 · Integrated Medicine Center (IMC), naturopathic...

hmhbH E A L T H Y M I N D H E A L T H Y B O D Y | Y O U R G U I D E T O H E A L T H Y L I V I N G

S U M M E R 2 0 0 1

growing upwith diabetesLearn to recognize the symptomsof diabetes in children

> TESTICULAR CANCER

Early detection is the key to successful treatment

> PHYSICIAN SPOTLI GH T

Meet three Oxford cardiologists who lead by example

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I nsi de: important membership news updates on YOU R OXFORD H EALT H PLA N ( pu l l ou t and save )

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D I D Y O U K N O W ?

Integrative solutions

with Griffin Hospital

Oxford reintroduced a relationship with the Integrated MedicineCenter at Griffin Hospital in Derby, CT in July 2000. At theIntegrated Medicine Center (IMC), naturopathic physicianswith expertise in nutrition, herbal remedies, homeopathy,and physical medicine, and conventional doctors trained ininternal and preventive care can meet with you to discussand evaluate your health concerns. As an Oxford Member,your initial visit to the IMC is a covered benefit, less yourcopay, after you receive a referral from your primary carephysician.* If you are interested in exploring alternative andcomplementary medicine, please take advantage of theIntegrative Medicine Center at Griffin Hospital. If you havequestions, or would like to schedule an appointment, pleasecall the Center directly at 203-732-1370.

*Benefits and access to Alternative Providers vary by state. Please check yourCertificate of Coverage for specifics on your plan.

Protect yourself in the sun

While you’re enjoying beautiful summer days, don’t forget to

protect your skin. It's no secret that the sun’s UV rays damage

your skin, causing it to age prematurely, and increase your

risk for skin cancer. Still, millions of people suffer every year

from sunburns that kill healthy skin cells and injure blood

vessels close to the skin's surface. Some tips on how to avoid

the sun's harmful effects include:

• Avoid sun exposure during the peak hours of the sun’srays (usually between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm).

• Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of atleast 15, paying special attention to your face, nose, ears,and shoulders.

• Use sunglasses with UV protection.

• Use a lip balm with sunscreen.

Raising heart smart kids

It’s never too early to start good family habits — like eating

healthier at the dinner table and incorporating exercise into

family activities. Good habits start at home. Parents can help

their children adopt healthier food choices and exercise rou-

tines at a young age by being positive role models. This will

lower your child’s risk for future heart conditions (i.e., heart

attack or stroke) and your own risk for such conditions.

Eat Well Start by increasing your family’s intake of high

protein meats. Include fruits and vegetables in every meal.

Avoid high-fat items such as fast food and ice cream. View

them as treats to be enjoyed only on special occasions.

Exercise Encouraging your children to participate in activities

and sports at a young age will make them more likely to

pursue those activities as adults. On weekends, plan an activity

that allows them to get an adequate amount of physical

activity (i.e., bike riding, going for walks on beaches or in parks,

roller blading, or playing catch). Find an age appropriate

sport or activity that your child really enjoys. Partake in that

activity together — so you can take an active role in your child’s

health and reduce your family’s risk for heart conditions.

Special Member Offer:

Alternative Medicine

for Dummies

Oxford is pleased to offer Alternative Medicine for Dummies to

our Members at a special low price. Through Hungry Minds, the

publisher of the For Dummies series, Oxford Members pay only

$14.99 (plus shipping and handling) per copy — that’s a $5

discount from the book’s retail value of $19.99. To order a copy

of Alternative Medicine for Dummies, simply call Hungry Minds

at 800-762-2974, and refer to promotional code #704688.

Oxford coverage for Medicare benef iciaries

Did you know that Oxford provides healthcare coverage to

Medicare beneficiaries? If you or someone you know is eligible

for Medicare, call 1-800-303-6720 (TDD: 1-800-201-4874),

Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 6 PM to obtain information about

healthcare benefits above and beyond Medicare, for no addi-

tional monthly plan premium.

Oxford offers Medicare coverage in the following areas:• New York State: Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), Nassau, New York

(Manhattan), Queens, and Richmond (Staten Island) counties

• New Jersey: Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris,and Union counties

• Connecticut: New Haven County

Correction: In the Winter 2001 issue, a chart on calcium contentin milk and dairy (page 8) showed that 1 ounce of plain yogurtcontains 400mg of calcium. This should have been 1 cup of yogurt.

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We’d like to hear from you! Write to: Oxford Health Plans /Marketing-Gebing48 Monroe TurnpikeTrumbull, CT 06611or email us at: [email protected]

Oxford Health Plans, Inc., and Avant Publishing Group are not responsible for typographical errors.© Copyright 2001 by Avant Publishing Group. All rights are reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in anyretrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means elec-tronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, withoutthe prior written permission of the publisher.

This magazine contains general health information and is notmeant to substitute the advice and/or care from healthcareprofessionals. Oxford Health Plans and your employer (or otherenrolling group) does not endorse any specific treatments,medications, brands or products mentioned in Healthy MindHealthy Body, nor are they endorsing or supporting any scientificclaim made in reference to any specific condition, medication,brand or product. Please discuss any concerns you have aboutyour health with your healthcare provider.

4 alternative medicine Oxford’s Complementary andAlternative Medicine program offers access to over 2,400 credentialedalternative practitioners.

5 nutrit ion Summer fruits are filled with vitamins and minerals,not to mention flavor.

6 family matters Diabetes in children is on the rise. Learn moreabout how to help detect and treat your child’s diabetes.

9 paths to wellness Oxford doctors’ Brown and Dillard offeradvice on how to better manage your blood pressure.

10 physician spotl ight Whether you’re 25 or 55, it’s never toolate to start taking care of your heart. Meet three Oxford cardiologistswho are helping their patients stay heart healthy.

13 fitness Check out six beautiful hiking trails in the tri-state area.

14 men’s health Learn about the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer.

16 resource guide Oxford phone numbers you’ll want to keep on hand.

hmhbyour guide to healthy l i ving

courtesy of OXFOR D H E A LT H PL A N S

Chief Executive Officer | Norman C. Payson, MDPresident and COO | Chuck BergVice President, Marketing | Chuck GreenManager, Member Marketing | Meg DedmanEditor | Stephanie GebingMedical Editor | Ronald C. Brown, MD, FACP

Avant Publishing Group

Publisher | Barry FreilicherManaging Editor | Marty JeffcockCreative Director | Howard MaatArt Director | Leah MarkosDesigner | Andrea LangeDesigner | Leah MarkosContributing Writer | Kathy HallgrenContributing Writer | Marty JeffcockContributing Writer | Katie SweeneyEditorial Research | Jessica Gibson

Healthy Mind Healthy Body ®is published three times per year by Avant Publishing Group3732 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite 395, Lafayette, CA 94549 tel 925-283-5525 | fax 925-283-5515


W hen you hear the wordsacupuncture, massage therapyor chiropractic care, do you

think about your health plan? Probablynot, but you should. Oxford Health Plans’Complementary and Alternative Medicine(CAM) program offers you discountedrates from a comprehensive networkof providers — including naturopaths,chiropractors, yoga instructors, nutri-tionists, and massage therapists.

What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine?Complementary and alternative medi-cine emphasizes healing and diseaseprevention by treating the mind, bodyand spirit. Many CAM therapies are usedin conjunction with conventional treat-ments to prevent illness, reduce stress,treat symptoms, reduce side effects, andcontrol or cure disease. According toDr. James Dillard, Oxford’s AlternativeMedicine Medical Director, “At Oxford,we try to mix the best of the alternativemedicine world with the best of theconventional world for the benefit ofthe patient. There is good evidencethat if you combine these things sensibly,you actually get better results and patientsare happier.”

All Oxford Members have access to the CAM ProgramOxford became one of the first majorhealth plans to offer an AlternativeMedicine program in 1997 because ourMembers expressed an overwhelminginterest in choosing their own paths towellness. Today, the program offersaccess,1 at a discounted rate, to over 2,400credentialed alternative practitioners,such as acupuncturists, chiropractors,massage therapists, naturopathic physi-cians, nutritionists, and yoga instructors.Oxford also offers benefits through anAlternative Medicine Rider (availablethrough employer purchase).

Every Oxford Member has access to the discounts offered through ourAlternative Medicine practitioners. And,

these are available to our Memberswithout a referral from their primarycare physician. CAM providers can belocated via the provider search toolon www.oxfordhealth.com and are alsolisted in the Roster of ParticipatingPhysicians & Providers.

In addition to the discounted contractrate program, Oxford offers standardchiropractic benefits in New York, NewJersey, and Connecticut, and standardnaturopathy in Connecticut only.2 If youremployer has purchased the AlternativeMedicine Rider, you can make medically

necessary visits to acupuncturists, chiro-practors, and naturopaths without a PCPreferral. Standard benefits and additionalbenefits (available through employer pur-chase of the rider) are subject to an officecopayment. Please refer to your Certificateof Coverage for further details.

Should I let my primary care physician knowthat I am seeking alternative treatments?Alarmingly, less than 30% of those using

alternative therapies or supplements havediscussed doing so with their primary carephysician or specialist. Says Dr. Dillard,“Theuse of alternative medicine can interferewith conventional treatments if the two arenot coordinated properly. We encourageour Members to discuss their approachesto alternative treatments with their primary care physicians and specialists.”

In addition to encouraging patientsto seek out the advice of their physician,Oxford continues to encourage physi-cians to gain a better understanding ofthe benefits of alternative treatments.Future company initiatives include pro-viding enhanced educational contentfor both providers and consumers andencouraging conventional providersto seek out educational opportunitiesrelated to CAM.

According to an Oxford Membersatisfaction survey that was performedin January 2001:• Forty-four percent of Oxford

Members used at least one type ofcomplementary and alternative med-icine therapy in the past 12 months.

• Over 55% of our Members were cur-rently using nutritional and herbalsupplements.

• Nine out of 10 Members using Oxford’sCAM Program expressed satisfaction. �

1 Benefits and access to alternative providers vary by state.2 Connecticut is the only state in our service area that licensesnaturopathic physicians.

4 hmhb | H E A L T H Y M I N D H E A L T H Y B O D Y

A L T E R N A T I V E M E D I C I N E

l iving a balanced l ife

National Center for

Complementary and

Alternative Medicine

(at the National Institute of Health)www.nccam.nih.gov

American Botanical

Counci l

www.herbalgram.org

Ask Dr. Weil

www.pathfinder.com/drweil

R E S O U R C E S

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iO X F O R D I N F O

For more information about Oxford’sComplementary and AlternativeMedicine Program, visit Oxford’s Memberweb site at www.oxfordhealth.comor call Oxford Member Services at800-444-6222.


S ummer is the time when yourlocal produce stand and super-market offer the best selection

of delicious fruits. In addition to theirinviting colors and delectableflavors, summer fruits arepacked with essential vita-mins and minerals — suchas potassium, calcium,

and magnesium — whichhelp to regulate the body’sbalance of water, hormones,enzymes, vitamins, and fluids.

Health professionals recommendthat you eat at least five servings offruits and vegetables every day alongwith a variety of other foods. Thechart below gives you information

about the nutritionalqualities of somepopular summerfruits. Plus, we’veincluded recipes for

two fruit smoothiesthat are tasty, easy to

make, and loaded with vitamins andminerals. Here’s to your health! �

O F F E R A W E A L T H O F V I T A M I N S A N D M I N E R A L S

N U T R I T I O N

Smoothie Recipes

Banana n’ Berry Smoothie (Serves 2)

1 banana1 cup fresh blackberries, blueberries,

or strawberries1/2 cup nonfat milk1 1/2 cups nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt

Combine milk and frozen yogurt in ablender or food processor. Add bananaand berries and blend until smooth.

Berry Dream Smoothie (Serves 2)

1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt1/2 cup grape juice1 cup fresh blueberries1 cup fresh blackberriesCrushed ice, approximately 1 cup

Combine grape juice and vanillayogurt in a blender or food processor.Add berries and blend until smooth.Add ice until desired consistencyand temperature. Strain smoothiethrough sieve and serve.

Note: Fresh summer fruit may be pur-chased, washed,dried, and imme-diately frozenin self-sealing plastic bags for later use.

summer fruits

Eat a fruit

Apples 1 cup, quartered

74 calories

Apricots 1 cup,sliced79 calories

Blackberries 1 cup

75 calories

Blueberries 1 cup

81 calories

Cantaloupe1 cup, diced55 calories

Cherries1 cup, without pits

104 calories

Peaches 1 cup, sliced73 calories

Raspberries1 cup

60 calories

Strawberries1 cup, sliced50 calories

Watermelon1 cup, diced49 calories

Get a great health benefit

Apples are an excellent source of fiber and pectin, which help controlcholesterol levels. They also contain the cancer-fighting antioxidant vitaminsA and C, and the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Apricots are high in beta-carotene, which is believed to help prevent heartdisease and some cancers. They also contain the cancer-fighting antioxidantvitamins C and E, and the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Blackberries are an excellent source of fiber and the cancer-fightingantioxidant vitamin C. They also offer the minerals calcium,magnesium, and potassium.

Blueberries are an excellent source of fiber and the cancer-fightingantioxidant vitamins A, C, and E. They also contain the minerals calcium,magnesium, and potassium.

Cantaloupe is high in beta-carotene, which is believed to have a protectiveeffect against heart disease and some cancers. It also offers theminerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Cherries are a good source of fiber and an excellent source of themineral copper, which helps blood cells and connective tissues. Theyalso contain the antioxidant vitamins A and C.

Peaches are high in beta-carotene and the cancer-fighting antioxi-dant vitamin C. They also offer the minerals calcium, magnesium,and potassium.

Raspberries are very high in fiber and pectin, which help control cho-lesterol levels. They also have the antioxidant vitamins A and C. Theyare rich in iron (which helps blood cells), and potassium.

Strawberries are a rich source of fiber, plus the cancer-fighting antioxidantvitamin C. They also offer the minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, andselenium (selenium is believed to help your system’s immune response).

Watermelon is an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C. It alsooffers the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 1999. USDA Nutrient Databasefor Standard Reference, Release 13.

O X F O R D H E A L T H P L A N S | hmhb 5


growing up



F or children with diabetes, insulininjections and glucose monitoringcan be as much a part of daily life

as homework and bedtime stories. As amatter of fact, there are more childrenwho have diabetes than you may think.Over the past five years, the number ofchildren and adolescents diagnosedwith diabetes has risen at an alarmingrate. The risk of developing childhooddiabetes is higher than any of the othersevere chronic diseases of childhood.That’s why it is very important for parentsto know and understand the symptomsof diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, is oneof the most common chronic disordersin the United States. According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), as many as 16 million Americanshave diabetes. Juvenile diabetes, or type 1,which affects children and teens, accountsfor about 5 to 10 percent of these cases.

Diabetes impairs the body’s ability toturn food into energy. Normally, the hor-mone insulin performs this function by

transporting glucose (sugar) from foodinto our cells. But in people with diabetes,the pancreas either doesn’t make insulinor the body can’t use it properly.

This results in high levels of sugarin the blood — and potentially seriousdamage to the body’s organs. Diabetes isa leading cause of blindness and kidneyfailure. Other complications can includeheart disease, stroke, high blood pressure,amputations, gum disease, and coma.

Types of diabetesAlthough many peoplethink of diabetes as justone disease, there areactually several types:

Type 1. This formof diabetes is the mostprevalent among children. Formerlycalled juvenile-onset diabetes, it typicallydevelops in children and young adults upto age 30 and is triggered by the immunesystem. Normally, the immune systemprotects the body against infection byproducing antibodies to kill germs suchas bacteria. In type 1, the immune systemcreates antibodies that attack and destroythe insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.Eventually, these cells are destroyed, andthe body can’t make insulin.

Type 2. About 90 to 95 percent ofpeople with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.Formerly called adult-onset diabetes, itoften occurs after age 40 and is associatedwith obesity. In type 2, the cells that makeinsulin aren’t destroyed but becomesluggish. People with type 2 make someinsulin, but not enough. And organs suchas the liver and muscles don’t respond to

insulin normally. This results in the samehigh glucose levels seen in type 1.

Maturity Onset Diabetes in the Young(M.O.D.Y.) is a variation of type 2 diabetes.Recent statistics aren’t available, but doc-tors are reporting that it’s on the rise inchildren and teens. As with type 2 inadults, a major risk factor for M.O.D.Y. isobesity. Doctors believe more childrenare developing this form of diabetesbecause more children are overweight

and don’t get enough exercise. A lackof exercise in this population can beattributed to the rising use of televisions,computers, and video games.

Who gets it?Type 1. Any child can develop diabetes,and about one in every 600 childrendevelops type 1. Nationwide, about500,000 to 1 million people have type 1diabetes. Type 1 can strike any time, butit most often shows up around puberty— age 10 to 12 for girls and age 12 to 14for boys. The disease doesn’t discriminatebetween males and females, but it does runin families and occurs more often amongCaucasians than other ethnic groups.

Type 2. Children who have type 2 usually are in mid-to-late puberty and havea family history of type 2. It’s more com-mon in kids of African American, Latino

or American Indian descent. Up to 80percent of children with type 2 are over-weight when they’re diagnosed.

Common symptoms of diabetesSo how do you know if your child has dia-betes? Talk with your child’s physician ifyou notice one or more of these symptoms:


continued on page 8

F A M I L Y M A T T E R S

with diabetes It’s important to know and

understand the symptoms


• Extreme thirst• Frequent urination

(especially at night)• Lethargy or extreme tiredness• Increased appetite• Sudden, unexplained weight loss • Blurred vision or sudden

vision changes• Sores that are slow to heal• Fruity odor on breath• Very dry skin

Symptoms may appear suddenly,especially with type 1 diabetes. (It’simportant to note, though, that type 2diabetes may show no symptoms.) Besure to take your child to his or herphysician if you suspect your child mayhave diabetes. The doctor will performa simple blood test to determine if yourchild has the disease.

After the diagnosisBeing diagnosed with diabetes is difficultat any age. But it can be overwhelmingfor parents to think of a child’s lifelongregulation of diet and dependency on insulin.

Thankfully, a diabetes diagnosisdoes not necessarily mean that yourchild’s life will be severely altered. Yourchild should be able to do most activitiesthat other kids do, of course, with theirphysician’s consent. But it takes some work.

With type 1, insulin injections are a must. Most children have two or three

injections a day at regular times. Somechildren and teens now use pager-sizepumps with microchips that are pro-grammed to deliver a continuous supplyof insulin through thin plastic tubing. Itis important to note that these devicesrequire thorough instruction and frequentblood glucose monitoring.

For children with type 2, insulin injection may or may not be needed. Somechildren with type 2 take medications thathelp their bodies make insulin availableor produce more insulin on their own.

Your child’s diet and exercise will needto be closely managed. Eating healthymeals at the same time each day is key.Discuss your child’s diet with his or herdoctor on a regular basis.

Battling blood sugar The goal of diabetes treatment is basic:keep your child’s blood sugar level asnormal as possible. You’ll need to checkit daily by monitoring your child’s bloodglucose level with a glucose meter.

Sometimes, no matter how hard youtry, you can’t always keep your child’sblood sugar normal. It may soar (hyper-glycemia) or plummet (hypoglycemia)for no apparent reason. Symptoms ofhyperglycemia include excessive thirst,frequent urination, fatigue, and blurredvision. High blood sugar is frequentlytreated with an adjustment in insulin.If left untreated, it can result in coma.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common problem in childrenwith diabetes. Signs include trembling,dizziness, hunger, crying, sleepiness,headaches, pale skin, and clumsiness.Low blood sugar is often treated with

food, such as sugar cubes, hard candy,fruit juice or regular soda, followed bycrackers with cheese, half a sandwich,or cereal with milk. Consult with yourchild’s physician on how best to deal withboth hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.

Conquering diabetesResearchers are coming closer to findingnew ways to treat — and even prevent— diabetes. Gene markers and bloodstudies already help scientists predictpeople at risk for type 1 diabetes. TheNational Institute of Health is studyingwhether the onset of diabetes can bedelayed or avoided.

According to the American DiabetesAssociation, better and easier ways toadminister insulin and monitor bloodsugar are close at hand. And researchersare developing drugs that will helpbetter control insulin levels.

The biggest hope, of course, is fora cure — and a day when insulin injec-tions and glucose monitoring aren’t “kidstuff” anymore. �

F A M I L Y M A T T E R S


O X F O R D I N F O

Oxford’s Diabetes program phone lineprovides you with educational materialson diabetes. For more information, pleasecall 1-888-585-0631, M-F, 8 AM – 4:30 PM.

i

American Diabetes

Associat ion

1701 N. Beauregard StreetAlexandria, VA 223111-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)www.diabetes.org

Centers for Disease

Control and Prevent ion

Division of Diabetes Translation4770 Buford Highway N.E., Mail Stop K-10Atlanta, GA 30341-37171- 877-CDC-DIAB (1-877-232-3422)www.cdc.gov/diabetes

Juvenile Diabetes

Research Foundation

120 Wall Street, New York, NY 100051-800-533-CURE (1-800-533-2873) www.jdf.org

R E S O U R C E S

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This information is offered for your interest and information. It is not intended as advice and should not replace your doctor’s recommendation or treatment plan. Comments on this column can be mailed to Oxford Health Plans,c/o Healthy Mind Healthy Body, 48 Monroe Turnpike, Trumbull, CT 06611, or e-mailed to [email protected].

A.Because high blood pressure is the only symptom of hyperten-sion, many people with this condition who feel well stop taking

their medication. In doing so, they put themselves at risk for stroke,heart attack, and kidney failure. The alternative approaches listed belowmay help control hypertension.

Mind/Body Practice: Any type of relaxation technique — meditation,yoga, guided imagery, and bodywork — can help relieve stress andindirectly lower blood pressure.

Diet and Nutrition: Both conventional and alter-native practitioners suggest that making dietarychanges can help lower blood pressure, a diethigh in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish, andlow-fat dairy products, and low in sodium and totalfat is recommended. Your diet can control bloodpressure just as effectively as most medications.

Herbal Remedies: Eating more foods containing garlic and onion mayhelp thin blood and/or lower blood pressure. Stronger evidencesuggests that hawthorn, including tea made from the hawthorn plant,can lower blood pressure. Herbal medicines generally tend to havegentle, long-term effects, and are usually not sufficient to controlmoderate to severe hypertension.

Vitamins: Magnesium, potassium, and calcium supplements havebeen shown to lower blood pressure. Taking fish oil supplementsregularly may also help control high blood pressure. You should con-sult with your doctor before incorporating vitamins into any bloodpressure-lowering regimen.

James Dillard, M.D., D.C., C.Ac., is the founding Medical Director for OxfordHealth Plans’ Complementary and Alternative Medicine program and ischairman of the Oxford Chiropractic Advisory Board. He is a board-certifiedmedical doctor, a doctor of chiropractic, and a certified medical acupuncturist. �

A.If you have high blood pressure, you’ll probably find out aboutit during a routine checkup. Take the opportunity to learn what

you can do to gain control over your blood pressure. Most conventionaldoctors will suggest lifestyle changes before prescription medications.

Alcohol: Alcohol increases blood pressure in your body, and caninterfere with blood pressure medications. To prevent and manage highblood pressure, you should limit your intake to no more than one drink

a day. When blood pressure is high because ofexcessive drinking, it usually returns to normallevels when drinking is ceased.

Exercise and Weight Loss: Exercise strengthensthe heart as a pump, making it a larger, moreefficient muscle. Even moderate activity canlower your blood pressure. If you are overweight,incorporating exercise and a low-fat diet into

your lifestyle can help.

Smoking: Nicotine restricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure.Although smoking makes a smoker feel relaxed, it actually makes theirhearts work harder to pump blood to parts of their bodies. Smokingmay also cause artery damage, and will make your arteries less flexible.Keep in mind that, although smoking is a strong addiction, your bloodpressure will start to lower within the first day of quitting.

Drug Therapy: There are some cases when drug therapy will berequired, either because of severity or failure of self-help measures.You should not stop taking prescription medications for high bloodpressure until you have consulted with your physician.

Ronald C. Brown, M.D., F.A.C.P., is the Vice President of Medical Programsfor Oxford Health Plans. He is a graduate of Yale University School ofMedicine and was trained in internal medicine at Roosevelt Hospital in NewYork City. Dr. Brown is a board-certified internist. �

D R . B R OW N

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which blood pressure is consistently high, subjecting blood vessels

to considerable stress. It is the result of a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher or a systolic pressure of 140 mm

Hg or higher. If you’re an adult whose blood pressure is high, you’re not alone. An estimated 45 million Americans have

high blood pressure. Those who enjoy eating tasty foods that are high in calories, fat, and cholesterol, and exercise fewer

than three times a week, or weigh more than the recommended level, may be at risk. Other factors, such as alcohol and nico-

tine can also significantly increase your risk. By making positive lifestyle changes, you can help manage your blood pressure.

Conven t ional Remedies Complementary & Al ternative Remedies

9O X F O R D H E A L T H P L A N S | hmhb

P A T H S T O W E L L N E S S

How can I reduce my blood pressure?Q.

D R. D I L L A R D


You might be surprisedto learn that cardiovascu-lar disease has been and

remains the number one killerof American men and women.Modern medicine has gainedmuch understanding about manyimportant risk factors for coro-nary disease and has learned howto reduce these risks. With allof the information available toreduce the risk for developingthis deadly disease, we wouldexpect coronary disease to be a much less serious problem.However, too many people fail toincorporate prevention princi-ples into their daily routine.

Meet three Oxford HealthPlans cardiologists who are workingtogether to help patients do just that.Doctors Arthur E. Fass, Dina R. Katz,and Franklin H. Zimmerman believethat preventing disease is just as impor-tant as responding to a cardiac emer-gency. When it comes to their personallife as well as their medical practice, theseOxford physicians are leading by exam-ple — making exercise and a heart-healthy diet a “design for living.”

Promoting Prevention through Nutrition and ExerciseDrs. Fass, Katz, and Zimmerman recog-nize that each patient is an individualwith unique needs, and that it is crucialto form a partnership between patientand physician to attain optimal results.During each visit, they devote time tocustomizing a preventive regimen thatwill meet the patient’s personal needsand lifestyle goals. Working with nutri-tionists, they propose a dietary plan foreach patient. “The low-fat diet and exer-cise program that I recommend for mypatients is exactly the same program myfamily and I follow. My patients respectthat I am recommending the same rou-tine that I use for myself and are morelikely to follow my advice,” says Dr. Fass.Each doctor is also a member of a localhealth club, and exercises regularly. In

line with their belief that what is healthyfor them is healthy for their patients,these dedicated Oxford physicians haveeven negotiated reduced rates with localhealth clubs for their patients. A regularexercise program is, of course, one of thefoundations of good health at any age,and exercise doesn’t have to be long orgrueling to be beneficial.

The Importance of Drug InteractionsWhen Drs. Fass, Katz, and Zimmermanconducted a survey of patients duringtheir first visit, they found that over one-half of their patients could not name allof the prescriptions they were taking. Inthis era of “polypharmacy,” it’s no wonderthat drug interactions are a potentiallyserious complication. When patients taketwo or more drugs, the drugs may inter-act to produce dangerous side effects.For Drs. Fass, Katz, and Zimmerman, animportant aspect of their education pro-gram is to help patients learn about theirmedications. “During each appointment,we take the time to review each of themedications our patients are taking and askthem to keep a list of current medicines(and dosages) in their purse or wallet.Educating patients saves everybody timeand money, especially considering theerrors that can occur because of dangerousdrug interactions,” says Dr. Arthur Fass.

Heart & Health ReportsWe all know that a doctor’s office can be hectic at times. Medical research hasfound that in this busy environment, aphysician may not have adequate time tospend educating patients. In addition,“a doctor’s visit can be a frighteningexperience, and a patient may not retainas much as you think, even if we spendconsiderable time with explanations,” saysDr. Zimmerman. “To help overcome thisproblem, we started developing our ownpatient handouts to help us explain morecomplex cardiac diagnoses.” These hand-outs proved to be so successful that in1997, the team of cardiologists expandedthis concept into a national publicationentitled Heart & Health Reports. With thehelp of an internationally recognizededitorial board, this Oxford medical triowrites, edits, designs, and publishes thisnational consumer cardiovascular news-letter six times a year. Every issue containsa review on a common cardiac condi-tion, a human interest story about a realpatient, a nutrition section, and an in-depth review of a common medication.Readers are also encouraged to submitquestions. “We design each issue to bevaluable for everyone interested in pre-venting and treating heart disease,” saysDr. Zimmerman. Over the last threeyears, Drs. Zimmerman, Fass, and Katz

P H Y S I C I A N S P O T L I G H T


T H R O U G H E X E R C I S E , N U T R I T I O N A N D P R E V E N T I O N

oxford cardiologists help you


have achieved critical acclaim for theirHeart & Health Reports. Currently, theyhave over a thousand paid subscribersin all 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, andas far away as Guam. In their free time,the doctors work in the community lec-turing at local heart clubs affiliated withPhelps Memorial Hospital Center andWestchester County Medical Center. Theyalso can be found delivering lectures totheir medical colleagues about the latestdevelopments in cardiology. Whether youare 25 or 55, it is never too late to starttaking care of your heart. �


Name: Dina R. Katz M.D., F.A.C.C.,Attending Cardiologist atWestchester Memorial Center andPhelps Memorial HospitalEducation: Sackler School of MedicineResidency: Mt. Sinai Hospital

Languages Spoken: English, HebrewYears of Experience in Cardiology: 10Motivation to go into Cardiology: “I find cardiology to bevery rewarding. Many of the disease states can be pre-vented and, if already established, can be successful-ly treated. I love to see my patients become motivatedabout exercise and lifestyle changes.”Hobbies Outside of Work: Spending time with my sevenmonth old daughter and three year old son, playing withthem, teaching them and watching them grow. SomehowI still find time to run and do weight conditioning.

Name: Franklin HarrisonZimmerman M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P.,Attending Cardiologist and Directorof Specialty Care at PhelpsMemorial HospitalEducation: Brown UniversityResidency: St Luke’s Hospital,

Columbia UniversityLanguages Spoken: EnglishYears of Experience in Cardiology: 18Motivation to go into Cardiology: “I have always beenfascinated by cardiology. There are few specialties whereyou can achieve such dramatic results.”Hobbies Outside of Work: Softball, golf, music, spendingtime with his family.

Name: Arthur E. Fass M.D., F.A.C.C.,F.A.C.P., Chief of Cardiology at Phelps Memorial HospitalEducation: Columbia CollegeResidency: New York Medical CollegeLanguages Spoken: English,Spanish, Yiddish

Years of Experience in Cardiology: 20Motivation to go into Cardiology: “I strongly believe inpreventive medicine, especially motivating patientsto follow a healthy lifestyle including the proper dietand exercise. Because this is the same philosophyemphasized by Oxford, working with Oxford Members isespecially rewarding.”Hobbies Outside of Work: Reading, especiallyAmerican history, and swimming.

physician spot l ight

Your age may increaseyour risk if…❏ You are a man over 45

years old.❏ You are a woman over 55

years old, OR ❏ You have passed

menopause or had yourovaries removed and arenot taking estrogen.

Your family history

may increase your risk if…❏ Your father or brother had

a heart attack before age55 OR

❏ Your mother or sister hadone before age 65.

❏ You have a close bloodrelative who had a stroke.

Cigarette and tobaccosmoke increases yourrisk if…❏ You smoke, or live or work

with smokers everyday.

Your total cholesterol

and HDL cholesterol levels

may increase your risk if…❏ Your total cholesterol level

is 240mg/dL or higher, OR❏ Your HDL (“good”) choles-

terol level is less than 35mg/dL.

❏ You don’t know your totalcholesterol or HDL levels.

Your blood pressure

may increase your risk if…❏ Your blood pressure is

140/90 mm Hg or higher, OR❏ You’ve been told that your

blood pressure is too high.❏ You don’t know what your

blood pressure is.

Physical inactivity

may increase your risk if…❏ You get less than a total

of 30 minutes of physicalactivity on most days.

Excess body weight

may increase your risk if…❏ You are 20 pounds or

more overweight for yourheight and build.

Diabetes increases your risk if…❏ You have diabetes OR ❏ A fasting blood sugar of

126mg/dL or higher, OR ❏ You need medicine to

control your blood sugar.

Your medical history

may increase your risk if❏ You have coronary heart

disease, or you’ve had aheart attack.

❏ You’ve been told that youhave carotid artery dis-ease, OR

❏ You’ve had a stroke or TIA (transient ischemicattack), OR you have a disease of the leg arteries.

Reproduced with permissionAmerican Heart Association Health Risk Awarenesswww.americanheart.org/risk/quiz.html,1999 © American Heart Association

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION HEALTH RISK AWARENESS QUIZ

The following factors may increase your risk. Check all boxes in the quiz that apply to you. If youcheck two or mores boxes, see a healthcare provider for a complete assessment of your risks!

stay heart healthy


make changes to HMB_01SU_26.apg asmarked on loose color, then go straight topage


W hen you’re walking outdoorsin the summer, you cannot helpbut be taken in by your sur-

roundings and the wonders of nature.Day hiking is a marvelous opportunityto enjoy nature at its best. This type ofhiking can be enjoyed by almost everyone,at every fitness level, and requires littleequipment. Regular hiking has even beenshown to contribute toward reducing highblood pressure and cholesterol levels,lowering the risk of heart disease, andpromoting weight loss. (It’s best to checkwith your doctor before beginning anyfitness program.)

So, if you’re a serious hiker or simplywant a fun family outing, we’ve got afew good suggestions for hiking trailswithin driving distance of your home.

Fire Island National Seashore, Patchogue,New York: Off Long Island’s Route 46,you’ll find the entrance to this shorelinewilderness area. It features easy, low-elevation hikes. Exploring the sandy dunesand shoreline, you may see nesting birds,waterfowl, deer, rabbits, and foxes. Forinformation, call 516-289-4810, or writeFire Island National Seashore, 120 LaurelStreet, Patchogue, NY 11772.

Rockefeller State Park Preserve,Tarrytown, New York: Located off NewYork’s Route 117, about one mile east ofUS 9, the park offers over 20 miles ofeasy hiking trails through shady river

lanes, wooded paths, and panoramic vistas.For information, call 914-631-1470, orwrite Rockefeller State Park Preserve,P.O. Box 338, Tarrytown, NY 10591.

Palisades Interstate Park, Alpine,New Jersey: Located off the PalisadesParkway exit to I-80 or I-95 in BergenCounty, this park offers 2,500 acres of wildHudson River shoreline and the dramaticPalisades Cliffs. Hikers will find a varietyof trails, including the easy-to-moderateShore Trail hike, and the very steepForest View Trail along the cliff summit.For information, call 201-768-1360, or writePalisades Interstate Park, P.O. Box 155,Alpine, NJ 07620.

Stokes State Forest, Branchville, NewJersey: Off Route 206, four miles north ofBranchville, Stokes State Forest is famousfor its beauty. A fairly steep hike up SunriseMountain offers panoramic views of farm-land to the east, and forests and mountainridges to the west. Easy-to-moderate trailswind through the Tillman Ravine NaturalArea, featuring views of waterfalls and rockcrevices. For information, call 973-948-3820,

or write Stokes State Forest, One CoursenRoad, Branchville, NJ 07826.

Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth,Connecticut: One-and-a-half miles westof Killingworth on Route 80, the park liesin a heavily wooded hollow, with naturalcaves, rocky ledges, and over 18 miles ofhiking trails. One trail leads to replicas ofan early covered bridge and a water wheel.Other trails explore the hardwood forests.For information, call 860-663-2030, orwrite Chatfield Hollow State Park, 381Route 80, Killingworth, CT 06419.

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden,Connecticut: Off 1-95, this 1,439-acre parkgets its name from a rocky ridge that lookslike a giant man lying on his back. It offers30 miles of trails, including the moderate1.6 mile Tower Path, which meanders upthe side of Mount Carmel through matureforest to its summit. Another trail, the1.5 mile Nature Trail loop, is perfect foryounger hikers. For information call203-789-7498, or write Sleeping GiantState Park, 200 Mount Carmel Avenue,Hamden, CT 06518. �

a. Be sure to take along the essentials ina knapsack, waistpack, or backpack. Expertsrecommend a pack with snack, water, trail mapor guide, compass, small first aid kit, pocket-knife, matches, sunglasses, toilet paper, insectrepellent, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Alsotake “energy booster” snacks along with you:energy bars, crackers, apples, granola, anddried fruit. Drink plenty of water before andafter your hike, and bring enough with you.

b. Wear hiking boots or good sturdy walkingshoes — look for a proper fit with plenty of

room for the toes with a snug, comfortableheel and good cushioning. Avoid painful blis-ters by breaking them in before your hike.Wear two pairs of socks for trying onboots and for hiking.

c. Avoid poisonous plants, such as poisonivy and oak, and poisonous insects, such asticks (wearing a hat is a good way to avoidticks). Ask a park ranger what to be awareof on the trail.

d. Have fun!

a walk in the woodsI T ’ S T H E P E R F E C T S E A S O N T O G O H I K I N G


F I T N E S S

TIPS TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL HIKE

American Hiking Society

1422 Fenwick Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910301-565-6704 | www.americanhiking.org

Find a park near you at:

www.sports.yahoo.com/parks

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W orld-class cyclist and two-timeOlympian Lance Armstrongwas just 25 when he got the

news that advanced testicular cancer hadspread to his brain, lungs, and abdomen.Doctors gave him a 50 percent chance ofliving. Just a few years later, Armstrong

went on to win the gru-eling 2,000-mile Tourde France bike race in1999 and 2000. LanceArmstrong is a cancersurvivor with a trulyremarkable story. Eventhough most of us don’thave the strength andstamina of a world-classathlete, the odds for sur-vival are in our favor ifwe become stricken withtesticular cancer. Thekey is early detection.

Are you at risk?According to the National CancerInstitute, your risk of being diagnosedwith testicular cancer is greatest betweenages 15 and 40, but the disease can strikeat any age, even in infancy. Testicular can-cer occurs most often in white men and

men born with an undescended testicle(cryptorchidism). In most cases, the testi-cles descend naturally during the firstyear of life. Sometimes the condition hasto be corrected surgically. Either way,the risk of developing testicular cancerstill remains higher than average formen with an undescended testicle.

If you’ve been treated for testicularcancer in one testicle, you are at greaterrisk of developing testicular cancer in theother testicle. Your risk also increases ifsomeone in your family has had testicularcancer. However, in the majority of cases,no particular risk factor for testicularcancer is present. So your best defenseis to watch for the signs and symptoms.

Be on the lookoutIf caught and treated in stage one (canceris found only in the testicles), or stagetwo (cancer is found in the testiclesand abdomen), the cure rate for testic-ular cancer is greater than 95 percent.The cure rate drops to 75 percent fortesticular cancer in its later stages,when cancer has spread to other partsof the body. Protect your health byknowing and watching for the warningsigns of testicular cancer. Monthly testic-

ular self-exams can help you get toknow what your testicles normally feellike and alert you to any suspiciouschanges (see sidebar).

Call your doctor right away if youexperience any of the following symptoms:

• A painless or uncomfortable lump inone or both testicles

• Enlarged or swollen testicles• Pain or discomfort in your testicles• A feeling of heaviness or aching in

the lower abdomen, groin, or scrotum(the sac-like pouch that holds the testicles)

It’s important to note that thesesymptoms can also be signs of other,less serious conditions. The only way toknow for sure is to see your doctor, andthe sooner the better. If you wait too long,the cancer could spread to other partsof your body and become more difficultto treat.

Testing for testicular cancerYour doctor will need to record yourmedical history and perform a physicalexam, and may run tests to determinethe likelihood of testicular cancer. Blood

don’t let testicular cancer

Protect

your health

by learning

the signs and

symptoms

FPO--new

scan 20 due

back 5/18 or

5/19


tests check for specific proteins andenzymes, or tumor markers, which indicate the presence of testicular can-cer. An ultrasound uses high-frequencysound waves to generate an image of anylumps or masses found in the testicle.This test gives your doctor a better ideaof what the mass may be.

If your physician suspects testicularcancer, he or she may recommend remov-ing the mass or lump as well as theentire testicle and spermatic cord. Thesurgery is done through a small incisionmade in your groin. Removing the tes-ticle and the blood and lymph vesselsin the spermatic cord minimizes the riskof cancer cells spreading to other partsof your body. The testicular tissue is sentto a pathologist for biopsy and exami-nation under a microscope. Currently,this is the only way to tell if cancer cellsare present. The biopsy also identifiesthe type of testicular cancer.

Occasionally, doctors may removea sample of tissue from a testicle andperform a biopsy without removing thetesticle first. If the biopsy comes backpositive, the testicle is removed. (Thisprocedure is usually reserved for menwho have already lost a testicle and in

other rare cases.) You may also need toundergo further tests to determine if thecancer has spread to other parts of yourbody. If the cancer has spread to the lymphnodes in your abdomen, further surgerymay be required to remove the nodes.

Treatment optionsOnce your doctor knows the type andextent of your cancer, you can discusstreatment options. Your doctor may rec-ommend radiation therapy and/or the useof anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapy).Your doctor should explain any potentialside effects and answer all of your ques-tions, including any concerning sexualfunction or fertility. In most cases, youcan go on to enjoy a normal sex life andfather children with only one testicle.Discuss all your options with your doc-tor thoroughly.

Because testicular cancer may occurin the remaining testicle on rare occasions,you should continue to do testicularself-exams on a regular basis and reportany lumps or other symptoms to yourdoctor right away. Most of all, be posi-tive. Testicular cancer is one of the mostcurable forms of cancer if detected andtreated early. �

catch you off guard

M E N ’ S H E A L T H

The best time to examine your testiclesis after a warm bath or shower.

1. Stand in front of a mirror and examineeach testicle separately. Look for anyswelling or changes in the shape or sizeof either testicle. It’s perfectly normal forone testicle to be larger than the other.

2. Gently roll each testicle, one at atime, between the thumbs and fingers ofboth hands. Feel for any hard lumps,round masses, swelling, or other

changes. The exam should not be painful.

3. Find the epididymis on the back ofthe testicles. This soft cord-like structureis used to transport sperm. The epididy-mus, as well as blood vessels and othertissues in the testicles, can sometimesbe mistaken for lumps. When in doubt,ask your doctor.

4. Report any unusual lumps or changesto your doctor right away. Ignoring theproblem won’t make it go away.

TESTICULAR SELF-EXAM

American

Cancer Society1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345)www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute

Building 31, Room 10A31, 31 Center Drive,

MSC 2580, Bethesda, MD 20892-2580301-435-3848www.nci.nhi.gov

CancerNet

Cancer Information Service

1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov

National Coalit ion for

Cancer Survivorship

1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 770,

Silver Spring, MD 20910-5600301-650-9127 or 1-877-NCCS-YES (1-877-622-7937) | www.cansearch.org

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HMHBSU01/4767

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To reach a Member Service Associate (MSA), please call thetoll-free Member Service number on your Oxford ID card, or call800-444-6222 to be connected to an MSA who can assist you.

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888 - 200 - 9234 (8 AM - 5 PM , 7 days a week)

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Program Coordinators provide information about Oxford’s BetterBreathing®program, or send educational materials upon request.

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A T W W W . O X F O R D H E A L T H . C O M

MyOxfordSM

Log on to access your policy and benefit information, and performtransactions such as checking your benefits, selecting a primarycare physician, and ordering materials and Member ID cards.

Wellness Resources

Learn more about Oxford’s various wellness resources, such asour Healthy BonusSM program and Self-Help LibrarySM, by loggingon to our Member web site and clicking on the WellnessResources section.

CHECK OUT THE MEMBERSHIP NEWS INSERT

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MATION THAT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND

YOUR OXFORD COVERAGE AND MAKE THE

MOST OF YOUR BENEFITS.

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- HMB 01SU 5 18prod - OXHP · 2005-04-13 · Integrated Medicine Center (IMC), naturopathic...

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Transcript of - HMB 01SU 5 18prod - OXHP · 2005-04-13 · Integrated Medicine Center (IMC), naturopathic...