Montrose Press Valley Health 4/4

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 VOL. 1, ISSUE 2

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Silke Printz Steps OutAfter Her Successful HipReplacement from MMHAstute and particular, and after looking into surgeons and hospitals, Silke chose to have her hip replacement surgery at Montrose Memorial Hospital.

“The procedure went beautifully. I knew from the beginning that I wanted the surgery done close to home at Montrose Memorial. The Joint Replacement Center has an excellent pre-surgery class that thoroughly explained everything I needed to know and it was very important to me that MMH has a signi�cantly lower infection rate than other western slope hospitals. Also, Mountain View Therapy provides focused, specialized care to get patients back to the highest level of performance in the shortest time possible.”

Call Montrose Memorial Hospital today to learn more about the area’s most innovative Joint Replacement Program at 970-252-2995.

VALLEY HEALTHMONTROSE PRESS

MONTROSE MAKES

THE MONTROSE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS A LEADER IN CONCUSSION TESTING AND PROTOCOL.

SEE WHY INSIDE.

ON CONCUSSIONSIMPACT

FIVE TIPS

TOP BOOKS

See fi ve ways to improve your eating habits and your overall health. Page 5

What do yoga, wheat and sugar have in common? They are the topics of our book selection this month. Page 5

VALLEY HEALTHPublisher

Francis Wick

General ManagerTisha McCombs

Managing EditorJustin Joiner

Advertising directorDennis Anderson

For advertising information, contact Dennis Anderson at 252-7022

or via email at [email protected]

Valley Health is a publication of the Montrose Press. It publishes monthly on the fi rst Friday.

If you have a health-related news tip, contact Justin Joiner, managing editor, at [email protected].

A PUBLICATION OF THE MONTROSE PRESS

2

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A Certifi ed nurse midwife is an advanced practice registered nurse who has specialized educa-tion and training in

both nursing and mid-wifery. CNMs function as primary health care providers for women and most often provide medical care for rela-tively healthy pregnant women, whose birth is considered “low risk.” They also provide gynecological care for women of all ages.

The women at Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Services of Montrose Memorial Hospital help moms de-liver their babies in the hospital. They do not attend home births. In the hospital, epidurals and IV pain medications are available and the CNMs work closely with the mother during her labor and delivery. If necessary, they are happy to refer patients and transfer their care to a physi-cian.

Some people believe that mid-wives only help deliver babies; however, nurse midwives are also an excellent option for a woman’s health care needs. They provide preconception counseling, annual

exams, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and birth control. In addition, you can discuss menopause manage-ment and options. If you decide

that gynecological sur-gery is in your future, you will be referred to the OB/GYN physi-cians.

MMH has had certi-fi ed nurse midwives in the hospital for more than 15 years. They are a department of the hospital and work closely with the staff and physicians to provide women with excellent and compas-sionate care. Their offi ce is located at 900 S. Fourth Street in the Medical Plaza building

and they are taking new patients. You can call 252-2542 to make an appointment and they accept all types of insurance with a sliding fee schedule available. They also speak Spanish.

If you are a woman looking for a care provider, you might give them a call and see what you think. A certifi ed nurse midwife might be the option you were looking for.

Leann Tobin is the marketing and public relations coordinator for Montrose Memorial Hospital.

Hospital Happenings

Leann TobinMontrose Memorial Hospital

The effects that cancer treatment can have on a person’s skin have long been overlooked. But patients who have suffered through skin rashes and burns will be glad to know that a growing trend in treat-ing cancer focuses on curing both the disease and helping patients maintain their self-esteem and quality of life. A new movement combining oncology and dermatol-ogy aims to address both the dis-ease and the potentially negative consequences that rashes, burns and blemishes can produce.

“For obvious reasons, the skin, hair, and nails have not been the topmost concerns in oncology -- the most important goal is to treat and cure the cancer,” says Mario Lacouture, M.D., who specializes in dermatologic conditions that result from cancer treatments. “But skin side effects can affect patients’ sense of self and their interactions with others. These side effects can lead to costly treatments, affect overall health, and perhaps most signifi cantly, they may require that anticancer treatments be reduced or stopped altogether.”

Upon receiving a cancer diagno-sis, patients concerned about the potential impact that treatment may have on their complexions should discuss their options with their physicians. After initiating such discussions, men and women being treated for cancer can take additional steps to maintain their appearance and quality of life both during and after treatment.

* Alter your skin care routine. Upon receiving a cancer diagno-sis, patients must make a host of lifestyle adjustments to many things, including to their skin care routines. Intense skin rashes and burns are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, and certain side effects are actually an indicator that the treatment is working. While such consequences can affect patients’ self-image, these side effects are entirely man-ageable.

“What many patients do not real-ize is that most dermatologic side effects are manageable, allowing people to maintain their quality of life and continue their cancer treatments,” says Lacouture.

Recognizing traditional skin care products’ ineffectiveness at combating the dermatologic side effects of cancer treatment during her own battle with the disease, cancer survivor and entrepre-neur Lindy Snider began working with dermatologists, oncologists, nurses, and skin care formula-tors to address the issue, eventu-ally developing Lindi Skin (www.lindiskin.com), a collection of skin care products designed specifi cally for individuals undergoing treat-ment for cancer and related disor-ders. Combining state-of-the-art

technology with innovative natural ingredients, Lindi Skin products include a host of botanical extracts boasting anti-infl ammatory, an-algesic, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties, while providing a soothing and gentle solution even for those patients with especially sensitive skin.

“Tarceva, the medication I take for lung cancer, has played havoc with my skin, which has become unbelievably dry and sensitive,” says Phyllis of Coral Gables, Fla. “(Lindi Skin) products are the only ones I can use on my face and body. They actually soothe, whereas all others create a burning sensation.”

• Embrace antioxidants. Often touted as miracle ingredients in a host of foods, antioxidants can be found beyond the dinner table as well. In developing Lindi Skin, Snider and her team designed an exclusive formulation of concen-trated botanicals that deliver high levels of benefi cial antioxidants to the skin. Known as the LSA Complex(R), this formulation includes Snider’s pioneering use of astaxanthin, a powerful antioxi-dant that is only now beginning to receive widespread recognition for its restorative properties, a decade after Snider began using it in her skin care products. While astax-anthin can relieve the pain and in-fl ammation in the skin that cancer patients often feel, it also can help those suffering from less severe, non-cancer related skin problems, such as sunburn, rosacea, dry skin and UV damage.

Skin damage is an often over-looked side effect of cancer treat-ment. But cancer patients should know that side effects like skin rashes and burns are manageable and don’t have to negatively impact self-image or quality of life.

Skin care tips when in cancer treatment

Most dermatologic side effects of cancer treatment are manageable.

3

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Ah, spring. Birds are chirping, trees and fl owers are blooming, grasses and (sigh) weeds are growing —

and billions of pollen particles are surfi ng on the wind, hoping to fi nd homes in our noses.

Those of us who are not allergic to pollen won’t even notice the nasal invasion; those of us who are affl icted may not notice much else. Bird song will be drowned out by our coughing and sneez-ing, and the beauty of the trees, fl owers, and grasses will be ob-scured by our swollen, itchy eyes. “Ah, spring!” will be replaced by “Achoo!”

Fortunately, while modern medicine can’t cure pollen aller-gies, it has built some pretty good fi rewalls against hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis.

Firewall number one is just common sense: stay away from the stuff you are allergic to. Like much good advice, it’s easy to give, but hard to follow. Colorado is home to hundreds of species of pollen-pumping plants, includ-ing ragweed, quaking aspens and sagebrush.

Antihistamines are fi rewall num-ber two.

“If you know that you have al-lergies at a certain time of year, you’re better off starting on antihistamines sooner, rather than later,” Dr. Gayle Frazzetta, of the Montrose Wellness Center, said.

She explained that allergic rhini-tis is an immune system problem.

“I kind of equate the immune system to a snowball that’s on top of a hill; once that snowball gets going downhill, and your immune

system gets set off, sometimes it’s harder to rein it back in. So, if you’re beginning to have allergy symptoms, starting a 24-hour anti-histamine would be worthwhile.”

Frazzetta said that generic, over-the-counter antihistamines are often the best way to go. Keep in mind, though, that allergy pills don’t work on itchy, swollen eyes. “You would need an allergy eye drop to take care of those symp-

toms.”You might also consider a mild

steroid as another brick in the fi rewall.

“There is a nasal steroid spray that is now ‘over the counter’ that used to be a prescription drug. It tends to work well for people who have mostly nasal symptoms,” Frazzetta explained.

Is it safe to take all this stuff, es-pecially if you’re on prescription medications for other conditions?

“The nasal steroid spray would be the safest because it really just works locally,” Frazzetta said. “In general, plain antihistamines, with no ‘D’ at the end (meaning no decongestant added), are pretty safe.”

If your allergies get so bad that they are wearing you out, you might want to consider shots.

“Some people can have pollen allergies that are so severe that they become debilitating. In those cases, the best option would be immuno-therapy, which is admin-istered by an allergist,” she said.

The shots contain a serum which is designed to gradually create some immunity to the allergens.

However you decide to deal with your allergies, good luck, and “ge-sundheit.”

IT’S (STILL)

‘ACHOO!’ SEASON

By Dave Segal

Dr. Gayle Frazzetta, right, of the Montrose Wellness Center interviews patient Rosemary Simpson about common fl u symptoms at her offi ce. (Nate Wick/Daily Press)

4

By Drew Setterholm

Colorado ranks No. 7 in the U.S. in a comprehensive index of well-being published by Gallup-Healthways earlier this year. Within Colo-rado’s borders, Montrose is working to improve its health factors and provide its residents with a health-

ier environment. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index

is the world’s largest data set on overall well-being factors with nearly 2 million completed surveys in six years of publish-ing the index. The study factors in six catego-ries to rank states: life evaluation, emotional health, work environment, physical health, healthy behaviors and basic access.

Colorado earned its No. 7 rank in 2013 behind top-ranked North Dakota, followed by South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Montana and Vermont. Colorado has traditionally performed well in the physical health and healthy behaviors categories, and in the history of the Gallup-Healthways index, only two states — Hawaii and Minnesota — join Colorado in never having been ranked outside the top-10.

In contrast, West Virginia, Kentucky and Mississippi have consistently held the coun-try’s lowest well-being rankings; West Virginia has been ranked 50th five of six years.

Looking more closely at Montrose County, compared to the rest of Colorado, shows Mon-trose falls near the middle of the pack in county health rankings. The County Health Rankings and Roadmaps program, a col-laboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wiscon-sin Population Health Institute, publishes an annual county-by-county study.

According to County Health Rankings, Montrose is above the average in terms of quality of life — ranking 23rd of 59 assessed counties in the state — but below average, 33rd, in overall health factors.

Several Montrose County agencies and orga-nizations are working to improve Montrose’s health environment through a multitude of outreach and awareness programs. Montrose’s particular challenges lie in its health behaviors, including adult smok-ing, obesity and excessive drinking, and in social and economic factors, such as unemployment and number of children living in poverty.

“It’s always a challenge. Those are the hardest things to achieve,” said Peg Mewes, Montrose County Health and Human Services director. “When you’re trying to change a lifestyle behavior, you’re not going to see a lot of data even after a year’s time. Those types of things will be measured in our quality of life, and that’s going to take five years, at least, to

see what we’re achieving.”Part of improving Montrose’s health involves changing its

health culture, and health institutions can be part of that change.

“For a community this size, we are fortunate to have the hospital and the facility that we do,”

said Leann Tobin, Montrose Memorial Hospi-tal public information officer.

The hospital provides dynamic services in line with the best available in the state, but treatment only goes so far — prevention is another task entirely.

“We are in the business of taking care of sick people, but we also know that our job is

also to help people stay well, and to offer the opportunities for them to learn about their

health so that they can be more active in their health care and prevention,” Tobin said.

Other community organizations are jumping at the chance to be a part of preventative health

and wellness. LiveWell Montrose and Olathe, a newly established branch of LiveWell Colora-do, is in its first year of operation and hopes to put the county on track to better health outcomes and an improved quality of life.

LiveWell funds its branches with long-return investments, said Montrose and Olathe director Tera Couchman Wick, with

goals spanning seven to nine years. LiveWell is beginning with a coalition and quickly

moving into collaboration. “Our process has been to bring together a

coalition of people in the community who are concerned with healthy eating and active living

in a variety of different ways and to create a strategic plan to move forward healthy eat-ing and active living,” Wick said.

Programs such as Safe Routes to School, Complete Streets and Work Site Wellness Initiative are all aimed at creating a health-ier environment, but one of LiveWell’s most exciting actions so far is an expansion of

local community gardens. Wick said LiveWell aims to make healthier

living an easier choice, and community gar-dens accomplish two goals at once — they provide

quality health foods and support healthy activity through gardening.

Collaborations with the city of Montrose, the town of Olathe, Montrose County, lo-cal schools and churches are underway to promote community gardens, Wick said. The initiative is just the start to LiveWell’s work.

“I think that’s really where our role is, It is to kind of help catalyze the good work

that’s already going on, and help to build on that and multiply that,” Wick said. With so many initiatives and collaborations

taking place, Montrose is on the right track to compete with the healthiest of communities, in a

state with a reputation for well-being. “I think we have an awful lot to offer here in Montrose,”

summed Mewes. l

Feel good? If you live in Colorado that’s not surprising

This graphic shows how states ranked in terms of well-being, according to a study by Gallup/Healthways. (Graphic courtesy of Gallup/Healthways)

On a local level, Montrose County eyes improvements to health

Well-being rankings

Colorado is 7th in nation

Montrose is 23rd in state for

quality of life

Montrose is 33rd in state

for over health factors

5

BY ELLEN SUSSMAN

TOP BOOKS FOR HEALTHY LIVING

“Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Control Alcohol,” by Allen Carr

A round of golf followed by a round of drinks may easily lead to dependence on alcohol. As author and an authority who sold over 10 million copies and helped smokers quit, Carr guides drinkers to similar success by offering insight into why people drink and simple, step-by-step directions to ditch the dependence.

“The Smoothie

Recipe Book”

Learn how to take fresh fruits and vegetables and turn them into satisfying smoothies that are rich in superfoods and antioxidants. This wide and varied range of recipes includes those to satisfy every palate while boosting intake of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants.

“Yoga for Pain Relief,” by Kelly McGonigal,

Ph.D.

A yoga and psychology instructor at Stanford University in California, Kelly McGonigal explains how the postures, positions and exercises of yoga increase muscular flexibility and strength and how it has been proven as successful treatment for knee pain, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and other chronic pain conditions.

“The 21-Day Sugar

Detox,” by Diane Sanfilippo

Nutrition consultant Diane Sanfilippo says the goal of any detox program should be to naturally cleanse the body of substances that create negative health effects. She guides readers to focus on quality proteins, healthy fats and good carbs instead of sugar and calorie-ridden, nutrient-poor carbohydrate to feel better and be healthier.

“Wheat Belly 30-Minute (Or Less!)

Cookbook,” by Dr. William Davis

Cardiologist Dr. William Davis reveals what has become an epidemic of adverse health effects including rashes, high blood sugar and belly fat (wheat belly) and tells how these can be reversed by eliminating wheat. Tempting recipes include Breakfast Cheesecake, Macadamia Nut Fudge and Brussels Sprouts Gratin.

Eat small, frequent meals

Eating six small meals a day helps regulate blood sugar, con-trol cravings and keep hunger at bay. For maximum satisfaction, each mini-meal or snack should include lean- or low-fat protein, fiber, and a little healthy fat. For good nutrition, try to include at least one fruit or vegetable in each mini-meal.

Here are some healthy mini-meals that are easy to prepare:

• An apple with a piece of cheese and light popcorn

• Egg, slice of whole-wheat toast, and half a grapefruit

• Grilled chicken sandwich with veggies

• Whole-grain roll with peanut butter and banana

• Hummus, whole-grain crack-ers, and baby carrots

• Smoothie made with yogurt, fruit, and juice

• Waldorf salad and half a turkey sandwich

Take care of your bonesAlthough 85 percent of adult

bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys, older adults need more calcium and Vitamin D in their diets to maintain healthy bones.

Dairy products are part of a healthy diet and a great source of vitamin D and calcium as well as B vitamins and protein. Yogurts, cheeses, milk, and ice cream are all dairy products. These foods can help improve bone density, improve blood pressure, increase metabolism, and much more.

Eat more fiberAdults consume less than half

the amount of fiber that they should have in their daily diet. Fiber has been proven to lower cholesterol, prevent constipa-tion, and improve digestion. Fiber foods include:

• Whole grain cereals, breads

and crackers.• Apples and pears with the

skin• Raspberries, blackberries

and blueberries• Bananas• All vegetables

Eat lean proteinsProtein can help you shed

those unwanted pounds and keep your belly full. But it’s im-portant to eat the right amount and the right kind of protein to get the health benefits.

Research shows that includ-ing a source of protein like an egg or Greek yogurt at breakfast along with a high fiber grain like whole wheat toast can help you feel full longer and eat less throughout the day.

Other lean proteins to include throughout the day are:

Fish, white meat poultry, pork tenderloin, lean beef, soy, beans, skim milk, cheese, and yogurt

Drink waterWater keeps every part of

your body working properly. It helps your body flush wastes and stay at the right tempera-ture. It can help prevent kidney stones and constipation.

You lose water throughout the day-through your breath, sweat, urine and bowel movements. If you live in a hot climate, you lose even more fluid.

You need to replace this lost fluid to stay healthy. If you don’t get enough water, you could become dehydrated. If you get very dehydrated, your body no longer has enough fluid to get blood to your organs.

A common recommendation is to drink six or eight 8-ounce glasses of water or other fluid every day.

Tamara Kempton, is owner of HomeWatch CareGivers of Green Valley, Ariz. has a bachelor’s of science in human nutrition and a B.A. and a M.Ed. in Education. l

5 TIPS FOR EATING

HEALTHIER

Lean proteins to include in your diet are fish, white meat poultry, pork tenderloin and lean beef. (Courtesy photo)

By Tamara Kempton

6 7

AHEAD OF CONSCUSSION CURVEBy Nathan Meacham

The Montrose County School District is a leader among districts in terms of concussion testing and protocol.

Long gone are the days of forcing athletes to sit out nine days after the first sign or symptom.

Through the ImPact testing system, which stands for Immediate Post-Concussion Assess-ment and Cognitive Testing, coaches and ad-ministrators have more information about each athlete to handle their first concern: safety.

“In order to walk out onto that field and prac-tice, you have to have an ImPact test,” MHS Ath-letic Director Lyle Wright said.

The test serves as a “baseline” for each athlete. The tests are good for two years, so high school athletes take the test their freshman and junior year, while middle school athletes take it in seventh grade. It’s part of a checklist for student athletes before each season, along with fees and refraining from drugs and alcohol.

The test is the first major step in the district’s concussion protocol.

“This is a tool and we have a lot more infor-mation about these kids beforehand,” Athletic Trainer Dan Soderlind said. “It’s a proven plan. We’re way ahead of what a lot of places are do-ing.”

Athletes are first referred to Soderlind if they are suspected of having a concussion. He deter-mines whether or not they are capable to taking the ImPact test, and those results are used as a tool for a Doctor of Medicine to clear an athlete to play.

“Dan doesn’t clear you, the test doesn’t clear you, an MD has to clear you,” Wright said.

The high school has been using the ImPact system for at least five years, and Wright said it is working on both ends of the spectrum with student athletes.

The previous system automatically pulled an athlete out of practice for nine days, while the current system often returns athletes quicker because of the increase in information and edu-cation. Wright said it eliminates the amount of misdiagnosed athletes.

IMPACT SYSTEM TOOL FOR DOCTORS

Continued on page 8

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“Coaches didn’t want to believe that they had a concussion because they didn’t want them out nine days,” Wright said. “Now people have realized, either through the experience or the experience other kids have had, that this is a

good thing for kids.”There was some initial pushback from parents

when the system was fi rst implemented, but Wright said he hasn’t received a negative phone call in several years.

“We’re not getting any resistance now,” he said.Wright and Soderlind both speak to parents at each

sports meeting before the fall, winter and spring seasons. Parents receive as much information as possible about symptoms, prevention and what to do if a concussion is suspected.

Soderlind said he describes concussions as a functional brain injury and not a structural one, but it can’t be seen on any type of scan and is diffi cult to understand.

“That’s challenging to get your head around that idea,” he said.

Soderlind handles cases on the sideline during home games, and each coach carries a list of signs and symp-toms to evaluate athletes while playing away from Mon-trose.

A similar system is in place for middle school athletes.While not playing as often and sometimes as physical,

Columbine Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Steve Gaber said safety is still the main emphasis as kids and parents learn about concussions.

“We take that as a priority and we don’t compromise that at all,” he said.

Gaber contacts Soderlind if any middle school athlete is showing symptoms of a concussion, and the same pro-cess the high school students go through is started.

“We’ve really defi ned the protocol now, and the process is the same across the board for all of the buildings,” Gaber said.

Concussions aren’t solely a football issue either. Wright said there isn’t a big gap between the number of incidents on the football fi eld compared to other sports at MHS.

Swimming even tallied a few incidents last year.The Montrose County School District is one of the few

that tests athletes in all sports, not just football, basket-ball and soccer.

“I think we’re way ahead of where most schools are,” Wright said.



when the system was fi rst implemented, but Wright said he hasn’t received a negative phone call in several


sports meeting before the fall, winter and spring seasons. Parents receive as much information as possible about symptoms, prevention and what to do if a concussion is


“That’s challenging to get your head around that idea,”

Soderlind handles cases on the sideline during home games, and each coach carries a list of signs and symp-toms to evaluate athletes while playing away from Mon-





“We’ve really defi ned the protocol now, and the process is the same across the board for all of the buildings,”



that tests athletes in all sports, not just football, basket-

“I think we’re way ahead of where most schools are,”



when the system was fi rst implemented, but Wright said he hasn’t received a negative phone call in several years.


sports meeting before the fall, winter and spring seasons. Parents receive as much information as possible about symptoms, prevention and what to do if a concussion is suspected.


“That’s challenging to get your head around that idea,” he said.

Soderlind handles cases on the sideline during home games, and each coach carries a list of signs and symp-toms to evaluate athletes while playing away from Mon-trose.





“We’ve really defi ned the protocol now, and the process is the same across the board for all of the buildings,” Gaber said.



that tests athletes in all sports, not just football, basket-ball and soccer.

“I think we’re way ahead of where most schools are,” Wright said.

Above: The Indians quarterback Kameron DeVincentis tries to shake off a defender against Denver South at Community Stadium last year. At left: Montrose junior Stephanie Rowan heads the ball against Delta on March 25. (File photos/Daily Press)

From page 7

9

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By Dave Segal

You may not be a smoker, but there will soon be days when you feel like

you are one. Fire season is starting on the western slope, including ditch-burns, controlled burns, and wildfires. With that in mind, we have some tips about protecting your lungs against ambient smoke.

The main thing is to avoid expo-sure to smoke as much as possible. Even if you’re perfectly healthy, smoke-filed air will irritate your lungs and eyes. Immediate health effects may include:

• Coughing• Trouble breathing• Stinging Eyes• Irritated throat• Runny nose• Sinus irritation• Wheezing and shortness of

breath• Chest pain• Headaches• An asthma attack• Fatigue• An accelerated heartbeatThe people most likely to get

sick from smoke are those with pre-existing respiratory and heart conditions, older folks, pregnant women and kids.

Wildfire and ditch-burn smoke is composed of hot gases and tiny particles from burning vegeta-tion, building materials, and other things. The particles can be espe-cially hard on your lungs, accord-ing to Dr. Gayle Frazzetta, of the Montrose Wellness Center.

“Anything that’s going to add moisture to the air would help to minimize the amount of particles in the air. So, a bedside humidifier

would be helpful,” she suggested. “I usually advise people to run that 24 hours a day in the room that they are in the most. So, the bedroom would certainly be one of them. Closing the bedroom door so you could build up as much moisture as possible in there would be of benefit.”

Frazzetta also suggests nasal saline rinses and eye washes to get rid of the particulates. It would also help if you kept your win-dows and doors shut to keep the stuff out of your house in the first place.

What about air purifiers? “I’m not really convinced that air puri-

fiers work in a meaningful way. I’m sure there are people who will disagree with me on that, but I don’t think there is any decent evidence to show that they make a difference,” the doctor said.

The federal Centers for Disease Control is also a good source of advice for keeping healthy during fire season. The CDC has seven tips for you:

1. Pay attention to local air qual-ity reports.

2. Pay attention to visibility guides if they are available.

3. If you are told to stay indoors, stay indoors and keep your indoor air as clean as possible. Close the

outdoor air intake on your air conditioner.

4. Do not add to indoor pollution. No smoking or burning of any kind. Don’t even vacuum; it stirs up smoke particles.

5. Follow your doctor’s advice about medicines and about your respiratory management plan if you have asthma or another lung disease.

6. Do not rely on dust masks for protection. They don’t work on smoke.

7. Avoid smoke exposure during outdoor recreation.

The bottom line is pay attention, and use common sense. l

PROTECT YOUR LUNGS DURING FIRE SEASON

The Colorado Hospital Associa-tion, the American Hospital Asso-ciation in partnership with Health Research and Educational Trust collected data and announced that Delta County Memorial Hospital had achieved a goal of reducing patient readmissions by 20 per-cent, meeting one of the goals for Partnership for Patients. The 20 percent reduction in readmission was achieved by meeting one of the following measures:

• 30-day all cause readmissions• Heart failure 30-day all cause

readmissions• Pneumonia 30-day all cause

readmissions• AMI 30-day all cause readmis-

sions.

The significance of lower read-mit rates is that unplanned hospi-tal readmissions exceed $17 billion annually to Medicare.

“Colorado Hospital Association believes it is important to recog-nize the accomplishments of Colo-rado’s high performing hospitals for their leadership in health care quality and safety,” stated a recent CHA HealthBeat Today newsletter.

Some 34 other Colorado hospitals also achieved the 20 percent reduc-tion in readmissions goals.

Delta County Memorial Hospi-tal also recently released the 2013 surgical site infection rate of 0.3 percent. The national average for surgical site infection rates is around 2.5 percent.

Delta Memorial hospital reduces readmission rates by 20 percent

Dr. Gayle Frazzetta of the Montrose Wellness Center poses for a photo at her office. (Nate Wick/Daily Press)

Chances are, it’s been drilled into your head since the time you were small: Take care of yourself. Eat well. Enjoy life — and brush your teeth!

Pet animals also need basic care. But while humans are free to take or reject health care advice, the cat and the dog have no

say, just the need.A young, healthy cat or dog should visit the veterinarian once a year for an

annual check-up. The basics for cats and dogs are similar: a good diet, atten-tion and regular visits. (Spay/neuter and vaccines are also recommended, see related.)

Cats need environmental enrichment — toys, “vertical space” where they can feel safe and in control, a view from the window — an adequate number of litter boxes, and routine.

“We like to call it (the annual visit) a wellness exam,” said Justin Green, DVM at San Juan Veterinary Clinic in Montrose.

“The most important part is talking to the owner about how the cat is do-ing, what its environment is like and what it is eating. And giving the cat a really thorough exam, from nose to tail.”

Dogs also need a good environment, and “exercise, exercise, exercise,” Green said. “A tired dog is a happy dog.”

Cats that are not bored are happy cats, said Renee Rumrill, DVM at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Montrose.

A stimulating environment helps with that, and a cat that gets enough play/exercise can stave off obesity, which has been linked to health woes such as diabetes in animals. The prop-er weight for a cat or a dog varies by breed.

A dog or cat’s coat should be shiny, soft and full, Rumrill said. Pet own-ers shouldn’t see bald spots, redness,

sores or anything that looks like a tumor.“Healthy skin and hair often goes along with general health,” said Rum-

rill.You should also frequently check your pet’s ears to make sure there is no

discharge or redness. A dog that shakes his head a lot may have an ear infec-tion, she said. Cats or dogs that appear to be itchy could have an allergy. Ear mites also are a concern; they are most common in younger animals, mostly cats and particularly feral cats.

“Someone getting a kitten might notice a dark brown to black crust in the ears,” which is a sign of mite activity, Rumrill said.

Vets have the best medication and a competent diagnosis is needed, in case there is something else going on, she said.

Food matters, both veterinarians said. While there is fierce debate among vets concerning recent raw-diets and grain-free diets, the two indicated that the important things are nutrients and portion control.

Overweight animals tend not to live as long and to experience more health issues; while some animals may be fat as the result of another condition, most pudgy pooches and corpulent cats are simply overfed.

“For young, healthy animals, there are a variety of diets that are avail-able,” said Rumrill. “It’s not necessarily about spending the most money. The veterinarian can help direct them.”

Raw diets come with salmonella risks, Green said, though he acknowl-edged other vets see great benefit in raw diets. Grain-free diets supplement cereal gains with a different carbohydrate source; for cats, the focus needs to be on the amount of carbs more than the source, he said. Too much pro-tein in a dog’s diet can be toxic, he added.

Spay/neuterSterilizing your pet is highly recommended. While some conditions are more likely

to occur if you spay/neuter, and recent research has shown some health benefits in delaying it for a few months longer than the standard age of 6 months, there are also health problems associated with leaving the animal intact, said Renee Rumrill, DVM. She recommends consulting with your veterinarian.

An unaltered animal breeds, which leads to pet overpopulation and full shelters. “The only place for reproductive organs is outside the animal. The world has too many companion animals,” said Green. “They are being neglected and euthanized for no other reason than people don’t want them.”

Nine out of 10 dogs he sees that have been in a dog fight, shot or run over are intact males, Green said.

The above is general information provided by local veterinarians. It is not intended to substitute for specific diagnosis or treatment that your vet may recommend for a specific animal.

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PROTECTING YOURfurry FRIENDSWHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH, DON’T FORGET FELIX, FIDOBy Katharhynn Heidelberg

Vaccines• Cats: Start vaccinating when the feline is 8 weeks old and continue monthly until it is 16 weeks

old. Then, depending on the vaccine, immunize every one to three years. A cat’s first rabies vaccine should be updated after one year; thereafter, every three. Every one to three years, as recommended by veterinarian, vaccinate for RCP (feline firal rhinotracheaitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia). Vaccinate for feline leukemia every year. This vaccine is not always necessary for indoor-only cats, said Justin Green, DVM, but if there is a chance your cat could be exposed to another cat, do so as a precau-tion.

• Dogs: As with cats, start at 8 weeks old, then monthly until the age of 16 weeks, and every one to three years, depending on vaccine. A dog’s first rabies vaccine should be updated after one year; thereafter, every three. The combo vaccine for dogs is distemper, hepatitis, parvo and parainfluenza. This should be done every one to three years, depending on recommendations. Other vaccines that may be given include ones against bordetella, which causes upper respiratory infections; and a vac-cine for leptospira, a bacterium that causes leptospirosis infection. Green says any dog that is ever exposed to wet habitats — even wet grass — should receive the vaccine.

Renee Rumrill, DVM examines Missy’s skin at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Montrose. (Nate Wick/Daily Press)

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“It’s hard to sort through all the marketing. The pet food industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. People want a chunk of that,” Green said. “They (pet food makers) are good at con-vincing you you’re not doing the right thing, but that if you buy theirs, everything is going to be better.”

OK, so you’ve got the right environment, good, properly portioned food, and annual checkups covered. You’re well on your way to increasing the odds of giving the pet a long, healthy life. But did you know pets can de-velop allergies, arthritis and dental disease? Here’s a look at some health and related con-cerns that might not be foremost in a pet keep-er’s mind.

• Dental care:“Their mouths are like ours,” said Rumrill.

“Especially since dogs and cats aren’t brush-ing their teeth every day, tartar will easily build up. Some dogs and cats get more of it than others, and certain breeds more than oth-ers. They should rely on the vet to help them recognize early stages of dental disease.”

There are chews for dogs, anti-bacterial agents, drinking water additives and, of course, brushing (with vet-recommended pet toothpaste). Rumrill said brushing is the most effective preventative care, while Green rec-ommends it almost exclusively. He said there is a strong correlation between poor dental health, obesity and conditions such as diabe-tes and kidney disease in cats and dogs.

• Heat stroke: This is more common in dogs, though cats

can also be stricken. Rumrill sees it most often in dogs that are left in cars or that are over-exercised during hot weather. Signs include heavy panting and collapse as heat stroke pro-gresses. The animal then falls into seizures or goes unconscious. “They should wet that dog down and get them to the vet immediately,” she said. Cats are less often transported in cars and can seek out cool places. But if they display signs of heatstroke, get them wet and to the vet, too.

• Arthritis can diminish quality of life. Ex-ercise and maintaining a healthy weight are important. Vets can recommend supplements and prescribe medication.

• Litter boxes for cats, training for dogs:For each cat in the home, have one to 1.5 lit-

ter boxes, per floor, and position them in quiet areas, away from doors that frequently open and away from distractions that can frighten the cat. Frightened cats can develop an aver-sion to the litter box, and the most common reason for relinquishment to shelters is im-proper elimination, Green said — a situation that simply does not have to happen.

Dogs need adequate training. The main reason they come into shelters is the loss of human-animal bond, said Green. Behind that loss are such behaviors as chewing up things, incessant barking, and jumping on people. Training addresses such behaviors. “We are the dog’s advocate. We love it when we can in-tervene and save a dog from having to go into the shelter from just a misunderstanding,” he said.

• Confinement and transport:Cats are safest when they are strictly indoor

pets. The roaming cat is subject to trauma, poisoning, fights with other cats and ill treat-ment from people who don’t want them in their yards, Rumrill said.

Dogs should not be allowed to roam free in public areas, for their safety and for the poten-tial safety others, she added. Adequate shelter,

food and water are a must for dogs when they are outdoors. Take steps to confine your dog on your property.

When transporting a cat or dog, use a crate. It will prevent them from escaping and cuts

the risk of injury — to animal and human. Dogs can and do fall from truck beds. A cat loose in the car can literally get underfoot, creating safety issues. Crate cats at the vet’s office, too, for their safety. l

There are many areas of pet health that owners need to be aware of to adequately care for their companions. (Courtesy photo)

Renee Rumrill, DVM examines Annabelle’s teeth at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Montrose. (Nate Wick/Daily Press)

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By Dave Segal

Occasionally, a form of “alternative medicine” can earn its way from the fringes of

science to mainstream accep-tance. Chiropractic medicine is an excellent example.

Chiropractic was invented by D.D. Palmer, of Davenport, Iowa, in 1895. It was initially met with signifi cant resis-tance from the medical estab-lishment, such as the Ameri-can Medical Association. In the early days of chiroprac-tic, most medical doctors dismissed it as unscientifi c nonsense. However, times, techniques and minds eventu-ally changed.

Dr. John Unger, D.C., of the Montrose Chiropractic Cen-ter, said, “Some years ago, the AMA was not as willing to work together with other types of health care provid-ers. But, the AMA stated in 1997 that ‘Chiropractic care has been shown to have a good degree of effi cacy in amelio-rating back pain, headache, and similar musculo-skeletal complaints.’”

Chiropractic is primarily about healing certain types of tissue injuries, which can be caused by a single trauma, such as improperly lifting something that’s too heavy for you. Your muscle, joint, or nerve tissue can also be harmed by repetitive stress, like spending long periods of time sitting in an awkward position, with poor posture. Either way, your tissues are subjected to physical and chemical changes that can leave you with tight, infl amed, painful joints and muscles that don’t work too well.

It takes a lot of higher education to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, accord-ing to Unger.

“You need a four year col-lege degree in the biological sciences, then it’s fi ve years of post-graduate training in chi-ropractic sciences after that. A lot of it involves pre-medical course work at the university level, before you get accepted into chiropractic universities. Then, we have hard science training in microbiology, anatomy, human physiology, and then more specifi cs in the musculo-skeletal system and the nervous system,” he said.

Chiropractors are trained to diagnose diseases of those systems, using clinical exami-nation, laboratory testing, and diagnostic imaging, including X-rays.

They are not licensed to pre-scribe medication or perform surgery.

Chiropractors are manipu-lators — literally. They use a variety of techniques to per-form “spinal manipulations” and “chiropractic adjust-ments.” The point is to make the damaged tissues in your

stiff, aching back ( and joints) more mobile, and less painful, by applying a controlled force — either manually, or through a small machine called an activator. The techniques generally don’t cause discom-fort; in fact, you might hobble into your chiropractor’s offi ce sighing with pain, and walk out half an hour later, sighing with relief. However, there’s a chance that you might experi-ence a little mild, post-treat-ment soreness, which should disappear in 12 to 48 hours.

You might be surprised at some of the conditions that chiropractors treat. Adjust-ments can reduce or eliminate interference with a nerve’s connection to an internal or-gan, according to Unger.

“Yeah, that’s true. Internal disorders often lend them-selves to chiropractic care--for example, colitis and asthma. So, a surprising amount of improvement can be had by adjusting the spine.”

It’s possible that regular chiropractic treatments may slow down some degenerative joint conditions. “Especially in terms of things like arthri-tis, research has shown that joints that don’t move fully may end up with more acceler-ated arthritic change,” Unger explained. “That’s been shown to be true in animals, and it’s surmised that it’s true for the human spine, as well.”

There are about two dozen chiropractors in the Montrose area. Many of them have coop-erative, rather than competi-tive, relationships with other types of health care providers, according to Dr. Unger. “We get referrals from medical doc-tors, osteopaths, and dentists.” The referrals are a two-way street; chiropractors often send patients to M.D.’s if chi-ropractic isn’t the best answer to the problem.

Chiropractors’ charges vary, but are generally no more than an offi ce visit to a primary care M.D., and are sometimes less. In fact, Unger said that studies have found that chiropractic care actually helps to keep overall health care costs for injuries down. “The workers comp system in Colorado has covered chiro-practic care for more than thirty years, partly because it’s been shown that chiro-practic care, without drugs and surgery, has helped many cases that would have other-wise needed the more expen-sive care. Most major health insurers have some provision for chiropractic care because of that.”

U.S. Olympic teams have used chiropractors since the early 1980’s, as have many pro sports teams. In fact, Dr. Shawn Caldwell, of Arvada is the team chiropractor for both the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies. With base-ball season upon us, let’s hope that he doesn’t get too many patients at Coors Field this summer.

CHIROPRATIC REALIGNMENT

Chiropractic moves from the fringes to the mainstream

“... It’s been shown that chiropractic care, without drugs and surgery, has helped many cases that would have otherwise needed the more expensive care. Most major health insurers have some provision for chiropractic care because of that.”

Montrose Press Valley Health 4/4

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