Southern Illinois Health & Life

WHAT’S NEW INCANCER CARE

Quick action saves a stroke victim

Sleepaway camps—for grownups

July 2010

T h e g o o d l i v i n g m a g a z i n e f r o m S O U T H E R N I L L I N O I S H E A L T H C A R E

health&life

• fight stress• pamper your feet• spot health

threats early

Advice to help you

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

YOUR SKIN:when to worry

CoverSIL210.FINAL 6/7/10 11:53 AM Page C1

C2.indd 2 6/2/10 1:55:38 PM

July 2010

Your body / Take the hint · Heed thesesurprising warnings of possible illness to come.

Sweet feet · Try these tips to keep your piggieshealthy and looking their best.

Skin: When to worry · Fear that mole might beskin cancer? Here’s what to look for.

Keeping fit / Pictures of healthFor motivation to get active and shape up, just lookwhat these neighbors are up to.

Beating stress / Give peacefula chance · These 6 tips can help you be calmer—and feel better.

Glorious food / Ear no evilA versatile veggie, corn is a surprisingly healthysummertime treat.

Eat smart / 5 facts food labels don’ttell you · Here’s what’s missing from nutritionlabels—and how to make savvy choices anyway.

Clinical update / A stroke survivor’s storyThanks to his wife’s quick action and a hospital’sspeedy treatment, a retiree makes a full recovery.

Cancer care / Cells that go wrongNew discoveries about cancer’s dynamics are bringingimproved treatment, detection and prevention.

Clinical update / When dangerlies in weightBariatric, or weight-loss, surgery can be the start of ahealthier new life.

Escapes / Happy campersThese 3 specialty-themed adult getaways proveyou’re never too old to learn something new.

18

26

30 18 26

Contents

6

3

16

22

Features

24

30

health&lifeSOUTHERN ILLINOIS

COVER IMAGE: ISTOCK

14

Welcome letter

Healthy living / Your backyard survivalguide · The great outdoors is alive with potentialthreats to your summertime health.

12

2

Departments

10

32

TOC_SIH_210_FINAL 6/7/10 10:35 AM Page 4

health&life

SIH STAFF

president and chief executive officer REX P. BUDDE

corporate director ofmarketing and communication

CHERYL BENN

communications coordinator ROSSLIND RICE

Southern Illinois Healthcare1239 East Main

Carbondale, IL 62901(618) 457-5200

SIH Call CenterPhysician referrals, information

on classes and hospital services:Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

1-866-SIH-2468 (1-866-744-2468)

WAINSCOT STAFF

editor in chief

RITA GUARNA

art director

SARAH LECKIE

senior editor TIMOTHY KELLEY

managing editor JENNIFER RYAN

assistant editorKRISTIN COLELLA

editorial internDIANE SZULECKI

Southern Illinois Health & Life is published byWainscot Media, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale,NJ 07645, in association with Southern IllinoisHealthcare. This is Volume 2, Issue 2.© 2010 by Southern Illinois Healthcare.All rights reserved.

Material contained herein is intended forinformational purposes only. If you havemedical concerns, seek the guidance ofa healthcare professional.

Memorial Hospital of Carbondale

St. Joseph Memorial Hospital

Herrin Hospital

Center for Medical Arts

Miners Memorial Health Center

THE GOOD LIVING MAGAZINE fromSOUTHERN ILLINOIS HEALTHCARE

Excellence, right here

Sincerely,REX P. BUDDE

President andChief Executive OfficerSouthern Illinois Healthcare,Carbondale, Illinois

Welcome LETTER

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

FOR DECADES, SOUTHERN ILLINOISHealthcare has strived to forge alliances to attractand retain specialists and create lifesaving programsin our rural regional community. This involves afastidious commitment to excellence, because webelieve healthcare is best close to home.

Today, not only have we restored full-timeneurosurgery to southern Illinois, but we alsoboast the region’s first and only stroke neurologist.On the heels of these accomplishments, it is withpride that I announce yet another regional first:the development of the Stroke Center at MemorialHospital of Carbondale. This rapid-response pro-gram and collaboration with other communityhospitals will help ensure that patients receiveclot-busting medications within the “golden”3-hour treatment window. Our ultimate goal is tojoin the ranks of the 600 other fully accredited pri-mary stroke centers in the United States.

In this issue, you’ll find information on Her-rin Hospital’s bariatric surgery program and we’llintroduce you to Naresh Ahuja, M.D., and the teamat New Life Weight Loss and Advanced Lapara-scopic Surgery. Having these specialists here meanssouthern Illinoisans no longer have to travel greatdistances to secure the treatment they need to endwhat is, for some, a lifelong struggle with obesity.

Finally, we’ll share stories of inspirationfrom a handful of patients and friends who havetaken the initiative to transform their health. It’s areminder that it’s never too late to adopt a fitnessplan that works for you.

If you are among the thousands of patientswho have entrusted us with your care, thank you.The privilege was ours. If you have a story youwould like to share, I would love to hear from you.

CEO-MAST_SIH_210_FINAL 6/7/10 10:37 AM Page 2

of 47 years and asked if he was all right, but Stearnscouldn’t answer. After working in various positions inthe health care field for 17 years, including as a nursingassistant, Sharon recognized what was happening:Stearns was having a stroke.

“Anything Sharon said, I could hear and under-stand, but I couldn’t say anything,” he recalls.

From that point on, events proceeded rapidly.Within an hour of his initial symptoms, Stearns receiveda tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, used to dissolveblood clots in the case of heart attack or stroke, atMemorial Hospital of Carbondale.

HAROLD STEARNS ENJOYS MANY THINGSabout retirement. After working for Prairie Farms for 37years, he has plenty to do on his 80-acre farm southof Carbondale.

If he’s not spending time with his eight grand-children, Stearns has cows to feed, tractors to fix, yardwork to do and a garden to tend. Some days, he just likesto rest by watching television with his wife, Sharon. Itwas on one of those days when Stearns suddenly got upfrom his easy chair.

“I just had an urge to move,” he says.By the time he made it across the room, his right

leg and arm were numb. Sharon looked at her husband

A STROKE SURVIVOR’SSTORYTHANKS TO HIS WIFE’S QUICK ACTION

AND A HOSPITAL’S SPEEDY TREATMENT,

A RETIRED SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN MAKES

A FULL AND PROMPT RECOVERY

Stroke survivor Harold Stearns and his wife, Sharon

Clinical Update

S O U T H E R N I L L I N O I S H E A L T H & L I F E / 3

c o n t i n u e d

CU_Stroke_SIH_210_FINAL 6/7/10 10:39 AM Page 21

4 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

“Sometimes patients continue for two to threedays at home before they decide to come to the hospital,”says Bhargava Trivedi, M.D., a stroke neurologist withTrinity Neuroscience Institute in Carbondale. “Somepatients ignore the symptoms when they begin. They tryto sleep it off, thinking they’ll be fine in the morning.The next day they’re staggering until afternoon, whenthey finally say, ‘Enough is enough, I’m not improving.I should go to the hospital.’ Many of them drive to thehospital on their own, which is scary.”

Unlike a heart attack, a stroke doesn’t usuallyinvolve pain, one of the reasons the symptoms are diffi-cult to recognize. When a stroke happens, it can physi-cally manifest itself in any number of ways—a suddennumbness in the face, arm or leg; trouble speaking; con-fusion; trouble walking, with dizziness or loss of coordi-nation; blurred vision; or possibly, a severe headache.

The recognition of these indicators is immenselyimportant because time is of the essence. When it comesto a stroke, as Dr. Trivedi says, “time is brain.” If thepatient receives the tPA within the “golden window,”three hours from the time of the stroke, it greatly dimin-ishes the chances of lasting major damage to the brain,or even death. Unfortunately, Dr. Trivedi estimates thatonly 10 to 15 percent of the patients he sees come to thehospital within that crucial time period.

“Once we administer the tPA, 30 to 50 percent ofpatients return to normal within three months,” says Dr.Trivedi. “This underscores the need to recognize thesigns of a stroke and act as soon as possible.”

Not all patients with stroke-like symptoms arecandidates for the tPA. Minimizing the risk factors is thekey to stroke prevention. Conditions such as obesity, highblood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can allincrease the likelihood of a stroke. However, the chancesdecrease if these issues are managed by medication witha healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and exercise.

AFTER A STROKETerrence Glennon, M.D., a physiatrist (a specialist inphysical medicine and rehabilitation) with the nationally

By the next day, Stearns’ speech had come backand he returned home. In no time, he was back to hischores and his grandkids.

“I didn’t know what was happening to me, really,”he says. “If it hadn’t been for Sharon, I don’t know whatI would have done.”

‘TIME IS BRAIN’The third largest cause of death, stroke is also a leadingcause of long-term disability in the U.S. By definition,stroke is a disruption of blood supply to the brain whena vessel is blocked or bursts. If the brain is without oxy-gen for even a short period of time, its nerve cells beginto die. This can affect parts of the body those cells con-trol, often resulting in paralysis.

Stearns is one of almost 800,000 Americans eachyear who suffer a stroke. Roughly every 40 secondssomeone has a stroke in this country, and stroke claimsmore than 143,000 lives a year. But Stearns was one ofthe lucky ones: He made a complete recovery.

Two major factors contributed to his successfuloutcome. The first was Sharon’s quick recognition of hissymptoms. It led to the second: reaching Memorial Hos-pital’s emergency department within an hour, where aspecialist administered the tPA clot-busting medication.

Because a clot-busting agent called tPA wasadministered quickly, stroke patient Harold Stearns

is now doing chores and enjoying his grandkids once again.

Know the warning signs of a stroke

• Sudden numbness, usually in the face, arm, leg,

or especially on one side of the body

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or under-

standing

• Sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of bal-

ance or coordination

• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

If you or someone you’re with experiences any

of these signs, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait.

Clinical Update



renowned Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at HerrinHospital, says that if a patient receives a tPA, the differ-ence in recovery is dramatic.

“If you can prevent damage, you’re way ahead,”says Dr. Glennon. “Once brain cells are killed by a stroke,they may be lost forever, leading to paralysis or a speechdeficit that will never completely return to normal again.”

He says new research shows the brain is a moreadaptive organ than once thought. The rehabilitationprocess can restore some function by helping to ensuremaximum recovery of the brain cells harmed in a stroke.

“The brain does seem to have a capacity to recover,to get better than it was at its worst,” Dr. Glennon says.“But as good as some rehabilitation outcomes can be, theprevention of cell damage or death with medicines suchas tPA, administered in a timely fashion, is clearly thebest option for the patient.”

THE STROKE CENTERSince, as Dr. Trivedi asserts, time is brain, the goal is totreat a stroke as soon as possible to minimize the amountof damage that is caused. To achieve this purpose,Memorial Hospital of Carbondale is taking a giant stepforward by establishing the Stroke Center with an ulti-mate goal of becoming one of 600 primary stroke carecenters in the nation.

This Joint Commission designation recognizeshospitals that follow national standards and guidelinesto significantly improve outcomes for patients. TheStroke Center brings together a team of neurologists,neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons and cardiologists. Italso includes advanced training for emergency depart-ment staff and a number of dedicated hospital beds tobetter facilitate stroke care.

“Statistically, patients receive better care and exper-ience better outcomes at primary stroke centers,” saysnurse Lesley Cranick, stroke program coordinator atMemorial Hospital. “The designation as a Joint Com-mission certified primary stroke center will create a rec-ognizable facility that will get patients the fastest strokecare possible.”

The Stroke Center will serve all counties within atwo-hour radius. The goal is to have a network of STATBrain partners—local hospitals trained to respond tostroke symptoms quickly and administer the tPA—sothat more patients arrive within the “golden window”three-hour time frame. As a result, families will be closer

to their loved ones for the initial treatment and in caseswhere rehabilitation is necessary.

“The first step is for people to recognize thesymptoms and call 911 immediately,” Cranick says. “Andwhen they do, we’ll be ready.” �

To find out more about the Stroke Center at Memorial

Hospital of Carbondale, please call 866-744-2468 or visit

www.sih.net. Treatment is provided by stroke neurologist

Bhargava Trivedi, M.D., and neurosurgeons Jeff Jones,

D.O., and Jon Taveau, D.O.


Cancer_SIH_210_RE-FINAL 6/7/10 10:42 AM Page 42

OP

PO

SIT

E P

AG

E:

AR

T B

OX

IM

AG

ES

; T

HIS

PA

GE

: A

LAM

Y

“WE HAVE A WHOLE NEW WAY OF THINKING ABOUTcancer care,” says Michael Fisch, M.D., director of the general oncol-ogy program at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center,recently ranked the No. 1 cancer hospital in the nation by U.S. Newsand World Report. Today, he explains, that focus is not on killing malig-nant cells alone. It’s also on blocking the “pathways” that permit themto grow, thrive and travel from one organ to another.

“Imagine cancer as water filling a tub through many differentfaucets,” says Dr. Fisch. “These faucets are the molecular path-ways that trigger cancer cell activation and make cells survive longer,divide and spread to different places.” While traditional chemotherapyis akin to bailing water out of the tub, he says, new targeted gene ther-apies blunt the malignancy’s growth in a way that’s like turning off the faucets.

“We must determine, say, for a woman with breast cancer, whichof these faucets is filling the tub?” says Dr. Fisch. “How many do weturn and which ones, and how hard do we tighten them?”

The new approach owes much, he explains, to “advances inmolecular diagnostics—for example, our ability toclone genes, see what their products are and studythese pathways so that scientists can work on a mole-cule that can block them.”

Arnold Baskies, M.D., chief medical officer andpresident of the American Cancer Society’s EasternDivision, agrees. “The mapping of the human genomehas allowed us to study how certain cells become can-cerous,” he says. In 2008, for example, researchers at

Cells that go WRONG

NEW DISCOVERIES ABOUT CANCER’S DYNAMICS ARE BRINGING

IMPROVED TREATMENT, DETECTION AND PREVENTION

b y F r a n c e s c a M o i s i n


Radiation oncologistsuse highly

charged protons to

attack cancer cells’

DNA.

Cancer CareCancer Care


the University of California, Los Angeles, uncovered a genetic molecular mechanism that causes normal bloodcells to turn into the cells of T-lymphoblastic leukemia,an aggressive cancer.

Using this genetic map as a guide, oncologists aredeveloping cancer treatments and prevention strategiesthat are highly personalized. “Since we’re all geneticallydifferent, doctors are getting away from the one-size-fits-all approach,” says Therese Bevers, M.D., medicaldirector of the Cancer Prevention Center at M.D.Anderson. “By studying a patient’s unique genomicsand proteomics [genes and proteins], we’re starting tounderstand the specific cancer risks that individual mayhave, and what kind of medication he or she would bestrespond to.”

In the not-too-distant future, a doctor may be ableto draw a sample of our blood and predict what type ofcancer we may be at risk for. Then, says Dr. Baskies,mortality rates will drastically decline.

The new understanding of cancer has helped tousher in new therapies that are more effective and less

toxic. For instance, drugs called anti-angiogenesis agentsare being used successfully against some of the moststubborn cancers—including malignant glioma (thekind of brain tumor the late Sen. Edward Kennedy had),hepatocellular carcinoma (the liver cancer that killedbaseball star Mickey Mantle) and renal cell carcinoma(kidney cancer). These targeted drugs prevent tumorsfrom generating new blood vessels; without a blood supply, a tumor can’t grow.

“Historically, these cancers have been difficult todestroy,” says Dr. Fisch. But now, three drugs—Avastin(bevacizumab) for brain tumors, Nexavar (sorafenib) forliver cancer and Sutent (sunitinib malate) for kidney cancer—work well against them.

Significant progress has also been made in radia-tion treatment—notably with proton beam therapy,which is used on cancers that have not yet metastasized,or spread to other organs. With a special particle accel-erator, radiation oncologists beam a ray of protons ontothe tumor site. The highly charged particles damagecells’ DNA, disrupting their ability to function and

Lung and bronchus: 31%

Prostate: 10%

Colon and rectum: 8%

Pancreas: 6%

Liver and intrahepatic

bile duct: 4%

Leukemia: 4%

Esophagus: 4%

Urinary bladder: 3%

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: 3%

Kidney and renal pelvis: 3%

All other sites: 24%

Source: American Cancer Society

Lung and bronchus: 26%

Breast: 15%

Colon and rectum: 9%

Pancreas: 6%

Ovary: 6%

Uterus, including

endometrium: 3%

Leukemia: 3%

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: 3%

Liver and intrahepatic

bile duct: 2%

Brain and other nervous

system: 2%

All other sites: 25%

The most dangerous cancers Here are the malignancies that claim the most lives of each gender,

and the percentage of total cancer deaths they cause:

WOMEN MEN

8 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

NO

RB

ER

SC

HA

FE

R

Cancer CareCancer Care


spread. And because protons’ relatively large size keepsthem from scattering easily, surrounding healthy tissueis left unharmed. Today there are only a few of these par-ticle accelerators; as they proliferate, treatment will con-tinue to improve.

ON THE HORIZONTHESE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS ARE GENERATING

EXCITEMENT WITH OUR EXPERTS:

BETTER CANCER DETECTION VIA POSITRONEMISSION TOMOGRAPHY (PET). This powerfulimaging technique is already employed to pinpoint dis-ease, but the expense of the large machines limits theiruse. Oncologists believe that PET scanners will soonbecome economical enough to be used for mammo-grams. “Within a decade they may be used for all typesof cancer detection,” says Dr. Baskies. “That’s important,because if cancer is found early, it can often be cured.”WIDER USE OF DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY.Traditional mammography records an image of awoman’s breast on film. Digital mammography takesan electronic picture and stores it directly on a computer.This process uses less radiation and creates a higher-quality image that can be manipulated, magnified forclarity and sent by computer for consultation amongdoctors in various places. Digital mammography is nowperformed at top centers such as the Breast Center inCarbondale, an American College of Radiologists’Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, and at theWomen’s Diagnostic Center at Herrin Hospital. “Theimproved clarity in the digital images is amazing andhas shown better cancer detection in women with densebreasts,” says Mary Rosenow, M.D., medical director ofthe cancer program for Southern Illinois Healthcare. “Irecommend digital mammography to all women, espe-cially those with dense breasts.” MORE OPTIONS FOR CANCER PREVENTION.“When you think about it, it’s incredible,” says Dr. Bevers.“We can now prevent certain types of cancer with a shot.”One example is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vac-cine, which guards against cervical cancer. Studies havealso shown that a woman at high risk for breast cancercan reduce her risk by 90 percent by taking tamoxifen, adrug that blocks the action of estrogen, for five years.And the Food and Drug Administration has approvedthe use of the osteoporosis drug Evista for preventingsome breast cancers in postmenopausal women. �

CANCER BELIEFS:true or false?

Oncologist Therese Bevers, M.D., medical

director of the Cancer Prevention Center at

the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer

Center, gives the real story about six widely

held notions:

“Using antiperspirants causes breast cancer.”

FALSE. Though past studies appeared

at one time to link cancer with substances

found in antiperspirants, no relationship has

been established, says Dr. Bevers. “So please,

use your deodorant!”

“Regularly eating charcoal-cooked meat

could increase your risk of cancer.” TRUE.

Searing meat at high temperatures creates

heterocyclic amines, chemicals that have been

linked to cancer, says Dr. Bevers. And when fat

from the meat drips onto coals, it produces

harmful chemical-rich smoke.

“Surgery for cancer could spread the dis-

ease through the body.” FALSE. “People

often fear that inserting a needle in a tumor will

cause the cancer cells to spread, but this is not

true,” says Dr. Bevers. “In many cases, surgery is

a lifesaving cancer treatment option.”

“Having kids and breastfeeding are guaran-

teed protection against breast cancer.“

FALSE. “Evidence suggests these two factors

may lessen a woman’s chance of developing

breast cancer, but there is no guaranteed pro-

tection,” says Dr. Bevers.

“Smoking a pack of cigarettes a day is a

greater cancer risk than living in a polluted

city.” TRUE. “While pollution is certainly an irri-

tant,” says Dr. Bevers, “smoking is by far the

biggest hazard for lung cancer.”

“Sunscreen can’t fully prevent skin cancer.”

TRUE. “You can’t completely prevent it, but

you can radically reduce the risk of melanoma

by wearing sunscreen daily,” says the doctor.

1

2

3

4

5

6


Cancer_SIH_210_RE-FINAL.rev 6/7/10 3:34 PM Page 45

1 0 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

ALA

MY

; SH

UT

TE

RS

TO

CK

Healthy Living

THE GREAT OUTDOORS IS ALIVE WITH POTENTIAL THREATS TO YOUR

SUMMERTIME HEALTH. HERE’S WHAT TO DO IF INJURY COMES YOUR WAY

THERE ARE A THOUSAND GREAT THINGSabout summertime—and a few that aren’t so great. Aswe all spend more hours outdoors, we face a number ofpotential hazards, ranging from the merely annoying tothe life-threatening. But don’t hide inside; just keepthis guide handy so you’ll be sure to know what to do ifthese backyard misfortunes strike (or better yet, whatyou can do—or refrain from doing—to prevent them).

What happened: YOU’VE DISCOVERED ATICK ATTACHED TO YOUR LEG.

Why you’re worried: You may get Lyme disease.

What to do: The sooner you remove the tick, theless chance it has to transmit Lyme or another disease.

Using fine tweezers, grasp the tick as close to your skinas possible and pull it straight up. Disinfect the bite siteand tweezers. Save the tick in a plastic bag or jar to betested in the event you get sick.

If only you had … checked yourself for ticks whenyou came inside. The insects take up to several hours toattach themselves, giving you time to get rid of them. Ifin the future you want to be utterly thorough, showerand change your clothes.

What happened:YOU’VE BEEN BITTEN BY A CHIPMUNK.

Why you’re worried: Rabies!

What to do: Don’t panic—your risk of rabies is low.

Squirrels (a chipmunk is a ground squirrel), rabbits andother rodents rarely carry rabies. The more common car-riers are bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.

If the bite barely broke the skin, wash it with soapand water, apply an antibiotic cream and cover with a bandage. If the wound is deep or the skin is torn andbleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth and see a doctor.If only you had … not tried to feed the chipmunk.Wild animals, no matter how cute, are still wild.

What happened: YOU’VE BEEN STUNG BY A YELLOW JACKET.

Why you’re worried: This is your first sting, andyou fear a life-threatening allergic reaction.

What to do: The chances you’re allergic areremote: Hypersensitivity develops as a result of beingstung, so future stings are the ones to worry about. But just to be safe, tell someone you’ve been stung, so if

your airway begins to close or otherserious symptoms develop, he or she

will be ready to call an ambu-lance; you could also call the National Poison Con-trol Center hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Apply an ice packto reduce swelling and slow

the spread of venom.Acetaminophen or ibuprofen

may reduce pain, as may a topicalanesthetic cream.

Your backyard survival guide

+

+

+

b y M a r k D o w d e n

Backyard_SIH_210_FINAL 6/2/10 11:11 AM Page 16

S O U T H E R N I L L I N O I S H E A L T H & L I F E / 1 1

What to do: Stay calm. Most of these slithery rep-tiles are not poisonous. Illinois has four venomous

snakes: copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake andEastern Massasauga rattler. Each has a large opening oneither side of the head between eye and nostril. But don’tspend a lot of time on identification. If the bite punc-tured the skin, get medical attention quickly. While wait-ing to be treated, keep the affected limb immobile andlower than your heart. Don’t apply ice or a tourniquet,and don’t cut the wound to try to remove possible venom.If only you had … steered clear. Unless you’re a her-petologist, stay away from serpents. And don’t sit onstone walls, a likely habitat for rattlers.

What happened: THOSE WEEDS YOU PULLED MUST HAVE INCLUDED SOME POISON IVY.Why you’re worried: The itching is heinous, andthe rash is spreading. How bad is this going to get?

What to do: Options for relief include calaminelotion, hydrocortisone cream, an oral antihistamine suchas Benadryl and an Aveeno oatmeal bath. If the itchingbecomes unbearable or your eyes, throat or other sensi-tive areas are affected, see a physician. A prescriptioncorticosteroid can do wonders.If only you had … worn gardening gloves or used IvyBlock, an over-the-counter skin barrier. �

+

+If only you had … called an exter-minator to remove the nest, and laid offthe perfume, which can attract wasps.

What happened: YOU STEPPED ON A RUSTY NAIL.

Why you’re worried: You can’t remember when youlast had a tetanus shot.

What to do: Wash the wound with soap andwater, scrubbing it to remove any dirt and debris. Applyantibiotic ointment and a Band-Aid. If the woundwon’t scrub clean or begins to look infected, call yourdoctor. Also consider a tetanus shot. You need one every10 years. And if it’s been more than five years, your doc-tor may want you to have a booster. Get the shot within48 hours. If only you had … cleaned up that constructiondebris—and not decided to recapture the Huck Finn–like feeling of going barefoot.

What happened: YOU FELL ASLEEP IN THESUN, AND NOW YOU’RE TURNING THE COLOROF A BOILED LOBSTER.

Why you’re worried: You face the prospect of asleepless night, fever-like chills, general ridicule and,down the road, an increased risk of skin cancer.

What to do: Keep the burned skin cool and moist.It’s OK to apply aloe, moisturizing lotion or hydro-cortisone cream. Aspirin or other anti-inflammatorymedication may help. Don’t break any blisters that form.If you develop fever or severe pain, see a doctor.

If only you had … applied sunscreen before goingoutdoors, not laid down in a chaise after drinking twomargaritas, sworn off sunbathing forever and used thepatio umbrella for its intended purpose.

What happened: YOU’VE BEEN BITTEN BY A SNAKE.

Why you’re worried: You’ve been bitten by a snake!

+

+FAST FACTS• Hawaii is the only state that has not had a singlenative case of rabies in animals or humans.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• More than a third of all adult women (36.3%)and nearly half of all adult men (46.4%) experience a sunburn each year.

Source: American Cancer Society

• The record for the most bee stings sustained bya surviving human is 2,443 by Johannes Relleke inZimbabwe in 1962.Source: www.guinnessworldrecords.com

Backyard_SIH_210_FINAL 6/2/10 11:12 AM Page 17

MA

ST

ER

FILE

Take the

HINT

Clue: EARLOBE CREASES It could mean: Heart disease

Back in 1991, a study in The American Journal of Medicine found that participantswith a diagonal crease in at least one earlobe were more likely to die from heartdisease than those whose earlobes did not bear creases. The report caught nationalattention at the time, but studies reported since then have produced mixed results.

One possible explanation for the link is a lack of elastin, which con-tributes to hardening of the arteries, but the connection may simply be due to thefact that earlobe creases are more common later in life, says Andres Mesa, M.D.,a cardiologist at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in

Houston. “Whenever you age you’re prone to have more hypertension,hyperlipidemia and other complications,” he adds.

What to do: Get regular checkups. “Earlobe creases can serve

as a reminder that you’re getting older and you should pay

more attention to heart-disease risk factors,” says Dr. Mesa.

Clue: DARK UNDER-EYE CIRCLESIt could mean: Allergies

“When you have significant hay fever you experience a changein blood flow to the nose and sinuses,” says James Li, M.D.,allergist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “As theblood expands in some of the veins in the face, it can appear as a

dark or bluish tint under the eyes.” What to do: If your dark circles are accompanied by otherhay-fever symptoms (sneezing, coughing, congestion),consider purchasing an over-the-counter antihistamine or

seeing your doctor for an allergy test.

1 2 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

YOUR BODY MAY BE WARNING YOU

OF ILLNESS. HERE’S WHAT TO DO

Give yourself a good once-over—notice any

quirks? Doctors say small imperfections could

signal an underlying issue. But which oddities call

for professional attention? Experts offer guidance

on becoming your own diagnostic sleuth.

TaketheHint_SIH_210_FINAL 6/2/10 11:14 AM Page 16


Clue: THIN THIGHS or A THICK NECK It could mean: Heart disease

A study in the British Medical Journal found that subjectswith a thigh circumference of less than 60 centimeters hada greatly increased risk of developing heart disease anddying prematurely. “The link may be due to these patientshaving low muscle mass,” says Dr. Mesa, which may leadto insulin sensitivity and a risk of metabolic syndrome.

Meanwhile, research from the National Heart,Lung and Blood Institute’s Framingham Heart Studyfound that a wider neck—a circumference of more than34.2 centimeters in women or 40.5 centimeters in men—increased heart-disease risk factors. “The theory is thatwide necks have more deposits of fat,” says Dr. Mesa.What to do: Data are still too preliminary toprompt a response, says Dr. Mesa. “More research isneeded, but I think measuring waist circumferencehas really proven itself.” A waist circumfer-ence greater than 88 centimeters in women and102 centimeters in men has been linked to a higherrisk of heart disease. If you exceed these limits,see your doctor about healthy ways to slim down.

Clue: DISCOLORED NAILSIt could mean: DiabetesYellow nails can be a symptom of this disease, says der-matologist Michel McDonald, M.D., assistant professorof medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center inNashville, though the reason for this is not yet confirmed.

What to do: “If you see a marked color change in all

of your nails, it’s a good idea to get checked out by

a physician,” says Dr. McDonald. But don’t panic—

this discoloration may be due to fungus or aging.

Clue: PALE NAILSIt could mean: Anemia

Press on your nails and take note of their color: Whilemost people’s nails will turn immediately back to pink, ananemic’s may remain white for a moment or two. “Whenyou are anemic you don’t have the blood rushing back asquickly into the capillaries,” says Rebecca Kazin, M.D.,head of the Johns Hopkins Dermatology and CosmeticCenter at Green Spring Station in Lutherville, Maryland.“But if you are this anemic you would likely have othersymptoms, such as fatigue and a tendency to bruise easily.” What to do: Speak to your doctor, says Dr. Kazin.

Clue: MALE BALDNESSIt could mean: Heart disease

In a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine,researchers found a link between male baldness and anincreased risk of this condition. Risk was greatest in menwith extensive vertex baldness (on the crown of the head). What to do: “If you have baldness, it doesn’t

mean you’ll have heart disease,” says Dr. Mesa.

“But it might be a good idea to get your blood

pressure and cholesterol checked.” �

Your Bodyb y K r i s t i n C o l e l l a

4 well-known body warnings: TRUTH OR HYPE?PHYSICIANS ASSESS THE VALIDITY OF THESE “TROUBLE SIGNS”

Apple-shaped bod-ies are linked with

greater heart-disease risksthan pear-shaped bodies.“Excess fat around the waistis a different kind of fat thanthat around the hips, and isassociated with greater heart-disease risk factors,” saysAndy Kates, M.D., director ofthe Heart Disease Preven-tion Program at WashingtonUniversity School of Medicinein St. Louis.

Skin tags can signalcolon polyps.

“There’s been insufficientevidence to extrapolate alink,” says gastroenterolo-gist Eric Esrailian, M.D.,assistant clinical professorof medicine at the DavidGeffen School of Medicineat UCLA in Los Angeles.

Too much vitaminA can cause exces-

sively dry lips. “An excess of vitamin A canshut down your oil glands,so monitor your intake anddon’t have more than 5,000IUs a day,” says dermatolo-gist Michel McDonald, M.D.,assistant professor of medi-cine at Vanderbilt UniversityMedical Center in Nashville.

White mouth corners can

indicate a yeast infection. Yeast infections don’t justoccur in your intimateregions; your mouth can beinfected by a pesky yeastcalled Candida, says Dr.McDonald. Because this sortof infection will not likelyaffect other areas of thebody, you can treat it with atopical medication fromyour dermatologist.

HYPE TRUE TRUETRUE

TaketheHint_SIH_210_FINAL 6/2/10 11:14 AM Page 17

SWEETfeet

Your Body

TRY THESE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR

PIGGIES WELL AND PRETTY

CO

RB

IS; M

AS

TE

RF

ILE

SweetFeet_SIH_210_FINAL 6/2/10 11:15 AM

then remove the scrub with adamp towel.

PAINT!• Remove old polish withnon-acetone polish remover.• Gently push back cuticleswith a cuticle pusher or man-icure stick, but never cutthem! Cuticles provide a protective barrier againstinfection.• Use a nail clipper to cut toe-nails straight across, thensmooth the edges with anemery board. Don’t round theedges too much, though, asthis can lead to ingrown nails.• Because polish locks outmoisture, apply nail color onlyif your nails are healthy. �

offer your feet much covering.Avoid that pesky top-of-the-foot burn by applying a water-proof, oil-free sunscreen ofSPF 15 or higher wheneveryou step out in the sunshine.

SOAK!• Wash your feet daily withsoap and lukewarm water, butalso try an occasional footbath to soften the soles andrejuvenate the soul! Fill abasin with warm water, andplace it in front of a comfychair. Then to add a little“something special,” put inthree to six drops of essentialoils: For a relaxing soak, trylavender or rosewood oil; foran invigorating one, opt fortea tree, lemon or peppermintoil—or mix different oils tocreate your own personalizedconcoction.• Soak your feet for at leastfive minutes—but feel free torelax for even longer!

SMOOTH!• Slough away dead skin witha damp pumice stone or footfile (the APMA likes Dr.Scholl’s Dual-Action SwedishFoot File, $23.04 for a six-pack on www.amazon.com).• For extra softening, you canrub an exfoliating scrub overyour entire foot and lower leg,

MASSAGE!• Get your foot’s circulationgoing with this trick: Prop onefoot on your lap, grasp it withboth hands, then slowly moveyour thumbs from the top ofyour toes to the bottom of yourheel and back. Repeat for aslong as you like!• For added relief—and relax-ation—while moisturizing,use your thumbs to apply extrapressure to your foot’s ball andarch. Then squeeze yourAchilles tendon with yourhand, one leg at a time, for fiveseconds. You can repeat thistechnique up to three times.

MOISTURIZE!• Want supple soles? Use anemollient-enriched skin lotiondaily. The American PodiatricMedical Association’s choice:Ureacin-10 Lotion ($18.89 onwww.drugsdepot.com). Justmake sure to get rid of excesslotion in nails or betweentoes—leaving it could encour-age a foot infection.• Another APMA tip: Beforebed, lightly wrap cellophanearound your entire foot to lockin moisture. By morning yourfeet will feel superbly soft!

PROTECT!Those “barely there” sandalsmay look sexy, but they don’t

THE PED-EGG: ALL IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE?

Chances are you’ve seen these small white orbs dotting the aisles of your local

pharmacies—and their sheer ubiquity may have you wondering, “Do they really

work?” For about $10, the Ped-Egg foot file promises to remove dead skin, giving you

“that baby-soft look and feel.” Consumer Reports set out to discover if that was

true, giving 29 people a Ped-Egg to use on one foot, a pumice stone for the other.

The findings? The Egg did indeed do a better overall job than the pumice stone.

SO

UR

CE

: A

ME

RIC

AN

PO

DIA

TR

IC M

ED

ICA

L A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

SweetFeet_SIH_210_FINAL 6/2/10 11:16 AM

1 6 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

SH

UT

TE

RS

TO

CK

; TH

E A

ME

RIC

AN

AC

AD

EM

Y O

F D

ER

MA

TO

LOG

Y

FEAR THAT MOLE MIGHT BE SKIN CANCER?

HERE’S WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Your skin: When to worry

b y F r a n c e s c a M o i s i n

FIRST, THE GOOD NEWS: THE MAJORITY OF THE SCARY-looking skin conditions that people fear may be cancerous turn outto be benign, noncancerous growths—moles, freckles or seborrheickeratoses, according to Sean Burke, M.D., a dermatologist affiliatedwith the Southern Illinois Healthcare Cancer Institute.

Chances are high, then, that mole or growth you’ve been con-cerned about is no cause for alarm. Still, skin cancer is the most com-mon form of cancer in the United States—10 times more prevalentthan breast cancer. So when in doubt about a particular patch of skin,always consult a doctor. After all, prompt detection is vital. “For-tunately, melanoma has a very high rate of cure when it is discoverdearly,” says Dr. Burke.

In this illustrated guide, the dermatologist explains when agrowth is harmless and when it needs to be checked out.

If your mole shows one of the characteristics illustrated in the ‘A to E’ guide below, you should make an appointment with your

dermatologist for evaluation as soon as possible, says Sean Burke, M.D., a dermatologist affiliated with the Southern Illinois

Healthcare Cancer Institute. Not every growth with one of these traits will be cancerous, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Asymmetry: One

half of your mole

looks larger, darker,

more textured or

in any other way

different from the

other half.

Border: Your mole

has a border that is

irregular, scalloped

or poorly defined.

Color: Your pigment

patch varies in hue

from one area to the

other. Some sides may

be tan and brown or

tan and black, while

other areas are shaded

red, white or blue.

Diameter: Your

mole is greater

than 6 millimeters

across.

Evolving: Your

mole changes over

time in shape, size

or color.

WORRY WARTS: 5 reasons to see a doctor

Skin_SIH_210_FINAL 6/7/10 10:54 AM Page 16


RE

PR

INT

ED

WIT

H P

ER

MIS

SIO

N F

RO

M T

HE

AM

ER

ICA

N A

CA

DE

MY

OF

DE

RM

AT

OLO

GY

. A

LL R

IGH

TS

RE

SE

RV

ED

.; J

UP

ITE

R I

MA

GE

S

Fast skin-cancer facts• Melanoma accounts for approximately 3 percent of skin

cancer cases, but causes more than 75 percent of skin can-

cer deaths.

• People who use tanning beds are 1.5 times more likely to

develop basal cell carcinoma (the most common form of

skin cancer) and 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous

cell carcinoma (the second most common form) than others.

• About 65 percent of melanoma cases can be attributed

to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

• Caucasians and men 50 or older are at a higher risk of

developing melanoma than the general population.

Sources: The Skin Cancer Foundation and The American Academy of Dermatology

TROUBLE-FREE

BE SKIN-SMART

THESE SKIN GROWTHS AREN’T PRETTY,

BUT THEY’RE HARMLESS

This mole, notes Dr. Burke, is small in diame-

ter and even in pigmentation and does not

have irregular borders. “Examining it with

the ‘A to E’ characteristics in mind leads me

to believe it’s not cancerous,” he reports.

These freckly red and tan splotches are

often hard to distinguish from growths

that indicate damage from the sun, the

dermatologist says. “One way to deter-

mine which is which is to watch them over

time,” he adds. “Freckles tend to fade during

the winter, while sun-damage growths remain present

on the body.”

“This is a seborrheic keratosis, a noncancer-

ous growth—tan to black in color—that

sometimes develops on the skin’s outer

surface,” says Dr. Burke. “It’s easy to mistake

it for a wart or mole—or even a melanoma.

But even though it has an irregular border, usually

a danger sign, its brittle and crumbly look often marks

it as something more innocent.” A seborrheic keratosis

can resemble a clump of dirt that is attached to the skin,

he adds—and indeed, it’s often easy to rub or scrape

away. That’s not the case with a mole, which extends

into the skin’s deeper layers. Still, it sometimes takes a

dermatologist with a special scope to distinguish

between seborrheic keratosis and melanoma.

Seborrheic keratoses growths are often

found in clusters, the dermatologist

explains. “It’s easy to confuse this arrange-

ment with freckles, but again, these won’t

fade as freckles do when away from the sun.”

“Here again, looks can be deceiving, and

even the ‘A to E’ checklist isn’t a perfect

guide,” says Dr. Burke. Both asymmetry and

color variation are present—but the flaky,

pasted-on look is different from that of a mole,

and this ominous-looking but harmless growth often

develops later in life—as opposed to moles, which usu-

ally make their appearance in childhood.

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY EPIDERMIS

• Try to stay out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when

its rays are at their strongest, or wear protective cloth-

ing such as a long-sleeved shirt and wide-brimmed hat.

• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to all

areas of exposed skin daily, with extra attention to

chronically sun-damaged spots.

• Make sure kids don’t get sunburned. One blister-

ing burn in childhood or adolescence more than dou-

bles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later.

• Don’t use tanning beds—they emit UV radiation.

Actually, there’s no such thing as a safe suntan.

• See your dermatologist for a skin checkup annually

—or every six months if you have sun-damaged skin

or a family history of skin cancer.

SOURCE: Sean Burke, M.D., Southern Illinois Healthcare Cancer Institute

Your Body

Skin_SIH_210_FINAL 6/7/10 10:55 AM Page 17

surgery isn’t required for most of us. But for people whoare morbidly obese, it may be a life-changing answer.

Morbid obesity is a condition that affects peoplewhose body mass index is 40 or more. (The body massindex is based on comparing weight to height; see“Figure Your BMI,” on page 20.) That translates to beingabout 100 pounds over one’s ideal weight. And unfortu-nately, morbid obesity is on the increase. According to a

study by an economist at thenonprofit think tank theRAND Corporation, the num-ber of Americans who weremorbidly obese rose from 4.2million (2 percent) in 2000 to6.8 million (3 percent) justhalf a decade later.

More than 30 illnesses and medical conditions areassociated with morbid obesity, including serious condi-tions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

1 8 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

WEIGHT LOSS IS DIFFICULT, NO MATTERyour age, gender or body type. Year after year, an appar-ently endless number of fad diets enter the marketplaceto capitalize on the public’s desire to slim down quicklyand easily. But for a few of us, neither diets nor exercisecan bring weight under control. Fortunately, there’sanother answer: Bariatric, or weight-loss, surgery can bethe key to a trimmer, healthier body.

According to theAmerican Society for Meta-bolic and Bariatric Surgery,nearly 67 percent of adultsin the U.S. are either over-weight or obese, and as aresult of this condition theyface an increased risk ofuntimely death that ranges from 10 percent up to 50 per-cent. While a majority of the U.S. population may strug-gle with the scales and try to shed a few pounds, bariatric

WHEN DANGER LIESIN WEIGHTBARIATRIC, OR WEIGHT-LOSS, SURGERY CAN

BE THE START OF A HEALTHIER NEW LIFE

“Bariatric surgery can makea huge difference in one’shealth for years to come.”

—Naresh Ahuja, M.D.

Clinical Update

CU_Bariatric_SIH_210_FINAL 6/7/10 10:56 AM Page 24

matter of poor eating habits or sedentary activity levels,”the doctor says. “Genetic and hormonal factors can alsopredispose a person to obesity. To think of obesity asjust a problem for people with poor habits excludes asegment of the population for whom it’s much morecomplicated.”

Most of the patients seen by Dr. Ahuja havealready attempted a number of solutions and are lookingfor lasting help.

“Patients keep losing weight, but they regain it,”says Dr. Ahuja. “In these cases, they are potential candi-dates for bariatric surgery, which is a proven option toprevent a relapse.”


Surprisingly, other debilitating conditions, like infertilityor chronic headaches, can also be linked to obesity.

The struggle with obesity is often a roller-coasterof loss and gain. Excess weight may restrict the level ofactivity so that vigorous exercise is not a realistic option,making it hard to shed pounds. Similarly, if you lackinformation about healthy diets, adjusting your eatinghabits may not make enough difference. Yet diet andexercise alone are not the only roadblocks peopleencounter as they strive to maintain a healthy weight.

Many different factors contribute to obesity, saysNaresh Ahuja, M.D., bariatric surgeon and medicaldirector of bariatrics at Herrin Hospital. “It’s not just a

3 kinds of weight-loss surgeryTHESE TYPES OF BARIATRIC, OR WEIGHT-LOSS, PROCEDURES

ARE OFFERED AT HERRIN HOSPITAL:

GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY is

the most frequently performed

bariatric surgery in the United

States. In this procedure, Naresh

Ahuja, M.D., medical director of

bariatrics, creates a small stom-

ach pouch and attaches a section

of the small intestine directly to

it, allowing food to bypass a por-

tion of the intestine during

digestion. The reduced stomach

helps the patient eat less by feel-

ing full sooner, and bypassing

part of the intestine helps the

body absorb fewer calories.

ADJUSTABLE LAPAROSCOPIC

BANDING reduces the amount of

food you can eat at one time. A

silicone band is wrapped around

the upper part of the stomach,

dividing it into a small upper

pouch that holds about a cup of

food and a larger lower stomach.

As a result, the patient feels full

sooner and for a longer period.

The band does not alter the intes-

tine, or affect digestion and

absorption.

SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY cre-

ates a thin, sleeve-shaped

stomach and the surgeon

removes the remaining stom-

ach. This sleeve about the size

of a banana is larger than the

stomach pouch created during

gastric bypass. Because sleeve

gastrectomy does not alter the

digestive tract, the patient

experiences regular digestion

and absorption.

c o n t i n u e d

CU_Bariatric_SIH_210_REV 6/7/10 3:38 PM Page 25

Bariatric surgery is the general term for severaldifferent procedures that aid weight loss by reducingfood intake and altering digestion and the absorption ofingested food. Dr. Ahuja performs gastric bypass,adjustable laparoscopic banding and sleeve gastrectomy.

Although surgery is a major component of hispatients’ weight loss, Dr. Ahuja points out that it is not aquick fix. The decision to undergo bariatric surgeryrequires a strong and lasting commitment to the process.

Three to six months prior to surgery, the patientmust begin a rigorous program of physical, nutritional andpsychological evaluations to ensure that he or she is healthyenough for the procedure. Patients regularly meet with adietitian and begin a medically supervised weight-loss pro-gram that aims to reduce their weight by at least 10 percentbefore surgery.

“Dr. Ahuja wants to see a dedication before surgerythat leads him to believe patients will be successful after-ward,” says Heather Meyers, bariatric program coordinatorat Herrin Hospital. “The risks with bariatric surgery aresignificant, and patients need to maintain their level ofcommitment for life to ensure the best outcome.”

Over the course of several weeks after surgery, thepatient’s diet will progressively change as the stomachheals. The first phase only allows clear substances such asbroth, or water. In the second phase, patients can add fullliquids and blended proteins. Eventually, the stomach canhandle foods in small portions, but patients will be requiredto remain on some sort of restricted diet indefinitely.

“They have to modify their diet, not only in quan-tity, but in quality as well,” says Dr. Ahuja. “Because they

2 0 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

To learn more about bariatric (weight-loss) surgical

procedures, please call 618-988-6171 or visit

www.sih.net/weight loss.

are restricted in the amount of food their stomach can hold,they have to make every calorie count. Getting adequateamounts of protein, vitamins and minerals is crucial.

“And they have to exercise,” Dr. Ahuja adds withemphasis. “Exercise contributes to long-term health byprotecting muscle during weight loss and improving thecardiovascular system. Patients who are not motivated toexercise will not see the weight reduction they hope for.”

In addition to physical issues, a number of psy-chological issues remain from years of failed diets andlow self-esteem. “You have a lifetime of thought patternsthat don’t just go away overnight,” Meyers says.

To help patients overcome these challenges fol-lowing surgery, each month Herrin Hospital hosts sev-eral monthly support meetings. Meyers and programdietitian Jeannine Hutchcraft are always on hand toanswer questions, and guest speakers such as executivechefs, personal trainers and mental health professionalseducate the group on healthy living. Patients are able totalk with each other about different aspects of post-surgery life and bond over their experiences. Hopefully,they will share the joy of their new life.

“When all the tools in the process are practiced,bariatric surgery will make a huge difference in thehealth of the patient for many years to come,” says Dr.Ahuja. “It really will have an effect on who they are andhow they live.” �

Bariatric surgeon Naresh Ahuja, M.D., is shown surrounded by

fellow members of the surgical staff at Herrin Hospital.

Figure your BMIBody mass index (BMI) is a rough indication of total body

fat. The easiest way to calculate yours is to log onto the

website of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at

www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi, enter your height and weight

and click on “Compute BMI.” If no computer is handy, take

your height in inches, square it, divide that figure into your

weight in pounds and multiply the result by 703.

Clinical Update

CU_Bariatric_SIH_210_FINAL 6/7/10 10:57 AM Page 26

021.indd 9 6/2/10 1:47:56 PM

2 2 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

Keeping Fit

Ken Robinson has

energy to spare

after treatment for

a common sleep

disorder, obstruc-

tive sleep apnea.

He and his wife,

Debi, enjoy biking,

hiking, dancing

and more!

SIH’s Filo the Fox helps Gold’s Gym warm up

the walkers at the American Heart

Association “Start! Heart Walk.”

With encouragement from their pastor, SIH Health Ministry led a

group of dedicated parishioners on a mission to slim down. Pam

Mabry and Robert Campbell of the First United Methodist Church

in Marion have each lost more than 70 pounds.

Pictures of HEALTH

PicturesHealth_SIH_210_FINAL 6/7/10 10:59 AM Page 18

Seventy-six-year-old Loretta

Manis, a 30-year cancer sur-

vivor, puts water exercise into

her schedule three days a

week. She’s an inspiration to

those around her to stay active.

Christine Fine ran her first

5K in 2008. Now she’s in

training for her first half

marathon. New to running,

Christine has found that her

body craves the exercise.

She’s even been able to

do away with her blood-

pressure medicine.

Keokaysone Sabengsy works out regularly

at John A. Logan Community Health

Center. Weight lifting is a routine, toning

different muscle groups.

Could YOU be our next

“Picture of Health”? Send

stories that showcase suc-

cessful lifestyle changes to

[email protected].


PHealth_SIH_210_FINAL.rev 6/7/10 3:39 PM Page 19

2 4 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

SH

UT

TE

RS

TO

CK

Beating Stress

CAN’T PICTURE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT CONTINUAL STRESS?

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN—AND WHY YOU SHOULD

b y J e n n i f e r R y a n

Give ‘PEACEFUL’a chance

1TAKE A MEDITATIONBREAK. Whether or not you’reseeking spiritual enlightenment,

a few calming moments of silence canhave a wonderful soothing effect.

The jury’s still out on just howhealth-promoting meditation is, but some stud-ies have found it reduces blood pressure, heart rate andcholesterol levels. A recent report published inthe American Journal of Hypertension, forinstance, found that people at risk forhypertension who practiced 20 minutesof meditation daily lowered their bloodpressure significantly and reduced by52 percent their risk of developinghypertension in the future. Experts sus-pect that meditation brings benefits by

quieting the sympathetic nervous sys-tem (responsible for our “fight-or-flight”response) and amping up the parasym-pathetic nervous system (which slows

heart rate and breathing and improvesblood flow), notes the National Center for

Complementary and Alternative Medicine, adivision of the National Institutes of Health. The

result: more day-to-day serenity.Techniques vary widely, but most

involve finding a comfortable position in aquiet spot, then either focusing on your

breathing or repeating a mantra. Youmight begin with just five minutes a day, gradually working up to 20 min-utes or more. A wide variety of get-

started manuals can be found at yourlocal bookstore.

A pressure-filled life is about as American as apple pie and Friends

reruns—so much so that many of us wear our stress as a badge of honor,

accepting the cranky impatience, throbbing headaches and sleepless

nights as the price we pay for how in-demand our time is. But the possible

long-term effects of stress (a weakened immune system, blood clots, high

blood pressure and heart disease among them) are nothing to boast

about—or flirt with. So in the interests of your good health, we offer 6

ways to ease your troubled mind—and, in the process, do your body good.

Peaceful_SIH_210_FINAL 6/2/10 11:20 AM Page 16


2SMELL THE ROSES. It’s notjust their pretty petals thatcause flowers to brighten your

mood—their fragrance may actuallycalm tensed-out nerves. In Japaneseresearch published last year, miceexposed to stress-inducing situationshad lower levels of neutrophils andlymphocytes—two types of stress-relatedimmune cells—when they sniffed linalool, a scented compound found in blooms. Theyalso showed reduced activity in more than 100 genes linked to the stressresponse. With additional research,this demonstrated physiologicalreaction may add credence to thetherapeutic claims long made byproponents of aromatherapy.

3PUT THE KETTLE ON. You’veprobably heard that a spot of hot teacan soothe frazzled nerves—now there’s

research to support the claim. British investiga-tors (of course) divided 75 men into twogroups, one of which sipped black teadaily for six weeks, while the otherdrank a caffeinated placebo. After thisperiod, the men were asked to complete a stressful task. Researcherstook blood samples an hour later andfound that the tea drinkers had lowerlevels of the stress hormone cortisol,indicating that they recovered from thestress more quickly than did the tea-free group.

4GET SOME EXERCISE. It’s well-documented that physical exertioncan help alleviate stress, so why

not try something new? Setting a goalfor yourself can help you stay moti-vated, and Cool Running’s “Couch to5K” plan (go to www.c25k.com andclick “Cool Running”) is a great placeto start. Designed for the nonrunner, thisnine-week program eases you in (you’ll do

no more than 60 seconds of jogging atfirst), but gradually gets you race-readyfor a 5K competition.

Those with more of a techieleaning might opt for iFitness, a $1.99iPhone app that offers detailed instruc-

tions (in pictures, text and video) onsome 230 exercises. Choose the area of the

body you want to target, and pick the moveyou like best; design your own workouts by com-

bining individual exercises into different rou-tines. Just slip your phone into your gym

bag and you’re ready to go! (Be sure toconsult with your doctor or otherhealthcare professional before embark-ing on a new exercise program.)

5CHUCKLE. There’s good rea-son why your mood improveswhen you’ve been giggling over

30 Rock or scanning The Onion’s headlines.The Mayo Clinic reports that laughter has a pos-

itive impact on your stress response, leading to amore relaxed feeling. Chuckles can also stim-

ulate your heart, lungs and muscles andeven ease stomachaches, thanks to their

positive effects on digestion. Personally,we love any medical advice that deemswatching Animal House (Bravo’s toppick on its “100 Funniest Movies of All

Time” list) time judiciously spent.

6GO HIGH-TECH. Sure, ventingon your cell phone or zoning out to your iPod might make you feel

better, but what about a handheld devicedesigned to help you chill? HeartMath’s

emWave Personal Stress Reliever ($199)has a sensor that measures your stresslevels based on breathing and changesin heart rhythm. The device thenguides you through reducing yourstress via breathing exercises and other

techniques. A colorful display showsyour progress as you go so you can adjust

as needed. �

Peaceful_SIH_210_FINAL 6/2/10 11:20 AM Page 17

A SILENT, ETHEREAL BEAUTY AWAITS UNDERthe sea—one revealed only to those skilled in scuba, asyou’ll discover at the renowned scuba diving program atLaSource (1-888-527-0044, www.theamazingholiday.com),an all-inclusive luxury resort situated on Grenada’s PinkGin Beach. Surrounded on three sides by the sparklingblue Caribbean, the resort offers scuba instruction for allexperience levels, plus top-notch accommodations anda host of other land and sea activities.

Before getting in on the action, you’ll first want toperch in your luxe guest room or suite, each equippedwith a four-poster king-sized bed or two double beds(special summer rates start at $235 nightly). Hand-carvedmahogany furniture and Italian marble bathrooms adda touch of elegance, while a private balcony or terraceoffers breathtaking water views. A stroll outside reveals40 acres of tropical gardens, a pool area with a Jacuzziand an expanded deck for lounging in the tropical sun.

Of course, you don’t want to miss out on the

2 6 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

Happycampers

WHO SAID SLEEPAWAY

CAMP WAS JUST FOR KIDS?

THESE 3 SPECIALTY-THEMED

ADULT GETAWAYS PROVE

YOU’RE NEVER

TOO OLD TO LEARN

SOMETHING NEW

ESCAPES

UNDERWATER EXPLORATION: LaSource in Grenada

Escapes_SIH_210_FINAL 6/2/10 11:27 AM Page 36

hotel’s signature sport, and even inexperienced diverscan give it a whirl with the one-day “Discover ScubaDiving” introductory program, which culminates with a40-foot open water dive.

Got the diving skills but no certification to proveit? Not to worry: You can become fully certified throughLaSource’s Professional Association of Diving Instruc-tors fast-track option. Just start your course work athome with a CD-ROM, then complete your training atthe resort in a mere three days.

Once certified, you can enjoy a complimentarydive each day of your stay. Nearby dive sites includeBianca C, a spectacular cruise ship lying 90 to 120 feetbelow the surface that sank in 1961, and the Lower BossReef, a home to green moray, barracuda and sheet coral.

This sumptuous sanctuary also offers adults thechance to enjoy a host of land activities reminiscent ofthose fun-filled summers at camp. Professional instruc-tors can teach you to shoot a bow and arrow, spike a vol-

leyball on the beach, achieve that perfect swing on thetennis courts—even joust during fencing lessons (equip-ment included). Golfers can also hit the greens on theresort’s nine-hole course, and all can unwind from thisflurry of activity each day with a complimentary spa treat-ment at the Oasis Spa. Among our favorites are theArawak, an intensive head, neck and shoulders mas-sage, and the Point Salines Wrap, where you’recocooned in seaweed to draw out toxins.

A TABLE TO TRY The Great House (1-888-527-0044) Enjoy a romantic dinner of fine globallyinspired cuisine at this premier LaSource restau-rant. Featuring hardwood vaulted ceilings and anoutdoor verandah providing breathtaking views ofthe capital city, St. George’s, the restaurant servesà la carte specialties such as prime sirloin steakand Marrakech Scottish salmon.

c o n t i n u e d

CO

UR

TE

SY

OF

LA

SO

UR

CE

RE

SO

RT


YOU COULD SHELL OUT $30 MILLION TO BEan actual space tourist—or get the next best thing, minusthat pesky reentry, as a trainee at Space Camp (1-800-63-SPACE, www.spacecamp.com), held at theU.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. Programsfor kids are offered throughout the year, but wannabe

rocket men and women can take three-day($449) and six-day ($899) adult-only pro-grams in late August and September.(There’s also a $50 registration fee.)

Trainees stay in either the SpaceHabitat, a futuristic space station mock-upcontaining both individual rooms and baysof 20 to 40 beds, or the Aviation ChallengeHangar, which houses up to 300 traineesin military-style bays. Three daily meals atthe center’s cafeteria are also included.

The three-day beginner offering,Space Academy for Adults, lets you experi-ence some of the actual training astronautsgo through prior to a space mission. You’llprepare for a walk on the moon—whereyou only weigh one-sixth of what you doon Earth—in a special gravity trainer, andpractice mission control and shuttle crewpositions in two simulated space-shuttlemissions. On the Space Shot ride, whichblasts campers 140 feet straight up in 2.5seconds, you’ll learn how a rocket launchreally feels—including two to three secondsof weightlessness and all four Gs of force.

Looking for an even bigger chal-lenge? The six-day Advanced SpaceAcademy provides more daring activities,such as scuba diving in an on-site under-

water astronaut trainer, rotating through orbiters andriding in high-performance jet simulators. For shuttlemission simulations, advanced trainees can choose theirfield of interest and pursue it as either a pilot or missionspecialist. Whichever program you choose, you can betyour experience will be out of this world.

ES

CA

PE

S

2 8 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

CO

RB

IS

DON’T MISS THIS The Space Museum at theU.S. Space & Rocket Center contains America’slargest collection of space artifacts, and campersare granted full access. Highlights include amighty Saturn V—the largest (more than 360 feet tall) and most powerful rocket ever launched,used by NASA in the late ’60s and early ’70s; anda life-size World War II German V-2 rocket, thefirst man-made object capable of leaving theearth’s atmosphere.

ASTRONAUT PREP: Space Camp in Huntsv i l le , Alabama


THE VINEYARDS, WOODED HILLS AND OLIVEgroves of celebrated Tuscany aren’t only a feast for theeyes; they can yield an impressive literal feast too ifyou’ve got the know-how. And where better to learn thesecrets of classic Tuscan cooking than within thisenchanting Italian region itself?

“A Classic Tuscan Table With Chef Claudio” is afour- or six-night culinary program and tour offered byThe International Kitchen (312-467-0560, www.theinternationalkitchen.com). Students stay near the charmingmedieval village of Figline Valdarno and receive fourhands-on cooking lessons, taught by the passionate ChefClaudio Piantini, owner of the famous Torre GuelfaRestaurant located in the town square.

You’ll be housed in a charming cottage at ChefClaudio’s quaint bed and breakfast, located just fiveminutes outside of town (from $2,325/person for fournights and $2,995/person for six nights).

Conducted at either Torre Guelfa or ChefClaudio’s own teaching kitchen at his bed and breakfast(transportation provided to both locales), classes showyou how to whip up such tantalizing Tuscan dishes asribollita, a hearty bean soup; crostini, thin slices of lightlytoasted bread with various toppings; and castagnaccio, achestnut flour cake.

Because practicing recipes is just one part of theTuscan culinary experience, the program also lets stu-dents soak up the culture of Tuscany through daily excur-sions. For instance, you’ll sample Italy’s famous red wine

during a half-day tour of the renowned Chianti region;meander through an authentic outdoor food market inFigline and enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the historictown of Arezzo, the birthplace of Renaissance masterGiorgio Vasari, a painter, architect and biographer who isconsidered the original Italian art historian.

But rest assured, while you learn about this lushregion, you’ll be eating well too! You’ll enjoy a dailybreakfast buffet, sumptuous nightly dinners at variousrestaurants in the vicinity and four very special lunches:the enticing creations you yourself have prepared aftereach cooking class. Buon appetito! �

DON’T MISS THIS During your excursion to the charming village of Greve in the Chianti region, discover tantalizing prosciutto, salami, guanciale and capocollo made with centuries-old techniques at Antica Macelleria Falorni (+39 055 854363,www.falorni.it), a famous family-owned butcher shopdating back to 1729. These prime cuts mixed with thesmells of fresh fennel, parsley, garlic and sage aresure to delight the senses.

CO

UR

TE

SY

OF

TH

E I

NT

ER

NA

TIO

NA

L K

ITC

HE

N

EPICUREAN ENCHANTMENT: The Internat ional K i tchen in Tuscany


place over medium heat for about 10 minues, turning every2 minutes. Then, for a flavor boost, mix some chipotlepurée or lime zest with butter and spread it on! Whetherthe ears are served at a July 4th celebration or just anotherSunday gathering, your family—and your taste buds—willthank you. �

NOTHING SAYS SUMMER QUITE LIKE THE sweet crunch of corn. But these enjoyable ears are muchmore than mere barbecue side dish—along with that trade-mark crunch comes a host of health benefits. As a whole-grain food, corn helps reduce the risk of heart disease andcancer, and studies have shown it to have the highestantioxidant level of any grain or vegetable. In addition, withabout 100 calories for a small ear, corn is far more figure-friendly than the potato salad or coleslaw alongside it onyour picnic table.

Of course, our love affair with corn goes well beyondthe cob: From bread to flakes to chips to chowder, we’vefound a multitude of ways to consume these kernels.Indeed, the average American eats nearly 10 pounds of corneach year, and more than 17 percent of U.S. corn produc-tion comes from here in Illinois, the second-biggest pro-ducing state after Iowa.

First cultivated in Mexico some 7,000 years ago, cornwas a staple for natives by the time Columbus hit the NewWorld. And while sweet-potato pie and cranberry saucewere likely absent from the first Thanksgiving in 1621, cornwas undoubtedly on the menu.

When buying corn, don’t be swayed by the color, asthe yellow and white varieties are equally scrumptious: Thebeta-carotene that makes certain kernels yellow has no tasteof its own and thus no influence on the ear’s flavor.

To prepare traditional corn on the cob, put thepeeled ear in a pot of cold water; cover and bring the waterto a boil. Cook until the kernels darken slightly—about 5minutes. To grill, peel off only the outer layers of husks and

RE

CIP

E S

OU

RC

E: W

WW

.EP

ICU

RE

AN

.CO

M; IM

AG

ES

, TO

P: D

IET

ER

HE

INE

MA

NN

/AL

AM

Y; B

OT

TO

M: K

AT

HR

YN

RU

SS

EL

L/S

TO

CK

FO

OD

b y J e n n i f e r M a t h

3 0 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

1 tablespoon olive oil

6 medium shrimp, shelledand cut into 1⁄4-inch dice

11⁄2 cups fresh or thawedcorn kernels

2 cups cooked black beans

3 plum tomatoes, diced

1 cup chicken stock

3 green onions, thinlysliced1⁄4 teaspoon ground cumin

6 flour tortillas, 8 inchesin diameter

1 cup shredded cheddarcheese

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• In a medium sauté pan or skillet, heat olive oil over

medium heat and sauté shrimp for 3 minutes or until pink

on both sides.

• Add corn, beans and tomatoes. Stir in chicken stock, green

onions and cumin. Stir and set aside.

• Arrange tortillas on a work surface. Divide cheese evenly

over them. Add shrimp mixture and fold tortillas into a half-

moon shape.

• Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 5 to 7 minutes

or until cheese melts. Cut each in half and serve immediately.

Black bean , co rn & shr imp quesad i l l a s

M A K E S 1 2 S E R V I N G SA VERSATILE VEGGIE, CORN IS

A SURPRISINGLY HEALTHY

SUMMERTIME TREAT

Ear no evil

Glorious Food

Food_SIH_210_FINAL 6/2/10 11:18 AM Page 60

031.indd 9 6/2/10 1:51:57 PM

RO

BIN

G. L

ON

DO

N 2

00

83 2 / J U L Y 2 0 1 0

HEALTH WATCH

Savvy shoppers know that checking food labels is a key to helping your family eat

healthy. The bad news? “They’re incomplete,” says Bruce Silverglade, director of legal

affairs for the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). He helped Southern

Illinois Health & Life identify five important points food packages fail to reveal:

4 Where the ‘trans fats’have gone. Many food

packages today boast “0 transfats.” But in some cases, saysSilverglade, “the company hasadded plain old saturated fat toreplace the trans fat, makingthe product just as bad as, orworse than, the original.” CSPIsays a redesigned label shouldcategorize these fat levels as“High,” “Medium” or “Low,”with red ink calling attentionto “High” levels. What to do:Don’t be swayed by “trans fat”claims alone—judge eachproduct after examining “saturated fats” too.

1How much sugar. “If acookie uses different types of

sugars—high-fructose corn syrup,fructose, etc.—the label can showthese as individual ingredients,”says Silverglade. “If they weregrouped together, ‘sugar’ couldvery well be first.” Labels also donot separate out added sugars fromnatural ones (think of the innatesweetness of applesauce), and offerno guidance on how much to con-sume: For fat, sodium, etc., labelsshow a clear “% daily value” basedon a 2,000-calorie daily diet—butnot for sugar. “There should beone,” Silverglade says. What to do:The CSPI suggests limiting sugarto 40 grams per day and scanningingredients for sugar’s aliases.

3 Caffeine quantities. TheCSPI says these should be

required. “A bottle of Starbucksvanilla Frappuccino contains 96 milligrams, more than many brands of coffee have in

5The ‘true’ fiber content.The CSPI says “dietary

fiber” should be termed simply“fiber” and include “only intactfiber from whole grains, beans,vegetables, fruit and otherfoods.” Today the FDA alsopermits the inclusion of such“faux-fiber” additives as malto-dextrin and polydextrose. “It’sunlikely that they lower bloodcholesterol or blood sugar,” saysSilverglade. “Companies arebasically padding the product toup the numbers.” What to do:Keep an eye out for fiber addi-tives and try to get most of yourfiber from natural sources. �

2 The whole story onwhole grains. “The gov-

ernment recommends we eatmore whole grains, but sets norules on how much whole graina food must have to be describedas ‘made with whole grain,’”says Silverglade. “It could be adusting.” CSPI favors labelsthat show clearly what percent-age of grains are whole.

What to do: For now, look forproducts for which the first listed ingredient begins withthe word “whole.”

a 6-ounce cup,” says Silverglade.Even Dannon’s coffee yogurtpacks in 30 milligrams. What todo: Exercise moderation untillabeling information improves.

5 facts labels don’t tell youHERE’S WHAT’S MISSING FROM PACKAGE NUTRITION DATA—

AND HOW TO MAKE SMART CHOICES ANYWAY

Labels_SIH_210_FINAL.REV 6/7/10 3:36 PM Page 60

C3.indd 9 6/2/10 1:52:55 PM

C4_SILL_SPRING10.indd c4C4_SILL_SPRING10.indd c4 3/4/10 10:24:20 AM3/4/10 10:24:20 AM

Southern Illinois Health & Life

Documents

Transcript of Southern Illinois Health & Life