Your Health Today

Raising healthy kids A weighty issue

How stress affects your heart

Heartburn and cancer What's the link?

yourhealthtodaySummer 2008 • Your Guide to Healthy Living from MCGHealth • mcghealth.org

Produced by MCG Health, Inc., Division of Strategic Support and Philanthropy, Marketing Department.

The material in Your Health Today is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment.

For more information, please call 800-736-CARE (2273) or visit our Web site at mcghealth.org.

Physicians of MCGHealth are community physicians, faculty of the Medical College of Georgia or employees of the MCG Physicians Practice Group, not employees of MCGHealth. MCGHealth is a not-for-profit corporation operating MCG hospitals and related clinical facilities and services.

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Inside this issue

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mcghealth.org2

Page 3• Tips for a safe and healthy summer

Pages 4-5

Focus on Women• PMS or something else?

• The cervical cancer vaccine: Is it right for your daughter?

Pages 6-7

Cancer Prevention• Chronic heartburn:

The cancer connection

• New warning signs for ovarian cancer

Pages 8-9

Heart-Healthy Living• In the nick of time: MCGHealth

performs its first heart transplant

Pages 10-11

Family Health • Raising healthy kids:

A weighty issue

Page 12In the News• MCGHealth ALS Clinic receives

national certification

• MCGHealth among top 100 hospitals nationwide

ALS Support GroupWHEN: Second Thursday of each month, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch is provided)WHERE: MCGHealth Ambulatory Care Center, 1447 Harper St.,4th Floor, Room BP 4306CALL: The ALS Association of Georgia at 888-636-9940 to reserve a spot

Blood Cancer/Stem Cell Transplant Support GroupWHEN: Last Thursday of each month, 5:30 to 7 p.m. WHERE: MCG Alumni Center, Garden Room, 919 15th St.CALL: 706-721-2752 for more information

Brain Tumor Support GroupWHEN: Third Tuesday of each month, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.WHERE: MCGHealth Children's Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., 1st floor, Family Services Conference RoomCALL: 706-721-0193 for more information

Breast Cancer Support GroupWHEN: Second Thursday of each month, 5:30 to 7 p.m.WHERE: MCGHealth Medical Center Breast Health Services, 1st floorCALL: 706-721-4726 for more information

Chromosome Disorders Support GroupWHEN: First Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m.WHERE: MCGHealth Children's Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., Family Resource Library, 1st floorCALL: 706-721-5160 for more information

Huntington Disease Support GroupWHEN: First Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m. (dinner is provided)WHERE: Marks Building, 1429 Harper St., Room 1122CALL: 706-721-2798 for more information

Multiple Sclerosis Support GroupWHEN: Fourth Monday of each month, 6 to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: MCGHealth Medical Center, 1120 15th St., 6th FloorCALL: 706-721-7239 for more information

Support Group for Families Who Have Lost a Baby During Pregnancy, Childbirth or Early Infancy CALL: 706-721-8299 for times and location

A shoulder to lean onMCGHealth support groups

Take advantage of fresh fruits and vegetables

Summer is a great time to indulge in the tomatoes,

berries and other produce from local markets. Fruits and vegetables contain dozens of phytochemicals that protect plants from disease as well as help guard human health. While multivitamins can fill in nutritional gaps, they don’t pack the same punch as these naturally occurring phytochemicals.

Check your helmet

Longer days mean more family time, so why not

pack up the kids and take a bike ride? Be sure everyone wears a helmet to prevent head injuries. To get the most from your helmet, make sure it: · bears a seal of

approval from the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or Snell Foundation.

· fits snugly. Wear the helmet flat on the top of the head, so it can’t move more than 1 inch in any direction.

· offers visibility. Make sure the helmet doesn’t block your visibility, and choose a bright helmet that motorists can see.

If a helmet has been involved in an accident, discard it. Even if there’s no visible sign of damage, it may be defective.

Dine out the heart-healthy way

Looking for heart-healthy menu items?

Dining out can be a challenge for people who want to eat right, so dietitians and physicians at MCGHealth Cardiovascular Center have partnered with local restaurants to make heart-healthy menu items available in our community. Look for the MCGHealth- certified Heart Healthy Dining Program symbol at the following restaurants:· Beamie’s at the River· Bee’s Knees · Boll Weevil Café & Sweetery · French Market Grille· Roly Poly· My Friend’s Place· Takosushi· Walton Way Deli

Watch for dehydration in children

Children produce more heat and sweat less than

adults, increasing their risk for dehydration as the weather heats up. Yet they may not drink enough fluids when playing or exercising in hot, humid weather. Make sure your children drink plenty of water, take periodic breaks in the shade and avoid playing outdoors in extreme heat.

Tips for a safe and healthy summer

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Focus on Women

If you dread your monthly period, you’re not alone. About 75 percent of women who menstruate have at

least one troubling premenstrual symptom, whether

it’s depression, irritability, anxiety, tender breasts, bloat-

ing or headache. Many women experience a pattern of

emotional and physical symptoms month after month.

“If these symptoms are so severe that they interfere with

some aspect of your life, you may have premenstrual

syndrome [PMS],” says Erin Holsten, MD, an Ob/Gyn

with MCGHealth. If you have PMS, symptoms usually

begin in the five days before your period starts and occur

at least three months in a row. Symptoms typically last

for four days.

PMS or something else?How to tell the difference

A severe form of PMS About 8 percent of menstruating women suffer from a

sometimes disabling form of PMS known as premenstrual

dysphoric disorder (PMDD). “PMDD causes more

severe symptoms than PMS and has a greater impact

on relationships and daily activities,” says Dr. Holsten.

“Symptoms occur in the last week of the menstrual cycle

and usually improve a few days after menstruation

begins.” They include:

• persistent sadness or depression

• marked anxiety

• mood swings and periods of crying

• persistent or marked anger or irritability

• decreased interest in usual activities

• fatigue or lethargy

• feeling overwhelmed or out of control

• muscle aches, headaches and joint pain

• changes in sleep patterns

• changes in appetite

If you experience these symptoms, consult your

physician.

“Major depression is very common with PMDD, but

the condition also can occur in women who don’t have a

history of depression,” Dr. Holsten says.

Looking for comprehensive Ob/Gyn care?

MCGHealth’s Women’s Health Services offers the entire spectrum of women’s care—from

well-woman services to high-risk pregnancies, pelvic reconstruction and in vitro fertilization. The program is staffed by board-certified physicians.

Don’t let PMS disrupt your life. Call 706-721-CARE (2273) today to schedule an appointment

with an experienced gynecologist who can help.

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Focus on Women

Is it right for your daughter?

Every year, more than 12,000 women in the

United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical

cancer, and approximately 4,000 of those women

die from the disease.

Fortunately, a vaccine called Gardasil® is expected

to decrease cervical cancer rates by up to 70 percent

if national guidelines are followed. The vaccine is

recommended for girls

and women ages 9 to 26.

It’s administered through

three injections during a

six-month period.

According to Erin

Holsten, MD, an Ob/Gyn

with MCGHealth,

various strains of the

human papillomavirus

(HPV), a sexually

transmitted infection, cause most cases of cervical

cancer. “The immune system generally prevents the

virus from causing harm, but in some women the virus

can survive for years before converting some cells on the

cervix into cancer,” says Dr. Holsten.

“Vaccinating girls and women with Gardasil—

preferably before they engage in sexual activity—

activates their immune systems prior to the time they’re

likely to encounter HPV,” says Dr. Holsten. “If a woman

who has been vaccinated is exposed to the virus,

antibodies will protect against infection.” Talk to your

physician to determine whether the vaccine is appropriate

for you or your daughter.

Want more women’s health information?

MCGHealth’s new iHealth for Women Web site offers health information

for women of all ages. Sections are designed specifically for:

Call 706-721-CARE (2273) today to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist who

understands the Gardasil vaccine and adolescent care.

MCGHealth active in developing and testing Gardasil

Research conducted by Daron Ferris, MD, director of the MCG Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Center,

played a major role in the development of Gardasil, the vaccine for cervical cancer. What’s more, MCGHealth was the largest testing site for the vaccine in North America, allowing women in our community to be among the first to receive this preventive treatment.

Gardasil is expected to decrease cervical cancer rates by up to 70 percent.

The cervical cancer vaccine

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• teens• young women

• mid-life women• mature women

Cancer Prevention

More than 15 million Americans experience heartburn every day. Symptoms of the

condition include:

• a burning sensation behind the breastbone

• a sour taste in the mouth

• the sensation of food re-entering the mouth

Unfortunately, prolonged, unchecked heartburn can

set the stage for esophageal cancer. “People who suffer

from heartburn for five to 10 years may have an increased

risk of Barrett’s esophagus, a serious precancerous

complication of heartburn,” says Ayaz Chaudhary, MD, a

gastroenterologist with MCGHealth. “This is particularly

true for men.”

Although there are currently no regular screening

See your entire cancer treatment team in one day

A cancer diagnosis can have you running from doctor to doctor with little coordination of care. But not at

MCGHealth Cancer Center. Patients with several common types of cancer can schedule individual visits with their surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, social worker, nutritionist, plastic surgeon and psychiatrist all in one day.

After your appointments, the physicians consult and then meet with you and your family to discuss the plan of care and answer any questions. Your care. Your way.

The center also offers:• the most specialized treatment team in the area,

including surgical oncologists, Ob/Gyn oncologists and hematologist/oncologists

• advanced medical technology • access to national clinical trials, including Phase 1

trials not available at other local hospitals

Don’t take a chance. If you suffer from heartburn, call 706-721-CARE (2273) now to schedule an

appointment with a physician who can help.

The pill cam: A complete picture

Capsule endoscopy is a procedure used to detect conditions of the esophagus and small intestine.

Also known as the pill cam, it can provide images of a section of the small intestine that traditional endoscopies and colonoscopies can’t see.

Patients swallow a plastic capsule containing a miniature video camera. The camera collects and records images on a small device worn on the patient’s belt. The physician downloads and reviews the images for possible abnormalities.

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Chronic heartburn: The cancer connection

recommendations for Barrett’s esophagus, Dr. Chaudhary

recommends that people who have suffered from

long-term heartburn undergo some form of screening

for the disease, generally endoscopy.

symptoms are relatively

common and may occur

with any number of illness-

es. So how do you know

when to see a physician if

you experience them?

Dr. Ghamande advises

making an appointment

with your gynecologist if:

• occurrence of these

symptoms is unusual

• symptoms occur almost daily

• symptoms last for more than a few weeks

“Although these symptoms are more likely to be

caused by conditions other than ovarian cancer, it’s better

to be safe than sorry,” Dr. Ghamande says. “When

ovarian cancer is diagnosed early, the chances that the

disease can be cured are very high.”

Cancer Prevention

For years, physicians thought there were no early

warning signs for ovarian cancer, a disease that

often strikes younger women who are still raising

their children. Sadly, ovarian cancer is frequently fatal.

But recent medical studies indicate that patients who

have ovarian cancer often experience identifiable symptoms

in the early stages. The most common of these are:

• bloating

• pelvic or abdominal pain

• trouble eating or feeling full quickly

• urinary symptoms, such as an urgent or frequent

need to urinate

According to Sharad A. Ghamande, MD, an Ob/Gyn

oncologist with MCGHealth Cancer Center, these

New warning signs for ovarian cancer

Smoking and cancer

15The types of cancer that are causally related to smoking

30The percentage of cancer deaths that are linked to smoking

7mcghealth.org

Fast facts about ovarian cancer• Nearly 22,000 American women will develop ovarian

cancer this year.• 15,000 of these women will die of ovarian cancer.• Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among

American women.• Early detection of ovarian cancer greatly increases

survival.• There is no standardized screening test available

for this disease. • Only 19 percent of ovarian cancers are diagnosed

in the early stages, when the chances of survival are about 90 percent.

If you experience these warning signs or are looking for a gynecologist, call 706-721-CARE

(2273) to schedule a convenient appointment.

Couple finds new hope at MCGHealth

As MCGHealth was

launching its program,

Freddie’s health was de-

clining. “Then we learned

about the new program at

MCGHealth, and things

began to look up,” says

Shirley.

The McCullums

scheduled an appointment

with a member of MCGHealth’s transplant team on

March 25. Because of his grave condition, Freddie was at

the top of the transplant list. On April 8, as the father of

two anxiously waited, a heart that matched his needs

became available in Atlanta.

The transplant team shifts into gear Vijay Patel, MD, a transplant surgeon with

MCGHealth, immediately boarded a plane to Atlanta to

remove the donor heart while Chandra Kunavarapu, MD,

a congestive heart failure/heart transplant cardiologist,

prepared Freddie for surgery. Dr. Patel returned with the

new heart, and Dr. Landolfo began removing Freddie’s

ailing one.

Three hours after Dr. Patel removed the donor heart,

Dr. Landolfo completed the transplant. The donor heart

took its first hesitant beats, then gained speed. “It was a

magical moment for everyone,” says Dr. Landolfo.

The next day, Freddie celebrated his 42nd birthday

at MCGHealth with a new heart and a renewed

appreciation for life.

T he old saying “timing is everything”

certainly proved true for Freddie McCullum and

his wife Shirley. For years, the heavy equipment

operator from Stone Mountain, Ga., had been growing

steadily weaker due to congestive heart failure. He had

lost his health insurance and was turned down by an

Atlanta transplant program, at that time the only one of

its kind in the state.

As this was happening, transplant surgeon Kevin

Landolfo, MD, former director of the cardiac transplant

team at Duke University Medical Center, was building

a similar program at MCGHealth. The team he forged

consisted of two surgeons, two cardiologists, a nephrologist,

two heart failure/transplant coordinators, a medical social

worker and other administrative and support personnel.

After four years of planning, the program was certified

by the United Network for Organ Sharing in July 2007,

when MCGHealth agreed to perform the first nine cardiac

transplants free of charge. “As a result, MCGHealth will

invest more than $2 million in start-up funds for the

program,” says Dr. Landolfo.

Heart-Healthy Living

In the nick of timeMCGHealth Cardiovascular Center performs its first heart transplant

Then we learned about the new program at MCGHealth, and things began to look up.

—Shirley McCullum

Transplant team members (left to right) Chandra Kunavarapu, MD, Vijay Patel, MD, and Kevin Landolfo, MD, monitor Freddie’s care after his heart transplant.

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q Begin each day with a to-do list. q Prioritize your tasks so you can focus on what’s most important. q Say “no” to nonessential tasks. q Delegate roles and responsibilities to others. q Avoid repetition by doing jobs right the first time. q Break large tasks into smaller, more manageable sections. q Eliminate activities that make poor use of your time. q Take periodic breaks. q Get plenty of sleep and exercise. q Take a time management course, if needed.

Heart-Healthy Living

Time management checklist

Effective time management can help you minimize stress and get the most from each

day. Here’s a checklist to help you improve your organizational skills:

Exactly what is the “stress response“?

A: The stress response is a protective mechanism that gives your body the energy, speed and concentration to deal with physical threats. It allows you the option of “fight or flight.”

How does it begin?

A: A tiny region in the brain sets off an alarm in the body. In response, your adrenal glands release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, the primary stress hormone.

What effect do these hormones have on the body?

A: Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts your energy. Cortisol increases glucose in the bloodstream and alters immune system responses.

Why is prolonged stress dangerous?

A: The overexposure to stress hormones disrupts the body’s processes and increases the risk of obesity, insomnia, digestive problems, depression and heart disease.

Stress can take a toll on the heart

Don’t give your heart to just anyone

When it comes to heart health, MCGHealth is here for you, whether you have high blood pressure,

need a pacemaker, have congestive heart failure or require a full-blown heart transplant.

The center is staffed by renowned cardiologists and researchers from such prestigious institutions as Harvard Medical School, Duke University and Brown University. Together, they keep MCGHealth on the leading edge of cardiac care.

These specialists in interventional cardiology, pediatric cardiology, echocardiology, open-heart surgery, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and other areas work as an integrated team to diagnose and treat the full range of cardiovascular diseases. They also operate the area’s only heart transplant center and offer advanced electrophysiology procedures not available at other area hospitals.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 706-721-CARE (2273) or visit

mcghealth.org/cardio.

9mcghealth.org

Family Health

Raising healthy kidsA weighty issue

Children’s Medical Center. “These conditions can

possibly lead to behavior and learning problems.”

Parents, take charge! Childhood obesity is often a symptom of family

lifestyle, so parents have to lead the way in solving the

problem.

“Don’t go into denial as many parents do,” says

Dr. Bassali. “If you think your child is overweight, see a

physician for an evaluation that includes measuring his or

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Healthy snacking

Snacking isn’t necessarily bad if the snacks pack a nutritional punch. Follow these tips for healthy

snacking: • Restrict snacking to the kitchen to prevent mindless

munching in front of a computer or TV. • Stock up on healthy grab-and-go snacks

such as string cheese, yogurt cups and celery sticks. • Offer something new, like fresh mango or roasted soy nuts. • Keep a bowl of fruit on the counter,

a bag of ready-to-eat carrots in the refrigerator and cans of fruit packed in

juice in the pantry. • Go for the grains. Whole-grain crackers, pretzels and

cereals are high in fiber and provide staying power.

Pediatricians at MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center are seeing increasing numbers of children

with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high

cholesterol—problems once considered rare in kids. That’s

because the number of overweight or obese Americans ages

6 to 11 has doubled, and in the last 20 years, the number of

overweight or obese teens has tripled. The main cause of

childhood obesity? Too much food and too little exercise.

“In addition to being at risk for diseases, children

who are overweight or obese can be bullied and suffer

from low self-esteem, anxiety or depression,” says Reda

W. Bassali, MD, a pediatrician with MCGHealth

Pediatric evaluation teams ease parents’ fears

No one knows your child better than you do, so you may be the first to notice subtle personality

changes that may signal a worsening condition when hospitalized. When that occurs at MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center, you can call a Pediatric Evaluation Team (PET) to the bedside from any phone in the hospital. This group of multidisciplinary health care providers will quickly evaluate your child’s health. It’s just another way MCGHealth partners with you to deliver Patient Family Centered Care.

Worried about your child’s weight? Call 706-721-CARE (2273) now to schedule an appointment

with an experienced pediatrician.

Family Health

On the food front To decrease the total number of calories you and your

children eat each day:

• Serve more fruits and vegetables, working up to five

servings a day.

• Choose poultry and lean cuts of meat, and bake or grill

instead of frying.

• Buy low-fat or fat-free dairy products.

• Limit all fats and avoid saturated and trans

fats and tropical oils.

• Switch to whole-grain breads and pastas.

• Limit the number of times you eat out,

especially at fast-food restaurants.

• Forego products that are high in sugar or

high fructose corn syrup.

• Eat together as a family.

“Even small lifestyle changes—such as drinking

water instead of soda with meals and shooting hoops after

dinner—can have a positive impact on your child’s weight

and health,” says Dr. Bassali.

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her height and weight and

calculating his or her body

mass index (BMI).”

You’ll also need to

improve your family’s diet

and exercise habits. To lose

weight, both adults and

children have to burn more

calories than they take in.

For children younger

than age 7 who have no other health concerns, however,

weight maintenance may be a better option than weight

loss. “This allows the child to grow taller without adding

pounds. Over time, the child’s BMI will drop into a

normal range,” Dr. Bassali says.

For older children, weight loss should be slow and

steady, anywhere from 1 pound to 4 pounds a month.

Get moving! Here are some tips to get your kids up

and going:

• If you want active children,

be an active parent.

• Limit television, video

games and recreational

computer time to no

more than two hours

a day.

• Encourage activity, not

just exercise.

• Get your children to take part

in organized sports, and volunteer

to work with their teams.

• Make lawn and housework family affairs.

• Plan family outings around activities other than eating.

The main cause of childhood obesity? Too much food and too little exercise.

MCGHealth ALS Clinic receives national certification

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLebanon Junction, KY

Permit # 115

In the News

M CGHealth made the list of top 100

hospitals in the nation in patient safety and

quality of care according to the Thomson

100 Top Hospitals® National Benchmarks for Success.

This annual study examines the performance levels of

U.S. hospitals and objectively identifies 100 benchmark

hospitals based on the two most recent years of data.

What does it take to be among the top 100

hospitals in the nation? Three things: outstanding

clinical quality, well-run operations and responsible

financial management. The study finds that the 100

top hospitals have higher survival rates and lower

complications for patients, while also maintaining

financial stability.

The study estimates that if all Medicare inpatients

received the same level of care as those at the winning

hospitals:

• More than 120,000 additional patients would survive

each year.

• There would be 138,000 fewer patient complications

each year.

• Expenses would decline by $6.23 billion a year.

• The hospital stay for the average patient would

decrease by more than half a day.

MCGHealth's Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinic recently became the

first in Georgia and the 31st in the nation to

be certified by the ALS Association.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, causes

patients to lose the use of their muscles, making it

difficult for them to visit multiple caregivers.

MCGHealth’s ALS Clinic coordinates the comprehensive,

multidisciplinary care these patients need. The clinic

allows patients to see their physicians, physical therapists,

occupational therapists,

speech therapists,

respiratory therapists,

dietitians and other

caregivers on the same day.

Better medicine,

better outcomes, better

care. That’s a hallmark

of MCGHealth.

MCGHealth among top 100

hospitals nationwide

Find relief today. For more information or to schedule an appointment at the ALS Clinic,

call 706-721-CARE (2273) or visit mcghealth.org/neuro.

1120 15th Street Augusta, GA 30912