Be Healthy Jan Feb 2011

8/8/2019 Be Healthy Jan Feb 2011

1/24

BE

January/February 20

NOEXCUSESEXERCISEJump start your hea

HYPERORHYPO? Thyroid wo

FaceValuePampe

your fac

heartbeats

Tart

Smart&

The skinnyon grapefruit 2

Valentines treatGuilt-free indulgenc

Tipsto stay

TWOgether

WhenHearts AttackCauses & symptoms


2/24

2 January/February 2011 | BEHealthySETX.com

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When it comes to caring for your heart, no otherarea hospital is more acclaimed or experiencedthan The CHRISTUS Cardiac Care Network.

Were the only hospital in Southeast Texasthat is fully accredited as a Cycle III Chest

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Our premier Cardiac Alert Program providesemergency treatment in an average of 56minutes, well below the American HeartAssociations national standard of 90 minutes.

Our elite nursing staff has been recognizedby the American Board of Nursing Specialtiesas strong advocates of specialty nursingcertication making us one of only three toearn this distinction.

As seen recently in U.S. News & World Report,we have been nationally recognized by theAmerican Heart Association/American StrokeAssociations Get With The Guidelines programfor the Coronary Artery Disease, Heart Failureand Level II Stroke Programs.

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BE Healthy | January/February 2011 | Volume 1, Issue 6

11HEALTHY CHOICES

GRAPEFRUIT:

A GREAT FRUIT

Benets of fruit or juice

By Cheryl Rose

8GET MOVING

DONT SKIP

THE ROPE

Add jumping to routine

By Todd Senters

16FOCUS ON HEALTH

THYROID VOID

Symptoms and treatments

By Cathleen Cole

14INCREASE

YOUR PEACE

MARITAL HARMONY

Pre-vow workshops assist

By Margaret Battiselli Gardner

Contents


Baptist Hospitals School of Radiologic Technology, Beaumont, Texas

50 years of Teaching ExcellenceA Career In Radiologic Technology offers a promising future.

You can be a vital member of the patient care team.

Career/Degreeopportunities include:

Nuclear Med Rad Therapy Mammography

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Ultrasound

MRI

Associate/Bachelor Track

Accepting Applications

For Brochure and Applicationvisit our web site: www.mhbh.org

or contact us at

409-212-5724JRCERTAccredited


5/24

BEHealthySETX.com | January/February 201

6EDITORS LETTER

BE HEART SMART

Cardiovascular disease

womens No. 1 health threat

By Cheryl Rose

22EATING RIGHT

AND ITS GOOD

FOR YOU, TOO!

Treats with health benets

By Cathleen Cole

18SPOTLIGHT

SERIOUS AS

A HEART ATTACK

Chest pain and symptoms

By Todd Senters

20BEAUTY

FACE

FORWARD

What to expectfrom a facial

By Margaret Battiselli

Gardner

Dr. Kevin Waddell, FACOG Dr. Sophia Burns, FACOG

Taking good care of your children starts before they are born...Thank you for choosing Womens Center of Beaumont.

www.wcobmt.com find us on facebook

740 Hospital Dr., Suite 250, Beaumont, TX

409.212.1000

SCREENING/NT

NOWAVAILABLE!


6/24

BE heart smart

from the editor

January/February 2011 | BEHealthySETX.com

One July day last summer, I was waitingin an oce in Beaumont hoping to catchup with a prospective BE Healthy source,when I got a call from an unknown num-ber on my cell phone. I recognized thearea code as being from my home state

of North Carolina, so I answered. It turned out to beone of those calls the ones you dread, that you hopewont come.

It was an unknown doctor telling me that hewas admitting my mother to the hospital and that I needed to make arrangements tobe there in three days, when they would perform bypass surgery on her. Caught bysurprise, since my mother had no previous heart problems, I asked what had hap-pened. Apparently my mother had a very unusual type of blockage in her main artery,discovered during a routine test and all concerned were stunned that she hadnt had aheart attack already. They didnt even want to let her go home until the surgery date, itwas that critical.

Mom is recovering ne. We were amazingly blessed to nd the blockage before adamaging or even fatal attack. Im certain that many of you have had a similar experi-ence with heart disease either personally or with someone you love. Heart diseaseremains the leading cause of death in the United States. The Center for Disease Controland Prevention reports that approximately every 25 seconds, an American will have acoronary event, and about one every minute will die from one.

February is American Heart Month, an annual reminder to take care of both ourphysical hearts and our metaphysical ones, when Valentines Day rolls around onFebruary 14. To take care of your physical heart, learn the symptoms and risk factorsof heart disease for your gender and consider lifestyle changes to become more heart-healthy. To take care of your romantic heart, I recommend avoiding the purchase ofhousehold appliances, vacuum cleaners and other practical items for your sweetie onValentines. Go with the red wine and chocolate option instead as described on page 22.

Live well, laugh often, love much,

P.S. Recently, my family and I moved to the Pacic Northwest. Launching the inau-gural year of this re-designed and localized publication has been a great experience.Ill miss the terric cooperative brain trust Ive had in writers Cathleen Cole and ToddSenters, and creative designer Kristen Flores. With this great team and new leadership,Im sure BE Healthy will thrive in the New Year!

Cheryl Rose,

Executive Editor

EraExecutive EditorCHERYL ROSE

Contributing Writers

CATHLEEN COLEMARgARET bATTiSTELLi gARdNERTOdd SENTERS

PrapContributing Photographers

FARRAH CObbLEE E. STiNSON

ArDirector, Digital Solutions

TEd FiSHER

Manager, Digital DesignFRAN LiNdSAY

Manager, Special PublicationsdON gRAY

Graphics Specialist, Digital DesignKRiSTEN FLORES

Contributing DesignerKATiE guidROZ

AversTo aertse n BE Healthy

409.880.0700

Cac UsBE Healthy

380 Man Streetbeamont, TX 77701

409.880.0700

to diSPlAy thE mAgAzinE

AT YOuR buSiNESS LOCATiON,pLEASE CALL 409.838.2829

SUbmiSSionSTO SubMiT AN EvENT, ORgANiZATiON

|OR pERSON FOR CONSidERATiONiN AN upCOMiNg iSSuE, SubMiT bY uSpS

AT AddRESS AbOvE.

A dvs f hears newspapersPublisher

biLL OFFiLL

Coyrht 2011 The beamont Enterrse

vst s onlne at bEHealthySETX.com

be art of keenSotheast Texas reen!Recycle ths maazne.

BE

on

ourcover

Photography: Lee E. Stinson

Model: Jessica Dubroc

On a crisp winter day, we asked Jessica, aMcNeese State University student studying Healthand Physical Education, to show us her jump rope

skills. Much like Michael Jordan, Jessica tendedto stick her tongue out while jumping! This buffyoung ladys daily exercise regimen includes a mixof running, biking and yoga. She is also an avidvolleyball player and coach, with a goal to one daycoach high school volleyball.


7/24


3921 Twin City Hwy

Port Arthur, Texas 77642

(409) 963-0000 Office

(409) 963-3391 Fax

www.gulfcoastcardio.com

Are pacemakers used to treat

heart failure?

The standard pacemakers that have been used for many years pace the right ventri-cle and often the right atrium; this type of pacemaker would only help congestive

heart failure if it is due to a very slow heart rhythm. Congestive heart failure is commonly

due to weakness of the left ventricle. Placing a lead that paces the left ventricle along with

the right ventricle can help the heart to beat more efficiently. This type of pacemaker has

been shown to help most people who meet certain criteria to have less shortness of breath,

less fatigue, and to be able to be more active.

CARDIOLOGY

Pradip J. Morbia, M.D,

F.A.C.C., F.C.C.P., M.C.P.S.

Gulf Coast Cardiology Group, P.L.L.C.

Q

A

4400 Gulf Ave.

Groves, TX 77619

409-962-5785

How do I know I am choosing the right n

ingor rehabilitation center formy loved o

There are many resources available online that have rated the nur

and rehab facilities based on their care and staffing: www.medicare

and www.dads.com. Also, we recommend an onsite visit to the facility. M

sure you meet the Administrator and the Director of Nurses. Notice the fe

the facility, is it warm and happy, are the workers saying hello and smiling

SKILLED NURSING & REHABILITATION

Peggy Larson, LVN

Magnolia Manor Nursing and Reha

Q

A

3560 Delaware, Suite 1104

Beaumont, TX 77706

OFFICE (409) 347-3621

FAX (409)860-9078

What are the health benefits of regularexercise?

Regular exercise helps to: 1. Reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. 2. Im-

prove blood flow and cholesterol levels. 3. Reduce the elevated blood

pressure. 4. Lower the risk of certain cancers. 5. Control weight and prevent obesity. 6.

Reverse declining aerobic fitness. After age 20, the average person experiences a 1%

decline in aerobic fitness each year. 7. Promotes self-confidence, increased energy, and

a general feeling of well-being. Caveat: Always consult your physician before initia-

tion of any kind of exercise program.

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Msonthi B. Levine, M.D.

Golden Triangle Internal Medicine

& Geriatrics

QA

# 7 Bayoubrandt Drive

Beaumont, Texas 77706

(409) 832-8323

www.veincentersoftexas.com

I have varicose veins in my legs.

What can be done to get rid of these?Varicose veins are enlarged shallow veins usually caused by malfunctioning

valvesresulting in slow venousreturnfrom thelegs. Initially you will need to

an evaluation with ultrasound to find the faulty vein. Several treatment options are

available; at our office we offer the VNUS Closure procedure for treatment of var

veins. This is a minimally invasive procedure that we perform in our office. Over

of patients say they would recommend this procedure, and most of our patients retu

their normal activity the next day! (And it is usually covered by insurance).

VARICOSE VEINS

Dr. Charles Gutierrez

Vein Centers of Texas

QA

3070 College St., Ste. 205


409-832-1225

www.drataya.com

My child has rash. Can I treat over

the telephone?The answer is yes if the rash is not associated with other sym

toms. There are issues to be considered such as, sore thr

headache, fever etc. If any of these symptoms are associated with

rash, then the doctor should examine and treat the rash.

PEDIATRIC

Raja H. Ataya M.D.,

F.A.A.P., F.R.C.P

Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

Q

A

3820 Pointe Parkway


409-767-8221

What are common causes of

back or neck pain?

Almost everyone will experience back or neck pain at some point in therelives. Fortunately, most back pain improves with time and/or conservativetreatment. The most common cause of back and neck pain is pulled or

strained muscles. Other more serious, but less common, causes include disc de-generation, disc herniation, spinal trauma, infection or tumors. If your back paindoes not subside within a few weeks, you should have a spine specialist examineyou to determine the exact cause of your pain.

ORTHOPEDIC SPINE

Richard R.M. Francis, MD,

MBA, FRCS Ed., FRCS Ed.

Tr & Orth)

Spine Associates

Q

A

www.spineassociatesofbeaumont.com

From th

e ProsFrom th

e Pros


8/24

They jumped so high, high, highThey touched the sky, sky, sky

Miss Mary Mack jump rope rhyme

By Todd Senters

W

hen you think of jumpinrope, perhaps youenvision young girlslaughing and gigglingas they hop to rhymesOr maybe you think of

a scene from the movie Rocky, as SlyStallone trains for a fight. As an activity,

jumping rope appears to date back as faras 1,600 BC, when Egyptians would usevines for jumping. Today, jumping rope isused for strength training, conditioning anaerobic exercise, and yes, for fun.

A Hop,Skipand a

Jump

get moving


photographyb

yLEEE.STinSOn

Comfy shoesand a rope are allyou need to getstarted!


9/24


We have incorporated jumping rope as an ex-

cellent means of conditioning, stated Carol John-son, physical education instructor at All SaintsEpiscopal School in Beaumont. The studentsreally enjoy it, even if they are not fully aware ofthe health benets.

Jumping rope engages all the muscles of thebody to burn calories and improve cardiovascularhealth, increase overall stamina and strength.The benets of jumping rope include increasedexercise tolerance (endurance), decreased restingheart rate, improved heart function, decreasedblood pressure and increased lung capacity as wellas improved agility and coordination.

The key to aerobic exercise is sustained targetheart rate. According to Dr. Jorge Hernandez, a

Beaumont cardiologist, a persons maximum heartrate can be calculated as 220 minus your age. Yourtarget heart rate for exercise is 85 percent of yourmaximum heart rate. If you perform aerobicexercise ve times per week you will achieve sig-nicant health benets within a couple of weeks,Hernandez said. It is not necessary to performaerobic exercise all at one time. You can exercisetwice a day for 15 to 20 minutes and achieve thesame benets.

For those who may not be physically able tojump rope, there are alternatives which providethe same benet. Air ropes are a popular optionfor those seeking the benets of jumping rope,stated Tony Buagas, tness supervisor at Christus

Health and Wellness Center. Air Ropes are jumprope-like handles weighted to feel as though youare holding a jump rope. Movement of the handlesis designed to simulate the motion of a jump rope.Adding air ropes to your workout routine enablesyou to reach your target heart rate producing aero-bic exercise equivalent to jumping rope. >>

Adding air ropes to your workoutroutine enables you to reach yourtarget heart rate producing aerobicexercise equivalent to jumping rope.

Tony Buagas, tness supervisorat Christus Health and Wellness Center

Air ropes are a popular optionfor those seeking the benetsof jumping rope.


10/24


11/24

By Cheryl RoseOne benefit of living in Southeast Texas is thedelicious citrus that comes into season starting inlate fall and running through the winter into sprinTexas grapefruit is shipped all over the country, buwe have the advantage of fresh, regionally grownfruit in our local markets. >>

Pucker Up!

healthy choice


Tart grapefruitis a winter fruit

with appeal

photootyofTexasweeTciTrus


12/24


The most tang

for the buck

Nutritionally speaking,

grapefruit is packed with

benecial nutrients. Though

you can get white, pink or red

grapefruit, it doesnt make a

dierence when it comes to

health benets, explained Car-

lyn Bell, a registered dietitian

with Exygon Health & Fitness.

Ripening determines the color,nd typically the pinker it is,

he sweeter it tastes.

Its a great source of vita-

min C and contains antioxi-

dant vitamins which help in

he prevention of cancer and

heart disease, Bell said. One

verage-sized grapefruit has

pproximately 40 milligrams

f vitamin C of the daily adult-

ecommended amount of 90

milligrams.Grapefruit also contains the

ntioxidant lycopene. You

want antioxidants in your diet

because they can prevent the

ree radicals that can cause

disease, Bell said.

Fiber is another advantage.

To get the full ber benet,

you should peel and eat the

grapefruit like an orange, in-

luding the chewy membranes

hat can sometimes be bitter.

However, even if you scooput sections with a spoon,

you will still get two to three

grams of ber per grapefruit.

Grapefruit is low in calo-

ies, about 60 to 80 calories

per fruit. It also has a low

glycemic index. The glyce-

mic index is the measure of

he eect of carbohydrates on

your blood sugar levels, Bell

xplained. If the carbs break

down more slowly into thebloodstream, youll have more

energy for a longer time and

more blood sugar control. Its

a great choice for people moni-

toring their blood sugar.

Bell said grapefruit is also

high in water content. If we

take in more water, than we

tend to retain less water.

Fat burner?

For many years, grapefruit

has held a reputation as a

weight loss and metabolism

booster. There are special

diets, such as the Grapefruit

Diet and the Hollywood Diet,

based on this premise.

However, its probably not

the grapefruit itself that is

responsible for weight loss.

The fact that its low in

calories makes it an excellent

choice on a program to lose

weight, Bell said.But most of the grapefruit

diets are really low-calorie

diets, typically 1,000 calories

a day or less. Youd lose weight

anyway and not necessarily

because of the grapefruit.

Fruit vs. Juice

I would recommend the

fresh whole fruit, Bell said.

Juice is going to have the

vitamins and antioxidants.

Youll digest it quickly and youwont get the advantage of the

ber.

Bell said she personally eats

grapefruit as a routine part of

her diet, supplementing with

juice when the fresh fruit isnt

in season. The best part is

they are low in calories and

they taste good! she said.

Ill buy a big ol bag and juice

them and then freeze the juice

for the hot summer monthswhen it is so delicious.

GrapefruitGoodness

Fat free

Sodium free

Cholesterol free

Contains dietary ber

High in vitamin A

High in vitamin C

Contains the antioxidant

lycopene

Common Medicine/Grapefruit InteractionsType of Medicine Medicine name

Anti-anxiety Buspirone (BuSpar)

Anti-arrhythmia Amiodarone (Cordarone)

Antidepressant Sertraline (Zoloft)

Antihistamine Fexofenadine (Allegra)

Antiretroviral Saquinavir (Invirase),indinavir (Crixivan)

Antiseizure Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol)

Calcium channel blocker Nifedipine (Procardia),nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sul

Immunosuppressant Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune),tacrolimus (Prograf), sirolimus (Rapam

Statin Simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevac

atorvastatin (Lipitor) Mayo C

Medic AlertThough grapefruit has many advantages nutritionally, people takin

certain kinds of medication should avoid it.

Its a unique fruit, said Greg Hamby, a pharmacist with Kings

Pharmacy. There are compounds within a grapefruit that slow do

the metabolism in the liver. Grapefruit can inhibit drugs from being

metabolized. If you inhibit those digestive systems, you increase th

toxicity of those drugs.

Hamby warned that the interaction can occur with the fruit or the

juice. Bad side effects of a grapefruit/medication interaction caninclude cramping in the muscles, and actual breakdown of the mu

tissue itself. If there is a known interaction, Hamby said the patie

information leaet will address it and there will be an auxiliary stic

label on the medication vial.

Secret Ingredient

Grapefruit contains an organic compound called spermidine that

been found to reduce the amount of aging in human immune cell


13/24


Rio Star Grapefruit & Salmon Salad

Makes: 4 servings

4 (6 oz.) salmon llets, skinned

1 Texas Rio Star Grapefruit, sectioned with juice reserve

cup rice vinegar

cup olive oil

tablespoon sugar

teaspoon kosher salt

1 cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced

2 cups baby spinach salad mix

2 cups cooked white rice

Pan sear salmon until desired degree of doneness. Tran

to a plate; let cool.

Add the vinegar, oil, sugar, and salt to reserved grapefrujuice and stir. Pour all but 1 tablespoon of the vinaigrette

into a large plastic bag. Add the salmon to the bag and

refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

To serve, add the grapefruit segments, cucumber,

and spinach to the reserved vinaigrette in a bowl and to

Drain the salmon. Divide rice among 4 individual plates a

top with grapefruit/spinach/cucumber salad and salmon

TexaSweet C

Citrus & Kiwifruit Salad

with Pomegranate Seeds & Pistachios

Makes: 6 servings

Rio Star Grapefruit, sectioned

4 Texas Oranges, sectioned

kiwifruit, peeled and sliced

cup pomegranate seeds (about 1 pomegranate)

tablespoons coarsely chopped pistachios

Divide kiwifruit and oranges evenly among 6 serving bowls.

Top evenly with grapefruit and pomegranate seeds.

Sprinkle each serving with 1 teaspoon pistachios. Serve immediately.

The Frustration Of Drop FootOn Good

Morning

America, the

device has

been referred

to as a brain

in the box. The Stealth is

also available exclusively at

LeTourneau Prosthetics.

Beaumont (409) 832-5005 Toll-free (800) 609-5005www.llop.com

While many people have never even heard o drop oot, its actually a very common condition that aects people oages. Drop oot involves a weakness or paralysis in specific leg muscles that can limit a persons ability to walk. The gnews is that LeTourneau Prosthetics, a nationally recognized leader, is now oering advanced myo-orthotics technolin devices such as the WalkAide to liberate patients rom drop oot. Myo-orthotic technology represents the merginorthotics basically any device that braces a limb with electrical stimulation. When a patient walks with it, gentle electrimpulses simulate normal nerve unction. This activates specifc muscles enabling the user to lit up his or her oot atappropriate time giving patients the ability to walk normally again. LeTourneau Prosthetics has six ofces in TexasLouisiana. Patients have traveled rom all around the country, to obtain the latest technology available, some o whicexclusive only to LeTourneau Prosthetics. I youre suering rom drop oot and would like to regain your ability to enyour avorite activities, call today or your complimentary evaluation.


14/24

TWOgether in Texas program prepares couplefor a lifetime of understandin

By Margaret Battistelli Gard

If Cupid has shot an arrow into your heart, the

state of Texas would like to help you keep it there.

Looking at a statewide divorce rate of about

50 percent, the state instituted its TWOgether in

Texas program in 2008, offering free, pre-maritalworkshops for couples who are heading down the

aisle or thinking about heading down the aisle (or those

whove been married for a while, or even singles).

Participants have the $60 state fee for a marriage

license waived and the 72-hour waiting period lifted. But

even those practical-minded folks who just sign up to save

the bucks usually walk away with a whole lot more than

just a discount on their marriage license.

Many of our couples want us to know they were dreading

taking the class, dreading doing the work, afraid it would b

boring and drag on, said Rebecca Blanchard, project assis

tant of Family Services of Southeast Texas Region 5 (which

implements the state-funded program). But once they got

into it they realized how much fun it was, and many of thewant us to set up a second set of classes so they can take it

further.

Thats pretty much the case for Jesse and Sharon Thom

of Port Arthur.

I was just like OK, and as it got closer, I was hoping

[Sharon] would forget about it. But I figured at least we

would save $60, said Jesse, 27. But it was a lot more than

expected it to be. Honestly, it should be mandatory through

out the state for anybody who wants to get married.

helping hands

To the Honeymoonand Beyond



15/24

Content and format vary by location, but every workshop focuses on com

munication, conflict management, and components to a successful relations

Its an upbeat, positive experience for couples that gives them a real

opportunity to interact with each other, said George Iles, project director

of Family Services of Southeast Texas Region 5. So many people go into a

marriage and theyre infatuated and everything is wonderful. Then once the

honeymoon is over, its like Who is this person? The program helps you to

really see who youre attaching yourself to.

For Jesse and Sharon, it helped spotlight behaviors that, left unchecked,

could easily undermine a relationship. We did a listener/speaker technique

that taught us to talk and listen to one another instead of one of us talking o

the other or clamming up, explained Sharon, 31. Im a very introverted pe

son, and hes extroverted. Normally I would clam up into a shell, and he ma

talk over me sometimes.

Jesse agrees: I learned not to be as boisterous and not talk over her. Sh

does have something to say and I need to let her speak.

The couple also learned that its important to make fun, fun and not

chores or other concerns derail plans for couple time.

TWOgether in Texas workshops are not counseling sessions. Rather,

theyre a way to resolve the issues that inevitably occur in any

relationship and shine a light on others that are

unique to a participating couple.

Jesse and Sharon, for example, were mar-

ried three months before they even marked theone-year anniversary of their first date and spe

a good part of their courtship apart while Jesse

trained and served with the Army Reserve in Ira

While he was away, Sharon was left to make deci

sions for the two of them. When he came home, t

had to learn how to work as a team.

Sharon says the workshop reinforced her belief

she and Jesse were on a right path. But some coup

take the workshop and decide to delay their weddin

or not get married at all. Since the goal is to keep Tex

couples happily married and whittle away at the divo

rate, those couples are success stories as well.

A program that helps couples comprehend the truescope of marriage is especially important today, when s

few young people have a two-parent family to use as an

example.

When we get married, we use our parents relationsh

to determine what a marriage is, Iles said, whether we

accept the things we saw or we reject them. With the divor

rate hovering around 50 percent for many years, so many

young people that are getting married havent had a lot of

experience with a two-parent family. This program is geared

toward filling in some of those gaps.

ecause the program has only been around for a little more than two

ears, there hasnt been any follow-up done yet to determine whether

WOgether in Texas is having any actual effect on Texas divorce rates. But

everyone involved seems to agree that learning how to communicate b

ter with the person youve committed to spending the rest of your life w

cant be anything other than a good thing.

Learning how to live with each other is not impossible; its not easy, b

its not impossible, Iles said. Things get started in [TWOgether in Tex

workshops] that are good for a lifetime.

Learningto Live Together

Its an upbeat, positiveexperience for couplesthat gives them a realopportunity to interactwith each other.

George Iles, project directorof Family Servicesof Southeast Texas Region 5

t was a lot more than I expected it tobe. Honestly, it should be mandatoryhroughout the state for anybody who

wants to get married.

Jesse Thomas

TWOgether in Texas Dates, times and formats v

by location. 409.833.2668, servingtexasfamilies


photographybySHEDRICKJENKINS

ph

oto

graph

yb

yF

ARRAH

COBB

photocourtesyofFAMILYSERVICES

Wedding day

!

Still smiling oneyearlater


16/24

Feeling restless or fatigued? Have your thyroid checked

By Cathleen Cole

A

fter having three babies in five years, Jennifer

Byrd was tired. The Beaumont mom thought

her fatigue was due to dealing with a newborn,

a toddler and a preschooler. I thought it was

just the baby haze, she said.

Shed lost the weight shed gained from her

third pregnancy, but gained it back for seemingly no apparent

reason. She was also losing her hair. Finally, she realized her

symptoms were caused by something other than motherhood.

After a visit to her physician, her blood tests indicated she

had thyroid disease hypothyroidism or an underactive

thyroid gland. (Hyperthyroidism is the term used for an

overactive thyroid gland.)

It was a relief to have an explanation for not feeling up to

par and foggy a lot of the time and a reason as to why I had been

struggling with losing weight, Byrd said. She began to feel

better after starting thyroid hormone replacement therapy. I

wasnt as tired and my mind was clearer, she explained. My

body felt better, too.

Thyroid Ups and Downs

focus on health

Are you Hyperor Hypo?

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinol

gists, 27 million Americans have overactive or underactive

thyroid glands, but more than half remain undiagnosed. Mor

than eight out of 10 patients with thyroid disease are women

and women are ve to eight times more likely than men to sfrom hypothyroidism.


Common symptoms

of hypothyroidism:

fatigue

weight gain

hair loss

dry skin

constipation

slower metabolism

mood swings

Common symptoms

of hyperthyroidism:

weight loss

sweating

increased metabolism

irritability

heart palpitations

thyroid enlargement

difculty staying aslee


17/24


Hashimotos Disea

In Hashimotos disease, yo

immune system attacks yo

thyroid gland. The resulting

inammation often leads to

an underactive thyroid glan

(hypothyroidism). Hashimot

disease is the most commo

cause of hypothyroidism in

United States.

Graves Disease

Graves disease is the mos

common form of hyperthy-

roidism, occurring when yo

immune system mistakenly

attacks your thyroid gland

causes it to overproduce th

hormone thyroxine.

GoiterGoiter is the condition in w

the thyroid gland grows lar

than normal. Although goit

are usually painless, a larg

goiter can cause a cough a

make it difcult for you to

swallow or breathe. The m

common cause of goiter is

lack of iodine in the diet. In

the United States, where m

people use iodized salt, goi

is more often due to the ovproduction or underproduc

of thyroid hormones or nod

that develop in the gland it

Source: www.MayoClinic.c

The important

buttery-shaped

gland

The thyroid is the small,

buttery-shaped gland situated

below the Adams apple in

your throat. It produces hor-

mones that aect your bodys

rgans, tissues and cells. If

your thyroid doesnt work

properly, neither will you.Common symptoms of hy-

pothyroidism include fatigue,

weight gain, hair loss, dry

kin, constipation, a slower

metabolism and mood swings.

Common symptoms of hy-

perthyroidism include weight

oss, sweating, an increased

metabolism, irritability, heart

palpitations, thyroid enlarge-

ment and diculty staying

sleep. According to theAmerican Association of Clin-

cal Endocrinologists, if left

untreated, both conditions

can cause numerous health

problems. In extreme cases,

untreated thyroid disease can

cause coma or death.

You get old quickly, said

Jose Ortiz, an endocrinologist

with the Endocrine Clinic of

Southeast Texas in Beaumont.

Treatment of either condition

is imperative, Ortiz noted, butrst you have to be diagnosed.

If you are having symptoms of

thyroid disease, ask your doc-

tor for a thyroid-stimulating

hormone (TSH) blood test.

The hormone causes the thy-

roid gland to make tri-io-

dothyronine (T3) and thyrox-

ine (T4), which help control

your bodys metabolism.

Treatments forthyroid disease

If youre diagnosed with

hypothyroidism, youll need to

start thyroid hormone replace-

ment therapy. Ortiz recom-

mends using only brand-name

medications, not generic

medications because the U.S.

Food and Drug Administra-

tion allows up to a 20-percent

dierence in generics from

the control medication. In

other words, every time you

get your generic prescriptionlled, it could be dierent

from your last batch, and that

really matters. The doctor also

advises taking your medica-

tion on an empty stomach at

the same time every day. Once

you get your dosage correct

and your hormone levels go

back to normal, youll be feel-

ing better soon. But, youll

probably always have to take

the medication. In mostcases, hypothyroidism is a

lifelong condition, Ortiz said.

If youre diagnosed with

hyperthyroidism, the treat-

ment varies. You might need

to have surgery to remove part

or all of your thyroid gland.

Another option is radioactive

iodine treatment that destroys

thyroid tissue. After these

treatments, your condition

might switch to hypothyroid-

ism. If that happens, youllhave to start taking hormone

replacement medication.

Most primary-care physi-

cians are able to treat patients

with thyroid disease, Ortiz

said. But if you have contin-

ued problems, he suggests

seeking treatment from an

endocrinologist.

It might not be

baby hazePregnancy is a factor

in many cases of thyroidi-

tis, Ortiz explained. Some

women are diagnosed during

pregnancy. Those who are

diagnosed after having their

babies can have a condition

called postpartum thyroiditis.

The problem might correct

itself once the hormones level

out, but about 25 percent of

women with postpartum th

roiditis will develop perman

hypothyroidism. Ortiz reco

mends that a woman who ha pregnancy-related thyroid

problem that corrected itsel

still get a TSH blood test on

a year.

Cancer risk

Thyroid cancer is also an

sue. The diagnosis is incre

ing, Ortiz said. There are

about 33,000 new cases eve

year in the United States.

ennifer Byrd with son Bryce. Her symptoms were more

han baby haze.

In most cases, hypothyroidismis a lifelong condition.

Dr. Jose Ortiz, endocrinologist,Endocrine Clinic of Southeast Texas


18/24

By Todd Sent

Through written and spoken word, music and art, the

heart has symbolized the complexity of the humancondition for centuries. In both the figurative and literasense, the heart is emblematic of our state of being. Atonce resilient and fragile, the heart is at the center of li

Nestled between the lungs lies an amazing pump thesize of a medium-sized apple. With orchestrated precision, the heartof the average person beats more than 100,000 times a day propellingmore than 2,000 gallons of blood through more than 60,000 miles ofblood vessels.

spotlight

Betweenthe beats



19/24

Though strong and powerful, the heart

is not invincible. Just as it supplies needed

oxygen to the body, the heart, too, needs

oxygen in order to continue pumping. If

blood supply to the heart muscle is inter-

rupted, the muscle tissue becomes weak and

ineective, said Dr. Ali Osman, an emer-

gency room physician at Baptist Beaumont

Hospital. If blood supply is interrupted formore than a few minutes, the muscle tissue

begins to die. This person is suering a heart

attack.

Signs of distress

According to Osman, there are four ways

an acute myocardial infarction (acute MI), or

heart attack, can occur. The heart has a set

of coronary arteries, blood vessels that sup-

ply the heart muscle with oxygen, which can

be susceptible to damage.

If the person has plaque build-up on

the wall of the artery, it can become severeenough that the vessel is completely closed

o, like a clogged sink drain, Osman ex-

plained. A blood clot can form and become

lodged in the artery. Under some circum-

stances (typically with cocaine use) the

muscles in the wall of the artery can spasm,

closing the vessel like a crimped water hose.

It is also possible that the artery can become

torn, by traumatic injury or a weakened ves-

sel wall (aneurysm). Regardless of the cause,

each of these patients would experience the

symptoms of a heart attack.Robert Sutton Jr. of Beaumont knows

those symptoms well; he recently suered

a heart attack and underwent ve vessel

heart bypass surgery. I felt a tightening

across both sides of my chest and diculty

breathing, which increased in intensity, he

described. The same thing happened three

or four days earlier, but the pressure eased

after 20 minutes. This time, the pressure did

not go away, so I called 911.

There are some common signs that can

indicate you may be having a heart attack,

Osman explained. Generally, these includechest pain, pain radiating to the jaw or left

arm, nausea, sweating and fatigue. Women

tend to experience overwhelming fatigue,

nausea and radiating pain (neck and shoul-

ders). Men tend to experience tightness or

crushing chest pain and sweating.

If in doubt whether the symptoms you

are experiencing may be a heart attack, dont

hesitate to get help. Time is muscle! cau-

tioned Osman. If there is any chance you

may be having a heart attack, or if you arewith someone who may be suering a heart

attack, call 911 immediately. In order to have

the best chance to preserve heart muscle

and perhaps save the persons life, we need

to begin intervention within one hour of the

onset of symptoms.

While the focus of treatment is on pre-

serving heart muscle, heart disease con-

tinues to be the leading cause of death in

America. I strongly encourage everyone

to learn basic CPR and learn how to use an

automated debrillator, which are now com-

mon in public venues, Osman said. Peoplewho have a heart attack could go into cardiac

arrest. Early CPR and early debrillation

are critical steps to intervene and save their

lives.

Heart-healthy lifestyle

The steps to avoiding or recovering from a

heart attack are as simple as living a healthy

lifestyle. A change in both lifestyle and

eating habits is absolutely essential, Sutton

said. I have been going to cardiac rehab for

over two months and my strength, energy andendurance are slowly but surely returning. It

is imperative to follow the exercise pattern

that rehab establishes. Dont quit and dont

stop short. I can already see vast improve-

ment in my quality of life.

Sutton continued, My doctor gave me

some very protable advice. He said my

bypass surgery will be good for ve years

if I dont change anything. But if I change

my lifestyle and follow the advice I have

been given, I can expect a long and pleasant

future. I have a grandson I look forward to

holding at every opportunity. I need to makesure I will be here for him for some time to

come. I fully intend to do just that.

Wear Red on February 4!

National Wear Red day promotes awareness of the risks of womens heart disease, sponso

by the Department of Health and Human Services and the American Heart Association.

The Heart Truth logo is a trademark of HHS.


AttackStats

425,425Number of heart

attack deaths in thUnited States in 20

1.25 millioEstimated numberof new and recurrehearts attacks thatoccur per year in thUnited States

34 percenof people whoexperience a heartattack in a given yedie from it.

10.2 millioEstimated numberpeople in the UniteStates who sufferfrom angina (chest

pain)

500,000Estimated numbernew cases of stabangina that occureach year

- American Heart Associ


20/24

More than just a beautytreatment, professionalfacials offer pamperingand an increased senseof well-being

By Margaret Battistelli Gardner

Ah, 70s advertising. If youre over the age of 30,you no doubt remember those commercials wherea woman emerges fresh-faced and glowing afterwashing away a thick layer of cold cream with asplash of cool water. (You probably also have coldcream hiding under your epidermis from 1975.)

beauty

Facialrelations



21/24

Sister (and, increasingly, brother), its time

or a change. You might think you have to go it

lone when it comes to skin care, but profes-

ional facials no longer are simply luxuries of

adies who lunch. Theyre mainstream, aord-

ble and as accessible as your nearest salon.

But dont put your face into just anyones

hands. Professional estheticians are the way to

go. Theyre specially trained and theyre really

nto skin happy, healthy, glowing skin.

Look for someone who is truly focused on

kin care, on esthetics, someone who is profes-

ionally trained, said Todd Haymon, director of

he Christus Healthy Living Spa in Beaumont.

Look for somebody who loves what they do,

who focuses on your comfort and is able to make

professional recommendations for your skin.

Estheticians should be licensed by the state,

nd by all means, make sure the facility and anyools used in the procedure are clean.

Not sure if the spa you have in mind is a good

t? Make an appointment for an inexpensive

brow waxing to get a feel for the place. Facials

hould feel fairly indulgent, so look for the

verall experience. At spas, expect soothing

music and a serene environment, refreshments,

massage options and a comprehensive menu

f other services, and well-appointed changing

ooms.

No matter what your age, gender or skin

ype, a facial should produce immediate results,ccording to Katie Craigen, manager and esthe-

ician at Get Away Day Spa in the MCM El-

gante Hotel in Beaumont. Skins rmness and

naturally healthy glow will be enhanced. Over

ime skin becomes noticeably more hydrated.

Fine lines, wrinkle and other imperfections

become less noticeable. Most pros recommend

acials at least quarterly, if not monthly.

Most of the time after a basic facial, the

exture is a lot smoother, skin is glowing,

more moisturized and hydrated, said Craigen.

Makeup goes on a little easier and smoother,

and you dont have to use as much because the

buildup of dead skin cells and debris is gone.

Because of their deep-cleansing qualities,

facials tend to bring everything to the surface,

Craigen warns, so if you have anything lurking

under there you might experience some minor

breakouts after your facial. Sometimes it gets

worse before it gets better, and people tend to

want to blame the facials, she said. But those

breakouts were already going to happen.

Professional, full-service spas and salons

also oer more intense solutions like micro-dermabrasion and chemical peels all of which

can go a long way toward keeping skin healthy

and beautiful for a long time and oer noninva-

sive alternatives to treatments that straddle the

line between beauty and medical such as

Botox and Juvederm injections, which are be-

coming increasingly mainstream and easy to get.

Theres a lot we can do instead of heading

straight to Botox, Craigen said. Fruit-based

peels and chemical abrasions that you dont

need a doctor on sta to do can make a big dif-

ference.Clients whove never had a facial dont quite

know what to expect, which is why estheticians

include consultations as part of the rst visit.

Clients often are surprised at the amount of

attention they get, the level of pampering that

comes with a good facial. But the real surprise,

Haymon explained, is when they see the results.

The facial and the pampering that goes

along with it, it gives you a better attitude,

just in general, he said. You feel better about

yourself, youve made an investment of time and

energy and a commitment to your well being.

Thats what really counts.

Not Just For Women

Once thought to be a totally girly treat, facials are becom-

ing more mainstream and attracting both men and younger

clients of either sex. Most spas have special procedures fomen, as well as anti-acne treatments tailored for teens.

Basic facials

include:

Consultation

Thorough cleansing

Skin analysis

Extraction of blackhea

and whiteheads

Facial massage

Application of toners,

protective creams andhealing masks

Advice on follow-up,

at-home skin care and

long-term plan of acti

for ongoing skin healt

and beauty

Most of the time after a

basic facial, the texture is a

lot smoother, skin is glowing,

more moisturized and hydra-

ted. Makeup goes on a little

easier and smoother, and you

dont have to use as much

because the buildup of dead

skin cells and debris is gone.

Katie Craigen,manager and esthetician,

Get Away Day Spa

What pric

beauty?

Expect to pay $35 to $75

for a thorough but basic

50-minute facial at most

places, with prices going

from there for longer, mo

involved treatments suc

vitamin C or collagen an

aging treatments, aggres

acne treatment or deep

repair/redness reduction



22/24


Nothing says Valentines Day like a red, heart-shaped box of chocolates. Add a bottle of wine

to set the romantic mood and youre good to go.

And dont let your sweetheart decline the treats

because theyre unhealthy. Turns out, in mod-

eration, theyre good for your heart.

It was good news for wine lovers and chocoholics when sci-

ntists released their ndings that red wine and dark chocolate

might actually be good for you.

According to researchers at the Mayo Clinic, the supporting

tudies suggest antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols help

protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. These antioxi-

dants come in two main forms: avonoids and nonavonoids.

Flavonoids are found in foods including oranges, grape juice,

pples, onions, tea and cocoa. White wine and other types of

lcoholic beverages including beer contain small amounts too, but

ed wine has higher levels.

Nonavonoids are found in red wine and appear to help

prevent arteries from becoming clogged with fatty blockages.

The studies have mostly involved mice, not humans, the Mayo

Clinic sta noted.) Researchers are focusing on the nonavonoid

alled resveratrol, which might be a key ingredient in red wine

hat helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces low-density

ipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol the bad kind and prevents blood

lots.

The avonoids in dark chocolate have been associated with abenecial eect on the cardiovascular system, according to Mayo

Clinic researchers. Dark chocolate also might reduce low-density

ipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The key ingredient is cocoa,

nd the more the better. Eating chocolate that contains at least 60

percent cocoa is your best bet for added health benets.

The problem is in the portions. Health professionals recom-

mend one glass of red wine a day, not a bottle. The recommended

Give your sweetie healthy treats to show you really care

Healthy Valentines Day!eating right

By Cathleen Cole

amount for dark chocolate is one ounce a day about one

square from a bar, not a whole bar.

While red wine and dark chocolate may oer some heal

benets, we would be wise to weigh the calories provided b

these foods against the potential benets, said Amy Shows

registered dietitian and professor and chair of the Departme

of Family & Consumer Sciences at Lamar University. Both

wine and dark chocolate, when given as a gift, will most likebe packaged in an amount that carries substantial calories.

For example, she explained, one serving of red wine (5-

ounces) has 125 calories and a dark-chocolate candy bar can

have 220 calories. A better idea might be to give your val-

entine a sweet gift that is based on whole fruit, she advised.

Strawberries dipped in chocolate contain fewer calories tha

chocolate candies and also are packed with ber and other

nutrients including vitamin C. The typical chocolate-cover

strawberry has about 45 calories compared to about 100 ca

ries in a piece of chocolate candy. She also recommended b

ing a fruit basket or making your own gift basket with fruit

and other healthful snacks such as low-fat cheese and whol

grain crackers.

Carolyn Oliver, co-owner of DVine Wine of Beaumont, s

a spike in sales when the news of the possible health benet

of red wine came out. I had several customers come in and

me that their doctors told them to drink one glass of red wi

a night, she said. According to Oliver, a cardiologist told he

that the healthiest choice is Pinot Noir and it is better to dri

it with dinner. It needs to be a part of the meal, she emph

sized. Since she started drinking a glass of red with dinner,

said, her cholesterol levels are lower.

Its like everybody wants to try it, she noted. Even th

non-wine drinkers can learn to love it.

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23/24


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24/24

As many as 20 million young

women, under the age of 55,

silently suffer.

If you lose control at a moments notice,

If your bowels control your life,Call 409.835.9500 today.

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Documents

Be Healthy Jan Feb 2011