Experience - Fall 2011 Issue

Supporting your body, mind and spiritExpEriEncE

focuS on familyThey contribute to your health and add years to your life2

hidden hazardSMake your home winter-safe in these 7 danger spots3 new healing option

Jane Donnelly tried hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Should you?6

FALL 2011

growing tallwe have answers to your

top kids’ health questionsPAGE 4

Putting Family First

VoicE of ExpEriEncE

Visit the health

adventure!

The Health Adventure is now a proud

member of the Park Ridge family and

is a great resource for your family’s

health. See their ad on the back

page of this issue of Experience

and visit thehealthadventure.org

for more information on

upcoming classes

and exhibits!

Family is such an important part of what makes us who we are and is an essential factor in our overall health. When we surround ourselves with loved ones—whether related or not—our happiness increases and stress decreases. Both of these effects can help contribute to your health and add years to your life.

In our very first issue of Experience, we talked about the “9 Secrets” found in each of the Blue Zones explored in the book by Dan Buettner. Two of the nine secrets focused on family and social networks. Buettner found that all of the centenarians he encountered had surrounded themselves with a health-minded and supportive group of individuals, and always put family first—before work or other obligations.

In this issue of Experience, we are focusing on “Experiencing Family,” to offer you important information for your family’s overall health and wellbeing. You’ll find valuable safety tips to make your home a safe haven during the colder months,

and suggestions from two of our exceptional family physicians on how best to utilize a visit to your child’s pediatrician or family practice physician.

When I think of family, I like to remember a quote by Desmond Tutu: “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”

For me, my family—both my wife and children, as well as my family here at Park Ridge—are gifts to me, and truly have a positive impact on my health and wellbeing. It is my hope that the information shared by our Park Ridge family in this issue will positively impact your family as well.

Together in health,

Jimm BunchPresident & CEO

2 Park Ridge Health parkridgehealth.org

Safe havenTips to eliminate hidden hazards in your home

By Kirsten Houmann

Feed Your Kids WellNeed some suggestions for healthy snacks to add to your family’s pantry and refrigerator? Here are some suggestions from the Park Ridge Wellness Department:

home Safety tipsfor more information about home safety, visit parkridgehealth.org/safety.

Carrot stiCKs: Crunchy and power-packed with vitamins and nutrients!

s the weather gets cooler, we all tend to spend more time in the comfortable, heated indoors. While this leaves the dangers of the elements outside, your home is not necessarily a safe haven. According to the

Home Safety Council, about a third of all injuries happen inside the home. In fact, the home is second only to motor vehicles as the cause of fatal accidents, and children are likely victims. Here’s a tour of

some hazards that may be hiding in your home:

poisonsAbout 90 percent of poison exposures happen at home, making it the second leading cause of accidental death at home. if you suspect your child has been exposed to or has ingested hazardous chemicals, call Poison control immediately at 1.800.222.1222.

StairsAccording to a recent study by the Home Safety council, falls are by far the leading cause of accidental deaths at home, and account for an average of 5.1 million injuries each year for all ages. Dr. Bryant urges parents to gate both the bottom and the top of a staircase. “if you only gate the top, kids are likely to find a way to climb up the stairs and fall back down,” he cautions.

Burns“Kids are curious by nature,” says Dr. Bryant. Scalding is the leading cause of hospitalization for burns in toddlers. Whether the hazard is a hot stove or a steaming cup of coffee, supervision is key to preventing these common injuries.

chokingchildren under the age of 5 are most at risk for choking. Sixty percent of nonfatal choking episodes that end up in the emergency room are related to food, and 20 percent to candy.

electronicsSerious injuries linked to electronics in the home are on the rise. The United States consumer Product Safety commission estimates that nearly 14,000 children age 5 and younger visited emergency rooms last year with TV injuries, typically as a result of the increasingly large screens falling on them. This doesn’t include the 4,000 injuries each year caused by loose electrical cords.

medications“To kids, M&Ms look inviting, and Skittles look inviting,” says James Bryant, M.D., a board-certified family practice physician with Park Ridge Medical Associates. “The problem is, pills look just like candy, especially many branded medications.” He strongly advises storing medications in child-proof pill bottles.

Showers/tubsTo keep kids safe from bathtub burns, experts recommend setting your water heater to a temperature of less than 120 degrees.

Fruit: Bananas and apples are excellent options. Try watermelon, pineapple or berries, too!

A

3Park Ridge Health parkridgehealth.org

e talked to a pediatrician and a family physician

about some of parents’ most common concerns, and the health questions they wish parents would ask.

Q when should i bring my child to the pediatrician?

It depends on what stage of life your child is in. Newborn babies should be brought to the pediatrician sometime in the first week of life.

“At Park Ridge Pediatrics, we are actually present for many deliveries, and see the family and infant from the

very beginning,” says Charlotte Riddle, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician

at Park Ridge Pediatrics.During infancy, a child should see a

pediatrician at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months of age. From age 2 on, a child should be brought in for a well-check annually until reaching adulthood, says Leah Swann, M.D., a board-certified family practitioner at

Family Medicine at Biltmore Park.“You want to be monitoring their growth

and looking for the development of chronic conditions,” Dr. Swann explains. “New

recommendations state that blood pressure should be checked every year starting at age 2, due to the obesity epidemic.”

Q why does my child need to be seen every year?

One reason, says Dr. Riddle, is to track a child’s growth. “If there’s a remarkable change, you are going to be able to see it, as opposed to seeing a child less frequently.”

Reason number two? Prevention.“Much of what we do is preventative

medicine, so that any of the illnesses that we saw 100 years ago, we can totally prevent, and a lot of it has to do with yearly checkups,” Dr. Riddle adds.

In addition to diseases preventable by vaccines, like whooping cough, measles, meningococcal meningitis and chickenpox, physicians are increasingly on the lookout for risk factors for obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis.

“Lifestyle diseases are important to recognize early,” says Dr. Swann. “The nutrition and activity patterns we set in childhood and adolescence affect the risk of these conditions later on in life.”

Feed Your Kids Well(continued):

Physicians answer your mostcommon questions

Yogurts: Choose yogurts that are white in color with fruit at the bottom OR are naturally flavored. Avoid the artificially colored yogurts. Yogurts make a great dip for fruit too!

applesauCe: Prepackaged is fine if you choose the natural applesauce. Check the ingredients list and be sure there is no added sugar.

learn

more about

your toddler

Pediatrician and child behavior

specialist charlotte Riddle, M.D., will

present “Touch Points: Addressing

challenging Behaviors in children”

at The Health Adventure on

Monday, January 23, from 6 to

8 p.m. call 855.prH.LiFE

to RSVP for this family-

friendly event.

Pediatrics101


Q which vaccines are recommended for all children?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recom-mends children without contraindications receive the following series of vaccinations by age 6: hepatitis B; rotavirus; DTaP (diphthe-ria, tetanus and whooping cough); haemophi-lus influenza type b (Hib); pneumococcal (PCV); polio (IPV); measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); hepatitis A; and varicella (chickenpox).

Additional vaccines—such as for meningococcal meningitis or pneumococcal infection—may be recommended for certain babies.

Keep in mind that kids will also need additional vaccines again before age 18. The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for girls once they reach age 11, and may be given to boys as well. The meningococcal meningitis vaccine is recommended at age 11, along with a booster at 16 to 17 years. All children in public schools require a whooping cough/tetanus booster before entering sixth grade.

Q will vaccines give my child autism?

“Many parents are averse to certain vaccines with the thought that they may cause autism

and problems later on,” Dr. Riddle says.Addressing this concern, the Centers

for Disease Control states: “Some people believe increased exposure to thimerosal (from the addition of important new vaccines recommended for children) explains the higher prevalence [of autism] in recent years. However, evidence from several studies examining trends in vaccine use and changes in autism frequency does not support such an association. Furthermore, a scientific review by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that ‘the evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism.’”

Q Should i talk to my pediatrician about alternative medicine?

Both Drs. Swann and Riddle say they welcome a discussion with patients about alternative medicine or holistic approaches to treatment.

“We don’t disregard the option,” says Dr. Riddle. “We listen and try to work with the patient to make sure, above all, no harm is done.”

“My preference is that parents opt for a more integrative approach to medicine—the best of both worlds—rather than sticking to only alternative medicines,” Dr. Swann says. “I value gentle, natural remedies whenever possible and appropriate. Of course,

appropriateness includes a concern for safety, and weighing risks and benefits is always necessary for any form of medicine.”

Q my child is sick. Should i call my pediatrician, or

go to the er?“Spending time in the ER for none-mergencies is not the best use of time or financial resources, so it’s good to have a relationship with your family physician,” Dr. Swann says. "Your physician will be happy to help you decide where to go for care."

Cheese and CraCKers: Buying a healthy whole grain cracker and slicing a block of cheese is a much healthier way to go than prepackaged “cheese ‘n’ crackers.”

Charlotte Riddle, M.D., is a board-certified pediatrician who practices at Park Ridge Pediatrics.

trail mix: If you make your own trail mix, you can create it to meet your family’s tastes. Try including pretzels, dry cereal, nuts, dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, mango), sesame sticks and granola.

Some pediatricians and family practice offices have a 24-hour phone service to help patients determine the best course of action in case of illness or health emergency.

“[We have] a nurse triage service that takes first-line calls for simple questions, and that service calls us if there’s any need to come in and see a medical provider,” Dr. Riddle explains. “We like to be the patient’s medical home, so whether we’re seeing the patient or talking to them, we’re aware of all visits, whether in our office or other care centers.”

To schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified pediatricians or family physicians, please call 855-PRH-LIFE (774-5433).

Leah Swann, M.D., is a board-certified family practitioner who practices at Family Medicine at Biltmore Park.


in My ExpEriEncE

Jane Donnelly sees most things in a positive light. When she was referred to the Park Ridge Center for Wound Care and

Hyperbaric Medicine this year following the remission of her bladder cancer, Jane didn’t waste much time worrying about the treatment she would receive.

“I came into the whole situation with a very good attitude,” she says. “I always expect things to go well and I don’t dwell on the negative.”

Jane was referred to the Park Ridge Wound Care Center by Clifford Johnson, M.D., with Mountain View Urology, to help heal tissue damage, following chemotherapy treatments and

several surgeries. Her treatment consisted of a series of two-hour hyperbaric chamber visits,

for a total of 30 hours.

what treatment is like“The hyperbaric chambers were comfort-able, and the treatment was completely

non-invasive,” says Jane. “The nurses and physicians are so well-trained and make sure

you’re well taken care of while you are under-going your treatments.”“They have televisions so you can watch

movies while you’re in the hyperbaric chamber,

and everyone learned that I have a dreadful taste in movies,” she adds with a laugh.

While Jane spent her time relaxed and watching movies, such as The Mummy, the hyperbaric chamber’s elevated oxygen pressure was helping blood flow to the areas that needed assistance with healing. Much like diving deep below the ocean’s waves, hyperbaric chambers envelop participants in an atmospheric pressure much higher than normal, which helps to speed up the healing process as blood flows more freely to the areas that need it.

Though the hyperbaric chamber may seem like an unusual treatment option, Jane’s experience has made her certain of its benefits.

“My late husband dealt with wound-healing issues as a diabetic, and I wish we had been able to take him to Park Ridge to receive treatment,” she says. “I’m so glad I was able to receive the quality of care that I did from such a dedicated and compassionate team.”

Time doesn’t heal all wounds—and that’s where a special treatment comes in

Attitude Is Everything

Cancer survivor Jane Donnelly found healing for her wounds at the Park Ridge Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine—the only accredited hyperbaric medicine program in Western North Carolina.

Share your

experienceHave you had an

exceptional Park Ridge

experience? Send an email to

[email protected]

and you may be featured

in a future issue!

The hyperbaric chambers were comfortable, and the treatment was completely non-invasive.


wellness classesPark Ridge Health Wellness Classes are free and open to the public and take place in the Duke Conference Room at Park Ridge Health.No reservations are required.

Stress managementLane Godsey, Ph.D., Park Ridge Medical AssociatesAs January comes to a close, people tend to report feeling stressed and

unhappy as the holidays are over, the accom-panying bills are showing up, and winter has settled in. Dr. Godsey will share strategies for dealing with stress for a healthier, happier you. No lunch will be served, but feel free to bring your lunch from the Park Ridge Café and learn while you eat!Please preregister by January 25, 2012, by calling 1.855.PRH.LIFE (777-5433).

caLEndar oF EvEnts fAll 2011

park ridge Baby place classesFor more information or to register, please call 828.681.BABY or visit parkridgebabies.com

childbirth class– one-day option$90 per coupleEager to learn but juggling a frantic schedule? Our childbirth class is

also available as a one-day session (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.), with the same interactive format that involves mom and dad. The class will cover the comprehensive range of topics available in our four-week series, but in a full-day class. Moms and dads will also receive a special tour of The Baby Place where they will welcome their baby into the world. Please bring three pillows and a baby doll or stuffed animal to class.

celebrate pregnancy–weekend option$99 per couple (with massage)*/$65 per couple (class only)

Pregnancy is a time to relax, reflect and pre-pare mentally, physically and spiritually for the transition to motherhood. A shortened version (8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) of our regular childbirth class, with an exciting twist cover-ing important events leading up to birth to labor techniques and labor support. Lots of laughter and fun as you learn what you need to know for the big day. Please bring three pillows and a blanket to class.*This class also includes a ($65 value) massage voucher with the $99 fee.

wellness on wheels (w.o.w.) ScreeningsThe Wellness on Wheels (W.O.W.) bus trav-els throughout Buncombe and Henderson Counties to provide free and low-cost health screenings. No appointment required. For a complete calendar of upcoming loca-tions, please visit the Events Calendar on parkridgehealth.org.

Noon

9 a.m.

8 a.m.

register nowfor a complete Park Ridge Health event calendar and detailed event information, please visit parkridgehealth.org or call 1-855-prH-LiFE (774-5433).

Join charlotte Riddle, M.D., pediatrician and child behavior specialist from Park Ridge Pediatrics, for this free presentation at The Health Adventure’s great new location in the Biltmore Square Mall. your kids will have the opportunity to play and learn while you attend the presentation, and kid-approved refreshments will be served.

monday, January 23 (inclement weather date: Monday, January 30)6–8 p.m.Biltmore Square mall (exit 33 off i-26)freecall 855.prH.LiFE (774.5433) to RSVP for this event today!

touch points: addressing

challenging Behaviors in

children

spEciaL EvEnt!


non-Profit org.U.S. PoSTAGE

PAiDPermit no. 62columbus Wi

Park Ridge Health100 Hospital Drive Hendersonville, nc 28792

HO

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Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway

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LAUREL PARK


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Gas station

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visit us: off interstate 26, exit 44on the Web:parkridgehealth.orgcall us:828.684.8501

Park Ridge Health100 Hospital Drive Hendersonville, nc 28792

Experience editor Jennifer D. Perez

Connect with Us! Do you have a question about Experience magazine? Is there something you’d like to see in future issues? Share your thoughts by contacting [email protected].

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Experience - Fall 2011 Issue