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BROUGHT TO YOU BY GALESBURG COTTAGE HOSPITAL CottageHospital.com Spring 2013 Health Connection PAGE 7 Get your colonoscopy PAGE 6 Keeping Galesburg’s newborns safe Page 10 End-of-life comfort with Dr. Strauch Page 12 A holistic family practice New allergy clinic See page 3

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Page 1: Health Connectionwebapps.chs.net/HealthConnections/Spring 2013/Div5/CHS... · 2013-05-17 · tive thyroid gland, or arrhythmia, an abnormal heart rhythm. The beat goes on If your

brought to you by galesburg cottage hospital

C o t t a g e H o s p i t a l . c o m • S p r i n g 2 0 1 3

HealthConnection

page 7

Get your colonoscopy

page 6

Keeping Galesburg’s newborns safe

Page 10

End-of-life comfort with Dr. Strauch

Page 12

A holistic family practice

New allergy clinic

See page 3

Page 2: Health Connectionwebapps.chs.net/HealthConnections/Spring 2013/Div5/CHS... · 2013-05-17 · tive thyroid gland, or arrhythmia, an abnormal heart rhythm. The beat goes on If your

2 Spring 2013

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Secondhand smoke affects more than your lungs If you misplaced your keys this morning, don’t be so quick to blame your age. In

addition to affecting your lungs, new research suggests that secondhand smoke may contribute to memory lapses, too. When comparing the memory func-tion of a group of smokers to two groups of nonsmokers, scientists found that smokers performed the worst on memory tests, forgetting 30 percent more than nonsmokers who weren’t exposed to secondhand smoke. Interestingly, one group of nonsmokers—people who had been regularly exposed to secondhand smoke for an average of more than four years—forgot almost 20 percent more in the memory tests than the nonsmokers who weren’t

exposed to secondhand smoke. Avoiding secondhand smoke can have numerous benefits because smoking

is also linked to other serious conditions, such as lung cancer. For some, memory loss may be unavoidable, but keeping your mind active may help strengthen your

memory. Change up your routine and challenge your mind with new situations. Exercise, such as walking, and games, such as puzzles, are a great way to work out your mind.

What’s the beef? A juicy, pan-fried steak can sure hit the spot. But that delicious piece of red meat may actually increase your risk of prostate cancer by up to 40 percent. A new study examined the data of nearly 2,000 men involved in a prostate cancer study and asked them questions about the types of meat and poul-try they ate, how they cooked it and how well done they liked their meat. The results showed that men who ate more than 1.5 servings of pan-fried meat per week increased their risk of advanced prostate cancer by 30 percent, and those who ate more than 2.5 servings per week increased the risk by 40 percent.

Researchers think that the increased risk results from cancer-causing chemicals that are formed when sugars and amino acids are cooked at higher temperatures for lon-ger periods of time. To lower your cancer risk, limit the amount of fat you consume from animal sources, and instead eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and foods such as whole grains and beans.

Healthbriefs Multivitamins may lessen cancer risk

Ever wonder if that multivitamin you take every morning is actually hav-ing a health benefit? Well, for men, it may lower the risk of cancer, accord-ing to a new study published in The Journal of the American Medical

Association. The study tracked more than 14,000 male doctors, all at least 50 years old, who were

randomly assigned to take either a multivitamin or a placebo each day. After about 11 years, researchers found an 8 percent reduction in total cancers among men who took the multivitamins. However, the study found no impact on rates of prostate cancer, the most common type of cancer among the men in the study.

While the connection between multivitamins and cancer risk is still unclear, scientists hypothesize that multivitamins may help because they mimic the content of fruits and veg-etables, which have been linked with cancer reduction. Multivitamins are beneficial in preventing vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

2 Spring 2013

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70gch 3Spring 2013 • CottageHospital.com

When you think of spring, you

probably think of flowers, warm

sunshine and fresh, green trees. If

you’re one of the millions of people who

suffer from allergies, however, spring

may not seem so picturesque. But hope

has arrived with the opening of the

Allergy Clinic at Cottage Ear, Nose and

Throat, located at 834 N. Seminary St.,

Suite 405, in Galesburg.

The clinic specializes in screening,

testing and treatment for a variety of

allergies, including environmental (trees,

grasses and weeds), animal, mold and

food allergies.

What to expectAt the clinic, patients are first seen by

Sandra Ettema, M.D., Ph.D., a board-

certified ear, nose and throat special-

ist and a member of the medical staff

at Galesburg Cottage Hospital, or Leila

Miller, P.A.-C., and asked to fill out a brief

questionnaire and give a history of their

sinus and allergy problems. A complete

allergy screening follows, with serums

Allergy Clinic opens at Cottage ENT

DEAr friEnDS, At Galesburg Cottage Hospital, we pride ourselves on providing great customer service. That’s why we’re focusing heavily on this important subject. We’re continually working to provide you with quality care, close to home.

One way we focus on your satisfaction is with patient satisfaction surveys. We’re proud of the fact that our obstetrics unit and the emergency depart-ment are ranked near the top—90th percentile—among similar units in approximately 600 hospitals. This accomplishment is a direct reflection on the medical staff and employees at Cottage Hospital. It’s our privilege to serve the local community with quality care.

In the remainder of 2013, we’ll continue to focus on exceeding your expectations in the hopes that you’ll always feel comfortable recommending Cottage Hospital to your family and friends when they need a hospital. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and your family. Thank you for entrusting your care to us.

Sincerely,

Earl TamarChief Executive Officer Galesburg Cottage Hospital

earl tamarChief Executive officer

A message from our cEo

placed on the patient’s forearm skin. If

there’s a reaction to any of the serums, the

patient moves on to skin prick testing.

Finding reliefTreatment options include medication or

immunotherapy in the form of weekly

allergy shots or daily sublingual drops

(liquid drops under the tongue). If a child is

taking a lot of allergy medications, under-

going immunotherapy, which improves

symptoms in the long term, may make his

or her symptoms less severe as an adult.

“Allergy treatment benefits patients by

building up their immune systems to the

allergens they’re allergic to in the environ-

ment,” Dr. Ettema says.

call now!to learn more about the Allergy Clinic or to make an appointment

with Dr. Ettema or Leila Miller, P.A.-C., call Cottage Ear, Nose and throat at (309) 343-1632.

Sandra Ettema, M.D., Ph.D. (left), and Leila

Miller, P.A.-C.

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stretching and warm-up exercises for you,

which is critical in preventing injuries,”

says Dr. Stachniw. Cool down after vigor-

ous activities to bring your heart rate down

gradually.

Do use proper form to reduce your

risk of overuse injuries like tendinitis

and stress fractures. “Have your range of

motion and muscle strength evaluated by

a physical therapist,” says Dr. Stachniw.

Do use appropriate safety gear. Make

sure your equipment is the correct size,

fits well and is in good repair.

Do accept your body’s limits. You may

not be able to perform at the same level

you did 10 or 20 years ago. Modify activi-

ties as necessary.

Don’t increase your exercise level too quickly. Build up gradually, especially if

you’ve been inactive.

Do cross-train. Not only does striving

for a total body workout of cardiovas-

cular, strength training and flexibility

exercises promote overall fitness, it also

reduces injury risk.

Do stay hydrated. Drink water before,

during and after your workout—aim for

about a cup of fluid every 20 minutes

while exercising.

While physical activity is key to

overall health, doing too much too

quickly—or without proper train-

ing or equipment—can take a toll on your

health in the form of an injury. But you

can help prevent sports injuries by taking

a few simple precautions.

Gain without painMiddle-aged athletes are particularly

vulnerable to injury. With age comes a

loss of agility and resilience, especially if

it’s been a while since you’ve been active.

“Consult with your doctor before begin-

ning any vigorous exercise,” says Myron

Stachniw, M.D., a board-certified ortho-

pedic surgeon and a member of the medi-

cal staff at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.

While you can certainly gain strength,

flexibility and balance through exercise,

start out slow and steady. To help prevent

injury, follow these do’s and don’ts:

Don’t try to pack a week’s worth of activity into a weekend. Aim to maintain a

moderate level of activity throughout the

week.

Do warm up before exercise, even

before less vigorous activities like golf. “A

physical therapist can help design a set of

The game plan: Avoid sports injuries

Injury symptoms Never try to “play through” pain. Exercising after an injury may worsen the injury. Sports injuries can be classified into two types: acute and chronic. Acute injuries, such as sprained ankles or fractures, occur suddenly. Symptoms may include: a bone or joint that’s visibly out of place

extreme leg or arm weakness

inability to move a joint or place weight on a leg, knee, ankle or foot

sudden, severe pain tenderness or swelling

Chronic injuries, such as tendinitis or stress fractures, occur over time due to repeated use or overuse. Symptoms may include: a dull ache at rest pain when you play or exercise

swellingCall your doctor if you

experience any of these symptoms.

4 Spring 2013 • CottageHospital.com 70GCH

myron stachniw, m.D.Orthopedic Surgeon

Have an injury?to make an

appointment with Dr. Stachniw, call (309) 341-1300.

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HealthWise QUIZHow much do you know about allergies and asthma?

Take ThIs QUIZ To fInd oUT.

Answers: 1. c, 2. b, 3. d, 4. a, 5. c

1 All of the following are common allergens except:

a. pollen b. dust c. wood d. food

2 Anaphylaxis is:a. an allergy to latex

b. a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction

c. a type of asthma d. a minor allergic reaction that

doesn’t require treatment

3 Which of the following is a type of asthma?

a. exercise-induced asthma b. allergic asthma c. occupational asthma d. all of the above

4 Symptoms of an asthma attack may include:

a. wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain or tightness

b. sudden numbness, especially on one side of the body

c. memory loss and difficulty learning new information

d. a bright red rash that covers most of the body

5 Asthma medications may include: a. inhaled corticosteroids

(“control” medicine) b. short-acting beta-agonists

(“rescue” medicine) c. both a and b d. none of the above

If you’ve ever felt your heart

pounding in your throat dur-

ing a tough workout, you

know what heart palpitations feel

like. In fact, most of us have felt

heart palpitations at one time or

another—the heart flutters, pounds,

races or seems to skip a beat. While

episodes of irregular heartbeat are

common and often harmless, they

can sometimes signal a more serious

condition.

Heart palpitations can have

a variety of everyday causes,

including:

• asthma, cold and cough medica-

tions that contain stimulants

• caffeine

• fever

• hormone changes during menstru-

ation, pregnancy or menopause

• nicotine

• strenuous exercise

• stress or anxiety

Sometimes heart palpitations

are a symptom of another condition,

such as hyperthyroidism, an overac-

tive thyroid gland, or arrhythmia, an

abnormal heart rhythm.

The beat goes onIf your doctor determines that your

palpitations result from another

medical issue, treatment will focus

on managing the underlying condi-

tion. If your doctor has ruled out

other conditions, the best way to

prevent heart palpitations is to avoid

your triggers. Try these strategies:

Avoid stimulants. Limit caffeine

intake, avoid nicotine and talk with

your doctor before taking any

over-the-counter medicine or

supplements. Your doctor may

suggest changing your current

medication if a drug you take

regularly is found to be the source

of the palpitations.

Reduce stress and anxiety. Try

exercising more, talking with a

friend or practicing relaxation

techniques like meditation or

breathing exercises.

Don’t smoke. If you currently

smoke, talk with your doctor about

getting help to quit.

Heart palpitations: causes and treatments

When do I need a doctor?If you’ve never experienced palpitations before, see your doctor to put your mind at ease. If your palpitations are infrequent and last only a few seconds, evaluation usually isn’t necessary. If you have a history of heart disease or have frequent palpitations, talk to your doctor. Call your doctor right away if you have: more than six extra heart-beats per minute or they come in groups of three or more

risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure

new or different heart palpitations

a pulse more than 100 beats per minute at rest

Seek emergency medical help if heart palpitations are accompanied by: chest discomfort or pain fainting or severe dizziness severe shortness of breath

5Spring 2013

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An unsafe sleep environment—

including blankets and fluffy bed-

ding in a crib—is one of the biggest

risk factors for sudden infant death

syndrome (SIDS). Plans are currently in

the works at Galesburg Cottage Hospital

to send a sleep sack home with new

parents—in addition to the hospital’s for-

mula or breastfeeding gift bag and book

on parenting, says Melissa Stewart, R.N.,

B.S.N., director of obstetrics. These zip-up

wearable blankets will be offered instead

of traditional blankets and will be used

during the baby’s hospital stay. The sleep

sacks will also be available in the hospi-

tal’s gift shop.

“The risk of SIDS is greatest during

the first year of life,” says Lorraine

Garland, M.D., an Ob/Gyn and a member

of the medical staff at Cottage Hospital.

“Nobody knows exactly what causes SIDS,

which makes prevention all the more

important.”

Reducing the risk of SIDSbecause experts don’t know the exact cause of SIDS, it’s important to take certain measures to reduce the risk of occurrence: Create a safe sleep environment.

Place infants to sleep on their backs on a firm crib or bassinet mattress without blankets, pillows, bumpers, positioning devices and soft toys. Some research also suggests keeping a fan in the baby’s room can reduce the risk of SIDS. Skip co-sleeping with your baby.

Adult mattresses aren’t safe for infants, and you run the risk of rolling over on your baby. Also, avoid falling asleep with your baby on a couch or chair. Skip heavy sleep clothes to avoid

overheating. use just enough clothing to keep baby warm. Quit smoking. According to the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chemicals in secondhand smoke may affect the way a baby’s brain regulates breathing. Consider breastfeeding. Any

amount reduces the risk of SIDS, but breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months decreases risk the most. Offer baby a pacifier. Some

research has shown that pacifiers may lower the SIDS risk. If you’re breastfeeding, wait until your baby is about 1 month old or you’ve established a healthy feeding routine.

Keeping babies safe

Have a special deliveryFor more information or to make an appointment with Dr. garland, call

Cottage ob/gyN at (309) 343-3303.

lorraine garlanD, m.D. Ob/gyn

Cottage Hospital teaches parents about SIDS

In keeping with SIDS awareness, Cottage

Hospital will be using sleep sacks for babies during their hospital

stays.

70GCH6 Spring 2013 • CottageHospital.com

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A simple screening= lives saved!

Almost everyone who has had a

colonoscopy at age 50 remarks

that the procedure wasn’t so bad.

It was the prep that was terrible. Sure,

spending the night close to the bathroom

isn’t high on one’s list of a thrilling

evening, but most admit it’s well worth

the discomfort and inconvenience. Why?

Because the colonoscopy is more than

just a screening—it’s the most powerful

weapon for preventing colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopy can prevent the disease by

removing polyps that may develop into

cancer down the road. Since polyps can

take as long as 10 to 15 years to develop

into colorectal cancer, regular and

early screening can lessen the odds of

a polyp becoming cancerous.

A colonoscopy is a visual exam of

the large intestine conducted while the

patient is anesthetized. Using a lighted

flexible video scope, a surgeon or

gastroenterologist directs the instrument

through the colon as electronic signals

transmit images to a nearby computer

Colorectal cancer: Know the symptomsAlthough colorectal cancer often appears without symptoms, notify your doctor if you notice any of the following: a change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of the stool that lasts a few days

cramping or gnawing stomach pain decreased appetite jaundice rectal bleeding, dark stools or blood in the stool vomiting weight loss weakness and fatigue

Don’t delay … Get screened!

to schedule your colonoscopy, call

Mark Davis M.D., FACS, a member of the medical staff at galesburg Cottage

hospital, at (309) 343-7773. his office is

located in Suite 503 on the fifth floor of the Cottage Medical Plaza-Seminary building in galesburg.

70GCH 7Spring 2013 • CottageHospital.com

screen. An open channel in the tool

allows entry of other instruments that

can perform biopsies, remove polyps

or inject solutions. Following a short

recovery period, patients are home

soon and are quickly back to their

regular eating patterns.

The Agency for Healthcare

Research and Quality reports that

only half of Americans ages 50 and

older have had a colonoscopy. Close to

150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer

are anticipated this year alone, but

increased screening could lower this

staggering number.

To make getting a colonoscopy

just a little more convenient, some

physicians’ offices offer patients

“direct access.” After successfully

answering a series of questions

regarding their health status, patients

can skip the pre-procedure office visit

and directly schedule the screening

procedure, saving both time and

an office copay.

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Your best weapon in the fight against disease? Early detection.

Generally, the earlier a condition is caught, the more effective

the treatment and the more likely you’ll be to ward off any

complications.

Numerous medical organizations have developed screening

recommendations, and opinions vary on the timing and frequency

of these screenings. Because of your personal or family medical

history, your doctor may recommend a different schedule than the

one below. As always, talk with your doctor about the screening

schedule that’s right for you.

Women: screenings for you

8 Spring 2013

Test What it does When to get it Recommendations from …Blood pressure screening

Measures the force of blood against artery walls

Age 18+, at least every 2 years Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure

Bone mineral density test

Screens for osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones)

Age 65+, at least once National Osteoporosis Foundation

Clinical breast exam Physical exam for breast lumps or irregularities

Age 20–39, every 3 years Age 40+, yearly

American Cancer Society

Colon cancer screening

Tests for colon cancer Beginning at age 50, women should follow one of two schedules:

1 Tests that find polyps and cancer: flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, colonoscopy every 10 years, double-contrast barium enema every 5 years or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

2 Tests that mainly detect cancer: fecal occult blood test every year or fecal immunochemical test every year

American Cancer Society

Diabetes screening Tests for high blood sugar

Age 45+, every 3 years American Diabetes Association

Eye exam Tests vision and eye health

Age 18–60, every 2 years Age 61+, yearly

American Optometric Association

Fasting lipoprotein profile

Tests cholesterol levels, a measure of heart health

Age 20+, every 5 years National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel

Mammogram Tests for breast cancer Age 40+, yearly American Cancer Society

Pap test Tests for cervical cancer Age 21–29, every 3 years Age 30–65, Pap test plus HPV test every 5 years

American Cancer Society

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9Spring 2013

The need for vaccines doesn’t end

when you reach adulthood. In fact,

the need for immunization—in

some cases, re-immunization—lasts a

lifetime. Not only does immunity fade

over time, but newer vaccines, such as

for chickenpox, may not have existed

when you were a child.

If you’re 19–26 years old …In addition to your annual flu shot, you’ll

need the following vaccines:

Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis: One

dose of the Tdap vaccine followed by a

Td booster every 10 years

Chickenpox: Two doses if you never had

chickenpox

HPV: Three doses for women ages 19–26;

three doses for men ages 19–21 (men ages

22–26 with certain risk factors may also

get this vaccine; talk with your doctor to

see if you’re at higher risk)

Measles, mumps and rubella: One or

two doses

If you’re 27–59 years old …In addition to your annual flu shot,

Vaccines: not just for kidsyou’ll need the following vaccines:

Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis: One dose of the Tdap vaccine

followed by a Td booster every

10 years

Chickenpox: Two doses if you never

had chickenpox

Measles, mumps and rubella: One or

two doses (if you’re over age 55, talk

with your doctor to see if you need

the vaccine)

If you’re 60 or older …In addition to your annual flu shot, you’ll

need the following vaccines:

Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis: One

dose of the Tdap vaccine followed by a

Td booster every 10 years

Chickenpox: Two doses if you never had

chickenpox

Shingles: One dose

Measles, mumps and rubella: Adults

older than 60 with certain risk factors

may also get this vaccine; talk with your

doctor to see if you’re at higher risk

Pneumonia: One dose if you’re

age 65 or older

speak with your doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor to

discuss whether you’re up to date on your

immunizations.

Other vaccinesDepending on your medical history and risk factors you may also need the: pneumonia vaccine meningitis vaccine hepatitis A or B vaccine

Talk with your doctor about the vaccine schedule that’s right for you.

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70gch10 Spring 2013 • CottageHospital.com

Completing one board certification

is difficult for any doctor. But for

Carl Strauch, M.D., one just wasn’t

enough. Recently, Dr. Strauch received

his board certification in hospice and

palliative medicine (his third), adding

to his existing board certifications in

geriatric and internal medicine. His new

board certification allows him to offer

quality, compassionate care for people

with life-limiting conditions.

“I had the experience and wanted

to add to my skill set and knowledge,”

says Dr. Strauch, who is currently the

medical director of Hospice Compassus

in Knox County. “As people reach a

certain age and have to deal with end-

of-life issues, I can help them make

those important decisions.”

A natural progressionDr. Strauch has been practic-

ing medicine for more

than 30 years and was

influenced by his

father, a general

practitioner from

Canton, to

pursue a medi-

cal career. “I

wanted to

talk and work

with people

Carl Strauch, M.D., becomes a triple board-certified doctor

70GCH

carl strauch, m.D.geriatric Medicine

on a personal level and to make people’s

lives better,” he says.

Dr. Strauch has been involved in

hospice care for more than 20 years and

felt that it was a natural progression to

complete his board certification in hos-

pice and palliative medicine. “Sometimes

treatment is worse than the disease, and

I want to give people something else to

consider.” Dr. Strauch says he often rec-

ommends hospice care to people sooner

rather than later.

When less is moreMany people come to hospice care at the

very end of their lives, but Dr. Strauch

believes that by coming sooner, hospice

can provide better care and more options

to help people live positive lives. “It’s

rewarding work,” he says. “We see more

people wanting to come off medicine and

be comfortable for as long as they can.

We make it easier because we under-

stand what they need.”

When not working with patients,

Dr. Strauch enjoys exercising and read-

ing presidential biographies. But devot-

ing himself to his patients’ care is the

No. 1 reason he followed in his father’s

footsteps. “Medicine does a lot, but

sometimes it does more than is needed,”

says Dr. Strauch. “I want to help people

enjoy the rest of their lives.”

make an appointment!Dr. Strauch cares for a variety of medical conditions, including memory loss, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis and frailty. to make an appoint-

ment with Dr. Strauch or learn more about the benefits of hospice care, call Cottage Internal Medicine at (309) 342-9189.

Quality end-of-life care

Dr. Strauch is a member of the medical staff at

Galesburg Cottage Hospital.

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11Spring 2013

In addition to providing the

skeletal structure for your body

that allows you to walk, run or

do virtually any other activity you enjoy,

your bones help protect your organs,

anchor muscles and store calcium.

That’s why it’s important to maintain

bone health throughout your life.

Bone basicsYour bones continually rebuild. In fact,

your skeleton completely regenerates

itself about every 10 years, replacing old

pieces of bone with new bone. Over time,

your bones can be weakened as a result

of genetic factors, poor nutrition, physical

inactivity and hormonal loss. While you

can’t control all of these factors, you can

take steps to improve your bone health at

any age.

Understand your risk. Talk with your

doctor about bone metabolism and bone

density testing, which can provide infor-

mation about your fracture risk.

Get moving. Weight-bearing activities,

such as walking, help build strong bones.

Aim for 30 minutes of daily activity.

Maintain a healthy weight. If you’re

underweight, you may have a higher

risk of bone loss. Conversely, being

overweight increases the risk of falling.

Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. See “Eating for bone health” below.

Don’t smoke. Smoking can reduce bone

mass and increase your fracture risk.

Limit alcohol. Heavy alcohol use

reduces bone mass and increases your

fracture risk.

Talk with your doctor about bone- boosting medications. Medications

are available that slow bone loss and

increase bone strength.

bone health for all ages

Eating for bone healthGood nutrition gives your body the nutrients it needs to rebuild new bone. Make sure your diet includes these nutritional building blocks for strong, healthy bones: Calcium: Adults ages 19–50 should aim for 1,000 mg daily; adults older than age 50 should increase their intake to 1,200 mg a day. Good sources of calcium include dairy products like milk and cheese, green vegetables like broccoli, nuts and calcium-fortified foods.

Vitamin D: This vitamin helps the body absorb calcium. Your body creates vitamin D through sun exposure—10 minutes of sun a day is often all you need. Dietary sources of vitamin D include fish like herring, sardines, salmon or tuna; liver; eggs; and fortified foods.

Other vitamins and minerals: Phosphorus, zinc and magnesium, along with vitamins K and A, help in bone formation and normal bone metabolism.

Over time, your bones can be

weakened as a result of genetic factors,

poor nutrition, physical inactivity and

hormonal loss.

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“I’m a good listener, and so are my

staff,” Dr. DeYoung says. “That can

be more than half the battle.” Often,

he says, patients feel like healthcare

providers don’t really listen, “so I take

the extra time to talk with them.”

Dr. DeYoung has also been known to

make the occasional house call. “I don’t

do a lot of them, but there are people who

can’t be reached or just can’t get out,”

he says. He recalls one incident when

a patient couldn’t be reached by phone

about an abnormal lab test, and he went

out to that person’s house to talk about

the results.

Going the extra mile is just a given

because interacting with patients often

doesn’t end at the office. “I see my patients

in the grocery store and at the lumber

yard. If I go out to dinner—I may be

treating several of my party’s family

members,” he says. “I’m really a part

of this small community.”

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mark Deyoung, m.D.Family Practice

Over the years, modern medicine

has made significant advances in

treatment options and has improved

many patients’ quality of life. But what

has seemingly been lost in the accompany-

ing shuffle of appointments and insurance

forms is that personal touch that was the

hallmark of the “hometown doctor.”

“One of the things we do at our practice

is really learn about the patient, not just

their ailments,” says Mark DeYoung, M.D.,

a board-certified family practice doctor

and a member of the medical staff at

Galesburg Cottage Hospital. He has been

treating patients—first in Michigan, then

in Knoxville, Ill.—for 30 years.

From the time he was a child, the

holistic approach of developing a rela-

tionship with the patient and treating the

whole person was enough to convince

Dr. DeYoung to pursue a career in family

practice medicine.

The hometown touchProviding care in a family practice setting

takes certain qualities to be successful.

Treating the whole person—not just an illness

A holistic approach to family practice

Looking for a primary care doctor?If you’d like to make an appointment with Dr. Deyoung,

call Cottage Clinic–Knoxville at (309) 289-2341.