Health Journal Spring 2011

HealthJournalHealthJournalNORTH MISSISSIPPI

SPRING 2011

A healthyand happy pregnancy

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NORTH MISSISSIPPI HEALTH JOURNAL | 3

The North MississippiHealth Journal is a publication of the

Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

SPRING 2011

EditorLeslie Criss

PhotographyC. Todd Sherman

Thomas Wells

AdvertisingDirector

Richard Crenshaw

Special Section Advertising

Project LeaderAmy Speck

Layout DesignDaily Journal staff

To subscribe to receive the

Northeast Mississippi Daily

Journal, call (662) 678-1617.

To advertise in this or other

supplements of the

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Daily Journal, call Amy

Speck at (662) 678-1611.

COVER PHOTO BY THOMAS WELLS:Anna “Buddy” Holland of Tupelo wasexpecting her second child.

Healthy families - 4

Healthy babies - 10

Lasik surgery - 14

Kids & glasses - 16

Eyes & aging - 17

Macular degeneration - 18

Dealing with dizziness - 20

Colonoscopies - 22

Hold the salt - 24

Aging & the blues - 26

Support groups - 28

INSIDE nn

By Michaela Gibson MorrisDaily Journal

Women have beengiving birth forthousands of years.

But a healthypregnancy doesn’t happen auto-matically.

“Most pregnancies are straight-forward and uncomplicated, butfor some there will be problems

that need to be addressed,” saidNew Albany obstetrician-gynecol-ogist Dr. Eric Frohn. “Routine pre-natal care will help to keep these

HEALTHY FAMILIESBUILDING

Straightforwardguidelines help

deliver a healthypregnancy

Good prenatal care and family supportare critical for a healthy pregnancy.Anna “Buddy” Holland, husband JR andson Spencer, 3, welcomed LaneyKathryn into the world two weeks afterthis photo was taken.

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HELPFUL HINTSä MMaakkee aa lliisstt ooff qquueessttiioonnssbetween visits so you don’t

forget anything.

ä GGeett DDaadd--ttoo--bbee iinnvvoollvveedd..Bring him to visits, especially

the first meeting with the doctor and when ultrasounds

are scheduled.

ä CCoonnssiiddeerr pprreeggnnaannccyy aaddvviicceefrom other people or from theWeb critically. Especially with

online sources, look for information that’s been

reviewed by physicians or comesfrom well-respected sources like

the March of Dimes.

• www.webmd.com• www.marchofdimes.com

• www.cdc.gov

BE SAFEä BBeeyyoonndd aavvooiiddiinngg aallccoohhooll,,

tobacco and other harmful sub-stances, moms-to-be need to

steer clear of everyday foods thatcould potentially hurt the baby.

ä UUnnppaassttuurriizzeedd mmiillkk products – that includes feta

cheese and raw milk.

ä UUnnccooookkeedd mmeeaatt.. No rawsushi, oysters or rare steaks.

ä HHeeaatt iitt uupp ttoo kkiillll bbaacctteerriiaa.. Delimeat that’s been open for morethan 72 hours should be heated

to steaming before it’s eaten.

ä SSaayy nnoo ttoo sswwoorrddffiisshh,, tilefish,shark and king mackerel that

are likely to have mercury exposure. Limit other fish to

no more than 12 ounces aweek. Don’t eat more than 6ounces of white tuna a week.

CAT DUTYä YYoouu ddoonn’’tt hhaavvee ttoo kkiicckk yyoouurrccaattss oouutt ooff tthhee hhoouussee.. However,someone else does need to takeover the chore of cleaning out

the litter box to avoid exposureto toxoplasmosis (We know that

breaks your heart.) Wash yourhands after petting the cats.


problems to a minimum.” Good prenatal care and

education can help parents-to-be navigate pregnancy andbirth with more confidenceand smoother transitions totheir lives as moms and dads.

There’s no such thing as aperfect pregnancy, becauselife happens.

“The more options youhave, the better you are ableto handle what comes,” saidKathy Shoalmire, childbirtheducator and lactation con-sultant at Baptist MemorialHospital-North Mississippi.

The foundation for a goodpregnancy begins beforeconception.

“It really does make a dif-ference if you start outhealthy,” said Tupelo obste-trician-gynecologist Dr.Brandy Patterson.

Women need to get theirown health care in order sothey can be healthy moms.Obstetricians encouragewomen considering preg-nancy to start an over-the-counter prenatal vitaminand extra folic acid, so theyhave plenty of crucial nutri-ents during early pregnancy.

It’s important to makesure immunizations are upto date. Rubella and chick-enpox can be devastating tobabies in the womb, andwhooping cough can threat-en the lives of newborns.With the exception of a flushot, you can’t catch up onvaccines during pregnancy.

While it isn’t necessary tobe at an ideal body weight tocarry a pregnancy, it’s mucheasier on the body to startpregnancy at a healthyweight, Patterson said.

Obstetricians encouragepreconception visits, espe-cially for women who haven’talready establish a patient-doctor relationship, Pattersonsaid. The doctor can gatheran in-depth, personal med-ical history on the mom-to-be and delve into family his-tories of any birth defectsthat might be relevant.

Much of the crucial devel-opment for a baby takesplace during the first six toeight weeks. The first symp-toms of pregnancy – missedperiod, morning sickness – t

don’t emerge until four to sixweeks, Patterson said. Thatmeans women who are tryingto get pregnant should con-sider what substances aregoing into their bodies.

For women who are beingtreated for health conditionslike diabetes, high bloodpressure, high cholesterol,anxiety and depression, it’scritically important to have apreconception visit. Many ofthe medications commonlyused for those conditions canhave negative effects on adeveloping baby.

“You want to get on some-thing safe, so the baby is neverexposed,” Patterson said.

Likewise, this is the time to

get help with addictions totobacco or other substances.The medications thatincrease the chance of suc-cess in quitting cigarettescan’t be used during preg-nancy.

Because of the risk of fetalalcohol syndrome, womenshould stop consuming alco-hol while they are trying toconceive as well.

Not every pregnancy isplanned, but every mom-to-be should access early prena-tal care.

“Ideally we need to see youafter you’ve had that firstpositive pregnancy test, so wecan address all the issues,”Patterson said.

“An early ultrasound is thebest at accurately dating thepregnancy,” Frohn said.Those early visits establishimportant baselines onweight, blood pressure andlab tests that are crucial tomonitoring the health ofmom and baby.

Subsequent prenatal visitsare also very important,Frohn said. In addition toblood pressure screenings,taking weight and measure-ments, the doctor will verifythe baby’s heartbeat. Lateron, there will be a screeningtest for gestational diabetes.

It’s important for women totake good care of themselvesthrough their pregnancy. The

body is doing tremendouswork as it builds a new lifeand requires more rest andthe best possible fuel.

Weight gain in pregnancyshould follow the Goldilocksrule – not too much, not toolittle, just right.

“The amount she gainsdepends on how much sheweighs at the beginning ofpregnancy, and she shouldreview this with a physician,”Frohn said.

Moms-to-be should addsome extra healthy foods totheir diet. It’s not eating fortwo adults; it’s eating for anadult and a very tiny baby –about 300 extra calories aday. Lean proteins, extra cal-

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“Ideally we need to see you after you’ve had thatfirst positive pregnancy test, so we can address allthe issues.” – Tupelo obstetrician-gynecologist Brandy Patterson


cium, whole grains and lotsof fruits and vegetablesshould be the mainstays of apregnant woman’s diet.

“You need to eat healthierand smarter,” Patterson said.

Shoalmire suggests that allexpecting moms follow alow-salt diet.

“Nearly everyone hassome swelling by the end,”she said.

Women who have beenexercising before pregnancycan generally continue thoseactivities with a few modifi-cations to decrease the riskof falls and overheating. Formost women, their bodieswill tell them when theyneed to ease up on anybouncing.

“If it pulls too much, hurts,don’t do it,” Patterson said.

For women who haven’tbeen active, gentle low-impact exercise like walking,water aerobics and swim-ming are great choices.

“It really does strengthenthe pelvic floor,” critical fordelivering the baby,Patterson said.

Prenatal yoga strengthens

those muscles and delivers acalming effect, for newmoms who may be stressedout, Shoalmire said.

The baby is going to comewhether mom and dad areready or not. Childbirth class-es are highly recommendedfor first-time parents.

“It helps take the anxietypiece away; they know whatto expect,” Patterson said.

Most labor and deliveryclasses focus on deliveringinformation to couples aboutlabor, comfort measures andsome newborn care.

“When you’re in labor, somany things are going on, somany changes in the body,it’s too much information,”said Tommie Pinkins, aLamaze certified educator atNorth Mississippi MedicalCenter Women’s Hospital.“Couples do better whenthey get the informationbefore the baby is born.”

But the benefits gobeyond knowing what stageof labor follows the next.

“Many times they devel-op camaraderie with otherexpectant moms,” Pinkins

said.Hospitals with labor and

delivery services typically pro-vide a series of childbirthclasses. Both BaptistMemorial Hospital-NorthMississippi in Oxford andNorth Mississippi MedicalCenter Women’s Hospital inTupelo offer childbirth classesas a multi-week evening classseries and weekend classes,where the material is coveredin one or two longer sessions.

The multi-week seriesgives new parents more timeto absorb the information.The weekend sessions are agood fit for those who livetoo far from the hospital tocome in the evenings or whohave work schedule conflicts.

There are also communityresources, like the NortheastMississippi Birthing Project,part of a national coalition,that offers pregnancy, par-enting and life skills educa-tion, and The Parents asTeachers program offeredthrough the Lee CountyFamily Resource Center.

In addition to childbirthclasses, breastfeeding class-

Preterm laborPreterm labor can occur between

20 and 37 weeks of gestation.

Symptoms can include:ä CCoonnttrraaccttiioonnss – your abdomen

tightens – every 10 minutes or moreä CChhaannggee iinn vvaaggiinnaall ddiisscchhaarrggee –

fluid or bleeding from your vaginaä PPeellvviicc pprreessssuurree – the feelingthat your baby is pushing down

ä LLooww,, dduullll bbaacckkaacchheeä CCrraammppss that feel like your period

ä AAbbddoommiinnaall ccrraammppss with orwithout diarrhea

Call your doctor or go to the hospitalif you think you are having pretermlabor. Your provider may tell you to:ä CCoommee ttoo tthhee ooffffiiccee or go to the

hospital for evaluation.ä DDrriinnkk 22--33 ggllaasssseess of water or

juice (not coffee or soda).If the symptoms get worse, or don’t

go away after one hour, call yourhealth care provider again or go tothe hospital. If the symptoms go

away, take it easy for the rest of theday. If the symptoms stop but comeback, call your health care provider

again or go to the hospital. SOURCE: MARCH OF DIMESt

es are particularly helpful. Classes also help moms-to-

be make connection with lac-tation consultants. They areoffered through hospitals, WICprograms and other groups.

“It’s hard to get started,”Patterson said. “It really helpsto prepare.”

Pinkins suggests womeninvest time to learn aboutpregnancy and delivery, andthen start reading up on new-born and baby care with thesame vigor. Her studentsoften tell her they appreciatethe information on newborncare the most.

Through all the educationand planning, it’s importantto remember that babies – in the womb or out – don’talways follow the road mapwe set for them. Flexibilitycan be key.

“Nature doesn’t always coop-erate,” Patterson said. “Themost important thing is the


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Resources for parents-to-be

Hospitals with maternity servicesoffer a number of classes about

pregnancy, newborn care, breast-feeding and preparing siblings and

grandparents.

ä Baptist Memorial-North Mississippi, Oxford – (662) 513-1602

ä Baptist Memorial-Union County New Albany – (662) 538-2397ä NMMC Women’s Hospital

Tupelo – (662) 377-4956

ä Oktibbeha County HospitalStarkville – (662) 615-3364

ä Family Resource Center of Northeast Mississippi offers

parenting classes, marriage education, parenting during

divorce and Parents as Teachersprograms. (662) 844-0013.

ä Health Help for Kids offers freeassistance for parents with Medicaid

and CHIPS. Trained counselors atMississippi Health Advocacy

Partnership offer help and guidancein determining eligibility and other

issues. (877) 314-3843.

äThe Birthing Project connectstrained volunteer Sister Friends with

pregnant women who are at risk. Thegoal of the national program is to

keep more babies alive by providingdirection, emotional support and edu-cation to mothers during pregnancyand the first year of their child’s life.Call Toni Hill at (662) 255-8283 [email protected].

ä Free weekly parenting, andfatherhood and GED classes for

ages 16 to 21 at Families FirstBuilding behind the Mantachie

Clinic. (662) 282-4661.

ä Immunization Clinic providesfree childhood immunizations from

5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays andThursdays at the Good Samaritan

Free Clinic in Tupelo. Families whoseinsurance does not cover immuniza-

tions are eligible. Limited numbercan be seen. (662) 844-3733.

Ultrasounds are routinely con-ducted early in pregnancy to datethe pregnancy and later in preg-nancy to check the well-being ofthe baby and spot defects.

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Delivering a healthy baby is just the beginningof the journey. Babies like 6-month-old LandonBrock, the son of Alicia Brock of Booneville,need a safe, stimulating, loving environment togrow to their potential.


Raising happy,healthybabies

Want more?

Check out

healthychildren.org

from the American

Academy of

Pediatrics.

A quick guide to the first yearBy Michaela Gibson MorrisDaily Journal

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Babies don’t come withinstruction manuals ... n The Daily Journal enlisted thehelp of Tupelo pediatrician Dr. EricStreet to compile a cheat sheet fornew parents.

ALL YEAR LONGSAFETYn Keep baby in a rear-facing carseat until they pass their first birth-day and reach 20 pounds. It’s muchsafer, especially for infants whodon’t have good head control.

n Immunizations: It is vitally impor-tant for infants to receive the recom-mended immunizations againstmany childhood diseases. Discussany concerns with your pediatrician.

n Parents and caregivers needshots, too:

• Pertussis, aka whooping cough,usually causes mild illness in olderchildren and adults, but can bedeadly in infants. Because babiescannot be immunized against thedisease until 2 months when theyreceive the first dose of the DTaP, itis vitally important the adults andchildren around them be vaccinated.

• Influenza: Babies can’t get flushots until they are 6 months old.Parents, caregivers and older chil-dren should be immunized in the fallor early winter to protect themselvesand baby for whom the flu can be aserious illness.

SICK BABY CAREn For newborns, any fever over100.4 should be addressed immedi-ately. Call health care provider or goto clinic or emergency department.“It could be a sign of somethingmore serious,” Street said.

n For older babies, seek medicalcare if a fever is persistent and does-n’t break with use of fever reducers.

n Do not give aspirin to babies or chil-dren due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.

n Do not give babies adult stomachremedies like pink bismuth orImodium.

n Do not give over-the-counter coughand cold remedies unless directed.

n Watch for dehydration with diar-rhea by watching wet diapers.

FOODn No cow’s milk or eggs before firstbirthday.

n Consider avoiding peanut but-ter, nuts, strawberries until aftersecond birthday, especially ifthere’s a history of food allergiesin the family.

NEWBORN – 3 MONTHSSAFETYn SIDS prevention. No one knowswhat causes Sudden Infant DeathSyndrome, but certain measuresseem to have drastically reduced theincidence. All babies should be putdown on their backs in their ownbed for sleep – “That’s one of the bigthings we tell all new parents,” Streetsaid.

n Other SIDS prevention: • Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke. • Make sure mattress is firm and

keep blankets, pillows and stuffedanimals out of the crib.

• Don’t over dress baby.

n Send in registration cards forcribs, car seats and other baby gearso manufacturers can send recallnotifications. Check consumer pro-tection for recalls on any second-hand baby gear.

n Watch out for falls. Don’t putbaby down on couches or chairs.Also, avoid setting baby in the carri-er on tables and counters. They cankick and squirm enough to cause afall. They are safer to be on the flooror in their crib.

n Watch siblings closely. Theyshouldn’t hold or give the baby any-thing without parent supervision.Especially toddlers and preschoolersmay want to share inappropriatethings like small toys with baby. Petsalso should be closely supervisedaround baby.

n Never shake a baby. If a baby isinconsolable and parents feel theyare losing their cool, put the baby ina safe place like a crib and give your-self a minute. Call for back-up fromfriends and family, if possible.

FEEDINGn Breastmilk is the perfect food forbabies with all of the nutrition andimmune-system boosting antibodiesthey need. Once established, it’s easi-er and less expensive than formula.

n Give nothing besides breastmilkor infant formula unless directed byyour physician. They do not needwater or juice during the first threemonths. “Straight water can lowersodium levels and cause seizures,”Street said.

DIAPERn Keep an eye on what shows up inthe diaper. Too little or too much canindicate problems.

n Newborns should have soft, loosestools. A series of very watery stoolsor a hard, formed stool should bereported to your health careprovider. t


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n Diapers should be checked fre-quently to prevent skin problems.

n When babies develop a rash, softwash clothes and water may be lessirritating than wipes.

n Rashes should get better in three tofour days with the use of over-the-counter barrier creams. If it doesn’timprove, report it to your health care provider.

BATHn Don’t immerse newborns in wateruntil the cord has fallen off. Usesponge or washcloth to wipe babydown.

n Avoid chilling baby. Bathe one partof body at a time, covering the rest ofthe body with a towel.

n Babies don’t need baths as often aswe think. Three times a week is plentyduring the first year. More frequentlycan dry out their skin.

n Use mild, fragrance free, hypoaller-genic baby washes.

n Set water heater no higher than 120degrees to prevent scalding.

n Check water temperature beforebaby gets in.

DEVELOPMENTn Start reading to baby.

n Give them lots to look at. Babieslike high contrast objects and theirbrains are wired to look at faces.

n Between 1 and 2 months, startoffering tummy time when they areawake and aware. Parents shouldclosely supervise.

n Babies love to listen to voices. Theynaturally hear higher-pitch voices bet-ter at first.

n Provide lots of time for bondingwith adults and other kids. Babieslearn from other people.

COLICn Colic usually occurs between a fewweeks after birth and 3 months.Babies can have hours of fussiness andcrying for no apparent reason.

n It usually occurs in the evenings orat night.

n Make sure baby has a clean diaper,and full tummy; work with yourhealth care provider to rule out prob-lems with breastmilk, formula, acidreflux or constipation.

n Some babies find comfort in swad-dling, rocking, sitting in a bouncy seator taking a ride in the car.

n Avoid overstimulation; dim lightsand keep house as quiet as possible.

n Do not shake baby. Put baby in safeplace and take a break. “Better to letthem cry it out for 10 or 15 minutesand you keep your sanity,” Street said.

3-6 MONTHSSAFETYn Watch for roll overs. Be sure to watchthem closer. It increases the risk for falls.

n Babies start exploring things withhands and mouth. They’ll pull anythingthey can get a hold of into their mouths.

n Continue to put down baby to sleepon their back. If they reposition them-selves to side that’s fine.

FEEDINGn Absolutely no solids before 4months unless otherwise directed.American Association of Pediatricsrecommends no solids before 6months, ideally.

n Don’t introduce juice or waterbefore 4 months. After that, limit theamounts to six ounces. Juice shouldbe diluted with water.

n Any solids should be paste-like.Babies cannot chew at this age, even ifthey have teeth.

DIAPERSn With solid food, poop starts toget more solid, but shouldn’t besolidly formed poop until after theirfirst birthday.

n Diaper rash may increase withchanges in their digestive system.Important to change frequently.

n Treat diaper rash with over-the-counter diaper cream.

BATHINGn Continue using a baby bath or sink.

– Be sure to keep a hand on baby atall times because they can’t sit up wellat this age.

– Check water temperature beforeputting baby in.

DEVELOPMENTn Increase tummy time for play.Parents should still supervise.

n Babies are usually very happy andplayful at this age. This is a verygood time for bonding.

n Look for simple, age-appropriatetoys that let baby explore cause and effect. Rattles, playmats andteething rings are favorites at this age.

n Try not to “containerize” baby toomuch. Give them time outside car seatand exercisers.


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6-9 MONTHSSAFETYn Remove bumper pads, if they wereused at all, so baby can’t use them toclimb out of crib and fall.

n Parents should get down on theirhands and knees to find potentialrisks for baby. Look for choking andfalling hazards.

n Secure chemicals and cleaningproducts by locking cabinets or relo-cating them out of reach.

n Cover pointed edges on hearths,coffee tables, etc.

n Cover electrical outlets and cords.

n If there are older children, makesure small toys like Legos and Barbieaccessories stay away from baby.

n Stairs and steps need to be blockedoff from baby.

n The danger of SIDS is diminished,but babies should still be placed ontheir backs in their own beds.

n Walkers should not be used wherebaby can reach steps or stairs.

FEEDINGn Continue to advance diet, startingwith cereal.

n Introduce one new food at a time totrack possible allergic reactions.

n Expose baby to a wide range offruits and vegetables. There’s no evi-dence that suggests a certain veg-etable or fruit should be started first.

n Closer to nine months, try to movebaby toward three bigger feedings orbottles and three servings of babyfood, getting them closer to threemeals a day with small snacks.

n When starting with table food,make sure everything is very wellmashed/chopped at this stage. Earlyteeth don’t help with chewing.

BATHn Continue close supervision forentire bath time. Do not leave alone,even for a second.

n Use least amount of water possible.

n Check water temperature beforeputting baby in the bath.

DEVELOPMENTn Give baby opportunities to exploreand move around under supervision.

n Baby needs lots of talking andinteraction with adults.

9-12 MONTHSSAFETYn Avoid temptation to turn themfront facing in the car seat.

n Baby-proof for pulling up and earlyattempts at walking.

n Make sure dressers, end tables,TVs and book shelves are stabi-lized/anchored to the wall. “Thatbig flat-screen TV can flop over a loteasier than the older ones,” Streetsaid.

n Look closely at plants, chemicals,small items babies may try to put intheir mouths.

n If they haven’t been already,stairs and steps should be blockedoff.

FEEDINGn Do not sneak cow’s milk earlierthan the first birthday. It can cause anallergic reaction. Breast milk and for-mula have more iron, vitamins andminerals. Giving cow’s milk too earlycan cause anemia.

n All foods should be chopped finely.Soft, chunky, finger foods are idealfor babies learning to feed them-selves. Just make sure pieces are smallenough so they don’t have to chew itup. Puffs and Cheerios are great

because they dissolve easily. Cheeriosalso won’t completely block airway ifthey go down the wrong way.

n Be especially careful with hot dogsand grapes. These foods with highchoking hazard should be cut up invery small pieces.

BATH n Baby is sitting by self, but stillneeds close supervision. Parentsshould stay with baby in the bath atall times.

DEVELOPMENTALn Babies continue to need lots ofcommunication and reading timewith adults.

n Create safe places babies canexplore independently while parentskeep a close eye on them.

n Look for developmentally appropri-ate toys, with different things toexplore.

n Babies do not need any TV time.The AAPrecommends no screen timefor children under 2.

Corneal specialists traditionally have used a tiny blade called a microkeratome inside the instrument shown above, to cut a flap in the cornea. Then alaser is used to reshape the lens to correct vision. The newest procedures use a laser to cut the flap.



Technology keeps pushing thefrontier of Lasik eye surgeryforward.

That means better outcomesfor folks who are looking to ditch glassesand contacts.

“Lasik is not right for everybody,” saidTupelo optometrist Dax Eckard, who is apart of the Wesson-Mothershed EyeClinic. “But we’re seeing very happypatients ... most are 20/20 and almosteverybody gets better than 20/40.”

One thing hasn’t changed. It is critical-ly important to have an experiencedcorneal specialist at the helm of the pro-cedure. In Northeast Mississippi, eyespecialists offer patients assistance withevaluation for the procedure and follow-up care, but refer patients to centers ofexcellence in Memphis and Atlanta for

the actual procedure. “The bottom line is you want a well-

trained, experienced surgeon,” saidTupelo ophthalmologist Dr. Matt Wesson.

Lasik, a technique that has evolvedover the past two and a half decades, istypically used to correct nearsighted-ness, but it can also be used for astigma-tisms and low degrees of farsightedness.

For many patients who seek Lasik sur-gery, glasses and contacts have not beena good fit, said Tupelo ophthalmologistDr. William Brawner.

“One patient told me ‘I want to go tothe beach and not worry about losing mychildren,’ ” because she can’t see withoutglasses or contacts, Brawner said.

Not everyone is a good candidate forLasik. There’s more room for Lasik toadjust nearsightedness than farsighted-ness, but there are limits for both. Folkswho have a high amount of astigmatismor previous corneal disease also are out-

side the bounds of the procedure. “There’s only so much corneal they

can cut,” Wesson said. People who suffer from severe dry eye

and active collagen vascular disease, likelupus and rheumatoid arthritis shouldn’thave the Lasik procedure, Brawner said.Additionally, women who are pregnant orbreastfeeding should delay the procedure.

The procedureIn the procedure, the surgeon cuts a

flap in the cornea, pulls it back and alaser is used to flatten the bed of thecornea.

The goal is to change the shape of thecornea so that light focuses differentlyand images appear without blurriness.Because of the mechanics of the cornea,stitches aren’t needed. The flap is held inplace by a vacuum created by the eyeand will eventually heal.

A few years ago, WAVFront technolo-

Lenses get zappedEvolving Lasik surgery gives people

options for ditching glasses and contacts

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Specialized teams of technicians working with corneal specialists map the eye’s topography using WAVFront technology before Lasik surgery. The scan isincorporated into the laser treatment using pre-treatment adjustments by the surgeon.


gy made a big changes inLasik surgery, allowing thesurgeon to get a detailedscan of the eye. The surgeonis able to integrate that scanand pretreatment adjust-ments into the operation ofthe laser that reshapes thecornea.

“I’ve sure seen a lot fewerlens problms with vision dis-tortion with the WAVFront,”said Tupelo optometrist Dr.Fred Mothershed.

The newest technology –Intralase – uses a laserinstead of a scapel to makethe inital incision during theprocedure to reshape the eyeand improve vision.

“It cuts a perfect flap in the

eye,” Wesson said.Patients with anatomically

small eyes or deep-set orbitsare good candidates forIntraslase since the microker-atome – the very tiny bladetraditionally used – requiresmore space to position,Brawner said.

“Older patients with arte-riosclerosis also benefit fromthe Intralase method whichuses lower pressure to achievethe firm suction necessary tostabilize the eye during lasertreatment,” Brawner said.More blood should theoreti-cally be able to travel throughthe narrowed blood vesselsduring the flap formationphase.

After the Lasik surgery,most people see a differenceimmediately. Some say it’slike looking through wet gog-gles; it usually takes overnightto clear completely. Patientswear actual goggles to protecttheir eyes from particles andaccidental rubbing.

The most common sideeffects are dryness, which isaddressed by using artificialtears, and glare that occurswhen the pupil dilatesbeyond the flap cut in thecornea.

Other refractive surgerieslike CK are used to correctfarsightedness. In CK, aprobe is used to recontourthe eye around the edges of

the cornea, making it steeper.Unlike Lasik, there are nocuts in the cornea.

Local eye specialists say toexpect to pay roughly $1,900to $2,400 per eye for Lasik. Aprocedure using the Intralasewould be on the high end ofthe scale.

They counsel patients to beextremely wary of bargains inlaser eye surgery. It’s impor-tant to look at the fine printon the heavily discountedspecials – they usuallyinclude a lot of restrictionsand don’t include enhance-ments or office visits.

Contact Michaela Morris at (662) 678-1599 or [email protected].



Just like the abilities to walk and talk,sight has to be acquired by babies.

“We are not born with the con-nections in our brain that let us

see clearly,” said pediatric ophthalmol-ogist Dr. Natalie Kerr, who serves as thedirector of the ophthalmology residencyprogram of the University of TennesseeHealth Science Center in Memphis andsees patients in Tupelo once a month.

That’s why small children with visionproblems can’t just wait until they areolder for glasses or corrective therapy.Without clear images coming into theoptical nerve, the brain won’t developthe necessary wiring.

“Later on, they won’t be able to seeclearly even with glasses,” Kerr said.

A family history of crossed eyes orpoor vision or being born significantlypremature – before 32 weeks gestation –can increase the chance a small childhas a vision issue.

“Coordination of the eyes tends to bean inherited genetic predisposition,”Kerr said.

Before six months old, it’s not uncom-mon for a babies eyes to cross. After six

months, parents should watch for signsthat the eyes aren’t working together.

With nystagumus, sometimes calleddancing eyes, the eyes don’t line up.

Strabismus, where the eyes are mis-aligned, can be a separate issue fromamblyopia, which is bad vision.

“One can lead to the other,” Kerr said. If a child is significantly farsighted,

one eye may turn in as they struggle tosee close up. If a child is significantlynearsighted, an eye may turn out.

If the eye crossing starts between 18months and three years, typically glassesor patching are used to correct thevision. Getting a toddler to wear glassesmay seem like an impossible task, butwith some steady reinforcement fromparents, most adapt well.

“Most kids do better than their par-ents expect,” Kerr said.

If eye crossing is detected when achild is less than a year old, eye surgeryis usually the most common therapy toaddress the inability of the brain tocoordinate the eyes.

“We change the position of the eyemuscles to get them to work correctly,since we can’t rewire the brain,” Kerr said.

When only one eye is affected, the visionproblem will sometimes fly under the

radar. The other eye does the heavy lifting,but depth vision doesn’t develop properly.

“They need to have their visionscreened, where one eye is covered andthen the other,” Kerr said. In most cases,this screening is conducted during the4-year-old check-up. However, the pedi-atrician may refer the child to an eyespecialist for further evaluation.

Growth spurtOlder children, whose vision has previ-

ously been good, can develop nearsighted-ness during a preadolescent growth spurt,usually between the ages of 8 and 10.

“The child can grow so fast their eyescan elongate,” Kerr said.

Usually the kids notice something iswrong themselves, when they figure outtheir classmates can see the board clearly,but they can’t. Glasses usually do the trick.

Vision problems are rarely a cause ofdifficulties with learning to read or otherlearning difficulties.

“It’s a common misperception,” Kerrsaid, because vision screening is a standardpart of the evaluation process for learningdisabilities. “They do need to rule it out.”


DO MY KIDS NEED GLASSES?

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Sooner or later, age isgoing to catch upwith your eyes.

“If someone does-n’t wear glasses for distance,sometime in their early 40s,they’re going to need glassesfor reading,” said Tupelooptometrist Dr. FredMothershed.

It usually happensbetween 40 and 44, inwomen a little earlier thanmen.

“The muscles don’t workas well,” Mothershed said.“The lens becomes less flexi-ble as well.”

If you’ve found yourselfsaying: “I’ve got to have a lotof light to read,” it’s probablytime to see an eye doctor.

As with gray hair, manypeople try to fight any signthey are aging and explainaway the need for readingglasses.

“There’s nothing wrongwith my eyes, doc,” Tupeloophthalmologist Dr. MattWesson had one of hispatients tell him. “My armsare too short.”

People who are nearsight-ed notice presbyopia in adifferent way.

“They can actually take

their glasses off to read,”Mothershed said. “After 40,sometimes it’s nice to benearsighted.”

The condition typicallystabilizes in the mid-50s.

The clear truthUsing glasses properly

won’t make eyes weaker.“All glasses do is help you

see, just like shoes help uswalk,” Wesson said.

However, folks who wearglasses for reading shouldtake them off when they arewalking around or using dis-tance vision.

People who have not pre-viously needed glasses orcontacts to see can start offwith reading glasses, Wessonsaid. Those who previouslyneeded glasses or contactswill have to jump straightinto either bifocals or pro-gressive lenses.

Bifocal lenses are split toallow for distance vision atthe top and close vision onthe bottom, Wesson said.The lines on modern bifo-cals typically are now barelyvisible.

Progressive lenses aretapered to allow differentranges of vision in the same

lens, Wesson said.Many people prefer pro-

gressive lenses for appear-ance reasons, because theydon’t have a visible line,Wesson said.

It’s possible to limp alongwith drug store reading glass-es that provide a standardmagnification. However,folks tend to be happier withsomething that’s fine-tunedto their eyes.

“Custom glasses are goingto help you read better,”Mothershed said.

One eye can be differentfrom the other. The customoptics are tuned exactly toyour needs.



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SCREENING GUIDELINESAll adults should have their eyes checked on a regular basis. This

screening can provide early detection for a number of eye conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration, but it also helpswatch for age-related changes in vision.

n Under 40: At least every two years n After 40: Every year

TIME STANDS STILL FOR

NO ONE’S EYES DR. MATT WESSONDR. FRED MOTHERSHED


Tests to detect changes in central vision are a routine part of eye exams. Changes in central vision can indicate macular degeneration. The diseasecomes in two distinct forms, wet and dry, but early detection is critical to having the best possible outcome in both.


Macular degener-ation is asneaky thief,stealing away a

person’s fine central vision. However, even at its worst,

age-related macular degener-ation doesn’t leave peoplecompletely blind. Peripheralvision remains.

“Side vision is pretty goodfor getting around,” saidTupelo ophthalmologist Dr.Matt Wesson said. “It’s not sogood for fine vision.”

Trouble reading in one orboth eyes should send you to

your eye doctor, said Tupeloophthalmologist Dr. WilliamBrawner. Visual distortion,where straight lines appearcrooked, also should raise ared flag.

“One patient I saw in thepast described the change astelephone poles appearingbent (like) an upside down‘L,’” Brawner said.

MechanicsThe macula, located in

the center of the retina, isresponsible for fine centralvision. It’s tiny and extreme-ly delicate with the textureof the wet tissue.

Age-related macular

degeneration comes in twodistinct forms, wet, whichaffects about 10 percent ofthe people with the condi-tion – and dry.

“Studies suggest oxidativestress from environmentalfactors like smoking andsunlight exposure, as well aslow dietary intake of antioxi-dants, to be major con-tributing factors in thedevelopment,” Brawnersaid. “Genetic factors alsoplay a role with increasedrisk if there is a positive fam-ily history of the disease.”

Wet macular degenerationis a faster moving and oftenmore destructive form. Tiny

blood vessels in the maculagrow out of control andleak, blocking the vision. It’sessential to not delay treat-ment for wet maculardegeneration.

“Once blood vessels startleaking, scar tissue canform,” Wesson said.

Two new drugs Avastinand Lucentis, which areboth delivered by injectionsare changing the way wetmacular degeneration istreated.

“For 30 years, we’ve triedto find drugs to dry up newblood vessels,” Wesson said.“These do it.”

With the new treatments,

Macular degeneration hits central visionNew treatments show promise, especially for wet form of condition

Risk factors• Age• Smoking• Family history• Lifetime exposure to strong light

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most patients are stabilizedon the new regimen, but notall have gains. Brawner hasseveral who have seen theirvision improve by severallines, which was not the casewith previous treatments.

“One of my patients hadto undergo injection treat-ment with Avastin,” Brawnersaid. “She was ecstatic whenher vision improved from20/200 to the 20/40 level.”

Many patients requiremultiple injections, andsome have the injectionson an ongoing basis indefi-nitely, with injections everymonth or two, Brawnersaid.

Dry macular degenerationtypically moves very slowly.People often don’t realizethey are losing vision. Themacula just starts breakingdown.

It’s especially important todetect dry macular degener-ation early because the pro-gression can be slowed dra-matically, but at this point,it can’t be reversed.

“I’ve had patients whowere diagnosed 30 years ago

with mild dry maculardegeneration and they stillhave mild dry maculardegeneration,” Wesson said.

Daily vitamin therapy istypically prescribed usingthe combination of vitaminsand nutrients from the

ARED study, which includeshigh-dose combinations ofvitamins C and E, beta-carotene and zinc.

“Scientists found thatpeople at high risk of devel-oping advanced stages ofAMD, lowered their risk by

about 25 percent,” Brawnersaid, noting people at lowrisk didn’t see big changesin the study. “The nutrientsare not a cure for AMD, norwill they restore visionalready lost from the dis-ease. Patient who are smok-

ers should not take beta-carotene due to a statisticalincrease risk for lung can-cer.”

Many ophthalmologists arealso recommending dry mac-ular degeneration patientsalso take lutein and the

triglyceride form of fish oil. “It’s a good idea for any-

one as long as they’re nottaking blood thinners,” saidTupelo optometrist Dr. FredMothershed, because of theheart health benefits.

A second ARED study is

looking at lutein,Zeaxanthin and Omega-3Long-ChainPolyunsaturated Fatty AcidsDHA and EPA, Brawner said.



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“One person I saw in the past described

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– Tupelo opthalmologist Dr. William Brawner


Your ears do more

than hear. The inner ear is

a key part of acomplex system that keepsyou right side up.

When the vestibular sys-tem – the inner ear’s balancefunction – doesn’t work, itcan leave you feeling likeyou are navigating the worldthrough a pair of binoculars.

According to the VestibularDisorder Association, vertigoor dizziness is one of the top25 reasons people go to thedoctor. Many of those casesinvolve an inner ear disorder.

“It’s a very commonproblem,” said Dr. JimMcAuley, a Tupelo ear, noseand throat specialist whocompleted a fellowshipfocusing on the treatmentof ear disorders.

The vestibular system isone of three the body usesto gauge position.

“We don’t understand itall,” McAuley said. “But weknow that the inner ear coor-dinates eye movements andthat fluid in the semicircularcanals tells the brain whatposition your head is in.”

Vision plays a key role aswell as the somato-sensory

system, which incorporatesthe sense of touch in thefeet to be able to tell thedifference between walkingon the sand, gravel or grass.

Normally when one sys-tem isn’t working well, theother systems pick up theslack. But if two systemsare disrupted, it can bevery difficult, and all threesystems decline as we age,said Allison Farley, a physi-cal therapist with NorthMississippi Medical CenterOutpatient RehabilitationCenter in Tupelo.

Vertigo is one symptomof a vestibular disorder, butit can also be a symptom ofother problems like dia-betes and uncontrolled highblood pressure. It should beevaluated by a physician totrack the root cause.

With inner ear disorders,something usually disruptsthe inner fluid or the bal-ance nerve itself. Frequentfalls, especially if the personis walking on uneven ter-rain in the dark, and veer-ing to one side are com-mon signs of a vestibulardisorder, said Lee Ann Holt,a physical therapist atNMMC Outpatient Rehab.

The most commonvestibular disorders arepositional vertigo and

Meniere’s disease.With positional vertigo,

tiny bits of crystallizeddebris collect in the earcanals disrupting the fluid.

The vertigo with posi-tional vertigo is usuallytrigged by a change in headposition, McAuley said.Each episode usually lastsonly a short duration.

For most, it respondswell and quickly to treat-ment. Therapists use aseries of head movementsto reposition the debris aswell as exercises to reaccli-mate the inner ear to nor-mal movement.

“We hold the head in fourdifferent positions for fiveminutes each,” Holt said.“That allows gravity to getthose crystals back wherethey are supposed to be.”

Usually patients aredirected to sleep in arecliner the first night aftertreatment and not to lie onthe affected side for a cou-ple of nights after that.

Many people see theirpositional vertigo resolvedin one or two treatments.Some do take longer.

“It’s better to treat beforeit’s too far gone,” Farley said.

Meniere’s Disease isextremely variable,McAuley said. It occurs

because inner ear fluidstops draining properlyand tends to be episodic.

“It sometimes can last forhours,” McAuley said.

It can be treated withmedication or surgery toremove fluid, McAuley said.The vertigo usually burnsout over time as the innerear weakens, but it canaffect hearing in that ear.

Physical therapy forMeniere’s disease typicallyfocuses on improving thebalance system to allowpeople to better workaround the condition.

Vestibular neuritis, whichis triggered by a virus, ischaracterized by near con-stant vertigo, McAuley said.It is usually most acute inthe first week with frequentnausea and vomiting.

The condition usuallylasts four to six weeks asthe body fights off thevirus, McAuley said.

“Most young people cancompensate on their own,”McAuley said.

Older people sometimesneed rehab to retrain theirinner ears following thevirus.


In positional vertigo, tiny crystals interfere with the ability of the inner ear to tell the brainwhether or not your head is right side up, which can cause vertigo. Hal Rieves of the Wrencommunity allows a physical therapist to hold his head in four different positions, usinggravity to move the crystals back to their proper position.

VERTIGO

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Vestibular disorders aremore than just dizziness

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Acolonoscopy isn’t asmuch fun as aHawaiian vacation.

But it may helpensure you’re around to enjoyone.

“If you think about whatyou’re gaining,” said Tupelogastroenterologist Allen Justice,“in going through somethinguncomfortable, you’re (poten-tially) preventing cancer. It hasfar more benefits.”

Colon cancer is one of therare cancers that gives doc-tors something to look atbefore it becomes malignant.

“The focus has moved fromtests that detect vs. tests toprevent,” Justice said.

That focus has had a bigimpact on the rates of coloncancer, which is among themost common in the nation.

According to the AmericanCancer Society, more than amillion people in the UnitedStates can count themselvesas survivors of colon cancerbecause of improvements inprevention, early detectionand treatment.

PolypsLittle wart-like polyps grow

out of the wall of the colon.Some polyps remain benign,but others start down thepath to cancer. Unchecked,the cancer inside thosepolyps will grow into thecolon wall.

“It’s hard to know whichwill grow into cancer,” just bylooking at them with thescope, Justice said. “That’swhy we generally take themall out.”

Polyps are typicallyremoved during the

colonoscopy for testing andprevention. No further sur-gery is required unless coloncancer has grown into thewall of the colon.

The current guidelines generally recommend acolonoscopy starting at age 50.

For people with elevatedrisk – such as a family historyof colon cancer – guidelinessuggest starting earlier. Somegroups recommend African-Americans start screening atage 45 because they have anincreased risk of colon cancer.

People with a clearcolonoscopy and no extrarisk factors, typically can waita decade between tests.

For folks at higher risk orwhose colonoscopy findspolyps, the doctors typicallyrecommend they repeat thetests more frequently. Howfrequently depends on thepathology results for thepolyps.

For most people the prepa-ration, which cleans out thecolon so doctors can get aclear look, is not particularlypleasant.

Usually the afternoon beforea colonoscopy, people stopeating solid food and drink apreparation mixed with soda.

Then they spend a lot of quali-ty time in the bathroom.

“The procedure itself is theeasiest part of the wholeprocess because of the seda-tion,” Justice said.

Newer techniques and nar-row band imaging are givinggastroenterologists moreweapons in detecting hard-to-spot varieties of polyps.

Other optionsThere are other colon can-

cer screening options. Thefecal occult blood test looksfor microscopic blood in thestool – an early warning signof colon cancer. It may berecommended once a year.

Flexible sigmoidoscopyand double contrast bariumenemas are other options,but do not give a full, effec-tive view of the entire colon.If they are used, it’s recom-mended they be repeatedevery five years.

Virtual colonoscopies usingimaging technology outsidethe body instead of a scope

inside the body is anotheroption for examining theentire colon.

Both of the screening testsrequire the prep. The virtualcolonoscopy does not requiresedation and is usually lessexpensive; however, it is cur-rently not covered byMedicare and some otherinsurance carriers.

The American College ofRadiology has pushed for leg-islation to create Medicarecoverage for the procedure.The American College ofGastroenterology considersthe CT and MRI colon imagingtests to still be in developmentand does not endorse them forcolon cancer screening.

The colonoscopy remainsthe gold standard.

“It’s best to have a full examof the entire colon with theability to remove potentiallycancerous polyps at the sametime,” Justice said.



Colonoscopyexamines theentire length ofthe colon and isconsidered thegold standard forcolon cancerscreening.

Colon cancer is therare type of cancerthat gives physi-cians somethingthey can detect –polyps – before thecancer actuallyforms. Colonoscopyallows gastroenterol-ogists to removepolyps for analysisduring the screeningprocedure.

MORE THAN AN OUNCEof preventionColonoscopies vital in catchingpre-cancerous polyps in colon

Colon cancer symptomsn Rectal bleeding - the mostcommon signn Constipationn Abdominal painn Weaknessn Unexplained weight lossn There may be no symptoms

These symptoms can be asso-ciated with a number of gas-trointestinal conditions, butyou should promptly see yourdoctor to have them evaluated.


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Special to the Journal

Over the past 18months, TippahCounty HealthServices has iden-

tified a number of servicesneeded to provide a highlevel of care for the residentsof Tippah County and sur-rounding counties.

Now, a number of special-ists are seeing patients at thehospital facilities. Theseinclude gastroenterology,internal medicine, orthope-dics, neurology and ophthal-mology.

The best health care isoften dependent on preven-tative medicine. One suchmeasure that has receivednational attention is the pre-ventative screeningcolonoscopy.

A simple and virtuallypainless procedure can pre-vent colon cancer – one ofthe top killers of Americans.Dr. Christopher Miller, a

physician for MemphisGastroenterology Group,now comes to TCHS to seegastroenterology patientsand will also be performingscreening colonoscopies aswell as other diagnosticand preventative proce-dures.

Even though the factsabout colon cancer shouldbe enough to convince peo-ple of the necessity of acolonoscopy, even the factscan’t erase some misconcep-tions about this life-savingprocedure.

Colon cancer now leads asthe second cause of cancer-related deaths in the UnitedStates. An estimated 150,000Americans will develop thislargely preventable diseasethis year and over 53,000 willdie.

Ironically, up to 90 percentof all colon cancer could beprevented simply by follow-ing the current screeningguidelines, including getting

a colonoscopy beginning atage 50 and every 10 yearsafter.

Why, then, doesn’t every-body get colon cancerscreening?

To begin with, patientsneed education about thepotential life-savingbenefits ofcolonoscopy,including theunraveling ofmany falseconceptionsthat surroundthe proce-dure.

Here aresome facts aboutcolonoscopy. Withthe current instrumen-tation and anesthesia,colonoscopy is virtually safeand painless. A colonoscopyis much more cost-effectivewhen compared to other lessthorough tests. Most insur-ance plans cover the costs ofthe procedure. Finally, there

is no doubt that acolonoscopy can save a life.

We can battle colon canceron several fronts. Primary carephysicians should activelyencourage patients over 50 tohave this important test. Wecan all become more aware of

the warning signs forcolon cancer, and

more importantly,undergo screen-ing tests beforeany symptomsdevelop.

Healthcareprofessionals

can help guidepatients

through screen-ings to ease fears.

Beyond all else, patientsneed to take control andresponsibility for their ownpersonal healthcare by ask-ing questions and followingthrough on recommenda-tions. And in this case,scheduling that colonoscopywhen it’s time. n

TCHS now provides life-saving screenings

By Ginna ParsonsDaily Journal

Take a walk down the spice aisle atany grocery store and you’ll see ahundred or more different offerings.

But which one are we most likelyto pick up?

Salt.Those days may soon be over.In January, the U.S. Department of

Agriculture released its new DietaryGuidelines for Americans, and the recom-mendation for who should lower their sodi-um was a wake-up call: anyone older than51, an African-American of any age, andthose who have kidney disease, diabetes orhigh blood pressure.

Those in the at-risk category are encour-aged to limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams aday – the amount of salt in about 1 tea-spoon. Those in the high-risk categoryshould consume only 1,500 milligrams.

That’s a tall order, considering thatresearch shows the average American eats3,000 to 4,000 milligrams a day, said NancyAnderson, a registered dietitian for theNorth Mississippi Medical Center.

“And I think that’s probably low,” she said.“That’s just an average. Most people areprobably much higher than that.”

New USDA regulations curb the amount of sodium recommended in a healthy diet.


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Crispy Potato Skins

2 medium russet potatoesButter-flavored cooking sprayTablespoon minced rosemary1⁄8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 375degrees. Wash the potatoesand pierce with a fork. Place inthe oven and bake until theskins are crisp, about 1 hour.

Carefully cut the potatoesin half and scoop out the pulp,leaving about 1⁄8 inch of thepotato flesh attached to theskin. Save the pulp for anoth-er use.

Spray the inside of each pota-to skin with butter-flavoredcooking spray. Press in the rose-mary and pepper. Return theskins to the oven for 5 to 10minutes. Serve immediately.

SERVES 2PER SERVING: 114 CALORIES,2G PROTEIN, 12MG SODIUM,27G CARBS, 4G FIBER, 0G FAT

Peach Crumble

8 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted and slicedJuice of 1 lemon1⁄3 teaspoon ground cinnamon1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1⁄2 cup whole-wheat flour1⁄4 cup packed dark brown sugar2 tablespoons trans-fat-free margarine, cut into thin slices1⁄4 cup quick cooking oats

Preheat the oven to 375degrees. Lightly coat a 9-inchpie pan with cooking spray.

Arrange peach slices in theprepared pie plate. Sprinklewith lemon juice, cinnamonand nutmeg.

In a small bowl, whisktogether flour and brownsugar. With your fingers, crum-ble the margarine into theflour-sugar mixture. Add theoats and stir to mix evenly.Sprinkle the flour mixture ontop of the peaches.

Bake until peaches are softand the topping is browned,about 30 minutes. Cut into 8even slices and serve warm.

SERVES 8PER SERVING: 140 CALORIES,2G PROTEIN, 40MG SODIUM,26G CARBS, 3G FIBER, 3G FAT

Baked Macaroni

1⁄2 lb. extra-lean ground beef1 small onion, diced1 (7-ounce) box whole-wheat elbow macaroni1 (15-ounce) jar reduced-sodium spaghetti sauce6 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 350degrees. Lightly coat a bakingdish with cooking spray.

In a nonstick frying pan,cook ground beef and onionuntil the meat is browned andthe onion is translucent. Drainwell.

Cook pasta according to thepackage directions. Drain thor-oughly.

Add the cooked pasta andspaghetti sauce to the meat andonions. Stir to mix evenly.

Spoon the mixture into the pre-pared baking dish. Bake untilbubbly, about 25 to 35 min-utes.

Divide the spaghetti amongindividual plates. Sprinkle eachwith 1 tablespoon Parmesancheese.

SERVES 6PER SERVING: 290 CALORIES,

15G PROTEIN, 94MG SODIUM,33G CARBS, 5G FIBER, 11G FAT

Asian Pork Tenderloin

2 tablespoons sesame seeds1 teaspoon ground coriander1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper1⁄8 teaspoon celery seed1⁄2 teaspoon minced onion

1⁄4 teaspoon ground cumin1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 tablespoon sesame oil1 pound pork tenderloin,

sliced into 4 (4-ounce) portions

Preheat the oven to 400degrees. Lightly coat a bakingdish with cooking spray.

In a heavy frying pan,add the sesame seeds in asingle layer. Over low heat,cook the seeds stirring con-stantly until they look gold-en and give off a noticeablytoasty aroma, about 1 to 2minutes.

Remove the seeds fromthe pan to cool.

In a bowl, add the corian-der, cayenne pepper, celeryseed, minced onion, cumin,cinnamon, sesame oil andtoasted sesame seeds. Stir to

mix evenly.Place the pork tenderloin

in the prepared baking dish.Rub the spices on both sidesof the pork pieces. Bake untilno longer pink, about 15minutes, or bake until a meatthermometer reaches 160degrees (medium) or 170degrees (well-done).

Good served with a side ofsteamed pea pods tossedwith sliced water chestnuts,cooked brown rice mixedwith dried apricots, andfresh mango and papayaslices.

SERVES 4PER SERVING: 196 CALO-

RIES, 25G PROTEIN, 57MGSODIUM, 10G FAT

SOURCE: THE MAYO CLINIC

So how do we go about lowering ourdaily salt intake?

“The first step is to look at labels,”Anderson said. “Look at those labels andwrite down everything you eat for a coupleof days to see how much you’re consuming.”

Many processed foods are notorious forhaving a high-sodium content.

“Anything we buy in a box or a can or apackage is going to have salt in it already,”she said. “People think they’re doing good.They don’t use salt out of a shaker, butthey eat a bologna sandwich, chickennoodle soup, pretzels. They’re getting atremendous amount of sodium, eventhough they haven’t added a grain of saltto their food.”

Fast-food is another culprit.“One Quarter Pounder with Cheese has

1,190 milligrams of sodium,” she said.“For the at-risk group, that’s almost yourdaily allowance in one sandwich. And thatdoesn’t count the french fries. Mostrestaurants now provide nutritional infor-mation. Pay attention to it.”

Homemade can helpAnother way we can lower our sodium

intake is to cook at home more.“The more homemade things you pre-

pare, the less salt there will be becauseyou have more control over it,” she said.

Using fresh or dried herbs instead ofsalt is one way to perk up food flavors.

“We tend to just use salt and pepper,” shesaid. “Try paprika, chili powder, onion pow-der, garlic powder and salt-free seasoningslike Mrs. Dash. There are also differentkinds of vinegars out there that you mightlike – balsamic, red wine and apple cider.”

Just cutting back on salt while cookingalso works, she said.

The next time you’re preparing driedbeans or a pot of greens, try using half theamount of salt you usually use and seehow things taste, Anderson said.

“Gradually decrease the amount of salt,”she said. “This is a lifetime thing. You’re prob-ably going to be happier with small changes.”

And the next time you’re making acasserole, try omitting the salt in therecipe. There’s probably enough in otheringredients, like cream soups and cheese.

If you do want to cook with the high-sodium canned beans and vegetables,there’s still a way to use them.

“Rinse them really well and drain them,”Anderson said. “I’ve read that that can getrid of as much as 40 percent of the sodium.”

And finally, take that salt shaker off thetable.

“A lot of times, we reach for it out ofhabit,” she said. “Taste your food beforeyou salt it. It may taste OK to you withoutadded salt. You might be surprised.”

Contact Ginna Parsons at (662) 678-1581 or [email protected]

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Everyone has downdays and upsettingexperiences in life,but depression is an

ongoing feeling that lasts forweeks or months.

The elderly are at greatrisk because of medical andneurological disease, andmedications that causedepression symptoms. Theelderly are more prone toisolation, loss of work andfinancial status, decliningfunction and loss of impor-tant relationships withspouse, friends and chil-dren.

Talk to the senior – askabout feelings, attitudes andoutlook. Common signs andsymptoms of depression inthe elderly are sadness; irri-tability; changes in sleep,weight and appetite; lack ofinterest in pleasurable activ-ities; lack of motivation;fatigue; low energy; poorfocus; hopelessness; guilt;

feeling like a burden onfamily; and thinking ofdeath or suicide.

Some seniors use suicideto end their suffering. Deathbegins to be seen as a logi-cal idea and seems like agood solution for them-selves and the family.Suicide risks rise withadvancing age and is now16/100,000 people per year,with a total of 5,500 inAmerica per year.Characteristics of seniorswith the highest risks are:white male, widowed ordivorced, medical illnesses,access to guns, alcohol use,loss of independence andsocial isolation.

Treatment of depressionin the elderly consists ofmedications, therapy andsocial programs to improvemood and function.Antidepressants, anti-anxi-ety and sleep medicationsare commonly given in cor-

rect dosages and duration.Psychotherapies such assupportive, educationaland cognitive/behavioralare commonly used andhighly effective. Social pro-grams offered throughcommunity and churchesare important connectionsfor the patient.

Seniors face many barri-ers to mental health treat-ment. Fear of stigma andnegative cultural ideasabout psychiatric treatmentand medications preventseniors and families fromgetting help. Also, manycommunities have a short-age of psychiatrists andmental health professionals.

Any friend or familymember can use simpletechniques when talking toseniors about mental healthissues. Listen to them asthey share feelings andshare your concern for theirwell-being. Ask about suici-

dal thoughts and plans. Ifthe senior is dangerous tohimself take these steps:

n Be calm.n Limit access to firearms

and pills.n Don’t leave him alone.n Don’t try to keep it a

secret.n Don’t try to counsel him

yourself.n Sometimes it is appro-

priate to call 911 for emer-gency situations.

Professional help isalways available. Your pri-mary care doctor can initi-ate appropriate treatmentand help guide the senior.Assessments are availablethrough the NorthMississippi Medical CenterBehavioral Health Center.For more information, call(662) 377-3161.

Dr. Paul Hill is a psychiatrist specializingin care for the elderly at the NMMCBehavioral Health Center in Tupelo.

Elderly at greater risk for depression


Dr. George M. Hammitt; Holly Dutton, MSN, CRNP; Paula DeCanter, CFNP & Dr. Alex J. Bibighaus III

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ACTS – Alcohol Chemical TreatmentSeries – is a self-help, recovery pro-gram. It meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays atCedar Grove United Pentecostal Churchin Tupelo. Free. Call (662) 844-9637.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship ofmen and women working to solve theircommon problem of alcoholism. Thereare no dues or fees.• Tupelo: 31 meetings are offered.Call (662) 844-0374 or visit www.aa-mississippi.org for listings.• There are also meetings inAberdeen, Ackerman, Amory, Belmont,Booneville, Bruce, Calhoun City,Corinth, Fulton, Holly Springs, Houlka,Houston, New Albany, Oxford,Pontotoc, Starkville and West Point.Call (800) 344-2666.• For a listing of addiction supportgroups around Northeast Mississippi,call the National Council on Alcoholand Drug Dependency at (662) 841-0403 or check www.msncadd.net.

Al-Anon is a fellowship of friends andrelatives of alcoholics. The group hasmeetings at several locations through-out Tupelo: • Tupelo Serenity Group, 8 p.m.Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays at613 Pegram Drive. Call (662) 610-5950• First Presbyterian Church, 8 p.m.Tuesday. Call (662) 844-0374 or(800) 344-2666.• Peace Seekers Al-Anon FamilyGroup meets at noon Wednesdayand Friday at Calvary BaptistChurch. Call (662) 401-8094 or(800) 344-2666.• Solution Seekers Adult Children ofAlcoholics meets at noon Mondaysat Calvary Baptist Church fellowshiphall. Call Nancy P. at (847) 902-6267.

Alzheimer’s support groups for familymembers and friends of those with thedisease meet in:• West Point: meets quarterly atNMMC-West Point. Call BrendaJohnson at (662) 495-2339 or (800)843-3375.• Tupelo: 6 p.m. the first Tuesday ofeach month at the Cedars HealthCenter Activity Room. Call Terri at(662) 844-1441.

An Amputee Support Group meets atnoon the first Thursday of each monthat Longtown Medical Park, Tupelo. Call(662) 377-7225 or (800) 843-3375.

Arthritis Support Group meets at 9:15a.m. the second Monday of the monthat Oktibbeha County Hospital WellnessConnection in Starkville. Call (662)323-9355.

The Autism Support Group meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. the second Thursday of themonth at All Saints Episcopal Churchin Tupelo. Childcare provided. CallMelissa Caldwell at (662) 832-2039or Cheryl Bailey at (662) 315-3388.

AWAKE, a support group for peoplewith sleep apnea and their families,meets quarterly at NMMC. Call (800)843-3375.

Bariatric Support Group meets at 6p.m. the first Tuesday of each monthin the Magnolia Auditorium atBaptist Memorial Hospital-NorthMississippi, Oxford. Call Becky Wilsonat (662) 513-9671.

Bereavement Support Group meetseach month at Darlington Oaks onSkeet Drive in Verona. Call CommunityHospice at (662) 566-4011.

Better Breathers, a support group forthose living with chronic lung disease,meets at 1 p.m. the third Wednesdayof the month at the Magnolia RegionalMedical Center Harper Road Complexin Corinth. Call Candice Whitaker at(662) 279-0801.

Cancer Outreach of North Mississippimeets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday ofthe month at CREATE in Tupelo.Assisted by the University of TexasM.D. Anderson Cancer Center. CallPatsy Gregory at (662) 401-0715.

Cancer Survivor 101 support group fornewly diagnosed patients activelyundergoing treatment meets at 2 p.m.the second Thursday of the month.Call Cindy Edwards at (662) 377-4049 or (800) 843-3375.

Celebrate Recovery is a Bible-basedgroup open to those struggling withaddiction, anger issues, grief, guilt,shame, financial loss, abuse, eatingdisorders or compulsive behaviors.• West Jackson Street BaptistChurch, Tupelo, meets at 7 p.m.Fridays in Building B. Contact NeilNaron at (662) 891-1773 or SusanNaron at (662) 871-3872.• Lee Acres Church of Christ onLawndale Drive, Tupelo, meets at 6p.m. Tuesdays. Childcare available.Call the church at (662) 844-3111 orJoey Grist at (662) 321-0059.

The Compassionate Friends, a supportgroup for families who have sufferedthe death of a child of any age.Parents, step-parents, grandparentsand siblings are invited to attend themeetings in:• Booneville: 6 p.m. the secondThursday of each month at BaptistMemorial Hospital-Booneville. Call JoeYoung at (662) 538-2422.

• Tupelo: 6 p.m. the fourth Thursday ofthe month at NMMC Wellness Center.Call Dave Jensen at (662) 842-1327or (662) 231-1305 or Jamie Seale at213-2776 or (662) 842-3174.• West Point: 6:30 p.m. the secondTuesday of the month at NMMC-WestPoint. Call Michele Rowe at (662)495-2337.

Diabetes support groups meet in:• Booneville: 6 p.m. the third Tuesdayof the month at the George E. AllenLibrary. Call Kitti Parman at (662)377-2500 or (800) 843-3375.• New Albany: meets quarterly. 2011meetings will be at 6 p.m. April 18,July 18 and Oct. 17 in educationbuilding at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County in New Albany. ContactTina Snyder at (662) 538-2297 andMary Foley at (662) 538-2199.• Oxford: Noon the second Thursdayof the month in the MagnoliaAuditorium at Baptist MemorialHospital-North Mississippi. Lunchavailable for $3. Call (662) 232-8113.• Starkville: 5:30 p.m. the secondTuesday of the month at OktibbehaCounty Hospital educational facility.Call Nicky Yeatman at (662) 615-2668.• Tupelo: 11 a.m. the second Thursdayof the month at the NMMC WellnessCenter in Tupelo. Sponsored by theNMMC Diabetes Treatment Center. Call377-2500 or (800) 843-3375.

The Disability Support Group meets at6 p.m. the second Tuesday of themonth at LIFE office, Cliff GookinBoulevard, Tupelo. People with allkinds of physical and mental disabili-ties are welcome. Call MichaelSullivan at (662) 844-6633.

Divorce Support Group meets at 6:30p.m. the third Tuesday of the monthfor people working to heal afterdivorce, separation or broken engage-ment at the St. James Catholic LifeCenter in Tupelo. A support group forteen children of divorce – 13 and up –meets at the same time. Call LynnWeeks at (662) 842-3437.

Domestic Violence support groupsmeet in Tupelo:• 6 p.m. every Thursday. Child care isprovided. Call (800) 527-7233 forlocation.• 3:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday ofthe month at the Lee County FamilyResource Center. Child care available.Call (662) 844-0013.

Fibromyalgia Support Group meets at 6p.m. on the fourth Monday of themonth at the Women First ResourceCenter. Call (662) 842-5725.

Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step recov-ery support group for people with agambling problem, meets at 6 p.m.every Monday at Lee Acres Church ofChrist on Lawndale Drive in Tupelo.Call (662) 316-2219.

Gray Matters Support Group for anyonediagnosed with a brain tumor andtheir caregivers meets at 6 p.m. thelast Tuesday of the month at theNMMC Cancer Center in Tupelo. CallCindy Edwards at (662) 377-4049 or(800) 843-3375.

Grief support groups meet in:• Booneville: 10 a.m. the thirdTuesday of the month at George E.Allen Library in Booneville. Call DannyRushing or Amanda Tennison atAmedisys Hospice at (662) 620-1050.• New Albany: 1 p.m. the secondWednesday of the month at NewAlbany First United Methodist Church.Call Danny Rushing or AmandaTennison at Amedisys Hospice at(662) 620-1050.• Oxford: 6 p.m. the second Tuesdayand at noon the fourth Wednesday ofthe month at Azalea Gardens inOxford. Sponsored by NorthMississippi Hospice of Oxford. CallTracy Morgan at (662) 234-0140.

I Can Cope Cancer Support Groupmeets at noon the second Friday ofthe month at Bridgepoint on SouthGloster Street. Guest speakers. Lunchprovided for cancer survivors andcaregivers. Sponsored by the AmericanCancer Society. Call coordinatorDonna Kingsley at (662) 213-8478.

La Leche League of Lee County offersbreastfeeding support to moms. Thegroup meets at 11 a.m. the firstMonday of the month at All SaintsEpiscopal Church. All pregnant andbreastfeeding mothers are invited to attend. Call Toni Hill at 255-8283 or e-mail [email protected].

Lupus Support Group meets at 6 p.m.the third Thursday of the month atthe Link Centre, conference room A,suite 112. Sponsored by the LupusFoundation of America. Call MichelleHarris at (662) 640-2407 or (662)256-2604.

Man-to-Man, a prostate cancer supportgroup, meets at 6 p.m. the firstTuesday of the month in the NMMCEast Tower education center, Room21, Tupelo. Call (662) 377-3985 or(800) 843-3375.

Mended Hearts, a support group forpeople who have had heart-bypasssurgery, heart disease or other physi-

SUPPORT GROUPS


cal ailments of the heart, meet in:• Corinth: 6 p.m. the second Mondayof the month in the basement confer-ence center at Magnolia RegionalHealth Center in Corinth. Call BarbaraWilliams at (662) 293-1086.• Oxford: Noon the the secondWednesday of the month at BaptistMemorial Hospital-North Mississippiin Oxford. Call Riley McMinn at (662)513-1466.• Tupelo: 6 p.m. the last Thursday ofeach month at Room 21 of the NMMCEast Tower Education Center. Dinneravailable for $11; RSVP required fordinner. Call Ken Krason at (662) 844-6731 or Joan Smith at (662) 842-2110 to register.

Mental Health Family support groupwill meet at 10 a.m. the second andfourth Saturday of the month at NorthMississippi RC on Highway 7 inOxford. The group is designed for fam-ily members of people with seriousmental illness. Call (800) 357-0388or visit www.nami.org.

Mississippi Chapter of Parents ofBlind Children will meet at 2 p.m.the last Saturday of the month at theHarden House office on North GlosterStreet in Tupelo. Call Pat Sartain at(662) 871-8262.

Mississippi Council of the Blind ofNorth Mississippi meets at 10 a.m.the first Saturday of the month at theREACH Center for the Blind on PegramBoulevard, Tupelo. The organization isopen to the blind or visually impaired,and sighted people. Call TammyCantrell at (662) 620-7677.

Multiple Sclerosis support meets in:• Corinth: 11:30 a.m. the thirdWednesday of the month at the MSUExtension Office behind CrossroadsArena. Contact Joy Forsyth (662) 462-7325 or [email protected].• Oxford: 6:30 p.m. the fourthThursday of the month in the Magnoliaroom at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. CallRobert Allen at (662) 234-3515.• Tupelo: 6:30 p.m. the secondThursday of the month at the NMMCWellness Center in Tupelo. Call AllisonHolloway at (662) 231-5829, KaranWoods at (662) 231-9160 or (800)843-3375.

NAMI Connection, a weekly recoverygroup for people living with mental ill-ness, meets in: • Corinth: 1 p.m. Thursdays at TheResource Center.• Oxford: meets at 3:30 p.m. Sundaysat Baptist Memorial Hospital-North

Mississippi.• Call (601) 899-9058, (800) 357-0388 or visit www.nami.org.

Narcotics Anonymous, a community-based association of recovering drugaddicts, meets in Amory, Booneville,Corinth, Ecru, Oxford, Ripley, Tupelo,West Point and Starkville. Call (662)841-9998 or toll-free (866) 841-9998for more information.

New Moms Support Group meets at10:30 a.m. Fridays at the Breast FeedingResource Center at Baptist MemorialHospital-North Mississippi. Open to allnew moms. Call (662) 513-1602.

The North MS Pediatric CancerSupport Group (PECANS) meets at 6p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdaysof the month. Call Teresa Farris at(662) 791-1228 for meeting location.

Northeast Mississippi Down SyndromeSociety offers support and informationfor families of children with DownSyndrome. Meets quarterly. Call (662)871-2387 or (662) 869-3211, e-mailnemdss@ bellsouth.net or visitwww.nemdss.org.

Parkinson’s Disease support groupsmeet in:• Oxford: 6:30 p.m. the third Thursdayof the month at Magnolia Auditoriumat Baptist Memorial Hospital-NorthMississippi. For more information, callHarry Sneed at (662) 234-3232.• Tupelo: 3 p.m. the first Sunday of themonth at NMMC Wellness Center. Opento people with Parkinson’s and theirfamilies. Call Ginger Gore or AmandaAllen at (662) 377-3729 or (800)843-3375.

Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries offers sup-port for those healing after abortion.For info, please visit www.rachels vine-yard.org or contact Barb Baumann at(662) 231-1983, [email protected] or (877) 467-3463.

Second Chance Transplant AwarenessGroup meets at 6:30 p.m. on the thirdThursday of the month, except forJune, at McAlister’s Deli, Tupelo. CallMississippi Organ Recovery Agency,Tupelo office at (662) 841-1960.

A Sexual Addiction Support Groupmeets in Tupelo. Call (662) 841-0403.

A Sexual Assault Support Group meetsat 11 a.m. every Wednesday. Call(800) 527-7233 for location.

Sisters Network, Tupelo chapter of theAfrican-American breast cancer sur-vivor’s support group, meets at 5:30p.m. the first Monday of the month atthe Link Centre in Tupelo. Call NormaDerring at 842-3440.

Stroke support groups meet in: • Tupelo: 5 p.m. the third Tuesday of themonth in NMMC East Tower Room 21.Call Stacy Scruggs at (662) 377-4058.• Starkville: 10 a.m. to noon every othermonth in the OCH Regional educationroom. Next meetings are March 23, May25, July 20 and Sept. 28. Light lunchprovided. Call the speech languagepathology department at (662) 615-3020. 10 a.m. the third Wednesday ofthe month in the OCH Healthplex multi-purpose room. Call Andrea Carlisle at(662) 615-3020.

T.A.A.P. (Teen Addiction AwarenessProgram) is a free 10-week programoffered by the National Council onAlcoholism and Drug Dependencebuilding, 200 N. Spring St., Tupelo.Call NCADD at (662) 841-0403 orwww.ncadd.net.

TOPS, a weight loss support group,has three chapters meeting inNortheast Mississippi. Fees are $24for annual membership; $12 forspouses and teens. Call (800) 932-8677 or www.tops.org. Meetings in:• Tupelo: 5:30 p.m. Thursdays atSalvation Army Building at 527Carnation St. Call Nita at 891-8651.• Aberdeen: 5 p.m. Tuesdays atSouthside Baptist Church onMeridian Street. Call Janet Luker at(662) 369-6836 or (662) 369-1878,Grace Guin at (662) 369-4431 orPat Harris at (662) 327-7152.

Tupelo Lost Chords Club meets at noonthe fourth Thursday of the month atthe Longtown Medical Park conferenceroom, Tupelo. Open to all laryngec-tomees, spouses of laryngectomeesand interested professionals. Call LisaRenfroe at (662) 377-3248.

Weight Loss Support Group will meet at6 p.m. the first Thursday of the monthat NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo.The group provides education andemotional support for those consider-ing or have gone through bariatric sur-gery. Call registered nurse Cherri Cox at377-7546 or (866) 908-9465.

Women with Cancer Support Groupsare sponsored by Women FirstResource Center. Groups meet in:• Amory: Noon the second Tuesday ofthe month. Call (662) 325-0721.• Tupelo: 6 p.m. the third Monday ofeach month at Women First ResourceCenter. Call 842-5725.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONSAmerican Red Cross offers CPR/AED/First

Aid classes at its Westside Drive office inTupelo. Call (662) 842-6101.

Mental health assessments by a licensedcounselor are offered through NorthMississippi Medical Center BehavioralHealth Center at the Eason Boulevardcenter from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. andthrough the NMMC emergency depart-ment after hours.Assessments are freeof charge.Appointments available, butwalk-ins accepted. Call (662) 377-3161(800) 843-3375.

National Council on Alcoholism andDrug Dependency provides free confi-dential information, assessments andtreatment referrals for people withaddiction. Maintains list of area supportgroup meetings. Call (662) 841-0403.

Nurse Link, a free information serviceprovided by NMMC, connects callerswith a registered nurse from 4 p.m. tomidnight Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. tomidnight weekends and holidays. Call(800) 882-6274.

Women First Resource Center, 215 N.Gloster, Suite D, Tupelo, hosts groupsand offers assistance for women on arange of issues. Call (662) 842-5725.

FITNESSOngoingAdult swimming lessons for ages 13

and up are available at the NMMCWellness Center in Tupelo. Private andsemi-private lessons available.Instructor Barb Baumann is a masterswimmer and American Red Crosswater safety instructor. Starting at$15 per lesson. Call (662) 231-1983.

Arthritis Foundation YMCA AquaticProgram is offered at 10:30 a.m.Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays atthe NMMC Wellness Center. Cost is$99. Call (662) 690-6220.

Beginner Yoga is offered at 4:30p.m. Tuesdays at the Yoga Center in Tupelo. Cost is $65. Call (662)690-6220.

Hoop-elo, a hooping class, meets at 6p.m. Tuesdays at Fairpark in down-town Tupelo or at the Link Centre incase of rain. Open to all ages andabilities. Class meets outdoors ingood weather. Call Derek at (662)690-4011 for more information.

Jazzercise is offered at 9 a.m. Monday-Friday, at 5:45 p.m.Tuesday andThursday, and 3 p.m. Sundays twice amonth at the Tupelo Furniture MarketMississippi Building on Coley Road. Costis $32 a month. Call Sherry Reppert at(662) 205-4585 or (662) 255-2696.

Swimming and water activities are avail-able at the Rob Leake City Pool. Formore information, call (662) 841-6440.

SUPPORT GROUPS/RESOURCES

• Low-impact water aerobics at 6:30p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays andThursdays. Cost is $10 a month.• Senior aquatics at 10:30 a.m.Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Costis $10 a month. Call (662) 841-6440.• Lap Swim Training at 10:30 a.m.and 6:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday andThursday. Cost is $35 a month.• Shockwave Aquatic Team meetsMonday through Friday. Call (662)841-6440.• U.S. Masters Swimming meets 5 to6:15 a.m. Monday, Wednesday andFriday. National organization providesstructured workouts with a coachoffering training, stroke and technicalassistance. Programs open to all adultswimmers. Contact Barbara Aguirre at(662) 842-2358.

Silver Sneakers, a low impact class thatuses chairs, balls, weights and exer-cise bands, meets at 11:15 a.m.Tuesdays and Thursdays at the NMMCWellness Center in Tupelo. Ideal forpeople with exercise limitations. Costis $99. Call (662) 690-6220.

Swimming lessons are available fromElite Physical Therapy & Aquatic Centerin Saltillo. Private and semi-privatelessons for ages 4 through adult.Classes given in an indoor, heated

pool. Starting at $15 per lesson. Call(662) 869-9980.

T’ai Chi Chih is offered at 10:15 a.m.Mondays at the NMMC WellnessCenter. Described as a moving medita-tion, the series of 19 movementsimprove balance, physical fitness, flex-ibility and stamina. Cost is $99. Call(662) 690-6220.

Water POWER, a water fitness class forobese individuals, is offered at NorthMississippi Medical Center WellnessCenter in Tupelo at 10:30 a.m.Tuesdays and Thursdays and 11:30a.m. Fridays. The class is geared topeople who are at least 100 poundsoverweight with a body mass index of40 or greater. Free to Wellness Centermembers; $100 a quarter for others.Free trial class. Call (800) 843-3375.

Zumba fitness classes are offered at twolocations open to the public in Tupelo:• 5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at theDance Studio on Spring Street inTupelo. All classes $5. Call Liz Martinat (662) 542-9900.• 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Link Centre inTupelo. Cost is $25 a month. CallRebecca at (662) 690-4011.

FREE CLINICSAntone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free

Clinic provides health care to workingor temporarily unemployed Lee Countyresidents who cannot afford insurancebut are not eligible for governmentprograms. Call (662) 844-3733.

CATCH Kids offers school-based andcommunity clinics where children 18and under can be seen free of chargein Lee, Chickasaw and Pontotoc coun-ties. Medications are provided withoutcost to patients through arrangementswith local pharmacies. Call (662) 377-2194. Community clinics are: • 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at 1616 N.Green St., Tupelo and GW GilliamBuilding in Pontotoc.• 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays at MorningStar Baptist Church in Tupelo.• 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at 1616 N.Green St., Tupelo and 203 Main St.,Okolona.

Immunization Clinic provides free child-hood immunizations at 5 p.m. to 6:30p.m.Tuesdays and Thursdays at theGood Samaritan Free Clinic in Tupelo.Families whose insurance does notcover immunizations are eligible; theydo not have to meet other clinic eligibili-ty requirements. Limited number of chil-

dren can be seen. Call (662) 844-3733.Oxford Medical Ministries provides

free health care to workers living inLafayette and Yalobusha countieswho can’t afford or don’t have accessto health insurance, but make toomuch for public assistance. Call(662) 234-1374.

Regional Rehabilitation Center pro-vides free physical therapy, occupa-tional therapy, speech language thera-py and audiology services to childrenand adults.

Tree of Life/Arbol de la Vida Free Clinicholds a free clinics at 5 p.m. the firstWednesday and 9 a.m. the thirdSaturday of the month at 541 W. MainSt. building in Tupelo. Open to anyonewithout Medicaid, Medicare or privatehealth insurance. Call (662) 841-8777.

HEALTHY EDUCATIONBaptist Memorial Hospital-Union County

diabetes self-management classes areoffered each month in New Albany. CallTina Snyder (662) 538-2297 or MaryFoley at (662) 538-2199.

HeartSaver CPR/AED classes will beoffered free at 11 a.m. at the LinkCentre in Tupelo on April 6, April 27


Gregg A. Willis, M.D.

Malinda Ingram, C.N.P.

Elesha Tidwell, C.N.P

All Providers Board Certified

Office Hours by AppointmentCall (662) 840-4010

to Schedule Your Appointment

RESOURCES

and May 11. The free classes aresponsored by the Weston ReedFoundation. Call (662) 690-4011.

NMMC Diabetes Treatment Centeroffers diabetes self-management pro-gram twice a month at NMMC-Tupeloand NMMC-West Point. Call (662)377-2500.

Tobacco Cessation Classes are avail-able free through area hospitals• Baptist Memorial HospitalOxford – (662) 513-1506• NMMCTupelo – (800) 843-3375

HealthWorks! Children HealthEducation Center is open 8:30 a.m. to4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The center islocated at the corner of Robert E. LeeDrive and Industrial Road in Tupelo.Regular programs include HipHoppersfor preschoolers and their grown ups,school vacation camps. Generaladmission is $5. Call (662) 377-5437or visit www.healthworkskids.org.

PREGNANCY/PARENTINGHospitals with maternity services offer

a number of classes about pregnancy,newborn care, breastfeeding andpreparing siblings and grandparents.

• Baptist Memorial-North Mississippi, Oxford – (662) 513-1602• Baptist Memorial-Union County,New Albany – (662) 538-2397• NMMC Women’s Hospital,Tupelo – (662) 377-4956• Oktibbeha County Hospital,Starkville – Call (662) 615-3364

Family Resource Center of NortheastMississippi offers parenting classes,marriage education, parenting duringdivorce and Parents as Teachers pro-grams. Call (662) 844-0013.

Health Help for Kids offers free assis-tance for parents with Medicaid andCHIPS. Trained counselors atMississippi Health AdvocacyPartnership offer help and guidance indetermining eligibility and otherissues. Call (877) 314-3843.

The Birthing Project connects trainedvolunteer Sister Friends with pregnantwomen who are at risk. The goal of thenational program is to keep morebabies alive by providing direction,emotional support and education tomothers during their pregnancy andthe first year of their child’s life. CallToni Hill at (662) 255-8283 or [email protected].

Free Weekly Parenting, fatherhood and

GED classes for ages 16 to 21 atFamilies First Building behind theMantachie Clinic. Call (662) 282-4661.

UPCOMING EVENTSRelay for Life, a team-based fundraiser

for the American Cancer Society, willbe held in communities acrossNortheast Mississippi over the nextfew months. Events begin at 6 p.m.For more information, call (662) 844-8544.• April 1: Mississippi State University• April 8: Calhoun County• April 29: Itawamba County, ICC foot-ball stadium, Fulton• May 6: Prentiss County, NortheastCommunity College football stadium,Booneville; Oktibbeha County;Lafayette County• May 13: Lee County, The Mall atBarnes Crossing, Tupelo; Clay County;Chickasaw County, Joe Brigance Park,Houston; • May 20: Tishomingo County, MineralSprings Park, Iuka• June 3: Pontotoc County; UnionCounty, New Albany SportsPlex;Baldwyn, Lattimer Park, Baldwyn• June 10: Monroe County, Frisco Park,Amory; Alcorn County, CrossroadsRegional Park, Corinth; Marshall County,

Sam Coopwood Park, Holly Springs• June 17: Tippah County, RipleyDowntown Square

April 10 and 30March for Babies will be April 10 at The

Grove at the University of Mississippiand April 30 at Veteran’s Park inTupelo. For more information on form-ing a team, call community directorJonJohn Suggs at (662) 210-1001.

May 30-June 2Camp Breathe EZZZZE for children 6-12

with asthma will be held May 30 toJune 2 at Tishomingo State Park. Themedically-supervised camp includestraditional camp activities and asthmamanagement education. Cost is $100;scholarships available. Call (662) 377-4706 or (800) 843-3375 or visitwww.nmhs.net/camp_breathe_ezzzze.php. Registration is due by April 15.

Aug. 13Weston Reed Cardiovascular

Conference will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Aug. 13. Free CPR/AED training. Freeathlete screenings including an EKG.Call 372-2208 to register or registeronline at westonreedcc.org.


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Health Journal Spring 2011