Linda Burket beat breast cancer thanks to new diagnosis and

Visit BaylorHealth.com for informative videos, interactive quizzes, online event registration, and much more.

Ray of HopeLinda Burket beat breast cancer thanks to new diagnosis and treatment options at Baylor page 4

Keeping kids off the benchpage 2

Surgical options for womenpage 3

Take control of chronic painpage 6

Can a sleep study help you snooze?page 8

Try these five heart-smart tips page 10

1-800-4BAYLOR September 2010

FdBL091012_Carrollton.indd 1 7/14/10 8:50:03 AM

5 Tips for Preventing Child Sports Injury1. Gear up. Wear protective gear: helmets, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads.

2. Use the right stuff . Protective gear, shoes and sports equipment should fi t correctly and be properly maintained.

3. Practice makes perfect. Children should learn and practice appropriate technique and skills for their sport, emphasizing correct biomechanics.

4. Monitor the mercury. Children should be properly dressed for outdoor sports, stay hydrated, and be given time to adjust to heat and humidity.

5. Be a good role model. Parents and coaches should emphasize safety and practice what they preach.

Source: cdc.gov

2 BaylorHealth September 2010 ● For a physician referral, visit BaylorHealth.com/Carrollton

For many kids, fall means back to school and back to sports—and also back to the doctor.

Jimmi Raj, M.D., a family medicine and sports medicine specialist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton, explains that an annual well-child exam will review family medi-cal history, ensure the child is reaching important growth and developmental milestones, check eyesight and hearing, and update immunizations.

“Most kids in middle school got all their childhood immunizations when they were younger, so they may only need a tetanus booster,” says Dr. Raj.

For older teenagers, nearly all colleges and universities now require a tubercu-losis test and meningitis vaccine prior to entrance.

Students involved in fall school sports—whether it’s football, cheerlead-ing, volleyball or soccer—must pass a sports physical, which may take place during the annual well-child exam or as an organized event at school. The kids bring a health-history questionnaire they completed with their parents and move from station to station—musculoskeletal, heart and lungs, hearing and vision, and so forth—to be examined by the partici-pating health care providers.

“We pay particular attention to family history of unexpected death at a young age, which may signal a silent heart prob-lem; and in the child, any history of head injury, concussion or passing out dur-ing sports,” Dr. Raj says. “If we identify something that needs further investiga-tion, the child must follow up with a health care provider.”

The most common reason children are not cleared to play? “They pass everything except the vision test.” So schedule an eye exam for your child—the sooner, the better. Who knows, it may improve their grades, too! ●

By Deborah Paddison

Ready for ActionKeeping kids healthy, on and off the fi eld

Be a Good SportTo fi nd a family medicine or sports medicine specialist on the medical staff at Baylor Carrollton, call 1-800-4BAYLOR.

Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton4343 N. Josey LaneCarrollton, TX 75010972-492-1010

President and CEO, Baylor Health Care System:Joel Allison

President, Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton:Spencer W. Turner, FACHE

Marketing Director: Susan Watson

Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton Board of Trustees:Roy Lamkin, ChairmanMichael TaylorPatrick Richter

Dr. Rosemary LuquireLaVone ArthurIddriss K. Yusufali, M.D.William A. Paruolo, M.D.Vaqar A. Dar, M.D.Charles B. HeathPaul Convery, M.D.Fred SavelsberghAnis A. Ansari, M.D.Syed M. Oqail, M.D.

Baylor Health Care System Mission:Founded as a Christian ministry of healing, Baylor Health Care System exists to serve all people through exemplary health care, education, research and community service.

Visit BaylorHealth.com or call 1-800-4BAYLOR for information about

Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton services, upcoming events, physician referrals, career opportunities and more.

BaylorHealth is published six times a year for friends and supporters of Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton by McMurry. © 2010 Baylor Health Care System

The material in BaylorHealth is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before under taking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor

Medical Center at Carrollton or Baylor Health Care System.

Photographs may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients.

If you are receiving multiple copies, need to change your mailing address or do not wish to receive this publication, please send your mailing label(s) and the updated information to Robin Vogel, Baylor Health Care System, 2001 Bryan St., Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75201, or e-mail the information to [email protected].

FdBL091012_Carrollton.indd 2 7/14/10 12:25:46 PM

To make a donation, visit BaylorHealth.com/WaystoGive ● September 2010 BaylorHealth 3

W hether because of uterine fi b- roids, cancer, abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain, more than 600,000

women undergo hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus, in the United States each year.

There are several approaches to hys-terectomy (see chart). According to Wei Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., OB/GYN physician on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton, 95 percent of total hysterecto-mies today can be done as minimally inva-sive surgery using a laparoscope and surgical tools inserted through several abdominal incisions measuring about one-quarter to one-half inch. Still, nearly 70 percent of hys-terectomies are performed through a 5- to 8-inch abdominal incision, which requires four to six weeks of recovery.

A Step AheadPhysicians on the Baylor Carrollton medi-cal staff are some of only a few in North Texas performing total laparoscopic hyster-ectomy, or TLH. TLH off ers the benefi ts of a minimally invasive procedure, then goes one step further by removing the cervix lap-aroscopically as well.

“TLH allows women who need a total hys-terectomy to have it done laparoscopically, with less trauma than a total abdominal hys-terectomy,” Dr. Zhang says. The typical ben-efi ts of TLH include a shorter hospital stay, minimal blood loss, less pain, lower risk of infection and faster recovery time.

Is Hysterectomy Even the Answer?Unless a woman has signifi cant symptoms as a result of gynecological problems, anyhysterectomy should be a last resort. Alternatives include:● MYOMECTOMY, which removes fi broids

but restores normal function of the uterus.● UTERINE ABLATION, an outpatient

procedure that treats overgrowth of cells in the uterine wall to reduce or eliminate monthly pain and abnormal bleeding.

● MEDICATION to temporarily reduce symptoms from fi broids until they natu-rally shrink at menopause.If you have chronic pelvic pain or bleed-

ing, talk to your OB/GYN about treatment options. And Dr. Zhang says, “I always recommend that patients get a second opinion.” ● By Deborah Paddison

What’s the Answer?A minimally invasive option for women

Hysterectomy OptionsTotal Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH)

Vaginal Hysterectomy (VH)

Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH)

Laparoscopic-Assisted Supracervical Hysterectomy (LASH)

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH)

Procedure Uterus is removed through an abdomi-nal incision. Can treat complicated conditions, such as adhesions.

Uterus and cervix are pulled down and removed through the vagina. Requires ade-quate vaginal space, uterine mobility and no adhesions; only a few patients are good candidates.

Same as VH, add-ing a laparoscope in the abdomen to treat more diffi cult conditions, such as a larger uterus and/or adhesions.

The uterus is removed laparo-scopically but the cervix is left in place. Patient cannot have a history of abnormal Pap tests.

Uterus and cervix are removed laparo-scopically and then pulled out through the vagina. Reduces trauma; gives more patients an alterna-tive to TAH.

Incision A 5- to 8-inch abdomi-nal incision

All surgery is per-formed through a vaginal incision.

A vaginal incision plus 2 to 4 half-inch abdominal incisions. More than half the sur-gery is done vaginally.

Abdominal approach with 2 to 4 half-inch incisions

A vaginal incision plus 2 to 4 half-inch abdominal incisions. Surgery is mainly laparoscopic.

Hospital stay

3 to 5 days 2 days 2 days 1 to 2 days 1 to 2 days

Recovery time

4 to 6 weeks up to 4 weeks up to 4 weeks 1 to 2 weeks 1 to 2 weeks

For Women OnlyFor a referral to an OB/GYN on the medical staff at Baylor Carrollton, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit FindDrRight.com.


FFacing breast cancer? At Baylor you have options in diagnosis and treatment

For Linda Burket, 57, of Irving, the decision to have a lumpec-tomy 10 days after she received a diagnosis of breast cancer came relatively easily. “I just wanted to get that baby out,” she says.

And while nearly all cases of breast cancer involve surgery, there are variables in treatment—as well as in screening and diagnosis—that women have to consider. It’s all thanks to the technological advances and range of options available today.

The Best DetectionMonthly breast self-exams are important, but they’re no substitute for mammograms. “I somewhat kept up with self-exams,” Burket says. “But even after they did the mammogram and found the lump, I couldn’t feel it myself.”

“Mammograms have been part of the improvement in survival rates,” says Bryan Maupin, M.D., a radiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton. “Annual screenings should begin at 40 for most women. If there is a family history, they should begin 10 years prior to the family member’s age at diagnosis or 40, whichever is earlier.”

Don’t put off your appointment, says Amy Balis, M.D., a radiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Irving. “Yes, they are slightly uncomfortable, and it’s diff erent for every woman. But the whole process takes about fi ve min-utes, and it’s worth it.”

Determining a DiagnosisIf an abnormality is found with mammography, you’ll be asked to come back for further testing. Your doctor may order a diagnostic mammogram, in which additional images are taken of the suspicious area. Or, you may have an ultrasound, breast MRI or molecular breast imaging (MBI), all of which are helpful in the diagnosis and staging of cancer.

If the lump needs further investigation, a biopsy will be performed to determine if the cells are cancerous. Most biopsies can be performed with a needle using local anesthetic.

Which Surgery Is Right for Me?Because Burket’s cancer was caught early, her doctor recom-mended a lumpectomy to remove only the tumor and some surrounding tissue. “He was very optimistic that he’d get it all,” she says.

Burket wasn’t off her feet for long. “I had the surgery on a Friday, and I was driving by the fol-lowing Tuesday. All in all, I was off work about a week,” she says.

Lumpectomy has a faster recovery time than mastectomy, which typi-cally requires an over-night hospital stay and a couple weeks of recovery.

“While many women think they need a mastectomy, only a small number of cases truly require it,” says Edward Clifford, M.D., a breast cancer surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine. “It’s largely a patient-driven decision.”

“For the most part, we try to at least give the option of lumpectomy,” says Valerie Gorman, M.D., a surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie. “But some women still decide on full mastectomy.”

“Every breast cancer is a little diff erent,” says Joseph D. Heyne, M.D., a surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth. “We look at how big the cancer is in relation to the breast and its location—if it’s in one spot or scattered throughout.”

Decisions,Decisions

By Shelley Flannery

Mammo Myth or Fact?How much do you know about mammograms? Take our quiz about this lifesaving screening at BaylorHealth.com/HealthCast. And don’t forget to schedule your mammogram this year. If you need a physician on the Baylor medical staff , call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit FindDrRight.com.

4 BaylorHealth September 2010 ● For the career of a lifetime, go to BaylorHealth.com/Careers

FdBL091001_BUMC.indd 4 8/16/10 8:24:42 AM

CELEBRATING WOMENDo you have a family member or friend aff ected by breast cancer? Help fi ght this dis-ease by attending the 11th annual Celebrating Women luncheon, benefi ting breast cancer research, outreach, community education and expanded technology, at 11:45 a.m., Oct. 21 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas.

This year, L.A. Law’s Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker will be our featured speakers. Eikenberry was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986 and wants women to know that they’re not battling this disease alone. She and her husband, Michael, tell their breast cancer jour-ney with hope and humor, inspiring others to live full and vibrant lives.

Over the past decade, Celebrating Women has raised more than $11 million thanks to the generous donations of more than 1,300 attendees each year.

For more information about the Celebrating Women luncheon, please call 214-820-4500 or send an

e-mail with the subject line Celebrating Women to [email protected]. You also can

fi nd information online at BaylorHealth.com/CelebratingWomen.


L.A. LawTucker will be our featured speakers. Eikenberry was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986 and wants women to know that they’re not battling this disease alone. She and her husband, Michael, tell their breast cancer jour-ney with hope and humor, inspiring others to live full and vibrant lives.


For more information about the Celebrating Women luncheon, please call

e-mail with the subject line Celebrating Women to [email protected]

fi nd information online at CelebratingWomen


This year, L.A. LawTucker will be our featured speakers. Eikenberry was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986 and wants women to know that they’re not battling this disease alone. She and her husband, Michael, tell their breast cancer jour-ney with hope and humor, inspiring others to live full and vibrant lives.


For more information about the Celebrating Women luncheon, please call

e-mail with the subject line Celebrating Women to [email protected]

fi nd information online at CelebratingWomen

Learn More About LindaAfter treatment at Baylor, Linda Burket is once more enjoying the things she loves. Watch her story at BaylorHealth.com/MyStory.

Chemotherapy and RadiationFollowing surgery, patients generally undergo radiation or chemotherapy to kill

off any remaining cancer cells. External beam radiation involves directing the radiation at the breast from outside

the body. “It’s just like getting an X-ray; there is no pain,” says Anand Shivnani, M.D., a radia-

tion oncologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Irving. “It’s given once a day, fi ve days a week for

about six weeks.”Partial breast irradiation, which uses a radioactive source

that’s temporarily inserted in the breast, is given twice a day for just fi ve days. And the side eff ects—including redness, itching and peeling at the radiation site and fatigue—are lessened.

Burket’s external radiation caused mild fatigue. “But I was still able to walk two miles every day like I always do,” she says. And today, two and a half years after her diagnosis, she says she’s feeling great. ●

Visit us at BaylorHealth.com ● September 2010 BaylorHealth 5

FdBL091001_BUMC.indd 5 8/6/10 11:12:03 AM

Get Control of PainVisit BaylorHealth.com/Pain to fi nd out more about pain management options at Baylor.

Nancy Ladd understands how chronic pain can take over your life. The persistent pain she

experienced following back surgery in 2003 caused diffi culty in every activity she enjoyed—from managing her fi ne jewelry business to gardening and playing cards.

“I was extremely depressed because I felt my life as I knew it had completely changed,” says Ladd, 60, who tried every treatment from steroid injections to acupuncture to massage.

In 2008, Ladd’s doctor referred her to the Baylor Center for Pain Management in Richardson. The inter-disciplinary team taught her techniques

to control the pain and start taking back her life.

“I’ve become more tolerant of the pain,” says Ladd, of Austin. “I have learned that I’ve got to change the way I do things and take care of myself.”

A Vicious CircleNo matter the source of pain—from neck, mid- and low-back problems, post-surgical spine conditions, headaches, sports or work injuries, or illness—patients with chronic pain experience frustration, anxiety and depression. They may withdraw from friends and family. Marriages may become strained.

“We understand now that chronic pain creates a vicious circle of depres-sion, fatigue and sleeplessness,” says Christopher Ince, M.D., an interventional pain management anesthesiologist on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth. “When you view those conditions together, they hinder the healing pro-cess. Your entire immune system is compromised. So having chronic pain actually can increase your risk of devel-oping other conditions.”

Restoring HopeBaylor’s four Centers for Pain Management offer comprehensive, interdisciplinary programs custom-ized to meet each patient’s personal needs, including a strong educational

component, says Richard Vera, M.D., medical director at the Baylor Center for Pain Management at Grapevine. The center’s approach to pain manage-ment, for both acute and chronic pain conditions, addresses both physical and emotional needs.

“We incorporate a variety of multidisciplinary techniques to help people reduce their pain and improve their functioning, address their

Preventing PainEveryone experiences pain sometimes, but there are ways to prevent injuries that cause pain conditions. Here are a few tips:● Exercise. You don’t have to go to the

gym—walking is great exercise.● Strengthen core muscles (the abs and

back) to increase the spine’s support.● Maintain a healthy weight.

● Use good body mechanics when lift-ing heavy objects. Bend your knees and let your legs do the lifting instead of your back.

● Use common sense. Don’t try to move a heavy couch by yourself, or jog 10 miles when you’re not conditioned for it. “Do only what you’re fi t for and accustomed to doing,” Dr. Vera says.

Nancy Ladd is now living with

less pain.

A Plan for PainTake control of chronic pain before it takes control of you

6 BaylorHealth September 2010 ● BaylorHealth.com

FdBL091001_BUMC.indd 6 7/14/10 1:11:08 PM

A Plan to Manage Acute PainMany people experience episodes of acute pain—that is, pain lasting less than three months. In fact, nearly one-half of the patients seen at Baylor’s Pain Management Centers are treated for acute pain, according to Richard Vera, M.D., medical director at the Baylor Center for Pain Management at Grapevine. Acute pain typically is associated with an injury, such as yard work or lifting heavy objects.

“Traditionally, acute pain is of an infl ammatory nature, as opposed to chronic pain, which is more a result of structural changes [in the body],” Dr. Vera says.

Acute pain often responds well to “conservative” treatments, Dr. Vera says, including rest, anti-infl am-matory drugs and limiting usage of the aff ected part. Other treatments for acute pain include physical therapy or nonsurgical procedures such as injectable steroids or cortisone.

depression, address their inactivity and immobility, and give them tools to man-age their pain,” Dr. Vera says.

Baylor’s treatment options for acute and chronic pain include:

● Injections, such as steroids or cortisone, to reduce swelling and pressure on the nerves

● Burning or freezing nerve endings to eliminate pain sensation

● Spinal cord stimulators to block pain signals to the brain

● Aquatics and physical therapy for con-ditioning and strengthening muscles

● Biofeedback, a technique of controlling one’s heart rate and breathing to promote deep relaxation

● Group therapy and individual counselingBaylor also off ers a four-week

Comprehensive Outpatient Program that incorporates the techniques listed above into an intensive day-treatment program.

“People who are dealing with pain often are unaware that there are very powerful techniques that they can learn and take with them for a lifetime,” says Timothy Clark, Ph.D., program direc-tor for the Comprehensive Outpatient Program and a licensed psychologist at Baylor Dallas. “These can help them feel better, have more hope and get back into the swing of life again.” ● By Karen Doss Bowman

BaylorHealth.com ● September 2010 BaylorHealth 7

FdBL091001_BUMC.indd 7 7/14/10 1:12:58 PM

Zsa-Zsa Brown of Rowlett was con-stantly exhausted. And when she started nodding off at stoplights,

she knew she needed to fi gure out what was going on.

“Driving home from work was painful, because I had to force myself to keep my eyes open,” Brown says. “I just wanted to pull over and take a nap.”

Finding AnswersThe 47-year-old customer service supervisor turned to the Sleep Center at Baylor Medical Center at Garland, where a comprehensive sleep study was performed. She was diagnosed with sleep apnea, a condition in which breath-ing stops briefl y during sleep, usually because of blocked airways. Brown now uses a breathing device to keep her air-ways open while she sleeps.

“Even after one night, I felt well-rested and had more energy,” she says. “And I continue to feel that way.”

Most people who have trouble sleeping talk to their primary care doctor fi rst, says Ahmed Raza, M.D., a sleep specialist on the medical staff at Baylor Garland. “Sometimes the sleep issues are short-term and resolve on their own,” he says.

What You Can DoInsomnia, which is among the most common sleep disorders, can often be addressed through lifestyle changes. Drinking caff eine in the late afternoon and evening can disrupt sleep, as can eating dinner too late or drinking too much alcohol.

Raul Noriega, RPSGT, a sleep tech-nologist/therapist at the Sleep Center at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine, recommends avoiding

vigorous exercise in the evening too close to bedtime.

Edwin Charnock, M.D., and Jack Gardner, M.D., sleep medicine special-ists on the medical staff at the Sleep

Center at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie, agree that consistency in your sleep schedule is essential.

“It’s particularly important to wake up within 30 or 45 minutes

of the same time seven days a week,” Dr. Gardner says.

If you have trouble falling asleep, get up and do something relaxing like read-ing until you’re sleepy, instead of tossing and turning. “Turn the clock toward the wall so you’re not tempted to lie there and watch it,” Dr. Charnock says. “And don’t assume that poor sleep is just part of life, because it doesn’t have to be.”

Seek medical advice so you can begin to rest easy. ● By Amy Lynn Smith

A Better BedtimeWhat to do when rest doesn’t come easy

Diagnosing Sleep IssuesWhen should you seek professional advice about sleep problems? “When they’re disturb-ing your daily life,” says David Luterman, M.D., sleep medicine specialist and medical direc-tor on the medical staff at the Sleep Center at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

“Whether you’re unable to fall asleep, or you feel sleepy during the day, or your sleep is just unsatisfactory, it’s better to address the problem sooner rather than later,” he says.

After an initial evaluation, some patients may spend the night at a sleep center— like one of the six locations Baylor operates—for a sleep study to check for specifi c sleep disorders.

Sleep WellTo fi nd the Baylor Sleep Center nearest you, or for more information, call 1-800-4BAYLOR.

A Better BedtimeWhat to do when rest doesn’t come easy

After a sleep study at Baylor, Zsa-Zsa

Brown is fi nally getting a good

night’s rest.

8 BaylorHealth September 2010 ● Sick? Click. Visit BaylorHealth.com

FdBL091001_BUMC.indd 8 7/14/10 4:02:02 PM

Many scientifi c discoveries about major health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease began with the study of rare disorders. And Baylor researchers are hoping the

same could be true with their study of Fabry disease, a meta-bolic disorder that’s a risk factor for stroke, heart disease and kidney disease.

Fabry disease is a genetic condition that involves a defi ciency of a particular enzyme, which prevents the body from metabo-lizing a specifi c group of lipids, a fatty substance in the body. Lipid disorders are a known risk factor for heart disease and stroke—even in people without Fabry’s.

“I think if we better understand the mechanism of Fabry disease, we will be able to better understand heart disease, stroke and kidney disease,” says Raphael Schiff mann, M.D., MHSc, director of the Kimberly H. Courtwright and Joseph W. Summers Institute of Metabolic Disease (IMD), a compo-nent of the Baylor Research Institute.

Learning how the primary abnormality involved with Fabry’s manifests in a disease such as kidney disease could help Dr. Schiff mann and his colleagues gain new insights into the disease process. “We hope that the knowledge we gain

about this relatively rare disease will be generalized to more common disorders,” he says.

Dr. Schiff mann also hopes to iden-tify people with Fabry’s who have not been diagnosed but are at risk. The condition is often overlooked when there’s a more obvi-ous health issue to

diagnose, like a heart attack. There is a treatment available for Fabry’s, which Dr. Schiff mann says is more eff ective when the condition is diagnosed as early as possible.

IMD is conducting a large study of heart disease patients admitted to three Baylor locations, who are off ered the chance to be screened for Fabry’s. Patients without heart disease are also being screened as a control group. In another study, IMD researchers are testing the current treatment for Fabry’s.

“Baylor cares about people with rare disorders just as much as we do about those with common disorders,” Dr. Schiff mann says. “With our research, we hope to be able to learn more about both.” ● By Amy Lynn Smith

Unlocking the Secrets Behind Fabry DiseaseBaylor researchers look closely at a genetic risk factor for common diseases

Advanced ScreeningIMD wants to enroll 5,000 heart disease patients in its screening study, along with a control group of people without heart disease. For more information, call 1-800-4BAYLOR.

Find out more at BaylorHealth.com/AdvancingMedicine ● September 2010 BaylorHealth 9

FdBL091001_BUMC.indd 9 8/6/10 10:10:11 AM

Four of the fi ve major risk factors for heart disease—smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol—are on the fi eld. (Genetics is the fi fth.) “Focusing on the big four is where you get the most bang for your buck in risk

reduction,” says John Bret, M.D., an interventional cardiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Garland. Follow these plays to help come out ahead against heart disease.

Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity increases your risk of dia-betes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Keeping your por-tion sizes under control and limiting junk food will go a long way in keeping the excess pounds at bay.

Take a step—literally. Or a jump, or a swing. Find a form of exercise that appeals to you and works with your schedule. Exercise helps prevent or control diabetes, high blood pres-sure and high cholesterol. Aim for 30 to 45 min-utes of exercise four or more times per week.

Quit smoking and using tobacco. Don’t think that if you have a family history of heart disease you can’t infl uence your risk. “The risk that runs in your family falls by two-thirds if you stop smoking,” says Martin A. Tobey, M.D., a cardiologist on the medical staff at Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth. “It’s not just genes. It’s the combination of factors.”

Check your blood pressure. A read-ing of 120/80 or lower is normal and 140/90 or higher is high. A reading between these numbers is consid-ered prehyperten-sion. Losing weight, exercising and changing your diet can help move high numbers toward normal, and if you don’t see enough gain with lifestyle changes, your doc-tor might recom-mend medication.

The Smart Plays

Know your cholesterol levels. There are three important numbers—your LDL, HDL and triglycerides read-ings. Talk to your doctor about how your levels mesh with your risk fac-tors. People with normal cholesterol levels but other risk factors may still benefi t from cholesterol-low-ering medications such as statins, says James Rellas, M.D., a cardiolo-gist on the medi-cal staff at Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton. Your doctor might rec-ommend calcium scoring or measur-ing the thickness of your carotid artery to better estimate your risk. ● By Stephanie Thurrott

Be Heart SmartIf you don’t know your numbers for blood pressure and cholesterol, talk to your doctor about a screening. For a referral to a physician on the medical staff at Baylor, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit FindDrRight.com. To learn more about how family history can aff ect your risk of heart disease and other conditions, visit BaylorHealth.com/HealthCast.

10 BaylorHealth September 2010 ● BaylorHealth.com/HealthCast

The Smart

AttackHeart disease is like

football—in both, the best defense is a good

off ense. Read on to learn the plays you

need to execute.

FdBL091001_BUMC.indd 10 7/14/10 1:17:50 PM

A Flu-Proof YouYou’re busy enough—the last thing you want is to get slowed down by the fl u. This contagious illness is caused by a virus and can range from mild to severe symptoms. These typically come on all of a sudden and might include fever, muscle and body aches, sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhea and fatigue.

To stay healthy and fl u-free, prevention is key. Follow these tips to stay well:● Get your yearly fl u vaccine. This is especially important for the elderly,

young children and health care workers.● Wash your hands. The fl u virus is spread from person to person, so stop

the spread of germs by soaping up often. Carry antibacterial gel in your handbag or in the car.

● Practice healthy habits. Exercise often, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and get plenty of sleep.

● Don’t share germs. If you start to feel sick, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading illness to others.

A healthy lunch gives kids the energy they need to get through the day. And studies show it will also make them more focused and better prepared to learn in the afternoon. Packing a lunch is the best way to ensure they’re getting food that’s good for them. Here are some ideas:● Include fresh fruit and vegetables

that are quick and easy to eat such as baby carrots, grapes, sliced apples or orange sections.

● Instead of PB&J every day, spice things up by placing sandwich

ingredients on a whole-wheat tortilla, then roll it up and cut it into bite-size portions. Or make cracker sandwiches with ham, cheese, turkey or hummus.

● For a comforting meal, put soup in a Thermos and pack a spoon and crackers.

● For breakfast lovers, put granola in a sandwich bag that kids can mix with a container of yogurt or send a fruit and yogurt smoothie in their Thermos.

HEALTH BRIEFS

A Bunch of Healthy Lunches

Need a physician referral? Visit FindDrRight.com ● September 2010 BaylorHealth 11

NAMED ONE OF THE ‘BEST’ 18 YEARS IN A ROWFor the 18th consecu-tive year, U.S.News & World Report has listed Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas in its “America’s Best Hospitals” issue.

Baylor Dallas is ranked among the nation’s top 50 hospitals in gastroen-terology (43), kidney dis-orders (39) and urology (47). Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation (BIR) was ranked 18th among the nation’s top rehabilita-tion facilities. It’s the 14th year BIR has received the recognition.

“For nearly two decades, U.S.News has recognized Baylor for the quality of care provided by the dedicated physicians on our medical staff and our employees,” says Irving Prengler, M.D., vice president of medical aff airs at Baylor Dallas. “Patients can be confi dent that they will receive safe, compassionate, quality care each time they come to Baylor.”

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Baylor Health Care System 2001 Bryan Street, Suite 750 Marketing Department Dallas, TX 75201

Hospital and Maternity Department ToursBaylor Medical Center at Carrollton is proud of our Maternity Department and hospital, and we’d love to share them with you. Tours are included in parent educa-tion classes and complimen-tary tours are also available for those who want to learn more about Baylor Carrollton. Sundays, Sept. 12, 26 & Oct. 10, 24, 1:30–2:30 p.m.

Preparation for ChildbirthThis Lamaze-style class includes breathing and relax-ation techniques, birthing and medication options, the role of the labor coach, cesarean birth, early newborn care and a hospital tour. It also includes breast-feeding information and a guest pediatrician lecture. Six, 2½-hour sessions starting Monday, Sept. 13, Tuesday, Sept. 7 or Tuesday, Oct. 26, 6:30–9 p.m. Please bring four pillows and a blanket to class and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Cost: $115 (includes resource guidebooks)

Weekend Childbirth SeminarThis two-day class is a con-densed version of Preparation for Childbirth. Two Saturday sessions: Sept. 11 and 18, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Please bring four pillows and a blanket to class and wear loose, comfortable

clothing. Cost: $115 (includes resource guidebooks and lunch both days)

Childbirth Refresher This class is ideal if you have already taken a Prepared Childbirth Class or had a recent birthing experience and would like a review. The course reviews breathing and relaxation tech-niques, discusses the family dynamics of adjusting to a new baby, and includes a tour of the hospital. Oct. 3, 3–6 p.m. Please bring four pillows and a blanket to class and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Cost: $35 (includes resource guidebook)

Beyond the Basics: A Baby Owner’s ManualThis 2½-hour class is for those who want to learn the funda-mentals of baby care and infant development, including recog-nizing and responding to your baby’s cues, daily care of your baby, bathing, feeding, illness, sleep issues, choosing a health care provider, stimulating your baby through play, infant mas-sage, and adjusting to parenting. Wednesday, Sept. 8 or Oct. 6, 7–9:30 p.m. Cost: $25 per couple (includes resource guidebook)

Infant & Child CPRDesigned to teach parents about child safety issues, topics include infant and child CPR, including mannequin practice and choking management. While this 3-hour class will

teach basic skills, it is not a cer-tification course. Wednesday, Sept. 22 or Oct. 20, 7–10 p.m. Cost: $25 per couple, $10 for each additional participant (includes resource guidebook)

Big Kids’ Club This 1½-hour class for children ages 3½ to 8 helps them explore their new role as a brother or sister. At least one parent is required to stay for the class. The hospital recommends chil-dren complete this class two to four weeks prior to mom’s due date. Sunday, Sept. 12 or Oct. 10, 2:45–4:15 p.m. Cost: $15 per child (includes a surprise gift bag)

Weight Loss Surgery SeminarsBaylor Carrollton, a recog-nized Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery, offers free educational seminars to learn about the different types of weight loss surgery, and whether the surgery is right for you. Presented by bariatric surgeons on the medical staff. Sept. 8, 21 & Oct. 13, 19, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 11 & Oct. 2, 10 a.m.; Oct. 12, 6 p.m. Conference Room 1.

Support GroupsBreast Cancer Survivor Support GroupOpen to breast cancer survi-vors at any stage. First Tuesday of each month, 6–7:30 p.m. Conference Room 2. Dinner is provided. For more information,

contact our Breast Cancer Facilitator at 972-394-5502.

Weight Loss Surgery Support GroupThis monthly group is for patients considering weight loss surgery or those who have had weight loss surgery in the past year. Led by the Bariatric Coordinator, a registered nurse and a successful weight loss sur-gery patient, this group will help you incorporate healthy habits into your life. Sept. 7 & Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m. Conference Room 1.

Back on Track Support GroupThis group is for patients who had weight loss surgery more than a year ago and need help and support to get “back on track” with a healthy lifestyle, including good eating habits and physical activity. This group provides support, inspiration and motivation to maintain your weight loss goals. Sept. 23 & Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m. Conference Room 1.

Saturday Mammography AppointmentsCan’t find time during your busy week for a lifesaving screening? We’ve made time for you! Women’s Imaging Services at Baylor Carrollton offers Saturday appointments beginning at 8 a.m. Call 972-394-1080 to schedule your mammogram today. It could save your life!

Community Calendar: September & October 2010To register, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit BaylorHealth.com/CarrolltonEvents. All events will be held at Baylor Carrollton in Classroom 202 unless otherwise noted.

Baylor Health Care System 2001 Bryan Street, Suite 750 Marketing Department Dallas, TX 75201

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