It’s imperative to stay watter, food and skin safe this summer when taking part in outdoor activities.

Summer is all about the outdoors and it’s imperative that water, food and skin safety be adhered to. 

Water safety is especially important in Southwest Florida.  Follow these simple tips for a fun time splashing around:

• Homes with pools should install fences on all four sides and have an alarm placed at the exit of the home or in the pool area for parents to know when children step outside. 

• Enroll children 9 months and older in swimming lessons and never let kids swim unsupervised.  Even if children are experienced swimmers, it is essential that a grownup be there to supervise pool activities.  Accidents or emergencies might strike and require immediate action.

• Learn CPR.

• Make sure children avoid pool drains.  Make sure hair is pulled back because the powerful force of underwater suction can trap children on the bottom of the pool.

• When at the beach, swim near life guarded areas.  Children should be accompanied by an experienced adult swimmer at all times.  Beware of strong currents or posted signs regarding jelly-fish, sand fleas, etc.

• Boaters are urged to ensure that their vessel is safe and has the proper equipment aboard, with the proper number of life jackets per rider and flares in case you run into problems.  Do not operate the boat while intoxicated because water and alcohol do not mix well.

Outdoor activities require everyone takes care of their skin.  The role of UV exposure is often forgotten or ignored.  And with approximately 77,000 new cases of melanoma being diagnosed in the United States in 2013, sunscreen application is very important.

Exposure to the sun causes age spots, freckles, wrinkles and in a number of cases skin cancer if one is not careful.  Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin.  When these fibers break down, the skin begins to sag, stretch and lose its elasticity or ability to go back into place. 

Protect yourself from harmful UV rays by:

• Cover up as much of your skin as possible with tightly woven clothing and a hat with a 2 – 3 inch brim.

• Use a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection, or a product that shields from both UV-A and UV-B rays and contains an SPF of 30 or higher.  Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours.  Don’t forget to apply SPF lip balm as well. 

• Wear sunglasses or contact lenses that block UV rays and protect your eyes.

• Avoid direct sun exposure during the peak UV radiation hours of 10 am – 4 pm.

• Stay away from tanning beds.

Self-examination of the skin is also recommended for everyone.  When checking your skin, you should look for the ABCDEs of melanoma:

A= Asymmetry One half is unlike the other half.

B= Border An irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.

C= Color Is varied from one area to another; has shades of tan, brown or black, or is sometimes white, red, or blue.

D= Diameter Melanomas usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller. 

E= Evolving A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color. 

Food is a huge part of summer fun too!  Follow these preparation rules and practices to avoid any harmful effects:

• Obey the two-hour rule and don’t leave perishable food unrefrigerated.  Place it back into a cooler or refrigerator while the activities are going on.  Beware of products with mayonnaise or deli meats, bacteria grows rapidly in hot weather and can cause serious sickness.

• Cook food thoroughly and make sure the internal temperature of food has reached a safe minimum to kill any harmful bacteria.  When taking food off the grill, keep cooked items and raw items separate, unless the dish has already been washed between uses.

• Pack raw meats, poultry or seafood on the bottom of the cooler to reduce the risk of them dripping on other foods.  Pack the cooler until it is full that will keep everything cold longer than a partially full cooler.

• Have multiple coolers with ice or frozen gel packs because perishable food must be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and keep them in the air-conditioned back seat as long as possible for best results.

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Looking out for summer eye safety

Eyes are harshly damaged by excessive sun exposure. Thus, wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.

With a rise in skin cancer, the summer sun is something everyone protects themselves from.  But your skin isn’t the only thing you need to protect.

Protecting the eyes is just as important as protecting the skin.  Eyes can be harshly damaged by excessive sun exposure.  Optometrists say UV rays have a cumulative effect over time and can lead to serious eye diseases, whether it’s sunny or cloudy.

There are three types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB and UVC.

UVA rays cause skin aging since they pass effortlessly through the ozone layer and make up the majority of our sun exposure.  UVB light is what causes sunburns, cataracts, macular degeneration and can even affect the immune system.  UVC rays are the most dangerous ultraviolet rays, but fortunately are blocked by the ozone layer and don’t reach the Earth.

One day of constant sun on unprotected eyes can lead to a condition known as photokeratitis, a burn or loss of epithelium of the cornea.  Ultraviolet rays penetrate deep into the eye and may injure the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sight in the center field of vision.  Corneal sunburn is a result of intense exposure to UVB.  It is quite painful and is associated with outdoor activities such boating and skiing without proper eye protection.  It can be extremely painful and can result in temporary loss of vision.

Frequent over-exposure to UVB is also commonly the cause of macular degeneration. Macular degeneration attacks the central part of the retina and is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss.  Although it is a condition that occurs with prolonged exposure to the sun, patients end up suffering from a loss of central vision and are often unable to read, drive, recognize faces and see colors clearly.

Another eye-affliction that results from long-term sun exposure is cataracts, a clouding of the eye lens.  Cataracts is a condition that develops slowly.  It’s as if little-by-little you are looking through a foggy window that progressively continues fogging more. With time, this fog will interfere with your vision and surgery will be needed.

Too much exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can also cause a mole in the eye, or even melanoma of the eye.  Mole’s in the iris or behind the eye ball are common in Caucasians, and often times are not cancerous.  But it is a condition that experts suggest be examined by your ophthalmologist, and should be followed-up on twice a year to see its progress.

Eye doctors say that the best line of defense is prevention through quality sunglasses that shield your eyes.  Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays from the sun.  Bigger, polarized UV glasses and wrap-around are best when outdoors.  Not only, do they reduce glare and offer UV protection, but they even block light that can seep in through the sides.

Protecting your eyes from the scorching sun has never been more important.  Short-term damage can be hard to notice, but long-term exposure can put a damper on summer’s to come. 

- A special thanks to Dr. Barrett Ross Ginsberg from Eye Centers of Florida for his help with this article. The Eye Centers is located at 4101 Evans Avenue in Fort Myers, FL. For an appointment, please call (239) 939-3456.

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Healthy snacking made simple

NatureBox Health Snacks

Do you know that the average American eats almost 25% of their calories from snacking?

Well, snacks can make or break your summer body!  So, NatureBox found a way to source delicious, healthy snacks and deliver them straight to your front door.

Eat healthier without needing to change your eating habits is NatureBox’s mentality.  They focus on snacks because that’s the easiest habit to change.  And they seek to get more out of your day without wasting calories on the bad stuff.

NatureBox items are carefully sourced and nutritionist approved.  The boxes include 15 to 20 servings across five different snacks.   The ingredients are wholesome, minimally processed and include everything from nuts to fruits.  The products have no high fructose corn syrup, no partially hydrogenated oils, no trans fat, no artificial sweeteners or flavors and no artificial colors.

Each box costs just $19.95 and shipping is always free.  The monthly membership delivers the snacks with recipes and ideas for healthy eats.  And clients can pause or cancel anytime, and a refund is issued if one is not 100% satisfied.

For this summer’s picnics and roadtrips, NatureBox has a summer snack travel box for $24.95 with 7-different full sized packages of summer delights.

NatureBox serves customers in all 50 states.  And the company gives back the community by donating food to the hungry in America with every box sent out.  This year alone, the company has already donated 50,000 meals.

- For more information or to sign-up for NatureBox visit www.naturebox.com!

By: Kristen Schmidt, MMS, PA-C

Myth #1: Melanoma only occurs in fair skinned, white people who burn easily.

This is FALSE. The typical melanoma patient will have fair skin, burn easily and have natural blond or red hair; however, melanoma can occur in anyone with any skin type. Melanoma incidence rates in Caucasians are five times higher than in Hispanics and 23 times higher than in African Americans. It is interesting to note the differences in distribution of melanomas in whites versus skin of color: African Americans and Asians most often develop melanomas on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands, in the mouth and under the nail beds. The most frequent sites for whites include the back and upper extremities for men and the back and lower legs for women.

Myth #2: Melanoma only occurs in older people.

This is FALSE. Unfortunately, melanoma is now the most common cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old. Melanoma incident rates have been on the rise for at least 30 years. In Caucasian women under the age of 44, melanoma has increased 6.1% annually, which may reflect trends of indoor tanning. Research shows that indoor tanning increases a person’s melanoma risk by 75%. By 2015, it is estimated that one in 50 Americans will develop melanoma in their lifetime.

Myth #3: Melanoma is always deadly.

This is FALSE. Melanoma does kill and is the most deadly skin cancer, accounting for 75% of skin cancer deaths. However, when melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 98%. Once it has spread to distant sites in the body, five-year survival rates drop to 15%. On average, one American dies from melanoma every hour. The moral of the story is melanoma is very dangerous and the key to survival is early detection.

Myth #4: All melanomas are black spots.

This is FALSE. Melanoma arises from the malignant transformation of pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Many melanomas appear as various shades of tan, brown and black. Some even have shades of blue, blue-gray, white and red. A less common type of melanoma, called amelanotic melanoma, is non-pigmented and appears as a pink or cherry red bump or nodule on the skin.

May is Melanoma Awareness Month.

What You Can Do…

Be Sun Sensible

The major risk factor for melanoma of the skin is exposure to ultraviolet light, particularly sunburns during childhood and intermittent burning exposures. Research in 2010 found that daily sunscreen use cut the incidence of melanoma in half. This proves how important our behaviors are in preventing melanoma. Because exposure to ultraviolet light is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, The American Academy of Dermatology encourages everyone to protect their skin by avoiding the sun during the peak hours of 10 am and 2 pm, avoid indoor tanning, wear sun-protective clothing, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

Know Your Risks

Other risk factors for melanoma include having more than 50 moles, atypical moles, light skin, freckles, a history of sunburn, or a family history of melanoma. If you have one or more of these risk factors, it is recommended you perform regular self-examinations of your skin and have a complete skin examination with a dermatologist annually.

Follow the ABCDEs

Self-examination of the skin is recommended for everyone. When checking your skin, you should look for the ABCDEs of melanoma. If a spot on your skin has Asymmetry (one half is unlike the other), an irregular, scalloped or poorly define Border, variations in Color, is larger than 6mm in Diameter (the size of a pencil eraser), or is Evolving (changing in size, shape or color), make an appointment with a dermatologist immediately.

- Kristin Schmidt completed her undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. She then went on to earn her Masters in Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Saint Louis University. Schmidt is experienced in all aspects of dermatology, providing a variety of treatments for disorders of the skin, hair and nails. Her special interests include pediatric dermatology, acne, and the prevention, detection and treatment of skin cancer. For more information or to set up an appointment with Dr. Schmidt please contact Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery at (239) 768-6100 or visit www.advancedderm.com.

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What’s gluten have to do with it?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and some oats.

Gluten is a subject that is getting a lot of attention lately.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and some oats. Formed by the combination of the proteins gliadin & glutenin, the protein gives dough elasticity and strength, and is used as filler and as a binder in prepackaged foods.

It has been determined that between 5% and 10% of all people may suffer from a gluten sensitivity of some form and 1 in every 133 Americans (about 3 million people) have Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune digestive condition that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. Triggered by the consumption of the protein gluten, celiac disease can lead to malnourishment since vitamin deficiencies deprive the brain, nervous system, bones, liver and other organs of the necessary nutrients.

Even with today’s medical advances, 97% of Americans estimated to have Celiac Disease are not diagnosed. That’s 9 out of 10 cases going undetected or misdiagnosed. One of the reasons may be that Celiac Disease has over 300 known symptoms (part of what makes it hard to diagnose) and the average cost of a misdiagnosis is $5,000 – $12,000 per person, per year.

Many people may have not developed Celiac Disease, but can suffer from Gluten Intolerances. One in 8 people are thought to be gluten intolerant (39 million Americans), 77% produce antibodies in response to gluten (231 million Americans) and 8% have an autoimmune disease (24 million).

Many of the common symptoms and disorders that are linked to gluten intolerance include:

• Eczema/Psoriasis
• Liver Disease
• Arthritis
• Headaches
• Thyroid Disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Depression
• Dental Defects
• Diabetes
• Crohn’s Disease
• Gall Stones
• Fibromyalgia
• Osteoporosis
• Autism

What foods contain Gluten and which are Gluten Free?

Eating a gluten free diet includes avoiding gluten-containing grains and everything made from them. Foods that may contain gluten are your traditional flour products (ie. breads, pastas) some oats, lunch meats, sports drinks, beer, MSG, teas, cereals (unless gluten free), soy sauce (unless gluten free), food additives (flavorings, malt), gravies and modified food starch.

Those who are gluten-free embrace a diet filled with fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, poultry, fish, beans, and legumes. There are a variety of alternative flour and grains that naturally do not contain gluten, and thus can be consumed by those on a gluten free diet. These include: almond meal flour, coconut flour, millet, quinoa, corn and pea flour, brown, white and wild rice, cornstarch, potato flour, soy flour, buckwheat, potatoes and much more.

What should you do if you think you are Gluten intolerant or have Celiac Disease?

Get tested for gluten sensitivity or try an avoidance diet. Several types of tests exist to measure Gluten intolerance, but an avoidance diet is the easiest. First, consult a health care professional with knowledge about food sensitivities or about any major dietary changes. Then, be certain that your care plan includes follow-up support. Make sure to ask lots of questions that may come up along your transition. In terms of Celiac Disease, visit your physician and ask for a blood test, the collecting of a small sample of your small intestine or have a capsule endoscopy performed.

- Terry Foster is the owner of The Skinny Pantry, located at 11356 S Cleveland Avenue Fort Myers, FL 33907. The Skinny Pantry is in the business of providing healthy counseling and dietary choices. Previously, Foster has worked in the health profession for over 20 years. For more information, please call (239) 935-5093.

By: Lisette Rosales-Sargent, MS, CRC

A woman, mother, wife, daughter, and sister comes home from work and pours herself a glass of wine. She continues to drink until she passes out on the couch while watching reruns of her favorite TV show. Sound familiar?

Recent data from the National Institutes of Health reports that in the United States, 15 million people are currently affected by alcohol abuse, dependency or consider themselves “problem drinkers.” Of those 15 million, 5 – 10 percent of them are males and 3 – 5 percent are females that could be labeled alcoholics.

In the addictions treatment field, professionals have used the term “functional alcoholic” for those individuals that typically go to work every day and drink themselves to sleep every night. Are they still considered alcoholics? The amount that a person drinks doesn’t determine if they are dependent of alcohol or not.

So, how do we know if someone in your family is suffering from alcoholism?

Alcohol abuse can cause many adverse effects in the body, but the person’s behavior at times can display the most visible and detectable signs of alcoholism. A person suffering from alcoholism sometimes has the intention to go to their son or daughter’s baseball game on a Saturday morning, but just can’t seem to get themselves up to go. They constantly break promises and continue to drink, even though it is destroying their relationships and family. Alcoholics drink when they said they wouldn’t, and drink more than what they intended to drink. It’s a loss of control. They put themselves at risk with drinking and driving, and as a result they risk the lives of those around them. Some alcoholics try to hide their drinking from people and buy their alcohol from different stores to help themselves from feeling “judged”. A person who abuses alcohol can act aggressively and say things they don’t mean. As a result, they may deteriorate relationships beyond repair.

According to the National Institutes of Health report that alcoholism affects 15 million people in the United States

Alcoholism in the family is that much more deteriorating. An addicted family member can put a lot of stress on the nucleus and on their friends. A child of the alcoholic person starts to act up in school, while feeling embarrassed by the individual. They keep to themselves, become isolated, and can potentially engage in self-destructive behavior.

Alcohol dependency is a disease and can be treated. There are many resources in the community that can help educate the family on the disorder and on how to encourage the addictive friend or family member to get help. There are support groups that help a family cope with all of the issues associated with alcoholism. And there is informed and professional guidance that can help in determining whether or not a person is suffering from alcoholism.

Alcoholism is non-discriminative. It can attack individuals of all ages. The younger a person is when they start drinking, the higher the likelihood of becoming addicted. Effective communication is key in helping kids make the right decisions. And since this is the season for Senior Proms and graduation parties, it is important to do your part as a parent to prevent your kids from engaging in illegal alcohol use and abuse, which can lead to dangerous consequences.

Alcohol has been socially acceptable for many years, but as providers have taught in the classroom setting, “with freedom comes great responsibility”, and “even if something is legal, it doesn’t make it safe”. We need to be responsible and keep our lives and the lives of others protected.

- Lisette Rosales-Sargent, MS, CRC, is a certified rehabilitation counselor and prevention specialist for Southwest Florida Addiction Services, Inc. located at 3763 Evans Avenue in Fort Myers, FL. Rosales-Sargent completed her undergraduate coursework overseas at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala and received her Master of Science Degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston. During her employment at SWFAS, she has implemented Prevention Programs that address substance use, violence, and behavior in the community. For more information or to contact SWFAS, visit www.swfas.org or call (239) 332-6937.

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How to be healthy in a hectic environment

By: Lora Ulrich, CNWC

Do you ever feel like you don’t have enough energy to get through the day? Are you tired of yo-yo dieting? Do you know you need to make some changes but don’t know exactly what to do? How do you find the time to squeeze “it” in during your busy day?

With the careers, family, and commitments you have to take care of daily, sometimes tending to your personal needs is forgotten or put on the back burner. And the stress makes you less productive in your personal and professional life.

Here are some realistic ideas and strategies you can incorporate into your busy schedule to look and feel great, have more energy, reach your ideal weight and be more productive.

1. Plan, Plan, Plan- Just as you schedule and plan appointments and meetings, plan your shopping list, schedule when you are going to eat and work out and take a few moments to breathe. Don’t be afraid to be a little repetitive; routine and ritual lowers stress. And the less stressful your plans, the more likely you are to keep at it. Success comes with consistency.

2. Drink lots of water- One of the easiest things you can do is drink plenty of water. Water keeps you hydrated and feeling fuller. Drinking 64 ounces of water a day can curb appetite and deliver results more efficiently.

3. Keep healthy, filling snacks at home and at the office- Apples, oranges, celery, carrots, cucumber, hummus, chicken breast, Greek yogurt, almonds, and nutrition bars have dual action — they are nutritious and keep you satisfied. Keeping these types of snacks around will help you make smarter decisions in terms of your meals or snacks.

4. Don’t skip meals- Remember that skipping meals is never a good decision. It will only lead to over-eating at your next meal.

Realistic ideas and strategies incorporated into your busy schedule can help you feel great, have more energy and reach your ideal weight.

5. Plan your workouts- Whether it’s on your Smartphone or on your calendar, schedule a time to exercise. Treat your workouts as if they were appointments in order to take them seriously. Remember, physical exercise goes hand-in-hand with maintaining a healthy weight and feeling good so strategize accordingly.

6. Eat balanced nutrition- Your body needs a balanced variety of nutrients, including the right amounts of low glycemic carbohydrates, lean proteins, healthy fats and fiber. Consume lean protein with every meal and snack. Eat 1 to 2 servings of fruit per day and 6 to 8 servings of vegetables a day. This will put you well on your way to eating healthily.

7. Take high quality nutritional supplements- Your body can’t obtain everything you need from foods. Supplementing your diet with the right combination of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants is essential for optimal health.

8. Get enough sleep- Do you get 6-8 hours of sleep per night? Sleep helps to repair your muscles, reduces stress, increase your memory and control your body weight.

9. Breathe- Breathing properly is a simple thing that helps reduce stress. Breathe from your belly. Sit with your feet and arms uncrossed. Close your eyes. Inhale. Hold for 3 seconds. Exhale slowly. Doing this a few times will surprise you at how much better you will feel and how your body repairs during something as simple as breathing.

10. Remember what matters most of all- What is really important to you? What is your legacy? Take time to love, be loved, be positive and broaden your mind and heart. Focus on your passion and purpose and this will make you healthier and happier.

- Lora Ulrich, is an International Lifestyle Coach, Certified Nutrition & Wellness Expert, Speaker & Entrepreneur, and knows firsthand the importance of living life in balance. Ulrich’s company, The New You Lifestyle works with individuals, groups and businesses to help them achieve a Healthy Lifestyle focusing on creating Balance & Wellness in nutrition, fitness and stress reduction. For more information or to contact Ulrich, visit www.TheNewYouLifestyle.com or call (239) 898-4078.

Endometriosis affects women in their reproductive years (25 – 35 years old) and is often recognized by a chronic pelvic pain.

March is Endometriosis Awareness month. With more than five million women in America struggling with the pain and infertility caused by endometriosis, awareness is of utmost importance.

Endometriosis affects women in their reproductive years (25 – 35 years old) and is often recognized by a chronic pelvic pain. The disease has also been reported in 25 – 38 percent of adolescents with chronic pelvic pain, with girls as young as 11 years old being affected.

Endometriosis is more commonly found in white women as compared with African American and Asian women. Studies further suggest that endometriosis is most common in taller, thin women with a low body mass index (BMI). And delaying pregnancy until an older age is also believed to increase the risk of developing endometriosis.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. The tissue begins to find its way outside and into other organs, such as the abdomen and fallopian tubes. When this occurs, the misplaced tissue develops into lesions, which respond to the menstrual cycle. Each month, the tissue builds up and then sheds both inside and outside the uterus. The tissue that sheds on the outside of the uterus has nowhere to go and backs up, causing internal bleeding, varying levels of pain and cramping, inflammation, adhesions and eventually for many, infertility.

Endometriosis is most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, in the outer surfaces of the uterus or intestines. It can also be found in the vagina, cervix, and bladder. Rarely, does this disease occur outside the pelvis. And although it can cause problems, it is a benign condition.

What are the causes of endometriosis?

The cause of endometriosis is unknown. One theory is that the endometrial tissue is deposited in unusual locations by the backing up of menstrual flow into the Fallopian tubes and the pelvic and abdominal cavity during menstruation (termed retrograde menstruation).

Another possibility is that areas lining the pelvic organs possess primitive cells that are able to grow into other forms of tissue, such as endometrial cells. (This process is termed coelomic metaplasia.)

What are the symptoms?

Most women who have endometriosis do not have symptoms. While the most common symptom experienced is pain (usually pelvic), the degree of pain a woman feels is not indicative of the severity of her endometriosis. Many women have no outward symptoms despite the fact that the disorder is affecting a large area of their internal organs.

Symptoms that indicate endometriosis may include: pain, severe cramping during menstruation, chronic nagging discomfort or pain in the pelvic area and/or lower back, pain during and/or after sex, pain in the intestines, painful bowel movements and/or urination, diarrhea, bloating or constipation, nausea during menstruation, spotting between periods, fatigue and infertility.

Rare symptoms of endometriosis include chest pain or coughing blood due to endometriosis in the lungs and headache and/or seizures due to endometriosis in the brain.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

Endometriosis can be suspected based on symptoms of pelvic pain and findings during physical examinations in the doctor’s office. Occasionally, during a rectovaginal exam (one finger in the vagina and one finger in the rectum), the doctor can feel nodules (endometrial implants) behind the uterus and along the ligaments that attach to the pelvic wall.

Unfortunately, neither the symptoms nor the physical examinations can be relied upon to conclusively establish the diagnosis of endometriosis. Imaging studies, such as an ultrasound, can be helpful in ruling out other pelvic diseases and may suggest the presence of endometriosis in the vaginal and bladder areas, but still cannot definitively diagnose the disease.

For an accurate diagnosis, a direct visual inspection inside of the pelvis and abdomen, as well as tissue biopsy of the implants are necessary. As a result, the only accurate way of diagnosing endometriosis is at the time of surgery, either by opening the belly with large-incision laparotomy or small-incision laparoscopy.

What are the treatments for endometriosis?

Routine treatment for endometriosis involves the use of drugs and possibly surgery depending on the severity of the case. Most doctors prescribe a variety of drugs; surgery is usually the last resort. Drugs used for the treatment of endometriosis include pain medications and hormones. Surgery may include removal of endometrial growths and scar tissues. And in severe cases, a hysterectomy might be the recommended treatment.

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Tips for fueling every Body!

By: Elaine Hastings, RD

By March, many people find their good resolutions for healthy eating and exercise have fallen by the wayside. Statistics show that just six months after the New Year, more than half of those who made resolutions have broken them. Fortunately, you can still resolve to change; it is never too late to renew your commitment to improving your health.

If you have fallen back into your old habit of grabbing a quick doughnut or pastry treat early in the morning for convenience, remind yourself one doughnut contains more than 300 calories and is high in carbohydrates, fats and sugars. That one seemingly innocent treat can send your blood sugar soaring. Your body may feel a sudden energy surge, but this will be spent quickly. Then, your system will go through a rebound that can make you feel extremely tired and out of sorts.

Remember how difficult it was to balance a seesaw perfectly on the playground? This old habit is the beginning of a seesaw effect in your body that is often fueled by snack foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. This balancing act is what you are forcing your body to do when you eat foods that contain no real nutrition, but are heavily loaded with unhealthy fats, sugars and simple carbohydrates.

So just exactly what do you need to eat if you want to get back on the path to good nutrition and health? For starters, you need to avoid fad diets and stay clear of foods filled with empty calories, sugars and fats.

March is National Nutrition Month and basic guidelines to get you on the right track for a healthier lifestyle.

Here are a few basic guidelines to get you on the right track:

• Opt for a dietary program that is packed with whole grains, fruits, veggies as well as some healthy fats and oils
• Be sure that your daily meals contain good carbohydrates such as whole grains; do not eliminate all carbohydrates from your diet
• Include plenty of fiber by eating a variety of fruits, veggies and whole grains
• Choose lean, healthy protein sources such as poultry, nuts, fish and beans
• Limit saturated and trans fats; choose oils that come from nuts, fish and plant sources
• Select calcium-rich foods such as skim or low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese and vegetables
• Add color to your plate by choosing a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Limit your use of salt and enjoy the rich, luscious flavors of the foods or add salt-free seasonings to enhance natural flavors
• Plan ahead by creating a healthy shopping list or selecting restaurants that offer nutritious selections

Often times, making changes slowly can help you be more successful in creating new habits. Try incorporating one or more of these recommendations into your lifestyle each week. Over time, you will find that these nutritious choices will give you more fuel for your day and help improve your chances of successfully reaching your goals.

- Elaine Hastings, RD, is a nutrition, energy, and sports performance expert trusted by top athletes. She is a partner with pro-athletes including Olympic gold medalists and NFL, NBA, NLB, NHL, LPGA and NCAA athletes. Elaine has been practicing for 20 years and works contractually as a writer, spokesperson, product development, media resource and advocate for eating disorder awareness. For more information or to contact Hastings, please visit www.elainehastings.com.

By: Dr. Elizabeth Cosmal-Cintron, Florida Heart Associates

Valvular heart disease is a condition that affects one or more of four valves within the heart chamber.  Although not as common as coronary artery disease, which is considered the leading cause of death among men and women, valvular heart disease is still a common cardiac condition with increasing frequency among the elderly population.

Valvular heart disease can damage or affect the mitral, aortic, tricuspid or pulmonary valves of the heart.

You see, the mitral and tricuspid valves control the flow of blood between the atria and the ventricles, or the upper and lower chambers of the heart.  The pulmonary valve controls the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs, and the aortic valve directs blood flow between the heart and the aorta, and finally the blood vessels to the rest of the body.

Normally functioning valves ensure that blood flows with proper force in the proper direction at the proper time.  But when the valves become too narrow, hardened, or unable to close, valvular heart disease is most often the cause.

There are numerous causes of valvular heart disease including underlying congenital abnormalities, infections, degeneration of the heart valves and ischemic conditions (i.e. valve dysfunction as a result of a heart attack).  Congenital valve disorders occur prior to birth and can include structural malformations (i.e. bicuspid aortic valve) or irregularities in valve attachments.

Rheumatic fever is uncommon in the United States, but it frequently occurs in developing countries and may cause valvular heart disease.  Infective endocarditis can occur if a bacterial or fungal organism enters the bloodstream and settles onto a heart valve.  And degenerative valve disease involves thickening of valve leaflets or deposition of calcium onto valves that can eventually lead to significant leaking or inability of the valve leaflets to fully open.

Valvular heart disease is a condition that affects one or more of four valves with the heart chamber.

Transthoracic echocardiography (TEE) is an imaging modality used in evaluating heart valves.  If there is a valve disorder, a TEE can quantify the severity, as well as provide information regarding the function of the heart muscle and if there are other cardiac abnormalities present, such as pulmonary hypertension.

A Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a more invasive procedure in which an endoscope is placed into the esophagus to evaluate the valvular structures with even greater clarity, using ultrasound.  This imaging modality can provide essential information to a cardiovascular surgeon in the event a valve needs to be replaced.

Yet another invasive procedure that utilizes catheters to obtain pressure measurements directly within the heart and to provide calculations regarding the severity of a blocked or regurgitant heart valve is a cardiac catheterization.  During this procedure, a long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter is put into a blood vessel in the arm, groin (upper thigh), or neck and threaded to the heart.  Through the catheter, the doctor can perform diagnostic tests and achieve treatments on the heart.

Initial management of valvular heart disease often involves the use of heart-rate-slowing or blood-pressure-lowering medications.  Medications that help lower cholesterol levels, such as statins, are often used as well.  Patients need to be closely monitored by their cardiologist to determine if the valve disorder is worsening despite aggressive medical therapy.

Once it is established that a heart valve requires surgical intervention, a team of physicians, including the cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeon, and anesthesiologist, work together to determine whether a valve can be repaired or often times replaced.  A valve replacement can involve using a bioprosthetic (tissue) or mechanical valve.  There are numerous reasons regarding the choice of which type of valve is to be used, including the age of the patient, the patient’s co-morbidities, and whether a female patient is of child-bearing age.

Recently, a new surgical technique called a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) was developed to treat inoperable and high-risk patients.  This procedure enables a balloon expandable aortic heart valve to be placed into the heart through a catheter by entering the femoral artery and then maneuvering the catheter into the aortic valve position, thus “replacing” the native aortic valve.

Valvular heart disease is a well-recognized cardiovascular condition that, thanks to modern medicine, can be detected and effectively managed through advanced medical and surgical therapies.

- Dr. Elizabeth Cosmai-Cintron is a board certified cardiovascular disease specialist with Florida Heart Associates. She is interested in educating people on preventive heart care and maintaining good heart health through proper nutrition, exercise and reducing risk factors that leads to heart disease. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call her office at 239-938-2000 or visit her website at www.flaheart.com.

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Sometimes we just need a little boost!

Speeding up your metabolism with the right foods, exercise and dietary supplements can kick weight loss into high gear.

Winter weight loss should be in full effect right about now; however, burning off the food you eat comes down to your metabolism.

Metabolism is the speed at which the body breaks food down to use its nutrients.  The faster your metabolism the more the body promotes weight loss and muscle growth.  Nonetheless, eating the right foods and exercising correctly isn’t the only answer.  Dietary supplements can help make all the difference.

Try these dietary supplements and kick your metabolism and weight loss into high gear:

L-Glutamine- L-Glutamine is the most abundant, naturally occurring, free amino acid found within skeletal muscle and blood.  Essential to proper function of the immune system, consuming L-Glutamine can help boost protein synthesis and maintain muscle mass, which translates into more effective training and improved performance.  In addition, L-Glutamine plays a role in breakdown of fat metabolism since it helps with the burning of fat instead of muscle.

Vitamin D- Adequate Vitamin D levels help the body respond to insulin, which lowers the chances of the food you eat being stored as fat.  Vitamin D is also good in preventing muscle weakness, muscle composition and function and regulating the immune system responses.  Low levels of this vitamin have been found to interfere with leptin, a hormone that signals the brain to stop eating when it’s full.  The easiest way to get Vitamin D is through sunlight, but Vitamin D is also available in sardines, cow’s milk, eggs and salmon.

Omega 3- Studies have shown that dieters taking omega-3 fish oils lose more body fat while increasing lean mass than their dieting counterparts.  This essential fatty acid helps regulate insulin levels, allowing fat to be used for energy, which results in fat loss. It also help reduce inflammation and improve the body’s blood flow to muscles during exercise, increasing the overall benefits of your workout.

Probiotics- Probiotics are tiny bacteria that live in the digestive tract.  This healthy bacteria fights the unhealthy bacteria caused by stress, daily environmental chemical load or prolonged antibiotic use.  Gut bacteria can play a role in obesity by helping your body regulate metabolism and reducing the likelihood of metabolic syndrome.  A digestive tract with healthy probiotics can help improve digestion to aid your body in absorbing nutrients effectively, burning calories and resulting in a quicker metabolism and higher energy levels.

Coconut Oil- Coconut oil is a rich source of medium chain fatty acids.  These are easily digested, immediately burned for energy and have been found to enhance athletic performance.  Coconut oil also boosts your metabolism and helps your body use fat for energy.  Not only is this tropical saturated fat a natural moisturizer, it’s also been found to boost thyroid function and promote lean body mass.

- Before taking these and any other supplements, be sure to consult your physician or health professional for advice.

By: Elaine Hastings, RD

For many people, the number one New Year’s resolution is to lose weight.  The New Year is a good time to make a commitment to focus on living a healthier lifestyle.  Even small changes in your eating habits or your exercise routine can make a big impact on your health and weight.  And when implemented daily, easy lifestyle changes can help you get closer to reaching your goal of a healthy weight and feeling better.

For some, more significant changes must be made to get on track for healthy living.  If you are thinking of starting a fad diet, be sure to do some research and consult with your physician to see if the diet is a safe and effective option for you.

Unfortunately, many diets deprive you of nutrients and can have a negative effect on your long-term health.  In fact, consuming healthy food more often can actually help you drop those additional pounds.  So, be sure your diet includes plenty of complex carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables.  Five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables daily are highly recommended.  In addition, find ways to reduce salt, fat and sugar intake.  These are commonly found in fast food and processed food.  Modify cooking methods to reduce the use of oil in cooking.  Steaming, boiling, grilling and baking are good cooking methods.  Avoid deep-frying whenever possible.  And eat more moderately by monitoring your portions.

To develop a healthy eating routine, plan ahead.  Start off each day with a hearty breakfast.  Upon waking up in the morning, your body is starving for fuel and needs food to get your metabolism revved back up.  Skipping breakfast will result in a lack of energy needed to burn calories throughout the day.  Trade your breakfast bran muffin for a bowl of bran flakes.  With that simple change, you can potentially save 83,000 calories per year.

Follow your breakfast with a lunch and light dinner.  Eat soup for lunch instead of a sandwich.  This may help you save another 50,000 calories per year.  Be sure to eat nutritious snacks in between meals.  Avoid junk food by replacing a candy bar with fruit. This small change can help you avoid gaining an extra five pounds per year.  Eat more vegetables as snacks.  When you switch from potato chips to air-popped popcorn, you may save approximately 6,250 calories per year.  And by eating less at meals and adding healthy snacks in between, your body will burn the calories quicker without storing as much excess fats.  This also helps to keep your metabolism running efficiently all day long.

National Healthy Weight Week is January 20-26 and with easy lifestyle changes you can reach your goal of a healthier weight and feel better.

To achieve your healthy weight quickly, but healthfully, be sure you are getting sufficient protein, fiber, carbohydrates and healthy fats, while reducing bad fats.  Your body will absorb protein less rapidly than carbohydrates and will satisfy your food cravings longer.

The average person consumes much less than the recommended 25 grams of fiber.  Fiber not only makes you feel fuller, it also has positive health benefits.  Low glycemic carbohydrates that help keep your blood sugar stable include beans, whole grains, fruits (not fruit juice) and vegetables.  Keep in mind that you should not eliminate fats from your diet completely as your body requires fats to function properly.  Instead, substitute saturated fats such as cream, butter or vegetable oil for monounsaturated fats such as olive oils and omega-3 fatty acids.

As always, drink plenty of water.  Water works as an appetite suppressant and helps to ward off food cravings.  It also helps to metabolize the fats in your body and keeps you properly hydrated.

In addition to making these small changes, one of the best ways to lose weight is to develop a support system.  Having friends or family to share in your resolution can make it easier to stay on track for the duration.  Get your entire family involved and start off with some simple little changes in your diet.  You will be pleasantly surprised how quickly you all adapt to healthier habits.

Simple solutions for healthy resolutions:

• Research diets or consult a physician or registered dietician
• Eat smaller meals; don’t skip meals
• Always start with a healthy breakfast
• Add healthy snacks in between meals; cut out junk food
• Add more fiber, vegetables, protein and carbohydrates
• Replace saturated fats with “healthy” monounsaturated fats
• Drink eight or more glasses of water daily
• Exercise regularly
• Include family and friends
• Stay the course

- Elaine Hastings, RD, is a nutrition, energy, and sports performance expert trusted by top athletes.  She is a partner with pro-athletes including Olympic gold medalists and NFL, NBA, NLB, NHL, LPGA and NCAA athletes.  Elaine has been practicing for 20 years and works contractually as a writer, spokesperson, product development, media resource and advocate for eating disorder awareness.  For more information or to contact Hastings, please visit www.elainehastings.com.

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Glaucoma: Quietly Stealing Your Vision

Glaucoma is an eye disease affecting 2.2 million Americans.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that gradually and quietly steals your vision. The condition causes progressive loss of peripheral vision after elevated eye pressure damages the optic nerve — the nerve that connects the eye to the brain.  Often, glaucoma has no signs or symptoms that would lead one to believe that they are losing vision.  But without proper treatment, this condition can even lead to blindness.

There are many types of glaucoma, although there are two main types — Angle-closure Glaucoma and Open-angle Glaucoma.  These two types of glaucoma account for more than 90% of all cases of the condition in the world.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma:

Angle-closure glaucoma, is a less common form of glaucoma, that affects nearly half a million people in the United States.  There is a tendency for this disease to be inherited, and often several members of a family will be afflicted.  It is most common in people of Asian descent and people who are farsighted or myopic.  Some information you should know about Angle-Closure Glaucoma is:

• Angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency. This is very different from open-angle glaucoma, which painlessly and slowly damages vision.

• If you have had acute glaucoma in one eye, you are at risk for an attack in the second eye, and your doctor is likely to recommend preventive treatment.

• Dilating eye drops and certain medications may trigger an acute glaucoma attack.

Angle-closure glaucoma can be easily spotted and treated.  Once any symptoms have been controlled, the first line of treatment is laser iridotomy.  This may be performed by an ophthalmologist using either yag or argon lasers, or in some cases by conventional excisional surgery.  The goal of treatment is to reverse, and prevent, contact between the iris and the trabecular meshwork.  In early to moderately advanced cases, iridotomy is successful in opening the angle in around 75% of cases.  In the other 25%, laser iridoplasty, medication (pilocarpine) or incisional surgery may be required.

Open-Angle Glaucoma:

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma.  This condition accounts for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases, affecting about three million Americans.  It is a leading cause of blindness and typically occurs in patients over the age of 50, and the risk increases with age.  African-Americans are at higher risk of developing the condition than Caucasians and if there is a family history of glaucoma, the risk is up to six times higher than for the general population.  Also, patients who are highly myopic (nearsighted), have diabetes mellitus, or have cardiovascular problems are at high risk of developing glaucoma.

About half of Americans with open angle glaucoma don’t know they have it.  This common type of glaucoma gradually reduces your peripheral vision without other symptoms.  Some information you should know about Open-Angle Glaucoma is:

• Is caused by the slow clogging of the drainage canals, resulting in increased eye pressure.

• Has a wide and open angle between the iris and cornea.

• Develops slowly and is a lifelong condition.

• Has symptoms and damage that are not noticed.

“Open-angle” means that the angle where the iris meets the cornea is as wide and open as it should be.  Open-angle glaucoma is also called primary or chronic glaucoma.  The condition cannot be cured, but it can be controlled by lowering the pressure in the eye, with the use of eyedrops and/or oral medications.  When these methods of treatment are no longer effective, a surgery called laser trabeculoplasty is often used to treat it. There are three types of trabeculoplasty surgery: Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT), Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), and MicroPulse Laser Trabeculoplasty (MLT).

Both main types of glaucoma can become serious if unnoticed or untreated, but with yearly eye exams and compliance with treatments, the risk of vision loss and blindness can be greatly reduced.

- A special thanks to Dr. Barrett Ross Ginsberg and Ophthalmic Technician Kris McCall from Eye Centers of Florida for their help with this article.  The Eye Centers is located at 4101 Evans Avenue in Fort Myers, FL. For an appointment, please call (239) 939-3456.

Winter wellness includes taking care of yourself -- mind, body and spirit.

The most wonderful time of they year can also be the most difficult time to keep up with your health and happiness. Whether it’s seasonal ailments, stress, the blues or declining energy levels, warm up to winter this year by taking care of yourself— mind, body and spirit.

1. Reclaim your calm- Make sure to set boundaries with your time and energy in order to minimize the anxiety of the holiday season. Try a three-minute heart meditation to decrease stress hormones and get blissful endorphins to flow. All you need to do is lightly rest your palm over your heart in the mid-chest. Then, inwardly connect with a high power or whatever stirs you. Breathe deeply and exhale deeply releasing pent-up negative emotions.

2. Mini Detox- Your body might feel like its running on empty, so give it a little nurturing. Skip the indulgence of sugars, nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and chemicals by taking a short break from potentially reactive foods. Cut out excess wheat, dairy and sweets to avoid empty calories and provide yourself with quality nutrition and supplements.

3. Hydrate- Water is your best friend during the winter and helps curb overindulgences. Aim to take in about 10 glasses a day. And have a glass after that second cocktail, and you will be surprised at how great you will feel. Hydrate your skin too by taking to the bath. Slip into a nice, hot bath with Epsom salts and some lavender or chamomile tea bags in order to supercharge winter-dry skin with moisture. The bath also helps you sweat and offload toxins, while also relaxing and calming the mind.

4. Clear your sinuses- Winter is an especially challenging time for the mucous membranes because of the temperatures and hot-air heating systems. We breathe an average of 23,000 times a day, and if that air isn’t clean and moist, the act of breathing creates chronic irritation to the mucous membranes and makes us more susceptible to viruses. Use botanical saline nasal sprays which have medicinal herbs to keep mucous membranes moist, wash out inhaled particles and have anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Or use some highly medicinal eucalyptus oil to inhale from a tissue.

5. Sleep effectively- Getting your z’s has added benefits during the winter months. A good night’s rest helps regulate the hormones that control appetite and improves immunity, as well as regulates the production of the human growth hormone. So, eight to nine hours of sleep a night can help you lose weight, stay younger and be energized in order to avoid catching cold and flu bugs.

6. Maximize your minerals- Keep unwanted pounds away by adding supplemental magnesium to your holiday regimen. Magnesium goes into the cells and fights diseases. Get magnesium from foods like vegetables, legumes and whole grains, but obtain a little boost with a supplement in order to enjoy the calming effects and combat the less-nutritious food choices you will make. Make sure to also increase your intake of Vitamin D and Omega-3’s in order to steer clear from the winter blues and keep your mood elevated.

7. Get moving- It’s hard to be motivated to exercise in the winter. Therefore, make a pact with a friend to take a walk or a jog. Exercise not only rejuvenates, but it can help keep the extra holiday pounds down.

8. Breathe easy- Breathing properly helps control stress. So, this holiday season, the simplest and most basic way to control the stress is to breath easy. Try the Yoga Belly Breath, or the deep abdominal breath. Lie down on your back or sit with good posture and place your hands on your lower belly. As you inhale, push the breath into the lowest portion of your lungs so that your belly rounds and your hands gently rise. When you exhale, make sure your belly releases down and your hands gently fall. Continue this inhalation and exhalation for three to five minutes.

9. Sing a song or bust a move- The best blues fighter is to pick an instrument of your choice and play it, sing a song or dance it off. Melodic sounds and choreographed steps lighten your mood and provide the body with positive energy.

10. Nourish others- Make life about giving— not just during the holidays, but every day. It may be as simple as asking loved ones what they need from you. Remember that By nourishing others, you become nourished in return.

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Stalled Sex Drive

A stalled sex drive occurs between age 30 and the onset of menopause because dehydroepiandrosterone drops dramatically.

Women’s 20s and 30s are filled with sex-on-overdrive, but somehow after 40 the desire goes downhill.

Studies show that age is definitely a factor. “Libido is connected to our levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone the body uses to produce the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone,” says Susan Doughty, APRN-CNP, an OB-GYN nurse practitioner and co-founder of New England WomenCenter in Portland, Maine.

Doughty goes on to explain that DHEA drops dramatically between age 30 and the onset of menopause. However, midlife isn’t the only sex drive-crushing issue. Stress and fatigue, as well as prescription drugs including antidepressants, can also diminish sexual desires. But certain herbal aphrodisiacs and sex-enhancing supplements can help too. Here’s a look at some key ingredients and how they work:

1. Maca- Ancient Incans consumed the energizing root vegetable cultivated in the Peruvian Andes because it was known as a superpower food before battle or a healthy bout of sex. The recommended 400 daily milligrams of maca increases sexual appetite, stamina, endurance and even fertility. A 2008 study conducted at the Depression Clinical and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston found that the vegetable helped people with antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction to regain their libidos.

2. L-Arginine- This common amino acid helps with nitric oxide production, which increases blood flow throughout your body and to your clitoris, says Mark Blumenthal of the American Botanical Council in Austin, Texas. A recommended 2,500 milligrams daily is said to increase a woman’s desire, lubrication, clitoral sensation and orgasms.

3. Muira puama- Native to the Brazilian Amazon, muira puama is known to counteract chronic stress, depression and nervous exhaustion. Recognized as “the Viagra of the Amazon’s”, this herbaceous stimulating sex supplement increases desire, improves intercourse regularity, intensifies orgasms and increases libido with 800 milligrams daily.

4. Damiana leaf- Innate to the Gulf of Mexico, the Damiana leaf reduces anxiety and inhibitions. Recognized as the nervous system tonic, one gram of this leaf daily helps you become more relaxed and amenable to arousal, herbalists say. Damiana leaf’s aphrodisiac abilities are also linked to one of its compounds, progestin, which is similar to the female sex hormone progesterone that drops, and dampens libido, as they head toward menopause.

5. Yohimbe bark extract- Herbalists have found that this African tree bark extract sends blood flow to the genitals and stimulates the sensitive tissue of the clitoris. However, be careful because yohimbe can cause nervousness and sleeplessness, raise already existing high blood pressure and can also negatively interact with antidepressants. So, make sure to not exceed the recommended 200 milligrams of a standardized extract containing 4 percent yohimbines for no longer than six weeks.

- Before taking these and any other supplements, be sure to consult your physician or health professional for advice.

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Trouble in Toyland Report

The Trouble in Toyland report made key findings in children's toys that can be harmful to their health.

Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, according to US Public Interest Research Group’s (PIRG) 27th annual Trouble in Toyland report.

The report released by US PIRG and the Commissioner Robert Adler from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reveals the results of laboratory testing on toys for lead, cadmium and phthalates, all of which have been proven to have serious adverse health impacts on the development of young children. The survey also found small toys that pose a choking hazard, extremely loud toys that threaten children’s hearing and toy magnets that can cause serious injury.

The Trouble in Toyland report also includes a list of dangerous toys that surveyors found on toy store shelves.

“We should be able to trust that the toys we buy are safe. However, until that’s the case, parents need to watch out for common hazards when shopping for toys,” said Nasima Hossain, Public Health Advocate for US PIRG.

Dr. Bryan Rudolph, Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellow at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in New York and a member of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, said, “The Trouble in Toyland report appropriately alerts parents and consumers to the dangers of high-powered magnets, such as those sold in sets of 100 or more, and the life-threatening gastrointestinal injuries they can cause when swallowed.”

For 27 years, the US PIRG Trouble in Toyland report has offered safety guidelines for purchasing toys for small children and provided examples of toys currently on store shelves that pose potential safety hazards. The group also provides an interactive website with tips for safe toy shopping that consumers can access on their smartphones at www.toysafety.mobi.

Key findings from the report include:

• Toys with high levels of toxic substances are still on store shelves. We found toys which contained phthalates, as well as toys with lead content above the 100 parts per million limit. In January 2012, the CPSC recalled 7,000 packs of Mexican Wrestling Action Figures for having too much lead in the surface paint. As recently as Sep¬tember 27, 2012, roughly 6,970 Captain Cutlass Pi¬rate Toy Guns were recalled for the same reason. The Global Design Concepts Dora backpack, and the Morphobot contain toxic chemicals.

• Despite a ban on small parts in toys for children under three, we found toys available in stores that still pose choking hazards. Zwingup dragster cars, the Cool Novelty Bowling Game, Play Food and balloons all have small parts that are hazardous if swallowed.

• We also found toys that are potentially harmful to children’s ears and exceed the noise standards recommended by the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Hand-held, tabletop, floor, and crib toys should not produce continuous sound that exceeds 85 dB when measured from 25 centimeters (about 10 inches). Close-to-the-ear toys should not produce con¬tinuous sound that exceeds 65 dB when measured from 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch). The Fisher-Price Dora guitar, Toystate Car Wheel & Horn and the Mason FunKeys Car Keys all pose potential noise hazards due to decibel levels.

• We discovered small powerful magnets that pose a dangerous threat to children if swallowed.

“Consumers should also remember that toys that are not on our list of examples could also pose hazards,” Hossain added. “The message of today is clear. Parents have to stay vigilant. We cannot and must not accept any weakening of our consumer and public health safeguards because they protect young children, America’s littlest consumers.”

- For more information on the Trouble in Toyland 2012 report visit www.uspirg.org/.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not use or produce insulin properly.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not use or produce insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar and starches into energy.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says there are nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States with diabetes, and another 79 million have pre-diabetes or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, the disease has become an epidemic that recent estimates project that as many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take steps to stop diabetes.

The classic signs of diabetes are excessive thirst, hunger, urination and fatigue. Other classic signs are blurry vision, poor healing of wounds and headaches.

People considered at greater risk of developing diabetes include obese people who are 40-years-old and over, inactive, and have a first degree relative (mother, father, sister or brother) who has the disease.

Doctors encourage individuals to screen their blood sugar level regularly. Diabetes is determined by an eight-hour fast. The test result with a blood sugar level of 100 is good. Sugar level of 126 and over indicates diabetes in the blood stream. When a blood fast test is administered twice and the result is 126, that means the person has diabetes.

However, controlling the raise of diabetes couldn’t be more important. Recently, a link between diabetes and cancer was found. It was partially explained by risk factors that underlie and raise the risk of both diseases. For example, overall men are more likely to develop both cancer and Type 2 diabetes than women are. Overweight and obese people are more likely to develop cancer than lean people, as is the possibility of them having diabetes. Eating patterns that are thought to help prevent and treat Type 2 diabetes — limited red and processed meats, abundant fruits and vegetables — are also associated with a lower risk for many types of cancer. And finally individuals who exercise regularly are at a lower risk of developing several types of cancer and reduce their chance of developing diabetes.

Steps can be taken to help change the future of the deadly disease.

The ADA suggests prevention and control are very important. Pre-diabetes can be treated. With changes in ones diet and an increase in physical activity, the development of type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Studies have even shown that moderate physical activity for 30 minutes a day, coupled with a 5 – 10% reduction in body weight, produced a 58% reduction in diabetes.

First and foremost, the ADA says make healthy food choices. Eating non-starchy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and carrots as well as fruits can help regulate the disease. Choosing whole grain foods, dried beans, non-fat dairy products and lean meats is good. And finally, cut back on high calorie snack foods and desserts like chips, cookies, and ice cream.

Individuals with pre-diabetes or diabetes should aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise most days. With a comprehensive physical activity routine— aerobic exercise, strength training and flexibility exercises— those trying to delay or battle the disease can make great strides. By planning activities like stretching, brisk walks, dancing, and strength training with weights confronting, fighting and eventually ending this disease can be easier.

This year, starting on October 1, 2012, the ADA asked people to share a personal image, on the Association’s Facebook page, representing what “A Day in the Life of Diabetes” means to them. The image can be a picture of themselves or someone they care about, or otherwise represent how the disease impacts their lives. The image will then make up a larger mosaic image that will embody the message of “A Day in the Life of Diabetes.”

Then, throughout the month of November, the ADA will also engage their social media audience by highlighting images via Facebook and Twitter. They’ll pose thought-provoking questions, success stories and messages from their network of followers, fans and high-profile celebrities.

The association is also pushing Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes, a fundraising walk by the American Diabetes Association meant to bring about awareness and raise money for the cause.

- November is American Diabetes Month. For more information or to join “A Day in the Life of Diabetes” or Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes, please visit www.diabetes.org.

The Mobile Mammography Coach has the latest technology including digital mobile mammography.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in women.

However, we can all potentially save a life. The mere notion that women still present with advanced breast cancer in this millennium is a tragedy. Often, these women present with a loving family member or care giver who has detected an advanced breast cancer unexpectedly, and it is often a surprising encounter. Further, family members are devastated by the diagnosis and prognosis, and sadly in many cases, routine mammography and clinical exams could have prevented such advanced disease.

Breast imaging has advanced to the point that cancers can be detected earlier, with resultant decreasing morbidity and mortality rates. It is encouraging to note that the death rate from breast cancer has been decreasing since 1990, largely attributable to earlier detection. According to a study by the ACS called Breast Cancer 2011, mammography screening has played a dominant role, along with education and improving awareness, and improved treatments.

Adherence to American Cancer Society screening mammography guidelines is critical to the health of the women in our community. Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram yearly, as long as they are in good health. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam at least every three years, and annually after age 40.

A breast self exam is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women at high risk for breast cancer may also benefit from annual breast MRI screenings. These recommendations should be discussed with a clinician if there are questions or concerns, or if a change in self exam is detected.

It is incumbent upon each of us to reach out to all women whose lives we touch, whether they are friends, family, or mere acquaintances. We should encourage them to seek routine screening mammography and to see their clinicians annually, whether or not they have symptoms.

At Radiology Regional Center, we are dedicated to assisting women in need, while at the same time providing the latest technology, including digital mobile mammography.

The Mobile Mammography Coach is driving Southwest Florida for detection. In October, the coach will be at:

• October 1: 10 am – 2 pm at Sanibel Recreation Center in Sanibel, FL.
• October 2: 10 am – 2 pm at Cypress Lake United Methodist Church in Fort Myers, FL.
• October 10: 8 pm – 12 pm at Santini Marina Plaza in Fort Myers Beach, FL.
• October 11: 12 pm – 4 pm at United States Postal Office in North Fort Myers, FL.
• October 13: 11 am – 3 pm at the K-Mart Health & Safety Weekend in Fort Myers, FL.
• October 17: 6 pm at Hotel Indigo “Around the World for Breast Cancer” in Fort Myers, FL.
• October 18: 9 am – 1 pm at Naples Philharmonic “Health Expo” in Naples, FL.
• October 20: 9 am – 1 pm at United States Postal Office in Sanibel, FL.
• October 22: 2 pm – 6 pm at United States Postal Office in Page Field, FL.
• October 23: 12 pm – 4 pm at United States Postal Office in Downtown Fort Myers, FL.
• October 25: 9 am – 1 pm at United States Postal Office in Cape Coral, FL.
• October 25: 4 pm – 7 pm at Roger Dean Chevrolet in Cape Coral, FL.
• October 27: 9 am – 1 pm at Greater Naples YMCA in Naples, FL.
• October 30: 9 am – 1 pm at LYNX Services in North Fort Myers, FL.

So, please reach out to a woman you know today and ask if they have had a mammogram this year. Don’t be embarrassed to raise the subject. This may be your chance to save a life, and we are here to help. 

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STOP THE BULLYING!

Bullying intervention stops by 57% when a peer intervenes on behalf of the person being bullied.

Nearly one-third of all school-aged children are bullied each year. That’s upwards of 13 million students. The 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System from the CDC says that 20% of students in grades 9 – 12 experience bullying and 64% of those bullied do not report it.

The effects of bullying can be far-reaching. Students who are bullied not only develop a loss of self-esteem, self-worth and lower grades, but they begin to show other signs that are more physical and emotional. Everything from headaches and stomachaches to anxiety and depression are side-effects the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry site as a result of bullying.

That is why October has been designated National Bullying Prevention Month. It’s a time when communities can unite nationwide to raise awareness of bullying prevention and make it easy to take action.

The End of Bullying Begins with Me campaign was started by PACER’s, a bullying prevention center founded in 2006 that serves all children, including those with disabilities. The center provides creative and interactive resources that are designed to benefit everyone. It offers educators, students, families, and individuals the tools they need to address bullying in schools, recreational programs, or community organizations.

Throughout October, different events and activities can help communities get involved:

The third annual Run, Walk, Roll Against Bullying kicks off National Bullying Prevention Month on October 6. Schools, businesses, organizations, and communities will come together to Run, Walk, Roll Against Bullying in Bloomington, Minnesota, and at dozens of other locations around the country throughout the month. This fun, active outdoor event increases awareness of bullying prevention, shows support for individuals who are bullied and raises funds to support the cause.

“So many students feel that the adults in their lives are failing to adequately address this issue,” said Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. “Community-wide efforts like this show students that adults really do want to help.”

Mark your calendars for October 10, or Unity Day. In support of individuals getting bullied scores of people around the country will wear orange and join the movement to “Make it Orange and Make it End!”

In 2011, Ellen DeGeneres promoted the cause on television by wearing orange and reminding millions of viewers about the importance of bullying prevention. That is why, on October 10, students will wear orange and use PACER resources to support the cause, hand out orange “UNITY” ribbons at school, and write “UNITY” on their hands or binders.

With these events, PACER is hoping to teach the community that those surrounded by bullying need to understand that bystanders can be powerful allies. Students can be especially effective in bullying intervention. In fact, more than half of bullying situations, 57% to be exact, stop when a peer intervenes on behalf of the student being bullied.

The future of this nation needs to understand that bullying is not a “rite of passage,” but a serious threat to a person’s safety and well-being. Parents, students, educators and communities all have a responsibility to address bullying. And the more you involve others, the less bullying will be an issue.

“The culture of bullying won’t end until people across the country take action and show kids that they care,” Hertzog adds. “National Bullying Prevention Month is a great opportunity to do that. This is a very real and painful issue that kids are facing but they don’t have to face it alone. Bullying can be prevented if we all work together to change the culture.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second most common cause of death amongst them.

The prostate is a walnut-shaped organ situated underneath the bladder and weighing on average about 20-25 grams. It surrounds the urethra and is also located in front of the rectum. Its main function is the production of semen.

Prostate cancer represents the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal prostate cells. It is the most common cancer in men and the second most common cause of death in this group. Interestingly, it tends to be more prevalent in developed countries, with an incidence of 15% in the male population, compared to 4% in that of developing countries.

There are several acknowledged risk factors for the development of prostate cancer, such as advancing age, genetic predisposition and ethnic origin. Over 65% of all cases occur in men over the age of 65, and having a first degree relative with prostate cancer doubles the risk. African American men are 50% more likely to develop prostate cancer. There is some evidence that a high-fat diet rich in meats and dairy, excess alcohol consumption and exposure to ultraviolet radiation may also play a role in some cases of prostate cancer.

The introduction of an effective screening test for prostate cancer, the prostatic-specific antigen (PSA), in the 1980’s led to a dramatic increase in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. PSA helped to detect many cases of cancer at an earlier stage of progression, while still localized within the prostate and potentially curable. Appropriate, earlier treatment for prostate cancer subsequently led to a drastic decrease in the mortality rate of afflicted men.

The decision to biopsy is usually based on an abnormally elevated PSA and/or palpable nodule during a rectal exam of the prostate. Other factors that may lower the threshold for proceeding to biopsy include a strong family history and African American background. The biopsy is usually carried out in a urologist’s office and will normally cause very little discomfort using local anesthetic.

The decision on how to treat prostate cancer is based on several factors, including the grade and volume of disease found on biopsy, the PSA level and the presence of suspicious lymph nodes or obvious metastatic disease. Also considered are the age of the man, his overall health status and life expectancy.

Watchful waiting is a non-aggressive approach that involves intervention only in the setting of symptomatic local or metastatic disease in order to improve quality of life but not cure the disease. This is a strategy usually reserved for older men with multiple illnesses who are in too poor a health for other treatment options and who have less than 5-7 years in life expectancy.

Hormonal therapy involves using medications that suppress the production and/or action of the hormone testosterone and its variants. It is usually given to temporarily reduce and control the further progression of prostate cancer in the setting of metastatic disease, although it can also be given in combination with radiation therapy to improve cancer control.

Cryoablation of the prostate, partially or in its entirety, is also a minimally invasive treatment for those men who want to avoid surgery or radiation. However, its efficacy is less supported by the available evidence when compared to those two main treatment modalities. It can sometimes be used in the setting of local recurrences following initial radiation treatment.

Radiation therapy involves the use of high energy rays that are directed and focused into the area of the prostate. It is one of the principal treatment modalities for locally-confined, curable prostate cancer. It can be delivered using various delivery systems, including from outside the body or through the insertion of radioactive seeds within the prostate, a treatment known as brachytherapy. It is less invasive than surgery, requires no incision and tends to have fewer short-term side-effects. There exists the potential of longer-term urinary and bowel side effects and the evidence indicates a slightly lower rate of cancer cure 10-15 years after treatment when compared with surgery. It is most commonly used as a preferred treatment option in men over 70 or those who are averse to surgery.

Surgery remains the mainstay treatment for locally confined, curable prostate cancer. Although having a higher rate of incontinence and erectile dysfunction within the first 6 months following surgery, there usually follows a significant recovery in both areas such that >97% of men become dry within 1 year and 50-80% of men retain adequate erectile function long-term. Most importantly, it also offers the highest rates of long-term cancer control and cure. There are various approaches to removing the prostate, including through a lower abdominal incision or an incision through the space between the scrotum and rectum.

Currently, the most popular method for prostate removal in the US is through the minimally-invasive use of a robot, giving the surgeon enhanced visualization of the operative area and a more precise ability to spare the erectile nerves and prevent damage to the urinary control mechanism. For the patient, this approach offers less blood loss, less postoperative pain, a faster recovery and excellent long-term results in cancer removal, continence and erectile function. Approximately 85-90% of all prostate removal procedures performed in the US are performed using this advanced, minimally-invasive approach.

The decision on which treatment will be pursued can be dependent on the priorities of each affected individual, but should be taken in collaboration with an urologist. A radiation or medical oncologist may also need to become involved. During and after treatment, regular meetings with the doctor will be necessary in order to monitor for any recurrence of cancer.

Living with prostate cancer can be a difficult proposition and support from friends and family will be important. It is important to realize that prostate cancer is a treatable disease in a majority of cases. Seeking out support groups and continuing to maintain a purposeful, active and healthy lifestyle will greatly benefit a man through the diagnosis and treatment of his prostate cancer and facilitate a continued excellent quality of life.

- Dr. Matei Andreoiu received his Bachelor’s Degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. He then attended the Schulich School of Medicine in London, Canada and performed his residency training in Urology at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. Seek¬ing to expand his skills in urologic care, Dr. Andreoiu received further advanced training by completing a Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery and Endourology at Indiana University and a Fellowship in Urologic Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Andreoiu is a physician with Florida Specialists in Urology. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.floridaspecialistsinurology.com.

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Promoting Health Through Yoga
September is National Yoga Awareness Month

National Yoga Month is a national observance and awareness campaign that has taken root educating, inspiring and motivating individuals in the health benefits of yoga.

Yoga has long been considered a great force to build physical, mental, and emotional strength and flexibility. In a move to attract more people towards yoga and make them aware of yoga benefits, The Department of Health and Human Services has declared September National Yoga Awareness Month.

As Yoga has become more mainstream in the last decade, people of all ages, sizes and abilities enjoy the art form in their fitness regime as it increases physical strength, mental focus, and a sense of peaceful well-being.

National Yoga Month is a national observance and awareness campaign that began in 2008 to inspire a healthy lifestyle. Since then thousands of yoga and health enthusiasts have participated, and the initiative has taken root educating, inspiring and motivating individuals. Each September more than 1,500 yoga studios participate in the One Week Free Yoga program and host over 1,000 yoga classes and special events.

But just what is this centuries old approach to health and well-being?

Certainly the images of long hair, flowers and hippies is long-gone as corporate America, the Mayo Clinic, public school systems, and the US Army and Marines have instituted yoga fitness and meditation classes into their programs. Photos of people in what was once considered weird yoga positions abound the media from advertising to classes on the White House lawn.

Starting from the basics, yoga means union, a yoking — a bringing together of your changing self (physical or finite aspect) and the non-changing self (energetic or spiritual of infinite self). It is a science, philosophy and art which has no restrictions as to age, creed, color, or physical prowess.

As a science, students learn the parts of the body, how they work and how they relate. Through the exploration of postures, or asanas, all parts of the physical body from muscles to organs to joints can be mobilized and stabilized. When combined with breathing practices, prāṇāyāma, this knowledge leads to understanding of that health so it can be chosen and nurtured.

As a philosophy, students come to understand an interconnectedness to body, mind and spirit, and how to live a balanced life day-to-day. Based on the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, students learn how to live in the world and within themselves, by understanding such principles as non-violence, truthfulness, self control, contentment, and concentration.

As an art, students expand their awareness of the subtleties of balance, symmetry, energy vs. structure, alignment, and different states of consciousness. Feelings of peacefulness and harmony become more than concepts, and they become as real and tangible as your fingers and toes.

Why has yoga become so popular in our culture?

Yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar said, “In the West, they possess a zest for life and a sense of adventure leading them to explore the natural world and boldly face forces of nature. They are thus more health conscious and lead an active life on all fronts.” However, this can lead to excesses. “Inbuilt in yoga are ethics, [fairness, and balance]. Its total thrust is holistic and universal…the quest in yoga is both within and without,” he added.

On the practical level, yoga has been proven to decrease stress and anxiety, increase relaxation; improve balance, flexibility, range of motion and strength; help with sleep problems, fatigue and mood, and reduce heart rate and blood pressure.

So, how do you get started?

Look for beginner level classes, teachers who have home practices, and classes that make you smile! In September, you will find local teachers and studios offering discounted programs, so this is the month to take the leap — you may just come up with more joy and ease in your daily living.

 - Dr. Kandy T. Love is the founder of Health & Harmony Center, the 21-year-old holistic center in Fort Myers. As Executive Director of the Center’s Yoga Program, she shares more than 30 years experience, dedication and love with her students, interns and teachers. The Health & Harmony Center is located at 15951 McGregor Boulevard. For more information, please contact (239) 433-5995.