tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport/246 2008-08-05T18:34:34Z By: Lara Yamada Movable Type 3.36 tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.118312 2008-08-04T21:08:15Z 2008-08-05T18:34:34Z

Glioblastoma is the most common form of brain cancer and it often strikes without a warning. Senator Ted Kennedy has it. It took the lives of composer George Gershwin and Movie Critic Gene Siskel. Scott Patrick is finding a web...

Q13 Station Blog Scott Patrick is finding a web of support as he braces for the fight of his life. “It's just pure and sincere,” says Scott. In the pages of a Caring Bridge, a site that connects people through serious illness, Scott and his family have found a find a team of care brought together by a man playing his toughest game. “We've seen a huge connection of friends and family that may not have happened had Scott not had this challenge,” says Scott’s wife Ronda Patrick. “Those connections are really energizing. So for me, having the feedback from people that are really sincere and wanting to know and care about Scott, it's really made me feel the human spirit is alive and well.” “My childhood friend growing up, Kevin Bergstrom,” says Scott, “he reached out, and few days later he was at my doorstep here as a result of Caring Bridge. That’s a pretty powerful connection.” Scott has been the Vice-President of Corporate Sales for the Seahawks for 11 years. He was also with the Sonics for 11 years and helped open two stadiums here in Washington. But at the height of his career, life threw him a big curveball. Two years ago, sitting in a hot tub after a workout, Scott had a seizure. “But just by luck a maintenance man was nearby and he pulled me out of the tub and called 911,” he says. “That was the first miracle, “says Ronda, “We figured he was meant to be here a little bit longer.” A blur of surgery and tests concluded: Scott has Glioblastoma, which is an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. “So now I’m trying to fight hard to stay in this game,” says Scott. “You look up words that are really big that you've never heard before,” says Ronda, “but I had a need to know what we were dealing with.” 20,000 people will be diagnosed with Glioblastoma this year--500 in the state of Washington. And it’s a tough one: Glioblastoma is highly aggressive and resistant to treatment. Dellan Elliott’s husband Chris died of Glioblastoma 6 years ago. She’s been fighting for better research, treatment and education ever since. This summer has brought exciting news: So, for now, the fight for Scott and his family, the fight goes on… “Just put one foot down and put another foot down in front of it,” says Scott, “and here we go.” …for a family that knows, this, is worth fighting for. “There are a lot of great people with big hearts out there working on it and I believe we are going to find the way.” Web Extra: An Interview with Ground-Breaking Advocate Dellann Elliott Founder of the Chris Elliott Fund Dellann Elliott talks about Glioblastoma August 27, 2000, we were up at Crystal Mountain and my husband said let's go home. When we left my husband kept thinking I was drifting on the road. He worked on the yard, I went to the store and when I came back my husband was sitting with my children and he said I feel really weird. I'm smelling all kinds of smells like rotten tennis shoes. I thought he had the flu, I had no idea that was a symptom of a brain tumor. Later he said call 911. They thought he had meningitis. He said the man in the ambulance had a seizure. The neurosurgeon came and got me and showed me that he had a primary brain tumor, and I remember being told if you have it this is the right place to have it in the right temporal lobe. I as pacing and his neurosurgeon came out and he said to me, this is the type of tumor that will end his life sooner than later. So that was really tough. That was really tough At that point in time I never knew anyone with brain tumor let alone brain cancer. So friends did some research, and it wasn't good. In fact it was really scary. At that time standard protocol was radiation and then intravenous chemo. Now standard protocol for this type of disease has advanced. Now you have radiation and a drug called Temador so we are seeing some advancement. You also don't have to wait for the drug to reoccur to get that drug. 8 years ago you had to wait until you had a second brain tumor until you had the drug Temodar. You've had a quick education. Yes I have. So, I like to share that with people because I know how important it is because I would have loved to had someone there sharing that with me. What were some of the last things Chris told me? We sat down together. We made a list of the things that he wanted to do. Besides spending time with his family and traveling, but he also said please do something about this disease so that's where I built my strength. I also know we've made a difference here and world wide. Chris left a beautiful legacy in that fact, as well as a beautiful legacy for his kids. What are you doing to change what's happening with brain cancer? I know you're traveling a lot... I've been going to Washington D.C. We also educate, advocate and spread awareness. I advocate for increasing our national health institute of health budget for cancer, also to eliminate the 2 year waiting period for medicare for people with life-threatening diseases. People with brain cancer often don't last that long. It's happening all over including here. There will be 500 new cases here in Washington this year. So people need to know what. Work with the experts. Swedish has a brand new center for advanced brain tumor treatment. Everyone's brain tumor is different so it doesn't make sense to have a standard protocol. You want to have the genetic markers tested so you can find the drug that will respond to that. Why has it been more difficult to get the funding? Part of the problem the life span is short for people with brain cancer. But also because we've been treating with a protocol that only works for 30 percent. That has stunted our research that way. What I would want people to know for sure is that we are there for them. It is not an easy disease. I would like people to see us as a resource to help them on their journey. The more we can get the word out about brain cancer and that it is an individual approach is beneficial the more we can do that the more we will be having success with brain cancer. The Chris Elliott Fund supports research at the Dana-Farber Institute. Years ago we sent them the seed money to get enough to do more research. We have actually identified the genes that cause glioblastoma. With are now with the National Institute of Health to prioritize those genes. 13 exciting and wonderful and fabulous. So go to our website to find more information at www.chriselliottfund.org and you will see on there many ways to get involved. Web Extra: An Interview with Ambassador Tamara DePorter Mrs. Seattle and Ambassador Chris Elliott Fund Tamara DePorter talks about Glioblastoma I had a good friend and colleague who died of brain cancer. 10 years ago I couldn't do anything but now I feel like I can thanks to the Chris Elliott Fund and Dellann Elliott. Cancer touches everyone. I know so many people and it is personal for me to. So, it's just awesome to be a part of it. So what impressed you? The people. We can see the impact we are making especially because of my title but also be cause of my work with the Chris Elliott Fund. What do you hope to do? I hope to get the name Glioblastoma out there so people don't say 'what is that?' I keep running across people that have Glioblastoma. What have you learned about brain cancer? It's scary. But everything helps. I just want people to know that we are here and we can help. It's so overwhelming sometimes we are happy to help. So let's try and make it better because this is not going to go away. Not yet. MORE LINKS & INFORMATION: Caring Bridge: Visit Scott Patrick Caring Bridge The Chris Elliott Fund The Chris Elliott Fund: Fundraisers! Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.116903 2008-07-29T06:48:03Z 2008-07-29T22:39:28Z

There's a lot of financial anxiety going around these days. In fact it's causing a lot of headaches, stomach problems and even depression. Even though you can't control the price of food or gasoline, you can protect yourself from debt...

Christine Umayam With prices climbing, people all over the country are on edge. Ernest Gordon, an engineer, says lately his family has gone from living an "upper middle class" life, to wondering how they're going to pay the bills. "I have many, many friends who have lost their homes, that normally I could help. I can't help them now. I'm trying to, my wife and I are too busy trying to maintain and it's sad." Psychiatrists say it's normal to feel stressed - when you're facing a major financial loss, like being laid off or losing your home, but there's a distinct difference between stress and depression. "So, I think it's helpful for people to recognize that if really bad things are happening, they should be on the look both inside themselves and inside their loved ones that these are the sorts of things that can leave them depressed," says Dr. Charles Raison. “Depression is more of feelings of sadness that just won't go away--no matter how well your life is going so it’s helpful to be proactive by taking small steps to try to control what you can of your situation.” 1. Start by getting a clear picture of your financial situation, so you know what you're facing. 2. Once you have that, get professional help to come up with a plan to start paying off your debts. Even if it involves difficult choices, we know if you feel that you are ahead of the game in making these choices rather than that the choices are being forced on you, then that protective against getting depressed. 3. Regular exercise, eating healthy and avoiding too much alcohol will help you better cope with stress. 4. Reach out to someone you can trust. 5. And be honest about what you're going through. “Everyone has to face difficult circumstances, but I can tell you there is overwhelming data that people who have just one or two people they can really be open with, drop the pretenses, and really lay it on the line, are much less likely to die, are much less likely to have heart disease, much less likely to get depression.” Links & Helpful Information WebMD: Stress Management WebMD: Managing Marriage and Money Problems Psychology Today: The Depression Test Psychology Today: The Burn Out Test]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.115151 2008-07-21T07:12:06Z 2008-07-23T00:00:36Z

More than 1,500 people die of cancer every day, but there are more than 10 million walking around right now living with it. These days alternative treatments are playing an even bigger role. With the growing popularity of naturopathic alternatives...

Christine Umayam We introduce you to a leading expert in Seattle who's combining the old and the new while fighting the fakes. “I don't look back. I've learned to look forward,” says Therese Billings. She is a survivor several times over. In 13 years: Therese Billings has been diagnosed with breast cancer 7 times. “Anytime you hear the word cancer that's scary!” she says. The first few years she did surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, but each time it came back. That’s when she started to look at less conventional answers and she says it opened up a new world of hope. “It may have been someone who told me about it, a friend, and so I decided to look into it,” she says. 4 years ago she found Dr. Dan Labriola who runs Northwest Natural Health in Ballard and is the Medical Director of Naturopathic Services at the Swedish Cancer Institute. “There is a tremendous increase in interest. Many very large institutions are looking increasingly at naturopathic treatments,” says Labriola. At Swedish, Labriola recommends conventional treatments with natural ones, but there is a new concern: claims to cure cancer online that are unapproved and often dangerous. “And there's just so much information on the Internet that's just bogus,” says Labriola. Therese says she avoids the risky stuff, but her best friend did not. “She tried a whole bunch of crazy things and that scared me, but she was desperate, afraid and desperate, and I completely understand that.” This summer the FDA sent out dozens of warning letters to companies marketing those so-called “all-natural” cancer cures. It’s a trend Dr. Labriola is trying to crack. “A significant part of what I do in practice is protecting patients from self-treatments that could either interfere with conventional treatment or create new harm on their own and in some cases make some cancer worse.” Labriola says his supplements are thoroughly checked and FDA approved. His focus is getting cancer survivors strong and as healthy, treating other problems, and sharing every bit of information, every step of the way to make sure his natural treatments don’t interfere with western ones. Therese now works as a navigation manager for chronic disease at the YMCA for Greater Seattle. So, she is helping others while learning there is still so much life for her to live. “If nothing else, for what ever time I have left, I want to have the best possible life that I can live.” Web Extra: Cancer Alternatives: The Good & The Bad Dr. Dan Labriola says for some people it can help, but for breast cancer patients for example, where tumors are sensitive to estrogen: “There is actually increasingly good evidence to support the fact that they can accelerate the disease,” he says. Then there's anti-oxidants that are helpful in suppressing cancer, but potentially harmful by interfering with radiation and some chemotherapy treatments. “These are good things, and we should really consider them in the overall cancer plan because they have great potential benefit, but timing is everything.” Also, specific anti-oxidants can be a bad idea before surgery. “The use of specific anti-oxidants like vitamin E, using plant substances like garlic they all thin your blood.” Saint John's Wart and ginger in a lesser way, also can thin the blood. So, Dr. Labriola's best advice: “Almost every study that's been done shows that patients do not fess up about the natural medicine things that they are doing. Make certain that everyone knows what everyone else is doing. No secrets.” Links & Helpful Information Swedish Medical Center: Natural Health <http://www.swedish.org/body.cfm?id=110&oTopID=19> <http://www.swedish.org/body.cfm?id=126> <http://www.swedish.org/body.cfm?id=109&oTopID=19> <http://www.swedish.org/body.cfm?id=1768> Northwest Natural Health Clinic: http://www.nwnaturalhealth.com Bastyr University: Natural Health http://www.bastyr.edu/]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.113938 2008-07-15T00:27:53Z 2008-07-15T17:54:27Z

With food prices going up and up it's getting harder to feed a family these days with healthy, affordable meals. That's why the idea of "growing local" is getting bigger and easier. A new website out of Tacoma is showing...

Q13 Station Blog Claire Kjeld is a dietitian at MultiCare in Tacoma, but today she is more of a proud mom--sort of. "That's our baby!" She's talking about a tiny pepper. Kjeld says she is so excited, but a bit humbled too. This is the first time she and her husband are growing their own produce in their Tacoma backyard. It's a work in progress she says, and an important lesson--with great rewards. "I appreciate farmers so much more. There's a lot of care in preparing these foods and bringing them to us," she says. "But my veggies are really growing so fast! I put the little seeds in there and within a month I had spinach that I could be eating." Now she's blogging about it on a new site called "Grow Local Tacoma." Joining her are experts and other beginners. "This is something started in partnership with the city," says Whitney Rhodes who is deeply involved in the project. "It started as a way to promote Tacoma and it is becoming a big hit. People just want to know the food they are feeding they're families is safe and affordable." Seattle's P-Patch program is already a big player in the community garden world. Tacoma's crew is a bit different--with a pretty diverse background and some growing concerns. "A lot of the community gardens in Tacoma are heavily done by immigrant populations," says Rhodes, "so you really end up with interesting things growing in community gardens!" "But with what's happening to the economy," adds Kjeld, "all those things I've been encouraging people to do for so long they're starting to do it out of having to do it." According to the U.S. Department of Labor, from May 2007 to May 2008 flour is up 55%, eggs are up 28%, bread 16% and milk up 15%. The stuff in Kjeld's garden are all up in grocery store cost too including beans up a whopping 23%. With gas prices up more than 60% compared to a year ago, this might hit home says Kjeld: "Most food, the average distance that it travels is 15-hundred miles to get to us." 1,500 miles that's reflected in our grocery store prices and weighing on the minds of Kjeld and company. "We don't give a second thought to eating something grown in Chile or China," says Rhodes, "We have no concept of where that tomato came from." The idea now is to inspire and to educate... "A lot of people are not going to eat local unless they can do it just as easily as going to the grocery store," admits Rhodes. And, to make what was once a trend easy, in an economy where every effort is now becoming priceless. "I love it!" says Kjeld. "I think they taste even better, because I knew I grew it myself!" Web Extra: How To Grow Local or Eat Local

• Grow Local Tacoma
• Grow Local Tacoma: "Getting Started"
• Seattle P-Patch Community Gardens
• Eat Local Washington
• Local Harvest

]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.112477 2008-07-07T19:59:22Z 2008-07-09T22:29:18Z

Up to 80 million people suffer from acid reflux or heartburn every day--and the esophagus can suffer. The esophagus is that tube connecting the throat to the stomach. Smoking makes it worse, but so does poor eating habits and stress--making...

Q13 Station Blog Cyndy Hayward is in her early 50's, in shape, and on the move. “I’ve moved to the beach and just opened a bookstore and a coffee shop,” she says. When you see Cyndy she doesn’t look like someone who’s just overcome esophageal cancer. “When I was diagnosed with cancer, it came out of the blue for me. I've had acid reflux and heartburn for years, and years and years and years,” she says. For quite a while Cyndy says over the counter and heartburn and acid reflux drugs did help, but 5 years ago, she started having problems swallowing. “With french fries, or chicken or certain foods I realized I needed a lot of water to get down.” Dr. Donald Low is a thoracic surgeon at Virginia Mason Medical Center and a leading expert in esophageal cancer. In a procedure to treat esophageal cancer, Low and a team of experts remove the entire esophagus and create a new one by pulling part of the stomach, up through the body, and attaching it to the throat. “Cyndy is the classic example,” says Low, “she thought for 15 years that she was just someone who had standard heartburn disease.” But doctors believe a small percentage of those who have chronic acid reflux or heartburn... will develop what's called Barrett's esophagus where the cells in the lining of the esophagus change, and that, for some people, can eventually turn into cancer. “This cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States at the present time,” says Low, “and historically it is very difficult to treat.” Up to 20% of those diagnosed with esophageal cancer will die, though at Virginia Mason, the odds are much better, thanks to a specialized, well-practiced team. “We put together a plan that is specifically tailored to that individual patient,” says Low. “What saved my life is we got it early,” says Cyndy. Still: the numbers of those at risk are growing and Cyndy admits not only good doctors, but a bit of luck saved her life. ”The gift of the illness was to give me an opportunity to look at my life, what's left in my life and what I want to do with my life and that's a big gift.” Web Extra: Symptoms and Resources for Esophageal Cancer and Barrett’s Esophagus Esophageal Cancer: Virginia Mason Dr. Donald Low: Virginia Mason Esophageal Cancer: Mayo Clinic Definition of Barrett’s Esophagus: Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the color and composition of the cells lining your lower esophagus change because of repeated exposure to stomach acid. This exposure to stomach acid is most often a result of long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - a chronic regurgitation of acid from your stomach into your lower esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is uncommon. Only a small percentage of people with GERD develop Barrett's esophagus. But once Barrett's esophagus is diagnosed, there's a greater risk of developing esophageal cancer. Although increased, the absolute risk of esophageal cancer for someone with Barrett's esophagus is small - less than 1 percent a year. You can eliminate or reduce the frequency of stomach acids flowing up into the lower end of your esophagus - and your chance of developing Barrett's esophagus - by making lifestyle changes. Symptoms: Barrett's esophagus itself isn't associated with specific symptoms. But, heartburn and acid reflux - the sensation of bad-tasting liquid that may enter your mouth from your throat - are common indicators of GERD. And having GERD can lead to Barrett's esophagus. A telltale sign of Barrett's esophagus - which your doctor can notice using a lighted instrument -occurs when the color of the tissue lining the lower esophagus changes from its normal pink to a salmon color. This cellular change, called metaplasia, is caused by repeated and long-term exposure to stomach acid. Other signs and symptoms that may suggest a complication of GERD or Barrett's esophagus, including the development of esophageal cancer, include: Trouble swallowing. Often, a narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture) leads to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Bleeding. You may vomit red blood or blood that looks like coffee grounds, or your stools may be black, tarry or bloody. Weight loss and loss of appetite. You may experience an unexpected drop in weight. Causes: The exact cause of Barrett's esophagus is not known, but the condition usually develops in people who have GERD. Heartburn and acid reflux are the most common symptoms of GERD and result from stomach contents washing back into the esophagus. The ring of muscle at the junction of the esophagus and stomach (sphincter) normally keeps acid in your stomach by closing tight. GERD usually results from a weakened sphincter, and it can be aggravated by a protrusion of the upper stomach through the diaphragm (hiatal hernia). Left untreated, GERD can lead to more-serious complications. Severe heartburn with inflamed esophageal tissue (esophagitis) can cause chest pain intense enough to resemble a heart attack. Other complications of GERD may include esophageal stricture - in which scarring causes narrowing of the esophagus - bleeding, Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. Risk factors: Risk factors for Barrett's esophagus include: Chronic heartburn and acid reflux or GERD. These put you at risk of Barrett's esophagus because the esophagus is designed to carry food and liquid only one way - from your mouth to your stomach. The esophageal lining is sensitive to acid and unable to handle it. Your stomach, however, has a lining designed to withstand acid-containing stomach (gastric) contents. Stomach acid is damaging to esophageal tissue. Repeated and long-term exposure to stomach acid can lead to the transformation of esophageal tissue into the salmon-colored tissue characteristic of Barrett's esophagus, which is actually an acid-resistant lining of cells similar to the cells lining your small intestine. Being a man. Men are two to threes times more likely to develop Barrett's esophagus. Being white or Hispanic. White and Hispanic people are at greater risk of the disease than are blacks and Asians. Being an older adult. Although Barrett's esophagus can affect people of all ages, the condition is more common in older adults. When to seek medical advice: See your doctor if you've had long-term trouble with heartburn and acid reflux. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you: *Have difficulty swallowing *Are vomiting red blood or blood that looks like coffee grounds *Are passing black, tarry or bloody stools *Experience an unexpected weight loss Tests & Diagnosis: Diagnosing Barrett's esophagus is difficult because it often doesn't exhibit specific symptoms. Experiencing the frequent and severe acid reflux of GERD may be the best indication that you either have Barrett's esophagus or may be at risk of the disease. If you have severe acid reflux or have had acid reflux for many years, your doctor may discover Barrett's esophagus by examining your esophagus through endoscopy. Endoscopy involves inserting a lighted, flexible tube (endoscope) with a camera on its tip through your mouth and into your esophagus and stomach. Usually, you'll receive a local anesthetic, and you may be sedated for this procedure. What your doctor looks for The procedure allows your doctor to search for abnormalities such as precancerous cell changes (dysplasia) or an abnormal junction between your stomach and esophagus. In a healthy esophagus, the stomach-esophagus mucosal junction is at the lower end of the esophagus. In Barrett's esophagus, this junction is displaced upward. If Barrett's esophagus is suspected, your doctor also looks for evidence of cancer or precancerous changes. During endoscopy, your doctor may remove tissue samples (biopsies) of potentially abnormal areas to be examined under a microscope. If specimens reveal intestinal goblet-shaped cells not usually seen in the esophagus, your doctor may make a diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus. Following your diagnosis, your doctor may recommend endoscopies at regular intervals to screen for cell changes that could indicate progression to cancer. This usually means a repeat endoscopy one year after your diagnosis, followed by endoscopies every three years if no dysplasia is present. If a tissue sample shows dysplasia, you may need screenings at shorter intervals — at least annually and in some cases, as often as every three months. Treatments & Drugs:The primary goal of Barrett's esophagus treatment is to prevent the development of esophageal cancer. It's not too late to treat dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus if it hasn't yet advanced to cancer. Treatment for Barrett's esophagus may start with controlling GERD by making a number of lifestyle changes and taking self-care steps. These actions include losing weight, avoiding foods that aggravate heartburn, stopping smoking if you smoke, taking antacids or stronger acid-blocking medications, and elevating the head of your bed to prevent reflux during sleep. People with severe GERD and Barrett's esophagus usually need aggressive treatment, which may include medications, other nonsurgical medical procedures or even surgery. Medications Medications to treat GERD and Barrett's esophagus include: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These medications — such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix) and esomeprazole (Nexium) — block production of acid and relieve irritated tissue. H-2-receptor blockers. Doctors sometimes prescribe this class of drugs to treat GERD and Barrett's esophagus. They're less expensive, although weaker than PPIs. Prescription H-2-receptor blockers such as famotidine (Pepcid AC), cimetidine (Tagamet), nizatidine (Axid AR) and ranitidine (Zantac 75) are also available over-the-counter in doses less than prescription strength. Although these medications often are quite effective for GERD, once Barrett's metaplasia is present these drugs won't reliably reverse the condition, and the risk of cancer remains even if your GERD symptoms go away with treatment. Surgery Anti-reflux surgery (laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication) offers an alternative to long-term use of medication for GERD. The procedure tightens the sphincter by wrapping part of the stomach around the lower esophagus to prevent acid reflux. Laparoscopic surgery involves inserting special instruments through small incisions — less than an inch. The procedure leaves only tiny scars. You can expect to stay in the hospital for one or two days after this surgery. Although surgery can be effective for GERD, once Barrett's metaplasia is present surgery won't reliably reverse the condition, and the risk of cancer remains. If you have esophageal cancer, or if you have Barrett's esophagus and high-grade dysplasia, your doctor may recommend you undergo a major surgical procedure in which the esophagus is removed completely and the stomach is pulled into the chest (esophagectomy). You may need to spend about two weeks recovering in the hospital after surgery. Although this treatment is effective, it is associated with significant health risks. Up to 50 percent of people who undergo esophagectomy experience at least one serious complication, including pneumonia, heart attack and infections at the surgical site. The surgical treatment of people with high-grade dysplasia is controversial. Some experts believe that esophagectomy should be used as a measure to protect against cancer. Other experts believe that it's sufficient to schedule screening endoscopies every three to six months and perform an esophagectomy only if cancer develops. Doctors generally don't recommend surgery for people with declining health or for those who are too weak to withstand this major procedure. Alternatives to medications and surgery Removal (ablation) of dysplasia makes possible the reversal of Barrett's esophagus, and it may prevent esophageal cancer. Combined with PPIs, ablation may be appropriate especially if you're not a good candidate for an esophagectomy. Ablation procedures include: Photodynamic therapy (PDT). First, you'll be injected with a drug called porfimer sodium (Photofrin) that makes the Barrett's cells sensitive to light. Then, your doctor inserts a specialized light source into your esophagus. The light causes a reaction with the Photofrin that destroys Barrett's cells. Electrocautery. Your doctor inserts an electric wire into your esophagus to burn away dysplasia. Laser therapy. Your doctor uses a hot beam of light (laser) inserted into your esophagus to burn away Barrett's cells. Argon plasma coagulation. Your doctor releases a jet of argon gas into your esophagus along with an electric current to burn away dysplasia. Endoscopic mucosal resection. Using an endoscope, your doctor injects a saline solution under the area of your esophagus that contains dysplasia. A blister forms under these abnormal cells, allowing your doctor to cut or suction the abnormal area away from the underlying tissue without damaging the rest of your esophagus. Your doctor may recommend following this procedure with photodynamic therapy. Radiofrequency ablation. During this procedure, your doctor guides a tiny camera and a small balloon down your esophagus. The balloon and camera help your doctor measure the size of your esophagus and the length of the area that needs treatment. Then, your doctor inserts a second balloon, specifically sized to fit the area requiring treatment. The second balloon delivers a short burst of energy that burns out (ablates) the dysplasia. Radiofrequency ablation is a fairly new procedure that is still being studied. However, research shows that more than 70 percent of those treated are free of dysplasia up to 12 months after treatment. Complications can include esophageal perforation (rupture) and strictures (narrowing). The long-term effectiveness of ablation procedures in preventing cancer is still being studied. Lifestyle & Home Remedies: You may eliminate or reduce the frequency of stomach acids flowing up into the lower end of your esophagus by making the following lifestyle changes: Control your weight. Being overweight is one of the strongest risk factors for heartburn. Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up your stomach and causing acid to back up into your esophagus. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Three meals a day, with small snacks in between, will help you stop overeating. Continual overeating leads to excess weight, which aggravates heartburn. Loosen your belt. Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen, aggravating reflux. Eliminate heartburn triggers. Everyone has specific triggers. Common triggers such as fatty or fried foods, alcohol, chocolate, peppermint, garlic, onion, caffeine and nicotine may make heartburn worse. Avoid stooping or bending. Tying your shoes is OK. Bending over for a long time to weed your garden may not be, especially soon after eating. Don't lie down after eating. Wait at least three to four hours after eating to lie down or go to bed. Raise the head of your bed. An elevation of six to nine inches puts gravity to work for you. Or you can insert a wedge between your mattress and box spring to elevate your body from the waist up. Wedges are available at drugstores and medical supply stores. Raising your head by using only pillows isn't a good alternative. Don't smoke. Smoking may increase stomach acid. The swallowing of air during smoking also may aggravate belching and acid reflux. In addition, smoking and alcohol increase your risk of esophageal cancer. ]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.111210 2008-06-30T20:59:26Z 2008-07-09T00:42:08Z

It's one of the most common genetic conditions in the world. Still: 97% of those who have what's called Celiac Disease--are misdiagnosed. It affects children and adults, men and women and it's a disease that has everything to do with...

Q13 Station Blog Desperation is what Brandy Trafman felt ever since she was 13, but as a beauty pageant contestant winning over the judges became harder and harder as she feared she was losing her life. "There's something wrong with me, and I'm slowly dying and nobody's figuring it out," says Trafman. Then during her first year of college Brandy got the scare of her life. "My stomach was in such excruciating pain that I woke up in the middle of the night screaming... and my friends in the dorms had to rush me to the hospital." Misdiagnosed for most of her childhood, Brandy learned she suffers from Celiac Disease which is an autoimmune disorder where the body reacts abnormally to gluten-a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gastroenterologist Michael Goldberg of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare confirmed Brandy's condition after conducting a number of tests. "Basically, nobody could find out what was wrong with her, but when I talked to her it seemed like she did have something going on. It's just that it wasn't found with all the tests that she had," says Evanston. The problem with Celiac Disease is it effects about 1 in 133 people yet more than two million Americans don't even know they have it. Symptoms include diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, anemia, mouth sores, joint pain, tooth enamel defects, and an itchy rash. "But more of the patients today that we see just have non-specific symptoms,” says Goldberg, “they may have iron deficiency anemia, they may have problems with their liver, hepatitis that nobody can find an answer for." Once doctors do find the answer, patients must put themselves on a very strict diet. Items to avoid include bread, most soups, beer, even salad dressing. "It was a completely change of lifestyle for me,” says Trafman, “Luckily, I've always liked fruits and veggies. So, for a while one of the important things was being able to maintain my weight." Even luckier for Brandy was the opening of this nearby eatery in Evanston, Illinois. The name, "Rose's Wheat Free Bakery." "We are the first bakery in the Chicago area that's completely gluten-free," says Owner Rosemarie O'Carroll who cooked up the idea cooking for her family. Her mother, sister, three children, and herself are all gluten-intolerant. "I knew there was a market out there and I knew there was a need. I have people coming in everyday saying thank you." Brandy is one of them. Because of the bakery, she not only can live a normal life, she can live a normal college life. “It's not just breads and pastas and things but they actually have the junk food that a college student like me would enjoy eating." As for her future plans she intends to turn her original "mis"-diagnosis into a "Miss" Illinois title. Her pageant platform: making others aware of celiac disease. CLICK ON LINKS FOR INFORMATION ON CELIAC DISEASE: The Mayo Clinic: Celiac Disease Seattle Celiacs Group Northwest Gluten Group: Gluten-Free Diet Northwest Gluten Group: Gluten-Free Companies VIEWER RECOMMENDATIONS: Bastyr Center for Natural Health Gluten Free Joe's In Tumwater WEB EXTRA: The "Bad Buzz," "Trampoline Terrors," and the therapy that's "Music To Your Brain" A warning about one of the newest energy drinks to hit the market. Spike energy drink has a whopping 300 milligrams of caffeine--that's nearly 4 times as much as Red Bull and 10 times as much as a soda. One young woman had a severe allergic reaction that sent her to the hospital. A reminder that none of these energy drinks is regulated by the FDA. Doctors say teens and kids should probably avoid them all together. And: parents think about this before you consider buying a trampoline. Sales are up and emergency room doctors nationwide are now seeing 88,000 trampoline injuries every year-that's double the number from a decade ago. The most common injuries: broken bones, but doctors are also seeing serious head and neck injuries. Last: some interesting research into treating migraines--along with other stress-related problems. Doctors are finding what's called "brain music therapy" has been highly successful in treating most patients with severe migraines. It's primarily listening to soothing music before you go to bed. It cost her $550 for her sessions but she says it was worth it. ]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.109887 2008-06-23T21:49:37Z 2008-06-24T18:26:04Z

You've been exercising for years and you are sure you know what your doing. Tim Koffler, Fitness Director for the Seattle Athletic Club, has been teaching people how to workout "right." Along the way, he's seen a lot of people...

Q13 Station Blog Here are some of the most common-and potentially dangerous--workout mistakes to pay attention to. LIFTING WEIGHTS: “They do a lot of swinging with their arms. That it increases the chance they will hurt themselves. Keep your body still, focus on slow, controlled movements and keep your back straight, and only move the muscles that you are actually working out” he says, “which will actually make your body workout harder.” BENCH PRESSES: “When you drop your arms, make sure they don’t drop farther than level with your shoulders otherwise you are putting too much stress across the shoulders and the chest,” says Koffler. “So pick the arms up a little bit, and stop where you're upper arm is more parallel to the floor.” SQUATS: “One thing we see a lot of problems with is people rounding the lower back and loading it up with a lot of weight when it was never meant to do that,” he stresses. “Your back should be fairly straight up and down, flat and supported.” PUSHUPS: So a proper push up would be to bring the chin and the chest to the ground, keeping the back straight and not letting the rest of the body touch unless you want to make it easier by dropping knees down, but again keep your back straight and bend your arms.” CRUNCHES/SIT-UPS: “Often times people yank, pull on their necks. Not only are they potentially hurting themselves, they just aren’t getting that good of a workout. They’re working out their arms more than their abs. The right way would be to stare at the ceiling, lift up toward the ceiling, keeping the back relatively straight and do the same motion without using the hands or putting your hands on your thighs and moving them toward the top of the knees.” LEG LIFTS: “Most importantly you want to keep the pressure off your back. You’re back should be flat on the ground when you lower your legs. If you can't keep that position,” says Koffler, “tuck your fingers under the lower back kind of hold it there, and try and put pressure on the hand.” Koffler has also created fitness cards, and suggests putting a workout calendar together. He says ultimately: try to do exercises that work your whole body or mimic movements you would do in your everyday life. “When people really get that this is a long term process and this is not about getting on a scale and seeing their weight go down, it's about having your clothes fit comfortably, and having the energy to do the things you want, then people get more committed to making the lifestyle change.” Web Extra: “The At-Home Quick Fix” "At The Core" 1. Pelvic Tilt (12 reps) 2. Floor Cobra (12 reps) 3. Plank (10 reps) Pelvic Tilt Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor and knees bent at ninety degrees. In this relaxed position, the small of your back will not be touching the floor. Tighten your abdominal muscles so that your lower back presses flat against the floor. Hold for five seconds then relax. Gradually build to 12 repetitions. Floor Cobra Lie on your stomach with legs together and arms in front of you with the palms down. Tighten your glutes and core then lift your chest off the floor. Lift your arms up and back toward the hips, rotating thumbs toward the ceiling. Hold for 2 seconds then return to the starting position. Your chin should stay tucked into the chest. Don’t arch excessively when lifting the chest; no lower back pain should be felt. Complete 12 repetitions. Plank Lie on your stomach with legs together and forearms supporting your upper body weight on the floor. Draw your abs toward your spine, tighten your glutes and lift your body onto your forearms and toes. Your body should be parallel to the floor and your chin tucked into your chest. Keep your spine in neutral position during each 15 second hold. Repeat 10 repetitions. If you experience any pain, reduce the hold time. Beginners may balance on their forearms and knees until sufficient strength is developed to progress to the toes. "No Ifs Ands or Butts" 1. Step-Ups (10-15 reps) 2. Lunges (8-12 reps) 3. Quadraped Hip Extension (10-15 reps) Step-Ups Stand with good posture behind a tall step or box (at least 15 inches high) while holding a dumbbell or other weight in each hand. Place your right foot on the step and transfer your weight to that leg as you step up, pushing through your heel. Push with the right leg only; using the left for balance, especially as you initiate the step-up. Slowly step down and repeat 10 to 15 reps. Change legs. Lunges Stand tall with good posture while hold a dumbbell or weight in each hand. Step forward with the right foot, keeping the head up and spine neutral. Drop your left knee toward the floor by bending both knees, making sure to keep the front heel down and the knee directly over the center of the foot. Both knees should end up at a 90-degree angle at the bottom of the movement. Push down and forward through your right heel to return to the starting position. Complete eight to 12 reps. Change legs. Quadraped Hip Extension On hands and knees, keep the abs tight as you lift one leg up, knee bent at a 90-degree angle throughout the movement. Keep lifting the leg until the bottom of the foot faces the ceiling and the hip, thigh and knee are all in alignment and parallel to the floor. The back and neck should not arch, remaining parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position and repeat 10 to 15 times. For more intensity add ankle weights or a light dumbbell behind the knee. ]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.108439 2008-06-16T21:21:17Z 2008-06-25T06:27:13Z

All right. Summer's about here and you really want to get in shape, but life is busy and it's just not working out. We talked to a man with a great plan who will convince you, you can do it!...

Q13 Station Blog “So many people set themselves up to fail,” says Tim Koffler, Fitness Director at the Seattle Athletic Club in Downtown Seattle. He has spent years, watching people exercise, and along with life-changing successes he's seen bad habits, bad programs and the typical excuses. “I really want everybody to have the opportunity to feel successful. It changes people’s lives, but when it comes to working out they often have the wrong idea as to what will work for them. In the end they fall back on ‘my life is too busy and I just didn’t have time,’” he says. Today, he's sharing his program for success, and it's surprisingly simple. “It really comes down to getting a plan together,” says Koffler. Koffler says start by finding a reputable personal trainer-even if it's only for one session, or work with a friend you think you can trust for good advice. “If you start that way, hopefully you don't get hurt, you don't waste your time, and you don't get discouraged too easily.” Then, make a 4-week calendar *just for your workouts* and put it some place visible-like on your refrigerator. At the bottom, put exercises you plan to do each week. Pick what you think are the best days and times to get it done--based on your schedule. “So if you have it in front of you what you have to do and you have to record it in a 7 day period, the chance that your going to complete your goals are significantly increased,” he adds. An important point: Koffler says schedule *one day less* than you think you can actually fit in. “It's only intimidating if they set their goals to high for what their time allows.” Also, make a promise to yourself, no matter how you feel, to workout for *at least* 10 minutes. “If you want to stop after 10 minutes go ahead and stop,” he allows, “but most people don't!” But Koffler says if you *really* want to see results: mix it up. “Your body is very amazing at adapting to what you do, so the more you do something, the better your body gets at it, the more efficient it gets at it so the less benefit you start to receive.” Koffler has created what he calls “Home & Travel Workout Cards.” They are all simple, common exercises using no equipment and they can all be easily done at home or on the road. “They'll shuffle them up, they'll pull out 8 cards and that will be their workout for the day,” he says. He's also created a program called "100 Days of Fitness" where for 100 days participants try a new sport so they can find the workout that they think is fun! “Most people go to a gym because they think they need to lift weights, and they don't like to lift weights, but they may like playing squash. They are all ideas for a new start and a permanent change-for the better. “ Fitness is a lifestyle. It's a healthy choice that you want to do forever-not just until you go on the cruise. When people really get this is a long term process and this is not about getting on a scale and seeing their weight go down, it's about having your clothes fit comfortably, and having the energy to do the things you want, then people get more committed to making the lifestyle change.” Go to Tim Koffler's "Exercise To Go" Site Here! Web Extra: “The At-Home Quick Fix” We bring you key exercises from Seattle Athletic Club Fitness Director Tim Koffler. They are simple and quick and you can do them all at home with no added equipment. You can add these to a regular work routine or do them separately. Koffler recommends completing 2-4 sets of each exercise three times a week. "The Mini-Workout" 1. Jumping Jacks (60 seconds) 2. Squats (20 reps) 3. Reverse Lunges (12 reps each leg) 4. Pushups (15 reps) 5. Crunches (25 reps) Jumping Jacks Standing with your legs together and arms at your sides jump and land with your feet spread apart and arms overhead. Jump again and return to the starting position. Squats Standing with your feet spread twelve inches apart, squat down as if you are sitting in a chair, keeping your heels on the ground. Return to standing. Reverse Lunges Standing with your feet together, take a large step backwards bringing your back knee almost to the ground. You should have a 90-degree bend in both knees and have your back upright. Push off your back foot to return to the starting position. Push Ups Lying on your stomach, place your palms on the ground next to your chest. Leaving your knees in contact with the ground, push your entire body off the ground in one motion without bending the back. Return to the starting position keeping the body just slightly off the ground before repeating. Crunches Lying on your back with your knees bent at 90 degrees, place your hands on your thighs. Keeping your arms straight, curl your body, bringing your hands to your knees, then return to the starting position. Perform all exercises in the order listed, moving from one to the next without rest. After completing all exercises take a 1-minute rest before repeating the circuit. "Arm Strong" 1. Seated Dip (12 reps) 2. Close Grip Push Up (15 reps) 3. Weighted Tricep Extension (12 reps) Seated Dip Sit on the edge of a solid chair or bed. Place your hands on both sides of your body, holding on to the edge. Your knuckles should be facing forward. Place the backs of your ankles on a bench in front of you so that your butt is suspended in the air. Beginners, plant your feet firmly on the floor with your knees slightly bent. As you progress, move your feet further out until your legs are straight. Push yourself off the seat and lower your buttocks until your elbows form a 90 degree angle. Then, push yourself back up to the starting position. Repeat for 12 repetitions. Close Grip Push Up Start on your hands and knees with your hands 6-8 inches apart. With your arms straight walk your knees back until your body is straight, as if you were lying on the floor. This position is the start of the movement. Slowly lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor, keeping your elbows close to your body. Return to the starting position. Repeat 15 repetitions. If this movement is easy, place your feet on the ground and straighten your legs so you are balancing on your hands and toes. Weighted Tricep Extension Sit or stand and hold a weight with both hands, elbows bent behind the head at 90 degrees. The weight can be a dumbbell, weighted plate, or any other ten to twenty pound object you have available. Keeping the elbows in, pressing the weight overhead until the arms are straight. Return the weight to the starting position. Repeat for 12 repetitions. ]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.107073 2008-06-10T17:21:00Z 2008-06-10T22:00:07Z

With the warm weather hopefully coming up we’ve got some helpful news on healthy choices, and a way to curb your appetite. We start with the latest study on eggs. We've all heard the warnings: "watch out for cholesterol" in...

Q13 Station Blog In another study this week OJ gets an extra boost. Not only is it good for your body it's good for your skin. In a study of 4,000 volunteers, those who took the most vitamin c had fewer wrinkles! The lead author believes it's the anti-oxidants that help build collagen. Equal and Splenda watch out. There's new competition on the market. It's called "sweet leaf" and it comes from the South American Stevia plant. "From this leaf we can extract the sweet glycosides which gives us a white powder 300 times sweeter than sugar,” says Jim May, CEO of Wisdom natural brands. ‘ It's generally considered safe, but it is not FDA approved yet. It’s categorized as a supplement and doctors say pregnant or nursing women should avoid it for now. Pregnant women should consider taking more salt though. A study by health magazine showed iodine intake in the last 20 years has dropped by 50 percent. Low levels can slow metabolism, and iodine deficiencies in pregnant women can harm the mental and physical development of a fetus. If you're pregnant talk to your doctor about prenatal vitamins with iodine. Most of us know green tea is good for us... and now research shows it could help with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea blocks airwaves during the night and among other problems can lead to high blood pressure and brain damage. In lab animals, green tea reduced the level of cell damage. And last: stronger research on the benefits of peppermint. In the latest study: participants consumed 3,000 fewer calories a week, after being exposed to peppermint. The aroma appears to trigger a sense of fullness after eating, and it improved concentration. Experts suggest chewing sugarless mint gum, or dabbing-on peppermint oil to curb cravings. Web Extra There is promising new research in fighting alcohol addiction. 400 diagnosed alcoholics participated in a new study by the University of Virginia using the drug Topamax. It showed the drug decreased heavy drinking. Doctors also found it helped volunteers lose weight, lower cholesterol and blood pressure. All problems researchers say often comes hand in hand with drinking. The study appears in Monday's "archives of internal medicine" one of the journals for the American Medical Association. In another study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the French based research institute Inserm found smoking not only ruins your lungs, it saps you of your memory. This was a big study--10, 000 people participated. Those who smoked scored the worst on memory tests, but once they quit during the study their memory improved and on top of that they started to exercise and eat better. Last: some promising news for those battling brain tumors. UCLA has been studying a personalized cancer vaccine for 7 years now. It works by combining a portion of the tumor with a patient's own white blood cells. "This is an exciting new study that is trying to trigger the patients own immune system to recognize the tumor as a foreign object and to attack it and kill it," says Dr. Michael Gruber, Overlook Hospital Neuro-oncology Director In 19 patients: the 2-year survival rate went from 27 to 50 percent. It's not a guarantee but it does appear to add precious time to a patient’s life. ]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.105389 2008-06-02T23:20:44Z 2008-06-03T22:24:19Z

Imagine searing pain shooting through your face. You don't know why and nor does your doctor. It's called "The Suicide Disease." In fact: for those who live with Trigeminal Neuralgia for more than 3 years about half commit suicide. There...

Q13 Station Blog I can't believe it. Not a single attack," says Brent Weichers. 6 months after his second surgery Brent Weichers is pain free, but memories of what life used to be like are razor sharp. Three years ago it started like a bang. "That first day it hit me, I literally thought I was having a stroke," he says. "You have the attack and the seizure and the blinding pain and you're holding on to what ever piece of furniture you can to keep from hitting the floor." Searing pain from his ear to his lower jaw is triggered by the slightest of things. "Talking, chewing, touching, brushing my teeth, cold air blowing across my face," he says, "It got to the point where it was impossible to do my job." But about three years ago by sheer luck he found the truth. His dentist so happened to do his college thesis on a some-what rare disease called Trigeminal Neuralgia. It's something easily missed on an MRI and often misdiagnosed by doctors. "There's a gentleman near here in our support group that had the entire lower plate of his teeth removed and later found out it was TN," he says. Brent's family doctor didn't know what to do, but a Neurosurgeon at Virginia Mason Medical Clinic did. "People often say the sheets in bed can trigger it," says Dr. Farrokh Farrokhi who estimates anywhere from a few hundred, to a few thousand people in our state have TN. "It's not genetic, it has nothing to do with what you do, what you eat, smoke, live near power lines or anything like that it's just bad luck." For some reason, in some people, the blood vessels at the base of their skull loop around nearby nerves. Those pulsating blood vessels then rub and push against the nerves sending shock waves to the brain. "It starts right in front of the ear and shoots down the jaw maybe to the middle of your jaw." Dr. Farrokhi says it starts in front of the ear and shoots down the jaw maybe to the middle of your jaw. He says it's usually only on one section, and one side of the face, pain comes in shock-like bursts and most importantly it's triggered by touch, temperature, or taste. "The surgery involves basically pushing those blood vessels out of the way," he says, "and putting a little piece of teflon between the blood vessel and the nerve so the nerve is no longer irritated." Medication works for some people, but for Brent Weichers it was surgery and six months later he is finally living his life and sharing it too. "There is definitely help. There is help." Trigeminal Neuralgia Links & Information: Brent Weichers MySpace Page & Support Group Trigeminal Neuralgia National Support Group EVENT INFORMATION ***Saturday June 7th at 2:00pm*** The Trigeminal Neuralgia Association Seattle Support Group University of Washington Medical Center 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle Rm BB389 3rd floor (hospital main floor) Guest Speaker: Angie Hughes, Acupuncturist Our special guest speaker is Angie Hughes, L.AC. Angie studied acupuncture and traditional Chinese Medicine and graduated from the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1989. In the fall of 2002 she joined the Bastyr University clinic and didactic Faculty and at present continues to supervise the students of Bastyr's acupuncture program as they rotate through her clinics in Seattle. If anyone needs directions to the Medical Center, please contact us. We look forward to seeing you all there with questions for Angie Hughes and a desire for more knowledge about trigeminal neuralgia. There will be an open forum with the group after Angie Hughes. There is no charge for our meetings and everyone including patients, family, friends, care providers, and anyone interested in facial neuralgias is welcome! We discuss news from the national organization, share our resources and the newest information available to us, lend a supporting ear, and share our hope: together we will end the pain. Our meetings are informal, confidential, fun, and free. We park in the Triangle Garage or behind the hospital. For more information contact: Support Group Leaders: Mary Holden 206-898-4559 MaryHolden@aol.com Cathie Whitesides 206-525-6869 cathiewhitesides@comcast.net Jackie Sakamoto 360-830-9144 ajsak@msn.com Kent Kalnasy 206-789-3889 kkalnasy@eskimo.com Carol Freedman 425-823-8711 cfreedman@wwdb.org Betsy Haslett 425-775-6881 bjhas1@netzero.net Brent Weichers 425-785-8396 weichersb@gmail.com ]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.104098 2008-05-27T17:13:49Z 2008-05-27T23:06:56Z

Whether you are gearing up for bathing suit season or for a special event, many will look for a quick fix to shed pounds fast. But dietician Tanya Zuckerbrot says crash dieting is simply the wrong way to do it....

Q13 Station Blog "I am completely against crash diets, and that’s because crash diets are a short term solution to a life-long problem. Sure, you’ll lose some weight on a crash diet, but you're not going to keep it off," she says. So if you want to drop a few pounds and quick what to do? Zuckerbrot has a few suggestions: "Instead of focusing on what you have to cut out, focus on what you have to add in. Because by adding in fiber to you’re diet, you’re going to feel full throughout the day, your energy is going to be consistent." She adds: "If you’re looking to drop anywhere between five and seven pounds, I would recommend starting two weeks before that date. In two weeks, you can safely and effectively lose around five pounds." But if you are looking to lose more than 10 pounds, give your self at least a month. “Cut out all refined carbs from you diet, which are basically carbohydrates that get digested very rapidly which tend to increase your hunger and cause to overeat. You want to avoid anything that contains a lot of sugar. You might want to cut back on milk and yogurt products for those last two weeks. And lastly, obviously, cut back on the fried foods. They're loaded with access fat and calories.” Also: "Stay hydrated. And that’s because the symptoms of dehydration, mimic the symptoms of hunger. When you’re dehydrated, you feel weak, and shaky, and tired and cranky and you might think, I need to eat something to feel better, when in fact a zero calorie glass of water would have done the trick. " Lots water will help flush out all that fiber you'll be adding to your diet she says. "So think clean. Think fruits, vegetables, whole grains, drink lots of water and you’ll be looking good in a bikini." WebMD: “Rapid Weight Loss” WebMD: “Cheap Tricks” WebMD: “Starting a Successful Diet” Prevention: “Fiber Up”]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.102603 2008-05-19T22:27:39Z 2008-05-20T17:42:27Z

High blood pressure is called the silent killer for a very good reason. You can't feel it so you might not do anything to control it. Then one day it changes your life or ends it. Is it best...

Q13 Station Blog A million people a day use free blood pressure machines. Ron Schaefer is one of them. He says, "I'm a stroke survivor" Schaefer is on a mission to make more people aware of their blood pressure. He already knows how high blood pressure can blindside you. "I got out of my car and I found I was walking like a drunken sailor into my house. I called a lady friend of mine and she came over and saw my right eye and my right lip drooping. She said you are having a stroke." says Schaefer. He's upset that his once favorite testing spot, Target, took the machines out. "I go to the pharmacy where it's normally located only to find out there's a bare wall. The machine's gone." Target says it removed the machines because customers were not using them, but Ron insists he got a different answer when he asked earlier this year. "She said there was a problem from the mayo clinic that said there's errors in the machine and therefore we would not want to have this machine in our place. Dr. Sheldon Sheps was asked: how accurate are the blood pressure machines in grocery stores and drug stores? He answered, not accurate enough to make health decisions regarding your blood pressure. "So the idea is great, i think the fact that you can get your blood pressure checked, you can get screened, it had the goal of helping people maintain good control but in actual practice it hasn't worked out very well.” Sheps wrote: Generally no information is available regarding the care of these devices. "They need to be calibrated and maintained on a regular basis and you don't know if that's happening." LifeClinic, a major manufacturer of the blood pressure machines, wants Sheps to rephrase those statements and one in a different area that says the machines aren't accurate. The president of LifeClinic says the statements do a disservice to all those who use the machines. He says, “I'm a heart patient, I had trouble with my heart and kidney so I come off and on to check my blood pressure.” Jasodi Kapoor uses one of two machines. “It's very, very important we are lucky to have this one over here.” He says. Mike Sorenson has high blood pressure, and uses the free machines to make sure he's keeping it under control. He says, “I've gotten tests at the hospital and stuff, yeah it's pretty accurate." More shots of Ron on the machine LifeClinic says the machines recalibrate themselves several times a day, and are quite accurate. Adding: they are meant for monitoring, not as a replacement for a visit to the doctor. Which brings up an interesting observation by Dr. Richard Grimm, a cardiologist who conducts studies of blood pressure readings. “I think many of those machines are quite accurate. To be honest, I think the value you get in most of those situations is probably in most people better than what they're going to get in their doctor's office.” Grimm believes blood pressure tests at the doctor's office can be misleading for a number of reasons. “You're often in a hurry, rushing in for an appointment, and you may be talking to the person taking your blood pressure which can affect it.” He also says don't ever allow the nurse to put the cuff over your clothing like this demonstration shows. "That's a big no no. The sweater's going to really muffle the sounds. You're going to get a much lower pressure than what the pressure really is." Dr. Grimm says it's not so much where you measure your blood pressure, it's how. WEB EXTRA: HOW TO GET YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED Cardiologist Dr. Richard Grimm says it's not so much where you measure your blood pressure, it's how. He says everyone must do the following: 1. Sit silent for three to five minutes before the test. 2. Put your feet flat on the floor, support your back. 3. Do not have any clothing between your skin and the cuff. 4. Keep track of their readings over a period of time. ]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.101140 2008-05-13T02:20:26Z 2008-06-04T21:33:12Z

You've probably said it or thought it "I must be loosing my mind!" Our memories can define our past, and determine our future. So, for many of us trying to keep it has become a top priority. We talked to...

Q13 Station Blog We talked to expert Dr. Soo Borson. She is a geriatric psychiatrist, a professor at the University of Washington and director of the Memory Disorders Clinic in Seattle. “Where did I park my car, oh my god, I can't find my car! Where are my keys? Have you seen my glasses?” Sitting in Dr. Borson’s office in Seattle, she roll-plays what so many of us have experienced in real life. Those memory glitches, or so-called "senior moments" have some people so concerned; a new industry called "brain fitness" is now big business. “Baby boomers fear Alzheimer's more than they fear cancer,” says Borson. “It’s that fear of loss of dignity.” By the age of 65: less than 1% the U.S. population will get Alzheimer’s. 75 and older: it increases to about 10%. For most of those people it's not genetic. So, why some of us get Alzheimer's is still a bit of a mystery. But, researchers have now found clear links between memory loss and certain health and lifestyle problems; problems that we can--in part-control. “Some of that is reversible,” says Borson. Diabetes reduces blood circulation in the body, lung disease reduces oxygen flow in the body and heart disease leads to a hardening of the arteries not only around the heart but in the brain as well. They are all problems that damage the brain over time and can slowly kill your memory. “The brain tends to get stiffer, less resilient,” says Borson. Next: diet and exercise. As we age, we are in a state of what's called "oxidative stress"--where too many free radicals can damage tissue or create cancer in our bodies and our brains. That's why an anti-inflammatory diet with lots of fresh, whole foods and anti-oxidants can help. “All of them are basically sopping up free radicals,” Borson explains. She adds, “In recent animal and human studies exercise actually stimulated growth in the brain, so a concerted program of exercise, enlarges the brain! Physical exercise!” Last: Borson says our lifestyles have a direct impact on memory. “Part of the reason young people learn so fast is simply because they do so many new and different things.” But she says adults often get stuck in a routine. So, she suggests trying new and unfamiliar things--that spark your interest. Also: all that multi-tasking is over-loading our brain and keeping it from truly absorbing what we are doing. But she does have one warning: if you're having problems doing things that you do every day like balancing your checkbook, remembering to take medication or understanding simple directions that could be an indicator of a more serious problem. “Sometimes you just have to get serious of what your system can tolerate. If you just have a memory problem, that's your only problem, you can compensate with many tools,” she says. MEMORY MAKEOVER LINKS AND SUGGESTIONS: Prevention: “Tips To Keep Your Mind Sharp” Prevention: “Never Forget Anything” Alzheimer’s Association Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s Center Mayo Clinic: “Training Can Prevent Memory Loss” Mayo Clinic: “When To Seek Help” Sharp Brains]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.99529 2008-05-06T17:32:00Z 2008-05-06T19:35:25Z

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - it’s a “tired to the bones” feeling no amount of sleep can erase – a mental fog you just can’t shake. Sound familiar? Some researchers now think CFS is somehow changing the way bodies react to...

Q13 Station Blog Sound familiar? Some researchers now think CFS is somehow changing the way bodies react to stress. Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta are studying that fatigue to find a cause and possibly a cure. For Wilhelmina Jenkins, CFS almost took away everything. “I thought my brain was the one thing I could count on….and it got up and left.” At 33, Jenkins was raising two kids and working on her PHD in Physics. “I loved teaching. I expected to teach for the rest of the life.” But Jenkins says in 1983 she began to grow tired, and started hurting. She couldn’t concentrate – couldn’t even make sense of her own research projects. When she was at her lowest point, “I was bedridden. I couldn’t even read. So I had a coloring book and a box of 64 crayons and I colored.” Jenkins was eventually diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Centers for Disease Control estimates CFS affects between one and four million people. Dr. William Reeves, the CDC’s lead researcher on the illness says after years of debate, most doctors now agree CFS is a valid illness – in other words “real”. But no one really knows how to spot it or treat it. Says Reeves, "Fatigue is not being sleepy, it's not being tired. It's being completely wiped out." For the new study, researchers are looking inside the brains of volunteers, measuring their thinking skills and motivation. They are putting volunteers through stress tests to see how their hormonal and immune systems react. They are looking for clues in the genes of people with Chronic Fatigue, hoping to identify ‘markers’ that tell them if someone is at risk for it. People of every age, gender and ethnicity can have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. However, researchers say it affects women at four-times the rate of men and is more common in people in their 40’s and 50’s. ]]> tag:weblogs.q13.com,2008:/features/health/wellnessreport//246.97836 2008-04-29T03:07:06Z 2008-04-30T20:25:06Z

Young athletes are getting more and more competitive these days. We talked to the experts on what they need for peak performance and the dangerous trends that could set them back. In a cramped office at the University of Washington,...

Q13 Station Blog In a cramped office at the University of Washington, Sports Dietitian Emily Edison is showing us some of the best things to put into our bodies-especially when it comes to young athletes. "We got some blueberries that very high in antioxidants and great carbohydrate source. If we get more antioxidants in the body we see less damage to the muscle and the system overall," she says. "When we are talking about food for sport it's really important that we address that high carbohydrates are the number one thing for athletes. But Edison says she has real concerns about some of the more "modern day" energy sources. "A lot of these ingredients have not been tested on kids, they haven't been proven to be safe in kids." Energy drinks, none of them, is regulated by the food and drug administration and most are loaded with stimulants. Edison says by the time teen athletes reach high school or college many have already built-up a high tolerance. “If you get to the collegiate level and you're taking in that much caffeine you can test positive and NCAA does ban caffeine in higher levels,” she adds. Other popular stimulants in energy drinks are gurana and ma huang--which is a form of ephedrine. More so: Edison says each body handles them differently so it's hard to tell how much is too much. And even though the latest research shows caffeine doesn't dehydrate our bodies as much as we once thought, too much sugar can. “When a high level of sugar is in the blood stream the body cannot get the water into the cells that it needs because the water is busy trying to dilute concentration of sugar in the blood stream,” says Edison. So, to avoid the spike-and-crash effect of energy drinks she says go for "real food" carbohydrate-protein combinations--which will give you more stable energy for peak performance. “ Things like an apple and some peanut butter, some crackers with a little bit of cheese, some yogurt and granola or having cereal with milk on it are great combinations. Or even putting a hard boiled egg along with your bagel.” She says it's best to have a hearty meal 3-4 hours before a game. It gives the body enough energy, and *time* to absorb it. Then, one hour before: a light snack-especially if it's a longer game--but skip the junk stuff. Too much fat keeps the body from absorbing the carbohydrates it needs to perform. She also says there is now strong research that high fructose corn syrup in many of those foods keeps you from "feeling full"--so you tend to eat more. Check out our “web extra” to find out what kind of non-caffeinated beverage helps kids recover better after a workout than energy drinks or even water. Below is more great information from Sport Dietitian Emily Edison and her recommended websites: On the appetite regulation and HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) I think it is important to note that the research is still in early stages, but it seems as if there may be a link between HFSC and inhibition of Leptin production. It think the more important point with HFCS is that it comes in products that do not give you long standing energy (cookies, Twinkies, pop) and has little or no nutrients. As for caffeine, a little (1-2 cups coffee per day) is ok and is linked with being a sport enhancing aid (thus why it is banned from NCAA in high levels). NCAA does not ban caffeine for health risks (because there are few if any healthy risks with caffeine, aside from addiction). As a sport enhancing aid it helps us think we are doing less work than we are (i.e. we can work harder) and may help us use more fat for fuel. If someone wanted to use an energy drink, I would highly recommend diluting it down to about half with sparkling water and drinking it slowly. I would recommend drinking it close to the time for competition and make sure that is DOES NOT replace food. There are no shortcuts to better performance! Momentum Nutrition and Fitness NCAA site all about what drugs/substances are banned or limited on use Gatorade Sports Science Institute Web Extra: “One of the things I see with young athletes is high fat foods coming into the body before a practice or before an event, says Sports Dietitian Emily Edison. Her office is on the University of Washington campus. “What ends up happening is that high fat content in the meal actually inhibits carbohydrates from being available for the body and because fat takes a long time to digest we don't want to be putting it in pre-event or pre-sport.” “Try to really focus on whole foods and get the kids to think about what they are putting in their body.” “When we are talking about food for sport it's really important that we address that high carbohydrates are the number one thing for athletes. So when we talk about high carbohydrate foods, we are talking about things like whole cereals, we talk about whole grain crackers, we talk about fruits and vegetables, like blueberries which are high antioxidant food. If we get more antioxidants in the body we see less damage to the muscle and the system overall.” “ So, younger athletes are we are growing and developing, I think it's even more important to think about what we are putting in the body because the tissues are all still developing, the bones the brains, the muscles, and so if we are really particular of the foods we put in there we may develop a stronger athlete down the road. So I try to get them to think about products that have a lot of a lot of calcium in them so they are making stronger bones. Things like chocolate milk, dairy cheese, and yogurt. Things that are help calcium absorption are vitamin D and vitamin D we also get from dairy.” “And we talk about the chocolate milk being a great recovery drink for the athletes just to throw into their bag and drink after they are running off of the field and the recovery piece is that chocolate milk has high carbohydrates. It also has a little bit of protein in there to help repair and rebuild muscle tissue, but the carbohydrates are what going to fill the muscles and the liver back up with glycogen.” “We found that the chocolate milk performed better than the other two recovery drinks in repeated bouts of exercise.” “We do use some products that are calorie replacement drinks for certain athletes if they need to gain weight, but I'm actually a huge fan of milk and you can actually take dry milk powder, non-fat dry milk powder, and add it to milk to boost the protein content.” “So immediately post exercise the muscles are really thirsty for carbohydrates and we want to make sure we get those in right away because over time the amount you can actually absorb goes down and then if we can't absorb as much, the next day when we hit the playing field we don't have as much energy stored in the body.” “The foods that you choose afterwards are your recovery, it's the thing that's going to prepare you for the next day and help to repair any muscle tissue that you might have done.” “I know adults are cutting back on their carbohydrates a little bit. They're not choosing to have the large portions of pasta and the large portions of rice the dinner time and don't necessarily need that, because they are not as active, but what has happened in a lot of families is that they've actually eliminated the carbohydrate and dinner and the kids, the active sporting child, needs to have that carbohydrate.” “I think having a combination of carbohydrate and protein together, so things like an apple and some peanut butter or some crackers with a little bit of cheese and some yogurt and granola, having cereal with milk on it are great combinations.” “As kids are growing and developing this nutrition piece is really vital to their long term success as an athlete.” ]]>