1-800-4BAYLOR January 2010

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

Protect yourself from pneumoniapage 2

Don’t wait to learn about weight loss surgerypage 3

6 tips to help you avoid sports injuriespage 4

Could cherries help ease the pain of arthritis?page 5

As Becky Drake learned, the signs of a heart attack can be subtle for women page 6

HerHeart

FdBL011012_Carrollton.indd 1 11/10/09 9:33:21 AM

Say No to Pneumonia Colds and influenza get a lot of attention this time of

year. As a matter of fact, a whole season is named after them. But there is another infection that often is over-

looked: pneumonia.Pneumonia is a lung infection usually caused by bacteria or

viruses. It’s transmitted the same way colds and flu are: from contact with someone who has it. It is more common—and more dangerous—in adults over 65.

“Without proper treatment, pneumonia in older adults can lead to an infection in the bloodstream, which could ultimately cause death,” says Seema Modi, M.D., a family physician and geriatrician on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton. “So the earlier it’s diagnosed, the better.”

Symptom SpottingThe first step to receiving treatment is recognizing the symp-toms, including cough, fatigue, fever, headache, muscle pain, sweating, shortness of breath and chest pain.

“Older adults don’t always experience the same symptoms as younger people do,” Dr. Modi says. “Sometimes, the only symp-tom they’ll have is shortness of breath.”

Protect Yourself“Most people recover fully from pneumonia in one to two weeks,” Dr. Modi says.

Of course, the best way to beat pneumonia is to not get it in the first place. Wash your hands well and often, and avoid close contact with people who are ill.

Most importantly, especially for those over 65, get vaccinated. If you’re 65 or older and haven’t received a pneumonia vaccine since turning 65 ask your doctor about it today. l By Shelley Flannery

Get VaccinatedAre you older than 65? If so, and you have never had a pneumonia vaccination, call 972-492-6565 to make an appointment at the Baylor Senior Health Center at Carrollton. Or, call 1-800-4BAYLOR to find a physician today.

Are You at Risk?People most likely to get pneumonia, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, include:l Children younger than 2l Adults older than 65l People with chronic heart, lung or liver diseasel People with HIV or AIDSl People who have had an organ transplant

Take these steps to avoid this serious infection

2 BaylorHealth January 2010 l For a physician referral, visit FindDrRight.com Cover photograph by Tadd Myers; hair and makeup by Dane Nelson

Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton 4343 N. Josey Lane Carrollton, TX 75010 972-492-1010

President and CEO, Baylor Health Care System: Joel Allison

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

Marketing Director: Susan Watson

Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton Board of Trustees: Roy Lamkin Michael Taylor Patrick Richter

Dr. Rosemary Luquire LaVone Arthur Laurence F. Lo, M.D. Julie A. Thomas, M.D. Adnan Nadir, M.D. William A. Paruolo, M.D. Vaqar A. Dar, M.D. Charles B. Heath Paul Convery, M.D. Fred Savelsbergh

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

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

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

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

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

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

Medical Center at Carrollton or Baylor Health Care System.

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

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

FdBL011012_Carrollton.indd 2 11/12/09 11:35:23 AM

Like the nearly two-thirds of American adults who are over-weight or obese, Larry Christian

knows what it’s like to battle a weight problem. “I’ve been on every diet that you could ever think about,” he says. “Ten years ago, I lost almost 260 pounds. And I gained it all back.”

Being nearly 500 pounds posed signifi -cant problems in Christian’s daily rou-tine. “Even tying my shoes was diffi cult sometimes. And walking up stairs—stuff like that, I couldn’t do.”

Of course, the most signifi cant threat was to his health. “I was on every kind of drug there is to keep my blood pressure down, my diabetes under control and my cholesterol in check,” he says. “My health was very unstable.”

A Heavy DecisionChristian knew that if he didn’t do some-thing drastic, he wasn’t going to make it. At age 50, he decided to have LAP-BAND weight loss surgery.

“A very close friend of mine, who is a physician, told me that I wasn’t going to live to see 60 if I didn’t do it,” he says. “And so my decision to do what I did was to save my life, basically.”

Christian underwent LAP-BAND surgery at Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton two years ago. The procedure involves placing a silicone band around the upper portion of the stomach, mak-ing it able to hold less food, causing the person to feel full faster. The LAP-BAND

is removable and adjustable, meaning a physician can tighten or loosen the band as needed in a simple offi ce visit.

Living—and Loving—LifeToday, Christian is 210 pounds lighter than the 465 pounds he was before sur-gery. And he’s taking advantage of every bit of it.

“My son and I, we go cycling now,” he says. “It’s a much better lifestyle, period. As for my wife, she loves it,” he says. “She even feels muscles on me now!”

But perhaps most gratifying, is the eff ect the weight loss has had on his health. “The only pills I take now are omega-3 fi sh oil and an aspirin a day for my heart,” Christian says. “But other than that, nothing.” ● By Shelley Flannery

Worth the WeightLarry Christian might not have seen his next decade if not for LAP-BAND surgery

Don’t Wait to Lose Weight

Learn more about weight loss surgery at a free upcoming seminar:

● Saturday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m.● Tuesday, Jan. 12, 6 p.m.● Thursday, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m.● Saturday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m.● Tuesday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m.● Saturday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m.

Call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit BaylorHealth.com/CarrolltonEvents for location information.

have seen his next decade if not for LAP-BAND surgery

Now that he has lost more than

200 pounds, Larry Christian can keep

up with his son.

To make a donation, visit BaylorHealth.com ● January 2010 BaylorHealth 3

FdBL011012_Carrollton.indd 3 11/10/09 9:34:35 AM

Does winter have you taking your workout inside? Here are 6 tips for avoiding injury

W hether you’re a seasoned exerciser or just gearing up to get started on your New Year’s resolution to move more, you’re probably considering hitting the gym

for your winter workouts. After all, staying motivated is hard enough without Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

But working out in a gym can lead to injury if you’re not careful. “Muscle tears or strains, tendinitis and tendon tears are all common injuries in those who pursue conditioning, athletic or training activities,” says Phillip Graehl, M.D., an

orthopaedic surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton.

Here are six ways you can avoid them:1. ALWAYS WARM UP. Don’t jump right into an intense

workout. Spend at least fi ve minutes doing a low-impact activity to get your muscles loose.

2. STRETCH IT OUT. “Stretching helps to elongate the mus-cles and tendons, and relieve tension with these structures,” Dr. Graehl says. “It also increases blood fl ow to the muscles and tendons, and primes them for increased activity.”

3. DON’T OVERDO IT. People often think they need to work as hard as they can during exercise to see benefi ts. Moderate-intensity activity is suffi cient for the average person and will keep your heart rate in a safe range. The general rule is that you should still be able to carry on a conversation during exercise. If you can’t, dial back the intensity.

4. DRINK UP. “Maintain proper hydration at all times,” Dr. Graehl says, even during the winter months.

5. LIFT WITH CAUTION. Strength training is a great way to build and tone muscle. “Learn the proper techniques,” Dr. Graehl advises. Start with a modest amount of weight and gradually increase the number of repetitions and heaviness.

6. DON’T SKIP THE COOL-DOWN. Take fi ve minutes at the end of your workout to cool down to help your body’s blood fl ow to return to normal. ● By Shelley Flannery

Gain without Pain

GERMS AT THE GYMYou don’t have to be a gym rat to be exposed to the germs from fellow movers and shakers. In fact, all it takes is a second of contact with an infected machine, and you could pick up someone else’s germs. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself:• Wash your hands before and after working out.• Wipe down each machine with disinfectant spray

before and after use.• Use a clean towel for each session.

Stay in the GameIf a sports injury is sidelining you, talk with your doctor about treatments that can help. For a referral to an orthopaedicspecialist on the Baylor Carrollton medi-cal staff , call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit FindDrRight.com.

for your winter workouts. After all, staying motivated is hard enough without Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

But working out in a gym can lead to injury if you’re not careful. “Muscle tears or strains, tendinitis and tendon tears are all common injuries in those who pursue conditioning, athletic or training activities,” says Phillip Graehl, M.D., an

orthopaedic surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton.

Here are six ways you can avoid them:1. ALWAYS WARM UP.

workout. Spend at least fi ve minutes doing a low-impact

4 BaylorHealth January 2010 ● For the career of a lifetime, go to BaylorHealth.com

FdBL011012_Carrollton.indd 4 11/10/09 9:35:58 AM

Not all medical research involves new techniques or medications. In the case of recent research conducted by Baylor Research Institute (BRI), what was once con-

sidered folklore may soon be accepted as fact.Researchers at BRI have been studying whether tart, or

Montmorency, cherries in pill form might help relieve osteo-arthritis (OA) pain. The most common form of arthritis, OA causes pain in the hands, feet, spine, hips and knees.

“I’ve had patients tell me their mother or grandmother said that cherries are good for arthritis, and another rheuma-tologist asked me if I’d had any experience with cherry pills, which some of his patients were using,” says John J. Cush, M.D., director of clinical rheumatology at BRI. “Many people

try natural remedies that often don’t work, so we decided to formally study this.”

A total of 20 patients with OA of the knee were enrolled in a 12-week study in 2008. The study involved commercially available pills containing the equivalent of about 100 tart cherries. Every part of the cherry—including the pulp, rind and stem—is used to make a paste that’s put into capsules.

According to Dr. Cush, between 50 per-cent and 60 percent of patients experienced relief by taking just one pill a day. “They reported less pain and it seemed to be work-ing,” he says.

Following this pilot study, BRI research-ers began a randomized trial in 2009 to validate their initial findings. Thirty patients were enrolled in the study, which will be completed in early 2010. One-third received a placebo—a capsule without any active ingredients—and the other two-thirds took the cherry pills.

“If the results show that the patients who took the cherry pills did get better, this will be the first study to demonstrate that this particular natural product might have some positive impact,” Dr. Cush says.

Having more specific information about whether these supplements can relieve OA

pain would help doctors better advise patients in how to take natural products, he adds.

“We’ll be able to determine if this supplement could be safely combined with treatments we currently use for osteoarthritis,” Dr. Cush explains. “And it may offer people a natural option for managing their condition.” l By Amy Lynn Smith

Cherry Picking (for Arthritis Relief) People with osteoarthritis may find sweet relief from pain thanks to Baylor researchers

Fruitful ResearchFor information about clinical trials at Baylor Research Institute, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit BaylorHealth.com/AdvancingMedicine.

Between 50 percent and 60 percent of patients experienced relief by taking just one pill a day.

Visit us at BaylorHealth.com l January 2010 BaylorHealth 5Illustration by Richard Mia

FdBL011001_BUMC.indd 5 11/10/09 9:59:55 AM

6 BaylorHealth January 2010 ● Sick? Click. Visit BaylorHealth.com6 BaylorHealth January 2010 ● Sick? Click. Visit BaylorHealth.com Photograph by Tadd Myers, hair and makeup by Dane Nelson

TThere are some things in life that you’re supposed to just know. Like when you fi nd “the one” and when it’s time to let grown children spread their wings.

Knowing when you’re having a heart attack, however, is another story, especially for women. It’s often not even on their radar.

“When I had my fi rst heart attack at age 38, I had no signs,” says Becky Drake, now 43, a resident of Greenville. After all, she had little reason to suspect it. In addition to thinking she was too young for a heart attack, she says, “I’ve always taken care of myself. I’m not overweight, and I work out.”

Drake is one of 41 million women in the U.S. living with some form of cardiovascular disease, according to the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. And yet many are still unaware that it is the No. 1 killer of women.

“A lot of women are concerned only about breast cancer,” says Vidyasagar Chodimella, M.D., FACC, FCCP, a cardiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton.

“The chances of developing breast cancer are one in nine, but the chances of developing heart disease are one in two.”

Subtle (and Not so Subtle) SymptomsDrake’s second heart attack, in May 2009, was

more obvious. “I broke out in a sweat, and I hit the fl oor,” she describes. “I had pain all

down my right side and back.”While her symptoms the second time were much more dramatic,

they still weren’t the typical chest pain commonly associ-

ated with heart attacks in men. Women, who may

or may not have chest

A Tale of Think women aren’t at risk for heart disease? Meet two women

who know otherwise2Hearts

Watch It!Becky Drake (left) was taken by surprise when she had a heart attack

at age 38. Hear about her experience fi rsthand

at BaylorHealth.com/MyStory.

By Shelley Flannery

FdBL011001_BUMC.indd 6 11/10/09 10:05:28 AM

pain, are more likely to experience other symptoms of a heart attack, including shortness of breath; pain in the shoulders, neck, back, arms or jaw; upper abdominal pain or indigestion; nausea or vomiting; sweating; dizziness; and extreme fatigue.

“Women tend to have more atypicalsymptoms compared to men,” says Phillip J. Hecht, M.D., FACC, a cardiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine. “And women often ignore the symptoms because they don’t know they’re at risk.”

Sharon Neff , 68, learned this lesson the hard way. “About a year before I retired, my left arm started hurting every once in a while,” she says. “I thought it was carpal tunnel and that it would go away, but it didn’t.”

Then, one night in January 2006, Neff awoke with bad indigestion. “I woke up my husband and said, ‘Something’s wrong. We need to go to the hospital.’ ”

To her surprise, “it was a full-blown heart attack,” she says. “It was an eye-opener for me. My heart attack was totally diff erent than my husband’s. He had chest pain that went right through to his back.”

The Sooner the BetterThe longer that blood fl ow is blocked during a heart attack, the more dam-age is done, so it is essential to seek treatment quickly. Experts advise calling 911 right away rather than driving to the hospital.

Drake wasn’t able to wait. “We live way out in the country, so I told my husband he needed to take me halfway to meet the ambu-lance or I was going to die,” she says, speaking from experience as a fl ight medic with Hunt County Emergency Medical Services.

It’s not enough to just get treatment fast; it also has to be the right treatment. “I woke up in the [local] ER, and I told the doctor I needed to go to Baylor and their cath lab,” Drake says. A cath lab is where doctors perform angioplasty, a procedure in which a tiny balloon is inserted into an artery and used to open up a blockage and restore blood fl ow.

Spreading the LoveBoth Drake and Neff were treated with stents—metal tubes used to prop open arteries. Today, both women are doing well and they’re spreading a message about women and heart disease.

“I now know that women have different symptoms than men,” Neff says. “You need to pay attention to your body.” And if you think you might be having a heart attack, call 911.

Drake agrees, and adds, “If you have a genetic history [of heart disease], you need to go and get it checked out right away. There are preventive things you can do.” ●

CELEBRATING WOMENThis past October, Baylor Health Care System Foundation hosted its 10th annual Celebrating Women luncheon. More than 1,300 guests were on hand at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas to hear featured speaker Kelly Corrigan. Tom Thumb was the presenting sponsor of Celebrating Women and chair-persons were Randi Halsell, a breast cancer survivor, and Karen Halsell, M.D. The event raised more than $1.8 million to benefi t research, community outreach, and expanded technology for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer throughout Baylor Health Care System.

What’s Your Risk?Find out your risk for heart disease with our interactive quiz at BaylorHealth.com/HealthCast and then print out a list of questions to take to your next doctor’s appointment.

TENTH ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON

Find Dr. Right. Visit FindDrRight.com ● January 2010 BaylorHealth 7

Testing, TestingDon’t let cardiovascular disease sneak up on you in the form of a heart attack. Keeping up with recommended screenings is one way to be prepared.

“Talk to your doctor about cardiac risk factors,” says Vidyasagar Chodimella, M.D., FACC, FCCP, a cardiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton. Ask what type of screenings you need and how often you need them. If you’re at high risk, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent checkups. For normal-risk individuals, the American Heart Association advises these screenings:

TEST FREQUENCY GOAL

Blood pressureAt every offi ce visit or at least once every two years, starting at age 20

Less than 120/80 mmHg

CholesterolEvery fi ve years, starting at age 20

Less than 200 mg/dL total

Body mass indexAt every offi ce visit, starting at age 20

Less than 25

Waist circumference

As determined by your physician, starting at age 20

Women: 35 inches or lessMen: 40 inches or less

Blood glucoseEvery three years, starting at age 45

Less than 100 mg/dL

To fi nd a physician on the medical staff at Baylor Carrollton, visit FindDrRight.com.

FdBL011012_Carrollton.indd 7 11/25/09 9:53:16 AM

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

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDBAYLOR HEALTH

Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton or Baylor Health Care System. ©2008 Baylor Health Care System BMCC BHM CE 11.09

For Women, For LiFe Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010 – 7:00 aM - noon

THE ONE DAY THAT Is ALL ABOUT YOU…Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010. For Women, For LifeTM offers women time to focus on their health. So plan on inviting other women you would like to share a day with – your mother, daughter, or friends – and come enjoy this special day at Baylor. Attendees will receive health screenings and assessments, a continental breakfast, women’s health questions answered by a panel of physicians, as well as the opportunity to attend educational presentations. There is no cost for the event, but attendance is limited and registration is required. Register for this popular annual event for women at 1.800.4BayLOr or for more information visit www.BaylorHealth.com/CarrolltonFWFL.

you’ll enjoy: > Free Screening and assessments: Bone Density, Blood Pressure, Pulse, Heart rate, Blood oxygen level, Lipid Panel* (Cholesterol, HDL,

LDL, and Triglycerides), Glucose*, Sleep Apnea, Lung function, Body Fat, Body Mass Index, Balance and Posture, Skin Cancer Screening, and more. *For the most accurate reading, do not eat or drink anything after midnight before the screening. You may take your regular medications as directed with water.

> Coffee talk with a doctor: – Get your health questions answered at our informal come-and-go Q&A session with a panel of physicians including OB/Gyn, Plastic Surgery, Family Medicine, and Internal Medicine physicians. Panel will answer women’s health questions from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

> Health Presentations: 9:00 a.m. The Feminine Art of Aging: What Women Really Need to Know to Stay Strong and Healthy – Jane Chihal, M.D., OB/Gyn physician and certified menopause clinician. 11:00 a.m. Are You Dreading That Time of the Month…Again? Modern Alternatives to an Old problem–Julie Thomas, M.D., OB/Gyn physician.

> Other Offerings: Self-Defense Demonstrations, Complimentary Chair Massages, Make Your Own Parfait Bar, Nutrition Information and Healthy Recipes

LOCatiOn: Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton - Front Lobby of the Main Hospital 4343 N. Josey Lane, Carrollton, TX 75010

timeS: 7:00 – nOOn > Check-in, Breakfast, Health Screenings, Assessments, and Demonstrations 9:00 am and 11am > Health Presentations

To register, call 1.800.4BayLOr or for more information visit www.BaylorHealth.com/CarrolltonFWFL.

FdBL011012_Carrollton.indd 8 11/30/09 3:01:09 PM