3Find Relief from Back Pain

6Skin Cancer: Do You Know What to Watch For?

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Got flip-flops? Of course you do—flip-flops are as American as apple pie! But wearing this flimsy footwear 24/7 can damage your feet.

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), wearing flip-flops nonstop can lead to a host of foot problems, including blis-ters, stubbed toes, and tendini-tis. And since flip-flops offer minimal support for the 26 bones of the feet, they may increase your risk for sprains, breaks, or ligament injuries.

“The lack of arch support and the angle of your ankle in flip-flops can cause injury,” explains Roderick Hunter, D.P.M., podia-trist at Metro-plex Hospital. “People tend to walk differ-ently in flip-flops and use their toes differ-ently, probably to keep the flip-flops on their feet. This results in a battle of muscles that just doesn’t happen in normal shoes.”

Also, if you have diabetes and want to protect your feet, flip-flops make you more susceptible to cuts and scrapes. Opt instead for lightweight summer shoes with more coverage.

This Summer, Wear Flip-Flops … Sparingly

Dear Neighbors,The summer months often turn our focus to children, safety, and celebra-tions. At Metro-plex Hospital, we understand that children are not just “little adults” but have different needs and require a high level of attention to detail in their medical care. We continue to invest time and resources into wellness programs that will positively impact our children’s physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

This summer, I encourage families to attend our 27th annual KidFest Health and Safety Fair on August 23, 2015, at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center. This popular, child-centered event supports children’s health and wellness through free immuniza-tions and health screenings. Organizations from around Central Texas provide free infor-mation for parents and fun, educational activities for children. It’s an opportunity for family fun and a great way to begin the new school year.

It is our honor to serve the youngest to oldest among us. Thank you for inspiring us to be the best we can be.

Blessings,

Carlyle WaltonPresident and CEO,Metroplex Health System2

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>> Don’t tiptoe around foot health. Call 254-526-DOCS to find a podiatrist at Metroplex Hospital.

Roderick Hunter, D.P.M. 254-519-33382301 S. Clear Creek Rd., Suite 204, Killeen

Never wear flip-flops when:• Walking long distances • Playing sports• Gardening or mowing the lawn

When purchasing flip-flops, choose those that:• Have some support (if you can

bend them in half, they are not supportive)

• Are made of soft leather (to minimize blisters)

• Carry the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance (evaluated by its podiatrists)

Above all, enjoy flip-flops in moderation, and your feet will carry you far this season.

If you’ve ever uttered the words “Oh, my aching back,” you’re not alone. Nearly everyone will experi-ence back pain at some point.

People experience two types of back pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain, which lasts a few days to a few weeks, is often due to an accident or injury, such as a fall. You may experience a muscle ache, shooting or stabbing pain, decreased range of motion, or difficulty standing up straight. With chronic pain, you may not know the cause. It often gets worse over time and lasts for more than three months. You may experi-ence areas of tenderness and stiffness.

More Than Medication

When it comes to treating low back pain, there are many different options:• Exercise. Many people assume lots of rest will help their pain improve. Research shows the opposite is true. Bed rest can actually make back pain worse. Exercise strengthens muscles that support your back and improve recovery. Physical therapy, yoga, abdominal exercises, stretching, swimming, walking, and other activities can reduce pain and help you feel better. • Medications. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs can de-crease inflammation, stiffness, and swelling associated with low back pain. Talk to your doctor about the

We’ve Got Your BackTake control of back pain so you can get back to your life

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risks and benefits of using medica-tions to treat your pain.

Discuss All Your Symptoms

Back pain often goes hand in hand with other health problems. Alert your doctor to other issues you may have, including:• Abnormal reflexes• Fever or chills• Numbness and tingling in one or

both legs

• Problems controlling your bladder or bowels

• Unexplained weight loss

These signs are red flags for more serious health problems, including degenerative disk disease, cancer, and spinal infections. Fast treatment can help prevent your condition from getting worse.

More than 13 million U.S. doctor visits per year focus on

back pain.

>> Get back on your feet. If you have chronic back pain that has lasted longer than three months, visit www.mplex.org/FindaDoctor and make an appointment with one of our pain specialists.

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Prostate cancer is a serious health issue for men, but it can be tricky to diagnose, and it takes an experienced medical specialist to determine how to approach it optimally.

Gaines Hammond, M.D., FACS, an internationally renowned urologist and fellow of the American College of Surgeons, recently joined the staff of Metroplex Hospital. He believes it takes a blend of skill, intuition, and confidence to successfully treat prostate cancer.

With more than 30 years of experience in patient care and in the design and research of urologic surgical devices used by specialists around the world, Dr. Hammond has spent decades perfecting

Gaines Hammond, M.D.

Expert Care Helps Men Tackle Prostate Cancer Screening and treatment options available at Metroplex Hospital

the art of accurately analyzing this common cancer in men.

“Our mission as urologists is to decide which prostate cancers may spread and require immediate intervention and which need no treatment other than careful surveillance,” he says. “Every case of prostate cancer is unique, so we pinpoint what is appropriate for each man instead of taking a cookie-cutter approach.”

Screening Tests

Prostate cancer may show no symptoms, so a test often used to uncover the condition is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. This simple blood

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MAJOR CAUSES OF URINARY INCONTINENCE

Pregnancy

Obesity

Menopause

Women are

4-5x more likely to have urinary incontinence than men

of those affected by urinary incontinence can be cured or improved

More than

4 MILLION doctor’s office visits a year are for urinary tract infections

U.I. affects

25 MILLION people in the U.S.

of men & women ages 30-70 have experienced loss of bladder control at some point

24% of women deal with incontinence during peak child-bearing

years (18-44)

DID YOU KNOW?The bladder is the shape and size of a grapefruit. It can hold about 300-500 ml of liquid.

URINARY HEALTH

ChildbirthChildbirth

Menopause

Prostate health

THE PROSTATE GLAND

...may be the size of an apricot by age 40.

...may be the size of a lemon by age 60.

...is about the size of a walnut by the age of 20.

Men are

2-3x more likely than women to have kidney stone problems

1380%

On average, people wait 7

years before seeking treatment for their bladder

control problems.7 Approximately

test measures the protein produced by the prostate that is linked with cancer. PSA levels under 4 nano-grams per milliliter (ng/ml) are considered normal. High levels of this protein might mean you have prostate cancer.

“PSA is a good test, but it’s not perfect, so it should be used in conjunction with a digital rectal exam to provide a complete assessment of the prostate,” says Dr. Hammond.

Current American Cancer Society recommenda-tions say that men with an average risk for prostate cancer should discuss the PSA test with their doctor when they turn 50. Men at higher risk should talk with their doctor at age 45 or, in some cases, at age 40. Talking with your doctor is the best way to determine when testing is right for you.

Talking with Your Doctor

Metroplex Hospital offers state-of-the-art imaging and prostate cancer treatments, including targeted radiation therapy and surgical removal of the pros-tate. Current techniques preserve the nerves sur-rounding the prostate, which results in improved urine control.

Dr. Hammond strongly encourages men to dis-cuss prostate cancer with a health care provider.

“Don’t be embarrassed about your prostate health,” he says, “because the earlier we detect prostate cancer and determine how to treat it, the better the results.”

>> Dr. Hammond offers specialized services for a wide variety of urologic health issues affecting both men and women: • Kidney stones • Urinary tract infections • Urinary incontinence • Prostatitis

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hammond, call 254-618-1444.

• Cystitis • Bladder reconstruction • Enlarged prostate

C Color: The color is uneven. You may notice different shades of tan, black, and brown. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue also may be present.D Diameter: The mole is larger

than ¼ inch in diameter—about the size of a pencil eraser.E Elevation: Be wary of moles

that are raised above the skin’s surface.

To detect skin cancer at an early stage, get familiar with your moles and birthmarks. Then, every month, check your entire body in the mirror for skin changes, including your back, scalp, and feet. If you’re concerned, your family doctor or a dermatologist can screen you and help detect areas that should be investigated further.

Treatment

Speedy detection and treatment could save your life. Surgery is a common treatment for skin cancer. The type of surgery depends on different factors, including the type, size, and location of the skin cancer. Some skin cancers can be removed easily, while others may be more complex. Whatever the type, the overall goal is to remove all cancer cells with the minimum harm to healthy tissue.

Check Yourself for Skin CancerSkin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. Risk factors include age, having fair skin and freckles, a family history of skin cancer, and more than 50 moles. But the most preventable cause of skin cancer is excessive sun exposure.

Suspect Skin Changes

Skin cancer can erupt anywhere, but it tends to appear most often on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. Report to your doctor any change in your skin, especially a new growth or a sore that fails to heal within two weeks. Don’t wait for pain—skin cancer rarely hurts.

“A change in the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole or an unusu-al new mole is often the first sign of melanoma, the rarest but deadliest form of skin cancer,” explains Joe

Jeanette, D.O., general sur-geon at Metro-plex Hospital.

When checking moles, remem-ber your “ABCs”:A Asymmetry:

One side of the mole does not match the other.B Border: A mole’s outline is

jagged or blurry.

>> How much do you know about skin cancer? Go to www.mplex.org/EducationEvents, click on “Health Library,” and choose “Health Tools” to find a quiz.

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Joe Jeanette, D.O.254-519-89012301 S. Clear Creek Rd., Suite 230, Killeen

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GREAT REASONS TO SIGN UP FOR MYACCESS

1 It’s ridiculously easy. You can create an account in multiple ways—on our

website, through Health Informa-tion Management, or through an email invitation. Information is also provided at the time of registration, inside the inpatient admission packet, and through a visit from a registration clerk if you are admitted.

2 It’s incredibly useful. Through MyAccess, you are able to view lab results,

allergies, immunizations,

medications, discharge instructions, patient education materials, surgical procedures, and a health summary. Most results are available within 36 hours after discharge. Outpa-tient diagnostic test results are available within 72 hours.

3It’s safe and secure. MyAccess is extremely safe and complies with rigid

privacy rules. You won’t receive emails that include any of your health information. Instead, you

>> To sign up for MyAccess, please visit our website at www.mplex.org.

In this kid-friendly recipe, baking the nuggets instead of frying keeps the fat content lower. For varied flavors, try different herbs and spices. Recipe serves four (about 3 ounces each).

Ingredients

• 1½ lbs. chicken thighs (about four pieces)

• 1 cup cornflakes

• 1 tsp. paprika

• ½ tsp. Italian herb seasoning with no added salt

• ¼ tsp. garlic powder

• ¼ tsp. onion powder

• Vegetable oil spray

Directions

1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove skin and bone from chicken thighs and cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Baked Chicken Nuggets 2 Place cornflakes in a plastic bag and crush by using a rolling pin. Add remaining seasoning ingredients to crushed cornflakes. Close bag tightly and shake until blended.

3 Add a few chicken pieces at a time to crumb mixture. Shake to coat evenly.

4 Lightly grease a cooking sheet and place chicken pieces on sheet so they are not touching each other. Bake until golden brown, about 12 to 14 minutes, or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.

Per serving: Calories 210, Total fat 6 g (Saturated fat 1.5 g, Trans fat 0 g), Cholesterol 140 mg, Sodium 170 mg, Total carbohydrate 7 g, Dietary fiber < 1 g, Sugars < 1 g, Protein 30 g

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Place cornflakes in a plastic bag and crush by using a rolling pin. Add remaining seasoning ingredients to

Lightly grease a cooking sheet and place chicken pieces on sheet so they are not touching

might receive an email to let you know that new test results are waiting for you on MyAccess.

Having all of this information at your fingertips can help you take control of your health in new ways. And we’re always working to bring new features to the system.

3MyAccess is the online patient portal used by both Metroplex Hospital and Rollins Brook Community Hospital. In fact, all of the Adventist Health System hospitals across the nation use MyAccess to connect patients to their health information. Here are three reasons to sign up for this valuable and convenient system:

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDMETROPLEX ADVENTIST

HOSPITAL INCMetroplex Adventist Hospital, Inc2201 S. Clear Creek Rd.Killeen, TX 76549

10786M

Summer Classes and Events

CONNECT WITH METROPLEX: www.facebook.com/MetroplexHealthSystem www.twitter.com/MetroplexHealth

Location Key: Sue Mayborn

Women’s Center, Education Room

Metroplex Conference Rooms 3 and 4

Metroplex Education Classroom (Located in CTC Nursing Building)

Metroplex Medical Plaza, Room 122 2301 S. Clear Creek Rd.

Locations subject to change

Contact Us

Metroplex Hospital: 254-526-7523

Rollins Brook Community Hospital:512-556-3682

Community Relations: 254-519-8200

NEED A DOCTOR? Call 254-526-DOCS.Visit www.mplex.org for additional information and a campus map.

AARP SMART DRIVER COURSEAug. 13, noon to 4 p.m. $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers

ARTHRITIS EXERCISE CLASSThursdays, 10 to 11 a.m. FREE

BREASTFEEDING CLASSJuly 15, Aug. 19, Sept. 16 6 to 8 p.m. FREE

CARTER BLOOD DRIVEJuly 29 and Sept. 30, 12:30 to 5 p.m.

CHILDBIRTH CLASSESTwo-session classes: July 14 and 16, July 21 and 28, Aug. 4 and 6, Aug. 11 and 18, Sept. 8 and 10, and Sept. 15 and 22 5 to 9 p.m. FREE

DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT CLASSMetroplex Conference Room 3 Aug. 27, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. FREE

HEALTHCARE PROVIDER CPR CLASS July 10, Aug. 21, Sept. 25 8 a.m. to noon, $30

IMMUNIZATION CLINICLocated at Greater Killeen Free Clinic • First Tuesday of every month, 2:30 to 5 p.m. • Third Thursday of every month, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. FREE

INFANT CARE CLASSESJuly 30, Sept. 24 6 to 8 p.m. FREE

INFANT CPR CLASSESJuly 13, Sept. 21 6 p.m., $50

KICKBOXING CLASSMondays, 7 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 to 10 a.m. FREE

METROPLEX FOUNDATIONSPORTING CLAYS TOURNAMENTAug. 16, Lampasas Call 254-519-8307 to register.

QUARTERLY HEALTH SCREENINGJuly 15, 9 to 11 a.m. FREE

TAI CHI CLASSWednesdays, 10 to 11 a.m. FREE

ADVANCED TAI CHIWednesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. FREE

YOGA CLASSFridays, 10 to 11 a.m. FREE

ZUMBA CLASS Fridays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. FREE

Find more information and register for classes at www.mplex.org/EducationEvents.

Health E. Bear, the Metroplex Hospital Wellness mascot, entertains children during KidFest.

KIDFESTKilleen Civic and

Conference Center

Aug. 23, 12:30 to

3:30 p.m. FREE