NEWSTHE THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

NEWSNEWSTHE

NEWSNEWSNEWSTHE

DISPATCHPAGE D1

CALL 874-7211WITH STORY IDEAS

HEALTHHEALTHHEALTH

Dear Doctor K: I be-lieve my second-grader suffers from anxiety. How is anxiety treated in chil-dren?

D e a r R e a d e r : Many kids have anxiety d i s o r d e r s . There are several dif-ferent kinds, and most are suffered both by kids and adults, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social phobias, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some anxiety disorders affect only children. The prime example is separa-tion anxiety – an extreme dif� culty being away from home or loved ones.

Before your child is di-agnosed with an anxiety disorder, however, con-sider this: Some children who are anxious have good reason to be afraid. For example, your child may be a victim of abuse by a relative or a class-room bully. Try to � nd out if this is the case.

If your child is diag-nosed with an anxiety disorder, the treatment options are:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is the best-con� rmed treatment for anxiety disorders in children.

A common CBT method is called graduated expo-sure. In this method, young children with phobias, for example, are placed near the feared object while do-ing something reassuring and enjoyable. Older chil-dren can learn how to use deep breathing or muscle relaxation, or they can be taught to talk themselves out of fear-provoking thoughts. Another tech-nique is modeling. This involves asking the anx-ious child to emulate the therapist or another child who shows no fear.

• Drug therapy. The FDA has not approved any drugs for childhood anxi-ety disorders. (The only exception is the use of se-lective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for ob-sessive-compulsive disor-der.) But some SSRIs are effective and approved for the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults. As a result, many doctors pre-scribe these antidepres-sants for anxious chil-dren.

• Combination treat-ment. Among children and teens especially, combin-ing CBT and drug therapy is often successful.

You and other family members can also help your child. For example, learn techniques for man-aging your child’s anxiety. Provide models of self-con� dence and problem-solving, and give rewards for overcoming fears.

Sometimes a family problem is the source of the child’s anxiety, or an anxious child may think he or she is the cause of any trouble in the family. In that case, joint family therapy may be a good idea.

Many years ago, a pa-tient of mine was having trouble in his marriage. He and his wife were very different personalities. With some marriages, people of like mind � nd each other. With other marriages, opposites at-tract

That was their marriage.

Therapy may relieve childhood anxiety

Dr. AnthonyKomaroff

By Lois TomaszewskiStaff Writer

MICHIGAN CITY — Achoo! Are you worried about getting sick during these illness-prone months? There are some simple ways to boost your body’s natural defenses against winter’s bugs.

While there is no de� nitive way to ensure you won’t get sick, health experts suggest trying to maintain a balance is one of the key steps. This balance can in-clude diet, exercise, stress levels and the use of vitamins or herbal supplements.

The immune system is the pro-cess by which the body reacts to a perceived threat from disease. It is composed of a network of cells, tissues and organs. White blood cells, or leukocytes, seek out and destroy disease-causing organ-isms or substances. These are pro-duced in several internal organs, including the thymus, spleen and

bone marrow.The white blood cells travel

through the body between the or-

gans and nodes through lymphatic vessels and blood vessels. When a threat is detected, these cells pro-

duce an antibody to destroy the intrusive disease cell.

“A diet rich in fruits and veg-etables can help ward off infec-tions like the cold and � u as these super foods contain immune-boosting antioxidants,” said Mar-garet Meznarick, a dietitian at IU Health La Porte. “Regular

Boost your body’s natural defenses against season’s viruses“Antioxidants for im-munity are found by adding more fruits and vegetables of any kind to your diet.”

Margaret MeznarickDietitian at IU Health

La Porte

INDOT offers tips for navigating icy roadsBy Lois TomaszewskiStaff Writer

MICHIGAN CITY — The potential of an accident occur-ring on wintery roads is a sure bet for Northwest Indiana. Transportation of� cials and the state police are reminding residents how they can stay safe on roads and highways this season.

Wet pavement, falling tem-peratures, snow and high winds create a variety of road-

way conditions. The Indiana Department of Transporta-tion monitors forecasts and tries to lessen the impact of these storms by deploying crews, equipment and materi-als ahead of, during and after storms. According to a news release issued by the INDOT in late December, the agency’s top winter priority is snow and ice removal to ensure its more than 30,000 lane miles of inter-states, U.S. highways and state routes are as safe as possible.

Watching out for state and local plowing crews is a must, INDOT offi cials said. Reduc-ing speed and increasing the distance between their own vehicle and the plowing trucks keeps everyone safe while the state does its job.

Indiana State Police are also concerned with safety on the roads. In their Winter Driving Tips brochure, they make the following suggestions:

By Lois TomaszewskiStaff Writer

MICHIGAN CITY — La Porte County Emergency Management Director Fran Tibbot has informa-tion available to residents for all kinds of situations, including how to prepare for a winter emergency.

“This is some of the infor-mation that I try get out to the public,” Tibbot said.

Winter storms are re-ferred to as “deceptive killers,” according to the National Weather Service, because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. People die from causes such as accidents on icy roads and hypothermia from prolonged exposure.

To keep your family safe at home, the FEMA makes the following recommenda-tions:

• Keep rock salt or envi-ronmentally safe ice melt-ing products on hand.

• Have snow shovels or other snow removal equip-ment ready to use.

• Make sure there is a suf� cient amount of heat-ing fuel, including fuel that can be used in a power out-age, such as � rewood.

• Provide adequate cloth-ing and blankets.

• Bring pets and animals inside.

• Before winter arrives, take steps to winterize your home, barns and vehicles.

• Prepare an emergency kit that includes � ash-lights and batteries, non-perishable food and water, a � rst aid kit and medical supplies and lists of phone numbers, emergency con-tacts and identi� cation in-formation.

WINTER EMERGENCY TIPS

By Lois TomaszewskiStaff Writer

MICHIGAN CITY — Being out on any lake can be dangerous any time of the year, but win-ter poses serious risks. State of� cials are urg-ing people to be cautious when taking part in out-door activities on ice-cov-ered lakes.

The danger of ice is se-rious enough for the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct ice rescue training. The Michigan City Station will be conducting these exercises in the next few weeks.

“The training is neces-sary for station rescuers to transition from open water small boat tech-niques to ice covered techniques without a small boat,” said Execu-tive Petty Of� cer Phil-lip R. Dawalt. “Rescuers must become comfort-able and pro� cient in the varying winter conditions this region experiences.

Time is critical when re-sponding to cold water or ice covered emergencies, so we continually train to become faster and bet-ter prepared for any mis-sion.”

Crew members start in the classroom, learn-ing about ice formations, ice characteristics and becoming familiar with ice rescue techniques and equipment. This is followed by training on the ice where these pro-cedures are “put into practice.”

“Generally one or more persons assume the role of someone who has fall-en through the ice and is in need of help,” Dawalt said. “The Ice Rescue team practices getting persons out of the water using the correct tech-niques as well as admin-istering � rst aid.”

While rescues are part of the Coast Guard’s du-ties, ice rescues are more dangerous. Rescuers have to go out on the same ice

through which some-one has fallen, making it likely the Ice Rescue Team members can fall through as well, Dawalt said.

“Although the team is wearing protective cloth-ing, it does not complete-ly eliminate the risk of frostbite or hypotherm-ia,” he said. “Often times when someone has fallen though the ice, it requires

Being out on ice-covered lakes can be dangerous

Photo providedDon’t be fooled by thin ice on local lakes.

DNR guidelines for judging the

safety of solid iceOne inch of ice – Stay offFour inches of ice –

Needed for safe ice � shingFive inches of ice – Need-

ed for snowmobilingEight inches of ice –

Needed to support the weight of a car or light truck

10 inches of ice – Need-ed to support a medium-weight truck

Photo provided“A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help ward off infections like the cold and � u as these super foods contain immune-boosting antioxidants,” said Margaret Meznarick, a dietitian at IU Health La Porte.

Photo provided

Safety

winter travelSafety during

Please see TRAVEL, D2

Please see LAKES, D2

Please see DEFENSES, D2Please see KOMAROFF, D2

D2 The News-Dispatch Thursday, January 10, 2013 HEALTH

• Check the forecast and let someone know your route of travel.

• Keep the gas tank at least half full.

• Carry a winter surviv-al kit that should include blankets, a � ashlight and extra batteries, a brightly colored cloth, sand or a bag of cat litter, a shovel, candle and matches, non-perishable snacks and water, a � rst aid kit and

jumper cables.If a motorist becomes

stranded, the state po-lice advise the driver and passengers to stay in the car. Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna. Keep the exhaust pipe free from blockage and crack the

windows. Leave the dome light on at night and re-member that an idling car uses only one gallon of gas per hour.

Make sure to drive ac-cording to road conditions. Allow extra time. Keep windows, hood, roof and

lights clear of snow and ice. Beware of bridges, overpasses, shaded areas and intersections where ice is slow to melt.

The latest road condi-tions is available through the Department of Trans-portation at: www.Traf

fi cWise.IN.gov or by calling (800) 261-ROAD (7623). This is the same place to get information on road closures, construction and other traf� c alerts.

The state police also maintain a road condition line at (800) 261-7623.

TRAVELCONTINUED from Page D1

the rescuer to enter the water to effect the res-cue. Continuous training and public awareness help prepare for effec-tive mission execution, because in a cold water environment, every min-ute counts.”

According to the Indi-ana Department of Natu-ral Resources, thousands of Hoosiers head out to enjoy the great outdoors in winter. Every year, people drown from fall-ing through the ice.

Parents should warn their children about playing on or near bodies of water without supervi-sion. There are a number of things to watch for to determine if ice is safe.

DNR advices outs-doorsmen to be aware of various ice strengths and qualities. One area of a pond may be a foot thick while another spot of ice may only be an inch thick. Ice strength can also change. Rain can deteriorate the strength of an ice cover and old honey-combed ice, slush ice or ice covering a cur-rent is dangerous. Other factors that can affect the strength of ice in-clude wind, waterfowl and beavers.

Some simple safety rules are to dress for the water temperature, not necessarily the air temperature; know the weather forecast and be ready to postpone if conditions are likely to turn treacherous; no-tify someone of the plan for the day; carry safety

gear, including visual distress signals or a sound producing device, among others; and wear life jackets, � oat coats or dry suits.

“Wearing bright cloth-ing will help rescue crews � nd you faster in an emergency,” Dawalt said. “A dry suit should signi� cantly prolong your survival time. If not available, dress in lay-ers. Wear wickable cloth-ing closest to the body and warmer materials for outer layers.”

Neither the Coast Guard nor the DNR sug-gest that people need to hibernate indoors during winter. Instead, think of the Coast Guard District Nine’s message: “Think Twice with Ice,” Dawalt said.

“Those planning on venturing out onto the lakes in the winter should remember the ac-ronym ICE, which stands for Intelligence, Cloth-ing and Equipment,” he said. “Remain intelligent by checking weather and ice conditions before go-ing out, know the in-tended destination on the ice, and know how to call for help. Ensure the proper clothing is worn to prevent hypothermia and choose bright colors to be more easily seen by others. It’s not uncom-mon for people to become disoriented while on the ice, especially in low vis-ibility or deteriorating weather conditions. And, never venture onto the ice without proper safety equipment: a marine ra-dio, a Personal Locator Beacon, life jacket, screw drivers or ice picks, etc.”

LAKESCONTINUED from Page D1

He was meticulous, cau-tious, a man of few words who rarely expressed emo-tion. She was a volcano –

always on the go, talked a blue streak, and emo-tional every minute of her life except when she was asleep. They grew apart. Their 12-year-old daugh-ter, who had been a con-� dent and independent

child, became fearful and insecure. Therapy revealed that she blamed herself for breaking up their mar-riage. Sessions with her parents � nally absolved her of that guilt – and of her suffocating anxiety.

Dr. Komaroff is a phy-sician and professor at Harvard Medical School. To send questions, go to AskDoctorK.com, or write: Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115.

KOMAROFFCONTINUED from Page D1

exercise increases the leu-kocytes, an immune system cell that � ghts infections. Exercise also increases the release of endorphins, nat-ural hormones that boost your sense of well being and have positive effects on your immune system.”

Antioxidants are sub-stances that protect cells against the effects of free radicals, which are the mol-ecules produced when food is broken down in the body or by exposure to outside toxins, such as cigarette smoke or radiation. Free radicals can damage cells.

“Antioxidants for immu-nity are found by adding more fruits and vegetables of any kind to your diet,” Meznarick said.

The three major antioxi-dant vitamins – vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene – are found in brightly col-ored fruits and vegetables.

“Look for orange, yel-low, purple and blue hues,” Meznarick said.

Foods rich in vitamin C include: red, green or yel-low peppers, sweet pota-toes, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, broccoli, honeydew, orange, nectarines, grape-fruit, strawberries.

Vitamin E can be found in: spinach, broccoli, nuts, sun� ower seeds, carrots, mangoes, papaya and ber-

ries.Beta-carotene-rich foods

are: kale, squash, sweet potatoes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, peaches, water-melon, tangerines, apricots and cantaloupe.

“Researchers are still trying to understand how the immune system works and how to interpret mea-surements of immune function,” Meznarick said. “However, general healthy living strategies are a good way to start giving your immune system the upper hand. Every part of your body, including your im-mune system, functions better from environmen-tal assaults bolstered by healthy living strategies.”

Physical exercise also has bene� ts, and some re-search also suggests that moderate levels of stress can help strengthen the body’s defenses. But like anything else, too much stress has the opposite ef-fect.

“Experiencing chronic stress releases a steady amount of the stress hor-mones cortisol and adren-aline which suppress the immune system,” Meznarick said.

Another factor is not getting enough sleep.

“Like stress, lack of sleep can cause a rise in in� ammation in the body as this can also in-crease the stress hormone

cortisol,” she said.To make sure the body

has the sleep it needs, it is recommended that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

Relying on vitamins and supplements to give the immune system a head start can be one way to give the body what it needs. But it may not be the best ap-proach, Meznarick said.

“Foods contain many different nutrients that work together to promote health,” she said. “You can get antioxidants from tak-ing a vitamin or supple-ment but you may be miss-ing other nutrients that could strengthen the im-mune system.”

And while the idea that if taking a small quantity of vitamins or supplements helps, a lot would be bet-ter can cause its own prob-lems.

“Moderation is the key,” Meznarick said. “Vitamin A and E are stored in the body and eliminated slow-ly, getting too much can be toxic. You should take the recommended dietary allowance (RDAs), that’s the amount of a vitamin or mineral that you would need to be healthy and avoid de� ciency.”

But there is no scien-ti� cally proven way to keep the immune system healthy. General advice, however, takes a holistic view. Healthy living is the most important strategy to staying healthy. This can be accomplished by:

• Not smoking• Eating a diet high

in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in saturated fat

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Controlling blood pres-sure

• Taking steps to limit exposure to viruses, such

as washing hands and preparing foods

properly

DEFENSESCONTINUED from Page D1

Thinkstock photo

adnum=60371791

You Deserve MoreMore treatment options. More focus on cancer.

More everything.

We built the largest, most-advanced cancer fighting centers in northern Indiana history to help bring highly individualized cancer care to you and your

loved ones. This means that the days of ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatments are over and that you now have better options in the fight against cancer. How did we do it? The answer is simple. We

fight cancer. It’s the only thing we do. So, we just keep getting better at it.

Advanced Centers for Cancer Care®

Visit www.TheHeartofCancerCare.com

to find out more