don’t miss a beat - srmc · don’t miss a beat here’s to a heart-healthy 2015 p. 4 give your...

Don’t miss a beat Here’s to a heart-healthy 2015

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Give your hip a fresh startRESURFACING SURGERY CAN PUT YOU BACK ON YOUR FEET

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Your surgery needs— all in one site!SOUTHEASTERN HEALTH PARK

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W I N T E R 2 0 14 –

2 SOUTHEASTERN HEALTH

Winter 2014–15, Issue 4

HEALTHWISE is published quarterly as acommunity service for the friends of SOUTHEASTERN HEALTH.

300 W. 27th St.Lumberton, NC 28358

910-671-5000

www.southeasternhealth.org

SOUTHEASTERN HEALTHPresident and Chief Executive Offi cerJoann Anderson, MSN, FACHE

Coordinator of Public RelationsAmanda L. Crabtree

2014 Southeastern Health Board of Trustees

Offi cersMichael T. “Bo” Stone, ChairJerry L. Johnson, Vice Chair/Secretary

TrusteesKenny Biggs • Chancellor Kyle Carter • Faye C. Caton • Larry Chavis • Danny Cook • Dennis Hempstead • Randall Jones • Wayland Lennon • Alphonzo McRae Jr. • John C. Rozier Jr., M• Jan Spell • Joseph R. Thompson • Michael P. Walters • W.C. Washington

Ex offi cioJoann Anderson, MSN, FACHE,

ex offi cio, President and CEODr. Joseph Roberts, ex offi cio, Immediate Past President, Medical StaffDr. Dennis Stuart, ex offi cio, Chair,

Network Operating CouncilCoble D. Wilson Jr., ex offi cio, Chair,

Southeastern Health Foundation

Medical Staff Offi cersBarry E. Williamson, MD, PresidentTerry S. Lowry, MD, President-ElectJoseph E. Roberts, MD, Immediate Past

President Richard Johnson, MD, Chairman,

Department of Medicine David Allen Jr., MD, Chairman,

Department of Surgery

MemberAmerican Hospital Association; NCHA; Coastal Carolinas Health Alliance; Premier, Inc.; The Advisory Board Company

Accredited byThe Joint Commission

Please address all letters to: Southeastern HealthP.O. Box 1408Lumberton, NC 28359

Information in HEALTHWISE comes from a

wide range of medical experts. If you have an

concerns or questions about specifi c content

that may affect your health, please contact

your health care pro vider. Models may be use

in photos and illustrations.

Copyright © 2014

Coffey Communications

HSM30720

25 + YEARS

SOUTHEASTERN HOSPICE 29TH FESTIVAL OF TREESHoliday tree display • Santa’s Shop crafts

Sunday, Dec. 7, 1 to 5 p.m.

Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 8 and 9,

9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Townsend Building, Osterneck Auditorium,

102 N. Chestnut St., Lumberton, NC

(Across from the Robeson County Public Library)

Admission fees

• $3 for adults.

• $2 for senior citizens and children

(under 12 admitted free).

• PrivilegesPlus members may present their

cards for free admission.

Call 910-671-5577 for more information.Proceeds benefi t Southeastern Hospice and Camp Care.

WWW.SOUTHEASTERNHEALTH.ORG • WINTER 2014–1

8

15

4

10

567

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HAVE DIABETES?Don’t let it get on your nerves.

A NEW SURFACE FOR YOUR HIP An active, unique solution for osteoarthritis.

ACTIVE AND FIT Small, everyday steps to help you keep in shape over the winter.

MORE THAN A CRICK? What you need to know about neck pain.

WALK AWAY FROM THE PROBLEM Could it be peripheral arterial disease?

14OVARIAN CYSTSWhat you need

to know.

YUMTry this healthy casserole recipe.

LOVE YOUR HEARTTen ways to keep it beating strong.

NOW OPENConvenient care at Southeastern Health Park.

BARIATRIC SURGERYKnow the pros and cons of surgical weight loss.

Throughout this issue, you’ll fi nd links to videos on our YouTube channel, SeHealthLumberton. Type these URLs into your Internet browser to see interviews with our doctors, explaining how to live better and feel better.


1 2 3 4

TIPS

HEART-HEALTHY

10FOR A

20 15

AND THE BEAT GOES ON EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE, you march to the beat of your own special drummer:

your heart. To help keep your personal percussionist in tip-top shape in 2015 and beyond,

give these suggestions a try.

8Do the math. High

cholesterol, high triglycerid

and high blood pressure

add up to an increased risk

for heart disease. So get

your numbers checked—an

follow your doctor’s advice

on lowering any that are to

high.

1Measure

up. Excess

body weight,

particularly

in your belly,

can strain

your heart.

If you’re a

woman, work

to whittle

down your

middle if it’s

more than

35 inches

around. For

men, more

than 40

inches is a

red fl ag.

2Make a fi st. Too much

of even the best foods can

make you pack on pounds.

To control portions and

avoid overeating, downsize

your dinner plates. Then

keep individual servings

to between ½ and 1 cup,

or about the size of a

woman’s fi st.

0Shake the salt. Most

of the sodium that’s raising

Americans’ blood pressure

comes from processed food

So read food packages,

and choose those labeled

low-sodium. Better yet, eat

more fresh homemade foo

fl avored with herbs and

spices.

4Sleep tight. Getting enough shut-eye is important to

cardiovascular health. For most adults, that means sleeping six

to eight hours each and every night.

3Yuk it up. Laughter

lowers stress, reduces infl am-

mation in the arteries and

even increases HDL—

the good cholesterol.

So read a few jokes

or watch a funny

movie and LOL!

Sources: Academy of Nutrition anDietetics; American Heart AssociMental Health America

6Kick butts once and

for all. Did you know smok-

ing can rob you of HDL

cholesterol—the kind that

helps protect your heart? It’s

never too late to try a smok-

ing cessation program. Your

doctor can help.5Put on the dog. Spend-

ing time with a four-footed

friend may lower your blood

pressure and your heart rate.

If your BFF is a canine, you’ll

be out walking more—and

making new social connec-

tions. And no matter its spe-

cies, a pet can fi ll your heart

with joy.

9Take control.

If you have type 2 diabetes

work with your health care

team to control these risk

factors for heart disease:

obesity, high blood choles-

terol, high blood pressure

and high blood sugar.

7Get grainy. Swapping

refi ned grains for whole

grains may lower your risk

of heart disease by roughly

25 percent. There are

plenty of delicious, easy-

to-prepare options, from

whole-wheat pasta to

unsalted popcorn.


Meet our new endocrinologistEndocrinologists are specialists trained to

diagnose and treat problems related to the en-

docrine system, which is made up of numerous

glands and organs that produce hormones.

These doctors often treat an increasingly com-

mon endocrine system disease: diabetes.

Southeastern Health recently welcomed

Endocrinologist Daniel

Okorodudu, MD, MHS, to

its Southeastern Medical

Specialists clinic.

A native of Houston, Dr.

Okorodudu earned a medical

degree in 2008 and completed

an internal medicine residency

in 2011, both from University of Texas Medical

Branch in Galveston. He completed a fellowship

in endocrinology, metabolism and nutrition,

as well as a master’s degree in health science

and clinical research, both at Duke University

Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, in

2014. He is certifi ed by the American Board of

Internal Medicine, and his areas of special in-

terest include thyroid disease, diabetes, adrenal

disorders and pituitary gland dysfunction.

Dr. Okorodudu has a strong passion for edu-

cating and encouraging patients to take control

of their disease.

Sources: American College of Physicians; American Diabetes Association; Hormone Health Network

DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Nerves at high risk

Daniel Okorodudu, MD, MHS

RUNNING FROM your head to your

toes, nerves are your body’s messenger service.

They send signals to and from your brain about

pain, temperature and touch. They tell your

muscles when and how to move, and they con-

trol the systems in your body that digest food

and pass urine.

If you have diabetes, a common complication

of the disease—called diabetic neuropathy—can

do a lot of harm to your body’s nerves. For

instance, you might not feel a blister growing on

your foot or realize that your bladder is full.

About 2 of every 3 people with diabetes have

some form of nerve damage. Their symptoms

can range from unnoticeable to severe.

Working with your doctor, you can take steps to

stop or at least slow any damage from neuropathy.

The most common type

Neuropathy is actually a group of disorders, with

different kinds affecting different parts of the

body in a variety of ways. The most common

form is called peripheral neuropathy. It targets

the arms, hands, legs and feet. Its many symp-

toms, which are often worse at night, include:

• Shooting or burning pain in the feet.

• Loss of sensation in the feet.

• Sensitivity to even the slightest touch.

• Weak leg or foot muscles.

• Very cold or very hot hands and feet.

Peripheral neuropathy can also cause loss of

refl exes; balance problems; foot deformities; and

blisters and sores, which can become infected.

Diagnosis and treatment

Neuropathy is diagnosed through a physical

exam and testing of things such as nerve func-

tion and blood fl ow.

It’s much more likely to occur in people who

have had diabetes for many years and in those

whose blood glucose is out of control. That’s

why the fi rst step in treating neuropathy is to

rein in glucose levels.

If you have contributing factors—such as

having high cholesterol or high blood pressure

or being a smoker—your doctor can help you get

those under control too.

Medications can be used to reduce pain and

other symptoms from neuropathy.

Also, be sure to ask your doctor about getting

regular foot checks to spot any problems early

on.

Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Diabetes Association; National Institutes of Health

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Okorodudu at Southeastern Medical Specialists, which is located at 4384 Fayetteville Road in Lumberton, call 910-738-1141.

Do you or a loved one have diabetes? See Dr. Okorodudu explain the two main challenges in living well with the disease. Go to www.Southeastern Health.org/diabetes.


YOU’RE AN ACTIVE person—really

active. So having osteoarthritis in your hip has

been a pain in every sense of the word.

If you’ve reached the point where you’re con-

sidering surgery to treat that hip, then you should

know about a relatively new operation. It can end

your pain, preserve much of your hip’s normal

anatomy and return you to the lifestyle you enjoy.

It’s called hip resurfacing. And for you, it may be a

better option than total hip replacement.

A unique approach

In traditional hip replacement surgery, the

surgeon removes the top of the thighbone (the

femoral head) and the surface of the socket

it fi ts into (the acetabulum). These are then

replaced with artifi cial parts. The goal is to repair

damaged areas, but a large amount of healthy

bone is also removed in the process.

Hip resurfacing is a less extensive procedure

because it retains the maximum amount of

normal tissue. It focuses on the source of your

pain—the cartilage in the joint that has worn away.

“All you do is remove or reshape what little

cartilage is left and a minimal amount of bone,”

says Robert L. Barrack, MD, who helped author

a review of hip resurfacing for the American

Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

The femoral head remains intact. But it’s

trimmed, covered with smooth metal and fi tted

into a metal shell that’s placed in your prepared

hip socket.

An active solution

According to Riyaz Jinnah, MD, of Southeastern

Orthopedics, this procedure offers real advan-

tages for some people.

For one thing, hip dislocation, which is a risk

with total hip replacement, is rare with resur-

facing. Also, most patients return to high-level

activities that might be off-limits with total hip

replacement.

Your option for osteoarthritis?

betterHIP RESURFACING

“Total hips do so well that if you just want to

do normal activities like walking, swimming or

cycling, you probably won’t notice a difference

between total hip replacement and resurfacing,”

Dr. Barrack says.

On the other hand, if you’re hoping to get

back to more intense activities, such as martial

arts or adventure sports, resurfacing may be the

better choice.

Right for you?

Unfortunately, far fewer people qualify for hip

resurfacing than for total hip replacement.

According to Dr. Barrack and the AAOS, the

best candidates for hip resurfacing tend to be

larger-framed men who are younger than 60

and have strong, healthy bones.

Women are generally smaller statured than

men. And they have a greater risk for osteopo-

rosis. As a result, they’re more likely to experi-

ence complications with resurfacing. Still, some

women will qualify for the procedure.

Like any surgery, resurfacing comes with risks.

It’s technically demanding. And early on, there

were problems with some implants used in the

operation. But it has the potential to produce

outstanding results, according to Dr. Barrack.

“If you have the right implant with a surgeon

who specializes in this, there’s an extremely high

likelihood that you can return to the activity

that’s most important to you,” he adds.

To learn more about hip resurfacing, speak

with your surgeon. You can also visit the AAOS

website, www.orthoinfo.org.

Hip enough? Call Riyaz Jinnah, MD, at Southeastern Orthopedics at 910-738-1065 for more facts on hip resurfacing.

Have joint pain? Watch Riyaz Jinnah, MD, explain treatments, including resurfacing and replacement, at www.southeasternhealth.org/hipresurface.

Sitting shoulder stretch

LOCK HANDSBEHIND

HEAD

BRING ELBOWS BACK

AS FAR AS POSSIBLE

RELAX & REPEAT

HOLD 20 SEC., EXHALE

INHALE DEEPLY

WHILE LEAN-ING BACK & STRETCHING

Try this routine

to work out the

kinks while you’re

at your desk.

DESK EXERCISE

Source: National Institutes of Health


What’s your role at the morning

table? Have you cast yourself as

the breakfast eater? Or are you the

character who regularly skips the fi rst

meal of the day?

If it’s the latter —and your hope

is to shed some pounds by cutting

morning calories—it may be time

to rewrite your a.m. script, placing

breakfast at center stage. Beginning

the day with a good meal sets the

scene for effective weight control.

Breaking your fast

A healthful breakfast offers numer-

ous benefi ts. For example:

• Breakfast eaters tend to consume

fewer calories at subsequent meals

than breakfast skippers.

• People who eat breakfast also

typically make better food choices

all day.

B R E A K FA S T

Set the stage for controlling your weight

It’s tough to stay fi t when winter

blows in. Daylight is in short supply,

so those who jog before or after

work are in the dark. Ice makes

bicycling a slippery prospect. Then

there’s the cold itself.

Who wants to go out and exercise

in that—especially when the house

is warm, the couch is cozy and you

have a good book to read?

Find your physical fun

Exercise buffs aren’t going to sit out

a season. But for those who don’t

exercise a lot, uncomfortably cold

temperatures can make staying inside

seem awfully appealing.

To motivate yourself to get up

and out, fi nd some winter activities

you truly enjoy. Skiing and skating

come to mind. But you can also get a

workout by:

• Building a snowman—or a whole

snow family.

• Making snow forts for an upcom-

ing snowball battle.

• Sledding with the kids, especially

if you’re designated to haul the sled

Your morning casting call

But not all morning meals are equal.

Your best bet is to cast these superstars

in your own personal breakfast club:

Carbohydrates. Think whole-grain

bread or cereal. Whole grains fi ll your

tummy with fi ber, which helps stave off

hunger.

Protein. Eggs are a classic breakfast

protein, but they’re not the only

protein player in town. Try nibbling on

a slice of low-fat cheese or yogurt or a

handful of nuts.

Fruit. Whether you opt for fresh,

frozen, canned or dried, fruit is a quick

and tasty co-star in any breakfast

production.

So put breakfast in the spotlight

every morning. It’s good for your

waistline—and your overall health.

Source: Weight-control Information Network

W I N T E R E X E R C I S E

Low temps, high funback up the hill every time.

Of course, you also have indoor

exercise options. If a gym or fi tness

club is not one of them, consider

taking brisk walks through the mall.

Or get creative and plot out a circuit

training routine at home. Set a timer

for a fast-moving 30 seconds each

of: • Pushups. • Lunges. • Lifting a

2-pound can of coffee in each hand

up and down.

Then walk up and down a fl ight of

stairs. Repeat the entire routine three

times.

Heading outside?

Dress the part

Put on layers of inexpensive knit

gloves to help keep your hands

warm. Cover your mouth and nose

with a scarf. Carry an extra pair of

socks in case yours get wet. Wear a

hat that covers your ears.

Layering your clothes is a great way

to control your inner temperature.

Sources: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; American College of Sports Medicine; American Council on Exercise

First Floor Second Floor

Take a tour


Now open Southeastern Health ParkNEW FACILITY PROVIDES STATE-OF-THE-ART OUTPATIENT SURGERY CENTER, CLINICS AND PHARMACY

WHEN you have the choice,

where would you prefer to heal

after surgery: at home or in a

hospital? Chances are, many of us

would choose the comfort of our

own home.

Southeastern Health fully under-

stands this. And it’s a key reason

why we opened Southeastern

Health Park this fall. This $22 mil-

lion medical facility is home to a

13,000-square-foot, state-of-the-

art ambulatory—or outpatient—

surgery center; specialty orthopedic

and spine and pain management

clinics; comprehensive rehabilita-

tion services; and a pharmacy. (For

details, see “Take a Tour.”)

“Southeastern Health Park offers

true convenience,” says Jeffrey P.

Campbell, MD, FACS, an ear, nose

and throat doctor and a participat-

ing physician at the surgery center.

“There is just one place to go for

pre-op testing, surgery and the ser-

vices you may need to recover. You

can fill your prescriptions. And the

doctor who performs your surgery

may have an office upstairs.”

Built with your needs in mind

Southeastern Health Park is located

at 4901 Dawn Drive in Lumberton,

between exits 20 and 22 on

Interstate 95. Construction began

in August 2013, and the facility is

now completed and open.

The Health Park sits on a 26-acre

campus and is circled by a walking

trail, which all area residents—not

just patients—are welcome to

enjoy.

Here’s a quick,

floor-by-floor look at

everything you’ll find

at the Southeastern

Health Park facility:

• The Surgery Center

at Southeastern Health

Park, a state-of-the-art

ambulatory surgery center.

Call 910-887-2361.

• Southeastern

Pharmacy, opening

later this year. Call

910-671-4223.

• Pre-Admission Testing

• Southeastern Orthopedics

David Dalsimer, DO, orthopedic surgeon

Staley Jackson, MD, orthopedic surgeon

Riyaz Jinnah, MD, orthopedic surgeon

Anastasios Papadonikolakis, MD, orthopedic surgeon

Matt Davis, physician assistant

Catrina Moore, physician assistant

For an appointment, call 910-738-1065.

But why such a large campus?

“With a large tract of land, we can

expand our outpatient services

even more over the next 15 to 25

years,” says David Sumner, MPH,

vice president of Human Services

and Planning for SeHealth. “Today

and tomorrow, we want to provide

truly excellent medical care for our

community in the most effective

way.”

The Surgery Center at

Southeastern Health Park is a joint

venture between local physicians

and SeHealth. “As a financial and

collaborative partnership, it helps

us to work together—effectively—

for the good of patients,” explains

Dr. Campbell.

“Both the surgery center itself

and the Health Park overall are

Third Floor


Jeffrey Campbell, MD, FACS,board president, The Surgery Center at Southeastern Health Park

• Southeastern Spine and Pain

Virgilio Matheus, MD, neurological surgeon

Kailash Chandwani, MD, anesthesiologist

Thomas Florian, MD, pain management specialist

Windy Christy, physician assistant

Josh Freeman, nurse practitioner


• Southeastern Arthritis

Maria Watson, MD, rheumatologist

DID YOU KNOW? The new pharmacy at Southeastern Health Park is available to everyone—not just to people who are treated at the Health Park. It’s conveniently located at 4901 Dawn Drive in Lumberton, between exits 20 and 22 on Interstate 95.

Bilal Muzaffar, MD, rheumatologist


• Carolina Complete Rehab

Physical and occupational therapy


• Southeastern Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Center

Monica Carrion-Jones, MD, specialist in physical medicine

and rehabilitation


all about being as innovative and

progressive as possible in our goal

to improve the health—and quality

of life—of the people we serve,”

says Sumner.

More affordable care for you

Outpatient surgery isn’t new at

SeHealth. “The hospital is a leader

in performing it successfully and

safely,” says Dr. Campbell. With this

type of surgery, patients are usually

allowed to go home on the same

day as the procedure.

But—for the fi rst time—

Southeastern Health Park will give

area residents a chance nearby to

have outpatient surgery away from

a hospital.

“This new option just makes

sense,” says Dr. Campbell, who is

president of the surgery center’s

board. And the surgery center, in

particular, makes strong economic

sense too, he says.

“That’s largely because outpa-

tient surgery centers don’t have the

added costs that hospitals face,”

says Sumner. “As a result, they pro-

vide more affordable care.”

And, importantly, the savings are

passed on to patients. People who

have outpatient surgeries away

from hospitals often save hundreds

of dollars because their health in-

surance co-pays are reduced, says

Dr. Campbell.

Additional advantages

The surgery center’s benefi ts go

beyond providing more affordable

care. Emergencies in a hospital can

sometimes affect scheduled sur-

geries. In contrast, surgeries at the

new surgery center will be more

likely to occur on schedule. This

means patients and their families

can typically count on surgeries to

start on time.

They can also expect:

• Safety. “It’s rare for same-day

surgery to require a hospital stay,”

says Dr. Campbell. But if a com-

plication does occur, a system

is in place so that patients can

be immediately transported to

Southeastern Regional Medical

Center.

• Easy access. There’s plenty of

free parking near the Health Park’s

entrance. And the Health Park itself

is easy to navigate.

A closer look

Built to meet the community’s

demand for outpatient surgery,

the new center has four operating

rooms. These are where doctors

can perform surgeries—such as

tonsillectomies, knee arthroscopy

and sinus surgeries—that once

required a hospital stay. These

outpatient surgeries are now

possible because of medical

advances, such as minimally

invasive procedures, that allow

faster recoveries.

The surgery center also features:

• Two endoscopy suites.

Doctors use an endoscope—a tube

with a tiny camera at its end—to

The new Southeastern Health Park is “all about being as innovative and progressive as possible in our goal to improve the health—and quality of life—of the people we serve.” —David Sumner, MPH, vice president of Human Services and Planning for Southeastern Health

David Sumner, MPH,vice president, Human Services and Planning

see inside the body. Endoscopes

can be used to evaluate and treat a

variety of health problems.

• A procedure room. Doctors

perform procedures here that

require only local anesthesia—or

none at all. For example, they

might give epidural injections to

ease back pain.

All told, doctors will be able to

perform about 6,000 surgeries

each year at the center. They can

also do about 2,500 endoscopies.

“Almost any outpatient surgery

or procedure can be done here,”

says Dr. Campbell.

For full details about the services

offered at SeHealth, visit www

.southeasternhealth.org

or the surgery center’s web-

site at www.sehpsurgery.com.


WHEN YOU HAVE an extreme amount

of weight to lose, shedding pounds isn’t just

about slipping into your favorite style of jeans.

It’s about getting healthy—and even curbing

diseases that can shorten your life.

But what if you’ve tried over and over again to

lose weight, but the pounds just won’t budge?

Surgery for severe obesity, called bariatric sur-

gery, can help people lose weight when diet and

exercise haven’t worked. It may also help control

obesity-related conditions such as high blood

pressure and type 2 diabetes.

As with most surgeries, it’s a serious decision

and not for everyone.

BARIATRIC SURGERY

A weighty decisionHow does it help?

Bariatric surgeries often help people lose weight

by making their stomach smaller, which restricts

the amount of food (and calories) consumed.

Some surgeries also change how nutrients and

calories are absorbed.

Most bariatric surgeries are done through

small incisions, which reduces the amount of

time patients stay in the hospital. Some com-

mon weight-loss surgeries include:

Adjustable gastric banding. In this proce-

dure, a band is placed around the upper part of

the stomach, creating a small pouch that holds

less food. The pouch can be made smaller or

larger, as needed, by infl ating or defl ating the

band with saline.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surgeons create

a small pouch at the bottom of the esophagus,

and food is rerouted around the stomach to the

small intestines. This helps with weight loss by

restricting food intake and absorption.

Sleeve gastrectomy. The surgery removes

most of the stomach and creates a small, tubular

pouch instead. It also helps decrease ghrelin, a

hunger-causing hormone.

According to the National Institutes of Health,

you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery if

you have:

• A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. BMI

is a measure of body fat based on height and

weight.

• A BMI of at least 35 and one or more

obesity-related health problems, such as type 2

diabetes, sleep apnea or heart disease.

Be informed

If you’re considering bariatric surgery, you and

your doctor should discuss the pros and cons of

each procedure. Also, know that surgery alone

won’t get you to a healthy weight or help you

keep the pounds away. You’ll still have to follow

healthy eating habits and exercise and make

lifelong changes.

For example, you may need to:

• Eat smaller meals. You may also need to

chew foods more slowly.

• Take vitamins and minerals. The surgery may

make it more diffi cult for you to absorb nutri-

ents, which can lead to health problems.

• Commit to medical follow-up. You’ll need to

see your health team regularly.

Additional source: American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric SurgeryGastric banding Gastric bypass

Southeastern Weight Loss Center hosts monthly seminars on surgical weight-loss options. To fi nd out more, call 910-608-0307.


What a pain in the neck!

NECK PAIN —its cause isn’t always obvious. Sure, you

might know the trigger if you’ve spent too many hours

slouched over a computer or were rear-ended in a car crash

and got whiplash.

But neck pain can be brought on by many things, including

conditions that aren’t so obvious, such as:

• Arthritis, which can damage joints in your neck just as it

can harm other joints in your body.

• A pinched nerve, caused by arthritis or a slipped disk in

your upper spine.

• A narrowed spinal canal, most frequently caused by aging.

• Meningitis (an infection of the membranes that surround

the brain and spinal cord) or cancer, though only in rare

cases.

For many people, a painful neck is just a temporary

nuisance that goes away with time. But since neck pain can

sometimes be a sign of something serious, you should alert

your doctor if:

• Your neck is so stiff that you can’t touch your chin to your

chest.

• Your neck doesn’t feel better after four weeks.

• Your pain is accompanied by leg weakness.

• Your pain also shoots down one arm, or your arms or

hands tingle or become numb.

You need emergency help if you hurt your neck in an acci-

dent, such as in a car crash or a fall.

You also need immediate help if you have a stiff neck along

with a severe headache, sensitivity to light, confusion, fever,

nausea or vomiting.

The good news about neck pain: Surgery often isn’t neces-

sary to make it disappear. Chances are your doctor will advise

conservative treatments—such as resting in bed, taking a pain

medication or muscle relaxant, or getting physical therapy—

to ease your pain.

But if your pain persists—or accompanying symptoms such

as leg weakness worsen—surgery might be needed.

Protect your neck

Finally, to help prevent neck pain:

Have good neck posture. Adjust desk chairs so that your

hips are slightly higher than your knees.

Sleep smart. Don’t fall asleep with too many pillows or

nod off with your head on the arm of your couch.

Give your neck a workout. Ask your doctor how to do

exercises to stretch and strengthen your neck muscles.

Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; American Association of Neurological Surgeons

If your neck pain is nagging you, get an evaluation at Southeastern Spine and Pain. For more information, call 910-671-9298.

THE INS AND OUTS OF NECK PAIN


Be on guard against hurting your back

AN ENTIRE FRONT LINE protects

a quarterback. But what about your back—

who’s making sure it doesn’t get roughed

up?

You need a game plan to guard against

back pain. That’s especially true if you’re at

high risk. Nearly 80 percent of adults have

back problems at some point, but you’re

more likely to experience back pain if you:

• Are overweight.

• Don’t get enough exercise.

• Have poor posture.

• Smoke.

Sideline back pain

You can take a defensive position against

back pain by sitting, standing and lifting in

back-friendly fashion. Here’s how:

Be choosy about your chair. Try to

fi nd one with good lumbar support that will

keep your back in a normal, slightly arched

position and your knees a bit higher than

your hips. Adjust the chair so that you don’t

need to lean forward to do tasks.

Keep it straight. Stand with your shoul-

ders back, head up and spine straight, and

keep your weight balanced on your feet.

Don’t overreach. Get close to shelves

and cupboards before grabbing or stowing

objects. Rely on your feet—spread apart

with one foot slightly forward—to stabilize

yourself. Use a stool if you’re going to have

to reach above shoulder level.

Push ahead. Pushing puts less strain on

your back than pulling. Use your arms and

legs to propel a heavy object into motion.

Hold it close. If you’re carrying a heavy

item, keep it close to your body. Bend your

knees a bit to keep balanced. Use your feet

to change direction, rather than twisting at

the waist.

Try side sleeping. You’ll keep your

spine straighter if you sleep on your side. A

pillow between your knees further reduces

the strain on your back. If you must sleep

on your back, take the pressure off of it by

putting a few pillows under your knees.

Lift responsibly. Take a minute to make

a plan before lifting something heavy. Stand

close to the object, with your feet shoulder-

width apart. Bend at the knees and tighten

your stomach muscles. Keep your back

straight, and use your leg muscles as you lift.

Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; National Institutes of Health; North American Spine Society

Watch neurosurgeon Virgilio Matheus, MD, explain how he uses the latest technology to treat spine disorders at www.SoutheasternHealth.org/BackPain.


Achy legs may signal artery diseaseWHEN BLOOD VESSELSfeeding the heart get narrow or

clogged, doctors call it coronary

artery disease (CAD). When the

same thing happens to blood

vessels away from the heart, it’s

called peripheral arterial disease

(PAD). It’s also known as peripheral

vascular disease.

PAD and CAD are both caused

by atherosclerosis, in which fat,

cholesterol and other substances

slowly build up inside arteries. That

makes it harder for oxygen-rich

blood to feed the body’s tissues.

Both conditions pose similar

dangers: increased risk of heart

attack and stroke. And since PAD

usually occurs in the lower body,

it can also affect legs and feet in

sometimes life-altering ways.

For example, leg muscles and

other tissues starved for blood can

become painful, particularly during

exertion. That can turn everyday

things like walking around the

block or climbing stairs into painful

chores.

PAD-slowed circulation can also

make infections more likely and

harder to heal. In the worst cases,

PAD can cause gangrene, leading

to amputations.

Besides leg pain, other com-

mon signs and symptoms of PAD

include:

• Numbness, weakness or

heavy-feeling legs.

• Burning, aching feet while

resting.

• Skin color changes or hair loss

on the legs or feet.

• Foot sores that don’t heal or

heal slowly.

Often, though, people with PAD

have no signs or symptoms.

Is it PAD?

To see if you have PAD, your doctor

will ask about your medical history,

discuss any symptoms and do an

exam.

He or she may take your pulse

at your legs and feet and compare

blood pressure readings from

your arms to readings from your

ankles—known as an ankle-brachial

index test.

If these results point to PAD,

your doctor may do tests to fi nd

a blockage. Ultrasound, magnetic

resonance imaging or computed

tomography scans are often used.

Ways to feel better

If you have PAD, treatment usually

involves changing some daily hab-

its and taking medicine.

Changes may include recommen-

dations to:

• Stop smoking, if you smoke.

Smokers are more likely to have pain

with PAD. If you have trouble quit-

ting, talk with your doctor.

• Manage blood pressure, cho-

lesterol and—if you have diabetes—

blood glucose levels. Your doctor

may suggest medications to help.

• Eat a healthy diet and exercise.

Both help keep blood vessels healthy

Your doctor may also suggest

medications to reduce pain while

walking and to lower your risk for

blood clots.

If these measures aren’t enough,

surgery to widen or bypass narrowed

or blocked blood vessels may be

needed.

Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Aching for answers? Vascular Surgeon Dr. Lina Vargas of Duke Cardiovascular Surgery of Lumberton and Southeastern Health Heaand Vascular can diagnose and treat PAD. Call 910-671-6619.

PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE

Meet vascular surgeon Lina Vargas, MD, at www.Southeastern

Health.org/PAD.


OVARIAN CYSTS

4 questions, 4 answers

For women: Absorbing information about calcium and vitamin DCalcium and vitamin D are the bricks and mortar of bone building. When

you take in these two nutrients in proper amounts, you help construct and

maintain a strong skeleton.

Keeping bones strong is important for everyone, but it’s a high priority if

you’re a postmenopausal woman. That’s because you lose more bone and

absorb less calcium than your younger counterparts—which puts you at

greater risk for osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease.

It’s recommend that women over 50 get 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium

and 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D a day. Women over 70 need

800 IU of vitamin D a day.

To make sure you’re getting enough of these vital nutrients, you might

choose to take calcium and vitamin D supplements. You can also get cal-

cium and vitamin D from your diet. Here’s a guide to some common foods

and how much calcium and vitamin D they contain.

FOOD AND SERVING SIZE AMOUNT OF CALCIUM

AMOUNT OF VITAMIN D

Milk, nonfat, vitamin D-fortifi ed,

1 cup

299mg 115 IU

Yogurt, low-fat, vanilla, vitamin

D-fortifi ed, 1 cup

419mg 115 IU

Orange juice, fortifi ed with

calcium and vitamin D, 1 cup

349mg 100 IU

Ready-to-eat cereal, fortifi ed

with calcium and vitamin D,

1 cup

100–1,000mg

(varies depend-

ing on amount

of fortifi cation)

40 IU (varies

depending

on amount of

fortifi cation)

Salmon (sockeye), cooked,

3 ounces

10mg 447 IU

Sardines, canned in oil with

edible bones, 2 sardines

92mg 46 IU

Tuna fi sh, light, canned in water,

1 cup

26mg 72 IU

Egg, hard-boiled, one whole,

large

25mg 44 IU

Soybeans, cooked,

1 cup

175mg None

Tofu, fi rm, with calcium,

½ cup

253mg None

Sources: National Institutes of Health; National Osteoporosis Foundation; U.S. Department of Agriculture

FEMALE POWER begins

with learning about your female

parts. After all, the more you know,

the more control you have over

your health.

One topic to read up on: ovarian

cysts. There’s a good chance you’ll

have one of these fl uid-fi lled sacs

form in or on your ovary at some

point in your life. Most cysts are

harmless—they don’t cause symp-

toms, they’re not cancerous and

they go away on their own.

Still, it pays to have the answers

to these four frequently asked

questions:

1 How and why do ovarian

cysts form? Your ovaries are

two small organs, sitting on either

side of your uterus, that contain

eggs and female hormones.

During ovulation, an egg grows

in a tiny sac —called a follicle —

within an ovary. When the egg is

ready to come out, the sac breaks

open and dissolves. The egg then

travels through the fallopian tube

and into the uterus. If something

goes wrong with this process, you

can develop what’s called a func-

tional cyst. There are two types:

• Follicle cysts, which form when

Your health is our concern. To schedule an appoint-ment with Southeastern Women’s Healthcare, call 910-608-3078.


Eggplant, tomato & cheese casserole

the sac doesn’t break open but

keeps growing and becomes a cyst.

• Corpus luteum cysts, which

form when the egg is released but

the sac doesn’t dissolve and the

remains form a cyst.

Other types of cysts can

form because of endometrio-

sis, pregnancy, infection or cell

abnormalities.

2 What are the symptoms?

Most cysts are small and don’t

cause symptoms. If there are symp-

toms, they may include:

• Pressure, swelling, bloating,

or pain in the abdomen or pelvic

region.

• Dull or sharp ache in the abdo-

men or lower back and thighs.

• Pain during certain activities,

including sex.

3 How are they detected?

A cyst may be found by your

doctor during a routine pelvic

exam or when examining you

because of symptoms. Your doctor

may recommend an ultrasound

to look more closely at the cyst.

Blood and hormone tests may be

done to uncover the cause.

In some cases, a doctor may

order a blood test that measures

a substance called CA-125, which

may be a marker for ovarian can-

cer. Only 1 percent of ovarian cysts

are malignant.

4 How are they treated?

In most cases, nothing has

to be done about a cyst. It will

go away in one to three months.

Birth control pills are a treatment

option—they won’t get rid of a cyst,

but they can prevent new ones

from forming.

If a cyst does not go away after

several menstrual cycles, gets

larger or causes pain, it may be

removed surgically. Laparoscopy

and laparotomy are the two main

procedures done to remove cysts.

Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Offi ce on Women’s Health

• Cover

eggplant layer

with more tomato

sauce, some basil

and a layer of spinach,

then sprinkle some

fontina cheese on top.

Sprinkle with salt and pep-

per if desired.

• Continue to layer egg-

plant, sauce, basil, spinach and

cheese until you reach almost the

top of baking dish. The last layer

should fi nish with both fontina and

Parmesan cheese.

• Cover baking dish with parch-

ment paper and then aluminum

foil, and bake for about 35 to

40 minutes.

• Test with knife for doneness.

If knife can be inserted with no

resistance, uncover and bake for an

additional 15 minutes until top is

golden and bubbly.

• Remove from oven. Let rest

for 10 minutes, and garnish with

remaining basil.

Nutrition Information

Amount per serving: 150 calo-

ries, 7g total fat (2.5g saturated

fat), 19g carbohydrates, 7g

protein, 7g dietary fi ber,

151mg sodium.

Source: American Institute for Cancer Research

Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients

Olive oil cooking spray

2 medium eggplants,

washed, ends cut off

(do not peel)

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 (16-ounce) jar reduced-

sodium chunky marinara

sauce

2 tablespoons chopped fresh

basil, divided

2 cups cooked spinach

¾ cup shredded fontina

cheese (Gouda, Gruyère or

Monterey Jack may

be substituted)

Black pepper and salt (optional)

2 tablespoons freshly grated

Parmesan cheese

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

• Bring a large pot of water to

boil.

• Spray a 7-by-11-inch baking

dish with cooking spray and set

aside.

• Slice eggplant lengthwise in

very thin slices—about ¼ inch

each.

• Add to boiling water with a

quick stir. Eggplant slices will

fl oat to top; push down into

water. Cook for about 2 minutes

from when it starts to boil

again. Drain and set aside.

• Mix oregano into marinara

sauce, and spoon ¼ cup of

sauce onto bottom of baking

dish.

• Place a layer of eggplant

slices, as you would pasta, on

bottom of dish.

Nonprofi t Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSenatobia, MS

Permit #368

Southeastern Regional Medical Center300 W. 27th St.Lumberton, NC 28358

Main number 910-671-5000

Phone registration 910-671-5096

Billing and insurance 910-671-5047

Financial assistance 910-671-5038

Information desk 910-735-8110

Human Resources 910-671-5562

Gift shop 910-735-8164

Home health 910-671-5600

Medical equipment 910-738-3560

Check out our website

www.southeasternhealth.org

Be a quitter for your kidsIF YOU SMOKE, the best

thing you can do for yourself—and

your children—is quit.

Secondhand smoke (the smoke

you exhale and the smoke from

a lit cigarette, pipe or cigar) has

more than 250 harmful chemicals,

including at least 69 that cause

cancer.

There is no safe level of exposure

to secondhand smoke. Kids who

breathe smoke have more health

problems than kids who don’t,

including asthma; ear infections;

and respiratory infections, such as

bronchitis and pneumonia.

Secondhand smoke also raises

an infant’s risk of sudden infant

death syndrome (SIDS).

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WHAT’S IN

SMOKE?

KNOWN TO CAUSE CANCER MAY CAUSE CANCERSources: American Lung Association; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Clear the air

Help protect your kids from the

harmful effects of secondhand

smoke by making your home and car

smoke-free zones. Other things to do:

• Don’t allow smoking around

your child.

• Make sure your child’s day care

or school is smoke-free.

• Go to smoke-free restaurants.

Quit for good

Gibson Cancer Center offers a quit

program that is customized for you

based on your usage patterns and

history. It may be covered by your

insurance. Southeastern Health

also offers a $75 lung cancer

screening for those who qualify.

Call 910-671-5762 to

learn more.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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