Elevate Winter 2016

Living at the height of wellness winter 2016 | Volume 4, Issue 1

Young at

Heart Four important steps you can take in your 20s, 30s, and 40s to lower your risk for heart disease later Page 4

Diabetes Smarts Page 3

Averting Ovarian Cancer Page 7

Fighting Arthritis Early On Page 8

Speedier ER Care Page 9

Too Frigid for Fitness?

When it comes to outdoor winter workouts, how cold is too cold?

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, if you’re in good health and accustomed to exercising in cold weather, it’s safe to do so in some pretty frigid temperatures, as successful treks to the North and South poles have taught us. However, at -18 degrees Fahrenheit the risk for frostbite and hypothermia increases, so take preventive measures. Bundle up and keep moving!

Drink Up You can get just as dehydrated in the cold as you can in the heat.

And it may be even more likely to happen because you’re less likely to feel dehydrated. Drink water before your workout and keep a water bottle nearby to quench your thirst during and after, too.

choice

Good health and fitness don’t happen by accident. It takes a real commitment and consistent follow-through. But really, it’s about choice: deciding that (at least most of the time) you’ll stick with the paths that lead to better health.

And Choice is one of the focus areas that helps guide the CREATION Health lifestyle, a scientifically proven approach Dr. Francis Thompson to improved health upon which Castle Rock Adventist Hospital’s wellness programs are based. Choosing to maintain your exercise routine year-round is critical to this equation, says Francis Thompson, MD, a primary care physician who recently moved to Castle Rock and practices at Ridgeline Family Medicine at The Meadows.

“As we get older, our metabolic rate slows down and we tend to put on weight, particularly in the winter months when most people remain indoors,” Thompson says. “As a physician, it’s my job to make sure my patients are wellinformed about ways to improve their health, and choosing to exercise regularly is an important part of that.”

And rest assured that Thompson isn’t simply telling patients to get out and exercise. “I stay active myself, and I try to eat right. I know that it’s hard. But it’s important not just for me, but because I’m providing an example for my patients as well,” he says.

Dr. Thompson is currently accepting new patients of all ages. Ridgeline Family Medicine at The Meadows is located at 2352 Meadows Boulevard, Suite 300, in Castle Rock. For an appointment, call 720-455-3750.

Move Indoors at the MAC Even if you’re not into winter sports (or you can’t hit the slopes or ice as often as you’d like), there are plenty of ways to stay active indoors in Castle Rock, thanks to the Miller Activity Complex.

The MAC offers everything from batting cages, a golf simulator, and an indoor field to lap and leisure pools, a trampoline play area, and more. Classes include a Power Hour Boot Camp, TRX Suspension Training, Aero Fit Trampoline Fitness, and a Fit Moms class. Call 720-733-2222 to learn more about fitness options at the MAC.

ELEVATE is published four times annually by Castle Rock Adventist Hospital — Portercare Adventist Health System. As part of Centura Health, our mission is to nurture the health of the people in our community. The information herein is meant to complement and not replace advice provided by a licensed health care professional. For comments or to unsubscribe to this publication, please email us at elevate@ centura.org. ELEVATE is produced by Clementine Health Marketing. Executive editor is Christine Alexander.

2350 Meadows Boulevard | Castle Rock, CO 80109

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Choice

An active

A smart approach to

diabetes Management New diabetes education classes

A diabetes diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone. Castle Rock Adventist Hospital’s new diabetes education classes help you take charge of your health with the latest training on nutrition, exercise, medications, and monitoring for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as prediabetes and gestational diabetes. Held on the first two Tuesdays of each month, the classes are approved by the American Diabetes Association and co-led by a dietitian and registered nurse who’s also a certified diabetes educator.

Diabetes education classes are The new Castle Rock Adventist Hospital diabetes program will help fully covered by most private attendees successfully manage their diabetes, says Merissa Morin, insurance plans. A physician clinical registered dietitian at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, Parker referral is needed to attend.

Adventist Hospital, and Penrose-St. Francis Health Services.

For questions or to register, call In fact, program attendees experience an average 2 percent 720-455-3689. reduction in their A1C levels at six-month follow-up visits, as well as weight loss!

Get App Happy

Getting a handle on diabetes takes some effort, but fortunately there are apps for that. Morin recommends a few helpful smartphone apps for patients, including: • Glucose Buddy: Enter and monitor your blood glucose numbers, carbohydrate intake, insulin dosage, and activities.

• Diabetes Companion: Get nutrition facts for common foods as well as recipes, videos, and a diabetes FAQ. • GluCoMo: In addition to tracking blood sugar, this app also monitors other important numbers, like your blood pressure, weight, pulse, and activity levels.

• WaveSense Diabetes Manager: Besides tracking your stats, this app also provides trend charts, email reports, video content, and customizable meal schedules and blood glucose target ranges for hypo- or hyperglycemia.

Study up for a better outcome

Learning what you’re up against — and how to manage it effectively — can make all the difference in living a healthy life with diabetes. A 2014 study of more than 1,200 people with diabetes found that education about the condition leads to better outcomes, including lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. castlerockhospital.org

FAST FACT Need a sound check?

Should hearing tests be added to the list of regular health checks recommended for people with diabetes?

Research shows that hearing loss is twice as common in individuals with diabetes than in those without it, signaling that auditory problems could be a complication of the disease.

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Is your heart aging faster than you?

The markers for heart disease can begin to appear as early as your 20s or 30s. Learn four things you can do now to lower your heart disease risk, how fish oil can help (and how to do it right), and two smoking misconceptions that need to be extinguished.

W

hen you’re young, you’re bulletproof. Nothing can hurt you — or so you think. But the older you get, the more you realize your vulnerability where your health is concerned. Yet for some reason, heart disease is one health concern that tends to get kicked further down the road than others, because it seems like something that happens to you when you’re old. Don’t fall for that trap. In reality, the foundation for heart disease is actually laid pretty early on, in your 20s and 30s.

And new research shows that our hearts may actually be aging faster than we are: Approximately 69 million Americans between 30 and 74 years old were found to have a heart age that’s five years older than their actual age, putting them at a much higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Heart age is the calculated age of your cardiovascular system based on your personal risk factor profile, which takes into account factors like high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, diabetes status, and body mass index.

All the more reason that, when it comes to taking care of your heart, the earlier you get serious about it, the better. With this in mind, Danielle Henkel, MD, a noninvasive cardiologist at South Denver Cardiology who practices at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, suggests four things you can start doing right now to lower your heart disease risk.

Meet Dr. Henkel Danielle Henkel, MD, is a noninvasive cardiologist who focuses on patient care and imaging of the heart.

Originally from Duluth, Minn., she completed her professional training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She and her husband, Joel, an ophthalmologist, moved to Castle Rock in July and love watching the mule deer wander by their home in the mornings and evenings.

To make an appointment with Dr. Henkel, call 303-744-1065.

We are part of the Centura Heart Network, the region’s leading provider of cardiovascular care.

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pressure is presented in two stacked numbers that represent your systolic and diastolic pressure in millimeters of mercury. The top number is systolic, and the bottom is diastolic. The American Heart Association recommends aiming for less than 120 mm Hg systolic over less than 80 mm Hg diastolic at rest. “When you take your resting blood pressure, it’s important to sit and rest for five minutes prior to the measurement. Blood pressure will increase when you stand and when you move or exercise,” Henkel says.

2. Keep cholesterol in check. “Once you hit

20, it’s not unreasonable to start checking your lipid panel, which includes your total cholesterol, both bad and good, and your triglycerides.” You want HDL (good) cholesterol numbers to be higher and LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides to be lower. “In adults over 20, we may recommend treatment if LDL is very high. In all adults over 40, your total cholesterol and your good cholesterol are numbers we use to calculate your 10-year risk of developing symptomatic heart artery disease,” Henkel says. Your doctor may use your lipid numbers to determine whether drugs called statins could be helpful in reducing risk of heart attack or stroke.

Go Fish (Oil)

Fish oil is one of those supplements you hear a lot about, but it can be hard to pin down the particulars. According to Henkel, fish oil can have benefits for healthy individuals, but you need to understand the basics. Here’s a cheat sheet to help:

The health benefits

• Tend to lower triglycerides • Decrease resting heart rate and blood pressure • May help reduce heart rhythm disturbances

What to look for

Omega-3 fatty acids should be listed as the active ingredient. The number of milligrams of total omega-3 may be listed, or it may be broken down into EPA and DHA, which are the most common types of omega-3 fatty acids.

The dosage

For healthy people: 250 mg of EPA and DHA daily or two 3.5-ounce servings of oily fish per week.

To lower triglycerides: Around 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA per day.

Lower heart rate: Taking 250 mg of EPA and DHA per day can lower heart rate by about five beats per minute. If you raise the dose, the effects don’t really change.

Lower blood pressure: You can lower it by 5 mm Hg with consistent use of 250 mg of EPA and DHA. Heart rhythm risk: As with heart rate and blood pressure, low-dose fish oil (<750 mg/day) seems to improve risk of developing recurrent heart rhythm abnormalities such as atrial fibrillation.

… or eat fish!

Instead of taking a supplement, you can get this heart elixir by eating oily fish like anchovies, herring, salmon, trout, swordfish, tuna, and striped bass. Aim for two 3.5-ounce servings per week.

3. Prevent diabetes. We typically think of diabetes as all about keeping blood sugar in check, so we often don’t connect it as closely with heart disease as we should.

But because high glucose levels can damage the heart over time, it’s a serious cardiovascular risk factor. And since approximately 86 million adults are believed to have prediabetes, a precursor to the disease, it’s important to have your glucose tested. Targets can vary based on your specific needs, but the American Diabetes Association recommends a fasting blood glucose level of 80-130 mg/dL and less than 180 mg/dL after eating. When two or more fasting blood glucose levels are abnormal, your doctor may also suggest you have your hemoglobin A1C level checked, as this blood test helps to determine what your average blood sugar has been over the past three months.

4.

Stop smoking. Besides being the most preventable cause of death in the U.S. and doubling your risk for heart attack, it ups your risk for heart disease on its own while helping to increase other risks as well. It can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels, increase your risk of blood clots, and make exercise much harder, among other negative effects.

Let’s run the numbers To estimate your risk for heart disease, Dr. Henkel recommends taking the Cardiac Risk Quiz at castlerockhospital.org/heart.

castlerockhospital.org

Taking supplements can help avoid Oil vs. mercury that is often found in fish advantage higher levels in some fish. “Most commercial fish oil supplements do not contain mercury. This can be particularly important for pregnant women,” Henkel says.

Pro tip: Keep it cool

If you’ve taken fish oil supplements, you know that one side effect is fishy odor on your breath or burping and tasting fish. But not if you keep them on ice.

“If you freeze the supplements, you can avoid the fishy side effects,” she says.

Stop

Blowing Smoke A 2014 Cleveland Clinic survey found that Americans are largely misinformed about heart disease prevention and symptoms, and almost a third (32 percent of us) aren’t taking any proactive steps to prevent it. Danielle Henkel, MD, sees a few big misconceptions about heart disease among her patients. But among her younger patients, there are two that tend to stand out. “Many young people believe that e-cigarettes and cannabis don’t harm your heart, but they both pose serious risks,” she says.

1. E-cigarettes aren’t safe. You may think it’s “just vaping” but most e-cigarettes do contain nicotine, which activates your sympathetic nervous system and sends your blood pressure and heart rate soaring, causing inflammation and increasing the likelihood of forming blood clots. And while it may not contain all the tars of a regular cigarette, you’re inhaling chemicals like propylene glycol and other possible carcinogens.

“E-cigarettes can be particularly troubling when it comes to teens, because they know cigarettes are bad but don’t necessarily think e-cigarettes are harmful,” Henkel says.

2. Marijuana can hurt your heart. While marijuana users may just think it makes them “mellow,” what is it really doing at a physiological level? “We tend to see heart racing or atypical heartbeats. Cannabis can also hinder the ability of blood vessels to constrict, which can increase the risk of fainting or falling,” Henkel says. “Can it trigger a heart attack? That’s pretty rare. We worry more about the cumulative effects of long-term cannabis use.”

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1. Watch your blood pressure. Your blood

Screenings becoming less routine

olonoscopy is the only cancer screening test that can actually find precancerous growths and remove them.

Yet, a recent study shows that two in five adults ages 50 to 75 are not up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening. Meanwhile, a separate study shows that more than three in five adults with a close relative who had colon cancer are not getting screened early enough.

What gives?

A study commissioned by StopColonCancerNow.com, a community of physicians dedicated to promoting colon cancer screening, shows the reasons people avoid colonoscopy are varied.

• 28 percent don’t think it’s necessary • 20.1 percent say it’s too expensive • 20.1 dislike the procedure • 15.8 percent rely on other methods to avoid colon cancer • 6.5 percent say they didn’t know they need one • 6.5 percent are too busy

Don’t Play with Fire

Colorectal cancer is the No. 2 cancer killer in the United States. Vanessa Lee, MD, a gastroenterologist with Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, says patients who skip screenings are playing with fire. “If you do not get a screening colonoscopy at age 50 or follow screening recommendations, you’re really at risk of missing the cancer until it is a late-stage cancer that doesn’t allow for surgical intervention,” she says.

She sees the consequences firsthand.

“Once colon cancer has spread beyond the colon, it typically goes to the liver. Then you are really looking at different options from a surgical or chemotherapy standpoint. When you have late-stage cancer, our treatment options are less likely to give you a cure,” she says.

The good news is when colorectal cancer is diagnosed early, before it has spread, nine out of every 10 colorectal cancer patients are still alive five years later.

“The whole point of a colonoscopy is to prevent colon cancer or catch colon cancer at an early stage when it is treatable,” Lee says.

To learn more about colonosocopies, go online to castlerockhospital.org/gastroenterology.

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Castle Rock Adventist Hospital is part of the Centura Health Cancer Network, delivering integrated, advanced cancer care across Colorado and western Kansas.

Do the Prep

You’ve heard the stories. There’s no question that bowel preparation is one of the reasons people avoid colonoscopy. However, bowel prep is one of the most important parts of getting a good quality colonoscopy: the cleaner the colon, the better the views!

The newer bowel preps are lower in volume, they taste better, and they can be taken in separate doses or even mixed with Sprite, Crystal Light, or Gatorade. Some say drinking the prep solution through a straw helps it go down faster with less bad taste.

Other tips include taking the day off with a good book or tablet and keeping diaper rash ointment handy to treat soreness.

Whatever you do, don’t miss a chance to keep your colon cancer-free. If you’re due for a colonoscopy, schedule it today.

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Many Americans ARE NOT UP-TO-DATE on colorectal cancer screening

New Possibilities in

Ovarian

Cancer

Prevention

Dr. John Stallworth

As the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women, ovarian cancer is one of the most difficult to detect and most daunting cancers.

Since few warning signs or symptoms of the disease exist, it is frequently discovered in advanced stages and proves difficult to treat. But growing evidence indicates the possibility that many cases of ovarian cancer actually originate in or stem from the fallopian tubes. For a disease with no screening test, researchers and physicians are adopting prophylactic removal of the fallopian tubes with hopes of preventing a large percentage of ovarian cancers.

The research Studies show premalignant changes that occur inside the fallopian tubes may be a precursor to the most common kind of ovarian cancer, ovarian serous carcinoma. Although researchers haven’t yet discovered the cause behind the correlation, they do understand how strong the correlation is. “We’ve seen precancerous changes in the tubes in up to 60 percent of women with ovarian cancer in the general population,” says Glenn Bigsby, DO, a gynecologic oncologist at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital and medical director at Littleton Adventist Hospital.. “And for patients who test positive for the BRCA mutation, there’s nearly 100 percent correlation to changes in the fallopian tubes.”

The recommendation In response to growing research, many physicians and patients are electing to remove the fallopian tubes, but preserve the ovaries, during a partial hysterectomy, a procedure called bilateral salpingectomy. For patients considering a tubal ligation as they near completion of their family, tube removal is becoming more common.

“Patients who opt to have their tubes removed are not at any increased risk of surgical complications,” says John Stallworth, MD, a gynecologist at RidgeGate OBGYN. “And tube removal does not add recovery time to these already planned surgeries.”

The potential impact According to Bigsby, it will take many years to learn just how much fallopian tube removal lowers the risk of ovarian cancer. “Removing the tubes when a woman is in her 40s or 50s, when she may not have developed ovarian cancer until her 60s or 70s, means we’ll have to wait to understand the potential impact,” he says, adding that we also don’t yet understand the ramifications, if any, of early tube removal. “What we do know is that the risk of ovarian cancer far outweighs any risks associated with prophylactic tube removal.”

3 Ways to Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk Birth control pills Glenn Bigsby, DO, gynecologic oncologist, says taking oral birth control pills for more than five years results in a 50 percent reduction in ovarian cancer risk.

Having children and breastfeeding Due possibly to reduced ovulation cycles, women who have children and breastfeed have a reduced risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Fallopian tube ligation or removal Research shows both tubal ligation and removal may reduce a woman’s risk , but it is only recommended at this time to be performed if a woman is planning a hysterectomy.

The significance At this time, research data doesn’t support prophylactic removal of the fallopian tubes independently of planned hysterectomy or tubal ligation, but in the absence of good screening tests for ovarian cancer, tube removal at the time of hysterectomy is a reasonable option. “Patients considering hysterectomy or tubal ligation should discuss the possibility of removing both fallopian tubes,” Stallworth says. “For most patients, this is a safe, smart decision.” castlerockhospital.org

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Joint Initiative

There are just some health conditions that we associate with getting older, from menopause to macular degeneration. And osteoarthritis is likely to appear on this list as well. But what many people don’t consider is that osteoarthritis (OA) actually develops before the pain does, and can begin at a much younger age.

As we hit our 40s and 50s, our bones start to weaken — and cartilage that acts Dr. Todd Wente as a cushion between them becomes thinner and less resilient, creating the perfect conditions for OA, the wearing down of cartilage that leads to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the joint. But there are smart steps you can take to fight the pain and slow the progression of arthritis. Todd Wente, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, walks us through three of the most effective approaches.

Approaches

1

2

3

Moving is the best medicine.

Moving when your joints hurt may be the last thing you want to do, but it could end up being the best remedy.

“Many studies have suggested that an appropriate exercise program can be more effective than medications in the treatment of early and moderate arthritis,” Wente says.

If you find yourself regularly relying on these medications, he suggests talking to your doctor about a multifaceted treatment plan, which should include exercise and workout modifications.

Say yes to rest, no to repetition.

If post-activity pain lasts for more than a couple of hours, lessen your next activity session and insert a few extra breaks into it. When trying a new activity, start slow and steady and vary your routine to prevent overworking the same joints.

Be wary of supplements.

When it comes to all those joint supplements you may be tempted to try, proceed with caution, as there are a couple of areas of concern, according to Wente.

“First, there’s no objective scientific data showing that they work,” he says. “And second, they can interact with other medications, such as heart and blood pressure meds, and therefore may actually cause harm.”

For information and dates of our FREE upcoming orthopedic seminars, go to castlerockhospital.org/orthopedics and click on community seminars.

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Osteoarthritis triggers the usual and unusual suspects

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex condition, and typically not one with just a single cause, Wente says. Here are a few of the potential culprits — some expected, as well as one or two that may be surprising: • Lifestyle factors including poor diet, low activity levels, and weight gain have been linked to OA. • Previous injury. A joint injury can raise the risk for OA sevenfold over an uninjured joint.

• Genetics. Research has shown that variations in the gene for a cytokine — a protein that promotes inflammation and cartilage loss — can increase the risk of severe arthritis by 50 percent.

• High blood sugar. Recent studies have connected diabetes with OA. High blood glucose accelerates the development of molecules that stiffen and stress cartilage, and diabetes also can cause inflammation that initiates cartilage loss.

• Lower estrogen levels following menopause may factor into the OA equation. After age 50, women are more likely to develop OA than men.

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Osteoarthritis can begin in your 40s or even earlier.

Learn how to slow its progression and keep pain at bay.

Flowing Faster I

Emergency patients get faster care through INNOVATIVE program at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital

f you’re like most people, you’ve likely experienced walking through the doors of an ER with hopes of quick relief, only to find a room full of people waiting to be seen. ERs across the country, including Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, are changing that with a new program called ER Split Flow. Suzanne Parker, clinical nurse manager of the emergency department at Castle Rock Hospital, explains the program.

What it is “The Split Flow model is an evidencebased practice that identifies those patients with urgent, but easily handled concerns, like a laceration or sprain, and separates them from patients who need more critical care,” Parker says. Think of ER Split Flow as a fast track to care for those patients experiencing less-complicated conditions.

How it’s helping ER Split Flow has been in operation at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital since April 2014, and patient experience has improved with its implementation, Parker says.

Before ER Split Flow, a patient with a minor injury or bad headache may have waited until other, more urgent patient concerns were handled. Today, after a quick triage with a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, and a Split Flow nurse, these patients are moved to the

Split Flow treatment room. This location, outfitted with comfortable lounge chairs, allows patients to be treated quickly and get back home.

Who it helps The wide range of ailments and injuries treatable via the ER Split Flow program might surprise you. Patients with the following concerns are often good candidates: • Twists • Falls • Sprains • Minor breaks • Migraines • Lacerations • Urinary tract infections “It’s the Split Flow triage process that’s most critical to ensure the patient is in the right place,” Parker says. “If the triage team realizes a situation is more complicated than initially thought, the patient is not selected for Split Flow.”

How it benefits patients Parker sees impressive benefits for patients who have experienced ER Split Flow and says comments range from, “I can’t believe how fast that was!” to “I loved my Split Flow nurse!”

Current patient satisfaction scores hover at 99 percent for the Castle Rock Adventist Hospital emergency department, and Parker feels decreased wait times have positively impacted that score. Today, Split Flow patients are often seen within 30 to 45 minutes and almost always within the department’s one-hour goal, while emergency resources remain dedicated to patients experiencing complicated or life-threatening situations.

We are part of the Centura Health Trauma System, the region’s largest and most comprehensive network of trauma care and emergency services.

CLOSE. FAST. EXPERIENCED.

Having Castle Rock Adventist Hospital’s ER nearby means you don’t need to battle traffic on I-25 to get the care you need. The ER is staffed with board-certified emergency physicians and specialty-trained emergency nurses, with on-site imaging that includes MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, and digital mammography, as well as on-site lab services. Castle Rock Adventist Hospital is also part of Colorado’s largest trauma network, Centura Health, and offers a helipad for air transport if needed. Go online to castlerockhospital.org to check wait times.

castlerockhospital.org

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Castle Rock Adventist Hospital Opens New Birthing Suites Stocked With Amenities

Birth Concierge Jaque Northrup (R) talks to an expectant mom in one of the 5 new birthing suites with panoramic views.

Birth Concierge.

Jacque Northrup, a labor and delivery registered nurse, discusses and plans for each mom’s ideal birth experience. This preregistration assists with paperwork, birth planning, and BirthPlace tours so new parents understand everything we offer, from labor through discharge.

One care team. Moms work one-on-one with the same nurse through the birthing, recovery, and postpartum processes.

Nursing excellence. The experienced nurses at The BirthPlace have the following certifications: Advanced Life Cardiac Support (ACLS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM), and S.T.A.B.L.E. (an initiative to reduce infant mortality through six assessment and care modules), and more.

Tools and technology that make labor easier. At Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, moms find laboreasing items like soaking and jetted ELEVATE

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tubs, round and peanut-shaped birthing balls, birthing trapezes, and telemetry monitoring that allows moms to move throughout labor.

We’re also fully stocked with all the high-tech equipment needed to assist moms who have difficult labor or newborns who need additional support.

OB-dedicated cesarean section suites. For moms who deliver via C-section at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, two operating suites inside The BirthPlace provide immediate state-of-the-art care.

In-house experts. On-site obstetricians, anesthesia, and NICU nurse practitioners are there when needs arise.

NICU. If your baby needs extra help, our physicians and nurses are specially trained in fetal monitoring and neonatal resuscitation.

Golden time. Skin-to-skin contact in the first 30 minutes after birth (including C-sections) leads to enhanced digestion and increased breastfeeding exclusivity and duration, so we make sure to make that happen for you and your baby.

one-of-a-kind birth experience that’s safe, comfortable, and focused on family at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. And now, with the addition of five new labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum (LDRP) suites — bringing The BirthPlace total to 13 — nearly 1,000 new moms in 2016 will get the high-quality care, support, and amenities they’re seeking. Here’s a quick peek at some of The BirthPlace’s offerings:

Family first. We’re big believers in bonding time. With couplet care, mom, baby, and partner room together during the recovery and postpartum period.

Visiting baby. A 24-hour visitation policy helps parents introduce baby to family and close friends.

Stress-reducing amenities. If desired, aromatherapy, guided imagery, and music help moms relax and keep stress levels low, while chandeliers, hotel-style rooms, panoramic views, and soaking tubs add an extra touch of comfort.

Manna. Gourmet, seasonal fare from Castle Rock Adventist Hospital’s full-service restaurant is a new parent pleaser.

Adoption support. A nationally acclaimed Family-to-Family support program has specially trained staff who ensures expert medical care for open or private adoptions and provides exceptionally sensitive service that treats birth and adoptive parents just like every other new parent.

Rest and reboot. Every afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. is quiet time for new moms and babies to rest.

Education. Free classes like Prenatal Childbirth, Daddy Boot Camp, and Breastfeeding 101 prepare parents for birth and beyond with baby.

Lactation assistance. Lactation education, personal consultations, and Castle Rock Adventist Hospital’s Milk Depot are available to all new moms.

Castle Rock Adventist Hospital offers FREE classes on everything from easing labor to a Daddy Boot Camp.

Go online at castlerockhospital. org/the-birthplace to check out our classes or call Jacque Northrup, Birth Concierge, at 720-455-0355 to discuss the right classes for you.

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Area moms-to-be can expect a

Fight aging

with balanced nutrition

Foods to choose to keep your skin in good health

Dr. Richard Asarch

Why do certain foods help our skin age better than others — and how do they do it? Richard G. Asarch, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, says there are specific elements you want to focus on when it comes to nutrition to help combat aging.

Fight free radicals

Skip the sugar

Free radicals form through normal processes like metabolic and immune functions, but too much exposure to ultraviolet light can cause excessive formation and speed aging. “You want nutritional agents that combat or block free radicals so they don’t form in the first place,” Asarch says. Choose colorful fruits and veggies rich in antioxidants, like blueberries, peppers, and tomatoes.

“Simply put, you want to stay away from foods that raise your blood sugar,” Asarch says. “Besides causing diabetes, they create what are known as advanced glycation end products in your skin, which lead to inflammation and aging.”

Battle inflammation

“The key is to aim for a ratio of four parts omega-6 to one part omega-3 fatty acids in your diet,” he says. “Too much omega-6 can cause more inflammation in your skin, and the standard Western diet is about a 20-to-1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3.” Omega-3 sources include fatty fish like salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel, plus nuts and seeds. Pass on processed food sources.

3 nutrients that turn back the clock Sure, a healthy, balanced diet is good for us. But what specific nutrients can help fight aging? Margo Hahn, registered dietitian and nutritionist at Parker Adventist Hospital and Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, offers three worth making room for on your plate.

castlerockhospital.org

Dr. Asarch’s Chili-Seared Salmon 2 tablespoons chili powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Four 6-ounce salmon filets, about 1 inch thick 2 teaspoons olive oil

Combine chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub evenly over salmon filets. Heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add filets, cooking 4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily. Top with a fresh salsa and serve with colorful vegetables.

Beta-carotene/ provitamin A How it helps: decreases the risk of sunburn in people with fair skin, sun-sensitive skin, and those who burn quickly What to eat: green plants, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, apricots, cantaloupe, pink grapefruit, and green peppers

Lycopene How it helps: prevents damage from free radical oxidation What to eat: tomatoes, watermelons, rose hips, and guavas

Vitamin E How it helps: is currently being researched for skin-protective benefits; when taken with vitamin C, it can decrease irritation and prevent skin aging associated with sun exposure What to eat: vegetable oils, cereals, meat, poultry, eggs, and wheat germ oil

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Portercare Adventist Health System Non-Profit Org US POSTAGE

Pioneering Health in Castle Rock.

PAID

Denver, CO Permit NO. 4773

2350 Meadows Boulevard Castle Rock, CO 80109

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Castle Rock Adventist Hospital is part of Centura Health, the region’s leading health care network. Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy, contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 303-804-8166. Copyright © Centura Health 2016

Dessert With Docs

At Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, there’s a sweet new way to find the right health care provider for you and your family

F

inding a doctor isn’t so hard. But finding the right doctor for you and your family can be trickier. Sure, you could choose one from an insurance plan directory. Or go one step further with a recommendation from a friend. But your needs are unique.

You want a health care provider who understands them. And one who’s close to home. Someone you feel comfortable talking to. In short, you want a provider who gets you. And we get that. That’s why Castle Rock Adventist Hospital is making it easier to meet face-to-face with physicians and other care providers who practice locally.

Sweet and Greet Debuting this month, Dessert With Docs is a new ongoing event that lets you get acquainted with local physicians and care providers in a relaxed, casual setting. The first gathering, slated for Jan. 26, will feature pediatricians and midwives who practice at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. Each physician practice will have a table at the event, and attendees are encouraged to make the rounds and speak to any or all of them about their specific care needs. And the icing on the cake? Manna Restaurant will be preparing a special dessert specifically for the occasion.

The Right Fit In all areas of our lives, strong relationships fortify us — body, mind, and spirit. And research shows that this also applies to our relationships with our care providers.

In fact, a 2015 Stanford University study found that people are actually more likely to follow their physician’s advice if they have a “strong emotional fit” with their provider.

In the past, searching for that fit involved making multiple appointments with various physicians. But when you attend Dessert With Docs, you can meet and learn more about several providers without the need for multiple office visits. So, if your family is new to Castle Rock, or you’d simply like to have a physician closer to home, bring your questions (and your sweet tooth) and join us for dessert.

Dessert With Docs

Tuesday, Jan. 26 6-7:30 p.m.

Castle Rock Adventist Hospital Conference Center Featured providers: midwives, pediatricians, and OB/GYNs. To reserve your spot, call Jacque Northrup at 720-455-0355.

Photo: ©istockphoto.com/HadiAltay

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