Free Community Seminar on Heartburn at St. Patrick Hospital
CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital will host a free community seminar on heartburn and Barrett’s Esophagus at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 28, in Garber Auditorium . One in 10 people suffering from chronic heartburn will develop Barrett’s Esophagus, which can lead to esophageal cancer. Gastroenterologist Ricardo McCall, M.D. will discuss the causes and symptoms, and will also share the latest information on available treatments and options for staying active and pain-free. Seating for the seminar is limited. To register call 491-7577.
“Mammogram and Mani” at Glam-N-Gloss
Get Shoulder Smart at Upcoming Seminar
If you experience pain in your shoulder, ignoring it won’t make the problem go away, and could even make it worse. Join Geoffrey Collins, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and shoulder specialist at “Get Shoulder Smart,” a free community seminar on Tuesday, October 12, at 5:30 pm at the Center for Orthopaedics in Lake Charles. Dr Collins will discuss the different causes of shoulder pain and the newest treatment options, including non-surgical management, minimally invasive techniques, and innovative joint replacement procedures that can help you regain pain-free shoulder movement. Seating is limited and pre-registration is requested. Call 721-2903 or email abooth@centerforortho.com to pre-register. Center for Orthopaedics is located at 1747 Imperial Blvd. in Lake Charles, just off of Nelson, one-half mile south of Country Club Rd.
Adult Cancer Patients Invited to Camp Bluebird
The Cancer Center at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and the AT&T Pioneers invite adult cancer patients, 18 years of age or older, to attend a three-day, two-night camping experience at the Emory Wallace Retreat Center in Bundick Lake. Camp Bluebird, which will begin Thursday, October 14, and end on Saturday, October 16, is for anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer—whether under treatment, just finished treatment, or cancer-free for years. Designed to help reduce the isolation so many cancer patients feel, Camp Bluebird is an opportunity for being with other patients and survivors, making friends, listening and learning. Activities are provided for the entire weekend, and include one-on-one and group sessions with various medical providers, as well as creative outlets such as music, games, and arts and crafts. Campers sleep on bunk beds in air-conditioned, dormitory-type facilities, and will have access to more than 20 acres of natural beauty, including a nature trail, over-water crosswalk, sport court with basketball and tennis, and a large dining hall. Private rooms are available, but space is limited. A $25 registration fee covers accommodations, food, craft supplies and entertainment. Camp Bluebird is a special project of the Cancer Center at Memorial Hospital, Memorial volunteers, and the volunteers with the local chapter of AT&T Pioneers. For more information, call the Cancer Center at 494-2121, or visit www.lcmh.com.
Discounted Digital Mammograms Offered at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is offering twenty percent off digital bilateral screening mammograms during October. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 527-4256. The discount is applied to hospital charges and does not include radiology fees, which are billed separately. West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital joins with The American Cancer Society in recommending women have a yearly mammogram after the age of 40.
68
www.thriveswla.com
Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Lake Charles and Glam-N-Gloss Day Spa have partnered with the organization “Mammogram and Mani” for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in an effort to encourage women to schedule mammograms. The organization, “Mammogram and Mani”, is a non-profit organization created by the owners of Glam-N-Gloss Day Spa, both of whom have lost family members to breast cancer. During the month of October, Glam-N-Gloss Day Spa will provide complimentary manicures to women who receive a mammogram at Women’s and Children’s Hospital. According to Glam-N-Gloss Day Spa Co-Owner Kimberly Dellafosse, “It is our desire that the Mammogram and Mani Campaign offer an incentive to women who would not ordinarily schedule a mammogram and reward those who routinely do.” To learn more about Glam-N-Gloss Day Spa, call 337-313-0222 or visitwww. glamandgloss.com. To learn more about Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Lake Charles or to join their Healthy Woman Network, visit www.womenschildrens.com and click on Healthy Woman.
The Eye Clinic Celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Eye Clinic will donate portions of its October proceeds to breast cancer research in conjunction with several promotions. Optics Unlimited at the Eye Clinic will donate 25 percent of proceeds from limited-edition Dream sunglasses designed to support breast cancer awareness and research. Dream eyewear is available for purchase for a limited time. The Laser Center, which offers 24-month interest-free financing for LASIK procedures, will donate a portion of LASIK fees to the Ethel Precht Foundation. The Aesthetic Center will donate a portion of the purchase price of each Sugar and Butter lip duo to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. The Eye Clinic will also offer promotions specifically to celebrate survivors. Throughout October, breast cancer survivors will receive 50 percent off Dream sunglasses, free contact lens fittings, and $100 savings on permanent cosmetics at the Aesthetic Center.
Degazon Joins Women & Children’s Hospital
Women & Children’s Hospital recently welcomed Yvette Degazon, M.D., to its medical staff. Dr. Degazon specializes in family medicine, which allows her to provide comprehensive primary care for female and male patients at any age. Originally from Belize, Dr. Degazon earned her medical degree at the Universidad Del Noreste in Mexico. She completed her residency at the New York Medical College Family Medicine Residency Program at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers, New York. Yvette Degazon, MD Dr. Degazon is currently accepting new patients, and same day and early appointments are available. Her office is located behind the hospital at 4150 Nelson Rd., Building G, Suite 5. For an appointment, call 337-562-3761.
Thrive Magazine for Better Living
When it comes to your health, useful information is what you need. KPLC 7News is here to help with our Healthcast Report. Get the latest medical news and see medical breakthroughs happening right here in Southwest Louisiana. The KPLC 7News Healthcast Report airs weekdays at 10 p.m. Here’s a recap of some of the most recent health news stories we’ve reported.
Local doctor helps kids walk for more than half a century Dr. Edward Phillips helps children with debilitating diseases walk and has been doing this for more than half a century in the Lake Area. After 40 years of private practice, he is retired now, but still makes time to work at the Calcasieu Parish Health Unit Children’s Services once a month. Sixty years ago, when the clinic started, Dr. Phillips says the demand was great for orthopedic surgeons because of the polio epidemic. Now he mainly sees children with cerebral palsy, which he says is hard to surgically treat. He often suggests kids use leg braces and other orthopedic devices to help get them moving.
Cyclists can ride into retirement with the right equipment Cycling, like any sport, can be dangerous and for avid cyclists chronic issues like carpal tunnel, problems with the sit bone and numbness of the hands can ruin your ride. According to Dr. Scott Hofer, an orthopedic surgeon at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, “Though cycling has pitfalls, it is a low impact sport and can be great for recovering athletes, beginners and even seniors.” Dr. Hofer is a competition cyclist, and though bike riding can prove dangerous navigating traffic and obstacles, he worries most about spine class participants. “Who sets up their bike for them?,” said Dr. Hofer, “I think everybody pretty much sets up their own bike, so unless you’ve got some guidance in terms of how you should be positioned on a bike, whether the seat should be more forward or back, you can actually be more prone to the overuse injuries in an environment like that than when you’re riding the same bike day in day out.” Triathlete, Randy Biggs, injured his fibula while running and doctors told him to rest for seven weeks.
October 2010
October 2010
He could not stop training, so instead of running he tried cycling as an alternate form of cardiovascular exercise. “Anytime you do just one thing you’re neglecting other areas of your body,” said Biggs. Dr. Hofer recommends cyclists prepare before a ride with a helmet, sunglasses, gloves to protect your hands in a fall, and a bike that fits you. He also added that headphones are not good for riders because they can distract from road noises and cause an accident. With these tips he says anyone can ride into their 60s or 70s with ease because biking can relieve arthritis and is not hard on joints.
Pill tracker helps nurses keep tabs on patients Hospital nurses see hundreds of patients and organize thousands of pills and prescriptions, but a new computer and scanning system is looking to ease their workload. First they use a scanner, much like ones you see at a retail store, to scan the patient’s hospital bracelet for identification. The computer program then pops up what medications the patient is prescribed and the dosage. The program can also alert nurses if they administer a wrong dose. The goal is to make sure the patient is receiving the correct dose and medication to avoid any life-threatening accidents. In fact, according to an Institute of Medicine survey, 2 percent of all admitted patients have a medication error. Also, the system can relieve nurses from deciphering messy handwriting on prescriptions which if read incorrectly could lead to a disastrous mistake. McNeese State University is teaching their nursing students to use this pill tracking technology to help them keep up with the ever-changing medical field. Tamica Francois, a registered nurse at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital, says the only drawback is time. “It’s not a time saver...it does take a little more time to scan each medication,” said Francois.
14 and overweight Almost one-third of Louisiana children are obese, according to a Picard Center for Child Development and Lifelong Learning. Lake Charles middle school student Ajah Albro, 14, struggles with her weight, but recently took a turn for the better after a summer of fitness. “I was really worried. I was worried sooner or later I was going to end up dying,” shuddered Albro. She was out of breath at school and hit rock bottom after classmates teased her for the weight. “You couldn’t get Ajah to go on a treadmill or even walk around,” said Kisha Guillory, Community Outreach for SWLA Health Services. Ajah submitted a heartfelt essay about her trouble losing the weight, self esteem problems and overall frustration with her health. The essay struck a note with SWLA Health Services and they decided to send her to a summer weight loss camp, Wellspring Camp in San Marcos, Texas. After coming home from camp, Albro says she’s a changed person. “It makes me feel like I’m worth something and I shouldn’t put myself down because of what other people say. It makes me feel like that no matter if I’m big or whatever... it makes me feel like I’m beautiful on the inside and out.” Albro says the best part of losing the weight is the self-confidence she’s gained. Besides physical symptoms, children who are overweight can have serious emotional problems. Thirty percent of all 6th to 12th grade kids have depression symptoms due to their weight, according to the Louisiana Physical Activity and Health for Children and Youth 2009 report card. To learn more about these stories and more, visit us on the web at kplctv.com and tune into KPLC 7News daily for the latest news, weather, sports and health reports. You can also stay connected 24/7 on your mobile device at kplc7newsnow.com
MSU Assistant Professor Kim Conway-Pennick agrees saying, “until they get used to it, it’s just like anything else, it may take them a little bit longer time.” Both nurses also say the safety of a patient is more important than speed.
Thrive Magazine for Better Living
www.thriveswla.com
69