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BETTER SLEEP=

Better Health

Looking FOR THE QUEEN OF

Hearts PAGE 6

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from the ceo

WHAT YOU’RE SAYING ABOUT TRISTAR

What an experience! Four months of pain, three different doctors’ offices and finally one diagnosis!

Your ER staff was fast, friendly and caring. Hats off to their bedside manner! I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

—Nancy H., TriStar Summit Medical Center Facebook post

H OW E AR E W ?

G N I O D

Connect With Us

1

ike us on Facebook (facebook.com/ L TriStarHealth) to see photos, read updates and ask questions.

2

ollow us on Twitter (twitter.com/ F TriStarHealth) for helpful links and updates.

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isit TriStarHealth.com/connect to view V our digital edition, subscribe to receive connect by mail or link to our homepage.

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all us at TriStar MedLine® at C 800-242-5662 or 615-342-1919 for health information and physician referrals.

Welcome!

Dear Friends,

Groundhog predictions notwithstanding, spring is right around the corner. As winter wind gives way to warmer weather, look for opportunities to work your heart.

Aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling or swimming, improves the strength of your heart muscle and reduces blood pressure, inflammation and the risk for Type 2 diabetes. Learn more about the impact of lifestyle choices on heart health on page 8.

Working with your primary care physician at each wellness visit and throughout the year can help ensure your heart health stays on track. If you or a loved one has heart disease, trust TriStar Summit Medical Center’s expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of heart-related conditions.

When minutes matter in an emergency, choose our Accredited Chest Pain Center for lifesaving treatment right in your community.

As 2014 unfolds, we continue our commitment to provide the best in care for area residents’ hearts and overall health.

Sincerely,

Jeff Whitehorn, FACHE Chief Executive Officer TriStar Summit Medical Center

TriStar connect is a lifestyle magazine that connects you to TriStar Health—and our extensive network of care providers. Combined, we have 18 facilities in Middle Tennessee and South Central Kentucky, all supported by approximately 5,300 physicians and nearly 13,000 employees who are all dedicated to a common vision and commitment to quality patient care.

TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE, WRITE TO: connect Magazine, TriStar Health, 5600 Brainerd Road, Suite 1, Chattanooga, TN 37411 or call 800-624-7496.

THIS PUBLICATION IN NO WAY SEEKS TO SERVE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL CARE. CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE UNDERTAKING ANY FORM OF MEDICAL TREATMENT OR ADOPTING ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM OR DIETARY GUIDELINES.

Take It Off! health + beauty \\ 3

Your quest to remove unwanted hair begins at the roots. Explore the pros and cons of popular hair removal techniques to find a smooth solution.

tools of the trade In the battle against unwelcome hair, your weapons should be chosen carefully. Maybe you, like most women, rely on your trusty razor.

Shaving is an effective, low-cost way to handle large areas of hair in a short amount of time; however, the effects are often undone in days or even hours.

Other techniques, such as waxing, sugaring and applying depilatory cream, offer longer lasting results because they remove or destroy hair from the root and can be performed in the comfort of your own home. Be sure to test products ahead of time on a small spot by your ankle to identify and limit potential adverse reactions.

Tweezing, which also removes hair at the roots, is low-cost and safe to do in the privacy of your own bathroom, but is time-consuming and can be painful.

If you’re going to pluck, stick to the face and have a soothing compress handy.

is going electric safe?

trust the pros Eyebrow maintenance calls for an experienced hand. One wrong move with a blob of wax and you could be penciling in the bald spot for months, so it can be worth finding a pro for this delicate task.

When you’re at the salon, be clear about the brow look you want (bringing pictures can help).

Ask your wax technician to clean up stray hair above the brow for a more polished look.

If you’re wax-shy, taking medications for skin problems or have sensitive skin, consider threading, an ancient technique from India. Experts knot cotton thread around stray hairs to pull them from their roots and shape eyebrows. The long-lasting procedure hurts but is over quickly—typically less than five minutes!

F I N D A D O C // TriStar MedLine® // 800-242-5662 // 615-342-1919

Lasers and electric currents? It may be the stuff of science fiction, but these techniques offer longlasting hair-free skin.

Laser hair removal is a professional treatment that zaps dark hairs until they stop coming back. Sessions cost an average of $225 each, and several are usually necessary to deter future hair growth. Lasertreated skin should not be exposed to the sun for several weeks, and the procedure can also cause side effects, such as blisters, especially on darker skin.

Electrolysis is considered the only true permanent hair removal technique. It works on all hair types and sessions typically cost $40 or more.

There may be some pain during electrolysis as hair follicles are exposed to electric current, which destroys the root and prevents errant hairs from coming back.

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health + wellness You’ve seen Nutrition Facts labels on just about every box, can and package of food at the grocery store—but have you really read one lately? Here’s how this oftenoverlooked little label can guide you to sensible food selections.

NUTRITION LABELS101 C O N N E C T \\ V4N1 \\ TriStar Summit Medical Center \\ TriStarHealth.com/connect

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health + wellness \\ 5 start by scanning servings At times, serving size can be tricky to evaluate. For example, the entire package might be considered one or multiple servings. You have to read the fine print.

Be aware a label’s nutrition data applies only to one serving, such as one ounce of chips or three sandwich cookies—not the container. For an accurate count, you will have to multiply or divide values, depending on the servings or fraction of servings you consume.

check calories

play the percentages

This part of the label shows the number of calories per serving as well as calories from fat. For a more detailed breakdown of fat content, see “Proceed With Caution” below.

Pay close attention to the Daily Values (DV) section, which shows how much a food contributes to total nutrients needed each day. The key is to achieve a healthy balance.

For example, if a favorite food has 30 percent of the recommended daily allowance of fat, balance it out by eating low-fat foods the rest of the day.

proceed with caution

get enough of the good stuff

While the body does need some fat, sodium (salt) and cholesterol to function properly, too much can harm your heart and overall health.

• Excessive saturated fat in your diet can increase your risk of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, saturated fat should account for no more than 7 percent of daily calories.

• Trans fats resist spoiling so foods stay fresh longer, but they can also raise blood cholesterol levels.

No more than 1 percent of daily calories should come from trans fat—that’s less than 2g a day for most adults.

• Healthy adults should consume no more than 300mg of cholesterol per day. People with heart problems or high cholesterol should cut that amount to 200mg.

• Too much sodium can raise your blood pressure— and your risk of heart attack or stroke. Limit sodium consumption to no more than 2,300mg (about 1 teaspoon) per day, or 1,500mg (about 2/3 teaspoon) per day if you are older than 50, are African-American, or have high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease.

This section shows nutrients you may want to add more of to your daily diet.

Dietary fiber aids digestion and helps prevent diabetes and heart disease.

Men need at least 38 grams (g) of fiber a day, while women need 25g or more.

Vitamin A helps the heart and other organs work properly. Adults need about 800 micrograms per day. Vitamin C protects the body’s cells from damage and promotes a strong immune system. Women need 75 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C per day, while men need 90mg.

Calcium assists with functions throughout the body and builds strong bones, which helps prevent osteoporosis. Adults younger than age 50 should consume 1,000mg of calcium daily.

Iron helps blood cells carry oxygen and the entire body use energy efficiently. Men need 8mg of iron daily. Women need 18mg of iron—more while pregnant or lactating.

Deciphering Ingredient Lists

Are unhealthy substances hiding in your favorite foods? Amy Draper, registered dietitian at TriStar Summit Medical Center, suggests finding clues in ingredient lists: • Fats are also called esters, glycerides or shortening.

• Saturated fat lurks in coconut and palm kernel oil.

• Trans fat (or trans fatty acids) may be called partially hydrogenated oil or fat.

• Sodium can be found in ingredients with “sodium” in the name, such as disodium phosphate, sodium benzoate or monosodium glutamate.

• Sugars are in ingredients that end in “-ose,” such as dextrose, fructose, galactose, lactose or maltose.

F I N D A D O C // TriStar MedLine® // 800-242-5662 // 615-342-1919

Consumption Confusion

Claims on food packages must be consistent with legal definitions, but they still can be confusing. Here’s what a few of the food terms you might encounter at the grocery really mean: • Fat-free—less than half a gram of fat per serving • Light (lite)—at least one-third fewer calories or no more than half the fat (or sodium) of the regular product • Low-fat—3g of fat or less per serving • Low in saturated fat—1g of saturated fat or less, with not more than 15 percent of the calories coming from saturated fat • Reduced fat—at least 25 percent less fat than the regular (full-fat) product

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heart + health

Queen of Hearts Most every woman knows what it is like to have her heart broken. However, when the heart becomes damaged from disease—not dating— the effects can be life-changing.

C O N N E C T \\ V4N1 \\ TriStar Summit Medical Center \\ TriStarHealth.com/connect

It

beats. It breaks. It pumps. It attacks. While the brain may be the “boss” of the body, the heart is a mysterious, electrically charged powerhouse, keeping organs and muscles fed, cells oxygenated, and the entire body working in perfect time.

When it comes to taking care of the body’s most precious muscle, women are too often losing out and losing their lives because of it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, claiming one in four lives. In addition, women are more likely than men to die within one year of having a heart attack.

heart + health

// 7

do you know your heart?

When it comes to maintaining your heart’s health, knowing the risks and symptoms of heart disease is part, but not all, of the challenge. Because every woman’s heart is as unique and individual as she is, identifying the complex subtleties of heart disease and the effect it will have in years to come requires an in-depth look at lifestyle choices, family history, overall physical health, stress levels and diet.

Put aside the common perception that heart disease is a man’s disease to see the potential risks in women you may know, as illustrated by these profiles.

What’s your next move? Learn more about your personal heart health by taking the online Heart Risk Assessment at TriStarHealth.com/MyHeartRisk.

The King of Care the working mom

the up-and-comer

the graduate student

Since the divorce, Lisa pretends everything is under control, but she’s barely keeping up. Working full time and raising two young boys leaves her exhausted. Dinner from the drive-thru has helped pack on pounds and sent her blood pressure skyrocketing. Nothing that a few glasses of wine, a couple of cigarettes and four hours of sleep won’t fix, right? Wrong.

Heart health profile: Lisa’s chances for developing coronary heart disease (CHD) are high due to her hypertension, obesity, unhealthy diet and stress levels.

Smoking increases her chances of developing blood clots in arteries that can lead to heart attack or stroke.

At 25, Jennifer is the youngest salesperson on the team and a real “go-getter.” Working endless hours means fewer trips to the gym, late nights and fast food.

Her new birth control pill is causing horrible headaches, and that throbbing pain in her lower leg just won’t stop.

Heart health profile: Young women like Jennifer who take birth control pills are at a high risk for CHD and deep venous thrombosis. (See “The Game Changer” on page 9.)

Diets high in hydrogenated fat found in processed and fast foods lead to high cholesterol, hypertension and stroke.

After raising three kids, Mary Ellen was encouraged by her husband to go back to college full time and pursue her MBA. Since her mom’s death last spring from congestive heart failure, Mary Ellen thought about exercising to help her lose weight, but Type 2 diabetes makes her feet swell after sitting in class all day.

Heart health profile: Like Mary Ellen, nearly 75 percent of women ages 40 and older have one or more risk factors for CHD. Heart disease and stroke are strongly linked to family history, as are diabetes and a sedentary lifestyle.

a winning hand No matter what your risk factors or lifestyle choices, gambling with your heart’s health is always a dangerous wager.

While it may seem like the odds are stacked against you, it’s never too late to change your heart’s fate. Quitting smoking, committing to 30 minutes of exercise each day, limiting your alcohol intake, getting eight hours of sleep each night and following a healthy diet are all sure bets when it comes to diminishing risks for cardiac disease, blood clots, heart attack and stroke.

F I N D A D O C // TriStar MedLine® // 800-242-5662 // 615-342-1919

Look to TriStar Summit Medical Center for comprehensive cardiology services right in your community. From advanced cardiac imaging technology to state-of-the-art catheterization labs, TriStar Summit delivers a range of services to help prevent, diagnose, treat and recover from heart disease and stroke.

In an emergency, choose our Accredited Chest Pain Center for lifesaving treatment close to home.

With a team of experienced cardiologists, TriStar Summit is passionately dedicated to keeping your heart beating at its best.

Your primary healthcare provider is your “ace in the hole” when it comes to testing, treatment and education for all matters of the heart. For more information or for a physician referral, call TriStar MedLine® at 615-342-1919 or 800-242-5662, or visit us at TriStarSummit.com.

heart + health

HEARTTOHEART

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Your heart is the center of your health universe. Here’s to not taking it for granted.

C O N N E C T \\ V4N1 \\ TriStar Summit Medical Center \\ TriStarHealth.com/connect

The Game Changer

Blood clots can form within veins or arteries deep inside the body and break loose, doing permanent damage to the heart, brain and lungs.

The three most harmful blood clots include: • Deep venous thrombosis forms most often in the lower legs and thighs. Symptoms include leg swelling, skin redness and chronic leg pain.

• A clot that travels through the pulmonary arteries of the lungs and becomes lodged is a pulmonary embolism. Symptoms include chest pain, coughing and shortness of breath.

• Coronary thrombosis results in a heart attack when cholesterol or plaque inside one of the heart’s three main arteries dislodges, blocking blood flow. Symptoms of a heart attack include nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating and feelings of impending doom.

The 411 on Calling 911

Find the TriStar ER location closest to you at TriStarHealth.com.

BODY.

THE AVERAGE FEMALE HEART WEIGHS BETWEEN

8 1020

OUNCES.

Heart attack and chest pain should always be treated as a true emergency, says Brad Hoover, M.D., Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine at TriStar Summit Medical Center. Call 911 at the first sign of heart attack and never attempt to drive to the hospital or wait longer than five minutes before getting help. Emergency medical services provide prehospital, lifesaving treatment that can increase your chances of surviving a heart attack.

For patients suffering a heart attack caused by a blockage, every second counts. Treatment such as an angioplasty to open the artery and restore blood flow must take place within the first 60 minutes of the onset of symptoms to prevent lasting and irreparable damage to the heart muscle.

ROUGHLY THE SIZE OF YOUR FIST, THE HUMAN HEART IS THE HARDEST WORKING MUSCLE IN THE

AND

BLOOD CIRCULATES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BODY IN SECONDS, TRAVELING THROUGH AN ESTIMATED

60,000

MILES

OF BLOOD VESSELS.

A NORMAL HUMAN HEART VALVE HAS A DIAMETER THE SIZE OF

A GARDEN HOSE.

A DAY

36,500,000

F I N D A D O C // TriStar MedLine® // 800-242-5662 // 615-342-1919

A YEAR

100,000

TIMES

TIMES

WHILE THE AORTA IS AS BIG AROUND AS

A SILVER DOLLAR,

YOUR BEATING HEART PUMPS ABOUT 5 LITERS OF BLOOD PER MINUTE, ENOUGH TO FILL 1 MILLION BARRELS OVER THE COURSE OF A LIFETIME.

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Don’t Snooze?

sleep + health

You Lose.

If long workdays and family responsibilities leave you pressed for time, you may be tempted to cut back on sleep. You should know, however, that sleep plays a role in nearly every aspect of physical and mental health.

W

hile it may seem like those eight hours you spend sleeping could be put to better use, your body and mind need sleep to rest and recharge, leaving you better prepared for the day ahead. If you do not get a good night’s sleep, your ability to safely perform even basic routine tasks, such as driving to work, may be negatively affected.

sleep and overall health

According to the National Sleep Foundation, humans are the only mammals willing to delay sleep. Self-imposed sleep deprivation is one of the primary causes of sleepiness.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, sleep helps heal and repair your cells and tissues, including your heart and blood vessels. Sleep also plays a role in the regulation of insulin and the hormones responsible for hunger. If you are sleep deprived, you may feel hungrier than usual and overeat, which increases your risk of developing obesity, a contributing factor for heart disease.

A 2009 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine also found a link between nightly sleep and cold susceptibility, as those who logged fewer than seven hours of sleep each night had a greater chance of developing a cold than those who slept for at least eight hours.

In terms of mental health and work performance, forgetfulness, lack of coordination and concentration, poor decision-making abilities, and anxiety and depression have all been linked to sleep deprivation, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

how much is enough?

While the amount of sleep you need each night varies from person to person, the National Sleep Foundation recommends the following sleep guidelines: • Adults should sleep for seven to nine hours each night.

• Preteens and teenagers between the ages of 10 and 17 should aim for roughly nine hours each night.

• School-age children ages 6 to 9 need 10 or 11 hours.

• Preschoolers age 5 and younger should get 11 to 13 hours.

• Toddlers should sleep at least 12 to 14 hours.

• Infants need nine to 12 hours, plus one to four naps, each day.

• Newborns’ sleep, at least 10 to 18 hours daily, should be interspersed throughout the day or night with one to three hours of wakefulness.

C O N N E C T \\ V4N1 \\ TriStar Summit Medical Center \\ TriStarHealth.com/connect

sleep + health

// 11

Four Steps to a Better Sleep Incorporate these sleep hygiene best practices for a good night’s sleep.

Make it routine. Maintaining a nightly bedtime ritual helps you relax and prepare for sleep. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day—even on weekends—is also important.

Watch what you eat. If you will be turning in soon after your evening meal, avoid alcohol and spicy or fatty foods. Beverages containing caffeine should be consumed no later than four hours before you plan on calling it a night.

identifying sleep disorders If you are getting a full night’s sleep but still feel tired the next morning, you could have an underlying sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when your airway becomes blocked during sleep, preventing airflow. Loud snoring is the most noticeable symptom of sleep apnea, but daytime sleepiness and dry mouth can also signal a problem.

Obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed using a sleep study, which involves monitoring vital signs, such as your heart rate and oxygen levels, during sleep. If you have sleep apnea, your physician may recommend use of a continuous positive airway pressure machine or oral appliance designed to keep your airway open while you sleep.

Call 615-342-1919 for a free physician referral or for information about the Center for Sleep Medicine at TriStar Summit Medical Center.

The Sleep Apnea-Heart Disease Connection Because sleep apnea often occurs along with other heart disease risk factors, such as obesity, the cause-and-effect relationship between sleep apnea and heart disease is difficult to pinpoint. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that sleep apnea contributes to high blood pressure—a major risk factor for heart disease—according to the National Sleep Foundation.

When you stop breathing during sleep, your blood vessels constrict in response to a lack of oxygen, which causes an increase in blood pressure.

Over time, if sleep apnea is not addressed, blood vessels remain constricted, which can lead to chronic high blood pressure and contribute to heart disease.

F I N D A D O C // TriStar MedLine® // 800-242-5662 // 615-342-1919

Create a cool, dark haven. For ideal sleeping conditions, the temperature in your bedroom should be set between 60 and 75 degrees, according to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Invest in blackout curtains or earplugs if you live in an area with a high traffic volume, and declare your bedroom an electronics-free zone.

Ignore the clock. If 20 minutes have passed and you’re still wide awake, move to another room and perform a relaxing activity, such as reading or listening to music, before making another attempt to fall asleep.

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kids + health

Getting the

Skinny on Social Media

Fast Facts: Eating Disorders The National Eating Disorder Association defines an eating disorder as any unhealthy relationship with food that impacts daily life. Common eating disorders include: • Anorexia nervosa: deliberate restriction of food or compulsively exercising to lose weight to the point of emaciation • Bulimia nervosa: binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics) and fasting or excessive exercise • Binge eating disorder (BED): insatiable cravings that cause overeating and intense feelings of shame

For teenagers, the world of social media can make eating disorders dangerously cool.

M

ental health experts say trying to “perfect” a particular body part, such as working toward a thigh gap (thighs that do not touch when feet are together), is common among those with eating disorders. In recent years, the Internet has given teens a forum to post and share pictures of unrealistic body images.

Among pro-eating disorder communities online (often called “pro-ana” or “pro-mia,” after anorexia and bulimia), pictures of starving women and women at low weights are shared as goals among members. While these communities promote themselves as a lifestyle choice, many of the promoted weight-loss techniques—including starvation, laxative use, vomiting and excessive exercise—are symptoms of eating disorders.

In the case of the thigh gap, an exceptionally small percentage of the population has one naturally, and even very skinny women may not have one due to the shape of their hips. Pursuing a thigh gap or other unrealistic body standard can lead to severe health problems, including: • Dry, brittle bones • Muscle loss and weakness • Chronic dehydration and kidney failure • Growth of downy hair all over the body • Tooth decay (from frequent vomiting) • Death If you or someone you know is dealing with an eating disorder, there is help. Talk with your physician or call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 800-931-2237. For a physician referral, call TriStar MedLine® at 615-342-1919 or 800-242-5662, or visit us at TriStarSummit.com.

Question What You See Media literacy is a powerful tool against body image perception. Encourage teens to ask questions about advertising and media portrayals of people, including: • Was the image digitally altered?

• Is the body shape shown common or realistic?

• Which body shapes are rarely shown at all?

• Who created this image and why?

• How does this image make me feel?

C O N N E C T \\ V4N1 \\ TriStar Summit Medical Center \\ TriStarHealth.com/connect

Heading Off

Hair Loss

Concerned about losing your hair? You can do more than wear a hat.

S

omewhere along the way, men got the idea that baldness was inevitable. The truth?

Not all hair loss is hereditary, and even the “bald gene” can be slowed or stopped. Here are a few common causes of hair loss and what you can do to fight back: You’ve gone green. Vegetarianism leaves you vulnerable to protein and iron deficiency—both of which can send your follicles scurrying. Hair Rx: Add more protein-packed beans and nuts to your menu and consider taking an iron supplement.

You’re frazzled. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people who experience significant stress may have noticeable hair loss. Hair Rx: Identify your stressors and manage anxiety with meditation, yoga, journaling or just a hot bath. Good, restful sleep is important, too.

You’re on meds. Are you taking medication for arthritis, high blood pressure, heart problems or gout? Certain drugs list hair loss

as a side effect. Hair Rx: Ask your pharmacist about hair-friendly medication options or, when feasible, work with your primary care provider to reduce your dependence on medication with hair-loss side effects.

It’s a family legacy. Maybe your hair loss really is hereditary. Going hairless doesn’t mean you’re helpless. There are several treatment options for male pattern baldness, including: • Minoxidil—a nonprescription medication applied to the scalp that stops thinning and can stimulate new growth • Finasteride—a pill that has been shown to slow hair loss in approximately 88 percent of men and promote new growth in approximately 66 percent • Corticosteroid injections—a medication that is injected into the scalp to stop inflammation caused by a specific form of baldness called alopecia areata • Surgeries such as hair transplantation

To find a dermatologist who can address your hair loss concerns, call TriStar MedLine® at 615-342-1919 or 800-242-5662.

A Brief History of Facial Hair

1850s—The Lion’s Mane Notable wearers: Abraham Lincoln, Henry David Thoreau 1880s—Mutton Chops Notable wearers: Kaiser Wilhelm I, Elvis Presley 1910s—The Handlebar Notable wearers: Wyatt Earp, William Howard Taft 1970s—The Hippie Beard Notable wearers: The Beatles, Jerry Garcia 1980s—The Chevron Notable wearers: Tom Selleck

F I N D A D O C // TriStar MedLine® // 800-242-5662 // 615-342-1919

men + health What does your beard say about you?

• Long and groomed: You’re a philosopher, a thinker and a skeptic.

• Big and bushy: You’re an outdoorsman, independent and self-sufficient.

• Trimmed and styled: You’re masculine, but also sensitive—a true lady’s man.

• Stubbly: Casual and easygoing, you live for the weekends.

// 13

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family + care

Do You Have a Medicine Home?

You have a medical home—your primary care physician’s (PCP) office—but if you don’t have a go-to pharmacy, you might be putting your health at risk.

F

illing all of your prescriptions at a single pharmacy with pharmacists who know your medication history is as important as visiting a PCP who has a long-term perspective on your health. Your pharmacist (or pharmacists) can consult your records to ensure a new prescription won’t interact negatively with a drug you’re already taking. Picking up medications at multiple pharmacies from pharmacists who are unaware of all the medications you take can result in unsafe drug interactions.

If you take the time to build a relationship with one pharmacy, you’ll find the pharmacists there can be your: • Cautionary voice if you’re thinking of purchasing medications online (only buy from online pharmacies approved by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites program) • Expert on ways to save money on prescriptions, such as buying generic drugs, if possible • Resource for any information you need about a medication, such as how to take it, where to store it and when it should begin taking effect

More Drugs = Greater Risk of Harm

Individuals age 65 and older take approximately one-third of all prescription drugs in the United States despite comprising less than 15 percent of the population, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The sheer number of medications seniors take increases their risk of improper dosing.

Matthew Milligan, M.D., family medicine physician with TriStar Summit Medical Center, offers these tips to help you or an aging loved one avoid misusing prescription drugs.

• Don’t deviate from directions. Only take a medication when, how and in the amount your physician advises.

• Keep a list. Maintaining an up-to-date catalog of the medications you take helps your physician and pharmacist safeguard you against harmful interactions.

• Think before you stop. Never cease a course of medication without consulting your physician.

If you need a PCP to help manage your health and speak with you about the importance of having a regular pharmacy, visit TriStarSummit.com.

Put Pills in Their (Safest) Place

Few things are more physically renewing than a warm shower, but the moisture and humidity it generates have the opposite effect on pills— a damp environment can degrade them and harm their effectiveness. Rule No. 1 for storing medications: Banish them from the bathroom.

Protect your medications by keeping them in a cool, dry environment, such as your home office. Store them in a locked container to keep your children’s exploring from taking an unsafe turn.

C O N N E C T \\ V4N1 \\ TriStar Summit Medical Center \\ TriStarHealth.com/connect

time for

relationships + you

// 15

With Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, people are more connected than ever. Sometimes trying to capture— and share—the moment can actually interrupt it. Here’s how to know when to put down your phone and enjoy things IRL [in real life].

Face-to-face social time = No smartphones allowed. Whether you’re having

Leave your cell phone at the door!

dinner out with friends, going to a movie matinee with the family or getting in a round of golf, put the smartphone on silent and out of sight. There’s nothing more annoying than being the only person at the table who’s not glued to a touch screen or seeing a screen light up when you’re trying to concentrate on a dramatic plot twist at the movies.

If you have trouble getting your techfree point across when you’re out with others at dinner, have everyone stack his or her phones in the middle of the table. The first one to reach for their phone has to foot the bill. To limit screen time at home, have a basket or area in your common room where your family has to leave their phones or tablets until family time is over.

Make real moments. Enjoy that sunset with #nofilter and without your phone. Trying to Instagram everything actually takes enjoyment out of the moment. Also know when it’s appropriate to Instagram.

Weddings, for example, may have a no-social-media policy to allow the professional photographer to catch the first kiss or bouquet toss in high definition. Feel free to get that candid shot with the happy couple afterward in the receiving line.

F I N D A D O C // TriStar MedLine® // 800-242-5662 // 615-342-1919

Look beyond your friends list. Real-life relationships aren’t about numbers; they’re about connection and support.

Don’t compare yourself to Facebook friends who are showered with “likes” for every post and have a never-ending series of (seemingly) monumental events for their timelines. Instead, use Facebook as a vehicle to actually meet up with people in person. Organize events or parties and enjoy spending actual time with others.

See what other people are doing this weekend and then private message them so you can hang out together. If you find yourself getting too attached or overwhelmed, limit Facebook to friends and family who live out of town and pick up your phone to make plans with local friends instead.

Prsrt Std U.S. Postage

PAID

Lynchburg, VA Permit No. 425

5655 Frist Boulevard Hermitage, TN 37076 TriStarSummit.com

Wherever your heart takes you...

PORTLAND ER

WOMEN’S & CHILDREN’S

SPRING HILL ER

we’re already there.

TriStar Health is the largest, most comprehensive network of cardiovascular services in the Tennessee and South Central Kentucky region. We provide a network of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation services for patients of all ages with heart conditions of all complexities. And with a TriStar facility close to where you live, work and play, you can rest assured that exceptional heart care is just minutes away.

How healthy is your heart?

Take our FREE online heart risk assessment at

TriStarHealth.com/MyHeartRisk If you think you are having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room.