Telegraph/Intelligencer Health Watch 11/20/19

Health WATCH November 2019

The fourth wwyear’s a charm for BiState Oral & Facial Surgery, moving to new Alton office in early 2020

2

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • Health Watch

IN THIS ISSUE 3...............Cover Story: Bi-State Oral & Facial Surgery 4...............The benefits of quitting vaping 5...............The difference between Crohn’s and colitis 6...............AMH nurse takes ‘marathon shift’ literally 7...............‘Dear Dietitian’ answers your health questions 7...............It’s okay if walkers miss 10,000 steps 10.............Alton Memorial adds Tim Kamp 10.............How handwashing helps fight infection 11.............Alton Memorial adds new provider 11.............Facts about the cold and flu 13.............Best way to prevent chapped lips 14.............Pitfalls to avoid as you try to lose weight 15.............The curiousity of kettleball training

ON THE COVER: Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Benjamin J. Schlott, who goes by B.J., consults with a patient at his practice, Bi-State Oral & Facial Surgery, in the exam room of its current Alton office at 815 E. 5th St., suite 411, from where Dr. Schlott and his staff are moving early next year to a new office in Alton at 3555 College Ave. (John Badman|Hearst Illinois Media)

healthwatch HEALTH WATCH PUBLISHER Denise VonderHaar dvonderhaar@edwpub.net (618) 463-2500 — HEALTH WATCH ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carole Fredeking carole.fredeking@hearst.com (618) 463-2500 —

HEALTH WATCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jill Moon jill.moon@hearst.com (618) 208-6448 — HEALTH WATCH COORDINATOR Regina Harbison rharbison@thetelegraph.com (618) 208-6433 —

Health Watch

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • 3

Bi-State Oral & Facial Surgery set to move to new Alton location

By Jill Moon

jill.moon@hearst.com

ALTON — Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Benjamin J. Schlott, who goes by B.J., decided he wanted to be a dentist when he was a teenager, around the time he got his wisdom teeth removed.

“I thought, ‘Hey, that was pretty cool,’” recalled the Breese native. “I took an early interest in dentistry. My sister was a dental hygienist.

“I knew I wanted to be dentist,” Dr. Schlott said.

He pursued his medical degree because he sought more knowledge on order to understand patients, to be aware of their other health issues and how to manage those issues within his care.

“I management assess patients, because seeing how healthy or unhealthy they are is important,” Dr. Schlott explained.

In January of 2016, he bought a long-established practice, currently located in OSF HealthCare’s St. Clare’s building, at 815 E. 5th St., suite 411, in Alton, one of few tenants left in the medical offices’ building. The practice also has an Edwardsville office at 5 Sunset Hills Professional Center, suite 101, in Edwardsville.

Early next year, Bi-State Oral & Facial Surgery will expand its Alton office by moving into a new space at 3555 College Ave., next door to Alton’s Best Western Premier hotel and banquet center.

When he established the practice, Dr. Schlott renamed it Bi-State Oral & Facial Surgery to reflect its expertise.

“Most of what I do relates to dental alveolar type surgery, which pertains to a variety of extraction, implants, orthognathic surgery (movement of the jaw skeleton to correct where you want the bite to be), corrective jaw surgery and temporomandibular joint surgery for TMJ,” he explained.

Bi-State Oral & Facial Surgery’s practice provides a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, ranging from corrective jaw surgery to wisdom tooth removal. Specialists also diagnose and treat facial pain, facial injuries and TMJ disorders, as well as a full range of dental implant and bone grafting procedures. The staff also is trained in assisting with intravenous sedation within a state-of-the-art office setting.

All of Bi-State Oral & Facial Surgery’s staff, including 30-year oral surgery assistant Susan Dixon, is moving with Dr. Schlott to the new College Avenue location. The new office will have double the square footage of the current Alton office and all-digital technology for procedures, such as general anesthesia and cone beam computed tomography (CT), which requires a special type of X-ray equipment.

Dr. Schlott graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a bachelor’s of science in biology.

Then he went to the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU-SDM), in Alton, where he regularly maintained honor roll status and now teaches. He followed the trend of SIU-SDM graduates in establishing his professional practice in the school’s

region at Bi-State Oral & Facial Surgery, with offices in both Alton and Edwardsville.

At the Edwardsville office, Dr. Thomas Heidenreich, born and raised in Odebolt, Iowa, also treats patients. Dr. Heidenreich is on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, as well.

Dr. Schlott received his doctorate in dental medicine (DMD) from SIU-SDM in 2004. Following dental training at SIU-SDM, he completed a fellowship in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and then completed oral and maxillofacial surgery residency training there. During this time, he also obtained his medical training, a doctorate of medicine degree and completed a general surgery internship from the university. Upon completion of residency in 2011, he accepted a position at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, where he practiced for two years.

In 2013, he accepted a fellowship in oral/head and neck oncologic surgery and reconstruction at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The fellowship focused on operative management of head and neck tumors and associated reconstructive treatment. The following year, he accepted a faculty position at his Florida alma mater where he worked and taught as a clinical associate professor at the College of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

During part of this time, Dr. Schlott served as the oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program director, but his desire to move back closer to his family brought him back to

practice in Southwest Illinois.

He also is a diplomat to the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, a fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, a member of the American Dental Association, the American Medical Association, the Illinois Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons.

Bi-State Oral & Facial Surgery’s offices are located at 815 E. 5th St., suite 411, in Alton, and 5 Sunset Hills Professional Center, suite 101, in Edwardsville.

Alton office hours are from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday. The Edwardsville office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday

and every other Friday. All appointments can be made through the Alton office by calling 618-462-1646.

Visit www.bistateofs.com or call Bi-State Oral & Facial Surgery’s Alton office at 618-4621646 for more information.

Schlott

Susie Dixon, an oral surgery assistant, left, confers with Dr. B.J. Schlott his practice, Bi-State Oral & Facial Surgery, at its current Alton office at 815 E. 5th St., suite 411, from where Dr. Schlott and his staff are moving early next year to a new office in Alton at 3555 College Ave. (John Badman | Hearst Illinois Media)

4

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • Health Watch

Quitting vaping may be a life-saving resolution Electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices were once described as potentially “safer” and “healthier” methods of smoking, even by leading health organizations.

Many former tobacco smokers even turned to e-cigarettes as a method to quitting traditional cigarettes. However, recent research into vaping and a rash of mysterious lung illnesses and deaths recently linked to vaping has led many to question if vaping is safe. Those who suspect it’s not may be wise to quit.

The illness toll rises The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that, as of Septem-

The First.

respiratory illness. While federal and state investigators are largely focusing their investigations on vape cartridges that likely contained tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component linked to marijuana, as a potential source of these illnesses, all electronic cigarette devices are now under scrutiny.

ber 2019, there were 530 cases of vaping-related lung illnesses. Eight people also died in six states, with the first confirmed death occurring in April.

The first known vaping-related illness in Canada was documented on September 18, 2019, when a youth from Ontario was put into intensive care for

A school epidemic Vaping has quickly become an epidemic in schools. More than 3.6 million American middle and high school students currently use e-cigarettes, according to the latest National Youth Tobacco Study. Teen nicotine vaping rates in 2019 were

The Finest.

Since 1985.

double those of 2017, the National Institute on Drug Abuse says.

Despite the installation of vaping detectors, and some schools going so far as to remove doors from bathroom stalls, opportunities to vape still abound.

Older students may leave campus to vape in their cars during lunch breaks.

Laws restricting sales of e-cigarettes to youth in certain states have already been implemented. Lawmakers also plan to ban most flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine pods in an attempt to curtail their use among teenagers.

Mystery ingredients Many adults look to e-cigarettes to reduce

their dependence on tobacco products. However, Johns Hopkins Medical Center warns e-cigarettes are just as addictive. Also, many e-cigarette users get even more nicotine through extra-strength cartridges or by increasing the voltage to get a greater hit of the addictive substance. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved vaping as a smoking cessation method.

People never can ber certain about the ingredients in vaping liquids.

And as the popularity of e-cigarettes grows, newer, cheaper, and poorly regulated products are being imported from all over the world to meet

Still Growing.

the demand. According to the CDC, exposure to such products may cause a range of symptoms, including cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. There also have been cases of “popcorn lung,” which derived its name from a former chemical flavoring (diacetyl) used in microwave popcorn linked to scarring of the tiny air sacs in the lungs, resulting in suffocation. Popcorn lung also has been linked to vaping use.

More evidence continues to point to vaping as an unsafe practice.

Quitting the habit now can have profound, potentially life-saving effects.

Still Going Strong.

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Health Watch

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • 5

Distinctions between Crohn’s disease and colitis Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, or UC, are inflammatory bowel diseases that share many similarities. However, the two conditions are different in various ways as well.

Crohn’s and UC affect the intestines and can cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. This may result in various symptoms, such as diarrhea, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain and cramping, weight loss, and blood in the stool. In addition, UCLA Health says that each disease can develop in people of any age, including teenagers and young adults. The causes of each condition, which affect men and women equally, are largely unknown. However, factors such as the environment, genetics and inappropriate immune system responses are often implicated in the onset.

Despite their similarities, Crohn’s and UC are different.

MedicineNet offers that Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastroesophageal tract from the mouth to the anus. UC, on the other hand, is only confined to the large bowel. While people with Crohn’s disease will have episodes of pain and diarrhea, among other symptoms, remission can occur for stretches.

Those with UC often experience pain in the lower left side with rectal bleeding, frequent stools and a mucous-like discharge.

Such symptoms are typically ongoing.

There is no cure for Crohn’s disease or UC, though the Mayo Clinic notes therapy can greatly reduce signs and symptoms and even bring about longterm remission. Treatments may include medications and

special diets. Surgery can often eliminate UC, but it typically involves removing the entire colon and rectum.

Surgery also may be an option for those with Crohn’s disease, advises the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. As many as 75 percent of people with Crohn’s find that medications can no longer control their symptoms. Surgery involves removal of the diseased segments of the bowel. Patients should keep in mind that recurrence of Crohn’s is possible, even after surgery.

People with either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis may be advised to undergo frequent testing, which can include both a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to periodically check up on the health of the GI tract. People with Crohn’s or UC may be at an elevated risk for gastrointes-

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• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • Health Watch

AMH nurse takes ‘marathon shift’ literally Alton Memorial Hospital Special to Health Watch

ALTON — A “marathon shift” might take on a different meaning for Mary Kronable, a nurse in Alton Memorial Hospital’s Surgical Services department.

After all, Mary has now run in two marathons – and has also qualified to run in the prestigious Boston Marathon next year.

Kronable, 31, was the top overall female in the Belleville Main Street Marathon on Sept. 28 with a time of 3:27:33.762. And no one was more surprised than Mary.

“Winning was amazing because I went into this with very low expectations,” she said. “I didn’t realize I had switched with a co-worker and came in the day before the race to find out I was on call that night. I ended up working until 9:30 that night.

“The cafeteria was closed by the time we got a short window of opportunity to eat. All that was available was a little bag of pretzels from the doctors lounge, so that was my dinner. All my normal pre-race routine went out the window. I went home and slept and woke up with the mindset, ‘I have trained for this and it is going to be what it is going to be, I have nothing to lose.’ I went out with heart, and shocked myself on little sleep and not much food in my belly.”

Kronable started at AMH in the Lab and has been in the OR since 2013. She is an area native who attended Marquette Catholic High School and then attended Quincy University on a softball scholarship. She then studied at Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing in Quincy.

“Mary is a wonderful caring nurse who is always smiling,” said her manager, Cathy Wagner. “She is a joy to work with. I was walking in one morning, and she was slightly jogging behind me and passed me quickly. In an attempt to encourage her, told her I knew she could run faster than that!”

Well, after all, it is a marathon and not a sprint.

“I have been running for two years,” Kronable said. “I started training for the Go STL half marathon in 2018 and that was my first distance longer than a 5K.” Kronable then ran in the Go St. Louis Marathon this year, and the Belleville Main Street Marathon was only her second one of the full 26.2 miles. She did run an ultra-marathon called Dark 2 Dawn this summer in St. Charles recently signed up for a 50k ultra-marathon next May in Bryce Canyon, UT. “I train as much as I can whenever I can,” Kronable said. “It’s hard to plan training because not only do I take call and work full time but I also have three children (ages 6, 4, and 2). Their dad lives in Texas, so I have to rely on my amazing family to help support my running habit. I usually wake up at 4 a.m. to get my runs in before the kids are awake. I’ve very close to 1,000 miles for this year but my distance varies depending on what I am training for at the time.”

For Health Watch

Surgical Services nurse Mary Kronable shortly after placing first among all females in the Belleville Main Street Marathon Sept. 28.

Health Watch

Snooze fest not fault of turkey

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • 7

By Leanne McCrate

sleepy. It stands to reason, right?

I’ll admit I was fooled by this one.

Although turkey contains tryptophan, it also contains many other Dear Readers, amino acids, and tryptophan isn’t Soon we will be celebrating one used to make serotonin unless the of America’s favorite holidays, a body needs it. day our ancestors set aside to give Instead, there are two mechathanks for a plennisms in place tiful harvest. after a large meal It’s a time to that contribute to reconnect with drowsiness. First, friends and famour brains secrete ily we haven’t serotonin in seen in a while, response to carbowith lots of food, hydrates, and there fun and football. are plenty of those Many of us will at the Thanksgivsettle in for a big ing table: mashed meal of turkey potatoes and gravy, and dressing — dressing, cranberry and pumpkin sauce, myriad pies, pie. We may eat just to name a few. more than usual, Next, our blood become a bit sugar levels rise drowsy, take a and insulin is nap, wake up and secreted so the eat some more! blood sugar (gluLeanne McCrate, RD, LD, CNSC, is an award- cose) can be taken There is an winning dietitian based in Missouri. Her mission age-old tale that to the cells. This is to educate consumers on sound, science-based it’s the turkey at nutrition. Do you have a nutrition question? process signals the Thanksgiving Email her today at deardietitian411@gmail.com. body to slow down that makes us Dear Dietitian does not endorse products, health so the food can sleepy, but is that programs or diet plans. be digested. The true? bottom line is we Turkey contains are sleepy because tryptophan, which is an amino acid. we’ve eaten a delicious meal full of The primary purpose of amino acids carbs. Thus, don’t blame the turkey is to build protein, but they also when you can’t keep your eyes open have many other functions. because you’ve stuffed yourself.

Tryptophan is used to make a B Stay tuned for next week’s column vitamin known as niacin. on how not to blow your healthy eatIt also is a precursor to serotonin, ing plan during the holidays. a hormone that plays a role in mood and helps us feel calm. So when Until next time, be healthy! eating lots of tryptophan-containing turkey, we feel calm and maybe even Dear Dietitian For Health Watch

It’s okay if walkers miss the 10,000-step standard For Health Watch

Over the last several years, many people have embraced the notion that 10,000 daily steps are the way to being physically fit. Health experts espouse that notion and trainers endorse it, but is there scientific proof behind the recommendation?

The 10,000-step standard — which equates to roughly five miles, depending on a person’s stride length and speed — has some surprising origins that are not necessarily rooted in medical science. I-Min Lee, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard University T. H. Chan School of Public Health and the lead author of a new study published in May 2019 in The Journal of the American Medical Association wanted to explore the origins of the 10,000-step recommendation. She discovered the guideline evolved from a marketing strategy devised by a Japanese company called Yamasa Toki. That firm introduced its new step-counter in 1965, naming it Manpo-Kei, which translated into “10,000 steps meter.” They marketed the meter using the Japanese character for “10,000,” which resembles a man walking. The character and round number proved memorable and the slogan, “Let’s walk 10,000 steps a day” was catchy. As a result, many people adopted the 10,000-step approach, even though its medical benefits might

not have been proven.

But this isn’t to suggest that taking 10,000 steps per day cannot be part of a healthy living plan. In fact, such a goal promotes physical activity, which is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. However, simply taking 10,000 steps per day might not be enough to achieve long-term health.

Lee conducted her own research to test if the Japanese were on to something by inadvertently setting the 10,000-step standard. She found that an increase in walking correlated to lower mortality rates among more than 16,000 elderly American women. However, when these women reached about 7,500 steps the mortality rates leveled out, suggesting that those extra 2,500 steps might not be necessary.

Even the manufacturer of one of the most popular fitness trackers, Fitbit, says that users’ step goals can vary depending on need, and that goals may even shift over time. People who are looking to lose weight and maintain their existing health will need to modify their step count accordingly. Working with a qualified trainer or using a medically sanctioned training program can help people exercise safely and effectively.

Taking 10,000 steps per day may help people achieve their health-related goals. But 10,000 steps alone likely won’t be enough to achieve optimal health.

8

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • Health Watch

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Health Watch

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • 9

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• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • Health Watch

How handwashing helps fight infection

Alton Memorial adds orthopedic provider Tim Kamp

For Health Watch

There are many ways to avoid infection, but few might be as simultaneously simple and effective as handwashing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps a person can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. While skeptics might question just how big an impact handwashing can have, the science behind washing hands paints a pretty strong picture of just how beneficial this particular component of personal hygiene can be.

How germs get you sick The CDC notes that feces from people and animals are considerable sources of germs, including salmonella and E. coli. These germs can get onto people’s hands after they use the toilet or change a diaper. People who handle raw meats also be exposed to such germs, as these foods can contain invisible amounts of animal feces on them. The amount of germs contained in small amounts of feces may come as a shock. Research published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that a single gram of human feces weighing about as much as a paper clip can contain one trillion germs.

What does handwashing do?

With so many germs floating around, it may seem as though something as simple as handwashing couldn’t be nearly as effective as it’s said to be. But the CDC notes that handwashing removes germs from hands, thereby removing an easy way for germs to enter the body and be passed on to others. For instance, many people habitually touch their eyes, nose and mouth without thinking twice, and doing so provides an easy way for germs to enter the body via the hands. By washing their hands, people can cut off this easy entryway for germs.

Handwashing also presents germs from entering the body while eating. Germs from unwashed hands can get into people’s food and drinks, and can even multiply in some foods and beverages, potentially contributing to illness.

Washing hands also prevents the spread of germs by preventing them from being transferred from hands to handrails, table tops or toys, where they can then spread to other people’s hands.

Handwashing is a simple yet effective way to stop the spread of germs. And it just might be the simplest way to avoid illnesses.

Alton Memorial Hospital Special to Health Watch

ALTON — BJC Medical Group welcomed certified family nurse practitioner Timothy Kamp, an orthopedic and sports medicine nurse practitioner, to BJC Medical Group Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Alton and Edwardsville.

Kamp earned his nursing degree from Saint Louis University and has been practicing since 2017.

Patients of all ages can visit Kamp for a variety of orthopedic needs, including, but not limited to, injuries to the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and related tissues. Kamp also offers expertise in sports medicine to help patients maximize function and minimize recovery time away from sports, work or school.

“Every patient is an individual and, as such, we must provide individualized care that incorporates the patient’s values, culture and desires for their healthcare,” Kamp said. “As a health care provider, I find it important to have a patient help define their goals.

It is easy as health care providers to focus on measurable goals, like, pain level reduction or increasing range of motion. Many times patient goals are similar, such as, ‘I want to be able to get down on the floor and play with my grandkids,’ or ‘I want to be able to walk up the stairs without hurting.’ If we can help patients reach their goals they will be more satisfied with their care and their health.”

Kamp chose to specialize in orthopedics and sports medicine because he has been involved in athletics from a young age. He played many different sports over the course of his life and also coached at youth and high school levels. In high school, Kamp sustained his own shoulder injury.

Kamp

While working with a local sports medicine team, the physicians sparked his interest in the medical field. Now, he noted he couldn’t have found a better career.

“I love working with athletes and helping get them back to the playing field,” he said.

A lifelong Riverbend resident, Kamp has been heavily involved with athletics in the school districts. On weekends, he enjoys

spending time outdoors with his wife, daughter, son and two dogs.

His primary practice is located at 4 Memorial Drive, suite 130, on the Alton Memorial Hospital campus. The telephone number is 618463-7600. The secondary practice is located at 8 Sunset Hills Professional Centre in Edwardsville. The telephone number there is 618-6926109. For more information, visit bjcmedicalgroup.org.

Health Watch

Alton Memorial Convenient Care adds new provider

Elliott

Alton Memorial Hospital Special to Health Watch

ALTON — BJC Medical Group welcomed certified nurse practitioner Tiffany Elliott,

who’s also an advanced practice registered nurse, to Alton Memorial Convenient Care at its Godfrey and Bethalto locations.

Elliott is a certified family

nurse practitioner and has been serving patients in the area since 2015.

Elliott received her nursing degree from Chamberlain University College of Nursing in St. Louis. She has a special interest in serving patients in a convenient care setting.

Patients can visit Elliott for all general wellness needs. She provides general medicine, such as wellness exams and vaccinations. Elliott also treats common illnesses and injuries, such as cough, cold and flu symptoms, fevers, cuts, and minor sprains and fractures. Since she is practicing at a Convenient Care location, Elliott accepts walk-in patients, no appointment is necessary.

Elliott chose to practice family medicine because she enjoys providing care to her patients across the span of their life, she said. Her patient philosophy is centered on respect for every patient.

“I strive to treat patients with the compassion and consideration that I would wish for my own family,” Elliott said.

Elliott is originally from Central Illinois. When she is not at the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her children, knitting, and gardening. Next time you fall ill or need a physical exam, visit Elliott at Alton Memorial Convenient Care.

Clinics are located at 5520 Godfrey Road, suite B, in Godfrey, and at 163 E. Bethalto Drive, in Bethalto. For more information, call the Godfrey location at 618-463-7800 or the Bethalto location at 618-4336640, or visit bjcmedicalgroup. org.

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • 11

Get the facts about the cold and flu For Health Watch

The common cold and influenza are two contagious viruses that many people may be all too aware of. Although colds and flu can be contracted any time of the year, winter tends to be a prime time for cold and flu outbreaks, as more time spent indoors in close proximity to others provides an easy way for viruses to pass from one person to another.

Despite how common these illnesses can be, there seems to be no shortage of misinformation concerning prevention and treatment of the viruses. Those who think they know all about a cold or the flu can still benefit from a refresher course, which may even debunk some prevailing myths about both ailments.

Cold

Colds are relatively minor infections of the throat and nose that are caused by more than 200 different viruses.

Rhinovirus is the most common cause, which accounts for between 10 and 40 percent of infections, advises the American Lung Association. Adults get an average of two to four colds per year, while children suffer six to eight colds annually. In fact, in the United States, colds account for more visits to the doctor than any other condition, says the ALA. The Cleveland Clinic states colds are contracted from inhalation of microscopic particles in the air or from contact with contaminated surfaces. Symptoms can include runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion, often with sore throat, mild cough, mild aches/ fatigue, and fever in youngsters.

Influenza

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that is caused by the influenza virus. It infects the throat, nose and sometimes the lungs, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Like colds, the flu also can be spread through tiny droplets made when infected individuals cough, sneeze or talk, or by touching infected surfaces.

One common misconception about the flu is that it can be contracted from the flu vaccine. This is not true. Harvard Medical School says the flu shot is made from an inactivated virus that can’t transmit infection. People who get sick after receiving a flu vaccination were going to get sick anyway, as it takes a week or two to get protection from the vaccine.

Many people assume that because they became sick after getting the vaccine, the flu shot caused their illness.

Even though the flu and colds share some symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, hoarseness, and cough, the flu is not just a bad cold. While very few people have landed in the hospital with a cold, the flu can be so severe as to require hospitalization.

Steering clear of people who are sick, frequently washing hands, sterilizing common surfaces, and getting the flu shot are ways to prevent illness. Antibiotics are not effective against the cold and flu, and antiviral medication can lessen the effects and shorten the duration of flu but may not be able to prevent it.

12

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • Health Watch

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Health Watch

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • 13

The best way to prevent and treat chapped lips For Health Watch

Chapped lips can be an unpleasant reminder that the weather is changing.

Many different people experience chapped lips periodically, but they seem to be especially common when the air is dry and cold.

The health and wellness resource Healthline.com says that, because the lips do not contain oil glands like other areas of the skin, they are more prone to drying out. Therefore, people need to take extra steps to keep their lips moist.

Stop licking your lips Licking your lips when they are dry is a reflex habit, and one that will only temporarily address the dryness. The Mayo Clinic says that saliva evaporates quickly, which can leave lips drier than they were before you licked them. Flavored lip balms may entice you to lick your lips more, so avoid them if that flavor is just too much to resist.

Rely on sunscreen

Use a lip balm that contains sunscreen, which can help prevent the lips from damage caused by UV rays, further exacerbating

dryness. UV rays are present all year long.

Protect your lips

If you know it’s going to be cold and dry outside, apply a lubricating lip cream or balm before heading outdoors. Products containing petroleum, beeswax or coconut oil can help lock moisture in. Reapply often. Also, a scarf or balaclava can help block wind that dries out lips.

Use gentle skin care products

Some people are prone to allergic reactions from cosmetics or skin care

products. Read the ingredients carefully and avoid those that have led to reactions in the past.

Drink more fluids

Be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, which can dry out lips and skin. While you’re hydrating from the inside,

also try to improve the air humidity inside of your home or office. A humidifier can make the environment more comfortable and help combat dry lips.

Avoid mouth-breathing

Drawing air in through your mouth can further

dry out the lips. Alleviate a stuffy nose so you can breathe through your nose more easily.

The Mayo Clinic recommends speaking with a doctor if chapped lips are chronic and not easily remedied, as this may be a symptom of an underlying condition.

Call for your FREE hearing exam and consultation!

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IS “When you hear a sound, your brain locates it, focuses your attention on it, separates out background noise, and tries to recognize it to create meaning. But hearing loss jumbles sounds, so your brain has to work harder to understand, which leaves less brainpower for other things — like thinking and remembering.”

— Dr. T.K. Parthasarathy, President and Former SIUE Professor of Audiology

Two locations to serve you better

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14

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • Health Watch

Pitfalls to avoid as you try to lose weight For Health Watch

New Year’s resolutions run the gamut from the simple to the complex. Some people resolve to make small changes that don’t affect their daily lives all that much, while others aim to make significant changes in the hopes of dramatically improving their quality of life. Resolving to lose weight, which often tops annual lists of the most popular resolutions, falls into the latter category.

A 2018 survey from Cision and Varo Money found that 45 percent of respondents resolved to lose weight or get in shape in 2018. Unfortunately, various studies have found that resolutions often fall by the wayside long before people achieve their goals. In fact, a 2015 report from U.S. News indicated that 80 percent of resolutions fail by the second week of February. Such suc-

cess rates, or lack thereof, might not be too big a deal for people who make silly resolutions that, successful or not, would not have too big an impact on their lives. But many people resolve to lose weight for serious reasons, such as lowering their risk for disease or improving their quality of life. In such instances, success can be a matter of life or death.

After resolving to lose weight, people might be derailed by some common pitfalls. Recognizing these pitfalls and learning how to avoid them can help people achieve their weight loss goals.

• You’re not specific enough. Try not to be vague when setting your weight loss goals. Simply saying “I want to lose weight” likely won’t provide the motivation you need to achieve your goal. Speak with your physician and ask about how much weight you need to lose. Once you learn that number, work with your doctor and a person-

al trainer to set realistic goals. For example, if you need to lose 10 lbs., resolving to lose one pound per week for 10 weeks is a specific, realistic and healthy approach to weight loss. And by the end of that 10-week period, you likely will have grown accustomed to your new health routine, increasing the likelihood that you will keep it up even after you achieved your goal.

• You try to save up your calories.

The experts at Northwestern Medicine® note that many people think skipping a few meals per day will decrease their overall calorie intake.

However, such an approach typically leads to overeating when you sit down for a meal or increased snacking throughout the day. In addition, skipping meals slows down your metabolism, adversely affecting how your body approaches burning calories.

• You embrace a fad diet. Various studies examining an assortment of fad

diets have indicated that such diets typically only produce short-term results, if any. Any weight lost while adhering to a fad diet is typically regained once dieters go off the diet. Instead of adopting a fad diet, work with your physician to devise a healthy, long-term eating plan.

• You eat more than you think.

Audra Wilson, RD, a clinical dietitian affiliated with Northwestern Medicine®, notes that people typically underestimate their calorie intake by 30 percent. Chances are, you’re consuming more calories than you think, even while you attempt to lose weight.

Track the calories you consume each day so you can stay the course in regard to what your physician recommends.

Avoiding some common weight loss pitfalls can help people turn their resolution to drop some weight into a reality.

Health Watch

• Wednesday, November 20, 2019 • 15

The curiousity of kettlebell training

By Dustin Heiser, B.A., CPT, FNS Senior Services Plus Wellness Coordinator Special to Health Watch

ALTON — Understanding that a regular exercise routine is essential for living and maintaining a healthy life is the first step in most people’s fitness journeys. Not too long after taking that first step to better living through improving physical fitness the question arises, “What training equipment should I choose?”

There is a plethora of different pieces of equipment,which have been introduced and reintroduced throughout history, but few have seemed so ahead of its time as the kettlebell. Some say the kettlebell was first introduced as early as the 1700s, used by Russian strongmen.

The kettlebell is categorized as a free weight and is essentially a cannonball with an attached handle.

The handle is curved and, to an extent, resembles the shape of a kettle found on some people’s stove tops, used to boil water.

In the early days of the kettlebell, it was swung and lifted to improve the user’s strength, coordination, endurance and flexibility. All of those early uses of the kettlebell, plus so much more, apply for modern day fitness enthusiasts who choose to yield a kettlebell.

As a piece of fitness equipment, the kettlebell can be summarized in one word — versatile.

Essentially any and every

exercise performed by the very popular dumbbell or barbell, also can be performed using the kettlebell. It can be used for basic, isolated movements, such as the bicep curl, but also, and more effectively, for dynamic and compound movement, such as the Turkish get up or kettlebell swings.

Not only are there a variety of options for kettlebell exercises, but also many different components of fitness that can be improved by kettlebell training. Some of the components of physical fitness that can be improved by kettlebell training includes, but is not limited to, aerobic capacity, core strength and dynamic balance.

Certainly not everything about kettlebells is positive and they are not the end-all-be-all of physical fitness training programs.

Without proficient training, many risks can arise while using a kettlebell.

A person should consult with and ideally receive training from a certified instructor to optimize the safety and efficacy of kettlebell workouts.

When used with correct form, consistency and educated programming, a kettlebell can be an effective tool for a variety of fitness improvements.

If you are curious about kettlebell training, go to a local gym or wellness center offering kettlebell instruction.

Contact Senior Services Plus at 618-465-3298.

Senior Services Plus is located at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave., Alton, Illinois.

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We’re by your side from diagnosis through treatment.

Will I see my children grow up? Where do I find hope?

Because for all of us – it’s personal.

Because no two cancers are alike, our team at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center will personalize a treatment plan to meet your To learn more, visit needs. That is why we designed the new OSF Moeller Cancer Center osfhealthcare.org/cancercare.