Leading Medicine Winter 2016, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital edition

LEADING MEDICINE W INT ER 16

WEIGHING THE RISKS HOW EXTRA POUNDS CAN AFFECT NEARLY EVERY PART OF THE BODY

COLORECTAL CANCER:

BY THE NUMBERS DO YOU HAVE A

PCP?

YOUR LINK TO HEALTH INNOVATIONS, NEWS AND TIPS IN FORT BEND AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES

HEALTH BREAK

THE BEAT GOES ON Cardiac tests that could save your life

Most everyone has experienced an odd heartbeat — feeling your heart race, pound, flutter, pause or skip a beat. These episodes of unusual heart rhythm, or arrhythmia, are often minor and harmless. However, sustained or more serious irregular rhythms can pose a danger and lead to cardiac arrest.

Dr. Sherman Tang “It’s important to tell your doctor about any symptoms of arrhythmia you experience,” said Dr. Sherman Tang, a board-certified cardiologist with Houston Methodist Sugar Land Cardiology Associates.

“Even if symptoms pass quickly, your heart’s ability to work may be compromised. Over time, a seemingly harmless arrhythmia could lead to a more serious condition.”

A number of simple tests can be performed to diagnose abnormal heart rhythms, including electrocardiogram (EKG), which quickly records and measures the heart’s electrical pulses; a portable Holter monitor, which records the heart rhythm for 24 to 48 hours; an event recorder to monitor the heart for several weeks or months; and a

stress EKG, which is performed while exercising. Other tests may include an echocardiogram, tilt table testing and electrophysiology studies that map the electrical system of your heart.

If you think you are experiencing an abnormal heartbeat, seek medical attention. A cardiologist can determine the diagnostic procedure most appropriate for you.

Heart Troubles?

To easily schedule an appointment online with Dr. Sherman Tang with Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates, visit houstonmethodist.org/onlinescheduling or call 281.661.1455.

BENEFICIAL EVENTS & SCREENINGS FREE HEART HEALTH SCREENINGS Date: Thursday, Feb. 25 Time: 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Learn your 10-year risk for heart disease and receive cholesterol and blood pressure screenings (by appointment only). Screenings are followed by an opportunity to speak to our specialists.

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Where: Seminars are held in Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Conference Center.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Register online at houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.274.7500.

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

FREE VEIN SEMINAR Date: Thursday, Jan. 28 Time: 6 p.m.

Dr. Ulises Baltazar, board-certified vascular surgeon with Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, will speak about varicose and spider veins — the causes, symptoms, risk factors, treatments and preventions.

A HEALTHY PARTNERSHIP One doctor connecting your entire family Do you have a primary care physician (PCP)? If you don’t, then you definitely need one. Studies show that people who see their PCP on a regular basis have better health.

Having a good PCP is your first line of defense. A PCP can identify and treat many minor problems before they become major ones down the road. When you become ill, you should call your PCP, and if you need to see a specialist, your PCP can refer you to one.

WHY YOU NEED ANNUAL EXAMS It’s during your annual visit that you discuss your overall well-being — including any life changes. Your PCP will make sure you get all the recommended screenings for your age, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and various cancer screenings — all of which are vital to maintaining good health and all can be addressed during your annual visit.

PRIMARY CARE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY Caring for patients of all ages — from children to seniors — the doctors at Houston Methodist Primary Care Group are dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care for your entire family. If the need arises to seek specialty or hospitalbased care, these doctors turn to the leading technology and expertise available at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

MEET OUR PHYSICIANS

Find Dr. Right To find the right doctor for your family, schedule an appointment online at houstonmethodist.org/pcg or call 713.394.6638.

Dr. Adelola Ashaye

Dr. Kerry Laursen

Dr. Jessen Rajan

TWO OPEN HOUSES IN ONE! Thursday, Feb. 4 • 5 to 7 p.m.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Center and Breast Care Center Tour two state-of-the-art facilities, see our latest technology and meet our physicians and staff.

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

Refreshments, door prizes and a free gift for all attendees.

To RSVP, visit houstonmethodist.org/ events or call 281.275.0751.

Dr. Adrianne Scruggs

Dr. Deepshikha Sharda

YOUR MAMMOGRAM NOW IN 3-D The Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land offers 3-D mammograms, also known as tomosynthesis, using the lowest radiation exposure available. Tomosynthesis provides clearer images and more accuracy in cancer diagnosis than traditional mammograms, especially in women with dense breast tissue. Additionally, callbacks for further imaging are reduced, as radiologists can pull images from varying perspectives to examine anything suspicious.

This technology provides uniquely high-resolution images; and more important, there is no increase in dose from a 2-D standard mammogram, which means no increased radiation to patients.

Schedule Your Mammogram Today!

To schedule your annual mammogram at our Breast Care Center, simply visit houstonmethodist.org/ online-scheduling or call 281.242.PINK (7465).

CHECK OUT OUR DIGITAL MAGAZINE AT HOUSTONMETHODIST.ORG/NEWSROOM/NEWSLETTERS 3

Weighing the

T

How extra pounds can affect nearly every part of the body

Risks

he lives of millions of Americans are at risk every day. Why? More than 72 million adults are obese — and obesity is a gateway condition to a host of health problems that affect the heart, joints, internal organs and more. “Obesity affects the entire body, from head to toe,” said Dr. Kerry Laursen, who is board certified in obesity and family medicine at Houston Methodist Primary Care Group.

Most dangerous is “central obesity” in the midsection. “As we gain belly fat, we increase our insulin resistance,” Laursen said. “We increase our risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Central obesity is a direct marker for fat depositing in our organs.”

Not all obesity is equal: Overweight patients with a normal waist size and blood pressure and cholesterol levels are at far lower risk than those with central fat. People who carry extra weight in their bellies are at higher risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

How do you know where you stand? Know these two numbers: your waist size and your body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Talk to your doctor about what your results mean for your health and the screenings you need to make sure you’re not in danger.

“You have the power to effect change,” said Laursen, who recommends avoiding liquid calories like soda and following a Mediterranean diet heavy in fresh produce, healthy fats such as olive oil, and proteins like fish. Following a low-carbohydrate diet and doing exercise to build lean muscle, like resistance training, will also help reduce belly fat.

Just how much damage can obesity do? Let’s take a look at the body’s obesity burden.

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NUMBERS CAN LIE Even if your body mass index (BMI) number falls within the healthy range, that may not mean you’re in the clear — or that you have license to eat junk food at will. It’s possible to be unhealthy even if the scale says otherwise.

Some people call it “skinny fat.” It’s the idea that you can look perfectly healthy while being at risk for chronic conditions because of diet, lack of exercise and genetics.

“High blood pressure and high cholesterol are called silent killers for a reason,” said Dr. Kerry Laursen, who is board certified in obesity and family medicine at Houston Methodist Primary Care Group. “Everyone, no matter your size or weight, needs an annual visit with their doctor.”

THE DANGER ZONE Women

WAIST > 35 in.

BMI > 25

Men

WAIST > 40 in.

BMI > 25

HOW EXTRA POUNDS AFFECT THE ENTIRE BODY Throat

Brain

As BMI increases, so does the risk of stroke. Obesity can be tied to depression and anxiety.

Lungs

Sleep apnea, which can be due to an airway narrowed by neck fat, causes you to stop breathing multiple times during the night.

The possibility of developing asthma increases.

Heart

The long list of risks includes heart disease, heart attack, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart failure.

Esophagus

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal cancer are sometimes linked to carrying extra weight.

Pancreas

Your body can lose the ability to properly use insulin, leading to diabetes.

Liver

Fatty liver disease and cirrhosis are risks.

Back

Being heavier means having a higher chance of back pain.

Gallbladder

You are at increased risk of gallstones and an enlarged gallbladder.

Reproductive Organs

Kidneys

ILLUSTRATION BY TRACI DEBARKO

Diabetes and high blood pressure due to obesity can lead to kidney disease and kidney failure.

Women can face abnormal periods and infertility.

Men may struggle with erectile dysfunction.

Colon

Obesity has been linked to colon cancer.

Knees

Extra weight can wear down the joints, leading to osteoarthritis.

CONSULT AN EXPERT

To easily schedule an appointment online with Dr. Kerry Laursen with Houston Methodist Primary Care Group, visit houstonmethodist.org/pcg or call 713.394.6638.

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BY THE NUMBERS

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States, but it’s also very treatable when detected early. Here’s what you need to know, by the numbers.

50

Doctors recommend everyone begin screening for colorectal cancer at 50 years old, or earlier if you have any risk factors.

FOUR

There are four common screening tests. Ask your doctor which is right for you: • FECAL OCCULT BLOOD TEST (FOBT).

Sometimes cancers or polyps bleed, and the FOBT can detect small amounts of blood in the stool. Your doctor will give you this simple, noninvasive test to take home; don’t forget to send it back to the lab. The American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines recommend it be performed annually if used instead of colonoscopy.

• D IGITAL RECTAL EXAM. A rectal exam is often part of a routine physical exam.

MORE THAN

90% The five-year survival rate for people whose colorectal cancer is treated at an early stage, before it has spread, is greater than 90 percent. “The problem is that less than half of colorectal cancers are found at that early stage,” said Dr. Ali Mahmood, a board-certified colorectal surgeon with Houston Methodist Surgical Associates.

“When discovered early, colon cancer is highly treatable.”

• S IGMOIDOSCOPY. Your doctor checks for and removes polyps inside your rectum and lower colon with a lighted tube. ACS guidelines recommend it be performed every five years if used instead of colonoscopy.

• COLONOSCOPY. Your doctor looks for and removes polyps inside the rectum and the entire colon using a long, lighted tube called a colonoscope. ACS guidelines recommend it be performed annually.

50,000

Colorectal cancer is the secondleading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, causing about 50,000 deaths last year.

Men and women suffer in almost equal numbers.

5

The average length, in feet, of your colon.

6 LEADING MEDICINE IN FORT BEND AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES

EIGHT

Studies have found eight risk factors: 1. Older than age 50. More than 90 percent of cases are diagnosed after age 50. The average age at diagnosis is 72.

2. Colorectal polyps. Polyps are growths on the inner wall of the colon or rectum. Most polyps are not cancer, but some can become cancerous.

3. Family history of colorectal cancer.

4. Changes in certain genes.

5. Personal history of cancer.

6. Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

7. Diet high in fat (especially animal fat) and low in calcium, folate and fiber.

8. Cigarette smoking.

Free Colorectal Cancer Seminar

Thursday, March 31 • 6 p.m.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Conference Center Join Dr. Ali Mahmood, colorectal surgeon, and Dr. Nasrullah Manji, gastroenterologist, to learn more about colorectal cancer — the second leading cause of cancer deaths — and take home a free screening kit. Registration required. Register at houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.274.7500.

Dr. Ali Mahmood

Dr. Nasrullah Manji

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK

Nerve You’ve Hit a

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

Get relief with treatment at Houston Methodist Sugar Land’s Neuroscience & Spine Center Do you experience numbness, weakness or pain radiating down your arm or leg? If so, you may be suffering from a pinched nerve (radiculopathy) in your spine, according Dr. Larry Tran to Dr. Larry Tran, a board-certified neurologist at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Neuroscience & Spine Center.

A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues (bones, cartilage, muscle or tendons) weaken or are injured. Deterioration or trauma can cause these tissues to change position and place extra pressure on the nerves in your spinal cord. This interferes with proper nerve function.

“When nerve roots are compressed, they become irritated and inflamed, resulting in pain that often radiates to the part of your body that nerve is supposed to serve,” explained Tran.

There are several possible causes for pinched nerves, which can happen spontaneously or as a result from injury, osteoarthritis, obesity, poor posture or even stress from repetitive activities. Nerve compression can occur in any part of the spine, but lumbar and cervical radiculopathy are the most common types. Occurring in the lower back, lumbar radiculopathy can cause sciatica or shooting pain

down your leg. Tran said it is common to experience localized back pain as well, but typically the discomfort is felt more in the legs than back. Cervical radiculopathy occurs in the neck, and can cause tingling or burning pain in your neck, shoulders or arms. Thoracic radiculopathy is uncommon but occurs when there are pinched nerves in the middle portion of your spine, causing pain in your torso and chest. It is often mistaken for shingles.

Symptoms of a pinched nerve can range from mild to severe. After a physician performs an initial physical examination, several tests can be used to identify and diagnose the cause.

X-rays show bone alignment or narrowing of disks.

M RI examines soft tissue, the spinal cord and nerve roots.

CT scans look at the fine details of the bones, including bone spurs.

Electromyogram (EMG) measures the electrical impulses of muscles when at rest and during contractions, which helps to find evidence of damage.

Nerve conduction study measures the nerves’ ability to send electrical signals.

DON’T LIVE IN PAIN Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Larry Tran or another specialist at Houston Methodist Sugar Land’s Neuroscience & Spine Center.

Simply contact our care navigator at 281.274.7979 for an expedited appointment.

TYPES OF TREATMENT

“Conservative medical management is usually the first step in treating radiculopathy,” said Tran. “Most cases improve with a few days or weeks of treatment and rest.”

Medications like ibuprofen and naproxen as well as prescription muscle relaxants and oral corticosteroids can be effective for treating the pain and inflammation. Physical therapy can also be very helpful because it teaches patients good posture and how to strengthen, stretch and protect the affected area. For some patients, weight loss can help reduce pressure on the affected nerve. If radiculopathy doesn’t improve after six to 12 weeks of conservative treatment, surgery may be indicated. Surgery may also be recommended when multiple nerves are affected or when nerve function diminishes, despite treatment. n

FREE BACK AND NECK PAIN SEMINAR

Thursday, April 7 • 6 p.m.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Conference Center Join Dr. Larry Tran, neurologist, Dr. Marvin Chang, pain management specialist, and Dan Kershner, physical therapist, for a panel discussion on lessinvasive treatments for neck and back pain.

Registration required. Register at houstonmethodist.org/ events or call 281.274.7500.

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Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital 16655 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, Texas 77479-2329 houstonmethodist.org/sugarland

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HOSPITALS

Just around the corner Houston Methodist has locations throughout the Greater Houston area to best serve you near your home or workplace. Our locations include hospitals, and emergency care and imaging centers.

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2. Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

6. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

3. Houston Methodist St. John Hospital

7. Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital Opening in 2017

SPECIALTY HOSPITAL . Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital

SPECIALTY HOSPITALS EMERGENCY CARE CENTERS

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5. Houston Methodist West Hospital

4. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

HOSPITALS

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1. Houston Methodist Hospital

IMAGING CENTERS

EMERGENCY CARE CENTERS 713.441.ER24 (3724)

9. Houston Methodist Kirby Emergency Care Center 1. Houston Methodist Pearland Emergency Care Center

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11. Houston Methodist Sienna Plantation Emergency Care Center 12. Houston Methodist Voss Emergency Care Center

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13. Houston Methodist Cinco Ranch Emergency Care Center NOW OPEN! 14. Houston Methodist Cypress Emergency Care Center NOW OPEN! 15. Houston Methodist Spring Emergency Care Center Opening April 2016

IMAGING CENTERS 7. Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at The Woodlands Opening March 2016

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Staying healthy begins with knowing your risk.

Protect yourself from heart disease with a preventive heart screening.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, with it being the culprit behind one in four deaths. Join us for a free heart screening event to learn your 10-year risk for heart disease.

For more information or to register for the heart screening, visit houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.274.7500.

9. Houston Methodist Breast Care Center 16. Houston Methodist Imaging Center

For more information about Houston Methodist or for a physician referral, please visit houstonmethodist.org or call 281.274.7500.

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