Denton County Living Well Magazine September-October 2020

SANJAY GUPTA

TV’s Most Respected Doctor

Healthy Changes Start at Flower Mound

Weight Loss Center at Texas Health Flower Mound

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HAVE A PLAN

This issue introduces you to a doctor you may have been seeing a lot of lately. A multiple Emmy-award winning chief medical corre spondent for CNN, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is argu ably one of America’s most respected doctors.

SPRING AND SAM HOUSTON

A celebrated neurologist, Dr. Gupta’s measured demeanor on television amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of calm to a panicked nation. We check in with Dr. Gupta to fid out what he thinks the longterm solution is for the virus that’s ravaging the world and to fid out what he thinks is tougher, brain surgery or the news business.

There’s no denying that life is tough, especially in the age of COVID-19. Writer Kimberly Blaker is on hand to help ease some of the difficulty with two articles. The fist one is an in-depth look with detailed suggestions on how to work through challenging periods to develop a newfound appreciation for life.

Meanwhile, her second article is a must-read for those of you who’re pet lovers. Blaker offers a step-by-step plan on how to put a crisis plan in place for your pet. “If there’s one thing the spread of COVID-19 has taught us, it’s to expect and plan for the unexpected,” she says. “In the event of an emergency, advance preparation for the care of your pet is vital to your pet’s wellness.”

The pandemic has leftno facet of life untouched, which is why we also touch base with Dr. Julie Alvira, who offers her educated tips on how to stay active while working remotely. A self-care routine that can facilitate wellness and make it easier to embrace the changes the pandemic has caused is key to remaining healthy.

Sincerely,

Living Well

PRESIDENT & CEO

SAM HOUSTON

VICE PRESIDENT & CFO

SPRING HOUSTON

EDITOR, FEATURE WRITER & SOCIAL MEDIA

SONDRA BARR

ART DIRECTOR

VANESSA FRYER

ACCOUNTS MANAGER

JENNIFER BEAVERS

WEBSITE

LYDIA ROGERS

ADVERTISING & SALES

TEXAS: Denton County, Dallas County, Collin County

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LIVING WELL MAGAZINE is a source for quality educational articles on living a healthy, vibrant life. Our focus is on connecting our readers with the latest information on a host of topics relevant to their evolving life. From cutting edge medical news and procedures to top-tier financial, legal and lifestyle information. Connecting readers to leading medical and business professionals in their community in Texas and Oklahoma.

SAM AND SPRING HOUSTON

Dear Olivia,

I am nervous having anyone come into our home during the current health environment and I suspect it may be this way for a while. How do we know when it is safe to use in-home care of any kind right now, especially hospice?

~How Can We Ensure Safety

Dear How Can We Ensure Safety,

All patients and families should require anyone coming into their home is screened properly to ensure you are provided the safest care possible in such a tumultuous time. The CDC has issued clear guidance on how to screen both health care personnel and patients prior to providing any care. Patients and families/caregivers should be asked screening questions prior to visits so health care workers wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the situation. This may include a mask, gloves, gown, shoe covers and face shield or goggles and is worn to ensure the safety of your loved one and the health care worker.

Screening questions:

1. Has anyone engaged in international travel within the last 14 days to countries with sustained community transmission?

2. A re there any signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a fever, cough, and sore throat?

OLIVIA ROGERS

Olivia is a leading voice in health care and senior services and the Chief Nursing Officer of VNA Texas.

3. I n the last 14 days, has patient had contact with someone with or under investigation for COVID19, or are they ill with respiratory illness?

4. Does the patient reside in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring?

It is also essential to ensure the health care workers are cleared before making a visit to your home. The CDC approved survey process for these workers is as follows:

1. Health care providers and volunteers who have symptoms of a respiratory infection should not report to work.

2. A nyone who develops symptoms of a respiratory infection while on the job should immediately stop work, put on a face mask, and self-isolate at home.

3. Health care workers should take their temperature twice a day and stay home with any abnormal temperature.

4. It is always appropriate to ask the health care worker to put on a mask prior to entering your home.

Strictly following these procedures will ensure that the community is preventing the spread of COVID-19 and necessary at-home care can be provided.

~Olivia

VNA Hospice Care

VNA Hospice Care focuses on living life to its fullest and treating you with the dignity and respect you deserve. As a nonprofit, our bottom line is patient support and care provided by our highly qualified staff.

Hospice & Palliative Care

vnatexas.org

VNA Care Choices

Following the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, patients and their loved ones have many questions about the best course of action. VNA Care Choices provides supportive care services in the home while continuing treatment with your current physician.

To schedule your free in-home informational visit please call (214) 535-2615 or email gethelp@vnatexas.org For volunteer opportunities please call (214) 689-2271 or email volunteer@vnatexas.org

Advanced Heart & Vascular Care

Your heart is uniquely yours. At Texas Health Physicians Group, your heart and vascular care begins with a plan that’s customized for you. And with locations across North Texas, our care is close by. Schedule an appointment today, either in-person or via virtual visit, and discover our compassionate, comprehensive approach. From proactive prevention and diagnostics to advanced bypass and valve surgery and more, we’ll get you started with a plan for your heart health. And, as always, we have protocols in place designed around your safety. To learn more, go to TexasHealth.org/THPG-Safe.

Find your specialist today. 866-922-1076 | THPG.org/Heart

Khurram Ahmad, MD

GUPTA

CNN’S RESIDENT DOC TALKS

AND WHY THERE’S NO SHORTCUT TO HEALTH.

By SONDRA BARR

Do doctors still make house calls? Well, if you’re Dr. Sanjay Gupta, arguably one of America’s most respected doctors, you make it your mission. As the multiple Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent for CNN, the celebrated neurologist makes virtual house calls to millions of homes, educating the nation on many of the most pressing health issues both at home and abroad.

Especially during the age of COVID-19, the 50-year-old’s measured demeanor on television amidst a cacophony of confliting voices spouting offagainst the virus has proven to be a reassuring balm. His calm approach when covering the pandemic has been something of an extinguisher, quelling the flames of the international dumpster fie the virus has wrought.

The ever-achieving Gupta is no stranger to chaos and uncertainty. Embedded in 2003 with the Devil Docs, a group of naval doctors, Gupta needed to remove a bone out of a soldier’s head who’d gotten shot by a sniper. No surgical tools at hand, Gupta spied a Black & Decker drill and without hesitation repurposed it to drill a hole in the man’s skull and extract the bone. It was not the fist time the quick-thinking doc operated out in the fild during his reporting from Iraq and Kuwait.

Gupta’s been equally collected while reporting on location from other scenes of devastation including the Sri Lanka tsunami, New Orleans’s Hurricane Katrina, earthquake- and tsunami-ravaged Japan, and Conakry, Guinea, during a deadly Ebola outbreak.

In addition to his CNN gig, Gupta is an associate professor of neurosurgery at Emory University Hospital and associate chief of neurosurgery at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where he still sees patients and performs surgery during the week. He also serves as a diplomate of the American Board of Neurosurgery and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, considered one of the highest honors in the medical fild. If that weren’t enough, Gupta has also written four books: Chasing Life, Cheating Death, Monday Mornings: A Novel, and Keep Sharp.

Playboy’s David Hochman asked Gupta during a 2015 interview, “Which is tougher, brain surgery or the news business?” “It’s funny,” Gupta responded. “When I did my residency in neurosurgery, I couldn’t imagine anything more demanding or physically exhausting. But now I have weeks at CNN when I’ll go five days on three-and-a-half hours of sleep a night if there’s breaking health news. They’re both extremely busy, intense jobs.”

It’s no surprise that Gupta gravitates towards the complexity of juggling multiple exacting roles. Raised outside of Detroit by

The cure is not worse than the disease; the cure keeps the disease from becoming worse.

hardworking immigrant Indian parents who were both engineers for Ford Motor Company, Gupta chose to pursue medicine at 13 after his grandfather suffered a stroke. He approached the endeavor with his characteristic inquisitiveness and intensity.

“I watched as those doctors were able to return my grandfather to good health after opening up his carotid artery to restore the blood flw to his brain and prevent future strokes,” wrote Gupta in a 2020 article for AARP.

“I started reading everything I could about medicine and the human body. Before long, I was fixted on the brain and, specifially, memory…For me, those early explorations into the world of brain biology were at once demystifying and magical.”

Accepted into a medical school program at the age of 16, Gupta received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and a Doctorate of Medicine degree from the University of Michigan Medical School and by his early 20s was practicing neurosurgery. In 2001, he started at CNN, just weeks before reporting from New York following the 9/11 terror attacks.

Once again, Gupta is tasked with presenting the facts behind a natural disaster. If anyone is up to the task, it’s Gupta. “It’s why I got into the news business, actually—to help people make sense of the immense amount of information out there,” he said to Hochman. “News gets out and it’s not easy for people who aren’t scientist to parse the information in a meaningful way—that’s my main responsibility as a journalist.”

Gupta stresses that in the case of COVID-19, as with any health issue, you have to look at quality data to make informed decisions. For instance, Gupta and his wife decided not to send their three daughters back to school for the time being. “Ths was not an easy decision, but one that we believe best respects the science, decreases the risk of further spread and follows the task force criteria,” he said.

“ The cure is not worse than the disease; the cure keeps the disease from becoming worse,” he’s reiterated on air.

The best cure, of course, is to avoid catching the disease. Not only is Gupta a strong proponent of masks, he also believes it’s important to continue social distancing and other measures to stop the spread. “It seems to be primarily person-to-person contact. So it’s the distance, but it’s also duration. You’d be six feet away from somebody for two hours, that’s worse than being six feet away from someone for five minutes. There’s also the type of activity that’s going on. So there’s lots of different considerations,” he said.

While Gupta is optimistic there will be a return to normalcy at some point, he doesn’t know how long it will take.

Pandemic or not, there’s no shortcut to health, which is why Gupta cautions against false hope of a quick fix.Rather, he recommends taking this time to focus on your health for the long term—eat less sugar, avoid fried foods, exercise, get a good night’s sleep, etc., to make it more difficult for your immune system to be compromised.

Walks to End Alzheimer’s for 2020 Updated Due to COVID

Courtesy ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION

The Alzheimer’s Association says the Sherman, Dallas, and Grandscape Walks to End Alzheimer’s will take place as scheduled this year on September 26, October 3, and October 17 but will look different due to concerns about the COVID-19 virus.

“We are blending in-person and virtual parts in order to ensure the safety of our participants,” says Director of Development, Jennifer Bowring. Past walks have always been a gathering of a large group of participants who then traverse a set course. Due to COVID concerns, that’s not possible in 2020. “Many of our constituents fall into the high risk categories for COVID. Our primary goal is keeping everyone safe.”

The overall slogan for the 2020 Walks is “Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Everywhere.” “Ths year’s Walk participants can walk almost anywhere,” says Walk Manager for the Dallas Walk, Haley Rice. “In their neighborhoods, on walking trails, wherever they can keep safe social distancing and always wear a mask.”

Participants ranging from families to teams to individuals will all be able to connect through a new Walk to End Alzheimer’s phone app. Ths mobile app will let users not only access information and resources from the Association, but also participate in the Walk opening ceremony as well as follow a virtual walk path, track steps and distance, and manage Facebook fundraisers.

“We’re very excited about the Mainstage Walk phone app,” says Danielle Brown Tolson, Grandscape and Sherman Walk manager. “Besides linking everyone together, walkers can also take pictures of their part of the event using commemorative stickers and frames to post to social media.”

The new Walk to End Alzheimer’s app can be downloaded now, with new features to be updated to it by early August. You can get links to Apple or Google downloads here: www.tiny.cc/WalkApp

Because the 2020 Walk is tied together online, participants will see the opening ceremony with local speakers and emcees, as well as the Promise Flowers presentation. “ The Promise Flowers are a very emotional part of the opening, where people give their personal reasons for taking part in the Walk,” says Bowring. “ The only difference from the 2019 Walk is that this time the presentation will be available on people’s tablets, computers, and smartphones.”

Also in the mix is the Promise Garden, where participants in the past have written a loved one or friend’s name on a flwer and set it into a mass of flwers leftby other walkers. Ths year, the Garden will be set up by Alzheimer’s Association staff and volunteers and will be available in a view-only component.

“ The importance of the 2020 Walk can’t be understated,” says Bowring. “Without the crucial funds raised by the Walks, we wouldn’t be able to continue providing all of our free services and programs to constituents. Over 400,000 Texans are living with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.” To sign up, visit www.act.alz.org or call the 24/7 helpline, (800) 272-3900.

1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia

Approximately 400,000 Texans have Alzheimer’s Texas ranks 4th in number of Alzheimer’s cases and 2nd in Alzheimer’s deaths Alzheimer’s disease is the 5th leading cause of death in the US

In the US, someone develops Alzheimer’s

every 65 seconds

STAND OUT WITH THE EMINENT CHOICE IN HEALTHCARE

Pain Management • Sports Medicine • General Surgery

Spine Surgery • Orthopedic Surgery • Neurosurgery

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery • Total Joint Surgery

Foot & Ankle Surgery • Hand Surgery

Gynecological Surgery • Plastic Surgery

ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY

Orthopedic surgeons and the medical staff at Eminent Medical Center are excited to offer Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA Knee System, which helps surgeons personalize surgical procedures for their patients.

Recognized by U.S. News and World Report as Best Nursing Home and Short-Term Rehabilitation Facility.

Amenities:

• Private and semi-private studios, some with kitchen elements and/or Frenchdoor courtyard patios

• Flat-Screen televisions

• 32 channels of satellite television service

• Wi-Fi internet access

• Electric beds for easy comfort adjustments

• Living room with fireplace and player piano

• Library with computer stations and complimentary internet access

• Chapel

• Neighborhood cafes with complimentary premium beverages and snacks

• Restaurant-Style dining room

• Beauty/barber shop with full-time beautician

• Activity program with community outings

• Sedan and van for resident transportation

Clinical Services:

• Around-the-clock skilled nursing

• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies

• Wound Management

• Intravenous Therapy

• Tracheotomy Care

• Physician Services

• Medication Administration

• Enteral/Parenteral Therapy

• X-Ray Services

• Laboratory Services

• In-house x-ray and other diagnostic services.

• Onsite Diabetic Shoe Store with Dynamic Arc Balance Assessment to help pinpoint the specific area(s) of functional balance lost.

• Onsite Nail Treatment Center with full spa services —open to the public.

• MLS Laser Therapy for pain and inflammation.

• Hyperion 1530 laser for treatment of fungal nails.

• Cutting edge treatment of chronic pain and peripheral nerve problems that affect the foot and ankle.

Achilles Tendon

Ankle Instability

Ankle Sprains

Foot and Ankle Injuries

Arthritic Foot & Ankle Care

Athlete’s Foot

Bunions

Calluses

Raafae

What Could Be Causing Poor Circulation in My Feet?

By DR. DAUPHINÉE

Are you experiencing numbness, tingling, or discolorations in your feet? Even though poor circulation isn’t a condition, if you are experiencing poor circulation in your feet this is often a symptom of a much larger issue. Ths is why it’s important to understand the warning signs of poor circulation and know when to see a podiatrist, as many of these conditions can be serious or cause further complications to your health.

CAUSES OF POOR CIRCULATION

There are many reasons why someone may have poor circulation. The most common conditions include:

1. PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE (PAD)

Ths causes poor circulation in the legs due to a narrowing in the arteries and blood vessels. Over time, this condition can cause damage to nerves or tissue. While this condition can occur in younger people, particularly smokers, it’s more common for people over 50 years old to develop PAD.

2. BLOOD CLOTS

A blood clot causes a block or restriction in blood flw and can develop anywhere in the body. The most common places for a blood clot include the arms or the legs, which can lead to symptoms of poor circulation. In some cases, a blood clot can cause serious complications such as a stroke.

3. DIABETES

While this condition does affect blood sugar levels, it is also

known to affect circulation within the body. Those with circulation issues may experience cramping in the legs that may get worse when you are active. Those with diabetic neuropathy may experience nerve damage in the legs and feet, as well as numbness or tingling.

4. RAYNAUD’S DISEASE

A less common condition, Raynaud’s disease causes chronic cold figers and feet due to the narrowing of the arteries in the hands and toes. Since these arteries are narrow it’s more difficult for blood to flw to these areas, leading to poor circulation. Of course, you may experience these symptoms in other parts of the body besides your toes or figers, such as your nose, ears, or lips.

WARNING SIGNS OF POOR CIRCULATION

You may be experiencing poor circulation in your feet if you are experiencing these symptoms:

• Numbness

• Pain that may radiate into the limbs

• Tingling (a “pins and needles” sensation)

• Muscle cramping

If you are experiencing symptoms of poor circulation that don’t go away, it’s best to play it safe rather than sorry. Turn to a podiatric specialist who can provide a proper diagnosis and determine the best approach for improving circulation. Don’t ignore this issue.

Staying Active While Working Remotely

By JULIE ALVIRA, MD, MBA

Many 9-to-5 officworkers have started working remotely during the pandemic. Remote work is not for everyone, but these workers have had to adapt to the new “normal.” Ths has created a number of issues to keep in mind, especially the amount of physical activity a remote worker is getting. Many remote workers are fiding they aren’t getting enough physical activity, which can be detrimental to their well being.

Increased physical activity has many health benefits and also helps with focus, which is why staying active while working remotely is important to overall health. It’s good to incorporate a self-care routine that can facilitate wellness and make it easier to embrace the changes the pandemic has caused.

Before you start any task, it’s a good idea to sit and write down your

LET’S SEE SOME IDEAS:

Plan blocks of time

Start the day with physical exercise, even if it’s only 30 minutes. If you’re regularly active, it’s easier to stick to it. If morning hours don’t work, try getting active after lunch or early evening

goals for that day in terms of actions. However, some experts suggest it’s better to do it before bed, while others suggest the morning is best. The purpose is to write down the goals in a special goal journal for the next day. That way you wake up with the mental energy you need to start and take action.

Working remotely allows you to create a routine that works for you. We’re all different and the well being of our minds depends on each of us as individuals. Some people embrace change faster than others. For example, there are people who have morning routines that include a cup of coffee, while others need a bottle of water when they get up.

While you have the leisure of being the boss of your time, discipline is required. You don’t have to tell someone if you go out or not, take free time or not, etc., but you need to know how to control your time.

If you have a pet, you can take it out for a while and come back

Listen to music while you work (if it doesn’t make you lose focus), while you take a break, when you exercise, when you pause for stretch, or when you walk or run in place

Occasionally get up from your workplace (example: desk or table) and walk inside your home or run in place

Incorporate free time (a break)

Meditate or relax using your breath or just follow relaxation on YouTube, Calm, or do yoga

Stretch important muscles that are related to sitting to avoid stiffness (example: muscles in your thigh, back, and buttocks)

Some people prefer to be standing while working rather than sitting

On all social networks, there are free videos you can watch for instruction and motivation, if you don’t know how to do a specifictype of exercise. Remember, after a long day of work, breathe and disconnect.

For more tips on lifestyle interventions, health and wellness, connect with me for coaching services at www.coachdrjulie.com.

TOP DOCS 2020 Livingwell

PROVIDERS HEALTHCARE AND OTHER

Key-Whitman Eye Center has been serving the North Texas area for more than 50 years, and Dr. Jeffery Whitman is honored to be listed among Living Well Magazine’s Top Docs in Dallas in the category of ophthalmology and LASIK again this year. Under the direction of Dr. Whitman, the Key-Whitman team of highly experienced doctors performs a full range of progressive ophthalmic services in seven convenient locations. Each surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and each doctor performing LASIK and cataract surgery is additionally board certified by the American Board of Eye Surgeons. Dr. Whitman is a recipient of the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award. He is the president of the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society and is a past president of the American College of Eye Surgeons and the Dallas Academy of Ophthalmology. He is one of the most experienced cataract and refractive surgeons in North Texas. His team is among the few in the area specializing in laser-assisted cataract surgery and the use of high-tech lens replacements, such as Symfony®, Crystalens®, Trulign®, ReSTOR®, and the TECNIS® Multifocal Lens. These intraocular implants are designed to give a wider range of vision, including far, intermediate, or close-up vision.

For patients wanting to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and contacts, many solutions are available, including LASIK, PRK, The Visian ICL, and the high technology lens implants used in cataract surgery. Additional services include eye health exams; management of diabetes, glaucoma, and corneal disease; treatment of dry eye; and reconstructive and cosmetic eyelid surgery.

ANITA

RON BARKE, M.D., MARTIN FABER, O.D., AMANDA HOELSCHER, O.D., LARRY FISH, M.D., KATE LEE, M.D., JEFFREY WHITMAN, M.D., FAISAL HAQ, M.D., ALFRED HUMPHREY, M.D.,

EDWARD HURST, M.D., TARA HARDIN, O.D., AMY HONG, M.D. NOT PHOTOGRAPHED: LESLIE PFEIFFER, MD

FRONT ROW FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: TODD AGNEW, O.D.,

JACOB, O.D., KIM WARREN, M.D.,

Richardson

We

Have a Crisis Plan in Place for your Pet

By KIMBERLY BLAKER

Your pet’s stress level and other avoidable problems can be reduced if the caregiver knows your pet’s training commands, personality quirks, behaviors, and things to watch for.

If there’s one thing the spread of COVID-19 has taught us, it’s to expect and plan for the unexpected. Ths doesn’t just apply to preparing for yourself and the people in your life. In the event of an emergency, advance preparation for the care of your pet is vital to your pet’s wellness.

COVID-19 hospitalization is just one of the many situations that could require last-minute care for your pets. But many other crises could also require arrangements for your pet’s care. Examples include other illnesses requiring hospitalization, last-minute travel for emergencies or work, homelessness and eviction, fiancial hardship, rehab, natural disasters, deployment, death, and more. Your pet is an important part of your family. So make sure you have a sufficit plan in place for your pet before a potential crisis hits.

WHO WILL WATCH YOUR PET?

In times of crisis, especially community-wide or family situations that affect other people as well, such as COVID-19, your fist plan may not work out. So have a backup plan, so you aren’t leftscrambling. There are many options available depending on your fiancial situation, preferences for your pet, and the length or type of care you may need

• Trusted family or friends are an excellent option, if any can watch your pet. Since you know them, and likely so does your pet, family and friends may be more likely or able to provide care in your home or take your pet into their own home. Family and friends offer pets a familiar face and perhaps even a familiar place. Ths can be particularly helpful to ease your pet’s stress. So ask if any friends or family members are willing to watch or take-in your pet, even if only until suitable options can be arranged

• Some shelters offer temporary foster placement for a specific mount of time with the intent to reunite pets with their owners.

• Dog and cat boarding kennels, in-home boarding services, and pet hotels are available to host your pets when needed. Be sure to read reviews, tour the facilities, and ask questions in advance to ensure your pet will be well-cared for and according to your preferences.

• There are also pet sitting or walking services depending on the situation and needs of your pet. These are good options for shorter-term situations, and when your pet doesn’t need as much care or would just do better at home than in an unfamiliar place.

• Your veterinarian may also be able to offer recommendations, since vets often know many of the local services. Veterinarians also know your pet and are more likely to be invested in making sure your pet is taken care of

Whatever options you choose, get to know your emergency caregivers ahead of time, if possible. Also let them get to know your pet and vice versa, and make sure the caregiver understands your pet’s needs. In the event of a crisis, you’ll feel more at ease knowing your pet is in good hands.

MAINTAIN YOUR PET’S HEALTH

Emergency preparedness requires maintaining your pet’s health. Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations and medical checkups. You should also keep a sufficit supply of any prescriptions, special foods, or other needs on hand to ensure your pet’s health in unforeseen circumstances. Also, keep the documentation for proof of shots and spaying or neutering in an accessible place, since these may be required by kennels, shelters, or foster services.

PREPARE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR PET’S CARE

Create instructions for your pet’s care and keep both virtual and printed copies. Give one to anyone who may look after your pet. Also, post a copy on your fridge or in a conspicuous place in your home in the event you aren’t able to point it out. Every pet is different and keeping the same routine as much as possible will ease your pet’s stress during a crisis.

You’ll also want caregivers to know about any special needs, such as medications and when your pet needs to see the vet again. The caregiver should be aware of special foods your pet needs or can’t have. Your pet’s stress level and other avoidable problems can be reduced if the caregiver knows your pet’s training commands, personality

quirks, behaviors, and things to watch for. The instructions should also include contact numbers for you, your pet’s vet, and emergency contact if something should happen.

HAVE A BAG READY TO GO

Keep a bag packed for emergencies with the basic needs for your pet like food, toys, and a leash. Also, include a list of frequently used things you don’t want to keep packed, but want to make sure your pet has. Ths might consist of favorite toys or blankets to provide your pet some sense of normalcy and comfort when away from you. Also, include your list of instructions and routines in the bag. Then keep the bag easily accessible and near a crate or whatever you use to safely transport your pet.

HELP

CAREGIVERS EASE YOUR PET’S STRESS

During a crisis, pets can experience anxiety or depression, just like people, especially if they’re separated from their family and don’t follow their regular routines. So make sure your pet will be in a safe, comfortable environment with people you trust. Hopefully, the caregiver has interacted with your pet in the past, so they are familiar with each other.

Although you may not be able to predict when a crisis might turn your life upside down, one thing is within your control. You can have a plan in place for emergencies that ensures your pet will be adequately taken care of, leaving you one less thing to worry about.

OTHER THINGS CAREGIVERS CAN DO TO RELIEVE SOME OF YOUR PET’S

STRESS INCLUDE:

3 give gentle physical affection at your pet’s comfort level

3 stick to routines as much as possible

3 provide your pet the opportunity for regular exercise

3 stick to your pet’s usual diet

3 have a designated quiet space with comfort items from home

3 play classical music or turn on TV shows explicitly designed for animals

Rahul Banerjee, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon

Comprehensive Orthopaedic Care with expertise in:

• Fracture Repair

• Joint Replacement

• Anterior Total Hip Replacement

• Fracture Nonunions/Malunions

• Limb Lengthening

• Periprosthetic Fractures

• Pelvic Fractures

• Upper Extremity Injuries

Dr. Rahul Banerjee is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in comprehensive fracture management, joint replacement (including direct anterior hip replacement), and management of complex orthopaedic problems.

Dr. Banerjee graduated with honors from Brown University and completed medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honors society.

Dr. Banerjee served in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Major. Dr. Banerjee was assigned to treating injured patients and training orthopaedic residents at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX. During his service, he was deployed to the War in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and treated many injured soldiers and civilians.

Dr. Banerjee is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Howard Rosen Teaching Award from AO North America. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Dr. Banerjee has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications and numerous textbook chapters on the treatment of orthopaedic problems.

Dr. Banerjee serves as the Director of Orthopaedic Trauma at Medical City Plano. In 2019, Dr. Banerjee joined Texas Bone and Joint and continues to practice in Plano.

Lauren Olson INTRODUCING

Leu & Peirce is pleased to announce our new partner, Lauren Olson. Lauren began practicing Elder Law with Leu & Peirce in 2013. We asked Lauren some questions to help you get to know her.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I was born in Austin, but grew up in Plano. I graduated from Ursuline Academy of Dallas. My parents still live in Plano.

Q: Where did you go to school?

A: I received a B.A. in Communications with a minor in English from St. Louis University. I played collegiate soccer throughout my undergraduate studies. After college, I participated in a “volunteer year” sponsored by Americorp through the Marianist Order of the Catholic Church. I lived in a group home with five volunteers and worked at the Arc of Missouri helping adults with developmental disabilities. I then moved back to Texas to attend law school at SMU.

Q: Did you always want to be a lawyer?

A: No, I always wanted to be a journalist. It was not until late in college, during a journalism assignment, that I began considering law. As a part of that assignment, I profiled a law professor who handled legal aid and poverty law. I realized then that instead of writing about helping people, I could make a profession of providing that help.

Q: What made you choose Elder Law?

A: When I started law school, I wanted to practice public interest law. It was not until my mother saw Lori Leu featured in LIVING WELL Magazine that I discovered Elder Law. After reading about Lori’s mission and passion for helping people, I knew this was what I was meant to do. I took the article to my career service counselor at SMU and, as fate would have it, she had a connection with Erin Peirce and Lori Leu and introduced me to them. The rest is history!

Q: What do you like the most about being an Elder Law attorney?

A: I like having the chance to help seniors who are often marginalized in society, as well as their families. We often advise adult children on how to protect their parents and ease the family through the aging process.

Although I never saw myself as a litigator, I enjoy the litigation aspect of our practice. If done with the right goal in mind, going to court and fihting for families is really about peacemaking and bringing families together.

Q: Is there a moment that stands out for you as an Elder Law attorney?

A: I will never forget one case in which we represented a son seeking guardianship over his mother as part of a heated family battle. Despite months of fihting amongst his seven siblings, on the morning of trial, the whole family gathered in the back of the courtroom, held hands, and said a prayer together for the health and safety of their mother.  Although the prayer of the feuding siblings caught me offguard, I will never forget how our hard work resulted in bringing the family together to reframe their differences into the lens of their mother’s best interest. Amidst the many long days of working with understandably stressed and emotional clients, that moment reminds me of why I became an Elder Law attorney—to protect seniors and bring peace and resolution to families tying to care for their loved ones.

Q: Beyond representing your clients, what do you enjoy the most about your practice?

A: I love giving speeches and have a passion to educate the community on Elder Law issues. In the future, I hope to start more legal aid clinics at churches. Elder Law issues affect everyone, no matter how educated, rich, or poor.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

A: I like to stay active. I run, bike, and play soccer and tennis. I love to be outside and spend time with family and friends.

Q: For what are you most grateful?

A: My faith has been a constant in my life. It has played a significant role in my education, my profession, and in who I am. I am also grateful for Lori Leu and Erin Peirce taking a chance on me when I fist began my law career. I have been fortunate to have worked at Leu & Peirce since law school, and am excited to now be a partner in their endeavor to help seniors and their families.

Courtesy LEU & PEIRCE, PLLC

GREGORY D. ROBERTS, M.D.

FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON

At Roberts Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dr. Roberts specializes in facial cosmetic medical procedures, including the “scarless” face lift, endoscopic brow lift, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, otoplasty, chin and lip implants. For over 20 years, Dr. Roberts has focused his surgical specialty on the face, but he also performs minimally invasive cosmetic medical procedures, such as BOTOX® and dermal filler procedures. Dr. Roberts is dual Board certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as the American Board of Otolaryngology | Head and Neck Surgery.

Dr. Roberts personally performs all surgical procedures, BOTOX® and filler procedures. Laser and resurfacing procedures at Roberts Cosmetic Surgery are performed by a certified and licensed aesthetician, while his support staff endeavors to provide optimal patient care.

“There’s a tremendous amount of satisfaction that comes along with my work,” Roberts says. “Seeing patients get positive results from their procedure, as well as seeing their renewed confidence, and then hearing the reaction of others in their lives is very fulfilling.” Dr. Roberts’ procedures are performed at an AAAASF certified facility near George Bush Tollway and Preston Rd in Dallas suburb, Plano, Texas. Read more here about what his patients say about him. View more before-and-after photos and review additional information at RobertsCosmeticSurgery.com.

To schedule a consultation, call (972) 608-0000.

5144 Village Creek Dr. Plano, Texas 75093 (972) 608-0000 robertscosmeticsurgery.com

THE “SCARLESS” FACE LIFT

Nationally-known facial plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory D. Roberts has refined a face lift technique, known as the “scarless” face lift, which allows patients to recover from surgery with virtually no visible scarring. The “scarless” face lift involves a series of surgical methods and meticulous precision that can help restore more natural, youthful facial features with virtually imperceptible signs of surgical intervention.

“My one guiding principle is that your cosmetic surgery looks natural,” said Dr. Roberts. “You should look refreshed and well-rested, never pulled.” Dr. Roberts takes the time necessary to meticulously place and close incisions, ensuring that his patients’ incisions are virtually invisible, as well as helping to minimize bruising and quicken the healing process.

Many of Dr. Roberts’ patients also find pleasing results with a non surgical face lift alternative known as a Liquid Face Lift. Revolumizing the face with a Liquid Face Lift can be done alone or in conjunction with a face lift to restore natural, youthful volume and contours.

DR. ROBERTS’ PATIENTS LOVE THEIR RESULTS!

KM contacted Dr. Roberts after viewing some of his online images. During her consultation Dr. Roberts recommended upper and lower blepharoplasty (eyelid lifts) as well as a mini face lift. “I inherited drooping eyes from my dad, sagging jowls from my mother. But Dr. Roberts has completely changed that for me. Now I get comments even from strangers about how good my skin looks. Only my close friends know what I’ve had done, but I feel dramatically different. It’s helped my confidenceand I’m definitely more comfortable when I’m face-to-face with people.

At 51, JT worked to stay in shape but couldn’t stop the natural signs of aging. The sagging in her neck and jowl area started to bother her so much she no longer wore her hair off her face. “I feel young and wanted to look more youthful,” she said. After a mini face lift, she’s thrilled with the results. “Not one person has said, ‘Did you have a face lift?’” she said. “But people do tell me how pretty my skin is. I didn’t want to overdo it, and what Dr. Roberts did is perfect. Everyone in his office was attentive, helpful and supportive. I’d definitely do it again.

At 53, JR, below, had a face lift, endoscopic brow lift and lower blepharoplasty performed in one procedure. “Before the surgery I looked tired and my jowl area and the skin around my mouth sagged,” she said. “Dr. Roberts spent a lot of time explaining everything and answering my questions. After surgery, I was wearing a ponytail two weeks later and attended a work conference a week after that. No one could tell I’d just had surgery! To me, it’s so natural. I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Roberts and his staff.”

Andrew Chambers, M.D. Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Chambers is an orthopaedic surgeon at Dallas Orthopaedic Joint Institute who specializes in joint replacement surgery. He received extensive training in joint replacement surgery during his fellowship at Harvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital, which was voted as the top hospital in the United States. Dr. Chambers has implemented the techniques learned at Harvard Medical School into his own practice and offers minimally invasive total hip / knee replacement, partial knee replacement, revision surgery for malfunctioning, loose, and infected joint replacements, arthroscopic surgery of the hip and knee, and revision of failed and recalled metal-on-metal total hip replacement implants. Dr. Chambers focuses special attention on surgical techniques for rapid recovery after total joint replacement which allow his patients a more predictable and earlier return to home and an active lifestyle.

Dr. Chambers is pleased to offer the MAKOplasty Robotic-Arm Assisted partial/total knee and hip replacement. The MAKOplasty procedure is changing the way joint replacement surgeries are performed by providing each patient with a personalized surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and unique anatomy using a CT-based 3D modeling. The robotic arm technology allows for extremely precise placement of hip/knee components with potentially less soft tissue injury than traditional joint replacement.

Dr. Chambers is a Texas native and grew up in Houston, Texas. He attended medical school at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and completed residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. He then completed a fellowship in joint replacement surgery at Harvard Medical School. In his free time, Dr. Chambers enjoys traveling with his wife, Christine, and spending time with friends and family. He is an avid sailor and enjoys participating in sailing races on the local lakes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Dr. Chambers practices at Methodist Dallas, Charlton, and Richardson Hospitals. To schedule an appointment please call or text 469-747-0382.

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Communication, Hearing Loss and the Usage of Masks In Today’s World

By ELIZABETH BRASSINE, AU.D.

The impact of hearing loss on communication has become magnifid with the Coronavirus (Covid-19). Unfortunately, many of the people who have fallen victim to the virus have hearing loss, are unaccompanied by family members, have multiple chronic health conditions and are likely without hearing assistance. We think of the obvious effect of hearing loss with regard to communication difficulties. However, your hearing health contributes to your overall well-being and quality of life. Statistically, hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition in older Americans after hypertension and arthritis. Aging also brings cognitive processing deficts that interfere with communication and can create distractions that lead to memory loss, falls and other accidents.

We are aware that a cornerstone of patient safety and quality healthcare is effective communication, which allows patients to participate more fully in their care. For communication to be effective, it must take place in a manner appropriate to one’s age, understanding and communication abilities. Furthermore, medical information, when provided, must be complete, accurate, timely, unambiguous, and understood. When patients can hear and understand the healthcare provider, they are much more likely to be compliant and follow recommendations and have their medical needs optimally met.

The struggle to understand speech for persons with hearing loss is now exacerbated by face masks, which have become a necessity to help minimize the spread of the virus. The masks pose two problems for patients with hearing loss: the hearing impaired person cannot gain any cues from lip reading and the voice of the person talking is attenuated and distorted by the mask. In particular, masks impact the “loudness” of the higher pitched speech sounds, which are our consonants. Consonants give us the meaning to what we’re listening to. Some people have been able to obtain the clear face masks. Ths certainly helps reduce the issue of not being able to see the face and lip reading but can still distort the speech.

In the midst of our current environment of Covid-19 and the need for wearing masks, here are some suggestions of how to best communicate with the hearing impaired.

• Face the person and talk clearly (not while walking away from the patient or while looking in cabinets, refrigerators, etc.).

• Speak at a reasonable speed, often slowing down how you speak is more benefical than raising your voice.

• Do not hide your mouth (so much speech information comes from nonverbal cues and facial expressions) or talk while eating or chewing gum.

• Stand in good lighting.

• Reduce background noises.

• Use facial expressions or gestures to give useful cues.

• Repeat yourself, if necessary, using different words.

• Be patient; stay positive and relaxed.

• Ask how you can help!

Also important, here are some tips of what the hearing impaired person can do to improve their communication with hearing aids:

• Let people know that you have difficulty hearing.

• Ask people to face you and to speak slowly and clearly. Ask them to speak without shouting, which can just distort the speech signal.

• Pay attention to what is being said and to facial expressions or gestures.

• Let the person talking know if you do not understand.

• Ask people to reword a sentence and try again.

• Turn off ny unnecessary, extraneous noises (such as radio while in car, TV at home, etc.).

• Wear your hearing aids consistently!

• Include the hearing-impaired person when talking. Talk with the person, not about the person when you are with others. Ths helps keep the person with hearing loss from feeling alone and excluded.

Life After Loss

Finding Your New Groove When Dealing with Heartbreak or Grief

By KIMBERLY BLAKER

Going through a breakup, divorce, or the death of a spouse isn’t easy. You’ve lost your lover and your confiant, cheerleader, activity partner, support system, and best friend. Such a loss can be devastating. As such, it’s only natural to grieve. In fact, allowing yourself to grieve is vital to your recovery. You’ll need time (and perhaps even professional help) to work through your denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—the five stages of grief.

But even as you work through this challenging period, you can begin building a happy, full life. Working toward moving on doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten the person you lost or your prior life. It merely means you recognize your emotional and physical well-being depends on getting back to a healthy, positive life. Yes, you’ll still experience some sadness and miss the person and life you’ve lost. Allow yourself to feel sad as often as you need to. But, also look for at least one, if not multiple ways to uplift ourself each and every day.

Taking time for personal growth is an excellent way to raise your spirits.  So focus some time and energy on self-discovery, becoming a more fabulous you, and fiding new ways to enjoy life to its fullest. There’s no need to forget the person and life you lost. To the contrary, cherish those great memories, but build on them by enjoying new experiences.

SELF DISCOVERY & THE PATH TO YOUR NEW HAPPY

There are so many avenues to self-discovery. The truth is you might never even reach your fial destination. That’s because self-discovery is really an ongoing process. As the seasons of your life come and go, you’ll continually grow and change. The good news is, we live in a big, beautiful world that’s full of possibilities, endless things to experience, and always new knowledge to be had. Let some of these ideas be a springboard to help you fid your new groove.

{ JOB OR CAREER } Do you like what you do for a living? Or do you wish you’d gone a different direction? Ths might be an excellent time to consider a job or career change. Explore what kinds of work would make you happy. Just bear in mind your emotional state, and take time to think through the pros and cons of your choices. Then, once you’re in a better frame of mind, you’ll be ready to put your plan into action.

{ LEARN A NEW SKILL } It doesn’t have to be for career growth or change, although it could be. Learning a new skill offers lots of other benefits. In fact, it’s good for your brain. It increases the speed at which you learn new skills, improves your performance on other tasks, and expands your knowledge. It also reduces your risk of dementia. There are other benefits, too. Learning a new skill makes you more adaptable to change (such as you’re going through now). It also provides an additional outlet to stave offboredom and makes you a more interesting person.

The great thing about learning a new skill is the multitude of choices to fit everyone’s interests. There are also numerous avenues for learning new skills today. Take an online class. You can also buy or borrow books to learn on your own, read instructional articles online, and watch YouTube videos, webinars, and more.

{ VOLUNTEER } Ths is another way to expand your skills while also making the world a better place. Volunteering is also beneficial to your emotional health. According to research, those who volunteer become happier, enjoy reduced stress and gain self-esteem. It also increases your social connections. In turn, all these factors contribute to a healthier, longer life.

PHOTOBYANDREAPIACQUADIO

You just might be surprised at the music you fall in love with and have been missing all your life.

{ NEW FRIENDS } After a loss, making new friends is often imperative. If you’re like most people in a relationship, you spent most of your free time with your partner. As a result, you may have only a small pool of friends. So get in touch with old friends and catch up. You might discover new things you have in common that rekindle your friendship. Also, as businesses in your area open up again, make new friends through work, classes, and volunteering.  Meetup.com  will be another option. You’ll discover a plethora of different types and age groups. There’s truly something for everyone.

{ MUSIC } If you’re a music lover, you know what a mood-booster music can be. Yet, if you’re like most people, you’ve listened to the same few genres of music throughout your life. So visit your library to explore different types of music, and check out a variety of CDs. Try multiple artists within each genre, since styles vary widely among any genre. You might be surprised at the music you fall in love with and have missed all your life. Beyond the more popular rock, rap, R&B, and country, there’s also folk, blues, jazz, and classical. Also, don’t skip over the world music section. You’ll fid Irish/Celtic, flamingo, reggae, Latin, Zydeco, Afrobeat, and so much more.

{ ART } Ths isn’t a world just for artists. Although you might discover you have a hidden talent you never realized. Thik painting, drawing, sculpting, photography, printmaking, and so much more. The other option is the pure enjoyment of looking at art. Check out some art museums and galleries. You might even want to pick up a book or take a class on art appreciation to understand art at a whole new level.

{ CRAFTS } Hobbies offer a host of benefits, not to mention the crafty things you can make, keep, and give. Crafting relieves stress and depression, provides challenges, prevents boredom, and can even generate additional income. Consider wood crafts,leatherwork, needlework, glassmaking, paper crafts,and countless other options.

{ FOOD } Learn new cooking or baking skills on your own or by taking cooking classes. You might also take up a new pastime of cooking your favorite cuisine. If cooking isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the savory experience. Explore a wider variety of foods. Taste a broader range of fruits and vegetables, and support your local restaurants by getting take-out from cuisines you’ve never had before.

{ SPORTS & FITNESS } Make exercise a regular part of your routine. Ths is one of the most valuable things you can do for your physical and emotional health. Oh, but you don’t like the “E” word? Then consider a sport. There are so many to choose from, whether you like team sports or prefer going solo. Golf, volleyball, tennis, kickball, swimming, martial arts, and roller skating are just a few of your options.

Trying and experiencing new things can provide newfound appreciation for all life has to offer. As restrictions around COVID-19 ease, you’ll also be able to add traveling to new places and visiting movie theaters to your new exciting agenda.

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

There are many books and workbooks available to help you along your journey to self-discovery. Check out some of these top-rated choices.

Start Where You Are: A Journal for SelfExploration

Meera Lee Patel

List Your Self: Listmaking as theWay to Self-Discovery

Ilene Segalove

The Good Goodbye: How to Navigate Change and Loss in Life, Love, and Work Gladys Ato

This Time Next Year: 365 Days of Exploration

Cynthia Scher Something Gained: 7 Shifts to Be Stronger, Smarter & Happier After Divorce

Deb Purdy

The Sun Still Rises: Surviving and Thriving after Grief and Loss

Shawn Doyle

FOLLOW YOUR

Instinct

By RICK ALLEN

Awoman called me just the other day and I recognized her by name but was not able to immediately recall the details of our previous meeting. After a few seconds of conversation, I remembered everything we had previously discussed and the entire scenario became clear to me. The person on the other end of the line had come by our offica couple of weeks before and was asking about pricing and other general information related to pre-need planning for her parents. She told me at the time she was going to visit with a few other funeral homes just to get an idea of the differences in cost and things of that sort. What she conveyed to me in our telephone conversation prompted me to choose the subject for this article.

I was not surprised to hear the details of what she had learned, but knew it would be important for her to fid the things out that she wanted to know herself. She began telling me what a wide range of cost there was between various funeral homes for the same type services. She also told me of situations where she saw a price advertised in the newspaper and because it appeared to be such a value she followed up on it only to learn that the price advertised wasn’t really the true cost after all the added extras. There was even one funeral home that told her she would have to pay a considerable amount more if she wanted to create a pre-need contract and pre-pay for services in advance of need.

Having been in this industry for over 35 years, none of what she told me was shocking or much of a surprise to me—I deal with these issues on a daily basis. However, to the average person, who only deals with funeral planning maybe once or twice in a lifetime, she was appalled—as well she should have been. While it is true that funeral planning is a very detail oriented process and there are many choices to be made and items to be addressed, the consumer should not feel

overwhelmed or confused and certainly should not feel taken advantage of. As we talked further, I tried to gently explain to her that if you look at the range of costs she was quoted, there are two clear reasons why you have the low end and the high end of the spectrum. If you have ever heard the phrase, “You get what you pay for,” that describes the low-cost advertisers of cheap services. You can bet there is a shortcut in service, professionalism, genuine care or concern in the way the process is handled. On the other end of the spectrum, the reason for the most costly providers for the same services can be attributed to nothing more than greed. Some funeral homes actually take pride in saying they are the most expensive. Sadly, those who are the most expensive typically exhibit the least care and professionalism.

So, that brings us to the topic and title of this article: “Follow Your Instinct.” The caller told me that of all the people she talked with, she felt the most comfortable with us. She told me how much she appreciated the time she was given and how we answered all of her questions in a fashion she understood and that made sense to her. She also told me we were not the cheapest, but we were far from the most expensive. She even said that she felt we would be her ultimate choice, but she felt obligated to shop around. I encourage people to call more than one funeral home, but with something as important as planning a fial tribute to someone who was so very important to you, choosing a provider solely on who is the cheapest is like treading on thin ice.

Whether you are in need of immediate care when a death has occurred or are wisely planning in advance, I encourage you to talk with more than one provider and ultimately go with who makes you feel the most comfortable. Cost obviously needs to be considered, but it absolutely should not be the only consideration.

PHOTO BY JULIA CAESAR

Diane S. Litke, MD Diplomate American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Dr. Litke is a passionate artist, both in her spare time and as an orthopaedic surgeon. At L&W Orthopaedics, she approaches every orthopaedic problem with an eye toward restoration of function and mobility. With a deep knowledge of the inner workings of the body’s most active and important joints, Dr. Litke is able to repair most hip, knee, and shoulder problems, giving her patients the freedom to move again. Assisting her skilled hands, she uses the latest state-of-the-art robotic equipment for accuracy and precision, delivering a powerful combination of experience and technology to all of her patients.

Dr. Litke earned her medical degree at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She went on to complete her orthopaedic residency at the University of South Carolina in Columbia South Carolina. She is certi ed by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and is a Fellow of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dr. Litke is a liated with the Methodist Richardson Medical Center, where she is the director of the joint program. When she’s not working, Dr. Litke enjoys photography and ceramics.

Please call 972.498.4791 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Diane S. Litke, MD

Reinforce Your Sleep with Vitamin D

By CHRISTINA REITER, BSN, CCN

It is estimated that over half of the world’s population is vitamin D deficiet.

At the same time, it is well known that sleep disorders are fast becoming an epidemic. Many studies have shown a link between low vitamin D and decreased melatonin production, which affects sleep quality and other common conditions.

Most people are deficiet due to lifestyle: they work indoors, most under fluorescent lighting, with few (if any) windows and the A/C cranked; wear clothing, and when outdoors, use sunscreen to help prevent certain types of skin damage. These are the accepted

realities of modern life, yet they also take away from natural vitamin D production.

Why not simply go outside and get some sun to boost vitamin D levels? The notion that humans somehow “soak up” vitamin D from the sun is false; Rather, it is the interaction of ultraviolet (UVB) light with a cholesterol derivative found in the skin and other factors (such as time of year, sun angle, distance from the equator, latitudes and amount of cloud cover) which causes D to be formed. The additional variables make it challenging for humans to produce sufficit vitamin D levels to maintain healthy levels.

While many dream of quitting their jobs and relocating to a small island offof Florida, this is an unrealistic solution for most working Americans. Regardless of sun exposure, therapeutic levels of vitamin D can only be achieved and maintained through supplementation. Simply taking large doses of vitamin D is not the answer for preventing vitamin D deficiecy. Too much or too little can also have side effects, including reducing the quality of your sleep.

According to the Vitamin D Council, Americans need 1000i.u. for every 25 pounds of weight, although using a blood test is the best way to know your ideal dose. A healthy human body uses anywhere from about 3000 to 5000i.u. of vitamin D per day through various metabolic pathways.

Keep in mind that these amounts are adjusted according to your age, weight, absorption, skin color and normal sun exposure. Therefore, if you are outside with adequate sun exposure, such as at sporting events, summer camp and through landscaping, try not to use a heavy sunscreen; rather do wear a longsleeved, light-colored shirt and/or a hat and leave the vitamin D supplements at home: more is not always better. Too much vitamin D can cause headaches, hair loss and inflammation in the body. The United States government recommends no more than 4,000i.u. per day and other authorities argue that no more than 10,000i.u.be taken per day. (Note: 10,000i.u. is also the amount produced after a day’s worth of maximum sun exposure.)

When is the Best Time to take vitamin D? Vitamin D is inversely related to melatonin, your sleep hormone; therefore, if you take it with dinner or around bedtime, there is a good chance the quality of your sleep may be negatively affected. For this reason, take it early in the day with breakfast or lunch, as digestion with a small amount of fat. Even a trivial amount of fat in a meal (or in a softgel) allows vitamin D to combine with other fatty acids and, later, with enzymes to promote complete breakdown and absorption into the liver and kidney.

In one experiment researchers concluded that taking vitamin D in the morning is better than taking it at night. A morning dose of D correlated with increases in REM, deep sleep, and the number of hours asleep. When the dosing was reversed to where the D was taken at night, sleep quality plummeted with signifiance.

With busier and busier schedules becoming the norm, healthy sleep is worth its weight in gold. Most authorities stress the importance of no less than 7 hours nightly, on average, for each adult. Should your average sleep duration begin to lag as the workweek comes to a close, take extra vitamin D with breakfast and focus on turning in earlier. If you are not practicing good sleep hygiene and not taking adequate vitamin D at the right time, you are setting yourself up for a triple fail. Practice all three and these habits will reinforce and amplify the effect of the other.

If you are unsure of where to start, there are a few options.  Your fist stop may be to visit your doctor and fid out with a simple blood test where your vitamin D levels are right now (Ideal ranges anywhere from 30-110ng/mL). Remember: D levels are influenced by time of day, time of year and supplementation. If you have a vitamin D level that is more than six months old, it is time to do it again. If your insurance will not cover another test, there are cash-pay and discounted options through alternative laboratories (i.e. lab testing services) and other locally owned and operated lab service providers, as recommended by your pharmacist.

7 FoodsHealthyThat Are High in Vitamin D Fish

(Salmon, tuna, sardines)

Egg Yolks Shellfih (Oysters, shrimp)

Mushrooms Avocados

Fortifid Dairy (Milk, yogurt, Swiss cheese, margarine) Peas

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• Time Saver – Finish jobs faster with the 30” deck.

• No Restarts! Leave the mower without restarts with Spin-Stop™ Blade Stop Pick Your Pace–You control the mowing speed with Personal Pace®.

• Big Power – You’ll enjoy great power and performance from 10 00 ft.-lb. Gross Torque Briggs & Stratton® 223cc OHV engine.

MOW LIKE THE PROS! EXPERIENCE THE RESIDENTIAL ZERO-TURN RIDING MOWER WITH COMMERCIAL MOWER FEATURES.

50” TimeCutter® MX5000 (74773)

• Mow around obstacles easily with zero-turn radius steering and dependable dual hydrostatus transmissions.

• Enjoy a smoother ride with Toro’s long-lasting durable, heavy-duty 10-guage steel frame, commercial style front axle and heavy-duty front caster forks with wide front tires.

• Pro Performance 24 HP Kohler V-Twin 725cc engine with Pro-Series air cleaner.

• 50” heavy-duty fabricated deck featuring Toro’s tough IronForged™ cutting system that dominates challenging cutting conditions – 3-bladed mowing system and durable 6” commercial inspired spindles, driven by belts made of Kevlar®, the same material found in bullet proof vests.

Gabriel Rodriguez, M.D.

Anesthesiologist

Interventional Pain Relief Physician

Dr. Gabriel Rodriguez is a board-certi ed anesthesiologist and fellowship-trained interventional pain physician at The Pain Relief Center and is dedicated to the eradication of pain. The Pain Relief Center is a state-of-the-art facility providing custom pain relief treatments and same-day procedures to give each patient the ultimate experience.

Dr. Rodriguez received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. Following this, he completed his anesthesia residency at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Jack- sonville, FL (ranked among the very best pain management programs in the country by U.S.News & World Report) and continued his training in the pain relief fellowship. He is now a Diplomat of the Ameri- can Board of Pain Medicine, as well as a Diplomat of the American Board of Anesthesiology.

Dr. Rodriguez approaches pain management from an individualized perspective and diligently prepares a comprehensive pain treatment plan tailored to each patient’s speci c needs. Dr. Rodriguez understands that not all pain is the same and o ers a complete assessment of your pain as well as frequent reassessments to ensure your pain is well controlled. Most procedures are minimally invasive and provide considerable relief. Dr. Rodriguez believes that no one should live with pain and be limited from having the life they once knew.

RAWLINS LAW FIRM, LLC

Honest Candid Legal Representation

Rawlins Law Firm, LLC represents individuals across the state of Texas. Our firm specializes in providing representation to individuals and companies helping recover Diminished Value on their automobiles.

When your personal or company vehicle is involved in an accident and subsequently repaired, it will have an inherent lost value due to the loss history on the vehicle. When another person’s negligence causes the accident, you have the right to recover the lost value directly from that person’s insurance company.

Get in touch with us to set up a consultation to inquire whether our services are right for you. We at Rawlins Law Firm know that finding the right attorney to represent you is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we offer free consultations to walk you through your needs, the scope of your goals, and your budget.

Jonathan Rawlins