To Your Health | Summer 2016

Summer 2016

published by pscommunications

Home-grown stories about fitness and healthy living

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The ups of Down Syndrome

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Supplements: what you need to know

Keeping pace with the Dingmans

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New technology in orthodontics

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Life after retirement

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Getting fit step by step

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Zika virus a growing concern

Keeping type 2 diabetes in check

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Pursuing passions

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Summer 2016

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Life after retirement –

is it all it’s cracked up to be?

Survey responses compiled

by Patti Stokes As I try to envision what life will be like when I’m no longer waking up and heading to the office every day with a “To Do” list a mile long, I wanted to talk to some retirees about how they spend their days, if they made a seamless transition from being employed full-time to having a more generous supply of discretionary time, if there is anything they miss about working full-time, and if they have any advice for those of us still deeply entrenched in “work mode.”

Thanks to all the retirees who participated in this survey (and those who were willing, but I just couldn’t get to them all), and knowing that I’m still about five years away, for respectfully trying not to

make it sound like too much fun – I love my job, but you make retirement sound pretty appealing and I look forward to joining you some day.

Pam Lemmons, 62 Before retiring in 2004, Stokesdale resident Pam Lemmons was once a kindergarten teacher, the owner of a preschool, and finally, coowner of Thomasville Veneer.

Photo courtesy of Pam Lemmons

One of the things Stokesdale resident Pam Lemmons enjoys about retirement is having more time to spend with her grandchildren. She is shown here with her grandson and “granddog.”.

Lemmons said she “kinda” had a plan as to how she would spend her retirement days, which would include traveling and being “Gran-Gran” to her grandchildren. Her transition into retirement was “seamless,” she said.

Lemmons admits there is one concern that has come with retirement, and that is the issue of health insurance. For right now, though, she and her husband Bill enjoy relatively good health, and retirement has been a joy.

When asked for her advice on retirement, Lemmons said, “Practice before retiring!” and then added, “It’s the best part of life as long as your health holds up!”

Mark Brown, 65

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Summer 2016

“I had no plans at the time for afterward, other than I kept my advanced law enforcement certification and stayed on as a reserve officer with the sheriff’s department. At that time I was serving as mayor of the Town of Summerfield,” he said.

As for transitioning into retirement, Brown said he “had no problem,” and stayed busy with town business, working on his small farm and spending time at the coast.

In 2008, Brown went back to work part-time at the sheriff’s department in the concealed weapons and pistol permit sections. “Between that and ‘farming’ and summer mega yard work, plus some coast time, I don’t know how I ever had time to work!” he said.

Having retirement benefits takes a lot of the financial stress out of not working each day, Brown noted.

One of the challenges of this phase of life for Brown is getting older and not being able to do some of the things he used to do, while at the same time he is busier than at any other time in his life (after a two-year break from serving on the Summerfield Town Council, he ran for and was elected once again as mayor of the Town of Summerfield last fall).

As for words of wisdom for those contemplating retirement, Brown responded “None. Everybody has to figure it out for themselves based on their health and many other factors.”

Summerfield native Ted Whitson, 72 and resident Mark Ted Whitson entered the Brown (who currently workforce at age 13 and didn’t serves as Summerfield’s slow down until he retired about mayor) was employed three years ago at age 70. The last for 31 years with the 38 years of Whitson’s work life were Guilford County Sheriff’s as owner of his own company, where Department; during his he worked an average of 75 hours a Mark Brown career in law enforcement week and managed about 19 people he served as a patrol lieutenant, assistant at two locations. district commander of the sheriff’s District Whitson said he wasn’t concerned 1 office, and lieutenant over records, staff about how he would fill his hours after duty, sex offenders, concealed weapons retiring, but other people were. permits, pistol permits and video poker On the first morning of his retirement, enforcement.

Whitson said he woke up and felt “like a Brown retired in 2004 so he could cinder block had been lifted off my shoulspend more time with his father, who der. I had been constantly under pressure had health issues and died two and a half continued on page 20 years later.

STEPPING IT UP At Christmas my (adult) girls wanted me to walk with them. I was panting for breath and I couldn’t keep up with them. I had to quit after about one-and-a-half miles.”

Stokesdale resident Judy Raines

by Annette Joyce Stokesdale resident Judy Raines has fallen victim to an addiction that’s taken hold of millions of people. It’s easy to recognize members of this group by the electronic devices many of them wear on their wrists. Devices from companies such as Fitbit, Polar, Garmin, MYZONE and Jawbone, they’re all designed to track a person’s daily steps and activity level with the ultimate goal of increasing that person’s level of fitness.

A Fitbit enthusiast, Raines has realized that goal since strapping on her Fitbit back in December. “My husband bought it for me for Christmas and I didn’t really want it,” she admitted. “I didn’t know how to use it and I didn’t know if I ever would be able to.”

Not only did she learn how to use it, but she’s lost 15 pounds in the process and has upped her activity level to the point that she now walks three or four miles a day, six days a week.

Before her Fitbit conversion, Raines said she didn’t get in a lot of movement during the day and had a difficult time doing any type of exercise.

“At Christmas my (adult) girls wanted me to walk with them,” said the 66-yearold. “I was panting for breath and I couldn’t keep up with them. I had to quit after about one-and-a-half miles.”

To help Raines attain and exceed her

Photos by Annette Joyce/NWO

David Wrenn, owner of Bi-Rite in Stokesdale, checks out his step count, which normally hits about 25,000 a day.

daily goal of 10,000 steps, she turned to a friendly virtual competition where she and other “Fitbitters” connect with each other online to see who can meet and surpass their daily goals and one-up each other.

Raines not only competes with local buddies, but she also has Fitbit friends in her hometown of Grundy, Virginia, Abington, Virginia, and in Mississippi who she “walks” with.

“It really helps a lot,” she said. “They’re watching me and I’m watching them.

I feel like when I don’t walk, I’m letting them down. It’s not about the winning.

It’s about encouraging each other.”

Along with tracking her walking, Raines also uses the device to log in her calories and water, which is something else that’s been really helpful.

“Everything I eat and drink, I put into my app,” she said. “When I get to within 200 calories of the number I’ve burned that day, I quit eating. The key is to burn more calories than you eat.”

While Raines and many other people have used these tracking devices to lose weight, others have found them to be invaluable in simply increasing their activity

level. Oak Ridge Town Clerk Sandra Smith is one of those people; she received her Jawbone as a Valentine’s gift from her husband.

Smith suffers from fibromyalgia, an autoimmune disease that causes extreme fatigue and muscle aches. She knew her activity level was low, but once she started using her new Jawbone she was

surprised to see how little she actually walked during the day.

“I spend a lot of time at my desk and found that sometimes I was lucky if I could get in 4,000 steps a day,” Smith said.

According to many medical studies, the

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The ups of Down syndrome Two families share their stories of three very special children with Down syndrome

by Patti Stokes Summerfield residents Katie and Matt Long had a healthy son and daughter and a third child on the way. An early ultrasound during Katie’s pregnancy had given the doctors cause for concern, but their unborn child’s heart beat was strong and they assured themselves that everything was fine.

“In my heart, though, I knew something was different,” said Katie. “After our son (AJ) was born, I saw my doctor’s face change and she didn’t say anything. And then she broke it very nicely and gently, and told us they saw markers of Down syndrome. We didn’t know anything about Down. I cried

while wondering, ‘What is his world going to be like?’”

The medical team told Matt and Katie, “You guys are going to be great. You are mourning the loss of what you thought you were going to have and you have to change your expectations.”

Soon afterward Matt looked at Katie and said, “This is the gift God has given us and we are going to be thankful.”

About 30 percent of children with Down syndrome have heart issues, and unfortunately AJ was among them. He was born on Feb. 26 with two holes in his heart, and the doctors wanted to schedule heart surgery in August. However, by May little AJ was sleeping 23 hours a day, vomiting, losing weight and his heart was failing him.

“We had a lot of ups and downs during that time,” Katie said. “And lots of tears.”

She gets emotional as she remembers

Katie and Matt Long’s six children: (front row, L to R) Annabelle, 3, and Rosie, 3; (back row, L to R) Meredith, 11, Sam, 7, Matthew, 14, and AJ, 9

a kind woman who came up to her while she was staying at the Ronald McDonald House and told her something she’s never forgotten.

“She said, ‘Baby, you have to trust Jesus. Jesus has got this. This is God’s baby first and your baby second. And whether God wants to call him home or leave him with you, you have to trust this.’

I thought, ‘Okay, God has this. I may not get the answer I want, but he’s got this.’”

Though it was a very emotional start to his life, AJ came through the heart surgery with flying colors and bounced right back.

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Katie and Matt learned firsthand that the first year of life for children with Down syndrome is usually the hardest, and they typically deal with medical issues that may include heart surgery, cataracts and digestive problems. Forty percent of them also have hearing and vision problems and 100 percent have dental issues.

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Photo courtesy of Katie Long

Summer 2016

“We had a team of 12 doctors that first year, and we learned a lot,” Katie said. “It was stressful, but the whole way through it, we made all these friends across the world (through the internet) – even in Africa. They were praying for us. This community of people affected by Down – it is an amazing community.”

AJ started physical therapy at about three months, occupational therapy at about six months and speech therapy at about 14 months. Katie, Matt and AJ’s two siblings learned 50 different signs

that they could communicate to him through sign language, then began to add words with them.

Now 9 years old, AJ speaks in full sentences (and is very opinionated about many things, Katie said laughingly).

Katie and Matt credit the love and support of family and the church they attended at the time, First Baptist of Summerfield, for helping them get through the low periods during AJ’s scariest times.

And through those experiences, there were many lasting lessons.

She recalls one day when their oldest son, Matthew, was in fourth grade. “He came home from school and told me he had a new best friend, Joey. Then he said ‘Joey can’t do a lot of things the other kids do.’ It turns out Joey was the only kid in the class with special needs. It’s moments like those that teach our kids compassion and kindness, and now we realize that having a child with Down syndrome is a blessing.”

Katie sees AJ’s Down syndrome as a lesson in slowing down and appreciating what God has given. She describes him as a very loving child who will tell her “I love you Mom” 20 times a day – unprovoked.

“If he messes up, he’ll say ‘I’m so sorry Mommy!’ He is very compassionate and kind, and he loves babies and animals,” Katie said. He also has a bit of a stubborn streak, which she said is typical of kids with Down. “But, he is easily motivated – we just

need to find what motivates him. He can walk and read and play soccer, but it might take him a lot longer to learn.”

Unlike some children with Down, AJ is very verbal, which Katie said is a blessing.

“He can tell me the plot of his favorite movies, and he can describe what happened or what he saw outside, just like a typical kid.”

walked before AJ did and did things typical toddlers did. Looking back on it, it was a huge blessing because they had each other to learn from. It wouldn’t have been my perfect plan, but they pushed each other.”

In 2012 Katie and Matt had their fifth child, a beautiful little girl they named Annabelle.

AJ still works with a speech and occupational therapist, and has trouble with his fine motor skills, so things like holding a pencil or fastening buttons is difficult. Also typical of children with Down, he has a low percentage of muscle mass, and Katie said he wakes up every morning feeling as though he has just run a marathon.

Then about a year later Katie was on Reece’s Rainbow, an organization that finds homes for orphans with Down syndrome. “I don’t know how or why, but I just clicked,” she said. “There was this little girl on the site whose name was Rosie.

She was born in August 2012, the same month Annabelle was born.

Less than a year after AJ was born, Katie and Matt found out they were pregnant with another child. “Sam is our intentional gift from God – he was not on our radar and we were doing all the things we knew to do to prevent another pregnancy. I don’t think we would have had another baby that quickly.”

“It hit me, because Rosie and Annabelle were born at the same time, that how different her mom’s life and mine were. We started talking to our friends and asking, ‘Who wants to adopt this baby? She’s so precious.’ One friend said, ‘Maybe you,’ and I said, ‘I don’t think so.’”

Raising Sam and AJ was in some ways like raising twins, Katie said. “Sam actually

When Reece’s Rainbow would periodically post pictures of Rosie, Katie would throw out the idea of adopting her. Matt

didn’t initially warm up to the idea, however. “I said I would pray about it – and that is what happened,” Katie said.

Sadly, Matt had a stroke in December 2013, but fortunately he made a full recovery. Katie said within a few months he told her they should look into adopting Rosie.

“With five kids already we weren’t sure if they (Reece’s Rainbow) would be discouraged, but they said, ‘No, that’ s great – especially for kids with Down, because they learn so much from siblings.”

After more research, talking with friends and family, and lots of prayers, Matt and Katie committed to adopting Rosie in June 2014. By September they had all of their paperwork completed and were fundraising to raise the adoption fees.

In March 2015 they met their future daughter and a few months later, they brought her home.

“The heart of God is to take care of the widows and the orphans,” Katie said.

“Rosie (who was born in another country) was discarded because of her condition.

We thought, ‘We are redeemed through

the sacrifice of Jesus. This is what my Lord and Savior did for me and we can do this for this baby.”

Once again, the Longs’ church family, this time at Cornerstone Baptist Church in northwest Greensboro, and their wide circle of friends and family, rallied behind them.

Rosie was 3 years old when Matt and Katie brought her home, and her entire time in the orphanage had been spent in an infant car carrier. Katie said she couldn’t crawl, feed herself, or roll over. She also had cataracts, her hearing was blocked and she had rarely been picked up or held.

“When we first started holding her she didn’t know what to do – she had no frame of reference,” Katie said. “Again, that is something we take for granted.

When we brought her home in July, it was like, ‘Okay, what do we do first?’

In less than a year since she joined the Long family, Rosie has had two eye surgeries, tubes in her ears, and lots and lots of love. She can now sit up on her own, scoot

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Focus on Zika virus intensifies with approach of mosquito season Prevention is the best protection, health professionals advise

by Chelsea DeAngio Though the annual buzz of mosquitoes is just beginning in Guilford County, concern about the insects has been increasing since May 2015, when the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. Since

then, with more than a million people infected in Brazil, the Zika virus has made headlines worldwide after being linked to serious birth defects in babies whose mothers become infected.

On Feb. 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

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steps to thwart the virus. “We’ve had calls from pregnant women, golf courses and tennis clubs, all worried about how they can stay safe from Zika,” he said.

“It’s scary. We’ve had to ramp up for the season faster than normal.”

North Carolina officials have counted as many as 11 cases of Zika in the state; in all cases thus far, patients were infected while traveling abroad.

The species responsible for the spread of Zika in Brazil and 35 other countries is the Aedes aegypti, a mosquito found mostly in tropical climates.

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The Aedes aegypti, a mosquito found mostly in tropical climates, is the species responsible for the Zika virus, though experts worry that similar species might carry the virus to the United States.

“The Zika virus is transmitted by mosquitoes or contracted by contact with bodily fluids,” said Dr. Chan Badger, a physician at Novant’s Northern Family Medicine in Summerfield. “Another common way to contract the virus is from infected mother to fetus. The bigger concern is the congenital manifestations of the unborn infected fetus.”

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Keeping pace with Mother, father and four kids enjoy sport and camaraderie of running

by Annette Joyce The Dingman clan is a bit unique.

They really like to run – and they’re all really good at it. They recently proved that when five of their six-member family showed up at this year’s Summerfield Fire Department’s Stop, Drop and Roll 5k on April 2 and ran away with top honors.

While parents Lee and Frances, both 37, were the fastest in their division, their oldest sons, Jack, 12, and Logan, 11, were faster. Not only did the brothers win their age groups, but they ranked first and second, respectively, in the entire race. The couple’s 8-year-old daughter, Kasey, placed second in her age group and their youngest, 5-year-old Lance, got a taste of competition by racing other kids in the fun run.

the Dingmans

Though the Dingmans are dedicated to running, they say it’s not something that consumes their lives, rather just an activity they enjoy doing together and that helps them stay fit.

Brought up in a military family, Frances moved around a great deal as she was growing up. Both her parents were runners and she often ran with them. In high school she started running cross country and the mile-run and discovered she liked competing.

Photo by David Reneer/NWO

The running Dingman family – Lance, Frances, Logan, Jack, Lee and Kasey – at the Summerfield Fire Department’s first annual Stop, Drop and Roll 5K on April 2.

“When you realize you’re pretty good at something, that’s the direction you go in,” Frances said.

And good she was. While Frances humbly downplays her accomplishments, her husband and high school sweetheart proudly highlights them. “(In high school) she won five state championships in three different states,” Lee said.

Frances’ running skills garnered her a scholarship to the University of Virginia, where she continued to run cross country and track. Meanwhile, Lee was a cadet at West Point, playing on the military academy’s lacrosse team and logging in plenty of running miles himself.

After graduation, life got even busier as Frances and Lee married and started their family; however, they stuck to their running schedule as best they could.

Not surprisingly, their children took to the sport. Jack became more serious about running after he got to Summerfield Elementary School and got involved with the “Summerfield Mile.”

Lee explains that every student in every grade and every class runs a timed mile twice a year. “We probably take it a little more seriously than most,” he admitted as he showed off the chart on the refrigerator that displays the Dingman kids’ times all the way back to Jack’s first year in school.

In elementary school, Jack had his eye on breaking the mile-record of 5:42 that had stood for 10 years. In the fall of his fifth-grade year, he achieved his goal with a time of 5:35. That spring, he broke his own record by running the distance in 5:24.

continued on page 19

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5/13/15 3:37 PM

Type 2 Diabetes An ounce of prevention can keep this dreaded disease at bay

by Annette Joyce Most of us know someone who has type 2 diabetes, a disease in which your body does not use insulin properly (called insulin resistance). At first, your pancreas produces extra insulin to make up for the resistance, but over time it can't make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels.

When it comes to the physical devastation type 2 diabetes can inflict on individuals, Oak Ridge resident Candace McDonald, D.O., has a front-row seat.

On a daily basis, she sees patient after patient who suffers from the long-term effects of this insidious disease.

Type 2 diabetes is present in McDonald’s personal life as well. Her father and grandparents struggled with diabetes and her 48-year-old brother is fighting a battle that’s claimed the vision in one eye, resulted in the amputation of one of his legs and has recently put him on kidney dialysis.

Unfortunately, McDonald’s brother is one of a rapidly growing pool of Americans who fall victim to this disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2012 29.1 million people in the United States – that’s roughly 9.2 percent of the population – had diabetes and of those, 8.1 million may be undiagnosed and unaware of their condition.

Although diabetes is a common and increasingly prevalent illness, the good news is that it’s largely preventable. McDonald, who works at Morehead Memorial Hospital

in Eden, has made it her mission to make sure her patients are aware of this and know how to prevent, control or reverse the disease before it takes over their lives. More than just talking the talk, though, McDonald also walks the walk and in the past year has made the necessary changes in her own life to keep the illness at bay.

McDonald, 45, said her “wake-up call” came last year when the doctors started talking about putting her brother on dialysis. “I was eating whatever I wanted, thinking that everything was okay, and I wasn’t seeing how unhealthy I was becoming,” she said.

Less than a year ago McDonald was 25 pounds heavier than she is now and was exhausted all the time. “I was tired and didn’t want to do anything,” she said. “I was sitting more and it was showing.”

She knew that unless she made some changes things would only get worse, and that she was on a collision course with the same disease that she was trying to help others avoid.

“I realized that God has given me good health,” said McDonald. “I have it and I need to fight to keep it.”

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In making her lifestyle changes, McDonald looked at the process as a marathon rather than a sprint. “You approach a maraPhoto by Annette Joyce/NWO

Practicing what she preaches, Dr. Candace McDonald has taken steps to ward off diabetes.

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To prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends staying at a healthy weight, eating well and being active. These are the recommendations that McDonald has incorporated into her own life and she suggests that her patients do the same.

Summer 2016

thon very differently,” she said. “It’s a matter of making radical, but small, changes – ones that will have a big impact over time.

With a sprint, you’re looking at drastic changes with quick results that don’t last.”

For instance, in changing your eating habits and working toward reaching your optimum weight, it’s much better to start by limiting, then gradually eliminating things like high-starch and high-sugar foods rather than to strictly limit yourself to an eating regime such as only vegetables and green tea. McDonald stresses that no matter what you do, the changes have to be sustainable.

In the last year, McDonald has changed not only what she eats, but also her attitude towards food. “I don’t eat a lot of carbs like bread and sweets,” she said. “Most of my meals are made up of protein and vegetables.”

Before she heads out for her 12-hour workday, McDonald packs a cooler with her food. For protein, she’s got chicken, steak or salmon patties. Usually, there’s a bag of vegetables that she can steam at some point in the day. Sometimes, she’ll include a sweet potato. And there’s always a few pieces of fruit.

Like most breakrooms, hers is filled with loads of junk food options from the vending machines, and there are often sweet treats brought in by well-meaning co-workers.

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McDonald is able to resist by giving herself permission to have anything she wants once she’s finished whatever’s in her cooler. “By the time I finish eating that, I’m too full to want anything else,” she said.

McDonald is also aware of portion sizes and will have the occasional favorite – like a turkey Reuben. “I just eat half of it, order a side of steamed broccoli and take the other half of the sandwich home for another meal,” said McDonald. “It’s all about balance. You just can’t eat and drink whatever you want and expect to be healthy.”

When choosing foods, McDonald opts for those that aren’t overly processed, such as fresh fruits, eggs and grilled chicken as opposed to casseroles and chicken nuggets.

Along with tweaking her food choices, she has made changes in when she eats.

She now looks at food as fuel and tries to feed her body every four hours. This also means that traditional foods may not be on the menu for any given time of day.

For example, her breakfast might include chicken and green beans at 6 a.m. At 10 a.m., she’ll probably have another piece of chicken to keep up her energy.

“With food, I have to really look at

what my body needs, not the time of day,” said McDonald.

Another important part of the equation is exercise. Like most people, McDonald leads a busy life. She’s got a medical career with patients to see. She’s in the process of finishing up an MBA and she has a husband and three children ages 13, 11 and 8 to take care of. She and her family are also very active in their church.

Outstanding dental care that will leave you smiling

McDonald gets up early – about 4:30 a.m. – three to five days a week to get in some planned exercise. But that’s not always possible, so she works in exercise wherever she can.

“I’ll take the stairs rather than the elevator, park further away, or if I’m studying I’ll get up and do some lunges or burpees,” she said, adding that smiling will even burn a few calories. “Just do something every day whether it’s speed cleaning your house, walking the dog or simply taking the stairs. It’s an accumulation throughout the day.”

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McDonald admitted it’s not easy to overcome the habits that lead to diabetes.

“I struggled to lose the weight and it’s a struggle every day to keep it off,” she admitted. “But the results are worth the effort.”

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Five things you should know about supplements

by Daniel Kellman, N.D., Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology According to the National Institutes of Health, sales of all dietary supplements in the United States totaled an estimated $36.7 billion in 2014. The demand for these products shows no sign of slowing as more consumers look for natural products that will improve their health and help them feel better. According to the most recent Council for Responsible

Nutrition (CRN) annual survey, 68 percent of U.S. adults take dietary supplements.

Even though more than half the population is taking supplements in one form or another, there is a great deal of misinformation and general lack of understanding about these products. I’ve seen how supplements – when used correctly – can yield incredible health and wellness

benefits, which is often the case with my cancer patients. However, there can be a flip side when people take supplements without the advice of trained professionals. With this in mind, the following are five things I believe everyone should know about taking supplements:

with independent third party testing certifications such as the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) Certification. This certification ensures quality of dietary supplements and that products are packaged and labeled as specified in the master manufacturing record.

ONE: Just because it’s natural

THREE: In some cases, supplements

doesn’t mean it’s safe. While there are a number of benefits to natural supplements including relatively few side effects and often low cost compared to pharmaceuticals, they can still be harmful if taken incor-

rectly. Additionally, a natural supplement that may be safe for a healthy individual may not be safe for a person with certain health conditions. This is why it’s advised to speak with a physician or dietitian before taking a new supplement.

TWO: Supplements are not regulated

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FOUR: Supplements can negatively

interact with medications. Very similar to the misperception that natural products are safe, many people fail to consider how supplements interact with other medications. These interactions can lead to unexpected toxicities or reduced efficacy in some cases and even increase the risk of bleeding, liver and kidney damage and central nervous system depression

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by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA does not assure the safety and efficacy of supplements, which means there is a risk that some products may be contaminated, contain unknown ingredients or provide improper dosing information. The best way to avoid these products is to seek the advice of a healthcare professional knowledgeable on the use of supplements. While it does not ensure safety, you can look for products

can be as effective as prescription medications when used correctly. More physicians and researchers are realizing the benefits of supplements as a form of treatment.

One great example is the 2012 joint report from the American Academy of Neurology and American Headache Society stating that butterbur extract is an effective form of treatment for reducing migraines.

Additionally, there is ongoing research comparing the efficacy of red yeast rice to that of prescription statins for lowering cholesterol levels. These are just two of the many areas where conventional science is exploring and validating supplements for treating or improving medical conditions.

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in other instances. Shockingly, research shows that about 53 percent of patients undergoing chemotherapy while taking dietary supplements did not consult with their healthcare professionals.

FIVE: Supplements are being inte-

grated into conventional cancer treatment. In the fight against cancer, many people assume the arsenal of treatment is strictly chemotherapy, radiation and prescription medications. The arsenal also contains integrative therapies including herbal and non-herbal supplements to alleviate the side effects of many of these treatments. Some examples include the use of ginger for reducing acute nausea and zinc to reduce the loss of taste following chemotherapy treatment. It is especially important for cancer survivors and patients to proactively consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any supplements they may take.

The acceptance and growing demand for supplements in today’s society is promising for many of us in the field of integrative therapy. In the future, I believe

ZIKA VIRUS

continued from page 8 Most people bitten by Zika-carrying mosquitoes don’t notice such symptoms, though some have reported flulike effects.

For infants whose mothers have Zika, however, serious birth defects are possible. The virus has been linked to microcephaly, a condition in which a baby’s head is significantly smaller than usual.

While taking precautions is advised, Badger emphasized that people shouldn’t panic about Zika coming to Guilford County.

“Remember, it is still very rare,” he said. “To my knowledge, there are no cases that have been diagnosed in this area.”

Though no cases of Zika have been reported in Guilford County, mosquitoes

we’re going to see more supplements being used in conjunction with medications and additional integrative therapies to improve the overall quality of life for patients. At the same time, it is extremely important for the public to understand supplements and take them under the advice of a medical professional.

Daniel Kellman is a licensed naturopathic doctor (N.D.) and clinical director of naturopathic medicine at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Newnan, Georgia. Kellman has nearly 20 years of experience practicing medicine and has focused on helping patients fight cancer by strengthening the body’s ability to heal itself through integrative therapies for the past 10 years.

could potentially carry the virus to the region.

“There is really no treatment for the Zika virus and the real way to affect outcomes is to prevent infection to begin with,” Badger said.

In April, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory included $750,000 in his proposed fiscal year 2016-2017 budget to combat the Zika virus. The money will help with mosquito surveillance, control and education to prevent a Zika outbreak in the state.

“Prevention of mosquito bites is the best protection against Zika,” said Sandy Ellington, a spokeswoman for the Guilford County Health Department.

In recent months Ellington’s team has intensified its annual efforts to educate people on the dangers of mosquitoes and they plan to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to bring awareness about Zika to Guilford

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County residents. Part of their mission is making sure people understand what mosquitoes to watch out for.

The Aedes aegypti breed is unique in several ways.

“It is a very aggressive biter and comes out at all times of the day,” said Ellington.

Ellington suggests inspecting your yard for potential mosquito breeding grounds, like birdbaths or pool covers. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water both inside and outside your home – it only takes a tablespoon of water to produce 300 mosquitoes, so even the smallest water container can create a breeding ground. Wear an EPA-registered insect repellent any time you know you will be outside, and consider wearing long pants and shirts tucked in so that no bugs can fly underneath your clothing.

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Creating a smile that others envy teeth were much more limited and the procedures for doing so much less patient-friendly. Basically, you got the thick, metal brackets and hunkered down for the trips to the orthodontist, where the metal in your mouth would be twisted and turned to ensure your teeth were aligning properly.

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Matthew Olmsted, DDS, MS uses a computer program to readjust a patient’s teeth and develop the best treatment plan.

Rapidly advancing technology has dramatically changed the world of orthodontics, however, making it easier and less painful than ever before for anyone to have the beautiful smile they were meant to have.

New technologies and orthodontic procedures are much more patient-friendly

Age limits

by Annette Joyce If you’re of a certain age, the mention of orthodontics and braces may elicit painful memories. As recently as a decade ago, options for straightening

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A trend that’s not so new but continues to grow is the increasing number of adults opting to enhance their smiles via orthodontic treatment. Mark Reynolds, DDS, MS and Matthew Olmsted, DDS, MS confirm they’ve seen an uptick in the number of their adult patients.

“Almost a third of my patients are adults,” said Reynolds, whose oldest patient is 83. “A lot of these people are at a place in their lives where they want to do something for themselves and this is it.”

“There are those adults who have been hiding their smiles and their personalities because they’re embarrassed by their teeth,” confirmed Olmsted, owner of Olmsted Orthodontics in Oak Ridge.

More than just increasing smile appeal, adult orthodontics can also help with issues like periodontal disease, make brushing and flossing easier and help avoid the potential loss of teeth.

Olmsted said he is working with more of the over-25 adults who are much more willing to take the leap into orthodontics because of the new options available.

“I’m seeing more utilization by adults than ever before because we now have appliances that are clear and more comfortable.”

Summer 2016

Now you see them, now you don’t Speaking of clear appliances, Invisalign aligners are definitely one of the hottest trends in orthodontic treatment.

Invisalign aligners are a series of custom-made removal trays made of smooth, virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. The aligners gradually and gently shift the teeth into place based on the exact movements planned by your orthodontist.

To make this happen, patients are required to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily. Because the trays are removed when eating and brushing, the hassle of attached braces is eliminated.

Olmsted said Invisalign has become much more advanced and can handle a wider range of issues than when the appliances first appeared on the market.

“Many people incorrectly think that Invisalign can only be used for minor teeth straightening,” he said. “However, these appliances are effectively being used to treat patients with moderate and severe conditions such as crowding, spacing and overbite issues.”

Reynolds, who owns Reynolds Orthodontics with locations in both Summerfield and Greensboro, agrees and said he is seeing the interest in Invisalign growing, not just among adults but with younger patients as well. “I have a lot of middle and high school students switching over to these aligners,” he said.

Technology changes everything Lightning-fast changes in technology have turned the world of orthodontics upside down. These days, 3-D imaging, including both X-rays and scanning, gives the orthodontist untold amounts of information almost instantaneously, making it

Photos by Annette Joyce/NWO

(Left) Digital scanning makes it possible to make acrylic molds of a patient’s teeth without the need to make gooey-filled impressions.

(Right) Invisalign aligners are one of the hottest orthodontic appliances available today.

possible to quickly and accurately create a person’s future smile and treatment plan right on the computer. Plus, turnaround time for designs and appliances has been considerably reduced.

Reynolds said 3-D X-rays have “opened up a whole new realm of information” for the orthodontist. An added bonus is that 3-D X-rays put out less radiation, making them a safer alternative than traditional X-rays.

“3-D X-rays are especially helpful for people who have problems that a regular

X-ray won’t detect,” said Reynolds. “For instance, we had one patient whose tooth had grown sideways. A regular X-ray showed that it was lying down, but we weren’t able to tell if there had been any damage that needed to be addressed. The 3-D X-ray gave us the information we needed.”

Reynolds also said that when a patient has to see an oral surgeon to correct problems before the orthodontic procedures can move forward, the surgeon is able to pinpoint the rogue tooth and take care of the issue in the least invasive way possible.

One more thing – remember that yucky, gooey stuff that both dentists and orthodontists used to make molds of your teeth? Digital 3-D scanning is quickly replacing that material which often made many people gag and gasp for air.

Olmsted said the 3-D scanners are light-based and can make an image of an entire set of teeth. Once the scan is taken, a digital version is sent to the manufacturer, where an acrylic mold is created. Patients agree this is a much more pleasant experience.

Less pulling Most patients who are considering getting braces are happy to hear they’ll endure less “teeth pulling” than was going on way back when. “If you got braces back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, you probably had some teeth removed,” confirmed Reynolds. “We tend to extract teeth less than we used to.”

Reynolds pointed out that years ago, bands that went between the teeth often made it necessary to extract teeth in order to make room in the mouth for the braces.

Today’s braces don’t have those bands, so unless patients have a severe crowding problem, they should be able to keep more of their teeth.

Not only do patients not have to go through the trauma of having multiple teeth extracted, but there’s a cost benefit as well since there’s no need to pay a dentist or oral surgeon to remove the teeth.

As technology continues to evolve, so will orthodontics, making it easier for more and more people of all ages to have the smile that others envy.

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HELPING EVERY PATIENT ACHIEVE WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESS

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After years of weighing nearly 250 pounds, I decided it was time to start a new journey.

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Down syndrome.

around, say “Mama” and “Dada,” loves songs, and can feed herself. She sleeps well, eats well, and responds to her name.

“We were in shock,” she said. Sam still gets livid when he remembers that same doctor telling him that he and Debora didn’t have to take their son home. “I told her we would most definitely be taking our son home and we would be just fine.”

continued from page 7

And she loves her siblings – and they love her.

“Honestly, I feel like it has been a seamless transition – sometimes they fight over her and they take a lot of pride in her accomplishments. AJ has made up his own sign for his name. It is sweet to see them all just invested in helping them learn.

–Janice W. Jodie N. has also had an amazing success story, which you can see from her before and after photos:

DOWN SYNDROME

Jodie N.

BEFORE

“God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called,” Katie said. “You grow and change to what is needed of you. Matt is a 100-percent supportive husband and father. There isn’t anything he won’t do for our family … when he had his stroke, we realized every day is a gift. What are you going to do with your day? I want to live my life to bring glory to the Lord and be joyful and build character into our children.

“As parents, we try to have an attitude of appreciation and celebration. We try to foster our kids’ accomplishments. And we don’t look at Down syndrome as a curse, but rather as a blessing. It may be hard sometimes, but it’s a blessing.” 

Life with Wilson Oak Ridge residents Sam and Deborah Anders had been trying to have a child for years before finally getting the good news that Debora was pregnant with a boy.

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Summer 2016

Several months later, Debora, after a long and difficult delivery, delivered their son Wilson. Before she could even hold him, Debora was rushed away for emergency surgery. Wilson also had medical issues – in fact, the following day he stopped breathing and had to be put on supplemental oxygen.

“Debora was in ICU and Wilson was in NICU,” Sam remembers all too vividly 11 years later.

The day after her surgery, Debora got a telephone call from one of the doctors at the hospital, who told her that Wilson had

The Anders were discouraged from thinking Wilson would be very high functioning. “She (the doctor) told us he might be able to walk, or ride a bike, but that would be the best we could hope for,” Sam said.

A sixth grade language arts teacher, Debora had had students with Down syndrome, and she knew there was a wide range of physical and intellectual capabilities among children with Down’s.

“Fortunately, through the Down Syndrome Network, we met an amazing lady.

She really helped us greatly by explaining what we could expect,” Debora said.

Wilson’s heart checked out fine, and the second time around he passed his hearing test as well. His chewing and swallowing weren’t mature, however, and it wasn’t until he was 3 years old that he was able to eat solid food.

Community Access Therapy (CAT) Services was invaluable in working with Wilson on his fine motor and gross motor skills, and today, at age 11, he is able to walk, run, play soccer, take karate lessons and be part of a regular classroom at Oak Ridge Elementary School, where he is a fourth grader (lunch is his favorite part of the day).

Still, there are challenges – for instance, Wilson has sensory overload, so loud, shrill noises can set him off. Echoes also don’t work for him.

He is terrifed of the dark, and he sleeps with a night light on in his bedroom as well as a light in his adjoining bathroom.

And then there is the challenge with spatial relationships – i.e., understanding where he is in relationship with the world around him.

Though Debora and Sam’s mother, Phyllis, can lovingly confirm Sam, a CPA and assistant fire chief with Oak Ridge Fire District, has Obsessive Compulsive

Disorder (OCD), it is also very common in children with Down syndrome. For Wilson, the disorder is evident in his insistence that everything has its place and must be placed just so, whether at home or away.

“When he goes to Sunday School, he has to put his Bible, his pen and his notebook down in a certain place and in a certain order,” Debora said. “At school, things have to be set up on his desk in a certain place.”

Wilson is also very “task-oriented” and insists on finishing what he has started, regardless of how long it takes him.

“He has gotten into trouble so many times because he hasn’t finished a task and holds the class back while he finishes, all the while clueless that there are people waiting for him,” Debora said. “I am trying to get him to see that the outside world affects him.”

Then Debora and Sam both smile when they describe Wilson’s dry sense of humor, his wit and his incredible memory.

“I think people think that the thought processes aren’t there, but they are, it just takes him longer to process,” Debora said.

“When you tell him you need to do something at a certain point in time, you can’t get mad at him when

he reminds you,” Sam said, recalling a time when he told Wilson he could help him replace the air filters after he got home from work. After a long day at the office and an emergency fire call that kept Sam out even later, he finally arrived home to find Wilson waiting up for him, ready to replace the air filters. “Fortunately, I was able to talk him into waiting until the next evening.”

When Wilson was not quite 3 years old, Debora and Sam had a second son, Nathaniel. Sadly, he, too was born with Down syndrome and at the time, Debora and Sam were only the second family in central North Carolina to have back-toback children with Down’s.

Born with major kidney problems, Nathaniel lived to be only two months old before a spike in his potassium level resulted in a fatal heart attack.

As an only child, Wilson, now 11, is happy most of the time and deeply loved by his grandparents, Phyllis Anders and Kyle Anders, his Great Aunt Shirley, his parents and a wide circle of other family members and friends.

“We’ve tried to give him all the same opportunities as other kids,” Debora said.

“Because he is so loved and treated like he’s very important, he doesn’t see himself as havng Down’s. He has no clue he is different – eventually, he will have to know, because his differences will be more obvious to him.”

“Wilson has had a positive impact on a lot of people,” Sam confirmed, then added,“Before I even had kids, a friend told me, ‘From the time they are little, you tell them what your expectations are.’” Debora and Sam expect much of Wilson, and they’ve gotten much more in return.

DINGMAN FAMILY

continued from page 9 While younger brother Logan had hoped to break the record this spring, he was unable to do so. Still, he ran the mile in six minutes flat – a pretty impressive feat by any standards. Kasey, who’s in the second grade, is already looking at making records of her own. She clocked in at 7:22 during her last mile around the Summerfield school loop.

Now that Jack’s at Northern Middle School, he’s joined the track team and especially likes running cross country.

“It felt really, really good,” he responded when asked about winning the fire department’s Stop, Drop and Roll 5k on April 2. “I felt a little bit slow for the first part, but then it just became natural and smooth.”

Jack runs three or four days a week at track practice and said he has had to do “a decent amount of training at track and a lot of intervals” as he has worked on increasing his mileage and decreasing his time.

Even with all the training, Lee said he and Frances would like to keep running as a recreational sport for the family as long as possible.

Along with running, all four of the kids are involved with other sports. Jack plays basketball, Logan is into lacrosse, Kasey’s a swimmer and Lance is just starting out in soccer.

As the kids grow and become faster,

Sam, Debora and Wilson Anders

“Jack’s already beaten my 5k time from high school,” Frances said. “Both he and Logan are starting to outrun us.

We sort of run at the same time but it’s hard to stay together.”

When they’re going out running, the family often divides into groups to accommodate everyone’s varying times. To avoid the pounding and the potential for injuries that comes with running on pavement or concrete, they favor the trails near their Polo Farms home in Summerfield.

Lee, Jack and Logan also like to put in a few miles on the Summerfield Elementary School’s graveled track whenever they can. When time is at a premium, which it often is with a family of six, Frances can be found in her basement around 9:30 at night logging in an hour on the treadmill before bedtime.

For some people, it might seem a little odd to have an entire family so enamored with running, but Lee said he and Frances don’t make their kids run, they do it because they want to.

“I just enjoy running around and working out, especially cross country in the woods,” said Logan. “I love that.”

“I like to run long distances,” Kasey said. “I like that it’s far and that I’m getting exercise when I’m out running.”

With a group of kids like that, the only thing that Frances and Lee will have to worry about is keeping up.

Since 2008

They tell of a time that their pastor at Central Baptist Church asked Wilson what he wanted to be when he grew up. His answer? “Happy.” That’s one of the blessings of looking at things so simplistically, Sam and Debora agree.

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Frances and Lee are finding that no matter how fit they are, their brood is starting to outpace them.

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19

LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT continued from page 4

and it was a relief! I had always felt a great sense of responsibility for not only my employees, but for their families. The business was financially dependent on me, and I was dependent on the business.”

with cars,” he said. “My days are a lot more relaxed and I have time to think. Before, I didn’t have that much time to think. And what I don’t get done today, I can get done tomorrow.”

When asked for advice to others, Whitson said on a practical note, people are living a lot longer, so you have to make sure you have enough resources to financially provide for yourself after you retire. All in all, he said he thinks he retired at “about the right time for me.”

Looking back, Whitson realizes that the 75-hour work weeks and 1,400 miles a week on the road nearly wore him down, and he lost a lot of Ted Whitson time with family along the way. “I wanted to conquer the world, and Richard Scott, 75 then realized I was the one being conquered. I never had much of a family life Oak Ridge resident Richard Scott entered because I was always working, and one of the work force at age 8 and it wasn’t until 68 my biggest regrets is that I wasn’t around years later, in 2006, that he retired. His jobs much to see my son grow up” he said. have varied widely, and have included newsThese days Whitson finds plenty to keep paper boy, grocery store clerk, commercial pilot, engineer, physicist and machine himself occupied, including spending more designer (plus a three-year stint in the Army time with his wife Charlie and helping his mother, who is 96 and recently moved from as a rifleman and airplane mechanic). her home into a retirement community.

Before retiring Scott worked second “I like working in the yard and tinkering

20

shift, from 3 to 11 p.m. After retiring he said

Summer 2016

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Since retiring, Randy Stoneman (left) and Richard Scott have become exercise buddies at Snap Fitness in Oak Ridge.

he kept that schedule for a while, often reading until about 2 a.m. and sleeping later in the mornings, before gradually transitioning to a more “normal” going-to-bed and waking-up schedule.

Reading is a passion of Scott’s (he estimates he owns more than 5,000 books). He also enjoys walking, and you can find him several mornings a week at Snap Fitness, where he has made friends with two other retirees, Randy and Christine Stoneman.

Scott said he never gets restless, and enjoys doing what he wants to do when he wants to do it instead of before retiring, when he had to do it.

“It is a mite quieter (since retiring),” he reflected. “And not many people appreciate the sound of silence.” As for him, the sound of silence is golden.

The Stonemans: Randy, 69, and Christine, 64 Among the things that Madison residents Randy and Christine Stoneman enjoy about retirement life are leisurely time to cook (Randy does most of the cooking and Christine keeps him company in the kitchen), listening to Americana

and bluegrass music (Randy also plays the guitar), exercising and exploring the world around them.

Randy, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, holds a master’s degree in physical education; he worked for Airborne Express, a cargo delivery company, for 36 years before retiring at age 62.

During working years, Randy was at work by 5 a.m. Though he’s still an early riser, he enjoys getting up at a more “normal” time, and spends as much time as he can fishing, golfing, hunting and reading. Three days a week he can be found at Snap Fitness in Oak Ridge (where he and Richard Scott have become exercise buddies). Though most days have some sort of routine, including the obligatory “errand days,” he also enjoys the flexibility that retirement offers.

“When I was in the freight business I was focused on logistics and how to quickly and efficiently move cargo from one point to another. Now I don’t wear a watch because I don’t have to worry about what Christine Stoneman time it is.”

Randy has this advice for those contemplating retirement: “Save!”

Christine, a native of California, went to work for “Ma Bell” (Bell Telephone Company) in high school to help her mother make ends meet. Later, she got into the restaurant business and at one time was a partner in a floating seafood restaurant in Idaho. She later moved to Florida, where she studied to become a yoga instructor and esthetician. Her last move was to North Carolina, and here she taught yoga and was a personal trainer – and met and married Randy. After having neck surgery a few years ago, Randy encouraged her to retire.

On this phase of life, Christine encourages others to not shy away from downsizing, and to “be content with your surroundings.”

Ray Combs, 69 After retiring from MetLife, Oak Ridge resident Ray Combs owned several businesses, the last one being a business brokerage. In total, he spent about 50 years in the work force.

Combs said he didn’t actually retire – he “surrendered … to the economy.”

As business headed downhill during the Recession, it seemed a good time to “live the life of leisure.” Though no longer employed, Combs continued to serve as mayor of Oak Ridge until he also retired from that role last December.

Combs said he had a loosely defined retirement plan that involved traveling with his wife Carol, a retired high school teacher. Thus far, those plans have worked out well and the couple has enjoyed several trips to Europe, as well as across the United States in a camper trailer.

Combs said the best part about retirement is traveling, spending time with grandkids and having the freedom to “come and go as you please.” As for the downsides to retirement, he said jokingly, “I lost all my holidays and vacation days!”

Any words of wisdom from this happy retiree? “Hurry up and do it – it’s great out here!” Combs said, before adding, “When I first started working many years ago, everyone told me Social Security would not be around when I retired. I still hear people saying that today. Well, it is still here and I would like to thank all you working people for passing that FICA money forward for us retirees to enjoy, just as we did. While the money is not enough to live on, it is certainly a good base from which to plan.”

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classes Photo courtesy of Ray and Carol Combs

Ray and Carol Combs enjoy traveling, spending time with grandkids and “living a life of leisure.”

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Visit us online at snapfitness.com/oakridgenc * Other fees may apply

Summer 2016

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STEPPING IT UP

continued from page 5

Eagle has provided top-quality care in our community since 1998 Dr. Betty Jordan With the growth of our area, you now have many options for where to seek health care. We invite you to find out why Eagle Family Medicine at Oak Ridge has been in your community since 1998. We are a certified Patient Centered Medical Home and pride ourselves in providing comprehensive top-quality care.

“Since joining the practice in 2014, I continue to be impressed with the number of patients I treat who are so well informed in their particular disease states and are willing to openly participate in their treatment plans,” says Dr. Betty Jordan.

Together, we make a great team!

fact that Smith has such a low amount of activity and spends most of her working hours sitting puts her at a higher risk for illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.

In a 2014 article, USA Today published a study that showed the risk of heart failure more than doubled for men who sat for more than five hours a day outside of work and didn’t exercise compared to men who sat for less than two hours a day.

According to government statistics, Americans are way above these numbers.

Almost half of the people said they sit more than six hours a day and 65 percent admitted to spending more than two hours watching TV on a daily basis.

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Summer 2016

Anyone who knows David Wrenn, owner of Stokesdale’s Bi-Rite, knows that Wrenn doesn’t need any type of device to keep his activity level humming. His employees confirm that he’s in perpetual motion and it’s difficult to figure out where he might be from one moment to the next.

If you’ve been sitting for an hour, you’ve been sitting too long.”

James Levine, co-director of Obesity Solutions at Mayo Clinic

James Levine, codirector of Obesity Solutions at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix and Arizona State University, told USA Today, “if you’ve been sitting for an hour, you’ve been sitting too long.”

Pre Jawbone, it wasn’t unusual for Smith to sit for long periods of time without getting up from her chair. Now she uses the alarm on her device to remind her that it’s time to get the blood circulating.

“I’ve set the alarm every 45 minutes as a reminder,” Smith said. “When it goes off, I get up and move around.”

Since Smith doesn’t have a weight problem, her real concern is adding more activity to her day. In the beginning, she set her daily step goal at 5,000 steps.

After consistently meeting that goal, she’s raised it to 6,000 steps.

1510 North NC Hwy 68 | 336 644 0111

Bible study, while we’re waiting for the parking lot to clear, a friend and I will walk around the exterior of the church rather than sitting. If I’m on my cell phone, I’ll walk around the room or go outside to the parking lot, and I’ll park farther away when I’m going somewhere. It all adds up.”

Still, Wrenn wears a Fitbit, a gift from one of his daughters this past Christmas.

“My kids wondered how many steps I took a day,” Wrenn said.

On any given day, Wrenn, who spends his time at work rushing around the store, helping unload products, arranging merchandise and greeting customers, and his evenings working in the yard, will put in at least 25,000 steps. He says there have been five days since Christmas that he’s logged in over 30,000 steps.

There’s no formalized walking plan, Wrenn just moves.

“Whenever I go in for a physical my doctor is always telling me I need to walk more,” said Wrenn, flashing his trademark smile.

“Now I can show him what I’m doing.”

Wrenn isn’t interested in competing with anybody, he just likes to see how he’s doing. He jokes that if he ever retires he might hook up with a group.

She finds it difficult to manage large chunks of exercise time, so she works in extra steps whenever and wherever she can.

Whatever the reasons – weight loss, improved fitness or just plain curiosity – more and more people are finding that hooking up to today’s latest tracking devices are effective and fun.

“I realized I had to make a conscious effort to increase my activity,” she said. “After

What’s your step count for the day?

You might be surprised to find out.

Thanks to our advertisers for making this publication possible BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Neurofeedback Associates........................................................................................................6

HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES Summerfield Farms...................................................................................................................7

CHIROPRACTIC CARE Oak Ridge Chiropractic........................................................................................................... 19 Summerfield Family Chiropractic.............................................................................................10

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DENTAL CARE & ORTHODONTICS Borden Dentistry..................................................................................................................... 11 Olmsted Orthodontics............................................................................................................. 17 Reynolds Orhodontics............................................................................................................. 16

PEDIATRICS Northwest Pediatrics.................................................................................................................5 Novant Health Forsyth Pediatrics Oak Ridge...........................................................................15

FAMILY PRACTICE Eagle Physicians at Oak Ridge................................................................................................22 LeBauer HealthCare..........................................................................................................12-13 Novant Health Ironwood Family Medicine .............................................................................. 14

PHARMACY Crossroads Pharmacy.............................................................................................................. 14 PHYSICAL THERAPY Oak Ridge Physical Therapy....................................................................................................20

FITNESS PROFESSIONALS / CENTERS Studio Elevé...............................................................................................................................8 Snap Fitness............................................................................................................................21 YMCA of Greensboro................................................................................................................9

SENIOR LIVING Abbotswood at Irving Park........................................................................................................2 Wellspring Retirement Community............................................................................................4

GYNECOLOGISTS Green Valley OB/GYN...............................................................................................................3

WEIGHT LOSS Central Carolina Surgery.........................................................................................................18

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