Savannah Health 2017

health Wellness, A to Z Inside:

Acupuncture to Float Therapy, Kefir to Zzzzz's

A FREE Supplement of Savannah Magazine

2017-2018

Expert Advice from Doctors, Health Professionals & Dentists

C E L E B R AT I N G

50 years of

G RE AT S MI LES .

Fashions and trends change with time, but a great smile is always in style!

Thank you Savannah for all of your support throughout the years.

Savannah 500 Eisenhower Dr Savannah, GA 31406 (912) 355-7022

Pooler Parkway Business Center 119 Canal Street; Unit 107 Pooler, GA 31322 (912) 988-1118

Wilmington Island 326 Johnny Mercer Blvd.

Wilmington Island, GA 31410 (912) 897-5900

SavannahOrthodontics.com

“Unearth the healthiest you.”

1207 US HWY 80 East, Suite E Tybee Island, GA 31328 (912) 449-4190 | KellyAromatherapy.com S AVA N N A H H E A LT H 201 7-1 8

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Experience

Outstanding Care.

With 13 primary care and 18 specialty care practices, we are the largest physician group in the area.

And we are the only university-based group.

That’s why you can expect compassionate care combined with the latest medical technology and procedures. Experience Excellence. Memorial Health.

Primary Care Armstrong State University Student Health Center 912-961-5726 Center for Internal Medicine 912-350-7171 Chatham Medical Associates 912-350-7500 Family Medicine Center 912-350-8404 Islands 912-897-3766 Legacy Center 843-836-3800 MDVIP 912-350-1199 Memorial Medical Associates 912-350-6000 Memorial Medical Associates at Pooler 912-350-6000 Memorial—SCAD Center for Health 912-350-2600 Richmond Hill Family Medicine 912-350-7020 Richmond Hill Medical Associates 912-756-2292 Rincon 912-826-8802

Specialty Care The Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah—Endocrinology 912-350-6543 The Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah—Outpatient Center 912-350-8180 Endocrinology Associates 912-350-5909 The Memorial Center for Menopausal Medicine 912-273-4966 Memorial Health | AppleCare Urgent Care Savannah: 912-777-6161 Pooler: 912-748-1515 Hodgson Memorial: 912-200-3219 Memorial Metabolic Institute 912-350-5800 Memorial University Surgeons 912-350-2030 • ACI—Center for Breast Care • ACI—Surgical Associates • Memorial Health Bariatrics and Minimally Invasive Surgery • Savannah Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Gastroenterology • Surgical Specialists of Savannah Provident OB/GYN Associates 912-350-5937 Savannah Legacy Center (Okatie, South Carolina) Pooler Richmond Hill Rincon Whitemarsh Island

Rehabilitation Medicine 912-350-5940 Savannah Center for Respiratory, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine 912-350-4750 Savannah Perinatology Associates 912-350-5970 Savannah Surgical Group 912-350-7412 University OB/GYN Associates 912-350-9633

Affiliated Practices Memorial Cardiovascular Consultants 912-355-0070 Memorial Savannah Cardiology 912-352-8700 Savannah Pooler Springfield Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Legacy Center (Okatie, South Carolina)

Experience Excellence.

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THE WELLNESS GUIDE 2017-18 CONTENTS S11

Your Health, A to Z

We took a holistic approach this go-round. From acupuncture and joint protection to stress and the importance of getting your Zzz’s, our yearly supplement spans 15 pages and covers the topics that help you lead a healthier—and happier—life. It’s as simple as learning your ABCs.

S62 The Smile Doctors

If, as the old Broadway song goes, “you’re never fully dressed without a smile,” you need to put your best grin forward. To get the brightest sparkle, turn to the dentists whom other dentists recommend with this valuable resource.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS Doctor Profiles S37 Health Professional Profiles S57 Dentist Profiles S67

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Experience the Dierence 310 Eisenhower Drive Building No. 8 Savannah, Georgia 31406 912.355.2050 SavannahDentalAesthetics.com

Russell D. Clemmons, DDS & Lindsay N. Harris, DMD

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When it comes to health and well-being, it’s becoming harder and harder to make sense of all the mixed messages coming at us. Let’s not even delve into the horrors that can come from self-diagnosing through an internet search!

The truth is, we need to take responsibility for our emotional and physical fitness with mindful eating, exercise and smart medicine. To live your fullest and healthiest life possible, start with the ABCs of good health.

COMPILED BY ALLISON HERSH, AMY PAIGE CONDON AND MAGGIE HARNEY ILLUSTRATIONS MY MIMI MANGRUM NUMER

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Botox for Migraines

Acupuncture and Fertility BAUER COSLICK, an acupuncturist at Vitality Savannah, understands firsthand the way acupuncture can support fertility. When he and his wife experienced difficulty conceiving, they turned to acupuncture, combined with invitro fertilization. Today, the Coslicks are parents to healthy, active twins, much to their delight.

“Fertility issues can be related to a variety of factors, including diet and hormone imbalance,” he says. “Stress can also play a role in influencing a woman’s cycle.”

Coslick, who has treated approximately 100 patients for fertility issues, follows a specific protocol with IVF patients to encourage the body to accept the transfer of the fertilized egg. He inserts extra-fine needles in key locations along the arms, legs, abdomen and lower back, and says that acupuncture can boost the odds of conception by 40 to 60 percent.

“One system affects the other,” he says. “You have to look at the bigger picture. There’s a whole cascading effect throughout the human body.”

Coslick blames prolonged stress for negatively affecting everything from sleep quality to overall immunity and endocrine function.

By reducing stress hormones and creating a better balance in the body, acupuncture helps restore the body’s equilibrium, which can support the implantation of a fertilized egg and the growth of a fetus.

“I’ve had people come in and get pregnant and cancel their appointment with a fertility specialist,” he adds. “It’s a very personal journey.”

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FOR SUFFERERS OF chronic migraines—people who experience the debilitating symptoms at least 15 days a month—holding a job, enjoying time with friends and family, and participating in life can be a challenge. The World Health Organization even named migraines as the most disabling condition in the world, says neurologist John Hemphill, M.D., of Savannah Neurology Specialists., who now treats his patients with Botox injections.

This breakthrough in treatment happened relatively recently—and purely by chance, Hemphill explains. Beverly Hills-based plastic surgeon William Binder, M.D. , F.A.C.S., had been administering cosmetic Botox injections for a while when several of his patients reported that not only did they look better, but their headaches had also gone away. After Binder reported his findings, the company that produces Botox held clinical trials that showed significant reduction in migraine symptoms.

Once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the alternative use, migraine sufferers finally had hope—and most insurance covers it.

“The medications we’ve had up to now have had some effectiveness, but there was certainly a lot to improve on,” Hemphill notes.

Patients receive injections every 12 weeks, giving them at least two and a half months of relief. “Most people can tell when it’s wearing off,” he says, “so we try to keep to that schedule as much as we can.”

Celiac Disease ACCORDING TO RESEARCH on the Center for Digestive and Liver Health website, one of every 1,000 people has celiac disease, which is a hereditary autoimmune disorder triggered by grain-based foods—specifically wheat, barley and rye—such as breads, pasta and baked goods. The center's Mark Murphy, M.D., believes that number may be low.

“The age at presentation is highly variable,” Murphy explains, “and everybody does not present the same.”

Because people with celiac disease cannot process certain vitamins and minerals through their digestive systems, they experience symptoms that can range from skin rashes and extreme fatigue to diarrhea and bloating—symptoms that can mimic other ailments.

“A lot of people are misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome,” Murphy says.

A lifelong gluten-free diet is the most effective treatment available to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms associated with celiac disease. Patients have to be vigilante, Murphy notes, making sure that no foods are add-mixed with gluten.

“One exposure can knock them out,” he warns.

When people hear gluten-free, they often think taste-free, but that’s no longer the case with the availability of key food substitutes, such as coconut and almond flours for baking; quinoa and rice pastas; noodles made from beets, butternut squash and sweet potatoes; sauces thickened with corn starch or mashed potatoes; and tamari as a replacement for soy sauce in Asian dishes. It’s a focus on a whole foods that’s a healthy alternative even for those not grappling with the limits of celiac disease.

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Diabetes and Insulin Resistance INSULIN IS A vital hormone that plays an important role in how the body processes glucose as a source of energy.

Sometimes, however, the body fails to respond normally to the presence of insulin and is unable to metabolize glucose in an efficient manner, resulting in insulin resistance.

“Insulin resistance is a medical condition associated with serious metabolic health concerns including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, polycystic ovarian syndrome, coronary heart disease and cholesterol abnormalities,” explains Ismary O. De Castro, M.D., an endocrinologist with Endocrinology Associates.

Symptoms include higher blood sugar levels and a higher compensatory insulin production. Insulin resistance is also associated with the release of other inflammatory signals by fat cells and blood vessels, increasing the risk of developing diabetes and chronic heart disease.

The latest scientific research reveals a correlation between insulin resistance and S14 SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM

the location of fat accumulation in the body.

“An increase in abdominal visceral fat, which is the fat within our belly and in between our organs that you can’t pinch, is associated with the greatest risk for metabolic complications, versus general fat located and distributed evenly through out the body,” explains De Castro. “The adipose tissue, which includes our body’s fat cells, is a hormonally active tissue which appears to control how the body responds to the use of glucose, fat and cholesterol.”

Prolonged stress translates into higher cortisol levels, which can increase the risk of insulin resistance. To combat the effects of stress and to keep the endocrine system healthy, De Castro recommends exercise, which helps the body use glucose more efficiently, as well as a healthy diet that is high in dietary fiber and low in saturated fats.

“Minimize consumption of pre-packed foods,” she advises, “and avoid genetically modified foods, which contain synthetic hormones and sometimes are treated with irradiation.”

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Essential Oils/ Aromatherapy TO MAINTAIN wellness, certified aromatherapist Kelly Swope turns to essential oils, which can be inhaled or applied topically.

To calm anxiety without a prescription, Swope recommends inhaling bergamot oil (citrus bergamia) and may chang oil (litsea cubeba).

These essential oils can be used separately or together to soothe nerves, encourage relaxation and promote a sense of well-being.

“They’re very calming,” says Swope, who is the owner of Kelly and Company on Tybee Island. “Essential oils are plant medicine.”

Float Therapy IF YOU’RE FEELING overworked, overconnected and overstimulated, cast your cell phone aside and try float therapy, which promotes extreme relaxation by immersing the body in a spacious, state-of-the-art isolation tank for the ultimate “unplugged” experience. More than half a ton of Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is dissolved into warm water to provide relief for sore muscles, digestive irregularity, skin issues and stress.

“Floating is a great way to maintain wellness because it offers the user an opportunity to unplug from the constant stimulus of everyday life in a totally supportive, safe, womb-like environment,” explains Tyler Spofford, co-owner of Remedy Float. “Think about what it feels like to get a really big hug from someone that you really love. It’s comparable to the warm embrace of the ultra-dense saltwater.”

Because of the high salt content, it’s easy to float without exerting any effort. In this condition, the spine elongates, joints decompress, circulation improves and breathing relaxes, enhancing the body’s systems.

Floating serves as a natural counterbalance for stress, offering a silent sanctuary designed to promote relaxation and healing.

“An hour of nothingness can help bring us back to a more peaceful, less rushed baseline feeling of well-being,” says Spofford. “Regular floaters report an overall increased general sense of well-being, clarity, pain relief and ‘flow’ in their day-to-day lives.”

Floating boosts magnesium levels while reducing inflammation, both of which can support a healthy immune system function. However, it’s designed to be an ongoing form of hydrotherapy, rather than a one-time quick fix.

“Floating is a tool and it must be used regularly and in conjunction with other healthy lifestyle activities to maintain a healthy body and mind,” says co-owner Lizzy Spalding. “Mindfulness … is like a muscle that must be trained. The float tank is the gym. You have to show up and put in the time if you want to see the results.”

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GINGIVITIS AND OTHER GUM DISEASES If your gums bleed when you floss and brush, it’s likely you have gingivitis, says Jack O’Neill IV, D.M.D, with Savannah Periodontics. “Gingivitis, itself, is actually very common and everyone has a little form of it.”

And, it can be a silent threat as there is very little to no pain associated with the initial stages of gum disease, when they appear red and a little swollen. “Gingivitis is reversible,” O’Neill assures. “If you brush and floss real well, it will go away.”

But, if the bacteria continue to grow long enough and move underneath the gums, “a switch” can go off and lead to periodontitis.

“That’s the number one reason to have regular checkups,” he says.

Periodontitis leads to gum tissue and bone loss around teeth. In severe cases that bacteria can get into the blood stream and lead to other serious illnesses, including cardiovascular disease.

Mild to moderate periodontitis can be treated with nonsurgical measures, such as scaling and replaning the gums to remove the deep pockets hiding bacteria. If the condition progresses to severe bone loss and abscesses develop, gingival surgery involving grafting gum and bone tissue may be required.

O’Neill says that new therapies are on the horizon with laser technology. “It’s becoming more known and accepted. Early studies show how effective it is. It’s less invasive and has some potential for tissue regeneration.”

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HPV Vaccines GUY PETRUZZELLI M.D., physician-in-chief and vice president for oncology programs at Memorial Health, is passionate about human papillomavirus vaccines like Guardasil 9, which offers protection against nine different strains of HPV. “It’s the most effective and efficient way to prevent this viralinduced cancer in men and women,” he reports. “It’s approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics and is typically covered by insurance and Medicaid.”

The vaccine, which is administered in a series of two injections, works by attacking the protein shell surrounding the human papillomavirus and by activating tumor suppression genes that keep cancerous cells from dividing.

“The vaccine stimulates the immune system to hunt and destroy the shell protein,” Petruzzelli explains. “It effectively destroys the viral DNA.” FDA-approved for more than a decade, the vaccine is recommended for men and women under the age of 26 and focuses on the viral strains that can cause cancer, including cervical, anal, vulvar, penile, head, neck and throat. The vaccine series ideally should be administered before a patient is sexually active.

“Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth,” Petruzzelli explains. “The combination of the HPV vaccine and screening has driven down the incidence of cervical cancer. This is a cancer we can eliminate.”

Dr. Miles Goldsmith, Dr. Robert Logan, Dr. Timothy Minton, Dr. Michael Poole

• • • • •

Adult and Pediatric ENT Nose and Sinus Issues Ear Infections and Ear Surgery Facial Skin Cancers and Reconstruction Facial Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Nasal Surgery • Botox, Fillers and Facial Skin Care • Laser Skin Rejuvenation

• Comprehensive Hearing Solutions, including Hearing Aids, all Surgical Hearing Implants (including Cochlear implants) • Snoring • Tonsil and Adenoid Surgery • Vertigo (Balance Disorders) • Otology and Neurotology (Complex Ear Surgery)

The Board-Certified Gastroenterologists of CDLH: (L to R)

Charles W. Duckworth, MD; Ryan C. Wanamaker, MD; Edward Rydzak, MD; Mark E. Murphy, MD; Telciane S. Vesa, MD; George C. Aragon, MD; Steven Carpenter, MD; Mark R. Nyce, MD

Our Midlevel Providers:

Caroline Brennan, PA; Elizabeth Buck, NP; Nancy Ellison, PA; Joanna May, PA; Angela Ring, PA

www.savannahgi.com | 912.303.4200

Welcome to our Practice!

Rodney S. Cohen, MD and Brent W. Acker, MD

(NEW) Pooler Office: OPENING IN JULY! Savannah Office: 1139 Lexington Ave., Savannah, GA 31404 Bluffton Office: 40 Okatie Center Blvd S., Suite 210, Okatie SC 29909

FACE THE WORLD WITH CONFIDENCE

Choose a surgeon that specializes in ONLY Facial Plastic Surgery — choose Dr. Timothy Minton.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call 912-644-0744.

Botox/Fillers

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Skin Rejuvenation

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Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)

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Skin Cancer Surgery

SAVANNAH FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY | Suite 510 | 5356 Reynolds Street | Savannah, GA 31405 200 Blue Moon Crossing | Suite 202 | Pooler, GA 31322

Heart & Lung Building

(Directly in front of Savannah Quarters)

www.savannahfacialplasticsurgery.com

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Eyelid Surgery

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Facelift/Neck Lift

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Joints

PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN

Inflammationfighting Foods BETSY HUNTER HUGHES, a local fitness and nutrition coach, believes food has the power to fight inflammation. She recommends eating plant-based foods that are local, fresh and organic.

“They are packed with micronutrients and enzymes that work in conjunction with one another to provide a strong immune system, functional gut, good metabolism and healthy mind,” she says. “A phytonutrient-rich diet reduces oxidative stress, which is caused by free radicals roaming through the body and multiplying. Antioxidant-rich foods help neutralize free radicals in the body.”

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish like wild-caught salmon, trout and cod, can also help to reduce inflammation, along with herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, cilantro and garlic. Making healthy food choices can ensure that the body gets the right balance of vitamins and minerals and helps keep all systems in homeostatic balance.

Why is inflammation so dangerous?

“Studies show chronic inflammation to be a root cause to many conditions such as fibromyalgia, diabetes, heart disease, depression, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, infertility and even cancer,” Hughes adds. "With chronic inflammation, your body is on high-alert all the time, leading to dysfunction in the various systems of the body.”

A knee injury can end an athlete’s career in a second. But, what if we could predict and possibly prevent sprains or tears in the ACL or meniscus?

The state-of-the-art technology and clinical therapists at Fife Therapy can do that—and not just for the soccer star or the tennis pro, but also for people experiencing lower back pain, weakness in the hips and tightness in the neck.

Owner Stewart Fife, DPT, OCS, CSCS, employs 3D motion-capture imaging to create avatars of his patients. This technology—the only one of its kind in the region—allows him to see any functional movement with a one-tenth-degree of accuracy.

“We can see where the bones are in space and how the bones and muscles are working together,” explains Fife.

By examining his patients’ gaits, how they sit and stand, Fife is able to tell how they move and perform everyday functions—which gives him a complete picture of where alignment issues are off so that he can prescribe precise and custom physical therapies to help.

When people see themselves on the avatar, it’s an a-ha moment, says Fife. “We target and resolve the biomechanical issues.”

Fife describes how our focus on muscle strength often ignores the impact on the architecture of our bodies, so that when we get into our fourth, fifth and sixth decades, we experience back issues, stiff and creaky joints and decreased mobility. But he’s had patients as young as 11 years old who have weak hips.

“We need to be much smarter about our spines,” Fife warns. “We’re outliving our skeletons.”

REPLACEMENT AND RECOVERY “I always say it’s the patient’s decision,” responds Jonathan Christy, M.D., when asked when someone requires orthopedic surgery, such as a knee or hip joint replacement.

Bone-on-bone arthritis and other conditions that limit quality of life and mobility due to pain are the primary reasons. “When they aren’t enjoying regular activities, that’s a sure sign,” he says.

Christy, a joint reconstruction specialist with Optim Orthopedics’ Surgery Center, explains that his goal is to get the patient back to living and moving without pain as quickly as possible. To make that possible, he uses the Mako Robotic Arm, the only one available in Savannah. With the Mako, Christy plots the procedure using 3D technology. Using smaller, more precise incisions and titanium alloy parts for replacement that allow for bone regeneration, Christy is able to minimize soft tissue trauma, which results in less pain and a shorter recovery time.

Patients are up and moving with assistance the same day as surgery.

“People are surprised when I tell them they can go home the next day,” Christy says.

With in-home physical therapy, patients are typically enjoying normal mobility within four to six weeks.

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Kefir, Kimchi, Probiotics and Gut Health “THERE ARE MORE bacteria in the gut as individual cells than there are cells in our entire body,” declares Brighter Day’s co-owner Peter Broadhead. “They are more in the driver’s seat than we had any idea,” which means maintaining a healthy digestive environment is the key to our overall health.

Everything from our mood to our inflammatory responses is modulated by this bacteria—both good and bad. “We’re just barely breaking ground on the diversity,” says Broadhead. “We know just a small fraction of what there is to potentially know. [For instance], the majority of your serotonin and those transmitters starts in the gut.”

So, what we eat has even more impact on our mental and physical health than mere calories in and out.

Broadhead recommends including fermented foods, such as kimchi, kefir and kombucha, to fortify the beneficial bacteria. He also points to resistance starches such as asparagus, beans and hummus. Ghee—a form of clarified butter—is another booster.

“Fiber is the food that feeds beneficial bacteria,” he explains. “The more of those, the better your biome is and the better diversity of your biome.”

Still skeptical?

Broadhead cites a study in the United Kingdom where children with eczema were given probiotics. “When they got the bacteria balanced out, the skin cleared up.”

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Ask dermatologists what’s the worst thing you could ever do to your skin, and their answer comes fast and succinct.

Tanning beds.

“Although melanoma represents less than 1 percent of skin cancer, it continues to rise at a rate of 2 to 3 percent every year,” notes Elizabeth B. Brennan, certified physician assistant at Low Country Dermatology. “Tanning bed use may be one of the major reasons why we are seeing the increase. Experts estimate up to an 80 percent increase in melanoma risk associated with tanning bed use.”

Brennan also offers a warning to youth who are looking for that bronze glow. “Your skin cancer risk increases with cumulative sun exposure. The young are more prone to sunburns.

What we do in the first 20-30 years dictates our skin cancer risk.”

To cut your risk, Brennan recommends these steps: Stay out of the sun between peak hours, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen and/or protective clothing, reapply sunscreen every 80 minutes, see your dermatologist for an annual skin cancer screening, and, of course, avoid tanning beds.

Neck Pain IF YOU’VE EVER awakened to a stiff neck, you know how debilitating the pain can be just from strained soft tissues. The pain will usually respond to NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or Tylenol, within a matter of days. But a number of chronic conditions can affect the seven vertebrae and discs that make up cervical spine, causing spasms, headaches, arm weakness and hand numbing. Herniated discs, bone spurs, osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis are all conditions that may require more concentrated therapies beyond rest, massage, stabilization and topical medical application.

Different types of surgery may be required to provide long-term relief. Discectomies and fusions remove herniated discs. A foraminotomy alleviates compression of spinal nerves. A laminopasty increases the space within the spinal canal, which has been squeezed by the thickening caused by spinal stenosis. For a primer on neck pain and spinal health, check out the videos at Chatham Orthopaedic Associates.

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MELANOMA AND OTHER SKIN CANCERS

Lung Cancer and Radon ACCORDING TO THE National Cancer Institute, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, following cigarette smoking. Approximately 22,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year are linked to radon, a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up through the ground and is released from the normal decay of elements like uranium, thorium and radium.

When radon gas is inhaled, it exposes the lungs to small amounts of radiation.

Over time, this exposure can damage cells in the lining of the lungs and increase the risk of developing cancer. The leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers,

radon exposure can be detected by testing kits available at local hardware and home improvement stores or online. Testing is the only way to know if your home has an elevated radon level.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking action to reduce radon in homes that have a radon level at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. Approximately one in 15 homes in the U.S. has radon levels at or above this federally prescribed action level.

Have your home tested for the presence of this naturally occurring gas and take steps that may reduce your risk of developing lung cancer.

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PulsePoint Smart Phone

Omega-3s A NEW STUDY, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, concluded that omega-3 fatty acids can help lower the risk of developing dementia. The study found omega-3s can improve cognitive function by increasing blood flow in key areas of the brain affected by dementia.

Previous medical research has linked omega-3 fatty acids, a form of polyunsaturated fats with numerous health benefits, to improved brain health and reduced inflammation. They may also lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce the risk of inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lower the risk of depression, diabetes and heart disease. Foods that are high in omega-3s include flaxseed oil, fish oil, chia seeds, walnuts, fish, eggs, seafood, soybeans and spinach.

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WHOEVER SAID TECHNOLOGY was bad for your health didn’t consider the PulsePoint app, a new resource for groups hoping to use their medical experience during off hours. Faster than getting out a tweet, the nonprofit Southside Fire EMS has implemented the application within its largely volunteer base to match firefighters, nurses, first responders and anyone with CPR training with those going into cardiac arrest.

An alert is sent to all CPR-trained personnel within a 4-mile radius, then the app delivers geo-code location for victims straight to the user’s phone while also alerting volunteers to where the closest AED (automatic external defibrillator) is located. For those communities without easy access to an ambulance, cardiac arrest can be particularly fatal, where each minute increases the chances of fatality by 10 percent. It’s not a maybe—seconds are a deciding factor in saving a life.

The PulsePoint app is available for free on iTunes and the Google Play store. For more information on the app, visit pulsepoint.org. For information on how to get CPR training and be a volunteer first responder, call 912-354-1011.

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RHEUMATOID ARTHITIS Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can flare up, causing inflammation in joints throughout the body. The goal of treatment, says Dean Stephens, M.D., a rheumatologist with Memorial University Medical Physicians, is to prevent progression and further joint damage. To achieve these results, patients follow a medication regimen, but Stephens also recommends changes in diet that may reduce the use of medications.

Choosing anti-inflammatory foods (low sugar, gluten-free, plant-based) can help RA patients manage the condition’s painful symptoms. Introducing turmeric, ginger and fish oils; avoiding nightshades (such as tomatoes and peppers), and cutting back on diet sodas also helps minimize joint pain, says Stephens. On top of that, recent studies show that the same antioxidants (anthocyanins) that give cherries their red color can help alleviate joint swelling and tenderness—and it just so happens to be cherry season.

Quitting Nicotine IF YOU’RE TRYING to kick a nicotine habit, the latest scientific research indicates that treating both the psychological and the physical addiction is key to long-term success.

Alix Schnibben, a clinical pharmacy specialist at the Centers for Medication Management at St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital, recommends tobacco cessation aids such as Zyban, Chantix or nicotine replacement products to address the physical addiction. Breaking the psychological addiction, however, can be just as challenging.

“Identifying your triggers, changing your retreat and incorporating an oral substitute are involved in psychological treatment,” she says. “Tobacco users need to realize quitting isn’t going to happen in a day. It takes time and commitment.”

After all, nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on earth. “We were not born with nicotine receptors,” Schnibben says. “Nicotine hijacks receptors in our brain. The development of these receptors leads to psychological and physical dependence.”

Although many cigarette smokers have switched to vaping in recent years, both nicotine delivery systems are equally addictive.

“Vaping liquid contains nicotine, the addictive component found in all tobacco products,” Schnibben says. “You do not have to quit on your own. Speak to your healthcare professional or tobacco treatment specialist. Getting help will increase your chances of success.”

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Stress and Social Media

It’s no secret that social media has significant effects on our mental health and well-being. To keep our own sanity, we checked in with licensed psychotherapist Michelle Aycock, M.Ed., CPC, LPC.

Savannah magazine: How differently do children and adults handle stress?

Michelle Aycock: Children tend to act out behaviorally, more so than adults. This is due to the fact that behavior really is the only thing that children are in control of, because they haven’t learned the filters to manage emotions and stressful feelings.

Temperomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) THE NAME OF the condition alone is a mouthful, but for those with undiagnosed face pain—including headaches, jaw tension, neck strain and ear/jaw popping— knowing the underlying cause is the biggest step toward relief. Most treatments for TMJ, a condition that affects the hinged joint that connects your jawbone to your skull, are non-invasive and needle-free. Some treatments require dental intervention, such as correcting a bite. Others seek to alleviate the bone-on-bone friction that results in pain. A proper diagnosis by a medical doctor, such as the Savannah Headache and Migraine Center, can help pinpoint the therapeutic response that’s right for you.

Cold laser therapy uses light to help repair damaged tissues, while microcurrent therapy uses electrical waves to repair cells without stimulating sensory nerves. Ultrasound uses exactly that—soundwaves.

SM: How can our community as a whole shine a light on the importance of mental wellness?

MA: By having more information put out about mental wellness and how to attain it.

Not being afraid to seek professional help, or help from friends and family. After all, it is your life and it is up to you to research and educate yourself about what is realistic, and working toward goals that bring peace and contentment to your life. No one is ever responsible for someone else’s happiness. With social media, it can sometimes feel like that “our quest for happiness is all in vain” because someone will always be better off than we are, but someone will also always be worse off than we are, too.

SM: How important is play (and non-screen time) to the mental health of children?

MA: I believe that it is imperative that adults and children get away from the screen and interact more face-face with conversations, playing with others, being social— meaning more than sitting on your phone or computer. Putting down the computer and phone is important if you want to have a healthy relationship with your partner or your child.

SM: Same question but for adults—have you come into contact with cases of adults suffering from similar situations?

MA: Yes, and it is due to the time spent on social media sites and the content they are viewing. It is easy to compare yourself and your life to others. This is called comparison shopping. What we see on social media sites are only half-truths—and that is being generous! Through social media, whether it be an adult or adolescent, it has become an unhealthy habit in our society to compare our life to others who are merely living in cyberspace. The problem comes for us when we only look at what is wrong in our life and why our life doesn’t look as great as someone else’s. This perception of others can cause depression, anxiety and feelings of low self-esteem, whether an adult or child is experiencing it.

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UV Therapy ALL THE GOODNESS of sunlight—without the risk of skin cancer. That’s the idea behind ultraviolet (UV) therapy, also known as light therapy or phototherapy. The treatment mimics the sun’s beneficial wavelengths while eliminating the damaging ones, and it’s the latest way dermatologists are fighting autoimmune skin diseases. Gaughf Dermatology is the one of the only practices in Savannah that uses XTRAC Excimer Laser, which specifically pinpoints psoriasis and vitiligo in just a few painless minutes per treatment. Gaughf Dermatology recommends 12 to 20 sessions for the longest lasting relief, and the process is covered by most major insurance companies.

As the summer season approaches, the doctors at Savannah Vascular Institute see an uptick in patients requesting treatment for varicose and spider veins—those visible clusters, or “nests,” of blue and red veins just under the skin caused by damaged vein valves. Women are more likely to experience varicose and spider veins, but age, occupation (long periods of sitting or standing), hormone fluctuations, weight and heredity all factor in.

Spider veins are more superficial, rarely produce pain and can be treated with non-invasive measures, such as compression stockings, leg elevation and flexing. If they persist, Savannah Vascular physicians use sclerotherapy—fluid injection with a tiny needle—to collapse the vein walls and cause the vein ultimately to disappear.

Those thicker, bulging varicose veins can cause leg pain and pressure, or make legs feel tired, heavy and restless. Savannah Vascular employs ultrasound to determine the best treatment option.

“Laser or radiofrequency are two methods of thermal therapy that achieve closure of leaking axial veins,” reports the Institute’s E. Jerry Cohn Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. These procedures help relieve pain and improve the appearance of the legs.

For more persistent varicose veins, the removal of the veins—or ambulatory phlebectomy—may be required.

This procedure, while more invasive, can still be performed in-office with a local anesthetic, which helps minimize the recovery process.

Whooping Cough “WHOOPING COUGH, or pertussis, can cause a severe cough in people of any age, but infants are most susceptible and often the most severely affected. It typically starts with cold symptoms, followed by a cough. Babies and children often have coughing fits followed by the classic ‘whoop’ sound as they try to catch their breath. Adults usually just have a cough which can persist for weeks or months.

“Thanks to the success of vaccines, we only see a handful of cases a year in Savannah. The best thing you can do to prevent whooping cough is to stay up-to-date with the vaccine. Children receive Dtap, and older children through adults should get the Tdap vaccine (a combination vaccine that protects you from tetanus-diptheria-pertussis). It is important to get booster vaccines if you are going to be around children and babies, because whooping cough is typically spread to unprotected infants from adults and adolescents whose immunity has waned.” ­

MIMI M ANGRUM NUM ER

VARICOSE AND SPIDER VEINS

—MELISSA BEHM, M.D., COASTAL PEDIATRICS

X-Ray WHETHER YOU’RE relaxing on the sunkissed beaches of Tybee Island or flying cross-country in a commercial airplane, you’re being exposed to naturally occurring solar X-rays.

“There is no difference between an X-ray created by the anode of an X-ray machine or a photon from the sun,” says Dr. Jack Considine, a radiologist at Coastal Imaging.

“Just a difference in their sources.”

However, certain radiologic procedures may produce higher, more concentrated doses of X-rays.

“Of the modalities that generate X-rays. the one to watch out for is CT,” cautions

Considine. “It is a marvel of science and technology, but radiation doses can be high.”

Radiologic tests that generate photons include X-rays, CAT scans, nuclear medicine, fluoroscopy, angiograms and mammograms.

Typically, radiation doses are low and closely monitored to make sure the benefits of the diagnostic tests outweigh the risks.

“The medical world is very aware of risk and does an excellent job of using low-dose techniques, minimizing repeat or excess image acquisition and diminishing dose to critical organs such as eyes and gonads,” he explains. “If a family member or close friend needs an imaging procedure that uses radiation, I wouldn’t hesitate to have it done.”

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ANDR E J OHNSON

ealth // A-Z

Pints and Poses at Southbound Brewing Company

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Yoga and Beer

ULL DISCLOSURE: I’m 42 years old and had never taken a yoga class until I learned you could pair a good stretch with an ice-cold beer.

Two of the area’s craft breweries offer monthly hour-long yoga classes capped off with tastings and tours. At Service Brewing Co., petite and outgoing instructor Karrie Comeau assures me that I’ll make it through the class. She teaches vinyasa yoga, which is a series of poses that focus on constant, flowing movement. I’m hoping that chilling in child’s pose is part of that flow. As the class begins, it’s easy to spot the advanced yoga participants and the neophytes, like the guy behind me wearing an “I came to drink beer and meet new friends” T-shirt.

When I ask Comeau if there is a health benefit to the beer side of the class, she says, “No. It’s just a way to bring in people who are intimidated by going to a yoga studio.”

Melissa DeLynn, an instructor with Dancing Dogs Yoga on Broughton Street, hosts the Pints and Poses all-levels class on the first Saturday of every month at Southbound Brewing Company. She had been to events at the craft brewery’s airy space on Fahm Street and thought it would make an ideal spot to hold a class. The fact that a Hop’lin IPA was waiting at the end just sweetened the deal.

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DeLynn agrees that a yoga studio can be intimidating, “so the beer can make it more familiar and allows for a little lighthearted fun.”

Pints and Poses has taken off, garnering as many as 50 participants some weekends. “It makes a fun day date,” DeLynn offers, “and it’s great for community-building.”

My advice to other yoga newbies: Bring your own yoga mat and water bottle and wear comfy clothes—trust me, you don’t need to spend a fortune to fit in. Get to class early, meet the instructor and go over what moves she plans to use so you know the terms.

Bring a friend or go solo—these classes are for people who enjoy exercise and craft beer so you’ll have no problems making a friend or two once class has ended. It also makes for a great way to spend a few hours when you have out-of-town guests—I took my sister who was visiting and I plan to take my mom when she comes to Savannah. It’s something different that they can go home and talk about with their friends.

Beer and Yoga, Service Brewing Co., 574 Indian St., $20 includes 60-minute yoga class plus a 36-ounce beer tasting and tour.

Pints and Poses, Southbound Brewing Co., 107 E. Lathrop Ave., $25 includes 90-minute yoga class plus six pours and a souvenir koozie, southboundbrewingco.com. —KIM WADE

NUR NOW H IR SES & TH ING ERA PIST S

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ealth // A-Z

Zzzzz’s

IF YOU’RE HAVING a harder time sleeping with each passing year, you’re not alone.

Dr. Ryan B. Moody, a pulmonologist with Southeast Lung Associates, describes Advance Sleep Phase Disorder as “one of the most common sleep disorders as we get older.” This circadian rhythm irregularity can wreak havoc on the body as it interferes with normal sleep patterns. Patients fall asleep early, usually between 6 and 9 p.m., and wake early, often between 2 and 5 a.m.

“This is a troublesome issue, as the world doesn’t function around this timeframe,” Dr. Moody explains. “Also, issues such as depression and anxiety, chronic pain such as arthritis and medication effects play a significant role.”

Sleep plays a vital part in supporting immune function, maintaining proper heart rhythm and regulating organs throughout the body. Adequate sleep is critical for brain development, memory consolidation and neuronal adaptation. During the deepest levels of sleep, the body releases growth hormones and repairs cellular damage.

So, how can you get a good night’s sleep without resorting to prescription sleep medication?

“There are natural remedies such as melatonin, which supplements your brain’s own melatonin production to help you fall asleep,” he advises. “However, if this is a recurring problem, you should see your doctor.”

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