Health Watch: A Pathway to Better Health

Being ill shouldn’t hurt.

2010-07-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

Ask any person what they fear most about illness and they will likely tell you they fear pain. No one wants to suffer. Although suffering is a reality for many who are ill, suffering and illness shouldn’t go together. Fortunately, there are those working to change this situation for the better.

How do we relieve pain for those who are ill? What can be done to make sure people live a good quality of life for however long they live? Those were some of the questions we explored last night on Health Watch as we considered the topic, “Why Suffering and Illness Shouldn’t Mix: Pain Relief for the Seriously Ill.” Joining us by phone was Dr. Diane Meier, director of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine palliative care institute and center in New York City. She holds the distinction of being a 2008 MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” recipient and recently edited a book, Palliative Care: Transforming the Care of Serious Illness, which comprehensively considers pain and pain management. Dr. Meier was an ideal guest to talk about pain relief.

Dr. Meier shared that how we deal with pain, whether as a patient or a provider, is related to culture. We discussed how cultural notions like “gritting our teeth and bearing it,” and “no pain, no gain” often create situations in which pain is not treated like a medical emergency (which it is), but instead as a statement of character. As a palliative care specialist and geriatric physician, Dr. Meier works to change the way healthcare deals with pain and suffering. She is succeeding one patient and family at a time.

During the program Dr. Meier explained what palliative care is. Palliative care is care provided to relieve pain, stress and other symptoms of serious illness. Palliative care is not the same as hospice, which provides care at the end of a person’s life. Although hospice is part of palliative care, palliative care is not just for those who are terminally ill or dying. Palliative care is for anyone experiencing pain or suffering related to illness. The goal of palliative care is to improve people’s quality of life for however long they live. Achieving this first requires walking in another’s shoes.

Dr. Meier talked about how good palliative care first starts with providers listening to patients about their pain. Good listening, which includes rating pain intensity and setting goals to reduce pain, leads to better identification and address of specific pain symptoms. But, palliative care is more than just good listening. It is also about providers’ foreknowledge of the side effects associated with pain-relief medications (things like constipation), as well as understanding that pain is more than physical. It is emotional and spiritual, as well. Treating chronic pain and suffering, therefore, requires a team approach, one that includes healthcare providers, social workers, chaplains, family members and others. Each has an important role to play in providing pain relief. Dr. Meier’s genuineness and concern for those in pain was apparent even over the phone. It was a Health Watch you would not have wanted to miss!

Before we closed the show, Dr. Meier talked about the unsung heroes/sheroes of the palliative care movement. These people are caregivers. Often overlooked, caregivers walk daily the pain management road with their loved ones. Busily caring for others, caregivers often neglect their own health, too often leading to their premature deaths and disability. Dr. Meier spoke candidly about how we need to help share the load with those who care for others. She also strongly encouraged caregivers to advocate for their loved one’s pain management, even to the point of sometimes irritating healthcare providers to do it. When it comes to effective pain management, assertiveness pays in better quality outcomes.

If you want to find out more about Dr. Meier and her palliative care approach, then check out these links:

http://www.npcrc.org/about/about_show.htm?doc_id=437101
http://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/diane-e-meier

People who are hurting shouldn’t have to. Relieving pain associated with illness requires time, empathy and compassion. Although it may not be easy, giving someone quality time to spend living is definitely worth it. Health Watch will continue shining its light on paths that lead to better health and pain-free living. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we do better. Then pass it on!”

Roots and Wings to Soar

2010-07-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

The best families give you two things. They give you roots that connect you to something bigger than yourself. Families also give you wings, which help you soar to your fullest potential. Knowing who you are and where you come from affects many things, including physical, emotional and spiritual health.

For many, particularly African Americans, knowing the depths of our families’ roots is a challenge. With the institution of American slavery, many families of African descent were separated and displaced throughout the Americas. Compounding the issue is the lack of written records documenting enslaved African Americans’ history. Often these records are spotty, at best, or missing, at worst. Yet, where there is a will there is a way.

Within each of us is a key, unlocking the door to who we are, while also showing us the past and future, including our health. Health Watch wanted to find out more about this. So we dedicated yesterday’s show to exploring the topic, “Roots and genes: The link between DNA testing, history and health.”

Joining us was Dr. Rick Kittles, a scientist who well understands the connection between history, genes and health. Dr. Rick Kittles is a biologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the scientific director of African Ancestry, Inc. Dr. Kittles was the right guest to talk about how history and health are written in our genes.

As Dr. Kittles explained so much of who we are is encoded in DNA, which stands for Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid. We inherit DNA equally from our biological mothers and fathers. By studying the distinct patterns in the maternal or paternal lines scientists can determine lots of useful information about who we are, what health conditions we are predisposed to, and the ethnic groups our families originated from. Taking those applications to scale, Dr. Kittles and colleagues have developed African Ancestry, Inc., a genetics testing service which uses DNA to identify where in Africa people of African descent originated. Since starting the company, more than 20,000 people have used the relatively lost cost, fast and easy testing service.

Beyond genetic inheritance, Dr. Kittles also laid to rest the myth that race is a biological. Although there is tremendous physical variation between people, which we then use to put people into boxes or typologies called “races,” in actuality human beings no matter what their skin color or other physical features are almost identical biologically. Race is a cultural and social idea, not a biological one. That issue sparked some lively conversation with our Health Watch listeners.

While DNA helps unlock history’s past, including facts like all human beings originating from early humans located in Africa, it also has applications for health. DNA is answering questions about the excessively high incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer among African American men. It is also the driving force behind personalized medicine and genome mapping. The science of DNA is creating new and exciting paths of discovery. Yet, with any new technology there is an up side and a down side. DNA-related research is no exception. Dr. Kittles shed some light on this also.

DNA material once collected can be used for multiple research purposes. As healthcare consumers, when you provide human tissue, salvia, blood or other specimens, you should ask how is it going to be used and whether it will be saved for later use. Whether you decide to contribute your biological material or not, you should know this up front. However, as Dr. Kittles shared, the responsibility of conducting ethical research rests squarely on the shoulders of scientists themselves. Those who seek to know must first careful consider the implications of what they do and how they do their work. Dr. Kittles is obviously an advocate for researcher accountability. If you missed yesterday’s Health Watch, you definitely missed an important discussion. It was radio worth hearing!

To find out more about DNA testing and its applications, check out African Ancestry, Inc.’s website. They have a wealth of information, as well as a schedule for their 2010 national tour. Here’s the link to get your search started: http://africanancestry.com/

Health Watch believes when you know who you are, the rest is derivative. Here’s to finding your roots and developing wings to soar. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we do better. Then pass it on!”

You can learn some new tricks.

2010-07-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

It seems like the older you get, the less you remember. You once could turn around on a dime and give 9 ½ cents back in change. Now you are lucky if you remember to get the change while you are actually paying for your purchase. Remembering is a valuable tool, no matter what walk of life you are from. If we could only remember as well as we used to or even better, now wouldn’t that be something. Well, Health Watch wanted to find out if it was possible. Can you can teach an old dog new tricks when it comes to memory?

Joining us by phone was two-time Guinness World Book Record holder for memory Dave Farrow. Dave not only perfected memory techniques to overcome his ADD and dyslexia, he is now on a mission to boost others’ memory to improve their lives and achieve their goals. It was a Health Watch you would not have wanted to miss.

During the program we discussed common memory challenges, including remembering peoples’ names. Picture this scenario. You are meeting several people for the first time and you want to remember their names. How do you do it? Dave advised that you first slow down and take the time to actually recognize each person, instead of meeting people in rapid-fire succession. Next, after meeting each person, ask yourself the question, “What is this person’s name?” When you do this, you will more easily recall the person’s name and store that information in your long-term memory.

Have you ever forgotten where you placed something? If so, do not fret. Just use this trick Dave shared with us. Imagine the item blowing up. (Please do not actually make the item blow up!) The visual will spark your memory, leading you directly to where you last placed the item.

Beyond specific memory tips, Dave shared with us several applications of his memory techniques. We covered topics like speed reading, focus and goal setting, improving memory as well as how to read for maximum comprehension. For this last one, Dave suggested reading intensely in short bursts (5-8 minutes) followed by 5 minute breaks. Reading and studying this way increases retention and lessens the need to cram. Dave definitely gave our Health Watch listeners food for thought and something to remember.

If you are looking for ways to improve your memory and achieve your life goals, then perhaps Dave Farrow has tools you can use. You can find out more about Dave and his techniques at this link: www.yourmemorysucks.com

Whoever said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” perhaps never met the right coach. Here’s to improving your memory to get the most out of life. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. Then pass it on!”

Quitting is closer than you think.

2010-07-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

Kicking the tobacco habit is easier said than done. Just ask anyone who has either quit or is trying to quit. Quitting is a process, not a destination. Yet, kicking the tobacco habit is possible! That is the good news.

Quitting requires understanding smoking and what tools work best to quit. Just like planning for a battle, quitting takes strategy and support. Doing just that-- developing a strategy to help you or someone you love kick tobacco is our goal. Health Watch is so intent to succeed we dedicated an entire show to smoking cessation. It was a program you would not have wanted to miss.

Helping us understand tobacco addiction was Dr. Charles Bentz, an internist and medical director for the Legacy Health System Tobacco Cessation & Prevention Program in Portland, Oregon. We could not have asked for a better guest to talk about kicking the tobacco habit. Dr. Bentz not only understands the issue as a physician and advocate, but as a former smoker himself.

We talked about how breaking the smoking habit is really about two competing challenges. The first is nicotine addiction. The other is smoking behavior. Each comes with its on set of issues to tackle. Nicotine, when inhaled, alters the brain’s chemistry. Therefore to break the addiction requires stepping the body down from its nicotine dependency.

Smoking also is not just something people do. Smoking comes with its own set of meanings, feelings and behaviors. Some people smoke when they are with others or during breaks. As a result, smoking cigarettes is linked with other activities and people. Breaking the habit requires knowing what triggers the desire to smoke and altering that. The more a person interrupts these triggers, the more successful quitting becomes.

During our conversation Dr. Bentz also helped us understand the mystery of why African Americans are less likely to smoke, yet they are more likely to die from lung cancer. Much of is has to do with the types of cigarettes African Americans consume and how they smoke cigarettes. Mentholated cigarettes, preferred more often by African Americans, contain menthol, which sooths the throat. Consequently, people who smoke mentholated cigarettes draw harder while smoking and even smoke up to the filter to get the most of each cigarette. Who knew that cool sensation was numbing us to an early grave!

Although smoking is not an easy habit to break, quitting is possible. That was the message Dr. Bentz wanted our Health Watch listeners to know. Quitting requires having the right support and tools. Tools like quit lines. Each state has a local 1-800 number that providers callers counseling support right over the phone. They also have information about other resources that can help people quit. In Tennessee, the number is 1-800- QUIT-NOW. Help is just a phone call away.

So whether it is your first time or umpteenth time quitting, keep trying. Each attempt brings you one step closer to kicking the habit for good. Remember you are not in the fight alone. Health Watch is in your corner and on your side. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. Then pass it on!”

“Peace in the midst of a storm”

2010-04-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

If you were anywhere near a television or radio in January 2010 the day the earthquake in Haiti happened or the days thereafter, what you saw and heard touched you. With so many people hurt, scared and unaccounted for, if you could do nothing else you prayed. It is hard to witness a traumatic event like that and not be affected. There were surely times you rejoiced when someone had been pulled from the rubble. Then there were times you wept when you saw people being buried in mass graves. For days on end we were on an emotional rollercoaster.

Now imagine being in Haiti only days after the earthquake. With so many people in need, where do you start? Who do you help and how do you help? What can you say or do to provide some comfort and reassurance that although things are turned up-side-down, hope still lives? When you are the caregiver in the midst of disaster, how do you keep your sanity to help others stay sane?

Last Thursday evening Health Watch considered the topic, “Staying Sane in the Midst of Disaster: The Haitian Earthquake Experience.” Providing a first-hand account of what he witnessed and the work that remains to be done was Dr. Rahn Bailey, a psychiatrist with Meharry Medical College. Days after the earthquake, he and colleagues from the National Medical Association arrived like “angles in the midst of rubble” to provide comfort and care to those devastated by disaster. What he shared with our Health Watch listeners was incredible.

Dr. Bailey saw extreme poverty and lack of infrastructure to quickly support rescue and recovery. Nevertheless, he also found a resilient people, who although devastated by the earthquake, were not leveled to their emotional core. History and faith had seen these people through hard times before. These assets were providing emotional anchor once again. Battered, bruised and shaken, Dr. Bailey and his team members dealt with the immediate emotional needs of orphans directly impacted by the disaster.

As to be expected, Dr. Bailey talked about issues of post-traumatic stress, fear, anxiety and depression amongst many of the girls in the orphanage and their caretakers. He also talked about how caregivers, including some of the older girls, provided emotional sanctuary for others. This sanctuary included individual and group counseling, along with opportunities to share what each girl experienced in her words. It was apparent as he recalled the experience that Dr. Bailey was touched deeply by what he saw. It was a Health Watch program you would not have wanted to miss!

Dr. Bailey also talked about parallels many children in Haiti dealt with before, during and after the earthquake and the issues many of our children face at home. The wounds of abandonment, limited access to healthcare, disease, sexual assaults and violence do not go away when the ground starts to move. Instead, they can be compounded by a natural disaster. That is why Dr. Bailey and his associates are dedicated to returning to Haiti in late spring 2010. Rebuilding lives after a disaster takes time and commitment.

If you want to find out more about Dr. Bailey’s experience in Haiti and the lessons it offers for providing support to those affected by natural and human-made disasters, then check out this link:

http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/4675/1/In-Haiti-to-help-psychiatrist-asked-How-could-things-get-better/Page1.html

Health Watch will keep you posted on what is happening with the Haitian recovery effort. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of those devastated by life’s storms. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”

“Loving our brothers to life”

2010-04-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

A few years ago the R&B singer Angie Stone wrote a song “Black Brother” dedicated to African American men. (It went something like, “Black brother, I love you. I’ll never try to hurt you.” Remember that song.) The song spoke of the virtue of Black men and their importance to the greater good of all communities. The song was a hit with young and old alike. However, the song’s uplifting message and the reality for many African American men and their health don’t always match up.

Like when a popular song fades, it seems so has African American men’s health fallen off the public radar. Well, like an “oldie, but goodie” that never goes out of style, Health Watch wants to put African American men’s health back in current rotation. So yesterday Health Watch sought to answer the questions, “Can a brother get some love?”- Is African American Men’s Health on the public agenda? Joining us to talk about the issue is a leading researcher in African American Men’s Health, Dr. Henrie Treadwell from the Morehouse College of Medicine.

Dr. Treadwell recently gained public attention when she wrote an open letter to President Barack Obama in response to the establishment of the White House Council on Women and Girls. Although Dr. Treadwell praised the Obama administration for focusing much-needed attention on the status of women and girls in all public sectors, she was disheartened by the fact the same level of attention was not focused on men and boys, particularly those of color including African Americans.

Dr. Treadwell shared with our Health Watch listeners the state of African American men’s health in the United States. Whereas, the health status of American men is woefully less than national averages, for African American men the situation is often far worse. Much of this Dr. Treadwell attributes to how the public health and healthcare sectors, in general, treat African American men. Such systems do not engage African American men, but instead ignore them and their health, acting as if neither exists. (There are interesting parallels between Dr. Treadwell’s description and Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man.)

Beyond health systems not seeing African American men (other than stereotypic images related to violence and sex) Dr. Treadwell further shared how they are also not being heard. When asked what the recent upsurge in young African American men committing suicide is telling us (either young men taking their own lives or putting themselves in harm’s way so their lives can be taken by others), Dr. Treadwell’s response was haunting. She told us that many young African American men are telling the nation that their hope is gone. Health Watch listeners were definitely hearing and feeling what Dr. Treadwell was saying. It was a Health Watch you would not have wanted to miss.

Despite the seemingly “bad news” about African American men’s health in the United States, Dr. Treadwell shared that she sees many rays of hope. These rays of hope look like community-based, male-friendly care being provided by Morehouse School of Medicine and Project Brotherhood in Chicago, IL. Rays of hope also are evidenced in the expanded use of community health workers, patient navigators, integrated systems of care and other approaches. Many of these are becoming standard practice in healthcare. Hope looks like national foundations putting greater emphasis on racial health equity and Men’s Health. Dr. Treadwell is also encouraged by what she sees African American men doing themselves by organizing African American Men’s Health Conferences and other initiatives to support health, as a personal and political issue. However, sharing the hope Dr. Treadwell sees with many African American men who are without hope is the next step.

Dr. Treadwell told us that spreading hope means creating more opportunities and spaces for African American men to speak and be heard. It also means increasing the ranks of public health and healthcare leadership with men of color, who can support policies that make healthcare accessible to them and all populations. It is also includes affirming the fullness of African American manhood, for there are many African American men who are making a tremendous difference (yet go unrecognized), while supporting those who need help. Dr. Treadwell gave our Health Watch listeners some much needed food for thought last night.

If you are interested in reading more about Dr. Treadwell, her research, and her thoughts about African American Men’s Health, then check out these links:

http://www.aframnews.com/html/interspire/authors/58/Dr.-Henrie-M.-Treadwell

http://www.communityvoices.org/

http://www.msm.edu/Centers_and_Institutes/National_Center_for_Primary_Care_(NCPC).htm

Brothers of all colors, including African American ones, are worthy of the best our healthcare systems can provide. When we keep talking about and working towards health equity, we make sure they get the love they deserve. Health Watch will keep doing its part. We hope you do the same. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”

“On the Other Side of Grief”

2010-03-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

Spring has almost sprung and its time to look forward to living. Yet, you feel like you are stuck. You lost a loved one recently, you lost your job, or you have experienced some other setback and it has taken the wind out of your sails. Your zest for living is gone. You remember how it used to be and the pain is not subsiding. Smack in the middle of grief, you wish there was a lifeline to pull you through. Well, last Thursday Health Watch threw out the lifeline by focusing our attention on grief. It was a Health Watch you would not have wanted to miss!

John Baker and Nicole Hilliard, grief counselors with Alive Hospice came to talk to Health Watch about grief. When it comes to grief there is more than meets the eye. Grief is as unique as the person experiencing it. How a person responds to grief reflects one’s background, how they learned to cope, as well as what kind of experience is causing the grief. Grief over the loss of a parent by an adult child will not be the same as the grief experienced by parents who lost a young child. Because what causes grief is not the same, dealing with our grief requires understanding it in context.

John and Nicole further shared why grieving is especially hard for some people. Death often triggers unresolved issues for those left to grieve. Whether it is anger, guilt, resentment, or abandonment, dealing with these feelings in an environment where you can express them honestly and without being judged are key to moving through the grieving process.

Grief is a process. It is not something that goes away automatically or quickly. Grieving takes time. Those were important take-aways from Thursday’s Health Watch. Grief comes with peaks and valleys, times when you will feel fairly normal and those when you might not. Grief can also manifest itself in many ways. For some concentration is thrown off, sleeping becomes difficult, or they cope by staying busy. For children grief is often reflected in play, especially acting out how they or others are feeling. Paying attention to one’s feelings is an important part of the process.

Grieving is not a process that has to be endured alone. When a person dies things are not the same. A new sense of normalcy has to be created. Nicole likened this to having a beautiful vase shatter. All that is left are broken pieces. Yet, from those broken pieces a stained glass window can be made. That is what life on the other side of grief looks like. Hope resides in picking up the pieces. This is also the point where individual and group grief recovery can become vitally important. Support can help those grieving pick up the pieces and put them back together.

If you are looking for support to help you or others grieve, then a resource like Alive Hospice may have the answers you need. The link below can connect you to what they offer: http://www.alivehospice.org/

Grieving is an experience best shared. Health Watch is a shoulder you can lean on for information and support. When you need us, we are here. So until next time, remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”

“Lean on Me”

2010-03-08T11:19:00.000-08:00

Perhaps above all else, most of us value our independence. We like to come and go as we please, being as active as we can for as long as possible. However, life makes us have to depend on others. No person is an island unto themselves. Whether it is because of a severe accident, debilitating illness or other medical condition, being totally independent is not always possible.

When illness or severe accidents happen, whether for our selves or our loved ones, at some point the conversation turns to “long-term care.” When most people hear those words they think about nursing homes, seemingly dull, sad and depressing places where old people are warehoused until they die. These kinds of images make us shudder. They also make the prospect of growing older or needing care frightening. Yet, long-term care – what it means and the many options available – includes much more than nursing homes. It includes a variety of services that can make living independently possible once again and life enjoyable no matter what your age or physical condition. That’s why last Thursday’s Health Watch wanted to find out more about long-term care.

Joining us to talk to us about the “ends and outs” of long-term care and the variety of options available was Ms. Beverly Bass, a staff member with Bordeaux Long-Term Care. Ms. Bass shared with us that when it comes to long-term care, it truly is a whole new world. Driven in part by consumer demand (particularly aging Baby Boomers who are better educated and savvy consumers), people are demanding more options and better quality long-term care. Long-term care providers have heard these demands and are responding accordingly.

Did you know that it is possible to remain in your home and receive long-term care assistance? Personal care assistants are providers who come to your home and help with basic activities of daily living (i.e., assistance with bathing, getting dressed, and light housekeeping). These providers can also do assessments of your home and point out areas where minor improvements can make getting around your home more pleasant and safe. Along we these care providers, there are others who offer assistance going to the grocery store and running other errands. Medicaid, Medicare and other insurance providers cover many of these services. Most do not require a person to sell their assets (namely your home) in order to receive care. (That’s a relief!)

Ms. Bass also told us that for those needing more assistance many facilities, like Bordeaux Long-Term Care Facility, offers adult daycare, assisted living and residential care. These types of care often incorporate patient-centered philosophies, like the Eden Alternative, which focus on providing residents with community-like atmospheres. They also include amenities, such as: pets, plants, laughter, and fun activities. Instead of being places where residents look forward to dying, current options in long-term care focus on living to the fullest, no matter a person’s age, physical condition or care needs.

These care services not only help those needing care, they can also be a tremendous benefit to loved ones too by reducing the stress and burden that goes along with providing long-term care. If you missed Thursday’s Health Watch then you missed something important!

If you are considering long-term care, either for yourself or someone you love, then the links below might be just what you need to get you started.

http://www.medicare.gov/longTermCare/static/home.asp (Official Medicare site for long-term care concerns)

http://www.bordeauxltc.org/ (Bordeaux Long Term Care Facility. The facility also has counselors available to answer your questions.)

http://www.edenalt.org/about-the-eden-alternative (The Eden Alternative concept)

Long-term care is not something to be afraid of. Likewise, long-term care is not a one-size fits all approach to getting the care you need. The options available are as diverse as the people and families who receive long-term care. Most are only a phone call away.

Growing older or needing care is not something to dread. It might in fact be the start of truly living better. Therefore, Health Watch will continue to bring you the information you need to live life, no matter what your age or condition, to the fullest. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”

“Putting Your Best Foot Forward”

2010-02-26T17:00:00.000-08:00

You have heard the expression, “Put your best foot forward.” For most of us that is an idiom; not something we take literally. But maybe we should. Feet are an important part of our bodies, ones that we often overlook and neglect. Despite not paying as much attention to them as we should, our feet keep us firmly planted on the ground and take us from place. Feet are an amazing tool. So amazing in fact, that yesterday Health Watch dedicated an entire hour to talking about feet with Dr. Mark Hinkes, DPM founder of Amputation Prevention Partners, LLC in Nashville.

Dr. Hinkes not only talked about the most common kinds of foot conditions (Dr. Hinkes has treated thousands of patients in his 30+ year career) he also gave our listeners simple things to do to prevent and relieve these conditions. Take for instance dry skin on heels and foot pads. Dr. Hinkes told us that products containing urea penetrate deep into the skin providing moisture that can make cracked heels a thing of the past.

When it comes to corns and calluses, Dr. Hinkes admonished us not to take matters into our own hands literally. He talked to us about the dangers of removing corns with razor blades and other sharp objects (namely because of poor lighting, unsteady hands, not knowing when enough cutting is too much), advising us instead to seek help from a local podiatrist instead. Dr. Hinkes also talked to us about nail fungus, thick, discolored and brittle nails. Instead of rushing to the drug store for the latest over-the-counter treatment (many of which contain salicylic acid), Dr. Hinkes told us about prescription medications we can take short term (up to 3 months) as well as new laser treatments that can rid our toenails of these troubles for good. If you missed last night’s Health Watch then you missed stepping off on the right foot in 2010.

Dr. Hinkes also talked about his real passion, preventing amputations. With simple strategies for foot care, developed working with veterans and others diabetics, Dr. Hinkes has helped people with diabetes keep their feet and toes. So committed to this work, Dr. Hinkes has written a book entitled, Keep the Legs You Stand On. Some of our Health Watch callers received copies last night as giveaways.

From the number of questions generated from last night’s discussion, putting our best foot forward is an issue many Health Watch listeners are concerned about. That’s why we will be bringing Dr. Hinkes back on Health Watch just as soon as we can arrange it. So stay tuned to Health Watch to get the answers you need for your foot concerns.

If you missed the program or want to find out more about Dr. Hinkes and his work, then check out his website at this link: www.amputationprevention.com

Until next time, keep putting your best foot forward and remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on!”

“Love the One You're With”

2010-02-26T16:57:00.000-08:00

Most people dream one day they will find that special someone, fall in love and live happily ever after. For those fortunate to find true love, being part of a pair is a blessing. But, that dream does not work out for everyone. Whether because of divorce, death, or not being able to find that certain someone, many people end up living alone for some period of their adult lives. There are those who relish singleness and make the most of living solo. Others seem to dread being alone, falling deeper and deeper into despair.

What separates those who are single and satisfied from those who are alone and lonely? That is what Health Watch wanted to find out as we explored “Being Single and Mastering the Art of Aloneness.” Helping us to think about these issues was Lauren Mackler, a professional life coach and author of Solemate: Master the Art of Aloneness & Transform Your Life. On the heels of a lonely Valentine’s Day for some, Lauren’s advice was just what many of our Health Watch listeners needed to hear.

Lauren shared that mastering the art of aloneness is not about advocating for being solo. Instead mastering the art of aloneness is about understanding and loving yourself first so no matter whether you are paired or not, you can get the best out of life. Since you live with yourself 24/7/365, then it makes sense you should like and love yourself best. For Lauren, appreciating aloneness starts with understanding critical things about our selves. Take for instance your family of origin. The family you were raised in has a significant impact on how you think about yourself and deal with being alone. Were you the “hero” in your family or “the rebel”? Were you the oldest child or the middle one? These dynamics influence how you see yourself and interact with others.

Laruen also shared ways to overcome the fears that keep us from living to our fullest and how to quiet the chatter in our heads that makes us feel unworthy of love. Lauren’s candor and kindness had our Health Watch listeners glued to their seats. Health Watch listeners were even calling in days after the show to find out how they could get a copy of Lauren’s book for their own process of self-discovery. It was a Health Watch show worth hearing!

If you were not able to tune in or want to find out more about Lauren and her book, then check out this link: http://www.laurenmackler.com/

Loving yourself is the greatest love of all. Health Watch is convinced of this and we hope our listeners are as well. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on!”

“The Past is Prologue to the Future”

2010-02-26T16:54:00.000-08:00

In 1926, the eminent historian Carter G. Woodson established “Negro History Week.” Designated as the second week in February, the annual event coincided with the birthdays of two figures significant in the history of African Americans – Abraham Lincoln, credited with signing the Emancipation Proclamation and Fredrick Douglass, the ardent abolitionist who once had been enslaved. Woodson intended the commemoration as an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of people of African descent all over the world. From that humble beginning, “Negro History Week” became Black History Month.

Although some question the relevance of Black History Month, it is hard to imagine what the world would look like without the accomplishments of people of African descent. Whether as inventors, educators, politicians, or entrepreneurs, African Americans have contributed significantly to the history of this country and the world. The same holds true for health.

Sheroes and heroes made tremendous strides in the past and contemporary trendsetters continue to revolutionize the science, practice, administration and art of health and healthcare. In honor of Black History Month, Health Watch wanted to consider some of these history makers and their contributions. Joining us to talk about African American health history makers was Dr. Cecil Cone, a pathologist and medical history buff from Meharry Medical College.

Dr. Cone shared with our listeners how the history of medicine in the United States owes a tremendous debt to the contributions of African Americans and people of African descent. Whether it is Dr. Daniel Hale Williams who performed the first successful open heart surgery in 1893 (and who still at Howard University is honored with an intercom page for “Dr. Dan” whenever a patient is in cardiac distress) to Dr Charles Drew who made critical strides in blood plasma and even established the nation’s first blood bank (yet when he was injured, was not able to access the same life-giving treatments he designed because of segregationist medical policies). Even the founding of medicine itself is a testament to Imhotep, an Egyptian astronomer, philosopher and healer as much as it is to Hippocrates. That legacy of African American history makers in health and science continues today.

Dr. Cone schooled us about current historical leaders in health. He reminded us that there have been three African American U.S. Surgeon Generals (including the current one, Dr. Regina Benjamin), along with several Tennessee Department of Health and Mental Health Commissioners, Dr. Kenneth Robinson, Mr. Eric Taylor, and Mr. Evelyn Robertson and local Public Health Department directors, namely Ms. Yvonne Madlock (Memphis) and Dr. Stephanie Bailey (formerly with the Nashville Health Department). It was clear from our conversation that the legacy African American leadership in health continues.

So in honor of past, present and future health makers, Health Watch salutes you. Just like these leaders Health Watch will continue to do its part to “make health happen.” We hope you will do the same. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on!”

“A Circle of Promise”

2009-12-01T11:06:00.000-08:00

When you are blessed, bless someone else. Sharing a blessing is how all great movements get started. One person shares what they have and others do the same. The idea of sharing blessings is behind Health Watch’s tagline, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on!” We are blessed to be a blessing.

In the spirit of blessing, we invited Crystal King of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to be a guest on Health Watch a few weeks ago. Phoning in from Dallas, Texas, Crystal talked to Health Watch about a Komen for the Cure effort, Circle of Promise.

Circle of Promise is a movement to provide African Americans with tools to improve their health and empower communities with information about breast cancer. Circle of Promise members serve as ambassadors in their local communities. They advocate for greater access to breast cancer screening, mobilize friends and family to reclaim health, and separate facts from myths about breast cancer. They also inspire others to spread these messages of hope to those they know and love. Since starting, thousands have become Circle of Promise ambassadors. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is looking to recruit even more.

Supporting Circle of Promise are national ambassadors, including: singers Pattie LaBelle and Lalah Hathaway; Tom Joyner Morning Show co-host, Sybil Wilkes; artist Synthia SAINT JAMES, and many, many more. Crystal, herself a breast cancer survivor, has been featured as a Circle of Promise ambassador on corporate partner products. Circle of Promise includes people from all walks of life. Both the international celebrity and the faithful community member have a sphere of influence. That sphere can be a circle of promise to end breast cancer.

If you have been blessed and want to bless others, then Circle of Promise might be your opportunity. For more information about Circle of Promise and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, check out this website: http://www.circleofpromise.org/default.aspx

Health Watch has joined the Circle of Promise. Hope you will, too. Until next time, remember “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on!”

“Feel Good About Being You”

2009-11-06T11:21:00.000-08:00

Confidence -some people seem to have an over abundance of it, while others do not have enough. Being confident is something it seems like either you are either born with or struggle to develop. Unfortunately, too many find themselves in the latter category. Self-doubt can cause us to be anxious, stressed out and fearful. Yet, having the right amount of confidence can make the world seem like a place full of opportunities and possibilities, all with our names written on them. Confidence – how to achieve and maintain it – was the focus of last evening’s Health Watch.

Health Watch talked to two licensed psychologists, Dr. Leslie Sokol and Dr. Marci Fox, who work with clients in Philadelphia and Florida to boost their self-esteem and confidence. They had a lot to tell us about confidence and why too many of us are plagued by self-doubt. It was a Health Watch episode worth hearing.

For starters, they shared that there is a difference between self-doubt and realistic concern. Realistic concern is anxiety which manifests when you know you do not have the skills, training or experience to accomplish a particular goal. Realistic concern is reasonable because it alerts you to a need that you can work to address. However, self-doubt is different. Self-doubt says you cannot accomplish or achieve when all of your training, skills and experience say differently. Self-doubt is being concerned when there is really no need to be alarmed. Drs. Fox and Sokol shared a lot more about how doubt can wreak havoc on our confidence.

Doubts, whether they stem from our need to feel competent or to be accepted, can affect the way we see the world. When put in situations that cause us stress, one of those needs – either to be viewed as competent or be accepted – will fire up our doubts. As a result, we will “see” or “read into” situations things that are probably not true at all. Doubt can sabotage us before we even get started. Yet, thankfully Drs. Sokol and Fox shared there is a way to overcome doubt and regain the confidence that is rightfully ours. It begins first with acknowledgement.

Drs. Sokol and Fox advocate that we acknowledge each of us is a complete package and not a single item. What that means is that any one failure or set-back is not the sum total of who we are. Instead, it is one event. It does not define all of who we are. Therefore, we should not give it power over us. We define who we are, not a single event!

Another strategy they suggest is going on a fact finding mission to discover our assets- the unique and wonderful things that make us who we are. If we are not sure what those assets are, then ask people you know and trust to help identify them. Writing these assets down can help us see facts that support believing in and feeling good about ourselves. There were many more bits of wisdom our Health Watch guests had to share.

If you are in need of a confidence boost, then Drs. Sokol and Fox may have exactly the resource you are looking for. They have outlined their approach to confidence building in a book aptly titled, Think Confident, Be Confident: A Four-Step Program to Eliminate Doubt and Achieve Lifelong Self-Esteem. It is easy to read and provides quizzes and worksheets to help you with identifying your doubts and building your confidence.

To find out more about Drs. Sokol and Fox as well as the book, be sure to check out this link: http://www.thinkconfidentbeconfident.com/

We each have a right to feel good about who we are and our accomplishments. Both can be the fuel to propel us to higher and higher heights. As we grow in confidence, we can help others to do the same. Health Watch will keep doing its part to lead us on a path to confidence and health. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. Then pass it on!”

“You are not alone.”

2009-10-19T17:03:00.000-07:00

You have seemingly done all the right things. You went to school to prepare yourself for a successful career, which you have. You are in a stable relationship. You are reasonably healthy. It seems like everything is in place. Now you are ready to start your family. Yet, things are not panning out the way you would like. You see other couples getting pregnant. However, you are not one of them. Why won’t the stork stop by your house?

Infertility- its causes, what is available to help, and how to cope—those were just some of the issues last week’s Health Watch dealt with. Helping us to better understand infertility and options available to those trying to get pregnant was Dr. Gloria Richard-Davis, an infertility specialist from Meharry Medical College.

Dr. Richard-Davis told us that infertility is much more common than we perhaps first thought. So common in fact, Dr. Richard-Davis and her colleagues have written a book on the subject. The book entitled, Planning Parenthood: Strategies for Success in Fertility Assistance, Adoption, and Surrogacy covers many of the issues our Health Watch listeners wanted to know more about. Things like why it is more difficult to conceive the older a woman gets; costs associated with fertility treatment; and whether it is necessary for a woman to have an orgasm in order to conceive. (In case you were wondering about that last one, the answer is, “No.”) It was a Health Watch program you would not have wanted to miss.

If you are dealing with infertility, be encouraged. You are not alone. There are others in the same position and those with expertise to help. Health Watch wants to do our part to connect you to them. If you want to learn more about Dr. Richard-Davis’ book, please check out the link below:

http://www.amazon.com/Planning-Parenthood-Strategies-Fertility-Assistance/dp/0801891124

This is Health Watch singing off. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on.”

“You Can Do This”

2009-10-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

You are sick and tired of the muffin top around your waist. It seems like the more you try to cut calories and exercise, the less weight you loose. You figure being the size you are is inevitable. Better to just learn how to deal with it. Accentuate the positives and minimize the negatives. If that sounds like you, then hold up for a minute.

Maybe it is not more willpower you need, but instead to listen to your body. I mean really listen to your body and start from there. Maybe that is where the secret to permanent weight loss can be found. You have tried everything else why not try something that might actually work for you. That is what Marcelle Pick, MSN, OB/GYN NP, co-founder of Women for Women Clinic and author of The Core Balance Diet challenged Health Watch listeners to believe. Believe you can, put that belief into action and achieve permanent weight loss and regain your health. It all starts with understanding how your body functions.

Marcelle told our Health Watch listeners that our bodies are made up of several systems, which all function to keep our minds, bodies and spirits in balance. When these systems are not functioning properly, systems like the adrenal, hormonal, digestive, inflammatory, neurotransmitter or detoxification, our “core” malfunctions and as a consequence we gain and retain weight. If we can listen to which system(s) is out of balance, provide what it needs to recalibrate, then health is restored and excess weight comes off. The Core Balance Diet provides a way to get in touch with these systems. By the response for our Health Watch listeners, Marcelle’s ideas about balance and weight loss definitely struck a chord with them.

Listeners wanted to know more about Marcelle’s approach as well as information about diet sodas, artificial sweeteners, and much, much more. Marcelle responded to each based on her years of experience working with women, as well as her genuine commitment to helping people live healthfully.

If you are finally ready to be rid of the weight, then The Core Balance Diet might be worth considering. Want to read more about Marcelle and her approach then check out the following link:

http://www.womentowomen.com/healthyweight/corebalancediet.aspx

The weight can finally be over. Start by taking the first step on the path to balance and know that Health Watch will be with you all the way. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on.”

“Being Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired”

2009-09-25T14:20:00.000-07:00

The noted Civil Rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer coined the phrase, “Being sick and tired of being sick and tired.” She used it to describe what it felt like to be black, poor, left out and disenfranchised under Jim Crow. Sickening and tiring. Not just a chronic situation people were living with, Hamer also meant it as a rally cry. When you are “sick and tired of being sick and tired” you do something about it. Being “sick and tired” can be the starting point for getting well. People with chronic fatigue syndrome know all about this.

Health Watch wanted to find out more about chronic fatigue syndrome and what it means to be “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” We also wanted to know what is being done to help people with CFS and what people with CFS are doing to educate others about the condition. To answer some of our questions about CFS we had Dr. Charles Stratton, associate professor, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine on last night’s Health Watch.

Dr. Stratton told us that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is not the same as being tired from being overworked or stressed out. Nor are CFS and its debilitating effects something just in people’s heads. Instead CFS is a medical condition that causes people to be significantly fatigued. Common symptoms associated with CFS include: difficulties with memory and concentration; joint pain and inflammation; tender lymph nodes; on-going muscle pain; feeling tired and exhausted even after resting; and problems with sleep. Because the symptoms of CFS resemble those associated with other medical conditions, it is not always easy for healthcare providers to determine if a person has CFS.

Yet, as Dr. Stratton shared more and more research is linking CFS to specific pathogens, which invade the body and cause wasting associated with CFS. If the associated pathogen can be identified and treated, it is possible for those with CFS to return to their normal, active lives. Dr. Stratton talked about one survivor who as a child with CFS once treated went from wasting away to becoming an active and healthy adult.

Dr. Stratton also shared that CFS is less common in children and more often seen in adults between 40-50yrs. Although it appears to happen more in women, Dr. Stratton pointed out this may only be because CFS can be easily misdiagnosed and that there are many people who may have symptoms, yet do not know they have CFS. That is why public awareness about CFS is so important.

To raise our awareness about CFS, the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sponsoring a national photo exhibit called, The Faces of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The photo exhibit features the stories of people living with CFS, along with information, local experts and actual people touched by CFS. The exhibit is touring the Nashville area at Cool Spring Galleria, 1800 Galleria Boulevard in Franklin, TN from September 21-27, 2009. To find out more about the exhibit and The CFIDS Association of America, please check out these links:

http://www.cfids.org/sparkcfs/default.asp

http://www.cfids.org/

“Being sick and tired of being sick and tired” is something those with CFS understand all too well. Yet, those with CFS are not taking it lying down. Instead they are rallying and educating others about it. By getting educated about CFS we too can join the cause. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”

“Die with Dignity”

2009-09-25T14:15:00.000-07:00

If you keep living, there will come a day when you will have to deal with dying. We don’t like to talk about it much, but death is a natural part of life. Many of us fear death. So we try and avoid it at all costs. When it happens to someone we love, we are usually unprepared. Because we have not given much thought to dying, it ends up being even more stressful because we have to process how we feel while making major decisions about handling what needs to be done.

Planning for death sounds morbid, but it is not. Instead it is a healthy way of thinking about living. The same dignity you have in life should be the same dignity you keep in death, maybe even better. Having a “good” death (Yes, its possible.) requires thinking about what you want and knowing what is available so your wishes are respected. Planning for death can be a celebration of living.

To change the way we think about death and dying, Health Watch decided to find out more about both. We wanted find out what scares us about dying and how to avoid this when it’s our time or somebody else’s that we love. We also wanted to know how to better cope when someone we love dies. To help us think about these issues we had Dr. David Tribble, chief medical officer for Alive Hospice on to talk about death, dying and grief. Not only did Dr. Tribble share factual information we all need to know, he shared his heart. It was a Health Watch show not to be missed.

We uncovered that most of us fear the same things about death – dying alone, dying in pain, what happens after death, and leaving others behind. Although death is not easy, there are some things we can do make the situation better. This is where hospice becomes so important. We found out that hospices operate separate facilities as well as offer services in hospitals, to help patients and love ones transition through the dying process. Dr. Tribble shared that as much as dying is a medical issue it is even more a spiritual and emotional one. Hospices are equipped to serve all of these needs.

We also learned that to have our wishes honored, we can create an advance directive, which is an umbrella term for documents created before a person becomes seriously ill. Advance directives include living wills, a document which says how you want to be cared for if you become terminally ill; medical power of attorney, a document which gives a person you name the right to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them for yourself; and DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders, which tell the hospital whether or not you want to be resuscitated if your heart stops beating. The Tennessee Department of Health has even more information about advance directives at this link: http://health.state.tn.us/AdvanceDirectives/index.htm

These are documents you can prepare long before you ever might need them. Although they indicate your wishes about your care, as Dr. Tribble told us, if while receiving care you change your mind, then your advance directives can be changed. Advance directives are to give you, your loved ones and healthcare providers directions about how to best care for you.

During our conversation with Dr. Tribble we also talked about grief. Grief is an important part of healing, especially when someone you love passes. Dr. Tribble shared that we do not all grieve the same way. Our age, relationship to the person and other experiences will all affect the way we grieve. Although the hole left when someone dies can never be filled, through grieving we learn how to better cope with that hole. Again hospice centers, like Alive Hospice, can be particularly helpful. These centers have people trained to help those left behind dealing with loss. If you want to find out more about Alive Hospice and the services they offer, please check out this link: http://www.alivehospice.org/

Death and dying are not something we like to talk about, but they are something we need to discuss with our families. When we do, it makes both less scary for everyone. Health Watch will keep doing its part to make it a little easier. We encourage you to do yours. To live and die well, those are the markers of a life well spent! Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”

“Rest for the Weary”

2009-09-08T14:56:00.000-07:00

With everything going on, it is getting harder and harder to cope. There are more bad days than good days, and it seems as if the cloud over your head will never lift. Maybe you find comfort in “happy hour” after work with friends. But, now it seems that even the occasional cocktail is not enough. “Happy hour” is all day long. Guilt, shame and your little secret are starting to take a toll on you and those around you.

Or maybe life has dealt you some particularly hard blows. Death, divorce, abuse- you name it, you have been through it. Even though you are alive, you are dead inside. You are going through life on autopilot. You do not remember how to actually “feel” anymore. You are numb and disconnected. You don’t know when it happened you just know you are there. You are stuck.

Women, particularly those dealing with emotional trauma, substance abuse, and other addictive behaviors can feel like that. For many it feels as if they are facing these challenges alone. When they reach out for help, the help they receive is not always enough. Traditional treatment deals with the behavior, but not the emotional issues that underlie abuse. Dealing with one without addressing the other can feel like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. Fortunately, there is a better way and Health Watch is on a quest to find it.

More and more behavioral health providers are now talking about dual diagnosis, which is a fancy way of referring to addiction and emotional issues. Not only are they talking about it, they are also developing treatments to deal with both. Brookhaven Retreat, a residential treatment facility for women in East Tennessee, is one such facility. Jacqueline Dawes, owner and founder of Brookhaven, talked to Health Watch last Thursday about Brookhaven and its unique approach to helping women heal.

Jacqueline talked about her own experience of losing a child, divorce, and how those experiences prompted her to start Brookhaven. We discussed the kind of comprehensive health/behavioral health services Brookhaven offers. We explored reasons why women are reluctant to seek care, signs to look for in yourself or a loved one dealing with depression, and how Brookhaven has transformed the lives of women throughout the United States. It was an hour you would not have wanted to miss!

However, in case you did miss last week’s Health Watch, you can find out more about Jacqueline and Brookhaven Retreat at the following link: http://www.brookhavenretreat.com/

Recovery is possible. That’s the take-home message from last week’s Health Watch. If you are broken, healing and restoration are available. When you take the first step, others will be there to take the journey with you, including Health Watch. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on!”

“Getting to the Heart of the Matter”

2009-08-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

You have seen the news clips of rowdy town hall sessions around the country. You have been bombarded with advertisements supporting one or another side of the healthcare reform issues or another. You have seen pundits and heard debates on cable news about healthcare. Yet, you still are not really clear on what the issues are or where you stand on them. You wish someone would have a real conversation about healthcare reform that does not leave your head spinning, but instead gives you real, concrete things to think about. Health Watch is attempting to do its part to help weed through the rhetoric and get to the heart of understanding healthcare reform.

Health Watch hosted two recent shows focused on different aspects of the healthcare reform issue. Last week we spoke with Dr. Alfredo Cambronero, an economics professor at Fisk University about the costs of healthcare reform. He told us about how most Americans are covered under employer-based insurance coverage, which in large part is already subsidized by the government. We talked about the pros and cons of a “public option,” an approach to regulating insurance costs by providing government-run health insurance as an option for employers and citizens. Dr. Cambronero offered additional insight about what our current healthcare debate and the divisiveness it has caused says about us as a nation and what we truly value. It was a discussion you would not have wanted to miss.

Last night, Health Watch spoke with Dr. Dale Block, a family practitioner, healthcare management expert and author of the book, Healthcare Stewardship: a Guide to Improving the Health of All Americans. He has developed an 8-point plan for changing the current United States “sick-care” into a “well-care” system. The idea of “stewardship,” each of us taking responsibility for health is at the core of his plan.

Prevention is another essential part of “health stewardship” as Dr. Block sees it. He believes whole-heartedly in people promoting better health by educating themselves and each other about health and doing those things in our power to promote health. He also believes that evidence-based medicine, identifying medical practices that work and eliminating those that do not, is critical to improving quality and efficiency in care. Dr. Block is not just advocating health stewardship as a solution to healthcare reform he is putting it into practice in a rural Florida community. Dr. Cambronero is doing the same through his research and applied economic endeavors here and abroad. When it comes to thinking about healthcare reform, Drs. Cambronero and Block are not just talking the talk. They are walking the walk.

If you want to find out more about Dr. Block’s ideas about healthcare reform and his book, you can check out this link: http://www.healthcarestewardship.com/

During the upcoming weeks we invite our Health Watch listeners and blog readers to join our conversation about healthcare reform. We will keep bringing you the best and brightest minds on the issue and wade through the myths to get to the heart of what really matters, figuring out how to provide quality care for all of us. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”

“Wake Up to Spirit and Health”

2009-07-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

Throughout the ages, people have turned to faith for healing. Whether it was the power of prayer, meditations, laying of hands, or other means, people have sought a connection to their spirit for guidance and comfort. People of faith and those with no particular faith continue to seek truth through spirituality. For many, this is their pathway to better health.

Those who gain deeper understanding of their spiritual power are often transformed physically, emotionally and spiritually. So much so that they are compelled to share their experience. Some call this “testifying” or “witnessing” to what has happened to them. Hearing other’s triumphs often inspire people to believe the same is possible for them. Yet, in our modern society we often shy away from sharing our spiritual beliefs for fear of what others might think or say. Gary Hall is not one of those people.

Having dealt with serve illness throughout his life, Gary believed there had to be a better way. So he made it his life’s mission to search for and find it. His journey led him to his spirit and faith. Believing that there is divine power available to all, Gary shared with our Health Watch listeners how he uses the word of God and his faith to manifest miracles in his life.

Chronicling his story and spiritual insights, Gary has written a memoir called, A Wake Up Call: A Coming to Know God. In it he discusses how to become spiritually awake; how challenges like ego, doubt and the past can keep our spirits from blossoming; the importance of finding purpose; and how to keep our spirit in tune.

Our Health Watch listeners offered further insights about the relationship between spirit and health. Some shared their spiritual tools – like meditation – and how they use them to stay healthy. Others offered perspectives on how we have lost our spiritual way and how to reclaim this path for wellness. With such a lively discussion between our Health Watch listeners and our guest it is clear that many are undergoing their own spiritual awakenings.

To find out more about Gary’s experience and his book, please check out this website:

http://gary-hall.com/

For all those seeking to find your spiritual path to health and healing, be encouraged. You are not alone. Health Watch is here with you. Keep seeking it and it will surely come. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”

“Keeping the Home Fires Burning”

2009-07-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

For those that have been in long-term, monogamous relationships like marriage, keeping intimacy’s fire burning hot is not something that just happens. It takes work. When partners are committed to each other and the relationship, the effort can be well worth it. Most often the issue is not whether couples desire greater intimacy. Instead, it is about not knowing how to make it happen.

Some couples turn to medications, marital aids and other strategies with greater frequency to rekindle love’s flame. Others live with less fulfilling relationships, suffering in silence instead of having the passionate marriages they truly want. With the greater number of male enhancement, female arousal and other similar products on the market, it is obvious that even if couples are not having satisfying relationships, they definitely are trying. Yet, perhaps the answer is not a toy or a little blue pill. Instead it might be in the bond between you and your partner. That might be the where “the secret” to having a passionate relationship is.

Dr. David Schnarsh, a clinical psychologist, certified sex therapist and author of the re-released bestselling book, Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships, definitely gave our Health Watch listeners some food for thought about passion and relationships. And our listeners also had a lot to share, also.

One of the myths Dr. Schnarsh dispelled early is that committed relationships should always burn hot. Instead, Dr. Schnarsh explained that relationships, like all living things, have cycles. There are ebbs and flows in relationships. These are natural, necessary and normal. These “cooling off” periods allow us to (re)assess our relationships, better understand ourselves, and cultivate who we are so we bring our best to our partners. Being comfortable in our own skin and with our sexuality are the best aphrodisiacs any couple can use.

If you are looking for a resource on creating greater intimacy, then you and your partner (maybe while tucked in under the covers!) should perhaps check out Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships. Dr. Schnarsh also has a sex survey that can give even more insight on the state of your relationship. For more information, check out the website below:

http://passionatemarriage.com/

Whether you are in a committed relationship or still waiting for the love of your life, you need to bring your best self to any relationship. For when you love yourself it is impossible for others not to follow suit. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”

"Gronwing in Grace"

2009-06-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

Aging is a part of living. Growing old gracefully is choice, a choice that includes planning for the future and embracing what life has in store. With more and more people getting older and living longer, it makes sense for all of us to give careful consideration to the lives we want to live 10, 20, or 30 years from now. So how do we get started? We start by being honest about our current situation and making decisions now about our futures.

Last week’s Health Watch guest Dr. Eva Mor, epidemiologist, gerontologist and author of the book, Making the Golden Years Golden, gave us food for thought about aging. The explosion of aging Baby Boomers is forcing the entire nation to reconsider what it means to grow older. With more disposable income, accumulated wealth, technological savvy, and education the elderly are demanding more and better options. Take for instance housing and long-term care.

Most people want to be as independent as long as they possibly can. The ability to remain in ones’ home is a big part of this. A generation ago, when aging loved ones could no longer care for themselves, their choices were limited. Either move in with relatives or into nursing homes. This is not the case today. Although living with relatives and nursing homes are what some elders choose, others are opting for other arrangements. Some of these choices include hiring part-time or round the clock sitters for care and support at home. Others are selling their homes and moving into assisted living facilities and retirement communities. Some are opting to rent space in their homes to non-relatives or become boarders in others’ homes. Still others are choosing new living concepts like the Green House Project, small communities of elders and support staff living together. (www.thegreenhouseproject.org)These choices are making the prospect of growing older less troubling and more engaging. That is a wonderful thing.

If you are someone you love needs to think about long-term care and housing, start by taking a look around where you currently live. Are the main rooms of the house all on one level? If you or your loved one were confined to a wheelchair, would mobility around the house be affected? Are the bathrooms designed for easier access by someone who is frail? Are front stairs easy to climb or is a ramp available? If not, then perhaps it is time to make upgrades to ensure you can remain in your home for as long as possible. Thinking about things like this on the front end can make decisions that much easier later on.

For more information about how to make the golden years golden, you might want to check out Dr. Mor’s website, www.goldenyearsgolden.com. Aging does not have to be burdensome if we embrace it with thoughtfulness and care. That’s what Health Watch intends to do and we hope you do the same. Until next time remember, “When we know better. We should do better. So pass it on.”

Stay on the Watch Tower

2009-06-11T15:43:00.000-07:00

There is perhaps no more helpless feeling than seeing someone you love in need and not knowing how to help them. That is a special torture. One that many of us face when someone we know is ill and hospitalized. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, unsure of what to do or how best to help. Hospitals are intimidating places. So much so that most of us sit quietly, step aside and let the healthcare professionals do their jobs to care for our loved ones. This is both right and wrong.

Healthcare professionals and the care they provide in hospitals are vitally important. However, neither is perfect. Both are susceptible to errors, shortages, and the like. What happens outside of hospitals- economic downturns, more people uninsured, rising healthcare costs, insurance restrictions, an increasingly aging population and sicker people – affects what happens inside hospitals. All of these influence the type and quality of care they provide. Sometimes this care is less than it should be.

So how can we make sure those we care about get good quality care in hospitals? It is not by sitting passively on the sidelines. It is by staying alert, taking notes, and asking questions. We help most when we become active health advocates.

Being an advocate for someone in the hospital is not about being belligerent, condescending or bossy. Instead it is about being assertive. What does that mean? It means identifying someone in your family as the point of contact with healthcare providers for your loved one. It is building a team of family, friends or hired assistants to stay with the hospitalized person round the clock. Being assertive means knowing who the primary physician(s) and nurse(s) are in charge of your loved ones care, making sure they know who your loved one is, and that people care about this person. It is about writing down the names, dosages, results, side effects and other information about medications, tests, and labs that your loved one undergoes while in the hospital. And more than anything it is about helping the person who is hospitalized heal by being their eyes, ears and voice in the hospital. Being an advocate means staying on the watchtower to make sure your loved one is well cared for.

This evening’s Health Watch guest, Martine Ehrenclou, author of the book, Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out Alive, has a lot of insight and tips to share about how to be an effective hospital advocate. If you are interested in a step-by-step guide for the next time someone you know is hospitalized, then this might be a book for you. To find out more about the author and the book, check out this website: http://criticalconditions.com/

Health Watch is on the watchtower for our health. Make sure you do the same for someone you love. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”

To Thy Own Self Be True

2009-05-29T16:22:00.000-07:00

Growing older is a fact of life. Death is the alternative. Therefore, instead of dreading aging, fearing what comes with it and seeing it as a slow march towards the end, perhaps we need to view it differently. Maybe we can learn something from how Eastern cultures, notably the Chinese, think about aging.

Within Chinese culture growing older means gaining greater social status. Those gray hairs and wrinkles are a sign that one has lived life and learned some important lessons along the way. With age comes wisdom, wisdom that can be shared with others. With age also comes the opportunity to truly be one’s self. It is a time to explore all of those dreams pent up when you were younger because you did not have the time, had other pressing responsibilities (being a parent, working), or were too afraid to pursue because of what others might have thought about it. Growing older is a time for release and blossoming into a new creation. For the Chinese aging is not an end, but a beginning. What a refreshing way of thinking about life!

This way of thinking not only covers life in general, but specifically issues that go along with midlife. Take menopause for example. Among the Chinese there is no word for menopause. Instead this time in a women’s life is referred to as “second spring.” No longer able to conceive and bear children, the physiological and emotional changes that come for women during menopause serve as an opportunity for self-examination & recognition of accomplishments; a time for revitalization; and a period of reinvention for the next phase of living. Midlife is a time to finally become one’s truest self. Last night’s Health Watch guest, Dr. Maoshing Ni (better known as “Dr. Mao”) really helped put midlife and menopause into perspective for us.

Dr. Mao, a thirty-eighth generation Chinese medical practitioner, who has recently released a book entitled, Second Spring, told our listeners about the meaning behind such common menopause symptoms as hot flashes, loss of libido and sex drive, memory difficulties and mood swings. Many of these have to do with “flow” and “energy" or the lack there of. Dr. Mao also offered our listeners natural and inexpensive ways to improve and maintain balance, making “second spring” a joyous time in a woman’s life.

So inspired by the possibilities that come with “second spring’ Dr. Mao and his colleagues have dedicated their careers to helping thousands of women become the people they were always meant to be. Maybe there really is something wonderful about growing older, something worth (re)discovering and anticipating with joy. The Health Watch team definitely looks forward to finding out. Hope you do too. Here’s to growing older with style and grace. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we should do better, so pass it on.”

Love Never Fails

2009-05-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, NLT)

With many marriages ending in divorce and long-time relationships breaking up, it is easy to become jaded about love. For many, we stop believing sustained love is possible or even worth pursuing. What a sad life this would be without love. Therefore, it is heartening when we hear that real and healthy love is possible.

We shared findings last night on Health Watch from a study out of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, published in this month’s Psychological Science, indicating that overcoming boredom is the key to keeping relationships alive and well. Over 100 first-time married couples were studied for 16 years about their marriages. Those that expressed dissatisfaction at the 7 year mark (that dreaded seven-year itch) were more likely to divorce or be dissatisfied 9 years later in their marriages. Boredom was a strong predictor of future unhappiness and loss of intimacy. That was what science had to say. But, we wanted to know what our Health Watch listeners thought about keeping relationships strong.

If last night’s Health Watch callers are indication (and we believe they are) then love truly is not dead. It is alive and well. We heard from men and women who have been married or in committed relationships for only a few years and for decades. They had a lot to teach us. One important lesson they shared is that love, like any important thing, has to be cultivated. It has to be nurtured to thrive. Yes, love never fails. But, love takes work.

Here are some “trade secrets” to successful marriages and relationships that our Health Watch listeners shared:

Ø Be friends first and forever with your mate. Relationships that start out as friendships create a foundation of trust and support that can get couples over the tough times.

Ø Keep discovering new things about your mate. Each human being has many facets. The person you are with has new things to share and so do you. Keep learning about each other and you will never get bored with the one you love.

Ø A relationship is about service. It is about bringing the best out of the one you love and trusting they will do the same for you. Service should be your relationship’s mission statement – service for their best and your best.

Ø To keep the fire burning, be intentional about taking time to love each other. Talk to each other and share your feelings. Plan date nights with each other. Do the things you did when you were dating. Keep the relationship fresh and interesting.

Ø Never be too big to say, “I’m sorry.” Be willing to forgive so that you can be forgiven.

Ø Have a healthy spiritual relationship with God/Higher Being. When you are in-tune with yourself you can be better in sync with your partner.

It is obvious from our Health Watch listeners that they are putting in the time and effort to have healthy relationships. Hopefully, they will inspire us to do the same in ours. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”

Can’t Live With Them, Can’t Live Without Them

2009-05-21T15:30:00.000-07:00

Even the best relationships have their ups and downs. When things are good, they are great. But, when they are bad, they can be the worst. Nobody wants to be miserable when it comes to love. Yet, dealing with misery, sadness, and disappointment that comes in relationships is necessary to have the happiness you truly want in your relationships. Last week’s Health Watch guest, Ted Cunningham, co-author of From Anger to Intimacy: How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage definitely made that clear. You can not avoid the irritations, resentment and anger that come up in relationships and expect to have a healthy one. You have got to deal with the matter head-on.

One good way of doing this is by becoming a student of anger. Most of the battles in our relationships are really about deeper issues – not about whether or not you put the toilet seat down or whose turn it is to pick up the kids. When we are stressed, tired, frustrated or scarred it can manifest itself in a lot of different ways. Study the script of your fights. Is there a pattern? If so, what is that pattern telling you? That pattern can tell you some really important things. Things like what your anger triggers are; the real source of your anger; and even whether not forgiving someone is the tool you use against the person you love. Studying anger can not only lead to better communication with your partner, it can tell you a lot about yourself. Maybe it’s time you studied your anger.

Ted also shared some other really important tips to create better intimacy with your partner. Some of the big ones include:

Ø Realize you cannot change somebody else. So, get off of their case.
Ø Be a “safe” partner. Be somebody your partner can share their hopes and dreams with without fearing you will cut them down.
Ø Checking in. Create time where you and your partner can openly share with each other about what is really going on in your lives.

The bottom line is that when it comes to love and relationships, we sometimes can’t live with them. But, we certainly can’t live without them. Therefore, we need to use all the tips and tools we can to learn from them and make them better. Here’s to happy relationships!

That’s it for this Ask Health Watch blog entry. Remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”

Sex, Drugs and the Law?

2009-05-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

Who knew that legalizing marijuana and taking erectile dysfunction ads off TV would prompt such a response from our Health Watch listeners? Go figure. It just goes to show that sex and drugs really are lightening rods for many of us. Both topics definitely made for lively discussion last night.

In case you missed Health Watch last night (5/7/09), here are some highlights:

Making Pot Legal

A California assemblyman recently proposed legislation to legalize the cultivation and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Earlier this week (5/5/09) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California suggested that a large scale study, including international case comparisons, should be conducted to determine the economic and social impact of legalizing marijuana. Why is legalizing pot once again a matter of public debate? It is because of the economy, of course.

California is facing a huge budget deficit and legalizing marijuana might be one way to offset some of this debt. Just how much revenue could be generated from legalizing marijuana in California? According to some estimates it could be as much as $1.34 billion dollars annually. Who knew pot could be so lucrative?

Among our Health Watch listeners, there was quite a bit of support for marijuana legalization. Some of the noted reasons in favor of marijuana legalization included:

Ø As a way to reduce the number of African American men involved the criminal justice system for recreational use of marijuana; and
Ø Pot does not produce the same kinds of harmful and/or destructive effects as alcohol misuse (e.g., DUIs).

Those against legalizing marijuana offered the following reasons:

Ø Government involvement in taxing marijuana will cut into profits of those growing and selling marijuana;
Ø Legalization of marijuana might serve as a gateway to legalize and tax other drugs; and
Ø Excessive marijuana consumption slows down coordination and affects brain functioning. Allowing people more access to marijuana will only make matters worse for those who regularly use.

If you want to read more about this subject, check out this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/us/07arnold.html?ref=us

That’s what some Health Watch listeners are thinking. But, what do you think? Check out this week’s Health Watch POLL QUESTION: Should marijuana be legalized? (Tell us what you think!)

ED Ads No More

You have seen the commercials on television, couples lounging in twin bathtubs, smiling and looking at the horizon. They are made all the happier by a little blue pill touted as the remedy to erectile dysfunction (ED). Even though the couples in those ads look content, everybody is not, especially not Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA).

Fed up with these commercials, Rep. Moran introduced H.R. 2175 in the U.S. House of Representatives last month. The bill prohibits any ED commercials from airing on broadcast radio and TV between 6 AM and 10 PM. The bill further advises the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to treat these ads as “indecent” and instruct stations to restrict broadcasting to late night or overnight hours.

Health Watch listeners had a lot to say about ED, those little blue pills, and airing these commercials. Respondents shared everything from -- these pills make sure men regularly “clean out” their prostates; women want more than just sex from their partners; to the fact that men take them to please their partners. Obviously, ED and ED medications are on a lot of folk’s minds. What do you think?

If you want to read more about this subject, check out this link:
http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/07/erectile-dysfunction-ads-too-hot-for-tv/

Well, that’s it for this entry. Remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”

Listen to WFSK, 88.1 FM (Fisk University) and Health Watch (Thursdays, 6:00-7:00PM, CT) at www.wfsk.org.

“I once was blind, but now I see.”

2009-05-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

This week we witnessed the first successful face transplant in the United States. Health care professionals at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio gave Connie Culp a new face and a new lease on life. The recipient of a donor face from a woman declared brain dead, Culp regained the ability to smell and see fully with the transplant. What was taken has now been restored. Time has a way of healing old wounds.

Slowly, new nerve cells are growing in Culp’s face. Doctors anticipate she will have more facial function and expression by later this year. Culp will finally grow into the face fashioned just for her.

Without question, Culp is a miracle. It is not the new face or her ability to smell and see that are the real miracles here. What is miraculous is that even when the chips were down, Culp did not give up. She forgave the man who hurt her. People shunned and were afraid of her. Yet, Culp kept moving forward. Even when she could not see with her natural eyes, she saw that life was worth living. Despite everything Culp believed the best wasn’t behind, but in front of her. And when others could not see what was really beautiful, Culp could.

Health Watch wishes Connie Culp many more years of seeing beyond limits and living life to the fullest. Hopefully, her story will inspire us to do the same.

For more information about Connie Culp and her amazing transformation, check out:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103838034&ps=cprs
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/06/face.transplant.shooting/index.html

Take care and remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”

Welcome to the Ask Health Watch blog!

2009-05-01T12:46:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the Ask Health Watch blog. This blog will recap important tidbits after our weekly on-air shows and provide a space for listeners to share their thoughts on how we can "make health happen" in our local communities. You can also suggest topics & guests you want to hear on Health Watch.

Please be sure to keep your posts positive, clean and expletive free.

The Ask Health Watch blog is just another way to keep thinking and talking about health. We look forward to hearing from you. And remember, "When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on."