to get fit

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Health

Su mmer 20 17

IN GOOD

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NEW BREAST SURGERY KEEPS SCARS OUT OF SIGHT GET YOUR SKILLS BACK WITH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

to get fit

Colorectal Cancers Strike Younger Patients COLONOSCOPY SCREENING TESTS HAVE REDUCED COLORECTAL CANCER RATES IN THE LAST TWO DECADES. Most of the time, you won’t have to think about getting a colonoscopy until you’re 50 years old. But a recent boost in colorectal cancers in younger patients may make you think twice about waiting to be screened. A Threat to Younger Patients A new study predicts that by 2030, nearly one in four rectal cancers will occur in patients younger than 50, and more than one in 10 colon cancers will strike this population. That’s an increase from 10 percent for rectal cancer and 5 percent for colon cancer in 2010. And adults ages 20 to 34 will see the sharpest increase; researchers expect rectal cancer rates to rise 124 percent and colon cancer rates to rise 90 percent. Doctors aren’t sure why these cancer rates are increasing in younger patients. But it does show that more adults older than 50 are getting colonoscopies than they used to. When their rates of colorectal cancers decline, the cancer rates of younger patients increase automatically. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle Other factors may be to blame. In younger Americans, lack of physical activity, obesity and eating an unhealthy diet are all on the rise, and all can increase the risk for colorectal cancers.

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COLORECTAL CANCER SEMINAR: PREVENTION, RISK FACTORS & SCREENINGS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29 Colon and rectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Join us for a free seminar to learn how to prevent colon cancer and the different treatment options. You will also learn the risk factors and the importance of regular colorectal cancer screening. Learn more or register at www.touro.com/events or by calling 504-897-8500.

Thankfully, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can decrease your chances of developing the disease. Follow these four tips to reduce your risk: 1. Lose weight. Dropping extra pounds can cut your risk of developing and dying from this type of cancer. 2. Exercise. Even moderate physical activity can decrease your risk. 3. Don’t smoke. Cigarettes have been linked to adenomas — growths that can turn into cancer. If you smoke, these growths are more likely to come back even after they have been surgically removed. 4. Get screened. If you have colitis, Crohn’s disease or a family history of colorectal cancer, your doctor may suggest an early screening. Always keep in mind that there are pros and cons to every screening, and talk with your doctor to decide what’s best for you.

The Great Shake Up Your Summer Exercise Routine by Stepping Outside TIRED OF THE SAME OLD GYM ROUTINE? Looking for a reason to get off the couch on a hot summer day? Consider this: The great outdoors can be a powerful tool to help lift your mood, shed excess weight and change your exercise goals. Here are six perks to getting sweaty outside this summer: Increase your motivation. Research suggests that exercise may feel easier when done in nature. If you’re moving at your own speed, you may find yourself walking faster outdoors than you would at an indoor gym without feeling like you’re working harder. Burn more calories. When running or cycling outdoors, you may experience wind, which can offer natural resistance. This can help you burn more calories because you have to work harder to overcome the resistance. Boost your mood. Studies that have compared indoor with outdoor exercise suggest that outdoor activity can help you recharge and feel more refreshed. Plus any type of outdoor

activity can almost immediately improve self-esteem and negative moods, such as tension, anger and depression. Detox your body. With any good sweat in the summer heat, your body cleanses itself, primarily through perspiration of toxic elements stored in your muscle tissues. Just be sure you rehydrate properly afterward. Save money. Exercising outdoors is an easy choice if you’re looking to save a few dollars this summer. Soak up the sun. Breaking a sweat outdoors provides you with an opportunity that the indoor gym cannot — exposure to sunlight for vitamin D. Just be sure to cover all exposed skin with a liberal amount of a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

BLEND, SIP, CHILL Recharge after your workout by making your own juice or smoothie. Find new recipes on our Pinterest page at www.pinterest.com/ touroinfirmary/ juice-and-smoothies.

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Get Your Skills Back with Occupational Therapy

Francine Bienvenu Occupational Therapist Touro Infirmary

WHEN MORE THAN 70 MILLION AMERICANS RELY ON CELLPHONES TO HELP MANAGE THEIR LIVES, it’s to be expected that such a technology phenomenon would affect more than how we communicate with one another. Keeping your eyes on the mobile screen forces repetitive movements in your shoulders, neck, elbows and thumbs — causing pain and even structural damage to joints, muscles and tendons, not to mention eyestrain. Enter occupational therapists. These practitioners can arm you with ways to modify your smartphone use, as just one example, so you can avoid or decrease discomfort or pain. Help for Daily Activities See, that’s the thing with occupational therapists. They treat patients who are injured, ill or disabled, not simply because there is a problem, but rather because the problem has thrown a wrench into the patients’ daily activities that matter most to them. Occupational therapists take a holistic approach to evaluate why your life has been affected while helping you develop, recover and improve the skills you need every day. Occupational therapists treat patients with a wide range of conditions. For example, they: • Teach a stroke victim how to get dressed • Demonstrate stretching exercises for arthritis relief • Help label kitchen cabinets for an older person with poor memory • Educate patients with cerebral palsy on how to use leg braces, wheelchairs or eating aids

• Modify classroom equipment to help children with disabilities more easily participate in activities • Adjust patients’ work environments to prevent computer-related issues like carpal tunnel syndrome or eyestrain • Provide strategies for time management, budgeting or using public transportation to patients with mental illnesses, emotional problems or addictions Technology Harm and Help Although technology can contribute to the reasons you might seek occupational therapy, it can also play a role in your recovery. For example, overuse of cell phones can cause repetitive strain with constant over-gripping and wrist extension. When overused, the whole upper extremity complex can be impacted, causing strains in the wrist, neck, shoulder and/or elbow. An occupational therapist will educate you on why these movements are causing discomfort, recommend different ways to use the phone and arm you with ways to help you heal. Some practitioners even use gaming devices, such as the Nintendo Wii, to provide rehabilitative activities. Research over the past 10 years suggests that Wii games — such as boxing, fishing and brain teasers — increase motivation, decrease depression and improve quality of life and mobility among patients with Parkinson’s disease. Practitioners can also use smartphones and tablets to facilitate fine motor skills and sequencing, and to run text-tospeech programs.

TOURO’S OUTPATIENT REHAB SERVICES OFFER OT AND MORE Touro’s Back in Action Center provides comprehensive physical and occupational therapy services to adolescent, adult and geriatric patients, as well as case management for patients with orthopedic diagnoses, therapeutic wellness and women's health. The Neuro Rehabilitation Center at Touro specializes in the treatment of patients with brain injury, strokes, spinal cord injuries or other neurological injury or illness using a community integrative approach. Learn more at www.touro.com/rehab.

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5 Ways to Make Your Americans spend plenty of time working — about 7.6 hours a day for those who are employed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When a third of your day is occupied by putting your nose to the grindstone, it’s important to create a space that supports your physical and mental well-being. Implementing these five tips is sure to pay off with a healthier, happier you in no time.

Decorate with a plant or two. Plants can liven up a space, but they have more benefits than serving just as decorations. Research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that plants in the office significantly increased workplace satisfaction, selfreported levels of concentration and perceived air quality.

Block the noise. A loud environment can be stressful and increase the number of errors you make. If you’re in a noisy office, try tactics such as wearing headphones, running a whitenoise machine or putting up sound-absorbent screens. If it’s outside noise that’s coming in, thick curtains can help.

Clean your keyboard regularly. It’s a good idea to wipe down your computer keyboard, given that more than a quarter of keyboards harbor what’s considered a high level of bacteria. Use a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to sweep away the germs.

Create a color palette that speaks to you. When it comes to colors, there is no right or wrong — it all depends on what you’re looking for. Even if you’re not allowed to paint the walls, you can surround yourself with items in a pleasing hue or do something as simple as change your desktop background color. If you really need to concentrate, blue is good, while green will help you feel in balance.

Work from home on occasion. If you have the opportunity, working from home has been proven to boost productivity and job satisfaction. It’s not for everyone, but if your job is conducive to telecommuting and you have the self-discipline to stay on task, you may find spending a day or two out of the office every week can do wonders for your work-related happiness.

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Summer’s Bounty Helps Fight ‘Tis the season to send a fruity punch straight to the source of your body’s inflammation, as some of summer’s most delicious treats are excellent resources for healing. INFLAMMATION OF THE BODY IS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM’S RESPONSE to what it considers potentially harmful, such as bacteria, viruses, wounds or chemicals. Conditions that cause inflammation include cystitis, an inflammation of the bladder; dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin; and arthritis, an inflammation of the joints. Symptoms such as swelling, pain or loss of function in a particular area of your body could indicate that you have inflammation. So while you’re grocery shopping for your next summer meal, consider the following fun-to-eat fruits that’ll help you fight inflammation naturally. Most of them are packed with anthocyanin, which possesses anti-inflammatory properties so strong that some researchers compare the effects to ibuprofen.

Red, White and Blue Berry Tarts INGREDIENTS 2 whole grain graham crackers (4 squares) 4 paper muffin cups 4 oz. fat-free cream cheese, softened 2 tbsp. fat-free sour cream ½ tsp. vanilla 1 tbsp. powdered (confectioner’s) sugar 2 cups mixed berries: raspberries, strawberries, blueberries DIRECTIONS 1. Finely crush graham crackers and

Tart cherries: Thanks to their high anthocyanin content, tart cherries have been proven to help relieve joint pain and gout symptoms.

Strawberries: Studies indicate that consuming 16 or more strawberries per week can lower your body’s C-reactive protein, which is linked to inflammation that accompanies arthritis and heart disease. Strawberries are also high in anthocyanin and folic acid.

Red raspberries: Raspberries have been shown to reduce inflammation throughout the entire body. When they’re a regular part of the diet, raspberries also help prevent a number of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

Watermelon: Watermelon is rich in antioxidants that protect against certain cancers, and research suggests this summer favorite can also improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease by lowering inflammation.

Dried plums: The unique potency of dried plums has been shown to prevent bone loss and restore bone, likely because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

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divide crumbs among four muffin cups. A muffin tray will help you shape them correctly. In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla and powdered sugar with a whisk to make no-cook pastry cream. 2. Put mixture on top of graham cracker crumbs. Top with berries. Save some berries to decorate the plate. 3. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving. PER SERVING

Serves four; serving size is one tart. Each serving provides: Calories........................................105 Total fat........................................ 1 g Cholesterol............................... 6 mg Sodium................................. 250 mg Carbohydrates.......................... 18 g

Hidden Scar™ Breast Cancer Surgery at Touro HIDDEN SCAR™ BREAST CANCER SURGERY, AN ADVANCED TREATMENT expanding options for women undergoing breast surgery, is now available at Touro. John Colfry, MD, a Breast Surgical Oncologist with Touro’s Crescent City Physicians is one of the first surgeons in the New Orleans area to be a certified Hidden Scar surgeon. Less Physical Reminder Each year, approximately 405,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer that requires surgery. Many women are unaware of all the surgical options available, including minimally invasive approaches that can help restore their self-image and allow them to begin healing emotionally. Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery is an advanced approach to breast cancer surgery that hides incision scars, minimizing the daily emotional reminder of a breast cancer diagnosis. “Whether a patient is having a lumpectomy or a nipple-sparing mastectomy, Hidden Scar surgery allows for optimal cosmetic results,” says Dr. Colfry. “With this more sophisticated approach to breast cancer surgery, a woman can have more self-confidence after having battled breast cancer.” Single Incision, Less Scarring Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery allows Dr. Colfry to remove the cancerous tissue through a single incision made in an inconspicuous area, preserving the natural shape of the breast while reducing visible scarring.

“My diagnosis of breast cancer resulted in my choice of bilateral mastectomy,” explains patient Carol V. Sharp. “The excellent cosmetic result and minimal scar accomplished by my skilled surgeon, Dr. Colfry, exceeded even my own expectations.” Patients who undergo this approach are at no higher risk for recurrence than patients who undergo any other type of technique. Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery may be appropriate for a wide range of breast cancer patients undergoing nipple-sparing mastectomy or breast-conserving (lumpectomy) procedures.

John Colfry, MD Breast Surgical Oncologist Touro Infirmary

2.8 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today. COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CARE To learn more about Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery and the other services we offer patients with cancer, visit us online at www.touro.com/cancer.

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Touro Infirmary 1401 Foucher Street New Orleans, LA 70115

©2017. Articles in this magazine are written by professional journalists or physicians who strive to present reliable, up-to-date health information. Our articles are reviewed by medical professionals for accuracy and appropriateness. No magazine, however, can replace the care and advice of medical professionals, and readers are cautioned to seek such help for personal problems. Developed by StayWell. 10313M

For a referral to a Touro primary care doctor or specialist, call 504-897-7777 or visit www.touro.com/findadoc.

SAVE THE DATE

PINTS for PR STATES Beer Tasting & Prostate Cancer Awareness Event

Thursday, September 14 NOLA Brewing Company 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Beer, Food, Music and Fun – for a great cause! Purchase tickets today at www.touro.com/events.

Events Calendar FREE HEALTH EVENTS CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION Baby Food Making Class Monday, July 10 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 2nd Floor, Presidents Room

Getting a Good Night's Sleep Tuesday, August 8 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. 2nd Floor, Foucher Room

Grandparenting 101 Wednesday, July 26 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. 2nd Floor, Foucher Room

PRIME YEARS SEMINAR Colorectal Cancer: What You Need to Know Tuesday, August 29 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. 2nd Floor, Presidents Room

Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby Wednesday, August 16 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 2nd Floor, Foucher Room LIVING WELL SEMINARS Cooking Demonstration and Tasting Tuesday, July 11 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Café NOMA, 1 Collins Diboll Circle

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Events are FREE. To register, please call 504-897-8500. To find more upcoming classes, support groups and events, visit www.touro.com/events.

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