health

SPOTLIGHT ON
STROKE ROBOT
SAVES
NANCY LOWMAN
PAGE 8
HOW TO MANAGE
BACK
PAIN
PAGE 24
THE HOSPICE
YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW
PAGE 12
THE NEWS HERALD WWWWWWWSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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A Vote of Condence
for Help in facing Trying Times.
828/326-3000
www.CatawbaValleyMedical.org
32
ND
Magnet Hospital
Three-time Magnet Recipient
Catawba Valley Medical Center
is proud to be recognized by Women Certified.
The Womens Choice Award by WomenCertified

represents the voice of female consumers, and that group

recently recognized Catawba Valley Medical Center as one of Americas Best Hospitals for Cancer Care.
CVMC earned the 2014 Womens Choice Award because it has met the comprehensive cancer care
standards of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, has demonstrated excellence in
clinical performance with regard to cancer care measures, and for its high recommendation rate, a measure
that is very important to women in choosing a hospital.
CatawbaValley Medical Center is proud to have been named Americas Best 100 Hospitals for Patient Care (2
years consecutively), Americas Best Hospitals for Orthopedics (2 years consecutively), and Americas Best Hospitals
for Obstetrics by Womens Choice Awards.This recognition reflects our commitment to caring for the health of
women and thier families, and to meeting the growing needs of our community.
3 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH HickoryRecord.com Morganton.com McDowellNews.com
Dr. Herb says
Go Vegan
Vegan means nothing animal; no meat, milk, cheese,
yogurt, egg, ice cream, butter. Some people say, If you
donot eat animal, where are yougoingtoget your pro-
tein, calcium, andB-12?Acowstands all dayandeats
nothing but grass, so where does the cow get protein,
calcium, and B-12? It is an established fact that a plant
based diet is the healthiest. There is much scientic re-
search to support this. More importantly, a plant based
diet was designed by God for mankind. Vegan is the
best diet. Vegan was the Garden of Eden diet. Vegan is
the best way to eat for preventing cancer and other dis-
eases. The fact is malnutrition and starvation will kill
about 14 million people this year. If Americans reduce
their intake of meat by just 10%, the land, water and
energy freed up from growing livestock feed would
feed 100 million people. Turning grain into esh is ex-
tremelywasteful. Twentyvegetarians canbe fedonthe
amount of land needed to feed one person on a meat-
based diet. Another fact: It takes about 300 gallons of
water per day to produce food for someone who is to-
tally vegetarian, but it takes more than 4,000 gallons of
water per day to create the food needed to feed a meat
eater. Meat is dead animal carcass; we are humans, not
crows. The kidneys of a meat eater must work three
times harder thanthekidneys of apersonwhoeats veg-
an. It takes meat four times longer to pass through the
digestive tract than fruits, grains, beans and vegetables.
The liability to take disease is increased tenfold by eat-
ing meat. Heart attack is the most common cause of
death in the U.S., killing one person every 45 seconds.
The male meat eaters risk of death fromheart attack is
50%. The risk to men who eat no meat is 15%.
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C
O
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5 HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS
8 STROKE ROBOT
SAVES NANCY LOWMAN
10 DONT WAIT TO TALK
ABOUT HOSPICE
12 THE HOSPICE YOU MIGHT
NOT KNOW
14 FUN WAYS TO BE A FIT FAMILY
16 SUMMER SUN PROTECTION
18 FALLS
20 MENOPAUSE AND
MOOD DISTURBANCES
22 UNDERSTANDING ADVANCED
ILLNESS MANAGEMENT
24 HOW TO MANAGE BACK PAIN
27 UNDERSTANDING SUN POISONING
THE NEWS HERALD WSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Mark S. Brazinski, M.D. Donald A. Campbell, M.D.
Alfred E. Geissele, M.D. Matthew D. Hannibal, M.D.
Timothy H. Kirkland, M.D.
Jeffrey P. Keverline, M.D.
Stephen J. Sladicka, M.D.
James E. Stanislaw, M.D. Mark A. Tiffany, M.D. Earl W. Walker, Jr., M.D.
John L. de Perczel, M.D. Christopher T. Daley, M.D.
Ralph J. Maxy, M.D.
James A. Hurt, III, M.D.
Jason D. Zook, M.D.
James T. Marino, M.D. W. Luke Robinson, M.D.
NEW AFTER HOURS SERVICE
5 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH HickoryRecord.com Morganton.com McDowellNews.com
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Delivering Care in the Comfort of your home
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437-8429
1-800-435-9251
Serving The Unifour Area
Since 1986
All Employees
are Background Checked.
State Licensed & Insured
www.handi-careinc.com
304 S. Main St.
Drexel, NC 28619
Serving Burke, Catawba, Caldwell, McDowell Counties
As the weather gets hot and
people are spending more
time outside playing, working
and sweating, the risk of heat-
related illnesses becomes a real
concern.
Sweating is the bodys way of
cooling itself down, said Brian
Bechtol, physician assistant
and president of Urgent Care of
Mountain View. If it is too hot or
humid, the body cant effectively
cool itself.
That leads to heat-related
illnesses, which include heat
cramps, heat exhaustion, and
heat stroke.
People who are most at risk for
heat-related illnesses include
young children, the elderly,
people who are obese, and
people with certain medical
conditions such as heart disease
and high blood pressure. Certain
occupations also increase the
risk of heat-related illnesses,
especially outside workers and
people who work in other hot
environments. Medications can
also increase the chances of
getting heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Antihistamines, some
Brian Bechtol, PA-C
Continued on Page 6

HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS
URGENT CARE OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
6 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
blood pressure medications, diet pills,
antidepressants, seizure medications,
diuretics, and some illegal drugs
increase your chances of experiencing
heat-related problems.
Heat cramps are a result of the bodys
depletion of salt and water. Low salt
levels in muscles cause painful cramps.
Heat cramps usually affect people who
work in hot conditions doing strenuous
activity. Heat cramps can also be a sign
of heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion is a medical condition
that is due to excessive loss of water
and salt, usually from profuse sweating
for a long period of time. The elderly,
those with hypertension, and workers
are the most likely to suffer from heat
exhaustion.
There is a spectrum of symptoms of
heat exhaustion, said Bechtol.
It often starts with thirst, sweating and
muscle cramps. As you become more
dehydrated and overheated, you can
develop symptoms such as fast pulse,
cold, pale and clammy skin, weakness,
nausea, vomiting and passing out.
Left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead
to heat stroke, which is the most severe
type of heat-related illness and is a
medical emergency.
Luckily, heat exhaustion is easily
treatable if you catch it before you
develop heat stroke, said Bechtol.
If you see someone who may be
suffering from heat exhaustion,
immediately move them to a cool,
shaded area or air-conditioned room.
Have them drink plenty of water, sports
beverages or any non-caffeinated, non-
alcoholic uids.
We often treat these patients with IV
uids and cold packs in our urgent care
facility, said Bechtol.
Heat stroke is a severe medical
emergency that occurs when the body
loses its ability to control its temperature.
It develops when the bodys core
temperature reaches 104 degrees
Fahrenheit. The core temperature can
reach 106 degrees within 15 minutes, he
said.
The body stops sweating and can not
cool itself, said Bechtol.
Signs of heat stroke are hot, dry skin,
chills, severe headache, high body
temperature, confusion, dizziness,
slurred speech, hallucinations and
coma. Heat stroke is life threatening and
requires immediate medical intervention.
If you suspect someone may have heat
stroke, move them to a shaded area and
call 911. While waiting for EMS, start
cooling the body by removing outer
clothing, soaking or spraying them with
water and fanning them. If available,
apply ice packs to the armpits, groin,
neck and back, where blood vessels are
close to the surface of the body.
To help prevent heat-related illness from
happening this summer, get in out of the
heat by taking frequent breaks, and keep
hydrated, said Bechtol, who offered a
simple hydration recommendation for the
heat.
Your uid intake should be at least 2
liters every four hours for healthy adults,
he said.
- Content Courtesy of
Urgent Care of Mountain View
Continued from Page 5

Catawba Family Care

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Primary Care (well and sick care, chronic disease
management) for children, adults and seniors
Pharmacy & Medication Assistance
Counseling Services
Accepting Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance
& self-pay patients
By appointment
Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
www.catawbafamilycare.info
828-994-4544
Lauri Black, FNP-C Van Stitt, Jr., MD
Welcoming NewPatients
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828-465-3928
NEWTON FAMILY
PHYSICIANS
8 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
It is my honor to walk this
journey with these families.
Susie Ecker, RN
With BAYADA Home Health Care
With a broad range of services and a team of professionals
who are committed to keeping people of all ages safe at home,
BAYADA provides:
Nursing, rehabililalion, and assislive care, such as help wilh
bathing and grooming
Thoroughly screened heallh care prolessionals
Clinical supporl 24 hours, 7 days
A variely ol paymenl oplions
Pedialric home care, Hickory. 828-327-3800
Adull home care, Morganlon. 828-437-5454
Adull home care, Conover. 828-327-3300
www.bayada.com
Compassion. Excellence. Reliability.
8AYADA specially praclices include Home
Heallh Care, Pedialrics, and Habililalion.
BAYADA Nurse Susie Ecker
Nancy Lowman didnt need
a miracle. She just needed
the right diagnosis and she
needed it quick. Lowman, a
59-year-old Catawba Valley
Medical Center (CVMC)
employee had no obvious
stroke risk factors, but one
morning in February 2014, the
vision in her left eye became
completely yellow, then she
was unable to open the eye,
and a sharp pain began to
radiate from her left temple
down her neck. She became
dizzy, nauseous and began
vomiting.
Upon arriving at CVMC, a
designated Primary Stroke
Center, Lowman was
connected to Webster, a
rolling robot topped by a
video monitor, for a real-
time consultation with
stroke experts at Wake
Forest University Baptist
Medical Centers (WFUBMC)
Department of Neurology in
Winston-Salem, NC. After
evaluating Lowmans physical
symptoms, reviewing her
brain scans and asking her
a series of questions, CVMC
physicians collaborated with
the Wake Forest team and
determined she was having
a right hemisphere ischemic
stroke.
Lowman was a candidate
for a clot-busting medication
Continued on Page 10

STROKE ROBOT
SAVES NANCY LOWMAN
CVMC Emergency Department employees Ciji Woodward BSN, RN and
Danielle Thurman BSN, RN, CPEN collaborate with WFUBMC Neuroscience
Nurse Specialist Rayetta Johnson, CNRN as she remotely examines strokw
patient Nancy Lowman using Webster, a highly sophisticated stroke robot.
Andy Thompson
Owner
Heritage Funeral
Service & Crematory
Family Owned and Operated
1507 East Main Street Valdese, NC 28690
828-874-0411
www.heritagefuneralservices.com
Understanding your needs is what matters to
us most. Being family owned and operated by Ed
Plemmons and Andy Thompson, we care for each
family as if they were a part of our own. We offer
nothing but the most personalized service, while
understanding the uniqueness of each family.
We offer the most modern of funeral home
facilities, with our onsite crematory, ensuring
you that your loved one never leaves our care.
Families may also take advantage of our infation
proof pre-planning options, with payment plans
suited for your budget. We also offer Heritage
Monument Sales, a full line of granite, marble and
bronze memorials for your familys convenience.
It is our honor to offer these services to your family
with the utmost dignity and respect.
Ed Plemmons
Owner
Pain was stopping me from being on my feet, lifing, reaching
or bending over. If I cant work, its not only me that sufers.
Nothing helped until I called Southeast Pain Care.
Whether you have neck pain, low back pain, migraines, nerve
pain, arthritis or pain without a diagnosis, our double board
certifed anesthesiologists are trained to help give the pain
treatment you need.
Accepting most insurance types.
Call today 828-475-7003
I cant let pain
take over my life.
10 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
called Tissue Plasminogen Activator
(t-PA). According to the American Stroke
Association, t-PA is the only Federal
Drug Administration (FDA) approved
treatment for ischemic strokes and works
by dissolving the clot and improving
blood ow to the part of the brain being
deprived of blood ow. However, a key
factor to its success is that it must be
administered within three hours upon
onset of stroke symptoms.
Because having a stroke is a very time
sensitive situation, I was told that if I had
waited 30 minutes more, my arm would
have been paralyzed and the damage
could have been permanent, requiring
long-term rehabilitation or a disability,
said Lowman.
While many stroke victims dont get to
a hospital in time for t-PA treatment,
Lowman was fortunate and has since
made a full recovery. She regained all
functionality within 48 hours of arriving
at CVMC and returned to work in its
Materials Management Department less
than two weeks after the stroke.
By giving care remotely, patients and
the CVMC stroke team dont lose a single
minute of valuable time, said Angela
Whisenant, RN, BSN, Stroke Program
Coordinator. As a designated Primary
Stroke Center, our patients receive care
in advanced stroke units equipped with
the latest medical technology.
Fewer than 20% of major US hospitals
are stroke certied. CVMC has been
recognized for its exceptional efforts to
foster better outcomes by reducing death
and disability caused by strokes.
- Content Courtesy of
Catawba Valley Medical Center
Continued from Page 8

DONT WAIT
TO TALK ABOUT HOSPICE
Its an all too common
situation. A family is at the
bedside of a loved one who
is seriously ill and nearing the
end of life. Each member of
the family has a different idea
of what should be done and
what the patient would have
wanted.
Far too many people wait
until they are in the midst of
a health care crisis before
thinking about what options
are available or what care
they or their loved ones
would have wanted. Hospice
of Rutherford County
professionals deal with these
challenging situations every
day thats what they are
trained to do.
When a family is coping with
a serious illness and a cure is
no longer possible, Hospice
of Rutherford County provides
the type of care most people
say they want at the end of
life: comfort and dignity.
Hospice is a type of care that
focuses on living living as
fully as possible, up until the
end of life, said Rita Burch,
chief executive ofcer for
Hospice of Rutherford County.
Hospice brings comfort, love
and respect to the patients
and families we care for.
Considered to be the
model for high-quality,
compassionate care for
people with a life-limiting
illness, hospice care
includes expert medical
care, pain management,
and emotional and spiritual
support. Care is provided
by an interdisciplinary team
of professionals and trained
volunteers.
The wishes of the patient and
family are always at the center
of care.
The goal of hospice care is
to treat the person instead of
the disease, and focus on the
family caregivers not just the
individual, Burch continued.
The quality of life is
emphasized, not its duration.
Hospice care can be provided
in a patients home, nursing
home, assisted living facility,
hospital or the SECU Hospice
House. Care is paid for by
Medicare, Medicaid and most
private insurance plans.
Hospice providers can help
with information about care
options and choices and
ensure you live as fully as
possible throughout your
entire life. They will make
sure your loved ones receive
support as well.
Hospice of Rutherford County
also provides palliative care.
Palliate means to make
comfortable by treating a
persons symptoms resulting
from a serious illness. The
goals of palliative care are
to improve the quality of a
seriously ill persons life and
to support that person and
their family during and after
treatment. Palliative care may
be given at any time during
a persons illness, from
diagnosis on.
Under hospice care, a patient
focuses on comfort care and
quality of life. Under palliative
care, a patient may continue
with other treatments being
provided by his or her doctor.
Hospice of Rutherford County
also offers support groups
and individual counseling for
those who have suffered a
loss as well as advance care
planning.
One of the best ways to
make sure you and your
loved ones benet fully from
hospice, should you ever
need this care, is to talk about
it before it becomes an issue,
Burch added.
For more information, contact
Hospice of Rutherford County
at 828-245-0095 or visit
hospiceofrutherford.org.
- Content Courtesy of
DC Health and Wellness
Serving all of Middle Tennessee
and Western North Carolina
Patients First Choice!
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Hosp|ce gove me peoce of m|nd.
My oaughter, Llsa, was 32 when she recelveo her cancer olagnosls. She
was ln the hospltal tor weeks as she battleo thls horrlble olsease. The
treatments sent the cancer lnto remlsslon tor a short perloo ot tlme
about 18 months. 8ut the cancer came back, we were tolo she hao about
6-8 weeks to llve. That's when hosplce steppeo ln. Yhank God for
hospice. Yhey came in and took care of Lisa and the entire
family. Hospice gave Lisa the care she needed and gave me
peace of mind knowing she was in loving, caring hands."
| lost my oaughter when she was only 36 years olo. What was supposeo
to be 6-8 weeks turneo lnto 6 ot the toughest months ot my llte. | am
thanktul tor the etra tlme | got to speno wlth my oaughter ano the
ecellent care provloeo by hosplce. The oltterence hosplce maoe ln her llte
ano the llves ot my tamlly wlll always be remembereo ano appreclateo. | was
so lmpresseo wlth the care glven by hosplce that | oecloeo to volunteer tor
8urke Hosplce & Palllatlve Care ln the hopes that | coulo help someone
else wlth thelr journey.
u|one 8eo||, 8urke Hosp|ce & Po|||ot|ve Core \o|unteer
Ma||ng a o|llo|onco |n |ho ||vos ol ou| pa||on|s
ano |ho|| lan|||os lo| ovo| sz yoa|s.
www.ru||ouosp|co.o|g szssu1o01
DID
YOU
KNOW?
According to the Crohns
and Colitis Foundation
of America, Crohns
disease is a chronic
inammatory condition
of the gastrointestinal
tract. Though Crohns
disease belongs to a
group of conditions known
as Inammatory Bowel
Diseases, or IBDs, it is not,
despite similar symptoms,
the same thing as ulcerative
colitis. Symptoms of
Crohns disease can vary
depending on the individual,
but some of the more
common symptoms include
persistent diarrhea, rectal
bleeding, urgent need to
move bowels, abdominal
cramps and pain and
constipation. While diet
and stress can aggravate
Crohns disease, the causes
of the disease remain
unknown, though the CCFA
notes that recent research
suggests hereditary
and environmental
factors contribute to the
development of the disease.
Content Courtesy of Metro Creative
12 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
2014 OB/GYN
MISSION HEALTH
THE
HOSPICE
YOU
MIGHT
NOT
KNOW
If you havent had a loved one
served by hospice, you may not
be familiar with its scope of care
and support. Discover the many
ways Catawba Regional Hospice
provides comfort and peace of
mind.
WE ARE A TEAM
Hospice cares for body, mind, and
spirit as a complete service. Our
team approach means that we
deliver comfort through caregiving,
medical expertise, conversation,
appropriate medicines, chaplain
services, and more. When a patient
is in need, we respond quickly.
Taking care of the whole person
rather than just treating the disease
is our goal.
CARE IS ACCESSIBLE
Catawba Regional Hospice
welcomes any person who is
eligible for our services. In most
cases, Medicare, Medicaid, and
private insurance pay for hospice
services. When they arent options,
our Foundation ensures that
patients are cared for through
donations provided and funds
raised.
HOSPICE BRINGS
MORE DAYS
Requesting hospice services earlier
in the course of advanced illness
grants patients better quality of
life and provides caregivers more
assistance along the way. Typically,
patients who receive the benets
of hospice gain extra days of life
an invaluable gift when it matters
most.
YOU CAN STAY AT HOME
Hospice is not simply a hospice
house. Most patients prefer to
reside at home while theyre being
treated, and hospice supports that
decision. We provide services in
homes and in community facilities
wherever a patient chooses to
reside.
Continued on Page 13

13 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH HickoryRecord.com Morganton.com McDowellNews.com

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1031 Morganton Blvd. SW
Lenoir NC 28645
Phone: 828.757.6254
Fax: 828.757.6234
250 18th St. Cr. SE
Hickory NC 28602
Phone: 828.327.0156
Fax: 828.327.0593
1585 Forney Crk. Pkwy. Ste 1200
Denver NC 28037
Phone: 704.801.1760
Fax: 704.801.1761
218 Old Mocksville Rd.
Statesville NC 28625
Phone: 704.253.4870
Fax: 704.878.2081
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QUALITY OF LIFE IS
THE FOCUS
The overarching intent of hospice is to ll
a patients days with satisfying moments.
That includes relieving pain, diminishing
restlessness, and soothing symptoms.
We want your loved ones to enjoy the
time they spend with you and to relish
every opportunity to connect.
WE MEET YOU WHERE
YOU ARE
Hospice understands that care is not a
one-size-ts-all prospect. We honor each
patients individual background, choices,
and circumstances. We also ensure that
any cultural, social, and familial situations
are in keeping with a patients beliefs and
heritage. If its important to you, it is to us
as well.
RESPITE CARE IS AVAILABLE
Caregiving is tough. When family
members or friends need a break from
the physical and mental pressures,
we offer a place for a patient to stay
temporarily so that the caregiver can
rest, run errands, or handle necessary
tasks. At the end of the break, the patient
returns home, and the caregiver returns
refreshed.
WE HONOR VETERANS
Catawba Regional Hospice recognizes
each patient as an individual, and we
treasure the veterans we serve. As a sign
of respect and gratitude, CRH honors
veterans with a pinning ceremony, which
includes a certicate of service, a ag
pin, and words of thanks from a fellow
veteran. Acknowledging a life well lived is
a major part of hospices mission.
WE HELP YOU HEAL
After a patient passes away, family
members are offered bereavement care
for 13 months. Support groups, one-on-
one counseling sessions, grief camps,
and other opportunities are available
to help people cope with loss. Trained
counselors lead each activity, and
bereavement services are available to
schools and the community as well.
A CHOICE OF CARE
Catawba Regional Hospice places a
premium on delivering exceptional care
to patients throughout our 10-county
service area. As with choosing a hospital,
make sure to select a hospice that ts
your loved ones diagnosis and needs.
Proximity is important, but more so
are the quality of care, innovation, and
breadth of services offered.
Content Courtesy of
Catawba Regional Hospice
Continued from Page 12

Obesity is a global epidemic

affecting people of all ages.
According to The Centers
for Disease Control and
Prevention, more than
one-third of Americans are
considered obese, while
Statistics Canada notes about
25 percent of Canadians are
obese. Being overweight
or obese has been linked
to cardiovascular disease,
diabetes and some forms of
cancer, and children who are
overweight are likely to be
overweight or obese adults.
While eating a diet that is low
in fat and high in whole-grain
ber, vegetables and lean
proteins is important, exercise
remains one of the key factors
in maintaining a healthy
weight. However, many adults
and children simply do not get
enough exercise during the
day. An active lifestyle is often
hampered by the prevalence
of digital devices or sedentary
jobs that encourage more
screen time than tness
time. But there are ways for
the entire family to get t.
Exercising together is not just
a great way for families to
get healthy, but also a great
opportunity to spend time
together. The following are a
handful of ways families can
work together to incorporate
more exercise into their daily
lives.
Tackle chores. Yes, tasks
around the house can count
as exercise. Working together
not only gets you moving
but also cuts down on the
time it takes to tackle tasks
around the house. Mowing
the lawn, vacuuming the rugs,
sweeping the oor -- all of
these activities can get the
heart pumping. Make it fun
by setting chores to music
or competing against one
another to see who gets their
task done rst or the best.
Compete in the pool.
Swimming is a low-impact
activity that works many
muscles in the body. Taking
a dip in the pool can be both
relaxing and benecial to your
health. Compete with family
members to make the most
of the time spent in the water.
Host relay swimming races,
see how long each member of
the family can tread water or
create any other competitions
that keep everyone in the pool
moving.
Create an outdoor obstacle
course. Set up a series of
obstacles in your yard and
host your own triathlon. You
can jump through tires, climb
through tubes and scale trees.
Make it fun by having adults
try to ride tricycles or pair up
an adult with a child for sack
races. The opportunities for
fun are only hampered by
your imagination.
Go for family bicycle rides.
Traverse your neighborhood
or blaze new trails by riding
bikes together. Young children
can be strapped into trailers
that are pulled behind the
bike or ride in seats attached
to the bike itself. This gives
everyone a chance to enjoy
the great outdoors and hone
their cycling skills.
Go hiking. Hiking is another
fun family activity that also
happens to make for great
exercise. Choose a trail that
may not be level and push
everyones endurance to the
test.
Stroll the beach. Walking or
running on sand offers more
resistance than walking on
pavement. Take a stroll at the
seaside. Break up the walk by
collecting shells or stopping
by the water to observe
marine wildlife.
Hit the dance oor. If youve
been invited to a wedding or a
Sweet 16 party, cut a rug and
take advantage of the DJ and
dance oor. When enjoying
yourselves, you probably
wont even realize how much
youre exercising.
Content Courtesy of
Metro Creative
FUN
WAYS
TO BE A
FIT FAMILY
14 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
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SUMMER SUN PROTECTION
As a melanoma survivor, I
implore you to be careful this
summer when you are out in
the sun. Everyone needs to
protect themselves against the
dangers of UV light exposure,
especially due to the
increased risk of skin cancer.
I spent many summer days
during my teenage years
lying out in the sun at the
community pool and I rarely
used sunscreen. If only I
knew then what I know now.
(Or if only Id believed the
warnings. Teenagers are
invincible after all, right?)
The best way to protect
yourself from the dangers
of UV light is to avoid being
outside during peak sun
hours, typically from 10:00
am until 4:00 pm. When you
are outside, you should wear
protective clothing and a wide
brimmed hat when possible.
Although there has been some
controversy and conicting
evidence regarding sunscreen,
most studies still support the
use of sunscreen products,
as do dermatologists and
primary care physicians.
If you have any exposed
areas of skin, you should
apply sunscreen liberally
and frequently. Sunscreen
should be applied 15 to 30
minutes before sun exposure
to allow the formation of a
protective lm on the skin, and
reapplied every two hours,
even if it is cloudy. SPF 30
or higher is recommended.
Using sunscreen-containing
cosmetics can be benecial
as well because it increases
compliance.
In recent years, a lot of people
have become better about
applying sunscreen when
going to the pool or the beach.
But, dont forget that even if
you are outside working in the
yard or running for exercise
or participating in any other
outdoor activity, you are still
at risk. The safest thing to
do is apply sunscreen every
morning no matter what.
Always be sure to include
areas than we tend to miss
like the tops of your ears, the
back of your neck and the
tops of your feet.
And of course, avoid tanning
beds always! Dont forget
to protect your eyes as
well. I recommend wearing
sunglasses that are graded as
100% UV blocking.
We tend to think about sun
protective measures the most
during the summer but the sun
is out all year round so protect
your skin every chance you
get.
I hope you enjoy your summer
but please keep theses sun
safety tips in mind. Your skin
will thank you and so will your
family! Do everything you can
to protect yourself from skin
cancer, especially potentially
deadly melanoma.
Content Courtesy of
Dr. Shannon Sherfey, Newton
Family Physicians
16 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
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18 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
Care at your
ngertips
CRH Referral
App
828.466.0466
CatawbaRegionalHospice.org
Introducing the newest
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Download CRH Referral from
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The likelihood of experiencing
a fall increases with age
and with decline in health.
According to the National
Institute of Health (NIH)
website, one in three adults
over the age of 65 will fall
each year. The NIH also
reported that 1.6 million adults
visit emergency rooms due to
a fall and that falls were the
number one cause of fractures
(http://nihseniorhealth.gov/
falls/aboutfalls/01.html).
A fall with or without injury
can occur inside or outside of
the home. Many falls occur
inside due to condence
in navigating familiar
surroundings. Falls that
result in injuries most likely
will affect a persons ability
to remain independent or
safe return to their home.
Many injuries can lead to a
permanent disability or, in
worse cases, death.
Falls are preventable. Simple
safety strategies such as:
minimizing clutter, removal of
throw rugs, providing clear
pathways throughout the
home and good lighting can
help to decrease your chance
of falling and becoming
injured. There are also
assistive devices to help you
to navigate safely both inside
and outside your home such
as the use of a cane or walker
to help you to steady your
gait.
Bathrooms and stairs or
steps are recognized as
areas of your home where
your chances of falling are
increased signicantly. A fall
on stairs is very likely to result
in serious injury. There is a
variety of medical equipment
specically designed to help
you reduce your risk of falling.
Bathrooms tend to be a
problematic area because
they are generally small or
even cramped, frequently
have a hard surface oor
covering and often have water
or liquid spills placing you at
risk for falling. Economical
solutions for decreasing your
risks are the installation of
grab bars in bathtub and
showers or near toilets. For
assistance with bathing, you
could choose a shower chair
or transfer bench which allows
for safer transfers in and out of
the bathtub. When choosing
one of these options, you
could also add a hand-held
shower to allow you to adjust
your water direction to best
meet your needs. Another
simple tactic for reducing your
risk would be to add a non-
skid surface to the bottom of
your bathtub or shower. This
can be accomplished through
the use of non-skid peel and
stick tape and pads, or the
use of a non-skid bath mat.
FALLS
Continued on Page 19

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Another option for reducing

your chances for falling when
bathing would be to consider
the installation of an accessible
shower or bathtub. The primary
benet for having an accessible
shower is that the threshold
is lowered to keep you from
having to step up and over it
to get into the shower. There
are also some showers that are
specically designed to allow
you to roll a shower wheelchair
into. An accessible bathtub is
also designed to allow you to
step into the tub with minimal
effort. These come in a variety
of choices that include water jets
to help improve circulation and
relax muscles or joints. Either
of these options can be installed
in your existing bathroom, many
times by simply replacing your
current standard bathtub or
shower. You will need to have a
professional installer assist you
in determining the best selection
for your current bathroom
structure and personal needs.
Steps and stairs pose a special
risk. They should always be
kept clear of any objects or
clutter, be well lit and have a
ooring surface in good repair.
All steps and stairs should
have sturdy hand rail or rails
for support. Sometimes the
installation of a ramp is the best
way to avoid the tripping hazard
of navigating stairs and steps.
Ramps are available for a variety
of physical conditions and are
constructed of many different
materials and designs. In some
cases, the best solution is to
avoid ambulating on the stairs
by utilizing a stair lift. Stair lifts
also come in a variety of styles
and can be designed to t your
specic stairways in order to
provide you with a safe way to
travel between oors of your
home.
The best method for how to
reduce your risk for falls in your
home is to take a pro-active
step toward preventing them
before they occur. Many times
people wait until after a fall
before deciding to implement
safety strategies for prevention.
Often it is too late because the
injury has already occurred.
Take measures now to make
your home safer and protect
your independence. Your local
medical equipment supply
company personnel can assist
you in determining the best
solution to meet your needs.
Content Courtesy of
The Wheelchair Place, LLC
Continued from Page 18

20 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH

While there is no place like home, our staff at Autumn
Care of Drexel strives to create that comfortable feeling of
family for you or your loved one.
Autumn Care of Drexel
Your comfort is very important to us, not only with the
environment we provide, but with reassurance of services we offer:
Skilled Nursing and Rehab
24-hour Skilled Nursing Care
IV Therapy
Wound Care
Pain Management
Hospice Services
M.D. on Staff
Physical Therapists, Occupational
Therapists & Speech Language
Pathologists
Modern Therapy Gym
Orthopedic Medical Director on Staff
State-of-the-Art Equipment
- Omincycle
- Virtual Reality Rehab
- E-stim
- Ultrasound
- Vital Stim
REHABILITATION
SKILLED NURSING
Our care can help you spend less time
as a patient, and more time as you.
If you or a loved one has a life-limiting illness with
uncontrolled symptoms, palliative care can help. Palliative
care is available at any time during your illness and is
offered in addition to curative treatments. Hospice of
Rutherford Countys dedicated palliative care team serves
patients in Rutherford and McDowell counties, and provides
an added layer of support and coordination offered to
people facing the challenges of serious illness.
374 Hudlow Road, Forest City
1-800-218-CARE (2273)
www.hospiceofrutherford.org
Hospice of Rutherford Countys medical staf includes Medical DirectorLarry Hedgepath,
MD; Director of Palliative Care Services Ronda Patton, FNP-C; Associate Medical
Director Michele Mercer, MD; and Palliative Care Provider Amanda D. Hill, FNP-C.
MENOPAUSE
AND MOOD DISTURBANCES
Did you know over a
million women experience
mood disturbances related
to menopause annually
in the United States?
Odds are you may know
someone or be the person
with menopausal mood
disturbance.
Menopause is a stage of a
womans reproductive cycle
that marks the cessation of
her natural fertility. It is a
natural process, however
many women experience
physical and emotional
manifestations during
the transition years to
and through menopause.
These features can affect
a womans quality of
life and of those around
her in some challenging
ways. The average age of
menopause in the United
States is 51 and-a-half.
The transition to
menopause can last
anywhere from one to 10
years.
The hormonal uctuations
often mirror the physical
and emotional symptoms
that many women
experience. The ovaries,
the reproductive female
organ, that produce the
hormones that facilitate
fertility, femininity, and
bone health, begin to
alter their function during
the transitional phase
called peri-menopause.
It is during this time that
recent research indicates
a correlation between
emotional symptoms and
hormonal uctuations for
women. Its been noted that
the reproductive hormones
regulated by the ovaries,
also play a role in the
production of serotonin, a
mood-regulating hormone.
So as female hormones
shift, so does the so-
Continued on Page 21

21 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH HickoryRecord.com Morganton.com McDowellNews.com

called happy hormone,
serotonin for some women
more than others.
The mood symptoms of this
peri-menopausal transition
can lead to emotions such as
nervous tension, irritability,
increased sensitivity to
sadness, heightened reaction
to a stressful situation, and
feeling overwhelmed with
uctuations of emotions.
Mood symptoms often
accompany physical
symptoms and can inuence
sleep, which in turn impacts
moods negatively to
sometimes create a cycle that
may impair a womans life and
lifestyle signicantly. Women
with a history of depression
may be at higher risk to face
another episode during the
peri-menopause. The 40s and
50s, the peak age for the
mood symptoms, for
many women, are often
accompanied by multiple
situational circumstances. For
example, a woman may nd
herself trying to juggle the
role of parent to teens while
caring for elderly parents, or
balancing a demanding career
with family life.
Many women wonder if their
hormones can be rebalanced
to improve their moods. My
advice: start with establishing
healthy habits:
1. Eat a well balanced diet
making an effort to curb the
carbohydrate cravings
of the comfort foods
and beverages containing
too much sugar, starch,
and carbonation.
2. Limit alcohol intake
3. Increase vitamins B, C,
and D
4. Daily exercise for
20-30 minutes
5. Try to get 7 to 8 hours of
sleep daily
6. A personal time out for
meditation or prayer and
relaxation
Seek medical care for
management of symptoms
that may be negatively
affecting quality of health and
relationships. Consult with
your doctor about the risks,
benets and side effects
before starting any nutritional,
herbal, or hormonal therapy.
Some reputable on-line
resources:
The North American
Menopausal Society (NAMS)
The American Congress of
Obstetrics and Gynecology
(ACOG)
Additionally, Piedmont Ob/
Gyn PA will be launching and
on-line blog for anyone, male
or female that is affected
by the mood symptoms of
menopause.
Content Courtesy of
Dr. Azra Ayubi, MD of
Piedmont Obstetrics &
Gynecology, PA
Continued from Page 20

210 13TH Avenue Place NW Hickory

828-322-3017 www.piedmontobgyn.com
Comprehensive Care for Every Stage of a Womans Life Since 1976
Afliated with Frye Regional Medical Center
Delivering at 5TH Avenue Birthing Center, FRMC
Normal & High Risk Obstetrics
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Gynecological Surgery
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Gynecologic Cancers
Microsurgery & Laser Surgery
Female Urology
Ofce Ob/Gyn Ultrasound
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Pelvic Floor Reconstruction
DaVinci Robotic
Surgical Procedures
J.R. Goins,
M.D.
Beth Blair,
WHNP
Azra Ayubi,
M.D.
Nancy Sciara,
RN, MSN, OGNP
Ryan Richardson,
M.D.
Essure Tubaligation
Interstital Cystitis
Endometrial Ablation
(to stop menstrual periods)
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22 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
UNDERSTANDING
ADVANCED ILLNESS
MANAGEMENT
If you or someone you love
is facing the challenges of
advanced illness, knowing
the options available in the
community can bring peace
of mind and greatly help with
health care decision-making.
HOSPICE CARE
A major distinction of hospice
care is the time frame of
life expectancy. When the
patients physician anticipates
that the patient is unlikely
to live beyond the next six
months after a terminal
diagnosis has been made, the
patient may be considered for
hospice.
Six months is not a hard and
fast rule, though. Predicting
the future is notoriously
elusive, and many patients
under hospice care live well
beyond that estimate; on
occasion, some patients
even graduate from hospice
services if their condition
drastically improves.
A great benet of hospice
care is that it takes a team
approach, offering patients
the expertise of doctors,
nurses, counselors, chaplains,
nursing assistants, and social
workers. This team of medical
professionals coordinates
care on an individual basis to
promote a patients quality of
life at a time when its needed
most.
Should a hospice patient
experience discomfort as the
result of a life-limiting disease,
comfort care measures can
frequently provide relief
and diminish emotional
distress. These techniques
are invaluable as they help
ease physical pain, breathing
difculties, and anxiety while
allowing the patient to rest
more quietly.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
Palliative medicine has no
standard of expectation
regarding how long a
patient might live, and its an
appropriate consideration for
patients living with a chronic
disease and pursuing curative
treatments.
Since palliative medicine is a
clinical sub-specialty akin to,
say, cardiology or oncology
its coordinated with the
patients primary physician. It
is not intended to replace an
existing medical relationship
but to enhance overall care as
part of a cohesive program of
health management.
The overarching goal, simply
enough, is to ease symptoms
and to assist with pain
management. A person with
congestive heart failure, for
example, can receive palliative
medicine to improve breathing
or mobility; an individual
with cancer can be provided
palliative medicine while also
receiving chemotherapy and
radiation.
In these instances, palliative
medicine enhances quality
of life, permitting patients to
live more fully and with more
satisfaction. It also supports
general independence,
working to head off repeated
visits to the hospital or
emergency room.
Moreover, palliative medicine
proves itself useful for an
increasingly wide variety of
people and comes into play
much more specically for
controlling symptoms and
guiding complex medical
decisions. Although its
optimal to incorporate
palliative medicine early in
the course of treatment, it can
be introduced into a patients
health care plan at any time
and with persons of any age.
DEBUNKING
THE HOSPICE/
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
CONNECTION
Hospice care and palliative
medicine are often confused
as being the same set of
services. While both programs
focus on the quality of a
persons life, they are, in fact,
quite distinct. Hospice is
appropriate for delivering care
to individuals diagnosed with
a terminal illness.
Conversely, palliative
medicine is appropriate for
people dealing with chronic
or serious illnesses, many of
which will never develop into
a diagnosed terminal illness.
As such, palliative medicine
is an option for people many
years in advance of their
potentially having to consider
medical care for a more
serious condition.
Content Courtesy of
Life Transitions, a mobile
palliative medicine practice
23 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH HickoryRecord.com Morganton.com McDowellNews.com
Camp Physicals
School Sports Physicals
Wellness Exams
828-322-2550
Cosmetic & Refractive
Family Eye Care
Medical & Surgical Care
828-433-1000
Aesthetic Services
Morganton Eye Physicians, PA
& Surgery Center
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J.C. VcCoo, O.D. 1.|. |loc|, O.D. .L.uoll, O.D. D.|. Alooouor, O.D.
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828-652-1000
1.C. Lowry, V.D.
Reynolds Family Wellness Center
Dr. Paula G. Reynolds - Chiropractic Physician
138 Main St. East
Valdese NC 28690
Across from Waldensian
Presbyterian Church
Serving Burke and Caldwell
Counties Since 1992
828-874-6292
Dr. Paula G. Reynold
Treatment Of:
Headache/Neck/Back Pain
Wellness Care
Back Pain Due to Pregnancies
Injuries Due to Accidents
Massage Therapists Available
www.reynoldswellness.com
DID
YOU
KNOW?
According to the American Heart
Association, relaxation that calms tension
in the mind and body can be a great way
for men and women to combat stress.
Deep breathing is one relaxation technique
thats simple and effective when done the
right way. The AHA recommends that men
and women looking to relax through deep
breathing should rst sit in a comfortable
position with their feet on the oor and
hands in their lap (lying down is also
acceptable). Once they have gotten in
position, men and women can close their
eyes and picture themselves in a peaceful
place, holding the scene in their mind,
all the while inhaling and exhaling slowly
and deeply. This slow breathing should
continue for at least 10 minutes.
Content Courtesy of Metro Creative
24 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
How do you know
when its time
to call hospice .
Dont wait-call us, your life always matters
(828) 659-7068 We are there for You!
Lynn Shell, LMBT NC#1019
Advanced Nail Technician,
Owner, and Spa Director
BURKE MYOTHERAPY
Massage and Nail Services
Our technicians have received specialized
training in aseptic techniques (the
performing of microbe-free services) and
Lynn Shell is a Certied Advanced Nail
Technician. Burke Myotherapy is listed
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implements and
maintaining
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safety in mind!
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burkemyotherapy.com
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Parafn Wax
Reexology
DID
YOU
KNOW?
The liver receives 25 percent
of the blood that the heart
pumps with each beat. One
of the largest organs in the
body, the liver also is one of
the most important, serving
a variety of functions that
keep human beings alive.
One of the more important
functions the liver performs
is the production of bile,
an alkaline uid that helps
humans absorb food and
eliminate toxins. Bile salts
are produced in the liver
and travel through the bile
duct and into the intestine.
These bile salts help humans
absorb fat from their diets.
When the liver is functioning
poorly, some people
may develop diarrhea or
malnutrition. Thats because
a poorly functioning liver may
not be producing enough
bile or pumping out the bile
it is producing as adequately
as it needs to for the body to
maintain normal function.
HOW TO MANAGE
BACK PAIN
Back pain can have a debilitating impact
on those suffering from it. But even those
who have endured back pain might be
unaware of just how far-reaching and
expensive it can be.
According to the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, lower
back pain is the foremost cause of job
disability around the world. The NINDS
study, in which researchers examined
data from 117 studies conducted in 47
different countries, found that one in 10
people suffer from lower back pain, a
discovery that no doubt startles many
people, especially when considering the
global scope of the study. A condition that
affects 10 percent of the world may seem
impossible to prevent, but there are steps
men and women suffering from back pain
can take to make their condition more
manageable.
Contact your physician. A bruised
back or mild stiffness may not require
the help of a physician. Such issues
will likely disappear shortly enough to
make medical attention unnecessary. But
EmblemHealth recommends that people
suffering with back pain visit a doctor if
they experience numbness or tingling
in their back, legs or arms; suffer pain
after a fall; and/or are feeling pain with
additional symptoms, including fever,
trouble passing urine or unexplained
weight loss. Such symptoms indicate
that the back pain is more than just a
temporary nuisance, and something that
may need to be treated by a professional.
When a physician visit is necessary, the
doctor will attempt to understand just
whats causing the pain. Identifying the
cause can help to develop an appropriate
and effective course of treatment. The
most common causes of back pain
include bulging discs, pinched nerves,
arthritis, muscle spasms or strains, and
sciatica, a nerve condition that goes from
the lower back through the hips. Some
cases of back pain are a result of poor
posture or tight muscles.
Content
Courtesy of
Metro Creative
Continued on Page 26

Board Certfed Physicians Specializing in

Comprehensive Primary Care for Adults ages 16 and older
*including Blue Cross Medicare
1375 4th Street Drive Hickory, NC 28601 828-322-1213
Ofce Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Acceptng New Patents
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Viewmont
Internal Medicine
Michael M. Hirsch, MD, FACP
Elizabeth D. Cressy, MD
Wellness Exams
Hypertension
Diabetes
Dermatology Care
Weight Loss
Immunizatons
Cold & Flu
Smoking Cessaton
Sports Physicals
Cardiac Disorders
Sinus / Allergies
High Cholesterol
Sick Visits
Gastrointestnal
Disorders
Arthrits / Joints
COPD / Emphysema
LIFETRANSITIONS
treating the person, not just an illness
We help
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Call for a consultation today.
828.464.9459
YourLifeTransitions.org
Life Transitions cares for patients with
heart disease, COPD, pneumonia, and
other acute medical issues.
DID
YOU
KNOW?
Individuals eating a low-fat,
low cholesterol diet may
make grilled foods a staple
of the warm-weather season.
Grilled meats certainly are
healthier than fried or fat-
laden varieties, but grilling
may not be as healthy as
you think. Heterocyclic
amines, or HAs, are a type
of carcinogen that can form
on foods when they are
cooked over high heat or
over a direct ame. High
levels of HAs can increase
cancer risk. When grilling,
the key is to cook foods in
a safe manner. HAs often
form when food is in close
proximity to a heat source.
Less contact with a heating
element or keeping grilled
foods further away from
ames by keeping the
ames low can help. The
longer food is exposed to
high heat, the greater the
risk that HAs will form. It
could be better to cook low
and slow, which also can
make grilled foods more
avorful.
Content Courtesy of Metro Creative
26 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
Exercise regularly. When
speaking with a physician,
men and women who suffer
from back pain should discuss
exercise as a treatment
method. Regular exercises
such as riding a bicycle
or swimming can improve
strength and exibility in
the back. More complex
exercises, such as yoga, also
have been recommended
to sufferers of back pain.
Yoga improves exibility and
builds strength while also
promoting strong bones which
can reduce a persons risk
of injury. Injuries that limit
movement can increase a
persons risk of developing
back pain, so an exercise
routine that builds exibility
and strong bones can be an
effective way to manage or
even prevent back pain.
Sit up straight at work.
Many people can trace their
back pain to their ofces,
where uncomfortable chairs
and poorly positioned desks
dont provide the necessary
support men and women need
to reduce or prevent back
pain. Chairs should provide
adequate lower back support,
and desks should be at a
comfortable height that does
not force the body to hunch
or place itself in another
awkward position just to get
work done. When sitting, make
sure you are sitting upright
with your shoulders relaxed
and your body against the
back of your chair.
Dont resort to too much
rest. Long-time sufferers of
back pain no doubt recall a
time when physicians would
prescribe rest to treat back
pain. But too much sitting
around has now been shown
to worsen back pain. If you
must rest, do so for only a
day or two before gradually
becoming more active.
Swimming or walking can
be great and less physically
taxing ways to acclimate your
body to physical activity after
resting for a day or two due to
back pain.
Studies have shown that back
pain is prevalent across the
globe. Coping with back pain
is often painful, but there are
healthy ways for men and
women to manage their back
pain and start feeling good
again.
Content Courtesy of
Metro Creative
Continued from Page 24

27 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH HickoryRecord.com Morganton.com McDowellNews.com

targeting a
HIGHER QUALITY
of life
AIM is a palliative care consultative service that helps
patients manage symptoms of chronic, debilitating illness
and improve their quality of life. AIM is appropriate for
anyone, at any age, at any point in the illness. To learn
more, talk to your doctor or call us at 828.754.0101, or
visit www.caldwellhospice.org. AIM is a collaboration between
Caldwell UNC Healthcare and Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.
4573 U.S. 221 North
Marion, NC 28752 828.756.2224
Licensed Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
Therapist By Appointment (NC# 682)
Energy Boosters
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Vitamins & Herbs
Health Foods
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UNDERSTANDING
SUN POISONING
A trip to the beach is an
enjoyable way to spend a day.
With warm waves lapping at
your feet and a good book
to enjoy, hours relaxing at
the seaside tend to pass by
quite quickly. While such days
are often comfortable and
relaxing, if you arent careful,
you may be putting yourself
at risk of sunburn and sun
poisoning.
Sunburns are never a good
thing, but sun poisoning can
be even more severe and the
symptoms can become quite
serious and uncomfortable.
Despite what the term sun
poisoning implies, the sun
does not poison the body.
Rather, the term describes
sensitivity to sunlight that
results in a wide range of
symptoms that can affect the
skin and body as a whole. Sun
poisoning can occur when
one has a sun allergy, called
solar urticaria. This is very
rare. However, the greatest
number of sun poisoning
cases are simply a severe
form of sunburn.
Continued on Page 29

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29 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH HickoryRecord.com Morganton.com McDowellNews.com

DID
YOU
KNOW?
Though vaccines are
usually associated with
childhood or foreign travel,
older adults may need
certain vaccinations as
they age. Even those who
received immunizations
as youngsters may
need refresher doses
or vaccinations tailored
specically to the over 50
crowd. Seniors are urged
to talk to their doctors
about certain vaccines.
In addition to u shots,
there are vaccinations that
can help prevent other
illnesses, such as pertussis
(whooping cough), shingles,
diphtheria/tetanus, and
pneumonia. Shingles is a
condition that affects those
who had chickenpox as
children, and can be quite
painful. A vaccination is an
easy way to avoid it. Many
local pharmacies now offer
on-site immunizations,
saving people a trip to the
doctors ofce.
James G. Mackey
Tax & Business Consultant
828-559-2188
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HOURS: Monday, Tuesday,
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Offering New Service for Clients
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As a Member, you can call anytime with
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Ready to be the
healthiest
you?
Aubrey Ettinger
MPH and Certied
Health Coach
828.460.8840
nurturesimply@gmail.com
Low Energy?
Unhappy with your
weight?
Ready to Change?
Content Courtesy of Metro Creative
Depending on the
pigmentation of a persons
skin and the severity of the
sun, sunburn can occur in
mere minutes. Many people
can get a sunburn within
15 minutes of being in the
sun. The suns rays are most
potent between the hours of
10 a.m. and 3 p.m., making
the majority of the day a
prime time for skin damage.
Although sunburn can occur
quite quickly, many people
do not realize anything has
occurred right away. Thats
because sunburn symptoms
can be delayed. It may take
a few hours for redness to
appear and discomfort to set
in. Staying in the sun too long
without wearing adequate
protection, whether it be a
wide-brimmed hat, protective
clothing or ample amounts of
sunblock, can lead to sunburn.
Over time, sunburn can
progress to sun poisoning.
Symptoms of sun poisoning
include a severe sunburn
accompanied by blisters on
the skin. Pain and tingling
may occur, as well as swelling
where the sun touched the
body intensely. Sun poisoning
also may cause fever and
chills, nausea, dizziness, and
dehydration and electrolyte
imbalance, as the bodys
immune system attempts to
kick into action.
The best treatment for sun
poisoning is prevention. Avoid
blazing sun whenever possible
and use sunblock and reapply
frequently if you must be out
in the sun for any duration of
time. Otherwise, some cases
of sun poisoning can be
relieved with the application
of cool compresses or by
taking cool (not cold) baths.
Application of aloe gels also
can alleviate discomfort,
in addition to taking a pain
relieving NSAID pill.
If at any point a fever occurs
and spikes to more than 104
F, or if there is extreme pain
and vomiting, head to the
emergency room. Doctors
may have to quickly reduce
swelling and inflammation and
administer fluids intravenously
to get the body back on track.
Keep in mind that blisters
from sun poisoning can get
infected, so it is adviseable to
keep the skin clean and avoid
picking at or popping blisters.
Discuss any concerns about
severe sunburn with a doctor.
Frequent sunburns can be
linked to accelerated skin
aging and can put a person
at a higher risk for skin
cancer. According to the
Cleveland Clinic, ultraviolet,
or UV, radiation from the sun
is the number one cause
of skin cancer, but UV light
from tanning beds is just
as harmful. Cumulative sun
exposure causes basal cell
and squamous cell skin
cancer, while episodes of
severe blistering sunburns,
usually before age 18, can
cause melanoma later in life.
Sun poisoning and sunburns
are nothing to take lightly.
These conditions are easy to
prevent by being smart about
sun exposure.
Content Courtesy of
Metro Creative
Continued from Page 27

30 Hickory Morganton Marion SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH

Specializing in the Full
Spectrum of Family Medicine
GOODMAN & BROOKS
FAMILY PRACTICE
BEN W. GOODMAN, JR., MD &
GREGORY T. BROOKS, MD
2820 16th Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601
828-304-0840
Accepting New Patients
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Goodman & Brooks Family Practice
Sandy Ridge Road
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first tooth through age 20
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Julie Conley Duckworth, CFm
Your local breast form specialist.
Beautiful Beginnings
Burke Pharmacy, Inc.
828-437-8025 828-438-8755
Pharmacist
RichardWilliams Butch Duckworth Charlotte McCorkle
Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 6:00 Sat. 8:30 - 2:00
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Burke Pharmacy, INC.
301 W. Meeting St. Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5800 1-800-763-2875
DID YOU KNOW?
Non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC,
is the most common type of lung
cancer, with about 85 to 90 percent of
lung cancers falling into this category.
There are three main subtypes of
NSCLC:squamous cell (epidermoid)
carcinoma, adenocarcinoma
and large cell (undifferentiated)
carcinoma. Roughly 25 to 30 percent
of all lung cancers are squamous
cell carcinomas, which start in the
at cells known as squamous cells
that line the inside of the airways in
the lung. Usually found in the middle
of the lungs, these squamous cells
are typically linked to a history of
smoking. Adenocarcinomas account
for approximately 40 percent of lung
cancer diagnoses, and these start in
the early versions of the cells that are
normally responsible for secreting
mucus. Though adenocarcinoma is
the most common form of lung
cancer found in nonsmokers, it
mainly occurs in current or former
smokers. Adenocarcinoma if most
often found in the outer parts of the
lung and is likely to be discovered
beforeit spreads beyond the lung.
Thats because adenocarcinoma
grows more slowly than other
forms of lung cancer, which is
why the prognosis for those with
adenocarcinoma is often better
than it is for those with other types
of lung cancer. Large cell carcinoma,
which accounts for about 10 to 15
percent of lung cancers, can be found
in any part of the lung, and it tends to
grow and spread quickly.
Content Courtesy of Metro Creative
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Spend less time recovering,
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From hospitals and more than 20 physician ofces, to direct
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Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge provides quality
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To learn more about great healthcare in your backyard,
visit BlueRidgeHealth.org.