Fall 2008, Boost Your Health - Roper St. Francis Healthcare

4find out if youare a Candidatefor Hip or KneeReplacement5THE LOWCOUNTRYSENIOR CENTERoffers a large lineup ofactivities ranging frombocce ball to dance andcomputer classes.To find out more,call (843) 762-9555or log on towww.rsfh.com/seniorcenterstep away fromthe soda machineThe gradual decline of a knee orhip can take place over manyyears due to osteoarthritis orother factors. As individualsslowly adjust to pain, limitedmobility, and reduced flexibility,many accept the effects as “normal” anddon’t seek the treatment that could addtremendous value to their lives.“It is estimated that fewer than 25percent of good replacement candidatesactually see a doctor to have the procedure,”says board certified orthopaedic surgeonJohn McCrosson. “Yet it’s one of the bestthings a person can do to stay mobile,active, and independent at an older age.”While total hip replacement is consideredan invasive treatment with an extendedrecovery period, researchers at DukeUniversity found that it dramaticallyincreased the quality of life for individualsup to age 80 or even 90.Dr. McCrosson recommends asking yourdoctor about an assessment and consideringthe benefits of such a procedure. “A simplequestion puts many on a path that literallychanges the rest of their lives,” he says.Learn about the services offered at the Roper St.Francis Joint Replacement Center by calling(843) 402-CARE or logging on to www.rsfh.com/joint.One 12-ouncecan of soda has asmuch as 13teaspoonsof sugar in theform of high-fructosecorn syrup.Dr. Wildstein minces no words when itcomes to America’s fizzy beverage ofchoice. “Soft drinks will be known asthe cigarettes of the future,” hecontends. Before you laugh at thecomparison, consider this: the FederalTrade Commission and the Department of Healthand Human Services pressured Coca-Cola andPepsiCo to voluntarily limit how much they marketto children under the age of 12, reports theNemours Foundation. This unusual action wastaken as part of a national campaign to fight childobesity, but it may as well have been undertakenfor a dozen different reasons.A recent study found that adults who consumeone or more sodas a day carried about a 50 percenthigher chance of metabolic syndrome—a group ofrisk factors that include excessive fat around thewaist, low levels of “good” cholesterol, and highblood pressure. “Soft drinks are bad for your bonesand teeth, plus they are dehydrating and contributeto diabetes,” Dr. Wildstein explains. “People need tobe aware that they are not a substitute for water.”Dr. Wildstein recommends replacing thatlunchtime soda with water or sugar-free fruit juice.And when you do reach for water, fill your glass atthe tap instead of from a plastic bottle, addsDr. McCrosson. “City water is often tested morestringently and regularly than bottled water,” heexplains. “Also, it usually includes a fluoride additiveto help prevent cavities among children.”26 house calls