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

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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
6get better restFACT OR FICTION?Test your sleep knowledge withthis quiz based on research bythe National Sleep FoundationIt’s common knowledge that most adults requireseven or eight hours of sleep per night foroptimum health. But simply being in bed forthe right number of hours doesn’t always meanyou are getting what yourbody really needs: restful,restoring sleep. “It’s amazinghow many people do thingsright before bedtime that arecounterproductive to fallingasleep and staying asleep,” saysDr. Dunn. “Alcohol, caffeine,and stress-inducing activitiesaffect the type of sleep weexperience, so that even if youfall asleep, you will not haveeffective sleep and may evenfeel worse the next morning.”According to the National Instituteof Neurological Disorders and Stroke,the definition of “effective sleep” is a sustainedperiod during which the individual passesthrough the REM, or dreaming, phase into a periodSimply beingin bed for the rightnumber of hours doesn’talways mean you aregetting what your bodyreally needs: restful,restoring sleep.of dreamless, restful sleep. Unfortunately, childrenand adults alike can unknowingly impede thisimportant process, leaving them to suffer throughdays filled with drowsiness, lack of concentration,and even depression.To maximize your sleep andget more out of your wakinghours, it helps first to exerciseduring the day and then to set aregular bedtime. Find a relaxingactivity, such as reading orlistening to soothing music,and spend time doing it beforeturning off the light. Finally, besure to do something aboutsleeplessness—if you can’t fallasleep within 15 minutes, getup and engage in a relaxingactivity to reset your mind.To find out about getting an evaluation from the RoperSt. Francis Sleep Center, log on to www.rsfh.com/sleep orhave your doctor call (843) 723-2246.You can catch up on lostsleep over the weekend.FICTION: Sleeping moreon weekends in an attempt to“make up” for sleep lost duringthe week only disrupts yourcircadian rhythms, setting you upto have more trouble sleeping inthe days ahead.Snoring can be harmful.FACT: Snoring can be asign of sleep apnea, a conditioncharacterized by brief episodes ofreduced or no airflow at night.Some people functionfine on just four or fivehours of sleep.FICTION: Many peoplewho make such claims justaren’t aware of how tired theyare. The bottom line is, too littlesleep is bad for your health,impairing judgment, weakeningthe immune system, and leadingto weight gain.house calls 27
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