Health Connections Fall 2012 - Valley Hospital and Medical Center

HealthConnection
page 4
Join Senior
Circle today
The magazine of Valley hospital
www.SpokaneValleyHospital.com • Fall 2012
page 5
Trauma center
recertification
page 6
Heart attack
survival tips
Healthy
beginnings
at Valley
See page 8
page 7
Healthy eating =
happy kids

follow
a diet high in calcium,
vitamin D and protein.
This won’t prevent bone
loss, but it’ll guarantee
that the resources the body
uses to develop bones
are available.
2 Fall 2012
tip
Healthbriefs
Instant exercise gratification
For years, doctors and experts alike have
been touting the long-term benefits
of exercise: improved heart
health, lower risk for chronic
conditions and improved
fitness. But new research
suggests that exercise’s
immediate benefits—
more energy and less
stress, for example—
are more motivational
than results that take
weeks or months to
notice.
The study focused
on 385 women, ages
40 to 60, who completed
questionnaires over the course
of a year related to their exercise
habits and health goals. The results
showed that women who had short-term
goals exercised 15 to 34 percent more
often than those who had long-term
goals.
So if the promise of healthy aging
isn’t helping you get out and run, try
thinking about improving your mood or
enjoying the outdoors. You might just find
the motivation you need to get moving!
How often do you need a bone density test?
Sleep your way
to a healthier heart
If you suffer with sleep apnea, getting
treated for it may also help you improve
your heart health. Research has shown
that people with obstructive sleep apnea,
or OSA, may have heart changes similar
to those caused by high blood pressure,
such as increased mass, thickening of
the heart wall and reduced pumping
ability. A 2012 study published in
Circulation: Heart Failure, a journal of
the American Heart Association, found
when people with OSA used continuous
positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment,
the heart abnormalities returned
to near-normal measurements after
six months.
While more research is needed, the
results support the use of CPAP treatment.
CPAP,
which uses mild
air pressure to
keep the airways
open, is
already a standard
treatment
for OSA and
other breathing
problems.
Experts have always recommended older women have a bone density test to check
for osteoporosis, a condition marked by weakened bones and an increased fracture risk.
But how often? Researchers attempted to answer that question when they conducted
a 15-year-long study of 5,000 women ages 67 and older, the results of which were published
in the January 2012 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Researchers divided the women into four groups based on the results of an initial
bone density test: normal or mild, moderate or advanced osteopenia (low bone density).
The women were tested two to five times throughout the study.
The results suggest that women in the normal or mild categories can safely wait
about 15 years before being rescreened. Less than 1 percent of women who had a
normal initial screening and only 5 percent of women with mild osteopenia went on to
develop osteoporosis. For those with advanced osteopenia, the results suggest annual
screenings may be advisable. Because other factors—like age, medications and specific
diseases—can affect your risk, talk with your doctor about how often you should be
screened.
images on any of these pages may be from one or more of these sources: © 2012 thinkstock and © 2012 istockphoto.com

Gut feeling
Why IBS isn’t all in your head
It has no specific tests to diagnose
it, its symptoms can mimic other
conditions and vary from person
to person, and experts aren’t sure what
causes it. Factors such as these can make
it feel as though irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS) is all in your head.
But the condition is very real. Consider
these facts:
• IBS is considered a “functional disease,”
meaning any symptoms you experience
are caused by changes in how the GI tract
works.
• IBS is very common, affecting as many as
20 percent of all adults (although younger
women are prone to developing it).
• The condition produces symptoms that
can be disruptive to your lifestyle: chronic
abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating,
changes in bowel habits (constipation,
diarrhea or both), passage of mucus in
bowel movements, straining with bowel
movements, sense of incomplete bowel
movement, sense of urgency to go to the
bathroom, fatigue and mild depression
related to having the condition. It doesn’t
appear to cause damage to the digestive
tract or lead to other conditions.
• While an exact cause of IBS remains
unknown, many theories exist. Problems
with colon muscles, overly sensitive
nerves in the gut area, depression, infections
and bacterial overgrowth in the
small intestine are all areas researchers
are looking into for possible triggers.
Stress, while not a cause, seems to make
symptoms worse.
Managing IBS
So what can be done about a condition
that’s not so easy to grasp? Experts focus
on managing symptoms:
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals if large
meals upset your digestive tract.
• Steer clear of foods that are irritating.
Possible culprits include high-fat foods,
milk products, “gassy” foods such as beans
and alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.
• Consider adding fiber, probiotics or
psyllium to your diet, depending on your
symptoms. Probiotics and psyllium are
found in capsules, tablets and powders.
Probiotics are also in some dairy foods,
such as yogurts with live active cultures.
• Talk with your doctor about medications.
He or she may recommend laxatives,
loperamide, antispasmodics, antidepressants
or lubiprostone, depending on your
symptoms.
• Find someone to talk to. Therapy
sessions may reduce stress and improve
your IBS symptoms. Hypnotherapy, or
the use of hypnosis, has been used
to relax the bowel.
• Be active. Exercise can also
help IBS.
The important thing to
remember is you can minimize
your symptoms. If you think
you’re experiencing IBS,
make sure to talk to your
doctor, who will want
to perform tests to rule
out any other possible
health conditions.
IBS is considered a
“functional disease,”
meaning symptoms you
experience are caused by
changes in how the
GI tract works.
Did you
know?
Fiber (found in fruits,
vegetables, whole grains
and legumes) helps to
relieve IBS, but it also
provides health benefits
such as lowering your
risk of diabetes and
heart disease.
Fall 2012
3

Dennis Barts
Chief executive
officer
Dear neigHborS,
I hope you’re enjoying our latest
issue of Health Connection! It
was a busy summer at Valley
Hospital. In late June, we began a
renovation project on all six of our operating rooms. The
term “room” is a bit outdated—"suite" more accurately
describes the large, highly technical space where
operations are now performed. We’ve been upgrading
the suites one at a time and expect to be finished by the
end of the year.
Upgrading these suites is consistent with our
vision of providing our patients and doctors access to
sophisticated equipment that can enhance care. The
renovations include new high-definition video equipment
with equipment booms and new operating room
lighting systems. By upgrading these technologies, we
can integrate devices and environmental components
of the operating room, including overhead mounting
systems, lighting, the operating room table, endoscopic
equipment, cameras, image capture systems and
information networks, to support increased efficiencies in
patient care.
The renovations will improve doctors’ abilities to
access information during surgery. With enhanced equipment,
the patient benefits from a safer environment,
where information is more readily available to the surgeon
and operating team. Investing in new technology
is key to providing quality health care for the residents of
the Greater Spokane Valley area.
Valley Hospital will have invested about $4 million
upon completion. In past issues of Health Connection,
I’ve talked to you about our significant investments in
equipment and technology to enhance your care. We’re
proud to report that since Valley Hospital was purchased
in October 2008, we’ve invested $16.9 million in capital
improvements, renovations and new technology. We
hope these efforts continue to build your trust in Valley
Hospital as the place to get quality care, close to home.
Sincerely,
Dennis Barts
Chief Executive Officer
Valley Hospital
From us To you
4 Fall 2012 • www.SpokaneValleyHospital.com
Have you joined
the Circle yet?
Each month, Valley Hospital hosts several Senior
Circle events, the most popular
being the “lunch-andlearn”
lectures, which feature
presentations by doctors and
other professionals.
These lectures
include free lunch
for Senior Circle
members and provide
an intimate setting to
meet doctors, learn
about conditions and
Bryon Humble, D.O.,
Rockwood orthopedic
surgeon, speaking
about hip pain at a
recent Senior Circle
lunch-and-learn
event.
ask questions. Typically, two to three
lunch-and-learn gatherings are held per month, and
topics have ranged from joint replacement and aging
eyes to Alzheimer’s disease and heart health.
Don’t miss out on these great talks any longer!
Join the Circle! When you join Senior Circle at Valley
Hospital, your annual membership also includes a
generous selection of discounts, events, a chapter
newsletter and national publication, in-hospital
privileges at Valley Hospital such as upgrades to private
rooms, a free meal each day for caregivers when a
Senior Circle member is a patient, a 30-percent discount
in the café and a 15-percent discount in the gift shop.
There are also many local and national discounts for
vision care, prescriptions, hearing aids and more.
Annual membership in Senior Circle is just $15.
Dr. Humble is an independent member of the medical staff at Valley Hospital.
Join our Circle of friends
Come see what our 300+ members already know!
nonmembers can attend one event free to see
what it’s all about. go to www.spokaneValley
hospital.com and choose the Senior Circle link
to join, or call (509) 473-5639 and request an
application be mailed to your home or stop by the
hospital to pick one up.
70vhm

Valley Hospital earns
level iii trauma
recertification
This summer, Valley Hospital
learned that it had been recertified
as a Level III Trauma Center,
following a site visit by the Washington
State Department of Health. Hospitals
must reapply for trauma service
designation every three years, which
includes a written application and
clinical on-site survey. The Department
of Health is the only agency in
Washington State that can grant trauma
certifications.
When trauma patients are injured,
studies show they need to receive
treatment within one hour for the best
chance of survival and recovery. That’s
why Level III Trauma Centers at emergency
rooms such as Valley Hospital are
an important piece in the overall trauma
system, which also includes emergency
medical service providers.
“As the only acute-care hospital in
the eastern half of Spokane County, we
see a high volume of trauma patients
for a hospital of this size,” says Damon
Sheneman, D.O., trauma medical
director for Valley Hospital. “This high
volume allows us to stay adept at our
trauma activation procedures, while
providing much-needed care for many of
the outlying areas around Spokane.”
Traumatic injuries are serious
According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, traumatic
injuries are the leading cause of death
and disability in people younger than
44. As a Level III Trauma Center,
Valley Hospital treats patients with
many types of traumatic injuries,
including those caused by motor
vehicle accidents, serious falls or
industrial accidents.
“The Valley Hospital
emergency room is
highly trained in
triage, emergency
resuscitation,
assessment and
stabilization
of trauma
patients,” says
Dr. Sheneman.
“The hospital has
around-the-clock
access to specialty
doctors, including
general surgeons,
who treat many
trauma patients,
or orthopedic
Level III Trauma Centers
at emergency rooms
surgeons who are such as Valley Hospital
also important to are an important piece
in the overall trauma
trauma care. Valley
system.
Hospital also has
intensive and critical
care facilities should
patients need to be admitted to the
hospital.”
Statistics show that every year,
1 out of every 3 people older than
age 65 experiences a fall, which is
the most common cause of traumatic
brain injuries in the United States. As
a designated Level III Trauma Center,
Valley Hospital is ready to provide
emergency and trauma care to patients
with a multitude of injuries.
Dr. Sheneman is a member of the medical staff at
Valley Hospital.
Damon sheneman, D.o.
Board-Certified General Surgeon
emergency
care when you
need it most
if you’re injured in a fall
or a car accident, call
911 and know where
to go.
70vhm 70VHm
Fall 2012 • www.SpokaneValleyHospital.com 5

HealthWise QUIZ
How much do you know
about vision?
1
2
3
4
Take ThIS QUIZ To fInd oUT.
What’s the most common cause
of blindness in people older than
age 60?
a. cataracts
b. glaucoma
c. macular degeneration
d. eye infections
Which of the following may help
people who suffer from symptoms
of computer vision syndrome
(brought on by prolonged computer
use), which include eye strain,
headaches, neck and back pain
and dry eyes?
a. positioning the computer about four
or five inches below eye level
b. using an anti-glare screen
c. adjusting your chair so your feet rest
flat on the floor
d. all of the above
_______ is a condition in which
the eye loses its ability to focus,
making it difficult to see objects
that are close.
a. Myopia
b. Presbyopia
c. Astigmatism
d. none of the above
According to the American
Optometric Association, eating one
cup of cooked _______, which is/are
rich in the eye nutrient lutein, four
times a week can help reduce your
risk of certain eye diseases.
a. spinach
b. carrots
c. whole-wheat pasta
d. tomatoes
Answers: 1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (a)
6 Fall 2012
Surviving
a heart attack
Being prepared can save your life
Heart attack treatments
are the most effective when
given or performed within
an hour or two after the onset
of symptoms. Unfortunately, not
everyone makes it to the hospital
within this crucial time frame.
Maybe these people don’t recognize
their symptoms as being those
of a heart attack. Maybe they don’t
want to “create a scene” for what
could be a false alarm. No matter
the reason, it pays to be prepared
in the event of a heart attack—especially
if you’ve already suffered one
or are at an increased risk of having
one. Here are some tips to help you
increase your chances of survival:
Recognize the symptoms. Heart
attack symptoms can vary from
person to person, but common
ones include chest discomfort and
pain; discomfort or pain in areas
such as the shoulder, neck, arms
or jaw; stomach pain or heartburn
feeling; shortness of breath; anxiety;
lightheadedness; sweating;
and vomiting.
Call 911 immediately.
The earlier you’re
treated, the
more likely
it is that
It pays to
be prepared in the
event of a heart
attack—especially if
you’ve already
suffered one or are at
an increased risk
of having one.
heart muscle won’t suffer permanent
damage. Paramedics can
begin lifesaving treatment before
you even arrive at the hospital.
Chew an aspirin—up to 325 mg—
as you wait for help to arrive.
Chewing allows aspirin to enter
your bloodstream faster and can
prevent additional blood clots
from forming.
Take nitroglycerin. If you’ve
already had a heart attack,
your doctor may have given you
nitroglycerin to take in the event
of chest pain. You may take up to
three tablets, or one every five minutes,
as you wait for help to arrive.
Store prior heart tests in an
easy-to-find place in your home,
include electrocardiogram results,
if you have a history of heart
disease, as well as a list of any
medications to which you’re
allergic, for paramedics.
Many people survive heart
attacks and go on to live full
lives. But the key is to get help
quickly and take the necessary
measures to make sure you’re
one of those people.

mealtime combat
9 ways to handle picky eaters
Is every meal a battle at your
house? Dealing with a child
who doesn’t want to eat or
only wants to eat the same things
day in and day out can be trying,
to say the least. But there are ways
to keep the peace:
Forget forcing the issue. Don’t
1 try to make your child eat when
he or she isn’t hungry. Encourage
your child to remain at the table,
though, even if he or she doesn’t eat,
until the rest of the family has finished
eating.
2Stick to regular mealtimes. Try
to offer meals and any snacks
around the same hour every day.
3Offer your child something he or
she already likes—with a twist.
Top pancakes with fruit, add carrots
to muffins or shred veggies into rice
for added nutritional benefit.
4Practice patience. Children often
don’t take to a new food right
off the bat, so offer
it more than once.
Also, serve any new
Good-for-you meals
How to introduce your child to healthy cooking
Picture this: Instead of reaching
for a bag of salty, fatty potato
chips, your child grabs a handful
of carrot sticks. Sound like more
of a fairy tale than reality? Believe it
or not, it’s possible to get kids to eat
more foods that are healthy for them.
Here are four tips to help you do it:
Give him or her some menu control.
Get input from your child about their
likes and dislikes and together select
healthy recipes from a cookbook or
website.
Make them the shopping leader. A
small 2011 study out of the University
of Granada in Spain found that letting
children pick which vegetables they
wanted to eat increased their
vegetable consumption by up to
80 percent. It’s a great incentive
to take your children shopping
with you and let them choose the
vegetables you’ll be serving.
Let them give you a helping hand.
Drum up interest for healthier foods
by having your children help you
prepare them. Dole out the tasks
according to age—for example,
younger kids can help you wash
and tear up lettuce for a salad,
or measure and mix together
ingredients, while older children
can peel potatoes or make a simple
no-bake recipe.
foods alongside familiar favorites to
make them less intimidating.
5Make mealtime enjoyable. Try
broccoli with dipping sauce or
foods cut into fun shapes.
6Ban TV and other distractions.
Mealtimes are family time, and
distractions can interfere with your
child’s eating.
7Keep unhealthy foods out of the
house. Instead of soda, choose
100 percent juice; in place of chips,
try sliced apples or carrots. However,
don’t eliminate treats. Offer them
occasionally; cutting out unhealthy
foods may lead your child to go overboard
when he or she does have them.
8Avoid making special meals. This
can perpetuate bad habits.
9Be a role model. That means
eating your spinach, too, mom
and dad!
Instilling good eating habits takes
time. After a while, eating healthy
will become second nature to your
little one.
Be a role model. Why should your
child want to eat healthy if mom and
dad don’t? Lead by example and make
nutritious meals a family affair.
Fall 2012
7

Health Connection is published as a community service of
Valley hospital. There is no fee to subscribe.
The information contained in this publication is not intended
as a substitute for professional medical advice. if you have
medical concerns, please consult your health care provider.
for more information, call Valley hospital marketing
Communications at (509) 473-5482.
Copyright © 2012 Valley Hospital
fall 2012 Printed With Soy Ink
meeT THe
OB/gynS
Douglas L. Brown, D.O.
“I’ll work together with you to ensure
you receive the care, education and
treatment that suits you best.”
Lori F. Joy, M.D.
“I’ve devoted my life to caring for
women, and I've enjoyed sharing
births with local moms since 1997.
I appreciate how valuable your time is and I’ll do
my best to see you in a timely fashion, while still
addressing your personal issues.”
Nathan P. Meltzer, M.D.
“I believe that your time is as
important as my time. I’ll always try
to see you on time and give you my
full attention.”
Olivia M. Sementi, M.D.
“As a new mother myself, I know
what it’s like to be a patient. I’ll
take time to listen and treat you as I
would want to be treated.”
Craig M. Smentek, M.D.
“I've been a doctor in Spokane
Valley for more than 20 years. I take
great pride in developing strong relationships
with my patients that span many years
and phases of a woman's life.”
Valley Hospital
12606 east mission Ave.
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
www.spokaneValleyhospital.com
A growing
number of
moms know —
We deliver!
Despite the birth rate in the
United States decreasing over the
past few years, the number of
babies born at Valley Hospital last year
actually increased by nearly 15 percent.
What do these new moms know about
Valley Hospital? They experienced our
commitment to individual birthing plans
and the family-oriented atmosphere,
where family members are welcome
to be present throughout the birthing
process. These moms also know they
will labor, deliver and recover all in the
same private birthing suite, without
moving to a different location after
delivery. And, they know about our
new, advanced central fetal monitoring
system that allows the medical staff to
monitor mother and baby’s progress on a
continual basis, even remotely.
Find out what the growing number
of “Valley moms” know—childbirth is a
time when personalized care, compassion,
understanding and safety matter.
If you're planning for your child's birth,
consider the Birthing Center at
Valley Hospital.
All of these doctors are independent members of the
medical staff at Valley Hospital.
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Lebanon Junction, KY
Permit 19
give your
baby a
healthy start!
To learn more
about the childbirth
experience at Valley
hospital, visit
www.spokaneValley
hospital.com and
choose “Services,” or
call us to arrange
a tour at
(509) 473-5475.
Clarification
A photo accompanying
the page 5 article
about orthopedics in
the Spring 2012 issue
of Health Connection
may have been mistakenly identified
as Jonathan Keeve, M.D., who was
quoted in the article. At left is a photo
of Dr. Keeve. We apologize for any
confusion.
70VHm