Healthnovember 2012

Everything to Gain

vickie brown is living life to its fullest after

weight loss surgerypage 4

Vickie Brown’s incredible weight loss is setting a

healthy example for the younger generations in

her family, including her daughter Kelsie.

Baylor

real PatientS. real StorieS.

Understanding alzheimer’sGet the answers to common questions page 7

get rid of gerdSuffering from chronic heartburn? Say goodbye for good page 3

fort Worth edition

Visit Baylorhealth.com/ allsaints for informative videos, interactive quizzes, online event registration and much more.

Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth, 1400 Eighth Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104, 817.926.2544. Visit BaylorHealth.com or call 1.800.4BAYLOR for information about Baylor All Saints Medical Center services, upcoming events, physician referrals, career opportunities and more. Marketing/Public Relations Director: Dee Dee Ogrin.

Baylor Health Care System Mission: Founded as a Christian ministry of healing, Baylor Health Care System exists to serve all people through exemplary health care, education, research and community service.

All Saints Outpatient Diagnostic Center: 817.922.7780. All Saints Health Foundation: 817.922.7707. Behavioral Health Services: 817.922.1162. Carter Rehabilitation & Fitness Center: 817.922.1139. Diabetes Center: 817.922.1794. Lymphedema Center: 817.922.2530. Neuroscience Program: 817.922.2385. Pain Management Program: 817.922.PAIN. Transplantation Services: 817.922.4650. Volunteer Services: 817.922.2376. Wound Management Program: 817.922.2430.

The material in BaylorHealth is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before under taking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor All Saints Medical Center or Baylor Health Care System. BaylorHealth is published six times a year for friends and supporters of Baylor All Saints Medical Center and is distributed by the Marketing Department of Baylor All Saints Medical Center. BaylorHealth is published by McMurry. © 2012 Baylor Health Care System. Photographs may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. If you are receiving multiple copies, need to change your mailing address or do not wish to receive this publication, please send your mailing label(s) and the updated information to Robin Vogel, Baylor Health Care System, 2001 Bryan St., Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75201, or by email to robinv@baylorhealth.edu.

Protect yourself from the leading cause of cancer death

Love Your Lungs

2 BaylorHealth.com Woman blowing bubbles: ©Thinkstock

Do You know which cancer is the most deadly? You might think breast cancer or prostate cancer, since you hear about both of them frequently. But you’d be wrong on both accounts. The cancer that claims the most lives each year is lung cancer. In fact, it kills more people than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. And it’s almost entirely preventable.

“Smoking is the No. 1 risk factor for lung cancer,” says Stephen Richey, MD, MPH, a medical oncologist on the medical staff at Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth. “Ninety percent of cases are attributable in some way to smoking. And smokers have a risk that’s 20 times higher than nonsmokers for the disease.”

Other risk factors include:• Family history of lung cancer• Exposure to high levels of air

pollution and arsenic in drinking water

• Exposure to asbestos and cancer-causing chemicals such as uranium, beryllium, coal products and mustard gas

• Radiation therapy to the lungs

identifying lUng CanCerWhile screening is available for lung cancer, the vast majority of people don’t need it. In fact, only recently have experts begun recommending screening for individuals at high risk.

“There are several recent clinical trials showing a benefit for lung cancer screening using low-dose CT scanning [meaning the radiation exposure is minimal],” Dr. Richey says. “If you are over 55 and you have smoked at least a pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years, lung cancer screening may be recommended.”

And although lung cancer doesn’t always have symptoms in its early

stages, be on the lookout and alert your doctor if you have:

• Chest pain• A cough that won’t go away or you

are coughing up blood• Fatigue• Unexplained weight loss• Loss of appetite• Shortness of breath• WheezingMost importantly, if you smoke,

quit. “It takes about 15 years or so after stopping to return to the same risk level as the average population,” Dr. Richey says. “Smoking is on the decline and lung cancer is on the decline, but we still have a long way to go.”

Get Help TodayIf you need help quitting smoking, talk to your doctor. To learn more about lung cancer or for a referral to an oncologist on the medical staff at Baylor Fort Worth, visit Baylorhealth.com/allsaintsCancer or call 1.800.4Baylor.

BaylorHealth.com 3Dad and daughter at dinner ©Thinkstock

we’ve aLL been there. After wolfing down a delicious yet high-fat dinner, it hits: heartburn. It’s uncomfortable if not painful, and it makes you instantly regret that second helping. But for most of us, heartburn is an occasional side effect of poor eating habits. For others, it’s a common occurrence. And it’s caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD.

GERD is a condition in which the gateway between the esophagus and stomach doesn’t close properly and food and stomach acid back up into the esophagus. Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week is the most notable symptom. Others include coughing or wheezing, difficulty swallowing, hiccups, sore throat or hoarseness, and regurgitation.

GERD can be brought on by pregnancy, smoking, certain medications and obesity. “We are seeing more and more of these diseases lately because of weight problems and dietary habits,” says Syed Sadiq, MD, a gastroenterologist on the medical staff at Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth.

avoid the BUrnIf you have frequent heartburn, talk to your doctor about getting evaluated for GERD. Left untreated, the condition can cause serious complications, such as ulcers and Barrett’s esophagus, which can lead to esophageal cancer.

Lifestyle changes often are effective:

• Stop smoking.• Lose weight, if necessary.• Eat smaller, more frequent

meals.• Avoid foods that are high in

fat, and those that worsen heartburn—citrus fruits, caffeinated drinks, spicy foods, tomato-based products and peppermint.

• Wear loose-fitting clothing.• Wait three hours after eating

before lying down.• Raise the head of your bed six

to eight inches.If lifestyle changes don’t

work, your doctor can prescribe medication. “Lately there has been a dramatic breakthrough in treatment,” Dr. Sadiq says. “The traditional medicine, H2 blockers, is now being replaced by PPIs [proton pump inhibitors], which are much more effective in controlling acid production and reflux, and endoscopic treatment. In selected cases, surgery may be necessary.”

is it gerd?Chronic heartburn may be more than a consequence of an unhealthy meal

Kids Get GERD, TooGastroesophageal reflux disease isn’t just for adults. It can happen at any age. Symptoms include:

• Repeated regurgitation after age 1• Coughing• Irritability• Arching of the back after feeding• Refusing to feed• Poor growth• Wheezing

Do You Have Chronic Heartburn?To find a gastroenterologist on the medical staff at Baylor Fort Worth, visit Baylorhealth.com/allsaintsdigestive or call 1.800.4Baylor.

real PatientS. real StorieS.

Ten pills and one insulin shot. That was Vickie Brown’s daily regimen before

undergoing weight loss surgery at Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth. The medication was necessary to manage her diabetes, high blood pressure and high

cholesterol levels, and depression. These days, her medicine cabinet is looking sparse.

“After the surgery, I went back to the doctor and they checked my blood pressure,” says the 54-year-old Fort Worth resident. “When they said 120/60, I got scared. I had never seen my blood pressure that low.” (Her blood pressure was in the healthy range.)

Brown’s health issues were a big part of the reason she opted for weight loss surgery, but so were her fi ve children. “I have a 7-year-old, and there were things I couldn’t do with her because I could hardly walk,” she says. “Now I have a lot of energy. I can go to the mall or the park and walk all day.”

Weight loss surgery isn’t just for looks. It can treat a whole host of medical conditions, including

diabetes and high blood pressure

Vickie Brown (seated) is able to do the things she loves with her family after weight loss surgery. From left: her daughter Kelsie, husband Cleveland, daughter Clevetta and granddaughter JaKayla.

Hear More from VickieTo learn more about Vickie’s weight loss journey, visit Baylorhealth.com/exclusive today.

If you are overweight—80 pounds or more for women, 100 for men—you may qualify for weight loss surgery. You may also be a candidate if you struggle with diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea. Read on to fi nd out how weight loss surgery might be able to help you get certain chronic conditions under control.

diaBetesMore than 80 percent of people who have type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.

Brown is just one of many people with diabetes who have benefi ted from weight loss surgery. In fact, two recent studies showed that obese or overweight patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent the procedure fared better than those who stuck to diet, exercise and medicine only.

“Gastric bypass is shown to have a direct eff ect on metabolism and is shown to have a positive eff ect for those with diabetes even before weight loss occurs,” says Sina Matin, MD, medical director of the Baylor Weight Loss Surgery Center at Grapevine.

That’s because the surgery changes the way your body processes food, meaning you don’t absorb all the fat and calories you eat. Many patients, like Brown, are able to stop most or all diabetes medications.

high Blood pressUreObesity and high blood pressureare markers for heart disease.

Excess weight forces the heart to work harder, which is why high blood pressure and obesity often go hand in hand, says Manuel Castro, MD, medical director of weight loss surgery at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

The reverse is also true—a lower number when you step on the scale can equal a lower number when

you put on the blood pressure cuff . “Management becomes easier, and most people can stop most blood pressure medications,” Dr. Matin says.

And as the pounds come off , weight loss surgery patients fi nd that exercise—a major factor in lowering your blood pressure—becomes easier.

Joint painFor every pound gained, you putfour pounds of pressure on yourknees and six on your hips.

Not only can weight loss surgery take the pain out of your joints (by lessening the amount of pressure placed on them), but it also can delay the need for a joint replacement. “And once a person gets a knee replacement, for example, it lasts longer,” Dr. Matin says.

Before the surgery, Brown’s back and knee pain kept her from walking more than a mile at a time. “Now I go four to fi ve miles without stopping,” she says. “It made a big change in my life.”

additional health BenefitsWeight loss surgery helps otherconditions you might not expect.

The list of medical conditions that can be treated by weight loss surgery goes on and on, and also includes high cholesterol levels, sleep apnea, acid refl ux, some cases of urinary incontinence and certain types of migraines. It can lower your risk of cancer, heart attack and stroke, and even out hormonal imbalances, too, Dr. Castro says.

And let’s not forget how weight loss aff ects the way we see ourselves and our quality of life.

“Weight loss surgery patients gain the ability to travel again, to go places,” Dr. Matin says. “They have the ability to do things in society that were limited before.”

Sources: American Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation, ObesityinAmerica.org Salad photo ©Thinkstock BaylorHealth.com 5

Sign Up for a SeminarTo register for a weight loss surgery seminar, visit Baylorhealth.com/ allsaintsWeightloss or call 1.800.4Baylor.

Is Weight Loss Surgery for You?Weight loss surgery is no magic bullet. It takes true dedication on the part of the patient. People who are most successful after surgery:• Lead an active, healthy lifestyle• Stick to the dietary

guidelines their doctor and dietitian have set forth

• Are open and honest with their doctor about their health and weight loss history prior to surgery

• Complete follow-up exams as recommendedAttend a seminar to find out

exactly what weight loss surgery entails. A physician on the medical staff at Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth will provide information about the different weight loss surgery options, including gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding and gastric sleeve. Then the doctor, along with program staff, will answer any questions you have about the surgery, including preparation and postoperative care.

Attend one of the following seminars:• Tuesday, Nov. 13 or Dec. 11,

Noon to 1 p.m.• Wednesday, Nov. 14 or Dec. 12,

6 to 8 p.m.All seminars are held at the Carter

Rehabilitation and Fitness Center on the Baylor Fort Worth campus.

everYone knowS that misunder-standings can cause trouble. But miscommunication in a health care setting can lead to serious risks.

That’s why researchers at Baylor Health Care System are joining forces with University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) to study how physicians and nurses can use video game-like simulators to improve communication skills.

“Miscommunication can lead to failure in the delivery of safe care, so it’s extremely important to innovate and develop more eff ective ways to help our clinicians improve their communication skills,” says Yan Xiao, PhD, director of patient safety research at Baylor Health Care System. He is co-leading the Baylor research team with Susan Houston, PhD, RN, FAAN, NEA-BC, director of nursing research at Baylor Health Care System.

Although it’s similar in theory to a video game, the learning tool uses

even more sophisticated technology to create a simulated health care environment. Nurses and physicians will engage in scenarios they might encounter on the job, role-playing in real time to appreciate the perspectives of others.

Participants will control and interact with physician and nurse avatars and master interdisciplinary, patient-centered communication skills. During the training, participants take turns playing both roles.

“We think this perspective-sharing will be instrumental in helping clinicians

understand the best way to communicate interprofessionally,” says Louann Cole, MHA, a research analyst for Baylor’s Institute for Health Care Research and Improvement.

Part of the research has involved in-depth interviews with physicians and nurses, as well as an exhaustive review of communication strategies. This information was synthesized by game developers at UTD.

“Eff ective communication techniques are embedded in the game,” Dr. Houston explains. “You get points for using those techniques when you’re put into a patient situation.”

The researchers hope the three-year study, which is funded by a grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, will demonstrate the value of the technology.

“This is a fun and engaging way to learn,” Dr. Xiao says, “and we hope it will help physicians and nurses work better as a team to serve patients.”

Playing to WinBaylor studies gaming technology as a tool for improving communication and patient care

Get in the GameThis study isn’t open to volunteers, but to learn about research trials at Baylor seeking participants, visit Baylorhealth.com/advancingmedicine.

6 BaylorHealth.com

Photos ©Thinkstock BaylorHealth.com 7

alzheimer’s ansWersRead on to better understand this diseaseaGinG brinGS with it Some chanGeS to the body that are completely natural. Your eyesight might worsen, your joints may stiffen and you may occasionally forget where you left your car keys. But one thing that isn’t a normal part of aging is Alzheimer’s disease.

What is alzheimer’s disease?A form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease that affects memory and cognitive thinking. And it’s estimated that more than 5 million Americans have it, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

Experts do not know what causes Alzheimer’s, but risk factors include:

age. The disease is most often diagnosed in adults 60 and older.

family history. You’re at higher risk if your mother, father or sibling has had it.

genetics. Certain genes carry a risk.Being female, having high blood pressure for many

years and head trauma also seem to be associated with Alzheimer’s disease, although these risks aren’t well-proven, according to the NIA.

hoW do i KnoW if i have alzheimer’s?“Alzheimer’s is marked by forgetfulness that causes a disruption in your daily life,” says Charlece Hughes, DO, a neurologist on the medical staff at Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth. “It’s forgetfulness that

inhibits you from being able to cook a meal, drive a car or relate to family members.”

It is not forgetting your neighbor’s daughter’s name every once in a while or misplacing your reading glasses. “It’s our busy lifestyles and the fact that we’re so overcommitted that we have these issues. They’re nothing to worry about,” Dr. Hughes says. “It’s the inability to function in daily life that should be worrisome.”

Alzheimer’s disease is often recognized in others rather than being recognized in ourselves. If you notice odd behavior in a family member, take him or her to the doctor.

Can alzheimer’s Be treated?While Alzheimer’s is not curable, treatment is available to slow the progression of the disease. The key is sticking with the medication.

“A lot of times the patient will say that there is nothing wrong with them and that they don’t need help,” Dr. Hughes says. “So it’s up to the family members to ensure they are taking care of themselves.”

Do You Think a Loved One Has Alzheimer’s?For a referral to a neurologist on the medical staff at Baylor Fort Worth, visit Baylorhealth.com/allsaintsneuro or call 1.800.4Baylor.

NON-PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDBAYLOR HEALTH

Baylor All Saints Medical Center P.O. Box 31 Fort Worth, TX 76101

Physicians are members of the medical sta� at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or a� liated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth, or Baylor Health Care System. ©2012 Baylor Health Care System BASMCFW_1057_2012 BHM CE 09.12

For a physician referral or for more information about transplant services, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit us online at BaylorHealth.com/Transplant.

When she was diagnosed with liver disease, Carol Aultman was evaluated and listed for a liver transplant at Baylor All

Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth. As her disease progressed and her liver was unable to clear the toxins from her

blood, she had to be hospitalized numerous times at Baylor Fort Worth. She required blood transfusions to help her blood

clot. Three years after her diagnosis, Carol received a new liver. “The care at Baylor was incredible. They treated me so

well, like I was somebody special.” With her health restored, Carol has returned to work and is able to enjoy travel and

time with her family again. “My new liver has given me a new lease on life.”

1400 Eighth Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104

My liver transplant at Baylor gave me a new lease on life.

‘‘’’

R E A L P AT I E N T S . R E A L S T O R I E S .