Healthy Living Fall 22

HEALTHYliving

Understanding age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. The disease affects the macula at the back of the eye, which is the part of the retina that lets people see fine detail, facial features, or words on a page. AMD is not painful and how quickly the disease progresses vary from person to person, and from eye to eye. AMD can be diagnosed by an eye doctor during a comprehensive eye exam.

limit independence making many daily activities impossible; like driving, reading, watching television, or using a computer.

There is currently no treatment for dry AMD but there are things that can be done to help reduce the risk of developing wet AMD. These include healthy lifestyle choices, like not smoking, and taking eye vitamins daily if recommended by a doctor.

SEAN SMOLENYAK, O.D. ALBEMARLE EYE CENTER

There are two types of AMD: wet and dry.About 85% of people with AMD have dry AMD. In dry AMD, fatty deposits called “drusen” build up in the macula. As the size and number of these deposits increase, so does your risk of developing the more severe form of AMD, called wet AMD.

Dry AMD symptoms may include blurry vision, such as difficulty seeing sharp details, both up close and from a distance, even with glasses. However, many people with dry AMD do not notice any changes in their vision over time. When the disease advances rapidly, it may lead to sudden and severe vision loss.

Most importantly, dry AMD increases the risk of progressing to wet AMD, which can cause significant vision loss without treatment. Dry AMD can suddenly change to wet AMD without notice. Wet AMD can severely impact quality of life and

Advance at-home monitoring technology is available that is sensitive to changes in AMD. The ForeseeHome® AMD Monitoring Program is an easyto-use early warning system for eyes that can catch the progression from dry to wet AMD as soon as it happens, which lets a doctor intervene at the first signs and determine the appropriate course of action.  ForeseeHome is FDA-cleared and covered by Medicare.

Treatments exist and have improved over time for wet AMD.  Most commonly, injections of certain medications into the eye can reduce leakage and bleeding.  In some cases, vision can also improve with treatment, but it is not guaranteed.  The ultimate goal is to preserve as much vision as possible.

Macular degeneration can be a scary disease for patients.  However, with regular eye exams and the use of modern technologies and medications, vision can often be preserved allowing for an excellent quality of life.

Lifestyle changes can help manage autoimmune disease

Researchnow tells us that the risks of developing cancer, heart disease and stroke are intensified by chronic inflammation in the body. If you suffer from any of these diseases or other types of inflammatory illness, it is imperative that you understand that your diagnosis requires you learn to balance your lifestyle to minimize your pain and symptoms, and reduce the overall risks to your body of developing more serious complications or disease states. These are just a few ideas that can help you get started.

symptoms will flare and you will inevitably have more distressing symptoms. Make your bedroom a peaceful space, free of clutter. Turn off all screens, smartphones, TV’s, iPad, computers etc. one hour prior to bedtime. Set a sleep time and stick to it, set a wake time and stick to it. Don’t cut yourself short on sleep.

MELISSA OTT, RN, MS, NP-C, FNP CAROLINA ARTHRITIS CENTER, PA

DRINK WATER NOT SUGARY DRINKS: Sugar promotes more inflammation. Water helps flush out inflammatory proteins. Water intake is also critical to dissolving crystals of gout and pseudo gout.

SUPPLEMENTS THAT REDUCE INFLAMMATION:

Food is medicine: If you eat junk food, you will feel junky. Americans eat a lot of junky foods and tend to exercise less than people from other countries for many reasons. Rates of Alzheimers disease, cancer and heart disease are higher in the US than in other countries. Packaged and frozen dinners, fast food, canned food (high in salt) and processed meats (salami, hot dogs, bologna, liverwurst) should be avoided most of the time. Try living by the “80/20 principle”, follow a healthy diet 80% of the time, and allow yourself small amounts of these foods no more than 20 % of the time. Better to avoid them altogether if you can.

Sleep: It is as important as food and water. If your provider has recommended you be evaluated with a sleep study, take it seriously and go through the process. Accept treatment if a disorder is diagnosed to gain more restful and restorative sleep. Your body needs this.

Sleep hygiene: Allow your body 8-9 hours for sleep every day. If you sacrifice sleep, your

Vitamin C 500 mg daily: helps to reduce inflammation and improve immune function and is an antioxidant.

Turmeric capsules: It may be difficult to cook with enough turmeric to make a difference for someone who eats a typical American diet. Turmeric capsules can be taken to help reduce arthritic and inflammatory symptoms.

Vitamin B12 1000 to 1500 mg daily. Use the sublingual (under the tongue) drops or tabs. This helps fight fatigue and joint pain and helps you with brain energy, it can also help reduce neuropathy symptoms. The ideal serum level in your body should be over 550. A level “too high” is not to worry about, as it will be that way if you are taking the supplement and you will get rid of what you do not need in your urine as it is a watersoluble vitamin.

Vitamin D3 1000 to 2000 units every day unless directed otherwise by your medical provider. This is essential for your bone health. It also aids in reducing inflammation

in the body. It is very common as we grow older to have a level that is too low. The ideal blood level is over 30. Your provider may actually prescribe a much higher dose if your level is very low. It is important when you finish that prescribed dosage to follow it with the daily dose to keep your blood level up or it will fall again. It is also very important to remember that this fat-soluble vitamin can accumulate in the body and cause harm to your kidneys, medical monitoring of this vitamin level is advised to prevent this.

Calcium 1200 mg daily. This is important for postmenopausal women who do not have issues with hypercalcemia, elevated parathyroid hormone or kidney stones. It helps prevent osteoporosis along with vitamin D and promotes normal functioning muscle contraction.

If you smoke: it is important that you work on quitting. Smoking causes break down of the bones, the joints and the spine. It is a huge factor in making your illness worse. Ask for help from your primary care provider if you need it. There are therapies that can help.

Most importantly, as much as it hurts at times, make sure you move. It is true that, “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” Find a method of exercise that fits your lifestyle and personality and stick to it. Even on bad days try to move. Do not take to the bed as it will increase your feelings of depression and joint stiffness and muscle spasm. Ask for help if you need it.

Take care of yourself! That is the most important take home message. Your diagnosis makes this more important than for others that are not struggling with your illness. No amount of medication or medical office visits will alleviate all of your symptoms alone, how you lead your life makes a big difference. Fight back, feel better!

New technology improves recovery time for carpal tunnel syndrome surgery

If you have experienced the pain, tingling or weakness that can occur with carpal tunnel syndrome, you are not alone. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a fairly common condition which occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand, the median nerve which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist. Thankfully, what was once a complex treatment for CTS can now be accomplished more quickly and more effectively through new surgical interventions that reduce recovery times.

DR. JEFF BARWICK, ECU HEALTH ORTHOPEDICS WASHINGTON

Milder symptoms of CTS can be treated with physician-directed home care, which may include wearing a wrist splint, avoiding daytime activities that may provoke symptoms, performing specific exercises and taking breaks from tasks to rest the hand. Medications may also be prescribed to relieve pain and inflammation.

In many cases, non-surgical treatments only provide temporary results, with symptoms eventually returning. Surgery typically becomes the recommended treatment option when this occurs.

“Carpal tunnel release surgery is one of my more common surgeries,” said Dr. Jeff Barwick, orthopedic surgeon, ECU Health Beaufort Hospital. “Traditionally, we would make an incision in the palm to access the tunnel and free the median nerve. The recovery would take anywhere from two weeks on the fast end to several months on the slow end. Also, during this recovery period, many patients would not be able to resume their normal activities using their hands due to pain and weakness.”

A modified procedure performed at ECU Health Beaufort called carpal tunnel release with UltraGuideCTR ™ can perform the surgery less invasively and with much quicker recovery time for the patient.

“Now, because of ultrasound guidance, we can essentially perform the same surgery but using a much smaller incision,” said Dr. Barwick. “We also come under the muscles of the hands instead of having to cut through them. The healing of the incision and the muscles has traditonally slowed down the recovery process. The ultrasound essentially serves as my eyes and allows me to see into the carpal tunnel with a very minimal incision. Having carpal tunnel release with UltraGuideCTR™ available at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital o ff ers community members convenient access to the procedure and allows them to stay close to home. Patients can also enjoy a better quality of life. When people can’t enjoy life due to pain, numbness and weakness in the hands and wrists, this can be taxing to them mentally, emotionally and physically.”

Some of the benefits of this new technology include a faster recovery time as opposed to the weeks of recovery involved with traditional carpal tunnel surgery. Going underneath the muscles with a drastically smaller incision, rather than cutting, creates a more positive experience for patents and often times allows them to return to work and the activities they enjoy within three to six days.

According to Sonex Health, Dr. Barwick is the first physician in North Carolina to offer his patients both carpal tunnel release and trigger finger release with real-time ultrasound guidance. Providing this new and innovative technology for the local community is another example of ECU Health fulfilling its mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. For more information about carpal tunnel treatment options including the ultrasound assisted surgery, call ECU Health Orthopedics Washington at 252-946-6513.

How seniors can approach exercise

Exercise is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. By making exercise part of their day-to-day routines, people of all ages, including men and women over the age of 65, can greatly improve their overall health.

The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that seniors should aspire to be as active as possible. Exercise is a great way to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine and has been linked to reduced risk for diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. Though adults with chronic illnesses may be hesitant to exercise, the AAFP notes that it’s possible for men and women who have been diagnosed with such conditions to exercise safely. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that regular physical activity is one of the most important things seniors can do for their health and can potentially prevent many health problems associated with aging.

FREQUENCY OF EXERCISE

Seniors, particularly those who have not exercised much in the past, may not know how much exercise they need to reap the full rewards of physical activity. Though it’s best to discuss exercise with a physician prior to beginning a new regimen, various public health agencies advise seniors to get at least 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic exercise each week. Brisk walking is one example of moderate aerobic exercise. Seniors who want to sweat a little more when exercising can replace moderate aerobic exercise with one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as jogging, each week.

IS STRENGTH TRAINING SAFE?

The CDC advises seniors to incorporate musclestrengthening activities into their weekly fitness routines twice per week. Lifting waits, working with resistance bands, heavy gardening, and even some forms of yoga qualify as musclestrengthening activities. Exercises that use your body weight for resistance, such as sit-ups and push-ups, also can help build

strength. Always speak with a physician before beginning a muscle-strengthening exercise regimen and, if possible, work with a personal trainer, especially if you’re a novice.

WHEN TO STOP A WORKOUT

It’s imperative that seniors recognize when to stop working out. Exercising more than is recommended by your doctor can increase the risk of illness or injury. In addition, stop exercising if any of the following symptoms appear:

• Dizziness or shortness of breath

• Chest pain or pressure

• Swollen joints

• Nausea

• Tightness in muscles or joints

• Pain anywhere in the body

• Throbbing or burning sensations

Exercise can help seniors stay healthy and feel more energetic throughout the day. Before beginning a new regimen, seniors should discuss physical activity with their physicians.

The basics of long-term care insurance

Many older adults get some peace of mind by taking steps to finance long-term care should they become incapable of living independently.

LT Care Consumer, a health care advisory company, says 70 percent of people over age 65 will require some type of care at some point in their lives. According to the 2017 Cost of Care study by Genworth Financial, the average annual cost for a private room at a nursing home is $97,455. Such costs illustrate why long-term care insurance can be a wise investment.

Long-term care, or LTC, encompasses services and support that assist individuals with the activities of daily living. ADLs include bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, and more. In addition, LTC may support needs such as caring for pets, household chores, medicine management, and meal preparation. LTC may be provided by specialized assisted living facilities or by in-home care workers.

The resource Long Term Care Primer advises that individuals typically must fund their own long-term care. Many facilities are not subsidized by government assistance programs under Medicare in the United States. Medicaid may step in for certain individuals who are of limited means, but that assistance may be exclusive to those living in skilled nursing facilities. That means the bulk of paying for longterm care rests on the individual.

Long-term care insurance can pay for care to treat chronic health conditions and meet personal needs over an extended period of time. This is known as custodial care. Individuals who have habits or health issues that could result in the need for LTC in the future should look into LTC insurance. LTC insurance also can be a sound investment for individuals who cannot afford extended nursing care out-of-pocket.

The Ohio Department of Insurance notes that policies may vary, but they typically include a deductible or elimination period, which is a time when the policy holder is liable for payment before the insurance begins. Policies typically include a daily benefit as well. This is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay toward each day in the nursing facility; the policy holder may be responsible for the difference. Policies also include a benefit period, or the

length of time the policy will pay the daily benefit, which can be a few years or a lifetime.

Individuals also have other options in regard to securing long-term care. Care.com says comprehensive LTC policies, combination policies and riders to current life insurance policies may help augment long-term care needs. Because LTC insurance — and paying for health care in general — can be quite confusing, people are urged to speak to professionals about their options and whether LTC insurance is necessary. A 2014 study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College estimated that only 20 to 30 percent of people would benefit from a policy. Researchers concluded that, while many people do need long-term care, they may not need it for an extended period of time and may be able to cover their care with their own savings. Furthermore, cost for policies may be $2,000 a year — which is a concern for some people.

Individuals who purchase LTC insurance should know that medical underwriting for policies can be extensive. Coverage may be denied for current or past health conditions. Most people find that the best age at which to buy LTC insurance is in one’s mid-50s. Healthy individuals may be eligible for discounts on LTC premiums.

Long-term care insurance is a consideration for older adults facing the potential for care assistance in the future. Because considerable cost is involved, potential policy holders should discuss their options with insurance and financial professionals.

MEDICAL AND HEALTH DIRECTORY

CARDIOLOGY

ECU Health Heart & Vascular Care

608 E. 12th Street, Washington 252-974-9460 www.VidantHealth.com

CHIROPRACTOR

FAMILY MEDICINE

ECU Health Family Medicine–Aurora 151 3rd Street, Aurora 252-322-4021 www.VidantHealth.com

ECU Health Multispecialty Clinic - Belhaven 598 W. Old County Road, Belhaven 252-943-0600 www.VidantHealth.com/Belhaven

ECU Health Family Medicine–Chocowinity 740 Bragaw Lane, Chocowinity 252-946-9562 www.VidantHealth.com

ECU Health Family Medicine– Washington 501 West 15th Street, Washington 252-975-2667 www.VidantHealth.com

FAMILY MEDICINE

GASTROENTEROLOGY

ECU Health Gastroenterology-Washington 608 East 12th Street, Washington 252-946-1573 www.VidantHealth.com

HEALTH INSURANCE

HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE

ECU Health Home Health and Hospice

1211 Highland Drive, Washington 252-975-8330 www.VidantHealth.com

HOSPITALS

ECU Health Beaufort Hospital-Washington 628 East 12th Street, Washington 252-975-4100

INTERNAL MEDICINE

ECU Health Internal Medicine-Washington

1380 Cowell Farm Road, Washington 252-946-2101 www.VidantHealth.com

MAMMOGRAPHY

ECU Health Women’s Care-Washington

1204 Brown Street, Washington

scheduling 3D Mammography

MASSAGE THERAPY

NEUROSURGERY

ECU Health Neurosurgery - Greenville

Stantonsburg Road, Greenville, NC

ONCOLOGY

Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center

1209 Brown Street, Washington 252-975-4308

ORTHOPEDICS

ECU Health Orthopedics-Washington

1207 Highland Drive, Washington 252-946-6513

PAIN MANAGEMENT

ECU Health Pain Management Center - Greenville 2010-A W. Arlington Blvd., Greenville 252-847-0601

PULMONOLOGY

ECU Health Pulmonology 608 E. 12th Street, Washington 252-946-1573

RHEUMATOLOGY

ECU Health Rheumatology-Washington 628 East 12th Street, Washington 252-948-4990 www.VidantHealth.com

SURGERY

ECU Health General Surgery-Washington 615 E. 12th Street, Washington 252-946-0181

UROLOGY

ECU Health Urology-Washington 1202 Brown Street, Washington 252-946-0136

WELLNESS/FITNESS

ECU Health Wellness Center 1375 Cowell Farm Road, Washington 252-975-4236

WOMEN’S CARE

ECU Health Women’s Care-Washington Gynecology and Primary Care 1204 Brown Street, Washington 252-946-6544

ECU Health Women’s Care-Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology

Brown Street, Washington 252-975-1188

We have a brand-new story to tell. And it’s all about you.

This is a story about a new health system, created for you. So you can live your healthiest life. Your best life. It’s about educating tomorrow’s providers and bringing together some of medicine’s greatest minds and caring hearts for one purpose, to make health and health care more of what you need it to be.