The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Health 08-27-14

By

(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)
(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Bob South honored as Employee of the Month
Bob South, a transporter with the lift team at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, was named the hospital’s July Employee of the Month. South received a pin, a blanket gift, a reception with refreshments for his colleagues, a front-row parking spot for his use for one month, and a $50 gift card. Chief operating officer Shalin Shah, left, congratulates South, along with associate chief operating officer Dajana Yoakley and human resources vice president Geoff Washburn.

Caregiver’s support group
The Caregiver’s Support Group meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, to help those caring for loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

This free group meets at 11 a.m.

For information, call Phyllis Bross at (813) 996-1361, or email .

Nutrition and diabetes
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is offering the community education class “Nutrition & Diabetes” Sept. 2 at 10 a.m.

The class will cover the basic principles of nutrition, including how meal timing, carbohydrates, proteins and fats can affect blood sugar.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

For information, call (727) 834-5630.

Atrial fibrillation seminar
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, is hosting its “Learn About Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation” seminar Sept. 2 at 3 p.m.

Dr. Luis Annoni, a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist; and Dr. Michael Wahl, a board-certified cardiac surgeon, will discuss a breakthrough procedure.

Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

For information and to register, call (727) 869-5498.

NAMI basics program
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is offering a free educational program for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness.

The program is for six sessions starting Sept. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson.

Those attending will be provided with critical information and strategies related to caregiving, view presentations, and take part in discussion and interactive exercises.

To register, call (727) 277-8059 or (727) 992-9653.

‘A Matter of Balance’
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, is offering “A Matter of Balance,” a program designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity.

Classes will be on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., starting Sept. 3, for four weeks.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

For information, call (727) 869-5498.

Diabetes self-management
The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, is offering a four-part series on diabetes self-management.

The series runs on Thursdays from Sept. 4-25 at 6 p.m.

Topics will include nutrition, medications, exercise, glucose monitoring, complications, stress management and foot care.

Space is limited, and reservations are required.

For information, call (813) 929-5555.

Ice bucket challenge tops $32 million in donations
Donations from the ice bucket challenge recently topped $32 million nationally, according to the most recent tabulations from The ALS Association.

Florida chapter spokeswoman Alissa Gutierrez said she hopes the Florida organization will see an increase in donations as well, according to a release.

The challenge became a viral sensation thanks to Pete Frates and his family. The former Boston College baseball captain has lived with ALS since 2012, and has been an advocate for The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter.

The challenge is, within 24 hours, to pour a bucket of ice water over your head, or make a donation to an ALS charity. Or both.

 

Health care providers offer prescription for better services

By

There’s no easy fix for the challenges facing today’s health care system. But there are some steps that can improve its overall performance, panelists said at a roundtable discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

Bilirakis hosted two 21st Century Cures roundtables at The Bethany Center in Lutz last week. One focused on health care from a patient’s perspective. The other took a look at the issue from a provider’s point of view.

A panel of health care providers discusses ways to improve health care delivery to patients. Reducing bureaucracy, increasing funding and encouraging innovation are some of their suggestions. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
A panel of health care providers discusses ways to improve health care delivery to patients. Reducing bureaucracy, increasing funding and encouraging innovation are some of their suggestions.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

At the Aug. 22 session, “Spurring Innovation, Advancing Treatments, and Incentivizing Investment,” Bilirakis asked panelists to talk about regulatory roadblocks and other issues that hinder patient care.

The providers had plenty of suggestions for Bilirakis and his congressional colleagues to consider as they set policy in Washington, D.C.

Dr. David Morgan, the chief executive of the University of South Florida’s Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, told Bilirakis the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s patients must improve. About one in five people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s do not have the disease, Morgan said.

The disease can be accurately diagnosed with PET — positron emission tomography — scans, but those are expensive and generally not covered by insurance, Morgan said. Proper diagnosis is important not only for treatment of patients, but also to ensure that clinical trial results are not skewed by including patients in the trials who do not have the disease.

Morgan also sees reform needed in the way clinical trials are conducted. The current approach takes too long and costs too much, he said.

Other health care providers agreed that changes are needed regarding clinical trials. They also called for changing the Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory practices.

Dr. Clifton Gooch, of USF’s Morsani College of Medicine, said the FDA needs to focus on simplicity, transparency and consistency. Standards for clinical trials must become more flexible. The current approach looks for a particular outcome with a specific group of people, but it fails to consider how the drug benefits a sub-population.

As the nation moves toward more personalized medicine, “we need to approach nontraditional trials,” agreed Dr. Thomas Sellers, the center director and executive vice president for the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

“We really need to bring the right drug to the right patient at the right time,” Sellers said.

Dr. Richard Finkel, chief neurologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital of Orlando, said the focus must be greater on patient-centered cures.

“Patients are willing to accept different levels of risk. But the FDA doesn’t look at it that way,” he said. “They are very risk averse.”

A patient with a short life expectancy, for instance, may be willing to accept a much higher risk than someone who has a slow-developing disease, Finkel said.

There are various roadblocks in the research arena, panelists said.

“Funding is dismal,” Sellers said. Not only is that hurting research on specific treatments, it’s also hurting the entire research arena.

“A lot of people are getting out of the (research) game,” Sellers said, which he characterized as a “major casualty.”

Even when there is money, the grant process takes too long, panelists said. Those selecting grant winners also need to broaden their thinking, Sellers said.

“They’re not selecting for innovation. They’re not selecting for bold ideas,” Sellers said.  “Somebody has to be pushing the envelope.”

Finding money to pay for pilot trials is difficult, too.

“The trouble with pilot trials is that nobody wants to pay for them,” Gooch said.

There’s also a need to reform the regulatory process used by the FDA, panelists said. Improvements are needed not only in speeding the time it takes to get a new drug to market, but also in regulatory processes involving the development of new medical devices.

Lisa Novorska, chief financial officer for Rochester Electro Medical Inc., said her company can know how to improve a device, but can’t pursue those improvements because of the costs to comply with FDA requirements. The FDA plays a valuable role in protecting the public, but it also creates paperwork nightmares for small businesses, she added.

The agency’s inspections also can force small companies to lose valuable work time as employees are occupied answering questions on issues that seem compelling.

Geary Havran, president of NDH Medical and chairman of the Florida Medical Manufacturers Consortium, agreed. The FDA should focus on high-risk issues, not those with little or no risk, he said.

As Sellers put it: “I think the question is: What’s a reasonable amount of oversight?”

The medical device manufacturers also are calling to an end of the medical device tax, which they say has a disproportionate negative impact on smaller companies.

Payment for medical services is another huge issue.

“The payment issue is sometimes as much of a barrier as regulations,” said Glen Hortin, clinical pathology medical director of the southeast region for Quest Diagnostics.

Diagnostic tests play a substantial role in guiding physician decisions, Hortin said.

“There’s a possibility of destroying people’s access to lab tests, if the payments are cut too much,” Hortin said.

Many tests that have been developed could help doctors diagnose their patients more accurately, but are too expensive for patients to afford and are not covered by their insurance plans.

In the long-term, the nation needs to shift from operating on a “sick-care” model to placing a greater emphasis on prevention, Hortin said.

Bilirakis believes the private sector can help solve some of the problems facing patients today. Incentives are needed to spur private investments in health care, he added.

“Regulations can stand in the way of private investments in health care,” Bilirakis said. “The bottom line is the potential for reform is huge.”

Published August 27, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Patients offer their perspectives on needed health care reform

By

Before she became ill, Ashleigh Pike was a vibrant young woman who delighted in teaching elementary school children.

Now she lives life from a wheelchair, with her mother providing her full-time care.

Ashleigh Pike, left, looks on as her mother, Beth Pike, describes the impacts that Ashleigh’s illness has had on the young woman’s life. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Ashleigh Pike, left, looks on as her mother, Beth Pike, describes the impacts that Ashleigh’s illness has had on the young woman’s life.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“On the outside, I look fine,” the former teacher said. But, “my quality of life has been greatly compromised.”

The young woman suffers from a form of dysautonomia, a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. That system controls automatic functions of the body, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, kidney function, temperature control, and dilation and constriction of the pupils, according to Dysautonomia International’s website.

Pike was one of several panelists at a roundtable discussion of health care issues, as seen from the patient’s perspective.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis hosted the session on Aug. 19 at The Bethany Center in Lutz to help inform his work as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Healthcare subcommittee. Later in the week, Bilirakis hosted a second roundtable, focusing on health care issues from the point of view of providers.

The first 21st Century Cures Roundtable, “Patients and the Patient Perspective,” put a human face on the often complicated and frustrating experiences that ill people have in trying to find treatments and cures for their conditions.

Colleen Labbadia shared the heartbreaking story of her young son, who has been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive condition that is always fatal. Labbadia urged a greater degree of flexibility for clinical trials in the effort to find ways to treat and cure the condition.

“Each loss of function is like a little death,” Labbadia said. “Parents like myself, we’re willing to accept significant risk.”

Dr. Samantha Lindsey advocated for Alpha-1 patients, such as herself. Alpha-1 is the most common known genetic risk factor for emphysema, and also can lead to liver disease, according to the Alpha-1 Foundation’s website.

Anyone who has been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should be tested for Alpha-1, the website recommends.

Early diagnosis can make a tremendous difference, Lindsey said.

“Even though I look healthy on the outside, my lungs are like the lungs of a 104-year-old,” she said.

Gretchen Church and her husband, Michael — who both suffer from Parkinson’s disease — were at the session to advocate for better medical treatment for people who have the conditions.

“I probably don’t look like I have Parkinson’s, but believe it, I do, ” said Gretchen Church, of the Parkinson’s Action Network.

The couple said that Bilirakis and his congressional colleagues should help people with Parkinson’s by making it possible for these patients to use telehealth services — a remote form of health care delivery.

Telehealth services would make life easier for Parkinson’s patients who often have trouble getting around, Church said. It also would reduce financial burdens.

One obstacle to telehealth are current state licensing requirements that require doctors to be licensed in the state to serve patients there, Michael Church said. The problem is that many people live in states where there are no doctors specializing in movement disorders.

“For the Parkinson’s community, telehealth has the potential to be powerful,” Gretchen Church said. It could help people live independently longer, she added.

Dr. Wayne Taylor, a leukemia survivor, said there’s room for improvement in the matches for clinical trials. Taylor, a physician from Hudson, underwent a clinical trial, and once he was in remission, he was able to undergo a double umbilical cord transplant.

In a double umbilical cord transplant, the blood-forming stem cells collected from the umbilical cord blood of two babies is used for blood stem cell transplantation. One umbilical cord would not provide sufficient stem cells for the transplant.

When it comes to clinical trials, Taylor believes more people could benefit from better matching.

Patricia Stanco, a regional care manager for the ALS Association’s Florida Chapter, posed some questions for Bilirakis and his congressional colleagues to consider:

“Is there a smarter way to do research? Is there a common-sense approach to access?”

She also wonders if changes can be made in Food and Drug Administration regulations.

“There are surely ways to get more shots on goal for research,” Stanco said.

Janice Starling, a kidney transplant recipient, was there on behalf of the American Association of Kidney Patients.

“If people in Congress would do more of what we’re doing right now, we’d get more help,” Starling observed.

She noted that Medicare often doesn’t cover treatments that are effective, or will cover them only for a specific period of time when more time might be necessary.

“What is going on? Why can’t we get the help we need?” Starling asked.

Dr. David Lubin, a recently retired physician from South Tampa, also offered some observations from the audience.

“Insurance companies and big pharma are in control of medicine,” Lubin said.

With the vast array of illnesses, Lubin said, it takes “almost Solomon-like” wisdom to know where to direct efforts and resources.

From a personal perspective, Bilirakis said he’s watched family members and friends suffer from rare conditions that have no cures.

“The right thing to do is to help our people, our patients,” Bilirakis said. “I want to take the politics out of this.”

Published August 27, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Robin Williams’ suicide sparks important conversations

By

While the death of Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams has prompted expressions of sadness from around the globe, some local grief and suicide prevention experts said the loss also has stimulated important conversations.

Suicide-depression-r100When news hit that Williams had taken his own life Aug. 11, the celebrity’s death sparked discussions about suicide, mental illness and grief.

Williams’ death is tragic, but it has focused attention on a topic that many people would prefer to avoid, said Betsey Westuba, chairwoman of the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition.

“When I say the word ‘suicide,’ I find people will change the subject. I call it the ‘S-word,’ because people want to run away from it,” said Westuba, who also facilitates a group that meets in Lutz for people who have lost a loved one to suicide. “The point is, it’s real. It’s out there.”

To help combat the problem, people must become more alert to signs that others are thinking about suicide, and must be willing to step in to do what they can to help, she said.

Jason Tompkins, a licensed clinical social worker, said the death by suicide of a well-known personality, such as Williams, can serve as a catalyst to raise awareness to help prevent suicides.

“A high-profile suicide starts a lot of conversations with people who would not be having this conversation,” said Tompkins, who coordinates the annual International Survivors of Suicide Loss Conference.

While Williams’ death has received worldwide attention and prolonged media coverage, there have been hundreds of suicides around the country that have occurred since Williams died, Tompkins noted.

Up to 39,000 people die by suicide in the United States each year, Tompkins said. That works out to more than 100 people a day.

Deaths by suicide tend to raise many questions, Tompkins said.

“A lot of the questions that I hear in the aftermath of suicide: ‘Why did they do it? How come we couldn’t stop them? Didn’t they know that we loved them?’” Tompkins said. “Those are the types of questions that, years later sometimes, people wrestle with.”

Grief is a common reaction to deaths of all kinds, said Grace Terry, founder of Grief Resolution Resources of Tampa. It’s not uncommon, either, for people to feel a certain measure of regret for things they should or shouldn’t have done before their loved one passed away. Those regrets can be magnified when the death is by suicide.

“I believe that friends and families of those who die by suicide have a particularly difficult grief challenge,” Terry said. “No matter what the circumstance or situation, people who have loved ones die by suicide have a crushing sense of guilt.”

People wonder how someone like Williams — who was talented, rich and famous — could reach a point where he would end his life.

“When someone is incredibly depressed, it doesn’t matter how wealthy they are or how much fame they have,” Terry said. “Really, none of that matters if someone is clinically depressed.”

There are ways to help people — both those who may be considering suicide and those who are coping with the loss of a loved one through suicide — the experts said. Treatment is available, Terry said. And in many cases, those who seek professional help can get better.

“Depression can be mild, moderate or severe,” Terry said. There are times when it becomes life-threatening and life-ending, she added.

If you suspect someone needs help, it’s important to respond, Terry said.

“Express your concern in a loving way,” Terry said. Offer to go with them to see a doctor or attend a support group.

Be direct, Westuba said. If you suspect someone is suffering through depression, ask, “Are you suicidal? Are you having suicidal thoughts?” Then help them find professional help.

There are some actions to avoid, Terry said.

“Do not nag. Do not scold. Do not shame people,” she said. “Do not tell people, ‘Get a grip. Get over it.’ Or, ‘Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.’ That does more harm than good.”

Those who take their own lives generally have impaired judgment, said Terry, who at one point in her life was clinically depressed and considered ending her life.

“People who attempt to complete suicide are usually in so much emotional pain that they have no capacity to consider what pain their action might cause someone else,” she said.

The death of a comic genius that brought so much joy to others illustrates what a pervasive and potentially deadly force depression can be.

“What comes out of all of this is that we never know when someone is suffering suicidal thoughts,” said Westuba, who facilitates a group called Healing After a Loved One’s Suicide. “It’s a very complex situation.”

The group meets at Suncoast Kids Place in Lutz, which is part of Van Dyke Church. Westuba leads a group for adults, but another group for teenagers is expected to begin meeting in September.

Such settings can be helpful for people who are coming to terms with their loss and their grief, Tompkins said.

Even if there are no easy answers, he added, “It does seem very helpful and beneficial to be able to have a place to ask those questions.

“I think that it’s important to remember that grief is a process,” he said. “It’s not like a light switch” that can be easily turned off and on. “For many survivors, the sad part lives on for a long time.”

Suicide Hotline: (800) 273-8255
Local 211 hotline: Visit 211.org and enter your ZIP code to find help for all sorts of issues.

WHAT: Healing After a Loved One’s Suicide
WHO: Adults, 18 and older
WHEN: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the first and third Wednesday of each month
WHERE: 17030 Lakeshore Road, Building G, Lutz
COST: Free
INFO: Suncoast Kids Place, (813) 990-0216

Warning signs
People who die by suicide often show one or more of these warning signs before they take action:

• Talk about wanting to kill themselves, or say they wish they were dead
• Look for ways to kill themselves, such as hoarding medicine or buying a gun
• Talk about a specific suicide plan
• Feel hopeless or having no reason to live
• Feel trapped, desperate, or needing to escape from an intolerable situation
• Feel like they’re a burden to others
• Feel humiliated
• Have intense anxiety or panic attacks
• Lose interest in things, or lose the ability to experience pleasure
• Experience insomnia
• Become socially isolated and withdrawn from friends, family and others
• Acting irritable or agitated
• Show rage or talk about seeking revenge for being victimized or rejected, whether or not the situations seem real

Those showing these types of behavior should be evaluated for possible suicide risk by a medical doctor or mental health professional.

Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

August 20, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Health 08-20-14

By

New MinuteClinic in Lutz
MinuteClinic has opened a new walk-in clinic inside the CVS store at 2322 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz.

The clinic is part of the company’s plan to add 150 new clinics nationwide in 2014.

No appointments are required. Most health insurance is accepted.

The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For information, visit MinuteClinic.com.

Huntington’s disease support
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, offers a monthly support group for anyone whose life is affected by Huntington’s disease.

The next meeting is Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m.

For information, call Nina Qualters at (727) 236-3578, or email .

Lymphedema group meeting
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is hosting a lymphedema support group meeting Aug. 21 at 3 p.m.

Lymphedema is a persistent swelling, usually affecting an arm or leg that sometimes occurs as a side effect of cancer treatment.

For information, call (727) 834-5630.

PAN ‘Boots and Bling’
The annual Pasco Aging Network’s Boots and Bling fundraiser will be Aug. 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey.

The event will include a Texas hold ‘em poker tournament, dancing, food, auction and more.

All proceeds help support senior services in Pasco County.

Tickets are still available by calling Terry Weaver at (352) 796-9891, or emailing at .

Health seminar at cultural center
Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa, will host a health seminar Aug. 23 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Guest speakers will be Michael Pease of New Leaf Chiropractic Wellness Center, financial coach Melinda Turner, registered nurse Geraldine Novy, and Kenneth Andreasen of Orange Theory Fitness.

Admission is $10.

For information or to reserve a seat, call (813) 514-7650.

‘I Quit’ at FHZH
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., is offering the “I Quit” tobacco cessation program Aug. 21 at 5 p.m.

The workshop will include education on nicotine addiction and withdrawal, strategies for handling cravings, a free four-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy, and a referral to the Florida Quitline for ongoing support.

To register, call Jihane Ambroise at (813) 929-1000, or visit AHECtobacco.org.

Vitamins and supplements basics
The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, is offering the “Vitamins and Supplements 101” seminar Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.

Dr. Mary Kristine Ellis will cover the basics of vitamins and supplements and how they may help people live healthier lives. She also will cover how supplements interact with medications.

Space is limited, and reservations are required. A free meal will be provided.

For information, call (813) 929-5432.

Atrial fibrillation seminar
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, is hosting its “Learn About Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation” seminar Sept. 2 at 3 p.m.

Dr. Luis Annoni, a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist, and Dr. Michael Wahl, a board-certified cardiac surgeon, will discuss a breakthrough procedure.

Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

For information and to register, call (727) 869-5498.

As a new school year begins, be sure kids can hear teachers

By

A child’s hearing difficulties are not always easy to spot.

That’s why volunteers like Alice Jones of Zephyrhills can play such an important role in a child’s life.

Alice Jones, of Zephyrhills, recently was honored for her volunteer work for the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida. She conducts hearing tests at various Pasco County schools, to help detect hearing loss in children. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Alice Jones, of Zephyrhills, recently was honored for her volunteer work for the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida. She conducts hearing tests at various Pasco County schools, to help detect hearing loss in children.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Jones — recently named Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida’s volunteer of the month — has spent the past several years traveling to various Pasco County schools to conduct hearing tests for children.

The 76-year-old goes to schools within roughly a 20-mile radius of her home, sitting with children who are wearing earphones, and asking them if they can hear the sounds coming through the wires. When they can’t, Sertoma lets the school know, so they can inform the child’s parent.

Most of the time the youngsters can hear. But when they can’t, there are places where they can plug in for help, said Barbra Antonelli, an audiologist at the New Port Richey site for All Children’s Outpatient Care Center of Pasco.

Children can be born with hearing loss or it sometimes develops as they grow older, said Judith Reese, an audiologist at JC Audiology in Lutz. Federal law requires screening of infants. That typically occurs before the baby leaves the hospital, or during a follow-up visit soon after.

Some Pasco County public schools have staff members who conduct hearing screenings, but others use volunteers to do the checks. Sertoma volunteers, like Jones, conduct hearing tests for kindergarten, first- and sixth-graders in Pasco County public schools.

The organization always is looking for more help, Jones added. She got involved because a member of the Zephyrhills Noon Rotary Club asked members to volunteer.

Schools where Jones has helped out over the years include Connerton Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes, Veterans Elementary School in Wesley Chapel, West Zephyrhills Elementary and Stewart Middle schools in Zephyrhills, and Pasco Elementary and Pasco Middle schools in Dade City.

There are various causes of hearing loss, Reese said.

“One of the things that happens most often in children is a temporary hearing loss that is due to ear infections or even a build up of fluid in the ear,” Reese said. “Those are easily treated by medical professionals.”

Early detection is important.

“We really like to catch them early because you can have significant delays in speech and language, even if somebody has an ear infection for just a few months,” Reese said. “When they’re developing their speech and language, it can have a big impact on the child.”

Infants who are not startled by loud sounds may have a hearing loss, Antonelli said. If they don’t respond to their name or a dog barking, that may also be another sign.

Sometimes the problem is not obvious, Reese said.

Typically, if a child has an ear infection, parents become aware of it because it hurts.

“So, they’re crying or their ears are real red,” Reese said. “But if it’s just a build up of fluid, they may kind of just disengage, or tug at their ear.”

But sometimes fluid inside the ear doesn’t hurt, but is hindering a child’s hearing. In a case like that, a parent may think that their child is refusing to behave, or lagging behind in school because they’re not trying, Reese said. In fact, it may be that the child didn’t hear his parents or teacher, or didn’t hear them accurately.

It’s not just a matter of hearing sound, Reese explained. It’s also a matter of processing it properly.

Some signs that children may have a hearing loss include errors in articulation, Antonelli said. It also may seem that children don’t listen well or have trouble following directions. Or, they may want the volume on the television turned up.

When children don’t get help, they can experience academic and social difficulties.

If the hearing loss is spotted early, though, those problems can be avoided. Even newborns can be fitted with hearing aids, Antonelli said.

“Basically, they’ll never fall behind,” she said.

For more information, call Sertoma at (727) 834-5479, or visit FamilyHearingHelp.org.

Hearing loss symptoms and getting help

Hearing loss can happen when any part of the ear is not working properly, including the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, acoustic nerve and auditory system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The losses can vary greatly and can be due to a number of causes, the CDC says.

Here are some facts from the CDC to help you learn more about symptoms of hearing loss and what to do when they appear.

Signs in babies
• They do not startle at loud noises
• They do not turn to the source of a sound after 6 months of age
• They do not say single words, such as “dada” or “mama” by 1 year of age
• They turn their heads when they see you, but not if you just call their name
• They seem to hear some sounds but not others

Signs in Children
• Speech is delayed
• Speech is not clear
• They do not follow directions
• They often say, “Huh?”
• They turn the television up too high

The signs and symptoms of hearing loss are different for each child. If you think that a child might have hearing loss, ask the child’s doctor for a hearing screening as soon as possible.

Published August 13, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Health 08-13-14

By

Caregiver’s support group
The Caregiver’s Support Group meets the first Wednesday of the month at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, to help those caring for loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

This free group meets at 11 a.m.

For information, call Phyllis Bross at (813) 996-1361, or email ">.

Medical identifiers session for professionals
Saint Leo University is hosting a free half-day training session on recognizing medical identifiers Aug. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Tampa Education Center, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 238, in Tampa.

The program is for medical professionals and will cover how to recognize a potential victim of human trafficking.

For information, or to register, call Dr. David Persky at (352) 588-8916, or email . Those interested also can call Kenneth Gonzalez at (813) 226-2775, or email .

Obstetrics program offers classes
The obstetrics program at Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is offering the following:

• Aug. 16 at 9 a.m., pediatric/infant CPR course. Cost is $15 per person, or $25 for two.

• Aug. 16 at noon, tour through the mother-baby and birthing suites.

• Aug. 16 at 1 p.m., breast-feeding class with a focus on fundamentals and how to access support.

Reservations are required for all classes.

For information, call (727) 834-5630.

Diabetes self-management
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is hosting a diabetes self-management workshop on Mondays at 9 a.m., between Aug. 18 and Sept. 22. 

Topics include symptoms of diabetes, fatigue, pain, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, stress, and emotional problems, exercise, and use of medication.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

For information or to register, call (727) 834-5630.

Health care roundtables
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will host two “21st Century Cures” roundtables to discuss the ways to get better treatments, medications and devices to patients more quickly.

Both roundtables will be at 1:30 p.m., at The Bethany Center, 18150 Bethany Center Drive in Lutz.

Dates and topics are:

• Aug. 19: “Patients and the Patient Perspectives”

• Aug. 22: “Spurring Innovation, Advancing Treatments & Incentivizing Investment”

To RSVP, call Ian Martorana at (202) 225-5755, or email .

Vegetarian cooking demo
The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, will have a vegetarian cooking demo Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.

Guests can learn to cook healthy vegetarian dishes, how to prepare a plant-based menu, and taste samples.

Space is limited, and reservations are required.

Cost is $5 for members, and $10 for non-members.

To register, call (813) 929-5432.

Moffitt recruiting patients for research
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute is recruiting male patients and their caregivers for a research study that takes a closer look at the uptake of prostate cancer information and health services.

Participants should be between the ages of 40 and 75, and newly diagnosed in the past three months. Patients also must have a caregiver who is willing to participate.

For information, call Shani Davis at (813) 745-6806, or email .

Facial rejuvenation seminar
Dr. Rich Castellano of ImageLift will present a free seminar on facial rejuvenation Aug. 20 at 1 p.m., at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club, 6225 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Lunch will be served.

To reserve a seat, call (855) 968-8411.

Chatterboxes support group
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is hosting biweekly Chatterboxes support group meetings.

The group assists individuals suffering from communication deficits as a result of a cerebral vascular accident or other neurological disorder.

The next meeting is Aug. 21 at 3 p.m.

For information, call (727) 834-5630.

Learn to be a SHINE volunteer
Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders is a volunteer program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, and is in need of help.

Volunteers offer free counseling and assistance to seniors and those with disabilities on topics related to Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drug assistance, supplemental insurance and more.

Volunteers are needed in Pasco and Pinellas counties.

A three-day training is provided. Costs for transportation are reimbursed and meals are furnished.

For information, call Sue Samson at (727) 570-9696, ext. 234.

To fill out an online application, visit FloridaShine.org.

Finding that healthy salad right here at Eatery 41

By

It is always great to find a place that has many healthy options to choose from, and I found one in Land O’ Lakes.

The great thing is it’s a family restaurant owned by three brothers who just opened this year. I know they will be successful for they have great home-cooked food and phenomenal prices. I also appreciate large windows that encourage looking at our beautiful Florida weather.

It’s time to go back to salads, but they don’t have to be boring. Check out what Eatery 41 offers. (Courtesy of Samantha Taylor)
It’s time to go back to salads, but they don’t have to be boring. Check out what Eatery 41 offers.
(Courtesy of Samantha Taylor)

It’s called Eatery 41, and it’s located on U.S. 41, just outside of Connerton.

As I talked to Steve Houvardas, one of the brothers, he smiled as he pointed out some of the meals his mom makes. I just love family-owned businesses, probably since I have one of my own, and I know it’s run more from the heart than a corporate agenda.

I haven’t reviewed a salad in a long time, so I thought this would be a good place to do so, as well as highlighting many other options, too.

I ordered their Buffalo chicken salad with one main modification: I had the chicken grilled instead of fried. With this salad, you can enjoy the experience of having Buffalo wings without all the extra breading and the frying.

I was shocked when Steve put the salad before me. I couldn’t believe how much came with this meal for the price. I knew I was going to get a good to-go meal out of that one.

It’s not the fat I shy away from, because I believe in eating a higher fat diet as long as you are monitoring your carbs. I fry food at home, but I do it in grain-free crumbs, and don’t fry in vegetable oil. Keep in mind it has been proven to be completely inaccurate knowledge that eating fat causes heart disease. That is completely not true.

The main fats you want to stay away from are trans fats, partially hydrogenated oil and vegetable oils.

Another mail I noticed on the menu is the Cobb salad. But order the chicken grilled and tell them to leave off the corn.

Many meals are served with bread, so just ask them not to bring that to the table, so you aren’t tempted. Many of these meals I’m about to share come with a choice of salad and vegetable, so be disciplined and get the veggies instead of fries. And remember, you can have butter on those veggies — you actually absorb more of the nutrients in the veggies when there is fat on them.

A few other items of the many to point out are the Mediterranean fish filet topped with feta cheese and basil, as well as the grilled salmon with sun-dried tomatoes in a lemon butter sauce.

And if you like liver, it’s known to be very healthy. However, I have never tried it. Steve said the liver and onions is their most popular item.

It’s also nice to know that they serve breakfast all day where one of my favorite all-around meals is a veggie omelet with the yolks — you do not raise your cholesterol by eating cholesterol. That also is a myth.

So you can enjoy their delicious garden omelet filled with veggies at any time of the day.

Check out Eatery 41 near Connerton, and try that awesome Buffalo chicken salad. You will not only be amazed at their prices, but also at the quality home-cooked food.

By Samantha Taylor

Editor’s Note: Eating out is a staple of American life, but it is also one of the reasons why we are heavier than ever before. The challenge is to determine the calorie and fat content of menu items and make healthy choices. Samantha Taylor offers her tips on how you can make responsible choices while eating out. Her opinions and statements are her own.

Published August 13, 2014

The power of friendship revealed through barrel racing event

By

Lots of people don’t know a thing about barrel racing. There are probably even fewer who have heard of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

But even if those who don’t have a clue about either of those, chances are they’ve had a friend or two in life that has made them feel special. And, along the way, if that friend were in trouble, they have wanted to be there to help.

Kristy Bryant Flynn, front, and Tanya Dadez enjoy Busch Gardens during Flynn’s healthier days. (Courtesy of Tanya Dadez)
Kristy Bryant Flynn, front, and Tanya Dadez enjoy Busch Gardens during Flynn’s healthier days.
(Courtesy of Tanya Dadez)

That’s what motivated San Antonio resident Tanya Dadez to organize Kristy’s Can-Cer Vive Benefit Barrel Race. She hopes the event will ease some of the financial burdens the disease has caused to Kristy Bryant Flynn, her lifelong friend.

Part of the event’s name is a play on the words “can survive.”

Slated for Saturday, the barrel race is expected to draw at least 100 competitors. It’s a timed race, and those clocking the fastest finish — by racing through the course without hitting a barrel — will win cash awards.

In addition to the races, spectators can see riders and their horses checking out the arena in exhibitions that begin a couple of hours before the competition kicks off.

Many riders will compete with more than one horse, Dadez said.

Admission is free, but barbecued meals will be available for purchase, at $7.50 a plate, including drinks. There also will be vendors and a silent auction, with bidders vying for about 50 different items.

Planning for the event began months ago when Dadez began discussing the idea with Dennis and Tammie Rogers, owners of Double R Arena in Dade City. They generously agreed to host the event, Dadez said.

Ierna’s Heating & Cooling, Chandelle Veterinary Associates and Embroider Too all stepped up to contribute funds to sweeten the purse for the barrel race winners.

Charlene Ierna was quick to help out, Dadez said. She’s also been a dear friend of Flynn’s for years as they both played on the same softball team when they were kids.

Ierna also asked Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que to get involved, Dadez said. The popular barbecue restaurant agreed, donating meals and drinks, with proceeds to benefit Flynn’s family.

Dadez said she felt compelled to find a way to help.

“Kristy and I have been best friends since kindergarten. We went to Sanders Elementary, Pine View Middle and we both graduated from Land O’ Lakes High School,” she said.

Flynn began noticing symptoms she didn’t understand when she was in her 20s. She couldn’t take hot showers, for instance, because they nearly knocked her out. She frequently dropped dishes and other items, because she couldn’t get a tight grip on them.

And then, when she bent over to pick up the items, she felt nauseous when she began to straighten up.

Flynn was diagnosed with her condition in 2008. The disease is a form of blood cancer, and there is no known cure. It is especially rare for someone as young as Flynn to have the condition, according to medical websites.

There has been progress in developing medications, but so far Flynn has not responded well to drugs now available for long-term treatment.

Dadez, who is a barrel racer herself, said she knew that barrel races sometimes are hosted for charitable causes, so she decided to organize this one. She hopes the fundraiser will lessen the financial pressures that Flynn, her husband, Scot, and the couple’s children have faced since Flynn had to stop working.

“She’s just the epitome of innocence and wholesome and everything good that you could possibly imagine,” Dadez said. “She never says an ill word about anybody. She’s an angel, really. I just love her to death.”

Dadez said Flynn wanted to pitch in when she heard about the fundraiser.

“She said, ‘I feel really bad. I feel like I need to be doing something,’” Dadez said. “I said, ‘This is for you and your family. I want you to come out and enjoy, have a good time. This is all about you. You don’t have to worry about anything. We’ve got everything covered.’”

Even though Flynn wants to help, she acknowledges she probably wouldn’t be able to do much. On some days, just making breakfast is about all she has the energy to do. On other days, she runs out of breath just walking out to the family’s mailbox.

Flynn would like to work, but she can’t because she never knows from one day to the next how much energy she’ll have. When she has done a few hours of work, she has found herself wiped out for days afterward, she said.

Despite the challenges, Flynn remains upbeat.

Besides helping to raise money for Flynn, Dadez said she thinks the event will be fun for the entire family. Those attending will have a chance to see horses up close, watch competitive races, eat a nice meal, check out the vendors, and bid on items at the auction.

Spectators should be sure to bring lawn chairs to the event, Dadez added.

Initially, Dadez was hoping to raise at least $3,000 for her friend.

“I do believe, and I’m pretty hopeful, that we’re going to be able to exceed that,” she said.

If you go:
WHAT: Kristy’s Can-Cer Vive Benefit Barrel Race, featuring about 100 racing around barrels, vying for the fastest time and cash prizes
WHERE: Double R Arena, 32640 Amberlea Road, Dade City
WHEN: Aug. 16, exhibitions begin at 4 p.m., show begins at 6 p.m.
COST: Admission for spectators is free. Entry fee for riders is $40 a horse. Event also features barbecued dinners, vendors and a silent auction.
INFO: Tanya Dadez, (813) 787-6448

Published August 13, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Health 08-06-14

By

Learn to be a SHINE volunteer
Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, a volunteer program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, is in need of help.

Volunteers offer free counseling and assistance to seniors and those with disabilities on topics related to Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drug assistance, supplemental insurance and more.

Volunteers are needed in Pasco and Pinellas counties.

A three-day training is provided. Costs for transportation are reimbursed and meals are provided.

For information, call Sue Samson at (727) 570-9696, ext. 234.

To fill out an online application, visit FloridaSHINE.org.

Give blood, get $10 to Publix
OneBlood is teaming up with Publix and providing its bloodmobile to the following locations:

• Aug. 8: Publix, 19034 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., New Tampa, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Aug. 9: Publix, 16560 N. Nebraska Ave., Lutz, Aug. 9 from noon to 6 p.m.

Donors will receive a free wellness checkup and a $10 Publix gift card.

To make an appointment, call (888) 936-6283, or visit OneBloodDonor.org.

MS support group
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, hosts a monthly multiple sclerosis support group on the second Tuesday of the month, with the next meeting scheduled for Aug. 12 at noon.

Caregivers and family members are invited to attend.

For information, call (727) 372-1568.

Athletic injuries seminars
The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, is hosting these athletic injuries seminars:

• Aug. 12, 6 p.m.: “Foot and Ankle Injuries in Athletes.”

Dr. Guillermo Donate will present information on understanding the types of injuries and helpful prevention tips. Reservations are required. A free meal will be provided.

• Aug. 13, 7 p.m.: “Injury Prevention for Athletes: Reduce Your Risk of Injury.”

Daniel MacLea and Aly Dhanani will present information on identifying high-risk movement patterns and corrective exercise strategies to reduce the risk of injury.

For information on both seminars, call (813) 929-5432.

Obstetrics program offers classes
The obstetrics program at Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is offering the following:

• Aug. 16 at 9 a.m., a pediatric/infant CPR course. Cost is $15 per person, or $25 for two.

• Aug. 16 at noon, a tour through the mother-baby and birthing suites.

• Aug. 16 at 1 p.m., breast-feeding class with a focus on fundamentals and how to access support.

Reservations are required for all classes.

For information, call (727) 834-5630.

Vegetarian cooking demo
The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, will have a vegetarian cooking demo Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.

Guests can learn to cook healthy vegetarian dishes, how to prepare a plant-based menu, and taste samples.

Space is limited, and reservations are required.

Cost is $5 for members, and $10 for non-members.

To register, call (813) 929-5432.

New opportunities at HPH Hospice
HPH Hospice has new volunteer opportunities for those who have a few hours to spare every week.

HPH is accepting applications for a two-day volunteer orientation that will take place Aug. 12-14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 37445 Clinton Ave., in Dade City.

Thrift store volunteers need only attend the morning of the first day.

Lunch will be provided, but reregistration is required.

For store volunteers, call Caroline Wertel at (813) 355-4830. For hospice opportunities, call Liz Helms at (352) 518-1400.

Gulfside Hospice orientation
Gulfside Hospice is offering a two-day orientation for all new volunteers Aug. 14-15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Gulfside’s Center for Hospice Care, 5760 Dean Dairy Road in Zephyrhills.

Volunteers must be at least 15 years old.

Space is limited, and reservations are required.

For information, call Jennifer Ball or Tracey Thompson at (813) 780-1235.

‘I Quit’ at FHZH
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., is offering the “I Quit” tobacco cessation program Aug. 21 at 5 p.m.

The workshop will include education on nicotine addiction and withdrawal, strategies for handling cravings, a free four-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy, and a referral to the Florida Quitline for ongoing support.

To register, call Jihane Ambroise at (813) 929-1000, or visit AHECtobacco.org.