December 2013 Thrive

BRIDGING THE GAP

The latest state health survey highlights the

disparities in medical care.Page 6

THRiVEnc» NORTHERN COLORADO WELLNESS

December 2013

» INSIDE: CAUTIOUS DRIVING DURING HOLIDAYS • CHOOSE INSURANCE WISELY • HEALTH EVENTS

THRIVENC n November 27, 20132 n HEALTH

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Only 5-10% of cancer is known to be hereditary based on genetic testing that can identify a specific cancer-causing gene. Carrying an inherited genetic defect is not a guarantee that cancer will develop.

The first step is genetic counseling, which evaluates the health history of close family-members (parents, siblings and children).

A presence of cancer younger than age 50, two or more relatives on the same side of the family with the same cancer, such as breast or ovarian cancer, or a rare cancer show an increased risk.

Genetic testing involves a blood draw and DNA analysis.

Information derived from genetic counseling and testing may help ease uncertainty and allow you to take proactive steps to protect yourself from cancer.

Hereditary cancers are less common than you may think. However, genetics counseling and testing can help to evaluate your risk and health.

If you have a family history of cancer and want to know more, contact us today.

Kerry Williams-Wuch, M.D.Oncologist/HematologistBanner Health Clinic specializing in Cancer and Oncology Services

Appointments Greeley: (970) 350-6680Loveland: (970) 679-8900www.BannerHealth.com/COCancer

1800 15th St., Suite A, Greeley

2050 Boise Ave., Loveland

Should I get genetic testing to find out if I’m at high risk for cancer?

November 27, 2013 n THRIVENC 3HEALTH n

«The Gift (Aromatherapy), 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at North Colorado Medical Center Auditorium. As the holiday sea-son approaches, NCMC Spirit of Women wishes you the gift of good health and smell-being. Join their experts and experience the fragrance of the season through aromatherapy. Learn how clinicians employ the use of essential oils, then take a whiff while enjoying cre-ative hand-on activities. Free for Spirit members, $10 for nonmembers. Space is limited, therefore pre-registration is re-quired. For more information call (970) 392-2222 or email [email protected].

«Blood Tests, 7-8:45 a.m. Dec. 11 and 18 at NCMC, Entrance No. 6 and Johnstown Family Physicians, 222 Johnstown Center Drive. Wellness Services offers low-cost blood screenings open to com-munity members. Some immunizations are also available upon request and availability. Open labs are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. To schedule an appointment, call (970) 350-6633. Fast 12 hours prior to blood draw. Cost varies and payment is due at time of service. NCMC Wellness Services will not bill insurance.

«Body Check... What you need to know: Head to Toe, by appointment Dec. 3 and 17 at Summit View Medical Commons, 2001 70th Ave. This head-to-toe health assessment gives you the tools to put your health first by receiving a comprehensive set of preventive health screenings. Invest in your health today. This screening includes: Health Fair Panel (for fasting blood work please fast 10 to 12 hours), sleep questionnaire, lung function test, body composition, weight and Body Mass Index, hip and waist measurements, health education with a wellness specialist, EKG with results read by a board-certified cardiol-ogist, bone density screening, Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening including: education about peripheral vascular disease, stroke, stroke prevention and osteoporosis prevention, ankle brachial

index, ultrasound of the carotid vessels, ultrasound of the aorta (screenings are read by a board–certified radiologist). Upon Request: colorectal take-home kit is $10, Prostate Specific Blood Antigen screening is $23. Cost for screening is $175. Payment is due at time of service. Wellness Services is not able to bill insurance. Call (970) 350-6070 for more information and to schedule an appointment. All results are sent to your personal physician and to you.

«CT Heart Score, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Mon-day through Friday at North Colorado Medical Center. CT Heart Score provides a non-invasive test that accurately mea-sures the amount of calcified plaque in the arteries. The procedure begins with a fast, painless computed tomogra-phy CT exam. The CAT scanning uses X-rays and multiple detectors to create interior images of the heart. The Heart Score program includes a 10-minute consultation with a Wellness Specialist, focusing on cardiac risk factor education, identification of non-modifiable and modifiable risks and lifestyle behavior change options. Call (970) 350-6070 to schedule an appointment. Cost is $199

and payment is due at time of service. NCMC Wellness Services is not able to bill insurance.

«PAD (Peripheral Vascular Disease) Screening, 1-3 p.m. Dec. 3 and 17 at Summit View Medical Commons, 70th Ave. This program offers the education and prevention proven to be the best tools for fighting vascular disease and stroke. Patients receive: ankle brachial index: evaluation of leg circulation; carotid Artery disease screening: ultra-sound of the carotid vessels; abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: ultrasound of the aorta: CardioChek fingerstick: lipid panel; health education with a wellness specialist; health information packet. Cost is $100 for all four screenings, payment is due at time of service. NCMC Wellness Services is not able to bill insur-ance. Call (970) 350-6070 to schedule an appointment.

«CPR for Health Care Providers (Initial), 5-8:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at NCMC, Longs Room, second floor. This class is designed for licensed and non-licensed health care providers. Topics covered include: cardiopulmonary resuscita-

tion, airway obstruction and rescue breathing for adult, children and infants. The certification is valid for two years. Registration closes at noon, two days prior to class. To register, please call (970) 350-6633. Please notify us one week in advance if you are unable to attend the class. Your registration will be refunded less a $10 service charge. If you are absent from the class, you will be charged a $10 service fee. Cost is $55.

«Cooking Classes, 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at North Colorado Medical Center Cardiac Rehab Kitchen. Come and learn a variety of fun and healthy cooking options for the holiday season. These courses are taught by a registered dietitian and are a great way to modify your cooking habits and learn about heart healthy cooking. Recipes and samples are included. Please call (970) 350-6633 to register. Cost is $10 per class.

«Walk with a Doc, Dec. 21 at South Entrance of the Greeley Mall. This is an international program where interested people meet at a park or public location (usually in the mornings) for an informal 5-minute health talk, and a 30-minute

walk (at your own pace). There are healthy snacks at the completion of the walk. Free Blood pressure checks are available for those interested. Upcoming walks are posted on the Walk with Doc website, WalkwithaDoc.org.

« Living Well with Diabetes Program, by appointment. Services available in Greeley, Loveland, Windsor and John-stown. Education offered for patients with diabetes, and their caregivers or families, to provide knowledge, skills and tools to successfully manage their diabetes. Topics include nutrition, activ-ity, monitoring, medications, problem solving, healthy coping, reducing risks, weight loss, insulin, or considering insulin pump therapy. Individual appointments and group classes. Cost varies. Insurance billing available. For more information call (970) 392-2344.

«Diabetes and Pregnancy Information Group and Individual Sessions, by ap-pointment. Services available in Greeley, Loveland, Johnstown and Windsor. For women with type one, type two, or ges-tational diabetes. To teach skills needed to care for themselves during pregnancy. Topics include: healthy eating, being active, blood glucose monitoring, medications, problem solving, healthy coping and reducing risks. The goal is to help you and your baby stay healthy. No referral needed for group sessions, refer-ral from provider is required for individual appointments. Cost is $10 per class and individual appointments billable to insurance. For more information call (970) 392-2344

«STAR- support touch and reach breast cancer survivors (Breast Can-cer Support Group), 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 5 at NCMC Cancer Institute Conference Room. For further information call Betty Parsons at (970) 339-7137.

«Prostate Cancer Support Group, 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 19 at NCMC Cancer Institute Lobby. For more information call Julianne Fritz at (970) 350-6567.

DECEMBER HEALTH EVENTS

FOR THE TRIBUNE


H oliday events and celebrations can be exciting times for family and friends to get together. Late

December is one of the busiest times of the year on America’s roadways as many travelers will choose to drive to their holiday destinations.

Those crowded highways, unfortu-nately, tend to lead to far too many traffic related fatalities. In fact, Christmas ranks as one of the most dangerous hol-idays according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To help you and your loved ones stay safe during this holiday season, here are some tips for hol-iday driving that might be useful.

TAKE EXTRA CAUTION ON HOLIDAY ROADS

» Don’t drink and drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

» Wear your seat belt. It may save your life.

» Avoid traveling in bad weather. Stay home or get a hotel room.

» Drive the speed limit.» Take a break every two hours or 100

miles. Breaking up the drive periodically will keep you more alert while you’re on the road. Forty-one percent of fatal traffic crashes are single-vehicle crashes. These crashes most often occur during the late night and early morning hours and in the late afternoon hours to drivers who are tired, have consumed alcohol, or both.

» Avoid distractions. This includes texting while driving and other smart-phone use. Pull off the road if you have to use your cell phone.

» Be a good host. Don’t let anyone drink and drive. Choose a designated driver who will remain alcohol free. Just in case, have plenty of bedding available for people who might need a place to stay the night.

» Keep the kids busy. Use books, games, DVDs, whatever will keep the kids comfortable and stop them from distracting the driver.

SAFEGUARD YOUR HOLIDAY PRESENTSWhether it’s the abundance of shop-

ping or thieves trying to be the Grinch, holiday season in America brings with it increased vehicle break-ins — especially at shopping malls around the country.

Please make sure yours is a posi-tive holiday shopping experience, be sure to:

» Keep all receipts in your wal-let or purse. Leaving the receipt in the bag makes it difficult to prove your purchase, and easy for thieves to return the items for cash.

» Move your vehicle to another spot in the lot if you opt to drop off purchases to your vehicle mid-

point in your shopping trip. » Make sure your purchases are out

of sight. Keep them in your trunk or cov-ered in the front and back seats.

The glorious and joyful time of Christ-mas leads off a long holiday weekend, which also means that more people are likely to get caught up in the mad dash out of town and the rush to get back at the end of the festivities. Congestion leads to frustration and frustration leads to risky behavior. It can all add up to a recipe for tragedy. If you are travel-ing this Christmas, we recommend the following: buckle up, keep your cool, use a designated driver, stay alert and don’t speed. Arrive at your destination with your loved ones safe and alive.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

Lyn Tausan is a retired school admin-istrator and resides in Greeley with her

husband. She is the marketing/public relations specialist for DRIVE SMART

Weld County.

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Let’s face it. Buying health insurance is not fun. It’s hardly like shopping for a new computer. But if you make the wrong decision, it could cost you zillions of dollars and maybe even send you to bankruptcy court if you get really sick. So it pays to think carefully about the policy you can buy in the state shopping exchange if you’re one of the thousands of Colora-dans eligible for exchange coverage — maybe even with a subsidy to help pay the premium.

Where to begin? Once the computer glitches with the exchanges are correct-ed — they will be — and you plow through the mechanics of setting up an email account, if you don’t already have one, these are the key decisions you have to make.

» Decision Point 1: How much coverage do you want? The answer may depend on how large a subsidy you’re eligible for. After you enter basic infor-mation about income, the website will calculate how much of a subsidy you can get. A family of four with an income around $94,000 won’t get much; a family with an income of about $24,000 will. The amount of the subsidy for the year is the same whether you buy an expensive policy, say a

gold plan, which will cover 80 percent of your medical costs or a cheaper bronze plan that covers only 60 percent.

» Decision Point 2: Do you qualify for special subsidies for people with low incomes — below $58,875 for a family of four this year? These will help pay some of the cost-shar-ing exchange policies require — things like the copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. But there’s a catch. Individuals or families can get these subsidies only if they buy a silver plan that covers only 70 percent of the bills. Families will have to decide whether to buy a policy that’s more comprehensive than the silver plan or the less comprehensive plan and get some help with the cost sharing.

» Decision Point 3: If you do get a subsidy, how do you want it applied. The subsidy can be applied to each insurance payment, which means you pay a smaller premium each month. Or you can collect it at tax time like a tax refund.

After you make these three decisions, you’ll face the hardest decision of all. Unless you have a chronic illness, that’s a tough calculation to make. Unforeseen accidents and illnesses happen. Your kid gets hurt playing football or you need an emergency

appendectomy. What you end up paying if things like this happen depends on the policy you select now.

» Decision Point 4: Weighing risk versus coverage. Buying any insurance policy involves weighing risk against the price of protecting yourself from that risk. Usually the higher the premium, the more comprehensive the policy. A policy with a low premium carries much more financial risk if you get sick.

» Decision Point 5: Weighing the cost sharing. Here’s where it gets tricky, and you’ll have to make some trade-offs. How you make this decision depends on your tolerance for risk. If you think you won’t get sick, then you might prefer a low premium and not worry about the high out-of-pocket costs you’ll face when illness strikes. These include deductibles, copays, a set amount for a service, and coinsurance, a percent of the bill you must pay. If you want financial peace of mind if you do get sick, then a high premium policy might be better.

» Decision Point 6: Provider choice. We all say we want lots of choice in our medical care. But we may not get it. As a trade-off for lower premiums, many insurance compa-nies selling in the state

exchanges are limiting the networks of doctors and hospitals consumers can use. Some insurers include only providers who agree to large discounts that in turn allow the insurers to offer low premiums.

See if doctors and hos-pitals you want to use are in the network that comes with the plan you choose. If you use a provider who is not in your network, you may get stuck with 40 per-cent or 50 percent of a bill. Typically insurers make you pay large amounts of

coinsurance if you seek care out of network.

Finally, when you nar-row your choice to two or three policies, ask for a doc-ument called Summary of Benefits and Coverage that allows a side-by-side com-parison of deductibles, co-insurance and copayments and note what services are not covered. There are more catches here. Insurers don’t have to offer you this document, but if you ask for it, they must provide it. And the disclosures don’t have to include the premi-

um. Shoppers will have to find that elsewhere.

The process I’ve just outlined may seem overwhelming, but like bad-tasting medicine, it will be good for you in the end.

The Rural Health News Service is funded by a grant

from The Commonwealth Fund and distributed

through the Nebraska Press Association Foundation,

the Colorado Press Associa-tion and the South Dakota

Newspaper Association.

CHOOSE INSURANCE WISELY IN THE STATE EXCHANGE

By Trudy LiebermanRural Health News Service

www.columbinehealth.com

Columbine Commons Health & Rehab Facility Assisted Living 1475 Main Street, Windsor

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Open House Saturday,

Community

December 7th, 2013


B lack Coloradans see the doctor less frequently, get less preven-

tive care and report being in worse health than other residents of the state, ac-cording to a recent health survey.

The biennial Colorado Health Access Survey, which polled 10,224 households between April 15 and July 27, provides one of the most com-prehensive snapshots of how Colorado residents experience the health care system.

The latest survey, re-leased in November, gives an important look at the current status of health care in the state ahead of a broad set of changes prom-ised by the Affordable Care Act and the expansion of Medicaid.

About 14 percent of the Colo-radans surveyed said they were uninsured, down from about 16 percent in 2011.

But these numbers — and near-ly all the information collected in the phone survey — varied widely across regions, income levels, age groups and ethnic groups, high-lighting disparities in the way Col-oradans receive medical care.

Only 5.3 percent of the people living in Douglas County didn’t have any insurance, for example, while in northwest Colorado, a re-gion that includes Routt, Moffat,

Rio Blanco and Jackson counties, about 25 percent were uninsured.

Latinos were the most likely to be uninsured. Around 22 percent of Latinos polled in the latest sur-vey said they didn’t have any in-surance. Still, more Latinos had insurance than just two years ago, when 26 percent said they were uninsured.

Roughly 12 percent of non-His-panic whites were uninsured, down from 13 percent in 2011.

By contrast, a growing number of blacks reported being unin-sured than in the past. Roughly 20 percent of those surveyed said they were uninsured, up sharply from 14 percent in 2011. The trend marked continued erosion in the ranks of the insured in Colorado’s

small black community. In 2009, only 12 percent of blacks surveyed said they didn’t have insurance.

At the same time, black Colo-radans were increasingly less like-ly to report having seen a general doctor in the previous year or to have received preventive care. And around 19 percent of blacks in the state said they used the emergen-cy room as their primary source of care, compared with 5.7 percent of the population as a whole.

Grant Jones, executive director of the Denver-based Center for African American Health, said the information was surprising.

“At a time when we’re moving toward greater access and cover-age and quality of care,” Jones said, “it’s alarming to see fewer people

accessing care and seeing a doctor on a regular basis in the African American community.”

But blacks weren’t skipping the doctor because they were healthi-er, the findings suggests. Instead, fewer black people in Colorado reported being in excellent health than other communities, while more reported being in poor health.

Black Coloradans were more likely than others to cite cost as a barrier to care, or to say they didn’t seek an appointment because they were uninsured, according to the Colorado Health Institute’s anal-ysis of the survey. They were also more likely to say that they couldn’t get a doctor’s appointment in time, had trouble getting transportation

or couldn’t get time off work. “There’s lots of good research

that points to the benefits of hav-ing primary and preventive care,” says Jeff Bontrager, director of re-search on coverage and access for Colorado Health Institute.

More doctor visits means more immunization for kids, early screening for cancer, mammo-grams and the chance to devel-

op a relationship with a doctor, Bontrager notes. That’s the kind of health care that not only treats illness, but also stops it from devel-oping in the first place.

The wide health discrepancies across the state provide an invita-tion to dig deeper into the causes and consequences, says Gretchen Hammer, executive director of the Colorado Coalition for the Medi-cally Underserved.

BRIDGING THE GAPState health survey highlights disparities in medical care

By KRISTIN JONES I-News at Rocky Mountain PBS

FOR THE TRIBUNE

FOR THE TRIBUNE

» In WeldWeld County had one of the lowest percentages of uninsured in the state at 9.3 percent, trailing only Douglas County (5.3 percent). That was down dramatically from two years ago when the survey found more than 18 percent of Weld County residents were uninsured. About 60 percent of resi-dents had visited a dentist in the past 12 months, about 75 percent had gone to a health care facility and about 18 percent sought treatment at an emergency room. All were slightly below statewide figures. Almost nine in 10 county res-idents, 88 percent, reported they were in excellent health. More than nine in 10, 91.5 per-cent, said they were in good mental health. County residents were more pessimistic about how the health care system treated themselves, their family and Coloradans in general than their counterparts statewide. The survey found 62 percent thought the system met their family’s needs compared with 69 percent statewide, and 39 percent said the sys-tem met most Coloradans’ needs compared with 44 percent statewide.

Source: I-News


op a relationship with a doctor, Bontrager notes. That’s the kind of health care that not only treats illness, but also stops it from devel-oping in the first place.

The wide health discrepancies across the state provide an invita-tion to dig deeper into the causes and consequences, says Gretchen Hammer, executive director of the Colorado Coalition for the Medi-cally Underserved.

“I don’t think this gives us the answer of why,” Hammer said. “It directs us to engage in these com-munities and see what they’re ex-periencing.”

Jones believes that the Afford-able Care Act should help improve access to care among blacks. But he says more should be done to fo-cus on the communities that aren’t receiving adequate care.

“If we could make a dent in

improving outcomes for African Americans and Latinos,” Jones said, “it would lift the status of our state in a dramatic way.”

I-News is the public service jour-nalism arm of Rocky Mountain

PBS and works collaboratively with news media across Colorado. To read more go to inewsnetwork.

org. Contact Kristin Jones at [email protected].

FOR THE TRIBUNE

The 5210 make Today count! campaign encourages adults and youth to make the most of each day by practicing healthy eating and active living choices where we live, study, work and play. The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment and partner agencies are promoting 5210 to increase awareness of recommended behaviors endorsed by health organizations to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent obesity. Make today count by following 5210.

» 5 or more fruits and vegetables: The goal is to eat five or more fruits and vegetables each day. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides vitamins and minerals important for supporting growth and development and a healthy immune function in children. Adults who have high daily intakes of fruits and veg-etables tend to have less heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and some types of cancers. Try to fill half your plate with colorful fruit and vegetables at each meal. Add extra vegetables to eggs, tacos, stews, burritos and soups, etc.

» 2 hours or less of recreational screen time: Strive to limit recreational screen time to 2 hours or less. Recreation-al screen time includes TV, the computer and video game consoles. All are import-ant to limit. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the average child watches 5-6 hours of television a day, more than any other activity except for sleeping. Children who watch too much television tend to snack more and be overweight, have lower reading scores and increased attention problems. The AAP recommends that children younger than 2 not have any screen time. Healthy screen time includes one hour of educa-tional TV/computer time between the ages of 2 and 5 and two hours or less for children older than 5. In addition, the

AAP recommends removing the TV or computer from the room in which the child sleeps. Keep books, magazines and board games in the family room. Make a list of fun activities to do instead of sitting in front of a screen. Enjoy meals together as a family around the table and turn off the TV.

» 1 hour or more of physical activi-ty: One hour or more of physical activity is needed to stay at a healthy weight and helps prevent heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer and osteoporosis. Kids and adults need to get at least an hour of phys-ical activity each day. Children who are active with their families are more likely to remain active as an adult. Let physical activity be fun. Take a walk or bike ride with your family, pet or friend. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, and park the car at the end of the parking lot. Make it easier by making gradual changes to in-crease your level of physical activity.

» 0 sugary drinks, more water and low-fat milk: Try water and low-fat milk instead of soda and drinks with lots of sugar. Soda has no nutritional value and is high in sugar and calories. Keep water cold and handy by keeping a pitcher in the refrigerator and a water bottle near-by. Enjoy a glass of low-fat milk with your meal or snack. Cut back slowly on sugar-sweetened drinks. Also, put limits on juice. Juice products labeled “-ade,” “drink,” or “punch” often contain 5 per-cent juice or less. Always try to choose whole fruits over juice. If you choose to serve juice, buy 100 percent juice and limit to no more that 4-6 ounces for chil-dren 1-6 years old, and 8-12 ounces for children 7-18 years old.

For resources to develop a healthy life-style and achieve 5210 goals, go to www.weldhealth.org or contact Mike Schwan,

registered dietitian and health communi-cation specialist at mschwan@weld-

health.gov or (970) 304-6420 ext. 2343.

HEALTHY LIVING BY THE NUMBERSBy Mike SchwanFor The Tribune

5210 MAKE TODAY COUNT! CAMPAIGN


W e don’t like talking about our guts. They are perceived as

messy and unclean. This uneas-iness extends to individuals with bowel diseases, creating an added burden of silence, shame and embarrassment.

But the gutsy IBD & Ostomy Awareness Ribbon campaign, now in Colorado, is on a mission to reverse the negative per-ception surround-ing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative coli-tis, better known as inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, and ostomy surgery. The ribbon is chocolate brown, has a red crystal in the center and cream-colored lettering.

This design and color combina-tion sparks needed dialogue that leads to education, awareness, support and empowerment. But why a brown ribbon?

I was 17 when I heard the

words, “You don’t have appen-dicitis, you have Crohn’s disease and weigh 62 pounds.” I’d been misdiagnosed for nearly two years, telling my parents and numerous doctors that something was terribly wrong, but nobody lis-tened. Despite aggressive steroid therapy that morphed me into a puffy chipmunk with a voracious appetite, a restrictive diet and two bowel resections, the disease mounted a steady assault on my colon and rectum during the next decade and a half.

Knowing the exact location of a bathroom wherever I went was a necessity, and I carried spare un-derwear and made other clothing adjustments because bowel in-continence was a humiliating part of my daily life. During the years, the walls of my world gradually closed in until the only place I felt secure was in my own home and bathroom.

After being in denial for years about the state of my health, I realized being bathroom-bound and watching people’s feet go by

was not living. I couldn’t yell out, “Where’d you get those shoes?”

In 1986, I made the decision to have my diseased colon and rectum removed, resulting in a permanent ileostomy. For the first time in 19 years, I was able to have a full, active life. I know the joy of sitting through dinner or a movie without having to run to the bathroom. I can go hiking and

camping — activities I could never do to prior to ostomy surgery. I no longer worry if my body will betray or embarrass me. Ostomy surgery gave me back what Crohn’s disease took away — my life!

Wanting to make a difference, a friend also with Crohn’s disease, and I took my idea to the next level and set out to make the first “Ribbon.” After gluing our fingers together, we quickly realized this was beyond our expertise. A ven-dor, website and Facebook page soon followed. This brown ribbon isn’t content to add bling to blazer lapels. It’s more than a ribbon. It’s a movement. The ribbon has been sent to eager individuals through-out the United States, as well as Australia, Canada, Malta, Nova Scotia and the United Kingdom.

The ribbon campaign is a project of Get Your Guts in Gear, Inc. The group is an independent national, not-for-profit organiza-tion, which produces programs and provides critical funding for awareness, research and advocacy projects within the inflammatory bowel disease community. Get Your Guts in Gear brings together patients, family, friends, medical professionals and cycling enthu-siasts for an unforgettable and empowering experience.

Lois Fink lives in Fort Collins. She has had symptoms of Crohn’s

disease from age 9. Send any ques-tions about the ribbon campaign to [email protected]. To get a ribbon, go to www.ibdride.org/

ibdribbon.

RIBBON CAMPAIGN HELPS BRING DISEASE OUT OF THE SHADOWS

» IBD Awareness WeekInflammatory Bowel Disease Awareness Week begins Sunday. Below is a list of resources for more information:» For information about Get Your Guts in Gear: www.ibdride.org» For information about Crohn’s disease and/or ulcerative colitis: www.ccfa.org» For information about ostomy surgery: www.uoaa.org

Lois FINKFor The Tribune

The evidence for the health ben-efits of anti-inflammatory foods keeps building, with a recent University of South Carolina study showing a strong link be-tween inflammatory foods and gastrointestinal-tract cancers.

The study, funded by the uni-versity’s Center for Colon Can-cer Research and presented as a poster at a recent American In-

stitute of Cancer Research meet-ing, took a fresh look at existing dietary data from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study from 1987-2003.

Using an inflammatory diet index developed by James He-bert, director of the South Car-olina Statewide Cancer Preven-tion and Control Program and a distinguished professor at the University of South Carolina, researchers determined that par-

ticipants with an anti-inflam-matory diet were 400 percent less likely to die from gastrointestinal cancers.

Susan Steck, one of the study’s authors and an associ-ate profes-sor at the university, cautioned

that the sample size for GI deaths in the study is small. The 400 percent number shouldn’t be the takeaway as much as the grow-ing evidence that diet can play a

major role in dis-eases such as

esophageal, stomach and c o l o r e c t a l cancer. And an inflam-matory diet

can contribute to higher rates of those cancers.

Foods high in saturated or trans fats, sugar and gluten are especially inflammatory on the digestive tract. Alcohol, white bread and milk (but not low-fat milk) also are inflammatory.

Fruits and vegetables and many non-processed foods are anti-inflammatory, and so are many spices such as turmeric, ginger, oregano and garlic.

Study stresses danger of inflammatory dietMcClatchy Newspapers


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COLORADO ALERGY & ASTHMA CENTERS, P.C.7251 W. 20th Street, Bldg N, Ste 1Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 356-3907

1136 E. Stuart St, Bldg 3, Ste 3200Ft. Collins, CO 80525Phone: (970) 221-1681

4700 E. Bromley Ln., Ste 207Brighton, CO 80601Phone: (303) 654-1234www.coloradoallergy.comProfessionals: Dr. Daniel LaszloDr. John James

NORTHERN COLORADOALLERGY & ASTHMAGreeley Phone: (970) 330-5391Loveland Phone: (970) 663-0144Ft. Collins Phone: (970) 221-2370www.NCAAC.comProfessionals: Dr. Vel Kailasam, MDKrishna C. Murthy, MDLoran Clement, MDMichael Martucci, MD

ALZHEIMER’S/SKILLED CARE

BONELL GOOD SAMARITAN708 22nd StreetGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)352-6082Fax: (970)356-7970Web Site: www.good-sam.com

GRACE POINTE1919 68th Avenue Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 304-1919www.gracepointegreeley.com

MEADOWVIEW OF GREELEY5300 29th StreetGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)353-6800Web Site: www.meadowviewofgreeley.com

ASSISTED LIVING

BONELL GOOD SAMARITAN708 22nd Street Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970) 352-6082Fax: (970) 356-7970www.good-sam.com

GRACE POINTE1919 68th Avenue Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 304-1919www.gracepointegreeley.com

MEADOWVIEW OF GREELEY5300 29th StreetGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)353-6800Web Site: www.meadowviewofgreeley.com

THE BRIDGE ASSISTED LIVING4750 25th StreetGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)339-0022

AUDIOLOGYALPINE ALL ABOUT HEARING1124 E. Elizabeth Street, #E-101Fort Collins, CO 80524Phone: (970)221-3372Fax: (970)493-92373820 N. Grant AvenueLoveland, CO 80538Phone: (970)461-0225Fax: (970)593-0670Web Site: www.allabouthearing.comProfessionals: Renita Boesiger, M. A., CCC-A Rachel White, M. A., CCC-ACheryl Hadlock, M. S., CCC-A

AUDIOLOGY ASSOCIATES2528 16th Street Greeley, CO Phone: (970)352-2881Professionals: Robert M. Traynor, Ed. D. F-AAA; Karen Swope, M. A. CCC-A

MIRACLE-EAR2404 17th Street Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)351-6620

749 S. Lemay Avenue, Suite A1Fort Collins, CO 80524(970)221-5225

UNC AUDIOLOGY CLINICGunter Hall, Room 0330Greeley, CO 80639Phone: (970)351-2012/TTYFax: (970)351-1601Web Site: www.unco.edu/NHS/asls/clinic.htmProfessionals: Diane Erdbruegger, Au.D., CCC-A;Erinn Jimmerson, M.A., CCC-AJennifer Weber, Au.D., CCC-A

BALANCE

LIFE CARE CENTER OF GREELEY- ASCENT4800 25th StreetGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)330-6400Professionals: Cozette Seaver, PT;Leslie Vail, PT

CARDIAC VASCULAR SURGERY

CARDIAC, THORACIC & VASCULAR SURGERY (NCMC)1800 15th Street, Suite 340Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)378-4593Fax: (970)378-4391Professionals: Lyons, Maurice I. Jr. DORichards, Kenneth M. MDTullis, Gene E. MD

CARDIOLOGY

CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE (NCMC)1800 15th Street, #310Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970) 392-0900Professionals: James H. Beckmann, MD;Harold L. Chapel, MD;John Drury, MD;Lin-Wang Dong, MD;Cynthia L. Gryboski, MD;Cecilia Hirsch, MD;Paul G. Hurst, MD;Brian Lyle, MD;Randall C. Marsh, MD;Arnold Pfahnl, MD; James E. Quillen, MD;Gary A. Rath, MD;Shane Rowan, MD;Ahmad Shihabi, MD;Stephen Zumbrun, MD

HEART FAILURE CLINIC (NCMC)(970) 350-6953Missy Jensen, FNP-C

DENTISTRYASCENT FAMILY DENTALScott Williams, DMD3535 W. 12th Street, Suite BGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)351-6095www.dentalgreeley.com

JULIE KAVANAUGH, D.D.S.3400 W. 16th Street, Suite 8-EGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)351-0400www.drjuliekav.com

RALPH R. REYNOLDS, D.M.D., M.D.Oral Surgery7251 W. 20th St.Building H, Suite 2Greeley, CO 80634(970) 663-6878www.reynoldsoralfacial.com

ENDOCRINOLOGY

ENDOCRINOLOGY CLINIC (NCMC)1801 15th Street, Ste 200Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)378-4676Fax: (970)-378-4315www.bannerhealth.comProfessionals: Nirmala Kumar, MDKimberly Rieniets, MDCorinn Sadler, MD

FAMILY PRACTICE MEDICINEBANNER HEALTH CLINIC1300 Main StreetWindsor, CO 80550Phone: 970-686-5646Fax: 970-686-5118Providers:Jonathan Kary, M.D.Trina Kessinger, M.D.Anthony Doft, M.D.

BANNER HEALTH CLINIC100 S. Cherry Ave., Suite 1Eaton, CO 80615Phone: (970)454-3838Professionals: Marianne Lyons, DOLance Barker, DO, Internal Medicine

BANNER HEALTH CLINIC222 Johnstown Center DriveJohnstown, CO 80534Phone: (970)587-4974Professionals:Cara Brown, MDJ.Matthew Brown, MDJoseph Gregory, MDCourtney Isley, MDStephen Kalt, MD, Internal MedicineThomas Kenigsberg, MD

FAMILY PHYSICIANS OF GREELEY,LLP-CENTRAL2520 W. 16th St.Greeley ,CO Phone: (970) 356-2520Professionals: Joanna H. Branum, M.D.;Ann T. Colgan, M.D.;Jennifer D. Dawson, D.O.; Douglas A. Magnuson, M.D.;Lori A. Ripley, M.D.;Andrew P. Stoddard, M.D.;D. Craig Wilson, M.D.

FAMILY PHYSICIANS OF GREELEY,LLP-COTTONWOOD2420 W. 16th StreetGreeley ,CO 80634 Phone: (970) 353-7668Professionals: Christopher T. Kennedy, M.D.; Daniel P. Pflieger, M.D.; Mark D. Young, M.D.; Stacey L. Garber, M.D.Amy E. Mattox, M.D.

FAMILY PHYSICIANS OF GREELEY,LLP-WEST6801 W. 20th Street, Suite 101Greeley ,CO Phone: (970) 378-8000Professionals: Daniel R. Clang, D.O.; Tamara S. Clang, D.O.;R. Scott Haskins, M.D.;Mathew L. Martinez, M.D.; Chima C. Nwizu, M.D.;Michelle K. Paczosa, D.O.; Jeffery E. Peterson, M.D.;Kyle B. Waugh, M.D.;Charles I. Zucker, M.D.

KENNETH M. OLDS6801 W. 20th Street, Suite 208Greeley ,CO 80634Phone: (970)330-9061

WESTLAKE FAMILY PHYSICIANS, PC5623 W. 19th StreetGreeley, CO Phone: (970) 353-9011Fax: (970) 353-9135Professionals: Richard Budensiek, D.O.; Jacqueline Bearden, MD;Tong Jing, MD; Janis McCall, MD;Frank Morgan, MD;David Puls, D.O. www.bannerhealth.com


TRiBUNE MEDiCAL DiRECTORY 2010TRiBUNE MEDiCAL DiRECTORY 2013FUNERAL SERVICES

ALLNUTT & RESTHAVEN FUNERALSERVICES702 13th Street, Greeley, CO Phone: (970) 352-3366650 W. Drake Road, Ft. Collins, CO Phone: (970) 482-3208 8426 S. College Avenue, Ft. Collins, CO Phone: (970) 667-02022100 N. Lincoln, Loveland, CO Phone: (970) 667-11211302 Graves Avenue, Estes Park, CO Phone: (970) 586-3101

GASTROENTEROLOGY

DOWGIN, THOMAS A., MD.CENTERS FOR GASTROENTEROLOGY7251 W. 20th St., Bldg JGreeley, CO Phone: (970)207-97733702 TimberlineFt. Collins, CO Phone: (970)207-97732555 E. 13th Street, Suite 220Loveland, CO Phone: (970)669-5432Website: www.digestive-health.net

NORTH COLORADO GASTROENTEROLOGY (NCMC)2010 16th Street, Ste. AGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)378-4475Fax: (970)378-4429Professionals:Tong Jing, MDMark Rosenblatt, MDAhmed M. Sherif, MDYazan Abu Qwaider, MD

HEALTH AND FITNESS

STUDIO Z FITNESS3483 W. 10th Street, Unit AGreeley, CO313-6924 or 388-7956

WORK OUT WESTHealth & Recreation Campus5701 W. 20th StreetGreeley, CO 80634Phone: 970-330-9691www.workoutwest.comHOME HEALTH CARE

CARING HEARTS HOME HEALTHCARE6801 W. 20th Street, Suite 207Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)378-1409

REHABILITATION AND VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION2105 Clubhouse DriveGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 330-5655Fax: (970) 330-7146Web Site: www.rvna.infoProfessionals: Crystal Day, CEO

HOSPICE

HOSPICE OF NORTHERN COLORADOAdministration Office2726 W. 11th Street RoadGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)352-8487Fax: (970)475-0037

PATHWAYS HOSPICE305 Carpenter RoadFt. Collins, CO 80550Phone: (970)663-3500Fax: (970)292-1085 Web Site: www.pathways-care.org

INDEPENDENT ASSISTED LIVINGGRACE POINTE1919 68th Avenue Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 304-1919Website: www.gracepointegreeley.com

MEADOWVIEW OF GREELEY5300 29th StreetGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)353-6800Website: www.meadowviewofgreeley.com

INDEPENDENT ASSISTED LIVING W/SERVICES

BONELL GOOD SAMARITAN708 22nd StreetGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)352-6082Fax: (970)356-7970Web Site: www.good-sam.com

FOX RUN SENIOR LIVING1720 60th AvenueGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)353-7773Fax: (970)330-9708Web Site: www.good-sam.com

INFECTIOUS DISEASEBREEN, JOHN F., MD (NCMC)1801 16th StreetGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)350-6071Fax: (970)350-6702

INTERNAL MEDICINEBANNER HEALTH CLINIC2010 16th StreetGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)350-5660www.bannerhealth.com Professionals:Danielle Doro, MD Giovanna Garcia, MD

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIESBANNER HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (NCMC)Phone: (970)506-6420

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

NCMC - BEHAVIORAL HEALTHDr Patricia Al-Adsani, Child and Adolescent PsychiatryBanner Health Clinic-Internal Medicine2010 16th Street, Suite CGreeley, CO 80631Banner Health Clinic- Windsor1300 Main StreetWindsor, CO 80550

Shawn Crawford, LPCBanner Health Clinic 222 Johnstown Center DriveJohnstown, CO 80534Banner Health Clinic-Internal Medicine2010 16th Street, Suite CGreeley, CO 80631

Stephanie Carroll, LCSW, CACIIIBanner Health Clinic1300 Main StreetWindsor, CO 80550Banner Health Clinic Fossil Creek303 Colland DrFort Collins, CO 80525

Elise Pugh, LPCBanner Health Clinic Westlake 5623 W 19th StGreeley CO 80631Banner Health Clinic1300 Main StreetWindsor, CO 80550

Susan Goodrich, LCSW Banner Health Clinic-Loveland PediatricsLoveland PediatricsLoveland COBanner Health Clinic- Windsor1300 Main Street Windsor CO, 80550

Renee Rogers, LMFTBanner Health Clinic1300 Main StreetWindsor, CO 80550Banner Health Clinic303 Colland Drive, Fossil CreekFort Collins, CO 80525

NEPHROLOGYGREELEY MEDICAL CLINIC1900 16th StreetGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970) 350-2438Professionals: Donal Rademacher, MD

NEUROLOGY

CENTENNIAL NEUROLOGYDr. David Ewing7251 W. 20th Street, Unit CGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 356-3876

NEUROLOGY CLINIC (NCMC)1800 15th Street, Suite 100BGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970) 350-5612 Fax: (970) 350-5619Professionals: Barbara Hager, MDTodd Hayes, DOWilliam Shaffer, MDChristy Young, MD

NEURO-SURGERY BRAIN & SPINE

BANNER HEALTH NEUROSURGERY CLINIC1800 15th St., Suite 130Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)350-5996Professionals:David Blatt, MDBeth Gibbons, MD

NURSING HOME REHABILITATIONCENTENNIAL HEALTH CARE CENTER1637 29th Ave. PlaceGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 356-8181Fax: (970) 356-3278OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

BANNER HEALTH GYN CONSULTANTS1800 15th St., Suite 130Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)353-1335Professionals:Susan Carter, MD

BANNER HEALTH OB/GYN CLINIC2410 W. 16th StreetGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)352-6353Professionals:Neil Allen, MDLaurie Berdahl, MD

WESTLAKE FAMILY PHYSICIANS, PC5623 W. 19th StreetGreeley, CO Phone: (970) 353-9011Fax: (970) 353-9135Professionals: Jacqueline Bearden, MD; Richard Budensiek, D.O.; Janis McCall, MD;Frank Morgan, MD;David Pols, D.O. www.bannerhealth.comONCOLOGY & HEMATOLOGY

CANCER INSTITUTE (NCMC)1800 15th Street,Greeley, CO 80631 Phone: (970) 350-6680Toll Free (866) 357-9276Fax: (970)350-6610Professionals: Jeffrey Albert, MDElizabeth Ceilley, MDBrian Fuller, MDBenjamin George, MDSamuel Shelanski, MDKerry Williams-Wuch, MDAlice Wood, MDAriel Soriano, MDOPTOMETRY

FOX HILL VISION CLINIC2001 46th AvenueGreeley, CO 80634(970) 330-7070Professionals: Dr. Nancy Smith, ODDr. Tarry Harvey, ODWebsite: www.foxhillvision.comORTHODONTICS

GREELEY ORTHODONTIC CENTER2021 Clubhouse Dr., Suite 110Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 330-2500Fax: (970) 330-2548E-Mail: [email protected]: www.DoctorK.comProfessionals: Dr. Gary J. Kloberdanz

ORTHODONTIC ASSOCIATES OF GREELEY, PCProfessionals: Bradford N. Edgren, DDS, MS3400 W. 16thSt., Bldg 4-VGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 356-5900Website: www.drbradsmiles.com


TRiBUNE MEDiCAL DiRECTORY 2013ORTHOPEDICS

MOUNTAIN VISTA ORTHOPAEDICS 5890 W. 13th Street, Suite 101Greeley, COPhone: (970)348-0020Fax: (970)348-0044Web Site: www.bannerhealth.comProfessionals: Randy M. Bussey, MDRiley Hale, MDDaniel Heaston, MDThomas Pazik, MDKelly R. Sanderford, MDSteven Sides, MDLinda Young, MD

PEDIATRICSBANNER HEALTH CLINIC6801 W. 20th Street, Suite 201Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)350-5828www.bannerhealth.com Professionals: Amanda Harding, MDJames Sando, MD

PEDIATRIC REHABILITATIONBANNER REHABILITATION CENTER1801 16th StreetGreeley, COPhone: (970)350-6160Fax: (970)378-3858

PERSONAL RESPONSE SERVICE

BANNER LIFE LINE (NCMC)2010 16th Street, Suite CGreeley, CO 80631Phone: 1-877-493-8109(970) 378-4743

PHYSICAL THERAPY

HOPE THERAPY CENTER(Formerly North Colorado Therapy Center)2780 28th AvenueGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)339-0011Website: www.GCIinc.orgProfessionals: Chris Denham, PT; Kryste Haas, OT;Kathie Hertzke, PTA;Moni Kohlhoff, PT;Alex Luksik, PTA;Jeanne Rabe, PT;Howard Belon, PhD, Clinical Psychologist

NORTHERN COLORADOREHABILITATION HOSPITAL 4401 Union StreetJohnstown, CO 80534Phone: (970) 619-3400Website: [email protected]

PODIATRYFOOT & ANKLE CENTER OF NORTHERN COLORADO P.C.1931 65th Ave., Suite AGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 351-0900Fax: (970) 351-0940

4401 Union StreetJohnstown, CO 80534Phone: (970) 443-0925Web Site: www.footandanklecolorado.comProfessionals: Daniel J. Hatch, D.P.M. Mike D. Vaardahl, D.P.M.

PULMONARY/CRITICAL CARENORTH COLORADOPULMONARY (NCMC)1801 16th StreetGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)392-2026Professionals: Kelli Janata, DORobert Janata, DODavid Fitzgerlad, DOMichael Shedd, MDDanielle Dial, NP

PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS

CERTIFIED PROSTHETICS &ORTHOTICS, LLC (GREELEY LOCATION)1620 25th Avenue, Suite AGreeley, CO 80634Phone: 970-356-2123Fax: 970-352-4943

HANGER PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS7251 West 20th Street, Building MGreeley, CO 80634 Phone: (970)330-9449 Fax: (970)330-42172500 Rocky Mountain Avenue, Suite 2100North Medical Office Building Loveland CO 80538 Phone: (970) 619-6585 Fax (970) 619-6591Website: www.hanger.comProfessinal: Ben Struzenberg, CPOMichelle West, Mastectomy Fitter

REHABILITATION

ASCENT AT LIFE CARE CENTER 4800 25th StreetGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)330-6400Website: www.lcca.comProfessionals: Annie BennettLeslie Vail

BANNER REHABILITATIONPhone: (970)350-6160


PEAKVIEW MEDICAL CENTER5881 W. 16th St.Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)313-2775Fax: (970)313-2777

SKILLED CARE/REHAB

BONELL GOOD SAMARITAN708 22nd StreetGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)352- 6082Fax: (970)356-7970Website: www.good-sam.com

GRACE POINTE1919 68th Avenue Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 304-1919Website: www.gracepointegreeley.com

SPORTS MEDICINE

MOUNTAIN VISTA ORTHOPAEDICS 5890 W. 13th Street, Suite 101Greeley, COPhone: (970)348-0020Fax: (970)348-0044Web Site: www.bannerhealth.comProfessionals: Randy M. Bussey, MDRiley Hale, MDDaniel Heaston, MDThomas Pazik, MDKelly R. Sanderford, MDSteven Sides, MDLinda Young, MD

NORTH COLORADO SPORTS MEDICINE1801 16th StreetGreeley, COPhone: (970)392-2496

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

BANNER REHABILITATION CENTER1801 16th StreetGreeley, COPhone: (970)350-6160Fax: (970)378-3858


UNC SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY CLINICGunter Hall, Room 0330 Greeley, CO 80639Phone: (970)351-2012/TTYFax: (970)351-1601Web Site: www.unco.edu/NHS/asls/clinic.htmProfessionals: Lynne Jackowiak, M.S., CCC-SLPJulie Hanks, Ed.DPatty Walton, M.A., CCC-SLP

SURGERY GENERAL & TRAUMA

BARIATRIC SURGERY (NCMC)1800 15th Street, Suite 200Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)378-4433866-569-5926Fax: (970)378-4440Professionals: Michael W. Johnell, MD

SURGERY WESTERN STATES BURN CENTER (NCMC)1801 16th StreetGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)350-6607Fax: (970)350-6306Professionals: Gail Cockrell, MD Cleon W. Goodwin, MD BURN

SURGICAL ASSOCIATES OF GREELEY PC (NCMC)1800 15th St. Suite 210 Greeley, CO Phone: (970)352-8216Toll Free: 1-888-842-4141Professionals: Molly Decker, DO;Michael Harkabus, MD; Jason Ogren, MD;Samuel Saltz, DO; Robert Vickerman, MD

URGENT CARE

SUMMITVIEW URGENT CARE2001 70th AvenueGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)378-4155Fax: (970)378-4151www.bannerhealth.comProfessionals: Susan Beck, MDThomas Harms, MDSusan Kelly, MDAmy E. Shenkenberg, MDLinda Young, MD

UROLOGY

MOUNTAIN VISTA UROLOGY5890 W. 13th Street, Suite 106Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)378-1000Professionals:Curtis Crylen, MDDavid Ritsema, MDJames Wolach, MDwww.bannerhealth.com

VEINS

VEIN CLINIC (NCMC)1800 15th Street, Suite 340Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)378-4593Fax: (970)378-4591Professionals:Maurice I. Lyons Jr., DOKenneth M. Richards, MDGene E. Tullis, MD


Miller, a co-researcher at Michigan, that the noise-induced hearing loss prevention concoction could be available within two years.

In another study funded by the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation,researchers Dr. Robert Floyd and retired Army surgeon, Dr. Richard Kopke, M.D., discovered a combination of two compounds stopped damage to the inner ear caused by acute acoustic trauma – something like an IED exploding. Although they did not indicate what the compounds were they felt that,“This is a very exciting finding,” said Dr. Floyd, who holds the Merrick Foundation Chair in Aging Research at OMRF. “The research is still at a pre-clinical stage, but we’re hopeful that we soon can begin testing in humans.

More recently, Dr. Kathryn Campbell's work at Southern Illinois University involves the use of an antioxidant called D-methionine, a component of fermented protein

that is found in yogurt and cheese. The antioxidant, in concentrated doses, has been found to improve some forms of hearing loss and even prevent hearing loss before the exposure to noise. "We've been able to show in animal studies that if we give it before and after noise exposure, that we can get pretty full protection from noise-induced hearing loss," Campbell said. According to Campbell and her colleagues will continue their studies by looking at the effects of varying dosages of D-methionine on animal subjects exposed to different noises. They have already found that the drug can be given up to seven hours after the noise is experienced and still be effective. "It doesn't mean it's going to work for long-standing hearing loss, but it does mean that in the early stages, you could intervene and keep it from becoming permanent," she said. The research will then move into determining if even more time can elapse before the drug is given and the hearing loss becomes permanent. In a discussion in November 2012 Dr. Campbell stated that the human clinical trials with the U.S. Army are in the early planning stages, Campbell said.

So, with AuraQuell in field tests to defend against noise-induced hearing loss, the D-methionine possibilities also in clinical trial, and the ongoing stem cell research reported by Hearing International (www.hearinghealthmatters.org) last fall, a "morning after" pill for that tinnitus and noise induced hearing loss created the night before may soon be a simple swallow away.

Diabetes and Hearing Loss – Part IIDiabetes and hearing loss are two of America’s leading health concerns. While early studies were inconclusive, a recent four year study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published last year in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that patients with diabetes are more than twice as likely to have hearing loss as non-diabetics. This means that many of the approxi-mately 23.6 million diabetics in the United States

are predisposed for– or may already have – a hearing loss. Additionally, the study also indicated that among the 79 million adults thought to be pre-diabetic the rate of hearing loss is 30% higher than in those with normal blood sugar.

How Does Diabetes Contribute to Hearing Loss?A Japanese team, Horikawa et al (2013), found in gener-al that diabetics were 2.15 times more likely to have hearing loss than people without the disease. When their results were broken down by age, people under 60 had 2.61 times the risk while people over 60 had 1.58 times higher risk. Hori-kawa and colleagues col-lected information from 13 previous studies examining the link between diabetes

and hearing loss which were published between 1977 and 2011. Altogether, the data covered 7,377 diabetics and 12,817 people without the condition. While these data are overwhelming, some scientists caution that this kind of study does not prove that diabetes is directly responsible for the greater rate of hearing loss among those with the disease. A major study that supports audiologists’ suspicions that diabetes is linked to hearing loss was conducted by Bain-bridge, Hoffman, and Cowie (2011). They examined the risk factors of low/mid-fre-quency and high-frequency hearing impairment among a nationally representative sample of diabetic adults. Their data came from 536 participants, aged 20–69 years, with diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes who completed audiometric testing during 1999–2004 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Bainbridge et al. (2011) defined “hearing impairment” as a pure-tone average of greater than 25 dB HL for pure-tone thresh-olds and then identified independent diabetic risk factors using logistic regres-sion, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, and marital status, income poverty ratio, and healthiness. Audiogram A depicts those with low high-density lipoproteins (HDL) having better hearing and those with high HDL hav-ing worse hearing. The top audiogram in figure B shows those without coronary heart disease and the worse hearing is among those with coronary

heart disease. Figure C sug-gests the difference in hear-ing for those with peripheral neuropathy, with the pe-ripheral neuropathy patients having the worse of the two audiograms presented. Finally, Figure D presents the healthiness of the patients, with those in poor health having worse hearing.1. Low HDL or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, cor-onary heart disease, periph-eral neuropathy, and those in poor health are potentially preventable correlates of hearing impairment for peo-ple with diabetes.2. Some degree of hear-ing impairment affects over two-thirds of diabetic adults, about twofold high-er than that of the non-dia-betic population.4. Two-thirds of subjects with diabetes had high-fre-quency hearing impair-ment.5. Twenty-six percent also had low/mid-frequency hearing impairment.Bainbridge et al (2011) conclude their investigation with an interesting sum-mary:Hearing impairment is not widely recognized as a complication of diabetes despite its occurrence in as many as two-thirds of our diabetic sample. Among U.S. adults with diabetes, we identified a greater like-

lihood of hearing impairment for those who are older, non-Hispanic white, male, or who have lower income. Dia-betic subjects with low HDL, a history of coronary heart disease, symptoms of pe-ripheral neuropathy, or those who report poor health also exhibited a greater likelihood of hearing impairment.

So....What Does All this REALLY Mean?While some of the diabetes re-lated hearing impairment can be prevented, these data sug-gest that all diabetics should have their hearing evaluated to determine if their hearing is compromised by the disorder. If you have diabetes, ask your physician for a referral to an audiologist for hearing evalua-tion to rule out a hearing loss.

References:Bainbridge, K., Hoffman, H., & Cowie, C. (2011). Risk factors for hearing impairment among US Adults with Diabetes: National Health and Nutrition Exam-ination Survey 1999–2004. Diabetes Care. Volume 34, Number 7, pp. 1540–1545.Horikawa, C., Kodama, S., Tanaka, S., Fujihara, K., Yachi, Y., Yamada, N., Saito, K., & Sone, H. (2013). Endocrine Care, Volume 98, Number 1. http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/98/1/51.short

Figure 1

Bainbridge et al (2011) conclude their investigation with an interesting summary:

Hearing impairment is not widely recognized as a complication of diabetes despite its occurrence in as many as two-thirds of our diabetic sample. Among U.S. adults with diabetes, we identified a greater likelihood of hearing impairment for those who are older, non-Hispanic white, male, or who have lower income. Diabetic subjects with low HDL, a history of coronary heart disease, symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, or those who report poor health also exhibited a greater likelihood of hearing impairment.

So....What Does All this REALLY Mean? While some of the diabetes related hearing impairment can be prevented, these data suggest that all diabetics should have their hearing evaluated to determine if their hearing is compromised by the disorder. If you have diabetes, ask your physician for a referral to an audiologist for hearing evaluation to rule out a hearing loss.

References:

Bainbridge, K., Hoffman, H., & Cowie, C. (2011). Risk factors for hearing impairment among US Adults with Diabetes: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2004. Diabetes Care.

Volume 34, Number 7, pp. 1540–1545.

Horikawa, C., Kodama, S., Tanaka, S., Fujihara, K., Yachi, Y., Yamada, N., Saito, K., & Sone, H. (2013). Endocrine Care, Volume 98, Number 1. http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/98/1/51.short

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 2

Robert M. Traynor is the CEO and practicing audiologist at Audiology Associates, Inc., Greeley, Colorado with particular emphasis in amplification and operative monitoring. Dr. Traynor holds degrees from the University of Northern Colorado (BA, 1972, MA 1973, Ed.D., 1975), the University of Phoenix (MBA, 2006) as well as Post-Doctoral Study at Northwestern University (1984). He taught Audiology at the University of Northern Colorado (1973-1982), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (1976-77) and Colorado State University (1982-1993). Dr. Traynor is a retired Lt. Colonel from the US Army Reserve, Medical Service Corps and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Audiology at the University of Florida, the University of Colorado, and the University of Northern Colorado. For 17 years he was an Audiology Consultant to major hearing instrument and equipment manufacturers providing academic and product orientation for their domestic and international distributors. A clinician and practice manager for over 35 years, Dr. Traynor has lectured on most aspects of Audiology in over forty countries.

Author’s Bio:Robert M. Traynor,

Ed.D., MBA, FAAA

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December 2013 Thrive