July Springfield Healthy Cells 2012

July 2012 FREE

HealthyCellsM A G A Z I N Ewww.healthycellsmagazine.com

TM

areaPromotingHealthier Living in Your Community • Physical • Emotional • Nutritional

SPRINGFIELD/DECATUR

Maintaining BoundariesMaintaining Health page 6

When to See a Physician page 18

Manage Your Savings During Retirement with Income Investments page 20

Fresenius Medical CareOffers Home Dialysis in Springfield

page 14

ENTERTO WINSee pg. 26

If you need post-acute care after surgery, illness or injury, consider your clear choice for complex medical and rehabilitation care. Heartland is focused on getting you back to your life.

89%of patients came throughour doors and successfully returned home in the last 12 months*

*Percentage based on patients admitted for post-acute care 1st Quarter 2011 to 4th Quarter 2011 nationally.

in post-hospital care

• Complex Medical Care

• Intensive Rehabilitation

Y O U RCLEARCHOICE

A PROVEN LEADER IN

Heartland Health Care Center – Moline is rooted in the Moline community providing skilled nursing and rehabilitation services for those transitioning from hospital to home as well as long-term care services for those no longer able to manage at home. Our dedicated team is proud to touch the lives of hundreds of patients every day.

Heartland Health Care Center – Moline833 Sixteenth Avenue • Moline, IL 61265309.764.6744 • www.heartlandnursing.com

®

217.877.7333hcr-manorcare.com

Services:• Visiting Nurse: RN, LPN

• Certified Wound ostomy Nurse

• Physical Therapy

• Occuptional Therapy

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• Home Health Aide

• Medical Licensed Social Worker

• Medical Equipment

• Podiatry

Your Central Illinois Home Health Provider

3900 Pintail Drive, Suite A, Springfield, IL, 62711Phone: 217-726-6956 or Fax: 217-726-7082advancedhealthcareservices.org

• Medicare • Private Insurance • Workman’s Comp • Medicaid

Care will begin within 48 hours after a physician order is received.

When illness or injury affects a person’s ability to function independently, difficult choices must be made.

For those who wish to remain in the comfort of their home,

ADvAnCeD HeALtHCAre ServICeS, LLC can provide the necessay services and

support in your own home.

July 2012 — Springfield / Decatur — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 3

Toni Braxton encourages you to learn the signs of autism at autismspeaks.org

Early diagnosis can make a lifetime of difference.

Odds of having 3 multi-platinum albums

© 2010 Autism Speaks Inc. “Autism Speaks” and “It’s time to listen” & design are trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved. Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment.

This Month’s Cover Story:Volume 3, Issue 7

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Assistance:You Must Have Courage To BeWilling to Live Your Dream

Emotional:Maintaining Boundaries, Maintaining Health

Nutritional:Self Help

Physical:Strength and Balance for Life

Mobility For Living:Access 101

The Uncommon Cold:Catching a Cold When It’s WarmWhat’s the Deal with Summertime Sniffles?

Men’s Health:Fitness and Your Feet

Signs and Symptoms:When to See a Physician

Financial Health:Manage Your Saving During Retirement withIncome Investments

Supplements:The Health Benefits of Probiotics

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury:Post Concussive Symptoms

Grief Recovery:Emotional Jet Lag

Reader Survey

JULY 2012

Healthy Cells Magazine is intended to heighten awareness of health and fitness information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for medical attention. See your healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment. The opinions, statements, and claims expressed by the columnists, advertisers, and contributors to Healthy Cells Magazine are not necessarily those of the editors or publisher.

Healthy Cells Magazine is available FREE in high traffic locations throughout the Greater Springfield and Decatur area, including major grocery stores, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and health clubs. Healthy Cells Magazine is published monthly and welcomes contributions pertaining to healthier living. Limelight Communications, Inc. as-sumes no responsibility for their publication or return. Solicitations for articles shall pertain to physical, emotional, and nutritional health only.

Mission: The objective of Healthy Cells Magazine is to promote a stronger health-conscious community by means of offering education and support through the cooperative efforts among esteemed health and fitness professionals in the Springfield/Decatur Illinois area.

Healthy Cells Magazine is a division of:

1711 W. Detweiller Dr., Peoria, IL 61615 Ph: 309-681-4418 Fax: [email protected] • www.healthycellsmagazine.com

For information about this publication, contact Dave Molleck at LimeLight Communications, Inc., 309-681-4418, [email protected]


page 14


assistance

For many of us the weekends are a time for rest and relaxation; but for Donna Adams and her family,

it’s literally a celebration! Donna is the owner of a wedding and party planning business which specializes in creating themed weddings. Working out of her home allows Donna to be close to her family and they, in turn, have helped make her business a success. Donna’s husband, who is skilled at carpentry, designs and build sets, backgrounds, and props. Her imme-diate and extended family assist her in setting up the table arrangements and other specialty items for wed-dings and parties. This family support, coupled with the flexibility of working from home, allows Donna to have as-sistance on days when her Fibromyal-gia and Osteoarthritis make it difficult for her to complete certain tasks. Donna had always been employed in careers where she had demon-strated the ability to be creative and help others. She started out working in restaurants and bartending. From there she worked as an Activities Associate with Alzheimer patients and then as a Certified Nursing As-sistant. In 1997, she began having significant back pain and fatigue. As a result she was not able to continue working and didn’t know what her future held. In 2009, Donna visited the Division of Rehabilitation and began working with Vocational Counselor, Lynn Trovillion, in the Bloom-ington Field Office. As the counseling relationship developed, it was identified that Donna had participated in many activities through work and hobbies that were creative. One of those activities was helping to plan weddings, a hobby that Donna watched her mother do when she was younger. With the assistance and support from Lynn, Donna successfully completed all required course work to receive her certification as a wedding planner and obtain her food sanitation certificate. Lynn also referred Donna to SCORE (Counselors for America’s Small Businesses). Through SCORE, Donna was able to connect with some other, more experienced wedding planners, develop a detailed business plan, and connect with a small business operator who gave her space and supplies in a craft store. Together, DRS and SCORE helped Donna design business cards, an eye-catching portfolio, learn successful advertising methods, and get some needed business man-

agement software. Soon after, Special Moments Wedding & Party Planning was opened for business. Donna knows that without the support of DRS and the continued support and assistance from her family, she would not be able to live her dream. She has completed several weddings already and has had a steady stream of referrals. She loves what she does, especially build-ing a relationship with the bride and groom as she helps them to plan their special day. She feels that she is able to assist the happy couple with designing around their idea of the perfect day and to keep the event within a budget they can afford. Donna is hopeful that someday she can expand her wedding and party planning business. Donna is thankful for the support, guidance and encouragement that she has received from DRS and her family. Donna states, “You must have courage to be willing to live your dream; age does not matter. Keep trying and become good at self-advocacy. I recommend the services that DRS offers to anyone!” Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowhasadisabilityandishavingtroublefindingorkeepingajob,orisinterestedinfurtheringtheircareergoals,wecanhelp.Tolearnmore,call1-877-761-9780Voice,1-866-264-2149TTY,1-866-588-0401VP,orgotoourwebsiteatdrs.illinois.gov/success.Pleaseseeouradonpage12

You Must Have Courage ToBe Willing To Live Your Dream

Submitted by the Department of Rehabilitation Services

Page 6 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — July 2012

emotional

Years ago, I worked at a major university in the Midwest. A student came to me with a long list of concerns, chief among them some problems with his academics. He had

dark circles under his eyes that were so pronounced they almost seemed cartoonish, and he almost always showed up a little di-sheveled, even by your modern college student’s standards. In time, I learned that he studied and worked so much that he only got about 4 hours of sleep per night and at least once per week he had an “all-nighter” to get his schoolwork done. I am pretty confident that if you had met this young man, you and I would

agree that he was working pretty hard in school and was generally pretty gifted. Why then, was he doing so poorly, while working so hard and being so talented? The answer sat in his willingness to consistently push himself too far. By getting so little sleep, the hours upon hours that he spent studying became less and less productive with each passing week. The further behind he fell, the more he would compensate by giving away needed rest. He would promise to catch up on rest during the weekend, or school break, or over a holiday. As he kept deferring self-care, his grades continued to gradually drop.

Maintaining Boundaries, Maintaining Health

By Jason J. Siewert, PhD


He could not figure out why the added work was not resulting in improved grades and for weeks the dark circles got darker and he looked more and more exhausted for our morning meeting. Maybe this story is familiar to you. Maybe you are the kind of person who feels obligated to say “yes” to every request, or to produce perfect examples of the work you do. Maybe you are so invested in something that you willingly cut into your sleep time in order to get one more task done. While the sense of accomplish-ment associated with that much productivity can be very nice, it is important to be mindful of what can slowly get lost when one pushes themselves too far. Good mental health can have a considerable amount to do with the maintenance of appropriate boundaries. Almost every week, I have a conversation with somebody in my therapy office relating to letting go of some commitments or dealing with a sense of exhaus-tion. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in a day. Time that gets given to one activity needs to be borrowed from another, and all too often, individuals begin to treat their own downtime, family time and sleep time as if they are somehow less valuable or important than their other duties. When these pieces of personal time get sacrificed for something else, things can begin to fall apart in a predictable chain-reaction. Like so many things in nature, to carry on in a sustainable way, things need to be replaced at the rate that they are used. Through our sessions, this young man eventually learned that his downtime was important too, and when he got adequate rest, he was able to accomplish in four hours what used to take him six. The work performed in those four hours was of much higher quality and his focus was much better. He learned to consistently produce outstanding work without fixating on it being absolutely perfect, and the time he saved was well invested in caring for himself and ensuring adequate rest and recovery. He learned that while he could always work a tiny bit more on his various projects, it was not always a good idea to actually do so. By enforcing a few simple boundaries around his work and personal life, he was able to produce better work while using less actual time for it. With a few nights of good sleep, the circles disappeared and his grades eventually rose to a level that he could be satisfied with. He got to have his cake and eat it too, and did it by doing less, not more. PsychologySpecialistsisagroupofdoctorsandcounselorswithabroadrangeofspecialtieswhohelppeoplewithalltypesofmen-talandemotionalhealth.Formore informationonhowtodevelopcopingskillsandsetappropriateboundaries,contactPsychologySpecialistsat640-0782orvisitwww.psychologyspecialists.com.

"Good mental health can

have a considerable amount

to do with the maintenance

of appropriate boundaries."

Julie Hale Miller Tom Hale

Chatham

217-483-4355

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Do you ever notice at the beginning of the year all the articles or television shows about how to finally get what you want…do what you want…get your life in order…make more money…do

this or that better in the new year? Bookstores seem to be overflowing with books on how to improve on anything, making the new year bet-ter than the last. I think most of them have great merit, and I am all for anything that motivates us to be our best. I am all for anything that increases our self-confidence and lets us hold our head up high. I am all for anything that makes us feel better about ourselves. Where am I going with this? Well, while I think the books are great (TheSecret, for example), I feel that what increases our self-confidence and feeling of self-worth the most of anything is being a bodybuilder. Do I mean a bodybuilder, as in a person who stands on stage barely clothed and painted in tanner? No, not necessarily, although it can be. See, I feel anyone who lifts weights, does their cardio, and adheres to a sound nutrition plan is indeed a “bodybuilder.” That is what you are doing when you put great effort into weight training…you are “building”

your body. That is what you do when you nourish your body with good food. You are “building” your body! I do not see weight training as just a way to strength your “outer” person, (your muscles) but it has profound effect our your “inner” person. It makes you strong inside and out! The level of confidence that a person can obtain from a pair of dumbbells is truly amazing. Staying dedicated to this lifestyle may not always be easy, but do we usually benefit from the “easy’ things? We usually reap the most benefit from the hardest of things. It takes determination and dedication, and I truly feel this carries over in to all areas of your life. Do your mind and your body good…develop a strong inner per-son and you will have the confidence you need to tackle anything that comes your way. When I am in the gym and someone comes up to me and asks if I am a bodybuilder, I love replying, “Yes, we both are!” I love the looks on their face when I say that; but even more, I love explaining to them why I think that!!

Formoreinformation,visitwww.karengonline.com.

Self HelpBy Karen Geninatti, Ace Certified Personal Trainer, National Level Competitive Bodybuilder

nutritional


Tortilla CasseroleIngredients:4 low carb tortillas (I use buena vista low carb whole

wheat) (45-60 calories)1 lb ground turkey breast1 tsp low sodium taco seasoning¾ cup shredded non-fat cheese.1 small can no salt added tomato sauce

Directions: Cook turkey in pan on top of stove until done, chopped up. Add taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Spray a small baking dish with Pam. Layer tortillas, meat and cheese until all are used. (4 Layers of each) Bake in 350 degree oven approximately 25 minutes Let cool and cut into four pieces.

Makes 4 servings

Approx per serving:200 calories37 grams Protein11 grams Carbs6 grams fat

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Jill is an ABC Certified Post Mastectomy and Lymphedema Fitter and ABC Certified Prosthetic and Orthotic Assistant. Her focus is on providing exceptional care and education to breast cancer and Lymphedema patients while maintaining a balanced schedule by assisting in orthotic and prosthetic patient care. Jill brings a variety of skills to the CPO Team and wants to better the lives of here patients in any way possible.


physical

Strength andBalance for Life

Submitted by FitClub


Our population is aging, and one in three adults, age 65 and older, falls each year. A large percentage of those who fall suffer injuries that make it hard for them to live inde-

pendently and increase their risk of an early death. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than they are for injuries from other causes. In 2000, falls among older adults cost the U.S. health care system over $19 billion dollars or $28.2 billion in 2012 dollars. More importantly, many of these falls cost seniors their independence. The best way for seniors to protect their health and indepen-dence from fall-related injuries is by participating in an exercise program that improves balance and strengthens core muscles. A new fitness program called Dynamic Training has been designed to increase core strength and balance to improve how seniors func-tion in their daily lives. Dynamic Training sessions are conducted by a NASM certified personal trainer and limited to groups of two to six participants. Small group training enables the trainer to cus-tomize each exercise to the participant. Dynamic Training is built on the principles of functional training models, and it develops a kind of strength useful to moving through your daily work or home life. It is especially helpful to older people who want to stay inde-pendent as they continue to age. Being able to carry out daily tasks without help is a big concern for people who are getting older. “Dynamic Training will allow our older members to keep their independence, and they will be con-fident that they can carry groceries in from the car, climb stairs and lift things onto high shelves,” says Dr. Kevin Imhoff, a local Springfield chiropractor and owner of FitClub. “Balance training is

a big part of Dynamic Training, and although it can be tailored to fit any age group, seniors can really improve their lives with good balance and stability.” The exercises included in Dynamic Training are based on strengthening the muscles we all use on a daily basis. By focus-ing on fitness in this way, seniors’ lives can be improved in a very direct and tangible way. Justin Angel, FitClub Fitness Specialist says, “Dynamic Training incorporates the most important aspects of exercising: stability, core, balance, and strength. These are cru-cial elements for any age group and any fitness level.” Through keeping an active lifestyle and practicing the func-tional-based fitness model found in Dynamic Training, older adults have a way to improve their quality of life and increase their ability to live independently.

Formore informationonthisprogramandother fitnessques-tions,pleasecontactFitClubat217-787-8348orvisitourwebsiteatwww.fitclub.net.

Dialysis. Near where you live.Near where you work.14 locations in the Central Illinois area.

Home dialysis available.

(217) 423-6760

Beverly J. MatthewsLicensed Clinical Psychologist

Central IllinoisNeuropsychological

Professional Counseling1124 S 5th St.Springfield, IL

Decatur217-876-7929

Springfield217-825-9010

[email protected]

5130 Hickory Pt Frontage Rd Suite 260Decatur, IL


What began as a project for his son, who had become paralyzed from the waist down in an accident, has become the “Martin Conquest.” Alan Martin, company founder, is the creator of

the world’s first high performance wheelchair accessible motorcycle. Starting off its life as an 850 cc machine, the concept progressed through the classical stages of new product development. As early pro-totypes were created, serious interests were attracted from outside in-vestors. The current production model features a robust 1200 cc motor beginning with the front end of a BMW R1200R motorcycle which is welded to an aluminum frame with two rear alloy wheels. Conventional steering, a reverse gear and limited slip rear-wheel differential provide all the required functionality, while a streamline fiberglass body gives the Conquest 1200 its unique presence and style. Shortly behind the handle bars the Conquest takes on an entirely different look and attitude, providing a level of performance and inde-pendence that was previously unattainable. The Conquest 1200 has been designed for people with disabilities from the waist down. Drivers simply roll their wheelchair onto the vehicle via an automated access

ramp, secure their chair in the locking mechanism and operate all con-trols with their hands. Originally produced in the U.K., the Conquest has recently been introduced to the U.S. through a partnership with Mobility Conquest and will be distributed by select mobility dealers throughout the U.S. While only about 4% of the U.S. population rides motorcycles, the number of wheelchair users who are able to enter and exit the Con-quest 1200 unassisted are significantly few, as the effort needed to gain access to the driver’s compartment requires above average strength and the ability to grip the handrails. The bike has a weight capacity of about 560 lbs; it can be used with power or manual wheelchairs that are 27” wide at the wheels and 30” at the armrests, and is available with a fold-down rear seat for an ambulatory rider to ride along.

Formore [email protected].

Access 101By Gerry Davis, Personal Mobility

mobility for living

Have a disabilityand need a job?

“My Success can be Your Success!”

drs.illinois.gov/success

Printed by authority of the State of Illinois 10/11

Healthy Cells Ad - Donna Adams 2_Layout 1 10/12/11 4:11 PM Page 1 (Black plate)


the uncommon cold

Catching a Cold When It’s WarmWhat’s the Deal with Summertime Sniffles?

Information from www.nih.gov

Most everyone looks forward to summer—time to get away, get outside and have some fun. So what could be more unfair

than catching a cold when it’s warm? How can cold symptoms arise when it’s not cold and flu season? Is there any way to dodge the summertime sniffles? More than 200 different viruses can cause cold symptoms. Each can bring the sneezing, scratchy throat and runny nose that can be the first signs of a cold. The colds we catch in winter are usu-ally triggered by the most common viral infections in humans, a group of germs called rhinoviruses. Rhinoviruses and a few other cold-causing viruses seem to survive best in cooler weather. Their numbers surge in September and begin to dwindle in May. During summer months, the viral landscape begins to shift. “Generally speaking, summer and winter colds are caused by different viruses,” says Dr. Michael Pichichero, a pediatrician and infectious disease researcher at the Rochester General Hospi-tal Research Institute in New York. “When you talk about summer colds, you’re probably talking about a non-polio enterovirus infection.” Enteroviruses can infect the tissues in your nose and throat, eyes, digestive system, and elsewhere. A few enteroviruses can cause polio, but vaccines have mostly eliminated these viruses from Western countries. Far more widespread are more than 60 types of non-polio enteroviruses. They’re the second most common type of virus—after rhinovirus—that infects humans. About half of people with enterovirus infections don’t get sick at all. But nationwide, enteroviruses cause an estimated 10 million to 15 million illnesses each year, usually between June and October. Enteroviruses can cause a fever that comes on suddenly. Body tem-peratures may range from 101 to 104 °F. Enteroviruses can also cause

mild respiratory symptoms, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and gastrointestinal issues like nausea or vomiting. “All age groups can be affected, but like most viral infections, en-terovirus infections predominate in childhood,” says Pichichero. Adults may be protected from enterovirus infections if they’ve developed an-tibodies from previous exposures. But adults can still get sick if they encounter a new type of enterovirus. Less common enteroviruses can cause other symptoms. Some can lead to conjunctivitis, or pinkeye—a swelling of the outer layer of the eye and eyelid. Others can cause an illness with rash. In rare cases, enteroviruses can affect the heart or brain. To prevent enterovirus infections, says Pichichero, “it’s all about blocking viral transmission.” The viruses travel in respiratory secretions, like saliva or mucus, or in the stool of an infected person. You can become infected by direct contact. Or you might pick up the virus by touching contaminated surfaces or objects, such as a telephone, door-knob or baby’s diaper. “Frequent hand washing and avoiding exposure to people who are sick with fever can help prevent the spread of infec-tion,” says Pichichero. The summer colds caused by enteroviruses generally clear up with-out treatment within a few days or even a week. But see a healthcare provider if you have concerning symptoms, like a high fever or a rash.

Formoreinformation,pleasevisitwww.nih.gov.

Treating a ColdThere’s no cure for a cold, but you can relieve symptoms by:• Resting in bed.• Drinking plenty of fluids.• Taking acetaminophen—Tylenol, for example—

for headache or fever.• Gargling with warm salt water or using ice chips, throat sprays

or lozenges for a sore throat.• Using a decongestant or saline nasal spray for nasal symptoms.


feature story


Home Treatments Can Offer Patients Greater Independence,Convenience, and Health Benefits

By Kathy Olson, Director of Operations, Fresenius Medical Care

Jean Swanson, a home dialysis patientat Fresenius Medical Care North Peoria,

enjoys tending to her garden andtaking care of her house.


There are 26 million Americans who have chronic kidney dis-ease (CKD), and millions more are at increased risk and may not even know it. When CKD leads to kidney failure or end-

stage renal disease (ESRD), the only treatments are a kidney trans-plant or dialysis. According to the U.S. Renal Data System, more than 17,000 people in Illinois are currently on dialysis. When people are diagnosed with ESRD, they are faced with important decisions that will directly impact their future health and lifestyle. One of their first decisions, made in conjunction with their physician, is to choose what type of dialysis they will receive, and where they will go for treatment. There are several different types of dialysis treatments available, including in-center hemodialysis, in-center nocturnal, home hemodialysis and (home-based) perito-neal dialysis. The most common type of dialysis treatment is in-center he-modialysis, and the majority of these patients go to a clinic three times a week for treatments lasting three to four hours at a time. Numerous research studies have confirmed the advantages of home-based therapies, which give patients more flexibility in their treatment schedules and can lead to healthier lifestyles. Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), one of the nation’s leading network of dialysis facilities, offers support for home dialysis treatment. FMCNA operates more than 110 clinics in Illinois, and encourages CKD patients and those at risk for the disease to learn about all the treatment options and choose the one that best fits their lifestyle. Home dialysis can be especially beneficial for patients who lead active lives and want more time to spend with family and enjoy activities.

Lifestyle Benefits Home dialysis helps patients maintain the lifestyle they are ac-customed to and often gives them a greater sense of control over their health care. When patients dialyze in the comfort of home and perform treatments on their own schedule, they may feel more em-powered to live healthy, active lifestyles. Some patients are even able to maintain jobs, go to school, or volunteer for causes that give them a greater sense of purpose in life. Home dialysis patients also don’t need to make trips to the clinic multiple times a week, which means they avoid the cost and challenge of arranging transportation. Leading a more flexible, active lifestyle isn’t the only reason that many patients choose home dialysis. There is growing evidence that home dialysis leads to improved patient outcomes, increased longevity and reduced risk of hospitalization. Home dialysis pa-tients also may experience fewer side effects—such as fatigue or muscle cramps. Furthermore, they may have less dietary restric-tions, and may require fewer medications.

Two Types of Home Dialysis When patients decide to try home dialysis, they can choose from two different treatment options. One option is home hemo-dialysis and the other is peritoneal dialysis (PD) done in the home setting. For both options, FMCNA provides initial in-center training for the patient and their primary caregiver, as well as all the neces-sary supplies and equipment. Home hemodialysis enables patients to dialyze with hemodialy-sis equipment, similar to the treatment station set-up most typi-cally used in a clinic. PD also filters the blood, but instead of using an artificial kidney, PD uses the thin membrane that lines the ab-dominal cavity. When a fluid called dialysate is introduced to the abdominal cavity, the chemical properties of the fluid draw toxins out of the blood vessels through the membrane, thus filtering the blood. When the filtering process is complete, the dialysate (along with the toxins) is drained from the abdominal cavity.

Although home dialysis patients administer treatments at home with their caregiver, FMCNA closely monitors all patients, who come into the clinic once a month for routine blood testing and to meet with their healthcare team.

Educating Patients on Treatment Choice There is a growing movement within the renal community to encourage patients to consider if home dialysis might be right for them. Although not every patient will be interested in a home-based therapy, patients should be informed about all of the treat-ment options available, and the potential benefits to their lifestyle. When patients are educated about their treatment options, they can pick a modality that works for their lifestyle, and often become more invested in their overall care. Education is especially helpful for late-stage CKD patients, be-fore they reach kidney failure. Teaching patients and their families at this stage provides them with a better understanding of their condition, how to manage living with dialysis, and the knowledge to select the treatment modality that best fits their lifestyle. To better inform late-stage CKD patients, FMCNA hosts Treatment Options Program (TOPs) sessions at no cost for anyone who

feature story

Jean Swanson has been dialyzing at her home inHeyworth since she began dialysis in 2006.


wants to learn more about CKD and the treatments for kidney failure. During the sessions, educators discuss dialysis and kidney transplants to help attendees choose a treatment, and also talk about managing CKD and patient support services. TOPs is open to the public and is designed for CKD patients who may need dialysis, or want to be prepared by learning about their treatment options early in the progression of their disease. The program also educates existing dialysis patients who are in-terested in learning about alternative treatment options. People at risk for CKD are also encouraged to attend a TOPs session. This includes those with diabetes or high blood pressure, ethnic groups at high risk for CKD (including African Americans, Asians, Hispanics and Native Americans), senior citizens and peo-ple with a family history of CKD. FMCNA offers home dialysis and TOPs sessions in clinics across the U.S. For more information, call toll-free 1-877-TOPS-LIFE (1-877-867-7543) or visit www.ultracare-dialysis.com/tops.

A Patient’s Perspective Jean Swanson is a 55-year-old dialysis patient in Heyworth, Illinois who started home dialysis in 2006. Swanson’s doctor

recommended home treatment for her because she enjoys many activities and has a solid support network with her husband and children. She is now part of the home dialysis program at Fresenius Medical Care North Peoria, located at 10405 N. Juliet Court. When she first started dialysis, Swanson took several different medications, but after five years of treatment she no longer takes any medicine and her treatments help her stay active during the day. “Home dialysis is easy on my body, and I feel vibrant and ener-getic most of the time,” says Swanson. Swanson’s kidney failure was caused by polycystic kidney dis-ease, and both of her children, ages 30 and 28, also have the disease but are not yet on dialysis. Swanson says she has “100 reasons” to stay positive and compliant with her dialysis and live a healthy life. She wants to set a good example for her children since they will one day require dialysis treatment or kidney transplants. One of the main reasons Swanson prefers home dialysis is that it allows her to schedule treatments around her activities. She en-joys spending time outdoors gardening and tending the yard, es-pecially when the weather is nice. Exercise is an important part of her life, and she rides a stationary bike and lifts weights daily. She also enjoys taking daily walks with her 150-pound Great Pyrenees dog, Jelly Bean. Swanson has an optimistic outlook on life, and says that home treatment helps her feel good and maintain her active lifestyle. When other patients are considering home dialysis, Swanson will sometimes invite them over and show them her setup, and talk about the benefits of home dialysis. “My doctor and nurses made the right decision recommending home dialysis for me, and I’m happy to talk to other patients about it because it has made such a big difference in my life,” she says.

Formoreinformationonlocalclinics,pleaseseethelist of locations below and call the clinic closest toyou.FormoreinformationaboutTOPsclassesinyourarea and other helpful information about managingCKD,pleasevisitwww.ultracare-dialysis.com.

Fresenius Medical Care Decatur1830 S. 44th StreetDecatur, IL 62521ph: 1-217-423-6760

Fresenius Medical Care East Decatur Home Dialysis302 W. Hay Street, Suite 207Decatur, IL 62526ph: 1-217-876-8663

Fresenius Medical Care East Peoria3300 North Main StreetEast Peoria, IL 61611ph: 1-309-698-6588

Fresenius Medical Care Peoria Downtown410 Romeo B. Garrett Ave.Peoria, IL 61605ph: 1-309-637-4100

Fresenius Medical Care Peoria North10405 N. Juliet CourtPeoria, IL 61615ph: 1-309-243-2200

feature story (continued)

Home dialysis options can offer patients lifestyle benefits and flexibility in their treatment schedules. Jean Swanson

enjoys spending her leisure time with her daughter, Kirstie.


Athletics and recreational programs are in full swing as we move into the summer months and despite the differences among the sports, all participants are susceptible to foot problems. This

time of year is especially important for people to avoid foot problems if they are beginning an exercise program. Here are some of the more common questions my patients ask and helpful tips to prevent foot and ankle injuries during exercise, tennis, golf, and running.

What can I do to prevent injuries when I start working out? It’s important to consult your physician before you begin a fitness program. This includes a complete physical and a foot exam. Condition yourself properly to include all-around body strength and flexibility. Select shoes especially designed for the activity you are participating in. Follow proper foot care hygiene and stretch your muscles, particularly at the calf, before and after play. Pay attention to what your feet are telling you.

What are the common foot problems playing tennis? Tennis is particularly stressful on your feet because of the quick starts and stops and lateral movements from side to side. The most common problems are ankle sprains, stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, and tennis toe.

What are the best ways to prevent injury? If you have weak ankles or history of sprains, wear a simple ankle brace inside your shoe. Select a stable tennis shoe that is not too rigid and provides flexibility to perform. The shoe should provide durable toe support. Custom orthotics is recommended to provide arch and joint support. Proper warm-up and stretching are also important. These actions will help prevent injuries, relieve foot pain, and extend playing time.

What are the common foot problems associated with golf? Golf is stressful on your feet and ankles because of excessive walk-ing up and down hills. The most common problems golfers have are tendonitis, capsulitis, and ligament sprains and pulls that keep the golf enthusiasts off the greens. Improper shoes can also bring blisters, neu-romas, and other foot and ankle pain.

men’s health

What are the best ways to prevent injury? Walking up and down hills is a normal motion and it puts abnormal stress on your Achilles tendon; and walking on uneven surfaces puts a lot of strain on the tendons along the outer portion of the ankle. If you don’t stretch before hand, you will put a lot of wear and tear on your muscles that may lead to severe tendonitis. If you use arch supports in your shoes, you will be surprised how much better your feet feel at the end of a round of golf.

What are some of the common foot problems associated with running? Gravity tends to come into play more during running and a consider-able more stress is placed on your feet. The 26 bones, 33 joints, 112 ligaments, and network of tendons, nerves, and blood vessels all work together in the foot while running and take on maximum stress. The most common foot problems that occur are blisters, corns, calluses, Athletes foot, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis.

What is the best way to prevent injury? Runners should properly condition their body, build a routine, and stretch their muscles, tendons, and ligaments before and after each run. Proper running shoes are critical. Shoes should provide flexibility in the right places to help with shock absorption. More rigidity is needed in the middle of the foot. The heel should sit low in the shoe and the cushioned sole should be slightly wider than a walking shoe to absorb impact. Custom orthotics will reduce stress on lower extremities and allow you to run with less fatigue. Keep your feet powdered and dry and wear clean socks. Shoes hold moisture so alternate shoes with each run. If you develop recurring and/or increasing aches and pains, contact a physician to help pinpoint the problem and prevent more serious injury or long-term damage to your feet.

FormoreinformationcontactTheFootandAnkleCenterofIllinoisat217-787-2700orvisitmyfootandanklecenter.com

Fitness and Your FeetBy Dr. John Sigle, DPM


What signs and symp-toms indicate true under ly ing medi-

cal disorders? What should prompt urgent medical atten-tion? What is of great concern; what is less so? When is less urgent attention appropriate? What can wait; what cannot wait? When should I ask a cli-ent or employee to see a phy-sician? When should I see a physician? These are the most common questions from both patients as well as non-medical personnel such as social work-ers, counselors, therapists, su-pervisors, and employers, all of whom are involved in the day-to-day health concerns of their clients and co-workers. This brief but comprehensive two-part guide offers concise answers to these questions. It is probably best suited to those situations in which individu-als confront, for the first time, particular signs and symptoms. This guide contains generaliza-tions that cannot substitute for the specific advice of personal physicians. It is not a guide to diagnosis. Familiarization with the content of this guide should not lead the reader to forego vitally im-portant periodic physician consultations that not only address risk factors and potentially harmful lifestyles, but that also screen for as-ymptomatic disease processes before signs and symptoms appear. In general, common sense should prevail. Obviously, sick or injured people require medical attention. When the significance of a sign or symptom is not so obvious, reference to this guide will prove helpful.

Immediate Attention Needed The following signs and symptoms indicate serious disorders that requireimmediate medical attention. Physicians often refer to these signs and symptoms as “cardinal manifestations of disease.” • Bleeding: Large amounts of bleeding anywhere in the body and/

or coughing up or vomiting blood, even if the amount is not large. • Pain: Types of pain to report are: ∙ Severe pain anywhere in the body, especially pain that is

recurrent or prolonged (lasting more than 10-20 minutes) ∙ Chest pain, especially if it is located over a large area of the

chest, and/or accompanied by one or more of the following: shortness of breath, palpitations (sensations of rapid flutter-

ing heartbeat), sweating, dizziness, sputum, production, fever; vague, generalized, or pressure-like chest pain, even if not severe, is worrisome, especially in people over 35 years of age. (Note: Chest pain that is fleeting and/or involving a very discrete, small part of the chest is generally not worrisome.)

∙ Abdominal pain is another symptom that should not be ig-nored, especially if accompanied by one or more of the fol-lowing; nausea: vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or blood per rectum. Symptoms including swelling,discharge,redness,and/orheat may also warrant a physician’s examination. The presence of two or more of these together anywhere in the body is cause for concern. Pain is almost always present, as is usually fever.

• Shortness of Breath: especially if severe, prolonged, or accom-panied by one or more of the following: Chest pain, wheezing, palpitations, sweating or cyanosis (purple color of the lips, digits, or skin), cough or sputum production, should not be ignored. Also suddenshortness of breath that lasts more than 10 min-utes, even if not accompanied by other symptoms, should be taken seriously. (Note: Fleeting shortness of breath or shortness of breath occurring after much exertion but then abating after a brief period of time is not generally of concern.)

When to See a Physician A unique guide will help you to better health.

By Dr. Eli Goodman, Advanced Healthcare Services

signs and symptoms


signs and symptoms

• High fever: 102°F (39°C) or greater—especially if accompanied by one or more of the following: severe chills (shakes, rigors), weakness, pain, discharges, or stiff neck—should be reported to your physician immediately to avoid other risks and complications.

• Blood pressure: If measuring greater than 180/120mmHg, your physician should be notified.

Other Signs and Symptoms Requiring Immediate Medical Attention: • Loss of consciousness. • Seizures (especially if occurring for the first time). • Sudden weakness, paralysis, or abnormal sensations (such as

numbness or tingling) in an extremity, side of the body, mouth, face or tongue.

• Sudden garble in speech or inability to speak.• Sudden confusion or delirium. • Sudden pain in eye. • Sudden loss of vision or blurring in one or both eyes or double

vision. • Severe dizziness (lightheadedness) or vertigo (sensation of spin-

ning in space). • Severe headache. • Server nausea or vomiting. • Severe diarrhea. • Inability to urinate. • Sudden onset of palpitations that lasts more than 10-15 minutes,

especially if accompanied by shortness of breath and/or chest pain. • Measured resting pulse greater than 140 beats per minute.

Needs Attention, Not Immediate he following signs and symptoms do not require immediate medical attention, but each is significant enough to warrant medi-cal evaluation within several days to at most several weeks. • Disturbances to the nervous system: Frequent or prolonged

depression and/or anxiety, recurrent headaches, longstanding problems with vision or hearing, impairment of memory or in-tellectual functions (especially if there is significant worsening), tremor (uncontrollable shaking of the hands), and/or difficulty walking or maintaining balance.

• Disturbances of the heart and lungs: Longstanding short-ness of breath (at rest or after exertion), shortness of breath that occurs upon lying flat or that awakens from sleep, occasional palpitations or chest pain (at rest or after exertion), frequent or prolonged cough: with or without sputum (mucus or pus) pro-duction, wheezing (asthma), and/or chest pain made worse by taking a deep breath.

• Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract: Difficulty or pain on swallowing, recurrent or prolonged mild to moderate ab-dominal pain (including ‘heartburn’ or ‘indigestion’), frequent or prolonged diarrhea or constipation, change of bowel movement habits or appearance (especially if stool becomes black, clay colored, bulky, greasy, or if blood or discharge is present), fre-quent or prolonged nausea or vomiting, sustained loss of ap-petite, frequent or prolonged indigestion, incontinence of stool, and/or pain on passing stool.

• Disturbances of the urinary tract: Pain, burning, discharge, or blood on urination, cloudy urine, or urine that appears orange-red or brown colored, constant need to urinate, difficulty starting or stopping the urinary stream, and/or incontinence of urine.

• Disturbances of the reproductive system: Pain or swell-ing in the testicles/scrotum, pain, swelling, or discharge in the vagina, change in menstrual pattern or flow, markedly irregular

menstrual periods, vaginal bleeding not related to menstruation, painful menstruation, pain during intercourse, impotence, and/or pain, lump, swelling, discharge, or discoloration of a breast (male or female).

• Disturbances in the muscular system: Worsening arthritis of one or more joints, pain, swelling, deformity, or loss of func-tion of any muscles, bones, joints, or spine, either at rest or after movement, and/or muscle weakness, either localized or generalized.

• Disturbances of the skin: Report sores or ulcers (especially those not healing), rashes (including spots, hives, blisters: es-pecially those involving large areas of the skin), inappropriate tanning, redness, color change of the entire skin, yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice), small or large bruises that occur spontaneously or out of proportion to injury, prolonged itching (with or without a rash), excessive pallor (paleness), change in hair growth or distribution (excluding “pattern” baldness in men), and/or growths (especially new ones or changes ones).

• Disturbances of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat: Poor or worsening vision (especially if accompanied by eye pain), poor or worsening hearing, ringing in the ears (especially if recent onset), frequent nosebleeds, sores, pain, swelling, or discharge in the nose, mouth, gums, or jaw, and/or change in voice.

• Changes in weight: Unexplained weight loss or weight gain (in general, changes in body weight greater than 10% are of signifi-cant concern) and marked obesity or thinness.

• Blood pressure: If measuring greater than 150/90 mmHg (either number), while resting, should be reported to your physician.

Other signs and symptoms requiring medical evaluation:• Changes in facial expression or contour. • Constant fatigue, malaise, or general weakness. • Prolonged bleeding after minor cuts or injuries. • Frequent infections. • Swollen glands. • Elevated temperature, especially if present longer than one week. • Inappropriate sweating (at rest, in cool weather, or while asleep). • Episodic or constant swelling of legs, feet, arms, hands, face,

or abdomen. • Constant thirst, hunger, or urination. • Resting pulse rate greater than 90 beats per minute.

For more information about Advanced Healthcare, pleasecontactShannonLionbergerat217-726-6956.


You’ve spent many years planning for retirement and since that time is finally near, you may wonder where to invest your money and whether or not your savings will last throughout

retirement. Many newly retired investors think switching to a con-servative investment approach is best. However, the growth of your savings after retirement is just as important as when you first started saving. According to the most recent information from the U.S. Census Bureau, the average retirement age is 62.1 The National Center for Health Statistics indicates that men have an average life expec-tancy of age 75 and women have an average life expectancy of age 80.2 Since both men and women can expect to live many years

after retirement, it’s important to keep retirement savings growing so your savings will last throughout retirement. Making the wrong investment choices could endanger your long-term financial security. That’s why it’s important to seek ad-vice from a qualified professional. A professional can help you de-termine the best way to manage your portfolio during retirement, including re-evaluating your investment strategy and selecting an appropriate amount of income to withdraw each year.

What investment strategy should I consider? Many financial planners suggest new retirees stay with a diversi-fied asset mix that includes a substantial percentage of stock in-

financial health

Manage Your Savings DuringRetirement with Income Investments

Submitted by Country Financial


vestments. This is important because over time, inflation can have a crippling effect on retirement savings. For example, even at a relatively low 3 percent annual inflation rate, a $40,000 retirement spending goal today will become a $54,000 retirement spending goal in 10 years. Although stocks and stock mutual funds are riskier than other investment types, these investments can increase your potential for portfolio growth and help counter the effects of inflation.

Develop a plan to spend investment assets New retirees should focus on developing a plan for spending in-vestment assets. When determining the amount of money to with-draw from your retirement plan each year, consider your goals. For example, do you want to leave an inheritance or conserve assets for later in retirement? Choose a practical annual draw (the amount you decide to with-draw each year) and be prepared to change that amount as your investment returns fluctuate. For example, if you experience good investment results early in retirement, you may decide to spend more. But if the market declines, you may need to take less from your portfolio to conserve assets for later. Even during retirement your investment choices are as impor-tant as when you first began to save. Keeping a diversified portfolio that will grow faster than the rate of inflation and choosing an ap-propriate amount for an annual draw will help preserve your assets for many years. Talk to a COUNTRY Financial representative for help in determining an investment plan tailored to meet your retire-ment needs.3

1 U.S. Census Bureau, 2010.2 U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, 2010.3 Investment management, retirement, trust and planning services provided by

COUNTRY Trust Bank,® a part of COUNTRY® Financial, Bloomington, Ill. Products of COUNTRY Trust Bank are not FDIC insured, not guaranteed and may lose value.

financial health


Probiotics seem to be getting a lot of attention lately, mul-tiple large companies have started advertising their health benefits on television as the best thing since sliced bread.

In reality, they’ve been around for a long time helping to boost the immune system and preventing illness. Many cultures have enjoyed the benefits of fermented foods that contain the beneficial bacteria to keep their gut healthy and their immune system sup-ported. Think sauerkraut in Germany, kimchee in Asian countries and yogurt in multiple other societies where they have enjoyed the benefits of these foods for centuries. Let’s start with the facts behind probiotics. The root of the word probiotic comes from the Greek word pro, meaning “promoting” and biotic, meaning “life.” Generally probiotics are described as live microorganisms; which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. The intestinal mi-croflora maintains a balance between “good” bacteria and “bad” bacteria which is necessary for optimal health. Things like medica-tions (antibiotics in particular), diet, diseases, and the environment can unfortunately upset that balance and lead to intestinal distress.

Constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel, even inflammatory bowel illnesses are more prevalent in those with an unbalanced gut mi-croflora as this directly impacts the immune system.

What is the gut? You’ve no doubt heard saying a “gut feeling” which is a sense you have about something without really knowing why. This comes from the fact that many of us experience emotions in the gut area. Think about where you would physically feel a “gut feeling.” Re-search has shown that the network of neurons lining our guts is so extensive that is has now been nicknamed our “second brain”. This “second brain” is known as the enteric nervous system. It is a collection of neurons in the gastrointestinal tract. Its role is to manage every aspect of digestion in all the organs of the gastro-intestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon. This gut “brain” doesn’t think for us, but it does play a key role in certain diseases and communicates with the brain via neurotransmitters and neuropeptides utilizing over 100 million neurons in the process. The majority of our neurotransmitter serotonin is produced in our gut — it can strongly affect our emotions, and our gut re-sponse to those emotions — in particular calm or anxious, upbeat, or depressed. Think of the intestinal distress many suffer when asked to speak in front of a large group — diarrhea courtesy of increased serotonin and anxiety about the speaking portion! Within your gastrointestinal tract, there is a huge bacterial envi-ronment. This complex ecosystem contains over 400 bacterial spe-cies, and there are more total bacteria in your gut than numbers of base pairs in your DNA — this is huge! Small amounts of these vital bacteria can be found in your stomach and small intestines, but the majority is found in your colon. This vast intestinal microflora aids in digestion, synthesizes vitamins and nutrients, metabolizes some medications, supports the development and functioning of the gut, maintains healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels, reduces inflammation, improves mineral absorption, and enhances the im-mune system. In short, it is vital to keep you in your best health! So, who would benefit from a probiotic? Basically every one of us because we are exposed to so many toxic substances on a daily basis that can damage our beneficial gut bacteria and thereby our health. A few examples are antibiotic residues in milk which is fed to cows in large production facilities, other pesticides and chemicals in the foods we eat that are toxic to our “good” bacteria. Infants and children also benefit from using a probiotic supple-ment. Newborns receive their first beneficial gut bacteria during the vaginal birthing process; however, many children are now born via C-section bypassing the gut inoculation of beneficial bacte-ria. Supplying additional good bacteria throughout the early years helps support digestive and immune health keeping our precious young ones healthy and avoiding further damage by unnecessary antibiotic use. Probiotics also reduce the risk of developing aller-gies at a young age, since they help support the intestinal lining and prohibit allergens from entering the digestive tract. Adults over 50 years of age should definitely supplement their diets with a broad spectrum probiotic to obtain the immunity-enhancing ben-efits of these helpful bacteria. In combination with an upper normal level of Vitamin D, you’ll be protected from colds and flu that are around the community. While there are many products on the mar-ket, we have had great success using Florajen 3.

IfIcanhelpyouinyourquestforwellnesswithamoreperson-alizedapproachtoyourhealthcare,pleasevisitmywebsitewww.DrRohde.com. To schedule an appointment for a consultation,pleasecallmyofficeat217-864-2700.

The Health Benefits of Probiotics

Submitted by Renew Total Body Wellness

supplements


Children and adolescents lead active lives; sports, running, play-ing and sometimes they get hurt. Injuries to the developing brain can be long lasting. Prevention of falls, education about safety

and close monitoring of play areas is important to prevent serious inju-ries with lasting effects. The symptoms of a concussion which is labeled mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) include a syndrome that is named Post Concus-sive Symptoms (PCS). Those symptoms include but are not limited to fatigue, dizziness, headache, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, sensitivity to light, forgetfulness, and difficulty with concentration and attention. Normally, the symptoms are gone by the first few months after injury. However, mTBI children are at an increased risk for other deficits that are related to school performance and cognition includ-ing behavioral problems. Multiple injuries to the same location such as more than one concussion, tends to complicate successful outcomes. Other factors contribute to a greater risk for PCS and those include: the injury resulting from a motor vehicle related trauma, longer period of post-traumatic amnesia, abnormal imaging studies after the mTBI, hos-pitalization at the time of injury, younger age, family stressors, limited social support, lower intellectual functioning, problems with learning, preinjury behavior, and involvement in the legal system. Other contribu-tors include physical discomfort after the injury and difficulty adjusting to the changes as a result of the injury. The experts believe that there are two contributing factors related to PCS and those are not only neurological but psychological factors. It is important to consider the

mild traumatic brain injury

Post Concussive SymptomsSubmitted by Dr. Beverly Matthews, Central Illinois Neuropsychological Services

background of the person prior to the injury and the complicating fac-tors when treating the PCS and when considering outcomes. Our pre-existing personality development influences how we re-spond to a mTBI and resulting PCS. Researchers have learned that people who have a difficult time with PCS endorsed higher content items on psychological testing related to depression, depending upon others for internal satisfaction, negative attitudes, worry and anxiety, consistently low levels of depression, increase in physical symptoms under stress, and tendencies to avoid social interactions. The experi-ences that a person has after a mTBI are influenced by conditions that were present prior to the concussion. Treatment for mTBI includes a medical evaluation at the time of the injury, follow-up with medical personel and behavioral health care in-cluding an interview with a professional that has training and experience in TBI with the possibility of neuropsychological testing. Interventions to decrease discomfort and increase productivity are tailored to the symptoms and are given at the time of the evaluation.

For more information about PCS and mTBI you may contactDr.BeverlyMatthewsat217-876-7929or217-825-9010.

The previous information was obtained from the professional journal from Division 40 of the American Psychological Association, Neuropsychology, Volume 24, Number 2 authors Taylor, et al and Garden et al. March 2010.


grief recovery

If you have experienced a major significant emotional loss of any kind, there is a high probability that your ability to concentrate on day-to-day activities may be severely limited. You may have an idea, walk to the next room to act on it, and when you get there, realize that you do not have the faintest idea what it was you had intended to do. If you remember nothing else, please remember that this is a normally occurring phenomenon. Recognize that your entire being—emotional, physical, and spiritual—is focused on the loss that just occurred. When possible, it is a good idea to avoid driving and working with any tools that require concentration and

Working with grieving people for more than twenty years has given us a wealth of practical experience. Amongst the many observations we have made is the fact that

grieving people often seem to be slower to respond to even the simplest of questions, and to be baffled by tasks that are normally routine. Imagine that your brain has been filled up with three quarts of molasses. That is pretty much the effect that a major loss event can have on your capacity to think, feel, and participate in life. We offer this truth for the dual purpose of helping grievers and helping those around grievers.

Healthy Cells magazine is pleased to present another article in a series of feature articles on the subject of Grief ❣ Recovery®. The articles are written by Russell P. Friedman, Executive Director, and John W. James, Founder, of The Grief Recovery Institute. Russell and John are co-authors of WHEN CHILDREN GRIEVE - For Adults to Help Children Deal with Death, Divorce, Pet Loss, Moving, and Other Losses - Harper Collins, June, 2001 - & THE

GRIEF RECOVERY HANDBOOK - The Action Program For Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses (Harper Perrenial, 1998).The articles combine educational information with answers to commonly asked questions.

Emotional Jet Lag


mental coordination. An incredibly high percentage of serious and fatal auto accidents befall grieving people. It is essential that you recognize this naturally occurring inability to concentrate. It is equally important that you not judge yourself harshly for being dazed, confused, and preoccupied. But most importantly, you must be gentle with yourself. There is absolutely nothing to be gained by hammering yourself for being normal and human. For those of you who are near and dear to friends who have recently experienced a painful loss of any kind, read all of the above—re-read all of the above. You must recognize that the in-ability to concentrate is the single-most common of all responses to loss. Do not berate. Do not scold. Do not have an opinion or judgment. Remember, your friend is on another planet—the planet grief. Their entire being is trying to make sense out of an incredibly painful experience. By definition, grief is the normal and natural emotional response to loss of any kind. Most of us have been falsely socialized to shift the emotional reaction into the intellect. But the head is not broken —the heart is broken. You must resist the temptation to make intellectual comments to your grieving friend. For example, while it is intellectually accurate that life goes on, many grievers have a hard time participating in life at all, so life goes on without them. If someone staggered towards you with an arrow sticking in their chest and blood dripping from the wound, you would prob-ably recognize that the person might be in massive physical pain. It is unlikely that you would say, “Don’t feel bad; at least it wasn’t a poisoned arrow,” and just keep walking past them. More likely, you would say, “My gosh, you must be in terrible pain; let me call an ambulance.” Yet when someone’s heart has been broken by a major loss, most people say, “Don’t feel bad; you should feel grateful you had them so long.” While it may be intellectually accurate that you have a great deal of gratitude in that relationship, that is usually not the foremost emotional response to the death of a loved one. Perhaps it would be helpful to imagine that there is an emotional arrow sticking out of their chest. It will remind you to respond more helpfully. Even though death can be separated into two categories, sud-den death or long-term illness, ultimately all death is sudden. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that if someone has tended to a dying loved one for a long time, that they would automatically have less pain than someone who has lost someone to a sudden death. In fact, it is a good idea to make no assumptions at all. The finality of death, along with the end of any hopes of a miracle remission or cure, brings a tremendous amount of emotional pain. For many people drowning in a sea of painful emotions, numbness seems

like a constant companion. It may take hours or even days to sort out the feelings and thoughts that have been unearthed by the death of a loved one. The death of a less than loved one may pro-duce even more confusing emotions. We have been talking mainly about reactions to death. The emotional response to divorce, while different, is parallel. Divorce is the death of a relationship. Quite often, one divorcing partner feels as if there has been a sudden death and one feels like they have been caught in a long-term illness. In either situation, there is liable to be the same inability to concentrate that affects those responding to death. It is also quite probable that those reeling from the effects of a divorce will have some difficulty identifying the feelings they are experiencing. As we pointed out earlier, this reduced ability to concentrate is normal. Don’t fight it. Be gentle with yourself. Avail yourself of the GriefRecoveryHandbook as soon as possible. It is never too soon to begin to recover. Friends, please be alert to the emotional arrows you can’t see. When a friend has a broken heart, be gentle with them also.

Forinformationaboutprogramsandservices,writetoTheGriefRecoveryInstitute,P.O.Box6061-382,ShermanOaks,CA91413.Call818-907-9600orFax:818-907-9329.Pleasevisitourwebsiteatwww.griefrecoverymethod.com.

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