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HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL Houston Healthcare EMS takes second Special to the Journal Houston Healthcare’s Emergency Medical Services staff collected more than 3,500 canned goods this holi day season, finishing second place in the statewide Cans for Kids Contest sponsored by the Region V Emergency Medical Services. The canned goods were distributed to 20 local families as well as Bonaire and Centerville’s Outreach programs and the Salvation Army. The cans were collected at all Houston There are several ways to build a strong immune system Special to the Journal Recurring colds or a bad case of the flu may be signs of a weakened immune sys tem. Dr. Javed H. Fazal, a board certified internist and a member of the medical staffs of Houston Medical Center and Perry Hospital, says that although hered ity and age play a role in how well the body guards itself against disease, self healing mechanisms can be enhanced through diet and lifestyle changes. Below are 10 ways to strengthen the immune system. Remember to consult a healthcare pro vider for advice on specific medical requirements. ■l. Be proactive. Get a jump on illness by keeping up to date on vaccinations. “Make sure to have a teta nus booster every 10 years, get a flu shot each fall and ask your healthcare provider if you are a candidate for the pneumonia vaccine,” says Ask ike Physical Therapist What a physical therapist can do to help you Q: What services does a physical therapist pro vide? A: Physical therapists provide many different ser vices that are geared toward assisting people to restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and assist in limiting them from any per manent physical disabilities resulting from acute injuries or chronic illnesses and dis eases. Physical therapists promote wellness and over all physical fitness in the patients that they serve. Therapists work with patients who have had either an accident resulting in a muscle strain, broken bone, ligament sprain, or inflam mation to a joint in the body. They may suffer from chron ic disabilities such as neck and low back pain, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, head injury, and cerebral palsy. When a patient first arrives for physical therapy, the therapist performs an evaluation that encompasses a detailed medical history followed by tests to measure strength, motion, sensation, coordination, balance, pos ture, motor function, and overall muscle performance. A patient’s ability to com plete activities at home and in the workplace is evalu ated. This allows the therapist to see how the current physical impairment is limiting abil ity to walk, complete routine tasks, and complete daily job duties. A treatment plan is developed indicating how a therapist will address the findings in the evaluation and improve the patient’s function. Treatment will often €Srv ? Y f i' > €s'3if’ Heals Dc >cu have m metliinu 0ff »K tc sell and It’s under T o »s Vr SsC?lf.se, call cur Coi »puter Pbhk _ classified dent-+ we’ll limit J ihTi mb rner per »wk . ' ! ' mutt ran on 1 Hne» ' Healthcare facilities through employee donations. For their efforts, Houston Healthcare EMS will receive a pediatric immobilization device and a Ferno pedia mate carseat, which is now available in all of Houston Healthcare’s ambulances. The EMS who collected the most cans will receive a Henkel-Braslo pediatric bag and two Ferno pedimate carseats. Third Place Prize is one Ferno pediamate car seat. Fazal. “Also, minimize expo sure to germs by washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.” ■2. Get moving. Studies have shown that people who exercise at least once a week increase their immune system function, reporting fewer colds and respiratory infections. “Physical activ ity stimulates circulation of the immune cells that fight infections and tumors,” explains Fazal. For the best boost, aim for 30 minutes of aerobic activity three to five times a week. ■3. Learn to laugh. Research findings suggest that optimists tend to be healthier overall and live longer. What’s more, positive experiences have a longer lasting effect on the immune system than negative ones. ■4. Add antioxidants. Enhance the immune sys tem by taking more vita include the use of stretches and strengthening exercises for patients who show lack of flexibility loss of strength and endurance as a result of immobilization after injury or surgery. Modalities such as warm and cold compresses, electri cal stimulation, ultrasound, traction and massage may be use to help decrease pain and swelling and promote relaxation to the affected muscles and joints. As a patient improves, it is the physical therapist’s responsibility to instruct and educate to prevent re injury. Information on prop er posture and use of body mechanics may be given to those suffering from neck and back pain. Instruction and training in the proper use of a cane, crutches, walk er or wheelchair is given to allow for maximum mobility and safety at home and in the community. An exercise program may also be recom mended to continue recovery at home after discharge. Some therapists may spe cialize in areas such as geri atrics, pediatrics, cardiac rehab, wound care, ortho pedics, and neurological impairments. In all, physical therapists can treat a wide range of ail ments involving the muscles, bones, and joints of the body allowing a patient to return to their previous functional level. If you have any ques tions regarding health care conditions or services involving physical thera py, please contact Houston Healthcare’s Human Motion Institute at 478-988-1882 or nnewhouse@hhc.org. ■ : ' .!,* 1V i " A . -■ ' KK] .1 :safe!MßA,*gK:«..» I M * S BH mins A, C and E and beta carotene - also known as antioxidants. “Vitamin C, in particular, has been shown to be effective in prevent ing or shortening the dura tion of common colds as well as other diseases,” states Fazal. “It’s also proven to speed healing after injuries or operations.” Antioxidants can be found naturally in col orful fruits and vegetables. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage also contain certain chemi cals that appear to block cell damage and have cancer fighting capabilities. ■5. Watch the mouth. The mouth can harbor infec tions that take a toll on the immune system. Maintain good oral hygiene by brush ing and flossing at least twice daily. Have a dental exam twice a year to detect any areas of hidden infec tion. If possible, avoid any major dental work while ill —r f n —D jSmjMHrF Jr;’; , BE' ' Zy y&sffiy y y. ft, m iMjiiiiiJLtl jii§P' Jj|§ Urological experience you can trust. When you or a family member need urological services, you should know that clinical expertise and technology is available close to home. From prostate surgery, reno-vascular hypertension, urinary tract infections and obstructions to treatments for urinary incontinence, genitourinary oncology and lithotripsy for kidney stone removal, the Board certified Urologists at Houston Healthcare can meet your family's needs. And best of all, our services are all right here, close to home. General Surgery Daniel A. Deighton, MD 109 Osigian Boulevard, Suite 300 Warner Robins 478-953-5074 HEALTH to avoid putting more strain on the immune system. ■6. Think pungent. Although certainly no cure all, garlic and its relatives - onions, scallions, shal lots and chives - contain compounds that may help slow the spread of cancer and boost production of can cer-fighting enzymes. Garlic may also protect the heart by making blood less sticky and helping to lower high cholesterol levels. ■7. Take teatime. Mounting evidence sug gests teatime is more than an age-old soothing ritual; it may also help prolong life. Substances in green tea have been shown to prevent or slow the growth of can cerous tumors. ■B. Avoid antibiotic overload. According to Dr. Fazal, antibiotics should be used only when the immune system cannot stop a bacte rial infection or when an Houston Healthcare Houston Medical Center ♦ Perry Hospital www.hhc.org UROLOGY infection invades a vital organ. “Taking an antibiotic at the first sign of infection doesn’t give your immune system a chance to fight dis ease and become stronger as a result,” he says. “Overuse of antibiotics also encour ages bacteria to develop into drug-resistant strains.” ■9. Stop smoking. Chemicals in tobacco may alter the immune system’s ability to recognize and eliminate foreign substances in the body. Additionally, T cells, the white blood cells that coordinate immune-sys tllirrilk i Ik le Wmimt Si Et&ifoig fkii Run Your Employment Ad With Us, And You’ll Find Them! $2 S 0 per line per day $ 13 00 per column inch display Melvin L.C. Fussell, MD 1011 North Houston Road Warner Robins 478-923-4040 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2006 ♦ Orthopedics John J. Vecchio, MD 114 Hospital Drive Warner Robins 478-929-1856 Pictured are members of Houston Healthcare's Emergency Medical Services with the collected cans. First group on left: Bob Sloan, Billy Gordon and Kurt Crumpton. Second group on right: Brenda Dale, Quinton Head, and David Bostick. Contributed tern attacks, may not func tion as well in people who smoke. ■ 10. Sleep soundly. It’s the best restorative around. “Among the important by products of sleep are growth hormones, which help the body repair tissue and are produced mostly during slow-wave sleep,” explains Fazal. “Sleep also can help speed recovery from illness. At the onset of a cold or illness, slow down to con serve energy. Start drinking plenty of fluids and make it a point to rest.” Line Ads Deadline: 2 days prior at 4pm Display Ads Deadline: 2 days prior at Noon Cali Us At 4J$-PB7-t923 or fox: 478-988-9194 or email: nlcolec@eeasnewTpapers.com ENT 5A 421)76