Wellness features
Here’s how Miriam McCoy manages her diabetes
Slow cooker beef burgundy with veggies, green chile chicken and corned beef with cabbage are among the aromas that fill Miriam McCoy’s rural San Marcos home.
“I have my eating down to a science,” she said. “I always have good food in my refrigerator and pantry.”
A nutritious diet is important to her because, at the age of 40, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Although she was not aware of any family history when she was diagnosed with the disease, Miriam knew something was wrong when she started experiencing excessive thirst and unintentional weight loss.
Miriam and her late husband, Emmett, relocated their family to San Marcos with their Building Supply Company in 1972. After Emmett McCoy’s passing in 2012, Miriam continued to make healthy meals a priority.
“Many people say you can’t cook for one person, but mother eats good, fresh food,” said McCoy’s daughter, Brenda Remme. “She likes to eat well. When my dad was alive, he always said he felt healthier because he ate what she ate.”
For Miriam, the key to healthy eating habits means setting aside a few hours every weekend to prepare bulk meals for the week.
“That way, I have good food ready to eat all the time,” she said. “I choose milk over orange juice because it has protein. The sugar in juice doesn’t last in your system as long. I’m careful to not overeat, and that makes a difference.”
Miriam McCoy checks her blood sugar before meals and at bed time. In addition to using insulin shots to manage her condition, she will use an insulin gel when needed. Because it’s important to include a carbohydrate in meals when taking insulin, she always has sweet and white potatoes on hand in her kitchen.
In addition to eating well, regular exercise is part of Miriam’s weekly routine. She played tennis until the age of 80. “It’s a great game for getting several generations together at the same time,” she recalls fondly.
Today her personal trainer meets with her three times a week for an intense hour-long workout. “I never dread going to exercise because it’s a fun time and as we get older, we all want to keep up our muscle tone,” Miriam said.
A Central Texas Medical Center dietitian gave her a journal where she logs her blood sugar levels and keeps a record of her insulin intake. Every six months, she visits her endocrinologist for a check-up.
When it comes to managing her diabetes, Miriam’s positive outlook plays just as much of a role as her healthy nutrition and activity habits.
“If I had to get something, I would choose diabetes,” she said. “It helped me improve my lifestyle, and I could still live the way I wanted to live. I feel good every day. It really isn’t hard to live healthy.”
Here's how to prevent periodontal disease
Periodontal diseases affect the tissues and bones that support the teeth. These conditions are typically painless before they become severe, which enhances the importance of routine checkups. Keeping up with oral hygiene is important in all phases of life, but Dr. Corey Carothers with Sullivan & Carothers D.D.S. in San Marcos says the risk of periodontal diseases can increase with age for several reasons.
YOUR MOUTH ON MEDS
Prescription drugs play a big role in oral health. “One of the biggest side effects of almost all medications is dry mouth, which causes more acidity. Acidic conditions in the mouth make you more prone to cavities,” Carothers said. Drinking sodas, sweet tea and other sugary beverages magnifies the risk of creating an acidic environment in the mouth.
GETTING A GRIP
Older adults often lose dexterity in the hands, making it harder to clench a toothbrush. Carothers recommends a power toothbrush because the handles are bigger, which allows for more control. Water picks can also be combined with flossing for more detailed cleaning. Because dexterity can be an issue, some patients may need to see the dentist more often or undergo a specialized periodontal cleaning.
MOUTH-BODY CONNECTION
According to the American Dental Association, people with diabetes, blood cell disorders, HIV infections and AIDS are at a higher risk of periodontal disease because these conditions lower the body’s resistance to infection. In addition, ongoing inflammation from periodontitis is linked with heart disease, blocked arteries and stroke.
Because there’s a high incidence of diabetes in Central Texas, Carothers stresses the importance of keeping the condition under control.
“Research shows a direct correlation with how well you take care of your mouth and how well diabetes is controlled,” he said. “There’s a two to three times higher risk of gum disease for diabetics, and that risks jumps to three to four times higher if the diabetes is uncontrolled.”
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE
Even if dental check-ups have been neglected in the past, that’s no reason to keep putting them off. “I’ve never seen a patient and been embarrassed by the state of their mouth,” Carothers said. “I see every patient as a person who has a need or condition that is treatable. I just want to educate them and make their mouth healthy again.”
WARNING SIGNS FOR PERIODONTAL DISEASE
• Gums that bleed easily
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Pus between the teeth and gums
• Loose or separating teeth
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures
Health Care Science & Technology
Central Texas Medical Center introduces
state-of-the-art cardiac technology
The Ingram Heart Center at Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC) recently introduced the life-saving Impella CP® heart pump to its cardiac catheterization lab. So far, two patients have benefitted from the technology, one of which was an emergent case.
Impella is the world’s smallest FDA-approved heart pump that is used to treat heart attack patients in cardiogenic shock. Impella is also indicated for use during high risk coronary procedures when surgery is not an option. It has the ability to enable native heart recovery, allowing patients to return home with their own hearts.
The Impella CP® heart pump pulls blood from the left ventricle of a patient’s heart through an inlet area near the tip and expels blood from the catheter into the ascending aorta. The device is inserted via a catheter through the femoral artery in the groin.
“The Impella CP® heart pump maintains the heart’s pumping ability when it can’t effectively work on its own. This allows the cardiac team to stabilize the patient while planning the next steps for care,” said Dr. Anthony Cedrone, an interventional cardiologist at the Ingram Heart Center at CTMC.
In addition, the Impella CP® device is approved to treat certain advanced heart failure patients undergoing elective and urgent coronary interventions such as stenting or balloon angioplasty, to re-open blocked coronary arteries.
Earlier this year, CTMC also incorporated the Diamondback 360® Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System that uses a 1.25 mm diamond-coated crown to clear blockages in severely calcified arteries.
“Expanding our cardiac services has been a major priority at CTMC since becoming an Accredited Chest Pain Center in 2011,” said CTMC President and CEO Anthony Stahl.
“Since then, we have grown by leaps and bounds, introducing a second cath lab and two full-time interventional cardiologists. Adding technology such as the Impella CP® heart pump and the Diamandback 360® device ensures that our patients receive the treatments they need close to home.”
To learn more about the advanced technology offered at CTMC, visit ctmc.org and click on the “Care & Services” tab.
Dr. Kerry Smith adds Zoom Teeth Whitening to dental practice offerings
Tooth discoloration is a common concern among aging adults, and it can have a negative impact on a person's self-confidence. In addition to the natural aging process, drinking coffee, tea, soda and red wine can darken tooth enamel. Taking certain medications and using tobacco products are other known causes.
Dr. Kerry Smith now offers a fast and effective way to brighten smiles at her Brooklyn, NY, dental practice. The Zoom Teeth Whitening method involves applying a bleaching gel to the teeth for three 15-minute intervals. During this time, the patient remains in the chair with his or her mouth fixed under a powerful Zoom light. The light combines with the bleaching agent to penetrate teeth, break up stains and bring about teeth whitening.
The Zoom Teeth Whitening process takes about an hour to complete, and a fluoride gel is applied as a final step to reduce sensitivity. Brushing with an anti-sensitivity toothpaste prior to the treatment is also recommended. Patients leave the office with custom-fitted whitening trays to use for at-home touch-ups. The staff also provides thorough after-care instructions for maximizing results.
In addition to an enhanced appearance, patients benefit from professional teeth whitening treatments because they kill hidden bacteria, help fight gum disease and prevent tooth decay. Science shows there is a link between poor oral hygiene and physical health problems—specifically heart disease. Teeth whitening improves periodontal health, eliminating a medical risk factor.
To learn more about the cutting-edge Zoom Teeth Whitening process and pricing, visit Smith's practice in Brooklyn, NY, or call 512-753-3818. Additional information can also be found at www.brooklyndentalexperts.com.
CTMC integrates new mammogram technology
that detects breast cancer earlier
Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC) is making women’s comfort and breast health a priority by offering the SmartCurve breast stabilization system. The state-of-the-art system is clinically proven to deliver a more comfortable mammogram without compromising image quality, workflow or dose. It also includes the new Clarity HD high-resolution 3D™ imaging technology, which provides radiologists with the highest resolution 3D images to help identify cancers early.
These innovations come as part of CTMC’s ongoing commitment to superior breast cancer detection and providing an improved mammogram experience for our patients. The technology increases diagnostic confidence with its exceptional images and has the potential to increase screening volume and compliance for the countless women who have reported avoiding regular mammograms due in large part to the fear of discomfort associated with breast compression.
“These technologies not only enable us to improve the experience for our patients by providing them with a more comfortable mammogram, but more importantly allow us to do so while maintaining clinical accuracy with the industry’s fastest, highest resolution 3D images to accelerate screening and analysis,” said CTMC President/CEO Anthony Stahl. “Being able to arm doctors with the advanced ability to identify subtle lesions to help pinpoint cancers in early stages, while also keeping patients more comfortable than ever before, is priceless.”
The SmartCurve system and Clarity HD high-resolution 3D imaging technology are available exclusively with Hologic’s Genius 3D Mammography exam, which is currently in use by CTMC and detects more invasive cancers, reduces false positives, and is FDA approved as superior, compared to conventional 2D mammography for all women, including those with dense breasts.
The SmartCurve system features a proprietary curved surface that mirrors the shape of a woman’s breast to reduce pinching and allow better distribution of force over the entire breast. In a recent clinical study comparing the SmartCurve breast stabilization system to traditional flat paddle compression, the SmartCurve system improved comfort in 93 percent of women who reported moderate to severe discomfort with standard compression. In addition, 95 percent of those surveyed would recommend facilities that use the system.
“We’re excited to provide these technologies for all of our patients and remain committed to offering the women of our community the most advanced breast care possible alongside an improved mammogram experience,” said CTMC Director of Radiology Shayne Musick.
For more information about CTMC and its breast health services, visit CTMC.org. To schedule your mammogram, visit CTMCMammo.com or call 512-753-3661.
Live Oak Sinus and Allergy Center offers new procedure for chronic sinus sufferers
Allergy season is upon us, and the new Live Oak Sinus & Allergy Center is providing relief to sufferers in Central Texas by providing testing, treatments and a minimally-invasive Balloon SinuplastyÔ procedure for patients with severely blocked sinuses.
“Discovering what allergens are causing problems, and to what level, provides the pathway for personalized immunotherapy,” says Dr. Michael Blair, DO, an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist who oversees the new Live Oak Sinus & Allergy Center.
After testing, allergy drops that the patient can place under the tongue at home may be prescribed. Allergy shots can also be administered on a weekly basis in the doctor’s office. For some allergy sufferers, however, sinuses can become severely blocked, calling for more drastic treatments.
Chronic sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus lining lasting three months or more, and is one of the most commonly diagnosed chronic illnesses. It is caused by allergies, viral, fungal or bacterial infections as well as standard issues that cause blockages of the sinus openings.
A common procedure used to open blocked arteries in the heart is now being performed to open the blocked nasal passages of chronic sinus sufferers. The technique, called Balloon Sinuplasty, is performed locally by Dr. Blair, who also sees pediatric sinusitis and allergy patients.
With this procedure, Live Oak Sinus & Allergy Center has the opportunity to capture and treat hundreds of local sinus sufferers with technology that is less invasive, decreases recovery time to 1-2 days and dramatically improves patients’ quality of life. Live Oak’s allergy initiatives allow patients to stay close to home for this life-changing procedure, as opposed to commuting to larger neighboring cities.
“This minimally invasive, endoscopic procedure takes about 30 minutes and involves using a small catheter and balloon to quickly open and expand blocked sinuses, then irrigate away the persistent infection,” Dr. Blair says. “Once complete, pressure subsides and the sinuses return to normal drainage. In many cases, the procedure can be done in the doctor’s office under local anesthesia. The issues such as allergies and other predisposing factors can be addressed.”
Common signs and symptoms of sinusitis include:
• Facial pain, pressure, congestion or fullness
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Discharge of yellow or green mucus from the nose
• Teeth pain
• Loss of the sense of smell or taste
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Bad breath
If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, you may be a candidate for a Balloon Sinuplasty. For more information on the procedure or allergy treatments, visit www.liveoakhealthpartners.com or call 512-353-6400.
CTMC offers innovative new procedure for dissolving blood clots
Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC) today announced that the facility will be the first in the region to offer the EKOS® Acoustic Pulse Thombolysis™ procedure, a life-saving technique that dissolves blood clots in the vascular system via a catheter.
The EKOS® procedure is minimally invasive, uses lower doses of medicine and is used to treat conditions including pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and peripheral arterial occlusion. The hospital expects to begin using the procedure in April.
During catheter-assisted thrombolysis treatment, a catheter is guided through blood vessels to the location of the blood clot. The catheter will deliver special clot dissolving medicine called thrombolytics to help dissolve the clot. EKOS also delivers ultrasound energy to mechanically dislodge and loosen the clot. The EKOS® procedure increases thrombus (blood clot) removal and clinical improvement compared to either standard catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) or thrombectomy. Additional benefits include:
• Speeds time-to-dissolution
• Lowers the risk of bleeding and other complications
• Provides more effective drug delivery and superior thrombus clearance
• Reduced procedure time
“Implementing the EKOS procedure is the latest example of how CTMC continues to be at the forefront of heart-related services in our region,” said Anthony Stahl, Chief Executive Officer at CTMC. “With this new technology, we are able to lower patient risk while achieving higher procedure predictability. Our team is committed to improving patient outcomes, and procedures like these help us achieve that mission.”
For more information about EKOS® Acoustic Pulse Thombolysis™, visit ekoscorp.com/learningcenter.htm or visit their booth at the CTMC HealthCheck event on April 12 at Embassy Suites Hotel, Spa & Conference Center in San Marcos.
Press Releases
CTMC enters life-saving partnership
with the Texas Cord Blood Bank
SAN MARCOS, TX — On Sept. 16, Central Texas Medical Center (CMTC) began collecting cord blood units in a life-saving partnership with the Texas Cord Blood Bank (TCBB). The TCBB, a program of GenCure, is a nonprofit program established by the Texas legislature in 2001 to collect umbilical cord blood, which can benefit patients, usually children, suffering from a number of potentially fatal diseases.
“Cord blood from newborns can offer hope to people who desperately need it,” according to CMTC CEO/President Sam Huenergardt. “The more donors there are, the better chances these people have of finding a match. We are pleased to enter this partnership with the Texas Cord Blood Bank.”
Umbilical cord blood, which is typically discarded after the birth of a baby, is rich in blood-making cells that can be used as an alternative to bone marrow transplants to treat cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, disorders of the blood-making system such as sickle cell anemia, and severe immune-system disorders.
“Each partnership helps increase the chance for patients to find a life-saving match in the registry,” says Ray Adams, Cord Blood Director. “Because genetic makeup affects the compatibility between the blood of donors and recipients, it is important to establish an ethnically diverse supply of cord blood in order to increase the likelihood of finding a suitable transfusion for all patients in need.“
The Texas Cord Blood Bank has sent 237 units for transplant since May 2005.
Additionally, CTMC became the only Certified Milk Depot in Hays County in 2011 through a partnership that was established with the Mother’s Milk Bank at Austin. The collaboration allows CTMC to provide and accept breast milk that helps newborn babies grow and thrive. Since becoming a donor milk collection site, CTMC has provided thousands of ounces of breast milk to infants in need.
For more information about services at the CTMC Women’s Center, visit ctmc.org. To schedule a tour of the facility, please call (512) 753-3528.
Live Oak Health Partners General Surgery
has a convenient new location
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS – Live Oak Health Partners (LOHP), Central Texas Medical Center’s primary and specialty care practice, announced today that its general surgery office has moved to a convenient, new location.
Drs. Erik Anderson, Robert Duran and Bryan Hambric are currently seeing patients at the new office, located at 1305 Wonder World Drive, suite 209. The new space is on the second floor of the Professional Office Building at the north end of Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC).
“I am really excited about the new space and the capabilities it will allow us to offer our patients,” Dr. Anderson, a robotic-trained general and bariatric surgeon, said.
Live Oak’s new general surgery office includes seven exam rooms and better accommodates the growing demand for da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical procedures.
“CTMC is the only hospital on the IH-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio to feature two da Vinci robotic surgery devices, so it makes sense for us to have our office located on-site,” said Tricia Marquart, LOHP Physician Practice Administrator.
To schedule an appointment or learn more about LOHP’s surgical services, call 512-353-6400 or visit liveoakhealthpartners.com/general-surgery.