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Are you expecting flowers, chocolates, and heartfelt greetings on Valentine’s Day? This year, why not change things up and be sweet to yourself with a promise to live a healthier lifestyle?
Typically, women are busy taking care of everyone else. They often place their own needs on the bottom of the to-do list — and that can take a toll on their health. Surveys from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that among women age 20 and older, roughly 39 percent are obese. In addition, more than a third of all women have hypertension. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease/stroke is the No. 1 killer, causing 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year — more deaths than all cancers combined.
The good news is that 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes. The AHA’s resource, “Life’s Simple 7,” offers easy ways to be more active, control cholesterol, eat better, manage blood pressure, lose weight, reduce blood sugar, and stop smoking.
Medical professionals can help you improve your health and look your best, but you need to take an active role. It’s your lifestyle. Own it!
Q: I’m too young to look old! I want a great new smile, and I want it yesterday. How do I “shop” for my new smile?
A: To assure that your smile is picture-perfect, seek an exceptional dental practice. Dr. Craig Goldin, Dr. Marcy Goldin, and Dr. David Whalen, of the award-winning Cosmetic Dentistry Institute, provide all phases of general, cosmetic, sedation, and implant dentistry, so you can have all of your dental problems conveniently treated in one office.
“Whatever your dental needs are, your visit will be comfortable and painless, as well as efficient and high-tech. With cosmetic dentistry, a beautiful new smile can change your life,” says Dr. Marcy Goldin, an adjunct clinical lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
Dr. Craig Goldin is the only Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in eastern Michigan. AACD Fellowship is recognized as the highest level of competence in cosmetic dentistry, and only 65 dentists in the world have earned this distinction. He is also a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, which allows him to both place and restore state-of-the-art dental implants.
“Beautiful, natural-looking implants can last a lifetime and allow you to smile, chew, and speak more confidently,” says Dr. Craig Goldin, who also has advanced training and certification in IV sedation. “With sedation dentistry, patients who are anxious or busy can be totally relaxed and have multiple dental procedures done in as little as one visit.”
“Everything we do,” adds Dr. David Whalen, “is driven by our pledge to go above and beyond for our patients.”
Q: Can a smile be improved with cosmetic periodontal surgery?
A: As some people age, their gums recede, making their teeth look much longer and their smile appear older. Periodontist Dr. Joseph Nemeth uses the minimally invasive Chao Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Technique to lengthen the gums, typically with no incisions, no stitches, and virtually no pain.
“We make a small pinhole in the gum above the teeth to be treated. Using special instruments, we loosen the gum tissue and bring it down over the receded areas where it should be. The Pinhole Technique improves the smile tremendously. Patients are extremely happy, and we’re seeing excellent long-term results,” says Dr. Nemeth, the first gum specialist in Michigan to be certified in this innovative technique.
Some people are embarrassed because they have a “gummy” smile. Dr. Nemeth performs periodontal plastic surgery to sculpt excess gum tissue so the teeth will look appropriate and beautiful.
“With these procedures, patients have little to no discomfort. We typically use intravenous sedation, so patients are asleep or in a very relaxed state during their treatment,” says Dr. Nemeth, who has certification as a Master in the College of Sedation in Dentistry.
“We love doing cosmetic periodontal surgery,” he adds. “Our patients enjoy a healthier, more attractive smile, and it changes their life.”
Q: What facial plastic surgery procedure will take the greatest number of years off my appearance and has a quick recovery?
A: An upper and lower eyelid lift can make a woman look up to 20 years younger, says facial plastic surgeon Dr. Myra Danish.
“When people are talking to you, they’re looking at your eyes. If you have droopy, hooded upper lids, and bags and sagging skin in the lower lids, it gives the impression that you’re tired or older than you are,” Dr. Danish points out.
“Eyelid surgery takes about an hour. I remove the excess skin and under-eye puffiness that has accumulated over time. Recovery is typically one week, with some bruising and swelling, but with little discomfort. Patients go back to work in a week.”
For some women, sagging upper eyelid skin can obstruct their peripheral vision. Eyelid surgery not only makes you look significantly younger, but it can improve your visual fields and your eyes will feel less tired. In Dr. Danish’s hands, your eyelid shape remains the same and your eyes will look very natural, rejuvenated, and youthful.
“People will say, ‘You look amazing,’ but they won’t be able to tell that you’ve had surgery,” Dr. Danish says. “The beauty of eyelid-lift surgery is that generally, you need the procedure only once during your lifetime. Most of my patients say, ‘I wish I had done this sooner.’ ”
Q: I have arthritis. Can physical therapy help me?​
A: Arthritis is caused by loss of cartilage in our joints. This places stress on bones and joints, leading to inflammation, pain, bone spurs, and stiffness. In turn, these can cause pain during day-to-day activities and result in overall reduced activity tolerance.
Physical therapists are specialists in human movement, and arthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting movement. Physical therapy for arthritis begins with a detailed assessment of range of motion, strength, flexibility, and movement patterns. This information, along with the client’s goals, will allow the therapist to develop a customized treatment program.
Treatments usually involve manual therapy techniques and specific therapeutic exercises aimed at strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight muscles. To reduce stress on arthritic joints, movement patterns — such as the way a person gets up from a chair or goes down the stairs — are identified and addressed. Modalities for pain relief, such as heat therapy or electric stimulation, may also be incorporated.
Whether your goal is to golf 18 holes without “paying for it” the next day, or to simply get up from a chair without groaning and creaking, physical therapy may help with the pain of arthritis and allow you to lead a more active life.
Q: Is Pilates beneficial for the pre- and postnatal client?
A: Pilates is a great way for the mom-to-be to gently strengthen and tone muscles, as well as stretch tight muscles. Pilates specifically focuses on the abdominals, back, and pelvic floor, which are important muscle groups that help support the pregnant body. Another benefit of Pilates is that most exercises are easily modified.
“Gentle exercise is important to maintain prenatal strength and flexibility. Pilates helps strengthen the postural muscles, allowing for a more comfortable, pain-free pregnancy,” says owner Ron Jegadeesh, P.T., MBA.
After having a baby, Pilates can help you get back into shape. Pilates is an excellent choice when you want to regain muscle tone, correct pelvic floor dysfunction, and improve postural imbalances due to caring for a newborn. Clients generally find that Pilates helps tone and strengthen all areas of the body.
Be sure to ask your doctor or midwife before beginning any new exercise program. It’s important to train with an instructor who is qualified to teach pregnant women. Many of the trainers on staff at Pilates Fitness & Physical Therapy Center have completed specialized pre- and postnatal training. Be sure to tell your instructor that you’re pregnant, and listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, stop the exercise and check with your instructor.
Q: My child snores while sleeping at night. Should I be concerned? Is it harmful?
A: This is a common question posed by many parents. It’s of no surprise, since our children are our top priority, as is their health and comfort.
It is estimated that 12-15 percent of children between the ages of 1 to 9 snore, and 3 percent have obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring may be a sign of a sleep disorder. Some causes of snoring in children are:
- Deviated septum — this reduces the amount of airflow in and out of the nose.
- Respiratory infection — this can cause a stuffy nose.
- Enlarged tonsils and adenoids — this is the leading cause of OSA; swollen glands block the airway, making it difficult to breath.
- OSA.
Children (as well as adults) who suffer from OSA can experience many associated health problems. Children who breathe through their mouth have a two- to fivefold increase in upper airway resistance as compared to nasal breathers.
Some things to look for at night during your child’s sleep include:
- Is your child restless at night? Do they wake up often?
- Do they snore more than three times a week?
- Do they wet their bed?
- Is their breathing interrupted by gasps? Are their shoulders and chest, rather than the diaphragm, moving during breathing?
- Are they breathing through their mouth?
During the day, things to look for include excessive sleepiness. Other signs might be: Were they slow to arise in the morning? Do they have any learning, social, or behavior problems? Do they mouth-breathe?
If you’re concerned about your child’s snoring, you might want to try the following:
- Videotape your child while sleeping, and show their pediatrician. Early intervention is extremely important.
- Remove all possible allergens from their bed, such as stuffed animals and down-filled pillows.
- Ask for a referral to a pediatric ear, nose, and throat doctor.
- Bring your concerns to your dentist’s attention.
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding your child’s snoring or sleep, please call Dr. Mindy Salzberg-Siegel.
Q: I’m a busy working mom and I try to stay fit. Do I need to worry about heart disease?
A: The truth is, heart disease affects women of all ages — mothers, daughters, sisters, friends — causing 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year.
The American Heart Association aims to reduce heart disease by 20 percent in 2020, says cardiologist Dr. Joan Crawford, medical director for Go Red for Women, AHA Greater Detroit Area. She recommends women take action to reduce their risks.
“You can’t change your age, gender, or family history, but there are preventable factors that you can control: Give up smoking, get regular exercise, eat healthy, manage stress, and know your ‘numbers.’”
Request lab tests to check your blood sugar and cholesterol. Weigh yourself twice a week. Measure your waist — 30 inches or less is ideal. Monitor your blood pressure with an at-home cuff, or look for free checks in your community. New guidelines redefine a normal blood pressure as 120 over 80 or less. Use an online calculator to check your body mass index (BMI). A healthy reading is between 18-25.
“You can download free apps like My Fitness Pal to track your exercise habits and the foods you eat. People are surprised to learn how much sodium, fat, carbohydrates, and calories can be found in their restaurant entrée,” Dr. Crawford points out. “The most important thing you can do to prevent heart disease is to educate yourself.”
Q: I work out constantly. How do I get rid of my stubborn fatty areas?
A: When it comes to removing pockets of excess fat, no plastic surgery procedure works as well as liposuction. Dr. Ellen Janetzke performs liposuction on the abdomen, thighs, “love handles,” buttocks, and other areas of the body for women who want a slimmer, firmer, and more feminine shape.
The procedure is done through one or two small incisions, where a thin tube is placed to suction out the fat. Dr. Ellen targets problem areas, creating a more attractive, contoured appearance. Women — and men! — who are near their ideal, healthy body weight but are struggling with isolated deposits of fat are usually good candidates for liposuction. The good news is that, after having liposuction, the fat won’t return as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
If you’re frustrated because dieting and exercise just aren’t banishing the bulges, call today to schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Ellen.
Q: What’s the best way to optimize and maintain my health and beauty as I age?
A: The answer is simple: bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. As we age, levels of all of our vital hormones decline, leading to hormonal imbalance; this is a problem because optimal hormone levels are essential for health and quality of life. The benefits of balancing hormones with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy results in significant improvements in fat loss, muscle tone, muscle mass and strength, skin integrity/the reduction of wrinkles, energy levels, sex drive, sexual function and orgasms, sleep, memory and concentration, emotional well-being and stability, mood, the immune system, inflammation, blood glucose levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, bone strength, vision, the reduction of menopause symptoms, and much more!
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is the science of correcting hormone imbalances with the goal of restoring youthful, optimal hormone levels and relieving the symptoms of hormonal imbalance and deficiency. The natural hormones prescribed by Genemdics Health Institute’s medical doctor are safe and effective because they’re identical to the hormones our bodies produce.
Dr. George Shanlikian and his team at Genemedics have seen astonishing results in the lives of their patients, who are healthier, happier, and have dramatically improved the quality of their lives. Genemedics’ comprehensive natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy programs, combined with proper nutrition and exercise, will return you to the optimal physical, sexual, and emotional health you experienced in your 20s. Contact them today and get started on the path to a younger, healthier you!
Q: What are the current concepts of abdominoplasty and body-contouring?
A: When performing a tummy tuck, Dr. Mune Gowda uses liposuction to sculpt the body circumferentially, creating a more flattering, curvy figure.
“Straight lines are very boring to the eye,” he says. “Shapes, contours, and curves are more interesting. The most important concept is the ratio of the waist to the buttocks. There’s a generally accepted ratio and an exaggerated ratio, like the body shape of Kim Kardashian, which for some people is very appealing.”
Sometimes, Dr. Gowda will do a fat transfer — also known as a Brazilian Butt Lift — to accentuate the patient’s buttocks.
“Just a modest increase creates a really stunning body shape, and patients are very happy with the way their clothes fit,” Dr. Gowda says.
Q: What is platelet-rich plasma treatment?
A: Platelet-rich plasma (PrP) is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive, drugfree therapy that uses a portion of your own blood to stimulate a natural healing response in damaged tissues. Internal medicine physician Dr. Remi Soile is one of the first doctors in the metro Detroit area to apply this innovative treatment to hair loss, urinary incontinence, and joint injuries.
Blood drawn from your arm is processed to separate and concentrate the platelet portion, which contains numerous growth factors. Once it’s injected into injured tissue, PrP promotes healing and tissue regeneration.
For patients who have areas of hair damage or loss, injections of PrP can help stimulate hair regrowth. Women who experience urinary incontinence may find relief with the O-Shot®, an injection of PrP that tightens vaginal tissue and rebuilds collagen.
Q: Are the signs and symptoms of coronary heart disease different in women than men?
A: While the average man experiences extreme pain in the center of his chest when having a heart attack, 60 percent of women have vague symptoms that are often ignored or attributed to something else.
Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath and back or jaw pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, and exhaustion. A woman may feel pain or pressure below the breast bone and above the belly button, and think she’s having a gallbladder attack, or experiencing gas or indigestion.
It’s important to see your doctor or go to the ER when you first suspect something is wrong. Some women ignore their symptoms and find out later that they have damage to their heart after having a silent heart attack weeks or months ago. Unfortunately, the average woman waits 12 hours before calling 911, and often presents with sudden cardiac death.
Be your own advocate. Talk with your doctor about how you’re feeling and don’t dismiss your symptoms as “anxiety.” Calling 911 sooner rather than later can save your life.
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