Stroke, Migraine Or Seizure

Recently, TV news reporter Serene Branson suffered an episode of slurred, unintelligible speech and facial weakness while reporting live at the Grammy Awards. This event was a frightening demonstration of an evolving neurological process. The question was what was the process?

Many brain injuries including stroke, migraine, seizure and concussion initiate a cascade of events known as "spreading depression." These events are based on an electrical imbalance resulting in transient symptoms. In the case of stroke, the symptoms are often permanent.

Ms. Branson's symptoms were part of a condition known as migraine with aura. Stroke-like symptoms are the prodrome of a severe headache to follow within 20 to 30 minutes. These striking symptoms fortunately subsided.

Stroke symptoms of abnormal speech, facial asymmetry, and weakness on one side of the body require urgent medical attention. Although the eventual diagnosis may be more benign, any delay can increase the likelihood of permanent deficit.

Abusive Behaviors

Two recent Healthy Rounds programs dealt with the topics of domestic abuse and bullying.

Dr. John Foley, a cardiologist from Norwich, Connecticut, is a frequent lecturer on the topic of domestic violence and partner abuse. There are roughly 8.5 million incidents of intentional partner violence (IPV) each year. IPV is not restricted to adult heterosexual couples. It is often seen among dating teens and in same sex relationships. Some examples include physical injury or threats, sexual assault, psychological abuse and economic control. If you suspect someone you care about may be in an abusive relationship open a line of communication by asking if they are being abused. Although they will most likely deny it at first it is important for them to know you care and they can come to you when needed.

Dr. James O'Dea is a clinical psychologist at the William W. Backus Hospital. We recently discussed the alarming rise in school bullying. Each day approximately 150,000 young people fear going to school because of bullying. In the past, bullying consisted of verbal confrontation, physical violence or written messages. In the Internet age bullying has entered a new and much more harmful dimension. If bullying is suspected contact the child's school. Each school should have a process for dealing with bullying that involves everyone in the building including teachers, security, kitchen workers and janitorial staff.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness

March is colorectal cancer awareness month. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women.

Dr. Christina Czyrko, a colorectal surgeon from the Hospital of Central Connecticut, was a recent guest on Healthy Rounds. She emphasized the importance of diet and exercise as a way of avoiding this deadly condition:
-grilled and processed meats should be avoided
-a diet rich in whole grains and fruits is preferred
-regular exercise is crucial

Colonoscopy remains the best screening examination and should be performed at regular intervals as recommended by a primary care physician.

More information can be obtained by going to the Healthy Rounds website, http://www.wtic.com/pages/5546567.php? at WTIC.com.

National Cheer and Dance Championship

This weekend the Mohegan Sun Casino hosted the Spirit National Cheer and Dance Championships. I served as the physician for this event. Cheerleading has been referred to as "the most dangerous sport in America" based on the frequency of injury. Although there were injuries at the event, none were serious and all were evaluated by certified athletic trainers and physicians.

Many people have offered solutions on how to make cheer and dance safer. Some have advocated for greater regulation and others for banning it entirely. After working with these athletes who are passionate about their sport, I believe there is only one way to improve safety.

Parents who are collectively spending millions of dollars on lessons, entry fees, uniforms and make up should demand that the sport be made safer by insisting that they will only spend their hard-earned dollars in gyms where instructors are certified in teaching as well as first aid. Parents must also insist that they will only allow their children to compete in venues where licensed medical professionals are available in case of a catastrophe.

The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators can help guide parents to the safest gyms and competitions.

Sadly, it is only through the power of the almighty dollar that this sport will become safer.

Do you have a cheer and dance story to share?
If you are a "cheer parent" would you make the hard choice of keeping your child out of an unsafe competition?

Bariatric Surgery

If you are considering weight loss surgery be sure to do your homework. This week's guest on Healthy Rounds was Dr. Carlos Barba. Dr. Barba is director of the Bariatric Surgery Program at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. He is among the busiest bariatric surgeons in the country with over 14 years experience.

Dr. Barba stresses the need for a team approach such as the one taken at the Hospital of Central Connecticut where registered dieticians, psychologists and exercise physiologists work with patients before and after surgery.

The two most commonly performed operations are the gastric bypass and the lap band procedures. Gastric bypass is a much more radical approach and less popular than laporoscopic banding.

The key to success with either of these procedures is commitment to a program of regular exercise and eating right. The procedure is just a way of getting started on a life-long journey to good health.

Listen to the podcast of Dr. Barba's interview http://www.wtic.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=4226868

If you are interested in bariatric surgery contact the Hospital of Central Connecticut at 1-866-668-5070 or http://thocc.org/services/weigh/surgery.aspx?fontsize=Large

Feel free to post any questions or information you may have about bariatric surgery.

Haitian Health Foundation

I just returned from my third trip to Jeremie, Haiti. Jeremie is a remote area in the poorest nation in the western hemisphere. Malnutrition, poor sanitiation and inadequate drinking water are among the biggest challenges. As a physician, it affords me the opportunity to diagnose and treat diseases I'd only read about like malaria, tuberculosis and various parasitic infections.

Despite these adverse conditions patients were grateful for whatever treatment is provided. Sometimes that treatment was only a kind word and a smile since there is an extreme shortage of medication and virtually no diagnostic equipment.

The Haitian Health Foundation (HHF) of Norwich, CT is the organization that sponsors the clinic where I worked along with many other outreach efforts in Haiti. Its' founder, Dr. Jeremiah Lowney has been making these trips four times a year for the past 27 years. I had the plaesure of interviewing Dr. Lowney on the "Healthy Rounds" radio program just before leaving for Haiti. http://www.wtic.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=4216171

This trip differed from my other visits because I left with a feeling of hope and pride. My hope was based on having the opportunity to work with a group of young, American volunteers who have left the comforts that we have become accustomed to so that they can help those in need for an extended period of time. My pride was based on the fact that my youngest daughter Stephanie was one of those volunteers.

If you wish to donate time or money to help this outstanding effort please contact HHF at www.haitianhealthfoundation.org

Gluten Free Diets

This week's guest on Healthy Rounds (WTIC 1080 and WTIC.com Saturdays 11-noon) was Carrie Taylor. Ms. Taylor is a registered dietician for Big Y foods and Head of the Living Well Eating Smart Program.



One topic discussed was the gluten-free diet. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. People with celiac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis and gluten intolerance are unable to properly digest gluten-containing foods.



One in 133 people suffer from celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that alters the small intestine. The demand for gluten-free recipes is increasing, according to Ms. Taylor.



A gluten-free diet is not a method for weight loss or to increase a person's energy level despite being touted as such in the popular literature.



I highly recommend the http://www.bigy.com/ website for more information.



Are you on a gluten-free diet?

Do you have some recipes to share?