1. society
2. welfare
3. healthcare
4. hospital

A publication of Charlevoix Area Hospital Winter 2004
HAVE YOU VISITED OUR NEW WEBSITE?
14700 Lake Shore Drive
Charlevoix, Michigan 49720
231/ 547-4024
Now you can learn more
about our hospital,
email patients, check out
career and volunteer
opportunities, get info
about upcoming
programs and events, make
a gift to our hospital foundation,
and keep abreast of new medical
services—all from the comfort
of your own computer!
Administration
William Jackson, President
Diane Kidder, Vice President, Staff Services
Joy Klooster, Vice President, Nursing Services
Tabitha Rudolph, Vice President, Financial Services
Roger Sievertson, Vice President, Support Services
Chris Wilhelm, Vice President, Professional Services
To Your Health is a publication of Charlevoix Area Hospital, produced to
inform area residents about health issues and hospital services.
Board of Directors
Rebecca Haney, Chairwoman
Richard Fish, DDS, Vice Chairman
Steve Hufford, OD, Secretary & Treasurer
James Jeakle, MD, Chief of Staff
Tom Carey
Mark Eckhardt
Sulane Hamilton
Mary Jason
Marc Lame, MD
Norm Perkins
Bob Vance
Ruth Waters
HEART
SMART
Heart Disease is an equal-opportunity issue
Just the FACTS
About
Charlevoix Area
Hospital
Serving our community
since 1919
Affiliate Centers:
Boyne Area
Medical Center
that now threatens women as often as men.
COULD
YOU BE AT RISK?
Charlevoix physician Melodie Brown, MD, makes cardiac
health a priority in her busy family practice—and for good
reason. Although women typically identify breast
Boyne Rehabilitation Center
Jordan Valley
Rehabilitation Center
Boulder Park Terrace
Beds: 44
Physicians: 61
Staff: 315
Admissions: 1,500/year
Outpatient Visits: 29,100/year
Emergency and Urgent
Care Visits:
12,000/year
Accreditation: Joint Commission
on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO)
Governance: Nonprofit hospital
governed by volunteer
community board
Annual Payroll: $10.5 million
www.cah.org
How to be
cancer as the biggest threat to their health, more
than one in three will
be affected by heart
disease. What’s more,
women who suffer a
When it comes to heart
disease, women lag
behind men by as much
as 20 years. But a
woman’s first heart
attack is more likely
to be fatal.
heart attack are more likely
to be disabled. Turn to page two to find out what Dr. Brown
wants you to know about reducing your risk.
Continued on page 2
HEART
SMART
HOW TO
CALCULATE
YOUR BODY
MASS INDEX
BMI =
{your weight in pounds} x 703
(height in inches) x (height in inches)
For example, a person who
weighs 140 pounds and is
5’4” tall has a BMI of 24.2.
Adults who have a BMI of
Watch Your Weight
Control Your Blood Pressure
Obesity is the biggest contributing
factor to heart disease.
According to the latest height/
weight charts, a woman who is
5’5” should weigh less than 148
pounds—and, for many, that means a healthier
diet is in order. Women whose abdominal girth
exceeds 35 inches, or who are “apple” shaped
are at greatest risk. Keep your Body Mass Index
(BMI) under 25.
High blood pressure—or hypertension—increases your heart’s
workload and contributes to the
risk of heart disease. Recently,
the benchmark for high blood pressure was reset
to 120/80, and women whose blood pressure
reading exceeds that should take steps to lower
their numbers. Same old story here: watch your
diet (and cut back on salt), reduce fats, and
exercise, exercise, exercise!
Limit Fats
Stop Smoking
18.5 to 24.9 are considered
normal; those with a BMI of
25.0 to 29.9 are overweight;
and those with an index of 30
and above are medically
obese.
IT ALL
ADDS UP
An average
adult woman
who consumes
Your fat intake shouldn’t exceed
25% - 35% of your total calories
for the day—and saturated fats
(those from red meat, dairy, or
shortening, for example) should
be limited to 7% or less. “Good” fats—Omega 3
fats—may actually offer some protection from
heart disease and can be found in deep water
fish such as salmon and tuna, and in raw nuts—
especially almonds.
Lower Your Cholesterol
Every woman should have her
cholesterol checked around age
20 to establish a benchmark, and
continue to be rechecked every
five years after. A cholesterol
reading of 180 or less is considered normal.
Equally important is the distribution between
HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol).
An HDL reading of 60 or above is optimal; ideally,
LDLs should be less than 100.
Move It and Lose It
just 1% more
than her caloric
requirement for
one year will
gain 20 pounds.
2
Diet with exercise is the best
combo for increasing HDL levels,
lowering blood pressure, and
reducing the risk of diabetes
and heart disease. Every woman
should aim for 30 minutes of
aerobic activity at least five days a week.
Monitor Your Blood Sugar
Compared to men, women with
diabetes face a greater risk of heart
disease. Make sure you have your
blood glucose checked when you
have a yearly physical—particularly
if you have a family history of
diabetes. A healthy diet and weight loss will
help reduce the likelihood of diabetes.
Smoking is responsible for at
least half of the heart attacks in
middle-aged women. Enough said.
Drink Only In Moderation
Recent studies seem to indicate that
having an alcoholic beverage 3 – 5
times a week can actually benefit
your heart. Red wine, because of
the flavinoids and antioxidants, may
be most beneficial of all.
Use Hormone Replacement
Therapy (HRT) With Caution
It now seems clear that hormone
replacement offers women no
protection from heart disease—
and, in fact, it may even increase
the risk in some women. For that
reason, women should use HRT
only to control any seriously uncomfortable
effects of menopause, and then only short term.
Manage Stress
Stress increases your body’s
adrenalin levels—and that can spell
trouble for your heart. Aside
from exercise (always a great
stress-reliever), consider yoga
or relaxation techniques. If you’re dealing with
personal problems or other issues outside of
your control, seek counseling to learn helpful
coping skills.
Know Your Family History
Of course, the one thing you can’t
do anything about is your genetic
heritage—and that’s a key factor in
heart disease too. If you have parents
or siblings who had a heart attack
or were diagnosed with heart disease
before the age of 65, you’re at greater risk yourself.
That means you’ll need to be extra cautious
about all the other factors you CAN control.
40
Fabulous
Years
Dr. Lignell celebrates a milestone
When John Lignell, MD, first made his move to Charlevoix Area Hospital,
JFK was president, the Beatles were still playing Liverpool pubs, beehive
hairdos were all the rage, and computers were the stuff of dreams.
It was 1963, and the young doctor from Detroit was looking to set up a
solo family practice in a small Michigan town. As luck would have it,
he ran into his dad’s good friend, beloved Charlevoix physician Gilbert
Saltonstall, MD, while attending a state medical society meeting. At
Dr. Saltonstall’s invitation, Lignell paid a visit to our fair city—and the
rest is history.
“I came up in the middle of a blizzard, with nary a car in sight on Bridge
Street,” remembers Dr. Lignell. “But the next day dawned bright and
sunny. A foot of fresh snow covered everything, and the view of Round
Lake was beautiful. It seemed like a sign.”
That following summer, Lignell moved to Charlevoix, opened a practice
on Clinton Street, and put in his first on-call weekend at the hospital’s
ER—a busy fourth of July holiday, as it turned out. “Things were hopping,
but I loved it. And I’ve loved it ever since.”
Recently, Dr. Lignell was honored with a 40-year service award at the
annual hospital dinner, a significant career achievement by any measure.
Looking back, he marvels at how much the practice of medicine has changed
since ’63, and how much Charlevoix Area Hospital has changed too.
“Back then, the hospital was much smaller than it is today. We had no
coronary care unit, only a few OB beds, and a tiny x-ray department that
relied on a radiologist who came in once a week to read film,” he recalls.
“Physicians had no beepers… we had to let the hospital know where we
were and how we could be reached at all times. Now, there’s always a
doctor present in the emergency department 24 hours a day, seven days
a week.”
Dr. Lignell credits technology with bringing about the greatest advances.
“New diagnostic tools allow us to pinpoint problems and treat them earlier.
And, thanks to state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, we can closely
watch over patients and track their status. But, for small hospitals like
ours, maybe the most important technological development is our ability
to access data, share information, and tap medical expertise anywhere
in the world. That keeps us learning—and that’s what makes this career
so endlessly rewarding.”
After 40 years, retirement isn’t even on Dr. Lignell’s radar screen. And that suits
his patient, Norm Perkins, just fine. Lignell has been primary care physician
to the Perkins family since 1969 (or “B.C…. Before Children,”as Norm puts it).
“John is kind and gentle; calm and comforting. His strengths and skills are
unmatched. We live in an era when physicians are so busy. But Dr. Lignell is
always generous with his time and he’s an excellent listener. I feel lucky to have
him as my physician, and proud to have him as a personal friend.”
3
Area women who have been looking for a woman doctor to see them through
their pregnancy now have two great options. Under a “shared care”
arrangement, two female physicians will provide prenatal care
in cooperation with OB specialists, Drs. Jeakle and Mosher.
TV that’s GOOD for you
For Patients & Guests
Patients at Charlevoix Area Hospital can now tune in to Channel 39 to
pick up helpful, easy-to-use information about a wide variety of health
topics—from diabetes to smoking cessation, pain management to
post-surgical care, techniques for handling a newborn to tips
for successful parenting. The Patient Channel is delivered by
satellite, 24 hours a day, directly to patient rooms and waiting
areas throughout the hospital.
Oh baby!
Pregnancy is such a special time of life. And many expectant patients—
especially first-time moms—are looking for extra understanding and empathy.
For Health Professionals
Physicians, nurses, imaging technologists, pharmacists, and other health
professionals at the hospital now have access to clinical training and
accredited continuing educational programming on Channel 40—TiP-TV.
The educational channel gives our staff an opportunity to polish skills,
tap new information, and share expertise without traveling to a distant
medical campus.
Now, two family physicians in our area are providing prenatal care with a
woman’s touch.
Geralyn Doskoch, MD, has teamed up with OB/Gynecology specialists William
Mosher III, MD, and James Jeakle, MD, to offer prenatal care to Charlevoix
Geralyn Doskoch, MD
area women. Andrea Wendling, MD, her counterpart at Boyne Area Medical
Center, will offer prenatal care to women in the Boyne City area.
“This is a great addition to our area’s healthcare choices,” says Mary Terryberry,
(231) 582-5314
RN, nursing director of the hospital’s Birthing Center. “Patients who prefer to
have a woman physician care for them during pregnancy can now choose one
of two excellent doctors—both known for their gentle manner and understanding.
IS A CIGARETTE HABIT
HOLDING YOU HOSTAGE?
Best of all, they can count on delivering their babies at our hospital’s beautiful
new Birthing Center.”
Dr. Wendling is at Boyne Area Medical Center Monday, Wednesday, and
Thursday; Dr. Doskoch will see patients at Charlevoix Women’s Health Care on
Andrea Wendling, MD
Tuesday and Friday.
If you’re a smoker who’s ready to quit, we’ve got the help you need. Freedom from
(231) 547-4477
What women want. What women need.
Smoking is a lively, interactive program that gives you the tools, tips, techniques,
motivation, and support you need to stop smoking—and stay stopped.
Sponsored by Charlevoix Area Hospital in cooperation with the
American Lung Association, the 8-week series will lead you
Baby Bonus
through a proven, step-by-step formula for
Women who receive prenatal care from
success. New sessions start
Dr. Doskoch or Dr. Wendling can plan on
soon. Call our Freedom
delivering at Charlevoix Area Hospital’s
from Smoking
beautiful new birthing center.
Coordinator to sign
up—and you could be
an ex-smoker by summer!
4
231/ 547-8672
The Birthing Center’s Sherry Kirby, RN,
has a special touch with newborns.
5
WHAT’S
the
B OY N E C I T Y
News from our hospital affiliates
Andrea L. Wendling, MD, and
Michael J. Harmeling, MD, have
joined Doctors Boss, Knysz, and
Wonski to offer comprehensive
care to adults, adolescents, and
children alike. Dr. Harmeling’s
practice will include a special
emphasis on men’s health,
while Dr. Wendling will focus on
women’s health. Both physicians
are 1994 graduates of The
University of Michigan School of
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Dr.Wendling provides care for women,
Medicine, certified by the
adolescents, and children. As part of his
American Academy of Family
primary care practice, Dr. Harmeling will
Physicians, and come to the
emphasize men’s health.
Boyne practice from Advantage
Health in Grand Rapids.
They’re married and the parents of three children.
“We’re really pleased to be part of such a dynamic health team,” says
Dr. Harmeling, who grew up in the Boyne City area. “It’s a great place
to live, raise a family, and build a practice.”
Operating at capacity, Boyne Area Medical Center has been in need
of more space and additional doctors to serve the area’s growing
population. The remodeling adds 2,200 square feet, including four
more patient exam rooms, a mammography suite, expanded lab,
procedure room for minor surgeries, new physician offices, and a large
reception area.
The center was established as an affiliate of Charlevoix Area Hospital
in 1997 to offer all types of non-emergency preventive care—from
infant care, well-baby visits, and immunizations, to adult physical exams,
reproductive health services, and routine treatment of minor illness or
injury. Boyne Area Medical Center is located at 223 Park Street in
Boyne City, (231) 582-5314.
6
dB
oss
, an
nys
z
ski
,K
g jo
in
Do
cto
r
sW
on
C H A R L E VO I X
In Boyne City, Doctors Harmeling and
We
nd
lin
After an extensive, eight-month
construction and renovation
project, Boyne Area Medical
Center is bigger and better than
ever. And, thanks to the addition
of two new family physicians,
the center is now accepting
new patients too.
.
Boyne Area Medical Center
expands, adds new physicians
E A S T J O R DA N
Jordan Valley Rehab moves to new digs
There’s plenty of room to bend, stretch, build strength, and mend muscles and bones at Jordan Valley Rehab’s
new home. The rehab center has moved to the magnificent new Main Street Center in downtown East Jordan,
tripling its space and expanding services in the process.
Occupying about 3,000 square feet of the second floor of the recently renovated historic building, JV Rehab offers
physical, occupational, and speech therapy; functional capacity exams; cognitive rehabilitation for stroke patients;
and reconditioning for injured athletes. The bright, spacious new location is designed to be comfortable and
convenient, with private treatment rooms, exercise equipment, and plenty of space for weight training.
THE POWER OF 3
OB/Gyns William Mosher III, MD, and James Jeakle, MD,
are joined by the newest member of their practice,
family physician Geralyn Doskosh, MD. The three offer
comprehensive care for women of all ages at
Charlevoix Women’s Health Care, located at 14700
Park Avenue on the hospital’s campus.
WOMAN TO WOMAN
Dr. Doskoch offers comprehensive, holistic health
care to women of all ages—from pre-puberty
through post-menopause and beyond.
A new, holistic healthcare option for women
With the move, the rehab center will also expand its hours, seeing clients from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday; and 7:00 am
to 6:00 pm on Tuesday and Thursday.
Great news! Area women who want holistic health care at every stage of life now have more
choices than ever before. Geralyn Doskoch, MD, has joined James Jeakle, MD, and William
Mosher III, MD, in the newly named Charlevoix Women’s Health Care practice.
“We know how important it is for
people to gain confidence, heal, and
get back to their routine quickly and
safely after an illness or injury,” says
physical therapist Mike Aenis, who
serves as manager of the rehab
center. “In most cases, patients can
be scheduled for an appointment 24
to 48 hours of a physician referral.”
A graduate of The University of Michigan School of Medicine and certified family practitioner,
Dr. Doskoch has a keen interest in women’s health issues, and a strong commitment to
integrating body, mind, and spirit in her delivery of medical care.
Jordan Valley Rehabilitation Center is
an affiliate of Charlevoix Area
Hospital, which also operates sports
medicine and rehab programs at the
hospital, and at Boyne Rehabilitation
Center in Boyne City.
Jordan Valley’s new rehab center is bright, spacious, and designed to be comfortable
and convenient for clients. From its second floor space in the renovated Main Street
Center, the facility offers great views of downtown, the Jordan River wetlands, and
Lake Charlevoix.
“As a woman, a physician, and a mom, I can relate to a variety of women’s concerns,” says
Dr. Doskoch. “I think many women today are looking for ways to take charge, and learn all they
can about maintaining their total health and managing their care. I hope to help my patients do
just that.”
Dr. Doskoch is at Charlevoix Women’s Health Care on Tuesdays and Fridays. The office is
located at 14700 Park Avenue, adjacent to the hospital campus. Women who are interested
in making an appointment with Dr. Doskoch, or with Doctors Jeakle or Mosher, should call
231/ 547-4477.
7
UM Survival Flight
gives our heliport
a ‘thumbs-up’
Nuclear medicine offers an inside look
When it comes to diagnosing
heart disease, thyroid problems,
gall stones, and a wide assortment of other organ, tissue,
or bone abnormalities,
nuclear imaging can provide
an accurate picture of what’s
going on inside the human body.
or tissue under study. There, the
radioactive isotope gives off gamma
rays that can be seen using
special equipment called a gamma
camera. The camera traces the
course of the radioactive agent,
highlighting the organ or area of
concern.
Although the very name conjures
up some futuristic science fiction,
nuclear imaging is very real. And
it’s being performed every day at
Charlevoix Area Hospital.
“Like the CT scan or ultrasound,
nuclear imaging is another tool
that allows us to make accurate
diagnoses,” says Charlevoix
radiologist Carl Harlan, DO. As
head of our hospital’s radiology
department, Dr. Harlan interprets
images from the gamma equipment,
identifies any abnormalities, and
consults with other physicians to
determine an appropriate course
During the quick and painless
diagnostic procedure, a patient
either ingests or is injected with a
very small amount of radioactive
material that travels to the organ
Radiologist Carl Harlan, DO, carefully reviews images
from the nuclear scan at right.
of treatment. “Nuclear medicine
complements our other diagnostic
tests, adds to our capabilities, and
enhances our capacity to care for
patients. It’s particularly convenient
for area people to be able to have
the procedure here at the hospital,
where we can integrate their whole
treatment plan.”
It’s been just four years since the
nuclear medicine department was
launched here at Charlevoix Area
Hospital. In that short time, the
department’s staff has achieved a
level of patient care and perfected
the highly specialized diagnostic
services in order to meet the
American College of Radiology’s
rigorous practice standards.
The department recently underwent
a voluntary evaluation by the
ACR that resulted in a three-year
accreditation of the department—
making Charlevoix Area Hospital the
only facility in northern Michigan
to receive the designation.
In a serious emergency, a University of
Michigan Health System Survival Flight
can make the difference between life and
death. Its arrival is usually cause for
concern—a sure sign of trauma
or illness requiring a speedy
transfer and the high level of care
only UM specialists can provide.
But this time the University’s twin-engine
Bell 430 helicopter was greeted with
smiles and waves when it paid a
friendly, non-urgent visit to our
hospital’s new rooftop heliport.
Cleared for
Landing
Dr. Harlan says the challenging
accreditation serves as a measure
of excellence for patients, referring
physicians, and health insurers.
“Receiving ACR accreditation
confirms that we’re able to provide
high quality care. That’s something
we strive for every day, in every
department of the hospital.”
The visit gave Peter Forster,
Administrator for the UM
Health System Emergency
Medicine, and the Survival
Flight crew a chance to test
our helicopter landing pad,
tour the hospital, and get
acquainted with our new
emergency department.
“When we learned of
Charlevoix Area Hospital’s
The department
extensive emergency department upgrade
and the new helipad, we wanted to check
it out,” Forster says. “It’s important for us
to know about the hospital’s medical
technology and capabilities in the event
we’re called upon to transport patients.”
The visit also provided staff with a close
look at the state-of-the-art chopper and
an opportunity to learn more about the
triage protocols used to transfer critically
ill patients.
Now in its 20th year, the University of
Michigan Health System’s Survival Flight
program operates three helicopters, a
Cessna jet, and specially equipped ground
transportation used to evacuate and
transport newborns in need of neonatal
intensive care and organs destined for
transplant, in addition to ill or injured
patients.
Dr. Dennis Joy, who serves as director of
our hospital’s Emergency Department,
sums it up: “When a high level of care is
called for, Survival Flight can help ensure
Charlevoix area patients receive all the
medical attention they need. We’re
privileged to have this world-class air
ambulance team, and the connection it
gives us to The University of Michigan
hospitals and health centers.”
recently received
a three-year
accreditation from
the American
College of
Radiology—making
Charlevoix Area
Hospital the only
facility in northern
Michigan to earn
the designation.
This is not the composited image.
Aran is sending it to me.
8
A Flight Survival Story
One Charlevoix resident knows first-hand the importance of
Survival Flight’s rapid response. When he was just 11 years old,
Nathaniel Sotuyo was rushed from Charlevoix Area Hospital to Mott
Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, courtesy of the high-tech chopper.
A normally active, outdoor kid, Nathaniel became
suddenly and seriously ill, suffering a series of
unexplained seizures. Suspecting Lyme Disease,
Roderic Tinney, MD, Nataniel’s pediatrician,
admitted him to our hospital and immediately
prescribed medication to slow the seizures.
When that neglected to help, and consultation
with a pediatric neurologist failed to yield results,
Dr. Tinney acted quickly to have Nathaniel
transferred to the University of Michigan Health
System facility.
Nathaniel was eventually diagnosed with
“encephalitis due to an unknown virus,” a
condition that required him to continue anti-seizure
medication for more than a year and undergo
follow-up EEGs.
As Dr. Tinney, hospital staff, and his anxious
family watched, Nathaniel was carefully placed
aboard a Survival Flight helicopter and transported
to Mott, where he spent six days in the ICU.
“Those were the hardest days of my life,” says
Terry Sotuyo, Nathaniel’s mom. “It was almost
three days before Nathaniel began to respond,
and all of us were frantic with worry.”
“Looking at him, it’s hard to believe what he went
through,” says Terry. “I have tremendous respect
for Dr. Tinney and his quick thinking. Nathaniel
might have suffered serious, long-term effects,
brain damage, or worse. I can’t imagine what
would have happened without the Survival Flight.”
Flying high today
Nathaniel Sotuyo was guest of honor when the
UM Survival Flight paid a visit to Charlevoix
Area Hospital. The 15-year old Charlevoix
High School sophomore has no memory of the
day he was a passenger aboard the lifesaving
chopper. “I had no idea what the helicopter
even looked like or how big it was,” he says.
“My only recollection is when I had a spinal
tap, and when I started to recover in Ann
Arbor.” Today, Nathaniel says he feels great.
“I can participate in sports and be as active as
I want. There are no restrictions on the way
I live my life.”
Although his recovery took time, Nathaniel now
shows no signs of the illness that nearly took his
life. A happy, healthy, outgoing 15-year-old, he
enjoys cross-country, track, wrestling, snowboarding,
and hunting—and he’s an excellent student to boot.
9
NEW & IMPROVED
TIPS for TAKING
OFF POUNDS
Is your New Year’s resolution to lose weight still
Richard S. Hagelberg, MD, who recently received
on track? Here’s some help from our Registered
special training and Stretta certification at Ohio State
Dietician, Laurel Najarian.
University, says Stretta is an attractive alternative to
Feeling the burn?
lifetime dependence on over-the-counter or prescription
Don’t Let a Slip-Up
Set You Back
days in the hospital, and several weeks of recovery.
outpatient treatment
“The Stretta procedure takes less than an hour to
Every dieter succumbs to temptation now and then. For some, an
perform, can be done under local anesthesia, and
occasional slip signals an all-out binge, followed by guilt, self-
requires no incision,” he explains. “Most patients will
recrimination, and giving up. If you’ve done a good job of sticking
spend just a few hours in the hospital and return to
to your eating plan, a calorie-laden dinner or rich dessert won’t
normal activities in a couple days.”
make a big difference. Allow yourself a celebration now and then—
and you’ll be ready to jump back on your diet plan with new resolve
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs
and success.
when the stomach contents “reflux” up through a
weakened valve in the lower esophagus, causing
Keep a Journal
frequent regurgitation, heartburn, chest pain, difficulty
A journal can help you see the connections between food and
swallowing, and even ulceration. In some cases,
mood. Keep track of everything you eat, how you were feeling at
patients may be able to control the condition by eating
the time you ate, and your energy level before and after eating.
smaller meals, avoiding food before bedtime, or elevating
You’ll learn important things about yourself and your relationship
their head and chest while sleeping. But for many,
with food. And you can chart success along the way as you build
costly prescription medications that decrease stomach
endurance, feel better, get stronger, have more energy, and take off
acid, or more complex and invasive surgery, have
those extra pounds.
been the only treatment options.
Crank It Down a Notch
Stretta goes to the cause of the problem, treating the
When it comes to exercise, too much, too soon, too frequently can
cause early burnout. If you’re starting to feel discouraged, cut back
on the intensity of your workout and go for a brisk walk instead.
Lots of people bag their diet and exercise program because they’ve
set unrealistic goals. If an hour of exercise leaves you feeling
exhausted, try a 10 or 15-minute routine. Consistency breeds success. Fifteen minutes of exercise every day is far more effective
than one hour every few days.
Add Variety
Change your menu and your exercise routine often to keep your
motivation up. If your regular workout at the gym is growing stale,
try using a new piece of equipment, adding weights, or heading
outside for a jog, bike ride, or cross-country skiing instead.
called Stretta
can offer significant relief
to many who suffer from
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)—
and the procedure
is being performed
exclusively at
Charlevoix Area Hospital.
weakened valve that lies between the esophagus and
HEALTH
NEWS
you C A N
U S E
stomach. During the procedure, a narrow catheter is
inserted through the patient’s mouth, down through
the valve. Then, radio-frequency waves are used to
contract the esophageal sphincter and prevent food
and acid from traveling upward through the esophagus.
According to Dr. Hagelberg, Stretta is a good option
for most people who suffer from GERD. Only those
with a large hiatal hernia are unable to undergo the
procedure. “In over three years of clinical use, Stretta
has shown to be highly effective in treating GERD,”
Hagelberg explains. “It can greatly improve the quality
of life for those who experience acid reflux, and provides
complete, long-lasting relief in nearly two-thirds of all
GERD patients.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the
Stretta technique, consult with your physician or
10
A new, low-risk
medication, or conventional surgery that requires several
call Dr. Hagelberg, (231) 547-2812.
CURE
FOR
ACID
REFLUX
A
11