September/October 2010

BE

Q&A
with the
pharmacist
Avoid grief
on the golf course
Food dye free
Goodbye
wrinkles!
Hello Botox!

survive&thrive
How to have
“The Talk”
What and
Sisters in Arms Women helping women cope with breast cancer
when kids Women & Prostate Cancer Know the facts for the men you love
need to know
 Do You Have Any of These Symptoms?
• Swollen legs or ankles?
• Muscle cramps, tender, aching legs?
• Tiredness, itching, burning, tingling, throbbing, or heaviness in your legs?
• Discoloration or peeling of the skin, especially around your ankles?
• Non-Healing sores on your lower legs?
• Bulging, rope-like veins or spider veins?
These may be symptoms of venous reflux disease or venous insufficiency.
This common medical disease affects over 25 million people in the United
States and often goes undiagnosed and untreated.
Now there is an effective, minimally invasive procedure that is performed at
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Our highly specialized and experienced staff makes comprehensive
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If you recognize any of these symptoms,

call today for an appointment and consultation.

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2 September/October 2010 | BEHealthySETX.com

OVERWEIGHT SINCE CHILDHOOD, Daniel tried all the fad diets, but none produced the long-term results he
desired. Then he heard about our free surgical weight-loss seminars. There he learned about the three
procedures offered by CHRISTUS Southeast Bariatric Center. His best option turned out to be Sleeve
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celebrates his new life by jogging, golfing and biking three miles a day. And as icing on his new birthday cake,
he benefits from ongoing advice and support from his own team of bariatric doctors, nurses and dietitians.
To see if bariatric surgery is right for you, visit our Web site for the date of our next free seminar.

www.setxweightloss.org
BEHealthySETX.com
| September/October 2010 3
409-839-5673
 Contents
BE Healthy | September/October 2010 | Volume 1, Issue 4

7 10 12 15
EATING RIGHT FOCUS ON HEALTH GET MOVING HELPING HANDS
DYE JOB PROTECT YOUR MAN GOLF GRIEFS SURVIVORS
Food dye safety debated Women and prostate cancer Avoid sprains and pains & MENTORS
By Cathleen Cole By Todd Senters By Todd Senters Breast cancer comrades
By Kirsten Matthew

18
SAFETY
DO YOU KNOW
YOUR MEDICINE?
Advice from pharmacists
By Cheryl Rose

22 20 6
BEAUTY INCREASE YOUR PEACE EDITOR’S LETTER
BOTOX BUSTS WHAT KIDS BE DILIGENT
WRINKLES NEED TO KNOW Get your checkups
And surprisingly more! When is the right time By Cheryl Rose
By Kirsten Matthew to talk about sex?
By Cathleen Cole

4 September/October 2010 | BEHealthySETX.com

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BEHealthySETX.com | September/October 2010 5
 from the editor BE

BE diligent Editorial
Executive Editor
CHERYL ROSE

A
Contributing Writers
couple of months ago, my mammogram CATHLEEN COLE
reminder came in the mail. Could it re- KIRSTEN MATTHEW
TODD SENTERS
ally have been a whole year since the last
one? Dutifully, I got it scheduled, got it Photography
done and am thankful for a clear report. Contributing Photographers
A fellow church member of mine wasn’t SILVIA C. MCCLAIN
RENÉ SHEPPARD
so fortunate. While climbing and stretching to hang LEE E. STINSON
decorations for vacation bible school this summer, she JUDY STOKELY
discovered a lump. She is undergoing treatment right
Art
now, and I dedicate this issue to her and other sisters Executive Director, Advertising Services
who are facing this disease with courage and a positive attitude. ANNA SINGLETARY
When fall rolls around, we loudly celebrate two months of cancer awareness in our
Manager, Creative Media
country: National Prostate Awareness month in September and National Breast Cancer BLANCHE BOND
Awareness month in October. These two types of cancers get a lot of attention and
press, because unlike some other forms of the disease, both are very treatable with Supervisor, Creative Media
high recovery rates if diagnosed in the early stages. Make the time and get the tests, DON GRAY
and make sure everyone in your family gets the screenings, checkups and vaccinations Lead Graphic Designer, Creative Media
they need, too. KRISTEN FLORES
Kudos to locally-owned national enterprise Jason’s Deli for recently recognizing and
Contributing Designer
responding to the potentially harmful impact of food dye, particularly in children. In KATIE GUIDROZ
July, the European Union required all foods sold in Europe to include a warning label if
they contain artificial food dye. These labels declare that the labeled food, “may have Advertising
an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” To advertise in BE Healthy
409.880.0700
Food dyes have been controversial since the 1970s when an allergist in California
identified the link between behavior problems in children and food dye. Numerous Contact Us
studies have proven that dyes can negatively affect some children — and guess where BE Healthy
380 Main Street
most of the food dye is used? In products aimed at children, such as breakfast cereals. Beaumont, TX 77701
The actual food dye can also be a “hidden” ingredient in food labeling, summed up 409.880.0700
with a “color added” clause. Did you know that some red food dye comes from crushed
TO DISPLAY THE MAGAZINE
insects? Look up “carmine” or “cochineal extract” next time you see it on a food label. AT YOUR BUSINESS LOCATION,
Oh, and these are considered “natural” rather than artificial food dyes. Read those PLEASE CALL 409.838.2829
labels, and consider your choices.
SUBMISSIONS
TO SUBMIT AN EVENT, ORGANIZATION
|OR PERSON FOR CONSIDERATION
IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE, SUBMIT BY USPS
AT ADDRESS ABOVE.

Cheryl Rose, A Division of Hearst Newspapers

Executive Editor Publisher
BILL OFFILL

Copyright © 2010 The Beaumont Enterprise

Visit us online at BEHealthySETX.com

Be part of keeping
Southeast Texas green!
Recycle this magazine.

think pink
Don’t forget to pick up your Pink Shopping
Card in October to help the Julie Rogers “Gift of
Life” program fund cancer screenings and preven-
tion programs. The cards cost $50 and get you a
20 percent discount at over 650 local merchants
in Beaumont, Groves, Jasper, Lumberton, Neder-
land, Orange, Port Arthur, Port Neches, Silsbee and
Vidor. Enjoy 10 days of discounted shopping –
and the cost of the card is tax deductible!

6 September/October 2010 | BEHealthySETX.com

 photography by Silvia C. MCClain eating right

Showing their

True
Now that Jason’s
Deli has gone dye-free,
Ella Magrum-Stanley
can eat anything she
wants there.
Colors
Beaumont-based Jason’s
Deli ditches the food dyes
By Cathleen Cole

T
he sweet little girl with
the blond curls ate two
maraschino cherries and
photography by aliSSa MagruM

turned into a monster.

Even though Ella Magrum-
Stanley was at the terrible-
twos stage, her mother, Alissa Magrum,
was appalled at the uncharacteristic,
aggressive behavior. Her friend chalked
it up to a temper tantrum, but Magrum
was not convinced. A few weeks later,
Magrum gave her daughter a red-velvet
photography by Silvia C. MCClain

cupcake. The toddler went ballistic. The

concerned mom went online to research
the effects of red dye in foods and
concluded that her daughter, like many
other children, had a severe sensitivity
to red food dyes that caused behavioral
changes. “It is a marked behavior
change,” Magrum said of her daughter’s
reaction to the dye. “She had three
episodes where she got out of control —
all red-dye related.” >>

BEHealthySETX.com | September/October 2010 7

 As a result, Magrum tried to eliminate

photography by Silvia C. MCClain

foods with artificial dyes from her kitchen.
She even taught her toddler to read the
word “red” and told her to make a pile
of everything in the pantry that had that
word listed in the ingredients. The stack
was huge.
So when Magrum attended a corporate
social-responsibility conference in her
hometown of Austin, Texas, in 2009, she
was interested in comments given by Rusty
Coco, executive vice-president and co-
owner of Beaumont-based Jason’s Deli. As
a panel member, he spoke on how his res-
taurant chain had “cleaned up” its menu
by eliminating foods with trans fat, mono-
sodium glutamate and high-fructose corn
syrup. After the panel session, Magrum
approached him and asked, “What about
food dyes?” Coco wanted to know, what
about them? She told him and that brief
encounter led to another landmark in the
Jason’s Deli menu history: In 2010, the
restaurant chain ditched the food dyes.
Unbeknownst to Magrum, Coco re-
turned to his company after their chat and
had the research-and-development team
look into food dyes. The conclusion? “They
make kids go crazy,” Coco said. “You can’t
metabolize some of that stuff.”
Based on the findings, the restaurant
chain asked all of its food vendors to delete
the dyes. About 85 percent complied and
those who did not were replaced. Some
of the more noticeable items that are now
naturally colored include the macaroni
and cheese, the ice milk and cones and
the salad dressings. But even if customers
don’t notice the change, Coco is happy. “I
know that we’re serving a good product
to our patrons,” he said. “When they do
notice, it’s dye-free icing on the trans fat-
free cake.” “I know that we’re serving a good product
Although the U.S. Food and Drug
to our patrons. When they do notice,
Administration currently maintains that
approved food dyes are safe and do not
it’s dye-free icing on the trans fat-free cake.”
cause hyperactivity and other learning Rusty Coco, executive vice-president
disabilities in children, Coco doesn’t care. and co-owner of Jason’s Deli
“You don’t need it,” he said. The self-de-
scribed health nut decided years ago that
he would not feed his customers food that
he wouldn’t eat himself. Why dye?
On a recent trip to Jason’s Deli, According to the FDA, color additives “Without color additives, colas wouldn’t
Magrum’s daughter offered an employee are used in foods: be brown, margarine wouldn’t be yel-
some information. “I can eat anything I low and mint ice cream wouldn’t be
• to offset color loss due to exposure
want here,” she said. “They took out all to light, air, temperature extremes, green,” according to the FDA. “Color
the dyes because my mommy asked them moisture and storage conditions. additives are now recognized as an
to.” Magrum believes the restaurant chain • to correct natural variations in color. important part of practically all pro-
is very committed to making its menu • to enhance colors that occur naturally. cessed foods we eat.”
choices healthier for customers, adding, • to provide color to colorless and
“They are very socially responsible.” • “fun” foods. — www.fda.gov
8 September/October 2010 | BEHealthySETX.com
THINK
PINK
10.10.10
focus on health

Women can
help prevent
prostate cancer

A
By Todd Senters

s a young man, it is easy to feel

invincible, with an “it can’t
happen to me” attitude. But
then it does. Current statistics
indicate that one in six men
will develop prostate cancer
during his lifetime.
Dr. Gwen Lavalais, a medical oncologist at the Baptist Cancer
Center, is personally familiar with the risks when this masculine
form of cancer goes undetected. “I wish I could tell you that I do
not have personal experience with this, but I cannot,” she shared.
“Members of my own family have been affected; one who failed
to be screened even with a family history of prostate cancer. I will
always advocate for prostate screening. Early detection can mean
the difference between life and death.”
In a variety of surveys comparing men and women’s approach
to annual medical checkups, men were shown to be less vigilant
about keeping up with their health exams than women. Men
tend to visit the doctor less frequently, are more likely to not have
a regular physician, and are also more likely to put off seeking
medical attention for a health problem.

10 September/October 2010 | BEHealthySETX.com

 “As a woman and a doctor, I am faced with the challenge of “As a woman and a
how to convince the men in my family to be screened,” Lavalais doctor, I am faced with
said. The best approach is to be candid, she urged. “Tell them the challenge of how to

photography by SILVIA C. MCCLAIN

you are depending on them and that you are scared of what might
happen if they are gone.” She smiled. “If all else fails, make the
appointment for them and make sure they get there. That’s what
I do.”
Gay Lynne Jones, president of the board of directors of the
North Jefferson Unit of the American Cancer Society, also
acknowledges the important role women can play in prevent-
ing prostate cancer. She conducts numerous prostate screening
and cancer prevention education events. “When I am speaking
to a women’s group, I am still going to talk to them about pros-
tate cancer. They can reach the men in their lives that I cannot
reach.”
According to Jones, annual prostate screening is essential for
men over 50; earlier for African-American men and men with a
family history of prostate cancer. “Early detection and treatment
is critical with any form of cancer, but especially prostate can-
cer,” she said. “There is a 95 percent survival rate when prostate
cancer is detected in the early stages.”
Prostate screening consists of a blood test to check the Prostate
Specific Antigen level, or PSA. A physician or other healthcare
practitioner will also perform a digital rectal exam, or DRE, to
check for the presence of a solid mass. These tests may be per-
formed together or at separate times. An elevated PSA or the de-
tection of a mass may indicate the presence of prostate cancer or
another treatable condition. The mass will need to be biopsied by
a urologist or a surgeon in order to determine if cancer is present.
There is some controversy surrounding the need for prostate
screening, Lavalais said. Recent guidance released by the Ameri-
can Cancer Society suggests that mass prostate screenings may
lead to a higher number of patients suspected of having cancer
convince the men in my
family to be screened …
If all else fails, make the
appointment for them
and make sure they get
there.”
Dr. Gwen Lavalais,
medical oncologist,
Baptist Cancer Center
and possibly lead to overtreatment.
In Jones’ experience with testing, she said they generally
expect one in ten individuals screened to have a positive result,
requiring further testing. However, not all of those who undergo
further testing will be diagnosed with cancer.
“If prostate cancer is identified by the biopsy, treatment will
be determined by the type and severity of cancer present,” Lava-
lais said. “Treatment will usually include surgery and possibly
radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is generally not used, except in
more advanced stages of the disease.” Newer treatments available
include radiation seed implants, which may eliminate the need
for surgery.
“Annual prostate screening is key to early diagnosis, early
treatment and ultimately, survival,” Lavalais cautioned.
Whether you have personally been touched by the devastating
effects of prostate cancer or you know of a family that has, step
up and take an active role to help make sure someone you care
about is screened. You might well save his life. •

Free Screening Medicare, Medicaid or are underinsured. For

Opportunity
The Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program, in
conjunction with the Baptist Cancer Center,
screens men who are at least 45 years of age
(40 if African-American or if there is a fam-
ily history of prostate cancer), have limited
income, and do not have medical insurance,
more information or to register for these free
screenings, please call the “Gift of Life” at
409.833.3663 or toll-free at 877.720.GIFT
(4438).
2010 Free “Gift of Life” Prostate Cancer
Screening: Sept. 25: Memorial Hermann
Baptist Hospital, Orange, 9 a.m.– noon

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get moving

Stretch
for your

photography by René SheppaRd

stroke
T
By Todd Senters

o some who play, golf is merely a game

played for fun. For most, the game of
golf is more than a hobby; it is a passion.
The challenges faced on the course can
prove one’s mettle or ruthlessly expose
one’s vulnerabilities. Experienced golfers and
recreational players alike can be prone to injury if
they fail to follow proper body mechanics.
No matter your skill-level,
the 19th hole should be filled
with stories of monster drives
and clutch putts. If your
bravado is tempered by sore,
aching muscles, chances are
you are not as well-conditioned
as you should be. According to
Tyler Briggs, a certified person-
al trainer and vice president of
operations at Exygon, main-
taining good physical condition
for golf requires a year-around
program.
“Many of the golf-related
injuries I see involve the back,”
Briggs said. “The mechanics of austin Williams,
the golf swing places increased a collegiate golfer and
torque on the back; weak three-time Beaumont City
Golf Champion
spine muscles can make you
susceptible to injury.” Briggs
recommends core training to
12 September/October 2010 | BEHealthySETX.com
 strengthen the entire trunk;
Where and why it hurts the chest, back, abdominals
Golf injuries are Areas of the body most and gluteals. He suggests two
attributed to: prone to golf injuries to four sets of squats, chest
• Overuse injuries • Back presses, shoulder presses
• Repetitive faulty swing • Hand and wrist and lunges. Each set should
mechanics • Elbow consist of 12 to 15 repetitions
• Fitness/conditioning level • Shoulder/neck with a modest weight.
• Forcing the body into • Knee In addition to following
positions it cannot a strength and conditioning
naturally achieve Statistics from the American
Osteopathic Academy program, it is essential to use
• improperly fitted equipment of Sports Medicine good swing mechanics in or-
der to reduce the likelihood of
injury on the course. “Good
posture is lesson one,” stated
David Bell, head golf profes-
sional at Brentwood Coun-
try Club. “I teach golfers to
assume an ‘athletic position.’
They should have a slight
knee bend and a slight bend
at the waist; straight spine
angle, feet shoulder-width
apart with arms hanging
straight down.” Bell said that
many golfers tend to squat (an
exaggerated bending of the
photography by silvia c. mcclain
of the wrists. “If you are
attempting a shot that is on
uneven ground or requires
you to stand at a different
elevation from the ball, make
sure your spine angle is
perpendicular to the ground,
choke-down on the grip and
follow the line of the slope.”
Off-balance shots can be par-
ticularly difficult and are more
likely to lead to injury if you
do not follow proper swing
mechanics, he advised.
“One of the most impor-
tant things a golfer can do is
to stretch before teeing off,”
Bell said. He recommends
stretching for approximately
five to ten minutes. Warm-up
stretches can include bending
to touch your toes with your
knees locked and rotating
slowly side-to-side at the
waist to loosen your back
muscles.
Briggs added that when

knees), which is poor posture
and often contributes to er-
rant shots.
According to Bell, many
golfers get injured when they
try to over-swing or attempt
difficult shots. “Wrists and
backs are the most common
injuries. Power comes from
the shoulders, arm-swing and
alec Garcia
of Brentwood hip-turn, not from the hands.
country club The hands are just a connect-
ing device to attach the club
to the arms.”
Bell explained that the
downswing should be moder-
ately fast with no movement
you are not on the course you
can practice the same stretch-
ing exercises with a medicine
ball to increase strength and
flexibility.
Consult with a personal
trainer to establish a year-
round conditioning program
tailored to your specific needs.
You should also work with a
swing coach or golf profes-
sional to ensure you are utiliz-
ing proper swing mechanics.
Not only will you help avoid
injury on the course you will
also dramatically improve
your game. •

No More Knee Pain

More than 30 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee, which
is the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions and protects the knee. The
good news is that non-surgical options are available that can take away your
pain, allowing you to enjoy your favorite activities and postpone surgery. One
The NeutralizerTM is of these is the NeutralizerTM, found exclusively at LeTourneau Prosthetics. This
only available at ultra-light, custom-made knee orthosis is suitable for all ages and activity
LeTourneau Prosthetics. levels and has an open framework for custom control.

Beaumont – (409) 832-5005 • Toll-free – (800) 609-5005

www.nomorekneepain.net
BEHealthySETX.com | September/October 2010 13
 “Beating prostate
cancer requires
a solid game plan
and the right
teammates.”
-Ray Woodard,
Lamar University Head Football Coach.

Early detection is the surest way to defeat prostate cancer. That means manning up and going to your

doctor for an exam if you are 50 or older.* Not later. Now. Having the best players on your side helps, too.

CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth and St. Mary’s Regional Cancer Services give you the critical edge it takes to

fight and beat cancer. Their highly skilled team of oncology physicians, nurses and specialists are equipped with

the latest technologies and the most advanced therapies available. And the CHRISTUS Mamie McFaddin-Ward

Cancer Center is one of only 18 facilities in Texas that is accredited by the American College of Surgeons as a

Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program. It’s simple. Stick with the early detection game plan, count

on your team, and you’ll come out on top.

www.christushospital.org
1.866.683.3627

*The American Cancer Society recommends that men age 50 or older ask their doctor about the pros and cons of testing. Males 45 years or older or who have a father or brother
who had prostate cancer before age 65 should also consult a physician. If you need a family physician, a specialist, a surgeon, or just a second opinion, call the CHRISTUS Hospital
14 September/October 2010
Find a Physician Referral | time.
Line any BEHealthySETX.com
1.866.683.3627.
 helping hands

Sisters
in Arms
American Cancer Society
program a channel of hope
By Kirsten Matthew

A
shli Sutherland remembers the day
she went wig shopping with her
cousin. Laughing. Taking pictures.
Eyeballing red ones. Marveling at
the odd, the bizarrely outdated ones.
Settling on a real beauty. “I had a
blast. It was the craziest time trying on all those
wigs,” she recalled.
The 28-year-old Lumberton breast cancer
survivor, faced with the grim prognosis just two
years ago, took the bull by the horns running.
Vanquishing the fear from day one, Sutherland
sought solace in a higher power. “Life happens.
There’s always something crazy … like cancer. It
was something I had to immediately give to God.”
This go-getter — with shaved head, missing
eyebrows, teeth crumbling like crackers, even
over PB&J — said her biggest fear was actually
losing her hair, not dying. Diagnosed with Stage
2 cancer, the survivor underwent a mastectomy
and wasn’t home a week before a knock came at
the front door. >>

BEHealthySETX.com | September/October 2010 15

 There stood a 50-something woman, a volunteer for the past
15 years who goes out to new breast cancer patients with a mes-
sage of hope and the tools of knowledge. “I loved her immedi-
ately,” Sutherland said of Dessie Richard, now 60 and in full
remission.
Richard, diagnosed in 1994, took numerous sessions of che-
motherapy along with radiation and surgery. “So I know what
they‘re going through,” she affirmed. The certified trainer for the
American Cancer Society’s Recovery for Life program is dedi-
cated to making life better and bringing acceptance to patients
like Sutherland. “God has us all here for a reason and part of my
reason is to give back some of what I received,” said the Beau-
mont-based volunteer, a message she has shared with over 200
women over the years.
For over four decades, the Reach to Recovery program has
been lending people help coping with their breast cancer experi-
ence. From the time they are faced with the stark possibility of Tammy Droste, community manager of health initiatives at the
Beaumont chapter of the American Cancer Society
a diagnosis throughout the entire period the disease remains a
personal concern, specially trained volunteers bring comfort and
encouragement to newly-diagnosed women. Survivors them- After hearing those first fateful words out of the doctors’
selves, the volunteers give patients and their families the freedom mouths, many women may feel overwhelmed, vulnerable and
to express feelings, talk about their fears and concerns, and gain alone. The stress of having to learn about and try to comprehend
reassurance from someone who knows the ropes — someone tout- complex medical treatments and then choose the best one can be
ing the sign of the power of the sword the American Cancer Soci- daunting. A match made with a trained breast cancer survivor
ety hoists in the crusading spirit of the cancer control movement. who can provide emotional support either by visiting with them
face-to-face or by phone often has a powerful influence in lessen-
ing their fears.
“We are here and we can help,” said Tammy Droste, commu-
nity manager of health initiatives at the Beaumont chapter of the
American Cancer Society. “These ladies are so grateful to know
each other and the rapport is wonderful.” Wearing the sword on
her name badge with conviction, she is resolved to providing free
services to any cancer patient, as well as referrals. “They’re going
through so much that just to be able to help in some small way is
rewarding.”

“Cancer is something I would get

up and do over and over again
every day because it ended up
bringing me closer to God.”
Ashli Sutherland, survivor
photography by JUDY STOKELY

16 September/October 2010 | BEHealthySETX.com


Reach Out
Those in need or those wishing to volunteer can access
Reach to Recovery by calling the local American Cancer
Society at 409.835.2138. For more information visit
www.cancer.org or call toll-free at 800.227.2345.
The local office at 755 S. 11th St. Ste. 212 in Beaumont
is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Local Cosmo Programs
Help Energize Cancer
Patients
The American Cancer Society offers a variety of
products designed to make a challenging time
easier for cancer patients experiencing side
effects from treatment, including wigs, breast
prostheses and other accessories.

“… I know what they’re going A support program at the Beaumont chapter for
through. God has us all here for women who have had breast cancer treatment
a reason and part of my reason provides free breast prostheses and mastec-
is to give back some of what I tomy bras. “When these ladies come in for a fit
received.” for a prostheses they are so grateful at how they
Dessie Richard, survivor and certified trainer look and feel,” Droste said. “It’s an incredible
for the American Cancer Society’s
Recovery for Life program feeling to know we can help.” Another program
offers free wigs for anyone experiencing cancer-
The hope, the compassion and support the volunteers bring related hair loss.
is immeasurable, especially because they have fully adjusted
to their own breast cancer treatment and have gone on to live “Don’t wait to call the American Cancer Society.
normal lives. They cover eight counties and are trained with the They have so much to offer and they’re definitely
latest up-to-date information and are able to give support for your best friend,” Sutherland said.
people recently diagnosed; people facing possible diagnosis; those
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those undergoing or who have completed chemotherapy or radia- “Make Our Home Your Home”
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safety

When in doubt, ASK

A
By Cheryl Rose

s you’re checking
out at the
pharmacy, the
technician gives
you your receipt
and asks if you have any

photography by LEE E. STINSON

questions for the pharmacist.
You consider this for a brief
moment. You’re pretty
certain you remember what
your doctor said about the
medication, which comes with
a safety guide with directions in
case you forget. So you decide
to opt out of the free counseling
session and head home. By
doing so, you’ve missed an
opportunity to get excellent
advice about prescription
safety from an extremely
knowledgeable source.
There’s a good chance that
you visit your pharmacy more
frequently than your doctor’s
office. Developing a consistent
relationship with a local
pharmacist can be important
for peace of mind and overall
health. BEH asked two
Beaumont pharmacists about
some of the common issues
encountered with medication.

Johnny Lovoi, Lovoi and Sons Pharmacy

When I pick up my prescription, what kind of questions should I ask? You need to make sure your drugs are compatible, particularly if you use
more than one pharmacy (or mail order). Tell the pharmacist, “I’m taking this, this, this.” Bring in a full list of medications so we can keep up with it.
Name brands vs. generics? A lot of people think generics aren’t good enough for them and want name brands. I personally think the generics are in
good shape and that’s what they ought to take and it will save them a bunch of bucks. All of the generics are approved by the FDA. I’ll put it this way: All I
take is generics.
I have trouble taking pills. Do I have options? If you can’t swallow a pill, we compound a lot of prescriptions. We can make them up in solutions,
capsules, creams and more. For example, we can make a nausea cream for when you can’t keep a pill down.

18 September/October 2010 | BEHealthySETX.com

Greg Hamby,
Kings Pharmacy
Most common mistakes you’ve seen with
medicines? Duplicating medicines; taking
medications that are for the same problem. For
example, taking a cough and cold combo drug,
then you get a headache and take a Tylenol.
But there is acetaminophen in both and people
can get in trouble doubling the medication. It
could be harmful.
I take so many medications — any tips
for managing multiples? You can use pill
organizers. Some more sophisticated ones
come with alarms to remind you.
How much concern should I have about
the possibility of medicine interactions?
The more medicines you take, the more
chance for interaction, and probably there are
interactions. The question is which ones are
harmful and should be avoided. For example,
aspirin and Coumadin; some people can take
those medicines together, but some people
should avoid it.
If a prescription says once a day, does
it matter when? In certain circumstances,
it could. The prescription should indicate if
it’s necessary to take it at a certain time. For
example, some cholesterol drugs should be
taken in the evening because that’s how they
work with the enzymes in the liver. If a time
isn’t indicated, I would just say make it a
routine whatever time you pick.
What do I do if I get off schedule or forget
to take my meds? In most circumstances,
don’t double dose. If you’ve already passed the
Big store pharmacies vs. indepen-
midway point to the next dose, just wait until
dents? The independents in Beaumont
the next dose. Certainly don’t take two blood
are certainly more inclined to offer you
pressure pills if you forgot your pill yesterday.
personalized service. The big stores
Best/worst ways to save money on medi- are in for the bottom line. Our patients
cine? Skipping doses is probably the worst are our life. We put more energy and
way to save money. The best way is to use effort into making sure our clients are
generic medicines when you can. taken care of and happy.

Should I mention herbal remedies or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that I take? A lot of people are buying stuff at health food stores and
really don’t know what they are mixing. An example of an OTC mixture to avoid is antihistamines and blood pressure medicine. Over-the-counter
antihistamines, such as Benadryl, will raise the blood pressure sky high.
How bad is doctors’ handwriting? Slowly but surely it’s not a problem because more are coming through by computer and are printed out now in
black and white for us.
Who works behind the counter at a pharmacy? The pharmacist and the pharmacy technicians. Technicians have special training. They can assist,
but all under the supervision of a pharmacist.
What training do pharmacists have? It’s an eight-year course: four years of regular school (university), four years for pharmacy school to earn
a doctor of pharmacy degree.

BEHealthySETX.com | September/October 2010 19

increase your peace
The Talk
Teaching your children
about sex is an ongoing
part of parenting
By Cathleen Cole
R
emember The Talk — that
foreboding event when
your mom or dad told you
about “the birds and the
bees” when you reached
puberty? That was then;
this is now. Talking with your children
about sex isn’t a one-time event. It’s an
ongoing part of parenting.
According to Beaumont psychologist
James Duncan, the best age to talk with
your child about sex is any time your child
shows an interest or needs information
to make important decisions. When your
children ask questions, you have an op-
portunity to give them information when
they are ready to listen and learn. “There
isn’t really a time when this begins and
there isn’t really a time when it is over,”
Duncan said. In the early years, questions
are likely to be about anatomy and me-
chanics. (Boy pee-pees look different from
girl pee-pees, right Mommy? Daddy, where
do babies come from?) Later, the topics
turn to events including menstruation
and puberty. Finally, discussions might
20 September/October 2010 | BEHealthySETX.com
deal with judgment calls regarding social
appropriateness, personal boundaries, and
health and safety concerns.
What’s normal when it comes to a
child’s sexual curiosity? In preschool
children, Duncan said, body exploration
and genital manipulation are considered
normal. During early school years, it’s of-
ten a matter of “I’ll show you mine if you
show me yours.” Later, kids learn this in
not socially accepted by adults and usually
quit that behavior, at least in public. By
the teenage years, there is an increase in
the interest of sex and exploring what feels
good. “Behaviors such as masturbation
and sexual play with peers become a cause
for parental concern when these behaviors
repeatedly occur in inappropriate settings
or at a high frequency,” Duncan said. “A
lack of boundaries or an obsessive preoc-
cupation with sex suggests the need for a
clinical evaluation.”
Some people are very uncomfortable
talking with their children about sex. The
question Duncan and other health pro-
fessionals ask: Where do you want your
Talk Tips
Psychologist James Duncan has some
overall advice for parents when it comes to
talking to their children about sex:
• Early in your child’s life, communicate that
sexual functioning is a normal and important
part of life and a subject open for discus-
sion.
• Answer your child’s questions about sex
in a straightforward way so that he or she
will come to see you as a source of truthful
information.
• Give your child needed information, about
menstruation or puberty, for example, so
that he or she can prepare for inevitable
events.
• Refrain from condemning your child for
sexual feelings, even though you may have
to set limits on sexual behaviors.
• Talk openly about tough decisions your
child may have to face. Rehearse scenarios
so that your child knows potential conse-
quences and how to manage peer pressure.
 “The Talk starts
around age 4 and
continues into Online Info
adolescence,
sometimes longer.” For further information
on this topic and many
Dr. Carl Hubbell,
pediatrician
more, search the Ameri-
can Academy of Pedi-
atrics’ website at www.
children to get this information? If you don’t tell healthychildren.org
them, they will get their information, or misin-
formation, from other sources. “Ignoring it is a Check it Out
problem,” Duncan said. “You leave your child to “The Care & Keep-
face situations without information necessary to ing of You: The Body
make good decisions.” If talking with your child Book for Girls”
about sex is too much for you to handle, Duncan
(American Girl Library)
suggests seeking help from other trusted adults
such as a pastor, a sister or a brother. For exam-
by Valorie Schaefer
ple, a single dad with girls might ask his sister which are fatal. Also, there is the risk of preg- “The Boy’s Body
to help him discuss sex with his children. nancy, which is associated with a very high risk Book: Everything
Beaumont pediatrician Carl Hubbell agrees of a life of poverty for the mother and the child, You Need to Know
that parents need to deal honestly with their Hubbell said. And condoms, Hubbell warned, for Growing Up YOU”
children about sex. “Answer their questions in a are not an absolute amulet against sexually
(Boys World Books)
straightforward and accurate manner but don’t transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
overload them with Too Much Information — Times have changed and The Talk is no lon-
by Kelli Dunham
TMI,” he said. Parents must also make their ger a one-time event. “The Talk starts around
teens aware of the medical risks of having sex, age 4 and continues into adolescence,” Hubbell
including sexually transmitted diseases, some of said, “sometimes longer.” •

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beauty

Beauty and
the Botox
By Kirsten Matthew

N
o longer sent into the ring solely as a wrinkle-fighter,
Botox, that wonder drug of bygone crow’s feet and
nagging facial lines, is showing promise for many
other health conditions. The American Society of
Plastic Surgeons reported in a study last year that
Botox may have indications as a medication to fight
regional chronic pain. What’s more, it’s also being studied to treat
a laundry list of other conditions — from knee and hip osteoar-
thritis to migraine headaches and joint disorders, such as TMJ
(temporomandibular joint disorder).
Widely touted as the No. 1 cosmetic procedure in the coun-
try, Botox already has a big arsenal of uses other than its initial
approval in the late 1980s for treating optic muscle disorders.
Whether it’s combating severe armpit perspiration or eliminating
furrows in the forehead, Botox is now the go-to source for relief.
Dr. Benjamin Beckert of Beaumont Plastic Surgery Associates
performs more than 500 cosmetic Botox procedures every year.
“The benefit is that it is a very effective way to treat the dynamic
wrinkles to the face, the ones that only occur when you’re ani- Deadly Toxin Turned Beauty Aid
mating,” Beckert said. There are several other clinical uses that It’s been two decades since researchers first determined we could elimi-
are not mainstream in the field yet, because of the big insurance nate eye crinkles or forehead wrinkles by injecting ourselves with Botox, a
barrier, he confirmed. toxin dubbed “the little neurotoxin that could” in 2003 by USA Today when
Most treatments are confined to the forehead, brow lines, nose that beautifying little bee sting received its government OK.
or crow’s feet. “Within 48 to 72 hours they should see appreciable
change; the peak effect is five to seven days and usually lasts for The toxin’s cosmetic pathway was first paved by a German scientist in the
three months,” he said. The cost: $180 to $600. 1820s. Dr. Justinus Kerner was studying a batch of improperly prepared
Although uncommon, side effects can occur for some people, blood sausages which had caused several deaths. He determined that a
including droopy eyelids, muscle weakness and difficulty swal- food-borne poison, botulinum toxin, was the cause of the disease we now
lowing. Most are mild and easily treated. Only 2 to 10 percent in call botulism. Kerner used himself as a study subject, injected himself with
clinical studies reported more serious side effects, such as flu-like the deadly pathogen. His research led to new suggestions for treatment
symptoms, back pain and dizziness. The pros far outweigh the and prevention and hinted at the early therapeutic uses of the toxin.
cons, Beckert said, pointing to cosmetic benefits like a younger, So then how did this lethal substance evolve into a remedy for wrinkles?
revitalized face with fewer wrinkles. Treatments can even result It wasn’t until the mid-1940s that scientists were able to isolate a strain
in an altered expression to one of contentment and restfulness of the toxin and discover its property of blocking neuromuscular transmis-
due to elimination of moderate to severe frown lines between the sion. A precise way of administering the drug — perhaps the most deadly
brows. neurotoxin on Earth — was found in the ’70s through experiments with
Every area of the face is targeted by the team of doctors at the monkeys to treat crossed eyes.
Weight Loss & Cosmetic Center in Beaumont and about 20 Botox
procedures are performed a week — or about a 1,000 a year.
“Weddings and holiday times are busier,” said manager Traci
Coleman. “They want to feel better about themselves.” Increasingly more people are taking advantage of procedures
She cautioned that while treatments are designed to last a full such as Botox injections. According to the American Society for
three months, anything that’s bad for the body will affect that Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the overall number of cosmetic proce-
duration, including smoking and sunning. As for the rest, well, dures in the United States has increased 147 percent since track-
they can’t do anything about static wrinkles. You know, the ones ing began in 1997. And last year, those statistics amounted to 10
that are there when you’re not wearing any expression on your million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures — a beauty
mug at all. aid of staggering proportions. •
22 September/October 2010 | BEHealthySETX.com
 :KDW EHWWHU SODFH WR UHFRYHU WKDQ
KRPH
/HJDF\ RI &DULQJ

Provided Services
Nursing Services Clinical Programs
Therapy Services Diabetes 3415 Laurel, Beaumont, TX 77707
Medical Social Services Heart Failure 409-899-9053
Medical Supplies High Blood Pressure 800-64-NURSE (800-646-8773)
Bilingual/Translation Services COPD/Emphysema www.jhsi.com

KINGS Pharmacy
More than a drug store since 1946
2 WHERE SERVICE
CONVENIENT
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Full Line of G
rize d P re scription History Beaumont: 409.860.0040
Compute 3610 N. Major Dr. 2 Blocks from Folsom
s & Hospices
Greg Hamby, RPh, PharmD
rs ing H o m e
Nu ment Port Arthur: 409.983.3384
e tic & R e s p iratory Equip 1948 9th Ave. Across from St. Mary Hospital
Diab are
illed to Medic
Larry Plunk, Sr RPh
& Su p p lie s B
ervices: Flu, les
Mid County: 409.722.3392
u n iz a tio n S 8455 9th Ave. Near Central Mall
Imm hing
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BEHealthySETX.com | September/October 2010 23
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