Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 October 2003 — Page 19

www.indianapolisrecorder.com FIT FOR LIVING Get you and kids in shape By ANTHONY DAVIS For Tho Recorder DearA.D.: I have a 12-year-old son and he’s alittle overweight. I’m worried about his health and he comes home very upset when kids pick on him at school. What should I do to help? Should I put him on a diet? Terrance M. Terrance, It’s very important that you address your son’s health nowand get him back on the track to a healthy, active childhood. First, of course, consult with your pediatrician and find out the status of your child’s health. They will give you feedback on whetheryour son is at a healthy weight for his height and if he is at-risk for more serious health concerns such as Type-2 Diabetes. In addition to following advice from your Pediatrician, you may need to take action on two fronts: •Activity The formula for weight is simple: Calories in minus Calories out. If you consume more calories than you use, you’ll gain weight. If you use more calories than you consume, you’ll lose weight. So, you’ve got to get your son more active. This doesn’t mean you have to drag him to the gym and sit him on a treadmill for an hour. Make it fun! Try to get him j signed up in some type of organized sport activity like soccer, karate or Little League. Also, keep track of that video game time. Set a rule that the total number of hours spent outside playing or being active must be at least twice the time spent playing video games every week. • Nutrition Kids consume tons of excess simple sugars, salt and preservatives through snacks like crackers, cookies and candy..When you go to the grocery store, just don’t buy the junk food. It’s cruel and unusual punishment for you to buy a family pack size of Oreo cookies and a couple of 2-liters of pop and tell your son “No, you can’t have any!” While he’s looking at your own belly in disbelief. One simple rule to follow is if it’s not in the house, it can’t be eaten. Also, take time to plan meals for the week to avoid last minute stops to the fast-food chains on the way home. Crystal Coleman, director of the Kid Force weight management program for youth, recommends that the parent play an active role in getting their kids in shape. “At home, you can incorporate habits like cooking healthy meals and planning family activities instead of just watching TV.” Lastly, and most importantly, you must set an example. It’s easy to tell your son that he needs to get up from watching TV and go out and play while you grab the remote and switch channels. It requires a little more effort, but it’s much more effective if you jump up with him and go for a walk or challenge him to a little “one-on-one.” I know it sounds very cliche, but children do look to their parents as role-models and if you set the example early on and make fitness a part of the “family lifestyle,” they will grow accustomed to it and be more likely to stay healthy and lit for the rest of their lives. Your Trainer, A.D. Haven question tor A.D. ?Senil it tofitforliving(a>cehelonfit.com, or call (317) 592-9U5. Anthony Davis is a Certified Personal Trainer with the American Council on Exercise. You can find more information about fitness and nutrition at www.echelontit.com.

People & Trends • Arts & Entertainment To Your Health

SARCOIDOSIS

Conference will shed light on disease of increasing importance

By BRANDON A. Staff Wrltor

PERRY

Sarcoidosis is a relatively unsung illness that often sneaks up on a patient with devastating effect, and has become more prominent in the AfricanAmerican community. But a local group of health advocates is organizing a conference that it hopes will prevent people of all races from falling victim to this potentially fatal ailment. On Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. an event entitled “Reaching New Heights of Sarcoidosis Awareness" will be held at the Holiday Inn Select North hotel, located at 3850 DePauw Boulevard. Registration and a continental breakfast session will begin at 7:45 a.m. Workshop topics will include an overview of sarcoidosis, drug therapy options, sarcoidosis and cardiac involvement, pulmonary rehabilitation, related eye diseases, chronic fatigue and coping with chronic illnesses. Featured speakers, workshop presenters and sarcoidosis authorities scheduled to appear include Dr. David S. Wilkes, Director of the Center for Sarcoidosis and Immunologic Lung Disease and assistant professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine; Dr. Elisabeth von der Lohe, Krannert Institute of Cardiology; Dr. Robert P. Baughman, assistant professor of medicine at the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Cincinnati; Dr. Michael F. Rusk, an investigator in pulmonary medicine; Dr.

Irene Hurst, 71, said she doesn't allow sarcoidosis to prevent her from leading a active lifestyle. She still enjoys cooking and tending vegetables in her garden, especially sguash. (Photo/J. Hurst)

Ramna S. Moorthy, eye disease expert; Susan M. Rawl of the Indiana University School of Nursing, and bereavement counselor Susan Glassburn-Larimer. The $60 registration fee includes the continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and materials. The event is being organized by Robbie Darden, Tony Henderson and Kay Pullman, members of the Central Indiana Sarcoidosis Support Group. “It will not only be great for sarcoidosis patients and their relatives, but also concerned citizens w'ho don’t have the disease,” Henderson said. “Several medical professionals will offer insight on many related issues, including

stress management. “Our major goal is to educate the community as to what the signs of sarcoidosis are, and inform attendees as to how to best cope with it,” added Darden, director ofthe support group. When someone has a chronic illness, it affects not just the patient, but everyone in the family. Sometimes you can have symptoms of sarcoidosis and not even know what it is.” Indianapolis resident Irene Hurst, w ho has dealt with sarcoidosis for 25 years, encourages concerned individuals to take advantage of this kind of informative opportunity, which was not available when she was firstdiagnosed.

“This isexcellent for people who have just recently found out about sarcoidosis," she said. "It can be a very stressful disease and keep you from doingsomeofthe thingsyou used to do." Sarcoidosis is a form of inflammation in which lymphocytes, a type of blood cell, become overactive. These overactivelvmphoevtes .release chemical substances, which cause granulomas (a collection of inflammatory cells) in various organs ofthe body. Although sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disorder, it affects the lungs 90 percent ofthe time, making it primarily a lung disease. Major symptoms include abdominal pain, arthritis, chest pain, shortness of breath, blurred vision, light sensitivity, fatigue, unexplained headaches, leg cramps, low grade fever, skin rashes and persistent coughing, among oth-

ers.

A diagnosis is usually made after a patient undergoes a lung biopsy, Gallium lung sean or a bronehoalveolar lavage, when a long, narrow tube is used to examine breathing tubes and the lungs. Sarcoidosis is usually not crippling. It often goes away by itself, w ith most cases healing between 24 and 36 months. Even when sarcoidosis lasts longer, most patients can go about their lives as usual. Only 20 to 30 percent of patients develop permanent lung damage and 10 to 15 percent endure the severe, life-threatening form. No one is actually sure as to what causes sarcoidosis, but many doctors believe it’s the result of an abnormal immune response that comes after a foreign substance ► See SARCOIDOSIS, Page C2

C SECTION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2003 Clinical (rial to help NHL cancer patients By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) is one ofthe three fast-est-increasing cancers in the U.S. Although this form of cancer remains somewhat unknown it is reaching a significant toll. T here have been vital advances in the way NHL is managed, but improved treatment options are still needed. NHL is roughly affecting 300,()()() people. NHL is a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, a network of thin vessels that bunch into tissues throughout the body and help fight disease and infection. When the cancer occurs, infection-fighting cells divide and multiply uncontrollably. .. A clinical research trial has been set up to test the ability of the drug Proleukin to boost the effectiveness of Rituxan against NHL. Proleukin and Rituxan are two approved cancer drugs. This investigational drug combination is a kind of immunotherapy, which means the bodies own immune system is stimulated to attack tumorcells. “More than 26,000 Americans will die from nonHodgkin’s lymphoma thisyear. Patients need new and better treatment options,"said Khuda Khan, M.D., Ph.D. of Indiana Oncology Hematology Consultants. “We hope the addition of Proleukin w ill enhance Rituxan therapy and yield a treatment for fighting NHL that is more effective for the patient and well tolerated. This promisingstrategy is based upon our understanding of the biology of Proleukin and its potential to ► See NHL, Page C2

Dress up in safety This Halloween

Submitted by the Health Education, Promotion and Training Department of the Marion County Health Department.

Halloween is one of the most thrilling nights ofthe year for children, and also one of the most dangerous. As kids hit the street to trick-or-treat, the potential for unintentional injury rises. In fact, children are four times more likely to be hit by a ear on Halloween than any other night of the year. Halloween can indeed he scary, with increases in pedestrian injuries, burns and falls among children. “Children may be distracted by the excitement of the night and the fun of triek-or-treating, and may not take safety to the street. Careless street crossing coupled with drivers’ more limited vision at night can make for a deadly mix,” said Serifatu Walton of tho Indianapolis SAFE KIDS Coalition. “Many ofthe risks kids face on Halloween can be avoided if parents discuss important safety precautions w ith their kids."

Every minute counfs when trealing stroke

(NAPSI) — You can help protect yourself from stroke, the nation’s third leading cause of death, and the leading cause of serious long-term disability. There is an approved treatment for stroke that dissolves blood clots in the brain, but it must be administered within three hours of the onset of symptoms. The good news is that new treatments are beingdeveloped that can be administered after more time passes. Forany treatment to be successful in minimizing long-term disability, it’s important to recognize the symptoms of stroke early and seek medical tfssistanee as quickly as possible. Seventy-five percent of Americans cannot name these warning signs of stroke: • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or

leg, especially on one side ofthe body. • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. • Sudden trouble w alking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause. The symptoms are often mistaken for tiredness or over-exer-tion and Americans wait, on average, 22 hours before seeking help. This limits treatment options and severely minimizes the chance for recovery. Regardless of when you arrive at the hospital w ith one or more stroke symptoms, insist upon being evaluated for all available stroke treatments.

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^ s parents and children take time to M/k construct costumes and decorations, W 1 the Marion County Health Department and the Indianapolis SAFE KIDS Coalition recommend the following: For kids ages 12 and under: • Adults should accompany children under age on their trick or treat rounds • Attach tire name, address and phone number (including area code) to the clothes of children jndei age 12 to their Clothes in case they get separated from adults For kids ages 12 and older • feach you r chtlJ his of her phone number • Mjke suie your chiMien hdve change tor a phone * alt in . ase they have a problem away from home* • Instfu.t hiUJren to travel only in familiar areas and ah»ny a pre established route • lnst.ru t v nildfen nevei to enter a home oi an apart'* i(*nt buiLJir unless accompanied • hy fin a-Lill • Set a time foi i hiUlmn to letu’m home • Restric t tfuk ot tieatm^ visits to homes with port h of mts le lights'illuminated . All *iges Remove bieakab.e items oi c bstacles sucb.as tools I ad deis and . htkfrens tuys tmm voui *teps lawn and poKh Keep ja k < ■ lanteinsdit with < andlos away fmm landings m doorsteps where , > • domes mi^ht brush atfamst the flame It you . hi ",e t. > t ike youf ihildief tn, l • <i beating it is i good ,dea b’ feed them ahead < f time Ihiswaythes w ll bt ess likely u, want candy hom ttu a hags Jutmthe p .< and before you have had adeduate time to inspec t if Y< 'ii may also want to tiring al«mg a few tre.its < f your own t > keep them satisfied

To reduce the risk of your children injuring themselves while they are trick or treating, consider attending an event held indoors For further information, please contact the Indianapolis SAFE KIDS Coalition at 221-3145

PEDESTRIAN INJURIES Halloween is the most dangerous night of the year fur hiU) pedestrians Darting into the street is one of the most common causes of pedestrian death among children As children scurry from house to , house cuUei trrg tieats it is important to take the foil, .wing piei iKition, Visibility • Decorate costumes, bags and sacks with reflective tape and .tickeis • Use i ustumes that are light oi bright enough to ike . • die" more vs h e it r ight Traffic • IccK h t biidien to Wsflk not mn while tij k »! t'e.ftin^ • Icmc h fhmr, uHook Icdt fi »^ t m 1 >tf dgllin be' m ■ • ins ng the *dr* et and t i sJit-inue looking bom ways .is they v U'vN Tm them tv >ss sheets or v it n-r 1 ex tims .md r. jlkn, • Teen h t 1 h 'evfi ti kKrt 11’ .i m ,(toss bet »v*e ) p.H ked a, .it v . FALLS

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injury f em ’ the., \,l, BURNS • look for flame resistant labels on costumes masks, beards and wigs • Use fire resistant material when making costumes • Avoid costumes made of flimsy rnjtei al and outfits with big baggy sleeves Or billow ng skirts These are more likely to come m contact with an exposed flame than tighter fitting costumes

► See STROKE, Page C2