Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 14, 1990 TAG: 9004250244
SECTION: AMERICAN WOMEN'S SHOW PAGE: AW4 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Each of the 16 Lewis-Gale Hospital booths highlighting different departments of the hospital will have activities for the kids, according to Andi Isenhour, R.N., coordinator of Women's Health. "They'll actually be admitted to the hospital and visit each department," she said. "They'll learn something about their bodies. This will make them more familiar with the hospital so that if they ever have to come, they'll be more familiar with its function. It promotes positive health issues rather than negative."
Children 10 and under can diaper a baby doll, try out an exercise bike, see a picture of their own heart on the echocardiograph, walk on crutches in the Physical Therapy and Rehab booth, learn about seatbelt and bicycle safety in the Emergency Room and visit with Snapdragon from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The Operating Room will have a mock surgical booth and the Alcohol and Drug Department might let them try out the breath analyzer. Balloons and a "Smoke Free 2000" puppet show will round out the hospital tour.
For the adults, information is geared towards the preventative measures that can be taken to promote good health. There will be an Oncology booth, where breast, uterine, cervical and lung cancer will be discussed. Lung cancer, said Isenhour, is the No. 1 cause of cancer in women today. The Maternity Care Center will present their new "Our First" program, which includes a newsletter distributed during and after pregnancies, and a discount card good at a number of area merchants.
A nurse will be on hand to answer PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) questions. "I get a lot of calls from women who think they have it, but don't know what it is," said Isenhour. This issue, presented in the Women's Health Issues booth, will share the spotlight with such concerns as osteoporosis, menopause and estrogen replacement therapy, breast self-exams and mammograms, and infertility.
The Fertility and Reproductive Health Center of Western Virginia was started January, 1989, according to Isenhour. Dr. James Holman, its reproductive endocrinologist, "is the only true infertility specialist this side of Charlottesville," said Isenhour. He was the founder of the Duke in vitro program, and has begun an infertility support group in this area.
Having this facility in the Roanoke Valley, said Isenhour, saves patients considerable time away from home because Holman does all the procedures except IVF (in vitro fertilization) and GIFT (gamete intra-fallopian transfer).
"He is very honest with his patients," said Isenhour. "He lets them know their odds. And yes, we've had some successes. We have babies." They will be offering patient literature and information on this and other programs.
Lewis-Gale Clinic will have three booths at the Health Pavilion, one for Health Management, one for the Diabetes Center and one representing the Plastic Surgery program. The Health Management booth will concentrate on weight management and smoking cessation, according to Julie Lusk. The weight control programs range from Health Management Resources Fasting and Shape Down - this one for ages eight through 18 - to an eight-week Calorie Countdown class and the Individual Nutritional Counseling.
"We'll have food lab demonstrations," said Lusk, "which will show the difference in calories and choices. We'll have food there so people can see." See, that is, that a sirloin steak and a cup of black coffee run 1200 calories. But a 12-ounce broiled fish, two baked potatoes with two tablespoons of sour cream, two-thirds cup of corn, one-half cup broccoli, salad with one tablespoon low calorie dressing, one dinner roll with butter, one scoop of ice cream and two cups of coffee with cream and sugar have only 1150 calories. Or that one plain donut has twice the calories as two pieces of toast with jam.
Sharon Rutherford of the Diabetes Center will have several different blood glucose meters in her booth and will offer free blood sugar level checks that would cost between $6 and $15 in a doctor's office. "We'll stick a finger for blood; it takes 30 seconds to two minutes for a reading that tells you what your blood sugar level is right now. You cannot tell from symptoms that you have it - it's so insidious," said Rutherford.
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness and amputations in the United States, and a major cause of heart disease and strokes. "There are approximately 12 million diabetics in the U.S., and at least half are undiagnosed," said Rutherford. Her advise? If it's Type 2, the most common type that is often found in overweight people with family histories of diabetes, then keeping the weight down and getting regular exercise will help. Quitting smoking, which contributes to blood vessel disease, is also advised.
The third clinic booth will present information about the Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Program, which was one of the original programs of its kind in the Roanoke Valley, according to Dr. Robert Roth. Information about facelifts, rhinoplasty, breast reduction, chin augmentation and dermabrasion will be available through videos scheduled to run during the show. Both Dr. Roth and Dr. Carol Reichel of the Clinic will be present for sidewalk consultations.
From start to finish, a trip through the Health Pavilion booths will be an eye-opening experience for all ages. And perhaps a new start towards good health for some.
by CNB