2 Coastal Health

SouthCoast Medical Group is pleased to provide you with this issue ofCoastal Health, a magazine created for patients of SouthCoast MedicalGroup (SCMG) and residents of the coastal region. As each issue ofCoastal Health will demonstrate, SCMG has a host of services andlocations to offer. We are continuing to grow and to provide our regionwith compassionate, quality, cost-conscious healthcare.

As you read through Coastal Health, we hope you learn something newabout your health, our community, and the physicians and staff who are

dedicated to caring for our patients. In this issue, our lead story highlights our newestdepartment, OB/GYN Associates of Savannah. We are privileged to have a group of thiscaliber to join our mission to offer exceptional healthcare. You will also hear from ourNeurologist, Victor W. Rosenfeld, MD, as he explains fibromyalgia. Our physician spotlightin this issue introduces you to Kathryn J. Hull, MD.

We appreciate your confidence in SouthCoast Medical Group, and we look forward toserving your health care needs. We understand you have many choices, and we aim to exceedyour expectations.

Sincerely,Robert P. Jones, MDPresident

Opening Remarks

Coastal Health 3

A publication from

SouthCoast Medical Group 7044 Hodgson Memorial DriveSavannah, Georgia 31406912-303-3552912-303-3506 (fax)

Services:

Allergy and Immunology

Cardiology

Eye Care

Family Medicine

General Surgery and Surgical Oncology

Imaging Center

Infectious Disease

Internal Medicine

Laboratory Services

Nephrology

Neurology

Ob/Gyn

Pediatrics

Physical Therapy

Pulmonology

Sleep Medicine

Travel Medicine

Weekend Care

Coastal Health is published by Oser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLC, a division of Oser Communications Group, Inc., 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715. Phone (520) 721-1300, fax (520) 721-6300, www.oser.com. Oser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLC specializes in creating and publishing custom magazines. Editorial comments: Karrie Welborn, karrie_w@oser.com. Please call or fax fora new subscription, change of address, or single copy. This publication may not be reproduced in part or in whole without the express written permission of Oser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLC. Toadvertise in an upcoming issue of this publication, please contact us at (520) 721-1300 or visit us on the Web at www.oser-bentley.com. January 2011

In this issue

Department spotlightSouthCoast Medical Group Welcomes OB/GYN Associates of SavannahThe Benefits of Vertical Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

FeatureWhat is Fibromyalgia? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Tips To Help You Sleep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Physicians and locations Meet SouthCoast Medical Group’s Physicians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Health Myths about Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Physician spotlightGetting to know … Kathryn J. Hull, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Coastal HealthCoastal Health

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OB/GYN

Physicians of OB/GYN Associates of Savannah.Standing: Melissa L. Cobbs, MD; H. Elizabeth McIntosh, MD; Glen Scarbrough, MD; Kathryn J. Hull, MDSeated: Jules Toraya, MD; Melanie B. Helmken, MD.

field of obstetrics and gynecology is an ever-growing body of knowledge.Understanding menopause and helpingwomen move through its challenges is alsoa part of the Ob/Gyn field.

Dr. Toraya said he was drawn toOb/Gyn “not only because I wanted tobring babies into the world, but to treatthe whole patient. Ob/Gyn is a positiveway to do that.”

An Ob/Gyn physician does far more thandeliver babies. “We are often the onlyphysician a woman sees,” said Dr. Helmken,“so we try to cover all of her needs.” Sheadded that being able to follow onegeneration of women to another, is one ofthe most rewarding aspects of her practice.

Besides the joy of helping birth babies,an Ob/Gyn physician takes care of thefemale body long before pregnancy andlong after the childbearing years. Thismeans care for the entire reproductivesystem, and indeed, being cognizant ofthe mental and emotional aspects physicalchallenges can cause. Ob/Gyn includestreating, sometimes surgically, a variety ofilnesses such as cancer and pre-cancerousconditions; incontinence; absent, painfulor heavy menstruation; infertility,infections and postpartum distress.

Not all women have babies. All women,though, need to care for the health of theirbody. An Ob/Gyn physician provides theguidance to do so.

OB/GYN

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Like a wheel with many spokes gatheredaround a steady hub, SouthCoast MedicalGroup (SCMG) is comprised of a varietyof medical disciplines that allowphysicians to have the best of privatepractice while centralizing administrativeand business tasks. In 2010, one of thedisciplines added to the organization was obstetrics and gynecology, throughthe inclusion of the long-establishedOB/GYN Associates of Savannah(OB/GYN Associates). Founded in 1995,this practice holds a stellar reputation inthe community. With the addition of thisgroup, the benefits are strong for allconcerned—SCMG, OB/GYN Associatesand most importantly, the patients. Thephysicians and staff at SCMG are pleasedto welcome OB/GYN Associates intotheir medical family.

Introducing OB/GYN Associates of SavannahFrom birthing babies to coping withmenopause; from puberty into maturity,OB/GYN Associates cover all the healthaspects in a woman’s life. MelanieHelmken, MD, one of the founders ofOB/GYN Associates, noted that before1995 the Ob/Gyn community of Savannahwas comprised primarily of solopractitioners who, although willing to sharecall, were not really bonded as partners. Dr.Helmken began a private practice in

Savannah in 1993, and 18 months later, sheand three other physicians decided toestablish a joint practice. In addition to Dr. Helmken, the founding physicians wereJules Toraya, MD; Roger W. Scarbrough,Jr., MD; and Melissa L. Cobbs, MD. Dr. R. W. Scarbrough has since retired fromthe practice of medicine. However, prior tohis retirement his son, Glen Scarbrough,MD, joined him in the practice. Thepractice also includes partner H. ElizabethMcIntosh, MD, and the newest member ofthe team, Kathryn J. Hull, MD.

Why Ob/Gyn?Knowledge and technology in the world’sprofessional arenas have undergone manychanges in the last century. Medicine is noexception. Electronic Medical Records(EMRs), NaviCare® WatchChild® Solution,which is a fetal and maternal monitoringsystem, surgical innovations, greater know-ledge and ultra sophisticated testing optionsare just a few of those changes. The firm’smanaging partner, Dr. Toraya, has beenpracticing medicine as an Ob/Gynphysician for 29 years and has seenwonderful new technologies come intopractice over those three decades. Frombabies who might not have survivedpremature or difficult births and who cannow be delivered safely; to early detectionof breast cancer through mammograms and other preventative measures, the

SouthCoast Medical Group Welcomes

OB/GYN Associates of SavannahThe Benefits of Vertical IntegrationBy Karrie Welborn

OB/GYN

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Dr. Glen Scarbrough said, in sharingwhy he chose this field, “Medicine, andOb/Gyn chose me. My parents were inhealthcare and my father, Dr. R.W.Scarbrough, was an Ob/Gyn physician.”In fact, Dr. G. Scarbrough, a surgeonwith a specialty in laparoscopy, came to OB/GYN Associates specifically topractice medicine with his father.Laparoscopy is a less invasive method ofsurgery. In Ob/Gyn, it is utilized for tuballigations, ovarian cysts, endometriosis,urinary incontinence issues and in somecases, hysterectomies.

All of the physicians at OB/GYNAssociates believe in treating the whole

person; it is an intrinsic facet of thepractice. That belief, in conjunction withthe respect and care the six physicianshave for one another, is truly the heart ofOB/GYN Associates of Savannah.

Why Join SCMG?In many ways the reasons for joining alarger organization such as SCMG arethe same as the reasons the foundersjoined together in 1995—to poolfunding, knowledge, resources andtechnology. The 1995 decision to jointogether was a horizontal integration,meaning all of the participants were inthe Ob/Gyn field. Dr. Toraya explained

that vertical integration, such asOB/GYN Associates joining SCMG,allows various medical practicedisciplines to come together in acentralized plan. In turn, this means theyhave available, as a part of SCMG,referral options within the largerorganization such as eye care, sleepmedicine, internal medicine, and so on,should their patients need to seekadditional types of medical care.

In addition, the practice can nowexpand the types of services, particularlytesting options, which they are able tooffer under one roof. The practice nowoffers mammograms at the office ratherthan having to send a patient to animaging site or hospital. Tests for bonedensity, complete blood testing, andgynecological ultrasound are now alsoavailable in the office. The fact that theseresources are now available to the practiceis a clear advantage for patients, as theywill not have to go to other locations tocomplete their care.

When a practice joins SCMG, theautonomy of the small practice remainsintact, particularly in how the day-to-dayoperations are handled. The physicians ofOB/GYN Associates of Savannah wouldlike for their patients to know that thefaces patients are used to seeing, and theprocesses they have come to expect, havenot changed. The same six physicians andstaff, with their teamwork, compassion,knowledge, and care for each individualwill be available. The faces and friendlywelcoming of the office personnel—receptionists, lab personnel, nurses,medical assistants, office manager—remain the same.

The vertical integration of OB/GYNAssociates with SouthCoast Medical Groupextends the services and resources availableto the practice while retaining the positivesinherent in an autonomous practice. Inexchange, OB/GYN Associates brings aready-made Ob/Gyn department toSCMG, a division previously missing in thelarger organization. The mission of SCMG,“To provide compassionate, quality and cost-conscious healthcare to every patient.” iswell-served in this partnership.

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Fibromyalgia

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What isFibromyalgia?By Victor W. Rosenfeld, MD

Fibromyalgia

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Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a wide-spread pain and fatigue syndrome withouta known cause. The earliest description of FMS in medical literature dates back to 1869 when Physician George Bearddescribed a syndrome he namedNeurasthenia. Later, in 1904, NeurologistWilliam Gower coined the term“Fibrositis.” In 1976, the name waschanged to Fibromyalgia which means painin the muscles, ligaments and tendons.Most patients with Fibromyalgia complainof hurting all over or “from head to toe.” The neck and back, hips andshoulders are typically prominentcomplaints. Patients will also complain of burning sensations, numbness, dry eyes, dry mouth, temperature sensitivityand feeling cold, headaches, fatigue, poor sleep, dizziness, abdominal andbladder problems, sensitivities to medi-cations, restless legs, jaw discomfort, and difficulties with mood, memory and constipation.

How is FMS Diagnosed?The official criteria was developed by the American Academy of Rheumatology,and includes pain in the left and right sides of the body and the upper and lower half of the body for at least three months. There must also be at least 11 of 18 anatomically specific “tender points.” Laboratory tests may be unremarkable but hormone andautoimmune tests sometimes revealabnormalities. Overnight sleep studies arecommonly ordered now as more than 50 percent of patients are found to have sleep disordered breathing, many have periodic limb movement disorder and most have problems with little or no deep sleep. Most patients with FMS have a problem with their deep sleep known as “Alpha/Delta” sleep, a persistence of wake-like brain patterns throughout the night, but unfortunately, many sleep labs do notroutinely screen for this. MRIs might beordered to rule out other conditions thatcan affect the brain and spinal cord.

Symptoms and Associated SyndromesPain: Though the whole body can hurt at times, the spine, neck, shoulders, hips andknees tend to be the most prominent areas involved. The pains can come and go and move around, making it difficult for the patient and doctor to understand what is happening. Patients can also havetingling, burning types of symptoms in theirhands and feet or other parts of their bodies.Anti-inflammatories usually do not providesignificant relief and even strong narcoticanalgesics provide little in the way of painrelief, and thus are not recommended.

Fatigue: Fatigue can be mild or disabling. This can be “brain fatigue” where there is difficulty with memory, attention, concentration andmultitasking, commonly referred to as“fibrofog.” The fatigue will typicallymanifest as the feeling of having no energy or being unable to work, exercise, or sometimes even move. Many patientswill meet official criteria for ChronicFatigue Syndrome.

Sleep: Patients complain of waking up feeling theyhaven’t slept at all and not getting deepsleep, referred to as “non-restorative sleep.”Even if they do get deep sleep, known as“Delta sleep,” their brain waves appear as ifthey are still awake, called “Alpha WaveIntrusion.” Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, andRestless Legs are all common, can beidentified by sleep studies and are amenableto treatment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Anywhere from 40 percent to 70 percent ofpatients with FMS will meet the criteria forIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Symptomscan include constipation, diarrhea,abdominal pain, gas, nausea and bloating.

Irritable Bladder: Many patients with FMS will also complainof difficulty with frequent need to urinate,

10 Coastal Health

or sense of urgency, and even in somecases urinary incontinence, sometimesdiagnosed as interstitial cystitis.

Tension Headache and Migraine: Many FMS patients suffer with recurrent headaches that can have thecharacteristics of tension headaches or of migraine headaches.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A third of patients with FMS are sensitiveto odors and very intolerant of manymedications. They report that they “getevery side effect,” and so typically cannottolerate pharmaceuticals.

Primary Dysmennorhea: Painful and irregular periods can beexperienced with many female patients.

This leads to increased use of birth controlpills to help control the symptoms. Somepatients undergo total hysterectomies,which leaves them without any ovarianhormones and causes hormonal balance tobe even more challenging.

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction:Many FMS patients have tremendous jawand face pain.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome: The majority of patients have pain in themuscles, joints, tendons and ligaments.Morning stiffness is commonly reportedin FMS patients.

What is the cause of Fibromyalgia?The ultimate cause of FMS is still amystery, but there is a lot that is now

known about this condition.

Genetics: A family history is seen in one-third of patients.Research is looking at the COMT gene which plays a role in serotonin regulation, the autonomic system and pain control.

Neurochemistry: The best documented abnormality in FMS is low serotonin levels in thespinal fluid, which could impair thenervous system ability to control painsignals. Substance P is the major painsignaller and studies have shown it is elevated 300 percent. Pain in FMS isnot caused by inflammation, but a signal processing error that causes pain amplification within the centralnervous system.

Fibromyalgia

Though the whole

body can hurt at

times, the spine, neck,

shoulders, hips and

knees tend to be the

most prominent areas

involved. The pains

can come and go and

move around, making

it difficult for the

patient and doctor to

understand what

is happening.

Coastal Health 11

Hormones: Abnormalities have been shown ingrowth hormone, thyroid hormones and antibodies, cortisol, estrogen,progesterone and testosterone. Earlychildhood trauma or turbulence,whiplash injuries, extremely stressfulevents, and even infections have beenassociated with the development of FMSby disrupting regulation of thehypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis.

Sleep: Deep sleep or slow wave sleep isresponsible for tissue repair, immunesystem regulation, hormonal andneurochemical regulation. Disturbeddeep sleep (Alpha-Delta Sleep), which is seen in the majority of patients, is associated with many of theneurochemical and hormonal problems inFMS and is consequently a major focus incurrent research and treatment.

How do we treat Fibromyalgia?Reduction of pain is a primary goal.Medications that boost serotonin andnorepinepherine such as duloxetine andmilnaciprin are now FDA approved forthe treatment of FMS. These SNRIs canoccasionally cause nausea, sleep problems,sweating and decreased libido. Pregabalin,which is also FDA approved, has beenstudied and shown to be effective fortreatment of pain but can cause swelling,and weight gain, as well as somnolence. Afew patients can respond to medicationsthat work through dopamine such asWellbutrin or Mirapex.

Decreasing Substance P with agentslike Tizanidine can also be helpful forpain and muscle spasm and may helpsleep. Narcotic agents are thought to be alast choice, but the pseudo-narcoticTramadol can be safe and effective.Experimental medications that improvedeep sleep, such as Sodium Oxybate, arecurrently under investigation, but othersleep aids are frequently used.

Hormonal manipulation may providebenefit in some patients. Stimulants can

be useful for cognitive impairment andfatigue. Beta-blockers, though they caninterfere with sleep and mood, can behelpful for autonomic dysfunction, whichis commonly seen in FMS. Gaufenesin,which had been used frequently in the past,is now no longer considered a mainstay oftherapy as it has not been shown to behelpful in randomized-blinded trials.

A healthy diet low in refined sugar mayhelp some patients. Gluten sensitivity orallergy is also seen in some patients and can mimic many symptoms ofFMS. Stretching, low-impact aerobicexercise, and aquatic therapy canalso be helpful. Organized stressreduction is critical; meditationand yoga have been found to bebeneficial.

Further Resources on FibromyalgiaThe National Fibromyalgia Association(NFA) provides access for patients, media,industry, medical professionals, andorganizes national CME and patientmeetings. They also produce a monthlymagazine, FM Aware. For moreinformation, go to www.fmaware.org.

Victor W. Rosenfeld, MD, received hisDoctorate of Medicine from EmoryUniversity, School of Medicine in Atlanta,Georgia. He completed fellowships inneurology at the University of California,School of Medicine in Los Angles,California, and at the Alton OschnerMedical Foundation in New Orleans,Louisiana. His neurology residency wascompleted at the University of Miami,School of Medicine in Miami, Florida. Dr. Rosenfeld is board certified in Neurologyand Sleep Medicine, with a special interestin Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia,Neuroendocrinology, and Electrophysiology.He is the Medical Director of the SouthCoastMedical Group Sleep Center. Dr. Rosenfeldis actively involved in medical research, with numerous publications. He is a well-known national lecturer on neurology andsleep conditions.

Fibromyalgia

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Sleep Tips

tips to help you

Sleep

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Sleep Tips

■ Have your evening meal at least three hours before going to bed.

■ The best bedtime snack is one that has both complex carbohydrates and protein, and some calcium.Calcium helps the brain use the tryptophan to manufacture melatonin. This explains why dairyproducts, which contain both tryptophan and calcium, are top sleep-inducing foods.

■ Exercise regularly, but not prior to going to bed.

■ Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea or cola after 6:00 p.m.

■ Create a bedtime routine by doing the same things each night. This tells your body that it is timeto wind down.

■ Avoid TV, loud music, computers and work-oriented activities before bed. Relax 30 minutes beforebed. Do something quiet and gentle, and if possible, in a dimmer light.

■ Reading is a good before bed activity, as long as you are reading something that will not keep yourmind active or create apprehension.

■ Keep regular hours. Try to go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time every day.

■ Stick to your schedule even on weekends, as it will reinforce your sleep/wake cycle.

■ If you are unable to fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes, get up and do something else—in dimlight.

■ Keep the room colder than the rest of the house.

■ Sleep in a dark, quiet room. If necessary, use eye covers or earplugs. White noise can help.

■ Air flow is important. Fresh air from a window is best, but movement from a fan keeps the roomfrom becoming stuffy and the white noise it creates will aid sleep.

■ Power napping. A full sleep cycle takes approximately 90 minutes, but 20-26 minutes allows thebody to recharge without going into deep sleep. Waking in the middle of the cycle will leave yougroggy, while 20-26 minutes can refresh the mind and body. Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein andThomas Edison were all power nappers.

Physicians and locations

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Allergy/ImmunologySavannah – 912-527-5270

1326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 2Stephen G. Hendrix, MD

CardiologySavannah – 912-527-5300

1326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 2 Sidney J. Bolch III, MD, FACCPhilip C. Gainey, MD, FACC

Scott R. McGlynn, MD, FACCGeoffrey Peters, MD

Baxley – 912-527-5300105 E. Tollison St.

Philip C. Gainey, MD, FACC

Hinesville – 912-527-5300455 South Main St., Suite 104

Geoffrey Peters, MD

Sylvania – 912-527-5300209 Mims Road

Scott R. McGlynn, MD, FACC

Eye CareSavannah – 912-527-5200

1326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 1Stephanie D. Croll, MDRenee E. Williams, OD

Hinesville – 912-876-8015455 S. Main St., Suite 104

Renee E. Williams, OD

Family MedicineSavannah – 912-691-4100

1326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 1David J. Delnostro, MDTheodore Geffen, MD

Peter C. Miller, MDThomas G. Moriarity, DO

Christopher J. Oldfield, MD

Savannah – 912-527-51001326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 2

Robert L. Weeks, MD

Savannah – 912-527-72119 Chatham Center South, Suite C

Harresh B. Dulamal, MDTroy A. Murphy, DO

Kristen A. Updegraff, MD

Pooler – 912-748-22801000 Towne Ctr. Blvd., Suite 701

Richard R. Hightower Jr., MDRussell L. Sliker, MD

Richmond Hill – 912-756-202010055 Ford Ave., Suite 5A

Gary H. Fischer, MD

Infectious Disease

Savannah – 912-354-55435354 Reynolds St., Suite 421

Nenad Avramovski, MDAmanda L. Parks, MDRichard S. Roth, MD

Internal Medicine

Savannah – 912-691-41001326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 1

Julio Cortes, MDRobert W. Grant, MD

J. Kenneth Griffin Jr., MDRobert B. Remler, MD

David E. Sauers Sr., DOHiem Thong, MD

Savannah – 912-527-51001326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 2

Bhavesh G. Patel, MDJules Victor III, MD

Benjamin L. Watson, MD, FACP

Hinesville – 912-877-6822455 S. Main St., Suite 201

Firas Bannout, MD

Richmond Hill – 912-756-202010055 Ford Ave., Suite 5AWallace E. Holland Jr., MD

Richmond Hill – 912-756-375210200 Ford Ave., Suite 101Edward M. Hoffman, MD

Douglas A. Perry, MD

NephrologySavannah – 912-527-5225

1326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 1Nizar S. Eskandar, MD

Hinesville – 912-877-6822455 S. Main St., Suite 201

Nizar S. Eskandar, MD

NeurologySavannah – 912-691-4100

1326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 1Victor W. Rosenfeld, MD

Ob/GynSavannah – 912-355-4408

5353 Reynolds St., Suite 300Melissa L. Cobbs, MD

Melanie B. Helmken, MDKathryn J. Hull, MD

H. Elizabeth McIntosh, MDGlen L. Scarbrough, MD

Jules Toraya, MD

PediatricsSavannah – 912-303-3500

310 Eisenhower Drive, Building 16Robert P. Jones, MD, FABPDavid Mozer, MD, FAAP

Micah D. H. Riegner, MD, FAAPEricka Russell-Petty, MD

Rincon – 912-826-4866613 Towne Park Drive West, Suite 305

Amanda H. Hendricks, MD, FAAP

Richmond Hill – 912-756-307510055 Ford Ave., Suite 4AL. Nelson Elam, MD, FAAP

Keith M. Seibert, MD, FAAPWilliam E. Webb, MD, FAAP

Physical TherapySavannah – 912-691-4250

1326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 1Lisa M. Bettio, MSRPT

Christopher B. Curry, MSPT, MEd

PulmonologySavannah – 912-527-5270

1326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 2Douglas A. Hanzel, MD

Stephen G. Hendrix, MD

RadiologySavannah – 912-691-4200

1326 Eisenhower Drive, Building 1Pamela H. Boland, MDDavid T. Estle Jr., MD

Donald A. Harper, MDTodd E. Lanier, MD

Patricia P. Shapiro, MDAndrew A. Wade, MD

Sleep MedicineSavannah – 912-527-5270, 912-691-4100

1326 Eisenhower DriveDouglas A. Hanzel, MD

Victor W. Rosenfeld, MD

SurgerySavannah Surgical Oncology

Savannah – 912-354-63037001 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Suite 1

Jeffrey S. Mandel, MD, FACSE. Stephen Yeager, MD, FACS

www.southcoastmedical.comCompassionate, quality, cost-conscious healthcare

Coastal Health 15

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Healthy Habits

Coastal Health 17

Health Myths About WomenMyth: Once you gain weight duringmenopause, you can’t lose it.

Fact: Many women gain weight duringmenopause, and though a certain amountof weight gain is normal, it does not have tobe permanent. As the body adjusts to lessestrogen, the weight can go down,particularly with good nutrition andmoderate exercise.

Myth: If you eat a low-fat, low-calorie diet,you will lose weight.

Fact: Restricting calories may be a quick fixfor some women, but it is not the long-termanswer. The key factor in weight loss is notwhat we eat, but how we metabolize ourfood. Imbalances that can bring downmetabolism are:

• Over-worked adrenal glands • Thyroid imbalance • Insulin resistance • Toxic overload • Food sensitivities

These imbalances will influence how thebody metabolizes food and stores fat.

Myth: As you age, your body requires less sleep.

Fact: Waking more easily as we age may be

due to natural changes in the sleep cyclepattern. As we near 50, we tend to spend lesstime in the deeper phases of the sleep cycle.This change means we wake more oftenduring the night and are more prone to sleepapnea and restless leg syndrome. Women, inparticular, may experience hot flashes.

Myth: Breast cancer is the leading cause ofdeath among women.

Fact: Heart attacks, strokes and othercardiovascular diseases claim the lives ofmore than 500,000 women each year,compared to 43,000 for breast cancer.

Myth: Getting hit in the breast can causebreast cancer.

Fact: This old myth persists becauseoccasionally an injury will cause a benignlump in the breast, which usually disappearsin a few weeks.

Myth: Prevention of osteoporosis begins withmenopause.

Fact: While the loss of bone mass thataffects one out of two women typicallybegins after menopause, prevention beginsmuch earlier with health habits thatpromote bone strength. The NationalOsteoporosis Foundation (NOF) advocates

a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D,cautions against smoking and excessive useof alcohol, and has launched the Step On ItAmerica! campaign to promote weight-bearing exercise. Walking, dancing, playingtennis, and lifting weights are all weight-bearing exercises; swimming and bicycling,which are excellent for cardiovascularhealth, do not strengthen bones. A goodexercise program combines both weight-bearing and cardiovascular activities and willbenefit both your bones and your heart.

Myth: Staying on the birth control pill too longdecreases your chances of getting pregnant later.

Fact: As soon as the pill is purged from yourbody (by the end of the first period after youstop taking it), you'll be able to conceive justas easily as someone who never took an oralcontraceptive, says Anita Sadaty, MD, anattending physician in obstetrics andgynecology at North Shore UniversityHospital in Manhasset, New York.

Information was gathered from thefollowing websites:www.womentowomen.com (Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP)www.abrazohealth.com/education/healthinfo.aspx?chunkiid=14705 www.womenshealthmag.com/health/truth-about-common-drugs

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Physician spotlight

Getting to know…Kathryn J. Hull, MD

Kathryn J. Hull, MD is an Ob/Gynphysician with OB/GYN Associates ofSavannah at SouthCoast MedicalGroup. Dr. Hull joined the group in thesummer of 2010. Her office is located inCandler Hospital at 5353 Reynolds Street,Suite 300, in Savannah. Dr. Hull attendedthe University of Georgia in Athens, andthen received her medical degree from TheMedical College of Georgia in Augusta. Shecompleted her residency and internship inObstetrics and Gynecology at The MedicalCollege of Virginia in Richmond,Virginia. Dr. Hull is a native of Savannahand a welcome asset to the team atSouthCoast Medical Group.

Q: What led you to become a physician?

A: I became a physician because I enjoythe challenge, I like to learn new thingsand improve my knowledge base, and it isso gratifying to work with and helppatients.

Q: How has medicine advanced sincethe start of your career?

A: It is difficult to know where to startwith this question—medical knowledgeand technology are expanding at anexponential rate. We have a betterunderstanding of disease, sometimes evenat the cellular or molecular level; we havenew surgical methods that allow forminimally invasive techniques andquicker patient recovery; and there arenew pharmaceutical options for patientsevery month. Never a dull moment!

Q: Why did you choose your particular specialty?

A: I thought initially that I would be anInternal Medicine physician with a focuson women’s health. Then I did my

rotation in Obstetrics and Gynecologyand realized I liked helping to deliverbabies and being able to provide bothmedical and surgical care for my patients,so I switched to Ob/Gyn and have beenglad about my choice.

Q: What is it like interacting withpatients on a day-to-day basis?

A: It is what I look forward to most—getting to know my patients, determiningwhat their needs are, and buildingrelationships with them over time.

Q: What are the biggest challengesof your job?

A: There are many challenges, butI think one of the greatest iskeeping up with advances in thefield and having the judgment toknow when to change my practiceand when to wait until moreinformation is available. There is alot of data out there, but not all ofit is good quality, and what ispresented in the media is notalways accurate or complete. Oneof my most important tasks is tofilter the information, decide whataction to take, and then educatemy patients.

Q: What are the most rewardingaspects?

A: Delivering a baby is a littlemiracle in which I am fortunate toparticipate. It is also great to knowthat I was able to fix a patient’sproblem for her, either medicallyor surgically. The change in how apatient feels can be remarkable,and to see a smile on her faceagain—it is a wonderful feeling.

Q: What brought you to Savannah?

A: I grew up in Savannah, and myparents still live here. It’s good to be backhome and serving this community. I alsohave such a good quality of life here, andwonderful partners.

Q: What are your hobbies? What do youdo to relax when you are not at the office?

A: When I’m not working I like to read,travel, cook, have friends over for dinner,and go for walks.

Coastal Health 19

Advertiser DirectorySouthCoast Medical Group would like to thank the followingcompanies for helping make this publication possible.

Atlantic Records Mgmt. Co.P.O. Box 30295Savannah, GA 31410(912) 236-1144www.atlanticrecordsmgmt.com

Chatham Orthopaedics ...................................... 2

Diabetic Supply Source .................................... 15

Financial Imaging3810 5th Court N.Birmingham, AL 35222(205) 595-4945www.financialimaging.com

Infinity Inc. ........................................................ 7

Mason Inc. ....................................................... 15

Odyssey Healthcare ............................................ 2

Oliver Maner LLP ............................................ 15

Physician Sales & Service ................................... 2

Psychological Resource Center ......................... 19

St Joseph’s Candler Medical Group .................... 7

Sterling Risk Advisors....................................... 19

SunTrust Bank.................................................. 15

THA Group...................................................... 19

SouthCoast Medical Group7044 Hodgson Memorial DriveSavannah, GA 31406