Teamwork is Lifesaving for Toddler - Cleveland Clinic · Teamwork is Lifesaving for Toddler When...

Family CheckupSummer 2008 Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center

Chagrin Falls, Solon and Willoughby Hills Family Health Centers

clevelandclinic.org/fhc

Teamwork is Lifesaving for Toddler

When her two-year-old son, Karson, developed a rash, Brooke Coblentz didn’t think much of it. But days later the rash hadn’t gone away, and the toddler began to complain that his feet hurt and he couldn’t walk.

“I usually don’t make doctor’s appointments for any old thing,” she says. “The poor thing was army crawling. It broke my heart.” Mrs. Coblentz called David Burke, DO, Karson’s Cleveland Clinic Wooster pediatrician, and got an appointment the same day.

What the family had believed to be nothing major turned out to be much more serious, and fast action by Dr. Burke and specialists at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital got Karson back on his feet – and pain-free – in no time.

Blood samples showed that Karson was suffering from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or ITP, a condition with an unknown cause that is marked by an extremely low platelet count. What his parents had easily mistaken for a rash was actually the result of bursting capillary blood vessels in his legs and feet.

Platelets are the blood cells responsible for stopping bleeding – usually by forming scabs, clots and bruises. A low platelet count that went untreated could have caused Karson to bleed uncontrollably from the gums, the gastrointestinal tract and possibly even the brain.

Dr. Burke told Mrs. Coblentz to return the next day for further testing. When blood work showed that Karson’s platelet count had dipped even lower, he referred the young boy to Cleveland Clinic

Children’s Hospital and pediatric hematologist Michael Levien, MD. Karson was admitted to Children’s Hospital that day, and began IV medication to boost his platelet count.

“Everyone was awesome – so friendly, so comforting,” Mrs. Coblentz says of the team of nurses and physicians that monitored Karson throughout his overnight stay. “They really put him at ease.”

The next morning Karson’s platelet count had begun to increase again. He returned home – with his favorite stuffed monkey, sporting a matching bandage from his own IV treatment, in tow.

Karson’s platelet count improved steadily over the next few weeks, and Dr. Burke remained just a phone call away from Mr. and Mrs. Coblentz and their son. He continued to monitor Karson closely for several months and is confident that the condition, which can be chronic in some cases, has been resolved completely in Karson’s case. Thanks to Dr. Burke’s quick response and the specialized knowledge of Dr. Levien and his team, Karson – and his monkey – have been healthy and active ever since.

“I referred so many friends to him,” Mrs. Coblentz says of the Wooster pediatrician whose fast action saved her son. “He’s just been so amazing to us. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

To find a primary care physician or specialist at a Cleveland Clinic Family Health Center near you, call 888.MED.WELL (633.9355). Or browse our online directory of physicians at clevelandclinic.org/fhc.

East Side Family Health CentersImaging Services on the East Side Radiology appointments can typically be scheduled at your earliest convenience at our Family Health Centers, and results are read within 24 hours by board-certified radiologists.

At Cleveland Clinic Beachwood: CT, total body CT, MRI, ultrasound, mammography, bone-density testing, echo, stress echo, dobutamine stress echo, cardiac stress testing, upper and lower GI studies, genitourinary imaging, nuclear medicine studies, and general adult and pediatric radiology.

At Cleveland Clinic Chagrin Falls: Mammography, and general adult and pediatric radiology.

At Cleveland Clinic Solon: CT, ultrasound, mammography, bone-density testing, and general adult and pediatric radiology. (Open MRI is available in Twinsburg.)

At Cleveland Clinic Willoughby Hills: CT, MRI, ultrasound, mammog-raphy, echo, stress echo, cardiac stress testing, bone-density testing, and general adult and pediatric radiology.

Laboratory Services on Site Our Cleveland Clinic Beachwood, Chagrin Falls, Solon and Willoughby Hills Family Health Centers all offer lab services for your convenience

Resources for YouNurse on CallTo speak with a registered nurse about your adult or pediatric health concerns, contact Nurse on Call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. or, simply call your Cleveland Clinic Family Health Center office after hours and you’ll be automatically connected to Nurse on Call – 216.444.1234 or 800.801.2273

Make Bill Payments Online Save a postage stamp by paying your medical bill online with a credit card or electronic check. All Cleveland Clinic facilities now have a secure, online “Quick Pay” option. Use any Internet browser to go to MyAccount.ClevelandClinic.org and choose “Make a quick payment online.”

Cleveland Clinic Cancer Answer LineTo speak with a Taussig Cancer Institute nurse about symptoms or concerns, call our Cancer Answer Line, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – 216.444.7923 or 866.223.8100

Heart and Vascular Institute Resource Nurse Ask our Resource Nurses about any heart condition or how to find the right specialist, get a second opinion, or make an appointment, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – 216.445.9288 or 866.289.6911

Stay Informed the Easy Way You’ll get the latest healthcare news for free when Cleveland Clinic enewsletters – including eFamily Checkup – are delivered to you electronically. To sign up, visit clevelandclinic.org/newsletters and select the enewsletters you’d like to receive. It’s that easy.

BeachwoodCleveland Clinic Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center26900 Cedar Road Beachwood, OH 44122

Appointments: 216.839.3000 or 866.318.2491

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon

Beachwood Outpatient Surgery CenterState-of-the-art outpatient surgery in a convenient community setting. For more information, visit clevelandclinic.org/asc.

Appointments: 216.839.3500

Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center at BeachwoodTo see our medical oncologists about cancer diagnosis or treatment, or to contact our oncology social worker, please call 216.839.2990. Radiation oncology services are available at Hillcrest Hospital.

Cleveland Clinic Sports Health and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation26001 S. Woodland Road Beachwood, OH 44122 (behind the Mandel JCC)

Appointments: 216.378.6240

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Now Open! Cleveland Clinic Beachwood PharmacyHours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Pharmacist: 216.839.3270

Chagrin FallsCleveland Clinic Chagrin Falls Family Health Center551 E. Washington St. Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

Appointments: 440.893.9393 or 800.232.0263


Chagrin Falls Urgent Care Center551 E. Washington St. Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 (No appointments necessary)

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

SolonCleveland Clinic Solon Family Health Center29800 Bainbridge Road Solon, OH 44139

Appointments: 440.519.6800 or 800.648.0022


Willoughby HillsCleveland Clinic Willoughby Hills Family Health Center2570 SOM Center Road Willoughby Hills, OH 44094

Appointments: 440.943.2500 or 800.807.2888


Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center at Willoughby HillsTo see our medical oncologists about cancer diagnosis or treatment, please call 440.943.2500. Radiation oncology services are available at Hillcrest Hospital.

Cleveland Clinic Willoughby Hills PharmacyHours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Pharmacist: 440.516.8620

Chagrin Fallsand Urgent Care

Lakewood

Independence

Strongsville

Brunswick

Westlake

Lorain

Elyria,ChestnutCommons

Avon

Avon Lake

Lorain County

Cuyahoga County

Summit County

MedinaCounty

Lake County

PortageCounty

GeaugaCounty

Wooster

Beachwood

Solon

Willoughby Hills

Sports Health on Chardon Road

(Wayne County)

Lake Erie

Cleveland Clinic

Sports Healthat JCC

Broadview Heights

Ready to Hit the Links?Many avid golfers think more about the weather than they do about their fitness when the season begins. But take a tip from the pros: most PGA tour golfers have their own physical therapist or athletic trainer year-round. That’s because they know that strength and flexibility can give them a competitive edge, and more importantly, help them prevent injuries.

The average golfer takes about 9,000 swings per year, including rounds played and time spent practicing at the range. This repetition can lead to injury, even in golfers who have sound mechanics.

Cleveland Clinic sports medicine specialists say that the lumbar spine is most susceptible to injury, since each full golf swing places the spine at or near the end-range of available movement.

Stretching exercises are important not only before a round, but year-round to maintain flexibility. Improving flexibility decreases the risk of injury and ultimately

There’s a Family Health Center Near YouAvon ..................................440.899.5555

Avon Lake ...........................440.930.6800

Beachwood ........................ 216.839.3000

Broadview Heights .............. 216.986.4000

Brunswick ..........................330.225.8886

Chagrin Falls ......................440.893.9393

Elyria at Chestnut Commons ..............440.366.9444

Independence ..................... 216.986.4000

Lakewood ........................... 216.521.4400

Lorain ................................440.204.7400

Solon ................................. 440.519.6800

Sports Health at the JCC ...... 216.378.6240

Strongsville .........................440.878.2500

Westlake ............................440.899.5555

Willoughby Hills ..................440.943.2500

Chardon Road Rehabilitation Center (Willoughby Hills) ......440.516.5400

Wooster ............................. 330.287.4500

Family Health and Surgery Center

Family Health Center

leads to improved performance. Golfers who are more flexible are able to hit the ball farther because they can recoil more energy into their back swing and release it when they strike the ball.

Core strength also plays a vital role in peak perfor-mance. A strong core allows the golfer to maintain proper spine angle and the stability of each spinal segment while the body goes through the swing. This helps prevent potential joint breakdown, sprains and strains.

Cleveland Clinic physical therapists and athletic trainers offer individualized strength and conditioning programs, as well as injury evaluation and rehab through Golf Performance Plus.

To schedule a Cleveland Clinic golf performance evaluation, please call Sports Health at the JCC in Beachwood, 216.378.6240; or the Chardon Road Rehabilitation Center in Willoughby Hills, 440.516.5400.

Call for appointments with Cleveland Clinic Family Health Center primary care physicians and specialists at: Beachwood – 216.839.3000 | Chagrin Falls – 440.893.9393 | Solon – 440.519.6800 | Willoughby Hills – 440.943.2500

Kids Korner Take Action Against Cyberbullying

Kids say the darndest things! But what they say when they use text messaging on the Internet or cell phone can be downright vicious. Cleveland Clinic physicians warn that when kids use technology to communicate, they sometimes do things they would never do in the “real world.” The perception that users are invisible and the fact that they don’t see the consequences of their activities, combine to support risky and irresponsible behavior.

Cyberbullying can lead to the same psychological harm as face-to-face bullying, including low self-esteem, depression, school failure and avoidance, and in some cases violence or suicide. But online and cell phone bullying may be even worse because it is ongoing, 24/7; information, including photographs, can be distributed worldwide and may be irretrievable; and bullies can be anonymous, even posing as “friends.”

Our doctors advise a proactive, preventive approach to cyberbullying:

•Getinvolvedandbeaware.Learn what your kids are doing online, the sites they visit, and what they are posting on the Internet. Monitor cell phone usage, especially text messaging.

•Teachyourkids not to share anything that they wouldn’t want the whole world – including you – to see and/or read.

•Encouragekids to develop their own moral code so that they choose to behave ethically when using technology. You can help by setting clear rules and expectations for appropriate use of computers and cell phones.

•Watchforsigns that your child is being cyberbullied – such as a reluctance to use the computer or to go to school – and take immediate action. If the bully is a classmate, talk to school officials. Report online harassment and physical threats to local police and your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If the bullying involves a mobile phone, report the problem to your phone service provider.

Ask your pediatrician or family physician for advice if you suspect that your child is involved in inappropriate online activities.


Family Medicine physicians Kenneth Goodman,MD,(pictured)atBeachwood,and Scott Hamler, MD, at Chagrin Falls; and pediatricians Jo Ann Jackson, MD, at Willoughby Hills, and Svetlana Pomeranets, MD, at Solon, are available to treat your kids.

How Useful Is Your Online Medical Information Management Service?Take This Quiz to Find Out.

Think having secure online access to a personal health record is pretty cool? It certainly can be a useful service. But how does your electronic medical record (EMR) measure up to a full-service system? Check the boxes below if your service lets you:

Renew prescriptions

Request and view appointments

Receive messages from your healthcare team

View lab test results as soon as they become available

View a list of your current medications

Access healthcare information that is verified as reliable

Use the service for free

If you checked all the boxes, you must be using Cleveland Clinic MyChart. If not, consider taking advantage of MyChart by signing up at your Cleveland Clinic physician’s office or at www.eclevelandclinic.org/mychart.

And remember that you, and only you, can access your MyChart account because the information in it is encrypted, which means that it is stored in such a way that it can only be unscrambled after you enter the correct password.

In addition to MyChart, EMRs serve as a platform for these free, convenient and secure web-based eClevelandClinic services:

•MyChart.Caregiver offers privileges to parents and legal guardians of minors and dependent adults.

•DrConnect allows your own doctor to follow your treatment progress while you are at Cleveland Clinic.

Learn more at eclevelandclinic.org/mychart.

MyChart Profile Taking charge of your own healthcare is easier with eCleveland Clinic MyChart ®. Users can immediately access health information from any computer, request appointments, order prescription refills and more.

Meet Ellen Screwvala of Bay Village, Ohio, who selected Martina Ferraro, DO, for her primary healthcare:

Ellen Screwvala MyChart user since 2006

Occupation: Real estate agent, amateur photographer, wife, mother and grandmother of two “city girls” in New York.

Internet expertise: Uses the internet extensively at work and home. Says she “knows enough to get into trouble, but sometimes not enough to get out!”

Favorite MyChart features:

•Gettingtestresultsrightawaywithaccessto good descriptions of what the results mean

•E-mailremindersofupcomingappointments

•Savespaperandtime

In Her Words: “I think it’s a great service. I really like that I don’t have to remember to check MyChart for information. When my doctor posts a message for me, I get an e-mail letting me know to go on MyChart, and there’s an automatic link to the site. It saves a lot of time on phone calls back and forth for scheduling appointments and getting the results of blood work and other tests.”

Ask about signing up for MyChart the next time you visit your primary care doctor, or visit eclevelandclinic.org/mychart.

A:Whenit’s“stomachflu.”Peoplerefertoviruses that trigger vomiting and diarrhea as stomach flu.Butthesearenottheflu(influenza)atall.Flu viruses infect the airways, while these viruses invade the intestines. They can make you just as miserable astheflu,butthey’readifferentanimal.Theofficial name is gastroenteritis.

Plastic surgeons Silvia Rotemberg, MD, (pictured) at Beachwood; and Raymond Isakov, MD, at Solon, are among the specialists available to help design the new you.

A: It’s a major achievement to take off 100 or more pounds through diet

and exercise or weight loss surgery. But it’s hard to celebrate when excess skin gets in the way of showing off your new, healthier body. Cleveland Clinic plastic surgeons offer several body contouring procedures to help you complete your weight loss success story.

You can begin body contouring as soon as your have achieved your target weight. Skilled and experienced plastic surgeons will discuss your goals and map out a customized program to help you achieve them. Depending on how much weight you have lost, skin reduction procedures may be done in stages to reduce the risk of complications. Incisions are made in the least obvious part of the area to be contoured, and fine stitches are used to minimize scarring.

Finish your Weight Loss Journey with Body Contouring

Q: I have lost a lot of weight,

but I still can’t wear the

clothes I’d like to wear. Is there

anything that can be done about

the extra skin hanging over my

waist band and under my arms?

Procedures such as skin trimming, lifts and liposuction will not only make your clothes fit better, but will allow you to participate more comfortably in your favorite activities.

Each woman typically will experience 400 to 500 menstrual cycles during her lifetime. So it’s no wonder that menstrual disorders are the number one reason that women seek help from a gynecologist.

Fibroids, formed of muscle and tissue from the uterine wall, are the most common benign tumors in women of childbearing age. But for many years, hysterectomy was the only option for those whose periods were excessively painful or heavy due to fibroids. Times have changed.

Cleveland Clinic gynecologists now offer several alternatives to hysterectomy including the latest hysteroscopic, laparoscopic, robotic and radiologic techniques.

Hysteroscopic surgery involves inserting a slender, lighted tube, or endoscope, through the vagina to examine the uterus. If fibroids are present, they sometimes can be removed on the spot, using small instruments.

Women’s Health

GynecologistsJonathanEmery,MD,(pictured) Willoughby Hills, and Hanna Lisbona, MD, Beachwood; and Family Medicine doctors Jessica Strasburg, MD, Solon, and Erin Juliano, MD, Chagrin Falls, treat menstrual disorders.

If fibroids are found in large numbers or are difficult to access, your gynecologist may opt for laparoscopic removal, using a scope inserted into the abdomen. In a few cases, fibroid removal requires open surgery through a bikini-line incision. The uterus can be repaired in layers, making it as strong as possible for subsequent pregnancies.

For women who don’t want children but are not ready to enter menopause, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) may be the answer. Cleveland Clinic gynecologists collaborate with interventional radiologists on this procedure, which involves inserting a catheter to arteries that supply the fibroids, and then blocking blood flow.

Talk to your Cleveland Clinic gynecologist to learn more about alternatives to hysterectomy.

Don’t Suffer in Silence


Orthopaedic surgeon Morgan Jones, MD, (pictured) Willoughby Hills; and Sports Medicine physicians Richard Figler, MD, Solon and Beachwood; and Robert Dimeff, MD, Solon, treat sports injuries.

Knee Injuries Sideline More Girls

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is located deep within the knee and tethers the bottom of the thigh bone to the top of the shin bone. Most ACL tears happen during cutting (changing direction quickly), jumping and landing, which are common movements in sports like soccer, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics.

Doctors speculate that the incidence of ACL injuries is soaring in young athletes for several reasons. For one thing, kids are playing at highly competitive levels at earlier and earlier ages. On top of that, the best athletes play year-round on multiple teams with frequent games, where the increased intensity leads to greater risk of injury. This is particularly tough on girls, who are as much as eight times more likely to sustain ACL injuries than boys competing in the same sports.

Studies are under way to determine exactly why, but theories for this disparity are based on differences in anatomy and muscular function between men and women.

A woman’s pelvis tends to be wider than a man’s, creating a steeper angle through the knee into the lower leg, which may contribute to the risk for injury.

Men and women have certain charac-teristic movements that could affect their risk. For example, when doing a jump stop, women tend to activate the front of the thigh first, putting more strain on the knee ligaments, while men activate the back of the thigh.

Hormonal differences could play a role, as well.

Injury to the ACL is usually complete and will not resolve on its own. Surgery and lengthy rehabilitation are necessary before an athlete can return to competition

Fortunately, supervised training programs designed to improve leg strength and jump-landing techniques can decrease the risk of ACL injuries.

As the competition heats up in girls sports, more and more female athletes are landing in emergency rooms with a common diagnosis – a torn ACL.

It’s a slippery slope toward diabetes,

and more and more people are taking

the slide without even noticing.

Oooh My Aching BackDo you have low back pain that extends through your buttock

and thigh? If so, you may be one of the 1.2 million people

in the United States living with spinal stenosis. Narrowing

of the spinal canal – due to disc degeneration, thickening of

spinal ligaments and arthritis – can lead to compression of

the spinal nerves, typically in the lumbar region, or small of

the back.

If fear of surgery is keeping you away from the doctor, you may be suffering needlessly. Cleveland Clinic Center for Spine Health physicians offer non-surgical treatment of low back pain related to spinal stenosis.

Treatment options, including medicines, pain therapy and physical therapy, are aimed at reducing pain to allow patients to function more normally.

•Medicines– Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) or pain-relieving medicines (analgesics) might be prescribed to decrease pain and increase your activity level. These medicines can be taken as pills, nasal sprays or injections. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, might be effective as well.

•Paintherapy– An injection of a cortisone-like medicine into the lower back might help reduce pain from the nerve roots. These treatments are sometimes called epidural injections or nerve blocks.

•Physicaltherapy– Physical therapists can work with you to develop an appropriate exercise program. The exercises prescribed by your therapist can help relieve pressure from your nerves, reducing the symptoms of pain and weakness while improving walking tolerance and general function.

Pain Management specialist Sherif Salama, MD, (pictured) Beachwood; and Spine Center physicians Russell DeMicco, DO, Solon, and Augusto Hsia, MD, Willoughby Hills, offer non-surgicaltreatmentofspinal stenosis.

ShaziaGoraya,MD,(pictured)seespatientsat Beachwood. She and her colleagues Janet Buccola, MD, and Yong Chen, MD, at Chagrin Falls; Todd Rich, MD, at Solon; and Jennifer Solivas-Maluyao,MD,atWilloughbyHills, are among internal medicine physicians availabletotestyouforpre-diabetes.

Subtle and gradual changes in the American lifestyle have led to a dramatic increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes. A diet of processed, high-carb foods and low activity levels are responsible. But by identifying your risk early, you can change your course.

First, it’s important to understand the role of insulin in the body. After you eat, food is broken down into glucose, the simple sugar that is the main source of energy for the body’s cells. But your cells cannot use glucose without insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the cells convert glucose to energy. When the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body is unable to use the insulin that is present, the cells cannot use glucose. Excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, setting the stage for diabetes. Over time, diabetes can hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.

Headed For Diabetes?

A simple blood test helps physicians identify patients on the way to diabetes. People with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range have “pre-diabetes.” Studies have shown that most people with pre-diabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, unless they take steps to prevent it.

The good news is that modest changes in diet and physical activity can get you back on track. Losing just 5 to 7 percent of body weight – that’s 10 to 15 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds – is usually enough.

If you have a family history of diabetes or are overweight, ask your doctor to test for pre-diabetes at your next visit. If you are found to be pre-diabetic, your doctor and/or dietician can help you create a meal plan that is best for you.

Kids’ Fractures Call for Expert Care

If your child or teenager suffers an accidental fracture, break or injury to a bone, the first thing you’ll want to do is consult an expert on the growth and development of young bones. And the last thing you’ll want to do is wait in a crowded emergency room.

Now you can have the best of both worlds through Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital Same-Day Fracture Care service. Your child’s fracture can be promptly evaluated at one of our many convenient community locations by a board-certified, fellowship-trained pediatric orthopaedic surgeon.

Why is this important? Because pediatric orthopaedic surgeons pay special attention to growth plates, the softer tissue near the ends of long bones that determine their eventual length and shape.

Fifteen percent of childhood fractures involve the growth plate, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Prompt detection, and proper care and monitoring of growth-plate injuries can ensure normal, equal growth of children’s limbs.

If casting is required, your child can choose from a variety of colorful waterproof casts. Call our Same-Day Fracture Care service by 1 p.m. to see a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon on that day. If you call after 1 p.m., your child will be seen on the next business day.

To reach our service, call 216.444.6260 or 800.223.2273, ext. 46260.


As summer finally comes to Northeast Ohio, you might be thinking about a new pair of shades.

Cleveland Clinic optometrists say there’s no reason to pay a premium to protect your vision. UV protection is available in all price ranges. The key is to pick the highest level you can find, which usually is printed right on the tag.

While the evidence is sketchy, high energy, ultraviolet rays from the sun may cause an increased risk for macular problems later in life, particularly in those with light colored eyes. But anyone who has spent time in the sun knows that direct sunlight can be too bright for comfort, leading to eye irritability. As we age, our pupils grow larger and are therefore even more sensitive to glare. And those who have had refractive surgery also are more bothered by glare.

When purchasing sunglasses, the color of the lens is less important than the UV rating. Brown, grey, green and yellow lenses are generally recommended to minimize color distortion, which could be dangerous when driving. Polarized lenses are most effective in reducing glare.

All prescription eyeglasses, particularly those made from polycarbonate, include some UV protection. Newer types that change color in sunlight also offer protection from glare.

How Effective are Cheap Sunglasses?

Visit a Cleveland Clinic eye specialist at the Cole Eye Institute in Beachwood. Call 216.831.0120 for an appointment.

Neurologists Joseph Zayat, MD, (pictured) Beachwood; Sheila Rubin, MD, Willoughby Hills; and A. Romeo Craciun, MD, Solon, can evaluate headaches.

Symptoms from abdominal pain to osteoporosis have been linked to a single disorder – celiac disease.

Once believed to be uncommon in the United States, celiac disease could affect as many as 1 in 133 people here, particularly those of European descent. Because the symptoms may be silent, doctors say celiac disease might be the most under-diagnosed disease today.

Celiac disease is a permanent adverse reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, oats and barley. When a person with celiac disease ingests gluten, the tiny fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine, called villi, are damaged or destroyed. Without healthy villi, nutrients from food cannot be absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in malnutrition.

In children, celiac disease may cause abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea, delayed growth or vitamin deficien-cies. In adults, the symptoms may be more elusive, includ-ing iron deficiency anemia and low bone density.

Early diagnosis is important to minimize damage. A simple blood test from your primary care doctor, gastroenterologist or allergist can confirm the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, celiac disease requires a lifelong restriction of gluten.

Regular visits to a dietician or nutritionist will help identify a gluten-free diet that is well balanced and meets your nutritional needs. A doctor also can prescribe vitamin supplements to make up for nutritional deficiencies.

Celiac Disease: More Common Than You Think

Allergist Rachel Koelsch, MD, (pictured) treats children and adults with allergies at Willoughby Hills. GastroenterologistsLuke Weber, MD, Solon; Monica Ray, MD, Willougby Hills; and Talal Adhami, MD, Beachwood, can evaluate digestive problems.


Skip the Guesswork When Your Head AchesEven though neurologists spend the majority of their time evaluating and treating headaches, they’re usually the last stop on a patient’s journey to find relief. Cleveland Clinic specialists say that can mean weeks, or even months of needless suffering.

“The most common misconception is that headaches are a result of eye problems, allergies or other sinus issues,” says Cleveland Clinic neurologist Joseph Zayat, MD. “More often than not, by the time people get to the neurologist’s office, they’ve tried lots of over-the-counter remedies without relief.”

A thorough history and detailed neurological exam is often all that’s required to diagnose the most common types – tension and migraine headaches. Once diagnosed, both can be effectively treated with medications now on the market.

When headaches have unusual features, the neurologist may rely on blood tests and x-rays to rule out more serious conditions. Dr. Zayat says it is particularly important for people who develop headaches after age 50 to seek immediate attention from a neurologist. In some instances, this can signal giant cell arteritis (GCA), an inflammation of blood vessels that can rapidly lead to blindness. Fortunately when GCA is diagnosed early, it can be effectively treated with steroids before it causes any permanent damage.

E 2-08

Family Checkup CouponTo receive our fact sheets, brochures or newsletters, simply

Send this completed coupon to: Cleveland Clinic 9500 Euclid Avenue / AC311 Cleveland, OH 44195

Orcalltoll-free: 800.890.2467

Or visit us on the Web: clevelandclinic.org/fhc/newsletters

Fact Sheets:

• Family History Chart

• Colonoscopy

• Mature Spine

• MyChart, your personalized medical record

Newsletters:

• Competitive Edge (sports health)

• Be Well eNews (email newsletter)

Brochures/Pamphlets:

• Guide to Quality in Healthcare

• Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation

• Healthwise Connection (formerly Senior Circle Plus)

• Women’s Heart Center

Videos:

• Shoulder Surgery

• Hip Surgery

• Knee Surgery

• Bariatric Surgery

I would like the following FREE information:

Name Age (optional)

Street Address

City/State/Zip Daytime Telephone Number

• Send me Family Checkup at this email address: ________________________________

• Please add me to your Family Health Center mailing list

• Please remove me from your Family Health Center mailing list

• Please add my friend to your Family Health Center mailing list:

Name Age (optional)

Street Address

City/State/Zip email Address

Cleveland Clinic Family Checkup is published by the Division of Marketing and Communica-tions to provide up-to-date health information and news about Cleveland Clinic Family Health Center services. The information contained in Cleveland Clinic Family Checkup is for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. It has not been designed to replace a physician’s medical assessment and medical judgment.

Editor: Marjie Heines

Art Director: Anne Drago

Photographers: Don Gerda and Tom Merce

Marketing Manager: Melissa Phillips

Do your Homework when Selecting a Doctor

•Don’t wait until you’re sick to pick a doctor. You may be rushed and/or too sick to make a good decision.

•Getnamesfromseveralpeopleyoutrustand compare. Remember, what might be good for a family member or friend, might not be good for you.

•Decide what kind of primary care doctor you’re looking for. The type doctor you choose depends on your personal preference and circumstance, which could dictate using an internal medicine physician, a family practitioner or a geriatrician.

•Check out the doctor’s qualifications, including training, certification and experience.

•Find out about the doctor’s specialties. Primary care physicians can have special interests, which may or may not be pertinent to you.

•Make sure the office is conveniently located and check the hours. Your primary care physician’s office should be your medical home – familiar and accessible.

•Ask where the doctor has admitting privileges and find out if the hospital is accredited.

•Check with your insurance company to see if the doctor is covered under your plan.

•If possible, meet with the doctor before deciding. A personal connection is important. Find out if you “click.”

•Finally, remember that your decision is not final! If you’re not comfortable with your primary care doctor, look for someone else.

One key to good health is finding the right doctor. But most people spend more time looking for a new car than they do choosing a primary care physician. Just like cars, doctors are not all alike. They differ in personality, approach, training and experience.

When deciding on a doctor, consider these tips:

Cleveland Clinic has primary care physicians in Family Health Centers located throughout the region. To find a doctor near you, please visit www.clevelandclinic.org/fhc, or call 888.MED.WELL (633.9355).

East Side Bulletin Board

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Family Checkup 9500 Euclid Avenue / AC311 Cleveland, OH 44195

Numbers Can Save Your LifeCardiovascular disease currently is responsible for 50 percent of all deaths in the developed world. The good news is that it’s also one of the most preventable diseases.

When it comes to preventing heart and blood vessel disease, it’s all in the numbers – cholesterol levels, blood pressure, fasting glucose levels and your weight. Knowing your numbers is the key to managing your risk.

Your cholesterol level is the King of Numbers. It tells you the amounts of LDL and HDL cholesterol in your blood.

The “bad cholesterol” (LDL) refers to particles that work their way into the walls of the blood vessels where they accumulate and cause clots, blocking blood flow and triggering a heart attack. This process is fueled by excess cholesterol the way dry wood feeds a fire. Control the fuel, and you’ve controlled the fire. As a general rule, the lower your LDL level, the better.

If your doctor tells you that you need to lower your LDL cholesterol, a combination of a low-fat diet, aerobic exercise and, in some cases, medication from the statin family should do the trick.

In contrast, aim for a high HDL “good cholesterol” level. HDL cholesterol is believed to play a role in conveying harmful dietary fats out of your system. While HDL cholesterol is mainly determined by heredity, it can be increased somewhat by regular exercise, a daily glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage, and Omega-3 fish oil supplements.

With the combination of changes in diet and exercise to improve cholesterol levels, you’ll enjoy the added benefits of weight loss and lower blood pressure. Even modest changes in these numbers can dramatically lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Visit a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist at the Beachwood, Chagrin Falls, Solon or Willoughby Hills Family Health Center to learn to manage your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Beachwood Pharmacy now open for Cleveland Clinic patients Located on the first floor of the Family Health Center.

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 216.839.3270.

Chronic or severe lung problems? Pulmonologist Hina Sahi, MD, and colleagues at Beachwood care for pa-tients with lung problems. Call 216.839.3000.

Capsule endoscopy in Beachwood and Willoughby Hills Patients needing endos-copy of the small bowel or esophagus may be eligible for a new, non-invasive, wireless alternative to traditional endoscopy. Patients swallow a small, vitamin-sized camera cap-sule during an office visit, which takes some 65,000 images. For Beachwood, call 216.839.3000; for Willoughby Hills, call 440.943.2500.

WatchUsGrow. Deb Lonzer, MD, department chair for Regional Pediatrics, is welcoming new patients at Willoughby Hills. Her specialties include general preventive pediatrics, asthma and acute injuries. Call 440.943.2500.

Colorectal surgeon Ravi Kuran, MD, has joined Cleveland Clinic Willoughby Hills. Call 440.943.2500.

Internal Medicine physi-cians Viji Bala, MD, and Yvonne Braver, MD, have joined Cleveland Clinic Solon. Call 440.519.6800.

ENT specialist Michael Benninger, MD, chair-man of Cleveland Clinic’s Head and Neck Institute, is now seeing patients in Solon. Dr. Benninger specializes in voice disorders, laryn-gology, and nasal-sinus disease and surgery. Call 440.519.6800.

07-FHC-116

Teamwork is Lifesaving for Toddler - Cleveland Clinic · Teamwork is Lifesaving for Toddler When...

Documents

Transcript of Teamwork is Lifesaving for Toddler - Cleveland Clinic · Teamwork is Lifesaving for Toddler When...