Page 13 - Boca Club News - October '24

Boca Club News, Page 13

From The Professionals’ Desks
From The Professionals’
Desks

(Editor’s Note: While putting together this issue of “Boca Club News” with the usual pride I feel in reading all of the feature columns contributed by our writers on their
various areas of expertise, I could not help but add a special complimentary comment to Dale Brown for her following column, which I find to be so especially thoughtful
and wise.—Nils A. Shapiro, Editor

Healthy Answers – A Guide to Healthy Living:

“Crossing the Finish Line in the Pursuit of Happiness”

By Dale Brown, B.S., M.A., C.E.C. Each of you might also have a story to tell: how you physical limitations, work schedule.
Dale is a motivational speaker who hurdled life’s challenges and overcame odds to reach your 2. Find an Alternative: The next step is to identify an
has spent many years as a Certified highest potential. I personally know of an individual who alternative to counter your obstacles. This is known as an
Life Coach and has written numerous is still winning swimming medals at the age of 86. You enabling objective. For example, if you wanted to go to France
articles and e-books relating to self- may not have a gold medal to show for your hard work on a wine tasting tour but couldn’t afford it you might enroll
improvement and ways to build a but in many ways your tenacity parallels that of an athlete in a wine tasting class. Not as good, but better than not.
high-performance team. She is the just for getting all you can out of life every day. 3. Create a Goal-Tracking Chart: One of the most
author of the book, “Small Steps...Big If you consider yourself to be an over-achiever, my effective ways to stay centered on your desired outcome is
Changes: The Personal Stories of a Life question is what makes you that way? It might be the to set up a goal-tracking chart. This technique keeps you
Coach.” Her education and years of experience in physical desire to push your limits or prove you are capable of organized by listing the steps and tasks to do along the way.
fitness and training of elite athletes has enabled her to sharpen reaching a goal. Maybe you strive to inspire others, It serves as a reminder and rewards you when a mini goal is
her knowledge in many health-related areas. The following whether family, friends or society in general. It’s possible reached. It is helpful to post your tracking chart in a prominent
introduces a new approach to Ms. Brown’s series of columns that you have a genuine love for what you do and want place to serve as a prompter of your progress.
devoted to many topics that deal with the mind/body connection to reach the highest level possible. Giving all you’ve got 4. Tell Your Friends: Letting friends in on your plan allows
and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Dale, a Bocaire to be the best you can be raises your happiness meter. them to become part of your support system. Nothing feels
resident, can be reached at dalebrown@lovingmondays.com. However, there are some people who wish they could better than a pat on the back or encouragement when you find
The 2024 Olympic Games are behind us now, but the do more but are held back by limiting beliefs about yourself slipping.
memory of watching one exciting moment after another still themselves. They feel stuck in a rut and complain that life 5. Stay Focused: Staying focused is not always easy,
remains. If you were glued to your TV set along with the rest has passed them by. They look at those who seem to get especially when your sites are set far off in the distance.
of us you might agree that the strength and prowess of our ahead, reach goals and accomplish all they set out to do There are millions of books, websites, coaches, tele classes,
athletes is something to admire. Having been an Olympic level and ask the question; “What do they have that I don’t?” and seminars out there to inspire you when you begin to lose
gymnastics judge, I for one can appreciate the commitment Sometimes self-reflection is needed to identify your momentum. Take advantage of all the help you can get from
and determination necessary to excel in a sport, whether you strengths, skills and areas for improvement. It stops you the resources available to you.
win a medal or not. from looking at others with envy and wonder why you 6. Join A Club or Community Center: There are countless
You have to wonder what motivates each of these athletes don’t have their drive and ambition. The most important clubs for both couples and singles such as, hiking or cycling,
to push on. There’s no better example than Simone Biles thing is to accept who you are without wishing your life chess, golf or ski clubs. Try taking up a musical instrument, or
who, after a defining withdrawal from the 2020 Games, came were like somebody else’s. possibly volunteering at a local hospital or child care center.
back to capture an epic six gold medal count. Yet, throughout Is it time in your life to make some changes or are you Sometimes the smallest achievement makes you feel like
the triumphs and fanfare of the Olympics this year it was not happy with your station in life? Ever think about revisiting you’ve been awarded a gold medal. It doesn’t take much to
without its heartbreak for the many athletes. some of the things you aspired to do? Or, how about going get the thrill of accomplishment. Give yourself permission to
The road to success isn’t easy. It takes determination and to those destinations you always wanted to travel to but felt love what you do and who you are. If there is something you
sacrifice to persevere in any sport and the game of life is stuck in the same place? would like to change don’t sit on the couch with the remote
no different. I’m sure if you followed along the path with Here are five tips to steer you toward your life’s in your hand wishing your life away. Take charge, get up and
one of our top athletes you would find their story to be objectives; whether to pursue them, change them or regroup. get going. You’ll be happier if you did!
riddled with challenges overcome only by sheer fortitude 1. Identify Obstacles: First identify obstacles that
and strength of mind. might hinder your outcome. This could be resources,
Medical Matters: Hepatitis C

By Richard Nagler, M.D., a member 60% of cases coincident with the use of contaminated needles Anyone with the disease should never share needles, and
of Broken Sound Club and retired associated with the rising drug epidemic in our country. all cuts, scrapes and blisters should be covered. They should
physician. After graduating from the Once Cirrhosis develops and advances, patients will never attempt to donate blood, sperm or eggs, but should
University of Pennsylvania and New have signs and symptoms including fatigue, nausea and always wash hands thoroughly and never share a toothbrush,
York University’s School of Medicine, vomiting, poor appetite, weight loss, itching, abdominal razor or nail clipper.
Dr. Nagler served his internship and pain, an enlarged liver later followed by a shrinking firm There are six genotypes of Hepatitis C, of which 76% are
residency at Baltimore City Hospital liver due to late stage Cirrhosis, jaundice, spider angiomas of type 1, 12% type 2 and 10% type 3. The other three are
and Johns Hopkins. He followed that (which are clusters of blood vessels like tiny red spiders on very rare. Until 10 years ago there was no cure for this deadly
with a Fellowship in Gastroenterology the chest, shoulders and face), ascites—which is swelling disease. However, at that time a breakthrough occurred with
at Yale University School of Medicine, and was then Chief of the abdomen due to fluid accumulation—edema of the the development of several similar drugs of which Harvoni
of Gastroenterology at Fitzsimons General Army Hospital legs and feet, atrophy of muscles, variceal bleeding mainly is the best known. One pill a day for 12 weeks cures 98% of
in Denver. He returned to the Yale Medical School for one from veins in the lower esophagus, and encephalopathy with those afflicted with genotype 1 and 3 Hepatitis C cases.
year as an Assistant Professor of Medicine before opening confusion, For genotypes 2 and 4 there are combination drug therapies
his own successful private practice in Internal Medicine Those people who see a doctor regularly for annual available with similar benefits. Genotypes 5 and 6 are so rare
and Gastroenterology. During that time, he also served for physicals include blood tests that are essential. Tests that no data is available. A huge drawback to Harvoni was the
ten years as Chief of Medicine at Huntington Hospital in included are liver enzymes such as the SGOT, SGPT and outrageous cost of the drug, which amounted to $1,000 per
Huntington, N.Y. GGPT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and albumin. While pill or $84,000 for the 12-week course of treatment, although
Hepatitis C is the most prevalent viral disease globally abnormalities can indicate a variety of other causes of liver some patients could be cured with eight weeks of treatment.
with an estimated 71 million people infected. In 2016 there disease Hepatitis C should always be suspected and follow-up Initially, Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans
were 1.75 million new cases reported with 400,000 deaths. In tests such as antibodies to the virus and a CRNA test which offered coverage, but only for those who had advanced liver
the United States there are 3.5 million known cases with the will indicate if there is active infection. disease. After many efforts and threatened litigation, mainly
disease. In 2016, 20,000 died of illness related to Hepatitis Ultrasound examination of the liver, an MRI and a liver by consumer protection groups, most patients with the disease
C. Because 80% of those afflicted have no symptoms the biopsy can be helpful in determining the extent of liver now get coverage or significant subsidies to cover most of the
incidence is much higher. fibrosis and the stage of Cirrhosis. Damage to the liver is cost. People with incomes below $42,000 are fully subsidized.
There are two phases of Hepatitis C. One is an acute phase abetted by alcohol abuse, obesity, and concomitant HIV Generic versions of these drugs are available. The cost
which appears within six months of exposure. Most of the infection and AIDS. Those at greatest risk are people born varies depending on insurance coverage and the pharmacy
time it goes unnoticed because there are no symptoms, but between 1945 and 1965, health care workers, drug addicts used. There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C.
in 30% there may be jaundice, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and prisoners.
muscle aches and loss of appetite. These symptoms usually There are many ways for Hepatitis C to be transmitted.
appear one to three months after exposure and can last from Sharing needles, cotton swabs, spoons and water used to
two weeks to three months. inject drugs. Piercing of ears or other body parts, tattoos,
In 20 % there is spontaneous clearance of the virus due to Acupuncture with needles not properly sterilized, exposure Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing
the body’s successful immune response to it. The rest develop to fresh blood, being pricked with a used needle, blood Palm Beach County and is a privately
chronic Hepatitis C; 80% of patients with Chronic Hepatitis transfusions not properly screened, (which is very rare today) owned and managed company.
C have no symptoms of the disease until significant liver hemodialysis, born to a mother with Hepatitis C, sexual Captain’s is committed to providing
disease, usually a fatty liver with some fibrosis is evident. contact with an infected partner and hugging or sharing dependable, reliable and professional
ground transportation to and from all
Untreated, 45% will go on to die at the median age of 57 food or drink with an infected person. It is not spread from South Florida Airports and Seaports.
of advanced Cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. Hepatitis food, mother’s milk, tap water and kissing unless an infected To reserve your vehicle: PBCVH212
C is the leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplants individual has gum disease or sores in the mouth where the 561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com
in the U.S. Between 1990 and 2020 there was an increase of virus appears in the saliva.