No more silence with state-of-the-art hearing solutions

1 May

cam-discover-baha-whatisbaha-system_medMore than 36 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, and an estimated three out of every 1,000 children in the US may be born unable to hear.

Whether it is present at birth, or happens suddenly or gradually over time, hearing loss can leave you feeling isolated and separated from friends and family. Now there is an answer.

The Cochlear Baha® 3 System is intended for patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss or single-sided deafness. Baha® bypasses the outer and middle ear altogether by sending sound around damaged or problematic anatomy, naturally stimulating the cochlea through bone conduction.

It consists of the titanium implant and abutment along with an external sound processor all of which is covered by Medicare and most major insurance companies.  Cochlear has three sound processors which you select based on the patient’s hearing loss.

Exercise, go dancing, socialize with friends, play sports, see a movie, listen to music – life has a lot to offer. With a Baha system you can do all the things you enjoy, with one major difference. You can hear.

Sound waves are created by vibrations, for example, the sound of your voice is created by the vibrations of your vocal chords. Like ripples on a pond, the sound waves travel out through the air.

The Baha® sound processor picks up the sound waves and a computer chip digitally analyses the sound. The digitally enhanced signal is amplified and converted into vibrations that are sent out of the sound processor.

The implant receives the amplified vibrations from the sound processor and sends them through the bone directly to your inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear. In single-sided deafness the implant receives the amplified vibrations and sends them through the bone to the hearing ear, bypassing the non-hearing side.

The vibrations reach the inner ear and cause waves in the fluid of the cochlea. The hair cells in the inner ear convert the fluid movement into electrical signals sent to the hearing nerve. The hearing nerve then sends the information to the brain as electrical impulses, where they are interpreted as sound.

If you have conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss or single-sided deafness, a Baha implant could be an effective option for you. We can help you break out of a life of silence.

Dr Brad LeBertDr. Brad LeBert is an ear, nose and throat specialist at Southwest Louisiana Ear, Nose & Throat. For more information call 337.480.5595. 

The Heart of a Volunteer

24 Apr

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By Sherry Schofield

The Lake Charles Memorial Volunteer Auxiliary was established in 1968 with an inaugural 50 active members. Through the decades the Volunteer Auxiliary has provided selfless service and aid to hospital employees and patients alike.

This week is national Volunteer Week and were would we be if we didn’t honor these selfless ladies and gentlemen.

The volunteers provide many services around the hospital including running the gift shop, manning the front desk, keeping the waiting rooms stocked with magazines, and even preparing beautiful flower arrangements for our patients and visitors.

They are very loving people. They care about others and that’s the number one thing. They come up here hoping they can do something to help someone else and they find out they, in return, receive more than the person they’re helping. It gives them a sense of feeling worthy.”

The Auxiliary donates all proceeds from the hospital gift shop to purchase equipment for Memorial. Last year the volunteers wrote a check for $110,000 to the hospital from sales in the gift shop and have donated $1,782,600 since 1986.

The generosity of these volunteers does not end at the hospital doors. They contribute $8,000 per year in health care scholarships to students at McNeese State University.

The past year the volunteers logged 11,327 volunteer hours and a grand total of 194,787. That is a lot of selfless time for those on the road to recovery.

The Volunteer Auxiliary is open to anyone age 18 and over of all backgrounds and abilities.

Sherry Schofield is the director of volunteer services at Lake Charles Memorial. For more information, contact Volunteer Services at 337-494-3213 or www.lcmh.com/volunteer.

Diving for Diabetic Treatment

17 Apr

IMG_0694wNo matter how small or superficial a wound is, you should never ignore it if you have diabetes.

The chronic disease can cause wounds to not heal properly through complications such as nerve damage, a weakened immune system and narrow arteries. This leads many wounds to become hypoxic, meaning they lack an adequate oxygen supply.

Diabetic foot complications are the most common cause of non-traumatic lower body amputations in the U.S. Fifty percent of all lower body amputations in the U.S. are due to diabetes. And many diabetics suffer circulatory disorders that create inadequate levels of oxygen to support healing of those wounds.

The vast majority of diabetic foot complications resulting in amputation begin with the formation of skin ulcers. Early detection and appropriate treatment of these ulcers may prevent up to 85 percent of amputations.

Inside Memorial’s Wound Care Center, patients “dive” into a treatment program that can help diabetic patients treat their wounds and avoid amputation.

Patients enter one of two hyperbaric oxygen chambers and breathe in 100 percent pure oxygen at an atmospheric pressure about two times what we are typically used to. It is equivalent to diving 33 feet under the ocean.

When a patient is given 100 percent oxygen under pressure, the body dissolves more oxygen within the blood and, in turn, more oxygen reaches the wound area.

Patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) are typically prescribed between 30 and 40 treatments, five days a week, and they last anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours.

In addition to treating diabetic ulcers, Memorial’s WoundCareCenter uses HBOT to treat other conditions such as crush injuries, compromised skin grafts/flaps and infections of the bone (osteomyelitis).

HBOT was originally developed to treat divers experiencing disorders such as “the bends,” or decompression sickness. Treatments can actually be traced back to 1662 when the first well-known chamber was built and run by a British doctor named Henshaw. Memorial started using hyperbaric chambers in 2008 and was the first hospital in Southwest Louisiana to use such a treatment.

Dr Gerald W MoutonDr. Gerald Mouton is the medical director at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s Wound Care Center. For more information about Memorial’s Wound Care Center call 337.494.6700.

Depression: You are not alone

10 Apr

By Dr. Said Cantu

Photo illustration by Mindy RickettsNo one is immune from depression as it occurs in millions of people across all social classes, countries, and cultural settings. About half of all cases of depression go unrecognized and untreated.

Symptoms of Depression can be:  Persistent feelings of emptiness or sadness. Feeling of hopeless, helpless, worthless and guilt.  Substance abuse, fatigue or loss of interest in ordinary activity, change in eating and sleeping patterns, irritability, increase crying, anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty with concentration, remembering, making decisions, persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment, decrease in energy and decrease in self confidence.

Professional help is needed when emotional reactions are out of proportion to life events and day to day functioning. Exercise as well as sunlight seems to work very well however depressed people sometimes lack the motivation to do this.

Depression isn’t always preventable, but there are certain things you can do to minimize your risk of becoming depressed or having another depressive episode.

It’s understandable that when you’re feeling better you may want to discontinue antidepressants, or you may be frustrated by your medication’s side effects and decide not to take it every day. You have every right to go off antidepressants if they’re not working for you, but remember that depression is a medical disorder, like heart disease or diabetes. If you discontinue medication against the advice of your doctor, you risk getting even sicker.

Talk therapy can be tough, but rewarding work. You’re often asked to discuss difficult topics that can upset you in the short-term. But much like regular exercise, sticking with your therapy will help you feel better in the long run. It will become easier and hopefully allow you to feel better.

Preliminary research suggests that people who eat a heart-healthy Mediterranean diet that’s loaded with fruit, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and beans have a lower risk of depression. You can also minimize mood swings and fatigue by eating regularly and avoiding foods high in sugar.

Lack of sleep is linked to higher rates of depression. Go to bed at the same time every night. If you have trouble falling asleep, try some relaxing stretches, meditation, or yoga; reading in bed; or taking a warm bath.

Getting 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week can help boost mood and self-esteem, reduce stress, and lower anxiety— all of which can help stabilize mood and help you feel better about yourself and your life. Ongoing research at Duke University Medical Center’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience shows that exercise provides as speedy and long-lasting a mood-booster as an antidepressant.

Having people you can turn to in times of distress is extremely important in preventing depression. Instead of isolating yourself because you’re in a bad mood, make an effort to reach out to people who care about you and ask for help

IMG_0257cDr. Cantu is a Memorial psychologist. For more information on inpatient Psychiatric Health, call (337) 494-3252, for outpatient psychiatric health, call (337) 477-9024.

New Technology for a Problematic Prostate

3 Apr

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By Dr. John Upshaw

Prostate gland enlargement is a common condition as men get older. Also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic hypertrophy, prostate gland enlargement can cause bothersome urinary symptoms. Untreated prostate gland enlargement can block the flow of urine out of the bladder and can cause bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.

Symptoms can be a weak urine stream, Stopping and starting while urinating, Frequent or urgent need to urinate and an increased frequency of urination at night, just to name a few.

The size of your prostate doesn’t necessarily mean your symptoms will be worse. Some men with only slightly enlarged prostates have significant symptoms. On the other hand, some men with very enlarged prostates have only minor urinary symptoms.

Only about half the men with prostate gland enlargement have symptoms that become noticeable or bothersome enough for them to seek medical treatment. In some men, symptoms eventually stabilize and may even improve over time.

If you’re having urinary problems, see your doctor to check whether your symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate and find out what tests or treatment you may need.

There are new and improved treatments such as GreenLight™ Laser Therapy.  GreenLight™ Laser Therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that combines the effectiveness of the traditional surgical procedure known as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with fewer side effects. GreenLight™ Laser Therapy uses laser energy to remove enlarged prostate tissue.

What we do with the laser is actually remove some of the prostate that is blocking urine flow, but with less risk of sexual and other side effects. A lot of patients can be done outpatient or overnight stay.

If you don’t find symptoms too bothersome and they don’t pose a health threat, you may not need treatment. But you should still have your symptoms checked out by a doctor to make sure they aren’t caused by another problem such as prostate cancer.

Most men have continued prostate growth throughout life. In many men, this continued growth enlarges the prostate enough to cause urinary symptoms or to significantly block urine flow.

The main risk factors for prostate gland enlargement include:

Aging: Prostate gland enlargement rarely causes signs and symptoms in men younger than 40. By 55, about 1 in 4 men have some signs and symptoms. By 75, about half of men report some symptoms.

Family history: Having a blood relative such as a father or brother with prostate problems means you’re more likely to have problems as well.

Where you’re from: Prostate enlargement is more common in American and Australian men. It’s less common in Chinese, Indian and Japanese men.

Prostate gland enlargement becomes a serious problem when it severely interferes with your ability to empty your bladder. If this is the case, you’ll probably need surgery. Complications can include: acute urinary retention, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, bladder damage and kidney damage.

Dr John UpshawDr. John Upshaw is an urologist with Urology Associates of SWLA, a part of the Memorial Medical. Call 337.494.4656 for more information.

The Silent Killer…are You at Risk?

27 Mar

By Dr. J. King White

ImageIt is considered a ticking time bomb, a silent killer among mostly men. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), which is a bulge in wall in the abdominal aorta, occurs mostly in people older than 65-years-old and are more common among men and smokers. They tend to cause no symptoms until they rupture.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm can occur in any artery in the body, but it usually occurs in the abdominal aorta, just below the kidneys.

The major complication of an AAA is rupture. This, or course, is life-threatening as large amounts of blood spill into the abdominal cavity. Once an AAA ruptures, emergency surgery is needed and time is of the essence. A rupture can lead to death within minutes and carries a mortality rate of 60 to 90 percent.

As abdominal aortic aneurysms expand, they may become painful and lead to pulsating sensations in the abdomen or pain in the chest, lower back or scrotum. When an AAA reaches 5.5 centimeters in diameter, about the size of a large lemon, that’s when you will find yourself at risk for an aneurysm rupture.

Fixing the problem usually requires a minimally invasive procedure. A stent graft is used to create new walls in the damaged blood vessel for the blood to flow through. We administer local anesthesia and make two small puncture sites in the groins. We put half of the graft through one side and the other half of the graft through the other side and connect them once they are inside the aneurysm. The blood flow is cut off to the aneurysm and overtime the aneurysm will decrease in size.

Abdominal aneurysms are six times more common in men than in women. The exact causes of aneurysms remain unclear. There are, however, some theories and well defined risk factors.

  • Tobacco smoking – More than 90 percent of people who develop an AAA have smoked at some point in their life.
  • Genetic influences: The influence of genetic factors is high. The high prevalence rate is most notable in male individuals. There are many theories about the exact genetic disorder that could cause higher incidence of AAA among male members of the affected families.
  • Atherosclerosis: The AAA was long considered to be caused by atherosclerosis, because the walls of the AAA are frequently affected heavily. Patients with high blood pressure have an increased risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is usually diagnosed by physical exam, ultrasound, or CT. Ultrasound technology is used to screen for aneurysms and to determine the size of any present. If you are over age 60 or 55 with a family history of an AAA, a simple screening could save your life.

ImageDr. White is a cardiologist at the Heart & Vascular Center, a part of the Memorial Medical Group. You can contact the Heart & Vascular Center by calling (337) 49-HEART (494-3278) or click www.lcmh.com/heart.

Happy First Day of Spring and Bless You!

20 Mar

By Dr. Brad LeBert

allergiesSpring is here…gesundheit, bless you! March 20 is the season’s official start and while we associate this time of year with new blooms and milder temperatures, it also brings with it potential devastation for people with allergies. Here in Lake Charles we are in prime tree pollen season.

Your different pollens come at different times of the year and unfortunately in the South, allergy season is basically year round. The tropical climate, plus the lack of hard winter freezes to kill off weeds and grasses cause the seasons to roll into one another.  This wreaks havoc our allergies and sinuses.

The first line of defense against allergies is prescription drug therapy such as antihistamines and nasal sprays. If that doesn’t work we turn to testing for inhaled allergens that can cause symptoms like congestion and postnasal drip, as well as frequent sinus infections.

Using that knowledge, a therapy plan is put in place that will treat patients for three to five years with allergy shots that are targeted toward their specific allergy profile.

Allergy shots are one of the few therapies that can reverse your condition. The injections actually alter your body’s immune response to the allergens. Patients come in once a week and are basically injected with what they are allergic to. The dose is increased each time to help build immunity.

Patients also receive education on other things that can set their allergies off. Sometimes certain foods can have the same affect as the pollens they are allergic to. When it comes to specific food allergies though, the only type of solution available is avoidance.

Just the structure of your nose can play a key role in how allergies affect you. If you have a deviated septum you cannot tolerate as much swelling in your nose from allergies as someone whose septum was straight.

Seeking nasal relief at an ENT office gives patients a one stop shop, should they need more extensive treatment. Physicians like Dr. LeBert can offer a full spectrum of treatment options for the patient.

ImageDr. Brad LeBert s an ear, nose and throat specialist at Southwest Louisiana Ear, Nose & Throat. For more information call 337.480.5595. 

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