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HEALTH   -   HEALTHY & HAPPY
Healthy & Happy
October, 2016 - Issue #144
courtesy of shutterstock
courtesy of shutterstock

Santa Clarita is a City of Hope
City of Hope's life-saving therapies are available in Santa Clarita and 14 other neighborhoods in Southern California, giving you access to an uncompromising level of medical care and access to the most advanced treatments. City of Hope is one of only 47 comprehensive cancer centers in the nation, the highest designation from the National Cancer Institute, and has been ranked one of the country's best cancer hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for more than 10 years. At City of Hope, scientists partner with doctors in multidisciplinary teams, transforming laboratory breakthroughs into treatments that challenge and defeat cancer. Compassion is the heart of their approach and the driving force behind all discoveries. They care for the person, not just the body. Their goal is to help you recover quickly, to re-become the person you were before cancer. The world-class care they are renowned for is available to you near your home at City of Hope Santa Clarita. The Santa Clarita office has relocated to larger quarters - a newly-renovated 8,500-square foot space that allows for more convenient appointment times. This new facility offers a wide range of medical specialties and they are expanding surgical specialties to offer gynecologic oncology, breast oncology, urologic oncology, general oncologic surgery and benign urology. In the very near future, they will expand services to include infusion and clinical trials. For more information visit
www.cityofhope.org/santa-clarita. 799-1999

2016 Breast Cancer Awareness Events and Activities Proceeds Benefit the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center
September 25 at Valencia Country Club
Soroptimist International of SCV 13th Annual Bras for a Cause

"Bras for Cause 2016: Rock Around the Clock" will consist of an auction of custom-designed theme bras and items for raffle. www.siscv.org/events/bras-for-a-cause/

October 1 to October 31
Pink Ribbon Month at Hospital Gift Shop, Foundation & Breast Center

Pink ribbon lapel pins can be purchased from Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital's gift shop, the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation offices and the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center. The pins are available for $5.

Cobblestone Cottage Brighton Breast Cancer Awareness Jewelry
Cobblestone Cottage will feature special Brighton Power of Pink jewelry; a portion from each piece sold will be donated to the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center. 253-0209

October 26
The Carole Hunt Memorial "Bingo or Bust" at Henry Mayo Center

Enjoy a night of bingo and great appetizers during this special fundraiser from 6pm to 9:30pm. The event will be held at Henry Mayo Education Center on the hospital campus at 23803 McBean Parkway. Seating is limited and will sell out fast; reserve your spot today. www.henrymayogiving.com
Your participation in the events listed will help fund state-of-the-art equipment and ensure women in our community have access to superior technology for breast cancer detection.
Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center 200-1099


Inflammation is Associated with Everything from Cancer to Chronic Pain
Here's How to put it on ICE
Whether it's in conjunction with an acute injury, poor diet, joint pain or muscle exertion, inflammation in the body can slow you down and age you "up." That's why proven treatments for its reduction are becoming increasingly popular - few more than cryotherapy. Invented in Japan in 1978, today's cryotherapy treatments feature a chamber that drops hundreds of degrees below zero to assist your body in eradicating inflammation while reducing pain, building collagen and prompting a healing response. At ICE Recovery & Wellness (Fun fact: "ICE" stands for "Individualized Cryotherapy Experience."), the below-freezing temps send your body into a professionally-observed and managed "survival mode" state, which causes your blood supply to flow to your organs that store deeply-nutritious blood and oxygen. This revitalized blood then flows to the rest of your body, nourishing the blood that is filled with toxic and/or inflammatory components. After your session, it becomes obvious why this treatment is celebrated among professional athletes and A-listers. You'll immediately notice a dramatic rush of endorphins and energy, as well as improved mental focus, which lasts about five to six hours. It's the longer-term benefits that have people buying package sessions, though. Pain and swelling are dramatically reduced; range of motion and stability are increased; injury healing is remarkably expedited; ache/pain discomfort is diminished; muscles spasticity drops; and your skin is left with a healthy glow thanks to improved circulation and a boost in collagen, resulting in lasting smooth skin and wrinkle reduction. With consistent use, effects last two to three months.
ICE Recovery & Wellness 904-4412
courtesy of shutterstock
courtesy of shutterstock

A Heartbreaking, Authentic Look at Aging & Alzheimer's
Greg O'Brien was an investigative journalist. He has Alzheimer's Disease. After four decades of marriage, his wife is now his caregiver - always alert, fearful of what will happen next and well aware of the fact that things will never be the same. Here's Greg's take on his struggle.

"I fumbled into the bathroom as I felt the numbness creep up the back of my neck like a penetrating fog, slowly inching to the front of my mind. It was as if a light in my brain had been shut off. I was overcome by the darkness of not knowing where I was and who I was. So I reached for my cellphone that substitutes as a flashlight and called the house. My wife, deep asleep in our bed just 20 feet away, rose like Lazarus from the grave to grab the phone in angst, fearing a car crash with one of the kids or the death of an extended family member. It was me, just me. I was lost in the bathroom."

Caregiving support specializing in dementia and Alzheimer's is available.
Home Instead Senior Care for Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys 254-8701

Hearing is not the Same as Understanding
Hearing loss is complicated because it involves not only the ears, but also the brain; that's where sound is translated into meaningful words. When you think of hearing loss, severe hearing loss or deafness probably comes to mind. But mild, moderate and high-frequency hearing losses are actually much more common. And, with these types of hearing losses, the only symptom may be difficulty with word understanding, especially in situations where there is competing noise. When your hearing is tested, the results are plotted on an audiogram. People with high-frequency hearing losses are said to have a "sloping" hearing loss. If you have a sloping hearing loss, it means you are able to hear low-pitched sounds, those below 1000 Hz, very well, sometimes even as well as someone with normal hearing. But, the high-pitched sounds above 1000 Hz need to be much louder before you can hear them. While not always the case, high-frequency hearing loss is often the cause of feeling like you can hear but can't understand. If you have a high-frequency hearing loss, you may notice problems understanding speech even in a relatively-quiet environment, but when background noise is present or several people are talking at once, it can become nearly impossible to follow a conversation. Often, the best solution for high-frequency hearing loss is properly-fit hearing aids that can amplify the high pitches you've been missing without amplifying low-pitched sounds. Nola Aronson's Advanced Audiology 425-9330

courtesy of shutterstock
courtesy of shutterstock

Diabetes Month in the SCV
FACT: Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 30 million Americans; that's 1 in 10 people.
FACT: In the next 48 hours, 7,670 Americans will be diagnosed with diabetes - that's a person every 23 seconds.
FACT: As people grow older, they are at an increased risk for developing diabetes. One out of every four Americans 65 and older has diabetes.
FACT: Early intervention via lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and increased physical activity, can help delay or prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Step Out: Walk to STOP Diabetes
On Saturday, November 5, join thousands of walkers as they traverse the grounds of Six Flags Magic Mountain prior to opening in support of those impacted by diabetes. Simply put, the footprint from walkers' fundraising efforts changes lives. Join a community of walkers who want to make a difference and leave a footprint that has a real impact. Start or join a team by logging on. (Go Red Striders!) www.diabetes.org/stepoutmagicmountain

Por tu Familia Feria de Salud & Senior Expo Pavilion
On Sunday, November 20, the Newhall Community Center transforms into a unique indoor and outdoor festival celebrating Latino culture, focusing on healthy lifestyle choices to help stop diabetes, which is an urgent health problem in the Latino community. The rate of diabetes among Latinos, as well as other ethnic populations, is almost double that of non-Latino whites. Senior citizens are also at risk. Expect a festive atmosphere that includes music, dancing, nutritional information, cooking demonstrations, speakers on topics related to diabetes and a variety of product and service booths. For more information, contact Laura Kirchhoff.
323-966-2890, extension 7413

Hit the Infrared Sauna for a Big Boost in Human Growth Hormones
What is human growth hormone (HGH) - and why do you want it? This naturally-occurring biochemical is what prevents muscles loss and atrophy. As we age, our HGH drops, and by no coincidence, so does our healthy muscle mass. There is a natural way to improve levels of HGH. As your body works to maintain its core temp while sweating out toxins in a far-infrared sauna, it gradually becomes adjusted to the heat, leading to some welcome changes in your physiology. Among them: increased plasma volume; upped blood flow to muscles and heart, increasing athletic endurance; and increased muscle mass, thanks to higher levels of human growth hormones and heat-shock proteins. We can see the positive consequences of HGH boosts, coupled with the hyperthermic conditioning benefits of sauna use, in real life. In a recent study, researchers noted that only two 30-minute sauna sessions a week for three weeks, scheduled after a workout, improved participants' "run until exhaustion" time by more than 30 percent.
Organic Sweat Shack 678-0880
courtesy of shutterstock
courtesy of shutterstock

The Painted Turtle Hosts Annual Tour de Turtle & Turtle Trek
The Painted Turtle invites community members to participate in its Tour de Turtle & Turtle Trek on Saturday, October 15 at its campground in Lake Hughes, just a short drive up San Franciscito Canyon from Valencia. Participants can partake in activities ranging from a bike ride through the beautiful Angeles National Forest to a fun walk/run/roll around camp and a festival with lunch, live music, games and more. Rider and volunteer fundraising goes toward sending children living with serious medical conditions to The Painted Turtle free of charge. As a Tour de Turtle bike ride participant, cyclists can embark on one of three routes (18, 36 or 62 miles) that are fully staffed with SAG, support vehicles and rest stops. Ideal for athletes and beginners alike, registration is $25 with a $250 fundraising commitment. The top 25 fundraisers will receive a custom jersey and anyone who raises $1,000 or more can stay at camp the night before the event and enjoy a delicious dinner and campfire with s'mores.

In addition to the bike ride, there will be a two-mile walk/run/roll event at The Painted Turtle campsite open to all ages. Perfect for families and children, the Turtle Trek will include iconic camp pit stops around camp with crafts, games, dancing and more. Registration is $20 and no fundraising commitment is required.
The Painted Turtle serves over 70 different medical illnesses for children and has provided life-changing experiences for 41,000 children and their families since 2004. A member of the Serious Fun Children's Network, an international family of camps founded by Paul Newman, this is the only medical camp of its kind in California. The Painted Turtle makes it possible for children with serious medical conditions to enjoy traditional camp activities such as fishing, boating, horseback riding, archery, high ropes, arts and crafts, woodshop and more.
www.teamseriousfun.org/tourdeturtle2016

Postpartum Moms Need a Caring Community
Postpartum care is just as important as the care and decisions you make when you are pregnant. Postpartum mommies tend to find their direction, strength and encouragement through community. Of course, your licensed midwives will continue to be part of your care, but you will find that a circle of women who can speak to your new-mommy life is extremely important. While the SCV Birth Center offers a multitude of birthing classes, they also host many postpartum groups. Log onto www.scvbirthcenter.com for details.
SCV Birth Center 254-3000

Becoming a Fitness Role Model to a Child
Ladies and gentlemen, our community's children are watching - and what they're seeing isn't the greatest. Many of us are not modeling healthy behaviors for our youth - and it's taking a toll. About 36 percent of our younger population is overweight, exposing themselves to health risks ranging from heart disease and diabetes to joint damage - all while raising their chance of getting a variety of cancers. Our generation's lack of discipline is trickling down and what our children are inheriting doesn't bode well for their current or future health. How to help? Be a fitness role model. Don't leave it up to pro athletes with questionable morals to serve this purpose. Pull on your running shoes and show the neighbor kids that you value your health and wellness as you jog past their place. Post your (Embarrassing to you, perhaps!) mud-run time on Facebook so that your friend's teen sees that you participated. Pull on that sports bra or cup and get on the field or into that gym group-fitness class, telling your own kids where you're headed as you walk out the door. Tighten your cross-trainers and arrange an impromptu kick-ball party in the street or at the local park - kids and adults welcome. No matter how you do it, hit up your local running store for the right gear - and running groups that can help you become the fitness role model you were destined to be.
Runners Lane 260-3368
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