As “Cake Boss” and “Top Chef” have brought more people into the kitchen to create their own culinary delights, it’s no surprise that butter has also resurfaced as a popular ingredient. Many cooks are bringing the butter back in their dishes because it is “more natural” or unprocessed.

But is butter better? 

In short, according to SIU registered dietitian Sara Lopinski, no. Margarine tends to be a better choice over butter, but it also depends on the form.

Margarine in the tub, not the stick form, is usually a better choice because it is made from vegetable oils containing no cholesterol and is higher in “good” fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated). These unsaturated fats help reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol when substituted for saturated fat.

Stick margarine, on the other hand, contains more “bad” fat (saturated and trans fat). “Bad” fat increases blood cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. It also lowers the high density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol levels.

So look for the tub with the lowest calories, the absence of trans fat and the least amount of saturated fat.

Other tips:

• If you have been told you have high cholesterol, consider using spreads that are fortified with plant stanols and sterols, such as Benecol, which may help reduce cholesterol levels.
• If you’re a butter lover and just can’t bear to use margarine, the next best option is the butter, canola or olive oil blend, such as the Land O’Lakes version.  Just make sure you moderate your use of this butter blend.

-sl, rb

SCOPE, SIU School of Medicine’s annual literary arts magazine, is a showcase for the artistic talents of the medical school community. Readings and discussion of pieces featured in this year’s edition will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 2 pm at the Vachel Lindsay Home, 603 S. Fifth Street, in Springfield. All are invited to attend.

First published in 1994, SCOPE is produced each year by an ever-changing group of medical students who volunteer to coordinate the magazine. With dozens of entries submitted every year in poetry, prose and artwork, SCOPE exemplifies the artistic and creative energy of the SIU School of Medicine community.

It reflects the ideology of SIU School of Medicine as a caring institution with creative, compassionate individuals. We’re not just training physicians, we’re training caring, thoughtful physicians who consider not just the physical needs of the patient, but who understand the emotional and spiritual components of a healthy life.

All editions, including the 2014 edition of SCOPE, are available online here.

Navigating the health-care system can be a significant barrier for cancer patients, survivors and their families. The emotional, physical and financial needs can be overwhelming and many require assistance to access necessary services. Regardless of where they are being treated, cancer patients, their caregivers and families have access to many benefits at Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) at SIU School of Medicine through the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Those who have fought the battle with cancer often express how all-consuming it becomes. “First a diagnosis, then before you know it, you’re inundated with doctor’s appointments and your time has been taken from you,” says Katherine Howerter. The “taken” list just grows from there.

As a licensed social worker for the American Cancer Society (ACS) and SCI Patient Navigation Program, Howerter’s role is to give.

She strives to help patients and their families overcome these barriers. “My goal is to make sure the patient and family know that support and resources are available, and they do not have to walk through this alone,” Howerter says.

Howerter assesses the social situations and family dynamics of patients and provides counseling for them and their families. “Sometimes coming in and solving everything is not in the best interest of the patient,” Howerter says. “I help patients find their own solutions through self-determination and empowerment.”

She assists with a multitude of needs at all stages of the cancer journeys, from finding affordable lodging to coordinating transportation to appointments.

She has established many long-term relationships, but even brief encounters can resonate at SCI. Howerter recalls assisting a patient at the wig bank. “She told me, ‘I really want to wear it so I can video myself reading books to my grandkids. They live across the country, and I don’t get to see them very often. I know that I’m not going to be here forever. It’s really important to me that they see me on the video reading the books looking the way I did before receiving treatment. I want that to be what they remember about me.’  While I never saw her again,” Howerter related. “I’ve never forgotten her.”

Howerter is helping to create an environment at SCI where patients and family feel cared for. “I have the opportunity to meet with them and help make this journey so much easier, so much lighter. And that, I believe is a privilege — ­­to be a part of that journey in their lives.”

One in eight US couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility — the inability to carry a pregnancy to live birth. It is a difficult journey both physically and psychologically in a couple’s quest to conceive. To bring awareness to the struggles of infertility, April 20 through April 26 is designated National Infertility Awareness Week.

SIU HealthCare is marking the week with special events at the SIU Fertility and IVF Center, which is celebrating five years of treating infertility issues in both women and men. In the last five years, more than 1,500 couples have been served by the Center, and approximately 750 babies have been born to patients of the Center.

“Our goal is to help women and men find answers and get the support they need to make important medical decisions and address the medical, emotional, social and economic challenges infertility can present,” said Dr. Ricardo Loret de Mola, medical director of the SIU Fertility and IVF Center and chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

National Infertility Awareness Week® was founded by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association to promote greater awareness about infertility. SIU hopes to begin a support group for couples suffering from infertility. Contact Loretta Mabie at 217-545-8000 (lmabie@siumed.edu) if you are interested in helping the effort.

A few quick facts about infertility:

• Approximately 85-90% of infertility cases are treated with drug therapy or surgical procedures. (RESOLVE)
• Fewer than 3% need advanced reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF). (RESOLVE)
• 12% of married women have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining pregnancy. (2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth, CDC)
• A couple ages 29-33 with a normal functioning reproductive system has only a 20-25% chance of conceiving in any given month (National Women’s Health Resource Center).

An event is planned at SIU to raise awareness of infertility:

Monday, April 21 – Anniversary Reception – Patients, potential patients and families are invited to attend from 5-7:30 pm at Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU, 315 W. Carpenter St. in Springfield. Learn how SIU’s Center helped local news anchor Stacy Skrysak and her family journey through infertility, pregnancy and the realization of their family dream. Members of a local support organization will speak about developing a support group for families suffering from infertility. RESOLVE®: The National Infertility Association will provide additional information about developing a support group for patients and families struggling with infertility.

The SIU Fertility and IVF Center opened in 2009 to provide a comprehensive approach to finding solutions for infertile couples. The Center provides evaluation and treatment options for both women and men. Team members include faculty and staff from OB/GYN and urology, psychologists, geneticists and licensed dieticians.

Resources:

http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/home-page.html

www.siumed.edu/fertility

April is Parkinson ’s Disease Awareness Month. For some who suffer from the tremors associated with Parkinson’s, Deep Brain Stimulation surgery (DBS) may offer life-changing benefits.

DBS has proven to significantly reduce the tremors of those who suffer from movement disorders. The surgery involves drilling a hole slightly smaller than a nickel into the skull. Electrodes attached to fine wires are inserted in the brain and the wires are attached to a small stimulator, which controls the electrical impulses to the brain that help reduce the tremors.

SIU neurosurgeon Dr. Jeffrey Cozzens has performed more than 350 DBS surgeries, most recently at St. John’s Hospital with SIU’s neurology team. For more than 30 years, Dr. Cozzens has studied diseases of the brain and spine and has a special affinity for DBS. “These are the happiest patients I have. They’re thrilled to get their lives back,” Dr. Cozzens says. “They’re able to do things that they couldn’t do before.”

According to Dr. Cozzens, approximately 80-90% of DBS patients notice some improvement in their symptoms, and about 70-80% notice great improvement. Some of the improvement is noticed quickly, while other improvements can be gradual. Fine-tuning the dosage of medication and the impulses of the stimulator can take some time.

The risks of DBS — stroke, brain damage or infection — are rare; and according to Dr. Cozzens, even those who get an infection often want to have the surgery again. The results are that significant.

The physicians caution that DBS does not cure Parkinson disease. “If you stop the symptoms, people do pretty well,” says Dr. Cozzens. “But the disease can still progress.”

To read more about DBS and how the surgery helped some patients, visit Aspects 35-1.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in every 68 newborns in the US may be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  “One reason for the increase in autism is that the medical profession is getting better at diagnosing it,” says SIU psychiatrist Dr. Mary Dobbins.

 What is autism?

“Autism is a disorder of development, which was first described years ago for severely affected children,” Dr. Dobbins says. “Recently we are beginning to recognize that there are more subtle, mild characteristics in many children, and the term has evolved into autism spectrum to include those children as well.”

What are symptoms?

Children with autism often experience delayed speech and language and behaviors such as being overly interested in certain things, not looking people in the eye or rocking repeatedly.  Children have the best chance for improvement if they are diagnosed and treated early.

How is it treated?

“There is no cure, but health care professionals can guide children to healthier development and better match them with their environment. Many parents are referred to the Zero to Three Program, early intervention in early childhood, special school programming and social skills courses,” Dr. Dobbins says.

Parents with young children who have symptoms of autism should contact their primary care physician or pediatrician for evaluation. Children who are diagnosed with autism may be referred to a pediatric specialist or neurologist for treatment.

Hear Dr. Dobbins talk about autism here.

Resources:

.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html

autismspeaks.org/

http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/brain/autism.html

One of the top ten complaints that primary care providers deal with is symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). These conditions affect up to 20% of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. IBS can cause a wide range of symptoms, though the main ones include:

• Abdominal discomfort/pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation

No cure is currently available for IBS, but there are ways to alleviate the symptoms and feel better.

Many people find that probiotics help to improve their IBS symptoms. Probiotics are microorganisms we eat that may provide health benefits. These active cultures, such as some strains of lactic acid bacteria, help reintroduce or change bacteria in the intestines. This functional component may boost immunity and overall health, especially of the digestive tract.

Although the effects of probiotics can vary widely from one person to the next, other benefits of probiotics may include:

• Helping to prevent specific allergy symptoms
• Shortening the duration of diarrhea
• Reducing symptoms of lactose intolerance
• Decreasing the risk of some cancers

So where can you find probiotics?  Dairy products such as yogurt, kefir products and aged cheeses as well as non-dairy foods including sauerkraut, miso, tempeh and soy beverages are readily available at the super market.  Dietitians recommend food sources of probiotics, which offer other nutrients.  For example, yogurt also contains protein, Vitamins A and D, and calcium. Probiotic tablets, capsules and powders that provide the bacteria in a freeze-dried form can also be found at local health stores.

-sl, rb

Each cancer journey is unique and plagued with numerous challenges. Chemotherapy, radiation and other medications used to treat the disease can take a toll on the physical and emotional sides of people and their loved ones. Providers at Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU (SCI) began the Side-by-Side program to advance beyond treating the patient through medication and surgery alone and embrace the belief in treating the whole person.

Side-by-Side programs range from yoga and Pilates to drumming and tai chi. (See a schedule of the classes here.) “Other types of therapies, such as yoga and music, are all proven entities that provide patients with a better outcome,” says Dr. Meghna Desai, SIU assistant professor of internal medicine.

Side-by-Side programs are free to all cancer patients, cancer survivors and their caregivers, regardless of where they are receiving treatment. Side-by-Side provides patients with the physical and emotional support they need to fight cancer, heal and strengthen their minds and bodies. The classes help patients have more energy and strength; they learn to relax and learn important coping skills for facing cancer.

The instructors of the Side-by-Side programs , and customize the programs for each participant, modifying the exercises to meet any physical limitations a patient might have. “The adapted yoga class is specifically designed for those with limitations,” says yoga therapist Carol Dunaway. Participants may sit in chairs or wheelchairs. The class uses modified positions, breathing techniques, guided relaxation and meditation to safely and effectively increase strength and mobility while teaching participants how to focus, relax and even improve their moods. “These are tools that cancer survivors and their caregivers can use on a daily basis, whether going to a doctor’s appointment or having a procedure such as an MRI,” Dunaway says.

Read more about the programs offered at SCI.-rb

Centering Pregnancy is prenatal care offered at SIU Center for Family Medicine that includes regular prenatal health check-ups with additional time for mothers-to-be to learn and share. Women have more private time with their providers, greater participation in their healthcare, learn more about pregnancy and are better prepared for birth and caring for the baby. Health assessment, education and support are three major components of care demonstrated throughout the Centering experience.                            

How does it work?

Upon arrival, the mother-to-be goes straight to the Centering room; there’s no office wait-time. Mothers meet with a doctor in a fun, relaxed setting and learn and experience pregnancy with other expectant moms who have similar due dates and questions. Snacks are provided and support persons are welcome to join each session. Ten visits are scheduled throughout the pregnancy. The expectant mothers get a ‘Mom’s Notebook’ and receive the full schedule for all prenatal visits, making planning for work and childcare easier. Centering Pregnancy creates a bond of friendship and support that can last a lifetime.

Centering Facts:

• Women in Centering are less likely to have a preterm baby
• Women feel more confident to make healthy decisions for themselves and their family
• Moms have higher breastfeeding rates — healthier for mom and baby
• Women say, “It’s fun!”

Topics Include, but are not limited to:

• Nutrition/Exercise
• Pregnancy Discomforts
• Stress Management/Relaxation
• Parenting/Infant Care/Pediatric Care
• Relationships
• Birth Experience
• Labor Decisions
• Emotional Well-Being/Postpartum
• Contraception/Future Planning
• Topics decided by the group

SIU Center for Family Medicine also provides traditional prenatal care where expectant moms meet one-on-one with a provider at scheduled appointments. Regardless of the care path chosen, SIU doctors will continue to provide health care for mother and baby after delivery.

SIU Center for Family Medicine is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), which allows it to provide health care services to anyone regardless of wether they have health insurance. For more questions or to schedule an appointment call (217) 545-8000. We have two locations: 520 North 4^th Street, Springfield, IL-on the corner of 4^th street and Carpenter Street between St. John’s Hospital and Memorial Medical Center and the Noll Pavilion, 5220 South 6^th Street Road, Suite 1500.

By Laura Castelon, SIU Center for Family Medicine