SENI ORIT Y - East Alabama Medical Center

Here are some tips for making it easy to
eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables:
Old-Fashioned
Fruit Crumble
Use whatever fresh or frozen fruit you have on hand to
make this old-fashioned crumble. Typical crumble topping has as much as a half-cup of butter — this has just
a bit of canola oil, and for richness, chopped almonds,
which are full of healthy monounsaturated fats.
1 ¼ cups fresh or frozen fruit
1 ½ teaspoons sugar
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour, divided
1 ½ teaspoons orange juice
3 tablespoons chopped almonds
4 teaspoons brown sugar
Pinch of cinnamon
1 tablespoon canola oil
Preheat oven to 400 degree. Combine fruit with sugar,
1 ½ teaspoons flour and orange juice. Divide between
two 6 ounce ovenproof individual baking dishes.
Combine oats, almonds, brown sugar, the remaining
2 ½ teaspoons flour and cinnamon. Drizzle with oil
and stir to combine. Sprinkle over the fruit mixture.
Place dishes on a baking sheet and bake until the fruit
is bubbling and the top is golden, 20 to 25 minutes.
TIP #1:
Keep a selection of fruit already washed and
sliced in your refrigerator.
• Watermelon should be sliced and placed on a covered
platter
• Cantaloupe can be diced and placed in a covered container
• Grapes can be washed and put in a bowl
• Having items ready is half the battle and will ensure
that they get eaten. Serve fruit for breakfast, afternoon snacks, and dessert after dinner.
TIP #2: Prep your veggies as soon as you get home from
the store or farmer’s market.
• Chop and wash lettuces as soon as you get home from
the store. This will help you make more salads and
use all of the lettuce up before it goes bad.
• If you are really pressed for time, consider using
ready-to-eat packaged lettuce.
• Chop and pack whatever veggies you would like for
the week (see tip #1).
TIP #3:
Shuck corn and wrap it in plastic wrap.
• This makes it easy to microwave corn as you need it
(3 minutes per ear).
• You can also unwrap the corn and drop it in a pot of
salted, boiling water for a minute or two.
seniorPLUS • EAMC
2000 Pepperell Parkway
Opelika, Alabama 36801
SENIORITY
3 6802
permit no. 444
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SENIORITY
EAMC’s Newsletter for Members of SeniorPlus
Volume 13, Number 2
MANAGING ALLERGIES
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, one in five Americans has allergic rhinitis, or nasal allergies, and seniors are not exempt from this disease. While many
people associate the spring pollen season as the worst for those
who suffer from allergies, fall can be just as bad.
“The most common fall allergy trigger is weed pollens, such as
ragweed pollen. Weeds typically pollinate in mid-August and can
cause issues until a hard freeze,” says Dr. John Tole, board-certified allergist with East Alabama Allergy and Asthma in Opelika.
“Even if you don’t have ragweed in your yard, you’re not benign
Dr. John W. Tole
to its pollen which can travel up to 400 miles in the wind.”
East Alabama Allergy
and Asthma
Another fall allergy season threat is mold. Mold thrives in moist
121 N. 20th St., Bldg 7 environments, such as fallen leaves, and the spores become airOpelika, AL 36801
borne on dry, windy days or when you rake leaves in your yard.
(334) 528-0078
Dust mites and pet dander contribute to the fall season allergens as perennial allergens. Many people and their pets spend more time indoors during
the fall and winter months and this contributes to the dust and dander burden.
Common symptoms of seasonal allergies include:
• Stuffy nose, runny nose or sneezing
• Itchy or red eyes
• Sore throat or itching of the throat or ears
• Waking up at night or trouble sleeping, which can lead to feeling tired during the day
Treating Seasonal Allergies
Dr. Tole says that the first step is to determine whether your symptoms are indeed
allergies. “Irritants can contribute to rhinitis and cause symptoms almost identical to allergic rhinitis. This condition is broadly known as non-allergic rhinitis and tends to flare
when the patient is exposed to strong odors, cold environments, gets a head cold, or even
while eating. The latter may be mistaken as a food allergy since the nasal symptoms occur while the patient is eating, but it is not the food causing the symptoms. Rather, it is
a manifestation of non-allergic rhinitis, especially as we age. No more than one percent
of rhinitis can be contributed to a food allergy or sensitivity,” he explains.
The best way to determine if your symptoms are due to allergies is to meet with your
physician or allergist, who will take a detailed history of your symptoms and likely recommend skin testing. Dr. Tole says that diagnostic testing by an allergist is important
for seniors. “Many over-the-counter medications used for nasal allergies include antihistamines that have been associated with hazardous side-effects, including confusion,
drowsiness, urinary retention, dry mouth and eyes, and dizziness,” he adds. “Those sideeffects can be dangerous for anyone, but even more so for seniors.”
“For rhinitis, I prefer a nasal spray that goes right to the source of the problem, and
there are many excellent prescription nasal sprays on the market. Be sure your physician is aware if you have other chronic conditions, such as glaucoma or cataracts, as this
will guide which nasal spray you should use,” says Dr. Tole.
Dr. Tole suggests that patients should minimize use of over-the-counter decongestant
nasal sprays, such as Afrin, which squeezes down on
continued on page 2
October-December 2012
Tips for reducing
allergy symptoms
• Keep car and home windows
closed, and use a high-quality
filter for your heating/air conditioner.
• Stay indoors on warm, windy
fall days.
• If you have allergies, wear a
NIOSH-rated N95 mask when
raking leaves, mowing the
lawn or gardening.
• Don’t hang your laundry out to
dry – it will collect allergens.
• Shower and wash your hair every night before you go to bed.
• Bathe pets and vacuum often.
Pollen clings to pets and carpets.
• Monitor ragweed, pollen and
mold levels from the National
Allergy Bureau at www.aaaai.
org/global/nab-pollen-counts.
aspx.
For more information:
EAMC Health Library (www.
eamc.org)
1. Click on Health Library button on the right
2. Click on Disease & Condition Info Centers
3. Click on Allergy Center for
information on allergies or
Asthma Center for information on asthma
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
(www.aaaai.org)
American College of Allergy,
Asthma & Immunology
(www.acaai.org)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
(www.niaid.nih.gov)
Community Events
Fall Concert Series
On September 18th, Alabamians will vote on a Constitutional
Amendment that is critical to the health of Alabama’s hospitals
and our patients. The amendment would allow the transfer of
$143 million a year, for the next 3 years, from Alabama’s Trust
Fund (basically, the state’s savings account) to fund Medicaid
and other critical state programs. If the amendment fails, Gov.
Bentley estimates he will have to cut Medicaid and other programs by as much as 17 percent on top of the budget cuts already made. Not only would services be cut, but jobs would be
lost, and the infrastructure of our state’s health care delivery
system will collapse.
Why is this so important to our hospital, our community and our state?
• No room to cut – The federal government requires
the Medicaid program to cover services at a certain level in
order to receive federal matching funds. Alabama’s Medicaid
program provides just enough services to qualify for the needed
federal funds. For every $1 Alabama uses to fund Medicaid, the
federal government matches it with a little more than $2. That’s
a 200% return! The only programs left for the state to cut and
still get federal funding would be prescription medications for
adults, dialysis, home care and critical transport for children. If
we cut these programs, lives will be lost.
• Even if we cut all optional services –
There’s not enough money to run Medicaid if the amendment
fails. If Medicaid fails, all of us would be at risk. Many hospitals
and doctors would have to cut services, cut staff, and some in
areas with a high Medicaid population, will be forced to close.
The same is true with community pharmacies and nursing
homes.
• Medicaid is more critical than you may
think – Medicaid is health insurance that covers as many as
1 million Alabamians throughout each year, many of whom are
working adults who cannot afford to purchase health insurance
for their children, or working families that without Medicaid,
could not afford to pay for nursing home care for their loved
ones.
We need your help!
Mark your calendar for Sept. 18 to vote on this critical amendment. Get your family and friends to vote “yes.”
For more information, go to
www.KeepAlabamaWorking.com
Enjoy an evening of live musical entertainment at Kiesel Park as Auburn Parks and Recreation hosts the Fall
Concert Series every Thursday in October at 6:00pm,
weather permitting. Bring the family, a picnic supper,
and your lawn chairs and enjoy a free, relaxing evening
with your family, friends and neighbors. This year’s lineup of talented local and regional musicians include:
Sept. 27 - John and the Conners
Oct. 4 - Crossroads
Oct. 11 - Dave Potts
Oct. 18 - Summer Breeze Oct. 28 - Uncle Roy
Woofstock
September 29th – 9:00am-2:00pm – Kiesel
Park – Auburn
Woofstock is Lee County Humane Society’s annual
fund raising event to celebrate people and their dogs.
Each year dog lover’s and their four-legged friends gather at Kiesel Park for a fun-filled date with live entertainment, dog activities and demos, local pet merchandise
vendors, children’s activities and more.
Syrup Sopping Day at
Lochapoka
October 20th – Lochapoka – All day event
Visitors can taste all kinds of syrup, honey and jams
made locally, enjoy live entertainment and music, shop
from local vendors and artists, take a pony ride and enjoy some of the delicious food and savory sweets. The
Syrup Sopping Day is a day in our local area that you
won’t want to miss.
Christmas Open House
November 4th – 12:00 noon – 5:00pm –
Downtown, Opelika
Get a head start in your shopping at the 2012 Holiday
Open House as Downtown Opelika merchants showcase
their new holiday items.
Victorian Front Porch
Christmas Tour
December 5th & 6th – Opelika Historic District,
8th & 9th Streets – Opelika
See the historic Victorian homes of Opelika transformed into an Old World Christmas wonderland. A
self-directed driving or walking tour is available. The
event includes live entertainment, carolers, costumed
homeowners and other festivities. Admission to this
spectacular event is free.
MANAGING ALLERGIES continued from page 1...
the blood vessels in your nasal tissue, as these nasal sprays have been known to increase blood pressure in susceptible patients.
They can also cause a rebound effect, leading to worsening of the congestion as the medication wears off. “Saline mist and
sinus irrigation kits, however, have been very effective for many people who have rhinitis,” he adds.
The East Alabama Allergy and Asthma website, www.EAAllergy.com, has many very helpful links for patients who want
to know more about their allergies and what treatment options are available.
EAMC Welcomes EAMC Welcomes
Dr. Trey Aquadro Dr. Lee Johnson
For Dr. Trey Aquadro, moving to
the Auburn/Opelika area is almost like
coming home. “I am originally from
Florence, Alabama, and my parents and
sister still live there,” says Dr. Aquadro.
“It will be great to be closer to my family now.”
Dr. Aquadro, a plastic surgeon, graduated from Rhodes
College in Memphis and earned his medical degree from
the University of South Alabama. For the past six years, he
has practiced at the University of Kansas Medical Center in
Kansas City, Missouri, where he completed his residency.
Dr. Aquadro and his wife, Amy, met at the University of
South Alabama, where she studied to become a physician
assistant. “I am very pleased to be a part of this community,”
says Dr. Aquadro. “Amy and I have enjoyed meeting and
getting to know people, and look forward to this chapter
in our life.” Dr. Aquadro enjoys golf, fishing and mountain
biking, and is a fan of AU football.
Dr. Aquadro’s practice – East Alabama Plastic Surgery,
located at 778 North Dean Road in Auburn, is now open. To
make an appointment, call (334) 321-4989.
Pediatrician Lee Johnson is living proof that
you can go home again. “I’m now practicing
medicine with the same pediatric group that I
went to as a kid,” says Dr. Johnson. “The late
Dr. Eron Ingle was my pediatrician.”
Dr. Johnson was born at EAMC, and grew up in the West
Point/Lanett area. He graduated from the University of Georgia, where he met his wife, Kelly, who was studying to become
a corporate event planner. He earned his medical degree from
the Medical College of Georgia and completed his pediatric residency at the Georgia Health Sciences/Children’s Medical Center
in Augusta, where he was chief resident and clinical instructor
in pediatrics.
The Johnsons are happy to be back in east Alabama. “My roots
are here,” says Dr. Johnson. “My grandfather played football for
Auburn from 1930 to 1932. We love football, being outdoors, and
spending time at the lake and on the Gulf Coast. We’re looking
forward to making this our home again.”
Dr. Johnson is with Pediatric Clinic of East Alabama, 2401 Village Professional Drive, Opelika. To make an appointment, call
(334) 749-8121. www.thepedsclinic.com
EAMC is in the process of adding more physicians to its medical staff. Look for additional and updated information in the next edition of the Seniority.
Andrus Named AlaHA Chairman
After serving as chairman-elect in 2011 Terry Andrus, EAMC
president was named chairman of the Alabama Hospital Association (AlaHA) at the Association’s annual meeting in Point
Clear. Terry’s appointment as chairman began on July 1st.
“Terry Andrus has continually provided outstanding leadership for our Association, and we are honored to have him serve
as our chairman,” said J. Michael Horsley, FACHE, president
of the Alabama Hospital Association. “He has been a board
member and an officer for a number of years and has shown
great dedication to health care and to the patients it serves.”
Based in Montgomery, the Alabama Hospital Association is a statewide trade
organization that represents more than 100 hospitals and numerous other health
care providers by offering membership services designed to enhance the provision of health care in Alabama.
OLLI At Auburn Fall Programs
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn University (OLLI
at Auburn) is now accepting registrations for the 2012-13 academic year.
Fall Term 2012 courses begin the
week of September 24 and conclude
the week of November 12. Listed below are upcoming events.
Wednesday – October 3 – OLLI
at Auburn October Harvest Social –
Ag Pavilion @ Heritage Park – 4:006:00pm, featuring food, line dancing,
cake walk and an appearance by AUBURN, AU’s beloved mascot
Wednesday – October 17 –
OLLI at Auburn Brown Bag featuring
Dr. James Nathan, AUM professor
and author, presenting “Cuban Missile Crisis 5oth Anniversary” – Lexington Hotel – Auburn - Noon
Tuesday – October 22 – OLLI
at Auburn Brown Bag featuring Beth
Nicol discussing “This is my Bulletin
Board: Using Pinterest” – Lexington
Hotel – Auburn – 11:45am
For more information please contact OLLI at Auburn at 334-844-5100
or olli@auburn.edu