Health & Fitness

by Ronni Diamondstein

Jackie O was on to something with her oversized sunglasses, and it was much more than glamour and impeccable style. Sunglasses are not only a hot fashion accessory but they are an investment in your health. There are many benefits from wearing sunglasses for people of all ages, all year round.

“Sunglasses are essential for the health of the eyes because they protect the eyes from the harmful UV(ultraviolet) rays from the sun, which are known to cause skin cancer, and many conditions of the eye such as cataracts, macular degeneration and abnormal growths,” says Christine M. Kim, Director of Optometric Services at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Macular degeneration is the degeneration of the macula, an area of the retina (the seeing part of the eye) that allows for clear central vision. “It is more common in aged populations and wearing sunglasses can help to prevent it,” she says.

Dr. Chris Gentile, an optometrist and owner of Eye Gallery of Chappaqua says that sunglasses also ease the sun glare from entering your eyes. “Sunglasses should definitely be worn year round because UV rays are in the atmosphere 365 days a year, even on cloudy days!” While most people think of wearing them to the pool or beach, they are just as important to wear in winter months because the sun is lower on the horizon and sun rays get reflected off the snow and ice causing glare.
Dr. Kim recommends purchasing a good quality pair of sunglasses from a reputable company because an inexpensive pair can do more damage than good. “An inexpensive pair may say it has UVA/UVB protection, but it may not. Your pupils dilate behind the dark lenses and may allow more harmful UV rays to enter the eye,” she says. “Also an inexpensive pair may have distortions in the lenses that can make blur your vision and create eye strain or fatigue.”

While style generally doesn’t make a difference in protection, it’s important to be sure that the glasses you choose protect you from UVA and UVB rays. Larger frames give more coverage around the eye area offering more protection, as do wraparounds. However, for those who need prescription lenses larger frames and wraparounds create distortions, so Dr. Kim recommends having your optometrist or optician help you select the right frame for you. “Polarized lenses are the best way to go for on the beach or water,” says Dr. Gentile. “They are a higher quality lens which reduces glare more efficiently especially from flat surfaces such as pools, the ocean, or the road.”

Wear your sunglasses in the best of health and know that while you are making a fashion statement you are also taking good care of yourself. Dr. Gentile stresses the need to wear sunglasses as much as possible and adds, “Kids need to wear them too. Good eye care and protection can never start too early!”

Ronni Diamondstein writes the Maggie Mae Pup Reporter column for Inside Chappaqua.

By Adam Pliskow, MSPT and Maria Carmela de Luna DPT, ATC

Do you find walking or moving difficult for you first thing in the morning? Do your knees hurt after sitting down too long? You’re not alone. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic condition that can affect any joint in the body but especially the knees, hips, spine, and hands. Osteoarthritis is the breakdown or “wear and tear” of the cartilage in our joints. Cartilage is a protective layer that covers bones to allow them to move smoothly over another and absorbs the shock of movement.
OA is considered a condition related to aging but there are contributing factors that can increase your chances of developing osteoarthritis. These factors include, but are limited to, being over weight, having weak or tight muscles, overuse at work or with sports, and previous injury to the joint.

Commonly related symptoms of OA include:
•Pain and stiffness in the morning or after long periods of sitting/standing
•Crunching feeling or sound as bones rub against one another
•Swelling
•Limited motion in the joint

Benefits of Low Impact Activities
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult with your doctor to determine whether you have osteoarthritis and how it should be treated. Most people will seek conservative treatment with a physical therapist to learn about the condition and initiate an exercise program. This exercise prescription should be designed to promote joint health and functional movement.

Swimming, bike riding, stretching and straight leg raises and other low impact exercises that can improve your quality of life. For more info on osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis, visit the Arthritis Foundation website at www.arthritis.org or call us for a consultation at 914-488-5540.

Adam Pliskow, PT, MSPT, co-owner/founder of New Castle Physical Therapy and Personal Training, and his associate, Maria Carmela de Luna, DPT, ATC are both highly skilled providers of unparalleled physical therapy and sports rehabilitation services.

By Jodi Levine, BA, MS

We are all aware of the importance of physical activity in our lives. Inactivity has been proven to be an important factor leading to obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and many other diseases. But still, kids are less active than they have ever been, and the obesity rates in children are soaring. Recent studies suggest one in five children is overweight.

It is much easier to help your child develop a healthy habit early than to try to break an unhealthy habit later on. Studies have shown that children who take part in quality preschool movement education programs early on, develop a foundation that leads to physical activity going forward.
A child who participates in a developmentally sound preschool gymnastics/ movement education program will be rewarded with many benefits. The motor skills introduced , worked on and improved in such classes will later be applied to any physical activity or sport.

These classes provide the opportunity for a child to engage in every type of movement without pressure or score keeping. Each child works toward their personal best while having tons of fun improving their balance, strength, flexibility, focus and coordination…..the foundation for all sports and physical activities.

When kids are having fun, and improving their motor skills, they are more likely to continue to engage in and seek out other physical activities. When a child feels confident, strong, flexible, balanced, and coordinated, there will be no struggle for them to continue moving. An early positive, non competitive experience that allows children to develop skills at their own pace will make them much more likely to continue to be active.

Of course, in addition to classes, there is no better role model for kids than active parents. Be sure that some of your time together is healthy active time… ride a bike, climb a hill, take a swim, jump rope, play hopscotch, have a game of tag, play freeze dance, create an obstacle course, or just walk the dog. An early start to fitness is a gift for a lifetime!

Jodi Rosenwasser Levine BA, MS, is the founder and owner of Jodi’s Gym and a leader and innovator off children’s fitness programs since 1982.

By Mike Lauterborn

For the past 35 years, Chappaqua resident and pediatric neurologist Dr. Solomon Moshé has worked tirelessly toward finding a cure for epilepsy, a condition that affects over 50 million people worldwide. While his work at all levels has improved clinical care and an understanding of the disease, he says, “research will continue until such time as epileptologists are out of business.”

“There are more people with epilepsy than people with cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy combined,” said Moshé, who is Vice Chair of Neurology and Director of Pediatric Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology at Montefiore Medical Center.
“Epilepsy is more common than autism, has many forms and can affect any age, though it’s mostly apparent in children and seniors over age 70. One in 100 people have epilepsy.”

Moshé, who is also President of the International League Against Epilepsy, said the condition can manifest itself in several ways. “The most common appearance is a sudden inability to communicate, but also generalized spasms and contractions,” he said. “In young children, we often see spasms, and parents think their child will die. And while more people die from epilepsy than women with breast cancer every year, fewer than one percent of the 50 million people with epilepsy will die annually.”

Testing and Biomarkers
He said the common approach to the condition has been to try and prevent it from happening by using existing medications effectively. However, realizing that one-third of people with epilepsy don’t respond to medication, he and his team have developed new medications and other treatments such as surgery. They are also trying to identify beforehand those that may have the condition by doing elaborate testing, including genetic testing.

Moshé said there has been significant progress developing biomarkers that can predict if seizures will be controlled or if they will be associated with other bad outcomes such as learning difficulties, autism, depression and even sudden death,” he said, “although not all people with epilepsy will exhibit these conditions.”

He cited the government funded work of several associates at Montefiore and Einstein. “Dr. Aristea Galanopoulou has identified new molecules that are effective in lab animal testing,” he said. “Other studies we have done uniquely involve a condition call status epilepticus, which is a very long seizure. Most often in children, it’s associated with fever. Dr. Shlomo Shinnar is working on identifying biomarkers that will predict which children will develop epilepsy after the first bout of status epilepticus with fever. This will lead to treatments that will influence the biomarkers early and prevent the consequences.”

Another area Moshé and his team are investigating is what makes seizures stop. “We found out that there are specific centers in the brain that can stop seizures as a function of age and gender,” he said. “This will lead to very individualized treatments.”

Dr. Sheryl Haut is working on identifying stress factors that may precipitate a seizure in a person with epilepsy. “Once these are clearly identified, the treatment can start at the time the person first experiences the stress rather than waiting for the seizure and all the negative effects to occur,” he said.

Common Factors
with Autism
“The last area we have pioneered is understanding the relationship between epilepsy and autism and studying the common factors that may allow the two conditions to co-exist, and to design treatments that can affect both.”

Moshé said epilepsy at times can be genetic, either because there is a gene that causes the seizure or a gene that increases the susceptibility of having a seizure. “Seizure epilepsy can also happen after head trauma or a difficult birth or as a result of infections or tumors,” he added. “But even now it can be a challenge to identify a cause.”

Dr. Moshé’s peers, like Dr. Douglas Nordli, Jr., Division Head of the Epilepsy Center of the Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL, commend him on his dedication to the cause. “He is an extraordinary individual whose research, teaching and advocacy efforts have influenced the lives of countless patients and scores of medical professionals. It is safe to say that he is the best-known and most influential pediatric epileptologist in the world.”

Moshé remains committed to the fight to eradicate and bring greater visibility to the disease. “With all the emphasis and research on how the brain functions, the time is now to develop cures.”

Mike Lauterborn writes for a variety of regional magazines, newspapers and online news services and teaches writing at a local university. Mike has penned a book titled “Chasing Charley,” imitating John Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charley” adventure, which is planned for a 2011 release.

By Michael Kohn

I wasn’t sure what to expect when my publisher asked me to interview “the original Blood Detective.” Before I could ask if he worked with law enforcement, she added that this profile was to be included in this health issue and Dr. Michael Wald was the Director of Nutritional Services at Integrated Medicine & Nutrition. Since I am now over 50 and expect to have upcoming health issues, I was curious to find out more about this blood sleuth.

Upon arrival at his friendly and bright Mt. Kisco location, Dr. Wald greeted and ushered me into his office, the “heart” of his evidence-based medicine paradigm. Anticipating my question about whether this was an alternative or holistic practice, he emphasized that he takes an integrated approach toward wellness. Unlike some holistic practitioners who seemingly eschew traditional medicine or physicians who reject holistic and alternative approaches, Dr. Wald advocates for a balanced approach which combines proven methods from various disciplines while adding his own unique diagnostic tools.

A second generation chiropractor who credits his father as an inspiration and pioneer in nutrition, Dr. Wald holds a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and a Ph.D. from the Holistic College of Nutrition. He is a Board Certified Nutritionist, a Certified Nutritional Specialist, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a Certified Dietician Nutritionist. Although not licensed to practice medicine, he also holds a medical degree. His partner at Integrated Medicine and Nutrition is Dr. Nilay Shah, who is also Director of Neurology Services at Riverfront Medical Services. Together, they are a formidable wellness team by providing primary care and important second opinions and support, especially in cases where a specialist in one field may not have dietary and nutritional expertise.

Technology is at the heart of Dr. Wald’s practice. As the “original Blood Detective,” he developed a comprehensive computer technology which helps determine a patient’s individual nutritional and dietary needs by getting to the root of a problem. It is a predictive and diagnostic tool which identifies with greater specificity a patient’s nutritional requirements. His Blood Logic technology is currently in use throughout the United States and Canada. Thousands of healthcare providers have learned how better to manage their patients through comprehensive nutritional and laboratory assessment.
If you are confused, don’t be. Dr. Wald was quick with a simple example. A person might be taking Lipitor for high cholesterol but not because of any Lipitor deficiency in the body–it’s a drug. So, instead of combating a condition with just a drug, Dr. Wald can assess which natural approaches, through diet and/or supplements, might be available to advance a patient’s health. Dr. Wald often works with a medical specialist to maximize a patient’s well-being.

Thwarting More Serious
Conditions
Prevention is one of the keys to Dr. Wald’s practice. That may sound like common sense, but with the assistance of computer technology, screening a person’s unique biochemistry directs a course of action for Dr. Wald. I am sure you have heard how something like cholesterol has ranges of normal. With blood logic technology, these ranges can be narrowed and mapped, suggesting treatments which can prevent a more serious condition from developing. In other words, instead of waiting until there is a real problem, nip it in the bud while you can.
As we shared a cup of coffee (free-trade, organic, of course), I was struck with what I thought was the essence of Dr. Wald’s philosophy and approach to wellness. We are all unique individuals with unique needs. When I brought this to his attention, Dr. Wald was quick with a term coined by two-time Nobel Prize winner Dr. Roger Williams–“biochemical individuality.” It was an “ah” moment for me.

By nature, people generally consult with a doctor when they aren’t feeling well. Indeed, much of Dr. Wald’s practice consists of dealing with patients with confirmed health issues. As I listened, however, I was struck by his new medical paradigm. Typically, a person with some kind of ailment will see their primary care physician who may run a few simple tests and prescribe a drug which may alleviate the symptom.

Dr. Wald attacks problems from a different angle. Part of his strategy is starting with what is natural first. Why prescribe a drug when lifestyle and dietary changes may address the underlying cause of a patient’s distress? Drugs often have side effects which nutrients do not. With the level of scrutiny gained by the testing done at Integrated Medicine and Nutrition, Dr. Wald can create a metabolic map of a person and tailor treatment for a person with greater specificity.

Lest you think that Dr. Wald feels his paradigm is a healthcare panacea, he is quick to point out that he believes in a balanced approach to wellness. He spoke extensively about the importance of cooperation with other professionals and the possibility that treatments like chemotherapy or surgery may be a patient’s first and best treatment.

More than once, he showed me links to PubMed, a digital archive of the U.S. National Library of Medicine containing articles he uses to back up his research. It’s a large part of his evidence-based philosophy. Nevertheless, taking the time to scrutinize a patient’s lifestyle, environment and diet can go a long way to creating an overall wellness picture. Another part of the practice includes the Longevity Center. By measuring biomarkers such as total cholesterol, strategies can be utilized so a patient doesn’t end up with multiple diseases. Focus, of course, is on quality of life and not just living longer.

As you might expect, Dr. Wald teaches nutrition and even makes rounds with Dr. Glenn Brady, Chief of Critical Care at Westchester Medical. He has written extensively and appears to practice what he preaches–living well!

Even though I wasn’t experiencing any medical distress, I left Dr. Wald feeling better. Visit his website at www.intmedny.com for further information and a complete list and explanation of the many unique therapies offered.

Michael Kohn is a regular contributor to Inside Chappaqua.