H1N1 Vaccination & Seasonal Flu Shot Update

By Marc Aversa, MD
SFM Medical Director

Influenza viruses cause a chest infection.  People infected have cough, fever, muscle aches, and sometimes, sore throat.  People usually begin to feel sick very quickly.  Most people with influenza feel like they have a dry cough in their chest.  This is a different illness than “stomach flu.” 

Influenza appears to spread through small droplets when people are close together, and spreads by contact with the eyes and nose.  People who become sick start to feel ill about two days after exposure.  They can spread the virus up to seven days after symptoms start, but usually feel pretty sick for two weeks.  It's an awful feeling, but usually people recover on their own.  Sometimes influenza infection leads to bacterial pneumonia, and sometimes the chest infection from the influenza virus alone can become dangerous.

The influenza viruses change constantly.  To our immune system, it is like the virus wears different shades of blue coats each year.  The H1N1 influenza virus, or swine flu, is like a flu virus with a red coat – it looks very different.  Most people get sick with influenza infrequently, because there is some “memory” immunity from year to year – your immune system keeps a close eye on the virus with the blue coat, and sometimes will recognize different blue shades before they make us sick.  But nobody has seen an influenza virus with a red coat, so immune memory cannot help us recognize the H1N1 virus.  That's why there is more concern this year – we expect many more people may become sick with this virus than usual.  At Sound Family Medicine, we have seen an unusually high number of influenza cases (which are very likely all H1N1) over the summer and fall; a time we rarely saw influenza in years past.

The H1N1 virus is probably much more contagious than regular influenza viruses, but it is not dramatically more dangerous.  However, normal influenza kills 30,000 people a year in this country.  During the usual influenza season (typically January to March around here) we usually see many more people hospitalized.  Because H1N1 is more contagious, we are concerned that many more serious illnesses will occur than from our usual influenza season.

What can you do?

• Stay out of public places if you are ill.  This helps reduce the spread of this virus.
• Hand sanitizers and hand washing are reasonable to reduce the spread of germs from hands.  They do not prevent infection from droplets (from coughing or sneezing).
• Try not to touch your eyes or nose before or after touching hands or surfaces in public.
• If you are ill and have difficulty breathing or fevers worsening after the first few days, get medical help immediately.  There are pills that can also help fight influenza if taken in the first 1-2 days, but they are not for everyone.  Ask your doctor.
• The H1N1 vaccine is becoming available in our area.  This vaccine is made the same way the regular influenza vaccine is made.  The vaccine is the best way to prevent H1N1 infection.  If you have concerns about the vaccine, please talk with your doctor.

We still have not received our H1N1 stock of vaccine. We will post to the home page of our website a note when it is available. You may also call the office to see if it has come in.

We are currently out of stock for seasonal flu shot and again will post on the website when it has come in.  For more info about the H1N1 and seasonal flu shots and who should receive them click here.

Hartland  3908 10th St SE, Puyallup
7:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday

Bonney Lake  19820 Hwy 410 E, Bonney Lake
8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

Sunrise  11216 Sunrise Blvd E, Puyallup
8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

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A Sweetener With A Bad Rap! Why Does High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) Spook ‘Health-Conscious’ Eaters, Parents And Nutritionists Alike?

By Brooke Douglas, RD, CD

If you have listened to the mainstream media you may have been misinformed.  HFCS has been labeled “the Devil’s candy,” a “sinister invention,” and “bad for you, crud.”  But is it really all that bad?

Simply stated, the answer is “NO.”  Actually, most people fail to realize that HFCS is composed of the exact same sugar combination found in table sugar and honey (fructose and glucose) in virtually the exact same ratios.  The name “high fructose corn syrup” simply distinguishes it from other forms of corn syrup, meaning it isn’t any higher in fructose than sugar is.  Perhaps it was a bad name choice; maybe they should have named it, “Bob?”   Regardless, many credible studies have been published clearing up a lot of the misinformation on HFCS.  The American Medical Association concluded, “There is no difference in how the body metabolizes high fructose corn syrup, table sugar or honey.  They are indistinguishable once they reach the bloodstream.  High fructose syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other caloric sweeteners.” 

As a derivative of corn, this alternative sweetener was created in the late 1960’s in order to be used in foods and beverages because of the many benefits it offers.  HFCS is what makes our 'moist' breakfast and energy bars moist.  It keeps food fresh, enhances fruit and spice flavors, retains moisture in bran cereals, maintains consistent flavors in beverages and keeps ingredients evenly dispersed in condiments.  Over the last 30 years it has become a hard-to-avoid staple of the American diet.  HFCS provides the sweet zing in everything from Coke, Pepsi and Snapple iced tea to Dannon yogurt and Chips Ahoy cookies.  It also lurks in unexpected places, like Ritz crackers, Wonder bread, Wishbone ranch dressing and Campbell’s tomato soup. 

The news media and a myriad of web sites and blogs continue to mistakenly report that obesity and diabetes rates have climbed at a remarkably similar rate to that of HFCS consumption. Yet, the nutrition science community reports that if the consumption of HFCS has increased in America, then so has all the other food categories. In other words, we are eating more; 24% more total food intake, to be exact.  We are not eating disproportionately more HFCS; we are eating more of everything!  HFCS can only contribute to weight gain when it is eaten as excessive calories, regardless of the food source. Replacing HFCS with sugar, in our processed foods, will not reduce obesity or improve health. 

In fact, many parts of the world, including Australia, Mexico and Europe, have an obesity epidemic and rising rates of diabetes despite having little or no HFCS in their food and beverage supply.  This supports findings by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the American Diabetes Association that the cause of increasing rates of obesity and diabetes in America is not HFCS.  Rather, inactivity and excessive calories, from whatever source, promotes weight gain and therefore, diabetes.

Dr. Walter Willett, current chairman of the nutrition department of the Harvard School of Public Health stated, “If there was no high fructose corn syrup in our food supply, I don’t think we would see a change in anything important. I think there is an overreaction to HFCS.  There is no credible evidence to support the idea that high-fructose corn syrup is somehow responsible for the increasing trend of obesity and diabetes in America.”

Unfortunately, some people have found it easier to look for one single ingredient to blame, like high fructose corn syrup, for all of America’s weight gain woes.  Even former critics of HFCS have dispelled myths and distanced themselves from earlier speculation about the sweetener’s link to obesity in a comprehensive scientific review published in the December 2008 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 

Respectfully, to all the ‘naturalists’ out there, the real science does not support the bad rap!  Whether it is mercury concerns or ADHD theories, the science does not support singling out this one sweetener. Besides, it takes our focus off the larger nutrition picture:  ‘moderation not deprivation” AND spend less time sedentary!  The small, smart choices we can make each day to promote good health quickly become good lifestyle habits!

If you would like a nutrition consult call Brooke at 253-227-8284.  Most insurance is accepted.  Please email any thoughts you would like to share regarding HFCS to Brooke@NutritonAuthority.com.

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Avoiding Holiday Pitfalls

By Cyd Marckmann, MN, ARNP

The holidays are rapidly approaching, as are the holiday parties and potential weight gain.  Recognizing those holiday parties are diet dangers, anticipating them and planning are key to keeping those calories (and inches) off your waistline. 

1. Try to remember to exercise on a regular basis.  30 minutes of aerobic exercise in you target heart rate at least 3 but optimally 5 or more times per week.  If you are unsure how to count your heart rate, you can either use a heart rate monitor that is purchased at many sports stores or count your pulse for 6 seconds and multiply by 10. To find your target heart rate go to http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/target-heart-rate/SM00083
   
   Grab the family and make it a fun adventure for everyone.  Regular exercise burns the excess calories and increases endorphins (feel good hormones) in your brain. This decreases stress, improves depression and if you find exercise you enjoy, is fun.

2. Remember, protein is your friend. Protein keeps your blood sugar from dropping rapidly and triggering hunger.  Having a protein snack prior to leaving for a holiday party will keep you from being hungry and making poor choices.  Protein does not have to be costly; a cheese slice or two may do the trick.
   
   
3. Try to make choices that are lower in carbohydrates.  For example, choose vegetables, if possible, instead of higher fat, deep-fried foods, or carbohydrate-rich foods such as breaded or sugary items.
   
   
4. Watch the serving size.  If you must have a brownie or cheesecake, it is ok but don’t have the entire cheesecake.  Have a very small serving to satisfy the craving but not load you down.  A good serving size for a meat dish is the size of a deck of cards, no larger.  For sugary items, the smaller, the better.
   
   
5. Drink water!  Water not only helps keep your body moving but drinking water before a big meal will also make your body feel full faster.  In addition, water has no calories, unlike many soft drinks or alcohol.  If you need a little flavor, ask for a lemon or cucumber slice.  Try to drink a total of 2 liters of water daily.
   
   
6. Get plenty or rest.  Fatigue may prompt you to make poor choices of sugary foods to boost your energy level.  Sugar may temporarily increase your activity level but you will soon have a harder fall.
   
   
7. If asked to contribute to a potluck, volunteer a veggie tray or green salad.  This way you will know that there will be some healthy choices available for you.
   
   
8. Try not to stress too much.  Thanksgiving, Hanukah and Christmas will still happen even if all the placemats don’t match and if your guests eat on paper plates.  You will only get one 2009 holiday season in your lifetime.  Enjoy the time with family and friends.  Good luck!

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We Give Thanks For Your Trust In Us.

We appreciate you referring us to your family and friends. We feel privileged to care for and be a part of your family. We wish you the happiest of holidays!

If you, a relative or an out-of-town guest becomes ill this season, our holiday hours will be:

Holiday Schedule
Hartland/Puyallup & Bonney Lake
Sound Same-Day Clinic
Closed Thanksgiving
Day after Thanksgiving (Hartland SDC usually open from 9am-3:30pm)
Christmas Eve 7:30 am – Noon
Closed Christmas Day
New Years Eve 7:30 am – Noon
Closed New Year’s Day

Bonney Lake SDC – Regular Hours
Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Hartland SDC – Regular Hours
Monday - Thursday 7:30 am – 8:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

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