Questioning Your Health?

How many times have you had a stomachache and sat in silence questioning whether it might be something more? Have you seen that TV commercial about laser eye surgery and wondered if you might be a candidate? Perhaps you’ve heard a lot of talk on the news lately about people going gluten free and wondered how it might benefit you. If you’re anything like the rest of us, odds are you have thoughts like these on a daily basis. Personal health is of great concern to us all. Instead of relying on news agencies and the Internet to answer your questions, perhaps it’s time you ask the experts…

Q | I’VE HEARD THAT FLIP-FLOPS, SANDALS AND SLIPPERS ARE TERRIBLE FOR FOOT HEALTH. IS THIS TRUE? IF SO, ARE CERTAIN OPTIONS (BRAND, ETC.) BETTER THAN OTHERS? “Flip-flops, sandals and slippers are for smiles, not miles–they actually are quite terrible for foot health. Slippers are usually not worn for extended periods of time, so they’re not too big an issue. If you insist on wearing some type of sandal, it’s best to find one that offers arch support, like Orthaheel, Birkenstock or Dansko. You can certainly wear flip-flops, sandals, even high heels, but do so sparingly. If you have a lengthy walk to work or school, wear sneakers and change into your ‘fancy’ shoes after the long commute.”

TIMOTHY C. STRINGER, MD | Premier Foot & Ankle Associates PC | 320 Abington Drive, Wyomissing | 610.670.2277 | premierfootanklepa.com

Q | YOU HEAR A LOT ABOUT ORAL/MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY OR OMFS IN THE NEWS. WHAT IS OMFS AND IS IT COMMONPLACE IN THE WORLD OF ORAL SURGERY? “Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is the proper name for the full scope of Oral Surgery. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are for patients with problems like impacted wisdom teeth, missing teeth, difficult-to-remove teeth and roots, facial pain and misaligned jaws. They treat accident victims suffering facial injuries; place dental implants; care for patients with oral cancer, tumors and cysts of the jaws; and perform facial cosmetic surgery. Their advanced training in anesthesia allows them to provide quality care with maximum patient comfort and safety in the office setting.”

ERWIN H. WOLF, II, DMD & STEVEN D. FALLON, DMD | Berks Oral Surgery | 1075 Berkshire Boulevard, | Wyomissing, 610.374.4093 | berksoralsurgery.com

Q | WHAT IS LASIK SURGERY? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS MORE THAN OTHERS? “LASIK is a technique that’s been used and refined over the last 20 years in which a laser is used to reshape the cornea of the eye in order to better focus light onto the retina. It’s a very successful procedure that has 90-95 percent of patients seeing with 20/20 vision or better when all is said and done. One of the things our office specializes in is an all-laser procedure in which no blades are used whatsoever. We have the capacity to treat near-sighted patients, far-sighted patients, even patients with astigmatism. The best way to find out if you’re a candidate is to get an examination, which our office offers for free.”

JONATHAN PRIMACK, MD | ADAM ALTMAN, MD | Eye Consultants Of Pennsylvania | 1 Granite Point Drive, Wyomissing 610.378.1344, eyeconsultantsofpa.com

Q | WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS MY PET MAY HAVE A FOOD ALLERGY AND WHAT ACTION SHOULD I TAKE IF I SUSPECT SUCH? “With my own dog, I realized that food allergies and sensitivities were an issue due to unexpected weight gain and the frequent occurrence of hives. Often, the situation can be remedied by changing your pet’s food from common dry kibble to a healthier, homemade concoction. Anytime a pet is being fed or given a treat, the safest bet is to go with something that is gluten-free, preservative-free, and wheat-free and uses only natural dyes. If the problem persists after changes in diet are made, your best bet is to consult a pet nutritionist or veterinarian.”

LORETTA CARTER, OWNER | Scooter’s Canine Creations | 2934 North 5th Street Highway, Fairgrounds Farmer’s Market, Reading | 610.781.4266 | scooterscaninecreations.com

Q | WHAT IS IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND HOW IS IT BEING USED TO HELP PATIENTS OF ALL AGES? “Implant dentistry involves a procedure in which a root device is placed into the actual tooth root [into the bone] so that a permanent replacement for a missing or recently pulled tooth can be attached, allowing your jawbone to stay thick and healthy. Many people don’t realize that going an extended period of time while missing teeth can have serious repercussions to your entire facial structure. A 16-year-old patient who once might have had to get a bridge can now have a permanent implant, be it a molar or even a front tooth. In the same respect, a grandmother who once struggled daily with dentures can have as little as two implants placed that allow for a fixed denture which is much more permanent. It’s really a life-changing procedure, and in many cases those changes can take place in as little as one day.”

MARCIA BIEHL, RDH | Penn’s Commons Dental | 560 Van Reed Rd., Ste. 202, Wyomissing | 610.374.8009 | pennscommonsdental.com

Q | HOW CAN SOMEONE TELL WHEN A SIMPLE STOMACHACHE IS MORE THAN JUST A SIMPLE STOMACHACHE? “Before you determine whether a stomachache is serious or not, you need to identify where the pain is coming from. Most often, pain or discomfort anywhere in the abdomen is described as a stomachache, although the stomach may not actually be the source of the pain. Stomachaches are often caused by conditions of the digestive tract, but can also be caused by conditions of the body wall, blood vessels, urinary tract, reproductive organs, or organs of the chest. Regardless of the origin of your stomachache, when the aching is severe and/or does not improve within a day or two, it’s possible you have a serious medical condition. Seek immediate medical care for the following symptoms: severe pain that comes on suddenly; an inability to have bowel movements; abdominal rigidity; breathing difficulties; pain in the neck, chest, shoulders, or between the shoulders; or pain associated with nausea, vomiting or fever. Also, seek immediate care if you have history of cancer, previous abdominal surgeries or are possibly pregnant.”

Q | WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE CONSIDERING A GLUTEN-FREE DIET? “Many people are choosing a gluten-free diet due to a diagnosis of Celiac disease, which affects the small intestine and can lead to extreme discomfort–numbers are certainly on the rise. But they may choose to go gluten-free simply because they want to avoid ingesting genetically modified foods or processed wheat. Today, a large majority of gluten-free foods are made with ancient grains, including quinoa, teff and amarath, which all have a slew of benefits associated with them.”

Q | MY PARENTS ARE GETTING OLDER, BUT AREN’T AT A POINT THAT THEY NEED TO GO TO A RETIREMENT HOME. NOW WHAT? “We help seniors stay in the comfort and security of their own homes–with the help they need, when they need it. We start with a free, no-obligation in-home consultation to learn and understand their needs. We then design a customized care program to provide them with the assistance they need: meal preparation, transportation, light housekeeping, or laundry as well as personal care, grooming and hygiene–all of those day-to-day things that your parents may no longer be able to do for themselves. Whether it’s a few hours each week or 24/7, well-trained, reliable and compassionate caregivers are there for them.”

KEITH DERR, PRESIDENT | Assured Assistance, LLC | 28 East Lancaster Avenue, Shillington, 610.796.4737 | assuredassistance.com

Q | WHAT ARE SOME TIPS FOR PREVENTING THOSE OH-SO-DREADED SINUS INFECTIONS? “Cleanse your nose and sinuses frequently with properly made, body-temperature saline (salt water) to help clear excess mucus and moisten membranes. Drink lots of water–good hydration helps keep mucus thin and loose. Linger in a hot shower, or bring water to a boil, pour it into a pan, place a towel over your head and bend over the pan to inhale steam. Avoid dry environments–a humidifier by your bed or at your desk can help keep nasal passages from drying out. Keep your thermostat set at 68 in the winter. Sleep with your head elevated; mucus pools when your head is down. Last but not least, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face when you come in contact with people with any illness or cold symptoms.”