A growling stomach, popping joints, snoring, have you ever wondered what it all means? Chris Clark, M.D., family medicine physician on the Baylor Plano medical staff makes sense of the many symptoms you may experience from day to day and explains what your body may be trying to tell you.

FatigueHave you ever felt so tired that you can barely keep your eyes open at work? What’s making you so tired? Stress, bad eating habits, and working long hours can wear down your body causing fatigue. Fatigue can usually be linked to one of your habits and can be cured with minor lifestyle changes.

However, in a few instances, fatigue can be a symptom of a medical problem such as a thyroid disorder or heart disease. If you continue to feel exhausted after making lifestyle changes, seek out the advice of your doctor.

SnoringAlthough snoring can be annoying for those around you, it does not always signal a problem. Snoring occurs when your throat muscles relax and extra tissue in the back of your mouth falls, obstructing part of the airway. To compensate for the obstruction, you inhale deeply, causing the tissue to vibrate. Sometimes sleeping on your side can cure snoring.

But if changing sleep positions doesn’t cure your snoring and others notice that you gasp for air while snoring, or you are tired even when you have had ample sleep, you may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder that may lead to high blood pressure or heart disease. Visit your doctor if you think you may have sleep apnea. Your doctor may order a sleep study, a test in which you are monitored electronically while you sleep.

Bad BreathCertain foods cause bad breath, but bad breath can typically be cured with proper dental hygiene. If self-care techniques don’t rid the problem, consider seeing your dentist or physician to ensure a medical condition isn’t the cause of your bad breath.

Lung disease, some cancers, kidney failure, liver failure, uncontrolled diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and metabolic disorders, can all cause breath odor. Sinus, throat and upper respiratory infections can also cause bad breath.

HiccupsEveryone gets the hiccups every now and then, and they usually go away within a few hours. Drinking soda or alcohol can set off hiccups as can excitement or stress that causes a rapid intake of air making the top of your esophagus close. Some people find relief from hiccups by gargling with water, breathing into a bag, or holding their breath.

If your hiccups don’t go away, see your doctor as you may have a problem affecting your heart or esophagus. Your doctor may want

you to have a CT scan of your chest. If the CT scan is clear but the hiccups don’t subside, ask your doctor about medication that may help you.

SweatingWe all need to sweat in order to cool our bodies, but excessive sweating is the emission of sweat in quantities greater than required to cool the body. Excessive sweating typically affects your palms, soles and underarms, and can interrupt daily living.

Demanding activity and hot temperatures are usually associated with excessive sweating, but excessive sweating can also be a symptom of the following medical conditions: hyperthyroidism, menopause, leukemia, or an infectious disease problem such has tuberculosis.

Ringing EarsLoud music and an overabundance of caffeine and aspirin can all cause your ears to ring, but if the ringing lasts for a week or less, you most likely have nothing to worry about.

Ringing that lasts longer than a week, throbs, disrupts your day, occurs in only one ear, or leads to sudden hearing loss may mean you have an infection or damaged circulation in the inner ear. Heart or thyroid disease, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure could be the cause so visit your doctor for an ear exam if you experience these symptoms.

Stomach GrowlingIt’s normal for your stomach to rumble when you’re hungry because the intestinal muscles begin to contract as they prepare for food.

But if you hear a high-pitched sound while your stomach is digesting food, you may have a bowel obstruction and should see your doctor as soon as possible. It’s vital to see a doctor if your stomach is swollen, and if you experience relentless pain you should consider going to the emergency room as the obstruction may be severe.

Joints CrackingYou may have a joint that pops every time you move it a certain way, but if you experience pain, inflammation, or trouble moving you may have an injury, torn cartilage, or arthritis. Visit your doctor if you experience these symptoms.

Every woman should have a yearly clinical breast exam beginning at age 20 and an annual mammogram starting between ages 35 and 40. Women with a family history of breast cancer may need to begin screenings earlier. These screenings can help detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages.

Allergies don’t have to keep you up at night. Thoroughly dusting and vacuuming your bedroom as well as cleaning curtains and bedding will help prevent dust and pollen from disturbing you while you sleep.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), materials used to create plastics can leak into food, but the agency does not believe the estimated level of food affected to fall within an unsafe range.

Headache Triggers Is Your Body Sending You a Message?

NEWS YOU CAN USE!HealthQuicks Effects of Obesity on Memory

Research shows that obesity can slow us down physically and mentally. As the

obesity rate in America continues to rise, so do the known possible

consequences of obesity.

“Some research is showing that, at the cellular level, people who are overweight or obese have changes that are occurring

within the wall of the blood vessel,” says Nick Nicholson,

M.D., medical director of the Baylor Plano Weight Loss Surgery Center.

It’s those changes that increase patients’ risk of heart attack, stroke and maybe more.

To examine the theory researchers gave study participants four memory tests and those who were obese, categorized by having a BMI greater than 30, performed around 15-percent worse on average than those who had a normal weight.

Experts say they hope patients pay attention to the new mounting data that proves weight can affect brain function.

Every day women deal with stress, changing hormones and busy schedules, so it is no surprise that women are more likely than men to get headaches. But learning about what may be triggering your headaches can help put you on a path to prevention. Brian Sorin, M.D., neurologist on the Baylor Plano medical staff, provides insight on common headache triggers and steps you can take to help prevent headaches in the future.

• Menstruation: According to research, 60 percent of women who experience migraines can trace them

to their menstrual cycle. A number of women have more migraines when estrogen levels rise, while others will have migraines when estrogen levels fall. If you experience menstrual headaches, see your doctor, they may be able to adjust your birth control as some help ease headaches while others may make headaches worse.

•SleepSchedule: Changing your sleep pattern can also trigger headaches. If you typically go to bed at 11 p.m. and wake up at 6 a.m. on weekdays but then go to bed later and sleep in on the weekends, you may trigger a headache. Try to keep a consistent sleep pattern to prevent headaches.

•Diet: Various foods can trigger pain, including red wine, caffeine, aged cheeses and MSG. Consider keeping a food diary to see if you notice any foods triggering your headaches. Also, try to keep a normal eating schedule as an irregular schedule can aggravate pain.

Can what I eat put me in a better mood?If you’re feeling down, your diet may be the culprit. Liz Copes, RD/LD, CNSC, assistant director of patient services in the Baylor Plano nutrition services department, offers tips on boosting your mood with a proper diet.

•Keepitcomplex: Stress can lead to craving carbohydrates because they boost serotonin. Serotonin has a calming effect. Most people choose foods that are high in fat and sugar to satisfy those cravings. Try to choose more complex carbohydrates, such as vegetables, whole-grains, and beans. These are usually lower in calories, but higher in fiber.

•Keepitfishy: Make sure you consume omega-3-rich foods several times per week. Good sources of omega-3s are salmon, walnuts, flaxseed, or halibut.

Balancing out your fat intake with healthier fats may ward off depression and put you in a better mood.

•Keepitrich: Look for foods rich in vitamin B12 and folic acid, which can help prevent nervous system and mood disorders as well as dementias. You can find these vitamins in kidney beans, lean beef, skinless chicken breast, romaine lettuce, grilled salmon and broccoli.

You’re invited!You are invited to join us at a public grand opening of the new Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano Women’s Imaging Center on Friday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A ribbon cutting ceremony and prayer dedication will take place at 10 a.m. Tours of the new facility, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, door prizes, and a free gift will be available. The new facility is located on the Baylor Plano campus in the new Medical Pavilion II, at 4716 Alliance Blvd, Suite 100.

The websites referenced herein are provided solely for the convenience of the reader. Neither Baylor Health Care System, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, nor their subsidiaries, affiliates, or community medical centers own these websites or control their content or privacy, and the reference to these websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the entities that own the websites or of the information, products, or services offered by them. Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano or Baylor Health Care System. Photography may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. ©2009 Baylor Health Care System. BRMCPL-351-FY09, WHQ-10thED. MOD-09090. 25,355. 07/09

August & September 2009 Events

For more information or to register for a program, please call 1.800.4BAYLOR (422.9567) or visitBaylorHealth.com/PlanoEvents.

Support for People with Oral Head & Neck CancerTuesdays, August 4 & September 1. 6 to 8 p.m. Conference Room A/B, Garden Level. To register call 214.820.2608.

SaturdayMammographyClinicsSaturdays, August 8 & 22; September 12 & 26. Appointments begin at 8:30 a.m. Women’s Imaging Center, MedicalPavilion II, Suite 100 Living Well With Cancer Information Session Mondays, August 10 & September 14. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Conference Room A/B, Garden Level. Dinner provided.

WeightLossSurgeryInformationalSeminarAugust 11 & 26; September 2 & 29. 6:30 p.m. Education Center 1, Garden Level. Presented by Nick Nicholson, M.D., bariatric surgeon. Baylor Plano’s surgical weight loss program offers three options: gastric banding, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy to help you try to achieve a healthy weight.DiabetesSupportGroupThursdays, August 13 & September 10. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Conference Room A/B, Garden Level. CopingwithUrinaryTractInfectionsWednesday, August 19. 12 to 1 p.m. Conference Room A/B, Garden Level. Ravi Mootha, M.D., urologist on the Baylor Plano medical staff will discuss risk factors, symptoms and treatment options for UTI. Complimentary lunch. UsToo!Prostate Cancer Support Group. Tuesdays, August 25 & September 22. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Conference Room A/B, Garden Level. Dinner provided.Prostate Health A to ZFriday, September 18. 12 to 1 p.m. Conference Room A/B, Garden Level. Anh-Hong Tran, M.D., urologist, on the Baylor Plano medical staff, will discuss the patient’s journey from screenings, determining results and what they mean, to treatment options, prevention and what role genetics play in prostate cancer. Complimentary lunch.StayintheGameMonday, September 21. 12 to 1 p.m. Conference Room A/B, Garden Level. Don’t let sports injuries prevent you from staying fit, excelling in the game you love and having fun. Christopher Hanssen, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon, on the Baylor Plano medical staff, will discuss common sports injuries of both athletes and non-athletes and how they can be prevented. YourHealthThisMonthFriday, September 25. 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Conference Room A/B, Garden Level. Free sleep disorder assessments and education, breast cancer risk assessments and education, prostate cancer education, blood pressure screening and golf swing assessment and education. Cholesterol and Glucose testing is available for $15. DiabetesSelfManagementProgramClasses are offered at various times. To register call (469) 814-6896.

Calendar of EventsBaylor Plano Has The Answers

NON PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #88

LAKE DALLAS TX4700 Alliance Blvd.Plano, Texas 75093

4716 Alliance Blvd., Suite 100Plano, TX 75093