Our Primary Residence

by Lana Carson, Nationally Certified Personal Trainer, Omni Fitness Club

Imagine buying a home. What would you think if you walked into a house that had cracks in the walls, the foundation was falling and the overall structure of the house was unstable? Would you want to live there? How about the inner workings of the house, would you want to live in a home with poor plumbing? What would you think if you saw rusted, corroded pipes that were clogged with years of sediment? There's a disaster waiting to happen!

I'm sure we all want to live in a home that is structurally sound where we feel safe and secure, a place with a strong foundation, sturdy walls and adequate plumbing that provides us with the basic essentials and comforts of home. It's said that our home is our castle - but where do we really live?

We live in the most incredible structure ever designed! An architectural wonder! A dwelling so amazing that not even Home Depot can build such an extraordinary design. Our primary residence is truly our body.

Like the frame and foundation of a house, our skeletal system provides us with structural support. To keep the foundation strong we must expose our bones to resistance and weight bearing activities that stimulate bone growth and increase bone density. Activities such as walking, running, jumping and weight training keep bones strong and dense.

Our plumbing is actually our circulatory system. To maintain proper blood flow and oxygen delivery, we must keep our "pipes" (blood vessels) free from build up. Cardiovascular exercises, such as walking, biking and aerobics, work to improve circulation and oxygen delivery by strengthening the heart so that it can deliver more blood to the body with each beat in a more efficient manner.

For many, the home is considered to be our most valuable asset. I believe that the greatest asset we will ever have the responsibility of caring for and investing in is our body.

The next time you think about a home improvement project, take time to invest in yourself, too.

After all, if you don't take care of your body, where will you live?

If you would like help designing a fitness program that's just right for you, call Lana or MarySue at the Omni fitness Club at (231) 739-3391.

A Center for Dental Medicine

by Linda Donley, from the offices of James R. Donley, DDS

Periodontal disease (gum and bone disease) is the number one infectious disease in America today and affects about three out of four adults.

The devastating effects of periodontal disease on our total health are just beginning to be fully explored. Researchers have linked periodontal disease to most major deadly diseases and ailments, including heart disease, strokes, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, respirator disease, arthritis, premature birth, infertility, and even cancer. Treating periodontal disease may be the answer to preventing and treating many other major diseases and illnesses.

Periodontal disease occurs when neglected gums become swollen and pockets develop between the teeth and gum tissue. Bacteria live in the pockets and produce toxins which attack healthy gum tissue and bone. This results in an infection in the mouth that never heals. Periodontal disease, however, is not limited to just damaging gums, teeth and bone. Bacteria in the pockets can enter the blood stream through the infected gum tissue and attack healthy organs and tissue in other parts of the body.

For decades it was believed that periodontal disease was caused simply by improper dental hygiene (lack of brushing and flossing). Treatment, therefore, centered around cleaning. The dentist or hygienist would perform mechanical debridement (scraping and cleaning of the teeth below the gum line to remove tarter, calculus and food particles). They would also recommend more brushing and flossing. More severe cases were usually referred to a periodontist for gum surgery.

Researchers now know that a variety of other factors can contribute to the periodontal disease process such as: certain bacteria, genetics, diet and nutrition, pregnancy, other diseases, medication and aging. The Center for Dental Medicine's comprehensive periodontal treatment program focuses on the entire disease process. Dentistry can now effectively treat periodontal disease and reverse much of the damage using non-invasive treatment, including lasers.

Researchers have discovered a serious health risk for people with periodontal disease who also have heart disease or who are diabetic. Periodontal disease is a major source of infection in the body. Infection results in the liver producing a substance in the blood known as C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein can be detected by a simple blood test. Patients with elevated levels of C-reactive protein are at substantially greater risk of heart attack or stroke. C-reactive protein is not just a passive bio-marker, but is an active antigen which causes clotting and may lead to a stroke or heart attack. Regular visits to the dentist to treat and control periodontal disease can be crucial to diabetics and heart patients.

Researchers do not yet fully understand all of the cause and effect relationships between periodontal disease and other systemic diseases. Treating periodontal disease has long been demonstrated to help diabetics manage their disease. We do know that periodontal infection depletes the body's immune system defenses. Treating periodontal disease and removing a major source of infection would be beneficial to any person with health challenges.

Recently Dr. Jim's practice was trained in the advanced periodontal treatment program. The comprehensive treatment program was developed after years of research and testing by a periodontist, Dr. John Hammer, from Phoenix, Arizona. The treatment includes periodontal screening, risk assessment, thorough cleaning, targeted nutritional therapy, laser decontamination, effective microbial control, follow-up treatment and daily home care.

Treating periodontal disease can lower the risk of a second heart attack. The comprehensive periodontal treatment program is very affordable and includes follow-up visits and treatment to control the disease. Treating periodontal disease is a fraction of the cost of treating a major illness or even a short stay in the hospital. "We are not just saving teeth - we are helping people save money - we are helping to save lives," said Bob Schulhof, President of Centers for Dental Medicine.

If you are experiencing bleeding gums when you brush or floss, have loose teeth, have gums that are red or puffy, or gums that are pulling away from your teeth, call Dr. Donley today at (231) 744-6661 to schedule an appointment for a "new patient exam" at our offices at 166 N. Causeway in North Muskegon. Mention On the Shore magazine and receive a complete new patient exam, including periodontal screening, for $79.00. This offer is good through September 30, 2008.

The Importance of a Proper Eyeglass Fit

by Kent Osbourne, Owner, Lauren Taylor Eyewear

Do you know the effects of Vertex Distance, Pantoscopic Tilt and Panaramic Angle? Your eyes know! It's important for your eyeglass provider to know, too.

There are discrepancies between the prescription derived from the phoropter, an instrument commonly used by optometrists and ophthalmologists during an eye examination to measure an individual's refractive error and determine his or her eyeglass prescription, because of the way that eyeglass lenses are positioned.

The distance from the back of the lens to the front surface of the eye (vertex distance) is typically different from the distance the doctor placed the refracter from the eyes.

The same is true for the tilt of lenses (pantoscopic) and face form (panoramic angle) wrap of lenses. The refractor's lenses are positioned differently from the way that eyeglasses fit!

These differences affect the effective power of the lens, because the lens then has a different prescription when worn than the way in which it was tested. Some would say that for the average patient, the differences are small. However, if our goal is to provide the option of the best vision possible, we would want to adjust for correct wearing positions.

Your eyes can tell the effects of vertex distance, pantoscopic tilt and panaramic angle. Be sure your eyeglass provider adjusts for them, also.

Kent Osborne, owner and dispensing optician at Lauren Taylor Eyewear, puts his experience to work for his customers at 1945 Lakeshore Drive in Lakeside, Muskegon. Call him at (231) 755-4060.