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What is a Breast MRI and How is it Done?

February 3, 2012 by

Unlike a mammogram, which uses x-rays to create images of the breast, breast MRI uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed 3-dimensional images of the breast tissue. Before the test, you may need to have a contrast solution (dye) injected into your arm through an intravenous line. The solution will help any potentially cancerous breast tissue show up more clearly.

Cancers need to increase their blood supply in order to grow. On a breast MRI, the contrast tends to become more concentrated in areas of cancer growth, showing up as white areas on an otherwise dark background. This helps the radiologist determine which areas could possibly be cancerous. More tests may be needed after breast MRI to confirm whether or not any suspicious areas are actually cancer.

For the breast MRI, you lie on your stomach on a padded platform with cushioned openings for your breasts. Each opening is surrounded by a breast coil, which is a signal receiver that works with the MRI unit to create the images. The platform then slides into the center of the tube-shaped MRI machine. You won’t feel the magnetic field and radio waves around you, but you will hear a loud thumping sound. You will need to be very still during the test, which takes around 30 to 45 minutes.

Because the technology uses strong magnets, it is essential that you remove anything metal — jewelry, snaps, belts, earrings, zippers, etc. — before the test. The technologist also will ask you if you have any metal implanted in your body, such as a pacemaker or artificial joint.

Where to have breast MRI?

It’s important to have breast MRI done at a facility with:

  • MRI equipment designed specifically for imaging the breasts. Not all imaging centers have this; instead, many have MRIs used for scanning the head, chest, or abdomen.
  • The ability to perform MRI-guided breast biopsy. If the breast MRI reveals an abnormality, you’ll want to have an MRI-guided breast biopsy (a procedure to remove any suspicious tissue for examination) right away. Otherwise, you’ll need to have a breast MRI again at another facility that offers an immediate MRI-guided breast biopsy.

See the MRI at The Charleston Breast Center Below

 

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Dining Out on Daniel Island

February 1, 2012 by

Daniel Island offers a wide variety of wonderful restaurants and eateries that cater to every taste. Following is just a small sample of the gourmet delights that await you.

Ali Baba

186 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 500, 843-377-8666

http://www.alibabacharleston.com/

According to their website, Ali Baba Mediterranean Deli & Catering gives the people of Charleston an opportunity to enjoy delicious cuisine from the Mediterranean region. Featured on the menu are Shawerma, Kebobs, Gyros, and Stuffed Grape Leaves. While many of the dishes contain lamb, beef, or chicken, Ali Baba has an extensive vegetarian menu, including a Grilled Veggie Pita, Tyropita (cheese puffs), and Greek Salad.

Et Cetera Gourmet Food Shoppe

245 Seven Farms Drive, 843-377-8510

http://www.etceteragourmet.com/

This amazing family-owned gourmet food shop offers hand painted chocolates, imported cheeses, homemade pastas and sauces, maple products, various types of meats, and artisan breads. It also serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. The menu includes fresh, crisp salads such as a Smoked Chicken Caesar Salad, Sicilian Tuna Salad, and a delicious Pear and Apple Salad.

Sandwiches come on a baguette or multi-grain sliced bread, or you can choose to have a wrap. Some of the delightful choices include Eggplant Florentine, Pork Barbeque, and Mediterranean Turkey Melt.

Queen Anne’s Revenge

160 Fairchild Street, 843-216-6868

http://www.qarevenge.com/

If you want a truly gourmet dining experience, look no further than Queen Anne’s Revenge, Daniel Island’s original restaurant. The menu includes prime rib and steaks, fresh seafood, pasta, and delectable burgers. The kids will love the children’s menu. In addition to delicious cuisine, diners may choose craft ales, a wide selection of wines, and unique handmade cocktails.

What makes Queen Anne’s Revenge a truly magical place is its collection of historic pirate artifacts in its on-site museum. Treasures include weapons, grenades, booty chests, coins, and authentic art. The museum also features a re-creation of a ship’s hull and a custom model of the Queen Anne’s Revenge.

Vespa Pizzeria

224 Seven Farms Drive, 843-881-0101

http://vespapizzeria.com/

According to the website, Vespa Pizzeria uses traditional cooking methods to create the most authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas in the Charleston area. They use only locally sourced produce and hormone free meats. Pizzas are cooked in an Italian Mugiani wood-fired oven—the same type of oven that has been used in Italy for centuries. In addition to Prosciutto, Shrimp, and Margherita pizza, you’ll find plenty of salads, sandwiches, and pasta on the menu.

The owners have a passion for running their business as a sustainable venture, and to that end, they use recycled Vespa tires and recycled butcher-block dining tables as part of the décor.

Sermet’s Courtyard

115 River Landing Drive, 843-471-1777

http://sermetscourtyard.com/2101.html

Located just one block from the river, Sermet’s Courtyard is a beautiful place to enjoy a delicious meal with your family and friends. Each course is a Mediterranean delight, from Baked Artichoke Torta to Stuffed Breaded Eggplant and Shrimp Couscous. Sermet’s makes its own mozzarella cheese, dipping oil, vinaigrettes, and sauces and sells only locally made desserts.

Sermet’s opens for dinner every night at 5 pm, and reservations are recommended. During the non-winter months, Sermet’s has live music in its courtyard, and publishes a schedule on its website and Facebook page.

Have you tried any of these restaurants, and if so, which was your favorite?

 

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How to Enhance Your Mood with Environmental Changes

January 30, 2012 by

Your mood is linked with your surroundings, and a change in your environment can make a tremendous difference in your feelings. To calm or enhance your mood, try some of these simple modifications to your environment.

Soothing colors.

Color has an amazing ability to affect mood. We know someone whose employer painted the office walls a deep reddish-burgundy color. She said it was far from calming; in fact, she noticed a difference in her stress levels compared with the previous color, which was pale lavender. The color also hurt her eyes until she was used to it. Soothing colors, such as pale blue and green, improve your mood and reduce stress. Think of how calm you are in nature and the colors you see.

You don’t have to repaint your home—adding splashes of soothing colors can be very helpful. For example, buy some blue pillows or green curtains, or find an art print of a relaxing scene. Bright artwork can cheer you up not only by its colors, but also by its design. If you work from home, perhaps a blue mouse or purple post-its will help your mood.

Relaxing music.

Sound affects us to our core, and our moods reflect the vibration of the music. If you don’t care for a particular type of music, your mood will change for the worse if you hear it, and then if you hear music you love, your mood will improve—and both changes happen very quickly.

To relax and soothe yourself, try listening to yoga music or to an instrumental radio or satellite TV station. Classical music can be intense for some, yet soothing for others.

Living things.

Watching living things move and grow is incredibly soothing and relaxing. If you don’t have a pet, perhaps now is the time to adopt one. Stroking a cat or a dog reduces blood pressure and increases endorphins. Watching fish is so relaxing that you may find yourself mesmerized.

If you’d rather not have a pet, surround yourself with live plants. Not only will they clean the air in your home, but they’ll also give you a touch of nature and a splash of color. Good choices are ferns, bamboo palms, spider plants, and African violets.

How do you create a soothing environment?

 

 

 

 

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Your Questions about DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Answered

January 27, 2012 by

The below questions are answered by Charleston breast surgeon, Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr. of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction:

What are the most common reasons a diep flap will fail?

Specifics may vary from case to case and practice to practice, but all failures involve interruption of the blood supply. This can be caused from a clot forming at the arterial or venous anastomosis, or from a conformational change in the blood vessel which produces “kinking” and subsequent interruption of blood supply. Most surgical teams experience dramatically lower failure rates as their experience expands, and it can get very difficult to determine precise reasons for failure (and ways to prevent it) when failure is a very rare event, i.e., success rates of 98-99%, which is typical for experienced surgeons. The best teams will nonetheless strive, whenever they have a failure, to find some “take home message” which they can use to hopefully further minimize their failure rate.

If you had a failure with Diep on one side does that increase your chances of failing again if another flap procedure were done in the future?

In our experience, no, although in a large enough series it may. We have always been able to use the internal mammary vessels, supplied through collaterals, to successfully supply blood to a second flap after an initial flap failed. Generally speaking, the collateral supply to the internal mammary from one intercostal artery is probably sufficient to supply a new flap. I do think that it is advisable, however, to wait at least 3 months following an initial flap failure before attempting a second flap, as this gives time for tissue edema to resolve, and serum protein levels to return to normal.

My Diep Flap failed on one side. I wound up with a silicone implant on the right side, and it is not healing quickly. What should I be watching for ?

That depends on what you mean by “not healing quickly.” If you have an unhealed wound, then something is really wrong, and you should see your surgeon. If it simply hurts or “doesn’t feel right,” then it may improve with time, or you may be developing capsular contracture (a common problem with implants), which may not go away. If you still want a flap, you may well still be able to have one from your buttock or elsewhere.

Do you have a question for the Charleston breast surgeons at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction? We’d love to hear from you.



 

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5 Ways to Reduce Sudden Anxiety

January 25, 2012 by

Sudden anxiety can be frightening and challenging to deal with, and if you’ve ever had it happen, it’s something you hope never to repeat. Following are five ways to deal with a moment of sudden anxiety.

Don’t squelch the first twinges of anxiety, but try to identify their source.

If you feel severe or sudden anxiety begin, you’ll be tempted to ignore the feelings and keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t try to ignore or resist the feelings, but step into them. The moment the anxiety begins, ask yourself what’s happening, and see if you can identify what’s causing the sudden anxiety. If you can, fix the immediate problem; if not, get away from what you’re doing and find a quiet place until the anxiety goes away.

The sooner you can identify and remedy the immediate problem, the faster the anxiety will fade.

Breathe.

Many people tend to hold their breath when they have sudden anxiety, which makes the problem worse. Take a deep, cleansing breath in through your nose—you should feel your abdomen expand—and blow it out forcefully and completely through the mouth. Keep on deep breathing, and you’ll feel your anxiety lessen.

Let the anxiety wash over you.

If the first twinges develop into a full-blown bout of anxiety, let it happen. When you can accept the anxiety, it will go away much faster than if you try to fight it. Think of it as a rush of water that will envelop you for a moment and then fade away.

Don’t leap to conclusions.

Often, people having sudden anxiety let their minds wander and imagine all kinds of possible scenarios. They may think about someone dying, or losing everything they have, which of course increases the anxiety. Clear your mind, as much as you can, and don’t let your thoughts move to places or circumstances that frighten you.

Remember that it’s not forever.

Anxiety passes on its own, but you need to make sure you don’t cause yourself greater harm. Relax as much as you can. That is easier said than done, and if you have frequent anxiety, practicing these steps will become second nature over time.

Do you have any tips for dealing with sudden anxiety?

 

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3 Trending Gym Classes that Will Get You Excited and Toned

January 23, 2012 by

If you enjoy getting out of the house to exercise, you may want to try one of these trendy gym classes.

Zumba

Created by Beto Perez of Colombia, Zumba is a high-energy dance program that gives you amazing fitness benefits. One day, Beto forgot the music for an aerobics class he was teaching, so he improvised with his own music—and Zumba was born. Today, you can choose from Zumba dance, Zumba toning, Zumbatomic for kids, Zumba in the Circuit, and Aqua Zumba classes. You can also purchase DVDs and dance at home.

Exhilarating and fun, Zumba burns hundreds of calories an hour, tones and tightens the body, and makes you feel like you’re at a party.

Pure Barre

Pure Barre’s website claims it to be the fastest, most effective way to change the shape of your body by using small isometric movements while standing at the ballet barre. Pure Barre clients typically see results within a few weeks.

Dancer and choreographer Carrie Rezabek Dorr created Pure Barre 10 years ago to help women and men achieve a strong, lean body. The Pure Barre technique does not involve any high-impact jumping and requires intense focus to do properly, much as yoga and meditation do. The exercises work the abdominals and lower body. Classes are small, and the exercises move along swiftly, driven by the music.

Spinning

The ideal way for bicyclists to stay in shape in the off-season, spinning is indoor cycling that anyone can do. It’s adaptable to every level of fitness and experience. Most spinners burn about 500 calories per class, and spinning differs from simply riding an indoor bike in the energy and enthusiasm of the instructor, the support from the group, and the motivating music.

According to the website, spinning has five core movements. Seated flat builds your stamina, seated climb works your lower body, and standing flat helps improve core strength.  The standing climb defines leg muscles, and jumps help you become more coordinated.

Have you tried any of these gym workouts?

 

 

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Tips for Reducing Restless Nights of Tossing and Turning

January 20, 2012 by

It happens to all of us: nights we can’t sleep no matter what we do. Even if your insomnia is caused by stress or some other outside influence, simply changing a few habits will help you sleep like a baby.

Don’t sleep during the day.

We know how refreshing naps are during a hectic day. However, they can also be responsible for an awful night’s sleep. If you feel drowsy during the day, resist the urge to nap. Get out of the house—go for a walk, visit a friend, or try some retail therapy.

You may be sleepy during the day due to your food choices. Try adding a little more healthy protein to your lunch, reduce sugar or simple carbs, and drink more water. Too much caffeine can leave you tired later, so perhaps you should stop drinking coffee midmorning.

Go to bed at the same time every night, and get up at the same time every morning.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, it’s time to set up a sleep schedule. While sleeping in on the weekends is a glorious thing, a schedule will keep you alert and refreshed every day.

Make sure your mattress is right for you and in good shape.

A worn-out mattress set does more harm than just keeping you awake—it can cause back and joint pain. If your mattress is more than 5 years old, it may be time to replace it. Make sure it is big enough for you and your partner to stretch out without disturbing the other. A queen mattress is the minimum size you should have if you sleep with someone else or with pets.

Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine before bed.

Not only can caffeine and alcohol stimulate you and keep you from falling asleep, but they can also wake you up in the middle of the night. You don’t want to go to bed hungry or overly full for the same reasons. If you feel hungry before bed, have a light snack, such as a piece of cheese or half an apple with peanut butter.

Do any vigorous exercising a few hours before bed. Meditating or yoga is fine to do closer to bedtime, as it relaxes you.

Create an environment that helps you sleep.

Everyone’s preferences are different, but some general tips will help you sleep. Wind down by reading a book or creating your own calming ritual. Keep the room dark and cool, and turn your alarm clock around so you don’t see its light. If your neighborhood tends to be noisy, use a white noise machine or a fan.

If your insomnia lasts longer than a week or two, contact your doctor.

What do you do to help yourself sleep?

 

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , ,

Top Fitness Equipment to Help Increase Strength

January 18, 2012 by

We’ve found so many different types of great fitness equipment that we had to share them with you. All of them will help you increase strength, get in shape, and feel better. Any sporting goods store or website will have a range of equipment. Pick your favorite and start!

Fitness balls

These fun PVC plastic balls give you a total body workout, and simply sitting on them while working and watching TV will strengthen your core (abdominals and lower back) and stretch your muscles. Look for a burst-resistant ball that comes with its own pump and a DVD or booklet outlining exercises.

Fitness balls come in different sizes and are gauged by the user’s height, so be sure to read the packaging or website information before buying. When you sit on the fully inflated ball, your knees should be bent at a 90-degree angle—if they aren’t, move up or down one size. If you’re heavy for your height, you may need to go one ball size bigger, or if you’re very light, you may need one size smaller.

Medicine balls

Medicine balls are smaller than fitness balls, and they’re weighted to help you improve strength in your hands, arms, core, and legs. Use them as an alternative to weights, or simply play catch with them. These bouncy balls come in a wide variety of sizes and are typically made of rubber for easy grip.

Resistance cables

Also known as toning cables, toning tubes, or resistance tubes, resistance cables are a convenient, inexpensive alternative to free weights or machines. Typically made of latex or rubber, they have handle grips, and you can use more than one to increase the resistance. Many are versatile enough to strengthen any area of your body, depending on how they’re used.

Jump rope

Still as fun as they were when you were a kid, a jump rope gives you a cardio workout with a twist: the handles hold weights to help you strengthen and tone your arms, shoulders, and back.

Wobble boards and stability discs

Much like the fitness balls, these flat boards and rounded discs help you strengthen your upper and lower body while improving your stamina, stability, and balance. Wobble boards are typically used during yoga or Pilates work to strengthen your core and legs. Stability discs can be used sitting, kneeling, lying, or standing, and you have the option of inflating them to your desired size.

Have you tried any of these fitness helpers, and how did you like them?

 

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5 Ways to Minimizing Your Risk of Developing Breast Cancer

January 16, 2012 by

We’re finding that a very small percentage—perhaps 10%—of breast cancer has a genetic link. You can take several steps to reduce your breast cancer risk, and we’ll touch on some of them here.

Avoid toxins as much as possible. (Possibly link to hazardous chemicals article here)

We live in a polluted environment and breathe air full of toxins from factories and vehicles. We eat food and drink water that is full of chemicals and stored in plastic containers that leach bisphenol-A. We clean our homes with harsh, hazardous cleansers. We use shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, lotions, and potions that contain ingredients we can’t even pronounce, much less know what they are.

Every step you take to reduce your exposure to these harmful products is not only a step away from breast cancer, but it’s also a step away from other cancers and serious illnesses. Use nontoxic cleaning products, such as vinegar and baking soda. Try some mineral makeup and goat’s milk soap. Avoid plastic containers with the number 7 on the bottom, and toss out scratched or worn plastic items. Filter your water, and choose homegrown or organically grown food.

Maintain a healthy weight and exercise.

Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle increase your breast cancer risk, but the good news is that even a small reduction in weight or moderate, regular exercise are helpful. Find activities you enjoy doing, and focus on moving rather than exercising.

An easy way to start losing weight is to eat as naturally as possible. Take it easy and don’t overwhelm yourself. Start by substituting a piece of fruit for a piece of candy, or add a few vegetables to your evening meal. When you’re used to the first step, take the next step. Before you know it, you’ll be losing weight and feeling amazing.

Have no more than one alcoholic drink a day.

Red wine is beneficial to the heart, but drinking more than one glass a day ups your risk of cancer. Enjoy that one glass of wine and know you’re doing something healthy for yourself, but stop there.

Breastfeed.

According to the Mayo Clinic, breastfeeding appears to protect women against breast cancer, and the longer you breastfeed, the more protection it gives you.

Avoid hormone therapy when possible.

Long-term hormone therapy increases breast cancer risk. Ask your doctor about other options if you’re taking hormones, as you may be able to relieve symptoms with non-pharmaceutical means. If you do decide to continue with hormone therapy, use the lowest dosage you can, and have a goal date to stop using it.

We hope this post has been helpful—do you have any tips to help other women start exercising, lose weight, or avoid toxins?

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Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Questions Answered

January 13, 2012 by

nipple sparing mastectomyThe below questions are answered by Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr., Charleston breast surgeon for The Center of Natural Breast Reconstruction:

What kind of breast expander do you recommend and employ?

We usually use either Mentor contoured tissue expanders, which have more projection at the bottom than the top, or Mentor round expanders with a remote port. If patients are using tissue expanders only as a “bridge” during post-mastectomy radiation until they can receive a flap reconstruction, then we prefer the remote port model, because it won’t interfere with the MRI we like to get prior to flap surgery to look at the vessels. If the patient is planning on having a permanent implant reconstruction, then the contoured expander (which is not compatible with MRI) may produce a better initial shape.

If I choose immediate breast reconstruction, what happens if it is discovered I need radiation treatment during the mastectomy? What happens then?

It depends on what type of reconstruction you have chosen. If you choose implant reconstruction, radiation doesn’t hurt the tissue expander or implant, although it significantly decreases the chance of achieving an acceptable result. If you have had an immediate flap reconstruction, then learn (unexpectedly) that you need radiation, then the flap may be in serious jeopardy. Experienced oncologic breast surgeons are usually pretty good at anticipating whether a patient will need radiation or not. If significant doubt exists, however, and a flap reconstruction is planned, it is best either place temporary tissue expanders at the time of mastectomy, or delay all reconstruction until after radiation.

What are the disadvantages of postponing breast reconstruction after mastectomy? (scarring, skin sparing options, nipple options)

The only significant disadvantage to postponing reconstruction is potential contraction of skin if a skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy is used. Depending on the amount of skin present and the ultimate desired breast size, however, this may present a problem for some patients, but not others. The advantages of delaying reconstruction include a decreased incidence of complications, and shorter anesthetics.

For breast reconstruction, what are the options for nipples?

If nipple preservation can be successfully employed, then this may give the best outcome in some cases. Not all attempted nipple-sparing mastectomies are successful, however, and many nipples have failed to survive after this procedure. Nipple reconstruction using local skin flaps has proven to be highly reliable, and tattooing of the areolas can produce very realistic results.

Do you have a question for the Charleston breast surgeons at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction? We’d love to hear from you.

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