WGXA's Healthy Living: Local News

  • FOX Files: Atrial fibrillation with Dr. Joseph Poku

    WGXA's Portia Lake speaks with Coliseum Health System's Dr. Joseph Poku about Atrial fibrillation ... Read more..

  • Aimee Copeland using new prosthetics, father says

    The 24-year-old Georgia woman who lost parts of all her limbs to a flesh-eating bacteria has three new prosthetics.... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Robotic Assisted Surgery with Dr. Cameron Pridgen

    NewsCentral's Portia Lake discusses gynecological issues and robotic assisted surgery with obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Cameron Pridgen. For more information, call Coliseum Health System at (478) 746-4646. ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: When Alzheimer's Disease Strikes Too Close to Home

    Alzheimer's is a disease that doesn't just affect the patient but affects the family as well. I will introduce you to one Alzheimer’s caregiver hit nine times by the disease Art Silsby is one of the more than 54% of the U.S. population touched in some way by Alzheimer's disease. "It has been kind of devastating. We have nine people in our family that have it... and it is kind of hard to describe how it affects our family, but it is kind of heartbreaking. “ Art is the primary caretaker for his wife Carol. Carol is a retired educator who took pride in caring for her family and her home. Now the roles are reversed. “I am now the cook, the dishwasher, the laundryman. I take care of all the chores that she used to do. All the household chores that she used to do, I now do them. I make sure she gets her medicine and stuff like that. “ Despite the help and support they receive from family friends and the Alzheimer's association, the disease's impact on their family is far reaching. “I think the worst part is that when the time comes. She is not going to recognize me. I think that is going to be the worst part. “ But Art remains hopeful for an Alzheimer's cure. “ We need to get more money in the program for research. We need to have everybody out there. Even if you don't have it, talk to your representatives, your senator, all that. To see if they can find a cure for this disease. “ Art is very active in the race to find because it is a disease that affects everyone. "How do you know it is not in your system? How do you know your husband, your wife, and your children. Everybody should be concerned, just like they are about cancer... or any other disease.” ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Living With Adult Autism

    Unlocking the keys to the mystery behind rising autism rates has dominated headlines during autism awareness month. In this Healthy Living Portia Lake will introduce you to a talented award winning musician who describes his journey from autistic child to autistic adult.... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Surgeon Performs Robotic First at Coliseum Medical Center

    Dr. Laura Reed sits perched in a chair and deftly peers into a 3-D magnification viewfinder to perform a robotic first in Central Georgia. By precisely manipulating the robotic arms, she is able to use the da Vinci Surgical System as a second set of eyes and hands to assist her in the operating room. While robotic procedures are commonly being used for gynecological and urological procedures, Dr. Reed says this is the first time this technology is being used for thoracic surgery. “Robotic procedures are really an evolution of thoracic surgery,” Dr. Reed remarks. “It started out we were making really gigantic incisions, several inches long, from the spine all the way around all the way to the front of the chest to do our thoracic procedures. Robotics is the next step.” For surgeons, these enhanced capabilities mean better visualization and dexterity. What was once a six inch incision in traditional surgery is now reduced to dime sized incisions using daVinci robotic technology. For patients like Cheryl Matlock, this means a less invasive procedure with less scarring, a shorter hospital stay, less post operative discomfort and a quicker return to normal daily activities. Matlock was the first patient to have lung surgery performed with robotic technology at the Coliseum Medical Center. After a recent diagnosis of Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy, an enlargement of the mediastinal lymph nodes, Dr. Reed was able to perform a lung biopsy and stop the spread of disease in the 57 year old’s body. Dr. Reed was able to do this through just a few incisions between the ribs and without splitting the patient’s breastbone. Dr. Reed viewed the procedure through a high resolution 3D camera inside the patient for magnified dexterity, precision and control. Matlock is ecstatic that this technology is available for other thoracic surgery patients. “Oh it is wonderful. I just feel so thankful that this technology is out there. I was so glad that it was available.” According to Dr. Reed, feedback from patients about the new technology has been overwhelmingly positive. “People have been very apprehensive at the start,” admits Dr. Reed. “It is a new technology and the idea of the robot is a little bit scary to some of them. But patients are very pleased with the results that they have had. “ Weeks after the surgery, Matlock says she recovered from surgery with no problem and has already returned to exercising and her daily routine. Following this surgery’s success, Dr. Reed plans to continue to offer thoracic robotic surgery in the middle Georgia area. Dr. Reed believes the future of robotic surgery is promising: “I think it will continue to advance. The instrumentation is getting better all the time. I think it won't be very long before we find that every procedure that we do can be done through the chest with robotics.” Dr. Reed, who holds the distinction of being the first female cardiothoracic Surgeon to practice in Georgia, is proud to lead the way in using this new technology: “I think this is huge. It is really on the cutting edge of thoracic surgery. Having it here and having it available in Georgia is really a great thing. “ ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Buy Fresh, Buy Local

    When you buy food at your local grocery store, there is a chance you may not know exactly where it came from. In this Healthy Living I will introduce you to an organic food advocate who says that locally grown food is the key to a long life. Naomi Davis is passionate about two things: eating local and eating organic. "The lifestyle diseases we see so prevalently in society these days is so prevalent and caused by the food system that we currently have and we can change that food system and we can change people's health. " Naomi Davis is taking her message about eating fresh and local to an audience interested in learning about the health benefits of eating organic fruit and produce. " We can impact childhood obesity, we can drop the cancer rates, we can impact hypertension, just about all of your lifestyle diseases. it will take several years to see that happen, but that will happen." Naomi started the 25 acre Davis Farms to help central Georgians enjoy fresh delicious organic food and play a part in supporting the local economy. She brings these nutritionally dense products to Mulberry Street Market every week "My goodness the selection at the supermarket shelves is so small compared to what is available at the market. We grow eggplants that are white, green and striped and people don't believe that they they are eggplants and they are." Davis Farms grows a variety of heirloom and specialty vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers. for more information on buying fresh, local and organic you can visit the Mulberry Street Market at Mulberry Street Park in Downtown Macon Wednesdays from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm. ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Chipping Away at Heart Disease

    Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the month of February is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and prevention. In this Healthy Living I introduce you to a retired coach who is doing his best to “chip” away at heart disease. Coach Chip Malone is making the most of his second chance at life. “The experience has been phenomenal . To be honest with you, I am walking every day. I am blessed. God has given me a second chance at life. “ Just 14 months ago, Coach Malone received that very generous gift through a heart transplant after a battle with heart disease. Now he is sharing his story of his journey in hopes that he can chip away at heart disease. “ I am reaching out to the community to share heart healthy tips and awareness about heart disease and how serious it is and for people to get out and exercise, eat heart healthy and to pay attention to the risk factors and warning signals. “ Malone is spreading his story and the keys to preventing cardiovascular disease through his "A Second Chance" book and speaking engagements throughout American Heart month. “You need to check. High blood pressure is a silent killer. We need to check those things on a daily basis. I check my blood pressure twice a day.” Malone's message stresses a lifestyle through diet and exercise. He maintains he could not have done it without the help of his wife, family, friends and his faith . “I thanked the donor family for giving me life. Sometimes when I walk, I think about it, and I am just blessed. God has really given me a second chance. And I am using that second chance to try to help other people save their lives.” ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: What We Can Learn From Cancer Prevention Study 3

    Last week hundreds of Central Georgians took part in a landmark study investigating the causes of cancer. In this Healthy Living I will show how this research could change the way we treat cancer. In two short days 632 enrollees from central Georgia enrolled in the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study-3. The study attracted walk-ins and community leaders interested in making a difference in the fight against cancer. The questionnaire asks about vitamins, supplements that you might take all these different kinds of things and if during the study they found a commonality between something that we are doing, and the cancer itself, they will be probably linked Molly Herrin says the people who sign up for the study will be judged according to their lifestyles and will be tracked for the next 20-30 years. "From each study, we follow the enrollees for the rest of their lives. We look at trends. That's the way our epidemiologists can help prevent cancer or detect it earlier." Macon City CouncilMan Rabbi Larry Schlessinger was one of the hundreds of Central Georgians taking part in the study by filling out a survey and giving a blood sample. “It says that there are a number of people concerned about the disease and are willing to be guinea pigs themselves as we move forward. The second most important thing is wewere able to come forward as a community and get people to participate in this. “ This study assures researchers have the information to better understand the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer “Leadership in this community from the mayor and chairman and commissioner on down all embraced the study and got out the word. It shows that when we do come together as a community we can become effective at making things happen.” Two previous cancer prevention studies have played a major role in understanding cancer risks and have contributed to the scientific basis and development of public health guidelines and recommendations. ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Be a Bone Marrow Donor

    Every day, bone marrow donors provide hope to thousands of patients searching for a donor match. In this Healthy Living, I will show you just how easy it is to register to be the match that could save one person's life.... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Hands Only CPR

    When someone goes into sudden cardiac arrest, would you know what to do? In this Healthy Living, i will show you how hands only CPR can help you save a life. ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living:Warner Robins Man Challenges Central Georgians to Lose a Ton

    After an eighty pound weight loss, Stan Bush is on a mission to stay healthy and keep his diabetes in check. Stan Bush: The feeling I got was the bigger I got, the smaller I felt. because I tried to hide in the corner.... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Jeff's Ancestry

    I previously  shared with you the secrets i learned about my health and ancestry from a genetic testing company.  In this Healthy Living,  Chief Meteorologist Jeff Cox shares with us the... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: 23andMe and Portia's Ancestry Search

    Your DNA determines much of who you are and how you live. In this Healthy Living, NewsCentral's Portia Lake takes you on her personal journey to uncover her ancestry and what her DNA says about her health. ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Holly's Bieber Fever

    There's one less lonely girl in Macon tonight thanks to Justin Bieber. In this Healthy Living, I'll introduce you to one lucky girl who had a dream come true thanks to the help of Make a Wish Foundation. Holly Slavin is gaga over Justin Bieber. that's why she still can't believe she came eye to eye with her biggest celebrity crush, justin bieber. i was just really excited. i didn't scream or do anything like most or some girls would. Holly has a very rare form of childhood cancer that affects her eye muscle. After a year of fighting, 3 surgeries, chemo, and radiation she had the contents of her right orbital removed. Holly's mom Janice says With the help of Make a Wish Foundation, Holly's Bieber dreams come true during a weekend trip to New York City when Bieber met with Holly and other Make a Wish children at the Hard Rock Café. Justin Bieber comes out on stage and the girls were crying, parents were crying, and he of course was wonderful with the kids. It really just shocked me because he didn't look like anything in the posters he got a new haircut. do you approve of his new haircut? Yes! Meeting Justin was the cure for Holly and her sister Emily's Justin Bieber fever. Holly's trip was complete with a trip to the American Girl store, FAO Schwarz a hug, gifts and memories from Justin she will always treasure. It was really fun because it wasn't just me going it was a lot of other kids and i got to see them feel happy and it wasn't just about me that day. Holly says Justin is everything she thought he would be and more. The experience has taught her that wishes do come true. It feels really special to know that people feel that you are important. And good news for holly's family. Holly's most recent biopsy was negative for a malignancy. If you would like to follow holly's journey visit: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hollyslavin ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Living With Juvenile Diabetes

    Juvenile diabetes, more commonly referred to as type one diabetes, is a chronic medical condition caused by the body's inability to produce normal levels of insulin In this Healthy Living, I'll introduce you to a family living with juvenile diabetes. Connor Floyd is one of the more than three million Americans living with type 1 diabetes "Doctors don't know how you get it, you usually get it while you are young and it stops your pancreas from making insulin." Juvenile Diabetes is a constant metabolic condition caused by the body's failure to break down sugars and store them correctly. Type 1 Diabetes is also referred to as Juvenile Diabetes because the onset of it occurs during childhood. For Connor, that means it causes dependence on injected or pumped insulin. His mother says Connor has taken an active role in taking care of his health. LIsa Floyd: “Connor does an excellent job. His disease requires a lot of structure and responsibility. You have to carry supplies all the time you have to count carbs all the time. “ "Connor must pay rigorous attention to balancing diet, exercise, and his insulin intake to achieve blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. He actively counts his carbs with every meal and watches his serving sizes. " Tim Floyd: "He has done an excellent job. He is not taking it as a disability . He is doing it as a challenge. When he wants to do something, like soccer, or tennis he finds a way to get it done. That is one of the things that makes me most proud of him. " Julie Deese says the Juvenile Diabetes impacts not only the lives of the people with the disease but also the lives of the people around them Julie Deese: "I think it is still hard for the children and the families. over the years, as a diabetes educator, it has improved greatly.They still have to take a lot of injections every day with close monitoring, but they have so much more flexibility that they did not have ten yeas ago. " "From day one, Lisa has always said. we are going to live with diabetes. we are not going to be sick with it. that is a motto. we have kind of embraced that. as a motto whenever we want to do something, we say we are going to live with this and keep going. " For Connor, he hopes one day, a cure will be found for diabetes and its complications "Raise money. Support juvenile diabetes." ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Diabetes Managment

    It's not easy getting a diabetes diagnosis. But for for many diabetics, education is the first step toward feeling better and living a longer, healthier life. In the second installment of a four-part Healthy Living series on diabetes, I'll show you how one group of diabetics learn to manage their diabetes. Do you know the signs of diabetes? Diabetes educator Carole Radney says many people don't know the different types or signs of diabetes. “Most people know the warning signs of heart attack or stroke most people don't know what the warning signs are. “ Diabetes is divided into three main categories: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Some of the symptoms of diabetes are: Excessive thirst or hunger, Exhaustion or fatigue, Frequent urination, Loss or gain of weight, Blurry vision and Cuts or sores that won't heal. Diabetes management is something that requires careful planning. When you are newly diagnosed it is truly overwhelming to someone. they don't know what to do. what how do i monitor, what do I eat. that is the first questions Diabetes management requires careful planning. Diabetes educator Carole Radney and dietitian Arlisha Griffith are teaching diabetics like Gwendolyn Russell how to effectively manage their diabetes and diabetic symptoms. “The frustration is you have to give up so much of the things that i know that i eat a little too much of like ice cream and coke. I have been trying to adjust to diet coke and watching my portion control on my vegetables. meats, especially with my proteins, eating my snack at night. that i had been avoiding But it is not the right thing.” Dietician Arlisha Griffith uses this healthy eating workshop to show diabetics how to prepare a healthy balanced meal. “A lot of frustration that I come into contact with is the portion sizes, some may not want to follow their meal plan. they may not think it is enough calories for them. “ Whether they have just learned they have diabetes or been living with the disease for a while these resources and a healthy exercise plan are helping them stay one step ahead of the disease. “Eating well. eating a good overall healthy diet. eating your six servings of vegetables a day. your three servings of fruit a day, keeping your lean protein down.” ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Controlling Asthma

    An average of one out of every 10 school-aged children has asthma. Janet Hogan Lamar says Recent research shows Asthma not appropriately controlled can affect children's schooling and double the cost of health care. "What happens is when a child has an asthma attack. They miss school if they miss school they miss homework and all the other class activities taking place. “ Self Wealth and Health works in seven counties educating parents like Faye Dunlop and her son about asthma management. “Asthma is the third leading cause of death in the world; we want to make sure that we help physicians understand our place. Our place is to empower parents, educate them, to inform them, and how to reduce triggers within their household.” Common asthma triggers include substances, weather conditions, or activities. Asthma can't be cured, but it can be managed. The goal of asthma management is to reduce symptoms on a day-to-day basis. For more information on Self Wealth and Health and how the Central Georgia Asthma Education Initiative, visit swah.org. ... Read more..

  • Healthy Living: Selecting Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

    We all know fruits and veggies are delicious and good for you, but buying them can get complicated. For that reason, in this Healthy Living report, I’ll show you how to shop for produce. ... Read more..

  • Three Easy Summer Meals from 'Super Suppers'

    Nothing says summer like great Summer food. Super Suppers in Macon shows NewsCentral how to make 3 quick and easy Summer meals. On the Menu is: 1). Marinated Lean Pork chops with zucchini and creamy... Read more..

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