Digital Panoramic X-Ray

The next time you make your bi-yearly trek to the dentist, pay close attention to the x-ray equipment. You just might be using the safest, newest and coolest thing out there. While the technology is still emerging, a few dentists around town have invested in the Digital Panoramic X-Ray machine.

The digital radiology technology works much like a traditional x-ray, according to Houston dentist Spiker Davis, who utilizes the new device. “You get more radiation from your cell phone than from this machine,” said Davis. Patients who before refused to have x-rays are now able to not only have the x-rays, but their dentists are able to see much more.

Davis knew that the technology would allow him to see more than he ever had before, but he wasn’t totally prepared for just how much more he would see. “The detail that I can see is incredible,” said Davis. “I’m not only able to see everything from TMJ to clogged carotid arteries, but I’m able to immediately email those images to insurance companies, other doctors and patients. It’s really cool.”

The immediacy of viewing the images has also revolutionized the field because it has made developing and copying film and mailing the film out to be processed a thing of the past.

While the Digital Panoramic machine is significantly more expensive than the traditional machines, dentists are able to continue to charge the same for these images as they do for the traditional variety because of the money they save in not having to buy film, chemicals for processing or cover Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fees for disposal of chemicals and materials.

Davis’ machine has found blocked arteries in 10 patients who would have never known otherwise because symptoms don’t often present themselves until it’s too late.

Houston’s top chefs offer advice on low-fat, flavorful cooking

Berge Simonian

Salata Create-Your-Own

“As co-owner of a healthy restaurant, some people think eating well isn’t an issue for me. Truth is, I’m just like everyone else who has cravings for burgers, fries and chocolate.

“Eating well begins with moderation and imagination. Moderation means not eating too much, but don’t starve yourself either. I always eat three meals a day–at least one being a big salad–so I never come to the table ravenous, and I treat myself with a snack of two small pieces of dark chocolate, like bittersweet. It has health benefits and is an energy booster without the calories and sugar of candy bars. With imagination you can create exciting meals that are healthy.

“Vegetables, particularly green varieties, provide lots of vitamins and proteins and help with digestion. They can be prepared in so many ways–grilled, steamed, sautéed–so they never have to be boring or repetitious. Buy a variety and mix them to keep it interesting. For salads, use three or four kinds of lettuces, plus spinach. Each one has its own flavor, texture and nutritional value.

“The most affordable produce is what’s in season, so eating seasonally can be economical, too. Use fresh herbs, infused oils, high-quality and balsamic vinegars to add flavor. Vinegars or citrus juice (lemon, lime or grapefruit) are healthy alternatives to salt. Depending on my mood, I might mix in fresh fruit like berries, apples or tropical varieties, or poached salmon, steamed shrimp or grilled chicken. Add a glass of red wine, and you will eat well, look good and feel good.”

Learning to Listen

Are you tired of bipartisan bickering? So is Cassandra Dahnke, she is the co-founder of the Institute for Civility in Government and a pastor at the Woodforest Presbyterian Church in Houston.

Dahnke, who appears this month on “Living Smart With Patricia Gras” on HoustonPBS, defines civility as claiming and caring for one’s identity, needs and beliefs without putting somebody else’s down in the process.

Why is it important to know thyself when discussing civility? Dahnke believes it’s, “because you have to know where you’re coming from in order to express clearly what it is that you believe. So many times we just glom onto an idea or a position or something, and then it comes time to defend it, and we’re not sure exactly how to do that because we don’t know how we reached that conclusion ourselves or what fed into that.”

Dahnke thinks that part of the problem is that we’re just not listening like we should be. “Listening with your strength is just paying attention, just turning down the music, setting aside the activities, watching the body language, and taking note of what’s being said. Listening with your mind is getting the background information so that you’re not just taking what they’re saying, but asking questions; asking them to back it up, exploring what they’re saying. Listening with your heart is being open to change.”

On “Living Smart,” Dahnke explores 10 simple practical steps to create better relationships.

“Living Smart With Patricia Gras” airs on Sundays at 3 p.m. and repeats on Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. on HoustonPBS Channel 8. For more information, visit Houstonpbs.org/livingsmart.

—Patricia Gras

Kidney Health

Do you have diabetes? How about high blood pressure? Are you obese? If so, you are at risk for kidney disease and this month’s designation as National Kidney Disease Awareness Month aims to help you become more informed.

“Chronic kidney disease is a silent killer because most people feel fine until it’s advanced,” says Dr. Leslie Spry, a spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation.

Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which the small blood vessels in the kidneys become so damaged they cannot do their jobs. Diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity are conditions that put so much stress on the kidneys that the blood vessels are compromised and the kidneys are no longer able to filter blood as well as they need to. This damage usually happens slowly, over many years and because early kidney disease has no symptoms, most people do not know something is wrong until their kidneys are about to fail.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, the prevalence of kidney disease has increased from one in every 10 adults to one in every seven to eight. Complications from kidney disease include anemia, bone disorders, malnutrition, loss of kidney function, cardiovascular disease and death.

“Right now, most people who are at risk aren’t being screened,” Spry said. “We need to focus on them.”

The two most essential tests for kidney disease are a urine test to measure the ratio of albumin (a protein) to creatinine (a normal waste product) and a blood test to measure how well your kidneys are filtering creatinine out of the blood.

Kidney disease cannot be cured, but early detection can make a big difference in slowing its progress.

March 13 is World Kidney Day, with free screenings being offered across the country. For specific information, go to Kidney.org or call the National Kidney Foundation office in Houston at 713-952-5499.

Which popular diet plan is best for helping you drop the weight?

By Danielle Phaneuf

Diets. We’ve all fallen for them, whether it’s cutting out carbs, sipping on smoothies, or eating only cabbage soup or grapefruit for days on end.

Why do we keep falling for fad diet schemes? Well, for a few reasons. First, we have become a society that, despite increased obesity rates, has developed an ideal image of beauty that happens to be unrealistic and unattainable for the vast majority of us. This leaves us desperate to find a quick fix, or a way to get healthier, faster. Secondly, some diets actually do produce weight loss results. But whether these results are short or long term depends on what the diet consists of, how closely you follow it, and the duration of the plan.

Here are the facts and pros and cons of some of the more popular weight loss programs.

Dietitian Approved Diet Plans

Best life Diet (Revised and Updated)
This plan, which boasts four simple phases of change, uses widely accepted and researched strategies, including portion sizes, eliminating empty calories and increasing physical activity, to achieve and maintain lifelong weight loss. Calorie intake is customized and ranges from 1,200 to 2,500 per day, depending on gender and activity level.

Pros: Includes all food groups, incorporates physical activity and provides multiple meal plans and menus. Not designed for quick weight loss, more for lifelong healthy habits.
Cons: Not very structured, so someone looking for a rigid meal plan with specific do’s and don’ts may find it difficult to follow.

South Beach Diet Super Charged
Consists of three phases and claims to burn more calories and fat in less time than the older version of the diet, created in 2003. The plan suggests that followers eat three meals, two snacks, and one dessert item daily, totaling around 1,500 calories.

Pros: Offers four weeks of meal plans with recipes and encourages daily physical activity
Cons: Phase one restricts too many healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. For healthier results, skip phase one and stick with phases two and three for more realistic and well-balanced meal plans.

Women’s Health Perfect Body Diet
This eight-week program consists of two meal plan options, with each containing five to six daily meals balanced in lean protein, fat and carbohydrates. The meal plan is easy to follow and provides 14 days of sample menus of around 1,600 calories each.

Pros: Followers feel less deprived when eating high fiber fruits and vegetables. Rich in antioxidants, fiber, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and mono/polyunsaturated fat. Specific exercise routines are demonstrated, making it easy for beginners to get started.
Cons: The diet promotes the use of a fiber supplement to increase satiety, which is neither proven to work, nor endorsed by the American Dietetic Association.

The 5 Factor Diet
This diet claims to have been created to shape Hollywood’s hottest celebrities by following a few simple guidelines and has been recently featured on many popular TV shows and in magazines. This five-week plan emphasizes eating five times per day, using five ingredients or less per meal.

Pros: Reduced calorie, well-balanced diet includes meal plans and recipes that won’t break the budget. Doesn’t promote any supplements or vitamins. Includes an essential exercise component.
Cons: It’s marketed as only a five-week plan, however, it could be followed for much longer.

Weight Watchers
This tried and true healthy lifestyle plan utilizes a personalized points system to help people learn about proper portion sizes, healthy food substitutions and well-balanced meal planning. The diet can be adopted for short term, or for life. It has the added benefit of providing over 1,500 recipes and offers clients exercise advice.

Pros: Uses real food that you already love and teaches you healthy eating skills for life. Has the option for in-person, or online support to help you achieve your goals. Meal plans are customized to your specific needs.
Cons: Requires membership fee, may not be best suited for someone unable to prepare their own meals and you must be motivated to keep track of your daily points.

Danielle Phaneuf RD, LD, is a registered, licensed dietitian working both in clinical and private practice. To contact Danielle, visit Optimizenutrition.net.

Diet Plans to avoid!