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During the fall
and winter, I start
feeling blue. What
causes this, and what can I
do to brighten my mood?
A
If you feel depressed, fatigued,
and irritable the same time each
year, you may have a form of seasonal
affective disorder (SAD). SAD usually
occurs in fall or winter, but there are
those who have this condition during
the summer instead of, or in addition
to, during the fall or winter.
While we don’t know the exact causes
of SAD, certain hormones made in the
brain trigger attitude-related changes
at certain times of year in some people.
This might be due to less sunlight in the
fall and winter causing the brain to make
less serotonin, a chemical linked to brain
pathways that regulate mood. When
these nerve cell pathways don’t function
normally, the result can be feelings of
depression, along with symptoms of
fatigue, body aches, weight gain, trouble
concentrating, increased desire to be
alone, and greater need for sleep.
Spending time outside every day to
get more natural light, especially in
the morning, may help. Some people
find that a light box used for about
30 minutes a day also helps. Eating a
well-balanced diet and exercising may
help increase your energy. It’s also
important to stay involved with your
social circle and regular activities.
If you’ve been feeling depressed
and have symptoms of SAD, see your
doctor for an assessment. He or she will
recommend the right treatment for you.
SEASONAL MOODS
Tanya Martin, LICSW, CMHS
Behavioral Health
PeaceHealth Medical Group
600 Broadway
Longview, WA
360-414-2236
I’ve just learned
about C-View
imaging software
for mammography. Does the
Kearney Breast Center have
C-View, and how does it make
my mammogram better?
A
The Kearney Breast Center at
PeaceHealth St. John Medical
Center offers advanced C-View
technology combined with 3-D imaging.
When combined with 3-D imaging
software, C-View produces clinically
superior imaging results with better
visualization of masses, distortions, and
asymmetric abnormalities. It detects
41 percent more invasive cancers.
This dynamic duo in breast imaging
technology also reduces recalls for a
repeat mammogram by 35 percent.
The C-View software performs just
the single 3-D sweep on a patient and
then reconstructs those projections
to the 2-D image. This produces a
high-quality image. While the dose
of combined 2-D and 3-D imaging
remains below federally established
guidelines, with this new software the
patient’s exposure to the 2-D image
is eliminated, cutting the patient’s
radiation dose in half.
Not only does the C-View lower
the dose for the patient, it shortens
the exam and the time the patient is
under compression. It’s all part of our
Center’s design, intended to make our
patients’ experience as comfortable as
possible, from the moment they walk
in our doors to the last of any follow-
up care that might be necessary.
Ruth Melvin, RT(M)
Clinical Operations Supervisor
Kearney Breast Center
1615 Delaware St.
Longview, WA
360-414-2701
IMAGING
My son wants to
participate in high
school football, but
I’m concerned about injuries.
What’s the best way for him
to avoid getting hurt?
A
Injuries are common in all sports
and difficult to completely
avoid. There are some things you can do
to help your son prepare for the season:
■ ■
First make sure your son is in good
physical condition. It can be tough to
return to an intensive sport without
preparation and training over the
summer. A sports physical is a great
time for your doctor to assess your
son’s condition.
■ ■
Avoid very heavy weightlifting—
instead, go for moderate weights with
higher repetitions.
■ ■
Consider cross-training, not just
running and lifting weights.
■ ■
It is very important for the equipment
to fit well, especially the helmet.
■ ■
Talk to your son about concussions
and the signs to watch for, such as
headaches, difficulty concentrating,
and sensitivity to light. It’s important
that he tell the coaching staff and you
about any potential head injury—and
not just during practice or in the game.
Sometimes injuries can be due to
bad luck, but proper preparation and
well-fitting equipment are key to
avoiding injuries where possible.
SPORTS INJURIES
Andrea Young, MD
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
PeaceHealth Medical Group
1615 Delaware St.
Longview, WA
360-414-5750
It is very important for
the equipment to fitwell,
especially the helmet.
PEACEHEALTH IS PROUD
TO SUPPORT
…
Discover
Recovery
Walk
When:
Saturday, Sept. 24
■
■
Registration at 8:15 a.m.
■
■
Walk/run at 9 a.m.
■
■
Festivities end at noon.
Where:
Lions Shelter, Lake
Sacajawea, Longview
Info:
A fun walk/run to
celebrate those in recovery
from addiction and mental
illness. Enjoy snacks, prize
drawings, resource booths
and informative speakers.
Free T-shirts to the first
200 participants!
For more information,
call Michele Waltz at
360-430-6027.
peacehealth.org5