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May 7, 2010
Medical experts share
Ask the Doctors forum covered the health gamut.
DENA DAWSON
Nearly 300 community members showed up to the Jewish Seniors Alliance (JSA) annual spring forum, held April 25 at Beth Israel Synagogue. Entitled Ask the Doctors, the event featured four local specialists invited to speak to seniors and their families. Panelists included gynecologist Dr. Roy Jackson, urologist Dr. Joel Teichman of the University of British Columbia and St. Paul’s Hospital, cardiologist Dr. Saul Isserow of Vancouver General Hospital, UBC and UBC Hospital, and gastroenterologist Dr. Marty Fishman of UBC and vice-president of the B.C. Gastroenterology Society.
After a brief welcome by BI Rabbi Jonathan Infeld, Serge Haber, president of JSA, spoke about the programs offered by JSA, a liberty he said he would take advantage of while the audience was, he joked, “trapped.” Emcee for the evening was friendly and amusing BI Cantor Michael Zoosman.
Speaking first was Teichman, who focused on a new treatment for kidney stones. He noted that between two and 20 percent of adults, including many males in their 50s, develop stones. Using the old technology, the stones would be broken down into smaller pieces, but 40 to 60 percent of patients still required additional treatment. Now, Teichman said, they use “a laser blowtorch.” Every stone is vaporized and the success rate ranges from 90 to 100 percent. “It’s so boring, it’s fantastic!” he said. When asked about prevention, Teichman answered that it helps to drink more water and consume less animal protein.
Jackson, the second presenter, talked about incontinence, a problem common to many seniors. People who have this condition experience discomfort and a loss of urinary control. There are two types of incontinence: one, involuntary, can be helped with Kegel exercises and training from a physiotherapist. The other, overactive bladder (nervous or irritable), comes from organ prolapse. This can be helped with a pessary insert or, a more recommended choice, fixed with minor surgery. Fifteen minutes after the surgery, it’s time to go home – and it’s 90 percent successful. Jackson’s overall advice was to “start thinking about the pelvic floor.”
Isserow spoke on How to Keep Di Alta Kaka Alive, a title that gives you an idea of his engaging speaking style, one in which Yiddish words were inserted often. He told those gathered that coronary artery disease is responsible for 50 percent of deaths. The risk for females after menopause and males is equal. He noted that hardening of the arteries starts in young children and there is no genetic protection. High risk factors are hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking and diabetes. If someone has all of these factors, the risk is multiplied by a high percentage. Arterial blockage of more than 70 percent can be seen prior to a heart attack.
The final speaker joked that Jews have a particular interest in their kishkes (gut), as well as “what goes into it and what comes out.” Fishman showed a graph of the gastrointestinal tract and described the changes that occur as we age: muscle function can weaken, resulting in constipation and diverticulosis; resistance of the lining can weaken, leading to ulcers; more acid can reflux into the esophagus, causing mucosal damage; and colon cancer becomes more prevalent. Some of these problems can be aggravated by certain medications, said Fishman. The best strategy to prevent colon cancer is colonoscopy, which takes about 15 minutes. Unfortunately, he explained, in British Columbia, colonoscopy is only covered for people with symptoms, evidence of bleeding or a family history of colon cancer or polyps.
After a break for refreshments, the organizers had a clever idea for the question period. Each doctor was represented by a different colored sheet of paper with his picture and specialty on it. Attendees were particularly interested in prevention, differences between male and female symptomology and medications.
The Jewish Seniors Alliance of Greater Vancouver is a nonprofit that works on behalf of persons 55 years and older. Information can be found at jsalliance.org.
Dena Dawson is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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