Posted by Liz Nichols on Mar 13, 2018
Casey Cook moderated a panel of AM Rotary medical professionals:  Rick Dobyns, Liz Loeb, Tom Novak and Susie Poulton
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
 
None
 
Announcements
 
Hazel Seaba, Dick Huber, Chris and Vernette Knapp attended NC-PETS.  Dick particularly appreciated the chance to get to know the other incoming presidents of District 6000 clubs.
 
We have received thank you notes from Table to Table and DVIP for the $2100 they each received from proceeds of the Trivia Night.
 
Mark Patton introduced Arnie O'Putter, the mascot for the World Rotary Mini-Golf tournament to be held in place of our April month opener at Colonial Lanes.  Sign up forms are on the tables during March meetings.
 
The June Bike Ride-TAKO fundraiser is in planning with the other area clubs.  Dick Huber will give details as things get planned.
 
There were many Happy Bucks, including $114 from Deb Dunkhase to celebrate the 114 patients who were helped by IAMOST in Huehuetenango.
 
Speakers
 
Casey Cook asked our health professionals to each give their thoughts on what we need to do to take care of ourselves as we age.  Tom Novak mentioned the ones he believes are obvious, but so often ignored:  keep moving and eat healthy.  Liz Loeb concentrated on mental health issues: when we maintain a large group of friends and family we tend to remain more optimistic and leads to lower levels of depression and improved self-care.  Poulton and Dobyns cited the 9 Powers that are commonly found in Blue Zones where people tend to live the longest:  Move naturally; know your purpose; down shift and unwind; stop eating when you are 80% full; wine at 5; eat predominately plants; create a healthy social network; be a part of a spiritual community; make family a priority.
 
On the topic of managing pain: People do not realize that even over-the-counter drugs like ibuprophen and Tylenol can be harmful to the GI track, raise blood pressure or harm the liver if taken in doses that are too high for the particular individual.  Tom Novak believes that attacking the pain issue takes multiple approaches, including massage, accupuncture, heat therapy, as well as medication.  The basic need is to keep the muscles strong throughout life to minimize the likelihood of pain.  Liz Loeb indicated that some pain is inevitable in life as we age and sometimes one needs to pick which pain to treat.  If one area of pain is managed it sometimes makes it easier to bear the remaining areas of pain.
 
What about most important health needs for those of other ages?  Susie Poulton indicated that mental health is the biggest issue in working with teens.  Liz Loeb finds insomnia is a huge problem with patients of any age.  Rick Dobyns finds people of 50 to 70 are in their prime years.