You At Your Best

Special to NWa Democrat-Gazette A new era of health care leadership has begun at Northwest Health with the appointment of Denten Park to the position of market chief executive officer effective June 18. Park comes to the five- hospital network from Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruses, New Mexico, where he has served as CEO since 2009. "Northwest Health has established a strong tradition of providing patients with quality care close to home," said Park. "I welcome the opportunity to build upon this tradition and support the skilled and compassionate physicians and staff who are making a difference in individual lives each day and serving the broader community across northwestern Arkansas." Park is an accomplished healthcare leader with more than 20 years of executive management experience at hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers in Arizona, Wyoming and Utah. At Las Cruces, he recruited physicians and providers, built New Mexico's first free standing emergency center, launched the first trauma program for the Las Cruces community, expanded patient points of access to care and more. His collaborative approach has also led to consistent improvements in employee, physician and patient satisfaction. "Denten has a proven track record for working closely with physician partners to build lasting relationships and grow and improve the way hospitals serve their patients and communities," said James Roe, Board Chairman, Northwest Health. "He has the right experience to guide Northwest Health's strategic development as a regional network of providers that continues advancing to meet the needs of our local residents." Park earned his master's degree in business administration from New Mexico State University and his bachelor's degree in business management and social business from Utah State University. Community involvement and making an impact on youth is important to Park. He was a founding member of The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine as well as the president of the Las Cruces Public Schools Foundation. He is also the chairman of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce and a former board member of the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico. Additionally, he is a youth basketball coach and referee, a volunteer youth educator, and an Eagle Scout Board of Review member for the Boy Scouts of America. Northwest Health welcomes new CEO Special to NWa Democrat-Gazette It's your birthday, and you just finished celebrating with a big meal and cup of coffee. What comes next is something that was definitely not on the menu — the worst case of heartburn you've ever experienced. But wait…could that pain be something more serious? One of the more difficult tasks confronting physicians is distinguishing among the various possible causes of chest pain. Nearly 20 percent of patients who see their primary care physicians for chest pain have gastrointestinal problems. But, there are even distinctions between the possible GI-related causes. Heartburn, GERD and acid reflux are similar, but not necessarily the same conditions. Acid reflux refers to the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus — the tube that connects the throat and stomach. During an episode of acid reflux, you may taste regurgitated food or sour liquid at the back of your mouth, or feel a burning sensation in your chest. GERD, or gastro-esophageal reflux disease, is a more severe and chronic form of acid reflux. The most common symptom of GERD is frequent heartburn. Other signs and symptoms may include regurgitation of sour food or liquid, difficulty swallowing, coughing, wheezing and chest pain, especially when lying down at night. Occasional heartburn or reflux can be treated with over-the-counter antacids, or medications such as H2-receptor blockers (like Pepcid AC) or proton pump inhibitors (like Prilosec). But, if the condition becomes chronic, or you suspect you may have GERD, talk to your doctor about some of the new, minimally invasive procedures that can provide relief. Angina, on the other hand, can be a signal of a more dangerous heart condition. While there is overlap in the various symptoms, there are some indicators both common and unique to GERD and angina. If your chest pain is centered beneath your breastbone, gets worse with exertion, improves with rest or radiates to both arms, it is more likely to be angina. Chest pain that gets worse when lying down or bending over is more likely to be caused by GERD. There are also certain diagnostics and physical findings that may point to one condition or the other. If you find yourself suffering from GERD, or just occasional heartburn, here are some simple diet and lifestyle changes you can make, that will often address the problem without medication or treatment: • Defy gravity. Don't lie down within three hours of eating — that's when acid production is at its peak. Plan early suppers, and avoid bedtime snacking. • Eat small meals — especially late in the day. Make your main meal of the day the midday meal. • Experiment with trigger foods. Foods that trigger reflux differ from person to person. Start by removing fatty foods, onions and chocolate. Coffee, colas, tomatoes and citrus juices may also irritate the esophagus or stimulate excess stomach acid production. Try removing one or two foods at a time until you find what works best for you. Peppermint may relax the circular muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter), and allow stomach acid to migrate into the esophagus. • Watch your weight. Losing even a modest amount of weight can reduce the intensity or frequency of symptoms. Excess weight gain and abdominal pressure during pregnancy are a common cause of reflux — once the weight is lost after birth, the condition typically goes away. • Reduce your stress levels. Stress makes reflux, and just about every other medical condition, worse. Practicing yoga or meditation is an excellent non- medical treatment for occasional or modest reflux. You don't have to live with heartburn or gastric discomfort. These conditions are more common than you probably think, and your physician can help you discover both the cause and the solution. If you need help finding a physician experienced in the diagnosis or treatment of GERD or angina, call 800-734-2024 to schedule an appointment with a Northwest Health physician. The bottom line is, unless you have significant risk factors for — or an existing diagnosis of — heart disease, the most likely culprit for your pain after that big celebration meal is heartburn. But if the pain is unfamiliar, and the cause is uncertain, call 9-1-1. Better safe than sorry. Acid reflux, GERD, or angina? How can I tell, and should I be concerned? 4 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST JUlY - ThE 5 SEnSES | SATURdAY, JUnE 30, 2018

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