Stress Echo

Ultrasound Used to Reveal Heart Damage

A new test available at Kneibert Clinic, the stress echocardiogram, is a an addition to the treadmill stress test for heart testing.

"This gives an echogram of the heart by using ultrasound which determines if you have heart damage," says Kneibert Administrator Bob Christian.. "It's a non-evasive type of procedure. As far as I know we are the only ones in town that have it."

Tthe new stress echo equipment will be used by Dr. Ken Li and Dr. Prem Varma, internal medicine doctors at the clinic.

- Lonnie Thiele

Beat the Heat

Tips on Preventing Dehydration and Heatstroke

August 2001 (Newstream) - The tragic death of Korey Stringer, right tackle for the Minnesota Vikings, is a reminder that many of us do not properly hydrate our bodies when temperatures soar. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing strenuous exercise or just being exposed to a high heat index -- by the time you get thirsty, your body is already dehydrated which is all the more reason to remember to drink enough fluids, especially water-- before dehydration occurs.

Bill Holloway, CEO and founder of Bio-Hydration Research Lab, Inc. in San Diego, makers of Penta™ drinking water, says that most people have no idea how much liquid they really need, and when they need it, to avoid dehydration.

"We are told that we should drink 8 glasses of water a day, but proper hydration is really based on body weight and how active you are," said Holloway. "A 200 lb. man who works out a lot needs more water than a 100 lb. woman working in an air-conditioned office. Essentially you need to drink _ your body weight in ounces daily, and more if you’re active or subject to high temperatures. It’s important to drink all day long. Of course, water in its purest form is the best hydrator. Beverages with sugars or caffeine actually slow the hydration process because the body’s cells must first process the extra ingredients before they allow the pure water in. When cells are extremely dehydrated, heat stroke can result."

Don Baylor, Manager of the Chicago Cubs and avid Penta water drinker, agrees. "For hot and muggy days, you have to prepare beforehand," Baylor says. "Hydration is definitely needed in our sport and I know that football players and all athletes that exert a lot of energy, need to hydrate. When the heat index is going to be very high, I start pumping players with water one day before or even two days before."

Dr. Gene Steiner, host of "Healthy Advice," a syndicated radio health show on KRLA NewsTalk radio in Los Angeles, is a huge advocate of proper hydration. He says that the elderly and children are particularly at risk for heatstroke and dehydration -- the elderly because their bodies don’t tell them soon enough to drink before they’re already dehydrated, and children because they drink more sodas and other beverages with sugars than they do water.

"Amazingly, for the elderly, 40 to 50% of deaths occur because of dehydration," said Dr. Steiner. "And kids, they just don’t drink enough water which is so important to laying down bone density up to the age of 25. Parents and kids don’t realize that soft drinks actually leach out the phosphoric acid important to building strong bones."

Both Bill Holloway and Dr. Steiner agree that to avoid heatstroke and dehydration, people should take the following steps:

1. Drink a glass water first thing in the morning before eating to jumpstart your metabolism.
2. Drink constantly throughout the day, every 15 to 20 minutes or so.
3. Avoid beverages with sugars, caffeine and sodium; they actually slow the hydration process.
4. Drink water in advance, during and after exercise to reduce post-workout soreness.
5. Drink water to clean the system if under unusual stress (chemical, physical or emotional).

A new drinking water on the market called Penta actually hydrates the body faster because its smaller H2O clusters enter the bloodstream more rapidly. To prevent dehydration, the body’s cells need pure water. The smaller the clusters of molecules are, the quicker the cells hydrate.

A pure drinking water with no additives or preservatives, athletes and consumers claim thatPenta boosts athletic performance and physical endurance; improves mobility; accelerates healing and reduces edema (swelling); reduces soreness after exercise; increases energy and alertness; increases metabolic rate and fluid exchange; is an effective delivery agent for nutrients; provides optimal absorption of vitamins and supplements, and helps moisturize hair and skin. Penta has no known side effects.

To learn more about Penta, visit www.hydrateforlife.com

Disclaimer: The US Food & Drug Administration has not evaluated these claims. This product is not intended for the prevention, cure or treatment of any disease. Use of product names in news articles is for information purposes only and does not imply endorsement by Kneibert Clinic.