Gabe Uribe, 10, a proficient soccer player, shows his prowess by kicking the ball held by his sister Ava, 7, and his mother Cindy. By Greg Farrar

Cindy Uribe can remember when her 10-year-old son was just 16 months old, turning heads on the soccer pitch.

“We’d gone to the Seattle University’s soccer field for a pickup game. Gabe had an infant’s soccer ball and was dribbling it up and down the sideline,” she recalled. “The adults were amazed by Gabe showing such control at such a young age.”

However, Gabe is just now regaining those promising soccer skills. At age 3, something happened. A bout with a rare form of epilepsy sidetracked all of his motor skills.

A brain disorder begins

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that involves repeated seizures, triggered by changes in the electrical and chemical activity in the brain.

Epilepsy happens more in children than it does in adults, according to Seattle Children’s. While it affects about 1 percent of the general population, about 5 percent of children younger than 5 have epilepsy — or about one in every 20 children under 5.

There are several types of seizures. They include:

• Myoclonic — brief, shocklike jerks of a muscle or a group of muscles that usually cause abnormal movements on both sides of the body at the same time.
• Atonic — muscles suddenly lose strength; eyelids may droop, the head may nod, and the person may drop things and often falls to the ground.
• Tonic — muscle tone is greatly increased and the body, arms or legs make sudden stiffening movements.
• Clonic — rapidly alternating contraction and relaxation of a muscle — in other words, repeated jerking. The movements cannot be stopped by restraining or repositioning the arms or legs.
• Tonic-clonic — Also known as “grand mal,” a combined seizure of tonic and clonic characteristics.

“Gabe had them all,” said Gabe’s father Mauricio. “The seizures were so constant, he had to take narcotics to calm his body down.”

At his worst, Gabe was experiencing 1,000 seizures a day.

That finally led to a diagnosis of epilepsy with myoclonic absences. It occurs more in boys.

“After the original diagnosis, we didn’t read much of the literature,” Mauricio said. “A lot of it said the prognosis was almost little chance of survival.”

And many of those who did survive suffered irreparable brain damage, he added.

Cindy said epilepsy with myoclonic absences cannot be treated with conventional medications.

“It probably doesn’t get the attention it deserves because it occurs in only 1 percent of epilepsies,” she said. “But it’s very debilitating.”

Medications and a miracle diet

At the illness’ worst, Gabe was being given a revolving door of medications. At its best, the medications reduced his seizures from 1,000 a day to just 50.

While both Cindy and Mauricio considered that a blessing, it still was too many for a developing boy already way behind his peers.

Because Gabe wasn’t a candidate for surgery, his parents were reading up about any other solutions. They heard about a diet that their neurologist highly recommended they give a try — the ketogenic diet. Essentially, it’s an extreme version of the Atkins diet. Cindy said that with the help of a dietician, Gabe was kept on a 90 percent fat diet, with 5 percent proteins and 5 percent carbs.

“He ate a lot of butter and cream,” she said.

They even had to monitor his toothpaste, as it, too, has some amounts of sugar.

“His 4th birthday cake was the worst,” Cindy said. “It was baked cream with Splenda.”

Then, a funny thing began to happen — the diet was working. Just a week after beginning, Gabe had just six seizures. By age 5, the seizures were gone and he was off the diet.

His parents remember the date well.

“His last seizure was Aug. 23, 2005,” Cindy said. “It was fast and furious. His epilepsy ended as quickly as it began.”

Gabe had to spend the next few years making up his developmental setback in therapy — occupational, speech and physical. Sports were a slow reintegration process. They discovered gymnastics actually helped with the big muscle groups.

After years of daily visits to specialists, it was almost meant to be that the soccer team Gabe ended up on in the Issaquah Soccer Club was Seattle Children’s.

“I was excited when I saw Children’s on the uniform,” Gabe said. “That’s why I turned out for Gunners league.”

The league and team were perfect for Gabe, as they emphasized having fun over winning. Cindy said Gabe still has to work very hard to keep up with his peers, but that won’t stop him.

“I like the determination he has,” she added. “But we don’t push him to score.”

“Which I do a lot,” Gabe emphasized.

David Hayes: dhayes@isspress.com or 392-6434, ext. 237. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.

There is no admission fee and all ages are welcome.

More than 40 local vendors will discuss their services and wares, including Balance Physical Therapy, Banic Chiropractic and Dr. Troy Schmedding.

Many vendors will offer free medical tests, such as blood pressure checks, blood sugar measurements and Body Mass Index calculations. Others vendors include:

• Acupuncture Associates & Wellness Group
• Bel-Red Pediatric Dentistry
• Highlands Dentistry
• The Balanced Spine
• Restorix Health
• Homewatch Caregivers
• Spiritwood at Pine Lake
• Virginia Mason
• Eastside Audiology & Hearing Services
• Wellness One of Eastgate

More than 1,500 people attended the fair in 2011.

Issaquah and Sammamish Citizen Emergency Response Team members will be on hand to provide emergency preparedness information. Children’s fingerprinting will also be offered to parents.

The fair is presented by Swedish/Issaquah in cooperation with The Issaquah Press and the city of Issaquah Parks & Recreation Department.

For vendor information, contact Amelia Vesper at 392-6434, ext. 237, or avesper@isspress.com.

• National Cervical Cancer Coalition
• 818-992-4242
• info@nccc-online.org
• www.nccc-online.org/awareness.html

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

• Prevent Blindness America
• 800-331-2020 toll free
• 312-363-6001
• 312-363-6052 fax
• info@preventblindness.org
• http://preventblindness.org

Thyroid Awareness Month

• American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
• 904-353-7878
• 904-404-4207 fax
• kpan@aace.com
• www.aace.com

National Birth Defects Prevention Month

• National Birth Defects Prevention Network
• nbdpn@nbdpn.org
• www.nbdpn.org

National Radon Action Month

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• 202-343-9206
• 202-343-2394 fax
• www.epa.gov/radon/nram

National Folic Acid Awareness Week Jan. 8-14

• National Council on Folic Acid
• 800-621-3141, ext. 13 toll free
• 202-944-3285 ext. 13
• 202-944-3295 fax
• ncfa@sbaa.org
• www.folicacidinfo.org

Source: 2012 National Health Observances, National Health Information Center, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.

Alzheimer’s and Caregiver Family Support Group: 6-7:30 p.m. second Thursday, Faith United Methodist Church, 3924 Issaquah-Pine Lake Road S.E., 313-7364.

Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support groups: A free information and support group for care partners, family members and friends of individuals with dementia meets the second Thursday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 3924 Issaquah-Pine Lake Road S.E. Call 486-7621.

Angel Care-Breast Cancer Foundation: free emotional support to the newly diagnosed, enhancing emotional recovery while going through treatments, www.angelcarefoundation.org

Bereavement Support Group: 7-8:30 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Overlake Hospital, 688-5906

Family Caregivers Support Group: 3-4:30 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, Overlake Senior Health Center, 1750 112th Ave. N.E., Suite A-101, Bellevue, 688-5807

Issaquah Parkinson’s Support Group: 1:30-3 p.m., second Monday, Our Savior Lutheran Church, 745 Front St. S., 206-230-0166 or 392-4169

Overeaters Anonymous: 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Our Savior Lutheran Church, 745 Front St. S. Call 392-2488 or 761-2555. Childcare available upon request.

Parkinson’s Disease Support Group: 1:30 p.m. second Monday, Our Savior Lutheran Church library, 745 Front St. S., 206-938-8298

Prostate Cancer Support Group: 7 p.m. third Tuesday, Lincoln Center, 555 116th Ave. N.E., Suite 125, Bellevue, 369-2552

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly): 9:30 a.m. Thursdays, Our Savior Lutheran Church, 745 Front St. S., 746-4195 or 391-1889

Novanhealth.org

Each year, millions of people suffer from a cold or flu, and this year is likely to be no different. Between 15 million and 61 million people in the United States will get the flu this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Temperature taking is a key indicator of flu patterns and should be taken seriously, according to Mary Pappas, the New York-area school nurse credited with first alerting officials about the H1N1 outbreak in 2009.

“The flu usually comes with a fever while the common cold does not, so taking your temperature is the easiest way to tell the difference,” she said.

A high or prolonged fever can be an indicator of when to seek medical attention, so it’s important to monitor your temperature on an ongoing basis when you are sick.

Pappas has been taking temperatures for nearly 30 years and, as a school nurse, takes as many as 50 per day. But whether it’s one temperature or 100, she maintains that the most important consideration is that it be accurate. While there are many types of thermometers available, Pappas favors the Exergen TemporalScanner because of its proven accuracy and ease-of-use; all it requires is a simple swipe across the forehead.

“Whether it’s a student at my school or a parent at home, I know taking a temperature can be a challenge, especially with young children who may be uncomfortable and fussy,” Pappas said. “What I love about the TemporalScanner is that it’s not invasive like an ear, rectal or oral thermometer. No matter what a student comes to see me for, I’m able to get an accurate reading. It’s so easy to use that you can take someone’s temperature even when they are sleeping and not disturb them.”

To help you prepare and cope throughout the cold and flu season, Pappas recommends the following school nurse-approved tips:

1. Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water to help prevent the spread of germs, or use hand sanitizer. Many public buildings provide hand sanitizer, so when you see it, use it.

2. Avoid sharing drinks or food with others unless you want to share their germs.

3. Frequently clean commonly touched areas, like doorknobs and light switches.

4. Always cover your mouth with your elbow or sleeve when you cough or sneeze.

5. Throw away tissues immediately after use.

6. If you have a fever, monitor your temperature regularly and check with your doctor about taking a fever reducer and an anti-inflammatory, like ibuprofen.

7. Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.

8. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air and help drain congestion.

9. Stay home from work or school if you are sick to avoid spreading germs, and make sure your fever is gone for at least 24 hours before you return.

10. Consider speaking with your doctor about getting a flu shot. They are conveniently available in many physicians’ offices, pharmacies and public health centers.

Remember that while a cold is rarely serious, the flu can lead to additional complications, particularly in young children and the elderly. Learn more about how to prepare for the cold and flu season at www.exergen.com/coldfluseason.

Source: ARAContent

Public Health – Seattle & King County released the latest findings about the infectious disease Nov. 21 in the 2010 TB report. The report also details local efforts to control the disease, and the ongoing and expensive challenge of battling drug resistant strains.

In 2010, the public health agency’s TB Program identified 114 cases of active TB, and provided treatment and or evaluation to more than 1,100 King County residents suffering from active or latent TB.

“TB control is an essential investment in the health of our communities that helps us fight the local effects of this global disease,” Dr. David Fleming, director and health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, said in a statement. “In these difficult budget times, state funding support for this work is now threatened, but we can’t afford to let down our guard.”

Officials said almost one in five patients treated for active TB in King County is resistant to at least one medication. The costs of treating multidrug resistant TB can add up to $250,000 for each case.

Officials said about 84 percent of people infected in King County had been born outside the United States, primarily Southeast Asia, India, East Africa and Central America.

In addition, about 100,000 people — or about 5 percent of people in King County — have latent TB infection.

Globally, about 2 million die from TB every year, and one third of the population is infected.

In addition to diagnosing and treating people for active TB, the TB Control Program also screens the family, friends and close contacts of people suffering from active TB. In 2010, the TB Program tested more than 450 close contacts of people and found nearly one-quarter had been infected with latent, or dormant, TB.

“If we catch TB infection before it becomes active, treatment is cheaper and easier,” Dr. Masa Narita, TB Control Officer for the public health agency, said in a statement. “Best of all, fewer people will get sick with active tuberculosis.”

Health experts recommend for everyone 6 months of age and older to get the flu vaccine, especially children, pregnant women, elderly people and people suffering from health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.

The flu season usually peaks in February or later, and can last as late as May.

“No one wants to spend the holidays sick with flu,” Dr. David Fleming, director and health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, said in a statement. “Even people who were vaccinated last season should be vaccinated again to boost their protection.”

The flu vaccine is available at doctors’ offices, clinics, pharmacies, public health centers and other providers. Find a flu shot clinic at www.flucliniclocator.org. Find complete information about seasonal influenza at www.kingcounty.gov/health/flu.

Officials said healthy habits can limit the spread of contagious illnesses, including the flu. Cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands often, avoid close contact with ill people, and stay home from work, school and other public settings when ill.

Gout, a form of acute arthritis, is a painful, inflammatory reaction in joints from fluid buildup that creates needlelike crystals. Thinkstock

More than 8.3 million Americans are affected by gout.

A form of acute arthritis, gout occurs as a result of the body’s inflammatory reaction to needlelike crystals that form in joint fluid when there is an excess of uric acid in the fluid. Uric acid is a waste product of cell metabolism in the body.

Gout has been recognized and studied since the time of the ancient Egyptians. Hippocrates called gout the “un-walkable disease.” Galileo Galilei, Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin all suffered from gout. In times when overindulgence and obesity was a rarity, gout was considered a disease of the rich and powerful and was frequently referred to as “the disease of kings.”

When these crystals appear in a joint, the joint and surrounding tissue become inflamed, leading to swelling and causing nerve endings in the area to become irritated, leading to intense pain. Occurring most commonly in the big toe, attacks are usually sudden and cause extreme and often debilitating pain. The pain is usually so excruciating that the sufferer cannot bear weight on the afflicted joint. The inflamed skin over the joint will appear red, shiny and dry.

‘As tender as an open wound’

Issaquah resident Brian Wall experienced his first gout flareup in his left big toe at age 38. Originally, he had thought he had sprained or broken his toe, but in a doctor’s examination he was found to have gout.

“It feels like a bunch of cut-up fish hooks in your joint,” Wall said. “I’ve had it so bad I’ve had to wear slippers to work. It gets to be so sensitive it hurts to even put a piece of ice on it. It’s as tender as an open wound. I’ve had my chest cut open for surgery and that wasn’t as painful as one outbreak of gout.”

Wall’s gout has spread to the top his left foot and knee. When experiencing an attack in his knee, Wall is crippled to the extent of needing crutches.

“Gout can certainly be dramatic when it hits, but it is one of the most gratifying conditions to treat because with available medicines it can be easily treated and with appropriate therapy, prevented from causing long-term damage,” said Dr. Philip Mease, director of rheumatology research at Swedish Medical Center. “It’s most often found in men, more often in lower extremity joints but can occur in other joints, such as the ankle, hand, wrist or elbow.”

Uric acid is found naturally in the blood stream and is formed as the body breaks down nutrients, mainly those containing purine. Purine is produced by the human body but is also found in high concentrations in certain foods, including organ meats, red meat, shellfish, dried peas and beans.

Even though gout is generally found in men age 45 or older, post-menopausal women bear nearly the same risk as men their age.

According to Mease, higher levels of uric acid exist in those who are obese, eat a poor diet, suffer from hypertension or experience poor kidney function.

“It’s people who live a rich lifestyle and indulge in less healthy diets of foods rich in purines, not adequately balanced by fruits, vegetables and grains,” Mease said.

If you have a family history of gout you may inherit gout genetically.

Medication, diet can help

Generally, the kidneys filter uric acid from the blood and excrete it in urine. Sometimes the body will produce more uric acid or the kidneys are less efficient filtering the substance from the blood. This results in a condition known as hyperuricemia.

When there are high levels of uric acid circulating in the blood, urate crystals may appear in joint fluid not unlike the sugar crystals that form around the lip of a syrup jar when the liquid portion of syrup dries, Mease said.

“The goal is to have the uric acid level below six milligrams per deciliter to avoid this crystallization phenomenon,” he said.

Being hyperuricemic doesn’t necessarily mean gout episodes will occur, but even if gout does not occur, very high uric aid levels can result in silent crystal deposition in the kidneys, contributing to impaired kidney function. Besides having a high uric acid level, certain traumatic events can bring on gout attacks, such as a major medical event like infection, surgery or the stress of hospitalization. Even a stubbed toe or a heavy drinking binge can spur inflammation.

“It’s not unusual to see levels of seven to nine fairly routinely,” Mease said. “Not all people with levels this high have attacks, but with the higher levels comes an increased probability an attack will occur.”

An attack of gouty arthritis may go away in a week and disappear for months but over the course of time attacks may recur more frequently, last longer and affect more joints.

Late-phase gout yields chronically painful, deforming and debilitating arthritis affecting many joints, and rocks of crystals known as tophi may develop near joints.

“Late-stage chronic gout can have a destructive effect on joints,” Mease said.

Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen should be taken at the first sign of a gout attack. Prescription medications that may be prescribed include prednisone or colchicine, both of which can also reduce inflammation and pain. If a patient has multiple attacks in one year, tophi or kidney stones, allopurinol or newer medicines such as febuxostat may be prescribed to decrease levels of uric acid in the blood in order to prevent recurrent attacks, formation of tophi and injury to the kidney.

“If these medications used to treat inflammation aren’t rapidly effective one can inject the joint with corticosteroids,” Mease said.

Corticosteroids give short-term pain relief and helps to reduce swelling and inflammation of the gouty joint.

Mease said gout is treatable and most physicians are well versed in the nuances of managing attacks.

“A good way to prevent gout is to eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid obesity through regular exercise,” he said. “But if you are someone who is genetically programmed to have a high uric acid level despite excellent self care, the medicines we have available are highly effective and tolerated, so we should succeed in controlling the un-walkable disease.”

In addition to drunken driving and distracted driving, drowsy driving can cause devastating effects on Washington roadways.

In 2010, drowsy driving caused 17 deaths and 74 seriously injured motorists in Washington. Estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than 100,000 accidents nationwide each year.

“It always breaks my heart to hear that someone was killed or injured because a driver fell asleep at the wheel. These are totally preventable deaths and collisions,” Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said in a statement.

Groups nationwide observed Drowsy Driving Prevention Week from Nov. 6-12.

The state patrol recommends specific steps to prevent drowsy driving and fall-asleep crashes:

• Get a good night’s sleep before hitting the road.
• Do not be too rushed to arrive at your destination. Many drivers try to maximize a holiday weekend by driving at night or without stopping for breaks.
• Use the buddy system. Avoid driving alone for long distances. A buddy who remains awake for the journey can take a turn behind the wheel and help identify the warning signs of fatigue.
• Take a break every 100 miles or two hours.
• Take a nap. Find a safe place to take a 15- to 20-minute nap if you think you might fall asleep. Be cautious about excessive drowsiness after waking up.
• Avoid alcohol and medications capable of causing drowsiness as a side effect.
• Avoid driving at times when you might otherwise be asleep.

Troopers reminded motorists to know the warning signs of drowsy driving, such as heavy eyelids, difficulty keeping your head up, drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating, hitting rumble strips, missing traffic signs and exits, and feeling irritable and restless.

• “Weight Loss Surgery Seminar” — 6 p.m. Nov. 22, free
• “Condensed Series Preparation for Childbirth & Newborn Care” — 9 a.m. Dec. 2 & 10, $95 per couple
• “You and Your New Baby” — 10 a.m. Nov. 14, $55