From the President

Dear Friends,
Many times, people aren't aware of their body's inner workings unless there's a problem. That's usually fine; it allows us to get on with the important work of living our lives.

That approach doesn't serve us well, however, when it comes to preventative health care measures. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths, but a recent study states that 90 percent of those deaths could be avoided through early detection. That's why getting regular exams and a screening colonoscopy is so important, beginning at age 50 for most adults. Find out more about conditions and procedures related to gastroenterology in this publication.

In this issue we also take a look at seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a major depressive illness that occurs during winter months among some people living in cold, darker climates (West Michigan, for example). Scientists liken SAD to a kind of human hibernation; our Behavioral Health psychiatrists offer some solutions.

Speaking of hibernation, if you have the opposite problem and are becoming sleep-deprived, you might be one of the 4 percent of adults who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Our Center for Sleep Disorders has recently expanded to help you get a good night's sleep. Read about it inside.

As a facility dedicated to health care, one of our goals at Holland Hospital is to empower you to take control of your health as much as possible. We hope the information in Healthy Life helps you do just that.

Wishing you health and happiness in the new year,

Dale Sowders
President and CEO|Holland Hospital

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