Cara Mia Blog

2012-01-05T07:43:00.000-08:00

Hello
Friends. Happy New Year! I wanted to remind all of you as the New
Year begins to remember your skin. I went to the gym (for the first time
in a long, long time) yesterday and it was packed. This got me thinking
of how many patients I have not seen in awhile. Many of us neglect or
forget about the largest organ of the body. So as I need help and
reminders to get to the gym I wanted to remind all of you to remember your skin
and get in for an appointment today.

I hope to see you all at our seminar Dr. Mahlberg and Denise are giving Wed
1/11/12 from 6-8pm.

Thanks!!

Ana

Cool Sculpting

2011-11-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks! It’s Ana here @ Caramiadayspa!

Have you heard about our new “Cool” treatment? Are you ready for a cool body?

Do you exercise?
Do you watch what you eat?
Do you want a treatment that’s non-surgical?
Are you scared of needles?
Don’t want any downtime?
Do you want your clothes to fit better?
Do you want to look better in a swimsuit?
Do you want results that last?
Do you want your body back?
Do you want to look great for the upcoming holidays?

Then you need to come in for a “cool” consult. Please feel free to call me
with any questions 303-350-4600.
See you soon!
Ana

Have you ever used the expression “I know it like the back of my hand”?

2011-06-23T11:09:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon friends. We have been really busy here at Caramiadayspa. The count down is on for the “Girls Night Out” in September and I can’t wait. If your looking for a good tan this summer then come in and see me. Our tanning system is one of the best and I always feel like I have the kissed by the sun look when I get sprayed. Anyway I was shuffling through some old papers and I came across this paragraph. It made me laugh so I thought I would share it with you all. So read it and let me know what you think and please call me for any questions regarding products or treatments…

Have you ever used the expression “I know it like the back of my hand”? Well then did you know…one square inch of your skin is home to:

• 65 hairs
• 100 sebaceous glands
• 78 yards of nerves
• 650 sweat glands
• 19 yards of blood vessels
• 9,500,000 cells
• 1,300 nerve endings
• 20,000 sensory cells

just to name… um… a few. The skin makes up about 15% of our total weight and covers 20 square feet. Your skin actually protects you from free radicals, air pollution, rocks, bugs or anything damaging from your environment. It’s working HARD to renew itself every second of every day. So how well do you really know the back of your hand?

Xoxo,
Ana

Skin and Stress

2011-05-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

The skin is the largest organ of the body. Did you know that?

It’s also a stress detector.

The skin reflects the inner and outer stress our bodies face every day---
physical and emotional.

The concepts of stress management and self- improvement fuel a multibillion dollar industry. Consider all the books, diet centers, gyms, spiritual groups, and reality TV shows (to name a few) spotlighting the subjects and offering a variety of solutions.

It’s stressful just thinking about all that’s out there. Our poor skin!

Tip:

Try following these simple dietary ABC’s to manage the effects of stress on your skin.

Indeed, there are many more ways we can nourish and protect our skin---
Like using sunscreen everyday!!
Your Cara Mia and DAC clinician can help you choose the best one for you.

Meanwhile, these suggestions may not eliminate whatever is stressing you--
But they may help reduce the effects of stress on your skin!

Won’t that feel, and look, great?

Add antioxidant-rich foods whenever possible.
These help reduce free radicals found in inflammatory conditions like acne and in tissue damaged by sun exposure and age.
Suggestion: Red or purple fruits, such as berries, or brightly colored vegetables are best.

Boost the bran.
Fiber-rich foods promote a healthy digestive system, body, and skin.
Suggestion: Probiotics help with bowel regularity. Available in liquid and tablet supplements. Also in some yogurts.

Crank up the collagen.
Combine lean protein intake with Calcium, Iron, and Vitamin C.
These essential nutrients help with collagen synthesis---
key to improving dry, loose, and sagging skin.
Suggestion: Soy and legumes are tasty non-meat protein sources.

Down the water.
Drink a glass of purified water before and after meals. Actually--whenever you can.
Water helps flush the waste from our bodies.
Suggestion: Filtered water pitchers are convenient, green, and helpful reminders.

Spring is here !

2011-05-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends! Happy May! I love the smell of spring and seeing the flowers for sale at the stores. Today I was thinking of summer activities such as camping, boating, golfing, hiking, gardening and being outdoors. The excitement of it all prompted me to write this blog. With that being said May is Melanoma Awareness month. It is extremely important to wear sunscreen as we head into these warmer months. With the warmer weather we tend to be outdoors more often. I would also suggest having a full body skin exam if it has been awhile since you have had one. Here are some Facts about skin Cancer:

Skin cancer and melanoma account for about 50% of all types of cancers diagnosed combined.
Skin cancer is one of the more preventable types of cancer.
More than 90% of skin cancer is caused by excessive exposure to the sun.
Each hour, 1 person dies from skin cancer.

So if you have any questions or would like help with products please give me a call 303-350-4600 I am standing by to serve you!
See you soon.
Ana Stearns PMA, BBS

April is Rosacea awareness month

2011-04-16T22:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! April is Rosacea awareness month and Sun protection is the fundamental step in helping with Rosacea. This month all of our sunscreens are 10% off. One of my favorite sun screens is the Sunfogettable brush. The Sunforgettable brush has highly refined minerals that shield skin from damaging effects from the sun and environment, helping to defend skin against the signs of aging and rosacea! If you need help finding a sun screen stop in or give me a call. I’d love to help! SEE YOU SOON~ Ana PMA, BBS

Message from Ana

2011-03-08T15:33:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends! Ana here @ Cara Mia Day Spa. Spring is right arround the corner and soon we all will be wearing shorts, bathing suits and tank tops. So if you want to smooth out your cellulite or flatten a bulge then come in and get Velashape! Its 20% off for the month of March and it will make you look and feel completely ready to put on that bikini. We can also discuss our Bio-Ceramic shorts that help you lose weight while you wear them. Yes that is right... they help you burn calories while you wear them. So get your appointment today, as we are booking up fast.

Look foward to seeing you!

Ana

Fraxel message from Jennifer

2011-02-01T16:10:00.000-08:00

Its winter again! It is easy to forget one very important thing…… you, so what a better way to celebrate a new year for yourself then improving your skin.

We have many ways to revive tired skin at CaraMia, but our most dramatic transformations happen with the Fraxel: repair laser. The Fraxel: repair laser is a revolutionary way of treating wrinkles, irregular skin texture, age spots, and sun damage.

So how does it work? The laser is a fractionated CO2 laser that puts pinpoint holes in the skin, as these areas heal, new collagen growth is stimulated and the result is fresher healthy skin that is tighter, smoother, and younger looking. Another plus of this procedure is the minimal downtime. About 10 – 14 days is recommended depending on the aggressiveness of the treatment.

So if you have been contemplating a face lift, but know you are not ready to go under the knife, the Fraxel: repair may be the answer.

Contact us for a consult or to answer further questions.
Here are some pictures of our very own patients

2011-02-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

14 ways to improve your skin this February

1. Know your skin. Not all products and procedures are equal; knowing the specific needs of your skin will allow you to create the best care routine. Visit us this month for a skin consultation! Receive 14% off if you book and are seen in the month of February.

2. Wear your sunscreen. The obvious one, but make it a habit to apply an SPF of 30 or greater everyday before you leave the house to protect yourself from the daily rays, not just extended exposure in the mountains or at the pool.

3. Obagi NuDerm. An all in one skin rejuvenation you can do at home – no lasers required.

4. Exfoliate the Face. Simple procedures like the Diamondtome, or Dermasweep remove excess dead skin cells and leave your face smooth and glowing in only 30 -45mins.

5. Exfoliate the Body. Indulge in a sugar scrub this month- all the sweetness, but none of the calories. Leaves the skin on your entire body feeling soft and healthy. Receive 14% off if you book and are seen in the month of February.

6. Limit sugar in your diet. I know, it's a bummer but sugar intake causes a process of glycation in the body. This process damages the collagen and elastin proteins which keep our skin firm. Here's a trade off though – we can justify dark chocolate because of the antioxidant properties and because 60 grams of dark chocolate equals an SPF of 2!

7. Check out Velashape. A device that reduces cellulite and promotes skin firming all without surgery……need we say more?

8. Antioxidants on the outside. Help fight aging and free radicals with topical Vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, Vitamin E, Green Tea, and Vitamin A. All available at Cara Mia.
Receive 14% off if you book and are seen in the month of February.

9. Antioxidants on the inside. Multiple cell processes create free radicals inside the body, so consuming antioxidant rich foods is an important part of protecting the youthfulness of your skin. Good sources include nuts, fruits, and vegetables like blueberries, kiwi, dark leafy greens, walnuts, and red peppers.

10. Beauty Sleep. Getting enough shut eye, at least 7-8 hrs a night can seem difficult if not impossible. However the results of too little sleep can be even more detrimental than you think. Aside from unsightly under eye circles too little sleep can increase stress hormone production in the body which can cause damage to cells and ultimately lead to more free radicals and earlier onset of aging.

11. Get a Peel. Peels are an easy means to increase cell cycle turnover, stimulate collagen, and leave your skin with that youthful glow.

12. Switch your makeup. Many products contain additives that clog pores and leave residue on the skin. Here at Cara Mia we offer ColoreScience. A product line that uses only pure mineral ingredients which actually have anti-inflammatory properties, making them essential for acne prone skin. Plus this line has the Skin Cancer Foundation seal of approval.

13. Sweat it out. Exercise gets the blood pumping and provides oxygenation and therefore nutrients to all cells of the body.

14. Invest in a Clarisonic brush. Don’t have time to come in for a peel or diamondtome on a regular basis. Purchase this handheld device to exfoliate and improve the texture of your skin in the comfort of your own home. The Clarisonic sets itself apart from competition brushes by using ultrasonic waves to gently cleanse the skin, while the knock off brushes can be abrasive. Receive 14% off if you book and are seen in the month of February.

Keep it clean!, from Maureen Dooley

2011-01-31T06:42:00.000-08:00

Keep it clean!

Do you wash your hair in the shower?
Chances are you do.
And while that shampoo and crème rinse may be beneficial to your lovely locks, they may be leaving a residue on your skin.

Tip:
Wash your face as the last part of your showering routine.

Consult your Cara Mia clinician regarding the best cleanser for your face.
Then put a bottle of it in your shower.

After you’ve rinsed off all the hair products, THEN wash your face.

This way you’re guaranteed clean, conditioned hair AND a clean, conditioned face each time you shower.

Message from Anna

2011-01-28T06:37:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends! Its Ana here @ Caramiadayspa just wanted you all to know that February is National Heart healthy month. And Friday February 4^th is national wear red to work day! Also if your skin is feeling a little uneven and worn down from the dry winter we've had, come in and get a Glow De Sal (salt scrub). This treatment feels amazing and not only smoothes out the skin, but you will be so relaxed you’ll never want to leave.

And if you can’t make it in and your looking for a good home remedy mix together lemon juice, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide into a paste and loofah off the dry yucky skin!

I hope to see you all soon

Our newest member

2010-08-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

Next time you visit the Aurora office please take the time to say hello to our newest member of the team.

Dr. Kimberly Maino

Dr Kimberly Maino is a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon and board certified Dermatologist. She graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1991. On a Naval scholarship, she completed her MD at Medical University of South Carolina in 1995. She completed a surgical internship at Portsmouth Naval Hospital from 1995-1996. She was a Naval Flight surgeon until 2003 and was stationed with a Marine Corps helicopter squadron. She completed her dermatology residency at the combined Walter Reed Army Hospital/National Naval Medical Center in 2003. She stayed on staff at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda and was Assistant Program Director until 2006. She was also a consultant to the White House and to the US Naval Academy. She completed Mohs fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 2007. She completed her Naval career at Naval Medical Center San Diego from 2007-2010. She was Head, Procedural Dermatology and Cutaneous Oncology and resident surgical training syllabus. Her father is a former Marine who has found a home in Colorado. She has a 1 year old daughter and her husband is a family practitioner in Arvada.

2010-08-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

JOIN DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF COLORADO IN THE WALK TO CURE PSORIASIS!

ABOUT PSORIASIS:

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. People affected by psoriasis are at an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory diseases. People with psoriasis often face discrimination and embarrassment because others mistakenly fear the condition is contagious. As many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis for which there is no cure.

There are five common types of psoriases, but the most common form is called plaque psoriasis. Family history is very important. If you have a family member with psoriasis, you have a 10% chance of developing psoriasis.

The typical symptoms of psoriasis are red, itchy patches or spots, raised bumps, or silvery scales. Up to 30% of people who have psoriases develop psoriatic arthritis.

Although there are many advances in the treatment of psoriasis, to date there is no cure. Please join Dermatology Associates of Colorado (DAC) in the local psoriasis walk to help find a cure for psoriasis on August 29, 2010 at 9:00am at Washington Park. You may go to walk.psoriasis.org to learn more about the walk.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PSORIASIS FOUNDATION: (NPF)

The National Psoriasis Foundation’s mission is to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and eliminate their devastating effects through research, advocacy and education. Since 1968, the Psoriasis Foundation has made a significant difference in the lives of millions of Americans affected by psoriatic diseases. The NPF is the nation’s leading charitable funder of psoriatic disease research and they advocate for improved patient access to care. T he foundation provides information and support to those affected by these diseases and their families, and promote greater public understanding of psoriatic disease.

AOUT WALK TO CURE PSORIASIS:

Walk to Cure Psoriasis are family-friendly, non-competitive 1K or 5K walks currently held in more that 20 cities across the country. Since its inception in 2007, Walk to Cure Psoriasis has attracted more than 10,000 walkers and volunteers, and has raised more than $3 million for foundation research, education and advocacy programs. As public understanding of psoriasis continues to build; Walk to Cure Psoriasis is empowering people with the disease to speak out. When companies participate in the Walk to Cure Psoriasis, they join other corporate champions in the growing movement to find a cure for this disease.

Last year the Denver Walk to Cure Psoriasis raised over $30,000 dollars for the cause. DAC’s team raised the most money as team sponsors and Dr. Capin raised the most money personally. This year Dr. Capin is co-chair of the walk along with Sarah Kurtz P.A.-C. Dr. DeVito, a partner of DAC, is in charge of this years walk team representing DAC. To date Dr. DeVito’s team has raised the largest amount of money and has the largest number of people walking.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED?

Go the walk.psoriasis.org and look for the Denver Walk. You may start your own team or join DAC’s team. We would be honored to have you join our team. The walk is free. Registration begins at 8:00am at Washington Park on August 29, 2010. The 1K and 5K walks will begin at 9:00am. Kirk Montgomery will be the emcee of the event. Kirk is from channel 9 news and is a wonderful emcee and will offer a great time and entertainment for our cause. There will be live music, food, educational booths and you will have the opportunity to support a wonderful cause and mingle with other patients that may have psoriasis. This will offer you the opportunity to learn about new treatments for psoriasis and know what your options are if you or a loved one has psoriasis. This is also a great way to give something back to the cause and our community.

I am looking forward to seeing you at the Walk to Cure Psoriasis!

Sincerely,

Leslie Capin MD,
Medical Director of Dermatology Associated of Colorado

Race for Haiti

2010-04-25T16:08:00.000-07:00

Race for Haiti Blog

It's been 3 months since the devastating earthquake hit Haiti. Re-entry was hard, but Dr. Capin and I have recovered completely and are back in our "groove" at work and life as we knew it before our trip to Haiti. I view life through a very different lens now, taking less for granted, feeling thankful for all that I have and knowing I must do more for those less fortunate.

I recently had an opportunity to continue helping the Haitians through Lambi Fund, a grassroots organization founded in 1994 dedicated to supporting economic justice, democracy and alternative sustainable development in Haiti. The Denver Chapter organized the Race to Rescue Haiti, an exercise event at Matrix Gym in downtown Denver that raised money through individual and corporate sponsorship. Dermatology Associates of Colorado and Cara Mia Medical Day Spa proudly raised over $22,000 for the week long event that will go directly to help the immediate needs of the people of Haiti.

A lambi is a conch shell, a symbol of organizing used for generations in Haiti to call people together. To discuss. To organize. To work. I witnessed first hand their amazing, unwavering determination to survive. As I cycled for hours in their honor, I imagined the sounds of the lambi reverberating through the country of Haiti as they struggle to rebuild a life better and more abundant than life before the earthquake.

For more information go to www.lambifund.org

Lila Orr FNP-C

Haiti Medical Mission

2010-02-16T07:51:00.000-08:00

The call came at 10:30pm, Tuesday, January 19th, 7 days after the earthquake in Haiti. Fast asleep, I retrieved the call at 6:30am Wednesday morning. It was Dr. Capin saying, "I can't watch this on TV anymore-I want to go to Haiti-do you want to go?". I couldn't return the call fast enough! I replied an emphatic "YES" and after a frantic 48 hours of gathering medical supplies donated by Parker Adventist Hospital, purchasing all of the personal food and supplies to sustain us for 10 days, obtaining the necessary shots and medications to hopefully keep us safe from disease, finding and securing travel with International Medical Relief (an amazing organization based in Denver), and wrapping up loose ends at work, Dr. Capin and I joined 9 other team members for a trip that was sure to change our lives.

We travelled all night to JFK airport in New York where we were to fly by charter to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. For reasons still unclear, we were not allowed to board and the plane left without us. Disappointed but not without determination, we explored what seemed like 20 different options/scenarios to get us to our final destination. We finally settled on catching a commercial flight through Jet Blue (fly them! they were awesome!) to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The only catch was reducing 50 checked bags full of medical and personal supplies into 30! What a scene we made at the airport! We arrived in Santo Domingo concerned that our supplies might be confiscated. With Dr. Capin's ability to fluently and eloquently speak their native Spanish language, we breezed through the process of baggage claim and Customs. What a relief! Dr. Capin found a van company with 4 very nice gentlemen who agreed to take us to a hotel, pick us up at 3am the next morning and drive us the 7 hours into Port-au-Prince. We were really going to make it! The 4 vans caravanned and we crossed the border around 10am Monday morning witnessing a sea of people gathered to receive humanitarian aid. This was the first of many in-describable and often surreal scenes witnessed throughout the trip.

We set up camp (tents) on the grounds of a church that would be our home for the first half of the trip. We were received with such warmth by all of the parishioners living at the church since being displaced by the earthquake. Dr. Capin's only fear-"how do I set up a tent?!" was quickly abolished as the children were more than eager to help! The children were filled with life and laughter-a lesson we can all learn from in the face of despair. A small group of church members would gather every morning at 6am for prayer and song - an inspirational way to start every day for sure! The first day we drove an hour through Port-au-Prince to Carrefour, into a tent city of approximately 20,000 people, to the grounds of an orphanage where we set up clinic. We saw dehydrated babies, traumatized youth, and many people of all ages with minor to severe wounds and fractures. The second day was very similar at a different orphanage in Carrefour.

The days were long and hot and hard but knowing that just maybe we were maybe making a little difference for the people of Haiti certainly made it all worthwhile.

On Thursday, we joined the medical team at "Project Medishare," the MASH-style hospital set up by the University of Miami, adjacent to the airport. We re-located our "living quarters" and left behind the cacophonic sounds of the roosters throughout the night trading them for the roars of aircraft. Dr. Capin and I were inseparable for the remainder of the trip, providing wound care to the in-patients as well as to those coming for evaluation and treatment as outpatients. The work was equally as taxing but very rewarding as we were able to monitor the same patients and their progress each day. The courage and resilience displayed by the patients was not unlike what we saw throughout our travels while in Haiti. I see their smiling faces in my mind and pray they are continuing to heal.

They are an impoverished, underserved nation ruled by dictators for generations, many living in unimaginable conditions prior to the tragedy that rained down on them on January 12th. The Haiti that I saw was a country of kind, gentle, grateful people with a strong conviction of faith and spirit that will hopefully deliver them through this period of despair. If you, or someone you know are interested in further information, go to http://www.imrhq.org/

Lila Orr FNP-C

A message from Dr. Papidies

2009-09-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

Dear family, friends, patient's of Dermatology Associates and Cara Mia, The Max Fund, The Denver Dumb Friends League, and all of you in Colorado and across the country that have voted for me and backed my cause.

Thank-you for voting for me and helping me win week four of the cutest dog competition contest. I am now one of the 12 finalists and am so excited I get to go to a panel of judges that will pick three finalists. I think all of the dogs entered are very cute and feel privileged to have gotten this far, thanks to all of you!

Most of you already know that I am donating all of my winnings to two wonderful Colorado non profit shelters, The Max Foundation and The Dumb Friends League. All of my furry friends at these two shelters thank you for your vote and help to date!

I had a rough start in life. I came from a puppy mill that was masquerading as a kennel. That place has been shut down! I was lucky to land in a home where I am loved. I get to go to work everyday with my Mommy, Dr. Capin. She is one of the owners of Dermatology Associates of Colorado and the Medical Director of Cara Mia Medical Day Spa. My Mommy has always believed in giving back to the community, so as you can see she is bringing me up right. I am only three years old, have Addison's disease, and am blessed my Mommy can afford my medications and care. My Mommy decided she would carry a line of doggie products in her spa and donate all proceeds to charity. I even have bathrobes that have the Cara Mia emblem on them. Last year I helped my Mommy and Cara Mia donate more than $30,000.00 to different charities. Being the mascot of Dermatology Associates of Colorado and Cara Mia, I am blessed to be involved with all of the benefits and fund raisers. Most of the patients and people my Mommy does business with know me and my special causes. Last year we gave money to Malignant Melanoma research, Psoriasis research, Adam's Camp (for disabled children), The Rotary club for many of its wonderful charities, and breast cancer, The Susan G. Komen Breast Caner Foundation. Cara Mia even gave 3% of its total income last October to the Komen foundation and is doing the same this year. In fact, my Mommy and I are challenging all physicians in the state of Colorado to give a percentage of their proceeds the month of October this year to breast cancer research.

I am so glad my Mommy, Dr. Capin, entered me in the cutest dog competition to help raise awareness of the plight of the shelters across the country. With the downturn in our economy many of my furry friends are finding themselves homeless. I along with my Mom am passionate about helping these animals!

In closing, thank-you again for all of your support. I am now in the hands of the judges. I am fortunate that I am very cute! Please let the cutest dog competition know how cute I am by continuing to vote for me. Send them e-mails, blogs, and letters asking them to let the judges know about my crusade.

"Dr. Papidies Capin"

Students Pitch In

2009-09-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

Dr Papidies Capin would like to thank Mr. Taylor and his class from Mountain Vista High School for the encouragement and help in accomplishing our goal.

Greetings,

My name is Tim Taylor. My wife and I are avid animal lovers (no kids, just animals) At our peak we have owned 10 animals at one time (4 dogs,5 cats and a rabbit all found on the road at various times - as theywere abandoned or strays). We are now down to 5 now due to old age. Just last Tuesday we had 6 companions but Tuesday morning our Australian Shepard apparently had a tumor that ruptured and passed away very quickly and unexpectedly.
That evening on 9 News I saw your story. In memory of our dogs passingI decided to find a way to help your cause.

Contrary to the ignorance, jealousy and self serving opinions posted onthe 9 News blog by so many people, I would like to congratulate on such a benevolent endeavor and I would like to continue to help you in your goal of supporting the DFL and Max Fund. My reasons for contacting you are nothing more than to support and help you in your efforts and to let you know the effect your efforts have had beyond the competition.

Your ad in the Saturday Post was a great idea. The 9 News story was another great idea. Your email response to the 9 News blog was very well done. I do not know if I could have been so professional and cordial when replying to such ignorance and absurdity.

I teach at a high school. I explained your reasoning for entering Dr.Papidies into the competition to my classes at school and asked them to help out. All 150 students in my classes voted on Wednesday Thursday and Friday at school. Additionally I sent an email and instructions out to our staff and invited them to vote along.

With the week #4 victory, my students want so desperately for Dr.Papidies to win, they now feel compelled to "help" you with their ideas. For me, this has turned into an invaluable lesson to teach my students they can make a difference when they get involved. Part of our discussion was to come up with ideas how Dr. Papidies might win the next level. I am hesitant to share their ideas, but at the same time I want to honor their excitement and involvement. So... please take their suggestions with a grain of salt.

After lengthy discussions, I told them they had to narrow their ideas down to two suggestions (and please remember, high school students know everything or at least they think they do). They offer these two suggestions for you to consider:

1) Many students do not feel the current picture honors just how cute Dr. Papidies really is, they feel a better picture of Dr. P would help with the next round of voting;
2) Some student's feel Dr. Papidies dressed in a coat may turn away voters in the finals (but some felt this may have some appeal too).

We have had great discussions about your goal and my students believe to truly help the Max Fund and DFL an approach that appeals to as many people as possible when all 12 finalists are decided upon, will help Dr.Papidies get the most votes.

My students have been contacting their contacts to "prep" and make as many people as possible aware. We will continue our efforts and if you end up having any additional information or ideas before the next vote,we will be glad to help out. My students are ready to assist through their Twitter, Facebook, and My Space accounts. They also think that contacting other news media (maybe another news channel or two?)

This has turned into a great community involvement exercise for our students. They now know their efforts can make a difference. I want to emphasize they are not trying to tell you what to do, they are just excited about this event and they just want to throw out some ideas to consider.
Personally, I already feel you have done an outstanding job to bring attention to these shelters and awareness. I am in complete awe of how you have used your knowledge, intelligence, and network to do such a great thing.

Thanks for taking the time to read our letter.

Tim Taylor -Teacher
Physical Education /Adventure Education
Boys & Girls Head Golf Coach
Mountain Vista High School

ADDISON'S DISEASE

2009-08-31T15:03:00.000-07:00

ADDISON'S DISEASE:

I decided to write about Addison's disease because my dog, our office mascot, Dr. Papidies has this disease. Addison's disease is seen in humans and in animals. There are skin changes in humans that can act as a clue to a dermatologist helping he or she correctly diagnosis the problem. Many times dermatologists must be detectives looking at the patient's entire skin surface for clues that occasionally will lead them to an underlying disease. A well trained dermatologist will take his time with patients; do the appropriate exam and testing that will eventually lead to the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

ADDISONS DISEASE IN HUMANS:

DEFINITION: Addison's disease (AD) is a disease of adrenal insufficiency which is a condition characterized by inadequate production of adrenal hormones cortisol and aldosterone. The adrenal glands are small organs located on top of each kidney. The adrenal gland produces different hormones that control many of our body systems. Hormone production is complex and regulated by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and the adrenal gland. If any part of the signaling and feedback system isn't working, it can cause illness within the body. Addison's disease of primary adrenal insufficiency affects levels of cortisol and aldosterone in the body caused by underactive or damaged adrenal glands. Cortisol is a glucorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal gland. Cortisol affects the metabolism of sugars, proteins, fats, sugar levels in our blood, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, and helps our bodies react to stress. Aldosterone is a mineralcorticoid that manages salt and potassium balance in the blood. If we don't have enough of these two hormones, the body becomes weak and dehydrated, unable to maintain adequate blood pressure and respond properly to stress. AD affects 1 to 4 people per 100,000 in the US, men and women equally, and all age groups.

SYMPTOMS: CAN BE VAGUE AND NONSPECIFIC. They can appear slowly during times of stress. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, dehydration, constipation or diarrhea, dizziness and fainting, fatigue, joint and muscle weakness, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, salt craving, weight loss, and vomiting. SKIN SIGNS: DECREASED BODY HAIR and HYPERPIGMENTATION. We can see dark patches of skin, especially in the folds of the skin; black freckles on the forehead and face, discoloration around nipples, lips, and rectum. ADDISONIAN CRISIS can appear suddenly and can be caused by stress, trauma, surgery, and infection. This crisis can be fatal if left untreated. One should look for kidney failure, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, severe pain in the legs, back, abdomen, dehydration; and shock.

TESTS: There are tests the physician can perform to help diagnose this disease. Some of these tests include checking cortisol levels, ACTH, electrolytes, aldosterone, kidney function, and glucose levels. These are but a few of the tests available to us in our armamentarium to detect AD.

TREATMENT: There is adequate treatment but no cure!

ADDISONS DISEASE IN DOGS:

AD in dogs is more common than one would think and is very similar to the human variety.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS include weakness, vomiting, hypothermia, painful tummy, bloody stools, depression, heart irregularities, low blood pressure, and hair loss. The frightening condition of AD in a dog is life threatening and requires immediate treatment.

TREATMENT is with intravenous injection of saline and cortisol. This is a must or the dog will die. Once the dog is stable, he can be maintained with prednisolone. When the dog is under any stress his prednisolone must be increased. The dog's potassium must be closely monitored. Prognosis is excellent when properly treated with hydrocortisone and aldosterone. As it is difficult for our furry friends to tell us what is going on, sometimes the diagnosis is a difficult one. The owner of a dog with Addison's disease must be extremely vigilant as the dog can go into crisis at any time and die.

My dog, Papidies, is watched very closely. He is never left alone, takes daily medications to keep him alive which must be adjusted in times of stress. He must see the vet monthly to monitor his blood pressure and potassium and have intramuscular medication administered. Within 24 hours after Papidies left the kennel and arrived at my home, he became lethargic and listless, wouldn't eat or drink fluids, and wouldn't go to the bathroom. He became so lethargic that we rushed him to Columbine Animal Hospital where he was placed on IV fluids and eventually AD was diagnosed. He now leads a happy, healthy life as my pet at home and our office mascot.

Leslie Capin MD

2009-08-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Thanks for opening my blog and taking time to read.

My three passions have always been my patients, friends and family, and animals. With the down turn of the economy, I have become increasingly concerned with the displacement of animals. The animal shelters are underfunded and there are many cats and dogs with no homes. There are two wonderful shelters in Denver where one can adopt an animal, but they are expensive to operate. The Denver Dumb Friends League (http://www.DDFL.org) and The Max Fund (http://www.maxfund.org/). The Max Fund is a no kill shelter. If you haven't heard of these two shelters, go on line and see all of the wonderful things they do for animals.

I have a dog named Papidies with Addison's disease and am blessed that I am able to afford his vet care and expensive medicines. Not all dogs are this lucky. Papidies has become our office mascot and we now call him "Dr. Papidies." Dr. Papidies was a gift to me three years ago from an employee named Carol. Prior to the gift, I had lost my black Labrador of almost fifteen years. Carol realized that I was sad, walked into my office one day and asked me if I liked little dogs like Chi... Before I knew it I received a new dog from Carol as a gift! Unfortunately Carol purchased Dr. Papidies from a puppy mill that Carol thought was a reputable kennel. Within 24 hours of the gift, Dr. Papidies ended up in Columbine vet emergency room on IV fluids and medications fighting for his life. He was found to have Addison's disease. Knowing I had the option of exchanging Dr. Papidies for another dog, the kennel was visited and it was clear from our visit and what we experienced that exchanging Papidies was not an option. Dr. Papidies would have been put to sleep or left in the back room where he was found in his own feces. Since then, the kennel has been investigated and shut down. I know Carol's intentions were honorable in purchasing Dr. Papidies, but this is a great example of why the public needs to be educated on not buying animals from stores that get their stock inexpensively from puppy mills. Dr. Papidies came with papers, but these kennels masquerading as puppy mills sell dogs with papers. Carol had no idea when the dog was purchased that it was purchased from a true puppy mill rather than a reputable kennel.

If it hadn't been for Carol giving me Dr. Papidies, I would never have become educated in puppy mills, Addison's disease, or how many animals are without good homes or shelters. Nor would Carol or I have known about the present plight of the shelters in Denver with the down turn of the economy.

With this in mind, I have nominated my dog Papidies for the cutest dog competition. The grand prize is one million dollars with smaller amounts leading up to the grand prize. Any proceeds Papidies wins will be donated to the Denver Dumb Friends League and The Max Fund. If he were to get really lucky and win, this means half a million dollars to each organization which would help them is these lean times.

Please help us fund these two wonderful organizations by voting for Papidies!

Go to cutestdogcompetition.com, click on vote, then type in Dr. Papidies under Search for a dog, then register to vote with your e-mail. You will then be sent an e-mail stating you are registered. You must click on the link and vote for Dr.. Papidies. Let me know if you have any trouble voting. You may vote daily for one week.

I know this alot to ask of all of you, but feel it is a worthy cause and it will only take you a few minutes a day. Should Dr. Papidies be so lucky as to win this competition, we have Carol to thank for blessing me with Dr. Papidies to begin with. He has changed my life, for the better. I am now on a quest to educate people about puppy mills and the worthy shelters in Colorado.

Dr. Papidies thanks you in advance for his support as do all of his furry friends at the Dumb Friends League and The Max Fund. Let's all help get them one million dollars!!

Leslie Capin

STAY TUNED FOR MY NEXT BLOG ON ADDISON'S DISEASE!