Men of a Certain Age

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January 23, 2013

It’s no secret that the mature human body does not work as efficiently as its younger counterpart. Blood flowing through veins has obstacles. The brain and glands don’t stimulate hormones that communicate with the rest of the body with quite as much vigor.

“As we get older, systems fail, or individual pieces fail that lead to failure of systems. Among other things, testosterone levels go down,” says William Reiner, a professor and urologist at University of Oklahoma Medical Center.

Men in general have a gradual taper in testosterone production. This decline begins just after levels peak in adolescence and early adulthood. According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone begins to decline in males around age 30, then continues to decrease by about one percent each year.

Some men can reach a symptomatic low in testosterone in their 50s and 60s. This is sometimes referred to as male-menopause. However, Reiner says, menopause is the complete failure of the system. Unlike the female reproductive system, the male system is not designed for complete failure. Low-T or, more scientifically, hypoandrogenism, are more accurate names.

The Low-T Low Down

Despite what TV and radio advertisements pushing drugs to help men with Low-T might lead one to believe, many men are never affected by this decline. Reiner suspects less than half of men have enough of a drop in hormone levels to become symptomatic.

However, those that do have symptoms typically notice loss of stamina, low energy and even hot flashes first, says Reiner. The Mayo Clinic also lists changes in mood and sexual function, weight gain and muscle loss as symptoms.

“According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone begins to decline in males around age 30.”

“Nothing can be done to prevent it. Not as far as we know,” says Reiner. This shift in hormonal production is a natural part of aging.

Reiner does say he would not be surprised if one day the chemicals and drugs that are commonly used today are increasingly making declines in testosterone a bigger problem.

General preventive care and a healthy lifestyle, which will keep the circulatory system healthy can help ensure that some affects of declining testosterone are minimized or at least not compounded.

Men with good vascular health can have intimate relationships even as their testosterone levels decrease.

“Nothing can be done to prevent it. Not as far as we know.”

Men who feel a loss of stamina or low energy can visit their primary care physician to discuss symptoms. The doctor may do a blood test to confirm low levels of testosterone. Then testosterone can be taken by injection, patch or gel.

Failure To Communicate

Reiner says the decrease in production of testosterone is because of “a disconnect between central brain function and the testicle. (They) no longer stimulate each other appropriately.”

Reiner explains a seesaw pattern in which the brain, pituitary gland and testicles work together to regulate the levels of testosterone in the body. When testosterone levels dip, they trigger the production of more. When an adequate level is reached they shut down production. In time, like memory, Reiner points out, this begins to break down.

In women, the reproductive system actually ceases creating the hormones that fuel it. This results in the more acute and pronounced change than the gradual decline in men. Most men do not have a total failure of the system that produces testosterone.

Pitfalls And Perils

Hormonal issues aren’t the only ones aging men need to monitor.

While the loss of testosterone in many men might be the most discussed aspect of andropause, it is not the only significant change facing men beginning as early as their 40s and continuing through their senior years.

Joint trouble is a common occurrence in men in their 50s, brought on by a combination of injury, wear-and-tear and osteoarthritis. Low-impact exercise might be key to staving off the pain and limitations of joint trouble. Even mild bicycle riding, for example, has shown to significantly reduce pain and other complications.

After as young as age 35, men begin to lose bone minerals, and it can begin to have a noticeable effect by the age of 50. Healthy calcium intake, under a doctor’s supervision, is certainly one way to address the issue. The other is putting your bones to work for you to strengthen them, notably by running, walking and strength training.

A number of issues, from inactivity to bone mineral loss, can tighten a man’s spine and pelvic muscles, forcing other parts to pick up the slack and lead to back pain. Exercise such as Pilates, yoga and even exercise with a foam roll can help alleviate the situation by increasing flexibility and strengthening stomach muscles, which reduces stress on the back.

Between the ages of 50 and 80, men can lose 35 percent of their muscle mass, which can lead to additional complications. This is a time to commit seriously to muscle-building exercises. Done correctly, there should be little more risk of injury at 50 than there is at age 20 from lifting weights or similar activities. Make sure you’re following good practices and strength training can help offset the loss of muscle mass – and make you feel better, too.

The effects of aging in men might be less discussed than women’s menopause, but men also can have a more hands-on strategy for staving off those effects. – Michael W. Sasser

Preparing for the Worst

By

Bailey Elise McBride

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January 23, 2013

School safety is at the front of every parent’s mind. Although no plan is perfect, experts agree there are basic questions parents can ask to ensure schools are prepared for an emergency situation, whether that school is a kindergarten or university.

Dale Yeager, a criminal behavior analyst, forensic profiler and nationally recognized school safety expert, says the most important thing parents can do is to ask questions of their school’s leadership in writing and ask for a written response.

“Parents need to stop thinking everything is fine and put their words into actions and demand from their school board answers to these questions,” Yeager says.

What proof of prevention policies and training does the school have?

“Hardware does not stop a shooter, it is management of the school,” Yeager says. Though fences and cameras may deter some, it is the administration and staff that ultimately handle an emergency situation.

A solid plan of action, with contingency plans in case something goes wrong, is essential in the event that something happens while students are on campus. Besides just having a plan, Yeager says it is essential that all members of the staff know the plan and their roles.

Does the school have a formal process for outside security walks every 15-30 minutes?

Many of the tragedies that have become headlines in recent months could have been prevented with basic safety walks, Yeager says. The open back door at the theater in Aurora, Colo. or the illegally parked car in Newton, Conn., might have tipped off a well-trained safety professional and prevented a tragedy.

Yeager says security cameras are no match for human intuition, so it is important that a person who knows what is proper for that school checks regularly for anything out of the ordinary.

Has a federal security management audit been done in the last 12 months?

“You can’t heal something that hasn’t been diagnosed, and there are schools across the state that haven’t had an audit, but they have a plan,” Yeager says. “There is no school system in Oklahoma that has ever had a proper federal audit.”

Besides having a plan, having it regularly evaluated by safety professionals is essential to maintaining school safety.

“Although we do not utilize an outside group to provide our safety audit, we do utilize audit guidelines developed through best-practices shared at the federal level,” says Jeff Pratt, Dean of Students at Bishop Kelley High School. “We also have a strong local relationship with Tulsa Public Schools Safety Office, Tulsa Police Department and Tulsa Fire Department. All of these groups, as well as Bishop Kelley, operate under the National Incident Management System developed through FEMA and Homeland Security.”

Parents should check with each of their children’s schools to see what sort of audit, if any has been conducted and what relationship the school has with local authorities.

What threat assessment training has been done for all school personnel and what were the instructor’s qualifications?

Schools are not hospitals or private businesses and come with specific safety considerations. Yeager says asking what training all staff members have is important, as is asking where that training came from. Having prevention and threat recognition training from an expert on school safety is an essential part of maintaining a secure campus.

What relationship do the faculty and staff of the school have with students and visitors?

“The most important thing we do at Bishop Kelley is to build strong and meaningful relationships with our students,” says Pratt. “Our faculty and staff take the extra time to get to personally know students and they are vigilant in monitoring student moods and behavior and maintain a caring environment.”

Pratt says a strong counseling department and student support services are an important part of Bishop Kelley’s programs.

“We also have a robust extra-curricular program that helps build positive peer to peer relations,” Pratt says.

Yeager says it is also important to ask how schools deal with visitors to campus, not just students.

“One of the things as a parent you must recognize is that threats are not just from students, but also from adults in and outside the school,” he says. “Any visitor is a threat, so you have to treat every visitor not rudely, but as a potential threat.”

Although the idea of a child being unsafe in school is a frightening one for parents, experts agree that basic questioning can make the difference.

“Don’t be scared, be angry, get upset,” Yeager says. “Parents don’t have a right to come in and tell a school how to educate a student, but they do have a right to know the plan on safety.”

A Sobering Thought

By

Corrie McGee

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January 23, 2013

Many of us may have laughed at the old joke, “I’m not so think as you drunk I am,” but knowing when to stop and recognizing when there is a problem is a serious topic. Excessive alcohol use ranks third in lifestyle-related causes of death in America. High-risk or problem drinking has harmful repercussions that can hurt not only the consumer, but also those around them.

As the intake nurse at the St. John Outpatient Behavioral Health Services in Tulsa, Jo Ann Flournoy, RN-BC, has seen this problem firsthand and believes that awareness and education are key to becoming responsible consumers. “It’s important to catch something before it turns into problem drinking. Awareness is the number one key to prevention,” explains Flournoy. The risk factors for developing alcoholism include the “steady” drinking amount, age, family history and mental health. It’s important to note that it’s also possible to have a problem with alcohol even though it has not developed into alcoholism. Allan Gates, manager of the Intensive Outpatient Program at Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, suggests assessing your risk by asking yourself a few questions: Do you understand your reasons for drinking alcohol? Is it to get drunk, be social, fit in with others? Do you over-drink when you don’t mean to? “If you do, it’s a problem that needs to be addressed,” shares Gates. Does anyone in your family have alcoholism? “If so, it is a red flag for you.”

By The Numbers

The National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism terms “heavy” or at-risk drinking for a man as more than four drinks per day or more than 14 drinks a week, and for a woman as three drinks a day or seven drinks in a week. To remain below these amounts is considered low-risk drinking. A “drink,” according to official standards is defined as one 12-ounce beer, five to six ounces of wine or one-and-a-half ounces of 80-proof liquor.

“From what I’ve seen, even these amounts are probably a bit too lenient,” says Flournoy, who encourages people to consider lowering that amount. “Many times we’ll hear, ‘I’ve switched to beer,’ but you can be drinking beer and still have a problem,” she adds. The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that people keep their alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one for women.

Problem Drinking

Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that becomes harmful to one’s health, relationships, work and many times results in legal woes such as receiving a DUI. If left unchecked, this behavior can lead to increasing the amounts of “steady drinking” to get the same effect, which most often ends in chemical dependency. While drinking alcohol is common at many social gatherings, it’s crucial to be aware of your consumption. “By definition, it is no longer social drinking when alcohol causes a problem in any area of your life,” says Gates.

Symptoms such as drinking alone, making excuses to drink, the inability to stop, neglecting to eat, as well as experiencing shakes in the morning or after long periods without drinking are telltale signs that there is a problem. For teens, it’s important to look for changes in relationships, declining grades, mood changes and defensive behavior. Experts agree that setting a good example and talking openly with children about expectations can make a big difference. Gates points out that you need to know what the role model is in your family for how to use alcohol successfully. Self-medicating plays a big role in alcohol abuse. It’s important to catch the signs, such as using alcohol to mitigate social situations or anxieties, fix depression or alleviate work pressures. Beyond the mental, there is also a physical toll. “Alcohol is truly an equal opportunity employer,” says Flournoy. “It affects the entire body.” From the brain to the immune system and even reproductive system, all areas of the body are severely harmed by abuse. Those who aren’t abusing alcohol do need to be aware of how their consumption affects medication and other conditions they have. Education and awareness are critical to being responsible.

Getting Help

If you are concerned about your risk or find yourself unable to limit drinking, it’s important to contact a primary care physician or health care provider. They can direct you to the next step, whether that is a full-care detox program or a mental health professional. There are also private hotlines, such as the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment referral, as well as support groups.

In cases where it is a loved one that you are concerned about, experts suggest voicing your concerns. “Many times, people are unaware of how much it affects them. Let them know in a non-confrontational way that you care about them and that you are becoming concerned,” says Flournoy. Gates recommends also getting a professional alcoholism counselor to do an assessment. There are interventions and therapists that can help guide you to your next step.

Brewburger

By

Jami Mattox

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January 23, 2013

Not often does a burger incite food critics to dub it “a beautiful thing,” but that’s just what happened on Sept. 18, better known as National Cheeseburger Day. Brewburger may not have the notoriety of some other flashier, well-known local burger establishments, but it’s got the street cred to hold its own against any burger. The establishment has served traditional burgers for years at its 71st Street location. The most popular, of course, is the classic Brewburger: a one-third-pound fresh beef patty served on toasted ciabatta with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and choice of cheese. Add-ons include such delicacies as bacon, guacamole or gooey queso. And no Brewburger is complete without a heaping helping of homemade fries, onion rings or chips. 6577 E. 71st St., Tulsa. 918.591.2818

Melt In Your Mouth

By

Jami Mattox

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January 23, 2013

We assign an awful lot of power to chocolate in our culture. According to most of us, chocolate has the ability to alter our moods and make us feel comforted and loved. It’s presented as a gift on a bevy of holidays, most notably Valentine’s Day. But our esteem of chocolate pales in comparison to the high regard ancient Mesoamerican cultures, the Mayans and Aztecs being chief among them, held the bitter bean.

The Mayans celebrated chocolate as both a gift and as a medicinal elixir. Artifacts recovered from burial sites show cacao’s important place in the culture. Unlike the sweet confections we think of today, ancient chocolate was often ground into a paste and mixed with chilies and water to create bitter drinks.

Perhaps the Mayans were onto something. Recent studies continue to tout the health benefits of chocolate, as long as it is consumed in moderation, and the darker, the better. Benefits of regular chocolate intake may include a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke, and an increase in blood flow, vision and intelligence.

The next time you walk past the candy aisle in the grocery store, stop and scan the chocolate. Remember, it’s good for your health.

Senior Health

By

Staff

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January 23, 2013

Men of a Certain Age

Eat Your Way Healthy

What We're Eating

By

Staff

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January 23, 2013

Kabob Platter

Kabob-n-Curry
When most Americans think of kebabs, we envision skewers of grilled chicken or beef interspersed with mushrooms, onions and other vegetables. Though the American version of the kebab does take liberties from its Middle Eastern cousin, the preparation of the meats is what makes authentic kebabs stand out. At Kabob-n-Curry, ground meats are mixed with spices, then formed into patties and grilled on skewers. Flavorful chicken is marinated and cooked in an authentic Tandoori oven. All kebabs are served with oodles of side items, rice and bread. At $11.75, it’s one of the best deals in town. 4104 N. Portland Ave., Oklahoma City. www.kabob-n-curry.com

Chili

Caz’s Chowhouse
In the wintertime, there’s little more comforting than a big bowl of steaming chili. Chock full of meat, beans and tomato-y goodness, there’s not many that beat the bowl at Caz’s Chowhouse. Served with or without cheddar cheese and onion, depending on the diner’s desires, it’s a hearty meal any time of the year. And nestled next to the fireplace in Caz’s cozy dining area, it’s a little slice of chili heaven. 18 E. Brady St., Tulsa. www.cazschowhouse.com

Blind Faith

By

Staff

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January 23, 2013

In half a sentence, a smooth alto voice with a hint of rasp gives away a robust sense of adventure, a deep appreciation for humor and the ability to command the respect and attention of an entire room.

Bliss Morris is the owner of First Financial Network, the nation’s first loan sales advisory firm. She started the company in 1989; she was in her late 20s with two small children and a new husband. She had no business plan, no major investment help, no college degree. Morris grew the company into a national leader that advises banks, insurance companies and the FDIC. CNBC has called her the toxic loan avenger.

Morris, now a mother of four and grandmother of one, avid traveler and civically engaged, squeezed in a chat with Oklahoma Magazine to talk about how she got where she is today.

Oklahoma Magazine: Where did you go to college?
Bliss Morris: I didn’t go to college. That surprises a lot of people. That must be why I’m such a strong believer in higher education and have not given my children any choice in the matter.

OM: When you were a little girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?
BM: I envisioned going to college and joining a sorority. I don’t think I had a picture of what I wanted to be. If I’d gone to college, I probably would have ended up in medicine. But I don’t have any regrets. I feel so fortunate to have made my way to the point I am without really expecting how it was going to unfold.

OM: What advice would you give to that little girl today?
BM: That it is very important for young women to be every bit as prepared as men. I think it’s important whatever you choose, women need to be prepared for the unexpected. A lot of people think I mean divorce, but that is not what I mean at all. My father passed away very unexpectedly when I was 14. (My mother) was 48 and was able to fall back on a career that she had left 14 or 15 years before and do very well in that career. That made a deep impression on me. The other thing would be really to have faith that things will work out. Even in dark times, keep the faith. There will always be a day when you can look back and gain a deeper understanding.

OM: Do you ever feel like your success is qualified by you being a woman? How do you feel about that?
BM: I think so. Moreso sometimes than I think. It will be sometime when someone says something to me and I think “Huh. I never really looked at it like that.” I realize that some people step back and look at me like that. I definitely think people think, “Gosh, you didn’t have a college education, how did you think of this?” People find that surprising.

I think it is really important to – and someday I really want to – mentor young girls and really let them know at the high school level or the college level that there is nothing you can’t do if you really want to, if you believe in yourself. I really believe that. It is hard sometimes, whether you are female or male. It’s one thing to say we won’t fail. It is another thing for it to not be in your being, for failure never even to occur to you. There were a lot of people who said, “Did you every worry about failing?” I didn’t even think about it. And there were probably a lot of times we were very close.

Cemeteries Are for the Living

By

Terry A. Hull

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January 23, 2013

When a museum and a genealogy society in Durant, Okla., teamed up to host a “ghost stories” walking tour at Highland Cemetery, they never expected a Facebook-fueled fuss to force them to cancel the event, planned for last October.

Some local residents complained the event was disrespectful of the dead. Cathy Ambler, a Tulsa preservationist consultant who has visited many Oklahoma cemeteries, says she was unfamiliar with the Durant controversy. However, she says people should be encouraged to visit cemeteries and explore the rich history that is there.

“Cemeteries were designed for people to visit,” Ambler says. “In the Victorian era, people would take their families out (to cemeteries) to be in a green place and have a picnic lunch. (Cemeteries) were our first city parks.”

The canceled Durant event resembled the “Tombstone Tales” re-enactment featured each spring at Fort Reno Military Cemetery, west of Oklahoma City. Up to 3,000 people turn out to walk the cemetery and listen to costumed re-enactors portray people buried there, including a buffalo soldier, a stagecoach driver, an outlaw and a German prisoner of war. Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, says Fort Reno is just one of many interesting cemeteries throughout the state.

Blackburn mentioned several “celebrity” gravesites. Geronimo’s grave is at Fort Sill National Cemetery, one of just two national cemeteries in Oklahoma. Before you go, do some research on the claim that Yale University alumni robbed Geronimo’s grave almost 100 years ago. Or visit Charley Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd, laid to rest at the Akins Cemetery near Sallisaw. Oklahoma’s first governor, C.N. Haskell, is buried under an impressive obelisk at the Greenhill Cemetery in Muskogee. Perhaps the most visited tomb in the state is that of Will Rogers, at the beautiful Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore.

Cemeteries close to home may or may not feature famous names, but they may reveal discoveries about one’s own family tree. Cemeteries are a popular destination for genealogists, Blackburn says, adding that “genealogy is the second most popular hobby in the country after fishing.”

Ambler notes that there is more to a cemetery than the people who are buried there. The design, the plotting and the landscaping all reflect a community’s values. For example, many cemeteries have separate sections for certain religions, fraternal organizations and even ethnicities. “Cemeteries actually represent American society very well,” she says.

Blackburn echoes the thought: “Cemeteries reflect the community’s values.”

Getting Started

Historical and genealogy societies sponsor occasional cemetery walking tours. However, you don’t have to wait for an official event to enjoy exploring a graveyard. Ambler recommends studying cemetery iconography and then searching for symbols on monuments and grave markers. Clasped hands, open gates, a finger pointing upward, lambs and doves – all are part of graveyard code.

Hundreds of cemeteries are scattered throughout Oklahoma’s 77 counties. Here are three among many intriguing destinations:
• Fort Gibson National Cemetery, east of Muskogee, is Oklahoma’s other national cemetery. Union soldiers of the Civil War who died in Indian Territory battles are interred there. The sprawling field, with uniform rows of white tombstones, is breathtaking.
• Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hugo includes a section called “Showmen’s Rest” for circus performers and workers. A large monument with engravings of a performing elephant and a circus tent reads, “A tribute to all showmen under God’s big top.”
• Polson Cemetery in eastern Oklahoma is the final resting place of Confederate General Stand Watie. Watie was the only Native American to rise to the rank of brigadier general of the Confederacy

Fifty Years Of Celebrity

By

Brian Schwartz

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January 23, 2013

You can always spot the first-timers. They’re the ones whose eyes go wide, faces soft with childlike innocence, as they gape at the pink velvet wonderland of plush chairs, carpet and mirrors spread before them, lavishly festooned with twinkling lights, big gold stars and red ribbons. For 50 years, Christmastime at Celebrity has never failed to delight. But now, just past twilight, there are no newbies at the bar. The bartender chats with a few early customers. They act as if they’ve known one another for years, and there’s a good chance they have. They seem like guests waiting for the host so the party can begin.

A few yards away, past a corridor lined with photos of the rich, famous and pampered crowd who has visited Celebrity over the decades, in a rather spartan office dominated by framed family snapshots, sits the man whom the Tulsa World once called the classiest host in Tulsa, if not the entire planet. Dapper in a smartly tailored dark suit, white shirt and bright yet tasteful tie with a Windsor knot, Mike Samara prepares, as he has nearly every day for the past 50 years, to welcome arriving diners. He’s famous for remembering every customer’s name.

There are a lot of names to remember, quite a few of them famous. Almost from the day Celebrity Club opened its doors back in 1963, the Oil Capital’s gilded elite adopted it as home. On any day of the week, there’d be a crowd of elegantly dressed men standing shoulder-to-shoulder by the bar. “The head of this one company,” Samara recalls (and he names one of the city’s largest firms) “used to spend so much time here that if he wasn’t home by supper his wife would send someone here to get him.” Another man from a prominent family “was sitting at the end of the bar the day I bought the place, and he stayed there for many years to come. He was a comical guy, but if you took his seat he’d throw you out. I used to say he spent more time here than I do.”

One guest made a lasting impression even though he visited only once. John and Joe Williams, the men responsible for making the Williams Companies rich, were frequent diners. One day they brought a guest, the ruler of one of those oil-soaked Emirates at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. “Mike,” Joe Williams told him, “the Sheikh wants rice!” “We don’t have rice,” replied Samara. “Mike, you don’t understand,” Williams urged, “He’s the KING, and he wants rice!” The kitchen staff managed to find rice; ever since, rice pilaf has been on the menu.

The menu is short, but every dish is memorable. Everyone who’s ever ordered a Caesar salad remembers its classic, authentic taste and spectacular tableside preparation. Samara used to prepare every one. Back in Tulsa’s oil boom days, desserts were prepared tableside, too, which took up to half an hour of intense work. On those halcyon evenings, as ladies in evening gowns and men in narrow-lapeled blazers exclaimed in delight as flames leapt forth from pans of Cherries Jubilee or Bananas Foster, Samara was always there, congratulating a table celebrating an anniversary, keeping an eye on the bar, and always ready to light a lady’s cigarette.

And all this from a man who has never touched alcohol or tobacco. “I’ve never been in a bar I didn’t own,” says Samara, which isn’t strictly true, since back in the 1950s he was Mickey Mantle’s designated driver. It was Mantle, a close friend, who gave Samara a start in the business, hiring him in 1957 to manage a Holiday Inn in Joplin. The hotel was a success, and a few years later Samara saw a tiny, rundown bar on a two-lane road “way the hell out of town.” The road was Yale Avenue, and the bar became the Celebrity Club.

Fifty years have gone by, and those laughing, elegant celebrities are now ghosts from a bygone era. New York’s fabled Stork Club, the only place with comparable cachet, was torn down years ago and is now a public park. But Celebrity is still going strong, and so is Mike Samara. He’s 89 now, nearly blind, but he still exercises every day. How did he manage to carry on so long? He smiles. “I believe to be in this business you better like people,” he observes, “and I did. And I thoroughly enjoyed my work every day.”

The Low-T Low Down

Failure To Communicate

Pitfalls And Perils

What proof of prevention policies and training does the school have?

Does the school have a formal process for outside security walks every 15-30 minutes?

Has a federal security management audit been done in the last 12 months?

What threat assessment training has been done for all school personnel and what were the instructor’s qualifications?

What relationship do the faculty and staff of the school have with students and visitors?

By The Numbers

Problem Drinking

Getting Help

Kabob Platter

Chili

Getting Started

Most popular

Editor's choice

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