Original Air Date:
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
A Case of Flesh-Eating Bacteria:
Oprah and Dr. Oz started the show by sharing the story of Tanya Gleudo, a chef who cut her finger while working on March 19, 2007, and less than 60 hours later was fighting for her life. Tanya was airlifted to a trauma center in Salt Lake City where they discovered a rare bacteria that was eating away her flesh. Falling in and out of consciousness, there was not enough time to put Tanya through an MRI machine, so she was directed immediately into surgery where doctors were forced to amputate her right arm, shoulder, and right breast; saving her life.
Tanya had never heard of this kind of thing happening before it changed her life. When she cut her finger at work, she cleaned up and got back to her job. After 2 trips to the emergency room Tanya was treated for a pulled shoulder, put in a sling, given pain medication, and sent home. 24 hours after the incident in the kitchen, Tanya started to experience chills, teeth chattering, and a fever of 105 degrees. She returned to the hospital, where she was finally treated for the bacteria.
Dr. Oz explained that the bacteria entered Tanya's body through her finger, traveled to her muscle, moving on to her tissue. The bacteria acts by melting away the inside of the body, which is why 3/4 of the people infected do not survive. The most common bacteria that can cause this type of problem is strep. The best defense to contracting a flesh-eating bacteria is to wash your hands often, keep your wounds clean and covered, and keep a look out for signs of infection.
MRSA - The Superbug:
Dr. Oz moved on to explain a bacteria that has reached epidemic proportions in the US; becoming resistant to the most prescribed antibiotics. MRSA, or methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, kills 19,000 people a year - more than AIDS - and is commonly found in homes, schools, locker rooms and gyms.
MRSA can affect anyone, including children. In September of 2008 in KY, 14 year-old McKenna Hatchett was treated for pain in her leg after a soccer practice; dying 6 days later from MRSA. Professional sports teams have also been affected by the bacteria, including NFL player Brandon Noble and 32 others.
In April of this year, a member of the House of Representatives also contracted the bacteria from the branch's gym. Dr. Oz informed viewers that there is a new test available at hospitals that can discover the presence of the bacteria in 2 hours. The key to having access to this test is being treated as soon as the signs reveal that MRSA could be a possibility. Signs include: redness, swelling, warm or tender skin, draining or puss, or a high fever. The overprescribing of antibiotics to kill common illnesses has caused MRSA to become a stronger and harder to kill strain of bacteria.
Linda shared the story of her daughter Kristen Hunter, who at 11 years-old was treated at the doctor for a sore throat, given an antibiotic and sent home. 2 days later, Kristin's health started to decline and she was returned to the doctor where she was rushed in an ambulance to be treated in the pediatric ICU. The MRSA bacteria was found in Kristin's lungs and she was considered critical, with a 50/50 chance at survival. Kristin died from MRSA 10 days after getting sick, devastating her family to the point that her father was unable to attend her funeral; writing a letter to be read at the service in his place.
Dr. Oz Explains MRSA:
Dr. Oz provided an animation and explanation of how MRSA attacks the body for viewers. In the animation, staph was show as an image looking like little grapes. Since the staph bacteria can be found everywhere, a little cut can push it inside the body where doctors will likely prescribe the wrong kind of antibiotic to kill the bacteria. The antibiotic will kill off the "good" bacteria in the body, allowing for the MRSA (which will not be affected by the antibiotic) to take over those dead bacteria and spread. There are antibiotics that can treat MRSA, but doctors need to be able to prescribe the proper ones.
Grant Hill and MRSA:
A PSA provided by Grant Hill for Stop MRSA Now was shown where he described contracting the bacteria and being able to beat it. Stating how 90,000 people are inflicted by this condition each year, Grant recommended that viewers view the website for the latest on how to prevent becoming a victim.
Grant appeared on the show via Skype from his home in AZ where he shared how he fell ill with MRSA 6 years ago after having surgery on his ankle. After the procedure, Grant fell into shock 4 days later with his temperature raising to 105 degrees; his leg becoming black and red from his knee down.
The bacteria caused a hole in Grant's ankle, requiring him to have a skin graft and be hospitalized for 3 weeks. Grant had never heard of this condition, but now works to educate the public and his peers, since MRSA has become common in locker rooms. Sports trainers have become more educated on the bacteria to help recognize the condition in one of their athletes. Grant expressed that he doesn't know if he already had MRSA when he arrived at the hospital, or if he was infected there. It was obviously a frightening position to be in for Grant, who could have lost his leg or died
Locker Room Safety:
- Cover cuts
- Don't share items
- Wear flip flops
- Shower immediately
- Wash practice clothes
Hospital Safety:
- Speak up
- Practice hand hygiene
- Keep visitors off the bed
- Be careful with gifts
Weight Control Brain Surgery:
Carol Poe joined Oprah and Dr. Oz on stage to discuss a new treatment at the West Virginia University where doctors perform a brain surgery to help control weight. Carol had tried every possible diet at 5'2" and 287 pounds with her highest weight at 480 pounds 20 years ago. The surgery is called deep brain stimulation and is typically used on patients with Parkinson's disease. Carol was awake for the procedure and helped direct doctors as they inserted electric probes into her brain.
Carol had the surgery 3 months ago and has since lost 11.5 pounds. Dr. Don Whiting, the neurosurgeon who performed the procedure, explained that the experimental surgery is designed to helped balance the eating center in the brain. Carol has started making better choices in her diet and has added exercise into her life; she expects to continue to lose weight in a slow and healthy way.
