The diabetic and his doctor can attest to the power of exercise Thursday, May 24, 2007
It's a good match between a doctor and his patient. The Iron Man meets Surfer Dude. They have a lot in common -- oceans in common, in fact -- this young pediatric endocrinologist and his 14-year-old patient.
"He is a good illustration of how you can keep diabetes under control not just with diet and insulin, but with strenuous exercise," says Michael Barrows.
He is talking about young Graydon Wenrich, an all-season surfer who vies regularly in Eastern Surfing Association competitions and takes his board out to Normandy Beach in Lavallette in January as well as July.
Barrows doesn't suffer from the disease, but he uses the example of his other life -- as a Jersey Shore lifeguard and competitor in strenuous triathlons and other meets throughout the country -- to teach his young patients how to maintain their health despite a serious health problem.
"A lot of the patients I see are obese, and I try to get them to see the important benefits of exercise," says Barrows, who grew up in Red Bank and began working as a lifeguard when he was Graydon's age.
Obesity isn't true of Graydon, a spare middle school student from Point Pleasant who's been surfing since he was 5 years old. Both his parents grew up down the Shore and are surfers.
"I've been doing it as long as I can remember," says Graydon, who hopes to be an oceanographer. He's been admitted to the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science, a selective magnet high school in Manahawkin.
Barrows says Graydon probably never felt sick from diabetes because he is in such good physical shape. His exercise may have masked his symptoms, possibly for years. The athletic youngster -- he also plays baseball and soccer -- was diagnosed nearly a year ago after a few days of near-constant urination, a warning sign of diabetes.
"We brought him to the emergency room and the doctor there said he should see Doctor Barrows right away," says Aimee DeCicco, his mother.
Barrows works at the Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, part of a group dedicated to disorders of insulin and metabolism. The diabetic and his doctor can attest to the power of exercise
But on weekends, whenever he's not on call at the hospital, Barrows, 34, is a lifeguard at the beach in Sea Girt.
"I love doing it," says the young doctor, who says he's saved lives not only by plucking people out of tough ocean waters but by providing emergency medical treatment on the beach.
"Some people know I'm a doctor, and I think that makes them feel more comfortable," says Barrows, who lives with his wife, Kerriann, a neonatology nurse, in Tinton Falls.
Barrows is in training to compete in the National Lifeguard Championships in August in Myrtle Beach. He's been competing for years and holds four national titles, including in what's called the American Ironman event. He won it last summer in Huntington Beach, Calif.
It's a triathlon that includes running, swimming and paddling surf and rescue boards.
The running is done both on the beach and in the surf. Shorter competitors like Barrows are disadvantaged. "When taller competitors are running in knee-high water, that's almost waist-high for me," he says.
Barrows works out virtually every day -- running, swimming, rowing -- for hours. Getting up at 4 in the morning or exercising after work at night.
"It's not something you can let go," says Barrows.
"It's a tough competition and you've got to train hard. You've got to reach that pain threshold and know how to work with it. You don't want to hit that threshold for the first time when you're competing."
He will represent Monmouth County lifeguards at the national competition. Meanwhile, he competes against fellow lifeguards in local meets throughout the summer.
Barrows, who studied at Brown and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, talks about his activities with his pediatric patients, as do his nurses. It gets the kids he sees interested in trying competition, too. Without a lot of blaming the children for eating too much or exercising too little.
"I don't have to lecture them about lifestyle," says the young doctor. "I live it."
Bob Braun's columns appear Monday and Thursday. He may be reached at (973) 392-4281 or at rbraun@starledger.com.
