Empty Nest - August 2023

August Special Section

Ticks are ruining hot dogs and hamburgers

Brought to You by - Brent Taylor, MD, Premiere Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

Although I grew up in Georgia, I spent my summers near Boone, North Carolina at my granddad’s Christmas tree farm. Most mornings, I helped him in the fields where, at 70 years old, my granddad still easily outworked me. As the sun rose higher, I inevitably asked permission to leave the heavy burlap bags behind to hike into the cool shade of the mountain hollows above his fields. At the day’s end, my dog Willy and I would return with muddy scratches and a tick or two to pluck off our skin.

At the time, I didn’t recognize ticks for what they are. I thought that they were just another nuisance like a spider or a wasp. They are so much worse.

Ticks are vile, nefarious, silent creeping instruments of disease, disability, and death. The list of diseases that they carry stands at over two dozen and counting. Ticks carry bacterial diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tularemia (a type of plague). Ticks carry viruses such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and Powassan virus. They carry protozoal diseases like Babesiosis. Some ticks even produce a toxin that can completely paralyze you and result in death if the tick is not found and removed. In the movie Oppenheimer, the famous physicist contemplates the destructive power of the atomic bomb and says “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” For me, the tiny tick is every bit as soul-shivering as the tiny atom.

Alright, maybe that comparison is a bit over the top, but ticks really are terrible. In addition to the diseases and toxins listed above is the amazing ability of some ticks to make their human victims allergic to mammalian meat including beef, pork, lamb and more. Ticks can cause a disease called Alphagal syndrome in which people bitten by a tick develop an allergy to these meats. Many patients with Alpha-gal can also no longer eat dairy.

Some mammals including cows, pigs and deer produce a carbohydrate (a chain of sugar molecules) called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (aka “alpha-gal”). When a tick feeds on one of these animals, some alpha-gal particles remain in the tick’s digestive tract. When the tick then feeds on a human, the tick injects a bit of this alpha-gal into the bloodstream of the human which can cause the human to develop an allergic reaction to alpha-gal carbohydrates.

Then, if the human eats food or products made from animals that produce alphagal, the human will have an allergic reaction. Three to eight hours after eating alpha gal-containing mammalian meat, affected individuals develop symptoms ranging from severe stomach pain to rashes, hives, difficulty breathing and even anaphylaxis.

Patients with Alpha-gal can still eat chicken, turkey, eggs and seafood, but some non-obvious foods like jello as well as some medicines can contain alphagal. Refined readers will be dismayed to learn that the CDC website on Alpha-gal syndrome states that Rocky Mountain oysters and “scrapple” are particularly high in alpha-gal. For me, prairie oysters and scrapple were always off the table, but hamburgers and hot dogs are more than just an American staple – they are an American treasure. When my kids and I have discussed what defines Mexican food, French fare, and other national cuisine, they have asked me what qualifies as “American” food. I believe that there is no more obvious answer than a burger at a backyard barbeque with friends or a hot dog at a family outing to a baseball game. And ticks are trying to ruin it!

Ticks aren’t just attacking us in National Parks. They are attacking us in our backyards. They are riding our clothes and animals inside to attack us where we live. They are causing allergies so that we can no longer eat hamburgers and hot dogs. Ticks are un-American.

In all seriousness, ticks really are more dangerous than I ever realized in my childhood, and recognizing the dangers of tick bites should provide inspiration to use insect repellants, carefully check clothing, hair and fur after outings and seek care for any signs of tick-borne illness. Some diseases ticks carry can cause lifelong disability or death, and parents and grandparents alike should perform “tick checks” in armpits and other nooks and crannies for unwanted pests after time in woods or fields. In areas endemic for Lyme disease, recent guidelines are even suggesting prophylactic doses of doxycycline after prolonged tick exposure (tick attachment for 36 hours or more).

As a Mohs surgeon, I have learned that the beach-goer has more to fear from the Sun in the sky than from a shark in the water. As someone who loves the great outdoors, I would add that I am more afraid of the tick on the leaf than the bear in the woods. If you, like me, have ever been sun-kissed or tick-bitten, Premier Dermatology is happy to help.

Medicare consumers get ready!

Brought to you by – Jay Looft, Senior Source Medicare

Medicare is coming, Medicare is coming…ACT Now!

Many of my clients are receiving phone calls and mailers making it sound like the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is already here, but it’s not! It’s actually close to two MONTHS away.

Medicare Advantage Plans and StandAlone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan companies are just now getting final approval from Medicare on their plans for 2024. After that, the plan material still needs to be printed and mailed out to plan members.

Still a good ways to go!

That said, disregard Marketing Call Center communication and advertisements talking about “it’s time to change”, because it isn’t.

Right now, is a great time to be thinking about your current plan and if it has met your needs for 2023.

• If there is a monthly premium, are you still able to fit it into your budget?

• Are your copays reasonable?

• Do you need more dental coverage or is the current amount adequate?

• Are there other Medicare insurance plans you’ve heard about that you want to check out during the Annual Enrollment Period?

IN OUR empty Nest Report

In other words, it’s a great time to Game Plan! No disrespect to Georgia Tech fans, but my Georgia Bulldogs are game planning right now to take it all the way again!

I digress but having a list (game plan) of benefits and extras you’d be interested in will help your insurance agent find the best option for you, whether it’s a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or StandAlone Prescription Drug Plan.

About The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: Medicare Advantage and Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans’ Annual Notice of Changes to clients should be in mailboxes by late-September. The time to make changes for 2024 coverage is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period from October 15, 2023 - December 7th, 2023. Your selections made during the AEP will become effective January 1st, 2024.

The Medicare AEP is for Medicare Advantage Plans and Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans only. Medicare Supplements are not affected by the AEP and may be changed throughout the calendar year, barring any health underwriting requirements.

If you’d like to sit down with a Medicare Insurance Agent from SeniorSource this fall and find the best plan for your needs, give us a call today at (770) 315-8145 or contact us through our website at www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com.

Paige Gorman Agent

From exhaustion to empowerment: Conquering caregiver stress

Brought to you by - Line Fleming, Staff Therapist at Summit Counseling Center

We hear a lot about someone going through a medical or mental health issue. We hear about their symptoms, how they affect them, and treatments they implement to improve their health.

But what about the caregiver helping with their recovery? The caregiver is the person experiencing the issues with you and providing care needs, and it can be short-term or life-long depending on the situation.

Caregiver stress is a state of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion caregivers experience.

As a caregiver, you can become so focused about providing care for your loved one that you forget about yourself, putting your physical health and well-being in jeopardy. It’s important to be aware of how you’re feeling physically and emotionally, and to listen to others if they recognize that your health is suffering.

Signs of caregiver stress:

• Feeling overwhelmed and worried

• Not getting enough sleep

• Isolating from others

• Neglecting daily activities

• Becoming easily irritated

• Feeling sad

Ways to cope with caregiver stress:

• Focus on what you can provide. Delegate some tasks to others.

• Establish a daily routine. Make a list of what needs to be done.

• Be intentional about self-care. Do one thing daily that rejuvenates you.

• Take a break! It is okay to accept help and take a “time out” from your caregiver duties.

Caring for a loved one who needs you is both rewarding and stressful. As your role as caregiver evolves, it’s natural to experience a mix of emotions and stressors. It’s important to recognize them to be proactive with helping yourself. A healthy and happy caregiver is better for you and your loved one!

PEXELS

The Exercise Coach: Revolutionizing personal fitness

Brought

to you

by – The Exercise Coach - Alpharetta

Discover The Exercise Coach, a groundbreaking approach to fitness that promises to redefine your journey towards optimal health and wellbeing. The unique philosophy of The Exercise Coach is predicated on the idea that personal fitness isn’t a one-size-fitsall endeavor, but rather, a bespoke journey unique to each individual.

At The Exercise Coach, we believe in the power of quality over quantity. Diverging from conventional wisdom that insists on hours of grueling exercise, we embrace a smarter, science-backed approach that leverages technology to deliver effective, time-efficient workouts tailored to your specific needs.

Our workouts, packed into just 20 minutes, twice a week, are created using a data-driven strategy, incorporating insights from exercise science, physiology, and human performance. Our patented Exerbotics technology ensures that each routine

is personalized, dynamically adapting to your progress and challenging you to grow stronger, faster, and fitter in less time.

The Exercise Coach fosters an atmosphere of inclusion and personal attention. Our team of dedicated coaches guide you every step of the way, offering invaluable insights, motivation, and a touch of inspiration. We work in small, private studios, which guarantees an intimate and personal workout experience free from the distractions and discomforts of crowded gyms.

What truly sets The Exercise Coach apart is our focus on effectiveness and efficiency, allowing you to achieve more in less time. Whether you are a fitness enthusiast seeking a new challenge or a busy professional struggling to find time for exercise, The Exercise Coach is a beacon of change and the future of fitness.

Join us at The Exercise Coach, and experience the transformative power of smart, personalized exercise.

Medicare is coming, Medicare is coming…ACT Now!

Many of my clients are receiving phone calls and mailers making it sound like the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is already here, but it’s not! It’s actually close to two MONTHS away.

Medicare Advantage Plans and StandAlone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan companies are just now getting final approval from Medicare on their plans for 2024. After that, the plan material still needs to be printed and mailed out to plan members.

Still a good ways to go!

That said, disregard Marketing Call Center communication and advertisements talking about “it’s time to change”, because it isn’t.

Right now, is a great time to be thinking about your current plan and if it has met your needs for 2023.

• If there is a monthly premium, are you still able to fit it into your budget?

• Are your copays reasonable?

• Do you need more dental coverage or is the current amount adequate?

• Are there other Medicare insurance plans you’ve heard about that you want to check out during the Annual Enrollment Period?

In other words, it’s a great time to Game Plan! No disrespect to Georgia Tech fans, but my Georgia Bulldogs are game planning right now to take it all the way again!

I digress but having a list (game plan) of benefits and extras you’d be interested in will help your insurance agent find the best option for you, whether it’s a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or StandAlone Prescription Drug Plan.

About The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period:

Medicare Advantage and Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans’ Annual Notice of Changes to clients should be in mailboxes by late-September. The time to make changes for 2024 coverage is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period from October 15, 2023 - December 7th, 2023. Your selections made during the AEP will become effective January 1st, 2024.

The Medicare AEP is for Medicare Advantage Plans and Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans only. Medicare Supplements are not affected by the AEP and may be changed throughout the calendar year, barring any health underwriting requirements.

If you’d like to sit down with a Medicare Insurance Agent from SeniorSource this fall and find the best plan for your needs, give us a call today at (770) 913-6464 or contact us through our website at www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com.

Heart and Vascular Care welcomes Cardiologist Dr. Jigishu Dhabuwala to the practice

Brought to You by - Heart and Vascular Care

With over 10 years of experience treating patients in Cumming, Alpharetta, Buford and beyond, Dr. Jigishu Dhabuwala has joined the physician team at Heart and Vascular Care.

With a passion to provide comprehensive, compassionate, high quality cardiovascular care in metro Atlanta and the surrounding North Georgia communities, Heart and Vascular Care has been a proud leader in the Cardiovascular community for the last 15 years.

Dr. Dhabuwala’s background being board-certified in interventional cardiology and as a member of the American College of Cardiology and The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, allows him to be up to date on state-ofthe-art treatments and cutting-edge technology.

While the practice continues to grow in both size and service lines, Heart and Vascular Care is committed to maintaining timely communication as well as being sure to nurture sincere patient-to-physician relationships.

“Dr. Dhabuwala had been practicing

in the community for the past ten years. He is well-respected by his peers and colleagues, the hospital staff, and his patients and we are excited to have him onboard,” says Rod Roeser, CEO at Heart and Vascular Care.

All Heart and Vascular Care physicians, along with a full team of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, and other healthcare professionals, pride themselves on providing the best care

experience possible for each and every patient we see.

Call us at 678-513-2273 or book an appointment online at www. hvcmd.com to take control of your cardiovascular health today.