The Valley Times – February 21, 2018 by El Periodico U.S.A.

P.6 Lowe’s Grant To Beautify ECISD’s Gorena Elementary Campus

P.3

VOL. I, NO. 30

Inside

Ayala Named CEO At Valley Technical Academy

P.5

South Texas College Students see ‘Significant Impact’ From New Pell Grant Extension

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018

P.6 Afro-Mexican Spaces, Legacies On The Rio Grande

RGVTIMES.COM

FREE

Early Voting For Texas Primaries Finally Underway

Health

MOST MELANOMAS START AS NEW SPOTS

Health

CONSTANT HEADACHE PAIN IN THE TEMPLES? PG.7

PG.4

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

OPINION

WWW.RGVTIMES.COM

Despite The Olympic Glow, Half Of Korea Remains In Darkness

By MARC A. THIESSEN WASHINGTON -- Watching the media fawning over the North Korean delegation at the Pyeongchang Olympics, I recalled a picture that my old boss, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, kept under the glass of a table in his office -- a satellite photo of the Korean Peninsula at night. At the bottom, awash in light, is the free and democratic South. Meanwhile, the North is in complete darkness, save for a tiny pinprick of light in Pyongyang. The two countries, Rumsfeld would often point out, have the same people and the same natural resources. Yet one is glowing with the light of freedom, innovation and enterprise, while the other is enveloped in the total darkness of human misery. Keep that darkness in mind while watching the North’s Olympic charm offensive over these two weeks. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of Kim Jong Un, is not the “North Korean Ivanka.” She is the vice director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department, a senior leader of the most brutal repressive totalitarian regime on the face of the Earth. As one defector told The Washington Post last year, “It’s like a religion. From birth, you learn about the Kim family,

learn that they are gods, that you must be absolutely obedient to the Kim family.” Any perceived disloyalty to the Kim family can result in a visit in the middle of the night from the Bowibu -- the North Korean secret police -- that could send not just the offender, but three generations of his or her relatives, to a forced labor camp for life. North Korea’s system of “re-education” camps, which was recently mapped by satellite by the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, is the most extensive in the world. Under three generations of Kims, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, have been imprisoned and killed in these camps. Inmates undergo the most brutal forms of torture imaginable, including being hung on hooks over open fires, while pregnant women are tied to trees while their babies are cut out of their bellies. Yet the camps are simply prisons within a larger prison. The entire country is one giant gulag. Thanks to widespread malnutrition, North Koreans are between 1.2 and 3.1 inches shorter than South Koreans. And thanks to economic mismanagement, 97 percent of the roads are unpaved. According to my American Enterprise Institute colleague, Nicholas Eberstadt, up to a million North Koreans died of starvation in the famine that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. “It was the only time in history that people have starved en masse in an urbanized, literate society during peacetime,” he notes. North Korea’s people starve while the regime pours its resources into its messianic quest to deploy nuclear missiles capable of reaching and destroying American cities. Even among the elites there is no safety. Last year, North Korea’s vice premier for education was executed for not keeping his posture upright at a public event. Defense Minister Hyong Yong Chol was pounded to death with artillery fire for the crime of falling asleep at a parade. And if you wonder why those North Korean cheerleaders stay in such perfect sync, maybe it’s

because they saw 11 North Korean musicians lashed to the barrels of anti-aircraft guns which were fired one by one before a crowd of 10,000 spectators. “The musicians just disappeared each time the guns were fired into them,” one witness declared, “Their bodies were blown to bits, totally destroyed, blood and bits flying everywhere. And then, after that, military tanks moved in and they ran over the bits on the ground where the remains lay.” This is the brutality that Kim Yo Jong represents. Yet despite this cruel reality, the media could not help fawning over the North Korean delegation. Reuters declared Kim Yo Jong the “winner of diplomatic gold at Olympics.” CNN gushed how, “With a smile, a handshake and a warm message in South Korea’s presidential guest book, Kim Yo

Jong has struck a chord with the public.” NBC even tweeted a photo of the North Korean cheerleaders with the heading “This is so satisfying to watch.” Seriously? NBC failed to mention that in 2005, 21 cheerleaders were sent to a prison camp for speaking about what they saw in South Korea. Instead of normalizing the regime, this should be an opportunity to educate the massive Olympic audience about the realities of life in North Korea under the murderous Kim crime family that is pursuing the ability to threaten American cities with nuclear destruction. Follow Marc A. Thiessen on Twitter, @ marcthiessen. (c) 2018, The Washington Post Writers Group

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

WWW.RGVTIMES.COM

Gorena Elementary School students pose for a photo with their kindergarten teacher, Norberto Ramos, and their principal, Diane Willis.

Lowe’s Grant To Beautify ECISD’s Gorena Elementary Campus

The Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education® grant to Gorena Elementary School from the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District for a campus beautification project. “This Lowe’s grant is going to make a whale of a difference for our campus,” Gorena Elementary School Principal Diane Willis said. “We look forward to starting the project and welcoming everyone to come by and see the wonderful things this Lowe’s grant provided for us.” Willis and Norberto Ramos, a kindergarten teacher, applied for the grant to create the Gorena Beautification Extension project, which will include an outdoor pavilion/classroom for the students and faculty. “It feels amazing to be awarded this grant for our campus’ beautification project,” Ramos said. “The outdoor pavilion/ classroom will provide the teachers and

students with a much-needed shaded area to study and rest.” Gorena Elementary School is one of 608 schools across the United States awarded a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant during its fall 2017 grants cycle for improvement projects. Since its inception in 2005, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education has provided more than $54 million in grants to more than 11,000 schools, benefiting more than 7 million schoolchildren. Grants are available to K-12 public schools in the United States for a wide range of improvement projects. Schools may be eligible to receive Toolbox grants up to $100,000. Parent groups and educators can apply by visiting ToolboxForEducation.com. Since 1957, Lowe’s Gives Foundation has helped improve communities across North America through financial contributions and support for employee volunteerism.

Museum Land Donor To Be Recognized Friday The City of McAllen, the International Museum of Art & Science Recognize Land Donor Ira Wright Longtime McAllen resident Ira Wright owned 80 acres of land along Nolana Avenue between the railroad tracks (Bicentennial Blvd) and 23rd Street. Mr. Wright generously donated a portion of the land to the City of McAllen for the purpose of the International Museum of Art & Science.

The International Museum of Art & Science and the City of McAllen will honor Mr. Wright, who passed in July 2017, with a plaque dedicated in his honor at the IMAS museum location. The International Museum of Art & Science celebrated 50 years in 2017. The museum engages 70,000 visitors each year, 30,000 of those being school children; visiting with family or through school tours. The Ira Wright plaque dedication ceremony will take place this coming Friday, February 23, 10:30 AM at the International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 Nolana Ave., McAllen.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Early Voting For Texas Primaries Finally Underway

The Texas Republican and Democratic primaries are finally here. If the campaign signs blocking out your view as you drive around hadn’t make it clear, the election is now in full swing. In fact, early voting for both parties started yesterday and run through Friday, March 2. Hidalgo County Elections Department has provided 29 early voting locations throughout the county. Voters can call the Hidalgo County Elections Department at (956) 318-2570 to inquire about polling location or they can visit the department’s website at https://www.hidalgocounty.us/105/Elections-Department. Voters can also email the department at elections@co.hidalgo.tx.us. Additionally, voters will need the proper identification to cast their vote. These can include a Texas Driver License, a Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by TxDPS, a Texas Personal Identification Card issued by TxDPS, a Tex-

as Handgun License issued by TxDPS, a United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph, a United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph or United States Passport (book or card). In the absence of these acceptable forms of identification, voters can contact the Elections department for clarification and help. Hours for early voting are: • Tuesday, Feb. 20 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Wednesday, Feb. 21 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Thursday, Feb. 22 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Friday, Feb. 23 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Saturday, Feb. 24 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Sunday, Feb. 25 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Monday, Feb. 26 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Tuesday, Feb. 27 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Wednesday, Feb. 28 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Thursday, March 1 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and • Friday, March 2 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“Ragnar” by David McGee, oil wire and glue on canvas, 60 x 48 in., 2016.

The South Texas College (STC) Library Art Gallery has curated an exhibit entitled, “David McGee: New Work” featuring the work of Houston artist David McGee that will be on display until Feb. 25, 2018. David McGee’s work explores identity and experience. This exhibition features McGee’s large-scale, heavily textured abstract paintings he made during a oneyear sabbatical on the Bolivar Peninsula, a remote area near Galveston, and his signature watercolor figurative drawings. McGee recently finished a 20-year retrospective at the Houston Museum of African American Culture. “My paintings are also heavily influenced by my love of literature and film. I seldom go back and forth from the style of abstract painting to that of the figure, but by all facts and vocabulary, everything is abstract. So the paintings adhere to no stylistic allegiance, but just the emotional weight of what is to be human,” said McGee. The exhibit is located on the second floor of the STC Pecan Campus Library. The exhibition and lecture are part of the college’s larger annual Black History Month celebration.

“Ragnar” by David McGee, oil wire and glue on canvas, 60 x 48 in., 2016.

The event is free and open to the public. The exhibit will open Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018 at 1pm. A reception will follow from 5p.m.-7p.m. at the Pecan Campus library Rainbow Room, 3201 W.Pecan Blvd McAllen, Building F. For more information, contact Gina Otvos at gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or 956- 872-3488. For a complete listing of events visit: http:// library.southtexascollege.edu/LibraryArt.

WWW.RGVTIMES.COM

Ayala Named CEO At Valley Technical Academy New School Pushes Higher Quality Tech Education In The Valley Valley Technical Academy, an academy that prepares individuals for a career in technology fields of web development and user experience design, this month announced Ernesto Ayala as their Chief Executive Officer, the next component in accelerating student access to careers in technology. “My personal mission of bringing positive change to the Rio Grande Valley aligns with the vision of Valley Tech,” said Ayala, “We will continue to deliver quality education in a tech environment where students can thrive here at home.” Ayala said that the meaningful combination of education and technology provides a profound vehicle for empowerment for both teachers and learners. After graduating from Brown University, he made his start at Edcouch-Elsa ISD as an educator, eventually holding leadership positions. Most recently, Ayala served as Regional VP of Learning Solutions for itslearning, inc., a learning management system provider headquartered in Norway. His arrival to Valley Tech marks a continuation in serving as a leader that takes actionable steps to enhance the role technology plays in giving equal access opportunities to students. As CEO of Valley Tech, Ayala continues his mission of creating transformative change in the lives of individuals and their community. His experience in education and technology, coupled together with his drive for generating outcomes, is the leadership needed to take Valley Tech to the next level. This refocus in leadership arrives as Jim Smith, founder and chairman of Valley Tech, shifts his aspirations to ensuring technology initiatives are set to a higher standard in the Rio Grande Valley. Smith’s new philanthropic effort emboldens his vision of providing a higher quality of technical skill development for the region. “We want to set the standard in the region for education and career development of technology,” said Smith, “I’m going to be devoted to ensuring institutions are providing a higher quality of education that every student deserves to have.” Latinos make up 6% of tech employees in the nation and Valley Tech sees itself

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

WWW.RGVTIMES.COM

HEARING AIDS

OPEN HOUSE FEB. 21ST - 23RD

Symptomatic similarities of

ALZHEIMER’S vs. UNTREA HEARING DISEASE

Ernesto Ayala

to be the driving force of increasing that percentage. Creating an ecosystem that cultivates a tech culture locally changes the landscape of technical education and career development, making both the efforts of Ayala and Smith necessary for the growth and revitalization of the Rio Grande Valley. With more than 2 and a half million jobs available in the technology market, a new technical academy is preparing to train local residents in those fields to ensure they receive the best job possible. Housed at Mission’s Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED) Building, Valley Technical Academy start a 12-week program in January that offers lessons in web development, programming fundamentals for creating apps and courses on designing websites and apps. The cost of the 12-week program is $10,500. Some students may qualify for financial aide or utilize a payment plan. However, Valley Technical Academy unique “Student For Life” philosophy allows students to retake the program or take new courses free of charge. According to school representatives, graduates can expect to find jobs with a starting salary of up to $55,000. The next cohorts will begin Monday, June 11 and Monday, Oct. 8. The classes are open to all individuals and run from Monday through Friday starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. Future plans include opening campuses in Harlingen, Weslaco, Brownsville and Rio Grande City within the next five years. Each location is designed to have up to 225 students.

• Depression, anxiety, disorientation

• Depression, anxiety, feelings

• Reduced language comprehension

• Reduced communication ab

• Impaired memory (esp. short-term memory)

• Can’t remember what was n

• Inappropriate psychosocial responses

• Inappropriate psychosocial r

• Loss of ability to recognize (agnosia)

• Reduced mental scores due

• Denial, defensiveness, negativity

• Denial, heightened defensiv

• Distrust and suspicion regarding other’s motives • Distrust and paranoia (e.g., b may be talking about them)

HEARING AID BUY THE VERY BEST HEARING AIDS AT NEVER BEFORE PRICES!SALES ENDS Symptomatic similarities of

ALZHEIMER’S vs. UNTREATED HEARING LOSS DISEASE

• Depression, anxiety, disorientation

• Depression, anxiety, feelings of isolation

• Reduced language comprehension

• Reduced communication ability

• Impaired memory (esp. short-term memory)

• Can’t remember what was not heard

• Inappropriate psychosocial responses

• Loss of ability to recognize (agnosia)

• Reduced mental scores due to not hearing correctly

FRIDAY 27TH • Denial, heightened defensiveness, negativity

• Denial, defensiveness, negativity

• Distrust and suspicion regarding other’s motives • Distrust and paranoia (e.g., belief that others may be talking about them)

If you or a loved one has difficulty hearing call HEARING AIDS Free for a FREE consultation 50 Batteries

Bring this ad &

for 1 Year! & American DiscountSALES Hearing ENDS are FRIDAY giving you the best combo ever! 27TH

IHOP Gift Card

with Hearing Aid

Let us demonstrate the Best Hearing Aids in th Bring this ad & receive a

Free

Let us introduce the latest hearing aid with True Core Technologies

- No more batteries - No more struggling with batteries - Fully charges in 4 hours - Adjust volume with cellphone - Latest technologies

Strata Twin Co

Batteries for 1 Year!

IHOP Gift Card

Retail Price $2495

995

with Hearing Aid Purchase

Let us demonstrate the Best Hearing Aids in the industry! Each

Strata 8 Custom Twin CoreHearing

995$49

$ Each

Retail Price $1495

Retail Price $2495

Each

Service up to 40db Essential Quad Custom Core Format of 0% INTEREST HearingFOR Aid 12 MONTHS Retail Price $1495 hearing Subject to Credit Approval. Retail Price $2495

Custom

499

$APPOINTMENTS Hearing Aid LIMITED AVAILABLE. CAL

995

Each

Each Service up to 40db•loss Free Audiometric Testing Free Hearing Aid Demonstra Retail Price $1495

499

Free Video Ear Inspection •

$ Care Credit

American Discount Hearing

Free Hearing Aid Eva

We would like to extend our gratitude to the people of the Rio Grande Valley who selected us for the second year in a row as your

Patient Plans Service up to 40db loss Each

CALL 956-702-7777 0% INTEREST FOR 12 MONTHS Also 12 mos. 0% Interest LIMITED APPOINTMENTS! American Hear LIMITED APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE. CALLDiscount NOW!!! We pride ourselves in providing 24, 36 & 48 Months Available you with the best sound quality in the industry.

Subject to Credit Approval.

Smart Friendly Free Audiometric Testing • Free HearingPhone Aid Demonstration PHARR - MIKE A. PRUNEDA CALL (956) Evaluation 702-7777 Freeavailable Hearing Aid on 300 E. Interstate 2 - Ste. G Free Video Ear Inspection • LIMITED APPOINTMENTS! 2 Years In

Hours: Mon-Fri. 9am - 12pm • 1:30pm - 5pm

We would like to extend our gratitude to the people of the Rio Grande Valley who selected us for the second year in a row as your

A Row!

2013 PHARR - 2014 Mike Pruneda Download is FREE!

300 E. Exp. 83 - Ste. G •

We pride ourselves in providing

Hrs: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 12pm/1:30pm - 5pm

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

WWW.RGVTIMES.COM

South Texas College Students see ‘Significant Afro-Mexican Spaces, Legacies On The Rio Grande Impact’ From New Pell Grant Extension Degrees may be attained sooner than ever now that additional Pell Grant funds are available for summer semester Students relying on financial aid at South Texas College (STC) say recent changes to the federal Pell Grant will have a significant impact on completion of their degrees. An extension of Pell by the U.S. Department of Education may help students interested in attending classes during summer 2018. Changes in place will now allow current Pell recipients who have exhausted their aid to receive additional aid during the summer. Current Pell recipients do not have to complete additional paperwork to take advantage of this opportunity because the 2017-2018 FAFSA also includes the 2018 summer semester. According to Mission native Jessica Rodriguez, financial aid has made a huge impact on her school career. Initially looking at a 2019 graduation, Rodriguez says the new Pell rules will now enable her to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in December 2018. “In my opinion, this is a big deal and it has the potential to affect a lot of students’ college careers. In my case, I would be finishing in 2019 if it wasn’t for the yearround Pell we will now be receiving over the summer,” Rodriguez said. “Now that I have the opportunity and the financial aid to come to class in the summer, I will now be able to finish my degree by December. It really puts you ahead, and it gives you that additional step to finishing sooner.” Starting at STC in 2015, Rodriguez graduated with her Associate degree in Communications in May 2017 and is now pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. Jessica says she is highly interested in a career in Communications, preferably in Journalism, Public Relations or Advertising. Once she receives her bachelor’s degree, Jessica says she intends to pursue her Master’s degree in Communications. “In addition to STC being affordable, you have access to Pell Grants, scholarships, and work study grants. All of these have played a huge part in letting me be able to attend school, and continuing to let me achieve goals I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own,” Rodriguez said.

Incoming students and their parents attend an open house event at South Texas College in June 2017. At the event, students received assistance with developing a degree plan, applying for financial aid and enrollment. Students relying on financial aid at STC say recent changes to the federal Pell Grant will have a significant impact on completion of their degrees.

“This is a huge head start that is helping students get ahead of the game as opposed to waiting over the summer in the event they didn’t have the financial ability to pay for their classes.” The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain post baccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education. For many students in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the great benefits of attending STC is the prospect of graduating debt free thanks to Federal Pell Grants that never have to be repaid, as long students meet eligibility requirements. “This change has increased the Pell Grant from 100 percent to 150 percent, which means that a student that has exhausted their Pell Grant after attending fall and spring full-time now has an additional Pell Grant in the summer as long as they meet certain eligibility requirements,” said Juan Miguel Galvan, Director of Student Financial Services at South Texas College. “This is an opportunity that will allow students to attend all year and advance in their program of study.” Grant amounts are dependent on the student’s expected family contribution, cost of attendance, enrollment status, and whether the student attends for a full academic year or less. Students who want to apply for financial aid are encouraged to go online to https:// fafsa.ed.gov/ to start their free application. For more information, contact STC Student Financial Services at 956-872-8375.

Dr. Jamie Starling

The Rio Grande Valley is majority Hispanic, but there are and were a few people of African descent who settled in this region. To learn more about this complex history, Dr. Jamie Starling, a professor at the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, will present “Afro-Mexican Spaces and Legacies on the Rio Grande” at the Sunday Speaker Series Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. The presentation will discuss the accounts of people of African descent along the Spanish-Mexican frontier of the lower Rio Grande. Most of the research was derived from the legacy of the “Hacienda de Miguel Pérez” in present-day Starr County. The ranch was home to a number of servants of African and Native American heritage. Afro-Mexicans also became soldiers, landholders, and political leaders of note in the region, especially in the first decades after Mexican independence. Dr. Jamie Starling is an assistant professor of history specializing in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands from the Spanish colonial period through the nineteenth century. Dr. Starling received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from the University of Texas El Paso, and his research interests include Roman Catholicism as well as the social history of

the borderlands church. His dissertation, “The Bonds of a Common Faith” examined the secularization of the northern frontier of New Spain and Mexico during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with an emphasis on the intersections of clerical authority, family and community obligations, and personal desires. These themes also informed his article “’He Does Not Profess, Until Today, Any Religion’; Catholic Clergy and Intermarriage in Paso del Norte during the Nineteenth Century” in American Catholic Studies (Spring 2015) and his ongoing project on divorce in the borderlands during the nineteenth century. Dr. Starling’s teaching interests include courses in Texas, Mexican American, Borderlands, U.S. Southwest history as well as U.S. history surveys. In these courses, archival research, public history, and historical memory in the borderlands comprise a central theme. Dr. Starling is also an affiliate of the Mexican American Studies program at UTRGV, and many of his courses are cross-listed with MAS. Starling is the co-founder of the Global Latin America lecture and engagement series at UTRGV. Sunday Speakers Series is included in the fee for regular museum admission. FRIENDS of the Museum are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDship. The Museum of South Texas History is located in downtown Edinburg at 200 North Closner Blvd. on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Hours of operation are from 1 p.m.–5 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory.org, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter, find on Google+ or call (956) 383-6911.

VOL. I, NO. 7

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018

WWW.GOODHEALTHGUIDETX.COM

FREE

Most Melanomas Start As New Spots

To catch skin cancer early, be on the lookout for new spots on your skin. A recent study found that more often than not, melanoma occurs as a new spot on your body — not as changes in an existing mole. The study, published online by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, found that only 29% of melanomas came from an existing mole on the body that changed. In 71% of cases, melanoma occurred in a new lesion that popped up in a new place on the skin. In addition, the study authors noted that melanomas that do occur in existing moles tend to be thinner than melanomas in new lesions. In addition to looking for new and unusual spots on your skin, remember your ABCDs to spot the signs of melanoma: A — asymmetric appearance B — irregular borders C — multiple colors in the lesion D — a diameter larger than 6 mil limeters. Melanomas are commonly found on the head and neck, upper back, torso and lower legs. Spotting changes early can help you find it when it is most treatable.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Overcoming Anxiety The condition tends to strike many older adults, but there are ways to counter its paralyzing effects. More and more, do you find yourself fighting feelings of worry? Do you feel increasingly anxious and tense? Do you obsess about things that may or may not happen? If so, you may be one of the millions who suffer from anxiety. Anxiety can develop from many uncontrollable factors, such as genetics, personality, and life events, but the main issue for many older men is that they have too much time on their hands, according to Dr. Cornelia Cremens, a psychiatrist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. “Men are used to working, being active, and having goals they want to accomplish. It keeps their body and mind engaged,” she says. “But when they retire and life slows down, they are not prepared for that kind of dramatic shift. This idleness can trigger anxiety because they feel they have lost their purpose and focus.” How anxiety affects you Other life-changing events also can increase anxiety, such as financial stress, health issues like heart attacks or injuries that affect mobility, or the death of a spouse or friend. Sometimes certain situations, like large social settings or noisy or unfamiliar environments, can cause anxiety. “Anxiety is highly treatable, but men may not want to talk about it and feel they can take care of the problem themselves,” says Dr. Cremens. “But men should not take their situation lightly, as anxiety can have a lasting impact on their life.” People with anxiety can have an array of symptoms that may linger off and on for days, weeks, or even months. You may experience one of more of the following: • restlessness • being easily fatigued

• trouble concentrating • irritability • difficulty falling or staying asleep. Anxiety also can trigger panic attacks, marked by a rapid heart rate, excessive sweating, and trouble breathing. The symptoms often subside after a while or if you remove yourself from the stressful environment or situation. Anxiety can make it harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle, too. You may be less motivated to exercise and more likely to increase your intake of highfat and high-sugar foods and alcohol. Treatments and therapies Consult with your doctor if you have any of the trademark signs and symptoms. He or she can diagnose anxiety and whether it may be related to a health problem. Otherwise, there are many treatment options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, or a combination of both. CBT helps identify and then neutralize thoughts that may trigger anxiety. Medication often relieves symptoms. The most common choices are antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and beta blockers. The common antidepressants for anxiety are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil). However, antidepressants can take several weeks to work and can actually worsen anxiety in the first few weeks of use, according to a study published online Aug. 24, 2016, by Nature. Anti-anxiety medications like benzodiazepines help reduce the symptoms of extreme fear and worry. These include clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan). Beta blockers, such as atenolol (Tenormin) and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal), can control rapid heartbeat, shaking, and trembling in anxious situations. Consult with your doctor about whether any of these medications may be right for you.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

IMAGINE

TYING YOUR SHOES

WITHOUT

Constant Headache Pain in the Temples? Throbbing pain in the temples, especially on just one side of your head, is typically a symptom of migraine pain. But when throbbing turns into a constant headache, and it’s accompanied by pain when you touch your temples, it may be a sign of temporal arteritis, according to the Harvard Special Health Report Headache Relief. Temporal arteritis causes and symptoms Temporal arteritis is a condition caused by inflammation of the large temporal arteries located on either side of the head. Also known as cranial or giant-cell arteritis, this painful condition is twice as common in women as in men and usually occurs in people ages 50 or older. People with temporal arteritis describe the pain as severe, throbbing, and burning—most often at the temple on one side of the head. Other symptoms, such as a low-grade fever, fatigue, loss of weight or appetite, or a tender scalp or temple may also occur. Chewing may cause aching in the jaw muscles. Doctors don’t know what triggers the problem, but it involves a misguided immune response in which antibodies attack the blood vessel walls. The resulting swelling can progressively narrow the affected vessels, reducing blood flow. In severe cases, arteries become totally blocked. If this happens in the artery supplying the retina, it threatens the vision in that eye. If an artery that serves

the brain is impaired, a stroke could result. However, when caught and treated early, temporal arteritis responds well to medication. Diagnosis and treatment A doctor who suspects temporal arteritis will check your blood’s so-called sedimentation rate. This simple blood test determines the rate at which your red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube. A rate that’s higher than normal suggests there’s inflammation in your body. The only sure way to diagnose the condition, however, is to remove part of the blood vessel and examine it under a microscope for changes in the artery wall. Confirming temporal arteritis with a biopsy is crucial because the condition requires long-term treatment with drugs called steroids, which reduce inflammation. Your doctor will want to be sure the diagnosis is correct before prescribing steroids for an extended period. Your doctor may even begin steroid therapy as a precautionary measure before taking the blood vessel biopsy. If your doctor does prescribe a steroid, such as prednisone, you will probably need to take it until all symptoms have disappeared and the results of further laboratory tests are normal. This usually takes at least a month. The dosage is then gradually decreased. Some physicians believe continuing low-dose steroids for a year or two may prevent recurrences.

JOINT PAIN TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT CALL

877-855-0269

If you’ve tried it all to reduce joint pain, it may be time to consider a more permanent medical solution. We offer minimally invasive options that may eliminate joint pain and get you back to a more active lifestyle. To find a doctor near you or make an appointment, call 877-855-0269.