Learning the Signs That Lead to COPD

DEAR DR. ROACH: What signs and/or symptoms do you need for a doctor to determine whether you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? -- R.K.

ANSWER: The diagnosis of COPD is suspected in people who are at risk for the disease and note one of two cardinal symptoms: cough or dyspnea. (A “symptom” is what a patient identifies by history, while a “sign” is noted on a physical exam. A cough can be both a symptom and a sign.) Dyspnea is usually described as shortness of breath, a sensation that a person can’t get enough air, like they have just run very fast. Some people with COPD may have very subtle symptoms.

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for COPD, but there are other causes, including other chemical exposures (industrial exposures and home cooking fires are less common now, but are historically important causes of COPD); scarring lung disease; and a genetic cause, a condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

The diagnosis is confirmed most often by tests of lung function, which are breathing tests to look at the physiology of the lung and its ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Sometimes the diagnosis can be supported by an X-ray or CT scan, but pulmonary function testing is the best way to determine the severity of COPD.

We do have ways of slowing down lung decline in COPD, one way being smoking cessation for current smokers, but some of the medications we use also help reduce ongoing damage.

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DEAR DR. ROACH: Please help! Is it true that Trulicity may cause serious side effects, including thyroid tumors and cancer, as well as pancreatitis? -- J.R.

ANSWER: Dulaglutide (Trulicity), like semaglutide (Ozembic) and liraglutide (Victoza), are in a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have several actions, such as increasing insulin release by the pancreas in response to meals. Initial studies on laboratory rats did show an increase in an unusual type of thyroid cancer, but studies have not yet shown an increased rate in humans. Still, people at an increased risk for this type of thyroid cancer (having a family history of medullary thyroid cancer or of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2A or 2B) are not recommended to take this medication. Similarly, there are reports of pancreatitis in people taking this medication, but it isn’t clear whether the medicine is responsible for the pancreatitis. It’s unwise to use this class of medication in people with a history of pancreatitis.

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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

Understanding Life Insurance

Deciding if you need coverage. While life insurance seems like the kind of thing every person should have, that’s not necessarily the case. For example, single men and women with no dependents and no tax or debt concernsgenerallydonotneedlifeinsurance.Ifyouaresinglebuthavetax issues or a considerable amount of debt, then a life insurance policy can beusedtopaythosedebtsuponyourdeath.Adultswithdependents,such as a spouse and/or children, should consider purchasing life insurance, whichcanhelpyoursurvivingdependentsmaintaintheirqualityoflifeand pay their bills in the wake of your death.

Monumental Memories

Full range of cemetery memorials & services. Many granite stones, colors, shapes & engraving options on display. Friendly, caring & here to help!

Proprietors: David & Kathy Cooper (585) 261-0012 5650 County Rd. #41, Farmington, NY 14425 Tues.-Sat. 10-5 or by appointment.

3. New hair styles thanks to a tubing ride!

4. My husband Steve’s lilies he planted from seeds to flowers –worth waiting for; can’t stop staring license. Bene

Send resume to jim@jwolfeinsurance.com

585-394-2790

Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District IS HIRING

Paraprofessionals

Food Service Workers

Bus Drivers

Bus Monitors

Lunch Monitors

Hours and pay vary by position. NYS Pension and bene t eligible positions available. To apply, visit: www.work4h .org

Quitting a job can be full of mixed emotions. Just be sure to time it correctly and leave in as positive a way as possible to maintain a strong professional network.

Town of Lima – Highway Department Position Opening

Motor Equipment Operator/Laborer

Do you want to serve your community? Do you strive to keep your community safe? Do this by helping maintain the roadways. e Town of Lima Highway Department is seeking applicants for the position of Motor Equipment Operator. is position requires the operation of heavy equipment and performance of heavy manual labor for the construction, repair, and maintenance of roads. e applicant must be able to be on-call from October 15 - April 15 for snow removal on town roads.

Requirements: Class B CDL (Class A preferred) or able to acquire CDL B during the probationary period, experience performing repairs and maintenance on heavy equipment i.e., oil changes, greasing, at tire changes, daily equipment inspections, and related activities. Must be able to perform manual labor lifting 50lbs. Applicants must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and ongoing random drug testing in accordance with the Federal Motors Carrier Safety Administration.

Salary With CDL Class B (Class A Preferred): $20-$25 per hour, based on experience.

Salary without CDL: $19 per hour, with a plan in place to acquire a CDL in the rst 3-6 months.

New York State Pension

Healthcare and Dental insurance 95% covered co-pay plan. Healthcare cost reimbursement plan also in place if the employee proves coverage.

Send resume to: Jennifer Heim, Town Clerk 7329 East Main Street, Lima, NY 14485 or email: clerk@townoflima.org

Open Deli Positions:

Interested individuals must be at least 18 yrs of age. Must be reliable, customer service-oriented, be able to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, be a team player, great communicator and problem solver. The available part-time morning position begins at 6:30am. The available part-time afternoon position begins at 3:00pm. For both open positions, must be available at least two days during the week and one weekend shift.

Interested applicants may apply at

Plumbing Counter/ Warehouse

PT & FT Positions at an established family owned plumbing distributor

Responsible for providing customers with product or service information to assist them in determining appropriate merchandise to purchase. Duties also include: recommending additional products or services to meet customer needs, restock merchandise as needed and answering phones. Hourly wage based upon plumbing experience. No nights or weekends. Stop in to apply or mail/email resume to: Geck Plumbing & Heating Supply

TAKE A CUE FROM SUCCESSFUL WOMEN

Make time for exercise. A sluggish body can make for a sluggish mind. Successful people need to be sharp, and exercise can help them maintain their mental focus. According to John J. Ratey, Ph.D., a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, muscles send hormones rushing to the brain where they mix with a substance called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF. BDNF plays a role in brain cell growth and learning. Without it, brains can’t absorb new information or grow and learn. Exercise also helps relieve stress, which can make resolutions easier to see and make tasks less overwhelming.

620 Meigs St. Rochester, NY 14620 gecksupply@gmail.com Call 585-271-8311 for more info.

Leaving A Job Gracefully

Pack on your own time. Cause as little disruption as possible by packing belongings before or after office hours. Respect the working environment, recognizing that your coworkers still need to get their jobs done.