Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine Medical July/Aug 2018 by Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine

COMMUNITY CORNER WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HAPPENING IN THE COASTAL BEND

COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

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DRS. BRYAN GULLEY JESUS GOMEZ JULY.AUGUST 2018

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ST CE R RT OK IFI E E D

Strokes – Women Take the Lead In the battle of the sexes, here’s one that women – often unknowingly – take the lead in: About 55,000 more women than men have strokes every year. A recent study shared through the National Stroke Association listed these factors that can increase stroke risk in women: • Menstruation before the age of 10 • Menopause before age 45 • Low levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) • Taking oral estrogen or combined oral contraceptives Other general risk factors for stroke include family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, lack of exercise, and being overweight. Whatever stage of life a woman is in, it’s important to be aware of all risk factors. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions. For more information on stroke programs available at Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, call 361-906-3700.

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CONTENTS JULY.AUGUST 2018

14 COVER STORY DRS. BRYAN GULLEY AND JESUS GOMEZ Improving smiles and lives across the Coastal Bend, these oral surgeons are driven to help people and provide the highest quality of care.

24 PROFILE CHRISTUS SPOHN STROKE PROGRAM High-quality stroke care at CHRISTUS Spohn earns prestigious national recognition, reflecting the hospital system's dedication to patients.

26 PROFILE CHRISTUS SPOHN HEART INSTITUTE By leading the way with a cutting-edge new heart procedure, the institute is giving new hope to many living with valvular heart disease.

PATIENT 10 Knowledge is Power HEALTH AND WELLNESS 28 Game-Changer 30 Social Seniors 32 Beat the Heat COASTAL BEND COMMUNITY CORNER 40 Celebrating the areaï¿½s best community events COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: TWINS MEDIA

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MEET THE STAFF COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

JULY. AUGUST 2018

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Bryan Gulley, D.D.S.

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PATIENT

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Gender puts women at greater risk for stroke. By: BETTINA PIETROWSKI

“

IT’S IMPORTANT FOR ALL WOMEN TO KNOW THE RISK FACTORS OF STROKE.”

t was more than six years ago when Laura Trammell took the day off from work in the human resources department at Corpus Christi City Hall for her son’s birthday. It was a day that changed her life. After returning home from delivering cupcakes to her son’s school, she had an event that left her unable to speak or walk. Trammell suffered a brain aneurysm and a stroke. In the battle of the sexes, here’s one that women – often unknowingly – take the lead in: About 55,000 more women than men have strokes every year. Strokes kill more women than men annually, making it the No. 3 leading cause of death in women. “To say I was surprised about having a stroke is an understatement,” Trammell says. “I always thought a man would be more likely to have stroke than me. I found out the hard way that’s not true.” This gender misconception about strokes is common, according to Dr. Michael Fuentes, medical director of Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital. “Most people don’t realize that women suffer strokes more frequently than men,” he says. “If you’re a woman, you share a

lot of the same risk factors for strokes as a man, but a woman’s risk also is influenced by hormones, reproductive health, pregnancy, childbirth and other gender-related factors.” For example, birth control pills may double the risk of stroke, especially in women who smoke or have high blood pressure. And, according to the American Heart Association, hormone replacement therapy – once thought to reduce stroke risk – actually increases it. A recent study shared through the National Stroke Association listed these factors that have been found to increase stroke risk in women: Menstruation before age 10 Menopause before age 45 Low levels of the hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS)  Taking oral estrogen or combined oral contraceptives   

The study also showed a history of pregnancy complications can also indicate higher stroke risk. These problems include gestational diabetes and high blood pressure during or immediately after pregnancy. “Add this to other general risk factors for stroke like family history, high blood pressure, di-

abetes, high cholesterol, smoking, lack of exercise and being overweight, and it becomes clearer as to why women can be more at risk for stroke than men,” Fuentes says. Trammell was treated at a local hospital for initial care before being transferred to Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital. She spent more than two months receiving rehabilitation to help her recover, which included daily physical, occupational and speech therapy. “Everyone there was just so wonderful,” she says. “I went into the rehabilitation hospital not able to talk or walk, and I’m able to do those things now. My words are hard to come by, but I can speak clearly. My hand and foot on the right side of my body don’t work well, but my arms and legs move. I’m so grateful that I’ve recovered this far.” “Whatever stage of life a woman is in, it’s important that she be aware of all the risk factors of stroke,” Fuentes says. “As it’s often said, ‘knowledge is power.’ And in this case, the more knowledgeable a woman is about her stroke risk factors, the more she’ll be able to understand how she can be affected and work with her physician or health care provider as appropriate to reduce them.”

Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital provides specialized physical rehabilitation services to patients recovering from or living with disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses or chronic medical conditions. The hospital is ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation, and its stroke rehabilitation program has been certified by The Joint Commission. For more information, go online to www.ccrh.ernesthealth.com; call 361-906-3700; send a fax to 361-906-3797; or visit the practice at 5726 Esplanade Drive in Corpus Christi, Texas.

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Health, Beauty & Confidence

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COVER STORY

MORE SMILES Corpus Christi oral surgeons, Drs. Bryan Gulley and Jesus Gomez, improve smiles and lives around the Coastal Bend. By: JESSICA DUSEK Photos by: TWINS MEDIA

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DR. BRYAN GULLEY

Dr. Bryan Gulley was born and raised in Corpus Christi. “This is the place I always wanted to be,” the South Texas native says fondly. For the first 32 years of practice, Gulley ran a very successful modern oral surgery practice unable to find the right oral surgeon who could meet his standards and keep up with his busy practice. That is, until he met Dr. Jesus Gomez. The two doctors met while Gulley was taking a threeday, advanced bone-grafting course from Gomez at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida. “I was impressed that he was a good teacher, but also a good surgeon,” Gulley explains. The feeling was mutual, so Gulley invited Gomez to relocate from Jackson Memorial Hospital and join the team in Corpus Christi. Passionate about restoring smiles and dental health for their patients, each of the surgeons brings a unique skillset to Corpus Christi. “What we have by far is the most experience (combined) in town,” Gulley explains. Building upon 36 years in business, this seasoned doctor knows a thing or two about oral surgery and dentistry.

SCUBA DIVING, MILITARY SERVICE AND PERFORMING SURGERY IN MANHATTAN Growing up on the west side of Corpus Christi, Gulley came from a humble home, attending Tuloso-Midway High School. He became one of three students awarded a national merit scholarship and attended the University of Texas with plans to become a marine biologist. With graduate work at UT’s Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, he was drafted into the military. Transferred from the Army to the Navy, he served as a midshipman on campus. “Unfortunately, we were the brunt of the antiwar protest so prevalent at that time,” Gulley explains. “Disenchanted with everything, I dropped out of UT to find myself.” Truck driving through Mexico and Central America, he started his own commercial driving company and taught scuba-diving lessons. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do,”

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he describes. It was after teaching scuba diving to three students who just so happened to be dentists. While working on one of the regulators with some dental instruments, one of the dentists commented, “You look like a dentist, with the way you move your fingers.” The prospect of going the route of dentistry and oral surgery captured Gulley’s attention, causing him to attend dental school. Honored as the “outstanding oral surgery student” out of a class of 155 students, he was the only student accepted directly into the oral surgery residency. He chose the Bellevue Hospital program out of New York. “Those were exciting times in NYC,” Gulley explains. “Trump started to build buildings, and Rudy Giuliani hadn’t arrived to clean up the city yet.” He adds that groups such as the Black Panthers, the S.L.A, the Puerto Rican separatists and the weathermen were bombing buildings and injuring people. Finishing as chief oral resident at NYU Hospital, as well as the Manhattan VA, Downtown Beckman, and Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital, he received some lucrative offers to stay in Manhattan. However, the Texas native couldn’t wait to get back home to Corpus Christi. “I didn’t want to teach, write papers or do research. I just wanted to do oral surgery,” he explains. With his 36 years of expertise, he credits his staff as an intricate part of the success of his practice. “The greatest asset in my practice is my staff,” he states. As most of his staff have been with him from 19 to 34 years, he maintains balance in the office by letting his staff run things. “I don’t micromanage them,” he explains. “They are talented and know their responsibilities. Without them, Dr. Gomez and I would be bumping into each other and wondering where the instruments were.” Above all, he notes, the support and joy from his family continues to keep him motivated each day. “My greatest asset in life is my wife, Shannon, and our four children. They make it all worthwhile,” he says.

COMMUNITY In addition to his day job as an oral surgeon, you will find Gulley keeping busy with side ventures. “I’ve built and operated hotels, marinas, farms, ranches, barge fleets, charter boat operations, sand and gravel mines, water front developments, RV parks and landfills,” he explains. Not to mention, he holds a pilot’s license! Serving on local boards in Corpus Christi, he just termed off as president of the city’s Type A Board (sales tax fund) also supporting the city’s economic development projects. Also part of the Island Strategic Action Advisory Committee (ISAAC) board, he serves as an advisory board member of the University of Texas Marine Science Institute.

ADVENTURES AND ADVICE For an oral surgeon, Gulley has had himself quite the adventures with some applied life wisdom. “I sank a boat, got shot down, crashed a plane in Mexico, been in the middle of four major hurricanes – one water spout that destroyed my boat.” Surviving incidents with a lion and a bull hippo, he also survived a major earthquake that killed 10,000 people in Nicaragua. Yet, he reinforces each of these experiences as “incidents that help shape your perspective on life.” For those of us in search of direction on the next steps of the journey, he points out the fabric of life that weaves all things together. “My advice to people just coming out of school or stuck in a bad job is to be patient, but never stop looking around at what is going on or why you are doing things. Look at how the pieces fit together. Sooner or later, you will stumble into something you are good at, passionate about and want to do for the rest of your life.”

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“ THE GREATEST ASSET IN MY PRACTICE IS MY STAFF.”

DR. JESUS GOMEZ

I was looking for a town with the “best of both worlds,” Dr. Jesus Gomez explains. Raising his family and finding the right community to serve guided Gomez to relocate to Corpus Christi. Known for his work at the University of Miami, the Venezuela native has become a bit of a miracle worker. His work was featured on the documentary, “Marlie’s New Face,” a unique facial reconstruction case, improving the quality of life for a young girl from Haiti. From fundraising to lead surgeon on the case, Gomez’s humanitarian heart shines as he shares the stories behind his work. In Corpus Christi, he has joined forces with Dr. Bryan I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

“ I AM DRIVEN TO HELP PEOPLE.” Gully to conduct dental reconstruction, improving smiles throughout the Coastal Bend. For Gomez, his interest in health care stemmed early on, in junior high school. “I always liked to interact with people,” describes the enthusiastic doctor. “I like to socialize, talk a lot and be in a social environment.” In 1992, he began working with the Red Cross, going on mission trips. “I like to put effort to improve the life of another human.” He became fascinated with biology and science, beginning his medical career in his home country of Venezuela. After finishing his dental school program at Universidad Central de Venezuela, Facultad de Odontologia, his fascination with surgery persisted. Teaching and traveling worldwide, Gomez has mentored and guided South American doctors to lead in medicine within their countries. His work with the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Foundation has demonstrated his ability to make an impact within his community, raising money to help patients in need of critical surgeries and health care resources.

In the case of Marlie, they were able to raise $650,000 to perform her surgeries. She was brought from Haiti with a bone fibrous dysplasia, a disease with a defect in one of her chromosomes. Traveling nuns found her and contacted Gomez. “As soon as I found the case, I got hooked,” he explains. When Gomez received her as a patient, Marlie was not able to speak, breathe or swallow. After a series of operations, “what I did was open some of the passages for breathing and eating and reshape the face – used an artificial jaw,” Gomez explains. At one point in the documentary, someone asked him about the irony that his name was Jesus. Responding modestly, he said, “Ask my mother,” bringing lightheartedness to his life-changing work. With an improved quality of life, Marlie now has a new outlook on life and is able to achieve her dreams and aspirations. “She is studying to be a chef,” he says joyfully. Gomez’s research and work with stem cells have helped improve the lives of his patients.

For more information, visit https://bryangulley.com.

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This “allows us to do less invasive treatments with better results,” Gomez describes. His work with portions of the face includes addressing missing bone, results from cancer or bone deformity. “What we learned about the stem cells – what we can do is obtain fresh stem cells from the patient to regenerate parts of the face that are missing,” Gomez explains. “What’s my drive in Corpus? To help people,” Gomez says. Serving in the Dental Society for Nueces County, he continues to uphold his standards in orthotic surgery. Maintaining his curiosity and pull to serve others, current projects include providing resources to keep dental schools open in Venezuela, and continuing international travels for work. “I almost travel once per month to teach doctors new technologies – to help young surgeons develop their passion in their career toward bone biology and regeneration.” Ready to facilitate and bring resources together, Gomez concludes humbly, “If any opportunities arise, I will be ready to help.”

It’s not just what you do, it’s who you do it for.

I’m here to help you plan for the future so you can continue all the good you do in your life.

Annie J. Castro, LUTCF, CLU® Agent, New York Life Insurance Company 4466 S. Staples Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 (361) 986-1321 ajcastro@ft.newyorklife.com www.anniejcastro.com Registered Representative offering investments through NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/ SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency.

PROFILE

BEST PRACTICES

CHRISTUS Spohn’s stroke program earns Gold-Plus national recognition.

THIS AWARD REALLY RECOGNIZES A TEAM EFFORT FROM ALL DISCIPLINES IN OUR HOSPITAL.”

he high-quality stroke care available to South Texas families at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline is now recognized on a national level. The hospital’s stroke program has received the “Get With The Guidelines-Stroke” Gold-Plus, Target Stroke: Honor Roll Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. CHRISTUS Spohn earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients, which include the cutting-edge use of advanced medications and risk-reduction therapies and implementing best practices to provide exceptional stroke care. “We are very honored to be recognized at such a high level for the outstanding compassionate care our stroke team provides to their patients each and every day,” said Nurse Amanda Webb, stroke accreditation program manager. CHRISTUS Spohn is dedicated to improving the quality of stroke care in the Coastal Bend, Webb added, and the Gold Plus award recognizes the stroke program’s commitment to ensuring patients receive care based on internationally respected clinical guidelines. According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Every second counts when you have a stroke. When a vessel carrying blood to the brain becomes blocked or bursts, the brain is deprived of the essential oxygen and nutrients it needs to survive. That is why it’s important to get to a qualified and experienced stroke team as soon as you can, says Dr. Morgan Campbell, neuroscience program and stroke program medical director at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTUS SPOHN

By: Steven Alford

ABOUT GET WITH THE GUIDELINES Get With The Guidelines is the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than four million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org/ quality or heart.org/myhealthcare.

“You often hear, ‘time is brain,’ and it’s really true that every second matters when you are suffering a stroke,” Campbell explained. “That’s why you should know the symptoms and come to the hospital if you even think you might be having a stroke. It most certainly could save your life.” Common signs of stoke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes; and sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination. If you or a loved one experience the onset of any of these symptoms, you are urged to call 911 and seek medical help immediately. CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline President David LeMonte says he is proud of the stroke team’s achievement and commends their high standards of excellence that continue to be recognized around the country. “This award really recognizes a team effort from all disciplines in our hospital,” LeMonte added. “We provide stroke care from the emergency department all the way through treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. This award is because of their dedication to our patients.”

About CHRISTUS Spohn Health System CHRISTUS Spohn Health System is the region’s largest hospital system in South Texas, consisting of six hospital campuses throughout the Coastal Bend, a cancer center and the new Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Family Health Center. The health system is consistently ranked a health care leader in the area, and it has received national recognition for several pioneering programs, including trauma, cardiac care, clinical excellence and oncology. For more than 100 years, CHRISTUS Spohn has been distinguished by its high-caliber staff and affiliated physicians, its comprehensive and innovative services and its long history of responding to the needs of the community it serves. For additional information, visit www. christusspohn.org.

To learn more about the CHRISTUS Spohn Stroke Program, please visit www.christushealth.org/spohn/shoreline/services-treatments/brain-care/stroke.

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LIFESAVING RESULTS The revolutionary new TAVR heart procedure at CHRISTUS Spohn offers hope for at-risk patients. By: Steven Alford

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or many older heart patients, available options for surgery start to shrink with age, but a revolutionary new procedure at the CHRISTUS Spohn Heart Institute is giving new hope to many living with valvular heart disease. It’s called the transcarotid approach for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). While a traditional heart valve replacement requires open-heart surgery, the standard TAVR valve enters through the femoral artery in the groin and places a compact new valve within the old and diseased valve. However, some patients are too high-risk for this option. As patients age, or if they have a pre-existing condition, their arteries are unable to accept the tiny tube and valve. The transcarotid approach utilizes an alternative site, entering through an artery in the neck, and is already bringing lifesaving results to patients who previously had no other options. Dr. Travis Taylor of Coastal Cardiology is leading the way on the new procedure, after moving to South Texas from Indianapolis. The young and talented interventional cardiologist was surprised to learn that a relatively routine heart procedure where he trained at St. Vincent Heart Center was not offered here in Texas. “The TAVR procedure offers patients who are too old or sick for conventional open-heart surgery a less invasive option,” Taylor explains. “It is currently approved for patients at intermediate or high surgical risk, and could soon become the norm for even low-risk patients, getting them back to living an active lifestyle sooner.” A recent patient had leg arteries that would not accommodate the

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTUS SPOHN HEART INSTITUTE

PROFILE

size of the necessary tubes due to cholesterol plaque that narrowed the area where blood could flow. The patient’s subclavian artery in the shoulder is typically the surgeon’s second choice, but the patient had a bypass graft coming from that location, which could be damaged during the procedure. Taylor then decided to proceed with entering through the carotid artery in the neck. Dr. Mark Morales helped provide access to the carotid artery using a small incision, while Taylor and Dr. Srikanth Damaraju then worked together to position the heart valve into the proper location and deploy it. The whole procedure took less than 45 minutes for the heart team. According to a medical device representative for Medtronic, this was the first self-expanding heart valve replacement performed through the carotid artery in Texas. Several representatives from the company were present for the procedure and have since performed a similar procedure in Houston. Taylor says he is excited to provide this lifesaving option for at-risk heart patients, and would not be able to do it without the skilled clinicians at the CHRISTUS Spohn Heart Institute. “I do the vast majority of my procedures at CHRISTUS Spohn-Shoreline because the nurses, technologists, anesthesiologists and hospitalists are among some of the most well-trained and caring professionals with whom I have ever worked. As we transition into doing more complex cardiovascular procedures which utilize new technology, it is of utmost importance to me that I surround myself with a team that is as dedicated to lifelong learning as I am. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”

THE TAVR PROCEDURE COULD SOON BECOME THE NORM FOR EVEN LOW-RISK PATIENTS.”

To learn more about the CHRISTUS Spohn Heart Institute, please visit https://digital.christusspohn.org/cardiology.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

GAME-CHANGER One strong mom shares her inspiring CrossFit journey. By: CORI KNUPP

am 32 years old, a wife, a mom of two boys (ages 8 and 4), a fulltime employee with a mainly sedentary job description and one hell of a dead lifter. I have always been “relatively” active ... or so I thought. I mean, I was able to keep up with my kids. Sure, I would take a breather every now and then, but I did OK. I wanted to be better; I knew that. However, I wasn’t completely sure where/how to start. I did the “gym” thing, but there are only so many times you can step on a treadmill and be happy about it. Gym routines get redundant and boring, and there was no community. I am someone who needs accountability. We all are, really. One day, I finally said, “enough.” I went with a friend to a weightlifting/cardio class at our local box, which is now my home. I was in this class for three months before I finally mustered up the courage to walk, literally 5 feet, onto the CrossFit side. We had a great time in our class, do not misunderstand this, but the CrossFitters always looked like they were having so much fun and they talked to each other. I thought, but it’s a gym ... people don’t talk to each other. They must be friends. They were, but not because they had been – but because of the community our box inspires. I can honestly say that after my first class, I was hooked. There are some days I feel like I’ve stared death in the face and won, and there are other days I do not know how I’ve possibly survived, much less walked to my car. CrossFit has taken me to the brink of physical and mental exhaustion and pulled

me back slowly, leaving me feeling like a complete badass. If you have ever tried CrossFit, you know what I am talking about. If you haven’t, I urge you to get out of your comfort zone and try it! Since embarking on my CrossFit journey, I have competed in a CrossFit competition and survived. I have broken personal records and lifted heavier than I ever imagined I could. My kids have seen me get ready to go to the gym and come home a sweaty mess. They constantly ask me about my workouts and what I lifted that day. They are proud of me as their mom, but they are very proud of my efforts to be a strong mom. My husband brags about me to anyone who will listen, and motivates me to keep going. All of this is part of what makes CrossFit so special to me. Would I say CrossFit changed my life? I absolutely would. CrossFit has given me a physical confidence I knew was there, yet was unsure how to tap into. All of that is well and good – however, the real game-changer was the mental strength I have gained. CrossFit has helped me appreciate my body. All of it: the jiggly, the bruises, the weakness and the strengths. My body is strong. My body is capable. My body is mine. For the first time ever, I wear that bikini with pride, knowing just how far I have come. I am no longer a mom on the sidelines when it comes to water parks, public pools or the beach. My kids and I have fun. It is the greatest thing in the world to feel like you can celebrate yourself without restriction. This is the best I have felt in such a long time, and the awesome part is my journey is far from over.

To learn more, visit CrossFit Gorilla Den online at www.crossfitgorilladen.com.

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PORTLAND 114 Lang Rd. • 361.643.8243

ARANSAS PASS 2150 W. Wheeler Ave. • 361.758.5199

ROCKPORT 1811 Broadway (a.k.a. Fulton Beach Rd.) 361.729.8777

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

SOCIAL SENIORS How community living makes for healthier, happier senior citizens

BRAIN HEALTH IS TIED TO LOWERING RATES OF DEPRESSION AND INCREASING OVERALL LIFESPAN.

2010 New England Journal of Medicine study reveals how spending time enjoying the right leisure activities with friends and loved ones protects cognitive skills and keeps them intact longer. Exploring new hobbies and pastimes, volunteering time with a charitable cause you believe in, embracing new challenges – all of this helps keep those neurons firing.

CONSIDER THESE BRAIN-BOOSTING LEISURE ACTIVITIES: • Interactive board games that include families and friends

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• Age-appropriate exercise programs that include water aerobics • Singing and playing musical instruments, especially as part of a group • Keeping up-to-date with current issues and events by discussing in a peer group A healthy brain is also key to maintaining a healthy body. Brain health is now tied to reducing severity and frequency of chronic health conditions, lowering rates of depression and increasing overall lifespan.

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DISCONNECTED: WHY OLDER ADULTS BECOME ISOLATED Seniors face a number of challenging issues as they try to stay connected to their community, including: • Lack of transportation translates into a loss of independence • Health conditions that limit their mobility, which impacts the ability to grocery shop, socialize and travel • Friends and loved ones at a distance or moving away • Surviving the mounting losses of friends and family Each of these can be difficult to overcome for a senior who lives alone. BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY LIVING FOR SENIORS Living in a place where you’re surrounded by peers feels great at any age. For older adults, it also makes a difference in both the quality and the length of life. Seniors who choose to move to a community benefit from: • Life enrichment programs: Senior living communities offer residents a full calendar of life enrichment activities. Residents enjoy a rich calendar of activities and community outings designed to work around

any of the residents’ physical or cognitive limitations. For those with mobility challenges, the opportunity to enjoy activities onsite helps them stay connected. Specialty programs for Alzheimer’s residents help promote self-esteem and success for adults coping with memory loss. • Peer-to-peer support: Healthy relationships with people who understand age-related changes help build strong interpersonal connections. Having someone nearby who can identify with, empathize with and even laugh at shared struggles helps older adults stay positive. • Well-balanced meals: Good nutrition is central to a healthy lifestyle. But seniors are at increased risk for poor nutrition – even malnutrition – for many reasons. Lack of transportation to the grocery store and health conditions that make meal preparation difficult are two. In a community senior living environment, mealtime becomes a nourishing and social experience. Older adults enjoy well-balanced meals prepared for them and served in a dining room, where they can interact with friends. • Planned fitness programs: From Chair Yoga to Tai Chi and strength training, fitness is essential to the wellness programs offered in senior living communities. Residents can join both formal and informal groups of their peers to exercise on a regular basis.

We invite you to learn more about community living for older adults by visiting Elan Corpus Christi at www.elancorpuschristi.com or calling 361-371-8157.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

BEAT THE HEAT How to stay active in warm weather

By: ERIN WILDER

But when the temperature goes up, being active outdoors can be more challenging. It’s easier to become overheated when the sun is beaming down all day. The warm months also bring humidity to many parts of the country. With humidity, your sweat doesn’t evaporate as quickly, so your body has a harder time releasing heat. TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND 1. Timing is key: Try to avoid exercising outside in the early afternoon. It’s usually hottest between noon and 3 p.m.

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2. Hydrate: Drink water before, during and after physical activity, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Take a bottle of water with you, or plan water stops along your route. 3. Dress for success: Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes. Moisture-wicking fabric can also be a big help. Protect yourself from the sun with sunglasses, a hat or visor and plenty of sweat-resistant sunscreen. 4. Listen to your body: Take frequent breaks in the shade, and drink water before you’re thirsty. Allow yourself time to adapt to the heat – some experts say that this can take about four to 14 days.

You may not be able to workout as long or as hard as usual when it’s very hot. 5. Doctor’s orders: Check with your health care professional before starting an exercise routine or moving your workout outdoors if you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, other chronic disease or any medical concerns. Certain medications like beta blockers, ace receptor blockers, ace inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and diuretics can exaggerate the body’s response to heat. 6. Buddy up: If you can, workout with a partner for safety – and fun!

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hen the temperature goes up in the summer months, exercising outside can become challenging. Even heat-loving, sun-seeking exercisers can become overheated when the sun is beaming down in the heat of the day. Ample sunshine, longer days and warmer temperatures provide more opportunities for the whole family to get outside and get active! Try walking, swimming, biking, skating, jumping rope, building a backyard obstacle course or organizing a neighborhood soccer game. Even gardening, pushing a stroller or walking the dog counts.

BEAT THE HEAT

BEING EVEN SLIGHTLY DEHYDRATED CAN PUT YOU AT GREATER RISK FOR HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES.

If you find you just can’t tolerate the heat, don’t skip out on your workout or physical activity time! • Find indoor locations where you can be active, such as a shopping mall, gym or community recreation center. • Discover activities you can do in your home or at work. • Adjust your workout schedule to early morning or late evening when it’s cooler outside.

KNOW THE SIGNS OF HEAT-RELATED CONDITIONS According to the National Institutes of Health, heat illnesses or emergencies can occur with exposure to high temperatures and humidity. Dehydration can occur when you don’t replace body fluids lost by sweating. Being even slightly dehydrated can make you feel bad and put you at greater risk for heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Watch for these signs of mild to moderate dehydration: • Thirst • Dry or sticky mouth • Dry, cool skin • Headache • Muscle cramps • Not urinating much, or darker-colored urine Signs of severe dehydration:

KEEP COOL AS YOU REFUEL Try light, healthy pre- and post-workout snacks that can also help you stay cool, such as: • Chilled or frozen fruit • Homemade popsicles made from 100 percent fruit juice • Fruit smoothies • Cold salads loaded with vegetables, beans, legumes and heart-healthy fish like albacore tuna or salmon • Crisp, chilled raw veggies like cucumber, carrot or celery with a light, cool dip • Cold sparkling water with a splash of 100 percent fruit juice or slices of citrus or cucumber

• Not urinating, or very dark-colored urine • Dry, shriveled skin • Irritability or confusion • Dizziness or lightheadedness • Rapid heartbeat • Breathing rapidly • Fatigue or listlessness • Unconsciousness Heat cramps are the first stage of heat illness, and can share some of the symptoms of dehydration: • Muscle cramps and pains, often in the legs or abdomen • Very heavy sweating • Fatigue • Thirst

Heat exhaustion symptoms include: • Headache • Dizziness or lightheadedness • Weakness • Cool, moist skin • Dark urine • Nausea and vomiting If you experience signs of dehydration, heat cramps or heat exhaustion: • Stop exercising right away. • Sip water, or suck on ice cubes. • Move to the shade or indoors as soon as possible. • Douse yourself with cold water. • Apply cold, wet cloths to the neck, groin and armpits. • Seek medical attention if your condition doesn’t improve or gets worse. Heat stroke is when the body is no longer able to regulate its temperature, and it keeps rising. This is very serious and requires immediate medical attention. Call 911, and take the actions above right away if you experience these symptoms: • High fever (above 104 degrees F) • Hot, dry, red skin • Fast, weak pulse • Fast, shallow breathing • Irrational behavior or extreme confusion • Seizure or unconsciousness

WHAT IF I’M RECOVERING FROM A CARDIAC EVENT OR STROKE? Some people are afraid to exercise after a heart attack. But regular physical activity can help reduce your chances of having another heart attack. The American Heart Association (AHA) published a statement in 2014 that doctors should prescribe exercise to stroke patients since there is strong evidence that physical activity and exercise after stroke can improve cardiovascular fitness, walking ability and upper arm strength. Read the statement here: http://blog.heart. org/rx-exercise-for-stroke-survivors-2. And if you’ve had a heart attack or stroke, talk with your doctor before starting any exercise to be sure you’re following a safe, effective physical activity program.

For more information, visit www.heart.org. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

SS FIT O R C I LLA D E

Experience the great beyond, the great unknown and the simply great.

Come explore the new Caribbean Journey Discover a bigger world at your Texas State Aquarium. Embark on an adventure through land and sea with playful dolphins and otters, beautiful coral reef fish, and many other exotic species in our newest experience, Caribbean Journey.

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WE ARE LOCAL.

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2033 S. Airline Rd., Ste. D-1 Corpus Christi, TX M-Sat 8am-6pm Sun 9am-Noon Find us on Facebook: Yolanda's Specialty Cakes

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SUNDAY, $2.50 WELL, $2.50 DOMESTIC DRAFTS

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CAROLINA PRADERIO M.D., P.L.L.C. Gynecology & Women’s Health

“We Roll Our Pot to Your Spot!” The Original On-Site Provider of Low-Country Shrimp Boils & Bonfires in the Coastal Bend

Accepting New Patients

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Read our reviews from past guests on Facebook, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Over 115 reviews and every single one gave us a Perfect 5-Star Rating!

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6917 S. Staples St., Corpus Christi | 361-334-2172 | www.araseurofusion.com 39 I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

COASTAL BEND COMMUNITY CORNER

Westside Business Association Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

The WBA hosted its sixth annual Fiesta at Heritage Park, a fun and free event raising funds through sponsors, vendors and partners to help the community and provide scholarships. Live music and Folklorico dancers entertained those who attended. Local food trucks were onsite, as well as local vendors providing a unique shopping experience. Photos by: Debbie Noble

Go Red for Women

The American Heart Association hosts this annual luncheon, selling out year after year. The guests, who are encouraged to wear red attire, enjoy a heart-healthy lunch while learning more about the Go Red for Women Campaign and how they can become a beacon for change among the women in their own lives. Go Red For Women is the American Heart Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. Photos by: Debbie Noble & TWINS Media

May 10, 2018

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This annual event, hosted by Youth Odyssey, raises money to send atrisk teens to camp and provide free programs at recreation centers and low-income housing. The organization provides at-risk youth with development tools through life skills and adventure challenge programming. Photos by: Debbie Noble

May 10, 2018

May 4, 2018

Summer Fiesta Benefit 2018

Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi Celebrates National Women Learn to Surf Week

Schlitterbahn hosted inland surfing champions and mother-daughter duo Cathy and Morgan Seabert. Both surfers were on-hand to teach local women how to surf on the park’s inland surf ride, the Boogie Bahn, as a way to raise the profile of women in this sport and celebrate Women of the Wave. Photos by: Debbie Noble

artRageous: Cowboy Cosmonaut

Hosted at and by Museum of South Texas, artRageous is the museum’s annual summer fundraiser, raising money for their education and exhibition programs. artRageous is the ultimate expression of art and innovation with a rebel attitude, celebrating provocative, contemporary art at its boldest.

Gallery Talk, Reception & Poster Signing at Rockport Center for the Arts

This annual event, hosted by Youth Odyssey, featured Taking Flight, a Solo Exhibition by Debbie Stevens, 2018 Rockport Art Festival poster artist. More than 40 original, new works created specifically for the exhibit were featured at the Estelle Stair Gallery, a majestic space that was restored post-Hurricane Harvey to house the Rockport Center for the Arts. Photos by: Lillian Jean

June 14, 2018

June 12, 2018 June 16, 2018

For more information on CB Community Corner's promotional & branding opportunites, please call 479-935-0868 or email holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

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