Medical Examiner 2-16-24 by Daniel Pearson

MEDICALEXAMINER FREE T AKE-HO ME COP Y!

HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

AIKEN-AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006

ARE YOU READY FOR

MILEY

THE BIG GAME?

SAVES LIVES

he American Heart Association recently offered some words of wisdom:

“Take Miley’s advice & buy yourself flowers... after you learn the two steps of Hands-Only CPR to this Grammy-nominated* tune; If you see a teen or adult collapse, call 911, then push hard & fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute.” + * now Grammy-winning

AHANDFULOFCOOLHEARTFACTS • All the blood in the body travels through the heart about once a minute. • The heart’s pumping action serves roughly 75 trillion cells. Only corneas have no blood supply. • A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in circulation. An adult has 4 to 5 quarts, and some 60,000 miles of blood vessels. • Every day the heart creates enough energy to drive a truck 20 miles. In a lifetime, that is equivalent to driving to the moon and back. • Next time you’re stopped by a

AUGUSTARX.COM

slow-moving freight train, consider that in an average lifetime the heart pumps about 1.5 million barrels of blood (63 million gallons), enough to fill 200 tank cars. • A typical kitchen faucet would have to run all the way open for at least 45 years to equal the amount of blood the heart pumps in an average lifetime. • Blood going through the aorta is traveling at about 1 mile per hour. At the capillary level it’s 43 inches per hour. +

Did you notice how many times last weekend’s NFL mega-event was referred to as “the big game”? They were referring to the Super Bowl, of course, but were reluctant to say it because “Super Bowl” is a copyrighted name owned by the NFL. Nobody wants to be sued just for saying or writing “Super Bowl,” right? Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl. But our headline above isn’t referring to the Super Bowl. No, we’re talking about the even bigger game, the one called life. Admittedly that’s a pretty corny intro, but go to your Googler and type in “the game of...” and the top response will be “the game of life.” But boys and girls, if life is a game it’s the most important one we will ever play. Like baseball, it’s a game without a clock, a game that can be prolonged far beyond the standard nine innings. And not to be Debbie Downer, but as we all know it’s also a game that can end in sudden death. The key to this biggest game is playing it in a way that offers the best chance of going into extra innings. The good news: that’s not a terribly complicated proposition. Let’s look at a few simple steps to prolong the game into overtime. And please, don’t stop me if you’ve heard these before.

It’s perhaps counterintuitive to think that living longer means making your heart work harder, but it’s true. In the same way we get soft and fat lying around on the couch all day doing nothing, our hearts get out of shape when they don’t get regular workouts. It’s easy to fix that: go for a walk. Maybe you can do more, but a brief walk every day is a great place to start a heart fitness program. Over time, try to progressively work up to longer walks, possibly along with other types of exercise that are appropriate for you. Another great idea is to put quality heart chow into the tank. Go easy on chips, cookies, and sugary drinks. In fact, maybe you can eliminate them altogether. Walnuts, almonds and peanuts are among the nutritious snacks that are good for your heart. A healthy diet can be just as habit-forming as an unhealthy one, so give it a shot and stay the course. Another fuel suggestion: at least once a week completely avoid red meat and instead eat heart-healthy fish like salmon and sardines. At the same time, get a full daily dose of fruits and vegetables. If you feel like you’re already doing well on that score, add one more serving each day and you’ll be doing even better. Most people, even registered dietiPlease see BIG GAME page 11

GOT MEDICARE? A LOCAL AGENT CAN STILL HELP! • Personal, local answers and assistance • Review your current plan for optimum benefits • Call to see if there is an enrollment for you • All services provided at no cost to you

RENEA SOOS

Independent Medicare Broker Renea Soos Serving Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Michigan • Email: srsoos@yahoo.com

706-399-1989 • soosbenefitsgroup.com

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

YOU’RE SO VEIN THERE ARE 60,000 MILES OF VEINS IN THE HUMAN BODY When even a few inches aren’t working properly the result can be misery. SYMPTOMS THAT CAN INDICATE VENOUS DISEASE AND VARICOSE VEINS: Bulging bluish or purple veins visible under the surface of your skin Painful or achy legs that feel heavy Muscle cramping in your legs, particularly at night Itchy legs, especially on your lower legs and ankles Burning or throbbing sensations in your legs Swollen feet and ankles at the end of the day

WE CAN HELP

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY

AUGUSTA VASCULAR CENTER 630 13th St., Suite #250 • Augusta 30901

PHONE 706-724-2500

AUGUSTA VASCULAR CENTER WEST 3623 J. Dewey Gray Circle, Suite #100 • Augusta 30909

PHONE 706-854-9932

AugustaVascularCenter.com

3 +

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Scott Insurance Group

DO YOU TURN 65 THIS YEAR? If so, we want to tell you two things: 1) Happy early birthday! 2) This is the year to take the next step in protecting your future and the future of your family. You guessed it. This is the year you are eligible for Medicare. And we can be right by your side as you navigate the process. If you have any questions or just want to talk through your specific situation, we are just an email or phone call away.

Not connected to the Federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation for insurance.

HE AL ING

1349 Druid Park Ave at Wrightsboro Rd. (across from Augusta Cup)

Sparkle

Jeremy Garrard, NP Practitioner & Owner

Wash

PRESSURE PROFESSIONALS

HOUSE • ROOF • DRIVEWAY • WALKWAYS • DECK • PATIO 706 863.5050

FREE

10% OFF ESTIMATES!

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

MENTION THIS AD AFTER YOUR FREE ESTIMATE FOR 10% OFF!

ARE THE NEW CLASS OF WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS SAFE?

Back in the day (the 1930s through the 1960s), weight loss drugs aimed at what was considered the main cause of obesity: overeating. Drugs of that time acted to decrease appetite and speed up metabolism. Significantly, stimulants like dinitrophenol methamphetamine were part of the recipe. As the name suggests, they may have done their job, but they posed the risk of addiction. The new weight loss drugs work entirely differently, turning their attention to digestive hormones such as “glucagon-like peptide-1,” aka the commonly seen acronym GLP-1. The class includes drugs like Ozempic, originally approved 4 years ago to treat type 2 diabetes, and the newer drug Wegovy, which is essentially Ozempic at a higher dosage rate. They are more effective than any previous weight loss drugs and have a safer side effect profile. In one study, adults who took GLP-1 drugs lost an average of 35 pounds over a 15-month period. Other benefits included lower blood pressure and reduced cholesterol and triglycerides. Conversely, because they zero in on gut hormones, common side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, constipation and diarrhea. Some patients with type 2 diabetes have experienced blood sugar levels going too low. Those who take GLP-1 drugs should be prepared for onceweekly at-home injections forever. Medical researchers have finally realized that obesity is a chronic disease that requires long-term treatment. A person can restrict their diet for years, but the body will always attempt to reestablish that individual’s factory settings. For people with obesity, the reset restores pre-diet weight. Think of it like this: a person with a healthy pancreas (non-diabetic, in other words) can eat six candy bars in one sitting, or consume no sugar for three days with very little change in their blood sugar levels. The body maintains its proper settings. The same is true if the settings are amiss: they will be maintained. That’s why doctors tell patients taking GLP-1 drugs that if and when they stop taking the drugs, the weight will return. Not maybe; definitely. That’s something to consider carefully. +

MEDICALEXAMINER

AIKEN-AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER

www.AugustaRx.com The Medical Examiner’s mission: to provide information on topics of health and wellness of interest to general readers, to offer information to assist readers in wisely choosing their healthcare providers, and to serve as a central source of salubrious news within every part of the Augusta medical community. Direct editorial and advertising inquiries to: Daniel R. Pearson, Publisher & Editor E-mail: Dan@AugustaRx.com AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER P.O. Box 397, Augusta, GA 30903-0397

(706) 860-5455 www.AugustaRx.com • E-mail: Dan@AugustaRX.com www.Facebook.com/AugustaRX

THANKS FOR READING THE EXAMINER!

Opinions expressed by the writers herein are their own and/or their respective institutions. Neither the Augusta Medical Examiner, Pearson Graphic 365 Inc., nor its agents or employees take any responsibility for the accuracy of submitted information, which is presented for general informational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment, consult your doctor. The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. © 2024 PEARSON GRAPHIC 365 INC.

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

#207 IN A SERIES

Who is this?

MEDICAL MYTHOLOGY

MICROWAVES ARE DANGEROUS

ne hundred years ago, this man won the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology for a remarkable invention that is a perfect subject for February, when heart health is celebrated. That’s his invention pictured below. It took five people to operate, weighed almost 600 pounds, and required the patient to sit (as shown) with both arms and one leg in buckets of salt water. And all for what purpose? Building on earlier research by Augustus Waller that discovered electrical impulses generated by the heart, Willem Einthoven (above, the subject of our focus today), worked for years to develop a means to measure that electrical activity and provide a visual record of it. Waller was the first to record a physical read-out of cardiac electrical activity (in 1887), but the data was indistinct and distorted. He doubted that it had any medical or diagnostic value. Einthoven recognized the potential of the electrocardiogram,* a word he coined, as a diagnostic and investigative tool, and as a result devoted years of research to developing it into an accurate and practical tool. He experimented with various placements for leads to offer the best results, and his designations for the landmarks of each heartbeat (P, Q,R,S, and T) are still in use today. Einthoven is considered the founder of modern electrocardiography, although he acknowledged in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech that he shared the prize with Waller who, unfortunately, had died two years earlier. Einthoven spent his entire career at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, and that’s where the telegram from the Nobel Committee notifying him of the award was sent. As it happened, Einthoven was on a lecture tour in the U.S. at the time, and as a result found out he had won the prize while reading a newspaper days later. + *Although Einthoven was Dutch, many of the first doctors to use his invention were in Germany, where Elektrokardiogramm was the word, resulting in EKG as the common abbreviation. Today both EKG and ECG

are in common use; which one is often a matter of personal preference.

Perhaps you’ve heard this one, and maybe you even agree that microwaves are a bad idea because they destroy the nutrients in foods. The science says this is indeed a myth, although there are some grounds for justifiable caution. As explained by Harvard University researchers and food scientists, microwave ovens use energy waves very similar to radio waves. They are described as “remarkably selective” in that they primarily affect water molecules in foods. The waves cause them to vibrate, which quickly builds up heat. That’s why foods that are high in water content are cooked more quickly by microwaving than other foods. That word “quickly” is a key to microwaves’ ability to heat foods with minimal effect on nutrition. Virtually every method of cooking that exposes food to heat causes some loss of nutrients. The cooking method that protects and retains the most nutrients is the one that heats foods in the shortest time possible, and by that measure microwaves are without equal. Another way to protect nutrients in food, says Harvard, is

to use the least amount of water or liquid possible. Cooking vegetables in water in a saucepan, for example, results in nutrients leaching out into the cooking water. “Using the microwave with a small amount of water essentially steams food from the inside out. That keeps in more vitamins and minerals than almost any other cooking method and shows microwave food can indeed be healthy,” says Harvard. (Side note: the US Food and Drug Administration partly disagrees, stating, “Microwave ovens do not cook food from the ‘inside out.’ When thick foods are cooked, the outer layers are heated and cooked primarily by microwaves while the inside is cooked mainly by the conduction of heat from the hot outer layers.”)

That doesn’t mean that all foods react to microwave cooking equally. One study showed that broccoli loses a significant amount of glucosinolate, the compound that gives broccoli both its cancer-fighting properties and its distinctive smell and taste. Then again, broccoli showed much glucosinolate loss in conventional cooking too. However, additional studies of microwaved broccoli showed that shorter cooking times didn’t significantly compromise broccoli’s nutritional content. Across the board, the consensus of nutritional researchers is that microwaving appears to be the better way to preserve nutrients compared to other common methods of cooking. A microwave oven in good working order does not leak microwaves, resulting in cataracts, or nearby people being heated up from the inside out. One caution: plastics are not a good container option for microwave ovens. In one 2011 study, researchers tested more than 400 plastic food containers are found that the majority leached chemicals into food. Regular ceramic plates are the best way to eliminate the risks posed by heated plastics. Use the right container or plate and microwaved food should be safe and nutritious. +

YOU ARE INVITED The Depression Anxiety Bipolar Support Group of Aiken and surrounding states

EVERY TUESDAY 6:00-7:30pm online using the GoToMeeting app

MINDY HARMON

Founder and Facilitator Text 803-507-2214 or email me: manicgh@yahoo.com Website: www.bi-polarfamilies.org www.dbsalliance.org In one of the earliest versions of an electrocardiograph, patients would be seated with both arms and left leg in separate buckets of saline solution. The buckets act as electrodes to conduct the current from three points of electrode contact known as Einthoven’s triangle, a principle still used in modern-day ECG recording.

No Pressure, No Judgment, Know Peace We Can Help. You’re not alone! We are nationally affiliated with the Depression, Bipolar, Support Alliance (DBSA)

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

5 +

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

ADVENTURES IN

Middle Age

THE FIRST 40 YEARS ARE ALWAYS THE HARDEST

BY J.B. COLLUM

console (another present-day antique) was likely when the tide began to turn me away from what I thought was my planned analog destiny. We (mostly I) had begged for the Atari for a long time, and my parents surprised us with one on a trip to Sears one glorious Saturday. It was a day that opened up a new world to me. I have always been an ardent reader. I suppose that is another manifestation of being an analog kid. I always had a few books I was reading. Usually a fantasy/science fiction book (Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, J.R.R. Tolkien, Frank Herbert), a science non-fiction book, a history book (usually one given to me by my grandmother) and an adventure book (a lot of Jack London, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and H. Rider Haggard, among others). I was an insatiable reader and still am. But video games were interactive. There were adventure games that, although very primitive by today’s standards, allowed me to travel around in a virtual world, slay dragons, rescue princesses, and more! This was like the chooseyour-own-adventure books, but with loads more possibilities and less page turning. That was fine, but I didn’t just want to play the games. I wanted to create them. For that, I would need a computer. The year I turned 16 was a milestone for me in regard to technology. Until then, I had flirted with technology, like the Atari mentioned earlier, and by experimenting with electronics kits and calculators, but that year I got my first real computer, a Commodore VIC-20. It all started with that simple little computer. There was no turning back. I spent many hours and many long nights learning to write software on it. I was making the transition from analog to digital. I would still have an affinity for the outdoors and indeed I still do, but I would end up earning my living in the technology arena. It was fitting and even poetic that this was the same year that my favorite band, Rush, released their album Signals, with the songs “Analog Kid” and “Digital Man,” along with a few other classics that have remained timeless to me while also turning out to

{

I’m a high-tech kind of guy, but I am old enough to have grown up in a time that would seem impossibly primitive to young people today. In fact, my grandchildren and other young relatives often ask me to tell them about the “olden days.” They are aghast at learning that a piece of technology they deem a necessity was not invented before my youth. It was common to hear things like: You didn’t have a cell phone? How did you find each other at the mall? How did you know how to get anywhere on a trip? No microwave? How did you make popcorn? No internet? How did you do homework or look up information? Which inevitably leads to questions about what Funk & Wagnalls was, and how we got one volume each month at the grocery store until we had the full set. The list goes on and on. Yes, I was very much an analog kid. I still remember when we had one phone between us and our next-door neighbor and it was on the tree outside. Even when it was moved into the house, it was a party line we shared with our neighbor and we had distinct rings to know who the call was for, us of them. And to answer the question that just popped into your head, no, we never listened in on the other’s conversation… that we will admit anyway. I liked playing outside. I loved going camping, fishing, hiking, riding my bike, playing football, anything to do outdoors (except chores). When the guidance counselors asked us what we wanted to do as we prepared for high school, I was sure that I wanted to work as a ranger for the National Park Service. I grew up watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, and seeing Jacques Cousteau show how beautiful the world and its flora and fauna is. I wanted to be out in it and do my part to preserve it. When I learned that those types of jobs paid very little and there was a waiting list as long as the Nile River for those jobs, I was disheartened but not completely turned away from my path. Things happened that derailed the job of my dreams and conspired to make me the digital man I am today. The day we got an Atari 2600 video game

{

NO COMPUTER, NO TREATMENT

Please see MIDDLE AGE page 6

PARENTHOOD by Dr. Warren Umansky, PhD

You have been divorced for about three years now. As a single parent, you take pride in how well your three children are doing in school and at home. They get good grades, are respectful, and you make sacrifices to allow your children to be involved in extracurricular activities. Their dad does not contribute. The custody papers give dad visitation on alternate weekends; the visits usually take place at the grandparents’ house and dad is not always there. The kids enjoy going because they get to stay up as long as they want and have almost unlimited access to electronics. When they get back to your place on Sunday evening, they are exhausted and wild. What can you do? A. Punish your children when they get home if they don’t follow the rules you have set up for them. B. Talk to the grandparents and explain how hard you have worked to keep the kids on a schedule. Ask for their help in continuing and maintaining that. C. Threaten to take dad to court if he doesn’t provide a better environment for them during visits. D. Sit down with your kids and remind them that you expect them to make good decisions wherever they are and to come home and be as kind as they usually are. If you answered: A. Children can have a difficult time adjusting to different environments and varying sets of rules, but they should adjust quickly once the structure is back in place. Punishment is not the answer. B. This is a sound approach if you have a relationship with the grandparents. Remind them that you all are concerned about the children’s health and welfare. C. While this might be an eventual course, it is expensive, it might be used by dad to turn the kids against you. Plus the outcome in court may not go your way. D. Together with choice B, this is a sound approach. Acknowledge that they enjoy their visits and you don’t want to interfere with that. But understand that ultimately you have no control over the rules at grandparents’ house as long as the children’s safety is not jeopardized. + Dr. Umansky has a child behavioral health practice in Augusta.

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

MIDDLE AGE… from page 5

The

Money Doctor ELECTION YEAR INVESTING

We are now in another election year. Despite all the uncertainty, one thing we can count on is that emotions will be running high. We are starting to get questions about changes to investment portfolios. The most common question we hear is, “Should I adjust my portfolio based on the upcoming election?” The resounding answer is no. There are too many uncertainties to seriously tilt portfolios one way or another. Perhaps an adjustment is in order, but making wholesale changes to a properly allocated portfolio does not make sense. There are too many uncertainties, including: Who will be president? Who will control the House? Who will control the Senate? Each election period we are reminded of when Bill Clinton was elected president. Many investors thought we have got to get out of the markets because he’s going to be a spender and entitlements will go through the roof. When Clinton got into office, he moved towards the center financially. Equity markets took off for the eight years of his presidency. If portfolios had been adjusted based on what many thought was going to happen, long-term

growth would have been missed. You can find charts online breaking down stock market performance by political scenarios. Many try to show that one party has done better than the other over some period. We have looked at those same charts, and none of them make us change our allocations or start tilting portfolios every 2 or 4 years. Why? The stock market is driven by longterm fundamentals like corporate earnings, interest rates, labor growth or unemployment, productivity, and economic growth, not the election cycle. Long-term investors should not be making determinations based on twoyear or four-year political cycles. Our recommendation is to maintain a diversified and coordinated investment allocation across all your accounts based on your personal goals, long-term time horizon, and risk tolerance. This election, make sure to vote, keep calm, and stay healthy! + by Clayton Quamme, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with AP Wealth Management, LLC (www.apwealth.com). AP Wealth is a financial planning and investment advisory firm with offices in Augusta, GA.

Augusta Office: 2283 Wrightsboro Rd Augusta, GA

706.733.3373 Aiken Office: 2110 Woodside Executive Ct Aiken, SC

803.644.8900

GADERM.COM E THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR ADVERTISERS! e

have much more depth revealed to me over the years. Just listen to the track, “Losing It.” That one hits hard in middle age. And “Subdivisions” has come to have more meaning as I have gone through the stages it describes. Now, with that background, I want to take a hairpin turn in our DeLorean time machine and jump back to the future, or the present actually, and talk about what happened to me at a local urgent care facility this past week. I went in with symptoms of a really bad cold or flu and was told that I could sit in there and wait, but their computers were down so it would be a while. I took this to mean that they were doing everything with paper and telephone, but I would still get treated regardless of the state of their computers. However, after sitting there for quite a while, I overheard someone being told that they couldn’t even see anyone until the computers were back up and they didn’t know when that would happen. This prompted me to get up to and to say a little prayer that I would keep my religion if the conversation went the way I feared it would. When I asked if I had heard correctly, that they couldn’t treat any patients until their computer system was back up, they confirmed this. The first 47 responses that popped into my mind were not fit to be spoken in public, but the prayer helped, and response 48 was acceptable. I essentially said, “So, the computer is down, and instead of taking each patient back to see what might be wrong with them, taking notes on paper, and entering it into the system later, we are all just going to sit here and let sick people not get care?” I promise you there were no expletives; I didn’t raise my voice and I wasn’t even being particularly sarcastic (at least for me), but when they answered in the affirmative, I think I came close to blurting one out. I am proud to say that I didn’t. The look on their faces told me they didn’t like the situation either. In fact, they were apologetic, and it wasn’t their fault, so I didn’t take it out on them. It baffles me that we box ourselves into a corner where no real work can be done when computer systems are down. It is especially outrageous that this goes on in an industry as vital as healthcare. Patients should receive care regardless of the status of a computer network. Every medical facility should have a contingency plan in place to provide care regardless of the circumstances. Have we forgotten how we got along in the “olden days” before computers? In my case, I was able to make an appointment for an hour later with a PA on the other side of that same building despite it being affiliated with the same company. Even so, I was told that they probably couldn’t send a prescription or even write one out on paper for me unless the computer system was back up by then. Yes, you read that correctly. They couldn’t even write out a paper prescription. Why do we even teach writing anymore? Perhaps Bic, Pilot, and all the other pen companies should close up shop. As it turned out, by the time of my appointment, their computer system was back up and running so I got my prescriptions. In case you are curious, the diagnosis was Covid-19. That makes it my second time. It’s a real bummer, but it will pass. On the other hand, our reliance on computers to provide health care is more likely to get worse rather than better. I sure wish somebody would do something about that soon. It is enough to make this digital man long for my days as an analog kid. + J.B. Collum is a local novelist, humorist and columnist who wants to be Mark Twain when he grows up. He may be reached at johnbcollum@gmail.com

LIFE IS COMPLICATED Death doesn’t have to be. We know how to help.

Caskets & More

1944 WALTON WAY • AUGUSTA • (706) 738-2999 • WWW.CANDMAUGUSTA.COM

TRYTHISDISH FEBRUARY 16, 2024

7 +

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

FINE HOMES DESERVE OVERHEAD

by Kim Beavers, MS, RDN, CDCES Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Chef Coach, Author Follow Kim on Facebook: facebook.com/eatingwellwithkimb

MEDITERRANEAN EGG MUG This delicious Greek egg mug cup is packed with protein and ready in just 4 minutes! Prep Time: 1 minute Cook Time: 3 minutes Ingredients • 1/2 cup chopped spinach • 1 egg • 1 egg white • 3 tablespoons diced tomatoes • 1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese • 1 tablespoon onion, chopped • 1/8 teaspoon Greek seasoning Directions Spray a large microwaveable mug with nonstick cooking spray. Add spinach and onion; microwave for 1-2 minutes, until softened. Dry up any excess liquid from the spinach with a paper towel. Add egg and egg whites and microwave for 1 minute. Stir and add all leftover ingredients. Microwave again for 1 minute or until eggs just set.

OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY OF AUGUSTA/AIKEN

(706) 736-8478 / (803) 642-7269 WWW.OHDAUGUSTA.COM

1529 CRESCENT DR. • AUGUSTA, GA 30909

PRINT Stir and allow to slightly cool before enjoying! Yield: 1 serving Nutrient Breakdown: Calories 126, Fat 4 g, Saturated Fat 2g, Cholesterol 185mg, Sodium, 340 mg, Carbohy-

drates 5 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Protein 12 g Percent Daily Value: 25% Vitamin A, 25% Vitamin C, 8% Calcium, 10% Iron Diabetes Exchange Values: 1 Vegetable, 1 ½ Lean Meat +

IS DEAD WELL, A LOT OF IT IS.

He just looks friendly.

GREG LEOPARD PC AT T O R N E Y AT L AW

Your fierce defender CRIMINAL DEFENSE • FAMILY LAW • PERSONAL INJURY 461 Greene Street at 5th • www.gregleopardlaw.com • 706-724-7511

There are others that have died in addition to the eight past publications pictured. The Senior News is no more. The Augustan (or “The New Augustan”) seems to have likewise disappeared. And many people say The Augusta Chronicle is a mere shadow of its former self. The good news is that one area publication is alive and well and going strong, and for that we have our loyal advertisers and loyal readers to sincerely thank. If you’re wondering, the name of that publication is shown below:

TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER

MEDICALEXAMINER

Want advertising info about this paper?

THANKS FOR READING!

Call 706-860-5455 or visit AugustaRx.com

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

GO FLY A KITE

SKINNY

GOT A

by Ken Wilson Steppingstones to Recovery

Works for us. Call 706-860-5455. Let’s talk!

STARTING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP

{

WHENEVER YOU HEAR

AUTO CORRECT THINK OF US.

work. Nobody builds a house in a day, but to finish requires working every day until it’s finished. When the job seems too big or daunting and intimidating, we do things one step at a time, which is one reason 12-step programs are one of the greatest success stories of the 20th century. Quitting beverage alcohol seems impossible to many people. They prefer to do “Dry January” to prove that they aren’t an alcoholic, then they pick up drinking again in February. I mean, who really wants to quit drinking entirely? Most of us would rather curtail than stop. Well, February is here.

NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED!

We are a family-run shop here to put you first with quality work backed up by our 3-year/36,000 mile repair warranty.

Courtesy Shuttle

If you didn’t do so well in January, you can always start over. In fact, I heard last week that February is the best time to make New Year’s Resolutions! If you want to try again — or try for the first time — consider a few helpful tips: • Set a start date. The secret to getting sober is to get started. I have a t-shirt hanging in my group room here at the office that says “Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday…See? There is no Someday.” I’ll Quit Tomorrow is a book title, not a mantra. • If you didn’t do well on your own, try a 12-step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous (.org) Go there and you’ll find about 200 local meetings per week. • Enroll in a treatment program if you need some help. Nothing wrong with that, these days especially. • Tell family and friends your intentions. Accountability to those close to you can be a huge boost to your choice and it success, knowing that people you love and trust are watching you to see if your words are consistent with your actions. • Hang out with

{

AD BUDGET?

Until the mid-1800s the only way across the deep Niagara Gorge was by boat, a treacherous journey at best. Charles Ellet was hired to build a bridge across the water to connect Canada to the United States. His first step in the construction process was to hold a contest to see who could fly a kite from one side to the other for a $5 prize! What did that have to do with anything? A young boy named Homan Walsh won the competition, and using his river-spanning kite string, Ellet’s men pulled a thin cord across the chasm. Then they tied a larger cord to that cord and pulled it across, repeating the process until a strong wire cable spanned the distance, and the rest is history. People paid the princely sum of $1 to cross the gorge in a metal basket rolling along the cable. Soon a 3-foot wide pedestrian bridge carried travelers across for only 25 cents. Within a few years dozens of fully-loaded trains traveled across the gorge every day on a suspension

bridge built from a kite string! Lao Tzu put it another way: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Nobody earns a college degree in a week, but to earn one requires daily

DOWNTOWN 990 Telfair St 706-724-0900 W. AUGUSTA 3954 Wrightsboro Rd 706-863-9318 MARTINEZ 4014 Washington Rd 762-685-5555 WARRENVILLE 2355 Jefferson Davis Hwy 803-593-8473 AIKEN 536 East Pine Log Rd 803-649-1341

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

THIS IS YOUR BRAIN A monthly series by an Augusta drug treatment professional

non-drinking friends, unless your drinking friends will help you stick to your plan. Usually, good luck with that. • Hint: It’s easier to drink none than one. Step groups have a saying: “One’s too many and a thousand is not enough.” Millions who have succeeded in sobriety after realizing drinking is problematic can promise you this. I promise. • You will probably crave a drink. OK. Expect that. Know that cravings will go away. When they come, just do something else for awhile instead of drink. Cravings will return. Then do something else. Cravings will return. I think you have this by now. Homan Walsh may have lost a few kites before finally getting one over the gorge, but thanks to his persistence a sturdy bridge was built starting with nothing more than a kite string. +

GOT A STORY?

Seriously, who doesn’t?

24-Hr Towing Key Rental Cars COLUMBIA & Financing & 24-Hr Options & Available Drop-Off & Available 4031 Broad River Rd 803-590-8606

• Customer shuttle • 6 months same-as-cash financing • 3-year/36,000 mile warranty • ASE Certified technicians • 24-hour towing & key drop • www.ccautomotive.com

CATCH THE C&C AUTOMOTIVE SHOW SATURDAY MORNINGS FROM 8-10 ON 580 AM OR 95.1 FM

LETSKEEPUSINAUGUSTA SHOP LOCAL!

Tell us about your medical experiences

“Everyone Has a Story” What we used to call “Medicine in the First Person.”

EMAIL: Dan@AugustaRx.com MAIL: POBox 397 Augusta GA 30903 Your story can be “by Your Name,” “by your pen name,” or “by Anonymous.”

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

9 +

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

FOODISMEDICINE

HAVING A BAD DAY?

Tasty tips from registered dietitians with the Augusta Dietetic District Association

THAT’S WHY WE’RE HERE.

SHOW YOUR HEART SOME LOVE WITH A HIGH FIBER DIET by Carly Clark, BS, BSFCS, Dietetic Intern It’s American Heart Month! Nutrition is one of the key ways to improve heart health. Eating more fiber is a great way to show your heart some love. What is fiber? Fiber is a nutrient found in plant foods that is not broken down in the body. Fiber comes in two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is helpful for slowing digestion. Soluble fiber is also good for our heart as it assists in maintaining blood sugar and lowering cholesterol levels. This type of fiber is found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Insoluble fiber helps to provide bulk to our stool and keeps us regular. Insoluble fiber can be found in foods like whole grains, beans, berries, and vegetables. Fiber and Heart Health Fiber plays many roles in supporting heart health: lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and lowering blood pressure. Foods high in soluble fiber may help lower “bad” cholesterol levels, also known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Fiber also makes meals more filling, which can be helpful in weight management. How much fiber should I be eating? The average American eats 10 to 15 grams of fiber a day, which is not enough! Men aged 50 years and younger should aim to eat 38 grams of fiber daily, and men over age 50 should aim to eat 30 grams of fiber daily. Women aged 50 years and younger should aim to eat 25 grams of fiber daily, and women over age 50 should aim to eat 21 grams of fiber daily. When in-

creasing fiber content in your diet, try to drink more water and add in fiber containing foods slowly to prevent bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation. Ways to Add Fiber Here are a few tasty ways to add fiber into your diet: • Choose whole wheat and whole grain products rather than white and refined grain products. This could mean eating whole wheat toast instead of white toast, or corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. • Try high fiber snacks like popcorn, carrots and hummus, trail mix with nuts, or steamed edamame. • Eat fruit and vegetables with skin on when possible. • Include a variety of foods in your daily diet like avocado, barley, beans, blackberries, bran flakes, broccoli, carrots, corn, green peas, pear, pumpkin, raspberries, sweet potatoes, or turnip greens. • Add nuts or seeds to oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, smoothies, or fruit. What about fiber supplements? While fiber supplements are generally safe, it’s better to get most fiber from food. Fiber supplements lack the vitamins and minerals found in plant food sources. Getting fiber from food can help prevent unwanted side effects. Start celebrating your heart this February and enjoy a variety of beans, greens, and nectarines that are high in fiber! +

NEXT TIME YOU NEED A PLUMBER Give us the chance to impress!

ARKS

HARMACY

Hometown. Not big box.

437 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC

803-279-7450 parkspharmacy.com

Residential & Commercial LAWN MAINTENANCE IRRIGATION DECKING Guaranteed Full-Service Work •

Call us today! (706) 220-8118 Free estimates

mercadolandscapingservice.com

Headquarters for the well dressed man since 1963

451 Highland Ave in Surrey Center • (706) 733-2256 • www.gentrymensshop.com

Marshall Curtis Pharmacist/Owner

MEDICAL VILLA PHARMACY

Baron Curtis

Pharmacist

Reliable Prescription Service • Fast Free Delivery

706-556-1966 * OR HEATING & AIR

1520 Laney -Walker Blvd. | Augusta, GA 30901 phone: 706.722.7355 | fax: 706.722.7357 email: CurtisRX@aol.com

AUGUSTARX COM +

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

CRASH

COURSE

More Americans have died on US roads since 2006 than in World Wars I & II combined As all of us presumably know, using a cell phone while driving is at least dangerous, and depending on where you’re driving, illegal. It’s a big part of a huge highway safety issue known as distracted driving. It kills people. Lots of them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) counted 3,522 people killed during 2021 as a direct result of distracted driving. As if that’s not bad enough, more than ten times that many were injured that year: 362, 415, all injured by distracted driving. NHTSA says approximately 10 percent of all fatal crashes involve distracted driving, a very costly toll. As alluded to above, cellphone use and texting often gets much of the blame for distracted driving, but there are many additional contributors. For example, adjusting the radio or climate controls can take a person’s eyes off the road. So can eating and drinking, which can be made worse by spilling said food and drink, especially if they’re ice cold or steaming hot. Simply talking to passengers can sometimes be enough of a distraction to cause an accident, and arguing and fighting while driving can multiply that risk exponentially, whether that’s with the kids in the back seat or the argument is with an adult. Surprisingly enough, having pets secured in a crate or kennel while driving is listed among the top ways to prevent distracted driving. As long as the list of potential distractions might be, cellphones always seem to top the list, and there’s a pretty good reason for that. Of all the potential diversions listed above (and others), only cellphones have the capacity to somehow magically remove us from the scene. Since probably all of us are guilty of talking and driving, all of us have experienced that out-of-body experience of ending a call and realizing that we have absolutely zero recollection of anything that happened over the past five miles. In other words, we were completely distracted and avoided a collision purely by chance. In other other words, we avoided an accident by accident. If something had required our urgent attention, chances are we would have crashed. One of the especially tragic things about distracted driving is the number of purely innocent bystanders killed as a result. There’s no telling how many passengers have been killed or injured by someone else’s distrac-

tions, but there are specific numbers when it comes to non-occupants, like pedestrians and bicyclists, who died as the result of distracted driving crashes: 644 in 2021. That’s close to two people dying every single day of the year, added to the more than 1,000 people riding inside vehicles who are killed or injured every day by distracted driving. As mentioned in the first few words of this article, everyone knows the things that cause distractions. We know that cellphones are definitely a distraction, but most of us think we’re the exception: we do ok driving while talking and driving and reading texts. It’s those other people who have the problem. It’s time to admit that we’re fooling ourselves. In is NHTSA who launched the U Drive. U Text. U Pay. campaign. Anyone who happens to get a traffic ticket for talking on a cellphone while driving (which has to be quite rare) should consider themselves very fortunate indeed. That last line of the campaign — U Pay — could easily refer to a massive fine or prison time — or both. A ticket would be a piece of cake by comparison. By why get any of it? As other campaigns say, “It Can Wait.” It’s a sure bet that 100% of the people who died in distracted driving crashes involving cellphones would indeed wait if they had the chance for a do-over NHTSA encourages all drivers (but especially drivers age 15 to 20, the demographic with the highest rate of distracted drivers at the time of fatal crashes) to read and adopt “The Pledge.” Here it is. Will you take it? +

TAKE THE PLEDGE The fight to end distracted driving starts with you. Make the commitment to drive phone-free today. • Protect lives by never texting or talking on the phone while driving. • Be a good passenger and speak out if the driver in my car is distracted. • Encourage my friends and family to drive phone-free. +

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

SMART SHOPPING

1-MINUTE MEDICAL

Would you like to learn within the next 60 seconds how to buy healthier groceries for your family? You have come to the right place. There is a free app that offers a quick and convenient onthe-spot evaluation of foods and many cosmetics. It’s called Yuka, and all users have to do is aim their phone at a product’s barcode. In half a second the screen will offer a rating (for example: “Excellent 90/100,” or “Poor 40/100”). What then follows is a point by point listing of why the product deserves that rating, using a handful of more specific evaluations. The product might get a mediocre rating because it’s high in calories, fat, or sodium, and all of those ratings will be individually listed below the overall rating. Its good rating might in part be because the product is a good source of protein or fiber. Some products get knocked down a peg because they’re high in preservatives. It’s pretty thorough, and looking at it in a store aisle takes a fraction of the time it did to read this description. Another plus: if a product gets a low rating, you can scroll down for similar products that have good ratings, helping to promote healthier choices. Yuka is ad-free and independent, so its snapshot evaluations are considered trustworthy and reliable. It’s not perfect, and plenty of products aren’t yet in its database, but it offers a super fast and easy way to help users choose healthier foods for their families. +

FRONT DESK ! TURE A E F NEW

FOLLIES

+ 10

...wherein we share amusing medical mis-speakings and misspellings we have overheard, or that have been shared with us.

My son told me a boy at school was kicked in his tentacles. I had a transient schematic attack. A patient listed an atomic pregnancy in her medical history. READERS: What have you heard? Please share! EMAIL: Dan@AugustaRx.com or MAIL: PO Box 397, Augusta GA 30903

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE: SUBSCRIBE (SEE P. 13) OR VISIT ISSUE.COM/MEDICALEXAMINER 24/7

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

The blog spot — posted by Tomi Mitchell, MD, on Jan. 21, 2024 (edited for space)

I QUIT: RESIGNATIONS THAT HEAL Have you ever found yourself trapped in a job that seemed to suffocate your spirit? The kind of place where stepping through the doors invoked an overwhelming sense of dread, and encountering management left you feeling like your kindness and loyalty were taken for granted? In such an environment, you might have observed a culture of indifference, where mediocrity and toxic behaviors became the accepted norm. If this sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone; unfortunately, such work environments are far too common. The prevalence of soul-crushing workplaces is particularly pronounced in health care, including physicians, practices, and hospital leadership, but recent data underscores that toxic workplace culture is not exclusive to the medical field. 64 percent of all U.S. workers, irrespective of their profession, admit to having experienced a toxic work culture. Moreover, one out of five workers acknowledges that this toxicity has had significant ramifications on their mental health. Experts emphasize that certain elements commonly found in health care work environments can exacerbate the impact of a challenging work environment. Statistics reveal that a staggering 65 percent of physician assistants (PAs) report experiencing burnout and/or depression. Within this group, 43 percent identify a lack of respect from colleagues and staff as a leading factor in their stress. Too many bureaucratic tasks, cited by 57 percent, emerge as the most prevalent reason contributing to the negative work environment. These statistics highlight the urgent need to address toxic workplace cultures across various professions, particularly in health care. Failing to do so will only lead to continued deterioration, causing doctors and other health care professionals to leave their roles. In extreme cases, some even resort to the tragic decision of taking their own lives, underscoring the urgency of addressing toxic workplace cultures. The unsettling truth is that instances of suicide among health care professionals due to toxic workplace environments are not isolated incidents. Numerous stories highlight the profound impact of relentless stress, mistreatment, and a toxic culture that has pushed dedicated professionals to the darkest corners of despair. These stories serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for comprehensive intervention and reform within the health care industry. These tragic incidents provide a critical insight into the magnitude of the problem. Behind each tragedy lies a narrative of unaddressed stressors and an environment that failed to prioritize the well-being of its caregivers. I’ve come to realize the importance of establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries. I am committed to thriving in workplaces that prioritize health, participating in health care systems that promote positive behaviors, empathy, and active listening. If a workplace fails to align with these values, my choice is clear—I will resign and move on to preserve the peace that I hold in such high regard. Quitting a job is not a sign of weakness but rather a courageous act of self-care. Choosing to resign is a bold statement that says, “I refuse to accept the status quo, and I prioritize my mental and emotional health over toxic norms.” Only through transparency, open dialogue, and a collective effort can we hope to transform the landscape of health care and ensure that professionals no longer feel compelled to sacrifice their well-being for the sake of their careers. +

MY CHOICE IS CLEAR: I WILL MOVE ON

Tomi Mitchell is a family physician

11 +

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

BIG GAME… from page 1 tians, will admit that fried foods taste good. Just about everybody likes French fries and all manner of other fried options, maybe even fried Oreos. But even fryaholics are no doubt aware that this isn’t the healthiest way to eat. The most realistic way to eat in a heart-healthy manner is not to go on an all kale all the time diet, or swear to never eat anything fried again. That just isn’t realistic. A far better strategy is to focus on healthy eating — and we all know the drill: more fruits and vegetables, less junk food and fast food, modest portion sizes, avoid snacking between meals, etc, etc — while keeping the less healthy options to reasonable limits. We are human beings, after all. We’re not going to do things perfectly. But just like dieters have so-called cheat days to help keep cravings at bay, so can anyone trying to improve their diet. Since we know it can’t always be uninterrupted progress, it’s okay to make four or five steps forward and one step back. Overall, that’s progress. Any healthy heart discussion worth the price of admission must include the urgent plea to avoid tobacco in any form. That includes smokeless tobacco and secondhand smoke. Chemicals in

tobacco are known to damage the heart and blood vessels. Cigarette smoke lowers oxygen levels in the bloodstream, which raises blood pressure and increases the heart rate since the heart has to work harder to deliver sufficient oxygen to the body and brain. Another area for attention when it comes to making the big game last as long as possible: know your blood pressure and manage it as needed to avoid hypertension. Nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure, but only about 1 in 4 have it under control. The best way to accurately keep tabs on BP is to measure it at home. Correct readings are made after a person has been sitting quietly for at least 5 minutes with both feet on the floor, not 30 seconds after a nurse has led you from the waiting room into an exam room at your doctor’s office, and

not using a machine at the grocery store. If your at-home readings are high, talk to your doctor about ways to get it under control. A few other additional game-extenders in closing: • Maintain a healthy weight, which reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Even a small weight loss — just 3% to 5% — is good for the heart. • Get enough sleep, since chronic sleep deprivation raises the risk of obesity, heart attacks, diabetes, and depression. • Manage stress, because ongoing stress is not only bad for the heart, but is linked to unhealthy coping behaviors like smoking, drinking, and overeating. All of this may sound like a lot, but no one has to do it all at once. But simply getting started results in better health and more time to enjoy it. +

Stanley A. Cooper NOTARY • LOAN SIGNING AGENT Have Notary Will Travel AVAILABLE 24/7

706.535.8484

scoopu48@gmail.com

MEDICALEXAMINER HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS • HEALTH • MEDICINE • WELLNESS

Aiken-Augusta’s most salubrious newspaper * This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration

Please review us on Facebook facebook.com/AugustaRX

+ 12

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

The Examiners +

Remember Neil Gordon?

Sure. He was a TV news guy here in Augusta years ago.

by Dan Pearson

No, he’s around. And still active in local media too.

Did he die or move away or retire?

That’s probably because these days he goes by Neil Eisenhower.

Well, I haven’t heard his name in years.

EXAMINER CROSSWORD

PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Type of club 5. European capital 9. Collegiate conf. with its HQ in Greensboro, NC 12. First name of the 2009 Masters champion 13. Bane to Fido 14. Native of Bangkok 16. Job festival 18. Please, give me one 19. Amazement 20. Converse 21. Kidney adjective 22. Purloined 23. A bunt is usually this 24. Religion founded in Iran 27. Augusta’s Blue _______ 28. Muse of lyric poetry 29. 2002-2003 epidemic (abbrev) 31. Ball position 34. Argument tactic 38. Restaurant or bar bill 39. Augusta’s NPR station 40. Prefix denoting tissue 41. Meeting of witches 44. Sticky pine excretion 45. Davidson’s first name? 47. Georgian who won the 1973 Masters 50. First part of Lew Alcindor’s adopted last name 51. Singular version of 58-D 52. Ocean 55. Housekeeper 56. Adorned with streamers 59. Palmetto state util. 60. Blocker prefix 61. It hangs above the throat 62. Where the Wild Things ___ 63. Family 64. Droops

The Mystery Word for this issue: AEHNLGI

Simply unscramble the letters, then begin exploring our ads. When you find the correctly spelled word HIDDEN in one of our ads — enter at AugustaRx.com

Click on “MYSTERY WORD” • DEADLINE TO ENTER: NOON, FEB. 25, 2024

We’ll announce the winner in our next issue!

DIRECTIONS: Every line, vertical and horizontal, and all nine 9-square boxes must each contain the numbers 1 though 9. Solution on page 14.

DOWN 1. Chew on 2. Fairy tale beast 3. Mr. Janzen of the PGA 4. Bend (alt. spelling) 5. Garbage, especially with animal entrails 6. Roofing stone 7. Flower wreath 8. Paddle 9. Seat of Clarke County (GA) 10. Constant; unvarying 11. Augusta _______ 12. “Obamacare” acronym 15. Doing nothing 17. 17th letter of the Greek alphabet 21. Site of the 2016 Summer Olympics 22. Satisfy to the full 23. The only baseball player to hit 60 or more homers in a season 3 times 24. Of the highest quality 25. Operatic melody

THE MYSTERY WORD

26. A soldier armed with a halberd 27. Norman of the PGA 29. Quick!!! 30. Curve 32. Former Peruvian money 33. English public school 35. Bob, winner of the ‘86 PGA Championship 36. Clot 37. Look or demeanor 42. Thick industrial gunk 43. Canaanite god (var.) 45. Poor actors 46. Manila hemp plant 47. Main artery 48. _____ Flu 49. Chafe 52. Cozy 53. Long fish 54. Dental org. 56. London-based broadcaster 57. Just one 53-D 58. Plural version of 51-A Solution p. 14

QUOTATIONPUZZLE Y E B S N I N E B H T Y E M V I H L L O M V T O S E E L W L E O M E O E E H E N A F D P

5 2 6 4 8 3 3 1 A 2 7 4I 9 K 9 8 1 6 7 5

— Plato

DIRECTIONS: Recreate a timeless nugget of wisdom by using the letters in each vertical column to fill the boxes above them. Once any letter is used, cross it out in the lower half of the puzzle. Letters may be used only once. Black squares indicate spaces between words, and words may extend onto a second line. Solution on page 14.

Use the letters provided at bottom to create words to solve the puzzle above. All the listed letters following #1 are the first letters of the various words; the letters following #2 are the second letters of each word, and so on. Try solving words with letter clues or numbers with minimal choices listed. A sample is shown. Solution on page 14.

1 2 3 4

L 1 2 3 4 5 6

I 1 2 3 4

T 1

D 1 2 3 4 1 2

F 1 2 3 4 5 W 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3

1 2

1.PRIFFFILAST 2.HOOTIEESAI 3.WORMUKEN 4.LEEDRAP 5.ERTL 6.DE

SAMPLE:

1. ILB 2. SLO 3. VI 4. NE 5. D =

L 1

O 2

V 3

E 4

I 1

S 2

B 1

L 2

I 3

N 4

D 5

WORDS NUMBER

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

1 7 9 5 8 6 2 3 4

9 3 1 2 4 7 6 5 8

7 8 2 9 6 5 1 4 3

6 5 4 8 1 3 7 9 2

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

13 +

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

THEBESTMEDICINE ha... ha...

The

Advice Doctor

ours! Don’t you remember that second night in the hospital? The baby hadn’t stopped crying for two days. You told me you were exhausted and asked me if I would change the baby. “So I did!”

Moe: Did you know the moon landing is fake? Joe: Don’t be ridiculous! The fake moon landing never actually happened.

couple trying to save their marriage go to a marriage counselor. At the first session the counselor asks the wife to describe the biggest problem in their marriage. “I’m sick and tired of him taking everything so literally,” she complains. The therapist turns to the husband and asks, “Do you understand what she means?” “Of course I do,” says the husband. “It’s a feminine pronoun.” Moe: How do Australians say no? Joe: They say ou. One day a young boy came home from school and asked his mother, “Mom, am I adopted?” “Heavens, no!” she said. “Why would you ask such a thing?” “We all did a DNA test in school today for history class, and they said my DNA is different from yours and Daddy’s. “HARVEY! COME IN HERE!” she bellowed. “What’s going on?” asked the husband. After his wife explained what their son had revealed, the husband said,”Of course he’s not

A secret agent is sent to Ireland to deliver a top secret package. His instructions: Go to a certain village in Ireland, find agent O’Malley and say the following: “The shadows of the moon are getting dark.” In turn he will reply, “Yes, but the sun will guarantee the light.” When he says that, hand him the package and head home. Your mission will be complete. The agent travels to the town and asks a farmer, the first person he sees, where he can find a man named O’Malley. “You’ll need to be more specific than that,” the farmer says. “The butcher is named O’Malley and so is the undertaker and the bank manager. For that matter, I’m an O’Malley meself.” Hearing that, the agent says in a hushed voice, “The shadows of the moon are getting dark.” “Ah,” the farmer says, “You’re looking for O’Malley the spy. He lives in the little yellow house at the edge of town.” Two young royals were talking in their castle one day in the royal gymnasium. “I hit my step count yesterday,” said one. “Oh really,” yawned the other. “I did. He’s not my real count anyway and I hate him.” +

Why subscribe to theMEDICALEXAMINER? Staring at my phone all day has certainly had no Effect on ME!

Because try as they might, no one can stare at their phone all day.

Dear Advice Doctor, We’re having a series of lay-offs at my job. Every week there are a few more, so most of us are seeing the handwriting on the wall and we’re updating our resumes. Talk about creative writing! I know a resume isn’t the place to put yourself out there, warts and all, but is it standard operating procedure to paint a picture of someone who is non-existent? — Perfect (On Paper at Least) Dear Perfect, You are far from the first person to be in this situation, and you certainly won’t be the last. It’s a great subject for advice, however, because after all, who wants to be out there looking for a job when they have warts? Answer: nobody. So let’s take a look at what warts are, how they can be treated, and even better, how they can be prevented. It might surprise you to know that human papillomavirus (HPV) is the culprit. Controversy has surrounded the HPV vaccine because many people associate it with sexual health, and they object to 10- or 12-year-olds getting a vaccine that protects them from conduct people they shouldn’t be engaging in to begin with. As it happens, HPV causes a range of cancers — and warts. The virus can enter the skin through a cut or scrape in the skin, which is why children with their frequent cuts and scrapes are more susceptible to warts. But then, so are the elderly and anyone with an autoimmune disease or a weakened immune system. Let’s talk about prevention first, which is far better than treatment. They are communicable, so don’t touch another person’s wart. Don’t share towels, nail clippers, razors, clothing, or other personal items, and wear shoes or flip-flops in public pools, showers and locker rooms. Break the habit of nail biting. As for treatment, don’t pick at or scratch your own warts. There are various over-the-counter wart removal medications, but patience is required: it may take several months of daily applications to get rid of the wart completely. For genital warts or persistent warts that won’t go away, talk to your doctor. Get the HPV vaccine if you haven’t done so already. Thanks for writing, and best wishes on your job search! + Do you have a question for The Advice Doctor about health, life, love, personal relationships, career, raising children, or any other important topic? Send it to News@AugustaRx.com. Replies will be provided only in the Examiner.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MEDICALEXAMINER Why read the Medical Examiner: Reason #41 +

By popular demand we’re making at-cost subscriptions available for the convenience of our readers. If you live beyond the Aiken-Augusta area, or miss issues between doctor’s appointments — don’t you hate it when that happens? — we’ll command your mail carrier to bring every issue to your house! NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP Choose six months for $24 ____ or one year for $42 ____. Mail this completed form with payment to Augusta Medical Examiner, PO Box 397, Augusta GA 30903-0397

BEFORE READING.

AFTER READING.

8 3

+ 14

7 8 9 1

THE MYSTERY SOLVED The Mystery Word in our last issue was: INFLUENZA

...cleverly hidden in the Facebook “Like” in the p. 15 ad for the MEDICAL EXAMINER

THE WINNER: LEVI SMITH! If that’s your name, congratulations! Send us your mailing address using the email address in the box on page 3. The new Mystery Word is on page 12. Start looking!

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER THE PUZZLE SOLVED G O L F O S L O A C C A N G E L F L E A T H A I C A R E E R F A I R H A N D A W E C H A T R E N A L S T O L E S I N G L E B A H A I G O O S E E R A T O S A R S L I E S I L E N T T R E A T M E N T T A B W A C G H I S T O E S B A T R E S I N H A R L E Y A A R O N A B D U L O V U M S E A M A I D B E R I B B O N E D S C E G B E T A U V U L A A R E C L A N S A G S

SEE PAGE 12

The Celebrated TheSUDOKUsolution MYSTERY WORD CONTEST 5 2 1 9 7 6 3 8 4

...wherein we hide (with fiendish cleverness) a simple word. All you have to do is unscramble the word (found on page 12), then find it concealed within one of our ads. Click in to the contest link at www.AugustaRx.com and enter. If we pick you in our random drawing of correct entries, you’ll score our goodie package! SEVEN SIMPLE RULES: 1. Unscramble and find the designated word hidden within one of the ads in this issue. 2. Visit the Reader Contests page at www.AugustaRx.com. 3. Tell us what you found and where you found it. 4. If you’re right and you’re the one we pick at random, you win. (Winners within the past six months are ineligible.) 5. Prizes awarded to winners may vary from issue to issue. Limited sizes are available for shirt prize. 6. A photo ID may be required to claim some prizes. 7. Other entrants may win a lesser prize at the sole discretion of the publisher. 8. Deadline to enter is shown on page 12.

6 8 3 2 4 9 1 7

4 3 1 7 9 8 6 5

7 9 5 8 6 2 3 4

3 1 2 4 7 6 5 8

8 2 9 6 5 1 4 3

5 4 8 1 3 7 9 2

1 6 7 5 8 4 2 9

2 5 4 9 1 3 7 6

QuotatioN QUOTATION PUZZLE SOLUTION When men speak ill of thee live so nobody may believe them. — Plato

WORDS BY NUMBER Some people find fault like there is a reward for it. — Zig Ziglar

9 7 6 3 2 5 8 1

READ EVERY ISSUE ONLINE WWW.ISSUU.COM/ MEDICALEXAMINER

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY +

ACUPUNCTURE

DERMATOLOGY

EMF PROTECTION

Dr. Eric Sherrell, DACM, LAC Augusta Acupuncture Clinic 4141 Columbia Road 706-888-0707 www.AcuClinicGA.com

Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center 2283 Wrightsboro Rd. (at Johns Road) Augusta 30904 706-733-3373 SKIN CANCER CENTER www.GaDerm.com

EMF Safe Homes Sheila Reavill Certified Building Biology Specialist 209-625-8382 (landline) SURVEY•ASSESSMENT•REMEDIATION

WOODY MERRY www.woodymerry.com Long-Term Care Planning I CAN HELP! (706) 733-3190 • 733-5525 (fax)

IN-HOME CARE

PHARMACY

CHIROPRACTIC Evans Chiropractic Health Center Dr. William M. Rice 108 SRP Drive, Suite A 706-860-4001 www.evanschiro.net

COUNSELING Resolution Counseling Professionals 3633 Wheeler Rd, Suite 365 Augusta 30909 706-432-6866 www.visitrcp.com

DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICS Karen L. Carter, MD 1303 D’Antignac St, Suite 2100 Augusta 30901 706-396-0600 www.augustadevelopmentalspecialists.com

DRUG REHAB Steppingstones to Recovery 2610 Commons Blvd. Augusta 30909 706-733-1935

DENTISTRY

YOUR LISTING

Jason H. Lee, DMD 116 Davis Road Augusta 30907 706-860-4048

Augusta Area Healthcare Provider 4321 CSRA Boulevard Augusta 30901 706-555-1234

Floss ‘em or lose ‘em!

Steven L. Wilson, DMD Family Dentistry 4059 Columbia Road Martinez 30907 706-863-9445

CALL 706.860.5455 TODAY!

Everyday Elder Care LLC Certified Home Health/Caregiver 706-231-7001 everydayeldercare.com Zena Home Care Personal Care|Skilled Nursing|Companion 706-426-5967 www.zenahomecare.com

YOUR LISTING HERE Your Practice And up to four additional lines of your choosing and, if desired, your logo. Keep your contact information in this convenient place seen by thousands of patients every month. Call (706) 860-5455 for all the details!

LONG TERM CARE

Parks Pharmacy 437 Georgia Ave. ARKS N. Augusta 29841 HARMACY 803-279-7450 www.parkspharmacy.com

SLEEP MEDICINE Sleep Institute of Augusta Bashir Chaudhary, MD 3685 Wheeler Rd, Suite 101 Augusta 30909 706-868-8555

WEIGHT LOSS/DETOX 3K BODY CONTOUR (NON-SURGICAL) BYE BYE BELLY • Detox Juice/Tea 233 Davis Road Suite H Augusta GA 30907 706-403-7536

CALL THE MEDICAL EXAMINER (706-860-5455) TO BE LISTED HERE

Thank you for supporting our advertisers! advertisers!

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

15 +

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

OUR NEXT ISSUE DATE:

ROLLED SANDWICHES • SOUPS • SALADS

OUR POLICY: EVERY SANDWICH IS A

ROLL

your

MODEL

2024

01 MARCH

3626 Walton Way Extension (Walton’s Corner) Phone: 706.736.1099 Fax: 706.736.4401

www.facebook.com/ AugustaRx

OrderRolyPoly.com

VISIT US IN THE UPTOWN VA BY THE RETAIL STORE ART & FRAME

Custom Framing Custom Mirrors

Art Installation Reframing

526 Georgia Avenue • North Augusta • 803.441.0144

THE THRILL IS GONE Ready to get your life back?

Steppingstones to Recovery 2610 Commons Blvd. Augusta GA 30909

706-733-1935

WINDOW CLEANING • PRESSURE WASHING Free estimates! Call us today at 706-828-1919

+ 16

AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

AIYAN DIABETES CENTER Comprehensive Multi-Specialty Care

CENTER FOR PODIATRY CARE

AIYAN RETINA CENTER

Fax Referrals: 706-868-3719

Janaki Nadarajah, DPM Wound Care Specialist P.A.D., Leg Pain

Guillermo Gallardo, MD Ophthalmologist and Retina Specialist

Harold Coleman, DPM Podiatrist, Foot & Ankle, Heel Pain

VASCULAR SURGERY CENTER

Kaushal J. Shah, MD Vascular Surgeon

ARTHRITIS/KNEE PAIN CLINIC Fax Referrals: 706-868-3719

Alain Domkam, MD

Vascular Surgeon

Salman Mufti, MD

Paul Butros, MD

ENDOCRINOLOGISTS

Call: 706-868-0319; Fax: 706-868-3719

DeAnn Henderson, MD

Komal Quershi, MD

Risha Malik, MD

AIYAN DIABETES CENTER 462 FURYS FERRY RD • AUGUSTA 30907 (706) 868-0319 • AIYANDIABETES.COM FAX: (706) 868-3719