South Texas Medical Directory

Gianis

Vascular and Endovascular Surgeons

Vascular and Endovascular Surgeons

WHAT IS PAD?

WHAT IS PAD?

SAVE LIMBS, SAVE LIVES

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is the blockage of arteries in the blood vessels leading to the legs, arms, and head.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is the blockage of arteries in the blood vessels leading to the legs, arms, and head.

P.A.D. is often has no symptoms and goes undiagnosed.

P.A.D. is often has no symptoms and goes undiagnosed.

P.A.D. can increase the risk for heart attack and stroke.

P.A.D. can increase the risk for heart attack and stroke.

If left untreated, P.A.D. can result in amputation.

If left untreated, P.A.D. can result in amputation.

FLORESVILLE:

FLORESVILLE:

260 US -181

260 US -181

Floresville, TX 78114

Floresville, TX 78114

PLEASANTON:

COULD I HAVE PAD?

COULD I HAVE PAD?

Anyone over the age 50 with any of the following should consider be screened.

Anyone over the age 50 with any of the following should consider be screened.

 Diabetes

 Diabetes

 High Cholesterol

 High Cholesterol

 High Blood Pressure

 High Blood Pressure

 History of Smoking

 History of Smoking

 Family History of Stroke

 Family History of Stroke

 Family History of Heart Attack

 Family History of Heart Attack

PLEASANTON: 1102 N. Main St. Pleasanton, TX 78064

1102 N. Main St. Pleasanton, TX 78064

Dr. Thomas

Dr. Lyssa Ochoa

Simple ways to cut cancer risk

Cancer affects people from all walks of life. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, there were an estimated 18.1 million cancer cases around the world in 2020, and the breakdown was almost even among men (9.3 million) and women (8.8 million).

Great strides have been made in cancer research in the twenty-first century, and that has led to countless lives being saved.

Cancer prevention strategies are another potentially lifesaving tool in the fight against the disease. A significant percentage of cancer deaths could be prevented. In fact, the Prevent Cancer® Foundation reports that research indicates about 50 percent of cancer deaths are preventable with the knowledge individuals have today.

Perhaps the most comforting aspect of cancer prevention is that many of the strategies that can reduce instances of the disease are simple. That means individuals won’t have to go to great lengths to include these strategies in their approach to cancer prevention.

•Avoid tobacco. The link between tobacco use and cancer has been known for a long time, and the good news is the message touting the importance of avoiding tobacco is working. The American Cancer Society reports that cigarette smoking rates had reached historic lows in 2019. While that’s great news, it might not tell the whole story, as consumers now have

many other ways to use tobacco, each of which have been linked to cancer. So it’s not simply avoiding cigarettes, but also cigars, hookahs, chewing tobacco, vaping products, and more, that is necessary to reduce cancer risk.

•Shield your skin from the sun. The PCF notes that exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays causes the most skin cancers. The WCRFI reports that melanoma of the skin is the thirteenth most common cancer in men and the fifteenth most common cancer in women across the globe. Protecting the skin from the sun is as simple as applying a sunscreen with a minium sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 and covering up when spending long periods of time in the sun. The PCF urges individuals to avoid tanning beds and protect their skin year-round, including in winter.

•Utilize fruits and vegetables in your fight against cancer. The popularity of plant-based diets is on the rise. In fact, retail sales of plant-based foods in the United States increased by 11 percent in a single year between 2018 and 2019, according to data from the Plant Based Foods Association. A greater reliance on plant-based diets could go a long way toward reducing cancer deaths, as the PCF notes a 2021 study found that three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit each day reduced the risk of cancer death by 10 percent.

•Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. The PCF notes that alcohol has been linked to cancers of the breast, liver, esophagus, and colon. When consuming alcohol, women are urged to limit their consumption to one drink or fewer each day, while men should limit their consumption to two or fewer alcoholic beverages per day. The science is simple: the more alcohol a person drinks, the greater his or her risk for cancer.

Cancer prevention is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle, and there are many simply ways people can cut their cancer risk.

“We change your world with a smile.”

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For

Many ways to get care, in-person at a location near you or online

Your care team helps coordinate your needs with other doctors and specialists.

May receive additional guidance and support from your dedicated health care manager

Resources that help connect you to obtain food, housing information and applying for Medicaid verification

Education is provided for patients to help manage their chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and lung conditions.

888-781-WELL (9355)。

Ways people can boost their

Mental health issues have garnered considerable attention in recent years, but the scope of the global mental health crisis may be even greater than people realize. A recent study co-led by researchers at Harvard Medical School and the University of Queensland that was published in The Lancet Psychiatry in fall 2023 concluded that one out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime. That makes mental health disorders a more common problem than cancer, heart disease and

Did you know?

Women should pay careful attention to their physical health, but it’s worth noting the importance of tending to one’s mental well-being as well. Data concerning women and mental health highlights some eye-opening disparities between women and men. The American Psychiatric Association says each year one in five women in the United States experiences a mental health problem. Twice as many women as men experiences depression. In addition, compared with men, women are twice as likely to experience post traumatic stress disorder or anxiety (both generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder). Women also are more likely to attempt suicide than men, but men are four times more likely to die by suicide. Women exhibit higher rates of various mental health disorders than men (rates of impulse control disorders and substance abuse disorders are higher among men than women). It is important to note that many mental health issues can be successfully treated and women should seek the assistance of a mental health professional if they need help.

other physical ailments that tend to garner more attention than mental health issues.

Anyone experiencing mental health issues is urged to speak with a medical professional who specializes in such areas. Mental health issues may not manifest with symptoms like broken bones that common sense suggests require the assistance of a licensed medical professional, but that does not mean issues affecting the mind or a person’s outlook do not require the help of someone trained to deal with them. Much like people can heal from a broken bone after seeing a medical professional, individuals confronting mental health issues have much to gain from working with a mental health specialist.

A 2021 study from the United Kingdom-based Mental Health Foundation published in the American Journal of Health Promotion found 29 strategies people can employ to protect their mental health. The study considered mental health research and the views of mental health experts, but also input from the general public regarding ways they confront mental health issues. It’s important that anyone dealing with mental health issues not conflate these strategies with treatment. Though they can help protect mental health, they should be seen as a supplement to treatment overseen by a licensed mental health professional. A rundown of the 29 strategies can be found at mentalhealth.org.uk, but the following are three recommendations that anyone can apply in their daily lives.

1. Spend more time in nature. The calming effects of nature have been noted for centuries, if not longer. The American Psychological Association

mental health every day mental health day

notes that spending time in nature benefits both physical and psychological well-being in humans. Perhaps that’s one reason why participants in the MHF study reported walks in nature was their preferred way to cope with stress stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The Japanese practice of forest bathing has been noted for its positive effects on mental health, but even those without ready access to wooded areas should know that simply spending more time outdoors each day can positively affect mental health.

2. Avoid using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. The MHF notes that any relief offered by drugs and alcohol is temporary and can even exacerbate existing mental health issues. The American Addiction Centers reports that coping mechanisms are compulsions or habits formed over time that serve to help people manage particular situations or issues, including stress. However, the AAC also notes that not all coping mechanisms are beneficial and some, including drug and alcohol use, are

maladaptive and destructive. After a particularly stressful day, or during times when people are experiencing anxiety and/or depression, avoid looking at drugs or alcohol as means to coping.

3. Get enough sleep. The MHF notes that adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. Some may see seven hours or more per night as a luxury, but it’s important that such an outlook changes. The Columbia University Department of Psychiatry notes that there is now robust evidence to support a link between sleep and mental health. Insufficient or even poor sleep has been found to increase negative emotional responses to stressors. Perhaps even more noteworthy is that poor or insufficient sleep decreases positive emotions. So it’s vital to recognize the important role that adequate, good-quality sleep has on mental health.

These are just a handful of approaches individuals can take to boost their mental health each day.

Down Home Hospice of South Texas provides dignified, compassionate Hospice Care WHERE, WHEN and HOW you and your family choose.

Down Home Hospice is family owned and operated by Charles and Kerri Roy who each have over 25 years of Hospice and Homecare experience. They have dedicated their careers to caring for patients and families in whatever setting they call home. We are not part of a large company or corporation.

“We’re your South Texas neighbors, and we are here to help.”

Hospice Care can be a beginning. With Hospice services you may receive more medical and personal care attention than you ever have before. Our specialized care is provided within any place that you call home. Please know, our goals of care are the same as yours:

• Achieve the level of comfort that you desire.

• Manage your care aggressively at home to avoid unplanned trips to the hospital.

• Improve the quality and enjoyment of life with your family.

Counties proudly served by

Down Home Hospice:

Atascosa • Bee

DeWitt • Goliad

Gonzales

Guadalupe • Karnes

Live Oak • McMullen

Victoria • Wilson

You deserve to be in your home, well cared for, and comfortable.

Please call us anytime to see if Hospice Care might be right for you and your family.

Phone: 830-223-4688

Fax: 830-229-2418

7594 US 181 North, Floresville, Texas 78114

Did you know?

The mouth and throat are vulnerable to cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that, in 2023, about 54,540 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer will be diagnosed. It's also expected that about 11,580 deaths from these cancers will occur this year. Oral cancers most notably affect the tongue, tonsils and oropharynx, which is the part of the throat behind the mouth. The gums, floor of the mouth and other parts of the mouth also can be affected. The ACS says the average age people are diagnosed with these cancers is 64, but they can occur in young people as well. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research says overall oral cancer rates have increased by around 15 percent from the mid-

1970s despite being highly preventable. Among people aged 70 to 79, those who are non-Hispanic White are most likely to experience oral cancers, followed by Black individuals. Black people have the highest incidences of oral cancers at younger ages. While data from the ACS indicates incidence rates for oral cancers increased at less than 1 percent per year for women and remained stable from 2015 to 2019, cancers in the oropharynx linked with human papillomavirus infection, a sexually transmitted disease, increased yearly at higher percentages in both women and men during the same time period. That could mean that more education is needed regarding safely preventing these types of HPV-positive cancers.

There’s no one-size-fitsall strategy when it comes to calorie consumption, and that can contribute to some confusion as adults try to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Dietary guidelines established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services promote nutrient-dense foods and beverages, but many people prefer to know how many calories they should consume each day. Though that’s understandable, the quality of the calories consumed goes a long way toward determining how nutritious a diet is. The Cleveland Clinic notes that the DHHS guidelines have historically

recommended adults 21 and over consume between 1,600 and 3,000 calories per day. However, staying within those parameters does not necessarily mean a person’s diet is healthy. Though individuals should keep total calorie consumption in mind when planning their diets, it’s equally important to recognize what else the DHHS has to say about diet, particularly foods to avoid. The DHHS recommends limiting consumption of foods and beverages that are high in added sugars, saturated fat and sodium. Limiting consumption of alcoholic beverages is another way to ensure your diet is working for you and not against you.

Individualized Approach to Cancer Care

Works with patients and families to formulate plan

Focuses on whole patient not just disease

Treats all adult cancers and most benign hematology disorders

Education

Fellowship in Medical Oncology

Internship & Residency in Internal Medicine

Doctor of Osteopathy

Certi cations

Board Certi ed - Medical Oncology

Board Certi ed - Internal Medicine

Board Certi ed - Hospice & Palliative Medicine

American College of Osteopathic Internists

American Osteopathic Association

Honors & Memberships

American Society of Clinical Oncology

Texas Osteopathic Medical Association

Fellow, American College of Osteopathic Internists

Bexar County Medical Society

Jessica

Admissions accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays!

Nursing Services:

• 24-hour Skilled Nursing Care

• Wound Care

• Telemedicine

• I.V. Therapy

• Bi-PAP & CPAP Trained Nurses

1615

Rehabilitative Services:

• Short Term Rehab Stays

• Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy

• Rehabilitation Modalities include, but are not limited to: E-Stim, Ultrasound, & much more!

1012

SERVICES

Semaglutide & IV erapy Now Available

Cosmetic Services

All injectables are scheduled with a Certi ed Nurse Practitioner

Botox — Radiesse — Juvederm

Chemical Peels & Microneedling

Bio-Identical Hormone erapy

Including Hormone Pellets — Male & Female

Primary & Preventive Care Including:

•Well-Women Exams

•Adult Physicals with Labs & EKG

•DOT Physicals

•Joint Injections, In-grown Nail Removal, Mole Removal

•Xymogen Supplements, Airrosti Rehab

•Weight Loss Programs

210-648-9900

Same Day Appointments Available

7541 Hwy 87 E, Ste. 1, San Antonio

beavermedicalgrp.com

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Mon.- urs. 8am-5pm Fri. 8am-1pm

Gail Beaver, APRN, AGNP-C Adults Only

Hailey Leach, APRN, FNP-C Ages 12 & Above