Magic Maze

Mountain Cabin

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 55-year-old perimenopausal woman who developed asthma a few years ago. My symptoms always start right before my menstrual cycle. My doctor ruled out allergies as the cause. I used to get colds and sinus infections premenstrually in my younger years. Most medical practitioners don’t see the correlation between hormones and respiratory symptoms. I sometimes take 10 mg of prednisone when I’m wheezing more than usual, and it seems to help. Is this dose putting me at risk for diabetes if taken regularly? -- B.S.

ANSWER: Perimenstrual asthma is a wellrecognized condition that is nevertheless not well-known by most nonexperts. It is less likely to be caused by allergies and more likely to be aspirin-sensitive -- meaning that aspirin, or other anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) commonly taken by women during menstruation, can trigger an asthma attack. Maybe a quarter of women with asthma have perimenstrual asthma. As you say, it is thought to be the hormone changes around menstruation that trigger the asthma.

Oral contraceptives used continuously prevent large changes in progesterone and estradiol, and may be helpful in managing perimenstrual asthma. Although I didn’t find a lot about it in literature, I suspect that when your periods stop, your asthma symptoms will get better.

Increased medication at the time of menses is frequently needed. However, because prednisone, even at the fairly small dose of 10 mg, does increase risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, glaucoma, cataracts and many other conditions, oral prednisone is not my first choice for medication in this situation.

Inhaled steroids would be one choice, but they take a while to begin working. One recommended treatment is the oral medicine montelukast (Singulair), which has been proven effective in a small study and starts working right away.

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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. © 2023 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

York Central School Open Positions

Occupational erapist

General Education Teacher K-6 (grade 6)

General Science Teacher 7-12

Special Education Teachers 7-12

Long Term Music (Vocal) Teacher

Cleaner (2nd Shi )

Food Service Monitor

School Bus Driver

Continual Recruitment - Substitutes: Teachers (Certi ed and Uncerti ed)

Aides/TAs • RNs/LPNs • Cleaners

Food Service Helpers • School Bus Drivers

All interviews begin upon receipt of application. Additional information & application available: www.yorkcsd.org

BUILD YOUR NETWORK TO LAND A NEW JOB

Stay in touch. Professional networks are most effective for professionals who keep in touch with their colleagues and acquaintances. Follow up with colleagues you’ve worked with in the past to see if there’s anything you can do for them or to check in on how a project you discussed with them is going. Staying in touch can shed light on job opportunities or open other doors that might facilitate your job search.

Cdl A Driver

Shelby Transportation is currently seeking motivated and dedicated team members who are responsible for local grain hauling and home every night.

• Potential for $60k plus

• Excellent benefits – health and dental insurance, matching 401(k), life insurance, wellness benefits.

• Requirements: Minimum 3 years driving experience. Good MVR, No DUI/DWI

• On farm/agricultural experience preferred Apply in person 4141 Bates Rd, Medina, NY, or email resume to jobs@wnyenergy.com.

Summer Jobs Available! GROUNDS/BUILDING MAINTENANCE

• College Students Wanted

• Minimum of 18 years old to apply

• Hours of work: 6 am – 2:30 pm M-F; Overtime when necessary.

• $16.00 an Hour

We have building and grounds maintenance projects and need summer help. is is a great job for college students. e position runs May through August. Must be able to work independently.

To apply, stop in at: 700 Ellicott Ave. in Batavia to ll out an application OR call (585) 343-3140 ext. 3057 to set up an interview

Women And Stem

The number of women entering the professional fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is slowly growing around the world, but there is still a sizable gender gap in these professions. According to the College Board, which produces many standardized tests, only 27 percent of all students taking the AP Computer Science exam in the United Sciencearewomen.Similarly,just 18 percent of American computerscience degrees are attained by females. However, this is not the case elsewhere in the world. A paper by Gijsbert Stoet and David Geary published in Psychological Science noted that women who live in countries with traditionally higher gender inequality tend to choose STEM professions more readily. Algeria, for example, has one of the highest ratios of women in STEM professions, at 41 percent. Stoet and Geary surmise that women in these countries may be choosing careers with the strongest path to financial independence.

According to a U.S. Department of Education report, students studying science or math in collegehaveahigheremployment rate and salary than other majors after graduation. STEM majors typically earn an average of $15,500 more annually than nonSTEM majors. Engineering and engineering technology tends to pay the most. Women eager to secure competitive, stable and well-paying jobs should carefully consider the opportunities available to them in STEM fields.