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OCTOBER 2, 2026
AIKEN-AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • OUR 20th YEAR
THAT SENSE OF
AUGUSTARX.COM
URGENCY
It was fascinating to learn about the sense of hearing, touch, sight, smell and taste. But this? We’ll be the first to admit that it’s not nearly as fun to talk about this sense compared to the amazing things we learned examining the Top 5. But it’s still important, especially if it’s something you are dealing with. And when we say you, who do we mean? Prepare to be shocked. Urinary incontinence affects an estimated 100 million Americans. Do not adjust your Medical Examiner! The breakdown of who is affected is roughly 80% women and 20% men. If there was such a thing as the quintessential “victim,” it would be a woman in her 60s, But as is often the case, stereotypes are misleading. In fact, according to the National Association for Continence, about half of all people living with incontinence are age 50 and under. And it can be way under: pregnancy is a major factor in young women, since having an 8-pound weight pressing on your bladder tends to reduce its capacity. Who knew? Millions of men experience bladder control problems too, maybe due to prostate issues or post-operative changes. So maybe we don’t want to talk about it, but we should. After all, what could be worse than trying to put in a day’s work or endure some endless meeting Our 5-part series so far: while you’re stressed out by endless scenarios of 1. The sense of touch (June 5) embarrassing disasters your mind is churning out? So on top of everything else, incontinence (or just 2. The sense of taste (Jume 19) the possibility of it) causes untold stress, and can 3. The sense of smell (July 3) destroy a person’s social life and general enjoyment 4. The sense of hearing (July 17) of doing just about anything. 5. The sense of sight (Aug. 7) Having said all of that, you will be shocked by a 6. First 5 Round-up (Aug. 21) statistic coming up about incontinence. And that’s not just a pitch to get you to turn the page. It’s gen- 7. The sense of belonging (Sept. 4) 8. The sense of humor (Sept. 19) uinely surprising. Find out what it is on page 11. The return of the
The Senses
Mystery Word Contest!
9. The sense of urgency (Oct. 2)
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THE FIRST 40 YEARS ARE ALWAYS THE HARDEST
Signs and Symptoms Problematic technology use may involve:
THOUGHTS ABOUT
PARENTHOOD THOUGHTS 63
by Dr. Warren Umansky, PhD
You read recently that reading and math scores of American students have fallen sharply in the past years. Reading scores, you saw, are near their lowest point in 25 years. Math scores are lower than they have been since the world survey of students began in 2020. Scores for American students are not even close to many Asian countries. Should you be concerned? A. If your children do well in school on iReady testing or other standardized tests and they enjoy reading for pleasure, you probably don’t need to be concerned now. B. Your children want to be car mechanics or professional athletes. They don’t need to read or do math so well. C. If your children are not doing well in school and spend more time on social media and video games than on school work and reading for pleasure, you should be concerned. D. Our country is doing okay. I’d rather my children be happy than having to listen to me badgering them about how they need to do better in school and how they spend their time at home. If you answered: A. Your children likely are doing well because you are a good role model and set realistic expectations and limits for them. If that continues, they will realize that the work paid off. They are more likely to find a career that they have chosen and that will be financially and emotionally rewarding. B. There are very few satisfying and rewarding careers these days that don’t require good reading and math skills. Ignoring the importance of math and reading now almost surely will set your children’s destiny for less rewarding and less enjoyable jobs. C. Responsible parents know how to balance their children’s use of electronics with the more important parts of their lives: school work and learning, sleep, exercise, and family activities. Be concerned and do something about it if your priorities don’t consider your children’s future success. D. You seem to think that your children know better than you about how to set priorities. If your children decide they just want ice cream for dinner, is that okay? If they decide to stay home from school and sleep late, is that okay? You decided to have children and now have the responsibility of guiding them toward a successful life. If you don’t think that is your job, you and others should be concerned. There is no easy path to future success. If you are pleased with your lifestyle now it is probably because your parents pushed you to work hard in school and to learn how to do chores at home. And, they probably were good role models, having worked hard themselves to provide for their children. Help your children have a vision for their future. Talk about what it takes to live a happy life. That goal is achievable by every child if they start their journey at a young age. It begins with a good education and your love and guidance. Dr. Umansky has a child behavioral health practice in Augusta.
OCTOBER 2, 2026
TECHNOLOGY ADDICTION: “JUST ONE MORE MINUTE...”
Behavioral Patterns • Spending substantially more time online than intended • Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back • Checking devices compulsively • Losing track of time while using technology • Continuing despite work, school, or relationship problems
Emotional Features • Irritability or anxiety Editor’s note: Written by local mental healthcare professionals, this when unable to access techseries explores how people may think and act when affected by comnology mon and lesser-known mental health conditions. • Using technology to escape stress, sadness, loneAt first, it seemed harmless. liness, or boredom Marcus would check his phone while waiting in line, • Feeling restless when watching television, or eating dinner. Eventually, those brief checks became hours of scrolling, gaming, watching videos, disconnected • Experiencing tempoand responding to notifications. He began staying up late rary relief followed by guilt with his phone, telling himself he would stop after “just one or frustration more.” His work began suffering. His relationships became Functional Impact strained. When his phone was unavailable, he felt restless • Sleep disruption and irritable. • Declining productivity • Neglecting responsibilThe problem wasn’t simply that Marcus enjoyed techities nology. Increasingly, technology became his way of escap• Reduced face-to-face ing boredom, stress, loneliness, and difficult emotions. interaction • Relationship conflicts What Is Technology Addiction? • Difficulty concentrating “Technology addiction” is a commonly used term describing problematic or compulsive technology use that in- on less stimulating activities terferes with daily functioning, relationships, work, sleep, Emotional Avoidance or emotional well-being. One of the most importTechnology itself is not inherently addictive, and freant questions is not simply, quent use does not automatically indicate a disorder. “How much technology Smartphones, social media, gaming, streaming, and other is this person using?” but digital platforms are integrated into everyday life. “What is this person using The concern arises when technology use becomes compulsive—when a person repeatedly feels unable to control the technology to avoid?” Some people may scroll their behavior despite negative consequences. when they feel lonely. Certain digital activities are particularly reinforcing beAnother person may game cause they provide immediate rewards: entertainment, when they feel inadequate. social connection, achievement, novelty, or relief from Someone else may conuncomfortable emotions. stantly consume videos or social media content beThe Role of Dopamine cause being alone with their Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in motivation, thoughts feels uncomfortlearning, reward, and reinforcement. able. Technology can repeatedly activate the brain’s reward Technology can provide system through notifications, likes, messages, new conimmediate emotional relief tent, game achievements, and unpredictable rewards. The without addressing the unanticipation of receiving something rewarding can itself derlying problem. This can reinforce the behavior. create a cycle: This does not mean that technology “hijacks the brain” Emotional discomfort g or that dopamine is a “pleasure chemical.” Instead, repeated reinforcement can strengthen habits and make certain technology use g temporary behaviors increasingly automatic. relief g avoidance of the unOver time, a person may find themselves reaching for derlying emotion g contintheir phone or opening an app almost without consciously ued reliance on technology. deciding to do so. Please see THOUGHTS page 3
OCTOBER 2, 2026
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AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
THOUGHTS... from page 2 Common Misconceptions
X “Everyone who uses tech-
nology on a regular basis is addicted.” No. Frequent use is not necessarily problematic. The key issue is loss of control and meaningful impairment.
X “Dopamine makes tech-
nology addictive.” Dopamine plays an important role in reinforcement and motivation, but technology addiction cannot be reduced to a single neurotransmitter.
X “The solution is simply to
stop using technology.” For many people, technology is necessary for work, education, communication, and daily life. Treatment generally focuses on developing healthier patterns rather than eliminating technology entirely.
Treatment Treatment begins by identifying what function technology serves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help individuals recognize triggers, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and develop alternative coping strategies. Behavioral interventions may include scheduled technology-free periods, notification reduction, sleep boundaries, and environmental changes that make compulsive use less automatic. When technology use is connected to anxiety, depression, trauma, loneliness, or another mental health condition, addressing the underlying concern is often an important part of treatment. Prognosis With awareness and appropriate support, prob-
lematic technology use can improve significantly. The goal is not necessarily to eliminate technology, but to restore choice and balance. Healthy technology use allows a person to decide when and why they engage with a device rather than feeling controlled by the urge to check, scroll, play, or escape. Recognizing the behavior as a coping strategy—not simply a lack of willpower—can be an important first step toward change. About Us Integrated Psych Solutions (IPS) provides inpatient and outpatient mental health services, with or without a referral, to help patients and their families progress through the care journey. To make an appointment, call 706-204-1366 or visit integratedpsych.care.
by LisaAnn Wheeler Breast and cervical cancers remain significant public health concerns for women in Georgia, yet both diseases are highly treatable---and in many cases preventable-when detected early. Through coordinated screening initiatives and targeted outreach, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) continues to expand access to lifesaving preventive services, particularly for women who are uninsured or underinsured. But all women should know their breasts and know what looks and feels normal to them. One optimal health practice is to follow screening guidelines for breast, cervical, colon, and skin to detect cancers before they spread. Early Detection Saves Lives Screening plays a crucial role in reducing deaths from breast and cervical cancers. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the U.S. Closer to home, here in Georgia, approximately 9,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually and more than 1,400 women will die from the disease each year. Cervical cancer, while less common, still affects hundreds of women in our state every year. Approximately 450 new diagnoses and 165 cervical cancer-related deaths among our sisters, friends, co-workers, or neighbors occur in our communities statewide. Routine screening has proven incredibly effective. It can prevent 15% to 30% of breast cancer deaths and Please see BREAST CANCER page 8
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#267 IN A SERIES
Who is this?
OCTOBER 2, 2026
ADVENTURES IN
Middle Age WHEN THE DAYS GET SHORTER
O
h to be able to see into this man’s mind. It would be a fascinating journey. He would say so himself, and he would certainly know: he spent his entire career looking into the minds of others. His career was eminently noteworthy, but for all his brilliance, his is hardly a household name. Have you ever heard of William Walters Sargant? If you have, you’re definitely in the minority. If Sargant had to be described in a single word, it might be “different.” He lived during a time (and so do we) when Freudian psychoanalysis was a mainstay of psychiatric treatment. Simplistically defined, the mind holds the key to its own problems. Sargant, by contrast, favored physical or physiological therapies in the treatment of mental disorders. Much of his formative medical training was under the mentorship of surgeons, which naturally fostered a preference for physical interventions. Plus his decision to pursue psychiatry was made well into his medical training. As a result, Sargant became known for treatments like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), often called shock therapy. (Those unfamiliar with the term may conjure up dramatic Hollywood depictions. In real life, ECT is administered for perhaps 20 to 30 seconds per session to patients under general anesthesia to reset brain signaling.) He employed various drug therapies, some of which were controversial at the time, and would be viewed in some circles today as unethical. For example, he used high-dose amphetamines and barbiturates to counteract depressive states or, alternately, to sedate patients with endlessly running flashbacks or obsessions. Another Sargant favorite was to induce hypoglycemic comas (or near comas) and seizures for schizophrenic patients. Sargant patients were placed in prolonged periods of deepest sleep, received lobotomies, and went through abreactive therapy, which is intensely reliving traumatic and stressful experiences in hopes of becoming desensitized to the trauma. It’s always convenient to judge medical practitioners of the past by the standards of today, and much of the controversy surrounding Sargant’s career might fall into that category. It must be said, however, World War II was a major influence in his practice. He and his colleagues were flooded with patients, military and civilian alike, who had experienced horrors of war arguably more horrific than any generation in human history. They treated thousands of patients described in terms like paralyzed, catatonic, and non-verbal, using methods that are not in the psychiatry toolbox today. But they worked. Despite all the controversy, a 1989 reflection on Sargant’s life (1907—1988) by the Royal Collage of Physicians called his influence “profound,” and described him as “the most important figure in post-war psychiatry.”
This is both my favorite time of year For some folks, the holidays bunched and, paradoxically, the time of year when together near the end of the year are a I can be down the most. Less sunlight is chance to see family they haven’t seen part of it, but it is also the time of year for a while, maybe since the holiday when my father passed away. It has season last year. I understand how that been five years now. My cousin Todd, happens, but it makes me sad too. It’s my grandmother, and many other people easy to assume there will always be anwho meant the world to me died in or other visit, another call, another holiday. around this time of year too. Sometimes there isn’t. There are plenty of good things about Like exercise, the best time to start fall, though. The temperature finally keeping in touch might have been 50 drops below surface-of-theyears ago. Without a time maThe best time to start chine, today will have to do. sun levels, so I don’t have to keep spare clothes in my keeping in touch: If there is somebody you care truck in case I sweat through about, let them know. Send a 50 years ago the ones I’m wearing. text or an email, or even make When the kids were young, a phone call if you can bring there was a stretch of years when we yourself to do it. took them to Disney World, Disneyland, I’m shocked by how much some or Universal Studios nearly every sumpeople hate phone calls—until my own mer. I eventually learned to bring spare phone rings and I’m immediately irritatT-shirts and keep them in a locker at ed by the interruption. Why am I getting the park. Before that, I tended to buy this way? I don’t know. For some younga new one every day. I built up a great er folks, an unexpected call seems nearly collection of Disney and Universal shirts, tantamount to a slap in the face, especialthough I paid theme-park prices for every ly if a text would have sufficed. Keep that lesson. in mind, but contact them nonetheless. Where was I? Oh yeah, the time of And instead of staying indoors with the year. Pardon me for trying to distract shorter days, take advantage of the cooler myself. weather. Take a long walk, or whatever Then Dolly Parton passed away. I length walk you can manage. Better yet, didn’t know her personally, of course, take one with somebody you love. Visit but her death made me very sad. She was Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanca fixture in our lives and a great example tuary, the Augusta Riverwalk, or Phinizy of how to be enormously wealthy and Swamp. Aiken State Park is beautiful too, still stay real, despite not looking real. with the black water of the South Fork Don’t get mad; that’s basically something Edisto River passing through it on its way she said herself. toward the Atlantic. The Savannah River It was comforting to know she was makes its own journey to the ocean by out there doing good things on a regular way of Savannah. basis. It felt as though someone good I love to watch a river pass by. It was in charge of something important, amazes me to think how long it has been so we didn’t have to worry about it. That flowing, and that it isn’t done yet. I know isn’t a common feeling these days. Now how the water cycle works. I know the that she’s gone, she has left a hole in our water evaporates, falls as rain, and evencollective psyche. tually finds its way into creeks and rivers That feeling is much more acute when and back to the sea. Still, there is comthe person is someone we knew and fort in seeing the river there each time I loved. This time of year, the calendar return. reminds me of the people I’ve lost. The My father loved the water. We spent falling leaves and waning daylight can a lot of time on the Savannah River and add to the sadness if I let them. Clarks Hill Lake, and on the ocean too. The good news is that football is back. Those places are still there. I can go Did they plan it that way? back and remember the happy times we “Hey, I’m getting depressed. Why don’t shared. we go outside, smash into each other, Maybe that’s what I’ll do as the days and fight over an oblong ball?” get shorter: get outside, watch the water “Sounds like a great idea!” for a while, and enjoy it for the people I I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the origin wish could still be there with me. I might of football, but it worked out that way for even get a little exercise and give myself me. more time to do it again.
OCTOBER 2, 2026
AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
to drown out the wailing and gnashing of teeth a couple of dozen feet away. I’m not proud of it. It was a survival situation, and I was not the one best equipped to handle it. The best (or worst) disaster/horror movies never stop at just one big event. The menace is relentless and seemingly unstoppable. It can surprise you anywhere, at any moment. So it was with the Crudslide. On separate occasions, the explosive “flooding” reached the bed, a rug, the carpet in another room, toys, furniture, blankets, heating pads, lamps, cabinets and even the International Space Station. Wait, not the International Space Station. That was a near miss. It passed Oh, the horror. If the original Turdnado within 100 meters before coming down made you afraid to go back in the house, and somewhere in Fayetteville, North Carolithe sequels were too hard to fathom, then you na, where it didn’t cause a stir because are not ready for the newest horror/natural nobody even noticed. You’ll have to read disaster film: The Great Crudslide of 2026. some of my earliest columns here to unWhat am I talking about? I’m talking about derstand my feelings about Fayetteville. when rotavirus came to our house. The one We went through a couple of gallons that causes severe watery, explosive diarrhea. of Lysol dealing with this disaster, a gross Right about now, you smugly think you can of wet wipes—and I mean 144, though imagine it. You are wrong. Whatever you the other meaning fits too once they are picturing, multiply it by ten. were used (Ew!). There were The fact that one small nineThe Great multiple wet-vac cleanings, year-old body can contain that frayed nerves, allegations of Crudslide much of, of, of… seems imposcowardice and dereliction of sible. duty (directed solely at me), of 2026 Our daughter Katie went back rugs thrown away, and carpets to her bedroom to check on and surfaces cleaned and recleaned, and Freyja and found herself in a disaster movie enough heavy, off-balance loads of launin the immediate aftermath of the disaster. dry to make the neighbors think we were Brown stains had shot across the sheets and having earthquakes. We think the crisis covers, onto the headboard, the wall and has passed. Only time will tell. the floor, and possibly the ceiling. The blast As in any horror or disaster film, the radius appeared to originate at the top of family has to stick together to get through Freyja’s diaper. it, even if one member briefly hides in his Just as Katie began to take in what she office with rock music drowning out the was seeing, the smell reached her. She unspeakable horror from another room. pinched her nose and breathed through These moments can be difficult with her mouth until she thought about what any child. They are especially hard with that meant. Horrified by the idea of those Freyja, who can’t tell us how she feels and particles entering her mouth instead of doesn’t yet connect the need for a bowel her sinuses, she sacrificed her nose for the movement with the urgency of getting to greater good. a bathroom. She just turned nine, and diaI learned of the disaster when an extend- pers are what she has always known. ed wail pierced my door, my walls and even We are working on potty training, and my noise-canceling headphones. (If only so are her teachers and therapists. We hathey were nose-canceling.) I jumped up to ven’t given up. We just aren’t there yet. see what was wrong, but the smell outside For now, we do the best we can and try my door made me want to flee. Then my to find the humor in these situations, even wife joined Katie’s wailing. if it takes until the danger has passed. I don’t think of myself as a coward, but Someday we may look back on The Great at that moment I decided everyone might Crudslide of 2026 and laugh about the be better off if I were on the opposite side adventure we survived together. of the house. I considered retreating to my Besides, we probably needed new carbathroom, turning on the fan, spraying pet, bed linens and paint anyway. some Febreze and covering my ears. J.B. Collum, the author of this column and Adventures in Instead, I went back into my office, Middle Age, is a local novelist, huclosed the door, sprayed copious amounts morist and columnist who wants to of air freshener, plugged my nose with be Mark Twain when he grows up. tissues, put my headphones back on and He may be reached at johnbcolcranked up some good old rock and roll lum@gmail.com
Special Forces
Parenting
5 #42 IN A SERIES
Who is this?
Not everyone in healthcare can be Florence Nightingale, right? Despite the long-running series on page 4, there are clunkers in medicine, and we will examine some of them in this series. Unfortunately, there’s enough material to keep this side of the page going for a while.
M
any times the subjects of “Who is this?” — here or on page 4 — are discovered while researching other similar cases. And so it is with this installment. Georgia Tann, the baby farmer, kidnapper and murderer profiled in this space last issue introduced us to this woman, Felicitas Sanchez Aguillon. She was born in 1890 in Mexico to a mother who never loved her and made sure Felicitas knew that, turning the young girl into someone who despised all things maternal. Growing up, she gained a reputation for poisoning neighborhood dogs. That’s never a good sign. Ironically (or perhaps perversely), she graduated from nursing school and also gained experience as a midwife. At age 20, with one marriage, twin girls (given up for adoption), and a divorce under her belt, she moved to Mexico City and began to attend births and practice abortions, although they were illegal. As she viewed it, the entire arrangement was a win-win for her. She was paid to perform illegal abortions. If the abortion failed and she had a crying newborn on her hands, she could also be paid for providing a baby to some couple who couldn’t conceive children on their own. Of course, sometimes there were no prospective buyers ready to adopt a baby. She might keep the newborn around for a short time in hopes of finding it a home, but remember, this was a woman who was the antithesis of maternal. And you have to keep products fresh, right? So any baby who couldn’t be moved quickly was either strangled or poisoned. Aguillon would dismember the bodies and either incinerate them or toss them in the sewer. That company policy ended up being her undoing: there was a sewer blockage near her apartment building, and when workers were dispatched to find the problem and fix it, they discovered a pipe packed with fetal remains. Police subsequently discovered all kinds of evidence in her apartment, including an infant’s skull. Her husband was also arrested, along with a plumber Aguillon employed (who filled police in on his employer’s crimes). Aguillon took her own life several weeks after her April 1941 arrest, so the absolute facts of the case were never officially established in court. However, she is suspected of killing as many as 50 infants over a 10-year period.
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AUGUSTAMEDICALEXAMiNER
OCTOBER 2, 2026
GUEST COLUMN BY BAD BILLY LAVEAU
LIFE REDUCTION
A pack cigarettes per day for 20 years reduces life expectancy by five years. You spend your last two years smothering to death in a nursing home. Each cigarette reduces life by 20 minutes. (Source: U of Chicago) One pack of cigarettes reduced life byseven hours. If a longterm smoker stops for ten years, he regains five years of life. 30% of traffic deaths involve exceeding the speed limit. 60% of traffic deaths involve speeds 10 mph or more over the speed limit. Observing speed limits, personal discipline, and cruise control extends life.
50 pounds over-weight reduces life expectancy by five years. Eat anything you want, just not that much of it. The difference between a 4-oz ribeye steak and an 8-oz ribeye?
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (most of the time) A series by Bad Billy Laveau
The number of times you chew, the number of swallows, and the calories in your stomach. Eat smaller bites. Chew slowly. An old-time doctor once said, “None of these new fad diets work. There is only one diet that works, but few if any will do it. It has 3 rules: 1. Don’t eat anything that is white. 2. If it tastes good, spit it out. 3. Only eat things you don’t like, and not much of it (that makes sense) and eat it slowly. Sleeping less than 6½ hours per night reduces life expectancy. Sleeping more than 9 hours per night increases life expectancy.
Sleep deprivation during the week is not recovered by sleeping in on the weekend. Sleep deprivation interrupts normal steroids production which is necessary for mental and physical well-being. Depression follows.
66° F is the ideal bedroom sleeping temperature. Have a standard bed time and wake-up time. Seek 7½ - 8 hours. A short nap (30 minutes or so) after lunch when possible clears the mind and increases productivity. Sleeping on your right side (verses the left side) puts less work demand on the heart. A bedroom TV is not advisable. Blue light delays brain relaxation and sleep pattern. TV disrupts personal communications and sexual intimacy between partners, and who
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wants that? Eating late at night (or getting up during the night to snack) leads to obesity and poor health. In 70 years, an average heart beats 72 times a minute x 60 minutes x 24 hours x 365 days x 70 years. Or about 2,649,024,000 beats. That’s two billion, 649 million and change. Don’t use them up unnecessarily. You supply is not unlimited. A brisk walk each day is cardiovascularly and mentally helpful. Exercises that hurt physically do long term damage. Don’t do it. Have you ever heard of a torn rotator cuff? Torn ligaments? Pain is a signal that something is damaging your body. If it hurts, don’t do it. Paul Anderson, one of my heroes and strongest man in the world, died at age 61. I saw him lift 6,600 lbs. That is not a
typo. Flo Jo (Florence Griffith Joyner, the world class Olympic sprinter) died at 38. Jim Fixx, famous champion long-distance runner died at 51 while running. Pistol Pete Marovich, one of the greatest basketball players ever, died at 41 in a church ball game. Andre the Giant died at 46. Walter Payton, famous football player, died at 45. ndreas Münzer: Professional Austrian bodybuilder died at age 31 All famous and welltrained athletes. “No pain, no gain” is not a pro-health longevity slogan. It sells gym memberships. It might make you famous right up until you die. All your admirers will say, “Wow. He was a good one as long as he lasted.” Dying young and leaving a beautiful memory is not for me.
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Unscramble the word on p. 12 so you know what you’re looking for, then start examining the Examiner’s ads until you find it. When you do, enter by sending an e to Dan@AugustaRx.com with “Mystery Word” in the subject line and the word and its location in the body of the e.
OCTOBER 2, 2026
TRYTHISDISH by Kim Beavers, MS, RDN, CDCES Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Chef Coach, Author Follow Kim on Facebook: facebook.com/eatingwellwithkimb
PASTA SALAD FLORENTINE Here is a light and delicious version of pasta salad. Not what you would find on a salad bar. Ingredients • 8 oz whole wheat rotini • 8 oz light feta cheese, crumbled • 2 cups grape tomatoes, cut in half • 4 cups (5 ounces) baby spinach • ¼ cup lemon juice • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • Fresh basil leaves Directions Cook pasta according to package directions until it is al dente (firm to bite). While the pasta is cooking place the spinach and feta in a large bowl. Place the tomatoes in the bottom of a colander. Once pasta is cooked, drain it over the tomatoes for a quick blanch. Toss tomatoes and pasta with the spinach mixture, lemon juice, and olive oil. Garnish with fresh basil leaves (or season with dried basil). Yield: 10 (1 cup servings)
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Nutritional Breakdown: Calories 149.6, Fat 9.4g, Cholesterol 1.3mg, Sodium 168.7mg, Carbohydrates 14.5g, Fiber
2.8g, Protein 4.6g Plate Plan: 1 starch, ½ Vegetable, 1 fat
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BREAST CANCER... from page 3 virtually all cervical cancer deaths if performed at recommended intervals. Furthermore, when breast cancer is detected at a local stage, the five-year survival rate is very high, around 97%. Incredibly, the fiveyear survival rate for detected early-stage cervical cancer is nearly 100%. A Powerful Tool: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening The Georgia DPH Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (BCCP) provides women with cancer screening services at no or low cost. You may qualify for program services if you are: • A Georgia resident who meets the income criteria of 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or below. (For example, 200% of the FPL for a woman in a one-person household is $31,300 annual income. For a 2-person household it is $42,300 and $53,300 for a 3-person household, annually.) • Uninsured or underin-
sured • Ages 40-64 years (breast services) • Ages 21-64 years or 65 years and older if not enrolled in Medicare Part B (cervical services)
• Pap Smear and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test • Pelvic Exam – a routine physical exam of female external and internal reproductive organs to check for disease, infections and structural issues • Diagnostic Services/ Follow-up for abnormal results • Patient Navigation and Referrals • Genetic Testing • Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through the BCCP program, are provided
Services The Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program offers women a range of important services. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Fortunately, screening for HPV is very effective and can be done at the same time a woman is getting a pap smear of cells taken from the surface of the cervix. The services include: • Clinical Breast Exam – physical exam RESEARCH of breast tissue by the health provider to check for lumps or changes HEALTH PROMOTION • Mammogram Referral – a clinician’s order for a specialized breast imaging test done at a medical center with the x-ray machinery
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Georgia’s Public Health Effort to Save Lives It’s simple: breast and TREATMENT cervical cancer screenings save lives! Detecting the disease of cancer early when treatment is most effective increases the chances of recovery and survival. The BCCP plays a crucial role in providing access to preventive services for women who might otherwise go without care. This program offers women an opportunity to learn if they have cancer, the stage of its development, and how to access care and resources they may need. While Georgia has made progress lowering the numbers of women getting cancers of the breast or cervix, ongoing efforts are needed to increase screening rates. We want to ensure that all women-regardless of income or insurance status--receive the benefits of detecting
HAVE YOU HEARD? welcomes patients from South Carolina and Georgia
with a referral to Georgia’s Women’s Health Medicaid Program that helps women get access to treatment coverage Your BCCP appointment, at your local Health Department, is a comprehensive examination. For clients 40 years of age or older, you will leave your BCCP appointment with your mammogram referral. Referrals are made to one of our local contracted imaging providers.
cancer early. Georgia’s public health leaders continue to emphasize education, early detection, and equitable access as central strategies to reduce cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Healthcare providers play a vital role by encouraging routine screening among their patients. Discussing individual risk factors with patients and by informing eligible patients about these readily available state-supported resources can have a huge impact. As medical advancements improve treatment outcomes, the most powerful tool against breast and cervical cancer remains prevention and early detection. Through sustained public health investment and community engagement, Georgia’s BCCP program represents a critical step toward reducing cancer disparities and improving women’s health outcomes in our community and across our state. About the Author. LisaAnn Wheeler is Patient Navigator of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (BCCP) at the GA Department of Public Health, East Central Health District. The “What is Public Health?” Series is authored by public health experts at the Georgia Department of Public Health, East Central Health District (ECHD) with administrative offices in Augusta, GA. Learn more about the ECHD at our website: https://ecphd. com. • Facebook www.facebook. com/ECPHD • Twitter http://twitter. com/eastcentralph
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CRASH
OCTOBER 2, 2026
MEDICALEXAMINER
COURSE
More Americans have died on US roads since 2000 than in World Wars I & II combined
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f course, the manners we’re talking rienced drivers. They have to teach them about here are the ones manifested the lesson all of us need to be reminded of on the road. even if we have been driving for decades: It’s curious how drivers do — and do don’t let the actions of others affect your not — display them. safe driving decisions. Think about this: how many times have Being a safe driver requires accepting the you done something behind the wheel fact that someone behind you may think you wouldn’t do if a cop was right there, your driving is annoying sometimes. Just and you did it to please a total stranger? remember: they’ll get over it. “Never,” you might say. But if they cause you to get in We beg to differ, and we a collision, you might not. don’t even know who you MANNERS are. Have any of these scenarOn the other hand ARE WEIRD ios ever happened to you? As we have just estab• You pull out into traflished, manners can get out fic more aggressively than of hand. But they can also normal because several cars disappear completely, even are lined up behind you waiting for you to among people who are usually unfailingly turn. Those drivers have been giving you polite. signs of impatience, like inching up on Probably the main manifestation of bad your back bumper or tapping their horns manners by drivers is in not using blinkers. • You catch yourself speeding up beIn a number of scenarios it’s just plain rude cause the car behind you is tailgating. with a capitol R. • You are approaching a traffic light Let’s imagine a T intersection where a when it turns yellow. There is enough handful of cars have come up the T, as it time to stop, but you look in your rear were, and are waiting to turn left or righ view mirror and decide to keep going beacross the top of the T. cause the car behind you is close and you Ah, but they can’t. Not yet, at least: a car know — you can just tell — they want to is approaching. They need to wait until it make this light. passes. These little roadway dramas happen But wait. It seems to be slowing. Nope, all the time, and they are indeed weird. false alarm. No! The car actually is turning! What we are doing, whether consciously That, ladies and gentlemen, is highly or subconsciously, is trying to please a annoying. Five cars containing who knows complete stranger, someone we will never how many people on important missions meet, whose name we will never know, could have been long gone, safely on their and whose driving habits we don’t even way, if one driver had enough consideration like. And we’re doing it at some level of and manners to signal his intentions to them increased risk to our own safety. all. It’s simple. It’s quick. It costs nothing. Furthermore, whenever we do such Are such situations all that important? things we are inventing a critical, judgNot really. The one we described is simmental audience in the car(s) behind us ply an annoyance. But some blinker-free and then letting that audience influence a scenarios turn tragic. For instance, a car is potentially high-stakes decision. slowly traveling down a road. There are no The truth might be that the driver behind other vehicles nearby and it isn’t a no-passus is lost in thoughts that have nothing to ing zone, so a driver approaching from do with us, and is completely unaware of behind starts to pass. As he does so, the the pressure they’re creating. slowpoke turns left, right into his path. Two In summary, some drivers can fear being cars are destroyed and drivers are seriously viewed as timid or inconsiderate to others injured. more than they fear driving unsafely. Is the wreck caused by a failure to use Driving instructors and parents often the blinker? Or is it from a failure to have face these situations with new and inexpebasic good manners?
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11
THAT SENSE OF URGENCY
Part 9 of our 5-part series on the senses
There are people who can make trips to the bathroom about as often as a camel needs to drink. Hardly ever! Then there are others who feel like they need to go right after they just went. Those are the people this article is talking to. Let’s address that shocking statistic we alluded to on page one. We can’t hold it in any longer! As unfun and stressful as battling an overactive bladder can be, get this: • only 25% of women with incontinence speak openly to their doctor about it. We find that to be shocking, as if a doctor who makes his or her living treating this condition, day in and day out for years, would be someone we couldn’t speak with openly. Truly, they have already heard it all and seen it all. Don’t be shy. They are here to help. Furthermore, get this: • the average woman will wait more than six years after the onset of symptoms before seeking professional help. Six years! That too is nothing short of amazing. Six years is a long time to try to ignore,
self-treat, or otherwise manage a condition that can disrupt sleep, affect quality of life, and create stress and embarrassment in many situations. Like many other medical conditions, untreated incontinence can get worse, and like most other conditions the earlier they are diagnosed and treated, the easier the treatment is and the greater the odds of success in treatment. So the message to this point is clear: see your doctor. And have a sense of urgency about doing so. Side note: both of the illustrations for this article depict women, and they do comprise the majority of people with incontinence. But as we said on page one, millions of men are also dealing with this issue. So other than that planned doctor appointment, what else can we do? Strategies that help Hydration is important. We hear that all the time. But where we drink can make a difference. Some urologists advise their patients to go easy on liquids at work or when they are away from home. Drink more at home and less at the office.
Limit caffeine consumption, since it promotes urine production. Another strategy: forget those camel-like days of yore and adjust to the new reality that a bathroom is a terrible thing to waste. Make bathrooms like the slogan of Steak ‘n Shake restaurants, “in sight, it must be right.” Even so, doctors suggest keeping track of the timing of your bathroom visits with the goal of adding 10 or 15 minutes (or maybe more) to the time length between visits as a means of building stamina. Another stamina-building tactic is to practice the pelvic exercise known as Kegels. If you can picture the muscular contraction necessary to stop a flow of urine in midstream, you can picture a Kegel. The beauty of these exercises is that they help build the strength necessary to prevent leakage, and they can be done anywhere at any time: driving down the road, sitting at a red light, during a meeting, or sitting in church. (In other words, Kegels don’t have to be done during urination.) And in fact, they should be done in all those places; Kegels are like lifting
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weights or doing sit-ups: you do them over and over again in multiple sets or reps. They can be done by men and women, and they have added sexual benefits like helping men avoid erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. And there are super-basic practical suggestions out there too: if incontinence is a problem, wear dark clothing. That’s not a solution, but it is a kind of safety-net strategy of last resort. That goes for pads too. Surveys show that women spend from $750 to nearly $1000 per year on incontinence pads. Unlike in years past, the products available today are thin, discreet, comfortable, effective, and odor-blocking. Even so, they should not be a longterm solution. They should be the interim strategy pending that doctor visit, and afterward perhaps they can become a second-tier solution instead of the primary tactic. The sense of hearing or sight may be a lot more inspiring to contemplate, but that sense of urgency millions of us deal with isn’t one to ignore. There are doctors ready to help.
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The Examiners I got lost.
EXAMINER CROSSWORD
PUZZLE
What? I gave you perfect directions!
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Don’t you remember? I told I know. you to turn at the But I kept 3rd red light! getting greens.
I ended up in Aiken.
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The Mystery Word for this issue: LETUCCI
Simply unscramble the letters, then begin exploring our ads. When you find the correctly spelled word HIDDEN in one of our ads — enter!
Send an email to Dan@AugustaRx.com with the subject line “MYSTERY WORD” • DEADLINE TO ENTER: OCTOBER 9, 2026 •
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by Daniel R. Pearson © 2026 All rights reserved.
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DIRECTIONS: Every line, vertical and horizontal, and all nine 9-square boxes must each contain the numbers 1 though 9. Solution on page 14.
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QUOTATIONPUZZLE
27. Compact by pounding 29. Sound-absorbing, as tile 31. Revelry; happiness 33. Home security provider 34. Waterproof canvas 35. Eye part 36. Bristle 38. Blockade in wartime 42. Park in Augusta 43. Las Vegas team 47. Possible partner of 48-A (abbrev.) 49. Convocation or coven of witches 50. Kellogg’s product 51. Latin end 52. Sudden rush or increase 53. Involuntary muscle action 55. Gawk 56. Story starter 57. Quick!!! 58. Make weary 60. Distant
Y O U R Y O Y
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— Bill Gates
by Daniel R. Pearson © 2026 All rights reserved
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.
V 1 2 3 4 1
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1.VUTTUBBBHLF 2.AAOOOLLSSIU 3.TTIVIRU 4.NRLTEN 5.DUDET 6.EDSSS 7.S
SAMPLE:
1. ILB 2. SLO 3. VI 4. NE 5. D =
L 1
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by Daniel R. Pearson © 2026 All rights reserved
NUMBER BY
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20 21 ACROSS 1. Handsome Harley Drew’s 23 old station 25 26 27 28 5. Logical beginning? 10. Secure 30 31 32 33 14. Hip bones 37 38 39 15. The same as 16. Blood blockage 41 42 17. Deprived of sensation 45 18. Ivory objects 19. 20th Hebrew letter 49 50 51 52 20. Profane 54 55 22. Curt 23. Consisting of roots 59 60 24. Kidney-bladder connector 62 63 25. Like rainy weather 28. Shortened life? 65 66 29. Against, in the sticks 30. Your great-great-greatby Daniel R. Pearson © 2026 All rights reserved. great-great-great-great 66. Staggers great-great-grandfather 67. Allot 32. Tracheal inflammation 37. Women (in old movies) DOWN 39. Form of Esperanto 1. What an anemometer 40. Trap measures 41. Official approval 2. Adhesive 44. John Wayne movie 3. Intentions title word 4. Strongest Man tossed pole 45. True 5. Tigers location 46. Blue 6. Tropical 48. Test for guys (abbrev.) 49. Crude figure, especially of 7. Oxidized 8. Produce someone disliked 9. Lou Gehrig ltrs. 52. Agitates 10. Checking for disease 54. Slick mud 11. Wide awake 55. Crossroads sign 12. Director, choreographer, 59. Something that causes actor Bob (1927-1987) ruin or trouble 13. Early anesthetic 60. Ridiculous sham 21. Corn holder 61. Not pro 22. Attempts 62. Related, as in 29-A 24. Exclamation of disgust 63. Score for newborns 25. Dry watercourse 64. Wound reminder 26. Wax coated cheese 65. Word with drive or tube
WORDS
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© 2026 Daniel Pearson All rights reserved.
Did you go to that place in Graniteville I told you about?
by Dan Pearson
OCTOBER 2, 2026
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THEBESTMEDICINE ha... ha...
The
Advice Doctor
Joe: We went to a restaurant that had checkered tablecloths. Moe: And? Joe: And it took her 20 minutes to pass me the salt.
Moe: My girlfriend wants to get married, but I’m just not sure. Joe: Maybe I can help you with a few pros and cons. Moe: By all means, please. Joe: Well, on the one hand you get to n atheist is walking through a dense uncharted jungle when he suddenly wear a pretty cool ring the two of you will finds himself surrounded by a dozen fierce pick out together. Moe: Okaay.... and bloodthirsty natives. Joe: But on the other hand you don’t. “Oh God,” he mutters to himself. “I am totally screwed.” Moe: I just realized “nothing” is a palinSuddenly the clouds above part and a shaft of brilliant light shines down on him. drome. Joe: What? A booming voice from above says, “No, Moe: Well you see, a palindrome is... you are not! Pick up that rock at your feet Joe: I know what a palindrome is! But and bash in the head of the chief.” how is “nothing” a palindrome? The atheist does as instructed. The naMoe: Backwards it spells “gnihton,” tives stare at the man and their fallen chief. which is nothing. “Ok,” the voice booms again. “Now you’re screwed.” Moe: My wife is a dentist. Joe: Really. I had no idea. Moe: What happened to that new girlMoe: Well, that’s what our car insurance friend of yours? company calls her. Joe: It just didn’t work out. Moe: After one date??? Moe: What would you say is the most Joe: Did I tell you she’s a chess Grand ground-breaking invention in all human Master? history? Moe: What does that have to do with it? Joe: Probably the shovel.
©
A
Why subscribe to theMEDICALEXAMINER? Because try as they might, no one can stare at their phone all day.
Staring at my phone all day has certainly had no effect on ME!
Dear Advice Doctor, I’ve got a new job where I have to give a major presentation to upper management once a week. This assignment takes over my entire life for several days beforehand. I get a knot in the pit of my stomach every time I even think about it, and once it’s over, I have maybe one day until it starts up all over again. What advice do you have to help me? — Knotted Up Dear Knotted, Thank you for taking the time to write. I can sense what a worrisome situation this is for you, so thank you for entrusting me with a possible solution. I know this is important to you. One thing I’d like to emphasize at the outset: try to avoid imagining disaster scenarios. 99 times out of 100, what we fear isn’t going to happen and all our stress and worry is for naught. In your case, for example, that knot could be simple indigestion, what we doctors call dyspepsia. Maybe it was something you ate. Do you ever have bloating or belching? It could be something as innocuous as gas. Now, you did mention that this is a recurring issue. Perhaps it’s time to make an appointment to see your doctor and get thoroughly checked out. As a general rule, persistent or recurring symptoms should always be evaluated by a doctor. Sometimes acid reflux can be a chronic problem. The fact that it’s so commonplace and has over-the-counter options for treatment might make a person think it’s minor. On the contrary, chronic acid reflux can damage the esophagus and eventually lead to serious complications. Have you considered food poisoning or a food allergy? Perhaps you eat the same thing on the day of your presentation each week (or the day before) and it doesn’t agree with you. A food diary might prove helpful. Are you having any stomach pain, or just the knot? Your doctor may want to rule out the possibility of an ulcer. I would put this at the bottom of my list of possibilities, but pancreatic problems could be a cause. And finally gallbladder issues could be a contributing factor. Yes, it may be unlikely, but some people call this part of the country “The Gallbladder Belt.” Or you know what just occurred to me? It could be stress. I wish you well going forward. Thanks again for writing. I hope I answered your question. Do you have a question for The Advice Doctor about life, love, personal relationships, career, raising children, or any other important topic? Send it to Dans@AugustaRx.com. Replies will be provided only in the Examiner.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MEDICALEXAMINER Why read the Medical Examiner: Reason #101
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THE PUZZLE SOLVED W G A C D E R M A S A F E I L I A E Q U A L C L O T N U M B T U S K S R E S H D E S E C R A T E T E R S E R O O T Y U R E T E R W E T B I O A G I N A D A M T R A C H E I T I S D A M E S I D O S N A R E I M P R I M A T U R G R I T R E A L S A D P S A E F F I G Y S T I R S S L I M E G U I D E P O S T B A N E F A R C E A N T I A K I N A P G A R S C A R T E S T R E E L S M E T E
SEE PAGE 12
OCTOBER 2, 2026
QuotatioN QUOTATION PUZZLE SOLUTION Your most unhappy customers* are your greatest source of learning. — Bill Gates *or patients, for that matter
WORDS BY NUMBER Love blinds us to faults but hatred blinds us to virtues.
— Iba Ezra
TheSUDOKUsolution
The Celebrated MYSTERY WORD CONTEST ...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. Send an email to Dan@AugustaRx.com with the subject line MYSTERY WORD. 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.
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DRUG REHAB Steppingstones to Recovery 2610 Commons Blvd. Augusta 30909 706-733-1935
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 TLC AT HOME HEALTHCARE Med reminders • Bathing • Dressing • Transportation • Meal Prep • Light Housekeeping 803-443-1559
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OCTOBER 2, 2026
Parkinson’s Disease: Need, Hope, and Community Guest column by Jim Allen, President, CSRA Parkinson Support Group For someone living with Parkinson’s disease, an ordinary day can sometimes become a series of challenges that other people never see. Getting dressed can take longer. Walking across a room may require more concentration. A familiar task can suddenly become difficult. Medication schedules can become complicated. And the uncertainty of living with a progressive neurological disease can weigh heavily on both the person with Parkinson’s and those who care for them. But there is another side to the Parkinson’s journey—one that involves friendship, encouragement, education and community. Since the early 1990’s, the CSRA Parkinson Support Group has been working to provide that community for people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners throughout the Central Savannah River Area. That care is greatly needed, as the numbers of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s continues to increase. Parkinson’s disease is commonly associated with tremors, but the disease is much more complicated than that single symptom. The essence of Parkinson’s is that the brain gradually loses the ability to control the person’s body. Tremors can result, but a person with Parkinson’s can also have loss of autonomic functions (like controlling blood pressure or body temperature). For many people, Parkinson’s causes slow or whispered speech, as the brain loses effective control of throat muscles, a problem which can lead to swallowing difficulties and pneumonia. Walking, something we have automatically done since childhood, becomes a constant challenge. These issues arise
throughout the body, making it more and more difficult to walk, to balance, and to sleep. Eventually, as the disease progresses, it impacts mood control, memory, and planning. As the brain runs out of the dopamine needed for most brain functions, each person’s brain reacts differently. There are as many as 40 listed recognized symptoms of Parkinson’s.
The disease generally progresses slowly, so that it may take many years for a person to gradually lose almost all abilities. Parkinson’s is not always obvious when looking at someone. A person may appear perfectly healthy while dealing with fatigue, pain, stiffness, balance problems, medication fluctuations, cognitive changes or other symptoms.
The PoPWalk, sponsored by the Group and scheduled for October 3, helps put faces and stories to the disease. This year’s PoPWalk marks the 27th year of the event, representing more than two decades of commitment to the Parkinson’s community in the CSRA. Whether someone walks, accompanies a family member, volunteers, makes a contribution or simply
comes to learn more about Parkinson’s, each represents another connection in a community built around support. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, but the people living with it are not walking alone. They have spouses, families, friends, physicians, therapists, volunteers and neighbors beside them. They have a community.