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Printed on recycled paper Volume 31 | Issue 3

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FOR NEW MEXICANS 50+ SINCE 1990

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NMSU Study: Pandemic Within A Pandemic pg 6

Ask A Health Care Professional pg 4

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March 2021

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March 2021

Table of Contents FEATURES 3 Award Winning Photojournalist

To Display Images “My Side Of Starlight” 11 Where To Get Free Tax Assistance

COLUMNS 8 Shannon Wagers 12 Prescription For A Better Life – Dr. Barry Ramo 14 The Doc Is In – Dr. Muraida 15 Herb Doc

EVERY MONTH 10 Classifieds 11 Crossword

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openings in our senior living community, call (505) 256-6216. All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

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Award Winning Photojournalist To Display Images “My Side Of Starlight”

lbuquerque will be the home for a premier exhibit of a series of famed photographs taken by local semiretired international award-winning photojournalist Michael Jacobs. Professionally covering assignments on every continent for more than 50 years, his images from his 3 decades in Hollywood will be displayed at OT Circus Gallery, 718 Central SW. Mr. Jacobs will be present at the opening night event on March 5, 2021 between 5-8:30pm. London-born Mr. Jacobs has been at the forefront in his field ©1991 Michael Jacobs/MJP as a photojournalist and award-winning film director. With After becoming an American his comprehensive body of work, citizen to enlist in the U.S. Navy, he has been called one of “the Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacobs eyewitnesses of late 20th century served with Combat Camera Group visual history of Hollywood during Vietnam. As an educator art, culture and fame.” He has for more than 40 years he taught well-earned respect globally photography at various institutions from eminent marketing firms, both foreign and domestic, entertainment executives, including USC and UCLA. celebrities themselves, the literati, religious leaders, Royalty, and The exhibition includes both the political. His Tinseltown trek color and B&W images of allowed him a level of proximity notables such as Queen Elizabeth, that other photographers only Presidents Reagan and Clinton, dreamt about. He was never a Elton John, Ray Charles, paparazzi and most of his work Mohammed Ali, John Belushi, Liz was exclusive. Referring to Taylor, Michael Jackson, Madonna his images and unique style, and 3 Beatles. “Entertainment Tonight” dubbed Mr. Jacobs “the most articulate The exhibit will be open on photographer in Hollywood.” His March 20th (4-8pm) and on work has also been in worldwide the closing night of March magazines and newspapers, 25th (6-8pm), and in-between visual media, books and in by appointment only by celebrity collections. calling Jennifer DeSantis on (505) 415-4643.

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March 2021

Ask A Health Care Professional Wei-Ann Bay, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico

ne out of three people in the United States develops shingles in their lifetime. The incidence rate and complications from shingles are much higher in older adults. The data shows that the rate of older adults getting shingles is also rising, but unfortunately only one in five people are getting vaccinated. What is shingles? Shingles is also known as herpes zoster. The disease is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes childhood chickenpox. Many of you may remember having chickenpox as a child (most people born before 1980 have had chickenpox). After the chickenpox infection resolves, the virus continues to live in your body and in the nerve cells, usually remaining inactive. In fact, many adults live with the virus in their

body for many years and may never get shingles. However, if the virus becomes reactivated it results in shingles. Most people will get shingles only once in a lifetime, but it is possible to get shingles more than once. What are the symptoms of shingles? Shingles produces a blistery, painful rash. The pain can be mild or severe. Unlike chickenpox where most of the body is covered by a blistery rash, shingles develops only on one side of the body, usually in a single area of the body called a dermatome. A dermatome is an area of the skin that is supplied by a single nerve. The early signs of shingles may be burning, tingling or numbness of the skin. The skin may be itchy early on and then become sensitive to touch. Some will feel sick, feverish or have a headache. The rash usually appears one to two days later. After three to four days the blisters become ulcers, and within seven to10 days the rash

should scab over and heal. The most common place to get shingles is in the band of skin that goes around one side of the waistline. Other common areas include the chest and the back. However, shingles can affect any part of the body, even the face. Shingles on the face is especially dangerous because when it is around the eye, it can affect the vision if not treated quickly.

What are the risk factors for getting shingles? Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of getting shingles. Increasing age is another risk factor. Shingles can happen in healthy adults; however, some people are at higher risk of developing shingles because of a weakened immune

system. The immune system can be weakened by cancer or other diseases that interfere with the body’s normal immune system. The

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March 2021

Prime Time Publishing, LLC Home of

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Contributing Writers Dr. Wei-Ann Bay Autumn Gray Jim Miller Dr. Gerard Muraida Liz Otero Dr. Barry Ramo Dr. Shellie Rosen Shannon Wagers

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Ask A Health Care Professional Cont. (continued from previous page)

immune system can be weakened by medications that lower one’s immune response, such as drugs used to treat cancer, drugs used to treat auto-immune disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), or drugs used after having a transplant. How is shingles treated? If you think you have shingles, call your health care provider right away. The sooner treatment is started the better the outcome and less likelihood of developing complications. Treatment includes anti-viral medication (e.g., acyclovir, valacyclovir or famciclovir) and sometimes steroids. Other things to do include getting plenty of rest, avoiding stress, wearing loose fitting clothes, avoiding touching or scratching the blisters, and keeping the affected area clean. What are the complications of shingles? While most people recover without problems there are some

complications to be aware of: • Post-herpetic neuralgia is pain that can last for months after the onset of a shingles rash. It is usually described as a burning pain. This is the most common complication, affecting 10-15% of people and up to half of those 60 years and older. The pain can be serious enough to affect activities of daily living. Anti-seizure and anti-depressant medications as well as topical and oral pain medications can be effective treatment. • Skin infections can occur if the rash and ulcers become infected by bacteria from the skin. Antibiotics may be needed. • Eye complications can occur in 2% of people with shingles. If shingles affects the skin around the eye, the inflammation can cause damage to the back of the eye, called the retina, and lead to loss of vision. • Ear inflammation can develop when shingles affects the area around the ear. This can lead to nerve damage resulting in weakness in the facial muscles and ear pain. A steroid may

be indicated along with the anti-viral medication.

How can I protect myself from shingles? Getting the shingles vaccine is the best form of protection. The vaccine is indicated for adults 50 years of age or older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends Shingrix. It is over 90% effective and requires two doses. Vaccine side effects are usually mild. Please talk to your health care provider about getting protected from shingles. If you have a health question that you would like to be considered in Ask a Health Care Professional, please email AskHealthcareProfessional@ bcsbsnm.com. BCBSNM will select questions that may appear. Questions will not be personally answered. The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of BCBSNM. This column is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.

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March 2021

NMSU Study: Covid-19 Causing ‘Pandemic Within A Pandemic’ By Autumn Gray

s more people contract the novel coronavirus, more stories are emerging about sustained and difficult recovery periods for some of its victims. They report experiencing persistent or recurring long-term health effects that include hallucinations, fever, lethargy, depression and anxiety, and neurological problems lasting weeks or months. Though rare, these incidents receive attention because they are highly visible, unusual, and are a direct and immediate result of the largely misunderstood illness. However, there is a less visible and more widespread pandemic-induced health concern looming.

population will suffer longterm, if not permanent, adverse health effects associated with the pandemic - whether or not they ever contracted COVID-19. However, the evidence of this impact may not appear for many years. New Mexico State University professor Jagdish Khubchandani was the lead author of the study, titled “Covid-19 Pandemic, Stress, and Eating Practices in the United States.” The findings, which comprise the first and largest national study on pandemic-related stress and eating habits in the nation, were published in September in the European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology, and Education. The study surveyed 838 random adults nationwide about their pandemic-related stress and dietary habits. It found that one-third of people improved their eating habits and wellness practices; one-third remained about the same; and onethird exhibited worsening patterns of behavior. That last third is cause for serious concern, said Khubchandani, who brings almost 20 years of experience in medicine and higher education to NMSU, where he teaches public health evaluation.

NMSU Professor Jagdish Khubchandani A recent study shows that at least one-third of the American

“It’s a pandemic within a pandemic,” he said. “Poor eating habits during Covid will manifest as heart disease and cancer and stroke in the next decade or even sooner.

“We have people sitting at home with worsening diets and mental health, and that will have a longterm impact, which will manifest in (decreased) life expectancy,” Khubchandani said. Impact on Life Expectancy Pre-pandemic, American life expectancy was already on the decline and ranked among the lowest of developed countries, even though we as a country spend far more on health than our counterparts, according to ourworldindata.org. Until 2020, causes had been largely preventable, including drug overdoses (the biggest culprit), gun violence, obesity, and economic inequality.

Covid-19 accelerated the drop. In just the first half of 2020, U.S. life expectancy fell by a full year, from 78.8 to 77.8, the largest drop since World War II and the lowest level since 2006, according to a federal report released in mid-February. Since Covid-19 impacted people of color harder than whites, many minorities who died from the virus were also more likely to be younger. Dr. Mary T. Bassett, a professor of health and human rights at Harvard University, told the New York Times in February that unless the country better addressed inequality, “we may see U.S. life expectancy stagnate or decline for some time to come.” Demographics Mirroring the life expectancy research, Khubchandani’s study

revealed that the eating habits of people of color and women have been disproportionately affected during the pandemic. Generally, those with higher education, higher income, and the ability to work from home had more control over how and what they ate, were cooking more at home, and eating more healthfully as a result. Those with worsening diets and higher stress included young women and minorities, often with children. “Logically, you can infer that these people had lost a job or had previous financial difficulties,” or had jobs that required them to leave the home and wrestle with new challenges around child care and meal planning, Khubchandani said. “It highlighted inequalities (that existed) in society even before the pandemic that will now guide how we recover (as a country) in relation to health, wellness and continued well-being.” Age was also a factor. Younger people just starting careers, with school loans, and trying to find employment in a climate where jobs are being lost experienced higher stress and a decline in eating and health habits. At the opposite end of the spectrum, people of retirement age and older didn’t see much change or saw improvement in their diet – except in cases where the person did not have enough savings.

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‘Pandemic Within A Pandemic’ Cont. (continued from previous page)

Food insecurity The pandemic stands to accelerate food insecurity due to its impact on behaviors and because it impacts populations unevenly. In fact, food insecurity has grown even since Khubchandani’s findings were published. Since New Mexico already ranked

March 2021

among the worst food-insecure states pre-pandemic, residents here stand to struggle more than most post-pandemic. In fact, a Feeding America study published in October projected the percentage of food-insecure people in New Mexico to jump from 15 percent (2018) to almost 19 percent in 2020, placing us as the seventh worst in the country.

led studies in 2020 about maskwearing and mental health during the pandemic. Most recently, he has completed research about information consumption. That study, published in January, examined whether the quantity of information about Covid-19 or the quality (veracity) of the news we consume about the virus causes more stress.

bad behaviors are easy to gain and difficult to lose. So, we need to find ways to practice more healthy behaviors. The pandemic will be gone someday, but the habits you build today will be hard to change.”

In the past, Khubchandani said, his studies have been cited by attorneys-general and local legislatures to guide policy-making. He said he is hopeful this one will be used similarly.

The findings? It’s the duration and quantity of sitting and watching COVID-19 news that produces anxiety, not the quality of the information.

To view the study on media consumption about COVID-19 and depression or anxiety in full, visit: https://www.sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/ S2666354621000168.

“We have poor fiscal policymaking. Compared to other similar industrialized nations, we have done the worst,” he said. “If we’re serious about combatting heart disease and obesity, we must make investments in healthy policy and programs.” Additional studies In addition to the study on eating habits, Khubchandani also

“It’s a constant assault on the brain when you have to watch it and digest it and live with the negativity,” Khubchandani said. “Any bad habits that people acquire now will stay. Bad diets and

To view the study on eating habits during COVID-19 in full, visit https://www.mdpi.com/22549625/10/4/67/htm.

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March 2021

The Rise And Fall Of Albert Fall By Shannon Wagers

ike most New Mexicans, I felt a bit of patriotic pride when President Joe Biden appointed one of our own, U.S. Representative Deb Haaland, to be secretary of the Interior Department. By long-standing tradition, the individual named to head the Interior is usually a westerner, since most of the public lands and resources administered by the department lie west of the Mississippi River. Nevertheless, Haaland is only the third New Mexican to hold the post in the department’s 172-year history. The second was the late Manuel Luján Jr., who served under President George H.W. Bush. The first was a larger-than-life character named Albert Bacon Fall, who took office 100 years ago this month, appointed by President Warren G. Harding. He resigned in disgrace two years later, enmeshed in a scandal that ended his political career and ultimately landed him in prison. A Kentuckian by birth, Fall came to the Southwest in 1880 at the age of 19. He punched cattle in Texas, worked as a hard-rock miner in Mexico, and later in the Kingston mining district in New Mexico’s Black Range. It was

there that he first met another itinerant miner named Edward L. Doheny. Both were dirt-poor at the time, but Doheny went on to become a multi-millionaire oil man, while Fall embarked on a successful career in law and politics. Their paths would cross again decades later. Fall studied law sporadically for several years and was admitted to the bar in 1889. Opening a law office in Las Cruces that year, he quickly made a name for himself representing clients in a number of high-profile cases. He entered the political arena at around the same time, winning a seat in the Territorial Legislature in 1890 as a Democrat. In 1907, he switched parties and became a Republican. During his long political career, Fall also served as Territorial Attorney General and as an associate justice of the Territorial Supreme Court. He lobbied hard for statehood, and was one of the chief architects of the 1910 state constitution. After statehood was achieved in 1912, he was elected to the United States Senate, where he served until joining Harding’s cabinet in 1921. Despite his impressive résumé, there was another side to Albert Fall. He could be quick-tempered and

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unpredictable, occasionally even violent. He was widely suspected of complicity in the murder of a political rival, Albert Jennings Fountain, although he was never charged. He lost his seat on the Supreme Court as a result of allegations that his rulings were flagrantly partisan, and that he had abused his authority by interfering in local elections. During a visit to New Mexico by President William Howard Taft in 1909, Fall berated the president for his inaction on the statehood question at a banquet held in his honor at Albuquerque’s Alvarado Hotel. Both the president and the other guests were shocked at Fall’s effrontery, but Taft eventually signed the bill admitting New Mexico to the Union anyway. In the Senate, Fall’s colleagues were impressed by his intellect but put off by his brusque personal style. With his walrus mustache, broadbrimmed Stetson hat, and everpresent cigar, he seemed to embody the truculent spirit of the Old West. He kept a six-shooter in his Senate desk and sometimes wore one under his coat. He admired Theodore Roosevelt but disagreed with most of TR’s progressive platform, particularly his conservationist ethic. In Fall’s view, the nation’s natural resources ought to be turned over to private enterprise to be exploited and developed with minimal government interference. That put him at odds with the progressive wing of the Republican Party but made him a good fit for the pro-business Harding administration. Teapot Dome was an untapped oil reservoir on federal land in eastern Wyoming, named for an eroded sandstone outcrop that resembled a teapot. Along with two other oilfields in California, it had been withdrawn from the public domain and turned over to the Navy as a strategic reserve to fuel its ships, should a war or other national emergency cut off access to

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regular sources of oil. Early in his administration, Harding issued an executive order transferring control back to the Interior Department. The following year, Fall quietly leased the Teapot Dome reserve to an oilman named Harry Sinclair and awarded a permit to drill on the Elk Hills reserve in California to his former co-worker, Edward Doheny. The entire story of Teapot Dome is far too complicated to relate here. Suffice it to say that while there was some justification for Fall’s actions, there were irregularities in the bidding process, and some regulations were sidestepped. Several newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal, picked up the story. A Senate investigation followed, during which it was revealed that Sinclair and Doheny had made secret payments to Fall totaling $404,000, including $100,000 in cash, delivered by Doheny in a black leather bag. Fall was forced to resign. Doheny claimed that the money was simply a loan to an old friend, but federal prosecutors thought otherwise. Fall went on trial for accepting a bribe in 1929, was convicted, sentenced to a year in federal prison, and fined $100,000. Doheny and Sinclair, tried separately for proffering the bribe, were acquitted. After exhausting his appeals, Fall finally entered prison in July of 1931. Because of his failing health he was allowed to serve his time at the New Mexico State Penitentiary at Santa Fe. He was released after 9 ½ months, having spent the entire time as a patient in the prison hospital. The Teapot Dome affair left Fall broken financially, physically, and spiritually. He was forced to sell his majestic 750,000-acre Three Rivers Ranch, near Tularosa and lived quietly in El Paso, Texas, for the rest of his life. He died there in 1944 at the age of 83.

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The City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) is recruiting volunteers 55 years of age and older for the following opportunities. For more information call 767-5225. Senior Transportation Ride Coordinator Answer phones, confirm ride requests and match rider and driver. (Coordinate rides). Enter information into the data base, complete rider intakes over the phone and mail packets. Volunteer must have good phone etiquette, patient, and be familiar with data entry. You must take an Abuse Awareness training class. 2-3 volunteers are needed 2.5 hours per day, 5 days per week. For more information call 767-5225. CASA (City of Albuquerque Senior Affairs) Kitchen Looking for volunteers to support a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen that prepares food for seniors in the community. Hours are anytime between 4:00a.m. – 12p.m, Monday through Friday. Participate in preparation and distribution of food. Follow proper procedures in handling of food, portion control, sanitation, nutritional requirements and safety procedures. Some food handling experience is preferable; however volunteers will be trained for areas of help where are needed. Most volunteer activities will involve food prep (slicing, dicing, serving, and packaging) and kitchen sanitation (wiping, sweeping, mopping and dish washing). Call the RSVP office at 505-767-5225 for more information. The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) Advisory Council Needs members to join its efforts in promoting awareness and educating the community about FGP and senior issues. Council members advocate on behalf of FGP volunteers, evaluate the Program’s effectiveness, and assist in the recognition of Foster Grandparents by raising funds and in-kind resources. The Council currently meets once a month at the Barelas Senior

Center. For more information call 767-6412. Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is looking for volunteers age 55 and older who are interested in making a difference in a child’s life. Foster Grandparent volunteers must be willing to serve an average of 20 hours per week and must be able to pass a background check, physical, and tuberculosis test. Foster Grandparent volunteers serve one-on-one with children, working with them to build their social and emotional development as well as help improve their literacy skills. Volunteers receive mileage reimbursement, supplemental liability insurance, meals while on duty, pre-service and monthly trainings, and recognition throughout the year. Volunteers can also receive a small stipend if they meet the income guidelines. Call 7646412 for more information and to apply today.

Department of Senior Affairs Home Services is looking for volunteers to assist with yard work, minor home repairs, painting, building of wheel chair ramps and modified steps. Experience in minor home repairs and yard cleaning the use of yard tools, shovels, rakes and painting preferred but not required. Days/hours are open depending on volunteer. Time commitment: M-F 7:30-3:00. On the job training will be provided. Mileage reimbursement is available to RSVP volunteers. RSVP is part of Senior Corps and is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The purpose of RSVP is to recruit senior volunteers into public, government and non-profit organizations to meet community needs. For information on these and more volunteer opportunities call 767-5225.

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Crossword

#5149

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

DOWN 1. Cutting remark 2. “The Rubáiyát” poet 3. Dinner accompaniment 4. Attorneys’ assistants 5. Said farewell 6. Singer/actor Ed 7. Blood giver’s donation 8. Idolize 9. Oil transport 10. Mayberry resident 11. Compulsory payment 12. Playing card 13. __ on; tempted 21. Dispatched 22. Furry swimmer 25. Get even for 26. One who won’t accept the truth 27. Nodded off 28. One millionth of a meter 29. Ellis Island arrival 30. Verve 31. Baptisms & weddings 33. Positive response 34. Magna cum __ 36. __ Miles 39. Plum or orange 43. 78 and 45 45. Decorates 47. In a humble way 50. Sandal part 52. __ tide 53. Main character 54. Withdraw by degrees 55. Times 56. Tear 57. Close 58. Loony 59. UN member: abbr. 60. One dozen togas

ACROSS 1. Cereal dish 5. Family member 9. Complete 14. Left Bank companion 15. In the center of 16. Swiftly 17. __ up; entered on a cash register 18. __, Nevada 19. Put a stop to 20. Pool maneuver 23. Spike, for one 24. Period lasting trois mois 25. Commercials 28. Ramble 32. Enjoy one’s RV 34. Restrict 35. Not taped 37. Nota __ 38. Sour substance 39. Provide food for a banquet 40. Make a little cut 41. Encourage 42. Unique individual 43. Synonym specialist 44. Of the back 46. Assortment 48. Wind direction: abbr. 49. Uno y uno 51. Australian bird 52. Of the WashingtonIdaho-Oregon area 58. Kitchen appliance 61. Stink 62. Tribe member 63. Sri Lankan, for one 64. Sea in the former USSR 65. Mauna Loa emission 66. Trickles 67. Animal with a mane 68. River in Europe 1

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Where To Get Free Tax Assistance By Liz Otero

ax season officially began a little late this year, on February 12, but don’t think that means the deadline to file will also be extended. Despite the delayed federal start, income tax filings are due on the traditional April 15 date, contrary to last year’s unusual July caused by COVID-19 disruptions. That means New Mexico seniors who find themselves facing challenges preparing and/ or filing their tax returns should not wait to seek help. Support is available through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other local organizations, some offering services at no cost. It’s best to prepare documents to the best of your ability before appearing at any tax preparation location. Call and check if appointments are required. Some sites offer assistance on a walk-in basis, and others require appointments. Take all the necessary information needed to file your taxes, and call ahead to see if there are any fees. A checklist of “What You Need to Get Started” is available at www.irs.gov. Click on “File Your Taxes for Free,” scroll down to about a quarter of the page to “What Is IRS Free File?” In that section is a tab for documents needed to get started.

Should you need more assistance, below is a snapshot of free tax prep services both online and local:

• The IRS offers free tax preparation and provides options for filing tax returns on its website. At irs.gov, you find information, forms, your nearest IRS office locations, what you need to get started, information on free file partners, and more. Additionally, information on the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs are available. You

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can also call (800) 333-4636 or (800) 829-1040. • Tax Help New Mexico, operated in partnership with the United Way of Central New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College, offers free tax help with support from local, IRS-certified volunteers to people whose household income is $56,000 or less or those who are 65 years or older. The organization provides information on scheduling, drive-through service, and virtual assistance. The trained volunteers will prepare and review your tax return before filing to identify eligible tax credits. For more information, visit cnm.edu/ depts/taxhelp or the United Way website, www.uwcnm.org. • Free tax assistance is being provided by the AARP Foundation, virtually and in-person, with emphasis on those 50 and older or who have low to moderate income. Volunteers are trained and IRScertified in the latest changes and additions to the tax code. Metro area sites include Bear Canyon Senior Center, 4645 Pitt St. NE; Holiday Park Community Center, 11710 Comanche Road NE; North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, 7521 Carmel Ave. NE; NM Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE; Community of Joy Lutheran Church, 841 Saratoga Drive NE, Rio Rancho; First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho, 3906 19th Ave. SE. Visit AARP Foundation at aarpfoundation.org/ taxaide or call 1-888-227-7669 for site hours, availability, and more information. • TurboTax has a Free Edition for simple tax returns only and offers a free expert final review. Visit turbotax.intuit.com/.

March 2021

P X

For A Healthy Life

Barry W. Ramo, MD, FACC • Director New Heart Fitness and Health • Cardiologist, New Mexico Heart Institute/Lovelace Medical Group

ulia is a 68-year-old female who experienced palpitations for at least one year. The spells lasted minutes to hours. However, because she felt fine otherwise, she did not immediately seek medical attention. Instead, she bought a special watch to monitor her heartbeat, and it detected atrial fibrillation (Afib). The watch’s readout showed her heart rates varied wildly, ranging from 80 to 140 beats per minute. An electrophysiologist later confirmed what her watched showed. Atrial fibrillation is the most common serious electrical disturbance of the heart’s rhythm. The normal pacemaker that smoothly regulates the heart rate is overtaken

The Unrecognized Cause Of Stroke by a shower of chaotic electrical activity coming from the atria, or upper heart chambers (usually the left atrium). The chaotic heartbeat caused Julia’s palpitations. Julia initially chose to ignore her sole symptom, which she described as feeling like a bird flapping in her chest, since she considered it to be merely a nuisance. However, many people with Afib experience shortness of breath, fatigue, or anxiety.

acutely by alcohol or pneumonia, or arise after heart surgery. But the type like Julia’s is usually related to some type of heart disease. An overactive thyroid may also cause Afib.

Afib can even exist without symptoms, until a stroke occurs. The stroke results when blood clots form in the atria because they are no longer pumping blood but are simply a place for blood to pool. The clots can break off and go to the brain, cutting off blood supply to a portion of the brain. Blood clots can also migrate to the legs, cutting off blood supply. Most of these clots originate in a structure called the left atrial appendage.

The Heart Rhythm Society uses a scoring system to determine an individual’s risk for a stroke as outlined in the table below. The national guidelines for use of anticoagulation medication to prevent stroke advise that a score of 2 or more indicate risk levels sufficiently high that anticoagulants are usually advised. Individuals with a score of 1 generally are advised to be anticoagulated, but exceptions are often made based upon further assessment of risk of stroke, falls, and bleeding.

Afib that comes and goes is called paroxysmal. It can be triggered

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Two major types of anticoagulants are available for stroke prevention. Until 2010, Warfarin treatment was the mainstay for stroke prevention for people who have Afib unrelated to a heart valve issue. Warfarin blocks the effect of vitamin K, making clots more difficult to form and bleeding easier. (Vitamin K makes clotting factors in the blood.) Dietary vitamin K found in green vegetables will decrease the level of anticoagulation and thus the bleeding risk. Patients like Julia can have those vegetables as long as they keep their intake constant. Unfortunately, some patients taking Warfarin are told abstain from these vegetables, thus missing their important health benefits. In 2010, an alternative to Warfarin was developed when a major breakthrough in anticoagulation was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The new class of drugs - direct oral anticoagulants, or DOACs - directly block the action of a specific clotting factor. Dabigatran, Apixaban, Edoxaban, and Rivaroxaban are some examples. In general, the risk of life-threatening and fatal bleeding is lower with DOACs. Best of all, no blood test monitoring is required. DOACs are expensive and for many years,

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insurance companies refused to pay for them. That restriction has been lifted, although copays may still be high. In contrast to Warfarin, DOACs do not require monitoring. They provide a much more constant level of anticoagulation and are much easier for patients to take because vitamin K-rich foods have no effect on their action. The DOACs also have a lower risk for cerebral hemorrhage or major bleeding, requiring blood transfusion. They reduce the risk for stroke at least as effectively as Warfarin and in some studies even result in lower risk. Hemorrhage risk is increased if patients with Afib are taking anticoagulant drugs after a stent is placed to treat coronary artery disease. Aspirin plus clopidogrel (Plavix) or ticagrelor (Brilinta) are then prescribed. Adding a DOAC to this cocktail dramatically increases bleeding risk. In that setting, aspirin is not added. For patients who cannot take anticoagulants, a new procedure called a left atrial appendage occlusion device has been found to prevent strokes. Using a catheter through a vein, the device is inserted in an area of the atrium called the left atrial appendage. Nearly 90 percent of the strokes and blood clots that migrate to the brain or to the rest of the body arise in this small saclike pouch (like an appendix). The occlusion isolates the appendage from the rest of the body, preventing blood clots from migrating. Patients with this device do not require anticoagulation. Afib can produce fatigue, poor exercise tolerance due to shortness of breath, and even heart failure. In the next column, we will address the management of Afib itself.

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March 2021

Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with Dementia? Does this person experience Wandering behavior such as getting lost or leaving the house?

The FOUND study is looking for individuals who have been diagnosed with dementia and also experience wandering behaviors. The study will test whether an investigational medication called fasudil taken for up to 126 days (minimum of 84 days) is safe and can reduce wandering behaviors in patients with dementia. The study will entail:

Screening visit to determine eligibility 6 weeks of Open-Label fasudil treatment Determination of response to fasudil 2 additional treatment periods with fasudil and placebo Weekly check-ins to assess the participant’s well-being Clinic visits every 6 weeks To learn more about this clinical study and to see if you (or a person you know) is eligible to participate, please contact the research team: Geraldine Dempsey Clinical Research Coordinator Albuquerque Neuroscience Phone: 505-848-3773 Email: gerrie@albneuro.com

This study is being supported by Woolsey Pharmaceuticals

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March 2021

Dr. Gerard Muraida

The Doc Is In Gerard Muraida MD is a Geriatrician and the Medical Director at InnovAge in Albuquerque.

e have all heard the phrases, “Why don’t you sleep on it?” or “Get a good night’s sleep, and things will be better in the morning.” Both statements may be worthwhile if you don’t have difficulty getting to ANSWER TO #5149

Sleep On It sleep and staying that way. But for those who suffer from a sleep disorder, restless nights hardly lead to next-day epiphanies or fresh outlooks.

On the contrary, poor quality sleep can contribute to cardiac dysrhythmias, exacerbate hypertension, promote chronic headaches, lead to decreased mental acuity, cause attention deficit-like behavior, and increase risk for cognitive disorders and stroke. Impaired sleep can sometimes lead to depression, anxiety, impotence in men, hormonal irregularities in women, and more. The causes of poor sleep are numerous. A frequent cause is obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs as a result of an obstruction of airflow in the nose and throat that can lead to snoring and interruption of breathing during the night. The lack of oxygen to the brain causes an “arousal,” leading to a semiawake state that then reignites the sleep cycle. Medications containing

Benadryl-like substances can also lead to poor non-restorative sleep. These include some overthe counter sleep aids marketed with the letters PM. Alcohol consumption before bedtime, use of tobacco, sedative use, being overweight, and being a senior are all risk factors for sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea.

also suffer from breathing related sleep disorders.

If you suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, unrefreshed sleep, morning headaches, memory problems, stomach aches, or depression on a regular basis, consult your health care provider. If your bed partner complains that you snore, choke in your sleep, gasp for air, awake frequently for bathroom trips, or if you awaken with a dry mouth, have heart palpitations, or perspire at night, alert your provider.

Other sleep disorders include restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movements, sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder, and sleeprelated leg cramps, to name a few.

Excess weight may be a predisposing factor for sleep apnea, and weight loss may be the first step in a treatment regimen. However, many thin individuals

One possible solution is use of continued positive airway pressure, or CPAP, which pushes air into your lungs to restore and maintain the proper oxygen levels. This can be accomplished by using one of many mask types.

No matter what your age, restorative sleep is essential. By definition, restorative sleep requires both good quality sleep and a sufficient number of hours of sleep - seven to eight hours per night. Since March is designated National Sleep Awareness Month, it might be a good time to consider discussing your sleep experience with your health care provider.

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March 2021

Side Effects Of Green Things: The Rare Downside Of Cannabinoids

Shellie Rosen, DOM

Herb Doc

Shellie Rosen is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine. She can be reached via her website at Bodyvolve.com

Receptor “TRPV1” is necessary to prevent nausea and vomiting because it affects gastric motility. TRPV1 receptors can be re-activated by hot showers (via cutaneous heat). In other words, cannabinoid use leads to altered gastric function via a reduction in TRPV1, which leads to symptoms of nausea and vomiting resolved only by (activating TRPV1) cutaneous heat. CHS often does not respond to antiemetic drugs but ends abruptly after cessation of cannabis.

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T C AT N O C

Cannabinoid receptors exist throughout the body, including the gut. For the receptors in the brain, users get a sense of anti-nausea sensations. However, the receptors in the gut cause some individuals to feel very sick. CHS is tricky because of its paradoxical reactions. Some patients use cannabinoids to treat nausea and vomiting, unaware that cannabinoids may cause their symptoms. For CHS sufferers, it appears that repeated cannabinoid activity at a receptor called “TRPV1” leads to desensitization.

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Cannabinoids with a high Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC content are likely the key culprit in CHS. CBD or Cannabidiol often carries a much lower or, in some cases, an undetectable THC amount. THC induces a psychoactive component unique to “Marijuana” or “pot.” On the other hand, CBD is not psychoactive and is used for pain, neurological issues (including epilepsy), psychological conditions, and alleviating chemotherapy’s side effects. Since fat cells harbor THC, cannabinoid release may occur long after intake. Consider this if switching to CBD. The effects of cannabinoids may continue after THC cessation. Cannabidiol may trigger CHS in rare cases, but if it has little to no THC, it is unlikely to cause CHS. CBD may offer solutions for those who suffer from conditions reliant upon addictive psychoactive drugs such as opioids. Cannabidiol products may be appropriate for those not seeking psychoactive change but physiological relief.

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S R U O E K I L YL I M AF R U O Y TA E R T E W

annabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) began as an unnamed medical phenomenon. The cluster of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, stumped physicians for years. It was not until 2004 that physicians in South Australia built a case that the culprit was routine and longterm use of cannabinoids. The main symptoms of chronic vomiting and extreme nausea are present in other conditions; however, patients’ reliance on scalding hot showers for relief was unique. Some medical practitioners are not aware of CHS, nor do they have clinical guidelines for treating it. This article supports the benefits of safe cannabinoid use while alerting you to potential rare side effects.

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The average time to arrive at a diagnosis for CHS is, on average, years. Physicians note that many patients are in denial about their diagnosis. Discussing CHS can be challenging due to stigmas against cannabinoid use and a lack of knowledge about potential side effects. If you respond favorably to safe cannabinoid products without unwanted side effects, by all means, carry on. An individual with questions about their ability to tolerate persistent, long-term, or any cannabinoid use at all shall carefully evaluate their symptoms after lengthy periods of discontinued use. The undiagnosed suffering from CHS has caused many to be ignored or treated with improper drug therapy and surgery.

This knowledge, shared in an open dialogue, might be a lucky answer for a CHS sufferer. Abundant Blessings to an open heart and mind while helping those in need! Dr. Shellie L. Rosen, DOM., L.Ac.

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March 2021

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