Rubel Shelly

Maria Luisa Salcines

Chad Tackett

healthy valleyApril - 2011

A Miracle On The Road

To RecoveryJohn Keller

‘Undo Send’: What a Great Idea!

Defining Family

The Dangers of Excess Body Fat

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“VALLEY INTENSIVISTS, PULMONOLOGISTS AND SLEEP SPECIALISTS has been elected to membership in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The medical services of this accredited center have been found to be in conformance with the high standards required by the Academy.” American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2010.

• PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTING

• CLINIC FOR ALL BREATHING PROBLEMS

• SLEEP CLINIC AND ON-SITE SLEEP STUDIES

• ASTHMA AND ALLERGY CLINIC

• BILINGUAL STAFF

• BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS

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Healthy Valley Magazine801 E Fern Ave, Suite 131- 132McAllen, Tx 78501

PH: 956.525.0240

Publisher

Editor in Chief

Marketing Director

Website Director

Graphic Design

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Contributing Writers

Account Executives

Mauricio Portillo

Claudia Portillo Del Valle

Arnaldo Del Valle

Andres Rojas

Healthy Valley Media

Carlos DiazLina Tobon

Lora Incardona

Nurul Wahid, M.D.Jorge L. Kutugata, M.D.Rafael Amaro, M.D.Ana C Posada-Díaz, M.D.Vanessa Recio, Pharm.D.Christopher EspinoMaria Luisa SalcinesSusy GramoffFrank FuentesRubel ShellyChad TackettLora IncardonaCarlos JaramilloEASTERSEALS

Carlos JaramilloRafael MuñozLidza BernalAidee LopezMaria Elena Espinoza

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healthy valley magazine is a free monthly publication. All contents are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. The material in this magazine is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. healthy valley magazine and its contributors accept no responsibility for inaccuracies, and the advertiser is solely responsible for ad content and holds publisher harmless from any error. Printed in Mexico

ContentsAPRIL 11

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HV PUBL ISHERHV

6 ‘Undo Send’ What a Great Idea!

10 Every Day Is Earth Day

14 Be a Quitter

16 Defining Family

18 Pancreatic Cancer: The Fourth Leading

Cause of Cancer Deaths in Texas

22 Anna Freud (1895-1982)

24 Make the First Five Count

26 Benefit of Music

28 John Keller A Miracle On the Road to Recovery

30 What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

32 Irritable Bowel Syndrome

34 The Dangers of Excess Body Fat

42 How Can I Know My Level of Fitness and

How Much Muscle and Fat do I Have?

44 Dance Away Depression

46 Protect and Recover Your Identity

WHAT’S INSIDE

‘Undo Send’: What a Great Idea!

Defining Family

A Miracle On The Road To Recovery

The Dangers of Excess Body Fat

HV ‘UNDOSEND’

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You’ve probably seen the TV commercial about the group sitting around a table, completing a conversation with the boss via phone conference, and hitting the mute button to trash talk him. Just at that moment, a technician walks in to explain that he is there to fix the broken mute key. Uh-oh! Bad career move!

In real life this past week, five of us were around a table, completed a phone conference with a person, and thought we had ended and hung up. I was seated immediately in front of the speakerphone and made some comments to our group about him and our call. Then we heard his voice! “You guys may need to hang up on your end,” he said. “I seem to be having trouble disconnecting.”

Maybe that’s why an online article from CNN caught my eye the next day. It was about a new feature called “Undo Send” that Google’s Gmail is developing.

“Undo Send” is an option that can be enabled on a Gmail account. When someone composes an e-mail and hits the send button, an “Undo” button will pop onto the screen for five seconds. Clicking it retrieves the e-mail in draft form and lets the author correct spelling, edit content, or simply cancel the message altogether.

Don’t you wish you had a feature like that on your tongue! I could have used it countless times to save myself embarrassment, to keep from offending, to just keep my big mouth shut—instead of firing back some angry or hateful line. But without an “Undo Send” button, it was hurled across that space between me and a friend or mate or stranger. And I was left to try to clean up the mess.

I admit to having learned a few things from living. One of them has to do with the importance of putting a bridle on my tongue. For all the times I still talk when I should be listening, I’m actually better at it than I used to be.

My mother used to tell me to count to ten before speaking. (She saw my need early. I seldom got past about three or four.) Then I grew up, got married and had more adult responsibilities. I learned the hard way that she had given me some really good advice. Having to apologize and to recoup relationships (when possible!) over time finally taught me the value of restraint.

As you get ready to begin a new week, think about the value “Undo Send” could have for your electronic communications. Make a firm resolve to use its verbal equivalent in your workplace, family and church this week. And pray for God to give you the restraint to follow through with your commitment.“If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless” (James 1:26 NLT).

By the way, just in case you were wondering, I said some really positive things about the fellow on the other end of that open phone line. Whew!

‘Undo Send’

What a Great Idea!by Rubel Shelly

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HV EDITORIAL

Claudia PortilloEditor in Chief

A LITTLE FAITH GOES A LONG WAY…

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). We all have our own personal struggles, and some, unfortunately, are worse than others. From the many inspirational people in my life, I have adopted the philosophy that “No matter what you see with your eyes, it’s what you don’t see, yet believe, that should keep you going.”

When I speak about faith I cannot help but to think about John Keller, our cover story, and his loving family. A man who fought back for his life while family and friends all around were holding onto their faith and believed that one day John would recover from the tragic accident that change his life.

I understand that sometimes it seems like it’s so hard to see the forest for the trees, but take a good look around. It’s spring and the trees are starting to bloom. And while it may not last throughout the year, the memories of what we have seen should be enough to remind us that no matter the season we are go-ing through, spring will always come back green and blooming the most beautiful flowers as a result of what we have planted.One article that truly inspires me this month is “Defining Fam-ily” by Maria Luisa Salcines because it helped me to be more conscious of the true meaning and significance of bonding among family members. Every time that we take care of our own families, we are making sure that we are raising good hu-man beings, good mothers, good fathers and good community members, and while we all take care of our own, we are con-tributing to society.

April 22nd is Earth Day. Take this time to renew a commitment to making a difference in the environment. Today I invite you, as a member of our community, to raise your voice, raise your heart and do something special to positively affect the environ-ment. This is what I mean by changing the world one person at a time. Love each other, love your world, make a difference. A little faith does go a long way. But it’s time to take that little and make it a lot!

Green your heart, green your life.

All our surgical services are provided at Valley hospitals or outpatient ambulatory surgery centers (ASC).

SERVICESAdults and Pediatric from newborn

SPINE• Cervical and lumbar stenosis • Disc herniations and disc replacement • Spine trauma and stabilization • Spine and spinal cord tumors • Congenital spinal disorders in adults and children • Vertebral osteoplasty

BRAIN TUMOR• Gliomas and glioblastoma • Meningiomas • Tumors • Pituitary tumors • Acous-tic neuromas NERVE• Carpal tunnel release • Ulnar nerve release or transposition • Peroneal neu-ropathy • Peripheral nerve tumors

VASCULAR• Aneuysms • Arteriovenous malformations • Carotid stenosis • Acute stroke

FUNCTIONAL• Intractable epilepsy • Deep Brain Stimulator for Parkinson’s disease • Es-sential tremor • Trigeminal neuralgia • Hemifacial spasm

PAIN• Spinal cord stimulators • Intrathecal pumps • Dorsal root entry zone procedure • Cordotomy for cancer pain • Motor cortex stimulation

TRAUMA• Intracranial pressure monitoring • Burr holes for evacuation of subdural hema-toma • Craniotomy for evacuation of hemorrhage • Decompressive hemicraniec-tomy • Spinal decompression and stabilization

24 hours notice is appreciated if you are unable to keep your appointment

I conceive that the land belongs to a vast family of which many are dead, few are living, and countless numbers are still unborn. ~A chieftain from Nigeria - We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~Native American prov-erb - There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew. ~Marshall McLu-han, 1964 - Thank God men can-not fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth. ~Henry David Thore-au - I’m not an environ-mentalist. I’m an earth warrior. ~Darryl Cherney, quoted in Smithson-ian, April 1990 - For 200 years we’ve been conquering na-ture. Now we’re beating it to death. ~Tom McMillan, quoted in Francesca Lyman, The Greenhouse Trap, 1990 - Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time. ~Motto of the Baltimore Grotto, A Caving Society - Man must feel the earth to know himself and

EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY

recognize his values.... God made life simple. It is man who complicates it. ~Charles A. Lindbergh, Reader’s Digest, July 1972 - After a visit to the beach, it’s hard to believe that we live in a mate-rial world. ~Pam Shaw - Never does na-ture say one thing and wisdom another.

~Juvenal, Satires - There is hope if people will begin to awak-

en that spiritual part of themselves, that

heartfelt knowl-edge that we are caretakers of this planet. ~Brooke Medi-cine Eagle - You can’t be suspicious of a

tree, or accuse a bird or a squir-

rel of subversion or challenge the ideology

of a violet. ~Hal Borland, Sundial of the Seasons, 1964 - And

this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the run-ning brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything. ~William Shake-speare - Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we cannot eat money. ~Cree Indian proverb

HVEVERYDAYISEARTHDAY

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HV EVERYDAYISEARTHDAY

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HV

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BEAQUITTER

Vanessa Recio, Pharm.D. Saenz Medical Pharmacy

Co-Author: Christopher EspinoSaenz Medical Pharmacy

PH. 1.888.600.7236www.saenzpharmacy.com

Be a QuitterWhen you look at a box of cigarettes you will notice a disturbing image of an adverse event associated with smoking. This is the FDA’s attempt to deter consumers from smoking and enhance their awareness of possible side effects. According to the American Cancer Society, tobacco smoking is the leading cause of 85% - 90% of lung cancer deaths. Smoking is the #1 preventable cause of death in the U.S.

Nicotine is the addicting agent in cigarettes. It is the chemical that draws you in to habitual smoking and will keep you hooked if you don’t find a way to stop. Cigarettes are composed of over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer.

Cancers associated with smoking include lung, pancreas, bladder, cervix, esophagus, kidney, mouth, throat, stomach and uterus. Some studies suggest that smoking increases the risk of breast cancer; however, this remains controversial. Smoking is also affiliated with coronary artery disease, or narrowing of the blood vessels that carry oxygen and blood to the heart. Smoking increases blood pressure, decreases exercise tolerance, and increases the risk for infection and blood clots. In addition to cardiovascular disease, smoking is known to cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These disorders make it difficult for an individual to breathe properly. More obvious side effects of smoking include bad breath, yellowing of teeth and fingertips, and the unmistakable “smoker’s odor.”

You don’t have to be a smoker for smoking to harm you. Secondhand smoke is a mixture of particles (including carcinogens) from a burning cigarette and smoke exhaled from a person smoking. Secondhand smoke can cause ear infections, asthma attacks, respiratory symptoms and infections, and even increase the chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke increase their lung cancer risk by 20% - 30%.

Avoid restaurants or other public areas where smoking is welcome. Make your home smoke free and don’t allow anyone to smoke around your children. Smoking in your car with the windows rolled down still does not eliminate the risk of secondhand smoke. There is no risk-free level of contact with secondhand smoke. Even the least bit of exposure can harm your health.

Smoking is detrimental to your health but can also be destructive to your wallet. As state and federal taxes on cigarettes continue to increase, so does the price. A recent statistic from the American Lung Association estimates that a smoker spends almost $1,825 in one year. This doesn’t include the money spent on medical bills caused by the habit or days of work missed.

If you’re a smoker, help is right around the corner. There are several over-the-counter options, including nicotine patches and gum. Other options require a prescription. Support groups and hotlines are other methods to motivate you.

Want fast results? The Surgeon General claims that just 20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure drop! Blood carbon monoxide levels drop to normal after twelve hours of quitting. Long-term benefits include a decreased risk of coronary artery disease to that of a non smoker after 15 years of quitting.

Make the right decision for you and your loved ones. Speak to your pharmacist or physician today.

References: National Institute for Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Lung Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society

Free pregnancy test • Well women and annual exams • Management of low & high-risk pregnancy • Management of recurrent miscarriages • Ultrasound, including 4D • Family planning and birth control methods • Diagnosis and management of infertility • Management of abnormal PAP smears • Sexual transmitted diseases screening & treatment • Management of menopause & osteoporosis • Diagnosis & management of hormonal problems • Diagnosis & management of pelvic pain • Management of menstrual problems • In house cystometrogram • Management of urinary incontinence • Minimal invasive & laparoscopic surgery • Diagnosis & treatment of sexual dysfunction • Adolescent Gynecology

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HV DEFININGFAMILYHV DEFININGFAMILY

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During my grandparents’ generation a traditional family was defined as a married man and woman with children. Today the definition is very different. A family can be a one-parent household with children. It can also mean any arrangement of people who come together and call themselves a family.

Before it became fashionable to learn about parenting from books and television, the older women in the family taught parenting skills. When a baby was born, the women would help the new mother learn how to bathe and take care of her newborn. There existed a built-in network of advice, free of charge. Parenting skills, values and traditions were passed on generation to generation. Today very few families live near each other. Divorce is so that it is no longer an issue. Society has established and ever-changing family system that accepts just about anything.

In the past we took family for granted. Nobody talked about it; nobody did anything about it. Today the family is an issue on the political agenda. We are finally realizing that we need to re-examine some things and go back to more traditional aspects of family life.

In his book The Future of the American Family George Barna talks about the problems facing families today. Barna believes that in our fast-paced culture we need to re-establish the centrality and the priority of parenting.

If parents understood the importance of their roles in their children’s lives and if as a society we would encourage people and support them in their parenting roles, Barna believes this would be one of the best things that could happen to American society and probably to the world at large. Parents need to spend more time developing a healthy family. Investing in the lives of young

Defining Family

people, especially young children, is what determines the nature of the world.

Barnes points out that some parents are willing to believe that what’s important in a relationship is quality time, not the quantity of time spent. It helps parents feel good about the decisions they’re making as they’re trying to experience everything in life without making any kind of sacrifice. He calls this “family and time” because the reality is that although a parent and child can sit together to watch a movie, there’s nothing taking place interpersonally. Parents aren’t building a family; they’re just building a residential facility where people live together but don’t necessarily feel comfortable with each other.

Being a parent takes an enormous amount of energy and mental and emotional self-control. Daily responsibilities can fill our calendars overwhelming us with things we need to get done. Life is a constant juggling act between our children’s activities and ours.

It is essential that parents spend time with their children. The bridge of understanding and love cannot be built by “someday.” Parents need to re-establish their priorities, even if it means having to sacrifice their lifestyle in order to spend more time with their children.

Children need your time, your attention and your love.

Maria Luisa Salcines is a freelance writer, certified parent educator and parent coach with The International Network for Children and Families in Redirecting Children’s Behavior, Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom, and Redirecting Corporate America. Contact her at her website at www.redirectingchildrenrgv.org.

the incidence of pancreatic cancer in a family may be associated with a genetic mutation. New advancements in genetic testing may help identify a person’s risk for the disease.

SYMPTOMSAnother challenge with pancreatic cancer is that symptoms in the later stages of the disease can be so varied and subtle. Symptoms that require ex-amination by a physician include the onset of jaundice, or a yellowing of the eyes and skin, abdominal or back pain, sudden weight loss or lack of appetite, digestive problems, an enlarged gallbladder, and blood clots.

When symptoms begin to appear, pancreatic cancer has often grown to an advanced stage and metastasized to surrounding organs, leading to a lower survival rate. Consult your physician immediately if you experience any symptoms. Different exams and tests are used to determine if pancreatic cancer is present; the type of test varies depending on the symptoms presented during the physician’s exam.

TREATMENTAt Texas Oncology–McAllen, we work with patients fighting can-cer and blood disorders, including pancreatic cancer. Treatment options vary but can include surgery, radiation and chemothera-py. A combination of treatments may be used to provide the best chance of disease control. In addition, clinical trials are regu-larly conducted to identify new or expanded cancer therapies to improve treatment outcomes for this deadly disease. Through participation in clinical trials, patients can help physicians identify new and promising drugs, while expanding their own treatment options.

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Many people may be aware of famous celebrities who have per-ished quickly from pancreatic cancer, like Patrick Swayze and Lu-ciano Pavarotti, yet few people know much about the disease. While the incidence rates for pancreatic cancer have been rela-tively stable since the early 1980s, it is still a very deadly disease. In Texas, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Because patients generally lack symptoms dur-ing the early stage of the disease when treatment can be most effective, the subsequent survival rates for pancreatic cancer are lower than most other forms of cancer. In fact, only 6 percent of newly diagnosed patients are expected to survive more than five years.

Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells within the pancreas become cancerous. There are two types of glands within the pancreas—exocrine and endocrine glands. About 95 percent of all cases are exocrine tumors and are adenocarcinoma, meaning the cancer begins in the gland cells. Much less common are endocrine tu-mors, which begin within a hormone-making cell. The prognosis and treatment of endocrine cancers of the pancreas vary from the more common exocrine cancers because they may have dif-ferent causes, symptoms and treatment methods.

RISK FACTORSWell over 90 percent of patients diagnosed with pancreatic can-cer are 55 or older, with risk of the disease increasing with age. The average age of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is 72. While little is known about the cause of pancreatic can-cer, there are some key risk factors that can be indicators. For example, people who smoke are nearly twice as likely to have pancreatic cancer than nonsmokers. People who are considered obese and those who lead a sedentary lifestyle face an increased risk of the disease.

In addition, those with a family history of the disease have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. In some cases,

Nurul Wahid, M.D.,

Pancreatic Cancer: The Fourth Leading Cause of Cancer Deaths in Texas

HV PANCREATICCANCER:

BROWNSVILLE2150 N Expressway 83Brownsville, TX 78521

PH: 956.548.0810FAX: 956.548.2239

MCALLEN1901 South 2nd StreetMcAllen, Texas 78503

PH: 956.687.5150FAX: 956.687.9546

WESLACO1330 East 6th Street, Suite 204

Weslaco, Texas 78596PH: 956.969.0021FAX: 956.968.9744

HARLINGEN2121 Pease Street, Suite 101

Harlingen, Texas 78550PH: 956.425.8845FAX: 956.364.6793

Texas Oncology delivers high-quality cancer care with leading-edge technology and advanced treatment options to help patients achieve “More breakthroughs. More victories.” in their fights against cancer. Texas Oncology, a pioneer in commu-nity-based cancer care, is an independent oncology practice with sites of service throughout Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Texas Oncology patients have the opportunity to take part in some of the most promising clinical trials in the nation for a broad range of cancers. In fact, Texas Oncology has played an integral role in gaining Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for 29 of the latest cancer therapies.

Dr. Marek is board-certified and specializes in medical oncology and hematology. He cur-rently serves as a director of Texas Oncology and is the medical director for Texas Oncology-McAllen. He has served the Rio Grande Valley for the past 22 years as a medical oncologist and hematologist, has been recognized as a “Super Doctor” in oncology for five years in a row, and was recognized as Doctor of The Year for Rio Grande Regional. Dr. Marek received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio. He com-pleted his fellowship at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Billie J. Marek, M.D., FACPMedical Oncology/Hematology

“I can be part of your team… and together we can fight the battle.”Dr. Restrepo specializes in, medical oncology and hematology. He completed his fellowship at the University of Miami. He also serves on the Breast Cancer Committee of US Oncology and has completed a fellowship in breast cancer treatment. Through the Life Beyond Cancer Fundation he established the Texas Oncology–McAllen Breast Cancer Ride/Walk fundraiser to raise funds for Rio Grande Valley cancer patients. To date approximately $30,000 has

been donated to cancer patients in the Rio Grande Valley.

Alvaro Restrepo, M.D.Medical Oncology/Hematology

Dr. Ratnam has been with Texas Oncology-McAllen for 13 years, which he joined after completing his fellowship at the renowned National Cancer Institute at the National In-stitutes of Health. He has co-authored several research publications and is passionate about cutting-edge oncology care. He currently serves on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee of US Oncology and chairman of the Credentials Committee for South Texas Health System.

Suresh Ratnam, M.D., FACPMedical Oncology/Hematology

McAllen 1901 South 2nd Street McAllen, Texas 78503 PH: 956.687.5150 FAX: 956.687.9546www.TexasOncology.com

McALLEN

Dr. Wahid was fellowship-trained in medical oncology and hematology at Columbia Univer-sity College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He has been recognized as Physician of the Year at Rio Grande State Center in Harlingen where he has served as senior attend-ing physician for the past 13 years.

Nurul Wahid, M.D.Medical Oncology/Hematology

Dr. Litam was fellowship-trained at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He is well known in the community and was in private practice for 27 years before

joining Texas Oncology. He has special interest in treating solid tumors.

Joseph Litam, M.D.Medical Oncology/Hematology

Dr. Shekar specializes in medical oncology and hematology. She completed her fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland and trained at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Nirupama Shekar, M.D.Medical Oncology/Hematology

Dr. West is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He was a physicist prior to becoming a physician.

Benjamin West, M.D.Radiation Oncology

Dr. Lazo specializes in medical oncology and hematology. He completed his fellowship at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He is a recipient of several awards including the American Society of Clinical Oncology Merit Award and is the author of several peer-reviewed medical publications as well as book chapters. He received the highest hon-ors on the professional examination for his medical doctorate degree.

Guillermo Lazo, M.D.Medical Oncology/Hematology

Dr. Boek is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology. Prior to him joining Texas Oncology, he conducted clinical research as part of the North Central

Cancer Treatment group.

Marcelo Boek, M.D.Medical Oncology/Hematology

Dr. Salinas is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He completed his residency training at Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center in New York followed by his fellowship at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Rogelio Salinas, M.D.Radiation Oncology

“Cancer prevention is a high priority. My aim is to identify individuals who may be at high risk for cancer and work with them to develop a plan to reduce that risk.”

Debbie Gillett is a nurse practitioner.

Debbie Gillett, R.N., N.P.Nurse Practitioner

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HV ANNAFREUD

Anna Freud was born in Vienna, Austria, on December 3, 1895, and was the youngest of Sigmund Freud’s six children. Growing up she struggled with sibling rivalry, depression and anorexia. She was very close to her father who is said to refer to her in his diaries more than others in the family.

Anna Freud stated once that she didn’t learn much in school; instead, she learned from her father and his guests at home. This was how she picked up Hebrew, German, English, French and Italian. She finished her education at the Cottage Lyceum in Vienna, became an elementary teacher at that institution and then was forced to quit her teaching career because of tuberculosis. From 1918 to 1922, her father did psychoanalysis on her. Later on she began her own psychoanalytical practice with children, started teaching on the techniques of child analysis and became director of the Vienna Psychoanalytical Training Institute. In 1936, she published her best known book The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defense in which she gives a clear description of how the defenses work.

In 1938, Anna and her father escaped from Nazi-dominated Austria and settled in London where set up a centre for young war victims called “The Hampstead War Nursery” and used the experiences at this nursery as inspiration for three books, Young Children in Wartime (1942), Infants without Families (1943), and War and Children (1943). She then established “The Hampstead Child Therapy Courses” and “The Hampstead Children’s Clinic.”

Anna Freud (1895-1982)

A lay psychoanalyst, Anna Freud is considered one of the founders of psychoanalytic child psychology. She became her father’s symbolic successor and invested 50 years applying her father’s psychoanalytic theories to children. However, she was more interested in the dynamics of the psyche than in its structure and was particularly fascinated by the place of the ego in all this. Anna Freud was a prolific writer and her work was translated to many languages.

Anna Freud traveled regularly to the United States to teach psychoanalysis. She received a long series of honorary doctorates including Clark University in Massachusetts in 1950, Yale University in 1968, Vienna University in 1972 and Harvard University in 1980. In 1967 she was named a commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II and in 1973 she was made honorary president of the International Psychoanalytical Association.

Anna Freud died in London on October 9, 1982, at the age of 86 years. She was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium in London and her ashes were placed in a marble shelf next to her parents. After her death, the last of the eight volumes of The Writings of Anna Freud appeared, the Hampstead Clinic was renamed the “Anna Freud Centre” and her home in London was, as she had wished, transformed into the Freud Museum. The central function of the museum is to celebrate the remarkable life and work of Anna and Sigmund Freud.

Ana C Posada-Diaz, MD

WESLACO

Dr. Farray is board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He received his medical degree in 1998 from the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena in the Dominican Republic and completed his residency in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed his fellowship in medical oncology and hematology in 2006 at Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center/Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Farray ranked first in his medical school class. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and American College of Physicians.Available to see patients in Harlingen and Weslaco.

Daniel Farray, M.D.Medical Oncology/Hematology

Weslaco 1330 East 6th Street, Suite 204 Weslaco, Texas 78596 PH: 956.969.0021 FAX: 956.968.9744 www.TexasOncology.com

Dr. Ghaddar specializes in medical oncology and hematology. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in hematology and medical oncology. He received his medical degree from the American University of Beirut in Beirut, Leba-non. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the Good Samaritan Hospital/John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He completed his fellowship in hematology/oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer

Center in Houston, TX. He has been in practice with Texas Oncology since 1995. Available to see patients in Harlingen and Weslaco.

Habib Ghaddar, M.D., FACPMedical Oncology/Hematology

Make the First Five Count

Every year, millions of young children with unidentified dis-abilities enter school with learning and health issues that put them far behind their peers and have a lasting, negative effect on their ability to meet their full potential.

When kids get the right treatment and therapy they need be-fore the age of five, they are ready to learn alongside their peers, build lifelong skills and achieve their dreams.

As the largest provider of early intervention services, Easter Seals staff, therapists and families know what’s possible when kids get the support they need during the first few years of life – and also what happens when they don’t. But as a nation, we don’t invest nearly enough in early detection and treat-ment for young children before the age of five, even though it’s incredibly effective and more than pays for itself.

That’s why Easter Seals is launching Make the First Five CountSM. It’s designed to give children at risk of developmen-tal delays or disabilities the right support they need to be school-ready and build a foundation for a lifetime of learning.

If you believe all kids deserve to start school ready and able to learn alongside their peers, join us at MaketheFirstFive-Count.org and speak out today.

And, if you’re a parent, it’s even more important because children only receive these services when their parents or caregivers take action early. Learn what every parent needs to know about their child’s development and where to go for help at www.MaketheFirstFiveCount.org.

FIVE THINGS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW: 1. Your child is unique and develops at his or her own pace.2. Follow your instincts. Share your concerns with your pe-

diatrician or health care provider.3. Act early. Getting the right help at the right time makes

all the difference. 4. Seek support from an organization like Easter Seals—take

advantage of all the education, programs and services you and your child need.

5. Learn what every parent needs to know and where to go for help at www.MaketheFirstFiveCount.org.

Quality childcare for children of all abilities, 6 weeks to 5 yearsCall for enrollment opportunities, 956-631-9171.

1217 Houston, McAllen, TX 78501 www.rgv.easterseals.com

HV FIRSTFIVECOUNT

HV BENEFITOFMUSICHV BENEFITOFMUSIC

RESEARCHERS CLAIM THAT SPATIAL REASONING IS CRUCIAL TO HIGHER MENTAL FUNCTIONS SUCH AS COMPLEX MATH AND SCIENCE.

In my 23 years of teaching guitar and piano, one of the most common questions parents ask me when seeking information on music lessons is “What benefit is there in my child learning music?”.

That usually gets answered with me going on what appears to be a sales pitch and ends with me receiving a check after they rush to sign up their child for lessons. Having said that, it’s far from a sales pitch and more of an educational crash course on the effects that learning music can have on a child.

Musical education can play an important role in several areas of a child’s learning and development. Starting at a young age and extending into high school, music can substantially improve a child’s math and science abilities, reading skills and analytical skills, not to mention their self esteem.

According to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA), music education at an early age can enhance a child’s spatial intelligence. Spatial reasoning refers to the ability to perceive the visual world accurately, to form mental images of physical objects and to recognize variations of objects. In the study published in 2001, preschoolers who participated in 8 months of music lessons performed significantly higher on spatial reasoning skills, such as puzzles, than preschoolers who did not receive music lessons. Researchers claim that spatial reasoning is crucial to higher mental functions such as complex math and science.

An example of some of the analysis that I go through with students when learning even the simplest pieces goes something like this: What is the tempo (speed) of the music? Is it fast or slow? What’s the time signature? What’s the key signature? How many bars in the piece as a whole? How many bars per line? What patterns seem to repeat? How many bars do those patterns take up? What’s the chord progression?

This is before the student even touches the piano or guitar! The student must take that piece of music and analyze it by tearing it apart before he or she can learn to put it together.

Analytical skills like these are skills that a child can learn to apply to anything else from a study of history to science to grammar. Learning to see how something is put together is essential to success in any scholastic endeavor. It’s easy to see how a child can excel at other subjects when they learn to apply this skill on a consistent basis starting at a young age.

Musical education can also enhance a child’s reading skills. According to a study published in the journal “Psychology of Music,” children exposed to a 3-year program of increasingly difficult keyboard lessons demonstrated superior results in reading skills, such as vocabulary and verbal sequencing, compared with their non-musically trained peers.

Self esteem also improves due to the children learning how to set goals and to achieve them. Breaking down tasks into short-term goals and long-term goals is essential in achieving them on a consistent basis. Students learn a piece of music by learning a bar at time, then moving to a line at a time and culminating in a page at a time. Once the student sees the results of incremental learning, a new world is opened to them allowing them to stretch their horizons.

If you are interested in helping your child get ahead through a quality musical education, give us a call to set up an appointment and get your child started learning piano, guitar, violin, drums, bass or voice. All of our instructors are real working music professionals.

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Benefit of

Music

1001 S. 10th St, Ste G-858 | McAllen TX 78501 | PH. 956.451.3526

By Frank Fuentes

A Miracle On the Road to RecoveryJohn Keller

Standing well beyond six feet tall, McAllen native John Keller’s presence is immediately known as he walks into healthy valley offices. The well-mannered, articulate and physically fit gentleman is not what one would expect of someone who has been described as a “walking impossibility.” John’s story defies as many odds as he has expectations about himself.

February 17, 2008: John Keller, 33, was hit by a motorist while he was riding his motorcycle. With no helmet or protective gear, John flew 150 feet into the air and landed across five lanes of traffic. The injuries sustained were so serious, that little hope was given for survival. After 70 days in a coma, 11 months in hospitals and 14 surgeries, John is walking, talking and praising God for restoring him to health. John Keller is a truly a miracle of biblical proportions.

Remarkably, after more than 70 days in a coma, 11 months in hospitals and 14 surgeries, on January 20, 2009, John began talking. One week later, Keller walked out of TIRR Hermann memorial in Houston, Texas, and went home. Despite all reports and medical indications that he would live a vegetative life, he has returned to normal routines of working on brain fit exercises out in the gym for several hours a day and working the other half of the day.

He has dedicated his life to educating family members of patients with traumatic brain injuries about not giving up when challenges present themselves, encouraging the medical community and providing spiritual inspiration to those who are willing to listen.

“When he was asked to speak to the Memorial Hospital board for the first time after the accident, he ran on stage and everyone just gasped,” says Jan Keller, Keller’s mother. “He certainly did not look or sound like a former TBI (traumatic brain injury) patient. It was incredible.”

The book A Miracle on the Road to Recovery (Word & Spirit Resources), which portrays the incredible journey of Keller’s recovery as well as his family’s determination to bring him back from the brink of permanent disability, was released to the public on March 25, 2010.

Healthy Valley Magazine has the privilege of sharing the amazing story of how John Keller and his family embraced their faith and his drive to be a walking, talking miracle.

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CAN YOU DESCRIBE TO US HOW THE RECOVERY PROCESS BEGAN AFTER JOHN’S NEAR-FATAL ACCIDENT?Jan Keller: Our friends and family met after John was stabilized, and we decided to ask a neurosurgeon of Houston’s Methodist Hospital, to help us. We ended up calling him in the middle of the night and, thanks to God, he said, “I will help John.” This hospital usually didn’t take trauma patients, and after a full assessment we were told that John would most likely be in a coma the rest of his life. Even if he did come out of it, he would be in a permanent wheelchair. But we said, “God can do miracles,” to which they replied, “Yes, we have seen those too.” HOW LONG BEFORE YOU BEGAN SEEING ANY SIGNS OF RECOVERY?Jan Keller: About seventy days in the coma, we began to see his eyes open in a very narrow slit, and day by day he began to open them more and more. He was still unresponsive, but it was great to see progress. Finally a basketball game came on TV, and John turned his head.

John’s improvement was a little too gradual, and finally the hospital and insurance were forced to drop and dismiss us. Thankfully, a university hospital in Houston took us in thanks to an RGV connection and allowed to use their facilities for John’s rehabilitation. We finally began to see a hint of personality when we put John in an elevator with his sunglasses on to go outside. When we arrived on the bottom floor, he had taken them off by himself. It was all very gradual and he was still unable to talk or make any complex movements. We had our goal, and many doubted it, that not only would John be completely back to his old self, but that he would be walking.

WHEN WOULD JOHN BEGIN TO CONSCIOUSLY REMEMBER?John Keller: My first memories were those of not being able to talk without severe slurring but also of the cognitive exercises we would do and thinking “This is getting repetitive!” My thoughts were just firing, mostly questions, almost childlike in a way. But I remember having the drive to come back to my life

WHEN DID YOU CONSIDER THAT JOHN WAS FINALLY BACK?John Keller: It really was one day to another. It was like I had just woken up, even though I had been walking around and writing and everything for a while. One day it was just like I had come back. I remembered who I was. I hadn’t been able to speak before, and suddenly I was myself again. I couldn’t stop talking.

Jan Keller: He had been watching the Presidential Inauguration on television (January 2009) and by January 20st the staff was

doing a regular checkup when they asked him who I was. He surprised the entire room when he answered, “My mom.” They asked who the president was and he said, “Barack Obama.” It was like he just snapped on. He made 15 phone calls, speaking perfectly. Everyone was livid, celebrating. He knew the doctor’s name, the staff, everyone. From one moment to another, John Keller came back to us.

John Keller: We came home after that, I immediately wanted to hit the gym. I was a huge gym head before the accident, and I just wanted to go back to normal. It was a little hard, but I had the drive. We found Luminosity.com, founded by a stroke survivor, which had an amazing program to help the short term memory loss I was experiencing. The Learning RX program in San Antonio was also very helpful in restoring my brain synapse to their normal levels. But other than that, I was back. I was so thankful to God for allowing me to be with my family again.

JOHN’S RECOVERY WAS THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MANY PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER. TO WHOM DOES JOHN GIVE THANKS?Jan Keller: The community, the family, we all would help and pray for John. We all knew what had to be done. Everyone just took their place: the Word of God, which we stood on, prayed on, and hoped on; the blog we created, with over 150,000 people responding; of course the nurses, techs, and staff who had never seen a case a bad as John’s but never let that really affect his rehab. They could’ve discouraged, been realistic, but now they use John as an inspiration throughout the hospital. We thank them so much for their patience. God, of course, was who made me, the family, and staff strong and keep the focus through the long nights and days, and kept our goal clear.

As I said to the community at the Mayor’s Luncheon, “Evidently God answers prayers,” and Mayor Cortez added, “John’s story is a simple yet profound one! John could not pray for himself, so everyone prayed for him and we saw the results. Now John is compelled to tell the story.”

John Keller: My father is a pastor and he was the faith instigator throughout the recovery, having people praying and believing throughout the times when it really did seem like the odds were against us. My mother’s actions speak for themselves, of course. She knows how much I thank God everyday for her. And last, but certainly not least, we thank God. I love sharing my story in His name, which is what lead me to write my book. God gave us all the will as well as the opportunity for the right people to come together to perform what is nothing less than a miracle.

By Carlos Jaramillo

JOHN KELLER’S HEALTHY ADVICE

IF YOU’RE STRIVING TO LOSE SOME WEIGHT, YOU MAY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BODY IS ALKALINE, NOT ACIDIC. THIS DOESN’T MEAN NOT TO EAT ACIDIC FOODS. IT MEANS TO AVOID EATING FOODS THAT BECOME ACID-ASH AFTER DIGESTION. ALSO, I RECOMMEND DRINKING A FULL GLASS OF WATER BEFORE DOING CARDIO. JOIN A GYM! IT IS A GREAT ENVIRONMENT TO HAVE SOME TIME TO YOURSELF WHILE DOING SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE AT THE SAME TIME. THE BOTTOM LINE IS TO EAT HEALTHY, EXERCISE FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES A DAY, BUILD YOUR METABOLISM AND STAY ALKALINE. BY DOING THIS, YOU WILL TURN INTO A HEALTHIER YOU!

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HV PARKINSON’SDISEASE

Researchers are predicting that by 2030, the number of people over age 50 diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 15 of the most populous countries worldwide will double, to 8.7 million.

In the United States, about 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year, adding to the estimated 1.5 million Americans who already have it.

Risk factors for Parkinson’s disease, which is a debilitating movement disorder, include advancing age and exposure to industrial chemicals.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE: A NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERParkinson’s disease is a neurological disease, or brain disorder, that leads to progressive difficulty with balance and coordination. In people who have Parkinson’s disease, nerve cells in a region of the brain known as the substantial nigra become damaged or die. These cells are important because they produce the chemical dopamine, which helps to coordinate body movement.

When dopamine-producing cells die, the areas in the brain that control movement can no longer function properly, and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease eventually develop.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE PREVALENCEParkinson’s disease can affect anyone, but it most often occurs in people who are over the age of 50. Only 15 percent of Parkinson’s disease patients are diagnosed before they are 50 years old.

The prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is nearly the same in both men and women. People with a family history of Parkinson’s may have a higher risk of developing the disease, but Parkinson’s disease is rarely attributed to genetics alone.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE SYMPTOMSSymptoms of Parkinson’s disease usually develop after about 80 percent of the brain’s dopamine-producing cells are lost. The chief symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:

Tremors. Tremulousness (uncontrolled shaking or trembling) of the hands, arms, legs, or face is often one of the first indicators of Parkinson’s disease. Rigidity.

Profound stiffness, or an inability to easily move the arms, legs, and trunk, is another hallmark of Parkinson’s. Bradykinesia. Bradykinesia describes the unnaturally slow movements that are characteristic of people with Parkinson’s disease. Poor balance. Parkinson’s disease affects balance, leading to difficulty walking and impaired coordination.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s are generally mild at first but become more severe over time, until they eventually interfere with your daily routine. This is usually the point when treatment is recommended.

THE OUTLOOK FOR PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASEParkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive condition, which means it is a lifelong disease that worsens over time.

Each individual’s situation is different, but in general, the first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease usually don’t require treatment and may be restricted to one area or one side of the body. As Parkinson’s disease progresses, a person with the condition will likely experience:

Movement of symptoms to the other side of the body * Tremors that become more pronounced and interfere with activities * Bradykinesia, or slow movement, that becomes disabling * Difficulty with hand writing * Impaired swallowing and chewing * Speech that becomes monotone * Poor balance and repeated falls * Slow, shuffling gait (manner of walking) * Stooped posture * Facial expressions that become stiff and blank * Chronic constipation * Poor bladder control * Sleep disturbances

This progression is gradual in most people, but it may happen faster in some than others. Understandably, stress caused by the progression of the disease can lead to anxiety and depression.

There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. If you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, it is important to work closely with your medical team so your medications can be regularly adjusted to help you remain as functional as possible

PARKINSON’S DISEASE IS A PROGRESSIVE, DISABLING DISEASE THAT CAN ROB PEOPLE OF THE ABILITY TO WALK AND CAUSE OTHER MOVEMENT PROBLEMS. THERE IS NO KNOWN CURE, BUT MEDICATIONS CAN SLOW THE PROGRESS OF PARKINSON’S.By Krisha McCoy | Medically reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH

What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

www.everydayhealth.com

IRRITABLEBOWELSYNDROMEHV

Rafael Amaro, M.D.Board Certified Gastroenterology and Hepatology(956) 682-48005423 S. McColl Rd., Edinburg, TX 78539

If you are age 50 or more…Call to schedule your screening colonoscopy, Pam Garcia, FNP-C, coordinator Colon Cancer Screening Program

Rafael Amaro, M.D.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition characterized by ab-dominal pain (usually cramping), bloating or gas sensation, and change in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea, or the alternation of both). Other names used for this disorder include nervous colitis, spastic colon or simply “colitis.” It is a common condition affecting up to 20% of adults, which means that about 1 in 5 people have symptoms related to IBS. It is more frequent in women than in men, and symptoms usually start before the age of 35. IBS may cause individuals to avoid social events or traveling, and it may even affect their performance at work; however, it is important to know that IBS doesn’t lead to more serious conditions such as cancer.

The cause of IBS is not clear but it seems to be related to an extra sensitive bowel in these individuals, which causes the intestinal mus-cle to have intense contractions causing pain or to have too frequent contractions causing diarrhea. Bowel distention caused by intestinal gas and fluid may not be noticeable for most people; however, it may elicit pain and cramping in patients with IBS.

The diagnosis is mostly made with the presence of typical symptoms (table) and the exclusion of more serious intestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), colon cancer, infectious diseases, diverticulosis, etc., for which diag-nostic evaluation with an imaging study (barium enema) or colonos-copy is usually needed. This is important especially if “alarm signs” are present, such as rectal bleeding, weight loss, anemia, worsening of symptoms, or if they appear after the age of 35. Colonoscopy is the test of choice to rule out those conditions as it allows us to look at the colonic mucosal lining as well as take tissue samples (biopsies) if needed.

The treatment of IBS consists of controlling the symptoms with diet, stress management and prescribed medications. Diet includes avoid-

ing foods that make symptoms worse such as caffeine products (coffee, sodas, chocolate, and medications that contain caffeine), dairy products (especially if lactose intolerant), certain sugar-free sweeteners (sorbitol or mannitol), and al-cohol. Foods that might make gas-related symptoms worse include beans, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. Also, chewing gum can lead to swallowing air, causing more gas and bloating sensation. Fatty foods and large meals may also be a problem. Having small frequent meals, increasing fiber supplements and increasing fluid intake may help to prevent and alleviate symptoms.

Stress management includes relaxation techniques, having an ad-equate amount of sleep and regular exercise, which also improves bowel motility. Medications used vary and are aimed to control the most frequent symptoms; they include antispasmodics for abdomi-nal pain, stool softeners or mild laxatives for constipation, and anti-motility agents for diarrhea. Occasionally antianxiety or antidepres-sive medications are also needed.

COMMON IBS SYMPTOMS:• abdominal pain, often relieved by or associated with a bowel

movement• diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both

OTHER SYMPTOMS:• whitish mucus in the stool• bloating or swollen abdomen• the feeling that you have not finished a bowel movement

Irritable Bowel

SyndromeBy Rafael Amaro, M.D.

HV THEDANGERSOFEXCESSBODYFAT

The Dangers of

Excess Body FatBy Chad Tackett

Weight management through reduction of excess body fat plays a vital role in maintaining good health and fighting disease. In fact, medical evidence shows that obesity poses a major threat to health and longevity. (The most common definition of obesity is more than 25 percent body fat for men and more than 32 percent for women.) An estimated one in three Americans has some excess body fat; an esti-mated 20 percent are obese.

Excess body fat is linked to major physical threats like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. (Three out of four Americans die of either heart disease or cancer each year; according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey, ap-proximately 80 percent of those deaths are associated with life-style factors, including inactivity.)

For example, if you’re obese, it takes more energy for you to breathe because your heart has to work harder to pump blood to the lungs and to the excess fat throughout the body. This increased work load can cause your heart to be-come enlarged and can result in high blood pressure and life-threatening erratic heartbeats.

Obese people also tend to have high cholesterol levels, mak-ing them more prone to arteriosclerosis, a narrowing of the arteries by deposits of plaque. This becomes life-threatening when blood vessels become so narrow or blocked that vital organs like the brain, heart or kidneys are deprived of blood. Additionally, the narrowing of the blood vessels forces the heart to pump harder, and blood pressure rises. High blood pressure itself poses several health risks, including heart at-tack, kidney failure and stroke. About 25 percent of all heart and blood vessel problems are associated with obesity.

Clinical studies have found a relationship between excess body fat and the incidence of cancer. By itself, body fat is thought to be a storage place for carcinogens (cancer-caus-ing chemicals) in both men and women. In women, excess body fat has been linked to higher rates of breast and uter-ine cancers; in men, the threat comes from colon and pros-tate cancers.

There is also a delicate balance between blood sugar, body fat and the hormone insulin. Excess blood sugar is stored in the liver and other vital organs; when the organs are “full,” the excess blood sugar is converted to fat. As fat cells them-selves become full, they tend to take in less blood sugar. In some obese people, the pancreas produces more and more insulin, which the body can’t use, to regulate blood sugar levels, and the whole system becomes overwhelmed. This poor regulation of blood sugar and insulin results in diabetes, a disease with long-term consequences, includ-ing heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, amputation and death. Excess body fat is also linked to gall bladder disease, gastro-intestinal disease, sexual dysfunction, osteoarthritis and stroke.

MOST PEOPLE’S PRIMARY MOTIVATION FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT IS TO IMPROVE THEIR APPEARANCE. EQUALLY IMPORTANT, HOWEVER, ARE THE MANY OTHER BENEFITS OF PROPER

NUTRITION AND REGULAR EXERCISE.

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Weight Loss

REDUCING BODY FAT REDUCES DISEASE RISK

The good news is that reducing body fat reduces the risk of disease. At the University of Pittsburgh, researchers studied 159 people as they followed a weight management program. The subjects were under age 45 and 30-70 pounds overweight. Those subjects who were able to shed just 10-15 percent of their weight and keep it off during the 18-month study showed significant improvement in HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood pressure. In fact, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, body fat reduction is a more powerful modulator of cardiac structure than drug therapy.

For people with a family history of heart disease, an active lifestyle can slow or stop the process for all but those with serious genetic disorders. Studies by Dean Ornish, MD, have shown that a comprehensive intervention program that includes regular physical activity, a low-fat diet and a stress reduction program can even reverse the heart disease process.

Evidence also shows that an active lifestyle and its help in reducing body fat is associated with a reduced risk for some types of cancers: prostate for men, breast and uterine cancers for women. (Frisch, et al 1985).

In addition, regular physical activity and a low-fat diet are successful in treating non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM); for some patients, it has reduced or eliminated the need for insulin substitutes. In general, regularly active adults have 42 percent lower risk of developing NIDDM.

GAINING WEIGHT HAPPENS TO MOST OF US

The average American gains at least one pound a year after age 25. Think about it. If you’re like most Americans, by the time you’re 50, you’re likely to gain 25 pounds of fat, or more. In addition, your metabolism is also slowing down, causing your body to work less efficiently at burning the fat it has. At the same time, if you don’t exercise regularly, you lose a pound of muscle each year. Consequently, people are not only increasing their body fat stores and increasing their risk of disease, but they’re also losing muscle, increasing the risk of injury, decreasing activity performance and further slowing down metabolism.

Very few Americans exercise in any significant way. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports estimates that only one in five Americans exercises for the healthy minimum of 20 minutes three or more days a week. In fact, the average American gets less than 50 minutes of exercise per week. Even worse, two out of five Americans are completely sedentary.

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HV SHAREYOURSTORIES

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Weight Loss

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THE ANSWER: HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

But there is hope. Moderate weight loss—of fat, not muscle—and a healthy and active lifestyle—not dieting—have been found to lower health risks and medical problems in 90 percent of overweight patients, improving their heart function, blood pressure, glucose tolerance, sleep disorders and cholesterol levels, as well as lowering their requirements for medication, lowering the incidence and duration of hospitalization and reducing post-operative complications. Fit people are eight times less likely to die from cancer than the unfit, and 53 percent less likely to die from other diseases. Fit people are also eight times less likely to die from heart disease.

So, are you willing to be patient and make gradual changes in your life that will lead to a healthier, happier you? Once you have made the decision to go forward and accept change, the hard part is over. Sure, there is plenty of work to be done, but it really doesn’t matter how long this new process takes. If you allow changes to take place over several years, your body will adjust comfortably, and you will be more likely to maintain the healthy lifestyle permanently.

When you begin achieving improvements in energy and physical and psychological performance, the fun and excitement you experience will make the change well worth the effort. Action creates motivation! Good luck: I hope you enjoy all the wonderful benefits of a safe and effective weight management program.

* BE SURE TO CHECK WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES IN YOUR ACTIVITY OR EAT-ING HABITS.

HV WEIGHTLOSS

PARIS MICRODERMABRASSION PEEL

PARISIAN PEEL IS THE MOST TRUSTED GENTLE, NON-INVASIVE SKIN REJUVENATION THERAPY AVAILABLE TODAY. IT’S A POWERFUL BUT GENTLE ANTI-AGING PROCEDURE THAT EXFOLIATES, REFRESHES AND RENEWS YOUR SKIN. IT IS AN EFFECTIVE THERAPY THAT, WHEN USED ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH SURGERY, FACIALS, MOISTURIZING TREATMENTS AND CHEMICAL PEELS, REDUCES THE APPEARANCE OF FINE LINES AND WRINKLES, SUN DAMAGE, BROWN SPOTS, ACNE SCARS AND OTHER SKIN IMPERFECTIONS. PARISIAN PEEL CAN BRING A NEW VIBRANT GLOW TO YOUR SKIN THAT IS FRESH, VITAL AND REJUVENATED.

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SKIN REJUVENATION MATRIX IR™ FRACTIONAL NON-ABLATIVE SKIN TREATMENT

This treatment reaches to the deep dermal levels to encourage the production of new collagen, without damaging the epidermis. Skin is left smooth, toned and renewed.

SUBLATIVE REJUVENATION™

Reduce the appearance of wrinkles, scars and other skin lesions, as well as improve your skin’s texture and laxity.

Renew, Refresh,RedefineUnlock Your Skin’s Potential

BLUE KASHMIR-SAPHIR FACIAL BY SJÄL SKINCARE

A perfectly balanced facial designed to restore fatigued and exhausted skin, mind and body. Pearl enzymatic mask for polishing and brightening followed by kashmir perfecting mask for restoration.

Specially chosen gemstones for massage, clarity and chakra balance. Includes lymphatic drainage using precious oil infused with blue kashmir sapphires. Finished with o2 blast leaving skin hydrated, toned and glowing.

IN CELEBRATION OF MOTHER’S DAY, RECEIVE A FREE SJÄL FACIAL WITH THE PURCHASE OF A COMPLETE SKIN CARE SYSTEM BY SJÄL. Purchase must be made by May 13, 2011.

BEFORE AFTER

SERVICES • LASER SKIN REJUVENATION • SKIN RESURFACING • SKIN AND ACNE CONSULTATIONS • AESTHETICS INJECTABLES • BOTOX® • RESTYLANE® • PERLANE® • JUVEDERM® • RADIESSE® • BODY TREATMENTS • MASSAGES • THERAPIST’S CHOICE SWEDISH • MATERNITY • EXECUTIVE ESCAPE • PURIFYING CLAY WRAP • FACIAL TREATMENTS • MICRODERM-ABRASION FACIAL • THE SPA PEEL • COLLAGEN FIRMING • PURIFYING DEEP-CLEANSING FACIAL • REGENERATIVE PURE C • FACIAL • BOTOX • DERMAL FILLERS • LASER - THE ULTRA-FAST, POWERFUL AESTHETIC SOLUTION MATRIX IR™ FRACTIONAL • NON-ABLATIVE SKIN TREATMENT • WRINKLE TREATMENT • SUBLATIVE REJUVENATION™ • ULTRA-FAST HAIR REMOVAL

4745 S. Jackson Rd. Edinburg, TX 78539 Ph.956.287.3777 | www.me-medspa.com

Diana Cortinas, MD

THE VELASHAPE II SYSTEM PROMISES CLINICALLY-PROVEN RESULTS IN AS LITTLE AS FOUR TREATMENTS.

TM

• REDUCED INCHES AFTER LIPOSUCTION• SMOOTHS OUT SKIN AFTER WEIGHT LOSS• RESHAPES AND TONES LOOSE SKIN• REDUCES APPEARANCE OF CELLULITE• CAN TREAT SKIN ON THE ABDOMEN, BUTOCKS

OR NECK IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES• PROVEN SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR TREATING

CELLULITE• ZERO DOWNTIME• EASY TO ADMINISTER• HIGHLY-CONTROLLABLE ENERGY HEAT SOURCE

WITH THE ELOS TECHNOLOGY• TARGETED TREATMENT

HV LEVELOFFITNESS

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Our Executive Health Evaluation is very extensive. One of the areas that we test is how fit the patient is. To measure this we use the VO2 Max test.

The VO2 Max test is the gold standard of the medical and fitness industries for assessing fitness through cardiopulmonary efficiency. The test measures how well the heart and the lungs work together to supply the muscles with oxygen. The patient will know his aerobic and anaerobic threshold. We will also measure the heart rate zones, and from there we will know at what range is the best for him to exercise, that way he will get the most benefit out of his exercise program. The VO2 test is available to patients on a “drop-in” basis if they would like to check their progress at any time during the duration of their program.

This test is also available at Age Management Center of South Texas for runners, cyclists, bodybuilders and other athletes who are interested in knowing their level of fitness.

At Age Management Center of South Texas we also perform a DEXA Scan. DEXA stands for “dual energy x-ray absorptiometry.” The scan is a very mild exposure x-ray scan that is used to assess bone density and body composition. Because of the (purposefully) low radiation exposure, the resolution of the scan is not finite enough to accurately detect/diagnose diseases or anatomical abnormalities such as tumors or lumps. It is, nevertheless, the Gold Standard in the medical and fitness industries for body composition and bone density analysis. The results are used to establish a baseline of your health and track your progress as you reach your health goals. While it is low exposure, the DEXA is still an x-ray; therefore, follow-up scans should not be performed more frequently than every three months.

This test is also available for runners, cyclists, bodybuilders and other fitness enthusiasts that are interested in knowing their percentage of muscle mass, body fat and symmetry.

At Age Management Center of South Texas we are committed to a healthy lifestyle. With good nutrition principles, a good exercise program, pharmaceutical grade supplements, and hormonal optimization (when clinically indicated), we can achieve an optimum state of health and help you get in the best shape of your life.

How Can I Know My Level of Fitness

and How Much Muscle and Fat do I Have?

Come and join the thousands of patients that have given the first step and started this innovative and proactive program. Give me, Dr. Jorge L. Kutugata, a call at 956-969-4258.

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Depression is the number one psychological disorder in the western world. It is growing in all age groups and in virtually every community, and the growth is seen most in the young, especially teenagers. This is not surprising as young people face a lot of self-imposed pressure – to have the ‘perfect’ body, to be rich and to be famous, just to mention a few. Everyday struggles of high unemployment and difficult home lives all slowly take their toll.

The World Health Organization has predicted that by 2020, depression will be the second most common cause of morbidity worldwide, just behind heart disease. Depression is a mental disorder that displays depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy and poor concentration.

For some time now, the positive link between exercise and mood has been clear. However, Birks (2007) noted that people suffering with depression found it difficult to maintain motivation for exercise due to the sometimes solitary nature of gym-based exercise. Also, in many areas gym membership can be costly or there may be a lack of local provision, making it difficult for people to access facilities; therefore, an alternative to independent exercise may prove more beneficial. Recent studies at two different universities found that dance lowers levels of stress hormones and significantly lowers levels of depression.

Dance not only is a great form of physical exercise, attending regular dance classes can also provide wider benefits. Social interaction, shared experience, concentrating on learning a new

Dance Away Depression

skill and the self-confidence they can bring all contribute to an improved self-esteem. Dance is also a great form of expression. It can be very difficult to talk about feelings and emotions; therefore, using music and dance to express thoughts may provide the release mechanism needed.

If growth is greatest in teenagers, a dance style that speaks to the younger generation, such as hip-hop, may have a huge impact in terms of releasing anger and pressures as well connecting with other young people facing similar issues. Some of the most influential artists have made very public the personal struggles they have faced, which have often been reflected in the music they have written. “Cleaning Out My Closet” by Eminem was written about his mom’s abusive behavior, and “Everyday Struggle” by Biggie was written about the challenges faced by children growing up. These are issues that young people can relate to, and dancing to this music may help them reflect on their own personal situations.

For many people, the thought of taking medication for depression is unappealing; however, this may be unavoidable and the need for such medication should not be ignored. Dance classes may be an unexplored option for the many people suffering from depression. Dance may provide a simple form of self-help that could be used alone or alongside medication or any other recommended treatment.

“Work like you don’t need the money, love like your heart has never been broken, and dance like no one is watching.” So dance away depression!

HV DANCEAWAYDEPRESSION

By Susy Gramoff

The Art Village On Main • 800 N Main St. • McAllen, Texas 78501

www.susysdance.com • 956 330-4242 • susysdance@mail.com

SINGING • MODELING • ACOUSTIC GUITAR • ACTING •BALLETBALLET ADULTS BEGINNERS • FLAMENCO • JAZZ • BELLY DANCE • TAP • ZUMBA

ZUMBATOMIC • SALSARENGUE •YOGA & PILATES • HIP HOP • BREAK DANCE • BOOT CAMP (Ages 3 & Up)

Susy GramoffArt Director Susy’s Dance

Certified by La Fundación deCristina Heeren. Sevilla, España

Rolando PachecoArt Director McAllen BalletCertified by National Ballet of Cuba& Real Academia de Madrid, España

HV PROTECTYOURIDENTITY

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An excellent way to protect yourself from consumer fraud and identity theft is to be aware of changes to your credit report. Many anti credit fraud companies offer to send alerts to their customers to make them aware of changes to their credit reports or when per-sonal information is requested to open new accounts. Others monitor the Internet for unauthorized use of personal information. Some also offer to help the victim replace documents from a stolen wallet. Being proactive against such theft is the best way to prevent becoming a victim.

When a person’s identity is stolen, it can affect his in-come tax, social security benefits, criminal and driving records, credit rating, bank and credit accounts and much more, which is why it is so important to protect one’s identity and credit. Easy steps to take to do so include cross-shredding any mail and documents that include your name, address, account number, employ-ment information, social security number or birth date. It’s also important not to put such information online. Social networking sites entice its members to submit all sorts of personal information, including familial relation-ships, schools attended and places of employment. All of this information just floating out there gives potential identity thieves so much information to work with that their job is almost effortless and done for them.

When someone’s identity is stolen, it takes a lot of time and effort to get it back. The FTC website (www.FTC.gov) is a wonderful place to start. Some of the sugges-tions found there include 1) making a list of financial accounts that may have been affected and what private information may now be compromised, 2) filing a police report, and 3) contacting the credit reporting agencies and financial institutions involved. The victim may also want to contact the Social Security Administration and Internal Revenue Service if he thinks that his social se-curity number has been compromised. Also, the victim has only 60 days to dispute any bills that may be the result of fraud, and this is just the beginning. Although the FTC is a storehouse of advice and forms, it is not a storehouse of time.

The services offered by most identity protection com-panies are to prevent identity theft, but what happens when a thief is successful and your identity is stolen? “It can be very stressful to try to recover a stolen identity on your own. It also takes time to complete the necessary forms and make phone calls, which adds to the stress and frustration of the whole situation. That’s why it’s important to choose an identity theft plan that includes identity restoration services,” states Lora Incardona, an independent associate of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

By Lora Incardona

Protect and Recover

Your Identity

Identity theft is one of the most prolific crimes in America. It is in-discriminant. Unbelievable yet true, even children who are not old enough to attend school have become victims of identity and credit theft. We often think that “It won’t happen to me,” but in 2006 over 670,000 consumer fraud and identity theft complaints were filed with the Federal Trade Commission, according to Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft Complaint Data. According to http://www.myid-fix.com/identity-theft-statistics-us.php, Texas ranks in the top five states. In addition, the FTC data shows that the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas, area is one of the metropolitan areas with the high-est per capita rate of this type of theft in the country. Only two other areas, Napa and Madera, California, outrank the Rio Grande Valley area, per http://www.identityfinder.com/us/Home/Tips/Facts

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AT&T Center - Alamo - Alamodome - Henry B. Gonzales Conv. Ctr. - Market Square- San Antonio River Walk San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium - SeaWorld San Antonio - Six Flags Fiesta Texas - San Antonio Botanical GardenRiver Center Mall ( Across the Street) ,The Quarry Market, La Canterra Mall & San Marcos Outlet Mall

Area Attractions

MENTION THIS RATE CODE: “LWINE2”RECEIVED A BOTTLE OF WINE

Healthy Valley Magazine | 801 E. Fern Ave, Suite 131 | McAllen, TX 78501 | PH 956.525.0240

healthy val ley magaz ine FREE SUBSCRIPTION!

1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION!12 MAGAZINES

Healthy Valley Magazine is a free publication. It’s a community magazine with the purpose of providing information to improve and accomplish a healthier lifestyle.

If you are interested in receiving this magazine at home, please fill out the enclosed questionnaire and mail it along with a check for$15.75 to cover the yearly cost of shipping.

**The information you provide is confidential and Healthy Valley does not sell or share any information with 3rd parties.

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DIR

ECTORYDentist

Arturo Lopez, D.D.S., P.A.Laser & Cosmetic Dentistry 6900 N. 10th St., Suite #7McAllen, TX 78504 PH 956.630.6130

Valley Intensivists, Pulmonologists and Sleep Specialists1200 E. Savannah Ave., Ste. 12 McAllen, TX 78503PH 956.688.6300

McALLEN

Texas Oncology1901 South 2nd Street

McAllen, TX 78503PH. 956.687.5150

www.texasoncology.com

Clinic

Brownsville Surgical Specialist100 B Alton Gloor Blvd., Ste. 260Brownsville, TX 78526PH. 956.350.3901

Valley Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists, P.A.

2101 S Cynthia St # AMcAllen, TX 78503PH 956.687.7896

DME

Life Medical Supply2509 Buddy OwensMcAllen, TX 78504PH 956.994.3600

Primos DME901 E. Redbud Suite 8AMcAllen, TX 78504PH. 956.994.1837www.primosdme.com

Beauty

ME Medspa4745 S.Jackson Rd.Edinburg, TX 78539PH 956.687.9997

Martial Arts

Specialty

Hector G. Amaya M.D., P.A.Internal Medicine ABIM Certified1315 E. 6th Ste. 6Weslaco, TX 78596PH. 956.351.5949

VIPS Valley Intensivists Pulmonologists & Sleep Specialists PLLC1200 E Savannah Ave Ste 3Mcallen, TX 78503PH.956.688.6300

Pharmacy

Saenz Medical PharmacyPH 888.600.7236

www.saenzpharmacy.com

1205 N Raul Longoria Rd. Ste. FSan Juan, TX 78589-3712

PH. 956.782.6337www.mysanjuanpharmacy.com

Foundations

TOSATexas Organ Sharing Alliance2217 Primrose AvenueMcAllen, TX 78504PH: 956.630.0884

Identity Theft Shield Lora Incardona

PH. 956.501.7724www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/loraa

RIO GRANDE CONSTRUCTION

& SEALCOAT COMPANY____________________Commercial • Residential

Efrain Gonzalez29073 Nelson Rd.

San Benito, TX 78586PH. 956.467.6102

Services

Weight Loss

The Center for Medical Weight Loss2727 W. Trenton Rd., Ste. B-13Edinburg, TX 78539PH 956.627.2777

Pounds and Inches Away201 N. McColl Rd. McAllen, TX 78501PH 956.205.0384

Cure for ObesityDr. Jose Rodriguez M.D.4500 N. 10th StreetMcAllen, TX 78504PH 956.627.4056

HCG DIET RESULTSPH. 956.246.0397www.hcgdietresults.com

Healthcare

Palm Valley Health Care, Inc.www.palmvalleyhealthcare.com

Mi Nuevo Mundo ADCP.O Box 1351,La Joya, TX 78560PH. 956.495.6840MigdaliaBarrera@ATT.net

Valley Sports UniversityMichael Niles2612 N McColl rdPH. 956.681.8371www.valleysportsu.com

School

Music MastersFrank Fuentes1001 S. 10th St, Ste G-858McAllen TX 78501PH. 956.451.3526

Nutrition

Major Health Foods1001 S. 10th St.McAllen, TX 78501PH. 956.687.7759www.majorhealthfoodsmcallen.com

Sierra Sil1-800-New-Healthwww.sierrasil.com

BOROWITZ BLACK BELT ACADEMY2201 W. Nolana

McAllen, TX 78504PH. 956.994.9220

HV EVENTS

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EventsGROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF EDINBURG CONFERENCE CENTER AT RENAISSANCE.The Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, the City of Edinburg, and the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, were proud to announce the groundbreaking of the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. The official ceremony marked the beginning of construction for the first conference center in Edinburg. The Conference Center will be used for an assortment of activities, all aimed to enrich the medical community and the public at large. The event was held on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 10:30 am.

LONE STAR NATIONAL BANK PRESENTS RENAISSANCE CANCER FOUNDATION WITH DONATION.Since 2008, the Renaissance Cancer Foundation has dedicated its efforts to building community awareness while providing cancer education, emotional support, and financial assistance or guidance for underserved patients. The Lone Star National President & Chief Operating Officer Mr. David Deanda and Marketing Director, Edna De Saro presented the invited representatives from the Renaissance Cancer Foundation with a $20,000 donation check during half time at the RGV Vipers Home Game on March 19th 2011.

DR. REYES AND DR. GARZA OF BROWNSVILLE GIVE FREE BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SEMINAR.Dr. Reyes and Dr. Garza of Brownsville offered a free weight loss seminar on March 24, 2011 to a group of people wanting to know about losing weight through Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery. “Diet and exercise are fundamental to be healthy, but when your BMI is 35 or more, you could injure yourself while exercising. Bariatric Surgery will help you lose weight,” Dr. Reyes stated. Dr. Garza explained to the audience the various risks of obesity and the available options that their practice offers to help the obese get to a healthier weight.

MERCEDEZ-BENZ OF SAN JUAN RIBBON CUTTINGWith an impeccable atmosphere and Mercedes Benz treatment, Alfonso Cavazos, General Manager and his partners, Ron Heller and Bill Bird celebrated their ribbon cutting ceremony at the brand new Mercedes Benz of San Juan Dealership in the City of San Juan, Texas. Also celebrating with them were Miki McCarthy, Corporations Director of San Juan Economic Development Corporation. Family, friends and customers celebrated with them the opening ceremony

STATE CHAMPION STUDENT RECOGNIZED AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.A student from PSJA North High School, Alejandra Camacho, trained by Coach Nora Liza Lizcano, won the state championship for High School Power lifting for the State of Texas held in Corpus Christi. Alejandra is in the 148 lbs. category. Miss Camacho also won the State of Texas Regional Meet held earlier this month in McAllen, Texas. Recognition was held in honor of the student at the PSJA ISD School Board meeting on February 28, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

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HVEVENTS

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COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION SEMINAR (CHES) 6:00 PM – 7:00 PMDr. Fructuoso Irigoyen discusses Alzheimer’s DiseaseThe Renaissance Behavioral Center (Activity Room)5510 Raphael Dr., Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-362-7555. 1ST ANNUAL WALK N ROLLA EVENT 8:00 AM – 2:00 PMFamily 5-, 10-, 20- and ($20) 60-mile bicycle ridesBenefitting the RGV Diabetes AssociationCourthouse Square, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call Diana F. Ramirez at 956-782-1900.

HEALTHY COOKING CLASS 6:00 PMRehab Center at Renaissance Kitchen5403 Doctors Drive, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-362-5610. “YOGA AND YOU” 6:15 PM – 7:15 PMFor cancer patients and their family and friendsCancer Center at Renaissance2717 Michael Angelo Drive, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-217-7000. COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION SEMINAR (CHES) 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Dr. Guillermo Perez discusses gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)Rehab Center at Renaissance Family Room5403 Doctors Drive, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-362-7555. BARIATRIC SURGERY SUPPORT GROUP 6:00 PMThe Wellness Center at Renaissance5525 Doctors Drive, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-362-5610. FARMERS MARKET 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMThe Wellness Center at Renaissance5525 Doctors Drive, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-362-5610. HEALTH FAIR AT THE WELLNESS CENTER 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMThe Wellness Center at Renaissance5525 Doctors Drive, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-362-5610.

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ZUMBA 6:00 PM – 7:00 PMFor cancer patients and their family and friendsCancer Center at Renaissance2717 Michael Angelo Drive, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-217-7000. STROKE SUPPORT GROUP 6:00 PM – 7:00 PMRehab Center at Renaissance Family Room5403 Doctors Drive, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-362-3550.

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 6:00 PM – 7:00 PMCancer Center at Renaissance2717 Michael Angelo Drive, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-217-7000. DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP 6:00 PMThe Wellness Center at Renaissance5525 Doctors Drive, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-362-5610.

“DOING HEALTHY RIGHT” WEIGHT LOSS CLASS 12:00 PM and 5:30 PMThe Wellness Center at Renaissance5525 Doctors Drive, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-362-5610. SMOKING CESSATION CLASS 6:00 PMThe Wellness Center at Renaissance5525 Doctors Drive, Edinburg TXFor more information, call 956-362-5610.

DIABETES EDUCATION CLASS 1:00 PMSponsored by South Texas Health SystemMcAllen Medical Center, 3 East Classroom301 W. Expressway 83, McAllen, TXFor more information, call 956-971-5850.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 7:30 PMRenaissance Behavioral Center Activity Room5510 Raphael, Edinburg, TXFor more information, call 956-362-3105.

$10 HEART RISK ASSESSMENT 6:00am – 11:00amBy appointment onlyFor more information, call 1-800-879-1033 or 956-632-4655.