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ACHOO!

It sounds like someone’s allergies are at it again.

But wait: It’s winter. Isn’t allergy season in the spring?

Sneezing and itchy, teary eyes aren’t just a problem

when spring pollen flies. If you struggle with symptoms

in the colder months too, you might be sensitive to some-

thing in your home.

WINTER ALLERG I E S

A home remedy

weekly in hot water. And vacuum often, especially in

the bedroom.

Be diligent about dampness.

A moist, humid home

spells trouble for allergies. To help control dampness:

● 

Have a plumber fix any leaky pipes or sinks.

● 

Keep bathrooms, kitchens and basements well-

ventilated and dry.

● 

Consider using a dehumidifier to maintain a humidity

level below 45 percent.

● 

Clear the air. Wood smoke can also trigger allergies. If

you have a fireplace, check the vents to make sure they’re

working properly.

Try these tips for a more allergy-friendly home:

Keep pesky mites at a minimum.

Dust mites, micro-

scopic creatures that hang out in places like bedding

and carpeting, are a common allergy trigger. Exposure

to them can be worse in the winter because you spend

more time indoors. To reduce mites, wash bedding

Bringing hope

to Armenia

COMMUNITY

T O L E A R N M O R E A B O U T G A M C , V I S I T

A D V E N T I S T H E A LT H . O R G / G L E N D A L E

3

IN MID-OCTOBER,

Glendale Adventist Medical Center

(GAMC) and the Armenia Fund collaborated for the first

time ever on a mission trip to a rural Armenian commu-

nity located in Noyemberyan. The lives of residents and

team members alike would be transformed forever dur-

ing the 10-day trip. A 31-member team, including GAMC

physicians, nurses, support personnel and hospital lead-

ers, worked to bring modern medicine to a small hospital

and a local Armenian population in great need of care.

In May of 2015, GAMC and Armenia Fund leadership

had visited Noyemberyan Hospital to assess needs as well

as to help plan for the medical mission.

“We knew we were bringing medicine…contem-

porary ideas, lots of supplies and equipment,” reflects

GAMC president and CEO, Kevin A. Roberts. “It didn’t

cross our minds that we would be bringing hope to Noy-

emberyan.” Nearly 3 tons of supplies, medication and

equipment—including two anesthesia machines and two

ambulances—were donated to the hospital thanks to the

generosity of GAMC associates, physicians, the Glendale

community and Adventist Health corporate executives

and hospital CEOs.

HELPING HANDS

Each day, anxious people, young

and old, crowded into the hospital—some even walk-

ing miles through the countryside for this rare op-

portunity for treatment. Upwards of 800 patients

underwent physical exams and screenings, and some

were given medication and/or referred as needed to

GAMC physicians in specialty areas for follow-up.

Clinical screenings detected a variety of conditions—

most notably elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol

and diabetes. Internal medicine, cardiology, pulmonary,

neurology and pediatrics were particularly welcomed

based on the medical needs of the community.

A mission of this scale had never occurred in Arme-

nia’s modern history, especially in a rural hospital near

the country’s border. During the visit, 35 surgeries with

anesthesia were performed. Cases included hernia repairs,

gallbladder surgeries, congenital

facial defects and cleft palate

repairs. Several patients were

under 5 years of age—the youngest only

10 months old.

“As physicians, we went to Armenia to help

people who are marginalized and lacking re-

sources,” says Simon Keushkerian, MD, vascular

surgery. “As an immigrant, the only way you can

show that your heritage is still maintained, alive

and thriving is by making sure that the people

who live in that country are healthy

[enough] to thrive and survive.”

SAVING LIVES

A woman in

her 40s had a heart attack and

received immediate medical at-

tention. Another patient whose

family was resigned to her

death from congestive heart

failure was treated and able to

go home the next day. At least

two of the surgeries involved

cases where patients’ condi-

tions were life-threatening.

The lives of hundreds of

people of Noyemberyan are

being improved by the medi-

cations and health care guidance received

from GAMC physicians and nurses. “We would have

loved to see more patients, do more surgeries,” Roberts

says. “We did what we could—we saved lives there. We

are planning to return. This is just the beginning of a

five-year journey for GAMC.”

At the end of the mission, the group was received by

the president of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, who person-

ally thanked all professionals for volunteering their time

and efforts in helping a community very important to

Armenia.

Photos courtesy of Areg Balayan