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Good news for residents in the Texas Golden Triangle region: fall is here and with it we are getting some relief from the notorious Texas summer heat. Unfortunately fall also brings allergy season and for some unlucky allergy suffers the cooler temperatures are hardly any consolation. Fortunately, even extreme allergies can usually be managed with careful lifestyle adjustments and good medical care. Before you give up and sneeze your way to winter consider the following tips for surviving fall allergy season.

Know Your Situation

The first step for finding relief from your allergies is to determine what you’re allergic to. You may be allergic to ragweed and pollen, but it could also be fungi or mold, pet dander, dust, or a combination of these. If you are unsure what is causing your allergies consult a doctor who can perform an allergy test to help diagnose your allergy.

Limit Exposure When Possible

Once you have determined that you are indeed suffering from allergies and also what type of allergies, the next step is to limit exposure as much as possible. For example if a tree, bush, weed, or other plant is primarily to blame, you may want to consider having it removed from your property for when it is in bloom or has a high pollen count.

You can also get daily pollen forecasts the same way you do with weather forecasts, some weather or news forecasts include them. If not consider getting pollen count information online or with a free app on your smartphone. When the pollen count is particularly high you may want to stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure. If you have to be outside for long periods of time for yardwork or other chores, consider wearing an allergy mask.

Allergen Proof Your Home

There are also steps you can take to allergen proof your home. Start by making sure that your windows and doors are well sealed and make sure to use the air conditioning or a fan during allergy season rather than opening a window. Next consider getting HEPA filters for your AC or even a dedicated air purifying machine. Make sure to do your research and be sure that the filter or machine you are getting will help with your allergies. Also be sure to shop around for the best deals and read consumer reviews.

Don’t skimp on house cleaning during allergy season. Vacuum, dust, and scrub surfaces often to remove as many allergens as possible. Don’t forget to wash curtain and drapes, throw pillows, blankets, and other bedding. Carpeting and rugs, attract, trap, and hold more allergens than smooth, non-fabric surfaces, like hardwood, tile, linoleum.

When coming home for the day make sure to take off your shoes and change your clothes so that you are no longer in contact with the allergens you picked up outside. Remember this also applies to other family members and pets. That means it’s important to make sure the whole family is on board for limiting allergy exposure and that it may be necessary to bathe your dog or other inside/outside pet more often than you normally would.

Medication Options

There are also some great medication options for allergy suffers. After discussing a treatment plan with your doctor, you may want to consider one or a combination of the following:

• Over-the-counter antihistamines and allergy medications
• Prescription allergy medications
• Steroid nasal sprays
• Saline-only nasal sprays
• Allergy pump inhalers
• Allergy shots

Different treatment options have different pros and cons including side effects, risks, cost, and of course efficacy. Remember that what works well for one person may not be as effective for another. It is important to discuss your allergy treatment with your doctor so that you can come up with a plan that works best for you. Don’t get discouraged and give up. Keep looking until you find an allergy treatment plan that allows you to have a healthy, high quality life.

Golden Triangle Emergency Center’s goal is always to provide the resources our community needs to stay safe and healthy in the first place. However, when sickness or injuries do strike, Golden Triangle Emergency Center is there 24/7, 365 days a year with gold standard in emergency and industrial care.

Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Each year the Beaumont Enterprise conducts an annual reader survey of the best businesses, services, and companies in the area, which it calls its Readers’ Choice Award. We are proud to announce that Golden Triangle Emergency Center has been voted the #1 freestanding emergency room for the third year in a row for Mid County! We are extremely honored to receive this award and want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the community who voted for us.

How the Readers’ Choice Award Works

The Beaumont Enterprise holds the Readers’ Choice Awards each year during which time local readers in various counties vote for their choices for the top businesses or services in a given category. Such categories include the following:

• Best Medical
• Best Dining and Entertainment
• Best Shopping
• Best Services
• Best Employment
• Best Casinos

Each category also has various sub-categories. For example in medical in addition to Freestanding Emergency Room there were also categories such as Doctor, Dentist, Assisted Living, Pediatrician, and several others. The Readers’ Choice Awards are a great way for the community itself to select its best and brightest and to share recommendations with those looking for new businesses and services they may not already be familiar with.

GTEC Is Grateful to the Mid-County Community

Here at Golden Triangle Emergency Center we take community involvement very seriously and everything we do is designed to help those in our community living healthier, longer, better quality lives. That is why an award like the Readers’ Choice Award is so meaningful and significant to us since it reflects this spirit of community involvement and indicates that we’re staying on the right track. Thanks again to everyone who voted for GTEC and to everyone who walks through our doors and trusts us with their medical needs.

Golden Triangle Emergency Center’s goal is always to provide the resources, including health information our community needs to stay safe and healthy. However, when sickness or injuries do strike, Golden Triangle Emergency Center is there 24/7, 365 days a year with gold standard in emergency and industrial care.

Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At Golden Triangle Emergency Center we know that first impressions are everlasting! That is why we pride ourselves in hiring educated professional, caring individuals who are vested in the treatment of our patients and success of our company. Terea Harris and P.J. Suniga are two individuals who exemplify this and we would like to honor them as Employees of the Year!

Terea Harris joined GTEC in 2014 with the opening of our Port Arthur location. She was initially hired as a Radiology Technician. It didn’t take long to realize her potential and she very quickly became Chief Radiologist Manager. Teresa went on to assist in the opening of our second location in Orange. She always comes to work with a smile on her face and a willingness to lend a helping hand. Terea goes above and beyond and expects the same of her staff ensuring the highest of standards are met.

P.J. Suniga has been with GTEC since April of 2015 when we opened our Orange location. Prior to coming to GTEC, she worked in ER billing and insurance and is no stranger to the medical environment. She is our Lead Patient Representative and a very dedicated employee. When two of our administrators were out on personal leave P.J. stepped in and was a tremendous help in keeping the facility running smoothly and efficiently.

Golden Triangle Emergency Center is proud to honor Terea Harris and P.J. Suniga as the recipients of the 2016 Employee of the Year or “Brave” (Beneficial, Reliable, Accountable, Valuable and Enthusiastic) Award. Congratulations!



Golden Triangle Emergency Center’s goal is always to provide the resources, including health information our community needs to stay safe and healthy. However, when sickness or injuries do strike, Golden Triangle Emergency Center is there 24/7, 365 days a year with gold standard in emergency and industrial care.

Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Nearly 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the CDC.

1 in 8 women. With numbers that staggering, it’s more than likely you know someone that’s been impacted directly or indirectly by breast cancer. Maybe it’s even your life that’s been turned upside down by this devastating disease. For many men and women, breast cancer is a very real threat in their lives.

While there’s no cure, we can make efforts to become more informed about our individual risk factors. Unsure if you’re at risk? We’ve listed some of the most common risk factors known to increase your chances of breast cancer below. Read through them to help you decide upon an appropriate breast health plan.

1. Unusually early menstrual period. Women who had their period early, before eleven years of age, are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer later in life.
2. Aging. As we get older, our cells change and deteriorate, making them more susceptible to mutation. Most breast cancers are diagnosed after 50.
3. Late menopause. Just like an early period increases your risk, so does late menopause. Being exposed to estrogen in high amounts for longer periods significantly raises your chances of breast cancer.
4. Family and personal history. If your mother, grandmother or sister have been diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, you also have an increased chance of breast cancer. Don’t worry as much if it’s a great aunt or cousin – it’ll have to be a close relation to indicate increased risk. And if you’ve ever been diagnosed with pre-cancerous conditions, like LCIS, make sure you’re making regular appointments to monitor breast health.
5. Breast composition. It may sound strange, but more dense, “muscle-y,” breasts have a greater chance of developing abnormal, cancerous cells than less dense, fatty breasts. This simply means that your breasts have more connective tissue than fatty tissue, which may make it difficult to see tumors.
6. Some birth control. Some birth control pills have been linked to an increased chance of breast cancer. Speak with your physician about your birth control to learn more.
7. No pregnancies. If you’ve never carried a pregnancy full term, or you became pregnant only once you were older, you have an increased risk of breast cancer.
8. Inactivity and obesity. Women who are significantly overweight and unfit have increased chances of breast cancer. This is especially true for women who are going through menopause.
9. Hormone therapy. During and after menopause, women often take hormone pills to alleviate symptoms. If you’re on hormone therapy for longer than 5 years, you have an increased risk for breast cancer.

It’s important to remember that these are only risk factors, which indicate an increased, not guaranteed, chance of breast cancer. Many women have at least one of these factors and are never diagnosed with breast cancer. The best way to decrease your chances of breast cancer are to be well-researched about your individual risk and develop a breast health plan.

Still have questions? Visit here for more information about breast cancer and risk factors.

We support the health of our community, including our mothers, sisters and daughters. Join us in this National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and learn more about your individual risk. Let us know if you’ve ever been diagnosed with breast cancer and about your health journey!

Nutex Health, Inc. supports you and your family’s health. Come visit Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level freestanding facilities for the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Golden Triangle Emergency Center recently hosted a field trip at our Port Arthur location for 116 local-area 4th graders to teach them about the importance of healthy living habits. As we’ve stated before, we feel that it is extremely important to teach kids these lessons early because the habits they pick up now can last a lifetime. However, we realize that it isn’t always possible for students to come that’s why we are pleased to announce that we have taken our Healthy Living Habits presentation on the road to different schools to educate students about these crucial health habits.

Identifying Health Habits and Avoiding Illness

In the presentation we teach kids how to identify healthy habits and the importance of washing their hands, eating a healthy diet, and incorporating good hygiene practices like showering, applying deodorant, and brushing their teeth. We also inform the students about some key points like how long most people wash their hands versus how long someone actually needs to, when it is most important for someone to wash their hands, and what are some of the most common dirtiest items we come into contact with. Knowing the various ways that illnesses are spread is crucial in helping to avoid illness and infections.

An Emphasis on Relevant Information

Let’s face it, even as adults it is often difficult to remember information that doesn’t directly affect your daily life and this is especially true for kids. Most teachers have probably encountered the ‘when will I ever need to know this?’ question at least a few times in their careers. That’s why GTEC makes sure to include information on issues that kids are naturally curious about and can easily be applied to their daily lives. For example we discuss what causes both body odor and bad breath and how to avoid these problems. Sports are also a major part of kids’ lives and that’s why we emphasize the importance of avoiding concussions as well as some common signs and symptoms.

Life Long Good Health and Avoiding Bad Habits

For many people, two of the most destructive and dangerous habits they pick up are smoking and irresponsible alcohol use. That’s why it is extremely important to educate kids about these dangers and what these substances can do to their bodies. We discuss the harm these substances can do on developing brains and bodies and how to avoid peer pressure.

We have been extremely pleased with the results of the Healthy Living Habits presentation and we are excited for the opportunity to share this information with kids. We hope it inspires a lifetime of good health and cultivates a natural curiosity and desire to learn more about staying healthy and living well.

Golden Triangle Emergency Center’s goal is always to provide the resources, including health information our community needs to stay safe and healthy. However, when sickness or injuries do strike, Golden Triangle Emergency Center is there 24/7, 365 days a year with gold standard in emergency and industrial care.

Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Between work, worries at home and general anxieties, it can be easy to forget about your mental health. Taking care of ourselves may sometimes end up being our last priority, but making even small changes in your daily routine can produce huge mood-boosting results.

This Suicide Prevention Week, we want our patients and our community to invest into their mental health. We’ve listed a few things that are proven to make people happier and lead generally more satisfied lives.

Short Work Commute

That’s right – your work commute. Research has shown that how you get to and from work significantly impacts your mood and overall mental health. People who spend less time on their commute are happier and more content. But it’s not just about the time you spend on the road.

Those who drive alone to and from work are usually the least happy. If you’re in this group, don’t worry just yet. There are a few things you can do to improve your solo commute like listening to a podcast, carpooling with a colleague that lives nearby, or increasing your mood and knowledge with an audio book.

It’s not just your mental health that takes a beating from your commute – your physical health will start to decline, too.

• Blood sugar rises
• Cholesterol rises
• Chronic back pain over time
• Cardiovascular fitness decreases
• Lower sleep quality

Even those who ride their bikes to work and get to catch the sunshine will eventually feel the same mood decreasing effects. It seems that the best way to remedy this situation is by switching up your routine every couple of months, whether it be catching the train or riding solo with a podcast.

Owning a Dog or Cat

Go ahead, adopt that puppy or kitten you’ve been wanting. Studies show that people with dogs or cats have more satisfaction and contentment in their daily lives. Researchers attribute this to a feeling of being needed by the animal, which gives the owners a sense of purpose. Further, walking dogs or playing with your animals also improves mood.

Getting Hitched

Similarly to owning a pet, being married gives you a deep-rooted sense of value. You have a spouse and marital duties, like cooking or taking out the trash, to look towards at the end of the day. Having a set routine has been shown to improve mood as it frames your daily chores in a different perspective – you’re not just cleaning for yourself, you’re doing it for your spouse, as well.

Spend Money on Experiences, Not Material Items

You know the dream car you’ve been saving up for? Skipping out on dinners and birthday parties to save a few hundred bucks here and there? Well, turns out it may not be worth it.

Studies show that people who spend more money on going out with friends and family, whether it be watching a movie, going to a theme park or dinner at a decadent restaurant, lead happier, more content lives than those who save for big ticket items for years. We’re definitely not discouraging saving, but maybe we’re suggesting as the saying goes, live a little. It’s for your mental health, after all.

While getting married may not be on the horizon for all of our patients, there are other, smaller changes you can incorporate into your daily routine to improve your mood and mental health. Let us know how you make your commute to work interesting!

For more information about mental illness and suicide, visit here or call 1-800-273-8255 if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts.

 Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Congratulations to our LVN Scholarship recipient from Lamar Port Arthur, Heather Landry. Heather is a hard working mother of 2 young children. She is dedicated to furthering her education to set an example for her children. Keep up the hard work Heather, you are doing well and congrats again.

Congratulations Kristi Statum! She was awarded a $500 scholarship from Golden Triangle Emergency Center to help further her education. She is an RN student at Lamar State College Orange. Keep up the hard work Kristi!

Congratulations to Ashley Irion! She is a LVN student at Lamar State College Orange, and she has been awarded a $250 scholarship from Golden Triangle Emergency Center. Ashley is a hard working student, full-time mom and wife. We are so proud to be a part of her ability to further her education. Keep working hard Ashley, we are proud of you!