Providing Natural Solutions for Male Sexual Health
There's not much we can count on in life, but if there's one guarantee, we can bet that our bodies change as we grow older. That's especially true for men as they age. One moment you're partying at the club, waking up refreshed, and hitting the gym. The next moment, getting out of bed is a chore. You're sore in places you never thought before, and hangovers don't just go away after a hot shower and a big breakfast.
And while sore joints and backaches can be treated with aspirin and ice, other signs of aging aren't as easy to treat. Of course, we're talking about challenges in getting and maintaining erections needed to satisfy your partner. At the extreme, we all know it as erectile dysfunction or ED for short but long before full ED, there are warning signs that things aren't working as they used to work. Hearing the ED word sends shivers down most men's spines. When you think about it, that makes sense - being unable to perform when you need to most is a scary thought.
If you're beginning to suffer from ED or male performance issues or you've been dealing with performance issues for some time, it may seem like nobody has any solutions or even really understands how these issues can impact your life and sense of well-being. However, ED of varying degrees is very common. More than 18 million men suffer from the condition in the U.S. Unfortunately, many of those men hide their performance issues without ever addressing them. If you're one of those men, and it feels like you're stuck in a rut with no help, we're here to tell you you're not alone. Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC is here to provide you with a long-lasting solution to help you regain confidence and perform like you used to.
Additionally, many men including the so-called "bio hackers" are using our treatments to PREVENT the performance decline in the first place. Why wait for the inevitable when you can implement strategies to prevent the decline in the first place.

The Proactive Wellness Center Difference
At Proactive Wellness Center, we are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our patients by offering comprehensive programs that focus on reversing and slowing the aging process, preventing disease, and providing effective treatments for those with chronic illnesses. Our approach is three-fold, encompassing knowledge empowerment, disease prevention, and rejuvenation therapies tailored to each individual's unique physiology.
Empowering Patients with Knowledge: To achieve optimal health, we think that information is a powerful tool. Our programs are designed to educate and empower patients, equipping them with the information they need to take charge of their well-being. We provide comprehensive evaluations that incorporate patient-supplied information and utilize advanced diagnostics to assess health status thoroughly. By understanding their individual health profiles, patients can make informed decisions about their lifestyle, diet, and overall healthcare.
Disease Prevention through Comprehensive Evaluations: Prevention is key to maintaining good health, and we prioritize disease prevention through thorough evaluations. Our team utilizes comprehensive diagnostics to assess risk factors and identify potential health concerns. By addressing these factors early on, we aim to mitigate the risk of chronic diseases and promote overall wellness. Our approach goes beyond a one-size-fits-all model, recognizing that each individual is unique and requires personalized care.
Rejuvenation Programs for Optimal Health: Our anti-aging treatments are supported by research and center on slowing down the aging process, increasing tissue regeneration, and lowering cellular degradation.We understand that everyone's needs and goals are different, so our programs are customized to address individual requirements. Through advanced testing and genetics, we tailor the treatment approach to each patient, ensuring the best possible outcomes for their health and well-being.
At Proactive Wellness Center, we are committed to staying at the forefront of scientifically-validated therapies that reverse aging, prevent chronic diseases, and optimize health. For men who may be experiencing erectile problems, one of the proven therapies we offer is GAINSWave therapy in West Falls Church, VA. This therapy, among others, is part of our comprehensive approach to help patients achieve their health goals.
Our center is dedicated to providing personalized and effective care to our patients. We believe in equipping individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health, focusing on disease prevention, and offering rejuvenation therapies tailored to their unique physiology. Together, we can work towards reversing the aging process, preventing disease, and optimizing overall health for a better quality of life.
Our Services
- Providing Natural Solutions for Male Sexual Health
- The Proactive Wellness Center Difference
- What is GAINSWave Therapy?
- What Makes GAINSWave Therapy in Potomac, MD Work?
- Other Treatments and Programs from Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
- Achieve Your Wellness Goals at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
Service Areas
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Alexandria, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Annadale, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Arlington, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Ashburn, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Bethesda, MD
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Burke, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Centreville, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Chantilly, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Chevy Chase, MD
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Fairfax, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Falls Church, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Franconia, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me George Mason, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Great Falls, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Herndon, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Idylwood, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Lake Barcroft, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Leesburg, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Lincolnia, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Lorton, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Manassas, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Manassas Park, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Mantua, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me McLean, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me McNair, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Merrifield, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Newington, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Oakton, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Potomac, MD
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Reston, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Rockville, MD
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Rosslyn, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Silver Spring, MD
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Springfield, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Sterling, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Tysons, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Vienna, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me West Falls Church, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me West Springfield, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Wolf Trap, VA
- GAINSWave Therapy Near Me Woodbridge, VA
What is GAINSWave Therapy?
If you have ED or even a minor decline in sexual performance, there's a good chance you've already seen your primary care doctor. You've talked to them about the issues you're facing. And, if they're like many doctors, they prescribed you some pills and sent you on your way. Unfortunately, going this route doesn't do much to solve erectile dysfunction - you're just putting a band-aid on the problem. Plus, you're putting strange chemicals in your body via a "little blue pill" that may cause adverse side effects.
At the end of the day, you need a real-deal solution to ED, not a quick fix. The good news? A safe, non-invasive, injection-free answer to your problems exists. It's called GAINSWave therapy, and according to recent studies, it has shown an 85-92% success rate for mild to moderate cases of erectile dysfunction.
Reports from men who have used GAINSWave therapy in Potomac, MD report the following benefits:
- Stronger, Longer Lasting Erections
- Improved Sexual Pleasure
- More Blood Circulation and Flow
- Better Girth and Length
- Less Rest Needed Between Orgasms
- Enhanced Intimacy in the Bedroom

Unlike many ED treatments, you don't have to worry about surgery or drugs when you choose GAINSWave. This revolutionary treatment uses acoustic wave technology, also called pulse wave therapy, instead of surgery or pills, which helps to rebuild blood flow to the penile region, thereby boostings erectile strength and, by proxy, confidence.
But the benefits of GAINSWave don't end there. This therapy also breaks up micro plaques and boosts nitric oxide, which forms new blood vessels and collagen. That's exciting news for men suffering from Peyronie's disease, which is another condition specific to male sexual health.
Contact Us For Services

What Makes GAINSWave Therapy in Potomac, MD Work?
With time, men's blood flow decreases, sensitivity isn't what it once was, and blood vessels start to get thinner or even partially or fully blocked. With GAINSWave, high-frequency, low-intensity shockwaves rejuvenate areas of the penis that have suffered with age. For instance, micro plaques are removed, new blood vessels form, and blood flow increases. According to several clinical studies, enhanced blood flow from GAINSWave translates to more sustainable, rigid erections in 75% of men.
Though males in America are only beginning to realize the benefits of GAINSWave, it's a treatment that has been used for over a decade around the world. Backed by science and proven to rejuvenate vasculature in male erections, GAINSWave works without any pain or recovery time. In fact, it's possible to pop into Proactive Wellness Centers on your lunch break for a therapy session.
Proactive Wellness Centers' GAINSWave treatments feature:
- Low-Intensity Pulse or Shockwaves
- All Natural
- No Needles
- No Pills
- No Pain
- No Surgery
- No Recovery Time
- Quick Procedures
Because this procedure is needle, surgery, and drug-free, most men don't have to suffer through costly insurance claims or unsightly scarring. With GAINSWave and our comprehensive and personalized ED treatment plans, all you need to focus on is enjoying life, knowing your erectile dysfunction is a thing of the past.
Who Are the Best Candidates for Gainswave Therapy in Potomac, MD?
If you're a man over the age of 30 and want to optimize your performance or if you are suffering a decline in this area, GAINSWave may be for you. That's even more true if other treatments never worked. For many men, those unsuccessful solutions include pills like Viagra. If prescription pills don't solve your ED problems, GAINSWave is a great option to consider. Academic studies show that shockwave therapy is successful where PDE5 inhibitors (like Viagra or Cialis) fall short.
In fact, many urologists now consider shockwave therapy the greatest revolution in ED treatment in over a decade. Even men without erectile dysfunction use GAINSWave as a preventative therapy to keep their bedroom performance strong and avoid compromised blood vessels.
Some of the key benefits of GAINSWave procedures over other ED treatments include:
- No Drugs
- Backed by Clinical Studies and Extensive Medical Research
- Vast Record of Success
- FDA-Approved for Enhanced Sexual Wellness
- Available at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
What Should I Expect from GAINSWave Therapy at Proactive Wellness Centers?
If you're ready to begin your journey to a healthier, happier sex life, getting started at our wellness clinic is as easy as 1-2-3:
Make an Appointment: Give our office a call at 703-822-5003. One of our Clinical Intake Coordinators will answer any question you have and get you started. If you prefer, you can text "gainswave" to 833.341.0170, and our Clinical Intake Coordinator will get back to you personally and confidentially.
Prep: Once the intake process is complete, you'll schedule a time for GAINSWave therapy in Potomac, MD. You'll arrive at our wellness center for treatment at least 30 minutes before your appointment time. Procedure time is usually no longer than 30 minutes and occurs in our wellness center.
Enjoy the Benefits: Once your GAINSWave therapy session is over, you can get right back to what you were doing beforehand. Studies show that approximately 75% of men enjoy positive results like stronger, longer-lasting erections after treatment. Most men only need 6-12 sessions for optimal results.
Other Treatments and Programs from Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
As the premier wellness clinic in Virginia and the metro D.C. area, we provide patients with a comprehensive list of treatments to slow the process of aging and treat chronic conditions. Our vision is to provide the latest in scientifically-validated therapies, like GAINSWave therapy in Potomac, MD, for reversing the aging process, preventing chronic disease, and optimizing health.
Some of the most requested services we offer include:

Low-T Treatment for Men
While not as widely discussed as menopause is for women, andropause is very real for men just as menopause is significant for women. Our Low-T program for men focuses on the unique needs of men who are suffering from andropause or low testosterone. The Program Testosterone replacement when clinically indicated, optimization of DHEA and Pregenenolone, combined with nutritional guidance, nutritional supplementation recommendations to optimize your health. For men where Testosterone has declined, the Low-T program is a necessary complement to the Gainswave therapy.
Depending on lab results and patient goals, the program may also include peptides to help patients optimize their health and body composition. If you can identify with some of the symptoms below, you are likely experiencing low testosterone / andropause and are a candidate for laboratory testing to determine if BHRT is right for you.
Symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased stamina
- Loss of physical agility
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Prostate problems
- Insomnia

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
Like men, women's bodies change as they grow older. Often referred to as menopause, this time in a woman's life can be stressful when the body uses energy differently, fat cells change, and hormones decline.
Many of the common symptoms and conditions associated with menopause are widely known and discussed, but there are many that are overlooked. At Proactive Wellness Centers, we've seen patients misdiagnosed with other illnesses that were actually caused by a decline in hormone levels. Our BHRT program for women focuses on the unique needs of women who are suffering from the common as well as the lesser-known symptoms of menopause.
Those symptoms may include:
- Hot Flashes
- Mood Swings
- Depression
- UTIs
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Indigestion
- Osteoporosis
- Vertigo
- Anxiety Attacks
- Vaginal Dryness
- Fatigue

What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are also known as natural hormones. They are substances with the same chemical makeup as the hormones produced in your body. Hormones are not drugs - they occur naturally and are found in every human on earth. BHRT replaces hormones at a physiologic level that is not harmful to the body.
If you're suffering through the symptoms of menopause, taking Midol isn't going to solve any problems. Fortunately, our BHRT program for women is designed to eliminate many menopausal symptoms. That way, we give women a chance to recapture their energy levels and vitality with drugs or surgery. Contact our office today to learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and how it can help you recapture the joys of your youth.
Bredesen-Protocol Strategies for Improving Brain Health
We believe that a healthy brain is paramount to overall well-being. Unfortunately, little is known about promoting brain health, lowering the risk of dementia, or stabilizing symptoms for patients experiencing early signs.
After much research, however, Dr. Lawson from Proactive Wellness Centers determined that the Bredesen protocol provides the best evidence-based approach to diagnosing and treating cognitive decline.
The approach, created by Dr. Dale Bredesen, is called ReCODE. This protocol involves multiple strategies to pinpoint specific health issues contributing to Alzheimer's Disease. The results of each strategy are measured using blood tests, dementia tests, cognitive evaluations, and other signs of overall health improvement. Now a Bredesen Certified doctor, Dr. Lawson now offers patients the full Bredesen ReCODE protocol to help them recover from debilitating illnesses like Alzheimer's.
Through this exciting approach, patients have shown dramatic improvements in cognitive function. In some cases, they achieve a reversal of symptoms and have even returned to work.
Proactive Wellness Centers' ReCODE program uses significant functional medicine experience and includes:
- Lifestyle Interventions
- Targeted Nutrients
- Therapeutic Diets
We're thrilled to add this promising Alzheimer's disease treatment for qualifying patients at Proactive Wellness Centers.

Chronic Disease Treatment
Long-term diseases like Lyme disease and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) can ruin a person's life and often leave them afraid to leave the house. To make matters worse, these chronic diseases are often initially misdiagnosed, complicating treatment and leaving the patient depressed and hopeless. And while some medical prescriptions can help, many chronic disease sufferers live without finding true relief.
At Proactive Wellness Centers, our innovative doctors have developed a comprehensive treatment program to address chronic diseases like CIRS and Lyme disease. Generally, our Chronic Disease Treatment follows SSRP protocols as defined below:
- Stop the progression of the disease while strengthening the immune system
- Stabilize patients by balancing hormones and restoring energy
- Reverse cellular, mitochondrial, and other damages caused by chronic diseases, based on lab markers and/or symptomatic expression
- Prevent further development of the chronic disease processes
Our SSRP protocol provides patients with a promising program based largely on the emerging bodies of evidence in the chronic disease space. This evidence is supported by peer-reviewed medical journals, clinical studies, and even double-blind placebo-controlled studies.

When choosing chronic disease treatments for patients, our team of doctors and clinicians focus on safety and efficacy before anything else. Typical therapies associated with our chronic disease treatment programs include:
- IV Vitamin Therapy
- Targeted Nutritional Supplements
- Compassionate Care and Personalized Service from Qualified Doctors
As an integrative practice, we use conventional medications when indicated, especially in cases of underlying co-infections and other areas where traditional medication offers the best course of treatment.
If you're at your wit's end living with a chronic disease, call Proactive Wellness Centers today. Our innovative treatments and therapies may be the key you need to unlock a new, healthy life.
Achieve Your Wellness Goals at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
From GAINSWave therapy in Potomac, MD, to Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for women, our doctors are here to serve you with care, compassion, and a commitment to your health.
That's because, at Proactive Wellness Centers, we take a patient-first approach to every service we offer. Unlike some anti-aging clinics, we focus on your goals, your experiences, and how we can address your health and well-being needs. We believe with a full heart that your story matters, and we're ready and waiting to listen. If you're looking for personalized, functional, regenerative treatments that address root causes, you're only a phone call away from living a healthier life.

Hours Open Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM

Latest News in Potomac, MD
Hunter's Bar And Grill In Potomac Acquired By MD Restaurateur
Potomac, MD Patchhttps://patch.com/maryland/potomac/hunters-bar-grill-potomac-acquired-md-restaurateur
Local restaurateur Adam Greenberg has acquired Hunter's Bar and Grill in Potomac, with plans to add his own twist to the restaurant's menu.Mark Hand, Patch Staff|Updated Wed, Aug 9, 2023 at 1:11 pm ETPOTOMAC, MD — Local restaurateur Adam Greenberg has acquired Hunter’s Bar and Grill in Potomac, with plans to add his own twist to the restaurant’s menu.Located at 10123 River Road in Potomac, ...
Local restaurateur Adam Greenberg has acquired Hunter's Bar and Grill in Potomac, with plans to add his own twist to the restaurant's menu.
Mark Hand, Patch Staff
|Updated Wed, Aug 9, 2023 at 1:11 pm ET
POTOMAC, MD — Local restaurateur Adam Greenberg has acquired Hunter’s Bar and Grill in Potomac, with plans to add his own twist to the restaurant’s menu.
Located at 10123 River Road in Potomac, Hunter’s Bar and Grill first opened as Hunter’s Inn in 1978. It then changed its name to Hunter’s Bar and Grill in 2014 under longtime owners Fred and Murray Berman’s leadership.
Over the course of their 20-plus years of ownership, the Berman brothers transformed Hunter’s into a Potomac staple, creating a welcoming atmosphere and leaving behind a rich legacy that Greenberg said he will seek to preserve.
The acquisition of Hunter’s adds a ninth currently operating restaurant to Greenberg’s company, Restaurant Zone Inc. Greenberg opened his first restaurant, the Cone Zone of Bethesda, in 1992. He then purchased Potomac Pizza in 1995, transforming the family pizza restaurant into a community hub.
Executive Chef Tennille “Chef Tee” Middleton, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University Culinary College and a contestant in the sixth season of Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” will head kitchen operations.
Middleton, who has 15 years of executive chef experience, started as the executive chef of Greenberg’s College Park Grill in August 2022 and now oversees kitchen operations across all eight of Greenberg’s restaurants.
Dan Seaman will take over all day-to-day operations as general manager and contributing partner of Hunter’s Bar and Grill. Seaman has more than 20 years of restaurant experience and is currently the general manager of College Park Grill.
Greenberg’s team will maintain a majority of the restaurant’s current menu offerings, though they plan to work on improving current recipes and experimenting with new items based on customer feedback.
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A Luxe New Mediterranean Restaurant Hopes to Get Maryland Its First Michelin Star
Tierney Plumbhttps://dc.eater.com/2023/5/31/23742974/luxe-new-mediterranean-restaurant-maryland-michelin-star-coming-attractions
Alexandria-based Common Plate Hospitality (Mason Social, Urbano, Augie’s Mussel House, Junction Bistro) steps out of its casual comfort zone in July with the opening of an ambitious Potomac restaurant with gastronomic appeal.Nestled in the Cabin John Village shopping center, the Grove’s Mediterranean-hopping menu will showcase flavors and techniques synonymous with regions of coastal Spain, Italy, and Greece (7747 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac, M...
Alexandria-based Common Plate Hospitality (Mason Social, Urbano, Augie’s Mussel House, Junction Bistro) steps out of its casual comfort zone in July with the opening of an ambitious Potomac restaurant with gastronomic appeal.
Nestled in the Cabin John Village shopping center, the Grove’s Mediterranean-hopping menu will showcase flavors and techniques synonymous with regions of coastal Spain, Italy, and Greece (7747 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac, Maryland). Newly named executive chef Jose Lopez-Picazo is a huge fine-dining hire for Common Plate. Lopez-Picazo’s stateside cooking career kicked off in the late 1990s under José Andrés in D.C. and flourished across the U.S. in large Las Vegas roles at Aria’s Julian Serrano Tapas and the Bellagio’s French-Spanish showpiece Picasso, which earned two Michelin stars and the James Beard Award for outstanding restaurant during his time there.
Opening dishes under Lopez-Picazo’s watch include everything from grilled octopus with zesty lemon vinaigrette to succulent lamb shank slow-cooked in aromatic spices.
The Spanish-born graduate of the Madrid Cooking Institute worked under renowned chefs Maestro Manuel Tabares and Maestro Javier Otaaduy, mastering the art of seafood preparation, paellas, and sous-vide. More recently, he helped spearhead the opening of Fabio Trabocchi’s Spanish stunner Del Mar on the Southwest Waterfront.
“Bringing him in was a huge feather in our cap. He has the potential to win a Michelin star here,” Common Plate’s founder Chad Sparrow tells Eater. “We have the pedigree we need to get it done.” The Grove’s sous chef worked under chef Robert Wiedmaier, he adds.
Look for la carte dinner to start, followed by brunch and lunch. Sparrow doesn’t anticipate getting into the prix fixe game.
Common Plate’s original plan was to put another Augie’s in the 195-seat location that includes a 55-seat patio. But turns out a Belgian beer garden vibe wasn’t what Potomac customers were asking for. “We realized there’s nothing there to cater to a higher-end, fine-dining experience,” says Sparrow. “People don’t have to go to D.C. — we can offer that at the Grove.”
The Edens-owned shopping center is undergoing an extensive facelift that calls for new townhomes, office space, and a fresh wave of retail tenants (Georgetown’s French bakery Boulangerie Christophe expanded here last year). The Grove slides into a corner space that formerly housed Irish bar Lahinch Tavern and Grill. A full-scale renovation includes the addition of herringbone floors and a ceiling slathered in pinks, purples, and florals, joined by a massive wine rack stocked with Mediterranean varietals fit for the food. Lopez-Picazo plans to lean into local and seasonal ingredients all year.
Common Plate’s first-ever Maryland project is slated to arrive ahead of The Grove. Its anticipated Heights Food Hall near the Friendship Heights Metro, scheduled to open in late June, will feature a full-service restaurant (Urbano), full-service bar (The Heights Bar), speakeasy (The Turncoat), and eight local food stalls. That includes sushi and ramen from Vietnamese chef Kevin Tien, whose acclaimed Moon Rabbit suddenly closed at the Wharf this month. Newly named Lebanese tenant Yasmīne, born in Union Market last fall, comes from alums of Michelin-rated Maydan (5310Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland).
Maryland DNR warns of dangerous algae mats spotted in Montgomery County
wusa9.comhttps://www.wusa9.com/article/tech/science/environment/blue-green-algae-warning-montgomery-county-pet-safety/65-e13d8784-093b-472c-b4ec-ed473fccb6d7
The algae mats were detected in the Potomac River in the area from Edwards Ferry to Great Falls, officials said. Here's how to keep pets safe.MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wants pet owners to be aware of dangerous algae mats spotted in the Potomac River. The algae mats were in the area from Edwards Ferry to Great Falls, and could be harmful to your pets, officials said.Pet owners are urge...
The algae mats were detected in the Potomac River in the area from Edwards Ferry to Great Falls, officials said. Here's how to keep pets safe.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wants pet owners to be aware of dangerous algae mats spotted in the Potomac River. The algae mats were in the area from Edwards Ferry to Great Falls, and could be harmful to your pets, officials said.
Pet owners are urged to keep their animals out of the water in the affected area until further notice. The algae has the appearance of mats of fine, green cotton and can be found along the shoreline, attached to rocks or plants, on the bottom, or floating downstream.
While there is not a threat to human health, experts advise avoiding contact with these mats. Anyone who was in contact with the water recently and has any kind of illness or symptoms should seek medical attention, DNR officials warn.
"I definitely won’t have him in the water anymore, that’s for sure,” said Nathan Proctor, whose pit bull Tank was cooling off in the Potomac at Riley's Lock in Montgomery County.
"It’s just gotten really bad," said Frank Bailey of Germantown, who left his two St. Bernards, Rosie and Emma, at home in Germantown while he walked with his wife and friends along the river. Donna Bailey says the warnings have been out at Seneca Creek for weeks. "They say very clearly, don’t take your pets down there. Don’t go near the water,” she said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green alga, are microscopic organisms that can be found naturally in all types of water. Sometimes cyanobacteria rapidly grow out of control, or bloom. The blooms can make toxins that are deadly to animals. The toxins can cause pets and livestock to become very sick and die within days or even hours after swallowing them.
“Neurological signs are the ones we are looking for. Tremors, drooling, twitching, just general malaise,” said Dr. Audrey Weaver, a veterinarian with Heart and Paw in Glen Mills, Pa.
“Vomiting is never normal. If they’re refusing dinner, then I would seek veterinary attention,” said Dr. Sage de Rosa, a University of Pennsylvania veterinarian.
The CDC says pets should not do any of the following in the area of a bloom:
Call a veterinarian if your animal shows any of these signs:
Contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if you have questions about cyanobacterial toxin poisoning.
Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 with questions about your pet.
Maryland DNR says monitoring will continue, and the public will be updated once conditions improve in the area.
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Montgomery County man drowns in Potomac River on Fourth of July
Herald-Mail Mediahttps://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2023/07/05/germantown-man-drowns-in-potomac-river-near-harpers-ferry-on-july-4th/70383760007/
A Montgomery County, Md., man drowned in the Potomac River on the Fourth of July after trying to cross from the Maryland bank to a rock island, according to a Maryland Department of Natural Resources spokesman.The drowning victim was identified as Daniel Aldazabal Cucho, 44, of Germantown, Md., according to natural resources spokesman Gregg Bortz.North High baseball field gets amenity:...
A Montgomery County, Md., man drowned in the Potomac River on the Fourth of July after trying to cross from the Maryland bank to a rock island, according to a Maryland Department of Natural Resources spokesman.
The drowning victim was identified as Daniel Aldazabal Cucho, 44, of Germantown, Md., according to natural resources spokesman Gregg Bortz.
North High baseball field gets amenity:Tech High program sees students convert sea container into concession stand
Aldazabal Cucho and two companions were fishing on the Maryland bank when they tried to cross through the water to a rock island, Bortz wrote in an email. Aldazabal Cucho started yelling for help shortly after entering the river and slipped under the water. His two companions tried to reach him, but couldn't.
Potomac Valley Fire Co. and numerous other units were alerted to a water rescue call around 4:48 p.m. Tuesday at "The Point," which is where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers merge, according to Fire Chief Roger Otzelberger Jr. and a post on the fire company's Facebook page.
Firefighters were told there were numerous calls about the incident and at least four people were involved, according to the Facebook post. Two people made it to shore with the help of bystanders, and firefighters were told two more people were still in the water.
Potomac Valley responded with at least two boats, with one crew helping another man get out of the river. Otzelberger said he believed that man tried to assist Aldazabal Cucho and got swept downstream. Rescuers picked him up by a retaining wall along the shore, where he couldn't get out of the water on his own.
The body of the drowning victim was recovered after emergency service officials searched for more than two hours, according to Potomac Valley's Facebook post.
Firefighters attempted life-saving measures and took Aldazabal Cucho to a medic waiting on the Jefferson County, W.Va., shore, according to Bortz's email. The man was pronounced dead on the shore.
The West Virginia medical examiner's office is investigating, according to Bortz.
'Treacherous' and 'deceiving' part of the Potomac River
Otzelberger said the group was not wearing personal floatation devices.
Otzelberger said the area where the two rivers converge is "very treacherous." But the water often looks calmer than everything around it, deceiving people into thinking it would be an easy swim.
The currents there go "every which way" and the depth of the water varies, he said.
Numerous rescue units respond to Potomac River incident
Also responding to the incident were a dive team from the New Market (Md.) Volunteer Fire Co., the Frederick County Division of Fire & Rescue Services with a drone, and a boat crew from First Hose Co. of Boonsboro's substation in Rohrersville, Otzelberger said.
Other units from Washington County, Frederick County and Jefferson County also responded, according to the Facebook post.
Seeking adventure, a 62-year-old woman kayaks the entire Potomac solo
Joe Heimhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/06/23/kayak-solo-potomac-grandmother-cathy-brennan/
...
Cathy Brennan glided through town this week attracting little attention. A heron or two glanced her way, and ospreys circled overhead. But as Washington whizzed around her in an impossible hurry, Brennan calmly paddled her bright yellow kayak down the Potomac and under Memorial Bridge, continuing the journey she began May 29 in Keyser, W.Va., near the source of the Potomac.
She hopes to complete the trip in a week or so when she reaches Chesapeake Bay.
It’s a slog. But it’s also beautiful. And it lets Brennan let go of everything else, empty her brain of the everyday and focus on the now.
“I’m in the moment. I’m looking at the chop, looking at the waves. I’m noticing that stuff,” says Brennan, whose voyage down the Potomac is just the latest of her epic solo trips on major waterways. She has kayaked the length of the Susquehanna, James, Hudson, Allegheny and Connecticut rivers and completed a two-month, 700-mile trip through New York, Canada and Maine on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.
The Mississippi is on her wish list, says Brennan, who turns 63 next month and is awaiting the arrival of her third grandchild.
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On Thursday morning she sat on a sofa at the Washington Sailing Marina in Alexandria preparing to launch her nine-and-a-half-foot kayak on day 25 of the journey. They’re adventures, says Brennan, not vacations.
No glamping for her. It’s a minimalist approach: sleeping bag, small tent, rain jacket, change of clothes, first aid kit. Apples, granola bars, cheese sticks, ramen.
When she’s thirsty she scoops water from the rivers and pumps it through a filter. “I always drink the river,” she says.
Every few days Brennan will find a hotel for the night where she can get a shower and eat a cheeseburger. She’ll check in with her husband John, who has helped her select the river and research the trips at their New Jersey home. “He’s my virtual sherpa with benefits,” Brennan says, laughing. But most of her time is paddling on the river or camping on its banks.
She has a phone with her but rarely calls or texts anyone. She doesn’t listen to the news or podcasts or music. Occasionally Joni Mitchell lyrics will pop into her head. On some trips she’ll bring a slim book of poetry — Mary Oliver is a favorite — but she forgot to this time.
Her husband and her grown children can keep track of her via the transponder that pings them her location every 10 minutes or so, but she’s not sure how often they do. “I think they get bored of that now,” she said.
Brennan, an artist and photographer, is alone on these journeys but she isn’t lonely. If she has a message, it’s that we all need this disconnect from the wired world to find the wider world around us. And inside us.
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When she made her first long trip at age 50 it was because she “decided to just go into the woods and think for a while.” That was the 700-mile excursion on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. What she discovered was what she didn’t discover.
“I didn’t think any deep thoughts. I didn’t figure it all out. I didn’t come out like, woohoo, a Zen master,” Brennan said. “But it cleansed my palate. When I came out, I felt better. I felt confident. I felt clearer. I felt I had accomplished something.”
Staying the course, it turned out, was its own reward. She keeps a diary and blogs about her trips, but only after she’s completed them. Friends have told her to write a book but she isn’t sure what she’d say. Preaching isn’t really her thing.
But Brennan does say she wants women and girls to take more chances and to not be afraid. She knows that solo kayaking is not for everyone, and that many believe it is unsafe. But she’s not reckless. Brennan grew up on a lake and was a strong swimmer and boater from an early age. She portages around rough rapids and watches the weather carefully. Thunderstorms are her biggest concern.
There are other precautions. Brennan is careful about where she camps and who is around her. Bears don’t worry her, but she keeps a wary eye out for creepy men. She has packed up her gear and headed back out on the river when she has felt unsafe.
Nevertheless, she persists because she loves being on the rivers, seeing the bald eagles above, deer on the banks and a fascinating array of bugs and insects that never find their way into homes and offices. She wants others to see that, too. Especially women.
“Women, I think, are unreasonably afraid about being alone,” she said. “Sometimes people think [kayaking alone] is so dangerous. And I tell them I drive on the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike. In my estimation, that is far more dangerous than what I do.”
In the late morning Thursday, Brennan dragged her sturdy, 17-year-old Perception kayak down a paved path toward the marina landing. Nearby, kids in a sailing camp practiced deft turns in their colorful crafts on a damp, windy day. The waves slapped hard at the dock.
It took just a few minutes for Brennan to cram her gear into the kayak, put on a life preserver, roll up her pant legs, slide the boat into the water and clamber in. Then a quick wave goodbye. In moments she was gliding away, following the current, seeking solitude, attracting little attention.
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