With vaping being so popular these days a lot of young people are trying it. Vaping comes in different flavors, and this can be appealing to people because unlike a normal cigarette, which only comes in one flavor or taste, vaping seems to offer variety. However, with vaping being so new, the medical community does not know the full impact that it can cause on the body. Increasing reports are surfacing that show the damages that vaping can cause on the lungs.
I understand that vaping companies like Juul are marketed to help stop adults who are smoking. They should also be realizing what it is doing to teenagers. Teenagers are thinking that it is cool and posting videos on social media. They are not understanding that it is affecting their heath by getting them addicted to nicotine.
This is such a big problem for teenagers that even the President is stepping in. Companies need to start realizing the problem with vaping. They also need to start doing research on long term effects from vaping. In the next video, Trump mentions that people are dying from vaping. Just knowing this should turn a light bulb on in people’s heads and make them realize this is not safe.
With the public not knowing the full effects of vaping, people need to be careful with the product. If you haven’t started vaping, don’t start now just because people around you are vaping. It doesn’t mean it is safe. It took a while to find out what cigarettes can do to the body. Before jumping on board with this product, let’s figure out what is safe and what is not.
PANS/PANDAS is an autoimmune disease. What this means is when the body’s own immune system is activated from infection, in the case of PANDAS it is usually group A streptococci, and begins to not only attack the strep virus but the neurons in the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia is in control of voluntary motor movement, learning, eye movements, cognition, emotion and making choices that are construed as appropriate. When the basal ganglia is attacked by the immune system, the person exhibits certain symptoms. These symptoms are described by Murphy et al (2017) as obsessive compulsive disorder, and tic disorder, mood disorders, irritability, anxiety and what is term “rages”(p 640-641). Now, these symptoms taken by themselves usually appear to be psychiatric in nature. What separates the PANS/PANDAS patient is these symptoms occur suddenly after an infection, usually from strep. And they can be resolved with treatments that are not psychiatric. This short video explains the basics of the disease presentation.
The first step in treatment is recognizing that the patient has PANDAS. Again, sudden onset of symptoms after an infection is key. But how does someone know that there is an infection? A 24-hour throat and nasal swab culture is necessary, but these can come back negative because there are strep variants that do not show up on cultures. Another is the Cunningham panel blood test. This is a very specific blood test that looks for certain antibodies. The problem is not every hospital is able to provide this test. According to Leon et al (2018) the general course of treatment is, antibiotics that are effective against strep, along with anti-inflammatories (p 641). Also, some antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications. However, psychiatric medications should be minimal dose, as the patient symptoms are infectious in nature and not psychiatric. For long term maintenance Leon et al (2018) study shows that, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG) and plasma pheresis can be considered and used to good effect (642). The problem is how to get these treatments to the patient.
What is the controversy?
Not every doctor, and insurance company believe that PANS/PANDAS is an actual
disease. Unfortunately, the popular media has portrayed PANS/PANDAS as a made-up disease for parents. Chicago Med on NBC Season 3 Episode 17 is such an example. This episode told the world PANDAS is a made-up disease given to parents by doctors to ease their worries. Also, insurance companies and government agencies have gone so far to take the position that PANDAS is not an actual condition. The Connecticut Insurance and Real Estate Committee has cited testimony from these anti-PANDAS agencies. These agencies state that due to the high cost of certain treatments coverage is not financially viable for insurance companies despite evidence that treatments are medically effective. In response, some states such as Illinois Department of Insurance, have put into law that PANDAS be covered by insurance companies.
The first step is to recognize your child has this condition. This can be done by seeing a specialist, usually an immunologist, that can make properly identify this diagnosis. There are certain tests that can be performed, The Cunningham panel was one previously mentioned. The second step is to see if the insurance company will pay for these tests and the subsequent treatments. Some insurances do provide services for PANDAS. But most do not and do not be surprised by this. Third step is to find out what treatments your doctor can provide. You doctor can still provide prescriptions for antibiotics, which are effective in reducing the symptoms. However, the most effective treatments are IVIG or plasma phereses. These treatments are usually not covered by insurance companies for PANS/PANDAS.
So what can you do if insurance will not provide coverage?
If you cannot get insurance to pay for treatments for PANDAS there are other possibilities. There are certain co-morbidities associated with PANDAS. A co-morbidity is a condition that is coupled with the first health issue. For instance, a person may have diabetes and a co-morbidity is heart disease. These PANDAS co-morbidities may be covered by the insurance company and can have the same treatments. A frequent co-morbidity of PANDAS is an immune deficiency such as common variable immune deficiency (CVID). Now another thing a person can do is look for an insurance company that does offer PANDAS treatment. This means doing research, finding an insurance company that offers treatment, and then finding an employer that uses that company. Finally, there is the option of paying for these treatments out of pocket. Be prepared for the high price because one treatment of IVIG costs approximately $10,000.00.
Trying to deal with PANDAS and get medical treatment is an exhausting and frustrating endeavor. There may be times, as a parent, you feel nothing can be done and it is hopeless to try and get treatment. That is a natural reaction and feeling. However, as difficult as it is to try and get treatment there is one thing to remember. Your child did not ask for this to happen to them, they did not ask for this disease and the stigma attached to it. Only person who will fight for them.
THAT IS YOU!!!
The parent is the greatest advocate for a child. Just remember that.
References
BIBLIOGRAPHY Ameratunga, R., Woon, S-T, Gillis, D, Koopmans, W, & Steele, R. (2013). New diagnostic criteria for common variable immune deficiency (CVID), which may assist with decisions to treat with intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 174(2), 203-2011, doi: 10.1111/cei.12178.
Blake, K. (2016). AN ACT REQUIRING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PEDIATRIC AUTOIMMUNE NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDER ASSOCIATED WITH STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS. Hartford: Connecticut Government.
Chicago Med, The Parent trap Season 3 Episdoe 17 (Season 3 Epsidoe). [Motion Picture].
Illinois Department of Insurance Fact Sheet PANDAS / PANS. (2019, Nov 8). Retrieved from Illinois insurance law: http://insurance.illinois.gov/HealthInsurance/Pandas-Pans.pdf
Kids suffer from debilitating episodes after recovering from strep throat (Nightline). (2019, Nov 10). Retrieved from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1D9xjSY5ns
Leon, J., Hommer, R., Grant, P., Farmer, C., D’Souza, P., Kessler, R., . . . Swedo, S. (2018). Longitudinal outcomes of children with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS). European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 637–643.
Molecular Labs. (2019, Nov 10). Grace’s Story: When strep triggers OCD, mood swings and behavioral changes. Retrieved from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VnHiCB8yFU
Murphy, T. K., Brennan, E. M., Johnco, C., Parker-Athill, E. C., Miladinovic, B., Storch, E. A., & Lewin, A. B. (2017). A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled pilot study of azithromycin in youth with acute-onset obsessive–compulsive disorder. Journal Of Child And Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 640-651.
PANS and PANDAS overview. (2019, Nov 11). Retrieved from Moleculera Labs: https://www.moleculeralabs.com/pans-and-pandas-overview/
Prelude: As a warning and for the reader’s knowledge this blog post is not driven by political or personal beliefs. This is to educate the public on current facts surrounding mental illness and gun violence. Is there a direct link?
I first came across this topic as the media continues to said that mental illness is a gateway to violence and mass shootings. I curiously started searching for statistics surrounding the subject. I personally thought to myself that maybe mental illness could increase violence. Then, I thought how I have struggled with mental illness; I thought about millions of people who suffer from mental illness and they do not kill people. Or do they?
Justine Coleman(2019) wrote a post for the Hill, an online news source. In her article she states that “Trump‘s administration is considering a proposal to study whether monitoring people with mental illnesses could prevent future violence, The Washington Post reported Monday”
Above we see a shot from a press conference by president Donald Trump. He is not the first administration to promise changes in mental health and gun laws. However, “According to Appelbaum,25 less than 3% to 5% of US crimes involve people with mental illness, and the percentages of crimes that involve guns are lower than the national average for persons not diagnosed with mental illness. Databases that track gun homicides, such as the National Center for Health Statistics, similarly show that fewer than 5% of the 120 000 gun-related killings in the United States between 2001 and 2010 were perpetrated by people diagnosed with mental illness” (Metzl & Macleish 2015 pg.2)
If less than 10% of crimes are directly related to mental illness then why do we associate people with mental illness as being more violent? It could be possible that we see people as “crazy” because of their abnormal behavior. Schizophrenia is a perfect example as people diagnosed may have hallucinations. In fact “more than 70%…” (Hugdahl et. al. 2008 pg.1) hear voices.
Anderson Cooper, a reporter for CNN, covered a story regarding schizophrenia that captures auditory hallucinations (hearing voices). He accurately experiences and reports honestly on his experience and opens up to the public. That we should not discriminate and we should help these people. You’ll find the link to this video below.
I wonder if the abnormal behavior we observe is what makes us assume they are violent. Therefore, we should educate the public including ours politicians and policy makers about what mental illness really is. Did you know that most severe mental illness leads people to isolate rather than go out? If a person is isolating themselves then how can they go out in public to hurt others?
Jessica Mcdonald (2019) said in her fact check article that “the National Council For Behavioral Health explained in its August 2019 report, “This means that if we could eliminate the elevated risk of violence that is attributable directly to having schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression, the overall rate of violence in society would go down by only 4 percent; 96 percent of violent events would still occur, because they are caused by factors other than mental illness.”
Mass murder and gun violence and prevalent in the united states and in the world as we know it. Mass shootings are actually extremely rare in occurrence even though it feels like they are always happening. We as an international community need to break down stigma associated with mental illness. If mental illness causes only 4 percent of violence then why does the media say they cause so much violence?
Mass shootings are what drives the medias viewership. And a recent study by the Secret Service found that “between 2000-2013 found 25% of suspects had been diagnosed with a mental illness, and 62% had a mental health “stressor…” (Jessica Mcdonald 2019)
I feel as though if we educate out children on mental wellness and having a healthy mental well-being we can change the violence in our society. For centuries humans have fought wars and maintain a violent nature. However, if we start small, whether in a state or in a country we must educate our children and our public on mental illness to eliminate the stigma behind it.
References
Hugdahl, K., Løberg, E.-M., Specht, K., Steen, V. M., van Wageningen, H., & Jørgensen, H. A. (2008, March 28). Auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia: the role of cognitive, brain structural and genetic disturbances in the left temporal lobe. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2525988/
The flu shot dilemma… to vaccinate or not to vaccinate, has been an ongoing question for years. The media always has their own point of view and although we as people love to google everything and it is satisfying to have such quick access to information, we tend to read anything and obtain false information. Two great reliable sources for healthcare questions are the CDC and FDA. When it comes to vaccines, people should absolutely know all the facts about the vaccine they are about to receive. It is important to check a credible site or watch a credible source of a video. One credible source is your PCP (primary care physician). When you go to your wellness visit or you want to inquire about the flu shot, your PCP will be able to provide a print out of reliable information regarding the facts about the vaccine.
We as consumers and patients are faced with many questions-
Who should get the flu shot? Everyone from the ages of six months and older.
Why should we get the flu shot? Because one prick could keep you from missing weeks of work (or worse). The flu vaccine is never 100 percent effective, but “it still prevents millions of illnesses and deaths each year,” says William Schaffner, MD, an infectious-disease expert at Vanderbilt University. “Even if you do get sick, your symptoms are likely to be milder.” The shot also slashes your odds of passing the virus to babies, the elderly, and anyone with a compromised immune system (like a cancer patient).
When should I get the flu shot? Late September or early October. The vaccine is usually available as early as August—but because it’s only effective for about six to seven months, waiting until fall officially begins can ensure you have coverage through the end of flu season (which is typically late April). Though you may have heard otherwise, you don’t have to get a vaccine twice in a single season: “Just wait until fall so you’re protected for the next six months,” says Dr. Schaffner.
Will I get sick after I get the flu shot? Getting sick after the shot is just a myth. There are any other viruses that you may contract during the period of getting the flu shot.
Does it hurt? The site will be slightly sore for a day or so following injection. reactions vary from individual to individual.
Down below will be a video that separates the facts from fiction about the flu shot dilemma.
This media clip actually states the same facts that my referenced articles do so this is a factual writing for me. The facts from the articles will be provided below.
Ways to “Boost” your immune system
warm up in a sauna
break a sweat most days (exercise regularly)
go to bed early
eat healthy
get a massage
If you have a strong immune system, the chances of you contracting a very bad illness such as the flu, are slimmer than someone who has a very low immune system. Even if you do get sick, you will recover quicker and not be as severely sick then if someone has a poor immune system. Complications from flu can be severe and usually require hospitalization. Complications arising from flu include: • Viral pneumonia. • Secondary bacterial or viral infections. • Multi-organ failure. • Rarely: encephalopathy, myocarditis, transverse myelitis, pericarditis and Reye’s Syndrome. • Worsening of chronic illnesses, especially in those with metabolic, pulmonary and cardiac conditions.
Your age and state of health also play a role in determining how well the flu shot will protect you. As we age, our immune systems are much weaker. We may not produce as many antibodies to the virus in the vaccine as they did when we were younger. Even if the vaccine is a perfect match, we may not generate an immune response strong enough to fight the virus off. Several illnesses and medications can also dampen your immune response.
A study done over three years showed that flu-related hospitalizations decreased by 61% in people over 50 years who had received the flu vaccine. It is important to note that delaying flu vaccination in the elderly in order to provide better immunity later in the flu season, may result in losing the opportunity to vaccinate and also having a larger volume of people to vaccinate within a limited time period.
So, in conclusion it is safe to say that it is an important topic of the community and the flu shot does play a huge role in quicker recovery and education is key to the public.
References:
Pag, n, C. N. (2018). Prep for Flu Season Now! Health, 32(7), 73–76. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=131109430&site=ehost-live
Surviving the flu season. (2016). Harvard Women’s Health Watch, 24(4), 1–7. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=119520627&site=ehost-live
What is autism, really? There is a lot of misconception about people with autism. Are they a different species of humanity? To debunk these myths, here are various peer-reviewed resources to clarify these misconceptions:
Peer-Reviewed Source No. 1: Raff, 2010
To start, Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD is a spectrum, and probably the reason for the apparent increase in the diagnostic criteria of Autism as it has expanded enormously.
Three Functional Levels of Autism:
Level 1, which is regarded as high functioning autism, are Asperger kids, who have much less trouble with language.
Level 2, the spectrum in the middle, in which patients may need substantial support.
Level 3,which is considered Severe Autism, is the most challenging end of the spectrum. The patient’s social, communication, and repetitive behaviors severely impair daily life activities.
The defining features of autism are the three core features, such as:
the problem with social interactions, which is often the heart of the matter, a problem with language,
a tendency to have restricted interests and
repeated stereotypic motor behaviors.
These are the so-called autistic triad, and you need to have two of the three and to develop them by the age of 3 to be considered autistic.
This media clip portrays real ASD patients in three different levels:
Peer-Reviewed Source No. 2: Elder Robison, 2018
Just like in the article “What is Autism” by John Elder Robison, the author talks about his struggle and point of view about his autism. Robison’s (2018) work of literature supports the media clip “Just Like You – Autism.” The author clarifies that his experience of the world is just as valid as anyone else’s. When he associates colors with sounds or see details others can’t, his knowledge of those things is just richer than that of others. The author calls this as a gift. He explains that when nonautistic people look at a machine and sees a problem that is impossible to understand, that too is a gift. This back-up the information in the media thatpeople with autism are just like anyone else but different.Just like the media clip I choose, it talks about children with autism who are the same as other kids but different in their own ways.
This literature also supports the information in the media that people with autism require assistance, such as making friends and integrating into society. People with ASD ask for help communicating, and when medicine can’t provide answers, they turn to engineers. Now, formerly nonspeaking autistics are finding a voice through electronic technology and assistive devices.
This research is about young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), demonstrating fewer and less varied play behaviors than children with typical development. The study has shown that children with ASD do not engage in the same levels of spontaneous play as children without disabilities, even when matched for mental age and receptive and expressive language abilities. This research supports the information in the media clip from the service provider Autism Queensland,in which the child wasn’t responding to his name when he was a baby, didn’t play peek-a-boo, or won’t play with the grandmother or anyone else but himself.
This literature explains that play is a primary context for participation for young children with disabilities in early childhood settings.
Play skills contribute to children’s
social,
cognitive and
language development
So based on the media clip, since the baby wasn’t participating in play, it affects his social and language development as well. Early Intervention, additional support, and further assistance that the child needs, as stated in the video, are essential for him to develop these skills.
According to my research, the media clips I choose got the facts right and provided clarity and specificity about autism. The viewers of these media clips can feel confident that he or she has been offered correct medical information on the truth about autism.
References
Barton, E., Gossett, S., Waters, M. C., Murray, R., & Francis, R. (2019). Increasing Play Complexity in a Young Child With Autism. Focus on Autism & Other Developmental Disabilities, 34(2), 81–90. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357618800493
Have you ever attempted to quit smoking? If you have then you probably tried one of todays most popular alternative smoking option called an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). E-cigarettes are known by a variety of names, including “vapes”,“vape pens”,“pods”,“mods”,and “e-cigs”. Vaping is the act of inhaling vapor from an e-liquid or vape juice through a personal vaporizer. Vaporizers come in all different shapes and sizes that can resemble a USB stick, a charger, a pen, pipes or an actual cigarette. They are used to deliver multiple types of substances such as nicotine, tobacco and cannabis. Most have a battery and a place to hold a liquid. “Vaping” has rapidly increased in popularity and in use. According to research, e-cigarettes are a fast growing problem among the youth and are developing another generation of nicotine addiction. Meanwhile, this fast growing industry remains unregulated.
Myth: “Vaping is a safer alternative than smoking traditional cigarettes”
Fact: E-cigarettes are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be an alternative smoking aid. Although e-cigarettes do contain less chemicals burned from a traditional tobacco cigarette, they too have harmful and deadly substances. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed 450 cases of people with pulmonary illnesses and 5 deaths related to vaping. The e-liquids contain the same amount of nicotine that’s in a full pack of cigarettes. Chronic exposure to vaping products could cause serious health conditions, nicotine addiction and changes to DNA for future generations that may lead to cancer. Tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes both have similar health risks to the smokers’ physical and mental health.
Myth: “I’m just inhaling a vapor”
Fact: WRONG! In fact,“Vaping” doesn’t have anything to do with a vapor at all, it’s actually an aerosol. The aerosol in e-cigarettes contain volatile organic compounds such as Formaldehyde and Diacetyl, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals that are linked to lung disease (nickel, lead and tin), Fungi, certain bacteria, and Vitamin E acetate. Some even contain alcohol that have effects on the brain.Vitamin E acetate has been detected as one of the main ingredients in e-liquid that correlates with vaping-related lung diseases. Diacetyl is an organic compound found in some foods, tobacco and alcohol used for flavoring that can be harmful and flammable when heated.Formaldehyde is a substance that most living organisms produce, but when exposed to large amounts could cause an increase risk of death or cancer. It has even been reported by some users that the aerosol used in e-cigs have more of a stimulant effect on the body than a traditional cigarette. Research conducted by the CDC have confirmed that even though there are lower levels of toxins in an e-cig than a traditional cigarette, inhaling these aerosol’s over a long period of time will pose a serious health threat. Due to this product being unregulated and having yet to be approved by both the CDC and FDA, some states have recently banned the use of e-cigarettes until further research is conducted.
Health effects of vaping:
High blood pressure (normal blood pressure is 120/80)
Increased risk for blood clots
Bronchospasms causing difficulty breathing (tightening of the muscles that line the airways in your lungs)
Increased heart rate (normal heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute)
Sleep disturbances
Irregular heart rate such as arrhythmias (your heart beats too quickly, too slowly or with an irregular pattern)
Depression and other mental health problems
Excessive levels of insulin in the blood
Clearing the Air:
It is difficult for consumers to know what exactly is in an e-cigarette. Until the FDA and CDC conduct more research, users should be advised about the dangers of vaping. Signs of pulmonary disease related to vaping are coughing, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and shortness of breath. The American Medical Association recommended that all Americans stop the use of vapes or e-cigarettes until further investigation and health officials understand the cases of these recent illnesses and deaths related to vaping.
References
About Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes). (2019, November 8). Retrieved November 12, 2019, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigaretteshttps://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html.
Campbell, P. (2019, September 16). DocTalk Podcast: Dangers of Vaping with Dr. Rizzo. Retrieved November 3, 2019, from https://www.mdmag.com/medical-news/doctalk-podcast-dangers-of-vaping-with-dr-rizzo.
Fratantoro, M. (2019). 450 Vaping-related Illnesses, 5 Deaths: No, You Don’t Know What’s In Your Vape. RT: The Journal for Respiratory Care Practitioners, 4. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/ login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=139284585&site=ehost-live
Prudovsky, D. (2019). Saying No to Vaping: What you should know about the dangers of ecigarettes. Dental Assistant, 88(2), 10–11. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=ccm&AN=135734722&site=ehost-live
Schmidt, S. (2019). Microbial Toxins in E-Liquid: A Potential New Vaping-Related Exposure to Explore. Environmental Health Perspectives, 127(9), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5671
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disability characterized by having difficulty with communication, social interaction, and repetitive behavior.
A vaccine is made up of a small amount of dead or weak germs which help protect the body from certain diseases
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2014, 1 in 59 children were reported with ASD and the number is continuing to increase.
Many people wonder whether the increase of vaccines is related to the increase of autism cases. The following are the most discussed reasons of why vaccines may cause autism:
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
Myth: The MMR vaccine causes autism
Facts:
Autism is usually diagnosed between ages 1 and 2 years old and the MMR vaccine is typically given at the age of 1. There is a possibility that the link between autism and the MMR vaccine is a coincidence.
One of the side effects in children after receiving the MMR vaccine is stomach problems. However, there is no direct link or studies between the stomach and the brain that cause autism. (Gerber & Offit, 2009)
Thimerosol
Myth: Thimerosol in vaccines cause autism
Facts:
Thimerosol contains mercury and is used to preserve vaccines. There is no known evidence of harm caused by low doses of thimerosol in vaccine. As a precaution, thimerosol was reduced or eliminated in vaccines in July 1999. Even when thimerosol was removed from vaccines, autism rates continued to increase (Gerber & Offit, 2009)
Thimerosol does not stay in the body for a long time. It is not harmful to the body
According to the CDC, MMR, Varicella (chickenpox), Inactivated Polio (IPV), and pneumococcal vaccines never contained thimerosol
Too Many Vaccines
Myth: Too many vaccines overwhelm immune system which affects the nervous system and leads to autism
Facts:
There is no evidence that autism is caused by activating the immune system or infection to the nervous system (Gerber & Offit, 2009)
Vaccines are always tested alone and in combination with other vaccines
In conclusion, vaccines do not cause autism, as the media portrays. There are many factors that can lead to autism. However, there is no known cause of ASD and still no known cure. (Alhowikan et al., 2019)
References
Alhowikan, A.M., Al-Ayadhi, L.Y., & Halepoto, D.M. (2019). Impact of environmental pollution, dietary factors and diabetes mellitus on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Pakistan journal of medical sciences, 35(4), 1179-1184. doi:10.12669/pjms.35.4.269
Park, H.R., lee, J.M., Moon, H.E., Lee, D.D., Kim, B. N., Kim, J., Paek, S. H. (2016) A Short Review on the Current Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Experimental neurobiology, 25(1), 1-13. doi:10.5607/en.2016.25.1.1
Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder. (2019, September 3). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html.
Geber, J.S., & Offit, P.A. (2009). Vaccines and Autism: A Tale of Shifting Hypotheses. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 48(4), 456-461. doi:10.1086/596476
A stroke occurs when a portion of the brain is damaged because of a blockage of a blood vessel or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain.
Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly 800,000 people have a stroke each year. That equates to about one person every 40 seconds.
In the U.S., approximately 40 percent of people who die from stroke are male, with 60 percent of deaths occurring in females.
There are two types of Strokes:
• ischemic stroke: is an unexpected obstruction of the blood vessels leading to the brain. • hemorrhagic stroke: is bleeding into the brain tissue when a blood vessel ruptures.
What are the signs and symptoms of Stroke? – Depending on which part of the brain is affected signs and symptoms can occur. The most common signs and symptoms are: • Unevenness in the face or a droop on one side of the face • Weakness on one side of the body (such as an arm, leg, or both) • Numbness or strange sensations on one side of the body • Trouble speaking (speech is slurred; cannot repeat a simple phrase) • Memory loss • Changes to vision • Increased confusion
• If you or your loved one are experiencing these symptoms, they should receive help immediately
Stroke Prevention: • There are other procedures that can be carried out to decrease the risk of strokes or TIAs. • Lowering high blood pressure • Stop smoking • Lowering cholesterol • Increase physical activity • Eating healthy • Limited Alcohol • Diabetes – having good control of blood sugar levels.
Treatment after a Stroke: – The faster you can get to a hospital, the better your chances of recovery. Immediately call 911.
– As ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes have different causes, both require different forms of treatment.
-It is most important to know the type of stroke diagnosed to be able to quickly reduce the damage done to the brain.
-Also due to a certain treatment suitable for one type of stroke may be harmful when treating different type.
Ischemic Stroke Treatments: • Treatment focuses on restoring an adequate flow of blood to the brain. • Medication is started to break down the clots and prevent other from forming. • Aspirin can be given and tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) within 4.5 hours of stroke symptoms starting to breakdown the blood clots. • Emergency procedures include administering TPA directly into an artery in the brain or using a catheter to physically remove the clot. • A carotid endarterectomy involves a surgeon opening the carotid artery and removing any plaque that might be blocking it. • Angioplasty involves a surgeon inflating a small balloon in a narrowed artery via catheter and then inserting a mesh tube called a stent into the opening. This prevents the artery from narrowing again.
Hemorrhagic stroke: • Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by blood leaking into the brain, so treatment focuses on controlling the bleeding and reducing the pressure on the brain. • Medications can be given to reduce the pressure in the brain, control overall blood pressure, prevent seizures and prevent sudden constrictions of blood vessels. • If an individual is taking blood-thinning anticoagulants or an antiplatelet medication like warfarin or clopidogrel, they can be given drugs to counter the effects of the medication or blood transfusions to make up for blood loss. • Surgery can be used to repair any problems with blood vessels that have led or could lead to hemorrhagic strokes. Surgeons can place small clamps at the base of aneurysms or fill them with detachable coils to stop blood flow and prevent rupture. • If the hemorrhage is caused by arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)- which is unusual correlation between arteries and veins normally in the spine or brain. • Surgery can also be used to remove them if they are not too big and not too deep in the brain. AVMs are tangled connections between arteries and veins that are weaker and burst more easily than other normal blood vessels.
References:
Billinger, Sandra. A., Arena, Ross., Bernhardt, Janice., Eng, Janice. J., Franklin, Barry. A., Johnson, Cheryl Mortag., MacKay- Lyons, Marilyn., Macko, Richard. F., Mead, Gillian. E., Roth, Elliot. J., Shaughnessy, Marianne. and Tang, Ada. (2014, January 15). Physical Activity and Exercise Recommendations for Stroke Survivors. A statement for Healthcare Professionals from the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association. Retrieved from https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/STR.0000000000000022.
Carr, Janet. H. and Shepherd, Roberta. B. (2011, May 18). Enhancing Physical Activity and Brain Reorganization after Stroke. Retrieved from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/nri/2011/515938/abs/.
Gallanagh, Siobhan., Quinn, Terry. J., Alexander, Jen., Walters, Matthew. R. (2011, August 4). Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke. Retrieved from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2011/953818/.
Jin, Jill. (2014, April 23/30). Warning Signs of a Stroke. JAMA Patient Page. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1861804.
McInstosh, James. (2017, November 23). Everything you Need to Know about Stroke. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7624.php#treatment.
Present day America is a very fast paced, always on the go atmosphere. Often times families are picking up children from school and dropping children off at different activities. Other times children are left with babysitters to care for them after school. This leads little time for healthy, nutritious home cooked meals. More families end up eating fast food dinners in the car on the way to the next activity. In previous years little to no children developed cases of Type II Diabetes. Present day almost 1/3 of American children are considered overweight. Therefore leading to an increased risk of developing childhood Diabetes.
Risk Factors:
Family history of type II
Obesity
sedentary life style
African American, Hispanic/Latin
Hypertension
Prevention Strategies:
Strict portion sizes
Meal prep weekly as a family at home
60 minutes of exercise 5-6 days a week
Take family walks together
Set strict family rules for iPad, tv, or video game usage
Eliminate access sugary drinks
Looking to start meal prepping for the family? Check out this great website https://www.yummly.com/recipes?q=healthy%20crock%20pot%20chicken&gs=8c3f38
Here you can find healthy quick and easy crock pot meals which will feed the whole family!
References
CDC Features. (2017, June 29). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/features/prevent-diabetes-kids/index.html.
“Strokes only happen to elderly people. Strokes are rare. A stroke takes place in the heart. Strokes aren’t preventable. Strokes aren’t preventable. If stroke symptoms pass, you don’t need treatment. Stroke recovery only happens in the first few months after a stroke. Smoking doesn’t affect your chances of having a stroke.”
Those are just a few myths that people frequently assume when dealing with a stroke, but I am here to tell you all of those statements above are MYTHS. A stroke is when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted, which stops the blood from feeding the brain tissue oxygen and nutrients. A stroke can happen at any age. A persons risk factor for having a stroke doubles after the age of 55 but that does not mean it does not happen before then. A stroke occurs in the United States every 40 seconds and every 4 minutes someone dies due to a stroke. These statements are facts.
One of the main facts you should take away when learning about strokes is that they are preventative. The International Stroke Study examined risk factors and found that 90 percent of strokes can be attributed to vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity and all of which are preventable to a large extent. The best way to prevent a stroke from happening is by knowing what the risk factors are:
High Blood Pressure (Higher than 140/90)
Having an irregular heart rate (atrial fibrillation)
Smoking
High Cholesterol (greater than 200)
Diabetic
Having a pervious of stroke or history of stroke in the family
Minimal exercise throughout the day
African American
Female
Over the age of 55
Ways you can prevent one from occurring are by quitting smoking, exercising, eating more plant-based foods, and if you do have high cholesterol talk to your doctor about taking a statin medication.
References
The International Stroke Trial (IST): a randomised trial of aspirin, subcutaneous heparin, both, or neither among 19435 patients with acute ischaemic stroke. International Stroke Trial Collaborative Group. (1997, May 31). Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9174558.
(2013, November 25). Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNRU1hIoyek.
