health and benefits - onedigital€¦ · less commonly, a child may get bullous impetigo, appearing...

BetterSafe: COPD................................................................3

DayInDayOut: Bladder Health.............................................5

Take Charge: Skin Issues......................................................7

To Your Health: Alzheimer's.................................................9

Inspiration............................................................................11

DIGITALONEHEALTH AND BENEFITS

This newsletter is interactive! Click a topic to jump directly to the article.

November 2019

National Health Observances for November......................2

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National Health Observances

November | 2019

Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

Bladder Health Awareness Month

COPD Awareness Month

Diabetes Month

Family Caregivers Month

Healthy Skin Month

Home Care and Hospice Month

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

Pneumonia Day (World) | 12

Great American Smokeout | 21

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WELCOA’S ONL INE BULLET IN FOR YOUR FA MILY ’S SAFET Y

BETTERSAFE

COPDBREATHE EASY WITH MORE INFO

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease that also includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is progressive, meaning it continues to get worse over time, and there is no cure. Most people diagnosed with COPD smoke or have smoked. COPD makes breathing difficult because air is not being passed as efficiently.

» The airways and air sacs in our lungs lose elasticity.

» The walls between the air sacs are destroyed,making one large air sac instead of two sacs as thereshould be. Because of this, there are fewer air sacsfor oxygen transfer.

» The walls of the airways become thick andinflamed.

» The airways create more mucus and becomeclogged.

COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States. Symptoms can become so severe it becomes difficult to participate in activities, walk, or even take care of yourself. The damage to the lungs is irreversible, but there are lifestyle changes and treatments that can help you become more comfortable. COPD is caused by long-term exposure to irritants, such as smoking, secondhand smoke, pollution, or chemical fumes. Asthma can also lead to COPD, as well as a very rare genetic condition. Cigarette smoke is the number one cause of COPD, accounting for 75% of the cases. The symptoms of COPD can be similar to other illnesses, especially in the beginning stages. If symptoms progress or won’t go away, especially if you do smoke, see your doctor to see what else might be going on. They can do

lab work with blood draws, chest x-rays, and breathing tests (called pulmonary function tests) to determine if COPD is to blame.

Symptoms may be:

» Shortness of breath, especially with increasedactivity.

» Chest tightness.

» A cough that produces a lot of mucus and won’t goaway.

» Wheezing or whistling while breathing.

As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms will become present:

» Weight loss.

» Lower muscle endurance.

» Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet.

H E A LT H B U L L E T I N S

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You need to head to the ER if you or a loved one notices:

» You are lethargic/not alert.

» You are short of breath at rest or while talking.

» You are tachycardic (your heart is beating very fast).

» Your mouth/lips and fingernails are blue or gray.

With some lifestyle changes and treatments, your symptoms can be relieved and the disease process can be slowed. The goal is to help you remain active and prevent complications.

» Quit smoking. You can do it! There are manyprograms and support groups out there to help. Youcan call the National Cancer Institute’s SmokingQuitline for free information: 1-877-44U-QUIT(1-877-448-7848).

» Medications are available to help with symptoms,such as inhalers and steroids. This should bediscussed and prescribed by your doctor.

» Make sure you’re up-to-date on vaccines. Otherillnesses, such as influenza or pneumonia, can bemuch worse for people with COPD.

» You may need to wear oxygen via a nasal cannula.Some people need it at all times, others may onlyneed it during sleep or increased activity. Again,speak with your doctor.

» Surgery is an option for those who suffer from severeCOPD and other treatments do not help.

» A pulmonary rehabilitation team is helpful forthose with COPD. It’s comprised of nurses, doctors,therapists, etc. who can help you with managementof the disease. They are experts in helping peoplewith exercise programs, nutrition counseling, andpsychological counseling.

It can be really helpful to remain independent and perform your daily activities. Living with COPD can be very stressful and scary at times when you feel like you can’t breathe.

Talk with your doctor if you have

any concerns about your health.

Make sure you have a good support system and also be prepared for emergencies. Have phone numbers readily available. Keep in close contact with your doctor and healthcare team, especially if symptoms seem to be escalating. Do activities slowly and eliminate lung irritants whenever possible. With some modifications, you can still live a full life with the things you love!

DID YOU KNOW

» Emphysema: In healthy lungs, there are manysmall air sacs. With emphysema, the wallsbetween the air sacs become damaged, losingtheir shape, resulting in fewer, larger sacs andless gas exchange.

» Chronic bronchitis: The lining of the airways areinflamed and irritated, producing a lot of thickmucus.

» Most people experience both of these atdifferent times and in varying degrees —that iswhy we include them together and use the termCOPD.

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Bladder HealthKNOW THE SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENTS

ABOUT THE BLADDER

We all know that our bladder is the organ that stores urine and is responsible for getting you out of bed to go to the bathroom in the morning. But how do we know if our bladder is “normal” and healthy? How do we know if something is wrong? What are the most common problems that can occur with the bladder?

The bladder is like a balloon that stretches as it fills. As we get older or experience trauma, the elasticity of our balloon starts to decrease. So not as much urine is being held and what is, can leak out as the muscle of our bladder weakens. The muscle of the bladder is important because it is responsible for pushing all of the urine out—when you give the green light, of course. As the muscle weakens, urine leaks out when it shouldn’t and our bladder doesn’t always empty completely, leaving us at risk for infections.

THINGS THAT CAN AFFECT THE HEALTH OF OUR BLADDER:

» Being overweight» Taking certain

medications» Diabetes» Low physical exercise» Smoking» Constipation» Alcohol

» Caffeine» Certain foods,

depending on theperson

» Pelvic injury, suchas childbirth, sexualassault, or prostatesurgery.

The most common problems associated with the bladder that we’ll look at today are: urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis, and bladder cancer.

URINARY INCONTINENCE

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder control, ranging from a tiny leak while sneezing to complete loss of urinary control.

Causes:

» Pregnancy» Childbirth» Aging» Constipation» Menopause

» Hysterectomy» Enlarged prostate» Prostate cancer» Neurological disorders




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Helpful tips:

» Pelvic floor exercises

» Maintain a healthyweight

» Avoid caffeinatedbeverages

» Eat more fiber

» Don’t smoke/quitsmoking

» Wear a pad

» Make sure you’restaying on top ofyour hygiene toavoid urinary tractinfections. There aremedications available,as well as procedures orsurgery, if needed.

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTIS)

A urinary tract infection most commonly affects the bladder but can also affect the other parts of the urinary system—ureters, urethra, and kidneys. The urinary tract is normally sterile but bacteria can get in via the urethra. This is much more common in women than in men.

Signs and symptoms may include:

» Low-grade fever

» Frequent or urgentneed to urinate

» Blood in the urine

» Cloudy urine

» Foul-smelling urine

» Pain or burning duringurination

See your doctor if this sounds like something you’re experiencing—this oftentimes requires antibiotics to get rid of the infection. It also helps to increase your fluid intake to flush out the bacteria.

INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition, affecting women more than men, where the bladder becomes inflamed, causing the bladder walls to stiffen. Research isn’t entirely clear on the cause, but it may be from spinal cord injury, trauma to the bladder, or a defect in the bladder lining. This can be very painful, especially when the bladder is full. Pain may be felt in the bladder itself, the groin, abdomen, and/or back.

There are medications or procedures available that may help, as well as more basic stuff you can control, such as diet and pelvic floor exercises. Surgery is an option if everything else fails.

BLADDER CANCER

Cancer can form in the bladder, just like anywhere else. Signs and symptoms are very similar to a bladder infection:

» Frequent or urgentneed to urinate

» Blood in the urine

» Difficulty passing urine

» Pain during urination

» Low back pain

To diagnose, doctors use imaging tests, lab work, urine cultures, and scopes.

Treatment options:

» Surgery. Either thetumor itself is removed,part of the bladder isremoved, or the entirebladder is removed.

» Chemotherapy

» Radiation

» Intravesical therapydelivered into thebladder, inviting theimmune system to goafter the cancer.

Along with being uncomfortable or downright painful, bladder issues can be inconvenient, scary, and embarrassing. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and create a plan that puts you back in control of your bladder.

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Skin IssuesTOP 5 SKIN ISSUES YOU ARE CURIOUS ABOUT

The list of skin disorders/diseases/infections is lengthy. But which ones have us worried or confused, running to Google for answers? This week we are going to look at the top five skin disorders that people tend to be the most curious about and hopefully cast a little insight for you all.

PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. The life cycle of the skin cells in people with psoriasis is sped up, and the skin cells build rapidly on the surface of the skin. This causes red, patchy areas that can be painful, burning, or itchy. Unfortunately, researchers are not entirely clear why some people get psoriasis, but genetics can play a role as well as immune response and environmental factors. There is no known cure for psoriasis, but it is not contagious. It can affect people of all ages but is rare in infants and is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 15-35 years old.

SCABIES

Scabies is caused by mites that burrow into the skin, make a tunnel, and lay eggs. It causes a very itchy rash because our bodies respond allergically to the mites, the eggs, and their waste. It is extremely contagious. Anyone can be affected by scabies, as it is spread through skin-to-skin contact from an infected person.

There are some lotions and creams available that kill the mites and within a few weeks, the itching and rash should be gone.

In the meantime, to find some relief, you may soak in a cool bath or oatmeal bath, apply lotions to help with itching, and try an antihistamine recommended by your doctor.

IMPETIGO

Impetigo is caused by a bacterial infection and is also highly contagious. Infants and children are most often affected and they get it after coming into contact with the sores of an infected person.

The classic signs of impetigo appear as red sores around a child’s mouth or on their hands and feet. They quickly begin to ooze and crust.

Less commonly, a child may get bullous impetigo, appearing as blisters on their trunk.

Ecthyma is also uncommon but severe. It is a type of impetigo that causes blisters deep into the skin, resulting in ulcers.


takechargeW E L C O A ’ S S E L F - C A R E B U L L E T I N



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For treatment, antibiotics are needed either by mouth or a cream/ointment. Sometimes both may be needed, depending on how widespread the sores have become.

VITILIGO

Vitiligo is a non-contagious disease that causes patches of skin to lose color. Melanin is responsible for the color of our skin, hair, and eyes. In vitiligo, the cells that produce melanin begin to die at an unpredictable rate and thus, our pigment becomes very light or white.

Vitiligo typically begins on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, hands, or arms. In most cases of generalized vitiligo, the discoloration spreads almost symmetrically to different body parts and affects most of the skin.

Segmental vitiligo affects only one part or one side of the body and progression usually stops after 1-2 years.

Localized vitiligo only affects a few areas, sometimes even just one.

Vitiligo typically occurs before the age of 20 but can affect anyone. Researchers aren’t entirely sure why the cells stop producing melanin but they believe it is hereditary and possibly an autoimmune disorder, where the body attacks the melanocytes.

It is very important to wear sunscreen, especially on the lighter patches of skin. Those with vitiligo are at higher risk for sunburn and skin cancer.

There is no cure for vitiligo and in most cases, it continues to spread until most of the skin is involved. There are some treatments that may bring a small amount of color back to the white patches but there is no treatment to stop the progression.

MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM

Sounds like a Harry Potter spell, doesn’t it? Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection resulting in small, round, flesh-colored bumps, most often affecting children. This is also contagious through skin-to-skin contact or by sharing infected items such as towels, clothing, or equipment.

It will go away on its own without treatment, although it could take up to a year. And because it remains contagious, some doctors will recommend treatment to get rid of it faster. Treatment includes scraping the bumps off, freezing them (cryotherapy), or using a medication that causes them to blister and peel off.

IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD NOTICE A R ASH:

» Wash your hands frequently

» Try not to scratch or touch the rash

» Cover the rash if possible

» Avoid sharing items that may spread it to others

» Call your doctor for an official diagnosis andtreatment plan

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Alzheimer’s DiseaseTHE CLUMPS & BUNDLES OF OUR MINDDementia is a term used to describe memory loss and the decline in ability to perform daily tasks. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for 60-80% of the dementia cases. While Alzheimer’s becomes more common as we age, it is not considered a normal part of the aging process. Most people with Alzheimer’s are older than 65 years old; less than 10% of those affected are younger than 65 years old. This is called Early-Onset Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, meaning it continues to get worse over time. Brain cells are continuously dying or degenerating, affecting a person’s ability to think, behave, and eventually even function on their own. There are many changes in the brain that occur with Alzheimer’s and scientists believe the changes begin at least ten years before symptoms start to show. Abnormal deposits of protein are forming clumps (called amyloid plaques) and bundles (called tau tangles) and neurons stop functioning and connecting with other neurons. These changes were originally noticed in 1906 by Dr. Alois Alzheimer. The damage seems to begin in the hippocampus, which is where we form memories. By the end stages of the disease, the brain tissue shrinks significantly as it spreads throughout.

Signs and symptoms change as Alzheimer’s progresses.

MILD ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE/EARLY STAGE Cognitive difficulties begin. This is when people are often diagnosed.

» Memory loss

» Repeating questions» Wandering, getting lost» Taking longer to perform daily tasks» Inability to pay bills on time» Personality changes

MODERATE ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE/ MIDDLE STAGE Language and reasoning are affected.

» Memory loss increases» Confusion» May not recognize loved ones» Behaving impulsively» Inability to learn new tasks» Inability to perform tasks with more than one step» May have delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia


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SEVERE ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE/LATE STAGE The brain has shrunk significantly by this time.» No longer communicating» Depending on others completely for care» Possibly bedridden

WHAT CAUSES ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

Unfortunately, scientists still don’t know enough about what causes Alzheimer’s but it seems to be a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. There also seems to be a correlation between some vascular and metabolic conditions and a higher rate of Alzheimer’s, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.

HOW IS ALZHEIMER’S DIAGNOSED?

Alzheimer’s cannot be definitively diagnosed until after death via a brain biopsy. However, there are a number of things that can help doctors give a likely diagnosis.

» Blood and urine samples to rule out other possibilities.» CT (computed tomography) scans, PET (positron

emission tomography) scans, and MRIs (magneticresonance imaging). Again, these are helpful to ruleout other causes.

» Memory and problem-solving tests, counting, andmonitoring attention span and language.

» Talking with friends and family about changes inbehavior, function, and personality.

» Review health history and medical problems.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Sadly, Alzheimer’s is progressive, irreversible, and incurable. There are some medications available that regulate neurotransmitters and increase communication between the neurons. They reduce symptoms for some and help manage behavioral problems. Common behavioral symptoms are sleeplessness, anxiety, agitation, and wandering.

Through ongoing clinical trials, scientists are hoping to find the causes of Alzheimer’s and how we can better treat and stop it once it is diagnosed.



Alzheimer’s cannot be prevented, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a well-balanced diet and regular exercise is the best approach to preventing other conditions that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. Keeping your brain active with social and mental engagement has also been shown to help, such as board games, puzzles, playing an instrument, reading, dancing, etc. There should be emphasis on providing a safe environment for those who have been diagnosed and helping them remain independent as long as possible.

» Keep medications secure» Keep items in the same, familiar place so they can

be found» Place bills on automatic payment schedules» Have photos of family and friends around so the

faces remain familiar» Have a calendar or schedule up-to-date and visible» Remove excess furniture, rugs, etc.» Install handrails and other safety equipment

Whether you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or are the one caring for someone with it, it can be a very challenging disease process. A stable home environment with routine activities are important, as well as support groups and counseling.

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