Summer is Around the Corner: Stay Healthy in the Sun

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Editorial Board

May has arrived and that means summer and the heat are right around the corner. There are some precautionary measures everyone, especially children, should take to keep their skin and body healthy throughout the rough summer sun and heat.While it is important to do outdoor activities and have fun in the sun it is also important that you and your children are well protected and hydrated.

First rule of summer is SUNBLOCK! Always make sure you and your kiddos are slathered up in sunblock. This is the one and only thing that can help your skin stay young looking and healthy. Just one sunburn can potentially double your chances of getting skin cancer. This is especially important for children and adults with fairer skin that are more easily burned. Be sure that you cover all areas when applying sunscreen, it is easy to miss areas you can’t see so be sure to ask for help when applying. Make sure that you reapply throughout the day if you plan on being out in the sun for several hours. Hats, sunglasses, and other protective clothing will also help you and your children avoid any severe sun damage. Summer will be more fun if you take extra precautions to be sure you do not get a sunburn.

The second rule of summer is WATER! It is very important that you stay hydrated in the summer heat. It is so easy to forget to drink water when you are out playing in the yard with the kids and your family. When you don’t stay properly hydrated it can cause your body to shut down and you may feel weak. Be sure that you are drinking as much water as your body needs every day. You do not want to faint or have a heat stroke from dehydration. Try to carry a bottle of water with you everywhere you go so you and your kids will never be thirsty this summer even when you are out running errands.

Summer is a time to have fun, enjoy the sunshine, and time spent outside with your friends and family. Don’t let your good times of summer get ruined with a painful sunburn or dehydration. Remember sunblock and water all summer long to take care of yourself!

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What is Autism and How is it Treated

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Editorial Board

Autism and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are complex disorders of brain development.  A child may exhibit any or all of the following symptoms depending on the severity of the illness: difficulty in verbal and non verbal, communication, repetitive behavior, motor coordination, sleep disturbances, seizures and physical health issues.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of autism usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.  A mildly affected person might have some quirky behavior and lead a typical life.  A severely affected person might not be able to speak or care for himself.   Early intervention is the key to making an extraordinary difference in a child’s development.   How a child is functioning now may be very different from how he or she will function later on in life. An early diagnosis and therapy treatments can improve the quality of life immensely.

Typically, infants are social beings.  Early on, they gaze at people, smile, turn toward voices and grasp fingers.  In contrast, most children with autism have difficulty learning to engage in the give and take of everyday human interactions. Even in their first year of life, many don’t interact and avoid eye contact in a normal way. They usually prefer to be alone and may seem indifferent to other people. Although children with autism are attached to their parents, their expression of attachment is difficult to read.  These children may resist attention or passively accept hugs and kisses.  It may seem as if the child is not connected at all, which is devastating to the parents.

It is common for people with autism to be disruptive and physically aggressive, making social relationships even more difficult.  They have a tendency to lose control when they are in a strange environment, or when they are angry or frustrated.

Presently, there is no medical test to diagnose autism.  Instead, specially trained physicians and psychologists administer autism-specific behavioral evaluations to determine the treatment needed for each individual case.

Intervention can involve behavioral treatments, medicines or both.  In addition, people with autism might experience additional medical conditions such as sleep disturbances, seizures and gastrointestinal distress.  When these conditions are addressed it can improve attention, learning and related behaviors.  As with any illness or diagnosis, the sooner treatment begins the better chance of success for a person with autism.

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Ways That Counseling Can Help With Your Diabetes

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Editorial Board

Diabetes is one of the most dreadful diseases known to man.  Although all three types of diabetes are treatable, Type 1 and Type 2 are incurable.  In the most severe cases, patients can go into renal failure, develop heart disease, lose their sight, and have retinal and/or nerve damage.  It’s also not uncommon to develop gangrene which can lead to multiple amputations. Who wouldn’t need counseling and education for an illness with such great magnitude?

There are 3 main types of diabetes:

Diabetes Type 1 – No insulin is produced at all.
Diabetes Type 2 – You don’t have enough insulin, or it doesn’t work properly.
Gestational Diabetes – Diabetes that develops only during pregnancy.

Counseling for patients who have diabetes can have a huge impact on their overall well-being on a long term basis.  Lifestyle counseling should be incorporated into the treatment plan  for anyone with diabetes.  Everyone facing a life changing illness needs to be educated about the seriousness of the disease and what the patient must do to have a longer, healthier life.

Good nutrition is absolutely necessary in managing diabetes.  Controlling your diet and faithfully taking your medicine, along with exercise can decrease blood sugar and prevent or delay serious complications.  A diabetes diet is not that much different from any other healthy well balanced diet; it includes lean protein, whole grain carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, and portion control.

Any patient is going to be overwhelmed initially when diagnosed with a new illness.  The dieticians will thoroughly cover how what you eat affects your blood sugar levels over time.  Incorporating healthy snacks, planning ahead for when you’re away from home, and learning how to read nutrition labels is important to keep the patient feeling healthy and well.

From a mental standpoint, these are various support groups that offer group counseling.  It’s important for the patient to know that they are not alone. It’s helpful for many to be in a setting where people understand the same challenges and frustrations.  Ultimately, a much healthier way of living is optimal for everyone, whether you have diabetes or not.

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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Editorial Board

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder where people can have repetitive thoughts or impulses.  People who are affected with this disorder  may check a dozen times to make the sure the coffee pot is unplugged, or wash their hands until they’re  raw, or they may be afraid something bad will happen to them if everything isn’t done perfectly.  Obsessive behavior comes in varying degrees, some people have an abnormal fear of dirt, superstitions, food, weight, religion and repetitive rituals just to name a few.

These obsessions are involuntary, impulses or thoughts the person can’t control, and it happens over and over again.  People who have OCD want to control these thoughts, but are unable to. These obsessive thoughts are often disconcerting and distressing.

Compulsions are behaviors or routines that occur over and over again on a daily, sometimes as often as on a hourly basis. Usually, compulsions are performed in an attempt to make obsessions go away.  If a person is afraid of contamination they might develop bizarre cleaning rituals. Unfortunately, the satisfaction is short-lived and ultimately, the obsessive thoughts usually come back stronger.

Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) fall into one of the following categories:

  • Washers –are compulsive about washing their hands over and over again.
  • Checkers –check to make sure doors are locked, the oven is off, or the lights are turned off, over and over again.
  • Doubters and sinners fear that if things aren’t done perfectly, there will be some sort of negative repercussion.
  • Counters and arrangers are absorbed with organization and order.
  • Hoarders are overly concerned that something bad will happen if they throw something away.  They fear, they may need it in the future.

The Following are typical signs that a person with OCD may be exhibiting:

  • Having to double-check things, such as windows, plugged in appliances, and switches.
  • Repeatedly Checking on your family to make sure they’re safe.
  • Repetitive rituals such as tapping, counting, checking and rechecking small details.
  • Excessive amounts of time spent on cleaning and sanitation.
  • Ordering or arranging things repetitively so they are “perfect.”

People who suffer from OCD find that it can wreak havoc on their personal and professional lives.  Treatment is usually a combination of medicine and therapy.  The sooner the OCD is diagnosed the better. Early treatment of OCD is optimal, as with any illness, and the early treatment can greatly reduce symptoms and the interruption the illness can create in your life. 

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