November 2017
PATIENT POWER Health Info for Seniors, Caregivers and Health Pros
Think ‘Bout Vets Don’t just think about our service folks on Nov. 11th. Think about and help them all this month. Whether it’s a quick salute, planting flags at V.A. cemeteries, or actually helping vets (e.g., taking them to doctor, movies, shopping…) there are a million ways to honor men and women who’ve served.
Salute Caregivers It’s National Family Caregivers Month so there are other folks to salute. Whether they’re health pros or friends/family, find ways to thank them. For help, check Family Caregiver Alliance.
And Say “Hello”! Bet you never heard that November 21 is “World Hello Day.” But now that you do know, think about other folks to greet. We’ve mentioned vets and caregivers, but how ‘bout teachers? Local police station? Your health pros? (Think how great to contact the last two when you don’t need them!)
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photo: Laura B. Dahl via Flickr.com
It’s Time to Acknowledge Epilepsy It’s almost the leading brain disorder in the U.S. Three million people (minimum) have epilepsy in this country; i.e., one in three Americans knows someone with it. That’s 2x the number with Parkinson’s and 10x with multiple sclerosis. This is not to dismiss the other two neuro disorders of course. But at least they can be discussed openly without denigration. Epilepsy is still mostly hidden and taboo. Why the Stigma? The word epilepsy gloriously means “to seize upon” in its Greek roots and actually used to have a positive meaning. That is, someone having a “seizure” was an oracle with whom the gods were communicating. But then came the Middle Ages and suddenly those exhibiting WM Medical Communications
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Famous Birthdays Still Going Strong… …for those alive or in memories • Loretta Swit: Nov. 4, 1937. Actress, especially M*A*S*H • Robert Louis Stevenson: Nov. 13, 1850. Scottish Author (e.g., Treasure Island) • Calvin Klein: Nov. 19, 1942. Fashion designer • Charles M. Schulz: Nov. 26, 1922. Cartoonist • Michael Beschloss: Nov. 30, 1955. Historian, author ………………………………………
November 2017
seizures were being taken over by evil forces (AKA “Satan”). Ever since, epilepsy's been seen as an evil possession or (among the more “sophisticated”) some sort of mental illness. Well, it’s neither of course and yet the stigma still exists. So with November being Nat’l Epilepsy Awareness Month, it’s a good time to teach seniors more about this condition. That’s especially true since it’s now acknowledged that—for reasons no one knows —seizure issues start increasing with age. How Seizures Can Begin Perhaps some area of epilepsy can be genetic, but a good portion of seizures develop from outside forces. Examples: Car accidents—Even slightly banging your head or snapping it back and forth can rattle your brain and seizures begin. Sleep deprivation—Many older adults have insomnia, sleep apnea and other sleep issues. The sheer lack of good sleep, plus the way it can cause seniors to forget or mix up meds, can cause seizures. Blood flow problems—Narrower arteries, diabetes and other issues common in seniors can restrict blood flow to the brain. They can cause small strokes, leading to brain damage and then seizures. But Then Misdiagnosis
Wendy Meyeroff is president of WM Medical Communications, based in Baltimore, MD, but serving clients throughout the U.S. and beyond for over 20 years. Her specialty: writing/ ghosting for and about America’s aging population in print and then one of the first called online. See her at www.wmmedcomm.com
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As just indicated, some “seizures” can be diagnosed as strokes. There’s also some debate that scenarios in which older adults seem forgetful, stop talking, sound confused and/or babbling, may be diagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease (AD)…when it’s actually very small, quick, seizures that are causing these issues. And let’s face it. We’re more aware of Alzheimer’s nowadays and allowed to talk about it. You can also find far more help for AD then epilepsy. For quick info, I heartily recommend checking the Epilepsy Foundation website. Or call the largest hospital nearby with a neurology division and see if they have epilepsy docs. I trust this gives you a few ideas. Don’t forget to explore online, ask family, friends, neighbors, even health professionals more. WM Medical Communications
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