October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Many people think of domestic violence as physical brutality but it is much more than that. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence defines domestic violence as “the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional abuse.”
Keep Your Cool!
Summer is upon us! Pride celebrations, picnics, days at the beach – all under the beating sun. Heat related illnesses – heat exhaustion and heat stroke– are serious medical situations. Know the symptoms: Heat exhaustion could include some or all of the following: fatigue, nausea, headache, excessive thirst, muscle cramps, weakness, confusion or anxiety, drenching sweats, often accompanied by cold, clammy skin, slowed or weakened heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, or agitation.
Enjoying the Outdoors Cautiously
Barbecues, long hikes in the mountains, a gentle stroll through the park, sharing a beer with friends in the backyard, a 5k race, biking along the country roads. Summer is a wonderful time to get outdoors and enjoy all that nature has to offer. The bugs agree! And some bugs, particularly ticks, bring disease with them. Don’t let the ticks chase you back indoors. Here are some ways to protect yourself:
High Five, the Clap, the Clam, and the Pox
Bad blood, morning drip, gooey stuff, the dose – no matter the name STI’s are serious business. HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are several diseases that fall within the category of sexually-transmitted infections. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk. Preliminary data indicates that cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea are up in both Frederick and Washington counties.
Consider Your Colon
Which cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the United States? It’s also the third leading cause in women! It’s also something that many people are not comfortable talking about. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the answer. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month so if you have been seeing more blue ribbons around and were wondering what it’s all about, now you know!
Year End Health Maintenance
Here we are in the thick of the holiday season- lethargic from the Thanksgiving Day feast and looking forward to the upcoming month of gatherings, celebrations and feasts. Though we are surrounded by images of joy and happiness, the reality for many is that the holiday season is a harsh reminder of challenges we face within our relationships and families. Here are some pointers to help make it through the highs and lows of the season: