Category Archives: Medical Issues

Understanding Epilepsy Treatment

According the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 3.4 million Americans suffer from active epilepsy. This means that about one percent of the population currently control their seizures through the use of medicine. Arising from different causes, each impacted person may display their condition in different manners. Some many lose control, falling to the ground or shaking; others may begin to stare into space, losing the ability to speak and focus. A complex illness, it does require professional medical attention. Here are three important things to know about the affliction. 

Photo by Sergey Fokin on Unsplash

How Does It Develop?

Many times this is a genetic condition; however, some may acquire the disease through lifestyle choices. Head injuries, stroke and heart attacks can impact the brain, leading to these spells. Thus, people should continue to eat healthy, protect their head during outside activities and remain vigilant about safety.

What Are Common Symptoms?

While the most significant indication is frequent seizures, there are other signs of the condition. These are rarer and often occur during lapse time, but people should pay attention to them, listening closely to changes in the body. Speak with your doctor if you notice development of any of the following:

  • Muscle contractions
  • Fainting
  • Prickling sensations (as if you’re on pins and needles)
  • Exhaustion
  • Anxiety
  • Headaches

How Is It Treated?

Patients learn to manage their pain and seizures through the use of medication and routine visits with their specialist. Pain can be associated, so some people may look into medical marijuana st augustine fl to allow for more comfort in day to day activities. In addition, it’s best to exercise regularly, eat a well balanced diet and remain in contact with others. Leading a positive life focused on wellness could ward off future onsets or complications.

Don’t allow epilepsy to go untreated. Work with medical professionals to diagnosis it properly and then develop a personal treatment plan.

Top Priorities Before Giving Birth

If you are expecting a baby, you are probably very excited. You are preparing to welcome a new person to the world, and that is something to celebrate. However, you may also be stressed with everything that you have to do to get ready for the baby. Keep these considerations at the top of your priority list as you prepare.

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Medical Concerns

You should seek medical advice throughout your pregnancy, whether it be from a doctor or a midwife. If you are not currently seeing a professional, make an appointment today. Prenatal medical experts help to ensure that you stay safe and that any health issues that arise are dealt with immediately. You also need to decide what kind of medical help you will use during the birth. You may give birth at your hospital, or you may seek an alternative such as a birthing center Tampa. Check with your insurance company to see what services are covered with your plan.

Work and Finances

If you are currently employed, check your employer’s parental leave policy. If you will have to return to work soon after the baby arrives, you will need to have daycare or babysitting lined up as soon as possible. Family and friends can help you while you are home and maybe even provide full-time childcare. Most working parents must pay a professional, though, and you should consider your finances and your options months in advance of when you will start to need assistance.

Feeding

Babies can be breastfed or bottle-fed. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages based on your lifestyle. Before the baby comes, speak to your doctor or midwife about which option you want to try so that you can buy formula, a breast pump or any other supplies you may need.

Whether you are a first-time parent or a veteran, expecting a new baby is joyful and stressful. Prioritize these tasks and you will find that the rest of your preparations are much easier to accomplish.

Helping a Loved One Recover From Substance Abuse

A lot of pain can come to a parent when they see their child struggling with some form of substance abuse. Little by little you watch it take over their life until there’s little left of the person you once new. But there are some things you can do to help that person re-emerge from the darkness and become whole again.

Provide a Safe Place

That safe place is rarely their own bedroom. Addicts often need to be removed completely from their current situation in order to recover. Recovery centers such as the sober house MD residents rely on for help are more effective for those needing to overcome addiction to alcohol or drugs. Trained staff at these centers know what to look for and how to help in ways that an overly sympathetic family member cannot.

Empower, Don’t Enable

Bargaining with someone struggling with a toxic lifestyle will not help – in fact, it frequently drives them further down the rabbit hole. When they leave a recovery center they may feel a bit lost and be unsure of how to transition. They may see little hope of gaining control over their life again. If you look the other way for even one instance of backsliding, you are enabling them to continue using. Empowering means helping them to see their own value and contributions, building confidence and self esteem.

Moving Forward

Ownership â€“ a person’s ability to make their own choices with a full awareness that the consequences will be due to their actions – is a big step to overcoming the problem. Helping them to develop talents and skills that will empower them to become responsible adults and to be able to say no to the substances that have run their lives before is critical.

When your loved one is struggling with a substance abuse problem, you cannot just look the other way. Get the help you need for them and please self to be able to move forward with a clean lifestyle and a new sense of purpose and accomplishment.