Be Aware: October: Part Three When people think of October, three things come to mind: Beer (Octoberfest), Halloween, and Boobs (Breast Cancer). There's actually many things to be aware of in October. Here's four more events this month, and that's still not all. A quick search of October observances shows so much more is going on around the world. Down Syndrome Awareness: A genetic chromosome 21 disorder causing developmental and intellectual delays. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. FACTS: About 1:691 babies are born with Down Syndrome. Approximately 400,000 Americans have Down Syndrome Nearly 6,000 Babies born in the US will have Down Syndrome annually A few common physical traits of Down syndrome: low muscle tone small stature an upward slant to the eyes a single deep crease across the center of the palm Although each person with Down syndrome is unique and may possess these characteristics to different degrees, or not at all. There are three types of Down syndrome: trisomy 21 (nondisjunction), translocation and mosaicism. TRISOMY 21 (NONDISJUNCTION): Down syndrome is usually caused by an error in cell division called "nondisjunction." 95% of all cases are trisomy 21. MOSAICISM: a mixture of two types of cells, some containing the usual 46 chromosomes and some containing 47. Those with 47 chromosomes contain an extra chromosome 21. This is the least common of the three and accounts for only 1% of all cases. TRANSLOCATION: accounts for about 4% of cases. The total number of chromosomes in the cells remains 46, however, an additional full or partial copy of chromosome 21 attaches to another chromosome, usually chromosome 14. This extra full or partial chromosome 21 causes the characteristics of Down syndrome. The exact cause is unknown, but age of the mother could be a factor. Down syndrome is hereditary in approximately 1% of all instances. In the other 99% of cases Down syndrome is completely random and the only known factor that increases the risk is the age of the mother Those with Down Syndrome can function like any other unaffected person Many of those with Down Syndrome find art the easiest form of expression HOW TO HELP: Donate Wear Blue and Gold Volunteer at a Summer Camp for Down Syndrome Join a Buddy Walk Help spread the word Do 31 random acts of kindness (one a day in October) Healthy Lung Month: October brings with it many pollens and mold that can upset many different lung conditions in individuals. Some lung diseases can be attributed to occupational environments and personal choices. A Few Facts about Lung Disease: About 10 million American adults are diagnosed with chronic bronchitis each year Nearly 4.7 million Americans have ever been diagnosed with emphysema. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the diseases that make up Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). About 25 million Americans live with asthma also. Occupational lung diseases, which include asbestosis and mesothelioma, also affect many Americans. Occupational illnesses are estimated to cost $150 billion annually. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), typically caused by long-term exposure to irritants that damage the lungs and airways, are due to exposure on the job 19.2% of the time. Some common lung irritants found in the home are lead, formaldehyde, radon, cleaning agent vapors, and fire-. Natural pollutants also make their way into the home, including pet dander, dust mites, and mold. Smoking can also attribute to many chronic illnesses including COPD and Lung Cancer. What You Can Do: Test for Radon: Make sure your home has a radon detector. This colorless, odorless gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Go Green: House plants can purify the air by absorbing many airborne pollutants, and: EXTRA OXYGEN! Clean up: Get a vacuum with a hepa filter, this will help catch pollens, pet dander, dust mites and other irritants. Follow up by mopping with a microfiber mop. Stop Smoking. Health Literacy Month: This is a time for organizations and individuals to promote the importance of understandable health information. “Health Literacy” is the ability to read, understand and act upon health information. There is a big differences in the way health care issues are explained and the ability of most people interpret and understand them. Not being able to understand information can lead so a person skipping important steps or tests in their care, causing complications and more frequent E.R. Visits; one can also make mistakes with their medications. The push to improve health literacy is to allow simplified written materials, videos or other ways to teach patients, and tips to help doctors speak more clearly with their patients. A Few Facts about Health Literacy: According to the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy, nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using routine health information. What You Can Do: Before you leave for your appointment make a list of your symptoms and when they started. Bring a list of your current medications Write down your questions, and bring paper to take notes. Ask questions if something is not clear. Let the health care person know if what they are telling you is confusing in any way. Ask for written materials written in plain language. Make sure you know whom to call with any questions you may have after you get home. Take action within your community: Ask your librarian how to find clearly written and relevant health information. Take classes offered by librarians on Internet and social media tools. Attend health education programs at your public or hospital library, community centers, or faith-based organizations. Request these programs if they aren’t offered. Request that local schools teach kids about health education and deliver clear health messages to kids, like proper hand washing techniques. Eye Injury Prevention Month: Eye Injury Prevention Month is sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology as a reminder to protect your eyes. Almost half of all eye injuries occur at home and the others occur while at work or playing sports. While some injuries are unavoidable or resultant from accidental occurrences in out-of-the-ordinary situations (eg. car accidents, falls, etc), many of these injuries occur due to negligence in wearing the proper protective eye wear. While no safety measures are entirely fool-proof, taking steps to decrease the risk of injury can make the difference between a life-altering injury and little to no damage. A Few Facts about Eye Injury: Over 2 million people in the United States suffer eye injuries annually. Men have a higher risk for eye injuries than women. The American Academy of Ophthalmology that up to 90% of eye injuries could have been prevented or made less serious by safety glasses! Many companies will contribute to, or pay for in total, the cost of safety eye wear. What You Can Do: Wearing protective eye wear with the label "ANSI Z87.1" is an excellent step in reducing the risk of permanent damage from injuries sustained to the eyes. FURTHER READING October Part One October Part Two All statistics compiled from various Google searches, as posting links not pertaining to ATA/PiMD is not allowed a proper works cited is unavailable
Tags lol. Thank Meagan, I may be able to put together one final piece for release this weekend but choices are getting slim.