healtheo360 Wellness Blog

Epilepsy - Seizure First Aid: A seizure is an electrical disturbance in the brain that can cause confusion, muscle jerking, and loss of memory. A person who suffers more than one seizure is said to have epilepsy. Poorly controlled seizures can lead to injuries, limitations at school or work, and an inability to drive. If you are with someone who has a seizure, it is important to have a general idea of what to do, and what things to avoid. Also, be aware of things to look for that would require calling emergency medical services.

Living with epilepsy means learning about the condition, getting support from others, being prepared for seizures and making your environment as safe as possible.

The flu season is in full effect and it now qualifies as an epidemic in the United States. With all the chatter about vaccine safety and who should or should not get a certain flu shot, it can be hard to know if you should receive the seasonal flu vaccine.  So, what’s the bottom line?  The CDC recommends that all people over the age of 6 months receive a flu vaccination – with a few exceptions.

Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndromes (APS) - Types 1 & 2: APSs include a wide variety of autoimmune disorders that are divided into a very rare juvenile type 1, and a relatively common adult form type 2. There is also a third type that does not affect the adrenal glands. APS type 1 typically occurs in early childhood, while type 2 most often occurs in one's 30s or 40s. Type 1 is caused by mutations of the autoimmune regulatory (AIRE) gene on chromosome 21. It is inherited in a autosomal recessive manner, meaning both parents must be carriers and pass on the faulty gene in order for their child to be affected. The mutation results in the production of defective proteins which cause the autoimmune destruction of target organs. Type 1 can be diagnosed via genetic testing, but not type 2 since it is caused by complex genetic interactions. Check out this infographic to learn more about autoimmune polyglandular syndromes types 1 & 2:

There are times in our life when we have faced a health crisis. It may be a broken bone, or it may be the need for surgery to remove a cyst, and these types of health issues are a worry, but the good news is that they are typically short-lived; but what about when the health issue is considered chronic? Chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis are with you for the long term, and you need to be able to manage your illness, rather than your illness manage you. Here are 3 tips to cope with a chronic condition.

Osteoporosis Overview: Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that causes them to weaken and become fragile - increasing the likelihood of a fracture. It is sometimes referred to as a "invisible disability" because it can exist for years without symptoms. There is no cure for osteoporosis, though there are many treatment options. Check out this infographic to learn more about osteoporosis, including risk factors, lifestyle changes, and some important statistics:

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Pulmonary Infections: NTM are a type of bacteria that occur naturally in the environment (water and soil) which do not cause tuberculosis or leprosy. NTM do cause pulmonary infections that resemble tuberculosis, however. Human disease from NTM is believed to be caused by environmental exposure. There is no evidence that NTM-related infections can be contracted by animal-to-human or human-to-human contact. Check out this infographic to learn more about notuberculous mycobacteria, who is at risk for infection, symptoms, and treatment:

Acute Interstitial Pneumonia (AIP) Overview: Acute interstitial pneumonitis (AIP), also known as Hamman-Rich syndrome is an uncommon type of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia for which researchers have not yet found a cause (idiopathic). Pneumonia results when tissues of the lungs become inflamed in reaction to infection. The inflammation can also extend into the bronchioles, the small airways that branch off into the lungs. Prolonged inflammation causes fibrosis. Over time, scar tissue causes the bronchi and the walls of the bronchi widen, or are destroyed, resulting in the lungs shrinking. The condition usually progresses to respiratory failure and medical treatment is immediately required.

Immunizations & Herd Immunity - How It Works: Our bodies fight against bacteria and viruses everyday thanks to our immune systems. Sometimes, our bodies need a little help to recognize, fight, and protect against certain diseases as well. Check out this infographic to learn how vaccinations help us do just that:

Gestational Diabetes - Risk Factors: Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs in pregnant women who get high blood pressure.  This is due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and can cause the baby to grow very large, leading to complications during delivery. Although gestational diabetes usually resolves on its own after giving birth, the baby could still be born with low blood sugar, yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice), or breathing problems. If you are diagnosed with it, your doctor can help you to keep your blood sugar under control throughout your pregnancy. To avoid complications during pregnancy, be sure to know the risk factors involved with gestational diabetes: