What There Is to Know About Pneumonia

Leave a comment August 6, 2023 Jessica Feagin

By Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services

One illness that I’ve heard since childhood is pneumonia. I’m unsure if it’s just a Southern thing or an older generation’s caution, but it seemed like an endless list of things that could cause pneumonia. The main one I can recall was going outside with wet or damp hair, especially if it showed any slight chill in the air. Another popular one amongst my grandparents was going outside without putting something on your arms. Nothing like a good Southern myth! More accurately, according to the CDC (2021), causes of pneumonia are viruses, bacteria, and fungi. In the United States, common causes of viral pneumonia are influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Common causes of bacterial pneumonia are streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and, especially in kids, mycoplasma pneumoniae (CDC, 2021). Depending on where you contract the illness, there are also several different types of pneumonia; this can also help determine which bacteria, fungi, or virus caused the illness. The bacteria and viruses that most commonly cause pneumonia in the community are different from those in healthcare settings. However, clinicians are not always able to find out which germ caused someone to get sick with pneumonia (CDC). According to the CDC, here are the definitions and distinct differences in the different forms of pneumonia:

Community-acquired pneumonia is when someone develops pneumonia in the community (not in a hospital).
Healthcare-associated pneumonia is when someone develops pneumonia during or following a stay in a healthcare setting. Healthcare settings include hospitals, long-term care facilities, and dialysis centers.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia is when someone gets pneumonia after being on a ventilator, a machine that supports breathing.

Either form of pneumonia contracted can cause serious health issues and often be fatal. So, it’s best to take all precautions, both factual and mythical. I still don’t go outside with wet hair to this very day, and I’ve never had pneumonia. I guess Southern remedies have some truth to them.

References

Causes of pneumonia. (2021, October 14). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumonia/causes.html

Barriers to Getting a Colonoscopy for African Americans

Hypertension During Pregnancy

Leave a comment August 6, 2023 Jessica Feagin

By Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Pregnancy alone is a lot to deal with for women, but during pregnancy, a lot of health issues can develop, including high blood pressure. There are different forms of high blood pressure for pregnant women, depending on when the disease develops. Chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia/ eclampsia are the three different forms. “Chronic hypertension means having high blood pressure before you get pregnant or before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Women with chronic hypertension can also get preeclampsia in the second or third trimester of pregnancy” (CDC). Chronic hypertension usually indicates that the mom had high blood pressure before or early in the pregnancy. For gestational hypertension, “This condition happens when you only have high blood pressure during pregnancy and do not have protein in your urine or other heart or kidney problems. It is typically diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy or close to delivery. Gestational hypertension usually goes away after you give birth. However, some women with gestational hypertension have a higher risk of developing chronic hypertension in the future” (CDC). “Preeclampsia happens when a woman who previously had normal blood pressure suddenly develops high blood pressure and protein in her urine or other problems after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Women who have chronic hypertension can also get preeclampsia. Preeclampsia happens in about 1 in 25 pregnancies in the United States. Some women with preeclampsia can develop seizures, called eclampsia, which is a medical emergency” (CDC). I cannot pinpoint which sounds the most frightening—maybe pre-eclampsia since it can cause seizures, opening up many problems. Regardless, bringing a life into the world is risky, but knowing that health issues can arise because you share your body to birth a baby, can make a person pretty cautious.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/pregnancy.htm

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS): A Chronic Skin Disease

Leave a comment August 5, 2023 abenko2016

Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) chronic skin condition is also referred to as “Acne Inversa” which inflames the skin because bacteria, keratin, and sweat builds up in hair follicles. This results in pus-filled abscesses to various parts of the human anatomy if not treated at the onset. These pus-filled follicles eventually burst causing severe painful lesions to certain parts of the body (Health Central, 2022) HS is a painful yet chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that affects the inherent unpredictability of the health of the infected individual. If it goes untreated with respect to the course and severity of the disease and the response to treatment will pose significant challenges for patients especially African American women.

HS causes pimple-like bumps or boils on and under the skin. This skin disease is chronic (long- lasting) and can be severely painful for prolonged periods of time. HS is not contagious and does not spread from one individual to another. HS starts in the hair follicle in the skin and happens mainly where areas of skin may touch or rub together. HS is not caused by neglecting personal hygiene. In many cases, the cause of this skin disease is actually unknown. African American women are more likely to get HS than men, and it is more common in the African American community than in other communities. HS often appears around puberty and the areas of infection and symptom level can fluctuate based on the severity and affection rate (NIH, 2023)

There’s no lab or blood test that will diagnose the disease. Instead, medical providers conduct a detailed medical history and do a thorough skin check. Before the physical exam, your doctor will want to know about your symptoms. Your physician may inquire about how often these outbreaks happen, how long the lesions last, where they occur, and if anyone in your family has had a similar condition. If your dermatologist suspects you may have another chronic condition along with HS (and many patients do) or you have a high BMI (Body Mass Index), you’ll get your blood tested to check your cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar. The goal of treatment is simple: to stop or reduce the pain and drainage and prevent the nodules from coming back or at least lengthen the time between flares. One biologic drug has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for treating HS and another is sometimes prescribed off-label for this purpose as well. If you believe you may be showing symptoms of HS, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention, so the relief can begin.

References:

Health Central (2022, Jan) Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Everything You Need to Know.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/hidradenitis-suppurativa

NIH (2023) Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Basics. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-

topics/hidradenitis-suppurativa-hs/basics/symptoms-causes

Help America’s Children Battle Obesity!

Leave a comment August 5, 2023 abenko2016

Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

We all know that obesity is a trending issue in the United States of America. Between junk food, desserts, fast food, and the cost of healthy foods, many things counterproductive to fight obesity. It seems as if the target for obesity is becoming younger and younger. Increased obesity rates are becoming more evident in the children of the United States of America. Obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, sleep apnea, and joint problems can be directly correlated to being obese.

According to the Centers for Disease Control:

Childhood obesity affects approximately 19.7% of children and adolescents.
The prevalence of obesity among different races among children ages two to 19 years. They are as follows:
- Hispanic children: 26.2%
- African-American children: 24.8%
- Non-Hispanic white children: 16.6%
- Asian- American children: 9%

The good news is childhood obesity is a preventable condition. Providing families with community resources where they can obtain healthy foods for free or low cost can help in the fight against childhood obesity. Encouraging physical activity and minimizing screen time increases the likelihood to win the battle. Remember if you are modeling healthier lifestyle habits, children can easily adapt to better eating habits and increased physical activity.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 27). Obesity, race/ethnicity, and covid-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/obesity-and-covid-19.html

Why Many Men Avoid the Doctor

Leave a comment August 5, 2023 abenko2016

By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Some men avoid the doctor. It may be due to work, masculinity, expense or simply underestimating the issue causing symptoms. This issue limits the rate at which men would seek care for their underlying conditions. Thus, outlining the reasons this population segment does not access medical care on time would help solve the challenge.

The current societal paradigms define a man based on his masculinity. This exemplification is part of the reason men do not seek timely medical care. In other words, based on societal norms, they develop stereotypical perspectives that they should demonstrate strength and perseverance (Handcock, 2022). This inclination is responsible for most seeking to stay away from care facilities to avoid being weaklings. In some cases, men avoid healthcare services citing reasons such as being preoccupied with work duties. Additionally, most men are likely to ignore vital health warning signs (Handcock, 2022). In some cases, they could fear diagnosis outcomes, thus, choose to stay away from hospitals.

The issue among men regarding the lack of criticality in seeking timely medical care can be remedied through varied strategic approaches. For example, mitigating harmful masculinity perspectives, such as avoiding care facilities to appear strong, is relevant. Other than this intervention, educating men on the need to value their health as their occupation. This consideration will promote a desire to seek timely medical care. Therefore, the above approaches may cement criticality among men to visit care facilities immediately when needed.

Reference

Handcock, M. (2022). ‘It’ll get better on its own’: Men and their resistance to seeing a doctor. The Health Policy Partnership. Retrieved from https://www.healthpolicypartnership.com/itll-get-better-on-its-own-men-and-their-resistance-to-seeing-a-doctor/#:~:text=But%20why%20are%20many%20men,seek%20medical%20attention%20than%20women.

What cinnamon can do for your health!

Leave a comment August 5, 2023 abenko2016

Ashley Peoples | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Do you like the taste of cinnamon? Some people like the taste of cinnamon in dessert dishes such as peach cobbler and apple pie. Some people even like the taste of cinnamon in their coffee. If you enjoy cinnamon, there is some good news about the health benefits of cinnamon.

According to Healthline, cinnamon is high in antioxidants and can fight inflammation and reduce blood sugar levels. Some people with arthritis and lupus have found cinnamon to help reduce inflammation. Cinnamon is related to lowering the development of heart disease. If a person takes ¾ teaspoons of cinnamon daily, triglycerides decrease. Increased triglycerides are a risk for heart disease. (Leech, 2022). Another benefit of cinnamon is that it may increase sensitivity to insulin. Additionally, cinnamon can also decrease blood sugar levels. Healthline states that cinnamon could imitate the benefits of insulin to better the access to sugar in cells. Other reports state cinnamon is being studied as possibly protecting against cancer.
Cinnamon can help with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s as well. In addition to the health potential of cinnamon, some studies suggest it helps with hair growth (check out cinnamon/honey hair mask).

So the next time you enjoy that spiced latte or green tea, maybe give yourself a pinch of extra cinnamon to give your body a boost.

References

Leech, J. (2022a, October 13). 10 evidence-based health benefits of cinnamon. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon

Seward, M. (2018, August 8). Amazing benefits of cinnamon for hair. Healthy Focus. https://healthyfocus.org/cinnamon-for-hair/

What cinnamon can do for your health!

How Fruit Helps Digestive Health

Leave a comment August 4, 2023 abenko2016

By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Digestion involves a complex process, which may not work as required due to numerous factors leading to constipation. Though not a popular topic, constipation can lead to serious medical issues. According to WebMD, chronic Constipation can lead to rectal prolapse, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, pain and vomiting.

For people who experience constipation, there is a high likelihood that they do not eat enough fruits. According to Sweeney (2023), lacking the recommended consumption of the desired number of fruits per day for both men and women would result in feeling backed up. The lack of proper hydration is also responsible for the condition. In rare cases, an underlying medical condition may cause difficulty passing hard stool. It is important to speak to your physician if this condition persists.

The feeling of being backed up can be self-remedied at home using simple solutions. For example, women should have 21 to 25 grams of fiber per day, and their male counterparts 30 to 38 grams (Sweeney, 2023). A focus should also be placed on increasing water intake through fruits such as raspberries, which are one of the best fruits for constipation. In cases whereby fruits are rarely available, fiber supplements alongside staying hydrated can help loosen the hard stool. There is also a need to switch your posture by squatting. This strategy is believed to make it easier to relieve the self of the backed-up feeling (Goldsztajn, 2022). Therefore, trying the above remedies will help improve the duration it takes to have a bowel movement without complications.

Hopefully with enough hydration and eating some vegetables, you will have things moving steady!

References

Goldsztajn, I. (2022). How to make yourself poop when you’re feeling backed up, according to experts. Shape. Retrieved from https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/how-to-make-yourself-poop

Sweeney, E. (2023). Backed up? This is the best fruit to eat to help you poop, according to a GI doc. Yahoo!Life. Retrieved from https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/backed-best-fruit-eat-help-223000525.html?guccounter=1

WebMD. (n.d.). Chronic constipation: How it affects your body. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/chronic-constipation-affects-body

Kidneys: Our Own Filtering System

Leave a comment August 4, 2023 Jessica Feagin

By Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Every organ in the body plays a vital role in creating a livable life for our bodies. Some of the smallest organs can play the biggest part and have significant impacts. Like for instance, the kidneys. They may be one of the smaller organs of the body; however, you cannot survive without them. The kidneys filter toxins out of the body and turn them into waste through our urine. Without the kidneys, our bodies would poison themselves, and we would die. So, as you can imagine, having chronic kidney disease is not a fun thing to deal with.

When people develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), their kidneys become damaged and, over time, may not clean the blood as well as healthy kidneys. If kidneys do not work well, toxic waste and extra fluid accumulate in the body and may lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and early death (CDC). According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 7 adults in the United States suffer from chronic kidney disease. “More than 1 in 7 US adults–about 35.5 million people, or 14%–are estimated to have chronic kidney disease. As many as 9 in 10 adults with chronic kidney disease do not know they have it. About 1 in 3 adults with severe chronic kidney disease do not know they have chronic kidney disease” (CDC). Diabetes and high blood pressure are the more common causes of chronic kidney disease in most adults. Other risk factors include heart disease, obesity, a family history of chronic kidney disease, inherited kidney disorders, past damage to the kidneys, and older age (CDC).

Healthy choices in diet and exercise can help fight chronic kidney disease and even prevent it. Keep in mind that water is our best friend as well. Water will keep your body and kidneys functioning well.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/publications-resources/ckd-national-facts.html

Wilkinson Wellness Laboratory

Encouraging Healthier Lives & Thriving Communities

Physical Health

What There Is to Know About Pneumonia

Barriers to Getting a Colonoscopy for African Americans

Hypertension During Pregnancy

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS): A Chronic Skin Disease

Help America’s Children Battle Obesity!

Why Many Men Avoid the Doctor

What cinnamon can do for your health!

What cinnamon can do for your health!

Kidneys: Our Own Filtering System