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World Hepatitis Day 2021: Hepatitis Can’t Wait

World Hepatitis Day is celebrated on July 28^th each year to raise awareness for the global problem of viral hepatitis.

What is hepatitis?

Most often caused by a viral infection, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. There are five main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D, and E.

Hepatitis A

Transmission: Mainly spread through eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Often widespread in countries with a lack of safe water and poor sanitation.
Prevention: Treatment within a few weeks of exposure can also bring short term immunity. Risk of exposure can be greatly reduced by practicing good hygiene and sanitation and avoiding drinking water that comes from a potentially unsafe source.
Treatment: There is no treatment for Hepatitis A. Only causes acute hepatitis so the body is often able to clear the infection itself within a few weeks.

Hepatitis B

Transmission: Transmitted through contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person. Examples include transmission from a mother to child during childbirth or sharing razors or toothbrushes with infected people.
Prevention: Vaccination is very effective in preventing infection.
Treatment: Currently no real cure. Medications available that slow the replication of the virus and occasionally result in its clearance.

Hepatitis C

Transmission: Spread through blood-to-blood contact. Most common modes of infection include unsafe injection practices, inadequate sterilization of medical equipment, and unscreened blood and blood products.
Prevention: Currently no vaccination. To reduce risk of exposure, avoid sharing needles and other items such as toothbrushes or razors with an infected person.
Treatment: Treatment can cure this type. Involves a combination of interferon and ribavirin.

Hepatitis D

Treatment: Passed through contact with infected blood.
Prevention: Only occurs in people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus. Therefore, can be prevented by getting the hepatitis B vaccine.
Treatment: Consists of interferon but is not very effective.

Hepatitis E

Transmission: Like hepatitis A, mainly transmitted through eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.
Prevention: Vaccine exists but is not widely available. To reduce the risk of exposure, practice good hygiene and sanitation and avoid drinking water that comes from a potentially unsafe source.
Treatment: No treatment, but people usually recover on their own. However, it can be fatal in some cases.

For more information on the different types of hepatitis, visit the website for the World Hepatitis Alliance.

Hospice for Hepatitis Patients

Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of cirrhosis of the liver. When the liver becomes damaged by a virus, it will begin to scar. Once the damage becomes serious enough that the liver can no longer heal itself, it is called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a degenerative disease that can ultimately lead to liver failure when the liver is losing or has lost all function. Although there are treatment options to help manage the condition, there is currently no known cure. So how do you know it could be time to consider hospice care for an end-stage liver disease patient? Keeping in mind that only a doctor can make a clinical determination, the signs below may indicate the patient may benefit from hospice services:

Symptoms become difficult to manage
Sudden or progressive loss of functional independence
Weight loss or reduced appetite
Restlessness
Altered mood or behavior
Majority of time is spent in bed
Confusion
Abdominal distention
Bowel dysfunction
Difficulty breathing
Itchy skin

If you would like more information on how Hospice of North Alabama can help patients with end-stage liver disease, please contact us.

LGBTQ Aging

A 2020 Gallup study observed Americans’ identification as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT), by generation. The findings report that only 1.3% of the Traditionalist generation (born before 1946) and 2.0% of Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) identify as LGBT. This number increases dramatically over the generations, reaching 15.9% for Generation Z (born 1997-2002). The question is – does the higher percentage of younger Americans reflect a true shift in sexual orientation? Or is it simply reflecting a greater willingness to identify as LGBT?

Although those who make up the younger generations were born into a world where huge progress has been made in the gay rights movement, the older generations of the LGBTQ community experienced much less accepting times. It wasn’t until 1961 that Illinois became the first state in the United States to get rid of its sodomy law. It then took another ten years before 20 more states followed their lead. So even though Traditionalists and Baby Boomers were around to witness the progress that has been made, many may still have the mindset that society will not accept them for who they are.

It is this fear of discrimination that may play a part in their hesitation to seek the help and support they need as they near the end of their life. As a result, the LGBTQ community has been historically underserved by hospice. A 2011 study reported that 20% of LGBTQ seniors that were surveyed did not even reveal their sexual orientation to their primary physician for fear of discrimination. Beyond hospice services for the patient, their grieving partner often misses out on bereavement support as they care for their partner in their final months and days.

Resources for the Aging LGBTQ Community

Hospices are now working harder than ever to understand the specific needs of the aging LGBTQ community and to do all they can to accommodate those needs. The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is a resource center focused on improving the quality of services and support offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender older adults. Their website includes resources that cover a variety of topics, including end of life decisions. You can also use the interactive map to find resources in your area.

No one should miss out on the benefits of hospice care for any reason, especially for fear of discrimination.

Happy Pride Month!

June is…

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. This month-long celebration provides the opportunity to focus on raising awareness for the 50 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common form of dementia. It causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of these ten signs and symptoms:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Confusion with time or place
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
New problems with words in speaking or writing
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Decreased or poor judgment
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Changes in mood and personality

Visit the website for the Alzheimer’s Association for more information on these signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for.

Take Action

There are several ways to get involved in Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month! On June 20^th, join the cause by celebrating ‘The Longest Day’ through a fundraising activity of your choice! There are a variety of ways to get involved, including virtually and in-person. So put on your purple gear, share your story of why you go purple, and join the fight to #EndAlz!

Soak Up the Sun…Safely

Summer is just around the corner, which mean barbeques, swimming, and SUN! And while most of us enjoy getting outside and soaking up a little Vitamin D, it is important to remember to be safe when heading outside into the sun. Per the American Academy of Dermatology Association, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and unprotected UV exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer.

With that being said, it is important to follow these three steps to protect your skin:

Seek shade: Remember, the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10AM and 2PM
Wear sun-protective clothing: Sunglasses and hats are key!
Apply sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 30

Signs of Skin Cancer

Finding skin cancer early, before it has spread, makes it much easier to treat. If you know what to look for, you can often spot warning signs early on. Doctors recommend checking your own skin about once a month using a full-length mirror in a well-lit room. You can also use a hand mirror to check areas that are harder to see.

Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, while basal and squamous cell skin cancers are more common but are usually very treatable. The American Cancer Society’s website discusses these types of skin cancers and what to look out for.

Melanoma

Use the “ABCDE” rule to look for some of the common signs of melanoma:

Asymmetry – one part of a mole or birthmark doesn’t match the other
Border – the edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred
Color – the color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue
Diameter – the spot is larger than ¼ inch across (although melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this)
Evolving – the mole is changing in size, shape, or color

Basal Cell Carcinomas

These types of skin cancers typically grow on parts of the body that get the most sun, such as the face, head, and neck. However, they can still show up anywhere. Here is what you should look for:

Flat, firm, pale, or yellow areas (similar to a scar)
Raised reddish patches, might be itchy
Small shiny, pearly bumps that are pink or red
Pink growths with raised edges and a lower area in the center, which might have abnormal blood vessels spreading out like the spokes of a wheel
Open sores that may have oozing or crusted areas and do not heal, or heal and then come back

Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Similarly to basal cell carcinomas, these typically grow on the parts of the body that get the most sun but can appear anywhere. You should look for:

Rough or scaly red patches, which may crust or bleed
Raised growths or lumps, sometimes with a lower area in the center
Open sores that may have oozing or crusted areas and do not heal, or heal and then come back
Wart-like growths

Talk to Your Doctor

Although these are good examples of what to look for, some skin cancers may look different than these descriptions. It is important to talk to your doctor about anything you are concerned about, such as new spots and other skin changes.

Benefits of Physical Activity

Today is National Senior Health and Fitness Day, making it a perfect day to focus on the importance of exercise. There are plenty of benefits of physical activity for people of any age, but let’s highlight some specifically for seniors:

Improves physical ability for everyday tasks
Helps reduce the risk of falls
Helps control joint swelling and pain associated with arthritis
Improves heart health
Can help reduce blood pressure
Boosts mood to help combat anxiety and depression

Exercises for Seniors

We already know the importance of physical activity, but we also have to remember it is equally important to be safe while exercising. This means choosing exercises that work for you based on your age and physical fitness, while also considering any injuries or physical limitations that may impact your ability. It is also important to talk with your physician before jumping right into a new exercise routine.

Some of the best exercises for older adults include:

Water aerobics
Seated exercises, such as toe taps and heel raises or seated yoga
Resistance band workouts
Walking

You can also check out this exercise plan for seniors that Healthline put together!

A Healthy Diet

Exercising is only part of what it takes to live a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet is another very important part, and the definition of healthy eating changes a little as you age. The National Council on Aging put together a list of six tips for eating healthy as you get older.

Know what a healthy plate looks like
Look for important nutrients, such as lean protein, fruits and veggies, whole grains, and low-fat dairy
Read the nutrition facts label
Use recommended servings
Stay hydrated
Stretch your food budget

Get Started

So let today be the first day of a healthier lifestyle! Check out these additional resources to help you get started.

Better Hearing and Speech Month Facts

Each year, Better Hearing and Speech Month in May provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and other hearing and speech problems. The event also serves as a reminder to people to get their hearing checked. Early identification and intervention is very important, and getting your hearing checked is the first step!

According to the CDC’s website, the World Health Organization’s first World Report on Hearing found that:

Noise is acknowledged as an important public health issue and a top environmental risk faced by the world today
Over 50% of people aged 12-35 years listen to music via personal audio devices at volumes that pose a risk to their hearing
Keeping the volume below 60% is a general rule of thumb for safety
You should consider using noise cancelling earphones or headphones rather than turning the volume up
Listening through personal audio devices should not exceed 80dB for adults or 75 dB for sensitive users, such as children, for 40 hours per week

Building Connections

“Building Connections” is the theme for 2021! You can find a variety of resources, broken down by week, on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s website. Week 4’s focus is “Summer Skill Building, Hearing Protection for School-Aged Children.” Below are some examples of the resources available. Be sure to check out the ASHA’s website for more!

Early Identification

And remember to get your hearing checked as a first step in addressing any potential issues. Early identification is important!

Speak with our Hospice Care Team Now

Hospice of North Alabama has been recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a “Superior Performer” for achieving an overall caregiver and family satisfaction score that ranked in the top 20% of all eligible SHP clients for the 2021 calendar year.

Hospice of North Alabama offers individualized in-home hospice care, allowing patients a peaceful end-of-life experience in a familiar and secure environment. We provide a full spectrum of hospice services uniquely designed for each patient.