Month: June 2021

Scoliosis Awareness Month

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While scoliosis is probably an unfamiliar term to many, the condition is more common than you might think. Approximately 6 to 9 million Americans have been diagnosed with scoliosis— that’s about 1 in 40 people! In order to educate the public and encourage early detection and treatment, the month of June has been designated Scoliosis Awareness Month.

What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis simply means a sideways curve in the spine. This most often develops during the growth spurt right before puberty, and its severity can range from mild to disabling.

In addition to a visible curve in the back, scoliosis may cause the shoulders, hips, or waist to look uneven. It can also lead to back pain and stiffness, pain and numbness in the legs, and muscle fatigue.

Types of Scoliosis

About 80% of scoliosis cases are idiopathic, which means that they have no known cause. Idiopathic scoliosis typically presents in children between 10 and 12 years old. However, there are other less common types of scoliosis as well.

Congenital scoliosis, for example, may be diagnosed as early as the time of birth. Scoliosis can also be neuromuscular in origin, arising from damaged muscles (as a result of conditions like spina bifida or cerebral palsy) that are unable to correctly support the spine. Lastly, degenerative scoliosis is a form of scoliosis that can sometimes develop in adulthood as a result of wear and tear on the spine.

Treatments & Pain Management

In mild cases of scoliosis, oftentimes no treatment is necessary. Many children with mild scoliosis can even grow out of it. In more serious cases, though, your doctor may suggest wearing a brace around your torso or getting surgery. Your doctor may also encourage exercise, chiropractic treatment, or other pain management techniques to help manage the symptoms of scoliosis.

If you have any questions about scoliosis, the Wellness & Stress Clinic is here to help. To schedule an appointment, please call the clinic at (901) 306-5433. And as always, stay healthy and stay safe!

–The Wellness & Stress Clinic Team

Sources:

Feeling hot? Sit in the shade and follow these tips to avoid heat stroke.

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After a long winter and cool spring, summer is finally here! It’s time to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with loved ones. Let’s be honest – summers in Memphis can get very hot. To safely enjoy your summer activities, it is important to understand the risks of heat exposure.

Getting some vitamin D can benefit your overall health, but too much sun can be detrimental and can lead to further illness like heat stroke. It’s important to know the signs of heat stroke and heat-related illnesses. Understanding when you have had too much sun and heat exposure can help keep you safe and healthy during your summer.

What is heat stroke?

Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness. It occurs when your body’s temperature regulating system is overwhelmed by excessive heat. It can be life threatening and requires immediate medical care.

What to look for:

  • Body temperature of 103 degrees or higher.
  • Hot, red, damp or dry skin. 
  • A fast, strong pulse.
  • Headache.
  • Dizziness. 
  • Nausea or vomiting. 
  • Confusion. 
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Lethargy.

What to do:

If someone is showing signs of heat stroke, here are the steps you should follow:

  • Move the person to a cooler place.
  • Help lower body temperature by using cool cloths or putting them in a cool bath.
  • Remove excess clothes and fan the person.
  • Place ice packs on the armpit and groin areas.
  • Do NOT give the person anything to drink if they are unconscious or lethargic.

*Call 911 or local medical services immediately if the person is unconscious or showing severe symptoms*

Ways to prevent heat stroke:

The best way to avoid heat related illnesses is to take precautions to prevent overexposure. If you’re planning to spend a long period of time outdoors, be safe and do the following: 

  • Drink plenty of clear liquids. 
    • Avoid fluids with caffeine, as this can lead to further dehydration.
  • Do NOT leave children alone in the car, even with windows cracked open.
  • Dress in loose fitting and lightweight clothing.
  • Take rest breaks in shady areas when participating in sports or vigorous exercise.
  • Wear sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen to avoid sun damage.

Heat stroke can be easily prevented by following these precautions and knowing the early signs of heat related illnesses. Below are some resources to learn more about heat stroke:

  1. CDC Warning Signs and Symptoms 
  2. Children and Teen Information: University of Rochester Medical Center- Heat Related illness

June Is ptsd awareness month

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June is PTSD Awareness Month. 

What is PTSD? 

PTSD stands for post traumatic stress disorder.  It is an anxiety disorder that people experience after seeing or living through an event that was harmful. Symptoms can include irritability, anger, dreams of trauma, sleep problems, relationship issues, and isolation. PTSD can be treated, but it may take years for it to go away even after the event occurs. 

Why is this month important? 

Dedicating this month to raising awareness is important on many levels. PTSD can be experienced by a variety of people such as veterans or civilians who have survived sexual assault, natural disasters, or other traumatic events. This month is important because it raises awareness for the disorder and reassures that there is treatment available. Additionally this month is dedicated to relieving any stigma felt while experiencing this disorder.  It is a serious condition, and can be treated. This month we also honor the families and support groups that are helping those dealing with PTSD as well, and honoring their service as care providers. 

How to participate? 

The US Department of Veterans Affairs created a calendar of events of daily activities you can do in order to spread the word about PTSD and its effective treatments. 

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/awareness/docs/PTSDAware_Calendar.pdf

Work Consulted: 

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/awareness/index.asp
https://youth.gov/feature-article/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-awareness-month

Know your renter rights

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Wellness includes so much more than your physical health. As people, we need a safe place to rest and call home. The type of space you live in doesn’t necessarily matter. You could live in an apartment, townhome, house or condo. What’s important to your overall wellness is the way that you feel when you’re at home. You should feel safe, comfortable and like you have a sense of privacy. 

If you rent, how you feel in your home is influenced by your landlord, building owner or property management company. Some landlords are great and provide healthy, affordable and decent rental units to their tenants. Others take advantage of renters. 

It’s important to know that you have rights as a renter that protect your privacy and your home. A healthy rental situation requires your landlord to respect these rights. Understanding your rights and learning how to request fair treatment is an important first step to make you feel comfortable and safe at home. We’ll outline some of your rights as a Tennessee renter below, and will include links to learn about your rights as a renter in Arkansas and Mississippi.  

You have a right to a decent, clean and safe unit.

Your home should be safe, free of noticeable damage and an overall healthy environment. Before you move in, you have the right to visit the property and look for anything that is wrong with your unit. All of the plumbing, electrical, appliances and other materials should work properly. There should not be holes in the walls, ceiling or floor, and you should not feel any of the outside elements when you’re inside the building. All units must have a functioning heater. If you find that your potential rental property doesn’t meet all of these requirements, do not agree to rent the unit until they are repaired. If you still plan to rent the unit, take thorough photos to document what needs to be repaired.

You have a right to request records and documentation.

In the state of Tennessee, a rental agreement does not have to be documented on paper. Agreements can be made verbally between renters and landlords. However, it is always in your best interest to request a written and signed lease that outlines your rental terms. These terms should outline how much you are expected to pay, when your rent payments are due and how long you can rent the unit before you need to renew the lease. In addition to outlining your rental fees, your lease should outline all of the rules you must uphold as a tenant. Understanding these rules upfront and abiding by them will help prevent you from facing eviction, fines or other negative consequences.

Keeping a signed copy of your lease is important for your own protection. Without a written lease, your word is put against your landlord’s if any issues come up. For added security, we also recommend requesting a receipt for each rental payment you make and storing it with your lease. These receipts will allow you to dispute any claims of missed or late payments.

You have a right to privacy.

Your landlord cannot enter your unit unannounced except under the following circumstances:

  • It’s an emergency, like a fire or flood.
  • You are gone for longer than a week and didn’t alert your landlord. 
  • You’re too sick to answer the door or you die in the unit.
  • You go to jail.
  • The gas, lights or water are turned off and it’s your fault (not the landlord’s).
  • The landlord gets permission from a court.

Other important resources:

  • If you live in Shelby County, Tennessee, this document outlines in detail the rights you have as a tenant. 
  • If you are a renter in Arkansas, this government website outlines your rights as a tenant.
  • If you are a renter in Mississippi, this federal government website lists several reliable resources in your state for more information about tenant rights.