Mental illness…….I never thought I’d touch on this subject but it seems as though I can’t escape it.

There’s an increasing amount of people suffering from mental illness – whether it’s bipolar, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress or some other type of mental illness that people are suffering from.  Health-wise, it is very apparent that the mental health department is very broken in this country…..federal, state and local mental health departments are under-funded, under-staffed and just do not have the resources to try and help those suffering.  Everyone keeps ‘passing the buck’ and continues to sit with the elephant in the room in not talking about it, not trying to find a solution – so when that happens, many suffering from mental illness are either unnecessarily incarcerated, alone or homeless.

I know of a few parents who are trying to deal with this problem on their own and it is NOT working.  These parents are slowly creating a quick and early demise for themselves as they have nowhere to turn and are adding undo stress into their lives.  Yet, these parents are torn because that IS their loved one, and they think they can help.

I definitely have no easy answers, especially since I’m not a medical professional.  All I know is that some of these many federal, state and local agencies – especially in the African American community – need to join forces with the mental health system and help!  Stop having so many high-dollar fundraising ‘dinners’ and unnecessary meetings and wasting tax-payer dollars and put those dollars into the mental health department where there are more available group homes or some where for these individuals to go to.  Building more prisons is not a solution, it’s creating more of a problem.  Again, those dollars meant to build prisons should be at least considered to go towards helping and creating solutions for our broken mental health system.  Those suffering shouldn’t have to feel alone.  They do not need to continue to be a danger to themselves as well as others.  They too deserve the help they so desperately need even, if it means having 24/7 medical staff (when needed) where they can eventually learn to lead a better, more normal life!

With all of the harsh winter weather we’ve had throughout the entire U.S. so far in 2014,  I wanted to add a few tips that have all to do with your health by keeping well, safe and warm – especially throughout areas that are not quite so accustomed to brutal cold, ice and snow.

• Be  prepared:  According to my local power company, their suggestions of some of the items you should have at home are flashlights,  heating fuel and for sure medications and/or medical kit.  With your local weather advisory prepping you for an upcoming storm, there should be a plan in place if at all possible to be sure that you have enough refills of your medications, pick them up and have with you in case of a power outage, being stranded, etc.  Also if at all possible, have  a flashlight, and a battery-powered radio with fresh batteries present.  They also suggest that you have a stock of nonperishable foods.  MY suggestions on that would be to be as healthy as you can in that manner.  If you have no allergens, then tuna, peanut butter, whole wheat bread, milk to your liking and plenty of soup (there’s plenty of soups out there now with 25% less sodium in them) would be a great start, along with your other nonperishables.  The power company also suggest that in case of a power outage, you should disconnect all appliances you were using when the power went off. Do leave one light (switch) on to tell whether your power has been restored.  Never plug a generator directly into your home’s electrical wiring.  Lastly but just as important would be to check on your neighbors, family, friends who particularly live alone (as well as pets).  Be SURE to help them in some way to find the appropriate help they need BEFORE a storm hits.
• Stranded in a storm:   After our “Atlanta Snowmageddon” we had a couple of weeks ago – over 2 inches of snow…… well let’s just say that we ALL should take responsibility and learn to be as prepared as possible in case one is stranded!  First off, listen, learn, observe and most importantly, take HEED to your local weather when they tell you that it IS a storm watch and/or warning coming in your area – that way, you will NOT be caught off guard.  It’s better to be overly cautious, than under-prepared!
• Learn to stay home!  If you’re not in a setting such as a nurse, doctor, healthcare provider or other emergency situations, then there is no need for you to be out .   If you are in a stranded situation, be prepared to have a blanket or two in the backseat of your car (preferably than the trunk as ice could form and you’d be unable to open the trunk), along with winter shoes/boots, pillows, warm clothing to include gloves, a pair of socks/feet warmers, a fully charged phone, full tank of gas, prescription medications/medicine kit, non-perishable foods,  energy bars, bottled water.  Have emergency numbers in your cell phone such as Red Cross, your department of transportation emergency number, shelters and yes hotels.  Again, it’s better to be prepared than not.  One last tip I forgot to mention which is very important – be sure to utilize an ATM machine prior to an ice storm.  Once there’s a power outage, you will not be able to use an ATM machine, credit card machines, etc., so be prepared to have cash on hand before the storm.

Empower YOUR health and stay prepared ahead  of the storm!

How many of us get so busy with our families, our children, our jobs?  Times are so different now,  we can’t even keep up with what day of the week it is!  We should begin to keep up with things like our medications, the types of medications, even your family members’ medications.  This can be vital when it comes to you and your family’s health.

On a daily basis, I transcribe multiple patient reports and a lot of these patients do not have a clue as to what he or she is taking or why.   A study published in 2010 (study actually taken in 2007-2008) showed children 12 and under took 2 or more prescription medications whereas older adults (60 and over) are taking 4 or more prescription medications – an increase of 76%!   I do understand that it can get very overwhelming – having multiple medical problems and having to take a number of medications for those health problems, but we have to start somewhere in getting a handle on this.

Though I myself take medications for my health issues, I’m not here to advocate taking medications nor advocating for an individual to not taking medications.  I do feel though that taking 20+ medications is a bit much!  Even many doctors have indicated in their dictation that that is way too many medications to be taking.  This is where you come in to empower YOUR health!  For those taking multiple medications, there’s nothing wrong with getting with your doctors and saying hey, can there be some adjustments made to my meds?  Do I really need this or that?  Can taking a particular vitamin or even eating certain types of food suffice rather than taking this medication and risking side effects?

We have so much at our exposure these days – the internet, different devices, different apps where we can read, learn, etc. yet we know so little about our own health, our medications, our own family medical history.  Hospitals and clinics are now finally getting acclimated to the technology that is available to them as well as to you, the patient, by providing applications to download your health information to include your history, your labs, your medications, etc., most at no cost to you!.

Here at youempoweryourhealth.com, I’m hopeful that this will be a place where you can get just a slice of the pie and begin your journey to the wealth of information that is available to you by educating you on different medication names and its usage  with my weekly “say what/defining words” section (and other blogs and medical terms) and getting YOU to understanding your health, your body, your meds and begin to take action for a healthier you!