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Statistics of War and Trauma

Statistics are unfortunate things — rarely offering relief, too often instead demanding tragedy. Numbers are assigned to life and the result is a proof of failure: with the population defined by their symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (typically named PTSD) is no exception to this. Anxiety shapes this disease, with extreme emotional disturbance plaguing those who have it. A scattering of its symptoms include: intrusive memories, a sense of hopeless, lack of focus, guilt, anger and exhaustion. These feelings are pervasive, unable to be dismissed with mere time. And the percentages offered to them are disheartening — especially within the military.

As of 2011 there are dramatic increases among soldiers regarding this disease, and they must be acknowledged. This is the only way to combat them.

It’s estimated that 19 percent of soldiers experience PTSD in its most aggressive form (with the majority of these being female). 70 percent of all soldiers, however, show signs of the disease — especially after continuous combat. Over half of these individuals are also female. Five percent of the entire American population is burdened with Post-Traumatic Stress; and this number increases due to the impact of families, friends and beyond.

These percentages are distressing. They must not, however, be ignored because of that. Soldiers suffer from this illness. They therefore deserve help. Choosing to dismiss the statistics won’t offer any relief — for them or their loved ones. Instead these facts must be understood by all and used to create better treatments.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder exists. The proof is in the numbers.

Filed Under: Family Support, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Tagged With: Health, Posttraumatic stress disorder, United States

How You Can Help Troops Overseas

Being a soldier who sees combat is one of the most stressful jobs in existence. Auto racers, ski jumpers, rock climbers, ski mountaineers, pilots, and sky divers all see a lot of stressful activity and fearful episodes, but individuals in these professions are not doing the one thing that intensifies the soldier’s stressful experience tremendously. No one is actively trying to kill participants in these other careers! By definition, a soldier is placed in the line of fire, which is historically a very dangerous and stressful place to be.

To help reduce stress for a soldier is a wonderful thing, and towards that end, you can make useful contributions by writing correspondence, or even sending small gifts, to soldiers in war-torn areas such as Iraq. By showing interest in their lives and daily complications, you create a sense of care and concern that may be otherwise lacking in a soldier’s existence. Your support is a tremendous benefit. You don’t have to have a bachelor degree in English to write a meaningful letter. Anything you send, from cards to words of appreciation and encouragement will be appreciated by soldiers.

By showing yourself knowledgeable of the trials that soldiers face, your written voice will ring loud and clear to those serving in the armed forces. You don’t need to know everything about soldier life to show appreciation. But if you demonstrate how clued in you are to the everyday stress of bombs and bullets, you will probably manage to grow a small fan club among a set of soldiers – the one you’re writing to regularly, and his group of buddies!

Filed Under: Veteran Resources Tagged With: Iraq, Soldier, United States

Improve Your Health to Improve Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

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It doesn’t matter if couples live in the United States, Iraq, India, or Australia, they can have problems getting pregnant. Research shows that half the time, there’s a physical problem with the male partner, and the other half of cases involve physical problems with the female. While some infertility problems will require intense therapies and intervention, there are some things you can do to improve your chances of getting pregnant.

First, make sure that you’re physically fit. Being fit doesn’t mean being skinny. It does mean improving your diet and exercising regularly. By doing these things, you’ll lose those extra 10, 15, or 20 pounds that have been hanging around your waist since college. Second, avoid tobacco products entirely and alcohol during and after ovulation. Both can negatively impact your reproductive system. Try to reduce your stress. This can be very difficult to do, but be intentional about setting aside time to unwind, clear your head, and relax your body. Many people find acupuncture and massage therapy to be excellent ways to make the stress melt away.

Women, specifically, should visit their doctor for a check-up before trying to get pregnant. This will help you identify any underlying health issues that need to be addressed to ensure that you can get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy. Moms-to-be should also begin taking a vitamin that’s specially designed for pregnant women. Be sure to choose a product that has the minimum amount of folic acid, about 400 micrograms.

If you’ve already tackled all of these health issues and are still struggling to get pregnant, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor after six to nine months. Since most couples achieve a pregnancy within a year, there may not be any medical concerns. However, if it’s been a year or more, it’s definitely time to discuss with your doctor what could be preventing you from getting pregnant.

Filed Under: Medical Resources Tagged With: Folic acid, Health, India, Iraq, Nutrition, Pregnancy, Reproductive Health, United States

Yoga for Health

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With the stresses of daily life as well as the need to get more done in a day, the tension and stress in our body builds up without adequate rest and relaxation. No matter how busy your day is or how stressful, you can always find a few minutes here and there for some simple yoga techniques to help relax and realign your body.

There are many different kinds of yoga with different goals, but the central goal of all forms of yoga is the health and wellbeing of the human body. It doesn’t matter where you practice yoga. It can be in the privacy of your own home, in a structured class or even in your office or cubicle at lunch time. There are no downsides to yoga; by regularly performing yoga you can teach your mind and body to relax. A relaxed body and mind processes stress much more efficiently, and it has a better overall mental health. Yoga teaches the individual to focus only on the positive and how to let go of negative energies.

It’s not just your mind that will benefit from regular yoga sessions. Yoga also strengthens the body, and will improve your overall fitness. Yoga can also improve your vitality and energy, and it can increase your metabolism and aid in weight loss. In addition, not only does yoga as a form of exercise increase the dopamine and serotonin levels in your brain, but these hormones directly impact your sense of wellbeing and happiness.

It doesn’t take much time or effort to sneak in a few minutes of yoga here and there; even a little bit of yoga during your day can make a huge difference. Optimally, you should try to schedule a class or spend time with a video in your home. An hour or two of yoga per week can increase the overall health of your body and mind.

Filed Under: Medical Resources Tagged With: Canada, Health, Mental health, Mind, Religion and Spirituality, Teachers and Centers, United States, Yoga

Tips to Help you Sleep Better

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Getting a good night sleep is integral to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, despite knowing this, many of us still rob ourselves of both quality and duration of sleep. The following are a few tips to help you sleep better.

1. No exercise or eating within a few hours of bedtime. Eating snacks prior to going to sleep can be filled with sugar or other carbohydrates that can give you energy when you want to be relaxing and winding down. Exercise has a similar effect. Exercise prepares revitalizes your body when it should be slowing down.

2. Turn out the lights! A dark, cool and quiet bedroom is essential for quality sleep. If there are disturbing outside noises, invest in a white noise maker. Get your room as dark and cool as you can by using dark shades or curtains and cover up the little green and red lights on electronic equipment.

3. No alcohol before sleeping. While alcohol may make you feel relaxed and loose, it will end up disturbing your sleep when the effects wear off. Plus, indulging in a few late night drinks can end up making your night even longer by postponing the time you would normally go to sleep.

4. Routine is important. Going to bed and waking up at the same time may seem like something from our grade school years, but the fact is that the body becomes adjusted to certain routines. By establishing a pattern of sleeping and waking at the same time, your body will begin to relax naturally before bed and you will awaken feeling refreshed.

Getting a good night sleep may seem like a simple thing in theory, but it can be difficult to carry out. Hopefully these tips will help you establish good sleeping habits.

Filed Under: Medical Resources Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, Health, Physical exercise, Research, Shopping, Sleep, Sleep disorder, United States

The Aftermath of Stress: lapalomatreatment.com

War is never ending. It is not contained within the battlefield, forgotten on foreign soils. It is not abandoned with a return to familiar places, the home that was left behind. Instead it echoes within every thought, every gesture. And there are those who cannot overcome this, are instead lost within their own memories.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (more commonly called PTSD) has seen a drastic increase as the conflict in Iraq continues. Soldiers returning to America find themselves unable to cope with such a stark change, with what they once witnessed. They are flung then into a sudden despair, unprepared for the world they must now face. It is estimated that 30 percent of soldiers will suffer from this disorder – and, from that percentage, will come a far sadder one.

Between seven and nine percent of these individuals will succumb to an addiction. Substance abuse is common among veterans (with many attempting it occasionally to dull the memories); but that abuse can shift into a far greater danger with startling ease. The need to forget – to find some form of relief – is overwhelming, and soldiers will begin to increase the frequency of such drugs as: cocaine, heroin and alcohol.

This is a tragedy. That cannot be denied. It is also, however, treatable. Individuals who are no longer serving their country cannot be allowed to fall victim to addiction. Instead they must be offered help. There are countless institutions, like lapalomatreatment.com, that provide physical and psychological aid. The dependency on drugs is recognized, but the cause is not forgotten. Intensive one-on-one therapy and shared group sessions will help veterans regain what they have lost. And medication is offered – in highly controlled doses – to combat panic attacks, depression and stress.

PTSD is an unfortunate consequence of war. It can be cured, however. Individuals must simply refuse addiction and seek treatment instead.

Filed Under: Veteran Resources Tagged With: Posttraumatic stress disorder, Substance abuse, United States

Reducing Stress Will Improve Your Health

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Experts believe it’s important to your overall health to reduce your stress. Instead of letting stress leave you exhausted, fight the stress and look for ways to reduce the causes of stress in your life. Here are several strategies for doing that.

•Avoid stressful people and situations. If being around certain people or being in particular situations can drive up your stress levels, then limit your exposure to these circumstances. If cleaning the house or running errands leaves you stressed, it’s worthwhile to hire someone to do these things for you from time to time. Even giving yourself an occasional break will reduce your overall stress.
•Create opportunities to relax. Be intentional about carving out time to relax. Maybe you can get up 10 minutes early to go for a quick jog around the block. Perhaps you can let your spouse put the kids to bed while you read a chapter in a favorite book. Skip the shower and take a bath instead. Relaxing your mind and body, even for brief periods of time, will help fight the symptoms of stress.
•Get plenty of rest. Stress is almost always associated with fatigue. Do your best to get adequate sleep at night and rest during the day. Instead of always doing chores while the kids nap, allow yourself to rest at least once a week.
•Learn to let go. Many people stress over obligations, responsibilities, and the expectations of others. While there are some things you simply have to do, learn to identify the things that are not absolutely essential and let them go. Simply prioritizing and recognizing that your to-do list can be shortened will almost immediately reduce stress.

By reducing stress, you’ll simply feel better and healthier. You also will not be as susceptible to getting sick because chronic stress can have a negative impact on your immune system.

Filed Under: Family Support Tagged With: Chronic stress, Health, Mental health, Reducing Stress (Essential Managers), Stress, Stress management, Time management, United States

Get Health Advice from Your Doctor Before Traveling Overseas

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Planning to travel overseas creates lots of excitement. You’ve probably got a long to-do list. Make sure that a visit to your doctor is on that list. Among other things, you’ll want to get the appropriate vaccines for the country you plan to visit.

A pre-travel doctor’s visit should cover several areas. First, doctors should discuss with their patients the vaccines that the Centers for Disease Control recommend for travelers visiting particular countries. There are some standard vaccines like tetanus/diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, and meningococcal that you should have regardless of where you’re going. Then, you’ll want to see what additional vaccines are needed in accordance with your travel plans. For example, people traveling to certain parts of Asia and Africa may want to take the typhoid vaccine. Be sure to ask your doctor about the risks and side effects associated with each vaccine. Depending on where you plan to go in country and the length of your stay, it may not be worth getting a vaccine because of the possible side effects. (This is especially true with vaccines for illnesses like Japanese encephalitis.) Because most vaccines do not provide immediate protection, it’s recommended that you schedule your doctor’s visit at least a month before you plan to travel to another country.

Besides getting you properly vaccinated, your doctor should also talk to you about how to stay healthy in country. Washing your hands frequently and being cautious about eating raw food and drinking tap water are important topics to discuss with your doctor. If you’re concerned about food-borne illnesses, ask your doctor about getting a prescription for Ciprofloxacin. This short course of antibiotics is an ideal treatment for moderate to severe diarrhea. Cipro targets many bacteria and is effective in treating stomach illnesses you may encounter in a number of countries. By visiting your doctor before you travel, you’ll be well prepared to protect your health during your trip.

Filed Under: Veteran Resources Tagged With: Africa, Asia, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ciprofloxacin, Travel, United States, Vaccination, Vaccine

Assisted Living Facilities & Special Needs

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The decision to move elderly family members to an assisted living facility is a difficult choice. This decision is more difficult if the elderly person has special needs. Retired military personal may suffer chronic health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress, due to their time in the service. Some may take medications to handle the pain of old war injuries. These individuals may need a special assisted living facility.

Even if the person is still mobile and independent, he or she may need help with daily needs, such as cooking, doing laundry, or driving. Choosing the best assisted living facility that offers these special services is important. The goal with an assisted living facility is to provide a measure of independence to the elderly who do not need to be in a nursing home.

An assisted living center can range from condominium-type individual apartments to smaller accommodations centered on common living spaces. These communities offer various programs. Some of the more popular options are meals, recreation, shuttles, and 24-hour medical assistance. Some facilities may offer bathing and dressing assistance, while others may only help with the daily domestic chores. Your choice may depend on the level of care your family member requires.

In addition to considering the services available, you may want to evaluate the other residents. Your dad or mom may feel better at a place that caters to retired military personal. Their memories of the wars they served in can act as a common ground for friendships to develop. Residents with similar backgrounds may also understand health concerns related to war better than those who have never served.

Making the decision to move your loved one to an assisted living facility may not be easy, but it may become your only option. With the right planning, you can find the facility that will work best for your family member.

Filed Under: Family Support Tagged With: assistedliving, Nursing home, United States

How to Help Your Soldier Readjust to Civilian Life After Returning from the Iraq War

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If you have a spouse that was serving in the war in Iraq and is now coming home, you likely have mixed emotions. While, obviously you are ecstatic to have them out of the war zone and back at home with you but a concern regarding how the readjustment will go is likely growing in the back of your mind. Welcoming the soldier back into the home can take some major readjustments from both you and the spouse. Here are a few tips on how you can make this process go as smoothly as possible and hopefully not have any major problems during the readjustment phase.

Be Willing to Compromise

When your spouse returns from war, they will likely be eager to pick back up their former duties around the household. However, since you became accustomed to completing these duties while they were away, you may not think twice about just completing them by yourself. However, you should take some time to think about how your actions are affecting the soldier because they may see this as a sign that they aren’t needed or that you don’t want their help.

Therefore, although you know that you are quite able to complete certain tasks without their help, you should still compromise and ask for assistance. This will help the soldier feel like they are part of the family and can help give them a sense of purpose during the adjustment phase.

Provide Encouragement

The soldier will likely have some time off after returning from war before they will need to return to their former civilian job, if they were just a part time military person before going to war. If this is the case, then you should encourage them to take all of the available time off to readjust and start a few new hobbies. Trying a new hobby can be a wonderful way for the soldier to better adjust to civilian life and can give them something to focus on during this trying time.

Filed Under: Veteran Resources Tagged With: History, Iraq, Iraq War, Soldier, Twentieth Century, United States, Warfare and Conflict, Wars and Conflicts