Much like humans, many dogs can suffer some level of hearing loss.  It is important for the dog owners to be able to detect the signs which may indicate a loss of hearing.  When such a situation arises, it is important for the dog owner to ensure that their furry family member receives appropriate veterinary care.  It is also important for people who live with hearing impaired or deaf dogs to learn how to communicate with, and care for their pets, so they can continue leading comfortable and happy lives.

Acquired deafness (the loss of hearing in a dog that could previously hear) can occur for any number of reasons.  Some of the causes of hearing loss include:  dirt, hair, excessive amounts of wax, or other material blocking the ear canal; infections in the internal or middle ear; swelling or inflammation of the ear canal; ear mites; head trauma; loud noise; certain drugs; and most commonly, old age.

Some things to look for that may indicate that your dog is deaf, suffering from hearing loss, or experiencing ear problems that have the potential to lead to hearing loss include:  change in obedience or lack of attentiveness; excessive barking; unresponsiveness to sounds; head shaking; itchy and/or painful ears; a smelly discharge from the ears; difficulty being woken up; head tilts toward the side of the affected ear.

If you suspect that your dog is having trouble hearing, there are some simple tests that you can do.  One test involves sneaking up behind your dog and snapping your fingers or clapping your hands and observing your dog’s reaction to the sound.  You will want to do this from a distance so your dog  doesn’t sense you.  If you determine that your dog is suffering from some level of hearing impairment, have this confirmed by your veterinarian.  Some of the causes of hearing loss are treatable.  Also, there are veterinarian specialists (neurologists) who are able to confirm deafness.

There are many things that you can do to keep you hearing impaired dog safe.  They should be kept in a fenced yard or on a leash while outside.  Children should be taught how to behave around, and interact with, deaf dogs.

It is also extremely important to learn how to communicate with, and train, your dog using hand signals.  Whether you use American Sign Language, standard obedience signs, or signals of your own development, it is very important that you and other people who interact with your dog, are consistent with the signs that you use.  Additionally, it is wise to use signs that require only one hand and can be easily detected by your dog from a distance away.

Whether you have been disabled on the job, you were disabled in an accident on your own time, or you were disabled because of an illness, you have rights.  You may be able to continue working with some reasonable accommodations, as designated by the  Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you were disabled on the job, you may be able to qualify for worker’s compensation.  If your company does not provide worker’s compensation benefits, it is likely that they offer short-term and long-term disability insurance.

Short-term and long-term disability insurance will provide compensation whether you are disabled in a work-related accident or something completely separated from work, if it inhibits your ability to carry out your job function.  This includes disabilities related to illness.

One thing to keep in mind about long-term disability insurance is that you should seek legal council before applying for benefits.  Many of the questions on the application are confusing and answering them incorrectly can mean that you will not be awarded benefits.  There are attorneys who specialize exclusively in long-term disability.  These are the attorneys that you will need to consult with.

Another option for disability benefits includes Social Security Disability (SSDI).  To be awarded Social Security Disability, you have to be unable to work in any job, not just your job (as is frequently the case for long-term disability).  It is also important to know that about 3/4 of people who apply for Social Security Disability are denied the first time, so you will need to be prepared to appeal your claim.  Applying for Social Security Disability is another time when you need legal representation.  The SSDI application also has some confusing questions that if answered incorrectly, can prevent you from ever being awarded SSDI benefits.

For more detailed information, visit the Disability Explained website:  http://disabiliyexplained.org/

A stroke is a potentially deadly event caused by a lack of oxygen to parts or all of the brain.  This situation comes about from one of two causes, a blood clot that hits one of the major blood vessels in the brain, blocking blood flow and delivery of oxygen to a portion of the brain.  The other cause of a stroke is a brain aneurysm, the weakening of the walls of a blood vessel, that under pressure (typically an increase in blood pressure) ruptures, allowing blood to flow out of the blood vessel and into the brain tissue.  Because the blood is not being properly transported through the blood vessels to all parts of the brain, parts of the brain will not receive the oxygenated blood.  Regardless of the underlying cause, the longer the cells of the brain go without delivery of the oxygenated blood, the more brain cells will die.  A good way to remember what to do in the event of a suspected stroke is to think FAST.

1. Inspect for weakness or numbness in the face (the “F” in FAST is for face) by asking the individual to smile.  If one side of the individual’s face droops or the person is unable to smile, it may be evidence of a stroke.  Strokes cause numbness or weakness in the muscles of the face, typically limited to only one side.

2. Look for weakness of the muscles.  Ask the individual to try to raise both arms (the “A” in FAST is for arms).  If one of the arms can’t be raised or drifts down, this may be evidence that a stroke has occurred.  Strokes frequently cause  numbness or weakness of the muscles in the legs and arms, again, this is generally limited to only one side of the body.  The affected individual may also be experiencing difficulty maintaining balance or walking.

3. Ask the individual to repeat a simple phrase.  If the person’s speech (the “S” in FAST is for speech) is difficult to understand or slurred, or the person has difficulty remembering the words to repeat, this may be  symptoms of a stroke.  Strokes can cause trouble with cognition and speaking ability, in addition to disorientation and faintness.

4. Seek medical help right away if you or another person experiences any of these signs of a stroke.  You should either call 911 or get the person immediately to the hospital.  Inform the emergency medical staff that the person is experiencing a potential stroke, so appropriate treatment can be started right away. Time (which is the “T” in FAST) is the most critical factor in helping someone to survive a stroke or limit the effects.

Now that you know what to watch for, if you or someone around you experiences some or all of these symptoms, you will be able to recognize the symptoms as indicating a potential stroke.  You will also be able to recognize that the affected person is in desperate need of emergency medical attention as quickly as possible.

An autoimmune disease is an illness that arises when the tissues of the body are attacked by the body’s own immune system.  The immune system is a complex organization within the body that is designed normally to protect the body from invaders, including infectious agents.  It is common for patients with autoimmune diseases to have unusual antibodies circulating in their blood that target their own body tissues.

The term “autoimmune disease” actually refers to a varied group of more than 80 known severe, incurable illnesses that can involve nearly every human organ system.  In every one of these diseases, the underlying problem is the same, the body’s immune system becomes confused, and attacks the organs that it was created to protect.

Research of autoimmune diseases has not yet uncovered the mechanisms that cause the immune system to “get confused”.  According to the American Autoimmune Related Disease Association, one theory is that certain microorganisms and drugs can somehow trigger this communication error in the immune system response, especially in patients with a genetic predisposition to autoimmune disease.

It is possible,  for an individual to suffer from more than one autoimmune disease at the same time.  In fact, the presence of one autoimmune disease increases the chances of developing additional simultaneous autoimmune diseases.  It is also common for members of the same family to have autoimmune diseases, although they often do not have the same autoimmune disease.  This may mean that the predisposition for many autoimmune disorders is carried on the same gene.

Autoimmune diseases occur more frequently in women than in men.  It is thought that estrogen may influence the immune system, making some women predisposed to develop an autoimmune disease.  Since men naturally have significantly lower levels of estrogen that women do, this could be the reason that more women than men develop autoimmune diseases.

Many of the more than 100 types of arthritis and its associated illnesses are considered to be autoimmune related diseases.  Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease.  Other common autoimmune diseases are:  systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile (type 1) diabetes, celiac disease, Addison’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, alopecia areata, and many more.

Tennis elbow is characterized by pain on the outside (also known as the lateral) of the elbow with tenderness on or under the bony prominence of the joint.  The pain usually comes on gradually, and causes discomfort in motions associated with lifting, gripping, and carrying.  Pain is frequent with tennis elbow and may radiate down the arm toward the wrist.  Motions such as bending the arm, lifting, or grasping even light-weight objects like a book, can cause extreme pain.  It is common for people with tennis elbow to experience difficulty in extending their forearm fully.  This is caused by inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.  Typically, the pain that is associated with tennis elbow only lasts for about 6 to 12 weeks.  However, there are cases of tennis elbow that can last for as little as a couple of weeks or as long as a few years.

The cause of the inflammation and pain related to tennis elbow are tiny tears in muscle coverings and tendons.  After the initial injury heals, it is common for these same areas to tear again.  This repeated tearing can lead to hemorrhaging and the formation of granulated tissue and calcium deposits in the tissues of the affected area.  A protein, called collagen, leaks out of the injured tissues, which causes inflammation.  The resulting pressure, caused by the inflammation, can hinder the flow of blood to the elbow, as well as pinch the radial nerve.  The radial nerve is one of the main nerves responsible for controlling the arm and hand.

Tendons, that connect muscle to bone, heal more slowly than muscles do, because they do not have the same quantity of blood supply.  It is for this reason that tennis elbow can last for years, even though the swelling subsides after only 6 to 12 weeks.

Tennis elbow that only has involvement of the tendons is considered a form of tendonitis.  However, in many cases the muscles and bones are also involved, and when they are, the condition is called epicondylitis.  If the pain is felt directly on the back of the elbow, rather than the outside of the elbow and down the arm, the pain is likely caused by bursitis, rather than tennis elbow.  If the joint is visibly swollen, which is extremely rare in cases of tennis elbow, other conditions should be investigated like a tumor, gout, or arthritis.

To get relief from the pain of tennis elbow, it is most effective to rest the affected arm until the pain dissipates, then massage the affected area to reduce muscle tension, then exercise the joint to prevent re-injuring the area.  There are a variety of medical treatments for tennis elbow, but the bottom line is that it is not possible to prevent re-injury unless the joint stops being stressed.

In minor cases of tennis elbow, aspirin or ibuprofen work well to reduce pain and inflammation, while the joint is being rested and allowed to heal.  This can be followed by massage and exercise to increase the rate of healing.  However, when rest and anti-inflammatory drugs do not relieve the pain, you should seek medical attention.

Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.  It is a form of meningococcal disease, which is an illness caused by the bacteria meningococci, also called Nisseria meningitidis.  Although meningicoccal disease is quite rare, it is extremely serious.  The infection can progress very rapidly and is fatal in roughly ten percent of cases.  If the infection is diagnosed in the early stages and treated quickly with the correct antibiotics, most people will recover completely.

The common illnesses caused by meningoccal bacteria are:

• Meningitis- an infection in the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
• Septicemia- infection in the bloodstream, or bacteria in the blood.

There are five types of meningococcal bacteria.  In the United States, a vaccine is available that prevents infection with four of the five types of meningococcal bacteria.

Meningococcal disease occurs most frequently in the winter and spring months, although the disease can occur all year long and in any age group.

Meningococcal bacteria is a common bacteria that live naturally in the back of the nose and throat of approximately 5-15% of the population without causing any type of illness. People in any age range can be “carriers” of the germs without showing any form of illness.  These carriers will develop immunity to the strains that they are carrying.  Although all people are carriers at some point in their lives, carriers are most commonly young adults, particularly men and smokers.

In a very few people, a specific strain of the bacteria is able to get through the lining of the throat, and enter into the bloodstream and cause invasive meningococcal disease, in the forms of meningitis and septicemia.

It is quite difficult to spread the meningococcal bacteria, as they can only be transmitted from person to person through regular, close, extended household and intimate contact with secretions of the back of the nose and throat.    Meningicoccal bacteria can only be found in humans and are not able to live outside of the body for more than a few seconds.  The disease is not transmitted from the environment or animals.  The majority of cases occur randomly and have no relation to any other cases.  Outbreaks where more than one person is affected are very infrequent.

The following is a list of potential symptoms associated with meningococcal disease in older children and adults:

The symptoms associated with meningococcal disease in infants and young children is similar to the list above, but may include the following additional symptoms:

When to Seek Medical Attention:

• You know your family and friends better than anybody.  If someone close to you is showing some of these symptoms, and you believe them to be much sicker than just a normal  “bug”, you should seek immediate medical attention.
• In the very early stage of meningococcal disease, the symptoms can appear to be like other, less serious illnesses.  Physicians may not immediately recognize the symptoms as being related to meningococcal disease.  You should not hesitate to seek medical attention again-even if it has only been one hour since you were last at the doctor’s office.
• If a person seems to be sicker, has developed a sudden rash, or becomes drowsy, seek immediate medical help.
• Young adults should not be left alone if they suddenly develop a fever.  There is a strong likelihood that they will become severely ill very rapidly.

Early Antibiotic Treatment is Critical:

• When meningococcal disease is suspected, an antibiotic is administered immediately.  People with meningococcal disease are always admitted to the hospital and may have to be admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
• The earlier that treatment with antibiotics and other treatments begin, the less damage that the disease will be able to cause.  However,  this is an extremely serious infection , which has the potential to progress very quickly despite the best medical treatments.

People in Close Contact Should Consider Taking Antibiotics

The majority of people who have had contact with an infected person, like coworkers or school friends, will not require antibiotics.  However, very close contacts to a person who is infected, should be identified and offered a short course of antibiotic treatment in accordance with the public health guidelines for the management of meningococcal disease.

Close contacts may include some or all of the following:

• A girlfriend or boyfriend
• People who live in the same household
• Children in a day care center or preschool who have spent time in the same room with the infected person.
• Anyone who has stayed overnight with the infected person in the 7 days leading up to the appearance of the illness.
• Anyone who has kissed or shared eating utensils, toothbrushes, drink containers, or cigarettes with the affected person.

**Please note:  preventative antibiotics are only effective at getting meningococcal bacteria from the throat, but are not effective as treatment for meningococcal disease nor do they guarantee that an individual will not develop the disease.**

What to do if you see symptoms of meningococcal disease:

If you become aware of symptoms that could be associated with meningitis or septicemia, contact your doctor right away, call 911 to get an ambulance, or get to the closest hospital emergency room as quickly as possible.  Remember that early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to the patient’s survival.

What does arthritis feel like? If you have ever suffered with an aching back, throbbing knees, or painful joints, you have an idea of what the pain of arthritis feels like. At best, arthritis causes occasional problems for those who suffer from it; at worst, arthritis pain can affect the quality of someone’s life, and make their days very difficult.

There are many different ways to cope with the pain of arthritis. Here are a few that might help:

The best way to start is to avoid pain altogether. This can be done by exercising regularly, protecting your joints, and getting enough rest. Exercising might seem like the opposite of what you feel like doing, and it might seem that it could make your pain even worse; but exercising helps keep your joints loose and your muscles strong, and promotes flexibility, all of which can lessen arthritis pain.

Protect your joints by opting for low-impact exercises and everyday activities that make life easier on your joints. Use self-help devices, like long-distance reachers and easy-open can helpers, to make everyday items easier to handle. If you do start to hurt after doing something in particular, respect the pain and understand that you have done too much – it’s time to rest for a bit.

Getting enough rest matters. The rest will take stress off your joints and give inflammation time to go down. Don’t hesitate to take prescription medications or over the counter drugs as directed by your doctor; that’s what they are meant for. Plenty of sleep also reduces your stress levels, and that helps you handle pain.

When you do have pain, try hot and cold therapy to ease it. Take medications as directed. Always pay attention to the pain and take steps to combat it before it gets too severe. If you have a brace, wrap, or other device to wear that will help alleviate the pain, wear it! Consider massage for some types of arthritis, as well as relaxation therapy, acupressure, and acupuncture. Understand what causes the pain, and you might find that knowledge makes it all easier to handle.

Keep in mind that eventually, you might need surgical intervention. Don’t see this as a failure, but rather, as an opportunity to live your life without pain for at least a little while. Try all the other options first, however, and don’t expect miracles to happen – arthritis is a painful condition you will live with for the rest of your life, but there are certainly options that can make the situation easier.

A cleft palate is a birth defect that happens when the roof of a baby’s mouth does not develop correctly while in the womb.  This causes an opening or “cleft” in the roof of the baby’s mouth that may go all of the way to the baby’s nasal cavity.  It is possible for a cleft to form on any part of the palate.  A cleft palate may appear alone as the only birth defect, or in combination with other birth defects of the face and skull.  A cleft lip is a birth defect that is commonly seen in children with cleft palates.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are the most commonly occurring birth defects of the head and neck.  Until a cleft palate is surgically repaired, the child can experience issues with feeding, hearing, and speaking.

Although the causes of a cleft palate are not well understood, there is some evidence that a baby is more likely to have this birth defect if the mother takes certain medications while she is pregnant, smokes while she is pregnant, uses alcohol or illegal drugs while she is pregnant, the mother is exposed to infection or radiation while pregnant, or there is a history of cleft palates in the family.  It is extremely important to take care of yourself when you are pregnant to ensure the overall health of your baby.

Some forms of cleft palate are easily identifiable and affect the overall look of the baby’s face.  However, cleft palates that do not change the outward appearance of a baby’s face are generally visible when looking in the baby’s mouth.

The location of the cleft is actually far more important than how the cleft looks.  For example, a small cleft in the south palate is likely to cause more problems than a large visible cleft, because of the affect on speech.

Many babies with cleft palates have difficulty feeding because they are not able to suck or swallow normally.  This may not always be the case, especially if  the cleft is treated.

Cleft palates are relatively easy to diagnose.  A physician will examine the baby’s mouth shortly after birth.

Fetal ultrasounds can sometimes find cleft palates as early as 14 to 16 weeks into the pregnancy.  For this to happen, the cleft palate usually has to be quite severe and occur with a cleft lip.  Ultrasounds are not always able to pick up the birth defect, so doctors do not rely on fetal ultrasounds to diagnose cleft palates.

Treatment for a cleft palate usually involves surgery and is scheduled between 12 and 18 months of age.  The child may require several surgeries to completely treat a cleft palate, but the condition is typically resolved by the time the child reaches his teens.

Some children with cleft palates require further treatment for other issues, such as  hearing, speech, or teeth problems; sinus and ear infections; and problems from surgery.