**Everyday Heath on Ebola

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/ebola-what-every-american-needs-to-know/?xid=salesnl_8690_20141029
Dr. Sanjay Gupta from Everyday Health talks about Ebola.  He says it is a deadly disease, but not very contagious.  It is hard to catch from someone else as you ha e to come in contact with their fluids.  It however only needs skin contact, no open sore. 

Halloween Safety Notes

This list is taken from the book Halloween: A True Book by Dana Meachen Rau
1. Take an adult with you and only visit houses of people you know.
2. Wearing makeup is safer than wearing a mask because it is easier for you to see.
3. If you do wear a mask, be sure the eye holes are large.  Please take it off when you have to cross the road.
4. Be sure your costume in nonflammable.  Also be sure it is bright enough to be seen in the dark.  If it isn't, wear reflective tape.
5. Be sure your costume isn't too long.  You don't want to trip on it.
6. Don't eat any candy until and adult checks through it [and takes the best pieces.]  [] is my addition.

Prevencion de Suicidio y Crisis: Folleto de Condado de Santa Clara

http://billywardlehealthasiseeit.blogspot.com/2014/10/suicide-prevention.html

**SuicideisPreventable.org

You should always be aware of where others may be coming from.  You may save a life

**Ebola: Letter from Jeff Smith, County Executive

I am taking excerpts from a letter by Jeff Smith, Santa Clara County Executive

...Please know there is no Ebola in Santa Clara County.  The risk of Ebola infection in our community is extremely low and we mean to keep it that way...

There are a few things that you should know about the current situation:  

 

Ebola only spreads from sick people and is not spread through the air or water.  The virus spreads only by contact with bodily fluids from an infected person.  It is NOT SPREAD by people who have been exposed to the disease but are not yet sick.  In essence, spread of this disease requires very close contact with an infected individual.

...Ambulance providers are now being required to begin all patient interactions by asking those who have a fever whether he or she has traveled to Sierra Leone, Liberia, or Guinea. These are the countries in West Africa where Ebola is currently spreading. 

...Staff at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center are currently screening patients for travel to the West African countries mentioned above and symptoms of a possible Ebola infection, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.  

   

REMEMBER THESE EBOLA FACTS

·         There is no Ebola in Santa Clara County or California.

·         Santa Clara County has been preparing and continues to prepare for the extremely unlikely chance that a person in Santa Clara County becomes sick with Ebola.

·         The Santa Clara County Public Health Department has provided information to medical providers and hospitals in our community so that they are informed and prepared.

·         Ebola can only be spread by contact with the bodily fluids of a person who is sick and has symptoms of the disease. The disease is ONLY spread by direct contact with a sick person’s body fluids.

**Suicide Crisis and Prevention: Pamphlet Santa Clara County

This pamphlet explains itself.  It includes prevention, intervention and postvention services.

**Stroke: Fast Action Saves Brain Cells

http://www.everydayhealth.com/stroke/stroke-treatment-every-second-counts.aspx?pos=2&xid=nl_EverydayHealthManagingDiabetes_20141010
I am paraphrasing an article from Everyday Health:
Quick action, getting to the emergency department, in the case of a stroke can save brain cells.  In other words, it saves lives and can reduce the loss of functioning.  A stroke basically means that blood cells are dying due to a problems with blood circulation.  Strokes come in two types: ischemic and hemorrhagic.  In ischemic a blood clot is stopping blood from getting to a part of the brain.  In hemorrhagic, a blood vessel has burst leaking blood into the brain.  In both cases quick action is needed.  However to act quickly you have to recognize a stroke.  This article suggests, "Signs may be subtle — someone just isn't quite normal, seems tired, confused, or uncoordinated."  I googled "signs of a stroke" and got this result:

• SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.
• SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause.

In the stroke caused by blood clot, there is a treatment that can eat the clot, if administered within three hours of the stroke.  The blood leakage stroke is more lethal, and causes more damage to the brain.  But again timely treatment is needed.   Strokes vary based on size and location.  Even a small stroke, in a delicate location can have big effects.  We should all be aware of stroke signs, and the need for timely action.  I know at Valley Medical Center where I work they have a stroke team, just as they have a code blue team.  This is to give treatment in a timely manner for the best results.

**Book Review: Suicide: The Forever Decision

Suicide: The Forever Decision: For Those Thinking about Suicide, and for Those Who Know, Love or Counsel Them; New Expanded Edition by: Paul G. Quinnett, Crossroad Publishing, New York, 1987, 2011 printing.
I have been studying this book for some time.  Mr Quinnett writes this book with the intent of engaging those considering suicide, getting them to slow down and take another look, and then presents some of the things they should consider.  He starts asking people to take a step back.  And then take another look at how they came to this point.  One of the aspects of suicidal thought, is that we often have some illogical thinking, based on some erroneous ideas.  Quinnett does a very good job of looking at some of this thinking, and refuting it.
He warns about the danger of anger, and alcohol and drugs when mixed with thoughts of suicide. He has a very good chapter on family and suicide.  We should not attempt suicide to get at our family. 
He ends with a couple other ideas to consider.  What if I don't succeed, but leave myself permanently disabled or in pain or whatever.  And also what about those who are left behind.  He describes the act of suicide like a hand grenade.  Many people get hurt from suicide, not just the person who commits the suicide. 
He ends with talking of the help that is available, although he says professional help is not always needed.  There are clergy, family and others who can provide support.  He makes a good point, suicide prevention is one of the primary functions of mental health workers.  He also makes an observation that there are many causes of death, however suicide is tragic because it is one cause of death which is preventable. 

**Movie Review: Walking Down Your Blood Sugar

This exercise video features Leslie Sansone who walks you through a two-mile aerobic walk.  The part that relates to diabetes is the pep talk she gives while you are walking.  This includes saying we do not let exercise beat us, but invigorate us.  We are only beaten when we stay on the couch.
I found the two-mile workout more than I could handle.  However, Sheri says she has a DVD with the same concept, which has one to four mile workouts.  I think I can handle the four mile.  Sheri says it is pretty mild.  her walks start slow, then build and then cool down and stretch.  That sounds good. 

**October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

http://www.sccgov.org/sites/owp/Pages/dvam.aspx
Domestic Violence can be such a tragedy.  If not checked, the result can be death.  The cost in physical and emotional trauma is  devastating.  If we approach conversation with open hands, palms up, we can overcome the violence.  If you find yourself tensing, making a fist, it is time to time yourself out.  Get away, and come back to deal with the issue after you have calmed yourself down.