Blog #14: How to Reduce the Risk of Assault

I have never been assaulted because I do certain things to ensure my safety. For instance, before I get into my car, I look in the front and back seats just to make sure no one is hiding in my car. I carry pepper spray on my key chain. Whenever I am walking in an unfamiliar place, my hand is on the pepper spray and I am ready to use it. In addition, I know how many people are around me at all times and exactly what they look like. In an event that I get attacked, I can describe exactly what my attacker looks like. When I get home late at night, I make sure the front door to my apartment is still locked before I open it. I also check all closets and other hiding spaces before I get comfortable. These are just a few things that I routinely do to ensure my safety. I believe that if all women practice these simple safety tips, they would be much safer.
Samisha

Blog #13: Alcohol and Drugs

In my opinion, it is a sign of weakness to fall into addiction and a strength to admit that there is a problem. Unfortunately many people fall victim to drugs and alcohol in order to deal with everyday life. They are not strong enough to find another way of dealing with problems. Alcohol and drugs can numb the pain caused from family, friends and life's problems. Yet, addiction brings about an entirely new set of problems. Finances and relationships suffer from addiction. Strength is exibited when a person wants to lead a sober life and finds a constructive way to deal with their issues.

Blog #12: Mental Illness

In my younger days, mental illness to me was a "crazy person" who was locked away with a straight jacket in a padded cell. As I got older, I realized that mental illness is a disease and now I have a different view of those people. Mental illnesses involve people who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression, and obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD), just to name a few. (Alexander, 2010) Theses are considered diseases that many take medications to control. I don't believe the mentally ill choose to be ill just as a drug addict doesn't choose their addiction. It is a sickness. Therefore, if these people are born with these illnesses, then we, as a society, should be more acceptable of them. These people want to be "normal" just like everyone else. We accept physically handicapped people. We have made accomadations for them over the years. They have wheelchair ramps and parking spaces at every building. If we can do that for the physically disabled, then we can do it for the mentally disabled. Once we look at mental illness as a disease, then people can be more accepting.

1. Alexander et al. (2010). New dimensions in women's health. (5th ed). Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Blog #11: Aging Healthy

Does anyone really want to get older? Bad things seem to happen to aging people. Older people get cancer, can't do things they used to do, and die more often than younger people. Some illnesses and ailments are unpreventable but others are not. The preventable illnesses and diseases are my concentration to ensure my health in the future.
I am trying to eat healthier, such as less fried foods and more fruits. It's hard for me because I love good food. Yet, I understand that unhealthy eating leads to obesity, which also leads to other ailments. I should exercise more often but I don't. I would like to enroll in a gym or have a workout partner to encourage me. I easily quit when exercising is involved so I need someone with me. In addition, I perform monthly self breast exams looking for irregularities in my breast. I have yearly pap smears for cervical cancer. I even lotion my skin daily to ensure less wrinkles as I age. Some things come with age but others can be prevented in the earlier years.

Samisha

Blog #10: Heart Disease

According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, heart disease is the No. 1 worldwide killer of women and men. Heart disease or cardiovascular disease includes strokes and heart attacks, which involves the narrowing or blocking of blood vessels. The symptoms can appear different ways in men and women.
The most common symptom for men and women is chest pain. Women might have a shortness of breath, sweating, or unusual fatigue. (Mayo Foundation, 2009) These symptoms seem to be unrelated to cardiovascular disease so it is easily misdiagnosed. According to the Mayo Foundation, women tend to have severe damage to the heart when they show up in an Emergency Room due to the less obvious symptoms.
Although the symptoms are different , the risk factors are the same for men and women. The older people get, the higher the changes of having heart disease. Smoking, hypertension, and high cholesterol also increases the chances. Older men and women should remain physically active, refrain from smoking, and excessive alcohol intake to lower the chances. (National Institute of Health, 2009) The disease manifests differently men ans women but tht severity is the same.


National Institute of Health. (March 2009). What are heart disease risk factors? Retrieved from website: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/hd/hd_whatare.html

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (June 23, 2009). Heart Disease. Retrieved from website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease/DS01120