With so many medical conditions, so many prescriptions and so many medicines I can’t take because they can be life-threatening, remembering all this information in an emergency is highly unlikely.

Having a medical alert bracelet is not only logical but life saving for me. Wearing one when I’m not feeling well can keep me safe at home when I’m in the checking the laundry or even taking a shower.

When I was very sick and home alone with my baby my fear was if something happened to me, something would happen to her. If I couldn’t call 911 then we’d both be in trouble.

Direct Alert is perfect for children, seniors or anyone with medical problems. Having a device in your home that allows you to press a button on your bracelet or on the control panel in case of an emergency is the answer to the safety issues of so many people. It’s not only for people who live alone but for those of us who are alone long parts of the day.

Knowing that the push of a button (even if I can’t speak) will send me medical help gives me a sense of relief. Feeling safe and secure at home relieves me of stress and anxiety. Direct Alert will also give family members of people with health issues, especially those who live long distances away, feel better about their loved ones’ safety too.

The installation of the Direct Alert System is free. The costs are not prohibitive and even some insurances may cover the fee. The equipment is made by top companies known for their quality. This is just what the doctor ordered. Can you put a price tag on safety?

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. Epilepsy is a medical condition that causes seizures. Seizures can affect both mental and physical functioning. About 3 million people in the US have Epilepsy. The age groups most affected by this disease are the elderly and children.

The importance of awareness is two fold. First, the public needs to know what seizures are and how to react to them. Secondly,  getting a proper diagnosis and treatment for anyone who has had even one seizure is invaluable to their continued well being.

There are many different types of seizures. People including First Responders having this knowledge can aid a person as well as understand that some seizure activity may cause someone to act as if intoxicated.

The Epilepsy Foundation has listed the First Aid treatments for people having a seizure. It is very comprehensive and describes some of the different types of seizures as well.

The CDC along with the the Epilepsy Foundation are focusing this month’s them as “Not Another Moment Lost To Seizures”. The month long event has some interesting information such as the effect of head trauma on Veterans and seizures, how schools can work with families so that children with Epilepsy are both safe and able to enjoy school and teaching caregivers of senior citizens about Epilepsy.

Please take the time to learn about this disease. What a wonderful thing you can do with your knowledge!

Lung cancer carries with it a stigma. Many people who learn of someone being diagnosed with this type of cancer assume that it was caused by smoking and think that the person “caused” it to occur.

Being addicted to cigarettes is the major cause of lung cancer. About 85% of people with lung cancer are or have been smokers. But there are other risks and causes. Some of these are exposure to radon, asbestos, pollution and secondhand smoke.

Early detection in lung cancer is important as it can mean saving a life. Most of the symptoms of the early stages of this disease sound like the common cold, so it is difficult for doctors to start the diagnosis process. Also some forms of this cancer are not detectable until it is in the late stages.

The Lung Cancer Alliance proposes that…

in order to ensure the most rapid and responsible dissemination of this potential benefit, screening for lung cancer in high risk populations, LCA recommends that the following people have a detailed discussion with their physician regarding the potential risks and benefits of undergoing a baseline CT scan:

• Any smoker or former smoker over age 50 with a greater than 10 pack year history of cigarette smoking. (A pack year is equal to one pack a day for one year);
• Any adult with significant exposure to cigarettes and a first degree relative (mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter) who was diagnosed with lung cancer before age 50.
• The following groups should also consider a discussion about screening with their doctors:
• Veterans who had active duty on submarines, in Vietnam or the Gulf War, and had exposure to asbestos, nuclear propulsion, herbicides, battlefield emissions or other carcinogens;
• Past and present employees in munitions plants (who may already be eligible for free screening under the Department of Energy’s Worker Health Protection Program);
• People exposed regularly to second-hand smoke (i.e. airline personnel, hospitality industry workers), or radon, or those working with asbestos or other known carcinogens.

The most important thing anyone can do to reduce their risk of lung cancer is to stop smoking. The American Cancer Society has information on doing just that. If you fall into any of the other categories above, speak to your doctor about early screening. It may just save your life.

Some of the statistics and facts about Lung Cancer were found at Lung Cancer.org and the Lung Cancer Alliance. Please visit these sites to learn more and to find out how to make donations or volunteer.

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Please visit PanCan.com for information on how you can make donations for research, how to inform people about this type of cancer and how to get support if you are a patient or family member.

Diagnosis of this type of cancer can be difficult and often too late. There is a very low survival rate and that is why research is so important. One study states that the survival rate in the US is 3 – 6 months after diagnosis

I also learned that there is a disease category named Pancreatitis. There are many forms of this disease from Acute to Hereditary and even Autoimmune to name a few. The statistics show that only 4% of people with Pancreatitis have an increased risk for Pancreatic Cancer, except for people with Hereditary Pancreatitis. They have a 40% risk.

Please see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

• Weight loss
• Loss of Appetite
• Jaundice
• Generalized Pain in the stomach area

There are other generalized symptoms that you can read about here. There is no blood test for this type of cancer. Research money is going toward this and other types of early diagnosis as well as treatment options.

It’s the start of a new month which means very important health campaigns. Please feel free to look these over.

Personally I’d like to blog more about The Great American Smokeout. As someone who doesn’t have a choice over my health conditions I plead with you to try to stop smoking. Take control over your health and see what differences you can make by not smoking.

Here’s some things to help you on your way: Zerosmoke Smoking Cessation Product, Nicorette Gum, Mint Flavor, 2mg, 110 ct, Crave-RX Drops – 50ml by Native Remedies.

November is:

Alzheimer’s Disease Awarness Month

COPD Awareness Month

Diabetes Month

Epilepsy Awareness Month

Great American Smokeout

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

As much as I love spending time with Peanut it really helps to have time alone when I have a goal to get something important done. Today I finally caved in to going through the stacks of paper all over my house. I had to sort through them, file, toss, pay or save them.

This morning Peanut got a call from her friend about a play date. I was so happy to have the time and energy for this huge chore. To have the time alone made me know I’d accomplish a lot more.

So thanks for play dates. They are good for children and good for Moms who have a plan and the will to succeed!