There have been numerous cases of deaths and severe side effects after the use of a new drug on the market called “bath salts”.  In one way, it’s kind of ingenious that these people created this designer drug, labelled and sold it in various places as “bath salts” with the line of “not for human consumption” on the label, thus they were overlooked by the federal drug and food enforcement agencies…they skirted under the radar. It became an underground phenomena that the use of the drug (which is not actually a salt that you would put into your bath to relax after a rough day), sold mostly in head shops and tobacco stores, was through word of mouth.  Bath salts were banned in Louisiana, New Jersey, Florida, and a few other states after numerous violent homicides and/or deaths from the drug. Although, as of September 7, 2011 the DEA has deemed these drugs illegal (in an emergency status) and a few arrests have been made for the creation, distribution, and use of bath salts.  Honestly, why anyone would actually want to try this drug, I am not sure, but the state of the adolescents and young adults that have used this drug coming into the Emergency Department is enough to scare me straight!

What are bath salts?
They are a synthetic stimulants such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV).  MDPV is a drug that first started circulating in 2004 in the US and it was called “super coke” as it is approximately 4 times the strength of most street cocaine or prescription Ritalin.   It is known on the street as either bath salts, ivory wave, purple wave, vanilla sky, bliss, bonsai grow, plant food, pixie dust, white lightening, along with TONS of other names, and it looks almost like powdered sugar but tends to be more yellowish on its own and the color can obviously be changed with various additives.  The scary thing is that there is no test for MDPV and not all bath salts are the same drug, they are created at various different place by different “chemists” and you never really know what drug you are ingesting.

How is it taken?
People are pretty inventive and it depends on length of use and the person, but the main routes of ingestion are snorting into your nose, injecting into a vein, smoking (or free basing), and mixing the drug into food and or drinks to consume it. Depending on how fast the user wants to feel the high or just plain choice of favorite route!

What are the side effects?
Euphoria
Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Increased alertness/awareness
Vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels)
Increased body temperature
Increased energy
Increased sexual stimulation
Seizures
Confusion
Agitation
Stroke
Insomnia
Psychosis (paranoia, delusions thoughts)
Suicidal ideation (wanting to kill oneself)

The primary effects (initial “high”) last around 3 to 4 hours and the user has usually come down by 6 to 8 hours after use.  The interesting thing with this drug though is that the user feels extreme urges to “re-dose” or take another hit, before they have finished their high, and even if they have had horrible side effects (paranoia, chest pains, etc). The drug is so highly addictive that even upon first use the urge to use again is so strong that people cannot stop and will go for days with using the drug, only making the “come down” that much worse.   Also, a huge number of users report feeling suicidal for up to three and four days post usage of the drug (even a one time use) and there were a rash of suicides after the use of bath salts, which is what lead to Louisiana banning the sale and use of bath salts.

What happens with an overdose?
Many times people come in overdosing and as HCP’s we do not know what is causing it, especially because most of our simple toxicology screens will be negative because we do not test for MDPV, so we need someone to tell us what the overdose is on, so we can treat the patient with anti-anxiety and anti-seizure medication to help prevent strokes, heart attacks, seizures, and ease the effects of the drug. At this time, we do not have an antidote specifically for MDPV. In some cases, patients overdosing on bath salts have had to be put into medical induced comas to prevent further damage to their brain and heart.  In all honesty, there are a LARGE number of people who take the drug and overdose die before they even make it to the hospital.

If you have done bath salts, please don’t do it again.  If you know someone who has taken them and appears to not be feeling well or is becoming aggressive and agitated or confused, please call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number and get them to an Emergency Department for treatment ASAP and tell the HCP’s what was ingested and how much, it can help us save lives and treat the patient appropriately. And, if someone is suicidal or homicidal, that is an emergency that also needs immediate treatment. If you or someone you know has taken bath salts and feels suicidal afterwards, talk to your HCP or someone you trust to get immediate help, or call a suicide hotline for support 800-273-8255.

Obviously my advise is that bath salts are not worth even trying; you never truly know what you are ingesting in your body and overdosing is too risky and tough for HCPs to treat.  Any drug that is being banned by states, and adding states each week from bad effects, isn’t worth it!  The choice is up to you, and you are informed of the mal effects, I hope you choose to be healthy.

Yours in Good Health
B

If you have ever had a new itchy rash and you talk to a Health Care Professional about it, you know the standard questions they are going to ask you: have you switched laundry detergents? New soaps or lotions? Are you wearing new unwashed clothes? They are asking you because these are common reasons that people get an itchy red rash known as contact dermatitis.

What is contact dermatitis?
It is an inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with an irritant. Usually it is something new that comes in contact with your skin, and it can be caused by new lotions, soaps, laundry detergent (irritant dermatitis), and also by poison ivy or sumac (allergic dermatitis).  But it can also occur from something that is really irritating that you may have interacted with numerous times; for example, when HCPs were using latex years ago, after years of exposure, people started having reactions.

What are the most common irritants?
Metals (nickel)
Plants (poison ivy, poison sumac)
Soaps (detergents, lotions, body wash, bar soap, shampoo)
Medications (antibiotics, other oral or topical medications)
Latex (or other rubber)
Make-up
Clothes/fabric (specific types or f clothes are worn without washing first)
Adhesives (like tape when in the hospital or bandaids)
Perfumes/Cologne
Chemicals (household cleaners, or other chemical exposures at work, etc.)

Does anything increase my risk of having this reaction?
If you have a history  of allergies (food, seasonal, etc) you are at a higher risk of contracting a contact dermatitis, but it isn’t always true.  For example, I have a very strong food allergy to tree nuts and seasonal allergies, but (knock on wood), I don’t react to poison ivy or sumac and I have had a contact dermatitis only once in my life.  It isn’t a hard and fast rule, but most people with allergies to other things, are at risk for having more sensitive skin too.

What are the symptoms?
Itchiness and redness of the skin
Inflammation and heat from the area exposed
There can be lesions or blisters with allergic dermatitis

Diagnosis?
Diagnosis is based purely on history and assessment of the area.  If this happens a few times to you and you are not sure what the cause is, your HCP can perform skin patch tests, in which they apply little drops of irritants to the skin, and assess for a reaction, then you can learn what causes you to react.  Most often, people make a few changes and the reaction doesn’t occur again, or they know what caused it.

How do I treat this?
Treatment is pretty simple. Wash the area thoroughly with lots of water to get rid of the irritant from your skin.  Next you can use a hydrocortisone cream to make the rash and itchiness go away (can be purchased over the counter, and follow directions on the box).  If the rash is widespread or extreme, you may need to take oral corticosteroids.  Sometimes using a benadryl cream/lotion to the area will help to take away the itchiness or taking an oral antihistamine can help as well.

How do I prevent it?
Stay away from what you know you are allergic to and wash your skin thoroughly if you do come in contact.  If you have sensitive skin, stick to very mild (like baby formulated) soaps, detergents, and lotions.  Talk to your HCP about what is best for you and how you can prevent further reactions.  But always wash new clothes before wearing them, and its a good idea to keep hydrocortisone cream and benadryl on hand in your first aid kit at home!

Yours in Good Health
B

There is a “new” drug that has been used like crazy all over Russia and is now threatening to spread into the EU, US, and worldwide.  The drug is called Krokodil (which is Russian for crocodile) and it gets its name for the creepy green colored skin you get after injecting it, just like a crocodile’s skin, but the side effects don’t end there, and it could be a huge public health issue if it spreads all the way to the US.  In 2010, it was estimated that there were 1 million krokodil users in Russia, despite its horrible immediate and long term side effects.

What is Krokodil?
It is actually desomorphine, a form of morphine created using codeine, iodine, and red phosphorous.  Desomorphine is a drug that is used primarily in Switzerland for actual medical uses for anesthesia.  On the streets of Russia, it is made in people’s own homes, using household cleaners, and being used like crazy. It is used like a cheaper version of heroin because codeine is sold over the counter in Russia, as are all the other ingredients (gasoline, paint thinner, hydrochloric acid, iodine, and red phosphorous- the red tip to matches), it is easily made, and clearly a large population that want to use it.  When injected, the high only lasts about an hour and a half, feels like that of heroin, and it takes a skilled person about an hour to cook it up, so some krokodil addicts are constantly cooking and injecting; there is an average life span of 2-3 years once starting to use the drug.

What are the side effects?
As I said earlier, at the injection site the skin becomes green and scaly, which is due to the blood vessels dying and the tissues rotting in a form of gangrene, which happens almost immediately.  The skin can rot away exposing the bones, which are porous and are eaten away by the acidity of the drug, so not only does your skin for away but so do your bones, which can occur in any part of the body, not just where you have injected. Rotting skin and bones can lead to painful surgeries and long term dressing changes, along with amputations (the removal of parts of your body- please see the attached link for a realistic view of an amputation outside of the US) .  Due to the harshness of the drug, addicts quickly run out of veins to inject into on their arms and will move to larger veins in the groin and neck sites which can cause almost certain death after even one injection (especially in the neck).  Long term krokodil users have major brain damage which can  cause problems with motor skills, even formulating words and speaking can be a challenge, and very few even survive long enough to get rehabbed from using the drug.  Krokodil use is a certain death sentence due to risk of infection, vein damage, and the damage to brain, kidney, liver and heart from injecting such a toxic drug.

you can clearly see the gangrene, and the flesh that will soon wear away…..

This woman’ s gangrene has been treated, but now her bones are exposed, leading to a risk of infection

Fingers lost and dying due to ruptured veins and poor blood flow

The green skin color change…. The drug seems to have swept over Russia quickly, in the last 8 years and has become an epidemic overwhelming the healthcare system with these patients, for amputations, infections, and overdoses.  This is a very dangerous drug, that is clearly highly addictive, cheap and easy to make, and despite the effects addicts seem to want to use this drug.  I just wanted everyone to learn about it and the side effects, the statistic that there is a 2-3 year lifespan after trying the drug scares me silly, and I hope that it would keep some people from trying it.  If you know anyone who is using this drug, or wants to try it, please urge them not to, and call a drug hotline (1-877-243-7408) or go to www.na.org (for local contacts) for ways to talk to them, places to bring them for help, and try to get them to call.  If you have tried it, please see your HCP and get your body checked out, the effects aren’t always visualized as first, but simple blood tests can show the punishment your body has gone through. So please stay away from Krokodil, and spread the word about how horrible it is… Yours in Good Health B

Depression affects so many people, and in various different ways.  Some people go and get treatment, others don’t, but regardless of what you do, when you are in the throws of depression, you are miserable. You just find it hard to see the positive and the happiness in things, and you feel like you never want to get out of bed…as I look out the window now, depression is like today: cold, wet, rainy, and you would do anything to not have to face it…to hibernate in your own world.  But guess what??  For those of you who are undergoing treatment for depression with SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), that are still clinically depressed, there is some hope for non-medication adjunct therapy!

What are the Symptoms of Clinical Depression?
Feelings of sadness or unhappiness
Unexplained crying
Loss of interest in activities that normally bring you pleasure
Decreased sex drive
Either significant increase in eating gaining weight or not eating and losing weight
Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or tons of sleeping)
Fatigue, feeling sluggish all the time
Easily distractible, unable to concentrate
Unexplainable aches and pains
Thoughts of death, dying, suicide
*If feeling suicidal, you need immediate treatment and to be brought somewhere safe- call your emergency services (911 in the US) or call a suicide hotline 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). Please get to immediate safety and tell someone how you are feeling.

How is depression treated?
Many times depression is treated using medication therapy, such as an SSRI along with psychotherapy (talking about depression symptoms and how to make changes).  The medications can take weeks to months to getting to a level of your medication that you start to feel better, and less depressed, and it may take many different doses, and sometimes your HCP will add on a second medication to help you see the benefits of treatment sooner.  On average 50% of patients report feeling a difference in 2 months when they take an SSRI and use psychotherapy together.  If a second medication is added, there is another 20% improvement in symptoms, but then there are still medication dosage changes and frequent assessments and possible blood draws (if you need medication levels checked).  Medication therapy along with psychotherapy, has pretty good results.

What’s the other option?
There is a new option for people who prefer to take less medication, or prefer only to be on one medication to treat their depression: exercise.  A recent study from the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center showed that a “prescription” for exercise helped to boost moods and decrease depression symptoms.  A large group of patients newly diagnosed with depression who were started on SSRI’s within the last two months, but still had symptoms of depression, were either told to exercise by walking or cycling at a slow-ish pace (3 miles per hour) or at a little brisker pace (4 miles per hour), 7 days a week, and reassessed for symptoms.  The results were amazing: after 4 months of being on an antidepressant and exercising briskly, 29.5% of patients achieved remission, as in they were no longer clinically depressed and had no symptoms.  The biggest group that did not see a response to the SSRI and exercise treatment were women with a family history of depression (genetics may or may not play a role).

How can this affect me?
Well, it doesn’t mean that you should stop taking antidepressants and start exercising instead, but it is a great option to assist your treatment with depression.  Plus, the best part of this as an adjunct therapy as opposed to adding a second medication?  There are NO bad side effects from exercising and actually it is all benefit: it helps improve your cardiovascular system (decreases blood pressure), helps maintain your weight, can help to stabilize blood sugars, and it’s free!  No co-pays for exercise!

While I don’t think that this will “fix” everyone’s depression, I think that it is a great boost for moods and helps with depression symptoms.  Clearly more studies ned to be performed, but I think it is worth a conversation with your HCP if you are someone who does not like to take a lot of medications or feels the side effects from antidepressants, and you feel like you can make the commitment to exercise 7 days a week, as a part of your therapy.

Yours in Good Health
B

There are so many different types of screening for various cancers out there, but it seems like the biggest one that men and women alike seem to fear is colonoscopies. I’m not really sure why!  I mean, I get it, it’s an awkward exam, your getting a probe put up your butt into your colon, but you don’t even know it’s happening, and it can save your life…plus, day off of work anyone??  I want to let you know what to expect, how to feel, how to get ready, and most importantly, when to actually get your screening done!

What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a screening exam for colon cancer and other abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum.  A long flexible tube with a camera at the top, is inserted into the rectum and it travels all the way up the colon looking for abnormalities and has the ability to remove small pieces of tissue to biopsy and send for testing.  With the camera, your HCP can see all the way up your large intestine and view all aspects.  It really sounds like not so much fun, but read on it gets better, I promise!!

When should I get screened for colon cancer and polyps?
The golden rule is that you should start getting screened at the age of 50 (per the American Cancer Society) but if you have a strong family history of colon cancer, or a history of any form of cancer, your HCP may request that you start screening earlier.  And from that point, as long as the original colonoscopy is clear, you can follow up and repeat the test every 10 years.

How do I prep?
The day before the exam, you are asked to be on a clear liquid diet; you can drink coffee or tea, but you cannot add milk, and no solid foods!  Also, your HCP might ask you to change your medications.  If you are on any blood thinners (aspirin, coumadin, plavix, etc) you will be asked to stop a few days to a week before the procedure, and also asked not to take ibuprofen for a few days before to decrease the risk of bleeding. Other medications that might be altered are your amounts of insulin (if you are a diabetic)because you cannot eat form midnight the night before the procedure, or any blood pressure medications, as your blood pressure may become low with the medications given to sedate you.  All that being said, the bummer is that you are usually required to drink a bunch of liquid called “Go Lytely” or Magnesium Citrate (AKA the sparkling laxative- which makes me giggle every time I see it!) until when you poop, it is all clear…not the best day of your life, I’ll be completely honest with you.

What happens when I get to the hospital/clinic?
You will be registered, you vital signs will be checked, and most often you will have an IV (intravenous line) placed.  You will be asked to remove all clothing and put on a hospital gown, and lay down in a stretcher, which you will stay on for the whole exam.  You should meet with your HCP and an Anesthesiologist before your procedure, and your anesthesiologist will give you medications to relax you before you go into the procedure and most likely you won’t even remember going in to the procedure, coming out, or getting home until you are there!  The medications have amnesic effects, so you will talk and seem awake, but you won’t remember any of it, and you won’t feel a thing.  And the best part?  After the 20 minute procedure, you are free and clear to go back and eat whatever you want, and once your designated person drive you home, you get a day to chill out, relax, and recover! So really not a bad day at all…..

Are there risks?
As with any procedure, there are certain risks, but your HCP will do everything to minimize it that they can.  Some of the risks are:  a reaction to the sedative medication, some small amounts of bleeding from any biopsies taken, and finally a tear or small perforation of the colon from the scope.  These complications are very rare, and it is a very safe screening procedure.

So, I know the procedure itself and the prep doesn’t sound like a total blast, and I hear you, but as far as a cancer screening goes, it’s a pretty good deal, right?  A day off of work to recover, and no memory of anything uncomfortable or bad…it could be worse!  So talk to your HCP about when you should get screened, and be sure that you follow-up and continue your primary and preventative care.  But remember, a colonoscopy is nothing to be afraid of!!

Yours in Good Health
B

Everyone is always searching for new fruits and veggies from exotic places that have high levels of antioxidants, and filled with vitamins, minerals, and low calories. Well, guess what?  In about every grocery store I go to, I see guavas.  And while I realize that they are decently exotic (compared to my New England ecosystem) they are readily available in even the coldest of areas, basically year round, and they are one of these super fruits that everyone is always looking for….right in your local grocers fruit section!

What is so great about guava?
Guava fruits are a yummy fruit that are decently sweet, and have 4 times the Vitamin C than oranges, with relatively low calories (112calories per serving).  Guavas have tons of fiber 8.9grams per serving, which is pretty high for a fruit, and they also have a small amount of protein present (4.2grams) which is pretty good for a fruit, right? On top of which they have 20% of your daily needs for folic acid (all you pregnant ladies out there take note!) along with potassium, copper, manganese, and tons of minerals that are good for your body.  The red/pink versions (apple guavas) have high antioxidant values, much more than the green apple guavas (as we all have learned, the more color, the more antioxidants!!) With all of these vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and antioxidants present, no one can deny these tasty treats “super fruit” status!

What were they used for traditionally?
Many different cultures worldwide used guavas as a part of traditional medicine for many different reasons.  They have been used to treat diarrhea and dysentery, along with fevers in many countries where they are traditionally grown (Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Central America, Southeast Asia, Africa).  Ancient healers have also been known to try and treat diabetes with teas from the bark of the trees.  As well, the bark has antimicrobial properties, so the bark was used to clean cuts and to heal various infections.  How effective these treatments are in modern days, I am not sure, as we have many other ways to treat these ailments that are most likely superior, but it’s good to know that in a pinch you can use guavas and the bark to suit your medical needs!

What are they being used for in modern medicine?
Guavas antioxidants are being studied for their use in fighting/treating cancer; extracts from the guava fruits themselves and the bark are being studied extensively.  Not only are the cancer fighting effects being studied, which thus far has been positive, but still in the study phase, but the extracts are being looked at for their use in the treatment of bacterial infections, to find out exactly what bacteria they treat, along with their effect on inflammation and chronic pain. Again, all of these are in various phases of being studied, but the preliminary information is really positive, and you all know how I like to use natural treatments, when at all possible!

These super fruits really are truly amazing, and despite none of the studies being conclusive at this point, what I do know is that eating these yummy fruits are good for you, and chock full of vitamins and all sorts of good stuff.  So, even if all of the studies are complete bunk, they are still a pretty tasty treat and you will get a power punch of fiber, vitamins and minerals.  So instead of spending tons of money on the trendiest super fruit you hear about in the media, take a peak at the fruit section at your local grocery store and add it to your cart!

Yours in Good Health
B

I am a huge fan of eating various forms of proteins, and obviously I love meat BUT I also don’t necessarily eat meat every single day, and I need to keep my protein up, so I am always trying to find ways to add it in to my diet.  I found a simple solution: wheatberry.

What is wheatberry?
It is a small circular whole grain, and it is the entire wheat kernel (without the hull), that you usually know as ground into wheat flour.  It is the germ, bran, and endosperm all in one!  It is usually tan in color and after being cooked they have kind of a chewiness to them, like quinoa.

Why is it so good for you?
Wheatberry has approximately 6grams of protein per 1/4cup serving, which is a lot of protein for a grain to contain, so it is great to add to your diet if you don’t get enough protein, or don’t have time to get meat proteins in your diet all the time.  Because it has the bran and germ part of the wheat, it is a complex carbohydrate, which means that it will make you feel full and take your body longer to digest because it has a bunch of fiber, around 6grams of fiber per serving as well.  With 150calories per serving and being full of fiber, protein, and packing about 8% of your recommended daily amount of Iron, it is a well rounded and healthy addition to your diet.  And as well all know, foods that are high in fiber and low in saturated fat can help to lower cholesterol levels.

How do I eat it?
You can find tons of recipes online, but just boiling it and adding some fresh veggies and some salt and pepper can make an awesome side dish option.  Sometimes I use it as an alternative for rice in a dish, seeing as it is healthier and better for you than even brown rice. I used to only make black beans and quinoa, but I switch it up and make it over wheatberry now too!  People love that it is a different grain, flavor (kind of nutty), and consistency to a side dish or salad.  So play around and try a bunch of different recipes, to see which ones you like the best….and remember you can also bake them into breads, and other baked goods to add some protein, a different consistency, and protein/fiber!

Wheatberry is a great addition to your diet whether you are trying to slim down, by cutting calories and saturated fats in your diet (i.e. cut out the high fat foods but add wheatberry) OR as an addition to your diet if you are trying to add calories and protein to bulk up.  Give it a try, and let me know what you think!  I know you will enjoy the flavor and the addition to your diet

Yours in Good Health
B

Growing up I played tons of sports that were pretty high impact (ice hockey, lacrosse) and I was always getting knocked around, very rarely I would get a hit to the head, and only once was it pretty severe.  But many people throughout their lives due to sports, lifestyle, or just bad luck sustain a head injury.  Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) have been studied a lot recently and may be a significant risk factor to developing Alzheimer’s according to a new study from Paris, France.  Alzheimer’s Disease is a pretty significant form of dementia that gets worse and worse over time, significantly impairing memory and the ability to physically function.

What is a TBI and how do I know if I had one?
Technically a TBI is any injury or trauma that causes damage to the brain, and it can be in the form on your head hitting an object, and object hitting your head, or something piercing through your skull into your brain matter.  And these injuries range from mild to severe, so you may never lose consciousness (but feel a little fuzzy…like a slight concussion) and have a mild TBI, or lose consciousness and have pretty major damage to your brain; it is all person dependent and how the injury occurs.  For any hard hit to your head, wether you lose consciousness or not, you should go to see your HCP to ensure that there is no major damage and they can work you up, because with mild TBI, you may feel fine, but upon neurological exam your HCP might find that you are a little off and you just don’t realize it. So in a nutshell?  With a mild TBI you might not even know you have one, but you need to be under medical care.

What are Treatments and Prognosis?
Depending on the level of severity, the treatment may be different BUT the standard is that you will have your neurological signs checked frequently (asking you different questions, looking at your pupils in direct light, moving all of your extremities, and being asked to follow pretty simple commands) along with a CT Scan of your head to look for soft tissue damage and bleeding, and sometimes x-rays to assess for broken bone structures.  If you have any form of bleeding, your blood pressure will be controlled to ensure that you have adequate blood flow to your brain but not too much to cause excess bleeding in the tissues. As well, you will most likely be placed on oxygen to make sure that you have enough oxygen in your blood to supply your brain.  After TBIs, depending on severity, some people have personality and behavioral changes, their memory/thinking/reasoning is not what it was pre-injury, communication can change, and some of your senses can be different (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste).  Some very severe TBIs can cause people to be in comatose states and never re-gain consciousness. In the hospital, we will get you set up with different resources that can help you such as occupational therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists, psychiatrists, neurologists, etc.  You will have a whole team working on you to get you back to fighting form!

What does this have to do with Alzheimer’s?
Well, I needed to give you some background to put this all into perspective for you! A large study in Paris, France conducted over 7 years looked at the incidences of Veterans with TBIs and their rates of Alzheimer’s.  What they found was that people who had had ANY form of TBI, compared to those who had never had a TBI, had over double the risk of having Alzheimer’s later in life. That is pretty significant, seeing as the study looked at over 280,000 participants and a large portion of the TBIs were not severe they were considered mild to moderate.  Research is being done now to figure out why exactly this occurs, but it is presumed that the damage is more prolonged than we originally thought and can cause further damage over time.

Due to the fact that in the US alone, the CDC reports over 1.7 Million TBI related hospital/medical visits a year, how many people are at risk worldwide?  A lot!  So please wear helmets when biking/riding a motorcycle, drive safely, and try to stay clear of major head injuries….I know no one goes out looking for them, but just be aware that any time you bonk your head hard, you should go to get looked at to make sure it isn’t something more significant.  And watch your loved ones that have had TBIs closely, maybe you can spot some of the signs of Alzheimer’s early and get treatment (tomorrow’s post!!)

Yours in Good Health
B