TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D., ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #9

Today is our last post of preventable deaths per Dr. Alker. A few of the reasons have surprised me a little but most have not. It is probably the same for you. Today we will post about spiders. There are spiders all around us but fortunately only two types in the United States have venom potent enough to be seriously dangerous. You probably already guessed correctly, the two are the black widow and the brown recluse.

you can reduce the risk of being bitten by a dangerous spider by keeping sheds and garages tidy and avoiding wood piles. Brown recluse spiders love wood piles. You can also reduce your risk by wearing gloves and/or other protective clothing when areas where these spiders might be.

If you are bitten by a poisonous spider, call poison control immediately and go to emergency care if needed.

Dr Alker has said, "I will concede that we all must eventually die of something, but although this is not official medical advice, I recommend aiming for a cause of death NOT listed in this book." She is speaking of her book 99Ways to Die And How to Avoid Them. If this series of posts has interested you, consider checking out her book.

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TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D., ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #8

Who knew there are so many ways to prevent death? I had never even thought about it until I ran across some articles from Dr. Alker. Maybe we need to remember the thought we started with, "The idea is to die young as late as possible." Today's post is about Stroke, and that's a big one for me. My late mother had a major stoke while home alone and wasn't found until the next day. She was left totally paralyzed on her right side. I took care of her in my home until her death almost two years later. I have some of the same health issues she had, and I am working to lower my risk. That's enough about me, let's talk about stroke.

Approximately 87% of stokes are ischemic strokes. Ischemic stokes are caused by a blockage of blood flow to the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused as a result of a burst blood vessel.

In the United States more than 600,000 people will experience a first stoke each year. Yet, doctors tell us that that up to 80% off those strokes are preventable. Think about that for a minute. These numbers are from the American Heart Association.

You may be wondering what the risk factors for stroke are. The following are risk factors that can be modified by us. High blood pressure is a risk factor. If you know, or think you may have high blood pressure, get to your doctor. Get checked out and get on the proper medication. Diabetes is another risk factor. If you are a diabetic, visit your doctor regularly, keep track of your blood sugar readings at home and take your medicine! Other factors over which we have some controls are high cholesterol, smoking, and inactivity. If any of these factors are in your life, start now to lower your risk.

What can you do if you think you are having a stoke? You need to act fast to save your life and limit any effects of the stoke. Remember the following: BE FAST

B - Balance Loss

E - Eyesight Changes

F - Facial Droop (especially on one side)

A - Arm Weakness

S - Speech Difficulty

T = Time to call 911

And I might add, if you live alone, get a Life Alert or similar system so you can get help immediately.

At the 1st sign of a stroke, get to the ER. Forget the doctor's officer of an urgent care.

They will send you on to the ER. There is no time to waste.

TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D., ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #7

Today's post is about mushrooms. Be cautious about foraging wild mushrooms. Many poisonous varieties look very much like edible ones. Thousands of accidental mushroom poisonings occur in the United States every year.

For instance, the deadly death cap mushroom contains amatoxin, a very potent poison. Mushrooms with white gills under the cap, a ring around the stem, red coloring, or an unpleasant smell may be toxic.

Dr Alker suggest you go "foraging for mushrooms in the aisle of your supermarket".  

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TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D., ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #6

Lightening is our number 6 cause of preventable deaths to discuss. However, I posted about lightening on April 13, so I am not going into it again. If you missed that post, be sure to go back and read it. Deaths from lightening are very real.

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TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D., ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #5

Today is about motorcycles. Did you know that motorcycles make up just 3% of the registered vehicles in the United States? Yet, they account for 14% of motor vehicle deaths. The sad thing is that many, not all, of those motorcycle accident deaths are preventable. In 2021. one in four motorcycle deaths involved intoxicated drivers. 

The top reasons for motorcycle deaths are alcohol, speeding, lack of helmets and unlicensed drivers. All four of those reasons are preventable and are not worth risking one's life.

Dr Alker emphasizes, "The one thing most proven to save lives in motorcycles accidents is wearing a helmet. It is important to have a good helmet. Choose one that properly fits you and has been approved by the Department of Transportation, which ensures it provides protection against impact. Make sure the chin strap is strong enough to keep the helmet on during a crash.

On a personal note, my late husband had one when my children were young. He was cautious but I was glad when he sold it. My daughter who was in Junior High at the time, loved riding on it with him. They both wore proper helmets. Today that daughter is a licensed medical professional. When she sees a rider weaving in and out of traffic without a helmet on, she shudders and says, "If they could see what I see", or "Go ahead. I may be bagging you one day." It really is that serious.

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TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D., ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #4

The "silent killer" is the fourth preventable cause of death we are highlighting from Dr. Alker. High blood pressure or hypertension often causes no symptoms, another reason for regular checkups with your doctor. This silent disease is the leading cause of kidney disease, heart disease, and impotence.

Hypertension is considered when a blood pressure reading is 130/80. A top number (the systolic reading) above 190 is a hypertensive emergency and can trigger a brain bleed, heart attack or kidney failure.

Symptoms include headache, decreased urination, chest pain and shortness of breath. Emergency care is required. To prevent a crisis, monitor blood pressure, reduce alcohol intake, stay active and consider the DASH diet. "The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, known as the DASH diet, is the greatest reducer of long-term high blood pressure", according to Dr. Alker.

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TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D., ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #3

Were you aware that broken heart syndrome can cause death? I've heard it said a few times, "She/he died of a broken heart." I always thought that was kind of silly. but it can be true. The medical term is stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. This typically temporary heart condition can be triggered by intense emotional stress, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a shock, according to Dr Alker. 

Here is how broken heart syndrome works on the heart. It causes part of the heart to temporarily enlarge and not pump properly. Unlike a typical heart attack, broken heart syndrome is not caused by blocked arteries, but the resulting chest pain, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat mimic a heart attack.

The good news is that most people will recover with medical care. However, this condition can be life-threatening so any chest pain should be evaluated by medical personnel.

TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D., ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #2

Today is about the Brain -Eating Amoeba. The Naegleria fowleri lives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, and hot springs. It can enter the body through the nose. 

Although infection is extremely rare, it is almost always fatal. Yes, almost always fatal! Only four people in the United States have survived this nasty amoeba. What can you do to protect yourself? When swimming in warm, untreated freshwater, keep your head above water! 

Also, a few infections have occurred when people used tap water to rinse their sinuses. Always use boiled or distilled water when cleaning your nasal passages with a neti pot or other device.

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TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D. ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #1

Dr Ashely Alker notes that vaccination is one key way to prevent death. A study published in The Lancet estimates that since 1974, vaccines have averted 154 million deaths worldwide, including 146 million in children under age 5. There is controversy from time to time on vaccines and the benefits. I, personally, refused to take the covid vaccine because it was rushed out, not tested, and as time has passed, I am thankful I did not take it. But I agree that time-tested vaccines are necessary and do save lives. 

Dt Alker has said, "Many of the deaths I write about are preventable through public health education." We will touch on a few more of them this week. Tomorrow we will talk about a Brain-eating amoeba.

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TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D. ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS

Dr. Alker is an emergency medicine physician and healthcare advisor. She describes herself as a "death escapologist" because of her experiences in the emergency department watching people die of preventable causes. We will talk about some of her ideas on preventable deaths over the next few posts. She has written a book entitled "99 Ways to Die And How to Avoid Them". We will explore a few of them. This is what Dr. Alker has said about her book, "Many of the deaths I write about are preventable through public health education. If enough people read this book, I do believe lives will be saved."

Stay tuned friends. We will start discussing some of her theories next.