NTEU Chapter 78 - Honesty, Integrity, Accountability

"Who We Are - About the National Marrow Donor Program Creating connections. Saving lives. The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and our Be The Match Foundation^SM are nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating an opportunity for all patients to receive the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant they need, when they need it."

There mission:

"Every year, thousands of people of all ages are diagnosed with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases. Many of them will die unless they get a bone marrow or cord blood transplant from a matching donor. Seventy percent of people do not have a donor in their family and depend on our Be The Match Registry^SM to find a match to save their life. being held in more than 80 communities around the country in 2009, including right here in MICHIGAN." Learn more.

 

A stroke occurs when there's bleeding into your brain, or normal blood flow to your brain is blocked. Within minutes of being deprived of essential nutrients, brain cells start dying - a process that may continue over the next several hours.

This is a true emergency. Seek immediate medical assistance. The sooner the treatment is given, the more likely damage can be minimized. Every moment counts.

Remember: The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the damage and potential disability. Success of treatment may depend on how soon you receive care.

Risk factors for stroke include having high blood pressure, having had a previous stroke, smoking, having diabetes and having heart disease. Your risk of stroke increases as you age.

If you notice a sudden onset of one or more of the signs or symptoms listed below, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately:

• Sudden weakness or numbness in your face, arm or leg on one side of your body.
• Sudden dimness, blurring or loss of vision, particularly in one eye.
• Loss of speech or trouble talking or understanding speech.
• Sudden, severe headache - a bolt out of the blue - with no apparent cause.
• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially if accompanied by any of the other symptoms.

By Mayo Clinic Staff
Jan 3, 2006
1998-2006 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. Original article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-stroke/FA0012

CTS is the compression of the major nerve which controls the muscle movement of your thumb, index & middle fingers, and part of your ring finger. it is caused by repeated small, quick motions of your hand and fingers. when you use your hands for repetitive motions, the tendons swell and press against the securing band of tissue. the major nerve becomes compressed and flattened resulting in CTS.

The result is a tingling sensation and a general loss of strength of the hands. The symptoms usually being to wake you at night with a sensation of pins and needles, as if your hand was "asleep". As the condition worsens; the tingling will turn into a steady burning pain. Eventually the pain becomes so severe and the hand so weak that you cannot grasp. Ignoring the symptoms and continuing the abuse can lead to permanent disability.

Preventative Actions For CTS:

• Do limbering up exercises before starting your task. Take frequent short exercise breaks during the day. Stand up and rotate your shoulder, arms, and wrists. Flex your fingers several times and stretch your arms over your head.
• Try to arrange your tasks so that you can vary your hand and finger motions frequently. Don't repeat the same more hour after hour.
• Keep your hands and arms warm when you work. Wearing a long sleeved sweater, shirt, or blouse may be all that is needed.
• Adjust your workstation so that your arms and hands remain level with the floor or in a neutral position. Keep your wrists straight, not bent at an angle.
• If needed, use specially designed rests or braces which will allow you to work with your wrist in the correct position.
• Treatment may include rest, change of tasks, medication, or braces that can be worn during work or at night. As a last resort, surgery may be required! If you are experiencing any of the symptoms outline above, see your doctor immediately.