Color Blindness

 

Overview

 

 

Color blindness — or more accurately, poor or deficient color vision — is an inability to see the difference between certain colors. Though many people commonly use the term "color blind" for this condition, true color blindness — in which everything is seen in shades of black and white — is rare.

 

Color blindness is usually inherited. Men are more likely to be born with color blindness. Most people with color blindness can't distinguish between certain shades of red and green. Less commonly, people with color blindness can't distinguish between shades of blue and yellow.

 

Certain eye diseases and some medications also can cause color blindness.

 

Symptoms

You may have a color vision deficiency and not know it. Some people figure out that they or their child has the condition when it causes confusion — such as when there are problems differentiating the colors in a traffic light or interpreting color-coded learning materials.

 

People affected by color blindness may not be able to distinguish:

 

Different shades of red and green

Different shades of blue and yellow

Any colors

The most common color deficiency is an inability to see some shades of red and green. Often, a person who is red-green or blue-yellow deficient isn't completely insensitive to both colors. Defects can be mild, moderate or severe.

 

When to see a doctor

If you suspect you have problems distinguishing certain colors or your color vision changes, see an eye doctor for testing. It's important that children get comprehensive eye exams, including color vision testing, before starting school.

 

There's no cure for inherited color deficiencies, but if illness or eye disease is the cause, treatment may improve color vision.

 

Causes

Seeing colors across the light spectrum is a complex process that begins with your eyes' ability to respond to different wavelengths of light.

 

Light, which contains all color wavelengths, enters your eye through the cornea and passes through the lens and transparent, jellylike tissue in your eye (vitreous humor) to wavelength-sensitive cells (cones) at the back of your eye in the macular area of the retina. The cones are sensitive to short (blue), medium (green) or long (red) wavelengths of light. Chemicals in the cones trigger a reaction and send the wavelength information through your optic nerve to your brain.

 

If your eyes are normal, you perceive color. But if your cones lack one or more wavelength-sensitive chemicals, you will be unable to distinguish the colors red, green or blue.

 

Color blindness has several causes:

 

Inherited Disorder.  color deficiencies are much more common in males than in females. The most common color deficiency is red-green, with blue-yellow deficiency being much less common. It is rare to have no color vision at all.

 

You can inherit a mild, moderate or severe degree of the disorder. Inherited color deficiencies usually affect both eyes, and the severity doesn't change over your lifetime.

 

Diseases. Some conditions that can cause color deficits are sickle cell anemia, diabetes, macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, chronic alcoholism and leukemia. One eye may be more affected than the other, and the color deficit may get better if the underlying disease can be treated.

Certain medications. Some medications can alter color vision, such as some drugs that treat certain autoimmune diseases, heart problems, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, infections, nervous disorders and psychological problems.

Aging. Your ability to see colors deteriorates slowly as you age.

Chemicals. Exposure to some chemicals in the workplace, such as carbon disulfide and fertilizers, may cause loss of color vision.

 

 

P.S.  Dwight Eugene Gooden (born November 16, 1964), nicknamed "Dr. K" and "Doc", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Gooden pitched from 1984 to 1994 and from 1996 to 2000 for the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In a career spanning 430 games, he pitched 2,800+2⁄3 innings and posted a win–loss record of 194–112, with a 3.51 earned run average (ERA), and 2,293 strikeouts.  He will be 58 years old on November 16^th.

 

Jan Ricks Jennings, MHA, LFACHE

Senior Consultant

Senior Management Resources, LLC

 

Jan.Jennings@EagleTalons.net

JanJenningsBlog.BlogSpot.com

 

724.733.0509 Office

412.913.0636 Cell

                                                                                    

Domestic Violence Against Men

 

Women aren't the only victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence against men isn't always easy to identify, but it can be a serious threat. Know how to recognize if you're being abused — and how to get help.

Recognize domestic violence against men

Occurs between people who are or have been in a close relationship. Domestic violence can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse, stalking and threats of abuse. It can happen in heterosexual or same-sex relationships.

Abusive relationships always involve an imbalance of power and control. An abuser uses intimidating, hurtful words and behaviors to control his or her partner.

It might not be easy to recognize domestic violence against men. Early in the relationship, your partner might seem attentive, generous and protective in ways that later turn out to be controlling and frightening. Initially, the abuse might appear as isolated incidents. Your partner might apologize and promise not to abuse you again.

You might be experiencing domestic violence if your partner:

Calls you names, insults you or puts you down

Prevents you from going to work or school

Stops you from seeing family members or friends

Tries to control how you spend money, where you go or what you wear

Acts jealous or possessive or constantly accuses you of being unfaithful

Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs

Tries to control whether you can see a health care provider

Threatens you with violence or a weapon

Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise physically hurts you, your children or your pets

Forces you to have sex or engage in sexual acts against your will

Blames you for his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it

Threatens to tell friends, family, colleagues or community members your sexual orientation or gender identity

If you're gay, bisexual or transgender, you might also be experiencing domestic violence if you're in a relationship with someone who:

 

Tells you that authorities won't help a gay, bisexual or transgender person

Tells you that leaving the relationship means you're admitting that gay, bisexual or transgender relationships are deviant

Justifies abuse by telling you that you're not "really" gay, bisexual or transgender

Says that men are naturally violent

Don't take the blame

You may not be sure whether you're the victim or the abuser. It's common for survivors of domestic violence to act out verbally or physically against the abuser, yelling, pushing, or hitting him or her during conflicts. The abuser may use such incidents to manipulate you, describing them as proof that you are the abusive partner.

 

You may have developed unhealthy behaviors. Many survivors do. That doesn't mean you are at fault for the abuse.

 

If you're having trouble identifying what's happening, take a step back and look at larger patterns in your relationship. Then, review the signs of domestic violence. In an abusive relationship, the person who routinely uses these behaviors is the abuser. The person on the receiving end is being abused.

 

Even if you're still not sure, seek help. Intimate partner violence causes physical and emotional damage — no matter who is at fault.

 

Children and abuse

Domestic violence affects children, even if no one is physically attacking them. If you have children, remember that being exposed to domestic violence makes them more likely to have developmental problems, psychiatric disorders, problems at school, aggressive behavior and low self-esteem. You might worry that seeking help could further endanger you and your children, or that it might break up your family. Fathers might fear that abusive partners will try to take their children away from them. However, getting help is the best way to protect your children — and yourself.

 

Break the cycle

If you're in an abusive situation, you might recognize this pattern:

 

Your abuser threatens violence.

Your abuser strikes you.

Your abuser apologizes, promises to change and offers gifts.

The cycle repeats itself.

Typically the violence becomes more frequent and severe over time.

 

Domestic violence can leave you depressed and anxious, and can increase your risk of having a drug or alcohol problem. Because men are traditionally thought to be physically stronger than women, you might be less likely to report domestic violence in your heterosexual relationship due to embarrassment. You might also worry that people will minimize the importance of the abuse because you're a man. Similarly, a man being abused by another man might be reluctant to talk about the problem because of how it reflects on his masculinity or because it exposes his sexual orientation.

 

If you seek help, you also might find that there are fewer resources for male victims of domestic violence. Health care providers and other contacts might not think to ask if your injuries were caused by domestic violence, making it harder to open up about abuse. You might fear that if you talk to someone about the abuse, you'll be accused of wrongdoing yourself. Remember, though, if you're being abused, you aren't to blame — and help is available.

 

Start by telling someone about the abuse, whether it's a friend, relative, health care provider or other close contact. At first, you might find it hard to talk about the abuse. However, you'll also likely feel relief and receive much-needed support.

Create a safety plan

Leaving an abuser can be dangerous. Consider taking these precautions:

 

Call a domestic violence hotline for advice. Make the call at a safe time — when the abuser isn't around — or from a friend's house or other safe location.

Pack an emergency bag that includes items you'll need when you leave, such as extra clothes and keys. Leave the bag in a safe place. Keep important personal papers, money and prescription medications handy so that you can take them with you on short notice.

Know exactly where you'll go and how you'll get there.

Protect your communication and location.

An abuser can use technology to monitor your telephone and online communication and to track your physical location. If you're concerned for your safety, seek help. To maintain your privacy:

 

Use phones cautiously. Your abuser might intercept calls and listen to your conversations. He or she might use caller ID, check your cellphone or search your phone billing records to see your complete call and texting history.

Use your home computer cautiously. Your abuser might use spyware to monitor your emails and the websites you visit. Consider using a computer at work, at the library or at a friend's house to seek help.

Remove GPS devices from your vehicle. Your abuser might use a GPS device to pinpoint your location.

Frequently change your email password. Choose passwords that would be impossible for your abuser to guess.

Clear your viewing history. Follow your browser's instructions to clear any record of websites or graphics you've viewed.

 

Where to seek help

 

In an emergency, call 911 — or your local emergency number or law enforcement agency. The following resources also can help

 

Someone you trust. Turn to a friend, relative, neighbor, co-worker, or religious or spiritual adviser for support.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233). The hotline provides crisis intervention and referrals to resources.

Your health care provider. Doctors and nurses will treat injuries and can refer you to other local resources.

A counseling or mental health center. Counseling and support groups for people in abusive relationships are available in most communities.

A local court. Your district court can help you obtain a restraining order that legally mandates the abuser to stay away from you or face arrest. Local advocates may be available to help guide you through the process.

Domestic violence against men can have devastating effects. Although you may not be able to stop your partner's abusive behavior, you can seek help. Remember, no one deserves to be abused.

 

Jan Ricks Jennings, MHA, LFACHE

Senior Consultant

Senior Management Resources, LLC

 

Jan.Jennings@EagleTalons.net

JanJenningsBlog.Blogspot.com

 

412.913.0636 Cell

724.733.0509 Office

                                                                            

Decompression sickness

 

 

Decompression sickness (DCS) is a type of injury that occurs when there is a rapid decrease in pressure surrounding the body.

 

It usually occurs in deep-sea divers who ascend to the surface too quickly. But it can also occur in hikers descending from a high altitude, astronauts returning to Earth, or in tunnel workers who are in an environment of compressed air.

 

With decompression sickness, gas bubbles can form in the blood and tissues. If you believe you’re experiencing decompression sickness, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. This condition can be fatal if it’s not treated quickly.

 

Who commonly experiences this?

While DCS can affect anyone moving from high altitudes to low altitudes, such as hikers and those who work in aerospace and aviation flights, it’s most common in scuba divers.

 

Your risk for decompression sickness increases if you:

 

have a heart defect

are dehydrated

take a flight after diving

have overexerted yourself

are fatigued

have obesity

are elderly

dive in cold water

In general, decompression sickness becomes more of a risk the deeper you dive. But it can occur after a dive of any depth. That’s why it’s important to ascend to the surface slowly and gradually.

 

If you’re new to diving, always go with an experienced dive master who can control the ascent. They can make sure it’s done safely.

 

Decompression sickness symptoms

Common symptoms of DCS may include:

 

fatigue

weakness

pain in muscles and joints

headache

lightheadedness or dizziness

confusion

vision problems, such as double vision

stomach pain

chest pain or coughing

shock

vertigo

More uncommonly, you may also experience:

                                                                 

 

muscle inflammation

itching

rash

swollen lymph nodes

extreme fatigue

 

Experts classify decompression sickness with symptoms affecting the skin, musculoskeletal, and lymphatic systems as type 1. Type 1 is sometimes called the bends.

 

In type 2, a person will experience symptoms affecting the nervous system. Sometimes, type 2 is called the chokes.

 

How long does it take for DCS to happen?

The symptoms of decompression sickness may appear rapidly. For scuba divers, they may start within an hour after a dive. You or your companion may appear visibly ill. Look out for:

 

dizziness

a change in gait when walking

weakness

unconsciousness, in more serious cases

These symptoms indicate a medical emergency. If you experience any of these, contact your local emergency medical services immediately.

 

CONTACT EMERGENCY SERVICES

Call local emergency services or DAN’s 24-hour emergency line at +1-919-684-9111.You can also contact the Diver’s Alert Network (DAN), which operates an emergency phone line 24 hours a day. They can assist with evacuation assistance and help you locate a recompression chamber nearby.

In more mild cases, you may not notice symptoms until a few hours or even days after a dive. You should still seek medical care in those cases.

How does decompression sickness happen?

If you move from an area of high pressure to low pressure, nitrogen gas bubbles can form in the blood or tissues. The gas is then released into the body if the outside pressure is relieved too quickly. This can lead to obstructed blood flow and cause other pressure effects.

 

What to do

Contact emergency services

Watch for symptoms of decompression sickness. These are a medical emergency, and you should seek emergency medical services immediately.

 

Contact DAN

You can also contact DAN, which operates an emergency phone line 24 hours a day. They can assist with evacuation assistance and help you locate a hyperbaric chamber nearby. Contact them at +1-919-684-9111.

 

Concentrated oxygen

In more mild cases, you may not notice symptoms until a few hours or even days after a dive. You should still seek medical care. In mild cases, treatment may include breathing 100 percent oxygen from a mask.

 

Recompression therapy

The treatment for more serious cases of DCS involves recompression therapy, which is also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

 

With this treatment, you’ll be taken to a sealed chamber where air pressure is three times higher than normal. This unit may fit one person. Some hyperbaric chambers are larger and can fit several people at once. Your doctor may also order an MRI or a CT scan.

 

If recompression therapy is started promptly after a diagnosis, you may not notice any effects of DCS afterward.

 

However, there can be long-term physical effects, such as pain or soreness around a joint.

 

For severe cases, there may also be long-term neurological effects. In this case, physical therapy may be required. Work with your doctor, and keep them informed about any lasting side effects. Together, you can determine a care plan that’s right for you.

 

Prevention tips for diving

Do your safety stops

To prevent decompression sickness, most divers make a safety stop for a few minutes before ascending to the surface. This is usually done around 15 feet (4.5 meters) below the surface.

 

If you’re diving very deep, you may want to ascend and stop a few times to ensure your body has time to adjust gradually.

                                                               

 

Talk to a dive master

If you’re not an experienced diver, you’ll want to go with a dive master who is familiar with safe ascents. They may follow the guidelines for air compression as outlined by the United States Navy.

 

Before you dive, talk to the dive master about an adjustment plan and how slowly you need to ascend to the surface.

 

Avoid flying that day

You should avoid flying or going up to high elevations for 24 hours after diving. This will give your body time to adjust to the change in altitude.

 

Additional preventive measures

Avoid alcohol 24 hours before and after diving.

Avoid diving if you have obesity, are pregnant, or have a medical condition.

Avoid back-to-back dives within a 12-hour period.

Avoid diving for 2 weeks to a month if you’ve experienced symptoms of decompression sickness. Return only after you’ve undergone a medical evaluation.

The takeaway

Decompression sickness can be a dangerous condition, and it needs to be treated immediately. Luckily, it’s preventable in most cases by following safety measures.

 

For scuba divers, there’s protocol in place to prevent decompression sickness. That’s why it’s important to always dive with a group led by an experienced dive maste

 

 

Jan Ricks Jennings, MHA, LFACHE

Senior Consultant

Senior Management Resoucres, LLC

 

Jan.Jennings@EagTalons.net

Jan.Jennings@EagleTalons.net

 

October 30, 2022

 

                                                                     Brucellosis

Overview

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that spreads from animals to people. Most commonly, people are infected by eating raw or unpasteurized dairy products. Sometimes, the bacteria that cause brucellosis can spread through the air or through direct contact with infected animals.

 

Signs and symptoms of brucellosis may include fever, joint pain, and fatigue. The infection can usually be treated with antibiotics. However, treatment takes several weeks to months, and the infection can recur.

 

Brucellosis affects hundreds of thousands of people and animals worldwide. Avoiding raw dairy products and taking precautions when working with animals or in a laboratory can help prevent brucellosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of brucellosis may show up anytime from a few days to a few months after you have been infected. Signs and symptoms are similar to those of the flu and include:

Fever

Chills

Loss of appetite

Sweats

Weakness

Fatigue

Joint, muscle and back pain

Headache

Brucellosis symptoms may disappear for weeks or months and then return. Some people have chronic brucellosis and experience symptoms for years, even after treatment. Long-term signs and symptoms may include:

Fatigue

Recurrent fevers

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers (endocarditis)

Joint inflammation (arthritis)

Arthritis of the spinal bones (spondylitis)

Arthritis of joints where the spine and pelvis connect (sacroiliitis

                                                                    

When to see a doctor

Brucellosis can be hard to identify, especially in the early stages, when it often resembles other conditions, such as the flu. See your doctor if you develop a rapidly rising fever, muscle aches or unusual weakness and have any risk factors for the disease, or if you have a persistent fever.

Causes

Brucellosis affects many wild and domestic animals, including:

 

Cattle

Goats

Sheep

Pigs and wild hogs

Dogs, especially those used in hunting

Deer

Elk

Bison

Caribou

Moose

Camels

A form of brucellosis also affects harbor seals, porpoises, and certain whales.

 

The most common ways that bacteria spread from animals to people are by:

 

Eating raw dairy products. Brucella bacteria in the milk of infected animals can spread to humans in unpasteurized milk, ice cream, butter, and cheeses. The bacteria can also be transmitted in raw or undercooked meat of infected animals.

Inhaling contaminated air. Brucella bacteria spread easily in the air. Farmers, hunters, laboratory technicians and slaughterhouse workers can inhale the bacteria.

Touching blood and body fluids of infected animals. Bacteria in the blood, semen or placenta of an infected animal can enter your bloodstream through a cut or other wound. Because normal contact with animals — touching, brushing, or playing — does not cause infection, people rarely get brucellosis from their pets. Even so, people who have weakened immune systems should avoid handling dogs that are known to have the disease.

Brucellosis normally does not spread from person to person, but in a few cases, women have passed the disease to their children during birth or through their breast milk. Rarely, brucellosis may spread through sexual activity or through contaminated blood or bone marrow transfusions.

 

Risk factors

While brucellosis is rare in the United States, it is more common in other parts of the world, especially:

Southern Europe, including Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Greece, Southern France

Eastern Europe

Mexico, South and Central America

Asia

Africa

The Caribbean

The Middle East

 

Occupations at higher risk

People who work with animals or who come into contact with infected blood are at higher risk of brucellosis. Examples include:

 

Veterinarians

Dairy farmers

Ranchers

Slaughterhouse workers

Hunters

Microbiologists

Complications

Brucellosis can affect almost any part of your body, including your reproductive system, liver, heart, and central nervous system. Chronic brucellosis may cause complications in just one organ or throughout your body. Possible complications include:

 

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers (endocarditis). This is one of the most serious complications of brucellosis. Untreated endocarditis can damage or destroy the heart valves and is the leading cause of brucellosis-related deaths.

Arthritis. Joint inflammation is marked by pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints, especially the knees, hips, ankles, wrists, and spine. Inflammation of the joints in your spine (spondylitis) or the joints linking the lower spine and pelvis (sacroiliitis) can be particularly hard to treat and may cause lasting damage.

Inflammation and infection of the testicles (epididymo-orchitis). The bacteria that cause brucellosis can infect the epididymis, the coiled tube that connects the vas deferens and the testicle. From there, the infection may spread to the testicle itself, causing swelling and pain, which may be severe.

Inflammation and infections of the spleen and liver. Brucellosis can also affect the spleen and liver, causing them to enlarge beyond their usual size.

Central nervous system infections. These include potentially life-threatening illnesses such as inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or inflammation of the brain itself (encephalitis).;

 

Prevention

To reduce the risk of getting brucellosis, take these precautions:

 

Avoid unpasteurized dairy foods. In recent years in the United States, few cases of brucellosis have been linked to raw dairy products from domestic herds. Still, it is best to avoid unpasteurized milk, cheese and ice cream, no matter what their origin. If you are traveling to other countries, avoid all raw dairy foods.

Cook meat thoroughly. Cook a whole cut of meat until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 F (63 C) and let it rest for at least three minutes — a medium doneness. Cook ground meat to 160 F (71 C) — well done. Cook all poultry, including ground poultry, to 165 F (74 C). When traveling outside of the United States, avoid undercooked meats.

Wear gloves. If you are a veterinarian, farmer, hunter or slaughterhouse worker, wear rubber gloves when handling sick or dead animals or animal tissue or when assisting an animal giving birth.

Take safety precautions in high-risk workplaces. If you work in a laboratory, handle all specimens under appropriate biosafety conditions. Slaughterhouses should also follow protective measures, such as separating the killing floor from other processing areas and use of protective clothing.

Vaccinate domestic animals. In the United States, an aggressive vaccination program has nearly eliminated brucellosis in livestock herds. Because the brucellosis vaccine is live, it can cause disease in people. Anyone who has an accidental needle stick while vaccinating an animal should be treated.

Jan Ricks Jennings, MHA, LFACHE

Senior Consultant

Senior Management Resources, LLC

 

Jan.Jennings@EagleTalons.net

JanJenningsBlog.Blogspot.com

 

412.913.0636 Cell

724.733.0509 Office

 

October 25, 2022