Health For All

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening and life-altering system response to infection, Dr. Guy explains. “It causes an exaggerated immune response that can end up damaging key organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys, and potentially lead to death.”

He compares sepsis to an ember that sparks from a small campfire, suddenly threatening the whole forest. If it isn’t treated early, sepsis can progress into septic shock. Patients may need medications to support their blood pressure and a ventilator to breathe. “Their kidneys are at risk, and they could go into kidney failure and need dialysis,” says Dr. Guy. “These are the folks who are at highest risk of losing their lives.”

Sepsis can affect anyone, but taking action to reduce the risk of infection can help prevent sepsis before symptoms begin.

Sepsis is more common than one might think. It can happen in response to any kind

What are the warning signs of suicidal behavior?

There are several warning signs that someone may be considering suicide.

“The first two are helplessness and hopelessness, as if their life doesn’t have meaning, or what they do doesn’t make a difference,” says Dr. Frank Drummond, national medical director for Behavioral Health at HCA Healthcare. “You might hear them make statements like, ‘No one would care if I wasn’t here anymore,’ or ‘What’s the point of going to work,’ or ‘What’s the point of taking a shower?’”

Access to care, including mental health hotlines or therapy, is important for suicide prevention.

However, suicidality — the risk of suicide, which is usually indicated by suicidal ideation or intent — can also be a symptom of depression, Dr. Drummond says. Other symptoms of depression can include:

• Increased or decreased sleep
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Crying spells
• Withdrawal from loved ones and

What are the different types of allergic reactions?

“An allergic reaction is a hypersensitive reaction that your immune system has to a certain substance,” says Dr. Josephin Mathai, medical director of the emergency department at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital. “Every person can have a different trigger, and the level of reaction you have is different for everybody.”

Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. With severe allergic reactions, it’s important to administer epinephrine and go to an emergency room.

Shellfish is the most common allergen for adults, followed by peanuts and tree nuts, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). For children, the most common allergens are milk, eggs and peanuts. Some people may have only a mild reaction if they are exposed to an allergen, while others may have a more severe reaction.

There are four main types of allergic reactions:

1. Anaphylactic:

Choosing nutrient-packed foods that help fight depression and bolster positive mental wellness is an excellent way to boost your mood naturally while also supporting other aspects of your health and well-being.

You may already know about the many benefits of a well-balanced diet for your heart, bones and muscles — but did you know you can also eat for your mind?

Given the known links between mental and physical health, food can have a sizable impact on both physical and emotional feelings and functions. While nutrition isn’t a fix-all solution for all mental health problems, everyday choices about what we eat can affect our mood.

In particular, choosing nutrient-packed foods that help fight depression and bolster positive mental wellness is an excellent way to boost your mood naturally while also supporting other aspects of your health and well-being.

“Minimizing processed foods has been shown to decrease inflammation in the body,”

Women should take note of any changes or irregularities in the look and feel of their breasts.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, and the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Fortunately, there are better treatment options and a greater chance of survival if breast cancer is detected at an early stage. Women who familiarize themselves with their breasts and get regular screenings can increase their odds of detecting breast cancer before it becomes more difficult to treat.

Why familiarize yourself with your breasts?

Starting at age 20, women should be familiar with their breasts and promptly report any changes to a healthcare provider. Although most breast changes are harmless, some changes may indicate something serious.

Dr. Joyce Moore, a breast surgeon at Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at HealthONE, says the