Ask around to see what people think hepatitis is and you’ll probably find out most of us don’t know. Overall, hepatitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the liver, the largest solid organ and gland in our bodies. We need to keep our livers healthy because they perform over 500 essential tasks.

In general, livers “clean” out toxins while they help digest food and absorb essential nutrients. Understanding hepatitis in its numerous forms (A, B, C, D and E) is the best way to prevent contracting these potentially fatal diseases.

Estimates show that 30 million travelers a year visit destinations considered high-risk for hepatitis A and B. Both are vaccine-preventable.  Hepatitis C and D are usually spread through contact with infected blood. The E form is uncommon in the United States and rarely results in chronic hepatitis, but that doesn’t make it harmless.

World Hepatitis Day is a global effort to raise hepatitis awareness.  The Hepatitis Foundation Organization’s site (www.hepatitisfoundation.org) shows you how to prevent, diagnose and treat hepatitis as early as possible. Only through education can we control and eliminate hepatitis altogether.

To everyone except those who have headaches, the symptoms are invisible. It’s probably why we know so little about the pain they cause. Yet the problems are real. We need to know more about headaches and migraines so people don’t have to suffer in silence.

Causes vary from dietary triggers to drug reactions. Additional symptoms, such as loss of vision, uncontrolled vomiting and loss of consciousness, can accompany migraines and headaches and need to be addressed immediately.

Sometimes people don’t seek help because they assume nothing out of the ordinary is wrong. However, if your head hurts, talk to your doctor and find out how many new treatments are available. You may want to keep a headache diary to narrow down what triggers your pain. Learn biofeedback techniques to control functions like heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension and skin temperature.

The National Migraine and Headache Foundation (NHF) designated June to raise awareness of this common malady. If you, or anyone you know has problems, go to www.headaches.org to learn how many options are available to ease the pain.

Do you know the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia? Dementia is a general term for mental decline that’s severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and purple is the official color of the Alzheimer’s movement.

While we have medications available to help ease symptoms, currently there’s no cure. Because everyone is at risk for developing Alzheimer’s, it’s imperative to expand our conversation about it to raise awareness. That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association designated the entire month of June to ask people to “go purple” and spread the word. Here’s what you can do:

• Change your Face book profile picture to include the color purple.
• Wear purple clothing and gear.
• Share your story…and why you go purple…with hash tags #ENDALZ and #My AlzStory.
• Participate in community events like walks for Alzheimer’s.

So let’s take the month of June to “go purple” and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s around the world!

For more information, contact: Alzheimer’s Association | 800.272.3900 | www.alz.org/abam

Twitter: @alzassociation Hashtag: #ENDALZ

When it comes to arthritis, we tend to think of Grandma trying to get her fingers around her knitting needles or any elderly person struggling with door knobs. But did you know that arthritis, our leading cause of disability, affects 300,000 children?

Around the country, Juvenile Arthritis (JA) camps offer programs to help kids deal with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases. In a safe and secure environment, children and teens learn more about arthritis in general so they gain a better understanding of their own diagnosis and treatment.

Tools include peer-to-peer support and developing new skills and interests to increase independence and self-confidence. The lasting memories they create develop the skills needed for leadership and advocacy. Ultimately, they become more active participants beyond the camp experience.

Arizona has two camps: Camp Cruz in Mayer running from June 6-17; and Camp ILA (Imagine Life without Arthritis) Family Weekend in Prescott from September 21^st to the 23^rd.

For more information on both camps, you can contact Allie Avishai at aavishai@arthritis.org

Visit the Arthritis.org website for lots and lots of good information!

Project Walk is an activity-based system designed to treat a variety of neurological conditions. These conditions include Brain Injuries, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Even children with Spina Bifida have hope through Project Walk’s pediatric program.

With six centers spanning the country from Boston to Walnut Creek, California, clients come from all over the US as well as 40 different countries. Programs are designed based on patients’ conditions and where they live.

As a pioneer in this type of treatment, the goal is to improve function, not just fitness, maximizing the potential for improvement. Since 1999, its Certified Specialists have treated 1000s of clients by creating a customized prescription program to meet each client’s needs.

We’re fortunate to have one of these locations in Tempe which is located at 14647 S. 50^th Street, Suite C181. Check their website, https://www.projectwalk.com/ for more information.