Do you know what a neurosurgeon does? Have you ever suffered from a cataract? What is the best way to deal with
psoriasis? You can learn these answers and more by celebrating the following health observances in the month of August:
Cataract Awareness Month
Do you know what a neurosurgeon does? Have you ever suffered from a cataract? What is the best way to deal with
psoriasis? You can learn these answers and more by celebrating the following health observances in the month of August:
Cataract Awareness Month
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A cataract is the clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye that gives it a frosty or foggy look. According to the National Eye Institute more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery by the time they are 80 years old. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends
that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40, which is when early signs of the disease start to occur. Cataract Awareness Month promotes the importance of getting screened for cataracts and taking proper care of your eyes.
Watch this video that explains what a cataract is:
Neurosurgery Outreach Month
Neurosurgery is a branch of medicine that deals with surgery of the nervous system. This includes the brain, spine, peripheral nerves and arteries of the neck. Neurosurgeons/brain surgeons diagnose and treat conditions of the entire nervous system such as hydrocephalus, head trauma, traumatic brain injuries, epilepsy, spinal cord trauma and more. The purpose of Neurosurgery Outreach Month is to educate the public about what brain surgeons do and how they treat various brain diseases.
You can learn more by visiting the Sinai Hospital Division of Neurosurgery and the Northwest Hospital Division of Neurosurgery.
Psoriasis Awareness Month
The National Psoriasis Foundation says that as many as 7.5 million Americans (approximately 2.2 percent of the population) and 125 million people worldwide have psoriasis. Psoriasis is a common skin condition that usually occurs in people age 15 to 35. The skin becomes red and irritated and has flaky, white patches. It can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, stress, dry air, dry skin, cuts, burns and insect bites. Psoriasis Awareness Month raises awareness about the skin condition.
This video explains psoriasis:
Read this previous blog post titled “Even Celebrities Like Kim Kardashian Suffer from Psoriasis.”
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a group of inherited diseases that attacks nerve cells and causes muscles to degenerate and become weak. It can lead to loss of motor function and can affect walking, crawling, breathing, swallowing and neck control. The disease affects one in 6,000 newborns and is the leading cause of death in children under the age of two. Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month is dedicated to finding a cure for the disease, improving care for SMA patients and educating health professionals about ways to treat of it.
This video shares the story of one boy’s fight against SMA:
