Did you know that out of every 100 people, 10 to 20 are at risk of getting shingles?
Fortunately, a VA research partnership with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases resulted in a new shingles vaccine. Currently available to veterans, this exciting new vaccine proved to prevent shingles from occurring in 51 percent of the men and women who participated in the study.
The Shingles Prevention Study examined men and women 60-years-old or older who were given either the vaccine or a placebo (a substance not containing any medicine). After three years of follow-up, only 315 people who received the vaccine developed shingles, compared to 642 people who developed shingles that were given the placebo. In addition, of those given the vaccine that did get shingles, their pain was reduced by 61 percent.
The shingles vaccine is recommended for veterans 60-years-old or older with a healthy immune system, who have not already had shingles. The vaccine is not recommended for those who have not had chickenpox or have a hard time fighting infections. If you are interested in receiving the vaccine, or want to find out if it is right for you, contact your VA provider for more information.
Definition of shingles:
Shingles is a painful disease marked by a blistering rash. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Who is at the greatest risk of getting shingles? Those who:
Have had chickenpox
Are over 60-years-old
Have a disease or health condition that weakens their immune system
To help address these different needs, VA now has women’s clinics at most of its hospitals and community clinics. There are also female primary care physicians and gynecology clinics; many VA medical centers even have private waiting rooms for women. On-site care and services for common female health matters are offered at over 90 percent of VA sites. Plus, the VA will arrange outside care for any services they cannot directly provide.
For women to maintain a healthy wellbeing, diet, exercise, and regular check-ups are important. However, there are some illnesses that women are at a higher-risk of developing. Depression, obesity, heart disease, and osteoporosis are more common in women than men. The best prevention is awareness. Preventative care and regular screenings will help keep you healthy, and become more important as you age. Screenings for blood pressure, thyroid, cholesterol, bone density, and blood glucose should be discussed with your VA provider, especially if you are over 45 years of age.
If you are a female veteran, visit or call your nearest VA medical center to find out what services are available to meet your personal needs now and for the years that lie ahead.
Osteoporosis, a general concern for aging women, is a condition of weakened bones that usually occurs in the hip, wrist, and/or spine. You can help prevent osteoporosis by taking a calcium supplement, or by increasing your calcium and vitamin D intake with foods such as:
Ask your VA provider about other things you can do to ensure that you are getting the right amount of calcium.
Visit our website at www.desertpacific.va.gov
Suicide has developed into a growing national concern, and the VA has put measures in place to help address this health issue. A study prepared by the VA Mental Illness Research, Education, & Clinical Center (MIRECC) showed that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 65.
According to Damisi Graham, Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System, “We want veterans to know that we care, and we try to encourage them to seek treatment immediately if they are suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts.” Like Graham, suicide prevention coordinators are available at each VA medical center to help high-risk patients, making sure they’re getting the care they need.
But how can you know when a friend or loved one needs help? If you think that something may be wrong, Graham advises listening to them and helping them get immediate attention. Most suicide attempts relate to overwhelming feelings of loneliness, worthlessness, hopelessness, helplessness, or guilt. Examples of factors that can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts are:
Flags that can alert you to someone’s need for
help include:
Regardless of the signs, trust your instincts. If you think that a loved one or friend is in danger, talk to them, ask them to call a professional, or offer to take them to see a professional. Let them know of your concern and be open to what they have to say. Give them hope that they can feel better again.
VA has also established a 24-hour national hotline. For free and confidential help, veterans can call the hotline (1-800-273-TALK) and be immediately connected to mental health professionals. Veterans can also contact their local VA medical center for other treatment options. For more information, visit www.mentalhealth.va.gov.
When you lay down at night, do you fall asleep quickly, or do you spend most of the night counting sheep?
Dr. Ramiz Fargo, a physician at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System in California, recognizes that many veterans have trouble getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep. “We sometimes have a bad night or a few bad nights; that’s common and nothing to worry about,” says Fargo. “It becomes a problem when you notice difficulty functioning during the day.
According to Fargo, sleeplessness is often caused by stress, depression, pain, or a big event. In any case, many of your body’s functions are impacted when you don’t get enough rest. “When we are sleep deprived, it is harder to commit things to memory,” says Fargo. A lack of sleep can also affect decision-making, responsiveness, mood, blood pressure, and metabolism.
There are over 100 identified sleep disorders. Most problems include:
- Falling and staying asleep (insomnia)
- Breathing problems during sleep (sleep apnea)
- Leg movements before and during sleep (restless legs syndrome)
If you are experiencing any problems, Fargo advises writing down your symptoms and all medications you’re taking. “Some veterans are on medications that can contribute to insomnia, such as diuretics, blood pressure medications, or anti-depressants,” he says. For doctors to properly diagnose sleep disorders, it helps to know your full medical history.
And lastly, Dr. Fargo tells patients, “Don’t take your problems to bed with you; get out of bed, go to another room, and do something not too stimulating like reading or listening to the radio in low light; then go back to bed when you get sleepy again.” He adds that if you still can’t fall asleep after half an hour, you should get up and repeat the process. If your problems continue, your doctor may recommend medication or a sleep study to observe what’s happening to your body during sleep.
Remember, you don’t have to figure out your sleep disturbances on your own—your local VA medical center is ready to help.
To help achieve a better sleep, Dr. Fargo recommends that you:
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule 7 days a week
- Avoid napping
- Get regular exercise at least 3 hours before bedtime
- Walk in the morning or early afternoon
- Take your medications at least 2 hours before bedtime
- Create a relaxed sleep environment (comfortable bed)
- Before bedtime, you should also avoid:
- Drinking a lot of liquids (to reduce acid reflux)
- Eating heavy meals
- Drinking caffeine
- Smoking
- Drinking Alcohol
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