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~ The perfect artisanal blend of emergency preparedness, PIO and snark.

Katie

Category Archives: Nature

Will you die in an Emergency?

30 Saturday Sep 2017

Posted by Katie in Disaster, emergency preparedness, Nature, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

If you have diabetes, heart disease or another chronic illness (like me), your chances are higher.

A 2008 study titled Chronic disease and natural hazards: impact of disasters on diabetic, renal and cardiac patients found that chronic diseases are exacerbated during and immediately following natural disasters (Miller & Arquilla, 2008). That means, if you have diabetes before a disaster strikes your symptoms will probably get worse.

In the regions affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, up to 40% of the people lived with at least one chronic disease like diabetes (Jhung et, al., 2007). Chronic disease can also be heart disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPH), cancer, asthma, arthritis, autoimmune diseases and addictions. For more information on chronic diseases in general, visit CDC.gov https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/index.htm

Nationwide 1 in 2 adults has a chronic disease and 1 in 4 have more than 1. What does that have to do with disasters and emergency response? A great deal.

The people (like myself) with chronic disease usually see their symptoms get worse during disasters. This is what that exacerbation word up top means. Sometimes those symptoms get so bad that people end up in the hospital or seeking care for their symptoms. Sometimes, the symptoms are so bad that people die.  A study from Tulane University School of Medicine found that hospital admissions for heart attacks are three times higher in New Orleans up to 10 years post hurricane Katrina (Chronic disease post Hurricane Katrina, 2016). This data was compared to pre-Katrina rates and controlled for typical population factors. In that same study, post-Katrina patients had significantly higher risk factors for heart attacks because their heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure was not being well managed.

Why do these symptoms get worse during disasters?

The first reason is the disaster itself. Earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, mudslides, tornadoes, even Arizona Haboobs cause major disruptions in the environment and our lives. Haboobs stir up dust that increases symptoms of asthma and COPD (not to mention Valley Fever). Floods expose diabetics to nasty sewage water that can increase the chances of skin infections. So if you outlive the actual disaster and don’t get crushed by the earthquake, you are probably going to have a really hard time managing your asthma and you might die from it.

The second reason is exposure to temperature extremes, lack of food and water and they physical and emotional trauma. Many of the medications we take to control chronic diseases make dealing with extreme temperatures very difficult. A lack of food or water for someone with diabetes usually means low blood sugar and a trip to the emergency room. If that emergency room is unavailable or you are stuck in an inaccessible area, you might die.  The stress of the emergency leads to anxiety, forgetfulness, depression, increased blood pressure and increased exacerbation of chronic disease illness.

disaster

The third reason is lack of medications. Many evacuees forget (or don’t have time) to bring their medications with them. In Houston and Florida, many evacuees didn’t even know what medications they took for their conditions. During hurricane Katrina, local and federal responders set up emergency pharmaceutical dispensing areas where evacuees could get over the counter and prescription medications. 73% of the medications dispensed were for chronic care in general with 39% of that being for people with heart disease (Jhung et. all., 2007). So if you survive the tornado itself and you are now trapped in your underground bunker for a week and you didn’t bring your heart medications with you… well you see where I’m going.

What can we do about it?

Be the healthiest version you can be.

I’m not saying you need to be super thin or compete in American Ninja Warrior training. I’m saying, take care of yourself. Manage your chronic condition to the best of your ability. Manage your symptoms well now so that when disaster strikes, you have a greater chance of survival.

  • Take your medication as prescribed
  • Talk to your doctor about everyday management
  • Sign up for Chronic Disease Self-Management Classes http://azlwi.org/
  • Know your nutrition needs and try to live that everyday
  • Find ways to reduce stress: practice meditation, prayer, yoga, whatever appeals to you

Be the preparedest (not a word) version you can be.

I’m not saying you need to build a bunker (unless you live in a tornado infested area). I’m saying, take some time to build an emergency preparedness kit. Prepare for the management of your chronic illness away from home by including:

  • At least a seven day supply of all your medications
  • A cooler with those insta cool packs for medications that need refrigeration
  • A list of medications and dosages you normally take or
  • Empty bottles of your medications stored in your kit
  • Add special equipment for disease monitoring (glucose machine, blood pressure cuff)
  • Instructions on how to take your medication in case you need help with dispensing
  • Over the counter medications you normally take
  • Comfort foods or special diet foods
  • A list of physicians with their contact information
  • A list of facilities with their addresses that you receive regular care at (cancer and dialysis treatment)

Be the championingest (I’m gonna make this work) version you can be.

I’m not saying you need to lead the charge in your neighborhood. I’m saying, since 1 in 2 Americans have a chronic disease, it’s smart to build a network of support:

  • Ask neighbors if they need help building emergency preparedness kits
  • Advocate chronic disease self-management
  • Encourage others to eat for their health and know their nutrition needs
  • Find trustworthy people to help with medication dispensing during emergencies
  • If you have other family members with chronic disease needs, plan together

How I’m going to start

The one thing that really hit home with me was how evacuees didn’t know their own medications. I’m lucky and I only need to take one medication on a regular basis so it’s easy for me to remember the name and dose but I couldn’t tell you the names and doses of medications my family takes. Something with an A? Something that sounds like propanol? That one that causes massive diarrhea? My husband probably doesn’t know what I take. The first thing I’m going to do this weekend is to take our old bottles and put them in the go kit. It’s a first step for me and it can be a first step for you too.

blog post 2

Disclaimer: I’m obviously not a physician of any kind. Just a public health emergency planner who thinks about disasters a lot.

References if you really want them:

Miller, A., and Arquilla, B. (2008). Chronic disease and natural hazards: impact of disasters on diabetic, renal, and cardiac patients. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2008 Mar-Apr;23(2):185-94.

Jhung, M. A., Shehab, N., Rohr-Allegrini, C., Pollock, D. A., Sanchez, R., Guerra, F., & Jernigan, D. B. (2007). Chronic disease and disasters medication demands of Hurricane Katrina evacuees. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine, 33(3), 207-210.

Chronic disease post Hurricane Katrina. (2016). Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, 24(6), 15.

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Hiking Buckskin Mountain: A Selfie Story!

09 Saturday May 2015

Posted by Katie in Nature

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

arizona, buckskin, Hiking, Parker, selfie, weightloss

IMG_2327 IMG_2328 IMG_2378[1]IMG_2330 IMG_2331 IMG_2332 IMG_2333 IMG_2334 IMG_2335 IMG_2336 IMG_2337 IMG_2338 IMG_2339 IMG_2340 IMG_2341 IMG_2342 IMG_2343 IMG_2344 IMG_2345 IMG_2346 IMG_2347 IMG_2348 IMG_2349 IMG_2350 IMG_2351 IMG_2352 IMG_2353 IMG_2354 IMG_2355 IMG_2356 IMG_2357 IMG_2358 IMG_2359 IMG_2360 IMG_2361 IMG_2362 IMG_2363 IMG_2364 IMG_2365 IMG_2366 IMG_2367 IMG_2368 IMG_2369 IMG_2370 IMG_2371 IMG_2372 IMG_2373 IMG_2374 IMG_2375 IMG_2376 IMG_2377

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Winter is coming… (but it doesn’t feel like it).

06 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by Katie in Nature

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

aspens, Autumn, nerd

A few months ago Greg and I took a trip to Flagstaff, to see the Aspens. This trip was a long time coming since he had been promising me for two years. Each year, there was some conflict that kept us in our individual homes during the change of colors. We are both Arizona natives but only one of us (guess who) had never seen Autumn in action. That’s right, I had never seen the changing of the colors. Unless you count the desert turning from dark yellow/brown to bleached out yellow in the summer time… then yeah… I’ve seen.

So in October we escaped the still blistering heat of Summer (it still felt like Summer even though it was Autumn), and climbed the mountain.

It was breathtaking as always. I really do love Flagstaff. You know, for having grown up there, Greg isn’t much of a hippie. I find that odd.

Flagstaff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could see some of the colors from a distance but nothing prepared me for the raw beauty of seeing the Aspens up close. The way the leaves flutter in a breeze remind me of cottonwood trees.

Aspen grove

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unlike cottonwood trees, the leaves don’t just turn brown and drop off, they turn all sorts of yellows and golds and oranges.

Yellows and Golds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ham

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My son loves to ham it up for the camera.

IMG_0489

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was even a bit of snow on the ground from the last storm. Finally, it felt like Autumn. In fact, the snow reminded me that Winter was coming. I could picture Eddard Stark leaning against his longsword, Ice, exclaiming, “Winter is coming.” Only Winter no longer feels like it is coming. We are in December and the temps are still in the high 70s, low 80s. Way to go AZ. Way to go.

IMG_0465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the way, doesn’t it look like the Aspens have eyes? You know what else has eyes? The Weirwood in Game of Thrones. 😀

heart tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sun on my Face

30 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by Katie in Nature

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

nature, sun

I hate waking up most mornings.

Simply for the fact that my thyroid levels are at their lowest in the mornings and I’m achy, I’m moaning, I’m shivering.  Also because I obviously haven’t had any coffee.  This morning was no different.

I was snuggled deep inside my covers smugly thinking about the awesome things I pinned last night on pinterest and how my pins are better than my friends. Then I realized I was lame awesome and got out of bed. By the time I hit the door to leave my house I was irritated and running late (like always).

That is the typical morning for me. Rushing out the door because I had a hard time getting out of my bed (it’s not even comfortable), shoving sausage links and eggo pieces into my kids’ hands and speeding away in my Ford Taurus. Don’t judge me! Like you never owned a Ford Taurus! Once I owned a neon green Volkswagen Rabbit convertible. It had no brakes but it was schweeeeeeet!

My home is 5 miles from work with no traffic. Jealous? I drive through a small stretch of desert before coming into town. It’s a pretty drive but I’m usually too busy to pay attention. The sun wasn’t even up all the way.

At about the half way mark I noticed a man, in a red sweater, standing on the side of the road near his bicycle. I was primed for a winning, “hey Darby, that’s your man” remark. This red sweatered man was standing perfectly still looking towards the East. I slowed down a little. He must have been about 75 and in obvious good health. Standing perfectly still, facing East. It was odd and yet I felt a sense of anticipation while watching him. There he was, standing still when I started to pass him at the most opportune time: he moved.

The man in the red sweater clasped his hands in front of him, raised his face and smiled the most serene smile as a line of golden sunlight washed down him. He was waiting for the sun.

I watched him from my rear view window, smiling. All of a sudden I felt shamed for going so fast, for moving in a rush, for pushing my children out the door with breakfast in hand. I wondered what it must feel like to anticipate the morning rays on the side of the road while everyone else is rushing by. And I wondered what his thoughts were and if he greeted every sunrise thus. But I also felt as though I had intruded on an intimate moment.

This consumed me for the next few minutes as I zipped past buildings that kept the sun from directly hitting me. I intentionally turned down a road that was free of buildings, chasing the sun. It hit me, full in the face. It wasn’t the same, it wasn’t right. I felt like I had missed out on something.

I obsessed for another hour before I was able to write this entry and that’s when I remembered. I have been there. I’ve seen the sun and felt it warm me as it rose in the morning. My mind was flooded with memories of going to my grandfather’s farm at 5 in the morning and working as the sun came up. I can remember watching it hit the outer edges of the fields and move closer and closer to me, warming me in the winters and punishing me in the hot summers.

Then I no longer wondered what he thought because I had the same thoughts and I can’t even put them into words. It’s an experience, an understanding of nature, a sense of accomplishment, an acceptance of a new day, a celebration of life. An epiphany.

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