Archives for May 2022

Asthma Overview

Asthma affects more than 25 million Americans¹. It is a chronic disease that causes your airways to become inflamed, making it hard to breathe. There is no cure for asthma. The best way to manage asthma is to avoid triggers, take medications to prevent symptoms and prepare to treat asthma episodes if they occur.

Common symptoms are coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness. Asthma may lead to a medical emergency. It is important to know the signs of a severe asthma episode (or asthma attack).

What Triggers Asthma?

Asthma symptoms can appear when you are exposed to a trigger. A trigger is something you are sensitive to that makes your airways become inflamed. This causes swelling, mucous production and narrowing in your airways. Common asthma triggers are pollen, chemicals, extreme weather changes, smoke, dust mites, stress and exercise.

Why West Oakland Health?

West Oakland Health provides medical treatments geared to the general health, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and as the COVID-19 pandemic has been going on a “twin pandemic” emerged. This twin pandemic is mental health, according to Mental Health America (MHA)’s Executive Vice President of Communications, Jillian Hughes.

Quick facts about mental health:

• Mental health conditions are more prevalent among adults who report being two or more races.
• Children who experience trauma are 1.3 times more likely to develop a mental health condition.
• Mental health conditions affect women more than men.
• On July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will change its phone number to an easy to remember three-digit number – 988.

After the last two years of pandemic living, many people are realizing that stress, isolation, and uncertainty have taken a toll on their well-being. 

Whether you realize it or not, mental health plays a big role in your overall well-being. When you’re mentally healthy, you are able to enjoy your life and the people in it, feel good about yourself, keep up good relationships, and deal with stress. It’s normal for your mental health to shift over time – we all face difficult situations in our lives. Creating positive habits is a great way to support your mental health when you’re doing well and helps you build skills to use if you do face symptoms of a mental health condition. 

West Oakland Health Council offers mental health services. Call Us Today.