Domestic violenceDomestic abuse, also called “domestic violence” or “intimate partner violence”, can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.Domestic violence was mostly associated with physical violence. Terms such as wife abuse, wife beating, wife battering, and battered woman were used, but have declined in popularity due to efforts to include unmarried partners, abuse other than physical, female offenders, and same-sex relationships. Domestic Violence is now commonly defined broadly to include “all acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence that may be committed by a family member or intimate partner.Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith or class.Victims of domestic abuse may also include a child or other relative, or any other household member. Domestic abuse is typically manifested as a pattern of abusive behavior toward an intimate partner in a dating or family relationship, where the abuser exerts power and control over the victim. Domestic abuse can be mental, physical, economic or sexual in nature. Incidents are rarely isolated, and usually escalate in frequency and severity. Domestic abuse may culminate in serious physical injury or death.Recognizing the signs of domestic abuseDoes your partner…Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family?Put down your accomplishments?Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions?Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?Tell you that you are nothing without them?Treat you roughly—grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you?Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be?Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you?Blame you for how they feel or act?Pressure you sexually for things you aren’t ready for?Make you feel like there is “no way out” of the relationship?Prevent you from doing things you want – like spending time with friends or family?Try to keep you from leaving after a fight or leave you somewhere after a fight to “teach you a lesson”?Do you…Sometimes feel scared of how your partner may behave?Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner’s behavior?Believe that you can help your partner change if only you changed something about yourself?Try not to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry?Always do what your partner wants you to do instead of what you want?Stay with your partner because you are afraid of what your partner would do if you broke up?If any of these things are happening in your relationship, talk to someone. Without help, the abuse will continue. Making that first call to seek help is a courageous step.Always remember…NO ONE deserves to be abused. The abuse is not your fault. You are not alone.DON’T worry about threats to your visa. We have information about visa options for your situation.DON’T worry if you do not speak the local language. We can get you help in many Languages.Power and Control WheelThe Power & Control wheel is a particularly helpful tool in understanding the overall pattern of abusive and violent behaviors, which are used by an abuser to establish and maintain control over his/her partner or any other victim in the household. Very often, one or more violent incidents may be accompanied by an array of these other types of abuse. They are less easily identified, yet firmly establish a pattern of intimidation and control in the relationship.Emotional abuse includes undermining a person’s sense of self-worth through constant criticism; belittling one’s abilities; name-calling or other verbal abuse; damaging a partner’s relationship with the children; or not letting a partner see friends and family. You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner:Calls you names, insults you or continually criticizes you.Does not trust you and acts in a jealous or possessive manner.Tries to isolate you from family or friends.Monitors where you go, whom you call and with whom you spend your time.Does not want you to work.Controls finances or refuses to share money.Punishes you by withholding affection.Expects you to ask permission.Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets.Humiliates you in any way.Psychological abuse: involves causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner or children; destruction of pets and property; “mind games”; or forcing isolation from friends, family, school and/or work.Financial or economic abuse: involves making or attempting to make a person financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding access to money, and/or forbidding attendance at school or employment.Physical abuse: involves hurting or trying to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, burning, grabbing, pinching, shoving, slapping, hair-pulling, biting, denying medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use, or using other physical force. You may be in a physically abusive relationship if your partner:Damages property when angry (throws objects, punches walls, kicks doors, etc.).Pushes, slaps, bites, kicks or chokes you.Abandons you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.Scares you by driving recklessly.Uses a weapon to threaten or hurt you.Forces you to leave your home.Traps you in your home or keeps you from leaving.Prevents you from calling police or seeking medical attention.Hurts your children.Uses physical force in sexual situations.Sexual abuse: involves forcing a partner to take part in a sex act when the partner does not consent. You may be in a sexually abusive relationship if your partner:Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside relationships.Wants you to dress in a sexual way.Insults you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names.Has ever forced or manipulated you into having sex or performing sexual acts.Holds you down during sex.Demands sex when you are sick, tired or after beating you.Hurts you with weapons or objects during sex.Involves other people in sexual activities with you.Ignores your feelings regarding sex.Stalking involves any pattern of behavior that serves no legitimate purpose and is intended to harass, annoy, or terrorize the victim. Typical stalking activities include repeated telephone calls, unwelcome letters or gifts by mail, surveillance at work, home and other places that the victim is known to frequent. Stalking usually escalates.For SurvivorsNo one deserves to be abused. The abuse is not your fault. You are not alone.Contact the Critical Incident Stress Management Unit (CISMU) if you are concerned that you may be experiencing any form of abuse or are in fear for the safety of yourself or your children.If English is not your first language, you can request a language you feel more comfortable speaking when contacting CISMU to provide support.You can also see Support Organization to identify and contact an appropriate resource for your assistance (for both US and International).Read how you can protect your digital privacy.

Domestic violenceDomestic abuse, also called “domestic violence” or “intimate partner violence”, can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.Domestic violence was mostly associated with physical violence. Terms such as wife abuse, wife beating, wife battering, and battered woman were used, but have declined in popularity due to efforts to include unmarried partners, abuse other than physical, female offenders, and same-sex relationships. Domestic Violence is now commonly defined broadly to include “all acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence that may be committed by a family member or intimate partner.Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith or class.Victims of domestic abuse may also include a child or other relative, or any other household member. Domestic abuse is typically manifested as a pattern of abusive behavior toward an intimate partner in a dating or family relationship, where the abuser exerts power and control over the victim. Domestic abuse can be mental, physical, economic or sexual in nature. Incidents are rarely isolated, and usually escalate in frequency and severity. Domestic abuse may culminate in serious physical injury or death.Recognizing the signs of domestic abuseDoes your partner…Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family?Put down your accomplishments?Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions?Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?Tell you that you are nothing without them?Treat you roughly—grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you?Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be?Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you?Blame you for how they feel or act?Pressure you sexually for things you aren’t ready for?Make you feel like there is “no way out” of the relationship?Prevent you from doing things you want – like spending time with friends or family?Try to keep you from leaving after a fight or leave you somewhere after a fight to “teach you a lesson”?Do you…Sometimes feel scared of how your partner may behave?Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner’s behavior?Believe that you can help your partner change if only you changed something about yourself?Try not to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry?Always do what your partner wants you to do instead of what you want?Stay with your partner because you are afraid of what your partner would do if you broke up?If any of these things are happening in your relationship, talk to someone. Without help, the abuse will continue. Making that first call to seek help is a courageous step.Always remember…NO ONE deserves to be abused. The abuse is not your fault. You are not alone.DON’T worry about threats to your visa. We have information about visa options for your situation.DON’T worry if you do not speak the local language. We can get you help in many Languages.Power and Control WheelThe Power & Control wheel is a particularly helpful tool in understanding the overall pattern of abusive and violent behaviors, which are used by an abuser to establish and maintain control over his/her partner or any other victim in the household. Very often, one or more violent incidents may be accompanied by an array of these other types of abuse. They are less easily identified, yet firmly establish a pattern of intimidation and control in the relationship.Emotional abuse includes undermining a person’s sense of self-worth through constant criticism; belittling one’s abilities; name-calling or other verbal abuse; damaging a partner’s relationship with the children; or not letting a partner see friends and family. You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner:Calls you names, insults you or continually criticizes you.Does not trust you and acts in a jealous or possessive manner.Tries to isolate you from family or friends.Monitors where you go, whom you call and with whom you spend your time.Does not want you to work.Controls finances or refuses to share money.Punishes you by withholding affection.Expects you to ask permission.Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets.Humiliates you in any way.Psychological abuse: involves causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner or children; destruction of pets and property; “mind games”; or forcing isolation from friends, family, school and/or work.Financial or economic abuse: involves making or attempting to make a person financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding access to money, and/or forbidding attendance at school or employment.Physical abuse: involves hurting or trying to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, burning, grabbing, pinching, shoving, slapping, hair-pulling, biting, denying medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use, or using other physical force. You may be in a physically abusive relationship if your partner:Damages property when angry (throws objects, punches walls, kicks doors, etc.).Pushes, slaps, bites, kicks or chokes you.Abandons you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.Scares you by driving recklessly.Uses a weapon to threaten or hurt you.Forces you to leave your home.Traps you in your home or keeps you from leaving.Prevents you from calling police or seeking medical attention.Hurts your children.Uses physical force in sexual situations.Sexual abuse: involves forcing a partner to take part in a sex act when the partner does not consent. You may be in a sexually abusive relationship if your partner:Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside relationships.Wants you to dress in a sexual way.Insults you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names.Has ever forced or manipulated you into having sex or performing sexual acts.Holds you down during sex.Demands sex when you are sick, tired or after beating you.Hurts you with weapons or objects during sex.Involves other people in sexual activities with you.Ignores your feelings regarding sex.Stalking involves any pattern of behavior that serves no legitimate purpose and is intended to harass, annoy, or terrorize the victim. Typical stalking activities include repeated telephone calls, unwelcome letters or gifts by mail, surveillance at work, home and other places that the victim is known to frequent. Stalking usually escalates.For SurvivorsNo one deserves to be abused. The abuse is not your fault. You are not alone.Contact the Critical Incident Stress Management Unit (CISMU) if you are concerned that you may be experiencing any form of abuse or are in fear for the safety of yourself or your children.If English is not your first language, you can request a language you feel more comfortable speaking when contacting CISMU to provide support.You can also see Support Organization to identify and contact an appropriate resource for your assistance (for both US and International).Read how you can protect your digital privacy.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Breast cancer Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast. A breast is made up of three […]

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Breast cancer Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast. A breast is made up of three […]

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer.

Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast. A breast is made up of three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. The lobules are the glands that produce milk. The ducts are tubes that carry milk to the nipple. The connective tissue (which consists of fibrous and fatty tissue) surrounds and holds everything together. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules.

Breast cancer can spread outside the breast through blood vessels and lymph vessels. When breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is said to have metastasized.

Kinds of Breast Cancer

The most common kinds of breast cancer are;

  • Invasive ductal carcinoma. The cancer cells begin in the ducts and then grow outside the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells can also spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma. Cancer cells begin in the lobules and then spread from the lobules to the breast tissues that are close by. These invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:

  • A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
  • Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast
  • Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
  • A newly inverted nipple
  • Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin
  • Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
  • Causes
  • Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. Cells may spread (metastasize) through your breast to your lymph nodes or to other parts of your body.
  • Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma). Breast cancer may also begin in the glandular tissue called lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma) or in other cells or tissue within the breast.
  • Researchers have identified hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors that may increase your risk of breast cancer. But it’s not clear why some people who have no risk factors develop cancer, yet other people with risk factors never do. It’s likely that breast cancer is caused by a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your environment.

Inherited breast cancer:

About 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to gene mutations passed through generations of a family. The most well-known are breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), both of which significantly increase the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

A strong family history of breast cancer or other cancers, doctor may recommend a blood test to help identify specific mutations in BRCA or other genes that are being passed through your family.

Risk factors

A breast cancer risk factor is anything that makes it more likely you’ll get breast cancer. But having one or even several breast cancer risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop breast cancer. Many women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors other than simply being women.

Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:

  • Being female. Women are much more likely than men are to develop breast cancer.
  • Increasing age. Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age.
  • A personal history of breast conditions. If you’ve had a breast biopsy that found lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia of the breast, you have an increased risk of breast cancer.
  • A personal history of breast cancer. If you’ve had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.
  • A family history of breast cancer. If your mother, sister or daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly at a young age, your risk of breast cancer is increased. Still, the majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
  • Inherited genes that increase cancer risk. Certain gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children. The most well-known gene mutations are referred to as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes can greatly increase your risk of breast cancer and other cancers, but they don’t make cancer inevitable.
  • Radiation exposure. If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is increased.
  • Obesity. Being obese increases your risk of breast cancer.
  • Beginning your period at a younger age. Beginning your period before age 12 increases your risk of breast cancer.
  • Beginning menopause at an older age. If you began menopause at an older age, you’re more likely to develop breast cancer.
  • Having your first child at an older age. Women who give birth to their first child after age 30 may have an increased risk of breast cancer.
  • Having never been pregnant. Women who have never been pregnant have a greater risk of breast cancer than do women who have had one or more pregnancies.
  • Postmenopausal hormone therapy. Women who take hormone therapy medications that combine estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer decreases when women stop taking these medications.
  • Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.

Prevention

Breast self-exam Open pop-up dialog box

Making changes in your daily life may help reduce your risk of breast cancer. Try to:

  • Ask your doctor about breast cancer screening. Discuss with your doctor when to begin breast cancer screening exams and tests, such as clinical breast exams and mammograms.

Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of screening. Together, you can decide what breast cancer screening strategies are right for you.

  • Become familiar with your breasts through breast self-exam for breast awareness. Women may choose to become familiar with their breasts by occasionally inspecting their breasts during a breast self-exam for breast awareness. If there is a new change, lumps or other unusual signs in your breasts, talk to your doctor promptly.

Breast awareness can’t prevent breast cancer, but it may help you to better understand the normal changes that your breasts undergo and identify any unusual signs and symptoms.

  • Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than one drink a day, if you choose to drink.
  • Exercise most days of the week. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. If you haven’t been active lately, ask your doctor whether it’s OK and start slowly.
  • Limit postmenopausal hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.

Some women experience bothersome signs and symptoms during menopause and, for these women, the increased risk of breast cancer may be acceptable in order to relieve menopause signs and symptoms.

To reduce the risk of breast cancer, use the lowest dose of hormone therapy possible for the shortest amount of time.

  • Maintain a healthy weight. If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight. If you need to lose weight, ask your doctor about healthy strategies to accomplish this. Reduce the number of calories you eat each day and slowly increase the amount of exercise.
  • Choose a healthy diet. Women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts may have a reduced risk of breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet focuses mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. People who follow the Mediterranean diet choose healthy fats, such as olive oil, over butter and fish instead of red meat.

Breast cancer risk reduction for women with a high risk:

If your doctor has assessed your family history and determined that you have other factors, such as a precancerous breast condition, that increase your risk of breast cancer, you may discuss options to reduce your risk, such as:

  • Preventive medications (chemoprevention). Estrogen-blocking medications, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors, reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with a high risk of the disease.

These medications carry a risk of side effects, so doctors reserve these medications for women who have a very high risk of breast cancer. Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.

  • Preventive surgery. Women with a very high risk of breast cancer may choose to have their healthy breasts surgically removed (prophylactic mastectomy). They may also choose to have their healthy ovaries removed (prophylactic oophorectomy) to reduce the risk of both breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Domestic violenceDomestic abuse, also called “domestic violence” or “intimate partner violence”, can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.Domestic violence was mostly associated with physical violence. Terms such as wife abuse, wife beating, wife battering, and battered woman were used, but have declined in popularity due to efforts to include unmarried partners, abuse other than physical, female offenders, and same-sex relationships. Domestic Violence is now commonly defined broadly to include “all acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence that may be committed by a family member or intimate partner.Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith or class.Victims of domestic abuse may also include a child or other relative, or any other household member. Domestic abuse is typically manifested as a pattern of abusive behavior toward an intimate partner in a dating or family relationship, where the abuser exerts power and control over the victim. Domestic abuse can be mental, physical, economic or sexual in nature. Incidents are rarely isolated, and usually escalate in frequency and severity. Domestic abuse may culminate in serious physical injury or death.Recognizing the signs of domestic abuseDoes your partner…Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family?Put down your accomplishments?Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions?Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?Tell you that you are nothing without them?Treat you roughly—grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you?Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be?Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you?Blame you for how they feel or act?Pressure you sexually for things you aren’t ready for?Make you feel like there is “no way out” of the relationship?Prevent you from doing things you want – like spending time with friends or family?Try to keep you from leaving after a fight or leave you somewhere after a fight to “teach you a lesson”?Do you…Sometimes feel scared of how your partner may behave?Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner’s behavior?Believe that you can help your partner change if only you changed something about yourself?Try not to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry?Always do what your partner wants you to do instead of what you want?Stay with your partner because you are afraid of what your partner would do if you broke up?If any of these things are happening in your relationship, talk to someone. Without help, the abuse will continue. Making that first call to seek help is a courageous step.Always remember…NO ONE deserves to be abused. The abuse is not your fault. You are not alone.DON’T worry about threats to your visa. We have information about visa options for your situation.DON’T worry if you do not speak the local language. We can get you help in many Languages.Power and Control WheelThe Power & Control wheel is a particularly helpful tool in understanding the overall pattern of abusive and violent behaviors, which are used by an abuser to establish and maintain control over his/her partner or any other victim in the household. Very often, one or more violent incidents may be accompanied by an array of these other types of abuse. They are less easily identified, yet firmly establish a pattern of intimidation and control in the relationship.Emotional abuse includes undermining a person’s sense of self-worth through constant criticism; belittling one’s abilities; name-calling or other verbal abuse; damaging a partner’s relationship with the children; or not letting a partner see friends and family. You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner:Calls you names, insults you or continually criticizes you.Does not trust you and acts in a jealous or possessive manner.Tries to isolate you from family or friends.Monitors where you go, whom you call and with whom you spend your time.Does not want you to work.Controls finances or refuses to share money.Punishes you by withholding affection.Expects you to ask permission.Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets.Humiliates you in any way.Psychological abuse: involves causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner or children; destruction of pets and property; “mind games”; or forcing isolation from friends, family, school and/or work.Financial or economic abuse: involves making or attempting to make a person financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding access to money, and/or forbidding attendance at school or employment.Physical abuse: involves hurting or trying to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, burning, grabbing, pinching, shoving, slapping, hair-pulling, biting, denying medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use, or using other physical force. You may be in a physically abusive relationship if your partner:Damages property when angry (throws objects, punches walls, kicks doors, etc.).Pushes, slaps, bites, kicks or chokes you.Abandons you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.Scares you by driving recklessly.Uses a weapon to threaten or hurt you.Forces you to leave your home.Traps you in your home or keeps you from leaving.Prevents you from calling police or seeking medical attention.Hurts your children.Uses physical force in sexual situations.Sexual abuse: involves forcing a partner to take part in a sex act when the partner does not consent. You may be in a sexually abusive relationship if your partner:Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside relationships.Wants you to dress in a sexual way.Insults you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names.Has ever forced or manipulated you into having sex or performing sexual acts.Holds you down during sex.Demands sex when you are sick, tired or after beating you.Hurts you with weapons or objects during sex.Involves other people in sexual activities with you.Ignores your feelings regarding sex.Stalking involves any pattern of behavior that serves no legitimate purpose and is intended to harass, annoy, or terrorize the victim. Typical stalking activities include repeated telephone calls, unwelcome letters or gifts by mail, surveillance at work, home and other places that the victim is known to frequent. Stalking usually escalates.For SurvivorsNo one deserves to be abused. The abuse is not your fault. You are not alone.Contact the Critical Incident Stress Management Unit (CISMU) if you are concerned that you may be experiencing any form of abuse or are in fear for the safety of yourself or your children.If English is not your first language, you can request a language you feel more comfortable speaking when contacting CISMU to provide support.You can also see Support Organization to identify and contact an appropriate resource for your assistance (for both US and International).Read how you can protect your digital privacy.

SUICIDE And It’s PREVENTION UNDERSTANDING THE FACTORS, PREVENTION, AND HOW YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF OR SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW.

Introduction             The term Suicide is defined as “intentionally taking one’s own life and comes from the Latin word suicidium. Sui mean e and cidium mean a killing, which literally means “to kill oneself.” It tends to carry different traits depending on the culture and still today in some settings, suicide is considered as a religious taboo, […]

SUICIDE And It’s PREVENTION UNDERSTANDING THE FACTORS, PREVENTION, AND HOW YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF OR SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW.

WHAT IS URINARY INCONTINENCE

URINARY INCONTINENCE

DEFINITION
Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that’s so sudden and strong you don’t get to a toilet in time.

If urinary incontinence affects your daily activities, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. For most people, simple lifestyle changes or medical treatment can ease discomfort or stop urinary incontinence.

SYMPTOMS
Some people experience occasional, minor leaks of urine. Others wet their clothes frequently.

Types of urinary incontinence include:

Stress incontinence. Urine leaks when you exert pressure on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy.
Urge incontinence. You have a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence may be caused by a minor condition, such as infection, or a more severe condition such as neurologic disorder or diabetes.
Overflow incontinence. You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn’t empty completely.
Functional incontinence. A physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the toilet in time. For example, if you have severe arthritis, you may not be able to unbutton your pants quickly enough.
Mixed incontinence. You experience more than one type of urinary incontinence.
When to see a doctor
You may feel uncomfortable discussing incontinence with your doctor. But if incontinence is frequent or is affecting your quality of life, it’s important to seek medical advice because urinary incontinence may:

Indicate a more serious underlying condition
Cause you to restrict your activities and limit your social interactions
Increase the risk of falls in older adults as they rush to the toilet
CAUSES
Urinary incontinence isn’t a disease, it’s a symptom. It can be caused by everyday habits, underlying medical conditions or physical problems. A thorough evaluation by your doctor can help determine what’s behind your incontinence.

Temporary urinary incontinence
Certain drinks, foods and medications can act as diuretics — stimulating your bladder and increasing your volume of urine. They include:

Alcohol
Caffeine
Decaffeinated tea and coffee
Carbonated drinks
Artificial sweeteners
Corn syrup
Foods that are high in spice, sugar or acid, especially citrus fruits
Heart and blood pressure medications, sedatives, and muscle relaxants
Large doses of vitamins B or C
Urinary incontinence also may be caused by an easily treatable medical condition, such as:

Urinary tract infection. Infections can irritate your bladder, causing you to have strong urges to urinate, and sometimes incontinence. Other signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection include a burning sensation when you urinate and foul-smelling urine.
Constipation. The rectum is located near the bladder and shares many of the same nerves. Hard, compacted stool in your rectum causes these nerves to be overactive and increase urinary frequency.
Persistent urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence can also be a persistent condition caused by underlying physical problems or changes, including:

Pregnancy. Hormonal changes and the increased weight of the uterus can lead to stress incontinence.
Childbirth. Vaginal delivery can weaken muscles needed for bladder control and also damage bladder nerves and supportive tissue, leading to a dropped (prolapsed) pelvic floor. With prolapse, the bladder, uterus, rectum or small intestine can get pushed down from the usual position and protrude into the vagina. Such protrusions can be associated with incontinence.
Changes with age. Aging of the bladder muscle can decrease the bladder’s capacity to store urine.
Menopause. After menopause women produce less estrogen, a hormone that helps keep the lining of the bladder and urethra healthy. Deterioration of these tissues can aggravate incontinence.
Hysterectomy. In women, the bladder and uterus are supported by many of the same muscles and ligaments. Any surgery that involves a woman’s reproductive system, including removal of the uterus, may damage the supporting pelvic floor muscles, which can lead to incontinence.
Enlarged prostate. Especially in older men, incontinence often stems from enlargement of the prostate gland, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Prostate cancer. In men, stress incontinence or urge incontinence can be associated with untreated prostate cancer. But more often, incontinence is a side effect of treatments for prostate cancer.
Obstruction. A tumor anywhere along your urinary tract can block the normal flow of urine, leading to overflow incontinence. Urinary stones — hard, stone-like masses that form in the bladder — sometimes cause urine leakage.
Neurological disorders. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, a brain tumor or a spinal injury can interfere with nerve signals involved in bladder control, causing urinary incontinence.
RISK FACTORS
Factors that increase your risk of developing urinary incontinence include:

Gender. Women are more likely to have stress incontinence. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and normal female anatomy account for this difference. However, men with prostate gland problems are at increased risk of urge and overflow incontinence.
Age. As you get older, the muscles in your bladder and urethra lose some of their strength. Changes with age reduce how much your bladder can hold and increase the chances of involuntary urine release.
Being overweight. Extra weight increases pressure on your bladder and surrounding muscles, which weakens them and allows urine to leak out when you cough or sneeze.
Other diseases. Neurological disease or diabetes may increase your risk of incontinence.
COMPLICATIONS
Complications of chronic urinary incontinence include:

Skin problems. Rashes, skin infections and sores can develop from constantly wet skin.
Urinary tract infections. Incontinence increases your risk of repeated urinary tract infections.
Impacts on your personal life. Urinary incontinence can affect your social, work and personal relationships.
PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
If you have urinary incontinence, you’re likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in urinary tract disorders (urologist), or if you’re a woman, a gynecologist with special training in female bladder problems and urinary function (urogynecologist).

What you can do
To get ready for your appointment, it helps to:

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions, such as restricting your diet.
Write down your symptoms, including how often you urinate, nighttime bladder activity and episodes of incontinence.
Make a list of all your medications, vitamins and supplements, including doses and how often you take the medication.
Write down key medical information, including other conditions you may have.
Ask a relative or friend to accompany you, to help you remember what the doctor says.
Take a notebook or electronic device with you, and use it to note important information during your visit.
Write down questions to ask your doctor.
For urinary incontinence, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

What’s the most likely cause of my symptoms?
What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
Is my urinary incontinence temporary?
What treatments are available?
Should I anticipate any side effects of the treatment?
Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing for me?
I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
Don’t hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment as they occur to you.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

When did you first begin experiencing symptoms, and how severe are they?
Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
What, if anything, seems to improve or worsen your symptoms?
How often do you need to urinate?
When do you leak urine?
Do you have trouble emptying your bladder?
Have you noticed blood in your urine?
Do you smoke?
How often do you drink alcohol and caffeinated beverages?
How often do you eat spicy, sugary or acidic foods?
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
It’s important to determine the type of urinary incontinence that you have. That information will guide treatment decisions.

Your doctor is likely to start with a thorough history and physical exam. You may then be asked to do a simple maneuver that can demonstrate incontinence: close your mouth, pinch your nose shut and exhale hard.

After that, your doctor will likely recommend:

Urinalysis. A sample of your urine is checked for signs of infection, traces of blood or other abnormalities.
Bladder diary. For several days you record how much you drink, when you urinate, the amount of urine you produce, whether you had an urge to urinate and the number of incontinence episodes.
Post-void residual measurement. You’re asked to urinate (void) into a container that measures urine output. Then your doctor checks the amount of leftover urine in your bladder using a catheter or ultrasound test. A large amount of leftover urine in your bladder may mean that you have an obstruction in your urinary tract or a problem with your bladder nerves or muscles.
Special testing
If further information is needed, your doctor may recommend:

Urodynamic testing. A doctor or nurse inserts a catheter into your urethra and bladder to fill your bladder with water. Meanwhile, a pressure monitor measures and records the pressure within your bladder. This test helps measure your bladder strength and urinary sphincter health, and it’s an important tool for distinguishing the type of incontinence you have.
Cystoscopy. Your doctor inserts a thin tube with a tiny lens into your urethra. Your doctor can check for, and possibly remove, abnormalities in your urinary tract.
Cystogram. Your doctor inserts a catheter into your urethra and bladder and injects a special dye. As you urinate and expel this fluid, X-ray images of your bladder help reveal problems with your urinary tract.
Pelvic ultrasound. Your urinary tract or genitals are checked for abnormalities.
TREATMENTS AND DRUGS
Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, its severity and the underlying cause. A combination of treatments may be needed. Your doctor is likely to suggest the least invasive treatments first and move on to other options only if these techniques fail.

Behavioral techniques
Your doctor may recommend:

Bladder training, to delay urination after you get the urge to go. You may start by trying to hold off for 10 minutes every time you feel an urge to urinate. The goal is to lengthen the time between trips to the toilet until you’re urinating only every two to four hours.
Double voiding, to help you learn to empty your bladder more completely to avoid overflow incontinence. Double voiding means urinating, then waiting a few minutes and trying again.
Scheduled toilet trips, to urinate every two to four hours rather than waiting for the need to go.
Fluid and diet management, to regain control of your bladder. You may need to cut back on or avoid alcohol, caffeine or acidic foods. Reducing liquid consumption, losing weight or increasing physical activity also can ease the problem.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises
Your doctor may recommend that you do these exercises frequently to strengthen the muscles that help control urination. Also known as Kegel exercises, these techniques are especially effective for stress incontinence but may also help urge incontinence.

To do pelvic floor muscle exercises, imagine that you’re trying to stop your urine flow. Then:

Tighten (contract) the muscles you would use to stop urinating and hold for five seconds, and then relax for five seconds. (If this is too difficult, start by holding for two seconds and relaxing for three seconds.)
Work up to holding the contractions for 10 seconds at a time.
Aim for at least three sets of 10 repetitions each day.
To help you identify and contract the right muscles, your doctor may suggest you work with a physical therapist or try biofeedback techniques.

Electrical stimulation
Electrodes are temporarily inserted into your rectum or vagina to stimulate and strengthen pelvic floor muscles. Gentle electrical stimulation can be effective for stress incontinence and urge incontinence, but you may need multiple treatments over several months.

Medications
Medications commonly used to treat incontinence include:

Anticholinergics. These medications can calm an overactive bladder and may be helpful for urge incontinence. Examples include oxybutynin (Ditropan XL), tolterodine (Detrol), darifenacin (Enablex), fesoterodine (Toviaz), solifenacin (Vesicare) and trospium (Sanctura).
Mirabegron (Myrbetriq). Used to treat urge incontinence, this medication relaxes the bladder muscle and can increase the amount of urine your bladder can hold. It may also increase the amount you are able to urinate at one time, helping to empty your bladder more completely.
Alpha blockers. In men with urge or overflow incontinence, these medications relax bladder neck muscles and muscle fibers in the prostate and make it easier to empty the bladder. Examples include tamsulosin (Flomax), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), silodosin (Rapaflo), terazosin (Hytrin) and doxazosin (Cardura).
Topical estrogen. Applying low-dose, topical estrogen in the form of a vaginal cream, ring or patch may help tone and rejuvenate tissues in the urethra and vaginal areas. This may reduce some of the symptoms of incontinence.
Medical devices
Devices designed to treat women with incontinence include:

Urethral insert, a small, tampon-like disposable device inserted into the urethra before a specific activity, such as tennis, that can trigger incontinence. The insert acts as a plug to prevent leakage, and is removed before urination.
Pessary, a stiff ring that you insert into your vagina and wear all day. The device helps hold up your bladder, which lies near the vagina, to prevent urine leakage. You may benefit from a pessary if you have incontinence due to a prolapsed bladder or uterus.
Interventional therapies
Interventional therapies that may help with incontinence include:

Bulking material injections. A synthetic material is injected into tissue surrounding the urethra. The bulking material helps keep the urethra closed and reduce urine leakage. This procedure is generally much less effective than more-invasive treatments such as surgery for stress incontinence and usually needs to be repeated regularly.
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox). Injections of Botox into the bladder muscle may benefit people who have an overactive bladder. Botox is generally prescribed to people only if other first line medications haven’t been successful.
Nerve stimulators. A device resembling a pacemaker is implanted under your skin to deliver painless electrical pulses to the nerves involved in bladder control (sacral nerves). Stimulating the sacral nerves can control urge incontinence if other therapies haven’t worked. The device may be implanted under the skin in your buttock and connected directly to the sacral nerves or may deliver pulses to the sacral nerve via a nerve in the ankle.
Surgery
If other treatments aren’t working, several surgical procedures can treat the problems that cause urinary incontinence:

Sling procedures. Strips of your body’s tissue, synthetic material or mesh are used to create a pelvic sling around your urethra and the area of thickened muscle where the bladder connects to the urethra (bladder neck). The sling helps keep the urethra closed, especially when you cough or sneeze. This procedure is used to treat stress incontinence.
Bladder neck suspension. This procedure is designed to provide support to your urethra and bladder neck — an area of thickened muscle where the bladder connects to the urethra. It involves an abdominal incision, so it’s done during general or spinal anesthesia.
Prolapse surgery. In women with mixed incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, surgery may include a combination of a sling procedure and prolapse surgery.
Artificial urinary sphincter. In men, a small, fluid-filled ring is implanted around the bladder neck to keep the urinary sphincter shut until you’re ready to urinate. To urinate, you press a valve implanted under your skin that causes the ring to deflate and allows urine from your bladder to flow. Artificial urinary sphincters are particularly helpful for men whose incontinence is associated with treatment of prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate gland.
Absorbent pads and catheters
If medical treatments can’t completely eliminate your incontinence, you can try products that help ease the discomfort and inconvenience of leaking urine:

Pads and protective garments. Most products are no more bulky than normal underwear and can be easily worn under everyday clothing. Men who have problems with dribbles of urine can use a drip collector — a small pocket of absorbent padding that’s worn over the penis and held in place by close-fitting underwear.
Catheter. If you’re incontinent because your bladder doesn’t empty properly, your doctor may recommend that you learn to insert a soft tube (catheter) into your urethra several times a day to drain your bladder. You’ll be instructed on how to clean these catheters for safe reuse.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
Urinary incontinence isn’t always preventable. However, to help decrease your risk:

Maintain a healthy weight
Practice pelvic floor exercises, especially during pregnancy
Avoid bladder irritants, such as caffeine and acidic foods
Eat more fiber, which can prevent constipation, a cause of urinary incontinence
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
There are no alternative medicine therapies that have been proved to cure urinary incontinence. Initial pilot studies have shown that acupuncture can provide some short-term benefit, but more research is needed.

COPING AND SUPPORT
If you’re embarrassed about a bladder control problem, you may try to cope on your own by wearing absorbent pads, carrying extra clothes or even avoiding going out.

But effective treatments are available for urinary incontinence. It’s important to ask your doctor about treatment. You’ll be on your way to regaining an active and confident life.

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SUICIDE And It’s PREVENTION UNDERSTANDING THE FACTORS, PREVENTION, AND HOW YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF OR SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW.