Do you struggle to get a good night’s sleep? If so, you’re likely feeling fatigued throughout your day, which can cause serious problems for your health, your job and your life.

Symptoms of Fatigue
Fatigued individuals typically experience drowsiness, mood changes, loss of energy and appetite, headaches, and a lack of motivation, concentration and alertness. Men and women often differ in their symptoms—men may become angry, while women more often feel sadness.

Fatigue in the Workplace
Going to work fatigued even occasionally impairs your ability to perform your job at the highest possible level. The above symptoms are obviously not conducive to productivity, and can also create a safety hazard depending on the job.

Health Concerns
Studies show that fatigue can lead to other medical conditions, such as depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and diabetes. Similarly, many health conditions can cause the poor sleep that produces fatigue.
In addition, while many people suffer simply from trouble sleeping, others have more serious sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or insomnia.

Sleep Hygiene
There are certain ways you can improve your sleep, referred to as “sleep hygiene.”

• Strive for seven to eight hours a night. This may involve changing the schedule you’re used to, but it’s vital to make sleep a priority.
• Keep a regular schedule—try to go to bed and wake up the same time each day, including weekends.
• Create a good sleep environment, including comfortable room temperature, minimal noise and sufficient darkness.
• Keep track of habits that help you fall asleep, like relaxing music or reading before bed. Repeat those activities each night.

Healthy Habits
There are some specific habits that will help you not only sleep better, but lead a healthier lifestyle in general:

• Eat nutritiously. Good eating habits can help you sleep better and feel energized all day. Also, avoid big meals right before going to bed.
• Exercise regularly. This also helps your sleep quality and daytime energy level. Just be sure to avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime.
• Avoid caffeine and nicotine three to four hours before going to bed.
• Limit alcohol before bed, as it can reduce sleep quality.

Migraine headaches are episodic, recurrent, throbbing headaches that usually occur on one side of the head. Migraines last from several hours to several days, and are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.

Types of Migraine
Migraines are classified into two types: classic or common. Classic migraine, or migraine with aura, is a migraine that is preceded by visual disturbances such as flashing lights, jagged lines or distorted images. There can also be neurological symptoms including numbness or weakness on one side of the body, severe dizziness or difficulty speaking. These pre-headache symptoms are the aura, which is an indication of the impending headache.
Common migraine is simply a migraine that sets in without an aura. However, many common migraine sufferers do notice subtle indications that a migraine is coming several hours or days before it starts. These symptoms include feeling elated, energetic, thirsty, hungry for sweets or feeling drowsy, irritable or depressed.

Causes
The exact cause of migraine headaches is unknown. Experts believe that migraines are hereditary, and that 60% of adults with migraines and 90% of children with migraines report a family history of the condition. 

Several theories exist about their cause. Migraine pain is believed to be primarily related to abnormal constriction and dilation of blood vessels surrounding the brain. The reasons for these changes in blood vessels are unclear. One theory blames changes in the trigeminal nerve system—a major pathway in the brain—and another suggests that imbalances in the brain chemical serotonin might be the culprit.

Triggers
A number of factors can generate migraines. Keep in mind that these triggers do not cause the pain associated with a migraine attack, but rather activate a chemical imbalance that already exists. Such triggers include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Certain foods like fermented, pickled or marinated foods
• Chocolate
• Food additives such as monosodium glutamate, sodium nitrate, aspartame and caffeine
• Hormone fluctuations due to oral contraceptive use, hormonal therapy, pregnancy or the menstrual cycle
• Changes in sleep habits and meal times

Before being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, most people develop “prediabetes,” a serious medical condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal.

People with prediabetes often have no signs or symptoms, or don’t recognize them because they develop slowly over a period of time.

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Risk Factors
If you are overweight and age 45 or older – You should be checked for prediabetes during your next routine medical office visit.
If your weight is normal and you are over age 45 – You should ask your doctor during a routine office visit if testing is appropriate.
If you are under age 45 and overweight – Your doctor should recommend testing if you have any other risk factors for diabetes, including:

• High blood pressure
• Low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides
• History of gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
• Family history of diabetes
• Belonging to an ethnic or minority group at high risk for diabetes, including African-Americans, 
• Latinos, Native Americans, or Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders
  

Screening and Diagnosis
Screening guidelines for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes are as follows:

• Fasting blood glucose of 100 mg/dl or lower is considered normal.
• Fasting blood glucose elevated to 100 - 125 mg/dl indicates pre-diabetes.
• Fasting blood glucose elevated to 126 mg/dl or higher indicates diabetes.
• If your blood glucose levels are in the normal range, follow-up tests should occur every three years. If your results indicate prediabetes, you should be re-tested every one to two years after your diagnosis.
  

Prevention and Treatment
If diagnosed with prediabetes, you can and should do something about it. Studies show that people with this condition can prevent or delay the development of Type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes, including:

• Moderate weight loss (reducing total body weight by 7 percent)
• Regular exercise (30 minutes a day, 5 days a week)
• For some people with prediabetes, early enough intervention can actually return elevated blood glucose levels to the normal range.
  

In an effort to share the faces behind our organization, we're shining a spotlight on our Team, Volunteers, and Board Members who have worked tirelessly to get Trinity Health Center open to provide health and healing to the working uninsured and underinsured neighbors in DeSoto County.

This week, we're spotlighting Trinity Health Center Volunteer Coordinator, Jamie Moffitt. Jamie has been a HUGE asset to our team in being able to help organize volunteers for our clinic and attending outreach events with the DeSoto County Dream Center. 

Why did you become involved with Trinity Health Center?
Years ago, when I first heard about Trinity becoming something our church would be a part of, I knew I wanted to be involved. A friend, whom I hold in high regard reached out and asked if I would be interested in taking a volunteer position and without a doubt I was in!

What excites you most about Trinity Health Center's mission and purpose?
I am so excited to work with such an amazing group of people who have such a heart for the people of our community! It also excites me to see folks in our community have the opportunity to receive affordable quality health care at a Christ centered facility!

What are some of your favorite places in our County to enjoy a healthy lifestyle? 
I love Olive Branch City Park! You can spend an entire day there nature walking, biking, fishing, bird watching, kite flying, playing tennis....the options are endless! Then after all those activities hit up "Tacoholics" food truck followed up by an authentic Mexican dessert at Frutanas!
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What is your favorite quote or bible verse?
Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

If you're interested in volunteering with us, check out our Volunteer Application here.

Extreme summer temperatures are not only uncomfortable, they’re also dangerous for your health. This is particularly true for older adults and children, who are more susceptible to illness. Read on for more information about heat-related illnesses and top tips for preventing them.


Heat Exhaustion
This condition occurs when the body is not able to sweat enough to cool itself. Symptoms include:

• Dizziness or weakness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurry vision and difficulty speaking
• Body temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Excessive thirst

When someone is suffering from heat exhaustion, they should move into a cooler place and drink water immediately.


Heat Stroke
This condition is the result of untreated heat exhaustion and includes the following symptoms:

• Sweating
• Unawareness of heat and thirst
• Body temperature rising rapidly above 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Confusion or delirium
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures

When someone is suffering from heat stroke, medical personnel should be called immediately, as the condition is life-threatening. Place ice packs on the person’s body until help arrives.

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Prevention Is Key
To avoid heat illness in summer temperatures, remember to drink lots of water—even if you aren’t thirsty. Additionally, wear light-colored, lightweight clothing made of natural fibers and put on a well-ventilated hat. Lastly, avoid leaving air-conditioned areas in the middle of the day if you can. Instead, complete outdoor activities (e.g., exercising or gardening) in the early morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. For additional lifestyle and well-being guidance, contact us today.