Aon Employee Benefi tsHealthcare

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AllergyWhat is an allergy:

An allergy occurs when your body’s immune system sees a certain substance as harmful. It reacts by causing an allergic reaction. Substances that cause allergic reactions are allergens.

There are many types of allergies. Some allergies are seasonal, and others are year-round. Some allergies may be life-long.

It is important to work with your health care provider to create a plan to manage your allergy. Avoiding your allergens is the best way to prevent an allergic reaction.

Drug Allergy

True allergies to drugs (medicines) occur in only a small number of people. Most drug reactions are not allergic but are side eff ects of the properties of the medicine. A diagnosis of the cause of the drug reaction is usually based only upon the patient’s history and symptoms. Sometimes skin testing for drug allergy is also done.

Food Allergy

There are diff erent types of allergic reactions to foods. There are diff erences between IgE-mediated allergies, non-IgE mediated allergies and food intolerances.

Insect Allergy

Bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fi re ants are the most common stinging insects that cause an allergic reaction.

Non-stinging insects can also cause allergic reactions. The most common are cockroaches and the insect-like dust mite. Allergies to these two insects may be the most common cause of year-round allergy and asthma.

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• Allergy

• Asthma

• Stuttering

• Senior Fitness

May is Asthma and Allergy Month

Health Focus

Health Focus | Aon Employee Benefits - Healthcare | May 2019 2

Allergy cont...

Symptoms

Allergy symptoms, which depend on the substance involved, can affect your airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. In some severe cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, can cause:• Sneezing

• Itching of the nose, eyes or roof of the mouth

• Runny, stuffy nose

• Watery, red or swollen eyes (conjunctivitis)

A food allergy can cause:

• Tingling in the mouth

• Swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat

• Hives

• Anaphylaxis

An insect sting allergy can cause:

• A large area of swelling (edema) at the sting site

• Itching or hives all over the body

• Cough, chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath

• Anaphylaxis

Some types of allergies, including allergies to foods and insect stings, can trigger a

severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. A life-threatening medical emergency, anaphylaxis can cause you to go into shock. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Loss of consciousness

• A drop in blood pressure

• Severe shortness of breath

• Skin rash

• Lightheadedness

• A rapid, weak pulse

• Nausea and vomiting

A drug allergy can cause:

• Hives

• Itchy skin

• Rash

• Facial swelling

• Wheezing

• Anaphylaxis

Atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin condition also called eczema, can cause skin to:

• Itch

• Redden

• Flake or peel

When to see a doctor

You might see a doctor if you have symptoms you think are caused by an allergy, and over-the-counter allergy medications don’t provide enough relief. If you have symptoms after starting a new medication, call the doctor who prescribed it right away.

For a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), call 911 or your local emergency number or seek emergency medical help. If you carry an epinephrine auto-injector (Auvi-Q, EpiPen, others), give yourself a shot right away.

Even if your symptoms improve after an epinephrine injection, you should go to the emergency department to make sure symptoms don’t return when the effects of the injection wear off.

If you’ve had a severe allergy attack or any signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis in the past, make an appointment to see your doctor. Evaluation, diagnosis and long-term management of anaphylaxis are complicated, so you’ll probably need to see a doctor who specializes in allergies and immunology.

Risk factors

You might be more likely to develop an allergy if you:

• Have a family history of asthma or allergies, such as hay fever, hives or eczema

• Are a child

• Have asthma or another allergic condition

Latex Allergy

A latex allergy is an allergic reaction to natural rubber latex. Natural rubber latex gloves, balloons, condoms and other natural rubber products contain latex. An allergy to latex can be a serious health risk.

Mold Allergy

Mold and mildew are fungi. Since fungi grow in so many places, both indoors and outdoors, allergic reactions can occur year-round.

Pet Allergy

Allergies to pets with fur are common. It is important to know that an allergy-free (hypoallergenic) breed of dog or cat does not exist.

Pollen Allergy

Pollen is one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies. Many people know pollen allergy as “hay fever,” but experts usually refer to it as “seasonal allergic rhinitis.”

Source: https://www.aafa.org/types-of-allergies/

Health Focus | Aon Employee Benefi ts - Healthcare | May 2019 3

Complications

Having an allergy increases your risk of certain other medical problems, including:

• Anaphylaxis. Ifyou have severeallergies, you’reat increased riskof this seriousallergy-inducedreaction. Foods,medications andinsect stings are the most common triggers of anaphylaxis.

• Asthma. If you have an allergy, you’re more likely to haveasthma — an immune system reaction that aff ects the airwaysand breathing. In many cases, asthma is triggered by exposureto an allergen in the environment (allergy-induced asthma).

• Sinusitis and infections of the ears or lungs. Your riskof getting these conditions is higher if you have hay feveror asthma.

Prevention

Preventing allergic reactions depends on the type of allergy

you have. General measures include the following:

• Avoid known triggers. Even if you’re treating your

allergy symptoms, try to avoid triggers. If, for instance,

you’re allergic to pollen, stay inside with windows and

doors closed when pollen is high. If you’re allergic to dust

mites, dust and vacuum and wash bedding often.

• Keep a diary. When trying to identify what causes or

worsens your allergic symptoms, track your activities and

what you eat, when symptoms occur and what seems to

help. This may help you and your doctor identify triggers.

• Wear a medical alert bracelet. If you’ve had a severe

allergic reaction, a medical alert bracelet (or necklace)

lets others know that you have a serious allergy in case

you have a reaction and you’re unable to communicate.

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/

symptoms-causes/syc-20351497

Overview

Asthma attack

If you have asthma, the inside walls of the airways in your lungs can become infl amed and swollen. In addition, membranes in your airway linings may secrete excess mucus. The result is an asthma attack. During an asthma attack, your narrowed airways make it harder to breathe and you may cough and wheeze.

Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing diffi cult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.

Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often changes over time, it’s important that you work with your doctor to track your signs and symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.

Symptoms

Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times — such as when exercising — or have symptoms all the time.

Asthma signs and symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath

• Chest tightness or pain

• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughingor wheezing

• A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling (wheezingis a common sign of asthma in children)

• Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by arespiratory virus, such as a cold or the fl u

Signs that your asthma is probably worsening include:

• Asthma signs and symptoms that are more frequent andbothersome

• Increasing diffi culty breathing (measurable with a peakfl ow meter, a device used to check how well your lungsare working)

• The need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often

For some people, asthma signs and symptoms fl are up in certain situations:

• Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when theair is cold and dry

• Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritantssuch as chemical fumes, gases or dust

• Allergy-induced asthma, triggered by airborne substances,such as pollen, mold spores, cockroach waste or particlesof skin and dried saliva shed by pets (pet dander)

Allergy cont...

Asthma

Asthma cont...

Symptoms

Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times — such as when exercising — or have symptoms all the time.

Asthma signs and symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath

• Chest tightness or pain

• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughingor wheezing

• A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling (wheezingis a common sign of asthma in children)

• Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by arespiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu

Signs that your asthma is probably worsening include:

• Asthma signs and symptoms that are more frequent andbothersome

• Increasing difficulty breathing (measurable with a peakflow meter, a device used to check how well your lungs areworking)

• The need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often

For some people, asthma signs and symptoms flare up in certain situations:

• Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when theair is cold and dry

• Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritantssuch as chemical fumes, gases or dust

• Allergy-induced asthma, triggered by airborne substances,such as pollen, mold spores, cockroach waste or particlesof skin and dried saliva shed by pets (pet dander)

When to see a doctor

Seek emergency treatment

Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Work with your doctor to determine what to do when your signs and symptoms worsen — and when you need emergency treatment. Signs of an asthma emergency include:

• Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing

• No improvement even after using a quick-relief inhaler,such as albuterol

• Shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physicalactivity

See your doctor:

• If you think you have asthma. If you have frequentcoughing or wheezing that lasts more than a few days orany other signs or symptoms of asthma, see your doctor.Treating asthma early may prevent long-term lung damageand help keep the condition from worsening over time.

• To monitor your asthma after diagnosis. If you know youhave asthma, work with your doctor to keep it undercontrol. Good long-term control helps you feel betterfrom day to day and can prevent a life-threateningasthma attack.

• If your asthma symptoms get worse. Contact your doctorright away if your medication doesn’t seem to ease yoursymptoms or if you need to use your quick-relief inhalermore often. Don’t try to solve the problem by taking moremedication without consulting your doctor. Overusingasthma medication can cause side effects and may makeyour asthma worse.

• To review your treatment. Asthma often changes overtime. Meet with your doctor regularly to discuss yoursymptoms and make any needed treatment adjustments.

Causes

It isn’t clear why some people get asthma and others don’t, but it’s probably due to a combination of environmental and genetic (inherited) factors.

Asthma triggers

Exposure to various irritants and substances that trigger allergies (allergens) can trigger signs and symptoms of asthma. Asthma triggers are different from person to person and can include:

• Airborne substances, such as pollen, dust mites, moldspores, pet dander or particles of cockroach waste

• Respiratory infections, such as the common cold

• Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)

• Cold air

• Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke

• Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin,ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve)

• Strong emotions and stress

• Sulfites and preservatives added to some types of foodsand beverages, including shrimp, dried fruit, processedpotatoes, beer and wine

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition inwhich stomach acids back up into your throat

Health Focus | Aon Employee Benefits - Healthcare | May 2019 4

Asthma cont...

Health Focus | Aon Employee Benefits - Healthcare | May 2019 5

Risk factors

Several factors are thought to increase your chances of developing asthma. These include:

• Having a blood relative (such as a parent or sibling) withasthma

• Having another allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitisor allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

• Being overweight

• Being a smoker

• Exposure to secondhand smoke

• Exposure to exhaust fumes or other types of pollution

• Exposure to occupational triggers, such as chemicals usedin farming, hairdressing and manufacturing

Complications

Asthma complications include:

• Signs and symptoms that interfere with sleep, work orrecreational activities

• Sick days from work or school during asthma flare-ups

• Permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes (airwayremodeling) that affects how well you can breathe

• Emergency room visits and hospitalizations for severeasthma attacks

• Side effects from long-term use of some medications usedto stabilize severe asthma

Proper treatment makes a big difference in preventing both short-term and long-term complications caused by asthma.

Prevention

While there’s no way to prevent asthma, by working together, you and your doctor can design a step-by-step plan for living with your condition and preventing asthma attacks.

• Follow your asthma action plan. With your doctor andhealth care team, write a detailed plan for takingmedications and managing an asthma attack. Then be sureto follow your plan.

o Asthma is an ongoing condition that needs regularmonitoring and treatment. Taking control of yourtreatment can make you feel more in control of yourlife in general.

• Get vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia. Stayingcurrent with vaccinations can prevent flu and pneumoniafrom triggering asthma flare-ups.

• Identify and avoid asthma triggers. A number of outdoorallergens and irritants — ranging from pollen and mold tocold air and air pollution — can trigger asthma attacks. Findout what causes or worsens your asthma and take steps toavoid those triggers.

• Monitor your breathing. You may learn to recognizewarning signs of an impending attack, such as slightcoughing, wheezing or shortness of breath. But becauseyour lung function may decrease before you notice anysigns or symptoms, regularly measure and record yourpeak airflow with a home peak flow meter.

• Identify and treat attacks early. If you act quickly, you’reless likely to have a severe attack. You also won’t need asmuch medication to control your symptoms.

o When your peak flow measurements decrease andalert you to an oncoming attack, take your medicationas instructed and immediately stop any activity thatmay have triggered the attack. If your symptoms don’timprove, get medical help as directed in your action plan.

• Take your medication as prescribed. Just because yourasthma seems to be improving, don’t change anythingwithout first talking to your doctor. It’s a good idea tobring your medications with you to each doctor visit, soyour doctor can double-check that you’re using yourmedications correctly and taking the right dose.

• Pay attention to increasing quick-relief inhaler use. If youfind yourself relying on your quick-relief inhaler, such asalbuterol, your asthma isn’t under control. See your doctorabout adjusting your treatment.

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653

Stuttering

Health Focus | Aon Employee Benefits - Healthcare | May 2019 6

More than 1% of the South African population are stutterers, while 5% stutter at some time and recover spontaneously during childhood.

Source: http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com/tech/285-stutteringdevice260208

Stuttering is a speech disorder in which sounds, syllables, or words are repeated or prolonged, disrupting the normal flow of speech. These speech disruptions may be accompanied by struggling behaviors, such as rapid eye blinks or tremors of the lips. Stuttering can make it difficult to communicate with other people, which often affects a person’s quality of life.

Symptoms of stuttering can vary significantly throughout a person’s day. In general, speaking before a group or talking on the telephone may make a person’s stuttering more severe, while singing, reading, or speaking in unison may temporarily reduce stuttering.

Stuttering is sometimes referred to as stammering and by a broader term, disfluent speech.

Source: https://www.medicinenet.com/stuttering/article.htm#how_is_speech_normally_produced

Who Stutter?

It occurs most often in children between the ages of 2 and 5 as they are developing their language skills. Approximately 5 percent of all children will stutter for some period in their life, lasting from a few weeks to several years. Boys are twice as likely to stutter as girls; as they get older, however, the number of boys who continue to stutter is three to four times larger than the number of girls. Most children outgrow stuttering. About 1 percent or less of adult’s stutter.

What causes stuttering?

Although the precise mechanisms are not understood, there are two types of stuttering that are more common. (A third type of stuttering, called psychogenic stuttering, can be caused by emotional trauma or problems with thought or reasoning. At one time, all stuttering was believed to be psychogenic, but today we know that psychogenic stuttering is rare.)

Developmental stuttering

Developmental stuttering occurs in young children while they are still learning speech and language skills. It is the most common form of stuttering. Some scientists and clinicians believe that developmental stuttering occurs when children’s speech and language abilities are unable to meet the child’s verbal demands. Developmental stuttering also runs in families. In 2010, for the first time, NIDCD researchers isolated three genes that cause stuttering. More information on the genetics of stuttering can be found in the research section of this fact sheet.

Neurogenic stuttering

Neurogenic stuttering may occur after a stroke, head trauma, or other type of brain injury. With neurogenic stuttering, the brain has difficulty coordinating the different components involved in speaking because of signaling problems between the brain and nerves or muscles.

How is stuttering diagnosed?

Stuttering is usually diagnosed by a speech-language pathologist (SLP), a health professional who is trained to test

and treat individuals with voice, speech, and language disorders. The speech-language pathologist will consider a variety of factors, including the child’s case history (such when the stuttering was first noticed and under what circumstances), an analysis of the child’s stuttering behaviors, and an evaluation of the child’s speech and language abilities and the impact of stuttering on his or her life.

When evaluating a young child for stuttering, a speech-language pathologist will try to predict if the child is likely to continue his or her stuttering behavior or outgrow it. To determine this difference, the speech-language pathologist will consider such factors as the family’s history of stuttering, whether the child’s stuttering has lasted six months or longer, and whether the child exhibits other speech or language problems.

How is stuttering treated?

Although there is currently no cure for stuttering, there are a variety of treatments available. The nature of the treatment will differ, based upon a person’s age, communication goals, and other factors. If you or your child stutters, it is important to work with a speech-language pathologist to determine the best treatment options.

For very young children, early treatment may prevent developmental stuttering from becoming a lifelong problem. Certain strategies can help children learn to improve their speech fluency while developing positive attitudes toward communication. Health professionals generally recommend that a child be evaluated if he or she has stuttered for three to six months, exhibits struggle behaviors associated with stuttering, or has a family history of stuttering or related communication disorders. Some researchers recommend that a child be evaluated every three months to determine if the stuttering is increasing or decreasing. Treatment often involves teaching parents about ways to support their child’s production of fluent speech. Parents may be encouraged to:

• Provide a relaxed home environment that allows many opportunities for the child to speak. This includes setting aside time to talk to one another, especially when the child is excited and has a lot to say.

• Refrain from reacting negatively when the child stutters. Instead, parents should react to the stuttering as they would any other difficulty the child may experience in life. This may involve gentle corrections of the child’s stuttering and praise for the child’s fluent speech.

• Be less demanding on the child to speak in a certain way or to perform verbally for people, particularly if the child experiences difficulty during periods of high pressure.

• Speak in a slightly slowed and relaxed manner. This can help reduce time pressures the child may be experiencing.

• Listen attentively when the child speaks and wait for him or her to say the intended word. Don’t try to complete the child’s sentences. Also, help the child learn that a person can communicate successfully even when stuttering occurs.

• Talk openly and honestly to the child about stuttering if he or she brings up the subject. Let the child know that it is okay for some disruptions to occur.

Senior Fitness

Health Focus | Aon Employee Benefits - Healthcare | May 2019 7

Staying active can keep you feeling and looking your best — at every stage of your life. An active lifestyle is especially important for senior health because regular exercise can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer, and it can also reduce pain associated with arthritis. By improving balance, flexibility, endurance, and strength, older adults can stay healthier longer. The National Institute on Aging is a great resource for learning more about the exercise benefits for seniors. Just remember to check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise program.

Aerobic activity helps older adults burn off calories, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, maintain joint movement, improve heart health, and increase energy levels overall. Building endurance may take some time, depending on your health and activity level. Try starting with 5-minute cardio sessions a few days a week to raise your heart rate. From there, work toward eventually completing 30 minutes of aerobic activity on most days. Moderate endurance exercise for seniors includes walking briskly, tennis, and swimming; more intense aerobic activities include hiking and running.

The process of building muscle takes time, but the benefits are enormous for your health as a senior. Strength training requires good form to reap full benefit. Start with some basic, low-impact exercises: You can promote lower body strength by squatting in front of a sturdy chair. Keep your arms in front of you and be sure not to extend your knees past your toes as you bend to an almost-sitting position. Hold the position for a few moments, then raise yourself back to a standing position, take a breather, and repeat for two sets of 10 reps. Hold onto the sides of the chair or place a few pillows on the chair if the exercise is too challenging.

Adding resistance with light weights or elastic bands helps develop muscle mass and upper body strength. Sit (or stand) with feet flat on the floor and hold weights at shoulder height with palms facing forward, then lift the weights above your head. Other beneficial exercises for upper body strength include side arm raises — hold weights at your sides, palms inward, and raise your arms out to the sides — and front arm raises — hold weights at your sides, palms down, and raise arms to shoulder height. Aim for two sets of at least 10 reps for each of these three exercises.

Lifting everyday objects like a suitcase or a gallon-size jug of water can become more difficult as you age. Arm curls will strengthen the muscles involved with these movements. Either seated or standing, hold hand weights down at your sides with palms facing up and elbows tucked in, then bend your elbows and lift the weights toward your chest. Hold each repetition for about 1 second, then slowly lower the arms; do a set of 10 reps, rest, and repeat another set.

Traditional push-ups are a great way to work muscles in the arms, shoulders, and chest; however, they can be difficult to complete correctly. You can modify this exercise and still get health benefits by doing wall push-ups. Face a blank wall while standing about arm’s length away, lean forward, and

press your palms flat against the wall. Bend your arms and

slowly bring your upper body toward the wall, hold for a

moment, and push yourself back until your arms are straight

again. Do a set of 10 reps, rest, and repeat another set.

Not only do leg raises help strengthen the thigh, hip,

buttocks, and lower back muscles, this type of exercise

benefits balance as well. For side leg raises, stand behind a

chair and hold on for better balance. Lift one leg out to the

side, keeping it completely aligned from heel to hip, while

maintaining a straight back and a slight bend in the

supporting leg, then slowly lower the leg. For back leg raises,

use the same chair for balance and slowly lift one leg behind

you (without leaning forward), hold for a moment, and lower

the leg. Do not bend the lifted leg or point the toes, and keep

the standing leg slightly bent. For each exercise, complete

two sets of at least 10 reps for each leg, alternating legs

between sets.

Building muscle mass and focusing on better balance can help

reduce the risk of falls and broken bones. A good balance

exercise for older adults is the chair stand: Start in a seated

position in an armless chair. Keeping your back and shoulders

straight, extend your arms parallel to the ground and slowly

stand up, without using your hands. Sit down and repeat the

move 10 to 15 times, rest, and then complete another set of

10 to 15 reps. You can further improve your balance with the

toe stand: Stand behind the chair — use it only for support —

and slowly raise up on your tiptoes. After holding the position

for a moment, slowly lower your heels back to the floor;

repeat two sets of 10 to 15 reps.

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Senior Fitness cont...

Health Focus | Aon Employee Benefits - Healthcare | May 2019 8

To stretch your quadriceps, start by standing behind a chair and grabbing it with your right hand. Bend your left leg behind you and grab your foot with your left hand, making sure to keep the thigh as close to perpendicular to the floor as possible. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds or long enough that you feel the stretch in front of the bent thigh. Release the foot and repeat on the other side. The National Institute on Aging Web site features other great stretches for the lower body, including the hamstring and calf muscles.

Flexibility is important if you want to get the most benefit out of your exercise program. Focus on arm and chest muscles by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides, then bring both arms behind your back and grasp hands. With your shoulders pulled back, hold the move for about 30 seconds, release, and repeat.

Another helpful stretch starts in the same standing position, but this time, clasp your hands in front. Turn your hands so the palms face the ground and bring your arms up to shoulder height. Press your palms outward, away from the body, and hold the move for about 30 seconds, release, and repeat. This exercise benefits the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back.

Factors like limited mobility and pain can make a difference in the types of exercises you’re are able to do. Low-impact exercises allow for less strain on the body while still providing a means of staying physically active. Also, low-impact exercises can help older adults ease into a new workout program. Exercising in the water, whether swimming or doing water aerobics, is a good option, as are gentle forms of yoga, Pilates, tai chi, stretching, and light weight training. Remember that many exercises can be modified to accommodate low-impact needs — ask your physician or fitness expert about ways to adapt these activities.

Exercise benefits much more than just the body — you can also improve your mental and emotional health by maintaining an active life. And if you have fun while you’re being active, chances are you’ll want to continue participating in that activity. Join a walking group so you can exercise and socialize at the same time, listen to music while you garden or work outside, call a friend and take a water aerobics class together, or join an organized club or sport. Stay active, stay involved, and you’ll stay healthy!