What You & Your Loved Ones Need to Know - ABOUT STALKING
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H E A LT H B U L L E T I N S
BETTERSAFE
W E LCOA’ S O N L I N E B U L L E T I N F O R YO U R FA M I LY ’ S S A F E T Y
What You & Your
Loved Ones Need
to Know
ABOUT STALKING
Stalking means engaging in a course of conduct directed
at a specific person that would cause a reasonable
person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others
or suffer substantial emotional distress. Stalking is a Talk with your
crime in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. doctor if you have
territories, the military, and tribal lands. It’s important any concerns about
to be familiar with your state’s laws about stalking along your health.
with common signs and what you can do if you or a
loved one become a victim of stalking. Here’s some key
information that may help to get familiar with. typically afraid of their perpetrators. For example, an
employee who constantly makes fun of a co-worker may
WHAT DOES STALKING LOOK LIKE? be harassing her/him by continually making unwanted,
crude jokes. While the victim is distressed and may feel
Stalkers use a variety of tactics, including (but not sad, anxious, angry and/or uncomfortable, he/she is not
limited to) unwanted contact including phone calls, texts, afraid of the offender—there’s no feeling that he/she will
contact via social media, unwanted gifts, approaching cause more harm. However, if that same perpetrator
an individual or their family/friends, monitoring, began calling the victim’s cell phone, following the
surveillance, property damage, and threats. Many victim and/or posting disparaging things about the
stalkers’ behaviors seem harmless or even desirable to victim online, it could become stalking.
outsiders – for example, sending expensive gifts. For
victims, however, the stalker’s actions create fear and WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU OR
that can sometimes be hard to explain. SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS BEING STALKED
Stalking and harassment are similar and can overlap. If you or someone you know is being stalked, notify law
Harassment may be part of a stalking pattern of enforcement immediately. While victims cannot control
behavior/course of conduct. Typically, the element the stalking behavior, they should feel empowered to
of fear is what separates stalking from harassment. take steps to keep themselves, their families, and their
Harassment is typically irritating and bothersome, loved ones safe. Gather and provide all evidence, like
sometimes to the point where a victim feels deeply threatening text messages, voicemails, etc.
uncomfortable. However, victims of harassment are not
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H E A LT H B U L L E T I N S
Victims of stalking often experience psychological
trauma. You can help victims by providing support
and acknowledging what they are experiencing and
feeling—simple validation goes a long way.
While predatory stalkers deliberately commit acts of
violence, many other stalkers are simply obsessed with
their victims in addition to suffering from mental issues
like depression, personality disorder, and substance
abuse. The latter type of stalkers often do not realize
that what they are doing is wrong and can usually be
rehabilitated. Some can be treated to see the harm of
their ways and terrible consequences of their destructive
behavior.
STALKING FACTS
Here are some facts about stalking from the Bureau of
Justice Statistics:
residence hall, outside your classroom or at your
» Every year, 3.4 million people over the age of 18 are work
stalked in the United States
» Threatening to hurt you, your family, friends, or
» More than 1 in 4 stalking victims reported some pets
form of technology was used, such as e-mail (83%)
or instant messaging (35%) » Finding out about you by using public records or
online search services, hiring private investigators,
» 3 in 4 stalking victims are stalked by someone they going through your garbage, or contacting your
know friends, classmates, family, neighbors, or co-workers
Recognize the signs of a stalker: » Other actions that control or frighten you
» Repeatedly calling and texting, including hang-ups
» Following you and showing up wherever you are
» Sending unwanted gifts, letters, cards, or e-mails
» Damaging your home, car, or other property
» Monitoring your phone calls, computer use, or social
media account
» Hacking into your social media accounts or email
» Using technology, like hidden cameras or global
positioning systems (GPS), to track where you go
» Driving by or hanging out at your apartment/
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H E A LT H B U L L E T I N S
Are You Suffering
from Rosacea?
IDENTIFYING & TREATING
THIS COMMON SKIN
CONDITION
Most of us have experienced facial redness, whether
it’s from a sunburn, blushing, or an allergic reaction.
Redness in the face that lingers, however, could be a sign
of a skin condition called rosacea (pronounced ro-ZAY-
shah). Rosacea often starts as redness or flushing on the
cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. Sometimes the skin Talk with your
may feel warm to the touch, have a burning sensation, doctor if you have
or be itchy. any concerns about
your health.
Over time, many people with rosacea may develop small Rosacea often comes and goes in
blood vessels on the skin of their face or red bumps that cycles. Symptoms can flare up and
look like acne. It most often affects women ages 30 to 60 then diminish, only to return later. It’s important to pay
and it’s more common among people who have fair skin. attention to the things that trigger rosacea. Sunlight,
In an extreme form, it can thicken the skin on the nose, stress, alcohol, spicy foods, and hormonal fluctuations
causing the nose to appear larger or swollen. This is are common triggers.
much more common in men. Many people with rosacea
also experience dry, irritated, swollen and red eyes. Some doctors are studying the role of molecules
called antimicrobial peptides. These work like natural
CAUSES & TREATMENT antibiotics in the skin, killing some bacteria. But they
also trigger the body’s immune system. Scientists have
The causes of rosacea aren’t completely understood, discovered that some people with rosacea make too
but a combination of genetic and environmental factors many antimicrobial peptides. This discovery could
are thought to play a role. Studies show that rosacea eventually lead to new treatments.
involves issues with the body’s immune system. Experts
have learned that rosacea is a problem with how the skin Right now, there are several medications doctors can
senses the outside environment. The immune sensing prescribe to treat rosacea. Some work by affecting
system in the skin is too sensitive. the microbes that live on the skin. Others help reduce
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H E A LT H B U L L E T I N S
redness by constricting blood vessels in the face. Laser
therapy may help reduce the redness of enlarged blood
vessels, but is not a permanent treatment. It may need
to be repeated to maintain the improved appearance it
provides for the skin.
If you have symptoms of rosacea, a doctor who treats
skin disorders, called a dermatologist, can help.
COPING WITH ROSACEA
» To determine triggers, keep a written record of what
seems to make your rosacea worse.
» Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every day.
» Use a moisturizer on your face if it helps. But avoid
products that irritate your skin.
» Consider trying makeup with a green tone and
matte finish to reduce the appearance of skin
redness.
» Rosacea can be distressing as you may feel
embarrassed or anxious about your appearance or
frustrated by other people’s reactions. Talk with
your health care provider for support and resources
that can help.
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H E A LT H B U L L E T I N S
Keeping Your
Blood Pressure
IN CHECK
Optimal blood pressure is essential to your overall
health. Normal blood flow delivers nutrients and oxygen
to all parts of your body, including important organs
like your heart, brain, and kidneys. Your beating heart
helps to push blood through your vast network of blood
vessels, both large and small. Your blood vessels, in turn,
constantly adjust.
High blood pressure can make your heart work too Talk with your
hard and lose strength. The high force of blood flow can doctor if you have
damage your blood vessels, making them weak, stiff, or any concerns about
narrower. Over time, high blood pressure, also known your health.
as hypertension, can harm several important organs,
including your heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes.
Blood pressure is given in two numbers:
Hypertension is a leading risk factor for death and
disability worldwide. It also raises the risk of having a 1. The first number represents the pressure in your
heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or kidney disease. blood vessels as the heart beats (called systolic
Anyone, even children, can develop high blood pressure, pressure).
but the risk increases with age. Excess weight or having
a family history of high blood pressure also raises your 2. The second is the pressure as your heart relaxes and
risk for hypertension. fills with blood (diastolic pressure).
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE HIGH BLOOD Experts generally agree that the safest blood pressure—
PRESSURE? or “normal” blood pressure—is 120/80 or lower,
meaning systolic blood pressure is 120 or less and
High blood pressure may show little or no symptoms diastolic pressure is 80 or less.
so it is important to have your blood pressure tested
regularly. This easy, painless test involves placing an Hypertension is defined as having an average blood
inflated cuff with a pressure gauge around your upper pressure of above 140/90. Since blood pressure can vary
arm to squeeze the blood vessels. A health care provider widely from day to day, a diagnosis of hypertension is
may then use a stethoscope to listen to your pulse as air usually based on an average of 2 or more readings taken
is released from the cuff, or an automatic device may on 2 or more occasions. If your blood pressure falls
measure the pressure.
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H E A LT H B U L L E T I N S
between “normal” and “hypertension,” it’s sometimes
called prehypertension. People with prehypertension are
more likely to end up with high blood pressure if they
don’t take steps to prevent it.
Fortunately, high blood pressure can be treated and
prevented through diet, weight loss, and physical
activity, as well as medical interventions. If you’re
diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will
prescribe a treatment plan. You’ll likely be advised to
make healthy lifestyle changes.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO M AINTAIN
HEALTHY BLOOD PRESSURE
» Maintain a healthy weight. Work with your
physician to determine what that is for you.
» Stay active. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical
activity most days of the week.
» Eat nutritious, whole foods. Choose an eating plan
rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy,
and low in both saturated fat and added sugars.
» Reduce the amount of heavily processed foods
you eat. These are foods that have unhealthy
ingredients, such as salt, sugar, artificial colors,
flavorings, and preservatives added to make them
more appealing or make them last longer.
» Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Men should
have no more than 2 drinks per day; women no
more than 1 drink per day.
» Don’t use tobacco. Tobacco raises your risk for heart
disease, stroke, and other health problems.
» Work with your doctor to create the best plan for
you. This may include medications to help lower
your blood pressure in addition to lifestyle changes.
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H E A LT H B U L L E T I N S
Gaining Clear Sight
on Glaucoma
According to the World Health Organization, glaucoma
is the second leading cause of blindness around the
world. Glaucoma is an eye disease that can damage
your optic nerve, which supplies visual information to
your brain from your eyes. Glaucoma is usually, but not
always, the result of abnormally high pressure inside
your eye. Over time, the increased pressure can erode
your optic nerve tissue, which may lead to vision loss or
even blindness. However, if it’s caught early, you may be
able to prevent additional vision loss, so it’s important to Talk with your
understand how to spot and treat this disease. doctor if you have
any concerns about
your health.
DIAGNOSING GL AUCOM A
There are five kinds of glaucoma. The most common
type of glaucoma is primary open-angle glaucoma. It ARE YOU AT RISK?
has no signs or symptoms except gradual vision loss.
For that reason, it’s important that you go to yearly Most risk factors for glaucoma are out of your control.
comprehensive eye exams so your ophthalmologist, or The following can place you at greater odds of
eye specialist, can monitor any changes in your vision. developing the disease:
To diagnose glaucoma, your ophthalmologist will want » Age: People over 60 are at increased risk of
to perform a comprehensive eye examination. They’ll glaucoma, and the risk increases slightly with each
year of age.
check for signs of deterioration, including loss of nerve
tissue. Your doctor will want to know what symptoms » Ethnicity: African Americans or people of African
you’ve been experiencing and if you have any personal descent are significantly more likely to develop
or family history of glaucoma. They’ll also ask for a glaucoma than Caucasians. People of Asian descent
general health assessment to determine if any other are at a higher risk of angle-closure glaucoma, and
people of Japanese descent have a higher risk of
health conditions may be impacting your eye health, developing low-tension glaucoma.
such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
» Prior eye problems: Chronic eye inflammation
and thin corneas can lead to increased pressure in
your eyes. Physical injury or trauma to your eye can
also cause your eye pressure to increase.
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H E A LT H B U L L E T I N S
» Family history: Some types of glaucoma may
run in families. If your parent or grandparent had
open-angle glaucoma, you’re at an increased risk of
developing the condition.
» Having certain chronic conditions: People
with diabetes and those with high blood pressure
and heart disease have an increased risk of
developing glaucoma.
HOW IS GL AUCOM A TREATED?
The goal of glaucoma treatment is to reduce intraocular
pressure (IOP) to stop any additional eyesight loss.
Typically, your doctor will begin treatment with
prescription eye drops. If these don’t work or more
advanced treatment is needed, your doctor may suggest
additional treatments.
If a blocked or slow channel is causing increased IOP,
your doctor may suggest surgery to make a drainage
path for fluid or destroy tissues that are responsible for
the increased fluid.
Glaucoma can’t be prevented, but it’s still important to
catch it early so you can begin treatment that will help
prevent it from getting worse. The best way to catch any
type of glaucoma early is to have an annual preventive
eye care appointment. Make an appointment with an
ophthalmologist. Simple tests performed during these
routine eye checks may be able to detect damage from
glaucoma before it advances and begins causing vision
loss.
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