The chains of domestic violence

Dear Dr. Abel,

I read your article on domestic violence in The Gleaner on March 7, 2007, and I want to share my experience on the subject. There were some similarities in my experiences, based on the article that I read. My ex-husband always had a problem with my friends. He always said that I was of a higher calibre than the persons I called my friends.

I was taller than him and when we had an argument he would strangle me. The first time it happened I could not believe it. I tried fighting back but not hard enough. To this day I think if I fought harder this abuse would not continue. I am so embarrassed; to this day, more than 15 years after, no one knows of my ordeal. I always considered getting counselling or even finding some means of helping other women who fall victim to such vultures.

I know what it's like but as women we have that inner strength to fight all obstacles that present themselves. God made us so. Trust your instincts and never give up. Probably one day I will get brave and go to the Women's Crisis Centre and try to reach others who have found themselves in a similar capacity.

Love yourself first. Make sure you know that you are special and that there is nothing you could have done on Earth to deserve such trauma.

Egg yolk is rich in acetylcholine which is involved in memory and movement.

Foods for brain power

Dear Ms. Brown,

I was truly grateful for your article. Could you give me information oncombining food types at mealtimes and what is recommended? Or could you point me to the information if it exists. I have always been curious as to how the stomach digests a variety of foods, especially with drinks, at mealtimes. Again thanks for a great article on brain foods.

Heat stroke and Cricket World Cup 2007

Dear Ms. Thompson,

As we all get ready for the start of CWC 2007, many older Jamaicans look forward to the games with glee. As they prepare to indulge fully in 47 days of cricket, I feel compelled to remind them of a lurking danger. This is the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke from long exposure to the Jamaican sun.

The elderly are more prone to heat stress than younger people for several reasons. Their body's heat regulation systems are not as efficient as those of the young; the thirst response to dehydration and high body temperature is usually less efficient; chronic medical conditions may impair the normal responses to excess heat and their prescription medications may disturb the body's ability to regulate its temperature.

At particularly high risk are diabetics, persons after strokes, hypertensives and others on diuretics, overweight or obese persons, those using alcohol, kidney patients on fluid restrictions, and the very old.

Signs of impending heat exhaustion or heat stroke include: dizziness, headache, confusion, blurred vision, nausea, shortness of breath, and hot and dry skin. A particularly important sign of imminent danger is lack of perspiration.

To prevent dehydration and heat stress, older persons should stay in the shade as much as possible, take lots of water for drinking and for periodic splashing on the face and head, avoid alcohol for a minimum of three days before the match, avoid tea and coffee during the day as they encourage diuresis, dress in loosely-fitting, light-coloured clothes, use sunblock lotions on face and limbs,wear a hat or cap to cover the head, take a collapsible umbrella or a small hand fan, get up and walk periodically to improve blood circulation, arrive on site early to avoid rushing and physical exhaustion, and finally, avoid the party stand.

Family members, friends and the general public should also look out for the elderly at the park, and we should not hassle them or force them to move at a pace that they find uncomfortable or unsafe.

Finally, we should pay attention if the elderly in our midst are acting strangely, confused, look tired or have suddenly become quiet.

If we follow these few pointers then we all can fully enjoy the game and cheer on our favourite teams.

- Dr. Albert Chen, P.O. Box 998

Constant Spring P.O., Kingston 8

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.