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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | July 2015 | 10 Health Matters Inland Empire Hospice soon to be… Question: Sometimes I push real hard when having a bowel movement… could this cause any problems for me? The ANsWeR Is yes. You could experience a vasovagal attack which could cause you to faint, fall off the toilet and hit your head and have severe trauma. A vasovagal attack is a disorder that causes a rapid drop in heart rate and blood pressure, resulting in decreased blood flow to the brain and fainting. Vasovagal attack is the most common cause of fainting. A vasovagal attack may occur in a person of any age, but the attacks are more common in children, young adults, and the elderly. A vasovagal attack itself is not serious; however, injury is possible during a fainting episode. Prolonged standing is associated with vasovagal attacks because blood may pool in the legs, thus reducing blood flow to the brain. Heat exposure can also lead to a vasovagal attack. As blood flows to the body's periphery to cool the body, this may result in decreased blood flow to the brain. Straining to have a bowel movement can result in a vasovagal attack from stimulation of the vagus nerve, which lowers the heart rate in some people. Similarly, if we have a particularly large bowel movement the vagus nerve can become over stimulated again, taking blood away from the brain to help with what's happening elsewhere in the body. A vasovagal attack by itself is not serious. However, fainting may be caused by a serious or life-threatening condition. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if fainting is accompanied by serious symptoms, such as sweating, severe difficulty breathing, or chest pain or pressure, which may be combined with pale or blue lips and a fast heart rate. Also seek immediate care for injuries sustained during a fainting episode. So what does it feel like to have a vagal nerve fainting episode? You'll most likely feel dizzy, nauseous and as if you have a head rush. Your hearing may feel 'muffled' and your eyesight blurry or even tunnel-like. You may try to articulate that something is wrong, but the words come out garbled. Don't worry, this is just a result of your brain not having enough blood, but once you return to consciousness this will right itself. You will also most likely feel hot at first, but then cool and clammy once you wake up. Don't try to get up right away but relax for a while, have a little water and get some cool, fresh air. For any questions or a needs assessment visit please contact Jennifer Trebler at (951) 663-1060. Here we go again! On Sat., July 25, we will be doing a barbecue for veterans and their families who were homeless and are now in transition back into society. Last year our Four Seasons group funded, managed and manned a barbecue that fed and entertained 280 veterans and their families. You could tell by the reaction they were happy to be there to take their mind off their troubles for a little while. I honestly do not know which group shed more tears, the veterans or the servers. It is hard not to get emotional when you see a mother, who just won a toaster or a coffee pot, go back to her seat crying with joy. I was told that when they lost all to being homeless, that small appliance represents a re-entry into society and a normal life. Having said all that, we are open to volunteers to serve. You can sign up in the Lodge. Please plan on being there from 3 to 7 pm. We will also accept any monetary donations in the form of a check made out to Donna Holland, the Four Seasons Hemet Veterans Support Group treasurer. If you prefer, you can purchase a raffle prize to be given to the vets. Please see the accompaying list of recommended items. Veterans support group raffle Prizes Toaster Oven (1) Mixer (1) Slow Cookers (11) Dutch Oven (1) Electric Griddles (4) 9 pc. Cookware Sets (3) 12 pc. Cookware Set (1) 23 pc. Cutlery Set (1) 12 pc. Dinnerware sets (3) 20 pc. Flatware Sets (2) 24" TV (3) 28" TV (1) Toasters (2) Espresso Maker (1) Electric Burner (1) Coffee Makers (4) Quesadilla Maker (1) Sandwich Grills (4) Foreman Grills (2)

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