As I write, a lot of Houston and southeast Texas is under water. Flooding has immediate dangers such as electrified pools of water, floating fire ant colonies, aggression of misplaced wildlife, and shards of metal and glass that have floated into unsuspected places. As well, depression and shock can set in as we face the realities of personal loss or binge on news reports and social media imagery depicting the real and present danger of death and despair.
Although this despair seems daunting, it generally does not last. Authorities state that most of us will recover fully within 6 to 16 months. Evacuees often demonstrate a positive outlook called ‘post-traumatic growth’. It can be comforting to learn that when faced by a crisis, such as Harvey, you as an individual or community can effectively handle it. Individual priorities and values are reoriented, and often communities feel closer after these challenges.
Educate yourself to the possible complications that may arise as you work through your personal experience with our recent flooding or help friends and family members do so. The following precautions are intended to help you avoid risks and reduce long-term effects on your health and happiness.
Flood-Related Injuries
The World Health Organization cites studies that show Americans experience many flood-related injuries that are avoidable:
- 48% are sprains and strains
- 34%, lacerations
- 11% abrasions and contusions
- 7%, other.
We suggest that you see your doctor if you have concerns about an injury or develop a high fever, pain, swelling, numbness, or redness in the affected area.
Acupunturists Speed Healing
Visit a medical board-certified acupuncturist that can provide treatments which are alternative to and complimentary with Western medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments used by acupuncturists:
- Reduce pain or discomfort from sprains and strains without pain medications which can further impact your long-term health.
- Strengthen your immune system compromised by stress to help you stave off the germs introduced by floodwaters.
Post Flood Contamination
Floods contain more than rain water. Sewage system spills and floating animal feces along with plant and soil materials can dredge up disturbing and dangerous situations.
Parasites such as round worms and flat worms (whose eggs often inhabit soil contaminated by animal feces), are equally pleased to be hosted by a human as an animal.
Skin infections result from exposure to MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus bacterium. Two in 100 people carry MRSA which is spread by direct contact with infected individuals or their clothing. Shelters take precautions to prevent the spread of this bacteria, but crowded conditions can make prevention difficult.
After Tropical Storm Allison, home and yard flooding was associated with an increase in gastrointestinal illnesses such as diarrhea. It was also hypothesized that an outbreak of Hepatitis A, following Allison, was due to flooding and discharge of fecal materials into oyster-growing areas.
Mental and physical stress and exhaustion compromises our immune systems. Evacuees are at a higher risk of developing respiratory diseases including tuberculosis, not only from the conditions during the event, but also during the clean-up process.
Please contact your doctor if you develop symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Chronic diarrhea
- Itching around the anus especially in children is indicative of a worm infestation
- Chronic exhaustion
- Sore/ stiff joints
- Rashes
- Persistent cough
- Blood in your sputum along with night sweats are symptoms of tuberculosis.
Go to an Emergency Room if you experience symptoms such as:
- Chest pain
- High fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Mental confusion
Acupunturists Relieve Infection Symptoms
Visit a medical board-certified acupuncturist that can provide treatments which are alternative to and complimentary with Western medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments used by acupuncturists:
- reduce abdominal pain
- improve symptoms of fatigue and treat body systems involved
- reduce pain of sore stiff joints
- treat chronic symptoms such as rash, cough, pain, and night sweats.
To reduce post flood infections:
- Always wash hands with soap and water after being exposed to flood contamination, before eating, drinking, smoking, applying lip balm or cosmetics to prevent contamination of the mouth, nose, or eyes.
- Use a waterless alcohol-based hand cleaner if water is not available.
- Decontaminate clothing and other items you use daily that have been exposed to flood waters. Thoroughly clean all items you plan to save from your flooded home. If it cannot be disinfected, throw it away.
- Bathe and dry off thoroughly, especially if you have been in contact with flood water.
- Remove your shoes upon entering your home. Keep clean shoes that have not been worn outside, inside the entry for indoor use.
Insect-Borne Disease
The World Health organization states, “The relation between flooding and vector-borne disease is complex.” Behavioral scientist, Mary Haden of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, states “Based on experience following Hurricane Katrina, there will be several competing effects on the population of mosquitoes and the prevalence of arboviruses, such as Zika, Dengue, and West Nile…The storm may have washed away the breeding pools reducing the immediate population, but mosquitoes will recover once the flood waters recede.” Tulane University public-health experts reported that cases of West Nile infection doubled in communities that had been in Katrina’s path a year before. Increased exposure was suggested as the culprit. Without air conditioning or dry spaces, Texans may find themselves outdoors more often.
If you observe these symptoms, contact your doctor:
- Fevers
- Severe joint pain
- Rash
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea.
Acupunturists Help You Fight Insect-Borne Illness
Visit a medical board-certified acupuncturist that can provide treatments which are alternative to and complimentary with Western medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments used by acupuncturists:
- Strengthen the immune system
- Reduce pain and nausea
- Improve fatigue
- Alleviate symptoms of a skin rash
- Reduce cough.
Mold
M
old is another hurricane holdover. Hayden, who assessed damage in Galveston after Hurricane Ike, emphasized the fact that in a mere 2 weeks, mold can overtake an inundated home baking in the Texas summer sun. CDC investigators found mold in half the water-damaged homes inspected, just 2 months after Hurricane Katrina.
The worst symptoms from routine mold exposure are typically allergic reactions and are rarely fatal, but can exacerbate other health conditions such as asthma.
Symptoms of mold can include any combination of the following symptoms:
- Nasal stuffiness
- Eye irritation
- Wheezing
- Skin irritation
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Lung infections
Please contact your doctor if you are suspicious of mold exposure, or you or a family member has pre-existing breathing difficulties that seem to be getting worse.
Acupunturists Fight Mold Exposure
A medical board-certified acupuncturist can help to alleviate these symptoms once you have seen your doctor.
Stress
Anxiety and depression are normal reactions to abnormal conditions. Flood studies done on the mental health impact following Tropical Storm Agnes broadly agree that both men and women can suffer from anxiety, depression, irritability, and sleeplessness. A more recent studies have found a four-fold increase in psychological distress among adults whose homes were flooded.
Post flood changes in children’s behavior may include acting out, depression, nightmares, and bed wetting.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a stressful event perceived as having a threatening or catastrophic nature and is characterized by uncontrollable thoughts and intrusive memories about the event (flashbacks), sleep disturbances (nightmares), irritability and anger, lack of concentration, excessive vigilance, and severe anxiety. The American Journal of Epidemiology reported that studies show an increase in PTSD in North America following floods.
Take your mental health seriously and visit with a counselor, clergy, and a supportive friend at the first signs of mood, personality, or thought changes that linger more than a few days.
Acupuncturists Reduce Stress & Its Effects
Visit a medical board-certified acupuncturist that can provide treatments which are alternative to and complimentary with Western medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments used by acupuncturists:
- Reduce mental stress that further compromises our immune systems using acupuncture, calming herbs, Qigong, meditation, and other traditional Chinese medicine methods.
- Address PTSD through use of the acupuncture PTSD protocol.
Even taking precautions, the strongest of us can develop long-lasting negative effects on our physical and mental health from such a traumatic event. Make a licensed acupuncturist a part of your health recovery team.
