Questions About ZIKA

I'm sure that we'll be discussing ZIKA at the February meeting.  ZIKA is the mosquito-borne illness that is primarily in South America now, but has been found in the US.  The illness is particularly dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn children.  It is known to cause, among other things, serious birth defects--including microcephaly.  It can impede brain development in unborn children.

So little is known about this illness, but it IS getting much needed attention.  It raises a lot of questions.  Could this impact the number of children born with other brain issues--like hydrocephalus?  I'm sure that we can come up with other questions before the next meeting!

New Day NW/King5

How disappointing, on Wellness Wed. of New Day NW, their 'expert' on aging and brain health failed to mention Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).  Since treatment is too often delayed because of misdiagnosis, commonly mistakenly diagnosed as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.  Hydrocephalus, while not curable, IS manageable and treatable.  It isn't an automatic death sentence.

I've been hoping that a show, like New Day NW, would embrace hydrocephalus and showcase some of our members who have overcome great odds to live very full lives with their condition.  Unfortunately, hydrocephalus remains one of those conditions (not a disease) that is kept shrouded in mystery and secrecy.  We are constantly having to blow myths and stereotypes out of the water.  One of them being that we automatically have less productive lives.