November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on prediabetes and preventing diabetes.

Today is National Stress Awareness Day, a 24-hour reinforcement that you are not doing yourself a favor by stressing about situations you cannot control. Everyone feels stressed from time to time, as it is how the brain and body respond to any demand. Needless to say, stress can affect your health, hence it is important to pay attention as to how you deal with minor and major stressors to know when it is time to seek help.

Hypophosphatasia (hī-pō-ˌfäs-fə-ˈtā-zh(ē-)ə) or HPP is an inherited (genetic) metabolic disorder. People with this condition have low levels of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which often affects the development of bones and teeth. However, signs and symptoms vary widely, with mild cases causing only dental abnormalities while more severe types may have life-threatening consequences. Without adequate ALP, bones may become weak or soft, causing skeletal deformities, fractures, premature tooth loss, and pain, among other symptoms.

World Psoriasis Day, observed on October 29, shines a light on challenges faced by those suffering from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis is a disease that results from an overactive immune system and is evidenced by rashes on the skin. While most immune systems take 30 or so days to push new cells to the skin, those with psoriasis push new cells within two to three days. On World Psoriasis Day, psoriasis associations strive to spread information about the condition and improve access to treatment.

While the prevalence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the United States has decreased by 50% over the last 20 years, SIDS remains the leading cause of death for U.S. infants 1 month to 1 year of age.1 This SIDS Awareness MonthExternal Web Site Policy, the NICHD highlights SIDS resources and research to help parents, caregivers, and medical professionals reduce the risk of SIDS.

Respiratory Care Week is a full week that is set aside each year in order to appreciate and acknowledge hard-working Respiratory Therapists around the world. Typically, Respiratory Care Week is celebrated in all parts of the world, but it is most notably recognized in the United States and Canada. Respiratory Therapists around the world use Respiratory Care Week as a way to celebrate their profession and dedication to high-quality patient care. 

International Stuttering Awareness Day is observed annually on October 22. Stuttering is a communication disorder in which repetitions — or abnormal stoppages of sounds and syllables — break the flow of speech. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with speaking. International Stuttering Awareness Day shines a helpful spotlight on stutterers and educates the public about the causes. Stuttering is a communication disorder involving disruptions, or disfluencies, in a person’s speech, but there are nearly as many ways to stutter as there are people who stutter.  

Medication interactions are serious business. You could take two medications that counteract each other, which could make you sick enough to end up in the emergency room, or even die. National Check Your Meds Day, observed every October 21 and sponsored by the National Community Pharmacists Association.

World Osteoporosis Day on October 20, is the time to learn about osteoporosis. Celebrate good health and educate yourself and others about the value of taking care of your body and protecting your bones and muscles from disabling and life-threatening fractures.

World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day occurs every October 19th. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, more than 126 million American children are impacted by musculoskeletal conditions. Many cases are brought on by obesity developed during childhood. World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day highlights obesity, screening, and prevention. The day also looks at symptoms, treatment, and economic impact.