💪 The Hairy Chin Newsletter #6

Hello and Happy Monday to everyone!

Here’s a quick run through of this week’s entry:

• Your Advocacy Toolkit: Getting A Second Opinion

• Body Talk 101: Recognizing A Stroke (BEFAST)

• Health Truths: Osteoporosis in Women

• Told By Her: A 19 yr old Adult Diaper Influencer

• On The Podcast: Chin Chats about Health Burnout (Coming 4/23)

• The Supplement Scoop: Calcium (Coming 5/2)

Let’s learn! 💪

Spencer Moore
Founder, The Hairy Chin
(Listen to The Hairy Chin Podcast)
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You hear it all the time, “Just get a second opinion.”

But let’s be real, few people talk about how awkward it can feel to ask your doctor for one, especially if you’ve had a long-standing relationship or if they’ve been attentive and thorough with you.

However, it’s completely okay to want more clarity - and, in fact, it’s a smart decision to make. So, let’s talk about how to have that conversation.

When You Might Consider A Second Opinion: 

• You’re uncertain about a diagnosis or treatment plan.

• It’s a major decision (like surgery or a long-term treatment).

• You want to explore if there are other options available to you.

Some Ways To Ask For A Second Opinion: (and/or Referral)

• “Before I move ahead, I want to make sure I’ve explored all my options. I’d like to speak with another specialist.”

• “I really appreciate your insight. I’d like to get a second opinion to help me feel confident moving forward. Would you be able to refer me to another specialist for that?”

• “I trust your judgment, but I’d like to explore all my options. Would you be able to refer me to another specialist so I can get a second opinion?”

What You May Need For A Second Opinion: (This list could vary, stay curious and ask questions!)

• A copy of your medical records.

• Any relevant notes on your current diagnosis or treatment plan.

• Test results, imaging, and lab work (try to get physical copies).

• Your insurance information, if applicable, to check coverage.

• A referral (if necessary) from your current doctor to see another specialist.

The Bottom Line: You’re not being difficult, you’re doing your due diligence. Getting a second opinion isn’t personal; it’s powerful. You don’t owe anyone an apology for advocating for yourself. 💪

We’ve been talking about how our bodies are always communicating with us and no signal is more urgent than a stroke. Strokes are time-sensitive medical emergencies where every second counts, and recognizing the signs early can make a life-saving difference.

In those overwhelming moments, it's crucial to have a clear, easy-to-remember tool to guide you. That’s where the BEFAST mnemonic comes in. It’s designed to help you quickly identify stroke symptoms and take action right away. (Image Source: Duke Health)

B – Balance
Sudden dizziness or loss of coordination. Difficulty standing or walking.

E – Eyes
Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes, like blurred or double vision.

F – Face Drooping
One side of the face may droop, or it might feel numb. Ask the person to smile, if the smile looks uneven, it could be a sign of a stroke.

A – Arm Weakness
One arm may be weak or numb. Ask the person to raise both arms, if one drifts downward or they can’t raise it, this is a key sign.

S – Speech Difficulty
Slurred speech or difficulty speaking clearly. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, if they have trouble or can’t repeat it correctly, it’s time to act.

T – Time to Call 911
If you notice any of these signs, it’s crucial to act fast. Call emergency services immediately, even if the symptoms seem to subside.

By learning and recognizing the BEFAST symptoms, you empower yourself to respond quickly when every second counts. Paying attention to your body - or the body of a loved one - could save a life. 💛 

(To learn more about strokes, visit The American Stroke Association here. To learn more about BEFAST stroke education, click here. )

“Approximately 4 out of 5 diagnosed with osteoporosis are women.” _{^{(PMID: 28392857)}}

Let’s talk about bone loss, because this isn’t just a conversation for post-menopausal women. (Talking to you, 80’s babies!) Here’s the deal - and it’s kind of a good news/bad news situation.

Let’s start with the ‘bad news’ first:

Osteoporosis occurs when the body’s process of creating new bone can't keep up with the loss of old bone, and it affects 1 in 5 women over 50 (compared to 1 in 20 men). Post-menopausal women are hit hardest, when their bone loss accelerates due to a drop in estrogen, leading to a rapid decrease in bone mass. And with women living longer, their risk of fractures only increases over time. Hmm, that sounds bleak.

Ok, on to the ‘good news’:

There’s a lot you can do to minimize your risk! Quit smoking, limit alcohol, eat a varied diet with calcium-rich foods, and get at least 30 minutes of exercise a few times a week. And in terms of calcium and vitamin D - they are non-negotiable - keep an eye on your levels as you age.

The bottom line is that the habits you build today will set you up for better bone health tomorrow. Your future bones are thanking you for the hard choices you’re making today! 💪

Want to know more about how to boost your calcium intake? Stay tuned for next week’s Supplement Scoop where we’ll dive deep into calcium and how it helps keep your bones strong!

(And if want to learn more about osteoporosis, check out some info here and here. To learn about the DEXA Bone Density Scan, click here.)

Meet Pree - A 19 Year Old Adult Diaper Influencer

Pree was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 19, facing heavy challenges like brain fog and incontinence (the loss of bladder control). She turned to YouTube to share her experiences and find support - what she found was so much more.

Last year, Pree partnered with adult diaper brands NorthShore and InControl to raise awareness about incontinence to help break the stigma surrounding it.

In a recent video posted on her IG called “The Bedwetting Guide (PTSD edition): Finding Courage In The Dark,” she says, “I can’t begin to explain how much of a game changer adult diapers have been for me. All of those sleepless nights having to get out of bed every couple of hours were so draining. I just wish I had known to wear adult diapers much sooner than I had because it would have saved me from all the mental breakdowns, depression, fear, anxiety and that feeling of unworthiness that I felt I was facing alone. But I was wrong. There’s millions of you going through incontinence too and I can’t begin to explain how grateful I am for having this community by my side.”

In an interview with People Magazine, Pree talks about her journey, saying, “It allowed me to understand I needed to love myself more. The one thing I want to tell people is that being different is what’s so beautiful. Stop trying to perfect your imperfections and just embrace what you can’t control.” 💛

You can find Pree’s full article with People here. You can also find her on YouTube and IG.

This week in my Chin Chats series, I’ll be chatting about Health Burnout - something many of us face while managing illness. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant cycle of appointments, diagnoses, treatments, medications, side effects and more. But burnout can actually get in the way of progress. Tune in as I share my experience of seeking a balance between knowing, living and healing.

🎙️ Catch the episode this Wednesday at 9 AM EST on all major podcast platforms - including Apple, Spotify, iHeart and YouTube)

(And please don’t forget to hit subscribe wherever you watch or listen to the podcast - it helps more than you know! Many thanks 💛 )

As I mentioned earlier, coming up on our next Supplement Scoop is calcium! Let’s learn how to keep those bones strong as we age! 💪

And if you haven’t read it yet, you can check out the Vitamin D entry from a few weeks back. If you didn’t know, calcium and vitamin D are BFFs! 💛

Keep an eye out for the next Supplement Scoop landing in your inbox on Friday, May 2nd.

Ok my amigas, that’s a wrap. Self-advocacy has never been easier - from To-Do to TA-DA - just like that! 💪

Bravo for being here,
Spencer Moore

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