Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
The news lately has been dominated by coverage of the aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina. This week on Healthwatch, we'll look at some of the health issues related to the hurricane aftermath. You don't have to have been in the path of the storm to feel the impact. Nonstop news coverage can make you feel stressed.
Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say it's normal for such news to make you feel anxious, vulnerable and helpless.
Patrick Tiner, a UT Southwestern expert on stress and disasters, says one thing to do is limit your exposure to the horrifying images. Stay informed, but don't become obsessed with the news.
You can regain some sense of control by sticking to a normal schedule or by taking action, such as donating money, collecting goods to donate or volunteering to help storm victims.
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September 2005
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