Doctors say some Taiwanese have been traumatized by the recent Taitung earthquake

Doctors say some Taiwanese have been traumatized by the recent Taitung earthquake

2022-09-25

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Taitung on Sept. 18. At the time many people felt fearful that the quake would linger, and indeed there were continuous aftershocks. But even after the aftershocks had clearly stopped, some people believed they were still feeling them. ENT doctors say this could indicate psychological trauma. They say this trauma could have caused these people’s nervous systems not to be fully functional.

Tony Chiu
Otolaryngologist
The first kind of person may have already had problems with his or her balance. That is, they are normally more prone to motion sickness or they’ve had vertigo attacks before. The second kind of person is more anxious and sensitive, meaning that both their minds and bodies are overstimulated, so they are more aware of their sense of balance in their nervous systems. Their nervous systems don’t work properly and this causes dizziness.

Lin Yung-zen
Immunologist
Most of these cases are caused by psychological factors as there will be anxiety and fear factors combined with their past experience of earthquakes.

Taiwan has frequent earth tremors that sometimes can make people feel like they’re experiencing an earthquake when there actually isn’t one. If you feel like this, it’s best to confirm if there’s an earthquake with someone next to you. If it turns out that you’re wrong more than a few times, then it’s best to seek medical attention.

地震過後還是覺得頭暈? 醫生:交感神經失調

2022-09-25

9/18台東發生規模6.8的大地震，不少人餘悸猶存，且後續餘震不斷，一直到現在明明沒有地震，還是有人常常感覺到地震，耳鼻喉科醫師表示這有可能是一種創傷症候群，來自於心理壓力造成的交感神經失調。

[[聲源:新光醫院耳鼻喉科醫師邱昱勳]]
“第一種就是原來他的平衡就有些問題，就是平常就是比較容易暈車的人，或者是他之前就已經有眩暈發作的人，第二種就是這種人平常就比較焦慮，比較敏感的人，等於他這種身心兩方的刺激，會造成他的一些交感神經還有一些平衡感覺，中樞系統的錯亂，然後造成眩暈的現象”

[[基層醫療協會理事長林應然]]
“這些大部分是心理因素所引起的，因為他會有焦慮恐懼的因素，跟過往地震的經驗結合在一起”

台灣地震頻繁，有時會產生錯覺，這時最好向旁人確認，要是真的沒有地震，但這種眩暈現象常常發生，最好求助專業，盡早就醫。

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Temple performance troupes to perform at National Day celebrations for the first time

The National Day celebration will see something new this year. Taiwan’s traditional temple performance troupes will be putting on colorful acts, including lion dances and a white crane dance. Three troupes from Tainan have been selected. Chen Tsung-yen, secretary general of the National Day organizing committee, personally went to the old southern capital to inspect the progress at a dress rehearsal. In a rare sight, the three troupes will put on a joint martial arts performance. Chen said the act was in line with this year’s theme of "Defending the Homeland."

In the square in front of Luermen Mazu Temple in Tainan, three temple performance troupes file in rows as they jump and dance. More than 200 people have turned up to create this spectacular sight.

The temple troupes from Tainan this year will burst onto the stage on National Day with three traditional martial arts formations. Chen Tsung-yen, the secretary general of Taiwan’s National Day organizing committee, went to Tainan to personally inspect the rehearsal’s progress.

Chen Tsung-yen
National Day organizing committee
This is the first time we’re putting local temple performance troupes on stage at our National Day event, so this has an entirely different significance. The show is about defending one’s hometown. As it happens, this coincides with our theme of defending our homeland. It resonates with the concept that we are all in this together.

One religious organization representing a temple from Tainan’s Qigu District will perform a traditional white crane dance, while two religious troupes from Sigang and Annan Districts respectively will perform lion dances. Even though the sun was blazing, they worked hard at the rehearsal. They were excited at the idea of performing in front of the Presidential Office building.

Martial Arts Instructor
I’m very happy because I’ve only seen the Presidential Office building and have never been to it. We can offer things related to our cultural heritage to the whole nation. There are only two troupes in Taiwan that can perform the traditional white crane dance, and ours is the older group.

As Taiwanese tradition dictates, individual temple performance troupes normally put on their own acts and don’t dance in one formation. That these three troupes will be joining together for one performance on National Day will be exceptional. There is a cloud of secrecy over how the three martial arts performances will be integrated and presented. But there’s no doubt the audience will find this refreshing.

2022-09-25

Parts of Yilan pummeled by heavy rain due to arrival of northeasterly winds

Fall is in the air. And, along with the cooler weather, the northeastern parts of the island are getting pummeled with rain. The Central Weather Bureau has issued heavy rain warnings for mountainous areas in Yilan. Falling temperatures also mean that the flu season is upon us. Medical experts are worried that the flu will aggravate COVID infections in the coming months. There’s already more than 50 reported cases of the flu, and it’s only September. A National Taiwan University Hospital doctor predicts as much as 20% of the population may get the flu during the height of the flu season this winter.

The gray sky and drizzly weather is a clear indication that fall is in the air. People have on long-sleeve shirts for a change.

The northeasterly winds have brought in water vapor. The CWB has issued heavy rain warnings for the northeastern regions of the island. Mountainous areas in Yilan County may see extremely heavy rains. Keelung, the north coast, and mountainous areas in greater Taipei are also expected to see torrential rains in some parts.

Tseng Chao-cheng
Central Weather Bureau
The current condition over the ocean to the east is that it is saturated with water vapor. In the last 24 hours, the largest accumulation of rain was on Ximaoshan in Nanao Township, reaching 549 millimeters.

There is a typhoon nearby, but it won’t have an effect on Taiwan. What people need to be watching for is a tropical disturbance that may develop from the end of September to early October over the South China Sea.

Tseng Chao-cheng
Central Weather Bureau
In the periphery of Typhoon Noru, there will be some water vapor. But on the whole, the storm’s cloud system won’t really affect Taiwan. Next Friday and Saturday, there will be another tropical disturbance developing over the South China Sea.

The cooler weather also means the flu season will be arriving soon. Children and those with weak immune systems should especially be wary. At Taipei’s Wan Fang Hospital, the number of patients in the General Pediatrics Division has increased by 30%. Clinics are seeing a spike as well.

Lin Yung-zen
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Changes in temperature will raise the chances of nasal allergies and asthma attacks by about 30%.

People’s habits of wearing a mask and washing their hands to fight COVID over the past two years has successfully warded off many respiratory diseases, but now as the government relaxes epidemic prevention measures, flu cases may pick up again.

Lin Yung-zen
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People are letting down their guard, and the flu is already making the rounds in Australia in the Southern Hemisphere. Taiwan in the Northern Hemisphere should be seeing the flu soon.

Dr. Huang Li-min of National Taiwan University Hospital says the flu will make its impact felt this year, with 15% to 20% of the population becoming infected. The public is advised to get a flu shot soon, so as to gain better protection and avoid being attacked by both COVID and the Flu.

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Laughter yoga brings back joy to older adults

Few things in life feel quite as good as having a hearty laugh with friends. And don’t underestimate the power of that. Laughter can help keep depression at bay, and even slow down dementia in seniors. In Taiwan, several clubs have cropped up over the years promoting "laughter yoga," which has become especially popular among older adults. The clubs hold meetups regularly, encouraging participants to giggle, chortle, and chuckle to stave off loneliness and encourage wellbeing. Here’s our Sunday special report.

It’s Monday morning, and a group of older adults have gathered at a stadium in New Taipei’s Sanchong District. All together, they can laugh and laugh for a straight hour.

These are members of New Taipei’s laughter yoga association. They are experts at having a cackle. And they all have their own silly nicknames.

Laughter yoga was popularized by Indian physician Madan Kataria, who in 1995 started organizing meetups in parks in Mumbai. Since then, countless laughter clubs have been founded in more than 110 countries around the world. Taiwan’s first club was founded in 2005, in Taoyuan’s Luzhu District. Sixteen years later, more than 50 laughter clubs have formed nationwide.

Nina Ho
Psychologist
Laughter yoga is a special kind of yoga. Firstly, it uses your external expression to influence your inner thoughts and emotions. Secondly, it is a kind of breathing exercise that uses your diaphragm. Breathing exercises can lower your body’s stress response, boost your immune system, and regulate your mood.

According to medical studies, laughing can be very beneficial. It releases stress, boosts the immune system, burns calories, promotes cardiovascular health and can even make you live longer. And doing laughter yoga comes with even more advantages.

The people gathered at the stadium are mostly over the age of 65. Some are locals, and some come from other areas of Taiwan. They leave home to put up a fight against aging.

No matter how healthy one’s body is, aging alone at home without social interaction can give rise to depression and dementia.

Nina Ho
Psychologist
Most people think that when you get old, you don’t have interests, your body functions deteriorate and you don’t want to go out. But actually, all these are symptoms of depression. Dementia and depression are closely linked. That is to say, depression can speed up dementia, and dementia can cause depression.

Joan Wang is the host of a radio program, and found out about laughter yoga during an interview. A few years ago, her father passed away, leaving her mother depressed and grieving alone at home. It was only then that Wang realized she had long ignored the fact that her parents were aging. So, she decided to take her mother to a laughter club meetup, to see if laughing could truly heal all wounds.

Joan Wang
New Taipei laughter yoga association
My mother was all alone, crying every day. But then we found, she was always happy when she was surrounded by people her age.

Wang delved deep into the laughter yoga, carrying out research, raising awareness about it, and eventually organizing laugh meetups at the Sanchong stadium. She says all she has done has been because of the love for her mother.

Joan Wang’s mother
My husband was no longer with me, and I was depressed. I couldn’t laugh. I wasn’t happy and I couldn’t laugh. I looked miserable every day. My husband passed away six years ago. If I hadn’t learned to laugh, I wouldn’t be the same today.

The laugh yoga sessions eventually prompted her to establish an association that’s active at community care sites and dementia service centers. From Monday to Friday, the association fills the spaces with laughter to keep depression at bay and slow down dementia.

Wang’s mother can have a fun time with people her age, taking a stroll and singing songs. She even volunteers to help bring joy to elderly care homes.

Joan Wang
New Taipei laughter yoga association
The only condition to joining the volunteer team is that you need to be able to laugh. Nothing else matters. It doesn’t matter if you need a cane to walk. Or if you have had a stroke, or have had cancer. It’s OK! You can also be of any age.

The average age of the volunteers is around 70, but they are all committed to helping other older adults. The only thing that’s needed is to be able to break out in laughter and spread it to others. The volunteers bring other older adults living alone out to do laughter yoga, sing and dance and make each other happy. Among the volunteers are Ah Chao, who has reduced mobility due to spinal issues, and Hsiang Pen Pen, who has systemic lupus erythematosus. They say that thanks to Wang, their lives have significantly improved.

Ah Chao
Volunteer
We go around together to entertain older adults. Sometimes I see them, and they seem to not want to laugh. But I get very happy once we are able to crack them up. Seeing them happy makes me happy.

Hsiang Pen Pen
Volunteer
I used to admire people who lived to 80 and were looking good. I didn’t know whether I’d ever reach my 80s. But now that I’m here my perspective has changed.

One of the key members of the volunteer group is Tsao Wen-yen. At 8 a.m. she sets off from her home in Xindian District, riding her scooter for an hour to the laughter yoga sessions in Sanchong.

Tsao Wen-yen
Volunteer
The year I turned 71, and without any physical or mental preparation, I suddenly became an older adult living alone. It was terrifying. I was afraid I wouldn’t know what to do.

Tsao had been a preschool teacher for more than 40 years. When she first turned up in Sanchong, she found it very awkward to laugh without a reason. But laughter is infectious. Though she was just ready to follow the motions and clap along with everyone, in the end, she really did end up bursting out laughing.

Tsao Wen-yen
Volunteer
How did I end up laughing back then? I really did laugh out loud. I had fun despite everything. What started off as a fake laugh ended up being a real laugh. So I kept going there and I attended a course on growth. I started learning as a student.

From student, to group leader, to lecturer, Tsao worked her way up.

Tsao Wen-yen
Volunteer
The spirit of this is for the elderly to help the elderly. That was very shocking for me. But that’s my mission for the rest of my life. To offer support to other older adults as an older adult.

Tsao brought her previous experience in preschools to the laughter workshops. Her ideas were well received, and she found a lot of validation and value in the endeavor. Every time she holds an activity she spreads the true essence of love and laughter to participants.

Tsao Wen-yen
Volunteer
I can gladly say that in these activities I can learn to prepare for the future. If I reach my 90s, I know how to be a happy as a person living alone.

Like Tsao, 65-year-old Chen Yueh-ming also wanted to learn how to be happy living alone. Laughter yoga left a deep impression on her. Eight years ago, her mother passed away, marking the start of her life living alone. She also retired, which left a big hole in her life.

Chen Yueh-ming
Volunteer
When I was going to retire, I was very restless. I didn’t know what I would do after retiring.

Chen found out about laughter yoga on the internet, and searched for clubs she could join. She quickly found a group that brought a smile to her face.

Chen Yueh-ming
Volunteer
My former colleagues told me, “Your face now looks so different from before!”

After retiring and joining others in laughter, Chen became a changed person, with an open heart.

Chen Yueh-ming
Volunteer
The biggest change was in myself. It allowed me to open up my heart. As laugh leaders, we have this responsibility to tell our laugh friends to not just laugh at the meetups, but also at home. When you’re upset, laugh it out.

Most of the volunteers in the laugh club are already retired. Some of them live alone, and some of them have health conditions. But through laughing, they’ve created a new life for themselves.

Nina Ho
Psychologist
They can rebuild a new social environment. There, they can interact with people their age. If you are at home, and you’re an older adult, you just accept it, and think that you have to go take care of so and so. But in a club, you are with classmates. You can help people and learn new things together. It allows people to find a new identity and value.

Joan Wang
New Taipei laughter yoga association
I hope that that more people can do what I’ve done. Perhaps they are unmarried, or they live alone. They can come out and join us, form part of this network. And then, when they get older, there will be a new batch of people caring for them.

This jolly group in New Taipei is trying to bring positive change to older adults in the community through laughter. The head of the group hopes that more people can join to respond to loneliness and sadness with a loud HA HA HA.

2022-09-25