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Blanchard Valley Health System

Weekend Doctor: Dementia

By Chris Steffan, RN, ADON Birchaven Village

Dementia is a general term used to describe various symptoms of cognitive decline including impairment in memory, communication and thinking, which is caused by damage to cells in the brain. The symptoms do not appear suddenly but build over time and become more noticeable. Damage can occur for many reasons including increased proteins inside and outside of brain cells, lack of oxygen to the brain, stroke, genetics, medication side effects, depression, alcohol use, and thyroid and vitamin deficiencies.

Blanchard Valley Health System Adjusts Visitation Guidelines

Effective Monday, January 17, 2022, Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS), including Bluffton Hospital, will be further limiting the number of visitors coming into the organization due to the increased transmission in the community and rise in COVID-19 cases. This is to ensure that BVHS provides the safest environment for patients, visitors and associates.

Please see the link for the health system’s updated guidelines: 

Weekend Doctor: Flat foot

By Lance Johnson, DPM Blanchard Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Flat foot (pes planus) is one of three basic foot types. There are also high arched feet (pes cavus) and a normal arch (rectus foot type). Flat foot is when the arches on the inside of your feet are flattened which causes the sole of the foot to touch the floor when standing upright. Some people are born with flat feet. Flat feet can also occur after an injury, or after years of wear and tear to the soft tissues of the arch and ankle. Some people never experience any pain or symptoms associated with flat feet, while others experience pain with every step they take.  

Weekend Doctor: Breastfeeding during the holidays

By Wendy Broadhead, BA, IBCLC, CBS / Blanchard Valley Health System Lactation Team

This time of year can pose quite a challenge for nursing mothers. While the joy of the holidays is among us, with it all comes the business and stress of family gatherings, decorating, cooking, shopping, wrapping and other holiday activities. This is also the season where we often see more upper respiratory infections. 

Studies show that breast milk helps to protect infants and toddlers from infections that are common during this season. However, breastfeeding and pumping can be unusually challenging for parents during this time, as we engage ourselves in all the extra activities the holidays seemingly demand from our already busy lives. 

December 15 BVHS livestream; invitation to submit questions

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) will host a special Facebook Live at noon on Wednesday, December 15. The topic will be “The Impact of the Rising COVID-19 Cases Within Our Community.” 

Serving as hosts of the event will be BVHS President & CEO Myron Lewis, William Kose, MD, vice president of special projects and Renee Smith, MD, chief medical officer. 

The event will be streamed on the health system’s Facebook page, facebook.com/BlanchardValleyHealthSystem/. Community members can “like” the corporate Facebook account of BVHS and visit the page to watch live.

Weekend Doctor: Holiday eating

By Sophia Volpe, RD Blanchard Valley Hospital Dietetics

The holidays are quickly approaching, which can be such a joyful time of the year for celebrations with family and friends. However, they can also wreak havoc on our nutrition goals. The following are some helpful tips on how to be mindful during the holidays.

Don’t skip meals. A common thought around the holidays is, “if I skip lunch, I will be able to save those calories and eat them all at dinner.” However, skipping meals often leads to overeating at the next meal. It is important to eat three balanced meals during the holidays to help avoid overeating at gatherings.

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