Health

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By Gina Bailey, BSN, RN
Infection Preventionist, Quality/Infection Control, Blanchard Valley Health System

Summer is here, and now is the time to enjoy the weather and get into the water. But many do not know that while you are in the lazy river or perfecting your cannonball, you are coming into contact with bacteria, viruses and parasites. Most of these will not cause you to become sick, but some can cause what is known as Recreational Water Illness (RWI). 

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By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Boogie Wonderland was released in April 1979 by Earth, Wind & Fire for Columbia Records.  The song won a Grammy for the Best R&B Instrumental Performance. Maurice White founded the group in 1969 and the name derives from his astrological sign of Sagittarius. The group was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as receiving Kennedy Center Honors in 2019. As with much of the Earth, Wind & Fire music, Boogie Wonderland really makes you want to jump up and dance.  

Research has already shown us the importance of physical activity and brain health, but does dancing in any form help our brain and mental health?

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Technology and social media’s effect on mental health and young minds

By James Legge III, MSN, APRN, PMHNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Center of Northwest Ohio

After almost two decades in the healthcare field, I have noticed several themes that cause concern not only for teenagers, but also for young adults. 

The topics are driven by direct connections between technology/social media platforms and mental health, as well as the developing brain in general.

It has been claimed that social media outlets -- and the integration of artificial intelligence into them -- comprise what is called a “free platform.” 

This is ironic because recent studies suggest that these “free platforms” are actually very costly. Of course, these costs are not necessarily measured in dollars and cents. Rather, the costs can be seen from a mental health standpoint.  

Endless scrolling, accompanied by persistent cueing and random, perceived rewards, are the same methods that gambling casinos use to draw customers to their slot machines, theoretically. 

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By Ashley O’Flaherty, CMA
Supervisor, Blanchard Valley Medical Practices

Warmer weather and sunshine bring people outside for cookouts, swimming, hiking, and all-around fun. While enjoying the outdoors, we need to be mindful of those annoying little critters known as fleas and ticks. They can be harmful to humans as well as pets. 

Fleas are very tiny insects that jump from host to host and can live on your animals. When your pet is outside, a flea may simply jump on it and stay there when the pet comes back inside. They then can multiply and bite not only the animal, but also humans. Some humans react more severely than others when it comes to bites on the skin. If not caught in time, this can cause a flea infestation. If you encounter a flea infestation, it is best you treat your animal with the appropriate treatment recommended by your veterinarian. 

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By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

The idiom “sweet tooth” describes an individual who craves chocolate, candies, cake, cookies or sweet desserts. Healthcare professionals including dentists warn of the dangers of too much sugar. These include heart disease, obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. An option to reduce sugar intake is a sugar substitute. 

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By William Hogan, MD
Blanchard Valley Pain Management

Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints, affecting millions of Americans every year. While conditions like herniated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves are often the suspected culprits, in many cases, the true source is facet joint pain.

What Are Facet Joints?
The facet joints are small stabilizing joints between each vertebra that allow flexibility and movement in the spine. Like other joints in the body, the facet joints can become inflamed or arthritic, or sustain injury over time from repetitive stress, trauma, or degenerative changes.

Facet joints are well-supplied by medial nerves from the spinal cord. When these joints malfunction and become painful, they can produce significant back and neck pain that radiates into the shoulders, hips, buttocks, or legs.

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