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Lyme disease and West Nile virus investigation in Allen County

Allen County Public Health is currently investigating both a probable case of Lyme Disease and a probable West Nile Virus case. The health department would like to remind the public of the risks associated with tick and mosquito season and urge them to take precautions associated with Lyme Disease and with West Nile Virus. 

To avoid contact with ticks and potential risk of Lyme Disease it is recommended that you avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter when outdoors. Consider using EPA-registered tick repellents, and wear light-colored long-sleeve shirts and pants to prevent tick bites. Tucking pants into socks is a great line of defense to keep ticks from making skin contact. Ticks can also ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats and day packs. 

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Weekend Doctor: Annual OBGYN exams

By George Abate, DO
Obstetrics & Gynecology, Blanchard Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology

A woman’s annual exam with her OBGYN remains vitally important.

As Pap smear guidelines have changed, women assume they don’t need to see their OB/GYN every year. But, your preventive visit is about much more than periodically screening for cervical cancer with a Pap smear.

Below are just a few of the benefits of seeing your OBGYN each year:

Counseling you about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and minimizing health risks. Experts agree there is substantial individual and system-wide cost-savings in prevention. Nutrition and fitness remain the foundation of weight management, prevention of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

Screening for sexually transmitted disease (STD) which can lead to sterility or life-long pelvic pain.

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Weekend Doctor: Misconceptions about palliative care

By Kimberly Ackley, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Bridge Home Health & Hospice-Palliative Care

Palliative Medicine is a commonly misunderstood and underutilized service that greatly benefits someone who is dealing with a chronic illness. You may have heard of palliative care or hospice but be unsure of the differences or which service would better meet your needs. 

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Sunshine on my shoulders: Impact on medications

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1971, songwriter and recording artist John Denver released an album titled Poems, Prayers & Promises.  On this album, he had a release called Sunshine on My Shoulders. The length of this song on the album precluded its play on the radio so the single was remixed with one less verse and released in 1974.  The song hit number one on the U.S. and Canadian charts.   

John Denver was known for his acoustic folk music and was one of the best-selling artists in this genre.  He recorded over 300 songs in his lifetime with approximately 200 being written by the artist himself.  Denver’s songs transcended multiple genres and he could be heard on different types of radio stations. Many of his hits are still played today such as Take Me Home, Country Road and Rocky Mountain High. Country Roads was adopted in 2007 as the official state song of West Virginia, while Colorado legislated Rocky Mountain High as one of their official songs in 2007.  

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Weekend Doctor: Concussion

By Amanda Schroeder, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Julie A. Cole Rehab and Sports Medicine Clinic

"When can I play again?" This is a common question first asked by athletes after sustaining a head injury. Removal from the game and rest is recommended as the first line of defense, but how long do they actually need to rest? Recent research suggests that after an initial period of rest lasting 24 to 48 hours, progressive re-engagement in activity (instead of strict rest) can improve an athlete’s recovery. This minimizes the deconditioning that an athlete can experience while recovering and helps get them back in the game quicker. Not only does this concept apply to our sports athletes, but also our “everyday athletes” in the work field, classroom, etc.

Treating a concussion takes a team approach. It can involve a physician, physical therapist (PT), occupational therapist (OT) and speech language pathologist (SLP), as well as other healthcare professionals. Under PT, OT and SLP, a comprehensive examination is performed to determine prescription-based daily and sport activity in response to the level of irritability of one’s symptoms. 

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Weekend Doctor: Concussion

By Amanda Schroeder, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Julie A. Cole Rehab and Sports Medicine Clinic

"When can I play again?" This is a common question first asked by athletes after sustaining a head injury. Removal from the game and rest is recommended as the first line of defense, but how long do they actually need to rest? Recent research suggests that after an initial period of rest lasting 24 to 48 hours, progressive re-engagement in activity (instead of strict rest) can improve an athlete’s recovery. This minimizes the deconditioning that an athlete can experience while recovering and helps get them back in the game quicker. Not only does this concept apply to our sports athletes, but also our “everyday athletes” in the work field, classroom, etc.

Treating a concussion takes a team approach. It can involve a physician, physical therapist (PT), occupational therapist (OT) and speech language pathologist (SLP), as well as other healthcare professionals. Under PT, OT and SLP, a comprehensive examination is performed to determine prescription-based daily and sport activity in response to the level of irritability of one’s symptoms. 

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