Health

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By Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist for ONU Healthwise

Let it Go was written for Disney’s Frozen.  The original song was performed by Idina Menzel, but a shorter version was recorded by Demi Lovato for radio. The original Frozen film was inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Snow Queen.  

Even though we have had some freezing days over the weeks, the weather is not dampening the spread of infections. 

Ohio is one of many states experiencing a quad-demic.  These four viral infections are COVID-19, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus.  COVID-19, flu, and RSV are all respiratory viruses, but norovirus is a gut virus. 

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By Andrius Giedraitis, MD

Pain management has become one of the most challenging aspects of modern medical care. In the wake of the well-publicized opioid crisis, we, as physicians, must balance effective pain treatment with responsible prescribing practices, especially when it comes to opioid medications.

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By Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist, ONU Healthwise Pharmacy 

The term “going viral” describes content spreading quickly and broadly across social media. In 2016, Pinkfong, a South Korean entertainment company released a version of a youth song called Baby Shark with an accompanying YouTube dance video. The video has gone viral with 7.04 billion views as of November 2020, 10 billion by January 2022, and an amazing 15.34 billion by November 2024.  

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As flu season approaches its peak, area hospitals and public health officials are reporting a significant rise in flu cases throughout Allen County and surrounding communities. In response, we are strongly urging residents to prioritize their health and the health of others by staying home if they are feeling unwell and by practicing good hygiene to limit the spread of disease.

To slow the spread of illness, Allen County Public Health recommends the following measures:

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By Lindsey Buddelmeyer 
Leadership Education & Training Specialist, Blanchard Valley Health System

Did you know that one in three visits to the emergency room is due to a fall? These visits require, on average, a four-day hospital stay. They also result in some level of loss of independence and decreased quality of life. Many people who experience a fall become more afraid of the likelihood of falling, which results in them being less active and at a higher risk for nursing home placement. 

There are two primary reasons that people experience a fall. Physiological factors involve a decrease in strength and balance, while environmental factors involve our physical surroundings and play a role in whether we are able to do things independently and safely. The good news is that there are some very meaningful changes that you can make to your home and routine in order to decrease your chances of falling. You will be surprised by the home hazards that are considered dangerous or a contributing factor leading up to a fall. Take this opportunity to commit to at least one change in order to make your home safer. 

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Cases on the rise in hospitals, when and how to seek care

Lima area hospital and health system leaders, as well as public health officials are reporting a significant increase in flu cases across Lima and the surrounding communities. As flu season reaches peak levels, Mercy Health – Lima, Lima Memorial Health System, Allen County Public Health, Auglaize Health and Putnam County Health Departments have come together to urge the community to take preventive measures and seek appropriate care based on symptom severity to ensure the best possible health outcomes for our residents while also preventing overwhelming our health care facilities.

“As we are seeing exceptionally high cases of Influenza A and other respiratory illnesses, it’s crucial for residents to take flu symptoms seriously and seek care at the appropriate level so we are able to continue delivering the right level of care at the right time, without overloading our systems,” said Matt Owens, MD, chief clinical officer, Mercy Health - Lima. “While we are experiencing record numbers of patients across our emergency departments, urgent cares, and primary care offices, we remain committed to providing the absolute best care for our community. We appreciate your patience as you may experience longer than usual wait times during peak season.”

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