Health

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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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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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By Brittany Grider, MD

Pediatricians consider medications given to newborn babies very carefully. There are generally plenty of safety data and studies evaluating if the benefits of a medication outweigh the potential harms. If we are encouraging you to give a medication to your baby, it’s because we feel that it is potentially lifesaving. 

One medication recommended for all newborns is Vitamin K. Vitamin K (phytonadione) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is necessary for blood to clot. We also need this vitamin in our bodies to stop bleeding from cuts and bruises. 

Vitamin K does not cross the placenta and is poorly excreted in breast milk. Also, due to differences in the gut microbiome in babies, it is poorly absorbed when we try to supplement it by mouth. The only way to give it to babies in the United States is by a one-time injection when they are newborns. 

Vitamin K deficiency is not just an issue immediately after birth —babies who do not receive Vitamin K remain deficient until they are at least six months old.

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By Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist

Anne Murray sang Everything Old Is New Again on episode 415 of The Muppet Show, which aired on February 1, 1980 in the United Kingdom and March 10, 1980 in New York City.  Anne sings while different Muppet characters including Scooter are on skateboards going in and out of the sketch.  

In 1987, Anne Murray was the first female country artist to earn triple platinum for an album.  Anne is from Canada and first started recording her music in 1967.  She retired in 2008 and has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

Murray’s song is a good descriptor for the current news about the hMPV virus.  Why?

The human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is similar to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and most of us have been exposed to hMPV before the age of 5. Researchers have evaluated blood samples and have shown evidence of past infections. As with other viruses, we can get sick from this virus more than once. The hMPV virus is most likely to cause symptoms in infants, the elderly and those individuals with a weak immune system. 

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By Courtney Ferguson
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Fostoria Primary Care

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week, with a mixture of aerobic and resistance training exercises. Adults are recommended to engage in at least two days of resistance training per week, with each session lasting 20-30 minutes. In my experience, most individuals tend to focus on aerobic or cardio-type exercises and have a lesser understanding of the importance of resistance training and the associated long-term health benefits.

Resistance Training Benefits
Resistance training can reduce the risk of chronic disease and prevent disease progression for those affected by chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Performing exercises that place tension on the bones and muscles causes your body to send signals to produce denser bone tissue, preventing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Stronger bones and muscles support the ease with which one can perform activities of daily living, such as climbing stairs or carrying groceries. It also decreases the risk of falls and increases the likelihood that an individual will remain independent later in life. 

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