Blanchard Valley Health System

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By Brittany Berens, DO
Obstetric Hospitalist, Blanchard Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology

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By Kyle Anderson, PA-C
Physician Assistant, Well at Work

MEDIA RELEASE_As summer temperatures continue to climb, it is important to take precautions against heat-related illnesses. Whether working outdoors, exercising, participating in sports, or simply spending time outside, prolonged exposure to heat and humidity can place significant stress on the body and increase the risk of serious medical complications. 

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By David Barnes, MD
Medical Director, Palliative Care; Bridge Home Health & Hospice

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It’s not a distraction, it’s an academic booster

By James H. Legge III, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Center of Northwest Ohio

Amanda Legge, RN
Registered Nurse, Blanchard Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology

Across the United States, elementary and middle school students typically receive an average of 25 minutes of recess per day, which is barely enough time for a meaningful break from the demands of the classroom. For more than three decades, educational policy has been heavily influenced by a focus on standardized test performance. This has led to reductions in recess time under the assumption that increased instructional minutes would translate into higher scores. Unfortunately, this approach has often produced unintended consequences for student well-being and learning outcomes. 

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By Erika Manis. MD
Sleep Medicine

Do you experience an urge to move your legs that is worse or only present at night, that starts when inactive or still and is better with movement? If so, you may have restless leg syndrome (RLS). 

It is a clinical diagnosis, meaning there is no test besides endorsing these symptoms. The sensation can be hard to describe (“an itch you can’t scratch,” “ants in your pants,” “heebie-jeebies in your legs”) but is not typically considered painful. It can occur intermittently or be chronic and run in families. Individuals with RLS may have trouble going to sleep due to the need to pace or stretch their legs at night or difficulty with prolonged commutes by car or plane. It may be commonly comorbid in patients with chronic kidney disease, neuropathy, or during pregnancy.

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By Kayla Chapman, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Physicians Plus Urgent Care

Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death in the United States, especially among young children, and it can happen quickly and silently. Children between the ages of 1 and 5 are at the highest risk of drowning, often due to inadequate supervision around swimming pools, bathtubs, lakes, or even small containers of water. Adult drownings can also occur, and are commonly seen in rivers, lakes, and oceans, with alcohol playing a major contributing role. 

Fatal drownings occur in six stages. First, the swimmer will struggle to keep their airway clear of the water, leading to panic and exhaustion. Once the swimmer goes underwater, they’ll attempt to hold their breath, but eventually they will gasp for air.

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