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Blanchard Valley Health System

Migraine Headaches

Headaches are a phenomenon with which most everyone is familiar, and their causes and severity span the spectrum. June is national headache month, and according to the World Health Organization, almost half of adults worldwide have suffered from a headache at least once in the past year. 

 

Headaches are characterized by consistent, recurring pain in the head and can range from a dull ache to a migraine. 

 

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment

PRP is the abbreviation for platelet rich plasma. PRP is obtained from one’s own blood and injected into other areas of the body to trigger a “healing” process. Platelets are cells in our blood that are part of the clotting and healing process of our body. During the healing process, platelets organize and create mild inflammation. During inflammation, platelets release enzymes that attract stem cells and growth factors. This is done to help repair damaged tissue.

5 tips for people with allergies considering the COVID-19 vaccine

People with medication allergies or a history of allergic reactions are often wary of trying new medications or vaccines. When initial reports of reaction to COVID-19 vaccines came out, experts gathered to determine how to best counsel patients with a history of allergies regarding weighing the risk versus benefits of the vaccine. Current Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for people with a history of allergic reaction to vaccines or injectable medications is to consider a consultation with an Allergist/Immunologist prior to vaccination. Making the decision about whether to get the vaccine can be difficult. Following these five tips can make the decision easier.

Hearing Aids

“These hearing aids don’t work!”  I bet most of us have heard that from someone at one time or another.  Hearing aids have gotten a bad rap for years.  However, there are actually scores of people who successfully wear hearing aids and wouldn’t want to be without them.  Hearing aid manufacturers continually work to improve their size and technology.  Most hearing aids are barely noticeable now, as they are quite discreet and blend in with hair/skin tones.  What most people don’t understand, however, is that hearing aids are like “mini computers” that are worn in or behind their ears.  As with all electronics, they are not conducive to getting wet.  Since most people wear their hearing aid

Unicompartmental Patellofemoral Arthroplasty

A unicompartmental arthroplasty is the replacement with a prosthetic of just one of the three compartments of the knee when it is affected by the condition of severe osteoarthritis (OA). Musculoskeletal providers divide the knee into three compartments: medial (inside) compartment, lateral (outside) compartment, and the kneecap on the femur (patellofemoral joint). Osteoarthritis is a systemic inflammatory condition that affects the entire joint, causing aching, swelling, stiffness, and deformities. One of its physiological signs is to degrade the cartilage lining of the bones.

Fall Prevention

Simple Tips to Stay Independent

Whether you choose to stay at home or start to resume a “normal” life since the start of the pandemic, one thing seniors should be aware of is their fall risk while at home and while out-and-about. Measuring your fall risk is more than thinking about physical abilities, age and medical conditions. You should also consider the following, which all increase your risk for falls.

How is your vision? Consider visual field loss, age-related changes, depth perception, as well as diagnosed conditions, such as macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. Also, consider how frequently you wear prescription glasses.

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