By Gina Bailey, BSN, RN
Infection Preventionist, Quality/Infection Control, Blanchard Valley Health System
Summer is here, and now is the time to enjoy the weather and get into the water. But many do not know that while you are in the lazy river or perfecting your cannonball, you are coming into contact with bacteria, viruses and parasites. Most of these will not cause you to become sick, but some can cause what is known as Recreational Water Illness (RWI).
The most common RWIs are diarrhea, skin rashes and swimmer's ear. They occur when you swallow or inhale contaminated water, get contaminated water into your ears or into cuts of your skin. Contaminated water can be found in natural locations like streams, oceans and lakes or in public pools, hot tubs and water parks. Most of the time, these pathogens are killed with chlorine and other pool chemicals, but not always.
By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
Boogie Wonderland was released in April 1979 by Earth, Wind & Fire for Columbia Records. The song won a Grammy for the Best R&B Instrumental Performance. Maurice White founded the group in 1969 and the name derives from his astrological sign of Sagittarius. The group was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as receiving Kennedy Center Honors in 2019. As with much of the Earth, Wind & Fire music, Boogie Wonderland really makes you want to jump up and dance.
Research has already shown us the importance of physical activity and brain health, but does dancing in any form help our brain and mental health?
By Ashley O’Flaherty, CMA
Supervisor, Blanchard Valley Medical Practices
Warmer weather and sunshine bring people outside for cookouts, swimming, hiking, and all-around fun. While enjoying the outdoors, we need to be mindful of those annoying little critters known as fleas and ticks. They can be harmful to humans as well as pets.
By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
The idiom “sweet tooth” describes an individual who craves chocolate, candies, cake, cookies or sweet desserts. Healthcare professionals including dentists warn of the dangers of too much sugar. These include heart disease, obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. An option to reduce sugar intake is a sugar substitute.
In 1963, the FDA approved the sugar substitute xylitol as a food additive to help patients with diabetes. Xylitol has been approved in 35 countries as a replacement for sugar. Xylitol is a 5-carbon sugar alcohol found naturally in small quantities in fruits and vegetables. When xylitol is used to enhance the sweetness of food, the levels can be 1000-fold higher than those found in nature.
By William Hogan, MD
Blanchard Valley Pain Management
Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints, affecting millions of Americans every year. While conditions like herniated discs, stenosis, and pinched nerves are often the suspected culprits, in many cases, the true source is facet joint pain.
