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Glory Days: Protein and aging

Posted by Staff on Thursday, August 15, 2024

By Ava Ehlinger, Student Pharmacist and Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Sometimes as we age, we look back at our younger years. In 1985, Bruce Springsteen released his song Glory Days, which talked about looking back. He recorded 21 studio albums and is affectionately known as “the Boss.” Springsteen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.  

What things can we do to age gracefully?

A healthy, balanced diet is very important and one of the most widely recommended lifestyle changes to lower your risk of different diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, and heart conditions and better lifestyle living. 

But what exactly does a balanced diet mean?

Harvard’s Nutrition Source outlines a healthy plate of food with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy oil and healthy protein. Protein is often a misunderstood nutrient. Protein plays a major role in several areas of your body’s health by keeping your bones strong and helping build muscles.

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Weekend Doctor: Making a birth plan

Posted by Staff on Saturday, August 10, 2024

By Brittany Berens, DO
Obstetrics & Gynecology, OB Hospitalist Program at Blanchard Valley Hospital

Preparing for childbirth can feel like an enormous task. A written birth plan can help the birthing person organize their thoughts. If you or your loved one is considering writing a birth plan for an upcoming delivery, what should you know?  

A birth plan is the birthing person’s written set of preferences and wishes. This is not a requirement prior to delivery. However, writing a birth plan can help the birthing person collect their thoughts and communicate with their partner, family, and birthing team. A birth plan typically involves preferences regarding labor, delivery and postpartum care while in the hospital setting. There are many online tools to help draft a birth plan. Patients should pick one from a reputable source that best fits their preferences. Prior to arrival at the hospital, it is important to take the time to compare and consider various options regarding care.  

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Jack and the Beanstalk: Soy and health

Posted by Staff on Thursday, August 8, 2024

By Karen Kier, Pharmacist 
On behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

The fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk is believed to originate in the 1700s.  The story tells the tale of young Jack trading his family cow for magic beans. After planting the beans, he climbs the beanstalk and comes face to face with the giant. Jack is able to get away by chopping down the beanstalk.  

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Weekend Doctor: What's a "hospitalist?"

Posted by Staff on Saturday, August 3, 2024

By Jigna Janani, MD
Adult Hospitalist, Blanchard Valley Health System Medical Staff

Often when patients are admitted to the hospital, they have questions such as, “Where is my family doctor?” or “What does a ‘hospitalist’ mean?” My common response to them is, “A hospitalist is serving like a family doctor for you while you are in the hospital.” Once the patient is discharged from the hospital, the family doctor usually resumes care. 

Hospitalists are like a quarterback on a football field or a conductor in an orchestra. Their job is to ensure both that patients feel well-educated about their medical illness and that they receive excellent care during one of the toughest times for them and for their loved ones.

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Lady and the Tramp: Pasta and health

Posted by Staff on Thursday, August 1, 2024

By Lena Salameh, Pharmacy Resident and Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1937, artist Joe Grant pitched an idea to Walt Disney about making a movie inspired by his English Springer Spaniel named Lady.  His plot would be based on how the family dog may receive less attention when a new baby was in the house. The plot and the movie struggled through many iterations at Disney before being released as Lady and the Tramp on June 22, 1955. This movie has an iconic scene where Lady and Tramp share a plate of spaghetti and end up kissing at the end of the same noodle. 

Pasta is the most common food group worldwide. It comes in various shapes, sizes, and dishes. Pasta is sometimes labeled as a common enemy of diets. Low-carbohydrate diets that cut out carbohydrates, like pasta, have become very popular. Since many low-carbohydrate and keto diets have become promoted, the amount of pasta eaten in both the United States and other countries has been decreasing. The reason appears to be related to pasta being considered a dangerous noodle because it can cause weight gain and is fattening. 

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Weekend Doctor: What’s a fever?

Posted by Staff on Saturday, July 27, 2024

By April Lieb, PA-C
Physician Assistant, Caughman Health Center

Fever. A common question for many parents is, “What is considered a fever?” Fever in children can be scary, but just because there is a fever does not always mean there is cause for alarm. Normal body temperature is considered 98.6 F (37 C). In the world of pediatrics, a fever is considered 100.4 F (38 C) per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

A fever helps the body by stimulating the immune system to fight the infection. Other common reasons children will develop a fever are overdressing, immunizations and occasionally teething, although in these cases the fever is typically less than 100 F. 

If your child is under three months old and has a fever of 100.4 F or higher, you should seek medical attention. 

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