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Weekend Doctor: Fit pregnancy tips

Posted by Paula Scott on Sunday, May 14, 2023

By Crystal McGrain, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Blanchard Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology

Physical activity is important in all stages of life, pregnancy included! Many women desire to adopt a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy or maintain their current fitness level. In most cases, this is achievable and desirable for the overall health of mom and baby. Here are 10 tips to keep in mind to have a fit pregnancy. 

Talk with your provider
Most pregnant women can exercise! In the absence of medical complications, physical activity in pregnancy is safe and desirable. In fact, inactivity and excessive weight gain have been recognized as risk factors for pregnancy complications. 

Consider modifications to your current exercise regimen
Your body will be going through major changes as your pregnancy progresses, including weight gain and a shift in your center of gravity. Balance and posture are affected. Exercises that have been extensively studied and found to be safe in pregnancy include walking, stationary cycling, aerobic exercises, dancing, resistance exercises, water aerobics and swimming. 

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First in the world

Posted by Staff on Thursday, May 11, 2023

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of Guinness Breweries in Dublin, Ireland, contemplated how one could verify who was first in the world. The Guinness World Records were born. His idea intrigued twin brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter to publish the Guinness Book of World Records. The first book hit the bestseller list by Christmas of 1955. The book is currently published in 100 countries in 23 languages. The publisher maintains over 53,000 records. 

On May 5, 2023, the coronation of King Charles III was celebrated. King Charles set the record for the longest term as heir-apparent for the British monarchy. His record started at the age of 3 when his mother became queen on February 6, 1952. King Charles III waited 70 years and 214 days to accept the crown. This surpassed his great-great-grandfather Edward VII’s record of 59 years and 73 days in replacing Queen Victoria. 

On May 3, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was the first in the world to approve the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. The FDA approved the GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) RSV vaccine with the brand name of Arexvy. The FDA approved the vaccine prior to other countries evaluating the clinical data including Europe and Japan. After years of research, GSK will produce the first in the world RSV vaccine. 

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Weekend Doctor: Burnout?

Posted by Staff on Saturday, May 6, 2023

By Stephanie Rodriguez, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, North Baltimore Medical & Diagnostic Center

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Catch up

Posted by Staff on Thursday, May 4, 2023

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

The idiom to catch up means to reach a standard or to move faster in order to reach someone or something moving in the same direction.  This idiom can mean anything from a competition of catching someone who maybe running a race or it can mean a meeting with a friend to catch up on the latest news.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on April 24 “The Big Catch-Up” program to coincide with World Immunization Week.  This new campaign is driven by the decrease in pediatric vaccines prior to and during COVID-19.  Routine childhood vaccines declined in over 100 countries during the pandemic.  This is the largest sustained decline in 30 years.

The CDC reports a decline in pediatric immunizations during COVID-19 in the United States. The start of the 2022 school year had the lowest vaccine rates for kindergarten children at 93%.  Experts believe the disruption of routine physician visits and the misinformation about vaccines contributed to the falling numbers.

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Type O negative blood donors sought by Red Cross

Posted by Staff on Wednesday, May 3, 2023

LOCAL BLOOD DRIVE: Monday, May 8, 2023 - Visiting Nurses and Hospice, 1200 S Main St., Ada, 11:30 a.m. - 05:30 p.m.

When every second counts, blood products can provide lifesaving care. The American Red Cross asks the public to give blood or platelets during Trauma Awareness Month in May to keep hospitals prepared for all transfusion needs, including emergencies. Type O negative blood donors are especially needed right now. 

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Weekend Doctor: Strep throat

Posted by Staff on Sunday, April 30, 2023

By Ailing Chen, MD
Pediatrics, Caughman Health Center

Acute strep pharyngitis, commonly known as strep throat, is a bacterial infection that affects the throat and tonsils. It is caused by the group A Streptococcus bacterium that can be easily spread through contact with an infected person's saliva or nasal secretions. 

However, viruses are the most common cause of pharyngitis in all age groups. Experts estimate that group A strep, the most common bacterial cause, causes 20 to 30 percent of pharyngitis episodes in children. In comparison, experts estimate it causes approximately five to 15 percent of pharyngitis infections in adults.

What are the symptoms for strep throat?
The most common symptoms of strep throat include sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and white or yellow spots on the back of the throat or tonsils. Other symptoms may include headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting — especially among children. Rash on face or around the neck may be present with strep infection in some children, which is called scarlet fever. 

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