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Weekend Doctor: GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

Posted by Staff on Saturday, April 22, 2023

By Tonya DeVaul, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Gastroenterology Associates of Northwest Ohio

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. When this type of backflow happens repeatedly over time, it can lead to esophageal irritation causing GERD. Frequent acid reflux or reflux of nonacidic content from the stomach into the esophagus is what causes GERD. When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the lower part of your esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, relaxes to allow food/liquid to flow into the stomach. After this occurs, the sphincter then closes; however, if the sphincter does not relax as it should and/or it weakens over a period of time, stomach acid then flows back into the esophagus causing irritation/inflammation to the lining of the esophagus. 

Some very common signs and symptoms of GERD include burning in the chest after eating (which may be more noticeable at night or when lying flat), regurgitation of food or liquid that may cause a sour taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), upper abdominal discomfort and the sensation of a lump in the throat (globus sensation).

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A Spoonful of Sugar

Posted by Staff on Thursday, April 20, 2023

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Julie Andrews was the beloved Mary Poppins in the 1964 Walt Disney film. One of the songs is A Spoonful of Sugar to encourage the children to take a daunting task and make it fun.  Interestingly, Julie Andrews was not a fan of the original work titled The Eyes of Love. Disney asked Richard and Robert Sherman to rearrange the song into a snappier version.  

Robert Sherman got the idea after realizing his children received their polio vaccine. He asked if the polio shot hurt. The children were a bit startled since they reported the vaccine was in a sugar cube. The inspiration was born.

I remember standing in the school hallway waiting for my sugar cube with the vaccine. You may be thinking this article is about taking your medicine appropriately. Although a great topic, I will save it for another day. I want to discuss sugar!

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The Final Countdown

Posted by Staff on Thursday, April 13, 2023

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

"The Final Countdown" is a song released by the group Europe on February 14, 1986. The song performed by the Swedish rock band reached number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song is often played at sporting events to rally the crowds.

On January 30, 2023, President Biden announced the administration’s intent to end both the national emergency and the public health emergency for COVID-19. These emergency declarations have to be renewed every 90 days and are set to expire on May 11, 2023. Experts have some significant concerns about the changes the final countdown will bring to medical services.

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Strong relationships

Posted by Staff on Thursday, April 6, 2023

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Tom Hanks starred in the 2019 biographical drama about Mr. Fred Rogers titled A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.  Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was a television staple for children from 1968 until the last episode in 2001.  The program was filmed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania near Fred Rogers’ hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. 

Fred Rogers was a shy, overweight child who was frequently bullied by classmates.  Fred took these life experiences, both good and bad, to try and develop a deeper understanding of people. Journalist Tom Junod became a friend of Rogers after being assigned an interview with him for Esquire magazine.  Tom was amazed at how quickly the relationship developed out of pure kindness from Fred Rogers.  He was noted to say that Mr. Rogers really wanted to know what you had to say and how you felt. Junod noted the authenticity of Fred Rogers. 

Mr. Rogers’ wanted to be your neighbor, he wanted to be your friend, and he was proud of you (listen to his songs)!  He made you feel special right through the television.  Tom Junod commented in an interview years later that “he (Mr. Rogers) used that power to do good”. 

Why all of this chatter about being a friend and doing good? Because it is good for your health!

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Weekend Doctor: HPV in middle-aged men

Posted by Staff on Saturday, April 1, 2023

By Ankit Modh, MD
Radiation Oncology, The Armes Family Cancer Care Center

As a board-certified radiation oncologist, I've noticed a concerning trend in my patients–an increase in head and neck cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) in middle-aged men. While traditionally head and neck cancers were linked to heavy tobacco and alcohol use, we are now seeing a shift in the causes of these cancers, with HPV becoming a leading cause. 

HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to a range of cancers, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal (throat) cancer. In fact, over 70 percent of all oropharyngeal cancers are now caused by HPV. What's even more worrying is that HPV-related cancers tend to affect a younger demographic, and middle-aged men are often the ones who are diagnosed.

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Family Ties

Posted by Staff on Thursday, March 30, 2023

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

The television show Family Ties was a breakout series for Michael Andrew Fox, professionally known as Michael J. Fox. He played Alex P. Keaton on the sitcom from 1982 until the finale in 1989. This series led to his success in the trilogy of Back to the Future movies. While on the Florida set of his 1991 movie Doc Hollywood, Michael J. Fox noted a slight tremor in his little finger. This was his first symptom of early-onset Parkinson’s disease.

Several years after Michael J. Fox’s diagnosis, he went public with his disease and his fight to find treatments. In 2000, he established the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  This organization has become a global leader and innovator in finding therapies.

He has authored three books including No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality. Michael shares personal stories about his illness and his family. I was fortunate enough to see him at a conference where he was the keynote speaker. It was one of the most amazing speeches I have ever heard. He spoke for one hour without any notes and he held nothing back. 

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