By Mike Patrick, MD
Medical Director for Interactive Media, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Despite its big, scary-sounding name, molluscum contagiosum is a common and relatively harmless skin condition seen in many children. It comes in the form of bumps that range in size from a pinhead to a pencil eraser. The bumps are caused by a skin virus and appear as painless domes that are typically flesh-colored, although they may develop a white center and/or redness around the edges. The telltale sign of molluscum contagiosum is a small dimple (umbilication) on top and near the center. Although one bump may appear alone, they are often seen in clusters or scattered on different areas of the skin.
The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties, also known as We Care People, urges area residents and organizations to "be seen with green" in support of mental health.
A Be Seen with Green campaign will take place the week of May 9-15. You are invited to show off your green throughout the entire month of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.
By Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
Many different cultures have gods, goddesses and symbolic figures to help promote fertility for a couple. Besides Greek mythology, there are at least 33 different cultures that have some form of good luck for a couple when trying to have children. Even my Pennsylvania Dutch background has a barn (hex) sign for fertility. Despite these thoughtful good luck charms, the reality is that infertility is more prevalent than many may realize. This is a topic that many individuals are really not comfortable in sharing or talking about, which can include miscarriages and loss of pregnancy. It can be hard to find support when many are afraid to disclose the issue.
By Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
Two things come to mind when I think about bread. One is the wonderful smell of freshly baked bread and the other is the musicians of Bread. Recently, my daughter was trying to explain to her friends that there really was a group called Bread and it was one of her mother’s favorites! Her friends thought that was odd (no comment on some current band names). Interestingly, the group chose their name after getting stuck behind a Wonder bread truck. But today, I want to focus on celiac disease and the gluten proteins found in many delicious forms of bread.
Thank you to Mercy Health-St. Rita's for this reminder about National Drug Take Back Day. If Lima isn't a convenient destination, visit https://safe.pharmacy/drug-disposal for a locator tool.
This Saturday, April 30 is National Drug Take Back Day–a reminder to go through your medicine cabinet and remove expired and unused medications in a safe and secure way. Mercy Health–St. Rita’s has a 24/7 accessible drug take back bin in the Emergency Department waiting room.
Many are not aware that having chronic GERD (gastroesophageal reflux) puts you at risk for this cancer. Once someone has symptoms of difficulty swallowing, the cancer is already at an advanced stage.
At the time of diagnosis, there is only a 20% 5-year survival.
Over time, GERD can lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition where the tissue that lines the lower esophagus changes and if not detected or treated, can develop into esophageal cancer.