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I Heard It Through the Grapevine: Hearing and health

Posted by Paula Scott on Thursday, July 18, 2024

By Alaina Kortokrax, Pharmacy Resident and Karen Kier, Pharmacist
On behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

I Heard It Through the Grapevine was first released by Motown Records on September 28, 1967.  It was recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips. The second release was in August of 1968 by The Miracles, even though they were the first to record it in 1966.  The third release was by Marvin Gaye on October 30, 1968.  The Marvin Gaye version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and has been used in television commercials and movies. 

Why is hearing so important to our health?  

Hearing loss has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, dementia and poor physical health. The National Institute on Aging reports a faster decline of memory and concentration in those individuals who have hearing losses without corrective devices compared to those with normal hearing. A Johns Hopkins study followed 639 adults over a 12-year period and found those with mild hearing loss were 2 times more likely to develop dementia compared to those with severe hearing loss, who were 5 times more likely. 

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Weekend Doctor: What's Recreational Water Illness?

Posted by Paula Scott on Saturday, July 13, 2024

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.

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Boogie Wonderland: Dancing and the brain

Posted by Staff on Thursday, July 11, 2024

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?

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Weekend Doctor: Virtual world, real problems

Posted by Staff on Thursday, July 4, 2024

Technology and social media’s effect on mental health and young minds

By James Legge III, MSN, APRN, PMHNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Center of Northwest Ohio

After almost two decades in the healthcare field, I have noticed several themes that cause concern not only for teenagers, but also for young adults. 

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Weekend Doctor: Flea and tick tips for you and your pets

Posted by Staff on Sunday, June 30, 2024

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. 

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Sweet tooth: Sugar substitutes and your heart

Posted by Staff on Thursday, June 27, 2024

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. 

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