By Ashley O’Flaherty, CMA 
Supervisor, Blanchard Valley Medical Practices

It is important to have an annual wellness exam to maintain your overall health and to discuss preventative services you may need based on your age and condition. A wellness exam is important for both your mental and physical health and will help you reach your health goals. 

A lot can change in a year, so it is essential your healthcare provider has your medical records up to date. This is also a good time for you to reconnect with your provider and the provider to reconnect with you. 

Many screenings and assessments are available to ensure you are getting the most current, up-to-date knowledge of your health. Certain screenings can help identify underlying conditions where symptoms may never be present. This is important for not only you but those who may care for and manage your needs.

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Mac Davis was a successful songwriter, singer and actor. He got his start in the music industry as a songwriter and employee for Nancy Sinatra and her company Boots Enterprises. He was a prolific songwriter for numerous artists.  In 1968, he wrote A Little Less Conversation for Elvis Presley.  

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Billy Joel is a successful singer, pianist, and songwriter. He is referred to as the “piano man” after his first charting song. He has been nominated for 23 Grammy Awards and has won six. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2013, Joel was recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors. 

In 1978, Joel released 52nd Street, which included his hit Big Shot. The album peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The single only reached 14. The song describes someone behaving like a big shot and running their mouth all over town.

The news last week described the new “big shot” by the FDA and the CDC ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) for COVID-19. Is it important to spread the word all over town?

By William Hogan, MD
Blanchard Valley Pain Management

The sacroiliac joint is a large joint in your lower back and buttocks region. There are two sacroiliac joints, one on each side, with ligaments in each joint that hold the bones together. Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain can be difficult to diagnose as other conditions can cause similar symptoms. When the joint becomes painful, it can cause pain in its immediate region or it can refer pain into your groin, hip, buttock or leg. SI joint pain can be aggravated with prolonged standing, sitting, stair climbing, moving from sitting to standing, and running.

The largest cause of sacroiliac pain is arthritis of the SI joints. However, you can experience SI joint pain with traumatic injury, during and after pregnancy, spinal scoliosis and after a lumbar spine fusion. The diagnosis of sacroiliac pain starts with a physical examination and imaging, including X-rays, a CT scan or an MRI.

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1964, the Drifters released the popular song Under the Boardwalk written by Kenny Young and Arthur Resnick. The song has been covered by numerous artists and actors including Bette Midler, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Willis, Sam & Dave, and the Beach Boys. Rolling Stones magazine ranked this song in the top 500 best of all time. Over 40 individual performers have drifted in and out of the Drifters over the years. There is a long history for the group. 

Allen County Public Health is currently investigating both a probable case of Lyme Disease and a probable West Nile Virus case. The health department would like to remind the public of the risks associated with tick and mosquito season and urge them to take precautions associated with Lyme Disease and with West Nile Virus. 

To avoid contact with ticks and potential risk of Lyme Disease it is recommended that you avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter when outdoors. Consider using EPA-registered tick repellents, and wear light-colored long-sleeve shirts and pants to prevent tick bites. Tucking pants into socks is a great line of defense to keep ticks from making skin contact. Ticks can also ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats and day packs. 

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