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By Matthew Nienberg, PA-C
Physician Assistant, Blanchard Valley Pain Management

Do you have achy hips, a stiff neck, back pain or swollen knees? If any of these things sound familiar to you, you could be one of the millions of people in the U.S. who have symptomatic arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 58.5 million people have been diagnosed by a healthcare provider with some form of arthritis.  

In 2016, 25.7 million people, or about 44% of people with diagnosed arthritis, reported activity limitations due to the arthritis. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of work-related disability.

Arthritis, at its most basic level, involves inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. Many conditions can cause arthritis, but the most prevalent is osteoarthritis (OA). This type of arthritis is generally referred to as degenerative or, in other words, wear and tear on a joint. This type of arthritis generally develops very slowly over time as the cartilage within the joint breaks down. 

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By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Maya Angelou was an American poet, writer, and civil rights activist. She is famous for over 50 publications including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. She was part of the inauguration of President Bill Clinton on January 20, 1983 when she recited her poem "On the Pulse of the Morning."

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By Emilee Shoemaker, MOT, OTR/L, CLT-LANA 
Occupational Therapist, Julie A. Cole Rehab and Sports Medicine Clinic

After a patient has been through the rigorous diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, sometimes they are looking forward to returning to their typical physical activity or workout routine. Their medical support team has usually educated them on the signs and symptoms of lymphedema, but the patients are still not sure how to return to their daily activities and workout routine safely. 

It is important for individuals recovering from breast cancer, with or without lymphedema, to return to their physical fitness level, as well as return to their desired quality of life. The National Lymphedema Network (NLN) has guidelines to follow when starting and maintaining an exercise regimen. 

General guidelines to follow include increasing your workouts gradually, progressing them slowly, and monitoring the size of your “at risk” limb during and following your exercises. If you have been diagnosed with lymphedema and have been prescribed a compression garment for the affected limb, please wear it while you are exercising. Stay well hydrated and avoid becoming overheated. 

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

Take My Breath Away was the love ballad written for the 1986 movie Top Gun.  The song was performed by the Berlin.  The song won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for the best original song.  

Some Top Gun fans wondered why the song did not make the soundtrack for the 2022 Top Gun: Maverick release.  The music producer gave a logical explanation as to why it was not repeated.  In the movie, Maverick has a new love interest so the song would not fit.  

RSV or respiratory syncytial virus can take your breath away.  

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By Mike Leifheit, PharmD
Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator, Blanchard Valley Health System

Caffeinated beverages are no longer limited to just coffee and soda these days. Caffeine can be found in popular energy drinks, teas and loaded teas. Looking at loaded teas and energy drinks, you will find different amounts of vitamins, antioxidants, supplements and stimulants (mainly caffeine). Most of these products have trendy names and are advertised on social media platforms.

Products like energy drinks and loaded teas are sold as nutritional supplements which allow them to bypass some of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulations. As long as the label on these products contain the disclaimer “these supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA,” the product can make claims about increasing energy, enhancing performance and boosting the immune system.

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

Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan released his 1966 hit titled Mellow Yellow. The song hit number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States but only reached number 8 in the United Kingdom. 

Donovan was born Donovan Phillips Leitch and he was known for his eclectic style, which combined various different types of music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. 

Donovan had some interesting connections to the Beatles. On the Mellow Yellow soundtrack, you can hear Paul McCartney as a background reveler. It was rumored that Paul McCartney was the one who whispered “quite rightly” on the track, but this was false since it was actually Donovan’s voice. McCartney played bass guitar on the recording, but was not credited on the album. However, Donovan and Paul McCartney were friends and collaborators. Donovan was credited with helping with some of the lyrics on the Yellow Submarine. 

Donovan was credited in teaching John Lennon with a guitar technique called finger-picking. Lennon used this technique on several of his recordings. 

In Mellow Yellow, Donovan’s lyrics state, “I’m just mad about saffron.” Saffron is a yellow colored spice which is often confused with turmeric. Turmeric is a spice that comes from a rhizome or root. Saffron is produced from a flower from a different plant than turmeric. 

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