• /

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1975, the Eagles recorded the hit Lyin’Eyes about dishonesty within a relationship. The song was written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey and recorded with Frey singing the solo lead. The band had its start when Don and Glenn were recruited for Linda Ronstadt’s band by her and manager John Boylan. The 2019 documentary Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice provided an excellent perspective on the relationship establishing the Eagles. The Eagles became one the best selling bands of all time and were inducted into the Roll and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.  

Why a lead in with Lyin’ Eyes? 

The concern is the deception or misleading advertising that seems to be common with different media outlets. The pharmaceutical industry spent $5 billion on television ads in 2021 according to Fierce Pharma. These ads are referred to as direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads. The only two countries allowing DTC ads are the United States and New Zealand. Other countries have banned DTC ads similar to the 1970 ban of direct-to-consumer cigarette ads on radio and television.  

Prescription medications are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has a program aimed at healthcare professionals called the Bad Ad Program.  The FDA Office of Prescription Drug Promotions (OPDP) is responsible for the Bad Ad Program under the auspices of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Anyone can report to the Bad Ad Program, but it is aimed at healthcare providers. Reports can be sent via email at [email protected] or phone at 855-RX-BADAD.  

  • /

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1983, the Police released their number one hit Every Breath You Take. The bestselling single was from their last studio album Synchronicity. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2015, the band was awarded for the most played song in radio history.

  • /

By Ryan Ingley, AT, ATC*
Sports Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Since hockey is a high-speed, collision sport, there can be opportunities for injury. For players, parents, and coaches alike, it is important to be aware of the most common injuries that can happen on the ice.

Separated shoulder
While playing hockey it is common to make physical contact with other players through a check, either giving or receiving. There is also the chance that you may trip and fall on the ice. These things put the shoulder at risk of being injured. One common injury is a separated shoulder, which is basically a sprained shoulder. Treatment for this will depend on the severity of the sprain, but typically involves immobilization and rest. When recovering from this injury, there are some strengthening exercises that can be beneficial. Making sure shoulder pads properly fit your player can help reduce the risk.

Concussion
Concussions are also a common injury due to the fast-paced nature of the game and the potential for contact from another player. If a player has an impact to the head and, as a result, begins to have symptoms of a concussion, they should not continue to play. There are many possible symptoms of a concussion, including headache, dizziness, confusion and nausea. Making sure the player has a helmet that fits well in addition to wearing a mouthpiece can help reduce some of the impact, but will not completely eliminate the risk of concussions. Players who have symptoms should consult a physician before returning to play and use a gradual return to contact.

  • /

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1972, Johnny Nash released his number one hit in the United States, Canada and South Africa titled I Can See Clearly Now. Johnny was a rhythm and blues singer who was influenced by the reggae sound. He collaborated with Bob Marley, one of the pioneers of reggae, to sing and produce records. Johnny was a very prolific song writer throughout his career. Interestingly, he sang the theme song for the animated cartoon series The Mighty Hercules that ran from 1963 to 1965,

So why the message to see clearly now?

Researchers have made some significant advances in eye health specifically with macular degeneration in the last few years. Several of these discoveries have completed clinical trials and have been forwarded to the FDA for approval in the United States.

  • /

By Jay Salyer, APRN-CNP
Endocrinology & Diabetes Specialists of Northwest Ohio

Type 2 diabetes is an illness that interferes with the way in which your body utilizes blood sugar. The human body is made of trillions of cells (brain cells, muscle cells, skin cells, hair cells, etc.) and all of those cells need sugar to function properly. Sugar is transported to body cells with the help of the hormone insulin. If your body stops making insulin (type 1 diabetes) or stops responding to insulin appropriately (type 2 diabetes), sugar can elevate in the bloodstream rather than getting to the cells where it belongs. Insulin resistance, a major contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes, can be improved through regular physical activity, which dramatically improves diabetic control by reducing the amount of medication needed to treat the disease.

Benefits of activity 

Regular physical activity helps to prevent and/or improve a variety of chronic illnesses including heart disease, osteoporosis, various cancers, depression, anxiety, as well as type 2 diabetes. With a focus on diabetes, activity increases the effect of insulin within the body. Medications used to treat the disease are also more effective with regular activity. These improvements are not only witnessed during activity itself, but last for several hours following exercise completion. Additionally, long-standing increase in insulin sensitivity happens from increased muscle mass, reduction in fat tissues, and changes within the liver all of which, in turn, significantly improves blood sugar control.

  • /

Letter to the Icon from William Kose, MD, JD, Vice President of Special Projects, Blanchard Valley Health System

Those of you who receive health insurance through Medicaid, or food through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, will be affected by some changes happening soon.

While these changes are happening at the federal level, and affect multiple agencies, we here at Blanchard Valley Health System want to help make sure everyone has the information they need.

Both Medicaid and SNAP have been operating under different regulations ever since public health declared a federal emergency on Jan. 31, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. States could not remove the insured from their Medicaid rolls as long as the public health emergency was in effect. 

Pages