Health

Naomi Judd contracted Hepatitis C as a nurse

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

The Country Song of the Year Grammy was awarded to Love Can Build a Bridge performed by the Judds in 1992. The song was released in 1990 as a farewell after Naomi Judd was diagnosed with a hepatitis C infection. Naomi attended California’s College of Marin to study nursing and became a registered nurse.

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.

National Infertility Awareness Week

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.   

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.

April is esophageal cancer awareness month

By Jayde Kurland, MD  FACG, AGAF, FACP

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. 

By Mike Patrick, MD, Medical Director for Interactive Media, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

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