Measles
The Ohio Department of Health has declared a Measles outbreak in Ashtabula County. All 10 identified Measles cases are in unvaccinated individuals. As a reminder, Measles is a vacine-preventable virus illness that causes symptoms that include fever, runny nose, watery red eyes, cough, and a characteristic rash. Symptoms may take up to three weeks […]
Digital Screens and Eye Health
Eye Health in the Digital World These days, it’s nearly impossible to get through the day without spending time staring at a screen. Kids use Smartboards in school and do their homework on laptops. Most adults have to use a digital interface for work, and we all use the apps and games on our phones […]
Hello Neffy!
There’s good news on the horizon for patients who suffer from life-threatening allergies. The FDA has approved the first-ever nasal spray equivalent of an Epipen. This intra-nasal epinephrine, called “Neffy“, has several advantages over traditional interventions for allergen exposure. It’s small, easy to use, and perhaps most importantly, is not a needle-based delivery mechanism. Interestingly, […]
Are New Year’s Resolutions Realistic?
Are New Year’s Resolutions Realistic? The “New Year, New You” temptation is alluring, and we all tend to try to reinvent ourselves as the calendar page flips from December to January. Sadly, studies show that almost half of our resolutions are abandoned by the end of the first month of the year. Researchers blame three major overreaches for this […]
Pre-Holiday Ramp-Up
Pre-Holiday Ramp-Up As the holiday season approaches, kids get excited in anticipation of warm family gatherings, days off of school, and presents to open. Adults, on the other hand, have to manage the stress of hosting, shopping, cooking, and the many expenditures of time and money that come along with these celebrations. It’s a challenge […]
Lose the Winter Blues
Lose the Winter Blues The holidays are a magical time of year, but they are also incredibly stressful. The demands placed on our time and finances are significant, and can take a toll on our physical and mental health. The good news is there are ways to mitigate these stressors. Here are some tips to […]
Winter Break Brain Freeze
Winter Break Brain Freeze Much has been written about learning loss over summer vacation that necessitates weeks (if not months) of review to regain lost ground at the start of the school year in the fall. Similarly, we observe a backward slide during winter break, adding an extra challenge upon the return to classrooms in […]
Practicing Gratitude
Practicing Gratitute The chilly fall weather heralds the approach of the Thanksgiving holiday, reminding us that gratitude doesn’t have to be only a seasonal practice. Studies reveal that demonstrating appreciation as a way of self-improvement can translate into lots of health benefits including a stronger immune system, better sleep, improved emotional coping mechanisms, and decreased […]
School Safety
October is Ohio School Safety Month Our state designated October as “Ohio School Safety Month”. Our schools need some attention to this topic. As of last month, the US has seen 58 school shootings so far this year. Of these, 14 were on college campuses and 44 were on the grounds of K-12 schools. These […]
Suicide Prevention Awareness
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Suicide is the second leading cause of death for high-school aged youth, after accidents. The CDC reports that nearly 50,000 people died by suicide in 2022; That’s one death by suicide every 11 minutes. While it’s fair to say that teen suicide is a current health crisis, fortunately it […]