September 8, 2020
The 2020 school year is different than ever before. Along with many changes in the school year, more than likely, your child’s learning environment includes a virtual learning component. Unlike leisure screen time, virtual learning requires a level of focus that many kids (and parents!) may not be used to. To help ease the transition from the classroom to the virtual classroom, we’ve comprised a list of tips to help kids focus and learn during this challenging time. Set Reasonable Expectations Whether you’re homeschooling your child or your child is participating in a school-based virtual... Continue Reading
August 31, 2020
Learning to live with COVID-19 is an ongoing adjustment. Just as folks begin to feel all is under control, a new surge happens to remind us that the disease is still here in our community and still infecting neighbors, friends and family. For example, in July—after the Fourth of July holiday—the number of positive cases diagnosed at Augusta Health was double what it had been in June. So as we approach the Labor Day holiday weekend, it's helpful to remember these guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Augusta Health. If you are the host of a gathering or cookout: Ask guests... Continue Reading
August 24, 2020
Children can be silent worriers. They might say they are OK when asked, but most parents instinctively know when something is just not right. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread throughout the world, the news cycles and everyone's conversations, children observed and listened and maybe started to worry—about themselves, perhaps, but also about grandparents and family and friends who might get sick. As the school year starts again—a school year that will, no matter how attended—will look and feel different than school years past, the worry might kick into overdrive. So now is a great time, as... Continue Reading
August 20, 2020
Even when the rain is gone, can you still not see clearly? If so, you may be experiencing symptoms of cataracts. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the United States and are typically associated with aging; the good news is that they are treatable. The lens of the eye is normally clear. If the lens becomes cloudy, the condition is known as a cataract. Cataracts develop slowly and painlessly, and vision in the affected eye or eyes slowly gets worse. Most people develop clouding of the lens after age 60. About 50 percent of people aged 65-74 and about 70 percent of those 75 and... Continue Reading
August 18, 2020
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to form on the skin. It is the most common autoimmune disease in the United States, affecting over 7 million Americans. Many people tend to confuse psoriasis for eczema due to their similar appearance but there are many differences between the two. One symptom that distinguishes psoriasis is the border which is well-defined, compared to eczema which tends to be flatter and have undefined edges. Location also helps when trying to tell the difference. Psoriasis typically affects the outside of the elbows, knees, or scalp—... Continue Reading
August 13, 2020
Most of us have experienced an injury in our lifetime. From a scraped knee to a bruise from bumping into a bedpost, minor injuries are a part of life that typically cause us only minor inconveniences. However, there’s a special classification of injuries called traumatic injuries that are much more serious, require medical attention, and sometimes lead to fatalities. In the U.S., traumatic injuries, including those that result from homicide and suicide, are the leading cause of death for people ages 1 to 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control . Fortunately, many traumatic injuries... Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Most of us are familiar with the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” While laughter isn’t a cure-all, there is scientific proof that laughter can have a positive effect on a person’s health. For instance, a study conducted in 2016 by the Parkinson’s Foundation and Northwestern Memorial Hospital followed Parkinson’s patients through a 12-week study where they participated in improv comedy classes. The results of the study showed patient improvement in mood, stress levels, and focus. Whether you’re dealing with a serious diagnosis or just trying to be healthier, there’s a benefit to... Continue Reading
August 6, 2020
Scleroderma is a rare disease, affecting an estimated 300,000 Americans—less than .1% of the country's population. CREST Syndrome, a subcategory of the disease, is rarer still. As a result, it is even more deserving of some time in the spotlight. The more we can raise awareness, the more accurately the condition can be diagnosed. And while it is a chronic disease with no known cure, it can be made more manageable with treatment. What is Scleroderma? Scleroderma is a term used to describe a rare group of autoimmune diseases . Like most autoimmune diseases, your body is unable to properly... Continue Reading
August 4, 2020
Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder, and according to the latest Center for Disease Control research, 1 in 59 children in the United States (a 15% increase) are diagnosed with autism. Autism is also four times more common in boys than girls. It's challenging to acquire exact statistics about autism in children because many adults not diagnosed with autism in early childhood go undiagnosed into adulthood. It's estimated that there are about 3.5 million Americans living with a type of autism, but all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups worldwide are impacted. Given these... Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
Yesterday seemed to be the tipping point. Every single person seemed to be done with the Covid-19 pandemic. Over it, done, kaput, depressed, exhausted. The heat is definitely exacerbating the whole difficult thing. Everybody seems to be feeling the strain of months of life being altered in every direction. We want to hug Grandma. We want to go to the pool, to church, to restaurants. We want to cough or sneeze without feeling conspicuous and potentially dangerous. We want the real birthday party, wedding shower, wedding, baby shower, church. We are grateful to Zoom and other platforms that... Continue Reading
