April 25, 2018
That morning cup of coffee may be doing more than serving up a needed caffeine jolt. For many years, scientists have debated whether caffeine is helpful or harmful to human health. It turns out, the answer may not be so simple. Caffeine is a crystalline compound that is found primarily in tea and coffee plants and is a stimulant of the central nervous system. In fact, this stimulant is one of the most commonly used ingredients in the world. It works by stimulating the brain and central nervous systems, helping you to stay alert and preventing tiredness. Today, 80% of the world's population... Continue Reading
April 23, 2018
Smoking causes more deaths each year than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, and firearm-related incidents combined. Because of this, the FDA is working to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, the portion that causes the smoker to become addicted. What are the real health risks of smoking, and why is the legislation being processed now? An Overview of Smoking An estimated 37.8 million adults in the United States currently smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, including more than 41,000... Continue Reading
April 18, 2018
After a season of cold temperatures and overcast days, it's nice to think about the blue skies and warm sunshine of spring. This seasonal transition inspires a new appreciation for the outdoors and a more active lifestyle. Spring is also the perfect time to anticipate seasonal health needs and make sure to check off important prevention items. Take Action Against Allergies Do you relate spring with sneezing, wheezing, and general discomfort? If so, you're part of the 10-30% of the population that are affected by seasonal allergies. Luckily, there are many ways to take charge of your seasonal... Continue Reading
April 16, 2018
Most people know that April 15 is 'Tax Day'—the day taxes are due to the IRS. But many don't realize that April 16 is a day just as important. It's National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day that highlights the importance of letting healthcare providers, family and friends know what measures you want taken—or don't want taken—at the end of your life. National Healthcare Decisions Day is a collaborative effort between national, state and local community organizations to be sure that all adults have the resources they need to communicate their wishes about future healthcare decisions. These... Continue Reading
April 11, 2018
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a very broad field that involves assisting patients in living life to their maximum capability. Patients may include people who are recovering from surgery, have disabilities, or older adults dealing with vast cognitive changes such as Alzheimer's. Every OT patient is recovering from something whether it is physical, emotional, or mental. Patients may be recovering from a surgery, need help with a disability, dealing with a trauma, and more. Common Types of Patients Surgical or Accident Recovery The road to recovery is usually not an easy one. The recovery process... Continue Reading
April 9, 2018
What do Dan Aykroyd, Susan Boyle, and Temple Grandin have in common? Even though these famous people have different talents, they all live with autism! In their own ways, they’ve also helped shed light on this often misunderstood condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 68 children in the United States have autism. This includes 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls. A total of 1.5 million American adults fall within the autism spectrum. Unfortunately, several stereotypes about autism contribute to misguided generalizations about the condition that can be... Continue Reading
April 4, 2018
Congratulations to Augusta Health’s March DAISY Award winner, Hayley Fix!!! My husband had a colon resection on Friday morning and Hayley was his nurse. He had been in a great deal of pain and she cared enough to check with the on-call doctor to see if there was something else that could be done. I had gone to get a bite to eat and when I came back I found my husband much better, joking like normal. I was very impressed by how she always spoke to him using our last name. She was very respectful. Fast forward to Saturday night. I had been staying in the room with my husband. I suffer with... Continue Reading
April 2, 2018
April is National Humor Month . National Humor Month was founded in 1976 by comedian and best-selling author Larry Wilde, Director of The Carmel Institute of Humor. Steve Wilson, Psychologist, Joyologist, Cheerman of the Bored and Founder of World Laughter Tour, is the Director of National Humor Month. Fun and Happy designated days in April are International Fun-At-Work Day on April 5 th and Pursuit of Happiness Day on April 13 th . (April 13 th is Thomas Jefferson's birthday. He is author of the famous 'pursuit of happiness' phrase in our Declaration of Independence.) To bring joy into your... Continue Reading
March 29, 2018
Patient Safety is an essential part of healthcare. Patients safety is a team effort, so let’s get up to speed on the current best practices for patients to keep themselves safe. What is Patient Safety? It is the responsibility of every hospital to protect each patient under their care from contracting any avoidable infections or injuries. Patient safety is one of the leading challenges hospital managers must deal with. A hospital cannot function properly without guaranteeing patient safety. To achieve the lofty goals associated with patient safety, everyone from the hospital staff, the... Continue Reading
March 27, 2018
There is no disagreement that domestic violence is harmful, but not many people recognize the detrimental effects that it can have on heart health. Yes, domestic violence can damage someone psychologically and lead to a host of other problems, including the risk of death by homicide. However, research continues in linking domestic violence to heart health. While there isn't concrete evidence linking the two, there are some red flags that are indicative of a closely related relationship. Abused Women May Not Get Regular Medical Care An abused woman may not be able to go for regular medical... Continue Reading
