Concussions: The Hard Facts
Due to the widespread and serious nature of concussions, it’s vital for healthcare professionals to develop the skills to treat. Conservative estimates suggest that up to 3.8 million concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs), occur annually in the U.S. Common in adolescents, concussions can have long-term consequences. They may affect a person’s ability to […]
Read MoreCombating Digital Distractions
Today, we face a relentless stream of digital distractions. Wired for distraction Like a browser window with dozens of open tabs, the human brain is built for distraction. In the wake of the Information Age, it’s no surprise that digital distractions are at the top of the list. According to a 2018 study, most Americans […]
Read MoreTherapeutic Benefits of Laughter: The Best Medicine
“Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors.” – Norman Cousins A case study in laugh therapy In the years after WWII, American journalist, peace activist, and author Norman Cousins developed a sudden-onset case of connective tissue disease, along with what was later diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis. Doctors gave […]
Read More‘First, Do No Harm’: Patient Safety for Healthcare Professionals
It’s a fact of life: Mistakes happen. When those mistakes involve medical errors, however, the costs can be devastating to patients, families, and healthcare providers. No one is infallible, but healthcare professionals have a responsibility to understand issues related to patient safety and foster a culture of safety within their organization. A brief history of […]
Read MoreNature Based Therapy: Healing the Body, Mind, and Spirit
Spending as little as 20 minutes outdoors has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and mitigate mental fatigue. “I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.” – John Burroughs For those of us who spend most of our lives between four walls, […]
Read MoreWhy Our Bodies Need Vitamin D
Sun exposure comes with high risks as well as high benefits, our bodies nevertheless need vitamin D to thrive. It’s the perennial summer conundrum. Though exposure to prolonged UV rays can cause skin damage, premature aging, and cancer, our bodies nevertheless need vitamin D to thrive. What is vitamin D? Vitamin D is a prohormone […]
Read MoreTreating and Preventing Firework Injuries
A dangerous tradition Like sunshine and summer, Americans have associated fireworks with the 4th of July since its first celebration in 1777. In all states except Massachusetts, some forms of consumer fireworks are legal. Unfortunately, they constitute a dangerous form of festivity. In 2020, 18 Americans died from firework-related incidents, while 15,600 people were treated […]
Read MoreCaring Through Crises: Disaster Mental Health
Though scope and impact may vary, a disaster is generally defined as an unexpected, catastrophic event that generates widespread damage, loss, or destruction. The images of disaster are never far from our collective consciousness. The flooded neighborhoods of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The ash-stained streets of New York City after 9/11. The red skies […]
Read MoreVector-Borne Diseases and How to Avoid Them
Vector-borne diseases — that is, diseases spread by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. These vector-borne diseases cause approximately 700,000 deaths annually. These account for about 17% of all infectious diseases, including malaria, dengue, schistosomiasis, yellow fever, and more. Small but deadly Though most common in tropical and subtropical latitudes, vector-borne diseases can spread wherever their […]
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