CDC Warning – MOLD!

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Per the CDC, mold can cause many adverse health effects. For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. People with asthma or who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions. There is always mold around and molds have been on earth for millions of years. Mold will grow …

Close up of clear water and bubbles

Dehydration Not Just a Summer Thing!

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Older adults are more susceptible to dehydration. There are many reasons for this, including:  A decline in totally body fluid,  Lowered thirst response,  Decreased kidney function,  Health conditions and medications.  Recognizing the symptoms of dehydration is important so you can assist your residents in replacing lost fluids. Some of the signs and symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, fatigue, new …

Early Detection

Angie SzumlinskiNews

We know the drill; Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain, approximately 32 million people have this form of dementia and about 69 million are in the early stages (prodromal) experiencing mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s disease impacts brain functions such as memory, spatial awareness, speaking, and writing, but less is known about the changes that may impact the eyes.   In a new …

Hepatitis C

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation and can lead to serious liver damage. Hepatitis C (HCV) spreads through contact with blood that has the virus in it. What makes it even more dangerous is that many people with this disease don’t know they have it because symptoms can take decades to appear. The U.S. Preventive Services …

Sepsis and AI

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Sepsis remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. What exactly is sepsis? It is a dysregulated host response to infection, and it is estimated to afflict over 48.9 million people a year worldwide, leading to death in approximately 11 million. We all know that the early detection of sepsis is critical since interventions such as fluid resuscitation, antibiotic …

Wearable Device Prevents Bone Loss

Angie SzumlinskiNews

An estimated 34 million people in the United States have osteopenia. What is osteopenia? Osteopenia is when your bones are weaker than normal but not so far gone that they break easily. Losing bone density is a normal part of aging and it happens at different rates in different people. Osteopenia usually does not cause any symptoms, but it can …

Get Moving!

Angie SzumlinskiNews

For about 2 years I wore a “fitbit” type product to measure my activity level, sleep patterns, etc. What I found is that it stressed me out. I was constantly challenging myself only to be disappointed at the end of the day when I checked my total steps. I got rid of the device and decided to just be healthy …

Sugar a Four-Letter Word?

Angie SzumlinskiNews

“Sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major source of non-nutritional calories and are associated with serious adverse health outcomes, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, gum disease, cavities, and others that contribute to morbidity and mortality.” Just today I heard a discussion on a morning news show about children drinking juice and how it can contribute to children being …

Gabapentin Safety

Angie SzumlinskiNews

In 2019, the FDA issued a warning about serious breathing problems with seizure and nerve pain medicines gabapentin and pregabalin when used with CNS depressants or in patients with lung problems. Gabapentin and pregabalin are FDA-approved for a variety of conditions, including seizures, nerve pain, and restless legs syndrome. Even with this warning, a recent study found that use of …

Urinary Tract Infections

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Last week we discussed the risks of sepsis in residents with pneumonia, but did you know that urinary tract infections (UTI) can often lead to sepsis as well? Although UTIs are common infections in even healthy adults, not all UTIs are treated quickly and can spread to the kidney, causing pain and severe illness. When this happens, the resident is …