By: Kathy Hubbard. Let’s be clear, there’s a big difference between having the winter blues and seasonal depression. People often say that they suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), but now that I’m reading about the signs and symptoms of this mental health disorder as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), I wonder if it’s true.
By: Kathy Hubbard. With the holidays in the rear-view mirror, now comes the season for coughing, sneezing, aching and wheezing. Yes folks, it’s Virus Season here in Bonner County. And, I don’t know about you, but just about everyone I know is currently suffering from a virus of some sort. In the past I would warn you about flu season and encourage you to get a flu shot. Now, besides that inoculation, there are more we should be thinking about getting. If you haven’t had a COVID booster, it’s time. If you haven’t had an RSV shot, it may be time for that one, too.
By: Kathy Hubbard. Dry January has nothing to do with expected precipitation. It’s the annual campaign, started in 2013 in the UK, that challenges moderate drinkers to give up alcohol for the thirty-one days of January. Why would you do that? Because studies have shown that there are positive physiological effects to be gained from taking part in Dry January.
By: Kathy Hubbard. Whatever you’re celebrating today, I hope it makes you happy. That’s because people who are happy typically have a positive, optimistic outlook on life. And tapping into the power of positive thinking can make you healthier and live longer.
By: Kathy Hubbard. Your left foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles. Double that to include your right one. And what we do to the two of them is nothing short of pure abuse. We cram them into all styles of shoes. We walk around 75,000 miles on them before we’re fifty. We stand on them for long periods of time and they take us running, pedaling, skiing, and dancing while bearing our total weight throughout it all.
By: Kathy Hubbard. Heartburn, in its true sense, has nothing to do with your heart. It’s a painful burning feeling that starts in your sternum and travels up into your throat. Pregnancy, certain foods, alcohol and some drugs can cause it. If it happens occasionally, it’s probably nothing to worry about. But if it occurs a couple of times a week or more, it might be gastroesophageal reflux disease, aka GERD.
By: Kathy Hubbard. A 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association found that 89 percent of U.S. adults feel stressed during the holiday season, with 41 percent reporting higher stress levels compared to other times of the year. The National Alliance on Mental Illness states that 64 percent of those living with mental illness feel that their conditions worsened this time of year.
Bonner General Health is excited to welcome Dr. Megan Fox PhD, MS, Clinical Psychologist to the outpatient Behavioral Health clinic team. Dr. Fox will work primarily with adolescents (12+), young adults (up to age 25), parents, and families. Her approach is characterized by empathy, evidence-based practices, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by families in rural communities.
By: Kathy Hubbard. For a short time in my younger days, I dated a guy called Charlie. On our first date he picked me up on his motorcycle. To be honest, I was terrified. But he brought me a helmet to wear and promised to be careful. He, on the other hand, said that he didn’t need a helmet because he was an experienced rider and liked being able to hear the traffic noise.
By: Kathy Hubbard. Healthy skin is more than looking youthful, it’s our first layer of defense against the outside world. Skin gives us clues to our overall health, so it’s important for us to take care of our skin so it takes care of us. The National Institutes of Health’s website says, “Skin protects your body in many ways. The skin provides a barrier to protect the body from invasion by bacteria and other possible environmental hazards that can be dangerous for human health.”
By: Kathy Hubbard. Think about this for a minute. You spend on average $5.50 on an item that you’re going to light on fire, breathe in the smoke and then throw away. Does that make sense? And when you think about the fact that this item leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of your body, does it make sense that you bought it, lit it on fire, sucked it up, and threw it away?
By: Kathy Hubbard. The cartoon shows a little girl watching a little boy peeing on a tree. The bubble over her head says, “That’s a clever gadget to bring to a picnic!” There are hundreds of jokes about urinating. But bladder health isn’t something to laugh at. So, despite the National Institute on Aging saying, “people rarely talk about bladder health,” today that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
Bonner General Health is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital and healthcare network of outpatient clinics and services serving Sandpoint and the surrounding region.
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