One of our most valued senses is our hearing. For most of us, it is fundamental to our communication, the way we appreciate music and how we sense our environment. Addressing problems without delay and limiting exposure to excessive noise will go a long way toward protecting our hearing and preventing hearing loss.
Soccer fans across the United States were thrilled with the US team’s opening game victory against Ghana. For those watching the game live, along with a great match, they also witnessed US star Clint Dempsey suffer a blow to the nose and a possible nasal fracture. While active Americans suffer many of the same injuries as their sport heroes, injuries to the nose and face are common for weekend warriors along with the parents of children involved in sports. The bleeding and possible disfigurement associated with facial trauma and nasal fractures can be a cause of great anxiety for patients or the parents of injured children.
Our skin goes through many changes as we age. Each stage is marked with some specific findings that are more or less common, but it is normal to ask: “What is happening to my (or my child’s) skin and hair?”
Infants: Seborrheic dermatitis, or “cradle cap,” is very common in infants. While the condition will generally pass with use of gentle cleansers, in severe cases a prescription medication may be necessary. It is also important not to confuse run-of-the mill cradle cap with a true fungal infection.
Occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) help people perform functional tasks they want or need to do for their work, home and life roles.
Each May, Better Hearing and Speech Month aims to familiarize the public with the nature of communication disorders, as well as with the role of the speech-language pathologist in providing life-altering treatment. To this end, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has recently launched the “Identify the Signs” campaign, designed to address a lack of awareness about communication disorders — a major barrier to treatment for the more than 40 million Americans who suffer from them. (more…)
Most people learn about herbal and dietary supplements from health food stores or read about them on the Internet. However, informed consumers need to know that key safety information is still lacking from many online sources of herbal and dietary supplements, as illustrated in a recent American Journal of Medicine review of 1,179 websites on 13 common herbal medicines. The study revealed that less than 8% of retail websites provided information regarding potential adverse effects, drug interactions and other safety issues. Less than 3% cited scientific literature to accompany their claims*. (more…)