WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing. Contact Lens health awareness is important. Improper care of contact lenses can cause a variety of eye issues, including infection that can lead to blindness. A few tips will help keep you or your contact wearing friends free from infection: Do not swim or take a shower with contact lenses on. Rinse out your lens case with lens solution only. Replace your lens case every three months. Wash your hands and dry them every time you handle your lenses. And do not sleep with your contact lenses on as this can irritate the ..read more

You’re listening to WPSU’s Health Minute, a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing. T he death rate from opioid overdose in the United States is more than six times what it was 20 years ago, for a total of nearly half a million deaths. You can b ecome an advocate for prevention of opioid overdoses and death. Pay attention to family members and friends who mention ongoing pain issues and seeing more than one doctor. Speak to them about pain management options and resources within your community. Learn what types of drugs lead to addiction and overdose . Drugs such as oxycontin, vico ..read more

WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing. Have you ever heard of gastroparesis ? Gastroparesis is a partial paralysis of the stomach causing food to stay in the stomach instead of moving into the intestine s. Causes include diabetes , medications like opioids and antidepressants , abdominal surgeries that injur e the vagus nerve , or neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease or M ultiple S clerosis . Common symptoms are n ausea , vomiting undigested food, and feeling full even when you’ve eaten only a small amount of food. Gastroparesis can be treat ..read more

WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing. July 28 is World Hepatitis Day . It ’ s the day for awareness about the burden of this viral infection that impacts more than 325 million people world-wide. The different types of h epatitis are Hepatitis A , B , C , D and E . All can cause cirrhosis or liver cancer. More than 1 million people die every year from viral hepatitis. The good news is all types of viral hepatitis can be controlled or prevented. Hepatitis A and B can be prevented with vaccination. Hepatitis C can be prevented by avoiding behaviors that can ..read more

WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing. Summer months are ideal for gardening, hiking, biking, and wandering outside . But i t ’ s important to stay protected from poisonous plants such as poison ivy, oak , and sumac. These plants produce a sap oil that can cause allergic reactions including a red rash, swelling, itching, and blisters on the skin. Home first aid includes washing the area exposed with soap and water and applying a cream to reduce itching. Some allergic reactions may be serious and can impact breathing. If the reaction is severe, get profess ..read more

WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing. The benefits of cultivating a connection with the natural environment grow over time. Later in life, this connection can be a source of strength as age-related challenges emerge. Research shows nature can be a source of joy and relaxation. It can nurture mental and emotional health, and provide comfort in times of stress or recovery. Nature can elicit a sense of freedom and openness, and serve as an ideal setting for reflecting on life while preparing for the journey ahead. Older adults who have a connection to natur ..read more

WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing. You can enhance your health with something you do every day -- eating!    The United States Department of Agriculture has established Dietary Guidelines for Americans.    You can see if you are making every bite count b y taking a quiz on myplate .gov . Then make a conscious decision to follow the guidelines to adopt a healthy dietary pattern : S elect foods that you both enjoy and are healthy . E at nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains . L imit foods high in sugar, fat and salt. Eating healt ..read more

You’re listening to WPSU’s Health Minute, a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing. National HIV Testing Day is this Sunday. It’s a time to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing , early diagnosis, and treatment. One in 7 Americans living with HIV is un aware of their HIV status. Early diagnosis allows for earl ier connection to care . By strictly adhering to treatment, HIV viral load can become so low that a test can no t detect the virus . This is known as an “ undetectable viral load. ” Overwhelming evidence shows that Undetectable equals Un - transmittable , or U=U ..read more

WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing An infected blacklegged tick the size of a poppy seed is responsible for the transmission of Lyme Disease. The tick attaches to a human or animal and injects harmful bacteria. It may take 36 to 48 hours of attachment to become infected. Symptoms of infection include fever, headache, and fatigue. In 70% of cases, a rash shaped like a bull's eye will appear. To prevent infection, avoid grassy areas frequented by deer, use insect repellent with DEET, wear long sleeves and pants, and check yourself daily for ticks. Pets s ..read more

WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing. June is Men’s Health Month. Let’s take a minute to talk about two forms of cancer that only impact men. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, and becomes more prevalent as men get older. Testicular cancer is not as common, but generally impacts younger men between the ages of 20 and 35. With proper health screenings, such as prostate and self-testicular exams, and an understanding of what signs to watch out for, a person can often detect and treat a prob ..read more