By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator The hypothesis that children have stronger immunity against COVID 19 infection is very interesting and rather convincing. Any parent could tell you that children tend to get sicker with common colds. Some of those common colds are caused by seasonal corona viruses. Another theory is that because children are so frequently infected with theses common respiratory … Continue reading Why Children Have Fewer Cases of COVID Infection? Part II

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Looking at this graph, almost everyone agrees it is time to go back to “normal activities”. Data is from 3/26/2021. For children, going back to school seems like a logical step; kids benefit so much from interacting with other kids as part of their normal growth and development. However, in many parents’ mind, going back to … Continue reading Why Children Have Fewer Cases of COVID Infection?

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator This is the last discussion from the excellent article authored by Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer, hope you have come to a better understanding the importance of sleep and benefited from his tips on getting a good night sleep. Mindfulness Meditation and Sleep Mindfulness meditation can be a useful component … Continue reading Sleep and Brain Health Part V

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator We continue abstracting from  Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer’s outstanding article on sleep and brain health. Medications and Sleep Sleep medications, thought helpful in some situations, tend to be overprescribed. Unsurprisingly, people often want a quick fix to a problem that really requires an intentional change in behaviors. Sleep medications … Continue reading Sleep and Brain Health Part IV

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Abstracting from Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer, let us continue to explore the topic of sleep and thought disorders. Sleep and Thought Disorders Some researchers point to a potential correlation between lack of restorative sleep and thought disorders like schizophrenia (a long-term mental disorder of a type involving a breakdown in … Continue reading Sleep and Brain Health Part III

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator I hope you enjoyed the first part of the  publication by Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer on Sleep and Brain Health. This week we will examine the stages of sleep, and how sleep affect the mood disorders. Sleep Architecture Deep stage sleep comprises three of five stages of sleep. Each night, … Continue reading Sleep and Brain Health Part II

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator It is essential to understand the role of sleep in promoting brain health. I am sure most of you have personal experience of not getting a good night sleep and its consequences. I have been trying to find a good article that articulates the topic well. I found it. This publication by Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, … Continue reading Sleep and Brain Health

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator We have ample time on hand to watch TV during the COVID lockdown. Something good came out of this opportunity; I heard of the new book from Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon and CNN reporter. What captivated me of one of the key points from his book is the nutritional value of blueberries. So I went … Continue reading Brain Health

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator The catastrophic 2020 COVID epidemic has interrupted our life and rendered us helpless in many ways. Looking back, I am determined that this virus would not rob me of the joy of perseverance and determination to make adjustments in life. Yes, I can and had composed my life during the viral season. I should not be … Continue reading COVID Lockdown – A New Opportunity to Compose Your Life

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator All of us who experienced this global pandemic since January 2020, we welcome the light at the end of the tunnel – a vaccine that works to boost up our immune system to fight the COVID-19 virus. This is a remarkable scientific achievement. How does mRNA vaccine work? Even for those of us who work in … Continue reading COVID-19 Vaccine : Sharing My Personal Experience with Vaccination in 2021

Abstracted from Mayo Clinic By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator If you’ve had an ischemic stroke or TIA, your doctor may recommend medications to help reduce your risk of having another stroke. These include: Anti-platelet drugs. Platelets are cells in your blood that form clots. Anti-platelet drugs make these cells less sticky and less likely to clot. The most commonly used anti-platelet medication … Continue reading Stroke – Preventive medications

Abstracted from Mayo Clinic By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Recognizing the signs and symptoms of stroke is key to immediate rescue and survival. The following guidelines from the Mayo Clinic provides you with precise information you need. Your knowledge could turn into a life-saving opportunity for at risk stroke victims. A stroke occurs when there’s bleeding into your brain or when … Continue reading Stroke – First Aid

Abstracted from Mayo Clinic By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Knowing your stroke risk factors, following your doctor’s recommendations and adopting a healthy lifestyle are the best steps you can take to prevent a stroke. If you’ve had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), these measures might help prevent another stroke. The follow-up care you receive in the hospital and … Continue reading Stroke – Prevention

Abstracted from Mayo Clinic By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator My first Care Ministry article in January of 2020 was “Wealth, Fame and Health: Choose One”. The answer is very clear this year and probably unanimous; if you choose other than health, you probably would not be here to answer this question. The COVID 19 pandemic has shown us if we do … Continue reading Wealth, Fame and Health: Choose One in 2021

Abstracted from Mayo Clinic By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Risk factors Many factors can increase your stroke risk. Potentially treatable stroke risk factors include: Lifestyle risk factors Being overweight or obese Physical inactivity Heavy or binge drinking Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine Medical risk factors High blood pressure Cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke exposure High cholesterol Diabetes … Continue reading Stroke – Risk Factors and Complications

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator The content for this week on stroke might be a little bit more technical. But a little more information might enhance our understanding of the condition so that we are more aware of our symptoms when they occur. Abstracted from the Mayo Clinic. Causes There are two main causes of stroke: a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) … Continue reading Stroke – Causes

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Stroke is a topic that we have not explored in the past. Therefore, for the coming weeks, we are going to spend time to understand stroke; its signs and symptoms, causes and care of a stroke patient. From the Mayo Clinic on Stroke A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is … Continue reading Stroke – Signs and Symptoms

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator What amazes me about watching news reporting is that they always begin with a personal story, state the problem and ends with how that problem affects that person. I love that format. Hence, imitation is the best type of flattering; I will use the general tips from the Mayo Clinic that I shared last week, and … Continue reading Prevention of Falling – Real Life Tips