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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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See More Clearly This Valentine’s Day

The tagline for Branchburg Eye Physicians is “your vision is our focus.” Located in Branchburg on Route 22, Dr. Kenette K. Sohmer, who founded the practice in 1977, has been practicing ophthalmology for over 30 years. Offering proper healthcare for her patients’ eyes is her commitment and passion.

By actively pursuing continuing education Dr. Sohmer ensures that she stays current in ophthalmology. She provides thorough, comprehensive eye exams including the diagnosis, management, and treatment of eye disease as well as some in office surgical procedures and lasers. In addition, she has performed thousands of cataract surgeries using the most advanced techniques.

The office also holds a beautiful optical shop filled with over 1000 frames and hundreds of styles so patients are sure to find the perfect frame that will compliment their look.

Jessica Patane, a full-time licensed optician, joined the practice in 2007. “I love the one-on-one attention I can give patients in a private practice,” says Pantane. “We only use top quality lenses along with the best treatments available. So once I’ve helped a patient select the lenses and frames that suit their lifestyle and appearance, I know they will have a pair of eyeglasses that are not only functional but compliment worthy too!”

February Special for NA readers:  Buy one pair, get one 1/2 off. Branchburg Eye Physicians/Branchburg Optical accepts Medicare and many insurance plans. Call Jessica Patane for details or to schedule an appointment at 908-526-5426. Location: 3461 Route 22, Branchburg. BranchburgEye.com. See ad on page 27.

health News Briefs
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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