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Bright Star Health & Wellness, 163 N Main Street, North Brookfield, MA (2025)

12/23/2025

This week will more than likely be filled with Christmas parties, holiday celebration, and Christmas dinners, so it is important to remember not to drive impaired. This week we are highlighting National Impaired Driving Prevention Month hoping to help keep you safe this holiday season.

How can you help fight the number of drunk driving accident? It is simple, Plan Ahead!
- offer to host the party, this allows you to limit alcohol and takes driving home out of the issue. However as a host it is you job to ensure no one else leaves impaired.
- have someone be the designated driver, this person stays sober in order to drive those impaired home safely
- leave parties a bit earlier to avoid congested times
- keep safe distances if you notice other drivers driving erratically
- some may companies have a sober ride program or use a cab, Uber, or other ride sharing services
- local tow trucks may also have a special rate for not driving home drunk and letting them tow your car home
- if you feel different or impaired, DO NOT drive
- see if the host will allow you to spend the night

It is impossible to control the actions of other people, especially if they choose to drive impaired; don't be part of the problem, be part of the solution!

There also may be increased patrols and sobriety check points during the holiday season. You know the phrase "Drive Sober or get Pulled Over."

https://www.nhtsa.gov/drive-sober-december-and-every-month #:~:text=During%20this%20time%2C%20law%20enforcement%20will%20be,you%20choose%20to%20drink%2C%20don't%20drive%20impaired
https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/safety-topics/drunk-driving/drive-sober-or-get-pulled-over/winter-holidays
https://msblawkc.com/winter-holidays-bring-increased-driving-danger/ #:~:text=Amidst%20all%20these%20festivities%2C%20however,the%20rest%20of%20the%20year.

12/22/2025

This week will more than likely be filled with Christmas parties, holiday celebration, and Christmas dinners, so it is important to remember not to drive impaired. This week we are highlighting National Impaired Driving Prevention Month hoping to help keep you safe this holiday season.

Drunk driving statistics can be scary and daunting, but perhaps that will make people think harder before they have drinks and then try to drive home.

- In December 2023, approximately 1,038 people died in drunk driving crashes
- Between 2019-2023 the NHTSA have recorded almost 5,000 deaths related to drunk driving crashes during the month of December
- From 2019 to 2021 a study conducted over several medical centers and medical examiners offices found that among the drivers who were seriously injured or dead that approximately 25% had active THC in their system; however active THC can stay in the body several days after ingestion.
- 40% of traffic fatalities during the holiday stretch involve a higher rate of drunk drivers than the whole month of December
- NYE and Day see a large surge of deadly crashes increasing 130%
- young adults, more males, aged 21-34 are more likely to be involved in a impaired driving fatality

Why the increase? Holiday celebrations often lead to drinking in excess. The nights become dark earlier increasing the risk of a crash. Travel is very common for the holidays which leads to an increase in drivers on the road. The stress of the holidays, depression, and loneliness can lead to overconfidence in the judgement of their ability to drive.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/drive-sober-december-and-every-month #:~:text=During%20this%20time%2C%20law%20enforcement%20will%20be,you%20choose%20to%20drink%2C%20don't%20drive%20impaired
https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/safety-topics/drunk-driving/drive-sober-or-get-pulled-over/winter-holidays
https://msblawkc.com/winter-holidays-bring-increased-driving-danger/ #:~:text=Amidst%20all%20these%20festivities%2C%20however,the%20rest%20of%20the%20year.

12/21/2025

This week will more than likely be filled with Christmas parties, holiday celebration, and Christmas dinners, so it is important to remember not to drive impaired. This week we are highlighting National Impaired Driving Prevention Month hoping to help keep you safe this holiday season.

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is a nationwide effort lead by government agencies and groups like MADD to fight drug and alcohol impaired driving. When the legal limit to drive was lowered and the drinking age increased in the 80's, the US saw a reduction of significance in the number of alcohol related crashes. This reduction was also due to increased education campaigns against drinking and driving. However drivers with the alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit of .08 still remain involved in 1/3 of all traffic related fatalities, even decades later.

To help reduce the toll of drunk driving deaths, the National Safety Council supports a national campaign aimed to educated Americans on how impairment starts at the first drink and efforts by the states to lower the legal limit as research has shown that at a .08 the drivers performance significantly decreases by this point.

Not only alcohol, but drugs can also impair driving skills. Drowsiness, affected mental judgement, affected motor skills, and altered visual functions may all be caused by some over the counter medications, opiates, or ma*****na. "Drivers should avoid driving while impaired by any of these factors, just as they would if they consumed alcohol."

Below is a link for the National Safety Councils Drug and Alcohol Impaired Driving policy statement:
https://www.nsc.org/getattachment/d09f0dd5-19c1-40cd-ac0d-b185ac0bce94/t-drug%20and%20alcohol%20impaired%20driving%20-%20176

https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/impaired-driving?srsltid=AfmBOoqlKercqvqMYuyAB1EHNUSyUn8gT8FadvuI7sosQzPutQqBPtH-

12/19/2025

Our whole goal with our Facebooks posts is to encourage education on not only the known syndromes and diseases but also the uncommon ones. December touches on one that is not widely known but can be overwhelming and very confusing; this week we are focusing on Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). TTTS occurs in 15% of monochorionic pregnancies; about 2,000 sets of twins a year in the US.

With treating TTTS, there is hope. There are now several options to treat TTTS. For some, TTTS resolves on its own and does not require treatment. However if it progresses it may be advised to under go one or more procedures such as:
- Amnioreduction is the reduction of the excess of amniotic fluid in the recipient twins sac
- Septostomy requires artificially puncturing the internal membrane allowing passive equilibrium of amniotic fluid amounts
Both procedures do not treat the disease and are mainly to relieve symptoms and usually is typically suggested in areas where more advanced treatment cannot be done or if the TTTS is diagnosed during the third trimester of pregnancy.
- Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation of the placental anastomoses is the ideal treatment to stop the pathophysiology. This procedure uses a fine camera (fetoscope) introduced to the amniotic space to demonstrate the abnormal vascular connections. Those connections are then coagulated with laser energy.

Long-term outlook for those with TTTS depends on progression and severity. Most moderate to severe cases of TTTS that receive the fetoscopic laser photocoagulation of placental vascular connections present a significantly improved survival rate; up to 70 percent for both twins and 90 percent for at least one twin alive at birth. Survival varies depending on the disease stage, the size of the fetus, and ultrasound measurements. Also with umbilical cord ligation, a brain injury might be prevented in the surviving twin. Some survivors may do well and be completely healthy, while others may have injuries to their hearts and kidneys.

It is important to understand the risk of preterm delivery after any of these procedures.

https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/twin-twin-transfusion-syndrome-ttts?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=FCSC_condition_tier3&utm_content=ttts&utm_term=twin%20to%20twin%20transfusion%20syndrome&device=c&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22426090700&gbraid=0AAAAA-XpQDx8m4eYtTcUvQJ_ZE-apJSLB&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_8TJBhDNARIsAPX5qxT9FdbUJrvez7KR_Z04n4ymNDNk64vXG6GwJcIdNdtPFjQn49--AW8aAqjKEALw_wcB

12/17/2025

Our whole goal with our Facebooks posts is to encourage education on not only the known syndromes and diseases but also the uncommon ones. December touches on one that is not widely known but can be overwhelming and very confusing; this week we are focusing on Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). TTTS occurs in 15% of monochorionic pregnancies; about 2,000 sets of twins a year in the US.

In most cases of TTTS the mother is unaware of any problems and does not feel symptoms, a diagnosis relies solely on fetal ultrasounds. In some cases as the extra amniotic fluid around the recipient twin builds it can lead to discomfort, premature contractions, and respiratory challenges throughout the pregnancy.

The cause of TTTs is based on a pathophysiological unbalancing of the vascular connections in the shared placenta which leads to net transfer of fluid from one twin to the other. The babies response to the altered level of blood volume with vasoactive mediators may cause the condition to worsen.

Diagnosis of TTTS in monochorionic pregnancies requires frequent ultrasound evaluations to asses the health of the twins and rule out other complications. Signs can be noticed on routine ultrasounds, while other cases can be suspected if the uterus is larger than normal for a certain week of pregnancy. Other testing may include a fetal echocardiogram (a special ultrasound of the babies heart) and/or an MRI to further study the structural anomalies and placental pathologies.

https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/twin-twin-transfusion-syndrome-ttts?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=FCSC_condition_tier3&utm_content=ttts&utm_term=twin%20to%20twin%20transfusion%20syndrome&device=c&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22426090700&gbraid=0AAAAA-XpQDx8m4eYtTcUvQJ_ZE-apJSLB&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_8TJBhDNARIsAPX5qxT9FdbUJrvez7KR_Z04n4ymNDNk64vXG6GwJcIdNdtPFjQn49--AW8aAqjKEALw_wcB

12/15/2025

Our whole goal with our Facebooks posts is to encourage education on not only the known syndromes and diseases but also the uncommon ones. December touches on one that is not widely known but can be overwhelming and very confusing; this week we are focusing on Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). TTTS occurs in 15% of monochorionic pregnancies; about 2,000 sets of twins a year in the US.

TTTS is a pathological conditional occurring in identical (monozygotic) twins that share a placenta. Most all twins share blood across the placenta, though the exchange typically is balanced evenly, in TTTS the vascular connections in the placenta are abnormal and passes blood unequally between the two babies. In TTTTS one twin is considered the doner, the one who pumps the blood into the other twin known as the recipient. Without proper intervention the recipient twin will present with excess amniotic fluid levels (polyhydramnios) causing overhydration, and possible heart failure or death; the doner twin becomes very dehydrated and will present with decreased amniotic fluid levels (oligohydramnios) and may also die. Of those untreated moderate to severe cases, up to 90% may result in pregnancy loss.

TTTS is categorized into 5 stages of severity:
Stage 1 - about 40% remain stable or spontaneously resolve; treatment may not be necessary however close monitoring is often suggested. The donor twin presents with oligohydramnios of less than 2 cm measurable maximal vertical pocket while the recipient twin presents with polyhydramnios and a measurable maximal vertical pocket of above 8 percent.
Stage 2 - of the other 60% of cases that do not resolve and those in stage 2, the disease is progressive and most likely will not resolve without treatment; also in addition to the fluid imbalances that occur in stage 1, no apparent bladder is demonstrated for the donor twin due to the progressive dehydration status of the donor twin, preventing the baby from producing any urine.
Stage 3 - abnormal blood flow patterns are observed in the ductus veinous or umbilical artery in one or both twins.
Stage 4 - progression of the disease and accumulation of fluid known as 'fetal hydrops' are seen due to cardiac failure
Stage 5 - one or both babies do not survive

Detecting TTTS early and closely monitoring the mother and twins are important to determine the correct treatment for each case. Treatment decisions are often based not only on the severity of TTTS but also the mothers cervical length, gestational age of the twins, and overall health. TTTS requires highly specialized medical care for an optimal outcomes for both twins.

https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/twin-twin-transfusion-syndrome-ttts?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=FCSC_condition_tier3&utm_content=ttts&utm_term=twin%20to%20twin%20transfusion%20syndrome&device=c&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22426090700&gbraid=0AAAAA-XpQDx8m4eYtTcUvQJ_ZE-apJSLB&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_8TJBhDNARIsAPX5qxT9FdbUJrvez7KR_Z04n4ymNDNk64vXG6GwJcIdNdtPFjQn49--AW8aAqjKEALw_wcB

12/11/2025

It is hard to believe we are into the second week in December already, with Christmas being just 16 days away, making December the perfect month for Safe Toy & Gifts Awareness Month! Whether you have already bought all your gifts or are just starting, it is never too late to consider toy and gift safety.

Sometimes certain families cannot accommodate the space needed to ensure safety precautions can be taken or they may not need them. That is okay. Consider an experience gift, like a trip to the zoo or a class for an interested topic. It doesn't not have to cost a lot to make a memory.

It can also be beneficial to the parents to receive other non-toy items such as diapers, clothes, bath products, wipes, or even enjoyed snacks. A gift doesn't have to always be something "fun" it can also be something useful or needed.

Consider contributing money or gift cards for a bigger ticket item that is wanted or needed, such as beds, strollers, or a car seat.

https://www.bctv.org/2025/11/26/safe-toys-and-gifts-month/ #:~:text=Buy%20non%2Dtoxic%20materials.%20Since%20children%20are%20known,are%20using%20these%20items%20to%20prevent%20ingestion.
https://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/apha-calendar/2021/2021-safe-toys-and-gifts-month #:~:text=Prevent%20Blindness%20America%20has%20declared,and%20children%20under%20age%20three.
https://www.nphic.org/news/news-highlights/2196-resources-december-is-safe-toys-and-gifts-month

12/10/2025

It is hard to believe we are into the second week in December already, with Christmas being just 16 days away, making December the perfect month for Safe Toy & Gifts Awareness Month! Whether you have already bought all your gifts or are just starting, it is never too late to consider toy and gift safety.

Even beyond the holiday season , it is important to consider other guidelines for any toy regardless of age such as:
- Inspect all toys before being purchased, avoiding those with parts that fly off or shoot. It should have no shard edges or points and be sturdy enough not to break, crush, or pull apart.
- Look for the "ATSM" inspection sticker which indicates it has passed the American Society for Testing Materials standards.
- If purchasing old or used toys consider educating yourself on lead exposure.
- Don't give toys with ropes, cords, or heating elements.
- If you are gifting sporting goods, consider also purchasing protective gear.
- Consider not just age, but developmental appropriateness and level of skill when choosing toys.
- look for "non-toxic" on gifts such as crayons, markers, puddy, play clay, etc.
- Know the dangers of button- batteries; not only are they a choking hazard but also can be fatal if swallowed.
- Consider allergies and special needs; certain children may thrive from different sounds, textures, and movement, while others may need to avoid loud sounds or sudden movement/textures.
- Stay up to date on mircomobility laws in reference to e-bikes or electric scooters for where and who can operate them.

https://www.bctv.org/2025/11/26/safe-toys-and-gifts-month/ #:~:text=Buy%20non%2Dtoxic%20materials.%20Since%20children%20are%20known,are%20using%20these%20items%20to%20prevent%20ingestion.
https://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/apha-calendar/2021/2021-safe-toys-and-gifts-month #:~:text=Prevent%20Blindness%20America%20has%20declared,and%20children%20under%20age%20three.
https://www.nphic.org/news/news-highlights/2196-resources-december-is-safe-toys-and-gifts-month

12/09/2025

It is hard to believe we are into the second week in December already, with Christmas being just 16 days away, making December the perfect month for Safe Toy & Gifts Awareness Month! Whether you have already bought all your gifts or are just starting, it is never too late to consider toy and gift safety.

Resources from the consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics provide important guidelines to help you choose safe toys for your children. It is estimated ER treated 154,700 toy related injuries in children under 12 in 2023 by the U.S. CPSC report. Choosing age appropriate toys, inspecting safety certifications, and avoiding choking hazards are the 3 key things to keep in mind while buying gifts as well as avoiding toxic materials and supervising your children while playing.

Taking a minute to read the warming label and suggested age range on all toys can help educated you on why the toy may be suggested for that specific age group. If the toy has several small pieces or attachments that could be a potential choking hazard or if it may heat up this may require parental supervision. Electronic game/ video games should also be inspected for age appropriate content.
https://www.bctv.org/2025/11/26/safe-toys-and-gifts-month/ #:~:text=Buy%20non%2Dtoxic%20materials.%20Since%20children%20are%20known,are%20using%20these%20items%20to%20prevent%20ingestion.
https://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/apha-calendar/2021/2021-safe-toys-and-gifts-month #:~:text=Prevent%20Blindness%20America%20has%20declared,and%20children%20under%20age%20three.
https://www.nphic.org/news/news-highlights/2196-resources-december-is-safe-toys-and-gifts-month

12/05/2025

HIV/AIDS Awareness Month is December, and it begins with World AIDS Day on December 1st (today). This month is dedicated to raising awareness about the virus, supporting those living with HIV, and fighting stigma through education, research, and advocacy.

Today there are more tools than ever to help prevent HIV. Use condoms correctly every time you have s*x, you can use male or female condoms. Get tested for HIV and other STDs regularly. Do not share needles or syringes for drug use. Studies have shown circumcision can reduce HIV infection as well.

If you have HIV there are many ways to prevent spreading it to partners:
- Tell your partner and past partners
- If pregnant get care immediately
-PrEP is a medicine that can reduce the risk of HIV from s*x by 99% and 74% by injected drugs. These are often prescribed when a person who does not have HIV but are at risk for contracting it. You must be tested every 3 months if taking PrEP.
-TasP is also a medication that can be taken to prevent someone with HIV from getting infected by the virus. If the viral load cannot be detected, you cannot transmit the virus through s*x.
-PEP is given within 72 hours of possible exposure to HIV. It can greatly reduce the risk of contracting the virus. It must be taken for 28 days
- Use clean needles, there are needle exchange programs and seek help for drug use

While there is no cure of HIV/AIDS, it is treated using antiretroviral drugs (usually 2 or more types of medication) which stop the virus in the body from replicating. ART allows for the immune system to get stronger by lowering the amount of the virus in the body; which in turn helps fight other infections. As of right now it must be taken everyday for the rest of the persons life. It stops symptoms and can make the virus undetectable, therefor unable to spread through s*x. It helps prevent the transmission of the virus from mother to fetus.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/symptoms-causes/syc-20373524
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids #:~:text=Human%20immunodeficiency%20virus%20(HIV)%20is,cells%2C%20weakening%20the%20immune%20system.

12/03/2025

HIV/AIDS Awareness Month is December, and it begins with World AIDS Day on December 1st (today). This month is dedicated to raising awareness about the virus, supporting those living with HIV, and fighting stigma through education, research, and advocacy.

Primary Infection (Acute HIV)
Within 2-4 weeks of exposure some people may experience flu-like symptoms that can last up to several weeks. However some people at this stage may feel completely normal. Other possible symptoms may include fever, rash, cough, weight loss, headache, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, painful mouth sores, sore throat, joint pain, muscle aches, or night sweats. Often symptoms are so mild they go unnoticed, however the viral load in your bloodstream is high at this stage, allowing for the infection to spread easily.

Clinical Latent Infection (Chronic HIV)
At this stage, HIV is in the body and white blood cells, however many people do not feel symptoms. This stage can last for years if the person is not getting ART treatment. For some people it may get more severe sooner.

Symptomatic HIV Infection
The virus continues to destroy the immune system cells and multiply resulting in mild infections or long term symptoms such as fatigue, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, fever, pneumonia, Shingles, Thrush, or weight loss.

Progression to AIDS
The development of better antiviral treatments have reduced AIDS deaths greatly worldwide. However untreated HIV will often become AIDS within 8-10 years. Having AIDS means that the immune system has been greatly damaged and raises the risk of developing other diseases that may not have happened with a healthy immune system, also called opportunistic infections or opportunistic cancers. Symptoms of said infections may include chills, recurrent fever, ongoing diarrhea, swollen lymph glands, sweats, weakness, skin rashes or bumps, rapid weight loss, constant fatigue, or constant white spots or lesions on the tongue/mouth.

Without treatment, people living with HIV infection can also develop severe illnesses such as:
- tuberculosis (TB)
- cryptococcal meningitis
- severe bacterial infections
- cancers such as lymphomas and Kaposi's sarcoma.
HIV can make other infections, such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B and mpox, get worse.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/symptoms-causes/syc-20373524
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids #:~:text=Human%20immunodeficiency%20virus%20(HIV)%20is,cells%2C%20weakening%20the%20immune%20system.
https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/who-is-at-risk-for-hiv

12/01/2025

HIV/AIDS Awareness Month is December, and it begins with World AIDS Day on December 1st (today). This month is dedicated to raising awareness about the virus, supporting those living with HIV, and fighting stigma through education, research, and advocacy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic condition and is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and occurs at the most advanced stage of infection. HIV causes damage to the immune system so the body is too weak to fight infections and diseases. When HIV is not treated it may take years before it becomes AIDS, however now in the US most people never get AIDS. HIV is caused by a virus that destroys white blood cells, CD4 T cells. The fewer CD4 T cells you have the weaker the immune system becomes as these cells play a large part in helping the body to fight diseases.
HIV is spread through:
- sharing needles and syringes for illicit drugs
- s*xual contact such as vaginal and a**l s*x, oral s*x carries less risk
- contact with affected blood such as a blood transfusions or open wound to open wound
- can also be passed to a child from the mother during childbirth or breastfeeding
- bodily fluids (blood, semen, re**al fluids, vaginal fluids, and breastmilk)
It cannot be passed by casual contact like hugging, handshakes, sharing food, kissing, or shaking hands. It also cannot be spread through the air, water, or insect bite.

Anyone of any age , race, s*xual orientation, or s*x can contract HIV/AIDS, but you may be more at risk if you have unprotected vaginal or a**l s*x, inject illicit drugs, unsterilized medical equipment or procedures, or have STI's that cause open sores.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/symptoms-causes/syc-20373524
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids #:~:text=Human%20immunodeficiency%20virus%20(HIV)%20is,cells%2C%20weakening%20the%20immune%20system.
https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/who-is-at-risk-for-hiv

Bright Star Health & Wellness

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