Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

The holidays are a busy time. So busy that it’s not easy to attend to the basics of good health. Historically, flu vaccination rates drop substantially after November, despite the fact that influenza season in the United States generally stretches from October until April. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dubbed the week of Dec. 4-10, “National Influenza Vaccination Week” to remind people to get their annual vaccination. “December is not too late to get the vaccine,” says Dr. Meghan Markovich, an internist with St. Elizabeth Physicians’ Hebron office. “While it does take about two…

Looking for a healthy-ish dessert to serve over the holidays? These effortless dark chocolate bites are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. (If you’re expecting a smaller crowd, this recipe can also be served as a singular 9″ torte.) Each serving is 221 calories (compared to 503 calories in a singular slice of pecan pie on average), and only 83 mg of sodium. Check out the recipe cards below, courtesy of St. Elizabeth Chef Chris Crowley.

When your neck hurts – really hurts – it has a way of affecting your entire life. “The pain was constant.” “My arm went numb.” “I couldn’t turn my head when driving.” “I couldn’t sleep.” These are just a few of the symptoms people report when they have worn-out, damaged discs in their neck. The St. Elizabeth Spine Center in Florence, Ky. offers a revolutionary new treatment option – cervical disc replacement performed by orthopaedic spine surgeon, John B. Jacquemin, MD. “This implant is unique,” says Jacquemin. “It has the ability to allow movement in turning and twisting and bending…

Have your kiddos been bitten by the greed bug this holiday season? It’s hard to blame them – they are the target audience for flashy commercials, giant catalogs filled with toys and packed displays at the supermarket. They also have great memories when it comes to holidays – didn’t grandma and grandpa bring a puppy last year? It’s no wonder the phrase “Can I have this?” seems to be echoing off the walls this time of year. But, for many parents, enough is enough. You know many of the fancy dolls and tiny cars  that your little ones are dreaming…

You’ve got the bird and the potatoes. You downloaded a new pumpkin pie recipe and told everyone to arrive by 4. You’re ready for Thanksgiving, yes? What about the days following where even the mere mention of the word “turkey” will ruin the appetite of everyone within earshot? That’s where this salad comes in. Instead of adding your leftover turkey to a carb-heavy pasta dish or eating turkey sandwiches until you can no longer take it, here is a healthy, lightened-up salad complete with honey, fresh ginger and pecans. Download a printable version here or check out the full recipe…

Blood in your urine. It sounds so ominous. Let’s be honest: It conjures up unpleasant images of staring into a pool of red in the toilet bowl. Makes you cringe just thinking about it. But that’s not how it really works ““ at least most of the time. It’s unlikely you would even see blood in your urine. It’s often so microscopic it would only be visible by a laboratory. There are, however, different levels of severity, including amber-colored urine and red (severe). There also can be small clots, “when pieces of actual red tissues come out of your urine,”…

Today, November 17 is recognized as World Prematurity Day, and cities around the world are using the color purple to light up buildings, bridges and other monuments. Premature birth is the leading cause of death among children under age 5. According to the March of Dimes, around 15 million babies are born prematurely each year around the world, and an estimated one million die due to complications. To see how Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana compare to other states, check out the March of Dimes’ 2016 report card. Why are premature births so detrimental (compared to full-term births)? Here are a…

OK, now you’re in a bit of a panic. You hurt your shoulder, and the doctor ordered an MRI.  To say that you dread the idea of lying still for 30 minutes inside the MRI machine is an understatement. To help patients who might feel anxious or nervous about enclosed spaces, St. Elizabeth now offers new, state-of-the-art MRI scanners that are more spacious than older scanners. And, they create high-quality images, faster than ever, to help doctors diagnose what’s bothering you. “This new technology will change people’s perceptions of what an MRI experience is like,” says Erin Wesselman, ambulatory radiology…

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and, unfortunately, the month-long, national health observance also brings with it some alarming statistics. According to a report from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), three quarters of American adults are either obese or overweight. However, the worst news is that Kentucky was rated the No. 4 fattest state in America. Kentucky had the fourth highest percentage of residents with diabetes and the second highest percentage of residents with high cholesterol. Here are a few small changes that can help turn the “Fried-Tucky” stereotype around: 1. Drink more water Drinking water…

It’s rare for men to go directly to urologists. It usually happens through a referral from a primary care physician after you are screened for men’s health issues. According to Dr. Noah Allen, urologist at St. Elizabeth Physicians, here are seven of the most common reasons why a man would end up in a urologist’s office: 1. Urination issues That could mean weak stream or voiding, which is a problem emptying your bladder. “Very common in older men,” Allen said. “A lot of it is correctible with medication.” 2. Recurring urinary tract infection This is when bacteria cause an…