Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Despite the fact that psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the country – affecting 7.5 million Americans, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation  – there is still plenty of misinformation surrounding it. Because today is World Psorisis Day,  Dr. Holly Gunn, medical director of the Dermatology, Aesthetic and Laser Center at St. Elizabeth Physicians, helps set the record straight. Myth No. 1 Psoriasis is contagious. Psoriasis is a disease that causes the immune system to overreact and results in flaky, pink patches appearing on the skin. Some people have fewer patches with their psoriasis than others, but…

Carving pumpkins and decorating the house are all part of Halloween fun but unfortunately The American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) and American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) see an increased number of injuries this time of year.  According to the ASSH, pumpkin carving results in four to five times more injuries than normal. Some are minor but many can involve cut tendons and nerves that require months of recovery. To avoid this painful inconvenience, check out tips below courtesy of the ASHT and ASSH. [Tweet “According to @HandSociety, pumpkin carving results in 4-5x more injuries than normal.”]…

Did you now that seven hours is the recommended amount of sleep adults need each night? Four out of 10 Americans don’t get enough sleep, which can lead to a lack of judgment, reaction time and self-awareness. You know that excessive yawning and the inability to focus are signs you’re not getting enough shut-eye, but do you know  which subtle signs to watch for? Think you may be sleep deprived? Here are three things from Greatist that could mean you need more sleep: 1. You rely on clichés. If you find yourself saying common phrases such as “all’s well…

It’s no secret that the upcoming election is one of the strangest of our time, if not ever. No matter which candidate you choose to support, the only thing we know for sure is that on Election Day, America is going to elect the least favorable candidate in history. And that president is going to choose a ninth Supreme Court Justice, who will then rule about minor issues like gun control, immigration and abortion. It’s no wonder that many Americans (52 percent, according to the New York Times and a national survey) are starting to feel stressed about  November 8.…

Diabetes Awareness  Month starts in November, but the American Diabetes Association is kicking off the month with Diabetes Awareness Week today and the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Wound Care Centers are showing their support, as well,  with the infographic below. According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 29.1 million people (9.3 percent of the population) have diabetes, and nearly 28 percent are undiagnosed. Age, diet, activity level, obesity and heredity are all risk factors, and people with diabetes are at risk of developing other conditions such as stroke, blindness, heart disease, kidney failure and lower-limb amputation. Want to help the…

Your child comes home with a fever – do you reach for Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Aspirin? If you’re unsure, watch the video below, in which Dr. Aleah Gibson with St. Elizabeth Physicians’ Aurora, Ind. office explains everything parents need to know about safe medications. One of the biggest things parents need to remember is that children should always be given the dosage that is appropriate for their age and size. Follow package directions and contact your doctor if you have any questions. Another important thing to remember?  No medications that are prescribed to parents or grandparents are safe for kids.…

With the weather cooling down (FINALLY), it’s time to enjoy one of the best parts of the fall season: chili. And, while we know few chili recipes can beat a good ol’ bowl of Skyline, this one may just do it. Packed with spices and savory flavors of the season, it’s also easy to make a few adjustments for the vegetarian in your life. It’s also perfect for game day! (P.S. If you’re taking this tailgating with you this weekend, you may want to check out these tips, too.) Download the recipe here or see below. Autumn Beef, Bean…

British researchers report they’ve found a link between brain inflammation and schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder that affects as many as 51 million adults worldwide. The researchers at the Medical Research Council’s Clinical Sciences Centre at Imperial College London used PET scans to assess immune cell activity in the brains of 56 adults. Some had been diagnosed with schizophrenia; some were at risk for it; the remainder had no symptoms or risk factors for the disease. The results showed that immune cells were more active in the brains of those with or at risk for schizophrenia, according to the study…

Men are notorious for putting off important doctor’s appointments and screenings, opting to “tough it out” or make excuses about their perfect bill of health. As Dr. Aleah Gibson, a family physician  at St. Elizabeth Physicians’ Aurora, Ind. office, explains in the video below, the fact remains that men need to begin receiving annual exams after age 18. Regular prostate exams and colonoscopies should begin at age 50. Additional tests may be needed at 65. Learn more in the video below and talk to your doctor about which screenings are appropriate when your own health history is taken into account.…

Do you have diabetes? According to the Mayo Clinic, you should get a flu shot. Sara J. Carlson, R.N., C.D.E. writes, “Because diabetes can make the immune system less able to fight infection, people with diabetes are at increased risk for developing serious flu complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes over the age of 6 months get a flu shot. Here are a few other tips to help prevent the flu, from the Mayo Clinic: Avoid close…