Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Businesses are taking the wellness of their employees to heart. Some are even putting their money where their mouth is. Recently, insurance giant Aetna – which has a large office in downtown Cincinnati – announced that it was stepping up its workplace wellness efforts, including a program that incentivizes employees to get enough sleep. By using technology, specifically Fitbit wellness trackers, employees can prove they’re getting at least seven hours of sleep a night. The program is based on recent research that found that seven hours is the recommended amount of daily sleep, since cognitive function decreases greatly if the…

Doesn’t it seem like Memorial Day was just a few weeks ago? And what about the Fourth of July? That was just yesterday, right? Wrong. Sadly – and we really do hate to be the ones to remind you – we are already halfway through July, which means school is starting about a month from now. For some schools, even sooner. So, are there things you (and your children) should be doing right now to prepare? Or, can you feasibly wait another few weeks to squeeze every last ounce of ice cream, pool parties and campfires out of this summer?…

Maybe it speaks to the inherent vanity in guys, but there is not a single topic that is surrounded by more widely accepted, false “conventional wisdom” than the topic of hair loss. Baldness is genetically inherited from your mother’s family? Wrong. The gene responsible for thinning hair can come from either parent. A shiny pate is the result of too much testosterone? Nope. Rather, it’s dihydrotestosterone (a completely different hormone) that’s the likely culprit, though that remains unproven. Continued use of hair gel can leave you with nothing to gel? Another myth. Perhaps the biggest and most persistent myth, however,…

When people have run-ins with bees or wasps (which can come in these recognizable species: hornets, yellow jackets, mud daubers and paper wasps), things don’t often end well for the human. Here’s what you need to know before you encounter one of these insects: Why do these insects sting you? For bees and wasps, they are most threatened when you are near their hive or nest. Unless you get too close or aggravate them, they are unlikely to sting you when they’re out “working.” If you do smash a wasp or an insect detects you as a threat ““…

Kindness is something kids learn from observing; whether that’s watching their parents, watching their favorite cartoons or reading their favorite books. Buzzfeed came up with a list of 13 children’s books to enjoy with your children. Each one encourages children to help, share or love. Here are our top 5: We All Sing with the Same Voice by J. Philip Miller and Sheppard M. Greene: This song book is complete with verses, a chorus and fun illustrations. The book takes you on a journey around the world celebrating differences and being friends despite those differences. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts:…

Powdered peanut butter could be the perfect addition to your diet if you’re trying to avoid the fat and calories associated with conventional spreadable peanut butter. What is powdered peanut butter? Basically, powdered peanut butter is a powdery substance that can be added to smoothies, yogurt or desserts as a healthier option, compared to traditional peanut butter. In this recipe,  provided by St. Elizabeth’s Chris Crowley, it can even be added to lettuce wraps. Betsy Oriolo, MS, RD, LD, CDE, with St. Elizabeth Physicians explains more in the video below.

For some men, a urinal can be an intimidating sight. With around 18 percent of all American males suffering from bladder problems according to the Urologic Diseases in America Project, that fraternity is probably larger than we think. Having a weak urine stream, going too often or having trouble starting to pee are common symptoms that can make the occasional visit to the porcelain bathroom fixture a little worrying and plenty embarrassing. Getting a handle on what’s causing your problem can go a long way toward correcting the issue and removing that worry, though. From the American Urological Association, the…

Did you know it’s possible to drown after exiting the water? Eighty to ninety percent of drownings occur in the water, but the other 10-20 percent of drownings occur later that day, up to 24 hours later. This is referred to as “dry drowning.” Check out some of the signs: Unfortunately, as Dr. Aleah Gibson explains in the video below via Fox 19, dry drowning can’t be treated at home, and children need to visit an emergency room as soon as possible.

When you have diabetes, minding your carbohydrate intake is important. How many and what type of carbs you ingest can help maintain a healthy balance between insulin and glucose levels in your blood, which is a big part of managing the disease’s effects. Doctors often tout “superfoods” for diabetics that not only help you regulate your blood sugar, but also provide powerhouse portions of vitamins, minerals, fiber and other benefits. Not coincidentally, most are not terribly hard to find – they’re common staples of the local salad bar. So, mind the sneeze shield and stock up on these healthy options.…

Heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses can become life-threatening, i.e. heat stroke, so it is important to learn the signs and symptoms and identify issues early on. Dr. Aleah Gibson with St. Elizabeth Physicians explains how to identify various heat-related illnesses and how to prevent them. Hint: Stay hydrated with water and other drinks that contain electrolytes. She goes into more detail below: