Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

We recently ran across a  Q&A on the On Parenting section of the Washington Post  that we thought was too good not to share. The question – How do I explain death to a preschooler? – came from a young boy’s mother. Her preschool-aged son, after watching a classmate experience a death in his family, wanted to know what would happen if his own parents died. He began to realize, as many children do around that age, that eventually he would die, too, and it seemed to take up quite a bit of space in his young brain. Meghan Leahy,…

Have you heard of zoodles? What about veggie noodles? These foods are a great option for anyone watching their carbohydrate intake, but how do you make them? Amber Cranfield, RD, LD, with the St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center, explains how to introduce a spiralizer to your kitchen, and all the reasons why you’d want to.

Many of us have taken steroids, whether we knew it or not. Cortisone, prednisone and hydrocortisone have a variety of uses ranging from stopping a poison ivy itch to preventing organ rejection in transplant patients. For most of us, brief prescriptive use helps us feel better by managing symptoms that interfere with our physical ability to function. As beneficial as they can be to some, using steroids still requires lifestyle changes to reduce side effects and prevent long-term consequences. How do they work? Steroids mimic the hormones our body produces in the adrenal glands. Below are some common adrenal…

According to an article in the Huffington Post, more than half of those born today will live to be 100. In the U.S. today, two million people are in their 90s and that’s predicted to grow to 10 to 12 million by the middle of the century. Searching for the fountain of youth? Eat healthy, exercise and keep your brain and body active through reading and socializing. Read the stories below for more information on health in your 80s and 90s: 8 tips for coping with aphasia 10 ways to love your brain Feeling blue? You could be at higher…

You can age gracefully and healthfully with a few positive choices. Even if you’ve made some unhealthy choices in the past, it’s never too late to form new habits that will enhance your well-being now and in years to come. According to healthywomen.org, how you feel about getting older plays an important role in how you age. Researchers at Yale University found that people who feel positive about aging live longer than those who don’t and are more likely to take control and responsibility for their health. Read the stories below for more information on health in your 60s and…

Many things can change once you hit midlife, but you can take steps to control your health. Health-related issues you never considered might start popping up. You need to start paying attention to things like cholesterol levels, weight, physical activity and diet. One of the biggest health risks for women over 45 is heart disease. Read the stories below for more information on health in your 40s and 50s: 5 things to consider before getting a mammogram Should you be worried about ovarian cysts? How to do a breast self-exam Mammography 101 How to keep your bladder healthy 6 things…

Do you know what you can do in your 20s and 30s to live a healthier life? You may be finishing school and embarking on a new career, or climbing the corporate ladder. Things seem to happen all at once during this time in your life. Establishing relationships, raising a young family or traveling the world takes a great deal of energy and attention. In addition to dealing with these new demands, eating the right foods and exercising regularly becomes more important than ever. Women at this stage also need to consider scheduling an annual well-woman visit and talking about…

It’s never too early or late to work toward being your healthiest self. That’s the message during  National Women’s Health Week, which kicks off on Sunday, May 14. Whether you’re a 20-something or entering retirement age, it’s time to understand what steps you can take to improve your health and make your health a priority. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, here are some steps you can take for better health: Visit a doctor or nurse for a well-woman checkup and preventative screenings. Get active. Eat healthy. Pay attention to mental health,…

Nuts have been a long-time favorite among dieters and nutritionists, but are they really a healthy snack? Betsy Oriolo MS, RD, LD, CDE, with St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center, explains in the video below that while nuts are a healthy source of fat, protein and fiber, they should generally be enjoyed in small portions. Watch below for more tips:

Prom season is upon us. Soon, you will hardly be able to step into a nice restaurant on a Friday or Saturday night without seeing tulle and satin, smelling hairspray and flower corsages or hearing the awkward giggling of teenagers out on the town. Fortunately, if your teen is about to be one of those giggling, flower-laden, hairspray-covered prom-goers, we’ve got some tips for you. Check out the infographic below to learn more: Prom season is the fun part, though. After prom comes graduation, and after graduation comes – parents, let’s be honest – some of the hardest…