Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Older adults who commit minor crimes ““ petty theft or minor trespassing, for example ““ could be showing warning signs of a type of dementia, new research shows. A study in the Jan. 5 edition of JAMA Neurology says that the behavior is usually seen in adults with a subtype of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Frontotemporal dementia affects the regions of the brain located behind the forehead and behind the ears, and it accounts for 10 to 15 percent of all dementia cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Older adults with Alzheimer’s disease were less likely to demonstrate “criminal” behavior, the…

People with diabetes are three times more likely to be hospitalized for flu and related complications, such as pneumonia, than people who don’t have the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As the U.S. struggles through a particularly nasty flu season, public health authorities remind people with diabetes, whether it’s Type 1 or Type 2 that they need to take special precautions to protect themselves from the flu. For the latest state-by-state flu case numbers and other flu-related information, visit www.flu.gov. In December, 4 percent of Americans reported being sick with the flu or a…

It is hardly surprising that eating fast food can contribute to the development of Type 2 Diabetes. But Dr. Rajeev Kurapati offers some other interesting tidbits in his list of “10 causes of diabetes you just can’t ignore,” written for the new Northern Kentucky Tribune website. Kurapati is a St. Elizabeth Family Physician and author of the award-winning book “Unbound Intelligence.” He is also a columnist for the Tribune. As a parent of three younger children, two items on this list caught my attention: One soda a day can increase the risk of becoming diabetic. Given all the sugar in…

Throw it in the crock pot and forget it. Crock pots make it simple to work smarter not harder (which is a mantra here at Healthy Headlines), and make eating  healthy a quick task  rather than another chore. Now is a great time to pull out the new slow cooker you got for Christmas and put it to the test. We found some recipes on MyFitnessPal.com that are above and beyond the traditional pot roast. Each outlines the nutrition per serving including calorie count, fat, sodium and carbohydrates. Here are a few we’re trying this week: Chicken Verde: If you’re…

When starting a new exercise regimen, folks often jump in with both feet or they cautiously test the water to  decide if it’s warm enough to stick around for a while. Either way, they dive in and once they’ve been in the water long enough for their fingers and toes to get all pruney, many people get out. It’s all part of an endless cycle. For many, exercise becomes necessary only when they notice a few extra pounds. They then sign up for a spinning class and, once they’re satisfied with the number on the scale once more, they quit.…

If truth be told, I don’t think about cleaning my microwave unless guests are going to be in the kitchen when I’m cooking, or my mother is coming to visit. Ideally, we should wipe out the microwave every time we use it.   This, of course, keeps the microwave free from accumulated food explosions and prevents need for a hammer and chisel when cleaning finally does occur. If you, like most people, have a dirty microwave, here’s an easy and quick way to clean it without lots of elbow grease or chemicals. Fill a glass bowl ¾ full with tap…

Well, we’re halfway through the first month  of 2015. Have you started your resolution to start running, yet? Whether you have or are waiting until a warmer day, we discovered some great tips that could help you learn to love running. Do you ever watch marathons and wonder: How do those athletes keep going? Aren’t they crazy for wanting to put their bodies through that kind of misery? It is, after all, 26.2 miles. But running can be fun and challenging ““ and long distances can do wonders for you physically and mentally. Are you ready to stick to that…

Healthy eating is a priority for people with diabetes, but sometimes, fast food is the only option. Fast food restaurants are best known as the home of salt, fat and sugar, but with a little planning and a few smart strategies, it’s possible to get a meal that won’t send your blood sugar skyrocketing, according to the American Diabetes Association. How to make healthier choices in the drive-thru: Look for nutrition information A fast food meal can weigh in at 1,000 calories if you’re not careful. Most fast food chains have the nutrition information for every item on the menu…

The holidays are over, the daylight hours continue to be short and sunshine is less common than rain, snow and overcast skies. It is a fact that the higher latitude we live in, the more our body and our mood respond to these changes ” and it isn’t an especially happy response! If you feel like you’re getting the winter blahs, here are a few ways to cope: Exercise indoors or out It doesn’t have to be vigorous or lengthy, just getting active will help you feel better. Eat healthy Avoid simple carbohydrates and concentrated sweets because they contribute to…

Colder weather means one thing to many people: Comfort food. And, we’re pretty sure there is no better comfort food than a warm, yummy bowl of pasta smothered in cheese or some variation of sauce (don’t worry – we’ll cover the sauce next week!). In the video below, Karah Stanley, registered dietitian at the St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center, dives into which type of pasta to throw in your grocery cart this week. Healthier pasta means you don’t have to feel guilty when you’re snuggling under a blanket, enjoying mac and cheese during your latest Netflix binge – or…