Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

We all know the holidays can be hectic. So, before serving a turkey dinner to 15 of your favorite relatives (and the other 5 who keep showing up every year), before waiting in line for four hours on Black Friday and definitely before breaking out the Christmas cookies, take next weekend for you and your family. Greater Cincinnati has plenty of unique activities the entire family can enjoy together. November is the perfect month to get out of the house and take advantage of family time before the holiday season arrives. Here are some ideas for the November 13 through…

Do you sleep on your back, on your side or sprawled out across the entire bed? Your sleep position may be telling you more than you think. In addition to affecting your health (stress on organs and spine) and the quality of rest you get (difficulty breathing than can interrupt sleep), your sleep position could be linked to personality type. Whether you’re an extroverted and brash “Freefaller,” a quiet and reserved “Soldier” or a great listening “Starfish,” this article from Men’s Health offers insights about how your sleep position is linked to your personality type, and it provides tips to…

Summer isn’t the only time to eat healthy. Keeping fruits and vegetables top of mind this time of year will help to avoid fall and winter weight gains. We found a perfect nutrient-rich salad from Women’s Health Magazine to try out this week. It’s filled with fall vegetables and will keep you feeling satisfied on cool days. It consists of marinated boneless turkey breast, roasted Brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes ““ all topped with a cranberry maple vinaigrette. This may be a new way to rid of Thanksgiving leftovers. Enjoy!

High-intensity workouts are all the rage these days. From cycling to cross-fit training, these short, intense bursts burn fat, build muscle and can reduce risk for chronic diseases. While the results are great, getting there is easier said than done. According to the New York Times, your workout music can substantially increase your output during a high-intensity workout. Researchers gathered 20 young, healthy adults to test whether or not music would alter their feelings about the difficulty of a high-intensity workout, such as cycling. When participants listened to a playlist of their favorite songs they still reported the workout being…

Time for a quick quiz ““ what comes to mind when I say “magnesium?” 60 plus years of age : “Milk of Magnesia” Healthcare folks : “IV push for a medical emergency” Women who had complications in pregnancy: “Hmmm, that sounds familiar.” Average supplement user: “I think it’s mixed with my calcium”” Chemistry majors: “Number 12 on the periodic table.” What is magnesium? Magnesium is an important mineral in more than 300 chemical reactions needed to keep your body working properly. Although it doesn’t get a lot of attention like some other minerals, calcium for example, it is essential for:…

Everyone forgets where they left the keys once in a while, or temporarily misplaces a co-worker’s name. Little slips like that are often a sign of stress or overwork, not dementia. Alzheimer’s disease, which results from changes in the brain that occur over a long period of years, causes a slow decline in thinking and reasoning skills, as well as memory loss. The Alzheimer’s Association  lists 10 warning signs and symptoms for the disease. Intensity varies from person to person. See a doctor if you notice any of them in yourself or a loved one: Memory loss that disrupts daily…

Has the word “poop” or maybe a poop joke ever paid a visit to your dinner table? If so, hopefully when you’re at home and not out for dinner at a restaurant ““ how embarrassing. The topic can be uncomfortable for many, but for a four-year-old, it’s part of everyday toddler humor. At times, it can be a funny topic of conversation, but there are some real health aspects to pay attention to in regard to the color, shape and consistency of your bowel movements. “I share the Bristol Stool Chart with my patients,” said Dr. Susan Oakley, urogynecologist at…

Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make sure the kids have a BOO-tiful time on Halloween by preventing any BOO-hoos from happening. S  Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible. A  Avoid trick or treating alone. Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups. F  Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help children be…

Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem facing America’s youth and their parents. In order to prevent and raise awareness about drug-related incidents, the National Family Partnership is sponsoring its annual Lock Your Meds Day.  It’s a day for parents to pledge to talk to their kids about the dangers of taking medications without a prescription. Here are some tips from the Office of National Drug Control to make sure your kids and all of the kids that come into your home are safe: Dispose of leftover medications safely. If you’re unsure how, check out this article that has FDA-recommended…

The nights are getting cooler and we’ve been craving homemade soups and stews. This 45-minute chowder recipe we found from Eating Well is a healthier version of your traditional broccoli cheddar soup. It adds chicken, potatoes, onion and celery to make a chunkier and perhaps more satisfying meal. Each serving has 352 calories and offers Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium, potassium and folate. Once you’ve tried it, message us on Facebook or Twitter to let us know what you think.