Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Reading or hearing the words ‘Type 1 diabetes’ and ‘Type 2 diabetes’ can be quite confusing if you are unfamiliar with the disease. Knowing the differences between the two types will help you better understand how the disease affects your body or the body of a person you care about. Plus, learning more about Type 1 and Type 2 can give you insight on prevention and care. Remember, knowledge is power. [Tweet “Learning more about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can give you insight on prevention and care. Knowledge is power.”] According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), “Type…

Have you ever wondered what type of medical disorders endocrinologists evaluate and treat? Endocrinologists are specially trained physicians who have expertise diagnosing and caring for people who have endocrine and metabolism-related disorders. What those medical terms mean in everyday language is the endocrine system is in charge of the way your body functions. It produces hormones which then travel to all the different parts of your body to keep your tissues and organs healthy. Your body’s endocrine system includes: pancreas ovaries testes thyroid gland adrenal gland pituitary gland parathyroid gland pineal gland hypothalamus gland Glands in our bodies release hormones,…

Food is fuel for the body. It influences the body’s ability to function just as gasoline influences a car’s ability to run. When a car is running on fumes, it performs poorly and eventually stops”so does the human body. If you are lacking energy, ingest the following “high octane” nutrients: Water: the body is comprised of approximately 60 percent water and the brain is approximately 73 percent water. If you’re having trouble focusing and experiencing fatigue, drink water. Water is necessary for the carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food to be metabolized and transported in the bloodstream.…

Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache, which means the headache was not caused by trauma, disease, or tumor. According to the World Health Organization, one in twenty people in the developed world suffer from a daily tension headache; 80 percent of women and 67 percent of men will experience this type of headache. Cause The exact cause is unknown; however, physical and emotional stress are known to be contributors to prolonged tension headaches. For example, the visual and physical strain placed on the body while working at the computer for long periods of time provides a…

The avocado may not be so pretty on the outside, but it sure is health giving on the inside. Consider forming a long-term relationship with this power food. Why? Nutritional benefits Contains approximately 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Naturally sodium free and cholesterol free. As an “unsaturated fat” (good fat) it is one of the first fresh foods a baby can enjoy. Unsaturated fats are known to be important for normal growth and development of the central nervous system and brain. Acts as a “nutrient booster” by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients such as alpha and beta-carotene…

People sometimes wonder whether it is safe to exercise in hot weather. It is ““ but it pays to be smart about it and prepare for physical activity in the heat. Heat illness occurs when the body becomes overwhelmed. It happens gradually in stages, and it’s vitally important to not ignore fatigue, muscle cramping, stomach illness and headaches. Here are five tips to handling heat-related illness: Hydrate: Drinking fluids  before or during practices, games or other activities is not going to prevent dehydration. Hydration needs to start days ahead of your activities. And let’s be clear: water is the cornerstone…

American Cancer Society statistics show that one out of every eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Men can get breast cancer, but the incidence is much lower. Thanks to better, more advanced treatments, many of those diagnosed with breast cancer will go on to live full, active lives. Early detection is important, because when a cancer is detected in the early stages, treatments can be more effective. There are different ways to test for breast cancer, and one of the easiest is for women to do Breast Self-Exam (BSE), a physical examination of your…

In the American culture, fitness is not the norm. Physical activity is good for you regardless of your age. Becoming active takes self-initiative, determination, formulation of new habits and commitment to live a healthy life. Fitness is an investment in self and a gift to people you love. Being active can help you: Have more energy to do the things you want to do. Improve your balance. Prevent or delay some diseases like obesity (just recently classified as a disease), heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. Reduce anxiety and depression. Channel anger and frustration into productive outlets. If you have…

You know how to avoid tick bites and how to remove a tick safely. However, you could still encounter an infection associated with the tick bite. Here are three symptoms to look for when identifying an infection caused by a tick: Fever/chills: Onset and severity of symptoms varies by individual Aches and pains: Headache, fatigue and muscular aches are common. With Lyme disease, joint pain may also occur. The severity and time of onset for these symptoms can depend on the disease type and the individual’s personal tolerance level. Rash: May appear 3-30 days after the initial tick bite and…

We’ve shared tips to avoid being bitten by a tick. But if you are unlucky enough to get bitten by one of these creatures, here are ways to you can remove the tick safely. It is important to remove the tick as soon as it is noticed. Research at Ohio State University indicates that transmission of disease organisms from a tick begins approximately 24 hours after a tick begins feeding on a human. The longer the feeding continues, the greater the potential for infection. Proper removal is important for two reasons: Intact removal of the tick (head and body) helps…