Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

From April through September, ticks are most active and pose the greatest risk of infection to humans. Those of us in the Tri-State area are in a heavily populated tick area. In fact, we have the opportunity to be exposed to the: American Dog Tick that may transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; Deer Tick that may transmit Lyme Disease; Brown Dog Tick that may transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; and the Lone Star Tick that may transmit Tularemia. Minimizing exposure and intervening quickly when a tick is found are the best preventives of tick bite infection and disease. 7 tips…

An estimated 60 percent of Americans use supplements to enhance their health. These products are pharmacologically active and naturally occurring. Since they are not “prescribed,” many people are unaware of the potential side effects to watch for ““ the types of “warnings” that normally accompany a traditional prescription when it is picked up at the pharmacy. Despite their natural source, some supplements can contribute to prolonged and excessive bleeding during surgery, upon injury, with ulcers, and in seniors whose blood vessels tend to be more fragile. When combined with traditional medicines that affect blood clotting such as anticoagulents and antiplatelets…

The temps are heating up, a sure sign summer has arrived in the Tri-State, which means you are likely to be spending time outdoors. It also means you’ve got to be careful. Why use sunscreen? 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. 90 percent of visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun. There are different levels of sunburn protection provided by sunscreens. At minimum, adults should use SPF 30. Don’t forget: Apply sunscreen (product recommended amount) to uncovered skin 30 minutes before going outside. A minimum…

Quick: What’s the body’s biggest organ? The skin is the largest organ in the body and has an instrumental role in preventing infection, keeping our body temperature regulated, preventing dehydration and contributing to how we see ourselves from a perspective of beauty/handsomeness. Sadly and understandably, it doesn’t usually get the same attention as more “glamorous” organs like the heart. (When was the last time you saw a love poem referencing the skin?)  However, like the heart, skin needs proper nourishment, hydration, regular check-ups and preventive care. Be sun savvy Avoid overexposure to the sun and other sources of ultraviolet light,…

Cold hands, warm heart, stinky feet, no sweetheart! We’ve all heard the refrain and smelled some seriously stinky feet. So, what causes the odor? Bacteria are the smell makers. They normally inhabit the feet and love dark, damp places like sweaty shoes. Bacteria eat dead skin cells and oils from skin and then they get rid of waste in the form of organic acids. It’s the organic acids that create the stinky odor. As the colonies of bacteria grow and eliminate larger amounts of organic acids, the odor grows stronger. Get this: 10  to 15 percent of people have unusually…

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, “No single food or food component can protect you against cancer by itself. Strong evidence does show that a diet filled with a variety of plant foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans helps lower risk for many cancers.” Important definitions (from the American Cancer Society) Free radicals (the bad guys) can damage important cellular molecules such as DNA (our genetic blue print) or lipids (fats in the cell wall) or other parts of the cell, and this damage can lead to cancer. To prevent free radical damage, the body…

As your kids head back to school, the debate about a packed lunch versus cafeteria food is likely to heat up. As a parent, you’ve probably unearthed some pretty interesting (and perhaps gross) uneaten brown bag lunches in the bottom of your child’s backpack. While cafeteria lunches and prepackaged meals for kids are popular and convenient, they’re also expensive and often less than nutritious. Here are some brown-bag makeovers with nutritional upgrades that are still tasty and shouldn’t elicit an “Ewww” response accompanied by an upturned nose. Ideally, these ideas will eliminate the need to use long handled tongs to…

When seasons change or we start a new year, it is good to take the time to look at ourselves and determine what we might change to better navigate each day and improve our overall well-being. Being aware of our choices and how we make them can make all the difference. Personal barriers to success According to Craig Harper, PhD, we all have “explanations, rationalizations, justifications” that “allegedly” prevent us from achieving our goals: creating our best life, body, career, business, relationship, or health. Examples include: Lack of time Bad luck, destiny, fate The government Lack of ability Genetics Ignorance…

Looking for a fun idea for a healthy work potluck lunch idea? Try having a salad day. Have each person sign up to contribute a different ingredient, including a protein, vegetables, nuts, fruit and dressings. Set up your own salad bar. You may even have leftovers to do it again the next day. Consider: Different kinds of lettuce In general, the more variety the better Have someone bring cheese, but use it sparingly Same for croutons You can theme the days (all green, red and green, etc “) Lastly, don’t allow some rail-thin exercise-aholic to bring in brownies as his/her…

Mammograms play a key role in early breast cancer detection and help decrease breast cancer deaths. The goal is to detect breast cancer before clinical signs are noticeable. Mammograms can often show a breast lump before it can be felt. A mammogram is an x-ray that allows a qualified physician specialist (radiologist) to examine the breast tissue for any suspicious areas. The breast is exposed to a small dose of iodizing radiation that produces an image of the breast tissue. During a mammogram, your breasts are compressed between two firm surfaces to spread out the breast tissue. Some women find…