Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

There’s a lot of advice out there on how to live a healthier, longer life – but actually accomplishing that can feel out-of-reach for some people. The American Heart Association provides a realistic science-based foundation to help people achieve success. Their formula focuses on five lifestyle behaviors and three health factors that make up eight key components for better cardiovascular health, it’s called Life’s Essential 8. Here are the eight actions the American Heart Association recommends: The eye-opening thing about the eight actions is – you only need a doctor for a few of them. Most people can make a…

It’s a question that mothers of tweens and teens frequently ask their OB-GYN: When is it time for my daughter’s first appointment? The women’s health specialists at St. Elizabeth Healthcare know this question can be tricky – but it doesn’t have to be. Check out our Q&A session with our compassionate team of obstetrician/gynecologists (OB-GYNs) and rest assured that at St. Elizabeth, your daughter’s care is in the best hands. At what age should a young woman first see an OB-GYN? According to Dr. Abby Loftus-Smith, OB-GYN at St. Elizabeth, there is no “perfect” age to start seeing an…

Each year – especially during cold and flu season – millions of people head to the doctor to address their bothersome cough symptoms. We’ve all been there – the sore, scratchy throat, the dry tickle that keeps you awake half the night and the congested cough that makes everyone nearby want to take cover. What’s a sick person to do? Dr. Drew Byers, Primary Care Physician at St. Elizabeth Physicians, weighs in with some quick and simple guidelines for cold and flu season. “As a general rule, I like to discuss with patients what may be causing their cough and…

In order to get the most effective treatment for your epilepsy and seizures, you need a proper diagnosis. Some physicians will try medications after a thorough examination and family history, or others may want to determine if you are truly having seizures. St. Elizabeth now offers an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) at St. Elizabeth Edgewood facility, dedicated to continuously monitor your seizures in a safe environment. The new unit allows advanced diagnosis and treatment for difficult to diagnose seizures or epilepsy. “Ten percent of the population will have a seizure in their lifetime,” says Dr. Ty Brown, Neurologist with St.…

Maybe you’ve never heard of pelvic floor disorders – or perhaps you suspect you might have one but you aren’t sure what to do about it. Pelvic floor disorders are caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles from childbirth, menopause or simply aging. The connective tissues surrounding the pelvis can no longer easily support the organs in the pelvic area, causing a host of painful and sometimes embarrassing symptoms. But rest assured – help is here. The St. Elizabeth Physicians team of fellowship-trained and board-certified Urogynecologists offer specialized, compassionate care to women in the TriState. Pelvic Floor Disorders According to the…

It’s that time of year. The beginning of a new year rolls around and everyone is standing around the water cooler at the office talking about which diet they are starting. Rachel Wagner, MS, LD, a licensed dietitian at St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center tells us, “The latest diet trend always promises rapid weight loss, but the truth is, most people don’t keep the weight off after they stop the diet.” Whether you are starting Keto, Pegan, Noom, or intermittent fasting, the key is to use that time to help you change your eating habits and develop a better…

Health and fitness goals often top our New Year’s Resolutions lists. They’re a great reboot after the hustle, bustle and extra fun of the holidays. But can your primary care physician help with your New Year’s Resolutions? The experts at St. Elizabeth Physicians say yes – in a variety of ways.  Step 1: Make an Appointment First, our team of experts encourages you to start 2024 by scheduling a well visit with your primary care provider. Your appointment won’t take much time out of your busy schedule, but it sets the right tone for the year ahead. You’re putting your health as…

If you could take a simple test that would identify your risks of developing a potentially deadly disease so you could prevent it or treat it sooner, wouldn’t you? A proactive genetic test can do just that. Caroline Ewart, Genetic Counselor in the Center for Precision Medicine and Genomic Health at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, says, “Understanding your family tree is important for your future health. Genetics play a big role in what diseases we will develop in the future. The more we understand the family, the more you can proactively do to protect your health.” Many people don’t consider genetic…

Edgewood, KY – Since its 2013 launch, St. Elizabeth’s successful Lung Cancer Screening Program has taken direct aim at the disease in the Northern Kentucky region, completing more than 11,000 screenings and identifying over 100 lung cancers under Stage III, when it’s at its most treatable. But to the Thoracic Oncology Disease Management and Lung Cancer Screening Teams at St. Elizabeth, that wasn’t enough. Noticing a screening gap in those current or former smokers who may be at risk but do not meet typical insurance screening guidelines, St. Elizabeth has decided to expand the Lung Cancer Screening Program with a…

The American Heart Association estimates more than 121 million adults have cardiovascular disease. How are conditions like coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and heart valve disease affected if you are suddenly diagnosed with cancer and need treatment? Or, what if you develop heart disease from cancer treatment? This is when a cardio-oncology doctor can help. “Heart disease is common in the United States; add to that the increased number of cancer survivors on the planet, who are now living with heart disease because of their cancer,” says Doug Flora, M.D., medical oncologist and executive medical director of…