Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Did you know that your hands are directly affected by the cold? As the TriState community settles in for another Midwestern winter, the St. Elizabeth Hand Therapy team reminds you to stay in tune with your body’s needs during chilly weather. Hand pain, swelling and stiffness are common culprits in the winter – but luckily, specialized hand care is available. “The St. Elizabeth Hand Therapy department offers a variety of treatments for pain caused by cold weather,” says Ricki Collins, a Certified Hand Therapist and a Licensed Occupational Therapist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “We provide numerous modalities, including moist hot…

The added expenses that accompany a cancer diagnosis can put tremendous strain on many patients’ budgets. The med student musicians with Jamming for Hope are doing their best to alleviate that pressure so cancer patients can concentrate on what’s important—getting well. The local non-profit recently made what it hopes is the first of many contributions to the Cancer Center currently under construction on the Edgewood campus of St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Jamming for Hope is a charity comprised primarily of medical students that raises money through music, according to Chris Harwood, who started the charity in 2017 with the help of…

If you and your partner are expecting a new baby, creating a birth plan is an excellent way to prepare for your little one’s birth. A birth plan represents what is important to a mother and her partner during labor and birth. This includes both things you would and would not like during active labor, such as medications, aromatherapy, laboring tubs and more. St. Elizabeth Healthcare knows how deeply personal giving birth is, and we’re committed to helping you explore all of the birthing options available to you. A birth plan is a perfect way to keep track of your…

You aren’t alone if the first thing you think of when you think of the holiday season is stress, stress, and more stress. All of that added stress can lead to serious health problems. Studies have shown that there is an increase in cardiac events during the holiday season, possibly triggered by activities such as shoveling heavy snow or a packed calendar of events. During this hectic time, do not ignore your heart health. It’s important to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack. “50% of patients who present with a heart attack experience atypical symptoms” says Dr. D.P.…

You felt your ankle roll, and then the pain. You are not alone; it is estimated that 25,000 sprains occur every day in the United States. It is one of the most common injuries among athletes. Dr. Michael Miller of St. Elizabeth Sports Medicine says, “An ankle sprain is the most common injury to the ligaments in your ankle. By twisting or turning your ankle in an unnatural way, you have pushed those ligaments past their boundaries. The ligaments surround and connect the bones of the leg to the foot and provide you stabilization.” When you roll or twist your…

According to a Gallup poll released in 2019, Americans are among the most stressed people in the world. We are connected to our smartphones 24/7, and we seldom take vacations. Can all this stress put you at risk for a stroke? Stress is also very personal. Some people can handle high-stress situations, while others may not be able to function under stress. Andrew J. Ringer, MD, Chairman of Mayfield Brain and Spine, says there isn’t an easy answer to that question. He says, “There are no studies that directly link stress to a stroke, but stress is a factor in…

When a loved one is going through cancer, it impacts the entire family. At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we know this can be an overwhelming and stressful time, and we’re here to help. The St. Elizabeth Cancer Center is proud to be working with local nonprofit organizations Cancer Family Care and Cancer Support Community to offer comprehensive support services to cancer patients and their loved ones. When the Center opens in fall 2020, areas for individual and family counseling along with support groups will be available on-site in the doTERRA Center for Integrative Oncology, giving patients and their caregivers immediate…

More than 10% of Americans have diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 36 million Americans have type 2 diabetes and more than 2 million Americans have type 1 diabetes. The food we eat – particularly sweets and carbohydrates – convert into glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. People with diabetes have a problem either with insulin production or how their body responds to insulin. The glucose stays in the blood instead of being stored in the body for energy, creating a potentially dangerous situation. What’s the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Many people don’t realize…

University of Alabama’s recently injured quarterback hoped the TightRope ankle surgery would help him get off the bench and back in the game for one the biggest games of his season, and long before the season’s end. Alabama’s well-known quarterback suffered a high ankle sprain during a mid-October game against longtime rival, Tennessee. Crimson Tide fans were relieved when he was able to return to the field on November 9 against LSU. The innovative TightRope procedure allowed Alabama’s star to return to action just four weeks to the date of his high ankle sprain against Tennessee. Innovation That Makes a…

You may have heard the term “integrative oncology” and wondered what it means – and if you or a loved one with cancer could benefit from it. The short answer: absolutely. Integrative oncology uses complementary therapies alongside traditional cancer treatments. For cancer patients, this could mean extra support with treatment side effects, stress relief and emotional balance during a difficult time. Northern Kentucky cancer patients and their families will soon have access to these services in one location at the new St. Elizabeth Cancer Center, a state-of-the-art cancer facility with a dedicated integrative oncology space, call the doTERRA Center for…