Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

When you are undergoing cancer treatment, your diet and nutrition are an important part of keeping you healthy. Susan Wallace MS, RD, LD, dietitian at St. Elizabeth Cancer Center, says, “Your diet is an important part of your overall health. The problem during cancer treatment is all of the barriers that get in the way of optimal nutrition.” Common barriers to healthy eating during cancer treatment could include: Changes in tasteConstipationDiarrheaDry mouthFatigueLoss of appetiteMouth soresNauseaThroat pain (common during head and neck cancer treatment) The Importance of Diet during Cancer Treatment “Thinking about eating three big meals a day can be…

After a hot and humid summer, many of us welcome the crisp fall days with open arms. However, for some people, the shorter days and the switch to colder temperatures can also bring along depression and disengagement from friends, family and life. If you find that a shift in the weather deeply impacts your mood, you could have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD impacts millions of Americans each year, especially those living in northern climates with long stretches of cold. Women have the highest risk of developing SAD, as well as people who: Lack exposure to sunlight.Are at high risk…

With a busy lifestyle, you don’t want anything to slow you down. A shoulder injury can not only slow you down, but you will also find the pain hard to live with every day. David Stepner, PT, St. Elizabeth Burlington explains, “Typically, shoulder injuries come from overuse in sports with a lot of overhead movement, such as baseball, volleyball, tennis, and swimming. However, usual tasks performed everyday such as yard work, housecleaning, and home maintenance when done repetitively or with too much weight, can also be the cause of overuse injuries of the shoulder.” The most common shoulder injury from…

No one likes cold and flu season, but it strikes an extra chord of stress in new parents. With the holidays on the horizon, it can be overwhelming to attend the usual family festivities while toting along your sweet, lovable germ-susceptible baby. What’s a parent to do? The experts at St. Elizabeth Healthcare have you covered. We’ve compiled a list of helpful tips and tricks to managing holiday fun with your brand-new baby in tow. Use that baby wrap Keep your baby close – and away from germy hands and kisses – by using a baby wrap, sling or carrier.…

The holiday season is so busy. You run around buying presents, attending parties, and visiting family and friends. But the end of the year is not a great time to let your diet slip. The problem with holding on to those holiday pounds is it adds up year after year. Betsy Oriolo, MS, RD, LD, CDE a Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator at the St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center says, “Most of us will gain some amount of weight over the holidays. While some people can lose it once the new year starts, some of us have a harder…

At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we know that a breast cancer diagnosis can be shocking and overwhelming. We offer comprehensive care from the moment of your breast cancer diagnosis through your surgery, treatments, recovery and beyond. Our breast cancer care protocol has recently expanded to include meeting with a genetic counselor shortly after your diagnosis. New guidelines recommend multi-gene panel genetic testing be offered to all newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, regardless of age or family history. “Genetic information can be very impactful,” says Justine Snyder, Licensed Genetic Counselor in the Precision Medicine and Genetics program at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “Our…

Many of us have experienced the “pee a little when you sneeze” phenomenon. Urinary incontinence isn’t something you have to live with – and it isn’t a normal part of pregnancy and post-partum life. Pregnancy and Leaking Urine: Why does it happen? More than 46 percent of pregnant women have trouble with leaking urine. Following pregnancy, one in three women report having decreased bladder control after childbirth – and almost 80 percent of women are unable to properly contract their pelvic floor muscles one year after having a baby. “Pregnancy and labor/delivery causes increased stress on the pelvic floor,” says…

In honor of National Midwifery Week, St. Elizabeth Healthcare is celebrating our midwives and the tremendous services they bring to our healthcare network. What is a Nurse-Midwife? It’s a common myth that nurse-midwives don’t have a formal education and only perform home births. That couldn’t be further from the truth! All certified nurse-midwives (CNM) are advanced practice registered nurses. At St. Elizabeth, our six certified nurse-midwives have their nursing degrees and a Master of Science degree with a specialization in Nurse-Midwifery. Additionally, our nurse-midwife team delivers babies exclusively at Edgewood and the Birthing Center at St. Elizabeth Dearborn. All St.…

According to the American Cancer Society, one man in nine will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. The good news is, there is a 99% five-year survival rate for men diagnosed with this cancer. Depending on the stage and type of prostate cancer diagnosed, treatment options may vary from surgery to radiation or chemotherapy. If radiation is needed, a new option that is proven to significantly reduce radiation side effects in prostate cancer patients was recently introduced at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Minimizing Side Effects While Targeting Prostate Cancer SpaceOAR Hydrogel can be used to help protect your quality…

The leaves turning colors, a crispness in the air, pumpkins appearing on every corner – it must be fall. Along with pulling out the jackets and autumn décor, it’s important to also take protective steps for your health by getting your annual flu shot. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu vaccines are created to match viruses that have been circulating through the population. Each seasonal flu vaccine is specifically created for that year to offer the most protection. When is the best time to get the flu shot? Flu activity typically peaks between December and February.…