Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

In recent years, CBD (cannabidiol) has become something of a media darling. Fans of the chemical claim it effectively helps deal with pain, anxiety, Parkinson’s disease and more. Manufacturers sell it in many forms, and CBD stores have popped up all over the place. Now many are wondering whether it’s safe to take CBD while pregnant. The short answer: probably not. Here’s why. A Single Authorized Use CBD comes from the cannabis plant known as hemp. Another version of cannabis produces marijuana. Unlike marijuana, CBD’s roots are in hemp, a less potent sister plant. Hemp consists of less than 0.3%…

Are you ready to meet one of your body’s most important joints? Place two fingers on the side of your face just in front of your ear and move your mouth. The movement you can feel just beneath the skin is your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, which controls jaw function. Like many people, when the temporomandibular joint works correctly, you probably don’t give it a second thought. However, if you have temporomandibular joint disorder, this small part of your body is impossible to ignore. TMJ disorder causes jaw pain that can affect your life in a variety of ways. Chewing…

The debate over internet privacy started long before smartphone hit the market. But with the explosive growth of applications and lax privacy protections by some bad actors, the debate has spread to congressional hearings. Recently, a lot of conversations have touched on the safety of period-tracking apps, which many women use to keep up with their personal menstrual cycle timing and duration. How private is your information in a period-tracking app? The answer largely depends on which app you use. Luckily, plenty of information is available to help you assess whether you’re using a fertility app that keeps your data…

If you have recently noticed a change in your breasts such as feeling firm, ropy or rubbery to the touch, you may have fibrocystic breasts. These changes may seem alarming, especially if there’s pain or tenderness, but they’re normal. Fibrocystic breast changes have been diagnosed in millions of women worldwide. Formerly called “fibrocystic breast disease,” this condition is not a disease, even if you still hear this term. It does not raise your risk of breast cancer, either. Still, because fibrocystic breasts can cause some discomfort, you may benefit from a doctor’s visit. What Are Fibrocystic Breasts? Fibrocystic breasts happen…

It’s normal to feel strong emotions such as anger or bitterness after a difficult interaction or a life-changing event. However, holding on to negative emotions for a long time causes chronic stress. This takes a toll on the body and may contribute to mental and physical health problems. On the other hand, finding a path to forgiveness for yourself and others can lead to long-term improvement in both mental and physical health. Here are seven things to know about the benefits of forgiveness and how to get started. 1. Forgiveness May Benefit Your Heart Health Chronic stress can contribute to…

Watching your child grow up and prepare for adulthood can be exciting, challenging and potentially overwhelming. After all, there are so many things to think about, such as continuing education, employment options and living independently for the first time. Another important aspect of becoming an adult that is sometimes overlooked is making the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. How Is Adult Healthcare Different from Pediatric Healthcare? Healthcare for youth is geared toward families and puts the parent in the driver’s seat. That means when your child is young, you are in charge of communicating with doctors and making important…

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), the average American worker spends seven hours a day staring at screens. It’s no wonder so many people are curious about the benefits of blue light glasses. Yet a recent study indicates blue light glasses are not an effective tool for preventing eye strain. The Background on Blue Light Sunlight emits all colors of the rainbow in a combination that displays to people as white. Light that appears bright white to the human eye has a greater blue component. Digital screens, such as cell phones, tablets, computers and laptops, emit smaller amounts of…

Migraines in women are more common than you might think. While 15% of the population experiences migraines, 3 in 4 migraine sufferers are women, according to the Office on Women’s Health. Migraine headaches are caused by electrical activity in the brain responsible for pain and light sensitivity. Many migraine patients are familiar with the discomfort of migraine phases. Migraine pain makes it difficult for many people to function in their everyday lives. Recently, researchers have been trying to understand why migraines have become such a serious women’s health issue and why they tend to worsen with age. Migraines in Women…

Rolling eyes, slamming doors, and angry words. Sound familiar? If so, you may have a teenage rebellion on your hands. The teen years can be difficult because of adolescents’ general moodiness, heightened emotions, and rebellious behavior.   Why can parenting teens be so hard sometimes? To understand why your teen might be rebelling, you first need to understand more about the teenage brain.  The Teenage Brain Two major areas of the brain play a role in rebellious teenage behavior: Infancy and childhood are crucial periods of brain growth, and some parts of the brain continue neural development into the second decade…

Is anxiety a mood disorder or is it a physical reaction to emotional stress? The answer is that it can be both, but the difference between having a short-lived reaction to feeling anxious and having an anxiety mood disorder is like the difference between driving in a light rain shower and navigating a tsunami. Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental health disorders in the U.S., affecting about 19% of the adult population and 7% of children and teens, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Women are diagnosed with the condition more often than men. How…