Heartburn, acid reflux, regurgitation — do these symptoms bother you? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people experience the discomfort of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It happens when stomach acids take an unwelcome trip back up the esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. GERD occurs because the valve at the bottom of the esophagus is …

Winter Richards’ heart was failing in May 2023, but she didn’t know it. In fact, at age 27, the thought had never crossed her mind. “My chest was congested, and my nose was stuffy,” Winter remembers. “For weeks, I couldn’t lie down without coughing and spitting. I remember thinking it must be allergies, even though I’d never had allergies before.” …

Eric Callaway celebrated his 40th birthday at St. Elizabeth Edgewood, where he was recovering from surgery to insert his new left ventricular assist device (LVAD). He felt lucky to be there. Callaway was only 26 years old when he had his first heart attack – on his birthday. He credits St. Elizabeth with seeing that he continues celebrating birthdays, going …

Heart specialists at St. Elizabeth Healthcare had been treating Mark Grigsby for months, but his symptoms were worsening. After extensive testing and discussion, they recommended surgery to implant a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). An LVAD is a mechanical heart pump for people like Mark with advanced heart failure. It helps the heart pump blood from the lower left heart …

People who’ve had head and neck cancer often face challenges with talking, eating or swallowing. These challenges can arise due to the cancer itself or as a result of treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Thankfully, there is help available to significantly improve outcomes. Our Approach to Recovery and Survivorship for Head and Neck Cancer “Our main goal …

It may not be possible to prevent all yeast infections or urinary tract infections (UTIs) but a few simple tips can help lower your risk of developing either one. Differences Between a Yeast Infection and a UTI Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of yeast, a fungus called Candida. It’s normal to have a small amount of yeast in …

When people think of pelvic floor health, they typically think of women and the infamous Kegel exercises. But pelvic floor health is an important issue for men, too — and it actually involves something called an “anti-Kegel.” “When it comes down to it, men and women have the same kind of pelvic floor muscles,” says Molly Carpenter, PT, DPT, a …

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 …

Deciding when to see a gynecologist is an important healthcare question for women and girls. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends scheduling a first gynecological appointment, or wellness exam, between the ages of 13 and 15. Routine wellness exams with an OB/GYN provider are recommended for adult women. Knowing what to expect during an appointment and which …

Dave Brown noticed that his speech was becoming increasingly quiet and that he was starting to slur his words due to Parkinson’s disease. Dave also sang in his church choir and found himself out of breath. He decided to do something about it. After hearing about LSVT Loud (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment) from a family friend, Dave asked his neurologist …