A urine culture is the gold standard for testing for urinary tract infections, according to  St. Elizabeth Physicians’ Dr. Sonia Chopra, a board-certified urologist, as opposed to the dipstick test. She added that it commonly takes 24-48 hours, but the culture helps the doctor decide which antibiotic to use. The urine culture identifies the bacteria causing the infection and should …

For years, Gatorade was the only sports drink out there. Developed in the 1960s by University of Florida trainers “” hence that “Gator” in “Gatorade” “” the popular drink held a near monopoly for decades as its popularity soared with professional athlete endorsements, sideline dousings of winning coaches and the “Is it in you?” commercials. In recent years, other brands …

Now that the weather is warming up, it will become much more tempting to jump off that treadmill and opt for an outdoor run. If you can’t wait to get back outside, you may want to try trail running. The number of trail runners in the United States increased from 4.5 million to more than 6 million between 2006 and …

Summer’s wonderful for getting outdoors. But if that includes moving your workouts outdoors  – or, more challenging, starting a workout regimen outdoors – you need to keep some things in mind to protect your body. Start with these five: WHEN TO HYDRATE In hot, humid temperatures, you’re going to sweat more, and the time to account for that isn’t after …

If you’re a mom, you know that your heart doubles in size with love after your baby is born. But did you know that breastfeeding your baby can have a positive impact on your cardiovascular health? A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) shows that women who breastfeed can reduce their cardiovascular disease and stroke …

As the summer days gradually come to an end, we understand the mix of emotions that arise as you prepare your child for another school year. The anticipation, excitement, and even a touch of nervousness can create a whirlwind of emotions for both you and your child. We’re here to support you as the seasons change by providing an essential …

Whether you’re mowing the lawn, sitting by the pool or chasing kids through the sprinklers, it’s easy to lose track of how long you’ve been outside. That is, of course, until you feel that telltale tingling or itchiness that means you’re going to look like a lobster soon. Here are our best tips to avoid – and, if necessary, treat …

Several conditions from bladder spasms, scar tissue, or cancer treatments can cause discomfort for women during sex and a frank discussion with your doctor may help. Dr. Susan Oakley, a St. Elizabeth Healthcare urogynecologist, said there are solutions for conditions women may encounter because of scar tissue from surgery such as a hysterectomy or mesh procedure, endometriosis, fibroid uterus, and …

Just about anything “stress, hormones, caffeine (or the lack of it), allergies, a pulled muscle” can cause a headache. Figuring out the type of headache and, in some cases the pain trigger, can go a long way toward short-circuiting your misery, according to the National Headache Foundation. Headache specialists divide headaches into two main types: primary, benign headaches like migraine …

Now that spring has finally sprung, it’s time to spruce up the yard. One of the most well-loved springtime activities is gardening – but did you know that you can hurt your hand or wrist if you’re not careful? “Hand and wrist pain is common during repetitive activities like gardening,” says Sandy Stephens, Hand Therapist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Hand …