Rachel Wagner, MS, LD, a licensed dietitian at St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center tells us the pros and cons of the hottest diets and how to achieve your long-term weight goals. “Trendy diets tend to have more negatives than positives. Although some of this year’s trends are backed by good research. The positive effect is trendy diets can get …

Don’t Let the Busy Holiday Season Impact your Heart Heart health should always be a priority, but it’s especially important during the busy holiday season. It’s no secret that during the holidays, some of us tend to eat too much, eat unhealthily and drink more alcohol than we normally would. At the same time, with all the hustle and bustle, …

Sleep apnea affects nearly 18 million Americans. Many people with sleep apnea use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to help with continuous breathing while they sleep. Using a mask, a CPAP device keeps the upper airway passages open — preventing snoring and the dangerous repeated stop and start breathing that occurs with sleep apnea. “Some people find this …

Ever wondered why you get covered in mosquito bites every summer and some of your friends come away without one? Some humans really are more “appetizing” than others. To learn why mosquitoes bite some people more than others, check out the  New York Magazine  video below: Remember, even if you don’t get bit too frequently, it’s still a good idea …

Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. Fortunately, it is also one of the easiest forms of cancer to detect if you know how to spot it. “Skin examinations can be lifesaving,” says Dr. Holly Gunn, medical director of the Dermatology, Aesthetic and Laser Center at St. Elizabeth Physicians in Florence. “You can even save yourself, …

An aneurysm is a bulge or widening in the wall of an artery – the so-called “highways” of the body’s vascular system that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to veins throughout the rest of the body. The body’s largest artery, the aorta, extends off the heart and runs through the chest down to the abdomen. When an aneurysm affects …

Roles of a Vascular Surgeon Vascular surgeons are specialists trained to treat conditions affecting the vascular system. This is the system of veins and arteries that carry blood throughout the body. It is also called the circulatory system. While the term “surgeon” is in their name, vascular surgeons do much more than surgery. “I think the term ‘vascular surgeon’ is …

During a stroke, every second counts. That’s why quick access to leading-edge stroke care can be a lifesaver. St Elizabeth Stroke Services is here for your diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation every step of the way. Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms If you or a loved one are experiencing the sudden onset of any of the following symptoms, you know firsthand …

St. Elizabeth Edgewood has been re-certified for two years as a Comprehensive Cardiac Center by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association. This award affirms the high quality provided by the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth and certifies that we provide the next generation of cardiac care. There are 14 hospitals in the U.S. currently …

A pack-a-day smoker for many years, Teresa Cecil celebrates a monumental milestone: eight years smoke-free. Teresa enrolled in the smoking cessation program at St. Elizabeth Healthcare because, as a smoker, her health insurance increased by $40 per pay period. “I was so angry about the paycheck!” Teresa says. “I went into the class with an attitude. Our instructor had never …