Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Sneezing is more often associated with colds, the bane of the winter season. But if you’ve noticed that you’re fielding more “gesundheits” and “bless yous” this summer and fall, you’re not alone. The typical summer allergy season has been exacerbated in the Tri-State because of the high humidity blanketing the area, leading to more nasal explosions. Summer allergies are more often than not triggered by pollen from trees, grass and other plants thriving in the summer sun. Ragweed, which can travel for hundreds of miles from its original location, is the most common trigger. Combined with summer air pollution, those…

You go to the gym, work up a sweat, and think, man, that was a great workout! But then the next day, you’re not even sore. What gives? If this has ever happened to you, you’ll want to check out this article from Greatist. It includes six tips to figure out if you’re really getting a good workout while you’re still at the gym. Here are a few simple things we’re going to try: 1. Your heart rate is three fourths of your maximal heart rate for at least 20 minutes. To calculate your maximal heart rate, do this…

Ever wake up suddenly to the sound of an explosion that never happened? If you have, you’re not alone. It’s called exploding head syndrome. It’s a rare  sleep disorder, characterized by  nighttime hallucinations. So, how does it work? When the brain is supposed to be slowing down while you fall asleep, something happens and the brainwaves don’t slow down. This causes those who have the disorder to hear sounds that seem to originate from inside their heads. The loud noise can sound like a bomb, a gunshot or any other loud explosion. It is not painful. Exploding head syndrome…

Dr. Aleah Gibson, a family physician with St. Elizabeth Physicians explains what the scoliosis screening looks like during your child’s physical exam, and why it’s performed in the first place. Click here to learn more about scoliosis and how it could affect your child in the short- and long-term.

Your kid comes home, and the first thing shed is usually their backpack at the door. Later, you go to pick it up and grunt; it feels like it’s filed with 40 pounds of rocks. But there are plenty of signs that your child’s backpack is too heavy that parents should pick up on before dislocating a shoulder while tidying up after their student. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least 14,000 children are treated for backpack-related injuries every year. Before they end up in the emergency room, there are specific signs that should be cause for…

According to WCPO.com, students starting seventh or 12th grade this school year are required to have a meningitis vaccine. Physicians have been recommending the vaccine for years, but it is now required  for the 2016-17 school year. In Indiana, the  Meningococcal Vaccine is required for grades 6-12, and in Kentucky it is required starting in grade six, as well. Talk to your doctor if you have specific concerns regarding vaccinations. To learn more about immunization schedules and exemptions, click your state below: Kentucky Ohio Indiana

Kids headed back to school in the next few  weeks? You’re going to want to download this guide.  It’s full of tips and advice from local experts, and will help you feel more prepared for the year ahead. Some stories include: 5 things you can do to get your child ready for kindergarten 3 tips to relieve test anxiety What to do about bullying What other questions do you have about back-to-school or family health? Let us know on Facebook! In addition to the stories in this guide, here are a few others we shared this month that you may…

Nearly every runner has experienced the pain and agony of shin splints at some time or another. As high school cross country athletes begin working out, they may notice some pain, especially if they haven’t been running as often or as far all summer. Dr. James Hahn, a pediatric sports medicine specialist with St. Elizabeth Physicians provides the following advice to avoid these injuries altogether:

It’s 3 a.m. and you’re wide awake. Maybe it’s the television throwing light across your bedroom or the cup of coffee you drank after dinner, but something is keeping you from catching some z’s. The cause could be from one of those or other simple explanations, but your bout of sleepless nights could also be the result of a much more serious, albeit misunderstood, problem – insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that has visited one on three adults at one time or another, according to the American Sleep Association (ASA). Difficulty falling asleep, waking up often during the night…

If you’ve been tuned in to this week’s events, including Michael Phelps’ many, many races (and medal-winning moments), you’ve likely noticed him, as well as other athletes, covered in purple-ish spots. No, they’re not birthmarks, bruises or tattoos – they’re the result of “cupping,” an ancient Chinese healing technique that  is thought to draw blood closer to the surface and improve recovery time for sore muscles, according to  The New York Times. And, while it’s hard to argue with a guy who has 26  career medals (and still counting), we’re still researching the science behind this practice. [Tweet “We’re still…