Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

When you  talk on the phone, give a presentation or sing in the shower, you think you have a good idea of what your voice sounds like. But, whenever you  hear a recording or watch a video of ourselves talking, you probably  ask, “Do I really sound like that?” Why does your voice sound different?The next time someone rolls his  eyes and tells you that you’re being oversensitive, let him know it’s not all in your head. When you hear yourself speak, you’re hearing a deeper version of your voice because it’s reverberating through the bones in your head. When…

We all know that one guy in the office who swears jamming to AC/DC helps his  thought process, and likewise, another who prefers music without any lyrics so she can focus. But, does  science support either of these theories? Outside of simply “feeling” more productive, more focused or more creative, listening to music while completing repetitive tasks can help decrease the monotony.  In a recent  study, researchers found music  helped workers in an assembly line feel  happier and work more efficiently. Can music help with non-repetitive  tasks? Sadly, music can serve as a distraction and interfere with tasks which  require…

Here’s a way to add some fitness and sunshine to your day: Commute to work by bicycle. According to the League of American Bicyclists analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, there has been a 62 percent increase in people who commute by bicycle between 2000 and 2013. “I think it’s happening for a couple of reasons,” said Elizabeth Murphy of the League. “When more people are riding, it’s safer for everyone. So if you see people riding on the road that you can identify with, who are in your community or your neighborhood, I think that sparks something in some…

There are plenty of scary facts about diabetes: It’s the seventh-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations. Its economic impact is about $245 billion a year, and diagnoses of the disease are increasing around the world. But there’s a lot of misinformation about both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes out there. The American Diabetes Association sets the record straight about these common diabetes myths: It’s not that serious With a lot of hard work, diabetics can control or delay complications related to diabetes, but the disease can be deadly. In fact, it…

Youth sports is a hot topic because it involves so many people. More than 21 million children between the ages of 6 and 17 participate in team sports on a regular basis, according to a Sports & Fitness Industry Association survey of households. That number doesn’t include league directors and organizers, referees, coaches and parents. Oh, the parents. They’re in the news right now because of P. Diddy, who allegedly assaulted his son’s strength and conditioning coach at UCLA. That news is prompting stories about the behavior of parents at youth games ““ from verbal and physical assaults of coaches…

Take a close look at the bottled water in your fridge – a major water distributor said its product could be contaminated. Niagara Bottling is in the process of recalling its products after an E.Coli was found in one of its  spring water sources. The company is  advising consumers  to avoid drinking the water unless it is boiled for one minute and then cooled. Worried about the water in your home? If your water comes from one of the following brands, take extra precaution before you drink up: 7-Eleven Acadia Acme Big Y Best Yet Morning Fresh Niagara Nature’s Place…

Are you just not feeling right at work lately? Got a bit of a kink in your back or neck? The most likely culprit may be the way you’re working at your desk, says Mike Chitwood, a St. Elizabeth Healthcare occupational therapist, and certified ergonomic assessment specialist. 1. Change your chair When Chitwood visits the office of someone who’s recovering from an injury or some chronic discomfort in the workplace, “I always start with their seated position,” he says. “The first thing I do is make sure that they understand and know how their seat works. Because a lot…

Last week the FDA made headlines when it  announced its  three year plan to ban trans fat in food. Trans fat is most commonly found in hydrogenated oils and has been linked to dangerous health conditions including heart disease, high  cholesterol and memory issues. While trans fat will never be completely eliminated (it’s found naturally in meat and dairy products), the FDA hopes the change will “prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks every year.” How many products will be affected by the ban? More than you think. According to Time, a recent report found 37 percent of grocery store items…

Summer can be  a dangerous time for your family pets, especially Fido. Dogs don’t have the ability to cool themselves the way humans do, which puts them at risk for a heatstroke in the summer sun. According to Healthy Pets, if your dog shows any of these signs he  could be overheating and  should be moved to a cool location immediately: Heavy panting or rapid breathing Elevated body temperature Excessive thirst Weakness or collapse Glazed eyes Increased pulse and heartbeat Vomiting or bloody diarrhea Seizures Bright or dark red tongue, gums Excessive drooling Staggering or stumbling Unconsciousness Keep your pet…

Multiple sclerosis isn’t an easy disease to diagnose or define. It occurs when the myelin sheathing that protects nerve fibers in the central nervous system (the brain, the spinal cord and the optic nerves) wears away. The disease occurs when the body’s own immune system attacks the myelin, though it’s unclear why, according to the National Institutes of Health. Most researchers believe there’s a complex interaction between environmental factors and a genetic predisposition at play in the disease. Geography also plays a role; it’s more common in populations that live farthest from the equator. What multiple sclerosis can do…