Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

There’s nothing better than a cold, creamy scoop of ice cream to sweeten the summer doldrums. And there’s nothing worse than the sharp, stabbing headache ““ technically referred to as sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia — that sometimes follows the indulgence. Fortunately, the pain doesn’t last long ““ usually less than a minute, according to the pain management experts at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. And ice cream headaches ““ sometimes called brain freezes ““ don’t require treatment. Unfreeze your brain Experts don’t know exactly why people get the headaches, which occur when something cold ““ ice cream, of course, but…

You know to ask your pharmacist or doctor how your prescriptions could interact with other medicines and even alcohol. But, have you ever thought to ask how your prescriptions could be impacting the vitamins and minerals in your body? “Many patients may be unaware of the nutritional impact of medications,” said Dr. Jon Minzner, a primary care physician with St. Elizabeth Physicians. “While tending to acute and other preventative care issues during a time-limited office visit, often these nutritional issues may be overlooked.” It’s still important to think about how your body may be reacting to the prescriptions you are…

Robots assisting with surgeries seems like a futuristic idea, but last month it was a reality for Dr. Matthew Hummel of OrthoCincy. According to the NKY Tribune, Hummel successfully performed Kentucky’s first partial knee replacement surgery that utilized a robotic arm. Patients should not be  wary of a robot playing a role in your next surgery. Hummel said  he’s in complete control of the device throughout the procedure, and it simply allows him to have better laser precision and preserve more of the patient’s natural knee. While the technology is relatively new, Hummel said he’s seen  patients experience less pain,…

If you’ve been training for a June race, it’s not time to pack away the running shoes just. yet. Keep your summer fitness goals moving with a race in July or August . Kentucky races: Big Brothers and Big Sisters 5K Run and Walk ““ Covington, Kentucky When: Saturday, August 15, 9:00 a.m. Where: Northern Kentucky Convention Center, 1 W Rivercenter Blvd., Covington, Kentucky Cost: $30 pre-registration, $35 after August 3 Know your DNA 5K ““ Crestview Hills, Kentucky When: Sunday, August 23 at 9:00 a.m. Where: Thomas More, 333 Thomas More Pkwy., Crestview Hills, Kentucky Cost: $17 for children…

We know we shouldn’t text and drive. Yet, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2013  National Occupant Protection Use Survey, “At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving.” Each driver puts himself and others on the road at risk – and has  been for years. In 2013 alone, 3,154 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers  and  approximately 424,000 people were injured. If you’ve ever given into sending a quick email or reading a text message while behind the wheel,  Dr. Sanjay Gupta, chief…

Every year, more than 27,000 cancer cases are attributed to a single cause that can easily be prevented. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is known to be the culprit in many cases of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers in women, penile cancers in men, and scores of other cancers in both genders. In fact, according to the New York Times, the vaccine has already reduced the virus’s prevalence by two-thirds, despite being introduced just a decade ago. Protect your preteen Vaccination during your children’s preteen years can help ensure they won’t fall victim to HPV during their lifetime, yet less…

Baked beans are a favorite side at any summer barbecue, but probably not the healthiest item to complement your burger or hot dog. Instead of ditching the dish, St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management registered dietitian Karah Stanley will help you keep the salty treat at the table. Looking to spice up the menu at your next cookout? Be sure to check out this yummy recipe for Mediterranean-style grilled salmon.

In the hot summer months, the pool is usually a favorite way to cool off. Unfortunately it can also be a dangerous place for young swimmers. According to Modern Mom, drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and younger. In fact, the article estimates more than  370 children will drown next year within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. This terrible statistic doesn’t come from neglectful parenting, drowning can catch Moms and Dads  by surprise. The instinctive drowning response is characterized by silence, not thrashing and yelling portrayed in the movies.…

It’s normal to crave a mid-day snack or an extra portion of your favorite dish at dinner, but if you can’t get food  off your mind, something may not be right. According to CNN, finding out why your stomach is always growling can tip you off to an underlying physical or mental health issue. If you’ve experienced a growing appetite lately, see if one of these 11 problems applies to you. The list includes symptoms  you may not  associate with hunger like a lack of sleep, a high-pressure work day and even your Pinterest boards.

We think 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. But we’re not sure. The figure is only an estimate because there’s no definitive test that tells doctors and patients Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia characterized by the formation of abnormal proteins in the brain, is what’s causing memory or behavioral changes. Right now, the diagnosis is often the doctor’s best guess, based on the patient’s symptoms and behavior, and his or her health history. The only way to be sure a person had Alzheimer’s is to study his or her brain after death and look for the telltale changes the disease…