Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

The only thing more difficult  than being a teenager is being the parent of a teenager. Teen years are filled with new  emotions, growth spurts and a need for independence. It’s an especially challenging  time because parents and teens seem to have differing priorities. While teens may be looking for instant gratification, parents want to keep them safe and help them avoid bad decisions. How is a parent supposed to understand or  relate to a  teen? Dr. Rajeev Kurapati, family physician at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, provides his top tips to ease tension between adults and teens. Don’t forget, the  teenage…

Eating a healthy meal after the gym is one of the most important steps you can take to get the most out of your workout. Dietitians agree a mix of carbs, protein, antioxidants and a little fat is the right  way to replace the energy lost while exercising. But, getting all of these nutrients on your plate can be challenging if you have a vegan diet. Writers at  Greatist  found 14 delicious post-workout meals to  help your body recover and build muscle – all without any animal products. Do you have a favorite recipe for a post-workout meal? Share it…

A stroke victim’s neurological problems aren’t over after he or she comes home from the hospital. In particular, aphasia ““ difficulties speaking, writing or understanding written or spoken language ““ is a common problem for stroke survivors. About 25 to 40 percent of people who survive a stroke develop aphasia, which usually results after a stroke affecting the left side of the brain, where language originates. Other brain injuries, including tumor and concussion, can also result in aphasia. Taking away communication skills The condition can be devastating, impacting a stroke survivor’s ability to work and communicate with loved ones.…

Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes or sometimes insulin-dependent diabetes, can shake up a family’s routine. Managing diabetes ““ there’s no sure cure yet ““ is a complex, sometimes seemingly impossible, juggling act involving diet, physical activity, medication and the very real dangers that come with not keeping blood sugar levels as close to optimal as possible. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), a national non-profit foundation based in Cincinnati and dedicated to raising funds to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes, has identified these myths and facts about the disease: Myth 1: My child will outgrow…

Summer means warm weather, lazy days – and even better – tasty, fresh fruits and vegetables available at local farmers markets. The Central Ohio River Valley food guide is the best place to start looking for food grown nearby. Download and print the guide for free then plan the ultimate farmer’s market trip for your family. You’ll also find sustainable restaurants, and breweries, information for growing your food, and, a harvest schedule. If you want to stay in the Greater Cincinnati region, the Cincinnati Enquirer narrowed the 2015 food guide down to the spots closest to Queen City Many benefits to eating…

When you think of weight training, you may imagine large, intimidating men in the gym picking up heavy barbells…just to set them back down… But, that doesn’t have to be the picture in your mind. Lots of athletes use weight training to get better at their sport of choice. Beyond muscle gain, strength training improves your cardio speed, movement control, resistance to injuries, cognitive abilities, and confidence. It may also help you lose weight. Your future self will thank you, too. Lifting weights regularly is linked to lower blood pressure, denser bones, better cardiovascular health, and a reduced risk of…

If you’re like us, the couch is a central part of your at-home time. Whether we’re sitting down  to watch TV, read a good book or get a little work done, we spend many hours on the trusty piece of furniture. But could our couch be a source of cancer? Susan Kasper, Ph.D. and associate professor at the University of Cincinnati, says yes. Since 2008, Kasper has been studying the effects of Firemaster 550, a common flame-retardant chemical used in couches, on human prostate cancer cells. What did she discover? Here’s the four findings  you need to know: Firemaster 550…

Stroke is the third-leading cause of death for women in the U.S., but most women may not know the stroke symptoms and risk factors that are unique to females. Researchers at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center in Columbus surveyed 1,000 women about stroke. Among the findings: Only 11 percent knew birth control pills, migraine headaches, lupus, pregnancy and hormone replacement therapy increased their risk for stroke. Only 10 percent knew that hiccups with unusual chest pain were a stroke symptom experienced only by women. Nearly half of all women said they don’t know what problems females face after stroke.…

Researchers recognized some time ago that there’s a link between sleep deprivation, weight gain and the onset of Type 2 diabetes. A new study from the University of Chicago may have identified the mechanism tying those three conditions together. Researchers led by Dr. Esra Tesali, a physician at the University of Chicago Medical Center and lead author of the study, found that sleep deprivation led to elevated levels of certain fatty acids in the blood and pre-diabetic conditions in healthy young men. “At the population level, multiple studies have reported connections between restricted sleep, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes,”…

Happy Memorial Day! We hope you’re enjoying a day off at home with your family or friends. Since Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off to summer each year, here are a few reminders to keep your skin safe while you’re outside. As we shake the dust off our shorts, t-shirts and summer dresses and spend extra time outside, our skin is being exposed to more UV rays. And trying to get a “base tan” before you hit the beach will  overexpose your body’s largest organ to deadly radiation before the summer even begins. Before you think you aren’t at risk…