Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Just about anything “stress, hormones, caffeine (or the lack of it), allergies, a pulled muscle” can cause a headache. Figuring out the type of headache and, in some cases the pain trigger, can go a long way toward short-circuiting your misery, according to the National Headache Foundation. Headache specialists divide headaches into two main types: primary, benign headaches like migraine or cluster headaches, and secondary headaches in which an underlying culprit an infected tooth, pinched nerve, or, rarely, a tumor ““ is causing the pain. Here are the facts on the four main types of primary benign headaches: Migraine More…

If you are in a group more likely to develop shingles and you spotted a rash, what do you do next? Contact your physician right away. He or she will provide antiviral medications that can shorten the duration and intensity of the shingles if taken early. Before you see your doctor: Keep the rash covered. Do not touch or scratch the rash. Wash your hands often to prevent the spread of the virus. Avoid contact with pregnant women who have never had chicken pox or the shingles vaccine; premature or low birth weight infants; and people with weak immune systems.…

People with Type 2 diabetes are almost always advised to lose weight, but sometimes just dropping pounds won’t help control the disease. Some people need, or choose, an intensive approach and enroll in medical weight management programs. Depending on the patient, the program might rely on a specialized diet, such as a liquid protein diet, or surgery, often in conjunction with a fitness program, classes on lifestyle modification and medication. Is gastric bypass surgery right for me? For people with Type 2 diabetes, one procedure stands out before the pounds even start coming off. Gastric bypass surgery is a…

With summer right around the corner, more folks are getting ready to grease the old bicycle chain, strap on a helmet and go for a ride around town. And with two more weeks in Bike Month, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to ride solo, with your family or with your significant other. Soapbox Media  has a great list of biking activities – from a happy hour in Walnut hills to a hill challenge in Over-the-Rhine. Many of these events recur weekly throughout the summer, so you have plenty of time to meet up with fellow cycling enthusiasts. Don’t own a…

Need a little motivation to get in shape this summer? Consider  registering  for a race happening in Greater Cincinnati  this July. One of these beginner training plans will help you prepare  for an upcoming 5K: 6-week training schedule  from Fitness Magazine 7-week training schedule  from the Mayo Clinic 8-week training schedule  from Runner’s World Picked your training program? Great! Time to register for a race: 1.  City of Edgewood & Tri-State Running Co. 2015 Independence Day 5K What: Join the annual Independence Day Edgewood 5K Where: Race starts and finishes at President’s Park, Edgewood, Kentucky When: Saturday, July 4…

Your child spending hours watching a favorite cartoon could lead to lifetime weight problems. Researchers at the Pediatric Academic Societies found sedentary behavior (like sitting through a marathon of Dora the Explorer) is linked directly to being overweight or obese as an adult. The research builds on several studies that link TV and weight gain across all age groups. One study found kindergartners who watched as little as an hour of television were 50 percent to 73 percent more likely to be obese, compared to their classmates who tuned in to their favorite show less than an hour a day.…

As parents, we try to make good choices for our kids. Unfortunately, many popular snack foods that seem healthy aren’t as nutritious as we may hope. From  reduced-fat peanut butter to cereal bars, we’re sure you’ll be surprised by at least one of the items on the Food Network’s  list. Were you surprised by any of the snacks? Let us know on Facebook!

As it gets warmer, those easy-to-grab, disposable water bottles may seem more tempting. You know it’s important to stay hydrated and remembering to bring your own refillable water bottle can be difficult. The Greatist and Camelbak have a pretty compelling argument why you should avoid disposable water bottles all together:

Having a premature baby can be scary. Your new little one seems so tiny and helpless – all you want to do is make sure he or she is happy and healthy. It can be especially difficult for parents of babies born very early, as the parents aren’t usually able to take an active role in caring for their new bundle of joy. That could soon change. The Wall Street Journal found several hospitals trying a new approach to “preemie” care. Rather than keeping parents from interacting with a child born weighing around one pound, hospitals in Canada, Australia, and…

It seems the degenerative brain diseases Parkinson’s and ALS could be linked to stomach problems. The Daily Beast  reports researchers may have found a connection  between digestive system inflammation and  these crippling conditions. Researchers at Rush University Medical Center and the University of California found gut permeability, more commonly referred to as “leaky gut” increases the production of a unique protein, which is a characteristic of both Parkinson’s and ALS. It seems inflammation in the digestive system may be an underlying factor in almost all degenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and even cancer.