Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Has the word “poop” or maybe a poop joke ever paid a visit to your dinner table? If so, hopefully when you’re at home and not out for dinner at a restaurant ““ how embarrassing. The topic can be uncomfortable for many, but for a four-year-old, it’s part of everyday toddler humor. At times, it can be a funny topic of conversation, but there are some real health aspects to pay attention to in regard to the color, shape and consistency of your bowel movements. “I share the Bristol Stool Chart with my patients,” said Dr. Susan Oakley, urogynecologist at…

Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make sure the kids have a BOO-tiful time on Halloween by preventing any BOO-hoos from happening. S  Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible. A  Avoid trick or treating alone. Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups. F  Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help children be…

Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem facing America’s youth and their parents. In order to prevent and raise awareness about drug-related incidents, the National Family Partnership is sponsoring its annual Lock Your Meds Day.  It’s a day for parents to pledge to talk to their kids about the dangers of taking medications without a prescription. Here are some tips from the Office of National Drug Control to make sure your kids and all of the kids that come into your home are safe: Dispose of leftover medications safely. If you’re unsure how, check out this article that has FDA-recommended…

The nights are getting cooler and we’ve been craving homemade soups and stews. This 45-minute chowder recipe we found from Eating Well is a healthier version of your traditional broccoli cheddar soup. It adds chicken, potatoes, onion and celery to make a chunkier and perhaps more satisfying meal. Each serving has 352 calories and offers Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium, potassium and folate. Once you’ve tried it, message us on Facebook or Twitter to let us know what you think.

Pregnancy can be a blissful time full of kicking babies, celebrating with family members and setting up the nursery. It can also be a difficult time filled with heartburn, back aches and nausea, all of which are worth what comes at the end, your new bundle of joy. But, there’s something else at the end of pregnancy that is worrisome for many first-time moms, and even second- and third-time moms ““ CHILDBIRTH. While labor never goes as planned, you can take steps to try to ease the pain like staying in shape, understanding pain relief options and trying to stay…

Salty snacks are one of my weaknesses, especially when it comes to potato chips. What’s not to love about the crunchy snack that goes perfectly with a sandwich or ice-cold beverage? Well, the calories and fat from potato chips aren’t much to love, but like anything else can be enjoyed in moderation. I personally prefer kettle-cooked chips and I was secretly hoping that they were healthier than regular chips. Unfortunately, this article from Huffington Post crushed my hopes. It states the chips are about equal when it comes to fat, calories and carbohydrates. The major difference between the two is…

You’ve likely seen pink ribbons all over in October, but what about the other colorful ribbons? Here is your guide to awareness ribbons. Did we miss any? Email us at stories@stelizabeth.com/healthyheadlines and let us know!

In the U.S., someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. Someone dies from a stroke, or “brain attack,” every four minutes, according to the National Stroke Association. Stroke happens when a blood clot blocks blood vessels in the brain, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts open. Either event disrupts the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to brain cells, which in turn, leads to brain cell death. Anyone can have a stroke, even babies. There are multiple risk factors for stroke. Some ““ age, gender, race and family history of stroke and related events ““ can’t be altered. But…

October is prime apple picking season in the Tri-State. Take advantage of this great opportunity to visit one of the many local apple orchards to pick your own apples. This outing is suitable for the entire family”adults pick off the tree and kids pick the low hanging fruit (which may mean off the ground for the littlest family members). Here is what you need to know before heading out to an orchard: Be prepared 1. Wear layers of clothing 2. Wear shoes or boots rather than sandals 3. Bring a recyclable bag or basket for every participant 4. Gather some…

There are several reasons women dread their menstrual cycles. This is probably not news. What could be news is that you may be handling your period symptoms, such as bloating, headaches, moodiness or tiredness, in all of the wrong ways. According to an article from Women’s Health Magazine, certain foods can help fight off some of these symptoms that accompany Aunt Flo’s visit each month. Does it surprise you that foods high in fiber actually help combat bloating? Or that bananas can help you sleep and ease the painfulness of cramps? Other foods that are good for your period diet…