Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Losing weight can be really difficult. It takes motivation, discipline, support and commitment. It also takes know-how. One way to get started is by cutting calories from your daily diet. This article from Health.com shares 25 ways to cut 500 calories a day. We picked out a few of our favorites: Don’t eat in front of the TV. If you’re watching TV, you aren’t thinking about what you’re putting in your mouth. This leads to mindless eating and lots of extra calories. Limit salad toppings. Cheese, candied nuts, dried fruit, croutons and certain dressings can add a lot of calories.…

Time is the enemy when a stroke occurs. The longer treatment is delayed, the higher the risk permanent brain damage can occur. The National Stroke Association urges you to act FAST when you suspect someone’s suffered a stroke so they can get treatment quickly. Here are the signs to look for: F, as in face: Facial droop; uneven smile. Paralysis or limited movement on one side of the face. A, as in arms: Arm numbness; arm weakness. Can also affect the legs on one side of the body. S, as in speech: Slurred speech; inability to speak or using the…

The e-cigarette, or electronic cigarette, was heralded as a breakthrough option for smokers who wanted to quit, cut back or still be able to legally smoke in public non-smoking areas. As you may have heard, there is recent controversy about e-cigarettes. Here’s the scoop” E-Cigarettes Many are shaped like an actual cigarette and the hand to mouth gestures, along with inhaling and exhaling of a vapor, mimics the behaviors used in smoking a real cigarette.  Other shapes resemble pipes and cigars, and some look like inhalers. Have been tried by as many as one-fifth of smokers. Do not produce smoke,…

About 54 million Americans have high enough blood sugar levels that they’re in serious danger of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, federal health data show. But treating pre-diabetes can prevent those health risks, according to the American Diabetes Association. The first step you should take after being diagnosed with pre-diabetes is to ask your doctor your exact blood glucose test results, according to the ADA. Pre-diabetes increases a person’s risk for developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Most people with pre-diabetes are told by their healthcare providers that they have either: Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) – a…

We all know bananas are a great smoothie addition and a great source of potassium. But, did you know they also help combat depression, cure hangovers, relieve morning sickness and even help protect your shoes? Below are several reasons from Food Matters  to pick up a bunch of bananas next time you’re  at the grocery store. Bananas reduce swelling, protect against Type 2 diabetes, aid weight loss, strengthen the  nervous system and help with the production of white blood cells, all due to high levels of vitamin B-6. Bananas help overcome depression due to high levels of tryptophan, which is…

Did you know there are nearly  90 million family caregivers in the United States, and  that number is growing? We’re recognizing these folks throughout November for National Family Caregivers Month. We kicked it off with a quiz to test your knowledge on family caregivers. Keep visiting stelizabeth.com/healthyheadlines  all month long for more tips! Last year, more than 15 million Americans provided unpaid daily care valued at $220 billion for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Caregiving is a big ““ sometimes overwhelming ““ job. As the disease progresses, and the patient’s symptoms grow more severe, caregivers,…

On Oct. 1, St. Elizabeth Physicians (SEP) began offering customers a new tool to better manage their healthcare decisions. The practice, which is made up of more than 400 providers in 32 specialties, will launch a new webpage that lets patients view how well the group performs on a variety of measures compared to national benchmarks. Visitors to www.stedocs.com/ratings can also see how providers scored on patient satisfaction surveys. More and more practices and hospitals are publicly reporting such measures as part of increasing trend toward transparency in healthcare. “St. Elizabeth Physicians believes it is important to be transparent with…

Most students need an annual physical before they can start school or play sports, but do you know what  the difference between a sports and an annual physical is? Before you schedule your child’s next appointment, check out the infographic below to learn more: Click here to schedule an appointment today.

The leaves are finally changing, which means fall is in full bloom. With just a few more months to take advantage of the outdoors, we’ve compiled four great fall festivals to enjoy with your family. Cincinnati: Shaw Farms Where: 1737 Ohio 131, Milford, OH 45150 What: Fun fall festival is open Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m. ““ 7 p.m. through October. They have plenty to do for all ages including an interactive playground, corn maze, hayrides and fresh pumpkins to choose from. Activities range $2 – $5/per person. Check out their Facebook page for more information, or call (513) 575-2022.…

Do you have a favorite song? One that you know all of the words to? Music, especially specific songs, play an important role in our lives. They can affect our moods, rev us up for a workout, soothe a broken heart and even give our mind a workout. Listening to music is good for the brain according to CNN Health and can be used in different forms of therapy. “When someone is asked to sing a song, many areas of the brain are triggered when trying to remember the lyrics.” That simple request forces the brain to carry messages from…