Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Facts show that men don’t visit the doctor as often as women, even though men are more prone to serious illnesses. Men are 1.5 times more likely than women to die from Heart disease Cancer Lung disease Change the statistics with the following simple steps Establish a relationship with a healthcare provider ““ be proactive and set the appointment when you aren’t sick. Get the screenings (screenings are tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms.   Blood pressure checks and tests for high blood cholesterol are examples of screenings) and immunizations you need at the times recommended by…

Most of us could stand to drop a few pounds. But for people with Type 2 diabetes, weight loss is especially critical. Those extra pounds make it more difficult to control blood glucose levels, which, in turn, can lead to complications down the road. Fad diets take weight off fast, but the weight loss doesn’t usually last, and yo-yo dieting makes managing blood sugar almost impossible, according to the American Diabetes Association. Slow, steady weight loss – anywhere from half a pound to two pounds a week – is the key, according to the ADA. For most people, that means…

Chicken is my go-to protein for dinner if I don’t have anything else planned. It’s a staple for households across the country because it’s so lean and versatile. But, plain old chicken breast can get well, old. BuzzFeed offers 23 delicious ways to cook boneless chicken breast, and we’re drooling over all of them. They also look relatively healthy, which is an added bonus. Here are just a few that we’re going to try sooner rather than later: Hummus-crusted chicken: Light for when you’re eating late Slow cooker salsa verde chicken: Great for taco night Chicken with five-ingredient teriyaki sauce:…

Being connected 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It can be draining, lead to inefficiency and affect your sleep when you use your device right before bed. According to CNN Health, your favorite electronic device engages your brain so much “that it makes it much harder to fall asleep.” “Simply reading an email or text in the middle of night can take your brain from 0-60 very quickly.” It’s hard to then slow it down. Here are a few tips to get a better night’s sleep: Unplug…

Fall is the perfect time to get outside and exercise. The humid summer weather is behind us and we haven’t spotted a snowflake just yet. Need a little extra motivation? Print out this Couch to 5K training program, then register for one of six great races in October. 1. Loop for Lana 5K ““ October 4 Where: Crestview Hills, Ky. When: October 4, 9 a.m. What: This race benefits the Elana Brophy Memorial Fund. Elana died of pediatric cancer in 2002, and this is a great race to support efforts to cure childhood cancer. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Hospital. Terrain:…

One of the scariest things you can hear from your doctor is: “You have cancer.” Processing the diagnosis can take time, and you will feel overwhelmed with a wide range of emotions and questions. That’s natural and understandable. As questions and concerns arise it’s good to write them down prior to meeting with your physician or oncologist. It’s also good to think about and decide how involved you want to be in the decision-making process. You may decide to learn only the basics about your cancer and leave the decisions to your doctor. Or you may want to be very…

Toothpaste brands do a great job selling “whitening” products. Anything from strips and gels to toothpastes and trays that claim to bring you noticeably whiter teeth in two weeks, ten days or even one hour. I’ve tried the strips before and believe they helped, or at least that’s what I tell myself. Whether you use an at-home whitening agent or have your dentist whiten your teeth to make them look healthier, it’s good to know what foods may cause discoloration, and damage the health of your teeth. The American Dental Association shares this list of foods and drinks that can…

As many as a million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease, a chronic neurological disorder that affects voluntary movement, balance and speech. The disease, which gets more severe over time, is more common in men than women, and usually develops after age 50. Shortly before his death, actor Robin Williams, 63, learned he had Parkinson’s disease, a chronic neurological disorder that affects speech, balance and voluntary movement. Parkinson’s occurs when certain brain cells begin to malfunction and then die off. As those cells die, a shortage of the brain chemical dopamine develops. Dopamine plays many roles in the body’s function, including…

Fall allergies tax the immune system, and can generally make us feel lousy. Need relief from the fall sniffles? Here are a few evidence-based interventions that might actually help: Fall allergens Weed pollen, including ragweed, sagebrush, pigweed, tumbleweed (Russian thistle) and cocklebur Mold from decaying leaves and other dying foliage Pet dander and dust mites Change your environment Wash comforters and blankets, vacuum mattresses and box springs, change pillows, and clean your vents Clean your furnace and install a fresh filter Vacuum your carpets to get rid of dust mites and pet dander Keep the windows closed Ask a friend…

Foot care is a critical issue for people with diabetes. The disease damages blood vessels, and that damage means blood can’t get to diabetics’ feet and lower legs. Impeded blood flow means the tissue becomes damaged and more vulnerable to infections, neuropathy and other injuries that can lead to amputations. Diabetes is the leading cause of amputations that aren’t related to trauma and other injuries. The American Diabetes Association recommends diabetics get their feet examined by a doctor ““ either their primary care physician or a podiatrist ““ at least annually. Here are their tips for proper foot care: Keep…