Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Did you know a mother can burn 500-800 calories a day if she breastfeeds her child without using formula or water supplements? That’s a great statistic if you’re a new mom concerned with losing pregnancy weight, but it’s important to take care of yourself while taking care of your new little one. The American Academy of Pediatrics shares this list of nutrient-rich foods for nursing moms: Calcium: dairy products, calcium-fortified foods, leafy green vegetables or dried beans Vitamin D: fortified foods Protein: lean meats, fatty fish, eggs, dried beans, nuts and nut butters Iron: leafy green vegetables, meat, fish and…

The tongue. What can we say? It’s a vital muscle that helps us eat and speak. And, now we’re learning it can reveal important information about our health. Health Care Above All provides a list of the ten most common changes of your tongue. Go on and take a look in the mirror, we won’t tell. Just keep in mind, if you’ve recently had a red or purple slushy, these won’t apply to you. 1. Normal Tongue ““ Pink, without any traces and color imbalance, with clear and normal layers. Everything is working just fine. 2. Thin White Layer, Visible…

A seldom-seen virus that usually just causes the sniffles is sending hundreds of children to doctors’ offices and emergency rooms across the U.S. Enterovirus D68, an uncommon member of a very common group of viruses, is believed to be the culprit behind an outbreak of respiratory illness that’s spiking in a dozen states across the US. Most kids will be over the infection in about a week, experts say. But parents need to be on the lookout for signs that children with what looks like a summer cold are having difficulty breathing. If a child is wheezing or has a…

Headache sufferers often limit activities because of fear that a headache will pop up and interfere with whatever is planned. You can take steps to manage your headaches and improve your life. Change your lifestyle Small lifestyle changes can have a big impact on your headache symptoms. Start with one or two on the list and begin adding others: Maintain a BMI of less than 30 Exercise daily to decrease stress and reduce tension held in the muscles Establish a consistent sleep routine Recognize your triggers and avoid them Avoid any form of nicotine Refrain from skipping meals Seek professional…

Cincinnati rates among the top cities in the nation for parks and recreation ““ that includes our amazing hiking trails. Hiking is the perfect activity for family bonding time ““ and it comes with added health benefits. A hike that gets your heart rate up will lower your risk of heart disease, improve your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, build strength in your muscles and core, improve balance, and help control weight. Here are a few must-see trails in Greater Cincinnati: Ault Park Cincinnati’s fourth largest park  has beautiful gardens, scenic overlooks, well-manicured lawns and ““ of course ““…

Shingles is a condition involving an outbreak of a rash or blisters on the skin. It is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. People who have had chicken pox in the past are at risk for developing shingles later because the virus remains inactive in certain nerve cells of the body. A person must already have had a case of chicken pox in order to develop shingles. Unfortunately, not everyone knows for certain if they have had chicken pox. About one in three people in the U.S. will develop shingles. About half of all shingles cases occur…

Keeping diabetes in check, be it type 1 or type 2, is a lot of work. A well-chosen care team can help patients track of their diets, exercise and medications ““ all key components in managing diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends these core members be included on your care team: A primary care physician experienced in treating diabetes. Your primary care doctor can also refer you to other specially-trained health professionals who will make up your care team. A certified diabetes educator (CDE), or specially trained nurse, doctor, podiatrist, pharmacist or other providers. They will teach you the ins…

In case you missed it, NBC News aired an exclusive interview this week with Ebola survivor, Dr. Kent Brantly. We find his story of human survival and recovery inspiring and will be watching the full interview when it airs tomorrow night, September 5. As we watch as cases are still being reported (none of which have been reported in the United States), we can’t help but ask ourselves, what are my chances of being exposed to the virus, a severe and often fatal disease? “We’ve received a few calls with questions about Ebola,” said Patricia Burns, RN, CIC, manager of…

Trying to find something fun to make for dinner tonight? We’ve got you covered. A few simple ingredients and steps and you’ll have dinner that is both social and delicious. Whether it’s for the family, a friend get together or a neighborhood party, everyone will have fun assembling their own. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breasts 2 Bell peppers, cut into strips ½ yellow onion, cut into strips 4 whole wheat flour tortillas 1 pkt fajita seasoning mix 1 Tbsp canola oil Condiments: salsa, fat-free sour cream, lettuce, diced tomato Directions: Bake the chicken breasts in the oven at 375 degrees…

We hear the claims about probiotics from Dr. Oz and see the articles on Facebook. Friends say adding more probiotics to their diet has had a huge impact. But, what exactly are probiotics? Probiotics are living microorganisms (one-cell living beings) frequently referred to as “cultures” that are usually bacteria, but can include yeast as well. Probiotics encourage: Proper development of the immune system Digestion of food and absorption of nutrients Absorption vitamins and minerals Elimination of toxins Prevention the overgrowth of yeast and other pathogens A little gut lesson” The gut has a big influence on health because it has…