Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

A new layer was added to the flu shot debate ““ and it centers around moms-to-be. Like many of people, pregnant women may question whether or not they should get a flu shot, or maybe they don’t think of it at all. In August, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) called for all pregnant women to get a flu shot regardless of how far along they are in their pregnancy. The call to action came from updated guidelines by ACOG, and more evidence showing the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for pregnant women. “It is important to…

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Although more women have been diagnosed with breast cancer in recent decades, fewer women have died because of early diagnosis and better treatments. The cause of breast cancer is not known. A number of things increase your risk for breast cancer: Gender A woman is 100 times more likely than a man to contract breast cancer (although the disease affects men as well). Age The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. The majority of women with invasive breast cancer are 50 or older when diagnosed. Genetics Genes…

Whether you’re riding solo or cycling with kids, you’ll find a trail that’s perfect for you – right here in Greater Cincinnati. Check out some of our favorites below: Ohio River Trail”“ If your kids are begging to bike with you ““ or you’re dragging them ““ this is the perfect trail. The four-mile paved path sits right along the Ohio River and passes through several parks, by the Reds and Bengals stadiums and near many restaurants. The best part – the Ohio River Trail is pretty flat, making it a great fit for any ability level. While cruising…

They’re tasty, colorful and ““ usually ““ made with healthy ingredients. But, your daily smoothie can be hiding calories and contaminants. Try these six tips to keep your smoothie tasty ““ and healthy: Use fresh, local fruits and vegetables when possible. They contain the most nutrition and taste better. Wash your fruit and vegetables in a mild soapy dishwashing liquid and rinse thoroughly to eliminate bacteria, fungus and insect larvae. That includes bananas! Choose frozen items that do not contain sugar or preservatives if you crave an ingredient that is not in season. Thicken your smoothie with coconut milk, almond…

We know how busy you are. From rushing home to pick up the kids to dealing with household chores and helping with homework, you barely have time to make dinner, let alone plan a healthy menu and take a trip to the store. BuzzFeed takes the guesswork out of meal planning this week with a list of seven quick and healthy dinners. Now, you just need to find time to go to the store. Trust us, your tummy ““ and your waistline ““ will appreciate it! Maybe you can even sneak in a few minutes of peace and quiet on…

The chilly Ice Bucket Challenge is lighting up social media and raising funds and awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease, in honor of the baseball great who contracted ALS. So far, the challenge has raised more than $41 million for the ALS Association. ALS is a fatal progressive neuromuscular disease that affects motor neurons ““ specialized cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movements. As the disease progresses over time, motor neurons die off and can no longer send the messages that control muscle movement, leading to muscle weakness, involuntary twitching and…

The news of Robin Williams’ death spurred an infinite amount of news articles, opinion pieces, social media postings and tributes. Among the most thoughtful stories we read came from right here in Greater Cincinnati that first appeared on Facebook and then on WCPO.com by a talented local illustrator who was diagnosed with manic-depression more than 14 years ago. “My manic-depression, like most mental illness, is biological and congenital,” writes Kevin Necessary. “My DNA could have dictated that I have cerebral palsy or a predetermination to Crohn’s disease. Instead, it gave me mood swings. It’s chemical and there are ways to…

Aging is something none of us want to face. We understand everyone goes through it and its part of getting older, but we often think, “that won’t happen to me.” If you’re worried about aging, we found this interesting list from BuzzFeed, 11 Foods That May Be the Fountain of Youth, that can help in your fight against wrinkles and sagging. These foods may help with anything from repairing your skin to keeping your brain young to strengthening your bones and protecting your eyes. We found several new tidbits, like how sweet potatoes can keep your skin firm, oats can…

Looking for something new to make for dinner during the work week? This yummy summer dish requires little prep time and includes fruits, vegetables and protein. Tilapia makes for a quick and easy-to-prepare protein that is very versatile. It’s also a great source of many essential vitamins and minerals and contains good types of fats. Besides cooking the tilapia, the only other prep time required is to cut up the fruit for the salsa. Enjoy! Salsa: ½ can (8-oz size) crushed pineapple in juice, drained, juice reserved 1 cup fresh strawberries, stems removed, halved ¼ cup diced cucumber 2 tbsp…

It’s a never-ending struggle ““ you want to get in shape, but the gym membership is just too expensive. Rather than being forced to decide between your fitness and your financial well-being, try these low to no cost exercise options. Lunken Airport Playfield ““ Watch planes take off and land around you while you walk, run, bike or blade the five-mile Lunken Airport Playfield loop. Most of the loop is flat, but be ready for one hill that will leave you breathless by the time you reach the top. The loop is a good option for someone just starting to…