Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

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…

We can all act like brats when we’re sick. And rightfully so. Feeling miserable is no fun. Next time you’re sick with a stomach bug, I’m giving you full permission to be a BRAT”” or at least to eat like one ““ you’ll be surprised that it actually helps you feel better. A nasty stomach virus made its rounds through our house over the weekend, with everything from vomiting to diarrhea. If you’re like me, you want to do what you can to get rid of it as quickly as possible and reduce the risk of it spreading to every…

Like many people, when I can’t sleep, I turn on reality television for a mindless distraction. Unfortunately, that did not work well a couple of weeks ago. While watching reruns of Keeping Up with the Kardashians (please, don’t judge!)  I stumbled on the episode in which Kim Kardashian develops psoriasis and discovers her mother had it as well. Any plans to fall asleep evaporated ““ I never realized psoriasis was a genetic disease, but I clearly remember my father developing it when he was in his early 30s. Since I recently celebrated my 29th birthday, I immediately started to wonder…

We’ve all stood in the freezer section or medicine aisle analyzing the differences between generic and name-brand pricing. Even taking the time to compare main ingredients, wondering if they taste the same or perform the same way. Often, we make decisions based on brand loyalty and perceived quality differences. But, how do we know if it is worth it? What do the experts say? NPR dug through the research and reported when pharmacists, doctors and chefs are likely to spend more money and when they decide to save the cash. We found it interesting that pharmacists and doctors are more…

It’s hard to walk down the street or even sit in an office without seeing someone with their earbuds listening to their iPhones, iPods, or whatever device they are attached to. For kids today, it’s almost part of their wardrobe. Earbuds can ultimately lead to hearing loss – but they don’t have to. We are born with five senses; these senses diminish as we age – particularly our sight and hearing. Two of the main factors that contribute to hearing damage and loss are sound levels and duration. Loud sounds over extended periods of time damage hearing. Any sound over…

Reading or hearing the words ‘Type 1 diabetes’ and ‘Type 2 diabetes’ can be quite confusing if you are unfamiliar with the disease. Knowing the differences between the two types will help you better understand how the disease affects your body or the body of a person you care about. Plus, learning more about Type 1 and Type 2 can give you insight on prevention and care. Remember, knowledge is power. [Tweet “Learning more about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can give you insight on prevention and care. Knowledge is power.”] According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), “Type…

Have you ever wondered what type of medical disorders endocrinologists evaluate and treat? Endocrinologists are specially trained physicians who have expertise diagnosing and caring for people who have endocrine and metabolism-related disorders. What those medical terms mean in everyday language is the endocrine system is in charge of the way your body functions. It produces hormones which then travel to all the different parts of your body to keep your tissues and organs healthy. Your body’s endocrine system includes: pancreas ovaries testes thyroid gland adrenal gland pituitary gland parathyroid gland pineal gland hypothalamus gland Glands in our bodies release hormones,…