Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Did you know that the number one cause of esophageal cancer in the United States is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? While GERD is common – between 30 and 40 Americans are affected by it each year – many patients believe that GERD isn’t impacting their overall health. Experts at St. Elizabeth Healthcare want to flip the script on that myth. April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month, and our Thoracic Surgery department is committed to educating the Northern Kentucky community on GERD and its direct connection to esophageal cancer. “GERD isn’t something to simply live with,” says Dr. Valerie Williams, Thoracic…

Occupational therapy is a critical aspect of caring for patients with neurologic disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and recovery from a stroke. As we recognize National Occupational Therapy Month in April, we also celebrate the role occupational therapists play in helping people with neurologic disorders live life to the fullest. Annette Erickson, OT/L, CLT, LSVT, an Occupational Therapist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare with specialized training in treating patients with Parkinson’s disease and lymphedema therapy, explains the role she plays in her patient’s lives. “Occupational therapy helps care for the whole person, not just their medical condition. We look at how…

We all know that it’s important to take care of our bodies – but what about our joints? Our rheumatology experts at St. Elizabeth Physicians weigh in with simple and practical tips to maximize your joint health each day. Get moving! It’s great to be active – just be aware that high-impact sports like basketball, soccer, volleyball and football can be tough on your joints, especially your knees. Wear supportive braces if you need to, invest in good shoes and make sure to listen to your body. Our experts recommend swimming, elliptical or yoga as non-impact alternatives to mix into…

You don’t need fancy equipment to get beach-body ready! Here are 10 exercises you can do to get fit. Right click and save the infographic below to share with your social media followers.

Keeping your eyes healthy as you age is a vital part of feeling your best and maintaining your quality of life. But, it is a fact of life your eyes are eventually affected by age. For some, changes in eyesight may happen in your 40s and 50s, but most people start experiencing age-related eye issues around 65 years of age. Dr. Michael Wehmann, an Ophthalmologist at St. Elizabeth Physicians, says, “The best way to maintain eye health as you age is to have a comprehensive eye exam regularly. The three most common types of age-related eye disease—cataracts, macular degeneration and…

The Disruptive Snorer Is there a snorer in your house? Whether it’s you, your partner or your child who is doing the snoring – it can disrupt the entire family’s sleep. St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s partnership with ENT & Allergy Specialists (ENTAS) is the answer to your household’s snoring situation. Our specialized staff of physicians can treat the full spectrum of sleep apnea in both children and adults. We are also uniquely trained in the treatment of nasal breathing problems. Sleep Apnea in Children Children with sleep apnea often have symptoms such as open mouth breathing, restless sleeping, loud snoring and…

Our feet are an important part of getting us through each day. But if you have a problem with your foot or ankle, it’s tricky to know who to turn to for help. For members of the Northern Kentucky community, the answer is close to home: St. Elizabeth Physicians Podiatry. Our team of podiatry specialists see patients with a variety of foot and ankle issues, ranging from painful foot and ankle arthritis to soft tissue issues, traumatic injuries or diabetic foot ulcerations. Foot and Ankle Health Many of us have heard of podiatrists – but do you really know what…

Running in the Heart Mini this weekend? Avoid injury before and after your run with these helpful warm-up and cool-down exercise infographics. Right click and save the infographics below to share with your social media followers.

If you’re an athlete, you might be familiar with the role an athletic trainer plays in getting you ready to play and making sure you receive the proper treatment should you get injured. But, with the power of an electronic health record, St. Elizabeth Healthcare is taking athletic training to the next level—injury prevention. Ben Felz with NKU Men’s Basketball and Jeff Carpenter with NKU Women’s Basketball, describe how St. Elizabeth is working with schools, coaches and teams to prevent injury. “Our athletic trainers are assigned to specific schools, so they spend a lot of time with the coaches and…

On March 3, 2019, St. Elizabeth Healthcare will proudly join in on the 5th annual World Birth Defect Day to spread global awareness on birth defect prevention, care and research. Birth defects are considered any physical, chemical or anatomical defect present at birth, affecting how the child’s organs and other body processes develop and function. The focus of the World Birth Defects Day organization is to raise awareness that birth defects are common, costly and critical. Their mission is to share vital information about birth defects to urge more surveillance, research, prevention and care for individuals with birth defects and…