Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Heart valve disease can lead to serious complications if not properly treated, but with early detection and advanced treatment options, many patients can successfully manage their condition. The Structural Heart & Valve Center offers the latest treatments for heart valve disease, including minimally invasive options. Dive deeper with Dr. Michael Kasten, MD, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, as he shares his insights into the causes, types and treatment options for heart valve disease. Q: What is Heart Valve Disease? “Heart valve disease is a condition where valves either become tighter or leaky, which is stenosis or insufficiency,” Dr.…

Every woman’s health journey is unique, but there’s one thing we all share — a need to prioritize preventive care. If you feel too busy and keep pushing your health to the back burner, now is the time to make it a priority. Taking charge of your health starts with staying on top of recommended screenings. These can help catch potential health concerns early and give you the best chance for successful treatment. Yet, many women may not know when to start certain screenings or assume they’re unnecessary as they age. Whether it’s mammograms, Pap smears or bone density testing, staying…

Staying on top of your health means making time for an annual gynecologist visit. Abby Loftus-Smith, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist with St. Elizabeth Healthcare, says, “It’s not just about Pap smears — it’s a full spectrum of care.” Many women wonder if a yearly appointment is necessary if they’re healthy. And guidelines for certain screenings, like Pap smears and mammograms, may seem unclear. Dr. Loftus-Smith clarifies, “A gynecologist can walk you through the pros and cons of screenings. We help you make decisions based on your family history or risk factors. It’s about catching things early when treatment is most effective.”…

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections, affecting millions of people every year. In fact, nearly 50–60% of women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Health. Cara Elmer-Lyon, MD, a urogynecologist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, explains the science behind these symptoms. “Bacteria make their way up into the bladder and cause symptoms like burning when you pee, pressure and feeling like nothing’s coming out. You constantly feel like you have to pee.” Despite being so common, UTIs are often misunderstood or left untreated. This can lead to recurrent infections…

You’re eating what you’ve always eaten. Your exercise routine hasn’t changed. Yet, you’re putting on weight. What gives? If you’re in menopause, it’s likely hormonal changes are partly to blame. Unfortunately, the same factors that cause weight gain during menopause make it more challenging to shed pounds. So, what’s a menopausal woman to do? Read on. The Menopause-Weight Gain Connection During menopause, your ovaries produce less estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that plays a significant role in regulating your metabolism and body fat distribution. Less of it can mean that: Other Factors That Lead to Weight Gain During Menopause Most…

You spend hours tossing and turning in bed. Or maybe you fall asleep quickly, then lie awake for hours in the middle of the night. You finally drift off at 5:30 a.m., only to awaken to your alarm clock 45 minutes later. How can something as simple as sleep be so complicated — and frustrating? Is Insomnia Common in Menopausal Women? Insomnia — a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall or stay asleep — is common in adults. If you’re a woman who is approaching menopause or already experiencing “the change of life,” chances are you’re all too familiar with this…

It was a beautiful Friday in September, and Shelly Emrick was in her element, volunteering at a community service event. As the crowd grew, a fellow volunteer asked her to sign up for a carotid artery screening. The St. Elizabeth Healthcare CardioVascular Mobile Health Unit was parked nearby, waiting for its first “customer,” she explained. “Just get the ball rolling,” the volunteer said. “It’ll take you five minutes.” “Is Everything All Right?” The possibility of having vascular disease didn’t even cross Shelly’s mind. She was 54 years old, eats healthily, exercises and has never smoked. “I climbed into the mobile…

David, a Kentucky-born Permanent Deacon now living in Ohio, spent decades battling a smoking addiction that controlled his life. Starting in college, his habit grew to two packs a day. It left him breathless, coughing constantly and worried about his health. When a low-dose CT scan at St. Elizabeth showed lung abnormalities and loved ones encouraged him to quit, David knew it was time. That decision led him to the St. Elizabeth Freedom from Smoking program — and transformed his life. The Turning Point: A Personal Call to Quit Years of coughing and declining health weren’t David’s only reasons to quit.…

Childbirth can be a magical event. It can also be overwhelming and stressful. For first-time and veteran moms, compassionate, knowledgeable support and personalized care with an individualized birth plan, ensure that every birth experience is both unforgettable and positive. That’s why Markie and Angelica delivered their babies at the St. Elizabeth Family Birth Place. From conversations with friends and loved ones, they knew it would provide a warm, welcoming environment. They were confident in the Family Birth Place’s commitment to putting mother and baby first. “Everyone I know delivered their babies at St. Elizabeth, and I’d heard good things about…

Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is challenging enough. But what if you weren’t sure your treatment center was right for you? In this episode of Rounding with Patients, you’ll meet Larry and Holly, who faced this unsettling question. Learn why they decided to come to the Yung Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth — even though it meant crossing the river and traveling to Edgewood, Ky. Q: Why Did You Switch Your Cancer Care to St. Elizabeth? Holly and Larry were already receiving cancer treatment elsewhere when they began to wonder if they were in the best place for their…