Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

As the fall sports season swings into full gear, many athletes are thinking about training and conditioning so they can prevent a season-ending ACL injury. ACL stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament and it connects your thigh bone and shin bone, running through your knee. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, football, basketball, soccer and downhill skiers who participate in competitive games have an increased risk for ACL injuries. The biggest myth for preventing ACL injury is you need to have strong knees Kathy Boehmer PT, MHS, SCS, ATC, Specialty Program Coordinator Sports Medicine, for St. Elizabeth Healthcare, emphasizes…

Core Strength—The Key to Balance and Overall Function Do you feel uncoordinated when you are carrying the laundry basket down stairs? Are you uneasy as you use the step stool to reach the top shelf? Or are you constantly avoiding any risk because you are afraid you may hurt yourself? Those are all normal as you age, but you can avoid those worries if you do one thing—strengthen your core. In September, we recognize balance awareness week even though balance is something so many people take for granted. Kathy Boehmer PT, MHS, SCS, ATC, Specialty Program Coordinator for St. Elizabeth…

Many women prefer fashion over function. You squeeze your feet into your three-inch stilettos to look great in your little black dress. Or wear pumps to work every day to look more polished in your suit. But have you stopped to consider you could be doing lasting damage to your feet? Dr. James Morrow a Podiatrist with St. Elizabeth Physicians, agree that while high heels may look cute, there are several injuries they could cause. Foot and toe pain—The angle a high-heel shoe puts your foot in could cause short-term or even chronic pain. Dr. Morrow says, “The influence of…

Your sweet, snuggly baby has just arrived and you are basking in all their newborn wonder. They look perfect and they are acting like a brand-new baby should – so why undergo the newborn screening when everything seems normal? “Every child – even those who look perfectly healthy at birth – needs to have the newborn screening,” says Teri Wilde, Nurse Manager for Mother Baby Postpartum at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “The screening can detect conditions that are not visible at birth. Many of the illnesses that are included in the screening are rare, but early intervention and sometimes life-saving treatment…

It’s every parent’s nightmare: being in a car accident with your children in the car. According to Safe Seats for Kids, car crashes are the number one cause of death and injury for all children. Car seats help to absorb and spread the impact of the crash over a wider area than a seat belt alone. This helps protect the child’s body and their critically important brain and spinal cord. When a child is involved in a car accident*, their car seat can: Reduce the risk of death by 28%. Reduce the risk of injury by 71% to 82%. Booster…

Cheat meals are a controversial topic when talking about weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Some dietitians may recommend them, and some may discourage them. Brittany Diehl, MS, RDN, LD, registered dietitian at the St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center says, “There is no true definition to a cheat meal. It can mean something different to everyone but some strategies can keep your healthy lifestyle on track if you choose a cheat meal.” There is no one-size-fits-all formula – for some people, a small piece of chocolate can address cravings, and someone else may need a cheeseburger. How much and…

When you think of the fall season, you may think of the beautiful changing leaves or the cool, crisp air. But if you are like thousands of other people, you are thinking “The Good Doctor,” “This is Us” and “Dancing with the Stars.” As you begin to plan your time sitting in front of the tube watching your favorite TV series and the fall premiere, don’t let your diet suffer. Rachel Wagner, MS, LD, a licensed dietitian at the St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center, advises when the weather starts to cool and you want to hibernate in front of…

“I have a lot to live for” Overcoming adversity has been a constant in Robert Gross’ young life. Now 23, he watched his mom struggle with cancer from the time he was born. She passed away in 2015. Robert’s parents divorced when he was 5 years old. His older sister has cerebral palsy and has had multiple surgeries over the years. Robert has Asperger’s syndrome and turned to food during his childhood as a way of seeking comfort and enjoyment. With constant snacking and poor eating habits, he grew to weigh 403 lbs. by his high school graduation. He managed…

St. Elizabeth Healthcare is committed to being the healthiest community in Kentucky. One important way to achieve that goal is vaccinations. Being immunized helps to keep both children and adults healthy, avoiding missed school and work days while providing protection from communicable illnesses for the entire community. Proper Vaccination Prevents Diseases Dr. Robert Tracy, a Family Medicine Physician at St. Elizabeth for more than 30 years, believes that one of the greatest advances in modern healthcare is the development of immunizations. “It is so important for children and adults to be immunized to protect against life-threatening and debilitating diseases,” says…

A cancer diagnosis can be both confusing and overwhelming. At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we understand what a challenging time this is for you and your loved ones. We are here to not only offer compassionate and skilled medical care but also support and education to our oncology patients and their families. What is Radiation Therapy? According to the National Cancer Institute, radiation is a type of cancer treatment that shrinks tumors and kills or slows the growth of cancer cells with very high doses of radiation. Radiation Therapy: The Steps Many times, it helps to know the path ahead. While each…