Nosebleeds are most common among children ages 2 to 10 and adults ages 50 to 80. Most are not serious, but if you have been experiencing repeated nosebleeds – or additional bleeding in other parts of your body, such as in your stool or urine –... Read more
Over the years, researchers have improved chemotherapy drugs so the side effects are minimal. For drugs that cause unpleasant side effects, doctors have ways to help you while undergoing treatment.
"Each person reacts differently to medications," says Carlos Robles, MD, medical oncologist / hematologist, Saint Francis Medical... Read more
When you are an inpatient at Saint Francis Medical Center, a hospitalist (doctor who is based at the Medical Center) cares for you and manages your treatment. But when you leave the hospital, your primary care physician will direct any follow-up care.
“Before you return home, your... Read more
Rashes are common and could indicate many different types of issues, including allergic reactions to medications or plants, eczema, extreme heat and viruses. But how do you know when you should seek medical treatment?
“If you cannot easily identify the cause of the rash – such as... Read more
A herniated disk occurs when one of the cushions between the bones in your spine slips out of place, sometimes causing pain in your arm or leg. In most cases, you will be able to relieve the pain using medications and physical therapy.
“Depending on your level... Read more
Five years ago, Steven Berry could not even walk, let alone dance. “Every time I put my foot on the ground, it hurt so much I could hardly stand it,” says the Buncombe, Ill. resident.
After undergoing a total knee replacement at Saint Francis Medical Center in... Read more
Saint Francis Medical Center is always thinking of how better to accommodate its patients, their families and visitors. The "Right Way" program involves numbering our points of entrance, revamping internal signage and reinforcing assistance from our staff to our visitors.
As the Medical Center has rapidly expanded, we... Read more
While your primary care physician typically is the “hub” of your healthcare management in everyday life, a hospitalist will manage your care while you are an inpatient at Saint Francis Medical Center. A hospitalist is an internal medicine or family practice physician who only treats patients... Read more
Cystic fibrosis is a disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. Early detection can make a big difference in the treatment of this life-threatening condition.
Doctors routinely screen newborns for cystic fibrosis using a blood test that checks for abnormally high levels of... Read more
Bursitis is when the fluid-filled sacs – called bursa – between your bones, muscles and tendons become inflamed. It most commonly occurs in the shoulders, elbows and hips and can cause a great amount of pain. However, with proper treatment, it usually goes away within a... Read more
Studies have shown that exercising for short periods of time can be just as good for your health as exercising for 30 minutes or more. One of these studies focused on people who have prehypertension – a condition that is the precursor to high blood pressure.
Erica... Read more
While smoking is the No. 1 risk factor for lung cancer, smokers are not the only people who fall prey to this serious disease. Secondhand smoke, exposure to asbestos and radon, air pollution, tuberculosis and genetics can all contribute to a person’s risk for lung cancer.
“There... Read more
This July, residents of the Cape Girardeau region will finally see what all the excitement is about. Saint Francis Medical Center’s new, five-story patient Tower will be open and ready for its first occupants at the beginning of the month.
The patient Tower with dedicated areas for... Read more
A sty is a bacterial infection on or in your eye that causes red, painful swelling. It can be located on the outside or inside of the eyelid.
Most sties heal on their own in about a week. In the meantime, you can reduce pain and swelling... Read more
If you want to pack your diet full of important nutrients, add more green vegetables to each meal.
“Green vegetables are valuable sources of vitamins A and C, folate, fiber and potassium,” says Matthew Riffle, MD, internal medicine physician at Physicians Park Primary Care.
“In addition, they... Read more
Most people who visit the emergency room do not have true emergencies, but rather "urgencies:" Injuries or illnesses that are not life-threatening, but need quick attention. Those include ankle sprains, cuts, high fevers and ear infections.
In the ER, patients with true emergencies such as stroke, heart... Read more
Parents whose newborns are in Saint Francis Medical Center’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit need not feel alone: Neonatologists at Saint Francis use information gathered from nearly 1,000 NICUs to help optimize care for each infant.
The Medical Center is part of the Vermont Oxford Network... Read more
Childbirth can be a long, painful process, and having a labor support person is crucial for a new mom. The support person can be a spouse, friend, relative or other important person, but he or she should be available for the duration of the labor.
“A laboring... Read more
A person can drown even after exiting the water in a rare occurrence called secondary drowning. It is important to know the signs of secondary drowning so you can seek help for someone you love as quickly as possible.
“Secondary drowning occurs when fluid builds up in... Read more
Acid reflux occurs when acid splashes back out of the stomach into the esophagus during digestion. It can cause a burning chest pain called heartburn, which creates discomfort for hours after eating.
You can take simple steps to prevent or lessen the effects of acid reflux, beginning... Read more
Nosebleeds are most common among children ages 2 to 10 and adults ages 50 to 80. Most are not serious, but if you have been experiencing repeated nosebleeds – or additional bleeding in other parts of your body, such as in your stool or urine –... Read more
When you are an inpatient at Saint Francis Medical Center, a hospitalist (doctor who is based at the Medical Center) cares for you and manages your treatment. But when you leave the hospital, your primary care physician will direct any follow-up care.
“Before you return home, your... Read more
Rashes are common and could indicate many different types of issues, including allergic reactions to medications or plants, eczema, extreme heat and viruses. But how do you know when you should seek medical treatment?
“If you cannot easily identify the cause of the rash – such as... Read more
A herniated disk occurs when one of the cushions between the bones in your spine slips out of place, sometimes causing pain in your arm or leg. In most cases, you will be able to relieve the pain using medications and physical therapy.
“Depending on your level... Read more
Five years ago, Steven Berry could not even walk, let alone dance. “Every time I put my foot on the ground, it hurt so much I could hardly stand it,” says the Buncombe, Ill. resident.
After undergoing a total knee replacement at Saint Francis Medical Center in... Read more
Saint Francis Medical Center is always thinking of how better to accommodate its patients, their families and visitors. The "Right Way" program involves numbering our points of entrance, revamping internal signage and reinforcing assistance from our staff to our visitors.
As the Medical Center has rapidly expanded, we... Read more
While your primary care physician typically is the “hub” of your healthcare management in everyday life, a hospitalist will manage your care while you are an inpatient at Saint Francis Medical Center. A hospitalist is an internal medicine or family practice physician who only treats patients... Read more
Cystic fibrosis is a disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. Early detection can make a big difference in the treatment of this life-threatening condition.
Doctors routinely screen newborns for cystic fibrosis using a blood test that checks for abnormally high levels of... Read more
Bursitis is when the fluid-filled sacs – called bursa – between your bones, muscles and tendons become inflamed. It most commonly occurs in the shoulders, elbows and hips and can cause a great amount of pain. However, with proper treatment, it usually goes away within a... Read more
Studies have shown that exercising for short periods of time can be just as good for your health as exercising for 30 minutes or more. One of these studies focused on people who have prehypertension – a condition that is the precursor to high blood pressure.
Erica... Read more
While smoking is the No. 1 risk factor for lung cancer, smokers are not the only people who fall prey to this serious disease. Secondhand smoke, exposure to asbestos and radon, air pollution, tuberculosis and genetics can all contribute to a person’s risk for lung cancer.
“There... Read more
This July, residents of the Cape Girardeau region will finally see what all the excitement is about. Saint Francis Medical Center’s new, five-story patient Tower will be open and ready for its first occupants at the beginning of the month.
The patient Tower with dedicated areas for... Read more
A sty is a bacterial infection on or in your eye that causes red, painful swelling. It can be located on the outside or inside of the eyelid.
Most sties heal on their own in about a week. In the meantime, you can reduce pain and swelling... Read more
If you want to pack your diet full of important nutrients, add more green vegetables to each meal.
“Green vegetables are valuable sources of vitamins A and C, folate, fiber and potassium,” says Matthew Riffle, MD, internal medicine physician at Physicians Park Primary Care.
“In addition, they... Read more
Most people who visit the emergency room do not have true emergencies, but rather "urgencies:" Injuries or illnesses that are not life-threatening, but need quick attention. Those include ankle sprains, cuts, high fevers and ear infections.
In the ER, patients with true emergencies such as stroke, heart... Read more
Parents whose newborns are in Saint Francis Medical Center’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit need not feel alone: Neonatologists at Saint Francis use information gathered from nearly 1,000 NICUs to help optimize care for each infant.
The Medical Center is part of the Vermont Oxford Network... Read more
Childbirth can be a long, painful process, and having a labor support person is crucial for a new mom. The support person can be a spouse, friend, relative or other important person, but he or she should be available for the duration of the labor.
“A laboring... Read more
A person can drown even after exiting the water in a rare occurrence called secondary drowning. It is important to know the signs of secondary drowning so you can seek help for someone you love as quickly as possible.
“Secondary drowning occurs when fluid builds up in... Read more
Acid reflux occurs when acid splashes back out of the stomach into the esophagus during digestion. It can cause a burning chest pain called heartburn, which creates discomfort for hours after eating.
You can take simple steps to prevent or lessen the effects of acid reflux, beginning... Read more
