When you think you might have a heart condition, you want care from the top specialists in the region. However, when you have to travel a long distance for testing or a routine appointment, it can be cumbersome.
Saint Francis Medical Center offers convenient cardiac outreach clinics... Read more
The primary function of tonsils and adenoids is to help the immune system develop antibodies to prevent childhood diseases. Tonsils are located in the back of the throat, while adenoids are in the back of the nose.
“Tonsils are most functional between the ages of 18 months... Read more
Thirty years ago, your best tools to lose weight and stay in shape were a pen and paper. Now, there are apps to help you keep track of every aspect of staying healthy.
“I tell some of my patients about the Lose It! app, which helps you... Read more
If you suffer from heart disease, you may also be at risk for hypothyroidism, a disorder in which the thyroid produces too little thyroid hormone.
"Hypothyroidism can cause significant cardiac symptoms, especially for people who already have heart disease," says Ahmad Z. Sheikh, MD, FACE, ENCU, CCD, endocrinologist at... Read more
Hypertension may be viewed as being primary (essential) hypertension or as being secondary hypertension. Essential hypertension does not have an easily identifiable or specific cause and can usually be controlled with two or three drugs.
Secondary hypertension is caused by something which may be correctable. In patients... Read more
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but when you know all the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, you can save a life.
“A heart attack does not always begin with chest pain,” says Duc T. Nguyen, DO, interventional cardiologist... Read more
If you are training for a race, you may want to see a personal trainer at Saint Francis Medical Center's Fitness Plus. "When you work out by yourself, you tend to stay in your comfort zone," says Carlen Mulholland, PhD, ATC, personal trainer at Fitness Plus. "Personal trainers... Read more
Allergies are not confined to the spring and fall – many people suffer from indoor allergies that become worse during the winter. "When you start using your furnace, it may release particles into the air that can trigger an allergic reaction," says Robert W. Dodson, MD,... Read more
Each year, one out of every three older adults experiences a fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While icy weather is certainly a culprit, many of these falls occur at home – and can often be prevented. Here are seven ways... Read more
A bone density test determines whether a person is at risk for osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become fragile and break more easily. Saint Francis Medical Center’s Womancare offers bone density tests for men and women who have obtained referrals from their physicians.
Most insurance companies cover... Read more
Do you want to keep the flu out of your house this winter? Try these six tips to fight the flu:
Get a flu shot. “Everyone over six months of age should be vaccinated against influenza,” says Stephen Nagy, MD, internal medicine physician at Physicians Park Primary... Read more
Saint Francis Medical Center celebrated the delivery of its first baby in 2015. At 3:54 am on Thursday, January 1, 2015, a baby boy was welcomed into the world by proud mother Carolyn Shane of Marble Hill, Mo., and caring Family BirthPlace nursing staff.
Kimberly K. Roos,... Read more
An umbilical hernia occurs when part of the intestine bulges through a weak spot in the belly. It is most common in infants, but adults can experience umbilical hernias as well.
In infants, the hernia usually closes on its own by 12 to 18 months. Very rarely,... Read more
Sometimes, doctors need to perform computed tomography (CT) scans or X-rays on very sick children to obtain images of their internal organs and bones. While these scans do contain some radiation, staff at Saint Francis Medical Center take extra precautions to ensure children are exposed to... Read more
Infections can be a big problem for patients who have recently undergone surgery.
Saint Francis Medical Center provides a video for patients detailing what they can expect before surgery and how they can best care for their surgical sites.
“Washing hands is key,” says Charles Edward LaValle III,... Read more
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. About one in eight women will develop cancer during their lifetime. While researchers do not know why cancer occurs, they have identified several factors that increase a person’s risk for breast cancer.
Being... Read more
Patients with pre-existing diabetes or those who develop gestational diabetes need to carefully monitor their glucoses to have the best outcome for their babies. This often involves testing the blood glucoses frequently. Controlling glucose levels can decrease the risk of additional complications of pregnancy, including preeclampsia... Read more
If you have a history of heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you should participate in a regular cardiac risk assessment. This can occur during a routine physical examination with your primary care physician, or during an office visit with a cardiologist.
“Our primary... Read more
If you feel tired all the time, there could be a medical reason … or you might just be taking on too much in your life. Here are some reasons you could be experiencing fatigue:
Underactive thyroid: Called “hypothyroidism,” this condition occurs when your body does not... Read more
The last thing any person wants after returning home from the hospital is to be readmitted. Saint Francis is beginning a new nursing model that aims to provide more targeted care to reduce the number of readmissions.
Under this model, called Practice Partners, registered nurses (RNs) and... Read more