When you are admitted to Saint Francis Medical Center, you may be under the care of a hospitalist – an internal medicine physician who coordinates a hospital patient’s care. A hospitalist manages your hospital care, which may include assisting communication with specialists and primary care physicians.
“Before... Read more
There are many health conditions that can trigger low testosterone, including obesity, diabetes, kidney damage and changes in thyroid function. In many of these cases, your body is simply putting more effort into fighting a chronic condition than it is into producing testosterone.
“Another cause of low... Read more
When a person has an unusually large or cancerous lesion in his colon or another part of his gastrointestinal tract, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) can be an effective, minimally invasive method to remove that lesion.
“While a colonoscopy or polypectomy can be used to remove small polyps,... Read more
If you have heart disease, catching the flu can be dangerous and even deadly. This is because the flu can cause added stress to your body, which affects your blood pressure and heart function. A person with heart disease is also at high risk for stroke... Read more
Hundreds of babies will benefit from Saint Francis Medical Center’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Follow-up Clinic, thanks to funds from Saint Francis Foundation. The Follow-up Clinic follows NICU graduates at risk for developmental issues following their discharge from the NICU. The unit has... Read more
Bedtime battles can be exhausting for both parents and children. If you want to minimize conflict, establish a consistent routine.
Try to keep your routine to 30 minutes or less. Do the same activities in the same order every night – and stick to the same time.... Read more
If you think you are having a panic attack, pay very close attention to your symptoms: You may actually be experiencing a heart attack.
"In some situations, it can be difficult to distinguish between a panic attack and a heart attack," says Duc T. Nguyen, DO, interventional... Read more
The holidays are difficult not just for people who are trying to shed pounds, but also for those who want to maintain their weight.
“Even if you only gain a few pounds during the holidays, you may not be able to lose that weight easily,” says ... Read more
Surgery is never stress-free. But if you know what to expect and are prepared for your procedure, you can make it as easy as possible for you and your loved ones.
“Make sure you understand exactly what the surgery involves,” says William Ray Silliman, MD, FACS, general... Read more
Buerger’s disease is a condition in which the blood vessels become inflamed, often swelling and becoming blocked with blood clots. The No. 1 risk factor for Buerger’s disease is heavy cigarette smoking, and it most commonly affects men younger than 40 – although more women are... Read more
If you want to wean your child from breast-feeding, the best approach is to go slowly. “When you abruptly stop nursing, that is not always best for baby or for mom,” says Joy L. LeDoux-Johnson, MD, pediatrician and internal medicine physician at Saint Francis Medical Center.... Read more
Ebola is a deadly virus that causes both internal and external bleeding. This year, West Africa has been experiencing the largest epidemic in history, causing worldwide concern over the virus.
Researchers believe that Ebola begins in an animal – such as a bat – and spreads to... Read more
Cold season is coming, but that does not mean you need to fall victim to the virus.
There are simple steps you can take to stop a cold from spreading. Washing your hands is the most effective way to keep yourself healthy. “You cannot keep cold germs... Read more
Just because the weather is cold does not mean you are safe from sunburn. If you plan on spending several hours outside, remember to use sunscreen. “Sunburn occurs as a result of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays,” says Charles M. Moon, MD, dermatologist on staff at... Read more
If you notice swelling and pain in your leg, talk to your doctor right away. You could be experiencing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein – usually in the legs. These clots are dangerous because they... Read more
When the valve at the entrance to your stomach does not fully close after food passes through it, acid from your stomach can move up into your esophagus. This is called acid reflux and can cause a burning sensation commonly referred to as heartburn.
“Many people experience... Read more
If someone in your family has a cold or other illness, or you just want more humidity in your house during winter, humidifiers and vaporizers are good options. Both devices add moisture to the air; a humidifier does so through a cool mist, and a vaporizer... Read more
Nobody wants to return to the hospital shortly after being discharged. Saint Francis Medical Center’s Continuing Care Clinic aims to help patients take the necessary steps to stay out of the hospital.
"We provide ongoing management for their chronic disease," says clinical coordinator, Bernadette Huston, MSN, RN,... Read more
Melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, kills about 9,000 Americans each year. Studies have shown the best way to find out if melanoma has spread is to perform a sentinel node biopsy after surgically removing a cancerous lesion.
During this biopsy, the lymph... Read more
If you are breast-feeding your baby, it is important to stick to a balanced, nutritious diet so your baby receives the nutrients he or she needs. In general, you should add about 500 calories per day to your diet.
“Breast-feeding moms need large amounts of calcium and... Read more