When Caralinia Daniels' mother needed hospitalization following a hip fracture in June, Caralinia knew her mother's fragile state would make recovery unlikely. Her mother, Verna Patterson, 89, had already been to the hospital the previous month and her health had been rapidly declining. "No matter how... Read more
There are many different treatments for severe back pain, including medication and physical therapy. In some situations, however, surgery is the best option to relieve the pain. One common type of back surgery is fusion, a procedure that permanently connects two or more vertebrae in the... Read more
When your doctor says you have an abnormal Pap smear, that means the test found some cells on your cervix that do not look normal. These cells are probably not cancerous, but they could turn into cancer. That is why you will need to undergo further... Read more
The recent renewal of a prestigious accreditation at Saint Francis Medical Center’s Chest Pain Center is good news for the Medical Center and even better news for the patients in the region who rely upon its care.
The Chest Pain Center holds full Cycle IV accreditation with... 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
Acid reflux burns. This occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter is incompetent, resulting in acid fluxing up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, stomach pain and nausea – which can be severe enough to interfere with daily functioning.
Rafid J. Hussein, DO
“Acid... Read more
An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear in the knee is one of the most well-known sports injuries, primarily because it is very common and can bench an athlete for the rest of the season. The ACL is one of the two stabilizing ligaments in the center... Read more
As your child reaches adolescence, it is important for them to have visits at least every other year with their pediatrician for screenings. “We need to check our teenagers’ development during these years because things are changing so rapidly as their bodies and minds begin the... Read more
Americans receive the majority of their vaccinations in childhood, but there are several vaccinations adults should receive as well:
Influenza: “All adults need a flu shot every year,” says Matthew J. Riffle, MD, internal medicine physician at Physicians Park Primary Care. “The best time to receive... Read more
Adults need vaccinations just as much as children. While you receive the majority of your vaccinations in childhood, the following are shots you may receive as an adult:
Flu: “We recommend an annual flu shot for everyone, but particularly for adults older than 50, those with heart... Read more
Saint Francis Healthcare System is at the forefront of treating advanced bladder cancer. The Medical Center’s Cancer Institute has been involved in treatments that offer new hope for people who have bladder cancer that has spread to other parts of their body.
Most types of bladder cancer... Read more
Whether or not to undergo breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy is an intensely personal decision for the breast cancer patient. It is not a decision to take lightly. Some women choose to get immediate breast reconstruction. Others decide to wait a while for the procedure... Read more
The pancreas is a gland that releases digestive enzymes and insulin into the body. Pancreatitis is when the pancreas becomes inflamed, and can cause abdominal pain, fever and vomiting.
Acute pancreatitis, when the problem is temporary, usually can be treated with intravenous medications in the hospital. Chronic... Read more
If you are often tired throughout the day, talk to your doctor. You may have hypothyroidism, a condition that occurs when your body does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone.
In addition to fatigue, symptoms of hypothyroidism can include weight gain, weakness, abnormal menstrual cycles, depression... Read more
Alzheimer’s disease is a disorienting experience for patients and their families – and it can also be dangerous. The patient’s forgetfulness, confusion and memory loss can lead to becoming lost or being taken advantage of. Also, the patient may become unable to perform everyday tasks and... Read more
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to a new report published by the Alzheimer's Association. While a 65-year-old man has a one in 11 chance of developing the disease as he ages, a 65-year-old woman has a one in... Read more
While anyone can have anemia, women are at higher risk for the disease. Anemia occurs when your body has a low count of red blood cells. The most common cause for anemia is a lack of iron, and women lose iron when they menstruate. Women can... Read more
If you suffer from severe arthritis in your ankle, you may be a candidate for ankle replacement surgery. “Many patients can find relief with treatment such as medications, activity modification or bracing,” says R. August Ritter III, MD, orthopedic surgeon who practices at Saint Francis Healthcare System.... Read more
There’s a new approach to revising old joints. For patients whose surgically replaced knees or hips are worn out and in need of repair, the anterior (front) approach to hip revision surgery is a fast, safe and minimally invasive option to get them back on their... Read more
However, if you have just discovered you are lactose intolerant, it is probably a good idea to mention it to your doctor. “While lactose intolerance is not dangerous in itself, you should talk to your doctor to make sure you do not have another condition such... Read more
When Caralinia Daniels' mother needed hospitalization following a hip fracture in June, Caralinia knew her mother's fragile state would make recovery unlikely. Her mother, Verna Patterson, 89, had already been to the hospital the previous month and her health had been rapidly declining. "No matter how... Read more
There are many different treatments for severe back pain, including medication and physical therapy. In some situations, however, surgery is the best option to relieve the pain. One common type of back surgery is fusion, a procedure that permanently connects two or more vertebrae in the... Read more
When your doctor says you have an abnormal Pap smear, that means the test found some cells on your cervix that do not look normal. These cells are probably not cancerous, but they could turn into cancer. That is why you will need to undergo further... Read more
The recent renewal of a prestigious accreditation at Saint Francis Medical Center’s Chest Pain Center is good news for the Medical Center and even better news for the patients in the region who rely upon its care.
The Chest Pain Center holds full Cycle IV accreditation with... 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
Acid reflux burns. This occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter is incompetent, resulting in acid fluxing up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, stomach pain and nausea – which can be severe enough to interfere with daily functioning.
Rafid J. Hussein, DO
“Acid... Read more
An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear in the knee is one of the most well-known sports injuries, primarily because it is very common and can bench an athlete for the rest of the season. The ACL is one of the two stabilizing ligaments in the center... Read more
As your child reaches adolescence, it is important for them to have visits at least every other year with their pediatrician for screenings. “We need to check our teenagers’ development during these years because things are changing so rapidly as their bodies and minds begin the... Read more
Americans receive the majority of their vaccinations in childhood, but there are several vaccinations adults should receive as well:
Influenza: “All adults need a flu shot every year,” says Matthew J. Riffle, MD, internal medicine physician at Physicians Park Primary Care. “The best time to receive... Read more
Adults need vaccinations just as much as children. While you receive the majority of your vaccinations in childhood, the following are shots you may receive as an adult:
Flu: “We recommend an annual flu shot for everyone, but particularly for adults older than 50, those with heart... Read more
Saint Francis Healthcare System is at the forefront of treating advanced bladder cancer. The Medical Center’s Cancer Institute has been involved in treatments that offer new hope for people who have bladder cancer that has spread to other parts of their body.
Most types of bladder cancer... Read more
Whether or not to undergo breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy is an intensely personal decision for the breast cancer patient. It is not a decision to take lightly. Some women choose to get immediate breast reconstruction. Others decide to wait a while for the procedure... Read more
The pancreas is a gland that releases digestive enzymes and insulin into the body. Pancreatitis is when the pancreas becomes inflamed, and can cause abdominal pain, fever and vomiting.
Acute pancreatitis, when the problem is temporary, usually can be treated with intravenous medications in the hospital. Chronic... Read more
If you are often tired throughout the day, talk to your doctor. You may have hypothyroidism, a condition that occurs when your body does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone.
In addition to fatigue, symptoms of hypothyroidism can include weight gain, weakness, abnormal menstrual cycles, depression... Read more
Alzheimer’s disease is a disorienting experience for patients and their families – and it can also be dangerous. The patient’s forgetfulness, confusion and memory loss can lead to becoming lost or being taken advantage of. Also, the patient may become unable to perform everyday tasks and... Read more
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to a new report published by the Alzheimer's Association. While a 65-year-old man has a one in 11 chance of developing the disease as he ages, a 65-year-old woman has a one in... Read more
While anyone can have anemia, women are at higher risk for the disease. Anemia occurs when your body has a low count of red blood cells. The most common cause for anemia is a lack of iron, and women lose iron when they menstruate. Women can... Read more
If you suffer from severe arthritis in your ankle, you may be a candidate for ankle replacement surgery. “Many patients can find relief with treatment such as medications, activity modification or bracing,” says R. August Ritter III, MD, orthopedic surgeon who practices at Saint Francis Healthcare System.... Read more
There’s a new approach to revising old joints. For patients whose surgically replaced knees or hips are worn out and in need of repair, the anterior (front) approach to hip revision surgery is a fast, safe and minimally invasive option to get them back on their... Read more
However, if you have just discovered you are lactose intolerant, it is probably a good idea to mention it to your doctor. “While lactose intolerance is not dangerous in itself, you should talk to your doctor to make sure you do not have another condition such... Read more
