Breast cancer is most curable when doctors catch it early. That is why annual mammograms starting at age 40 are so important – and why Saint Francis Medical Center is committed to helping women obtain mammograms, even if they cannot afford them.
Saint Francis’ Dig for Life... Read more
If you are pregnant, it is normal to gain weight; however, carrying too many extra pounds before and during pregnancy is unhealthy not just for you, but your unborn child.
According to a report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, babies of obese mothers (i.e.,... Read more
Breast cancer surgery takes a serious toll on your body. Regular exercise and proper nutrition can do wonders for helping you feel like yourself more quickly. “Even small amounts of exercise can help boost your energy,” says Mark A. Meadors, DO, medical oncologist/hematologist at Saint Francis... Read more
Cakes, cookies, chips, candy – coworkers love bringing treats to work. Then there are the surprise birthdays and group lunches. All these things can sabotage your diet if you’re not careful. The American Council on Exercise offers these tips for staying on your diet while on... Read more
Those workers you have been noticing at Saint Francis Medical Center are setting the stage for the next generation of patient care. Saint Francis’ Building on Excellence expansion and renovation project is well underway, and parts of the project are set to be completed by the... Read more
When your body is transitioning between different stages of sleep, you may feel like you are conscious but unable to move. This condition is called sleep paralysis and can occur in as many as four out of every 10 people. “When you sleep, your body moves... Read more
The very aspect of coffee that makes it so attractive for so many people can also cause stomach problems. While the caffeine in coffee can help keep you alert, it can also increase your heart rate and act as a diuretic. “It also irritates the stomach... Read more
If you have a picky eater in your household, you should offer him or her a few healthy choices at mealtime. “My general philosophy is that you should not make mealtime a battle, because you cannot win,” says James E. Hoffman, DO, FAAP, pediatrician at Saint... Read more
Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses that often occurs as a result of a cold or allergy. While symptoms of cold-related – or acute – sinusitis usually go away within a week, chronic sinusitis lasts for more than 12 weeks. Chronic sinusitis is often the result... Read more
Many teenagers suffer from a poor self-image. For some overweight adolescents, this is compounded by a negative body image. According to a new study, poor body image can lead to unhealthy weight-loss behaviors such as induced vomiting and skipping meals.
“A focus on enhancing self-image while providing... Read more
Chronic stress can negatively affect your health, increasing your blood pressure, causing you to gain weight and damaging your organs. The easiest way to manage stress is to identify your triggers and avoid them. When avoidance is impossible, here are some other ways to keep your... Read more
If your child complains of a headache, trust your instinct when deciding whether you should take him to the doctor. “Parents know their kids best,” says Beverly L. Brown, MD, FAAP, pediatrician at Saint Francis Medical Center. “Some children are melodramatic, while others never complain about... Read more
The Saint Francis Medical Center Emergency and Trauma Center treats every patient quickly. There may be times, however, when you are asked to wait. That is why we have created a waiting room video that explains what you can expect and how an emergency room works.
“When... Read more
While every child develops at a different rate, there are certain milestones children should be reaching by certain ages. “The best way to know if your child is delayed is to
talk to your pediatrician,” says Joy L. LeDoux-Johnson, MD, pediatrician at Saint Francis Medical Center.
There are... Read more
If you notice flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, joint pain and rash during the spring or summer, you should see your doctor right away: You could have a tick-related illness. “Many people who have one of these illnesses are not even aware they had a... Read more
It’s simple: if you want to lose weight, don’t eat late. People who eat a late dinner and/or snacks before bedtime not only have trouble dropping pounds, but can also end up gaining weight. This is because the energy from that food is released while we... Read more
While bad breath can be embarrassing, there are simple solutions that can relieve the problem. “Because it is difficult to assess how your own breath smells, ask a close friend or relative to confirm your bad-breath questions,” says Wilson P. Pais, MD, MBA, FACP, FRCP, gastroenterologist... Read more
If you have experienced sudden, unexplained weight loss, you may
have an overactive thyroid, also known as hyperthyroidism.
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck that regulates your metabolism. When there is a problem with the thyroid, it can affect many functions of... Read more
Take control of your health with Fitness Plus’ Eat, Move, Lose! program. This eight-week exercise circuit program helps you take the appropriate steps to make lifestyle changes in diet and exercise so that you have the tools you need to continue living
healthy — even after the... Read more
If you have a child who frequently wets the bed, it can be difficult to decide when to take action. For children who are younger than 7, it is often best to wait – bed-wetting usually will subside on its own. Whether or not you seek... Read more