A healthy spine is made of small bones stacked on top of each other that run straight down the center of the back. There are three main types of spine curvature disorders that cause misalignment of the spine:
Lordosis: The spine curves inward at the lower back.
... Read more
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that can lead to joint problems and, eventually, the need for a joint replacement. While there is no cure for this disease, everyone can take steps to lessen symptoms and slow its progression.
“One important way to manage osteoarthritis is to exercise,”... Read more
As you age, it is a good idea to see your primary care physician on an annual basis. He or she can ensure you stay current on all the screenings and wellness checks you need to be healthy.
“At each stage of life, there are different aspects... Read more
While you cannot completely erase the effects of Type 2 diabetes, you can significantly slow its progression and reduce your need to take diabetes-related medication.
“The key is losing weight and establishing a regular exercise routine,” says Ahmad Z. Sheikh, MD, FACE, ECNU, CCD, endocrinologist, Saint Francis... Read more
The time period before and after menopause is different for every woman. Some women experience very few symptoms, while others are plagued with mood swings, hot flashes, difficulty sleeping and vaginal dryness.
There are many ways a doctor can help manage symptoms. “We will develop a plan... Read more
Prostate cancer affects one in seven American men, making it the most common cancer in the country behind skin cancer. Most of the risk factors are ones that men have little control:
Age – More than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over... Read more
Blood clots prevent you from losing too much blood when you hurt yourself. However, when a blood clot forms inside one of your veins and does not dissolve on its own, called deep vein thrombosis, it could be very dangerous.
“Generally, blood clots are focal where they... Read more
Saint Francis Medical Center has been named a winner of the Women’s Choice Award: America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience. Saint Francis is the only recipient in Cape Girardeau County.
As the only national honor that focuses on female patient satisfaction, the Women’s Choice Award signifies... Read more
A benign tumor is a tumor that is not cancerous. In many cases, these masses do not pose any danger. But, if the tumor is pressing on a blood vessel or a nerve, it needs to be removed or reduced.
“Cancer cells can multiply and spread to surrounding tissues,... Read more
It is important for your child to see a pediatrician regularly to keep up to date on immunizations. Immunizations begin at birth with Hepatitis B. The following is a schedule of important immunizations:
DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
HiB
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
... Read more
Someone in the United States dies of a stroke every four minutes. And, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. One-third of the stroke victims are younger than age 65.
These startling statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should signal everyone to recognize and... Read more
Studies have shown that children who watch violent TV shows are more likely to engage in violence themselves. That is why it is important not only to monitor children’s screen time, but also to limit it.
“Many parents use screen time as a babysitter and are not... Read more
An employer’s wellness program could help you identify previously undiagnosed health conditions. Employers offer wellness programs to promote healthy lifestyles and ensure their employees treat illnesses they may not be aware of. Wellness profiles commonly include blood pressure monitoring, biometric blood test, recording of BMI and... Read more
To help busy women fit important mammograms into their already packed schedules, Saint Francis Healthcare System’s Womancare is now offering evening and weekend appointments.
“We value our patient’s time and know that making an appointment for a mammogram may not be convenient or on top of their... Read more
Fibroids are noncancerous lumps that grow on the uterus. If a fibroid is not causing symptoms, your doctor may recommend that you watch and wait. However, if you experience bleeding, cramping or difficulty becoming pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about fibroid removal.
"We can prescribe... Read more
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the part of your body that allows you to breathe, digest food and move your arms and legs. It is the communicator that connects the central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord) to your limbs and organs.
“When your PNS... Read more
Tonsillitis, a common condition among children, occurs when the tonsils — two masses of tissue at the back of the throat — become inflamed. The main symptoms include:
Throat painLoss of voiceHeadacheDifficulty swallowing or breathing through the mouthSwollen glands
Marc A. Sachs, MD
When tonsillitis is caused by a... 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
From time to time, you may feel like your heart “skips a beat.” In most cases, this is completely harmless. But for some people, this change in rhythm can cause symptoms that could be life-threatening.
Heart arrhythmia is a disruption in your heart’s electrical system that causes... Read more
Iron deficiency anemia is when your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to deliver oxygen sufficiently to all tissues. It occurs when your cells do not have enough iron.
One of the most common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia is extreme fatigue. “When a... Read more
A healthy spine is made of small bones stacked on top of each other that run straight down the center of the back. There are three main types of spine curvature disorders that cause misalignment of the spine:
Lordosis: The spine curves inward at the lower back.
... Read more
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that can lead to joint problems and, eventually, the need for a joint replacement. While there is no cure for this disease, everyone can take steps to lessen symptoms and slow its progression.
“One important way to manage osteoarthritis is to exercise,”... Read more
As you age, it is a good idea to see your primary care physician on an annual basis. He or she can ensure you stay current on all the screenings and wellness checks you need to be healthy.
“At each stage of life, there are different aspects... Read more
While you cannot completely erase the effects of Type 2 diabetes, you can significantly slow its progression and reduce your need to take diabetes-related medication.
“The key is losing weight and establishing a regular exercise routine,” says Ahmad Z. Sheikh, MD, FACE, ECNU, CCD, endocrinologist, Saint Francis... Read more
The time period before and after menopause is different for every woman. Some women experience very few symptoms, while others are plagued with mood swings, hot flashes, difficulty sleeping and vaginal dryness.
There are many ways a doctor can help manage symptoms. “We will develop a plan... Read more
Prostate cancer affects one in seven American men, making it the most common cancer in the country behind skin cancer. Most of the risk factors are ones that men have little control:
Age – More than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over... Read more
Blood clots prevent you from losing too much blood when you hurt yourself. However, when a blood clot forms inside one of your veins and does not dissolve on its own, called deep vein thrombosis, it could be very dangerous.
“Generally, blood clots are focal where they... Read more
Saint Francis Medical Center has been named a winner of the Women’s Choice Award: America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience. Saint Francis is the only recipient in Cape Girardeau County.
As the only national honor that focuses on female patient satisfaction, the Women’s Choice Award signifies... Read more
A benign tumor is a tumor that is not cancerous. In many cases, these masses do not pose any danger. But, if the tumor is pressing on a blood vessel or a nerve, it needs to be removed or reduced.
“Cancer cells can multiply and spread to surrounding tissues,... Read more
It is important for your child to see a pediatrician regularly to keep up to date on immunizations. Immunizations begin at birth with Hepatitis B. The following is a schedule of important immunizations:
DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
HiB
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
... Read more
Someone in the United States dies of a stroke every four minutes. And, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. One-third of the stroke victims are younger than age 65.
These startling statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should signal everyone to recognize and... Read more
Studies have shown that children who watch violent TV shows are more likely to engage in violence themselves. That is why it is important not only to monitor children’s screen time, but also to limit it.
“Many parents use screen time as a babysitter and are not... Read more
An employer’s wellness program could help you identify previously undiagnosed health conditions. Employers offer wellness programs to promote healthy lifestyles and ensure their employees treat illnesses they may not be aware of. Wellness profiles commonly include blood pressure monitoring, biometric blood test, recording of BMI and... Read more
To help busy women fit important mammograms into their already packed schedules, Saint Francis Healthcare System’s Womancare is now offering evening and weekend appointments.
“We value our patient’s time and know that making an appointment for a mammogram may not be convenient or on top of their... Read more
Fibroids are noncancerous lumps that grow on the uterus. If a fibroid is not causing symptoms, your doctor may recommend that you watch and wait. However, if you experience bleeding, cramping or difficulty becoming pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about fibroid removal.
"We can prescribe... Read more
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the part of your body that allows you to breathe, digest food and move your arms and legs. It is the communicator that connects the central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord) to your limbs and organs.
“When your PNS... Read more
Tonsillitis, a common condition among children, occurs when the tonsils — two masses of tissue at the back of the throat — become inflamed. The main symptoms include:
Throat painLoss of voiceHeadacheDifficulty swallowing or breathing through the mouthSwollen glands
Marc A. Sachs, MD
When tonsillitis is caused by a... 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
From time to time, you may feel like your heart “skips a beat.” In most cases, this is completely harmless. But for some people, this change in rhythm can cause symptoms that could be life-threatening.
Heart arrhythmia is a disruption in your heart’s electrical system that causes... Read more
Iron deficiency anemia is when your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to deliver oxygen sufficiently to all tissues. It occurs when your cells do not have enough iron.
One of the most common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia is extreme fatigue. “When a... Read more
