With today’s hectic schedules, it is not uncommon for people to find it difficult fitting gym time into their busy days. Others might find that they have simply become bored with their workouts. Circuit training could be the answer for those who are short on time... Read more
Babies need breast milk – especially the premature and critically ill babies in Saint Francis Medical Center’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The World Health Organization, American Academy of Pediatrics and numerous other healthcare experts agree that breastfeeding is the best food source for... Read more
Is it safe to exercise in cold, wet weather? Only if you protect yourself first.
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising outdoors. As long as you dress warmly and take other precautions, you can exercise safely all winter long.
Dress in layers... Read more
Can a sweet tooth help your heart? Recent studies by Cleveland Clinic and other organizations suggest that small quantities of chocolate might actually be good for your heart.
Chocolate is high in flavanols, a type of chemical with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants have been shown to help lower... Read more
Meningitis is more than a pain in the neck. If you or a loved one are experiencing the telltale symptoms – stiff neck, headache, fever, nausea and confusion – it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Delaying treatment could be fatal.
Erica E. Gibson, MD
“Meningitis can be... Read more
You have probably heard the term “muscle confusion” and may wonder what it really means and why is it important. Muscle confusion, or more accurately periodization training (after all muscles do not really get confused), is a training protocol designed to avoid plateaus by continually challenging... Read more
A migraine attack can ruin your day. How can you stop the pain? How can you prevent it from starting? Answers vary.
Different patients need different medications; it depends on the frequency and severity of your migraine attacks and whether the goal is pain relief or prevention.... Read more
Sleep apnea literally takes your breath away. While you sleep, the disorder repeatedly interrupts your breathing and reduces oxygen to your body and brain. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, diabetes and depression. “Sleep apnea is a common... Read more
Too much sodium assaults the heart. To function properly, the average adult only needs to consume a small amount of the nutrient every day – about 2,300 mg of sodium, the equivalent of one teaspoon of salt. Over time, too much sodium can lead to a... Read more
Broken bones heal, but they can break again. The older generation is particularly at risk. Patients with osteoporosis have low bone density, which means that if they fall, they are more likely to break a bone either once or repeatedly.
Patrick R. Knight, MD
To prevent broken bones... Read more
Respiratory therapists help you breathe. For hospitalized patients of any age, these highly skilled, highly trained practitioners provide much-needed oxygen. Their role in easing pain and saving lives is vital for critically ill babies, trauma patients and people of all ages with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary... Read more
So much depends upon vitamin D. “As a child, vitamin D is important for bone development and strong, healthy bones,” says Erica E. Gibson, MD, family practice physician at Saint Francis Medical Center. “As an adult, it helps prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis. If you’re... Read more
Colds are common. Sinus infections are rarer and more serious.
“Common colds typically go away within a few days or a week,” says Matthew B. Schumer, MD, family medicine physician at Saint Francis Medical Center. “If your symptoms linger or worsen after 10 days, you might have... Read more
How to Regain Control of Emotional Eating
Once you have a realization of how your emotions affect your hunger, you can regain control. Do you notice that you are hungry when you are tired, bored, or is it from patterned behavior – potentially a certain time of... Read more
A record number of babies came into the world at Saint Francis Medical Center’s Family BirthPlace last year. One baby boy, however, waited until this year to greet the world.
Hunter Glen Vanek, the first Saint Francis delivery of 2013, was born at 5:06 am on Jan. 1... Read more
Psoriasis is a problem that millions of people try to cover up. This fairly common skin condition ranges in severity from dandruff-like scaling to widespread lesions and rashes. Psoriatric arthritis, which affects the joints, is especially painful.
“Psoriasis most often appears as dry, raised, red patches of... Read more
Physicians and patients agree: minimally invasive surgery is often the best choice for surgery.
“Most patients are amazed at how quickly they recover and get back to their daily lives,” says Kimberly K. Roos, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist at Saint Francis Medical Center. “I often hear patients say, ‘It... Read more
Accidents happen. People fall and break their bones. Follow this advice to reduce your risk – and possibly prevent falls completely.
Patients with medical conditions that cause imbalance should see their physician for medication, physical therapy and assistive devices (e.g., walkers and canes) to help them keep... Read more
Are you looking for an excellent way to maximize your cardiovascular workout in a limited amount of time? Then you may want to try High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).
A HIIT session consists of a warm-up period of exercise, followed by six to ten repetitions of high intensity... Read more
Babies need breast milk – especially the premature and critically ill babies in Saint Francis Medical Center’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The World Health Organization, American Academy of Pediatrics and numerous other healthcare experts agree that breastfeeding is the best food source for... Read more
Is it safe to exercise in cold, wet weather? Only if you protect yourself first.
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising outdoors. As long as you dress warmly and take other precautions, you can exercise safely all winter long.
Dress in layers... Read more
Can a sweet tooth help your heart? Recent studies by Cleveland Clinic and other organizations suggest that small quantities of chocolate might actually be good for your heart.
Chocolate is high in flavanols, a type of chemical with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants have been shown to help lower... Read more
Meningitis is more than a pain in the neck. If you or a loved one are experiencing the telltale symptoms – stiff neck, headache, fever, nausea and confusion – it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Delaying treatment could be fatal.
Erica E. Gibson, MD
“Meningitis can be... Read more
A migraine attack can ruin your day. How can you stop the pain? How can you prevent it from starting? Answers vary.
Different patients need different medications; it depends on the frequency and severity of your migraine attacks and whether the goal is pain relief or prevention.... Read more
Sleep apnea literally takes your breath away. While you sleep, the disorder repeatedly interrupts your breathing and reduces oxygen to your body and brain. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, diabetes and depression. “Sleep apnea is a common... Read more
Too much sodium assaults the heart. To function properly, the average adult only needs to consume a small amount of the nutrient every day – about 2,300 mg of sodium, the equivalent of one teaspoon of salt. Over time, too much sodium can lead to a... Read more
Broken bones heal, but they can break again. The older generation is particularly at risk. Patients with osteoporosis have low bone density, which means that if they fall, they are more likely to break a bone either once or repeatedly.
Patrick R. Knight, MD
To prevent broken bones... Read more
Respiratory therapists help you breathe. For hospitalized patients of any age, these highly skilled, highly trained practitioners provide much-needed oxygen. Their role in easing pain and saving lives is vital for critically ill babies, trauma patients and people of all ages with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary... Read more
So much depends upon vitamin D. “As a child, vitamin D is important for bone development and strong, healthy bones,” says Erica E. Gibson, MD, family practice physician at Saint Francis Medical Center. “As an adult, it helps prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis. If you’re... Read more
Colds are common. Sinus infections are rarer and more serious.
“Common colds typically go away within a few days or a week,” says Matthew B. Schumer, MD, family medicine physician at Saint Francis Medical Center. “If your symptoms linger or worsen after 10 days, you might have... Read more
A record number of babies came into the world at Saint Francis Medical Center’s Family BirthPlace last year. One baby boy, however, waited until this year to greet the world.
Hunter Glen Vanek, the first Saint Francis delivery of 2013, was born at 5:06 am on Jan. 1... Read more
Psoriasis is a problem that millions of people try to cover up. This fairly common skin condition ranges in severity from dandruff-like scaling to widespread lesions and rashes. Psoriatric arthritis, which affects the joints, is especially painful.
“Psoriasis most often appears as dry, raised, red patches of... Read more
Physicians and patients agree: minimally invasive surgery is often the best choice for surgery.
“Most patients are amazed at how quickly they recover and get back to their daily lives,” says Kimberly K. Roos, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist at Saint Francis Medical Center. “I often hear patients say, ‘It... Read more
Accidents happen. People fall and break their bones. Follow this advice to reduce your risk – and possibly prevent falls completely.
Patients with medical conditions that cause imbalance should see their physician for medication, physical therapy and assistive devices (e.g., walkers and canes) to help them keep... Read more
