Stay Healthy blog
What is high blood pressure? (hypertension)
What is high blood pressure? (hypertension)
A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers. The top number is the pressure within your arteries when your heart contracts, also known as systolic blood pressure (SBP). The bottom number is the pressure within your arteries when your heart is relaxed, also known as diastolic blood pressure (DBP...
Headaches: What a pain
Headaches: What a pain
How common are headaches? More than 50 percent of adults reported having a headache in the last year, according to the World Health Organization. A 2013 Global Burden of Disease study found that worldwide, headache disorders are the third highest cause of years of life lost due to disability. That m...
What is osteoarthritis?
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as “wear and tear” arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs most frequently in the hands, hips and knees. What causes OA? Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints gradually deteriorates. Over time, it ca...
GERD (acid reflux) symptoms
GERD (acid reflux) symptoms
What is GERD? Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the contents of your stomach back up into your esophagus (food pipe) and cause bothersome symptoms or, eventually, long-term problems. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. The backward movement of stom...
What is monkeypox?
What is monkeypox?
Author: Moamen Al Zoubi, MD, Infectious Diseases You may have heard about monkeypox in the news lately. Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It’s related to smallpox, but is less severe. Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys used for research. The first human...
June is Cataract Awareness Month
June is Cataract Awareness Month
Author: Justin Johnson, OD, Optometry The lens inside the eye, called the crystalline lens, is an important part of the eye’s complex focusing system. Normally clear, the lens focuses images onto the retina. Over time, the lens can become cloudy making it difficult to focus. A cloudy lens is called ...
OB/GYNs offering next-day availability at Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center–Walworth
OB/GYNs offering next-day availability at Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center–Walworth
Choosing an OB/GYN is a personal decision. You will want to choose an OB/GYN you can connect with and trust sharing personal information with. Whether this is your first visit to a gynecologist, you’re planning to start a family or you’re entering menopause, Mercyhealth’s team of women’s health spec...
Mental health in teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder two years into the pandemic
Mental health in teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder two years into the pandemic
Author: Angie Levin, MS, SLP, Behavioral Health Clinic Coordinator These past two years have taken a toll on our children’s social and mental development and well-being. Recent data released by the CDC sheds light on the impact the pandemic has on high schoolers’ mental health. The data shows increa...
Women: Make your health a priority
Women: Make your health a priority
COVID-19 has been stressful for everyone and has unfortunately caused many individuals to neglect their health. This is especially true for females, and mothers specifically, who are oftentimes busy caring for their families and others. Since the pandemic has brought on many challenges to families, ...
Transitioning care to adulthood
Transitioning care to adulthood
Somewhere between the ages of 18 and 21, most of our adolescent patients will leave their pediatrician and begin seeing providers who care for adults. Ideally, this will not be an abrupt change, but a gradual shift. It will look different for each patient and family. Please use the information inclu...
How a colon cancer screening can save your life
How a colon cancer screening can save your life
Colon cancer is silent and often has no symptoms. The most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers is to get screened, and a colonoscopy is still considered the gold standard. Our gastroenterologists use state-of-the-art technology and are experts in...
The importance of choosing the right OB/GYN to care for you at every stage of life
The importance of choosing the right OB/GYN to care for you at every stage of life
Choosing an OB/GYN is a personal decision. You will want to choose an OB/GYN you can connect with and trust sharing personal information with. Whether this is your first visit to a gynecologist, you’re planning to start a family or you’re entering menopause, Mercyhealth’s team of women’s health spec...
Depression is a growing problem for adolescents
Depression is a growing problem for adolescents
Adolescence is a time for young people to have a healthy start in life. However, the number of adolescents reporting poor mental health is increasing, and this is only getting worse as the pandemic continues. Poor mental health in adolescence is more than feeling blue. It can impact many areas of a ...
It's never too late to lose weight and improve your health
It's never too late to lose weight and improve your health
It gets harder and harder to move about freely as we get older. This would be considered a normal part of aging. This normal part of aging can, however, be compounded if you are carrying excess body weight. Excess body weight is typically defined by having a body mass index of 25 or greater. Excess ...
Getting help for the most-common, most-ignored type of pain
Getting help for the most-common, most-ignored type of pain
If our teeth ache, most of us will head quickly to the dentist for treatment. But if your feet hurt, do you just chalk up the pain as a discomfort of modern life? Sadly, most of us do. Most Americans say they have foot pain at least some of the time, and more pain in our feet than in any other part ...
Yearly mammograms save lives
Yearly mammograms save lives
The American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommend that each woman talk with her doctor about her breast cancer risk no later than her 30th birthday. This is especially important for Jewish women, African American women and other minority groups. By talking with their health c...
A flu vaccine is the best protection against flu
A flu vaccine is the best protection against flu
It has been said for many years, that people 65 and older, are at high risk for developing serious complications from the flu. The risk is higher because of changes in immune defenses as we age. In recent years, for example, it’s estimated that between 70 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-relat...
Urgent care can help you feel better fast
Urgent care can help you feel better fast
You’re celebrating one of those memorable moments teaching your daughter how to ride a bike when it all comes to a halt as she falls and injures her wrist. After consoling her tears, you realize something could be wrong. What do you do? You call her doctor and you may or may not be seen that day. Yo...
What you eat can lower your inflammation
What you eat can lower your inflammation
Inflammation is your body’s response to an injury as it works to heal itself. However, inflammation can become problematic when it starts, even when there is no injury, or when it doesn’t end. Chronic inflammation can increase your risk for health problems, including cancer and heart disease. An ant...
Get happy: Make a bliss list
Get happy: Make a bliss list
Have you ever stopped and thought about what makes you happy? Why not take time to write down all the people, activities and things that bring joy to your life? It’s easy! Use pen and paper, or the notes app on your smartphone, to create a “bliss list” bulleting things that make you smile. You can s...
Emotional wellness check: Stress reducers
Emotional wellness check: Stress reducers
Stress is a reaction to a situation where a person feels threatened or anxious. Common reactions to a stressful event can include feeling sad, frustrated, and helpless; difficulty concentrating and making decisions; headaches, back pains, and stomach problems; or smoking or use of alcohol or drugs. ...
Cancer screenings you need now
Cancer screenings you need now
Screening tests can help find cancer at an early stage, before symptoms appear. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat or cure. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may have grown and spread. This can make the cancer harder to treat or cure. It is important to re...
Time for a tick check
Time for a tick check
When enjoying time outdoors, it is important to be aware of ticks and take steps to protect yourself. You can take several steps to prevent illnesses spread by ticks, including using personal protection, removing ticks as soon as possible and getting rid of ticks in your yard. Ticks are typically mo...
Get your sleep patterns on a better path
Get your sleep patterns on a better path
Did you know around one third of Americans are sleep-deprived? Spending more time at home this past year didn’t do much to improve our sleep habits either— the pandemic actually created more sleep challenges for most of us. Establishing habits like these can help improve your sleep health: Keep you...
How to protect your skin against the sun
How to protect your skin against the sun
Spending time outside is a great way to be physically active, reduce stress and get vitamin D naturally. You can work and play outside without raising your skin cancer risk by protecting your skin from the sun. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV rays are ...
Make breakfast a part of your routine
Make breakfast a part of your routine
Did you know … breakfast literally means to break a fast? It replenishes the energy and nutrients stored in your body after fasting for 8-10 hours during sleep. What’s more, studies have shown that eating breakfast improves your energy level and ability to concentrate, and can help with better weigh...
The benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine
The benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines are safe. COVID-19 vaccines were developed using science that has been around for decades. COVID-19 vaccines are not experimental. They went through all the required stages of clinical trials. Extensive testing and monitoring has shown that these vaccines are safe and effective. ...
All about audiology
All about audiology
Audiology: What is it? An audiologist is a doctoral-level health care provider that diagnoses hearing loss and balance disorders, and provides treatment. Hearing loss is diagnosed on a scale of the degree of loss, ranging from mild to profound hearing loss. Depending on the degree and severity of th...
Heart attack symptoms, risk and recovery
Heart attack symptoms, risk and recovery
A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, happens when a part of the heart muscle doesn’t get enough blood. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of heart attack. A les...
Why should diabetics be concerned about their feet?
Why should diabetics be concerned about their feet?
Diabetes can lead to many medical conditions including neuropathy (nerve damage). Elevated blood sugars can lead to damage to the peripheral nerves resulting in sensation changes to the feet. Although burning and tingling pain caused by neuropathy is concerning, numbness to the feet is much more wor...
Importance of using sunscreen
Importance of using sunscreen
Have fun in the sun, but always avoid sunburns, tanning beds and unprotected sun exposure! Sunscreen facts There is a difference between sunscreens and sunblocks. Screens have broad-spectrum protection through chemicals with names like oxybenzone or avobenzone. Although these are excellent protecto...
Itchy eyes. Runny nose. It's allergy season!
Itchy eyes. Runny nose. It's allergy season!
Spring is beautiful, but it’s also a key time of year for seasonal allergies. As plants release pollen, millions of people with hay fever start to sniffle and sneeze. There’s no cure but you can take steps to curb springtime allergies, from medication to household habits. The biggest spring allergy ...
How to spot a stroke B.E. F.A.S.T.
How to spot a stroke B.E. F.A.S.T.
A stroke, also called a brain attack, occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. About 137,000 Americans die of stroke every year. Stroke is a serious medical emergency. It is a leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke also ca...
Five signs COVID is taking a toll...even if you're virus-free
Five signs COVID is taking a toll...even if you're virus-free
You’ve followed all the COVID-19 guidelines. Social distancing, limited in-person contact, masks, and sanitizing are now a regular part of life. Maybe you’ve even tested negative for COVID-19, or received the vaccine, but you still feel like something’s not right. Sound familiar? A new report publis...
Melanoma Hunters
Melanoma Hunters
Have you ever found yourself questioning where a mole came from or if a certain mole is changing? Have you spent hours under the sun? Does anyone in your family have a history of skin cancer? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then strongly consider having your skin examined by a Mercy...
The importance of primary care
The importance of primary care
With the start of a new year and the promise of warmer weather heading our way, you might have decided to start exercising more and eat healthier. Although you feel great now, it’s important to partner with a primary care (family or internal medicine) doctor to keep you healthy and strong. Health ma...
Turning 45? Get screened for colon cancer
Turning 45? Get screened for colon cancer
Colorectal, or colon, cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups. Your risk of getting colon cancer increases as you age. More than 90% of cases occur in people who are 50 years old or older. Of cancers that affect both men and women, colon cancer is the second leading cancer kille...
Controlling high blood pressure
About 15 million Americans have high blood pressure and don’t know it. Normal blood pressure is in the range of 120/80. The 120 is the measure of systolic pressure, the amount of pressure your heart generates when pumping blood out through the arteries. The 80 is the measure of diastolic pressure, t...
What is atrial fibrillation and how is it treated?
What is atrial fibrillation and how is it treated?
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and rapid heartbeat due to disorganized signals from the electrical system of the heart. During atrial fibrillation, upper chambers of the heart may beat as fast as 400 times a minute. This may cause devastating symptoms such as heart failure, stroke or even death...
Pink eye facts and prevention
Pink eye facts and prevention
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions. It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball. This inflammation makes blood vessels more visible and gives the eye...
Mealtime tips for little ones
Mealtime tips for little ones
Mealtime can be a fun learning experience for little ones. Sitting down as a family to eat can teach children how to eat and help them develop social skills. Having a routine can also help children know what to expect when it is time for meals or snacks. Try incorporating these guidelines with your ...
The dangers of e-cigarettes
The dangers of e-cigarettes
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state and local health departments, and other clinical and public health partners are investigating a multi-state outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarette product use. E-cigarettes are electronic ...
How best to manage your stress
How best to manage your stress
The best ways to manage stress are through self-care. Follow these tips to ensure you stay well through tough times: Avoid drugs and alcohol. They may seem to be a temporary fix to feel better, but, in the long run, drugs and alcohol can create more problems and add to your stress instead of taking...
Too much time online
Too much time online
Today, almost 75% of teenagers own a smartphone that they use to access the internet, watch TV and videos, and download interactive applications (apps). The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests overuse of digital media and screens may place your child at risk of the following: Negative effect on...
The ABC of UTIs
The ABC of UTIs
Did you know urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in people? UTIs occur when bacteria enter and infect the urinary tract. UTIs can affect several parts of the urinary tract, but the most common type of UTI is a bladder infection (also known as cystitis).The body can s...
Protect your skin during the winter months
Protect your skin during the winter months
It’s that time of the year again, the time when we turn the thermostats up and the humidity goes down. The cold temperatures, dry air, age-related skin dryness and even medications can combine for the perfect storm to cause dry, itchy skin. There are some simple steps you can take to help. First, ta...
Four things to know about hyperhidrosis (excess sweating)
Four things to know about hyperhidrosis (excess sweating)
Background Information — Hyperhidrosis a disorder of eccrine sweat glands characterized by excessive production of sweat beyond normal physiologic levels. It can be either a localized or generalized problem. Sweat glands are found in the scalp, armpits, and groin folds. Symptoms typically begin in ...
Are you drinking enough water?
Are you drinking enough water?
Getting enough water every day is important for your health. Along with the beverages you drink, you can also get fluids through the foods you eat, (for example, broth soups, and foods with high water content such as celery, tomatoes or melons). Generally, water helps you: Regulate your body temper...
Lower your chances of stroke
Lower your chances of stroke
Having a stroke can be a catastrophic, life-changing event. Heart disease and stroke are preventable, yet they remain leading causes of death and disability, and health care spending in the US. Alarmingly, many of these events happen to adults ages 35-64—over 800,000 in 2016. You may be able to prev...
Know your numbers
Know your numbers
High blood pressure has no signs or symptoms, but measuring it to stay healthy is quick and painless. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries that carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. It normally rises and falls throughout the day, but it ca...
Keeping your aging brain healthy
Keeping your aging brain healthy
Aging well depends on your genes, lifestyle choices and environment. Even if you’re healthy, brain changes as you age may lead to increased challenges with multitasking, paying attention and recalling words. The good news is, most of us— at any age—can learn new things and improve skills, which can ...
Easy ways to lower your cholesterol
Easy ways to lower your cholesterol
Did you know that being overweight or obese can raise your levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol? No matter your age, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight can lower your cholesterol levels. Here is what you can do to prevent and manage high cholesterol: Limit foods high ...
Why count your carbs?
Why count your carbs?
“Carbs” is short for carbohydrates. Like other major nutrients— protein and fat—carbs provide your body with energy or calories. Counting carbs helps you keep track of the carbs in all your meals, snacks and drinks, and aids in matching your activity level and medication with the food you eat. Many ...