
5 Tips to Avoid Exercise Injuries
So you’ve decided to get in shape or take up a new sport. You’re probably feeling gung ho and ready to throw your whole self into the new routine. Then it happens. You suffer an injury that puts you back on the sidelines. Call it the agony of defeat. An injury not only sets you …

Let’s Talk about Autism
You’ve probably encountered someone with autism, even if you didn’t know it at the time. This condition is more common than you may think. How Common Is Autism? One in 44 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Boys are four times more likely to be …

Cancer Prevention and Nutrition
Nutrition plays an important role in our overall health as it can help to prevent conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, but it can also help prevent cancer. Nutrition for cancer prevention is recommended for cancer survivors as well to help reduce the risk of recurrence and other cancers. The 2018 World Cancer Research …

Helping Children and Teens Navigate Viral Social Media Trends
In this digital age, social media is a central part of many teenagers’ and preteens’ lives. It’s a place where they can connect with friends, express their ideas and feelings and where they stay up to date on the latest social media trends. From dances to challenges, teens are constantly engaging in these trends and …

What’s Blood Flow Restriction? New PT Technique Strengthens Muscles with Lighter Loads
After an injury or surgery, patients are often anxious to work on strengthening – so they can get back to normal. But they have to wait because injured tissue requires a certain amount of time before it is safe to do resistance strengthening exercises such as lifting weights. For example, an athlete recovering from a …

World Cancer Day 2023 – Close the Care Gap
At the dawn of the New Millennium in Paris on February 4, 2000, Professors David Khayat of the Salpetriere Hospital in Paris and Gabriel Hortobagyi of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, along with a committee of internationally respected oncologists, arranged a World Summit against Cancer in Paris. After all, what better time to redefine …

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery is Possible
If you need gynecologic surgery, there is some good news. Instead of the long abdominal incisions and lengthy recoveries, many gynecologic surgeries can now be done with small or even no incisions. That means a much shorter or even no hospital stay, quicker recovery and other benefits. Why Might Someone Need Gynecologic Surgery? Called Minimally …

Asthma Control: Better Breathing with Biologics
If you have moderate-to-severe asthma, you probably dread hearing this term: asthma exacerbation. It’s when symptoms worsen and you need inhalers and other medications to get your asthma under control. It often means missing school or work, plus trips to your provider’s office or even the emergency room. Treatment with prednisone can cause weight gain …

Substance Abuse on the Rise: Know the Signs
No one thinks it will happen to them, but substance abuse upends families every day. A recent report(1) from the National Institute on Drug Use showed some concerning trends among young adults (age 18-30): Daily, past-month and past-year marijuana use reached the highest levels recorded since 1988. Reports of past-year hallucinogen use started to increase …

Make Your Resolutions & Goals SMART
Have you ever created a health-related resolution at the beginning of a new year, or any type of goal for that matter, only to find yourself eventually abandoning it? This may be because the goal was not realistic or it may have been non-specific and too large. While deciding you are ready to make a …

Poison Control Dos and Don’ts: Tide Pods, Nyquil Chicken and More
It’s every parent’s “Oh no!” moment. Your child ingests something they shouldn’t, like a cleaning solution or medication. Or maybe you accidentally gave a second dose of acetaminophen to your sick child when you should have alternated with ibuprofen. How Common Are Accidental Poisonings? It happens, and you’re not alone. Thousands of children are seen …

After an Assault: Help is Here
Where can you turn for help if the worst happens? After an assault of any kind – physical or sexual – confidential and compassionate help is available at CHI Health Emergency Departments through our Forensic Nurse Examiner program. What Does a Forensic Nurse Do? Specially trained in crisis intervention, Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNEs) strive to …

Is a Low-Carb Diet Right for You?
Low-carb or keto diets seem to be a hot topic in today’s world of health and nutrition. You may have tried this way of eating or are curious as to what it means exactly. A low-carb diet keeps carbohydrates to 30-40% of your daily calories, whereas a very low-carb diet (VLCD), is 21-70 grams of …

7 Signs Your Thyroid Needs to Be Examined
One of your body’s most important regulator glands that help with your breathing, heart rate, body weight, muscle strength, cholesterol level, body temperature, and more is your thyroid gland. When this little butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism), it can take a toll on your body …

4 Tips for Diabetes Management
The start of a new year is a great time to reflect on our previous year’s goals, what we accomplished, and what we wish to improve over the upcoming year. Diabetes management is a lifelong process, and something can always be done to further improve your health. Consider these four tips for the new year: …

Burning Calories During the Winter
Staying healthy and active can be particularly challenging during the winter months. It is easy to wrap up in a blanket and stay on the couch when the weather turns cold and we have less sunlight throughout the day. Furthermore, the holiday season surrounds us with sweet treats and larger portions that are hard to …

What are Cancer Clinical Trials?
Clinical Trials are research studies that involve people. Through clinical trials, doctors find new ways to improve treatments and the quality of life for people with certain diseases. What Do Cancer Clinical Trials Test? Researchers design cancer clinical trials to test new ways to: Treat cancer Find and diagnose cancer Prevent cancer Manage symptoms of …

Build Habits for a Healthy Lifestyle
Bariatric surgery can be a helpful tool for losing weight, but ultimately, the best success comes when the patient actively establishes healthy habits and nourishes their body with nutrient-dense foods, mostly including lean protein and vegetables. These foods digest slowly and ensure steady energy release to reduce cravings. They are of high nutritional value and …

PSMA PET Scans: Prostate Cancer Imaging Gets Specific
For decades, the imaging for patients with prostate cancer has been mostly based on indirect signs of cancer spread. But this has all changed recently. Two new PET radiotracers for patients with prostate cancer have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the past 2 years. A PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan …

3 Life Hacks to Prevent Hemorrhoids
About half of Americans age 50 or older experience occasional hemorrhoids, but they’re rarely discussed. If you’ve had hemorrhoids, you know they are uncomfortable or even painful. But did you know they’re also very preventable? What are Hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins in your lower rectum and anus. They happen when blood …

Type 2 Diabetes Can be Reversed
Over the last 40 years, the rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity have been continuing to rise. There is a sense that type 2 diabetes is just a matter of aging, family history, being overweight/obese – and something that is beyond our control. The reality is that type 2 diabetes is a reversible chronic …

Stay Safe: Inside Intimate Partner Violence
It might be uncomfortable, but it’s important to talk about intimate partner violence – or what we used to call domestic violence. Far too often, it’s a life-or-death issue. One in five homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner, according to data from US crime reports. The number is even higher for just women …

What Can My Newborn Taste and Smell?
Babies are born with all five senses: Sight Hearing Touch Smell Taste Newborns experience the world around them quite differently than adults do. We commonly hear newborns cannot see very far in front of them, and that their vision is in black and white. But what can a new baby taste and smell? What Can …

All about Newborn Vision
Many of your baby’s key developmental milestones depend on their vision. At the time of birth, your baby’s vision is still developing. At birth, newborn vision is very near-sighted, so babies can only focus on things that 8-10 inches away. Babies can best see their mother’s face when held close to her chest while breastfeeding. …

Take the Test: National Depression Screening Day
Did you know depression can be “silent?” The signs aren’t always obvious, and they’re often explained away or minimized. Meanwhile the symptoms persist or worsen – until someone asks the right questions. The good news is screening for depression is becoming more common in the doctor’s office. Just as we screen for conditions like diabetes …

A Closer Look: Breast Density and Cancer Detection
How dense are your breasts? It’s not something women think about until it’s time to screen for breast cancer. About 40 percent of women have dense breasts. What does it matter? Here’s what you need to know. What are Dense Breasts? Your breasts are made up of a mix of fibrous, glandular and fatty tissue. …

Ladies, Healthy Aging is Possible!
If you are anything like myself, having seen pictures of Blanche from Golden Girls and finding out that the actress playing Blanche was only 51 when the series started can be quite the surprise! Fifty-one used to seem far in the future for many of us, yet I find myself edging closer and closer to …

Everybody Poops
Yes, it’s true and we all know it. Unfortunately, sometimes the process of eliminating stool (“pooping”) doesn’t go well. Individuals may experience fecal incontinence and/or difficulty emptying, which can result in embarrassment, social isolation and further medical complications. Here are some basic facts that everyone should know: What is Normal When it Comes to Pooping? …

Return to Activity after a Concussion
When and how to return to normal activity after a concussion is oftentimes challenging since a concussion may cause a constellation of symptoms. The greatest challenge is determining what symptoms are aggravated, with which type of activity and to what extent. How Long Do I Have to Rest After a Concussion? Returning to normal activity …

Understanding Concussions
Over the last several years, there has been an increase in concussion awareness. Sports-related concussions are often what people think of first; however, a large majority of the population suffer concussions from falls, motor vehicle collisions, or being struck by an object. What Is a Concussion? Concussions are considered the result of a blow, jolt, …

Head Off Childhood Obesity with 5-2-1-0
The little things parents do can make a big difference for their child’s health and can prevent childhood obesity. For example, did you know that babies form taste patterns and preferences by nine months of age? And the first two years of a child’s life are when they establish many of their eating habits? That’s …

Keep Your Fall Drinks in Check
It’s that time of year — fall is approaching! From cinnamon and pumpkin spice, to sea salt and caramel, coffee shops around the country have our mouths watering. However, if you’re not careful, these delicious drinks will have you packing on the layers, and I’m not talking about your favorite fall jacket. Seasonal Drinks That Aren’t as …

Homesick at College
All across the United States, students are experiencing their first year of college. In addition to academic demands, this can mean newfound freedom and independence, learning to live with a roommate and navigating new social circles. College students leave behind familiar faces, routines and places. Meanwhile, those family and friends continue on with their own …

The Bed is Dead: 3 Tanning Truths
Think tan skin has a healthier glow? It’s really showing you damage that could be deadly. Whether you seek out the sun or use tanning beds, these truths about tanning could save your life. 1.) Sun Tanning is NOT Healthy. Any color the skin develops is a direct result of DNA damage to the skin …

Take Action Against HIV
Just because HIV/AIDS isn’t in the news doesn’t mean it’s over, or that people are not at risk. Testing for HIV is important. More than 30,000 people in the US received an HIV (“human immunodeficiency virus”) diagnosis in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). There’s always a concern that people with HIV …

Cultural Differences, Modesty and Preventive Screenings
Preventive screenings such as mammograms, Pap smears and colonoscopies are an essential aspect of health care because they help detect cancers early, when they are still treatable. For example, research has shown that women who have regular mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer detected early and be cured, and less likely to need …

Myths about Migraines & How to Help
If you or someone in your life experiences migraines, you’ve probably felt a range of emotions – sympathy, sadness and even frustration when migraines get in the way of your everyday life. It’s important to understand that migraine pain is more than just a sensory experience. It also has emotional and social aspects. For example, …

Solving Medical Mysteries: Pathologists Play a Role
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when your doctor sends something to the lab, here’s the secret: it ends up with someone like me, a pathologist working in a laboratory. Exactly what type of cancer do you have? Or, what bug is causing your stomach inflammation? These medical mysteries often get investigated in pathology labs. …

Dehydration Symptoms and Prevention
When it is hot and humid outside, the risk of dehydration increases. When the air is humid, sweat cannot evaporate and cool the body as quickly as it usually does. This can lead to an increase in body temperature and the need for more fluids. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it …

The Benefits of Keeping a Food Journal
If you’ve participated in the CHI Health Weight Management program, you know that we devote a lot of time and commitment to assisting our patients with weight loss in our clinic. Our focus is on helping our patients understand their body and its needs. Sometimes this can be a struggle for some in the beginning, …

Migraines Hurt: Make It Stop
Intensely and relentlessly painful, migraines leave sufferers desperate for relief. In his memoir, “A Brain Wider Than the Sky,” author Andrew Levy wrote: “The migraine head wants to be cut open; it longs to be cut open.” That, clearly, is not a solution. Though it once was considered. Trepanation, a technique of removing bone from …

Hepatitis Alphabet Soup
You may have heard about a recent outbreak of Hepatitis A, linked to organic strawberries imported from Mexico and sold throughout the US. Fortunately no one has died from this outbreak but several people were hospitalized from the infection. You may have wondered, what is the difference between Hepatitis A, B, and C and how …

Carb Cycling – What Is It?
Carb cycling is a systematic approach to eating carbohydrates that shifts between high, moderate, and low-carb meals on specific days. The idea is to have each day tailored to the type and intensity of your workout. This way of eating used to be most popular in the bodybuilding world and with high-performing athletes, but is …

Pneumonia Vaccine: New Recommendations
Pneumonia is a term that is defined as inflammation of the lungs that is caused by an infection from a germ; either a virus or bacteria or in some cases a fungus. There are many types of germs that can cause pneumonia. The condition can involve certain parts of the lung or both lungs. Severity …

6 Pillars to Support Your Health
Improving your health can feel overwhelming at times, especially if you’re dealing with weight gain or a chronic health condition. The good news is you have more control of your overall health than you may think. When people seek out metabolic health counseling, we discuss six different areas which are in their control. These are …

Stay Hydrated: Protect Your Heart
How Dehydration Affects Your Heart Is thinking about summer causing you to sweat? Be sure to replace those fluids to protect your heart. Dehydration puts you at risk for serious conditions like swelling, dizziness and heat illness. Your heart has to work overtime to pump blood when fluid levels dip too low. There is no …

Home Remedies for 5 Common Kids Summer Injuries
The weather is nice, and our children are spending more time outside, which is great! But that usually means more injuries and ailments for them. Here are some home remedies to deal with 5 of the most common injuries/ailments that can occur. Home Remedies For Burns A minor burn is red and tender with minor …

Summer Snacks For Kids
SUMMER! Warm weather is on the way and that means tasty treats and fun times. The summer months are a special time for kids –camps, sleepovers, outside activities and no school! What are your kids eating during those steamy summer months? Among the parties and vacations, kids will be at home and looking for things …

Body Image: It’s About Progress, Not Perfection!
What if we could challenge societal views on body image? What if we could approach the year as an opportunity for learning? An opportunity to think about ourselves in a more compassionate light? Could I impose a suggestion for this year? It’s body acceptance! Would you be willing to give yourself permission to have compassion …

Helping Children Learn to Swallow Pills When Necessary
Whether it’s for an occasional antibiotic or a daily medication, knowing how to swallow pills can be helpful for both children and adults. Sometimes, both children and parents can struggle with this task. I find that most people have trouble swallowing if they are anxious about it, so that is the beginning of the discussion …

Osteoporosis Prevention: Start Young
The numbers may surprise you. Osteoporosis is responsible for 2 million broken bones every year in the U.S. and causes 75,000 deaths, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. It is estimated that one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older in the U.S. will break a bone due …

Why Choose a MBSAQIP Accredited Bariatric Surgery Program?
The goal of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (chi) is to help promote safe, top-quality care for patients undergoing bariatric surgery at a surgical center. Patients seeking surgical treatment for obesity and its related conditions have a high-quality choice to receive care at a nationally accredited program that meets the …

Aching Joints? You’re Not Alone
It’s a pain many of us face sooner or later. Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 25 percent of adults have arthritis. It is nearly three times more common in women and becomes more common as we age. Arthritis involves swelling …

Melanoma Prevention: Tips for Proper Sun Protection
“A drink in my hand, my snow up against the burning sand, probably getting gorgeously tanned in summer!” We are 100% in summer mode now with school being out, which means that our kids are going to be spending a lot of time outdoors. So now is the time to have a plan for protecting …

You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup – Why Self Care is Important
Many of us have heard the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” but do we really know what that means? When our cups are empty, we may not feel fulfilled, joyus, or like we can be present in our day to day activities and for those we love. How We Reach Burnout In …

Make Urinary Incontinence a Thing of the Past
If you’ve ever stifled a sneeze or tried not to laugh out of fear of urinary leakage, you’re not alone. Accidental urine leakage is common. Tens of millions of men and women suffer with urinary incontinence, according to the American Urological Association. Dealing with leakage can affect everyday life, making it harder to exercise, be …

Introducing CRNAs: Experts in Anesthesia Care
If you have a surgery or procedure, you may receive the care of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, CRNAs administer anesthesia safely to more than 50 million patients each year. As a CRNA, I can assure you we play a unique and vital role in providing …

Osteoporosis and Bone Health in Women
Did you know that approximately 1 in 2 women, age 50 and older, will break a bone due to osteoporosis? About 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass. This is a disease that is more common in women than men, and can cause serious and painful lifelong consequences if not treated. Osteoporosis is …

Unbreak Your Heart: Tips for Women on Heart Disease
The leading cause of death for women in the United States is heart disease, accounting for about 1 in every 5 female deaths. Know the Symptoms of Heart Disease Many of the symptoms we commonly know as associated with heart disease are male-specific. Symptoms in a female can be misleading and often silent/asymptomatic. Some symptoms …

Insulin Resistance: Little-Known Condition Wreaks Havoc on Health
Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, brain fog, erectile dysfunction, low energy. Unfortunately, many of us have accepted these conditions as an inevitable part of getting older. But what if that is not necessarily the case? What if there is a common root cause of these conditions? What if that root cause is reversible? The culprit may be …

Bladder Cancer Awareness
Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers. It occurs mainly in people who are 55 years and older. Bladder cancer starts in the cells of the bladder. It most often affects the urothelial cells of the bladder, that form the lining of the entire urinary tract. Signs of Bladder Cancer One of the …

Infertility – There is Hope
Infertility affects up to 15% of couples worldwide. As we approach international infertility awareness week, April 24-30th, let’s take a moment to examine how this medical problem affects couples and ways that it can be treated. What Is Infertility? Infertility is defined as failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected intercourse in …

BMI Myths Debunked: Unpacking the Facts
What Is BMI? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines body mass index as “a measure of weight adjusted for height, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.” It was developed about 200 years ago by a mathematician named Adolphe Quetlet. Originally called the Quetlet Index, the …

What You Need To Know About Aphasia
Many people have recently heard the term Aphasia since the news about Bruce Willis stepping away from acting. Aphasia does not stand alone and it is important to see a neurologist for a proper evaluation of the underlying condition causing aphasia. What Is Aphasia? The term is defined by the National Aphasia Association as an …

8 Steps to Improve Heart Health
Many individuals understand the significance of cardiovascular health – the question is how can we best achieve this? Eight Lifestyle Changes to Improve Heart Health The American Heart Association created Life’s Essential 8®, which refers to eight lifestyle changes that we can make to improve the health of our heart. These steps include: Managing Blood …

10,000 Steps: Magic Number or Mathematical Myth?
Step trackers urge us to keep moving, and that’s a good thing. But is 10,000 really the magic number for steps in a day? First off, where did the number 10,000 come from? The fabled 10,000 steps as a target for daily activity goes back more than 50 years to a Japanese clockmaker who wanted …

Return to Exercise after Pregnancy
Most women look forward to going back to exercise after pregnancy. But when should you return to running and sports after pregnancy? When Is It Okay to Exercise after Pregnancy? While you may be mentally ready to get your body back after 9 months of pregnancy, your body may be not quite as ready to …

The Buzz On Caffeine
How To Determine Caffeine Tolerance Excessive caffeine consumption is not mathematical. It is individual. Caffeine sensitivity depends on the amount and frequency of consumption, body weight, physical condition and overall anxiety level among other factors. For most healthy adults, moderate amounts (100-200 milligrams (mg) per day, about 1-2 cups of coffee) pose no physical problems. …

New Mom Feelings: Let’s Talk About It
Your new baby is a bundle of joy. So why are you in tears? New motherhood comes with plenty of challenges, and the emotional lows can be surprising. What women who’ve been there would say, if you asked them: “It’s okay to not love every moment. Sometimes it’s hard, and you’re in survival mode.” “There’s …

Risk Factors for Suicide in Children, Signs and How to Seek Help
I’m Dr. Jyotsna Ranga, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with CHI Health and Creighton University. Child and adolescent psychiatrists in the United States are really concerned about rising suicide rates in children and adolescents. It is now the second leading cause of death in young people between the ages of 10 and 19. Now with the …

Skin Safety 101
Skin safety is important year round as skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Fortunately, when caught early skin cancer is highly treatable. 3 Types of Cells in the Epidermis The top layer of your skin is called the epidermis. There are three types of cells in the epidermis: …

Endometriosis – A Common Disorder for Women
This blog was co-written by John Cote, MD and Lauren Williams, RD. Happy endometriosis awareness month! — said no one. Millions of women have been diagnosed and are being treated for endometriosis. This month is a reminder to many people that this disease will or can affect you or someone you know. What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis …

Kindness Counts: What You Should Know about Developmental Disabilities
What you don’t know about developmental disabilities may surprise you, which is why learning about them is so important. It builds awareness about people who have developmental disabilities, and with education comes inclusion, acceptance and compassion. Developmental Disabilities Are More Common Than You Think Would you believe you probably already know someone who has a …

When Chest Pain Isn’t a Heart Attack
“The good news: It’s not your heart. The bad news: I don’t have a clue what it is.” The first half of this statement is heard every day in emergency rooms and doctors’ offices across the country. The second half may involve a little more honesty than most doctors want to admit. You come to …

Effects of Stress on the Heart and How to Cope
Everyone experiences stress. Today, we’re going to uncover what stress does to your heart and ways to deal with it. Hi, I’m Doctor Eric Van De Graaff, a Cardiologist at CHI Health. How Stress Affects Us Since the beginning, stress has been a natural defense mechanism that creates our fight-or-flight mentality and has allowed us …

What is MAB Therapy for COVID-19?
As we all are aware, the COVID-19 disease pandemic still exists today. Thankfully, we have monoclonal antibody therapy (MAB) as a way to help prevent severe symptoms from developing in patients who are at high risk for infection. Monoclonal Antibody Therapy You are probably wondering, what is monoclonal antibody (MAB) therapy? What is a monoclonal …

What to Know About Your Thyroid
You probably don’t give your thyroid much thought. This quarter-sized gland just below your Adam’s apple secretes hormones that moderate your metabolism, heart rate, mood — and more. It works quietly in the background, until something goes wrong. Thyroid Disease One in 10 people worldwide have thyroid disease, and it affects women more often than …

Thank Fifi and Fido: Furry Friends Offer Health Benefits for Humans
Pet ownership has been on the uptick for decades — rising from 56% of US households in 1988 to 70% in 2021, according to the APPA National Pet Owners Survey. The good news for everyone on the animal bandwagon? That furry friend might also be good for your health. If your pet needs to be …

What Is Body Composition Indicator Scanning?
How do you keep track of your body changes during your transformational journey? Sometimes a person’s weight doesn’t change, but they have gained muscle mass while losing weight from fat stores. Maybe you can see this immediately when you look in the mirror. Maybe it takes a little longer. When working to build muscle, how …

6 Ways to Avoid Toxic Positivity: Why “Looking on the Bright Side” Isn’t Always a Good Thing
No matter who you are, at some point, you will face adversity and likely even tragedy within your life. All too often, we are encouraged to ‘look at the bright side,’ consider ‘it could always be worse’ or that ‘everything happens for a reason’. These statements may be meant to be comforting to an individual …

Chocolate: the Dark Secret
Valentine’s Day is approaching, and the store shelves are stocked with heart shaped boxes filled with chocolate. It is the time of year when the news stories remind us of research indicating that chocolate is a healthy choice for our heart … but is it really a health food? Let’s look at the facts. What …

Baby’s First Poops: What to Expect
There are many “firsts” to look forward to with the arrival of your new child, and poop is one of them! A baby’s first poop is distinct from all subsequent poops, which means there are some important things to know about it. What is the First Poop Called? The first poop your baby passes is …

Mutations, Variants, and Strains: What Does it All Mean?
As COVID-19 evolves and persists in our communities, the conversation continues every day in homes, workplaces, and the media concerning the latest variant and the potential or observed implications each might have for all of us. But what exactly is a variant, a mutation, or a strain of a virus? Although these terms are often …

Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Makes 8 Slices Ingredients 3 cups cauliflower florets 2 egg whites 2 teaspoons dried oregano, basil, sage and/or thyme ½ cup low-fat mozzarella, shredded Directions Preheat oven to 450°. Place cauliflower florets in a food processor and pulse until a uniform “rice” texture is obtained. Place cauliflower florets in a microwave-safe bowl, add 3-4 Tablespoons …

Treating Heart Valve Issues with TAVR
Aortic Stenosis is a condition most commonly caused by an accumulation of calcium that narrows the aortic valve and makes it more difficult for the oxygenated blood to leave the heart and travel to the rest of the body. Aortic stenosis affects about 2.5 million Americans over the age of 75. Other causes include a …

Benefits Add Up for Bariatric Surgery
If you’re considering bariatric surgery, you’re probably used to checking numbers — on food labels, on the scale, at your doctor visits. Some recent statistics compiled by the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery reveal how bariatric surgery stacks up for effectiveness in achieving weight loss, improvement in related health conditions and overall procedure …

What Is Newborn Phototherapy?
Newborn jaundice is very common. Jaundice occurs when a yellow pigment called bilirubin builds up in the blood, which causes yellowing of the infant’s skin and eyes. Phototherapy uses blue light to help treat newborn jaundice. Phototherapy For Jaundice and Increased Bilirubin Bilirubin is a natural byproduct of the normal breakdown of “used” red blood …

Can You Spot Human Trafficking?
If you think human trafficking only happens in big cities or scary neighborhoods, the sad truth is you are wrong. Human trafficking happens in every country in the world, here in the United States, and in communities large and small. What is Human Trafficking? CHI Health is committed to preventing and responding to all forms …

Ways to Reduce Stress
My life is busy, your life is busy, and we all have busy schedules that can cause stress. With that being said, there is definitely room for good stress relief practices in our routines. I have found that incorporating one or more of these activities into my daily life, helps decrease the level of stress …

The COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnant Women
How Serious is COVID-19 for Pregnant Women? In August of 2021 alone, 22 pregnant women in the US died of COVID-19. Data from the CDC showed after the Delta variant arrived, the risk of stillbirth was four times higher for women with COVID-19 versus women who did not have the virus. That’s a significant rise …

Why Is Quitting Smoking so Difficult AND Necessary?
Three-Link Chain of Addiction Why is it so hard for many people to quit smoking? Most smokers know that they’re addicted, but they may not realize that there are several aspects to their addiction. We call this the “three-link chain of addiction.” Smokers have a better chance of quitting and staying quit if they address …

How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolution
We have welcomed in the New Year. I sincerely hope everyone had a joyous and meaningful holiday. Typically this time of year, there are lots of ads on TV, in print media, and on social media regarding making resolutions for making life better. Losing weight and exercising is often the #1 thing that most people …

Healthy Wins to Stick to in the New Year
Tis the season for diets, exercise plans and health goals. Are you making New Year’s Resolutions this year? Wellness promotions are everywhere – social media, TV ads and grocery stores. Be Cautious of Quick Fix Diets I’m all in for a health reboot or jump start – however, please be cautious of the plan you …
COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Booster Dose
In January 2020, the World Health Organization announced that there was a mysterious Coronavirus– related illness that had first been identified in Wuhan, China. Since then this illness has spread resulting in a global pandemic; the likes of which hasn’t been seen since the Spanish Flu more than a century ago. For almost two years, …

Mindful Eating and the Holidays
The holidays are here! No doubt many of us are anticipating time with family and friends, gift giving and receiving, and then there’s all that yummy food! Comfort foods – those once-a-year-delights that many of us didn’t get to enjoy the past two years with the pandemic concerns. So this year’s tempting treats may seem …
Safety First When Choosing Gifts for Kids
December is the ideal time for National Safe Toys and Gifts month as that is when we are picking out holiday gifts for our children — and also for nieces, nephews, grandkids and friends. Tips for Shopping Safely for Kids If you’re not a parent or your kids are getting older and asking for new …

Physical Therapy After Prostate Surgery
Post authored by Rihab Sayed PT, DPT, and Dane Klett, MD Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) is a minimally invasive procedure for removal of the prostate due to cancer. The prostate is a gland that surrounds the urethra (the tube that urine passes through as it exits the body). Recovery tends to involve one night …

Healthier Season’s Treatings: Delightful Desserts
It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are upon us already! Family time, holiday caroling, and the season of giving- what could be better? There’s one other thing that frames the holiday season for many, and that’s food. Particularly, TONS of delicious desserts that are usually laden with sugar and calories. Overindulging on these treats …
Healthier Season’s Treatings: The Main Course
The holidays are here! That means food and family. You might be wondering how you can be healthy but still enjoy all the traditional food your family is accustomed to. Consider a few healthful swaps to the main meal and stay on track! 4 0z of skinless turkey breast has: 152 calories …

Healthier Season’s Treatings: Appetizers and Beverages
The holidays are a time to celebrate the reason for the season with loved ones. You do not have to wrap-up the holiday season with uncontrolled blood sugars and not feeling your best. Overstuffing on high-calorie appetizers and beverages can make the remainder of your meal and celebration less enjoyable. Consider these ideas for choosing …