From the latest in medical technology to finding ways to de-stress after a long day's work, our Mind & Body features are full of useful information.
It’s flu season again, but medical experts predict we may have fewer cases of flu this go-round because of the precautions we continue to take for COVID-19. Over the course of this year, scientists have learned much about viruses and how they spread. Turns out, handwashing, mask wearing, and social distancing can help prevent a number of transmittable diseases, including flu. But nonetheless, we still need to be vigilant and take steps to fight the flu. In this special section, you’ll find stories on how to differentiate between the flu and COVID-19, kids and the flu, foods that might help ward off flu and its symptoms, and general tips to stay healthy.
Stress is something that we are, unfortunately, no stranger to in 2020. Prior to this year, it was easy to become overwhelmed with the day-to-day grind and seemingly never-ending list of to-dos, and rightfully so. It is difficult to juggle all of the demands that life has placed on our shoulders with the ever-lofty expectations that others (ok, usually ourselves) place on accomplishing them. For those of us in Southwest Louisiana, we long for the days that seem so much simpler than the reality we are now living.
The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but with tempting treats at every turn, the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day can also be the most challenging to stay on track. This year, consider these tips from Coach Ellen Stringer with Profile by Sanford—Lake Charles to enjoy the holiday season without overindulging in holiday cheer.
Stay home. It’s what we were all asked to do to protect ourselves and our community since the arrival of COVID-19 in mid-March. Now, as some restrictions begin to ease, many in our community are beginning to venture out. But for our older community members, home is still the safest place to be.
As of July 2020, the unemployment rate in the United States was 10.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which means there are A LOT of people currently out there looking for a job. It is important for job seekers to understand that, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers have reassessed and altered their hiring practices. Some businesses hope to bring back experienced workers who were laid off or furloughed; and companies seeking to hire new talent are discovering new avenues for recruitment, such as virtual and drive-up job fairs.
American Sign Language (ASL) is our country’s third-most common language, according to Sign Language Services International, where Dr. Daniel Burch serves as Vice President. Burch has become quite a recognizable figure in Louisiana, sign language interpreting alongside Gov. John Bel Edwards during his COVID-19 press conferences.
It’s no secret that football has a high rate of injuries – even at the high school level. While other sports (basketball, baseball, soccer) all carry their fair share of risks and dangers, no sport matches football in terms of the number and severity of injuries reported annually.
Telehealth services are quickly becoming an essential component for physicians to treat patients as we all look for ways to social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many conditions can be seen using telehealth, according to Danielle McLurkin, MD, Chief Health Officer and Family Medicine physician with SWLA Center for Health Services.
Profile offers a step-by step personalized nutrition, activity and lifestyle plan backed by science. From counting calories to pre-made food to intense workouts, there are so many weight loss plans to choose from. But, which one is right for you?
Remember when your mother told you to stand up straight? She was right. Your posture – good or bad – has a big impact on your life, affecting your health, your mood and how people perceive you.
Caregivers may need to take a little of their own advice. As they care for their loved ones, it’s easy to lose a sense of themselves in the process. "They’re busy making sure things are just right for their loved one, they forget to check in with themselves,” said Anne Welch, administrator of WCCH’s Home Health Agency.
When it comes to allergy season, Louisiana doesn’t necessarily play by the rules. Although most people believe that springtime is the peak season for allergy symptoms, Louisiana residents are exposed nearly year-round to some of the most common allergy triggers.
Most people consider luck to be superstition or wishful thinking—which makes sense if you believe good fortune is determined by rabbits’ feet, horseshoes, and four-leaf clovers. But recent research in the field of Positive Psychology suggests it’s time to rethink that stance. The data show that our luck (or lack of it) is firmly rooted in scientific cause and effect.
Summer is the season of bare feet, flip flops and outdoor fun in the sun. These are also among the top reasons foot doctors see an increase in patients during the summer.
As temperatures rise, we all feel uncomfortably warm when outdoors, especially in Southwest Louisiana. Perspiration and a slight increase in heart rate are to be expected, but when exposed to high temperatures for an extended amount of time, more severe symptoms could indicate a heat-related illness.
Summer is upon us, and after a very stressful few months that none of us could have imagined, our thoughts are turning to getting outdoors, enjoying life again, and soaking up the sun.
During summer, many families spend hours in the pool or at the beach, relaxing and cooling off in the water. One unwelcome side effect for all this water fun is otitis externa, an ear infection also known as swimmer’s ear.
May is National Healthy Vision Month, and the good health of your eyes is, literally, in your hands. Well-washed hands, that is. That’s the message from Dr. William Hart of Hart Eye Center, who offers guidance for people as coronavirus concerns, allergies and summer weather challenge our eye health.
Parents often struggle with how to get their children to brush their teeth regularly. The good news is that for those parents who put in the effort, their kids will usually develop good oral hygiene habits. Summer is a good time for parents to focus on helping their children develop good daily brushing habits.
The number of reported cases and deaths from coronavirus in the U.S. is staggering. As you likely have heard, we currently don’t have a vaccine or an established treatment option for COVID-19.
It is important for each person to be educated about how to protect themselves from COVID-19. If someone has traveled outside the country or thinks they’ve been exposed to someone who might have COVID-19, they should notify their clinic before going in. Prior notification minimizes the transmission risk. This way the person can arrange for testing and then seek medical attention.
In this unpredictable global pandemic world, it’s hard to tell how much children understand or how they will react to what they do understand. Some handle it well while others have a difficult time processing the information and experience more anxiety. How can parents help their children deal with the stress during these difficult and uncertain times?
What a year it’s been, and we’re just a quarter of the way through. It’s been a rollercoaster of stress and worry. Not only worries about a global pandemic but the resulting impact on the economy. From the government’s standpoint, the best thing for consumers to do when the economy is in turmoil is to spend money. Consumer spending has a positive effect on all national economic indicators, but the same can’t necessarily be said about your personal economic indicators.
With the earliest on-set of spring since 1896, pollen has started to bloom, causing the typical allergy symptoms.
Adding to the misery this year is allergy season’s early arrival coinciding with the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), increasing anxiety as people try to determine if their symptoms are just seasonal allergies or perhaps a warning sign they have been infected with the virus.
When you hear the word, "arthritis,” you probably think of someone in their senior years being affected by this disease that wreaks havoc on joints, not a younger adult in the prime of their life. But things like sports injuries and obesity have caused an increase of arthritis cases in adults ages 18 to 65, according to the latest research.
March is National Music in our Schools Month so it’s a great time to highlight the many reasons music is beneficial to young people. Singing or playing a musical instrument helps students in numerous ways – academically, physically, psychologically, and socially.
New Year’s resolutions are notorious for being broken — especially by March. But slipping up doesn’t mean you should abandon your goals completely. Making mistakes is part of the process. In fact, your missteps might even help you honor your resolutions in the long run.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for 840,768 deaths in 2016, according to the American Heart Association. But there is encouraging news. From 2006 to 2016, the US death rate from CVD decreased by 18.6% and from coronary heart disease by 31.8%. This decline in heart disease could be a result of public education and people’s desire to eat healthier, lose weight, and exercise. It could also be attributed to better heart health technology and treatment options. And there’s no need to go out of town to receive high quality cardiac care! Southwest Louisiana hospitals offer a wide variety of state-of-the-art treatment modalities. In this special section, area health facilities detail various cardiac issues and how they can be treated right here at home.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, but dental health is important for everyone, no matter your age. While oral hygiene is obviously essential for your teeth and gums, you should know that good dental care can affect the health of your whole body. In this special section, you’ll read about how taking care of your teeth can benefit your overall health. You’ll also find stories on correcting bad bites, caring for kids’ teeth, and the importance of eating crunchy foods for good dental health.
Sensitivity to light. Loss of appetite. A dull headache that grows into a throbbing pain. Blurred vision. Nausea. Dizziness. Those who experience migraines are all too familiar with these uncomfortable symptoms.
For the first time in longer than he can remember, Lee LeJeune enjoyed the sounds of the holiday season last month. He has suffered from hearing loss for years, which resulted in him missing out on conversations with family and friends, the sounds of his grandchildren laughing, his favorite television programs and more. In many ways, he was isolated on the sidelines of his own life, a life his daughter Julie Borill said he had always devoted to his family.
According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, the average person gains approximately one to two pounds over the holiday season. That doesn’t sound so bad, but the problem comes when that weight makes itself a permanent fixture in your body. The study says it can take up to five months to lose the weight gained during Thanksgiving and Christmas, or worse yet, that the gain is never shed, which can be a big problem over time. Two pounds times ten years equals twenty pounds!
Grandma called them the ‘winter blues’; Grandpa would say he was in the ‘doldrums’. Whatever it’s called, for many people, winter’s waning daylight and overcast skies invite in the shadows. For those affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD), even the relatively mild winter seasons of the Deep South can bring on anxiety, depression, and unexpected mood swings. The National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates that approximately 6% of people experience acute cases of SAD, while up to 14% report they simply feel blue, irritable, and out-of-sorts when the days grow shorter.
The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time, full of cheer and fun times with family and friends. But for anyone who has recently – or even not so recently – experienced the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be a very difficult time. When you’re feeling a little (or a lot) less joyous than those around you, it can be tempting to try to just skip the holidays altogether, but we all know that’s not exactly realistic, or healthy, for that matter.
You probably don’t think much about vein problems unless you have them, but a little knowledge may help you take steps to minimize your chances of getting them.
Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience for some, and for others it can be a long, drawn out, difficult process. Whatever your pregnancy was like, most mothers will agree that after nine months of expecting a baby, you’re ready to be yourself again and jump back into "normal life.” But what happens if your body doesn’t feel quite right? You may notice things are happening "down there” that haven't happened before and you may feel frustrated because you thought everything would return to "normal,” especially after being released from your doctor.
One of the trickiest things about diabetes is that many patients aren’t diagnosed until the disease has progressed far enough to begin causing serious symptoms. It’s estimated that 29 million Americans are living with diabetes, but one in four aren’t aware. These statistics are scary, but learning the early signs and symptoms of this dangerous disease can help us detect it earlier and manage it better.
From the day we are born, our lives are impacted by dedicated healthcare workers and medical institutions. When we are young, pediatricians monitor our growth, provide vaccinations that keep us well, and bring us back to health during an illness. As adults, we maintain our health through the help of primary care doctors and physician specialists. Nurses and allied health professionals provide care every step of the way, as well. As we age, gerontologists may guide us through our senior years. In this issue’s cover section, we recognize the contributions that healthcare workers and health organizations make to our community by highlighting a variety of services offered at several local healthcare facilities. You’ll find stories on some of the latest technologies available at area hospitals; a new rehabilitation center, robotic technology, hospice care, and more.
October 10 is World Mental Health Day, observed each year with the objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. Thrive magazine joins these efforts in this issue with several stories to increase awareness of mental health concerns.
The first step in understanding mental illness is to know what isn’t true. It is important to break the cycle of stigmatizing those with mental health issues; but how do we do that? First of all, our society does have a greater understanding of certain more severe mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia and Manic-Depressive Disorders, says Daniel Aguillard, LCSW, MHA, and VP of Specialty Services at Archer Institute. "Because we can often see these types of illnesses manifest themselves in easily-observed ways, we realize the person needs help. What we don’t understand is that issues like depression, anxiety, and stress can become serious, and though very treatable, they too often go unaddressed. We tend to stigmatize because everyone experiences episodes of anxiety, depression, and stress which we overcome with our normal, everyday resources. However, when our mental health deteriorates and begins to interfere with our relationships and jobs, it’s time to seek treatment and NOT get caught up in the stigma.”
As children spend more time in front of various screens, there is increasing concern about potential harm to their visual development. Ophthalmologists see a marked increase in children with dry eye and eye strain from too much screen time, but does digital eyestrain cause lasting damage?
Now that kids are back in school and have more time with screens and books, doctors at The Eye Clinic want to arm parents with the facts, so they can make informed choices about their children’s eye health.
Heel pain is one of the primary complaints heard by physicians who specialize in caring for the feet, with plantar fasciitis (fashee-EYE-tiss) being one of the most common causes, affecting approximately two million patients each year.
As Americans live longer, growth in the number of older adults is unprecedented. In 2015, 14.9% (47.8 million) of the US population was aged 65 or older and is projected to reach 23.5% (98 million) by 2060. Along with these numbers comes a desire for older Americans to not only age but to age well. And what does that look like? Of course, it is different for everyone, but basically, older Americans want to be physically healthy, financially stable, and live independently for as long as possible. In this special section geared towards seniors, you’ll find information on aging at place (ie home), when to give up the car keys, dealing with caregiver burnout, taking care of your skin, and tips to help you remain financially secure for the rest of your life.
Chances are, if you haven’t KonMari-ed or taken on decluttering your home already, you’re at least familiar with Marie Kondo and the KonMari Method™ – whether through her New York Times bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up or through her Netflix special, aptly titled "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.” Let’s take a look at this trend and learn what happens when you apply some of the top de-cluttering tips to your own life.
Germs are a part of life, especially in public places like schools. In fact, many experts consider schools to be the "ground zero” for infectious disease transmission because of the increased exposure to germ-filled situations: public restrooms, shared desks, lunchrooms, door handles, sports equipment, band instruments – the list goes on and on.
In our quest for good health and wellbeing, many of us search for natural remedies that will do the job without chemicals or side effects. One popular alternative that has actually been around since ancient times is the use of essential oils.
For some people, a trip to the gym for a workout is an enjoyable part of their daily routine and even a venue for social interaction. For others, going to the gym is torture for reasons that range from fear of body shaming to a fear of having a heart attack on the treadmill and dying of embarrassment. Or maybe dying of boredom on the treadmill? For those of you who have gym-phobia, there is good news and great news: The good news is that you can stay fit through exercise and the great news is that you don’t have to set foot in the gym to do it!
Kids are outside more than ever during the summer. Parents, cautious about the effects of the sun, pour on the sunscreen and encourage them to wear a cap or visor. But vulnerable parts of the body are still exposed: the eyes.
Having a sick child is one of the most difficult situations a family can go through. Being close to a good support network can help alleviate some of the stress and difficulty that goes along with it. Also, having a safe and reliable facility to turn to when your child becomes ill is imperative. Lake Charles Memorial Hospital (LCMH) has the only Acute Care Pediatric Unit and the only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in our community.
June is Men’s Health Month, a time when healthcare providers, educators, and Thrive magazine strive to raise awareness of preventable health problems through early disease detection and treatment, and to encourage men to live a healthy lifestyle, both physically and psychologically. In this special section, you’ll find articles on the major threats to men’s health, exercise alternatives for men who dislike the gym and, to reduce stress and improve your mental health, you’ll find a story on great places to escape for a long weekend with the guys
The unique shape of one’s ear is a testament to a person’s individuality. In fact, the ear’s individualized arrangement of narrow openings, flat surfaces and sharply curved surfaces are a complex system that helps a person to communicate with the outside world. No two are exactly the same.
The physicians of Imperial Health Center for Orthopaedics (CFO) are pleased to announce the opening of the Center for Regenerative Medicine at their Lake Charles office, located at 1747 Imperial Boulevard.
May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month
If you’ve seen the hit movie, The Greatest Showman, you’ll recall the charismatic character, "the bearded lady.” What if that lovable hairy face and plump body were the result of an untreated endocrine disorder? What if the bearded lady actually had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
As a parent, it can be hard to keep up with all the appointments, routines and healthy habits that experts recommend for your child.
April is National Occupational Therapy Month, which provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the strides occupational therapy makes in returning independence and quality of life to patients each and every day.
From the latest in medical technology to finding ways to de-stress after a long day's work, our Mind & Body features are full of useful information.
