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.
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.
