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.
Music plays a significant role in nearly everyone’s life, but for some people it represents much more than an invitation to dance or a soundtrack for the morning commute.
Researchers have found that music therapy provides a diversion from negative feelings and helps manage the pain of not only adults, but of children with developmental, physical, behavioral, and neurological disabilities.
Whether you prefer a relaxing day on the beach or an afternoon on the golf course, enjoying the warmth of sunshine is one of the great things about summertime. Getting a sun-kissed glow is one of the side benefits . . . or is it? Unfortunately, those sunrays aren’t kind to the skin. "Many people think a little color to the skin makes a person look healthier, but if they knew the damage the sun causes to the skin, they would avoid it,” says Lee Miller, MD, board certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon with Dermatology Associates of Southwest Louisiana.
High blood pressure plays a contributing role in more than 15% of deaths in the United States, according to a Harvard study. The American Heart Association reports approximately 30% of Americans suffer from high blood pressure, but don’t know it.
Between the never ending piles of laundry, the chauffeuring of children to their various activities, and keeping the homestead in tip-top shape to the weekly meals prepared for the family, and for many, a full-time job, staying on top of health matters can fall to the bottom of a to-do list. In truth, your health is the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones, so it is imperative you make time to take care of yourself in addition to taking care of everyone else. Consequently, the Department of Health and Human Services has made May 8, 2017 National Women’s Check-Up Day.
A single note of a melodic gong commences Miranda Fontenot’s Yin Yoga class. Quiet music with peaceful nature sounds plays in the background. Infused essential oils scent the air. "Namaste.” As she calmly voices instructions, Miranda walks among her students, helping them attain proper postures. She encourages them to relax into the positions.
When you think of great places for cycling you may think of France, Amsterdam, and California . . . but could Southwest Louisiana be included on that list? Thanks to a push by an unprecedented number of organizations, governments, and businesses, this region is buzzing with bicycle advocacy, bike lane construction, and group rides on any kind of bicycle you can think of.Below are some groups, events, and locations that will encourage you to dust off your 10-speed, pump up the tires, and hit the road.
How many times have you visited The Art Walk and wished that you, too, could create something like the masterpieces that hang in the Gallery by the Lake or The Art Shop? If those particular skills seem beyond your reach, you may be mistaken. Lake Chares is home to several different studios that can stoke your creative fires and help you achieve the results you want with the artistic outlet of your choice.
We’ve all heard the expression, "It is better to give than to receive.” Who doesn’t appreciate that warm fuzzy feeling when we give to those in need, be it our time, energy, or money? Generosity provides the giver a sense of purpose and increases one’s self-esteem. It improves relationships and promotes social connections. The act of giving not only helps others, but is in your best interest physically, as well! Recent studies show that generosity is good for our bodies as well as our minds. Here’s a rundown of the physical health benefits of generosity.
The Revolution of Fitness Apps
Fitness trackers have come a long way since those first pedometers that merely counted the steps you took while clipped to your waistband. Now many people use some sort of activity tracker, whether it be a Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin, or one of the countless fitness-tracking cell phone apps that exist. These apps are developed to help users achieve their fitness and health goals easier. With so many readily accessible apps available, it can be a challenge to determine which one is best for you. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular fitness apps available.
First impressions count. The first moments of meeting someone or experiencing something new sets the stage for everything else from that point.
In this season of candy hearts and dozens of roses, the feeling of being alone can be magnified when set against the backdrop of coupledom. The empty ache of loneliness can take root within you and make simple daily tasks draining and unfulfilling. In fact, psychologists say that the pain of loneliness can be as real as the pain of thirst or hunger. If you are experiencing loneliness, have courage. With a little effort you can overcome your feelings of isolation.
When you think of the typical patient in an orthodontist's office, an awkward middle schooler with a mouth full of metal brackets may come to mind, but things have changed. Not only are more adults seeking a straighter smile in record numbers, there are more choices than ever in materials for achieving the results they want.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. 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.
Six eye surgeries. A stroke. Numbness on one side of the body. These are just some of the complications Kristen Orndoff has experienced as the result of diabetes. And she is just 30 years old. "I was diagnosed at age 3, so I have been in treatment for this disease and dealing with the limitations that result from it for basically my entire life.”
In the medical field, life or death situations are often measured in seconds. Sometimes they are measured in pints.
In 2011, Dr. Kyle Daigle studied at Parker Chiropractic, a cutting edge chiropractic clinic near Dallas. While there, he gained an appreciation for a holistic approach to treating health disorders. He studied the human body and learned how all the physiological systems work together. He developed therapy modalities that were different from what most patients were accustomed to. But they worked. And word spread quickly.
Grief during the holiday season can be the most difficult grief of all. Someone mourning the loss of a loved one may struggle to join in the merriment, be overcome by memories of holidays past, or try to block out or avoid the celebrations altogether.
The holiday season is officially upon us, and with it comes increased stress for many. Each December tends to bring a mix of joy, anxiety, and moments of panic. If you’re already feeling the pressure, or remembering the pain of holidays past, consider these five tips to keep you feeling balanced, happy, and in control.
Americans are not sleeping well. Whether it is sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, sleepwalking or insomnia, sleep difficulties plague an estimated 50 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Finding a remedy for these sleepless nights used to require spending the night in a sleep clinic for testing and observation. While that is still the gold standard for a comprehensive sleep disorder diagnosis, today, many people opt for a sleep study in the comfort of their home.
Yoga is the oldest structured form of exercise and can help you maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle, says Chelsea Boudreaux, an eleven year certified yoga instructor and owner of the Yoga Center of Lake Charles. According to the Seattle Yoga News, about 36.7 million Americans currently practice yoga in order to receive the many benefits that lead to this happiness and good health.
President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimers Disease Awareness Month in 1983. It is doubtful he could have known at that time that by 2016, an estimated 5.4 million Americans would suffer from Alzheimers disease and that it would be the 6th leading cause of death. One in nine people ages 65 and older has Alzheimers. For people over age 85, a sobering one in two is diagnosed with this tragic disease.
As breast cancer awareness and prevention takes center stage during October, an improved way of viewing mammograms is taking the spotlight. Three-dimensional technology, now available locally, allows radiologists a more detailed view than the previous 2D method.
Even though October is awash with pink breast cancer awareness messages, we see the pink ribbons on billboards, TV, products in stores, even the NFL players wear pink in support of breast cancer research, it is still up to each woman to make that phone call and schedule a mammogram.
Long gone are the days of lacing up your old Chuck Taylors, putting on a pair of shorts and a Tshirt, and heading out for a little road workout.What we have now is a completely different kind of running game; one where the equipment must fit the runner.
Scratchy eyes may sound like a harmless side effect of summers hot, windy days or the coming of allergy season, but dry eye disease can cause some serious harm to your eyes’ ocular surface if your tears evaporate too quickly or if your eyes produce low quality tears. Over 55 million Americans endure the symptoms of dry eye, and 39 million of those are undiagnosed with dry eye disease.
Caregivers may need to take a little of their own advice. As they care for their loved ones, it is easy to lose a sense of themselves in the process. "They are busy making sure things are just right for their loved one, they forget to check in with themselves,” said Pamela Bruney, director of WCCHs Home Health Agency.
Every relationship has its ups and downs. Some are comparable to the ebbs and flows of the tides, while others feel more like a Six Flags roller coaster ride! How do you know if you are in a relationship that is headed for trouble? Look out for these signs.
During a stroke, every minute matters. The saying, Time is brain is true, said Timothy Quattrone, MD, chief medical officer of emergency medicine and hospital medicine with West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. A diagnostic program available at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, known as TeleStroke, allows WCCH physicians to consult in real time with expert neurologists in another location, on the diagnosis of a potential stroke patient.
A smile is one of the strongest forms of communication; it can signal confidence, offer affection and spread positivity, so it is not surprising that the lack of a smile can do the exact opposite.
Think of the last ten people you saw during your morning commute. Chances are, one of them is among the 29.1 million Americans living with diabetes today. As the seventh leading cause of death in the United States in 2015, diabetes, while manageable, can run rampant in your body and kick start a series of serious health issues, and your eyes are not immune.
Gardening is a satisfying activity enjoyed by many, but seasonal allergies can make it difficult to allow your green thumb to fully express itself in the summer months.
Most people do not consider diet and exercise while traveling. After all, vacations are a time to relax and have fun. Unfortunately, tourists often gain weight, or come home feeling more sluggish than when they left.
Like arthritis in any joint, ankle arthritis causes pain, stiffness and swelling. However, the symptoms are often more severe in the ankle because it is the smallest weight bearing oint. In order to walk, the small surface area of the ankle joint must absorb the bodys entire weight, exponentially more pounds per square inch. If the joint is arthritic, each step can be excruciating.
Do you find yourself reaching for the lamp switch more often? Avoiding driving at night? Taking extra care when pouring your coffee to avoid spilling? These behavior changes could be the result of vision problems that you are not aware of.
Every 43 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers a heart attack. Each year, more than 600,000 of those afflicted will not survive the attack, with nearly half of the victims being women. While we have all become familiar with the Hollywood heart attack, wherein the man suddenly clutches his chest and immediately falls unconscious, only a portion of victims will experience a heart attack in this way and womens symptoms may be significantly different, according to cardiologist Jake LeBeau.
New beginnings are the most exciting and energizing times in life. According to Sherrie Campbell, PhD, author of Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person, summer is a great time to get fired up, motivated, and start making changes to get to your next level.
Like many people, Dave Griffin spends most of the workweek indoors at a desk. He interacts with his computer monitor more than other people. All the normal demands of life once capitalized his nonwork hours, leaving little time for self fulfillment.
Visiting a mattress store can feel like walking into a Princess and the Pea fairy tale. There are so many choices that it can be difficult to decide which mattress will best fit your specific needs and lifestyle.
By the time we hit the golden age of 70, over half of us will have cataracts. Even if many of us have plenty of time before our eyesight begins to dim, nearly 22 million Americans north of 40 will develop cataracts.
You know that a bad diet, too little exercise, and smoking can hurt your ticker, but there are lots of sneaky sources of heart disease that you may not be aware of. Over time, some bad habits can add up and take their toll on your heart.
The rapid spread of the Zika virus has health experts alarmed, with ongoing research being conducted to determine how and why it is spreading and what Americans can do to protect themselves.
Ten years ago, we didn’t have smart phones, Wi-Fi, iPads or Fitbits, and the first surgical robot in Southwest Louisiana, the da Vinci, had just arrived at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital.
Diabetes is a growing national concern, and Louisiana is no stranger to the disease. Approximately 10 percent of Louisianans have been diagnosed with diabetes and there are still many people living with the condition who do not know they have it.
February is American Heart Month, and since its inception in 1964, this annual observance has done much to increase awareness about cardiovascular disease and how to prevent it. As a result, improvements in heart disease prevalence and mortality rates are being made each year.For example, 2014 statistics from the American Heart Association report that on average, one person dies every 40 seconds from heart disease, an improvement from 39 seconds in 2012. However, heart disease is still the number one killer in the United States, responsible for 1 in every 3 deaths, or 787,650 American live lost each year.
Your eyes may be your windows to the world, but they also give doctors a glimpse inside, at your health, including diseases and conditions of which you may be unaware.
Studies have shown that people who have workout buddies tend to have better success. Something about friendly competition, mutual guilt complexes, and external support brings us closer to the gym and further from the couch. But does the same hold true for couples?
Many baby boomers take a risky approach to their personal health, which has them living longer, but not necessarily better, according to a recent study.
You stare at your electronic screens more times a day than you probably realize, not realizing that doing so can put a serious strain on your body. "Technology-related musculoskeletal pain is more than just a temporary annoyance, it is a potentially serious problem that could cause headaches and pain in the shoulders, back and neck pain,” according to Dr. Bill Lowry, MD, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with Center for Orthopaedics.
Sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy or watery eyes -- these are all symptoms that many people experience each winter. When you find yourself miserable with your winter "cold," think again. You could actually be suffering from winter allergies.
Fevers, runny noses, sore throats—yes, it is that time of year again. Influenza is quite reliable, showing up every year usually in late fall, peaking over the winter then slowly waning as we move toward spring. There are records of its annual appearance since 1819 when the flu reached pandemic status. Thankfully, we have made great strides in managing the disease since then.
Eating, making phone calls, going for a drive or online shopping are normal activities; but they become dangerous when done while sleeping.
Usually thought of as a childhood disease, the chickenpox can have lasting effects well into adulthood because the virus remains inactive in the body even after recovery. Years after you have had the chickenpox, the virus can reappear in the form of shingles.
How many times have you put off something because it gave you stress and anxiety? While skipping out on a public speaking opportunity or dinner with your in-laws will not likely cause damaging repercussions, ignoring your dental health because of anxiety can create serious health issues.
Pilates is notorious for being a strenuous and effective workout. But according to Alisa Wyatt, founder of Pilatesology, it can also be an excellent way to prepare for birth.
One in nine Americans over age 65 has Alzheimers disease. That equates to an estimated 5.3 million people. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Currently, there is no cure.
Twelve-year-old Teddy Dean of Lake Charles -- first introduced to Southwest Louisiana through a KPLC segment with Britney Glaser -- has severe hearing loss as the result of a birth defect connected to Down syndrome. A Cochlear device was expected to give Teddy a world of sounds for the first time.
This October, the skies above Lake Charles will come alive with roaring aircraft and jaw-dropping aerobatic stunts by some of the best aerial performers in the industry. After taking a one-year hiatus, the family-friendly Kia of Lake Charles Chennault International Airshow is coming back to Southwest Louisiana this October 24-25 at Chennault International Airport.
There’s a new season ahead, and we’re not talking about fall or winter – or football. We’re talking 5Ks, triathlons, walks and runs. In September and October alone, there are 59 such events statewide, including several in Southwest Louisiana.
When the temperatures rise, we all feel uncomfortably hot 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.
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.
