Health And Fitness
Genomics, Family History & Osteoporosis
If one of your parents has had a fracture, especially a hip fracture, then earlier screening for osteoporosis might be right for you. Share your family health history with your doctor.
May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month.
Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which bones become weak and brittle. People with osteoporosis have an increased risk for fractures, most commonly of the hip, forearm/wrist and spine.
Staying Safe and Healthy in the Water
IDPH recognizes Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention Week
Each year, the week before Memorial Day has been designated National Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention Week. This year’s observance, May 19-25, 2014, marks its tenth anniversary. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) urges all Iowans to take simple steps to ensure healthy and safe swimming for everyone.
VIDEO: Celebrating Hospital Week at VGH
Virginia Gay Hospital is celebrating Hospital Week! Enjoy this video and see if you recognize anyone.
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Asthma and School
Asthma is a leading chronic illness among children and adolescents in the United States. It is also one of the leading causes of school absenteeism. On average, in a classroom of 30 children, about 3 are likely to have asthma. Low-income populations, minorities, and children living in inner cities experience more emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths due to asthma than the general population.
Research Helps People and Pets
Where would we be without our furry friends? Pet dogs and cats stand by us with love and loyalty, sharing our lives’ ups and downs. Our beloved pets can also share many of the same medical problems that we have, like asthma, diabetes, and even cancer. Doctors, veterinarians, and scientists work together to study diseases that affect both pets and people.
Tick Talk: Block Tick Bites and Lyme Disease
When warm weather arrives, you might get the urge to walk barefoot through the grass. But before you stroll through your lawn or head out on a hiking trail, you’ll want to protect yourself and your loved ones from ticks that often lurk in tall grass, thick brush, and wooded areas. Many ticks carry disease, so do what you can to keep ticks from taking a bite out of you.
How the Brain Pays Attention to Faces and Places
Researchers identified areas of the brain that help us target our attention to objects, such as faces. The finding offers insight into how our brains are able to focus attention on key tasks amid a barrage of distracting sensory information.
Have you ever tried to find a friend in a large crowd? If you know where your friend is located, you can focus your attention on spatial details to search for her.
Poison ivy - oak - sumac rash
Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are plants that commonly cause an allergic skin reaction. The result is typically an itching, red rash with bumps or blisters.
Considerations
Poison ivy is one of the most frequent causes of skin rash among children and adults who spend time outdoors. The plant can be found throughout the United States, except in the Southwest, Alaska, and Hawaii.
HELP BOOST THE BLOOD SUPPLY BEFORE THE SUMMER
As the temperature rises, it is a reminder that summer is on its way. It is also a reminder that local hospital patients still rely on generous, volunteer blood donors to make life-saving donations even in the midst of enjoying all that summer has to offer.
Blood donations often decrease during the summer months; however, the need for blood remains the same.
Soothing a Sore Throat
We’ve all had sore throats around this time of year. Your throat feels scratchy and may hurt when you swallow. What can you do to soothe a sore throat? And when is it a sign of a more serious infection?
Most sore throats are caused by viral infections such as the common cold or the flu. These throat problems are generally minor and go away on their own.