Heart health is paramount to living a full and vibrant life. The good news is there are preventive measures that can safeguard your cardiovascular well-being. Advancements such as calcium heart scans provide valuable insights into your heart's condition.
Reaching the age of 40 is a significant milestone that often comes with a greater focus on health maintenance and prevention. As part of Healthy Aging Month in September, in this blog we talk to Jeffrey Cruzan, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician with INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Memorial West, about the medical screenings to keep in mind as we get older.
There's a growing trend on YouTube of misinformation about sleep medicine, including tips and advice on improving sleep disorders. In this blog we visit with Viral Doshi, M.D., a sleep medicine specialist with INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, to examine how watching these videos for information can harm your sleep health.
In this blog, David Chansolme, M.D., the medical director of infection prevention at INTEGRIS Health, gives us an update on the recent uptick in COVID cases across the country and in Oklahoma.
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance in August to highlight the importance of vaccines for people of all ages and how they help to prevent and protect us from serious, sometimes deadly, diseases and illness.
Paul Allegra, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Orthopedics Central, warns that “shoulder pain can be secondary to a multitude of factors, including multidirectional instability, rotator cuff tendinitis, subacromial impingement or rotator cuff tears.” He says if symptoms persist, you should seek treatment from a medical professional.
There are four stages of heart failure, and knowing these stages can provide insight on how to manage it and how to slow down the progression to live an enjoyable life. Luke Cunningham, M.D., an advanced heart failure, transplant and mechanical circulatory support cardiologist for INTEGRIS Health, shares insight on the four stages of heart failure and how to manage it.
As students return to school and dive into sports, the summer heat poses significant health risks. In this blog, we talked to David Hopkins, D.O., a board-certified family medicine physician at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Guthrie about the health risks of rising temperatures and the dangers posed to young athletes.
You can glean valuable information simply by looking at someone’s face. Whether it’s facial expressions to indicate happiness or sadness or changes in skin color and texture to indicate illness, the face can offer insights into how you’re feeling.
In this blog, we talked to Whitney Crowe, M.D., a family medicine physician at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Great Plains in Oklahoma City to learn why a nourishing diet contributes significantly to skin health and explore which nutrient-rich foods can help you attain and maintain healthy skin.
We learn from Mitchell West, M.D., an obstetrician/gynecologist (OBGYN) specializing in women’s health at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Women's Baptist in Oklahoma City, about why thyroid issues happen, what complexities can develop and how to treat these conditions.
Let’s explore what chronic wounds are, what causes them and why they can be challenging to deal with. Whether you’re personally dealing with one or just curious, read to learn more about chronic wounds.
In this blog we talk to Brian Herritt, M.D., a bariatric surgeon at INTEGRIS Health Weight Loss Center about Ozempic and whether it is a safe option for weight management.
As effective as antibiotics are, they can just as easily be ineffective when misused or not taken properly. Bacteria are smarter than we give them credit for, and they’re adept at becoming resistant to various antibiotics. By knowing the proper use of antibiotics, you can help preserve their effectiveness and help combat bacterial infections in the future.
The decision on when to get knee replacement surgery is a topic many Americans struggle with. In 2020, Northwestern Medicine published a study that found 90 percent of people waited too long to fix their knee with joint replacement surgery, and 25 percent of people who had it done did so prematurely.
We spoke with Paul Allegra, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with INTEGRIS Health in Edmond, about how to recognize a concussion and what next steps to take.
RSV is a common viral infection that affects the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, lungs and breathing passages. RSV comes from the Paramyxoviridae family, a group that also includes the mumps and measles. The virus can replicate anywhere in the respiratory tract, mainly the breathing tubes and lungs. This replication then causes swelling and inflammation that makes you sneeze, cough or have trouble breathing.
You’ll visit your primary care doctor for most medical needs, including wellness visits and routine preventive screenings, non-emergency illnesses like colds and sore throats. This is the person to whom you can comfortably ask questions about your health or voice concerns. We speak with Nathaniel Yokell, M.D., a physician at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Yukon, about the importance of maintaining a relationship with a primary care provider.
On Feb. 5, Oklahoma lost a favorite son and icon, Toby Keith, to stomach cancer and Oklahomans are in mourning. We spoke to oncologist, Laila Babar, M.D., about stomach cancer facts, symptoms and treatment.
In terms of skin cancer, where does it rank among fatal cases? This is a common question people ask. We examine how serious skin cancer is and how likely you are to survive if you or a family member recently received a diagnosis.
Childhood obesity is a disturbing epidemic in the U.S. The number of children who suffer from it has more than tripled since 1980. This means the future health of our children is dire as they suffer from diseases that were traditionally reserved for adults - diseases like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. The good news is that childhood obesity is reversible.
To learn more about what high risk breast cancer means, we sought out information from Nicole Sharp Cottrell, M.D., a board-certified and fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist at INTEGRIS Breast Surgery.
Dr. Dena O'Leary, an INTEGRIS Health urogynecologist, discusses female incontinence. It's highly treatable, although many women are too embarrassed to speak to their doctors about it.
Conceiving a child is a complex physiological process. There are several intertwined parts that work together to produce a baby. To help highlight Fertility Awareness Week, we spoke to Andrea Partida, D.O., an OB-GYN at INTEGRIS Women’s Health Enid, to outline what causes infertility, how to manage infertility in women and how to cope with this difficult condition.
Every second your lungs are hard at work. They perform 24/7 behind the scenes to ensure your body receives the oxygen it needs to survive. That translates to about 12 to 15 breaths per minute, or 17,000 breaths per day, according to the American Lung Association. Put simply, your lungs never clock out. Considering their importance, it’s easy to see why you should practice healthy habits to keep your lungs performing at an optimal level.
While there are benefits of medical marijuana, it’s important to understand the long-term effects of chronic marijuana use. Jedidiah Perdue, M.D., medical director at Arcadia Trails INTEGRIS Center for Addiction Recovery, offers his expertise and shares what you should know about how marijuana impacts the body and mind over time.
To help keep you and your family safe this winter, David B. Parker, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, provides information and insight into common orthopedic injuries during the colder months some tips on how to stay safe.
There are many types of vaccines, and keeping up with them can be a tedious process for some. That’s why we created a comprehensive guide, including expert advice from Vibitha Mani, M.D., a pediatrician at INTEGRIS Family Care Council Crossing, to walk you through when and which vaccinations your child should receive.
To help highlight Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November, we checked in with Dr. Silverstein, who is now retired, and Brian Geister, M.D. a board-certified oncologist and internal medicine doctor, to learn more about pancreatic cancer, why it’s so deadly and what the future holds.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here is what you need to know about dense breast tissue. While having dense breasts is normal, it does pose challenges in detecting breast cancer.
Happy Children's Health Month! To mark the occasion, we talked with Dr. Craig Kupiec, a pediatrician at INTEGRIS, for his thoughts on why strep throat occurs so often in children. He also discusses pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, known as PANDAS, a mysterious disorder that some think might be associated with streptococcal infections.
Cancer in children is more common than you may think, as it accounts for the second-leading cause of death behind accidents. While a cancer diagnosis, or even the thought of your child developing cancer one day, is overwhelming, modern medicine has greatly improved survival rates.
Oftentimes patients find it difficult to grasp the right words to describe pain, or they worry they’ll unintentionally exaggerate it or minimize it through the words they use. Inaccurate descriptions can lead to misdiagnoses, misaligned treatments to manage the pain or an ailment going undiagnosed altogether. To arm you with the vernacular you need to describe pain during your next doctor’s visit, we put together a guide to help you and your physician see eye to eye on your pain level so you can get to work alleviating or managing it.
Many patients don’t know what a pain specialist does. Contrary to myth, it's much more than prescribing pain medication. A pain specialist will work with your other physicians to provide you with a multidisciplinary plan, whether it's physical therapy, injection therapy, appropriate medication or surgery.
Two Oklahomans share their stories of suffering with gastrointestinal problems. To help shed light on what they experienced, Dr. Arun Sachdev, who specializes in gastroenterology at INTEGRIS Health, discusses facts about chronic constipation and diarrhea and advice for when to seek help.
There is a lot of information swirling around, and it’s difficult to sort through it all sometimes, but one thing is clear: wearing a mask helps stop the spread of the virus. It is well worth your effort to teach your children to embrace this important change in their lives.
Long before the coronavirus forced changes in the delivery of health care, the use of telemedicine had already expanded out of need. The benefits of telemedicine are easy to see. Does this mean it will affect how you receive care going forward?
Experts are worried because illness and deaths from health problems that were untreated during the pandemic are rising. For this reason, INTEGRIS Health, and health care systems nationwide, want to share an important message: it’s safe to get your medical conditions addressed right now and it’s okay to visit your doctor or hospital even as the country continues to battle the pandemic.
Being stuck at home in quarantine can be rough, but there are simple things you can do to manage your anxiety. We'll explain how you can incorporate positive affirmations or meditation into your day to help reset your outlook.
Pregnancy is a time of great hope and anticipation, but it can also be a time of anxiety as some women worry their baby may have health problems. For mothers who want details about their baby’s health or potential for health problems, prenatal screenings are an option.
Is wine healthy? Many wine drinkers have heard that red wine, in particular, can provide heart-health benefits. Dr. Terrie Gibson, an interventional cardiologist with INTEGRIS Health, explores the idea that a little red wine may be good for the heart.
To recognize 2019 — and as a way to usher in 2020 — we've collected the 19 most popular On Your Health blog posts of 2019. From new food fads and trends to specific male and female issues, readers were interested in a variety of preventive methods to assist in overall health and wellness.
Type 1 diabetes seems mysterious to many people, and because it’s not preventable, Type 1 diabetes tends to slip under the radar in many people’s minds – unless you have it. Dr. Hieu Nguyen, a physician at INTEGRIS, not only treats patients who have Type 1 diabetes, he’s fighting the battle himself.
An INTEGRIS Health physician confirms that ingesting activated charcoal won't hurt most people, and it is highly unlikely to cause cancer, but it may not live up to all the miraculous claims that companies are touting when it comes to skin care or cleanses.
Sciatica nerve pain ranges from a dull ache to a burning and excruciating pain. Sometimes, the pain hits like a sudden shock when you sneeze or cough, and some patients may experience numbness, muscle weakness or tingling along the affected leg. So, what exactly is sciatica and how can it be treated?
The first four cases of serious lung injury related to e-cigarettes have been confirmed in Oklahoma. Nationwide, 26 people have died so far. While the investigation is ongoing, the CDC recommends that people refrain from using e-cigarette products.
Being able to smell a rose is something most people take for granted. Losing your sense of smell impacts not only your ability to detect odors, but also many other areas of your life. For instance, your sense of smell is directly related to your ability to taste. How many people suffer from a smell or taste disorder, and is there any treatment?
The rise of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which has increasingly been mixed with heroin and opioid painkillers in the illicit drug market, has led to a steep increase in overdose deaths. Here's what you need to know.
People who work or play outside during the extremely hot Oklahoma summer run the risk of several heat-related injuries. The most serious is heatstroke, which can cause organ damage or even death. Dr. Layne Keathly gives symptoms to watch for so you can keep your family cool this summer.
All children need a healthy bedtime routine to perform their best in the classroom. As summer winds down this month, start getting them into school-year sleep mode now!
After staring at a computer for hours, who hasn’t felt like their eyes were tired and dry? But can the blue light given off by screens, smartphones and other digital sources actually cause damage to your body?
Diagnoses of gastrointestinal disorders are on the rise for children, and can include infantile colic, recurrent abdominal pain, gastroesophageal reflux, vomiting, nutritional intolerances, celiac disease, malabsorption syndromes, acute diarrhea, persistent diarrhea, chronic constipation and more. Luckily, the treatment and management of these pediatric conditions are getting more sophisticated. When it comes to deciding whether it’s time for a child to see a GI specialist, Dr. Shambayati says to "trust your gut."
The Fourth of July is a time of celebration and a way of honoring America’s independence. The holiday is synonymous with backyard barbecues, red-white-and-blue celebrations, sparklers and fireworks, but those booming firecrackers can trigger added stress, especially to military veterans who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
It is estimated that 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. While the statistic is sobering, there’s even more dire news: that number is expected to double by the year 2050. Dr. Lane Tinsley, a neurologist at the INTEGRIS Neuroscience Institute in Oklahoma City, shares important facts you need to know about Alzheimer’s disease.
To mark National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, Dr. Charles Morgan, a neurologist at INTEGRIS, explains the science behind migraines and how to help manage and treat symptoms.
Fireworks are likely a part of your Fourth of July celebration, but that doesn’t mean they are safe! The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates an average of 250 people make a trip to the emergency room each day of the month with a firework-related injury around the holiday. What areas of the body get the most damage?
While scheduling a yearly check-up with a doctor is vital, men can also take charge of their health by doing quick self-exams at home, so they can learn what’s “normal” for their bodies and what isn’t.
How do you know when your need for alcohol becomes abnormal? When does a craving for a drink signal an alcohol addiction? What should you do if you think you have a problem?
Residents across Oklahoma recently watched a terrifying video that showed a large snake biting an unsuspecting Lawton man directly in the face. But just how common are snakes in Oklahoma? How poisonous are they? Should you be worried that one might be lurking in your mailbox? It's important to know which snakes are most dangerous and what to do if a loved one gets bitten.
You might be surprised to learn how few women are familiar with their own reproductive system. In a recent study, only 44 percent of women were able to correctly identify the cervix. Let’s start at the beginning and have an open discussion about what the cervix is, where to find it, and how to keep yours healthy.
More than ten years ago, when a little blue pill was given the green light by the FDA, it was the moment that revived millions of marriages and launched even more punchlines. INTEGRIS Health urologist Dr. Michael Holzer discusses erectile dysfunction.
This nomination from Modern Healthcare recognizes physicians working in the health care industry who are deemed by their peers and an expert panel to be the most influential in terms of demonstrating leadership and impact.
Babies can communicate with signs even before they learn to talk, making it easier for caregivers to understand their needs, helping their vocal speech development and boosting their cognitive growth.
Life is filled with important events, but perhaps none are as important as decisions about your health care if you can't speak for yourself. Do you want to be kept alive with machines and medications or do you wish to pass away without extreme measures being taken? While difficult to talk about, these important questions should be answered years BEFORE you get sick. In Oklahoma, it's as easy as filling out a form so that your family and your doctors know what matters to you. Completing an advanced care directive gives you confidence that if you get to the point where you're not able to communicate, your wishes will be honored.
Oklahoma is one of the top states for allergies. If you have allergic asthma, here are a few tips to help you cope when pollen and mold counts are high.
Is that cramping, abdominal pain or bloating simply indigestion, or could it be something more? April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month, so learn to identify the FODMAPs that may be causing your IBS.
Oklahoma City is ranked 18th in the nation for "Most Challenging Places to Live with Spring Allergies." What is the main culprit for Oklahoma City having a bad allergy season?
It turns out your thumbs and your smart phone may have an unhealthy relationship. It's officially known as osteoarthritis of the basal joints of the thumb, and it can be painful.
Selma Blair recently made news with her MS diagnosis. She's just one of several well-known people who live with MS. What causes the disease and how do you recognize the symptoms?
Poison is the leading cause of unintentional injury death, surpassing motor vehicle crashes. According to the American Association of Poison Control, more than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the nation’s poison centers and 90 percent of those happen at home. Here's how to keep you kids and pets safe.
Maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm is crucial for healthy sleep. To mark National Sleep Awareness Week, here's why your internal clock is so important, plus tips to keep yours humming along seamlessly.
Reality check: prepping for your colonoscopy is easy. Dr. Arun Sachdev, a gastroenterologist at INTEGRIS, dispels some myths about the feared procedure and weighs in on the new mail-in test that you can do at home.
In honor of American Heart Month, we are excited to bring you details of the eating plan that has proven heart-health benefits, recommended by INTEGRIS Health cardiologist Dr. George Madden.
Most of the time your period will come and go without causing much fuss. But what about those times when your cycle gets thrown out of whack and you have abnormal bleeding? Should you be concerned? When period changes happen – such as a heavier or lighter flow or timing abnormalities – it can be hard to decide if you need to call your doctor or if what you’re experiencing is in the range of normal.
To wrap up the year, we’ve compiled the 18 most popular On Your Health blog posts of 2018. From hot flashes and nut butter to firework injuries and colonoscopy stories, our readers wanted information on the latest health trends and we were more than happy to oblige!
In the fall of 2018, Oklahoma’s laws concerning alcohol officially changed for the first time in decades. Whether or not you supported the state question, now that stronger wine and beer are more readily available for purchase, we think it’s important to educate you on the changes that may affect how you consume them.
Just what is a kidney stone, anyway? Are kidney stones and gallstones linked? How do you prevent them? INTEGRIS Health physician Dr. Ashley Cochran has some answers to all your burning (sorry) questions.
Just breathe. Psychiatrist Dr. Murali Krishna explains the power of living in the present moment, and gives three easy tips to help you practice mindfulness today.
Open a magazine, read a blog or log in to your social media. If you’re a woman, you’ve probably noticed you’re being targeted. Smooth this, firm that, tone this and take these supplements for younger looking skin. Dr. Scott Shadfar, a dual board certified otolaryngologist and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, explains which options are safe and effective.
Our hands are not only critical for everyday life, they are a true extension of the human brain. Hands allow us to express emotion, provide comfort and act independently. So, what exactly does an INTEGRIS hand surgeon do?
Ugh, hot flashes. You'll know it when you feel it. What’s actually happening is not fully understood, but some likely causes are changes in reproductive hormones or to the hypothalamus. Fun fact: not every woman gets them, but some women endure them for years. Dr. L. Wayne Houk sheds some light on remedies that do or don't work to relieve symptoms.
Matrescence can feel like a big swirl of emotion, but much of it is physically rooted in hormone changes, just like adolescence. INTEGRIS OB-GYN Dr. Katherine Shepherd talks about the physical and mental journey women go through on the way to becoming a mother.
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. To help bring prostate cancer to the forefront as a serious health issue for Oklahomans, common treatment questions are answered by an INTEGRIS radiation oncologist.
Can stimulating puzzles and games change how the brain ages? To mark Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month, INTEGRIS neurologist Dr. Tinsley has the answers.
Did you know 25 percent of women of reproductive age, and 40 percent of postmenopausal woman, suffer from urinary incontinence? Dr. Root explains treatment options in this short, informative video.
For years, women have turned to hormone replacement therapy to help balance the effects of menopause. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has become trendy in recent times, marketed as a more natural solution to hormone therapy. We’re here to help explain exactly what BHRT is and how it compares to standard hormone replacement therapy.
Colon cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. If you’ve never had a colonoscopy, you may be nervous about the procedure, what exactly it screens for and what the risk factors are for developing colon cancer. Dr. Abbas Raza, an advanced gastroenterologist at INTEGRIS, answers a few commonly asked questions about colon health and cancer.
Sleep apnea is more serious than many people think. Left untreated, it can cause cardiac arrest and possible death due to sudden drops in blood oxygen from an irregular heartbeat. Here's what you need to know.
In honor of Heart Health Month, do you know whether you are at risk for heart disease? A simple heart scan can reveal your heart health and potential risks.
It’s never too early (or too late) to start thinking about healthy aging. Even if you didn’t learn healthy living and aging habits when you were young, now is the perfect moment to take charge and be on your way toward a healthier life. Dr. S. Christopher Shadid, a family medicine physician at INTEGRIS, answers your most pressing questions about aging.
For expectant mothers, keeping your baby safe is the top priority. That’s why it’s important to be aware of potential risks that could put your baby in harm’s way. Contracting an infection can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women because infections can be passed on to the baby during pregnancy, while giving birth or even while breastfeeding.
News sources across the country say this year’s flu season is a particularly rough one. In fact, there are mandatory school closings in more than a half dozen schools in Oklahoma right now because of virulent flu outbreaks. The CDC recommends everyone older than six months receive a flu shot, particularly those who may have a high risk of a severe reaction to the illness, such as young children and pregnant women.
Since January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, we encourage you to take this quiz to see how much you know about your cervical health. Did you get a low score? Read on to learn some fast facts to help you protect yourself and your daughters.
