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INTEGRIS Health On Your Health Blog

Check back to the INTEGRIS Health On Your Health blog for the latest health and wellness news for all Oklahomans.

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Should You Get a Routine Heart Scan?

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.

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What Medical Screenings Do You Need After Age 40?

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.

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Examining the Impact of Digital Misinformation on Your Sleep Quality

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.

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Is COVID Making a Comeback?

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.

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National Immunization Awareness Month

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.

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What Is Swimmer's Shoulder?

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.

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What are the Four Stages of Congestive Heart Failure?

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.

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Back-to-School and Extreme Heat

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.

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What Your Face Can Tell You About Your Health

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.

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The 20 Best Foods For Healthy Skin

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.

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How Can Your Thyroid Affect Pregnancy?

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.

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Symptoms, Causes and Complications of Chronic Wounds

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.

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Is Ozempic Safe for Weight Loss?

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.

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What is the Importance of Appropriate Antibiotic Use?

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.

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When is it Time to Consider Knee Replacement Surgery?

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.

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What are the Six Stages of Concussion Recovery?

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.

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Who Should Get the RSV Vaccine?

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.

Lainey Townsend

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Why Do You Need a Primary Care Provider?

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.

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What is Stomach Cancer?

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.

Lainey Townsend

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Can Skin Cancer Kill You?

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.

Lainey Townsend

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How Dangerous is Childhood Obesity?

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.

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What Does it Mean to be High Risk for Breast Cancer?

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.

Lainey Townsend

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What You Need to Know About Feminine Leakage

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.

Dena O'Leary, M.D.

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What Causes Infertility in Women?

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.

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Tips For Healthy Lungs

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.

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Impacts of Chronic Marijuana Use

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.

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Common Orthopedic Injuries in Winter

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.

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Which Vaccinations Should My Child Receive?

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.

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Pancreatic Cancer: The Latest Advancements to Treat a Deadly Disease

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.

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What You Should Know About Dense Breast Tissue

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.

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Strep Throat in Children

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.

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Different Types of Childhood Cancer

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.

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How To Talk To Your Doctor About Pain

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.

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What Does a Pain Management Doctor Do?

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.

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Firsthand Accounts of Living With Chronic Diarrhea or Constipation

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.

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How To Teach Your Child To Wear a Mask

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.

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Is Telemedicine the Future of Health Care?

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?

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What You Should Know About Common Lung Diseases Including COVID-19

With the novel coronavirus constantly in the news, you probably think about your lungs quite often these days.

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Is it Safe to Seek Medical Care During COVID-19?

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.

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How to Prepare for a Telehealth Visit During COVID-19

Here's how to take advantage of telehealth options at INTEGRIS to see a doctor during the coronavirus pandemic.

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How Positive Affirmations and Meditation Can Help During the Coronavirus

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.

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Do You Need a Prenatal Screening?

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.

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Is Wine Good for Your Heart?

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.

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The Top 19 Blog Posts of 2019

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.

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What is Type 1 Diabetes?

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.

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Debunking the Hype Surrounding Activated Charcoal

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.

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What is Sciatica?

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?

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How to Give Yourself a Breast Exam in Five Easy Steps

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here is a quick and easy way to perform a monthly self-exam.

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INTEGRIS Joins the CDC in Recommending Oklahomans Cease Use of E-cigarettes and Vapes

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.

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Anosmia Stinks: When You Lose Your Sense of Smell

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?

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How Fentanyl Can Make the Opioid Epidemic Worse

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.

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Heatstroke in Oklahoma

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.

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Healthy Bedtime Routines for Back to School

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!

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Is Blue Light Harmful?

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?

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Trust Your Gut: When Your Child Needs To See a GI Specialist

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."

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Fireworks and Veterans with PTSD

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.

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June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month

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.

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All About Migraines

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.

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Areas of the Body Most Injured by Fireworks

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?

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Monthly Self Checks All Men Should Do

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.

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