By understanding the common types of infections that can occur after surgery and implementing effective prevention strategies, patients can enhance their recovery journey and achieve better outcomes. Being informed and taking proactive steps can significantly reduce the risk of infection. In this blog, we speak to Rebecca Lewis, system director of infection prevention, to learn more.
There isn’t a cure for chronic pain, so many times, patients will turn to medications for chronic pain relief, such as over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opioids. But more conservative treatments such as physical therapy can help without being tied to as many side effects as medications – long-term NSAID use can cause gastrointestinal problems and prescription painkillers have addictive properties.
Detoxification is the first step toward addiction recovery. In a clinical setting, the goal is to minimize the negative impact of withdrawal symptoms while making the experience as safe and comfortable as possible. While some people choose to detox on their own, the most effective form of detox is one that is medically assisted and supported by trained specialists. We spoke with Brian Couey, Psy.D, executive director at INTEGRIS Health Arcadia Trails Center for Addiction Recovery, to learn more about alcohol and drug detox.
There are a lot of foods perceived as “healthy” that are packed with hidden calories and sugar. Despite your best efforts in choosing healthier snacks, many choices might be sabotaging your health and your weight.
Eating more veggies and fruits is never a bad idea, just be sure to incorporate enough complete proteins. Without them, you might feel sluggish and lose muscle mass. Fortunately, a little menu planning can help you include enough complete proteins in your diet.
There are many ways to successfully manage pain for hospice patients. Together, patients, their families, and the hospice team will develop the best care plan that eases suffering and provides the best quality of life during a patient’s final days.
You may not realize it, but when it comes to caring for COVID-19 patients, respiratory therapists handle much of the day-to-day care, alongside nurses, doctors and other staff. We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you to a few of our dedicated, compassionate respiratory therapists, ask them how they are doing and celebrate them for everything they do.
Most of us know someone with substance use disorder. Many of us even know someone who has lost a friend or family member to it. It’s a disease that affects people from all walks of life and of all ages.
Grief is something most of us will experience during our lifetimes, whether grieving the loss of someone we love, or the loss of a job, or even losses of familiar routines due to the pandemic. Grief is an umbrella term for the sum all the feelings you have when someone or something important to you is no longer a part of your life. There is only one cure for grief, which is to grieve.
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.
Mental health doesn’t discriminate. If you’re a parent, there’s a chance you’ll deal with a child who faces depression. In fact, one in five adolescents will battle with depression during their teen years. We discuss some ways your teen may be asking for help without ever saying it.
Donating blood is a critical piece of the American health care system. Since January is Blood Donor Month, we partnered with Oklahoma Blood Institute and spoke with Chief Medical Officer Tuan Le, M.D., to find out why donating blood and convalescent plasma is so important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you have tried the Keto Diet, the Paleo Diet, the Atkins Diet or any of the others that call for a high protein intake, you may have wondered just how much protein is too much. We’ve asked an expert for the answer.
While it seems everyone is always trying to lose weight, there's a significant number of people who want to gain weight, too. Being underweight can be just as dangerous as being obese, but if you do need to gain weight, what's the best way to do it healthily? An INTEGRIS dietitian explains.
While INTEGRIS caregivers are bravely serving on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, INTEGRIS Pastoral Care provides spiritual support for patients, their families and hospital staff. During this difficult time, Chaplain Warfield and his team have been dedicated to providing spiritual guidance to the community.
Advanced practice providers are not doctors, but they have advanced degrees and are qualified to take on some of the roles traditionally assumed by doctors. They can often provide the medical care a patient needs more quickly and at a lower cost.
Now that it's February, have you found yourself right where you started when you set your new year's health goals last month? Maybe you’re feeling frustrated with yourself, and already think your goals for 2020 are a wash. INTEGRIS dietitian Brent Wilson gives some heartfelt advice to help you get back on track.
In the third installment of our “Monday Mindfulness” series, meditation expert Sarah McLean teaches us how to be fully present in our conversations with others.
In the second installment of our “Monday Mindfulness” series, meditation expert Sarah McLean shows us how to reclaim our life from everything that’s hijacking our focus and attention.
In the first installment of the series, meditation expert Sarah McLean teaches us how to practice mindfulness in a chaotic world and how to take a few minutes every day for yourself.
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.
Tai Chi is known as "meditation with movement." It's great for people of all fitness levels who want to improve their health. Here is what to expect from your first class.
When they are breastfeeding, many new mothers may wonder if they are producing enough milk. They may look for ways to naturally boost their milk supply so that their baby gets all the nutrition and antibodies that breast milk can provide. Luckily for breastfeeding mommies, there are ways to maintain and boost your milk production, including recipes.
Did you know it's possible to be thin and prediabetic, or obese and never get diabetes? It depends on your genes. Anyone who develops diabetes has a gene that allows insulin resistance to happen. Our genes load the gun but more importantly, our lifestyle pulls the trigger. Certified diabetes educator Brent Wilson explains.
Oklahoma has the seventh highest rate of type 2 diabetes in the country. But it doesn't have to be this way! With lifestyle changes, it can be controlled and even reversed.
There is life after stroke. With time and repetition, new routines will become familiar. Rehabilitation can build your strength and confidence and can help you continue your daily activities despite the effects of stroke.
When a child is truly involved in the food – planting the seed, getting their hands in the dirt and harvesting – that’s when the connection to food really ignites.
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?
Rubbing areas that hurt is a natural human response. But beyond easing tension and sore muscles, did you know therapeutic massage lowers blood pressure, improves weight gain in preterm infants, can relieve migraine headache pain and even reduce scar tissue and stretch marks? Plus so much more!
Many cultures throughout Asia have harnessed the healing powers of green tea for thousands of years, but the Western world has gone crazy for green tea only in the last few decades. Lately it seems you can't pick up a newspaper or visit a health website that doesn't proclaim the supposed health benefits of green tea, from weight loss to preventing colds to fighting cancer. But should you believe the hype?
We’ve looked at three of the biggest diets out there – Keto, Whole30 and Paleo – and asked Brent Wilson, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at INTEGRIS Health, for his real opinion on each of them.
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!
While it might seem that everyone is talking about intermittent fasting, you may be wondering if it’s the right choice for you. Let’s chew on some information about the time-restricted eating trend with the help of INTEGRIS registered dietitian Brent Wilson.
