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.
Technology has improved our lives in many ways. But like anything in life, too much can sometimes lead to harm. Have you ever thought about trying a digital detox to give your mind and body a rest? It can be just as beneficial as eating your daily vegetables.
When your mind gets absorbed in a good book, experts say it only takes six minutes for your body to begin to relax. In fact, when reading was tested against many traditional forms of relaxation, it reduced stress by 68 percent and was the highest ranked method among those tested.
If you’ve forgotten your phone four out of the last five days, are you just distracted by your big project or is this how dementia starts? What if you notice you aren’t learning new things as easily, or forgetting to pay the occasional bill? What then? The answer: it depends.
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.
INTEGRIS Health @ Home is a brand-new service that brings the level of care, equipment, services and medical experts of a hospital to you right in your home. It’s no secret that most of us would rather be cared for in the comfort of our own homes. Many illnesses and injuries make a hospital stay necessary, but now, under certain situations, hospital-level care can come to you.
Aging brings about many changes. Your metabolism slows down, aches and pains become more commonplace and your mind may not be as sharp as it once was. With several areas of life working against you, it may be easy to let your food awareness slip and focus less on nutrition.
Balance and coordination are key aspects of your health as you age. Older adults are more at risk at falls than any other demographic, accounting for 25 percent of falls each year. To help prevent falls, we’re highlighting nine different exercises that can help seniors improve their balance.
Frailty makes daily life more difficult, uncomfortable and dangerous. Frailty syndrome is a diagnosis defined by age-related decreases in normal/daily function. It sounds a little vague, but what it comes down to is loss of muscle, stamina, endurance, general fitness and sometimes weight.
Most people don’t want to think about how their life will end, but the topic should be one that everyone considers. If you become unable to speak for yourself due to a terminal illness or traumatic event, who will decide what happens to you?
What’s the worst that could happen if you avoid the doctor’s office? Better yet, why do you even need a doctor if you’re not sick? The answer: many benign health problems can easily become an issue without proper oversight. We’re here to explore exactly what happens when you neglect your health and why you should prioritize regular checkups.
One in five Americans is affected by mental illness. While common, it can sometimes be difficult to spot in loved ones. To mark Mental Health Awareness Month, we highlight the signs and symptoms of depression, what to look for in your loved ones and the steps you can take to help if a loved one is depressed.
February is National Senior Independence Month, which focuses on giving senior citizens confidence and independence through household safety, use of technology and more. Forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. You may notice that you or your loved one forgets their keys or has trouble recalling names and dates. These types of things are a natural part of getting older, but not all memory loss is the same.
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.
Like everything else this year, the holidays will be different than normal due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases are surging around the world, making this holiday season even more uncertain. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently released guidelines to help you assess the risk level of various holiday celebrations, so you can enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.
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.
When you're struggling with your mental health, finding the treatment and practitioner right for you can be daunting, which is why we’ve broken down the different mental health professionals by their treatment processes and licensures.
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.
There has been much debate about wearing masks and misinformation has spread online. Let’s clear the air (so to speak) about the most common misconceptions regarding masks.
Social distancing can have an especially negative impact on one of society’s most at-risk groups: the elderly. You may want to help but might feel awkward just assuming an elderly neighbor needs help. Here are some tips on how to approach the conversation.
As the saying goes, “Aging isn’t for wimps.” The changes people experience as they grow older can be traumatic for some. However, a growing amount of research shows that feeling useful makes the transition to the golden years much easier for many people. As we celebrate National Senior Independence Month, there's scientific proof that volunteering keeps your brain and body strong.
As we get older, most of us wish to remain independent for as long as we can. Many adult children struggle with finding the right balance between keeping their elderly loved ones safe with the care they need while also helping them preserve their independence. The good news is that both are possible with some planning and modifications.
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.
Winter-related slips and falls not only cause countless injuries but also result in lost work, increased insurance costs and just a whole lot of pain. Here are some of our best tips on how to stay safe from falls in icy weather.
Radon exposure is the top cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. The EPA estimates radon causes more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year, the number two contributor behind smoking.
With telemedicine innovations like INTEGRIS Virtual Visit, patients can access health care straight from their homes with only the internet and a screen!
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?
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.
Think yoga is only for the young and beachy? Think again! Practicing yoga is great exercise at any age, but seniors especially benefit from moves that bring improved posture, sleep quality and pain relief.
If ongoing studies on brown fat show the same results in humans as they did in mice, fat tissue and hormones may hold a very important key to effective weight loss.
You've probably seen all the news recently about the closing of the Smart Saver in northeast Oklahoma City, which was the last grocery store in the area. But why does it matter, and how does it impact both the hunger and the obesity epidemics in Oklahoma?
Fruits and vegetables are the superstars of summer eating. The summer cornucopia is full of “superfoods” that taste like sunshine and are filled with life-nourishing vitamins and minerals our bodies need.
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.
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.
When was the last time you went an entire day without using your phone to scroll through social media, snap a photo, check your email or play a game? The convenience of a smartphone makes it hard to put down. Researchers have noticed the uptick in smartphone use and some are asking, “Do smartphones cause more problems than they solve?”
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?
It might not be the most exciting part of working out, but stretching is just as important as cardio and strength training. Incorporating these stretching exercises will help you improve flexibility, reduce tightness and make your workouts safer.
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.
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.
Studies have shown guided imagery can help the mind and body relax. It has also been shown to help manage anxiety, stress and depression, to reduce pain, lower blood pressure, lessen nausea and give patients a better sense of control and well-being. If you are healing from cancer or feel anxiety or stress, this complementary therapy might be good for you.
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.
For family members, the loss of appetite can be one of the most distressing parts of a loved one's illness. But when a patient no longer eats, providing other forms of emotional nourishment can also show how much you love and care.
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.
You might already know about macronutrients and micronutrients, but did you know that hidden within foods such as turmeric, tomatoes and blackberries are active compounds called mesonutrients that might play a big role in making these foods so good for you? Many health publications and websites are proclaiming mesonutrients as the newest health trend of 2019. So, why are mesonutrients so important?
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.
By the time you reach the half-century mark, you have seen and done a lot, but there are also plenty of things you might not know. Here are 25 excellent pieces of information, curated just for you.
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.
Technology can tempt us to be sedentary. It's so easy to sit on a couch and binge Netflix or spend hours glued to our phones, but don’t lock your devices away just yet. Smartphones and watches are quickly becoming handheld personal trainers. Fitness-focused apps are readily available for both iPhones, Androids and other smart devices.
Staying active and alert helps reduce the risk of many health concerns brought on by aging, while also helping you maintain a better quality of life. Here are some local classes that help keep seniors fit!
Did you know 60 is the new 40? We’ve all got to take care of ourselves so we can live healthier as well as longer. Adding something called “functional fitness” into your exercise mix yields unique healthy aging benefits.
One Oklahoman dies every day from an opioid overdose. Today marks International Overdose Awareness Day, dedicated to remembering those who lost their battle with addiction and acknowledging the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of an overdose. Most importantly, this day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.
Music has been perceived as healing and therapeutic for centuries. However, it wasn’t until recently that music therapy gained traction as a reputable and effective form of rehabilitation therapy.
Imagine having bones so fragile even a sneeze can lead to a painful fracture or break. For people living with severe osteoporosis, avoiding a situation like this is an everyday challenge. Fortunately, for many who are at risk for developing osteoporosis, preventive exercises can help keep bones in good shape.
Being the caregiver for a loved one with illness is hard work. It’s stressful, tiring and can be very challenging. It’s a 24/7 job that demands physical, emotional and spiritual energy. Even the best caregiver can be blindsided, experience discouragement and feel hopeless. So the question is, how do you survive it? A chaplain with INTEGRIS Hospice House provides essential information for caregivers.
Vitamins and nutrients are essential to help your body fight illness and stay in good health. Unlike most vitamins found in nutrient-rich foods, getting the proper amount of vitamin D is a little trickier.
If post-stroke depression becomes serious enough, it can greatly decrease a patient’s quality of life. Depression will affect a survivor’s daily functioning, interfere with recovery and can even decrease a patient's lifespan. Here are signs you need to recognize. And for more information on living life after a stroke, read on for the contact information of Mary Pinzon, who is a stroke education nurse at INTEGRIS.
Can stimulating puzzles and games change how the brain ages? To mark Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month, INTEGRIS neurologist Dr. Tinsley has the answers.
Volunteering is often called the “helper’s high” because it positively impacts lifespan and mood. While volunteering, connections are built that spark feelings of energy and happiness. People feel those and many other positive vibes when they encounter a very special INTEGRIS volunteer, Molly the Therapy Dog.
Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day. Studies show 90 percent of people believe talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important, but only 27 percent have actually had the conversation.
