When is the last time you had a booster to protect yourself and your loved ones against the whooping cough? If it’s been more than 10 years, it’s time to get another — especially if you care for young children.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a very contagious infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria and is most severe in children, said Ashish John, MD, a pediatrician with Koke Mill Medical Associates. The infection is characteristic of nonstop coughing fits during which the affected person has trouble catching a breath. When they do get the opportunity to inhale, they let out a distinct, deep “whoop” sound. Read the rest of this entry »

You’ve made it this far on your New Year’s Resolution to eat healthier in 2012. Don’t let one fun-filled football celebration make it a false start to the year!

Studies show that we eat more when given more options, making it even more important to serve healthier options for your guests or to watch your intake when presented with a buffet of snacks. Trying to choose tasty, healthy options can be challenging, not to mention confusing. Here are a few tips to help you and your fellow football enthusiasts.

Are you hosting a party?

Try these suggestions to help everyone stay healthy: Read the rest of this entry »

Food Network host Paula Deen, known for her high-calorie Southern comfort food, confirmed last week that she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes three years ago. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting nearly 17 million Americans. Seven million people have diabetes and don’t know it, and 79 million people are considered pre-diabetic, meaning their blood gluclose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Kathy Levin, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with Memorial Medical Center’s Food & Nutrition Services team, sheds some light on the nature of this prevalent condition. Read the rest of this entry »

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk’s ischemic stroke, which affected the right side of his brain on Saturday, has brought a lot of attention to this serious affliction that strikes nearly 800,000 people each year.

Ischemic strokes occur when blood vessels to the brain become narrowed or clogged, preventing or slowing blood flow to the brain. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice-versa. Therefore, a stroke to the right side of the brain can cause deficits – weakness or paralysis on the left side of the body, as appears to be the case for Sen. Kirk.

Do you know the signs and symptoms of stroke? Spotting a stroke is the first step toward stopping it.

FAST — the Face, Arm and Speech Test — is an easy way to quickly identify the early warning signs of a stroke. If you identify problems while giving this simple test, call 911 and seek medical help immediately. The time you save could save your life or the life of someone you love. Read the rest of this entry »

“But I have laundry to do, kids to pick up, meals to make, the car to repair, a lawn to mow, friends to meet, and work to do…”

Does this sound familiar?

Lack of time is the No. 1 excuse most people have for not exercising. And it’s no wonder; we are inundated with things to do as we juggle priorities and rush around from one task to the next.

But then there’s “that” person – the one who volunteers for events, takes the kids to their activities, works a full-time job and finds time to exercise. Is she WonderMom?

Here’s WonderMom’s secret: She doesn’t have super strength or special ability to survive on no sleep; she has super scheduling skills. The best way to fit exercise into your day is to find ways to incorporate activity into your day, or schedule it. Here are 10 ways how: Read the rest of this entry »

Have you heard the buzz about the DASH Diet? U.S. News & World Report recently named it the best diet overall, No. 1 diet for healthy eating, No. 1 for diabetic diet and No. 3 for heart-healthy diets. Read the rest of this entry »

Demanding a limited diet of hotdogs and mac-n-cheese is practically a rite of passage for the preschool set, but how do you distinguish between a picky eater and a child who has a more serious problem such as a feeding disorder?

Cheri Fraker, a speech therapist with Memorial’s Center for Selective Eating and Pediatric Feeding Disorders, said many parents of picky eaters assume the child is simply in a stubborn phase. However, only 3 percent to 12 percent of children refuse to eat purely for behavioral reasons, such as seeking attention or being in control, said Fraker, who specializes in evaluating and treating pediatric feeding disorders. Read the rest of this entry »

Want to drop a pound or two in the next week? The possibility is real, simply by understanding the role calories play in weight gain and loss.

Those aiming to lose weight should seek to drop no more than two pounds per week, says Emily Bailey, RD, LDN, a clinical dietitian at Memorial Medical Center. Here’s what you need to know to achieve that: Read the rest of this entry »

For nearly 40 years, the kidney and pancreas transplant program at Memorial Medical Center has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of patients and their loved ones, and on Dec. 26, the team celebrated a significant milestone when it performed its 800^th organ transplant.

The organ — a kidney — was offered on Christmas Day, and it was a perfect match to the recipient, who had been on the waiting list for more than five years. Read the rest of this entry »

For some people, Sunday can be a relaxing day after a hectic workweek and a busy Saturday filled with activities and chores. For others, the quiet of Sunday is a reminder that the stress of a new week will soon start all over again – and they dread it.

The Sunday blues strike again.

Read the rest of this entry »