News
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Have You Checked Your Blood Sugar Recently?
November 03, 2021Our blood sugar level is one of those individual health numbers that it’s important for us to know when it comes to staying on top of our health. It measures the amount of sugar, or glucose, present in our blood at any given time. Why is this such an important fact to know? Because too little sugar in our blood can lead to cognitive difficulties and too much can cause unwanted health complications and be a sign of an underlying condition like diabetes.
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Happy Medical Assistants' Day!
October 20, 2021Not All Heroes Wear Capes! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s all medical assistants, saving the day every day with their super patient care! Medical Assistants' Day (and week) is a great time to express our gratitude for these important members of our team. Medical assistants provide clinical and administrative support for physicians and other medical professionals by running the front office, drawing blood, administering vaccinations, taking patients' vital signs and much, much more. Thank you for everything you do to Make Communities Healthier! Every year Medical Assistants Recognition Week (MARWeek) is celebrated during the third full week in October. Medical Assistants Recognition Week: October 18–22, 2021 Medical Assistants Recognition Day: October 20, 2021
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Maria Parham to Host Drive-Through Trunk or Treat
October 08, 2021This COVID-safe, drive-through event is free and open to the public! Little ghosts and goblins will remain INSIDE their cars, while the friendly witches and mummies of Maria Parham Health distribute treats right through the car windows, safe as can be! No tricks! This event is being held in the back parking lot of the hospital. Just come to the main entrance and follow the signs!
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Your Health Means Everything - Protect It by Getting Vaccinated for Flu Season
September 30, 2021Shorter days and cooler temperatures are tell-tale signs that autumn has arrived. Unfortunately, another sign of the season is the beginning of increased flu activity. Flu season can last from autumn to as late as May – peaking between December and February. According to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), last year’s flu cases were historically low, thanks in large part to widespread practice of safety measures to combat another widely-circulating respiratory illness – COVID-19 – including school closures, mask wearing and social distancing. With less common practice of those measures over the past several months, we could see an uptick in flu cases similar to prior years’ levels. That potential – along with the continuing COVID-19 pandemic – makes it even more important that we each do what we can to minimize our risk, protect our health and protect the health of those around us. Getting vaccinated against the flu is a vitally important way to fight it.
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Get Your Mammo: It’s an hour that could save your life
September 30, 2021According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., behind only skin cancers. In fact, the ACS puts the average risk as a one in eight chance that a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. You can get screened by scheduling a simple, routine mammogram. Read on to find out more.
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Your Once-A-Year Day: Get Your Annual Screenings!
September 21, 2021Playing an active role in your preventive health is a key factor in preventing peripheral artery disease and managing your risk factors for heart problems. And one of the best preventive health measures is your annual check-up with your primary care provider. Even if you don’t have a heart condition, it’s essential to schedule and keep annual exams.
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How to Have a Heart-to-Heart about Peripheral Artery Disease
September 17, 2021Understanding the risk factors, signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease can have a big impact on the likelihood of a positive outcome and a strong recovery when issues arise. Besides recognizing these in yourself, it’s also important to be able to recognize them in your loved ones and be able to comfortably discuss them. By detecting potential heart problems early, we’re more likely to be able to help keep them from progressing into serious conditions. But having the conversation can be challenging. Read here for a few tips to consider, if someone close to you is at risk for PAD.
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How Weight Weighs on Your Heart
September 16, 2021Many of us have tried to lose weight, eat healthier and exercise. When we don’t always follow through, it’s not because we don’t want to be healthier. More often, life just gets in the way. But even with life’s challenges, it’s important for us to find ways to help our heart be healthy, to decrease our risk of Peripheral Artery Disease. Weight can be a critical indicator of our risk level for heart problems. More specifically, where that weight is can also elevate risk.
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Give Your Brown Bag a Boost
September 14, 2021You’re at work. It’s lunchtime. Your brown bag lunch is waiting for you in the fridge. Maybe it’s two-day-old meatloaf. Maybe it’s a turkey sandwich. Either way, you’re not too thrilled about it. We’ve all been there. If only you could make your brown bag lunch more exciting. Well, you can! Start with this Broccoli Salad with Chopped Walnuts. The walnuts bring antioxidants and a satisfying crunch, the broccoli brings vitamins and fiber -which can help lower cholesterol, the poultry packs protein and the dressing adds a delightfully creamy finish. Read here for a delicious, heart-healthy lunch recipe to help keep your risk of Peripheral Artery Disease in check.
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Take as Directed: Talking to Your Doctor About Medications
September 13, 2021February is PAD Awareness Month! An important step in taking charge of your health and reducing your risk of Peripheral Artery Disease is speaking with your healthcare provider about medications you are taking, including its favorable results and any potential side effects. As you age and experience life changes – including having a baby, undergoing surgery or experiencing other health events, finding the right medications for you is a crucial conversation to have with your providers. Click here for a helpful list of questions to ask your provider when medication is prescribed to you.
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More Numbers and a Major Risk factor for PAD
September 09, 2021When it comes to heart health, you might hear your provider talk about your “numbers” – specifics about your health that play an important role in your heart health and determining your risk for heart disease and Peripheral Artery Disease. We’ve already talked about blood pressure, cholesterol and waist size, but there are other numbers that play a part, too.
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Workplace Workouts: Easy Ways to Make Your Day More Active
September 08, 2021As we have been spending more time at home – both leisure and work time – during the pandemic, there’s a good chance that many of us may spend too much time sitting! The good news is that there are some easy ways to combat the sedentary lifestyle that can lead to a greater risk of Peripheral Artery Disease, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and other conditions, and make your day more active. Read here to find out more.
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An Egg White a Day...
September 07, 2021If you’re an egg lover, you may scoff at eating just the whites. Not so fast. If you’re open to a change, utilizing just the whites of the egg every now and then can benefit your heart, particularly if cholesterol is a concern. Egg whites are low in calories, high in protein, and have no cholesterol. This egg white omelet is a great way to give them a try. Cook one up today!
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Namaste Healthy: The Benefits of Yoga for PAD Prevention
September 02, 2021Manage blood pressure. Control cholesterol. Reduce blood sugar. Get active. Eat better. Lose weight. Stop smoking. There’s a reason the most talked about ways to improve your heart health and prevent Peripheral Artery Disease also make up the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Life’s Simple 7® a list of seven lifestyle strategies that can help you lower your risk for heart disease: they work! Read here to learn more!
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Give Your Pantry Some Love
September 02, 2021Eating smart for your heart starts at home. But how do you know what to stock up on to keep your meals heart-healthy? We’ve compiled a guide to help you plan your next grocery trip to stock up on nutritious foods that can help you and your family stay healthy – and satisfied at the dinner table, today and every day.
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Know Your Numbers to Prevent PAD
September 02, 2021One step in taking an active role in your health to help ensure a healthy life is by knowing specific numbers that play an important role for your heart, and your risk for Peripheral Artery Disease. Find out what those numbers are by clicking here.
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PAD 101: The Warning Signs
September 02, 2021Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common disease that affects the arteries in your legs. Your peripheral arteries carry oxygenated blood from your heart to other parts of your body. PAD is caused when extra fats and cholesterol circulating in your blood collects in your arterial walls, reducing or blocking blood flow to your limbs. Blockages in your peripheral arteries are serious problems because your limbs do not receive adequate blood flow. Unfortunately, these blockages can be quite serious, causing a wide variety of health conditions such as stroke, heart attack, or even amputation. Click here to learn more about the early warning signs of PAD.
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Peripheral Artery Disease: What to Watch For
September 01, 2021Peripheral artery disease is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries that carry blood away from the heart to other parts of the body. The most common type is lower-extremity PAD, in which blood flow is reduced to the legs and feet.
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September is PAD Awareness Month!
September 01, 2021September is PAD Awareness Month! Each day in September, we’ll be posting a short article featuring recipes, tips, exercise ideas and important information to know to help you stay heart smart and prevent Peripheral Artery Disease. We’re kicking things off today with a recipe for Roasted Salmon with Pesto Vegetables. It’s a delicious, simple recipe that’s packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, the American Heart Association advises that eating salmon and other omega-3-rich foods twice a week can have benefits that even extend beyond your heart. Bon Appetit!
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Creating Healthier Families One Shot at a Time
August 26, 2021As an obstetrician-gynecologist with Maria Parham Health, my goal is to always provide the best possible care and medical advice for expectant mothers and females who plan to become pregnant. I love helping moms-to-be stay healthy and prepare to welcome their baby into the world. As you can imagine, one of the most important conversations I’ve been having lately with my patients is around COVID-19 vaccines and their safety for those who are pregnant or who are in the planning stage of their pregnancy journey.
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