September 2023

When to Call a Lactation Consultant

Breast Care, Women's Health / Megan Cook

Often, new parents do not know when to reach out for lactation help. As a Lactation Consultant, I am here for education before birth, support after the baby is born, and whenever your breastfeeding journey is ending, no matter the age. There are various issues we are available to assist with. Some baby issues would be Jaundice, Refusing/difficulty latching, poor weight gain, gaining weight too rapidly, frequent crying or fussing, feeding “all of the time”, babies born early, and frequent spit-ups to name a few. Other issues a Lactation Consultant can help with are painful latches, low milk supply, engorgement, clogged milk ducts, mastitis, questions, and help with breast pumps and flange sizes.

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What is Prediabetes?

Diabetes / Aryn Bowser

It is common knowledge that Diabetes is on the rise. The American Diabetes Association states that 36 million people across the country have diabetes and another 96 million have prediabetes. While being diagnosed with diabetes can be life changing, hearing that you are only “prediabetic” should not give you a sense of relief. It should be a call to action to preserve your health.

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Ways to help children with Sensory Processing Disorder when they get hurt

Pediatrics / Marlayna Gagnon

Ever been driving and need to turn the radio off to make sure you don’t miss your turn? How about standing still with your eyes closed, do you feel yourself swaying around, feeling your body correct itself from the direction it is going to prevent falling?

These are just a few ideas of how our bodies process various sensory input. Everyone regulates sensory differently; in children, it is more difficult. As children grow, play is their greatest learning experience, teaching them where their body is in space and what their nervous system craves. Those with extreme difficulty have what is called Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). SPD is a condition that involves difficulties in recognizing, regulating, and reacting to sensory input to the extent of affecting functional performance with all daily tasks.

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Aged Caucasian woman suffering from an arthritis flare-up

Spring Showers Don’t Only Bring May Flowers

Arthritis / Jennifer Lauro

There is scientific evidence to suggest that weather changes can impact arthritis pain. In Spring, there can be extreme changes in the weather, like what we have recently seen 70 degrees one day and snow the next. A few key studies published in the Journal of Rheumatology and the Journal of Pain Research reported that patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and/or fibromyalgia have higher pain levels on days with more extreme weather changes. Patients with osteoarthritis tend to have higher pain levels on days when the barometric pressure is low (rainy days). Increased arthritis pain was associated with days that had higher humidity levels. Scientists

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Stroke person restores adaptive skills in medical center

BE FAST- and Recognize Stroke

Health / Dawn Gabrich

May is Stroke Awareness Month. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked or disrupted. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke, resulting in stroke- related death every 3.5 minutes. It is the leading cause of disability in adults. These statistics are staggering, but we can do something about it. First, know and reduce your risk factors.

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Asian woman weight loss and diet concept

What You Need to Know About the New Weight Loss Medications

Weight Loss / Kelsey Heckaman

The search for new treatments and medications for weight loss is an important topic for many Americans. Two-thirds of adult Americans are overweight. The struggle to lose and maintain a healthy weight can be incredibly frustrating. These individuals often feel isolated and alone in their constant battle to lose weight, but most Americans share this same struggle. Obesity is a complex disease; trying to eat healthily and exercise should always be a priority, but many patients struggle to lose weight despite these efforts. Fortunately, some new players are in the market to help our patients lose and maintain their weight.

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When Injured: Avoid RICE, Try PEACE

Orthopedics / Amy Rupley

In recent years, the standard practice for injury management has been RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. However, current evidence-based practice suggests an innovative approach, PEACE. The PEACE approach involves a focus on Protection, Elevation, Avoiding anti-inflammatories, Compression, and Education.

Gone are the days of ‘put ice on it, take a pill, and don’t use it!’ Instead, early return to movement, while protecting the injury from activities the increase pain, has been shown to accelerate recovery significantly. Compressing and elevating the injury continue to be treatments supported by evidence to promote healing.

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Happy black couple making checklist of baby things for maternity hospital at home

How To Support Your Partner during Pregnancy, Deliver, and After

Women's Health / Megan Cook

Pregnancy: Supporting your partner begins with pregnancy. Communicating with your partner about her needs allows you to better understand what you can do to be there for. Just some ideas are to be there to help with errands or tasks, attend doctors’ appointments, attend prenatal and baby education classes. Talk together about what you both would like to experience during the labor and delivery experience.

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Behind the Scenes: MRI

Radiology / Thomas White

Having an MRI can be an anxiety-inducing moment in one’s life. We want to ensure that all patients have a positive and safe experience when having their MRIs.

It starts from the moment a patient arrives at our department and registers for their exam. Every patient fills out an MRI screening form that requests pertinent health history before their scan. The goal of this form is to ensure that all patients are safe for the MRI scanner. It also helps the technologists identify which patients may need setings changed on the scanner to safely perform their exam. Not every implant is safe for MRI, and some implants are safe only under certain conditions. We want to place patient safety at the top of the list, starting with identifying what is inside your body.

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If You Don’t Use It, You Lose It…Keeping Active During Winter Months

Health / Amy Rupley

Indiana winters seem to drag on forever during the early months of the year, and those few warm days send everyone outside to get some much-needed Vitamin D and fresh air. These brief periods of high activity during an otherwise sedentary time of the year can put you at increased risk of injury. Staying active during the colder months will allow you to safely jump right back into those spring activities, like golfing, hiking, pickleball, or gardening.
Here are three tips to keep you moving this winter.

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