March 19, 2020
We have seen confusion in the community about screening and testing for COVID-19. Lets take a look at the difference and learn why some people may be tested while others are not. What is screening? Screening for COVID-19 is a series of questions asked to determine a person's risk for COVID-19. They include questions about symptoms being experience, travel history in recent weeks, and exposure to someone who has been confirmed to have COVID-19. Right now, all entrants to Augusta Health (patients and support persons) are screened. After screening and consulting with Virginia Department of... Continue Reading
March 17, 2020
Bacteria and other microorganisms are infamous for making us sick, but they're not all bad. In fact, you share your body with trillions of them. That might sound concerning but don't worry, they're symbiotic and they're here to help! Without the large number of microscopic critters living in your digestive tract, your body wouldn't work properly. A Win-Win Situation Your digestive system has trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, especially in your intestines, where your nutrients are absorbed. Studies have found that the total amount of bacteria in a human body can weigh in at about 2-5... Continue Reading
March 12, 2020
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon and/or rectum, is the leading cause of cancer death for men and women. However, over the last decade, medical advancements have helped to decrease the number of people that die each year from colorectal cancer. The good news is that when caught early, colorectal cancer can often be effectively treated and does not become a death sentence. The challenge is that many people ignore the early warning signs and delay medical screenings that could save their life. When it comes to colorectal cancer, knowledge is... Continue Reading
March 10, 2020
When you think of cancer, likely the first symptoms that come to mind are suspicious lumps and growing skin lesions. These are the most well-known signs of a cancerous growth, but they’re not your only warning. Pay attention if your body isn’t feeling quite right. Many early symptoms of cancer could also be caused by other issues and are easy to shrug off, but don’t ignore them. Some symptoms that are commonly overlooked could help you catch cancer earlier! Make an appointment with your doctor if you have problems with any of these five commonly overlooked warning signs of cancer: Fatigue It’... Continue Reading
March 5, 2020
A healthy person's lungs automatically provide tens of thousands of breaths a day that assist with everything from sleep to physical exertion. Healthy lungs can't be taken for granted. Millions of people around the world suffer from chronic lung conditions such as asthma. In fact, asthma is estimated to impact 235 million people from across the globe. Toxins are a major contributor to declining lung health and lung disease. Toxins in our environment, home, and workplace can impact our lungs. Products we buy and habits we have can also expose us to toxins. We're identifying common causes of... Continue Reading
February 27, 2020
February is National Eating Disorder Awareness Month, and we can think of few health phrases that could be more misunderstood than the term ‘eating disorder.’ It’s one of those things were the assumptions made in the popular consciousness can be incredibly damaging to those living with a disorder every day, so we wanted to start things off with a quick overview that might dispel some damaging misconceptions: Eating disorders are deadly Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are lethal. On its own, anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any... Continue Reading
February 25, 2020
It's no secret that exercise is a vital part of maintaining good health. However, the Center for Disease Control reports that only 23% of Americans get the recommended amount of exercise every week. If you're among the rare percentage that's consistently exercising or someone struggling to get fit, this article can help you incorporate effective changing to make your exercise routine as impactful as possible. According to the Department of Health and Human Services , at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity is recommended... Continue Reading
February 20, 2020
Getting the right nutrition to your body can seem like a very difficult ordeal. Most of that is a result of the dieting industry—for every new diet, there is a new nutritional super villain that must be kept at bay at all costs. While it can be true that limiting certain items from your meal plan can make an improvement on your health, following some fad diets can cause you to run the risk depriving your body of the calories and nutrition it needs in order to function properly. Getting proper nutrition doesn’t just come down to depriving yourself of certain foods—it is a game of both... Continue Reading
February 18, 2020
We all know the rhythmic thumping sound of a heartbeat. However, a heartbeat sounds differently in people with heart murmurs. It's estimated that 45% children and 10% of adults will experience a heart murmur at some point in their lives. Heart murmurs are common but can differ in severity, cause, and treatment. A heart murmur is an abnormal sound of blood flowing between heartbeats. It usually sounds like a whooshing, swishing, or extra thumping sound. Heart murmurs are not classified as a disease. In fact, most heart murmurs normally harmless. However, in some instances a heart murmur can... Continue Reading
February 13, 2020
Your body has an extensive superhighway of capillaries, veins, and arteries that make sure blood is delivered throughout your body. However, blockages can disrupt this essential process and cause dangerous health consequences. When capillaries, veins, or arteries in the legs, arms, neck, and kidneys are in danger, health professionals specializing in vascular care can help. Common Vascular Diseases Vascular diseases can be uncomfortable and even life-threatening, but treatment is available. Make sure to contact your doctor if you have unexplained symptoms. Common vascular diseases you should... Continue Reading
