Greater Louisville is known for allergies, and this year is no exception. Spring has brought high pollen counts, and you can actually see a coating of yellow pollen on items left outdoors. An allergy happens when the immune system reacts to a substance, such as pollen, and releases histamine, a chemical found in some of…
For the first time ever, doctors now can test for brain trauma with a simple blood test. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the Brain Trauma Indicator, which was developed by Banyan Biomarkers Inc., in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. The blood test…
A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that opioid-based pain medications in some cases aren’t any better for treating chronic pain than over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Need help managing pain? Your first stop should be your primary care provider. He or she can make a plan for…
When you’re expecting a baby, you have lots of decisions to make. Do you want to see a doctor or a midwife? Do you want to use nitrous oxide? What about a labor tub? And, of course, how will delivery day go? Knowing who can and will be in the delivery room can help you…
If asked where an athletic trainer works, many people would probably say “on the sidelines with athletes.” That’s just one way athletic trainers can help. Many, including licensed athletic trainer Mike Mehring, work in a nontraditional setting to help people get back to enjoying physical activities. Mike helps patients come back from injuries and heal…
Justin Hardesty’s heart raced. He thought he was having a panic attack. But it was much worse. He was having a seizure. “All of a sudden, I felt freaked out,” he said. “And I didn’t know why.” Justin was all too familiar with seizures, but this one was different. He was diagnosed with epilepsy at…
Norton Healthcare now has the Mazor X robotic surgical system — technology that can help reduce pain and make recovery time shorter following spine surgery. The purchase of the system was made possible with funding from Norton Healthcare and the Children’s Hospital Foundation. The move comes after a successful trial with the robotic technology, led by…
If someone near you were having stroke, could you recognize the signs? Do you think a kindergartner could? Five-year-old Colt Wagner may not have known what a stroke looks like, but he knew his mother needed help right away when she collapsed last spring. Kennetta Wagner was home with Colt when she had a stroke…
Spring in the Ohio Valley is tough — all the pollen, grass and mold spores in the air can make for a miserable couple of months for people with allergies. So tough, in fact, that the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America lists Louisville as No.2 on its list of Spring Allergy Capitals. Seasonal allergies…
Do you know the names and types of prescription medicines in your home? If some pills were missing, would you notice? Do you run out before you’re due for a refill? Two-thirds of teens who have misused pain relievers said they got them from family and friends, including from their home medicine cabinets, according to…
Race day is quickly approaching — it’s almost time to put all of your training to the test! If this is your first or 40th Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon or Marathon, we have info and tips that can help make race day easier. Days before the race Keep an eye out for emails with important…
Running a marathon has long been on my life list. It’s been one of those things that I have, for a long time, laughed-off as a “Yeah, right” kind of to-do item. Over the last couple years, and two children and a third on the way, I’ve put a strong focus on leading a healthier…