By Don Owrey Chief Operating Officer, UPMC Susquehanna The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many aspects of our lives, including the way we receive health care. People in communities across the nation are forgoing medically necessary care leading to unnecessary suffering and worsening health conditions. It’s normal to feel anxious about returning to a medical office
Spring is the season of renewal and growth. This year, it will also be the season we remember being stuck at home while we social distanced ourselves so we could stay healthy and virus free. We can use the extra time we have from not running between activities and commitments to improve ourselves: organize our
? By Nathaniel Hare, MD Allergist, UPMC For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, you know that this time of year can be a challenge. Flowers, trees, and grasses are in bloom and growing which means pollen and other allergens are in the air. In the U.S., an estimated 18 million adults have hay fever
There are still many unknowns about COVID-19 and this is a time of uncertainty for everyone, including front line health care workers and public health experts. This is a complex epidemic, so we continue to see evolution in approaches to providing care with a focus on safety. No one has experienced this type of pandemic
What is it like to be COVID-positive? What is it like to live in the same house together with a family member who has this virus? My daughter, Elizabeth, is a healthcare worker in the greater Philadelphia area, and two weeks ago she called my wife and I with the solemn news that she had
By Madeline Waters, registered dietitian nutritionist Nutrition Services, UPMC March is National Nutrition Month, a campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to bring awareness to nutrition by encouraging the public to develop healthy eating and physical activity habits. This year’s theme is “Eat Right, Bite by Bite.” Consider the following information to
STEP’s facilities are currently closed to customer walk-ins, but most of the agency’s services – considered essential – continue to offer assistance to individuals and families, many of whom are navigating social assistance for the first time due to COVID-19. “STEP is committed to protecting the health and wellness of our customers and staff, while
With the Coronavirus-19, this nation and the world are currently in the throes of the most serious health emergency since the great Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1918. It might be interesting to look back at that earlier pandemic. According to a Stanford University website, the flu epidemic of 1918 may have had its origins in
A heart attack happens when blood flow to your heart muscle is blocked for long enough to damage the muscle. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the heart muscle begins to die from a lack of oxygen, and non-functioning scar tissue forms in its place. If enough muscle function is lost, “heart failure” can occur.
More than 140,000 new cases of colon cancer are diagnosed each year, making it the third most common cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. However, when caught early it is highly treatable. If you knew there was a screening test that could dramatically decrease your risk, would you take it?
Everyone has a different plan in mind for how they wish to live their life as they age. It’s important to consider your general health, mobility, mental capabilities, and specific activities you may need help with as you grow older, as well as your family’s support. It also is important to consider your interests, social
When you are pregnant, you probably notice the fatigue, shortness of breath, and light-headedness that can sometimes overcome you. Did you know that these symptoms are caused by changes in your heart and blood vessels? To ensure your baby gets enough oxygen and nutrients, your heart and vessels undergo some changes that may require your
