Feelings of worry, anxiety, depression and isolation have only been amplified since the pandemic. This impacts everyone, including the millions of Americans living with mental illness. Sonya Summerlin, LMFT, from St. Dominic’s Behavioral Health Services, shares information about mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month. Isolation and Loneliness The numbers of new cases of mental…
Our modern lives are full of activities, obligations, and deadlines. It’s easy to feel anxious or even experience some depression. When these feelings become overwhelming there are mental health resources and professionals who can help. But, for most of us, mindfulness is can be the key to a better life. Bob Prehn, PhD, and Sonya…
As your child grows up, they gain more independence and autonomy in every aspect of their life, including healthcare. As they enter adolescence, it’s natural for them to want more privacy during their medical appointments. Nicholas George, MD, pediatrics and internal medicine physician with Our Lady of Lourdes Health, shares the advice he gives parents…
Over time, listening forms a bond of trust between a patient and their healthcare provider, leading to more personalized care and long-lasting relationships. Mary Kathryn Edwards, NP, works at the St. Francis Primary Care Clinic and shares her approach to providing primary care with an emphasis on listening in this episode of our podcast, The…
You and your kids may love playing outdoors during the spring and summer, but so do bugs and pests, such as ticks. With tick season upon us, we have some tick health tips to keep you and your kids safe. Tick Health Tips to Know Before You Go A tick bite can cause diseases such…
Using an asthma inhaler for the first time? Or just need a refresher on the proper way to help your child use their inhaler? Tracy Marquette, RRT-AE-C, respiratory therapist and asthma educator with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, shares how to use an asthma inhaler correctly and explains the importance of using a…
Asthma, a chronic disease that affects the airways of the lungs, is characterized by airway inflammation, mucus production and narrowing of the airway. Andres Carrion, MD, pediatric pulmonologist with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, explains what makes a patient with asthma high-risk and what families should do to manage such a diagnosis, including…
Living with asthma can be a challenge, especially when triggers set off symptoms. Understanding what can trigger asthma is the first step to managing it effectively. Theron McCormick, MD, pediatric allergist and immunologist with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, shares what parents of children with asthma need to know about triggers.There’s no one type…
Every parent wants their child to be healthy and happy, but for those whose children have been diagnosed with asthma, the challenges of managing this condition can feel overwhelming. Understanding the basics of asthma in children can go a long way toward ensuring they receive the proper care and support they need to thrive. Dean…
Several factors increase a person’s risk of having a stroke, and age is the biggest. Stroke risk increases as a person gets older, but strokes can – and do occur at any age, including children. Ashok Reddy Polu, MD, vascular neurologist and neurohospitalist with Our Lady of the Lake Health and The NeuroMedical Center Clinic,…
While strokes are most commonly associated with older people, it’s a misconception that they only happen to the elderly. Data shows that more younger individuals are at risk of experiencing strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIA), also known as “mini-strokes” Ashok Reddy Polu, MD, vascular neurologist and neurohospitalist with Our Lady of the Lake Health…
Waking up to a stroke was a total surprise and life altering moment for Jeff Elliott, but immediate care from the team at St. Francis Medical Center got him on the road to recovery. Elliott, now 66, was healthy and active, working long days at his maintenance job at St. Joseph Continuing Care and additional…
Pregnancy-related strokes are among the most common causes of serious, long-term disability after pregnancy. Fortunately, they are rare, happening in only about one to two in 10,000 pregnancies. Allahyar Jazayeri, MD, PhD, maternal-fetal medicine specialist with Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, shares about what expecting moms and women planning to become pregnant…
Although you may have heard about Candida auris and similar fungi from a popular TV show, there’s no reason to panic about this emerging fungus. Katie Taylor, MD, medical director of infection prevention at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and assistant professor of clinical medicine at LSU, shares what you should know…
Bringing hope to patients is a hallmark of all our volunteers whom we celebrate during National Volunteer Week and every week. Jesus “Gino” Perez, known affectionately as Mr. Gino, volunteers three times per week at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, bringing more than just hope. He’s been volunteering for more than…
Maybe you started a garden earlier this year because of all the warm weather we’ve been having. Or you’ve followed the rule of thumb to wait until after Easter to begin planting. Either way, you should be seeing a lot of fresh springtime produce sprouting up in the garden or at your local farmers market…
Spring is a wonderful time of year, full of blooming flowers, warm sunshine and plenty of outdoor activities. With pollen in full swing, spring also means the start of another allergy season in the Gulf South. Allergies can make it difficult for children to enjoy the outdoors, but with a little bit of preparation and…
In today’s digital age screens are an integral part of daily life for many teens and tweens through technology in school, social media use and other apps on smart phones. While screen time has value in education, connection and entertainment, excessive screen time can have negative mental health consequences. Nicholas George, MD, pediatrics and internal…