Although it’s relatively uncommon, affecting just 3.4 percent of pregnancies in the U.S. each year, preeclampsia is a complication that can have serious long-term health effects for mom and baby. The condition is characterized primarily by higher-than-normal blood pressure during pregnancy, and may also involve elevated levels of protein in urine and a decrease in […]
Do you notice a bulge or have dull pain below the belt? You may assume that you have a pulled muscle, but your symptoms could signal a more serious problem. Normally, the muscles and tissue of your abdominal wall keep your organs safely tucked inside. But sometimes, a weak spot or tear in the muscle […]
By Tom Neal, RN, MBA, MHA As research protocols have shifted, women have been included in heart disease research and important revelations emerged. We now know that women’s heart attack symptoms are often quite different from a man’s, yet heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both genders. In fact, even though men […]
The heart acts as a pump, sending oxygen-rich blood out to the body and oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs. To execute its duties, it must contract with sufficient power at a regular rate throughout our lives. In the average lifetime, the heart beats about 3 billion times. That’s a lot of work for one muscle. […]
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States — killing one woman every 76 seconds — yet only one out of five American women actually believe it’s a threat. Heart disease is a catch-all term that includes a variety of conditions and events such as heart attacks, strokes and heart […]
By Michele Pilon, MS, BSN, RN, NE-BC Our dedicated Transylvania Regional Hospital (TRH) providers diagnose and treat injury and disease every day, and important leaps are being made regularly in how quickly and efficiently they can provide care. One game-changing innovation in medicine has been the advent of radiology, the medical specialty that utilizes various […]
By Carolyn Comeau Countless studies underscore breastfeeding’s powerful benefits, including reducing a baby’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory tract and ear infections, a wide range of allergies and even diabetes. That’s why Mission Hospital McDowell’s new Baby-Friendly® hospital accreditation from Baby-Friendly USA, the organization that recognizes facilities that commit to enacting a […]
It’s time to reframe how you think about your annual trip to the gynecologist. While many women do not look forward to their yearly pelvic exam, this appointment is much more than that — it’s a time dedicated to you and your wellness. Well-woman visits are a critical touchpoint where we can focus specifically on […]
For both men and women, if you have pain or burning when you urinate, it may be a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI occurs when bacteria gets into your urine and travels up into your bladder. Most UTIs can be easily taken care of. Because this tends to be an awkward subject to talk […]
By Jennifer Bringle Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, much of our day-to-day lives has changed significantly. And the same goes for clinical environments. While it may be tempting to skip routine screenings to avoid COVID exposure, forgoing preventative care like annual mammograms can be far more detrimental to your health. Rachel McEachern, MD, […]
