4/9/2020
If you’re like most of us, the COVID-19 crisis has you washing your hands more than you ever have in your life—but about what disinfecting your home? If you haven’t been scrubbing it with bleach multiple times a day, are you in trouble? Your first tip: breathe deeply and calm down. The last thing anyone needs at this time is more anxiety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes that the main way COVID-19 spreads is when a healthy person comes in close contact with an infected perso...
11/1/2022
As the diabetes epidemic surges across age groups, diabetic foot ulcers are also on the rise November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to this fast-growing, life-threatening epidemic. Currently more than 37 million Americans have diabetes and this number is expected to increase to 54.9 million by 2030. Increases have been attributed to a rise in obesity rates and an aging population, but new research shows that younger people are being diagnosed with the disease. From 2001 to 2017,...
4/30/2020
Because autism can vary widely in its severity, and because there is no definitive test to diagnose it, it can be difficult for parents to get clear answers to their questions about autism. And yet autism is not uncommon; according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 1 in 54 children has been identified as having some form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a larger category which includes various forms of autism, including Asperger syndrome. Signs of autism can be detected ea...
1/6/2022
Time spent indoors versus outdoors does a seasonal flip flop in most parts of the country. While southerners throw open the windows and head outdoors in winter because of cooler, more tolerable temperatures, we do the opposite here in Michigan. With the exception of snow lovers, most Michiganders head indoors where it’s warm. As a result, winter is peak season for contagious diseases. Your best line of defense are tried-and-true healthy habits to stop the spread of germs. These work for respiratory and ...
11/12/2023
Guest Author: Stacey Wendling, MSN, RN, FNP-C Nurse Practitioner, Covenant HealthCare Cardiology The use of advanced practice providers (APPs) such as nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) is a growing theme in America in response to the national physician shortage. The American Nursing Association reports that shortages in primary care providers affects one in five Americans. 1 According to the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants, in January 2016, an estimated 108,000 PAs were i...
4/13/2020
Besides following handwashing, disinfecting and social distancing guidelines, your main weapon against COVID-19 is your own immune system. Covenant Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Ann Hoffman, helps answer some questions about boosting your immune system with healthy foods. What are some key foods to boost our immune system? Ann recommends mixing it up with protein , found in poultry, lean meats, fish and eggs and antioxidants , which neutralize free radicals to protect your cells. Antioxidants are f...
1/5/2017
Bariatric surgery can be a life-changing event. In addition to a physical transformation, patients often experience some smaller adjustments in their day-to-day lives. From new eating and exercising habits to new emotional relationships with oneself and others, the changes that result from bariatric surgery can be immense. But they can also be extremely positive. Bariatric surgery has been known to improve a patient’s overall health, including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea and more....
10/12/2015
How many times have you tried to lose weight? If you’re like most overweight individuals, chances are you’ve lost hundreds of pounds through various diet programs, only to see your weight bounce back up and down. It seems like no matter how hard or how many times you’ve tried to lose weight, nothing seems to work. If this is you, it’s time to get more help. Losing weight isn’t something you should have to do alone, and medical intervention may be the extra help you need to not only lose weight, but keep...
1/24/2018
It’s sometimes difficult to tell the difference between needing food and wanting food. Will reaching for that item really satisfy a physical need, or only meet an emotional desire? After bariatric surgery, being able to tell the difference between head hunger and true hunger is especially important. Your stomach is vulnerable, and overdoing it can lead to issues like pouch stretching. That’s why it’s important to pause, think about your motivation for eating particular items and keep these qualiti...
3/13/2023
Sleep apnea is a common disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop or get very shallow. Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. Roughly 22 million Americans suffer from a type of sleep apnea. Types of Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea has two main domains: Obstructive and Central. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the more common form of apnea that happens in the airway when the soft tissues like the tongue and soft palate relax too much. As this happens, breathing becomes increasingly diff...
3/1/2023
March is National Nutrition Month, a time when healthcare providers across the country focus on helping patients optimize nutrition for better health. At Covenant Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Covenant HealthCare many patients battle non-healing wounds stemming from diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or other conditions. These wounds are typically located on the lower limbs or feet and have festered more than 30 days, greatly impacting the patient’s quality of life. By this time, spec...
5/25/2018
Home health care is expected to grow exponentially as baby boomers age and look for alternatives to traditional assisted living and nursing home facilities. Some experts predict that in the near future, our homes may even surpass medical facilities as the primary site for healthcare. One of the factors expected to make this outcome possible is new technology that makes communication faster and more efficient. The Covenant Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) provides home care for patients of all ages. This...
3/16/2021
After braving another Michigan winter, everyone is eager to get outside and enjoy the spring weather. Follow these spring safety tips from Covenant Injury Prevention Specialist Laura Walker, to keep the whole family safe while you're enjoying the great outdoors. Bike Safety Before you or your kids get pedaling, give your bikes a spring checkup: make sure the tires are properly inflated, the brakes are working properly, and the chain is lubricated. Always wear a helmet, and make sure it fits sn...
1/9/2017
Meet Julie: a dedicated and enthusiastic field nurse who has been working for the Covenant HealthCare Visiting Nurse Association for over 20 years. Julie is a mother, a caregiver, and above all else, a hero to the patients whose lives she has positively impacted throughout her career. Being a visiting nurse requires a certain amount of strength and independence, and we learned this, and much more, when we sat down to learn about Julie’s story. Where it all began Julie got the idea to enter the field of ...
12/23/2016
Home. It’s a word that often elicits a sense of joy and peace. After a long day of work or time away on vacation, coming home can be a comforting experience. And when illness strikes or a loved one has to undergo treatment or surgery, being able to recover in one’s own home can be equally comforting. Thanks to advancements in technology and enhanced training for healthcare professionals, home health care is becoming a more and more viable option for patients. But how do you go about choosing a quality h...
3/31/2016
There’s no place like home—especially when you’re recovering from surgery or need long-term care. But you don’t want to unnecessarily risk your health and well-being for the luxury of your bed. That’s why more people are choosing hospital-affiliated home health providers like Covenant Visiting Nurse Association (VNA). For many patients, Covenant VNA is the difference between a house call and a hospital room. As the first home healthcare agency in the Great Lakes Bay Region, Covenant VNA is backed by the...
10/16/2017
When a loved one is struggling to live independently or needs end-of-life care, home health and hospice offer assistance. But the question that often arises is, “How do I know when it’s the right time for such care?” Although the transition into these services can be emotional, the answer to that question is usually, “The sooner, the better.” Keep reading to learn some of the common signs your loved one could be ready for at-home or hospice services. Home Care Home health care can provide services to pe...
12/1/2022
Navigating all of the great things that come with the holidays can be difficult, especially if you have diabetes, and particularly if you suffer from a chronic wound. It's important to understand the impact holiday traditions can have on your health and healing process. From eating mindfully to following your treatment protocols, here are five helpful holiday tips for diabetics: Be proactive! You may not be able to control what food will be served but you can control what you consume. Have a plan in pla...
7/26/2021
Extraordinary Spiritual Support In times of illness, trauma and loss, many individuals require more than physical care to cope and heal. Covenant HealthCare chaplains are available 24 hours a day to provide emotional and spiritual support to patients, families and hospital staff. Our chaplains support and foster healing and wholeness with people of all faiths, as well as those who do not belong to one. Covenant is the only hospital in the area that offers in-house 24/7 spiritual support. Our chaplains a...
10/7/2022
When a patient with diabetes develops osteomyelitis, or a bone infection of the foot, early diagnosis and treatment can help avoid catastrophic consequences. When an infection develops in ulcerated soft tissues, it can quickly spread to the bone. A lack of blood flow deprives the area of bacteria-fighting oxygen, putting the patient at risk of bone death and amputation. It is estimated that more than 20 percent of individuals with diabetic foot ulcers will develop osteomyelitis. Many of these patients h...
9/15/2022
For cancer patients suffering from post-radiation damage, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can bring relief Many patients diagnosed with cancer undergo radiation treatment, which is quite effective in killing cancer cells but can also cause long-term damage to healthy cells and tissues. For survivors of prostate cancer, bladder cancer, or cancers of the bowel or reproductive system, radiation treatments can result in bleeding in the bladder or other nearby organs. This can begin months to sometimes years after...
9/1/2022
“Summer means many things to many different people, for us, it’s surfing” - Endless Summer (1965) and if you’re living with a chronic wound, it’s not surfing, or probably anything beachy for that matter. Summer can become a difficult time of year for people living with chronic wounds, because most social events during these hot months can be a total wipeout for their healing progress. Trying to balance a non-healing wound and a summer social life can take a toll on mental well-being, and the body’s heal...
8/10/2022
Ahh.. Summer. Long hot days enjoying too much sun, sand between the toes, and the delicious benefits of outdoor cooking. The laid-back vibes in these months are not the easiest to create when trying to thwart off a wound from coming on. Actually, the patients most at risk of developing a chronic wound are dealing with a strong undertow of conditions, like diabetes, and that can be a real buzz kill when it comes to summer fun. “If you have any underlying condition, like Diabetes, you need to be vigilant ...
7/27/2022
For many, summer is the perfect time to run barefoot on the beach or in a grassy park. But if you’re one of the 34.2 million Americans living with diabetes, going barefoot is one of the worst things you can do for your health. Exposure to hot sand, pavement, rocks, trash and debris can result in trauma leading to non-healing wounds that put you at risk of infection, sepsis, or amputation. Many complex wounds begin with a very small scrape or scratch. Some diabetics have peripheral neuropathy or a loss o...
1/21/2020
Sometimes it seems like it’s impossible to avoid getting sick this time of year. But it’s not just cold weather that brings on the sneezes and sniffles. Stress, lack of sleep, and poor eating habits can all deplete your immune system and make you vulnerable to whatever’s going around the office (or the school). Follow these five tips, and cold weather won’t have to mean getting a cold. Get your flu shot. It’s not too late to get one, and flu shots are covered by most insurance plans. You can get a flu s...
10/22/2019
No one wants to get sick. The number one thing that we all can do this season to smack down the flu bug is to get the flu shot of course! Our Covenant experts have provided a countdown of six additional tips to avoid the flu this season. 6. COVER YOUR MOUTH Come on folks, we learned this one in kindergarten. “The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then discard the tissue immediately and wash your hands,” says Jennifer Jarabec...
9/20/2021
Here are some helpful tips to help you determine whether the medical care you need is something that should be treated at the Covenant Emergency Room, one of five Covenant MedExpress locations or with a virtual urgent care appointment. Emergency Room Care Be sure to call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room if you: You have symptoms of a heart attack. In the case of a heart attack, getting to the hospital quickly is critical. Symptoms of heart attack include: Uncomfortable pressure, ...
12/1/2015
Guest Author: Ashley Burgoyne, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA, Speech-Language Pathologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Covenant Center for Autism "Feeding disorder" is a broad term that is often used to describe abnormalities in a child's diet that results in inadequate nutritional intake. The child's poor diet result in a failure to maintain or sustain a typical growth rate (Crosby, 2007; Piazza, 2008). Approximately 67% of children with autism can be described as "poor" or "picky" eaters (Williams et al.,...
7/16/2019
When you’re cleaning out your fridge and find an expired container of yogurt, you just toss it in the trash. But cleaning out your medicine cabinet requires a little more thought. Leftover prescription medications must be disposed of carefully; if they aren’t, they could be toxic for the environment, or they could fall into the hands of people who shouldn’t have them. You may have leftover medication due to a change in therapy, a reduction in your dosage, or because you had an adverse reaction that you ...
3/12/2019
Robotic surgery may seem like a technique of the future, but it's happening right now, right here at Covenant HealthCare. All about da Vinci ® . The da Vinci ® robots allow doctors to perform several different types of surgery, including prostate surgery, hysterectomies and more. Not only does Covenant HealthCare have three da Vinci ® robots, we've also completed over 5,000 da Vinci ® robotic surgeries. This means we have the experience and depth in team to give patients and families added confiden...
4/9/2019
Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., and those who do survive strokes can be severely disabled as a result. That's why it's so important to be aware of the first signs of a stroke. The sooner a stroke victim gets medical attention, the better their chances of both surviving and avoiding permanent disability. What is a stroke? A stroke occurs when an artery supplying blood to the brain is blocked or ruptures. When part of the brain can't get the blood (and therefore oxygen) it n...
1/8/2019
If you’re expecting, you have nine months to study for one of life’s biggest tests. And we’re not just talking about childbirth. Baby care, breastfeeding, preparing siblings for a new brother or sister—there’s a lot more labor involved in having a new baby than just labor itself. Covenant offers a wide variety of classes to prepare parents for their new arrivals. Labor & Delivery – In this class, moms-to-be and their support people learn the stages of labor and the physical and psychological c...
3/27/2020
Unless you have a doctor in the family, seeing a physician without leaving your home used to be impossible. But now, to help our patients stay healthy and stay home, Covenant HealthCare is offering online virtual doctor visits through the Covenant MyChart app. These visits are perfect for ailments like ear or eye infections, colds and flu, mild allergic reactions and other non-life-threatening conditions. And during the coronavirus crisis, virtual visits are available for any type of doctor visit, inclu...
5/21/2019
We usually associate conditions like sleep apnea and insomnia with adults, but they can keep little ones up at night, too. Kids can also suffer from restless legs syndrome, another sleep problem usually associated with middle-aged patients. Sleep disorders can lead to lower grades in school and behavioral problems. Dr. Christopher Allen, a pediatric neurologist and the head of the Covenant HealthCare Pediatric Sleep Program, says, “A lot of kids have symptoms that will be reflective of ADHD…unfortunatel...
1/22/2021
We’ve all heard how important it is to eat a healthy diet. But not everyone realizes how the right foods can positively affect your health. According to Ann Hoffman, a clinical dietitian at Covenant HealthCare, “There are benefits in terms of helping to maintain a healthy weight, helping to prevent chronic illness, and helping you to feel well on a daily basis.” Here are six great reasons to eat a healthy diet: Healthy eating helps prevent obesity. Excess weight is a risk factor for an array of chronic ...
4/20/2022
Children and sleep – two words that parents celebrate yet often worry about. Helping children rest better is one of Molly Hoover’s primary responsibilities at the Covenant Sleep Center. As a nurse practitioner (and busy mom herself), she guides families in understanding differences in sleep needs and helps identify issues that negatively impact sleep. Her goal is to maximize ZZZZs for all ages, but especially children. According to Hoover, children require 10-12 hours of sleep nightly to grow, develop a...
4/18/2022
Having a baby is a pretty extraordinary experience. Having one at Covenant is knowing that you and your baby are receiving the most preferred women’s and children’s care in the region. And it all starts at The Birth Center, where home-like amenities and the reassurance provided by an on-site neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) make Covenant a safety stand-out. TAKE A TOUR OF THE BIRTH CENTER In addition to a beautiful place like The Birth Center, Covenant offers moms and babies some extraordinary people...
4/19/2022
Illness, injury, disability and hospitalization can be uneasy, stressful experiences for kids and their families. Normalizing the hospital environment rests in the capable hands of special Covenant experts called “child life specialists.” Mariah Bruff is one of those specialists. She brings a degree in psychology, classroom teaching experience, and hospital emergency room and pediatric know-how to her role in easing the fears of Covenant’s youngest patients. Being sick and in the hospital disrupts a chi...
10/26/2017
When a stroke strikes, every second counts. In the time it takes you to read this post, about 50 people on the planet will have experienced a stroke or early signs. That’s because one occurs about every two seconds worldwide. Luckily, by the time you finish reading this post, you’ll also be equipped with the knowledge to quickly identify and jump into action to help a stranger or loved one who is experiencing the symptoms. As National Stroke Day approaches on October 29, the American Heart Association a...
9/1/2021
For cancer patients suffering from post-radiation damage, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can bring relief. Many patients diagnosed with cancer undergo radiation treatment, which is quite effective in killing cancer cells but can also cause long-term damage to healthy cells and tissues. For survivors of prostate cancer, bladder cancer, or cancers of the bowel or reproductive system, radiation treatments can result in bleeding in the bladder or other nearby organs. This can begin months to sometimes year...
10/13/2021
Osteomyelitis, or an infection of the bone, occurs when bacteria travel through the bloodstream or an open wound, to a weakened spot in the bone or marrow. It is a growing concern in modern healthcare, particularly with the rise in antibiotic resistance to bacteria. Individuals with diabetes are at high risk of developing osteomyelitis because they are more susceptible to the development of chronic wounds, particularly on the feet or lower limbs. When coupled with diabetic neuropathy, a loss of sensatio...
7/5/2021
Longer days and hotter, more humid weather send most of us outside for our favorite summer activities. Staying safe, especially in the heat and around water, has a lot to do with being and alert and prepared, says Covenant Injury Prevention Specialist Laura Walker, RN, MSN, EMT, CFRN. “It’s all about balance,” she says. “Have fun, but be safe so the fun isn’t interrupted.” Walker’s top tips for a safe, injury-free summer include: Hot weather • Stay hydrated – 12 cups a day for women, 1...
7/6/2021
Some diabetics have a loss of sensation in the lower extremities due to nerve damage. Because of this loss of feeling, a small burn, scratch or scrape can go unnoticed and become infected. That’s why going barefoot outdoors in the summer is a no-no. “If you have diabetes, you need to be vigilant about foot care year-round, but summer is particularly important,” says Dr. David Gustavison, Medical Director at Covenant Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Center. “If you discover any kind of foot wound,...
6/29/2021
Most of us would prefer to avoid the whole cancer “thing” altogether, right? That is why Covenant’s cancer care experts are continuously focused on prevention and screening. Everyone can take proactive steps to minimize the risk of cancer in their lives. Tops on the list are: • Eating a healthy diet full of colorful, fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats rather than heavily processed foods, sugary beverages, high-fat salty snacks or other junk food • Exercisin...
5/21/2021
Rehabilitation is a critical component of our continuum of care, because the time stroke patients spend in acute hospital care is typically short, says Joe Piselli, OTRL, ACSM-EP, therapy manager, Mary Free Bed at Covenant HealthCare. “Getting stroke patients ready to go home independently or under the care of family requires a ‘next step.’ For many, what comes next is inpatient rehabilitation.” Covenant’s affiliation with Mary Free Bed provides post stroke patients with a level of quality AND results u...
4/7/2021
Don’t underestimate the impact of stress on your heart health. Discover more about the link between stress and heart health with Dr. Mayar Jundi, Covenant Cardiologist.
3/15/2021
Covenant HealthCare Welcomes New Sports Medicine Program Do you find yourself suffering from aches and pains after running? Are you worried your son or daughter may have gotten a concussion at soccer practice? Or are you getting older and arthritic conditions make exercise difficult? Covenant HealthCare’s sports medicine physician, Dr. Brian Purchase is answering all your questions about how a sports medicine department can assist with your athletic needs. Why should I schedule an appointment with a spo...
1/22/2021
Guest Author: Morgan Auernhammer, B.S., SCCE, Health & Fitness Program Administrator Mary Free Bed at Covenant HealthCare - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation We all have the best of intentions by choosing to get in shape to start the new year on a good note but starting off the new year could cost us if we are not fully prepared. Here are a few things to consider as you get back to the recommended 60 minutes of exercise per day at least 3 days a week. Take care of any ling...
1/22/2021
Guest Author: Ann Werle, RN, BSN, CBCN, Nurse Navigator, Covenant Cancer Care Center Quitting smoking is tough. Not quitting smoking is tougher! According to the American Cancer Society smoking is by far the most significant causative factor for lung cancer. Smoking causes 87% of all lung cancer deaths among men and 70% of lung cancer deaths in women. The risk of developing lung cancer increases with quantity of cigarettes smoked and years of smoking. The CDC states, “Smoking is a major cause of cardiov...
8/17/2020
Heart disease is the #1 killer of both men and women in the United States, so learning what we can do to prevent heart attacks is a smart move for all of us. And there’s a bonus: most of these recommendations will also reduce your risk for other illnesses like cancer, diabetes and more. 1. Stop smoking. A 2014 study done in Stockholm, Sweden found that of all the actions a patient could take to reduce heart attack risk, quitting smoking was by far the most effective (reducing risk by 36%). ...
8/10/2020
The Watchman device was approved by the FDA in 2015 to help prevent strokes in patients who have a condition called atrial fibrillation (sometimes called AFib for short). When a patient has atrial fibrillation, the upper and lower chambers of the heart beat out of sync with each other. This irregular heartbeat is called an arrhythmia. Patients with AFib experience symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, dizziness and fatigue. AFib can lead to blood clots, which can travel to the brain and cause a stroke...
8/7/2020
Because your arteries are the main highways through which your blood travels, bringing oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body, clogged arteries can lead to serious health complications. Since most patients are not regularly tested for blockages, it’s important to know the symptoms of clogged arteries. Clogged coronary arteries When we talk about fatty foods or cholesterol clogging our arteries, most of us are thinking of our coronary arteries, the arteries that lead to the heart. Wh...
7/8/2020
Urology is one of the most misunderstood specialties in medicine. Some think only men need to see urologists, and many have no idea what urologists do at all — until their primary care doctor refers them to one. Part of the confusion stems from the wide variety of conditions urologists treat. Urologists treat men, women and children for ailments ranging from simple urinary tract infections to life-threatening cancers. In general, urologists treat conditions affecting the urinary tract and male re...
6/30/2020
Few things are more frustrating than lying awake, waiting for sleep to come, while the minutes (and hours) creep by. If you have trouble sleeping, try putting these better sleep habits to work for you. If you still can’t sleep, you may have a sleep disorder — which the Covenant Sleep Center can help you overcome (see “Sleep Disorders” below). Tips for Better Sleep Maintain a regular sleep schedule, every day. While it’s tempting to sleep in on weekends and holidays, going to bed and waking up at the sam...
5/12/2020
Heart attacks and other forms of heart disease are the leading cause of death in the United States, so learning to recognize heart attack symptoms is critical. The sooner you identify your symptoms, the more quickly you can get treatment, and the greater your chances of survival. The most common cause of a heart attack is a blockage of one or more of your coronary arteries, which cuts off blood flow to the heart. Symptoms of a heart attack include: Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in ...
4/24/2020
Sometimes a trip to the emergency room is a no-brainer: you have a severe injury, you lose consciousness, or you have intense pain. But patients with less obvious symptoms often decide to stay home and “tough it out.” And that could be a life-threatening choice. Follow these guidelines to help make the best choice for your health. Call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room if: You have symptoms of a heart attack. In the case of a heart attack or stroke, getting to the hospital quickly is cr...
4/6/2020
Considering the state of the nation with the coronavirus pandemic, many people may be experiencing added stress and uncertainty related to concerns with your own health or the health of others close to you. During this time, one thing you can control is who speaks for you if you cannot speak for yourself. The information below is intended to help ease this stress and uncertainty, by providing education about Advance Care Planning and to offer free resources to individuals who would like to get started o...
10/17/2018
Over 30 million people in the U.S. are living with diabetes. Many have the disease and don’t even realize it, and millions more are at risk for diabetes. Though diabetes cannot be cured, the sooner people are diagnosed, the more they can do to educate themselves and manage their condition. Sharon Donnenwerth, a Certified Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator with Covenant HealthCare, sat down with WNEM-TV’s Craig McMorris to discuss the importance of diabetes awareness and education. “I...
6/17/2019
Today, one in 59 children is diagnosed with autism. Boys are four times more likely to have the disorder than girls. There are several different subtypes of autism, which are all grouped under the category of Autism Spectrum Disorder. All types are characterized by challenges with social skills, speech and nonverbal communication. Because autism varies greatly from child to child, parents have many questions about how to recognize it and have it diagnosed. How can I tell if my child is autistic? If your...
2/22/2019
Diabetes: The Myths and the Facts More than 29 million people in the U.S. have Type 2 diabetes. While the condition can be managed with medication, proper diet and exercise, if left untreated it can be deadly. That's why it's so important to know the facts—not the myths. Covenant Registered Dietician Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator Sharon Donnenwerth appeared on WNEM-TV's Medical Moment to answer some important questions about diabetes. What is diabetes? "Diabetes is a condition in which yo...
2/14/2019
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and heart failure is one of its most serious forms. Covenant Cardiologist Mayar Jundi appeared on WNEM TV's Medical Moments to clarify what heart failure is, how to spot it, and what can be done for heart failure patients. "Heart failure is failure of the heart as a pump to deliver blood to the organs of the body," explains Dr. Jundi. "What patients feel usually because of that is shortness of breath, fatigue, and a...
1/30/2019
Most women are aware of the most common treatments for breast cancer, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. But at Covenant, there's another member of the breast cancer team, one who can help women prevent or cope with both the emotional and physical side effects of cancer treatment. That's the therapist. Covenant Occupational Therapist Ashley Wisniewski sat down with WNEM TV's Jamie Sherrod to talk about the critical role that therapy can play in breast cancer treatment and recovery. "We are loo...
1/17/2019
Dr. Tracy McComb is a physician at Covenant MedExpress urgent care. With cold and flu season underway, she wants to ensure parents and caregivers know about fevers in children, as well as remedies to manage them and signs to see a doctor. That's why Dr. McComb sat down with WNEM TV to share her knowledge in a Medical Moment segment. What is a fever? A fever is a sort of tool your body uses for self-treatment. Humans have internal "thermostats" that regulate our temperature to around 98.6°F, plus or minu...
11/27/2018
Endometrial cancer is on the rise. The number of new cases diagnosed each year in the U.S. has risen from 40,000 in 2005 to over 60,000 in 2017. Dr. Gregory Sutton from the Covenant Cancer Care Center appeared on WNEM-TV’s Medical Moment to answer questions and educate viewers about this increasingly common form of cancer in women. What is endometrial cancer? Endometrial cancer is cancer of the wall of the uterus (the endometrium). It is the most common reproductive cancer found in women in the U.S. The...
11/12/2018
About 300,000 high school athletes suffer from concussions every year, and experts suspect many more go unreported. Younger athletes in middle and elementary schools are at risk as well. Repeated concussions can lead to brain damage, so it’s no wonder health professionals and parents are increasingly concerned about concussion prevention. While football presents the highest risk of concussion, players in other sports aren’t immune. Soccer players who repeatedly “head” the ball, baseball players who dive...
10/30/2018
Most of us think of physical therapy as a way to speed recovery from surgery or a recent injury. And while that’s true, that’s just one part of the physical therapist’s job. Covenant physical therapist Jacqueline Kareus, PT, DPT, CIMT appeared on WNEM TV’s Medical Moment segment to explain how physical therapy could help you or your loved ones. Who can benefit from physical therapy? Through exercise, soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization and other techniques, physical therapy can help with: A rec...
10/8/2018
When a patient is diagnosed with a serious condition such as cancer, they often feel isolated from friends and coworkers. Friends and family are sympathetic, but unless they’ve had the disease themselves, they can’t really know what the patient is going through. That’s when support groups can be so critical for emotional backup. Covenant HealthCare’s Alison VanNorman, a social worker with 40+ years of experience, talked with WNEM-TV’s Medical Moments about the importance of support groups for both...
9/21/2018
Have you heard about GERD? It’s similar to heartburn, but is more severe, and if left untreated, it can lead to some serious consequences. Covenant HealthCare nurse practitioner Vicki Ott recently appeared on WNEM TV’s Medical Moments to answer some questions about the causes, symptoms and treatment of GERD. What is GERD? GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Both GERD and heartburn are the result of acid in the stomach backing up into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as chest and/or stom...
7/18/2018
In an interview on WNEM TV’s Medical Moments series, the administrator of the Covenant HealthCare bariatric program, Libby Palmer, helped answer viewers’ questions on Bariatric Surgery. Palmer points out that bariatric surgery is not a quick fix, but requires a long-term, lifetime commitment to proper diet and health management. Fortunately, Covenant HealthCare’s bariatrics program guides patients throughout the entire journey. The first days after bariatric surgery. Palmer urges patients to give themse...
6/18/2018
The husband who snores so loud his wife has to elbow him in the ribs several times a night is a running joke in TV shows, cartoons and movies. But now, researchers are learning that snoring is not a laughing matter. In many cases, it’s a symptom of sleep apnea. And research has found a strong link between sleep apnea and heart disease, hypertension and stroke. There are two kinds of sleep apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). OSA is by far the most common. Patients with OSA...
6/15/2018
As you get older, you collect memories, good friends, wrinkles, and often, chronic health conditions. You may also have reduced mobility and flexibility. It can all add up to more visits to the emergency room. However, some trips to the emergency center can be avoided with these healthy habits and precautions: See your doctor regularly for checkups and screenings. Regular doctor visits can catch early warning signs of problems before they become emergencies. Also ask your doctor about these screenings: ...
4/14/2018
In 2011, a woman ran the Chicago Marathon in her ninth month of pregnancy--then gave birth a few hours later. We wouldn’t recommend this. However, less strenuous feats of athleticism can be good for both you and baby, and help relieve some of the side effects of pregnancy. Short of running a marathon, which exercise is best during pregnancy? Here are some guidelines to help you choose activities that are healthy for both you and baby. Basic Dos and Don’ts DO ask your obstetrician about exercise before y...
4/2/2018
Da Vinci robotic surgery is just one of the advanced technologies Covenant HealthCare takes advantage of to improve patient care. Though we call it “robotic surgery,” the technical term is really “robotic-assisted” surgery. The da Vinci robot is controlled at all times by a surgeon at a console a few feet away; the robot replicates the surgeon’s motions. Da Vinci surgery is a form of minimally invasive surgery, meaning very small incisions are made to perform procedures (laparoscopy is another type of m...
12/22/2017
Your child comes to you rubbing their stomach and not feeling well at all. Is that normal? When your child complains of stomach discomfort, how do you know if it’s just a passing ache or something more serious? At times, it can be difficult to decipher what your kids are trying to tell you. However, having a pediatric gastroenterologist close to home and specialized in children and adolescent care can help you read between the lines. Knowing the difference in digestive patterns between children and adul...
2/27/2018
Bones play a major role in the body, which is why keeping them healthy should be a priority at every age and stage of your life. While it’s never too late to make healthy modifications to your diet and exercise routine to improve your bone health, it’s not something you should put off for another time. So read on, and see what you can do to improve your bone health for today, tomorrow and the future. Age 18 and younger When parents think about their kids’ health, bone health doesn’t often come to mind. ...
4/7/2018
As if turning 50 wasn’t enough to deal with, that’s when your doctor will start urging you to get a colonoscopy.* And while you’d like to believe your doctor when he/she tells you the procedure is painless, they have an ulterior motive – keeping you healthy, and detecting the early signs of colon cancer. The idea of a colonoscopy sounds decidedly unpleasant: A long tube with a camera on the end of it inserted into the colon through the rectum. The reality, however, is not so bad. Here’s a step-by-step g...
3/19/2018
No one wants to think about the death of a loved one, and to many people, considering hospice care (also known as end-of-life care) seems like “giving up.” However, hospice is not about giving up on life. It’s about improving the quality of life for a loved one when treatment becomes ineffective or too debilitating for them to endure. Many families who choose hospice care for a loved one say they wish they had done it sooner. Half of all hospice patients spend only three weeks in hospice care, which mea...
1/26/2018
BJ Helton with infection prevention at Covenant HealthCare shares her Top 10 Checklist to help you prevent being infected with the influenza virus. # 10: Get plenty of rest. # 9: Eat plenty and a variety of fruits and vegetables. # 8: Drink lots of water. # 7: Stay active; exercise. # 6: Don’t share personal objects: utensils, cups, bottles, telephones, etc. # 5: Disinfect personal objects often: telephones, purses, doorknobs, keyboards, etc. # 4: Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezi...
1/16/2018
You made the choice to have bariatric surgery. You consulted your doctor and went through the pre-procedure steps. You weighed the benefits and risks. You talked to you family and friends. You prepared yourself and your home. After undergoing a life-altering procedure like bariatric surgery, there is one more important choice you have to make – the choice to start your post-surgery life on the right foot. Follow these four simple steps to keep looking and feeling your best: 1. Walk the walk After...
12/22/2017
More and more hospitals are leveraging the knowledge and experience of their former patients to improve future quality of care. To do so, many are setting up Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) to provide a platform for patients’ ideas to be heard and acted upon. At Covenant HealthCare, we’ve recognized the value of our patients’ voices. That’s why we strongly promote our PFAC, and encourage you to join. What is the PFAC? Our PFAC was formed so past patients and their family members/caregivers ...
11/20/2017
Children aren’t always able to answer questions during medical exams or convey when something is bothering them. Luckily, when those problems involve the genitalia or urinary tract, pediatric urologists can identify, diagnose, treat, and care for even the youngest patients. What is pediatric urology? Pediatric urology is a surgical subspecialty that focuses on abnormalities of the urinary tract and genitalia in children. The most common medical issues managed by a pediatric urologist are urinary t...
10/23/2017
Getting a mammogram is an important step in taking care of yourself, and your breasts. Although the test doesn’t prevent breast cancer, it can save lives by detecting breast cancer in its earliest (and most treatable) stages. Whether you’re preparing for your first scheduled mammogram or returning for a routine visit, there are some important things to know before you go. The test captures X-rays of the breast During your mammography test, a skilled technician will position and compress your breast betw...
9/18/2017
It’s an unfortunate reality that nearly 100 million Americans live with chronic pain. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20 percent of those individuals struggles with knee pain. Knee pain can be caused by a sudden injury, an overuse injury or by an underlying condition such as arthritis, and it can greatly impact your life and your routine. But no matter the cause of your pain, making some simple modifications to your lifestyle now could provide relief down the road....
7/24/2017
Despite their many benefits, urgent care facilities are often overlooked or forgotten about when patients are in need of care. There are a series of myths and misconceptions surrounding their services, their doctors and their availability which can make consumers turn to other outlets when they need medical attention. But if a patient needs quick care and doesn’t require a hospital or emergency room visit, urgent care can be the perfect choice. That’s why we’re debunking four of the most common urgent c...
7/14/2017
All too often, medical emergencies occur out of the blue – your child wakes up with intense stomach pains, you sprain your ankle on a weekend run, a family member trips and falls. After the initial shock and panic from these types of situations, another emotion can take over… uncertainty. Should I rush to the emergency room? What about an urgent care clinic? Is my primary care physician’s office even open? These are the questions that plague patients in times of medical need. So how can you determine wh...
6/5/2017
Knowledge is power when it comes to strokes – knowing your risk factors is the first step in preventing or reducing your chances of having one. While certain risk factors such as age and family history are out of your control, there are simple changes you can make in your day-to-day life to lessen the effects of others. So start today. Right now. Make some modifications to your diet, lifestyle and routine and you could be living a healthier, stroke-free life. Risk factors you CAN control High Blood Pres...
5/22/2017
Strokes can be sudden and unexpected, which means taking on the role of caregiver can be equally unexpected. Although the first few days, weeks or months might be a challenge, there are steps you can take to make the recovery process more manageable for everyone involved. Keep these tips in mind if you’re caring for a loved one after a stroke: Educate yourself Education about proper stroke care is key. Take advantage of opportunities to learn about your loved one’s condition and prognosis by talking to ...
5/3/2017
Vaccinating your newborn is one of the safest and most effective things you can do for them. Infant vaccinations protect children from serious illness and complications of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, whooping cough and more. Although it can be difficult watching your little one get a shot, rest assured knowing your decision can help your baby’s health in the long run. Have a newborn at home or one on the way? Here’s what you should know. Are vaccines safe? The World Health Organ...
4/26/2017
The first few hours, days and weeks with your baby can be equally terrifying and terrific. Newborns require round-the-clock care, and it can sometimes be a shock to discover exactly what that entails. As a new parent, you’re guaranteed to hear a lot of crying and feel more tired than ever, but there are things you can do to make the first month home with your baby more comfortable for everyone. These simple tips could help you get through the first month—or at least the next few hours—more easily: Get s...
4/11/2017
Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Do you experience headaches, fatigue or sluggishness throughout the day? If your night of sleep and day after are less than ideal, it might be time to talk to your doctor about considering a sleep study. Sleep studies are tests that record what happens to your body during sleep. They’re performed to diagnose problems like sleep apnea, narcolepsy, some insomnias, sleep walking, night terrors and periodic limb movement disorder, among others. But the t...
4/5/2017
One of the best things you can do for your child is ensure he or she is getting proper sleep. Whether your kids are 18 months old or 18 years old, a restful night of ZZZs can improve their mood, behavior and overall health. But what can you do to help your child achieve this? Dr. Christopher Allen from the Covenant Sleep Center shared some of his expert tips to establish good sleep hygiene. Get the recommended amount Eight hours of sleep a night — it’s the number we’ve always heard. But Dr. Allen reveal...
5/31/2016
The heart is the source of life, so it’s important to keep it as healthy as possible. Unfortunately, researchers have estimated more than two million U.S. children and adults are currently living with Structural Heart Disease. Getting the facts about what it is and how you can treat it is crucial to living a longer and healthier life. If you or a loved one were born with or have been diagnosed with Structural Heart Disease, take heart. You can take control by learning more about it today. Start with the...
2/23/2017
Traveling is stressful, plain and simple. No matter how often you travel or how much time and effort you’ve put into planning your trip, there’s bound to be something that goes awry. And as stressful as travel can be under traditional circumstances, when you throw heart disease into the mix, it can take on another whole dimension of stress. The key to worry-free travel with heart disease is talking to your doctor and planning ahead. When you’re prepared for worst-case scenarios in advance, you’re bound ...
2/6/2017
The human heart is about the size of a person’s fist, but it’s one of the hardest-working organs in the body. It beats about 100,000 times per day, gives your body the oxygen and nutrients it needs, and is quite literally the ‘heart’ of your existence. Because of this, keeping your heart strong and healthy is one of the most important things you can do. While exercising and maintaining a healthy diet are keys to heart health, it’s also important to know your risk factors. Some risk factors like heredity...
1/19/2017
By the year 2050, the population of people ages 65 and older is expected to double. And with this rise in the 65+ age segment, there is a growing need for senior emergency care. While standard emergency rooms can certainly do the job for seniors who are in need of immediate assistance, there are certain advantages to senior ERs that standard ERs do not fulfill. For this age group, a slower-paced, more diligent type of emergency care with more comfortable accommodations could be a better fit. The next ti...
12/5/2016
Guest Author: BJ Helton, Manager of Patient Safety and Quality Even though binge watching Netflix and getting a few work-free days may seem tempting, the body aches, fatigue, weakness and fever that come along with the flu make it a not-so-enjoyable mini vacation. No one looks forward to their flu shot and with flu season now upon us, our flu experts at Covenant are sharing their tips and tricks for making the trip a little easier. Positive attitude Sometimes it really is mind over matter. Congratulate ...
9/21/2016
Cancer-prevention tips are ever evolving. One day, you could be hearing that you should avoid a certain food, and the next, it could be an entirely different story. While there’s no concrete set of tips for living a life that’s cancer-free, there are certain eating habits and lifestyle changes you can incorporate today to decrease your risk in the future. Try implementing these five eating and drinking habits to make the most of your diet and work toward a healthier life. Go green, red, yellow, orange, ...
9/19/2016
Hearing the words “you have cancer” can turn a person’s life upside down. While the road to recovery is oftentimes filled with long days and intensive treatment, sometimes a small gesture can make all the difference. When a friend, family member or loved one is undergoing cancer treatment, turn to these meaningful acts of kindness to brighten his or her day. Dropping off a healthy meal / organizing a meal calendar Whether a patient is at home or in the hospital, single or part of a family, organizing a ...
8/26/2016
Your kid’s gymnastics practice, then piano practice, the looming project deadline at work, that PTA committee meeting (you know — the one you forgot you have to host this week), your ailing parent, the grocery store run for the meal your forgot to plan — sometimes it seems that the world has conspired against your exercise commitment! Oh well, there is always the weekend… Sound familiar? If it does, you might be a weekend warrior. Weekend warriors are the desk-strapped, time deprived, exhaustingly overc...
8/9/2016
When you’re plagued by arthritis, joint pain is almost inevitable. Climbing the stairs, opening a jar, standing in long lines – all of these tasks become increasingly difficult when stiffness and discomfort overtake your body. While medication may provide some relief, painful flare-ups are still a fact of life. Luckily, making a few modifications to your daily routine can help. See what you can start doing today to make your arthritis pain more manageable moving forward. Eat breakfast at home. When you ...
6/10/2016
“We were preparing to leave the house when my mother suddenly said she needed to sit down. As I stepped toward her, she collapsed into my arms. My 7-year-old son called 911 while I held on to mom. She couldn’t communicate with me. She looked terribly frightened, and she couldn’t move. Before I knew it, we were at the hospital, and I was asked by an ER doctor where I wanted to transfer my mother to receive stroke treatment. I wasn’t sure what to do. Which hospital would offer her the best care?” Stroke c...
4/18/2016
Having a new baby is exciting--and stressful. Decorating the baby’s room. Planning for parenthood. Finding a pediatrician. Picking a name. And then there’s the matter of choosing a hospital. According to federal data, 94.1% of women will have some kind of complication during pregnancy and delivery. Delivering your baby at a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be lifesaving. No expectant mom wants her baby to end up in a NICU. Still, 10-15% of babies born in the U.S. will be admitted ...
2/3/2016
Too often people suffer and live with joint pain. But once they experience joint replacement surgery, many of them wish they had done it earlier. If you’re one of thousands of individuals in America who experience chronic pain in the knees, shoulders or hips, you may want to consider talking to a doctor about joint replacement surgery. The sooner you talk to an expert, the sooner you’ll get the help you need to get back to living your best life possible. So don’t wait. Consider these six signs, from the...
1/12/2016
If you or someone in your family member has a medical emergency, do you know where to go to get the help you need? Although you can’t plan for medical emergencies, you can still have a plan for what to do when they take place. Knowing the difference between the emergency room and urgent care is the first step to preparing yourself in case of an unexpected health emergency. At Covenant HealthCare, our emergency room and urgent care are equipped with different resources and staff to meet different needs. ...
5/4/2015
Guest Author: Dr. Mark Ludka, Diagnostic Radiology, Advanced Diagnostic Imaging, PC Over the past few years, there has been growing interest in both the radiology literature and lay press regarding mammographic breast density and how it relates to breast cancer. Evidence shows Automated Whole Breast Screening Ultrasound (AWBUS) to be an important new tool for detecting early stage breast cancer in women with dense breasts and/or implants. Screening and Detection Screening mammography has a long track re...