Healthcare organizations in the United States have been preparing for COVID-19 for weeks, but many Americans are just now becoming more aware and concerned about the pandemic’s impact on daily life. For some it was a nation-wide quarantine in Italy;…
As cold and flu season continues, and COVID-19 continues to spread to the United States, there are virtual tools available to help you get medical advice and free prescription delivery from select pharmacies. “Consulting with a provider from your home…
After smoking 1-2 packs a day for 45 years, COPD and emphysema finally caught up with Roy Pillischafske, 60, of Springfield. Fortunately, he enrolled in a Freedom from Smoking class at the Memorial Center for Learning and Innovation. Sponsored by…
Are you happy? Or do you struggle to find happiness? Unfortunately “happy” is not something you can just turn on like a light switch. But it is something you can learn to develop. Happiness is tied to well-being and requires…
Crunches or Pilates may be the last thing you want to think about while you care for your new baby. Clearly, basic needs like sleep, nutrition and caring for your newborn take priority. But once your doctor indicates it is…
A respiratory virus that has sickened hundreds and killed at least 17 people in China saw its first confirmed cases in the United States this week, but a health official in Springfield said Friday that the risk of transmission in…
A pap smear is a test that screens for cervical cancer in women. The earlier abnormal cells are detected, the more options there are to prevent cervical cancer. Depending on your age, your health history and your physician’s recommendation, the…
The bitter, fluctuating temperatures and precipitation during winter can bring out the grouch in most of us, but believe it or not, there are a few health benefits credited to cold weather. Avinash Viswanathan, MD, an internal medicine physician with…
Approximately 38 million Americans use marijuana, and you may be surprised to learn that thousands of marijuana-related emergency visits occur in the United States each year. Although a fatal overdose is unlikely, over-ingestion of marijuana is possible, especially if you’re…
How common is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)? Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a condition that affects 1 in 10 women. While the most common symptoms include weight gain, thinning hair and an irregular menstrual cycle, PCOS is one of…