Before I load up my sleigh and get my reindeer ready for their international flight on Christmas Eve, I wanted to take a few minutes to talk to you grown-up boys and girls. Like many of the rest of you,…
Respiratory illnesses – flu, COVID-19 and RSV – are all on the rise this winter, and it’s important for the very young, old and immune-compromised to be careful about exposure to those who are ill. Fortunately, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations…
It’s the season of giving! But did you know volunteering can boost your mental health during the busy holiday season? Maybe you buy presents for friends and family. Or bake cookies for neighbors or leave out gift cards for the…
Are you marveling at photos of holiday bliss flitting across your social media feeds this time of year? Remember Instagram doesn’t feature the frazzled vibe. The holidays are supposed to be about relaxing and celebrating with friends and family. Instead,…
Thanksgiving is a holiday famous for over-indulgence. The typical holiday meal usually spans several hours and can easily exceed a day’s worth of calories. But by making a few simple substitutions, you can reduce calorie and fat intake while still…
A broken ankle was bad enough, but as she sat in the waiting room at a doctor’s appointment last summer, Norby Tester had a stroke. “I was having pain in my leg,” Norby said. “I thought I might have a…
Raymond Jones, 76, struggles with balance issues and frequent falls because of Lewy Body dementia. After breaking his shoulder in several places, Raymond underwent shoulder surgery with Springfield Clinic orthopedic surgeon David Tapscott, MD, who installed a plate and pins…
Even if your diabetes is well-managed, when people with diabetes (type 1, type 2 or gestational) contract the flu, they are at high risk. Flu complications include pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infection, ear infection, diabetic ketoacidosis and worsening of current health…
A three-digit dialing code number – 988 – strengthens and expands the reach of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. But it also includes a lifeline for veterans, answered by mental health professionals who are themselves veterans. “Dialing 988 and pressing…
With every happy emotion about the stunning fall colors, comfy sweatshirt weather and fun outdoor activities is a corresponding bittersweet reaction to less sunlight, colder temperatures and the onset of winter. Amber Olson, LCSW, a regional director with Memorial Behavioral…