Most people know a good night’s sleep helps them feel refreshed and invigorated. But fewer realize how vital sleep is to their overall health and well-being.
E-cigarettes that deliver a cigarette-like amount of nicotine are associated with reduced smoking and reduced exposure to a major cancer-causing chemical, or carcinogen, in tobacco even with concurrent smoking, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The study provides new and important information for smokers who may be trying to use e-cigarettes as a means to cut down on their smoking habit and lower their exposure to harmful toxicants.
For a small group of COVID-19 survivors, often referred to as “long haulers,” fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, anxiety and depression can persist for months and can range from mild to incapacitating.
While there’s no known cure for endometriosis, women battling the often painful inflammatory condition have more choices than ever before. Learn more from Dr. Kristin Riley in this Medical Minute.
National Patient Safety Awareness Week is March 14-20, but in reality, it’s a year-round focus for hospital staff – and one that started long before COVID-19 made you think twice about it.
Evolving evidence shows screening tests should actually start at age 45 for people at average risk for colorectal cancer. Two Penn State Health doctors discuss new guidelines.
Whether the blanket of snow outside beckons you to a winter play land of skiing and sledding or to the mundane tasks of shoveling or snow blowing, consider your health and safety before you venture out.
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center became the second hospital in the nation to implant a newly-designed mechanical pump in a patient with severe heart failure.
Two January 2021 reports show that survival rates for heart transplant and LVAD implant surgeries at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center rank among the nation’s best.
For some people, anxiety over what may happen after they get the COVID-19 vaccine seems to almost outweigh the relief of getting protected. Here are some common questions and answers that should ease concerns.
Flu cases are down this year, mostly because all the COVID-19 precautions like hand-washing and social distancing. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay vigilant. In fact, it might be more important now than ever.
Clinical depression that sets in at a season’s start and goes into remission at the end is called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. With a proper diagnosis, effective treatment is available.
You have the power to save lives today. January is National Blood Donation Month. Learn the benefits of donating—and how local organizations ensure donation is safe—in this week’s Penn State Health Medical Minute.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for people with food allergies? Two infectious disease experts offer answers and explain how the body accepts the vaccine in this week’s Penn State Health Medical Minute.
Vaccines are in the news again – along with misinformation about their safety. We replace the common myths with truths about the safety and benefits of vaccination in this week’s Medical Minute.
As the U.S. authorizes distribution of the COVID vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, here’s what you need to know about the vaccines — how they work, the doses required, their effectiveness and more.
Young athletes in central Pennsylvania can’t wait to start basketball and wrestling season. But with the COVID-19 pandemic raging, parents wonder how their children can stay safe. And, if their child gets COVID-19, parents wonder when it’s safe for that child to get back to competitive sports.
Do people with COVID-19 run a risk of developing myocarditis? Cardiologist Dr. John Boehmer examines the latest research in this week’s Medical Minute.
After nine months of social distancing, masking and quarantining, many people are experiencing pandemic fatigue. Whether it manifests as anxiety, exhaustion or defiance, it’s important to recognize and address it for the sake of our physical and emotional health.
Medical diagnoses involving alcohol-related disorders, substance-related disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors – commonly referred to as diseases of despair – increased in Pennsylvania health insurance claims between the years 2007 and 2018, according to researchers.
As families weigh options for celebrating the holidays amid COVID-19 health restrictions, people who have always been together during these happy times are struggling with the idea of being apart this year. A Penn State Health physician has suggestions on how to cope.
Effective 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, ownership of Holy Spirit Health System will transfer from Geisinger to Penn State Health. The transfer of ownership of the Camp Hill-based health system includes a 306-bed hospital and 28 outpatient locations across four counties.
Baby formulas come in vibrant containers, adorned with pictures of stuffed toys and adorable infant faces. They carry all sorts of brand names, labels and initials. So, how can parents know which one is right for their baby?
The number of new daily cases of COVID-19 is rising sharply statewide – and the trend is reflected in central Pennsylvania and in Penn State Health’s hospitals and outpatient clinics. As the increase is not unexpected, care teams across Penn State Health remain prepared to provide care for all patients who need it – whether for COVID or any other health issue.
Eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, questions about testing abound. With COVID-19 cases trending upward, it’s important to understand when individuals should seek getting tested and what type of test they should have.
For those seeking care for a sexual assault, a hospital visit can be terrifying. Providers say that’s why helping a patient feel safe and in control throughout their experience is critical.
How do parents separate myth from fact when it comes to trick-or-treating during the COVID-19 pandemic? Physicians with Penn State Children’s Hospital explore the answers.
Medical emergencies, by their nature, come with very little or no warning. While any injury or illness that requires a trip to the emergency department will likely cause distress, putting an action plan in place now can help minimize the anxiety and fear of a future visit.
People contemplating suicide want help. As the COVID-19 pandemic raises the overall level of anxiety, a Penn State Health expert explains how you can help people in crisis in this week’s Medical Minute.
With more than 109,000 people on the transplant waiting list nationwide, the need for organ donors remains great. A Penn State Health transplant surgeon explains how donors and recipients are kept safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The combining of the COVID-19 pandemic and seasonal flu could make this the best influenza season ever or the worst. Our experts explain why in this week’s Medical Minute.
Most pulmonary nodules prove harmless. But in some cases, they can be a sign of lung cancer. Learn how doctors find, test and – if necessary – remove nodules from the lungs.
Many women pregnant for a second time wonder if they can have a vaginal birth if they previously had a cesarean delivery. Penn State Health experts say it depends a great deal on their first birth experience.
While pediatricians routinely screen infants and toddlers for vision problems, parents should also be aware of common eye conditions. With knowledge and action, they can help set up their children for healthy vision — for the classroom and beyond.
Parents and coaches are well-versed in recognizing headaches as a sign of concussion in student athletes. However, the symptoms of mood and emotional disturbance are more difficult to identify and harder for teens and those around them to understand.
Tricks to avoid ticks – and what to do if one latches on – from Tara Simmons, a community health nurse at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
When seeking critical medical care, minutes count — especially when dealing with cases of suspected heart attack or stroke. Yet many patients in need of emergency care have delayed or avoided a trip to the hospital fearing possible infection with COVID-19.
We see and hear new COVID-19 news almost every minute of the day. But separating facts from fiction can get challenging, especially when it comes to masks. We bust some common mask myths with two Penn State Health experts.
A driver’s license presents exciting new freedoms for teenagers and a whole new level of worry for their parents. Fortunately, there are steps that adults can take to keep their teen drivers as safe as possible.
Since March, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we learn, work and socialize. Now, as nearly all of Pennsylvania is in the green phase of reopening, it is essential for people to remain vigilant by wearing face masks when unable to maintain proper social distancing.
As outpatient centers, clinics and practices gradually resume seeing patients, they look a bit different in response to COVID-19. In addition to keeping patients and staff safe, these changes are also helping make health care more convenient and accessible.
In the rush to adjust to a work-from-home lifestyle, some people have made choices regarding sleep that are leaving them bleary-eyed morning, noon and night. A Penn State Health expert offers nine tips to reclaim a good night’s sleep.
Strokes are the fifth most common cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability among survivors. Fortunately, most strokes — more than 80% — are preventable by managing risk factors.
The pouting, the screaming, the crying – they’re all signs of a classic temper tantrum. Many parents currently at home with their children or teenagers 24/7 due to COVID-19-related stay-at-home guidelines know these behaviors all too well. Here are some strategies to help curb negative behavior.