A collection of articles from our blog.
Did you know that approximately 5 in 1,000 babies suffer from a neonatal death in the United States? This number may seem small, but 1% of families each year are suffering from an infant loss. October is Infant Loss Awareness Month that raises awareness of infant illnesses such as preterm labor, life-limiting conditions at birth or even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
September is National Recovery Month. When it started in 1989, the goal was promoting and supporting new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, celebrating the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and honoring the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible.
“Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a metabolic and endocrine disorder that affects 5-20 percent of people with ovaries” explains Dr. Jourdan Schmitz, a physician with St. Clair Medical Group OB/GYN. Out of the people who are affected by this disorder worldwide, about 70 percent of them likely remain undiagnosed.
As summer comes to a close, it marks the start of a new school year. Back-to-school season is a time when parents are centered around getting new clothes and school supplies for their children. It is also a good time to ensure your child’s immunizations are up-to-date. It is recommended that children should be immunized beginning at birth and throughout their childhood. Plus, the state requires children get vaccinated against certain communicable diseases if they are attending school. Certain vaccinations are required for school-aged children at different ages.
Did you know that a recent study published by the New York Post shows that 60% of parents lose more sleep during the back-to-school season? Having a routine schedule in preparation for the school season can benefit both parents and their children in adjusting to the new routine.
During the summer of 2021, in the first few weeks after Dunlap Family Outpatient Center opened on the main campus of St. Clair Health, a 45-year-old woman was referred to Mark A. Cedar, D.O., Chief of Gastroenterology and Director of the GI Lab at St. Clair Hospital. “At first I was happy to see someone who met the new screening age criteria (down from 50) for colorectal cancer exams coming in to see me. But there was a reason: a small change in bowel habits. Shannon presented with no weight loss and no abdominal pain and her labs showed iron deficiency anemia—which is not uncommon for a woman her age,” Dr. Cedar says.
Walking from Munhall, where Bob Bodnar grew up, to Scott Township, where he now lives, covers just over half of a full marathon. Google Maps tells you that charting that course would take almost five hours out of your day. Upon being told this, Bob laughs.
“I was never a fast runner, just a determined one. I was never concerned with my place in a race or my finishing time. My best marathon was 4 hours and 51 minutes—but I never stopped. My goal was always to finish.” Starting in 1990, Bodnar was a runner. He caught the fitness bug following his divorce, seeking to channel his energy into something positive. After five years of lifting weights and dabbling in a 5k here and a 10k there, Bodnar knew there was more he could do.
Migraine is a neurological disease that is considered to be the second most disabling and the third most common illness in the world. There are 42 million Americans currently living with migraine and headache disorders. Dr. Heather Moury, a Neurologist and Headache Specialist at St. Clair Health, stresses, “Migraines are more than just a headache. It is severe pain with disabling symptoms.”
The number of Americans being diagnosed with certain forms of cancer is increasing, with many cases being diagnosed in the advanced or late stages due to pandemic-related delays and general declines in cancer screenings. Research shows an uptick in colorectal cancer diagnoses in people under 50, with more cases being diagnosed at an advanced stage. Additionally, experts have seen fewer early-stage and more late-stage breast and cervical cancer diagnoses in recent years.
Every day, the St. Clair Health team cares for the people of this region. They also care about them. That is why St. Clair’s team members hosted a special event for residents at the Kane Community Living Center in Scott Township to celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW).