Medical Directory

Take Precautions And Guard Your Health

ST. CLAIRSVILLE —Drug addiction and influenza season are some of the most prevalent concerns on the minds of officials with the Monroe, Belmont and Harrison county health departments. Monroe County Health Commissioner Linda Dick said one of the most pressing health concerns in Eastern Ohio is the opioid drug epidemic. “One of the things we in Monroe County are dealing with, the same as the whole state and the whole country, is the opioid addiction. We know that’s of grave concern, and we are in the process of setting up a town meeting in Woodsfield the last Tuesday in ...

Flu Vaccine Available Now To Prevent Illness Later

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Influenza season is coming, and local health officials urge residents to get vaccinated in an effort to prevent the illness. The Belmont County Health Department received a shipment of flu vaccine for the 2016-17 flu season. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza viruses typically circulate widely in the United States annually, from the late fall through early spring. Although most people who become infected with flu viruses will recover, influenza can cause serious illness and death, particularly among older adults, very ...

The Best (and Worst) Foods for a Healthy Heart

No one wants to hear from their doctors that they have joined the millions of people across the globe to be diagnosed with heart disease. The Heart Foundation reports that heart disease, which includes diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system and stroke, is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S. Many factors contribute to the development of heart disease, including smoking, lack of exercise and stress. Diet and whether a person is overweight or obese also can have a direct link to heart health. Diet, particularly for those with diabetes and poorly controlled blood sugar levels, ...

Coffee and Colon Health

Coffee compels many people to rise out of bed every morning. While individuals have many reasons to drink caffeinated beverages, the most notable is often the pep such beverages provide. But coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages actually may provide additional benefits, including helping to fend off diseases such as colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that, in the United States, more than 95,000 new cases of colon cancer and 39,000 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in 2016. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and ...

Music May Improve Health

Plato said, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” Music often communicates messages that are not easily expressed, which is one reason why music is such an integral part of so many people’s lives. While many people love music for its entertainment value, there is growing evidence that music can be good for overall health as well. A study from researchers at the Cleveland Clinic focused on the use of music for brain surgery patients who must be awake during their procedures. Researchers found that music enabled ...

Strategies to Get Back in a Good Mood

Adults know that life has its ups and downs. While it’s important not to get too down when things don’t go as planned, no one is immune to bad moods. But just because bad moods are a fact of life, that does not mean they cannot be combatted. While bad moods are nothing to get too worried about, if such moods overstay their welcome, speak with a physician. According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the world, affecting an estimated 350 million people across the globe. There are various types of depression, and no two people ...