Archbold Blog

In the months after stroke, patients can regain lost cognitive and motor skills through physical, occupational and speech therapy. Through aerobic exercise, they can help protect themselves from future stroke. A store destroys neural pathways in the brain that help it communicate with the body. The immediate goal of rehabilitation is to rebuild those neural pathways, said Lindsey Cone, OTR/L, occupational therapist at Archbold’s Advanced Therapy and Sports Medicine. Regaining...

You’ve probably heard that fresh foods are better for your health than processed foods. But did you know ultra-processed foods are even worse – and on average make up 58% of calories consumed in the United States? “When you eat a lot of ultra-processed foods, you run the risk of not getting enough vitamins and minerals,” said Kelsey Shackelford, MBA, RDN, LD, associate director of Morrison’s at Archbold. “You might be eating too many foods that are low in fiber and higher in...

An essential part of our diet, sodium helps balance fluids in the body and aids nerve and muscle function. However, your body needs just 500 milligrams (mg) or less – less than ¼ teaspoon- per day to function properly. Americans, on average, consume more than 3,400 mg – about 1 ½ teaspoons – daily, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Too much salt can raise your blood pressure, which in turn, increases your risk for heart attack, stroke and heart failure. The AHA...

Is there more hair in your hairbrush than usual? Have you noticed some patchy bald spots on your head or other parts of your body? Whatever the case, you're probably wondering what’s causing your hair loss. And, you want to know how to make it stop! What is Alopecia? Alopecia (the medical term used for hair loss) is a common autoimmune disorder that affects millions of people in the United States. With alopecia, a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks their hair follicles (the...

Folic acid is important to your health, even if you’re not pregnant or trying to conceive. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps the body make DNA and red blood cells. It occurs naturally as folate in leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, and in nuts, beans and certain fruits. Folic acid is also found in multivitamins and fortified foods, including bread and cereal. Getting at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily is a crucial part of prenatal health – folic acid helps...

If you experience ongoing leg pain, vein disease could be the cause. “Veins have a very important job – circulating blood throughout the body and returning it to the heart,” said Fred D. Johnson Jr., MD, interventional radiologist at VITA Surgery/Vascular. “However, blood clots, blocked arteries or damaged valves can hinder that process.” If you’re dealing with leg pain, one of the following vein diseases could be the culprit. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when...

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that 30 million men are affected by erectile dysfunction (ED) – persistent problems with getting or maintaining an erection. This problem becomes more common as men age, affecting about 40% of men over 50, according to recent studies. A Symptom of Something Serious? ED is quite common and can affect men of any age. In addition to interfering with sex, ED can be a sign of an underlying health condition....

Any negative or unwanted response to a medication is called a side effect. Side effects can range from mild – nausea, drowsiness or a stuffy nose – to severe, including heart attacks or organ damage. “People will respond to medications differently,” said Megan Mills, RPH, PharmD, pharmacy manager at Archbold Pintetree Pharmacy. “But all drugs cause some form of side effect, even if it’s mild. Most of the time, side effects are manageable.” In some cases, however, side...

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps reduce the risk of several health conditions, including cancer and heart disease. But exactly how much should you eat to reap the benefits? According to data published by the American Heart Association, three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit each day may be optimal. Researchers pooled data from several studies representing about 2 million adults worldwide to discover the ideal intake. Participants who ate five servings of fruits...

If you’re interested in weight loss surgery, you may already know that it can help people who have significant amounts of weight to lose regain their lives. But you may not realize how much improvement you may see in other aspects of your health. “Once exclusively regarded as a weight loss procedure, there’s a lot of evidence that bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes,” said Mary Kate Hanisee, MD, FACS, FASMCS, metabolic and bariatric surgery director at...

Hospital readmissions are roadblocks to better health. Here’s what we do to help you avoid them. One hospital stay is difficult enough, but when obstacles in your life prevent you from fully recovering, one stay can lead to another. Not only is it inconvenient, but it can also be a serious risk to your health. “Missed follow-up appointments, missing medications, lack of transportation to and from appointments, and failure to understand treatment can all lead to hospital...

During fall and winter – peak seasons for sickness – vitamin C pills, herbal supplements and elderberry syrup go flying off the shelves. While focusing on vitamins and supplements can do some good, don’t overlook a major threat to your immune system: stress. “Stress causes changes in your body that make it difficult to fight infection,” said Eugene Sun, DM, medical director and psychiatrist at Archbold Northside Center for Behavioral and Psychiatric Care. “People who are...