Archbold Blog

The way we process nutrients to produce the energy we need depends largely on a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck – the thyroid. This gland makes thyroid hormones. These, in turn, help control your metabolism, which covers essential processes that include breathing, blood circulation and temperature regulation. When it’s functioning correctly, the thyroid receives scant attention. It only draws a spotlight if it’s not working properly – something that 1 in 8 women will...

Only 5% of Americans eat enough fiber daily – and that’s a problem, as too little fiber raises the risk of heart disease, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. “Fiber can help keep you fuller longer, provide lasting energy, promote regularity and lower blood cholesterol,” said Jason Person, RD, LDN, clinical nutrition manager at Archbold. “Also, you don’t need fiber supplements to get it.” How Much Fiber Do I Need? Person recommends that, at minimum, women get 25 grams of...

When you wear shoes that are too narrow or short for your feet, your toes can’t move easily. Over time, the longest toe or multiple toes may arch up in the middle into a claw-like shape. This condition is known as a hammertoe. In most cases, other toes – excluding the big toe – will be affected, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Other causes may include pressure from a bunion and previous trauma. Common hammertoe pain points include the ball of the...

Thinking of bariatric surgery? Here’s what to expect. Who It’s For To be a candidate for bariatric surgery, you must meet one or more of the following criteria: Have a body mass index (BMI) or 40 or greater Have a BMI of 35 or greater and at least one obesity-related health condition (diabetes, heart disease, etc.) that puts you at risk Have a history of trying to lose weight with no lasting success 95% of bariatric patients successfully lose half of their extra...

Since the COVID-19 global pandemic hit, many women have more responsibilities than ever, including working full time, raising their families, serving as teachers or taking on the role of caregiver for aging parents. “Women are historically more stressed than men,” said Eugene Sun, MD, psychiatrist at Archbold Northside Center for Behavioral and Psychiatric Care. “Chronic stress takes a toll on the body and can lead to other emotional or physical consequences, such as depression and...

Emergency Department Archbold Medical Center’s emergency department is open 24/7. Visit our emergency department for injuries or illnesses, such as: Abdominal pain Broken bones Chest pain Food poisoning Nausea and excessive vomiting Severe headache Severe injuries, such as deep cuts and majors burns Urgent Care Our urgent care center is open late and on weekends. Visit Archbold Urgent Care Center for minor injuries or illnesses, such as: Allergies Cold...

Every parent has a slightly different approach to raising their children. But when you’re talking to your pediatrician about your child’s health, it’s important to not let your personal preferences about child-rearing get in the way of an experienced doctor’s advice. “Most of the time, parents do know what is best for their kids – after all, they know them better than anyone else,” said Dinest Patel, MD, pediatrician at Camilla Pediatric Center. “But when it comes to some...

Staying up to date with recommended health screenings at every age is a powerful way to take ownership of your health. “During these appointments, we can find medical conditions in their earliest stages when they are easiest to treat,” said Stephen Rubendall, Jr., MD, family medicine physician at Medical Group of Mitchell County. “We can also detect your likelihood for developing preventable conditions so you can take steps to reduce your risk.” In Your 20s and 30s Blood...

“Regular cancer screenings allow your doctor to check for cancer before you show any symptoms,” said Brian Gaupp, MD, PhD, medical oncologist and hematologist/oncologist at Archbold’s Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology Center. “This can help detect cancers earlier, when they are more responsive to treatment.” Discuss this list of cancer screenings recommended by the American Cancer Society with your doctor and see which ones are right for you. Breast Cancer Age 40-44:...

Radiology is a medical specialty in which doctors use images of the body to diagnose and treat disease. Radiologists receive specific training to interpret these images, while radiologic technologists are trained to use equipment that creates these images. Your Radiology Guide Archbold offers on-site imaging and radiologist reads, which means you get the results of your scan sooner than at centers where images are sent to an off-site radiologist. “Being on-site enables the...

It’s great that you’re already getting your annual flu shot (you are, aren’t you?), but that’s not the only vaccine you need to schedule. “After you turn 50, you need a vaccine for shingles, a painful viral infection caused by the same varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox,” said Megan Mills, RHP, PharmD, pharmacy manager at Archbold’s Pinetree Pharmacy. “Even if you had chickenpox as a child, you can still get shingles.” The newer Shingrix vaccine for singles...

If you get a cut, your blood will clot to stop the bleeding so the wound can heal. But when your blood starts clotting inside your vein, it’s the opposite of healing and can even be fatal. “On average, blood clots kill around 100,000 people in the U.S. every year,” said Timothy B. Daniel, MD, interventional vascular radiologist at VITA Surgery/Vascular. “But if detected early, we can treat clots before they turn deadly.” Are You at Risk for Blood Clots? Some people have...