Archbold Blog

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body mistakenly attacks its own immune system. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), autoimmune diseases are collectively the third most common condition in the United States, following heart disease and cancer. Autoimmune disease affects up to 22 million people nationwide annually, and 78% of those patients are women. Archbold’s physicians are at the forefront of autoimmune disease treatment. Providers at Archbold recognize and...

Finding out you have cancer affects every part of your life. You may also have many questions about what to expect as you begin treatment. The good news is that you don't have to face your cancer journey alone. Your doctor and healthcare team will be there to guide you as you adjust to your diagnosis and navigate the treatment process. By communicating openly with your doctor and leaning on your support system, you can help ease anxiety and focus on getting healthy. Ask All The...

Archbold offers surgical services that meet your needs from head to toe. Whether you require neurosurgery, joint replacement, weight loss surgery or another procedure, our surgeons have the training and experience to provide you with expert surgical care. “Archbold Medical Center is a smaller system that’s very progressive, said Morgan Lane, MD, general surgeon with South Georgia Surgical Associates. “We offer top-notch, innovative surgeries – therapies that you would expect to...

You already know that to lose weight, you must exercise more and make changes in your eating habits. But many experts agree that there is another big factor in dropping pounds and keeping them off – psychology. "Recognizing and modifying the way you think and feel about food can help you make lasting changes," said Mary Kate Hanisee, MD, FACS, FASMBS, metabolic and bariatric surgery director at Archbold's South Georgia Surgical Associates. "A recent study found that people who used...

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...