Posted in Community Outreach, Health & Wellness on April 7, 2015

April is National Stress Awareness Month. Stress doesn’t just afflict your mind; it can also affect you on a cellular level. In fact, long-term stress can lead to a wide range of illnesses – from headaches to stomach disorders to depression – and can even increase the risk of serious conditions like stroke and...

Posted in Accident & Injury, Health & Wellness on March 5, 2015

Gun control is always a hot-button issue in this country. However, stories in the media about shootings that involve children – from Sandy Hook to the Tamir Rice shooting in Cleveland – are guaranteed to spur lively debate, sometimes resulting in calls for new legislation. Recently, a heartbreaking headline appeared on CNN.com, which read,...

Posted in Community Outreach, Health & Wellness on February 19, 2015

A brave group of Elk & Elk employees faced the frigid temperatures last Friday for the American Heart Association’s 2015 Go Red for Women Health Expo and Luncheon. Attendees participated in free health screenings, enjoyed hands-on interactive displays, and heard “stories of the heart” from local survivors. The annual social and educational event is...

Posted in Health & Wellness on February 5, 2015

Just outside the Elk & Elk building, snow is piled several feet high and it’s causing many of us to suffer from the “winter blues.” However, for some people, changes in the seasons can bring on serious depression, known as seasonal affective disorder, or “SAD.” What is SAD? SAD is a type of depression related...

Posted in Drug & Medical Devices, Health & Wellness on October 29, 2014

Most of us take medications knowing there is a risk of side effects, but that risk is small, right? Surely the FDA ensures the health benefits outweigh these minor inconveniences, right? But what if I told you that if your grandmother took a sleeping pill, she’d be 50% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease?...

Posted in Health & Wellness on September 17, 2014

A new study indicates that using artificial sweeteners may actually raise blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers in Israel have discovered that zero calorie sweeteners can affect the composition of intestinal microbes called “gut bacteria,” which can alter blood glucose levels. The study, published in the journal of...

Posted in Accident & Injury, Health & Wellness on August 13, 2014

Summer is almost over and soon students will be heading back to school, but for thousands of kids, football training camp has already begun. While the media has been focused on concussions and traumatic brain injuries, heat injuries remain a major concern for youth football players and other student athletes. August in Ohio often...

Posted in Health & Wellness on July 10, 2014

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to purchase or use several weight loss products sold on various websites and in some retail stores. These fraudulent products can cause serious injury or even death. “These products are masquerading as dietary supplements—they may look like dietary supplements but they are not legal...

Posted in Health & Wellness on May 13, 2014

Who doesn’t want to look better, feel better and save money? One simple decision can help you achieve all three: bike to work. To promote bicycle commuting, hundreds of communities throughout the nation are hosting Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day events in May. Bike to Work Week is a voluntary...

Posted in Health & Wellness, Medical Malpractice on April 25, 2014

The American Heart Association has released new guidelines for the care of unborn babies with heart problems. In a recent article, fetal heart experts recommend that at-risk pregnant women should take advantage of the latest developments in advanced imaging technologies. Risk factors for expectant mothers Under the new recommendations, pregnant women with specific risk...