Stock image of grandmother and granddaughter in kitchen

Healthy Eating Tips for the Holidays

There is no doubt that eating healthy during the holidays is a challenge. For around six full weeks per year, we are exposed to a lot more foods and beverages than we typically are during the rest of the year. To make things more difficult, holiday food is delicious! The holidays can also be a very stressful and emotional time which leads to an increase in appetite and desire […]

Shortage of Monoclonal Antibody Treatments for COVID-19 hits NGHS

COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies have become the treatment of choice when we see patients with COVID-19. The treatment has been a lifesaver, quite literally, as it’s shown to be effective at keeping high-risk patients out of the hospital and serious symptoms at bay. As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 starts to take over as the dominant […]

6 Hacks for Healthy Eating This Time of Year

It’s December. You’ve tried to make heart-healthy food decisions most days – but the holidays are another story. From family favorites you’ve waited for all year and cozy, comforting foods that are too good to resist. So, how do you enjoy this special time of year without sacrificing your heart health?  We’re not telling you […]

A User’s Guide to Heart Health in Your 40s

Your 40th birthday has come and gone. Maybe you’ve scheduled your first mammogram, or started taking other steps to protect your health. What should you do for your heart health in this new stage of life? While 40 is certainly a monumental birthday, you might be surprised to learn that not a lot changes when […]

How to Manage Diabetes While Sick

People with diabetes can have a more challenging time getting over a cold or flu. For people with diabetes, sick days can mean more than a runny nose. When you are sick with a cold, flu, or any illness, your blood sugar will likely rise above your target range, adding additional stress to your body […]

Making Over Holiday Favorites: Easy Healthy Cooking Substitutions

There are many reasons to love the holiday season, including all the delicious foods and recipes you crave all year long. While many of these seasonal staples may taste great, some of them aren’t exactly great for your heart health. Luckily, there are a few easy tweaks you can make to get the best of […]

Apple Cinnamon Ricotta Dessert

It’s the time of the year when we gather with family and friends to enjoy good food and make some special memories. If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving party or attending one, we have the perfect Thanksgiving dessert for you. The best part is that it is a healthy option too! This apple cinnamon ricotta dessert […]

How Serious Is Valve Disease?

How much do you know about how your heart valves work? You’ve likely heard more about the coronary arteries, rather than the actual structure of the heart. The heart’s four valves work in coordination with each other and help facilitate the flow of blood – both inside the heart and throughout the body. So, how […]

COVID-19 Vaccines and Fetal Cell Lines

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting life-threatening diseases, but we know you might have questions — especially about the COVID-19 vaccines and how they are made. We’ve been getting lots of questions about fetal cell lines and their relation to the COVID-19 vaccine, and we hope […]

What is Hospice Care?

Unless you have had a terminally ill person in your life, you may not be familiar with the definition of Hospice. Hospice care focuses on the quality of life for people and their caregivers in the last phases of illness to live as fully and comfortably as possible. Many of us assume that we will […]

How Is Mental Health Connected to Heart Health?

Those who have some type of mental health issue often experience heart health issues, too. But why is that? In the past, it was thought that the link between our mental health and our heart health was largely based on how we adapt when our mental health is suffering. Consider this scenario: When you aren’t […]

How to Prep for the Autumn Roads Ahead

Autumn is here, which means trick-or-treating, apple picking, football season, and enjoyable scenic drives. However, the season can also bring driving challenges with the change of weather and shorter days. The Georgia Department of Transportation states that in 2019, around 75% of fatalities in car crashes were caused by unsafe driving behaviors, with almost one-fifth […]

What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11 years old

The CDC has recommended, and the FDA has authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 through 11 years old, and we know you may have questions. Rest assured that our Northeast Georgia Physicians Group providers have your child’s best interests at heart and we’re willing to answer questions or talk through any concerns you […]

Do I need hernia surgery? 3 signs it’s time to see a doctor

If you suspect you have a hernia, your first plan of action should be to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Hernias will not go away on their own, so it is important to meet with a trained physician or hernia specialist who can evaluate your case and help develop a treatment plan specific to […]

When starting a weight loss journey, evaluate the factors that have attributed to weight gain

Did you know that if you have difficulty sleeping, fatigue, osteoarthritis or depression, it could be related to obesity? Obesity-related diabetes can lead to increased cancer risks such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and liver cancer. According to the CDC, obesity increases the chance of someone dying earlier than expected because of […]

COVID-19 booster shots and third doses: What you need to know

We know that you may have questions about this, so we hope the information below will help you! If you need to schedule an appointment for your booster shot or third dose, please call one of our Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Family Medicine or Internal Medicine offices. What is the booster shot? The purpose of a booster shot is […]

Creating a Safe Sleep Environment for Your Baby

There’s a lot to think about as a new parent, but nothing more important than keeping your baby happy and healthy. One of the biggest concerns we hear about from new parents and caregivers is SIDS, which stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Fortunately, there are several ways you can help lower the risk of […]

The Harkness Family Neonatal ICU Story

Maya Angelou once said, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I’ve thought of these words a lot during the 89 days that my family and I were in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and […]