mother and daughter cooking in the kitchen

10 foods and drinks to avoid for a safer pregnancy journey

Pregnancy is a time of excitement and changes, and ensuring proper nutrition is key to supporting both your health and your baby’s development. While many foods are beneficial, some can pose risks during this period. Here’s a list of 10 foods to avoid for a safer pregnancy journey.  1. Undercooked or raw seafood  While seafood is an […]

What makes you a good candidate for weight-loss surgery and what can disqualify you?

Bariatric surgery is often recommended for people who are unable to lose a substantial amount of weight using diet and exercise alone. While it’s an option for many people, weight-loss surgery isn’t appropriate for every person. Certain circumstances may contraindicate weight-loss surgery. This means that despite the potential for weight loss and other health benefits, […]

Will a sports hernia heal itself?

You may have heard that surgery is the only way to effectively treat most hernias. That’s true, but what about a sports hernia? That’s a little more complicated for a key reason: A sports hernia isn’t actually a hernia. Yes, you read that right. While a sports hernia can sometimes lead to the development of […]

woman sitting on hammock with a book

Understanding the signs and symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, but early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates. Screening mammograms are capable of detecting the earliest stages of breast cancer before any physical symptoms appear, but being aware of the signs and symptoms is crucial for prompt medical consultation when that is not the case. Here’s what you should know about recognizing the signs and symptoms of […]

Debunking 4 Common Myths About Statins

Statins are one of the most prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol and preventing heart attacks and strokes. Despite their proven benefits, there are still many myths surrounding their use. In this article, we’ll address four common misconceptions about statins and explain why they remain an important tool for protecting your heart health. Myth 1: Statins […]

man in nature trail

What is a chronic total occlusion?

At your last appointment with your cardiologist, you were told you have a CTO, but what exactly is that? A chronic total occlusion, or CTO, is a relatively common condition. To explain what a CTO is and what it means for your health, let’s first zoom out to focus on how the heart works.  Your heart […]

When should I see a doctor about back pain?

If your back is a pain, you aren’t alone. Back pain is common, affecting nearly 100 million people in the United States each year. While feeling an occasional twinge in your back is pretty normal, back pain can also be debilitating. A 2019 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one […]

What should we expect if our baby’s in the NICU?

The birth of a baby can be an overwhelming experience even when mom and baby are completely healthy. When your baby needs the specialized care of the NICU, it’s entirely normal to have many concerns—and lots of questions. The month of September is designated as NICU Awareness Month, so we’re taking some time to answer […]

What type of bariatric surgery is best for those with Type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes can affect anyone of any age, sex, race and weight, but it’s more common among those who are overweight or obese. Bariatric surgery can offer a solution for lowering blood sugar and even reversing Type 2 diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 38 million people in […]

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among men in the United States. While it’s common, though, it’s actually very treatable because it grows slowly. This year, nearly 300,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. That number includes more than 9,600 cases in Georgia alone. That’s a lot of new […]

Should I see a neurologist for migraines?

Headaches are one of the most common medical conditions, affecting nearly everyone at some point in life. Most headaches are simply annoying, but that’s not the case with migraines, which can sometimes be disabling. A migraine is a specific type of headache that causes intense pain on one side of the head that’s often described […]

How does art and music therapy help hospice patients?

Hospice is designed to provide compassionate care for those who are in the end stages of life. In many cases, hospice care plans include complementary therapies, such as art and music therapy. These complementary therapies are exactly what they sound like—complementary to traditional medical care like the medications needed to manage symptoms. Research has found […]

Heart failure patient embraces second chance thanks to LVAD implant

“I remember hearing the helicopter. Thump-thump-thump, like a heartbeat. But after that, I don’t remember.” Jan Leakey credits her best friend, Pam Russell, with saving her life. Pam insisted that Jan go to an urgent care center in Clayton. It turned out Jan was having a heart attack. By the time she arrived via life flight at Northeast Georgia Medical Center […]

What problems can an EKG detect?

If you’ve ever watched a TV medical drama such as “ER” or “Grey’s Anatomy,” then you might have seen an emergency room doctor order an EKG. This common heart test is used to help diagnose many health conditions, including cardiac events like heart attack. While often used in an emergency setting, EKG — short for electrocardiogram — may also be used as part of a regular medical visit, including a cardiology appointment. At Georgia Heart […]

What is C-section recovery like?

At your most recent prenatal appointment, your OB/GYN said you may need a cesarean section to welcome the newest addition to your family. What should you expect from C-section recovery? A cesarean section, commonly called a C-section, is the surgical delivery of a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus of the mother. According […]

What is thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer doesn’t get a lot of headlines, but each year in the United States, thousands of people are diagnosed with the disease. This year alone, the American Cancer Society estimates that 44,020 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed. Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the thyroid gland. It’s what’s […]

What’s the difference between neurologists and neurosurgeons?

If you’ve been diagnosed with some type of condition affecting the brain or spine, you may have been referred to specialized neuroscience providers. Do you have a good understanding of the difference between neurologists and neurosurgeons? Any new diagnosis can be a bit overwhelming. Knowing what to expect in the days and months ahead can […]

Remembering Zoua

Zoua Vang was just 39 years old when she called Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC). She felt at peace knowing she would have support – both for herself and for her family – to make it through their final days together after a lifetime spent battling her debilitating genetic disorder. Zoua was diagnosed […]