Recent reports of a spike in drug overdoses, possibly due to an extremely toxic batch of heroin, raise the question of whether you should call 911 or attempt to drive a victim to the hospital yourself. Robert Couch, M.D., emergency medicine, says the answer is easy. “Always call 911, since an ambulance will have the…
Louisville is renowned for its delicious drinking water. In fact, our H2O was named “best-tasting tap water in America” by the American Water Works Association in both 2008 and 2013. So, if it tastes so good and refreshing, then it must be clean, safe and healthy, right? That’s the million-dollar question following the tainted…
If you are a young woman in Kentucky, you are 10 times more likely to get hepatitis C than the national average. Drug abuse is to blame. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that widespread drug abuse has led to a significant increase in hepatitis C diagnoses among…
While most parents are worried about back-to-school shopping, early bedtimes and homework, there’s something even worse that can ruin your child’s school year: being poisoned. Every year, the Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center receives hundreds of calls from teachers and parents across the commonwealth involving a child who may have been poisoned at school. While…
Concerns over the Zika virus have been in the news for months now, however the media is now reporting that Zika is actively circulating in Florida. Previously, the outbreaks have primarily been in Central and South America, including parts of the Caribbean. More than 10 cases of nontravel-acquired Zika have been confirmed in the Miami…
A local grocery and retail chain has recalled deli-made salads and sandwiches as a precaution. Meijer is recalling the foods because they contain ingredients that are possibly tainted with salmonella bacteria, which can cause foodborne illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), salmonella is estimated to have caused 1 million foodborne…
It’s been a cruel summer, Louisville, and according to the forecast, it’s only going to get worse. When it comes to beating the heat, focus on keeping your body cool rather than cooling the air around you. Here are 11 ways to keep the air conditioning costs down while remaining comfortable: Smaller is better. Eat…
Crowd surfing, drinking your favorite adult beverage and jamming to great live music are all on tap this weekend as the Forecastle Festival takes over Louisville’s Waterfront Park. Before you flash your all-access pass, spend a few minutes preparing to stay healthy so you come out of the weekend in as good of shape as…
With the World Health Organization declaring the Zika virus a public health emergency of international concern, mosquitos have gone from being a nuisance to a cause for concern over spreading disease. While Zika is a serious virus that can cause severe birth defects, it is one of several viruses being spread by mosquitos. What else…
“Flames were shooting into her hand. She kept screaming.” That’s how Marc Janson recalls his Fourth of July last summer. Janson and his daughter Caroline, then 6 years old, were playing with handheld smoke bombs, lighting the end that shoots smoke while holding the other. It seemed simple enough — they’d used these fireworks dozens…
Staying hydrated can go a long way toward keeping your child out of the doctor’s office this summer. Not surprisingly, experts say to lay off sugary drinks like sodas and fruit juices and stick to water, especially when playing outdoors in the summer heat. How much water should your child drink, and what are the…
If you have ever been tempted to pop an unwashed strawberry into your mouth while visiting your local farmers market or grocery store, what you’re ingesting may not be as sweet as the fruit. Practice some self-restraint and wait till you get home and wash your produce. Here’s why: 1. Bugs. If you have really…