Every so often, people are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. For Evelyn McKinney, that time was in the middle of a rain-soaked afternoon in May. Evelyn was braving the storm, driving to her appointment with Mandy J. Whitt, M.D, a headache specialist at Norton Neuroscience Institute. Evelyn had…
Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage nerves — often in the legs and feet — resulting in pain and numbness. Diabetic neuropathy has no known cure, but treatment can bring relief and slow the progression of nerve damage. Monitoring and maintaining your blood sugar within the target range with guidance from your…
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is caused by damage to the small blood vessels in the retina, located in the back of the eye. High blood sugar over time increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy. There are several stages of DR, and higher stages eventually can lead to blindness. The good news is that the progression can…
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a disease caused by bacteria carried by ticks. The bacteria spreads to humans through a bite from a tick. What kind of tick causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever? Ticks in Kentucky include wood ticks and dog ticks. Lyme disease is spread by deer ticks, but is fairly uncommon in…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval for use of a new drug, lecanemab, to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. Lecanemab, a monoclonal antibody treatment, dissolves plaques that can build up between brain cells, or neurons, and are widely thought to cause Alzheimer’s symptoms. The drug from Eisai Co. Ltd….
Bob Wilson was busy as could be. He was working a full-time job in management, traveling with his life partner, Lucy, and active in adult sports leagues including a travel softball team, golf and bowling. At 64 years old in 2021, he was experiencing some mild chest discomfort every so often and some tiredness, but…
Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer in the U.S, behind uterine cancer, and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. New screening methods could help catch ovarian cancer earlier and save lives in the process. Here, Justin W. Gorski, M.D., Ph.D., a gynecologic oncologist practicing at Norton Cancer Institute – St….
A urinary tract infection (UTI) and kidney stones can have similar painful symptoms, and while it’s important to know the difference, any pain in your urinary tract requires treatment from a medical professional to prevent more serious complications. UTIs are less common in men and require in-person medical attention for urinalysis. In women, UTIs are…
The transition from the teenage years into young adulthood comes with many changes in development and questions about sexual and reproductive health. You may be wondering when it’s time to visit a gynecologist and what happens during a typical appointment. “You should visit your OB/GYN once a year for a well-woman visit after you turn…
An annual checkup is important for adults at any age, and the recommended health screenings will differ as you go through stages of life. The annual checkup is an opportunity to talk to your primary care provider about any concerns you might have and to get a reading on risks for conditions that aren’t showing…
Summer rashes and how to prevent them Itchy rashes, bug bites and sunburn can put a damper on summer fun. Summer rashes range from mild to severe, and last from a few days to a few weeks. Most of these are easily treated at home or in an immediate care center or clinic, but if…
If you’ve been avoiding getting a colon cancer screening, there are colonoscopy alternatives such as Cologuard or a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) that can catch colon cancer early while it’s still very treatable. A colonoscopy is the best way to detect colon cancer and allows the surgeon to remove any polyps or tumors during the…