Thyroid disease is rather common in adults. The most common types of thyroid disorders include hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. According to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, and up to 60% of them are unaware of their condition. “The thyroid may be the most blamed organ for…
It’s an all-too-common experience — lack of quality health insurance, a chronic illness and mounting bills set off a chain of bad luck and a financial struggle. A mystery illness The trouble started in the spring of 2022. “I started feeling burning in my arms, shoulders and fingers. Just excruciating pain,” said Thomas Williams, 55,…
Life can change in a single moment, and Christine Cosby-Gaither of Louisville never expected what would happen to her at just age 35. “I had a massive stroke on Jan. 28, 2019, at 4:45 a.m.,” she said. “I literally became a new person.” Christine was hospitalized, needed a breathing tube and remained in a coma…
Liz, 66, was hiking in Arizona in February when she thought she pulled a muscle on her left hip. Hot baths and physical therapy didn’t help. By the time she got home to Louisville, she was struggling to walk. Liz went to see her doctor, and images of her hip showed the joint was worn…
Mike Ball has been living with Parkinson’s disease for 12 years. As the disease has progressed, the former pharmacist had to deal with tremors that impacted his ability to do everyday activities like eating and shaving. With an implant that interrupts uncontrolled movements, Mike has regained control of his body and can now get postoperative…
Fingernails are good for scratching itches, but they are also a window into your health. If the skin under your fingernails has a blue or purple tinge, you might need to see a health care provider or a heart specialist. Why are my nails blue? The medical term for blue nail beds is cyanosis. Cyanosis…
We can all imagine it — walking through a parking garage, putting keys away, making sure we have what we need for a doctor appointment. If a ring, earring or something else slipped off, we probably wouldn’t notice. The woman arriving for her neurologist appointment was distraught. Tears running down her face, she rubbed her…
Finding a lump in your breast can be scary, and it’s easy to think of the worst-case scenario: cancer. However, the American Cancer Society notes that breast lumps are relatively common, and most are not cancerous. Regardless, do not hesitate to call your health care provider if you notice something is off. A lump may…
Considering weight loss (bariatric) surgery? Here are some requirements and guidelines you’ll need to understand before the procedure. Candidates for bariatric surgery Body mass index (BMI) is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate someone’s percentage of body fat. You may be a candidate for weight loss surgery if you have: A BMI…
Commotio cordis causes the heart to stop beating after taking a blow to a specific spot on the chest from a hard object striking at a precise time during the heartbeat, according to a heart rhythm specialist at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. “It’s very rare because of all of these things that have to…
A new skin test is helping doctors confirm whether or not a patient has Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and other related neurological conditions. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 1 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease, and many people go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed. This is because the symptoms of…
With age, injury and even infection, the structure of your heart can change. Sometimes, these changes affect valves that either don’t let enough blood pass or leak when the powerful muscle of the heart contracts, sending blood backward. It’s a complicated issue, and unlike other heart conditions, isn’t caused by diet, smoking or even genetics….