Our Blog

Pretty soon, most of us are going to be moving into the time of year when days get shorter, weather becomes colder and unpredictable, and opportunities for going outside to be active diminish rapidly. 

Even though the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of activity a day for children, Covid-19 has definitely thrown a wrench into those plans. This winter looks like it will be particularly challenging for parents since the pandemic has moved a lot of PE classes online and taken away their much-needed recess.

While you may be confined indoors for long stretches this winter, there are still a lot of ways you can encourage your child to stay active for their physical and emotional well-being. Here are a few of the “out of the box” ways you can motivate your child to keep moving and stay healthy at this critical time.

Read More

Everyone knows that getting adequate sleep is essential for good health no matter your age. However, it’s especially important for children to get enough good, quality sleep for their growth and development. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, only 48% of children in the United States are getting the recommended nine hours of sleep most nights. What can this lack of sleep cause down the road? According to the Centers for Disease Control, not getting enough sleep could put your child at risk for Type 2 diabetes, poor mental health and attention problems. 

The good news is that there are a lot of things you can do to make sure your child is getting the recommended amount of good sleep every night. Here are some of our best tips for making sure your child gets to sleep quickly and stays asleep through the night.

Read More

Being a parent is difficult on the best of days. However, during a pandemic, it might be one of the most overwhelming jobs you have. Many parents are struggling with figuring out the new territory of challenges while also trying to create a sense of normalcy for their children when life is far from normal. 

Read More

Most bruises aren’t a big deal. They’re the body’s natural reaction to an impact. Blood cells from deep within the skin collect near the surface, becoming visible as a red, purple, blue, or black discoloration. Some bruises even look yellow or green as they heal.

As a parent, it can be hard to know how your child has gotten every bump and bruise. When you discover a large bruise, your child may or may not be able to describe the cause depending on their age.

Here’s a closer look at bruises and when to head to the doctor’s office.

Read More

When a child's fever spikes, so does a parent's worrying.

New parents especially become alarmed and tend to panic a bit when their child's forehead feels hot and a quick check of the thermometer reads above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

While a fever can be concerning, most fevers are good for sick children. Fevers help the body fight infections.

Parents should monitor their children when they register a fever, and generally follow these guides for action:

Read More

Even though efforts are focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, influenza remains a real danger in Central Indiana this fall and winter. More than 110 Hoosiers died of flu last season.

That's why you should make every effort to get your flu shot. Health care providers, including those practicing at Johnson Memorial Health, are taking precautions to make certain you get your vaccinations safely.

Here are answers to key questions about the flu shot:

Read More

Did you know 8 out of 10 women who get breast cancer have no family history? Despite recent publicity about genetic testing and the breast cancer gene, your genetics aren’t a reliable predictor of whether you’ll develop the disease.

Cancer is a frustrating game of odds, but when it comes to breast cancer, lifestyle habits seem to some impact. With this in mind, here are 6 things you can do to minimize your risk.

Read More

The evening news shares lots of great information about preventing cancer and heart disease.

Yet, the third leading cause of death does not get as much attention - until it strikes and devastates the patient and families.

Besides taking 130,000 lives each year, stroke also is the leading cause of disabilities (short and long-term) in the United States. More than 795,000 Americans suffer from strokes each year - with more than 75 percent occurring in people older than age 65.

Stroke survivors often require extensive care, rehabilitation and adaptation to physical and mental challenges.

Understanding the risks is the first step helping prevent strokes. High blood pressure, for example, is a precursor to strokes and is often hereditary. About two-thirds of people over age 65 suffer from hypertension (blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher).

Read More

Every moment is critical when you’re having a stroke. In fact, the severity of 8 out of 10 strokes can be limited by fast action. If a stroke patient reaches emergency help within 3 hours, a stroke drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can give them a much better chance of survival and recovery.

Unfortunately, public awareness of common stroke symptoms and the benefits of tPA remains low, despite years of efforts by the American Stroke Association and other groups. Surveys show most people still don’t realize that there is a lifesaving drug available - or that it must be administered so quickly.

Read More

Influenza (the flu) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by influenza viruses.

There are many different influenza viruses that are constantly changing. They cause illness, hospital stays and deaths in the United States each year.

Older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. Each year about 20,000 children younger than 5 years old are hospitalized from flu complications like pneumonia.

Here are some flu basics and steps you can take if you or someone in your family does get sick.

Read More