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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.

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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:

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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:

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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Stroke recovery is a lifelong process. Although there’s a persistent myth that all recovery happens within the first few months after a stroke, that doesn’t match the facts. Most stroke patients make progress for years afterward, depending on their level of care.

The level of aftercare for stroke patients is so important. Some must seek stroke rehabilitation at an in-patient facility for the best outcomes possible.

Still, people don’t stay at a rehabilitation facility forever. At some point, a doctor will determine that it’s time to develop a longer-term aftercare plan that includes home recovery.

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Despite decades of public health awareness about the importance of mammograms, many women are still resistant to getting them. Fear and opposition may be due to persistent myths about mammograms.

Let’s separate myth from reality. Here are five common misunderstandings and the true facts behind them.

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Sepsis is the leading cause of death following an infection, but with early detection and proper treatment, deadly consequences can be diminished.

The following FAQ is according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Sepsis Alliance and aim to demystify the often misunderstood and unrecognized deadly complication to infection.

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