Carpal tunnel syndrome – that’s the thing you get when you type a lot, right? Not exactly. “The tendency to develop carpal tunnel syndrome is actually genetic in nature,” says Jon D. Hernandez, MD, a hand surgeon with St. Luke’s Orthopedic Care. “It can also result from trauma to the wrist, such as a fall.” The carpal tunnel in your wrist contains the median nerve. If tha... »
Sometimes, even a top-of-the-line health insurance plan isn’t enough to cover all of your medical bills. You might have a high-deductible, high-copay policy. Perhaps you needed a critical—but uncovered—test. Or you may have incurred some out-of-network expenses. Now there’s an easier way to deal with those budget-busting expenses. It’s called AblePay Health, a no-cost serv... »
Annual auto inspections ensure our vehicles are safe to operate – but they perform another important function: They can uncover little problems before they turn into big ones. Our bodies would benefit from the same kind of attention because many serious medical conditions can fly under the radar for years before they display obvious symptoms. Getting in front of them with ... »
When you face a health issue that needs professional attention but doesn’t require the ‘round-the-clock services offered by a hospital or nursing home stay, St. Luke’s Home Health and Hospice can provide a less costly alternative. St. Luke’s provides medically required services in a home-based setting and should not be confused with agencies that offer housekeeping, compa... »
Although osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) both involve stiff, painful joints, the two diseases are hardly the same. While OA generally damages just cartilage in your joints, RA can affect many body systems. Here are a few other facts about RA that might surprise you. MOVEMENT HELPS “Patients with RA tend to feel better when they stay active,” says Emily Ke... »
It’s a simple fact: when you control the bleeding of an injury, you increase the victim’s chance of survival. Data shows that 25% of all fatalities from trauma might have been prevented if bleeding had been controlled. “Since 9/11, there have been two million traumatic deaths in the U. S.,” says Peter Thomas, DO, Director of Trauma at St. Luke’s University Health Network. ... »
Some people seem to be walking commercials for good health. They’re strong, vibrant, and energetic–exactly what we’d all like to display (but often can’t). How do they do it? Steven Bowers, DO, Medical Director for St. Luke’s Wound Management and Hyperbaric Medicine Centers, wondered, too. After interviewing over 30 very healthy and active people ranging in age from 33 to... »
You know the routine: nasal congestion, constantly running nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, throat irritation…it’s fall allergy time. The medical term for your upper airway discomfort is allergic rhinitis, says David Yen, MD, chief of the otolaryngology (ENT) section for St. Luke’s University Health Network, and it’s typically triggered by inhaling substances that activate your... »
Soon, we could be facing a frightening doctor shortage unlike any we’ve had in recent history. The problem: More people than ever need care, thanks to an aging population of Baby Boomers, but there’s a shrinking pool of qualified health care professionals. »
Two festive local events, two ways to support our local healthcare system More convenient access to state-of-the-art medical care for the Bucks and Lehigh County regions draws closer each day, as construction continues on a new $100-million St. Luke’s University Health Network facility in Quakertown. The 30-acre campus, scheduled to open in late 2019, will provide a welcom... »
