Lane Health Blog

Extreme Heat

June 26, 2019

Read More

Is it a Cold or Flu?

November 26, 2018

Read More

5 Third Trimester To-Dos before Baby's Arrival

January 23, 2018

Preparing for a new baby, particularly a first baby, is can be both an exciting and overwhelming task. But, as you wash clothes and bottles, don’t let some other, very important tasks slip your mind. Read More

4 Signs a Wound Requires Additional Care

January 18, 2018

Everyone gets a wound or injury from time to time, and in the vast majority of cases, these wounds heal without incident. However, for some, such as those suffering from diabetes, proper healing of wounds becomes a tad bit trickier. Read More

3 Great Reasons to Donate Blood

January 15, 2018

Seeking out opportunities to help others is often easier said than done. Fortunately, there is always at least one good deed that nearly anyone can do at nearly any time that suits their schedule – blood donation. Read More

Baton Rouge Area Volunteer Opportunity: Bring Holiday Cheer with Lane Auxiliary

December 20, 2017

If you are looking for a way to give back this holiday season, Lane Auxiliary is a wonderful and rewarding program. Read More

Identifying 3 Main Types of Hearing Loss

December 14, 2017

The list of potential causes of hearing loss is about as wide and varied as the individuals who are impacted by it. Still, the condition can be broadly categorized into the three main forms. Read More

A Pediatrician's Quick Guide to Childhood Fevers

November 30, 2017

Every parent has to deal with some common ailments throughout the childhood years. There will be coughs, runny noses, bumps and scrapes, and, of course, fevers. Read More

Home Health Services Lessen Caregiver Stress

November 21, 2017

When you have a loved one who is homebound due to injury or illness, even the simplest of tasks can require thoughtful logistical planning. And, when your free time is no longer free, and your schedule so uncertain, it can be a source of immense stress. Read More

Detecting and Treating Common Gynecological Conditions

November 20, 2017

There are many potential gynecological conditions that can arise throughout a woman’s lifetime, and proper diagnosis and treatment is key to maintaining health. Read More

Exercise Safety and Diabetes: 5 Tips

November 17, 2017

Physical fitness is important for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or overall health. However, for those who have diabetes, remaining fit through regular activity is especially important. Follow these tips, and reap the full benefits of physical activity while also avoiding harm or injury. Read More

Beyond Hand Washing: 5 Tips to Keep Your Child Healthy This Winter

October 20, 2017

In an effort to keep your kids healthy, you’ve probably instructed them on the importance of regular hand washing and may even send them to school with hand sanitizer. And, while hand washing is the best way to avoid potential illness, there are still other preventative measures that help your child well. Read More

Stages of Social Development in Children: Ages 1 to 4

October 11, 2017

As your child gets older and begins to interact more with others, you may begin to wonder about the appropriate social skills that they should possess at a given age. Perhaps you feel as though some of their peers or more advanced, and you’re concerned about whether or not your own child is on pace. Or, maybe you just want to make sure you have all the information necessary to spot a problem early. Read More

Common Culprits Behind Your Fall Allergies

October 9, 2017

When your eyes begin to water, your nose begins to run, and your throat becomes scratchy, you know all too well that the allergy season is upon you. By now, you may have already determined many of your allergy triggers such as dust, or pet dander. But, there are a plethora of allergens all around us, and they are not always readily obvious Read More

Overcoming Food Addiction

September 27, 2017

Addiction, in its various forms, has a very real and life-changing impact on its victims. Naturally, when most people hear the term “addiction,” they quickly think of drugs, alcohol, or gambling. And, while these are some of the most devastating forms of addiction, there are others which are also widespread but less readily acknowledged. Food addiction, for instance, affects around 5 percent of the population. Yet, it is largely overlooked. Read More

The Benefit of Support Through Grief

September 21, 2017

You’ve heard of the stages of grief or old adages like “time heals all wounds,” but the process of grief is rarely so cut and dried. Everyone handles the process a bit differently. Some find themselves stalled in a particular stage, while others may feel like they have yet to even begin the process. No matter where you are in your grief, however, it’s important to understand that it may not be the same for you as it is for a friend, a loved one, or anyone else for that matter. Your grief is unique, but there are some… Read More

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

September 14, 2017

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among American men. Prostate cancers usually grow slowly. Most men with prostate cancer are older than 65 years and do not die from the disease. Symptoms Men can have different symptoms for prostate cancer. Some men do not have symptoms at all. Some symptoms of prostate cancer are difficulty starting urination, frequent urination (especially at night), weak or interrupted flow of urine, and blood in the urine or semen. Risk Factors There is no way to know for sure if you will get prostate cancer. The older a man… Read More

HDL vs LDL Cholesterol: What's the Difference?

September 12, 2017

You hear “cholesterol” and your mind instantly rushes to the negative. You may think of fatty foods, clogged arteries, and heart disease. High cholesterol is bad for you, right? The answer, of course, is yes. High cholesterol is bad for you, but there is also a large caveat – it depends on the type. Read More

Are You Ready for Flu Season?

September 11, 2017

Everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop full protection against the flu. Get vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones! Shorter days and cooler evenings. It is fall – and often the time that we start seeing people get sick with flu. By getting a flu vaccine for yourself and your entire family every season, you can help prevent flu-related illness, missed school and work and even more serious flu-related illness. Influenza (flu) is a… Read More

The Role of Bone Density Testing in Osteoporosis Treatment

August 24, 2017

Not only are women’s bones smaller than those of men, they are also susceptible to the substantial decreases in estrogen that come with menopause. Such factors make monitoring bone health for those at risk especially important. Unfortunately many women are unaware of their weakening bones until a break occurs. Read More

Back to School Tips for ENT Health

August 17, 2017

Given the change in seasons and the sudden close proximity to so many other children, it’s really no wonder that illness and doctor visits seem to skyrocket during the early months of the school year. Runny noses, sore throats, and ear infections seem to keep the waiting rooms full. In fact, 80 percent of missed work and school is attributable to ENT-related illnesses . Read More

What is an EKG, and When Should you have One?

August 4, 2017

From echocardiograms to CT scans, diagnostic testing is a critical component in the detection and management of all forms of cardiovascular disease. These tests can give your cardiologist valuable insight into the overall health of your heart, as well as clues to potential problems. And, while there are several potential tests that your physician could recommend, electrocardiogram (EKG) is the most commonly used. Read More

8 Things You Shouldn't Do While Pregnant

July 27, 2017

There are a lot of things that you expect to change when you become pregnant, but there are also quite a few that you may not have contemplated before. Of course, you would do anything to keep your little one safe, but the list of dos and don’ts throughout pregnancy can be overwhelming. More than once, you’ll likely find yourself turning to Google, asking, “Is this safe?” Read More

The Patient's Guide to Colonoscopy Guidelines

July 20, 2017

Growing older comes with its fair share of inconveniences. Bodies don’t cooperate the way they once did and ailments seem to grow exponentially in number. You may feel that the doctor appointments never end, particularly if you are keeping up with recommended health screenings. But, be assured that any aggravation is well worth the peace of mind that comes with being proactive in your health care. Read More

Making Chemotherapy More Comfortable: 6 Helpful Tips

July 16, 2017

If you are reading this, you are likely going through a very frightening time. A cancer diagnosis is scary, to say the least, and riddled with uncertainty. The questions and doubt you have surrounding this new phase in your health can be overwhelming, and your upcoming treatment probably ranks high on your list of concern. Read More

When does the First Prenantal Visit Happen, and what can You Expect?

July 13, 2017

Seeing a home pregnancy test turn positive for the first time can be a thrilling moment, but it also marks the beginning of a completely new and unfamiliar journey. You’ll have lots of questions along the way, and one of the first will be when to actually see your OB. Here are the details of when you will most likely have your initial office visit and what to expect: Read More

Healthy Tips for Louisiana Summers

July 3, 2017

As the temperatures rise, so too do the occurrences of some common health concerns, all of which can quickly dampen the carefree days of summer. Make the most of the season by participating in your usual, fun activities, but do so while also following these summer health and safety tips Read More

Cancer Screenings Men Should Not Ignore

June 16, 2017

There are some diseases, particularly forms of cancer, that are so common among aging populations that physicians recommend proactive screenings beginning at age 50. In most cases, treatment options have made impressive strides, and catching the cancer early can dramatically increase rates of long-term survival. In some cases, screenings can allow cancer to be avoided entirely. Read More

Should You use Urgent Care as Primary Care?

June 9, 2017

Urgent care is great in a pinch. When a high fever or minor injury occurs unexpectedly and requires immediate attention, the afterhours services provided by clinics such as FASTLane can be invaluable. However, many patients only visit a physician on the rare occasion that an injury or illness demands attention. In these cases, it can be quick and easy to walk into urgent care, but when that’s the only medical care being administered, urgent care turns into primary care. Read More

What's the Difference Between a Stroke and a Mini Stroke?

June 2, 2017

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and long-term disability among Americans. The prospect of suffering a stroke is frightening. There is rarely advance warning and the level of severity and lasting complications is unpredictable from one case to the next. In large part, the impact left behind depends on the particular type of stroke suffered. The most commonly occurring type of stroke is ischemic, resulting from a blocked blood vessel and often causing permanent impairments. However, what many call a “mini stroke”… Read More

The Most Common Risk Factors Associated with High Blood Pressure

May 26, 2017

High blood pressure is a very common affliction among the American population. In fact, it is estimated that one in four adults suffer from hypertension, putting them at an increased risk of complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and eye problems. In May, awareness of the dangers associated with high blood pressure, as well as education surrounding prevention measures, ramps up for National High Blood Pressure Education Month Read More

Stroke Care: Recognizing the Warning Signs

May 19, 2017

Suffering a stroke is a frightening possibility. It can come out of nowhere and result in severe health complications or even death. Considering this and the fact that nearly 800,000 people per year are impacted by strokes, the importance of being prepared is obvious. With the ability to spot the warning signs of a stroke comes the ability to act earlier and seek out what could potentially be life-saving treatment. Read More

After a Stroke: What to Expect from Stroke Rehabilitation

May 15, 2017

Each year, an estimated 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke. They come on suddenly, without warning and can leave behind catastrophic aftereffects that may include paralysis, speech and language difficulties, vision impairments, or memory loss. Recovering from such a major, life-altering health event can be difficult. Never before has it been so crucial to make the right decisions and to make them quickly. Read More

Baton Rouge Hospital Testimonials Prove Staff are Every Day Heroes

May 12, 2017

Within Lane Regional Medical Center, we have many such individuals who have dedicated their careers to improving the lives and health of others. They do everything from schedule appointments to cook meals to perform surgery, and regardless of title they are all a part of an incredible group of every day heroes. Read More

How Occupational Therapy Goes Beyond Injury Recovery

April 24, 2017

Beyond injury recovery, occupational therapists in Baton Rouge empower their patients while helping them regain the ability to perform daily tasks. With compassion and persistence, occupational therapists, particularly those at Lane, help in each of the following areas. Read More

Caring for Your Newborn: Everything Moms Need to Know

April 17, 2017

Pregnancy can be an exciting time of anticipation and preparation. It can also be overwhelming and stressful, particularly for parents who are navigating this momentous life event for the very first time. The unknown is always a little unsettling, but when the unknown surrounds caring for your brand new baby, you’ll do anything possible to answer your questions and put your mind at ease. Read More

Cute, Fluffy, and Harboring Bacteria - The Truth About Backyard Poultry

April 13, 2017

Soft, fluffy chicks are practically synonymous with spring. With their downy feathers, chicks seem like great cuddling companions, but caution must be taken to prevent infection. Read More

Why Every Parent Should Know Infant CPR and How You can Learn

April 11, 2017

The list of scenarios that could lead to the use of infant CPR is frighteningly long, only reinforcing the necessity of knowing how to perform such life-saving measures. Read More

Tips for Maintaining Workplace Eye Wellness

March 31, 2017

When you think of a work-related injury, a pulled muscle or broken bone may come to mind. Less likely, you’ll think of your eyes. And yet, eye injuries account for more than 20,000 workplace injuries each year and cost $300 million annually in lost productivity, medical treatment, and worker compensation. Furthermore, it isn’t only construction or other industries where safety goggles are a common sight. Increasingly, office workers are also feeling the effects of their work environment on their eyes. Read More

Making the Best Nutritional Choices for a Healthy Baton Rouge

March 27, 2017

For a very long time, American culture has focused on weight and outward appearance. Overall health seemed to take a back seat to how great someone looked in their bathing suit. It’s a mentality that has led us down a path of fad diets, supplements, and an increasing occurrence of eating disorders. Sadly, when the number on the scale becomes the primary focus, failure is inevitable. Read More

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment in Zachary

March 24, 2017

Diabetes has become a major point of concern in global health and for Americans in particular. As of 2014, the CDC reports that 29.1 million people, or 9.3% of the population, have diabetes . Of these cases, type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 percent, making it one of the most widespread health epidemics in the United States. Read More

Preventing Colorectal Cancer through Screening

March 9, 2017

Colorectal cancer has an alarmingly high rate of diagnosis and mortality. Currently, it is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. But, this isn’t what makes it alarming. Instead, the thing that makes these numbers so disturbing is the fact that colorectal cancer is largely preventable. In fact, over half of all cases of colorectal cancer could be avoided through timely screenings. Read More

What to Know About Colorectal Cancer and How to Prevent It

March 1, 2017

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. Read More

5 Heart Healthy Tips from Louisiana Cardiologists

February 23, 2017

Almost immediately after conception, the heart begins its work, pumping blood and supplying the rest of the human body with what it needs to develop, grow, and thrive. From the first beat until the very last, there is no other organ that works as hard or as long. Yet, the heart works so diligently and efficiently that keeping it healthy is easily overlooked, leading many to unwittingly neglect caring for it properly. Read More

Ear Infections in Children: Symptoms and Treatment

February 20, 2017

If there’s anything a parent knows, it is the unparalleled ability of a young child to keep you in doctor’s offices. By the time the toddler years have gone by, you are on a first name basis with the nursing staff, have your doctor’s number stored for quick reference, and know the layout of your pediatrician’s office better than your own home. And while children come down with an astoundingly wide variety of ailments throughout their youth, there are few they seem as susceptible to as those affecting the ears, nose, or throat. Read More

Taking Charge of Heart Health for Baton Rouge Patients

February 14, 2017

February seems the natural fit for Heart Health Month. It is the home of Valentine’s Day after all. There are hearts everywhere – on cards, balloons, cakes, and stuffed animals. Hearts are never more top of mind than they are in early February. But the cute pink and red ones that adorn Valentine’s gifts and decorations are far less important than the one beating inside your own chest. And yet, we don’t often seem to give that one the attention that it deserves. Read More

Blood Donation in Baton Rouge: The Gift of Life

January 25, 2017

January has been named National Blood Donor Month, a time when awareness is brought to the life-saving act that is blood donation. In honor of this time, Lane Regional Medical Center, in conjunction with United Blood Services, will be hosting a blood drive on January 27 from 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM on the Lane hospital campus. Interested? Register online or simply stop by during that time. Read More

Discover the Long-term Benefits of Healthy Weight Management

January 19, 2017

Weight loss is a hot topic around the first of the year. A new year means a new start, and after overindulging during the holidays, it’s no wonder that Healthy Weight Week falls in January. Of course, healthy weight means more than just dropping a few pounds to look good in your summer wardrobe. Instead, weight management should be a lifestyle choice that offers benefits beyond an improved physique. Read More

Strep, Tonsillitis, or Cold - How to Tell the Difference

January 12, 2017

You wake up in the morning, take a moment to groggily get your bearings, swallow and suddenly you realize – you have a sore throat. Is it passing? Will it be better as the morning wears on? Or will you end up taking sick days and antibiotics? It’s a scenario that we’ve all encountered multiple times. A sore throat is certainly nothing new to anyone. Sometimes a gargle with warm salt water is all it takes to soothe the discomfort, and at others, the pain stretches on for days with swollen, tender lymph nodes to… Read More

How to Make 5 Healthy New Year's Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

December 29, 2016

As the year comes to an end, we begin to look back on 2016 and develop New Year's resolutions for the following year. By changing the way we think of New Year’s resolutions, we can work to live a healthier life in 2017. Read More