Healthy Living
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex brain disorder causing both movement and non-movement symptoms. But it’s important to know: PD affects each person differently. Who Gets PD? While we’re not s [...]
Read MoreThe Big Change in Cancer Screening You Need to Know About
Let’s talk about something serious but important: colorectal cancer. It's a sneaky disease that can grow without showing many signs until it’s too late. But guess what? We have a secret weapon: colonoscopies. These are simple tests where doc [...]
Read MoreYour Thanksgiving Dinner Has How Many Calories?
My how those holiday treats add up. The typical Thanksgiving Day meal includes turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and a glass of wine. If you ate one serving of each of these things your calorie intake fo [...]
Read MoreTeal Pumpkin Project & Why You Should Participate
The Teal Pumpkin Project started in 2012, a food allergy support group director ifrom Tennessee had the idea to paint a pumpkin teal, the color of food allergy awareness, and hand out non-food items. What she didn't realize was that her teal pu [...]
Read MoreStrength Training and Weight Lifting
In the last of our series of wellness and exercise blogs, I am going to cover some of our strengthening equipment. In the very first blog, I covered our Kinesis One machine, which is a multi-purpose machine that allows you to do lots of differe [...]
Read MoreBack to School Snacks
Summer is winding down and school is quickly approaching and along with school comes school and after-school snacks! Our Registered Dietitian, Jennifer Lincecum put together a list of low-prep, healthy and homemade school snacks. Although it ta [...]
Read MoreDinner Ready in 20: Chicken and Veggie Power Bowls
Grill, crockpot or bake a few extra pounds of chicken ahead of time, or buy a rotisserie chicken on the way home. As long as you have some cooked chicken on hand, with just five additional ingredients, you can have a healthy balanced dinner on [...]
Read MoreBeat the Heat!
As we continue to enjoy the warm months, now is a good time to talk about how heat affects us, especially since many people and athletes enjoy spending time outdoors. Heat illness takes many forms, from mild to severe. Heat rash and heat cramp [...]
Read MoreRed, White and Water: 5 Tips to Stay Hydrated
When the temperature rises, hydration becomes even more important. Remember to drink plenty of water even when you’re not thirsty. Headaches and dizziness can be symptoms of dehydration, which can be a sign of more serious issues such as heat e [...]
Read More10,000 Steps: The Reason Behind the Number
Have you ever wondered where that elusive 10,000-step number came from or how many steps are right for you? Fitness trackers are more popular than ever and step tracking is gaining popularity. In the physical therapy department I have many pat [...]
Read MoreYour Best Burgers: Take Time and Make Them at Home
My ideal burger is easy, and here it is, by the numbers: 93% lean ground beef A slice of extra sharp cheddar cheese Served on a whole wheat bun Topped with grilled onions, lettuce and tomato Sauced with a bit of barbecue sauce and a [...]
Read MoreDoes a Serving of Watermelon a Day Keep the Cardiologist Away?
Watermelon is a delicious summer treat. Plus it’s a nutritious superfood that deserves a little recognition! Watermelon contains the highest level of lycopene of any fresh fruit or vegetable. Lycopene is a carotenoid (a pigment created by a pl [...]
Read MoreFinish Strong – Revisiting Your New Year’s Resolutions
Research shows that as many as 50% of adults in the Unites States make New Year’s resolutions, but fewer than 10% keep them for more than a few months. So what happens? Why do we make them? Why do we break them? We make them because it’s huma [...]
Read MoreKidney Stones Are on the Rise: Are You at Risk?
Just the thought of kidney stones can make a person wince in pain — especially if you’ve experienced one of these tiny nightmares yourself. "Approximately eight in 1,000 people will experience a kidney stone every year, which is a 50% increase [...]
Read MoreWhat You Need in Your Summer Safety Kit
Midwesterners know the value of a winter survival kit in the car. But a summertime sack filled with the right stuff can really make your season be all that it should be. Hilary Rockwell, MD, Avera Medical Group Emergency Medicine physician, of [...]
Read MoreUnderstanding Men’s Top Health Risks
Women live, on average, about five years longer than men, for several reasons. Men tend to take bigger risks, have more dangerous jobs or more risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. They also tend to be heavier, more suici [...]
Read MoreAches and Pains at Midlife
Getting out of bed before daylight or out of a car after a 12-hour trip is tough for practically everybody. Now couple that with a stiff back or sore knees, and the movement becomes even more challenging. Aging doesn’t just mean we add more ca [...]
Read MoreHow Blood Pressure and Diabetes Can Affect Kidney Function
When adults see their doctors for tests and learn they may have chronic kidney disease, it is often a time of fear, with visions of dialysis or transplant surgeries jumping to life in the imagination. Chronic kidney disease is scary. The kidne [...]
Read MoreRecipe: Fruity Lime Electrolyte Drink
Keeping the active teenager or adult hydrated during the hot summer months can be challenging. Especially if they don’t tolerate sports drinks, don’t like them or just want to try something different. This easy Fruity Lime Electrolyte Drink is [...]
Read MoreTips to Optimize Your Metabolism
Managing your weight can be a lifelong battle. You may wonder if it has something to do with your metabolism. This is the process in which your body converts your food and drink into energy. Your size, sex and age can affect your metabolism in [...]
Read More“What Did You Say?” Protect Your Hearing Because Hearing Loss Is Irreversible
You’re great at staying on top of your health with yearly appointments to your primary care provider, dentist and optometrist. But how’s your hearing health? “Hearing health is easy to take for granted, and people usually seek help when it’s t [...]
Read MoreHow to Choose and Properly Use Sunscreen
One of the most common things I do as a dermatologist is diagnose and treat skin cancer. Therefore, one of the most common things I spend a lot of time talking about is sunscreen. Patients always want guidance on how to pick the right product, [...]
Read MoreMen’s Health Month
It’s June! The year is nearly half over, and the warm weather has arrived. June also is “Men’s Health Month”, which is the topic for this blog. For men everywhere, it is important to pay attention to your health every month, every week, every [...]
Read MoreHeart Disease: Take Steps to Lower Your Risk
The leading cause of death for men is heart disease. Individuals with a family history of heart disease have an increased risk, and need to be especially aware of prevention. Even if you don’t have a family history of heart disease, it’s import [...]
Read MoreJune is Men’s Health Month
June is Men’s Health Month! We’re using this month to help encourage the men in our lives to take care of themselves as well as raise awareness for common diseases among men. Check out the following facts about men’s health as well as a few way [...]
Read MoreSix Healthy Coping Strategies (and Some Unhealthy Ones to Avoid)
Stress can be short term, like a hard assignment at work, or long term, such as a seriously ill loved one or the process of divorce. “Our body’s natural response when life becomes stressful — and it’s out of our control — is to try to regain a [...]
Read MoreAllergies Acting Up?
Sniffling, sneezing and feeling just plain awful this spring? It could be your allergies acting up. Some allergens are present year-round, but most pollen is in greater concentration and reaches peak levels during the spring. Springtime brings [...]
Read MoreThis Spring Enjoy Gardening – A Healthy Hobby
When Avera Medical Group Integrative Medicine physician Sally Williams, DO, is not busy in her clinic, you often will find her in her garden, making sure the chard and spinach are thriving and that the weeds aren’t choking the cucumbers. It’s l [...]
Read MoreCardiovascular Equipment (Continued)
In my third installment of blogging about the gym, I wanted to do a continuation of my second blog which is cardiovascular equipment. As I mentioned in the last blog, we have a variety of cardiovascular equipment ranging from treadmills to elli [...]
Read MoreObesity: The Forgotten Pandemic
As we live in the current covid-19 pandemic, our minds shift to how we can maintain health and safety for ourselves and for our neighbor. Taking extra precautions such as social distancing and masking has been a regular part of our life for ove [...]
Read MoreTips for Taking Care of your Mental Health
May is National Mental Health Month so we wanted to share a few ways you can take care of your mental health. People often thing of eating healthy and working out when they think about a healthy life style, but your mental health is just as imp [...]
Read MoreFor Kids, Find Ways to Make Math Fun
Math is part of our everyday lives, and April is Math Awareness Month. As much as you or I might cringe at the idea of having to help our child with math at home, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Look around and you’ll see that your home is [...]
Read MoreInjury Prevention and Management
As spring sports are now underway, we have nearly reached the mid-point of spring sports such as track and soccer, among others. It is about the mid-point of a sport that injuries can start to linger and inhibit daily practices and games. While [...]
Read MoreCelebrating Earth Day: 6 Tips for Picking up Trash Safely
If you’re looking for a fun way to both celebrate Earth Day safely and help your community, how about picking up trash in your favorite park or trail? Planning ahead and bringing the proper equipment can help you stay safe while also helping th [...]
Read MoreFueling for Performance
We know that the macronutrients — carbohydrates, fats and proteins—are vital nutrients required to fuel our everyday lives. However, athletes and those participating in rigorous exercise or intense training schedules have nutrition needs that c [...]
Read MoreCan Anxiety and Stress Cause Stomach Pain?
When the heat of life turns up and you’re feeling the pressure, does your stomach start to twist into knots? Especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people of all ages have been stretched to their limits. Jessica Morrell, CNP, of Aver [...]
Read MoreHow Prebiotic and Probiotic Foods Affect Your Gut Health
You keep hearing about probiotics, and now, prebiotics, but what exactly are these foods? What do they do? “The key to a healthy gut is nourishing the microbiome bacteria,” said Dawn Flickema, MD, Avera Medical Group Integrative Medicine. “Wh [...]
Read MoreThe Incredible Edible Egg
Of all the holiday related decorations my children are most infatuated with the Easter egg. We have been known to color several dozen. Although I am a firm believer that eggs are part of a healthy diet, I can only stomach so many plain hard-bo [...]
Read MoreApril is Occupational Therapy Month!
April is Occupational Therapy Month! In honor of Occupational Therapy Month, we had our Occupational Therapist, Danielle Rowland, OTD, OTR/L, answer a few questions about her career. We are so grateful for Danielle and all she does for Hegg Hea [...]
Read MoreWellness Center Equipment Spotlight 1
Going to the gym for the first time or for the first time in a while can be intimidating. There is so much equipment and often times little to no instruction on how to use it. We want to help decrease that intimidation by featuring a few differ [...]
Read MoreWalking: An Underrated Exercise
As the weather warms up, many people start looking for reasons to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Going for a walk is a great way to get moving and enjoy the outdoors. Walking is also a great way to add some physical fitness to your life! [...]
Read MoreSix Nutrition Tips for Colon Health
While regular screenings are the most important step to colon cancer prevention, nutrition plays a vital role. This National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we explore the impact of diet on gastrointestinal wellness. “The best foods we can [...]
Read MoreOccupational Health at Hegg Health Center
As an employer, the health of your employees plays a big role in your business. Whether your employees need a pre-employment physical, wellness screen, flu shot, or injuring treatment, our Occupational Department is here for you. Our Hegg Occu [...]
Read MoreTalk About It, and Then Take Action: Schedule Your Colonoscopy
Talk About It, and Then Take Action: Schedule Your Colonoscopy As we welcome March, let’s all play a part in stopping colon cancer. Behind lung cancer, it’s still the second leading cause of cancer deaths in our country. Here at Hegg Health C [...]
Read MoreKnow the Signs of Colon Cancer at Any Age
Today’s world offers a way to detect cancer before symptoms even start: regular screenings. Colon cancer screenings typically start at age 50 and are covered by most insurance providers. However, the number of diagnoses continues to rise, and [...]
Read MoreConcussion Rehabilitation
Smack! You weren’t watching where you were walking and you bumped your head on that cupboard that hangs at just the wrong height! At first you think you’ll be fine, but then you feel a headache coming on. Maybe you get light headed or feel dizz [...]
Read MoreA Healthy Smile for All Ages
Smile! February is set aside to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good dental habits at an early age helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Wondering when to start or schedule [...]
Read MoreGetting Started with Exercise
Physical activity is a key component of a healthy life. When you move more, you feel better! Follow these tips to get started: If you’re just starting out, begin with 10 minutes daily, and build toward 30-60 minutes. Mix it up! Variety c [...]
Read MoreKnow What Your Blood Pressure Numbers Mean
It’s called the silent killer for a reason. High blood pressure can go unnoticed for years, all the while that burden on the heart, blood vessels and organs builds up and causes damage. “There is no clear symptom like a headache. The condition [...]
Read MoreDiets vs Lifestyle Changes
How to identify a fad diet and have a goal of healthy sustainable weight loss As New Year goals come and go, now is the time to really work on making lifestyle changes that work. I often tell my patients that the difference from a lifestyle c [...]
Read MoreKeeping Kids Safe in the Winter Outdoors
Exercise, fresh air, vitamin D: these are all important reasons to make sure we are getting outdoors even in winter. Getting kids outside and active in winter can be an immune booster and help kids get their recommended 60 minutes of physical p [...]
Read MoreMore Steps for a Healthy Heart
It’s heart month and throughout February, we want to share different ways to improve your heart health. One way to not only increase your heart health, but also improve overall health is standing and walking more during the day. As humans, we w [...]
Read MoreBe Nice to Your Heart – It’s the Only One You Have
In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds according to the CDC. While heart attacks are common, there are things you can do to lower your risk. Here are a few ways on how you can make your heart happy. Lose weight. Ob [...]
Read More10 Budget and Health Friendly Foods
Job changes because of COVID-19 or whatever the reason: you don’t have to sacrifice health to save money at the grocery store. Load up on these 10 extremely healthy-but-affordable foods -- they make some great recipes -- and you'll be in good [...]
Read MoreBurn Calories with These Winter Activities
Blizzards and no-travel advisories can keep us cooped up – but they shouldn’t stop winter workouts outside. Yes, it’s cold and snowy – and there’s ice – yet the rewards can outweigh those obstacles. “We’re Midwesterners and we can’t stay insid [...]
Read MoreEnjoying the Outdoors, Even in the Winter
Just because it’s colder outside in the winter doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy some fresh air outdoors! With the colder weather also comes some fun activities that are only possible during the winter! Many of these activities not only allow [...]
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