Arthritis, Ortho - Hip, Ortho - Knee, Orthopedics, Sports Health

Sports medicine was always the plan for University of Louisville football’s head team physician

Chad Smith M.D.’s love of sports led him to become an orthopedic surgeon. His love for Louisville brought him to Louisville’s leading provider of orthopedic care after advanced training in sports medicine. With Norton Healthcare teaming with the Louisville Cardinals as their official health care provider, Dr. Smith is also the head team physician for…

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Cancer, Norton Hospital, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare

Nurses arrange Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball visit for cancer patient

Jeremiah Howe’s last wish was to go to Louisville Cardinals basketball game. With advanced cancer, he needed to remain in the hospital for care. But the nursing team at Norton Hospital started working their contacts to get him something very special. Several members of the team surprised Jeremiah in his hospital room with a shirt…

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Sports Health

Bellarmine’s move to Division I sports increases the stakes for training and recovery

The Bellarmine Knights’ transition to NCAA Division I will give student athletes the opportunity to showcase their abilities against the strongest collegiate competition in the nation on a larger stage. It also will mean more rigorous physical demands as the Knights’ 22 athletic teams go up against more skilled and imposing opponents. At workouts, practices…

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Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart, Interventional Cardiology, News

TAVR vs. open heart surgery: What are the differences?

The minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure — once thought appropriate only for the sickest aortic stenosis patients — increasingly is being used as an alternative to open heart surgery valve replacement. TAVR is an option now for nearly all patients. “With TAVR, we’re able to place the new valve by entering through…

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Epilepsy, Neurosciences

A neurologist’s advice on what to do if someone has a seizure

What to Do When Someone Has a Seizure If you encounter someone having a seizure, follow the ACTION steps: Assess — Assess the situation. Ensure that they are not in danger of hurting themselves. Take away any items in the area that could cause injury. Cushion — Cushion their head with something soft to prevent…

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Heart, Heart Attack, Interventional Cardiology, Newsjacking

New study supports move toward medication for heart blockages without symptoms

A new study supporting medications for patients with severe but stable heart disease is in line with other evidence suggesting many can hold off on minimally invasive procedures or open-heart surgery, according to a Louisville cardiologist. Lifestyle changes and medications such as statins for cholesterol, blood pressure medicine and aspirin can be just as effective…

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Flu, Norton Community Medical Associates, Norton Now, Pulmonary

Celebrity illnesses are reminder to get flu, pneumonia vaccines

Oprah Winfrey has opened up about her recent health scare that landed her in the emergency room and has urged people to get their flu and pneumonia shots. Oprah, 65, thought she had come down with a cold after an overseas trip, but eventually she was diagnosed with pneumonia. She was the latest of a…

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Cardiology, Heart, Recipes

Consider these heart-healthy recipe substitutions when cooking or baking

Many recipes can be made more heart-healthy, simply by swapping some high-fat, high-salt ingredients for healthier ones. Here are some easy swaps: Replace This With This Regular or reduced-fat peanut butter Natural peanut butter   White pasta Whole-wheat pasta, high-fiber white pasta, zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash Margarine Real butter Soy sauce Low-sodium soy sauce…

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News, Urogynecology, Women's Pelvic Health, Womens Health

Bladder control: Don’t hide urinary incontinence symptoms

Bladder control, bladder incontinence, urinary incontinence, peeing when coughing –– whatever you like to call it, it’s an issue that affects many women. And it’s not just a “change of life” or aging issue –– the issue affects women of all ages. There is a certain stigma to it that keeps many women from getting…

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Employee stories - Norton Healthcare, Heart, Interventional Cardiology

Louisville native brings prestigious medical training back home to treat heart patients

For Mostafa El-Refai, M.D., interventional cardiology is the best of both worlds. He gets to perform lifesaving procedures — inserting stents to open blocked arteries after heart attacks. As an interventional cardiologist with Norton Heart Specialists, Dr. El-Refai also gets to develop long-term relationships with patients and their families. “It’s important for patients to understand…

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Neurosciences, News, Sports - Concussion, Sports Health

High school sports with the highest concussion rates

High school football players are experiencing concussions less often during practice, but the rate of concussions during games has gone up, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. The study, which examined thousands of high school athletes across 20 different sports, found that the rate of repeat concussions across all sports has…

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Cancer, Lung Cancer, Pulmonary

Study shows vaping nicotine could cause cancer

New research shows vaping’s dangers may extend beyond the recent wave of deaths from pulmonary disease, as vaping also may increase cancer risk. The first study linking vaping to cancer found nearly 25% of mice developed lung cancer after 54 weeks of exposure to e-cigarette vapors containing nicotine. More than half the mice developed hyperplasia…

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