Banner Health

04/03/2025

NSAIDs block enzymes that lead to inflammation and they’re useful for reducing pain, swelling and fever. But there’s a risk that they could damage our gut lining if we use them too often. Learn more: https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/teach-me/the-effects-of-nsaids-like-ibuprofen-on-your-gut

04/03/2025

Staphylococcus aureus (staph) infections are some of the most common skin infections, especially in health care settings, military barracks and among athletes. Staph bacteria may live harmlessly on the skin or in the nose. However, if these bacteria enter the body through a cut or wound, they can cause an infection. Many staph infections are often mild and easily treated, but others can become serious or even life-threatening.

Staph and MRSA skin infections are usually mild, but they can be serious or life-threatening. Here's what to know about prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

04/02/2025

Lymphoma is a cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, a key part of the immune system. Its symptoms can often resemble those of other conditions, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of problems. Early recognition of lymphoma symptoms can lead to quicker diagnosis and treatment.

Lymphoma symptoms can overlap with other conditions. It’s important to spot any changes in your body so you can get diagnosed and treated right away.

04/02/2025

Diagnosing autism can be challenging and overwhelming, but it’s also the beginning of a journey filled with opportunities for growth and learning. Early diagnosis is important as it allows for early interventions and access to appropriate therapies and support services.

An early diagnosis of autism is important for a child’s development. Find out the steps used to diagnose autism and the resources available to your child.

04/02/2025

The numbers are staggering. In the past year alone, more than 20% of kids between the age of 12 and 17 reported suffering from at least one major depressive episode. That’s according to Mental Health America.

But thankfully there is help available. After years of struggling with mental health issues, with the right support, a Peoria teenager is proof, that living a sober, confident life is possible. (via 12News)

After years of struggling with mental health issues, with the right support, a Peoria teenager is proof, that living a sober, confident life is possible.

04/01/2025

An IUD is a small, T-shaped device that is placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Getting an IUD can be uncomfortable, but there are many ways to reduce pain. Preparing ahead of time, asking about pain relief options and caring for oneself afterward can make the process easier.

Will an IUD hurt? This is a common question people ask. Learn from Banner Health experts what to expect with insertion and removal and how to manage pain.

04/01/2025

When Rachel and Marco Vargas discovered they had spontaneously conceived four identical girls, they knew it was a rare pregnancy — medical experts say the odds of that happening are approximately one in 11 million. But after factoring in all of the medical complications that would follow, their doctor estimated that it could be somewhere around one in 40 million. The Rhode Island couple is opening up after bringing their four new babies home. (via Good Morning America)

A Rhode Island couple who welcomed rare identical quadruplets is opening up after bringing their four new babies home.

04/01/2025

Walking or exercising in place is a simple, convenient, and accessible option that helps almost anyone stay active. No special equipment is required, except for a good pair of shoes. There’s no need to worry about weather or traffic, and when time is limited, short “exercise snacks” can be fit into the day. Walking in place serves as a great alternative to a traditional walk, especially for those who may be restricted due to weather, surgical precautions, or a risk of falling.

Walking in place might not feel like a workout, but it can improve your heart health and leg strength. Here’s how walking in place can benefit your body.

04/01/2025

Several decades ago, beef tallow was a must-have in kitchen pantries across the United States. On social media, beef tallow is being touted as a wellness superstar to use in place of seed oils like canola oil or corn oil for reduced weight and chronic disease, and to improve skin issues like acne. Beef tallow is making a comeback. Should you be eating it? (via Everyday Health)

Beef tallow is touted as a healthier alternative to seed oils, but its nutritional profile suggests otherwise. Find out if beef tallow is healthy, whether it’s a good skin-care ingredient, and more.

03/31/2025

A Tucson woman is celebrating getting her life back, thanks to highly specialized and compassionate care at Banner Boswell Medical Center. Linda Hill had all but given up, until Brett Broussard, MD, understood her symptoms and diagnosed her with a rare disease called thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).

In early 2021, Linda started noticing pain in her right shoulder, swelling and pain in both wrists, and felt her pinky finger and ring fingers curling. The constant pain continued to get worse.

“I had to stop working, and then I had to apply for disability funding,” Hill recalled. “My world got very, very small, very quickly.”

With a career as an education consultant, Hill was determined to do her research and find out the cause of her pain. She said she saw 17 doctors, and when none were able to figure out what exactly was wrong, Hill started to assume that living with this new pain might become her new reality.

“I had been spoken down to so many times and hit so many walls,” Hill said. “I was through with being let down.”

Then she found Dr. Broussard at Banner Boswell in Sun City, who received specialized training and is an expert in TOS. She had her first appointment with Dr. Broussard in August 2023.

“For once, my symptoms were not belittled,” Hill said. “Dr. Broussard gave me honesty, compassion, and was willing to look at my symptom history. He has the knowledge to know what to look for – and knew I had TOS.”

TOS is a group of conditions that places pressure on blood vessels or nerves in the area between the neck and shoulder and is a rare disease that can be vascular or, more commonly, neurogenic in nature. Because of the intricacy of the disease, an extensive medical history intake and physical exam, along with specialized imaging are usually required to accurately diagnosis TOS. Surgery can be considered for the treatment of TOS, but Dr. Broussard says that physical therapy and other non-surgical options, including scalene muscle Botox injections, are tried first.

“This process is helpful in the diagnosis and can also be therapeutic,” said Dr. Broussard.

In Hill’s case, she had TOS on both sides of her body, which is even more rare. She drove more than 260 miles round trip to Sun City from Tucson at least four times for surgical treatment on her right and left side of the body. The procedures were successful, and Hill has since regained function in both hands.

She is a competitive swimmer, loves to kayak, and spends her days with her wife and kids. Since treatment, her quality of life has returned.

“My kids told me that ‘I’ve got my silly back’,” Hill said. “And they’re right. I finally am starting to feel like myself again and I’m just so grateful.”

Dr. Broussard added, “Patients who might be suffering from TOS can be seen by many different doctors, when it’s unclear what the problem is – like Linda. I want people to be aware of TOS and how Banner Boswell can help.”

03/31/2025

Kidney stones can be as small as a grain of sand and may pass without a person even noticing. But they can also be large enough to block the urinary tract and cause intense pain in the back or side, blood in the urine, frequent urination and nausea. Staying hydrated, managing stress and making healthier lifestyle choices can make a big impact on reducing the risk of developing painful kidney stones.

Here’s how staying hydrated and managing stress can lower your risk of developing painful kidney stones and can help you avoid some dangerous complications.

03/31/2025

A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain slows or stops, causing brain cells to be damaged or die. It is a serious medical condition that requires immediate care. Several factors can increase the risk of a stroke, including stress. Stress is how the brain and body respond to challenges and helps the body stay alert. However, prolonged stress can negatively affect health.

If stress is part of your life, you’ll want to manage it. Otherwise, it can increase your risk of stroke. Try taking these steps to reduce your stress.

03/30/2025

Retinal artery occlusion happens when blood flow through the retinal artery is blocked due to embolism or thrombosis. The risk factors for an eye stroke are similar to those for a cerebral stroke. Prevention is the best approach for retinal artery occlusion.

When you think of a stroke, you’re likely thinking of a cerebral stroke. But have you heard of an eye stroke? And how is an eye stroke different?

03/30/2025

Our nasal passages are lined with delicate tissues. When we’re congested, those tissues are already inflamed and sensitive. Risky remedies can worsen the problem, leading to pain, irritation or even long-term damage. Stick to safe and effective methods to feel better faster.

Is your nose stuffed up? If you have nasal congestion, you may try home remedies. But some don’t work and can be harmful. Do these five things instead.

03/30/2025

Join us today on as we say THANK YOU to our Banner Health physicians who work tirelessly to provide expert, compassionate care to everyone we serve. Honor your Hero: https://secure.bannerhealth.com/site/Donation2?4440.donation=form1&df_id=4440&mfc_pref=T

03/29/2025

Helping a child open up and share requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to create a safe and supportive environment. By respecting the child's personality and communication style, addressing possible barriers, and creating opportunities for conversation, the relationship can be strengthened and emotional well-being supported for years to come.

Is it hard for your child to open up to you? Learn how personality affects communication and how to create a safe space for your child to open up and share.

03/29/2025

Bud Wilson and Deborah Fink have traveled the globe together since they married 33 years ago.

Deborah’s face lights up while sharing photos of their adventures in the Amazon, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey. But three years ago, they found themselves on an entirely different kind of journey.

“Bud retired and we thought we’d really do some exploring of the world, but then he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia,” she said.

Their search for treatment eventually led the couple to routinely travel from their home in Anchorage, Alaska, to receive specialty medical care at Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City, Arizona. They also took part in a clinical trial for about seven months in 2024.

Bud participated in SHIMMER, a second-phase study of a potential new treatment for people with mild to moderate Lewy body dementia, or LBD. Deborah was his study partner.

LBD is one of the most common types of dementia and affects more than 1 million people in the U.S. There is currently no cure for the disease, which is associated with abnormal deposits of a protein in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemical changes in the brain that can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, mood, and other body functions.

Bud and Deborah helped to advance research while receiving study-related care, tests and assessments. For about three months, they flew to Arizona every two weeks for the study, then about once each month until finishing the trial. They knew that would be quite a commitment, especially with the big difference in climates.

“Alaska summers are wonderful, and Arizona summers are brutal,” Deborah said, but emphasized that all the effort was worthwhile. “Clinical trials give you hope, and when you have a disease that’s progressive, that doesn’t have any cure, having hope is super important. You always have to look at the positive side of things, to move yourself forward.”

Link in bio for more info about Banner’s clinical trials.

03/29/2025

Spiders may play an important role in the ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean they belong in the home. By following some simple actions and taking reasonable precautions, it's possible to keep living spaces comfortable and spider-free.

Spiders are natural pest controllers, but you don’t want them inside your home. Here are 10 spider-proof tips to keep your home a creepy-crawly-free space.