Posted December 16, 2024
Dry, frigid temperatures, harsh winds and low humidity are hallmarks of winter weather. Couple that with dry indoor heat and this time of year can wreak havoc on your skin if it’s not protected.
Winter elements cause dryness, redness and flaking, damaging your skin barrier, which can make it harder to hold moisture. This can lead to further dryness, irritation, itching and even cracking.
What’s the key to combating dry skin? Moisture! So, if you haven’t…
Posted December 06, 2024 by Rathna S Shenoy, MD & Amy Hirnikl, BSN, RN, CCRN-K
With the Summa Health Level One Trauma Center being the first level-one trauma center in the Akron area, our expert trauma staff has caring for patients with injuries from falls for more than 25 years. And as the Baby Boomer generation is getting older, we are seeing more and more patients coming in with a higher incidence of falls.
All geriatric patients who come into Summa Health emergency departments are screened for risks of…
Posted December 02, 2024 by Hilary Hassinger, PhD
“Have some! A few bites won’t hurt. But I made this because I know you like it.”
It’s likely we’ve all dealt with comments like this at some point. Instead of providing support, it seems like well-meaning loved ones are trying to derail your healthy eating plan. Intentional or not, the pressure to eat can make you feel uncomfortable, or worse, leave you feeling disappointed in yourself after you’ve gone off-course.
There…
Posted November 26, 2024
Posted November 18, 2024 by Dane J. Donich, M.D.
Updated May 2025
In August 2024, Summa Health proudly achieved re-certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Certified Center (CSC) from The Joint Commission for a second time. When the designation was first awarded to Summa Health in 2022, we were the first hospital in Akron to achieve Comprehensive Stroke Center certification. We are extremely proud of this recognition, but does this certification mean, and why is it so significant for both patients and providers?
Posted October 31, 2024
Posted October 21, 2024 by Jonathan Buggey, M.D.
Have you noticed shortness of breath or wheezing during usual daily activities like climbing the stairs, running errands or exercising? While many conditions can cause it — ranging from asthma and allergies to obesity, heart disease and lung issues — shortness of breath also can be a sign of pulmonary hypertension (PH).
PH is a condition that occurs when blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries — which carry oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs &…
Posted October 16, 2024
Posted October 07, 2024
Blood plays a vital role in how our bodies function. As blood circulates the body, it’s responsible for supplying all our organs with oxygen, nutrients and antibodies to fight infection and control bleeding. Blood is essential to life.
Unfortunately, about every 3 minutes, one person in the United States is diagnosed with blood cancer, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Blood cancers account for nearly 10 percent of new cancer cases in this country every…
Posted October 02, 2024
Posted September 18, 2024
When you think of football season, thoughts of your favorite team, cheerleaders and packed stadiums probably come to mind. But there’s another thing you’re likely forgetting. Football season also means a higher risk of sports-related concussions, or SRCs. While SRCs can occur in almost any activity, they most commonly occur in contact sports like rugby, soccer, boxing, basketball, hockey and, of course, football.
The Centers for Disease…
Posted September 16, 2024
The landscape of weight loss treatment is evolving, with new medications providing effective tools for managing obesity. However, the integration of these drugs into a personalized treatment plan, guided by a medical professional, is essential for sustainable success.
Weight loss drugs are not a new concept. In fact, they have been around for decades and have proven helpful in certain circumstances.
The newer medications that are often in the media are glucagon-like…
Posted September 12, 2024
Posted September 03, 2024
Hearing is one of the important senses for obvious reasons: You need to hear to communicate and connect with others! But, did you know the ability to hear also is crucial for maintaining other aspects of your health, such as your balance and brain health?
It’s true. Hearing loss can significantly impact your daily life, and studies show it can lead to social anxiety and isolation, an increased fall risk, dementia and depression.
Unfortunately, hearing loss is a common…
Posted August 27, 2024 by Ryan Urchek, MD
Posted August 19, 2024 by Sandy Kohut, RRT, Lead Lung Navigator
Imagine navigating a health system during a stressful time, like a new diagnosis or chronic illness. That’s where patient navigators come in—they act as personal guides to help patients receive the best possible care at Summa Health.
Patient navigators bridge the gap between our patients and the medical system. Although their backgrounds vary, they all deeply understand the healthcare landscape and are passionate about patient advocacy.
Patient navigators…
Posted August 05, 2024 by Kyle Yoder, D.O. & Ellen Saal-Patterson, MA, MSW, LISW-S
Many people worry about the medical care they might receive if they become too ill to make their wishes known. There are many reasons you might not be able to speak for yourself in the hospital, including if you are unconscious, if medications or intubation restrict your ability to communicate or if you are confused due to illness, injury or medication. Your inability to communicate may be temporary, but important decisions might need to be made during that time.
Advance…
Posted July 31, 2024
Posted July 18, 2024
Posted July 15, 2024
Many females will experience the dreaded hot flash, the hallmark symptom of menopause. It’s a sudden feeling of warmth, followed by a red, flushed face and neck, sweating, clammy skin and heart palpitations.
Hot flashes are by far the most common symptom of menopause. It’s estimated up to 80 percent of females in the United States experience hot flashes around the time of menopause, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. They…
Posted June 30, 2024 by Heidi Mueller, RN
Posted June 17, 2024
In many cases today, cancer has become a chronic disease, rather than a terminal disease, with people living longer and healthier lives after a diagnosis of cancer than ever before. Even more significant, more people are surviving cancer thanks to early detection and more advanced treatment options. The American Cancer Society estimates there are more than 18 million cancer survivors in the United States—and growing each year. At Summa Health, we define cancer…
Posted June 03, 2024 by Nicole Piriak, RRT, CTTS
It’s never too late to quit smoking or nicotine use — no matter your age or how long you’ve been using tobacco or vaping products. Believe it or not, you’ll reap the health benefits within the first day of quitting.
In just 24 hours after quitting, your risk of a heart attack decreases. Within three months after quitting, your circulation, lung function and stamina improve.
The health benefits continue to get better the longer you go smoke-…
Posted May 20, 2024 by Elaine Markowski, DDS
Believe it or not, your mouth has a lot to say about your overall health.
Since a young age, we’ve been taught that regularly brushing and flossing our pearly whites helps prevent cavities, stained teeth, bad breath and gum disease. But, what you may not know is that good dental hygiene habits also can have a positive impact on the health of your body.
It’s true. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the mouth harbors up to 700…
Posted April 23, 2024 by Edward Ferris, M.D., FACOG
Posted April 17, 2024 by Danielle Greiner, Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Bianca Grover, Fitness Specialist at the Summa Health Wellness Center
Posted April 15, 2024 by Natalie Hiltbrand, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
As we age, some people get something commonly known as "the hump”. This is when a person has an abnormal outward curve of the upper back, rounded shoulders and a stooped posture. Known as Dowager's hump or kyphosis, the condition is directly related to osteoporosis or thin, brittle bones.
Approximately 8 million females and 2 million males have osteoporosis in the U.S. Another 44 million Americans have osteopenia. Individuals with these conditions have increased…
Posted April 03, 2024 by Tammy Potts
Posted April 01, 2024
If so, you’re not alone. A rotator cuff tear is one of the most common shoulder injuries – making many daily activities extremely painful and difficult to perform. Common signs to watch for include:
If these…
Posted March 19, 2024
Posted March 18, 2024
Leafy greens sometimes get stereotyped as the soggy and wilted salad sidekick taking up space in our refrigerator’s crisper drawer. But the fact is they’re so much more! These nutritional powerhouses are loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants that fuel our bodies and minds in countless ways.
Think of Popeye eating his spinach, but instead of only bulging biceps, he’s got strong bones, a sharp mind, radiant skin and a healthy immune…
Posted March 15, 2024
Posted March 04, 2024
It seems like we just changed our clocks – and it’s time to do it again. This time, we lose an hour on the second Sunday in March, as we spring forward at 2 a.m.
The change back to daylight saving time disrupts your body’s natural rhythm, the circadian rhythm, which manages sleep and other vital functions, leaving you feeling sluggish and out of sorts. You also may have a more challenging time making decisions. Studies have shown that the transition to…
Posted February 28, 2024
Posted February 19, 2024 by Shannon Blower, MA Pastoral Counseling, MAR in Religious Leadership | Wendy Rickerd, MSN, APRN-CNP, FNP-BC, C-EFM
Posted February 19, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports an estimated 46 million people in this country, aged 12 and older, suffer from substance use disorder. Unfortunately, that number continues to rise, as the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the crisis.
Addiction is a chronic brain disease characterized by continued use of drugs or alcohol despite harmful consequences. Continued use of addictive substances triggers the release of chemicals, which alter the brain&…
Posted February 07, 2024 by Rathna Shenoy, MD, FACS | Amy Hirnikl, BSN, RN, CCRN-K | Alexandra Carpenter, MHA, BSN, RN, TCRN, CPEN
Posted February 05, 2024
When healthcare providers need to see inside your body, the type of imaging test they recommend will depend on your injury or condition. Each modality is unique, creating imagery based on distinct technology and equipment, and offers a different purpose and set of advantages for making an accurate diagnosis.
For instance, if doctors need to check for a concussion, a CT scan is the best option for your exam. But if you suspect a broken bone, X-Ray is the better choice.&…
Posted January 24, 2024
This time of year, it feels like our world is gray and gloomy, bright sunshine will never reappear and the cold winds dampen our spirits at every turn. It’s easy to experience the winter blues.
But, for some people winter is quite literally depressing. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer.
As the days become short and…
Posted January 08, 2024
Posted January 01, 2024 by Dr. Amy Welman and Dr. Gabrielle King
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