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INTEGRIS Health On Your Health Blog

Check back to the INTEGRIS On Your Health blog for the latest health and wellness news for all Oklahomans.

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Burns and Healing: What Your Skin Needs After an Injury

Burn accidents happen unexpectedly, whether from a kitchen mishap or a moment of carelessness around a hot object. Knowing what to do after a burn accident is critical for healing and minimizing scarring. At INTEGRIS Health, we understand the importance of proper burn care. Proper aftercare ensures your skin recovers as quickly and completely as possible, helping you avoid infection and other complications.

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Mother with ill child lying in bed

Flu and Your Family: Keeping Everyone Safe This Winter

Winter brings cozy nights by the fire and holiday gatherings, but it also ushers in the peak of respiratory illness season. While the colder months are a time for connection, they require extra vigilance to ensure your household stays healthy.

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a middle aged man standing outside grabs his chest in pain

How Oklahoma’s Climate Affects COPD and What You Can Do About It

Living in Oklahoma means embracing its unique weather patterns, from humid summers to dry winters. For many, these changes are just part of life, but for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the shifts in weather can significantly impact their health and daily comfort. Knowing how factors like humidity, allergens and temperature extremes influence your breathing can help improve lung health.

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a hand is shown putting together wooden blocks that spell out ADHD

The Rise in ADHD Diagnoses and What It Means for Oklahoma Families

Over the past few decades, ADHD diagnoses have been on the rise in the U.S. and around the world. It’s a trend that sparks a lot of questions and sometimes confusion. For families in Oklahoma, understanding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is an important step in supporting your family’s mental health and well-being.

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a woman in athletic gear holding a water bottle fights off the summer heat

Staying Safe in the Summer Heat: How Your Medication Can Increase Heat Intolerance

As summer temperatures and humidity rise, INTEGRIS Health cautions people taking certain prescription and over-the-counter medications that they may impair the body’s ability to stay cool. If you find yourself highly sensitive to the summer heat, it could be a sign of heat intolerance.

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the sun sets over a lake and park

Family Fitness Fun: Outdoor Activities at Oklahoma's Lakes

Looking for a fun way to get your family moving? Oklahoma is home to some of the best outdoor spots for active family time. From hiking and kayaking to swimming and fishing, the state’s lakes offer plenty of ways to stay fit while making memories.

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Aerial drone photo Scissortail Park Oklahoma City

The Best Green Spaces in OKC

Oklahoma City, or OKC as locals lovingly call it, is home to a variety of green spaces that offer a refreshing break from city life. Whether you're into running, biking, kayaking or just soaking up some sun, OKC’s parks and lakes have something for everyone. From sprawling urban parks to serene lakeside retreats, here are some of the best green spaces you’ll find in OKC.

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A girl sneezes while playing among dandelions in springtime

Spring Allergies in Oklahoma: What You Need to Know

For many Oklahomans, spring is a season of blooming flowers and time spent having fun outside, but it’s also a time for sneezing, watery eyes and scratchy throats. Spring allergies in Oklahoma are no joke, thanks to the state’s unique combination of wind, pollen and unpredictable weather patterns.

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A man hiking a trail

The Best Hiking Trail in Oklahoma for Every Adventurer

Oklahoma is a hiker's dream. With gorgeous hiking trails across the state, hiking enthusiasts have miles upon miles of trails packed with stunning views and gorgeous wildlife. From the rugged beauty of the Wichita Mountains to the serene landscapes of the Ouachita National Forest, Oklahoma offers diverse hiking experiences for all skill levels.

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A man lying in pain on the couch while grabbing his stomach

IBS vs. Colon Cancer: How to Tell the Difference

Digestive issues can be more than just an inconvenience – they can disrupt your daily life, cause persistent discomfort and leave you searching for relief. Symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits are often dismissed or attributed to manageable conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

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A woman browses the selection at a grocery store.

Understanding Colorectal Cancer: Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies

March is colorectal cancer awareness month. Colorectal cancer, a prevalent and potentially fatal form of cancer, affects millions of Americans. In this blog, we discuss key takeaways in understanding the risks involved and ways that you can protect yourself.

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A woman checks the price of eggs on the shelf of a grocery store.

Egg Substitutes to Use During Egg Shortage

The days of picking up a dozen eggs for a couple bucks at your local grocery store are long gone – at least for now. Egg prices are soaring to unprecedented levels due to a combination of a severe bird flu outbreak, rising inflation and supply chain issues. For many families, eggs are now either too expensive or increasingly hard to find on store shelves.

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A woman sneezes due to cedar allergies

Cedar Fever: Analyzing the Impact of This Tree Allergy

When most people think of allergies, they envision spring and summer months as the primary adversaries. However, in Oklahoma, winter brings its own formidable challenge – cedar fever.

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An exterior shot of INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center

What's the Difference Between Level I and Level II Trauma Centers?

When a severe injury occurs, the type of trauma center you’re taken to can make a critical difference. This blog will explore the key differences and similarities between level I and level II trauma centers, shedding light on their unique roles in providing lifesaving care.

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A patient in a stretcher receives trauma care

Trauma Survival Tips: How to Handle Different Emergencies

Understanding physical trauma and its impact is vital for protecting health and ensuring safety in emergencies. Trauma, whether from accidents, falls or other sudden events, can lead to serious injuries that require immediate attention. This blog will guide you through what trauma is, explore the different types – such as blunt injuries, burns, fractures and more – and offer clear, actionable tips for handling each situation effectively.

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Fun family activities to do in OKC during Christmas

Fun Family Activities to Do During Christmas

Christmas time in Oklahoma City can be a magical experience when done right, as the city has many traditions and events that provide festive options for residents and visitors alike. Use this blog as a guide to schedule family-friendly events this holiday season.

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Does vaping cause lung cancer?

Does Vaping Cause Lung Cancer?

Traditional tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals that increase smokers' chances of developing cancer. In fact, smoking is tied to 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As an alternative to smoking, many people have turned to e-cigarettes to vape, including teens and young adults (read our blog on how e-cigarette use is on the rise among teens in Oklahoma). But is inhaling liquid nicotine any safer and is there any risk of cancer associated with vaping?

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A man tests his blood sugar

American Diabetes Month: Complications, the Importance of Screenings and How to Lower Risk

American Diabetes Month serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of diabetes through lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, regular exercise and weight management. Equally vital is the role of regular diabetes screenings, which can lead to early detection and more effective management of the condition.

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What is the difference between urgent care and an ER

What Is the Difference Between Urgent Care and an Emergency Room?

Emergency and urgent care medicine both serve an important purpose in health care, but what exactly does each facility do and how should you decide which one to use for medical problems?

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How do I find a primary care physician

How Do I Find a Primary Care Physician?

Choosing the right primary care physician (PCP) is a crucial step in managing your health care journey and living a healthier life. A PCP acts as your main health advocate, coordinating care, managing chronic conditions and offering preventive services tailored to your needs.

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Donating Blood

Who Needs Platelets and How to Help

When we think about our blood, it’s easy to focus on red blood cells, but did you know there are actually three other main components that make our blood… blood? In addition to red blood cells, we have plasma, white blood cells and platelets running through our veins. Plasma is easy enough to remember – that’s the liquid part. White blood cells help our bodies fight off infections and diseases. But what about platelets?

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Is COVID making a comeback

Is COVID Making a Comeback?

In this blog, David Chansolme, M.D., the medical director of infection prevention at INTEGRIS Health, gives us an update on the recent uptick in COVID cases across the country and in Oklahoma.

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National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance in August to highlight the importance of vaccines for people of all ages and how they help to prevent and protect us from serious, sometimes deadly, diseases and illness.

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A child pouring water on their head in the summer heat.

Back-to-School and Extreme Heat

As students return to school and dive into sports, the summer heat poses significant health risks. In this blog, we talked to David Hopkins, D.O., a board-certified family medicine physician at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Guthrie about the health risks of rising temperatures and the dangers posed to young athletes.

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Man and child laughing

Improving Your Health With Laughter

Boost your health with laughter! It's a free, fun, and easy way to cope with challenges, enhance relationships, and promote physical and emotional well-being.

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Tips to stay hydrated

Dehydration Symptoms, Causes and Tips for Avoiding It: We’ll Drink to That

Summer in Oklahoma is hot and it’s all too easy to become dehydrated. It’s simple enough to reverse mild, or even moderate dehydration by increasing fluid intake and making sure to drink enough liquids and eat enough hydrating foods daily. We share symptoms of dehydration and tips to stay hydrated in hot weather.

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family eating on a patio

Fun Summer Activities in Oklahoma City

From exploring the natural beauty of its landscapes to indulging in thrilling outdoor adventures, the Sooner State's capital has something to cater to every taste and age group. In this comprehensive guide, we uncover the top summer activities in Oklahoma City that will make your vacation and weekend a memorable and delightful experience.

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Safe Summer Fun

How to Protect Your Skin This Summer

The summer season is filled with warm weather, days by the pool and increased sun exposure. Protecting your skin while enjoying time outdoors will allow you to enjoy the sun while also keeping your skin healthy.

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Obesity and Brain Function

Is There a Link Between Obesity and Brain Function?

Being obese comes with a long list of health risk factors that include diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, lung disease and 13 types of cancer. For decades, these effects have been well known. Researchers have discovered a new link between obesity and brain function.

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feet dangling in lake

Do You Need a Digital Detox?

Technology has improved our lives in many ways. But like anything in life, too much can sometimes lead to harm. Have you ever thought about trying a digital detox to give your mind and body a rest? It can be just as beneficial as eating your daily vegetables.

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