The addiction to prescription opiate drugs used for pain management has become an epidemic, with estimates of anywhere from 26 million to 36 million people believed to be abusing opioids in the United States. Primarily used in the treatment of chronic pain these drugs are highly addictive. Even when taken as prescribed they can lead […]
Author: Phil Steele
Detecting Diabetes Early with A1C Testing
The Center for Disease Control reported 1.5 million Americans were diagnosed with diabetes for the first time in 2015 (the most recent numbers). As the number of Americans with diabetes or prediabetes grows, it becomes more important that individuals with this disease become aware of their condition and take the appropriate steps to stay healthy […]
It’s Not Just About Watching the Scale
Having a healthy body weight is a challenge for many, many people. Trying to maintain your ideal weight takes a combination of eating right, exercising regularly and being active. But determining if you are at a healthy weight is not always about just the number on the scale. There are other means available to help […]
The Sun … Friend or Foe
As we start spending more time outside, it is important to understand how the sun’s rays can affect you in both a positive and negative manner. Taking a few steps to protect your skin, the sun will be seen as a friend, not a foe. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE Improves Mood Sunlight triggers the release […]
Do Drug Abusers Target Your Business?
With all the news surrounding the opiate crisis in the U.S., it won’t come as any surprise that opiates topped the list as the drug that employees used the most while at work. While sometimes legal, these drugs are considered highly addictive and potentially lethal – with or without a valid prescription – and can […]
DOT Makes Changes to Driver Medical Exams
To meet new Health and Human Services drug testing guidelines the Department of Transportation (DOT) has made changes to its drug testing program regulations. These changes will impact drivers, as well as labs like Blackbird Clinical Services. Updates to Drug Testing Rules Effective January 1, 2018, the semi-synthetic opioids: hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone and oxymorphone, have […]
Why Is This Flu Season So Much Worse Than Others?
A fierce flu season that began in November is taking its toll wherever you look. Even those who got a flu shot this fall are not escaping this illness. Why is that? Each year the flu vaccine is formulated to protect against three or four strains of flu that are anticipated to be the most […]
How to Avoid Gaining Weight Over the Holidays
How much weight do you think you gain over the holidays? Is it 5, 7 or 10 pounds? Actually, the good news is that it is closer to 1 pound, although for those who are heavier to begin with, the norm is closer to 5 pounds. On the not so good side according to research […]
So What’s Your Reason for Not Getting a Flu Shot?
Every year only about half of all Americans get the flu shot. In the U.S. alone, 36,000 people die and over 200,000 end up in the hospital as a result of this virus each year. If you’ve ever had the flu, you know just how sick you can be. Getting an annual flu shot is […]
Cold or Flu? What do I do?
It’s that time of year again, when the kids are back in school and adults are inside more and in closer proximity to their co-workers, all of which expose our family members to an array of viruses. So when you hear that first sniffle and sneeze, or raspy cough, how do you know if your […]