Managing chronic conditions

How good are you at following “doctor’s orders”? The American Medical Association says people don’t take medications as prescribed about half of the time … and that’s just one aspect of managing a health condition. Among the most common chronic (ongoing) conditions in the U.S. are cancer, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease...

Head Lice in Kids: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Nearly every parent knows that dreaded moment when they receive a letter from their child’s school containing the words “head lice.” Lice might be unpleasant, but there’s no need to panic. We’ve got information and tips to help your family cope, courtesy of Sarah O’Connor, MD, Beacon Medical Group Pediatrics...

Medical Minute series: Childhood vaccines

If you need trusted answers to questions about childhood vaccines, Beacon experts are your go-to resource for working through concerns and giving you factual, scientific-based answers. Our latest Medical Minute video series shares straight talk and important insights about vaccines from our pediatricians at Beacon Medical Group Pediatrics Bristol Street....

Navigating screen time in the digital age

Did you know that children eight to 18 years old are averaging more than a whopping seven hours a day watching or using screens according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry? Before you begin to worry, consider that different types of screens often mean different types of interaction....

Keeping safe from ticks and Lyme disease

One of the hazards of the summer months, especially for families who enjoy spending time outdoors, is the hated tick. These little bloodsuckers find a cozy spot and latch onto our bodies, feeding for as long as three days before they drop off. During that time, they can transmit disease to...

Navigating your way through perimenopause and menopause

As women approach their midlife years, they’re faced with a new and significant change to their bodies: menopause. Often misunderstood, menopause — and its precursor, perimenopause — brings different health risks and concerns for women to manage. Family medicine Nurse Practitioner Shelby Patterson, Beacon Medical Group Ireland Road, shares information and...

Safe travels, sweet memories

We all love a vacation! We hope for clear skies, warm weather and a good time for everyone. But who hasn’t heard stories of a friend who got the stomach flu on vacation, stayed out too long in the sun or even twisted an ankle? Not all mishaps are preventable, but...

Feel-good fitness starts outdoors

If you want your body to function well, getting plenty of movement into your days is essential, whether that movement takes place indoors or out. Motivation to keep moving daily can be challenging, though. More than a quarter of adults and the majority of adolescents don’t reach even the minimum recommended...

Warmer weather skincare tips will keep your skin healthy and glowing

The days are growing warmer and brighter, and there’s nothing like enjoying the fresh spring air. While there are plenty of health benefits to spending more time outdoors—such as more exercise, a boost in our mood and even clearer thinking—we should also remember to adjust how we care for our...

Essential screenings every woman needs

It’s common knowledge that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But the next best thing to preventing illness is catching it early, when it’s easier to treat. This is why your providers want you to get a variety of health screenings in your adult life. But what...