Hand, foot and mouth disease, most commonly caused by a coxsackievirus, is a highly contagious childhood illness. The virus can be spread through respiratory droplets, person-to-person contact and touching a contaminated object. Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse,…

The secret to living healthier, happier and longer lives has been out for many years now. Decades-long research from explorer Dan Buettner reports areas of the world where people seemed to be living longer and…

Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve. It often is diagnosed in children — perhaps during a growth spurt or in and around the time of puberty. However, it can be associated…

TOPEKA — Battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, staffing shortages and the strain of a population skewing older, the Kansas nursing home industry needs to be carefully monitored, advocates say.  “When you walk into an…

Pericarditis is a challenging illness that’s often mistaken for a heart attack or other organ disease. Dr. Leslie Cooper Jr., a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, explains what pericarditis is and how it’s treated. “Pericarditis is simply…

The virtual learning series, Living Well Wednesday, is set to kick off its 2023 Fall Series next month.  This year’s fall series will focus on topics of interest to parents and individuals who work with…

At-home COVID-19 tests allow you to collect your sample and detect active COVID-19 infections. But what if you have at-home COVID-19 tests nearing expiration or expired on your shelf? Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., director of the…

Added sugar in foods not only adds extra calories; it also can have direct toxic effects, such as tooth decay and even a risk for heart disease. Minimizing the amount of added sugar in your…

My mother had 6 siblings, 16 aunts and uncles, and innumerable cousins. She was the first of them all to be diagnosed with breast cancer.  I think of my mom every time one of my…

As the back-to-school checklist grows, one detail that parents and caregivers should prioritize is ensuring all children have their appropriate vaccines. Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Kim Barbel Johnson says the HPV vaccine should be part of…