If you’ve ever had chicken pox, you could be at risk of developing shingles sometime in your life — so it’s important to understand the signs, symptoms and treatment options.

Everyone knows losing weight—and keeping it off long-term—can be challenging, especially for obese individuals who need to lose significant amounts of weight. For many people, bariatric surgery can be a great option that doesn’t just help you lose weight but helps you maintain lifelong health and a better quality of life. “Bariatric surgery is becoming the gold standard for the treatment of people with morbid obesity and the medical problems related to it,” says Dr. Bryan Thomas, who specializes in bariatric and general surgery at Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “The goal is for you to reach a healthy weight and then maintain that weight for the rest of your life.”

Every year we’re faced with the challenge of the holiday and winter season: the dreaded extra pounds we are liable to pack on with an extra cookie here and an extra holiday drink there. If you are trying not to gain weight through the holidays or just trying to maintain a healthy balance, consider these tips.

It’s imperative for women to make sure they’re maintaining good breast health. While women can’t control their genetics or a family history of breast cancer, what they CAN control is seeking proper medical treatment and screenings. If you are age 40 or older, you should be seeing a healthcare provider for routine screening mammograms, says Dr. Susanne Bradford, an OB/GYN with Roper St. Francis Physician Partners.

Most people assume eating healthy and exercising will result in dramatic weight loss. And while a balanced diet and physical activity are important elements for a healthy lifestyle, they aren’t always enough to help seriously overweight people achieve weight loss goals.

Sponsored by: Roper St. Francis Healthcare Charleston’s summers are no joke. The high temperatures combined with the high humidity can be potentially dangerous if you don’t pay attention to your body. Whether mowing the grass, playing at the beach or even working in the blistering sun, it’s important to know the signs of heat exhaustion […]

When it comes to helping people understand the role of a palliative care doctor, Dr. Beth Wolf describes it as simply as she can: the palliative care team provides an extra layer of support while a patient is going through a significant illness.

Parents to-be do a lot of planning for their new baby. They pick out the safest crib and car seat, decorate the nursery and take classes on breastfeeding and infant CPR. But many parents wish they’d done a little more pre-conception planning because there are plenty of questions that need answered before the baby bump.