On March 21, Jimmy Guidry, M.D., Louisiana’s State Health Officer, issued a health-care directive stating, “Any and all medical and surgical procedures SHALL be postponed until further notice,” with a few exceptions such as emergency situations. This was especially true of elective surgeries.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides a needed reminder that engaging in routine actions that offer optimal health outcomes is more important than ever as underlying health conditions are proving to worsen outcomes in unexpected health challenges like COVID-19.

“The number one thing you can do to help reduce your risk of breast cancer is get your annual mammogram and do monthly selfbreast exams,” said Dr. Chintapalli. “Early detection is key when it comes to breast cancer treatment. The earlier we can treat the cancer with surgery, radiation, chemo or any combination of those, the better.

If you checked one or more of the items on this list, you should talk to your doctor about prediabetes. These symptoms are present in the 88 million Americans who have this condition, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, nerve damage and kidney damage.

The body mass index (BMI) is the accepted standard measure of overweight and obesity. BMI provides a guideline for weight in relation to height. When calculating BMI using pounds and inches, the formula needs to be altered slightly. Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.

With the back-to-school season starting, it’s essential to gear up for a new routine when it comes to keeping your kids safe and healthy. Even with extra precautions and safety measures in place, many parents are concerned and nervous about potentially exposing their children to coronavirus.

The COVID-19 virus has changed everyone’s world. For many, health and career have been impacted. Others have experienced the crush of change from mental, spiritual and other health concerns to caring for our children and aging parents. The last few months have been a time of personal disruption and transition.