One of the more promising additions to this region of late has been the entrance of the Ochsner Health System into north Louisiana.

One thing we have all learned through the COVID-19 pandemic is that baseline physical health is critical to survival; not only from a viral threat, but other risks to our well-being. If you do not already have a physical therapist (PT) on your healthcare team, wait no longer.

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.