Blog

Utica Park Clinic's Commitment to Care

While the global spread of COVID-19 has made a tremendous impact on everyday lives, Utica Park Clinic’s (UPC) commitment to your health and safety remains unchanged. To continue in our vigilance to protect you and our staff from infection, the following practices have been implemented at all UPC locations.

ENTRANCE: Everyone who enters a Utica Park Clinic facility has their temperature checked. This applies to every physician, staff member, patient, guest and vendor. To prevent the spread of any germs, everyone is provided with an ear-loop mask. All are required to wear it while... Read More »

Managing Mental Health During COVID-19

Since mid-March, the everyday lives of most people in northeastern Oklahoma has changed drastically. With the outbreak of COVID-19 Coronavirus, much of the focus has been on protecting our physical health. However, this event has also lead to psychological or emotional issues like stress, anxiety and panic. Symptoms of these concerns may include:

Anger or irritability Sadness or depression Feeling overwhelmed Loss of concentration Trouble sleeping Appetite changes Increased use of alcohol or other substances

These emotions can be challenging for both adults and children. Those... Read More »

Should We Continue to Practice Social Distancing?

As businesses slowly reopen and residents start to emerge from their homes, how do we prevent further spread of COVID-19? How can we protect our loved ones and ourselves? 

Experts agree that social distancing over the past several weeks was – and continues to be – effective. The act of deliberately adding physical space between ourselves and all other individuals has decreased the virus’ ability to spread as much as it could have.

The practice of social distancing, also known as physical distancing, is based on the theory that the virus was – and likely still is – spreading... Read More »

Working at Home During COVID-19

COVID-19 has forced companies worldwide into shifting to a remote work environment. If you have found working from home challenging, check out these tips to help you adapt successfully and avoid distractions while doing so:

Create as much of a desk space as possible to emulate your normal working environment. Set up a workspace in a low-traffic area of your house to help minimize distractions. If other people live in your home with you, establish boundaries with them. For example:

o   Ask them to avoid interrupting when you are working behind a closed... Read More »

7 Low Resource Activities for Kids

Ready for some new ideas to keep your kids engaged and entertained? Take a look at the seven activities below that your kids can do at home to exercise their creativity, reach out to others and reflect on what they are thankful for.

1.     Have your kids sit in front of a mirror and challenge them to draw a self-portrait.

2.     Encourage your kids to write a letter to their grandparents, or people in a local nursing home. Shut in Social Club is an Instagram account that connects people to nursing homes and pen pals.

3.     Take some of your old sheets and pillows and... Read More »

Dr. Taniesha Buffin on How to Prevent Birth Defects

There are many ways that you can prepare for a baby, from reading baby-care books to researching strollers. Another important way you can prepare for a healthy little one is to connect with your physician about possible birth defects and how to prevent them. Taniesha Buffin, M.D., Utica Park Clinic OB/GYN in Broken Arrow, said the most common birth defects include neural tube defects (NTDs), heart defects, cleft lip/cleft palate and limb defects.

“The causes of birth defects vary,” said Buffin. “They can include genetics, infections and drug/chemical/radiation exposure. Prevention... Read More »

The Screening No Woman Should Put Off

Cancer of the uterine cervix is the third most common gynecologic cancer diagnosis in the United States. The cervix is the neck of the uterus, or the lowest part of the uterus, sitting on top of the vagina. Due to cancer, cells of the cervix become abnormal and grow out of control and invade surrounding organs. The good news is that the rate of cervical cancer has declined significantly due to widespread use of Pap smear screenings, HPV vaccines and the availability of treatment of precancer.

Keep reading to learn more about causes and risk factors for cervical cancer, its symptoms... Read More »

Epilepsy 101 by Alok Pasricha, M.D.

Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder defined by unprovoked and recurrent seizures. Seizures are abnormal, uncontrolled electrical activity of the brain causing a sudden change in behavior, sensations and sometimes a loss of awareness. Epilepsy and seizures can affect anyone. There are 3.4 million people in the United States that have epilepsy and 1 in 26 will develop this condition in their lifetime.

Causes of Epilepsy People can get epilepsy for a variety of reasons. In children and younger adults, the cause is often genetic or due to birth trauma or... Read More »

Dr. Hannah Howard's Year-Round Skincare Tips

By Hannah Howard, M.D., Utica Park Clinic Dermatologist

 

Our skin is our largest organ, protecting everything inside our bodies. It is the body’s first line of defense against things like bacteria or viruses, extremes in temperature and other harmful substances. It’s important to keep our skin healthy so it can do its job!

Good skin care habits and a healthy lifestyle will keep this important part of your body healthy and looking great. 

 

Skin Care Basics Prevention today is much easier than treating skin issues down the road. Daily application of a... Read More »

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): What to know

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases that can make it difficult to breathe. More than 15.3 million people in the United States suffer from COPD, according to the American Lung Association.

“The airways become narrowed and damaged, leading to shortness of breath,” said Michelle Peters, APRN-DNP, with the COPD Center at Utica Park Clinic.

COPD can cause a variety of symptoms, including shortness of breath, wheezing, a long-lasting cough that produces phlegm, increased fatigue and tightness in the chest.

“Symptoms tend to... Read More »