Blog

Avoid Blue-Green Algae: Know Your Oklahoma Lake Conditions

Avoid Blue-Green Algae: Know Your Oklahoma Lake Conditions

As the summer season continues many of us are spending our free days and weekends at our favorite lakes. With over 200 lakes across the state, Oklahoma is a premier place for grand water recreation. Whether you are boating, swimming or fishing, it’s important to check the condition of the lake before heading out for a fun-filled time with family and friends. This vital step is often forgotten and can impact your entire trip.

Like any large body of water, lakes present various natural hazards. Blue-green algae are a... Read More »

Keep Moving with Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery

For many potential and current candidates for hip replacement surgery, the recovery process and post-surgery side effects are primary concerns. It’s important to know your options when considering hip replacement surgery as advancements made in recent years can benefit many seeking pain relief.

“The primary cause for most hip replacement surgeries is that someone gets arthritis in their hip,” says Chad Crawley, D.O., orthopedic surgeon with Utica Park Clinic. “It’s bone on bone with no cartilage left as a cushion between the bones. This creates two big issues: pain and decreased... Read More »

Colon Cancer: What You Can Do To Prevent It

Did you know that colon cancer is the third leading form of cancer in the United States? It is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women across the country. According to The American Cancer Society, approximately 136,830 people are expected to be diagnosed with colon cancer this year.

The good news is colon cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer, especially when detected early. This makes screening for colon cancer all the more crucial.

Screenings

Screenings are the number one method of preventing colon... Read More »

Food Safety Tips For A Healthy Super Bowl Weekend

Super Bowl weekend is here! That means it’s time to gather around the T.V. with friends and family for the most anticipated football game of the year. However, what’s a super bowl party without our favorite game day foods? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), following Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest food consumption day of the year.

With the big day approaching it is important to practice safe food handling when preparing and serving champion dishes. Each year approximately 48 million Americans suffer from foodborne illnesses. Food... Read More »

Oklahoma Winter Weather Preparation Guide

It’s that time of the year again for cold temperatures and frosty weather. Winter is well on its way to Oklahoma.

While winter holidays keep our hearts warm, the weather can have the opposite effect on our homes, vehicles, and bodies. If we're not prepared, such weather can put us at a higher risk for injuries and illnesses. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), proper and early planning is the key to staying healthy and safe during this winter weather season.

As we make preparations for what could be dangerously low temperatures, it is necessary for us... Read More »

A Motivating Movember

Utica Park Clinic marketing coordinator, Dave Dallow, started talking to the Hillcrest HealthCare System marketing department about Movember months ahead of time. Truth be told, he was likely thinking about it well before then. Throughout the year, Dave coordinates and strategizes the marketing of Utica Park Clinic health care services and providers available to patients throughout northeastern Oklahoma. Participating in Movember is a perfect fit for that plan during the month of November, when beards and mustaches are grown in support of raising awareness for men’s health. While Utica... Read More »

A Breast Cancer Diagnosis and the Love That Surrounded It

When Jodi Mireles was diagnosed with breast cancer in January, she was quickly referred to Utica Park Clinic breast surgeon, Dr. Laurie Flynn. “Once I was diagnosed after having a mammogram, and sent to Dr. Flynn, everything happened so fast,” shared Jodi. “They quickly got me in for appointments, surgery, everything.”

Once Jodi was diagnosed and saw Dr. Flynn and Dr. Edwin McCreary, they learned that Jodi’s cancer was barely stage one and had not gone to her lymph nodes, but was an aggressive cancer. “Both of them had never dealt with a cancer like mine and consulted studies and... Read More »

Heat exhaustion vs. Heatstroke: Know the signs and differences

With the warmest and brightest days of summer upon us, we find ourselves spending more time in the sun. A lot of people are enjoying the outdoors for summer-related activities including exercising, swimming, biking or even playing Pokémon Go! No matter the activity, as the summer days are longer, it is hotter than any other time of the year. The heat can make an otherwise pleasant, outdoor activity uncomfortable. While being hot is normal, there are important signs and symptoms that could be something more. For a few people, that something more is a heat-related injury or illness.

Sunscreen: Where You Might be Missing

The dog days of summer are upon us, and by now nearly everyone has heard the recommendation to apply sunscreen before heading outdoors. Our faces, arms and legs typically receive the most attention for sunscreen, but one place that we need to be mindful of is our hands. Hands are vulnerable to the sun in a variety of ways each day; walking outside and even gripping the steering wheel in the car exposes them to UV rays. These rays can age and damage skin and hands which commonly go without sunscreen.

For years, sunscreen has been believed to provide anti-aging benefits, in addition... Read More »

Urgent Care or Emergency Room – What’s the Difference?

When needing medical attention, sometimes it is not always clear where to go to receive it. There are many factors to consider depending on the situation, such as severity of condition or injury, what time of day the medical attention is needed or type of medical coverage. For example, the best choice might be to go to your primary care physician, an urgent care center or the closest emergency room.

If you have been struggling with allergy symptoms and want to see whether it is something more serious, this would be a case where making an appointment with your health care provider... Read More »