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Health Blog

Welcome to the ongoing series of blog posts from UTMB Health focusing on key aspects of maintaining your health

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UTMB is Redefining What it Means for Texans to Live Long, Healthy Lives

Through programs that support healthy living to innovative heart health studies, the institution shows that healthcare starts long before treating an illness.
Person seated indoors gently interacting with a white dog wearing a pink glitter headband and colorful tulle accessory. The dog and person face each other in a clinical or waiting-room setting.

A Little Happy Light: Pet Therapy Brings Comfort to Pediatric Patients at John Sealy Hospital

For children in the hospital, healing can come in many forms. Sometimes, it looks like medicine, physical therapy or another step in a care plan. Other times, it arrives on four paws.
Dr. Sura Alqaisi stands in the hallway outside a UTMB Medicine Specialists clinic wearing a white lab coat. She faces the camera with a welcoming expression near the entrance to the clinic suite

The role hormones play in women’s midlife weight gain

Midlife weight gain isn't simply about how much you eat. UTMB Health endocrinologist Dr. Sura Alqaisi explains how hormonal changes, metabolism, sleep, and body composition affect weight during menopause and what women can do to stay healthy.
Two people seated at microphones in a podcast recording setting, one wearing a white clinical coat and the other wearing burgundy scrubs, against a blue background.

What patients should know about the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program: A Conversation with Drs. Sarah Samreen and Andrea Stark

Dr. Sarah Samreen and Dr. Andrea Stark discuss the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, a new federal program that may expand access to certain GLP-1 medications for eligible Medicare Part D patients being treated for obesity.
Dr. Randa Abdelmasih, an endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist at UTMB Health, reviews a patient information form in a clinic exam room. Wearing a white lab coat, she sits near an exam table while holding paperwork.

The hidden link between obesity, inflammation, and chronic disease

Obesity is about more than excess weight. A UTMB Health obesity medicine specialist explains how chronic inflammation can damage organs quietly, raise the risk of serious diseases, and why even modest weight loss can improve long-term health.
Health care provider in a white coat seated in an exam room, speaking with a patient whose back is to the camera. Medical posters, a sink, and a window with blinds are visible in the room.

Expanding access to weight management: What the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program means for you

Medicare beneficiaries may now be eligible for GLP-1 weight management medications at a capped cost of just $50 per month. Learn who qualifies for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program and how UTMB can help you navigate the process.
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Why healthy sleep routines matter for school success

Healthy sleep routines help children focus, learn, grow, and feel ready for school. Learn how families can reset bedtime routines and support better sleep before the school year starts.
Person wearing glasses and a stethoscope stands with arms crossed in an indoor hallway or lobby area. The background is softly blurred, with railings and interior architectural features visible.

Back-to-school germs: Practical ways to reduce illness this school year

Back-to-school season brings new learning opportunities—and plenty of germs. Discover how small daily changes can help keep children healthier, minimize missed school days, and support a stronger start to the school year.
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Is it bad to eat cheese at night?

Family Nurse Practitioner Alma Chavez answers this and nine of the other most-Googled health-related questions in Texas.
Healthcare provider examines a young child seated on an exam table in a medical exam room. Medical equipment is visible on the wall in the background.

Back-to-school anxiety is common — here’s how parents can help

Back-to-school jitters are more common than many parents realize, and anxiety can show up in surprising ways. Learn how to recognize the signs, support your child through the transition, and help them build confidence for a successful school year.
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Water safety starts before you get in: Pool, beach, and swimsuit visibility tips for families

Before your next pool or beach day, learn how water watchers, life jackets, beach warning flags, rip current awareness, and swimsuit visibility can help families stay safer.
Adult holds an infant while another adult stands nearby outdoors, with trees visible in the background.

Creating a New, Hopeful Future at UTMB

The institution's gene therapy work gives children like Knova a chance at a life that, until recently, wasn’t possible.
A woman wearing a white lab coat and glasses is standing indoors, with a blurred background that includes a plant and soft lighting.

Think you’re allergic to penicillin? You might not be.

Many penicillin allergy labels begin in childhood and stay in the chart for years. UTMB Health specialists offer safe, simple testing that can confirm whether the allergy is real — and help you get the most effective treatment when you need it.
Two adults stand side by side in a hospital room near a patient bed, with medical equipment and wall-mounted controls visible in the background.

Where the Heart Tells its Story at UTMB

A new heart institute is redefining care by blending innovative AI tools with the simple power of listening.
Clinician uses a handheld otoscope to examine a seated patient’s ear in a clinical exam room.

If you're always 'fighting something off,' it might be time for an immune checkup

Some infections are expected — especially in kids — but patterns of severe, persistent, or unusual illness deserve attention. UTMB Health experts provide gentle, thorough assessments to understand how your immune system is working and what steps can improve your family’s health.
A woman wearing glasses and a white UTMB Health lab coat is standing indoors against a softly blurred background. A plant and large windows are visible behind the person.

Bee stings: An annoyance? Or a life-threatening emergency?

Most bee stings are harmless, but some can trigger dangerous reactions that require immediate care. Knowing the difference between normal swelling and signs of anaphylaxis can help you act fast and stay safe.
Silhouetted crowd watching multiple fireworks bursts in a night sky. Bright explosions in gold and white illuminate smoke above the onlookers.

Fireworks safety: How to protect your family this Fourth of July

Fireworks can turn dangerous in seconds—leading to burns, eye injuries, and lasting trauma. Learn simple, expert-backed steps to keep your family safe this Fourth of July.
Four adults stretching in a park, each performing a forward lunge on a paved path with trees and fall foliage in the background.

The most dangerous words in men’s health: ‘I’m fine’

From ED to depression to sleep apnea, the symptoms men avoid talking about with their primary care providers may be the ones that matter most.
Clinician seated in an exam room faces a patient in the foreground, with cabinets, a sink, and medical supplies visible behind the clinician.

The appointments many women put off—and why doctors say they matter most

Preventive women’s health care isn’t just about annual checklists, it’s about catching concerns early and building care that lasts a lifetime. UTMB Health doctors explain why the appointments women delay may matter most.
Clinician in a white coat with a stethoscope reviews a clipboard while seated beside a patient in a clinical exam area with glass-walled rooms in the background.

Sports physicals for kids — what parents need to know

Sports physicals don’t have to be a last‑minute scramble. Learn when to schedule, what to expect, and how a simple visit can help keep your child safe, confident, and ready for the season ahead.

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