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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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Are colorectal home tests reliable?

If you wonder what doctors say about at-home colorectal tests, here is some insight from Dr. Uma Phatak, a colorectal surgeon at UTMB Health.

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Take 7 small steps to lose weight

The good news is you don’t have to figure it all out at once. Small changes make a huge difference in the long run, and it starts with taking that first small step that you can master.

Vaping pens

Vaping Safety

Vaping dos and don'ts for burn injury prevention

A child in a hospital bed stares at a TV screen.

Limit your toddler’s screen time

Limiting screen time for infants and toddlers has the positive effect of limiting screen time for their caregivers so that there is much more face-to-face time such as playing peek-a-boo.

COVID vaccine can decrease chances of developing long COVID

There is a myriad of symptoms people describe following COVID. Many complain of brain fog and fatigue. Other common symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fast heart rate, diarrhea, lightheadedness, depression and persistent loss of taste or smell. This list is far from comprehensive, as many experiences other symptoms as well.

Learn Hands-Only CPR

What is Hands Only CPR?

When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby.

Daughter and mom taking muffins out of the oven

Avoid a Contact Burn

Prevention, tips and facts to keep the entire family safe around hot surfaces

Get your flu shot

Researchers working on effective CMV vaccine

Developing a vaccine against cytomegalovirus (CMV) is right at the top of researchers’ priority list. However, most people have never heard of the virus.

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Now Medicare Part D covers vaccines at no cost

The new year is starting strong with the news that those with Medicare Part D may receive all recommended vaccines without paying a dime.

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Cardiac Arrest - What you need to know

In the wake of the cardiac arrest episode experienced by NFL player Damar Hamlin, UTMB pediatric cardiologist Dr. Ashraf Aly took some time out to visit with our friends at Houston Moms to answer some important questions surrounding the heart and how it works.

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Odds are your holiday meal was vaccinated

Unless you are vegan, odds are that your holiday meal was vaccinated. Whether you had prime rib, a Christmas ham or a turkey with all its fixings, vaccination was involved. Even the whipped cream on the pumpkin pie came from a vaccinated dairy cow. While most of us appreciate the role vaccines play in keeping us and our pets healthy, few recognize the major role vaccines play in our food supply.

get your shot

Be aware: COVID is not done with us yet

People are sick of hearing about COVID. So are we! But the truth is, the virus is not sick of us, and it’s not going anywhere. There has been nearly a 30 percent increase in COVID hospitalizations among elderly adults in the past two weeks. You should be aware of new information.

Two children hanging ornaments on the Christmas tree

Staying safe this holiday season

During a recent chat with Meagan Clanahan of Houston Moms, Dr. Bindi Naik-Mathuria covered some common seasonal safety tips to help everyone have a happy, healthy, uneventful holiday season.

get those vaccinations

You still need a flu shot even if you’ve already been ill

Q: I was recently sick and I think it must have been the flu. Do I still need a flu shot? A: The short answer is yes, get vaccinated. You are among the millions who have already suffered a respiratory illness this season. We are experiencing a “tripledemic” with flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), causing a large number of infections and hospitalizations. RSV and about a dozen other common viruses cause flu-like illnesses in adults.

doctor looking in boy's ear

Ear tubes - what parents need to know

Dr. Yusif Hajiyev, UTMB Health pediatric ENT, recently sat down with Meagan Clanahan of Houston Moms to discuss ear tubes in children. From what conditions might prompt the need for tubes to the rules for swimming and bathing after the procedure.

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Non-Fire Cooking Burns

Most burns associated with cooking in 2013-2017 were caused by contact with a hot object or liquid rather than by fire or flame. Read some tips to prevent burn injuries.

UTMB Lifestyle Coaches

UTMB leads the way in diabetes education and care

With evidence-based clinical practices and a CDC fully recognized Diabetes Prevention Program, UTMB Health is leading the way in changing lifestyles and managing diabetes for individuals in the Greater Houston and Galveston areas and beyond.