Finding a happy work-life balance is no easy feat. UnityPoint Health provider Keri Benjamin can attest to that, as a 30-something-year-old wife, mom of two small children and nurse practitioner. A small-town, Midwestern girl, Benjamin knows what life is like as a working mom. She says she’s always on the...
Anyone who has experienced a headache, and the pain that goes with it, knows how uncomfortable it can be. There are different types of headaches, but one of the worst is a migraine. Lynn Rankin, MD, UnityPoint Health neurologist, discusses migraine symptoms and triggers, pain management and when to contact...
Warm weather months means the return of pesky mosquitoes, which are seemingly determined to interrupt outdoor sporting events, backyard barbeques and quiet evenings on the porch. Preventing mosquito bites can be tricky, and dealing with the itch after being bitten is even more annoying. However, there’s proof some people are...
Health care credentials, or the letters behind names, can be confusing. What does MD stand for? What is a DO? What is a nurse practitioner versus a physician assistant? We’ve asked a panel of UnityPoint Health experts to answer these questions, helping you learn more about your care team. What...
The sun can sometimes get a bad rap for only having negative effects on our health when, in fact, it has several positive effects for our overall health. Carey Bligard, MD, UnityPoint Health, says like many other things, sunshine should be enjoyed in moderation to avoid painful sunburn, heat rash,...
Playing around in wooded areas is fun during warm summer days. However, ticks are lurking ready to hop on and dig in. These small bugs like burrowing in the warm areas of your body and carry a bacteria, which could result in Lyme disease. Kelli Miller, ANP, UnityPoint Health, explains...
No one ever wants to be in the hospital. But there are times when a hospital stay is needed. Apart from your primary care provider, do you know which providers play a key role in determining the quality of your hospital stay? Hospitalists are doctors who specialize in caring for...
A source of pride for many men, grilling is no ordinary food preparation method. It takes skill, finesse and dedication to perfectly craft each and every item. But, before you fire up the grill with your utensil-of-choice at the ready, read the following advice from James Bain, MD, UnityPoint Health,...
Pictured from left to right: Amanda Hammer, RT(R), (M); Karen Cheeseman RT(R), (M); Sarah Vaverka RT(R), (M). MARSHALLTOWN— The mammography department at UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown has been ranked in the top decile nationally by the Press Ganey organization, according to recent reports. Press Ganey, which specializes in understanding and...
Losing or maintaining weight can seem like a never-ending battle, and metabolism often gets blamed as a weight loss barrier. Linsey High, PA-C, UnityPoint Health, explains metabolism in detail, including natural tips to help increase it and common misconceptions. What is Metabolism? In simplest terms, metabolism is the rate the...
