September 2012 | Hillcrest Hospital South in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Flu Shots: Your Questions Answered

Even though it is only September, it is time to start thinking about getting a flu shot. Did you know flu outbreaks begin as early as October, though the height of flu season typically does not occur until February? If you have concerns about the flu shot, here are some common questions we have answered for you. Consult with your physician about your specific needs this flu season. Every one older than 6 months old should consider receiving the flu vaccine.

Should Pregnant Women Get a Flu Shot?

Obesity in Oklahoma

Did you know that 66.4 percent of adults in Oklahoma will be obese by 2030? That is the prediction according to a new report by Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), up from 31.1 percent in 2011. What is more astonishing is Oklahoma will be number 2, behind Mississippi as the fattest state in the nation.

Talk (Don't Eat) Like a Pirate

Today is “National Talk Like a Pirate Day”. YouTube is ablaze with video tutorials and businesses like Krispy Kreme are taking advantage of our interest in pirates with an offer for a free glazed doughnut to anyone who walks in and talks like a pirate. We did the math and discovered you would need to talk like a pirate at least 4.3 hours to burn off the 200 calorie doughnut.

FDA Issues Mango Salmonella Warning

The FDA issues a warning to consumers to avoid eating mangoes from Agricola Daniella, a mango supplier with multiple plantations and a single packing house located in Sinaloa, Mexico. So far, 121 people and 16 states have been affected. Oklahoma does not have any known cases at this time.

Is a Gluten-Free Diet also a Weight Loss Diet?

Take a stroll down the pasta isle or even the freezer section of your local grocery store and count how many times you see packaging labeled “gluten-free”. While dozens of new brands making the gluten-free claim are hitting shelves in your local store, other established brands are jumping on the popularity of gluten-free products and making sure fans don’t leave their favorites behind, whether they have a sensitivity to gluten or not.

Teen Suicide: Learning to Recognize the Warning Signs

Many teen suicides can be prevented if warning signs are detected and appropriate intervention is conducted.

The reasons

No two teenagers are alike, but there are some common reasons they consider suicide.

Many teens who attempt suicide do so during an acute crisis in reaction to some conflict with peers or parents.

Belly Fat and Your Heart Health

Belly fat is a nuisance. It makes clothes fit tight. It doesn’t go away easily. And it’s bad for your health. For most of us, we tend to focus on how to lose our belly fat for purposes of looking and feeling better. There are countless articles on tips for losing belly fat or the best foods to fight belly fat. Belly fat, though, is not just a problem for vanity.