People often mistake a common cold for the flu and vice versa. Dr. Michael Majetich with Lake Health Physician Group SOM Primary Care in Willoughby explains how to tell the difference and gives treatment options and suggestions for helping you stay healthy:

A common question from people considering weight loss surgery is what foods they can and cannot eat after surgery. Caitlin McCullough, RD, LD, clinical dietitian with the Lake Health Bariatric Surgery Center, describes what a typical diet includes (and excludes) after bariatric surgery. 

When it comes to weight loss, it all boils down to calories in vs. calories out. Calories are a scientific measure of the energy in food. Our bodies need a constant supply of energy (calories) to do everything from physical activity to carrying out basic vital functions like breathing and digesting food. Caitlin McCullough, RD, LD, clinical dietitian with the Lake Health Bariatric Surgery Center, explains how calorie counting could help promote weight loss: 

The last thing most people want to do at the end of a busy work day is prepare dinner. According to the USDA, Americans in 2014 spent an average of 37 minutes a day preparing food and cleaning up. That’s over 4 hours a week! Why is meal planning so important?

Caitlin McCullough, RD, LD, clinical dietitian with the Lake Health Bariatric Surgery Center, explains: 

We all want to make our kids' wishes come true during the holiday season, but there are gifts that can also promote health and wellness. Here are some ideas for gifts that can promote wellness all year long:

If you're searching for a unique gift idea this holiday season, consider giving something special that promotes health and wellness. Lake Health's Integrative Medicine team shares their favorite gift ideas to help your loved ones stay well: 

Some breastfed babies refuse to take a bottle. Even so, with a little work and preplanning you should be able to get your baby to drink your breast milk from a bottle. Michelle Carlson, RN, IBCLC, certified lactation consultant, gives her top tips for transitioning your baby from breastfeeding to drinking pumped breast milk from a bottle: 

Believe it or not, shoveling snow can be compared to strength training, and aerobically it’s similar to exercising on a treadmill! So just like exercise, there are things that you can do to reduce your risk of injury. Senior athletic trainer Sherrie Northrup with the Lake Health Sports Medicine team offers this advice to stay safe when shoveling snow this winter:

Have you ever heard your stomach growl, gurgle or rumble? A common misconception is that a growling stomach means you're hungry, but this is usually not the case.

The prescription drugs you have in your medicine cabinet can pose an unintended risk for your family. Lucille Zappitelli-Sason, MSN, CNP, a nurse practitioner with Lake County Family Practice, gives the scoop on the dangers prescription drugs (even expired and unused ones) can pose and shares crucial tips for protecting your family: