The Fidelis Care Blog

If you often have stomach pain, bloating, or trouble going to the bathroom, you are not alone. Many people live with a condition called irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. IBS affects how food moves through your intestines. It can make your stomach feel uncomfortable or even painful at times. The good news is that IBS is not dangerous, and it does not lead to serious diseases. What does IBS feel like? IBS can feel different for everyone. For many people, it starts with stomach pain or cramping. You might feel bloated, like your stomach is full or tight. Gas is also common. You may

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Fidelis Care sat down with one of the experts in our provider network, Dr. Katherine Cartwright of Albany Obstetrics and Gynecology, to learn and share about this painful condition affecting one in 10 women in their reproductive years. Q: What is endometriosis? Dr. Cartwright: Endometriosis is when cells that look and act like the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus. Most of the time these cells are in the pelvis — on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the outer surface of the uterus. They can also show up on the bladder or bowel. More rarely, they’re

National Poison Prevention Week March 15-21. It’s a good time to talk about an important but often overlooked safety issue: accidental poisoning. Many poison emergencies happen at home, and adults can help prevent them. Here are a few simple steps to protect you, your children, and your loved ones. Common Poison Risks at Home Poisoning can happen when everyday items are used the wrong way or stored unsafely. Common causes include: Medications, both prescription and over the counter Cleaning products and laundry pods Pesticides and bug sprays Alcohol and vaping liquids Carbon monoxide from gas appliances Even small amounts of these items can

  We all know it’s important to get a good night’s sleep. We usually notice how important sleep is when we don’t get enough of it. We feel tired, cranky and maybe a little sick. In fact, sleep is key to our well-being. Studies show that good sleep helps: Energy Keeping a healthy weight Heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and hormones The ability to fight off sickness and heal from injuries Focus, memory and other brain functions Mental health, like our moods and ability to cope with stress Good sleep isn’t just about how many hours you sleep. It’s also about how

For many years, doctors believed colorectal cancer — cancer of the colon or rectum — mostly affected older adults. That idea is changing fast. In the United States, colon cancer is rising in people under age 50. At the same time, it is going down in people over 50. Why? Because more older adults are getting screened. Doctors can find and remove small growths before they turn into cancer. Why Colon Cancer Is Often Missed in Young People Here’s one of the most important, and frustrating, parts of the problem. When a 70-year-old has belly pain or rectal bleeding, doctors quickly think about cancer.

If you often have stomach pain, bloating, or trouble going to the bathroom, you are not alone. Many people live with a condition called irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. IBS affects how food moves through your intestines. It can make your stomach feel uncomfortable or even painful at times. The good news is that IBS is not dangerous, and it does not lead to serious diseases. What does IBS feel like? IBS can feel different for everyone. For many people, it starts with stomach pain or cramping. You might feel bloated, like your stomach is full or tight. Gas is also common. You may

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Fidelis Care sat down with one of the experts in our provider network, Dr. Katherine Cartwright of Albany Obstetrics and Gynecology, to learn and share about this painful condition affecting one in 10 women in their reproductive years. Q: What is endometriosis? Dr. Cartwright: Endometriosis is when cells that look and act like the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus. Most of the time these cells are in the pelvis — on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the outer surface of the uterus. They can also show up on the bladder or bowel. More rarely, they’re

National Poison Prevention Week March 15-21. It’s a good time to talk about an important but often overlooked safety issue: accidental poisoning. Many poison emergencies happen at home, and adults can help prevent them. Here are a few simple steps to protect you, your children, and your loved ones. Common Poison Risks at Home Poisoning can happen when everyday items are used the wrong way or stored unsafely. Common causes include: Medications, both prescription and over the counter Cleaning products and laundry pods Pesticides and bug sprays Alcohol and vaping liquids Carbon monoxide from gas appliances Even small amounts of these items can

  We all know it’s important to get a good night’s sleep. We usually notice how important sleep is when we don’t get enough of it. We feel tired, cranky and maybe a little sick. In fact, sleep is key to our well-being. Studies show that good sleep helps: Energy Keeping a healthy weight Heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and hormones The ability to fight off sickness and heal from injuries Focus, memory and other brain functions Mental health, like our moods and ability to cope with stress Good sleep isn’t just about how many hours you sleep. It’s also about how

For many years, doctors believed colorectal cancer — cancer of the colon or rectum — mostly affected older adults. That idea is changing fast. In the United States, colon cancer is rising in people under age 50. At the same time, it is going down in people over 50. Why? Because more older adults are getting screened. Doctors can find and remove small growths before they turn into cancer. Why Colon Cancer Is Often Missed in Young People Here’s one of the most important, and frustrating, parts of the problem. When a 70-year-old has belly pain or rectal bleeding, doctors quickly think about cancer.