Endocrinology, Norton Community Medical Associates

Some of the first signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can be extreme thirst and frequent urination with high blood sugar levels

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious condition that can occur in people with diabetes, both undiagnosed and known diabetes. It can be brought on by a variety of contributors including lack of insulin, infection, alcohol or substance abuse, pancreatitis, acute coronary syndrome, a cerebrovascular accident or a pulmonary embolism. Some of the first warning signs…

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Atrial Fibrillation, Electrophysiology, Heart, Heart Rhythm Center

Heart palpitations and dizziness could be a sign of ventricular tachycardia

Heart palpitation, or a rapid heartbeat, can bring on dizziness and even fainting and can be a symptom of a potentially serious heart condition. When the fast heart rate begins in the upper heart chambers, it is called supraventricular tachycardia (soop-rah-ven-TRICK’-yoo-lar TAK-ih-KAR-dee-ah), also known as SVT. When it starts in the lower chambers, it’s called…

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Heart, Heart Rhythm Center

Fast heart beat? All about SVT, V-tach and what to do about it

When your heart is beating too fast, the heart doesn’t have time to fill up with the normal amount of blood between beats. As a result, you might feel lightheaded or dizzy. The medical term for an abnormally fast heart rate is tachycardia. Two types of tachycardia are supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and ventricular tachycardia (V-tach)….

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Obstetrics, Womens Health

What is a doula?

A doula is a trained, nonmedical professional who helps you before, during and shortly after giving birth. Doulas are not the same as a nurse midwife. They do not deliver babies. Instead, they offer emotional, physical and educational support to you and your family. The goal of a doula is to help you have a…

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Neurosciences, Stroke

You can have a stroke and not realize it

Not all strokes cause the classic symptoms: weakness in an arm or leg, difficulties speaking, or drooping of one side of the mouth or another part of the face. You can have a stroke and not know it. These so-called silent strokes can result in no noticeable symptoms at all, but they are not harmless….

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Neurosciences, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare, Stroke

30-year-old stroke survivor completes half marathon just 11 months after neurosurgery

As Russell Deakins crossed the finish line of the 2023 Urban Bourbon Half Marathon in Louisville, his eyes welled up with tears. “My only goal that day was to finish,” Russell said. “I got super emotional for the last 100 yards, because I could see the finish line and I knew I achieved it.” Years…

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Cancer, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare

‘When they saved my life, they saved Christmas’

Dressed as Santa Claus, David Grady was back at Norton Cancer Institute  to thank employees for their care and the compassion they demonstrated to him when he was a patient — and to encourage others who have received a diagnosis like his. Referring to the team who treated him, David said, “When they saved my life,…

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Heart, Heart Failure, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare

Women form lasting bond over shared heart transplant journeys

At age 30, Stephanie Deeley was diagnosed with familial cardiomyopathy — the same diagnosis that abruptly took the life of her father when he was just 31. Stephanie received a pacemaker and implanted defibrillator, and lived a full life until five years ago, when she began being shocked repeatedly by her defibrillator. “This is a…

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Employee stories - Norton Healthcare

Ambassador in the emergency department sees role as ‘gift from God’

Meet patient ambassador the Rev. Darlene Gardner — aka the comfort keeper. At the Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital emergency department, her unwavering purpose to help others makes what she does so special. Through her compassion and care, Darlene has made a lasting impact on both the patients and staff at Norton Healthcare. This video…

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Dementia, Memory, Neurosciences

A person can have dementia without memory loss

Dementia is known as a disease that robs people of their memories, but it’s possible to have dementia without memory loss. Dementia refers to any loss of mental functioning that is not part of normal aging. This includes not only losing your memory, but issues with thinking, learning and reasoning. “There are many facets to…

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Breast Health, Womens Health

Dense breasts: What they mean for you and your mammogram choices

All breasts are unique – from their shape and size to their density. Breasts are made of fat, fibrous tissue (strands of collagen protein that hold fat, connective tissue and blood vessels in place) and glandular tissue (the part of the breast that makes milk). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),…

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Cancer, Hematology

Natural killer cells are part of the immune system’s front line of defense

The body has cells that naturally attack cancer cells and other diseased and infected cells. These natural killer (NK) cells are part of the immune system’s front line of defense. NK cells are a type of white blood cell that travels in your bloodstream, patrolling the body, scanning cells to see if they are healthy…

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