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New minimally invasive spine surgery: Less pain, faster healing and back to living

Jenna Flyger — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 17:44:54 +0000

Marty LaRue from Chippewa Falls enjoys ice finishing in the winter, riding his motorcycle in the summer and tinkering whenever the weather keeps him inside. He loves his family and is dedicated to his church and community. Marty’s life has been defined by service. Enlisting in the Army at 17, he served for over a...

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Caring for children with RSV at home: What parents need to know

Kid's Health Team — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:00:11 +0000

Caring for children with RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, at home can be nerve-wracking. As a common respiratory infection, RSV symptoms may include runny nose, decreased appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever and wheezing. While symptoms typically only last a couple of weeks and resolve with rest and fluids, RSV can be dangerous, especially in infants. RSV can cause...

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Stroke and women: Know the signs

Wellness Team — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:00:48 +0000

Stroke is common – affecting nearly 800,000 people in the United States annually. Stroke happens when the blood flow to part of the brain is blocked, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. When brain cells in the brain are deprived of blood, they die. Men are more likely to have a stroke...

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Fish facts: Is broiled really more healthy than deep fried?

Heart Care Team — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:00:19 +0000

Deep fried or broiled? This is the one question most Wisconsinites try to answer on an average Friday night. While it seems obvious that broiled is the healthier choice, many restaurants douse fish in butter or sauce before serving, so is it really healthier? How you cook fish matters To get a better sense of how different...

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Perimenopause: What every woman should know before menopause

Wellness Team — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:00:10 +0000

Menopause is the absence of your period for one year. Perimenopause is the time prior, usually a few years, where ovarian function is more erratic, and hormone levels can lead to a high estrogen to progesterone ratio and wide fluctuations in estrogen levels. Understanding perimenopause Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, often...

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7 lifestyle changes to prevent a second heart attack

Heart Care Team — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:00:05 +0000

Once you’ve had a heart attack, your chance of having another is higher. A heart attack weakens the heart, making it more susceptible to problems caused by plaques and blockages. The good news is lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of having a second heart attack. Kelly Derlein, a Marshfield Clinic cardiology nurse practitioner, recommends...

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Measles: What you need to know about the deadly virus

Wellness Team — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 12:00:12 +0000

There is a resurgence of measles cases and outbreaks in the United States. As of August 27, 2025, the CDC has confirmed 1,408 measles cases in 43 states, and experts point to declining MMR vaccination rates in some groups and communities as the cause. RELATED RESOURCE: The number of measles cases and outbreaks were accurate at the...

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How to know if you have depression

Wellness Team — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:00:58 +0000

Sadness, negative feelings, body aches and sleep problems can start after an event like the loss of a loved one or an illness. They can also creep up over time with no known cause. Having these feelings lead many to ask, “How do you know if you have depression?” “When feelings of sadness or hopelessness...

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Could I have PTSD? Who is affected and what to do

Wellness Team — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:00:37 +0000

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder commonly associated with military veterans returning from battle. But, any person who has experienced a traumatic event can suffer from PTSD. Who is affected by PTSD “For PTSD to occur, you have to experience a traumatic event or an event that significantly threatens the well-being of...

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Steps to take after returning to alcohol or drug use

Wellness Team — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:00:19 +0000

Research studies show that nearly 70% of individuals who are dependent on alcohol or opioids experience a relapse, also known as a return to use, within one year. While “relapse” is a commonly used term, many in the recovery community prefer “return to use” to better reflect the ongoing nature of recovery. A return to...

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5 things veterans should know about their health care

Jordan Simonson — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:00:06 +0000

Navigating health care can be challenging, especially with the unique needs and experiences that come with military service. Understanding your resources and specific health concerns can make a big difference in your quality of life. Here are five key things veterans should know about their health care. Use your VA benefits You might not be...

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Health screenings for older adults, men vs. women

Wellness Team — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 12:00:54 +0000

There are many recommended health screenings for older adults including mammograms, bone density scans and colonoscopies. Health screenings are procedures performed by a health care provider to ensure you do not have a disease. Health screenings are often completed when no symptoms are present, but you are at risk to develop a disease. This risk...

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Memory loss, Alzheimer’s screening and how to keep your mind sharp

Wellness Team — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 12:00:35 +0000

Even if your memory problems are caused by normal aging, your primary care doctor will be able to take steps to determine your baseline so it’s easier to detect if things get worse.

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Tips for family caregivers of people with dementia

Jordan Simonson — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 12:00:08 +0000

Being a caregiver for a family member or friend with dementia can be both rewarding and challenging. There are ways to effectively manage the responsibility and help your loved one live the best life possible. Understanding dementia “Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities,” said...

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Mail-order pharmacy: Safe prescription delivery to your door

Wellness Team — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:00:55 +0000

Mail-order pharmacy offers a convenient way to receive medications, especially for those taking long-term or maintenance medications. These services deliver prescriptions directly to your door, often with free shipping. Patient safety is top-of-mind for health care providers, which is why certain policies and guidelines are in place, including around prescriptions you receive in the mail...

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12 questions to ask your doctor about your prescription drugs

Wellness Team — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:00:07 +0000

Taking multiple medications means greater risk for side effects and interactions with other prescriptions, which is why there are many questions you should ask your doctor about the drugs they prescribe. “It’s common for people to have prescriptions from multiple health care providers to treat chronic conditions,” said Dr. Wesley Fox, family medicine physician at...

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Tips for dry eyes

Wellness Team — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:00:29 +0000

If you’ve always had good vision but are now experiencing slight changes—such as a gritty sensation in your eyes, light sensitivity, burning or itching, blurred vision, or excessive tearing—you may have a common condition called dry eye. According to Dr. Brad Christopherson, an optometrist at Marshfield Clinic, dry eye can affect people of all ages and...

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Prevent eye problems with early sun protection

Kid's Health Team — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:00:29 +0000

When your kids are young, you’re probably not thinking about vision problems they could have in their golden years. Protecting kids’ eyes from the sun will help fend off eye problems later in life, Marshfield Clinic ophthalmologist Dr. Asha Okorie said. Start habits that prevent eye problems “Lifelong exposure to excessive radiation from the sun can...

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Dilated eye exams: The pros and cons

Wellness Team — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:00:10 +0000

Dilated eye exams are tests that help your eye doctor catch certain types of eye diseases early. Drops are placed in your eyes to widen the pupil. Then your doctor uses a special magnifying lens to see the back of your eye including your retina, macula and optic nerve. “Looking through the pupil in an...

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Endoscopic spine surgery offers new options for minimally invasive care

Stacey Oelrich — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 12:00:29 +0000

Endoscopic spine surgery is a camera-based procedure for patients who have disc conditions. Surgery using an endoscope is already in use for knees and shoulders. But, with recent innovations, this expands the minimally invasive option to patients who have disc issues with back pain. The surgeon uses a spinal endoscope and an array of surgical...

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Does belly fat cause back pain?

Bone and Joint Care Team — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 12:00:06 +0000

About 80-percent of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Perhaps just as many people look in the mirror and feel the need to shed some weight. If you fall into both categories, here is some good news: You may be able to reduce your back pain by reducing belly...

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Blue-light glasses: Useful or just a fad?

Wellness Team — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:00:48 +0000

Many Americans spend more than seven hours a day staring at a digital screen. The latest trend in combating the eye strain that can result from this is wearing blue-light glasses. So, should you run out and buy a pair? Probably not, according to Dr. Jill Dillon, a Marshfield Clinic Health System optometrist, who says...

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Problem gambling: A damaging addiction

Wellness Team — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:00:36 +0000

Problem gamblers can feel hopeless and suicidal. Research from different countries shows about 20% of gambling addicts attempt suicide. Understanding problem gambling Problem gambling, also referred to as “gambling addiction” or “gambling disorder” is gambling behavior that is damaging to a person or their family, often disrupting their daily life and career, according to the National...

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Opioid addiction: 12 signs to look for

Wellness Team — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:00:17 +0000

Opioid addiction is the compulsive use of opioids even though someone suffers harmful consequences, and there are 12 signs of opioid addiction you should watch for. Opioid addiction is an epidemic in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated 105,303 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2023. If you are...

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Kid’s sports physicals: Why it’s important

Kid's Health Team — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 12:00:50 +0000

Before the summer or fall sport season starts, it is important for your kid to have a pre-participation physical examination, or sports physical. The screening will identify underlying areas of concern that may become a risk during the sports season. It’s encouraged your child’s sports physical be part of their annual well-child visit with their...

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7 common summer sports injuries

Bone and Joint Care Team — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 12:00:13 +0000

Summer is perfect for outside sports at home, in the park or on the water, or at leagues and camps. Unfortunately, summer is also primetime for sports injuries. With caution, you can avoid these seven common summer sports injuries. 1. Ankle sprains Dr. Laurel Rudolph, a Marshfield Clinic sports medicine provider, says ankle sprains are among the...

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Postpartum recovery: Your care after baby arrives

Wellness Team — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 12:00:57 +0000

The most amazing part of childbirth happens the moment when your baby is born and you get to meet face to face for the first time. You have been waiting for this moment for several months. Now that the time is here, what can you expect after baby arrives? How can you best care for...

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Postpartum depression: Symptoms you should not ignore

Wellness Team — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 12:00:55 +0000

PPD is not just the baby blues. After the birth of a baby, many moms experience a multitude of strong emotions ranging from excitement and joy to apprehension, fear and uncertainty.

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Body image changes: Pregnancy and postpartum

Wellness Team — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 12:00:25 +0000

Body image is the thoughts and feelings you have about your body. When your body changes, so can the image you have of yourself, which affects your overall well-being. In pregnancy and postpartum, women see the most change in their bodies in a short amount of time. Pregnancy body changes happen over months, while postpartum...

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Electroconvulsive therapy for depression after pregnancy

Wellness Team — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 12:00:14 +0000

If you’re a mother struggling with postpartum depression, you’re not alone. Many women experience intense feelings of sadness, anxiety and exhaustion after giving birth. While there are various treatments available, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) might be an option for you if your symptoms are severe following pregnancy. What is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)? ECT is a medical...

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BRCA1 and BRCA2: Key players in cancer prevention

Cancer Care Team — Tue, 27 May 2025 12:00:48 +0000

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that help prevent certain cancers in both women and men. Genes make up our genetic material, called DNA, which act as a set of instructions for our body. Genes are specific segments within the DNA sequence that each code for a specific function within the body. These functions can range...

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Ovarian cancer signs and symptoms

Cancer Care Team — Tue, 27 May 2025 12:00:39 +0000

More than 20,000 women will likely receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2025, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women, with more than 12,000 women dying from it annually. This rare, yet aggressive cancer has many misconceptions about it – starting with its name. Ovarian...

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Family history of cancer: Is it genetic?

Cancer Care Team — Tue, 27 May 2025 12:00:35 +0000

Understanding your family history of cancer can help determine whether to get genetic testing, more frequent screenings or preventive care next. Genetic vs. hereditary vs. family history “The terms ‘genetic’ and ‘hereditary’ are often used interchangeably. But they don’t have the same meaning,” said Jonathan Ploeger, a Marshfield Clinic Health System genetic counselor. Cancer is...

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Facility dogs: Providing comfort and emotional support in a children’s hospital

Stacey Oelrich — Wed, 14 May 2025 12:00:23 +0000

Facility dogs are special members of the health care team, dedicated to helping children understand and cope with their medical experiences. Hospital dogs provide pediatric patients with medical play, education, and emotional support, reducing anxiety and discomfort. Scope of goal-oriented work: Works with patients who Child Life sees during their assigned service, including oncology Helps...

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Rethink discipline: Spanking children may be ineffective

Kid's Health Team — Wed, 14 May 2025 12:00:20 +0000

Whether generational, cultural or otherwise, Americans have a wide variety of views on the appropriateness and effectiveness of spanking children as a disciplinary action. Caregivers should be mindful about the discipline approaches they take, as children may learn that using force is an acceptable way to resolve problems if force is used on them. Whether...

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A pain in my…heel? What you need to know about plantar fasciitis

Bone and Joint Care Team — Mon, 12 May 2025 12:00:19 +0000

Do you feel a sharp pain in your heel when you wake up in the morning and take that first step? Or do you have pain on the outside of your foot while walking? It’s not because you have to get out of bed for the day. It may be plantar fasciitis. What is the...

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Bunions: More than just a toe problem

Bone and Joint Care Team — Mon, 12 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000

What is a bunion? Patients usually describe them as a lump or bump on the inside of their big toe. The “bump” they’re referring to is more complicated as the “bump” is the visible finding of a more complicated foot issue. The big toe leans towards the second toe, rather than pointing forward. This forces...

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Did I break my wrist? Common symptoms of a scaphoid bone fracture

Bone and Joint Care Team — Mon, 05 May 2025 12:00:55 +0000

Did you fall on your outstretched hand and now have pain at the base of your thumb? You may be experiencing the painful symptoms of a wrist fracture, commonly referred to as a scaphoid bone fracture by doctors. The scaphoid bone is located near the base of the thumb and is one of eight bones...

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Soccer heading may increase concussion risk

Bone and Joint Care Team — Mon, 05 May 2025 12:00:22 +0000

Soccer concussion symptoms can happen when someone’s head strikes an object such as another player or the ground while playing sports. In soccer, players purposely make head-to-object contact when they head the soccer ball. “Heading puts you in a position to accidentally collide with another player, which is known to cause concussions,” said Makenzie Ward,...

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Contact lens dos and don’ts: 6 tips for healthful use

Wellness Team — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:00:29 +0000

Contact lenses are a key alternative for people who do not want to wear glasses. Although generally easy to use, wearers should keep in mind simple dos and don’ts to keep eyes safe. Give your eyes a break Contacts should only be worn for the length of time recommended. This means if they are daily,...

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What is a diabetic eye exam and why is it important?

Wellness Team — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:00:25 +0000

Living with diabetes requires careful management of various aspects of your health, and one crucial area that often gets overlooked is eye health. Regular diabetic eye exams are essential for detecting and preventing serious eye conditions that can lead to vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy and other diseases Diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, can...

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Ticks of Wisconsin: Types, tick season, illnesses and more

Wellness Team — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 12:00:12 +0000

Tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis are becoming more common across Wisconsin as the population of ticks like the blacklegged and lone star tick increase. When is tick season in Wisconsin? Ticks are on the move in Wisconsin from spring until well into fall, depending on how warm the weather is. Marshfield Clinic researchers are working...

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Wisconsin bug bites and bee stings: Prevention and treatment

Wellness Team — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:00:52 +0000

Most bug bites and stings don’t cause long-term harm, but they may cause significant discomfort in the form of itching, redness and minor swelling.

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Is DEET safe? Health risks of bug spray’s active ingredient

Wellness Team — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:00:18 +0000

Rest assured, DEET is safe for most people. Reactions typically involve improper use. “People that have swallowed products containing DEET have experienced stomach upset, vomiting and nausea. Very rarely, exposure to DEET has been associated with seizures in people. Most of these reactions have happened after drinking products with DEET in them or using the...

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Wound VACs offer treatment option for complex wounds

Stacey Oelrich — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:00:47 +0000

Wound VACs or “vacuum assisted closures” are ideal for helping complex wounds heal after surgery or injury. Surgeons use wound VACs to provide negative pressure therapy. This controlled suction draws out excess fluid and promotes tissue growth. Not every wound needs negative pressure therapy. Simple or minor wounds that will heal with simple treatments don’t...

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Hemorrhoids self-care, and when to see a doctor

Jordan Simonson — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:00:43 +0000

Hemorrhoids are bundles of blood vessels all humans have in the anal area. While you can treat most hemorrhoids with self-care, hemorrhoids can cause symptoms such as bleeding or pain that may require treatment from a doctor. “We only need to intervene for hemorrhoids if they’re causing problems,” said Dr. Stephanie Carr, colorectal surgeon at...

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Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery (MIGS): Reducing recovery time with less pain

Kayla Peche — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:00:41 +0000

Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery (MIGS) is a modern way to treat various gynecological conditions with less disruption to your body. This type of surgery uses special tools and techniques to perform procedures through small cuts, usually less than an inch long. “With its many benefits, including less pain, faster recovery and smaller scars, MIGS is...

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What’s a hernia, and how soon should you seek care?

Wellness Team — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:00:38 +0000

A hernia develops when part of an internal organ or body part protrudes through an opening into another area where it ordinarily should not be located. Different types of hernias The most common is known as an inguinal hernia. It gets its name from the affected inguinal canal area, a natural passageway through the abdominal...

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Living with multiple sclerosis

Wellness Team — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:00:52 +0000

It’s estimated that at least 1 million people are living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States, making it the number one non-traumatic disabling disease for young adults in America. Even so, this is likely an underestimate because diagnosing MS is difficult. Diagnosing multiple sclerosis MS is generally diagnosed by exclusion. This means other...

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Can low vitamin D levels cause heart problems?

Heart Care Team — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:00:26 +0000

Vitamin D is important for our overall health, especially for mental health and building strong bones. Research shows that low vitamin D levels may also cause an increased risk of heart problems, disease and death. However, the research is still mixed on how important vitamin D is for heart health. “Many studies show that not...

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