BATON ROUGE — The American Red Cross is preparing to respond if a hurricane threatens the U.S. and is urging households to get ready too.

WBRZ's April Davis spoke with Louisiana Red Cross Regional Communications Manager Shelby Wells at the Red Cross warehouse in Baton Rouge about what people should have on hand before a storm arrives.

"When you think about preparedness, it's about taking action before you need to, right?" Wells said. "And so people can get ready by looking at the specific needs of their households."

Wells said that means thinking about children who need diapers, formula and wipes, older family members with specific medical prescriptions and supplies and pets that need extra food, medications and leashes.

The Red Cross recommends two types of kits. A go-kit should have three days of supplies that can be carried, including backup batteries and chargers for devices like cell phones, CPAP machines and wheelchairs. A stay-at-home kit should have two weeks of food and water and, if possible, a one-month supply of medications and medical supplies.

Prescription medications are one item Wells said people often overlook.

"So those prescription medications, ensure that you have the prescription itself in paper copy and that you have a month's worth on hand in case it's hard to get to wherever you need to go," Wells said.

Wells also pointed to first aid supplies that go beyond the basics. "Burn cream or dressing. A burn. You know, often people are trying to cook, maybe the power's out," Wells said. "And so having burn cream or dressing to help with something, if you're running the generator and something happens. It's just good to have those supplies on hand."

Wells noted that instant cold packs, bandages and pain relievers are also worth having ready, especially since more people may end up sheltering together during a storm.

Pet owners should pack leashes, carriers, food, bowls, litter and photos of themselves with their pet in case they get separated.

Find a checklist of survival kit supplies here.

The Red Cross offers free apps for weather alerts, open shelter locations and first aid guidance, available in English and Spanish. Classes are also available online and in person, including a course called Until Help Arrives. 

Find the Red Cross apps here.

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BATON ROUGE — Tanning and tanning beds are making a comeback among Gen Z, ages 14 to 29, and doctors are warning it is a dangerous trend.

A new study by the American Academy of Dermatology found about 20% of Gen Z respondents said they prioritize getting a tan over protecting their skin. The trend is being blamed on online misinformation.

WBRZ's April Davis spoke with family medicine doctor Olivia Ragusa at Baton Rouge General about some of the claims circulating online.

One popular claim is that a base tan protects skin from sunburn and skin cancer. Dr. Ragusa pushed back on that and other pro-tanning ideas.

"I highly recommend don't go to the tanning bed," Ragusa said. "I'm not saying go outside and never have fun. Just always wear sunscreen, at least SPF 30, whenever you're outside, no matter if you think it is raining or sunny. You should be wearing sunscreen every single day and use alternate methods like spray tans and lotions and foams that we have on the market now."

Another online claim is that tanning clears up acne.

"The sun is not a treatment for acne," Dr. Ragusa said. "I would recommend going to see your physician in order to come up with a good regimen. But going in the sun, it actually can cause hyperpigmentation and darkening and make those acne scars worse."

Some online posts say unprotected sun exposure is necessary to get vitamin D. Ragusa said tanning is not a good way to get vitamin D and that most of it should come from diet, not baking in the sun.

Some pro-tanning accounts also claim tanning is only dangerous if a person actually gets burned.

"No, because yes, that burn is a more significant damage, but even the tan on your skin is showing up damage coming through," Dr. Ragusa said.

On the claim that sunscreen is toxic and causes cancer, Dr. Ragusa said both chemical and physical sunscreens are safe to use.

"Some are better for sensitive skin, but sunscreen is much safer than the alternative of skin cancer."

The American Academy of Dermatology survey found more than half of Gen Z adults believe at least one common tanning myth, which researchers say is directly contributing to climbing skin cancer rates among young people.

Louisiana is one of more than 20 states that ban the use of tanning beds for anyone under 18. For evidence-based guidance on how to spot viral falsehoods, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation's website here.

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A simple acronym called BEFAST can help people spot the warning signs of a stroke, doctors say. 

Each letter in BEFAST stands for a different symptom to watch for and noticing them quickly can make a real difference in outcomes, experts say.

B stands for balance, which means a sudden loss of balance or coordination.

E stands for eyes, which refers to vision problems or a sudden loss of vision in one eye.

F stands for face, so look for facial drooping or weakness.

A stands for a sudden weakness in one side of the arm or leg.

S stands for a sudden speech disturbance, such as trouble communicating or speaking.

T stands for time, as acting quickly is important. If someone might be having a stroke, it is important to call 911 right away.

Recognizing these signs and acting fast can help. Up to 90 percent of strokes may be preventable by managing risk factors and living a healthy lifestyle.

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New fathers dealing with mental health struggles often stay silent, but a Cleveland Clinic psychologist says that needs to change.

Adam Borland, a licensed clinical psychologist with the Cleveland Clinic, says becoming a dad is a major life step that requires attention and self-care. Up to 10 percent of fathers experience perinatal depression during pregnancy and the year following birth and up to 15 percent face perinatal anxiety.

"Thankfully, this is a topic that's finally getting the attention that it deserves," Borland said.

Symptoms of perinatal mental illness in fathers can include feelings of loneliness, feeling overwhelmed, withdrawing from family and questioning self-worth. Emotional and physical fatigue, poor focus and irritability are also signs and the condition can lead to substance abuse or other risky behaviors.

"Really encourage dads of all ages and all situations, it doesn't just have to be new dads, to open up and talk about what it is that they're feeling and to normalize it," Borland said.

Borland says healthy habits can make a real difference. "It's important to engage in healthy activities, exercise, creative outlets, making sure that you really separate yourself from work, stress, monitoring technology and phone usage and really prioritizing being in the moment," he said.

Others can help by creating a safe space for fathers to talk, one where there is no shame or fear of burdening anyone with their struggles. Letting them know they do not have to be perfect is also part of that support.

"This is not a weakness. This is actually a strength to recognize that, you know what, I need help as well," Borland said.

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CLEVELAND — Headphone-related hearing loss has become a growing concern and an audiologist at Cleveland Clinic is explaining how to protect your ears.

The CDC says exposure to sounds more than 85 decibels, such as headphones at maximum volume, can cause irreversible hearing loss.

"When you're talking about listening through headphones, it's all about how loud you listen, but also how long," Valerie Pavlovich Ruff said. "There's a relationship between the volume of the sound and the length of the exposure. So you can listen through headphones safely, but you definitely have to learn how to do that."

Pavlovich Ruff is an audiologist at Cleveland Clinic. She says it's generally recommended that people follow the 60-60 rule: set the volume on headphones or earbuds at 60% for about an hour.

After that, it's best to take a break for 10 or 15 minutes. Doctors say that break is still necessary even at lower volumes because it's not healthy to block ear canals for long periods of time.

Pavlovich Ruff says the danger of having something continually blocking the ear is that moisture can build up in the ear canal, which can become a breeding ground for bacteria and lead to ear infections.

She also says hearing loss from headphones can be permanent and suggests that anyone experiencing muffled hearing or ringing in the ears should talk with an audiologist.

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An estimated one in five adults lives with a mental illness and despite how common it is, many people go undiagnosed and untreated.

"It can be really difficult for people to admit that they're struggling," said Dr. Kathleen Mueller with the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Mueller says mental health and physical health are closely linked. Depression, for example, increases the risk for conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Having a chronic physical condition can also make it more likely for a mental health illness to develop.

"This is something that we need to address regularly without stigma, without barriers and so your family physician is the place to start," Mueller said.

Early warning signs of mental health conditions include eating or sleeping too much or too little, pulling away from people and usual activities and having low or no energy.

Other signs include feeling numb, unexplained aches and pains, feeling helpless or hopeless and persistent thoughts or memories that won't stop. Inability to perform daily tasks and thoughts of harming yourself or others are also warning signs.

Mueller says a primary care or family doctor can help come up with a strategy to manage symptoms.

"Maybe some increased movement, some maybe some dietary changes, maybe just having a conversation, perhaps connecting with a therapist," Mueller said, "but sometimes it just stays right there in that room and then we do a follow up and we check in and we make sure people are doing OK."

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BATON ROUGE - Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is hosting a free community health event with cancer screenings, food and music on May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 2250 Main Street

Vice President for Mary Bird Perkins, Renea Duffin, joined 2une In's April Davis on Friday to talk about the event.

It's called Live Well Baton Rouge and is part of the Cancer Center's Prevention on the Go program. This program provides free early detection and education services across Louisiana and southwest Mississippi.

When attending, residents can get four types of cancer screenings at the event: breast, prostate, colorectal and skin cancer. Blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checks will also be available.

Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. People can call 225-425-8034 or visit marybird.org/livewell to schedule an appointment.

"We're going to be offering cancer screenings that will save someone's life, because early detection saves lives," Duffin said. "We are seeing more and more young people being diagnosed with cancer. We are encouraging young people to take responsibility for their health."

Last year, 114 capital area residents received a total of 203 screenings and nearly 40 percent of participants reported being uninsured.

"If you are experiencing some type of symptom, or experiencing something in your body that doesn't feel right, we do encourage you to come out," Duffin said. "We will screen you, we will help make sure that if you have something abnormal, our nurse navigators will navigate you to a resolution for that abnormal finding."

For more information about cancer screening opportunities, visit marybird.org/get-screened.

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Nearly 322,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in U.S. women in 2026.

Doctors say conflicting mammogram guidelines may be causing some women to delay getting screened.

While breast cancer mainly develops in middle-aged or older women, new cases in women younger than 50 have seen a slight uptick of about 1.4 percent in recent years.

Dr. Alyssa Cubbison of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center said, "There is a different recommendation out there depending upon what literature you're citing."

Doctors use those recommendations to guide decisions on when to suggest patients start screenings.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women start at age 40 and screen every other year.

The American Cancer Society suggests women at average risk have the option at age 40 to start annual screening, at age 45 have mammograms every year and at 55 start screening every other year or choose to continue annual screenings.

"Based on our guidelines for the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging, we recommend starting at age 40 every year," said Cubbison.

Cubbison said the conflicting guidance may lead to delays in screening and cancers being detected at a later stage, when it's harder to treat.

She also said some women put off screening because no one in their family has had the disease.

"Most women that are diagnosed with breast cancer have no attributable family history of breast cancer," said Cubbison.

Cubbison suggests taking a risk assessment survey with a doctor around age 25.

"Knowing this can help know at what age it's most appropriate to start screening," said Cubbison.

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BATON ROUGE — Youth baseball season is right around the corner, and parents should be aware of how their kids can avoid injuries while on the field. 

Ochsner Health account manager and athletic trainer Corey Elvir visited 2une In on Monday to share some of the more common injuries in youth baseball and how kids can avoid them. 

He said that the most common injuries stem from overuse, especially in the shoulder and elbow. This, as well as muscle strains and ligament sprains, can be caused by skipping warm-ups or not properly stretching before playing or practicing. 

Playing without providing the body time for recovery and improper techniques can also cause these injuries. 

Elvir says that incorporating dynamic stretching like arm circles, lunges and torso twists, as well as working to gradually build into throwing rather than going full speed right away, can help alleviate these injuries. 

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Around 112,000 people in the U.S. are estimated to be diagnosed with invasive melanoma this year, and more than 8,500 are expected to die from the disease.

Doctors say catching it early makes a big difference, as this serious type of skin cancer is highly treatable when found in time.

Dr. Igor Puzanov with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center says regular self-checks are a good place to start.

"We would recommend that, you know, people do self-checks on their skin," Puzanov said.

He points to the "ABCDEs of melanoma" as a guide to what to look for.

A stands for asymmetry, meaning one half of a spot looks different from the other.

B is for border, so look for edges that are irregular, scalloped or poorly defined.

C is for color, specifically spots with varying shades from one area to the next, such as tan, brown or black, or areas of white, red or blue.

D is for diameter, as melanomas are usually about the size of a pencil eraser but can also be smaller.

E is for evolving, which means watching for any spot that looks different from others or is changing in size, shape or color.

"These are the red flags and you should go see a dermatologist or primary doctor and then dermatologist and have a biopsy, preferably," Puzanov said.

Melanoma can grow anywhere on the body, including in the mouth, nose, under the nails and on or between the toes and fingers.

"Melanoma is more prevalent in patients with light skin. Sun damage plays a huge role, but it doesn't mean that melanoma is nonexistent with people with darker, you know, type of skin," Puzanov said.

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Experts say reaching for a glass of water first thing in the morning may be a better choice than coffee.

According to experts, the body loses a significant amount of water during sleep through breathing and sweating.

"People have lots of GI water loss, you know, and what we call insensible losses," said Dr. Adrienna Jirik, a gastroenterologist. "So, you know, in a typical eight-hour sleep, you would lose about 300 to 400 cc's of water while you sleep. And that's through your breathing, for example, your skin. You sweat quite a bit overnight."

"So I tell patients, drink at least a cup of water when you wake up in the morning," Jirik said. "You don't really know what's going to happen for the rest of the day. We're all guilty of not drinking enough water."

Drinking water right after waking up can also help boost metabolism, improve digestion and prevent urinary tract infections.

For those who are not fans of plain water, adding a slice of lemon or another fruit can give it some flavor. Carbonated or sparkling water are also options.

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Researchers are exploring whether a cancer therapy could one day offer a lasting treatment for autoimmune diseases.

Researchers believe there are between 80 and 150 autoimmune diseases, many of which are chronic and require one or more daily medications. They are also difficult to diagnose because there is no single test to confirm them, and symptoms often overlap with other conditions.

Dr. Alicia Lieberman with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is leading research into whether CAR T-cell therapy, a cancer immunotherapy that genetically engineers a patient's own T-cells to attack cancer cells, could work the same way for autoimmune diseases.

"These can be pills, these could be infusions or injections, most of which are targeted at dampening the immune response, and they are immunosuppressive to some degree," Lieberman said. "They have side effects to some degree."

The therapy is still in early clinical trials but is showing promise. Patients with severe lupus, lupus nephritis, scleroderma and neurologic conditions like MS and stiff person syndrome have seen results.

"Patients who have undergone this treatment have experienced significant improvement in their symptoms, if not reversal," Lieberman said.

The goal of the research is to develop a one-and-done treatment that could train a patient's body to fight the disease on its own.

"This would be an immune reset, really disrupt the autoimmune process that's set up in the tissue," Lieberman said, "and the hope is that people will not need treatments long-term."

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Some headaches that last all day and resist treatments like medication may be caused by compressed nerves.

Often called trigger-site-induced headaches, this type of pain can be difficult to treat with standard options.

"Headaches that originate from compression of the occipital nerve will usually have a pain that starts on the back of the neck and radiates to the side of the head," said Dr. Antonio Forte. "Headaches that are originating from compression of the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerve, they will usually start with a pain site that is above their eye, and that pain will radiate to their forehead."

Nerves can be compressed by surrounding tissue or muscle. Surgery may be an option for some patients.

Dr. Forte explains that occipital nerve decompression starts with a 5-centimeter incision made along the hairline.

"We are able to then identify your greater occipital nerve, remove the adjacent muscle and fascia that may be compressing the nerve," Forte said. "For decompression of the supraorbital or supratrochlear nerve, we then perform an incision that is similar to the incision that we do when we are performing a cosmetic eyelid surgery."

Surrounding tissue is removed to relieve pressure on the nerve. Forte says many patients feel relief within weeks of surgery.

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BATON ROUGE — This weekend is the American Heart Association's annual Capital Area Heart Walk.

The event aims to raise both money and awareness about heart disease and the risks it poses. 

WBRZ's John Pastorek sat down with the chairman of this year's walk, Our Lady of the Lake President Chuck Spicer, to discuss what it means to join the fight against heart disease with the walk and beyond. 

"This is about the dozens of people at the Lake today that don't need to be there, and how can we make sure they don't have to be in an acute situation," Spicer told JP. 

The walk is Saturday morning, with the event starting at 8 a.m. at the Rhorer Plaza in downtown Baton Rouge. The walk itself starts at 9:15 a.m.

Learn more here.

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A new study suggests measuring cannabis use in units — similar to how alcohol is tracked — could help identify when use becomes risky.

Researchers published their findings in the journal Addiction after tracking the THC habits of more than 150 teens and young adults over a year. They looked at how likely participants were to develop a cannabis-related illness.

The study found young adults were at risk for developing a cannabis use disorder at about 8.3 units of cannabis — roughly the equivalent of one joint of high potency marijuana. Each unit equals 5 milligrams.

For teens, the threshold was around half that amount.

If a child has been overusing cannabis in any form — joints, vapes, pills or gummies — it may be time to check in with a pediatrician. Free confidential help is available by calling or texting 800-662-4357.

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BATON ROUGE — Ochsner Health has brought its Eat Fit program inside its hospitals and medical facilities after success at restaurants across Louisiana.

The orange Eat Fit seal already appears at restaurants like Mestizo Mexican, Lit Pizza and Tsunami, marking healthier menu options for customers. Now, patients and visitors at Ochsner facilities can find the same seal on food sold in cafeterias and vending machines.

"A lot of patients who would come in would be able to cook and prepare foods at home, but when they went out to eat all their diet plans and health decisions completely went out the window," said Allie Foreman, an Ochsner Eat Fit nutrition specialist.

Ochsner decided to expand the program after seeing results in the community. Foreman said hundreds of thousands of patients visit Ochsner facilities every day and the program makes healthy food easy to access.

Items marked with the Eat Fit seal are offered at up to half off the regular price. Foreman said meals like chicken teriyaki with a side of green beans typically cost less than $4.

Ochsner is among the only large health systems in the country with a systemwide nutrition initiative like this. The seal appears on food in cafes and vending machines throughout its facilities.

"Having that as an affordable option while it's also healthier is basically a win-win," Foreman said. "You're saving money while also creating that access to people who may not otherwise have it, to the healthier foods."

Eat Fit cafeteria sales increased by 75% systemwide within the first six months. Purchases of Eat Fit beverages also led to a reduction of 3,000 pounds of added sugars in drinks across the system in just one quarter.

That reduction equals about 35,000 cans of soda. Foreman said the number shows the program is working to help people make healthier choices.

Ochsner is partnering with researchers at Tulane University and Xavier University of Louisiana to study the program over the next three years. The research will evaluate how factors like pricing, visibility and availability influence food choices and could serve as a model for other health systems.

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A good mattress matters for sleep, but experts say a good pillow could be just as important.

A pillow that doesn't support your head well can cause muscle tension in your neck and shoulders, experts say. That tension can even lead to a headache in the morning.

"If your pillow is not really supporting your body, your head very well, that can cause muscle tension. It can cause those muscle fibers in your neck and your shoulders to be stretched or placed in an awkward position," sleep specialist Dr. Brian Chen said. "And that can even cause like a muscle tension headache in the morning, and it can go against what you're trying to do of getting good rest."

Experts say most pillows need to be replaced within a couple of years. The material tends to give out after a while, and you don't get the same support.

You can check if your pillow has a dent or is lumpy. You can also try the pillow fold test: if you fold it together and it bounces back, that's a good sign. If it stays folded or goes flat, it's probably time to get a new one.

"If you're struggling, if the pillow is already too bad, it's worn out, then it is definitely time to reinvest in yourself and get a nice pillow," Chen said. "And just keep in mind, again, when you're shopping for pillows, it's not 'more expensive is better.' It's what fits your body. What do you need? What's going to help you sleep?"

If you still notice discomfort after getting a new pillow, you may want to talk to your doctor. There may be another issue that needs to be taken care of.

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BATON ROUGE — The Capital Area Heart Walk is being hosted by the American Heart Association later this month.

According to the AHA, 9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die, with most of those cases not seeing CPR performed by a bystander.

For the newest edition of Sunday Journal, WBRZ's JP spoke with cardiologists, organizers of the walk and participants who are affected by the money raised by the event. The event's 2026 goal is to raise $600,000 for heart disease research and treatments.

The Heart Walk is Saturday, April 25, in downtown Baton Rouge, and starts at Rhorer Plaza. Learn more here.

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Bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound are the two most effective ways to shed pounds.

A recent JAMA study shows both methods dramatically cut body fat with only moderate loss of muscle and other lean mass. However, women seem to lose significantly more lean body mass compared to men.

This places them at increased risk for injuries like falls and fractures and early death.

The study authors concluded that women who take medication to lose weight should pay special attention to building and maintaining muscle mass and bone strength. The CDC recommends doing this by prioritizing protein intake at every meal and strength training at least twice a week.

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