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South Shore Health Blog

Health and wellness information from our experts

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Featured Article

Atrial Fibrillation: Risk Factors, Symptoms and When to Seek Care

Atrial Fibrillation, also known as AFib, is the most common type of irregular heart rhythm, affecting more than 10 million adults in the U.S.

Atrial Fibrillation: Risk Factors, Symptoms and When to Seek Care

Child being given a flu shot by a nurse

Vaccines Arm Us for Respiratory Virus Season

Respiratory virus season is on the way and illnesses like influenza, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and pneumonia will soon be circulating again. Todd Ellerin, MD provides updated vaccine guidance and shares other preventative steps you can take to stay well this season.

Vaccines Arm Us for Respiratory Virus Season

An older Black couple outside walking their bulldog

Why Falling Back into a Routine is Good for Your Health

Did you spend the summer traveling, entertaining friends or trying to squeeze as much out of the longer days as possible? You may be ready to get back to a routine for fall. The word routine has a bit of a bad reputation. It can sound boring or predictable. But the truth is, a routine is actually good for us.

Why Falling Back into a Routine is Good for Your Health

South Shore Health Urgent Care provider Benjamin Hixon, PA-C in front of computer monitor

Provider Spotlight: Benjamin Hixon, PA-C

South Shore Health Urgent Care provider Benjamin Hixon, PA-C is in our Provider Spotlight! Hixon, who sees patients in South Shore Health Urgent Care's Kingston and Plymouth offices, explains how being part of South Shore Health benefits patients and providers.

Provider Spotlight: Benjamin Hixon, PA-C

A woman drinking a bottle of water in the hot sun

How to Beat Extreme Heat and Stay Healthy This Summer

July is the hottest month of the year in Massachusetts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S., killing more than 700 people every year.

How to Beat Extreme Heat and Stay Healthy This Summer

A young woman sleeps peacefully in bed

Six Steps for Getting Better Sleep

Getting too little sleep is a big problem in the U.S. According to the CDC, one third of adults report they get less than the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each day, and insufficient sleep has been tied to several chronic health conditions — including type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and depression.

Six Steps for Getting Better Sleep

A young male patient consults with female provider at a desk

Testicular Cancer Awareness: Self-Exams Key for Early Detection, Better Outcomes

While it is less common than other cancers, testicular cancer still affects 1 of every 250 men during their lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates 9,810 new testicular cancer cases will be diagnosed this year and about 630 people will die from the disease.

Testicular Cancer Awareness: Self-Exams Key for Early Detection, Better Outcomes

Older women and men practicing tai chi

How to Maintain Better Balance as You Age

Declining muscle mass and a variety of medical conditions can contribute to a loss of balance as we age, making us more vulnerable to falls and injury. But there are things you can do to maintain and even build better balance. Community Exercise Program Manager Jennifer Logan offers these tips.

How to Maintain Better Balance as You Age

A reminder to schedule a colonoscopy

First Colonoscopy? Here are the Steps to Prep and What to Expect

Your primary care provider has recommended you have your first colonoscopy. Mandeep Saund, MD answers frequently asked questions and explains why colorectal screening is so important for the prevention and early detection of cancer.

First Colonoscopy? Here are the Steps to Prep and What to Expect

Middle aged Black patient sitting on exam table talking to his doctor

Six Things to Know About Colorectal Cancer

While there has been a decline in colorectal cancer death rates in older adults for several decades, in people under age 50, colorectal cancer death rates have been on the rise since the mid-2000s, increasing by 2.4% annually. Mandeep Saund, MD, discusses risk factors, symptoms, treatments and the importance of screening in the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer.

Six Things to Know About Colorectal Cancer