Monthly health and wellness content provided to the community by Northern Light Mercy Hospital, a nonprofit community hospital sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, providing care to greater Portland since 1918. Mercy consistently receives an ‘A’ grade by The Leapfrog Group for meeting the highest safety standards in the country. It has also been recognized as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report.
By Sister Mary George O’Toole and Sister Miriam Therese Callnan The opioid epidemic in Maine has impacted thousands of lives, torn apart families, and overwhelmed our cities... Read more
By Wesley P. Fairfield, MD, ECNU What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a disorder that affects the bones, causing weakness with increased risk of fracture (broken bones). The inside of norma... Read more
By Dr. Stephen Hull, Northern Light Mercy Pain Management Are you living with severe pain or suffering due to ineffective approaches that haven’t worked? Don’t get frustrated or al... Read more
By Amy Bates, MS, FNP-C A common reason younger patients are seen for an evaluation is for ear infections. Symptoms of an ear infection may include fever, pulling on the ear, fussiness,... Read more
By Suzanne A. Hoekstra, MD, FACS The term “human genome” is used to describe all of the DNA contained in our body’s cells, and a significant amount of scientific research to map it began in... Read more
By Elena Bell Wagner, BSN, MSN, CPNP There are many reasons that you might be in the market for a pediatric provider. First-time parents may begin looking for a provider during their pregnan... Read more
By Emily Erickson, MD Trouble sleeping is incredibly common at any age. Does any of the following sound familiar? The toddler who refuses a nap and fights bedtime. The teen who is texting fr... Read more
By Hilary Maxim Audiologists are the ear doctors of the medical world. Through various tests, they can diagnose and treat hearing loss as well as identify other issues that might arise along... Read more
By Dr. Nick Arredondo According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 80 percent of adults experience low back pain at some point in their lifetimes. While th... Read more
By Dr. Kathryn Wadland These days we can plan almost anything, which is why the unpredictability of labor can be so daunting for soon-to-be new parents. Creating a birth plan is a great way... Read more