Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects 1.5 million people in the United States. It affects more women than men and it’s commonly seen from ages 30 to 60. This type of arthritis can start with seemingly small symptoms such as tenderness, swelling and/or redness in the joints, but can lead to deforming and…

When the conversation of weight is brought up, it’s not always as straightforward as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18-25 kg/m2. Instead, it’s more important to find a point where a person’s weight isn’t having a negative impact on his or her health. “Studies have shown that a 5-10 percent weight reduction can…

Influenza seems like it hits around autumn and winter every year, but this virus can be found year-round. Flu season refers to the time between December and February when flu activity is at its peak. The unpredictability and complications that can arise from catching the flu make it essential to protect yourself from the virus.…

If you smoke, you hear certain things on repeat: how you need to quit, how expensive the habit is and how bad it is for your health. All of these things are true, but it’s also true that quitting can be exceptionally hard and may take several attempts. Thirty-eight million adults smoke in the United…

New Year’s Eve brings plenty of celebrations, and with that can come drunken-driving accidents. “Nationwide, crashes involving alcohol have become the single largest single source of preventable death and injury,” says Dr. Austin Eagleton, trauma surgeon at UT Health East Texas. “Twenty-five percent of all fatal crashes involve alcohol.” Beyond worrying about getting in an…

It’s right around the corner – the time when everyone makes a New Year’s resolution, usually to lose weight and be healthier. Even though this is never a bad promise to make to yourself, your plans often fall apart for a number of reasons. However, the Olympic Center’s Lite-4-Life program offers a better way to…

Christmas stockings are being stuffed with the most precious gift of all this season – bundles of baby joy. UT Health East Texas is presenting all new mothers with hand-sewn stockings embroidered with the UT Health East Texas logo. “We are so pleased our labor and delivery departments can offer these hand-sewn special keepsakes during…

A little help can go a long way toward making patients comfortable during their time at UT Health Tyler. The We Care team provides that help day or night to patients and their loved ones. From the moment patients arrive at UT Health Tyler, We Care Concierge members are with them. They greet patients curbside,…

This time of year comes with a lot of time spent on the road. People are rushing around finding gifts, picking up last-minute dinner ingredients and driving to see their loved ones. With this amount of people on the road, plus the potential for distractions, it’s important that you do all you can to drive…