Newsroom

Colonoscopy screening is the key to early detection Flowood, MS. (March 15, 2023) – March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The good news is, if detected before it spreads, the five-year survival rate for colon cancer is about 91 percent. If it’s not caught before the cancer spreads to other organs, the survival rate ... ... Read More

Brandon, Miss – March 9, 2023 – Merit Health Medical Group is pleased to announce that Donald Baker, M.D., and Michelle Vinchwater, CFNP, will now be offering orthopedic services in Brandon. The orthopedic clinic, located at 2841 Highway 18 in Brandon, joins Merit Health’s newest primary clinic, which opened in October of 2022. “Brandon continues to see unprecedented growth, and we are proud to be able to offer primary and specialty care close to home for so many in the community,” says Heather Sistrunk... ... Read More

Flowood, MS. (February 28, 2023) – Brandon resident Don Brummett was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib) several years ago, quite unexpectedly. “A retired cardiologist was looking at a wound I had, and listened to my heart as he was assessing me,” says Brummett. “He asked who my cardiologist was, which surprised me. I didn’t know I needed one.” As it happened, the retired physician had detected AFib when listening to Don’s heart, and strongly encouraged him to follow up with a cardiologist, which ... ... Read More

FLOWOOD, MS – Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., but many people show no symptoms. Certain screening tests like a cardiac CT calcium scoring can help to detect heart disease and provide patients with the time to improve their health outcomes. A cardiac CT calcium scoring is a common test that utilizes a noninvasive CT scan to provide information about whether calcified plaque is in the coronary arteries—the vessels that supply oxygen-containing blood... ... Read More

Jackson, MS (Feb. 1, 2023) – Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 650,000 people each year. Here are some other facts everyone should know about heart disease: In the U.S., one person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Every year, about 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack. Nearly half of American adults (47%) suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension, which increases the risk of a heart attack and stroke. However, only... ... Read More

Strength training, especially in middle age and beyond, is essential for maintaining a high quality of life and longevity. Just 30 minutes to an hour of strength training a week can increase life expectancy by 10 to 17 percent and reduce the risk of premature death from cancer and heart disease. As we age, our muscle mass, strength and function naturally decreases three to eight percent each decade after the age of 30. By age 60, hand strength and dexterity can decrease, making simple, everyday tasks di... ... Read More

Making new year’s resolutions is a common tradition, but 77% of people who make them break them within just a few weeks. This year, focus on long-term lifestyle changes that can make a big impact on overall health and longevity. “The start of a new year symbolizes a time for change, but adopting new, healthy habits isn’t limited to just one time of year,” says Kurt Johnson, M.D., a primary care physician with Merit Health Medical Group in Pearl. “Even small, incremental changes in lifestyle can make a b... ... Read More

This flu season is striking hard and wide across the country, creating anxiety for individuals who are vulnerable to serious complications. As with any illness, it’s important to learn and follow steps that can protect you and your loved ones from contracting the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists four important steps to reduce your risk of infection: Wash your hands consistently throughout the day . Hand washing is still one of the most effective and easiest ways to preve... ... Read More

Keep holiday toy shopping safe and stress-free While buying the hottest and trendiest toys for your child may be tempting at this time of year, Merit Health wants to remind you that safety should always be the first priority. Nothing spoils a holiday celebration faster than an unexpected trip to the emergency room. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2020, there were an estimated 198,000 toy-related injuries treated in ERs across the country, and nine tragic, toy-related deaths ... ... Read More

Chronic stress can lead to a variety of health problems The holidays are here, but you may not be feeling very jolly. Where’s that yuletide cheer? Holiday stress can hamper your enjoyment of the festivities of the season – and more importantly, take a long-term toll on your health. Stress is an unfortunate reality of day-to-day life, due to overcommitted schedules, work and family pressures, lack of sleep and an overly ambitious to-do list. During the holidays, our already frantic schedule is turned up ... ... Read More