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According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Despite being preventable and treatable, many individuals still die from this disease due to a lack of awareness about preventive care. Merit Health Biloxi is committed to promoting early detection and prevention of colon cancer through regular colonoscopy screenings because, when detected early, the survival rate for colon cancer is approximately 90%. During this non-inv... ... Read More

Check your deductible status and FSA balance to see if there’s money to be saved or used Most consumers pay significant premiums for their health insurance, but not everyone takes full advantage of the benefits of insurance coverage, especially once the annual deductible has been reached. Using your health plan benefits for medical visits, screenings and procedures is the best way to support your overall health. And, as the current plan year comes to an end, right now may be the best time to address any... ... Read More

Flu, COVID-19 and RSV viruses will be circulating To protect yourself and those you love when respiratory viruses are circulating this fall and winter, getting vaccinated against both the flu and COVID-19 will be important. Individuals who are age 60 or older may also need to get vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These three viral, respiratory illnesses are active this year and hospital admissions for COVID are already starting to increase around the country. Merit Health Biloxi is e... ... Read More

Early Detection and Treatment for Breast Cancer Starts with Screenings The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends women who are at average risk for breast cancer get screening mammograms every two years starting at age 40. The recommendation is in response to the increase in breast cancer diagnoses in younger women and high mortality rates in Black women. Women with strong family histories of breast cancer, African Americans and those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent should have a risk assessment... ... Read More

Skin Cancer is on the Rise – Know How to Protect Yourself When you think about sun protection, you might think about a day at the beach. But during your lifetime, you get sun exposure doing everyday things like walking the dog, mowing the lawn and even driving in your car. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays adds up over time, and can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Every year, nearly five million people are treated for skin cancer, and approximately 9,000 people die from melanoma. Research ... ... Read More

Summertime brings sunshine, more hours outside and an increased risk of bug bites and stings. Insects like mosquitoes, ticks, bees and spiders are often harmless, but sometimes their bites and stings can spread disease or cause dangerous allergic reactions and infections. An insect bite releases saliva and stings release venom that can cause skin to become red, swollen and itchy. When symptoms last longer than a few days, or they become worse, medical intervention may be required. We recommend seeking m... ... Read More

Merit Health Biloxi’s Top Tips for a Safe Summer Workout For runners, maintaining an outdoor workout routine during the hot summer months can present a few challenges. With temperatures on the Mississippi Gulf Coast averaging in the high 90’s and a “feels like” temperature of over 100, runners are at increased risk for heat-related health concerns, such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Whenever the temperature spikes, we see an increase in emergency room visits from individuals who have b... ... Read More

Temperatures across the United States are rising and so are incidents of heat exhaustion. In fact, between 2016 and 2021, the number of patients diagnosed with heat exhaustion between the months of May and September rose by 53%. Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea and muscle cramps and the condition is more likely to affect the elderly, those with high blood pressure and people who work in a hot environment according... ... Read More

From basic first aid to family emergencies Summer fun is well underway: sun, sports, pools, playgrounds and other outdoor activities abound. It’s no surprise to any parent that the summer season is also the busiest for your local emergency room. Knowing what to do when an emergency arises, when and how to administer medical care at home and when to head to the ER is important. Injuries are the top cause of death for children ages 1 to 21, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Educating yourse... ... Read More

Here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, we regularly see heat advisories during the summer months. The combination of high heat and high humidity means we often experience a “feels like” temperature of well over 100 degrees. Our bodies are built to self-regulate temperature and to keep us from getting too hot or too cold. The body has two paths to shed extra heat, radiation and evaporation, both of which put stress on the heart and increase the risk of a cardiac event. Radiation requires rerouting blood flo... ... Read More