Newsroom

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

Three physicians have joined Merit Health Medical Group and the employed medical staff of Merit Health Biloxi. Dr. Goodfellow, Dr. Mallett and Dr. Wheeler all specialize in obstetrics and gynecology and offer services such as well-woman check-ups, contraception management, prenatal care, in-house OB/GYN ultrasound and more. With a combined experience of over 65 years, the physicians at Merit Health Medical Group Biloxi OB/GYN offer compassionate care for women of all ages and are dedicated to assisting ... ... Read More

Four reasons why taking a break is critical to your health The benefits of a good summer vacation go well beyond having a good time. Taking a vacation can reduce stress levels and decrease the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Time off also is associated with greater happiness and improved job performance when you return to the office. And, while we all know a little time away from work is critical to health and well-being, 55% of Americans fail to use all of the... ... Read More

Atlantic Hurricane Season from June through October The recent tornado in Moss Point and severe thunderstorms served as a reminder of the importance of reviewing your preparedness. Taking action to stock your home and car with emergency supplies and think through your family’s disaster response plan now can provide peace of mind when the storm warnings begin. “Hospitals and our community’s first responders regularly conduct drills to prepare for disasters, and individuals and families can benefit from t... ... Read More

By: Cameron Wheeler, M.D. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections in the United States, resulting in seven million office visits to healthcare providers each year. Additionally, 50 percent of women and three percent of men worldwide will experience a UTI in their lifetime. While most UTIs are not serious, they can cause discomfort, and if left untreated could lead to kidney damage or sepsis. UTIs are an infection in any part of the urinary system including kidneys... ... Read More