Stay Healthy

WALKING IN DECEMBER WILL PAY OFF NEXT YEAR

The holiday season is in full swing, and with it come the joys and tribulations of extra treats, visits with family and friends, and upsets in daily routines. For many of us, December means our regular exercise schedules are discarded like torn gift wrap. 

The holidays don’t have to create extra pounds, reduced endurance or crankiness. The trick is to figure out an exercise alternative that fits into your day, no matter how out of whack it is. 

Walking is one exercise that works for almost anyone. Here are five unexpected benefits:

CBD PRODUCTS ARE EVERYWHERE, BUT ARE THEY EFFECTIVE?

Over its 32-year history, Burke’s Main Street Pharmacy on Hilton Head Island has earned a reputation for being open to alternative products, from supplements to essential oils.

But David Burke, who co-owns the pharmacy with his brother Tim Burke, admits he was at first skeptical about the potential therapeutic use of CBD, or cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive chemical extracted from cannabis plants such as marijuana and hemp. 

BEAUFORT MEMORIAL’S CEO HAS A PLAN TO INCREASE HEALTH CARE OPTIONS

When Russell Baxley stepped into the role of president and CEO of Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) three years ago, he quickly recognized his greatest challenge would be meeting the health care demands of a fast-growing community already short on providers. 

Having served in a variety of executive positions at small- and medium-sized hospitals in South Carolina, Texas and Pennsylvania, the young hospital administrator knew all too well the problems posed by a nationwide shortage of physicians, particularly primary care doctors.

ADVANCES IN DENTISTRY MEAN BETTER RESULTS

New advances in technology, materials and techniques over the past 10 years have led to much better outcomes — and experiences in the dental chair — for patients. And for dentists and oral surgeons, there has never been a more exciting time to be in practice. Some of these dental advances include:

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR PLEDGE THE PINK

This year, Pledge the Pink is renting out almost every accommodation on Fripp Island from Oct. 24-27 for the 1,500 participants and others affiliated with the event. The annual Beaufort County breast cancer research fundraiser — previously known as LoCo Motion — will include three 10-mile walks on successive mornings on Fripp, Hunting and Dataw islands followed by games, parties, giveaways and other events. Pledge the Pink is sold out, but volunteers are still needed. For more information, go to www.pledgethepink.com.

REDUCE YOUR RISK FOR BREAST CANCER WITH THESE STRATEGIES

Breast cancer: Just reading those words can make many women worry. And that’s natural. Nearly everyone knows someone touched by the disease.

But there is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep getting better, and more is known about how to prevent the disease. Try these simple steps to lower your risk:

HILTON HEAD ICON TURNS 100

Lois Richardson, a pillar of the Hilton Head Island community, hit an incredible milestone this summer. Richardson, wife of the late Norris Richardson, celebrated her centennial birthday, marking a century of giving her all to her community and her family. 

Richardson was one of the early residents of Hilton Head, arriving before the first bridge to the mainland was built. She and others like her were known as “island pioneers.”

WAYS TO STAY FIT IN THE LOWCOUNTRY FOR FREE

NO EXCUSES: HERE IS A LIST OF 8 FREE PLACES IN THE LOWCOUNTRY TO GET YOUR WORKOUT ON.

Local businesses provide jobs and are important drivers for healthy economic, social and business communities. Shopping and filling prescriptions with local pharmacies — some of which are composting pharmacies — have certain advantages over frequenting big chains and ordering prescriptions via mail order.