Banner Health

08/26/2025

A chalazion is a lump or cyst that forms on the eyelid from a blocked oil gland. This blockage can cause oil and other debris to build up, causing the gland to swell and form a bump on the eyelid. Chalazia are often confused with styes because they both involve swelling of glands in the eyelids, but they have some distinct differences.

Is your eyelid bump a stye or a chalazion? Chalazia are usually harmless and painless but not pretty to look at. Learn the causes and how to treat them.

08/25/2025

Contact lenses are an excellent option for improving vision. However, most people don’t know that even though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves some soft contact lenses for overnight wear, it is never a good idea to fall asleep in them, and always bad for the eyes.

Contact lenses are a popular and safe choice for correcting your vision if you use them properly. Here’s why you should remove your lenses when you sleep.

08/25/2025

Stewed apples are trending on TikTok for their potential gut health benefits. Cooking apples can break down their fiber and release pectin, a compound that may support digestion. (via Verywell Health)

Stewed apples may provide more gut health benefits than raw apples. Cooked apples provide more pectin, a type of fiber that boosts gut health and provides other health benefits.

08/25/2025

A serious medical or mental health diagnosis can be life-altering. It's common to feel a sense of loss, overwhelming anxiety, guilt, helplessness or hopelessness. Many people have had to deal with tough health news, and there are steps to take to cope, find support and begin moving forward.

A difficult diagnosis or unexpected health news can be life-changing. Here’s how to cope and support your emotional health, and the next steps you can take.

08/25/2025

Whether we’re walking more, exercising regularly or just spending long hours on our feet, they get tired. And when they don’t get the support they need, problems like arch pain, heel discomfort and back aches can follow. Luckily, there are ways to relieve that pain and get back to moving comfortably, step by step. Orthotic insoles, whether store-bought or custom-made, can make a big difference.

Do you need better foot support? Explore the difference between custom orthotics and insoles. Learn what’s best for your foot pain, arch support and more.

08/24/2025

At Banner Children’s at Desert, music therapy is more than a melody—it’s a source of comfort, connection, and hope. From easing anxiety before procedures to helping patients express their emotions and even supporting physical rehabilitation, music brings joy and healing to young hearts every day.

08/24/2025

Bathing a newborn doesn’t have to be stressful. With some preparation and practice, it can become one of the sweetest parts of the day. It’s a chance to slow down, connect and care for baby in a loving way.

Are you nervous about bathing your newborn for the first time? Banner Health shares 10 tips to make your baby’s first bath safe, soothing and stress-free.

08/24/2025

Comprehensive care is teamwork that brings multiple disciplines under one roof to offer the best care, while decreasing costs, wait times and inconveniences for patients. Before, during and after treatment, comprehensive care ensures that a person's whole health is considered.

How can a team of experts improve your treatment while also saving you money? Learn more about comprehensive care and why it’s so important.

08/23/2025

Regular activity is important for everyone and that includes kids with asthma. Being active helps children stay healthy and manage stress and it supports strong lungs and airways. It may even help reduce how often they have asthma symptoms. The key is to help children manage their asthma before, during and after activity.

Learn ways that kids with asthma can safely play sports. Get tips on managing symptoms, creating an asthma plan and helping coaches support your child.

08/23/2025

People who would like to lose weight and haven’t had success with techniques like changing their diet may be tempted to try weight loss supplements or appetite suppressants. However, supplements, including those marketed as quick weight loss aids are not regulated or required to undergo quality control or clinical testing. A health care provider can help with healthy ways to modify diet and exercise, suggest a prescription anti-obesity medication or make a referral to an obesity medicine specialist.

If you want to lose weight, it can be tempting to turn to weight loss supplements. But these products may cause unpleasant or dangerous side effects.

08/23/2025

We were thrilled to welcome the Phoenix Mercury players to Banner Children’s at Desert! Their visit last week brought so much joy, smiles and unforgettable memories to our pediatric patients and families. A heartfelt thank you to the players and their team for taking the time to create such a special moment for our kids

08/22/2025

Ni****ne use in children remains a constant concern in schools, as many studies and surveys in the recent years show alarmingly high numbers in high school and middle school students reporting they have tried it. (via KOLD News 13)

The Pima County Health Department found almost 50% of teens in Pima County have tried vapes.

08/22/2025

While restless leg syndrome and peripheral neuropathy may have some overlapping symptoms, they are different conditions requiring different treatment. Understanding the key signs of each condition is important for getting the proper care. Early treatment can lead to better management and improved quality of life.

Do you have pain in your legs? It could be restless leg syndrome or peripheral neuropathy. Learn to identify symptoms and find the right path for relief.

08/22/2025

Secondhand smoke is also known as passive smoking or environmental to***co smoke and it’s not safe for anyone. It contains harmful chemicals from burning to***co products, like ci******es, ci**rs and pipes. Eliminating smoke exposure involves simple steps that help protect family members and friends. Whether someone smokes or not, reducing exposure benefits everyone.

Secondhand smoke harms adults and kids, increasing the risk for cancer, heart disease and SIDS. Learn how to protect your family and when to get screened.

08/19/2025

📣 Share Your Banner Lassen Success Story! 📣

Have you experienced exceptional care at Banner Lassen Medical Center? We want to hear from you!

Join our "I Trust Banner" patient spotlight campaign and share how the care you received at Banner Lassen made a difference in your life. Whether it was our compassionate nurses, expert clinical care or the comfort of our labor and delivery suites - your story matters and can inspire others.

What's involved?
-A professional photoshoot
-An opportunity to share your story
-Being featured on our social media and marketing materials

Who can participate?
Patients who have received care at our facility and are proud to say: "I Trust Banner."

Limited spots available! If interested, please contact Erika Tomlinson at erika.tomlinson@bannerhealth.com or call 530-252-2243.

Your journey can help others find confidence in their health care choices. Join us in celebrating the exceptional care at Banner Lassen Medical Center!

08/13/2025

Being a mosquito magnet can feel like an unavoidable curse, but with the right tips, the risk of becoming a target can be reduced. Beyond the annoyance of itchy bites, mosquitoes can also transmit serious diseases like West Nile virus. Protection from bites is not just about comfort — it’s also a matter of health.

Do you get bitten alive at outdoor events while your friends escape untouched? Find out the reasons behind your mosquito magnetism and how to fight back.

08/13/2025

We are thrilled and incredibly proud to announce that our very-own Darlene Dougherty, MS, RD, LD, medical nutrition therapist at Banner Lassen Medical Center, has been named the recipient of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Lifetime Achievement Award - the highest honor bestowed by the organization. With over 50 years of dedicated service in the field, Darlene has made an extraordinary impact on nutrition policy, education, practice, research and mentorship. She will receive this prestigious recognition at the 2025 Food and Nutrition Conference and Exhibition in Nashville this October.

Currently serving our patients remotely at Banner Lassen Medical Center, Darlene provides expert nutrition counseling, makes vital recommendations for diet and nutritional support, and helps develop policies for our culinary services.

Please join us in congratulating Darlene on this well-deserved recognition of her lifetime of service and dedication to improving health through nutrition!

08/12/2025

Meet Jessica! 💙

08/10/2025

A baby’s umbilical cord—the lifeline for nine months in the womb—can also become a life-saving gift for someone else. Before the doctor provides the clamps, saving the umbilical cord and cord blood may be worth considering.

Your baby’s umbilical cord holds vital stem cells that could save lives. If you’re considering storing your baby’s cord blood, here are five things to know.

08/08/2025

Whenever children get headaches, it’s natural to think of worst-case scenarios. The good news is that most headaches experienced by children and adolescents (teens) are not serious. Most causes of headaches can be resolved at home, but other reasons may require medical attention.

Headaches can affect children in many ways, but when should you be worried as a parent? Here are some causes of headaches and how to treat them properly.

08/04/2025

It’s important to know what steps to take if choking when alone. When there’s nobody around to help, taking action can mean the difference between a scary moment and a dangerous situation.

If you’re choking and alone, stay calm and contact 911. You can perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself to try to dislodge the object. Here’s what to know.

08/01/2025

Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, is an important nutrient with many benefits beyond bone health. By understanding its importance and ways to maintain optimal levels, we can take proactive steps to ensure we’re getting enough to support our overall health.

Discover why vitamin D is so important for your health. Learn its benefits, how much you need to take, where to find it and signs you may need to get more.