News and Updates

Galen Medical is now offering FibroScan, a newer diagnostic procedure for diagnosing fatty liver disease. We are the only private practice in the Chattanooga area currently offering this service to the medical community, and we are excited to work hand-in-hand with other local medical providers to utilize this amazing tool to more effectively treat liver conditions. Fibroscan vs Liver Biopsy FibroScan is a quick and non-invasive procedure used to assess the overall health of the liver. In lieu of the more invasive biopsy method, FibroScan uses a combination of an elastic wave and ultrasound technology to assess the stiffness and

More than 20 years ago, September was named national Healthy Aging Month, a time set aside to focus attention on the positive aspects of growing older while encouraging people to live their healthiest lifestyles. It’s so important to take personal responsibility for our health from every angle be it physical, mental, emotional, or even financial. It’s never too late to start taking health seriously and making changes to our daily routines that lead to better wellness overall. Our society often casts a negative light on the process of aging, but we believe aging is a beautiful thing that can be

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States, putting children and adolescents at higher risk for health problems that can become serious. According to the WHO, the number of obese infants and children from ages 0 to 5 years increased from 32 million globally in 1990 to 41 million by the year 2016. These numbers are far too high, and that is why September has been deemed Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Childhood Obesity Awareness Month is purposed to call out the issue, combatting it through education and overall awareness. Consequences of Childhood Obesity When children and adolescents struggle

Dr. Yolanda Spraggins is a Galen physician specializing in pediatrics. As a child, Dr. Spraggins was moved by a story about children in Africa who needed medical attention, and this spurred her passion for medicine. She is driven by a love for treating children, helping their parents learn best practices, and watching her patients grow and flourish. After obtaining a B.A. in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Spraggins went on to continue her education at the Duke University School of Medicine. She followed up medical school with a residency in pediatrics at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, after which

In effort to improve the health of mothers and babies, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1st through the 7th. This also commemorates the Innocenti Declaration signed in August of 1990 by government policy makers, UNICEF, the WHO, and other organizations in effort to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding. This global campaign is purposed to raise awareness with the objective to inform, anchor, engage, and galvanize action in relation to themes that relate to breastfeeding and its benefits. According to the WHO, breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure the health and survival of

June is Men’s Health Month, and the team at Galen is celebrating the health and wellness of our male patients and their families. Celebrated across the country, the root purpose of Men’s Health Month is to raise awareness surrounding preventable health problems while encouraging the early detection and treatment of diseases among men and boys. This month-long celebration provides health care professionals and public policy makers, along with individuals, the opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical care and screenings, as well as early treatment for illnesses and injuries. The month will be marked by a slew

This year on June 13th, we celebrate the good parks and recreation brings to our communities and families with National Family Health & Fitness Day. On the second Saturday in June each year, this special day exists to highlight the importance of the parks systems in helping to keep communities active and healthy. Parks and recreation agencies across the states are encouraged to join in, sharing ways families can safely get active while still practicing social distancing on June 13th. This may look different place to place– maybe even incorporating virtual programming people can participate in from home, or within

Prevent Blindness America has declared the month of June to be Cataract Awareness Month. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world, and the leading cause for vision loss among Americans, affecting 24 million Americans over the age of 40. As such, June is dedicated to promoting awareness and education surrounding this issue. What are cataracts? A cataract is a clouding of the lens of your eye, which is normally clear. They result in clouded vision, difficulty reading, driving, and overall vision problems, especially at night. What are the symptoms of cataracts? Clouded, blurred or dim vision Increased

National Women’s Health Week is May 10th-16th, 2020, and the team at Galen is ready to celebrate women’s health and inspire our female patients to make their health a priority now and always. Especially in the current climate with COVID-19 an ever present concern, it’s even more imperative than ever to take steps to improve overall wellness now for a happier and healthier future. This is important for all girls and women, but even more so for those with underlying health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular and respiratory issues, and of course, women over the age of 65. It’s