The first phase of a brand new five-story patient tower at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital is scheduled to open in November and will be fully open by early 2023. The new tower is the largest part of a $250 million investment to create new technologically advanced facilities and renovate existing spaces throughout the campus. Every aspect of the new patient tower was designed with you and your loved ones in mind:
■ Private patient rooms. Spacious rooms provide a peaceful environment for healing. Rooms include Wi-Fi-connected tablets, smart speakers and room service with online meal ordering.
■ Advanced imaging and technology. The tower is equipped with the latest diagnostic tools and equipment to enhance surgical precision and speed patient recovery.
■ Specialized care. A new intensive care unit features the latest medical technologies as well as an entire floor dedicated to childbirth and obstetrics services.
■ World-class physicians and nurses. A highly skilled team of experts work together to provide personalized primary and specialty care.
■ Convenient campus parking. A covered parking garage allows visitors to park with ease and access the entire campus.
The tower’s completion is preceded by other large projects, including:
■ A two-story parking garage that created over 700 free spaces
■ An expanded emergency room project, which added 42 private treatment rooms
■ The 2 North medical-surgical patient unit
■ A new level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
■ The renovated Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center at Baytown
■ A new observation unit that provides patient care, including diagnostics, treatment and monitoring, following an emergency department visit
“Houston Methodist Baytown always grows with the needs of our patients and team members,” said CEO David Bernard. “These new facilities allow us to expand our services and continue providing unparalleled safety, quality, service and innovation to the community we serve.” •
Each year, millions of people experience the fever, runny nose, headache and body aches, caused by the flu. But there are easy ways to avoid getting or spreading the influenza virus.
“The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated every year as soon as the vaccine become available in your area,” explained Dr. Dinara Abdueva, primary care and internal medicine doctor with the Houston Methodist Primary Care Group at Mont Belvieu. “Flu vaccines are made to fight against those viruses that are expected to be most prevalent during the upcoming season.”
We shouldn’t take flu lightly. The U.S. averages more than 200,000 flu hospitalizations each year, and sometimes it can lead to death. Adults 65 years and older or with chronic health conditions have a higher risk of developing serious flu complications.
Although flu viruses are detected year-round, flu season is usually October to May in the United States though it tends to peak in December, January and February. “Vaccines can be effective at any point,” Abdueva said. “It’s never too late to get vaccinated.”
While the most effective way to prevent flu is to get the vaccine, there are other simple things you can do to minimize your risk.
1. Keep close contact to a minimum. Stay away from family members or friends who are sick to reduce your exposure.
2. Stay home if you feel sick. Get proper rest and reduce the risk of exposing others to the flu. Adults are usually contagious one day prior to any symptoms, and five to seven days after becoming sick.
3. Cover your mouth and nose. Using a tissue will keep germs from spreading during coughing or sneezing bouts. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
4. Wash your hands. No matter the time of year, the healthy habit of cleaning your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is one of the best preventions.
5. Don’t touch your nose, mouth or eyes. Stop the spread by keeping your hands away from your face.
6. Practice good health habits. Regular physical activity, plenty of sleep, eating well, drinking plenty of fluids and managing stress are great habits for a healthy lifestyle before, during and after flu season.
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Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness and is different from the common cold or other viruses. If you have the flu, you may have some of these in children
If you suspect you have the flu, contact your primary care doctor right away to be tested. There are medications that can help shorten the duration and lessen flu effects if taken in the early stages the illness.
Talk to your doctor about the flu vaccine and your risk factors. Call 832.556.6936 to schedule an appointment with a primary care doctor. Your Flu Shot
Dr. Dinara Abdueva
Methodist Baytown Hospital, who helps patients suffering from sinusitis find relief.
Picture this: you‘re sitting at your desk. Your head aches, your nose is stuffed up, and it feels like you can’t breathe. You’ve had what feels like a bad cold for weeks. Your doctor gave you some medicine, but it just isn’t feeling any better. Unfortunately for you, you might be dealing with something more than a simple sinus infection: chronic sinusitis.
A nagging sinus infection can feel awful. Also known as sinusitis, this common condition occurs when the sinus cavities become inflamed and fill with fluid due to allergies, infection or other factors. This inflammation prevents normal mucus drainage, causing these symptoms. The good news is that these symptoms are usually temporary.
When these symptoms last for more than eight weeks despite medical treatment, it’s called chronic sinusitis. The debilitating effects of chronic sinusitis can make it difficult to concentrate, sleep, work or even drive. Depending on how long it lasts, chronic sinusitis can significantly impact your quality of life.
“Fortunately, for patients suffering from chronic sinusitis, new advances in surgery can offer a breath of fresh air,” explained Dr. Sara Chen Xie, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) at Houston
If traditional medical treatment doesn’t relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend noninvasive surgery. “These procedures use advanced technology and minimally invasive techniques to widen nasal passages and restore normal drainage,” Xie said. Most people can have them performed in an outpatient setting, so there’s a limited impact on your routine. Two types of minimally invasive surgery include:
■ Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) involves a thin, fiber-optic telescope (endoscope) that is inserted into the nose. Using the endoscope, the doctor can see inside your sinuses and magnify them. This lets the doctor locate and remove the tissue that’s obstructing nasal passages. Removing this tissue widens the sinuses and restores normal drainage.
During these endoscopic surgeries, doctors rely on “landmarks” that help them orient their instruments. If a patient has atypical sinus anatomy, those landmarks may not exist. Image-guided surgery uses computed tomography (CT) scans of the sinuses to provide a map. This map and the endoscope allow the surgeon to make precise movements inside the nasal passages.
FESS surgeries are usually done under
general anesthesia and can last from one to three hours. For patients who want relief with minimal recovery time (one to two weeks), FESS offers plenty of benefits. It leaves no external scars. It has few complications, and discomfort is minimal.
■ Balloon sinuplasty is a noninvasive option where a surgeon inserts a small balloon catheter into the sinuses through the nose. The balloon gently inflates, allowing the doctor to restructure and widen sinus passages without any cutting of tissue. This is a good option for people who cannot tolerate general anesthesia. (See sidebar)
Patients who undergo these procedures often experience less face pain and headaches. Many of them experience less nasal obstruction and postnasal discharge. “This kind of endoscopic surgery is already showing great improvement for many patients with chronic sinusitis,” Xie said. “In fact, some of them even say they can smell better than before.”
In a recent survey of patients who underwent surgery for their chronic sinusitis issues, many of them say their issues with stuffy nose and loss of smell had improved — even 12 years later. Less than 40% of the patients needed further surgery, although many suggested that regular medication still played a role in helping to stave off sinusitis symptoms.
If you have been living with a mild form of chronic sinusitis, balloon sinuplasty may help relieve your symptoms. This minimally invasive procedure is used to treat chronic or recurrent sinusitis or sinus infections when traditional medical therapy is ineffective. During this procedure, surgeons use a small balloon, placed through the nose, to
widen the sinus passages and relieve symptoms.
Candidates for balloon sinuplasty include people who:
■ Do not have nasal polyps or tumors
■ Have mild forms of sinusitis
■ Can tolerate local anesthesia
Benefits balloon sinuplasty
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You may find the relief you need with noninvasive surgery. Meet with one of our board-certified ENT specialists at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital to find out if surgery can help your symptoms. To schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/ear-nose-throat or call 281.427.2747
Hearing the news that you or a family member have cancer can take your breath away. Your thoughts and emotions start to race. Deciding what to do next feels impossible.
Finding the right provider and treatment plan is a highly personal decision. Many people feel an urgency to get started with treatment right away. However, experts say it’s a good idea to take a couple days to understand your diagnosis before making any decisions. But where do you start?
Once you know the type of cancer you have and the stage, you can begin your search for a care team. Referrals from your primary care physician, family or friends are often good places to begin. For many people, online research is helpful.
Finding the right hospital and team of specialists can make a big difference in the type of care you receive. And knowing what to look for can help you make the right decision. Dr. Nirav Naik, boardcertified hematologist-oncologist at Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center at Baytown, offers advice for people just starting on their cancer journey. Here are just a few things to look for when starting your search for a cancer team.
“When it comes to medical care, we all want to be treated like an individual, not a condition or disease. In cancer care, this is especially important,” Naik noted. “At Houston Methodist, our treatment plans are built around the patient. This includes your diagnosis and medical history but also your family, job and life outside your illness.”
Effective cancer treatment takes a team of experts working together, including hematologist-oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, imaging specialists, nurses, pharmacists and many other specialists.
“Collaboration is at the heart of patient-centered cancer care. Having all these specialists working together under one roof ensures all options are considered when creating the treatment plan,” Naik said.
Certain health conditions can be affected by cancer treatment, such as arthritis, neuropathy (nerve damage or dysfunction), diabetes or some cardiac conditions. For example, a patient who is on blood thinners for vessel disease may be unable to have cancer surgery. “Because Houston Methodist is a comprehensive
health system, we include a cardiologist in planning to ensure the patient’s safety,” Naik explained.
Your cancer team may include additional services to address other needs that arise during treatment. Look for a provider that offers these support services to complement your cancer care:
■ Nurse navigators (see side bar)
■ Physical, occupational or speech therapy
■ Registered dietitians
■ Financial navigators and social work
■ Acupuncture or massage
■ Fertility preservation
Every person’s cancer has its own unique fingerprint, which influences how it grows and spreads. “It’s important to have access to the latest diagnostic and treatment options, including tissue typing and molecular therapy,” Naik explained. “At Houston Methodist, we create treatment plans that are highly targeted for both the individual and their specific cancer.”
If surgery is part of your treatment plan, look for a surgeon and hospital that offer minimally invasive surgical techniques to reduce complications and speed recovery. Image-guided therapy uses 3D (or higher) imaging that allows surgeons to plan the best surgical approach in virtual reality before or during surgery.
There are many different treatment options for people with cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and advanced surgical procedures.
“These are well-known, tested options, but many patients want alternatives,” Naik noted. Additionally, some people with rare or aggressive cancers may find that they don’t respond as well as hoped to traditional treatments.
“This is where clinical trials come in. They are one of the most important ways to advance cancer treatment,” Naik explained. “They help researchers and scientists develop new approaches to treating cancer, which means more options for patients.” Houston Methodist is the only health system offering FDA-approved clinical trials at multiple locations across the Greater Houston area.
“Most of all, you should trust your cancer team and feel involved in every decision about your care,” Naik said. “And you should always feel free to get a second opinion, especially if you are deciding between different care options.” •
Visit houstonmethodist.org/ cancer to learn more about Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center and our approach to cancer treatment. With seven locations throughout the Greater Houston area, you don’t have to travel far for exceptional care.
Oncology nurse navigators are registered nurses who specialize in cancer care. They support and guide you at every step of your cancer journey, from diagnosis to survivorship.
Cancer care means you will have many appointments with your team. Nurse navigators can help coordinate your appointments so you can schedule multiple services on the same day at the same location. This can help you maximize your time away from work or family.
Nurse navigators can also:
• Answer general questions about your treatment options.
• Coordinate communication with your health care team.
• Direct you to health care services for further diagnosis and treatment.
• Direct you to local resources and support.
• Provide family support.
Visit houstonmethodist.org/oncology-nurse-navigator to learn more.
Thanks to dedicated researchers and scientific advances, the survival rates for cancer has steadily increased over the last 10 years. From placing a greater emphasis on precision medicine to the rise of immunotherapy and discovering the link between health disparities and outcomes, researchers in the U.S. and across the globe continue to make significant advances in understanding cancer and how to treat it.
“Cancer researchers explore and test new forms of treatment each day. Several of these treatment options offer promising results,” said Dr. Ugochukwu Odo, an oncologist with Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center at Baytown.
Here’s a look at some of the groundbreaking discoveries that are helping to save lives.
Immunotherapy uses medications and vaccines to boost your body’s natural immune system to target cancer cells.
These vaccines help the body find and attack cancer cells. It then produces the antibodies to combat cancer cells in different parts of the body.
“Some antibodies are made from a patient’s own cells while others are massproduced in a lab,” Odo explained. She added that immunotherapy can be used alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. Types of cancer that often benefit from immunotherapy include melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, lymphoma and leukemia.
Chemotherapy is one of the most effective cancer treatments, but it comes with harsh side effects. That’s why scientists are always in search of alternatives like antiangiogenic therapy, which uses agents that cut off the blood supply to tumors. Without this life source, cancer cells can’t grow or survive.
“The real value of these drugs is that they do less damage to nearby healthy cells,” Odo explained. “This helps
T he Future of Cancer Treatment Our board-certified oncologists at Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center at Baytown most advanced 281.420.7211 schedule an
reduce many of the worst side effects of chemotherapy and helps patients stay active throughout treatment.” While it’s not a cure for cancer, antiangiogenic agents are showing great potential. This is especially true for colon or lung cancers.
Gene therapy explores the ways in which genetic changes cause normal cells to turn cancerous. Scientists are excited at how much this stops cancer cells from forming, and how it makes them more sensitive to other agents. The hope is that future therapies can replace damaged or missing genes. There are several ongoing clinical trials to determine the safest and most effective ways to use gene therapy.
“Keep in mind that many of these techniques are still a long way off from regular use. While these potential cancer breakthroughs show promise, it often takes years of research and several independent studies to confirm new findings,” Odo said. •
Clinical trials are how new medications and treatments for cancer are developed, which means patients have more options when it comes to deciding on a treatment plan. Trials measure a drug’s effectiveness and safety. They also identify side effects and adverse reactions to medications or therapies.
The FDA oversees thousands of clinical trials in the U.S. every year. Numerous independent studies are conducted during the approval process to ensure patient safety.
There are several clinical trials currently underway at Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center at Baytown. Our oncologists and treatment teams can help you explore the possibility of getting into clinical trials. Visit houstonmethodist.org/cancer/clinical-trials to learn more about cancer research and the types of clinical trials available.
Despite advances in medicine, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of almost 700,000 people each year. About 80 million people have some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affect their heart and blood vessels.
That’s why doctors like Dr. Pimprapa Vejpongsa, a cardiologist with Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates at Baytown, do everything they can to spot CVD early using a growing number of tools that can identify and treat heart disease before it becomes a life-threatening issue.
Advanced cardiac imaging makes diagnosing heart problems faster and more accurate. Confirmed diagnoses can often lead to more effective treatments. “These imaging methods yield enormous amounts of information about the heart. This information can lead to easier disease management for patients,” Vejpongsa said. •
“The past 20 years have brought big gains in cardiac imaging,” Vejpongsa explained. These precise techniques can help your doctor confirm a diagnosis. Common CVD diagnoses include angina, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and more.
The main benefits of the new techniques used include:
■ Faster diagnoses of existing cardiovascular issues
■ Less invasive methods of monitoring
■ More detailed heart, blood vessels and structures imagery
The type of cardiac imaging used will depend on your specific symptoms and history. Your doctor can better explain the reasons for each test offered.
Common cardiac imaging include radiographic imaging techniques that are more advanced than X-rays and can show detailed information about your heart:
■ PET scans: This test measures metabolic activity in tissue and organs. A low-level injection of glucose is given to help doctors identify damaged areas.
■ CT scans: This X-ray is 100 times more sensitive than standard X-rays and creates 2D and 3D “slices” of the body from different angles. Computers assemble these slices into high-resolution images that can reveal clots, blockages or aneurysms.
■ Magnetic resonance angiography: This special MRI created highly detailed images of organs and blood vessels.
■ Heart angiogram and catheterization: These procedures find and treat blockages in the heart and coronary arteries.
Your cardiologist will discuss the right type of imaging for your situation. Some may be more effective for your case than others.
Knowing the symptoms of heart disease can help prevent serious issues down the road. While some things are out of your control, many of the causes can be managed if caught early. “Factors like age, lifestyle and underlying medical conditions all can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease,” Vejpongsa noted.
Heart disease symptoms can vary depending on the type of heart disease you have. It can be caused by a buildup of plaque in your arteries, a heart defect or abnormal heartbeat, also known as arrhythmia.
Common symptoms include:
■ Chest pain or tightness
■ blood pressure
■ cholesterol
■ dizziness or fainting
■ Pain, numbness or weakness in your legs
■ Racing or slow heartbeat
If you’ve noticed any signs of heart disease, make an appointment to talk with your doctor about your risk factors.
If you have a personal history of heart disease or are concerned about potential cardiovascular symptoms, call 281.837.7587 or visit houstonmethodist.org/ heart-vascular to schedule an appointment at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital.
What do exercise, moving furniture or stepping down from a curb have in common? The risk of an injury. Even routine movements can cause orthopedic injuries. Knowing what to do after an injury can get you on the road to recovery faster.
Should you walk it off? Try to schedule an appointment with your doctor tomorrow? Visit an urgent care or ER? Each year, millions of Americans ask these questions after an orthopedic injury.
“The biggest question people ask after an orthopedic injury is do I need to see a doctor — which is quickly followed by where to go for medical care?” said Dr. Michael Hopson, an orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Baytown, and team physician for the Houston Astros, Rice University and Barbers Hill High School.
Luckily, most minor strains and sprains can be treated at home. But when it comes to broken bones, and muscle, tendon or ligament tears, a trip to the emergency room or urgent care center is necessary to ensure the injury heals properly.
No matter where the injury occurs — either at home or out and about — pushing through the pain is not recommended. Moving an injured limb or body part could lead to even more damage and longer recovery time. “Pain is a signal that our body needs to rest,” Hopson said. “Rushing the healing process can make things worse.”
After an injury, take the following actions:
1. Get off your feet and rest the injured area to reduce the risk of further damage.
2. Immediately apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and inflammation. Limit icing to 20 minutes to protect skin from frostbite. Repeat hourly as needed.
3. Elevate the injured area to reduce accumulated fluid.
4. Protect the injured area and limit movement with a cast, brace or crutches, if needed.
5. Evaluate the injury for signs that it might be serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor.
Not sure if the injury is serious enough to need medical care? One of the biggest indicators of a serious injury is if the injured area can support your weight. “Knee, hip and ankle injuries that cause you to walk with a limp require medical attention,” Hopson said. “If you can’t bear weight on it, use crutches and see a doctor right away. X-rays and evaluation can help determine the extent of the injury.”
When it comes to upper extremities like shoulders, elbows and wrists, inability to raise or move your arm or weakness are signs to seek emergency care.
Another area of concern is bruising and swelling around the joint. Most of the time, minor swelling doesn’t require an emergency visit, but you should be evaluated by a doctor soon. But rapid swelling combined with one or more of the warning signs below means you should seek care immediately to rule out fractures or other serious injuries.
Signs you need immediate medical attention after an injury include:
■ Deformity of the limb or bone breaking through the skin
■ Inability to bear weight
■ Intense or persistent pain
■ Rapid joint swelling
■ Swelling that prevents movement in fingers or toes.
■ Weakness when moving a limb or muscle
“If you have any doubts, it’s a good idea to get checked out by an orthopedic specialist or sports medicine doctor,” Hopson added. By seeking treatment quickly, you can avoid risking further damage whether it’s a muscle strain, broken bone, dislocation or injured tendon.
In most cases, time and rest is all you need to recover. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy. In severe cases, surgery may be required to repair the damage. This is often true with torn muscles or ligaments.
Recovery time can vary — ranging from days to several weeks or months — depending on the location and severity of the injury. Age, overall health and other factors can also make a difference. Your doctor can tell you when you can expect to get back to full strength.
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HopsonIf you’ve ever been injured, you may have heard about the RICE method — or rest, ice, compression and elevation. This simple selfcare approach can help reduce pain and speed the healing process. But how does it work?
■ Rest. After an injury, rest of the injured limb or area for the first two days. Avoid all weight bearing activities.
■ Ice. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply to the injured area for up to 20 minutes to reduce pain, swelling and bruising. Limit icing to 20 minutes at a time for the first six hours with at least 40-minute warming breaks in between to avoid damaging the skin and tissues.
■ Compression. Snuggly wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage wrap to prevent swelling. Be careful not to wrap the area too tight.
■ Elevation. Use a pillow to raise the injured body part above the level of your heart to reduce pain, throbbing and swelling. If after a day or two, home remedies aren’t relieving your symptoms, make an appointment to see an orthopedic specialist for evaluation.
Houston Methodist Orthopedic Injury Clinic at Baytown offers same-day appointments with an orthopedic specialist. When you need immediate orthopedic care, our knowledgeable doctors and staff can quickly evaluate and treat your injury to get you back to daily activities. To schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/osm-injury-baytown or call 281.427.7400.
At Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Baytown, our specialists review your mammogram history and track results over time — detecting changes earlier. That’s why getting your mammogram starting at age 40 — or earlier, if you have a family history — is so important.
Our Breast Care Center offers: The latest 3D mammogram technology Board-certified breast imaging radiologists Acceptance of most major insurance plans health and safety are our priority. We are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe. do not require a doctor’s order for your annual mammogram. the QR code, visit call 346.292.PINK (7465) to schedule your mammogram today. you prefer to not receive future communication Methodist,
