lEading MEdicinE Your link to health innovations, news and tips IN NORTHWEST HOUSTON
S UM M ER 2015
health tuneup
Make summer the time for a family wellness check
Rescuing a Rodeo Rider
Is It an Emergency?
News & Events
events sports physicals Young athletes can take advantage of sports physicals provided by orthopedic sports medicine and primary care sports medicine physicians. In addition to standard preparticipation physical exams, ImPACT baseline concussion testing and EKG screenings are available upon request. For more information, call 281.737.0999. Date: Saturday, Aug. 1 Time: 8 a.m. — noon Location: Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Centerfield Building, 13802 Centerfield Dr., Third Floor Cost: $20 for physicals; $10 for optional EKG screening; $5 for concussion testing. CASH ONLY.
Free Joint Replacement Seminar Learn about the latest advancements in minimally invasive joint replacements with Dr. Daniel Le, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, and discover the advantages of the hospital’s Joint Camp program. Please register now to reserve your seat. Space is limited. To register, call 281.737.2500. Date: Thursday, Sept. 17 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Women’s & Children’s Pavilion Conference Center, Houston Methodist Willowbrook, 18220 State Highway 249 Saturday Sports Injury Clinics Attention, athletes: Saturday Sports Injury Clinics provide athletes with an injury evaluation by a boardcertified physician without an appointment. Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine physicians, physical therapists and certified athletic trainers help return athletes to play safely and quickly. Concussion testing is available. On-site X-ray, casting and same-day MRI services are available if needed.
Scheduling SOLUTIONS Did you know you can easily schedule your appointment online? Visit houstonmethodist.org/willowbrook and click the “Appointments & Online Scheduling” button on the right side of the screen. Caring for patients of all ages, the physicians at Houston Methodist Primary Care Group are dedicated to providing high quality and compassionate care for your entire family. Schedule online at houstonmethodist.org/primarycare or call 713.394.6724. Hablamos español.
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For more information, call 281.737.0999. Date: Saturday, Aug. 22 through Saturday, Nov. 14 Time: 8:30–11 a.m. Location: Houston Methodist Willowbrook, Centerfield Building, 13802 Centerfield Dr., Third Floor Breastfeeding Expo Expectant parents are invited to attend a free breastfeeding expo, presented by certified lactation consultants from Houston Methodist Willowbrook. Learn about the benefits and basics of breastfeeding, how to prepare for returning to work after giving birth, and more. Registration is required. To register, call 281.737.2006. Date: Saturday, Aug. 8 Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Location: Houston Methodist Willowbrook, Conference Center, First Floor
Better Breast Care Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital serves patients at high risk for breast cancer
W
hile the average American woman has a one-in-eight chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime, the risk is greater for some women. The Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Breast Care Center offers comprehensive breast care services that include programs for women with dense breasts and those with a higherthan-average breast cancer risk. The center’s high-risk program is dedicated to serving women who have a family or personal history of breast or ovarian cancer, certain genetic mutations, abnormal breast biopsies or chest radiation. “Women at high risk have special needs around prevention and early detection of breast cancer,” said Dr. Anna Belcheva, medical oncologist and hematologist and medical director of the Infusion Center at Houston Methodist Willowbrook. The award-winning center features two ultrasound rooms, front door access, reserved parking for patients and on-site patient registration. The center is located on the first floor in the
Women’s & Children’s Pavilion on the hospital campus at 18220 State Highway 249. It is staffed by a board-certified team of breast specialists, radiologists, pathologists and support staff. When breast irregularities are identified, the compassionate staff and healing environment help to minimize anxiety while findings are confirmed and a path to wellness is created. The Breast Care Center offers the following services: • Digital mammography with computer-aided detection software • Breast ultrasound • Breast MRI • On-site laboratory testing • On-site patient registration • Dedicated parking n
A Center of Excellence The Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Breast Care Center is accredited as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. At the Breast Care Center, you will find a dedicated team of doctors, nurses and support staff to care for you in a supportive environment where you are respected and understood. To learn more about services at the Breast Care Center, to schedule a screening mammogram or to learn more about the high-risk program, visit houstonmethodist. org/willowbrook or call 281.737.1900.
Schedule Your Mammogram
Scheduling your screening mammogram is easy. Visit houstonmethodist.org/willowbrook and click the “Appointments & Online Scheduling” button on the right side of the screen, or call 281.737.1900.
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Your Family’s
Summer Health Tuneup 4 LEADING MEDICINE IN northwest houston
Think beyond the paper and pencils and make backto-school season the time for a family health check
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ust off your daily planner: Back-to-school time means getting back to a routine, busy schedules and long to-do lists. But the season also offers a fresh start, making it a great time to take stock of your family’s health and ensure that everyone is up to date on exams, screenings and health goals. Not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered.
For Her
Moms usually put the needs of everyone else before their own. Be sure these screenings are on your to-do list.
PAP TEST
Why it matters: A Pap test, which looks for cancer in the cervix, can save your life. If detected early, cervical cancer is highly treatable. When to get it: After age 21, get a Pap test every three years. Once you hit 30, you can be tested once every five years. Talk to your doctor about getting an HPV test at the same time.
Heads up on Concussions Injuries, including concussions, are part of sports at every level. But to prevent long-term damage, it’s important to understand the signs of a concussion — including confusion, amnesia, headaches, dizziness, nausea, or difficulty with balance or coordination — and what to do next. If you think your child has suffered a concussion, make sure he or she sits out the rest of the game and sees a doctor right away. If your son or daughter is an athlete, it’s a good idea to have a cognitive test on file as a benchmark for potential injuries down the road. Houston Methodist Concussion Center offers ImPACT Baseline Testing, a Web-based exam used to test cognitive ability. The results provide a basis for comparison in the event that your athlete suffers an injury, requiring a post-injury test. Visit houstonmethodist.org/ ImPACTBaseline to learn more.
MAMMOGRAM
Why it matters: These X-ray images are your first line of defense against breast cancer. Screening mammograms lead to early detection, which reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer. As screening rates have risen, the death rate has gone down — 34 percent since 1990. When to get it: Schedule an annual mammogram starting at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer, your doctor may recommend you begin screenings earlier.
For Him
Men are known for slacking on doctor’s appointments. Not this year! Here’s what you need to know about the screening for the most common cancer in men.
photo by getty/Ariel Skelley
PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING
Why it matters: One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Risk factors include being age 65 or older and having a family history of prostate cancer, abnormal prostate cells or certain genome changes. Depending on your risk, your doctor may recommend a digital rectal exam or a blood test to measure the amount of the substance prostate-specific antigen, which can indicate prostate cancer. When to get it: Houston Methodist recommends that men over 50 should discuss the PSA blood test with their doctors. African-American men and those with a family history of prostate
cancer should talk with their physicians about starting screenings at age 45.
For Both of You
In addition to scheduling regular checkups to test your cholesterol, blood pressure and other aspects of your health, don’t forget to schedule a colonoscopy starting at 50.
COLONOSCOPY
Why it matters: Like the majority of screenings, the goal of a colonoscopy is finding cancer early, when it is most treatable. A colonoscopy is the best way to look for (and remove) polyps, small growths that can become cancerous. When to get it: Most men and women should start getting screened at 50, and then once every decade after that. Those at high risk may require earlier or more frequent screenings.
For the Kids
Good health is a lifelong project. Instill healthy habits in your kids by scheduling these appointments.
SPORTS PHYSICAL
Why it matters: If your teens will be joining a team (or two or three) this school year, they’ll need a doctor’s approval to participate. A Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine physician can address sportsspecific issues, like proper nutrition and hydration, injury prevention, training and good form. When to get it: Although school district rules vary, one physical at the end of summer will typically cover your child for the school year.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Why they matter: Vaccines are a powerful tool for keeping your kids — and the kids around them — healthy. By the time they hit school age, most children have had the majority of their immunizations, but there are a few to keep tabs on as they reach their teens.
When to get them:
• Annually: flu shot • Age 11: meningococcal conjugate vaccine • Age 16: booster shot n
Complete Your Health Checklist
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is here to keep you and your family healthy. Call 281.737.2500 or visit houstonmethodist.org/willowbrook to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians.
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Rodeo rider Taylor Wharton
Rodeo
Rescue
Taylor Wharton and Dr. Anthony Echo
Complex Surgeries Close to Home
Reconstructive hand surgery helped Taylor Wharton get back in the saddle after a traumatic accident
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fingertip. “At the time of the accident, our very first college rodeo of the year was in six weeks,” said Taylor, a student at Sam Houston State University. “So I was all about going with the fastest procedure and having a nub as a finger the rest of my life just so I wouldn’t miss any college rodeos this year.” Three months after her accident, Taylor was back in the saddle with a hand that is both fully functioning and aesthetically appealing. “I see people who know my story and they want to see my hand. They squint their eyes and turn away thinking they are about to see something ugly. But they are all so amazed,” Taylor said. “Dr. Echo truly did a phenomenal job.” n Visit bit.ly/1Ep4166 to see a video of Taylor Wharton.
Surgery Solutions
To learn about plastic and reconstructive surgery options at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, visit houstonmethodist.org/willowbrook or call 281.737.2500 for an appointment.
PHOTOS BY Richard J. Carson
freak accident last fall almost cost 19-year-old rodeo rider Taylor Wharton a finger. When Taylor’s horse got spooked, the middle finger of her left hand got caught in the lead rope knot — and the pressure pulled off the tip. On the night of the injury in September, Taylor took an ambulance to a local emergency room, where her severed finger was cleaned and bandaged. Doctors advised her to see a hand specialist immediately. The next morning, Taylor visited a specialist who offered the option of amputating the finger or visiting Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital to see Dr. Anthony Echo, a plastic surgeon who could perform reconstructive surgery. Initially, Taylor felt amputation was the better option. As quickly as possible, she wanted to get back into rodeo training. Amputation would allow that. By contrast, reconstruction would save her finger but would require multiple surgeries and three months of recovery. Taylor and her mom ultimately chose reconstruction after talking with Echo, who then performed two surgeries in the coming weeks. Taylor is grateful that she had a doctor who thought about the lifelong impact of having a missing
It takes a doctor with unique skills to successfully perform a finger reattachment after a traumatic event. The boardcertified plastic surgeons at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital specialize in providing these and other complex procedures close to home. Clinical expertise includes: Reconstructive surgery Conventional cosmetic plastic surgery such as breast augmentation, face-lift, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty and liposuction Microvascular surgery, used for conditions including breast and nerve reconstruction, is performed on extremely small blood vessels using a microscope, specialized instruments and tiny needles with ultrafine sutures Peripheral nerve surgeries, which include those to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, brachial plexus injuries, nerve tumors and thoracic outlet syndrome
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True or false: It’s OK to drive yourself or a loved one to the hospital during a potential stroke.
Answer: False. Every minute counts when a stroke occurs, and when you call 911, medical care begins as soon as first responders arrive. On the way to the hospital, they perform vital tasks and alert the hospital to ensure that a stroke team is ready to treat you.
Emergency 101 5 Which symptoms should be considered an emergency and which can wait for your doctor? Do you know what to do in an emergency? Take this quiz to learn which symptoms warrant a trip to the emergency department or a Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center — and which can wait for a visit to your primary care physician.
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Which sports injury requires emergency care?
photo by photoshot
a. Mild concussion b. Sprained ankle c. Compound fracture d. All of the above
Answer: C. Compound fracture. While serious concussions require immediate attention, mild concussions do not. Symptoms of serious concussions include lasting confusion, seizure, unusual eye movement, unequal pupil sizes, repeated vomiting, balance problems or loss of consciousness for more than a few seconds. While a broken bone can be treated at an urgent care facility, compound fractures — in which the bone protrudes through the skin — require immediate emergency treatment.
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True or false: Unexplained chest pain is always an emergency.
Answer: True. Chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom for both men and women. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fatigue, anxiety, sweating, nausea or vomiting, or pain in the back, neck, arms or jaw. Women are more likely than men to experience these symptoms in addition to or in the absence of chest pain.
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True or false: A fever of 100 degrees or more warrants emergency treatment.
Answer: False. Otherwise healthy adults should go to the emergency department for a fever of 104 degrees or higher, if you’re undergoing chemotherapy, or if you also have trouble breathing, changes in behavior or neck stiffness.
Which summertime affliction should prompt a visit to the emergency department? a. Sunburn b. Bug bites c. Poison ivy d. Heatstroke e. None of the above
Answer: D. Heatstroke. Most summertime ailments can be treated at home or by your primary care physician. Heatstroke can lead to brain damage, kidney failure and even death. Seek emergency care if, after being outside in the heat, you develop a fever of 104 degrees or higher or have any of the following symptoms: confusion, irritability, slurred speech, rapid breathing, fast heart rate, nausea or vomiting, flushed skin or headache. n
Coming Soon
The Houston Methodist Cypress Emergency Care Center will open this fall at 27560 U.S. 290 Frontage Rd., Cypress, TX, 77433. Visit bit.ly/1zt7OPy for more information about the center.
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13. houston Methodist cinco Ranch Emergency care center NOW OPEN! 14. houston Methodist cypress Emergency care center Opening in Fall 2015 15. houston Methodist Spring Emergency care center Opening in 2016
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