MEDICALGUIDE A SUPPLEMENT OF
Katy Times
HOUSTON METHODIST EMERGENCY CARE CENTER IN CINCO RANCH
2019
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Do you treat children at this center? Yes. We treat patients of all ages, including kids, adults and elderly patients. Who will treat me? Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center in Cinco Ranch is staffed with board-certified emergency physicians who specialize in emergency care. Our doctors work alongside specially trained emergency care nurses and staff. Will a doctor be able to read my labs on-site? Yes. All X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds are performed on-site and read by a board-certified radiologist during your visit. What if I need surgery? We can easily transfer patients to Houston Methodist West Hospital for consultation with a surgeon or other appropriate specialists.
What is the difference between an urgent care center and Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center? We offer full medical services to all patients, and all of our doctors and staff are specially trained in emergency care. We are also open 24/7, while urgent care centers usually have limited business hours and typically treat minor injuries and illnesses. What injuries or illnesses does the Emergency Care Center treat? • Infections • Abdominal pain • Lacerations • Acute pain • Loss of consciousness • Allergic reactions • Minor automobile accidents • Bites, stings and rashes • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea • Breathing complications • Nosebleeds • Broken bones • Overdose • Burns • Seizures and neurological • Chest pain complications • Concussions • Stroke symptoms • Eye infections or injuries • Traumatic injuries • Fever • Urinary tract infections • Flu-like symptoms • Headaches and head injuries • Workplace injuries
MAKE BEDTIME A
BREEZE N
ew parents face many obstacles once they leave the hospital and take their children home. Parents often find that sleep schedules are a significant challenge, and one that won’t necessarily vanish as children grow older and become more independent. Adequate sleep is important for any age group, but especially so for developing children. When kids do not get enough sleep, they have a harder time controlling their emotions and they may have difficulty paying attention and learning. Despite that need for sleep, bedtime seems to be the one time during the day when youngsters seem especially needy and resistant to settling down. Patricia Cancellier, a former education director at the Parent Encouragement Program in Kensington, Maryland, says it’s typical for behavior issues to be more prevalent when separation from parents is imminent, like it is at bedtime. Parents who emphasize consistency with their children’s sleep routine may find that their infants, toddlers and school-aged children don’t put up too much of a fuss at bedtime. • Establish a bedtime that works. Figure out how much sleep your child needs and make sure they get to bed early enough to reach that
goal each night. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers aged-based sleep guidelines that can be accessed at www.aap.org. Parents magazine says children’s internal clocks eventually will adjust to the routine if the routine follows a natural and consistent pattern. • Start winding down. About an hour before bedtime, begin to scale back activities and anything that can rev up energy levels. • Signal that bedtime is close. Give children a verbal warning or follow a similar routine each day. For young children, signals such as a relaxing bath, songs, hugs, or other physical cues can indicate that bedtime is coming. • Reinforce structure. Consistency is essential. Talk about routines at other times of the day, and then implement other structured events. This teaches kids to recognize routines throughout their day, making kids more likely to embrace them at bedtime. • Offer a snack. Some children need more than three meals a day. A light snack before bed can help them stay sated through the night. Good ideas include whole-grain cereal with milk, graham crackers and milk, or a similar carb/protein combination.
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Key facts to remember from the CDC: FLU SYMPTOMS • Fever* or feeling feverish/chills • Cough • Sore throat • Runny or stuffy nose • Muscle or body aches • Headaches • Fatigue (tiredness) • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. * It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
NO TIME FOR
THE
FLU BY NIDHIN C. JOSEPH
B
eware! Wash your hands! Cover your mouth! These are all phrases we use during flu season. We are worried that it will pass from one person to another throughout the office and hit us right before the weekend or spread through the school and get our child right in time for our vacation. All are valid fears for anyone to have. However, each year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) releases specific guidance on the year’s influenza virus and strongly advises to proactively get the flu vaccine to protect yourself and others around you. The flu attacks the lungs, nose, and throat. Young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic disease or weak immune systems are at high risk. You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Most affected are children and the elderly. “Flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal spray flu vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and spread it to others. Flu vaccine is needed every season for optimal protection and the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and sometimes updated to keep up with changing flu viruses. If you are interested in learning more about the flu stop by and ask your local pharmacist, health clinic or doctor.
IMPROVE YOUR
WELLNESS FAMILY FEATURES
Stroke is often thought of as something that happens to older people, but more people under 50 are having strokes due to increased risky behaviors, such as smoking and untreated high blood pressure. Strokes don’t discriminate, according to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease and stroke. They can happen to anyone, at any age. About 1 in 4 people worldwide will have a stroke in their lifetime. However, up to 80% of first strokes may be prevented. “Healthy habits can protect and improve brain function and lower your stroke risk,” said Dr. Lee Schwamm, MD, American Stroke Association volunteer chairman and executive vice chairman, department of neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital. In recognition of World Stroke Day, the American Stroke Association offers these five tips to help reduce your risk of stroke and maintain mental sharpness as you age:
Keep blood pressure in mind and under control High blood pressure is the No. 1 controllable risk factor for stroke. Work with your doctor to manage your blood pressure and get it into a healthy range (under 120 over 80).
Eat colorful fruits and veggies Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can lower blood pressure over time, which may help reduce your stroke risk. Some fruits and vegetables, such as mangos, avocados and blueberries, are especially rich in vitamins and minerals that improve brain function and heart health.
Rest up Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night can improve brain function both today and long-term. A soothing bedtime routine and avoiding screen time
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before bed can increase the quality of sleep you’re able to get. Sleeprelated breathing issues may also increase stroke risk, so seek treatment right away if you suspect sleep apnea or similar problems.
Meditate Emerging science shows practicing mindfulness and being aware of your breathing may reduce blood pressure. A quick way to be mindful anytime is to pause, notice your breath and observe details in your surroundings.
Take a hike Getting active activates brain cells, encouraging them to grow and connect more efficiently. Aerobic exercise, like going for a walk, also gives your arteries a workout and makes your brain more resilient to reductions in blood flow that can cause strokes. To maximize health benefits, the American Heart Association recommends adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (or a combination) and two days per week of moderate- to high-intensity muscle strengthening activity. “These simple suggestions are great for everyone to follow, even if you don’t think you’re likely to have a stroke,” Schwamm said. “While many adults don’t think they are at risk for stroke or reduced brain function, the reality is that nearly half of all adults in America have high blood pressure, and untreated high blood pressure is one of the most common causes of stroke and also causes up to 60% of dementia.” For more information and tips for preventing stroke, visit Stroke.org/ WorldStrokeDay.
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FIND US ON
Kemah Palms Recovery provides a comprehensive program that helps individuals get their lives back on the road to health and happiness. Our team of experienced and highly qualified substance abuse experts and clinicians understand that each client’s path to recovery is unique. We will tailor an integrated recovery plan to simultaneously address not just an individual’s immediate addictions, but any underlying co-occurring behavioral issues as well. Depending on the needs of the client, Kemah Palms Recovery offers different levels of treatment, including Residential Treatment, a Partial Hospitalization Program, an Intensive Outpatient Program (day treatment), as well as an Aftercare Program. We have designed a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program using evidence-based treatment models that focus on treating and rehabilitating the mind, body and spirit. Our holistic approach combines proven recovery methods and therapeutic processes such as the 12-Step Recovery program, individual and group psychotherapy, relapse prevention, expressive arts, and healthy living habits. Our mission is to help end an individual’s substance abuse and replace harmful behaviors with new, safe healthier ones. Understanding what lies beneath the addictive behavior gives each individual the best opportunity for success in both the treatment process and at life-long recovery. Call or Email Kemah Palms Recovery Today To Begin Recovery Treatment! Taking the first step towards treatment can be emotionally and mentally draining. Representatives from Kemah Palms Recovery are standing by 24/7 to answer any of your questions and to help you begin your journey to recovery.
Call or Email Kemah Palms Recovery Today To Begin Recovery Treatment!
(713) 568-1210 • info@kemahpalms.com • www.kemahpalms.com
Taking the first step towards treatment can be emotionally and mentally draining. Representatives from Kemah Palms Recovery are standing by 24/7 to answer any of your questions and to help you begin your journey to recovery. 2019 MEDICAL GUIDE
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PCOS
A hormone condition that causes long-term, painful effects in women BY CARRIE WARD
P
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS, as it’s commonly known, is a hormonal imbalance that affects up to 10 percent of women in their reproductive years. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility, yet awareness for this hormonal condition is only recently on the rise. Lori Ham of Wallis said when she was diagnosed two years ago at the age of 40, she had never heard of PCOS, but she recognizes common PCOS symptoms when she remembers the severe menstrual period and painful cramping which kept her at home for days at a time as a teenager and young adult. “Women’s health is often put on the back burner. When I had these symptoms as a teenager and young adult, we treated the symptoms with birth control, but I never knew it was something more serious,” Ham said.
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According to Bellville Medical Center’s Dr. Shannon Juno, Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a common first symptom of PCOS is frequently missed periods. PCOS is often present from the start of a women’s menstrual cycle in puberty but can also develop later in life in patients with substantial weight gain, according to MayoClinic.com. PCOS affects all areas of the body, not simply the reproductive system and the list of symptoms are as varied as are the unique stories of the women behind the diagnosis. When Anne* first heard she suffered from PCOS, she was 20 years old. In the same conversation, her doctor told her the devastating new that she would most likely never be able to get pregnant. PCOS causes infertility by producing elevated levels of the male hormone androgen, which prevents ovulation or the releasing of an egg by the ovaries each month. Androgen also causes excess facial and body hair, severe acne and thinning hair, which are common symptoms of PCOS. Lori’s diagnosis was both uncommon and unexpected because she had a hysterectomy years before, which removed her cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, but left her ovaries. At the time of her diagnosis, she was overdue for an annual gynecological exam and in an ultrasound discovered numerous cysts on her ovaries. Lori was diagnosed with PCOS right away. In researching it she learned that her thinning hair, low sex drive, acne, sleeplessness and even depression could all be traced back to PCOS. “I think talking about things such as low sex drive or pain during sex is important. It’s not fun, but it’s important to talk about all of it because it takes away the stigma and improves women’s health,” Lori said.
Anne says she experienced irregular periods, but nothing too alarming. In fact, she went to the doctor because she and her husband were planning a family. Instead she found out that she wasn’t ovulating. As Anne said, tell her she can’t do something and she’s surely going to find a way to do it. That’s how she approached infertility. She took clomid, an ovulation-stimulating drug, before her first pregnancy and even though she was told during one cycle that she hadn’t produced any mature follicles and would not produce an egg that month, she did get pregnant. Years later through IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) she was able to conceive and carry another healthy baby. “I feel very blessed. Yes, I have PCOS, but I have two healthy children. I don’t have a lot of the symptoms that a lot of other people have,” Anne said. Dr. Juno says that PCOS has been diagnosed for years but is seeing a rise in cases because of an increase in awareness and while not all cases are caused by weight gain, an increase in obesity in the United States has also led to more diagnoses. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, though genetics, excess insulin, low-grade inflammation and elevated levels of the male hormone androgen may play a role. As the name states, polycystic ovaries are often a common symptom. Cysts form when numerous small fluid-filled sacs develop on the ovaries. This prevents ovaries from functioning regularly and releasing eggs. They cysts can also be extremely painful. Every other year, Anne says she experiences painful cysts and visits the doctor for a checkup, but she has not had any additional complications because of the cysts. Lori also has cysts but hasn’t experienced the intense pain some women feel.
In addition to the immediate signs and symptoms, PCOS can increase the risk of serious, long-term health issues such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, endometrial hyperplasia and even endometrial cancer or cancer of the uterine lining. There is no cure for PCOS, but treatment can ease some of the symptoms and long-term effects. Women who do not want to become pregnant are often prescribed combined birth control containing both estrogen and progestin. It regulates the menstrual cycle, decreases androgen levels and reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. Metformin is also given to women with PCOS to treat insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells do not respond to the effects of insulin. This causes the level of glucose in the blood to rise, which in turn triggers the body to produce more insulin to move the glucose into the cells. This leads to weight gain and diabetes. “I can run and exercise all day and lose one pound. I can lose that little just laughing,” Lori said about the difficulty of losing weight with PCOS. Anne says that metformin and birth control help her manage PCOS. Lori’s doctor prescribed metformin and has discussed surgery to remove her ovaries and hormone therapy as options when the symptoms become painful or interfere with her life. Because the symptoms of PCOS can change over time, both women also get regular check-ups and keep in communication with their doctors to manage PCOS. PCOS is a serious condition but can be treated. If you would like more information, please visit WebMD.com or MayoClinic.com *In an effort to maintain Anne’s privacy, we used an assumed name and not her real name throughout this article.
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MEDICALGUIDE
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No time for the flu this season
BEATING THE
WINTER BLUES
M
Most areas in Europe and North America observe daylight saving time. Daylight saving time is often welcomed in spring, as it helps to extend daylight hours well into the evening. But few may welcome turning the clocks back in fall. Coupled with the natural shortening of daylight hours as winter approaches, the end of DST facilitates a sudden shift in the ratio of sunlight to darkness. As autumn transforms into winter, the number of available hours of daylight slowly dwindles. Some areas of Alaska and Canada see only about three or four hours of daylight per day in the winter months. Conversely, those who live in Key West, Florida, the southernmost point of the contiguous United States, may enjoy around 10 hours of daylight. Fewer daylight hours can adversely affect mood and productivity. Seasonal affective disorder, often referred to as “SAD” or “the winter blues,” has been recognized and included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. Clinicians say that, as days become short and dark, a predictable set of symptoms of SAD may emerge. Individuals with SAD may experience a host of symptoms, including difficulty waking in the morning; diminished energy levels; a tendency to eat more; an inability to concentrate; and depression. The Cleveland Clinic advises that approximately half a million people in the United States suffer from winter SAD, while 10 to 20 percent may suffer from more mild forms of winter blues. The Canadian Mental Health Association states that between 2 and 3 percent of Canadians will experience SAD in their lifetime. Another 15 percent 14
2019 MEDICAL GUIDE
will experience a mild form of SAD that leaves them only slightly depressed. Similar symptoms can occur for those people who live in cloudy regions or high latitudes. Evidence strongly suggests SAD is linked to sunlight. This lack of sunlight may trigger production of melatonin in some individuals. Melatonin is a hormone made in the pineal gland that regulates sleep onset and sleeping patterns. A combination of self-care strategies as well as professional medical treatment may help those with winter blues or more severe SAD. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that these strategies can help people coping with SAD. • Get out of the house into sunlight or brightly lit spaces early in the day when the sun is out. • Increase time spent outdoors. Take a break midday and enjoy lunch outside or take a walk, even if it’s chilly. • Try to spend time with other people and chat with friends and relatives. • Avoid overloading on carbohydrates like cookies and candies. • Talk to a doctor about using light therapy, which is the first line of SAD treatment, according to the University of Maryland School of Medicine. • Consider cognitive behavioral therapy or talk therapy with a licensed mental health provider. He or she also can make recommendations about the use of medication to alleviate symptoms if other treatments do not provide results.
DEDICATED CHILDREN’S 24/7 EMERGENCY CARE IN KATY
You have a choice in emergency care. You can’t keep emergencies from happening, but Children’s Memorial Hermann at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital can make it a better experience. Our ER is specifically designed for kids, and the affiliated emergency medicine physicians, pediatricians, nurses and staff understand the emergency medical care children need. Our child-friendly equipment is suited – and sized – just for kids, and Child Life specialists help families cope with the unfamiliar and make kids feel more comfortable.
Visit childrens.memorialhermann.org/ER to see how we’re caring for kids in your community. 23900 Katy Fwy Katy, TX 77494
FULL-SERVICE EMERGENCY CARE
CLOSE TO HOME
10 GRAND PARKWAY
HOUSTON METHODIST EMERGENCY CARE CENTER IN CINCO RANCH
B EEN G GR SPRIN
Whether you have a minor emergency or a life-threatening one, you can rely on Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center in Cinco Ranch to provide high-quality, expert care for the whole family.
CINCO ROSE DR.
. LVD
99
1093
Our full-service ER offers: • Board-certified emergency physicians and nurses • 24/7 emergency care • On-site laboratory • Full-service X-ray, CT and ultrasound • Private treatment rooms
Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center in Cinco Ranch 26000 FM 1093 Richmond, TX 77406
• Easy access and free parking • Treatment for patients of all ages — children and adults • Follow-up appointments with Houston Methodist doctors scheduled before you leave • Fast admission to Houston Methodist West Hospital in Katy, if needed
For more information, visit houstonmethodist.org/ecc-cincoranch or call 832.522.6070.
WESTPARK TOLLWAY