I’m Pregnant. Now What?

First of all, congratulations!  Pregnancy is an amazing journey with ups and downs and a wonderful finish line. During your pregnancy, take time to educate yourself, but try not to spend too much time stressing. While it’s important to be careful and healthy during pregnancy, it’s also important to recognize that pregnancy is a natural process that your body was made for. Trust your instincts.

In the meantime, here are some tips to follow if you have just found out that you are pregnant:

Schedule an Appointment With Your OB/GYN
Depending on your doctor or midwife’s policies, you may be asked to go in early to take a pregnancy test and get some initial information. Some practitioners may not want to see you until you’re around 12 weeks pregnant. It’s important to make and keep this early appointment so you can get on track for the many screenings and exams required during pregnancy. Talk to your dentist about having a cleaning done during pregnancy as well, as good oral hygiene is especially important during pregnancy.

Learn About Early Symptoms
You may experience some weird sensations and symptoms during early pregnancy. It can feel like your body is being hijacked, and in many ways it really is. In addition to missing your period, you may experience early symptoms like frequent urination, tender breasts, fatigue and nausea. While these symptoms can be inconvenient, they’re generally harmless. However, you should call your health care provider if you’re concerned about symptoms or you’re experiencing bleeding.

Take Your Vitamins
It’s important to take pre-natal vitamins while trying to conceive, or as soon as you know you’re pregnant. These vitamins contain high levels of folic acid, a B vitamin that helps prevent birth defects. Womensheath.gov recommends 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid in early pregnancy, and preferably before women know they’re pregnant. If you’re of childbearing age, consider taking this supplement.

Watch What You Eat
Nutrition and food safety are important during pregnancy. The FDA recommends heightened food safety measures for moms-to-be. Certain food-borne illnesses can be very dangerous during pregnancy. In addition to safety measures such as avoiding soft cheeses, uncooked meats, deli meat and foods high in mercury, pregnant women should eat well-balanced meals and should avoid cutting calories.

North Hills Hospital is ready to assist every new mother as she prepares for the arrival of her child. To learn more about giving birth at our Women's Center, please visit us online here. We also offer new parents a number of classes to prepare for a new baby, please register here. If you would like a referral for an obstetrician at North Hills Hospital, please call our physician referral line at 1-855-5NHILLS.

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Tips for Surviving a Stroke

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone dies of a stroke every 4 minutes. Many factors involved with stroke cannot be controlled. But there are steps you can take to prevent stroke risks and increase survival chances in the event of a stroke. Arm yourself with knowledge to be more prepared if you or a loved one suffers from a stroke.

Prevent Stroke Before it Happens
Take control of your health to help lower your stroke risk. You should manage your existing health conditions with your health provider's help. Keep track of your cholesterol and blood pressure, and manage diabetes if you have it. Keep your medications up to date and take them as directed. In addition to being active and watching your weight, you should quit smoking immediately and avoid excessive alcohol use.

Be Familiar with the Signs of Stroke
Because stroke survival and recovery depend on quick action, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms. Common symptoms come on suddenly and may include numbness or weakness of the face or limbs, trouble with vision or speaking, loss of coordination and severe headache. If any of these symptoms come on and then go away with no other effects, you should still talk to your doctor immediately, as they could be signs of a stroke in the future.

Act Fast
Stroke can be treated, but it’s important to treat immediately. Always begin by calling 9-1-1. Stroke first aid must be administered by emergency medical professionals. A delay in treatment can lead to death or far more significant impairments after stroke. Be aware of hospitals and emergency care centers in your area, and educate those around you to make them aware of symptoms and signs of stroke. Make sure that your loved ones know to call for emergency help right away. Assess your own stroke risk and the risk of those close to you. If you’re aware of a higher risk of stroke, have an action plan in place in case of sudden stroke symptoms.

Stroke Center
North Hills Hospital has been named a certified Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. Our hospital, in partnership with the Texas Stroke Institute, shares the vision of commitment to providing high quality primary and comprehensive stroke center.

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The Importance of Pap Tests and Cervical Health

Have you ever asked your heath care provider exactly why you have a pap test with your annual exam? The answer might surprise you. Pap tests, sometimes called pap smears, are life saving tests. Before they were regularly conducted, women frequently died of cervical cancer. Now that we have modern methods of checking the cervix for early signs of cancer, survival rates are much higher.

What is a Pap Test?
Pap tests are usually conducted as part of a pelvic exam during a regular visit to the gynecologist or general practitioner. According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, the test was named after George Papanicolaou, the doctor who developed the procedure in the 1930’s. The test involves brief collection of cells from the cervix. These cells are then sent to a lab to be reviewed under a microscope.

What is an Abnormal Pap Test Result?
After a pap test, your doctor may call you to tell you that your results were abnormal. Don’t panic. This simply means that the test detected cell abnormalities. These abnormalities may indicate early signs of cervical cancer, but they don’t mean you already have cancer. Your doctor will recommend follow-up tests. It’s very important to follow up with these potentially life saving tests that will help deter these cells from becoming cancer.

How is HPV Related to Cervical Health?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus. It’s the main cause of cervical cancer. According to the CDC, around 20 million Americans carry HPV. It’s so common that about half of all sexually active adults will get it. Unlike other sexually transmitted diseases, there is no regular screening to detect the virus. This is why regular pap tests are crucial to discovering whether or not active HPV might be causing dangerous changes to cervical cells.

Who Needs a Pap Test?
The CDC recommends that every woman over the age of 21 have a regular pap smear. Even if you’re no longer sexually active or you’re no longer of a childbearing age, you still need to have pap tests. Your medical provider will help you determine how often you need to be screened with a pap smear and pelvic exam. Sexual activity and cervical cancer risk factors may be factors that determine how often your doctor would like to see you. Be sure to keep these appointments as an investment in your health and future.

North Hills Hospital is committed to preventative women's healthcare. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician for your annual pap test, please call our physician referral line at 1-855-5NHILLS or visit us online here.

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Thanks To Everyone Who Entered Our New Year’s Resolution Contest

To ring in the New Year, we sponsored a contest to win a $100 gift card to The Container Store. We asked you to think about your New Year’s resolutions, and tell us which one you are the most excited about. Congratulations to our random winner, Lori Spisak, who said

2012 I vow to be healthier for me and my family, including better diet and more exercise!

Thank you to everyone who participated. We loved reading all of your healthy resolutions, and wish you all the best for a safe, happy and healthy 2012!

Understanding the Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease aren’t interchangeable terms, but they are related. The National Institute of Neurological disorders and Stroke describes dementia as a group of symptoms caused by various brain disorders. Alzheimer’s disease is a specific disease that causes dementia.

Understanding Dementia
Alzheimer's is just one disease that can cause dementia. Others include stroke, vascular dementia and head injury. Common symptoms of dementia include forgetfulness, memory loss, poor judgment and confusion. When dementia becomes severe, those who suffer from it may become unable to live alone. Dementia is also called senility, but it’s important to note that dementia isn’t directly related to reaching a senile age.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in people over 65. It is a degenerative disorder that attacks neurons in the brain, causing symptoms of dementia. Alzheimer’s isn’t a normal result of aging, but an actual disease. Those diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease live for an average of eight to 10 years from diagnosis.

Getting Help
The National Institute on Aging suggests talking to your doctor when you or a loved one begins showing signs of serious memory problems or uncharacteristic behavior. Those with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease should be especially on the lookout for early signs such as forgetfulness and confusion about time or place. Those with a diagnosis should work closely with caregivers to establish proper care as the disease progresses.

Preventative Measures and Treatment
There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but adults can take measures to slow down dementia symptoms and improve memory. Consider encouraging elderly loved ones to stay healthy and limit alcohol use. Hobbies and memory games can help keep the mind sharp. Those who have been diagnosed with dementia as a result of Alzheimer’s disease may be prescribed medications to help with memory, but these can’t stop the progress of the disease. Those with Alzheimer’s disease generally need long term care for an extended period of time once the disease has progressed and caused impairments.

The Senior Health Clinic at North Hills Hospital is staffed with professionals uniquely trained to treat the various health needs of our geriatric community. If you or a loved one is showing signs of dementia, please contact us. We can assist with diagnosis, treatment, support groups and living assistance. For more information, please visit us online or call our physician referral line at 1-855-5NHILLS.

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Share Your New Year’s Resolution and Win a $100 Container Store Gift Card!

You read it right — North Hills Hospital is sponsoring another exciting blog contest to ring in 2012! After a fantastic year of support from our community as we celebrated our 50-year anniversary and opened a brand-new ER at Alliance, we would like to offer this fun New Year's contest as a heartfelt "thank you." For this contest, our North Hills Hospital community has the opportunity to win a $100 gift card to The Container Store. Think of how organized this contest could help you be in the New Year!

Here's how you can enter.

1) Consider your list of resolutions for 2012. Which one are you most excited about? Are you hoping to achieve a health-related goal? We want to know!

2) Scroll down and leave a comment below with your number one resolution for 2012. Be sure to write your name and email address in the required fields so that we can contact you if you are selected. We will not share your email information publicly.

3) Only one entry per person will be counted in the drawing. Comments will be counted in the contest starting on December 27. The contest will be closed on January 2 at 11:59 p.m.

4) Check back on January 3! We will be selecting a winner using a random number generator.

Easy, right?

We look forward to reading all of your resolutions! We also wish the entire North Hills Hospital community a very healthy and happy New Year.

Good Luck!

New Year’s Health Resolutions: Top Superfoods to Try

Tired of making New Year's resolutions to take better care of yourself every year that never stick? Try something different this year and make a New Year’s resolution to commit to a healthier lifestyle by eating more superfoods. Superfoods are foods that have demonstrated healthy effects on the body, like lowering cancer risks and providing a high number of nutrients. Plus, superfoods are delicious so you'll be more likely to keep up this resolution. When you eat right, you feel good. What better way to start your year?

What’s So Super?
Try starting out by looking for color when picking your fruits and vegetables. The CDC recommends eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as green spinach, black beans, and orange sweet potatoes. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that at least half the grains you eat be whole grains like whole wheat and brown rice. Superfoods are called such because they’re particularly high in nutrients and vitamins.

Berries
Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and even cranberries add a delicious sweet twist to any meal while packing a high amount of anti-oxidants into your diet.

Oats
Your mom always told you to eat your oatmeal, and for good reason. This grain is very high in fiber and can lower your cholesterol. Try having it for breakfast or adding in your baked goods and other meals.

Pumpkin
Pumpkin is rich in a number of nutrients including magnesium, vitamin C and E. It is also a fantastic source of carotenoids which has been linked to a reduced risk of various cancers, heart disease and certain eye conditions. The good news about pumpkin is that it’s readily available year-round in cans. You can incorporate this delicious superfood into virtually any recipe. Try pumpkin muffins with a dash of flaxseed or a savory pumpkin soup.

Grapefruit
This tart fruit and its juice are packed with nutrients, including loads of vitamin C. Attack cancer causing free radicals in your body with a delicious snack of fresh grapefruit juice or sliced fruit on top of your oatmeal.

Nuts
While these treats can help prevent heart disease, the trick to nuts is to eat them in small doses to keep the calorie count down. Try baking with chopped pecans or sprinkling fresh walnuts or almonds on a salad. You can also eat shelled pistachios, especially if you want a little extra work with your snack. Natural peanut butter can also offer you the same benefits.

Broccoli
This dark, leafy vegetable has high levels of vitamins A, C and K and may even help reduce your risk for certain cancers. The fiber in broccoli helps keep you regular and makes you feel full. Best of all, this vegetable is easy to cook, cheap and available all year.

Sardines and Salmon
While Sardines are often an acquired taste to many, they’re packed with calcium, iron and potassium as well as Omega-3 oils. Try making a sardine pasta or eating them on crackers. If you can’t stomach the taste, salmon is also considered a superfood—and it’s much milder.

If you would like further information about nutrition, health and even weight loss, please call North Hills Hospital at (817) 255-1000. We are here to help make your health a priority this New Year!

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Top Tips for Avoiding the Holiday Blues

Just when you think you are looking forward to the holidays this year, it hits you. You feel overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted and stressed. You may even feel a deep sense of sadness. This is not an uncommon occurrence. The holidays can be very trying for many, sometimes stirring up old memories and bringing back many emotions. We would like to offer you some ways to help you avoid the holiday blues and make this season as merry and bright as it can be.

Don't forget to "S.E.E." This acronym stands for "Sleep regularly, Eat well and Exercise often." No matter how busy your days are, if you make time for yourself and put your health first, the rest of the chaos will seem much less overwhelming. Try not to overeat or drink too much alcohol to cope with your stress. It will only make you feel worse in the long run.

Ask for help. Whether you have far too many items on your checklist or you just need some emotional support, it is critical that you ask for help. Delegate holiday tasks to everyone involved in the holiday festivities. If you are having a difficult time with your emotions, talk to a friend or professional, or seek help from a local support group. Do not put pressure on yourself to manage everything alone.

Be realistic. The over-commercialization of the holidays can put unrealistic pressures on you to create the ultimate holiday experience for your family and yourself. Take a moment to step back and set more realistic and achievable expectations for yourself and the time you spend with family.

Make a list and check it twice. Keeping yourself organized with a list can help you manage exactly what you have left to do. Be sure to prioritize your list and reconsider anything that falls at the bottom. How important are those last remaining items to your family's holidays, anyway? Be sure to keep checking off items on your list. That sense of accomplishment can feel extremely rewarding.

Make a change. If old traditions are making your holiday too difficult, make a change. Consider traveling this holiday or starting a new tradition with friends and family.

Find humor in everything. Laughter is a powerful inoculation against depression and stress. Keep trying to find the humor in all that you do and try not to sweat the small stuff. It may seem easier said than done, but by allowing yourself the freedom to laugh, you just might find the humor in all the hustle and bustle after all.

If you are unable to shake the holiday blues this year, please call North Hills Hospital at (817) 255-1000. We can refer you to a physician who will discuss your difficulties and offer you the assistance you need. We are here to help you find a way to make these holidays not so blue after all.

 

Update on our new ER at Alliance

 Our new ER has been open for two weeks now, and everybody keeps asking us, “How are things going over at the new ER at Alliance?”
Well, here are some stats that we’re quite proud of!

• In the two weeks since we’ve opened, we’ve treated almost 200 patients.
• We’ve seen it all – from fractured bones to heart attacks, appendicitis, cough, fever, and lacerations.
• We’ve treated all ages, from infants to the elderly.

And we’re getting great feedback from those who visit us. Here is what a few of our patients had to say about their visit to the ER at Alliance:
“Very prompt and nice to me. Experience was excellent.”

 
“I was turned away at another place and came here. Everyone was very caring and got to me quickly. The staff turned my scary moment around.”

 
“Love the facility – staff was very friendly and efficient.”

 
“The best ER experience I have ever had!”

For more information on North Hills Hospital’s ER at Alliance, visit www.ERatAlliance.com. We’re located at the northeast corner of I-35 and North Tarrant Parkway (just south of Sam Moon).

Photos of our brand-new ER at Alliance

Our ER at Alliance (a department of North Hills Hospital)  has been open for a week now, and already residents of the Alliance/North Fort Worth area have come to us for emergency treatment. We are committed to providing safe and fast care to our residents, and to be a good neighbor in the community.

But we know what you really want… you want to see what it looks like. We all love pictures. So here’s a glimpse of our new ER at Alliance - the faster, closer emergency room.

Lobby

Nurses Station

Trauma Room

Patient Room

On-site imaging and lab services

Community room available for education and local community group meetings

 For more information on the ER at Alliance, located at the NE Corner of I-35 and North Tarrant Parkway, visit our website.

For information on reserving our community room, call our non-emergency phone number at 817-693-1000.