More than one in 10 American adults experienced pain every day for the past three months, according to data from the National Institutes of Health. When pain lasts three months or longer, it is considered chronic pain. The prevalence of chronic pain in the U.S. lies at the root of an ongoing epidemic of prescription … Continue reading For chronic pain, opioids are not a good long-term solution
Opioids can be useful immediately after surgery for postoperative pain control, but there is a tendency to overprescribe. A recent study found that 6 percent of patients continued to use the drugs for at least three months after surgery. “Traditionally, doctors would prescribe (opioids) until the patient phone calls stopped,” said Walter Peters, MD, chief … Continue reading Reducing the risk of opioid abuse after surgery
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 44 people fatally overdose on prescription opioids daily in the U.S. That exceeds the daily number of deaths caused by motor vehicle crashes. One forecast estimates that as many as 650,000 people — nearly the combined population of the cities of Arlington and Plano — … Continue reading How Baylor Scott & White Health is combatting the growing opioid epidemic
In Women in Medicine, read stories of Baylor Scott & White physicians, leaders and employees who are paving the way for women in the field of medicine. As early as age 5, Tiffany Anthony, MD, knew she wanted to become a doctor. The personal impact of a pediatrician inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. … Continue reading Women in Medicine: How this female transplant surgeon inspires
Unlocking the data stored within our DNA can help us learn a host of different things about our ancestry and health. But how much should you worry if your genes are linked to the development of disease? 23andMe, a genetic testing company, aims to arm people with foreshadowing about their health risks. It recently received … Continue reading Can a saliva test really detect your genetic “risk” of Alzheimer’s?
In the summer of 1982, Robert Probe drove down South 31st Street for the first time in a navy blue Ford Mustang. He was excited by the new vehicle but more so by the opportunity to come to Scott & White Memorial Hospital to complete his final two years as a Texas A&M Health Science … Continue reading Chief Medical Officer remembers the excitement of becoming a doctor
As far back as she can remember, Laurie Aten, MD, wanted to be part of the space program. Instead, she pursued a career in medicine. Then opportunity knocked. After practicing family medicine for four years, Dr. Aten applied for a residency in aerospace medicine at Wright State University in Ohio. “I decided if I was … Continue reading A physician trained in space medicine brings skills to wound care
Joel Allison didn’t just want a career. He wanted a calling. Born in rural Missouri, he spent part of his childhood in a small four-room house with no indoor plumbing. He woke up early to milk the cows, gather eggs and feed the pigs before school. As a youngster, he forged a work ethic and … Continue reading Joel Allison found his calling serving others through healthcare
The family physician’s office has become the front line of defense against mental illness. The ideal population-to-psychiatrist ratio is 4000-1. In Texas, the ratio is triple that size. Four out of five people with a behavioral health diagnosis visit a primary care provider every year. It is no surprise that most mental health patients bring … Continue reading How Baylor Scott & White is addressing the shortage of mental health professionals
One out of five Americans say they have a family member who has been addicted to prescription painkillers and twice that number personally know someone who has been addicted. The addiction to opioids is an epidemic that plagues our nation. Access to anti-opioid medication has been an ongoing conversation. Now, a new over-the-counter treatment looks to change the … Continue reading Hope on the horizon for the opioid addiction
