Stroke causes an estimated 140,000 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The longer a stroke is in progress, the greater the risk of permanent brain damage or death. This is why Comprehensive Stroke Centers are designed around very rapid diagnosis and treatment. For every minute a patient is having a … Continue reading In stroke care and treatment, every minute matters
There’s a lot of conversation around plant-based, vegan and vegetarian diets as the “healthy” choice. But what makes these diets better for us? Is this even scientifically true? That’s one area medical research continues to explore. Plant-based diets have already been proven to lower your risk of conditions like heart disease, diabetes and obesity. As … Continue reading Why a plant-based diet might be better for your kidneys
You’ve probably heard the recommendation: If you’ve already had a heart attack, take a low-dose aspirin daily. But is that enough? Beyond its pain-relieving effects, aspirin blocks an enzyme pathway that helps platelets in the blood stick together. This lowers the risk that blood clots will form, which can lead to heart attack. But it … Continue reading How a simple test can help tailor aspirin doses for heart disease
Becoming a mother is an exhilarating and sometimes overwhelming experience. Everyone has an opinion on how to manage your pregnancy, birthing experience and raising your new bundle of joy. As an obstetrics and gynecology physician assistant, one of the most frequently asked questions I get from expectant mothers is, “Should I breastfeed or use formula?”. … Continue reading When breastfeeding might not be right for you
When most of us hear “hypertension,” we immediately think of blood pressure issues all over the body. But people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have problems in a very specific area: the blood vessels running from the heart to the lungs. With that important highway clogged, they can’t get enough oxygen. To compensate, their blood … Continue reading New therapies offer hope for patients living with pulmonary arterial hypertension
It’s funny how certain events shape our lives in ways we could never predict. For me, everything started in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) the day I was born. I made my entrance into this world on September 13, 1994, in more spectacular fashion than my parents probably would have liked. If it were … Continue reading My journey from NICU baby to NICU nurse
When Durba Mukhopadhyay, PhD, was diagnosed with lung cancer, she found comfort in a familiar source — art. Growing up in Calcutta, India, she and her three sisters often observed their mother and grandmother painting. “Our family is very much involved in the arts and we used to do lots of crafting during holidays in … Continue reading Helping patients heal through the arts
In A Leadership Perspective, Baylor Scott & White Health leaders share insights on healthcare industry trends, current issues and best practices. The healthcare landscape is rapidly changing, right down to the very core of what the word “healthcare” means. Our definition of healthcare is evolving — from sick care to preventive care, from care in the … Continue reading The changing role of hospitals as healthcare evolves
For many of us, the sniffling, sneezing and itchy throats of seasonal allergies are an inevitable part of our lives. While there are several treatments and medications that make allergies better, there also are things many of us are doing that actually make them worse. 1. Forgetting to change/clean air filters The reasons air filters … Continue reading 5 ways you’re making your allergies worse
Young athletes tend to think they’re invincible — until an injury strikes. The truth is that injuries can happen to any athlete, regardless of age or skill level. As a parent, there are things you can do to help your teen avoid injury so they can stay in the game, not sit on the sidelines. … Continue reading How to help your teen prevent sports injuries
