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Fireworks are fun to watch, exciting to hear, and a wonderful way to mark a special occasion. Most people have fond memories of watching a dizzying display of starburst fireworks light up the night sky. Others, unfortunately, may recall a trip to the hospital emergency room because of a fireworks-related injury.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 11,400 people were treated for injuries caused by fireworks in 2013. Most injuries are to the hand or finger.

The safest way to watch fireworks is at a professional show, not by setting off fireworks at home. When viewing a fireworks display, respect the safety barriers and select a safe viewing distance of at least 500 feet away. If you know someone who is planning a fireworks show of their own, you may want to share these safety tips:

  • Make sure fireworks are legal in your area.
  • Children should not be allowed to play with fireworks.
  • Watch children closely when setting off fireworks.
  • Keep an extinguisher, hose, or bucket of water nearby.
  • Do not light fireworks inside or near dry vegetation.
  • Do not pick up a firework that has not gone off. Do not try to relight it. Douse it with water and dispose of it.
  • Read the directions on fireworks before setting them off.
  • Stand several feet away from lit fireworks.
  • Do not light more than one firework at a time.
  • Do not wear loose-fitting clothing when lighting fireworks.

Online Check-in: The Smarter Way to the ER

At Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake, we understand that waiting in the ER is no fun. That’s why we’re offering an online check-in service at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/SkiptheERWaitingRoomto reserve your time online and comfortably wait at home. Users enjoy the convenience of choosing where they wait and a projected time to see a health care professional in the ER. Patients can hold their place online by completing an online form and arriving at the hospital at the selected time. Simply go to DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/SkiptheERWaitingRoom — it's quick, easy and you'll be seen by a health care professional within 15 minutes of your scheduled time*.

The hospital’s InQuickER system screens patients whose symptoms may signal a potentially serious condition to make sure they don’t wait to go to the hospital. To learn more about these quality emergency services serving the East Dallas area, visit DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/ER. 

* Some restrictions apply. 

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Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Most people have heard of diabetes.  You might even know someone who has the disease.  What you might not know is that more than eight million of these diabetics do not even know they have it.

Diabetes develops when the pancreas does not make enough insulin (a hormone that helps sugar get into the cells of the body) or the body cannot use its own insulin as well as it should.  This causes sugars to build up in the blood and can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, lower-extremity amputations and even death.  Diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States.  It mainly occurs in two forms:

  1. Type 1 diabetes develops when the pancreas makes little to no insulin.  This form of diabetes was once called juvenile diabetes.  It is usually diagnosed in children, teenagers or young adults.
  2. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is resistant to the effects of insulin or the pancreas produces some, but not enough insulin. 

Two common symptoms of the disease are increased thirst and frequent urination.  Other warning signs include:

  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Weight gain or loss
  • Blurred vision
  • Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
  • Nerve damage
  • Red, swollen, tender gums

If you have risk factors for diabetes and are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of the disease, see your doctor immediately.  A fasting blood glucose test, which measures your blood glucose after eight hours without eating, will probably be administered.  If the results are positive, a second test will most likely be run on a different day.  Do not assume your doctor will automatically test you for diabetes.  Doctors do not usually screen for diabetes during routine visits.

Diabetes can be managed by monitoring blood sugar levels, maintaining a healthy lifestyle comprised of diet, exercise and a healthy weight.  Medications may also be used when these treatments are not sufficient.  Diabetics who follow these treatments can often lead relatively normal lives.  Those who remain undiagnosed run the risk of developing life-threatening diseases, disabilities and death.

Diabetes Self-Management Education 

The Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) program at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake offers monthly diabetes instruction classes to adults with Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. The goal of the program is to help people with diabetes learn about self-care so they will be able to better manage their condition.

Visit DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/DiabetesManagement to learn more.

Photo credit: iStock/Thinkstock

 

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Did you know nearly 16 million children face hunger in the United States?

Hunger affects people of all ages, but it can permanently affect the physical and mental health development of children. A proper nutritional diet is extremely important in establishing a healthy future for children, especially in their first three years of life.

Access to nutritious food may not be under a child’s control, but we can do our part to help. Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake wants to help feed the children in our community who do not have access to food over the summer.

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake is asking its employees along with members of the community to join in its Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive benefitting the North Texas Food Bank, a member of the Feeding America network.

Whole-grain cereal, when part of a healthy, balanced breakfast including dairy (such as milk and yogurt), fruit and lean protein, is a popular food item that experts say can easily address the hunger gap during the summer months when children are not in school. Healthy cereal contains one serving of whole grain, no more than 200 calories per serving, six grams or less of sugar and at least three grams of fiber per serving. It should also be free of artificial colors and dyes.

Cereal Drive
Donations of healthy cereal to the Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive will be collected from May 29 through June 5 at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake. Please drop off your cereal donation in the collection box in the main lobby. Or to make a monetary donation for perishable breakfast items, please visit DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/CerealDriveDonation.

If you have any questions, please visit DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/CerealDrive. Together, let’s fight child hunger in our community.


Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Most women do not realize that a stroke can affect anyone at any age. In fact, according to the American Stroke Association, more than 100,000 U.S. women under 65 will have a stroke. Reducing even one risk may greatly lower your chances of having a stroke.

Free Stroke Screening

To learn more about stroke and your risk factors, attend a free stroke screening hosted by Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake on Saturday, June 6 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. The screening will be held in the hospital’s West Tower, Suite 207, which is located at 9330 Poppy Drive (near Garland Road and North Buckner Boulevard). Reservations are required. Call 866-764-3627 today to make your appointment.

Signs of a Stroke

Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke and seeking prompt medical care can greatly improve your chances of recovery. The signs of a stroke may include the sudden onset of one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg
  • Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
  • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Severe headache with no known cause 

Quality Stroke Care in East Dallas

When someone is having a stroke, they need prompt emergency medical care. That is why it is important to go to Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake, which has been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval™ by The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification program. As a Primary Stroke Center, the hospital follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.

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Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Mother’s Day is right around the corner. You could give her flowers and candy. Or, another way to express your love and appreciation would be to encourage her to have a mammogram. 

Mammograms can be a very powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among American women, except for skin cancer. Based on current incidence rates for breast cancer, a woman born today has approximately a one in eight chance of being diagnosed with the disease at some time during her lifetime.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women over 40 have a mammogram once a year. Women ages 50 to 74 should have one every two years, as recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Mammograms are believed to contribute to decreases in death rates from breast cancer since 1990 due to earlier detection through screening, as well as increased awareness and improved treatment.

At Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake, women over the age of 40 can schedule their own screening mammogram without a referral from their primary care physician. Convenient evening and weekend hours are available for appointments by calling 214-324-6220. Have your screening mammogram by May 31, 2015 and receive a free insulated shopper tote* that is perfect for your summer outdoor activities. For additional information, visit DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/MothersDay.

* $10 retail value. Offer good while supplies last.

Photo credit: Stockbyte/Thinkstock


Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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More than 3.5 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. There are three main types of skin cancer, including the more common basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas that are rarely life threatening. But the third type – melanoma – can be dangerous and even fatal if not detected and treated in the early stages. 

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 73,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed and about 9,000 people die of the disease annually. Melanoma can be cured, but it has to be detected first.

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake, the Dallas and Fort Worth Dermatological Societies, American Academy of Dermatology, and American Cancer Society are offering Metroplex residents an opportunity to have their suspicious skin spots checked during a free melanoma/skin cancer screening at the hospital on Saturday, May 16. To make a reservation, call 866-764-3627.

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Do you worry a lot about family, work or money?  Stress is the body’s natural reaction to the pressures of everyday life.  When you encounter a stressful event, your brain triggers an alert to the rest of the body.  The body responds by producing adrenaline to elevate blood pressure and increase energy. 

In some cases this increase in energy is good.  It can help us complete projects, take stressful exams or avoid dangerous situations.  In many cases, the stress response can increase our productivity. 

However, long-term stress can interrupt many of the body’s natural processes and increase your risk of getting diseases.  For example, stress lowers the immune system putting you more at-risk for disease, disrupts the digestive system, and interferes with the nervous system making you more susceptible to depression.  However, the real question is how to manage stress when it become too much to handle.

People choose to manage their stress in different ways.  First, it is important to identify the things that trigger a stressful response.  Keep a journal or make a list of your obligations.  Choose one of them to focus on improving for the week.  Other things that may help manage your stress level include:

  • Positive thinking.  Avoid negative self-talk and engage in positive thinking strategies.
  • Meditate.  Breathe deeply, take time to reflect, or walk while you meditate.
  • Take care of yourself.  Eat regular, balanced meals including breakfast.  Eat nutrient-rich foods instead of junk food.
  • Exercise.  Many people report feeling more energetic and active following exercise.
  • Develop friendships both at work and outside.  Talk out your stressful feelings with the people close to you.
  • Choose battles wisely.  Know when to argue and when to let things go.  Count to ten before you react. 
  • Have an outlet.  Choose a hobby that can help you relax such as reading or crafts. 

Seek help if you need it.  If none of these suggestions work for you, talk about stress with your health care provider.

To help you identify your particular stress profile, take the free, online stress assessment on the Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake website at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/ResponsetoStress.

Photo credit: Photos.com/Thinkstock


Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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From the food you stock in the freezer to the silverware you put on the table, your kitchen is your partner in health. When you fill your kitchen with the right tools and foods, you reap the benefits. If your kitchen isn’t your ally, changing it may be easier than you think. Here’s how.

Size matters when it comes to tableware. Plate sizes have increased over the years, and it makes it harder to judge how much you’ve eaten. Even the shape of drinking glasses makes a difference. A tall thin glass can make you feel like you’re getting more than a short wide one.

Rethink your cookware. If you cook with fat so your food doesn’t stick, trade up to nonstick cookware. Match the capacity of your cookware to your family size. If you use a large pot for a twosome, you may be tempted to cook, and eat, more food.

Take a look in your cupboard. Government dietary guidelines call for eating 2 cups of fruit and 2-1/2 cups of vegetables a day. Along with dark green and orange vegetables, add beans to your menus. Read labels on cans to avoid high sodium and sugar levels.

Tame snack attacks. You may not be willing to get rid of cookies, but you can keep healthier varieties on hand. Choose instead gingersnaps, graham crackers, or vanilla wafers. Avoid crackers, cookies, and chips made with saturated or hydrogenated fats.

Make your fridge your friend. Stock your refrigerator with low-fat dairy foods and keep high-sodium processed meat to a minimum. You don’t have to give up frozen dinners as long as you select varieties low in sodium and fat. Read the label to check portion size and nutrient content.

For some delicious, heart-healthy recipes, visit the free, online health library on the Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake website at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/HealthyRecipes.

Photo credit: iStock/Thinkstock

 

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Pregnancy is like a journey, which actually starts before a woman becomes pregnant. Women who plan on having a baby can take steps to help ensure that they have a healthy pregnancy so their baby can have a healthy start in life. Here are several ways to help your little one start off on the right foot:

  • Talk to your doctor about the benefits of taking folic acid every day for at least one month before and during pregnancy
  • Have a medical checkup before pregnancy
  • Be at a healthy weight before you get pregnant
  • Stop smoking and drinking alcohol
  • Talk to your doctor about all medicines you are currently taking
  • Manage pre-existing medical conditions
  • Limit exposure to hazards
  • Avoid infections
  • Check for certain inherited diseases

By putting your best foot forward and planning for your pregnancy, you can help prevent problems that might affect you and your baby. For more tips on planning for pregnancy, check out our online Childbirth Timeline Center at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/Pregnancy.

Renovated, Private Postpartum Suites
Earlier this year, at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake, we renovated our postpartum suites which boast concierge services, new and elegant modern furnishings, flat screen TVs and 24-hour wireless internet access. These modern suites offer our patients all the amenities of a top rate hotel, making families feel comfortable and pampered. The new rooms also include a comfortable sleeping area for dad, or a support partner, and hotel-style room service. At Your Request Room Service Dining® allows patients to select meals from a wide variety of foods, as though they were eating at their favorite restaurant. Mothers can choose when and what they want to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each meal is specially prepared to order and is delivered to the patient’s room within 45 minutes or less.

“The birth of a child is a joyous occasion and we are proud to be able to offer patients these new, all-private postpartum suites and amenities,” said Jay Krishnaswamy, CEO of Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake. “Paired with comprehensive medical care including access to maternal fetal medicine, physicians on the medical staff for high-risk pregnancies, and a level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the newly renovated rooms offer families in east Dallas a new and modern choice for the birth of their child.”

For more information on the new, all-private rooms, please visit DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/Maternity. For a referral to an OB/GYN or maternal fetal medicine physician, call 866-764-3627.


Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Spring flowers, buds on trees, and sprouts of new grass may look pretty this time of year. But for some people, spring brings the worst of the seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Others may start the sneezing, wheezing and coughing associated with allergies more in summer and fall, when grasses and weeds are pollinating. There also are the unlucky ones who react to allergens like spores, dust mites, cockroaches and pet dander that cause symptoms throughout the year.

So what can you do if you don’t want to spend the whole springtime looking at flowers through the window? If your symptoms become severe, talk to your doctor. There are several prescription medications designed to treat these types of allergies. Over-the-counter allergy medications also are available to treat allergy symptoms. Other at-home treatment options may include using a sinus rinse or wash to gently clear mucus and allergens from nasal and sinus passages. Other ways to help avoid airborne allergens include:

  • Keeping doors and windows closed and using an air conditioner at home and in the car.
  • Not hanging laundry, especially bedding, outside.
  • Limiting outdoor activity early in the morning when pollen counts are higher.
  • Staying inside when it’s windy outside.
  • Replacing air conditioner filters monthly and using a high-efficiency particulate air filter.
  • Wearing a dust mask when outside, especially for activities like gardening.
  • If possible, avoid mowing the lawn or raking leaves, since these activities send more pollen into the air.
  • Using special cases to enclose pillows, mattresses and box springs to limit exposure to dust mites.

To learn more about allergies – and how to avoid seasonal triggers – visit the free, online health library on the Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake website at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/SeasonalAllergies.

Photo credit: iStock/Thinkstock


Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com