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Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday at the site of the ER on Lovers Lane. The 14,000-square foot building, which is expected to be completed by late summer, will include a satellite emergency department and diagnostic imaging center sharing the same corner as The Tradition – Lovers Lane at Matilda Street and Lovers Lane. The Imaging Center will offer 3D mammography.

“As Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake continues to maintain its vision to grow and serve the east Dallas community, The ER on Lovers Lane will give the hospital a better opportunity to expand the service area and meet the needs of the local residents,” says Jay Krishnaswamy, CEO of Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake.
 
For updates regarding the progress of The ER On Lovers, visit DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/EROnLoversLane. 
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Colon cancer is not a common topic of conversation, but it is a fairly common type of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death for men and women in the United States. The good news is, when detected early, colon cancer has a 90% survival rate. Annual screenings are crucial to early detection and the ACS recommends that adults aged 50 and older should have a colonoscopy every ten years.

So what can you do to reduce your risk of colon cancer? Plenty. While you cannot control your age, race or family history, there are a number of lifestyle-related steps you can take to help prevent the disease. 

  • Eat five or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits daily. Avoid a diet that is high in red meats, such as beef or lamb, and processed meats, including hot dogs. Opt for whole grains instead of refined grains, and limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day for women and two per day for men.
  • Exercise. The ACS recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity for adults on five or more days of the week.
  • Manage your weight. While being overweight or obese increases the risk for colon cancer in both men and women, this risk tends to be stronger in men.
  • Don’t smoke. Some of the substances from smoking that can cause cancer are swallowed and can increase the risk of the disease developing in the digestive system, which includes the colon.

Just because you have a risk factor for colon cancer does not mean you will develop the disease. People who do not have any identifiable risk factors for colon cancer should begin regular colorectal screening at age 50. Those with risk factors for the disease should talk to their doctor about being screened at a younger age and/or being screened more frequently.

Colon cancer often does not cause any symptoms. But it can be detected at an early stage through screening when it is most curable. Take our quick risk assessment by visiting DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/coloncancerrisks or call 866-764-3627 free* EZ DETECT™ colon cancer kit. The easy-to-use kits are mess-free and fast. Simply drop a flushable test strip in the toilet and wait for the color to change. The color change should tell you whether or not blood is present in the stool, which is an indication of colon cancer as well as other conditions.

* $7.99 retail value. Limit two kits per household, please. Offer good while supplies last.

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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“I would feel foolish calling an ambulance.”

“I didn’t know driving myself to the ER would delay treatment.”

Don’t be like these people. There is no time for doubt with a heart attack. Calling 911 at the first signs of a heart attack could save your life. Reducing time to medical treatment is the primary factor in surviving a heart attack.

What’s wrong with driving to the ER?

Statistics show that driving to the ER can put your treatment behind by as much as one whole hour. And during a heart episode, minutes count. Here’s what happens: not only do you have the drive time, but then once you get to the ER, they have to run diagnostics on you and identify treatment and, by then, it’s not unusual for an hour to have evaporated while your symptoms escalate and your chances of survival decline.

How would calling 911 be better?

By stopping right where you are and calling 911, you’ve made what can be a lifesaving decision. The EMS team has an open line of communication with the dispatcher that takes your call, and they can start to analyze your condition and give you crucial advice. By the time they arrive, they will have a grasp on your symptoms and condition and can start treating you immediately. They are trained to respond to heart attacks and can begin working on you right away.

Once EMS recognizes the signs of a heart attack, they will notify the Cath Lab and the team will begin preparing for your arrival. Patients are fast-tracked and bypass the ER and are rushed directly to the Cath Lab. Reducing time to medical treatment is the primary factor in surviving a heart attack. Calling 911 is the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment.

Trust 911. Make the call. Don’t Die of Doubt.

Visit the American Heart Association’s website and learn more. 

Photo credit: American Heart Association

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Let’s face it, we all indulge in a little chocolate binge from time-to-time. And we usually experience a sense of guilt after we binge. But, you may be surprised to learn of the new health benefits that have been discovered in your favorite bar of dark chocolaty goodness.  Before you get overly excited, let’s look at the facts:

Antioxidants Pack a Punch

Recent studies have shown that dark chocolate contains something called “flavanol antioxidants.” These flavanols have several proven health benefits. They help with vascular processes and can even lower blood pressure. Antioxidants also have other health benefits such as assisting your body’s ability to process outside contaminants (such as pollution inhaled into the lungs), slowing memory decline, and promoting healthy levels of oxygen in the body’s major systems. These are just some of the benefits that flavanol antioxidants offer.

Heavy Sweetening

However, flavonoids are very bitter, so in most milk chocolates and even low-quality dark chocolates, chemical and sweetening processes are used to mask the bitter flavor of these helpful antioxidants. This proves to be a problem since these chemical and sweetening processes compromise the integrity of the flavanols. Thus, over-processed chocolates may not have the health benefits that you may wish were packed into your favorite indulgence.

What’s the Solution?

Purchasing high-quality dark chocolate gives you a better chance of obtaining all the health benefits that chocolate can offer, without losing that lovely chocolate flavor that we all crave. Studies have shown that eating small amounts of high-quality dark chocolate periodically may lower the risk of heart disease.

So the next time you go to grab your favorite dark chocolate snack, you don’t have to feel guilty. A little dark chocolate a couple times a week can encourage good health and can leave you feeling sweet and satisfied. 


Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Do you know someone who has heart disease? Chances are you do. More than 27 million Americans have been diagnosed with the condition. If you don’t want to join them, you can take steps to reduce your personal risk of heart disease.

Eat healthy. A healthy diet includes a variety of grains (especially whole grains), fruits and vegetables. Opt for foods low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugar and salt. Choose fish, poultry and lean cuts of meat, as well as low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Limit the number of egg yolks and cut down on processed cold cuts. When preparing food, broil, bake, roast or poach instead of frying, and tame snack attacks with low-fat options, such as animal crackers, melba toast or fat-free yogurt.

Exercise regularly. As little as 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week is all you need to protect heart health. Don’t like to exercise? No sweat. Good ways to keep your heart healthy include brisk walking, riding a bike, hiking, dancing, swimming, physical tasks around the house, raking leaves, or painting a room. Other ways to work exercise into your day include taking the stairs when possible, or parking farther away from the office and then walking the added distance.

Don’t smoke. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking is “the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States.” The risk of having a heart attack is six times higher for smokers compared to nonsmokers, with the chances increasing depending on the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Quitting smoking lowers the risk of heart disease immediately — and just one year of not smoking can cut heart disease risk in half.

Maintain a healthy weight. A healthy weight can be calculated by looking at either body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference. BMI, a calculation based on height and weight, of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and 30 or higher is obese. A waist measurement of more than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and other serious health conditions. A weight loss of just five to 10 percent of current weight can help lower the risk for heart disease. Gradual weight loss of one-half to two pounds per week is recommended to ensure long-term success.

In addition to making lifestyle changes, you also should have blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis. Hypertension of 140/90 mmHg or higher is a major risk factor for heart disease that usually doesn’t cause symptoms. Total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL and above is an indication of too much cholesterol that can eventually accumulate on artery walls, making them narrow and impeding blood flow to the heart. It is important to remember that, regardless of your age or current state of health, it’s never too late to take steps to protect your heart. For more information about heart health, talk with your doctor or call 866-764-3627 for a free referral to a cardiologist near you.

Photo credit: iCreatas/Thinkstock


Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Women often know a lot about managing the household budget, juggling work and school schedules, and caring for the family. But when it comes to taking care of their own health, many do not know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women.

Once it develops, heart disease is a lifelong condition that will gradually worsen unless changes are made to daily habits. Fortunately, women may be able to prevent heart disease by making healthy lifestyle choices. These include:

  • Following a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
  • Managing high blood pressure and consuming no more than 2,400 mg of sodium a day.
  • Lowering total cholesterol to less than 200 mg/dL.
  • Getting about 30 minutes of moderate-level physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Not smoking.

Women are invited to a free screening to learn more about why gender, race, lifestyle and age can affect their chances of developing heart disease so they can take steps to improve their heart health. The Women’s Healthy Heart screening hosted by Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake will be held Saturday, February 7 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the West Tower, Suite 207 at 9330 Poppy Drive. The event includes a blood cholesterol check, blood glucose test, blood pressure monitoring, weight evaluation, and personal health assessment with a nurse. The screening is free, but space is limited. Call 800-887-2525 to reserve your seat today.

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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Packed with Features, Light on Cost (Free)

If you have ever made a decision to get your life under control by pursuing a weight loss goal, you know the roadblocks that are often encountered. As you begin to work toward weight loss, you may begin to realize that it requires a lot of organization.

Knowing how much you are eating, knowing how many calories, proteins or carbs you are consuming, tracking how much weight you are losing, and logging in hours of exercise–all of these factors contribute to achieving a long-term weight loss goal that lasts.

You may be feeling overwhelmed. So, what is the best way to manage your weight loss? And how can you ever hope to keep track of your weight loss goals? With Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake’s My New Beginning free weight loss app, tracking and managing your weight loss is now at your fingertips.

My New Beginning weight loss app, specially designed for people who are trying to lose weight, has features that are helpful both to people losing weight through weight loss surgery or by diet control and exercise.

Our app has been reviewed by healthcare professionals to ensure that it includes relevant features that are designed to help you manage your weight loss like a pro. My New Beginning weight loss app is convenient and easy to use, offering many helpful functions including:

  • Nutrition tracker - a simple way to track your intake of calories, carbs, proteins, fats and water.
  • Barcode scanner - allows you to scan barcodes on the foods you purchase, viewing their nutritional info on-the-go. You can even log it onto your online food journal right away.
  • Weight loss tracker - lets you log your weight loss daily so you can keep track of your progress easily.
  • Photo features - lets you photograph your progress and show off your new body as you meet each goal.
  • Recipes - offers fresh, healthy recipes packed with flavor to keep your menus fresh and tasty.

Serious weight loss takes serious commitment, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun and easy to manage. My New Beginning weight loss app has been carefully engineered to make your path towards weight loss a little more simple and organized. Download it today by clicking here. 

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Save enough pennies and you have a dime. Save enough dimes and you have a dollar. Save enough dollars and, well, get what you have always wanted. It may take some time for the big ticket items, but if you work hard and start saving early, you could achieve your goal. Staying healthy can work the same way. By doing the little things, you could live a longer, healthier life.

You would be amazed at the difference that a few dietary tweaks and a little more exercise makes! With that in mind, here are some ideas to help get you started on the road to a healthier you:

Trade a TV Show for a Walk.

Choosing to trade a TV show for a 10-minute walk every day can have positive, long-term effects on your physical and mental health, and it only takes a fraction of the time commitment you would give to a sitcom.

Plan Healthy Snacks for Your Week.

Taking 10 minutes at the beginning of the week to plan out healthy snacks for your entire week can help cut back on the problem of eating unhealthy snacks when you are tired. Pack individual snack bags of almonds, cheese slices, carrot sticks or snap peas that you can grab on the go. It will simplify your week, and give you a healthy alternative to fast food, sweets or chips.

Drink More Water.

Drinking water instead of soda or alcoholic beverages can be an amazing way to start living healthier. Being properly hydrated can give your skin a healthier glow, aid in weight loss and promote healthy organ function.

Play Hard.

Take 10 minutes to make a list of things you like to do that are active and post it where you can see it. Finding fun activities will help you create a healthy and more balanced lifestyle. Using a part of your weekends to go to a museum, take a hike, go swimming, rake an elderly neighbor’s lawn or just walk around the mall with some friends can make all the difference.

At Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake, we believe that we should all like who we see in the mirror, so living a healthy lifestyle should always be at the top of our lists. Jump in and begin a few ten-minute tweaks to start in on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. 

Photo credit: Hemera/Thinkstock

 

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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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/SkiptheERWaitingRoom to 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 -- 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. 

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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Ever have a scratchy throat before getting the full-blown flu? What about an upset stomach before food poisoning? At least these are non-life-threatening conditions that can usually be easily treated and you can make a full recovery. The “beginnings” of a heart attack occur in more than half of patients. These early warning signs may be a little trickier to diagnose and could be chalked up to other conditions, but they should not be ignored because the symptoms can be treated before the heart is damaged.

A heart attack occurs when there is a blockage in the flow of blood in an artery that leads to the heart. Part of the heart muscle is then damaged or destroyed because it does not receive enough oxygen. The key to surviving a heart attack is knowing the warning signs so you can get emergency medical treatment.

Warning signs of a heart attack can appear at any time, at rest or in motion, and at work or play. A heart attack may strike suddenly, but most people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks beforehand. Early symptoms may include nausea, pain that travels down one or both arms, jaw or back pain, fatigue, anxiety, shortness of breath, feeling of fullness, and chest pressure, squeezing or discomfort.

Treatment works best when administered within an hour of the first symptoms of a heart attack. Clot-busting drugs can be administered and special procedures can be done to open up blood vessels. Survival will ultimately depend on how rapidly you receive treatment, how much damage there is to the heart, and the location of the damage.

To learn more about heart attack risk factors and warning signs, visit the free, online health library on the Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake website at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/HeartAttack.

Photo credit: Wavebreak Media/Thinkstock


Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218

214-324-6100
www.doctorshospitaldallas.com