News
 
Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest
Photo credit: iStock/Thinkstock

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

Gravatar

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

Gravatar

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