January ˜˚˛˝ Baylor BaylorHealth.com/ Health Irvingnews.bswhealth.com/media_storage/BL011405_Irving.pdf · 2013-12-11 · training into the workout. By the end of a 40-minute

HealthJanuary 2014 BaylorHealth

In Good Health

After a routine colonoscopy detected

cancer, BILL DIPPEL is cancer-free and

touting the benefits of regular screenings

PAGE 6

REAL PATIENTS. REAL STORIES.

DOCTOR OR DEAL?How to determine when it’s time to see the doctor PAGE 8

KEEP THE BEATHave an irregular heartbeat? Know your treatment options PAGE 4

IRVING EDITION

Visit BaylorHealth.com/Irving for informative videos, interactive quizzes, online event registration, and much more.

FdBL011405_Irving.indd 1 11/22/13 4:19 PM

THIS YEAR, BAYLOR IRVING celebrates 50 years of caring for the people in its community. What was then the 113-bed Irving Community Hospital welcomed its fi rst patient on Nov. 8, 1964.

In 1988 the hospital became Irving Healthcare System, and in 1991 it added the Irving Cancer Center, Medical Offi ce Building 1 and Outpatient Surgery Center. It joined the Baylor Health Care System in 1995.

Today, Baylor Irving has more than doubled in size, with 296 beds. As a full-service, fully accredited hospital

it off ers a range of advanced care, including:• Heart and vas-

cular services• Cancer care• Emergency

services• Digestive health• Orthopedics• Neuroscience services, including

stroke care• Radiology and imaging services• Behavioral health senior care

50 Years of Caring

In Case of EmergencyFor more information on the emergency services at Baylor Irving or for a physician referral, please visit BaylorHealth.com/Irving or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.

PUT A SPIN ON THE NEW YEARBoring equals burnout. Put a little extra kick in your 2014 exercise routine with spinning classes. This indoor, calorie-blasting workout accommodates riders of all levels, whether you haven’t ridden since you were a kid or are a regular pro. There’s no balancing or choreography knowledge required.

Instructors use heart-pumping tunes and guided visualization to motivate you through your ride, which features an adjustable resistance knob and fi ve “core movements” to incorporate both cardio and strength training into the workout. By the end of a 40-minute ride, your core, legs and glutes will be burning, and you will have completed, on average, the equivalent of a 15- to 20-mile ride.

Health Care Reform MilestoneJan. 1, 2014, marks the fi rst day that several new patient protections take eff ect under the Aff ordable Care Act.

These include banning insurance companies from:• Discriminating against

those with pre-existing conditions.

• Charging higher rates to individuals because of gender or health status.

• Imposing lifetime payout limits or annual payout limits on health benefi ts.

’Tis the Season to Call in SickAvoid catching the crud by taking extra precautions at work. To keep yourself and your co-workers healthy, follow these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

1 Get a fl u vaccine, which will protect

you from the three most common viruses that have been identifi ed this year. Urge your co-workers to get one, too.

2 Use good hygiene practices. Wash your

hands frequently with soap and water, and avoid touching your face. Regularly disinfect common areas, like the break room and doorknobs, with sanitizing wipes.

3 If you get sick, stay home. If you

think you have the fl u, call in sick for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

200,000The number of

people hospitalized due to fl u-related

complications each year.

24

Are You Ready?Before beginning any exercise program, talk to your doctor. For a physician referral, visit FindDrRight.com or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.

Spinning ©Getty Images/iStockphoto; sick ©Thinkstock; health care reform ©Thinkstock

Expanding CareThe emergency department at Baylor Medical Center at Irving is growing to better serve the communities it cares for.

The current emergency room, designed to handle 50,000 patients a year, saw 69,914 patients last year and is the second busiest emergency room among the Baylor Health Care System facilities.

The new emergency department, slated to open in fall 2014, will:

• Nearly double in size, from 27,200 square feet to 49,400.

• Add 17 beds. The 50 total beds will include fi ve intake rooms, 39 universal beds and 11 clinical decision beds for critical patients.

• Off er new waiting and reception areas, a dedicated laboratory and pharmacy, a 16-slice CT scanner and telemedicine capabilities.

• Help with patient fl ow, improve the admissions process and reduce door-to-doctor time.

• Continue to have advanced certifi cation as a primary stroke center and be accredited as a Cycle 3 Chest Pain Center.

• Be built with eco-friendly initiatives.The emergency department will remain

open during construction, with average wait times of less than 30 minutes.

Recalling the PastVisit us at BaylorHealth.com/Irving to learn more about Baylor Irving’s history.

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ATING 50 YEARS • 1964 - 2014

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2 BaylorHealth.com/Irving

Baylor Medical Center at Irving, 1901 N. MacArthur Blvd. Irving, TX 75061 • 972.579.8100; Baylor Health Center at Irving-Coppell, 400 W. Interstate 635 at MacArthur Blvd. Irving, TX 75063 • 972.785.5500; President: Cindy Schamp; Marketing Director: Leanne Pettit; Main Switchboard: 972.579.8100; Patient Information: 972.579.4358; Physician Referral: 1.800.4BAYLOR (1.800.422.9567); Irving Cancer Center: 972.579.4300; Irving Women’s Pavilion of Health: 972.579.8240; Irving Imaging Centers (Mammography): 2001 N. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 250 • 972.254.1616; 440 W. Interstate Hwy. 635, Suite 120A • 972.785.5650; 2740 N. State Hwy. 360, Suite 200 • 972.579.4480; 24-Hour Emergency Department: 972.579.8110; Human Resources Job Line: 972.579.8750

Baylor Health Care System Mission: Founded as a Christian ministry of healing, Baylor Health Care System exists to serve all people through exemplary health care, education, research and community service. Visit BaylorHealth.com or call 1.800.4BAYLOR for information about Baylor Medical Center at Irving services, upcoming events, physician referrals, career opportunities and more.

BaylorHealth is published six times a year by McMurry/TMG, LLC. © 2014 Baylor Health Care System. The material in BaylorHealth is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor Medical Center at Irving, Baylor Health Center at Irving Coppell or Baylor Health Care System. Photographs may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. If you are receiving multiple copies, need to change your mailing address or do not wish to receive this publication, please send your mailing label(s) and the updated information to Robin Vogel, Baylor Health Care System, Marketing Department, 2001 Bryan St., Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75201, or email the information to [email protected].

FdBL011405_Irving.indd 2 11/20/13 8:51 AM

PUT A SPIN ON THE NEW YEARBoring equals burnout. Put a little extra kick in your 2014 exercise routine with spinning classes. This indoor, calorie-blasting workout accommodates riders of all levels, whether you haven’t ridden since you were a kid or are a regular pro. There’s no balancing or choreography knowledge required.

Instructors use heart-pumping tunes and guided visualization to motivate you through your ride, which features an adjustable resistance knob and fi ve “core movements” to incorporate both cardio and strength training into the workout. By the end of a 40-minute ride, your core, legs and glutes will be burning, and you will have completed, on average, the equivalent of a 15- to 20-mile ride.

Health Care Reform MilestoneJan. 1, 2014, marks the fi rst day that several new patient protections take eff ect under the Aff ordable Care Act.

These include banning insurance companies from:• Discriminating against

those with pre-existing conditions.

• Charging higher rates to individuals because of gender or health status.

• Imposing lifetime payout limits or annual payout limits on health benefi ts.

’Tis the Season to Call in SickAvoid catching the crud by taking extra precautions at work. To keep yourself and your co-workers healthy, follow these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

1 Get a fl u vaccine, which will protect

you from the three most common viruses that have been identifi ed this year. Urge your co-workers to get one, too.

2 Use good hygiene practices. Wash your

hands frequently with soap and water, and avoid touching your face. Regularly disinfect common areas, like the break room and doorknobs, with sanitizing wipes.

3 If you get sick, stay home. If you

think you have the fl u, call in sick for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

200,000The number of

people hospitalized due to fl u-related

complications each year.

24

Are You Ready?Before beginning any exercise program, talk to your doctor. For a physician referral, visit FindDrRight.com or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.

Spinning ©Getty Images/iStockphoto; sick ©Thinkstock; health care reform ©Thinkstock

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ATING 50 YEARS • 1964 - 2014

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BaylorHealth.com/Irving 3


YOUR HEART’S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM keeps it beating properly, most of the time. But some people develop arrhythmias, or rhythm disorders. These disorders can range from skipped heartbeats to rapid heartbeats, and can strike people at any age. Some of these disorders can lead to dizzy spells and fainting, and others are life threatening.

Ali Kizilbash, MD, an electro-physiologist/cardiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Irving, says that up until a few decades ago, medication was the only option for treating arrhythmias. But now, these new therapeutic options can also help:

1 ABLATION. In this proce-dure, electrophysiologists/

cardiologists either freeze or cauterize (burn) the tissue that’s causing the arrhythmia. It typically requires an overnight hospital stay.

2 PACEMAKERS. These implanted medical devices can regulate the

heartbeat and help patients who pass out because of slow heart rhythm.

3 IMPLANTED DEFIBRILLATORS.These devices are dual action—

they can deliver an electrical shock to your heart when they sense an irregular heartbeat that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest, and they also serve as backup pacemakers.

4 CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZA-TION THERAPY DEVICES. These

implanted devices regulate both of the heart’s ventricles at the same time so they pump blood more eff ectively. They

Move to the BeatFour treatments to tame irregular heartbeats

are typically used in people with heart failure due to damage from a heart attack or other causes. “Some people recover function completely,” Dr. Kizilbash says.

If you have a rhythm disorder, your primary care physician can refer you to a cardiologist who specializes in electrophysiology.

Dr. Kizilbash points out that people who have congestive heart failure or are at risk of cardiac death should know their ejec-tion fraction, which is a measure of the heart’s ability to contract. If your number is low, there are devices that can help.

Help Your HeartTo make an appointment with a cardiologist or an electrophysiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Irving, visit BaylorHealth.com/Irving or call 1.800.4BAYLOR today.

OPPOSITES ATTRACTFor some ablation procedures, doctors can use magnets to guide a catheter to the parts of the heart with the abnormal electri-cal circuit. Doctors place magnets alongside the patient and con-trol the catheter with a joystick. Magnetic navigation lowers the risk of damaging the heart.

BACK PAIN MYTHS BUSTEDWe give you the straight-up facts

DID YOU KNOW?

It is estimated that

80%of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

©Thinkstock

BACK PAIN IS TAKING a serious toll. It’s one of the most common reasons we miss work, and one half of all working Americans say they experience back pain symptoms each year.

Though the road to a healthy back isn’t always a simple one, treatments ranging from medication to physical therapy to surgery are available and usually eff ective, says Matthew Berchuck, MD, a spine surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie.

And getting help starts with understanding the truth about your back pain. Here, Dr. Berchuck helps us separate fact from fi ction.

———————[ MYTH ]———————Bed rest is the answer to a backache.

———————[ FACT ]———————“Years ago, people thought staying in bed for weeks was the thing to do, but

today we know that no more than 24 to 48 hours is recommended because of the deconditioning that happens as a result of prolonged inactivity,” Dr. Berchuck says.

———————[ MYTH ]———————You can only have back pain if you’ve been in an accident.

———————[ FACT ]———————Though lots of back injuries do start with trauma, back pain also can be caused by arthritis, infections and tumors, Dr. Berchuck says.

———————[ MYTH ]———————Back pain means there’s a problem with your spine.

———————[ FACT ]———————Back pain also can be caused by a host of other conditions that have nothing to do with the spine.

“Kidney infections, tumors, ulcers, ovarian cysts and pancreatitis are just a few of the things that can present as back pain,” Dr. Berchuck explains.

———————[ MYTH ]———————Spine surgery doesn’t work and just leads to other surgeries.

———————[ FACT ]———————Most patients who undergo spine surgery do very well and are able to resume the activity level they had before surgery, Dr. Berchuck says. “Our understanding of spinal disease has increased greatly. Thanks to advances in both diagnostic and therapeutic technology, we have a much greater ability to diagnose and treat spinal disorders of all kinds.”

4 BaylorHealth.com/Irving ©Photoshot


BACK PAIN MYTHS BUSTEDWe give you the straight-up facts

DID YOU KNOW?


80%of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

©Thinkstock

DID YOU KNOW?


80%of adults will experience back pain at some

BACK PAIN IS TAKING a serious toll. It’s one of the most common reasons we miss work, and one half of all working Americans say they experience back pain symptoms each year.

Though the road to a healthy back isn’t always a simple one, treatments ranging from medication to physical therapy to surgery are available and usually eff ective, says Matthew Berchuck, MD, a spine surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie.

And getting help starts with understanding the truth about your back pain. Here, Dr. Berchuck helps us separate fact from fi ction.

———————[ MYTH ]———————Bed rest is the answer to a backache.

———————[ FACT ]———————“Years ago, people thought staying in bed for weeks was the thing to do, but

today we know that no more than 24 to 48 hours is recommended because of the deconditioning that happens as a result of prolonged inactivity,” Dr. Berchuck says.

———————[ MYTH ]———————You can only have back pain if you’ve been in an accident.

———————[ FACT ]———————Though lots of back injuries do start with trauma, back pain also can be caused by arthritis, infections and tumors, Dr. Berchuck says.

———————[ MYTH ]———————Back pain means there’s a problem with your spine.

———————[ FACT ]———————Back pain also can be caused by a host of other conditions that have nothing to do with the spine.

“Kidney infections, tumors, ulcers, ovarian cysts and pancreatitis are just a few of the things that can present as back pain,” Dr. Berchuck explains.

———————[ MYTH ]———————Spine surgery doesn’t work and just leads to other surgeries.

———————[ FACT ]———————Most patients who undergo spine surgery do very well and are able to resume the activity level they had before surgery, Dr. Berchuck says. “Our understanding of spinal disease has increased greatly. Thanks to advances in both diagnostic and therapeutic technology, we have a much greater ability to diagnose and treat spinal disorders of all kinds.”


Do You Know Your Back?Take our quiz at BaylorHealth.com/BackPain to fi nd out.

©Photoshot


W


JusttheFactsWhen Bill Dippel, a Dallas lawyer, turned 50, his doctor told him it was time for a colonoscopy. His response was anything but pleased. “I laughed out loud and said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me, doc!’�”

Like most of us, Dippel was anxious about the prospect of undergoing that procedure—but his physician wouldn’t budge. “He told me guys my age were prime candidates for colon cancer and that I needed to buck up and get it done, so I took his advice.”

He was glad he did. “My doctor found and removed three polyps, one of which was cancerous,” Dippel says. “Had I not been screened when I was, the cancer would have progressed.”

Thanks to laparoscopic surgery and six months of chemotherapy at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, Dippel, now 56, is cancer-free—and he’s sharing his message of early detection with anyone who will listen.

“You deserve to take good care of yourself,” Dippel says. “A simple colonoscopy puts you in the best position to beat colon cancer, and it’s a great win. Just ask my kids.”

If that’s not enough to convince you, read on. Here, Rassa Shahidzadeh, MD, a gastroenterologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, shares fi ve facts about colorectal cancer you need to know.

Watch Bill’s StoryHear more from Bill about his experience. Visit BaylorHealth.com/Exclusive today.

The truth behind colorectal cancer

Symptoms are more likely to appear in later stages, but colorectal cancer is most treatable when it’s diagnosed early, before any warning signs appear. When present, symptoms may include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloody stools or unexplained weight loss.

THE TAKEAWAY Symptom-free doesn’t mean disease-free. Stay current on your screenings regardless of how good you feel.

FACT #3EVERYONE IS AT RISK.Individuals with a personal history of breast cancer, infl ammatory bowel disease or colon polyps or who have a family history of colon cancer are at increased risk for colorectal cancer. Smoking, drinking excessively or eating a high-fat diet that includes a lot of red or processed meat may also increase risk.

But everyone should be screened, regardless of how low they perceive their risk to be. “There are two kinds of risk—average and high,” Dr. Shahidzadeh says. “No one is ‘safe’ from colorectal cancer.”

THE TAKEAWAY Talk to your doctor to determine a personalized screening schedule based on your level of risk.

FACT #4YOU CAN’T BEAT A COLONOSCOPY.Though several screening options are available, the gold standard is still colonoscopy. “It can detect and remove polyps before they become cancerous, and it’s a really simple outpatient procedure,” Dr. Shahidzadeh says.

Most people are pleasantly surprised by how easy and painless it is. “I had to be talked into it, but it really wasn’t bad at all,” Dippel says.

THE TAKEAWAY Getting a colonoscopy is your best bet at preventing and detecting colorectal cancer, so don’t dodge it or delay it.

FACT #5IT’S PREVENTABLE.If properly screened, no one has to die from colorectal cancer. “This is one of the few cancers we can actually prevent,” Dr. Shahidzadeh says.

The death rate from colon cancer has gone down over the past 20 years, likely attributable to the removal of polyps and early detection that occur during colonoscopies.

THE TAKEAWAY Get over your hang-ups. Colonoscopy is one screening you can’t aff ord to miss.

FACT #1IT’S NOT JUST A MAN’S DISEASE.“Maybe it’s because breast cancer is so widely covered by the media, but for some reason people have this idea that colon cancer is mainly a man’s problem,” Dr. Shahidzadeh says. “Colorectal cancer is equally devastating for both genders.”

In fact, the National Cancer Institute estimates that 73,680 men and 69,140 women were diagnosed with the disease

in 2013. And among cancers that aff ect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.

THE TAKEAWAY It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. You

should start getting screened at age 50, or earlier if you’re at high risk.

FACT #2IT DOESN’T ALWAYS CAUSE SYMPTOMS.“About half of the patients I see

didn’t experience any symptoms prior to their diagnosis,”

Dr. Shahidzadeh says.

Bill Dippel tells anyone who will listen about the importance of getting a colonoscopy, including his son, Creighton.



W


JusttheFactsWhen Bill Dippel, a Dallas lawyer, turned 50, his doctor told him it was time for a colonoscopy. His response was anything but pleased. “I laughed out loud and said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me, doc!’�”

Like most of us, Dippel was anxious about the prospect of undergoing that procedure—but his physician wouldn’t budge. “He told me guys my age were prime candidates for colon cancer and that I needed to buck up and get it done, so I took his advice.”

He was glad he did. “My doctor found and removed three polyps, one of which was cancerous,” Dippel says. “Had I not been screened when I was, the cancer would have progressed.”

Thanks to laparoscopic surgery and six months of chemotherapy at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, Dippel, now 56, is cancer-free—and he’s sharing his message of early detection with anyone who will listen.

“You deserve to take good care of yourself,” Dippel says. “A simple colonoscopy puts you in the best position to beat colon cancer, and it’s a great win. Just ask my kids.”

If that’s not enough to convince you, read on. Here, Rassa Shahidzadeh, MD, a gastroenterologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, shares fi ve facts about colorectal cancer you need to know.

Watch Bill’s StoryHear more from Bill about his experience. Visit BaylorHealth.com/Exclusive today.

The truth behind colorectal cancer

Symptoms are more likely to appear in later stages, but colorectal cancer is most treatable when it’s diagnosed early, before any warning signs appear. When present, symptoms may include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloody stools or unexplained weight loss.

THE TAKEAWAY Symptom-free doesn’t mean disease-free. Stay current on your screenings regardless of how good you feel.

FACT #3EVERYONE IS AT RISK.Individuals with a personal history of breast cancer, infl ammatory bowel disease or colon polyps or who have a family history of colon cancer are at increased risk for colorectal cancer. Smoking, drinking excessively or eating a high-fat diet that includes a lot of red or processed meat may also increase risk.

But everyone should be screened, regardless of how low they perceive their risk to be. “There are two kinds of risk—average and high,” Dr. Shahidzadeh says. “No one is ‘safe’ from colorectal cancer.”

THE TAKEAWAY Talk to your doctor to determine a personalized screening schedule based on your level of risk.

FACT #4YOU CAN’T BEAT A COLONOSCOPY.Though several screening options are available, the gold standard is still colonoscopy. “It can detect and remove polyps before they become cancerous, and it’s a really simple outpatient procedure,” Dr. Shahidzadeh says.

Most people are pleasantly surprised by how easy and painless it is. “I had to be talked into it, but it really wasn’t bad at all,” Dippel says.

THE TAKEAWAY Getting a colonoscopy is your best bet at preventing and detecting colorectal cancer, so don’t dodge it or delay it.

FACT #5IT’S PREVENTABLE.If properly screened, no one has to die from colorectal cancer. “This is one of the few cancers we can actually prevent,” Dr. Shahidzadeh says.

The death rate from colon cancer has gone down over the past 20 years, likely attributable to the removal of polyps and early detection that occur during colonoscopies.

THE TAKEAWAY Get over your hang-ups. Colonoscopy is one screening you can’t aff ord to miss.

FACT #1IT’S NOT JUST A MAN’S DISEASE.“Maybe it’s because breast cancer is so widely covered by the media, but for some reason people have this idea that colon cancer is mainly a man’s problem,” Dr. Shahidzadeh says. “Colorectal cancer is equally devastating for both genders.”

In fact, the National Cancer Institute estimates that 73,680 men and 69,140 women were diagnosed with the disease

in 2013. And among cancers that aff ect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.

THE TAKEAWAY It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. You

should start getting screened at age 50, or earlier if you’re at high risk.

FACT #2IT DOESN’T ALWAYS CAUSE SYMPTOMS.“About half of the patients I see

didn’t experience any symptoms prior to their diagnosis,”

Dr. Shahidzadeh says.

Bill Dippel tells anyone who will listen about the importance of getting a colonoscopy, including his son, Creighton.


Preventing Colon CancerWhat’s the No. 1 step you can take to avoid colon cancer?

Get a colonoscopy. The screening test is recommended beginning at age 50 for people at average risk, and earlier for people at higher risk.

Randy Crim, MD, a colorectal surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Irving, explains that doctors fi nd polyps in 20 to 30 percent of people who undergo colonoscopy. The good news? Most of the time these polyps can be removed during the procedure and before they turn cancerous.

If the polyps are larger, doctors can operate to remove and reconnect the section of the colon that contains them. The

surgery can typically be performed with minimally invasive techniques, with smaller incisions and quicker recovery times compared with traditional, open methods.

Cancer Care InfoFor more information on the services off ered at the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Irving, please visit BaylorHealth.com/IrvingCancer or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.


AAA

©Thinkstock

How to know when a visit to the doctor needs to move to the top of your to-do list

As women, we take our roles as caregivers seriously. We’re the fi rst to rush to the side of a sick child or relative, and never hesitate to take them to the doctor if we’re concerned. Yet we often fail to provide this same level of care for ourselves. But putting your health on the back burner is a dangerous game.

“Forgoing screenings and exams can be hazardous to your health indeed,” says Robert Watson, MD, medical director at Baylor All Saints Medical Center’s Andrews Women’s Hospital. “Especially since many serious illnesses are most treatable when the fi rst symptoms appear.”

Ladies, we know you have a lot on your plate, but some symptoms simply shouldn’t be ignored. Read on to learn which are serious business—and which ones can aff ord to wait.

SYMPTOM Abdominal pain or bloating.

GET IT CHECKED? � Maybe. “For younger women, this is often just part of your monthly period symptoms, but for postmenopausal women, this can be the only sign of ovarian cancer,” Dr. Watson says.

SYMPTOMBreast changes.

GET IT CHECKED? � Yes. Any new or signifi cant changes in your breasts should be evaluated promptly for breast cancer, Dr. Watson says.

SYMPTOM Exhaustion.

GET IT CHECKED? � Maybe. For most women, Dr. Watson says, this is just part of life. “A lot of women come in thinking there’s something wrong because they’re so tired. The truth is they have three kids and work 50 hours a week and that is exhausting.”

That said, extreme fatigue that comes on suddenly could be a sign of something serious, so talk to your doctor.

SYMPTOM Heavy or painful menstruation.

GET IT CHECKED? � Maybe. Having a particularly heavy or painful period is normal for some women.

Bleeding after menopause, however, can be a sign

of uterine cancer and should be evaluated

promptly, Dr. Watson says.

SYMPTOM Unusual skin changes.

GET IT CHECKED? � Yes. If you observe changes in moles or notice the appearance of new moles or skin lesions, talk to your doctor. “Skin cancer is very treatable if it’s found early,” Dr. Watson says.

SYMPTOM Change in bowel movements.

GET IT CHECKED? � Yes. “Chronic constipation or diarrhea, or any signifi cant change in the stools, is cause for concern and should be evaluated by a physician,” Dr. Watson says. These symptoms can indicate a bowel obstruction, Crohn’s disease or colon cancer.

One More ThingBeyond seeing your doctor when a concerning symptom arises, Dr. Watson encourages women to see their gynecologist annually for a well-woman checkup. Consider doing it at the same time each year, on your birthday or right after the new year begins, for example, so you don’t forget.

“An annual Pap smear may no longer be recommended for most women, but we still recommend an annual visit,” Dr. Watson says. “This is an important time to talk about symptoms or concerns, contraception options, hormones, medications and recommended screenings.”



©Thinkstock

How to know when a visit to the doctor needs to move to the top of your to-do list

As women, we take our roles as caregivers seriously. We’re the fi rst to rush to the side of a sick child or relative, and never hesitate to take them to the doctor if we’re concerned. Yet we often fail to provide this same level of care for ourselves. But putting your health on the back burner is a dangerous game.

“Forgoing screenings and exams can be hazardous to your health indeed,” says Robert Watson, MD, medical director at Baylor All Saints Medical Center’s Andrews Women’s Hospital. “Especially since many serious illnesses are most treatable when the fi rst symptoms appear.”

Ladies, we know you have a lot on your plate, but some symptoms simply shouldn’t be ignored. Read on to learn which are serious business—and which ones can aff ord to wait.

SYMPTOM Abdominal pain or bloating.

GET IT CHECKED? � Maybe. “For younger women, this is often just part of your monthly period symptoms, but for postmenopausal women, this can be the only sign of ovarian cancer,” Dr. Watson says.

SYMPTOMBreast changes.

GET IT CHECKED? � Yes. Any new or signifi cant changes in your breasts should be evaluated promptly for breast cancer, Dr. Watson says.

SYMPTOM Exhaustion.

GET IT CHECKED? � Maybe. For most women, Dr. Watson says, this is just part of life. “A lot of women come in thinking there’s something wrong because they’re so tired. The truth is they have three kids and work 50 hours a week and that is exhausting.”

That said, extreme fatigue that comes on suddenly could be a sign of something serious, so talk to your doctor.

SYMPTOM Heavy or painful menstruation.

GET IT CHECKED? � Maybe. Having a particularly heavy or painful period is normal for some women.

Bleeding after menopause, however, can be a sign

of uterine cancer and should be evaluated

promptly, Dr. Watson says.

SYMPTOM Unusual skin changes.

GET IT CHECKED? � Yes. If you observe changes in moles or notice the appearance of new moles or skin lesions, talk to your doctor. “Skin cancer is very treatable if it’s found early,” Dr. Watson says.

SYMPTOM Change in bowel movements.

GET IT CHECKED? � Yes. “Chronic constipation or diarrhea, or any signifi cant change in the stools, is cause for concern and should be evaluated by a physician,” Dr. Watson says. These symptoms can indicate a bowel obstruction, Crohn’s disease or colon cancer.

One More ThingBeyond seeing your doctor when a concerning symptom arises, Dr. Watson encourages women to see their gynecologist annually for a well-woman checkup. Consider doing it at the same time each year, on your birthday or right after the new year begins, for example, so you don’t forget.

“An annual Pap smear may no longer be recommended for most women, but we still recommend an annual visit,” Dr. Watson says. “This is an important time to talk about symptoms or concerns, contraception options, hormones, medications and recommended screenings.” Need a Doctor?

For a referral to a primary care physician on the medical staff at Baylor Irving, visit

BaylorHealth.com/Irving or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.

3 Symptoms Men Shouldn’t IgnoreMen tend to “man up” and wait for symptoms to go away. But Sherif Rizkalla, DO, an internal medicine specialist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Irving, says men shouldn’t ignore these three symptoms:

1. CHEST PAIN. “Chest pain is the most alarming symp-tom because of the implica-tions related to heart disease,” Dr. Rizkalla says.

2. FATIGUE. Men tend to blame fatigue on their work schedule, not getting enough sleep, or not being as active as they should be. But it could be a sign of anything from anemia to low testosterone function.

3. TESTICULAR PAIN OR DISCOMFORT. Men can be embarrassed to discuss it, but testicular pain or discomfort could be a sign of testicular can-cer. Cancer is usually associated with older people, but testicular cancer commonly strikes men age 35 and younger.



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TIPSHEET

The Air You Breathe

Could pollution be putting your health at risk?

Download our tipsheet at BaylorHealth.com/

Tipsheet to discover how you can breathe easier.

PODCAST

Know Your Carbs

Choosing the wrong kind of carbs can leave you feeling tired and hungry, while the right ones can keep you sustained and satisfi ed. Visit BaylorHealth.com/Podcast to learn more about eating on the right side of the glycemic index.

VIDEO

PILL PRECAUTIONSWhen taking medications, take care—a single missed or delayed dose can reduce eff ectiveness or cause serious side eff ects. Visit BaylorHealth.com/DigitalShort to learn more about the importance of taking your medications on time and as directed.

QUIZ

Are You Heart Smart?Test your heart disease knowledge by taking our interactive quiz at

BaylorHealth.com/Quizzes today.

WE’VE COME A LONG WAY in the treatment of heart disease. Just four decades ago, a clogged artery was a ticking time bomb—and there was little that cardiologists could do to stop it. Today, they use minimally invasive techniques to open clogged arteries and restore blood fl ow, and then they place tiny metallic mesh tubes called stents that release a drug to help prevent the arteries from narrowing again.

And yet, this advanced method still has drawbacks. “Metallic stents can cause infl ammation and subsequent scar tissue that can result in the renarrowing of the artery,” says David Brown, MD, director of transcatheter valve therapy and co-director of minimally invasive valve therapy at The Heart Hospital

A dissolving device could become the new recommended approach for treating heart disease—and Baylor researchers are among the fi rst to implant it

Baylor Plano. “A small number of these procedures require additional interventional procedures as a result.”

NOW YOU SEE IT …Thankfully, especially in the fi eld of medicine, innovations never cease. A new investigational product called the Absorb™ bioresorbable vascular scaff old (BVS), made by health care company Abbott, works like a traditional metallic drug-eluting stent by opening clogged vessels and restoring blood fl ow. What makes it diff erent, however, is that it dissolves over time.

The beginning of 2013 marked the advent of clinical trials for this device in the United States, and Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital and The Heart Hospital are among the sites participating in the trial, the fi rst trial in the U.S. to test a BVS.

TESTING, TESTING, 1-2-3Initial results have been “promising,” says James W. Choi, MD, FACC, FSCAI, director of interventional cardiology

fellowship and principal investigator of the study at the Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital. But the device must be fully assessed.

“We are testing the Absorb device to see if the technology can off er the benefi ts of a traditional metallic stent, but then ultimately restore motion to the

vessel once it dissolves,” Dr. Choi says. “We’re excited and proud to be one of the fi rst sites in North Texas to enroll patients into the trial in an eff ort to evaluate this new investigational technology for our patients.”

Dr. Brown, who is principal investigator of the study at The Heart

Hospital, is also encouraged by the potential of this new technology. “The Absorb BVS has the potential to decrease the risk of an artery renarrowing and could replace metallic stents as the recommended treatment, if the results of the trial are successful,” he says.

How You Can HelpParticipate in a clinical trial at Baylor. Visit BaylorHealth.com/AdvancingMedicine to learn more.



Get the ExclusiveVisit BaylorHealth.com/Exclusive for more health and wellness content!

TIPSHEET

The Air You Breathe

Could pollution be putting your health at risk?

Download our tipsheet at BaylorHealth.com/

Tipsheet to discover how you can breathe easier.

PODCAST

Know Your Carbs

Choosing the wrong kind of carbs can leave you feeling tired and hungry, while the right ones can keep you sustained and satisfi ed. Visit BaylorHealth.com/Podcast to learn more about eating on the right side of the glycemic index.

VIDEO

PILL PRECAUTIONSWhen taking medications, take care—a single missed or delayed dose can reduce eff ectiveness or cause serious side eff ects. Visit BaylorHealth.com/DigitalShort to learn more about the importance of taking your medications on time and as directed.

QUIZ

Are You Heart Smart?Test your heart disease knowledge by taking our interactive quiz at

BaylorHealth.com/Quizzes today.


Free Healthy Recipes RECIPE Your resolution to eat better in 2014 just

got easier. Go to BaylorHealth.com/Recipe to fi nd nutritious dishes for every meal, mood and craving. Browse by course or main ingredient.

>Shrimp &

Asparagus Salad

Salad, skyline, pills, woman ©Thinkstock; broccoli ©Photoshot


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BLOOD PRESSURE • CHOLESTEROL SCREENING* • BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS • PHYSICIAN PANEL • FITNESS & NUTRITION

Take care of your health at our annual women’s health event, For Women For Life™. Enjoy a light breakfast, receive free health screenings, visit information booths and ask health questions from a panel of physicians specializing in heart, cancer, orthopedics, women’s health, and digestive health.

Get your girlfriends together and register today!

EVENT LOCATION: MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING II, CONFERENCE CENTER Baylor Medical Center at Irving2021 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, TX 75061

Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor Medical Center at Irving, or Baylor Health Care System. © 2013 Baylor Health Care System BMCIrv_527_2013 BHM CE 10.13

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2014 7:00 AM- 11:00 AM

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RSVP at 1.800.4BAYLOR

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ATING 50 YEARS • 1964 - 2014

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Celebrating 50 Years as Your Community Hospital

1.25.14FREE WOMEN’S HEALTH & WELLNESS EVENT!

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Documents

January ˜˚˛˝ Baylor BaylorHealth.com/ Health Irvingnews.bswhealth.com/media_storage/BL011405_Irving.pdf · 2013-12-11 · training into the workout. By the end of a 40-minute