Patients can live pain-free with cartilage restoration If you suffer from chronic knee pain, joint replacement surgery can drastically improve your life. But what if you’re too young to be a good candidate for the procedure? For a long time, the answer was you wait. Now orthopedic surgeons like Dr. Michael Trice are giving people new options. “When patients under 40 or even 50 have joint replacements, many of the joints fail early,” says Dr. Trice. “It is common for these patients to have the replacement done over again in five to ten years. A cartilage transplant can delay or…

The hospital meets stringent quality standards Westside Surgical Hospital recently earned national accreditation from the DNV organization, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to quality and safety in providing patient care. DNV accreditation is awarded only after the entire hospital staff and work processes are surveyed by DNV auditors to ensure the facility meets its quality standards. Just as physicians, nurses, lab techs and other staff at a hospital undergo rigorous training and testing to qualify for their work — so must a hospital as a whole demonstrate that it meets a set of quality standards. The DNV is one of two…

Pain does not need to be a fact of life We often talk about the aches and pains that come with age, as if it’s the natural course of events. Half of older adults in the U.S. report having pain that affects their activity, and many of them feel they have no recourse but to live with it. So what actually happens to the human body over the years? Bone density lessens, sometimes culminating in osteoporosis — brittle bones that present a higher risk of fracture. The gel-like discs in between the vertebrae get thinner, which can cause back pain.…

Fiber-rich diet may lower your risk of heart disease Increasing your fiber intake may reduce your risk of heart disease, a new study shows. With one-third of Americans dying each year of cardiovascular disease, and many more suffering from its effects, it is crucial to consider how your diet affects your heart health. The Study Researchers at the University of Leeds analyzed fiber intake as it relates to coronary heart disease, or plaque buildup in the heart’s arteries that can lead to heart attack, and cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attack, stroke and heart failure. The Results The more fiber…

The reasons to quit smoking keep adding up Still smoking despite all the warnings? Then maybe this will finally be the reason you put down the pack: complications following surgery. According to researchers from the Mayo Clinic, former and current smokers who have operations have higher healthcare costs for a year afterward compared to people who never smoked. They found that smoking-related complications could add up to $17 billion in direct medical costs in the United States. Smokers will find it harder to breathe during and after surgery, and the risk of blood clots and infection is higher. The risk…

Should you consider taking up yoga? If you’ve ever seen a yoga class in action, it’s easy to see why this form of exercise is so popular. Yoga is a low-impact exercise, so those with mobility issues can take part, and it’s good for flexibility. It also is a mind-body workout, so even though you’re doing some serious stretching it’s also relaxing. Sound good? It should, but be aware that yoga’s not for everyone, and it’s not a quick fix for all your physical issues. Accentuate the Positive Yoga is great for posture, balance, flexibility and core strength. It also…

How Westside Surgical Hospital helps patients with chronic sinusitis Roughly one in six Americans suffers from chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), an inflammation of the nasal sinuses that lasts more than 12 weeks. A sinus infection is characterized by: Nasal congestion Drainage Facial pressure Decreased sense of smell If you suffer from chronic sinus infections, you may also have difficulty sleeping and decreased energy levels. Chronic sinus problems can affect your quality of life, and even lead to depression. “CRS may not be a single disorder with a single cause,” says rhinologist Dr. Samer Fakhri. “Different people may have similar symptoms, but…

Combining expert opinions on the WSH Tumor Board A breast cancer patient will see many different types of physicians over the course of treatment as they move from surgery to radiology, chemotherapy and often plastic surgery. When their case is particularly complex, having all of these specialists come together can be a huge benefit in creating a comprehensive treatment plan. That’s what happens each month when the Westside Surgical Hospital Tumor Board meets. “All of the different specialties necessary for breast cancer care are in the same room and, in an open and frank fashion, can discuss a case with the…

Studies show patients in their 90s do well after getting hip surgery Anyone who has ever noticed the spry seniors stepping alongside them at a 5K run, or keeping up with an aerobics class at the gym, knows that aging has changed dramatically in the past few years. We not only live longer; we stay active and energetic well into our golden years. So the news that hip replacement surgery is safe for patients in their 90s is encouraging. Age can be a significant contributing factor in osteoarthritis, when wear and tear on a joint can lead to severe pain…

How to prevent and treat fall allergies Allergies get a lot of attention in the spring, but fall can be just as tough a time for sufferers. Nasal congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose and coughing are often mistaken for a cold, but these symptoms can be caused by an increase in ragweed pollen, which brings on an allergic reaction in 20 percent of Americans. What’s the difference between a cold and allergies? Colds are caused by viruses. Your immune system attacks the virus, which causes symptoms such as congestion and coughing. Colds are contagious and can take several weeks to…

Migraines can affect the whole family’s health Even if you’re the only person in the family who suffers the pain of migraine headaches, everyone else in the household deals with them as well. Accordingto researchers at Montefiore Headache Center in New York, chronic migraines have an affect on: Family relationships Family activities Sexual intimacy A migraine is a throbbing headache that affects one side of your head, and often comes along with nausea and disturbed vision. More than 38 million people in the United States report having migraines. Between 3 million and 7 million are chronic sufferers, dealing with migraines…

Living a healthier life takes time. People often put off lifestyle changes because they don’t have the emotional or physical resources to devote to them. But there are small steps you can take every day to live healthier. Combine your workday & your workout Sitting five or more hours per day can increase your risk of heart failure. A simple solution: stand. Use a pile of books to prop up your computer or purchase a standing desk. If you’re not comfortable standing, swap your chair for an exercise ball. It improves balance and strengthens your abs. Skip the sour cream…

WSH staff raise awareness and raise funds to fight breast cancer Westside Surgical Hospital team participates in the Komen Houston Race for the Cure If anyone on the Westside Surgical Hospital team needed motivation to keep going during the recent Komen Race for the Cure in Houston, all they had to do was take a look at the people walking alongside them. Many were former WSH patients and their families, literally taking steps that celebrated their survival over breast cancer. One was a fellow employee who had just received a breast cancer diagnosis. “That really brought it all home to…