Browsing CategoryBlog

  Westside Surgical Hospital and Breast Center Executive Director, Dr. Jay Shenaq, along with radiologist Dr. Melissa O’ Toole and general surgeon Dr. Sandra Templeton discuss how they utilize advanced imaging to help guide the lumpectomy followed by reconstructive surgery. And you will also hear from a wonderful patient who was helped. Watch this amazing story by clicking this link: https://youtu.be/e3RuYwLBq58  

  Recently, Westside Surgical Hospital’s Dr. Camille Cash was invited to appear on Great Day Houston where she discussed breast reconstruction surgery in time for our annual BRA Day event at Dillard’s. Click this link to watch: http://www.khou.com/story/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-houston/2015/10/12/bra-day/73811664/ Click this link to watch Dr. Camille Cash on Great Day Houston’s Medical Minute: https://monitor.app.box.com/s/zkjiz8f8abe7au2g6o73ylnfr6eb9fnz Click this link to watch Dr. Jeanie Bennett’s segment on BRA Day: https://monitor.app.box.com/s/qqgpzjmosveqcn0qtnij1zh8xu5s4yww

Patient Safety is the cornerstone of our work at Westside Surgical Hospital and all the facilities in our network. Recently, chief nursing/administrative officer at Westside Surgical Hospital, Angie Kauffman was asked to share best practices on this topic with the readers of Medical Journal of Houston. Click here to read: Medical Journal Houston – July 2015

Physical activity for people with health limitations A health issue may seem like a reason to avoid exertion, but in fact, exercise is an important part of keeping your condition under control. Here are a few guidelines for physical activity if you have asthma, arthritis, heart disease or some other medical condition.WHY IS STAYING ACTIVE SO IMPORTANT? Keeps up your strength so you can stay independent Gives you more energy for your favorite activities Reduces stress and anxiety Improves balance and coordination WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES ARE MOST BENEFICIAL? Walking. Walking is one of the safest, most effective forms of…

WSH meets with legislators at Breast Health Advocacy Day Representatives from Westside Surgical Hospital and Breast Center recently visited Austin to meet with Texas state legislators about public policy regarding breast health and cancer awareness. Breast Health Advocacy Day, a biannual event held this year on March 5, served as a crucial platform for Community Health Workers and breast health organizations to discuss important issues and provide information for those who are making policies related to health care funding. WSH joined others from around the state to advocate for funding that would support breast cancer services, education and research. “It’s…

How tennis players can maintain their strokes by staying injury-free From Grand Slam tournaments to recreational leagues, tennis players are feeling the strain after their matches. You might think that tennis elbow is the most likely injury for the serve-and-volley set — but it’s no match for more common afflictions. Sixty-seven percent of tennis-related injuries involve the lower extremities, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). The jarring nature of tennis, with its intermittent stops and starts, can be devastating on the hips, knees, feet and ankles. To keep tennis players on the court, the AAOS tosses up these…

Tips from nurse anesthetists Moms and dads will naturally get anxious if their child needs a surgical procedure. That’s why the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists put together a guide for parents on how to ease their fears and make the process as easy as possible for the child. START STRONG • When parents remain calm, their little ones take the cue. The best way to reduce anxiety all around is to have a clear understanding of what to expect. • Talk to the surgeon, without your child present, to get all the information you need and your questions answered. • Find out…

Some foods and herbal supplements may interfere with your medication. It’s only logical. Medication works because it causes some sort of reaction in your body. Herbal supplements and food do the same thing. And sometimes, the combination creates conflict that will cause medicine to lose its effectiveness. The American Heart Association (AHA) lists some common drug/food/herbal supplement interactions to avoid: If you take Coumadin (Warfarin), a blood thinner that many heart patients take to avoid dangerous clots Be careful about: Ginseng, touted as a means to boost the immune system, improve mood or increase concentration, and Vitamin E, also seen by many…

A study raises questions as legalization of the drug becomes more common   Many supporters of marijuana legalization have cited the drug’s health benefits among the most important reasons for their support. Marijuana is often used to provide pain relief associated with chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and HIV. But now there is more to the debate. French researchers say they have found a possible link between marijuana use and cardiovascular complications in younger adults. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, examined 1,979 cannabis-related reports in a five-year period. Researchers identified 35 users who…

Body lift surgery helps patients feel comfortable in their own skin after major weight loss People who lose a significant amount of weight often bear a physical reminder in the form of loose, sagging skin. The skin causes a range of medical problems — back pains and chafing, for example — as well as emotional distress. Any joy in losing weight is often tempered by feelings of unhappiness and discomfort. The only way to tighten the skin is through surgery, and one procedure in particular has achieved strong results for patients at Westside Surgical Hospital. Cosmetic surgery physician Dr. Mark…

Concussions in youth sports cause growing concern among parents and coaches The warm sunshine and the smell of fresh cut grass is a sure sign of spring, and young athletev s will be eager to get back in the game. But one crash or collision with a fellow player could spell disaster, both on and off the field. Despite increased awareness about sports-related concussions, there’s been a sharp uptick in frequency over the last decade. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that emergency room visits for concussions in children 8 to 13 has doubled, and concussions have risen 200 percent…

Texting is a pain in the neck As we increasingly focus on sending messages via phone rather than chatting, researchers are seeing a new kind of pain dubbed “text neck.” According to a study published in the journal Surgical Technology International, text neck results from constantly bending the neck to look down. The head weighs 10-12 pounds when the spine is in neutral position, and as it bends forward, the relative weight on the neck increases. At a 45 degree angle, the neck supports about 49 pounds. Over time that kind of stress overload can cause: Wear and tear on…

WSH patients tell their amazing survival stories in three TV ad Janette, stunned by a breast cancer diagnosis, explains that once she arrived at Westside Surgical Hospital and met the staff, “I knew I could do this.” Marilyn gives a very straightforward reason for choosing the hospital for treatment: “It’s the only complete breast care center in Houston.” Jennifer, daughter of a breast cancer survivor, knows that her risk for the disease is higher than average, so she gets regular mammograms at Westside Surgical Hospital. “With their experts looking out for me, I know I’m doing everything I can to…