Karen’s 72-year-old mother has fallen twice in the past year. Although neither fall resulted in serious injury—and in fact, her lively, active mother brushed off both incidents, reassuring her daughter, “I’m fine, stop fussing!”—Karen is concerned. She has good reason to be. While most falls in adults over age 60 are little more than a spill, requiring a bit of dusting off and clambering back to their feet, you should take every fall seriously, especially as your parent ages. Not only do … [Read more...] about What To Do When An Older Person Falls
Doctor's Corner
Articles and health care suggestions for your family, written by our very own physicians.
Staycation – A Vacation from the Usual
For some of us, our homes are our sanctuaries. Being able to travel has taken on new meaning and traveling for leisure will be something we contemplate as we deal with health and safety issues of recent times. When will it be safe to travel again? What will that look like? That question is yet to be answered. Homeowners are installing pools, outdoor kitchens and home gyms at record rates. We long to be outside and enjoy the summer and adding amenities to our homes is one of the answers to … [Read more...] about Staycation – A Vacation from the Usual
How Do You Respond To Someone Having A Seizure?
If you’ve ever witnessed someone having a seizure, you know it can be somewhat alarming. Seizures can occur without warning, causing a person to exhibit unusual, even frightening behavior. Bystanders want to help, but like most sudden health emergencies, a seizure can leave you feeling confused and helpless. A seizure is a sudden burst of uncontrolled brain activity that may produce abnormal behavior, convulsions, or even loss of consciousness. Seizures are caused by many factors, but the … [Read more...] about How Do You Respond To Someone Having A Seizure?
Road Trips Revisited in 2020
Getting places by public transportation is on hold for many of us. That doesn’t mean traveling is on hold. Gas prices are unprecedentedly low and the road beckons. Before flying became mainstream, Americans romanticized the road trip. Suitcases strapped to the top rack of the Vista Cruiser used to be a thing. Vehicles today are packed with creature comforts and space. Let’s look into lens of your ViewFinder and create the perfect road trip together. Make a Plan What can you do to be sure … [Read more...] about Road Trips Revisited in 2020
Day Hiking Checklist
Cooler weather is just around the corner, so if you're ready to get out where social distancing is normal and do a bit of hiking, be sure to bring what you need to keep you and your family safe on your day hikes. Click the list below to download a printable Day Hiking Checklist. … [Read more...] about Day Hiking Checklist
Healthy Road Trip Snacks
Traveling by car with family can be fun or a fiasco. Most of us can remember back-seat “wrestlemania” that goes with sitting too close to a sibling. “Mom, he looked at me!” “Mom, she took my iPad”, “Dad, are we there yet?” “I have to go to the bathroom!” Just like anything else we do with precision as parents, a travel plan is a must, especially when it comes to snacking. Who remembers sandy bologna sandwiches from a fold over baggie on the beach? Point made. We have so many more choices … [Read more...] about Healthy Road Trip Snacks
Is It An Emergency If Someone Collapses?
A collapse—your legs suddenly give way and you fall to the ground—is called by many names: fainting, passing out, losing consciousness. The medical term for fainting is syncope (SINK-a-pee). Before you actually faint, you are likely to experience one or more signs that it’s about to happen: sweating, lightheadedness, or a sense that your surroundings are going dark are some of the signs that precede loss of consciousness. Fortunately, most episodes of fainting are over quickly and are no … [Read more...] about Is It An Emergency If Someone Collapses?
Social Distancing While in Public Places
It almost feels that life never existed before the uninvited pandemic shut things down. We no longer hear music from local event venues or the activity of busy pedestrians traversing city streets during a busy workday. While we are in a phase of re-opening to the public, there are rules. As of Wednesday, June 3, Texas began Phase 3 of reopening. All businesses currently operating at 25% capacity can expand occupancy to 50% with certain exceptions.Bars and similar establishments … [Read more...] about Social Distancing While in Public Places
Symptoms of Heat-Related Illnesses
Living and vacationing in climates with high heat and humidity make us vulnerable to heat related illnesses. Heat exhaustion is a precursor to heatstroke. Both are potentially life-threatening and require immediate medical care. Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can occur after you've been exposed to high temperatures, and it is often accompanied by dehydration. There are two types of heat exhaustion: Water depletion. Signs include excessive thirst, weakness, … [Read more...] about Symptoms of Heat-Related Illnesses
Silent Heart Attacks What Do Asymptomatic Signs of a Heart Attack Mean?
Nearly half of all heart attacks have no symptoms at all — but that doesn't mean they're any less deadly than heart attacks with symptoms. They are described as "silent" because when they occur, their symptoms lack the intensity of a classic heart attack, such as extreme chest pain and pressure; stabbing pain in the arm, neck, or jaw; sudden shortness of breath; sweating, and dizziness. (Harvard) People who have a silent heart attack might later recall that they had indigestion, the … [Read more...] about Silent Heart Attacks What Do Asymptomatic Signs of a Heart Attack Mean?
