May is National Stroke Awareness Month, drawing attention to the leading cause of death in the United States. Mini strokes, known medically as a transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), are often warning signs of an actual stroke.

Some of the common symptoms are:

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face or extremities, especially on one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking or mental confusion
• Blurred vision, or difficulty seeing out of one or both eyes
• Dizziness or loss of coordination
• Severe and unexpected headache

A mini stroke is defined as stroke symptoms lasting less than 24 hours. When TIAs occur, there is no permanent brain damage. However, TIAs are a serious warning. According to the National Stroke Association, 40 percent of people who suffer a mini stroke will later have an actual stroke. In fact, studies show that 10 to 15 percent of TIA sufferers will have an actual stroke within three months of the initial TIA occurrence.

The causes of mini strokes include:

• Low flow in a major artery due to a narrow area in the artery
• A blood clot traveling to the brain
• Smaller blood vessels in the brain narrowing and blocking blood flow for a short period of time

Treatment for TIAs vary and depend on the how the TIA originated. TIA management could include clot-busting medication or surgery to open narrowed arteries. Like stroke, prevention of TIAs starts with lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising and not smoking.

Since you may not be able to tell if someone is having TIA or a stroke, you should always act quickly when the symptoms are exhibited. Call 911 and get to an emergency room immediately. To learn more about your risk for stroke, call our free Consult-A-Nurse® line at 1-888-741-5120 for a physician referral.

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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Of the different types of skin cancer, melanoma is labeled as the deadliest. May is National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, focusing a spotlight on the disease and the risk factors.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation, from the sun or tanning beds, is the main risk factor for melanoma. You can reduce your melanoma risk by debunking the myths of sun safety and knowing the facts. 

Myth: You don't have to worry about applying sunscreen on a cloudy day.
Fact: Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. Even on a cloudy day, up to 80 percent of UV rays from the sun can seep through the clouds and damage your skin. 

Myth: Applying sunscreen with higher SPF provides all day protection.
Fact: Sunscreen is only effective if used correctly. You should apply about two tablespoons of sunscreen all over your body 30 minutes before going out into the sun. More importantly, you must reapply the sunscreen about every two hours.

Myth: Sunscreen with the highest SPF is the best protection.
Fact: SPF is only half of the equation. To have the best protection, your sunscreen should have "broad spectrum" protection. Broad spectrum provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Myth: Getting a base tan prevents sunburn.
Fact: The truth is, any tan cause by UV exposure (as opposed to a spray tan) is damaging to the skin. According to the National Skin Cancer Foundation, a tan is the skin's response to UV damage. That response can develop into cancer.

Myth: Tanning beds are safer than being out in the sun.
Fact: Both indoor and outdoor UV exposure is dangerous. In fact, the CDC reports that people who start using indoor tanning facilities before the age of 35 have a 75 percent higher risk of melanoma.

If you would like to learn more about skin cancer screenings and staying protected in the sun, visit us online at Oak Hill Hospital or call our Consult-A-Nurse service at 1-888-741-5120.

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Arthritis in general means inflammation of the joints. However, the medical community uses the word to describe more than 100 rheumatic diseases. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease labels osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as the most common types.

Osteoarthritis can occur as you age or can result from an injury. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your body's defense system doesn't work proper and begins to have a negative effect on the joints. The common thread is pain and stiffness. In addition to following a medication regimen as prescribed by your doctor, you can manage arthritis pain with simple lifestyle choices and changes.

Get smart about getting physical
Although arthritis pain can make moving difficult, exercise, in the long run, will help manage the pain of the disease. Regular exercise can decrease pain while improving mobility and function. Arthritis sufferers with more intense pain should concentrate on low-impact activities such as:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Swimming
• Yoga
• Tai chi

Step on the scale
If you are overweight, considering shedding some pounds. Maintaining a healthy weight pays positive dividends for those with arthritis. Being overweight puts more pressure on already aching joints.

Do the little things
You can alleviate stiffness by simply moving and moving often. Regularly change your position, move your neck from side to side, move your hands and bend your legs. Conversely, take a break when you may be over-using your joints.

Find a quick fix
There may be instances when you still have pain even after taking medication. Try one of the following solutions:

• Do some stretching exercises
• Place an ice pack on sore joints
• Rest the affected joint
• Take a relaxing, warm shower

Before beginning a new exercise regimen, consult your doctor. To learn more about managing your arthritis pain or how to life an active life with arthritis, visit Oak Hill Hospital's Orthopaedic Institute online or call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-741-5120 for health information and physician referrals.

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Sometimes the aches, pains and stress associated with arthritis can leave people feeling less like moving. However, exercise is often some of the best medicine when it comes to relieving arthritis symptoms. In honor of Arthritis Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and help arthritis sufferers live better, here are a couple of things to know.

Physical Benefits
Exercise can help relieve arthritis-related pain and stiffness, build strength and increase range of motion. Exercise can be a means to manage your weight, therefore reducing strain on your joints. Aerobic activity is typically best for burning calories and losing pounds, while low-impact exercises are often recommended for people with arthritis. Weight-training is a good way to build muscle and become stronger. Yoga exercises are easy on the joints and can help you become more flexible as well as increase your range of motion. All of these benefits combined can make performing everyday functions easier and more comfortable.

Mental Benefits
Beyond the physical benefits associated with exercise, there are the mental and emotional benefits. Getting active is a good tool for managing stress, brightening your outlook and helping to get a good night's sleep, along with all the restorative benefits that go with it.

To learn more about osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, visit our online Health Library for more information. Talk with your doctor before beginning any fitness plan and discuss exactly what types of exercises are recommended for you. To find a doctor, search our online physician directory or call Consult-A-Nurse®, our free healthcare referral service at 1-888-741-5120.

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During Safe Kids Week, April 21st through the 28th, take time to learn about the dangers of button batteries. These small batteries represent a high number of cases of children visiting the emergency room after swallowing batteries. In fact, 84 percent of such visits involved button-sized batteries, according to Healthfinder.gov.

Where are these batteries found?
Unfortunately, button batteries can be found in a wide range of products and these are not limited to products intended for children. Remote controls, hearing aids, small toys and even greeting cards may contain very small batteries that curious children and infants might swallow or insert into other areas, like their nose.

What danger do these batteries pose?
USA.gov reports that when swallowed, batteries can leak acid if the casing around the battery is eroded. Some may even create an electrical current flowing through tissue and burn a hole in the trachea or esophagus. In rare cases, this can be fatal. It’s very important to keep these batteries out of the reach of kids, especially kids four and under.

How can this danger be prevented?
Children who are young enough to put toys and other items in their mouths should be supervised and should not be allowed to play with anything that could pose a choking hazard. Tape battery areas shut on remotes and don’t allow kids to play with items that contain small batteries. If you think your child has ingested a battery, head immediately to the ER.

Be prepared for emergencies that may occur with your children. Learn more about our Pediatric Emergency Care Center in Spring Hill. We are the only hospital in the region dedicated to pediatric emergency services. Give us a call at 352-596-6632 in Hernando and 352-628-6441 in Citrus for more information.

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We hear a lot about cholesterol when it comes to health, especially health in aging adults. What is it exactly? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. When you have too much of it in your blood, it can actually clog your arteries and lead to health problems including heart disease and heart attack. If you’re trying to lower your cholesterol or reduce your risk for heart disease, try these great foods for lowering cholesterol.

1. Whole grains. Whole grains are key when it comes to a heart healthy diet. Ask your doctor or nutritionist for help when it comes to reading labels and identifying true whole grains in the foods you eat.
2. Beans. When you add beans to your diet, watch your sodium intake. Try making them at home so you know exactly what’s going into them.
3. Avocados. While fattening, avocados contain what is considered good fat. Try them on a sandwich instead of meat for a healthier alternative.
4. Raw almonds. Avoid salty or sugared almonds and try eating raw almonds. You can eat them on a nonfat yogurt or in your cereal in the morning with nonfat milk or almond milk.
5. Blueberries and pomegranates. These darkly colored fruits contain antioxidants that can boost your heart health. Try them on a healthy salad of dark, leafy greens like spinach and kale.
6. Sardines. Don’t be put off by these tasty little fish. Try adding these nutrient-rich fish to a savory pasta sauce if they don’t make a delicious snack. If you do love them, eat up!

What about alcohol? According to the American Heart Association, there is no scientific proof that drinking wine or any other alcoholic beverage can replace a healthy diet and exercise when it comes to lowering cholesterol.

If you have more questions about cardiac care, or you want to make an appointment to check your cholesterol level, call our free Consult-A-Nurse® line at 1-888-741-5120. You can also visit The Heart Institute webpage to learn more about heart health.

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Squeeze 30 Minutes of Exercise Into Each Day

When you have kids, it can be difficult to carve out the time to get fit. Multitask your free time by coming up with fun ways to be active as a family. Fitness won’t feel like a chore when you’re enjoying time together. Here are some tips for staying fit as a family.

• Go geocaching or hiking. Walking and hiking are great ways to stay fit. Make your walks an adventure by seeking out a geocache or exploring an area you’ve never seen before. Check out a new hiking trail or drive to a local park.
• Ride bikes together. Outfit yourself and your kids with a bike and helmet. Even babies can enjoy biking with a safe bicycle seat for infants. Find safe places to bike together, such as bike trails and parks. Obey traffic laws when riding on or near the street.
• Do yard work together. Lawn work isn’t that much fun, but it’s still a great way to spend time together. Work as a team when gardening, mowing and weeding. You’ll all get a fitness boost and at the end you can reward yourselves with some relaxation indoors.
• Be creative. The President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition recommends that kids 6-17 get about an hour of activity every day. Adults need about 30 minutes a day. Kids get a lot of activity at school, so you can meet in the middle by trying to be active for 30 minutes a day together. Get creative. Wrestle in the back yard, go swimming, play an active video game that requires jumping or dancing, play tag or go jogging together.

Visit our online health library to learn more about physical fitness. You can also call our free Consult-a-Nurse® service at 1-888-741-5120 to ask any questions or to request a physician referral.

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This month is National Donate Life Month. While it may be unsettling to imagine what will happen to your body and organs after you’re deceased, you should consider whether or not you’d like to register as an organ donor. Try to focus on the people who can be saved and helped by an organ donation. Did you know that you can save up to eight lives through organ donation according to OrganDonor.gov?

How does organ donation work?
Organ donation is the removal of healthy organs and tissues from one person to be transplanted into another person. People need organ and tissue transplants to recover from various diseases. Organ donation often saves lives. In some cases, organs can be transplanted from one living person to another, such as kidney donation.

Can anyone donate tissues and organs?
Unless you have AIDS, severe infection or certain types of cancer, you can donate tissues and organs. Anyone from infants to the elderly can become organ donors. Transplant experts will make decisions regarding the viability of your organs for donation.

Who does organ donation help?
Thousands of people are added to transplant waiting lists every month. The need is huge and there’s always a shortage of organs for donation. Womensheath.gov reports that about 18 people die each day waiting for transplants. When you give the gift of life, you can save someone waiting for a transplant or change the life of someone in need of one.

Will organ donation disfigure the body?
It is important for many individuals to know that organ donation does not affect the ability to have an open casket funeral. This can be a comfort to donors and loved ones. Transplant surgeons are specially skilled in removing organs and tissue without affecting the appearance of the body.

Find out what you should know about your immune system and organ transplants from Oak Hill Hospital. If you have any health questions or need a physician referral, call our Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-741-5120.

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Pollen allergies can make life miserable in the spring and early summer as trees and grass bloom all over. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16.9 million Americans experienced hay fever from allergies in the past year. This beautiful time shouldn’t have to be one of discomfort and illness. Learn how you can fight your pollen allergy and live better this season.

1. Don’t bring the pollen inside.
When you return from any time spent outdoors, fight the invasion of pollen. Change your shoes and leave the grassy ones covered or in your garage. Change your clothes and wash your hands and face. If you’re home for the night, take a shower and wash your hair so you don’t bring pollen into your room.

2. Keep your windows closed.
Even though the temperature outside feels really nice, you should avoid leaving your windows open during pollen season. No amount of air filtration will take the place of leaving your windows safely shut.

3. Use an air purifier.
Keep the air in your home clean by using air purifiers. While you have your windows shut, it’s important to filter and treat the air that could be obtaining allergens and chemicals from your pets, household cleaners, fragrances and more. If you have to choose one area to treat, treat your bedroom.

4. Take preventative medication.
Talk to your doctor about the types of medication you should be taking during allergy season. He or she may change your regimen during this high pollen time of year. Some individuals have success with a nasal spray, antihistamine or steroid inhaler depending on the type and severity of symptoms.

5. Start immunotherapy.
If your pollen allergies are numerous and severe, you may want to consider immunotherapy. Also known as allergy shots, this is a therapy that helps to alleviate your allergy over time. According to Medline Plus, allergy shots can help make you less sensitive to pollen and provide long-term relief.

Learn more about hay fever and allergens from Oak Hill Hospital's online health library. If you have any questions about treating your allergies or if you would like a physician referral, call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-741-5120.

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When it comes to your kids, you want to provide the best care for them. Sometimes this means heading to the Emergency Room when an injury or illness occurs. Other times you can care for scrapes and bruises at home. Whether you seek a doctor’s care or you can handle bumps and small cuts yourself, you should keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your house for your family’s use.  Here’s a handy checklist to get you started:

First aid items to keep stocked:

• Suction bulb
• Fever reducer (such as Children’s Tylenol)
• Antihistamine (such as Children’s Benadryl)
• Medicine cups and syringes for child doses
• Band-Aids or other adhesive bandages in various sizes
• Finger splints
• Wrap bandages for injuries/sprains that need support, like the ankle or wrist
• Non-latex gloves
• Adhesive tape
• Sterile gauze pads
• Triangular bandage
• Tweezers
• Thermometer and tip covers
• Instant ice bags
• Cotton balls
• Hand sanitizer
• Sterile eyewash
• Hydrocortisone cream, ointment
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antibiotic ointment

Additional first aid reminders:

• Check your kit regularly, and replace any supplies that are getting low. Keep an eye on expiration dates and replace as needed.
• Keep your child’s health history in a binder that can easily be taken to appointments and critical care visits.
• Keep your doctors’ contact information organized in a place where it can easily be located by a caretaker or family member. Don’t forget the number of a pediatric dentist.
• The toll-free Poison Help line number (1-800-222-1222) should be kept near all phones and somewhere easily seen. Store it in your cell phone along with other emergency numbers.
• Consider keeping a basic disaster supply kit in your home.
• Know how to get to your nearest pediatric emergency room.

Learn more about our Pediatric Emergency Care Center in Spring Hill. We are the only hospital in the region dedicated to pediatric emergency services. Give us a call at 352-596-6632 in Hernando and 352-628-6441 in Citrus for more information. Call our free Consult-a-Nurse® service at 1-888-741-5120 to ask any questions or to request a physician referral.

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