3 Ways to Cut Your Risk of Colon Cancer

Calendar March 12, 2013 | Posted by laicos

Find out how you can reduce your risk of colon cancer.

It’s National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer affects 1 in 20 Americans and is the third leading cause of cancer death, according to the American Cancer Society. Do you know how to reduce your risk of colon cancer? Find out how to adjust your habits to lead a healthier lifestyle that focuses on prevention of colorectal cancer and other chronic illnesses.

1.  Get screened often
It’s important to begin getting screened for colorectal cancer when you turn 50. Screening tests can find polyps, which can be removed before they turn into cancer. If you get screened early and often, doctors can catch and remove polyps before they have a chance to develop into cancer. This can literally save your life. In fact, the Colon Cancer Alliance estimates that 30,000 lives could be saved each year if patients and doctors worked together for a comprehensive screening program including fecal occult blood tests and colon exams.

2.  Adjust your diet
As with many types of cancer, diet can have a huge impact on prevention. If you are concerned with your risk of colorectal cancer, limit red meat. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and enjoy whole foods instead of processed foods whenever possible. Ensure that your diet is getting you lots of vitamin D and calcium or talk to your doctor about appropriate supplements.

3.  Maintain a healthy weight and level of fitness
If you are obese, talk to your doctor about healthy ways to lose weight gradually and safely. It’s important to maintain a healthy weight when it comes to lowering cancer risk and reducing the risk of other chronic diseases. Physical fitness is important regardless of your age. Engage in a fitness routine that’s right for your level of health and fitness. Even walking can make a difference.

The Cancer Institute at Oak Hill Hospital provides cutting edge treatment. To learn more about cancer treatment and detection options for you or a loved one, call (352) 596-6632 in Hernando or (352) 628-6441 in Citrus.

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5 “Health” Foods That Really Aren’t

Calendar March 5, 2013 | Posted by laicos

Find out which foods aren’t as healthy as you thought they were.

It's National Nutrition Month. To celebrate, take a hard look at the foods you eat. Are your healthy alternatives really that good for you?

Health waters and sports drinks
Sports drinks and vitamin-packed waters are carefully marketed to make consumers think they’re super healthy. The fact is, these drinks aren’t much better than sodas or sugary juices. They can be bad for adult and kid’s teeth and they’re either loaded with sugar or artificial sweeteners. When you’re thirsty, grab fresh water. According to Healthfinder.gov, sports drinks erode tooth enamel, the glossy outer layer of teeth.

Breakfast muffins
Unless you make your own breakfast muffins, chances are the unhealthy ingredients are outweighing whole grains, fruit and bran. Store-bought and bakery muffins are often oversized, full of sugar and packed with ingredients you wouldn’t slap a “healthy” label on. Be wary of any baked goods masquerading as healthy meals.

Smoothies
Have you ever read the nutritional info on smoothies from your favorite smoothie bar? You may be shocked to find out that smoothies can be loaded with calories, fat and sugar. Smoothies aren’t inherently bad for you, but you’re better off making them at home where you know exactly what goes inside and you can skip ingredients like ice cream.

Big salads
Nothing wrong with a salad, right? What if it’s covered in deli meat or a wet salad, such as chicken or tuna salad? Suddenly your healthy greens have become packed with fat and calories. Be cautious when it comes to toppings and dressings. Make your own salads so you know exactly what you’re eating.

Granola
Granola is practically synonymous with health. The ingredients themselves aren’t unhealthy, but many brands of granola are packed with sugar. When you add all of that to milk or yogurt, you’re talking about serious caloric intake. You can’t eat unlimited amounts of granola. In fact, it can really hurt your diet. Try to limit portion sizes and read labels carefully. Find out how many calories you should be eating every day.

Visit us online to discover healthy recipes. 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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Phase 1 of Oak Hill Hospital’s North Tower Expansion Project Is Now Open!

Calendar February 27, 2013 | Posted by admin

The  North Tower Phase 1 expansion project here at Oak Hill Hospital is now officially open and admitting patients.

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Some details on our expansion project:

  • Phase 1 is the completion of the new construction which adds a North Tower to the facility for the expansion of the Operating Rooms, Recovery Rooms, and private patient care rooms. The North Tower is a two story building which is stressed to accommodate future expansion up to six stories. The second floor of the new tower contains 36 private ICU (Intensive Care Unit) rooms.
  • The expansion also includes an additional 18 Post-Anesthesia Recovery beds. To accommodate this growth additional parking has been added for patients, guests, and families. Oak Hill Hospital is now a 262 bed facility making it the largest hospital in Hernando and Citrus Counties.
  • Phase 2 of construction has already begun to renovate 30,000 square feet of existing space for Endoscopy, Operating rooms, IV Therapy and Same Day Surgery.

Other interesting facts about the expansion project:

  • Total square feet of new construction – 70,000 square feet
  • Total square feet of remodeled construction – 30,000 square feet
  • The length of the North Tower is more than the length of a football field at 316 feet.
  • This is the largest healthcare remodel in the history of Hernando County.
  • The total amount of concrete for the entire building, including grout for the piles, is 4,000 cubic yards. This equates to 400 full 10 cubic yard trucks.
  • The amount of steel for this addition to the hospital is 700 tons (1.4 million pounds of steel).
  • Windows can withstand hurricane level winds up to 165 miles per hour.
  • 12,000 tons of debris were recycled, which equals 95% of total trash.

The total dollars of the construction is $40 million and the total cost of design/engineering/permitting/others is $12 million bringing the total cost of the project to $52 million.

Visit our Facebook Page to see more photos of the North Tower Phase 1 Expansion!

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What REALLY Causes Heartburn?

Calendar February 26, 2013 | Posted by laicos

Get the facts on acid indigestion and reflux.

Heartburn has nothing to do with your heart, but the burning symptoms in the chest and throat may feel like you’re experiencing burning in that area. Unlike heart disease, heartburn has to do with your stomach. It’s caused when acids from the stomach flow the wrong way, into the esophagus, and cause painful symptoms.

Who gets heartburn?
Heartburn can affect anyone, but it may be more common during pregnancy, in people with a hiatal hernia and in individuals who are obese. Diet is also big factor when it comes to heartburn and its more serious condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

What causes heartburn?
Heartburn is caused by stomach acids. Normally the opening between the stomach and esophagus prevents stomach acids from flowing the wrong way. If stomach acids escape, this is called reflux. Acid reflux causes the painful symptoms of heartburn.

What makes heartburn worse?
Many factors can contribute to heartburn. If you experience heartburn, do what you can to avoid these triggers. They include overeating, lying down after eating and eating trigger foods. Stress, pregnancy and obesity can also contribute to heartburn, according to FamilyDoctor.org.

What should you avoid eating?
Many foods can trigger heartburn. They are different for everyone, but foods that seem to bother most people include acidic foods like citrus and tomatoes, onions, mint, chocolate, oily or fatty foods, spicy food and carbonation. Alcohol and smoking also make heartburn worse. If you smoke, find out how to quit today.

Learn more about heartburn at Oak Hill Hospital's online health library. If you have any questions or would like a physician referral, call our free Consult-a-Nurse® service at 1-888-741-5120.

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Ear Infections: When is it Time to See an ENT Doctor?

Calendar February 19, 2013 | Posted by laicos

Find out when you should act on chronic ear infections.

Ear infections are a common part of childhood. For many young kids, allergy symptoms or a common cold will eventually lead to a secondary ear infection. Find out when you should ask your child’s pediatrician for a referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor (ENT) for frequent ear infections.

How frequent are ear infections?
According to the National Institutes of Health, three out of four children will have at least one ear infection before the age of three. In most cases, these infections are easily cleared up with antibiotics. However, some kids experience chronic ear infections. Medline Plus describes chronic ear infections as an infection that occurs when fluid or an infection behind the eardrum does not go away.

Are ear infections dangerous?
If your child experiences frequent ear infections or has a stubborn ear infections with symptoms that aren’t going away, it’s important to seek medical attention. This is a good time to have your child seen by an ENT, or doctor of the ear, nose and throat. If left untreated, chronic ear infections can lead to complications like hearing loss and bone infection.

How are chronic ear infections treated?
An ENT will help diagnose your child’s ear problems. If it is not during regular business hours and your child has severe symptoms, such as a high fever, visit Oak Hill’s Pediatric ER. A strong course of antibiotics as well as ear drops are often needed to treat a serious, chronic ear infection. In severe cases, a child may need surgery to clear out infection or prevent further infection.

To learn more of find out how to get treatment for your child's frequent ear infections, give us a call at 352-596-6632 in Hernando or 352-628-6441 in Citrus.

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Elements of a Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day Dinner

Calendar February 12, 2013 | Posted by laicos

Celebrate your love and love your heart this Valentine’s Day.

Whether you’re celebrating with a sweetheart or not, what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a heart-healthy meal? Learn how to put together a meal that boosts your health and focuses on what your heart needs to stay strong for many Valentine’s Days to come.

Eat your vegetables
Make vegetables the main course for your heart healthy meal. A little meat is okay, but the veggies should be the focus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends eating plenty of vegetables to maintain heart health. Remember to cook them without extra fats. This means no deep frying your green beans. Try broiling veggies in the oven or grilling them.

Focus on fiber
Learn to read food labels to find foods that are high in fiber. The American Heart Association says that foods high in soluble fiber include oat bran, oatmeal, beans, peas, rice bran, barley, citrus fruits, strawberries and apple pulp. Remember, fiber doesn’t just mean whole wheat. In fact, veggies and fruits can contain lots of fiber. Try to incorporate some of these foods into your Valentine’s Day meal, such as serving chilled citrus with dessert or savory soup with barley.

Avoid fatty foods
To lower your risk of heart disease, avoid foods that are high in trans fats and saturated fats. The easiest way to accomplish this is to be mindful of the ingredients you use. Choose cuts of meat with low fat content and trim them well. Use low fat or fat free dairy products and dressings. Avoid cooking in butter or oil.

Visit our Heart Institute online to learn more about the care and treatment Oak Hill Hospital has to offer. For more information, please contact the Heart Institute at (352) 596-6632 in Hernando or (352) 628-6441 in Citrus.

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Squeeze 30 Minutes of Exercise Into Each Day

Calendar February 5, 2013 | Posted by laicos

Boost your heart health with regular activity.

Don’t exercise enough? You’re not the only one. During American Heart Month, learn how to squeeze at least 30 minutes of exercise into each day. The CDC recommends around 150 minutes of moderate activity a week for adults. If you can work out for 30 minutes a day, you’re doing your heart and body good. Here are some tips to get it done:

Take a lunchtime class
Many gyms offer shorter than usual group fitness classes during regular lunch hours. Consider escaping your regular work routine and taking in a class that gets your body moving and your heart pumping. Some larger workplaces and universities even offer classes on site.

Use a fitness DVD
In the morning or early evening, pop in a fitness DVD that includes around 30 minutes of cardio. With the guidance of an instructor on your TV, you’ll be surprised at how fast the time flies. The key is to stick to this routine even when the couch is right there calling you.

Go for a brisk walk
Get outside and go for a brisk 30 minute walk at least five times a week. Try exploring new areas if you don’t enjoy walking around your neighborhood. Bike or drive to a nearby park to explore gentle walking trails. Bring a friend for motivation and companionship.

Practice a sport
Need some extra motivation when it comes to getting your workouts in? Join a local sports league and practice. When you’re working on your skills, you won’t even notice that you’re working out.

Mix and match
You don’t have to do the exact same activity every day to get your 30 minutes in. You can do seven different activities a week or mix and match as much as your attention span requires. If you’re on vacation or your routine is different, get creative. Just keep moving.

This February, find out if your heart is in good shape. Visit us online to learn more about cardiac health and our Heart Institute. 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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A Look Inside the Cath Lab

Calendar January 29, 2013 | Posted by laicos

Learn more about The Heart Institute at Oak Hill Hospital’s cath lab capabilities.

If your knowledge of heart disease and treatment comes primarily from medical shows on TV, don’t worry. You’re not alone in not understanding the mysteries of the human heart. At The Heart Institute at Oak Hill Hospital, we specialize in non-invasive ways to diagnose and treat heart conditions. The cath lab helps us better serve you.

What is a cath lab?
The cath lab is how we refer to the area of the hospital and team that performs cardiac catheterization. The National Heart Lung and Blood institute describes cardiac catheterization as a medical procedure used to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions. The cath lab is where you go to have specialized, non-invasive procedures done to diagnose and treat problems with your heart. There, doctors have better capability to find out what’s wrong and help treat it.

How does cardiac catheterization work?
During cardiac catheterization, a very narrow, soft, flexible plastic tube called a catheter is threaded into the femoral artery from an insertion at the groin. You are awake during this process, but should feel little to no pain or discomfort. The catheter is guided to the heart using x-ray imaging.

What is cardiac catheterization used to diagnose and treat?
Sometimes the cath lab is used to diagnose heart conditions. Other times it is actually used to perform treatments that help repair the heart, such as angioplasty. During this procedure, a tiny un-inflated balloon is inserted via the catheterization. When it reaches the right area of the heart,  the balloon is slowly inflated. This flattens the plaque against the artery wall and widens the artery opening, allowing blood to again flow at a normal or better rate. Click here for a full list of procedures.

Learn more about the heart in our online Health Library today. To find out more about our services and capabilities at the Heart Institute at Oak Hill Hospital, give us a call at 352-596-6632 in Hernando or 352-628-6441 in Citrus.

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Best Tips for Surviving Cold & Flu Season

Calendar January 22, 2013 | Posted by laicos

Avoid getting sick and get better faster this cold and flu season.

The time has arrived for sniffles, coughs, colds and the flu. While it seems like getting sick is inevitable, there are ways to avoid getting sick and ways to get better faster if germs get the best of you. Try these tips for surviving cold and flu season:

Wash your hands well.
It seems obvious, but handwashing is the best defense against getting sick. Learn how to wash your hands properly and wash them often using soapy water. Bring hand sanitizer with you when you know you won’t be able to access running water and soap. Wash before you eat and avoid touching your face or eyes.

Get sleep, eat healthy food and exercise regularly.
Keeping your body sound will help your immune system stay tough. You’ll avoid getting sick and you’ll get better faster if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water every day and eat a well-balanced diet. If you’re experiencing stress, do what you can to manage it. Working out is a great way to keep your body strong.

Visit your doctor when you’re sick and get your flu shot.
Let your medical care provider assist you in the fight against the flu and the common cold. If you get sick, you probably don’t need antibiotics, but you’re better off getting checked out. High fevers and illnesses that last more than a few days are always a good reason to visit your doctor.

Treat symptoms as they arise.
In addition to taking a multivitamin during cold and flu season, you should treat symptoms as they arise. Avoid taking a medication that treats symptoms you’re not currently experiencing. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice if you’re not sure what to take to feel better. Even if medications are helping, never go to work sick or send your kids to school sick.

Arm yourself with knowledge as you fight cold and flu germs. Visit our online health library to learn more about 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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Preparing Your Child for Hospitalization

Calendar January 15, 2013 | Posted by laicos

Learn how to help your child get ready for a stay in the hospital.

No matter how excellent a hospital staff is, kids will be nervous about spending time hospitalized. Carefully prepare your child for hospitalization or an outpatient procedure. When you’re honest with kids, you give them the tools to cope with potentially upsetting or scary situations. Even if your child doesn’t have hospitalization scheduled, it’s a good time to talk about the possibility of visiting the Pediatric Emergency Care Center some day.

Be honest
You don’t need to get into every detail about a surgical procedure or risks, but you should avoid lying to your child. If they ask “will it hurt,” let them know that it might hurt but only for a little while. Tell them that you’ve been nervous about things that hurt before and talk about what you do to help, such as looking away or wiggling your toes. Explain that doctors and nurses have lots of tools and medicines that are used to make things hurt only a little bit. If your child is having surgery, KidsHealth.org recommends explaining the reason for the surgery in simple, nonthreatening words.

Bring something from home
Talk to the hospital’s patient services department about what your child can bring from home. At the very least, a special stuffed animal or small blanket can offer comfort. Consider bringing portable entertainment devices to help kids stay occupied in waiting rooms and while hospitalized. Label everything carefully.

Ask for help
If you’re not sure how to talk to your child about hospitalization, surgery or other procedures, reach out for help from hospital staff members. Pediatric doctors and nurses are highly skilled in dealing with children’s worries and anxieties, and they can help you communicate medical terms on a kid-friendly level.

The Oak Hill Hospital Pediatric Emergency Care Center is open from 11am – Midnight, seven days a week. If you think your child may be experiencing a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or 911. For non-urgent matters, call our Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-741-5120 for health information or for help finding a physician.

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