Relaxation and recovery combat both stress and health problems.

Stress is an individual's response to a new challenge, whether psychological or physical. May is Mental Health Month, so let's learn why lowering stress is essential to your health.

How does stress manifest itself?
When a stressful event or condition occurs, the brain releases hormones like adrenaline to help you cope. These hormones trigger the body's various response systems to enhance alertness and your ability to "fight or flight" with efficiency and speed. Your body acts this way even if the event is not life-threatening, such as slow traffic before an important meeting.

What are the symptoms of stress?
Stress results in two kinds of symptoms: short term and long term. Short-term symptoms of stress include, among others:

• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Contracted muscles
• Dilated pupils
• Heightened senses

When you experience these short-term symptoms consistently over time without a pause to relax and recover, you can develop health problems such as:

• A weakened immune system
• Chronic headaches
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Increased risk of heart attack or stroke
• Accelerated aging

It's important to note that many other factors can cause the conditions on the list above. Visit your physician to determine whether or not stress is the reason for poor health.

How can I protect my body from stress?
Depending on how you experience stress as an individual, you may benefit from techniques that combat stress. For example:

• Self awareness: noting your attitude and striving to change it puts you in control of your outlook.
• Seeking comfort: forming a support network of like-minded people reduces loneliness and consulting with a therapist fosters methods for dealing with stress.
• Exercise: regular workouts release endorphins and improve overall fitness, decreasing your risk of developing depression.
• Relaxation techniques: meditation, breathing exercises or yoga are all time-tested methods for reducing stress.

Visit your physician to determine how stress may affect your body and for ways to manage stress. Call Medical Center Arlington with questions or for a physician referral by dialing 1-855-868-6262.

Related Post:
Top Tips for a Good Night's Sleep

Recent statistics show that teens are at a higher risk of skin cancer than ever. Find out how to talk to your teen about tanning.

While most cancer rates are on the decline, skin cancer rates continue to increase for both men and women. In fact, melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults and the second most common cause in teens. The good news is that skin cancer is highly survivable for this age group, and has a 90% survival rate over five years. But what can parents to do help educate their teens about the dangers of skin cancer and tanning? Consider these suggestions:

1) Share the facts. Educate your teens on some basic facts and share the risk factors, even if they are scary. One to point out is that your child's chance of a melanoma diagnosis increases by 75% if they use tanning beds before the age of 30.

2) Share your family history. Close to one in every 10 people diagnosed with melanoma has a family history of skin cancer. Make sure that your teen knows how often skin cancer has been diagnosed in your family.

3) Be a role model. Set an example by using sunscreen and sun protection around your children. They will be less likely to ignore the risks if you take them seriously.

4) Offer tanning alternatives. Be sure to point out that most "tan" celebrities use professional spray-tanning treatments to look that way. Try some self-tanning products with your teen and find the best alternatives.

5) Take a pledge. Many high schools nationwide are encouraging teens to take the pledge not to tan. Have your teen take the pledge and set an example to friends. Your teen might even join others as they plan "tan free" proms and other events.

6) Get screened. Share the signs and symptoms of skin cancer with your teen. If he or she notices any symptoms, make sure they see a physician right away. Remember, skin cancer is highly curable if caught early!

By empowering teens to lower their risk, they will be less likely to tan and have a future skin cancer diagnosis. Medical Center Arlington offers regular free skin cancer screening events. Be sure to visit us online or call 1-855-868-6262 for a physician referral.

Related Posts:
What to Expect From a Skin Cancer Screening
Staying Safe During Texas Summers

Find out how atrial fibrillation can cause serious complications including stroke.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia, and a condition that can cause complications as serious as stroke.

Understanding Atrial Fibrillation
When someone suffers from AF, the irregular beating of the upper chambers (the atria) of his or her heart can cause the movement of blood to slow and blood to pool. This in turn, raises the risk of blood clotting, which increases the likelihood of having a stroke. This condition can come and go or be a chronic problem. The American Heart Association estimates that approximately 15 to 20 percent of people who have strokes have AF.

Guarding Against Stroke
Treatment for AF is important. The American Heart Association states that untreated, atrial fibrillation increases a person's risk of stroke between four and five fold. Treatment, which involves restoring a regular heartbeat and addressing any underlying issues, is dependent on the patient's individual circumstances. Tactics may include making healthy dietary changes, losing weight, limiting alcohol and/or caffeine consumption, choosing not to smoke, exercising regularly, taking prescription blood thinning medication or undergoing a medical procedure or surgery. Cardioversion can reset the rate and rhythm of the heart. Cardiac ablation or a Maze procedure can help remedy problematic areas of the heart.

To learn more about atrial fibrillation or stroke, visit our Health Information page online or talk with your doctor. Medical Center Arlington is certified by Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center and has an on-site dedicated Stroke Team. If you would like to schedule an appointment with us, please call 1-855-868-6262 for a physician referral.

Related Posts:
Recognizing the Signs of Heart Disease
Stroke Knowledge is Crucial

Before you raise your glass, know these five important facts about drinking alcohol.

How much do you know about drinking alcohol? No, we're not talking about red wine versus white wine or how to pair beer with foods. In honor of Alcohol  Awareness Month, here are five important facts you should know.

1. Alcohol is an addictive substance. Statistics show that one in every 12 adults suffers from alcohol abuse or dependence, and that each year nearly 80,000 deaths are a result of excessive alcohol use. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drinking alcohol in moderation is defined as having no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men.

2. Beer and wine are no more "safe" than spirits. Twelve ounces of beer, five ounces of wine and one-and-a-half ounces of liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol.

3. Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Excessive alcohol use can contribute to dementia, stroke, heart problems and other health-related issues. In addition, alcoholism is ranked the third leading lifestyle-related cause of death in this country.

4. Alcohol can cause other problems. Emotional, mental health, social and work-related problems can be a direct result of too much alcohol intake. It increases your risk for automobile and other accidents, as well as suicide.

5. The risk of alcoholism runs in families. Alcoholism is defined as a disease. Research shows that the risk of developing this disease runs in families. And while there is no cure for alcoholism, there is effective treatment.

Take the time to learn more about the affects of alcohol and alcoholism from our online Health Information library or have a discussion with your doctor. To find a doctor, use our online Find a Physician service or call us at 1-855-868-6262 for a physician referral.

Related Posts:
Poison Control: Keeping Your Home Safe
Top Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

There are important reasons to have your infant vaccinated.

Are you wondering just why you should have your infant vaccinated? In honor of National Infant Immunization Week, here are some of the important reasons your infant should get his or her vaccines.

• They provide unmatched protection. Vaccinations protect your child against an array of diseases including hepatitis, rotavirus, diphtheria, smallpox and others, some of which are life threatening. Vaccines are made using weakened or killed germs so that they can't cause the disease, but can provide your child with the antibodies necessary to fight the disease.

• They are safe. Vaccines are safe. Immunizations, including the MMR vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella, are not only safe but have in no way been linked to autism.

• Side effects, if any, are typically mild. If your infant experiences side effects at all, they will likely be mild and in the form of soreness or a low-grade fever. Suffering such side effects is far less severe than suffering from one of the diseases vaccinations prevent.

• It helps retain the progress we have made. The outbreak of some diseases has been slowed or even stopped, but that is due, in large part, to vaccinations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if we stopped vaccinating, those diseases could make a return and spread easily.

To learn more about infant vaccinations and keeping your child healthy, talk with your pediatrician. If you're looking to find a doctor, use our online Find a Physician service or call us for a physician referral at 1-855-868-6262.

Related Posts:
Bringing Home Baby: What to Expect the First Week
Bringing Home Baby: Preparing the Siblings

Know what to do in order to prevent your little athlete from getting hurt.

Warming up is essential when it comes to preventing sports injuries. But how do you teach that to children who are ready and raring to go and who just want to get in the game? Here’s a lesson plan:

• Educate. Let your children know that by warming up they are reducing their risk of injury, and that many common childhood sports injuries mean having to sit out and miss practices and/or games. Talk to them about the body parts they’re using when kicking a soccer ball or swinging a bat and show them exercises to warm up those areas.

• Encourage. Make warming up fun. Let each child lead the others with a stretch of his or her choice. Have them play a game of tag or some other activity to get blood flowing. Time them as they run the length of the field or keep count as they skip rope. Or ask the kids to form a circle and then go around and let each child have a turn choosing a warm up exercise for everyone to do.

• Exemplify. Practice what you preach and be an example to your kids by warming up before you go for a run, set out on the bike path or get up to bat at your company’s softball game.

To learn more about preventing sports injuries, talk with your doctor or call 1-855-868-6262 for a physician referral. Medical Center Arlington is the official hospital of the Texas Rangers. Find out more about the sports medicine services we offer by visiting us online.

Related Posts:
How Do I Know If My Son Has Good Pitching Mechanics?
Protecting Your Athlete Against Common Sports Injuries

There are some common signs that might give you reason to schedule a pregnancy test.

Wondering if you’re expecting? Well, there’s one way to find out. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the following symptoms can be early signs of pregnancy. So if you’re experiencing any of these things, it’s time to take a pregnancy test.

Missed period. Missing a period or other changes in your menstrual cycle, such as spotting or a shorter and/or lighter period, can clue you into a pregnancy.

Unusual fatigue. The key here is that it’s not your typical feeling of being tired. If even after a good night’s sleep or plenty of rest and relaxation, you’re still tired, your body might be telling you something.

Nausea. Morning sickness, though not always an issue just in the morning, is often a symptom during the first couple of months of pregnancy. Along with nausea, you may find yourself craving certain foods and/or feeling queasy at the thought of other foods.

Headache. Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can often cause headaches. If you can rule out stress, sickness or other such causes, a headache may be a sign you’re pregnant.

Backache. Likewise, if you can rule out a pulled muscle or other such issue, an achy lower back can be a sign of the same thing.

Tender breasts. Swollen and sensitive breasts are often one of the earliest and most easily recognizable signs of pregnancy. While many things can cause a headache, fewer factors typically can contribute to tender breasts.

Frequent urination. A pregnant woman’s need to urinate commonly increases as soon as approximately two months after conception.

If you think you might be pregnant, call your doctor’s office and schedule a pregnancy test. If you need free pregnancy testing, visit the Medical Center Arlington Free Pregnancy Testing Center. No appointment is necessary, and the center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. For more information, call the center at 817-460-1147. If you would like to find a doctor to speak with, please call 1-855-868-6262 for a physician referral.

Related Posts:
The Benefits of Prenatal Care
Choosing a Hospital: What to Expect from Labor & Delivery

Occupational therapy can foster a successful recovery after joint replacement surgery.

Along with preparing for joint replacement, it is wise to prepare for the time it takes to recover. Occupational therapy can foster your recovery and offers an array of benefits.

• Professional attention. A skilled occupational therapist can evaluate your condition, consider your needs and environment, and help set goals. He or she can design a program of activities to help you regain full use of your new joint, monitor your progress and make changes to the prescribed program if necessary.

• A plan of action. When choosing helpful activities, your occupational therapist will take into consideration your age, overall physical health, any significant aspects of your home life and the demands of your job. Your therapy will specifically target your needs and help you recover from surgery so that you are capable of performing your everyday tasks.

• Personalized guidance. After joint replacement, it is sometimes easy to either do too much too soon, or to baby your new joint and not do enough to get moving again. An occupational therapist can relieve some of the stress associated with recovery after surgery by helping you push just the right amount.

• A successful recovery. Occupational therapy plays an important part in regaining full and proper use of your new joint. Joint replacement surgery provides you with a new joint; occupational therapy helps teach you how to use it successfully.

Medical Center Arlington is proud to be the official hospital of the Texas Rangers and provide expert care to our local team. To learn more about our occupational therapy services, visit us online or call our Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at (817) 472-4849. If you would like help finding a doctor to speak with, call us at 1-855-868-6262 for a physician referral.

Related Posts:
The Benefits of Physical Therapy
Top Tips for Joint Care

Follow some simple strategies to make preparing quick and healthy meals during the busy work week easy.

Think it’s impossible to make quick and healthy meals in the midst of a busy work week? Think again. In honor of National Nutrition Month® sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, we share these simple strategies for making it as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Start with healthy ingredients. Stock your kitchen with ingredients that lend themselves to quick and healthy meals such as whole-wheat pastas, whole-grain breads, lean meats and fish, reduced-fat and low-sodium soups and sauces, canned and frozen vegetables and more.

2. Trim time in the kitchen. Look to technology and other creative culinary innovations to make cooking quicker and/or easier. Take advantage of ingredients such as jarred minced garlic, canned diced tomatoes, frozen chopped onion, bagged shredded cheese, and more. Choose quick-cooking cuts of meat and fish such as thin medallions, tenderloins or fillets. Count on equipment such as the microwave and slow cooker.

3. Make it a meal. Combine the healthy ingredients you have on hand with time-saving cooking techniques to make meals in mere minutes. Dishes that make delicious quick and healthy weeknight dinners can include fish or meat tacos, Asian-style stir-frys, veggie topped pizzas, sandwiches, vegetable omelets, slow cooker casseroles or soups, and more. Want a head start on another night’s dinner? Consider doubling your recipe tonight and refrigerating or freezing the extra depending on when you plan to eat it. Or simply cook a few extra chicken breasts or brown an extra pound or so of ground turkey for use in another recipe later in the week.

To learn more about healthy eating, talk with your doctor or dietitian. Need help finding one? Use our online Find a Physician service or call us at 1-855-868-6262 for a physician referral.

Related Posts:
How to Train For a 5K
Fruit and Veggies: Getting Your Daily Servings

Be knowledgeable about poisons to keep your home safe.

In honor of National Poison Prevention Week, March 17th though the 23rd, we are sharing tips on patrolling household poisons and keeping your home, and loved ones, safe.

Recognize Poisons
Potentially poisonous substances in your house may be obvious or not so obvious, and may include:

• gasoline
• paint and paint thinner
• windshield washer fluid and antifreeze
• alcohol
• prescription and over-the-counter drugs
• cleaning solutions
• mouthwash
• nail polish remover
• perfumes and cosmetics
• hair dye
• plants including English ivy, lily of the valley, rhododendron, poinsettia, holly and others

Store Poisons Safely
Keeping poisons out of the reach of children and pets is a critical aspect of keeping your home safe. Go through your house room by room to identify and properly store potential poisons. Resist the urge to store medications in pill boxes, and instead keep them in traditional childproof pharmacy containers. Keep auto-related fluids, paints, alcohol and other such poisons in locked cabinets. If you don't have lock-and-key style cabinets, consider using childproof safety latches. Keep any poisonous plants on mantles, shelves or tables that are out of reach of children and pets.

Be Prepared for An Emergency
Be prepared for a poison-related emergency. Post the Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) in a place where it won't get lost and where you can see it at a glance. Experts are available to handle calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For information on participating in a poison prevention event, call 1-800-222-1222. If you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 immediately and know that Medical Center Arlington offers emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can even check our ER waiting times on our website before you arrive.

Related Posts:
What to Bring to the E.R.
Halloween Safety Tips