October 2009
Living with Chronic Pain
Pain is the signal your brain sends to your body to alert it of an injury or complication. Chronic pain is persistent, signaling your body for an extended period of time. The most common types of chronic pain are headaches, knee and lower back pain. Baylor's Center for Pain Management can help patients with this frustrating condition by developing personalized treatment plans.
According to a 2006 National Center for Health Statistics study, an estimated 76.5 million people experienced pain that endured for more than 24 hours. Everyone’s needs are different, so treatment options usually range from electrical stimulation to surgery. Physicians on the medical staff at Baylor will evaluate the cause and source of the pain and recommend appropriate medical treatments. The staff at Baylor’s pain center includes pain management physicians, rehabilitation therapists and psychiatrists or psychologists in order to address your pain management in the most comprehensive manner. To find a pain management center near you, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or find a physician specializing in pain management.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
The Baylor Health Care Foundation is hosting their 10th annual Celebrating Women Luncheon, which focuses on educating women about breast cancer and raises funds for research and quality care. Baylor’s efforts will benefit women threatened by breast cancer.
This year’s Celebrating Women Luncheon will take place on Thursday, October 22 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas and will feature keynote speaker and The New York Times bestselling author, Kelly Corrigan. To purchase tickets to the 2009 Celebrating Women Luncheon, call the Baylor Health Care System Foundation at 214.820.4500.
Breast cancer is caused by malignant tumors that start in the breast tissue. The earlier cancer cells are discovered, the greater the chance of successful treatment. Since symptoms of breast cancer can go undetected, screenings such as monthly self breast exams, annual exams and mammograms are essential to early detection. Potential warning signs can include scaly rashes on the nipple, nipple discharge, lumps, puckering or change in size or shape of the breast.
Although there are some risk factors that cannot be controlled, such as age, gender, genetics and family history, there are also risk factors you can control. These include maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, watching your weight and moderating alcohol use.
Learn more about breast cancer online or call 1.800.4BAYLOR to find a physician.
Therapy to Keep You Moving
Whether you want to prevent damage to muscles and joints or are recovering from a serious injury, physical therapy could be the solution. Baylor offers inpatient and outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation programs throughout the Metroplex to help you get back to your routine.
Whether you want to prevent damage to muscles and joints or are recovering from a serious injury, physical therapy could be the solution. Baylor offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs throughout the Metroplex. to help you get back to your routine.
Physical therapists develop personalized plans to help patients recover from strokes, neurological trauma, sports or workplace injuries, back pain, joint injuries and stress disorders. Baylor’s physical rehabilitation program can include a combination of muscle stimulation, aquatics, exercise, medication, assistive devices and even prosthetics depending on individual needs.
Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation, ranked as one of the nation’s top rehabilitation facilities, is a specialized hospital which offers a treatment team of physiatrists, clinical nurse coordinators, social workers to assist with financial resources, rehabilitation nurses and a variety of other specialized technicians and physicians. Our Children’s House at Baylor provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services for children from infancy to 18 years of age with a variety of conditions.
To find a physician, search online or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.