News

Surviving a Summer Pregnancy in Texas

A summer pregnancy in the Texas Panhandle may not always be the easiest. It is normal for expectant mothers to feel uncomfortable and overheated. While carrying your little one, your body is working overtime to cool down and the heat doesn’t help. That is why it is so important for pregnant women to take proper precautions, so overheating does not happen during pregnancy, which can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The most common symptoms of heat exhaustion (which can lead to heatstroke) include headache, dizziness, pale skin, profuse sweating, weakness and fainting.

Weight Loss Surgery at BSA Gives Mom New Lease on Life

For years, Chylo Graham was on a diet rollercoaster and wanted desperately to step off.

“I had tried all diets and my body just wouldn’t cooperate,” Graham explained. “Every time I would lose 15 pounds, I would gain back 30.”

At 27 years old, Graham weighed 265 pounds. The mother of four struggled to keep up with her children and husband on hikes and when visiting amusement parks.

“I got on a ride once and they told me I couldn’t ride because the seatbelt wouldn’t buckle,” Graham shared.

The excess weight was also taking a toll on her feet.

Gruver Man is Thankful for BSA's Exceptional Care during Open-Heart Surgery

Russ Chisum, 64, was on his way to meet his wife and sister in Panhandle, Texas, when he began experiencing severe discomfort in his chest.

“During the drive I stopped for gas and when I got back into the car, something felt very wrong,” Chisum said. “It started feeling like there was a belt tightening around my chest.”

This was not his first time experiencing discomfort in his chest. In the weeks prior, Chisum could barely catch his breath while walking or climbing stairs.

Hernias Happen – BSA Can Help

A hernia occurs when there is a weakness or hole in the muscle wall, allowing a bulge of tissue to protrude through the muscle.

The symptoms of a hernia may include a dull ache, feeling of weakness, heaviness, pressure or a burning sensation in the abdomen, groin or scrotum. A soft bulge may develop, typically getting worse as the day goes on.

The most common types of hernias are inner groin, outer groin, belly button, surgical scar site and upper stomach. Inner groin hernias are the most common type of hernia, and account for 75% of abdominal wall hernias.

Summer: The Perfect Season for Men to Improve Their Health

June, known for the start of summer, is also National Men’s Health Month. During summer months, men are encouraged to practice preventive health measures and improve their health. 

As temperatures begin to rise for the summer months, one important preventive health measure men can practice is protecting their skin from the sun.

Mother of Three Survives Diabetic Coma at BSA Hospital

Safe Sitter Training Offered at BSA

BSA is offering Safe Sitter® training to local middle school students this summer. The Safe Sitter® training program is the only national non-profit devoted to preparing children to be safe in unsupervised settings, whether home alone, sibling sitting or babysitting.

The Safe Sitter® course provides kids ages 11 to 14 with the skills to be better, safer sitters. Safe Sitter® courses are instructor-led and interactive.

The following topics will be covered during each course:

Losing 160 Pounds to Gain a Healthier Lifestyle

Weighing in at 343 pounds, Braxton Bjork experienced daily joint pain, difficulty standing for extended periods of time, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. On July 20, 2017, Bjork made a life-changing decision to improve his health through bariatric surgery at BSA Hospital. Less than two years since surgery, Bjork has experienced an overall weight loss of 160 pounds.

Find Out How Your BMI Affects Your Health at the BSA Care Fair

Do you know your Body Mass Index? If you don’t, you should.

Understanding your Body Mass Index (BMI) and managing a healthy weight can help you lead a long and healthy life. BMI determines your level of body fat and is used as a screening tool for determining if a person is overweight or obese. Nearly 70 percent of American adults are either overweight or obese. Being obese puts you at a higher risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes and more.

Helping the Homeless, One Meal at a Time

More than 25,000 people in Texas are homeless on any given day, according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. BSA Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic Medical Lab Technicians, Jeff Parker and Mike Reeves, who work in the BSA Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic Facility Services department, prepare and deliver food to the homeless in Amarillo every day.