News

The Importance of Gallbladder Health

The U.S. National Library of Medicine, a part of the National Institutes of Health, notes that gallstones affect 10%-15% of the adult population, meaning that 20 to 25 million Americans have or will have gallstones. Gallstones, the most common form of gallbladder disease, cause pain in your upper right abdomen and may lead to serious health conditions if left untreated.

Symptoms of gallstones may include nausea, vomiting, dark urine and stomach pain caused when bile movement from the gallbladder is blocked.

Twelve BSA Nurses Named as the Panhandle’s Greatest

AMARILLO, TEXAS (October 11, 2019) – Twelve nurses from BSA have been recognized by the Texas Nurse's Association for their exceptional nursing practices. The nurses were honored at the 25 Great Panhandle Nurses event on Oct. 10 at Polk Street United Methodist Church.

The recipients include:

Should Pregnant Women Get a Flu Shot?

Absolutely, a flu vaccine is the best protection against the flu for everyone, including pregnant women and their developing babies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that all women who are pregnant during flu season get a flu shot.

Why is it so important to get vaccinated? Pregnancy causes changes in the heart, lungs and immune system that make it harder for pregnant women to fight infections than women who are not pregnant.

Celebrating National Neonatal Nurses Day

National Neonatal Nurses Day is recognized annually on September 15. We would like to thank all of our nurses who take care of our littlest patients’ day in and day out. Your work is much appreciated!

To celebrate, Jamie Milton (pictured above; front row, second from right), RN in the BSA Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, gave us some insight on what her days working in the NICU look like.

What’s your job title?
RN in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

BSA Provides a Safer Delivery Option for New Mothers

New mothers are challenged by the risks that come with being prescribed opioids following childbirth, specifically after Cesarean sections (C-section). According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology, one in every 300 women who has never taken an opioid before giving birth will continue to take opioids a year after surgery.

It's possible to perform C-sections without the use of opioids⁠— and BSA is on board.

Amarillo Mother Experiences Two Unique Deliveries at BSA

Following her Cesarean delivery (C-section) with her firstborn in 2013, Aly Hall was certain of one thing— she would deliver at BSA again if she had the opportunity.

“After our firstborn, I knew if I had another baby we would deliver at BSA. Our doctor and team of nurses were incredible,” Hall explained.

When it came time to deliver, the new mom-to-be felt at ease knowing she was in the care of an attentive staff.

BSA Nurses Comfort Mother during Son’s NICU Stay

What began as a trip to the emergency room for stomach pains ended up with Desirae Himes leaving to find out she was eight weeks pregnant.

“I was shocked because I was told I couldn’t have any more children after having my daughter,” Himes shared.

At 37 weeks pregnant, Himes gave birth to her son, Ezekial at BSA.

After birth, one of her nurses encouraged Himes to try breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Answers from Your BSA Lactation Consultant

Breastfeeding is a great way to provide your baby with a variety of nutrients that help to keep them healthy. While breastfeeding, you may have questions or concerns, especially if you are a first time breastfeeding mom.

For answers to common breastfeeding questions, read the tips from BSA Lactation Consultant, Tiffany Bateman, RN, BSN, IBCLC below.

Does breastfeeding get easier after the first few weeks?

Establishing a Back-to-School Sleep Routine with Your Children

With the summer season being full of barbeques, late nights and days spent by the pool, you and your family may have fallen out of your usual school year habits including a consistent sleep schedule. Jeannie Pruitt, BSA Sleep Disorders Clinic Manager, has some tips and tricks for how you can get your kids back on a healthy sleep routine for the beginning of the school year.

Pruitt suggests that consistency is key when it comes to establishing a healthy, back-to-school sleep routine.

Summer Colds vs. Allergies

Sometimes the common symptoms of a cold —runny nose, coughing, scratchy and sore throat, fever and body aches—can overlap with what we think are the signs of seasonal allergies.

Knowing the difference between a cold and an allergy can help you treat the root cause of your symptoms. Common colds are caused by viruses, whereas allergies are an immune system’s response to environmental triggers, known as allergens.

Colds are more likely to cause: