Last updated 7 months ago
Halloween is just around the corner, and many children are anticipating carving pumpkins, choosing their costumes, and of course, trick-or-treating. While Halloween is a time for fun and excitement, it is also a time to consider special safety measures. The following tips can help parents make sure that this festive holiday is full of fun instead of fear.
Never allow children to use sharp knives when cutting pumpkins.
Pumpkin carving can be one of the best parts of Halloween. However, to avoid the risk of puncture wounds, refrain from letting your children handle household knives when carving pumpkins, no matter how insistent they may be. Instead, let them use child-friendly pumpkin carving kits that contain tools too blunt to cut skin.
Choose a Halloween costume that allows unobstructed vision and movement.
While many Halloween costumes are safe for children, some may come with masks or other details that can compromise eyesight and range of motion. Before agreeing on a costume for your child, be sure that he can see clearly. Opt for face paint instead of masks, and thoroughly inspect the costume for any pointy or rough edges that may injure your child. Also, have your child walk around in his costume to make sure that he can move freely, as confining outfits may increase the risk of tripping or falling.
Do not let your children leave your eyesight while trick-or-treating.
Many children go trick-or-treating after the sun goes down, which is why parents must pay attention to where their kids are at all times. Children can become particularly excitable at the prospect of getting candy. As a result, they may scamper ahead of parents and cross the street without looking. To avert such a situation, sit down with your child before heading out and make sure he has a clear understanding that he is not to leave your sight while trick-or-treating.
West Hills Hospital and Medical Center offers comprehensive emergency care for patients in the greater West Hills, California area. Call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line today at (818) 676-4321 to find out more about our many healthcare services.
Last updated 7 months ago
Your skin is more complex than it appears. It actually contains multiple layers of tissue, with a layer of fat beneath. An important measure of the severity of a burn is how deeply into your skin it penetrates:
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A first-degree burn is the mildest type of burn. These tend to be painful and cause redness and swelling, but the outermost layer of skin remains in tact. If you press your fingertip to the burn, the affected skin may briefly turn pale. After a few days, the skin may begin to peel.
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A second-degree burn is more serious. These burns affect both the epidermis (first layer of skin) and the dermis (second layer). The skin may be even more painful and red, or it may have a blotchy appearance. Second-degree burns usually cause fluid-filled blisters to appear. They can be minor or major depending on their size and location.
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A third-degree burn is a serious injury that requires emergency medical care. This burn penetrates the entire thickness of your skin. The surface of the skin may appear charred or waxy white. However, the burn may not hurt because the nerves in the skin that detect pain may be destroyed. Third-degree burns damage tissue, but may also affect fat, muscle and bone. In the most severe cases, these burns impair the skin’s ability to maintain fluid, heat and block infection. The doctors, nurses, and other providers who work in the emergency room are trained and equipped to handle serious burns.
Other factors can make some burns more of a threat to your health, such as:
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Size
A bigger burn is more of a concern than a small burn.
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Location
Burns on sensitive tissues – like your face or genitals – or on a large, very mobile joint such as your knee are more serious.
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Cause
Electrical burns require medical attention because the shock may cause internal damage, even if the burn doesn’t look worrisome. When smoke inhalation accompanies a burn, difficult breathing may occur.
The highly trained medical staff at the world-renowned Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital & Medical Center is equipped to provide the very best care possible after a burn injury. The Center is proud to offer state-of-the-art services including an Intensive Care Unit equipped to handle the most severe burn cases, as well as a Dedicated Intermediate Care Unit for patients with less severe burns. For more information about the Grossman Burn Center, please call our Burn Clinic at (888) 676-2876.
The West Hills Hospital & Medical Center Emergency Services department also offers advanced and comprehensive emergency care services for burn patients. Find out more by calling (818) 676-4321 today.
Last updated 7 months ago
You want to get in shape, but how do you begin? As this video discusses, the key to beginning a long-lasting physical fitness routine is starting slowly and choosing an activity you enjoy.
In today’s busy world, people have many excuses for why they aren’t exercising. Yet, even exercising for 20 minutes a few days a week can put you on the road to maintaining your physical fitness. To better ensure that you will continue exercising, do something that you enjoy. If possible, start exercising with friends, family, or coworkers. Use them as your support network. For further motivation, write down your physical fitness goals in a personal journal and document your efforts toward them. Once you begin exercising, you’ll soon enjoy its many benefits, such as greater energy, lower weight, and higher self-esteem.
West Hills Hospital and Medical Center’s Fitness and Rehabilitation Center can help patients begin their physical fitness journey. To learn more about our many healthcare services, please call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (818) 676-4321.
Last updated 7 months ago
West Hills Hospital and Medical Center offers comprehensive healthcare options for a range of medical concerns, including cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. We also provide preventative healthcare services so that patients can become proactive for their own wellbeing. Call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (818) 676-4321 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
- West Hills offers breastfeeding classes and certified lactation consultants. WomensHealth.gov explains the many benefits of breastfeeding.
- Arthritis is a common term that describes joint inflammation. The U.S. National Library of Medicine describes the many causes of and treatments for this disease.
- Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic brain disease that deteriorates cognitive function. The Alzheimer’s Association lists the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Heart attack symptoms in women offer differ from those in men. The American Heart Association describes these common signs of danger.
- Do you know the FAST signs for stroke? The National Stroke Association breaks down stroke symptoms.
Last updated 7 months ago
Early detection is often the key to successful breast cancer treatment. To give women the greatest opportunity for effective cancer care, breast cancer specialists recommend three practices: continual breast self-awareness, annual clinical exams, and annual mammograms. By adhering to these practices, women can become proactive in maintaining and safeguarding their own breast health.
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast, which allows cancer care specialists to evaluate the breast tissue and determine if any evidence of cancerous cells is present. A traditional mammogram displays the X-ray as a black and white film image. A digital mammogram, however, reveals the X-ray as a computer image, which typically allows healthcare professionals to manipulate the picture for a more thorough analysis. Women may undergo either a screening mammogram or diagnostic mammogram. Though the procedure itself frequently remains the same, a screening mammogram is administered when no signs of breast cancer are present. In contrast, a diagnostic mammogram is given when other preventative practices indicate the presence of cancerous cells.
Why are mammograms vital to breast cancer prevention?
Breast self-awareness and clinical exams can aid in early breast cancer detection. However, they alone cannot always discover the presence of breast cancer. Mammograms are crucial to successful cancer care because mammograms can screen for breast cancer when cancerous cells are few or still contained in the breast tissue.
Who should get a mammogram?
Most cancer care specialists recommend that women begin getting annual mammograms once they turn 40. However, certain circumstances may necessitate earlier mammogram screenings. If you have a family history of breast cancer, or you have been found to have one of several mutated genes linked to breast cancer, you may want to consult with your healthcare provider about getting screening mammograms before your 40th birthday.
Have you been recently diagnosed with breast cancer? If so, West Hills Hospital and Medical Center can help. Our Cancer Care Center offers comprehensive treatment options for women in all stages of this disease. To speak with a West Hills representative about our Women’s Diagnostic Center or Cancer Care Center, or to find out more about our National Breast Cancer Awareness Month events, please call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (818) 676-4321.
