Riverside Community Hospital

Start Nourishing Your Heart with These Practical Tips for the New Year

If your New Year’s resolution is related to your heart health, there are several simple steps that you can take to accomplish your goals.

In this video from the American Heart Association, you will learn one of seven steps for better heart health: eating right. There are tips for cooking meals at home, shopping smarter when you buy groceries, and cutting out the junk food that could be putting extra weight on your body.

For more tips on managing your nutrition for the sake of your heart, contact Riverside Community Hospital. Our H2U program can offer the ongoing support you need to continue making positive decisions for your health. Learn more on our website or reach us through our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (951) 788-3463.

Make a Resolution to Take Control of Your Diabetes This Year with Riverside Community Hospital!

Living with diabetes can make staying healthy more of a challenge, but it is possible to be well and avoid common health risks when you get informed about diabetes. Riverside Community Hospital offers a comprehensive Diabetes Education program that can help you learn about managing your condition and get a healthier start for the New Year. Here is a look at some of the subjects you might cover in your visits to your Certified Diabetes Educator.

Blood sugar testing

You should test your blood sugar regularly to check for spikes or falls that could lead to problems later on. Our staff will guide you through the testing process and introduce you to the latest available technologies appropriate for your age and condition. This way you can self-manage at home and be less likely to need hospitalization for diabetes-related issues.

Diabetes-friendly eating

Proper nutrition is key in diabetes management, and it is important to understand the foods you should eat everyday as well as those best consumed strictly in moderation. Along with learning what to eat, you might learn some techniques for monitoring portion control and reading food labels to avoid accidentally consuming too much salt or sugar.

Potential complications to avoid

Along with daily habits to manage your blood sugar, you may need to make some changes to your routine to care for your eyes, skin, heart, and teeth. These areas are all subject to problems related to diabetes, so you will want to learn how to protect them for a lifetime of good health.

If you have diabetes or you are at risk for type-II diabetes, explore more about the Diabetes Education offered at Riverside Community Hospital by visiting our website or calling us at (951) 788-3463. For general health information to make your daily routine even better for your body, sign up for our H2U Program, which includes exclusive classes and publications on healthy living.diabewt

Can You Recognize the Signs of a Stroke?

When a person is having a stroke, every second that passes before emergency care is received makes a difference in the outcome of treatment. When immediate medical attention is given, the chances for recovery from stroke are rather high. However, as moments pass, the likelihood of disability and death increase. In order to ensure that you or someone close to you gets the rapid care needed to make a complete recovery after a stroke, you should learn to identify these characteristic signs.

Body Language

If you suspect that a person is having a stroke, it is likely that he or she may have trouble controlling the movement of his or her extremities. Have the person lift both arms and look to see if one begins to drift downward. This along with trouble maintaining balance, feelings of dizziness, and evidence of clumsiness are all typical of a stroke.

Facial Expressions

You may notice that one side of the person’s face is drooping, and this will be most evident when the person is smiling. Generally, the drooping is isolated to only one side of the face and body because the stroke only affects part of the brain. If you are having a stroke, you might find it difficult to move your face and notice changes in your vision.

Ability to Communicate

A stroke can impact speech in two ways. First, a person may not understand what they are being told, so they might respond with nonsensical or unrelated statements. Second, language production could be affected. This would show through slurred speech and the inability to repeat a simple sentence back to someone.

When any of these signs appear in yourself or someone around you, call 9-1-1 right away so you can get to the Emergency Room at Riverside Community Hospital. We provide stroke care based on national guidelines set by the American Stroke Association, so you can feel confident that you and your loved ones will get the best immediate stroke care available. Learn more about our Acute Stroke Protocol by visiting our website or calling us at (951) 788-3463.

Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Find out how to prevent foodborne illnesses when you do your holiday cooking with this article from Poison.org.

The American Burn Association has some facts about scald burns.

See some reasons to take a childbirth class at KidsHealth.org.

Know why you might need a cesarean section by reading this AmericanPregnancy.org article.

WomensHealth.gov explains what you can expect during your labor and delivery.

Learning more about how nutrition and disease prevention can help you stay looking and feeling great. If you have any further questions about the topics discussed in our recent blogs, contact Riverside Community Hospital today at (951) 788-3463.The following links contain more information about lowering your risk factors for heart disease, eating well, losing weight, and more.

How to Have a Healthier Holiday with Your Family This Year

If you are worried about holiday weight gain this year, you may want to rethink the way you spend time with your family so that you can get through the holidays feeling healthy and fit. The holidays do not need to be all about eating and drinking, especially if you employ the strategies for creating smarter holidays listed below.

Lighten up holiday cooking

Holiday meals can be much better for you if you eliminate high-calorie ingredients from traditional dishes. For example, you can make healthier mashed potatoes by replacing butter and cream with low-fat buttermilk for a significant calorie cut. Simple changes like this will help you indulge without the guilt.

Get more active

Have an active holiday season by exploring events in the community such as fun runs and 5K races that will get the whole family up and moving. During holiday events, start early so you can play a game of football or take a trip to the park for a little extra exercise before your big meals.

Avoid cigarettes and alcohol

The occasional holiday spirit will not do much harm to your health, but you will want to avoid over-indulging, especially if you are driving. You should steer clear of smoking at all during holiday parties and other events where you might feel tempted, as smoking is linked to many short- and long-term health complications.

Get a flu shot

The holidays happen to overlap with flu season, so the whole family can benefit from getting flu shots before the festivities get into full swing. You might also consider scheduling annual check-ups around this time of year so that you can get even more guidance on maintaining good health for the season.

Riverside Community Hospital can help you take charge of your health this season with complete healthcare services and informative classes to give you a deeper look at your health. Contact us on the Web, call (951) 788-3463, or download our iTriage Symptom Checker App to make us a part of your healthy lifestyle.