Last updated 20 days ago
When you are obese, it can be challenging to achieve a healthy weight. Even if you change your dietary habits, excessive pounds can still make it difficult to exercise. That’s why Riverside Community Hospital offers laparoscopic gastric bypass services for eligible patients. This bariatric weight loss method provides patients with a means to rapidly lose weight for improved health and wellness.
When should you consider gastric bypass surgery?
Gastric bypass is a measure that should be considered only when dieting and exercising are unsuccessful or insufficient in reducing your weight. If you have a body mass index of 40 or more, you may be a candidate for gastric bypass surgery. Bariatric weight loss may also be an option for individuals with BMIs of less than 40, provided that they have a potentially life-threatening condition such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease that can be alleviated with gastric bypass surgery.
What happens during the gastric bypass procedure?
Gastric bypass involves the stapling of the stomach to reduce the amount of food that a person can eat in one sitting. The lower part of the stomach is sectioned off from the upper part, which is then connected directly to the small intestine. This allows the patient to continue absorbing essential nutrients from meals.
How effective is gastric bypass at achieving weight loss?
Healthcare providers estimate that a patient may lose anywhere between 120 to 240 pounds in a single year after he or she undergoes gastric bypass surgery. However, doctors stress that individuals must be proactive in cultivating a healthy lifestyle after the procedure to ensure that they keep off the weight. Nutritious meals and regular physical activity are vital for continued wellbeing.
Would you like to know if you are eligible for gastric bypass surgery? Then call Riverside Community Hospital at (951) 788-3463 to schedule a consultation. Our Riverside bariatric weight loss specialists can help you determine whether this procedure is right for your medical needs.
Last updated 26 days ago
Would you know how to detect a potentially dangerous mole? This video describes what to look for when performing a skin self-exam.
A simple way to remember how to do a self-exam is to remember “ABCDE.” First, check for asymmetrical moles, or moles of an abnormal shape. Next, look at the border of each mole. Melanoma, a form of skin cancer, typically presents as moles with jagged borders. Then examine the color of your moles. Multi-colored moles may indicate melanoma. Also, measure the diameter of all moles; a medical professional should evaluate those bigger than six millimeters. Lastly, monitor all moles for evolution. Any change in a mole should be noted and appropriately addressed.
Riverside Community Hospital offers capable care for those diagnosed with skin cancer. Call our Riverside facility at (951) 788-3463 for more information.
Last updated 28 days ago
While many people know the common signs of stroke, such as slurred speech or facial drooping, it’s just as important to know stroke risk factors. By understanding the circumstances that can lead to stroke, you have the power to control your risk factors and encourage others to do the same. Riverside Community Hospital provides comprehensive stroke care for patients, and we strive to educate residents on how to avoid suffering from this potentially fatal condition. The following takes a look at ways you can avoid stroke.
Reassess Your Lifestyle Habits
What you put into your body has a resounding impact on your likelihood of experiencing stroke. For example, a high-calorie diet that leads to excessive weight or obesity raises your chances of stroke. Heavy alcohol consumption can also increase your chances of suffering a blood clot or rupture in the brain. Smoking can have a significant impact on the circulatory system, which in turn may trigger stroke. To minimize your stroke risk, eliminate behaviors that put you in danger.
Limit Your Cholesterol Intake
Even if you are at your doctor’s recommended weight, you may be eating foods that cause elevated cholesterol levels. Butter, bacon, and baked goods contain high amounts of saturated fat and trans fat, which contain LDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can clog arteries and contribute to clots and ruptures in the brain. By lowering your LDL cholesterol intake, you also decrease your risk of stroke.
Control Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is another factor that may put you in danger of stroke. Though measures such as maintaining a healthy weight and eating nutritious foods can decrease high blood pressure, only a medical professional can accurately assess your condition and determine if additional treatment is needed. If you believe you might have high blood pressure, consult your physician.
Don’t let stroke unravel your health. To make an appointment for a blood pressure screening and stroke assessment, call Riverside Community Hospital at (951) 788-3463. Patients on their way to our emergency care center can also use our iTriage Symptom Checker to alert our staff to their arrival.
Last updated 29 days ago
On May 22, local EMS provider American Medical Response (AMR), in cooperation with Riverside Community Hospital (RCH), will provide free training to local residents and teach them to save lives through compression-only CPR. The event is part of AMR’s nationwide observance of National Emergency Medical Services Week with events being held in 40 states.
Compression-only CPR allows bystanders to keep life-saving blood flowing through a victim’s body just by pressing on the chest in a hard, fast rhythm. Bystanders who provide compression-only CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chances of survival. Local schools and businesses are expected to participate in the event.
WHAT: AMR and RCH will provide free CPR training
WHEN: May 22nd, 2013 from 2 pm until 5 pm
WHERE: Riverside Community Hospital adjacent to the front entrance; 4445 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA. 92501
Last updated 1 month ago
Orthopedics refers to the care of patients who have suffered illness or injury relating to the bones, muscles, or soft tissues. Though most orthopedic physicians will recommend conservative treatment measures like physical therapy before advising more invasive care, some conditions may necessitate surgery. In particular, patients who have suffered severe trauma to the knee or hip may require orthopedic surgery to replace the damaged joint with a prosthetic substitute. Individuals with spinal issues may also be candidates for orthopedic surgery. If you have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease or a severely herniated disc, your doctor may recommend disc replacement surgery or spinal fusion, which removes the damaged disc and bonds the vertebrae adjacent to it. As with any major surgical procedure, be sure to thoroughly discuss your expectations and concerns with a physician before undergoing orthopedic surgery.
Riverside Community Hospital’s orthopedic department offers the highest level of care for patients with bone and soft tissue problems. To learn more about the services provided by our Riverside medical center, call (951) 788-3463. We can help you regain your mobility and quality of life.
