Last updated 8 months ago
Many people struggle to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Watch this video to learn how tracking your BMI can help you monitor your weight and why doing so is the key to a healthy lifestyle.
Carrying excess fat around your abdomen increases your risk of developing conditions such as type-II diabetes and hypertension. Fortunately, you can improve your health simply by exercising for 30 minutes each day. In addition, counting your caloric intake and planning meals accordingly can help you avoid diet pitfalls.
For more information on taking charge of your weight and reducing your risk of chronic medical conditions, call Riverside Community Hospital at (951) 788-3463. We offer diabetes education as well as surgical weight loss consultations to help you better understand obesity-related challenges and treatments.
Last updated 8 months ago
Surgical weight loss, in conjunction with the necessary lifestyle changes, can be an effective way to reach a healthy weight and reduce your risk of developing obesity-related conditions. Whether you are considering bariatric surgery or have already undergone a surgical weight loss procedure, Riverside Community Hospital holds monthly support group meetings designed to educate and empower those who struggle with obesity. Read on to learn about a few of the benefits you can receive by joining such a group:
Encouragement
Your friends and family members may not always provide the support you need to continue your weight loss journey, which is why it can be incredibly helpful to find like-minded allies. Other surgical weight loss patients understand the challenges you face and can help you stay empowered to follow through with lifestyle changes.
Insight
Altering lifelong eating habits and physical activity levels can be challenging, particularly because an individual may not be aware of certain detrimental behaviors. Discussing your experiences within a surgical weight loss support group can help you better understand the causes and results of your actions, enabling you to make more informed decisions throughout your daily life.
Information
Learning about others’ experiences with bariatric weight loss as well as the latest medical knowledge regarding weight loss surgery allows you to determine which methods are likely to work for you. Attending a hospital-sponsored support group meeting can help you learn useful techniques and philosophies regarding diet, physical activity, and postoperative care, enabling you to succeed in your weight loss goals.
Our next surgical weight loss support group meeting takes place Tuesday, September 11th at 7 pm. Call Riverside Community Hospital at (951) 788-3463 for more information on this event or to learn about our bariatric weight loss services.
Last updated 8 months ago
Breastfeeding is a natural and powerful way to nurture a newborn infant, but the technique can be difficult to master without practice. To gain confidence in your ability to breastfeed, consider attending Riverside Community Hospital’s free breastfeeding class the evening of Wednesday, September 5th. In addition to learning various breastfeeding holds and latching techniques, you’ll find out about the many reasons to nurse your baby.
Breast milk is a nourishing substance whose benefits for newborns cannot be fully reproduced by formula. These include:
Easier Digestion
The proteins in breast milk are broken down easily by infants’ digestive systems, unlike the proteins found in artificial formulas, which are derived from cow’s milk. More thorough absorption of breast milk means less gas and diarrhea as well as better-smelling diapers.
Enhanced Immunity
Breastfed infants are far less likely to get sick, thanks to the antibodies passed through breast milk from the mother. Babies who breastfeed have a much lower chance of contracting ear infections, meningitis, lower respiratory infections, and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, breast milk confers lifelong benefits, including a reduced risk of obesity, type-II diabetes, allergies, and asthma.
Breastfeeding benefits more than the health of your baby. New mothers who breastfeed enjoy:
Faster Weight Loss
The production of breast milk costs a woman’s body roughly 500 calories per day. This combined with the nursing-stimulated shrinking of your uterus can help you more easily return to your pre-pregnancy appearance.
Reduced Risk of Cancer and Bone Disorders
Mothers who breastfeed can reap the benefits decades later, with a reduced risk of uterine, ovarian, and breast cancer, as well as protection against bone loss and osteoporosis.
Minimal Preparation
Caring for a newborn can be stressful and time-consuming, which is why many women appreciate the convenience of breastfeeding. With fewer bottles to wash and carry and no mixing or warming of formula, mothers can focus on bonding with their babies during feeding times.
Find out more about Riverside Community Hospital’s free classes for expectant parents by calling (951) 788-3463. Our mission is to promote lifelong health through education and quality medical services.
Last updated 8 months ago
If you are considering surgical weight loss, it is important to inform yourself about your options and what you can expect. To help you become educated about the procedure, Riverside Community Hospital offers free surgical weight loss seminars conducted by one of our bariatric surgeons. During the talk, he or she will provide detailed information on the following topics:
Types of Bariatric Surgery
Riverside Community Hospital’s Center for Surgical Weight Loss provides three minimally-invasive surgical weight loss options: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, and sleeve gastrectomy. During the surgical weight loss seminar, you can learn about the anatomical differences between these procedures, as well as how they work and the hospital stay involved.
Benefits of Surgical Weight Loss
Every person has different reasons for wanting weight loss surgery, but our seminar will cover the major benefits offered by the procedure. These may include a reduction in the severity of diabetes, arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, and hypertension, as well as a decreased risk of heart disease, stroke, and degenerative disc disease.
Risks of Surgery
As with all surgical procedures, weight loss surgery carries certain risks. While opting for a laparoscopic technique rather than open surgery can help decrease your pain, recovery time, and risk of infection, complications occasionally occur involving postoperative bleeding, gastrointestinal leakage, blood clots, and dumping syndrome. Our surgeons can help you understand the likelihood of these occurrences and how your eligibility for surgery factors into your risk.
Expected Results
The amount of weight you lose after bariatric surgery greatly depends on your motivation to change your lifestyle. During the seminar, you will learn why it is vital to follow your surgeon’s specific instructions regarding the type and amount of food you eat, as well as your physical activity levels and cessation of detrimental behaviors such as smoking.
Our next surgical weight loss seminar is at Riverside Community Hospital on Tuesday, September 4th at 6 pm. While it is free to attend, we ask that you reserve your spot by calling (951) 788-3463 to register.
Last updated 9 months ago
Did you know that one person has the ability to save up to 8 lives through organ donation?
Organ donation is a surgical procedure in which one or more healthy organs are transplanted into a patient with end-stage organ failure. It is widely considered to be a selfless act of generosity, yet it represents a significant commitment on the part of the potential organ donor and his or her loved ones.
Statistics, resources, and patient stories relating to organ donation can help you make an informed decision about becoming an organ donor.
Organs and tissues that can be donated include:
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Skin
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Kidneys
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Heart
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Liver
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Pancreas
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Intestines
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Lungs
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Bone and bone marrow
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Cornea
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Middle ear
Why become a donor?
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, organ donors made more than 28,000 transplants possible in 2011. In addition to recoveries aided by organ transplants, one million people received tissue transplants that supported recoveries from trauma, burns, bone damage, spinal injuries, vision loss and hearing impairment.
Unfortunately, thousands of people die each year while waiting for organ transplants.
How to become an organ donor
You must register with your state to become an organ donor. You can register over the Internet or while getting your driver’s license renewed. You may also wish to share your organ donor status with your family and friends, so they can support you in this important decision.
Who can and cannot be an organ donor
People of any age can potentially become organ donors. Infants, as well as senior citizens, have been successful donors. Donors can be living or deceased.
Some preexisting conditions will exclude a person from becoming an organ donor; these include active cancer, HIV infection, and systemic infection. If you are under 18 years of age, you need the permission of your parent or legal guardian to register as an organ donor.
Many potential organ donors worry that their religion will not support the process of organ donation. In fact, many major religions in the U.S. support organ donation and consider it to be the final act of love and kindness toward others. It is recommended that you speak to a leading member of your religious organization to learn more about your religion’s stance on organ donation.
The Transplant Program at Riverside Community Hospital offers diagnostic testing and treatment strategies within a compassionate, patient-focused environment.
For more information on the medical services provided at Riverside Community Hospital or to obtain a referral, call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 951-788-3463.
