Dignity Health Advanced Imaging – Santa Cruz: A new name, same exceptional care
Thu, 17 Oct 2024 16:10:25 GMT
Radiology Medical Group (RMG) and Dignity Health Dominican Hospital are restructuring their long-standing joint venture, Santa Cruz Comprehensive Imaging, which includes Dominican Breast Center.
Effective Nov. 1, 2024, RMG facilities will be rebranded as Dignity Health Advanced Imaging – Santa Cruz. This change brings a new name but ensures patients continue to receive the same expert care from the clinicians they know and trust.
Bedtime battles: tips for getting kids to sleep better
Wed, 28 Aug 2024 22:46:41 GMT
Getting enough sleep is critical for overall well-being, especially for children and young adults as their bodies continue to grow. Sheetal Sran, MD a pediatrician with Dignity Health Woodland Clinic, shares helpful tips for parents as they navigate their child’s sleep routine.
Say goodbye to neck and arm pain: Cervical disc replacement explained
Wed, 21 Aug 2024 22:44:00 GMT
Living with chronic neck and arm pain can be debilitating. It can affect your sleep, work, and your overall quality of life. But there's good news: if you've tried various treatments for your pain and are still struggling, a cervical disc replacement procedure may be an option for you.
Dr. Michael Cluck, with Dignity Health Medical Group — Merced, specializes in spinal surgery and minimally invasive cervical disc replacement. This procedure can relieve pain, improve your ability to move, and help you get back to doing the things you love. Dr. Cluck performs this procedure at Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center in Merced. We spoke with Dr. Cluck to get answers to common questions about the procedure below.
Family beach day tips: A pediatrician's must-have packing list
Thu, 15 Aug 2024 16:53:28 GMT
Parents, we know a lot of planning goes into packing for your family beach day. To ensure your family has a safe summer beach trip, Shi-Ying Chang, CPNP, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner with Dignity Health Medical Group — Inland Empire, shares a helpful packing guide with everything you need to keep your little ones happy and healthy while soaking up the sun and building sandcastles.
What causes warts?
Mon, 01 Jul 2024 16:57:15 GMT
Tired of those pesky warts?
Dr. Maulik Dhandha, dermatologist with Dignity Health Woodland Clinic, is here to share the lowdown on wart treatment and how to prevent them from popping up in the first place.
Your Community's Superhero: Urgent Care!
Wed, 05 Jun 2024 19:35:14 GMT
A conversation with with Dr. Roger Hicks, Dignity Health Medical Group — Sierra Nevada
Roger Hicks, MD is the medical director of Dignity Health Medical Group — Sierra Nevada’s urgent care location at 107 Margaret Lane in Grass Valley. He is on the Board of Directors of the College of Urgent Care Medicine and the founding president of California Urgent Care Association.
How stress impacts your physical and mental health (and what you can do about it)
Tue, 04 Jun 2024 17:57:33 GMT
Stress affects every facet of our lives and can have a profound impact on our long-term health. It’s important to find healthy ways to cope with stress for our overall well being.
Maybelle Ursales, MD and Alexis Lyon-Claus, LMFT, a behavioral health clinician with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group share the signs and consequences that stress can have on our physical and mental health, in addition to effective tips for stress management in our everyday lives.
Congratulations to our 2024 PE Vision Award winners
Wed, 01 May 2024 22:08:05 GMT
We are proud to announce our 2024 CommonSpirit Health Physician Enterprise Vision Awards winners for the California Region.
The annual program is intended to recognize and celebrate clinical excellence throughout the Physician Enterprise, which includes our Dignity Health Medical Groups. Anchored in the CommonSpirit Health vision statement, the PE Vision Awards are based on the common goal of providing a “healthier future for all – inspired by faith, driven by innovation, and powered by our humanity.
Preeclampsia: What is it and what causes it?
Tue, 30 Apr 2024 22:05:13 GMT
Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy and affects approximately 2-4% of pregnancies globally.
It can be concerning to hear you have developed preeclampsia, so we spoke with Phillip Kintner, MD, OB/GYN with Dignity Health Medical Group — Sierra Nevada, who shares insights on this condition.
Debunking menopause myths
Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:10:42 GMT
Despite being a natural stage in a woman’s life, there are many misconceptions about menopause. Lisbeth Chang, MD, an OB/GYN with Dignity Health Medical Group — Northridge, debunks common menopause myths below.
Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy and affects approximately 2-4% of pregnancies globally.
It can be concerning to hear you have developed preeclampsia, so we spoke with Phillip Kintner, MD, OB/GYN with Dignity Health Medical Group — Sierra Nevada, who shares insights on this condition.
What is preeclampsia and what causes it?
Preeclampsia is persistent high blood pressure during pregnancy or postpartum. If you develop preeclampsia during pregnancy, it can be dangerous for both the mother and the baby. OB/GYNs closely monitor for signs of preeclampsia throughout pregnancy.
“The exact cause of preeclampsia is unknown, but current thinking is that it may have something to do with abnormal placentation, which is where the placenta attaches in an abnormal location,” explains Dr. Kintner. “This can affect your arteries and your blood flow.”
There are some things that can increase your risk, including:
- Having certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease
- Having an autoimmune condition, such as lupus
- Having a family history of preeclampsia, or preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy
- Being pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets, etc.)
- Having a BMI (body mass index) of 35 or more
What are the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia?
“Preeclampsia can be diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy, but there are a variety of warning signs we are looking for during early pregnancy that could point to it,” says Dr. Kintner. “The earlier preeclampsia is diagnosed and monitored, the better the outlook for mother and baby.”
Signs and symptoms include:
- High blood pressure
- Protein in the urine
- Swelling in the hands, feet, and face
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
How is preeclampsia treated?
“There is no real treatment for preeclampsia, but it can often be managed with medication and lifestyle changes,” says Dr. Kintner. “If you are at a high risk of developing preeclampsia, you may be advised by your OB/GYN to take a daily dose of aspirin from the 12th week of pregnancy until your baby is born.”
Treatment for preeclampsia may include:
- Medications to lower blood pressure
- Medications to prevent seizures
- A healthy diet, including taking a daily prenatal vitamin
- Regular exercise
How can I prevent preeclampsia?
“There are some causes that are unavoidable, like having a disease or condition that weakens your immune system, or having a family history of preeclampsia. While there is no sure way to prevent preeclampsia, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk,” explains Dr. Kintner.
These include:
- Getting regular prenatal care
- Ensuring any chronic illness is stabilized and managed
- Eating a healthy diet
- Getting regular exercise
- Managing your weight
- Avoiding alcohol and tobacco smoke
- Monitoring your blood pressure at home if you have any reason to suspect you may develop preeclampsia
If you are pregnant and have any concerns about preeclampsia, you can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with your OB/GYN or primary care physician. Our “Find a Doctor” tool can help you find a Dignity Health Medical Group provider near you.
