May 2014

"They saved my life."

Peggy Medina, 63, has suffered from bouts of pancreatitis for 12 years. When she began experiencing abdominal pain and nausea in February, Peggy reached for the pain medication to get her through a few days of rest and pain management – what had worked in the past. “The pain was so bad the meds didn’t impact it,” recalls Peggy. She quickly decided it was time to go to the Emergency Department at Hillcrest South.

Stay Hydrated this Summer

Temperatures are rising, longer days are here and there are more opportunities to get out and be active. That is all great for our health, as long as we are staying hydrated as well. Some experts believe as many as 75 percent of adults in the U.S. are dehydrated at any given time. If you might be one of them, here are some reasons why it is important to make sure you are drinking enough water and tips to help you get and stay hydrated.

Health Benefits of Water

5 Weeks in the ICU – A Mother Shares her Daughter’s Story

“I remember saying to the doctor, ‘Is she at that point?’” Judi Stout recalls of one of two pivotal moments of her daughter’s experience in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Hillcrest South. The second occurred when the off-duty nurse manager woke in the middle of the night concerned about Candace’s scheduled x-ray and told the nursing staff to wait until the next day.

Why You Can’t Ignore Acid Reflux

One in three people are affected by the most common chronic gastrointestinal disorder in the U.S. – acid reflux disease, also commonly known as gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). For those who suffer, pain and discomfort can impact quality of life, as many people are plagued with symptoms such as chest pain, regurgitation, swallowing troubles, chronic cough, hoarseness or sore throat. This is not a condition you should just live with or allow to get worse; as health care providers say it may lead to more serious conditions including Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer.