Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center

Learn More About Our Services and Staying Healthy

You can work to avoid experiencing serious medical conditions by knowing your risk factors and taking preventive steps. Learn more about your risk factors for a stroke and the other topics discussed in our recent posts by looking through the following links or contacting Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center at (702) 880-2700.

• This article from PubMed Health provides more information about pleurisy, a possible cause of sharp chest pain.
• Angina is one of the most common causes of chest pain. Read more about this condition from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 
• Emergency room or urgent care? This guide from the National Association for Ambulatory Care may help you to choose which facility is best to treat your illness or injury.
• Become more aware of the symptoms of a stroke by reading this helpful guide from the National Stroke Association.
• Determine your risk factors for experiencing a stroke by looking through this outline found on the American Stroke Association website.
• Visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to learn more about transient ischemic attacks and what to do when you or a loved one experiences one of these “mini strokes.”
• This article found on the American Pregnancy Association website describes fetal development during weeks 14-16 of pregnancy.
• Read this helpful article provided by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to learn more about how to tell when labor begins.
• Are you at risk for heart disease? Find out if you have any of the defined risk factors by reading this fact sheet on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
• Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes that can occur during pregnancy—read this article from the American Diabetes Association to learn more.

A New Mom-to-Be's Guide to Trimesters

For first-time expectant mothers, pregnancy can be a time of both excitement and trepidation. Learning as much as possible about the development of your baby and birthing process can be a huge help in alleviating any apprehension. Read on to find out more about the development of your child by each defined trimester.

• The First Trimester (weeks 0-12)
  Pregnancy begins when a sperm cell penetrates an egg.  Soon after fertilization, the egg begins to rapidly divide.  After the third week has begun, the egg (now made of hundreds of cells) implants into the lining of the uterus.  By the end of this trimester, the embryo has begun to develop his or her brain, lungs, spinal cord, heart, and digestive and reproductive systems.  The umbilical cord, which is responsible for supplying vital nutrients to the developing child and disposing of waste, is also formed during the first trimester.
   
• The Second Trimester (weeks 13-26)
  During the second trimester, your child will begin to develop hair and his or her bones and muscles will become more defined.  He or she will grow very rapidly—you will begin to feel pressure on your lungs, bladder, stomach, and kidneys as the baby gets bigger and bigger.  At the end of this trimester, your child will be about one foot long, weigh about two pounds, and have formed all of his or her essential internal organs.  
   
• The Third Trimester (weeks 27-40)
   You may feel a lot of movement from your baby during the third trimester.  During the final weeks of pregnancy, he or she will probably gain a great deal of weight, usually around half a pound per week.  Birth typically takes place at or around week 40.

If you are expecting a child and live in the greater Las Vegas area, consider experiencing your baby’s birth in one of the private suites of Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center. You are invited to tour our state-of-the-art maternity hospital and see for yourself—simply call our friendly and knowledgeable staff at (702) 880-2700 to schedule your appointment, or contact us online.  

Yoga

Thursday, March 15
11 a.m. to Noon
Education Room/First Floor

Find your Zen and join us for a yoga session. Sponsored by CareMore. Bring a yoga mat. Call 702.880.2700 to register. Light refreshments will be provided. Free to H2U members.

Mini Strokes (TIAs): Don't Ignore the Symptoms, Act FAST!

A TIA, or transient ischemic attack, occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted for only a short period of time. Unlike a full stroke, these “mini strokes” are not fatal and symptoms typically subside within 24 hours. In this video created by the National Stroke Association, you can learn more about the symptoms of a TIA and how these short-lived attacks can help to warn you of a future life-threatening medical event. 

If you suffer from a transient ischemic attack, seriously consider seeking medical attention as soon as possible. Taking steps to prevent a full-blown stroke can help to avoid future disability and can even save your life. Learn more about the symptoms of a stroke by contacting Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center at (702) 880-2700.