Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center

Southern Hills Hospital Opens RISE Behavioral Health Unit

Happy New Year!

Tips for Staying Safe in Your Home as You Get Older

Older individuals suffer from changes in gait, balance, strength, vision, hearing, and cognition—all of which increase their risk for injury during daily tasks. According to the National Institute on Aging, more than 1.6 million older individuals visit the emergency room each year for a fall-related injury. Continue reading for tips on how to stay safe throughout your home.

Bathroom Safety
Consider using decals on the floor of your tub or shower as well as investing in non-skid bath mats to help reduce your risk of falls. It is also a good idea to install grab bars on the wall in the tub or shower to help make moving easier. Raised toilet seats and toilet safety rails are also a great option for older individuals with hip, knee, or balance problems.

Kitchen Safety
Slips, falls, and other injuries can also occur while working in the kitchen. Here are some tips for making your kitchen safer:

• Keep stoves in proper working order and make sure burners are off before going to bed or leaving the house 
• Ensure that kitchen ventilation systems and range exhausts work properly
• Keep flammable objects away from cooking areas
• Move cords and appliances way from hot surfaces and water sources
• Keep a mop handy to clean up spills instantly and avoid slips

Bedroom Safety
Use a nightlight in your bedroom, as this will make obstacles easier to see in a low-light setting. Make sure the area around your bed is clear and free of obstacles. It is also a good idea to keep a phone next to your bed that is programmed to dial 911 at the push of a button in case of injury or an emergency situation.

Whether you’ve suffered from a slip and fall, broken bone, or a stroke, Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center is here to help. Give our urgent care facility a call at (702) 880-2100 to learn more about our geriatric psych care or to contact an orthopedic surgeon.

Happy Holidays from Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center!

Scoliosis - Causes and Symptoms

Scoliosis is a condition characterized by an abnormal curvature of the backbone or the spine, in which the spine has a C-shape or S-shape, rather than a straight vertical line from the neck down to the buttocks. In most cases, an orthopedic surgeon can offer relief to those suffering with this often painful and debilitating disease. Learn more below:

Causes
Scoliosis usually develops during childhood before the onset of puberty; however, the condition may not be diagnosed until patients reach their teenage years. While the causes of scoliosis are often unknown for most patients, causes may include:

• Congenital birth defects
• Infection
• Diseases of the muscles and nerves, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
• Spinal tumors
• Muscle imbalance

Some risk factors associated with scoliosis include age, delayed puberty or menstrual cycles, and a family history of scoliosis.

Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of scoliosis may include:

• Prominent shoulder blades or ribs
• Uneven shoulders
• Uneven waist
• Leaning to one side
• An elevated hip

Scoliosis may also cause chronic back pain if left untreated for several years. In addition, severe cases of scoliosis may lead to breathing difficulty due to pressure on the heart and lungs.

Treatment Options
The treatment options for scoliosis vary based on the severity of the condition. For example, mild cases of scoliosis in which the curve is less than 20 degrees may only require observation every 3-6 months. Individuals whose curve is more than 20 degrees and are still growing may benefit from a back brace, as this can prevent the curves from getting worse. Severe cases of scoliosis in which the curvature exceeds 40-50 degrees may require surgery by an orthopedic surgeon. During the procedure, the surgeon will typically fuse the vertebra of the spine together or use internal rods to decrease spinal curvature.

The best way to determine the appropriate treatment method for scoliosis is to schedule a consultation with a spine specialist. Our orthopedic surgeons with Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center of Las Vegas use minimally invasive, state-of-the-art surgical techniques to provide optimal results with shorter recovery times. Learn more about your options by contacting us at (702) 880-2100.