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UK House Calls
March, 2007
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Colon cancer is the No. 2 killer in the United States, but has a 90 percent treatable rate when detected early. Three steps can help you prevent the disease. Step one, don’t wait for symptoms such as persistent abdominal pain or rectal bleeding to develop. A colonoscopy at age 50 can identify health concerns in early stages. Step two, know your risks, including your family’s health history. Step three, follow through with your treatment plan. Key to all three steps is talking with your doctor. With the largest team of gastroenterologists in Kentucky, the Digestive Health Program at UK HealthCare specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the digestive system.
For a free booklet on colon and rectal cancer, call toll free 1-800-333-8874.
Injuries, arthritis and other diseases may cause damage to joints. To relieve pain, the damaged joint may be replaced with a prosthesis made of plastic, metal or both. Although joint replacements for hips and knees are more common, the shoulder, ankle and elbow joints can also be replaced. Specialists and fellowship-trained surgeons at UK Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine research, diagnose, treat and educate patients about bone and joint disorders.
For a free booklet on joint replacement surgery, call toll free 1-800-333-8874.
A cerebral aneurysm is a weak or thin spot on a blood vessel in the brain that fills with blood. An aneurysm may burst and bleed into the brain, causing stroke, nerve damage or death. Symptoms, including pain above and behind the eye, paralysis on one side of the face, dilated pupils and vision changes, are seldom noticed until the aneurysm is very large. Although there are no known ways to prevent cerebral aneurysms, they can be diagnosed and treatment options are available. The expert team of physicians at UK HealthCare is specially trained to diagnose and treat cerebral aneurysms.
For a free brochure on cerebral aneurysms, call toll free 1-800-333-8874.
One obstacle chemotherapy patients face is stem cell loss after treatments, limiting the dosage amount and types of chemotherapy that can be given. Building on the genetic map of a stem cell gene and its protein product Laxetin, UK researchers have identified a particular gene that helps regulate the number of adult stem cells in the body, particularly in bone marrow. Using Laxetin to increase the stem cell count, patients could receive increased doses of chemotherapy and recover more quickly. Other stem cell populations in tissues such as the liver, skin, pancreas or brain may possibly be
similarly affected by Laxetin, opening new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of other diseases and conditions such as liver disease, diabetes, and central nervous system damage as a result of trauma or stroke.
For a free booklet containing more information on stem cell transplantation and a press release on this important research study, call toll free 1-800-333-8874.
For many surgeries, including prostatectomy, the da Vinci® Surgical System provides improved outcomes over standard minimally invasive techniques. This advanced technology offers surgeons a complete view of the area with three-dimensional imaging and 360-degree instrumentation for better visibility. Patients who undergo minimally invasive surgery are likely to have less pain and blood loss. They are also able to return home sooner and typically recover more quickly with fewer complications.
Only UK HealthCare offers this new technology in the region. For a free brochure on prostatectomy with da Vinci, call toll free 1-800-333-8874.
To identify and recognize excellence in nursing services, the American Nurses Credentialing Center developed the national Magnet Hospital Recognition Program®. UK Chandler Hospital’s nurses were among the first in the region to receive this designation, the highest honor a hospital can receive for its nursing services. Magnet hospitals focus on teamwork, respect and concern for the patient. Nurses who have the same focus belong on our team.
For a free CD on nursing excellence the UK way, call toll free 1-800-333-8874.
Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become fragile, affects more than the elderly. It can occur in young and middle-aged adults. Bones in most people reach maximum strength and density at age 20, so developing healthy habits early is essential to minimize osteoporosis risk later in life. Being a good role model is the best way to influence your child’s health choices. If you participate in physical exercise and maintain a calcium-rich diet, your family will follow.
For a free guide on kids and their bones, call toll free 1-800-333-8874.
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of blood vessels outside the heart and brain. It’s often a narrowing of vessels that carry blood to the legs, arms, stomach or kidneys. This narrowing causes cramping in the hips, thighs and calves when walking, climbing stairs or exercising
because the muscles need more blood during movement. Blockages may eventually cause a heart attack or stroke. A mix of lifestyle changes and medication can treat PVD, but surgery may also be necessary. The respected physicians at the UK Gill Heart Institute use the most advanced technology to diagnose and treat cardiac conditions.
For a free fact sheet on peripheral vascular disease, call toll free 1-800-333-8874.
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