Sulphur Springs, Texas, May 8, 2023 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ.
New Service- Eye Surgeries
We are excited to announce that Ophthalmologist, Kara Hartl, MD FACS, will now be doing eye procedures such as cataract removals at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs. Educated at Harvard University and University of California-San Diego Medical School, trained at the world-renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Dr. Harl is well equipped to provide excellent care to patients here in Sulphur Springs. Talk with your Ophthalmologist about scheduling your eye procedures with Dr. Hartl. For more information, call 903.885.7671 Ext.2844.
May is Stroke Awareness Month
May is Stroke Awareness Month and the Stroke team at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs is committed to making sure you can recognize signs and symptoms of a stroke and know how to respond during a stroke emergency.
Stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain, called an ischemic stroke, or by rupturing a blood vessel and preventing blood flow to the brain, called a hemorrhagic stroke. A temporary clot causes a T.I.A. (Transient Ischemic Attack) or a “mini stroke”.
The American Stroke Association reports stroke is currently the 5th leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of serious long-term disability. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Every 3.5 minutes, someone dies of a stroke.
Eighty percent of strokes may be prevented by avoiding these major risk factors: uncontrolled blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, lack of physical activity, and not maintaining a healthy body weight.
Your readiness to spot the stroke warning signs and call 911 could save a life or make the difference between a full recovery and long-term disability. That is why it is so important to learn the stroke warning signs and urge everyone you know to do the same. The faster stroke is treated, the more likely the patient is to recover.
The acronym B.E. F.A.S.T. is the easiest way to recognize a stroke emergency. Here is a breakdown of what each letter stands for:
B. Balance – Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
E. Eyes – Is there sudden blurred or double vision or sudden, persistent vision trouble?
F. Face – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
A. Arm – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S. Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
T. Time – If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately, as time is very important during a stroke.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs is accredited by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. This means our team has the accountability and necessary standards in place to ensure processes and practices are used to care for stroke patients at a higher, more comprehensive level.
It is also important to understand that if you have survived a stroke, you are at a high risk of having another; you have a 1 in 4 chance of having another one. Treating the underlying causes of stroke including heart disease, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, and diabetes is priority. If you find yourself dealing with life after stroke, commit to making the necessary changes and will require lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. If you have questions talk to your physician. You can also find useful information at CHRISTUShealth.org, search stroke care.
