Ricardo Ortiz went jet skiing with his family on Prior Lake, MN. It was a sunny summer day. He had an accident and later received an unexpected diagnosis.
He decided to go for one last ride on the lake with his son when he lost his balance and hit the water very hard on his left side. He started to feel the water coming into his mouth and nose and all of a sudden, everything was dark. When he woke up, he was in an ambulance. (more…)
By Sarah Oliha, Public Relations Intern, Hennepin Healthcare
We have all experienced a bad stomach ache. The sensation may have been dull, sharp, or a mixture of both. No matter what the cause, we can agree that it was unpleasant and the moment it passed we welcomed relief.
Thankfully there are common and simple treatments for stomach aches that are usually effective. Dr. Robert Matlock, Division Chief for Gastroenterology at Hennepin Healthcare, says “Often, stomach aches are temporary and can be treated with a bland diet, rest, and over-the-counter medications for control of specific symptoms, such as antacid for upper abdominal pains, antidiarrheal agents for cramping pain with diarrhea, or bismuth (Pepto Bismol) for upper abdominal discomfort and nausea. Many home remedies exist for short-term stomach aches.” (more…)
“Dear neurosurgery team and ICU nurses@ Hennepin Healthcare,
I was hospitalized September 20, 2017 after suffering from a subarachnoid ruptured aneurysm and stroke. I spent two weeks in the ICU.
I really can’t thank all of you enough! I wish I knew each of your names! I know that my personality in the ICU was challenging and at times extremely rude. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the excellent care you provided…. and for putting up with me! Haha
I have continued to thrive and build my strength pretty much back to normal. However as TBI survivors we are altered for life and never unscathed…. I hope you enjoy my story!” (more…)
Think strokes just happen to seniors? Think again. A stroke was the last thing healthy Sten Anderson thought would happen to him at the young age of 24. But it did.
This May, being Stroke Awareness Month, you should be aware that a stroke can happen at any time, at any age and even to perfectly healthy people. Sten felt a major headache come on while running on his treadmill and, although there can be different signs of stroke, there are four main ones. Educate yourself because in the case of stroke – time is critical. From the onset of a stroke to the arrival at the emergency room, damage can be minimized the quicker you get there. Move F.A.S.T.
Sten was lucky, but it wasn’t without determination and lots of work. The Hennepin Stroke Center and the Knapp Rehabilitation Center were a big part of his young life. Read Sten’s story.
Hennepin Healthcare is hosting a series of free educational events focused on keeping you healthy, active and feeling your best. Attend one, or attend them all.
These events will be held at our beautiful new Clinic & Specialty Center, located on our downtown Minneapolis campus.
After each sessions, we’ll provide time to interact with the presenters and tour the Clinic & Specialty Center.
The series starts off with our “Decade of Dave” event featuring Dr. David Hilden and a live broadcast of the Healthy Matters radio show.
We’ll follow that up with Here 4 Health education sessions in July, August and September.
See the full series of events and topics below, and register here for the events you would like to attend.
A Decade of Dave – Live Broadcast of the Healthy Matters Radio Show
Sunday, June 10, 2018; 7 -10 am
Topics:
Here 4 Health
Thursday, July 12, 2018; 5 – 7 pm
Topics:
Here 4 Health
Saturday, August 11, 2018; 9 – 11 am
Topics:
Here 4 Health
Saturday, September 15, 2018; 9 – 11 am
Topics:
The Clinic & Specialty Center is located at:
715 South 8th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
National Nurses Week is an annual celebration that starts on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. We take this time to honor nurses for the work they do, and learn more about nurses’ role in health care. This year’s theme is “Nurses: Inspire, Innovate, Influence.”
In honor of this year’s theme, we interviewed three nurses across the Hennepin Healthcare system and talked to them about what inspires them to do the work they do.
For more information on National Nurses Week, visit the official National Nurses Week website here – and be sure to thank a nurse at your next visit to Hennepin Healthcare!
Guest Blogger: Kary Briner, Hennepin Healthcare Traumatic Brain Injury Center Coordinator
March… Longer days, warmer weather, a hint of spring in the air, and of course, Brain Injury Awareness Month. We at Hennepin Healthcare’s Traumatic Brain Injury Center invite you to take a moment to think about traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its impact on people. Listed below are ideas on how you can learn more about the injury, how they are treated, prevented and, most importantly, recognize those who are affected.
1) Know the numbers. Traumatic brain injuries affect millions of Americans every year. 2.8 million per year by some counts [i]. In addition, TBI contributes to roughly 30% of all deaths due to injuries[ii]. There are currently over 100,000 Minnesotans living with a disability due to brain injury[iii]. While the cost for care and loss of productivity of these injuries is high; the personal and emotional toll to those who are injured and their families is immeasurable.
2) Prevent. Prevention means a lot more than wearing a helmet or avoiding the football field. It does make a difference and it doesn’t always have to be complicated. There are many minor changes that each of us can take every day to make ourselves, our loved ones, or even a complete stranger safer. Making sure to never drive distracted or under the influence, taking care not to drive at speeds in excess of what is safe for the weather or road conditions. Ensuring yourself and everyone in the car is properly restrained, every time. Taking extra caution and time while walking on icy sidewalks, and helping others do the same. Wearing a helmet when doing any activity that involves moving faster than your two legs can carry you. And overall, taking an extra moment to think about safety in activities that many do every day.
3) Learn. If you work with individuals with brain injuries, take a few minutes this month to increase your knowledge on the subject. Watch a webinar, attend a conference or seminar, read a journal article, or seek out a colleague with knowledge on the topic. Or check out resources online; such as the Brain Trauma Foundation, the CDC, or our own website. Our very own Brain Injury Research Lab also has incredibly exciting, cutting edge research.
4) Get involved. This one might be a bit of a stretch for most, and that’s OK. But some of you might decide to do more. Volunteer your time, donate money or resources, or lend your support. There are other options as well, including our friends at the MN Brain Injury Alliance, who do amazing work every day to support individuals who live with this injury.
5) Honor. Contemplate, just for a moment, what it would be like to live with a brain injury. Think about how you would feel if your life, or that or someone you love, changed in an instant. What if you were unable to do your job? If your relationships with your friends and family were altered, or if you were unable to do the things that you love, even for just a few weeks? Brain injuries, even those classified as mild, can and do change lives in an instant. Ultimately, all of the new exciting developments and our desire to do more while doing better, are driven by our continued effort to honor those affected by this injury affected.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how you could get involved, please reach out. By phone: 612-873-3284; e-mail: Kary.Briner@hcmed.org; or go to our website. Your brain, or someone else’s, will thank you.
Kary Lehman Briner, LICSW
Traumatic Brain Injury Center Coordinator
Hennepin Healthcare
[i] Data from the CDC.
[ii] Data from the CDC.
[iii] Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance
When I set out on my path to medical school, I knew I would work in an aspect of medicine in which I would have the opportunity to work with patients long term and be able to help focus on various aspects of the whole patient. These goals are what have driven me to be a primary care doctor here at Hennepin Healthcare. As a primary care doctor, my goal is always to treat patients as people first. I also aim to work with patients to be their healthiest selves in all aspects: physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. To me, one of the most fundamental parts of my primary care practice is not just to treat illness, but to work to prevent diseases before they happen. I love discussing vaccines and cancer prevention strategies as these are ways we can work together to help them not get sick in the first place. This is why I am passionate about colon cancer screening. (more…)
