Over the past decade, there has been a remarkable surge in public interest and awareness regarding infertility. What was once viewed as a deeply personal struggle hidden from public view has now become a prominent topic of conversation and media scrutiny. With states like Texas requiring insurance coverage for infertility, the challenges and consequences of infertility have become more manageable…, Myth 1: You must first be diagnosed as “infertile” before seeing a fertility specialist. (False), Anyone can make an appointment with a fertility specialist, and many do for a number of reasons. People may seek out a local fertility center for egg or embryo freezing. This procedure preserves a woman’s healthy eggs or a couple’s fertilized embryos for future use. Also, those having a family history of a severe genetic disorder may automatically opt to undergo in-vitro fertilization (IVF) that…, Myth 2: A couple must try to conceive naturally for one year before seeking treatment. (False), While most physicians recommend this approach for individuals younger than 35, women over 35 shouldn’t try longer than six months before making an appointment with a fertility specialist. Both partners can more immediately undergo testing to rule out or confirm a reproductive health problem. Also, there is no need to delay fertility treatment if either partner has a known reproductive disorder…, Myth 3: Reproductive therapy is not common. (False), Whether it’s by choice or because of an infertility diagnosis, many people are using fertility treatments to become parents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 percent of women and 9 percent of men experience difficulty with fertility. In 2014, more than 70,000 babies were born to mothers who used fertility treatments, and that number is rising., Myth 4: All fertility centers are created equal. (False), In the United States, there are more than 450 recognized fertility centers. Each provides different services, has different success rates and charges different fees. While no fertility practice can guarantee their treatment plan will result in a baby, it’s important to do your research before choosing a fertility specialist. Some criteria you may consider include physician experience and training…, Myth 5: Fertility treatment is always a costly, out-of-pocket expense. (False), Fertility treatment requires a variety of investments, including time, emotion and money. But not all fertility treatments cost thousands of dollars. Often, reproductive health specialists will recommend the least invasive, most cost-effective fertility treatment as a first approach. As the type of reproductive procedures become more involved, so does pricing. Costs for procedures differ at each…
, C, ongratulations to Leslie Villarreal, RN, Nurse Navigator at Mays Cancer Center for winning the FY23 Gold Shield Clinical Award., , The following is a patient care experience that exemplifies why Villarreal deserves this outstanding award and recognition: “Leslie an invaluable resource for the Head and Neck team. She moves heaven and earth to coordinate the complex care of patients who need to traverse multiple specialties, arranging transportation, nutrition consultations, tumor board discussions, and much more. She…
, C, ongratulations to Susan Hilgers, Director of Clinic Information Systems for winning the FY23 Gold Shield Non-Clinical Award., , The following is a patient care experience that exemplifies why Hilgers deserves this outstanding award and recognition: " Susan is an outstanding person who positively impacts UT Health Physicians. Susan collaborates with Practice Managers, Directors, providers, frontline team members, and organizational leadership to create innovative, efficient, and effective processes. She implemented a…
A new approach to diagnosing endometriosis without surgery is on the horizon. This condition affects 10% of reproductive-aged women and typically requires invasive procedures for diagnosis. The innovative biomarker-based tests offer hope for quicker and less invasive diagnosis, potentially improving patient outcomes. Learn more about this research on Texas Public Radio . If you think you may…
Most concussions resolve on their own, but when symptoms persist, concussion expertise is needed. Learn about our multidisciplinary concussion program from Lola Abdul, MD , a sports medicine physiatrist at UT Health San Antonio. https://youtu.be/iSzOOFwFGwk
Getting exercise is an important way to improve your health. Experts advise that at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity, aerobic physical activity each week can have a lot of health benefits for adults. Here are some tips for creating an exercise program:, Talk with your healthcare provider., If you have an existing health condition or are just starting an exercise program, talk with your healthcare provider before beginning the program. This is to make sure the exercise program that you choose is designed with your health and wellness in mind., Start slow., If you are just starting an exercise program, take it slowly. Gradually build up to 30 minutes a day, most days of the week., Do what you love., Choose an activity you’ll enjoy. You are more likely to continue exercising if you are doing something that you like.
Every day we face stressful events. Most of these events are minor. But other events are clearly major sources of stress. These include things such as a separation or divorce, or trouble at home or work. You may need help from others, like your health care provider, to get a handle on a stressful situation. They can help you plan and implement changes to ease your stress. You also need to look…, Don't make unneeded changes in your life. , Instead, save what energy you have for dealing with the major stressor at hand. If possible, try to make your work and home environments stable while working out the main problem. , Quiet your mind. , Use deep breathing and visualization methods to calm your mind and slow your breathing. When you're stressed, your mind can make things seem worse. It does this by creating endless versions of coming disaster. This affects your body, too. The body can't tell the difference between what's real and what's not. So it reacts with a greater physical response. , Stay in the present. , You can calm both your mind and your body by keeping your mind in the present. The present is hardly ever as stressful as an imagined future or a past full of regrets. To stay in the present, center your attention on your breathing, a sound or visual pattern, a repetitive movement, or meditation. , Bravely and aggressively face the stressor. , Don't just ignore whatever is causing you stress. Instead, carefully think about the seriousness of the problem. But don't blow it out of proportion. Ask yourself, "What's the worst thing that is realistically likely to happen?" Then remind yourself of all the good things that will still be a part of your life even if the worst happens. Talk with others to confirm your view of the stressor. Make…, Review your coping responses. , Confidence is helpful in fighting stress. And it builds on memories of past successes. Think about successes you've had with other stressful life events. Recall some of the things you did to cope. Think about writing this down. , Take action. , Commit to a reasonable way to deal with what is causing you stress. Action is powerful in helping you to reduce stress. Studies show that your body lowers the amount of a powerful stress hormone (epinephrine) when you shift into action. Don't stop taking action because you're afraid you'll make the wrong decision. There are many ways to successfully handle a stressful situation. , Take time out to relax., At least once or twice a day, take time to calm down by relaxing. Try listening to soothing music, taking a walk, gardening, reading, or exercising. You could also choose to do more formal relaxation, such as deep breathing, meditation, yo ga, or tai chi. , Be mindful of your time., Consider making a day-to-day prioritized list of what you need to do and cross off items as you complete them. This can help give you a sense of achievement and decrease a sense of being overwhelmed. , Get enough sleep. , Lack of sleep can cause additional physical and emotional problems, such as drowsiness, memory problems, and trouble concentrating. , Stay away from alcohol and drugs , . Far from helping you cope, these can actually make symptoms worse. If you're struggling with alcohol or drug use, consider talking to a parent, friend, professional counselor, healthcare provider, or a faith leader. Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), can also be helpful. Treatment can be located through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment…
What is a headache? , A headache is pain or discomfort in the head or face. Headaches vary greatly in terms of the location and intensity of the pain, and how often they occur. Almost all people have headaches during their life. The brain tissue doesn’t have pain-sensitive nerve fibers and doesn’t feel pain. But, other parts of the head can be responsible for a headache including: A network of nerves that extends…, When should I call my healthcare provider? , Most headaches can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. But call your healthcare provider right away if you have a severe headache plus: Stiff neck Fever Nausea Vomiting Convulsion Shortness of breath Confusion Muscle weakness Double vision Change in level of consciousness Loss of vision or sensation Symptoms that may suggest a more serious headache include: Worst headache ever, or…, Key points about headaches, A headache is pain or discomfort in the head or face area. Types of headaches include migraine, tension, and cluster. Headaches can be primary or secondary. If it's secondary, it's caused by another condition. Staying away from your headache triggers is the best prevention. Mild to moderate headaches can be managed with over-the-counter medicines, but tell your healthcare provider if your…
More than 90 guests, composed heavily of local members of construction trades, visited an inaugural Construction Fair on May 8, co-hosted by UT Health San Antonio and UT San Antonio. The fair was conducted by the institutions’ supply chain management departments in support of their Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) programs. It brought contractors large […]
James Bynum, PhD, professor and vice chair of research in the department of surgery at UT Health San Antonio and executive director of the Trauma Research and Combat Casualty Care Collaborative (TRC4), expressed support in partnership with researchers at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and The University of Texas at Tyler […]