Menorah Medical Center

Understanding the Ways to Manage Arthritis Pain

Living with the chronic pain and inflammation of arthritis can be a challenge, but there are several ways to improve your quality of life and ease your pain each day. At the Pain Management Center of Menorah Medical Center, you will discover a number of personalized pain solutions that will supplement the easy-to-follow techniques listed below.

Wear comfortable clothing
Restrictive clothing and uncomfortable footwear can be hard on your joints. If you have a lot of tight-fitting clothes, you might consider restyling your wardrobe to include more comfortable options. Choosing the right shoes is particularly important, as supportive shoes can reduce the impact of everyday activities and take some pressure off of your knees, ankles, and hips.

Consider low-impact exercise
One of the most effective ways to care for your joints is by participating in low-impact exercises such as light walking, swimming, yoga, and biking. These activities will help you regulate your body weight, build muscle to support your joints, and promote flexibility. If you are just getting started on an exercise routine, you should speak to your doctor about the safest activities for your joints and physical abilities.

Take time to relax and rest 
Putting too much stress on your joints will perpetuate inflammation and degeneration of the cartilage within the joints, which is why it’s important to take time out of your day for relaxation. Activities such as taking a hot bath, resting between physical tasks, and taking short naps may help keep pressure off your joints each day. Nightly rest is also important for healthy joints, so be sure that your bedroom is designed to promote restful sleep.

If you want to schedule a consultation with a pain management specialist at Menorah Medical Center, call our healthcare referral line at (913) 871-8457. You can also find us online to explore health education events and classes at our hospital.

Know the Body Language of Stroke

When someone is having a stroke, immediate medical care should be a priority. Stroke can cause significant brain damage, and every second makes a difference when it comes to treatment. It is important to recognize the characteristic signs of stroke so it may be addressed right away.

In this video, you’ll learn the body language of stroke presented by the American Stroke Association. Signs to look for include drooping of the face on one side, inability to hold the arms up to the side, and trouble speaking or understanding simple language. When these symptoms are present, call 9-1-1 immediately.

The Certified Stroke Care Center at Menorah Medical Center can provide the emergency care and rehabilitation needed to manage this serious, potentially fatal medical condition. You can learn more about stroke care and prevention during National Stroke Awareness Month by calling (913) 871-8457 or by visiting our website.

Is It Possible to Prevent Stroke?

Though stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, it is highly preventable. During National Stroke Awareness Month this May, Menorah Medical Center is working to help the Kansas City community prevent stroke with healthier habits and high-quality medical care. Here are just a few of the ways you can promote stroke prevention in your own life.

See your doctor
Some indicators of high stroke risk may not be readily apparent, so it is important to see your doctor for regular screenings to measure your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. When high numbers in these areas are identified early on, you and your doctor can create a plan to take charge of your health before serious problems develop.

Maintain an active routine
When you engage in aerobic exercise on a regular basis, you have healthier circulation that reduces the chances of blood clots that may lead to stroke. Just one to two hours of exercise per week can make a dramatic impact on your health, and it is never too late to get moving. Another benefit of exercise is weight management, which is also beneficial for stroke prevention.

Change your diet
If your diet consists of large amounts of fast food, red meat, sodium, or processed sugars, it may be time to change your eating habits. Consuming foods of this nature not only promotes obesity, but it can directly raise your risk of type 2 diabetes and hypertension, both of which will make you more likely to suffer a stroke.

For more information on stroke prevention and a look at healthy education events during the month of May, contact Menorah Medical Center by visiting our website or by calling our healthcare referral line at (913) 871-8457. We are a Certified Stoke Care Center with a Silver Plus rating from the American Stroke Association’s “Get with the Guidelines” 2012 assessment. 

Menorah is Now Home to the TIA Clinic

The TIA Clinic at Menorah Medical Center is a new program that has been developed to help patients who have been diagnosed with Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or are at risk for stroke. Instead of having to make several visits to multiple locations to get all of your work-up done, the TIA Clinic at Menorah provides a one-stop service for almost all TIA patients.

TIAs are often referred to as mini-strokes or warnings strokes, because they mimic the symptoms of more severe stroke but generally are not life-threatening. Still, TIAs should not be ignored, as they are an indicator that an individual has a high risk for future episodes of greater severity.

Symptoms of a TIA include:

• Sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding words

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. 

For an appointment at our TIA Clinic, please contact your primary care physician. Menorah Medical Center is a Certified Stroke Care Center. If you would like to learn how you can prevent stroke and stay healthy for life, contact Menorah Medical Center for a complete look at our upcoming classes and events. You can find us online or call us at our healthcare referral line by dialing (913) 871-8457.

Do You Have Old Medicine You Need to Get Rid of? Turn it in for Safe Disposal Tomorrow!

Do you have old medicine in your home?  Want to get rid of it?  Then Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Price Chopper and Hen House Markets have just the place for you!  Tomorrow from 10 a.m – 2 p.m. residents can drop off unused, unneeded or expired prescription medicine at several locations throughout Johnson County.  These locations are part of a cooperative effort between the sheriff’s Office, DEA and local police departments.

In addition, in partnership with the Regional Prevention Center, The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office now has a permanent Prescription Drug Take Back Drop Box location at the Courthouse in Olathe, 125 N. Cherry.  This location is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Check the flyer below, or visit this link for a list of locations that you can take your prescription drugs for safe disposal.  For more information, call Menorah Medical Center at (913) 498-6000.