Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center

2012 Free Community Flu Clinic at Los Robles Hospital

How to Maintain Joint Health As You Age

As do many other parts of the body, the joints begin to deteriorate during the aging process. By the time a person reaches older age, he or she may suffer from compromised joint health as the result of injuries, disease, or normal wear and tear. Joint immobility and pain can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, but there are ways to prevent this. No matter your age, you can begin making changes to your life that will greatly increase your joint health and reduce the risk of joint problems later on.

Incorporate healthy lifestyle habits.

Engaging in good lifestyle habits is important at any age, but especially so as one gets older. Maintaining a sound dietary regimen will give your body the nutrients it needs to remain strong, as well as aid in the recovery process for existing injuries and trauma. However, incorporating regular exercise is the most important thing you can do to ensure your joint health. You may be reluctant to participate in physical activity if you are already experiencing joint pain or stiffness, but exercise is extremely effective in combating these symptoms of joint deterioration. Consult with your hospital physician regarding a physical fitness routine and don’t delay to begin it.

Implement measures to avoid injury.

Falls are a common concern among the elderly. Not only can falls cause considerable discomfort, but they can also negatively impact major joints like the hips and knees, making it even harder to maintain your joint health. To reduce your chances of incurring injuries due to falls, make sure that your home, workplace, and other frequently used spaces are safe. By removing all tripping or falling risks, you can protect your joint health.

Schedule regular doctor visits.

When you begin to experience joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, be sure to immediately contact your local hospital to determine the cause of these symptoms. The earlier you can identify why you are suffering from joint issues, the sooner your doctor can administer care to alleviate your discomfort.

Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center’s Total Joint Program can help you recover your former joint health. To find out more about our Total Joint Program or any of our other hospital services, please call our Thousand Oaks facility at (877) 888-5746.

A Look at Trends in Breast Cancer Screening and Treatment

The American Cancer Society reports that death rates from breast cancer have been decreasing for all women since 1990. As this video explains, while this statistic shines hope on those who are diagnosed with breast cancer, not all women receive the hospital treatment they need for survival.

The ACS study found that women from lower socioeconomic groups had a slower decline in breast cancer deaths. Moreover, this decline began later than that of more affluent women. Hospital experts attribute this discrepancy to several factors, the first of which being that poorer women have a lower rate of getting breast cancer screenings. Women from lower socioeconomic groups are also likely to lack access to high-quality treatment. No matter your financial status, all women can help prevent the onset of breast cancer by maintaining a healthy body weight, staying active, and reducing alcohol consumption. Moreover, experts agree that, starting at age 40, all women should schedule annual hospital visits for mammogram screenings.

Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center provides preventative breast cancer screenings at our Thousand Oaks hospital. For more information, please call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (877) 888-5746.

Los Robles Hospital Receives American Heart Association's "Get With The Guidelines-Stroke" Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award

This prestigious award recognizes our commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted guidelines.

We have shown how the quick and efficient use of guideline procedures can improve the quality of care for stroke patients and can reduce disability and save lives.

This marks the second year that we have been recognized with a Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

Why Breast Cancer Prevention Is Important for All Women

By incorporating certain lifestyle behaviors and eliminating others, you can reduce your risk of getting breast cancer. Though certain factors, such as age, are thought to immediately heighten one’s risk of breast cancer, women of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds can get this disease. As the following facts demonstrate, you can do a lot to prevent breast cancer by simply being aware of what heightens your risk for the disease. If you have any questions regarding how to lower your own risk for breast cancer, consult with the physicians at Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center.

• Exposure to certain environmental contaminants: No matter your race or background, you can heighten your risk of getting breast cancer by being exposed to harmful environmental pollutants. For example, women who are exposed to radiation on a continual basis are more likely to contract breast cancer. Women who inhale second-hand smoke also incur a higher risk for this disease. Therefore, it’s imperative that you recognize when you are in danger and remove yourself from it to lower your breast cancer risk.
• Unhealthy lifestyle habits: Even worse than being around second-hand smoke is being a smoker yourself. This is but one of several lifestyle habits that can increase your risk for breast cancer. However, even less conspicuous behaviors, such as making poor dietary choices or having a sedentary lifestyle, can put you at a higher risk for the disease. As with exposure to environmental risk factors, once you are aware of how your own actions are affecting your health, you can change them to lower your risk of having breast cancer.
• Genetic tendency to have breast cancer: Unfortunately, some risk factors are unchangeable. If you come from a family with a history of breast cancer, you will inevitably be at a higher risk for contracting the disease as well. Yet, this knowledge still enables you to lower your chances of breast cancer. If you have hereditary risk factors, make sure that you are incorporating monthly breast self-examinations and annual clinical checkups into your schedule so that you and your healthcare practitioner can utilize early detection to thwart the opportunity for breast cancer to grow.

Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks offers breast cancer detection screenings for patients. To find out more about our breast health services, or to schedule an appointment, please call (877) 888-5746.