News - Sugar Land, TX

Southland Conference Baseball and Methodist Center for Sports Medicine in Sugar Land team up!

2013-05-14 00:00:00.0

Four Methodist Sugar Land Hospital physicians have been selected to serve as medical directors for the upcoming Southland Conference baseball tournament, scheduled for May 22-25 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land.

Drs. Kenneth Renney, Mark Maffet, Timothy Sitter and David Braunreiter

Drs. Mark Maffet, Timothy Sitter, Kenneth Renney and David Braunreiter of the Methodist Center for Sports Medicine Sugar Land and Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas will be on hand throughout the tournament, overseeing medical care to players from the eight Southland Conference schools that qualify for the four-day event. Dr. Maffet and Dr. Sitter will also provide interviews during the tournament’s championship game, which will be broadcast on ESPN3.

“The Methodist Center for Sports Medicine Sugar Land provides care and treatment to a number of local high school, college and professional sports teams, and we are looking forward to serving the Southland Conference and its member schools throughout the tournament,” said Dr. Maffet. “It’s a great opportunity for all of us at Methodist to welcome the Southland Conference to our great community and Constellation Field.”

The four selected physicians are fellowship trained in the diagnosis and advanced treatment of sports medicine injuries. Dr. Maffet and Dr. Sitter are orthopedic surgeons who sub-specialize in knee and shoulder surgery and Dr. Braunreiter and Dr. Renney are primary care sports medicine physicians specializing in the medical and orthopedic management of athletes.

“Methodist Center for Sports Medicine has a long history of involvement in sports as the official health care provider for the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Houston Dynamo, Rice University and Rodeo Houston,” said Dr. Sitter. “Our participation in the Southland Conference tournament is a natural fit and we are excited about being a part of the event.”

Tickets for the Southland Conference tournament are available for purchase in person at the Constellation Field box office, by phone at 281-240-4487, ext. 300, or online at http://www.sugarlandskeeters.com/.

The Southland Conference, founded in 1963, includes four Texas schools – Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi – as well as University of Central Arkansas, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Oral Roberts University and Southeastern Louisiana University.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital opens new sports medicine fellowship program

2013-05-03 00:00:00.0

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Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas (MOST) and Methodist Sugar Land Hospital are now offering an accredited primary care sports medicine fellowship program, designed to provide new physicians with the in-depth training needed to care for today’s athlete.

The program will begin this year with one fellow and is expected to grow in the future, said Dr. David Braunreiter, board certified primary care sports medicine specialist, who will manage the fellowship for MOST.

David Braunreiter, M.D.

Primary care sports medicine is a rapidly growing specialty, driven by the advance of highly competitive youth sports and an increase in the number of adults participating in physically demanding activities such as running, swimming, skiing and more.

“The need for sports medicine has grown beyond its roots in professional and college athletics,” said Dr. Braunreiter. “Primary care sports medicine physicians provide much more than orthopedic injury management, which is what most people think of when they hear ‘sports medicine.’ In addition to orthopedic injury management, primary care sports medicine physicians are also involved in the management of a wide range of medical conditions as they pertain to the athletic environment, including concussions, asthma, blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy, illness/infection and overall safety of participation. Our fellowship program will provide advanced training – beyond the regular medical training primary care physicians receive – to equip our trainees with knowledge needed to help active and athletic individuals recover from medical conditions and injuries and participate in good health.”

In addition to providing specialized training to participants, the fellowship program will enable MOST to extend its already extensive sports medicine services.

“The fellowship program will give us additional resources to see patients on a regular basis as well as improve our community outreach,” said Dr. Braunreiter. “For example, our fellow could conduct educational seminars on relevant topics, provide medical coverage for tournaments, games and practices, handle pre-participation physicals and even conduct field research.”

Dr. Braunreiter has directed sports medicine fellowship programs twice before, and he is excited about the opportunity to do so again on behalf of MOST and Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

“This is an invaluable program for new physicians who are interested in primary care sports medicine,” he says. “But it’s also an important asset for MOST and for the patients we serve. MOST is well-known for its commitment to the community and to athletes of all levels, and having a full-time fellow will enable us to do even more.”

The program at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital joins a similar fellowship program started recently at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Participants in both programs will work with physicians and orthopedic surgeons throughout Houston in treating all level of athletes, and will be involved in hands-on learning in training rooms and on the sidelines for a wide range of high school, college and professional sports teams.

“It’s important to remember that our fellows will already have completed fellowships in their primary specialty, so they are physicians who are undergoing additional training to improve their knowledge of the sports medicine specialty,” said Dr. Braunreiter. “MOST has highly experienced and skilled physicians with a wide range of sports medicine expertise, and working with them will be an extremely valuable experience for our fellows, which in turn will translate into even better care for patients.”

For an appointment with Dr. Braunreiter, or one of the MOST physicians, call 281-494-MOST (6678).

From frostbite to diabetes ulcers: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy at MSLH’s Advanced Wound Care Clinic offers hope

2013-04-25 00:00:00.0

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Peter Fenelon of Sugar Land traveled more than 8,000 miles for the adventure of a lifetime. But when his trip was cut short due to a medical emergency, he found the specialized care he needed right in his home town, thanks to Dr. Nicholas Desai and the Advanced Wound Care Clinic at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

Peter Fenelon and Dr. Nicholas Desai

In December 2012, Fenelon celebrated his graduation from the University of Texas by heading to Nepal with three college buddies for a 15-day hike around the Annapurna Mountains near Kathmandu. Though the first few days of the once-in-a-lifetime trip went well, blizzard conditions eventually forced the quartet to make a slow, difficult leg of the hike through thick snow at high altitudes. What was supposed to be an eight-hour trek took 15 hours in freezing temperatures.

After crossing the Throng La mountain pass, the group rested for the evening. But when Fenelon removed his boots and socks, he realized he was in trouble. His feet were severely swollen, and a guide immediately recognized signs of frostbite.

“I honestly thought that the main issue was that my feet were very swollen from all the walking,” Fenelon says. The guide, however, convinced him that he needed medical care, and called for a medivac helicopter to take Fenelon and another hiker with a milder case of frostbite to the hospital.

Fenelon spent four days in a nearby hospital receiving treatment when a doctor told him he had to go home to receive additional treatment because he could not continue traveling. But, he warned, it was possible that he would eventually have to have all of his toes amputated.

After a painful, 30-hour flight home, Fenelon began seeing Dr. Desai at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Advanced Wound Care Clinic. Dr. Desai put the young patient on a rigorous treatment plan that included twice-a-day hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions of two hours each.

In hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patients are enclosed in a specially designed, pressurized chamber where they breathe 100 percent oxygen. “Breathing pure oxygen under pressure increases the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, where it is delivered to damaged tissues,” says Dr. Desai. “The increased oxygen flow speeds up the growth of new blood vessels and collagen, both of which are necessary for healing. The therapy can actually preserve tissue that otherwise would die.”

The hyperbaric oxygen therapy led by Dr. Desai and the Advanced Wound Care Clinic’s team of physicians saved Fenelon’s feet. “Over four weeks, I watched my toes progress slowly from a dark blue, very scary color to pink and red and even flesh colors,” Fenelon says. “I have been absolutely thrilled with my progress.”

Fenelon’s injuries still required the amputation of his big toe and a portion of the little toe on his left foot. But the alternative was far worse.

“There are tremendous social and psychological costs to losing a limb,” says Dr. Desai. “And there is a financial cost, as well. The typical diabetic amputation requires 24 months of ongoing treatment and costs approximately $60,000. We can treat a patient in two weeks and save the limb if the patient presents to us in time. We have seen some remarkable results occur very quickly and very efficiently.”

Once used solely to help deep water divers recover from the “bends,” or decompression sickness, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is especially useful for treating wounds and injuries in patients who have diabetes, damaged tissue due to radiation treatment or blood clots, traumatic injuries to the extremities and infections of the bone or skin. The key is to seek treatment early, says Dr. Desai.

“Most wounds should heal within four weeks,” he explains. “If you have a wound that is lingering past that date – even if it doesn’t appear to be serious – hyperbaric oxygen therapy can make a difference. And the sooner we start, the more likely it is that we can preserve tissue or save a limb. Early detection leads to better results and improved quality of life.”

One of the keys to the Advanced Wound Care Clinic’s success is its multi-disciplinary approach to treating patients. The clinic’s medical team includes 10 physicians who specialize in a range of medical fields, including vascular care, infectious diseases, neurology, plastic surgery, podiatry and more. “One patient, one chart and 10 physicians,” says Dr. Desai. “Because a slow-healing wound is often a sign of an underlying medical condition, each of us is involved with every patient, and we work together to ensure that we are developing the best treatment plan for each patient’s unique situation. Our communication with one another and with our patients is critical to achieving success.”

The Advanced Wound Care Clinic is onsite at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, which allows for easy access to imaging and lab services if needed. “We can use all the available technological resources and medical expertise here at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital to help our patients, which is something offsite clinics can’t match,” says Dr. Desai.

Most importantly, he says, it is critical for the community to understand the value that the Advanced Wound Care Clinic at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital can provide.

“We have the ability to prevent many of the amputations that are taking place these days … but only if we see the patient in time,” he says. “The average diabetes patient, for example, waits 16 months before seeing a doctor for wound or ulcer treatment, because there is a real lack of public awareness about hyperbaric oxygen therapy and how it can prevent tissue and limb loss. If a person has a cut, scrape or other wound that is not healing properly after 28 days, that is an emergency and the individual should seek help. The good news is that we can often heal the wound and help the patient return to normal activity in just a short time.”

To make an appointment with Dr. Desai or Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Advanced Wound Care Clinic, call 281-275-0770.

Dr. Vincent Wang returns home to join staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

2013-04-19 00:00:00.0

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Dr. Vincent Wang has joined the staff at Texas Spine and Neurosurgery Center, located on the campus of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. He will also serve on the medical staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

Vincent Wang, M.D.

Dr. Wang joins Methodist Sugar Land Hospital from the University of California San Francisco, where he was an assistant clinical professor in neurological surgery. His major clinical focus is spinal surgery and the use of minimally invasive techniques for complex surgical cases. Dr. Wang has performed numerous spinal reconstruction surgeries on patients with spinal cord/nerve compression and spinal instability due to tumor, infection, trauma and degenerative causes.

Dr. Wang grew up in Sugar Land and is a graduate of Clements High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and his M.D. and Ph.D. from Baylor College of Medicine. He was a member of the Alpha Omega Medical Honor Society and received multiple awards, including the National Research Service Award. After medical school, he performed his residency training at University of California San Francisco and was later named to the school’s teaching staff. He also had an active clinical practice focusing on spine and neurotrauma in San Francisco.

The addition of Dr. Wang will support Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s goal in continuing to expand their neuroscience program and enable the hospital to serve more patients in Fort Bend and surrounding counties.

“Dr. Wang is an excellent physician and surgeon with a clinical background and patient-oriented approach that fit perfectly with our philosophy,” said Dr. Rajesh Bindal, founder of Texas Spine and Neurosurgery Center and medical director of the Methodist Sugar Land Neuroscience Center. “He will play a major role in the growth of our spine care and neurosurgery practice here as we continue to expand our capabilities. We welcome Dr. Wang back to Sugar Land.”

To make an appointment with Dr. Wang or another Methodist Sugar Land Hospital physician, call 281-274-7500 or visit MethodistSugarLand.com.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Cancer Center celebrates National Cancer Survivors Day with luncheon—June 7, 2013

2013-04-12 00:00:00.0

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Methodist Sugar Land Hospital will join over 14 million American cancer survivors in observing the 26th annual National Cancer Survivors Day® (NCSD) this year. Hundreds of communities worldwide will host events to celebrate life and demonstrate that there is hope. The contributions of the families, friends and health care providers who support cancer survivors will also be recognized.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Cancer Survivors Day Celebration 2012

“Come learn how surviving cancer is more than just living. It’s an attitude about life and living each day to the fullest,” says Frances Goerlich, director of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Cancer Center. “You will find our community’s NCSD event filled with joy, camaraderie, hope, compassion, faith, and love as we honor cancer survivors for their strength and courage.”

“National Cancer Survivors Day is a great opportunity for cancer survivors, caregivers, friends and family to come together and affirm the possibility of quality of life after a diagnosis of cancer,” added Clive Shkedy, M.D., radiation oncologist and medical director of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Cancer Center.

A “survivor” is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life, according to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation. Cancer survivors may face many challenges such as hindered access to cancer specialists and promising new treatments, inadequate or no insurance, financial hardships, employment problems and psychological struggles. “Despite these difficulties, cancer survivors can live active, productive lives,” says Dr. Shkedy.

Methodist Sugar Land Cancer Center welcomes all local cancer survivors, caregivers, community leaders, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital physicians and staff to join us as we honor the survivors living with a history of cancer in America today. The Cancer Survivors Day celebration and luncheon will be held Friday, June 7 from 11:45-1:00 p.m. at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s conference center. RSVP Required. Call 281-274-7500 or email SLRSVP@tmhs.org to reserve a seat.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Breast Center open house showcases new technology and staff

2013-04-12 00:00:00.0

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Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is hosting a community open house for its Breast Center on Thursday, May 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend, tour, interact with staff, see how new imaging technology works and learn what’s new in helping meet the community’s breast health needs.

Fort Bend Junior League members, who are the faces of our women’s health campaign.

New to the Breast Center in the last year are molecular breast imaging, a fourth mammography unit and a breast care navigator.

Molecular breast imaging (MBI) was added last summer making Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Breast Center the first in the greater Houston area to have the technology. The low dose MBI is a secondary diagnostic tool for women whose mammograms show suspicious findings or are difficult to interpret. This is especially applicable to women who have dense breast tissue, which is estimated to be 40 percent of mammography patients. Patients with dense breast tissue are five times more likely to develop breast cancer. Mammograms are not as effective at detecting cancer in dense breasts. Studies indicate that MBI detects three times as many cancers in dense breast tissue compared with traditional mammography.

A fourth mammography unit was installed in the Breast Center last fall to meet the growing demand from patients and reduce wait times for appointments.

The Breast Care Navigator assists patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, serving as a resource expert, helping them understand treatment options, coordinating appointments, and attending care conferences and discussions about the patient’s treatment. Maria Socci, a registered nurse with specialty training in oncology, joined the Breast Center in this role early last year.

“It’s wonderful news that women in our community recognize the importance of breast cancer screening and put their health and well-being at the top of the list of their priorities,” says Socci. “In 2012, our Breast Center provided almost 17,000 screenings, diagnostic exams and procedures to more than 10,000 patients. We look forward to serving even more women this year as we increase our capacity.”

The Breast Center opened in 2009 and moved to the new location off Town Center Boulevard on the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Campus in 2011. The Breast Center provides comprehensive care for breast health in a single location from dedicated providers and staff.

Join us for our Breast Center open house on May 23! We will have tours, refreshments, a free gift for attendees and fabulous door prizes. To RSVP, call 281-276-8568 or email SLRSVP@tmhs.org.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital celebrates National Certified Nurses Day. 2013

2013-04-12 00:00:00.0

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Methodist Sugar Land Hospital recently celebrated National Certified Nurses Day. The hospital honored over 168 certified nurses for their knowledge, skills and experience demonstrated by achieving certification in a nursing specialty to promote optimal health outcomes for patients.

Honoring Nurses at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital for National Certified Nurses Day

March 19th has been declared National Certified Nurses Day to create a special day of recognition and celebration for certified nurses around the world. First-declared by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and endorsed by the American Nurses Association, many other nursing certification organizations have signed on to participate in acknowledging the importance of certification to nursing excellence.

“Certification is a formal recognition of knowledge and experience in a particular nursing specialty,” explains Janet Leatherwood, Chief Nursing Officer at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “Certification represents a declaration of a particular individual's professional competence and a commitment to their professional development and to the patients they serve. We applaud those nurses receiving their certification which not only fosters professional growth, but also promotes career development.”

Certification of nurses plays an increasingly important role in the assurance of high standards of care for patients and their loved ones. Nursing, like health care in general, has become increasingly complex. A Registered Nurse (RN) license provides entry to general nursing practice, and the knowledge-intensive requirements of modern nursing require extensive education as well as a strong personal commitment to excellence by the nurse.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital encourages national certification for all of its nurses. There are many nursing certification specialties such as medical-surgical, pediatric, pain management, cardiovascular, oncology, hospice, case management, neonatal, labor and delivery, emergency, critical care and many others.

Please join Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and the nation’s national nursing certification organizations in honoring those hardworking, dedicated nurses for their professionalism and a job well done!

To learn more about Methodist Sugar Land Hospital visit MethodistSugarLand.com or for a physician referral, please call 281-274-7500.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital rolls out red carpet for leading physicians

2013-04-02 00:00:00.0

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Doctor’s Day Award Winners: Dr. Nicholas Desai; Dr. Lawrence Baum, III; Dr. Jeffrey Wood; Dr. Eddie Patton, Jr.; Dr. Asiya Mahmood and Dr. Ali Mahmood (not pictured: Dr. Kesavan Shan)

At its seventh annual Doctor’s Day awards ceremony, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital (MSLH) literally rolled out the red carpet for their physicians, including seven leading physicians nominated and voted on by over 900 hospital employees. In honor of Doctor’s Day, community members and hospital employees had the opportunity to participate in the MSLH “Thank a Doctor” campaign. They were able to thank a special doctor in honor of National Doctor’s Day and show their appreciation to a physician who has touched their life by writing him or her a short note. Over 300 physicians received an envelope containing thank you notes and comment cards at the event.

Seven physicians were recognized at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Doctor’s Day celebration and medical staff meeting. At the Oscars-style event in appreciation of physicians, secret envelopes revealed the winners. The physician winners then gave a small speech to recognize and thank those that voted and supported them throughout the year.

Physicians in leading roles for 2013 were announced in seven categories: Female Physician of Excellence, Dr. Asiya Mahmood, Hospitalist; Male Physician of Excellence, Dr. Ali Mahmood, Colorectal Surgeon; Best Educator, Dr. Kesavan Shan, Cardiologist; Most Respectful, Dr. Eddie Patton, Jr., Neurologist; Most Supportive of Nursing, Dr. Lawrence Baum, III, Urologist; Best Bedside Manner, Dr. Jeffrey Wood, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and Most Technologically Innovative, Dr. Nicholas Desai, Podiatrist.

Walter O’Hara, Jr., M.D.; Jennifer Pazderny, RN; Laura Caggiano, RN; Betty Gonzales, NP and Scott Rivenes, M.D.

“Our physicians bring a great deal of knowledge, skill and compassion to the residents in the Fort Bend community,” said Chris Siebenaler, CEO of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “The awards ceremony and “Thank a Doctor” campaign are just a few ways for us to recognize the incredible work our physicians do.”

“This is a true honor coming from the employees. Thank you to the wonderful nursing staff as taking care of patients is truly a team effort,” said Dr. Baum. Dr. Patton stated, “I am very honored to receive the award for most respectful, which goes back to my core beliefs and ideas. It is truly a privilege to practice here.”

It was an evening of celebration to truly express Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s gratitude and support towards their doctors.

Eddie Patton, Jr., M.D. & Timothy Sitter, M.D.

“Thank you, this is very much appreciated. Thank you for making Methodist Sugar Land Hospital a great place to work. I look forward to continuing to work with you all,” said Dr. Asiya Mahmood, winner for the Female Physician of Excellence award. Dr. Ali Mahmood, the winner of the Male Physician of Excellence award agreed stating, “It is a privilege to call you my colleagues. I really appreciate all the staff, nurses and fellow physicians.” Doctor’s Day is a nationally recognized day of celebration held in March every year to honor the healing and lifesaving work of America’s physicians.

It’s time to take stroke seriously—free stroke awareness seminar

2013-04-01 00:00:00.0

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Are you one of the millions of women who downplay stroke as a “mostly male” health problem? If so, get ready for some sobering facts.

In 2010, women accounted for 60% of all stroke-related fatalities. The truth is, stroke claims more than twice as many lives as breast cancer. Worse, a woman’s risk of stroke increases significantly once she enters menopause, and it keeps rising as she gets older.

James Ling, M.D., Medical Director of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Stroke Program

Stroke takes two forms. “Ischemic stroke occurs when a clot shuts off an artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain,” says James Ling, M.D., board certified neurologist and medical director of the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Stroke Program. “Brain damage results in the death of millions of brain cells. Ischemic clots may form close to the brain, such as in the neck, or they may form farther away, near the heart or lungs.”

The second type, a hemorrhagic stroke, occurs when a weakened blood vessel bursts, either inside the brain (intracerebral) or on its surface. Hemorrhaging blood drowns cells in nearby brain tissue. Such strokes are uncommon but are often so severe they cause death.

“In either event, stroke is the end result of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which over the years slowly narrows and weakens the arteries,” says Dr. Ling. He identifies the following as risk factors for stroke:

Untreated hypertension
Smoking
Diabetes
Bad cholesterol
Obesity

These and other risk factors such as a family history of stroke, race (particularly African-American), poor diet, lack of exercise and having other heart problems like atrial fibrillation or congestive heart failure can increase the odds of a stroke.

“Some strokes are preceded by ministrokes, called transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs,” says Dr. Ling. “They are very fast, milder versions of a full stroke and a warning of a potential major stroke in the future. TIAs require immediate medical attention.”

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® — Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients, according to evidence-based guidelines.

To learn more about the signs and symptoms of a stroke that could potentially save your life or that of a loved one, join us at our free seminar!

FREE SEMINAR

Join us for a free Stroke Awareness Seminar presented by Dr. James Ling. May 9, 6:00 p.m. at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Conference Center. There will be refreshments and door prizes for attendees. Call 281-274-7500 or email SLRSVP@tmhs.org to reserve a seat.

A new way to put an end to a pounding headache—Free Seminar

2013-04-01 00:00:00.0

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More than 45 million Americans suffer chronic, recurring headaches, resulting in medical expenses, lost work time and days spent in pain. Understanding why headaches occur is the first step to controlling them.

Eddie Patton Jr., M.D., neurologist with Methodist Sugar Land Neurology Associates

Eddie L. Patton Jr., M.D., board certified neurologist with Methodist Sugar Land Neurology Associates, identifies three headache types:

Migraine headaches. The head-banging pain of a migraine is severe, one-sided and throbbing and accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to sound, light or movement. Approximately 70 percent of migraine sufferers are women, so hormone fluctuations are often identified in attacks. Experts believe a migraine occurs within the brain itself, and once the attack begins, pain and other symptoms arise from inflammation. About one in five migraine sufferers experience aura, symptoms that may include vision disturbances; numbness or tingling; and an odd sense of smell or taste.

Tension headaches. Most headaches are related to muscle tension in the neck, back or forehead caused by poor sleep, bad posture, stress or depression. Some experts believe these headaches arise from changing levels of serotonin and endorphins. The steady, dull ache of a tension headache can be mild to moderate.

Cluster headaches. Some people suffer serial headaches that come in clusters, lasting weeks. Cluster headaches tend to be rare, affecting only one percent of the population, mostly men. The intense stabbing pain centers around one temple or eye, which may become inflamed and watery. Most sufferers get one to four headaches a day during a cluster cycle.

Botox: A new treatment option for migraines

“Botox treatments have emerged as a new treatment option for individuals who suffer from chronic migraines,” says Dr. Patton. “This therapeutic option has been shown to decrease the frequency and severity of migraines as well as lower the need for multiple medications to control the headaches. Not just for cosmetic use anymore, this treatment is fairly safe and effective when administered by a specialist trained in its use for medical necessity.”

To learn more about different types of headaches and how to treat them, including the latest Botox treatment option, join us at our free seminar!

FREE SEMINAR

Join us for a free Migraine Relief Seminar presented by Dr. Eddie Patton Jr.,Tuesday, May 21 at 6 p.m. located at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Conference Center. There will be refreshments and door prizes for attendees. Call 281-274-7500 or email SLRSVP@tmhs.org to reserve a seat.