Latest news with #CHRISTUSHealth
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
CHRISTUS highlights speech therapy for communication disorders
TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) – For National Speech-Language and Hearing Month in May, CHRISTUS Health is raising awareness of communication disorders that affect people of all ages. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are crucial in diagnosing and treating speech and language difficulties, which include swallowing disorders and cognitive and social communication problems. CHRISTUS Health highlights importance of physical activity and sports participation 'Any unusual behavior that is outside of a person's normal pattern could be a sign of something more serious,' said Linda Hampton, rehabilitation manager and speech-language pathologist at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System. 'Watch for signs like slurred speech, misused words, or trouble recalling everyday terms—such as calling a cup a spoon or forgetting the name of a loved one.' Communication disorders can appear at birth or develop later in life due to conditions such as strokes, Parkinson's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These disorders can impact speech, language, and hearing, greatly impacting effective communication. SLPs help improve patients' speech, comprehension of language, and communication with others. SLPs work with each patient to formulate therapy plans based on their personal requirements and objectives. Treatment can include practicing sounds, using advanced communication methods, or improving memory and thinking abilities. Signs of Stroke: what to know for Stroke Awareness Month 'The goal is to help patients feel more confident, become more independent, and enjoy a better quality of life,' Hampton said. 'Whether it's helping a child say their first words or supporting someone learning to speak again after a stroke, we play a very important part in their recovery journey.' Timely assistance and routine therapy can also greatly boost recovery and long-term results. Patients and caretakers are urged to talk with their primary care provider about being referred to an SLP if they observe altered speech, memory, or swallowing. For more information about speech therapy or to find a primary care physician, go to Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
CHRISTUS ambulance gets trapped in Kilgore floodwater
KILGORE, Texas (KETK) — A CHRISTUS emergency medical services unit was traveling in Kilgore when their ambulance became submerged in floodwater. PHOTOS: Memorial Day severe weather leaves damage across East Texas According to a release from CHRISTUS Health, the EMS crew immediately exited the vehicle after they found themselves in rising floodwater. No patients were in the vehicle at the time and nobody was harmed. The crew is being evaluated and CHRISTUS EMS operations will proceed as usual. More than 360,000 gallons of sewage spills onto road in Tyler Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CHRISTUS Health highlights importance of physical activity and sports participation
TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)—CHRISTUS Health is raising awareness about the importance of physical activity and sports participation as it recognizes National Fitness and Sports Month in May. Aside from physical health, physical fitness also involves mental well-being and quality of life. 'Regular physical activity can prevent chronic diseases, improve mental health, and boost overall well-being,' said Colby Barron, manager of athletic training for CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System. 'It's not just about looking good. It's about feeling good and living a healthier, happier life.' Texarkana Health & Wellness Fair connects community with resources Physical activity and sports participation have crucial advantages beyond improving physical health and mental well-being. They also have social benefits and a connection to sports medicine. 'Participating in sports fosters teamwork, leadership skills, and social connections, which are essential for mental and emotional health,' said Barron. Sports medicine is critical in helping individuals recover from injuries, enhance performance, and prevent future injuries. 'Our goal is to ensure athletes can perform at their best while minimizing the risk of injury,' said Barron. 'Physical fitness and sports are more than just a goal—they're a lifestyle,' a press release stated. 'Whether it's lacing up for a morning jog, joining a local sports team, or simply moving more each day, the goal should be to push boundaries and build healthier communities.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Signs of Stroke: what to know for Stroke Awareness Month
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Strokes affect approximately 800,000 Americans annually. For National Stroke Awareness Month, CHRISTUS Health is helping people identify the signs of a stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke, and every 3 minutes and 14 seconds, someone dies from a stroke. Shreveport fails state water report again, city plans for improvements 'Identifying stroke symptoms and quickly dialing 911 can mean the difference between survival and death, or between complete recovery and lasting impairment,' said Alysce Parish, stroke program manager at CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System. A stroke, also referred to as a brain attack, is when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Stroke victims who receive care within three to four hours of the first symptoms can typically reduce or avoid major long-term disabilities. 'The sooner, the better,' Parish said. Louisiana whooping cough cases for 2025 higher than last year's total, LDH reports People can identify symptoms by remembering the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T.: B : Balance – Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination? E : Eyes – Is there sudden blurred or double vision? F : Face – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop? A : Arm – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S : Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange? T: Time – If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately, as time is crucial. Those who have a stroke are more susceptible to experiencing another one, with almost 200,000 recurrent strokes happening yearly. According to CHRISTUS Health, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and diabetes are major contributors to stroke, affecting one in three U.S. adults. How to know if your child is suffering from allergies or has a cold Those with atrial fibrillation are also more likely to experience more severe strokes compared to those with other risk factors. 'Life after stroke can be divided into three outcomes,' Parish said. 'One third of stroke survivors will experience a disability, another third will live normally, and the final third, unfortunately, will succumb to the stroke. This highlights the critical need to adhere to preventative measures to lower your stroke risk.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CHRISTUS Healthcare provides tips for managing spring allergies
Shreveport, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Spring has officially arrived, and to help people relieve some of their symptoms, CHRISTUS Health is providing some tips for managing allergies this season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 25% of Americans, or about 80 million people, suffer from seasonal allergies. Dr. Sydney Saldino, a family medicine physician with CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, said that allergy symptoms can persist year-round, depending on where you live. She noted that taking a proactive approach is key to managing symptoms before they worsen. Spring cleaning tips and tricks for your home Saldino recommends starting an antihistamine such as Claratin, Allegra, or Zyrtec early in allergy season. She also suggested rotating between different allergy medications every three months to prevent the immune system from building a tolerance. 'One of the biggest challenges we see is distinguishing between allergy symptoms and a cold, as they share congestion, sneezing, itchy throat and a runny nose,' Saldino said. 'The key difference is a cold usually includes a fever and resolves in a few days, whereas allergy symptoms can persist much longer.' For milder symptoms, Saldino suggests over-the-counter remedies such as nasal corticosteroids, saline rinses, local honey, and decongestants. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
