Medical treatment can come in a multitude of forms. One very common option to treat every part of the body is surgery. We all know that there are many types of surgery and that surgeons themselves generally specialize in one particular type or a group of surgeries that treat a particular part of the body. Now there is a new category of surgery altogether: robotic surgery.

Robotic Surgery You Say?

Robotic surgery is exactly what it sounds like. Now a robot or machine performs the actual surgical procedure in some instances. The machine is controlled by a trained surgeon, but the robot physically interacts with the patient. The surgeon is in the same room but generally sits a few feet away from the actual patient and works with an interactive display that communicates in real time with the robotic surgeon. The machine inserts thin surgical devices into the patient’s body through small incisions often just a centimeter in diameter. There are tiny cameras built into the equipment so the surgeon can actually see exactly what is going on inside the patient’s body. Robotic surgery is not available for all procedures but it is a viable option at Northwest Medical Center. We use the da Vinci® Robotic Surgery System for such procedures as:

• Hysterectomy
• Oophorectomy
• Myomectomy
• Uterine Fibroids
• Prostatectomy

What Makes Robotic Surgery Different?

Robotic Surgery is considered to be minimally invasive because of the tiny insertion points we discussed earlier. Traditional surgeries require that surgeons make large incisions to reach the interior body parts that they are working on. With robotic technology surgical equipment accesses the interior of the body through small incisions. The equipment itself is more agile and smaller than, say, human hands, so it is able to effectively reach internal portions of the body through smaller access points.

Such advancements confer multiple benefits for patients:

• Less blood loss occurs because the incisions are smaller.
• Faster recovery times are achieved; this is often a result of the smaller incisions which take considerably less time to heal.
• Improved surgical capabilities including:
  • Increased dexterity (the machine can move in ways that a human hand cannot)
  • Better visuals for the surgeon (the cameras on the equipment focus directly on the area that is being operated on)
  • More accurate physical movement (the machine can calibrate to move more precisely than a human hand allowing the surgical tools to be moved exactly as they should be)
• Reduced tremor (unintentional hand movement) during the procedure. While surgeons are known for having resoundingly steady hands, the robot can remain completely still.
• Less fatigue for surgeons that sometimes becomes a factor during surgical procedures that last for several hours.

If you think you may be a candidate for robotic surgery, or if you have questions about the procedure, please contact us at Northwest Medical Center. Visit us online or call Consult-a-Nurse for answers to your questions and free physician referrals.

SOURCES

Northwest Medical Center
The Next Generation
Da Vinci Surgery.com
Robotmatrix.org
Pub Med Central-Annals of Surgery

Stroke is a very common medical condition. While it is the third leading cause of death in the United States, it is promising to hear that there are currently well over six million stroke survivors in the United States. This is directly a result of the recovery process. If patients get timely medical treatment and adhere to their recovery plan, it is possible to have a life after stroke. The extent of the damage that occurred is the leading indicator of how much function will be lost. Just over a third of stroke survivors are able to recover with only moderate or less permanent injury.

Stages of Stroke Recovery

• Treatment- Immediately after stroke, patients are taken to the hospital. At the hospital, they receive direct medical attention to combat the stroke and prevent another stroke from occurring. Doctors use surgery, catheterization, medication or a combination thereof during treatment.
• Spontaneous Recovery- The body works to heal itself from a stroke. This stage usually starts within a few days of a stroke and can continue for several weeks. In some cases the body is able to heal and “spontaneously” restore the majority of function lost during the stroke.
• Rehabilitation- During this stage of the recovery process the patient learns to regain abilities that they lost or work with disabilities that will last forever. Physical therapists are often involved, but the patient and their loved ones are all important stakeholders. Rehabilitation begins before the patient is discharged from the hospital but often continues well after. Rehabilitation can take place at the hospital, a private center and even the patient’s home.
• Return to Life- Stroke survivors deserve to get back to their lives after their ordeal. Hopefully the damage was limited enough that they can return home. Unfortunately, about 10% of stroke survivors require constant assistance and are admitted to a special facility, nursing home or are taken care of by family. For the rest, there are often changes that need to be made to help them with life after stroke.

Many stroke survivors do get to return to their homes. It is necessary to arrange the home according to the patient’s physical abilities. While each patient will be different depending upon the damage incurred during the stroke and how well rehabilitation is going, there are some general thinking points worthy of mention.

• Stairs may be difficult for stroke survivors. Even if they can make it up by themselves, there is an increased risk that they will fall at some point and hurt themselves. If they live in an upstairs apartment, arrange for them to move to a ground-level unit. If their bedroom is upstairs in their home, find a way to create them a room downstairs. Even remember that single story houses may require walking up porch steps and install a ramp.
• Rugs and electrical cords must be out of the way. Remove them altogether if possible and move them if not. These and anything else in walkways are tripping hazards
• Redesign the bathroom. Install non-slip flooring or apply non-slip pads in the shower and out. Also install grips that the survivor can use for balance: in the tub, near the toilet and anywhere else they may need help.
• Set up multiple cordless telephones around the house. This will require the survivor to walk less when answering the phone.
• Arrange the bedroom so the bed is easy to get in and out of and clothing is easy to access. If there are any electronic devices (televisions, radios, etc.) in the room, make sure that they have working remotes.

We sincerely hope that you and your loved ones never have to deal with stroke. In the event that you do, we hope that these guidelines can familiarize you with the recovery process and provide some advice on how to assist.

If you have any questions about stroke or medical care in general, visit Northwest Medical Center online or call our Consult-A-Nurse Program® at 1-866-442-2362.

While it is a fact that about 75% of stroke victims are 65 or older, stroke is not a selective disorder. The remaining 25% of stroke victims, who are not seniors, account for about 200,000 people annually. Often stroke is grouped in with conditions that only seniors need be concerned with. The reality however is that this is simply untrue. Even if it is a senior who directly experiences the condition, their younger family members and friends are sure to be affected because of the debilitating nature of stroke. Aside from advising patients about healthy living, the medical community is constantly researching new and innovative ways of combating the effects of stroke through treatment.

Drug Treatments

Medical experts are finding new ways to use drugs to treat strokes and reduce their life altering side effects. There are also multiple drugs being tested to that are designed to prevent strokes, which is the best “treatment” in the first place.

• Treatment Drugs
  • Thrombolytic Drugs- These drugs have the ability to break up blood clots. As blood clots are generally the problem in the brain that causes decreased blood flow to the brain (which is the general definition of a stroke), such drugs could potentially shorten the length of time a stroke affects the brain and reduce the damage caused.
  • Neuroprotective Agents- This type of drug will “strengthen” the brain against stroke. Such drugs will be able to prepare the brain for the side effects of a stroke, making the brain more capable of fighting off negative effects if a stroke does take place. Researchers are developing drugs that could “reactivate” portions of the brain, specifically the molecules that aid in fighting the effects of stroke. This same medical technology could also be used against certain forms of cancer.

• Prevention Drugs
  • Anticoagulants- These drugs have the ability to thin the blood. Thinner blood is less likely to clot, thereby reducing the chance that a stroke happens or reoccurs.
  • Antiplatelets- The body is designed to cure itself of many afflictions. Sometimes the body over does it and causes injury. In the case of platelets, the body sends small yet solid pieces to troubled areas. If the body sends too many of these platelets, they can join together and cause a clot to form which causes a stroke. Researchers are working to design medications that would reduce the number of these helpful, yet potentially harmful, agents from grouping together.

Surgical Treatment

Once a stroke has occurred, it is often the job of a surgeon to save the patient. While current techniques are saving lives, the medical community is seeking to improve their ability to defend against the debilitative side effects of stroke. Surgical exploration is being pioneered on a wide variety of fronts with researchers trying any angle they can think of to defend the brain against stroke.

• Stereotactic Microsurgery for AVMs and Aneurysms- Revolutionary equipment is being developed to help surgeons locate the specific problem area in the brain. This technology helps pinpoint exactly where surgeons need to work to remove a stroke. Time is of the essence after a stroke occurs, new technology that is aimed at reducing the amount of time it takes to stop the effects of stroke are key to treatment.

Applying research and technology to stroke treatment will surely be beneficial for the health and survival rates of stroke victims. Considering that stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, advancements in stroke treatment will hold significant impact for patients and doctors. If you have any questions about stroke or medical care in general, visit Northwest Medical Center online or call our Consult-A-Nurse Program® at 1-866-442-2362.

Northwest Medical Center, hospitals Margate, hospitals north Florida, stroke treatment, stroke technology, stroke news

The third most common cause of death in adults in the United States, stroke doesn’t give people any notice that it’s about to strike, which makes it extremely dangerous.

But if you become familiar with the characteristics of stroke, you can react fast enough to call 911, and summon lifesaving medical attention for yourself or someone you care about. By acting quickly, you may also help prevent serious complications like paralysis, memory loss, and an inability to speak.

Warning: stroke!

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted.

An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot in the brain or artery to the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a weakened artery that bursts and leaks blood into the brain.

In a transient ischemic attack, the clot dissolves on its own, and no lasting damage is caused. This condition is sometimes referred to as a “warning” stroke, because it increases the chances of an ischemic stroke.

Someone having a stroke may experience one or more of the following effects very suddenly:

• Loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Mental confusion
• Trouble speaking or understanding
• Severe headache with no apparent cause
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Numbness, especially on one side of the body

Stroke risk factors

Some of the risk factors for stroke can’t be controlled, such as family history, age, and having had a previous stroke. The good news is that several other risk factors involve behaviors that can be changed, such as smoking, lack of exercise, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Still another risk factor for stroke, atherosclerosis, is also common in heart disease patients. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque, a fatty deposit, builds up in arteries that provide blood to the brain or the heart.

Depending on its severity, atherosclerosis is treated with diet and exercise, medication, minimally-invasive catheterization, and/or surgery.

Northwest Medical Center stroke care

Now that you know the signs of stroke, you can act decisively to save your life or someone else’s life. The faster stroke care begins, the better the patient’s chances are of survival and maintaining their quality of life.

The Stroke Center here at Northwest provides stroke diagnosis and treatment using the latest medicines and technologies.

This includes AngioScreen^®, a non-invasive procedure that identifies narrowed or blocked arteries in the neck and legs by using ultrasound. This test is quick and easy – you can leave your street clothes on – and you will receive a copy of the finding on a CD to show your physician.

Northwest Medical Center also offers outpatient rehabilitative services to stroke patients.

If you or a loved one would like more information about stroke, contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-866-442-2362, or visit Northwest Medical Center online.

Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women in our country. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 785,000 Americans had a first-time heart attack in 2009, and approximately 450,000 had a recurring attack.

Why heart attack happens

As people age, plaque – made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in the blood – builds in our arteries. In some adults, plaque develops into a disease called atherosclerosis. This condition is not normally noticed by the person who has it until some arteries have hardened and narrowed significantly or a blockage occurs.

Coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease, is the primary cause of heart attacks. Someone with CAD suffer pain in the location of the narrowed or blocked arteries. If the pain is in the chest region, it could indicate a heart attack. On the other hand, if the pain is in the legs or arms, it could be indicative of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). And if it’s in the neck, blood flow to the carotid arteries that feed the brain may be slowed.

There are several different kinds of heart attack. The most deadly is ST-elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI. This occurs when a clot creates a blockage in a coronary artery and interrupts blood flow to a section of the heart. If the blockage is not removed, the heart muscle can die, and serious disability or death may follow.

Haste is essential to treat a STEMI heart attack. Medical experts say that a STEMI patient should receive clot-busting medications and/or catheterization treatment no more than 90 minutes after arriving in the ER.

Detecting heart disease

There are a number of tests that can reveal CAD, PAD and atherosclerosis. Some of them are:

• Blood work – measures fat, sugar, proteins and cholesterol
• EKG – records the heart’s electrical activity
• Stress test – exercises the heart to measure its ability to pump
• Cardiac catheterization – threads a thin plastic tube into arteries to detect narrowing and blockage

Preventing heart attack

While some risk factors such as hereditary medical conditions can’t be helped, the following are controllable, allowing you to reduce your chances of having a first attack – or a second attack.

• Smoking: If you are a smoker, quit now. Also, try to avoid second-hand smoke.
• Obesity: Maintain a healthy weight, or drop pounds if you are seriously overweight.
• Blood pressure: If it’s too high, it can be brought down with weight loss and/or medications.
• Cholesterol: Get it checked! Bad cholesterol can be lowered with diet and/or medication.
• Alcohol: If you drink, do it in moderation (one drink a week for women, two for men).
• Diet: Reduce your intake of fat, salt and sugar; and increase your consumption of green vegetables and lean protein.
• Exercise: Physical activity helps manage weight and improves heart health.

If you have any questions about diagnosing and treating heart disease, or would like a physician’s referral, contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-866-442-2362, or visit Northwest Regional Medical Center online.

Take yourself back to south Chicago in 1893. Yes a different era for all of us, but one night in July of that year a new era in medicine began. A man was rushed to a hospital after having been stabbed in the chest. Daniel Hale, the attending surgeon, was brought in to save the man’s life. Hale made the decision to operate on the man’s heart and stitch the wound. Such a procedure had not been performed before and no one had any idea if it would be an effective means to saving the patient. Fifty-one days after the surgery the patient walked out of the hospital on his own accord and proceeded to live another fifty years. Open heart surgery was born. Today, open heart surgery is relatively common and it is likely that you know someone who has undergone the procedure.

Who Needs Open Heart Surgery

Your physician will decide exactly which cardiovascular procedure is right for you depending upon your condition. In some cases open heart surgery may not be necessary and your physician may recommend a less invasive procedure. If you are however a candidate for open heart surgery, there are some factors that link these procedures. Broadly defined, open heart surgery is any of the procedures in which the chest is opened and the heart muscle itself, or any of the valves or arteries that facilitate heart function, are operated on or replaced. Cardiovascular health is obviously key to blood flow and these procedures can lengthen and save lives. Some of the more common open heart surgery procedures include but are not limited to:

· Coronary Artery Bypass Graft(revascularization)- In this procedure, healthy blood vessels are taken from one part of your body and are used to replace or patch failing blood vessels that connect to the heart. These blood vessels provide an outlet for blood flow throughout the body.

· Heart Valve Procedures- Sometimes heart valves, the portions of your heart that provide the pumping action for blood flow, become blocked or leak. In either case the valve needs to be replaced. Replacements can be biological, coming from a donor, or mechanical depending upon your needs and donor availability. Northwest Medical Center is capable of multiple procedures which increase heart based circulation.

· Heart Transplant- In the event that the heart is no longer capable of regulating cardiovascular processes, doctors may opt to replace the heart altogether. If a matching donor is available patients will receive another human heart. In some cases due to recent technological advances, mechanical hearts have been used to replace biological ones

What to Expect

Open heart surgery can sound daunting, but knowing what to expect can ease the process.

1.) After consultation you will be admitted to the hospital in the day or days before your procedure. Tests will be administered to make sure you are healthy enough for the procedure such as: EKGs, chest X-Rays and blood work.

2.) Most surgeries will take between three and five hours.

3.) After the operation you will be in the ICU where you will be constantly monitored by our medical professionals. After that you will move back to a traditional room where recovery will continue.

4.) Your physician will provide you with instructions as to what you need to do at the hospital and after you go home to facilitate complete recovery.

Rest assured, after recovery most patients who had open heart surgery feel better than they did before the operation. As always your well being is our utmost concern. For more information Northwest Medical Center can be reached at 954-974-0400 or visit us here.

Some of the most innovative medical procedures being practiced today are benefitting people with cardiovascular disease. About 1.5 million Americans have a heart attack each year, and a half-million Americans die as a result.

While the earliest heart surgeries took hours and required lengthy recovery times, new medications and far less invasive techniques such as cardiac catheterization are now being used not only to fix heart conditions and defects, but also to find potential problems before they turn deadly.

Northwest Medical Center has a cardiac catheterization lab that is approved by the state of Florida to perform percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI, a form of coronary angioplasty. This surgery can be done 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Evolving technology

The use of catheters, or thin plastic tubes, to diagnose and treat heart disease is not new. In fact, the practice dates back to the 1950s. But advances in cardiac catheterization and diagnostic imaging in recent years have made this minimally-invasive procedure even more effective.

With the U.S. population aging and a growing number of Americans who are overweight, there will be more and more people with coronary heart disease (CAD), which is one of the main risk factors for heart attack. A “cath exam” is an effective diagnostic tool to see if CAD is present, and also to look inside the heart chambers to see how well they are functioning.

A patient’s complaint of chest pain is what most often prompts a physician to order a cardiac catheterization, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. But other reasons include locating narrowed or blocked arteries, treating CAD, finding heart defects present since birth, and preparing for heart surgery.

How it works

A catheter is inserted into the patient via a leg or groin artery. It is threaded into their coronary arteries, which route blood to the heart; or into the heart itself. The pressure and oxygen content of the blood is measured. A dye can also be injected through the catheter that helps physicians see the location of narrowed or blocked arteries, or problems within the heart’s chambers.

With angioplasty, a small balloon inflated in the artery pushes the plaque back against from the artery walls. If needed, the surgeon can install a small mesh tube called a stent to prop up a weak segment of the arterial wall. Both of these procedures are done to increase blood flow to the heart.

Benefits of catheterization

This technology allows physicians to see how well a patient’s heart is pumping and the condition of the person’s coronary arteries and heart valves – information that cannot usually be obtained any other way.

Armed with this data, a doctor can make decisions that can save their patients’ lives.

To learn more about the Northwest cath lab, or if you would like a physician referral, contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-866-4-HCA-DOCS, or visit Northwest Medical Center online.

Nobody expects to have a heart attack. However, many people are walking around unaware of the fact that they have certain health conditions and/or lifestyle habits putting them at increased risk for cardiac problems.

One important step you can take to help prevent a heart attack is to undergo a screening at Northwest Medical Center. While the conditions putting people at risk do not have symptoms, they can be identified and treated if they are discovered early.

Problems don’t occur overnight

Many people who suffer heart attacks have coronary artery disease (CAD), which takes years to develop. CAD occurs when fatty material called plaque builds in the arteries that deliver blood to the heart. If a blood clot occurs in one of these clogged arteries, blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle can be restricted, causing pain and fatigue; or completely stopped, causing the heart to fail.

Other conditions associated with heart attack include:

• Peripheral artery disease or PAD, which is similar to CAD and makes a person four times more likely to have a heart attack
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• Family history of heart attack

Ways to screen

Several methods are used to determine a person’s risk of a heart attack. Most are non-invasive and fairly quick, like the tests for blood pressure and PAD.

Screening for CAD can be done via stress test, in which the patient’s heart rate is measured while exercising on a treadmill; or simulating physical stress via medications, if the person is unable to exercise.

Computerized tomography, or CT scan, is especially useful in detecting CAD in younger patients, because the scan picks up calcium in arterial blockages, which is far less common in children or young adults than in the elderly.

Cutting-edge techniques

Northwest Medical Center Cardiac Services uses the latest technology to diagnose and treat heart conditions. This includes Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, or PCI; and minimally-invasive cardiac catheterization, both of which can be performed here 24 hours a day.

Genetic testing has made tremendous strides in the decade since the human genome was decoded. Genes and gene mutations have been linked with a higher risk for diabetes and colon cancer, among other health issues.

While a genetic link to heart disease has yet to be found, scientists continue to gather new ammunition in the battle against it. For example, researchers say, young migraine suffers who are abused have a better chance of developing cardiovascular disease.

On the legislative front, new consumer protections recently announced by the White House will help ensure affordable care for heart disease and stroke patients, according to the American Heart Association. Insurers may no longer set insurance coverage caps; or cancel coverage when illness strikes.

If you have questions about heart disease risk factors, or need a physician referral, contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-866-4-HCA-DOCS, or visit Northwest Medical Center online.

Stroke is the third most frequent cause of death in the United States, claiming 137,000 lives every year, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A stroke happens without warning, which makes a rapid response essential to survival and to recovery. Medical experts continue to develop new and better ways to treat this debilitating condition.

Steady progress

Despite its frequency, developments are being made in the fight against stroke. These include:

• Stroke care centers are emerging across the country: Because stroke can kill or cause serious disability, being treated right away at a primary stroke center, like the one at Northwest Medical Center, can make the difference between life and death, and quality of life.
• Risk factors are constantly being identified: According to the CDC, too much salt consumption can increase a person’s chance of stroke. So can having sickle cell disease.
• New therapies are being developed: Scientists in Europe are planning a trial in which they would inject cells developed from human fetuses into the brains of patients who have had a stroke. If the stem cells can help the brain regenerate areas damaged by their stroke, patients would then hopefully regain their mobility and mental function.
• Comprehension is growing that immediate treatment is critical: Because this is now widely known, more stroke patients have a chance to undergo life-saving interventional procedures and be given the medication tPA, which dissolves clots.

Northwest Stroke Center

As a designated Primary Stroke Center, Northwest has shown that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients. We have a dedicated stroke team that includes emergency medical doctors, nurses and neurologists who know exactly what to do, when a stroke patient comes through the doors.

Again, we cannot stress enough that speed is a necessity when a stroke occurs. If you think that you or someone you know is having a stroke, call 911 immediately.

If you have questions or would like a recommendation for a physician, contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-866-4-HCA-DOCS, or visit Northwest Medical Center online.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/Stroke/index.htm

http://www.umm.edu/video_podcasts/mht/advances_stroke_care_stern.htm

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/135917.php

http://northwestmed.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID=3B2B0377-5A50-422B-9424-D0A7D851BF51

http://thefutureofthings.com/pod/9741/penumbra-system-saves-stroke-patients.html

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4751

http://www.northwestmed.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID=C52F9E37-576E-11D4-A2E2-00508B62BE1F

http://www.northwestmed.com/

Technology has revolutionized the way we treat a variety of medical conditions, and cardiovascular care is no exception. Cardiac catheterization offers doctors an incredible tool for diagnosing heart conditions and treating even the most serious heart attacks.

The Basics of Cardiac Catheterization

During this procedure, a specialist inserts a long, thin tube (a catheter) into an artery or vein in the patient’s arm or leg. The tube can be threaded through to the patient’s heart. Depending on the patient’s medical condition, the doctor may use the catheter to diagnose a heart condition, to assess overall heart health, or to treat STEMI (the most serious kind of heart attack).

The procedure is performed in a cardiac catheterization lab, sometimes called a “cath lab.” Most hospitals do not have this special facility and the staff necessary to perform the procedure, so it’s important to research hospitals in your area before you have a heart-related medical emergency.

Diagnostic Abilities

Cardiac catheterization may be done so that the cardiologist can assess heart health. It gives insight into multiple aspects of heart health:

• How well blood is pumping through the heart
• The amount of oxygen in the blood
• How efficiently the heart muscles are working
• The presence of congenital heart defects in infants or children

Often the doctor will inject a dye through the catheter, into the chambers of the heart. The dye allows a clearer picture of how well the heart muscles are working and how blood is flowing through the heart. This procedure is called a coronary angiography or coronary arteriography.

Emergency Treatment

STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) is the most dangerous kind of heart attack, and cardiac catheterization is one of the best ways to treat it. Known as an emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary angioplasty is the use of a balloon-tipped catheter to dislodge a blockage in an artery. The catheter is inserted and threaded through to the heart, and when the catheter is located next to the blockage, the cardiologist inflates the balloon.

Timing is critical for STEMI treatment, and the national standard is to complete the emergency PCI in 90 minutes or less. Again, not all hospitals are equipped to treat STEMI patients. Northwest Medical Center has earned certification from the state to treat STEMI patients with emergency PCI, and our STEMI times consistently surpass national standards.

If you have more questions about cardiovascular care, contact Northwest Medical Center. Visit us online or call Consult-a-Nurse® at 1-866-442-2362 for free health information and physician referrals.