Newsroom

While Spring brings sunshine, emerging greenery and longer days, many people dread this season for the sinus pressure, headaches, itchy eyes and respiratory problems it brings. More than 50 million people suffer with nasal allergies and half of those also have seasonal pollen allergies, according to The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), which recently released a listing of the most challenging places in the country to live with allergies. “South Texas’ warm climate and abundant vegetation... ... Read More

We’ve all experienced the tiredness and lack of clarity that comes from a sleepless night, but a study published last year by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology Foundation found that sleep schedule inconsistency is also a risk factor for heart disease. Dr. Imran Shaikh, a physician with DeTar Family Medicine Center, is making sure patients know how important it is to establish a regular pattern for going to bed and waking up. The cardiovascular system exhibits strong circadian rhythms, bi... ... Read More

The thought of having surgery for a nagging injury or lingering pain can make some patients feel uneasy. But, as many experts have said over the last few months, it is extremely important not to neglect medical needs during the pandemic. Patients can feel confident seeking the medical care they need at DeTar Healthcare System. Numerous steps have been put in place to keep patients safe during their visits, including: Screening all visitors for COVID-19 exposure and symptoms before they are allowed to en... ... Read More

VICTORIA, Texas – If you’ve put off seeing your doctor for fear of catching or spreading the COVID-19 virus, DeTar Medical Group family medicine physician Dr. Javier Vazquez-Ortiz wants you to know it’s safe and important to come in. Precautions for your safety include masking of all patients and providers, checking temperature of all clinic visitors, screening clinic staff multiple at each shift, pre-visit calling to ask screening questions, asking that only the patient comes in, and enhanced cleaning ... ... Read More

DeTar Healthcare System has received the Mission: Lifeline® NSTEMI Silver Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer heart attacks. The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program’s goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 9-1-1 call, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. The initiative ... ... Read More

by: Anupamjeet Sekhon, M.D. If you’re thinking, “A colonoscopy?! Isn’t that a test for OLD people?,” you may want to take a closer look at recent news from the American Cancer Society. The ACS this year altered their recommendation for timing of a first-time colon cancer screening from age 50 to age 45, for those at average risk of cancer. The change was directly tied to the rising number of younger adults being diagnosed with colorectal cancers – including many with no family history of the disease. Co... ... Read More

The impact of obesity on diabetes cannot be overestimated. More than 20 million people in the U.S. currently have diabetes, and obesity has been found to lead to 90 percent of type II diabetes. Diabetes is one of the top ten leading causes of U.S. deaths. One out of ten health care dollars is attributed to diabetes. People with diabetes typically have health expenditures that are 2.3 times higher than non-diabetics. Approximately 90 percent of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the most common form of dia... ... Read More

DeTar Hospital North has taken a giant step towards improving the health of newborns and infants by earning the Texas Ten Step Program facility designation from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The Texas Ten Step Program encourages breastfeeding as the preferred method of feeding for newborns and infants. DeTar Hospital North joins a growing number of Texas birth facilities that are supporting new mothers and their decision to breastfeed. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO)/ UNIC... ... Read More

Strokes, which some call a “Brain attack,” continue to be a leading cause of death among Americans one of every 19, and they are the number one cause of disability in this country. Strokes have two causes: a blockage in a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain or by a burst within a blood vessel resulting in bleeding. The good news is that nearly 75% of strokes can be prevented by making lifestyle changes. So it’s important to know your personal risk factors and make strides to aggressively modif... ... Read More

We live in a hectic world. The constant demands of technology and life's many responsibilities can become overwhelming. Looking for a much-needed reprieve? Visit Mother Nature. Ongoing research suggests that the natural world may benefit your brain. Nature and your brain If you've ever felt better after strolling through a park or another green space, you may have experienced firsthand the soothing effects of nature. A review of 25 studies on nature and health points to this restorative potential. Resea... ... Read More