COVID-19 Vaccine Breakdown May 4, 2021 Current Events The vaccines are here! It’s been over a year since the Coronavirus turned everything upside down. The entire world went into complete lockdown, separating friends, families, and loved ones around the planet. As a whole, the world has seen over 132 million cases and more than 2 million deaths. The United States alone has over… Read More
Prepareathon – Be Ready For Hurricane Season April 27, 2021 Current Events Always be prepared. We know, we know, it's only April, but hurricane season isn't that far away. Typically hurricane season in the United States runs from June 1st to the end of November; however, just like so many other things, 2020 might have changed that. After the record-breaking 2020 hurricanes, NOAA - National Oceanic and… Read More
Infant Immunization Week April 20, 2021 Health & Wellness A brief history Vaccines are nothing new, but they date back further than you might think. Chinese societies developed the first record of inoculation in 1000 CE. The practice spread to Africa and Turkey, eventually making its way to Europe and America. In 1796, Edward Jenner, an English physician and scientist, ran with the idea… Read More
Administrative Professionals Day April 13, 2021 Meet Your Neighbors Say hello to our administrative professionals! Our dedicated staff works 24/7/365 to provide you with continuous emergency care, and we want you to get to know and love them as much as we do. April happens to bring us Administrative Professionals Day, so we're taking this opportunity to introduce you to the team that keeps… Read More
Monoclonal Covid Treatment Explained April 6, 2021 Health & Wellness Oh, what a year it has been. As we approach the year marker of COVID-19 shutting down the country, new hope for prevention and treatment is on the horizon. Even as the approval of new vaccines and treatments for the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus brings hope after a long and difficult year, it also raises several… Read More
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Common Causes and Symptoms March 23, 2021 Health & Wellness Traumatic Brain Injuries, or TBIs, are a common cause of permanent injury and death in the United States. While severity levels vary from mild to critical, it’s estimated that 1.5 million Americans sustain TBIs every year. Of those 1.5 million, over 230,000 results in hospitalization, and 50,000 result in death. Severe TBI often causes comas,… Read More
Accidental Poisoning: National Inhalants and Poison Awareness Week March 16, 2021 Dr. Mom & Dr. Dad They live in all of our homes, resting under sinks, sitting in cabinets, and stored in laundry rooms—cleaning and household products that are dangerous and potentially deadly. The third week of March is National Inhalants and Poison Awareness Week. While it was primarily created to bring awareness to the abuse of these products, there's another… Read More
Copay Vs. Coinsurance March 9, 2021 Best Neighbors Ever Understanding your healthcare coverage can feel daunting, frustrating, and even rage-inducing. Trust us; we get it. Even after you've filled out every form, sifted through all the required reading, and followed every rabbit hole to try and find an answer, it can still feel like you're at square one. According to a recent study done by… Read More
Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy March 2, 2021 Health & Wellness It's common knowledge that the kidneys are a major organ in the human body. They filter blood and remove excess waste and fluids. They also regulate the body's potassium, acid, and salt content. Kidneys produce certain hormones that affect the function of other major organs. They stimulate red blood cell production and help to control… Read More
National Eating Disorders Awareness Month February 23, 2021 Health & Wellness What are eating disorders? Eating disorders are a collection of psychiatric illnesses that also have severe physical impacts. Eating disorders often co-occur with other mental health conditions (like depression or anxiety) and have the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders - both from the physical effects the various disorders have on the body and… Read More
Early Detection Saves Lives – 5 Questions for National Self-Check Month February 16, 2021 5 Questions We hear a lot these days about “self-love” and taking time for “self-care.” One of the most important acts of self-care is performing self-checks to ensure that your body is healthy. If you don’t already have a self-check routine, now is the perfect time to start since February is National Self-Check Month. What does performing… Read More
Women and Girls in Science February 9, 2021 Meet Your Neighbors In honor of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we introduce some of the great women who work in the science of healthcare every day in our centers. As only 35% of students enrolled in STEM education, we recognize these women as great role models for girls in science education & beyond.… Read More
National Burn Awareness Week – Burn Prevention and Treatment for Children February 2, 2021 Dr. Mom & Dr. Dad Burn Prevention and Burn Treatment for Kids Many people have, or know someone who has, a story about learning the concept of ‘hot’ as a child through getting burned. 300 children ages 0-19 are treated in emergency rooms every day for injuries related to burns. Increased public awareness about burns has helped to lower the… Read More
Bath Safety to Ensure Family Fun January 26, 2021 Dr. Mom & Dr. Dad Bath time can be fun for the whole family. Most kids love to splash and play in the water, and many parents love a warm bath for its calming effects that help lull kids to sleep. To ensure the safety of your children (and most fun!) during bath time, follow these important tips. Always gather… Read More
Should I Donate Blood? January 19, 2021 Health & Wellness Did you know that January is Blood Donor Awareness month? Blood donation is an important, life-saving donation for which there is no substitute. One in seven people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lifetime, but only one in twenty of those who are eligible will donate. So, why should you donate… Read More
The Importance of Cervical Cancer Screening January 12, 2021 Health & Wellness Approximately 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. While formerly the most common cause of cancer deaths in women, cervical cancer deaths have been steadily on the decline, thanks in part to awareness about the disease and screening. Learn more about cervical cancer and prevention during cervical cancer awareness month, and make sure… Read More
5 Questions to Achieve a Healthy Weight January 5, 2021 5 Questions It’s the new year, when many people are thinking about resolutions - especially around their health and weight. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise is a great goal. If you find yourself in this group, make sure that you are setting yourself up for long-term success by setting realistic, incremental… Read More
Immune Support to Keep you Healthy This Winter December 29, 2020 Health & Wellness Your immune system defends you against pathogens - microorganisms that make you ill. How your immune system responds to germs and pathogens determines whether you get sick and how long you feel bad. So, can you ‘boost’ your immune system to make sure that it can keep you from getting sick? Let’s start with understanding… Read More
Support for Seasonal Affective Disorder December 23, 2020 Health & Wellness Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that is associated with the winter months when cooler weather and shorter days cause feelings of sadness, low energy, and other symptoms associated with depression. SAD is thought to be triggered by lower levels of serotonin, due to reduced sunlight, a disruption in melatonin, and… Read More
5 Questions for…. Creating a Holiday Emergency Plan December 15, 2020 5 Questions We all want to have enjoyable holidays, whether we’re creating memories with our friends or families, starting new traditions, or merely taking a needed break from our daily lives. No one wants a memorable holiday because of an emergency. While not all emergencies are avoidable, the 5 questions below can help you plan your holidays… Read More
Emergency Insurance Coverage in Texas December 4, 2020 Best Neighbors Ever Insurance coverage and medical billing are topics that we - understandably - get many questions on. Even as medical professionals, we can get confused by insurance language (luckily, we have a whole team of experts to help us and YOU navigate billing and insurance). Because the topic is complicated, we try to help our communities… Read More
The Different Types of Diabetes November 23, 2020 Health & Wellness Diabetes is a chronic disease that develops when your body either does not make insulin or cannot use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone created by the pancreas and helps the body to pass glucose (sugar) from our food into the bloodstream to be used by the body. When this process doesn’t work… Read More
6 Questions for… Recognizing Alzheimer’s Disease November 18, 2020 5 Questions Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia frequently recognized by its hallmark forgetfulness. But Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease that - different from standard age-related memory problems - starts a decade or more before symptoms of cognitive impairment appear. In this edition of our ‘5 Questions’ series, we’ll look at six (yes, more than… Read More
Insurance: What’s the Difference Between ‘Accepted’ and ‘In-Network’ Insurance? November 13, 2020 Best Neighbors Ever We know that health insurance is a complicated topic and we work hard to try to be informative about health insurance in general and transparent about our specific billing policies. We’ve covered information you should know before purchasing health insurance, but we’re excited to now be in-network with several insurance companies! Since we know that… Read More
Rad Tech Week November 10, 2020 Meet Your Neighbors It’s Rad Tech week! Neighbors Emergency Center has amazing Rad Techs that help provide the very best in emergency care for our patients. But you may be asking yourself… what IS a Rad Tech? What does a Rad Tech do? Rad Tech stands for Radiologic Technologist. Rad Techs are health care professionals who operate the… Read More
First Aid for Someone Who is Having a Seizure November 2, 2020 Dr. Mom & Dr. Dad November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and since 65 million people around the world - including 3.4 million in the US - have epilepsy, it’s likely that at some point in your life you will know someone with epilepsy, and possibly witness a seizure. Whether it’s a family member or friend, or a situation you witness… Read More
The Importance of Liver Health October 27, 2020 Health & Wellness Despite the fact that your liver is approximately the size of a football and one of your most important organs (you can’t live for a week without it!), many people don’t give it a second thought - until it’s not functioning optimally. Your liver helps to metabolize your food, remove toxins from your body, adjust… Read More
What is the Difference Between a Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest? October 22, 2020 Health & Wellness October is Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month. Did you know that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and a heart attack are not the same things? Because the cause of sudden cardiac arrest is different, it should be treated differently. In both instances, fast action can help save lives so it’s important to recognize the symptoms and take… Read More
Organizing Your Medical Info For Emergencies October 8, 2020 5 Questions When someone is having a health emergency, it is often difficult to think clearly and decide on the best course of action. In the action that is unfolding, it is easy to forget the important information that the medical and facility staff may need to know in order to provide the best possible treatment. Information… Read More
The Importance of Getting Your Flu Shot October 2, 2020 Current Events “It’s time to get your flu shot!” You’re probably used to hearing those words every year about this time. There are many reasons why getting your flu shot is important every year, but even more so this year during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll explain why the flu shot is important, and how it can keep… Read More
Women’s Health & Fitness Day September 30, 2020 Health & Wellness National Women’s Health and Fitness Day is observed on the last Wednesday in September every year. Most years, it is observed with large local fitness events to encourage community support of your personal health journey. This year will look a little different but as your neighborhood health resource, we want to encourage you on your… Read More
Kids Take Over the Kitchen – Teaching Healthy Cooking to Help Combat Childhood Obesity September 13, 2020 Dr. Mom & Dr. Dad It’s Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day, right in the middle of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Childhood obesity is a prevalent issue in the US and places children at risk for poor health throughout life. One of the best ways to combat childhood obesity and its lifelong effects is to establish healthy eating habits… Read More
Keeping Kids Safe During National Childhood Injury Prevention Week September 1, 2020 Best Neighbors Ever The first week of September marks National Childhood Injury Prevention week. Injury is the leading cause of death in children, but the good news is that the majority of childhood injuries are preventable. Here are some of the biggest injury categories, and tips to keep your kids safe: PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLE SAFETY:Start early, teaching children… Read More
Understanding Vaccines August 25, 2020 Health & Wellness The Coronavirus has sparked renewed conversation around vaccines and their development, as medical researchers race to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. There is a significant amount of misinformation on the Internet, so we’re dispelling myths and explaining the basics of vaccinations and immunity. What is a vaccine?First things first - what is a vaccine? A… Read More
Keeping Your Kids Safe as They Head Back to School August 17, 2020 Current Events The spread of Coronavirus has affected all aspects of our daily lives, including what it may look like to return to school in a few weeks. Kids may only be returning to campuses part-time, or to significantly reduced class sizes. What should you do to prepare your kids for returning to school in the midst… Read More
Prevent Drowning With These Pool Safety Tips August 12, 2020 Dr. Mom & Dr. Dad It’s August in Texas, and it is HOT. Many people choose to head to the pool to cool off. But pools can pose a serious hazard. In the United States, drowning accounts for about 10 deaths per day, with one in five occurring in children 14 or younger. The majority of these deaths occur at… Read More
Tips for Exercising with Your Kids during Exercise with Your Child Week August 4, 2020 Health & Wellness Today marks the beginning of Exercise With Your Child week, a national initiative to create active, healthy kids (and parents, too!). Kids and adolescents should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. While this can be achieved during active play, there are benefits to exercising with your children. Setting a positive example… Read More
Why Curbside Testing? July 30, 2020 Best Neighbors Ever There is a lot of confusion and sometimes deception in medical billing. There are many reasons for both of these outcomes that we won’t get into here; however, as we roll out curbside COVID testing at our locations, we have heard of other facilities that are using some questionable billing practices for Coronavirus testing. We… Read More
Options to Address Your Healthcare Needs During COVID-19 July 28, 2020 Best Neighbors Ever As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect society, people are wondering - what about my healthcare needs? Some people have prescriptions that require refills and need to visit physicians, some have mental healthcare needs that should not be put on hold long-term, and some are even experiencing emergencies that need immediate attention. So, what are… Read More
COVID-19 Testing Explained July 21, 2020 Best Neighbors Ever, Current Events, Health & Wellness Testing for COVID-19 has been an understandably popular topic in traditional and social media alike, complete with misinformation and plenty of questions. Since this is a topic we get many questions about, we wanted to address the different types of testing available, how the tests work, and at what stage of infection they should be… Read More
The Risks of Stress Eating and Drinking July 13, 2020 Health & Wellness During times of high-stress, people often turn to comfort food or alcohol in an attempt to alleviate their stress. Many people have reported stress eating or drinking - or both - during the COVID pandemic and stay-at-home orders. But did you know there is a biological reason (in addition to psychological reasons) why people turn… Read More
5 Questions…for Returning to the Office during the Covid-19 pandemic July 8, 2020 5 Questions Employers are starting to reopen offices, with employees returning to work on a partial or full schedule. As you prepare to return back to your office, make sure that you are asking your employer or building manager the following questions to ensure your health and safety: 1. How is cleaning and sanitization being adjusted to… Read More
Summer Travel Safety During the Coronavirus Pandemic July 3, 2020 Current Events Between travel restrictions and quarantines overseas - and even some domestic - vacations have been disrupted for the foreseeable future. Experts are still advising against non-essential travel, as some parts of the US are starting to experience a second increase in COVID cases. But with many people starting to express frustration with being at home,… Read More
5 Questions – When Shopping For Health Insurance June 28, 2020 5 Questions Health insurance is complicated; it’s complicated for us, and we’re healthcare professionals. So we understand the anxiety and frustration that comes with understanding your insurance coverage and medical bills. To help our communities, we provide billing advocates that can help you navigate your insurance coverage and work with you on your bill. In addition, we… Read More
Symptoms of… Dehydration June 23, 2020 Health & Wellness While we may have just barely passed the summer solstice, we’re well into the depths of summer here in the Texas Gulf Coast. There’s no other way to put it - it’s HOT out there, and it will be for the next several months. With the heat and humidity only intensifying over the next few… Read More
Make Men’s Health a Priority June 15, 2020 Dr. Mom & Dr. Dad In addition to June being the month that we celebrate Father’s Day, it’s also Men’s Health Month. That’s right - we get an entire month to remind us that in order to be healthy and around for our families, we have to take care of ourselves. This is because men are statistically less likely to… Read More
Monthly Health Tips – Summer Sun Safety June 5, 2020 Health & Wellness It’s June in Texas, which means sun - and lots of it! Texans know that the summer heat and sun are no joke. Overexposure to heat and sun can cause a host of health issues, ranging from dehydration and heatstroke, to sunburns and skin cancer. We’ll cover symptoms of dehydration later in the month. For… Read More
Screen Time Guidelines For At-Home Learning May 25, 2020 Dr. Mom & Dr. Dad Screens have steadily become more and more common in daily life starting with the TV in the 1950s. Americans have steadily increased the number of screens they own, from one TV up to multiple TVs, computers, tablets, and phones. Many adults who work in offices find themselves in front of a screen for the majority… Read More
Symptoms of Stroke in Women May 20, 2020 Health & Wellness Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the US. Many people have become familiar with stoke and the most common warning symptoms associated with them, thanks to the acronym F.A.S.T: Did you know that women still account for nearly 60% of all stroke deaths? This may be because women tend… Read More
Best. Nurses. Ever. May 5, 2020 Meet Your Neighbors It’s National Nurses Week, and we would be remiss if we didn’t recognize the fantastic nursing staff that keep our emergency centers running in top form. They take phenomenal care of our patients, and we couldn’t be more thankful to them for their grace under pressure, the warmth they extend to our patients, and their… Read More
Physical Activity for Mental Health While Staying Home May 2, 2020 Health & Wellness While we know that physical activity is important for the health of your body, did you know that National Fitness Day and Mental Health Awareness month go hand-in-hand? While certainly not a ‘cure’ for all mental health issues, exercise has been proven to help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Reduction in these symptoms can… Read More
Allergies, Cold, or Coronavirus? April 20, 2020 Health & Wellness It’s springtime in Houston - the weather has warmed, and all the trees are leafing out. Which means that many Houstonians are suffering from seasonal allergies- especially those who are allergic to tree pollen, which is extremely high. In addition to the regular seasonal cold and flu, the current coronavirus situation has many Houstonians concerned… Read More
Symptoms of…. Appendicitis April 9, 2020 Health & Wellness When is that belly ache more than a passing pain? Appendicitis is an inflammation of the intestinal lining of the appendix, a small finger-shaped flap of skin that is affixed to the end of the colon. Doctors don’t really know the purpose of the appendix, but it occurs most often in children aged 10 -… Read More
Parenting in the Time of Coronavirus April 7, 2020 Dr. Mom & Dr. Dad How to support your kids during the COVID-19 Pandemic We are certainly living in unprecedented times. And while the childless are going on about how much extra time they have to teach themselves knitting or French, those of us with children are possibly finding ourselves now working, parenting, and trying to teach from home. We’re also… Read More
Spring Coloring Pages March 25, 2020 Best Neighbors Ever Download and print these coloring pages for a creative activity for all ages! Read More
Meet Your Neighbors – Our Phenomenal Physicians March 24, 2020 Meet Your Neighbors Meet the Docs Helping Neighbors to Make Lives Better National Physicians Week celebrates the doctors who have dedicated their lives to healing and the art of medicine. At Neighbors, we are proud of the phenomenal physicians that promote our mission of providing extraordinary healthcare in the community. To celebrate our physicians, we’d like to introduce you… Read More
Symptoms of Blood Clots March 18, 2020 Health & Wellness What is a blood clot and how do I know if I have one? A blood clot, or “Deep Vein Thrombosis”, is a condition that happens when blood forms a solid mass (a ‘clot’) in a vein deep within your body. This is most common in a thigh or calf, but can also occur in… Read More
COVID-19 Resources & FAQ March 17, 2020 Current Events, Featured IMPORTANT - CALL FIRST AND FOLLOW MEDICAL INSTRUCTIONSPlease call before arriving to any medical facility if you believe you have been exposed to or contracted Coronavirus. You may be instructed to stay home. Follow the instructions given to you by healthcare providers. Most cases have mild, flu-like symptoms and can be treated at home with… Read More
Let’s Rodeo Houston, but Make it Healthy March 9, 2020 Current Events Update: The Houston Rodeo has now been canceled due to Coronavirus. Follow These Tips to Ensure You’re Living Your Best Rodeo Life It’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season! As one of the largest rodeos in the country, Rodeo Houston is as authentic a Texan experience as you can get. Whether you are most looking… Read More
Preventing Poisoning in Children March 3, 2020 Dr. Mom & Dr. Dad Dr. Mom Helps You “Poison-Proof” Your House Did you know that poisonings in children under the age of 6 accounted for nearly half of all poison exposures in 2018? Protecting our kids is important. Below are some tips to help “poison-proof” your house: Most Important:Children will swallow anything! During childhood development, the mouth serves an… Read More
Respiratory Infections in Kids February 27, 2020 Dr. Mom & Dr. Dad Most parents know that kids are excellent incubators and tend to catch and share their illnesses, especially with each other. Respiratory infections are very common, and can be difficult to differentiate because of similar or overlapping symptoms. Some symptoms can even be quite scary - like a high fever. Here are some tips to help… Read More
Coronavirus February 17, 2020 Current Events, Featured Neighbors Emergency Centers is monitoring the Coronavirus closely via the Centers for Disease Control. We understand that news of new diseases can be concerning, so we have compiled the most useful information for our communities. What is Coronavirus?A virus identified in Wuhan, China late in 2019, it is officially titled COVID-19. From China, the virus… Read More
Heart Disease February 13, 2020 5 Questions At Neighbors Emergency Center, we know that when you or your loved one are facing a serious medical situation, it can make it hard to recall all the questions you need answered. To help you remember the most essential questions you need answers to, we’ve developed this series, “5 Questions for….” If you are concerned… Read More
Protect Your Heart February 12, 2020 Health & Wellness Did you know that women are naturally at a higher risk for heart disease? It’s true. And heart disease is the #1 killer in women. But the good news is that 80% of cardiac events (such as cardiac arrest, heart attack, stroke) are preventable. Do you know the top signs of heart disease? We’ve listed… Read More