The Dangers of Osteoporosis and Bone Loss

What is Osteoporosis and what are the main causes. Osteoporosis occurs when bone loss is higher than bone growth, and it causes “porous bone”. Bone is living tissue is constantly growing and repairing itself. Several factors can decrease your risk of osteoporosis, including diet, different medicines, and other lethal diseases like cancer and other Autoimmune Disorders.

Sadly Osteoporosis is more common than you would think, affecting up to 54 million Americans, who suffer from low bone mass. The main risk of this disease is bone fractures and breaks, leading to permanent symptoms and pain. Such areas affected can include the hips, spine, legs and hands. Effects of the disease are more common among females and the elderly.

Broken bones and fractures can be very expensive and very painful, which is why it is important to seek out proper treatment. The good news is that several treatments and lifestyle and diet changes can improve the quality of your bones. If you feel you are suffering from poor diet or lifestyle and would like to receive a physical from one of our experienced physicians. Walk in or visit us seven days a week to speak to us about your health needs.

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is meant as general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a physician for an exact diagnosis and treatment. 

What is the Flu?

We’ve all had the flu and it’s a very unhappy experience. But what is it exactly? First, the flu and the common cold are two different things all together. The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus that infects the respiratory system such as the throat, nose and lungs. The Flu is spread more commonly thru the air when a person sneezes and less commonly when an person touches a surface that has the flu virus on it.

The best way to avoid getting sick is by taking the flu vaccine every year. However for people infected with the illness, it is recommended that they sneeze into tissues and wash their hands to prevent infecting others around them.

Some common traits and symptoms of the flu include: Fever, Sore throat, body aches, tiredness, runny or stuffy nose and headaches. While the flu isn’t a lethal illness, it can affect children and the elderly more negatively than others. If you feel you are suffering from any of these symptoms and for expert care, please call us any day of the week.

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is meant as general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a physician for an exact diagnosis and treatment. 

Kidney Stones – Effects & Symptoms

Kidney stones are very common and can be very painful. They are small stones that form in the kidneys, made up of minerals and salts. They may produce no symptoms until they move into the urinary tract and can cause additional pain and complications. Some symptoms related to having kidney stones include, severe pain in the side or back of ribs. Pain during urination, pink or red urine, urinating more than usual as well as fever or chills.

Passing a kidney stone can be very painful but it usually doesn’t cause any permanent damage. However some stones can become lodged, requiring surgery. Several factors can increase the chance of getting kidney stones such as dehydration, digestive diseases, obesity and family history of kidney stones. Diets high in protein, sodium and sugar can also increase your risks.

If you feel you are experiencing symptoms related to kidney stones, contact us at your earliest convenience.

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is meant as general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a physician for an exact diagnosis and treatment. 

Gallstones

Gallstones are small stones that form in the gallbladder or bile duct. They are the result of high cholesterol consumption in the body. People who suffer from obesity or high cholesterol are a high risk of it. These small stones can be hard to detect and can go undetected for years. Often times they are found by mistake thru the treatment of other ailments. Some symptoms of gallstones include:

– a right pain in the top right part of the abdomen
– pain on the right shoulder
– nausea
– vomiting

Gallstones are made up of cholesterol, and can develop from an over-consumption of cholesterol and bad foods. Reducing consumption of saturated fats or bad fats is a great way to avoid gallstones. Often times, treatment for gallstones is not necessary unless there is blockage or inflammation. If you feel any familiar symptoms of gallstones such as weird pains in your upper right abdomen, please pay us a visit. We have many board certified doctors that can help you with any of your ailments, no appointment necessary.

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is meant as general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a physician for an exact diagnosis and treatment. 

Measles – Symptoms & Effects

With the recent outbreaks of Measles you might not be completely aware of its effects and symptoms. Measles is very contagious, it spreads very, very quickly when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be very dangerous for children under 5, however adults who are not vaccinated can become infected. 1 out of 4 adults infected with Measles end up hospitalized.

Measles can be prevented with a MMR vaccine. It is important for children to be vaccinated, however teens and adults should also stay up to date with their MMR vaccination. Infected people will initially develop a cough, runny nose, fever and red eyes, after which time tine red spots break out on your body.

If you feel you might be suffering from the effects of Measles, get to a hospital ASAP. It is a very infectious disease and can be deadly to young children. If you need a checkup or would like to receive a vaccination, visit us anytime. No appointment necessary.

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is meant as general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a physician for an exact diagnosis and treatment. 

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer develops on the large intestine, It can be hard to detect in the early stages, and it often shows up as a polyp in the early stages. If left untreated it can spread to other organs, like the liver and even the lungs. Depending on your age, or if you experience any rectal bleeding or blood in your stool, it is important to get a medical screening.

Some symptoms include unexplained abdominal pain, bloody stool, unexplained fatigue, weight loss, and changes in bowel habits like diarrhea and constipation that last over several days. People of all ages can suffer from colon cancer, but if your over 50, it is highly recommended that you get screened. Over 100k people a year are diagnosed with this particular disease.

People who smoke, drink, have a low quality diet and exercise can be at a higher risk of suffering from this disease. If you suffer from any of these symptoms please consult with a physician immediately. Treatment can include chemotherapy or surgery, but it is important to get diagnosed as soon as possible. If you need additional advice or to visit one of our board certified physicians, simply visit us, no appointment necessary.

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is meant as general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a physician for an exact diagnosis and treatment. 

Symptoms of Ulcers

Ulcers, known as Peptic ulcers in the medical community come in two types, Gastric and Duodental ulcers. The most common symptom of an ulcer is stomach pain. An ulcer is an open sore that develops in the inside of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. Gastric ulcers occur on the stomach portion and Duodenal ulcers occur on the upper part of the small intestine.

Even though a small number of individuals with ulcers don’t have any symptoms. Other people can experience severe symptoms such as vomiting blood, trouble breathing, weight loss, a feeling of faintness and more. Stomach pain can become severe when the stomach is empty or when certain foods are ingested. At times an antacid can subdue the pain temporarily but the pain might return. People who smoke, drink or enjoy spicy foods are at higher risk of experiencing these symptoms.

If you suffer from chronic stomach pain, a feeling of bloating, constant belching, heartburn or nausea. Please consult with one of our physicians for proper treatment. An untreated stomach ulcer can become worse and increase discomfort. Call us or walk into our facility to speak to one of our board certified physicians for additional advice and treatment.

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is meant as general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a physician for an exact diagnosis and treatment.

Obesity – A Growing Epidemic

Obesity is a growing epidemic that affects adults, children and adolescents. It’s a growing epidemic from over a generation ago, with 30% of the world estimated to be obese. Obesity is caused by several complicated factors such as genetics, behavior, dietary patterns as well as by finance and education. People who suffer from obesity suffer higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, respiratory conditions and some types of cancer. It is a leading cause of premature death and disease.

College educated adults rank lower in obesity prevalence than those with less education. Based on race stats vary but rank close to each other. With Hispanic and African Americans averaging higher than white adults. Based on gender males rank higher in obesity than women but the numbers are close. Obesity is a growing epidemic; a poor diet can lead to several serious diseases as well as premature death. It’s important to visit your doctor and get a check up to determine if you are suffering from a bad diet.  To speak to a physician or a doctor visit us, no appointment necessary, simply stop by.

Source: https://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/obesity/affected/

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is meant as general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a physician for an exact diagnosis and treatment. 

Muscle Strain and Tears

Muscle strains are common among athletes and fitness fanatics, as well as everyday folks to enjoy recreational training. While staying fit is very important, its also very important to listen to your body and pace yourself. Muscle strains are painful and they come in three types. Type I is mild where muscle fibers are stretched or torn but the muscle conserves its normal strength. Type 2 is a moderate tear; it includes more muscle damage and includes noticeable bruising and loss of strength. Type 3 involves separation from the tendon, serious swelling and complete loss of muscle use. The damage is visible and usually includes a dent, internal bleeding and bruising.

If you suffer from a muscle strain or tear, a physician or doctor can examine the muscle to determine how much damage has occurred. This will determine the necessary treatment and recovery time needed. While you should consult with a physician if you suffer an injury, some at home treatment can be applied to the muscle. While using a towel you can initially apply cold to the swollen muscle, followed up by heat. Applying heat in the beginning of the swelling can cause more swelling and pain. Some anti-inflammatory drugs can also be taken, but please consult with your doctor before taking any medication.

In order to prevent muscle strain and muscle tear, it is important to stretch as well as warm up before an exercise. Often times muscle strains can be caused by overuse and abuse. If you suffer from muscle strain, please visit one of physicians for proper care and medication. No appointment necessary, simply walk to our facility.

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is meant as general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a physician for an exact diagnosis and treatment. 

Harmful Effects of Smoking

Cigarette smoking is very harmful to your body, it reduces your health and affects every organ in the body negatively. If you stop smoking you immediately at years to your life. Even though smoking is preventable it is also one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It leads to more deaths than HIV, Alcohol and motor vehicle injuries.

Smokers are more likely than non smokers to develop health problems such as heart disease, lung cancer, and more susceptible to having strokes. It can also affect your bones, eyesight and gums. Smoking while pregnant can be lethal to an unborn baby, causing sudden infant death syndrome, preterm, stillbirth and many other.

Quitting greatly increases your chances of preventing these diseases and many more. However quitting can be very difficult. If you like to learn more or feel you are suffering from the side effects of smoking, please consult one of our physicians for additional information.

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is meant as general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a physician for an exact diagnosis and treatment. 

Search

+