Treating You Well From Medical Associates Clinic BLOG HOME MEDICAL SERVICES INSURANCE SERVICES FIND A DOCTOR ABOUT US CONTACT US Childhood Respiratory Illnesses: Key Coughs Parents Should Know Children average 6-8 colds per year, with those attending daycare most likely having more. Typically, this is nothing to worry about, but coughing is a symptom of several other childhood illnesses. Coughs have key characteristics that can help you determine when it’s time to call the pediatrician. Below, we’ve outlined several common causes of a child’s cough and what action you need to take to help them on the road to recovery. The Common Cold The common cold often produces a wet, productive-sounding cough with mucus or phlegm behind it. This is good, as the action of your child coughing works to clear mucus from their airway. Other symptoms include a tickly throat, runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing. A fever is not usually present. A child with a cold also usually feels quite well, maintaining their appetite and energy levels. Specific medication is not needed for the common cold. Keep your child hydrated, have them blow their nose (gentle nose suction for infants), and rest as needed. Saline in their nose and running a cool-mist humidifier in their room at night can also help. Cough and cold medications are not routinely recommended for children. RSV RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among infants and children under 1 year of age. This virus typically begins with a fever, runny nose, a wet, forceful cough, and sometimes wheezing. However, in very young infants (less than 2 months of age), the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, poor feeding, and apnea (pauses while breathing). Call your child’s pediatrician if you notice these symptoms in your infant. The diagnosis of RSV can be made in your pediatrician’s office by doing a nasal swab. Labored breathing that is hard and fast is another sign that it’s time to call the doctor. Remember that difficulty breathing may not be something you hear, but rather something you see. Watch your child’s chest to see if it’s sinking into their ribs or forming an upside down “V” under their neck with each breath. If you see this, contact their doctor right away. RSV is highly contagious, especially for the first 3 to 8 days when symptoms are present. Be sure to keep your child home from daycare or school until they are fever free for at least 24 hours and wash their hands often. Encourage your child to cover their cough and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow. RSV can live on surfaces, so use proper hand hygiene and wipe toys and highly used objects and surfaces frequently with a disinfectant. Croup This virus causes swelling of the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). Symptoms include a low-grade fever, nose congestion, and “barking” cough in kids. Consider listening to croup on the internet if you are unsure of the sound, as the bark is very distinctive. A child can have croup at any age, but it happens more often in children under the age of 5. It’s most contagious in the first 3 days or until the fever is gone. If your child has a “barking” or seal-like cough accompanied by a high-pitched sound when inhaling or seems to be struggling to catch her breath, call your pediatrician. Mild cases of croup are treated with a single dose of an oral steroid, called dexamethasone. For severe cases, a child may need a special type of nebulizer treatment done in the office or emergency room. To ease symptoms at home, comfort your child and try to keep them calm. Irritation and crying can make croup worse. Encourage fluids and try using a cool-mist humidifier. If a coughing fit occurs, consider standing in a hot shower or even go outside at night and if the weather permits. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (only if 6 months old or older) can be used to reduce their fever. Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Pertussis is a highly contagious illness that attacks the lining of the lungs’ passages, resulting in severe inflammation and narrowing of the airways. It’s caused by bacteria and is spread through coughs and sneezes. Symptoms can be mild in the beginning, resembling a cold. But this illness is serious, and symptoms will shift to a severe cough involving intense hacking spells and gasps for breath while making a high-pitched whooping sound. Fatigue, a low-grade fever, nose congestion, apnea (pauses in breath), low heart rate, and decreased appetite are also symptoms of whooping cough. It can last anywhere from two to three months! Those with whooping cough are most contagious during early stages and up to about 2 weeks after the cough begins. The good news is that it can be prevented by a series of vaccines! Pertussis outbreaks greatly reduced after adoption of the immunization in the 1940s. Babies generally begin this vaccination series at 2 months of age but remain at high risk for severe complications until 12 months of age when they complete the vaccination series. Hospitalization is usually required when infants are infected. All healthcare workers, childcare workers, pregnant women, and their families should get a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis) shot as a precaution. Call your child’s pediatrician if your infant who has not been fully immunized has had exposure to someone with the disease, if you hear the distinct, high-pitched whooping sound in your child’s cough, or if your child’s lips or fingertips become dark or blue. Anyone that has contracted or been exposed to Pertussis should be treated with antibiotics. The medication generally does not treat or prevent the cough itself, but it will reduce the transmission of the disease to others. Early intervention is best. A sick child can be a scary thing for parents, but thankfully most coughs aren’t a sign of something serious. Teach your children to practice prevention habits like covering their coughs and sneezes and frequent hand washing. Try to avoid large crowds, touching faces with unwashed hands, and sharing cups or utensils between family members. Keep children up to date on their immunizations and home when they are ill. Monitor your sick child closely. When you notice red flags like respiratory distress, fever, or dehydration, call your pediatrician for help. The Pediatrics Department at Medical Associates is here to help. Do not hesitate to call if you are worried about a problem. Emergency calls will be taken immediately. If we cannot take a routine call, it will be returned as soon as a free moment is available. During non-office hours the Help Nurse is also always available to answer calls and advise. Sources: HealthyChildren.org CDC.gov This entry was posted in Pediatrics, Preventive Care and tagged Common Cold, Croup, Pediatric Respiratory Illness, Pediatrics, Pertussis, Respiratory Illness, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, RSV, Whooping Cough on November 11, 2021. What You Can do to Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk Breast cancer is a group of diseases that affects breast tissue. Both women and men can get breast cancer, though it is much more common in women. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. Receiving a mammogram regularly can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that average-risk women who are 50 to 74 years old should have a screening mammogram every two years. Average-risk women who are 40 to 49 years old should talk to their doctor about when to start and how often to get a screening mammogram. Many factors over the course of a lifetime can influence your breast cancer risk. Certain factors, such as your age or family history, cannot be changed, but you can help lower your risk of breast cancer by taking care of your health in the following ways: Exercise regularly (at least four hours a week). Get a good night’s sleep. Research shows that lack of nighttime sleep can be a risk factor. Don’t drink alcohol, or limit alcoholic drinks to no more than one per day. Avoid exposure to substances that promote the formation of cancer (carcinogens) and chemicals that interfere with the normal function of the body. Limit exposure to radiation from medical imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans if not medically necessary. If you are taking, or have been told to take, hormone replacement therapy, or oral contraceptives (birth control pills), ask your doctor about the risks and find out if it is right for you. Breastfeed any children you may have, if possible. If you have a family history of breast cancer or inherited changes in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, you may be at high risk for getting breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about more ways to lower your risk. Keep a healthy weight. Staying healthy throughout your life can lower your risk of developing cancer and improve your chances of surviving cancer if it occur­­­­­s. Visit www.breastcancer.org for more information or call your primary care provider if you have questions or concerns. Sources: www.breastcancer.org www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/ This entry was posted in Oncology, Preventive Care on October 14, 2021. Key Prevention Steps for Flu Season As the coronavirus drags on, another infectious disease is looming just around the corner – influenza. This viral infection, commonly referred to as the flu, has been around a lot longer than COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken seriously. It is a severe, contagious disease, but there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. Here’s what you can do to be prepared for flu season: Get your flu shot. Receiving an annual flu vaccine greatly reduces the likelihood of getting the flu and the severity of the illness for those 6 months and older. Influenza attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. Key symptoms of the flu that can set in suddenly are fever, body aches, chills, and tiredness. It’s very different from a typical cold, though. Influenza can make you much more ill, with high fevers, profound body aches, and extreme fatigue all possible. Some people may also have vomiting or diarrhea. Getting a flu vaccine in September or October will best prepare your body for winter’s peak flu season. And yes, you do need a flu shot every year. The flu virus mutates and changes from season to season. Vaccines are updated to try to best combat the strains that are most prevalent each year. Wear a mask and wash your hands. Even if you’re vaccinated – for COVID-19 and the flu – you should still wear a mask while in public. COVID-19 and the flu are spread in similar ways. Preventive actions against COVID-19 such as masking, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing have also worked to contain influenza, making last year’s flu season historically light. Many temporary laws and mandates have changed since then, making it even more important for you to stay vigilant with these preventive measures. Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth throughout the day are also good practices. Stay home when you are sick and get tested. If you find yourself suddenly bogged down with a fever and fatigue, stay home while you recuperate. This will help you avoid passing your illness onto others. It’s also important to call your doctor. Since COVID-19 and the flu have many overlapping symptoms, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, and muscle aches, your doctor’s office can let you know what to do next and if you should be tested for the flu or COVID-19. Knowing exactly what you’re dealing with will allow you to feel better faster and protect those around you. Follow your doctor’s directives and take any medication as prescribed. If you are sick with the flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness. Antiviral drugs can make flu symptoms milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia. If needed, your doctor will give you a prescription, as these drugs are not sold over the counter. They work best when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful, especially if you have a higher risk factor, such as being over 65 or if you have a chronic health condition like asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. They are not, however, a substitute for the flu vaccine. Antiviral drugs are a second line of defense that can be used to treat flu. A flu vaccine is still your best preventive method. Winter is prime time for many contagious viral illnesses and even healthy people do get sick. Thinking ahead and using preventive methods is your best line of defense. For your convenience, Medical Associates Clinic offers flu vaccine at all our clinic locations. If you have an appointment with your primary care provider this fall, ask to receive your flu shot at that time. If you do not have an appointment coming up with your primary care provider, click this link for more information on scheduling your flu vaccine. For more general information about the influenza virus, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu. Source: //www.cdc.gov/flu This entry was posted in Preventive Care and tagged Flu, Flu Prevention, Flu Season, Flu Shot, Influenza, Vaccines on October 8, 2021. Lose the “Pandemic Weight” Just as the “Freshman 15” is synonymous with the first year of college, the “Quarantine 19” has become a common way to refer to weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’ve packed on pounds since March 2020, know that you’re not alone. This trend is no surprise, as routines have been disrupted, stress has increased, and it’s unclear when or if things will ever return to normal. If you’ve felt the effects of #StayAtHomeLife after a year, there are some simple steps you can take to put that scale back in its place. Stop Snacking While You Work In March 2020, when the country went into lockdown, people who could do their jobs from home shifted quickly to work-from-home arrangements. This left people scrambling to set up a home office, and for some, the kitchen table seemed like the most convenient place. But if you’ve stayed there, sitting near the fridge and pantry means you have easy access to food and might be mindlessly snacking while you work. Studies show that distracted eating, or not paying attention while eating, causes people to eat more. To reduce the chances you’ll snack too much, create a designated workspace away from the kitchen and try to only go to the kitchen when you can sit down and enjoy your food. Being more mindful about your snacks and mealtimes will help you avoid overindulging. Start Moving More When you’re working from home and routines are thrown off, it can be hard to maintain your sanity, let alone a workout habit. Even if you can fit exercise into your day (more power to you!), the fact that you’re at home more means you don’t move as much as you did before quarantine. All of the small things you did throughout your workday added up — walks to the parking lot, extra steps during your break, running errands during lunchtime, etc. Exercise might not feel like a priority with everything else going on, but the benefits are huge. It relieves stress, boosts your immune system, and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. Any physical activity that you can fit into your day (even a five-minute walk) will be helpful to keep your weight in check and brighten your mood. Stop Underestimating Your Calorie Intake The good news is more people are cooking from home these days. The bad news is preparing three large meals a day might be adding to your calorie intake. Before the pandemic, an on-the-go lifestyle meant fitting in a quick breakfast and lunch. Dinner used to be your biggest meal, and you’d occasionally snack if you felt hungry. If you are now cooking three meals and snacking more, that adds up to more calories. If you’re like most people, you also might be turning to comfort foods such as sweets or alcohol to relieve stress. If this sounds like you, consider scaling back on the size of some meals, and make a weekly plan for meals and snacks. This will make grocery shopping easier, and it will help you avoid unhealthy options. If you order groceries online, stick to buying only what you need for the week to avoid purchasing tempting treats that will derail your progress. To see how many calories you’re really consuming, start logging what you eat in a day. Facing that number in black and white might help motivate you. Remember: even though there are plenty of disruptions out of your control, you can still take charge with healthy eating and activity. Make one change at a time and before you know it, you’ll have a new set of habits that will leave you looking and feeling better! Source: www.muhealth.org This entry was posted in COVID-19, Nutrition, Preventive Care and tagged GetHealthy, GetMoving, HealthyHabits, LoseWeight, PandemicPounds, Quarantine15 on August 31, 2021. 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