admin, Author at On Call Medical Clinic

Heat-Related Illnesses In The Hot Summer Months

heat-related illnesses

We all love to get out and work in the yard, start a building project outdoors, or just relax in the sun during the summer months. We however forget to always prepare ourselves for the sun’s rays and heat. Hyperthermia, (heat-related illness) is common when we overdue it. We at On Call Medical Clinic want to make you aware of what the illnesses can be from becoming overheated as well as the symptoms to be on the lookout for.

Hyperthermia is overheating of the body. This occurs as a result of heat exposure. Here are heat-related illnesses.

Heat Stroke
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Cramp
Heat Syncope (fainting)
Heat Rash

Heat Stroke is the most severe of all heat-related illnesses and this requires immediate medical attention.

The elderly, infants and young children, the obese, outdoor workers, and those with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk.

Signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses vary based on the condition, but they include the following

An elevated body temperature
Headaches
Nausea
Weakness
Dizziness
Fainting
Muscle Cramps
Seizures
Confusion
Coma

Treatment includes moving the individual out of a hot environment. Implementing cooling measures, rest, and rehydration.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 7,415 deaths due to heat-related illnesses in the USA from 1999 to 2010, which is an average of 618 deaths per year. So, become overheated is not something to take lightly.

The key to preventing heat-related illnesses is proper planning and preparation. Taking in increased amounts of fluids, wearing appropriate clothing and sunscreens are always helpful.

If you have any of the above heat-related symptoms, we at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. Please call us at 228 818-5115, one of our medical staff is ready to answer your call and set up an appointment. You are also welcome to visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to review all the medical services we offer.

Mosquitoes This Hot Summer

mosquitoes

The hot damp summer has been a breeding ground for mosquitoes along the Gulf Coast. Mosquito bites can be a concern to you and your family. We at On Call Medical Clinic would like to share the most common illnesses associated with a mosquito bite for your information.

West Nile Virus

Most people who get West Nile virus don’t have any symptoms. About 1 in 5 will have a fever and other flu-like symptoms. Feeling worn out could take months to go away completely. A few people get a more serious infection that causes brain swelling, or meningitis. There’s a very small chance you could die.

People in 48 of the 50 U.S. states, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and West and Central Asia have had West Nile.

Encephalitis

Mosquitoes can pass on viruses that cause inflammation around your brain and spinal cord. (The brain swelling with a serious West Nile infection is a kind of encephalitis.)

What type you could get depends on where you are:

LaCrosse — the 13 states east of the Mississippi River
Louis — throughout the U.S., especially Florida and Gulf of Mexico states
Eastern Equine — Atlantic, Gulf Coast, and Great Lakes states; the Caribbean; Central and South America
Western Equine — states west of the Mississippi River, areas of Canada and Mexico
Japanese — Asia and the Western Pacific

Zika Virus

First found in Africa in the 1940s, this virus has spread to South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Most people don’t know they have Zika. The symptoms are mild and usually run their course in less than a week. You may have a fever, joint or muscle pain, pinkeye, or a rash.

The virus has been linked to more serious problems: cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome and a birth defect called microcephaly.

If you have been bitten by mosquitoes and are feeling any of the symptoms mentioned above, we at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. We have a complete on-premise laboratory, which helps us quickly diagnosis your illness. Please call us at 228 818-5155, one of our medical staff is ready to answer your call and set up an appointment. You are also welcome to visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to review all the medical services we offer.

Earwax- Should I Remove It

earwax

The No. 1 job of that yellow, gooey stuff inside your ears is to keep them healthy. Earwax stops dust, dirt, bugs, and other crud from getting into your ear canal. It also protects ears from infection.

You should not put a cotton swap or anything else into your ear. If the object is pointed, it can puncture your eardrum and damage the small bones inside your ear. You want to be sure and not push the wax farther in. This could cuase it to harden and cause pain and hearing problems.

You should not remove the ear wax unless it is brown or black or white and faljy. This could be a sign of an infection in your ear.

You make be wondering where the ear wax is made. The outer third of your ear is a 3-centimeter tunnel. The skin in it has special glands that make earwax.

So what is the best way to move old wax out of your ear. Well guess what every time you chew or move your jaw, you are helping old earwax from your ear canal to your ear opening. The wax will then dry and fall out on its on.

If you still feel like you have too much earwax, try using hydrogen peroxide, ear drops, mineral oil, or saline solution inside your ear. These will help dissolve the wax or soften it. You can mix hydrogen peroxide and water equally and put 5 drops in your ear each night. Lie on your side and the the solution soak in.

Eczema can make your skin dry and flaky, and dry skin can make your earwax hard. Wax that has been in your ear for a long period of time can pick up a lot of dirt that makes it become hard.

We hope this information was helpful. Remember for all those minor illnesses or injuries, We at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical services we offer as well as skin care treatments.

Sunburn Be Careful on the 4th of July

sunburn

The 4^th of July is approaching quickly. So enjoy the great outdoors and the beach but be careful not to sunburn. Sunburn can be mild, moderate, or severe as well as affect the quality of your skin.

The length of time a sunburn lasts depends on its severity.

Mild sunburnsusually come with redness and some pain, which can last anywhere from three to five days. Your skin may also peel a bit towards the last couple of days as your skin regenerates.
Moderate sunburnsare typically more painful. The skin will be red, swollen, and hot to the touch. Moderate sunburns typically take about a week to heal completely. The skin may then continue to peel for a few more days.
Severe sunburnssometimes require a visit to a doctor or even a hospital. You’ll have painful blistering and very red skin. It can take up to two weeks to fully recover. If you don’t end up in the hospital, you’ll likely have to stay home and rest to recover from a severe burn.

Here are some factors that may affect the duration of your sunburn, these factors make people more susceptible to severe sunburns that generally take longer to heal.

If you have fair or light skin
Freckles or red or fair colored hair
Going outside when the rays are most intense between 10 am and 3 pm
Being in the sun in high attitudes
Visiting or living near the Equator
A tanning bed can affect the duration of the sunburn and the severity
Taking certain drugs that make you more susceptible to burns.

In most cases the pain from a sunburn will starts within 6 hours of the burn and peak around 24 hours. The pain normally subsides after 48 hours. If you have a severe sunburn swelling may persist for up to 2 days or longer depending on the severity. If you have blistering from a moderate to severe burn it will usually show up between 6 to 24 hours after UV exposure, however in some cases it could take up to a couple of days to show up. Peeling normally starts after 3 days and can last for several days. Peeling, in general, will stop once the skin is fully healed.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope you and your families have a wonderful 4^th of July. Be safe and take the needed precautions to avoid sunburn. Experts will tell you that applying sunscreen just once is not enough. You should reapply every one and a half hour to two hours. Be sure and use broad spectrum sunscreen for UVA and UVB protection. If you need help with your sunburn or any other minor injuries or sickness, please remember we are here 7 days a week. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn about our the medical and skin services we offer.

How Much Water Should You Drink

water

There’s no evidence to back that up you should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men get about 125 ounces of water daily and that women get 91 ounces, but that includes water from all foods and beverages. Most people get enough hydration unless they’re exposed to heat stress or they’re very active for a long time.

The average person gets about 20% of their water for the day from food. Here are some examples of it contained in these common foods:

An apple is 84% water. Bananas are 74% water. Broccoli is 91% water. A plain bagel (33% water). Ground beef (56%). American cheese (39%).

It however doesn’t take long to get dehydrated — especially in hot and humid outside. You’ll need to take longer breaks, shorten the workout or intensity level, and dress appropriately.

On average, you should take a rehydration break about every 20 minutes. Most people would stay adequately hydrated by drinking 5 to 10 ounces of fluid every 20 minutes. But your exact need depends on things like how hard you’re working, whether you are indoors or outdoors, and your age, gender, and weight

It’s also helpful to drink two cups of fluids (about 16 ounces) about two hours before a workout.

It is a good idea to avoid Alcoholic beverages often, because they have the most dehydrating effect.

How much fluid you need depends upon several things, including:

Age: Kids need plenty of fluids; they can get dehydrated much more easily than adults. Older people may need more fluids because of health conditions or because they tend to lose their sense of thirst.
Gender: Men need more fluids than women. (And pregnant women need more fluids than other women.)
Weight: Heavier people need more water.
Health: Conditions such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and kidney disease can boost your need for fluids.
Environment: You need more fluids in extreme weather conditions and at high altitudes.

We hope this information was helpful. We obtained this information from the webmd website. Remember for all those minor illnesses or injuries, we at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical services we offer as well as skin care treatments.

Your Liver You Can Protect It

liver

Your Liver Protect It-There are common food sources, herbal supplements, vitamins, and pain relievers that can adversely affect your liver’s health.

Here is a list that you need to be aware of:

Sugar

Too much sugar can harm your liver. The organ uses one type of sugar, called fructose, to make fat. Too much refined sugar and high-fructose corn syrup causes a fatty buildup that can lead to liver disease. Some studies show that sugar can be as damaging to the liver as alcohol, even if you’re not overweight. Please limit your intake of sugar.

Herbs

Some people take an herb called kava kava for menopause symptoms or to help them relax. But studies show that it can keep the liver from working right. That can lead to hepatitis and liver failure. Some countries have banned or restricted the herb, but it’s still available in the U.S. You should always talk to your doctor before you take any herbs to make sure they’re safe.

Too Much Vitamin A

Your body needs vitamin A, and it’s fine to get it from plants such as fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those that are red, orange, and yellow. But if you take supplements that have high doses of vitamin A, that can be a problem for your liver. Check with your doctor before you take any extra vitamin A because you probably don’t need it.

Soft Drinks

Research shows that people who drink a lot of soft drinks are more likely to have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Studies don’t prove that the drinks were the cause. It is still a good idea to cut back on drinking a lot of sodas.

Acetaminophen

When reaching for pain relivers be sure to take the right amount! If you accidentally take too much of anything that has acetaminophen — for instance, a pill for your headache and something else for your cold, and both have acetaminophen in them that can harm your liver. Check the doses and stay in the daily limits and you should be fine.

Trans Fats

Trans fats are a man-made fat in some packaged foods and baked goods. A diet high in trans fats makes you more likely to gain weight. That’s not good for your liver. Check the ingredients list. Even if it says “0” grams of trans fat, it may still have a small amount, and that adds up.

Less Alcohol

Many glasses can hold a lot more than one standard serving, which is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of regular beer, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. If you drink, be sure to keep it moderate — that’s one drink a day for women and up to 2 per day for men.

We hope this information was helpful. We gathered this information from the WebMD website. Remember for all those minor illnesses or injuries, We at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical services we offer as well as skin care treatments.

Low Carb Snack- Good for You

low carb snack

Low Carb Snack – Sometimes, the whole world of snacking seems to be based on the one thing you’re supposed to limit: refined carbs. Even the “healthier” packaged items, like granola bars, smoothies, and crackers, are full of them. If you look past the vending machine, though, you’ll find plenty of other tasty options, like these smart snacks. The best part? They’re as easy to toss together as they are delicious.

Here are some great low carb snack ideas

Apples & Cheese

These are a delicious low carb snack. Pair half a cup of apple slices with string cheese for about 10 grams of carbs. The combination of protein, fat, and fiber makes it a filling and satisfying.

Avocado

Mash one-quarter of a ripe avocado and spread it on two light rye crisps for a crunchy, creamy snack with 18 grams of a low carb snack, plus plenty of fiber and heart-healthy fat.

Yogurt and Cucumbers

Use a cup of low-fat, plain Greek yogurt as a creamy dip for 1 cup of refreshing cucumber spears. It adds up to12 grams of carbs and a mega dose (20 grams) of appetite-satisfying protein.

Turkey Roll-Ups

Roll up 1 ounce of sliced turkey in lettuce leaves with mustard. This light, crisp snack has about 3 grams of carbs and will get you through the afternoon.

Cottage Cheese and Berries

Pair a cup of low-fat cottage cheese with half a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries and a little of your favorite no-calorie sweetener. This is a dessert-like snack with 18 grams of carbs.

Celery and Peanut Butter

Fill two medium celery stalks with 2 tablespoons of natural-style peanut butter for a nibble that will take you back to your childhood, with only 9 grams of carbs.

Beef Jerky

Look for jerkies made from grass-fed beef, which have big flavor and just 10 grams of carbs per serving (about 1.5 ounces).

Hard Boiled Eggs

Cut one in half and spread on a little hot sauce to make it as full of flavor as it is of protein. That’s a zesty bite for less than 1 gram of carbs.

Nuts

One ounce of crunchy, salty, mixed nuts will keep your energy up for hours for only 5 grams of carbs per ounce.

Kale Chips

Some store-bought varieties have less than 10 grams of carbs. You can cut that number even further by making them at home. Tear the leaves from a bunch of kale. Rinse and dry them. Toss with 1 tablespoon of oil and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Roast them in your oven at 300 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until the kale is crispy.

Fatty Fish a Great Source of Omega-3

fatty fish

Fatty fish are the best sources of two of the three most important omega-3s (EPA and DHA). These fatty acids are considered the good fats, unlike the bad saturated fats in meat. They may deliver huge health benefits for your heart, brain, lungs, and circulation. High doses can help slow plaque buildup in your arteries and lower some types of fat in your blood. Lean fish like cod, catfish, and mahi mahi have less fat in their tissues, so they pack less fatty acids.

Here are some of the best fish to eat:

Albacore Tuna

You should eat oily fish 1-2 times a week. A serving is about 3.5 ounces cooked, depending on your weight. Canned tuna in a sandwich or salad is a quick fix. Albacore has about 3 times as much omegas as skipjack or “light” stuff. A great fatty fish.

Farmed Salmon

There’s a good reason why salmon is a poster star for heart-healthy fish. And those raised in fish farms have some of the highest levels of omega-3s of any seafood. Bonus: They’re usually much cheaper than wild salmon and are another great fatty fish.

Wild Salmon

Wild salmon is still a great source of omegas. They’re an especially good pick for pregnant and nursing women because, like farmed salmon, they tend to have lower levels of mercury, PCB, and other toxins.

Atlantic Herring

It’s often pickled in vinegar and eaten throughout Scandinavia and parts of Europe. You can also pickle the fillets in wine or cream.

Mussels

They’re loaded with fatty acids. In fact, make mussels a top pick if you like seafood that comes in shells, not with scales. Ounce for ounce, they have way more omegas than lobster, clams, shrimp, and scallops.

Anchovies

The Spanish marinate them with their silvery skins in oil and vinegar for a tapas called boquerones and eat them with bread and beer. Like herring, these tiny guys put up big numbers for omega-3s.

Swordfish

Their meaty and mild meat is perfect for grilling. But you need to be careful eating swordfish. They eat smaller fish. They pick up more mercury and other pollutants from their diet. When you eat seafood with high levels of methylmercury in their tissues, it can affect your brain and your nervous system. It can be especially harmful to unborn babies and infants. Children and women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid swordfish, along with shark, tilefish, king mackerel, and marlin.

Sardines

You can buy them fresh or in a can. Because they’re smaller and live short lives, they’ve got far less mercury built up in their flesh than larger, older fish.

Hurricane Season June 1, 2018

hurricane season

Hurricane season officially begins on June 1st, but you don’t want to wait until hurricane season is underway to prepare. Even areas that are further inland, like the Tennessee and Arkansas, can be impacted by tropical weather.

The National Weather Service has given instructions on Hurricane Preparedness.

Here is a list of steps you need to take to be prepared.

You need to have a safety kit ready. It’s recommended that you keepat least enough food and water for each person in the family to last 3 days.
Take some time to review your insurance policy. Often we realize too late that some weather-related damages are not covered. In fact, standard homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flooding. Remember to review your policies for your home and any vehicles or boats.
Take note of anything that could be affected by flooding, like items in your garage or basement. In anticipation of high winds, you should keep trees well-trimmed and secure things like patio furniture before storms.
Helping your neighbors prepare and plan to check on each other in the case of an emergency is a great idea.
Finally, make sure you write down your plan and any important details you might need in an emergency. Go over your plan with your family to make sure everyone understands what to do. Having a written plan can save you precious time in the event of severe weather, so you can act quickly and confidently.

In 2001, Coast Civil Defense and Emergency Management officers released new hurricane evacuation zone maps. The new maps should help reduce confusion when an evacuation is called for. In the past, evacuations areas had to be described using street names. But that created problems when several streets had the same or similar names in coast counties. Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis have evacuation maps

To get a copy of the new hurricane evacuation maps, you can go to your local Civil Defense or Emergency Management officer, as well as your city hall.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope that this information was helping in preparing for the 2018 Hurricane Season. Remember for all those minor illnesses or injuries, we at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical services we offer as well as skin care treatments.

Teeth Whitening Naturally is a Good Idea

teeth whitening

Teeth Whitening Naturally -A major part of good health is to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. While trying to keep our teeth healthy, we are always striving to make them look whiter.

There are multiple factors that cause teeth to become dull and lose their bright white sparkle. Certain foods can stain your enamel. Additionally, plague build-up on your teeth can cause them to look yellow. This type of discoloration can usually be treated with regular cleaning and whitening remedies. However sometimes teeth look yellow because the hard enamel has eroded away, revealing the dentin underneath. Dentin is a naturally yellow, bony tissue that lies underneath the enamel.

Here are a few simple natural things you can do to improve your teeth whitening.

Coconut oil is a popular choice because it has a pleasant taste and offers many additional health benefits. A few studies have shown that daily oil pulling effectively reduces bacteria in the mouth, along with plague and gingivitis. Oil pulling is placing I teaspoon of coconut oil in your mouth and pushing and pulling the oil through your teeth. You should do this for 15 to 20 minutes. There is no scientific proof that this whitens your teeth but it will reduce plaque.
Baking Soda can be a good mild abrasive that can scrub away stains. But you are probably better off switching to a toothpaste with sodium bicarbonate. Studies show brushing with products that have baking soda will work on surface stains over time.
Hydrogen Peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that kills bacteria in your mouth. A study has shown that toothpaste containing baking soda and 1% hydrogen peroxide leads to significantly whiter teeth. You no more than 15% to 3% of a hydrogen peroxide solution to avoid side effects.
Apple Cider Vinegar’s main ingredient is acetic acid. This effectively kills bacteria. The antibacterial property of vinegar is what makes it useful for cleaning your mouth and teeth whitening.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hopes this information was helpful. Please remember we are here 7 days a week when you have minor illnesses and accidents and your primary care doctor is not available. Your well-trained staff is equipped to quickly diagnose your situation and help you get well soon. Our on-site laboratory helps us to quickly diagnose your illness. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the services we offer.