5 Myths About the Flu

October marks the “official” beginning of flu season, and it continues through February. Approximately 20% of Americans will catch a virus during this five-month time period and experience fever, chills, congestion, and body aches. But just because the flu is very common that doesn’t mean that the general public has a good understanding of the illness. Today we want to share with you 5 myths about the flue so that you know the truth about this virus and know what you can do to reduce your risk of the flu this season.

Myth #1 - You can catch the flu from the flu shot. - This is one of the most on-going rumors about the flu; the flu vaccine is made of dead viral particles, meaning that the virus cannot infect you because it is not a living virus. It does take 2 weeks for the flu shot to go into effect in your body because that’s how long it takes your body to form antibodies. This means that if you catch the flu before your shot or within 2 weeks after your shot, it isn’t actually caused by the flu shot.

Myth #2 - The flu includes gastrointestinal (stomach) symptoms. - While you may hear of the “stomach flu,” this is not the same thing as influenza. Some people may experience nausea as a symptom of influenza, but this isn’t common, so if you experience vomiting or diarrhea but not sniffles, you are dealing with a different virus, not influenza.

Myth #3 - Washing your hands often means you won’t get the flu. - While we always advise washing your hands thoroughly, flu season or not, hand washing alone doens’t stop the flu. Influenza is spread through air-born saliva from an infected individual. Because the flu can live up to 8 hours on surfaces, according to the CDC, you can become infected by touching surfaces that have been contaminated with the germs; therefore, washing hands to avoid illness does make sense, but a flu vaccine is the only way to truly avoid the flu.

Myth #4 - Pregnant women can’t get the flu shot. - Pregnant women should get the flu shot because, in addition to protecting mom, it can also protect the baby after its born while the baby is too young to get the vaccine themselves. This is due to the antibodies that form in your body in response to the flu shot. Therefore, the antibodies that will develop in a pregnant woman will protect their baby after birth, as well as protecting the mom-to-be from the elevated risks of the flu that come with pregnancy.

Myth #5 - Antibiotics can cure the flu. - Because influenza is a virus (not a bacteria), there’s no point in taking antibiotics. Antiviral medicine may help, such as Tamiflu, but once the flu has struck, there isn’t much to do to get quick relief. The most important thing is to get the flu vaccine, but if you still find yourself infected, it’s important to get rest, drink lots of water, get relief from over-the-counter fever reducers (Ibuprofen and acetaminophen), and wait it out.

We hope that this information will help you better understand influenza. While the flu can wreak havoc on your body, it can be prevented - give our office a call today to schedule your flu vaccine and avoid the flu this season.

The Importance of Yearly Physicals

We all know that we are “supposed” to see the doctor every year, but somehow it seems to be the easiest thing to drop off our to-do list. This is especially true if we are feeling well; why go see the doctor if you aren’t sick? Well, today’s Doc Talk is going to explore why yearly physicals are crucial for your health and well-being and can potentially save your life.

While you might not feel unwell, consistent yearly physicals enable your doctor to track the big picture of your health. In addition to a general check of your vitals, reflexes, organs, etc., we also will run lab work on your blood and urine samples. This is where a diagnosis may occur - we will check your blood for anemia, your sodium levels, your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, and your organ function. Based on these results, we will make a health and wellness plan with specific treatments and adjustments to your lifestyle with accurate information.

But why is it so important that these tests and check-ups occur every year? Because the last thing you want is to find yourself in the ER suffering from a heart attack linked to a preventable cause. Your annual physical will look at your family health history and your lifestyle to help you think through prevention; diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac complications, and cancer are all genetic diseases, so understanding your big-picture health and genetics will help you better understand your risk and prevention options.

Annual physicals help our medical staff to have a good picture of your overall health, and they enable us to track your health year over year. You can make an appointment for your annual physical today by calling us at (423) 472-6548. Don’t wait! Your physical this year could save your life!

Primary Care & Why It's Important

According to the Institute of Medicine, primary care is “the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community.” Patients that visit a regular primary care physician consistently have lower health care costs and better health outcomes than those who don’t.

We believe that routine primary care is vital to the overall health of people. When reviewing the definition from the Institute of Medicine, one of the things that strikes us is that primary care physicians should practice medicine in “the context of family and community.” This resonates with our practice because we are a family medicine practice where our family cares for the health of your family.

Our priority as a family medicine office wants to personalize health care for our patients because we have seen the fragmentation and complexity of the healthcare system. Towns used to have one doctor who “did it all,” but now specialists and physician-centered practices are the norm. However, our practice puts patients at the center; we believe that patients shouldn’t have to go to one doctor for one health concern and a different doctor for another health concern. We want to be able to see patients through all of their medical needs, and we work to continue and maintain a strong relationship with our patients for years.

Dr. Smith’s practice, as a family medicine practice, focuses on:

• Caring for patients of all ages (from 2-102) - This allows our patients to have a consistent and trusting relationship with our doctors, nurses, and office staff.

• Being the first contact for patients - If patients have a concern about their health, our office works hard to be the first point of contact to help resolve it.

• Being a bridge between our patients and the healthcare system - If our patients need a specialist or hospital care, we work hard to be present in the care process from start to follow-up.

• Being present in the community - We work hard to understand and integrate into the Cleveland area community, which helps us to identify resources for our patients in the community.

We are proud to be a practice that has been around for decades. We hope to continue to serve your family well as your primary care physician practice!

Facts About Cholesterol

September is National Cholesterol Education Month through the CDC. High cholesterol is something that over 71 million Americans suffer from. This means that adults need to be knowledgeable about what cholesterol is, what the complications of high cholesterol can cause, and what can be done to prevent high cholesterol.

While our bodies need cholesterol to function, too much cholesterol can narrow your arteries by building up within your arteries. Adults 20 and older need to have their cholesterol checked every five years because high cholesterol levels don’t always have symptoms. That being said, high cholesterol levels can put you at risk for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.

It is important to be aware of your LDL (“bad”) and HDL (“good”) levels, as well as how to lower your LDL levels if they get too high. Lowering your cholesterol levels can reduce your risk of heart attack, needing heart surgery, and dying of a heart attack. If you haven’t gotten your cholesterol levels checked in the last five years, call our office to get an appointment so that you can get a simple blood test to let you know.

If your test comes back with high LDL levels, eating a healthy diet can help you reduce your cholesterol levels. It’s important not just to treat high cholesterol levels, but also to prevent them. You can prevent high cholesterol by exercising, watching what you eat, and, if you are a smoker, quitting smoking.

Don’t let September pass you by without getting your cholesterol levels tested!

Common Sports Injuries, Treatment, & Prevention

With Fall rapidly approaching, football, soccer, and basketball seasons are all starting or have started. With sports often come injuries. Here are a few of the most common athletic injuries, as well as some simple ways to treat them.

Common Injuries in sports are ankle sprains, dehydration, muscle strains and pulls, and nose injuries.

If you or a child experience a sprain, strain, or an injury to a muscle, ligament, or joint, remember to RICE -

• Rest - keep the injured body part supported and avoid using it for 2-3 days.

• Ice - apply ice to the injured area for 20 minutes every two hours.

• Compression - use a bandage to apply pressure

• Elevate - keep the injured area above your heart, if possible

Also, remember to do no HARM -

• Heat - don’t apply heat to an injured area

• Alcohol - avoid alcohol because it can increase swelling

• Running - don’t exercise!

• Massage - avoid massaging or rubbing the area, which can cause prolonged swelling

If a bloody nose occurs, have the injured athlete sit down, lean their head forward, pinch nostrils, and hold your nose for 10 minutes. The bleeding should stop in less than 30 minutes; otherwise, contact a doctor.

It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if someone experiences a loss of consciousness, neck injuries, eye injuries, or broken bones. It is also important to come visit our office if you are still experiencing pain at the site of your injury after a few days.

Although injuries are common in sports, there are ways that you can prevent them. Always make sure athletes warm up before intense physical activity, wear proper footwear and safety gear when participating, and make sure to stretch after practice or game.

How Hot is Too Hot?

Just because school has started back doesn’t mean that the weather has started cooling down yet. Here in the South, summer heat can last well into the official Fall season. But how do you know if you or a family member is experiencing heat exhaustion in the lingering high temperatures?

First of all, we all get hot, but what is actual heat exhaustion? Heat exhaustion happens when your body is not able to regulate its internal temperature and becomes dehydrated.

Now that you know what it is, how is caused? Heat exhaustion can be caused by physical activity in hot, humid weather. Certain medications and illnesses can also increase a person’s risk for heat exhaustion, and children and individuals about 60 are at a higher risk for experiencing heat exhaustion.

The symptoms of heat exhaustion are:

• Excessive sweating

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Thirst

• Cramping muscles

If you or a family member is experiencing a combination of the symptoms above, it is important to stop physical activity, go indoors or into the shade, and drink water. Typically, if these steps are taken to treat heat exhaustion, the symptoms will improve within 30 minutes. If the symptoms linger beyond an hour, it is time to seek medical attention. Remember, walk-ins are always welcome at our office, and we are able to assist with heat exhaustion.

Hot weather and heat exhaustion don’t have to go hand in hand. There are multiple ways to avoid heat exhaustion:

• When exercising, try to stay indoors or in the shade.

• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after you are active.

• Wear clothing that is lightweight and breathable when outdoors.

• Keep in mind things like medication, illnesses, and age that can increase your risk for heat exhaustion.

While you shouldn’t be afraid of being outdoors and active while the weather is still hot, it is important to know the causes, symptoms, and treatments for heat exhaustion.

5 Easy Grab and Go Snacks

Our lives today are always on the run - school, sports, work, etc. It seems like we hardly ever have time to sit down and eat. So, how do we make sure that we are eating healthy while on the go? Make an effort to pack snacks! You will be much less likely to stop and grab a bag of chips or run through the drive-through on your way to your next stop. Here are 5 healthy choices that are easy to eat on the go:

1. Fruit - Fruit is the original grab and go snack! It’s easy to open your fridge on the way out the door and grab an apple or an orange. This healthy option is full of vitamins and minerals to give you energy to take on your day. If you want, you can grab a nut butter pouch to add some protein to your apple or banana.

2. Pretzels & String Cheese - This classic combo is easy to throw in your bag in the morning and the cheese will still be edible in the afternoon when a slump hits.

3. Popcorn - As long as you aren’t loaded it with butter, popcorn can be a great snack that can be prepped ahead of time and packed for on-the-go snacking. Either air-pop your popcorn and add salt and pepper for some extra flavor or get a bag that is simply topped with salt (not butter).

4. Jerky - While this might seem like an out-dated choice for a snack, jerky is making a snacking come back! That’s because it is full of protein, which fills you up and gives you energy. One thing to make sure is that your jerky is not hiding high levels of sodium or sugar - so make sure to check the nutrition label before you buy.

5. Trail Mix - It isn’t just for camping and hiking; trail mix is a great snacking go-to that can be customized for any taste. You can either buy in pre-made trail mix in bulk, purchase individual packages for easy eating, or make your own specialized trail mix that matches your taste buds best.

Just because you’re on the go doesn’t mean you can’t eat healthy. Put one of these healthy snacks in your bag or your child’s backpack to give energy and get through that afternoon slump!

3 Tips to Keep Your Kids Healthy This School Year

As school starts up again, it is easy to get caught up in the back to school groove and forget about the health risks that come with your student being back in the classroom. Keep these three tips in mind to keep your kid healthy this school year:

1. Get their bedtime routine back on track. During the summer, sleep patterns can often get out of whack. But with school times and early wake-up calls, it is important for your child to get enough sleep. Children under the age of 12 need to get a minimum of 9 hours of sleep at night, and teens need to get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep. Make sure to power off your child’s devices an hour before their bedtime. If your child struggles with falling asleep while the sun is still on “summer schedule,” consider darkening their room using curtains.

2. Get their school or sports physical completed. Your child’s annual exam, school physical, and sports physical can all be completed at the same time. If you haven’t scheduled this appointment for your child yet, give our office a call.

3. Make sure their backpack fits well. Your child’s backpack should have padding on the should straps, and take some time to adjust the fit based on the amount and weight of the books they will daily be carrying. Make sure that your child knows to wear their backpack with both straps over both shoulders, not one slung over one arm, which adds to the pressure on that arm.

   Keep these tips in mind as your child heads back to school, and start their school year off on a healthy note!
   

5 Tips to Stay Healthy While Traveling

Summer is here! With it comes family vacation, and too often sickness comes hand in hand with your family trip. However, today we are going to share 5 easy tips to keep you and your family staying healthy:

1. Sleep - We all look forward to sleeping in and taking naps on vacation, but sleep is such an important part of keeping our body healthy. Traveling into different time zones, carrying luggage, and walking more than normal can all be harsh on your body and its immune system. Sleeping allows our body to regenerate and wake up renewed and ready for the next day of vacation adventures!

2. Hydrate - It can be easy to forgo water while traveling, especially if a road trip makes it inconvenient to find a bathroom. But water is vital to our body, and we need to make sure that we stay hydrated. When you are out during the day while on vacation, make an effort to carry a water bottle with you, just in case drinking water is not easily found while you are exploring.

3. Eat Healthy - Vacation is often viewed as a time to indulge, but eating poorly can leave you feeling poorly! Make sure to eat balanced meals with lots of veggies and fruits while you are traveling to make sure your body gets the vitamins and nutrients it needs to sty healthy.

4. SPF - Don’t forget your skin! Make sure to put on sunscreen anytime you are headed outdoors, even if it is just for a 15 minute walk or a picnic lunch.

5. Wash your Hands - It’s easy to get caught up in your trip and forget to wash your hands before meals, but especially when traveling out of the country, washing your hands before eating can kill nasty germs. If you aren’t sure of the sanitation routine where you are traveling, make sure to take hand sanitizer with you.

Follow these tips to stay healthy while on your family vacation this summer and ensure that you bring back happy memories from your trip, not a nasty bug or cold!