Doctor's Tip - Prevention

January - Frostbite and Frostnip Awareness Month

Frostbite & Frostnip

Frostbite is tissue damage caused by cold exposure.  Just like burns, frostbite is rated according to severity.  There are first, second and third degree forms.  Frostnip is the mildest level of frostbite.  These conditions typically affect body parts at the end of the circulatory line:  fingers, toes and nose. 

 Here are some of the differences between the various levels of damage:

Frostnip

Skin looks pale & feels cold, numb and stiff underlying tissues remain warm and flexible uncomfortable but doesn't lead to blisters, scarring or permanent damage

 Second-degree Frostbite

skin turns white or blue and feels hard or frozen deeper tissues are unharmed the skin blisters after rewarming

Third-degree frostbite

skin turns white, blue or mottled tissues beneath the skin feel hard and frozen deeper body parts are injured -  blood vessels, nerves, tendons and muscles

Treat frostnip by coming in out of the cold.  Don't rub, so as not to injure the fragile skin.  As the skin starts to warm, it may turn red and feel painfully prickly.

More severe frostbite needs medical attention as soon as possible.  Here's what you can do in the meantime;

1.     Move the person to a warm place.

2.     Remove wet clothing, as well as jewelry the might constrict injured areas (especially rings).

3.     Don't rub the injured areas.

4.     If it doesn't delay getting medical treatment, wrap the affected parts in sterile dressings, carefully separating fingers and toes.

5.       Bring the person to an emergency room.

If you can't reach medical care promptly, then warm the areas by soaking them in warm water (104-108 degrees).  Do not warm the areas in direct heat, like a campfire or hair dryer.  Expect burning pain, swelling and discoloration.  Once the area is warm and pliable, apply sterile dressings.  To minimize further damage, avoid moving the injured areas.  Do not disturb the blisters either.  Then seek medical care as soon as possible.

Prevention is the ideal treatment!  Before you venture out into the cold, check the weather report.  Choose layers of clothing in appropriate fabrics and KEEP DRY!  Don't forget to accessorize with hats, mittens and scarves as well!

December - Antibiotics - What everyone should know!

By: Dr. Stephanie Plunkett

Antibiotic Resistance has become a HUGE problem for health care providers in recent years. When we overuse antibiotics, the bacteria develop resistance to the medication. Then we don't mediations available to treat simple infections! Please read this article from Kids Health for more information about the danger of antibiotic overuse.

The Danger of Antibiotic Overuse Every year, your family probably faces its share of colds, sore throats, and viruses. When you bring your child to the doctor for these illnesses, do you automatically expect a prescription for antibiotics? Many parents do. And they're surprised, maybe even angry, if they leave the doctor's office empty-handed — after all, what parent doesn't want their kid to get well as quickly as possible? But your doctor could be doing you and your child a favor by not reaching for the prescription pad. How Antibiotics Work Antibiotics, first used in the 1940s, are certainly one of the great advances in medicine. But overprescribing them has resulted in the development of resistant bacteria, which are bacteria that don't respond to antibiotics that may have worked in the past. Plus, whenever kids take antibiotics they run the risk of side-effects, such as stomach upset and diarrhea or even a possible allergic reaction. To understand how antibiotics work, it helps to know about the two major types of germs that can make people sick: bacteria and viruses. Although certain bacteria and viruses cause diseases with similar symptoms, the ways these two organisms multiply and spread illness are different: ·      Bacteria are living organisms existing as single cells. Bacteria are everywhere and most don't cause any harm, and in some cases may be beneficial. Lactobacillus, for example, lives in the intestine and help digest food. But some bacteria are harmful and can cause illness by invading the human body, multiplying, and interfering with normal bodily processes. Antibiotics are effective against bacteria because they work to kill these living organisms by stopping their growth and reproduction. ·      Viruses, on the other hand, are not alive and cannot exist on their own — they are particles containing genetic material wrapped in a protein coat. Viruses "live," grow, and reproduce only after they've invaded other living cells. Some viruses may be fought off by the body's immune system before they cause illness, but others (colds, for example) must simply run their course. Viruses do not respond to antibiotics at all.

Why It's Harmful to Overuse Them Taking antibiotics for colds and other viral illnesses not only won't work, but also has a dangerous side effect: over time, this practice helps create bacteria that have become more of a challenge to kill. Frequent and inappropriate use of antibiotics can cause bacteria or other microbes to resist the effects of antibiotic treatment. This is called bacterial resistance or antibiotic resistance. Treating these resistant bacteria requires higher doses of medicine or stronger antibiotics. Because of antibiotic overuse, certain bacteria have become resistant to some of the most powerful antibiotics available today. Antibiotic resistance is a widespread problem, and one that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls "one of the world's most pressing public health problems." Bacteria that were once highly responsive to antibiotics have become increasingly resistant. Among those that are becoming harder to treat are pneumococcal infections (which cause pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and meningitis), skin infections, and tuberculosis. Taking Antibiotics Safely So what should you do when your child gets sick? To minimize the risk of bacterial resistance, keep these tips in mind: ·      Treat only bacterial infections. Seek advice and ask questions. Letting milder illnesses (especially those thought to be caused by viruses) run their course to avoid the development of drug-resistant germs may be a good idea — but it's still best to leave what constitutes a "mild illness" up to your doctor. Even if the symptoms don't worsen but linger, take your child to the doctor. At the office, ask questions about whether your child's illness is bacterial or viral, and discuss the risks and benefits of antibiotics. If it's a virus, don't pressure your doctor to prescribe antibiotics, but ask about ways to treat symptoms. If your child is prescribed antibiotics be sure to: ·      Use antibiotics as prescribed. ·      Don't save antibiotics for next time. ·      Never use another person's prescription. Ask your doctor about ways to treat the symptoms that are making your child uncomfortable, such as a stuffy nose or scratchy throat, without the use of antibiotics. The key to building a good relationship with your doctor is open communication, so work together toward that goal. Use the medication properly. Antibiotics are only effective against a bacterial infection if taken for the full amount of time prescribed by the doctor — and they take time to kick in, too, so don't expect your child to feel better after taking the first dose. Most kids take 1 to 2 days to feel a lot better. Similarly, don't let your child take antibiotics longer than prescribed.

And most important, never use antibiotics that have been lying around your home. Never take antibiotics that were prescribed for another family member or adult, either — doses for kids vary, and if your child did have an illness requiring antibiotics, you'd want to make sure you were treating it correctly. Saving antibiotics "for the next time" is a bad idea, too. Any remaining antibiotic should be thrown out as soon as your child has taken the full course of medication. Help fight antibiotic resistance by taking simple steps to prevent the spread of infections. Encourage hand washing, make sure your kids are up to date on immunizations, and keep kids out of school when they're sick. Doctors are aware of increasing antibiotic resistance and are trying to solve the problem. New antibiotics might be on the horizon, but antibiotics will continue to need to be prescribed and used appropriately. Reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD Date reviewed: November 2011

By Dr. Stephanie Plunkett

November - Time for a Flu Shot!

Five reasons why you should get a flu vaccine:
1. An average of 15-20% of the population gets the flu every year.
2. The flu causes an average of 3.2 days of missed work each year.
3. Infection with the flu is very dangerous for infants and the elderly - protect your family by protecting yourself!
4. There is an average of 23,600 annual flu-related deaths in the US!
5. The flu is a preventable illness!

Get the facts and know how to prevent the flu! Go to www.flufacts.com for more information!

By Dr. Stephanie Plunkett

October  -  National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer affects over 190,000 women annually and nearly 2,000 men annually.  Only 10% of people with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.  This means EVERYONE needs to take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer and to increase early detection of the disease.  Here's what you can do to help!

Reducing Your Risk of Breast Cancer

There are several ways you can help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer:

1.      Exercise – An inactive lifestyle may increase the risk of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends 45 to 60 minutes of physical activity at least five days a week.

2.      Maintain a Healthy Diet and Weight – Some studies have found that high-fat diets may increase breast cancer risk; yet, the results are inconclusive. The current recommendations, however, suggest that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some cancers, including breast cancer.

3.      Limit Alcohol Intake – Heavy drinking is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

4.      Don't Smoke – Smoking is linked to an increase in many types of cancer, including breast cancer.

5.      Regular Screening Tests

·         Monthly Self Breast Exams – If you examine your breasts regularly, you are more likely to detect sublte changes. 

·         Annual Exams – Be sure to get your annual physical EVERY year!

·         Mammograms – It is recommended that all women have annual mammograms starting at age 40.  If you have other risk factors, you may even want to start sooner!

6.      Talk With Your Doctor – When you work together with your doctor, you can better manage your breast cancer risk factors and receive the right kind of care when needed. Your doctor can tell you more about the recommended screening guidelines and help you decide what is best for you.

7.      Spread the Word – Be sure to talk to your family and friends about this information.  We need to make sure that EVERYONE is more aware about the risks of breast cancer.

Managing your lifestyle and personal health care enables you to take control of your risk for breast cancer. Taking preventative steps may also increase the likelihood of early detection.