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June 2, 2022

Health

Wound Care and Management

Imagine having a wound that won’t heal or causing uncomfortable symptoms. Proper wound care is essential to facilitate healing and prevent complications. Wounds may result from various issues, including injuries or health conditions. For instance, you are likely to develop foot ulcers if you have diabetes. If you have severe and slow-healing wounds, wound care Humble specialists at Calvary Urgent Care offer extensive wound management to prevent infection and enhance healing. This article will help you with all you need to know about wound care.

Why do you need proper wound management?

Your skin is the largest body organ and protects the inner organs and tissues from environmental elements. Having a wound may allow foreign materials into your body, causing health issues. Wound management is essential to prevent infections.

Typically, wounds may develop on any part of your body; however, they are common in your lower body extremities. Your lower legs and feet are the farthest from the heart, hence are likely to experience restricted blood flow. You may also develop poor circulation in your legs from diabetes, heart disease, or older age.

Chronic conditions such as diabetes prevent wounds from closing, causing slow-healing injuries. Open wounds allow microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, to enter your body, causing severe infections such as ulceration.

Wound management aims at providing treatments as early as the wound develops, no matter the size. It helps prevent severe wound complications.

What does wound management involve?

Wound management at Calvary Urgent Care focuses on promoting proper wound healing. During wound evaluation, your provider examines your injury and cleanses the wound. They may recommend the following treatments, depending on your wound severity.

  • Wet or dry dressing
  • Topical antimicrobial ointments
  • Pain medications
  • Compression wrapping
  • Regular irrigation

Your provider at Calvary Urgent Care also educates you on proper wound care at home and shows you how to change the dressings.

How long do you need wound management?

The period your wound management lasts depends on how fast you heal. Your provider may suggest weekly visits if you have severe wounds or have an increased risk of ulceration. In mild  cases, you may only require to go for evaluation once or twice a month until the wound heals.

You should visit Calvary Urgent Care for immediate evaluation if your wound becomes worse, painful, or bleeding.

Where you have slow-healing wounds due to diabetes, you may require proper diabetic care to enhance healing.

Without treatment, wounds may cause severe effects, including amputation. You may practice the following wound care steps to manage your injury at home.

  • Check the degree of the wound; serious wounds may need urgent medical attention
  • Clean the injury; it helps prevent wound infection
  • protect the wound from diseases by using natural antibacterial products
  • cover the wound
  • practice proper wound maintenance
  • eat healthy diets, including fermented food and drinks

Wound care is essential to promote wound healing and prevent infections. Wound care management involves practices to improve your wound health and prevent complications. Proper wound care is critical when you have diabetes, among other chronic conditions. Call Calvary Urgent Care today for comprehensive wound care and improve your health.

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Health

Know the Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatment for Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a common problem that often occurs as people get older, but it isn’t an inevitable consequence of aging. Incontinence is the loss of bladder control that may cause the occasional leaking of urine. Sometimes incontinence Wildwood may be severe, causing a sudden urge to urinate, and you do not get to the toilet in time. It is essential to see your healthcare provider if the condition affects your everyday activities.

What causes urinary incontinence?

The causes of urinary incontinence vary from physical problems to everyday habits and underlying medical conditions. Your healthcare provider can help determine the cause of your incontinence through a thorough evaluation. Sometimes you may experience temporary incontinence after taking caffeine, alcohol, and sparkling water. Chocolate and peppers also stimulate your bladder and increase urine volume. Other causes of temporary urinary incontinence include large doses of vitamin C, sedatives, muscle relaxants, and high blood pressure medications.

Urinary incontinence can be a persistent problem due to pregnancy. During pregnancy, the increased weight of the fetus and hormonal changes can result in stress incontinence. Persistent incontinence can also be due to changes that occur with age. For example, involuntary bladder contractions increase as you get older. As you age, so does the bladder muscle, decreasing the bladder’s urine storage capacity.

You can also develop incontinence after vaginal delivery. Vaginal childbirth may damage bladder nerves and supportive tissues and weaken the muscles needed for bladder control, leading to a prolapsed pelvic floor. Incontinence may occur when organs such as the bladder, rectum, and uterus protrude into the vagina.

Production of less estrogen after menopause can also cause incontinence. Estrogen hormone keeps the lining of the bladder and urethra healthy; therefore, a lack of this hormone can cause deterioration of these tissues. Incontinence may also stem from an enlarged prostate, a condition called prostatic hyperplasia.

Risk factors for urinary incontinence

Age. Old adults are more likely to develop incontinence since the bladder and urethra muscles lose some of their strength over time. The urine volume capacity for the bladder also decreases with old age, increasing the chances of involuntary urine releases.

  • Gender. Women are more likely to have incontinence due to menopause, childbirth, and normal female anatomy. However, the risk is also high in men with prostate gland problems.
  • Family history. A predisposition of urge incontinence in your family puts you at risk of having the same condition.
  • Obesity. Extra body weight stresses your bladder and surrounding muscles, eventually weakening them, allowing urine to leak when you sneeze or cough.

Treatment for incontinence

Your healthcare provider will first determine the type of incontinence you have, its severity, and the underlying cause to choose the proper treatment. If your incontinence is due to an underlying condition, your doctor will first address that condition. Usually, your provider may recommend conservative treatments and move on to other options if these techniques are ineffective.

Examples of behavioral techniques your provider may recommend to you include bladder training, fluid and diet management, double voiding, and scheduled toilet trips.

If you want to learn more about the treatments for incontinence, consult with your provider at NuwaWorld.

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Health

Foot and Ankle Health, the Common Problems

Your feet are among the most complex body structures with about 33 joints, 26 bones, 107 ligaments, and 19 muscles? The feet support the body’s weight and movements, including walking and running. They perform a vital role in your body and hence require proper care to promote their function and health. Dr. Visoth Chan, a board-certified podiatrist, and the Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates team offer holistic treatments and surgical procedures for all foot and ankle problems. Read on to get more info on the common foot and ankle problems.

Toenail fungus

It’s a condition that causes nail thickening and discoloration. Toenail fungus may spread to other nails interfering with your nail appearance. If you have toenail fungus that makes you feel uncomfortable, Dr. Chan can help.

The following may indicate toenail fungus.

  • Nails that are brittle or ragged
  • White to brown discoloration
  • Dark coloration due to buildup under the nail
  • Thickened or misshaped nails
  • Slightly foul smell

You are likely to develop nail fungus due to the following.

  • Old age and reduced blood flow
  • A weakened immune system or have diabetes
  • Toes injury
  • Sweats heavily

You can use topical antifungal medications to eliminate nail fungus. Wearing breathable shoes and avoiding using communal pools or showers when barefooted can prevent nail fungus.

Ingrown toenail

An ingrown toenail develops when your nail grows into your skin rather than out and away from your toe. It causes the skin around the toe to swell and become red. Without treatment, the toe may become infected, causing pain.

It is essential to seek medical care when you notice an ingrown toenail. Extensive care is appropriate when you have a poor immune system or a history of diabetes.

Different things may lead to ingrown toenails, including wearing tight shoes, having curved nails, injured toenails, or trimming your shoes too short.

Wearing comfortable and well-fitting shoes and trimming your nails straight across may prevent ingrown toenails.

Foot pain

You can encounter foot pain from various things, including standing or walking for too long. The pain varies from mild to severe. Rest, ice, or some pain medications may help relieve your foot pain.

Foot pain may also result from the following conditions.

  • Sprains
  • Hammertoes
  • Warts
  • Fractures
  • Athlete’s foot
  • Gout
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Corns and calluses
  • Foot surgery

It is critical to consult your medical provider if your foot pain persists and make a thorough diagnosis.

Bunion

It is a condition where the bone at the base of your big toe protrudes outside, causing your big toe to drift towards other toes. Bunions are not usually painful but can be uncomfortable.

Bunions occur from genetics, wearing poorly-fitting footwear, feet structure abnormalities, or an underlying medical condition.

A change in footwear, wearing orthotics, or padded shoes may help improve your bunions. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to reposition the foot bone.

Feet are critical in our daily life activities. Dealing with foot pain or any discomfort can be difficult and interfere with your daily tasks. Proper foot care, including wearing comfortable shoes and ensuring feet health, can help prevent most foot and ankle issues. Proper foot care is also essential if you have diabetes. Contact Aloha Foot & Ankle Associates today to schedule a consultation.

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Health

Signs Your Headache Is A Migraine

Many people mistake migraines for ‘very awful’ headaches, but a headache is just one of the signs of migraines. Migraines could be exceedingly debilitating, causing headaches, nausea, exhaustion, and other symptoms. At Doctors First, the expert staff wants to assist patients in Germantown, Rockville, and Gaithersburg, Maryland, to obtain relief from head pain, whether a headache or migraine triggers it. So, how can you determine if you have a migraine or another sort of headache? Here are six common signs of Rockville migraines specialist Dr. Rakesh Malik advises you to watch out for. Continue reading to learn more.

  • One-Sided Headache

Whereas headache discomfort normally appears on both sides of the head, throbbing, acute pain on one side of the head is a clear indicator of a migraine. It could be a migraine if your headache is intense and just affects one side.

  • Disturbances In Vision

If you have vision alterations before or after the headache, you probably suffer a migraine rather than a headache. Visual auras, such as seeing zig-zag lines, dots, or flashing lights are the most prevalent.

Auras could persist anywhere from five minutes and more than an hour. However, some persons may experience visual auras without causing any headache, also referred to as an ocular migraine.

  • Changes In Speech Or Feelings

Auras are not the only type of aura that can accompany headaches. You may be having a sensory aura with migraine if you detect weakness, numbness, or even tingling on one side of your body in conjunction with your headache.

Some patients may sense a change in their speech and have difficulty remembering or interpreting words. You should discuss these typical migraine symptoms with your Doctor’s First specialist.

  • Light And Scent Sensitivity

If your headache is accompanied by sensitivity to scent and light, you may be suffering from a migraine. According to studies, this increased sensitivity is so great that many migraine sufferers seek sanctuary in dark, quiet spaces with locked doors.

  • Surges of Nausea

Migraines could make you feel nauseous, dizzy, and even vomit. According to research, migraines affect your gut and gastrointestinal system, explaining why tummy pain is another indicator of a migraine.

  • The Worst Ache Ever; Does Not Go Away

Migraines could last anywhere from several hours to days. It may be a migraine if you suffer excruciating pain that you cannot dismiss. Nevertheless, a typical headache rarely disrupts your life or lasts more than several hours.

What Should You Do About Migraines?

If you suspect migraines cause your headaches, it is critical to get a proper diagnosis from a qualified professional, like those at Doctors First. To develop a care plan for your migraines, your specialist will examine your health history and prevailing symptoms and perform a physical exam.

Employing an integrated approach, Dr. Malik and his team can help you obtain relief from migraine pain. Your care plan at Doctors First may include one or more of the following:

  • Lifestyle modifications
  • Dietary modifications
  • Pain relievers
  • Stress reduction
  • Behavioral therapy

Do not put up with a migraine headache! The moment you observe one of the above-mentioned warning signs, it is best to arrange a consultation with Dr. Rakesh Malic. Depending on the particulars of your pain and the underlying root concern, your doctor will develop a tailored care plan for you. Make an appointment today through mobile or book online.

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Health

Fight Arthritis Easy With These 5 Strategies

Almost everyone in Lake Eatonton, Georgia, knows that there are health risks associated with arthritis. It is a common condition that affects the joints in your body and can lead to joint pain and discomfort and problems walking or sleeping. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. You can use several strategies to fight arthritis and keep it at bay. But first, see an arthritis Eatonton specialist. Here are five strategies you can use to fight arthritis.

  • Get Regular Exercise

Working out is one of the best ways to reduce pain and inflammation in the joints. It also helps to improve joint function and flexibility. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every day.

The best exercises for people with arthritis are low-impact aerobics, swimming, and range-of-motion exercises. These activities help to increase joint flexibility and reduce stiffness.

  • Check Your Meals

Eating a healthy diet is vital for overall health, but it can also help to reduce arthritis pain and inflammation. Try to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive alcohol intake.

Remember to go for the omega oils-rich foods. Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for reducing inflammation and pain in the joints. Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, trout, walnuts, and flaxseed oil.

It also helps you manage weight. Being overweight puts additional stress on the joints, leading to pain and inflammation. Losing weight can help to reduce arthritis symptoms and improve joint function. If you are overweight or obese, talk to your doctor about a weight-loss plan that is right for you.

  • Get to Bed Early

Sleep is essential for overall health, but it is also crucial for people with arthritis. Getting enough sleep helps to reduce pain and inflammation in the joints. It also helps to improve joint function and overall quality of life. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. If you have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about ways to improve your sleep habits.

Remember to have good sleep hygiene for people with arthritis. Good sleep hygiene includes getting enough sleep, going to bed and waking up simultaneously each day, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed. These habits can help to improve sleep quality and reduce pain and inflammation in the joints.

  • Avoid Joint Injuries

Stress on joints can lead to arthritis pain and inflammation. To avoid joint injuries, use proper form when exercising and lifting weights. Wear supportive shoes and avoid high-impact activities. If you injure a joint, seek medical attention immediately and follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment.

Remember also to have protective gear when participating in high-impact activities. This includes helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads. Wearing protective gear can help prevent joint injuries and reduce the risk of arthritis pain and inflammation.

  • Go More Ergonomic

Ergonomics is the study of how people interact with their environment. Making your home and workplace more ergonomic can help to reduce arthritis pain and inflammation.

Some ergonomic tips include using an ergonomic chair, using a standing desk, and keeping your workstation organized. These tips can help to improve joint function and reduce pain and inflammation in the joints.

In summary, arthritis can be a painful and debilitating condition. However, there are several strategies you can use to fight arthritis and keep it at bay. These strategies include getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, managing weight, and getting enough sleep. Additionally, avoiding joint injuries and making your home and workplace more ergonomic can also help to reduce arthritis pain.

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