Author: John Vorhaus

More than half of the population in Madison is made up of women. It, therefore, makes sense that there are lots of Madison women’s health specialists. Because of the ongoing advances in medicine, most American women have access to healthcare and their life expectancy has increased significantly. With some lifestyle changes, you can improve your health. Some effective tips include:

1.     Schedule Annual Exams

You do not need to wait until you are unwell to see a doctor. Without annual exams, you may be missing out on the chance to protect your health. If you do not know that you have an underlying health issue, you cannot treat it. With preventive care, you can check for concerns such as high cholesterol levels, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure.

2.     Don’t Ignore Vaginal Infections

Common vaginal infections include trichomoniasis, yeast infection, and bacterial vaginosis. If you have the signs of a disease, it may be okay to use over-the-counter medication. If, however, the symptoms do not go away, or it is a persistent problem, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by parasites. Bacterial vaginosis results from bacterial overgrowth in the vagina, and yeast causes fungal infections. If you do not treat vaginal infection in time, they may result in severe reproductive health issues.

Women with HIV or uncontrolled diabetes are susceptible to yeast infections. Doctors can evaluate them and reduce recurrent infections.

3.     Wear the Right Underwear

The right underwear should be clean, dry, and breathable. The wrong fabric can create ideal conditions for yeast to thrive. If you are prone to infection, avoid thongs and always change your underwear after exercise. Change your underwear every few hours if you experience lots of discharge.

4.     Stop Smoking

Smoking harms your body. It increases your risk of osteoporosis, cancer, cataracts, and rheumatoid arthritis. If you smoke, you are likely to go through menopause earlier than women who do not smoke. You can quit smoking at any age. If you need help, consider seeking professional help.

5.     Proper Hygiene

Common sense may protect your vaginal health. After bowel movements, always wipe front to back to prevent bacterial infections. Clean your underwear regularly and change your tampons or sanitary pads every few hours.

6.     Diet

The right diet may improve your feminine health. They balance the vaginal pH and introduce good bacteria to your vagina. Leafy green vegetables can reduce vaginal dryness, and sweet potatoes may strengthen your uterine walls. Some of the best foods for your vagina include pineapples, apples, cranberries, and soy.

7.     Stop Douching

The vagina cleanses itself naturally. It produces a discharge that can get rid of bacteria and germs from the body. Using harsh cleansers and soaps to douche can throw off your natural pH. If you have an unpleasant smell down there, you need to see a doctor. A douche can mask the smell, but it does not address its cause.

If you wish to protect your feminine health, you have to start at home. Simple changes to your lifestyle may be helpful. If you have any concerns, seek medical help immediately.

Without vision, you cannot see your goals. Do you suffer from frequent headaches? If yes, this is enough reason to seek a specialist in ophthalmology in Jacksonville, FL for an exam. Frequent headaches can be indicative of uncorrected vision problems. The best way to rule out any chance is by going for regular eye exams. At Wolchok Eye Associates, we believe that prevention is superior to cure to help you have undisturbed eyesight no matter your age or profession.

Effects of Eye Strain

Due to advances in technology, you may be spending most of your time in front of a computer or glaring over your smartphone. These devices make life convenient but are a leading cause of eye strain, characterized by blurred vision, aching eyes, feeling tired, and frequent headaches. Your eyes can also suffer from strain even if you are not tech-savvy.

Problems with uncorrected visual acuity including hypoxia, astigmatism, and presbyopia can bring a lot of strain on your eyes. Astigmatism causes your eye to have an abnormal shape and bend light in unfamiliar ways, causing squinting and headaches.

If you suffer from hyperopia or farsightedness, images become focused behind the retina, making them appear blurred. You will have a challenge reading smaller prints. Presbyopia is another common eye problem that can affect you even if you have not been using eyeglasses. This problem is caused by aging, which makes your eyes’ lenses harden and become less flexible, making it hard to focus on objects which are near.

These Problems are not Unique to Adults

Your child can also suffer from frequent headaches due to undiagnosed vision problems. They may be able to perfectly read small letters on an E chart, which makes detecting the problem a challenge. The best way to detect this is through a comprehensive eye exam at your doctor’s office. After your doctor has established the cause of headaches, he will plan on the best treatment plan.

An Updated Prescription Can Make a Huge Difference

Most often, changes in vision tend to be gradual and you may fail to notice that your glasses are offering little help compared to the past. If your headaches are due to eye problems, your doctor will issue you with updated glasses or contact lenses to help clear the problem.

Headaches and Sight-Threatening Conditions

However, you may need more than a change of pair of glasses in some instances where you experience a headache. Glaucoma is an eye disorder that causes pressure on the eye’s optic nerves and can cause permanent vision loss. You can also have headaches if you have cataracts. This condition causes clouding in the lens of an eye.

Keep Up with Your Eye Exams

Your eyes and brains have an agile coping mechanism, making it hard for you to notice an eye problem in good time. Do not wait until it is too late to salvage your vision. If you are experiencing frequent unexplained headaches, it is time to schedule a consultation with your ophthalmologist to help strike eye problems off the list of possible culprits.

You should find a Board-certified foot surgeon in New York NY who knows the importance of having strong and healthy feet and how it affects your performance as an athlete. Taking care of your feet as an athlete is paramount as it plays an essential role in balance, support, propulsion, and other key moves for an athlete.  Without taking proper care of your feet, you could suffer from injuries, which result from repetitive motion, overuse of the joints, and recurring stress on the bones in the feet.

Feet Issues More Likely To Affect Athletes

•       Inflammation of the tendons
•       Blisters
•       Calluses
•       Corns
•       Fungal infections
•       Bursitis
•       Stress fractures

Blisters, Corns, and Callus Prevention

Athletes should take care of their feet to prevent injuries and sores on the feet that could develop due to wearing shoes that do not fit properly or those which constantly rub against the skin. Some of the precautions you could take against corns, blisters, and calluses include:

•       keep the feet clean and dry at all times
•       use lotion to soften the skin and prevent cracking on the feet
•       wear comfortable shoes that fit properly

Prevention of Tendon, Ligaments, and Bone Injury

Tendons and ligaments could be hurt when you make an awkward movement that causes strain on the tendons. Bone injuries, on the other hand, could occur due to accidents and trauma which an athlete could face in the field.  Some of these measures could help prevent damage to the bones, tendons, and ligaments on the feet:

•       Avoiding activities and awkward movements that could cause pain
•       When exercising it is prudent to start with simple exercises and gradually increase the intensity to avoid damage to the ligaments and tendons
•       loosen tendons and ligaments by stretching before and after any workouts
•       relax your exercise routine if you get an injury to the bones
•       use insoles, arch supports, and heel pads that cushion the feet against trauma during field activities

Fungal Infection Prevention

You could face fungal infections as you are more likely to have sweaty feet due to intense workouts in the field. The damp feet could be a breeding ground for fungus to grow, leading to infections. Here are some fungal infection prevention tips

•       change your socks throughout the day to reduce sweat and dampness that could predispose your feet to fungal infections
•       dry your feet well after showering and ensure that the region between the toes is entirely dried
•       wear shower shoes in public showers to avoid picking up fungus from the public places
•       wear socks that are made of breathable fabric that allow your feet to stay dry, keeping fungal infections away

The Bottom Line

If you have a foot injury and other complications that arise from field activities, it is prudent to see a medical professional who would help with proper diagnosis and treatment. It would help if you took personal care of your feet by wearing insoles and heel pads that prevent trauma to the feet It is also important to wear comfortable shoes and breathable socks that keep the feet aerated and comfortable.

Pneumonia is a common respiratory infection in Avery Ranch which affects the alveoli, or air sacs in the lungs, making them fill with fluid or pus. The condition can either affect one lung or both lungs. Different people get varying severity of pneumonia with some only having mild infections that can be treated at home with oral medications. However, if you have severe pneumonia, you may have to be admitted to the hospital and put on some intravenous medications.

When you present with symptoms of pneumonia-like cough and fever, the doctor will take a thorough medical history to rule out other causes of these symptoms. The doctor from Urgent and Family Care at Avery Ranch will then do a physical examination of your respiratory system and other body systems to check how they are affected. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may order some imaging tests like a chest X-ray, which will check for typical signs of pneumonia. Treatment will then be personalized.

What Are the Symptoms of Pneumonia?

The symptoms of pneumonia can either be mild or severe. The mild symptoms of pneumonia mimic those of the common cold, like a cough, but the difference is the duration. The symptoms of pneumonia persist for longer than a week, unlike those of flu. The symptoms of pneumonia include having chest pain as you cough or when you are breathing in and out, wet cough, fever and chills, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Adults who are older than 65 years or those with weak immunity can experience some atypical symptoms like confusion, and low body temperatures. You need to seek immediate medical attention when you experience persistent chest pain and fever or when you get shortness of breath. The risk of getting severe pneumonia is high for children who are younger than 2 years, adults who are older than 65, people with underlying medical conditions like cancer, and those with weak immunity.

What Causes Pneumonia?

Pneumonia can be caused by different microorganisms that can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. Some of the bacteria that cause pneumonia include streptococcus pneumonia that causes lobar pneumonia. Viruses are the most common causes of pneumonia in children who are less than five years, and they mostly cause mild pneumonia.

Fungal pneumonia mostly affects people who have a weak immune system, like those who are on chemotherapy or have HIV. The risk factors of pneumonia include being below 2 years old or above 65 years, smoking, having chronic diseases, and being admitted to the hospital.

What Are the Types of Pneumonia?

There are different types of pneumonia. These include hospital-acquired pneumonia that affects people who have been admitted to the hospital, especially at the intensive care unit where they can get in contact with microorganisms in the breathing machines.

Aspiration pneumonia is another type of pneumonia that occurs when food, saliva, or vomit gets inside the lungs, especially in people with swallowing difficulties, brain damage, or alcohol and drug intoxication. Community-acquired pneumonia is one that you get outside the hospital setting.

In summary, pneumonia is an infection of the air sacs inside the lungs where they fill with fluid or pus. The symptoms of pneumonia include cough, fever and chills, chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The risk factors of pneumonia include being younger than 2 years or older than 65 years, having a chronic disease, and having a weak immune system. Seek medical attention when you develop the symptoms of pneumonia to avoid complications.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a common neurological disorder in El Paso. Some of its symptoms include aches and pains in the legs. It may feel like you are exercising even when your legs are at rest. Its symptoms are mostly apparent at night and they can make it difficult to sleep. Restless leg syndrome in El Paso is more common in women than men. Fortunately, there are a few home remedies that can make it better. Some of them include the following:

1.     Lifestyle Changes

Making certain changes to your lifestyle may reduce the symptoms of RLS. Some of the most important lifestyle changes to make include the following:

• Stop Smoking

Research suggests that smoking can make the symptoms of RLS worse. It can make your legs and entire body feel jittery, hence affecting the quality of your sleep. If you have a smoking problem, consider seeking professional help.

• Diet

Dietary changes can improve the quality of your sleep. Limit your consumption of caffeine and alcohol, especially close to your bedtime. Avoid any foods that can keep you up at night.

• Medication

Your medication for other conditions may increase your chances of getting RLS. They can cause insomnia and make it difficult for your muscles to relax. Ask a doctor to review your medication if you have signs of RLS.

2.     Sleep routine

Come up with a clear sleep routine and stick to it. Fatigue makes the symptoms of RLS worse, so you should try to get as much rest as possible every day. Keep your sleep environment clean and quiet and go to bed at the same time every day. Your goal should be to get a minimum of seven hours of sleep every night.

3.     Use a Foot Wrap

Foot wraps are specifically designed for people with RLS. They exert pressure under your feet and relieve the symptoms of RLS.

4.     Hot and Cold Compresses

Alternate between hot and cold compresses to relieve pain. RLS symptoms can range from very painful to slightly irritating. Whichever the case, hot and cold compresses may help. Alternate between them until you feel better. Hot baths and massages may also help you relax.

5.     Iron and Vitamin Supplements

Consider taking iron and vitamin supplements to ease the symptoms of RLS. The main cause of RLS is iron deficiency. Studies suggest that iron supplements may ease your symptoms. If you think that you may have iron deficiency, speak to your doctor about it. They will perform a test and prescribe the supplements if appropriate. Vitamin D deficiency may also be linked to RLS. Taking the supplements may ease your symptoms.

RLS may cause discomfort and major sleep problems. It may affect your ability to go on with your daily activities. While it is important to seek medical attention, there are a few home remedies that may help. Consider taking advantage of them before seeing a doctor. Some of the best ones include hot and cold compresses, iron and vitamin supplements, and diet changes.