Month: March 2021

Your body’s immune system works continuously to fight off infections and diseases; however, damage to the responsible cells weakens your immune system leaving you susceptible to various medical conditions and cancers. HIV is a notorious virus that can damage your system. When you fail to contact your doctor for professional help, this virus will severely damage and kill your CD4 cells. Dr. Sabri Malek and his team of professionals offer their vast patient population top-tier care to their various life-threatening conditions including HIV disease in Pasadena. Thanks to the team’s palliative care services that focus on your comfort, you will have the surety that someone will always be there watching over you.

HIV has several Q&A including:

What is HIV?

HIV is an incurable virus that works hard to overpower your immune system and spreads through body fluids. HIV advances in various stages before it progresses to AIDS. Fortunately, when you contact your doctor for treatment, he will help you manage your condition and help you live longer.   

What Are the Stages of HIV You Will Go Through Before the Virus Progresses to AIDS?

HIV has three phases, each of which has its unique symptoms. These phases are:

•         Primary Infection/Acute HIV. During this first stage of the infection, you will have mass production of the virus in your body. You will start experiencing flu-like symptoms within the first few weeks of infection though the symptoms will not last long. While some people may experience rashes and stomach upsets among other signs, others may not portray any symptoms.
•         Clinical latency/Asymptomatic stage. Once you are through with the acute stage, you may likely start to feel better. However, the virus remains active in your body, infecting other healthy cells. You may not have visible symptoms and you may even forget you contracted the virus.
•         Symptomatic HIV. As the virus multiplies, you will develop mild or chronic symptoms including diarrhea, weight loss, pneumonia, and oral yeast infection.

When you fail to manage HIV, the virus can severely damage your immune system turning it into AIDS. AIDS will make you prone to opportunistic diseases and cancers. When you have AIDS, you will experience opportunistic conditions’ symptoms including chronic diarrhea and persistent fever.  

What Are the Available Treatment Plans for HIV-Positive Patients?

Currently, no treatment can eradicate the virus from your body since HIV permeates and inserts itself in your cells’ DNA. However, your doctor can help you minimize the virus’s symptoms with medical care. He will recommend antiretroviral therapy (ART) to suppress HIV and enable you to live for many years.

ART is a series of medications, each uniquely attacking the virus. The medications’ primary function is to slow the virus’s progression minimizing your risks of spreading the infection to another person.

Do not fall into depression when you suspect you have contracted the virus or at higher risk of being infected. If you fear that you have already been exposed to the virus, your doctor can prescribe PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). However, for PEP to be effective, you have to take it within three days of contracting HIV. For more information on HIV, schedule an appointment with the professionals or call the facility’s direct line.

Children experience sinusitis, ear infections, and other ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions at higher rates and usually need more care than adults. At Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat, the team of highly-qualified specialists in pediatric ENT in Surprise, Arizona, provide children-friendly diagnostic and treatment services for ENT conditions. To schedule an appointment, call their office or fill their online appointment form.

What Is Pediatric ENT?

Pediatric ear, nose, and throat (ENT) is a specialty that focuses on head and neck care for individuals below 18 years of age. The team of specialists at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat is experienced in offering kid-friendly care, including diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the airways and nasal passages.

Mostly, pediatric ENT involves nonsurgical treatments that consider your child’s comfort. However, where necessary, the team at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat also provides surgical treatments. They treat both chronic and acute head and neck problems that commonly happen in kids. All their services consider your kid’s comfort during treatment to ensure the most effective care.

ENT Conditions Common in Children

Pediatric ENT includes several conditions that affect kids’ ears, noses, and throats. If your child is experiencing persistent throat soreness, coughing, or breathing problems, you should consult a specialized pediatric ENT provider. At Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat, the specialized team of providers frequently diagnose and treat these problems in kids:

•       Cleft palate or cleft lip
•       Facial injuries
•       Nose bleeding
•       Disturbed breathing during sleep
•       Hearing problems
•       Ear infections
•       Tonsillitis
•       Tongue-tie
•       Nasal deformities
•       Sore throat
•       Allergies
•       Asthma
•       Sinus infections
•       Breathing problems

The providers work with you and your child to diagnose their symptoms and understand their underlying causes. They can perform diagnostic blood tests or imaging tests to collect info about the condition your child is having and create an effective treatment plan. They can use specially designed equipment to enhance your child’s comfort during diagnosis and treatment.

What Treatments Are Available for Pediatric ENT Problems?

Providers at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat create a customized treatment plan that is appropriate for the condition and age of your child. Your child’s personalized ENT treatment plan can include:

•       Medications

Medications are usually a crucial part of pediatric ENT treatment. The team at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat will teach you how to administer drugs as required according to prescriptions.

•       Nonsurgical in-office treatments

Surgical treatments might not be required with in-office nonsurgical treatments. For instance, your kid’s provider might remove foreign material from your child’s throat, ear, or nose. They also offer treatments such as nasal implants that can enhance your kid’s breathing.

•       Surgery

Surgery is not usually the first option, but sometimes it is required. The providers at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat provide minimally invasive sinus surgeries, tonsillectomy, and other minimally invasive surgeries in their office.

•       Homecare

The team at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat can make recommendations according to your kid’s symptoms. For care that is beyond the constraints of the office, your child’s provider can recommend using humidifiers, resting, or other treatments to enhance the wellbeing of your child.

If your child is experiencing ear, nose, or throat issues or other head and neck symptoms, contact Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat to schedule a consultation by calling 623-234-4640 or filling out their online appointment form.

Microdermabrasion is a procedure that will make your skin glow and appear younger. A healthcare specialist can only do the procedure. Tallahassee microdermabrasion has experts that will help you remove the dull top layer and reveal the younger-looking skin underneath. It could be wise to know if you are eligible for microdermabrasion. Prepare for the procedure and consult with your doctor to learn more about how the procedure will be done and the expected results after the treatment.

Patients for Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a procedure that improves overall texture and skin tone. The procedure is considered to be safe for all types of skin and color. You should choose microdermabrasion if you have the following skin concerns: enlarged pores and blackheads, uneven skin tone and texture, stretch marks, acne and acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, and dull-looking skin and complexion. Get that skin that you have always desired.

Preparing to Have a Microdermabrasion Procedure

Before starting the microdermabrasion procedure, you will need to speak to a healthcare professional. A dermatologist will examine your skin during the consultation to ensure that microdermabrasion is appropriate. You will also discuss your medical history, such as allergies and medical conditions. You will be guided on what results to expect, the number of treatments you will need, potential limitations, and treatment cost. However, you can ask to see before-and-after photos of people who have undergone microdermabrasion.

Procedure of Microdermabrasion

The microdermabrasion procedure is usually in-office, and it takes about an hour. You will not need to use a numbing agent or anesthesia for microdermabrasion. A professional will use a handheld device to spray particles of sand on the outer layer of skin in the targeted area. Moisturizing and application of sunscreen would give better results from the treatment.

Ways to Do the Procedure

•       Diamond-tip handpiece

The type of microdermabrasion applicator is used in the more sensitive part of your face, like near your eyes. It is designed to remove dead cells from your skin; it produces the results immediately after the procedure. The pressure applied on the handpiece will affect the length the suction remains on the skin.

Crystal microdermabrasion is a procedure where fine crystals are sprayed gently on your face to rub away the skin’s outer layers; the dead cells are suctioned immediately. This procedure can be applied anywhere on the face except near the eyes.

What to expect after microdermabrasion

After the microdermabrasion treatment, you can begin your daily activities again, immediately. You will be advised to keep your skin hydrated and use gentle products on the skin. Your skin can be sensitive to the sun after treatment; you will need sunscreen for a few weeks. Depending on your skin type and expectations, you can notice results immediately after the procedure. Sometimes you will need several sessions to achieve your results. You can be provided with a maintenance treatment plan after every session.

Conclusion

Microdermabrasion is convenient, non-surgical, painless, safe, and effective for all types of skin. Your dermatologist will guide you on what to expect after treatment. The treatment procedure is very effective and one that you should consider if you want to improve your appearance.

Birth control helps you manage your family and prevent unwanted pregnancy. However, with lots of birth control options available today, selecting the best option is not always easy. This is why you should consider getting expert guidance from dedicated medical professionals. For birth control in Lake Mary, Florida, Christopher K Quinsey, MD, provides various options and helps you choose the best contraceptive method for you. For more information on the available birth control options for you, call or schedule an appointment online today.

What Is Birth Control?

This refers to all methods used by women to prevent pregnancy. These include medication prescriptions or the condoms you get from the pharmacy. Even if there are various choices regarding birth control, some methods are more effective than others.

What Should You Consider When Choosing A Birth Control Option?

The best birth control option for you depends on your specific needs. Other factors to consider include ease of use, convenience, needed maintenance, possible side effects, and how long it will be required. If you plan to have another child after discontinuing the birth control method, you should consider how long you will try to conceive. Dr. Quinsey will put all these factors into consideration and help you choose the right one for your health and needs.

What are the available birth control options?

Most of the common and effective birth control options include:

Birth Control Injection

The birth control injection, referred to as Depo Provera, is administered in the buttock or upper arm every three months. The injection effectively prevents you from getting pregnant by stopping ovulation.

Oral Contraceptives

These are birth control pills that you take daily to prevent pregnancy. Most contraceptive pills have hormones progestin and estrogen to prevent ovulation.

Vaginal Ring

This birth control option involves wearing a vaginal ring for three weeks, then taking it off for a week to have your period. You will then wear a new ring for the next three weeks. 

Intrauterine Devices (IUD)

The method involves placing an IUD in your uterus, where it prevents conception in the long term. Hormone IUDs prevent pregnancy for 3 to 5 years, while the copper IUD prevents you from getting pregnant for up to ten years.

Birth Control Patch

Like the vaginal ring, you wear the birth control patch for three weeks with a week off before wearing a new patch.

Birth Control Implant

This is an effective birth control option that keeps you from getting pregnant for up to three years. Dr. Quinsey is well experienced in placing the NEXPLANON implant in your upper arm.

How Effective Are the Birth Control Options?

The only birth control option that is a hundred percent effective in preventing pregnancy is abstinence. However, all the listed birth control methods have excellent success rates with less than one percent of women becoming pregnant when using it correctly. Consistency is highly vital regardless of the kind of birth control you opt for.

To sum up, choosing the best family planning option is essential to ensure ultimate effectiveness.  If you have a problem with consistency, Dr. Quinsey is committed to helping you decide the best birth control options that suit your needs. To learn more, call or schedule an appointment online today.

Morbid obesity is one of the leading life-threatening conditions that Americans are battling. You have to have a BMI score of 40 or more for you to be considered morbidly obese. The situation is so severe that it can interfere with an individual’s way of life. If you fall in this category, you may qualify to see a Port Chester bariatric surgeon at AMI Surgery. But before you schedule an appointment with the team, here are some essential things you need to know about the procedure.

Who qualifies for bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery is designed to help patients with a BMI ranging between 35 and 39.9. it is also applicable in people with obesity-related diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and many more. It is the last resort for patients that have tried other weight loss options and have failed.

Before a surgeon decides that you are fit for a bariatric procedure, you need to meet criteria such as:

•         Your body weight is more than 100 pounds.
•         Your Body Mass Index is about 40
•         You have other obesity-related conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes, or others.
•         Your body weight keeps fluctuating despite observing a diet under your nutritionist’s supervision.

While BMI is not a measure of health risk, it can still determine if you are unhealthy. Exercise is an essential ingredient that helps you shed weight and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and other health complications. However, not every individual is physically-fit to perform some exercises. Always ask your doctor what type of activities to engage in before you start your exercise routine.

What to Expect After Bariatric Surgery

As is typical of surgeries, bariatric surgery can also cause some complications. When this happens, your doctor may recommend that you go for revisional bariatric surgery. You may be eligible for the repeat surgery if you:

Gain weight

Ideally, this type of surgery guarantees that you will lose weight in the first two years. After that, your body weight will be steady. But if you start gaining weight even after the surgery, see your doctor.

Loss of appetite

Bariatric surgery is all about reducing your stomach’s size to help you control portion sizes and avoid overeating. If you find yourself eating huge portions after the surgery or always feeling hungry, go for a checkup.

Experience stomach pain

After the surgery, your body should go back to its normal state. If you experience any stomach ache, check with your doctor to verify if the surgery caused it.

Experience heartburn

Experiencing heartburn after the surgery is normal. However, it should not prevent you from enjoying your food. See a doctor if your heartburn lasts more than a week.

See a Bariatric Surgeon For a Successful Weight Loss

Once your doctor confirms that you are eligible for bariatric surgery, it is essential to work with your surgeon to have a successful experience. Report any of these symptoms to your doctor after the surgery. To find out if you qualify for bariatric surgery, schedule an appointment with your doctor at AMI Surgery today.

Caring for your body should be your priority. You must make sure you are in excellent physical condition to tackle your daily activities comfortably. If you happen to be dealing with any wound within your body, the last thing you can afford to do is leave your healing process to chance with a doctor without the necessary training, knowledge, or resources. Remember, an infected wound is not only extremely painful and uncomfortable, but it is also quite dangerous. An infection can move rapidly through the body and cause severe complications. It gets worse if you have conditions such as diabetes or a weak immune system. With Bakersfield wound care services, you can avoid a lot of damage that can sometimes lead to amputation of the affected areas.

Your physical health and quality of life should be your first concern when dealing with any wound in your body, but it entirely depends on the medical professional you choose to take care of your treatment. You must choose the best wound care specialist within your area, and the following tips should guide you in making the right decision.

Consider the Doctor’s Location

Every patient should consider the proximity of their doctor’s office, especially when dealing with wounds. Frequent mobility concerns often characterize such complications, so you should look for a specialist you can get to comfortably and with few roadblocks. Depending on the wound you need taken care of, you might require regular visits, and driving long distances can be overwhelming overtime. Keep proximity in mind to get the care you need for quick recovery.

Experience

It is quite crucial to choose a specialist with vast experience in wound care. Before you trust anyone to take charge of your treatment, get to know them more by asking things like years of experience in wound care and experience with previous clients in complicated cases of wound care. How long a particular doctor has been in the field can help assess their expertise in wound care. You need someone sure about what they are doing if you are to recover fully.

Check Out Insurance Coverage

Some wound care specialists may not accept certain insurance providers. Check if your policy covers specialists’ services such as wound care. Choosing someone who is not within your network will require you to pay for the costs out-of-pocket. Depending on the insurance company you work with, they might have a list of pre-approved specialists you can choose from should you require the policy to cover the costs.

The Reputation of Their Treatment Center

You deserve to receive your wound care from experts who value you, understand your needs, and prioritize giving you individualized treatment and support.The provider you choose must be committed to patient satisfaction to give you the quality service you deserve.

When your health is on the line, especially with a stubborn wound, you deserve to get the best medical attention available. The specialist you choose goes a long way in determining your recovery process. As such, take your time to weigh various options and choose one that you feel will treat your wounds quickly, efficiently, and safely.  For excellent care, call Heart Vascular and Leg Care today.

Losing a pregnancy is disheartening. Though you cannot prevent a miscarriage from happening, your doctor can help you improve your chances of carrying your pregnancy to term and delivering a healthy baby. Dr. Loy and his team of fertility experts have experience helping women who have gone through issues with miscarriage in Celebration. They will guide you on how to handle your loss and help you go through a successful pregnancy.

How do you define a miscarriage?

Miscarriages are common and happen to many women, mostly in their initial 13 weeks of pregnancy, or the first trimester. Many times, a woman who loses her baby this early in the pregnancy will not even know she is pregnant.

What are the signs that you could be having a miscarriage?

You are likely to confuse a miscarriage with your monthly menstrual flow because you will not even realize you were pregnant before it happened. You may also experience the following symptoms:

•         Heavy bleeding
•         Severe abdominal pain
•         Pelvic pain
•         Back pain
•         Weakness

While you will also experience spotting, it is not always a sign of miscarriage. Many women spot early on during their pregnancies. Though it is not a call for alarm, you should immediately contact your doctor when spotting accompanies any of these symptoms during pregnancy.

What are the various types of miscarriages?

If you have just lost your pregnancy, your doctor will try to explain to you what happened. For instance:

•         An incomplete miscarriage happens when you lose the embryo, but your body fails to expel your pregnancy tissues.
•         Your doctor will term the loss a complete miscarriage when your body expels all the pregnancy tissues.

You can also experience a threatened miscarriage, which happens when you bleed during pregnancy, but there is no pain and your cervix is shut. In such a case, if your doctor finds your fetus intact with a heartbeat, he can help you save your child and carry the pregnancy to term.

What causes you to have a miscarriage?

Approximately 50% of miscarriages happen when an embryo has the incorrect number of chromosomes. If your egg or your partner’s sperm contains an irregularity in their chromosomes, the embryo also suffers the abnormality and this could result in a miscarriage. Other causes of miscarriages include:

•         Abnormal hormone levels in a woman
•         An incompetent cervix
•         Medications
•         Infections
•         Uncontrolled diabetes

Additionally, some personal behaviors like smoking, illegal drugs, and alcohol could also make you lose your pregnancy.

Can you prevent a miscarriage?

No. You cannot prevent a miscarriage from happening. However, you can follow your doctor’s recommendations to increase your chances of carrying your pregnancy to term. These precautions include:

•         Maintaining a healthy weight
•         Take your prenatal vitamins regularly
•         Exercise regularly with an OK from your doctor
•         Cut-off drugs, alcohol, and caffeine drinks
•         Eat a proper diet with increased amounts of calcium and folic acid

Though you cannot prevent a miscarriage, there is so much you can do to proomte a healthy environment for a successfull pregnancy and safe deliver. There is hope, no matter how many miscarriages you go through. Contact your fertility doctor at Center for Reproductive Medicine to help bounce back on the route to being a parent.