Tips To Stay Healthy During Cough And Cold Season

In winters, the most common health problem one faces, irrespective of age, is cold and cough. Once contracted, a bad cold can last several days. However there are ways to keep healthy during this season by taking care of some simple points.

• Flu Shots: Getting vaccinated at the onset of the season is a good idea as it will keep your body immune from changing weather. Make sure everyone in the family gets the flu shots. It takes about two weeks after the vaccine for it to start working so time the shot accordingly.
• Practice Hygiene: Washing hands regularly, using a sanitizer and avoiding touching your nose and eyes, specifically if you have been in a public place or have just met someone with cold symptoms, is an effective way in keeping you away from this condition. 
• Disinfect The House: Timely disinfecting your home’s common places like tabletops, door knobs, sofas, chairs and floors will help in keeping the germs away. If there have been guests at home, this exercise becomes even more important.
• Stay Away From Infections: If there is someone in your workplace or school with cold and cough, avoid shaking their hands or sharing bottles/glasses with them as you must stay away from the virus as much as possible. 
• Sneeze Into A Tissue: Never sneeze into your hand as it will make the virus travel from you onto places you touch and thus spread infection. Always sneeze into a cloth or tissue which you can discard/clean so others around you are protected too.
• Eat The Right Food: Intake of fluids and eating fruits and vegetables will build your immune system and prepare you for this weather. Drinking soups and broth also keep the body warm and insulated.
• Rest: Even with a slight hint of having cold and cough symptoms, try to take ample rest. A rested body will wade away the virus faster. Also avoid travelling during this time as getting in contact will more people will help the virus to spread widely. 

If you have followed all the above tips and still struck with a bout of cold and cough, it is advisable to take enough rest and stay indoors. While home treatment can help a great deal, if the condition becomes severe, it is advisable to seek medical help for complete relief.

Sinusitis: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Sinusitis is one of the common health issues that often bring people to urgent care centers. People who have asthma, allergies, blockages in the sinuses or weak immune system are often susceptible to sinusitis. Sinusitis is the swelling or inflammation of the membrane that lines the sinuses. The condition prevents the drainage of mucus from the nose. Conditions that often lead to sinus blockages include the nasal polyps, allergic rhinitis, common cold or a deviated septum. Sinusitis can be acute or chronic. If you get several attacks within a year, you may get recurrent sinusitis.

Causes

• Viral, bacterial or fungal Infection
• Allergies
• cold
• Autoimmune response to any nasal irritation
• Growths of the mucous membranes (nasal polyps)
• Obstructions in the nasal cavity
• Deviated nasal septum
• Cystic fibrosis
• Weak immune system
• Spending time at a place where other people have infection
• Activities such as scuba diving, etc

Symptoms

• Nasal congestion
• Pain
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Headache
• Toothache and earache
• Tenderness behind eyes, cheeks, nose
• Fatigue
• Loss of smell
• Nasal stuffiness
• Bad breath
• Fever
• Green or yellow mucus

Diagnosis

If sinusitis is due to allergy, your physician at the urgent care may ask you to go for allergy tests to determine what triggers the sinus infection. Your physician may examine your nasal passage using rhinoscopy or nasal endoscopy. The physician may also recommend MRI or CT scan to check any sinus abnormalities such as deviated septum, polyps, etc. You should immediately visit an urgent care center if you have high fever, swelling in the eye or face, redness, stiff neck and headache.

Treatment

The symptoms of Sinusitis can often be treated using home remedies such as using warm, moist washcloth over your sinuses or use a humidifier to reduce the congestion. Steam inhalation may help in clearing the nasal blockage. Saline nasal sprays are also effective in clearing the nasal passages. It is often advised that the patients with sinusitis should drink plenty of water and other fluids. Some over-the-counter decongestants and pain relievers are also effective in offering relief from  mucus and pain.

• Medicines: Your physician at the urgent care may prescribe you certain anti-fungal medicines, antibiotics or allergy medicines to treat the severe symptoms of sinusitis. 
• Surgery: Surgery may be required to treat the acute sinusitis. The surgeon may remove nasal polyps or tumors, clean the sinuses and correct the deviated nasal septum.

You can reduce the risk of sinuses by taking precautions such as washing hands frequently, reducing exposure to elements that lead to allergy and avoiding smoking.

Common Causes Of Abdominal Pain In Children

Abdominal pain is a common complaint among children. The condition can be caused due to various reasons and it is imperative to know when to seek medical care. The important things to consider when evaluating the reason for abdominal pain is duration of the pain, location of the pain, appearance of the child, vomiting, content of the vomit, diarrhea, blood in stool, fever, pain in any other part of the body, urinary problems or a rash. These symptoms should be noticed and talked about with the doctor at the urgent care center.

Some of the common causes of abdominal pain in children are:
 

Infections:

• Viral and bacterial infections are common among children and can cause abdominal pain.
• Gastroenteritis or stomach flu cause stomach ache and may be treated with medications, depending on the severity.
• Urinary tract infections can also cause swelling and pain in the abdomen. It is essential to monitor the ease of passing urine and if the child complains of any burning sensation.
• Strep Throat is a common infection causing sore throat, fever and abdominal pain. It symptoms also include vomiting and headache.

Dietary:

• Food poisoning can cause abdominal pain.
• Food allergies caused due to consumption of milk, eggs, nuts etc.
• Over eating can also lead to stuffiness and pain.
• Gas in the stomach due to eating certain types of food. The symptoms of abdominal pain vary in intensity and are usually experienced immediately after eating.

Medical Conditions: Any of these conditions can also contribute towards abdominal pain.

• Appendicitis
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Gallstones
• Stomach Ulcer
• Hernia
• Crohn's disease
• Intussusception
• Tumor
• Cancer
• Sickle Cell Disease

Injury: A direct impact or fall can also lead to abdominal pain. The child should be examined for bruising or inflammation at the abdominal region. Injury can be caused while playing, due to an accident, fall, slip or a direct impact.

If the child complains of abdominal pain, he should be taken to an urgent care center. The physicians at the urgent care center diagnose the exact cause of the pain and provide immediate medical treatment.

Athlete's Foot: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Athlete’s Foot, also known as Tinea Pedis and Ringworm of the Foot, is a contagious fungal infection of one or both feet. It usually begins between the toes and can spread to the hands too. The infection causes itching or blisters on the foot and can lead to rashes as well as dry skin. The condition is more common among athletes, people who are diabetic or have weak immune system.  

Athletes Foot can be classified into four categories:

• Chronic Interdigital Athlete's Foot
• Plantar Chronic Scaly Athlete's Foot
• Acute Ulcerative Athlete's Foot
• Vesiculobullous Athlete's Foot

Causes

• Fungus Outbreak: Damp socks and shoes can cause the development of fungus, leading to infection.

• Direct Contact: Contamination can be caused due to a skin-to-skin contact with the infected person.

• Indirect Contact: Athlete’s Foot can also spread due to contact with a contaminated object like used towel, shoes, socks, bedsheet etc.

Symptoms

• Itching
• Stinging sensation
• Burning feeling on soles of feet
• Blisters on the skin
• Cracking and peeling skin
• Dry skin on sides of feet
• Discolored toenails
• Redness and softening of the skin
• Flaking

Risk Factors

• Male gender
• Prior history of infection
• Aging
• Weak immunity
• Walking barefoot in public places such as shower rooms, saunas, locker rooms or swimming pools

Diagnosis

The doctor at an urgent care center may physically examine the affected foot by observing the skin closely. He may take skin scrapes from the infected area in order to observe them under a microscope to look for fungal branches. In some cases, the doctor may also send the skin samples for a lab test to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other infections. The skin doctor may also ask questions about the medical history of the patient to get information about any prior skin infections.

Treatment

The doctor may prescribe the patient with topical medication, powders, sprays, ointment or lotion in order to limit the growth of infection causing fungus. The patient may be suggested to use medication for 1-2 weeks in order to prevent the infectious fungus from returning. In order to cure severe infections the doctor may prescribe oral medications.

Prevention

Certain self-care measures like regularly washing the feet, wearing cotton socks, keeping the feet dry, changing shoes often, using clean towels and wearing flip flops etc. can be advised to the patient in order to heal the affected area and preventing the reoccurrence of the infection.

You must visit an urgent care center in order to receive immediate and proper treatment for Athlete's Foot.

Tips To Help Children Develop Healthy Habits

Developing healthy habits early in the life of your child can help him grow into vigorous adult. Children should be encouraged to eat nutritious food and indulge in physical activities by their parents, so that they do not fall prey to problems like Diabetes and obesity. Healthy living not only leads to physical well being of the child, but also enables him to learn better and be happier. Parents can ensure a good health for their child by incorporating a few tips in daily routine.
 

Given here are some useful tips to help children develop healthy habits:

• Set A Good Example: Every child follows the footsteps of his parents. When he sees his parents trying to stay healthy by eating right and exercising, he does the same. So, you must act responsibly and be a good role model to your children.

• Healthy Eating At Home: You must ensure that all the food that comes to the house is healthy. Fruits and vegetables should be presented in a convenient and appealing way to the children, like in the form of shakes or smoothies. They should be made aware of the benefits of wholesome eating and the routine of three healthy meals a day should be followed regularly.

• Avoid Junk Food: Dining out should be limited to once in a week or two. The junk food served at fast food joints, though tasty, is extremely unhealthy for the children. The fried and sugary food is full of saturated fats and is the most significant reason for increasing obesity among children.

• Daily Physical Activities: The children must be encouraged to play outside and indulge in physical activities of their choice. Regular exercise can keep them fit, both physically and mentally, and help them stay away from various health problems. Your child should be free to choose a sport of his choice and instigated to pursue it.

• Having Meals Together: Every family should have at least one meal of the day together, which should be accompanied with positive conversations. Such family time inculcates good values and healthy food habits in your child. Arguments and stressful conversations should be avoided as it may make the child associate food with stress.

• Regular Medical Checkup: In order to keep a check on the health of your child, regular visits to an urgent care center are a must. The child should be properly vaccinated and allergies, if any, should be properly diagnosed. The physician can even suggest a nutrition plan for the child if he is susceptible to obesity.

Every parent should, thus, get involved in the daily eating and physical activities of his child to ensure his healthy growth and development.

Ankle Sprain: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Ankle sprain, also known as a twisted ankle, is a common injury which occurs when one or more ligaments of the joint are torn or stretched. It is usually a result of forceful movement of the joint, which causes the ligaments and tendons in the joint to stretch beyond their normal range of motion. The injury can also be caused due to fall or sudden twisting of the joint. Most ankle sprains occur during sports activities, slipping or walking on an uneven surface.
 

Symptoms

• Swelling and bruising
• Pain and tenderness
• Numbness and stiffness in the foot
• Inability to bear weight on the joint
• Restricted range of motion
• Popping sound at the time of injury

Causes

• Weak muscles and ligaments in the ankle joint can make it vulnerable to sprains.
• Awkward planting of foot during activities like running, jumping, walking or getting out of bed.
• Running or walking on an uneven surface can cause the ankle to twist and lead to sprain.
• Sudden fall on a twisted ankle.
• Prior ankle injuries can weaken the muscles, tendons and the ligaments in the joint, which can cause sprains even due to slightest pressure.

Diagnosis
 

Ankle sprain is diagnosed by a thorough physical examination of the joint. The doctor examines symptoms like swelling, pain and stiffness and also looks for bruises on the affected foot. The patient may also be suggested to get an X-ray done to diagnose the cause and severity of the ankle sprain.
 

Treatment
 

The physician at the urgent care center may recommend R.I.C.E. therapy to treat ankle sprain. It includes the following 4 steps:

1. Rest: This involves giving ample rest to the affected joint.
2. Ice: Icing the affected joint can be helpful in reduction of swelling, redness and warmth.
3. Compress: To help compress the injured joint, the doctor may also wrap it with bandages.
4. Elevate: Keeping the affected joint elevated above heart level can help in easing the symptoms.

The doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines to minimize pain. Certain muscle strengthening exercises may be recommended by the doctor to regain movement in the affected foot. Physical therapy can also be helpful in reducing joint stiffness and instability as well as restoring its normal movement. Braces or crutches can be used to support the ankle and restrict its movement while it heals. Surgery may be needed if the ligaments in the ankle are severely damaged.
 

Ankle sprains are often considered to be a minor injury but you must consult your nearest urgent care center for proper treatment and prevent the condition from worsening.

When Do You Need To Go To The Emergency Room?

When you or loved ones suffer from any medical problem, the individual must be taken to a doctor for proper treatment. However, deciding if one should go to a hospital emergency room or an urgent care clinic is very important. Urgent care centers are usually intended to providing quality health care services to the patients suffering from non-life threatening medical problems. On the other hand, the physicians at an emergency room treat serious conditions which, if not attended to in time, can lead to severe consequences.

Here are some of the situations when you should visit a hospital emergency room:

• Deep with endless bleeding, even after pressure has been applied on the wound
• Continuous loss of blood
• Severe chest pain, sweatiness and difficulty in breathing
• Acute pain in the abdomen
• Signs and symptoms of a stroke – dizziness, loss of body balance and coordination, weakness, vision problems etc.
• Seizures
• High fever, nausea and diarrhea that lasts for several hours
• Unexplained allergic reactions
• Major head or spine injuries
• Severe burns
• Injuries due to an accident or fall
• Poisoning
• Pale or blotchy skin, specifically in infants 
• Intestinal bleeding, etc.

Besides the above mentioned problems, there are a number of their medical conditions that require immediate medical aid but are not severe enough to be taken to an emergency room. Urgent care centers are an ideal solution to fill in this gap. The doctors at these clinics have extensive experience in handling minor emergencies. The medical facility is equipped with on-site lab and imaging services to accurately diagnose a wide range of problems. Also, you do not need to wait for long hours to get an appointment with the doctor. The patients are usually seen on a ‘first come first serve’ basis regardless of the condition they are suffering from. The cost of treatment at these clinics is also much less than a hospital emergency room. Given below are some of the conditions that can be effectively treated at an urgent care center:

• Cuts that require stitches
• Minor fractures
• Flu
• Fever
• Sprains and strains
• Insect bites
• ENT ailments
• Infections
• Minor allergies
• Coughs, colds, sore throats
• Headache and migraines
• Asthma
• High or low blood pressure
• Anemia
• Urinary tract infections 
• Digestive problems
• Kidney stones
• Dehydration
• Diabetes

It is recommended that you dial 911 if the medical condition is severely life threatening or can worsen on the way to the hospital emergency room.