Tag Archives: Straight No Chaser

Here's to the World's Health

global healthThe world has shrunk, making it easy for global citizens to interact and share illnesses. Let’s be the committees of ones who start with ourselves to make the world a healthier place.
Contact us at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com or 844-SMA-TALK and do your part for humaity.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Treating Your Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever

hay fever solution
You’re miserable from seasonal allergies (aka hay fever, allergic rhinitis)? You’ve seemingly tried everything, and nothing seems to help? Let’s do a Straight, No Chaser look at your treatment options.
I want to start with a very simple point that’s more important that everything else that will follow.
People who have allergies will have allergic attacks.
Understand that. Accept that. Now let’s deal with it.
The goal in addressing seasonal allergies is prevention. The way your body works is simple. If you are exposed to a pollen or other substance the body interprets as a potential danger (an allergen), it will generate a defense to fight it. The suffering you sometimes feel is the byproduct of that fight. Furthermore, when you are subsequently exposed to the allergen, you will generate a stronger response, as your immune system is now primed for the fight.
All of this means that avoidance of these “triggers” is the key to your wellbeing. Everything else is compensation after the fact, which, in some cases, work counter to what the body may actually need at a certain point in time. Start by focusing on identifying your triggers and practicing avoidance.

  • During pollen season, stay indoors on especially hot, dry and windy days.
  • Don’t be afraid to wear a mask.

There are many treatment options. Besides avoidance, strategies involve treating symptoms and reducing the immune response.
Symptomatic Relief

  • For many, a nasal wash sufficiently eliminates mucus from the nose.
  • Antihistamines are a good place to start, and there are over the counter options. Be mindful of whether or not the one you’re selecting makes you drowsy. If so, act accordingly. (E.g., don’t operate heavy machinery while taking them.)
  • Nasal steroid sprays (corticosteroids) are the most effective treatment for allergic reaction, but may not be as effective if you’re not taking them continuously. Steroids are anti-inflammatory agents; that’s how they combat allergic rhinitis, which is an inflammation of the nose.
  • Many people reach for decongestants first because the nasal stuffiness is so annoying, but be advised: You should not take these for more than three days at a time. If the need persists, you should obtain medical attention.

Reducing the Immune Response

  • A class of medicines called leukotriene inhibitors block the substances released by your immune system. These substances are problematic because they also produce symptoms.
  • If symptoms either get incapacitating or you can’t avoid your triggers, you may be a candidate for immunotherapy (aka allergy shots). This involves desensitization to the pollen by receiving incrementally stronger exposure until your body can adapt to the exposure.

 The point of it all is you should focus on prevention by avoidance and work with your physician to address symptoms and your body’s response to them.
Feel free to contact your SMA expert consultant with any questions you have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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Straight, No Chaser: Do You Suffer from Hay Fever?

hayfever_1382411c

Hay (fever) there! If any of you don’t suffer from seasonal allergies (aka hay fever, allergic rhinitis), consider yourself lucky. As nuisances go, this has to rank high on the list. Allergies can make you incapacitated for days at a time and make you feel horrible. There are two questions I often get on this topic:

  • Why does it hit me so hard?
  • What can I do about it?

Today we deal with the why. We will dedicate a separate post to management of  seasonal allergies.
The rhinitis in allergic rhinitis refers to the nose; the “itis” is a suffix designating an inflammation. Knowing this should make the symptoms and process easy to understand: we’re describing an inflammation of the nose due to allergies. We’re all aware of the offending particles: dust, pollens, certain animals, etc. The problem is the process of exposure causes the body to release chemicals in an effort to combat what is thought to be an imminent danger to the body.
Hay fever is a specific type of allergic scenario involving pollen as a culprit. The pollens of trees, weeds and grasses are carried by the wind to your nose. You don’t need a pollen count to tell you when the risk is high. Basically…

  • If you live where it’s hot, dry and windy, there are going to be a lot more pollens in the air.
  • If you live where it’s cool, damp and rainy, you won’t suffer as much, because the pollen isn’t in the air to the same extent; it’s being washed away.
  • If you have hay fever and allergies in your families (especially if both of your parents have them), you are likely to have hay fever and allergies. 

HayFever

If you inhale a pollen to which you’re allergic, symptoms will start rapidly. They typically include the following:

  • Itching primarily in the nose, mouth, eyes, throat and skin, although any area can be affected
  • Runny Nose
  • Sneezing
  • Watery eyes
  • Difficulties with smelling

With ongoing exposure, you can develop additional symptoms.

  • Coughing
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy, congested nose and sinuses
  • Stuffy, congested sensation in your ears
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Puffiness and circles under the eyes

If your symptoms are severe or don’t respond to over-the-counter preparations, you may need to see a physician. Similarly if the discharge turns from clear to colored, you may need medical intervention. If your symptoms remain or worsen over time, you may wish to discuss allergy testing with your physician, as this will guide treatment options.
Check back to Straight, No Chaser for a discussion of treatment options. Feel free to ask your SterlingMedicalAdvice.com expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress. We are also on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Here's to your health

good health
Seems cliché, but it’s one of the most deeply felt sentiments. Why? Because poor health is just the worst. There are so many ways to suffer, but so many facts prove you probably don’t have to.
Your health can improve. Your wellbeing can improve. You hold the power of good health in your actions. It’s really more simple that you allow it to be. Keep moving. Eat fruits and veggies. Avoid unnecessarily risky behaviors.
We can help. Call us to find out how: 844-SMA-TALK. Chat with us online at www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com. We offer immediate, personalized healthcare advice 24/7.
Here’s to your health!
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Health Concerns of the Homeless

HomelessVeteran

We tend to take an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach to a lot of things. The plight of homelessness is certainly one of them. The healthcare needs of the homeless should be of interest to you, because even if you’re not homeless, what’s happening to them can affect your health.

homelessness-estimates-by-state_hud

Let’s start with some interesting facts.

  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development places homeless estimates at over 610,000, although The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty places the number at 1.75 million.
  • An estimated 100 million people worldwide are homeless.
  • Nearly 20 percent of homeless people in the U.S. are either in New York City (11%) or Los Angeles (9%).
  • Approximately 12% of the adult homeless population are veterans; of this population, 40% are either African-American or Hispanic (despite accounting for only 15% of the veteran population).
  • 50% of the homeless population is estimated to be African-American.
  • 36% of the homeless population is estimated to be families with children.

homelessnesspoverty

Regarding health:

  • Approximately 66% of the homeless have problems with alcohol, drug abuse or mental illness.
  • Approximately 22% of the adult homeless population suffer from a severe and persistent mental illness.

Health concerns affecting the homeless disproportionately to the general population include the following:

  • Bronchitis
  • Environmental disorders (e.g. hypothermia, frostbite, heat exposure)
  • Infectious diseases such as pneumonia, wound and skin infections
  • Mental health disorders
  • Physical and sexual abuse
  • Substance abuse

The health risks are fairly straightforward.

  • The preponderance of the homeless and the relative inability for them to access healthcare means any infectious diseases they carry are able to be spread into the general population.
  • The presence of mental health disorders and substance abuse means the risky behaviors that correlate with these disorders are a threat to those exposed.
  • The presence of such a large population of children among the homeless increases the risk for future development of mental health disorders in these individuals.

The plight of the homeless lacks the level of advocacy needed to eradicate this plague on societies around the world. In the U.S., the circumstances of homeless veterans and the chronically homeless have received attention such that the number of homeless dropped 4% between 2012 and 2013. That said, there is a long way to go and much work that still needs to be done. Consider discussing this matter with any or all of your governmental representatives. Just because homelessness may be out-of-sight or out-of-mind doesn’t mean it’s out of reality.
Feel free to ask your SMA personal healthcare consultant any questions you have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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Dance to Good Health

dance

Some people dislike the gym or structured workout routines. Don’t let that be your excuse for resisting good health. Pick some fun or interesting reason to move that body.
Don’t even know where the good dance places are anymore? How about your living room? Or an empty parking lot.
No excuses. Move that body! It’ll be fun.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

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Straight, No Chaser: Addressing Hearing Loss and the Use of Hearing Aids

hearingaid

Again joining the conversation is my friend and colleague Greg Keeney, audiologist and owner of Affordable Hearing Aids in Texas.

Addressing hearing loss is a humbling experience in that it forces you to face your mortality. The irony is that your feeling immortal is what leads to hearing loss in many instances (e.g., gunshots, explosions, scuba diving, noise exposures at concerts and sporting events, etc.).

noise_thermometer

Prevention and protecting your hearing is easy; the decision to do so seems not to be so easy. Remembering this hearing thermometer is a good way to know what activities hurt your hearing.
When it gets to the point that you’re having acute difficulty hearing, assuming you’re a victim of trauma, you may be inclined to flush wax out of your ear or use wax softeners. If you go this route, be careful. Remember that old Q-Tip commercial with the tag line, “You should never place anything in your ear smaller than your elbow.” Unless it’s ridiculous easy, you should have a health provider remove anything from your ear. Importantly, you should never place anything sharp in your ear (e.g., bobby pins, tweezers, etc.).
There are many procedures and surgeries that can help with hearing loss, including the following:

  • Placing tubes in the eardrum (aka T-tubes, tympanostomy tubes) to remove fluid
  • Repairing the eardrum or the bones in the middle ear that assist in sound transmission
  • Wearing heading aids, though only one of five individuals who could benefit from a hearing aid uses one
  • Using cochlear implants, a final option for those whose hearing impairment is so severe that various types of hearing aids aren’t effective or a viable option (Learn about cochlear implants at www.sterlingmedicaladvice.com.)

Sign language can complement these other methods or aural based communication when other methods don’t work.
Let’s focus on some frequently asked questions about hearing aids.

 hearingaidtypes

How do hearing aids work?
Hearing aids consist of a microphone, an amplifier and a speaker. These components convert sound waves to signals you can hear through the speaker. It’s really that simple.
How do experts determine that I need a hearing aid?
When the time comes, a physician who specializes in ear, nose and throat disorders (otolaryngologist) will evaluate possible causes of hearing impairment. An audiologist, a hearing health professional, may also identify and quantify the degree of loss. The results of these evaluations will determine your needs.
What are the different types of hearing aids?
Hearing aids differ in style, placement and means of amplifying sound. You can place them behind the ear, in the ear canal or within the middle ear for this effect. Analog hearing aids convert sound waves into electrical signals, which are amplified. Digital hearing aids convert sound waves into numerical codes, similar to the binary code of a computer, before amplifying them. The digital method allows more customization of various frequencies. These simple but important distinctions comprise how hearing aids are individualized.
What questions should I ask when getting a hearing aid?
The most important consideration is your mastery of the device you’ll be taking home with you. You shouldn’t be satisfied with a “plug and play” device. You should be prepared to know how to respond if your voice seems too loud or if you’re getting feedback, buzzing or background noise. You should be aware of cleaning and maintenance needs, as well as repair and service benefits that come with your device.

-Hearing-Losstx-

Information and innovation are available for you. Don’t put it off.
Feel free to contact your SMA expert consultant with any questions you have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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Most medical matters are manageable.

manage-your-health

Most of your health concerns are manageable without needing to engage your physician or having to visit the hospital. This can easily be accomplished with information and advice, as long as that information is personalized to your unique situation. Learn to take control of your health. It’s your most valuable asset. At www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and 844-SMA-TALK, we can help. With our expert consultants delivering medical best practices and outcomes to you based on your personal health history, we can advise you about how to take care of your health in your own way.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress. We are also on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Can You Hear Me Now? Let's Discuss Hearing Loss

hearing_loss1

If you think about it, it shouldn’t surprise you to hear that hearing loss is the third most common ailment. Pump up the volume could be the motto for a period of our lives lasting about 20 years. Let’s review causes, how you might know you’re suffering from hearing loss and what you can do about it. Joining the conversation is my friend and colleague Greg Keeney, audiologist and owner of Affordable Hearing Aids in Texas.

hearing_types

There are two main types of hearing loss. The first is called conductive hearing loss. There’s a problem transmitting sound because something is preventing the ear bones from relaying sound or the eardrum from vibrating in response. This can be due to several considerations.

  • An ear infection can produce fluid in the ear, interfering with the process.
  • An ear infections can scar the eardrum.
  • Wax buildup or a foreign body in the ear can block sound transmission.
  • Infections, cotton swabs, increased pressure from scuba diving or other items can rupture the eardrum.

Noise-Induced-Hearing-Loss1

Another type of hearing loss (and by far the most common type) is called sensorineural hearing loss. It is due to damage to the nerves that detect sound, and it is more likely to be irreversible. There are multiple causes of this condition as well.

  • Age
  • The loud noise we are exposed to at work and play (concerts, sporting events, fireworks, gun shots, etc.)
  • Medications (certain diuretics, chemotherapy regimens, antibiotic classes known as aminoglycosides and large doses of aspirin)
  • Infections (measles, meningitis, mumps, scarlet fever)
  • Medical conditions (e.g., acoustic neuroma, Meniere’s disease)

Unfortunately, hearing deficits can also be present at birth due to genetic conditions, birth defects, and infections transmitted from mother to baby (such as herpes, rubella and toxoplasmosis).
Symptoms are pretty straightforward. You’ll know it when you don’t hear it. There are some additional considerations that suggest may be developing hearing loss.

  • In those instances when your nerves are damaged and conducting sound erratically, certain sounds may seem excessively loud.
  • Your relative inability to hear will result in difficulty following conversations or distinguishing sounds when in noisy areas or if background noise is present.
  • Voices may sounds slurred, muffled or mumbled, and women’s voices will be harder to understand than men’s.
  • An interesting thing about your ears is that they aren’t just for hearing; they’re also your balance centers. It is common to see those suffering from ear damage also suffering from disturbances in balance.

Check tomorrow’s post for tips on how to prevent and treat hearing loss as well as a discussion of hearing aid options.
Feel free to contact your SMA expert consultant with any questions you have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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Your 2nd Opinion Doc

second opinion
Good. You’ve done the responsible thing. You found out what the problem is. Taking time to think about next steps and to get a second opinion (i.e., find an expert, set an appointment as a “new patient,” wait for the appointment date, take time off from work, etc.) just got quicker and easier.
It only takes a minute: 844-SMA-TALK
It only takes a minute: www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: About Hair Loss and Male Pattern Baldness – Alopecia

balding

I tell people all the time, “I’m shaved, not bald.” Whether or not that’s a distinction without a difference, alopecia (defined as partial or complete hair loss) is a losing proposition. To all the gentlemen asking me if I can predict whether or not they’ll go bald, allow me to answer this as definitively as I can. Yes, I can, and yes, you will. If you want your best guess of how the appearance of your hairline will evolve, take a good look at your father’s (if you still can).
Let’s begin by pointing out two important considerations.

  • Balding is not usually the result of a disease. It’s a function of aging, heredity and diminishing testosterone levels.
  • Both male and female-pattern baldness occurs, although this occurs much more often in men. Female-pattern baldness is discussed at www.sterlingmedicaladvice.com.

Here are a few fun facts about your hair:

  • The average scalp has approximately 100,000 hairs.
  • You normally lose 100 hairs daily.
  • Half of men begin the balding process by age 30.
  • Most men are bald or have a balding pattern by age 60.

Here’s a not-so-fun fact about balding: It’s true that stress contributes to hair loss. Sudden stress can cause loss to up to 3/4 of your hair to shed. That’s what happens when your hair is coming out in clumps when you comb it or run your hands  through your hair. Here are some examples of stressors:

  • Childbirth
  • Crash diets
  • Emotional stress
  • High fever and infections
  • Major illness and surgeries
  • Medications
  • Infections

There are many other causes of hair loss, including many diseases and treatments such as low blood counts (anemia), radiation therapy, lupus, syphilis, ringworm, burns, thyroid disease, hormonal disorders and certain tumors. Even your habits, such as excessive blow-drying, shampooing or hair pulling can contribute to hair loss.

Male-Pattern-Baldness

As mentioned, male pattern baldness is related to male hormone levels and heredity. Over time your hair follicles (the holes in your skin that house individual hairs) shrink and stop growing hair. That said, even when this occurs they retain the ability to grow hair if sufficiently stimulated.
This is all fine and good, but what I want you understand regarding hair loss is what’s abnormal and when you need to seek medical attention.
Here are occurrences that should prompt you to contact your physician:

  • You are a woman experiencing male pattern baldness.
  • You are also developing acne, facial hair or abnormal menstrual cycles (women).
  • You are losing hair in your teens or twenties.
  • You are losing hair unbelievably fast.
  • Your hair loss follows medication use.
  • Your skin is red, tender, expressing pus, scaly or otherwise abnormal under the hair loss.
  • You’re having pain or excessive itching associated with your hair loss.

Discussion of the effectiveness of medications such as Rogaine and Propecia, as well as discussion of other treatment options, including hair transplantation is available at www.sterlingmedicaladvice.com.
Feel free to contact your SMA expert consultant with any questions you have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

die-hard-story-of-a-man-fighting-male-pattern-baldness

It only takes a minute

procrastination 1
Are you very busy? Imagine, in the midst of all you have to do, expanding an important one minute project to five or ten hours.
Now consider the time it takes to get dressed, travel to an emergency room/doctor’s office, wait in the waiting room, wait in the examination room, wait for the nurse to discharge you, travel part way home, stop for fast food (soooo hungry after all that waiting), to refill the gas tank and finally arrive home.
Done: Medical question answered, though extremely inefficiently. Next time contact your personal healthcare consultant for a fraction of the cost and time.
It only takes a minute: 844-SMA-TALK
It only takes a minute: www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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Straight, No Chaser: Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite!

bed-bugs-101-chalkboard

There’s nothing pleasant in talking about bedbugs, but’s it is even worse to have to deal with them, so let’s get you some information to help you prevent and address these bug bites.

bed-bugs-chart

Bedbugs are everything you don’t want them to be. They’re parasites found all over the world, living only to feed on the blood of humans and other animals while you sleep. They’re excellent at hiding, and they do so all day. They only come out every week or so to feed, and when that doesn’t work, they don’t mind so much. They can go over a year between meals. Here’s a not-so-pleasant fact. If you have them, they live within eight feet of where you sleep, but they are willing to travel over 100 feet to get to you.
Let’s discuss your major concerns about bed bugs.

bed-bug

How do I prevent having them?

  • Keep a tidy environment so there are fewer places for bedbugs to hide.
  • Routinely check your furniture, drapes and curtains.
  • Use a protective cover for your mattress, box springs and pillows, and frequently check it for holes.
  • When on the road, don’t place your luggage on the floor (use a luggage rack if available). Inspect your mattress, looking for bugs, blood stains or droppings.
  • When returning from a trip, unpack directly into the washing machine. Learn to check your travel bags.

If bitten, what type of symptoms will I have?

  • You’ll itch, and you’ll discover bite marks (These may not appear for a week or two after the bite. Why you might ask? The bite actually injects an anesthetic into you that prevents you from immediately realizing you were bitten.). Symptoms vary pretty widely between individuals, from some having no reaction to others having severe allergic reactions.

Do bedbugs spread disease?

  • At least it can be said that bedbugs don’t transmit other diseases.

What treatment do I need for bedbug bites?

  • Treatment is symptomatic and involves controlling the itching. Diphenhydramine (branded as Benadryl®) is usually effective for this, as are over the counter topic corticosteroids. You should be careful about scratching your skin, as you can cause infections. If you develop redness, swelling, pain, ongoing itching or develop pus from the bite site, you should seek medical attention.

How do I get rid of bed bugs?

  • Once you discover you are exposed to bedbugs, you will need to wash and dry your clothes and bed sheets at very high temperatures.
  • If you aren’t using protective covers for your mattress, box springs and pillows, you will need to do so.
  • Insecticide spraying is effective in treating infestations.

Bedbgs

Keep in mind that bed bugs are often an acquired habit. When you’re at a hotel or a guest in someone’s home, be mindful to check everything you bring back home!

The Musings of an ER Doctor

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The Straight, No Chaser blog—one of the six primary services of www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com  — offers upfront, plain talk (i.e., limited medical jargon) regarding issues of importance in healthcare. Its author, Dr. Jeffrey E. Sterling, a Board Certified emergency physician and healthcare executive, discusses such topics as medical care, prevention and public health.
He welcomes your questions about topics you’d like him to discuss—if you don’t see the answers in our online health library over at www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com or among the blog entries here. You can also call to talk with an expert on the team anytime at 844-SMA-TALK.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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Straight, No Chaser: Travelers' Diarrhea

diarrheaemergency

This is the time of year in the U.S. when you wished you were somewhere else. (Hawaii, Africa, Australia or Mexico for a Valentine’s Day cruise, anyone?) Unfortunately, sometimes when you travel, you get more than you hoped.
“Montezuma’s Revenge” is often the punchline of a joke in the U.S., but travelers’ diarrhea (TD) is a serious concern. It is the most common illness contracted by travelers, affecting approximately 10 million people per year. Individuals visiting the U.S. can suffer from it as well. That’s a clue as to what’s actually occurring with TD.
TD is typically a response to an infection by a strain of bacteria known as E. coli, specifically, a strain that produces a toxin that affects the intestines. This is the case approximately 80% of the time. Parasites sometimes figure prominently in the illness. The risk and primary source of this infection is food or water that is contaminated with feces. Note that most any disturbance in the bacterial balance of the intestines can cause disruptions in the digestive system, leading to diarrhea.

travelers-diarrhea-risk-map

Although anyone can contract TD, destinations and personal characteristics can markedly increase that risk.

  • Higher risk destinations include developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
  • Those individuals at higher risk include the immunocompromised, diabetics, young adults, those with inflammatory bowel disease and those taking antacids or medicines known as H-2 blockers.

TD is straightforward. Symptoms include watery diarrhea and cramps. A mild fever may or may not be present.
So, what are you supposed to do to prevent TD? This stuff is miserable! Here are a few tips and pointers for you:

  • Avoid street vendors.
  • Avoid raw or undercooked foods (especially meats and seafood).
  • Avoid raw fruits and vegetables (unless you peel them).
  • Wash your hands!
  • Taking antibiotics in advance (prophylactically) is not recommended, because they can increase your susceptibility to resistant organisms and side effects.
  • Bismuth subsalicylate (two ounces or two tablespoons four times daily) reduces the incidence of TD. Speak to your physician or SMA expert consultant about the risks and indication of taking bismuth subsalicylate. By the way, you know bismuth subsalicylate as pepto-bismol or kaopectate.

And now, a few words about treatment. Here are a few considerations about which you should be aware.

  • TD is usually mild and will run its course without medication. In other words, you’re likely to be just fine.
  • The most important consideration is to ensure adequate hydration. Clear fluids are key.
  • You may need antibiotics if symptoms progress to include fever, bloody stools, nausea, vomiting and severe cramps. Drugs typically include ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. Previously used drugs such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and doxycycline aren’t recommended anymore because of the high resistance rate.
  • Bismuth subsalicylate may also be used as treatment (in addition to its role in prevention).
  • A  special word about anti-motility (anti-diarrhea) medications: There are some benefits to using these agents, but there are also significant risks. You should not take these medications without understanding the risks and how they may affect you based on your existing health profile. This topic is discussed in greater detail at www.sterlingmedicaladvice.com, and you certainly can discuss this further with your SMA personal healthcare consultant.

Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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Travel advisory

The world’s a beautiful place. Enjoy it!
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Have a blast!

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That’s it. That’s our unadulterated advice.

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Rest and relaxation is an important factor of health. Fun times in a beach town or on the slopes may be just the scenery change you need to recharge. Party responsibly. And most hotels have workout facilities, so stay on your program. No excuses.
Check www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com’s online health library for tips on staying healthy while traveling and partying. It works no matter where your travel destination is!
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Spotlight on Health Concerns When Traveling – Vaccines and Illnesses

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Traveling is exciting, but it presents multiple challenges to your health. To best meet these challenges, preparation is everything.

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Before you travel and every time you travel, your surest means of protecting yourself is to confirm you are current on routine vaccines.

  • Your basic vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine and influenza.
  • Most international travelers will need immunizations to protect you from hepatitis A, polio, and typhoid.
  • Depending on where you’re international travels take you and the duration of your trip, you may need immunizations to protect you from hepatitis B, malaria, rabies and/or yellow fever.

The plane trip itself can be hazardous to your health. I encourage you to review the risks of flying.

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Diseases have different patterns in how they spread and their resistance to medications in different countries. It is important to be aware of prominent diseases affecting the countries you plan to visit, because some may be uncommon in your home country. For Americans traveling abroad, such diseases include the following:

  • HIV/AIDS 
  • Malaria: an infectious disease caused by a parasite, which invades the blood cells. It is notable for the presence of high fever, shaking chills, low blood count and a flu-like set of symptoms.
  • Pandemic/avian flu (aka as the bird flu): an infectious disease in birds caused by a virus that can spread to humans
  • Travelers’ diarrhea –  the most common disease acquired by travelers.
  • Tuberculosis: an infectious disease involving the lungs, able to spread throughout the body

I strongly recommend that you develop a habit of checking the CDC travel site every time you prepare to travel internationally, including those of you coming from abroad into the United States. Detailed information on these diseases is available clicking the links, checking the search engine and at www.sterlingmedicaladvice.com.
Feel free to contact your SMA expert consultant with any questions you have on this topic.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

150 Countries and Counting!

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Dear Readers in countries around the world,
It is so nice of you to join us! We love that Straight, No Chaser has as many readers in countries around the world as we do in the United States. We are so honored to be able to share medical and healthcare information and advice with you, and we have all kinds of plans to do more. Feel free to let us know who and where you are and how we can help you. We know you’re watching, and we’ll be sure to include content of interest to you.
SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Sterling Initiatives works with governments and corporations located all over the world. Put us in touch with your employers or government officials; contact us at sales@sterlingmedicaladvice.com. We are experts in providing healthcare solutions. In the meantime, keep checking in at Straight, No Chaser, and we’ll keep giving you the information and advice you need to live a healthier life.

We hope nothing in Straight, No Chaser gets lost in translation. To your health!

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Gesondheid!

Gëzuar!

G’sundheit!

في صحتكم!

بالعافية!

بالصحة

¡Salut!

Առողջութիւն

গুদলাক

Gayola!

On egin!

За здароўе

জয়!

Živjeli!

Наздраве!

飲勝

Yeghes da!

Živjeli!

Na zdraví!

Skål!

Proost!

Tervist!

Bula!

Terveydeksi!

À votre santé !

გაგიმარჯოთ!

Prost!

Στην υγειά σου!

Ochan!

 לְחַיִּים!

Kedves egészségére!

Skál!

Tos! Jaya!

Sláinte!

Salute!

乾杯

건배

Uz veselību!

Į sveikatą!

Эрүүл мэндийн төлөө!

शुभ कामना

Skål!

سلامتي!

Na zdrowie!

Saúde!

Noroc!

Будем здоровы!

Manuia!

Slàinte mhor!

Guid Health!

Живели!

Na zdravie!

Guul/caafimaad wanaagsan

¡Salud!

Maisha marefu!

Skål!

Manuia!

ไชโย! (chai-yoh)

གཟུགས་པོ་བདེ་ཐང་།

Sağlığınıza!

Будьмо (Budʼmo)

Chúc sức khoẻ!

Iechyd da!

(Zayt gesunt) זייט געזונט

Impilontle!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: The Medical Issues You Encounter While Flying

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I’ve probably been engaged twenty times on airplanes to provide medical assistance. My favorite incident was when four doctors (and a nurse) simultaneously jumped to assistance as if everyone was some type of superhero. Of course, I wouldn’t be telling the story if I didn’t end up being the last man standing (due to my status as the emergency physician among the group – and yes, the patient was ok). Consider this your handy to do and to don’t if and when you’re traveling by air. You never know!
There are four quick considerations I’d like to share:
Blood clots: Flights (and especially the long ones) increase your risk for deep venous thrombosis (DVTs). You can reduce this risk by frequently bending and rotating your ankles, drinking water whenever the opportunity presents and getting up intermittently to walk. Prevention is also important – this is why traveling while in the latter stages of pregnancy is especially problematic and why near-term women aren’t allowed to travel (and you thought it only had to do with early deliveries!).
Headaches and earaches: Air in your body (lungs, intestines, sinuses and eardrums, to name a few) expand when your plane ascends and contracts upon descent. The squeeze on descent is actually more frequent of an issue than gases expanding on ascent, but both situations present problems. In addition to exacerbating migraines, your eardrums can rupture from the squeeze. Of course, adults address this by holding their noses and blowing, thus ‘popping’ their ears (actually this equalizes the pressure on both sides of the eardrum, returning things back to normal). Kids suffer just as much as adults, but the younger ones aren’t able to release the pressure as easily. Thus, it’s true that you should allow them to chew or suck on something during descent. The passenger sitting next to you will thank you.
FaintingFainting is a common occurrence on flights for many reasons. Faints and other mental status changes due to hypoglycemia are the most common episodes I’ve personally encountered on flights. My best advice here is to stay hydrated (This will help you prevent faints and problems with DVTs.) and if you’re diabetic, eat during the flight. Low sugar reactions are scary in the air, and the pilots are always wondering if they’ll need to do an emergency landing.
Respiratory disease: This is an important consideration because the potential for bad outcomes are heightened. Those with asthma, blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary emboli) and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease aka chronic bronchitis and emphysema) need to discuss traveling with their physicians. The high altitude of flights results in thinner air, drier air and increasing viscosity of your blood, which can affect patients suffering from the conditions mentioned. A ruptured lung in a patient with bad COPD is a formula for disaster.
In short, fly smart and fly healthy. An airplane is a horrible place to be in harm’s way. And that doesn’t even include snakes on a plane.
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From the Heart

heart stethAre you making ho-hum lifestyle decisions because your heart is slowing you down? Remember how much fun running used to be? What if you could still scale all four flights to visit that loved one who needs to see you?
The reason you can find so much heart healthy information and advice in Straight, No Chaser, our online SMA Health Library and Sterling Medical Wellness is because your heart health is in your own hands. Barring genetic disorders, you don’t have to leave it up to chance. You have a lot of power over your heart condition–even if you think you’re starting a little late in the game. Your heart is a muscle, and we aim to ensure that you know how to treat it well.
Just as important is the power you have over your children’s long term heart health, a central quality of life factor that ranks up there with good education, people skills and an inheritance. We hope that you’ll also empower them with this knowledge and healthy behaviors.
Consider doing a little heart research over at www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and share it with your friends and family.  If you have heart trouble, discuss your newly inspired heart health goals with your healthcare provider. Then call us for personalized information and advice at 844-SMA-TALK. We’re here for you, 24/7.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress. We are also on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

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