Tag Archives: WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Save a Life, Save a Trip, Save Your Cash!

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In the last 20+ years of caring for patients in emergency rooms (ERs) in communities all over the country, and in 12 years of healthcare consulting in 36 states and countries, my team and I have had the unique privilege of serving all age groups, genders, and health conditions, from sprains to strains, moans and groans, sniffles and whistles, trauma and the flu.
However, in the ER setting, well over half of the people we see every single day would say they could have saved themselves the trip and the cost “…if I only knew.” Straight, No Chaser has given me the privilege to talk with you in a relaxed environment about urgent and non-urgent issues that concern you. It has been fun for me, especially because you have responded in a way that lets me know that my goal of empowering you with knowledge to make your own healthcare and financial decisions for you and your family is being realized. Because this works for your health and your wallet, I have expanded the service from Straight, No Chaser to http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com. Not only will you have access to thousands of tips, fun facts, and frequently asked questions about the full spectrum of health topics, you will also have access to your own personal healthcare consulting team. That’s right, you can chat 24/7 with experts in medicine as well as fitness, dentistry, nutrition, mental health, pharmacy, and other healthcare entities.
So, when the time comes that you need to make an informed decision for yourself and/or your family member, we’re here for you. If this turns out as we desire, this service will become part of the national healthcare system and may be covered by your current insurance interests or as an employee benefit. Beginning today, November 1 at 12 noon Eastern Daylight Time, join me and hundreds of other healthcare experts who have signed up to turn the tide in our country by putting the power of your health back in your hands and saving you the time and costs of unnecessary visits to the emergency room and pharmacy. A subscription counts as payment toward your deductible (if you have insurance) and equates to less than a third of what Americans pay out-of-pocket EVERY YEAR for ER and doctor visits. Try us, and discover the difference having a team at your fingertips will make in your health. We at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com are looking forward to keeping the knowledge flowing,
Jeffrey Sterling, MD
President and CEO
SterlingMedicalAdvice.com
Your Personal and Immediate 24-Hour HealthCare Consultants

About SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: "How do I sign up?"

Anytime starting noon EDT (and 11 am CDT) on Nov. 1st, you may go to www.sterlingmedicaladvice.com to join. It’s very easy to do. Give yourself about 15″. Have your personal health information, including medications and past medical history available. You will only have to provide this information once, and it will be invaluable in allowing our expert consultants to give you the very best information and advice.

Remember, if you sign up for a year’s plan, you get 13 months for the price of 12!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

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From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: "Can I use antibiotics if I forgot to refrigerate them?"

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I left my son’s liquid antibiotic sitting on the kitchen counter all day instead of putting it back in the refrigerator. Is the medicine still OK?
Depending on the medication, including liquid antibiotics, it may no longer be effective due to improper storage. Certain medications will break down and lose their potency if not stored in the refrigerator. If you are unsure if the medication is still effective, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Always be sure to read all the labels on the medication container for directions for use and storage.
 
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Trauma Quick (Finger)Tips – Give Me the Finger!

amputations

What you’re seeing is not a five-finger salute gone bad. It’s an all too often occurrence: amputated fingers. Believe it or not, 90% of finger reattachments are successful, although many end up with decreased motion and sensation. Today’s tips are to tell you how to handle the time between when the amputation occurs and when you get to the hospital. It’s actually pretty important to be meticulous in how you handle the finger prior to reattachment.

  • Wrap the amputated part of the finger in moist, clean gauze. Moist—not wet, not dripping.
  • The gauze should be placed in a sealed plastic bag or sterile container.
  • Take the plastic bag and place in another sealed plastic bag or container, with the second containing ice or cold water. The finger never should touch the ice!

It’s actually more important to support the person than the finger. We can survive without a finger. Fingers are worthless without a live person. To that end, calling an ambulance should be the very first thing you do, and don’t forget to place a clean dressing or the cleanest towel you can over the bleeding part of the hand.

You should be aware that not all amputations are reattached, particularly when a poor outcome is likely. However, don’t make any assumptions. Make the effort to give yourself the best possible chance for the best possible outcome.

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

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

About SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: "Is SterlingMedicalAdvice.com right for me?"

Everyone, whether insured or not, can register for SterlingMedicalAdvice.com.

  • If you enjoy being empowered with more knowledge and control over your healthcare, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com is for you.
  • If you appreciate the security of having healthcare professionals available to answer urgent questions for you and your family 24/7,  SterlingMedicalAdvice.com is for you.
  • If you prefer not to waste time and money on unnecessary ER and physician visits, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com is for you.
  • If you represent a corporate entity looking to reduce healthcare related costs and provide a healthcare benefit to your employees, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com is for you.
  • If you are an educator who wants to empower the next generation with a robust complement of health and medical knowledge while measurably improving our nation’s public health outcomes, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com is for you.

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: "Can I treat nasal congestion without medication?"

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There are ways that you can treat nasal congestion without medication. Medicines are not the only way to relieve a stuffy or runny nose. Often, gentler solutions are better. Try these steps to thin the mucus, which can help you breathe easier and get your nasal secretions back to normal:

  • Use gentle saline nasal sprays.
  • Increase the humidity in the air with a vaporizer or humidifier.
  • Drink extra fluids. Hot tea, broth, or chicken soup may be especially helpful.
  • For a baby too young to blow his or her nose, an infant nasal aspirator (bulb) can help remove the mucus. If the mucus is thick and sticky, loosen it by putting 2 or 3 saline nose drops into each nostril. Don’t insert cotton swabs into a child’s nostrils. Instead, catch the discharge outside the nostril on a tissue or swab, roll it around, and pull the discharge out of the nose.

Congestion is often worse when you are lying down. Keep upright, or at least keep the head elevated. This is especially helpful for young children.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

About SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: "How will my health information be protected?"

hcss2013

www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com’s website is completely compliant with HIPPA guidelines and regulations, meaning the highest level of security is protecting our site and your information! No information will ever be released without your explicit direction to do so, even if your physician or insurance company requests it without your permission.  Remember, if you keep your health information updated on SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, you will have a readily retrievable folder of your information at your disposal.  Try us and enjoy the difference personal healthcare consulting makes.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

How can I get help if I have trouble swallowing pills?

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Difficulty swallowing pills is a common problem. Be sure to discuss your problem with your doctor when s/he is prescribing a medication for you. While the medication may not be available in a chewable form, it may come in an alternate form such as liquid, powder, sublingual (placed under the tongue to dissolve), orally dissolving (when placed on the tongue), suppository (inserted in the rectum or, for females, in the vagina), nasal spray, injectable liquid, cream, ointment, or patch. These options can allow you to avoid swallowing pills altogether. Your physician also may be able to treat the cause of the swallowing difficulty.
A word of caution: Do not crush pills or empty capsules to make them easier to swallow without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on the medication, this may alter the effect of the drug and/or may cause serious, possibly fatal, side effects. Unless your doctor or pharmacist has approved doing so, avoid crushing your medications to make swallowing easier.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

About SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: How will the expert consultants know anything about me?

When you sign up at www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, you provide a medical history that becomes a permanent part of your record. The information you give us during each chat will also be filed in your record. Your SMA consultant will access your updated information every time you log in for a new chat. Your information is personalized, and your service is immediate. Try us, and experience personal healthcare consulting!
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Human Bites

tysonbite

I have had weird experiences with humans biting humans, as have most physicians. There are several different types of human bites, which can range from harmless to surgically serious. However, as an emergency physician, knowing the dangers of the bacteria inhabiting your mouth, I tend to assume the worst until proven otherwise. Your first quick tip is to do the same.
Maybe it’s where I’m located, but I tend to see way more “fight bites” than anything else; these specifically refer to someone getting hit in the mouth. It’s always interesting to see the guy who “won” the fight being the one who has to come in for medical treatment. He cut his hand on someone’s tooth and really doesn’t think much of it. He just wants the laceration sewn. Little does he realize, the structures in the hand (tendons, blood vessels, muscles, and bones) are highly concentrated. He also doesn’t know that they are confined to a very limited space and seeding an infection in that tight space makes things really bad really quick. This guy is very dangerous because he tends to deny ever getting into the fight, ascribing the injury to something else (like punching a tree)—at least until I ask him why a tooth is inside his hand.
Then there’s the “Yes, he bit me” variety, where the teeth were the agressor that engaged the victim instead of the fist engaging the tooth. Think of the Tyson vs. Holyfield bite as an example. Sometimes parts get bitten off (fingers, nose, ears, and other unmentionables)! Children, as another example, sometimes bite and need to learn to stop that behavior. Biting is sometimes seen in sexual assault, physical abuse, self-mutilation, or with mentally handicapped individuals.
A third type is the ‘We love too much!’ variety of bites. These may include hickeys that actually break the skin. Other examples of “friendly” bites are folks biting off their hangnails, fingernails, and toenails and create skin infections. Yes, it happens more than you’d think.
The commonality to all of these scenarios is saliva that found its way through the skin. Because of the virulence of the bacteria contained within the saliva, an infection will be forthcoming. You’ll know soon enough when the redness, warmth, tenderness, fever, and possible pus from the wound develop.
The easy recommendation to make is anytime a wound involving someone’s mouth breaks your skin, get evaluated. Some wounds are much more dangerous than others. Teeth get dislodged into wounds, hand tendons get cut, bones get broken, and serious infections develop. In fact, these bites require immunization for tetanus. Bottom line: There’s no reason not to get evaluated if you develop those signs of infection, if any injury to your hand occurs, or if any breakage of your skin has occurred. You’ll need antibiotics and wound cleaning in all probability, with a tetanus shot if you’re not up to date. If you’re unlucky, you may end up in the operating room.
So here’s your duty if you haven’t successfully avoided the bite:
1) At home, only clean the open wound by running water over the area. Avoid the home remedies like peroxide, alcohol, and anything else that burns. Those agents make things worse by damaging the skin more than they “clean” the area.
2) Apply ice—never directly to the wound—but in a towel. Use for 15 minutes on and then 15 minutes off.
3) Retrieve any displaced skin tissue, place it in a bag of cold water, place that bag on ice, and bring it with you. We’ll decide if it’s salvageable.
4) Get in to be evaluated. Be forthcoming about whether or not it was a bite.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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About SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: Are there limits to how often I can use the site?

You can reach your SMA consultants 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The following interactions are included in your subscription.

STERLING ADVICE®

STERLING ADVICE PLUS®

Individual Family Individual Family
Real-time consults 3 10 5 15
Email communications 5 15 10

30

Additional contacts $10 per $10 per $10 per $10 per
Access to online library Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Access to health blog

Unlimited

Unlimited Unlimited

Unlimited

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

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

From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: What is high cholesterol?

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Hypercholesterolemia (aka high cholesterol), is a condition in which your blood cholesterol level is higher than normal. High cholesterol by itself has no symptoms. Unfortunately, over time, cholesterol may stick to the inside of blood vessels, resulting in clogged arteries, heart disease, and stroke. Many of you are familiar with the many different factors that can lead to high cholesterol, including a high-fat diet, lack of exercise, heredity and excess weight.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Heads Up! Concussions – Traumatic Brain Injuries, Part I

concussion-football

The really interesting thing about concussions these days is many individuals seem to have convinced themselves that the risk of a concussion or even continuing in football, wrestling, boxing, or MMA type activities after having had concussions won’t deter them from pursuing the glory, fame, and fortune to be obtained in putting themselves at risk. That’s a fascinating but very flawed concept, as evidenced by the increasing suicide rate among concussed former athletes.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a blunt or penetrating head blow that disrupts some aspect of normal brain function. TBIs may produce changes, ranging from brief alterations in mental status or consciousness to an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia. (It’s important to note that not all blows to the head result in a TBI.) For the purposes of this discussion, the majority of TBIs that occur each year are concussions. In terms of societal impact, TBIs contribute to a remarkable number of deaths and permanent disability. Every year, at least 1.7 million TBIs occur in the US.
Healthcare professionals may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious. Concussive symptoms usually fall in one of four categories:

  • Thinking/remembering
  • Physical
  • Emotional/mood
  • Sleep

Red Flags
Get to the ER right away if you have any of the following danger signs after any type of head injury, no matter how minor it may seem:

  • Any difficulty waking
  • Any loss of consciousness, confusion, or significant agitation
  • One pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other
  • Loss of ability to identify people, places, the date, or self
  • Loss of motion or sensation, weakness, numbness or loss of coordination
  • Persistent, worsening headache
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Slurred speech or difficulty with expression
  • Seizures
  • Kids will not stop crying and cannot be consoled
  • Kids will not nurse or eat

Click here for Part II, in which we discuss complications and treatment options.
Click here for Part III, in which a neurologist adds his thoughts.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: What steps should I take if there's an outbreak of head lice?

LiceOnHair

head_lice_infestation

Check your child’s hair for lice and nits (lice eggs) every three to four days. Nits commonly look like dandruff, but they cannot be easily brushed off the hair. Also check behind the ears.
Be alert to symptoms of infection: intense itching, red bumps on the scalp, or the feeling of something moving on the hair. If your child experiences any of these symptoms and/or if head lice can be seen in the hair, then using a medicated shampoo is recommended. (Follow the directions on the package.)
Note: If your child is under 2 years of age or if you are pregnant, talk with your doctor first before beginning treatment. Notify your child’s school.
In addition to using medicated shampoo, wash all clothing and bed linens in hot water (130° Fahrenheit). Any items that you cannot wash in hot water, place in large, sealed garbage bags for two weeks. Vacuum all carpets and furniture.
Any combs, brushes, and hair accessories used by the infected person should either be left to soak in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for one hour or they should be replaced.
Some people may need to retreat with a medicated shampoo after seven to 10 days. If the infection has not cleared up after two weeks of treatment or if there are sores on the scalp that look infected (yellow pus), stop treatment and see a doctor.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: The Curse of the Weekend Warrior – Achilles Tendon Rupture

Kobe

In high school I led the league in stolen bases, and in college my cohorts and I loved inventing ever more creative ways to dunk a basketball. Apparently, my calf muscles worked well. Somehow at a certain age, I quit those competitive sports cold turkey, partially because I knew an Achilles rupture was lurking out there somewhere.
The Achilles tendon connects the muscles at the back of the calf to the heel. The formula for damage is pretty simple and consistent. As you age your tendons tend to stiffen and shrink. As you age you change from the fine-tuned wannabe athlete most of us were to a recreational player, and we overextend ourselves. Others of us, in making a comeback (or just rushing to train for something like a 5K run), try to go from zero (0) to 60 way too soon. In either scenario, that overextension causes the tendon to tear or snap. You’ll recognize it immediately by the sound (pop) and the inability to walk/stand on your toes, which results from the lack of connection from the calf to the heel. (You need to point your foot downward to walk, which is where the Achilles comes in.) Other common occurrances of Achilles tendon rupture include falling from a height and landing on your feet or stepping into a sizeable hole.
Besides being an older guy (or gal, but it’s about five times more common in men) trying to reclaim past glory, steroids and certain antibiotics (flouroquinolones, examples of which are Levafloxacin, aka Levaquin, and Ciprofloxacin, aka Cipro) weaken the tendons enough to predispose you to this injury.
Depending on your age and preexisting health status, you will have surgical and/or nonsurgical options available to you to repair the tendon. Nonsurgical treatment involves a specific type of walking boot or cast, and surgery is more likely when the tear is complete. You’ll need extensive rehabilitation and strengthening of the muscle around the repaired tendon to avoid reinjury. Don’t expect to return to your previous level of strength and activity for four to six months.
So what’s your take home message? Once again, know where opportunities for prevention are. Given how important it is to maintain physical activity as you age, it’s important to remind you to learn how to stretch and maintain musculature so you don’t injure yourself while trying to exercise. Don’t engage in more strenuous activities until and unless you’ve built up to the level where you’re prepared to do so. Achilles injuries occur most often when you’re trying to do too much too soon. Also, be mindful of slippery surfaces; that slide acts the same as an attempt to accelerate too rapidly.
 
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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About SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: "Can I get services for my family?"

Yes! SMA offers individual and family plans for both STERLING ADVICE® and STERLING ADVICE PLUS®.
The STERLING ADVICE® plan offers you information and advice on all medical disclipines, and the STERLING ADVICE PLUS® plan adds on ancillary care considerations, including mental health, dentistry, pharmacy, nutrition and personal training. Subscribe to either plan, and cover your whole family, including children up to age 26.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: When should I start birth control?

birth-control-pills

You generally will be given two options of which day to start your first packet of oral contraceptives. Whichever day you choose to start, pick a time of day that will be convenient every day.

There are two types of start days for oral contraceptives.

Day one start:
Take the first active tablet in your packet during the first 24 hours of your period.
Sunday start:
Most women use a Sunday start because it is easiest to remember. Take the first active tablet in your pack on the first Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding. If your period begins on Sunday, start that day.
Most oral contraceptive manufacturers recommend using a back-up method of contraception (condoms, etc.) for at least a week, or even up to one month after starting your oral contraceptives.
To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, your oral contraceptives should be taken exactly as directed at timeframes not exceeding 24 hours between dose, preferably at the same time each day, including when you’re bleeding. The effectiveness of oral contraceptives depends on strict adherence to the dosage schedule. Missing a pill can cause spotting or light bleeding.  Patients may be a little sick to the stomach on the day the make-up tablet is taken with the next regularly scheduled tablet.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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Straight, No Chaser: Heart Attack Recognition – Time is Tissue

 MIrecog

Heart Attacks. Myocardial Infarctions. Acute Coronary Syndromes. Coronary Artery Disease. Unstable Angina. There are many names to describe one main phenomenon. Heart attacks are the most common manifestation of heart disease, the #1 cause of death in the U.S. Today’s post is to heighten your sensitivity to risk factors and symptoms of a heart attack, because we’ve gotten very good at treating them—especially if you get to us in time.
Risk Factors
Who’s at risk of having a heart attack? If any of the following considerations look or sound like you, you should be especially sensitive to the symptoms I describe below. Please understand these are the rules. I also see the exceptions nearly every day.

  • Age: especially men over 45 and women over 55
  • Cocaine or amphetamine (meth) use
  • Family history of heart attacks: sibling, parents, or grandparents if their heart attacks occurred by age 65
  • High blood pressure: higher risk with obesity, smoking, diabetes, or high cholesterol[J1]
  • High cholesterol or triglyceride levels
  • Obesity/inactivity: especially due to associations with high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol
  • Smoking: including prolonged exposure to second hand smoke

Again, if you have any of the above risk factors, your symptoms are more likely to be attributable to a heart attack. You may still have a heart attack without any of these risks.
Symptoms
How do you know if you’re having a heart attack? There’s no one-answer-fits-all response (like using FAST for strokes[J2] ). Heart attack pain comes in many varieties and is usually associated with other symptoms. What you should be aware of are the pain patterns that should prompt you to get evaluated. These may include the following:

  • Chest discomfort like pressure (something sitting on your chest), squeezing, fullness, indigestion, or just pain
  • Radiation of chest discomfort or just pain in other areas, such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Breaking out in a sweat
  • Racing, fluttering, or forceful beating of the heart
  • Lightheadedness up to or including blacking out

Again, you may have all of these symptoms or none of these symptoms in the face of a heart attack. We evaluate you based on the combination of your risk factors and your symptoms.
Bottom Line 1: If you have risks, symptoms and/or concerns, I’d much rather give you good news and education than give your family condolences. Get evaluated.
Bottom Line 2: I’m not discussing specific treatment options today (that’s for a future post), but remember two things:

  • Time is tissue, so the sooner you get to the Emergency Room, the more treatment options we have and the better your outcome is likely to be. This is not the disease to think, “It’ll just go away.” We can do our absolute best for you if you get to us within three hours of the start of your symptoms.
  • If and when something like this happens to me, the first thing I’m doing on my way the hospital is taking an aspirin.

As per routine, the combination of adequate prevention and prompt symptom recognition are key. I hope you share this with your families, especially those at immediate risk.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

About www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: What if I'm not satisfied with the advice I receive?

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From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: Are there herbal therapies for anxiety disorder?

Kava-Home-Page3

Yes. Two herbal treatments for anxiety disorders that I’ll mention now include kava kava (also called kava) and valerian.
Kava has been used to relieve anxiety and improve sleep, but it appears to increase the effects of alcohol, so do not drink when taking it. Typical doses of 200 to 250 mg per day are considered safe and effective, but you must follow pharmacist or physician’s directions when considering usage. Kava use has also shown some links to liver toxicity, so the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning regarding its use.
Valerian is a mild sedative with milder side effects than Kava. Valerian’s side effects are reported to be minimal when used at the recommended dose of 300 to 500 mg per day.
Be reminded that the effectiveness of these and most herbs have not been proven by medical research, and benefits have not been directly compared to those of prescription drugs.
 
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

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