Helpful Health Tips and Wellness Advice

December 14 2017

3 Tips you’ve Never Tried to Prevent Cold & The Flu

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For most of us, hygiene is a natural part of everyday life – we wash our hands, we cover our coughs, and we wipe down surfaces – but that doesn’t mean we don’t come into contact with nasty, even dangerous, wintertime germs. While we try our hardest to stay healthy, even the best of us can get run down during wintertime by a cold or even the flu. Keep reading to learn how you can start feeling better in no time during the colder months.

Don’t go crazy with nasal rinses or salt gargles.

While it might seem like you’re ridding your body of germs, overdoing it with nasal rinses and salt gargles may end up doing more harm than good. For example, tap water, which may be completely acceptable to drink, can be dangerous to use for a nasal rinse. Tiny, microscopic germs that live in tap water are essentially given a one-way ticket into the most vulnerable parts of your body. Don’t throw out your Neti Pots just yet, though. Physicians recommend you simply boil tap water and allow it to cool to room temperature before using it, or use bottled/filtered water for your nasal rinse. And before you use a salt gargle, check with your physician to ensure this is a safe treatment for your illness. A salt gargle could alleviate symptoms in one case and exasperate them in another.

Try a couple herbal remedies

While herbal remedies can’t replace prescription drugs when it comes to treating viruses and infections, they certainly can support our immune systems and encourage our bodies to fight illness. If you’re under the weather, try cooking with certain spices and herbs, like turmeric, garlic and ginger. Turmeric is one the most powerful anti-inflammatory herbs and is found commonly in Asian dishes, like a warming soup to beat the flu. Garlic has antibacterial properties and ginger supercharges your immune system. Just stay away from any extremely spicy foods – you don’t want to irritate your stomach when you’re already under the weather.

Go old-school

Try boiling water and adding in a couple drops of essentials oils like peppermint or eucalyptus. Remove the pot from the stove and cover your head with a dishtowel while you inhale deeply, positioned over the pot. Make sure the steam isn’t too hot by hovering your hand over the pot for a moment – it can burn you just as badly as the boiling water. It’s an easy and quick method of alleviating some uncomfortable symptoms, like clogged sinuses that accompany the flu. If you’re stressed, add a drop of lavender for a nerve-soothing affect. Don’t want to risk burning yourself? Take a warm bath and add a couple of drops to the water. Just don’t overdo it – you might end up giving yourself a headache in addition to your cold.

We want our entire community to have a fun, safe and healthy holiday season, and that means taking care of yourself. Let us know how you decompress and rest during this hectic time of year and give your body a break! Have a cough? Fever? Sweats? You might have the flu, but check out this link to see if it’s a run-of-the-mill cold or something more serious. Nutex Health, Inc. supports you and your family’s health. Come visit Victoria Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level freestanding facilities for the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

December 14 2017

How to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes & Protect Your Health

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There are nearly 30 million people in the U.S. suffering with diabetes, and in adults, 90% of these diagnoses are type 2 diabetes. While your family history does play a part in your chances of getting a certain disease, type 2 diabetes is completely preventable. During this National Diabetes Awareness Month, we’re encouraging our community to make changes to their everyday lifestyle to decrease the likelihood of type 2 diabetes. Keep reading for our tips.

Bulk up on fiber and whole grains Consuming fiber is a great way to naturally regulate your blood sugar levels and lower your risk of heart disease. If you’re having trouble fitting in enough fiber in your diet, try a supplement. There’s plenty on the market and you can easily grab a protein bar, with added fiber, after a workout or take a few gummies in the morning. There’s no excuses to not get enough fiber in your diet. Whole grains can significantly reduce your chances of getting type 2 diabetes later in life. Start trading in the more processed, white grains and pastas for whole breads and other whole ready-to-eat grains. Go see your doctor Prevention of any disease, including diabetes, starts with awareness. Speak with your physician about your risk factors and consider getting tested to determine if you have any pre-diabetic conditions. Being able to identify these risk factors early on will help you to develop a long term health plan and combat type 2 diabetes. Consider some of the following questions while speaking with your physician.

What sort of exercise can I safely do right now?
Should I have my heart checked?
What foods should I avoid altogether and what foods can I enjoy in moderation?
If I have a pre-diabetic condition, what are some changes I can make to my lifestyle to prevent type 2 diabetes?

It’s best to write down questions for your physician beforehand so you don’t forget anything. Ask family members about any diseases that may increase your likelihood of type 2 diabetes, like heart disease or high cholesterol. Skip out on fad diets Fad diets that promote fast, but questionable methods of weight loss should be avoided. While weight is a contributing factor to type 2 diabetes, going on “crash” or fad diets will ultimately wreck your metabolism and may make it more difficult to achieve a healthy weight. The goal is to maintain a healthy weight and being thin doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t at risk for diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions.

Want to know more about diabetes and if you may be at risk? Visit this page for more information. Made any changes to your diet or fitness routine? Let us know about your fitness journey! Nutex Health, Inc. supports you and your family’s health. Come visit Victoria Emergency Room or any one of our concierge-level freestanding facilities for the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

December 14 2017

How to Decrease Your Chances of Breast Cancer

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Every year that passes, more and more research indicates that you may be able to prevent certain cancers later in life by making conscientious changes today. While some diseases are determined largely by our genetics, there are other ways to fortify your body against cancers, like breast cancer. In fact, only 5-10% of all cancers are determined by a genetic defect while the rest depend largely on environmental and lifestyle factors. During this National Breast Cancer Awareness month, we want to remind our community that while there are no guaranteed ways to prevent breast cancer, you can make gradual, but effective changes that significantly decrease your chances of breast cancer later in life. Keep reading to learn how you can fortify your body against breast cancer and work towards a healthier you. Decrease stress and anxiety We know, we know – this is often said easier than done, but trust us, it’s for the best. Decreasing stress and anxiety in your life isn’t just about improving your mental health, it also protects your physical, long term health. Chronic stress reaps complete havoc on the human body, often leading to hormonal imbalances, weight issues, depression and other diseases. Research also shows that anxiety can increase your chances of developing certain cancers because it leads to elevated levels of stress response hormones. Our body is a fine-tuned machine. If one cog or screw falls out of place, it can mean serious, and lasting effects on our health. Chronic stress has been shown in recent studies to not only increase your chances of developing some cancers, like breast cancer, but also to help the cancer spread more effectively throughout your body. But it’s not always easy to eliminate all sources of stress from our lives. Tests, coordinating birthday parties and soccer games, or finishing a huge work project will never stop being stressful. The key is to develop better methods at dealing with stress and anxiety in our lives. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America recommends the following changes to decrease chronic stress and help you deal with everyday anxieties more effectively.

Lay off the caffeine, which is proven to increase anxiety and the stress response in some individuals.
Get more sleep. Even 2 hours less of sleep each night than you’re used to has been shown to severely impact your health, mental and physical.
Catch some sunshine. Spending a few minutes in the sun everyday, even as you walk to the mailbox, increases all sorts of good-for-you vitamins in your body.
Learn your triggers. Sit down with friends and family and have a casual conversation about how they can help limit your stress by being conscientious of your triggers.

No one can handle everything that life throws at them alone, so make sure to reach out to someone you can trust. Venting doesn’t just feel good, it keeps you healthy. Get checked Whether it be through self massage or a doctor’s visit, make sure you’re maintaining your breast health. Regular exams are essential in detecting abnormalities in the breast before they develop into cancer. Early stage breast cancers are usually present with no physical symptoms so it’s important to have regular mammograms, even if you have no family history. It’s also important to find out if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with breast cancer, or related cancers. You can also test yourself for the BRCA gene, which if positive, indicates a significant chance of breast and ovarian cancer later in life. While testing for your genetic predispositions to breast cancer can be scary, it can also save your life. The more knowledge you have about your genetic makeup, the more empowered you are to make the smartest decisions for your breast health. Not sure how to perform a self exam? No worries – visit here to learn. Watch your weight Being significantly under or overweight has been shown to increase your chances of breast cancer, especially for post-menopausal women. Research indicates that the healthiest women, who are most resilient to chronic disease, usually have body fat percentages in between 21 and 25 percent. For athletes, it’s usually a little lower. Most importantly, maintaining a healthy weight means a sustainable diet and fitness routine. Constantly losing then gaining back weight will have long term health consequences. For more information about breast cancer awareness, visit here. Protect your future breast health with some of these tips and let us know how you’re making proactive choices for this National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Nutex Health, Inc. supports you and your loved ones’ health. You can depend on our trusted brand to deliver the emergency care you deserve at Victoria Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

December 14 2017

Fight Childhood Obesity by Getting Fit Together

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September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
Read these tips to prevent your child’s chances of developing chronic, life threatening disease such as cardiovascular disease.

December 14 2017

5 Disease-Fighting Tips for the New School Year

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From the moment they can move on their own, children are taking risks. As parents, we become experts at anticipating their next move, whether it be jumping off a counter top or reaching for a hot pan.

But what about the dangers we can’t see?

With the start of the new school year, your child will be exposed to a whole host of unfamiliar germs. Most of these germs will help to build your child’s immune system through exposure, but some others may lead to more serious diseases. Keep reading to learn more about germs, the spread of disease and what you can do to prevent your child from catching some of these illnesses.

Wash your hands
As all parents can attest, getting your child to keep up with basic hygiene can be a struggle. It’s crucial to teach children early on how important washing hands is in the prevention of disease. The CDC recommends that children wash their hands regularly when well and often when sick. Run your hands under warm water with soap and lather for at least 20 seconds before rinsing off. We suggest setting up a reward system, like a chart with stickers, building to a certain goal.

Get vaccinated
The prevention of disease begins with protecting ourselves. Since their inception, immunizations have saved hundreds of thousands of lives and eradicated numerous diseases from many countries. Vaccines don’t just protect your child from disease, they also protect all other children your child may come into contact with and infants too young to be vaccinated.

Additionally, the less days they’re home sick, means the more days they’re in school, learning important social skills and building their knowledge.

Visit here to find a physician or clinic that distributes vaccines or here to learn more about the benefits of immunizations.

Cover your cough
Diseases, like flu, are spread most commonly through the air after someone coughs or sneezes. Remind your child to cover their mouth when they cough with a tissue. Visit here for more information on covering your cough.

Stay home
If your little one does catch something, it’s in their best interest, and the best interests of their classmates, to stay home. This ensures your child recovers as quickly as possible and doesn’t spread germs to other children.

As tempting as it may be to give in to their earnest pleas to attend a birthday party or soccer game, keeping them home while they heal ensures they’re back to all the activities they love faster and safer.

Fuel your body nutritiously
Protect your child from disease by fortifying their immune systems with nutritious foods. We’ve listed some foods that are packed full of disease-fighting vitamins.

- Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruit
- Ginger
- Honey, which is a natural antiseptic
- Garlic
- Dark, leafy greens

If your child is a picky eater, trying making a smoothie or juice with some of these foods and subtler flavors, like apple or grape juice.

We can’t protect our children from everything, but we can help them to learn habits that will protect their health. For more information about preventing the spread of germs and disease, visit the CDC’s guide on their webpage.

From our team to your family, Victoria ER wishes you and your loved ones a great start to the new school year. Let us know any tips you have for getting your child to practice some of these disease-fighting tricks!

Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on our trusted brand to deliver the emergency care you deserve at any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

December 14 2017

Immunization by the Numbers

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Most children born now will never know the horrors of epidemic disease and how it can decimate entire nations. While disease may seem like a thing of the past, it wasn’t even 60 years ago that polio was making its way across the country. Without the advent of the vaccine, polio, and other diseases, would still be a threat to our populations. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of vaccines and how they’ve aided in the war against epidemic disease.

Numbers don’t lie. Since the widespread use of immunizations, some diseases have essentially been eradicated and millions of lives have been saved. Read through some of these quick facts on vaccines and how they’ve changed the face of epidemic disease.

- The Centers for Disease Control estimates that the measles vaccine alone has prevented over 700,000 child deaths and tens of millions of hospitalizations in the past two decades.
- Smallpox is now eradicated due to the effort of vaccinators who travelled tirelessly, immunizing children in every pocket of the world.
- The Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) virus, which causes childhood meningitis and postnatal mental retardation, has been essentially wiped out.
- Polio, a crippling disease affecting children, has been eliminated throughout the world except in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Not all populations have the same level of access to life-saving healthcare and preventative medicine as we do in the United States. The Council of Foreign Relations created the map below with each dot representing an occurrence of a vaccine-preventable disease – the larger the dot, the larger the outbreak.

Immunizations do occasionally produce mild physical symptoms. The National Health Service describes common side effects such as:

Mild fever
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle pain
Temporary injection site reactions including redness, tenderness and swelling

For the vast majority, side effects from vaccination are negligible or incredibly mild. In less than one in a million, patients may have a severe allergic reaction that can be reversed if treated promptly.

In small children and infants, temporary common side effects may include:

Swelling
Redness
Small hard lump at the injection site
Agitation and irritability

It’s important to remember that small children are incapable of articulating their pain or discomfort so they should be monitored closely for any of the above symptoms.

You can learn more about vaccines at the Centers for Disease Control home page and the World Health Organization.

During this National Immunization Awareness Month, we want our patients to feel confident in their healthcare choices and the healthcare of their loved ones. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, come and visit our emergency center in Victoria for quick and compassionate care.

Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Victoria ER or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

December 14 2017

How to Cool Down & Stay Safe at the Pool

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Warm weather and swimming go hand in hand. When the heat of summer finally rolls in, don’t let an injury hold you back from perfecting your cannonball.

Whether you’ve got a backyard oasis or you’re visiting the neighborhood pool, aquatic safety is a must for fun in the sun. Learn more about pool safety and sanitation to ensure you and your loved ones have a fun and safe summer.

Carefully monitor chlorine levels
Chlorine levels in your pool must be monitored to ensure that they’re not too low or too high. If they’re too low, the pool may have dangerous germs and infections lurking in the depths. If they’re too high, swimming in the pool can cause painful burns and rashes. The CDC recommends pH 7.2–7.8 and a free chlorine concentration of at least 1 ppm in pools and at least 3 ppm in hot tubs/spas for private pool owners. Some diseases spread by unsanitary pool conditions are listed below.

- - Diarrheal infections
  - Rashes
  - Ear, respiratory and skin infections

Be careful – public pools and waterparks are more likely to be over-chlorinated and you won’t be able to personally monitor levels. As an adult, it will be easier for you to quickly identify symptoms of chlorine burn on yourself before they become serious. It’s often more difficult to do the same for your child. Instead, watch for the warning signs, including itching skin or rubbing eyes excessively, red, tender rashes and an overwhelming smell of chlorine. After prolonged exposure, even 30 minutes, serious symptoms may develop. Some of these are listed below.

- Skin redness, tenderness or itchiness at sight of contact
- Skin lesions, which may blister or even bleed in severe cases
- Scales, crust or scabs on the skin

Treat mild to moderate chlorine burns by flushing the affected area with cool water for 10-15 minutes.

In extreme cases, the skin may develop bulbous-looking blisters, filled with fluids, and the skin may begin to turn white and peel. If you or a loved one experience these symptoms after swimming in a chlorinated pool, you should seek immediate medical care as ruptured blisters can lead to scarring and even infection. To learn more about keeping your pool safe and sanitary, go to the CDC’s informational page.

Keep a very close eye on children
Many children who drown are missing for only a few minutes and under the supervision of both parents. Here are some quick tips to ensure your child’s safety.

Proper barriers around pools protect children from injury and drowning.

- - Put up appropriate barriers around the pool to keep children from falling in
  - Teach children to ask permission to go swimming
  - Remind children to always swim with buddies and make sure they know where their friends are at all times
  - Limit the amount of time they’re under direct sun from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  - If a child is missing, check the water first – seconds are often the difference in death and disability

You can also enroll children in swimming classes from an early age. Some classes even teach toddlers how to float on their backs if they fall into water. Visit the Red Cross website to find classes near you.

Proper drain covers
Ensure that any pool you visit – whether it’s public or in someone’s yard – has proper drain covers and teach children to not swim near or play with and remove them. As harmless as they may seem, uncovered drains can cause serious injuries. This is especially true for public pools that need stronger drainage and suction. A large drain can trap an adult, sucking in a limb or your hair, and cause drowning. If you’re visiting a public pool, or even a spa, and see that a drain cover is damaged or missing, immediately alert staff.

Victoria ER wants to help you enjoy summers with your family while staying safe, whether you’re diving into the deep end or tubing at a waterpark. Visit poolsafely.gov for more information and let us know your favorite spots to cool down in the summer!

December 14 2017

6 Symptoms You Should Never Avoid

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You face a lot of challenges in your daily life. You’re supposed to maintain appearances, meet deadlines, improve yourself, and grow as person all at the same time. This “rat race” sometimes makes you forget about the more important things in your life, like your health. If you are suffering from persistent pain, sporadic flu-like symptoms, sudden intense headache, or anything of the sorts, it is best to seek medical attention before it is too late. These symptoms can be signs to something bigger and serious, and you would want to know exactly what’s up with your body to choose the best care options. In this blog post, we discuss the six symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored.

Shooting Pain in your Arm

If your overall health is in optimal condition, and you experience an intense and sudden pain in your arm, don’t ignore it. It can be a sign of heart attack, and you need to seek immediate medical help. This is particularly true for pain in the left arm.

Severe Headaches

If you are going about your routine chores and experience a severe headache, ask someone to help you get to an ER or call the proper numbers to get medical help. This can be a symptom of significant neurologic or brain dysfunction which is best not overlooked.

Uncontrollable Vomiting

Uncontrollable vomiting coupled with loose bowels may indicate food poisoning or gastrointestinal infection. It becomes necessary to seek medical help in this condition because you may require IV fluids and electrolyte replacement or any such treatment to ensure that the infection doesn’t lead to complications.

Muscle Spasms

Twitching muscles in any part of your body, especially your back, may be a result of nervous dysfunction or a herniated disk. If you are experiencing intense pain coupled with the twitching or spasm, seek medical attention immediately.

Fainting (Syncope)

No one just drops down and faints under normal circumstances. If someone in your vicinity experiences a fainting episode, don’t overlook it and call for medical help.

Intense and Sporadic Skin rash

If your skin is generally in good condition and you see sporadic burst of skin rash and spots, don’t delay in going to an emergency room. Skin rashes which itch, bleed, or are painful to deal with, should get immediate medical attention. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek the immediate treatment of a physician at an emergency facility, like Victoria ER.

December 13 2017

What to do in a Hiking Emergency

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It’s a perfect day to go hiking. The sun is out, there’s a cool breeze and you’ve gathered your loved ones for a day of fun on the trails when suddenly, something goes wrong. It could be anything — an ankle twists, a foot slips off a difficult trail, a snake comes across your path – but you can prepare for these medical emergencies while hiking. Victoria ER wants you to have fun and be safe while adventuring into the great outdoors. We’ve listed a few tips for dealing with medical emergencies that can occur while hiking and how to best prepare for them.

Build a first aid kit

You can buy first aid kits, but they’re often not equipped well enough for hiking or too costly. Making your own first aid kit allows you to tailor the contents exactly to your needs. Most kits include basic protection and medicine, like ibuprofen, gauze, antiseptic and bandages, but you should add other items. Consider including some of the items listed below. • Multi use tool or pocket knife. A scalpel is also useful. • Trauma scissors, which have blunt ends to protect someone if they need clothes cut away from a wound. • Irrigation syringe to clean out wounds before receiving proper treatment. • Paper and pencil to record temperature, symptoms, pulse and other useful information while treating someone in the wilderness.

Bring blankets and stay hydrated

If you become lost or break a bone that renders you immobile, waiting for an emergency team to reach you may take longer than a week. It’s important that you’re protected from the elements during this time. If you’re exposed to sun during the day, cover yourself with the blanket and create a makeshift tent. To prevent yourself from becoming hypothermic, make sure you’re shielded from wind and rain beneath the tent. Proper hydration will ensure your body is replenished with vital nutrients such as electrolytes.

Tell people where you’re going

This is an incredibly important precaution and one that has saved many lives. Unexpected weather, including mudslides and rain, can cause trails to become more dangerous than usual and you could easily slip and fall. It can take days for loved ones to figure out something’s gone wrong and even longer for emergency teams to reach you. Providing a basic itinerary of your plans and checking in with ranger stations whenever you pass them could potentially save your life. While you can’t plan for a medical emergency, research can better prepare you for these situations. Victoria ER encourages our patients to take charge of their safety and take the necessary precautions for their summer adventures. Let us know some of your tips and tricks for handling emergencies!

December 13 2017

Yellow Fever Outbreak: Do We have to Worry in America?

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Yellow fever is a viral disease which is spread by infected mosquitoes. The recent outbreak of yellow fever in Africa has got the entire world concerned about its reach on their shores. Yellow fever falls in the same category of viruses as Dengue fever. The symptoms of include:

Severe Chills and fever
Intense headaches
Fatigue and weakness
Body ache, especially back and muscular pain
Vomiting and nausea

Do we have something to worry about? Let’s delve into some figures and statistics to explore this further.

Is Yellow Fever Fatal?

About fifteen percent of total people affected from yellow fever develop life-threatening complications from it. This is because it has a direct impact on the liver, which is a vital organ for normal functioning. People at high risk for complications experience the following:

Bleeding
Organ shock
High fever
Jaundice

According to the statistics provided by CDC, around twenty to fifty percent of people who reach this stage of disease die.

Is there a vaccine?

While the disease itself has no cure, it has a very potent vaccination that gives lifelong protection to people. The World Health Organization holds the rights to producing and distributing the vaccination. The organization is responsible for introducing a huge campaign for promotion of vaccination to contain its spread as a consequence. The campaign basically focuses on African regions of Luanda. Regions outside Africa are not at a high risk factor of potential deaths and fatality, provided that no one carried the infection from Africa to other regions. This is the reason why airports and other modes of travel and communication have strict medical screening measures.

Where do Americans Stand?

The United States of America has no recent record of yellow fever epidemics. The most intense episode took place in 1878, leaving over 13,000 people dead. However, the good news is that it is highly unlikely for an epidemic to break in today’s time and age because of the control of mosquitoes. Currently, we don’t have to worry about it, but precautionary measures and steps should be taken with strict observance to continue keeping the danger at bay. If you notice any of the above mentioned symptoms in yourself, or anyone around you, please visit your nearest ER, where the staff can run proper diagnostics for your symptoms.