Helpful Health Tips and Wellness Advice

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.

December 13 2017

Heart Attack Patients: What to Expect in the ER

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For most of us, knowing when to request medical attention at the time of emergency isn’t always clear. It is easy to analyze circumstances in case of a potentially life-threatening situation such as fainting, difficulty in breathing, or traumatic accident. However, heart attack symptoms are not as easy to detect and analyze right away. This is because its symptoms can sometimes be confused with that of heart burn, weakness or dizziness, thus, most people tend to misread them. It pays to call 911 right away if you observe anyone experiencing chest discomfort. Being prepared is the key to handling any situation with logic and a clear mind. Here is what to expect in an ER if you have experienced chest pain or a heart attack:

Things to Bring to the ER

There is a list of things that you need to bring to the ER. If a loved one suffers a heart attack, make sure that you take all the necessary files and medical history along with their insurance card. Also, bring a pen and paper to document the treatment they are receiving to keep record.

What to Expect when you Arrive at the ER

Emergency rooms operate on the basis of a system known as triage. Under this system, they treat the illness which is the most serious amongst all cases present. So if you or your loved one has had a heart attack, they will look into your case quickly. Depending upon your symptoms, you may receive the following tests and treatment:

Physical examination
An IV
Blood tests to confirm the occurrence of a heart attack
Administration of medicines such as aspirin, nitroglycerine, and clot dissolving agents
An EKG (electrocardiogram)
Administering oxygen
Opening of a blocked artery through Cardiac Catheterization if deemed necessary by a Cardiologist. This is a process where a flexible tube is inserted via the groin to extend to the block artery.

What to do During the Procedures?

The doctors and emergency staff in the ER are competent in dealing with such cases. This is why you need to trust them with the care and treatment they provide in order to steer you towards a healthier life style. If you are alone, it is best to inform a friend or family member about your condition. Victoria ER is a walk-in emergency enter with state-of-the-art facilities to cater to heart attack patients. Take action if you or anyone near you is experiencing a heart attack by visiting this dependable ER.

December 13 2017

7 Unusual Reasons for Visiting the ER

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A broken bone, a severe head injury, major accidents – while all these are among the top reasons for visiting an ER , there are some quite unexpected reasons to land in an ER. There might be cases that you go to a medical center suspicious of one thing, but the actual cause of your condition could surprise you. Here are seven such strange reasons that force an ER visit:

Barbecue Brush Bristles

Brush bristles can lead to an ER visit, seriously? The metal bristles of the brush used to clean your barbecue grill, if not used carefully, can end up in your stomach. After cleaning your equipment with metal bristles make sure to clean the grill with a towel to get rid of the hazardous metal objects.

Laundry Poisoning

Undoubtedly, the new styled laundry pods are useful and hassle-free, but they’re dangerous as well, especially for children. Brightly colored,with a shiny appearances attractive to kids. Curious as they are, your 2-year old may put it in his mouth.Containing cleaning agents, these pods are poisonous. Keep them out of reach of your children to avoid a visit to the ER.

Alcohol Poisoning

When consuming alcohol, know your limits. It’s difficult to tell how much should be consumed; but once you start losing track – things start getting worse. Symptoms like vomiting, breathlessness, seizures and elevated body temperatures indicate alcohol poisoning and require emergency medical care. Be aware of how your body metabolizes alcohol and consume only as much as your body can tolerate.

Fruits

Eating fruits could lead to an emergency – were you aware of that? You need to make sure that you wash fruits before consuming them. Pests like spiders lurk on fruits that may lead to conditions that require immediate medical attention. Pesticides may also contaminate fruit and lead to serious problems requiring emergency attention.

Secondary Drowning

If your child is involved in a water accident, monitor him closely. Even though he appears to be fine, there might be water lingering in his lungs. This can cause a pneumonia-like condition which can be fatal if not treated in time. Watch out for symptoms like lethargy, continued coughing, unusual lip color, and changes in breathing. If any of these persist, seek immediate emergency care.

Flip-Flops

Tendonitis, knee and hip problems due to flip-flops? Have you ever heard of it? Wearing slippers that do not provide enough support can cause chronic pain.Flip-flops do not offer arch support which causes discomfort, and in a few cases, leads to emergencies.

Sneezing Wrong

We don’t think about the way we sneeze. Blocking airways by covering your mouth and pinching your nose or holding a sneeze could land you in the emergency. When you block airways during a sneeze, pressure builds up in the throat which causes a punctured airway. This condition can be a fatal one. Thus, when sneezing, always make sure that you cover your mouth and nose in an unobstructed manner. Which ER should you visit when faced with any of these situations? Victoria ER is the answer.Our compassionate medical staff focuses on providing excellent patient care with the shortest wait time. Come to us if you have any medical emergencies.

December 13 2017

When Your Toothache Becomes Serious

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Experiencing pain while chewing? Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold? Well, even this mild or moderate tooth discomfort can turn into a potentially serious condition known as abscess. This is a pus-filled infection that occurs inside and around the tooth, and in some cases, between the gum and tooth. The pain is mild in the beginning; however, within a day or two, the pain can become intense. This sharp pain is the telltale sign that you’re suffering from abscess.

Symptoms

The tooth darkens in color compared to the surrounding teeth. You may even experience pain while eating or when pressing on the tooth. The abscess that spreads on the tip of the root affects the supporting structures i.e. the gum and the bone. In a number of cases, the pain intensifies to such a huge extent, that it isn’t relieved even with pain medications.A swollen face and jaw is another symptom of abscess. You may even experience pain in your jaw due to swelling. Bad taste or halitosis are less common symptoms of abscess.

Causes

Intense dental cavity (decay) is one of the most common causes of abscess. The cavity becomes so large that it reaches the pulp chamber. When this happens, an inflammatory process takes place within the tooth which is why you experience toothache. Abscess also occurs when you undergo a dental treatment such as crown, or a filling that gets too close to the pulp chamber. A blow and trauma to the tooth from grinding or clenching are other causes of abscess. The wisdom teeth are at a higher risk of developing abscess; however, any tooth can develop it. Wisdom teeth are difficult to keep clean and can develop decay that can go unnoticed. This is why they are prone to develop this complication.

Preventing Abscess

Avoiding sweet and sugar-filled drinks and foods is one of the best ways of preventing an abscess. Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen teeth and prevent from decaying. Fluoride mouth rinse is also an effective abscess prevention technique. It prevents tooth decay and helps in strengthening the enamel.Smoking and diabetes increase the risk of dental problems. If any one of these two factors affect you, make sure that you do not skip your doctor visits. Victoria ERprovides a range of emergency services in Victoria, Texas. We emphasize excellent patient care along with quality and accessible services.

December 13 2017

Where to Go When You’re Sick

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Knowing where to go after you’ve fallen ill depends on the nature of the condition and how quickly you need care. However, you should know these options before you require treatment. There are conditions where you should immediately head out to an emergency room; whereas, others do not require immediate medical care. If you feel that you need to see a doctor immediately because the symptoms show no sign of going away, here are three places available for you to seek care:

Physician’s Office

Physician’s office should be your first choice if you aren’t suffering from an emergency medical condition. Visit your physician’s office for conditions such as sore throats, fevers, earaches, flu, etc. Also, make sure that you visit your doctor’s clinic regularly to avoid emergency situations. In emergency medical situations, don’t hesitate to contact your physician for guidance.If you do not have a personal physician, you should make it a priority to find one.

Walk-In Clinics

Walk-in clinics have been set up to deal with situations that aren’t serious and conditions that are not life threatening. Obviously, you’d like to get in touch with your doctor and visit his clinic when you’re sick, but what do you do when there are a few situations when the doctor isn’t present? First and foremost, seek medical advice right away and don’t wait for your doctor. You can always benefit from walk-in clinics as they’ve been established for the same purpose – to treat you when your doctor isn’t available. However, you should keep in mind that walk-in clinics will are not equipped to deal with life-threatening emergency conditions.

Emergency Room

Emergency care centers are responsible for treating life-threatening problems such as major fractures, heart attacks, and seizures. Emergency centers operate 24 hours a day, ensuring your receive the care you need right away. Before transferring you to a hospital , your condition will be monitored after immediate emergency medical assistance. People suffering from life threatening conditions are stabilized at emergency centers, then moved to hospitals for further surgery or observation. Looking for the best emergency center? We at Victoria ER offer unmatched emergency services for all, children as well as adults. Our center features knowledgeable and experienced medical staff who are compassionate and offer the best care to all patients.