Proteinuria denotes protein in the urine. Proteinuria is a marker for chronic kidney disease. It can be detected by a simple urinalysis. If present further tests can be performed to assess the amount of protein that is passing into the urine. If a significant amount of protein exists, further tests may be needed in order to further diagnose the cause of the proteinuria and to protect the kidneys from that disease process. Proteinuria is not a disease but is a sign of an underlying disease.
Patients with diabetes and hypertension are at risk for proteinuria. If present, proteinuria suggests a more progressed disease course. Patients with genetic predisposition for kidney diseases may also have proteinuria. Patients in these categories should have their urine tested on a regular basis for the presence of proteinuria or for worsening levels of proteinuria.
If you are found to have proteinuria, you should be seen by a nephrologist to be further evaluated for the cause of the proteinuria. If you have a kidney disease or kidney damage from another cause (e.g. diabetes or hypertension), early intervention can prolong or possibly prevent the progression of the kidney damage possibly avoiding the possibility of dialysis.
A link is provided below for more information on proteinuria. If you have proteinuria, feel you are at risk for kidney disease, or would like to be tested for possible kidney problems, please feel free to contact us at Gumtree Medical Clinic. We are located at 88 Clark Boulevard in the Fairpark District in Downtown Tupelo and at the Noyes Clinic at 2000 E. Shiloh Road in Corinth. You may also contact us by telephone at (662) 690-5675 or toll free at (877) 690-5675.
Please click for more information about proteinuria http://bit.ly/b0ZZ8k .
Friday, March 12, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Alice in Health Care
Alice in Health Care
A fresh perspective on the age old problem of utilization and payment of healthcare..most of utilization and costs of healthcare are dependent on who is paying the bill!
A fresh perspective on the age old problem of utilization and payment of healthcare..most of utilization and costs of healthcare are dependent on who is paying the bill!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Swine Flu
Well, Mississippi was one of the last hold-outs but has finally succumbed to H1N1 influenza. Three cases were first reported in Harrison County on the coast. The first cases were reported on May 15th. Subsequently, on May 18th, a fourth case was reported in Forrest County which includes Hatiesburg. No other cases have yet been reported; however, the State Health Department does expect more cases to occur.
The swine flu strain seems clinically similar to seasonal flu with which most folks are familiar. It responds to the usual treatments for seasonal flu and most people who contract swine flu will recover on their own. The very young, the elderly, pregnant women and the chronically ill may be at higher risk.
If you develop flu like symptoms (think of the old Nyquil commercials), please call for an appointment and we will get you medication for the flu. We can send a sample to the state lab to check for swine flu as well.
You can find us at 88 Clark Boulevard in the Fairpark District in Downtown Tupelo. You can contact us at 662-690-5675. We are also available on the web at
www. gumtreemedicalclinic.com
The swine flu strain seems clinically similar to seasonal flu with which most folks are familiar. It responds to the usual treatments for seasonal flu and most people who contract swine flu will recover on their own. The very young, the elderly, pregnant women and the chronically ill may be at higher risk.
If you develop flu like symptoms (think of the old Nyquil commercials), please call for an appointment and we will get you medication for the flu. We can send a sample to the state lab to check for swine flu as well.
You can find us at 88 Clark Boulevard in the Fairpark District in Downtown Tupelo. You can contact us at 662-690-5675. We are also available on the web at
www. gumtreemedicalclinic.com
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Swine Flu
Swine Flu is getting more and more attention. There have not been any reported cases in Mississippi at this time. There are numerous links from yahoo and others to track where the reported cases are.
The symptoms resemble those of "human" flu including high temperatures, sore throat, runny nose, cough, chills, headache, body aches, and fatigue or tiredness. Think of the Nyquil commercials. Some people also experience some GI effects from the swine flu including diarrhea and vomiting.
There is no vaccine for the human spread of swine flu. The flu vaccine will not protect against the swine flu. It is felt that the current episode of swine flu is being spread from human to human contacts.
The best prevention at this time is good hygiene and avoidance of possible infected people. Remember to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough and wash your hands. If someone is infected, it is felt that they are contagious for at least 7 days.
The swine flu at least for now does seem to respond to the oral flu medications used to treat the "human" flu such as Tamiflu and Relenza.
If you have symptoms which suggest typical flu symptoms, go to your physician's office and get checked out. If they suspect swine flu, then a culture can be obtained and forwarded to the State Health Department. They will test the specimen for swine flu. In the mean time, you can be started on appropriate therapy for whatever illness you may have.
I have included a link from the AMA on the subject of swine flu. It also has an internal link to the CDC website.
If you need a doctor, please give us a call or come by. We will be glad to help with your medical needs. We are located in the FairPark District in Downtown Tupelo at 88 Clark Boulevard. Our phone number is 662-690-5675. You can find us on the web at www.gumtreemedicalclinic.com
Click for the AMA link: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-science/infectious-diseases/topics-interest/swine-flu.shtml
The symptoms resemble those of "human" flu including high temperatures, sore throat, runny nose, cough, chills, headache, body aches, and fatigue or tiredness. Think of the Nyquil commercials. Some people also experience some GI effects from the swine flu including diarrhea and vomiting.
There is no vaccine for the human spread of swine flu. The flu vaccine will not protect against the swine flu. It is felt that the current episode of swine flu is being spread from human to human contacts.
The best prevention at this time is good hygiene and avoidance of possible infected people. Remember to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough and wash your hands. If someone is infected, it is felt that they are contagious for at least 7 days.
The swine flu at least for now does seem to respond to the oral flu medications used to treat the "human" flu such as Tamiflu and Relenza.
If you have symptoms which suggest typical flu symptoms, go to your physician's office and get checked out. If they suspect swine flu, then a culture can be obtained and forwarded to the State Health Department. They will test the specimen for swine flu. In the mean time, you can be started on appropriate therapy for whatever illness you may have.
I have included a link from the AMA on the subject of swine flu. It also has an internal link to the CDC website.
If you need a doctor, please give us a call or come by. We will be glad to help with your medical needs. We are located in the FairPark District in Downtown Tupelo at 88 Clark Boulevard. Our phone number is 662-690-5675. You can find us on the web at www.gumtreemedicalclinic.com
Click for the AMA link: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-science/infectious-diseases/topics-interest/swine-flu.shtml
Monday, April 27, 2009
High Blood Pressure in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults
We are seeing hypertension occurring in children, teenagers and young adults more often than previous. Whether due to changes in diet and lifestyle than in years past or other causes, there definitely seems to be a significant increase in onset of hypertension in younger age groups. If your child or teen has not been seen recently and has not had a blood pressure check, we encourage you to have this done. We are happy to offer free blood pressure checks in the office for your convenience. If the blood pressure is elevated, we encourage you to check with your regular physician or schedule an appointment with us for further evaluation of the elevated blood pressure.
Many times as kids get older, they stop getting routine physicals and may go years without having a blood pressure check. Some kids do get seen for camp physicals and sports physicals and this is helpful in keeping an eye on the possibility of the development of hypertension.
It is important to know if your child or young adult has hypertension. It is possible that there is a secondary cause to they hypertension. If there is a secondary cause which is found and treated early, there is a better chance to avoid any damage from the hypertension and avoid any adverse effects from medication use.
As a Hypertension Center of Excellence, Gumtree Medical Clinic is equipped to search for secondary causes of hypertension. We will also come up with a suitable treatment plan if they do require long term high blood pressure medications.
If you have a child or adolescent that has not had a blood pressure check recently, please come by and let us check their blood pressure. It is better to find out any abnormalities early. The sooner the diagnosis, the less chance of long-term complications.
If you need help with your or someone else's blood pressure difficulties, please feel free to contact us. We are located at 88 Clark Boulevard in the Fairpark District in Downtown Tupelo. Our phone number is 662-690-5675. You can find us on the web at http://www.gumtreemedicalclinic.com/
Many times as kids get older, they stop getting routine physicals and may go years without having a blood pressure check. Some kids do get seen for camp physicals and sports physicals and this is helpful in keeping an eye on the possibility of the development of hypertension.
It is important to know if your child or young adult has hypertension. It is possible that there is a secondary cause to they hypertension. If there is a secondary cause which is found and treated early, there is a better chance to avoid any damage from the hypertension and avoid any adverse effects from medication use.
As a Hypertension Center of Excellence, Gumtree Medical Clinic is equipped to search for secondary causes of hypertension. We will also come up with a suitable treatment plan if they do require long term high blood pressure medications.
If you have a child or adolescent that has not had a blood pressure check recently, please come by and let us check their blood pressure. It is better to find out any abnormalities early. The sooner the diagnosis, the less chance of long-term complications.
If you need help with your or someone else's blood pressure difficulties, please feel free to contact us. We are located at 88 Clark Boulevard in the Fairpark District in Downtown Tupelo. Our phone number is 662-690-5675. You can find us on the web at http://www.gumtreemedicalclinic.com/
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Secondary Hypertension
Most cases of hypertension are due to "essential" or "primary" hypertension. This means that the bloood pressure is elevated and no underlying cause is identified or able to be treated. There are many elements in the development of hypertension that cannot be measured, tested, or possibly treated. These factors include genetics and the way different body processes work in the particular individual.
However, in some patients, there are determinable causes for the hypertension. Previously, it has been felt that approximately 5% of patients with hypertension had a remediable cause. Of the causes that are usually suspected and addressed, most can now be searched for with fairly simple tests.
Patients with certain characteristics to their hypertension are generally felt to need testing for one or several of these underlying conditions. If you have early or late onset hypertension (age of onset prior to 35 or so or over 60) then it is reasonable to look for an underlying cause. As well, patients who have resistant hypertension (requiring 3 or more blood pressure medications at high doses) merit an evaluation for secondary hypertension. If a patient has had stable blood pressure control and suddenly has difficulty with their blood pressure, then a secondary cause should be sought.
If you have characteristics which make you suspect you or someone you know may have secondary hypertension, please call us for further information. We are able to help you get the evaluation needed to search for these underlying conditions. If present, treatment of these problems can make your blood pressure more manageable. Many times the medication regimen can be reduced or discontinued. Many people do already have underlying damage from the hypertension and do require some therapy for high blood pressure but hopefully in lesser amounts.
If you have questions about hypertension or other medical problems, please feel free to contact us. We are open 8-5 Monday thru Thursday and 8-Noon on Fridays. Our telephone number is 662-690-5675. We are also on the web at http://www.gumtreemedicalclinic.com/.
However, in some patients, there are determinable causes for the hypertension. Previously, it has been felt that approximately 5% of patients with hypertension had a remediable cause. Of the causes that are usually suspected and addressed, most can now be searched for with fairly simple tests.
Patients with certain characteristics to their hypertension are generally felt to need testing for one or several of these underlying conditions. If you have early or late onset hypertension (age of onset prior to 35 or so or over 60) then it is reasonable to look for an underlying cause. As well, patients who have resistant hypertension (requiring 3 or more blood pressure medications at high doses) merit an evaluation for secondary hypertension. If a patient has had stable blood pressure control and suddenly has difficulty with their blood pressure, then a secondary cause should be sought.
If you have characteristics which make you suspect you or someone you know may have secondary hypertension, please call us for further information. We are able to help you get the evaluation needed to search for these underlying conditions. If present, treatment of these problems can make your blood pressure more manageable. Many times the medication regimen can be reduced or discontinued. Many people do already have underlying damage from the hypertension and do require some therapy for high blood pressure but hopefully in lesser amounts.
If you have questions about hypertension or other medical problems, please feel free to contact us. We are open 8-5 Monday thru Thursday and 8-Noon on Fridays. Our telephone number is 662-690-5675. We are also on the web at http://www.gumtreemedicalclinic.com/.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Hypertension Center of Excellence-Gumtree Medical Clinic
With coordination through local lab and radiology services, we are establishing a Hypertension Center of Excellence in Tupelo, MS. We want to provide you with expert hypertension evaluation and treatment.
We offer second opinions as well as an exhaustive search for underlying causes for you high blood pressure that might be correctable. Generally with a few blood tests and possible X-ray tests, we can determine if you have any of the more common secondary causes of hypertension. If found, treatment of these conditions may make your blood pressure easier to control and possibly reduce the number of medications required to keep your blood pressure controlled.
As well, we will work with you to find the best medication combination for you. It is important to establish an effective regimen for blood pressure control but also important to find a regimen that is well tolerated by you, the patient. Given Dr. Hale's pharmacy background and training in Nephrology, he can offer you expertise in designing a regimen that is sound from a pharmacologic standpoint as well as minimizing side effects and costs.
Uncontrolled hypertension carries risks of stroke, kidney failure, heart disease and other problems. As well, it causes faster progression of other diseases that are present including heart disease, kidney disease, diabetic complications, and vascular disease. We will work with you to better control your blood pressure and minimize the complications associated with hypertension.We offer easy access to our clinic so that the community as a whole may benefit. We require no referral or other obstacles to be seen in regards to your hypertension. Your evaluation is only a phone call away. If you are concerned about your high blood pressure or that of a family member, we want to help.
Please call today to schedule an appointment for you consultation.
Our clinic number is 662-690-5675.
Gumtree Medical Clinic is located at 88 Clark Bouldevard Fairpark Business District Tupelo, MS
We offer second opinions as well as an exhaustive search for underlying causes for you high blood pressure that might be correctable. Generally with a few blood tests and possible X-ray tests, we can determine if you have any of the more common secondary causes of hypertension. If found, treatment of these conditions may make your blood pressure easier to control and possibly reduce the number of medications required to keep your blood pressure controlled.
As well, we will work with you to find the best medication combination for you. It is important to establish an effective regimen for blood pressure control but also important to find a regimen that is well tolerated by you, the patient. Given Dr. Hale's pharmacy background and training in Nephrology, he can offer you expertise in designing a regimen that is sound from a pharmacologic standpoint as well as minimizing side effects and costs.
Uncontrolled hypertension carries risks of stroke, kidney failure, heart disease and other problems. As well, it causes faster progression of other diseases that are present including heart disease, kidney disease, diabetic complications, and vascular disease. We will work with you to better control your blood pressure and minimize the complications associated with hypertension.We offer easy access to our clinic so that the community as a whole may benefit. We require no referral or other obstacles to be seen in regards to your hypertension. Your evaluation is only a phone call away. If you are concerned about your high blood pressure or that of a family member, we want to help.
Please call today to schedule an appointment for you consultation.
Our clinic number is 662-690-5675.
Gumtree Medical Clinic is located at 88 Clark Bouldevard Fairpark Business District Tupelo, MS
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