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
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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
Hypertension Part 3--Risk Factors
As most people know, hypertension is a common health problem.
In the United States, approximately 32 percent of African-Americans and 23 percent of white people and Mexican-Americans have hypertension.
Hypertension is more common as people grow older.
-As an example, among people over age 60, hypertension occurs in 65 percent of African- American men, 80 percent of African-American women, 55 percent of white men, and 65%
of white women.
Unfortunately, many people's blood pressure is not well controlled.
-According to the same national survey, hypertension was in good control in only 25 percent of
African-Americans and whites and 14 percent of Mexican-Americans.
A variety of risk factors have been associated with essential hypertension:
-Hypertension tends to be both more common and more severe in blacks.
-Hypertension in maternal, paternal or both parents is independently associated with the
development of hypertension over the course of adult life.
-Evidence for a relationship between sodium intake and essential hypertension continues to
mount. It is likely that increased salt intake plays a role in causing hypertension but cannot act
alone to cause it. If other risk factors are present, increased salt intake may make the
development of hypertension more likely.
-Multiple studies show a clear association between excess alcohol intake and the development of
hypertension.
-Obesity is associated with an increased prevalence and incidence of hypertension, and weight
gain appears to be a main determinant of the rise in blood pressure (BP) that is commonly seen
with aging
-High cholesterol may also associated with the development of hypertension. The role of
abnormal cholesterol occurs whether the patient is obese or not.
If you feel you may have one or more of these risk factors, please contact us or a physician of your choice to check up on your blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, it is important to keep a check on your blood pressure and keep it controlled.
As well, it is important to keep a check on other factors such as cholesterol and kidney function to help prevent or slow any complications from the hypertension.
If you need further information or need a physician to see after you hypertension, please contact us for an appointment. We have establshed a hypertension center of excellence to help you get a better handle on your hypertension.
Contact us at Gumtree Medical Clinic 88 Clark Boulevard Fairpark District Tupelo, MS
Phone 662-690-5675
In the United States, approximately 32 percent of African-Americans and 23 percent of white people and Mexican-Americans have hypertension.
Hypertension is more common as people grow older.
-As an example, among people over age 60, hypertension occurs in 65 percent of African- American men, 80 percent of African-American women, 55 percent of white men, and 65%
of white women.
Unfortunately, many people's blood pressure is not well controlled.
-According to the same national survey, hypertension was in good control in only 25 percent of
African-Americans and whites and 14 percent of Mexican-Americans.
A variety of risk factors have been associated with essential hypertension:
-Hypertension tends to be both more common and more severe in blacks.
-Hypertension in maternal, paternal or both parents is independently associated with the
development of hypertension over the course of adult life.
-Evidence for a relationship between sodium intake and essential hypertension continues to
mount. It is likely that increased salt intake plays a role in causing hypertension but cannot act
alone to cause it. If other risk factors are present, increased salt intake may make the
development of hypertension more likely.
-Multiple studies show a clear association between excess alcohol intake and the development of
hypertension.
-Obesity is associated with an increased prevalence and incidence of hypertension, and weight
gain appears to be a main determinant of the rise in blood pressure (BP) that is commonly seen
with aging
-High cholesterol may also associated with the development of hypertension. The role of
abnormal cholesterol occurs whether the patient is obese or not.
If you feel you may have one or more of these risk factors, please contact us or a physician of your choice to check up on your blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, it is important to keep a check on your blood pressure and keep it controlled.
As well, it is important to keep a check on other factors such as cholesterol and kidney function to help prevent or slow any complications from the hypertension.
If you need further information or need a physician to see after you hypertension, please contact us for an appointment. We have establshed a hypertension center of excellence to help you get a better handle on your hypertension.
Contact us at Gumtree Medical Clinic 88 Clark Boulevard Fairpark District Tupelo, MS
Phone 662-690-5675
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