Tupelo Medical Blog

Proteinuria

2010-03-12T12:30:00.001-08:00

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 .

Alice in Health Care

2010-03-01T22:18:00.000-08:00

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!

Swine Flu

2009-05-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

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

Swine Flu

2009-04-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

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

High Blood Pressure in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults

2009-04-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

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/

Secondary Hypertension

2009-04-14T10:44:00.000-07:00

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/.

Hypertension Center of Excellence-Gumtree Medical Clinic

2009-04-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

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

Hypertension Part 3--Risk Factors

2009-04-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

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

National Kidney Foundation Kidney Month and World Kidney Day

2009-03-06T13:54:00.000-08:00

March is Kidney Month sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation. As well, March 12 is World Kidney Day. If you would like to find out more about problems that affect the kidney or find out if you have a kidney problem, please call or come by to set up an appointment.

We can talk with you about problems that may arise especially if you are at risk for kidney disease. Patients at higher risk are those with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, atherosclerotic vascular disease (hardening of the arteries), or family history of kidney disease.

Early detection is the best way to prevent progression or at least slow the progression of kidney disease. If it progresses too far then you may well require dialysis or transplant to prevent death from kidney failure.

If you know you have kidney disease, please feel free to call or come by for an appointment to learn more about your disease and treatment options. We will be happy to offer a second opinion and make sure you are aware of all options available to you. As well, we can make sure you are optimizing the best methods for slowing the progression of you disease and help you learn how to protect against worsening of your disease.

If you want to come by, we will be happy to check you blood pressure and lab values to make sure you remain as healthy as possible. If an abnormality is present, we will let you know so that you can discuss it with your regular physician or make an appointment with us for further evaluation.

You may contact us at Gumtree Medical Clinic..88 Clark Boulevard..Tupelo, MS 38804 or by phone at 662-690-5675

Flu Season Hits Home

2009-02-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

Folks both on a local level and national level, as announced through the CDC recently, flu season is on its way. It is running late this year but is making a tear. We have seen several cases already over the past week or so. The best way to treat the flu is prevention. If you have not had your vaccination, you can still get one. We do still have some available at Gumtree Medical Clinic.

If you do experience flu symptoms, you need to get evaluated early and the earlier the better. If you can get treatment started within the first 48 hours, the medication may lessen the severity of the symptoms as well as shorten the duration of the illness.

If you have been in contact with someone who has documented influenza, you need to get checked out as well. If you have not already contracted the disease, you can get started on prophylaxis (prevention) medication which can keep you from getting the flu despite the exposure.

Symptoms may resemble the common cold but there are some differences and the symptoms associated with the flu generally start rather rapidly. Things that tend to indicated the flu are the following:

Fever (usually high)
Headache
Tiredness (can be extreme)
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Body aches
Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults)

If you or someone you know has these symptoms, please get tested and started on treatment if the flu test is positive.

Remember, for most people the flu is a miserable illness but is self-limited. However, in any given person, the flu can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. Although most healthy people recover from the flu without complications, some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious complications from the flu.

Also, the flu is spread by droplets transmitted through the air; it may also be spread by hand to hand contact. Remember to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. As well, it is important to wash you hands to prevent spread in this fashion.

If you have any questions or need to make an appointment, please feel free to call us at Gumtree Medical Clinic at 662-690-5675. We are located at 88 Clark Boulevard and accept appointments as well as walk-ins for your convenience.

Hypertension Part 2

2009-01-27T10:02:00.000-08:00

Stages of Hypertension

Normal BP is defined as <>160/>100.
Medication therapy should be begun in addition to lifestyle modifications in these patients. Patients with BP greater than 180/110 often require more than one medication to adequately control their BP. Generally these patients need frequent levels of follow-up to make sure the BP is responding adequately.

Patients with BP of 200/120 or greater require immediate therapy and, if symptomatic end-organ damage is present, they require hospitalization.

Isolated systolic hypertension is defined as a systolic (top number) BP of greater than 140. It occurs frequently in the elderly (beginning in the 50's and 60's) and increases with age.
Lifestyle modifications should be tried first. If this fails, then medication should be used to lower the systolic BP to less than 140. These patients need to be assessed fairly frequently to monitor tolerance of the medications.

Life style modifications include cessation of smoking, weight loss, judicious consumption of alcohol, and exercise as tolerated and prescribed by your physician.

Examples of target organ disease include the following:
Aneurysmal dilation, accelerated atherosclerosis, or aortic dissection;
Pulmonary edema (CHF) or myocardial infarction (MI or heart attack);
Evidence of coronary artery disease (hardening of the arteries around the heart), enlarged heart;
Bleeding stroke, coma, seizures, mental status changes (confusion), stroke, mini-strokes;
Renal failure, protein or blood in the urine;
Changes in the eyes suggestive of damage from high blood pressure.

Diabetes carries special weight in relation to risks from high blood pressure because both act together in damaging the blood vessels.

If you have high blood pressure and feel you need more information about the disease or your treatment, please feel free to call for an appointment. We will be happy to make sure you have all the information you need to help care for your disease.

If you need to have your blood pressure checked, please come by during regular hours. We offer free blood pressure checks on a walk-in basis for patients and the general community. If you would like to check your monitor against ours, bring it with you and we will check your blood pressure on both machines, and manually if needed, to correlate your blood pressure monitor.

Hypertension Part 1

2009-01-20T12:09:00.001-08:00

Most are aware of high blood pressure and its effects on the body.
If you have a blood pressure higher than 120/80 these days, it is best to get it seen about.
Any blood pressure readings that are higher than this can lead to long term problems if not followed and addressed.
Blood pressure may not require medications until it reaches 140/90 for most people; however, there are certain groups that should be treated at lower levels.
People that may need earlier treatment include
Diabetics
Kidney disease patients
Heart disease patients
As well, there may be other problems going on that can be found and treated earlier as well. If you find that you have an elevated blood pressure, you owe it to yourself and your health to see your family doctor and get checked out.

Tupelo Intermal Medicine Blog

2008-12-08T08:57:00.000-08:00

This blog is to distribute information that I hope will be useful in regards to Internal Medicine illnesses and problems. We will have updates as we can on diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and other topics. I am board certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. We will also include general topics about kidney disease such as how to determine if you have kidney disease and how to slow its progression.

We will also entertain relevant topics and questions addressed to our email. If you have a topic you would like discussed or a question you would like answered, please let us know.

We will place the first article soon...keep watching!