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Many women prefer to paint their fingernails in a rainbow of different colors, but what is hiding beneath the colorful polish could be informative. Carefully observe your nails between your next manicure to learn how your fingernails can show signs of disease.
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Those who are non-smokers can recognize a smoker almost immediately. The smell of tobacco, the persistent cough, plus a certain lack of patience which shows up the minute they finish one cigarette. These are all “tells.” If this is you, friends and relatives have probably coaxed you to stop. It’s not to shame or embarrass you, but just to provide the facts like the top 10 reasons to quit smoking right now. It’s not too late, and could save your life.
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Many of us have awakened in the morning with neck pain, and we immediately know we somehow slept wrong. We move around and within a short amount of time, the pain is miraculously gone. But what happens if that neck pain doesn’t go away, if it’s chronic, or no amount of over-the-counter medications are helping? You start asking: what is causing my neck pain?
Those with diabetes are quite familiar with how it affects their blood sugar, their kidneys, and their eyes and heart. Unfortunately, many are not aware of how diabetes can affect their joints until they are faced with an orthopedic problem.
It is a lesser-known consequence of diabetes, and at that point, many begin to ask: how can diabetes affect my bone and joint health?
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Protein fuels our energy and carries oxygen throughout our body in our blood. Even more importantly in today’s world with COVID 19, it helps to create immunity via antibodies to fight off infections and illnesses while keeping our cells healthy enough to create new ones. With all that in mind, how much protein do you need to maximize your health?
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Do you need a physical every year? The short answer is YES. Now you want to know why it’s important. Keep reading to discover the importance of an annual physical.
You have places to go, people to see, and things to enjoy this summer. If only you didn’t have to deal with your chronic pain. But there it is again, that debilitating pain and stiffness which depletes your energy and can stop you in your tracks. Don’t let summer pass you by. Here are 5 ways to forget your chronic pain and enjoy summer.
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If you live near a wooded area, spend time in a wooded area, or have pets that can roam nearby, you should be on the lookout for signs of tick bites and Lyme disease. It is common for people infected to never know they were bit. It is particularly important to protect yourself from Lyme disease this summer.
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Many of us have had the experience of feeling lightheaded when getting up from a sitting position too quickly or maybe after skipping breakfast or lunch. Usually it passes quickly, and we forget about it. Feeling lightheaded may be nothing serious, but let’s look at these 6 frequent causes, and when you should be concerned.
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Here comes your favorite time of year! Spring in Madison, Alabama brings warmer weather without as much humidity in the summer. But it also brings on the runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, and endless sneezing with all of those spring allergies in tow. Yes, there are colorful flowers starting to bloom, trees are sprouting new growth, and all we want to do is be outside. But alas, it’s brutal out there. So as we approach this lovely season and head to the drugstore, let’s be aware of commonly misunderstood facts and myths about spring allergies.
If symptoms of allergies are affecting your daily life, call Madison Medical Associates to schedule your appointment today.
This fallacy does nothing but put many people behind in the race to beat spring allergies. Once you see yellow pollen all over our cars, it’s really too late. You have lost the opportunity to get ahead of the misery.
The spring cycle really starts well before we see pollen, often in late February and early March, especially in Alabama and the rest of the southern half of the United States. Start by being proactive taking your medications early and you’ll be in for a more enjoyable spring.
This commonly misunderstood fact about spring allergies is one heard in many physician offices. The fact is, you should never wait to start, nor stop, allergy medications. It’s important to take your medications every day so that you can maximize their effect. Taking these daily doses gives the medicine time to treat and prevent any new allergy symptoms. Otherwise you are always playing “catch up.”
If you believe that, you’re in for a surprise. It’s not the flowers that are giving you that runny nose. Think instead of all the trees and the spring winds that carry pollen in the air. In fact, flowering trees like cherry, pear, and dogwood are not the offenders either. It happens to be trees like maple, oak, and birch that are the real culprits, and they have no flowers.
A quick tip: if it’s a really windy day, wear wraparound sunglasses. This will help keep the pollen out of your eyes, which will limit redness and itchiness.
Non-prescription or OTC (over the counter) decongestant nasal sprays can become problematic when used consistently over time. They can irritate the lining of the nose and can lead to rebound congestion. They also become ineffective after about three days.
Topical nasal steroids are an excellent choice if you are looking to reduce inflammation. There are differences among these many types medications, so not every product will be best suited for you and your spring allergies. Talk to your doctor to determine which will be ideal for you.
Some children have a terrible time with allergies in general. They can begin to have symptoms as early as two years old. The best course of action is to first find out what they are allergic to, and then the proper medications can be prescribed.
Sorry, but this is another one of those commonly misunderstood facts about spring allergies and allergies in general. Our bodies are always changing and reacting to different stimuli. So, in fact, you can begin to have spring allergies at age 40.
The opposite is also true. If you suffered with allergies as a kid, they may disappear as you get older with no particular rhyme or reason.
If you are struggling with allergies, or suspect that you may have some sort of spring allergies, please talk to your physician at Madison Medical Associates about which medications and other treatment options are right for you.