Do I Have a Kidney Infection?

Posted by & filed under Advice, Treatment.

Have you ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI)? They’re not fun. UTIs are usually developed in women and can be serious if the infection spreads to your kidneys. How serious? Well…death actually. Not to be dramatic, but a kidney infection left untreated can permanently damage your kidneys or the bacteria can spread to your bloodstream and kill you.

Sorry – but it’s alarming stuff – and a great reason to visit the emergency center if you suspect a UTI.

Here are some symptoms of UTIs and kidney infections and methods of treatment, (spoiler: it’s antibiotics).

Symptoms of a UTI:

  • Constantly feeling like you need to pee –and then only passing small amounts of urine.
  • A burning sensation during urination.
  • Cloudy or appears red/pink
  • Strong-smelling urine
  • Pelvic pain

Symptoms of a kidney infection (all the symptoms listed above with the following added):

  • Fever
  • Lower back, groin, and abdominal pain

If you are showing signs of a UTI or a kidney infection visit an emergency center as soon as possible.

To add to that – if you have already been treated for a UTI and your symptoms aren’t improving over the course of 48 hours – it’s time to go back in to the emergency center.

Causes:

How did this happen? Infection of the urinary tract, bladder, and kidneys are caused when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra. These little buggers multiply in the bladder and an infection ensues. While your body usually combats these microscopic invaders, occasionally defenses fail.

Risk Factors:

  • Having female anatomy – the pure proximity of the urethra to the vagina and anus creates opportunities for bacteria to enter the bladder.
  • Frequent sexual activity
  • Diaphragms for birth control
  • Obstruction in the urinary tract
  • Use of a catheter
  • Being post-menopause

Sunburns: Prevention, treatment, and a few good home remedies

Posted by & filed under Advice, Treatment.

With summer in full swing it’s time refresh yourself with some SPF knowledge. We’ve all had sunburns – from mild to blistering, and they’re not fun. We all need to be aware of protecting our skin when we’re outside during this vulnerable time of year. Children especially need to be protected from the sun’s burning rays, since most sun damage occurs in early adolescence.

Symptoms

Well, you don’t need to go to medical school to diagnose this one. Sunburns will leave the skin red, warm, and painful. In more severe cases they can cause blistering, fever, chills, headache, and nausea.

Prevention

The first step is protecting yourself (and any children) before you leave the house – but don’t be fooled by cloudier days. A common misconception is assuming the sun is only dangerous when it’s shining brightly. The fact is that you and your kids may actually be exposed to more ultraviolet rays on foggy or hazy days because you’ll stay outside longer due to the mild temperatures in comparison to sweltering, bright days. Be sure to take the following steps to protect your, and your children’s skin.

  • Make a habit to use sunscreen to block the damaging ultraviolet rays. For kids, choose a sunscreen made for children with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Apply the protection 15 to 30 minutes before going out. Keep in mind that no sunscreens are truly waterproof and need to be reapplied every one and a half to two hours, particularly if your child spends a lot of time in the water.
  • Try to dress in lightweight cotton clothing. Long sleeves and long pants, if possible.
  • Use a beach umbrella or similar object to stay in the shade as much as possible.
  • Wear a hat with a wide brim.
  • Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight. If adequate clothing and shading are not available, sunscreen may be used on small areas of the body, such as the face and the backs of the hands – but check the label first for anything that may irritate baby’s skin.
  • Try to stay out of direct sunlight for extended periods during the peak ultraviolet concentration hours (between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.).
  • Exposure and risk of sunburns is greater at higher altitudes – take extra precautions.

Home Remedies (that actually work)

Everyone has their own “proven” solution to sunburns. Some are smelly, others are itchy – and some just don’t work. Here are a few of our “proven” remedies to keep in mind next time your sunburned.

  • Shaving cream: Strange as it sounds, many shaving creams contain menthol and other chemicals that are naturally cooling to the skin. The menthol also evaporates quickly and takes a portion of the heat from the sunburn with it.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Similar to the shaving cream, the apple cider vinegar evaporates quickly and acts as an antiseptic. It’s likely that vinegar can also balance the body’s pH levels, in turn relieving the sting. Draw a bath, add the vinegar generously, and ease in to the pungent elixir.
  • Baking soda: While we couldn’t find any studies to back it up, many home remedy gurus swear by this one. It’s probably because baking soda creates an alkalized environment that is very soothing for the skin. It’s recommended to mix the soda with water and then apply the solution to the affected area with a cotton ball.
  • Milk: A cool swath of milk across a sunburn is rumored to relieve pain, itching, and burning – but again, no studies back this up. Just anecdotal evidence.
  • Oatmeal: Applying an oatmeal compress is one of the most widely known, and effective home remedies for sunburns. Oat extract has been shown in studies to contain anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve the burn and sting. It’s recommended to create the compress (oatmeal and water) and then let it freeze slightly before applying to skin. It can be heaven for a rough burn.

Gulf Coast Blue Chips 9U Win New Orleans Super 60

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Congratulations to Gulf Coast Blue Chips 9U for winning the New Orleans 2013 Boys Super 60.
Elite Care League City is proud to sponsor this stellar group of 3rd grade hotshots.

Here’s a recap from the team with some photos. Way to go guys!

Game #1    48-18

Game#2    44-10

Game#3    38-10

Game#5    59-54 in OT

Game#6    Championship Game: 40-30

We would like to all say “THANKS” to ELITE CARE (League City) for the support and the sweet gear. We looked the best and played the best.

We will be playing in a National Tournament in Florida at the end of July. This grand tournament will give us a National Ranking.

We will keep you posted.

I Sincerely Appreciate the Support!

The Gulf Coast Blue Chips

Rochon A. Singleton RN, BSN, MPA-C

Gulf Coast Blue Chips 9U Champs in New Orleans Super 60

 

Does your kid have an ear infection?

Posted by & filed under Advice, Healthcare.

It’s 3:14 a.m. and you’re up again with your nine month old. This is the third time this week and you’re starting to wonder if she has an ear infection. Here are a few signs, symptoms and causes of ear infections in babies – along with a few warning signs of a larger issue to keep in mind.

“90 percent of kids will have at least one ear infection before they start school; most will occur between the ages of six months and four years.”

American Academy of Pediatrics

What causes an ear infection?

Inside tiny ear canals the Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. This passageway serves as a moist breeding ground for bacteria and since a baby’s Eustachian tube is short, wide and more horizontal than they are in older kids and adults.  This means that fluid is more likely to pool in babies’ and toddlers’ Eustachian tubes – and the pooled fluid provides the perfect conditions for an infection to take hold.

Symptoms

Well ear pain is the most common symptom of an ear infection – but how do you know if they’re in pain before they begin talking? Younger children may tug at their ears, be fussier than normal, or have a hard time sleeping. A fever may or may not accompany an ear infection. Ear infections often come about during a cold due to excess fluid buildup.

Treatment

While antibiotics are usually prescribed, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends a ‘watch-and-see’ approach. This is due to many ear infections clearing up on their own without the intervention of antibiotics – and some believe that the overuse of antibiotics may have contributed to the rise of antibiotic resistant germs.

If your baby is otherwise healthy and doesn’t appear to be in severe pain, the doctor may suggest waiting two to three days. If your tike isn’t feeling better by then your pediatrician may then prescribe an antibiotic treatment.

It’s extremely important to treat ear infections properly – your child’s hearing depends on it. Repeated infections and fluid accumulation can damage the eardrum and dampens both eardrum and middle ear structure vibrations, which interferes with hearing. While the ‘watch-and-see’ method is the new recommendation, it doesn’t mean that you should make that diagnosis yourself. Visit an emergency care clinic or urgent care clinic when an ear infection is suspected.

Ear infections are hard to treat and diagnose blind. Your doctor needs to examine both the eardrum and the whole respiratory tract to make the correct recommendation.

Prevention

So we know how ear infections are caused and treated – but what about some preventative measures?

Limit the binky

Numerous studies show a direct correlation between the frequency of pacifier use and ear infections. Try to limit the use when your baby is falling asleep, especially if your kid is over 6 months old.

Combat allergens

Irritants can cause fluid to build up more easily in the nasal passages and middle ear. Keep pets and stuffed animals away while baby sleeps – and never, ever smoke around baby!

Bottle-feed upright

Try to keep baby propped up (at least 30 degrees) and keep baby upright for at least 30 minutes after the feeding.

Boost baby’s immune system

A healthy diet of fruits and veggies has been shown to improve babies’ developing immune systems.

Passes with age

As your child grows the Eustachian tube becomes longer, narrower, and positions itself more vertically to allow fluid to drain rather than collect.

Protecting Your Hearing

Posted by & filed under Advice.

If a sound reaches 85 decibels (dB) or stronger, it can cause permanent damage to your hearing. Your risk increases the longer you’re exposed to sound levels over 85 dB. The quieter the sound, the longer you can listen to it safely. Basically, you would have to listen to an 85 dB sound for over eight hours it can cause hearing damage, but sounds measuring 130 dB and above can cause instant hearing damage.

1.9 million U.S. veterans suffer from a service-related hearing disability.

Signs of hearing loss:

  • Frequent requests for repetition
  • Avoidance of social situations
  • Turning up the volume
  • Withdrawal from conversations

Effects of hearing loss:

  • Social isolation
  • Increased risk of falling
  • Depression & anxiety
  • Fatigue

Causes (other than loud noises):

  • Head injury
  • Heredity
  • Illness or infection
  • Ototoxic medications

So how loud is too loud?

What you should know about food allergies

Posted by & filed under Advice.

Next week is… you guessed it – Food Allergy Awareness Week in your community. You know, that time of year when you and all your loved ones gather together, potluck style, to help raise awareness of food allergy as a serious public health issue. Remember the shrimp and pecan salad you made last year? — man, that was good!

All kidding aside, there are some serious allergic reactions that coincide with many food allergies, some even fatal, and being informed and familiar with warning signs may wind up saving somebody’s life. So let’s jump in.

Defined

A food allergy is an adverse immune reaction to a food protein. They are far more serious than other adverse responses to food, such as intolerance, toxin-mediated reactions, and pharmacological reactions. While some medications may prevent, minimize or treat protein allergy reactions, there is no known cure.

A note for parents

Don’t start to panic if you’re a parent reading this “NO KNOWN CURE” looks discouraging but in actuality, many children outgrow a food allergy as they age and often food intolerance are misdiagnosed as allergies. While exasperating, food intolerance is a far less serious condition that does not involve the entire immune system.

It doesn’t take much…

As most people with a food allergy know, even a minuscule amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger common symptoms such as digestive problems, swollen airways, or hives. In rare cases a food allergy may even be life threatening when a reaction known as anaphylaxis is developed (more on this below).

Symptoms and Warning Signs

For some, an allergic reaction means a period of discomfort while others need to act quickly in order to save their life — a wide range, we know.Allergy symptoms usually develop within a few minutes to an hour after eating the offending food.

Some common symptoms:

  • Hives
  • Tingling or itching around the mouth
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and/or throat.

Serious Reactions

CALL 911 or get to an emergency clinic immediately

  • Constriction or tightening of airways
  • Rapid pulse
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Shock, with a severe drop on blood pressure
  • A swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in the throat making it difficult to breathe

The majority of food allergies are triggered by proteins found in:

  • Peanuts, Walnuts, Pecans
  • Shellfish
  • Fish
  • Eggs

Are you or your children at risk of developing food allergies?

A few food allergy risk factors are out there that include:

Family history

If you have a family history of asthma, hives, or other allergies you have an increased risk of a food allergy.

Age

While many children outgrow their food allergies, in some cases they return later in life. The most common food allergies that fade with age are: wheat, milk, soy, and eggs. Allergies like shellfish or nuts are likely to pervade into adulthood.

Asthma

What comes to mind is the stereotypical geek that we all think of from high school with the inhaler and the food allergies – well, there’s a degree of truth to that. Asthma and food allergies typically go hand-in-hand since both are allergic disorders that can trigger each other.

 

What you need to know about bee stings

Posted by & filed under Advice.

With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, bee sting season is upon us – if that’s a thing. While most stings are treatable at home with various treatments and home remedies if you’re allergic to bee stings or if you get stung numerous times, you may develop a more serious reaction that requires emergency care.

Minor Reaction Symptoms:

  • Slight swelling and redness around sting area
  • A small, raised welt at the sting area
  • A small white spot where the stinger punctured the skin
  • Immediate sharp burning pain at the sting site

Severe Allergic Reaction Symptoms:

Seek Care Immediately

While only about 4% of people who get stung by a bee develop a severe allergic reaction, they’re potentially life-threatening and requires immediate emergency treatment. Signs and symptoms generally include:

  • A weak and rapid pulse
  • Difficulty breathin
  • Skin reactions in parts of the body other than the sting area
  • Swelling of the tongue and throat
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Loss of consciousness

Multiple Bee Stings:

Seek Care Immediately

If you’re stung more than a dozen times, even from honeybees, the venom may induce a toxic reaction and make you feel suddenly ill. Some symptoms of multiple bee stings include:

  • Headache
  • Vomiting/nausea
  • Convulsions
  • Fever

A Few Home Remedies

Before we dive into some at-home treatments for bee stings, the following steps should be taken first, before administering any home remedy:

  1. Remove the stinger – don’t believe the old wives tales either… you can take it out with your finger. Act quickly to stop the stinger from pumping more venom into you.
  2. Look for symptoms of an allergic reaction (see symptoms list above)
  3. Take an ibuprofen or acetaminophen to dull the pain
  4. Wash the sting with soap and water

Toothpaste

Apply toothpaste to the sting site every 5 hours. The tingling sensation will mimic the scratching sensation and will help the wound heal. Plus, you’ll smell o’ so minty fresh.

Ice

This is the most widely known/used treatment. Just apply ice to the sting site for twenty minutes, with a fabric barrier between the ice and your skin. The symptoms usually dissipate quickly and the relief lasts for about 5 hours before reapplication is needed.

Hydrocortisone Cream

Apply some maximum strength hydrocortisone cream to the sting site and reapply every four hours. Most people only report slight relief with this method and it’s usually used in combination with another technique.

Calamine Lotion with Analgesic

Apply calamine lotion to sting site—you should start to feel a soothing tingle. Wait up to 45 minutes for the symptoms to be fully relieved and reapply every 4 hours.

Honey

Apply honey to the sting and you’ll feel a cool and soothing sensation—but it only lasts about thirty minutes and it can be a sticky mess.

Deodorant

Apply a roll-on deodorant to the sting site and the symptoms will be displaced, rather than relieved. The immediate sting site may feel relief but the surrounding area around the sting will not feel any better. Reapplication is needed every 8 hours.

Raw Onion

Hold a slice of raw onion on your sting site—as a warning, a percentage of people report that this actually makes the symptoms worse, so you’ve been warned. Also, you’ll smell like an onion. This should be a last resort.

How to Respond to a Disaster

Posted by & filed under Emergency Care.

With the recent tragedy at the Boston Marathon last week we thought it would be appropriate to cover some strategies to prepare for a mass casualty incident and how act and cope during and after the event.

Preparation:

While a variety of malicious methods are used by terrorist organizations to create fear and inflict harm, bombs are the most common. According to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, bombings accounted for almost 70% of all terrorist attacks in the U.S. between 1980 and 2001.

Have a plan and know it

Every organization (work, school, community) and family should have a disaster plan in place and review it every few months. Here’s a sample family plan from FEMA.

Identify alternative hospitals

Hospitals and Emergency Care clinics closest to the event will be the busiest so be sure to know some alternative hospitals/clinics in your city.

Suspicious Activity

If you suspect someone is going to set off a bomb, adhere to the following, depending on your environment:

  • If you’re at home or in public, leave the area immediately and call 911. Tell the operator exactly what you saw or know.
  • If you’re at work or school, follow the existing evacuation guidelines and adhere to directions from people in authority (police, firefighters, EMS, military personnel, or workplace supervisors/school administrators.

Immediately after the event:

If you or individuals in your immediate surroundings have life-threatening injuries provide or seek first aid as soon as possible. If you or individuals in your immediate surroundings have minor injuries seek out those more severely injured. If your, or a loved one’s, injuries are not life-threatening try to go to a hospital that is not in the immediate area of the blast as hospitals and clinics closest to the blast will quickly become crowded.

If you’re not injured and cannot be of any assistance, to keep safe, move away from the area – avoiding crowds, unattended cars and trucks, public transportation, and damaged buildings.

Hours and/or days after the event:

Stay away from the area surrounding the blast until authorities learn more about the situation. To stay up to date, turn on the radio, television, or your favorite news site online for updated health and safety announcements.

Even if the explosion didn’t result in any physical injuries the emotional toll is extensive. Feelings of fear, anxiety, and confusion are all common reactions – you may even feel dazed or numb as a result of the trauma, all of which is completely normal. Time helps alleviate these feeling along with:

  • Try to follow your normal routine as much as possible
  • Eat healthy, regular meals
  • Do not dwell on TV, radio, or the Internet – try and limit your time around the sights and sounds of what happened
  • Exercise and stay active
  • Volunteer in the community

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends: If you or someone you know is having trouble dealing with the tragedy, ask for help. Asking for help is smart. Talk to a counselor, your doctor, or community organization, such as the suicide prevention hotline (1-800-273-TALK) or the American Red Cross (1-866-GET-INFO)

New 24-Hour Emergency Clinic Grand Opening: The Colony, Texas

Posted by & filed under Elite Care News.

Elite Care Emergency Center is hosting a Grand Opening Celebration to commemorate the completion of the newest location: 4780 State Hwy 121, The Colony, TX.

Come join us Saturday, April 13th, 2013 from 10am to Noon. The facility officially opens for business on Monday, April 15th, 2013.

There will be scrumptious snacks and refreshments, fun-filled family activities and games, and we’ll also be giving away a X-Box video game system.

So stop by, check out the new center, have some food and drinks with us – and maybe some fun too!

Do I have strep throat?

Posted by & filed under Treatment.

Well, I don’t know – maybe. Take a look at some of the symptoms, signs, and treatment options below to see if that sore throat is actually a bacteria infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Strep throat (Streptococcal pharyngitis) is an extremely contagious diseased triggered by an infection caused by streptococcal bacteria. Obviously, the first sign you may have strep throat is an extremely sore throat that lasts more than 3 days.

Other symptoms generally include swollen lymph nodes in the neck, fever, and redness/swelling of the throat and tonsils. The telltale sign that your infected with the bacteria is white or yellow patches on the tonsils. To check for this it’s easiest to have a friend or loved one take a look in a well-lit environment while you open your mouth and say “Ahhhh.”

It’s important to note that most cases of sore throat are, in fact, due to a viral infection, not bacteria. A severe cold can irritate your esophagus and throat to the extent that you may think you’re afflicted with a bacteria infection, but usually that’s not the case. If you’re unsure though, to conclusively determine whether you have strep or not is a really quick and easy process that just takes a few minutes to collect a throat culture and test in the lab. Visit any of our locations and head to the lab to have a throat culture collected.

 Seek emergency care if…

If your sore throat is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, seek emergency care immediately:

  • Inability or extreme difficulty swallowing food
  • Wheezing or labored breathing
  • Extreme swelling and redness of the neck
  • Unable to swallow saliva and/or drooling

Although these signs are related to strep throat infection they can also be strong indicators of more severe conditions, such as: esophageal strictures, epiglottitis, or tenaus (lockjaw).

Treatment

When strep throat is confirmed through laboratory testing, antibiotics are prescribed. If administered early in the process the antibiotics can actually decrease the duration of the symptoms (generally 1 day). After about the same amount of time you’re far less contagious. Without antibiotic treatment strep will eventually clear up on it’s own – it just take 4-6 days to fully recover, when the antibiotic gets you back on your feet in 2-3 days, tops. The full course of antibiotics should be taken, even if the symptoms dramatically improve after the first few doses.

Well, hopefully you don’t have strep and this information helped you answer some questions. Whatever the case, please don’t cough on me.