Measles and Vaccinating Your Child

Colonial Pediatrics is aware of the recent media coverage highlighting the high number of confirmed measles cases this year, and we would like to address and educate patients on the importance of vaccinations. Measles is a respiratory virus that was virtually eliminated in the US until recently.  This year, 129 people have been infected in 13 states, the most in the first four months of any year since 1996. Typically, the maximum numbers of cases in the US of measles per year for the past 20 years is approximately 50.  Measles is typically acquired in the US from unvaccinated individuals from other countries who do not have comprehensive vaccination programs as we have in the US.   For comparison, France had 14,000 reported cases of measles from January to October 2011.   France’s vaccination program is not as aggressive as ours, which creates more unvaccinated children and adults, increasing susceptibility to many vaccine preventable illnesses such as measles and pertussis (whooping cough).     

So why should we care?  After infection with the measles virus, many patients have complications including ear infections, pneumonia and brain infections.  In fact 1 to 3  of every 1000 cases of measles are fatal, and 38% of cases in 2011 required hospitalization for children under 5, according to the CDC. In Africa measles is one of the top two killers of children under the age of 5. 

Symptoms of measles include fever which can be very high, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, a rash of tiny red spots that starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body, and some children will have diarrhea or an ear infection. According to the CDC, measles spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It is very contagious. You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even after that person is gone. And you can catch measles from an infected person even before they have measles rash.

The good news is that measles can be prevented with vaccines.  Per CDC guidelines, children are supposed to receive a measles vaccine (MMR) after the first year of life and a second dose between 4-6 years old.   Aggressive vaccination programs in the US virtually eliminated measles until recently.   Before measles vaccination, 500,000 people in the US were infected with measles annually.   It is estimated that in the past two decades vaccinations in the US have prevented an estimated 322 million illnesses and 732,000 deaths.  

There is no doubt that following the comprehensive vaccination guidelines of the CDC prevents illnesses.   Colonial Pediatrics is a strong believer that these vaccines help children with minimal side effects.  We are proud that we are Federal VFC providers which allows us to vaccinate children regardless of insurance or economic status.  We welcome your comments and encourage you to discuss vaccines or any methods to prevent illnesses with your provider.  

Written by:

John Tiffany, MD

Colonial Pediatrics - Aiken, SC

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, which is a progressive condition where the brain loses nerve cells causing memory loss and impairment in other areas of cognition, such as the ability to perform activities of daily living (finances, chores, drive, etc). There is an estimated 30 million people worldwide with Alzheimer’s disease. The underlying causes are not fully understood, but researchers have identified genes associated with AD, as well as others that clearly increase the risk of development.

Diagnosis is often very difficult. Definite diagnosis is often only confirmed by brain biopsy. Interestingly, in the past one to two years, significant advances in diagnosis have been found or approved. One is, by performing a lumbar puncture, or “spinal tap” (visit Colonial Neurology and click: “Lumbar Puncture Test Information”), which we at Colonial Neurology do on a routine basis, and sending fluid obtained for special testing. This fluid can show changes in certain proteins many years before symptoms even begin. It is not part of routine screening or testing though. There also are newly approved brain scanning techniques that have been shown to be very helpful in diagnosing AD. 

Diagnosing is one thing, but what is even more important is the ability to treat. Treatments are often of mild help. There have been several studies suggesting whether one has “normal aging”, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia, progression from one stage to another can be significantly slowed with one easy to tolerate treatment regimen – cardiovascular EXERCISE, such as brisk walking, jogging, or using an arm bike in those with limited mobility! There are pharmaceutical medications and foods considered approved treatments, but in the next 5-10 years, we expect a true breakthrough in treatment and prevention! See your doctor today if you’re concerned about your memory or about your risk for Alzheimer’s disease! And be fit, as exercise is the best prescription to prevent Alzheimer’s!  

Article Written By: 

John Baker, MD

Colonial Neurology

Do You Have Shortness of Breath?

Recently I saw a patient in the office with shortness of breath. He came after being seen at the emergency department in one of our local hospitals. He was having symptoms with exertion causing him to develop life threatening arrhythmias. During my exam and with a couple of diagnostic test including a nuclear stress test we were able to diagnose a significant blockage of the main coronary artery. He was promptly referred to a cardiologist in town and his problem was better after interventional procedures. Because we were able to perform these diagnostic exams in our office we saved his life. Please ask us about your cardiovascular risk and see if you will benefit from further testing. It also may save your life!

Posted by: Dr. Carlos Soto
Board Certified Family Physician
Colonial Family Practice, Sumter, SC

ASTHMA

An inability to breathe due to asthma can be a scary experience.  Trust me, I know.  I have personally dealt with asthma my entire life.  Asthma is caused by both inflammation and spasm of the bronchiole system in the lungs.  Most people are familiar with the wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath associated with asthma.  You may have heard that it’s like trying to breathe through a straw.  What you may not know is that sometimes asthma can present as a night time cough, especially in kids.  It can also be coughing during exercise or that prolonged time it takes to ‘catch your breath’ after activity.  There are several effective treatments for asthma, most of which are inhalers.  Truthfully, most bad outcomes from asthma occur in people who think that their asthma is well controlled or that they have ‘outgrown’ it.  In all situations, having an unexpired albuterol inhaler on hand could save your life.

            

If any of this sounds familiar, or if you just need medical care, please come and see us at Colonial Family Practice.  We will see you today!!

                                                                                                           

Posted by: Ike Stewart, MD

JUNE IS MIGRAINE AWARENESS MONTH

A migraine headache is characterized by a throbbing or pulsating painful sensation in the head, often but not always one sided, with associated sensitivity to light and/or sound, nausea, and sometimes preceding changes in vision.

Migraines affect more than 10% of people worldwide, with about three times more women affected than men. A migraine headache can be very disabling for a person to have. The underlying problems with migraine type headaches are inflammation AND dilation of blood vessels surrounding, and in the brain. There are many triggers, such as foods, caffeine withdrawal, hormone changes (menstruation), sleep deprivation, and even stress.

Migraine headaches are one of the leading causes of missed work days, impaired job productivity, and poor school/work performance. Headaches can contribute to memory trouble, depression and anxiety, and poor sleep among other things.

There are MANY treatments available for migraine sufferers. There are preventative medications (such as Topamax or Inderal), abortive/acute treatments (such as Imitrexor Cambia), and non-medication based treatments (biofeedback, exercise). There is even evidence that Botox injections can help treat chronic migraines, for those who have 16 or more migraine “headache days” per month.

If you, or someone you know suffers from migraine headaches, and current treatments do not allow you to return to normal function (work, school, normal activities) within an hour or so, please talk to your physician. Anyone suffering with “Chronic” migraines should ask your physician about seeing a neurologist today!

Posted by: 

John Baker, MD

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

      Do you have pain in the arch or heel of your foot? Is it worse when you take that first step out of bed in the morning? You may have a condition known as plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a common condition due to the inflammation in a thick band of tissue we all have on the bottom of our feet. Plantar fasciitis can be caused by wearing certain type of shoes, prolonged standing, and weight gain. Sometimes a definite cause cannot be determined.  Diagnosis is made through a  good history and physical. Sometimes x-rays may be required to rule out other causes of foot pain. Treatment includes rest, special stretching exercises, therapeutic injections, bracing and occasionally surgery for refractory cases. If you think you or a loved one may suffer from plantar fasciitis please contact your doctor today.

       

      Posted by:

      Mitch Grunsky, MD

DELAYED SLEEP PHASE DISORDER

Does your teen stay up all night and sleep until lunchtime the next day? Is this interfering with school and social events? He or she may have delayed sleep phase disorder. Sounds  scary but it is really a very common and treatable condition that often develops during the teenage years.  Symptoms include inability to fall asleep until late at night or even early morning hours with subsequent desire to sleep until late the next morning or even into the afternoon hours. Diagnosis is made by talking with your doctor and possible review of a sleep log. Treatment can include evaluating  sleep hygiene, light therapy, and medications. Here at Colonial Family Practice we have a fully accredited sleep lab with a board certified sleep physician capable of diagnosing and treating a wide range of sleep disorders. If you think you or a loved one may have delayed sleep phase disorder please ask your doctor .

Posted By:

Mitch Grunsky, MD

The Surprising Truth About Diet Soda

Your diet soda may actually be making you fat! According to a recent study, people who drink one diet soda a day experience a nearly 70% increase in body fat over a 10-year period, and people who drank two or more diet sodas a day saw on average a 500% increase in their belt size when compared to people who drank water in place of diet soda.

Diet sodas contain fake sugars - Splenda, Sweet'N Low, or Equal. Aspartame, the chemical name for Equal which is found in the majority of diet soft drinks, forms chemicals in the liver which disrupt cell function and cause fat build-up. Evidence also suggests that aspartame kills or at least inhibits brain cells that signal a person to feel full, possibly leading diet-drinkers to over eat.

People frequently switch from regular to diet soft drinks in an attempt to reduce their daily caloric intake in hopes of losing weight or avoiding serious medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease. A study released earlier this year, however, showed people who drink one or more diet sodas daily actually increased their risks of strokes, heart attacks, and blood clots by a shocking 60%. The risk for diabetes was increased by nearly 40%, which is undoubtedly disappointing to patients hoping to better control diabetes by switching to zero calorie diet sodas. Drinking three or more diet sodas was shown in the same study to cause osteoporosis, the medical term for severe bone thinning.

The reasons for the apparent negative side effects of the artificial sweeteners found in all diet soft drinks are not completely understood, but more and more research suggests that drinking plain water is far safer for people wanting to cut calories, lose weight, and have a healthier lifestyle. Colonial Family Practice offers several options for healthy, physician-supervised weight loss. Call today for an appointment with one of our dietary counselors.