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

COMMON CAUSE OF FATIGUE IN MEN

Feeling tired? Fatigue is a very common complaint in the general population. It could be as simple as just stress or as complicated as hormonal deficiencies. At Colonial Family Practice we have all the necessary tools to help you find out what is causing your symptoms and how to take care of them. 

In men it is very common for low testosterone to cause fatigue. Recently in our office we diagnosed a patient with hypogonadism, a condition where the testes produce little or no hormones. With medication, we have been able to make him feel more energetic, improved his sex life, and improved the overall quality of his life. If you are suffering from fatigue, see your physician to see what may be causing your symptoms, and how you can improve the overall quality of your life as well!

Posted by: Carlos Soto, 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

SLEEP APNEA

Obstructive Sleep  Apnea (OSA)  is a common sleep disorder affecting 25% of men and 10% of women between the ages of 30 to 60. It is characterized by episodes of apnea (not breathing) and hypopnea (reduction in breathing) due to obstruction in the upper airway (the throat and back of your mouth).  During episodes of apnea and hypopnea, oxygen levels in the blood can drop dramatically. Symptoms of OSA often include loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, and witnessed pauses in breathing by bed partners.  One of the major risks factors for the development of OSA is weight gain. Untreated OSA can increase the risk for hypertension, congestive heart failure, strokes, and heart attacks. 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 OSA please ask your doctor about your risk factors and possible testing. 

Posted By:

Mitch Grunsky, MD 

Do Sugar Substitutes Really Help Me Lose Weight?

Dr. Jason Leonard with Colonial Family Practice talks with WLTX news anchor about the misconceptions of artificial sweeteners and weight loss.