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Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, Pediatrics
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Do you have the common cold, or the flu? How to tell the difference
Do you have the common cold, or the flu? How to tell the difference
Do you have the common cold, or the flu? How to tell the difference
Blog
The common cold leads to more health care provider visits and absences from school and work than any other illness each year. It is caused by a virus and is easily spread to others. It’s not caused by cold weather. However, cold symptoms may look like other medical conditions. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis if your symptoms are severe. A cold and the flu (influenza) are two different illnesses. A cold is relatively harmless and usually clears up by itself, although sometimes it may lead to a secondary infection, such as an ear infection. However, the flu can lead to complications, such as pneumonia and even death. What may seem like a cold, could be the flu. Be aware of these differences: Symptoms of the common cold Low or no fever Sometimes a headache Stuffy, runny nose Sneezing Mild, hacking cough Slight aches and pains Mild fatigue Sore throat Normal energy level, or sluggish feeling Symptoms of the flu High fever A headache is very common Clear nose Sometimes sneezing Cough, often becoming severe Often severe aches and pains Several weeks of fatigue Sometimes a sore throat Extreme exhaustion How is the common cold diagnosed? Most common colds are diagnosed based on reported symptoms. However, cold symptoms may be similar to certain bacterial infections, allergies, and other medical conditions. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis if your symptoms are severe. How is the common cold treated? Currently, there is no medication available to cure or shorten the duration of the common cold. However, the following are some treatments that may help to relieve some symptoms of the cold: Over-the-counter cold medications, such as decongestants and cough medicine Over-the-counter antihistamines (medication that helps dry up nasal secretions and suppress coughing) Rest Increased fluid intake Pain relievers for headache or fever Warm, salt water gargling for sore throat Petroleum jelly for raw, chapped skin around the nose and lips Warm steam for congestion Because colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics don’t work. Antibiotics are only effective when given to treat bacterial infections. Do not give aspirin to a child who has fever. Aspirin, when given as treatment for viral illnesses in children, has been associated with Reye syndrome. This is a potentially serious or deadly disorder in children. When should I call my health care provider? If your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms, let your health care provider know. If your symptoms don’t improve within a few days, call your provider, as you could have another type of infection. Are you looking for a primary care doctor? Search our Find A Doc directory.
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Cancer Care, Women's Health
General Page Tier 3
Breast cancer rehab: 5 things to know
Breast cancer rehab: 5 things to know
Breast cancer rehab: 5 things to know
Blog
When you think of breast cancer treatment, you may think surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or any combination of these treatments. You may not know that there are rehabilitation services available to help with various side effects from breast cancer treatment. If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, rehab can improve your quality of life. Here are some things you should know: Specialists provide your breast cancer rehabilitation. Your team may include physical, occupational and speech-language therapists, based on your needs. They’re trained to provide you specialized care to help you before, during and after your treatment. They help you get back to your previous lifestyle in the best way possible. After chemotherapy you may notice a change in your sensation. A common side effect of chemotherapy is peripheral neuropathy, where the nerves in your arms and legs (typically in your hands and feet) are damaged. Breast cancer therapy can help desensitize nerves and improve your sensory feedback. This can help restore your balance if your legs and feet are affected. After breast surgery, you may experience limited reach and flexibility in your arm. A therapist assesses your range-of-motion and prescribes exercises and interventions, like massage and stretching, to safely improve your mobility and function. You may have surgery to remove underarm lymph nodes where cancer has spread. As a result, you may develop lymphedema. Lymphedema is abnormal swelling of your arm or other part of your body. Breast cancer rehab can help prevent development of lymphedema, or help treat lymphedema if you already have it. Rehab interventions to treat the condition may include: Specialized massage to help drain excess fluid. Compression bandaging and/or compression garments. Skin care strategies. Specialized exercise. Many experience muscle decline and weakness after breast cancer treatment. A therapist can help you with exercises, as well as energy conservation and fatigue management strategies to improve your tolerance for activity. The ultimate goal is to help you return to your prior level of function. Breast cancer rehabilitation ultimately helps improve your function and participation in daily activities. Rehab therapists are available to assist you with getting back to your personal best after the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Author Christy McLellan, PT, DPT, CLT-UE, is a physical therapist with AAMG Physical Therapy. To contact her practice, call 443-481-1140. Originally published Oct. 23, 2017. Last updated Oct. 11, 2019.
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Cancer Care, Women's Health, Wellness
General Page Tier 3
Sweat to prevent: Beating breast cancer with exercise
Sweat to prevent: Beating breast cancer with exercise
Sweat to prevent: Beating breast cancer with exercise
Blog
“What caused my breast cancer?” Patients have asked me this seemingly simple question every day of my 16 years as a breast cancer surgeon. Despite the incredible advances we’ve made, I still have to answer, “I don’t know.” If you search the Internet, you can discover a list of about 50 possible causes. Unfortunately you can’t prevent the major risk factors: being female, getting older, living in North America, and genetic risk. Breast Cancer and Exercise But there’s good news. There are several risk factors you can control. One way you can prevent breast cancer is with exercise. More than 60 studies show that regular exercise lowers your risk of breast cancer by 20 to 40 percent. If you’re a breast cancer survivor, exercise can help prevent breast cancer from returning by the same percentage. If that doesn’t motivate you to break a sweat, here are some other health benefits of exercise. Lowers your blood pressure Decreases your risk of many diseases and conditions (including 12 types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia, arthritis, heart disease, etc.) Maintains your bone strength and builds muscle mass Boosts your energy levels Increases your metabolism Improves your memory Decreases excess body fat Helps your immune function Decreases insulin and inflammation Prevents stress The amount of time a woman is overweight also matters. For each decade a woman is overweight, her breast cancer risk may go up by 7 percent. And while adults who start exercising as a teenager have a lower risk of breast cancer, starting at any age still helps. Even if you’ve never exercised, it’s not too late to start! Get Motivated: Your Action Plan If you don’t exercise regularly, I recommend starting with 30 minutes of moderate exercise (such as a brisk walk) each day. Eventually, your goal should be four to five hours per week. For most women, that’s easier said than done because we’re often the caretakers, sacrificing our needs for those of our children, partners, parents, friends and even pets. We’re also the hardest on ourselves and often feel guilty and discouraged when we don’t meet our goals. Think of exercise as a celebration of what your body can do, not a punishment for being something it’s not. Tell yourself you are worthy of exercising for yourself and schedule exercise until it’s a natural part of your day, like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. Recommit to your daily goals and remember tomorrow is another opportunity to get back on track. Start at a level and activity that’s fun and feels almost easy. Exercise with a friend or go to a group exercise class to keep you accountable and motivated. Meet with a personal trainer to learn simple exercises you can do in the gym or at home to feel comfortable and confident. You don’t need fancy or expensive equipment to break a sweat. Mix it up with cardio, strength and flexibility exercises. Don’t get bored with repeating one activity. Don’t give up if your goal feels far away. I know many women who could barely walk for 10 minutes at a time, who eventually ran a marathon. Know your limits and talk to your doctor for an exercise plan that considers your age, exercise experience, daily energy level and chronic symptoms from medical conditions and treatment side effects. Remember, whatever your body can do that day is better than nothing. Exercise because you can. Author Wen Liang, DO, is a breast surgeon at the Fortney Breast Center. Originally published Oct. 10, 2016. Last updated Oct. 11, 2019.
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Orthopedics, Weight Loss, Women's Health, Wellness
General Page Tier 3
Strength training: What proper form looks like
Strength training: What proper form looks like
Strength training: What proper form looks like
Blog
Strength training exercises are key to burning calories, increasing metabolism and preventing injury. But you don’t need a gym membership or equipment for a proper strength routine. You can try these five exercises at home. Push-up Make sure your hands are shoulder-width apart. Angle your hands against the ground in whichever way feels most comfortable. Keep yourself straight. Think of your entire body as a straight line from your shoulders to your feet, and don’t stick your behind in the air. If you have trouble pushing yourself up, clench your glutes, abs or both. Your strength doesn’t have to come entirely from your arms. For a modified version, position your knees on the ground. Squat Spread your feet slightly wider than your hips. Point your toes slightly outward. Keep the weight on your heels and the balls of your feet. As you squat downward, push your behind and hips backwards. Think of it less about bending your knees and more about pushing your body backwards, similar to how you sit down in a chair. Make sure your hips go even with or lower than your knees. Otherwise, you won’t feel the full benefit of the exercise. Plank Forearm planks are more common and slightly easier than extended arm planks. For the forearm version, place your elbows on the ground at shoulder-width, and use the muscles in your abdomen to keep your body elevated parallel to the ground for as long as you can. For a slightly more difficult variation of the plank, extend your arms and keep your body in a straight line for as long as possible. For a modified version, position your knees on the ground. Tricep dip Find a chair or coffee table that is about the same height off the ground as your knees. Place your hands on the edge of the surface and slide yourself forward, keeping your arms straight and your body close to the chair. Lower your body until almost sitting on the floor and make sure your arms — not your legs — support your weight. Repeat as many times as you can. Originally published Dec. 5, 2016. Last updated Oct. 11, 2019.
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General Page Tier 3
Recipe: Baked apples with oat topping
Recipe: Baked apples with oat topping
Recipe: Baked apples with oat topping
Blog
You can use foods’ natural sugars to make sweet treats. Baking the apples at a high temperature will release their sugars, creating a scrumptious, healthy dessert. The fiber from the apples and oats, plus the protein from the yogurt and peanut butter, will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Ingredients 4 apples 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon whole-grain flour 1–2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional) 1 cup old-fashioned oats 1/4 cup slivered or chopped almonds 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt 1–2 tablespoons peanut butter Instructions Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Core and slice the apples, keeping the skin on. Place in an 8×8-inch baking dish and sprinkle lemon juice on top. In a small bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon and nutmeg, then pour on top of the apples and mix so each apple slice has a thin covering. Place in pre-heated oven and bake for about 15 minutes. While the apples are baking, place a small sauté pan on the stove on medium-high heat. Mix together the oats and almonds and add to the hot pan. You can add some cinnamon here, too, if you’d like. Stir constantly using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until fragrant, about five minutes, then remove from heat. In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt and peanut butter; set aside. When the apples are finished, remove from the oven. Spoon the baked apples into four individual serving bowls. Divide the oat mixture into four even servings and top each apple portion. Then finish it off with the yogurt/peanut butter mixture. Enjoy warm. Find more healthy recipes from our registered dietitians. Originally published on Dec. 5, 2016. Last updated on Oct. 9, 2019.
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