Daniel Pauly

Arthritis is an age-related medical condition affecting close to 54 million adults in the United States. People living with arthritis may not be as productive since engaging in usual activities such as walking and performing house chores may result in pain and discomfort. The common symptoms of arthritis in El Centro are pain and stiffness in the joints, which progress with age. The causes of this condition vary depending on the type of arthritis one may have. Early medical intervention may help improve joint function and prevent chronic pain. Your specialist at Prabhdeep Singh, MD, may conduct various diagnostic tests to determine the type of arthritis you may have and personalize a treatment plan to improve your condition.

What are the different types of arthritis?

Arthritis may occur in different forms. The most common types being:

Osteoarthritis

The cartilage serves different functions, including smooth movement and shock absorption. It allows bones to glide over each other without causing friction. The cartilage also cushions the bones against the impact that may result from weight-bearing activities, including running. Osteoarthritis causes wear and tear, which eventually damages the cartilage. Much wear to the cartilage can cause bones to rub and grind on each other upon movement, which may be a source of pain. The wear and tear may gradually develop over the years or could occur due to a joint injury. Osteoarthritis may also affect the surrounding connective tissues that hold the joints together.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis may affect another body area besides your joints, including the lungs, skin, eyes, and blood vessels. This inflammatory disorder occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the synovial membrane in your joints. Unlike osteoarthritis, which damages the cartilage, rheumatoid arthritis causes a painful swelling in the lining of your joints. Without early medical treatment, this condition can damage the bones and cause bone deformity.

Risk factors for arthritis

Old age

Arthritis is more common in adults between the ages of 40 and 50 years than teenagers and children. Old age is a significant factor for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis since the cartilage naturally gets brittle as you advance in age. Although this condition is more common in adults, symptoms should be assessed in people of all ages as children may also develop arthritis.

Infection

Medical problems such as septic joints may put you at risk for arthritis. Bacterial or viral infections in your joints may damage the cartilage or form skin lesions. Your chances of arthritis may also be higher if you develop recurring episodes of gout and staph infection around a joint.

Obesity

Excess body weight causes stress to the joints in your body, especially in the hips and knees. Obesity may cause pain, inflammation and gradually wear out the joints. Regular physical exercise may help obese individuals lose extra weight and maintain a healthy body mass index.

Sporting activities

Athletes who participate in long-distance running are prone to develop arthritis as regular movement between joints causes wearing. However, routine exercises such as stretching strengthen the muscle structure and may minimize the symptoms of arthritis.

Multiple factors contribute to the development of arthritis. To learn more about this condition’s diagnosis and treatment methods, reserve a session with your specialist at Prabhdeep Singh, MD.

Hives are not uncommon and affect about 20% of Americans. The condition is an allergic condition and mainly manifests in red and itchy bumps, which come and go. If you are experiencing itching from hives in Gilbert, the allergy, asthma, and immunology specialists at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, LTD can help you. You need such experts as hives can be very complex, and you need to understand the symptoms to learn how you can manage them. Here are some of the tips to help you manage your itching:

Identify and Avoid Triggers

Although hives can occur without apparent cause, it is an allergic reaction and can sometimes be traced to specific triggers. This can be effective as you can manage the symptoms by avoiding the triggers. Look out for airborne allergens such as dust and pollen, food allergens, environmental allergens, insect bites, or viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. These are some of the common hive triggers but are not limited to them.

Manage Your Stress

Studies show that excessive stress can trigger hives. While dealing with the condition can be stressful, it is vital to learn healthy ways to reduce your stress to improve your symptoms. You can consider deep breathing exercises, meditation, getting a good night’s sleep, talking with a friend or loved one, yoga, or talk therapy from a qualified therapist.

Use a Cold Pack

You can use a cold washcloth or ice pack wrapped over your hives to have short-term relief from the itching. Generally, dip a washcloth in cold water and apply it to the affected area after wringing it out. You can also buy an ice pack from the local stores, wrap it with a kitchen towel, and apply it to the affected area. The cool moisture from such remedies will dull your pain receptors to soothe dry, itchy skin.

Apply an Alkaline Substance

You can also use milk or calamine lotion to get some short-term relief from itching. However, the calamine lotion can sometimes make your hives worse, it will help you avoid reactions if you keep an eye on it. Ask your doctor about it as they will help you to know how many times you should apply it. Whichever alkaline solution you use, remember to wash it off with cool water when it begins to dry out.

Take a Cool Shower

If exposure to cold water is not among the triggers of your hives, it could be helpful to take a cold shower or bath. However, ensure you bathe at most once a day. When cleaning, you can stir in a scoopful of baking soda while the water is running. Additionally, a 30-minute soak in the tub can offer extra relief. If cool water can trigger your hives, consider warm or lukewarm water.

Ask Your Doctor for Medicines

Antihistamines are mainly the first-line of treatment in managing hives and have proven effective over time. Your doctor can prescribe the medicines or send you to the local stores to find some. Be sure to regard the directions precisely for optimal relief. In most cases, you are to take a single daily pill.

Also, ask your doctor about topical anti-itch cream. It can help you get relief from itchiness. However, be cautious as some creams can worsen your condition. Use the creams as advised by your doctor.

Book an appointment with the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, LTD team today to learn more about how you can relieve itching from hives. The expert team will diagnose your symptoms and advise you accordingly. 

Attaining a slimmer physique through non-invasive treatment options is an envy for most men and women. Though weight loss might be effective, the religious journey needs time and commitment. However, sometimes it may not be the weight loss you need.  Rather, you want to shed off excess fat in specific areas. If you are looking for a nonsurgical option tailored to meet your specific aesthetic concerns, coolsculpting in Reston might be the therapy you need. The treatment targets particular areas that might be impossible to eliminate fat with exercise and diet.   

How Does the Procedure Work?

As a form of cryolipolysis, coolsculpting uses freezing temperatures to dissolve your fat cells. Since the cool temperature does not damage your surrounding cells due to the stubborn fat, the treatment is not likely to affect your underlying tissue or skin. During the process, your doctor vacuums your treatment site into an applicator that cools your fat cells. After the procedure, it will take approximately 4-6months for the deposits to exit your body.

However, the treatment might not be an option if you want to tighten lax skin. If you have stretched skin surrounding fatty buildups, you are likely to have excess loose skin after coolsculpting.     

What Treatment Areas Can Coolsculpting Address?

One of the questions you might probably ask yourself is whether the treatment will help eliminate that stubborn fat in your problematic areas. Well, your doctor may use the approach to treat the following areas:

• Thighs.
• Abdomen.
• Under your buttocks.
• Flanks (love handles).
• Bra bulge (bulging areas near your armpit).
• Double chin.
• Upper arms.
• Back.

Your doctor will not use the same applicator throughout your treatment, especially if you want the healthcare professional to help minimize fat deposits in various places. Coolsculpting has different sized devices to address specific locations of your body. As a result, your doctor may address several areas simultaneously in a single appointment.  

What Are the Benefits of the Treatment?

• The treatment is tailored

Everyone battles to lose body fat in different places and sometimes these places are not the areas we would love to see some added volume. Coolsculpting targets the particular areas with excess body fat and will only address your treatment sites.

• The procedure is easy on your busy schedule

Unlike liposuction that might force you to spend a few hours before and after the treatment (for preparation and recovery, respectively), you may not need to prepare for coolsculpting. Additionally, you may not require downtime, like you would with liposuction. However, you may experience mild numbness or soreness in your treatment areas, which are likely to resolve in a few days, even without medical intervention.

• Not painful

Pain is inevitable with a surgical procedure. However, with coolsculpting, you may skip the pain since the treatment does not entail needles and incisions. Additionally, pain can be a contributing factor to your fear of some procedures.

• No scarring

Why would you opt for a surgical treatment when you can flaunt similar results without going under a scalpel? Coolsculpting might be an option when you try to avoid scars or are afraid or not ready for surgical treatment.

If you feel ready to walk down the path of obtaining a slimmer build with no scalpels or needles, schedule a coolsculpting appointment and discuss your aesthetic goals with your doctor. 

Venous ulcers can be chronic, excruciating, and unbearable if not treated early.  In some cases, these wounds may worsen and cause severe complications that may put you at risk of losing your limb. The Villages venous ulcers experts offer specialized wound care that promotes the healing of venous ulcers.

What Are Venous Ulcers?

Venous ulcers are open wounds that occur on the inner side of your ankle or below your calf and may cause excruciating pain when infected. Venous ulcers develop as a result of advanced venous disease. In some cases, these excruciating wounds may ooze fluid and cause chronic pain that may limit your mobility. Reddish-brown, dark skin or purplish discoloration is one of the most common symptoms of venous ulcers. You may also experience unexplained fatigue and a dull ache in your legs. If left untreated, the condition may worsen, leading to the development of painful ulcers. If you experience some of these symptoms, consult the experts at Vascular Vein Centers, who may help you prevent the disease from progressing.

 What Causes the Development of Venous Ulcers?

Venous ulcers are a result of chronic venous insufficiency- a health condition that occurs due to malfunction in valves, causing your blood to pool in your legs. As the health condition progresses, you may start developing issues such as lymphedema, varicose veins, and skin changes. As the illness deteriorates, your red blood cells and fluid may start leaking into the surrounding body tissues, gradually damaging and discoloring your skin. Excessive trauma to your skin may cause it to break and develop into a wound known as a venous ulcer. Chronic venous insufficiency is a consequence of several lifestyle factors such as smoking, inactivity, and being overweight.

Can Wound Care Help in Treating Venous Ulcers?

Wound care is a specialized technique that needs expertise, considering that venous ulcers are tedious to manage and take a long time to heal. The professional team at Vascular Vein Center are well trained in wound care and can design effective treatment plans to prevent infection and accelerate your healing process. The team may recommend stockings or compression bandages to improve your blood circulation and trigger your natural healing power. They may also advise you to raise your legs a few times a day to aid your healing process. Your doctor may provide you with specialist dressings to promote healing and prevent infection.

How Can You Address the Underlying Causes of Venous Ulcers?

Identifying and addressing the root cause of your discomfort is the first step to achieving long-term relief. The specialists at Vascular Vein Centers offer several treatments to improve your blood circulation and restore your health. These treatments include:

• Ultrasound-guided therapy.
• VenaSeal medical adhesive.
• Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT).
• Varithena foam sclerotherapy.

Venous ulcers may take a few months or more to heal. If infected, they may lead to complications or may put you at risk of losing your leg.

Do not allow varicose veins to advance and cause venous ulcers. Contact the specialists at Vascular Vein Centers or schedule an online appointment.

Back pain is a common condition affecting up to 8% of the adult population in the United States. Pain in your back may limit your productivity at home and in your place of work. You may experience mild or intense pain depending on the cause of your condition. For example, back pain may result from an injury caused by trauma or indicate an underlying health problem such as arthritis. Therefore, it is essential to consult with Dr. Adam Camp to establish the source of your back pain and start treatment.

How is back pain treated?

Before treatment, your doctor will conduct different diagnostic tests to determine the source of your pain. These tests include x-rays, bone scans, and nerve studies. In addition, for mild pain, self-care measures may help improve your condition. For example:

Loose excess pounds

Extra weight exerts pressure onto the spine and may result in back pain. If you are obese, your specialist may recommend that you engage in regular exercise to lose and maintain a healthy weight. Having a healthy diet is also an excellent way to lose weight. Besides minimizing back pain, maintaining a healthy weight reduces your risk of developing other medical conditions such as high blood pressure and venous disease.

Stretch your muscles

One of the ways to increase your muscle strength and flexibility is through stretching. Your therapist may advise that you practice low-impact activities such as yoga and tai chi to build strong muscles in your abdominal core that help support your back. However, older patients are advised to do the exercises in the evening when the body is warmed up.

Apply hot or cold compresses

Placing an ice pack on your skin may help reduce swelling and inflammation. You may place a towel to prevent direct contact, which may damage your tissues. If your muscles are stiff, you may use a heating pad to relax the muscles. Your specialist may advise against hot or cold compresses if you are also using topical creams or ointments.

While these home remedies may help reduce discomfort, it is important to note that not everyone may respond to self-care measures. Therefore, if your symptoms persist after trying out home remedies, your doctor may recommend:

Muscle relaxants

Your doctor may recommend relaxants such as baclofen and carisoprodol to treat muscle spasms and back pain. However, your specialist may advise that you use muscle relaxants for a short period.

Cortisone shots

Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve intense pain. This treatment method is effective for chronic back pain and for pain that radiates down the leg. Other times your doctor may combine cortisone with local anesthesia. Cortisone injections offer relief from pain for a month or two.

Surgery

In some cases, back pain may be a result of nerve compression. This may result in severe pain, and as this progresses, one may develop nerve damage. Different medical conditions that may cause nerve compression include spinal stenosis and herniated disk. Your doctor may recommend surgery if any of these conditions cause your back pain.

To know which treatment option is suitable for you, reserve a session with your specialist at Advanced Pain Solutions.

Having a baby is one of the most celebrated moments in an individual’s life. You may spend years planning for your dream family, but when you’re ready to conceive, your plans for the future may come crumbling down once you realize it’s impossible. Celebration fertility preservation entails state-of-art techniques to help you retain your fertility.

What Is Fertility Preservation?

Fertility preservation refers to the process of helping individuals or couples retain their ability to conceive in the future. Experts often recommend fertility preservation for cancer patients whose sperms or eggs may be destroyed during chemotherapy rendering them infertile. You can also consider this procedure to plan your dream family. Fertility preservation gives you ample time to prepare yourself financially and psychologically to give your kids a comfortable life. Some of the procedures the reproductive endocrinology professionals may offer for fertility preservation in women include:

• Embryo freezing.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF).
• Mature oocyte cryopreservation.
• Artificial insemination.
• Medical ovary suppressing.

The team recommends semen cryopreservation for men to keep the sperm healthy and viable until you’re ready to use them.  In case you’re unable to naturally produce semen, the caring team at the Center for Reproductive Medicine may conduct testicular aspiration. They then use a thin needle to retrieve healthy sperm from the tissue and preserve them for future fertility.

   When Should You See a Doctor About Fertility Preservation?

The team recommends seeking consultation about fertility preservation techniques that can work for you before beginning your chemotherapy. The reproductive endocrinology experts understand that cancer treatments such as chemotherapy destroy your chances of conceiving, command urgency, and cannot be delayed. The team offers advanced consultations before your chemotherapy and also discusses the detrimental effects the treatments may have on your reproductive system. They also conduct a thorough medical exam and discuss the available fertility preservation techniques that may help you retain your ability to have biological children.

Why Should You Regard Fertility Preservation?

If you’re about to face medical procedures that may interfere with your fertility, you should consider fertility preservation. One of the medical conditions that may rob you of your chance to experience the joy of giving birth is cancer and the treatments involved, such as chemotherapy. The medical practitioners at the Center for Reproductive Medicine offer thorough examinations and on-site lab testing to determine the best fertility preservation techniques for you. They provide personalized procedures and discuss fertility preservation techniques you can use to conceive in the future, such as artificial insemination and IVF. You can also consult with the team about fertility preservation techniques if you’re not ready to have children at the moment but would like to have them in the future. Preserving your sperm or eggs at a younger age guarantees successful fertilization and healthy pregnancy in the future,

If you’re at risk of losing your ability to conceive due to specific medical therapies, contact the Center for Reproductive Medicine or schedule an online appointment for fertility evaluation.