Fighting Springs Colds

 

sping colds

 

Fighting Spring Colds

We at On Call Medical Clinic know that Spring like Winter can bring on colds and the flu. As the winter starts to fade, our immune systems might be a bit weaker, leaving us susceptible to one last cold before the change of seasons. We would like to give you some good food choices that help you fight colds and the flu.

Yogurt

Trillions of bacteria work to create a healthy balance in our digestive and immune systems. Yogurt and kefir products help fight off bad bacteria types while feeding good bacteria.

Blueberries

The USDA Agriculture Research Service and Cornell University have found that blueberries are the most powerful antioxidants out of all commonly eaten fresh fruit. This is due to their high amount of vitamin C and anthocyanins.

Seeds and nuts

Seeds and nuts offer antibacterial or antioxidant power to fight colds. Use anise seeds as a tea up to three times a day to ease coughing or congestion. Pumpkin seeds, high in vitamin E and zinc, can reduce the time you’re sick with a cold. Antioxidants in sunflower seeds reduce phlegm, and protect cell walls from damage that can open them to infection. Lastly, only a few brazil nuts a day have enough selenium and cytokine proteins to battle bad bacteria.

Garlic

Garlic contains an antimicrobial ingredient allicin, which helps fight against bad bacteria like yeast, rids the body of toxins, and promotes healthy gut flora. Studies have shown that garlic can not only help you recover from colds, but also ward them off.

Fish

Coming out of spring, your body is naturally low in vitamin D which is a key cold fighter. Wild salmon, tuna, or sardines are high in Vitamin D, and pair well with citrus and a yogurt dressing – also beneficial for colds. These are likewise rich in zinc and omega 3s which reduce inflammation.

 

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, that later turns into vitamin A, and is found in other bright orange veggies, such as carrots. This boosts T-cell function, which blocks or destroys harmful cold-causing bacteria. Vitamin A also strengthens mucosal surfaces such as your eyes, skin, nose and digestive system – all key targets for pesky colds.

Red Peppers

Red peppers are similar to citrus fruits in that they are extremely high in vitamin C. One pepper has about 150 mg of the vitamin. While that’s twice the daily recommended amount for women, you’ll need four times as much a day if you have a cold. Nevertheless, peppers can be paired with yogurt dips and are an easy way to snack your way to better health.

Milk

Vitamin D doesn’t just fight depression and build strong bones, but also helps combat our risk of catching a cold. Vitamin D in milk helps build up weakened immune defense from a lack of sun during winter months. Vitamin D milk can also help lower risk of respiratory infections, as well as thicken mucus and phlegm to help flush out respiratory bacteria.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope that you found this information helpful. Remember when the cold or flu creeps up on you and your primary physician is not available, we are her for you 7 days a week. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to see all the medical services we offer.

Winter Illnesses

winter illnesses

We at On Call Medical Clinic want to make you aware of some common winter illnesses that we all need to be aware are present.

Colds

You can help prevent colds by washing your hands regularly. This destroys bugs that you may have picked up from touching surfaces used by other people, such as light switches and door handles.

It’s also important to keep the house and any household items such as cups, glasses and towels clean, especially if someone in your house is ill.

Sore Throat

Sore throats are common in winter and are almost always caused by viral infections. There’s some evidence that changes in temperature, such as going from a warm, centrally heated room to the icy outdoors, can also affect the throat.

Asthma

Cold air is a major trigger of asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. People with asthma should be especially careful in winter.

Norovirus

Also known as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus is an extremely infectious stomach bug. It can strike all year round, but is more common in winter and in places such as hotels and schools. The illness is unpleasant, but it’s usually over within a couple of days.

Cold Sores

Most of us recognize that cold sores are a sign that we’re run down or under stress. While there’s no cure for cold sores, you can reduce the chances of getting one by looking after yourself through winter.

Heart Attacks

Heart attacks are more common in winter. This may be because cold snaps increase blood pressure and put more strain on the heart. Your heart also has to work harder to maintain body heat when it’s cold.

Flu

Flu is a major killer of vulnerable people. People aged 65 and over and people with long-term health conditions, including diabetes and kidney disease, are particularly at risk.

The best way to prevent getting flu is to have the flu jab (or flu nasal spray for children aged 2 to 18). The flu vaccine gives good protection against flu and lasts for one year.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope that this information was of value to you. Please remember we are here 7 days a week to help you when those winter illnesses occur and your family doctor is not available. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to find all the medical services we offer.

 

 

Laboratory Tests from Urgent Care Clinic

Laboratory TestsThere are times when you would need to get laboratory tests in order to check what your current condition is but since you still have to drive all the way to the hospital, you know that it can take some time. With us at On Call Medical Clinic, you can expect that we can offer laboratory tests that will be available in a few minutes. Since the results are immediately available, it will enable the possibility that you will get a fast diagnosis regarding your condition.

Different Types of Tests Available

It should be remembered that there are different types of laboratory tests available depending on your needs. For example, there are some laboratory tests that are meant specifically to check if you have various types of throat conditions or other respiratory issues. There are also chemistry tests available to double check if you are dehydrated and if there are some issues with your liver. There are also common tests like Urinalysis and CBC test.

Our Belief

We have a belief that when it comes to laboratory tests, you should not be required to drive all the way to the hospital or to a private laboratory testing facility just to have some tests done especially if it is urgent. We can provide the tests that you need and they are affordable too so this is not something that you should worry about.
We Offer Other Services

We understand that laboratory tests are not the only things that you need from medical facilities at our urgent care clinic, you can get various services that will improve the nonlife-threatening conditions that you are suffering from. In case you cannot drive or no one is going to bring you to the facility, you can contact us immediately so that we can attend to you immediately.

Flu Prevention

flu

We at On Call Medical know that Flu Season has arrived. We are available 7 days a week if you need us to help you when you have caught the flu. Below are some tips to help keep you flu free this year.

Get Vaccinated

Experts say the single best way to avoid the flu is to get the shot as soon as you can. The ideal time is early fall. But any time during the winter is fine if you haven’t already done it.

The vaccine is designed to protect against the flu strains health experts believe will be most widespread each season — for example, the H1N1 “swine flu.” Some vaccines work against three flu strains — you might hear them called trivalent. Others guard against four strains — doctors will call them quadrivalent.

Vaccine Types

The “shot” contains a dead virus. One kind that’s approved for people 6 months and older goes straight into the muscle. Another uses a smaller needle that only goes into the top layer of your skin. It’s available for people aged 18 to 64.

The nasal spray, FluMist, contains a live but weakened form of the virus. It’s approved for those between 2 and 49 who’s healthy, not allergic to the fly vaccine and not pregnant. It is not recommended for the 2016-2017 flu season.

Egg-free vaccines are for people between 18 and 49 who have severe egg allergies. If your allergy is severe, you should get the flu shot from a doctor who can treat a severe allergic reaction — either at your doctor’s office, a hospital, a clinic, or a health department. Many children with egg allergies are at risk for complications from the flu, so it’s important for them to get the flu shot.

Fluzone is a high-dose version for those 65 and older. It’s better at protecting an older person’s immune system.

There is a “needle-less” option for people 18-64 years old:  the jet injector vaccine with Afluria, which uses a tool and high pressure to deliver the vaccine.

Build a Germ Barrier

It’s easy to catch the flu. When a nearby sick person sneezes or coughs, they send out a spray of virus-laden droplets straight to your open mouth or nose.

You can also pick it up from touching a surface — like the restaurant table where a sick person dined before you. Flu germs can linger on places like tables, counters, desks, doorknobs, and faucets for up to 8 hours.8801

When you touch a germy surface and put your hands on your eyes, nose, or mouth, your fingers bring the virus right into your body.

Here are some tips that can help build a germ barrier

  • Wash your hands with warm water and soap every time you shake hands or touch a surface that might be germ-covered.
  • Carry an Alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you
  • Bring along disinfectant wipes to clean any surfaces you are about to touch
  • Take care not to touch your month, eyes, or nose without washing your hands first.

Take Care of Yourself

If you want your immune system to be in good enough shape to fight off the flu and other germs, you need to stay healthy.

  • Eat a balanced diet.
  • Exercise at least 4 days a week.
  • Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night.

All these will give your body the strength it needs to fend off an influenza attack.

We at On Call Medical hope these tips were helpful. Please remember we are here 7 days a week to help you through this flu season. Please call us at 228 818-5155, our professional, friendly staff are waiting to help. Also please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com so find all other services we offer.

 

 

 

Urgent Care Clinic Biloxi, MS – Giving Urgent Care You Deserve

urgent care clinic Biloxi, MSWe are proud to say that we are one of the best that you can get when you are searching for urgent care clinic Biloxi, MS. We provide comfort and care to those who are injured and ill but are not undergoing life threatening situations. We aim to make sure that we will give special and personalized attention to all of our patients.

Our Team of Competent Medical Professionals

Our medical staff are composed of different medical practitioners who specialize in different fields. They are all knowledgeable in treatments of wounds and different minor conditions that would require urgent care but not gravely so. Our urgent care clinic Biloxi, MS clinic also serves different people within the area and as long as you need our services, we can promise that we will not close our doors on you. In fact, we are available 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. We know that you do not plan on being sick. If you do get sick, we will be here to help you.

We Provide Special Services Too

If in case you are not suffering from any illness or injury, you can still visit our urgent care clinic Biloxi, MS for all of the other services that we can offer. We can provide immediate relief for different types of pain. We also have enough knowledge about skin care. We can provide you with different treatments that will allow you to have smooth, clear and even skin. If you need laser hair removal, we can provide that service for you too in our very own clinic. The best part is that you do not need to have a schedule for the services we can provide.

Whether you need to undergo screening and different tests to prevent the onset of different diseases or you just want to have services that will improve your current condition, going to urgent care clinic Biloxi, MS can make changes.