Heat-Related Illnesses In The Hot Summer Months

heat-related illnesses

 

We all love to get out and work in the yard, start a building project outdoors, or just relax in the sun during the summer months. We however forget to always prepare ourselves for the sun’s rays and heat. Hyperthermia, (heat-related illness) is common when we overdue it. We at On Call Medical Clinic want to make you aware of what the illnesses can be from becoming overheated as well as the symptoms to be on the lookout for.

Hyperthermia is overheating of the body. This occurs as a result of heat exposure. Here are heat-related illnesses.

  • Heat Stroke
  • Heat Exhaustion
  • Heat Cramp
  • Heat Syncope (fainting)
  • Heat Rash

Heat Stroke is the most severe of all heat-related illnesses and this requires immediate medical attention.

The elderly, infants and young children, the obese, outdoor workers, and those with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk.

Signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses vary based on the condition, but they include the following

  • An elevated body temperature
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Muscle Cramps
  • Seizures
  • Confusion
  • Coma

Treatment includes moving the individual out of a hot environment. Implementing cooling measures, rest, and rehydration.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 7,415 deaths due to heat-related illnesses in the USA from 1999 to 2010, which is an average of 618 deaths per year. So, become overheated is not something to take lightly.

The key to preventing heat-related illnesses is proper planning and preparation. Taking in increased amounts of fluids, wearing appropriate clothing and sunscreens are always helpful.

If you have any of the above heat-related symptoms, we at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help.  Please call us at 228 818-5115, one of our medical staff is ready to answer your call and set up an appointment. You are also welcome to visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com  to review all the medical services we offer.

 

Mosquitoes This Hot Summer

mosquitoes

 

The hot damp summer has been a breeding ground for mosquitoes along the Gulf Coast. Mosquito bites can be a concern to you and your family. We at On Call Medical Clinic would like to share the most common illnesses associated with a mosquito bite for your information.

West Nile Virus

Most people who get West Nile virus don’t have any symptoms. About 1 in 5 will have a fever and other flu-like symptoms. Feeling worn out could take months to go away completely. A few people get a more serious infection that causes brain swelling, or meningitis. There’s a very small chance you could die.

People in 48 of the 50 U.S. states, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and West and Central Asia have had West Nile.

Encephalitis

Mosquitoes can pass on viruses that cause inflammation around your brain and spinal cord. (The brain swelling with a serious West Nile infection is a kind of encephalitis.)

What type you could get depends on where you are:

  • LaCrosse — the 13 states east of the Mississippi River
  • Louis — throughout the U.S., especially Florida and Gulf of Mexico states
  • Eastern Equine — Atlantic, Gulf Coast, and Great Lakes states; the Caribbean; Central and South America
  • Western Equine — states west of the Mississippi River, areas of Canada and Mexico
  • Japanese — Asia and the Western Pacific

Zika Virus

First found in Africa in the 1940s, this virus has spread to South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Most people don’t know they have Zika. The symptoms are mild and usually run their course in less than a week. You may have a fever, joint or muscle pain, pinkeye, or a rash.

The virus has been linked to more serious problems: cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome and a birth defect called microcephaly.

If you have been bitten by mosquitoes and are feeling any of the symptoms mentioned above, we at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. We have a complete on-premise laboratory, which helps us quickly diagnosis your illness. Please call us at 228 818-5155, one of our medical staff is ready to answer your call and set up an appointment. You are also welcome to visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com  to review all the medical services we offer.

 

Earwax- Should I Remove It

 

earwax

 

The No. 1 job of that yellow, gooey stuff inside your ears is to keep them healthy. Earwax stops dust, dirt, bugs, and other crud from getting into your ear canal. It also protects ears from infection.

You should not put a cotton swap or anything else into your ear. If the object is pointed, it can puncture your eardrum and damage the small bones inside your ear. You want to be sure and not push the wax farther in. This could cuase it to harden and cause pain and hearing problems.

You should not remove the ear wax unless it is brown or black or white and faljy. This could be a sign of an infection in your ear.

You make be wondering where the ear wax is made. The outer third of your ear is a 3-centimeter tunnel. The skin in it has special glands that make earwax.

So what is the best way to move old wax out of your ear. Well guess what every time you chew or move your jaw, you are helping old earwax from your ear canal to your ear opening. The wax will then dry and fall out on its on.

If you still feel like you have too much earwax, try using hydrogen peroxide, ear drops, mineral oil, or saline solution inside your ear. These will help dissolve the wax or soften it. You can mix hydrogen peroxide and water equally and put 5 drops in your ear each night. Lie on your side and the the solution soak in.

Eczema can make your skin dry and flaky, and dry skin can make your earwax hard. Wax that has been in your ear for a long period of time can pick up a lot of dirt that makes it become hard.

We hope this information was helpful. Remember for all those minor illnesses or injuries, We at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical services we offer as well as skin care treatments.

 

Sunburn Be Careful on the 4th of July

sunburn

 

The 4th of July is approaching quickly. So enjoy the great outdoors and the beach but be careful not to sunburn. Sunburn can be mild, moderate, or severe as well as affect the quality of your skin.

The length of time a sunburn lasts depends on its severity.

  • Mild sunburnsusually come with redness and some pain, which can last anywhere from three to five days. Your skin may also peel a bit towards the last couple of days as your skin regenerates.
  • Moderate sunburnsare typically more painful. The skin will be red, swollen, and hot to the touch. Moderate sunburns typically take about a week to heal completely. The skin may then continue to peel for a few more days.
  • Severe sunburnssometimes require a visit to a doctor or even a hospital. You’ll have painful blistering and very red skin. It can take up to two weeks to fully recover. If you don’t end up in the hospital, you’ll likely have to stay home and rest to recover from a severe burn.

Here are some factors that may affect the duration of your sunburn, these factors make people more susceptible to severe sunburns that generally take longer to heal.

  • If you have fair or light skin
  • Freckles or red or fair colored hair
  • Going outside when the rays are most intense between 10 am and 3 pm
  • Being in the sun in high attitudes
  • Visiting or living near the Equator
  • A tanning bed can affect the duration of the sunburn and the severity
  • Taking certain drugs that make you more susceptible to burns.

In most cases the pain from a sunburn will starts within 6 hours of the burn and peak around 24 hours. The pain normally subsides after 48 hours. If you have a severe sunburn swelling may persist for up to 2 days or longer depending on the severity. If you have blistering from a moderate to severe burn it will usually show up between 6 to 24 hours after UV exposure, however in some cases it could take up to a couple of days to show up. Peeling normally starts after 3 days and can last for several days. Peeling, in general, will stop once the skin is fully healed.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope you and your families have a wonderful 4th of July. Be safe and take the needed precautions to avoid sunburn. Experts will tell you that applying sunscreen just once is not enough. You should reapply every one and a half hour to two hours. Be sure and use broad spectrum sunscreen for UVA and UVB protection. If you need help with your sunburn or any other minor injuries or sickness, please remember we are here 7 days a week. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn about our the medical and skin services we offer.

How Much Water Should You Drink

water

There’s no evidence to back that up you should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men get about 125 ounces of water daily and that women get 91 ounces, but that includes water from all foods and beverages. Most people get enough hydration unless they’re exposed to heat stress or they’re very active for a long time.

The average person gets about 20% of their water for the day from food. Here are some examples of it contained in these common foods:

An apple is 84% water. Bananas are 74% water. Broccoli is 91% water. A plain bagel (33% water). Ground beef (56%). American cheese (39%).

It however doesn’t take long to get dehydrated — especially in hot and humid outside. You’ll need to take longer breaks, shorten the workout or intensity level, and dress appropriately.

On average, you should take a rehydration break about every 20 minutes. Most people would stay adequately hydrated by drinking 5 to 10 ounces of fluid every 20 minutes. But your exact need depends on things like how hard you’re working, whether you are indoors or outdoors, and your age, gender, and weight

It’s also helpful to drink two cups of fluids (about 16 ounces) about two hours before a workout.

It is a good idea to avoid Alcoholic beverages often, because they have the most dehydrating effect.

How much fluid you need depends upon several things, including:

  • Age: Kids need plenty of fluids; they can get dehydrated much more easily than adults. Older people may need more fluids because of health conditions or because they tend to lose their sense of thirst.
  • Gender: Men need more fluids than women. (And pregnant women need more fluids than other women.)
  • Weight: Heavier people need more water.
  • Health: Conditions such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and kidney disease can boost your need for fluids.
  • Environment: You need more fluids in extreme weather conditions and at high altitudes.

We hope this information was helpful. We obtained this information from the webmd website. Remember for all those minor illnesses or injuries, we at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical services we offer as well as skin care treatments.