5 Tips for Better Communication With Your Cardiac Doctor

1. Make your appointments the right way

Doctors at cardiac hospitals see a wide range of patients for a number of reasons. When you call to make your appointment, be specific, but brief, with the receptionist. They need to know the reason for the visit (a general followup or to investigate a new symptom), so they can arrange for the proper amount of time for the visit. This will allow plenty of face time with the doctor.

2. Be prepared with your information

Chances are, the doctor you are seeing has a number of patients before and after you. Sometimes, they can seem slightly rushed. In order to respect their time and share the right information, write down what you want to convey. This could be particular symptoms or issues you noticed, descriptions of pain, or time tables for problems. A list can help you remember everything while you have their attention.

3. Always be honest

Your doctor can’t help you if you aren’t honest in your answers. When your cardiologist asks you how you’ve been doing, it isn’t a social question. She doesn’t want to hear you’ve been fine. She wants to know how your heart has been, if you’ve had plenty of energy lately, if you’ve experienced pain or numbness, and any other bits of information that could help her understand your heart health.

4. Bring a friend

Often, going to cardiac hospitals is stressful on its own. It can be hard to process information as you hear it and easy to forget what you intended to say. If you are worried, then simply bring a friend or loved one that you trust with your personal information. They can help you stay calm, especially if you expect a long-awaited diagnosis, and can help you process the information after the visit.

5. Make sure you understand everything

The type of vocabulary used at cardiac hospitals tends to be highly technical and foreign-sounding to many people. It is important that you understand what your doctor tells you about your body, your diagnosis, and your treatment options. It is alright to take notes or ask questions. Don’t leave without understanding everything they tell you. Your health depends on it.

Remember to check with your doctor before taking any treatment or medical remedy.

If you would like to learn more about cardiac hospitals in the Seguin, Texas area, visit Guadalupe Regional Medical Center.

Strep Throat, Ear Infections and Other Common Childhood ENT Issues

Any ENT doctor can tell you that strep throat, ear infections, colds, and other conditions of the ears, nose and throat are common in children, especially during the cold months. A number of germs can easily be transmitted in the high-occupancy areas that children frequent, such as schools, sports complexes, and malls. It is important to always keep your eyes open for any symptoms of disease or illness, so your child can receive treatment as soon as possible.

First, an ENT doctor will evaluate the child and the symptoms to determine the malady. Some are caused by bacterial infections. Bacteria has somehow entered into the nasal cavity or body and has reproduced, causing symptoms. They can be treated relatively well with antibiotics. Other times, the illness is caused by a virus. Viruses are much different structures from bacteria and they can’t be treated with antibiotics. Other medicinal options exist to treat them. In all cases, plenty of rest and fluids can help the body heal.

An ENT doctor will also likely suggest many home-remedy methods to ease the symptoms for your child. Gargling with warm salt water, using a humidifier in their room, giving them hot liquids like soup and tea, and helping them avoid smoky environments are all typical options. Doctors also might suggest non-prescription medications, like throat lozenges, cough medications, and fever reducers. These remedies treat the symptoms and not the underlying infection, but they could help the child feel better, so they can get more rest.

Many of the infections and diseases can be prevented with basic good hygiene steps, like covering the mouth when coughing, thoroughly washing hands with soap and water, and using antiseptic hand gels. Teaching your child how to be responsible with their hygiene could help them avoid getting sick or spreading illness to friends, family, and strangers.

Remember to check with your doctor before taking any treatment or medical remedy.

If you would like to learn more about an ENT doctor in Seguin, TX, area, click here.

How To Prepare for Your First ENT Doctor Visit

Before going to your ENT doctor visit, it is good to know what to expect. You have likely been referred by your primary care physician and may not know much. ENT stands for ear, nose, and throat. An ENT doctor first receives full medical training for an medical doctor degree and is then trained in a specialty that diagnosis disease, performs surgery, and treats patients with problems occurring in the head and neck. In their practice, they see patients for tumors, trauma, diseases, and deformities. Some also manage nerve issues that impair the senses and facial movement. 

 

An ENT doctor treats a wide variety of miladies. From the common issues of allergies, asthma, tinnitus, and sore throats, to the more complicated issues of nerve damage, issues with smelling, or breathing problems. Many have not only specialized in ENT, but go on to further train in their field for pediatrics, rhinology, laryngology, allergies, reconstructive surgeries, treatment of tumors, or neurology.

Before your visit, it is necessary to do a little homework. Make a list of the issues you have been experiencing. Include any important information that might be helpful for diagnosis. If pain manifests, explain how the pain felt, whether raw, stinging, dull, throbbing, scratchy, or sharp. If there seems to be an obstruction, unusual growth, or strange symptom, the doctor needs to know. Give good information about where in the head or neck the pain or issues started. If possible, put the incidents in chronological order, along with dates. Let the ENT doctor know if there was a sudden start, or if the problem manifested and has gradually gotten worse over time. Even the smallest detail can help an ENT doctor with diagnosis and treatment.

During the visit, you can expect a number of tests. Depending on the issues you experience, there could be x-rays, vision tests, hearing tests, MRIs, physical inspections, and other tests. Through a solid understanding of what you have already experienced and what they can find in your tests, they will likely be able to diagnose and treat the issues quickly.

Remember to check with your doctor before taking any treatment or medical remedy.

If you would like to learn more about an ENT doctor in Seguin, Texas, click here.

5 FQAs and Answers About Bladder Suspension Surgery

If you are about to undergo bladder suspension surgery, there are a few common questions that you likely have.

1. Who needs surgery?

Bladder suspension surgery puts the bladder back in its normal position. This particular type of surgery helps those that have stress incontinence. If another issue is causing incontinence, then the surgery will not likely solve the problem. Some groups are more at risk, such as those that developed stress incontinence due to surgery, childbirth, or menopause.

2. When is surgery the best option?

Due to aging, injury, or natural occurrences, some women lose muscle tone along their pelvic floor. This condition can lead to urine leakage when they cough, laugh, or sneeze. When self help and non-invasive methods don't help, then surgery is suggested. Medication, electrical stimulation, and pelvic exercises should all be tried first. If no improvement is made in stress incontinence, then surgery might be a good option.

3. What types of surgery are there?

There are several types of bladder suspension surgery. Retropubic suspension surgery lifts the bladder by the neck and connects it to surrounding tissue with sutures. It can be done with both open surgery and through a smaller incision with a laproscopic device. Another approach is to support the bladder with a sling. Depending on your doctor and your medical situation, one method might be better than another.

4. What are the complications?

While the success rate for bladder suspension surgery is high and the number of complications are low, it is important to know what to look out for. With any surgery, infection is always a risk. Doctors take precautions to keep the surgery sterile and it is important to follow their advice for post-surgery treatment. Other complications could be problems urinating, or a sudden urge to urinate immediately. If a synthetic material is used for a sling, the body may negatively react to the product. Many of these complications fade as you heal, but it is important to let your doctor know immediately if any appear.

5. How long is recovery?

The recovery time depends on the method of bladder suspension surgery performed. Some require a hospital stay and general anesthesia, while others are a day surgery. All types require post-surgery caution and can take up to six weeks to fully heal. Always follow your doctor's instructions and avoid stressful activities after surgery.

Remember to check with your doctor before taking any treatment or medical remedy.

If you would like to learn more about bladder suspension surgery in the Seguin area, visit GRMC.

5 Signs and Symptons of Pinched Nerves

Experiencing a pinched nerve is no laughing matter. The spine is made of disks of bone stacked on top of each other, creating a channel to protect the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves connecting the lower extremities to the brain. Between those bones are disks of cartilage. They cushion the bones and protect the nerves. Sometimes, due to aging or injury, the tissue around the cord becomes inflamed. When that happens, unnatural pressure is put on the nerves, pinching them and causing an array of problems. Common sense dictates that the symptoms can disappear on their own with self-help methods and anti inflammatory medication, but any unexpected condition should be shared with your doctor for proper diagnoses and treatment.

1. Tingling feeling or numbness

Also known as the “pins and needles” feeling, tingling and numbness can be a problem. If you can't properly feel your extremities, you can't properly use them. In some cases, the numbness is experienced in the feet or hands and it can feel like they have “fallen asleep.”

2. Weakness when performing certain tasks

Often, the pinched nerve causes an inability to properly control the body parts they connect to. This can cause an inability to use hands or to walk or sit for very long. It is important to not force your body to perform, because further injury could occur.

3. Radiating pain

Because the pinched nerve causing the pain starts in the neck or back and runs through the legs or arms, the pain can radiate from the source in the spine, down the length of the nerve, through the arms or legs.

4. Pain in the neck or lower back

It is said that in most cases, spinal issues occur in the lower back or neck. They can happen due to a traumatic and sudden injury, such as whiplash or falling. Other times, they are the result of maintaining incorrect posture for too long, or simply through aging.

5. Symptoms worsen when you move

Because of the nature of the spine, the pressure on the pinched nerve due to the injury can increase if moved. That pressure could increase swelling. It is often best to rest as much as possible, and only make easy, slow movements until the pain subsides.

Remember to check with your doctor before taking any treatment or medical remedy.

If you would like to learn more about a pinched nerve in the Seguin, TX, area, visit GRMC.

Is Back Disc Surgery The Best Option for Your Herniated Disk?

Anytime a person goes under the knife, there is risk. Back disc surgery is no different. Common sense dictates that before surgery is considered, all other methods should be exhausted. If those things have had little or no effect on the ailment, then an operation could be the best option for healing.

The spine is a long chain of bones stacked on top of each other, forming a channel to protect the spinal cord. Between those bones are cartilage disks that cushion them. When a disk is injured, it can rupture, also known as a herniated disk, and cause swelling and pressure against the spinal cord nerves. The side effects can range from mild to severe, and in the worst cases can require back disc surgery. Pain and even numbness can be experienced in the back and down the legs.

The ailment is traumatic to experience, but in many cases it can be alleviated with self-help or medication, and not back disc surgery. Anti-inflammatory drugs, either over the counter or prescription, can help. Resting and only making slow, easy movements for a few days can also allow the body time to heal. Physical therapy exercises can help strengthen the muscles, tendons, and structures around the injured area, removing some of the stress from that spot. Some medical professionals suggest that these methods alone can most often alleviate the issue within a few weeks.

If chronic pain continues and the noninvasive methods aren't working, it could be time to talk to your doctor about surgical options. Back disc surgery requires anesthesia. During the procedure, a surgeon will remove the herniated part of the disk, along with any pieces that are pressing against the spinal cord. In most cases, surgery is successful in removing pain and numbness and restoring function of the back and legs. Your doctor will be able to explain the risks and what is the best option for your health.

Remember to check with your doctor before taking any treatment or medical remedy.

If you would like to learn more about back disc surgery in the Seguin, Texas, area, click here.

3 Options for Fixing Hammertoes

Hammertoe is a condition in which the ligaments and bones of a toe adjust so that the tip of the toe points down rather than forward. Hammertoe correction surgery is typically saved for those cases that can not be resolved with other methods. Sometimes people are born with hammertoe, and sometimes it develops as a result of ill fitting shoes, bunions, or arthritis. The condition results in pain in the toe, development of calluses and corns, and difficulty fitting shoes.

A few non-invasive and fairly easy treatment options are available. If those don't fix the situation, surgery may need to be considered.

1.Wear shoes that fit

Common sense dictates that wearing shoes that fit correctly can help feet stay healthy. Providing the proper support and ample room for toes to stretch and not be cramped keeps the bones, tendons, and muscles in the toes able to function the way they were designed. With the restriction of shoes that are too small or don't have the proper support, foot conditions such as hammertoe can develop.

2. Corrective devices

Another option for those that suffer from hammertoe is to utilize corrective devices. This could mean easily purchased cushions, pads, or straps. These are all available over the counter at many stores. For more difficult cases, doctors that treat feet could also prescribe special splints to stretch the tendons and keep the toe straight to avoid hammertoe correction surgery.

3. Exercise

A variety of foot exercises can be used to correct hammertoe. A physical therapist that specializes in foot conditions can prescribe several exercises to use, directed at relaxing the tendons in the toe to allow it to cease the arching and point in the right direction. By performing the exercises regularly at home, the issue could be resolved.

If a variety of therapeutic and self-treatment methods don't work, a consultation with a doctor about further options could be necessary. Hammertoe correction surgery is an option for those that aren't able to resolve the problem otherwise.

Remember to check with your doctor before taking any treatment or medical remedy.

If you are interested in hammertoe correction surgery in the Seguin, TX, area, click here.

Is It Time for Bladder Suspension Surgery?

Bladder suspension surgery is a procedure in which a sagging bladder is put back where it belongs in the body. Due to injury, child birth, or other factors, a condition called stress incontinence could happen, causing the muscles along the pelvic floor to weaken. If that happens, the bladder leaks urine during coughs, sneezes, or laughs. The condition is common, but some may consider surgery to rectify the situation.

Medical professionals may recommend bladder suspension surgery if the symptoms are severe and affect the quality of life. Often, symptoms can be rectified through specialized exercises, medications, or electrical stimulation. Stress incontinence is more typical in women, but can happen to men if their prostate gland is removed. Common sense dictates to speak openly with your doctor to be sure the problem is stress incontinence, and not another underlying problem.

There are a few approaches that doctors may choose for bladder suspension surgery. Some are less invasive, but have less of a success rate. Others require cutting through the abdominal wall and require a hospital stay and more rigorous recovery time. Your doctor can explain the differences and which one is best for you, based on your health.

For most cases, the various forms of bladder suspension surgery are successful. There are a wide rage of side effects. Some issues can be expected immediately following surgery, and others can persist or develop after. The success of surgery is based generally on overall health, including nutrition, weight, age, and the amount of strenuous activity typically experienced by the patient.

Recovery from bladder suspension surgery depends on the type of procedure used. Some require general anesthesia and time in the hospital for recovery. Others can be performed in an outpatient clinic. No matter which procedure is selected, it is most important to follow all instructions from the doctor, in order to minimize post-surgery injury and promote healing.

Remember to check with your doctor before taking any treatment or medical remedy.

If you are interested in bladder suspension surgery options in the Seguin, TX, area, click here.