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How to Protect Yourself From the Flu

Did you know the flu season could start as early as October? Have you gotten your flu vaccine yet? The seasonal flu usual begins in the Fall and ends in the Spring. You may be asking when should you receive the flu vaccine? That is why we are writing this post! We want you to know how to protect yourself from the upcoming flu season!

Who and When Should A Person Receive the Flu Vaccine?

The flu vaccine takes about 2 weeks to be affective. Patients are recommended to come in and receive the vaccine as early as August. Who should receive the vaccine? Most doctors recommend people over the age of 6 months should receive the flu vaccine. Although it is optional for people to receive the flu vaccine, the following list of people are at a higher risk and are strongly encouraged to receive the vaccine:

People who have certain medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease)
Pregnant women
People 65 years and older

Flu Symptoms:

If you or a person you know has one or more of the following symptoms, they should contact their doctor immediately:

Fever (usually high)
Aches and pains in the joints and muscles and around the eyes
Weakness
Headache
Dry cough
Sore throat

Make sure you are protected from the flu this season. Receive your flu vaccine today. Remember to talk to your doctor for more information about the flu virus. The doctors and nurses at CalltheDoc.com are available all day, every day to answer your questions about the flu or other medical problems. Call 1-800-414-7882 to learn more about our services, or sign up today.

Have You Gotten Your Prostate Checked?

Did you know President Barack Obama declared September National Prostate Awareness month? He encourages all citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other groups to join in activities that will increase awareness and prevention of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. About 241,740 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year alone. This means that every 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Although many men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer it can be treated if detected early.

Prostate Cancer Prevention: There are 4 factors that can influence one’s risk. Age, race, family history, and where you live can increase or decrease your risk. These 4 factors are difficult to change. Talk to your doctor today about your risks. If your risk is low or very high, preventative measures should still be taken towards prostate cancer.

Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid taking more than 1,500 mg of calcium a day
Eat more fish
Avoid smoking for many reasons
Drink alcohol in moderation
Reduce stress
Relax
Reduce stress
Consider a PSA test

Prostate Cancer Symptoms: Many do not experience symptoms of prostate cancer so it is very important to attend routine check- ups. At the same time, if you or your loved one experience the following symptoms it is imperative to contact your doctor:

A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty in having an erection
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
- Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs

September is prostate cancer awareness month. Make sure your loved ones take preventative measures. Remember to talk to your doctor about your risk. The doctors and nurses at CalltheDoc.com are available all day, every day to answer your questions about prostate cancer or other medical problems. Call 1-800-414-7882 to learn more about our services, or sign up today.

Source: Prostate Cancer Foundation

Sick of Waiting Rooms?

One of the biggest complaints regarding doctor’s visits we hear is, “why do we wait so long in the waiting room?” Don’t you hate waiting 20- 30 minutes even when you have your scheduled appointment? We do! With Call the Doc’s services you won’t have to wait in a waiting room anymore; actually you wont even have to leave your house. But if you’re still not convinced with Call the Doc, let’s talk a little about the long waits of waiting rooms.

Doctors tend to schedule as many patients in one day as they can, with small intervals between each patient. But can doctors for see what type of services every patient will need? Probably not. Many patients require more attention than others, equipment could break, or there could be an emergency. All these factors affect the amount of time you wait. How can I reduce my time spent in a doctor’s waiting room? Try to schedule the first appointment of the day or schedule your appointment on the lightest day of the week. Stay calm and prepare for the wait before you arrive at the office.

But why wait to see a doctor when there is an alternative. Here at Call the Doc you can call 24/7 for medical attention. Our Call the Doc doctors can diagnose you in a one-on-one 10-minute phone consultation. Make to visit CalltheDoc.com for more information. If your sick of those waiting rooms call us today! The doctors and nurses at CalltheDoc.com are available all day, every day to answer your questions about medical problems. Call 1-800-414-7882 to learn more about our services, or sign up today.

Immunization Awareness Month

August is recognized as immunization awareness month (NIAM). We are encouraged to protect our health by receiving the proper immunizations to fight against diseases. Parents are encouraged to bring their children for their annual check-up to receive back to school immunizations, remind college students to catch up on their shots, and to remind people that the flu season is right around the corner. NIAM is a perfect reminder for all ages to catch up on their shots and to protect their health.

How Vaccines Work:

Vaccines contain the same antigens that cause diseases, but the antigens in vaccines are either killed or greatly weakened. Vaccine antigens are not strong enough to cause disease but they are strong enough to make the immune system produce antibodies against them. Memory cells prevent re-infection when they encounter that disease again in the future.

Adult Vaccinations:

The types of immunizations you need as an adult are determined by age, lifestyle, high-risk conditions, type and locations of travel, and previous immunizations. For adults to protect their health, they made need to receive:

Seasonal flu and whooping cough vaccines are need by all adults
Shingles vaccines for adults 60 years and older
Pneumococcal disease for adults 65 years and older
Hepatitis B infection for adults who have diabetes or are at risk for hepatitis B
HPV vaccines
Hepatitis A
Chickenpox
Measles, mumps, and rubella

Make sure your family’s immunizations are up to date this month. It is important that children receive the vaccines they need so they do not fall ill. August is National Immunization Awareness Month. The doctors and nurses at CalltheDoc.com are available all day, every day to answer your questions about immunizations or other medical problems. Call 1-800-414-7882 to learn more about our services, or sign up today.

Source: CDC

It’s Summertime, and the Living is Easy… Well Sort Of

The kids are out of school, business has slowed down, days are long, and the temperatures have hit an all new high. That can only mean one thing… Summertime! You can finally throw on that new bathing suit you bought months ago. It’s time to hit up the beach, the lake house, or relax by the pool and have a backyard barbeque. Although, people tend to become lazier in the summer, try not to be lazy when it comes to your health. Try a new routine this summer; a routine that will improve your health with just a few simple steps.

Protect yourself from the sun: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Make sure to grab your sunblock and hat on the way out of the house. Don’t forget to protect your eyes from the sun’s powerful UV rays. Sunglasses can help prevent cataracts and wrinkles around the eyes.
Go outside and exercise: Now that there is no snow on the ground and the spring showers have passed, you can finally enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Pick a family outdoor activity. Enjoy a game of soccer, swim, or even kayaking.
Have a berry smoothie: Make sure to enjoy a berry smoothie daily. Berries contain antioxidants, which prevent damage to tissues and reduce the risks of age-related illnesses. They also keep cholesterol low and may even help prevent certain types of cancer.
Take a vacation: Now that your kids are out of school and your schedule has finally slowed down it is the perfect time to take a family vacation. Vacations have many health benefits; this includes lower blood pressure, heart rate, and lower stress levels (which contribute to weight gain and heart disease).
Don’t drink too much: Skip the hard liquor and enjoy a refreshing beverage. Sit down with a cold glass of sangria, beer, or wine. One to two drinks daily protect against heart disease.
Get on a sleeping schedule: Try not to have late summer nights; try to set up a schedule of when you go to sleep and wake-up. Do not drink alcoholic beverages within 3 hours of when you go to bed. Avoid those lazy daytime naps that all of us yearn for.

If you follow these tips you will have one of the best (and healthiest) summers yet! These few simple tips will not only help you stay healthy, but the whole family too. The doctors and nurses at CalltheDoc.com are here to help. If you have any questions about how to stay healthy during the summer, they are available 24/7 to take your call.

Source: Women WebMD

Juvenile Arthritis: What is it and How to treat it?

Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune condition that develops in kids younger than 16. Juvenile arthritis can affect more than the joints; JA also involves the eyes, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. There are several types of JA but the most common is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

The diagnosis of JIA is when a child younger than 16 has swelling in one or more joint for at least six weeks. In time, JIA worsens to symptoms that include muscle and soft tissue tightening, bone erosion, joint misalignment, and changes in growth patterns. After a child is diagnosed with JIA, it is then determined what type of JIA the child suffers from; the type of JIA depends on the number of joints the JA affects.

Oligoarthritis: This is the most common JA. Oligoarthritis is diagnosed when four or fewer joints are involved within the first six months.
Polyarthritis: A child is diagnosed with polyarthritis when five or more joints are involved during the first six months.
Systemic: This type involves the whole body.
Enthesitis-related: This type is characterized by the inflammation of the sites where tendons attach to the bone.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for JA, but there are ways to minimize your child’s pain and improve your child’s everyday life.

Medication: Some medications are used to alter the course of the disease. These medicines can put the disease into remission and/ or prevent joint pain. Also, NSAIDs are used to relieve the joint pain.
Splints: Splints are used to keep children’s joints in the correct position and to relieve pain.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help restore motion and flexibility in joints that have become stiff. During physical therapy, a child will build muscle, strength, and endurance.
Surgery: Although very uncommon, some doctors will recommend surgery to relieve pain, replace a joint, or straighten out a bent joint.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Teach your children to eat healthy and to exercise. Go on family walls, bike rides, and even swim.

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month. If your child has any symptoms discussed above contact your doctor immediately. The doctors and nurses at CalltheDoc.com are available all day, every day to answer your questions about Juvenile Arthritis or other medical problems. Call 1-800-414-7882 to learn more about our services, or sign up today.

Source: Arthritis.org

Preventative Health Tests for Men

Are your male loved ones receiving their regular doctor check-ups to prevent serious health problems? It is time to make the men in your family aware of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases and injuries. Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year. As a male gets older it becomes more crucial to visit the doctor regularly and take the following preventative measures:

Cholesterol Tests: Once you have turned 35 (or 20 if you use tobacco products), have your cholesterol checked regularly. High cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease.
Blood Pressure Tests: You should have your blood pressure checked every 2 years. High blood pressure increases your chance of getting heart or kidney disease and for having a stroke.
Cardiovascular Disease: Many doctors recommend taking an aspirin daily to lower your risk of a heart attack once you are in your mid-40s. Ask your doctor if this is right for you, and what dosage you should take.
Cancer Testing: Make sure to ask your doctor if you should be tested for prostate, lung, oral, skin, or other cancers. If you know your family has a history of cancer it is crucial to have an annual cancer screening test. Also, try to take all the preventative measures you can to decrease your chances of cancer. Take preventative measures like: cover up when you are in the sun, do not use tobacco products, eat healthy and do not consumer large amounts of alcohol, and exercise regularly.
Diabetes Testing: If you have high blood pressure (higher than 135/80), ask your doctor to test you for diabetes. Diabetes can cause problems with your heart, eyes, feet, kidneys, nerves, and other body parts.
Skin Checks: Many dermatologists recommend doing a monthly self- skin check, so you can notice any changes in your skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Over two million people are diagnosed annually.
Immunizations: Make sure to get a flu shot every year. If you are 65 or older, receive your pneumonia shot. Also, talk to your doctors and ask if you need any other vaccinations for your lifestyle.
Stay in Good Health:
Be physically active and make healthy food choices.
Get to a healthy weight and stay there.
Be tobacco free.
If you drink alcohol, have no more than two drinks per day if you are 65 or younger. If you are older than 65, have no more than one drink a day.

June is Men’s Health Month, and the doctors and nurses at CalltheDoc.com are here to help. If you have any questions about preventative health tests, they are available 24/7 to take your call.

Staying Healthy to Lower Your Risk of Cancer

Since June 3^rd is National Cancer Survivor Day, it only seems fitting to talk about how to lower your risk of cancer. Cancer is caused by many possible factors; this includes genetics, tobacco, sun exposure, and carcinogens. It is very important to stay healthy because this can lower your risk of cancer. Here are a number of ways that can reduce your risk of cancer:

Find Cancer Early: Some cancers can be found early, before they have had a chance to grow and spread. Screening for cancer increases the chances of detecting certain cancers early, when they are most likely to be curable. Also, receive regular doctor check-ups.
Stay Away From Tobacco Products: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. At the same time, lung cancer can be the most preventable form of cancer death in our society. Put down the cigarettes today!
Eat Healthy and Stay Active: Strive to get at and stay at a healthy weight. Be physically active on a regular basis. Remember to make healthy food choices. Try to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Each year, more than 572,000 Americans die of cancer; about one-third of these deaths are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity, and being overweight. Lastly, limit the amount of alcohol you intake.
Protect Your Skin: More than 3.5 million cases of basal and squamous cell cancer are diagnosed each year. Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, if you take preventative measures. When going out for a day in the sun, wear a shirt, hat, and sunscreen. Remember to choose sunscreen with protection higher than 15 SPF.
Learn About Your Family Genetics: In some cases, cancer can be caused by an abnormal gene that is passed on from generation to generation. This is referred to as inherited cancer (this means that the abnormal gene is inherited not the cancer). Only 5% to 10% of cancers are inherited. If you know a family member has or had cancer receive more frequent screenings.

The doctors and nurses at CalltheDoc.com are available all day, every day to answer your questions about cancers or other medical problems. Call 1-800-414-7882 to learn more about our services, or sign up today.

9 Simple Tips for Coping with Arthritis

Arthritis is a generic term that is used to refer to any one of over 100 different painful joint conditions. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, followed by rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage in your joints. Cartilage is the material in between your bones designed to protect them as they move over one another. This breakdown leads to pain and inflammation in the knees, hips, hands, feet, and spine.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition and the mental toll of it can impact your life, work, and relationships. If you are one of the more than 20 million Americans affected by osteoarthritis, you should see your doctor to discuss it and develop a treatment plan. In addition, here are nine tips to help you cope with this condition.

Use hot and cold packs. Hot water bottles or cold packs can be used to soothe aching joints and help restore mobility. You will need to experiment to see which one works better for you. For an easy cold pack, try a bag of frozen vegetables like peas or corn.
Keep moving. Movement and gentle exercise helps keep your joints supple and helps with pain. Most doctors recommend some non-jarring form of exercise, like walking, swimming, bicycling, or even Tai Chi.
Watch your weight. Carrying around extra pounds can put extra stress on your joints, but losing even a few pounds can bring relief.
Add Omega 3 fatty acids to your diet, such as salmon, fish oils, and flax seed oils. Omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory, and can soothe pain in your joints. Olive oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, and is a healthy addition to your diet.
Relax. Meditation has been shown to not only reduce stress for arthritis sufferers, but may decrease pain and increase mobility.
Don’t smoke! As if you needed to hear another reason to quit, smokers have increased cartilage loss and report more arthritis pain than nonsmokers.
Get enough Vitamin D. There’s evidence that adequate levels of Vitamin D can slow the progression of osteoarthritis.
Keep a journal of your symptoms. This can help you pinpoint what aggravates your arthritis symptoms, and keep track of what helps.
Consider support groups or counseling. It can be helpful to talk with others who are going through the same things you are. Those that aren’t comfortable talking in a group may prefer the one-on-one support of talking with a counselor.

May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and the doctors and nurses at CalltheDoc.com are here to help. If you have any questions about your arthritis or want to discuss treatment options, they are available 24/7 to take your call.

Know the ABCDEs of Skin Cancer Detection

As the weather turns warmer, many of us will be spending more time outside in the sun. But although the sun feels nice, it also carries a risk of skin cancer, so make sure you apply sunblock and wear protective clothing. Before you head outside, take a moment to check yourself for signs of skin cancer. To do this, look closely at your skin, especially your moles. Most of us have moles that either we were born with, or that appear with age. Almost all moles are harmless, but sometimes they can be the sign that a melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer, is developing. Follow the ABCDEs of melanoma detection to check your own skin:

Asymmetry: Look for moles or birthmarks where one side doesn’t match the other side. Normal moles are more likely to be symmetrical.

Border: The borders of a healthy mole are generally smooth. Be on the lookout for moles with irregular or ragged edges, notches, or undefined, blurred edges.

Color: Watch for moles that have variations in color. There may be patches of brown or black, or even pink, white, red, or blue.

Diameter: Pay attention to moles that are larger than 6 millimeters across, or larger than the size of a pencil eraser, although melanomas may be smaller than this.

Evolving: Any mole that changes suddenly in appearance should be checked by a doctor.

In addition to melanomas, you should keep an eye out for these other skin conditions, too. Basal cell carcinomas are generally found on areas of the body that get a lot of sun, like the head, arms, and neck. But they can occur elsewhere, as well. They may be flat, pale areas or raised areas that are pink or red, and have a translucent, shiny, waxy surface that bleeds easily. Squamous cell carcinomas are also usually found on the head, arms, and neck. These may be growing lumps that are rough and scaly, or they may be flat growing surfaces.

In addition, watch for these warning signs of possible skin cancer:

A sore that takes a long time to heal, or that is easily re-injured
Pigment spreading from beyond the border of a mole to the surrounding skin
Swelling or redness outside the border of a mole
Itchiness, tenderness, or pain in a mole that wasn’t there before
Any surface changes on a mole, such as bumps, scaling, bleeding, or oozing

Get in the habit of checking your skin monthly for warning signs of skin cancer, and have a physician check it once a year. May is Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. If you note any unusual changes in your skin, you should see a physician. If you have any questions or concerns, you can talk to the doctors and nurses at CalltheDoc.com. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.