Does My Child Have a Sinus Infection?

Sinus infection symptoms are easy to spot. The sinuses are the four sets of cavities in the head around the nose. They don't begin to develop in children until around age 6. Even then, they aren't typically large enough for an infection to start until they are in their pre-teens. Chances are, if your child is suffering from a runny nose and head pain, but is younger than ten, they simply have a heavy cold. However, if your child is close to that age, you should keep an eye open for an infection.

Sinuses are lined with a mucus membrane, just like your mouth and nose. When that lining becomes aggravated, it can produce more mucus and block the drain passages. That forces the areas to swell and become infected, thanks to the viruses, fungi, bacteria, and other foreign bodies. In more rare instances, it could be due to an internal growth obstructing the passages, or a naturally narrow drainage duct. Sinus infections are common in both adults and children, alike. They can be unpleasant and painful, but are easy to treat.

Often, sinus infection symptoms will begin to appear after your child has a cold. The sinuses fill with mucus and can easily get blocked. If your child is complaining of facial pain and pressure, can't smell, is congested, and has a nasal discharge, there is reason to believe they have an infection. You may also notice bad breath, a fever, and general fatigue. Some medical professionals recommend that you should only be concerned if the symptoms aren't going away after about a week. The condition is not contagious and your child's doctor will be able to provide a proper diagnosis. In some cases, they may opt to use a nasal endoscope to see inside the cavities.

In some situations, sinus infection symptoms could be alleviated for your child simply with steam inhalations, warm compresses, decongestant medications, and rest. In other cases, antibiotics could be needed. Common sense dictates that all medications should only be used according to their directions, or as instructed by your child's doctor. In the most extreme cases, if the cause of the infection is blockage due to a structural issue in the sinuses, surgery could be needed.

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

If you would like to learn more about sinus infection symptoms in Seguin, Texas, visit Guadalupe Regional Medical Center.

5 Facts All COPD Patients Should Know

Pulmonary doctors are no strangers to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is a serious diagnosis and the third cause of death in the United States. Since there is no guaranteed cure for COPD, common sense dictates that prevention is best. Maintaining healthy lungs is key. Anything that causes your lungs to be injured should be avoided, such as smoking, pollution, and chemical sprays. By being proactive with your lung health, the risk for COPD is reduced. 
 

1. Who Suffers

Any ethnic or age group can suffer from COPD. At the moment, the numbers show predominantly white women, middle aged or over. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with the condition and even more report some type of troubled lung function.

2. What is it

COPD is actually not one disease, but the classification refers to several diseases, including some forms of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. They all have symptoms that block airflow and create breathing problems. Pulmonary doctors are the specialists that treat COPD.

3. What causes COPD

The habit of smoking tobacco products is the number one cause of COPD. Others may suffer severe lung problems because of a job or living environment that exposed them to chemicals or air pollution. Heredity also can play a role.

4. When to ask your doctor

Common sense dictates that you should always be in good communication with your doctor. However, you should bring up the possibility of COPD if you have been experiencing chronic breathing problems. They will be able to diagnose you and begin treatment.

5. Treatment options

Treatment depends on the diagnosis by pulmonary doctors. It can include smoking cessation, avoiding air pollutants, prescription medication, and therapy. The aim is to improve the ability to exercise and decrease the occurrences of breathing attacks.

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

If you would like to learn more about pulmonary doctors in the Seguin, Texas, area, click here!

5 Reasons to Offer Health Education to Your Team

Health education promote healthy habits in the workplace and have a number of positive benefits. Especially since so many hours of a week are spent at work, it is a good environment to promote healthy living changes. Many topics can be covered, such as smoking cessation, depression, meal planning, and easy exercise regimens, to name a few. The information can be provided by a professional in periodic classes or through literature available to read as needed. Either way, the important thing is to help inform staff of better, more healthy lifestyle choices.

1. Morale

Companies are always trying to boost staff morale. By providing options for health education at work, not only do staff learn good habits for healthier lifestyles, but they also bond together in classes and feel better as they make good decisions. They know their company cares.

2. Health

A healthy employee is typically a happy employee. By providing the type of environment that encourages and supports good living through health education, common sense dictates that your company might be able to transform your staff into a healthier group, overall.

3. Absenteeism

As the body is given the nutrients, sleep, and exercise it needs to work more efficiently, it is better able to ward off bacteria and viruses. That leads to fewer sick days used by your employees. Healthy behavior changes could make your staff less likely to be ill.

4. Costs

Insurance costs are skyrocketing. By providing health education for your staff, you could help them make healthy decisions that in tern make them need fewer extensive procedures. Those steps could keep insurance premiums from raising.

5. Productivity

Productivity is increased by healthy individuals not missing days due to illness. Health also helps people to be energetic and able to think clearly. That makes them better at performing their jobs and thinking strategically in order to improve their roles.

If you would like to learn more about health education in the Seguin, TX, area, visit Guadalupe Regional Medical Center!

5 Things to Know About Bacterial Infections and Kids

Kids are always getting sick, but it may be hard to tell if they have a cold or an illness caused by a bacterial infection. If you believe that their cough, earache, congestion, or other symptoms may be bacterial, then take them to their doctor as soon as you are able. After diagnosis, a treatment plan can be outlined, so your little one can get healthy and happy again.

1. Virus vs. Bacteria

Both viruses and bacteria can cause nasty infections, but they differ in their makeup. Viruses require a host in order to survive, while bacteria are single-celled organisms that can live in many environments, both hot and cold. It is important that a medical professional determines which type of infection your child has before treatment.

2. Causes

Since bacteria can live in a number of environments, they are easy to come into contact with in everyday life. Many surfaces can foster their growth and keep them available for your child to touch and become infected.

3. Symptoms

There are a number of symptoms for a bacterial infection. Your child should see a doctor if they are under 6 months and have a fever, are lethargic, have a 102 degrees or higher temperature, are dehydrated due to vomiting, or have a lingering cold that won't clear.

4. Treatments

A bacterial infection is often treated with a prescription for an antibiotic regimen. There are a number of types, so ask questions about the requirements of the one your doctor prefers. Some have a rigorous dosing schedule, need to be kept refrigerated, or taste bad.

5. Prevention

Bacterial infections can be easily prevented by encouraging your child to practice good hygiene. Common sense dictates they should wash their hands often, or use an anti-bacterial gel, and cover their mouth when they cough to prevent spreading. Any open cuts or scrapes should be cleaned properly with soap and water.

If you would like to learn more about a bacterial infection in the Seguin, Texas, area, click here!

5 Facts About Endoscopy

An endoscopy is a medical procedure in which an imaging device, known as an endoscope, is inserted into the body for an internal inspection of the body cavity or a hollow organ. An endoscope is a long flexible tube with a light and camera attached to one end. The procedure is often performed for unexplained problems with the upper or lower digestive system, such as stomach pain, problems swallowing, nausea, and pain when expelling waste. However, it also has a wide variety of applications across many medical specialties. If your doctor suggests an endoscopy, you might have questions about the procedure.

1. Low risk

There are few complications that can arise from an endoscopy and they are highly rare. If you suspect that as a result of the test, you have a tear or perforation of internal tissue, or that you may be experiencing an allergic reaction to medication, alert your doctor immediately.

2. Anesthesia sometimes needed

A number of endoscopy procedures do not require the use of any anesthesia. However, some are more invasive and the doctor may recommend either procedural sedation or general anesthesia. During procedural, the patient is able to respond to stimuli. General anesthesia causes complete unconsciousness.

3. Fast recovery

If an endoscopy necessitates anesthesia, a medical professional will guide you to a room to wait for the effects of the medicine to dissipate. After an inspection to be sure everything is proceeding normally, the patient is typically released within a few hours to someone that can drive for them. They are normally able to resume daily activities the following day.

4. The endoscope for surgery

Medical professionals mainly use endoscopes to have the opportunity to see the organs inside the body in order to diagnose a wide variety of diseases and conditions. However, the device can also be fitted with manipulators and instruments to actually perform surgery or other treatments.

5. Endoscopes have different names

Although the same basic principles exist for most endoscopes, there are different designs and names for each, depending on the part of the body it is intended to inspect. Some need to be more or less rigid for their purpose, or to be smaller or larger. There is even an endoscope the size of a pill that is swallowed and transmits data wirelessly.

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

If you are interested in learning more about endoscopy in the Seguin, TX, area, click here!

What To Expect During Your Pulmonary Doctor Visit

Pulmonary doctors, or those that treat the lungs, perform a number of tests to determine lung health and, when ill, what disease or condition is affecting them. Since pulmonary doctors are specialists that probably aren't as familiar with you and your health history as your regular doctor, a little preparation can be helpful in order to prepare for the best visit possible.

Common sense dictates that you make a list of all related symptoms before your visit. That way, when the time with the specialist begins, you don't forget something important. It could be helpful to bring a family member or friend, since sometimes, learning about the diagnosis of a disease can be stressful and absorbing all of the complicated information can be difficult.

Depending on the symptoms you describe, there are a number of tests that pulmonary doctors could use to determine your lung strength. The doctor and assisting nurses will guide you through the tests, showing you how to use equipment and what to do. Most tests are non-invasive and shouldn't cause pain. Due to rapid breathing needed at times, they could cause light headed feelings, shortness of breath, or coughing.

A few lung tests are minimally invasive and involve taking blood samples, with little pain. The procedures can include measuring the volume that your lungs can hold, how rapidly you can breathe, and how well oxygen is transferring from your lungs to your blood. The test results will indicate if there is a problem and a diagnosis can begin from there.

Pulmonary doctors will set up follow-up visits and treatment plans if there is a diagnosis of a disease. However, it is also important to ask questions. Ask about resources to learn more about what is happening, if there are classes available on the topic, and what are all of the treatment options. It is also good to know the next steps to take and why, and if the condition has a cure, or can simply be maintained.

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

If you are interested in learning more about pulmonary doctors in the Seguin, TX, area, GRMC could help!