Tag Archives: ipalc

04.05.17
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The truth about Salt

Including salt in your diet, for the average person, is just fine. We need sodium to be able to function properly. Moderation is key. Too much or too little can have negative effects.

What is salt’s role in our health?

Salt helps to maintain the electrical charge in cells It also distributes fluids. The nervous system requires it to function. Dietary salt also helps promote proper muscle function and movement.  In the intestines, sodium helps the body absorb chloride, amino acids,

It can also promote proper muscle function and movement.

On average you only need to replace about 2,000 milligrams of sodium each day.

The American Heart Association reports the average American takes in around 3,436 milligrams per day – far more than needed, which can lead to issues over time.

Too Much Salt:

  • Possibility of raised blood pressure
  • Brain tells you that your thirsty because of the increased salt in the body.
  • Kidneys try to rid the body of excess salt through urine.
  • Elevated blood pressure from too much salt can lead to an enlarged heart.
  • Extra pressure on the heart because of the presence of excess water in the blood.
  • Water retention and bloating.

Too Little Sodium

  • Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach.
  • Loss of proper muscle control.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Disorientation, seizures, brain damage.
  • Headache.
  • Cerebral edema (brain swelling).

Track your daily sodium by following serving information on food labels which also list the amount of sodium per serving.

If you’re experiencing any symptoms consult a doctor to determine what the cause could be. Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid, & Wellness in Fort Myers can give you a dietary assessment and determine what amount of dietary salt you should be ingesting. To book an appointment with Dr. Kordonowy, click here or call 239-362-3006, ext. 200. Or to find a doctor in your area visit www.ipalc.org/find.

03.17.17
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ER or Urgent Care?

ER

ERHealthcare is more confusing than ever these days. If an unexpected illness or injury were to happen, do you know where to go?

Being treated in an emergency care facility may be convenient but it also generally costs two to three times for than a standard doctor.

Here are some helpful tips on how to decide if you really need to go to the ER.

Call 911 immediately if you or someone else:

  • Has stopped breathing
  • Is choking
  • Has sustained head injury
  • Is passing out, fainting, or has confusion
  • Has possibly sustained an injury to neck or spine
  • Inability to move
  • Electric shock
  • Severe burn
  • Severe chest pain or pressure
  • Seizure that lasted 3 to 5 minutes

Go to an emergency department or call 911 for help for problems such as:

  • Breathing issues
  • Passing out, losing consciousness
  • Pain in the arm or jaw
  • A headache that starts suddenly and is more painful than usual
  • Suddenly not able to speak, see, walk, or move
  • Suddenly weak or drooping on one side of the body
  • Dizziness or weakness (persistent)
  • Inhaled smoke or poisonous fumes
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Sudden confusion
  • Serious burn
  • Possible broken bone
  • Wound
  • Coughing up or throwing up blood
  • Severe pain anywhere on the body
  • Severe allergic reaction with trouble breathing, swelling, hives
  • High fever + a headache and stiff neck
  • High fever that does not get better with medicine
  • Throwing up or loose stools that do not stop
  • Poisoning or overdose of drug or alcohol
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Seizures

Go to an Urgent Care

Urgent care facilities are wonderful if you have issues and cannot wait for a regular doctors appointment, yet they are also not life threatening.

Commonly treated ailments can include:

  • Colds
  • Influenza
  • Earaches
  • Sore throat
  • Migraines
  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Sprains
  • Back pain
  • Minor cuts and burns,
  • Broken bones (minor)
  • eye injuries (minor)

Suggestion

On the back of your health insurance card is usually a hotline where you can call and speak to a nurse for advice. Call this number and tell the nurse your symptoms. They will then issue advice on what best to do next.

To find a doctor in Lee County, go to http://ipalc.org/find/
For emergency personnel, dial 911

Google “Urgent Care Near Me” to find urgent care facilities in your area.

03.14.17
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Chronic Sinusitis

Do you suffer seasonally or year round from bouts of fatigue accompanied by a stuffy nose, sore throat, watery eyes, and headache?

All are signature sinus issues. All can make your life downright miserable. It is sometimes hard to distinguish if you are experiencing allergies or a cold. Proper diagnosis and treatment can lead to quicker recovery and less suffering.

All are signatures of chronic sinusitis.

Sinusitis can make you feel just downright rotten and unable to cope with daily life. When persistent it can be difficult to tell the difference between a cold or allergies. Diagnosing the condition properly will lead to the quickest recovery.

Both colds and allergies can trigger sinus issues. When the mucus cannot drain properly it can lead to increased pressure resulting in pain and eventually infection can set in.

Those who have allergies or asthma are the most likely to develop sinusitis as their sinus tissue becomes swollen when breathing in allergy triggers like pollen, smoke or dust.

Sinusitis will generally heal without antibiotics if you have a good immune system in about two weeks. If you are still experiencing the same level of symptoms or they have gotten worse over the first two week period consult your doctor.

Self Care: Heat packs, nasal decongestants, nasal sprays, humidifiers or salt water rinse with a net pot, breathing in essential oils of peppermint or eucalyptus may ease symptoms.

If you have allergies, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of sinusitis. Your doctor may recommend ongoing treatments such as allergy shots or medication which can help to control inflammation. Avoidance of allergy triggers is always advised if possible.

To find a board certified ENT or Immunologist in Lee County visit www.ipalc.org/find

02.06.17
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Skin Cancer Micro Surgery – Mohs

If you have been diagnosed with basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma your doctor may suggest Mohs as a viable treatment option.

Mohs microsurgery may be recommended when:

  • The tumor is very large
  • Rapidly spreading cancers
  • The cancerous cells have come back
  • There is scar tissue in the area of the cancer cells
  • The tumor is large
  • The edges cannot be clearly defined
  • The cancer is in an area where function preservation is vital 

What is Mohs surgery?

This type of surgery is done with a microscope which allows surgeons to trace cancerous cells down to the very root, ensuring full removal. It is most widely utilized to treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

Because of the precise nature of the surgery, it is the most minimally invasive allowing for less chance or scarring or disfigurement.

During the procedure

The surgeon will remove the tumor as well as a thin layer of tissue surrounding it. They will create a drawing of the removed area which can be used as a guide if any remaining cells need to be further removed.

If microscopic analysis still shows evidence of remaining cancer cells, the process then continues layer-by-layer until the cancerous cells are eradicated. 

The intent is to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible making the recovery as full as nature permits. Sometimes reconstructive surgery is necessary due to size or shape of removal.

Who are the surgeons who perform Mohs?

These surgeons specialize in both pathology and dermatology. They remove only the cancerous tissue leaving healthy cells untouched. This skill level minimizes the cosmetic impact of the surgery itself while increasing the likelihood of a positive outcome.

The cure rate using this technology is the highest among all skin cancer treatment procedures – up to 99% even when other treatments have previously failed.

Visit www.ipalc.org/find to locate a dermatological surgeon in Lee county, Florida.

02.01.17
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Can you actually freeze your fat away?

Coolsculpting

According to the science on which Cryolipolysis® is based, you can. A new technique called Cool Sculpting has hit the market and is doing wonders for patients who wish to target certain areas for fat loss.

While not intended as a weight loss replacement or alternative, Cool Sculping is ideal for those with problem areas that do not seem to reshape or respond to exercise and diet alone.

Based on an observation made my scientists while studying children eating popsicles, this procedure is non-invasive. Scientists at Harvard noticed that some children who ate popsicles formed dimples in their cheeks. Dieter Manstein, MD and R. Rox Anderson, MD concluded that the popsicles were freezing off small pockets of fat cells and that this might be useful in other applications.

That is the basis for Cryolipolysis®, the science on which the CoolSculpting procedure is founded. Cold can target fat cells without damaging the skin or surrounding tissue.

 Coolsculpting reduces the number of fat cells in the treated area by as much as 25%. During weight loss, the fat cells are not eliminated, they just shrink. Fat cells when eliminated, never return. 

Treatments are customized to your body and tailored to fit your goals.  It has been FDA approved and has been performed safely for millions of people. Side effects are rare, generally mild and usually subside fairly quickly.

If you are interested in CoolSculpting you can find a board certified dermatologist in the SW Florida area by visiting www.ipalc.org/find