Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas, generally found in combustion fumes produced by charcoal grills, heaters, fireplaces, car engines, portable generators, car mufflers and more. (Kahn, 2018) Carbon Monoxide poisoning occurs when one inhales too much of these combustion fumes. The body replaces oxygen with carbon monoxide in the cells if there is too much carbon monoxide in the air you breathe, which prevents the oxygen from reaching your organs. Smoke inhalation during a … [Read more...] about Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Weakness
Vitamin D Deficiency
Known as the “Sunshine Vitamin”, Vitamin D is an extremely important having powerful effects on systems throughout your body. Vitamin D can be found in different sources such as sunlight, dairy foods, and certain vegetables. It is difficult for most of us to get enough of it without being intentional. Unlike other Vitamins, Vitamin D functions as a hormone, and every single cell in your body has a receptor for it. Every human body makes it from cholesterol when your skin is exposed to … [Read more...] about Vitamin D Deficiency
Asymptomatic or Mild COVID-19
Many people who catch COVID-19 -- maybe as many as 40%, by some estimates -- never develop noticeable symptoms. They don’t run a fever. They don’t cough or feel short of breath, and they don’t get the strange and numerous other symptoms that can be a sign of infection like frostbite-like bumps on the skin, diarrhea, or the loss of smell or taste. Asymptomatic COVID-19 Even though you may feel fine, or asymptomatic, COVID-19 is affecting lungs and lung function of asymptomatic COVID-19 … [Read more...] about Asymptomatic or Mild COVID-19
Heart Palpitations: When To Visit The ER
Ideally, many people barely notice their hearts beating, which is natural. However, any noticeable change in the heartbeat should be concerning, be it slow or fast. Chances are, you're experiencing what's usually known as "heart palpitations," a term for feeling your heart is beating hard, fast or erratically. Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they are usually harmless. In rare cases, they can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat … [Read more...] about Heart Palpitations: When To Visit The ER
Traumatic Brain Injury
National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month For decades, the Brain Injury Association of America has raised consciousness in observing Brain Injury Awareness Month by conducting an engaging public campaign each March. The current campaign we’re observing is “CHANGE YOUR MIND” (BIAA 2020). If we talk about the facts according to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, traumatic brain injuries accounted for nearly 2.2 million emergency department visits, 280,000 … [Read more...] about Traumatic Brain Injury
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
While Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a serious and debilitating disease; however, many individuals live full lives after diagnosis. Symptoms can come on suddenly and be extremely scary. This video from the National MS Society gives us a glimpse of how MS affects our health and lives. The big take-away from the video is that you are not alone with the disease, giving hope to those who have been diagnosed or who suspect they are having MS symptoms. What is Multiple Sclerosis? Multiple … [Read more...] about Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
What Are The Symptoms of The Flu?
Flu symptoms are elusive. We hear symptoms of illness described as “flu-like”. What does that mean? How can you know if what you are feeling is a cold, or something more serious like the flu? If you’ve ever had the flu virus, you know. Fever, body aches, sneezing, cough, weakness, and sometimes even vomiting are part of what makes up the flu. That sounds pretty awful. Anyone surviving a bout of the flu feels like they should have gotten a t-shirt to commemorate their accomplishment. There are … [Read more...] about What Are The Symptoms of The Flu?
Flu Vaccine Facts
When it comes to the flu vaccine, there are decisions to make. As a community healthcare provider, we are often asked questions about flu vaccine effectiveness, when to get the flu vaccine, what ages are affected most by the flu and what are flu vaccine side-effects. The most vulnerable populations when it comes to illness are the very young and the elderly. Infant bodies are working hard to build immunities. The elderly may have compromised immunities as a result of other illness or may be … [Read more...] about Flu Vaccine Facts
How Long Does The Flu Last?
During the flu season, I get asked a lot of questions about this predictable and sometimes deadly disease. Two of the most common questions are how long does the flu last and how long am I contagious. How Long Does It Last? On average, if you come down with the flu, you can expect to deal with the effects for about one to two weeks. The most severe symptoms tend to last 2 to 3 days but the accompanying weakness, fatigue, dry cough, and a reduced ability to exercise can linger much … [Read more...] about How Long Does The Flu Last?