Tag Archives: arundel mills

Do We Really Need Seasonal Vaccines?

A Q&A with Dr. Janice Rutkowski

Q: If I haven’t gotten the flu vaccine, isn’t it too late?

A: In Maryland, the flu season extends from December to May, so it is still important to get the vaccine. The flu can be very severe with symptoms that include headache, body ache, fever up to 105 degrees, coughing and sore throat. It can be extremely serious in the very young and very old. To lessen your chance of getting the flu, the Centers for Disease Control suggests that all patients over six months of age get the vaccine.

Q: Can’t the vaccine actually give you the flu?

A: No. Less than 1% if people getting the vaccine will have “flu-like” symptoms from it. If you’ve ever had an anaphylactic reaction to chicken eggs or prior flu vaccines, or have moderate or severe illness with a fever over 102 degrees, then the vaccine isn’t recommended. But most people tolerate it very well.

Q: Are there other vaccines you suggest at this time of year?

A: Yes, for adults over age 50, I recommend they consider the shingles vaccine. Also, if you’re over 65, are a smoker, or suffer from adult asthma or heart/lung disease, I suggest a pneumonia vaccine.

Q: Why a shingles vaccine?

A: Shingles is a very painful skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chicken pox; it can lie dormant in our bodies and reappear at times of stress or when our immune system is weakened. The vaccine is available for those over 50 and recommended strongly for those over 60. It reduces the risk of getting shingles by 51% and shows a 66% decrease in pain following an infection. As always, talk to your personal doctor about these vaccinations.

Janice Rutkowski, M.D.Dr. Janice Rutkowski is a board certified Internal Medicine specialist and MPCP partner. She received her medical degree from the University of Limoges and completed her residency program in Internal Medicine at Maryland General Hospital in 1984.

Sleep

by Falana Carter, M.D.
Man falling asleep while working at laptop.

Falling asleep anytime you sit down, or waking up after a full night’s sleep and still feeling tired? In addition, are you experiencing issues with body aches, poor concentration, headaches and weight gain? The answer to these problems may not be your thyroid, stress at the job or your sinuses, but may be the result of inadequate sleep.

Sleep apnea is a disorder when little or no breathing occurs for a few seconds to minutes, several times, while sleeping. Most people who have it do not have any awareness of not breathing while asleep. The decrease in oxygen in the brain associated with sleep apnea can lead to irritability, problems with concentration, memory and learning. Inadequate sleep impacts your metabolism, increases blood pressure and raises blood sugar. Poor sleep does not allow your body to repair damage, fight infection, store energy or make new cells.

Most adults require six to eight hours of sleep to feel refreshed and alert. A few tips that can improve your sleep and overall health:

  1. Stop all stimulants at least one hour before bed. E.G., coffee, tea, soda, exercise
  2. Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet. E.G., no TV, computer, texting
  3. Mind relaxation by writing down to-do lists or concerns prior to bed, to power down the brain before sleep
  4. See your primary care physician for possible sleep apnea evaluation

 

Falana Carter, M.D.

Dr. Falana Carter is a physician at the MPCP Arundel Mills site.

Vitamin D Deficiency is a Common Problem

Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are very common findings in primary care practice today. Low vitamin D levels are found year-round but are more prevalent in the winter months. The main source of our vitamin D is the sun, but with concerns about skin cancer and premature aging of the skin many of us avoid sun exposure and wear sunscreen.  While that is appropriate for those concerns, we are failing to get the adequate amount of vitamin D necessary for optimal health.

Vitamin D occurs naturally in limited foods like fish, eggs, mushrooms and beef liver.  Some foods are fortified with vitamin D, like milk, cereals, and cheese, but are still inadequate in providing sufficient amounts.

Here in Maryland from approximately November through March, even the sun cannot supply enough vitamin D. Additionally, depending on your skin color, you may have more difficulty absorbing vitamin D from the sun since higher melanin in the skin decreases natural absorption. Many of us will need to take a vitamin D supplement to maintain adequate levels.

Vitamin D along with calcium is important for bone health. Without enough vitamin D we are at increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Some people with decreased levels of vitamin D suffer with bone and muscle pain and fatigue. Low vitamin D has also been implicated in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and many other chronic health conditions, and the research is ongoing.

To determine your vitamin D status, you will need to have your blood level checked.  Your healthcare provider can then determine if a supplemental dosage is needed and how frequently this should be monitored.

 

WPMeade_LLisa Meade, Physician Assistant, practices in MPCP’s  Arundel Mills office. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from Towson University, and received her Physician Assistant certification from Essex Community College. Ms. Meade has over 25 years of experience as a certified Physician Assistant in primary care medicine.