Tag Archives: medical-issues

Treatment for Strains & Sprains

by: José Zarzuela, M.D.

With the great summer weather, more of my patients are hitting the tennis court, biking, running or taking up water sports. But with more- or new- activities can come minor sports-related injuries.

The first-course of treatment I recommend for most minor sprains (twisted or wrenched ligaments) and strains (overstretched muscles or tendons) is the PRICE method:

  • Protect the injured area
  • Rest the affected limb or area
  • Ice or apply a cold pack right after injury
  • Compress lightly with an ace bandage or brace
  • Elevate the injured limb to reduce swelling and speed healing

If you don’t feel improvement in a few days, follow up with your doctor.

Jose Zarzuela, M.D.

Dr. José Zarzuela practices at the MPCP Pasadena office.

What You Should Know About Lyme Disease

by Janice Rutkowski, M.D.

Lyme disease is caused by an organism which resides in deer ticks. The northeastern United States is a prevalent area for the disease, with over 20% of ticks affected. Lyme disease is most frequently seen in the summertime; and you do not have to go camping or hike in the woods to contract the disease;  even gardening can expose you to the organism.

The typical case of Lyme disease begins after an incubation period of 3 to 32 days with a red rash exhibited in 75% of individuals, though 25% have no sign of the illness. The rash starts as a flat red spot and expands to form a large round or oval lesion, sometimes with a bright red outer border and partial clearing in the center – this is the classic “bull’s eye lesion”. It’s usually not painful, but within days of the onset, the disease can spread in the bloodstream and cause severe headache, pain in joints and profound fatigue. These symptoms can resolve on their own within weeks without treatment, but can lead to meningitis, nerve disorders, chronic arthritis, and cardiac abnormalities.

The diagnosis of Lyme disease is made by a doctor’s exam and a blood test, though the blood tests are often negative. Treatment includes antibiotics and if diagnosed early, is curative. See your doctor immediately if you are concerned you have been bitten by an infected tick or show signs or symptoms indicative of Lyme disease.

To learn more about what to do after a tick bite to prevent Lyme disease click on this link courtesy of UpToDate.com: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/what-to-do-after-a-tick-bite-to-prevent-lyme-disease-beyond-the-basics

Janice Rutkowski, M.D.Dr. Rutkowski is a Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC partner and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of Limoges in 1981 and completed her residency program in Internal Medicine at Maryland General Hospital in 1984.

Got Back Pain? Help keep it in check.

by Konni Bringman, M.D.

back-painLow back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide according to a recent study. I see a lot of back issues in my practice. It’s not surprising since our back is literally our body’s support system, made up or more than 30 bones, and hundreds of nerves, muscles and tendons. All of those moving parts mean our back can be vulnerable to problems or injury.

Some research says that eight in ten people will have acute or chronic low back pain at some point in their lives. But there’s a concern that some of these people are getting invasive procedures, or taking long- term strong medications to deal with back pain when conservative methods may be the right approach—and actually just as effective.

First, knowing the cause of an individual’s back pain is key. Did you lift something heavy? Injure it while exercising? Do you have osteoarthritis due to aging? Are you under stress? Or carrying extra weight? Do you sit at a desk most of the day? Many of these things can cause or trigger back issues. A general physical can often tell us the likely cause of back pain, but there are also MRIs and other tests to give us a clear picture of the problem.

Once we’ve ruled out serious injury, here are the first-course things I recommend to help manage most back pain:

  • Chill it. If you’ve “pulled something” in you back or injured it playing a sport, ice is best in the first 24-48 hours to reduce inflammation. After that, you can switch to heat if you prefer. If pain persists or you feel tingling, numbness or weakness in your legs, talk to your doctor. It could be a disk problem that needs attention.
  • Rest, but keep moving. Our spines are meant to move so keep up your daily activity as much as possible without causing too much pain. Don’t overdo it, lifting things, etc. but don’t baby your back either so that you lose mobility. Seeing a physical therapist for specific exercises may be suggested.
  • Think about posture and ergonomics. Change your workspace so you don’t have to hunch forward to see your computer monitor. Use a desk chair with low back support, or even a stool that keeps your knees a bit higher than your hips to help your lower back. When standing or walking try to keep your head up, shoulders back and stomach pulled in as much as possible.
  • Sleep position and support. For those with chronic back pain, a change in sleeping position or the right pillow can sometimes help. Talk with your doctor or a physical therapist for suggestions.
  • Stay fit/Correct weight. Once your back pain has lessened, the best way to prevent its return is to strengthen the muscles that support the back- your “core”- and work on flexibility. Many like yoga for this. Staying near your ideal weight will also put less strain on your back, so try to lose extra pounds!
  • Stretching & Lifting. Don’t sit slumped at your desk or in front of the TV for too long. Get up every 20 minutes or so and stretch your back and your legs. Also learn how to lift correctly, so you’re using your knees and body, not just your back. If you can, push rather than pull heavy objects. If your work requires lifting or pulling, wear a back brace.
  • Keep in touch. Talk with your doctor about OTC or prescription medications that are best for back pain. If your back pain persists, you can discuss other treatments, including injections, therapy or surgical options.
Konni Bringman, M.D.Dr. Bringman is a Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC partner and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She received her medical degree from University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1994 and completed her residency program in Family Practice at Franklin Square Hospital Center in 1997.

Stroke Warnings – Remember F.A.S.T.

A Q&A with Dr. James Chaconas

doctorQ: What exactly is a stroke?

A: A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery, or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to an area of the brain. The result is that brain cells begin to die and brain damage can occur. Minutes count when someone’s having a stroke.

Q: Are there specific warning signs?

A: The key warning signs of a stroke are sudden onset of symptoms- usually numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. The person can also have trouble speaking, seem confused or have trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Another common symptom is dizziness or a sudden severe headache with no known cause. If you personally sense these symptoms, or see them in someone you are with, call 9-1-1 immediately. Some women also report symptoms of sudden hiccups, nausea or shortness of breath.
The National Stroke Association has come up with the acronym F.A.S.T. to help people remember the signs of stroke:
F= Face drooping. Does one side of the face droop? Ask the person to smile and see if it looks uneven.
A= Arm weakness. Is one arm weak/numb? Ask them to raise both arms and see if one drifts downward.
S= Speech difficulty. Are they slurring words or hard to understand? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
T= Time to call 9-1-1.ll know when the first symptoms appeared.

Q: Why is time so critical?

A: The most effective stroke treatments must be applied within the first three hours of symptoms. We have anti-platelet medications and certain procedures that can help get blood flow returned to the brain before there is permanent damage. That 3 hour window is critical, so make sure you share the signs of stroke with your family. You may help save a life.