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South Carolina summers can bring on intense heat and humidity, and it’s essential to be aware of the dangers of heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion can become severe and fatal quickly if not recognized early on, as it can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. At MD First Primary & Urgent Care, we’re here to explore how to handle South Carolina heat exhaustion to help you stay safe and healthy during the summer months.
In South Carolina, the sun alone can be relentless for months on end, and when combined with the high humidity factors, it can be extra trouble for those who regularly work outside and spend time outdoors. That’s why it’s essential to know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and its dangerous relative, heat stroke, and learn what to do if you find yourself experiencing them.
The best way to handle heat exhaustion is to prevent it. Here are some tips for preventing heat exhaustion.
However, if you can’t prevent it immediately, paying attention to any symptoms that may come around during your time outdoors is important. Some symptoms to pay attention to include:
Recognizing the symptoms early on can help you take action to cool down. When cooling down, remove any excess clothing and use a cool compress or a cold shower to lower your body temperature. During that time, rehydrate with cool fluids to replace any lost fluids. Rest during this time, and if symptoms don’t improve or worsen, seek medical attention immediately by calling your nearest urgent care center for treatment.
At MD First Primary & Urgent Care, we understand what the South Carolina heat can do and strive to keep our patients safe and healthy. If you’re experiencing any signs of heat exhaustion or have concerns about how to stay cool during the summer months, our team is here to help. To learn more about our services, schedule an appointment today by calling (803) 283-2300. Visit our practice in Lancaster, SC, and Dr. Amrendra Kumar and Kasey Hudson will gladly help you.
While we talk about the common cold like a single disease, it describes symptoms shared by numerous diseases. Among the diseases in question are included both bacterial infections and viral infections. This is why some colds can be difficult to overcome, while others can seem to pass in a couple of days. Further, the severity of the symptoms themselves can vary. Some may come with a mild fever, others with lots of sneezing, while others may produce worse congestion than others. One variety, known as respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, can have significant symptoms that can become life-threatening when left untreated in some patients. MD First Primary & Urgent Care is available to help you, and has produced this guide to help you determine when a common cold may be RSV.
On the surface, RSV shares many symptoms that appear with most common colds. However, with this infection comes the potential for significant complications that make it more dangerous than most. While most of those who develop RSV will recover quickly and without concern, vulnerable patients may develop more severe symptoms. These patients tend to include children, the elderly, and those with suppressed immune systems. The most significant differences between RSV and most common colds include:
RSV has no known cure, though some treatments are available for managing the condition’s symptoms. Most patients will not need any specific approach to recover from RSV. However, when treatment of the symptoms is necessary, the following options are available:
If you’re concerned that you may be struggling with something more than a common cold, it’s time to call (803) 283-2300 and schedule your next appointment or drop into our urgent care. We’ll provide you with prompt care and help ensure that you’re prepared to help prevent more severe symptoms from this condition. Don’t let that “common cold” become a life-threatening condition; call us today and set your mind at ease about the possibility of RSV.
Tinnitus is an internal sound that has no external cause. While for some people, it sounds like ringing; it can also sound like whistling, buzzing, chirping, hissing, humming, roaring, or even screaming. The sound may be coming from one or both ears, the interior of the head, or a distance away. It might be continuous or sporadic, steady or pulsing.
Nearly everyone has experienced tinnitus briefly following exposure to loud sounds. Attending a loud concert, for instance, might cause transient tinnitus. Some medicines can create tinnitus that goes away after the drug is stopped, notably aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used in high dosages. Chronic tinnitus is the term for tinnitus that lasts longer than six months. This illness affects as many as 50 to 60 million persons in the US; it is most prevalent in those over 55 and is closely linked to hearing loss. Tinnitus is seldom a symptom that someone is going deaf or has any significant medical condition, despite the concerns of many individuals who think it is. However, there are a few medications that can cause or worsen tinnitus. Those medications include:
It’s crucial to consult your doctor if you experience tinnitus. They will gather information about your medical history, perform an exam, and run several tests to identify the problem’s origin. Your doctor will go through any drugs you’re taking, your previous and present exposure to noise, and your medical history. Numerous drugs, especially those used in larger quantities, might cause tinnitus as a side effect.
The most typical kind of tinnitus, which is continuous, constant, and high-pitched, typically points to an issue with the auditory system and necessitates hearing testing by an audiologist. A medical assessment is required for pulsatile tinnitus, especially if the noise is persistent. To look for a tumor or aberrant blood artery, MRI or CT imaging may be required. This is also an excellent time to assess your general health, including your food, physical activity, sleep, and stress level, and take action to improve these. Your general health can influence the degree and effect of tinnitus. By using medicine or psychotherapy to manage depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and pain, you may also be able to lessen the effects of tinnitus.
If you often encounter loud noises at work or home, it’s crucial to use protection, such as earplugs, earmuff-like or custom-fitted devices, to lower your chance of hearing loss (or future hearing loss). However, MD First Primary and Urgent Care can assist if you seek long-term care. To schedule an appointment, call Dr. Amrendra Kumar and Kasey Hudson at (803) 283-2300.
Constipation is a condition that is indicated when your newborn has stools that are dry and hard. By definition, this condition can result in difficult bowel movements that cause your baby to strain and become frustrated. It’s often uncomfortable for the baby, leading to stomach pain until the stools are moved. This condition frequently occurs around when babies are transitioning from milk to a solid food diet. It can also occur in those who are breastfeeding or still on formula. Some mothers make the mistake of thinking transitioning their child from breastmilk to solid food will help alleviate constipation. While this isn’t effective, there are steps you can take to help.
One thing that can make constipation difficult to identify is that “normal bowel movements” vary from baby to baby. Not every child is going to have bowel movements on a consistent schedule, nor are they necessarily going to have them as often as other children. The only important thing is that your baby feels content and looks healthy, regardless of how often they have a bowel movement. However, if you notice that your baby’s feces are frequently dry or quite hard, speak to your physician. You may also want to speak to your child’s doctor in cases where they demonstrate notable discomfort when they have a bowel movement.
Thankfully, the most common reason for a baby to develop constipation is a change in diet. Some examples include:
Another possible factor leading to constipation is an insufficient amount of fiber finding its way into your child’s diet. Even with plenty of water and a healthy diet, it’s possible for your child to become constipated without enough fiber. Constipation can also be caused by nerve conditions, thyroid conditions, metabolic conditions, and issues impacting the spinal cord. Thankfully, these are checked for at multiple stages in your child’s development, so your doctor will tell you if they’re a concern.
You can help your baby when they’re constipated by ensuring they’re receiving enough water in their diet. You can also gently knead their abdomen to help the bowels kick in and move the stools. Warm baths have been known to help, as has adding more vegetables and fruits to your child’s diet. After nine months of age, you can include stewed apricots or prunes to help promote healthy bowel movements.
Want to be prepared to help your baby when constipation rears its head? Contact our facility at (803) 283-2300 or visit our urgent care clinic in Lancaster, SC. We’ll perform a normal health check to ensure your child is developing well and not having any other identifiable concerns. Then we’ll take steps to help you alleviate your child’s discomfort and avoid constipation in the future.
To be safe, you should get a medical checkup if your breathing changes, mainly if they occur suddenly or persist. Most doctors advise scheduling a diagnostic examination when you notice breathing problems to receive the proper care. They offer on-site diagnostic testing to determine the cause of your problems and create therapy plans to help you feel better quickly.
Conditions impairing your ability to breathe and giving your body the oxygen it needs to operate are respiratory issues. Various medical illnesses and environmental factors can lead to respiratory problems. Flu, Asthma, Sinusitis, Allergies, Bacterial Infections (Strep Throat), and Viral Infections are just a few of the conditions we can identify and treat in-office. (colds and pneumonia). The following are possible symptoms of a lung condition:
Since many lung and heart conditions have identical symptoms, pulmonologists frequently consult with cardiologists when diagnosing patients. They are also commonly observed in medical facilities. A pulmonologist will manage the part of a patient’s treatment requiring manual ventilation or life support to breathe. Although pulmonologists can concentrate even further, the respiratory system is a specialty in and of itself. Asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD are just a few of the diseases that some of these physicians specialize in, while others specialize in treating particular patient populations, such as children or the elderly.
Breathing problems may also be accompanied by additional signs such as sweating and a runny nose. You must contact 911 right away if you feel dizzy or lose consciousness to get immediate medical help. The COVID-19 virus can also cause anxiety and respiratory problems. You must schedule a diagnostic evaluation with our Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic staff as soon as possible, particularly if you’re not vaccinated, due to how contagious and complicated this disease is.
Accurate diagnosis is the first stage in treating respiratory diseases. A pulmonologist will perform spirometry, blood tests, chest X-rays, CT scans, bronchoscopies, and sleep studies to identify chronic lung illness. Even if you have already completed these tests, your pulmonologist may ask you to do so again to ensure the accuracy of the findings. A pulmonologist will design a treatment strategy once they have decided. A heart and lung surgeon will carry it out if you need an operation. In addition, a pulmonologist will use drugs, treatments, and pulmonary therapy to assist you in getting better.
Many physicians build relationships with regional experts to send their patients to medical professionals whose work they are familiar with and confident in. Ask your primary care physician for a pulmonologist referral if you are still waiting for a diagnosis. Your health insurance provider may demand that you obtain an expert referral. If you have health insurance, see if this is stated in the policy’s small print.
If you require care for a respiratory illness, contact MD First Primary & Urgent Care in the Lancaster, South Carolina region at (803) 283-2300 to arrange a consultation with Dr. Amrendra Kumar and Kasey Hudson.
Coronary artery disease, alongside other types of heart disease, are conditions that affect how the heart operates and receives oxygen-rich blood to your system. Symptoms can go unnoticed for decades, and it’s only through a heart-healthy lifestyle that heart disease can be prevented. However, changing your eating habits is often tricky, and when you have years of unhealthy eating, it can be challenging to make those life-long changes. But a heart-healthy diet can work with your lifestyle if you know what to eat and avoid.
To help you start a heart-healthy diet, knowing what to avoid first is essential. So many of the foods we have today can contain processed ingredients and unhealthy sugars, fats, and sodium levels that can impact your heart over time. Some key features in food to avoid when changing your diet include:
Changing your diet requires time, patience, and dedication, but it’s important to adjust your diet to your lifestyle to make it work for you. Sometimes cheat days are needed to help you maintain your morale. Other times, new recipes need to be explored to make your diet more interesting to your tastebuds. But to best maintain your heart health, diet, exercise, and planning is the key.
At MD First Primary & Urgent Care, Dr. Amrendra Kumar and Kasey Hudson can provide excellent care for your heart through our primary care services in Lancaster, SC. We work to provide care for all of our patients in a timely, effective manner and help our patients live the best, healthiest lives. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling (803) 283-2300.
Most people have admitted to telling a familiar story if they ever arranged a wellness exam. Even with the best intentions, consulting a doctor for preventive care is inconvenient. Individuals find that to be problematic. Companies, however, also struggle with it. Many individuals have health insurance through their jobs, and their medical costs go up when they don’t have access to primary care.
Most people think of primary care as usual, regular medical care provided by an internist, a family practitioner, a nurse practitioner, or a healthcare provider. People go there first for most medical problems, including the common cold and sprained feet. A primary care component that seeks to maintain patients’ health is preventive care (or sicker). Immunizations for children returning to school, blood tests to check their cholesterol and insulin levels, and risk factor education are also covered. How does receiving fundamental care help you stay healthy?
In the US, there is an issue with primary care access. Concerning its origins, there are many different viewpoints. There are also concerns that specialties in areas like the heart are replacing internal and family medicine. The primary care issue is being resolved independently by numerous organizations. Hundreds of clients have concluded that having direct access to care is the most efficient way to preserve their dependents’ health while lowering costs. We help them set up local clinics, clinics nearby, and online health options that make scheduling doctor appointments easy and practical.
We offer the widest variety of services in our sector, including numerous options for primary care. Unlike a fee-for-service payment model, our providers are committed to the member populations they support. As a result, they can spend more time building confidence with members during each session. Contact us at (803) 283-2300 immediately to begin your search for a new doctor!
A primary care provider (PCP) is a medical professional who treats patients with typical health issues. Doctors are most frequently this individual. However, a PCP could also be a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Your PCP frequently takes a long time to get engaged in your care. Therefore, picking a physician, you can get along with is crucial.
In non-emergency circumstances, your primary healthcare provider is a PCP. Your primary care physician’s (PCP) duties include the following:
Most of the time, primary care is given in an outpatient environment. However, based on the situation, your PCP might help with or oversee your care if you are admitted to the hospital. You can develop a long-term, trusting rapport with one doctor by choosing a PCP. There are several distinct PCP types from which to choose. Going to an urgent care facility rather than a hospital emergency room is typically preferable if a health issue arises and you do not have a primary care physician. Often, you’ll save time and money by doing this. Numerous emergency rooms have recently increased their service offerings, including urgent treatment inside or nearby. Speak with the facility first to learn more.
Your medical “home” is your primary care physician. For most medical needs, such as wellness check-ups and regular screenings, non-emergency illnesses like earaches and sore throats, and the doctor you talk with about your health questions and concerns, it’s the doctor you see. Consider the following factors as well when selecting a PCP:
While some patient-primary care relationships can last for decades, others will end if you relocate or change insurance. No matter how frequently you intend to visit your general care physician, the connection is crucial. Nothing can tell you if you’ve chosen the right doctor, like a visit to their workplace and a face-to-face discussion.
Most insurance plans enable you to switch your primary care physician at any time during the plan year if, for any reason, you are not satisfied with your selection. However, getting your foot in the door by starting with MD First Primary & Urgent Care is a surefire method to do so. Contact us at (803) 283-2300 to locate the ideal doctor.
As an essential part of any fitness program, strength training is a crucial part of helping maintain your body’s strength and comes with many benefits. At MD First Primary and Urgent Care, we’re here to help outline those benefits and give insight into how it benefits your health.
Strength training, also known as resistance training or weight training, works with resistance to create muscular contractions and build muscle over time. This type of exercise is based on the concept that when the muscles overcome a resistance force, the muscles become stronger, and it is considered an essential part of a well-rounded fitness program. Its purpose is to enhance your body’s muscle mass, as muscle mass naturally diminishes with age and causes an increase in body fat percentage over time without exercise.
When placed in an overall fitness program, strength training can provide many physical and mental health benefits, such as:
Strength training provides your body with the necessary work to make your body stronger. As you incorporate strength exercises into your routine, this exercise can provide you with fantastic benefits that will last a lifetime.
Strength training, when combined with aerobic exercise and a healthy diet, is considered one of the best ways to manage your health for life. However, diet and exercise present one of the biggest challenges for people attempting to confront chronic conditions such as obesity, fibromyalgia, and heart disease. Through your primary care provider, they can provide you with the tips and methods you need to help you become more active, lose weight, and, most of all, achieve the healthiest version of yourself.
At MD First Primary & Urgent Care, our team of physicians is here for you through all stages of your health. Call us today to schedule an appointment at our practice to learn more about our services and find out about what we can provide for diet changes, exercise routines, pain management, and more.
Gout is when uric acid collects in and around joints, most commonly the big toe. As it settles there, it begins to develop crystals that can cause a notable amount of pain. However, the significant pain resulting from uric acid crystals in the joints is a minor issue compared to the potential risks of elevated uric acid levels in your system. Uric acid can cause severe damage to multiple organs within the body, most notably the kidneys, and increases the risk of developing certain disorders. MD First Primary & Urgent Care is available to help you get your gout under control and reduce the uric acid levels in your system.
Sleep apnea, depression, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are all conditions that are more likely to occur in those who have elevated levels of uric acid. It’s essential to understand the potential risks that are posed by gout and the associated uric acid. When you understand the impact of these factors, it makes it easier to adopt a healthier diet, become more active, and drop weight. All of these factors can improve your symptoms and reduce your risks.
When gout occurs, it’s an important warning sign that things in your body are becoming unbalanced. Further, your overall health is entering a state of decline, but there’s usually time to turn back at this stage. Some topics our team will discuss with you after a gout diagnosis may include the following:
These are the most prominent concerns faced by those who are living with gout, in addition to gout itself.
If you’re concerned you may be developing gout, or are already experiencing symptoms, call our offices today. You can either come in for a walk-in visit or schedule an appointment at a convenient time. During your visit, we’ll discuss your symptoms and other health concerns and help develop a treatment plan to begin turning the tide against gout.