Fourth of July Fireworks Fun and Safety

Although the Fourth of July is truly meant to celebrate our country's independence with extravagant fireworks displays and great fanfare, it is also an opportunity for individuals to put on their own backyard celebrations.  Before this year, Georgians were relegated to sparklers and smaller fireworks without much bang.  New laws went into effect today allowing Georgians to purchase and play with the larger fireworks that before were only available in neighboring states.  For more information on those new laws, click here to watch this 11 Alive news segment. 

While this may mean more fun for the Fourth of July, it also means more danger for those who don't handle their fireworks safely.  After decades of working in Emergency Rooms across the country and in the Metro Atlanta area, the ER Doctors at Urgent Care at Peachtree are all too familiar with the dangers of fireworks.  Dr. Ferrara said, "We have seen burns and massive wounds and even life and limb-threatening injuries as a result of fireworks mishandling.  All of those could have been avoided with some simple precautions."

With that in mind, Urgent Care at Peachtree is sharing a great infographic here that was put together by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission about fireworks injuries and safety.

"We want everyone to appreciate, enjoy and celebrate on the Fourth of July...we just want them to do it safely," says Dr. Ferrara.  

Everyone at Urgent Care at Peachtree hopes you have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Is it Spring Allergies or a Sinus Infection?

It’s raining pollen in Atlanta, and you can’t stop sneezing.  How can you tell if your symptoms are related to allergies or if you might have something more serious, like a sinus infection?

According to Dr. Anthony Ferrara at Urgent Care at Peachtree, here are some symptoms that are likely to indicate allergies:



• Watery Eyes
• Stuffy Nose
• Sneezing
• Loss of smell or taste
• Cold symptoms that last for more than 10 days with no fever
• Constant sniffling
• Dark circles under the eyes

If these are your only symptoms, it is most likely an allergy.

Allergies are simply your immune system reacting to foreign substances, like pollen.  When your immune system reacts to pollen, it releases histamines causing a myriad of different symptoms.

On the other hand, Dr. Ferrara says that sinus infections result from blocked mucous becoming infected with bacteria.  And, severe upper respiratory allergies can lead to a sinus infection.  The symptoms for sinus infection include:

• Facial or dental pain
• Headache
• Sensation of pressure
• Congestion
• Green nasal discharge
• Eye pain
• Fever
• Malaise
• Bad breath
• Nighttime cough

Sinus infections are often the result of a cold or allergies that have been present for at least 10 days.

Regardless of the cause of your sinus symptoms, if they last more than 4 days, you should see a doctor to ensure that you don’t have a medical issue that needs treatment.

With so much pollen in the air, if you do suffer from allergies, remember to wash your hair, face and hands and change your clothes after being outside to help reduce the amount of pollen you are exposed to in the Spring.  It may be raining pollen outside, but you don’t have to bring it in with you!

Urgent Care at Peachtree Top Three - March 26, 2015

The doctors at Urgent Care at Peachtree want you to know why the familiar Blue Bell Ice Cream logo has been in the news recently. They are also bringing good news concerning your morning coffee and sharing the amazing contributions 3D printing is bringing to the field of medicine.

1. More Products Are Recalled Over Listeria Fears - NY Times

A food-borne illness that contributed to the deaths of three people has been traced to a second production facility operated by Blue Bell Ice Cream, a company spokesman and health officials said Tuesday.
 http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/25/us/oklahoma-more-products-are-recalled-over-listeria-fears.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

2. Coffee in the morning may pack more than just an energy boost. - Medical News Today

The potential health benefits associated with drinking coffee include: protecting against type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, liver disease, liver cancer, and promoting a healthy heart.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270202.php

3. 3-D printing furthers medical advancements - The Wellesley News

Scientists have used the technology of 3-D printing to create everything from life-like prosthetics to teeth and bones, making many medical practices faster and more personalized.

http://thewellesleynews.com/2015/03/11/3-d-printing-furthers-medical-advancements/

Urgent Care at Peachtree is focused on helping to create a healthier Atlanta and be there for you when you or your family’s health is compromised. 

So, look for more “Urgent Care at Peachtree Top Three” posts to come, and let us know what health topics you are reading about, too.

Urgent Care at Peachtree is Atlanta’s only local ER Doctor-owned urgent care open 7 nights every week from 6pm to 11pm.

Urgent Care at Peachtree Top Three - February 6, 2015

1. This year is on track to be one of the worst for measles, in more than a decade, and health officials say people who refuse to vaccinate their children are behind the increase. Here are the five things you need to know about measles. http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/05/health/measles-5-things/index.html.
   


2. An estimated 48 million food-borne illnesses occur each year in the United States. Food-borne illnesses are caused by eating or drinking a contaminated food or beverage. When 2 or more people get the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink, the event is labeled a food-borne outbreak. There are more than 250 pathogens and toxins known to cause food-borne illness. Find out more about the risks and how to prevent them. http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/investigations.html.


3. The Centers for Disease Control's most current data shows this year's flu season has returned to an epidemic level. Records show 45 pediatric deaths, as compared to last year when 27 children died after having the flu. So, why is the 2014-2015 flu season worse than last year? This article can help you understand the science behind the flu vaccine. http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/16/health/new-flu-numbers/

Urgent Care at Peachtree is focused on helping to create a healthier Atlanta and be there for you when you or your family’s health is compromised.  

So, look for more “Urgent Care at Peachtree Top Three” posts to come, and let us know what health topics you are reading about, too.

Urgent Care at Peachtree Top Three - January 23, 2015

The Doctors at Urgent Care at Peachtree work diligently to stay on top of health-related research and news so they can pass this information along to their current and potential patients.  In 2015, they are committed to a new blog series, “Urgent Care at Peachtree Top Three” to share these important topics with you .  Here are your first “Top Three.”

1. Urgent Care at Peachtree frequently sees patients dealing with temporary or ongoing vertigo.  There is an easy new positional treatment that is giving vertigo sufferers some great relief from this dizzy disease: http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/04/23/colorado-doctor-finds-way-to-treat-common-vertigo/
2. If you think that working out or walking every day makes up for sitting in your office chair for the rest of the day, think again: http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/21/health/sitting-will-kill-you/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
3. In addition to ensuring that you are taking short breaks from sitting throughout the day, just 20 minutes of walking will definitely help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and can prolong your life: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jan/14/scientists-recommend-20-minute-daily-walk-premature-death

Urgent Care at Peachtree is focused on helping to create a healthier Atlanta and be there for you when you or your family’s health is compromised.  

So, look for more “Urgent Care at Peachtree Top Three” posts to come, and let us know what health topics you are reading about, too.

Urgent Care at Peachtree is Atlanta’s only local ER Doctor-owned urgent care open 7 nights every week from 6pm to 11pm.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year. In fact, 1 out of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. In the United States, it is estimated that over 230,000 will be diagnosed each year and more than 40,000 will not survive. And, although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed and approximately 410 of those will die.

Breast cancer incidence rates are highest in non-Hispanic white women, followed by African American women and are lowest among Asian/Pacific Islander women. In contrast, breast cancer death rates are highest for African American women, followed by non-Hispanic white women. Breast cancer death rates are lowest for Asian/Pacific Islander women. Breast cancer incidence and death rates also vary by state.

When detected and treated early, 5-year relative survival for localized breast cancer is 99%. For regional disease, it is 84%. If the cancer has spread to distant organs, 5-year survival drops to 24%. Larger tumor size at diagnosis is also associated with decreased survival. The best way to fight breast cancer is to have a plan in place to help you detect the disease in the earliest stages. An early detection plan includes regular self-exams, clinical breast exams, and mammograms which are based on your age and health history.

To find out more about breast cancer statistics, risk factors, risk reduction and screening guidelines you can visit these websites.

The World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/cancer/detection/breastcancer/en/

The National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/probability-breast-cancer

The National Breast Cancer Foundation
http://www.earlydetectionplan.org/

Ebola: What You Need to Know

In recent weeks, we have seen many reports on the Ebola epidemic.  Mostly, this has been due to the fact that American aid workers were infected and brought back to the US for treatment. What seemed like something that only happened in a remote area was suddenly thrust into Atlanta’s own CDC/Emory Hospital.  This left many of us wondering whether or not we should be concerned for our own safety.
Here are a few things that are important to know. The first Ebola virus was discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, outbreaks of Ebola among humans have appeared sporadically in Africa.  Ebola viruses are now found in several African countries.  Ebola is one of numerous Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. It is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees).

Symptoms

• Fever (greater than 101.5°F)
• Severe headache
• Muscle pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal (stomach) pain

Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola virus, although 8-10 days is most common.

Some who become sick with Ebola are able to recover. Others, who die, usually have not developed a significant immune response to the virus. We don’t yet know why this is.

Transmission

Although it is not certain, it is believed that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal.

Once in humans, the virus can be spread in several ways. This is through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with: 

• a sick person's blood or body fluids (urine, saliva, feces, vomit, and semen)
• objects (such as needles) that have been contaminated with infected body fluids
• infected animals

Who is at risk?

• Healthcare workers
  This is when hospital staff are not wearing appropriate protective equipment, such as masks, gowns, and gloves. Instruments must be properly sterilized and stored.

• Family and friends in close contact with Ebola patients
  This is because they may come in contact with infected blood or body fluids.

• Romantic partners of an infected or otherwise high individual risk 

Demographics

• All cases of human illness or death have occurred in Africa (with the exception of several laboratory contamination cases: one in England and two in Russia)
• No cases have been reported in the United States
• In 2014, two U.S. healthcare workers who were infected with Ebola virus in Liberia were transported to a hospital in the United States.

Past Ebola Outbreaks

Past Ebola outbreaks have occurred in the following countries:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
• Gabon
• South Sudan
• Ivory Coast
• Uganda
• Republic of the Congo (ROC)
• South Africa

Current Ebola Outbreak in West Africa

The current (2014) Ebola outbreak is occurring in the following West African countries:

• Guinea
• Liberia
• Sierra Leone
• Nigeria

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/about.html