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Truths and Myths about Vitamin C

Truths and Myths about Vitamin C

Vitamin C

As cold and flu season loom ahead in the cooler months of fall and winter, we hear reminders to stock up on Vitamin C to protect our immune system. But what is Vitamin C? Does it really help prevent or treat colds? What else does it do?

We’ll start with the basics. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin meaning the body can’t produce it on its own. To ensure you get enough of this vitamin you’ll either have eat one of the many delicious fruits and vegetables where its found or you’ll have to take a supplement. As for what it can and cannot do for your body, take a look at these common myths and truths.

Myth: Vitamin C can cure the common cold

If taken after a cold begins it is no more effective than any other supplements or medications use to shorten the duration of the cold. If taken every day before a cold appears it may shorten the duration of the cold by 8% in adults and 14% in children.

Truth: Vitamin C is a marker for overall health

Some studies show patients with high levels of this vitamin are at a lower risk for strokes and their bodies handle stress better. It may also lower blood pressures and reduce the risk of heart disease. Is this because of the vitamin or because these patients were more likely to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables than other patients and maybe live a healthier lifestyle? The jury is still out on that one, but the links between this vitamin and overall better health has stood the test of time.

Myth: You can’t consume too much Vitamin C

Vitamin C isn’t stored in the body, meaning excess amounts are excreted which eliminates the risk of an overdose. However, exceeding the recommended daily amounts of this vitamin could lead to stomach upset, kidney stones and diarrhea. The recommended daily allowance is 90 mg for men and 70 mg for women although 2000 mg a day is considered the safe upper limit of consumption.

Truth: Vitamin C can increase iron absorption

When taken together, Vitamin C can increase the amount of iron absorbed into the blood. Vegetarians and others who consume low amounts of meat may find a supplement increases their iron absorption. For people who are prone to have anemia caused by iron deficiency, it may help control anemia. (Of course, if you are one of those patients speak to your provider about whether Vitamin C would aid your medical condition.)

Truth: Vitamin C improves skin health

This multi-talented vitamin assists in the formation of collagen, which aids in the look of smoother, younger. In fact, many skin products include Vitamin C as a major component. Smoothing a one of these creams on your skin may help, but eating fruits and vegetables high in the vitamin may do your skin even more good.

Truth: Vitamin C can reduce the risk of gout

When excess uric acid builds up in the blood it may crystallize and deposit in joints (especially the one in the big toe) and appear as an especially painful form of arthritis known as gout. Several studies link vitamin C supplements to a reduction in uric acid.

The bottom line

While Vitamin C may not actually decrease your risk of developing a cold this winter, it may reduce your risk of other more serious and long-lasting chronic conditions. If you’re not sure you can eat enough leafy greens and other vegetables to reach your daily limit, talk to your doctor about how much vitamin C you should take each day especially if you are on other medications. And fill your grocery basket with plenty of these fruits and vegetables on your next trip to the store or farmers’ market:

  • Guava
  • Black currant
  • Red pepper
  • Kiwi
  • Green peppers
  • Orange
  • Strawberries
  • Papaya
  • Broccoli
  • Kale
  • Parsley
  • Pineapple
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Grapefuit
  • Peas
  • Cauliflower
  • Mango

How Your Provider Diagnoses Diabetes

diagnoses diabetes

“Have you been tested for diabetes?”

The provider’s question may surprise you, after all, you came in to see her because you burned your arm grilling last week and you’re afraid it might be infected.

Often Type 2 diabetes diagnoses surprise patients because the symptoms appear gradually over time. Other patients may recognize the symptoms especially if they have a family member with diabetes or they know they are at risk.

Whether you suspect diabetes or your provider mentions the risks, make sure to ask your provider to perform the proper tests to accurately diagnose the disease. You cannot diagnose diabetes yourself by using over the counter blood glucose machines. Suspecting diabetes can be scary, but leave the glucose monitor where it is and head to your provider’s office.

Who needs to be tested?

Providers test for Type 1 diabetes only after symptoms occur. However, they should also test for Type 2 diabetes based on risk factors even if patients do not present symptoms.

Routine testing for Type 2 diabetes is recommended if you

  • are age 45 or older
  • are overweight or obese
  • do not exercise regularly
  • have a family history of diabetes
  • have high blood pressure
  • are of certain ethnicities ( African-American, Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Hispanic or Latino descent)
  • are a woman who had gestational diabetes

How does a provider test for diabetes?

Fasting Plasma Glucose Test

This test requires patients to fast for eight hours and have blood drawn to test the blood glucose levels. Providers normally perform this test in the morning before breakfast.

  • Normal blood sugar registers less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).
  • Prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose) measures blood sugar from 100 to 125 mg/dl.
  • Diabetes measures blood sugar at 126 mg/dl or higher.

A1C Test

This test measures average blood glucose numbers over the last two to three months. Most providers prefer to use the A1C test unless a patient has certain conditions such as anemia or a hemoglobin variant which can make the results unreliable.

  • A1C levels over 6.5 percent on two tests indicates diabetes.
  • Levels between 5.7 and 6.4 indicate pre-diabetes, which increases the risk of developing diabetes.
  • Levels below 5.7 are considered normal.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

This test also calls for patients to observe an eight hour or overnight fast and then have their fasting blood glucose levels tested. Following the initial blood tests, patients drink a sugary liquid and have their blood glucose tested periodically over the next two hours.

  • 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher after two hours may indicate diabetes.
  • Between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) indicate prediabetes.
  • Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) are normal.

After the diagnosis

Accepting your diabetes diagnosis and the lifestyle changes it requires takes time. Talk to your provider about symptoms, make a list of questions for your next appointment and start making small changes to your lifestyle such as choosing healthier meal options or exercising more often.

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes and aren’t sure what to do now, make plans to join our monthly diabetes class, read through other articles on our website about diabetes and allow our providers to support you in your journey.

 

3 Types of Female Hair Loss

female hair loss

Women expect to lose a certain amount of hair every day. In fact, doctors consider losing up to 100 strands of your beautiful mane each day perfectly normal. Noticing excessive shedding, however, rises up panic, fear and even shame in the one in four women who experience clinical female hair loss.

Television commercials, magazine ads, and even social media videos champion solutions for male pattern baldness. Rarely do we hear discussions of female hair loss, which makes those who suffer from the issue feel more isolated.

Telogen Effluvium

Don’t worry, we won’t make you pronounce it. Just remember it applies to temporary hair loss triggered by a disturbance in your hair cycle. This disturbance was likely a traumatic or stressful event, that happened three to four month prior to the hair loss. Stressful events include pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, certain medications, and surgery or poor diets.

Temporary hair loss normally involves sudden, overall shedding of your hair. In good news, most women find a return to their normal, healthy mane in six to nine months once the cause of hair loss is addressed.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Also known as female pattern baldness, this hair loss presents as a thinning of hair near the crown. Women typically notice a wider part and less volume in their hair sometime after menopause.  The thinning may begin as early as puberty. In most cases, women with Androgenetic Alopecia will not achieve a full re-growth of their luscious locks, but they may be able to prevent or slow the rate of hair loss. Hormones and heredity both play a role in who develops female pattern baldness.

Alopecia Areata

Unlike the previous types of hair loss, alopecia areata emerges as patchy bald sections most often on the head but it may also appear in other areas of the body. Baldness occurs when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles. Alopecia areata affects slightly more men than women. Around 70% of women will experience regrowth of their hair within two years even without treatment.

Hair loss rarely causes physical pain, but for women and some men, hair loss can trigger emotional responses including depression, decreased self-confidence and increased self-consciousness. If you’ve noticed increased hair loss leading to baldness, contact your medical provider to determine the cause of hair loss and treatment options. Also contact our behavioral health clinic for assistance managing the emotional response to female hair loss.

How to recognize the signs of anxiety

signs of anxiety

Everyone understands what it’s like to feel the rush of anxiety. Maybe it’s right before a big presentation or watching your kids walk to their first day of school. Nervousness is a normal part of being an adult, but if your worries and fears start preventing you from living your daily life, you might have more than nervousness. Anxiety disorders affect around 40 million American adults. The good news is that there are ways to recognize the signs of anxiety and combat it. Here’s what to look for physically and emotionally.

Physical

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Trembling
  • Muscle tension
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Sweating
  • Diarrhea

 

Emotional

  • Feeling jittery
  • Overwhelming dread
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Forgetfulness
  • Over-alertness
  • Anticipating the worst outcomes

 

While these physical and emotional signs of anxiety can be scary and overwhelming, knowing them can help you recognize your anxiety in the moment and combat it. Here are a couple of ways to do just that.

Pause

Start by taking a moment to close your eyes and breathe deeply. This can help you calm your mind and think rationally about the task at hand.

Think

Sometimes, our anxiety stems from our inability to know the future. Instead of trying to figure everything out at once, try thinking of ways to get through the next hour or day. This can help relieve some of the pressure you feel and teach yourself positive coping mechanisms.

Journal

Keeping a worry journal can help you express your anxieties in a healthy way. It can also help you work through certain scenarios, giving you the ability to know outcomes and have control over specific situations.

Talk

Try talking through your anxieties with a close friend or family member. Talking about the things that upset us can help us work through our anxieties. If you don’t feel comfortable discussing these issues with family and friends, consider utilizing a therapist to help you work through your worries.

Accept

There’s no way we can know every outcome or situation we will be presented within our lives. Accepting the uncertainties of life can help you deal with anxiety or even eliminate it.

Ask

If your anxiety is interfering with your daily life, it might be time to ask for help. Your physician can discuss your options for controlling our anxiety or even recommend a therapist or life coach.

Want to talk more about anxiety or need help identifying the signs? Make an appointment with us today.

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/effects-on-body#4

https://www.healthyplace.com/anxiety-panic/anxiety-information/anxiety-symptoms-recognizing-signs-of-anxiety

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-disorders-and-anxiety-attacks.htm

 

The Role of Rest in Managing Diabetes

Managing diabetes

You’ve hit the mid-afternoon slump. Your eyelids sag with drowsiness. The words on your computer screen blur a bit. You yawn every couple of minutes. You have a few options: a quick nap, rest with your eyes closed for a bit, walk around or grab that afternoon cup of joe.

While a thirty minute nap has been shown to give your mind a reboot to increase alertness, creativity and productivity, longer naps may leave you feeling groggier than before. Real restorative sleep, however, comes in the total silence of deep sleep.

Deep sleep not only recharges our mind and boosts our cognitive abilities, but it also increases our body’s ability to manage insulin. A study published in the Annals of Epidemiology reports diabetics who get less than six hours of sleep a night are three times more likely to report high blood sugar levels.

Research also links increased weight gain and obesity with less sleep.

In addition to managing your diabetes with the proper medication, diet and exercise, take a look at how your sleep schedule impacts your blood sugar levels. If you aren’t getting eight hours of sleep every night, make an effort to rethink your sleeping plan.

Need some help? We have a few tips:

  • Keep regular sleep and wake routines (even on the weekends)
  • Cut out caffeine and large meals late in the day.
  • Schedule afternoon exercise three to four hours before bedtime.
  • Turn off electronics before going to bed. Screens can trick your body into believing it’s still light outside.
  • Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet.
  • Invest in a white noise machine or run a fan to block out distracting noise.
  • Don’t obsess about sleep. If you can’t sleep, read under soft light until you are sleepy but avoid turning on the television, computer or cell phone.

What to Expect With Opioid Withdrawal and Detox

Opioid withdrawals

The Opioid epidemic has captured headlines in major newspapers, magazines, and television networks for the last two years. Opioids refer to a class of drugs used primarily to treat pain. (Learn more about how how the epidemic began and how far it reaches.) These drugs include oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone and morphine along with the illegal drug heroin.

Eighty-percent of opioid addicts began with a legal prescription of pain medication from their doctor. Most addicts never set out to become an addict. In fact, many addicts do not recognize their addiction until they begin to experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using opioids or they take their medication later than usual.

For short acting opioids like heroin, opioid withdrawal symptoms may start within six to twelve hours of the last dose of the drug. Longer acting opioids may delay withdrawal symptoms for up to thirty hours after the last dose. For most users, withdrawal starts within the first twenty-four hours of the last dose and peaks at three to five days after the last dose of the drug.

Late withdrawal symptoms generally taper off in severity after five to seven days, but some symptoms will linger for several months.

Early Opioid Withdrawal (1-2 days)

  • Tearing up
  • Muscle aches
  • Agitation
  • Trouble falling and staying asleep
  • Excessive yawning
  • Anxiety
  • Nose running
  • Sweats
  • Racing heart
  • Hypertension
  • Fever
  • restlessness
  • Low energy
  • Drug cravings

Late Opioid Withdrawal (3-5 days)

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Goosebumps
  • Stomach cramps
  • Depression
  • Drug cravings
  • Dilated pupils and possibly blurry vision
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • High blood pressure

The first three to five days of withdrawal symptoms present the most uncomfortable, and often painful, side effects. Individuals face the highest risk of relapse during these days. Medical detox programs offer medical interventions to reduce the side effects of withdrawal by helping a patient taper off of medications and treating severe symptoms such as dehydration. Drug users who undergo detox with the help of these programs leave the withdrawal phase with the stepping stones necessary for a longer, more stable recovery.

Individuals who attempt to detox “cold turkey” on their own increase the risks of more severe withdrawal symptoms such as dehydration, seizures and hallucinations. Detox without medical care also ignores underlying psychological causes behind the addiction.

Overdose is a concern for any opiate user, but the risk of overdose increases for individuals who relapse because their bodies have a reduced tolerance for the drugs.

At Mantachie Rural Health Care, we’re dedicated to helping opioid users in North Mississippi recognize their addiction and give them the courage to seek help. If you or someone you know is experiencing opioid addiction or withdrawal from opioid medications, call our behavioral health clinic at 662-282-4359. Our licensed counsellors can assist you in choosing a detox program that will offer you a more stable road to recovery.

Diagnosing and Managing Malignant Hypertension

malignant hypertension

Malignant hypertension is extremely high blood pressure that develops rapidly and causes some type of organ damage. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. A person with malignant hypertension has a blood pressure above 180/120. Malignant hypertension should always be treated as a medical emergency.

Symptoms of Malignant Hypertension

The main symptoms of malignant hypertension are a rapidly increasing blood pressure of 180/120 or higher and signs of organ damage. Usually, the damage happens to the kidneys or the eyes. Other symptoms of malignant hypertension include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Dizziness
  • Numbness in the arms, legs, and face
  • A severe headache
  • Shortness of breath
  • In rare cases, brain swelling

Causes Malignant Hypertension?

In many people, high blood pressure is the main cause of malignant hypertension. The most common cause is missing doses of blood pressure medications. Certain medical conditions may also cause malignant hypertension. They include:

  • Collagen vascular diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis
  • Kidney disease
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Tumor of the adrenal gland
  • Use of certain medications, including birth control pills and some antidepressants
  • Use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine

Malignant hypertension is rare. About 1% of people who have a history of high blood pressure develop this life-threatening condition. You are at greater risk of developing it if you are a man, African-American, or someone of lower economic status. Poor access to health care increases the risk.

Prevention

The easiest way to prevent malignant hypertension is to keep your blood pressure within an acceptable range. If you’re trying to lower your blood pressure consider the following:

Take Your Blood Pressure Medication On Time Every Time

High blood pressure drugs work best if you take them as your doctor has prescribed them. So you need to take the right amount at the right times every day.

Increase Your Physical Activity

Aerobic activity for 20-30 minutes 5 days a week improves cardiovascular health.

Practice Stress Management

Pursue an enjoyable activity or verbalize frustration to reduce stress and improve mental health.

Quit Smoking

Quitting tobacco will improve your health. The nicotine in cigarette smoke raises your blood pressure and heart rate. It also narrows your arteries and hardens their walls, and makes your blood more likely to clot.

Use a Blood Pressure Monitor

If you are concerned about high blood pressure, regular monitoring of blood pressure can help diagnose high blood pressure. Bring your blood pressure cuff and list of readings from your log with you to your appointment.

Switch to a Low Sodium Diet

A diet that restricts salt (sodium chloride) and other forms of sodium to no more than 1,500 to 2,400 mg per day can help lower blood pressure.

Underdiagnosed and untreated high blood pressure is a serious problem in the United States. Early detection and treatment can prolong the health and life of patients. As your patient centered medical home, Mantachie Rural Health Care, Inc, offers care for both acute and chronic illnesses. If you suspect you have high blood pressure, schedule a Wellness Exam with us today by calling (662) 282-4226. We will be happy to discuss your concerns.

The Importance of Adult Vaccinations

adult vaccinations

In America today, vaccinations have changed our lives. Not only have they reduced many infectious diseases that once plagued our lives, they have even eliminated some of these viruses and bacterias from our lives. That means much of what harmed or killed infants, children and adults 50 years ago isn’t a threat to us today. But that doesn’t mean they are gone. These viruses and bacterias still exist, and that’s why it’s crucial we stay vaccinated, even as adults.

Vaccines Today

Vaccines go through years of testing before they make it to us. They are routinely tested and monitored by the CDC and the FDA to ensure safety for everyone. And that’s exactly what they are meant to do. Vaccines are one of the safest ways to protect your and your family’s health. While side effects can occur, they are usually mild and disappear after a couple of days. Most commonly, vaccine side effects include soreness, redness or slight swelling at the injection side.

Protecting your loved ones

Vaccines don’t just protect you. They also protect your loved ones, especially infants, small children and elderly adults who have weakened immune systems, from life-threatening illnesses.  In fact, age and health conditions can make certain family members unable to get certain vaccines. This could be an infant who is too young to be vaccinated for whooping cough. They rely on you to help prevent spreading those diseases by being vaccinated yourself.

Protecting yourself

Vaccines are derived to work with your body’s natural defenses. They help your body safely develop immunities to diseases. This process lowers your chances of contracting certain diseases, like cancers and chronic lung disease. In fact, flu vaccines can lower your risk of certain flu-related conditions like heart attacks.

Risk for Serious Disease

It’s simple. Vaccines are created so you can help protect yourself from unnecessary suffering. Thousands of U.S. adults become ill every year from diseases that vaccines can help prevent. With the busy lives of most Americans, you can’t afford to get sick, and vaccines can help prevent just that.

Overall, vaccines are one of the safest ways to protect yourself. Schedule an appointment with us to discuss your and your family’s vaccination options.

Mantachie Rural Health Care Partners with Fred’s Pharmacy for Discount Drug Program

mantachie discount drug program

This year, 10% of Americans’ healthcare spending is expected to go toward prescription drugs. Only 43% of patients have private drug insurance while 29% rely on Medicare. And one out of four say they have trouble paying for medications. (Kaiser Family Foundation)

Numbers only paint part of the picture. For patients who see a provider at Mantachie Rural Health Care, some must choose between paying for their diabetes medication and paying the electric bill.

Mantachie Rural Health Care in conjunction with SunRX and Fred’s Pharmacy in Mantachie have a new Discount Drug Program to assist patients who either do not have insurance or whose insurance will not pay for their prescriptions.

To get started, become a patient of Mantachie Rural Health Care, pick up a 340B card at our front desk and take it with you to Fred’s Pharmacy in Mantachie. Savings vary depending on the prescription but patients without insurance may save up to 60% on prescriptions.

What if I have insurance?

Patients who already have insurance can participate in the discount drug program too. If your insurance covers your prescription, you’ll pay your co-pay as usual. For these interactions, Mantachie Rural Health Care will receive a financial benefit from your insurance company that costs you nothing but allows us to continue to care for other families in need.

If your insurance does not cover the drug prescribed, you may use the card to reduce the cost of your prescription by up to 60%.

Still have questions? Talk to your provider or our front desk staff about using the new SunRx card and saving on your medications.

9 Common Triggers for Migraines

migraine headache

Few moments rank worse than feeling a severe headache or migraine coming on. From dark, quiet rooms to hours or even days of throbbing pain, anyone who has experienced this illness knows just how debilitating it can be. Migraines affect more than 36 million men, women and children in the United States. While they may seem to come out of nowhere, many share common triggers.

Stress

Unsurprisingly, stress is the main culprit for almost 70 percent of people who experience migraines. With a significant association between daily stressors and migraine activity, it can seem like migraines are never-ending, especially when the worry of the next attack is lurking at the back of your mind. But there are ways to combat stress-related migraines:

  • Make a list of things that cause stress
  • Try relaxation therapy or meditation
  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy sleep schedule

Changes in sleep

Speaking of sleep, an irregular sleep schedule or even changes in your regular sleep schedule can cause a migraine attack. Plus, this trigger makes sense when we dig into it. During sleep, our bodies renew and repair themselves. When we deprive ourselves of regular sleep, we become more prone to migraine attacks. To avoid sleep-related migraines, try going to sleep at the same time every night and aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep. You can also eliminate TV, phones, reading and music before bed to get a more restful sleep, as the light from these devices can result in disrupted sleep.

Hormones

Because of hormones, women are three times more likely to have migraines than men. About 75 percent of women find their migraine attacks happen around the time of their menstrual cycle. The change in estrogen and progesterone levels cause “menstrual migraines.” Certain methods of birth control can stabilize hormone levels, relieving you of any hormone-related migraines.

Caffeine and Alcohol

While a cup of coffee in the morning might seem like a good way to rev up for your day, it could actually be the culprit for your migraine attacks. The same could be said for the nightly glass of wine. On the other hand, some people claim that their migraines are eased by a cup of coffee. The best way to determine if caffeine or alcohol is the cause of your migraine attacks is to track your consumption and your migraines. Then you can adjust your caffeine or wine intake accordingly.

Diet

Several types of food can be the trigger for a migraine attack. Usually, these foods contain histamine and MSG, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, caffeine or anything with a strong smell. Even cheeses and cured meats can become triggers for migraine attacks. The best way to determine which foods are triggers for you is to track your eating habits and your migraine symptoms. This way you can determine which foods cause negative reactions and eliminate them from your diet.

Physical Exertion

While exercise can help reduce your stress levels and your risk of triggering a migraine, intense physical exertion has been shown to provoke migraines. These could include overexerting yourself at the gym or even intense sexual activity. Try tracking your migraine symptoms to see if they are related to any physical activity, then adjust your lifestyle accordingly.

Dehydration

Like alcohol and foods, dehydration is an easily trackable trigger for migraines. In fact, about one third of people say even the slightest dehydration can cause their migraine symptoms to start. Start by tracking your water intake. You can also carry a water bottle around to ensure you are getting enough fluids.

Changes in weather

We all know how our bodies react to changing weather. In springtime, we suffer from pollen and changes in barometric pressure. During summer, humidity and heat can send us rushing back indoors. Unsurprisingly, these factors are common weather-related triggers. Controlling the weather isn’t an option, but adjusting your schedule during the worst of these seasons can help prevent a migraine attack.

Light and Smell

Our senses can cause migraines too, especially when it comes to strong lights and smells. Bright natural light or even fluorescent or flickering lights can trigger your symptoms. The same can be said for strong odors, as they can activate certain nerve receptors in the nasal passages. Try wearing sunglasses on brighter days and using green light in your home, as it has been shown to not trigger migraines. Also, try avoiding perfumes, chemicals, gasoline or even strong food smells.

While everyone’s experiences with migraines is different, knowing the triggers can help you better manage your symptoms. To learn more about migraines and treatment plans, schedule an appointment with your provider today.

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/learn-more/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201


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