Monday 22 June 2015

Is It Time for a Mole Removal?

Having a mole on your skin is not a big deal, unless one of your moles begins to give you a suspicious vibe, telling you something is wrong. To calm your nerves, you can visit a primary care physician in Houston to get your mole checked out. Knowing the different types of moles that exist and spotting signs of irregularities can also help settle down your nerves.

However, not in any way, are you discouraged to come to PCP for Life to have one of our primary care physicians look at it for you, as we would be more than glad to examine it to give you some relief or treat it, if necessary. It is still pertinent that you have prior knowledge on the subject of mole removal.

The Different Types of Moles

Moles
come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors, but mostly are round and brown. The different types of moles are classified according to when they appeared and developed. Here are three types of moles you need to know about:

1. Congenital Moles

Congenital moles are born with you, meaning they appear on an infant’s body on the day of birth. People with congenital moles are at a higher risk for skin cancer, as they can turn cancerous.

2. Acquired Moles

Acquired moles develop early on, forming as you are growing older. Sun exposure is said to be the cause for acquired moles, and they too turn into skin cancer.

3. Atypical Moles

Atypical moles are large with an irregular shape. The moles are uneven color, its borders are irregular with a reddish or lighter color, and black dots encircle it. The cause of atypical moles is genetics and can turn cancerous. If you have congenital moles or atypical moles, you should always be alert, as they might turn cancerous in the future.

Signs that Tell You It’s Time for a Mole Removal

Spotting signs of skin cancer early on can help you stay clear of cancer, as you will be able to go in for a mole removal before your condition worsens and the cancer spreads. Hence, you should always be on the lookout for new moles on your body as well as stay alert in the changing state of existing ones. If you notice any of the signs below, you need to consult with your physician about a mole removal:

Ø   Asymmetry- When two halves of the mole look different than each other.
Ø   Irregular Border- When a mole’s border is not defined properly.
Ø   Varied Color- When a mole consists of several different shades of brown, red, blue, black, and white.
Ø  Evolving- When a mole’s shape, size, and color changes with time.
Ø   Large Diameter- When the mole’s diameter is larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
Ø   New Moles- When a mole suddenly appears on your body after the age of twenty.
Ø   Problematic Moles- When a mole itches, bleeds, or hurts.
If you spot the aforementioned signs in your moles, come and consult with Primary Care Physician in Houston to let the physicians at PCP for Life remove it.

Tuesday 16 June 2015

Type 1 Diabetes: Which Insulin Program is Right for you?

The insulin program plays one of the most critical roles in the life of a person with Type 1 Diabetes. It influences the way diabetic people live their life. It controls when they need to eat their food, participate in an activity, and go to bed. Therefore, it becomes pertinent for people with Type 1 Diabetes to select an insulin program that lets them gain control over their life than the other way around. Here are five insulin programs that are available for an individual with Type 1 Diabetes:

1. The Beater

The Beater is an old insulin program, which was widely popular in the 1980s and 1990s, as people preferred its simplicity. This program requires a diabetic patient to take two injections each day. Since you are only injecting yourself with insulin twice a day, it will put a restriction on your meal times, meaning you will have to consume meals according to the program to avoid an increase or decrease in blood sugar level.

If the meals you consume each day are not so different from each other, the beater program will be the right choice for you. If you want more flexibility in the times you can eat your meal, perhaps, another program may a right fit for you.

2. The Economy Compact

The Economy Compact changes the time you are suppose to have your injections. On this program, you will not be required to take the injection at breakfast and then at dinner. Instead, you will take an injection in the morning, dinner, and at night. Again, it will limit your flexibility, as you will have to eat accordingly.
 
3. The Station Wagon

The Station Wagon is similar to a rigorous exercise routine where you are required to take your injection five times a day, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack time, and bedtime. You have more control over what you eat and at what times, as it tells you to take insulin with every meal you eat. Injecting yourself several times a day might become a hassle so you may want to use pens instead of syringes.

4. The Muscle Car

The Muscle Car requires you to take insulin at breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack time, and at a specific time in the day. This program provides you with 24 hours coverage, as you are told to take a different formula that acts as long acting insulin. On this program, a diabetic patient will feel fewer lows and have a better control over their Type 1 Diabetes.

5. The Engineered Import

The Engineered Import is an insulin pump attached to your body. After every few minutes, the pump will administer small doses of insulin into the body. You will need to change the infusion set, which is inserted beneath your skin, after a few days. It lets you program and adjust insulin levels, as a result, giving you full control over your eating, sleeping, and activity patterns.

If you suffer from Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, visit Primary Care Physician in Houston. PCP for Life offers several diabetes treatments so contact us to make an appointment.