Your Brief Guide to Hypothyroidism Treatment

Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid glands stops producing sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. The decreased levels of this hormone prevents your body to perform metabolic functions such as controlling chemicals reactions in your body, maintaining health cells, muscles, and bones, inefficiency to utilize energy from food, and more. Even though there is not a definite cure for hypothyroidism, treatments options to keep it in check are available.

The Causes of Hypothyroidism

Here is a list of the most common causes reported to cause hypothyroidism:

Cause #1:  For people with hyperthyroidism, the doctors may treat their condition by removing the completely removing the gland from the body.

Cause #2:  Autoimmune disease causes the formation of antibodies. The antibodies attack the thyroid gland, and this may cause them to seek hypothyroidism treatment.

Cause #3:  Radiation treatment for cancers of the neck and head and lymphoma can cause injury to the thyroid gland. If this happens, your gland will stop producing the recommended amounts of thyroid hormone.

Cause #4:  The pituitary gland is in charge of directing the amounts of hormones produced by the thyroid. If the pituitary gland is injured due to trauma, tumor, or stroke, the singles will stop.

Who is At Risk?

Here are people who are most at risk for developing hyperthyroidism:

      ·         Women who are over the age of fifty

      ·         People who have autoimmune disease or one of their parents or grandparents had it

      ·         People who have been given radiation therapy

      ·         People who have been treated with antithyroid medication

      ·         People who have a history of radiation therapy to the upper chest and neck

      ·         Women suffering from post-partum depression

When Should You Visit a Doctor for Hypothyroidism Treatment?

If you or anyone you know is suffering from the following symptoms, they should make an appointment with a doctor to see all their hypothyroidism treatment options:

      ·         Depression

      ·         Tiredness

      ·         Brittle nails and hair

      ·         Weakness

      ·         Constipation

      ·         Enhanced sensitivity to cold

      ·         Heavier menstrual flow

Failure to your primary care physician in Houston on time will result in joint pain, weight gain, infertility, and heart disease.

How Will the Doctors Diagnose It?

The doctor will diagnose you with hypothyroidism by conducting a few tests such as a physical examination and going through your medical history. They will also tell you to get a blood test to check the levels of your cholesterol, enzymes in the liver, levels of prolactin, anemia, and other tests for pituitary gland functions. Doctors recommend women who are over the age of fifty to visit them to find out if they have hypothyroidism, as women of that age are more likely to develop it.

If you suspect you might have hypothyroidism, you not wait to schedule the appointment with your primary care physician in Houston, but should do it immediately. Delaying it will only cause you more distress. If you want to know if your diagnosis is hypothyroidism, you need to visit PCP for Life.

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All You Need to Know About Wart Removal

Is your wart embarrassing you? Is your wart the cause of your pain? Has more than one wart begun to spread to other areas of your body? If so, you might be in need of wart removal. What PCP will do is remove your wart, making sure the treatment will eliminate the wart successfully without resulting in scar tissue. The treatment the trained doctors will use will depend on the location of the wart and on the symptoms associated with it.

What you need to know is that the treatment will last for a long duration of time, meaning it could take either months or weeks. For your part, you need to prepare yourself for a prolong treatment, as a short cut is not possible, especially in cases where wart treatment by a qualified doctor is the only way to ensure it does not sprout up again. This brief will explain you in detail about everything you want to know about wart removal.

Can Warts Disappear?

If you are lucky, the wart will completely disappear, but it will take its sweet time in doing so. For the unlucky ones, coming to PCP forLife is their best option.

Do You Need to Treat Warts on Your Skin?

Well, if they appear on your face, you definitely need to treat the warts whereas warts showing up on others parts of the body that you can conceal, remains up to you. It would be better to treat the warts, as it decreases the chance of them spreading.

How Will the Doctor Remove the Wart from Your Skin?

There are several wart removal treatments the doctor may decide to use, but the decision will depend on the wart’s location. Even though you can try one of the many home remedies out there to treat your wart, you should not, as it may cause scarring, especially if the wart you are treating in on your face. Here are some wart removal treatments your doctors may suggest to use:

1. Salicylic Acid Treatment- If the wart is your hands, knees, or feet, the doctor will tell you to apply salicylic acid to it.

2. Cantharidin Treatment- The doctor will apply the chemical to your wart. This treatment may cause some blistering pain, but nothing that you should not be able to take.

3. Liquid Nitrogen Treatment- The doctor will apply liquid nitrogen to your wart to freeze it.

4. Burning the Wart- The doctor may burn the wart using a laser. This treatment is usually used when other wart removal treatments fail to work.

You need to visit Primary Care Physicians in Houston to find out which treatment is right for you. The physicians at PCP forLife can assist you remove your wart by telling you what the best treatment option is for you. In the event your wart resurfaced, we apply other treatments options to ensure it stays vanquished for good. Make an appointment with us today!

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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.

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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.

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Suffering from heatstroke? What you should know about your body

Heatstroke is common in those states which experience only a few millimeters of rain every year. As the summer approaches, we’re so in love with the warmth, the scenery and the colorful beauty it brings, that we forget that too much of anything can be bad. While the sun might do wonders for your summer tan, heatstroke causes 300 deaths in America each year.
Heatstroke happens because of exposure to excessive heat with a lack of thermoregulation. It leads to fever, disorientation, lack of sweat, and in some cases, also causes seizures. If the condition worsens, it causes organ failure, unconsciousness and inevitably, death.

The condition can happen to anyone so it is wise to take precautions and know how you can take care of your body and understand the signals it is giving you.

Understand the symptoms

Knowing the symptoms of heatstroke is important, especially if you live in a hot and humid place. States like Texas have specific websites and organizations which provide information on heatstroke and how it can be prevented. Symptoms of heatstroke include:

• v  Body temperature of 103°F or higher
  v  Severe headache
  v  Rapid heartbeat
  v  Red, hot, dry skin
  v  No sweating
  v  Confusion
  v  Dizziness
  v  Nausea

Fainting

If a person has any of these symptoms, it is always best to call 911 immediately and wait for the ambulance. In that duration, it is essential that the person who has the heatstroke should remain under a cool shade. Take them away from the heat and cover them with a wet cloth, applying ice packs to their body, or place them in a cool tub of water to keep the body temperature below 100˚F. If it is possible, offer the affected person some cold water to drink.

Know your atmosphere

When you’re living in a hot environment, it is best to wear light-weight, light colored and loose fitting clothes to keep them from absorbing the heat. You cannot go out into the heat without expecting it to affect you in some way. There is a medical term called ‘Forgotten Baby Syndrome’, which happens when a person forgets about their child and thus, subjects them to danger. This term was coined because of the many incidents where a child was left in the rear seat of a car and forgotten, thus, subjecting them to closed spaces and congested heat. This caused many incidents of heatstroke which were fatal.

Knowing how the atmosphere affects us is important, because then, a person can take precautions to make sure that it does not affect them negatively. If the heat is excessive, avoid going outside in direct sunlight and make sure that you are well-hydrated. Many athletes who have a constant regime of outdoor exercise are often affected by heatstroke, along with those who have an active lifestyle where they spend most of their time outdoors.

Ask your doctor

As mentioned before, many states have organizations which are designated to educating people about heat-related illnesses. If a person knows that they are susceptible, they should ask their doctor about it. In Texas, there are clinics such as the Tidwell Medical Center in Tidwell, TX or the Lakewood Family Practice in Houston, TX, which cater to all the patients who want to know more about how to take care of their body and prevent heatstrokes.

When going out in the sun, sunscreen isn’t the only thing that’s important, and by taking care of your body, inside out; you can enjoy the heat while staying safe and healthy.

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Three tips to finding out which Texas hospital is best for you

If you’re living in Texas, you know how careful you have to be about your health. Summer arrives, and with it, come the wonderful months of the flu season, headaches, heat strokes and other conditions. When you cannot eat ice cream without the thought of it making you want to throw up, you know it’s time to go to the doctor. But you can’t do anything but wait, when there is already a waiting list, a mile long, just for an appointment which will hardly last for 10 minutes. Or can you?

The following tips will help you search out the best hospital to go to in Texas?

The hospital is small enough

The purpose of a large hospital is to cater to as many people as possible and while that might seem generous, it can be overburdening for the hospital itself. Having big premises means that it may be helping thousands of people but it means that the staff is working double time to meet all the expectations that a patient has from the medical facility. According to a study, a doctor spends 15 seconds listening to their patient before giving a diagnosis. Thus, when choosing a hospital, it is always best to look at the premises first; for example, the Lakewood Family Practice in Houston, TX. A small hospital means lesser patients which means that the doctors and nurses will be able to take proper care for you and will not think of you as another file in a drawer.

Patient reviews are important

Patients are given the opportunity to write their views about their experiences at hospitals, so if you want to have an in-depth look at a hospital, read the reviews. Hospitals are reviewed on the five basic aspects; attention, treatment, safety, cleanliness and experience. If a doctor gives your situation the proper attention it needs, gives a correct diagnosis following the right guidelines, works in a clean and safe manner and has enough experience to back up his or her diagnosis, then there is no one better to opt for. Many hospitals allow patients to write reviews about the doctors and staff on their website, so you can get a first-hand look at how they work without any bias.

Choose a hospital which is near you

This obvious tip is often overlooked. In case of emergencies, you need to visit the closest hospital possible, and although they may be convenient in such times; since they do not have the patient’s history, it can cause problems. Choose a hospital with the right criteria in mind and make sure that it is near enough so that you can easily get there following a well-travelled route. If you live in Splendora, TX, choose a proper hospital in the city, such as the East Montgomery County Clinic, instead of searching for one in the nearby cities.

Choosing the right hospital in your home town can be difficult since there are so many options to choose from, but by keeping the right information in mind, you can choose one which is the most convenient and trustworthy for you and your family.

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Vision Testing Services

Today, a vast majority of the population wears glasses and contact lenses. So, when it comes down to it, when should one have their eyes checked? The answer is to get them checked every year on a regular basis.
In order to accurately measure your vision distortion, you can visit your nearest optometrist to get your eyes tested. The eye vision test will determine what level of corrective lenses you require to see properly, and your spectacles will then be made according to the exact specification in the test result.

The normal procedures included in eye exams are as follows:

Retinoscopy

This is normally the first eye exam that your doctor will conduct in order to measure the estimated level of your visual disturbance. Retinoscopy is a procedure used to obtain the measurement of refractive errors in a patient's eyes. Using a retinoscope, your optometrist will shine light into your eyes and observe the reflexes in your retina.

Refraction

Retinoscopy is followed by the test of refraction, with which the doctor will determine the precise prescription. Your optometrist will place a phoropter on your eyes, which is similar in shape to the spectacles that we wear; and test your vision with a series of lenses, while asking you to read letters on a board that become smaller as you progress through each line. This continues until you have the right combination of lenses in both eyes for a completely clear vision.

Aberrometers and Autorefractors

This is another specialized test your doctor can perform to determine your prescription automatically. You are requested to place your chin on both these devices while you focus on a single object or point of light.

Cover test

A cover test is perhaps the most common of all tests to find out whether and if your eyes are working perfectly. This test is used to find the two types of ocular deviation, namely tropia and phoria. A tropia is the incorrect alignment of the eyes when both eyes are not covered. A phoria only emerges when viewing is broken and both eyes can no longer focus on the same object.

Slit-lamp examination

This particular examination is one that allows your optometrist to magnify the structures in your eyes to determine the condition of your eyes and to evaluate whether there are signs of disease and infection. You are asked to place your chin on an object that looks like a microscope and then light is shone into your eyes to check their condition.

Eye vision testing has become quite simple nowadays, and can be done quickly at PCP For Life at one of our many locations in the Houston, TX area. If you feel that your vision is distorted, it is crucial that you get your eyes tested and get corrected lenses for yourself, as soon as possible. Depending on how fast you get your corrective eyewear will determine whether, you will be wearing them for a couple of months, a couple of years, or for your entire lifetime.

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