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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Audio/Tympanogram Services - What is a Tympanogram?

In order to detect problems in the middle ear, a test called Tympanometry is performed. This is an objective test used for the determination of the middle ear function and should not be considered as a hearing test per se. The graphical illustration of this test result is known as a Tympanogram.

How Is It Conducted?

The primary step in this test is the physical examination of your ear by your physician. This is carried out to ensure that there is no obstruction inside the ear and that the eardrum is free from any blockage.

The second step consists of the placement of a device inside your ear. Minor changes in the air pressure inside the middle ear are brought about by this device, which makes the eardrum move back and forth. The results of this movement are then recorded onto the Tympanogram.

Special Precautions for the Test

It is of utmost importance that you try your best not to move at all during the conductance of this test. In addition to that, speaking and swallowing are also prohibited. This is so because movements bring about changes in air pressure in the middle ear and give false readings.

It is also important not to get startled by the sounds heard during the test, as they may be loud. This is why it is mandatory to try to stay calm during the entire length of the test.

Maintaining your composure is easy if you are an adult. If, however, a child’s auditory senses are to be tested, it is suggested that you acquaint the child with the prerequisites of the test with the help of a doll. This will lower any anxieties the child might have and may help you in securing accurate readings.

Is it painful?

There is no pain involved in the entire procedure. However, you will feel a slight degree of discomfort for the time the probe is inside your ear. This will not result in any kind of harm. Loud tone and pressure changes are the two things that you will experience as your physician records the measurements.

What is the aim of this test?

This test is conducted to determine accurately how your auditory apparatus reacts to sound as well as to changing pressures.

Physiological features of the middle ear

The features of the normal human ear exhibit stable pressure readings that vary slightly as you change your environment. The appearance of the eardrum is smooth.

Abnormal characteristics
Your physician may discover any of the following features at the end of Tympanometry:

 - Fluid inside the middle ear cavity
 -The presence of a tumor inside the middle ear
 - Accumulation of impacted wax
 - Lack or complete absence of any contact between the three conduction bones of the middle ear
 - One or more perforations in the eardrum
 - Scars on the tympanic eardrum

Overall, this test is significant whenever auditory disturbances cannot be determined accurately via Rinne or Weber tests.

If you are concerned about hearing issues in you or your family, be sure to contact PCP For Life at one of our many convenient locations throughout the greater Houston, Texas area. Our friendly staff will be glad to assist you with any questions you have about the hearing tests and your hearing issues.

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How Your Body Uses Vitamin E

It is common knowledge that oxygen is one of the most important components to support life. This oxygen is very reactive within certain molecules and this reactivity can be severe enough to cause cellular damage through a process known as oxidative stress. Anti-oxidants counteract this reaction. Vitamin E is classified as an anti-oxidant and helps prevent the aging of cells, or damage to cells.

A fatty substance found in many foods is known as cholesterol. This is absorbed by our bodies and then it is processed by our liver and eventually stored as fat. Cholesterol is carried by Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL).Oxidation of LDL causes a reaction to cholesterol and another fatty substance known as plaque is deposited within the walls of arteries. A buildup of this plaque over time can cause partial or complete blockage of the arteries.

Cholesterol will be prohibited from forming plaque if oxidation can be controlled and Vitamin E helps to prevent the buildup of plaque. Those with coronary problems may need to use Vitamin E supplements to ensure that arteries are not blocked. This plaque buildup can cause high blood pressure and heart attacks.

While Vitamin E has been shown to help in the prevention of circulatory problems, there is also some suggestion that it may help to prevent cancer. While not conclusively proven, Vitamin E is a well-known anti-oxidant that can help your health.

Another benefit of Vitamin E is that it can provide effective protection from UV rays. It can shield the skin from the sun’s harmful rays, and this can help in the prevention of skin cancer.

Vitamin E has also been show to protect against Alzheimer’s disease and the inflammation of the pancreas.

If you are looking for natural sources of Vitamin E, look to fruits and nuts first. Oranges in particular are an excellent source of Vitamin E, and are well known sources of Vitamin C. These benefits can be obtained by eating oranges or drinking orange juice. This is especially true of orange juice that contains pulp.

No matter what your health condition may be, Vitamin E should be an important item in your diet. It is not only found in fruit, but in vegetables as well. If you eat fruits and vegetables regularly, you should easily achieve the recommended 1,000 mg of Vitamin E per day.

If you live in the Greater Houston, Texas area and are concerned about your vitamin intake, call us at PCP for Life and we can provide you with recommendations about your diet and nutrition.

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Muscle Injuries – Sprains and Strains

Your muscles can be injured easily during sports activities or during any significant physical exertion, and the type of injury you may cause to your muscles can be different depending on the type of activity you are involved in and how the injury happened.

Imagine one scenario where a football player is injured during a tackle, and suffers an injury to his calf muscle when a larger player lands on it with significant force.Now imagine an injury suffered during a weightlifting session where someone uses a weight that is too large, and that this participant suffers from sore muscles the following day. These are two very different types of muscle injuries, but both can be very painful and debilitating.

A sprain occurs when muscles are stretched or torn when a joint is contorted into an unnatural position. These most often occur during fast-paced sports, impact sports, or incidents involving a slip and fall or even a car accident. A strain most often occurs when a muscle is flexed beyond its capacity causing stretching or tearing of muscle fibers.

Symptoms of a Sprain
Sprains can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. A mild sprain occurs when a ligament stretches or perhaps sustains slight tears. This is most often accompanied by soreness or tenderness. A moderate sprain involves tearing of ligaments tear partially. This will cause difficult movement and you may experience swelling and possible discoloration of the tissue surrounding the tear. This is most often caused from internal bleeding at the injury site. The most severe type of sprain involves a complete tear, this will be accompanied by severe pain and discomfort, and movement will be very limited. Severe sprains will also exhibit swelling and discoloration. The pain associated with a severe muscle sprain can often be confused with a fracture. This type of injury should be checked out by a physician.

Muscle Strain Symptoms
Strains occur when a muscle is contracted quickly or stretched beyond a muscle’s normal capacity. Strains can be classified as acute or chronic. An acute strain will occur suddenly, most often involving an attempt to lift something heavy, or after a sudden reaction during sports or to avoid a fall down. Chronic strains are very common with athletes who over-use a muscle during workouts or competition. This type of injury is often referred to as a “pulled muscle”.

Treatment for mild sprains and strains can involve rest, and the application of ice to reduce swelling. Anti-inflammatory medications may also help to alleviate pain. More severe muscle tears should be examined by your physician. In most cases, these types of injuries will resolve with an appropriate immobilization of the muscles involved and rest.

If you have a sprain or strain that you are concerned about, contact us at PCP For Life at one of our many convenient locations throughout the greater Houston Texas area.

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Foods that can Lower Your Cholesterol

Hypertension and heart disease are prevalent in the United States today and much of this comes from high blood cholesterol. Current theories indicate that high cholesterol is largely due to your diet, in conjunction with activity levels among the general population. If you are looking for ways to decrease your cholesterol levels, a change in these areas may be necessary.

The Body Needs Cholesterol

Cholesterol plays many important roles in the human body, and while it has been identified as a major culprit with respect to heart disease, it is important to understand that cholesterol is a necessary component to many bodily functions and is essential to the body in many respects. For example, cholesterol has a significant effect in the role of hormones in the body, as well as the production of bile salts and the transformation of Vitamin D.

Not All Cholesterol Is the Same

While cholesterol plays some vital roles within the body, it is important to understand the difference between “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol. Saturated fats and trans fatty acids are often found in processed foods such as potato chips and canned foods and this is where LDL cholesterol is normally found. LDL cholesterol is commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol because high levels of LDL can cause plaque to form within your arteries. Over time this plaque can cause clogging and hardness of the arteries which makes it more difficult for the heart to work with efficiency. Ultimately, this plaque build-up and hardening leads to hypertension and coronary heart disease.

Foods for Good Cholesterol

Avoiding foods that are high in LDL is just one-step you need to take. The next step is to focus on foods that are high in HDL, or “good” cholesterol. HDL can help to lower the levels of LDL in your body. It does this by helping to transport LDL to the liver where it can be processed and eliminated.

If you want to shift your focus to HDL, there is a wide range of tasty foods that can help you to do this. Fish and nuts are a great place to start as they primarily contain HDL. You can also concentrate on filling your diet with more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain very little cholesterol in general. Fruits and vegetables have the added benefit of fiber, which can help significantly to fight the effects of LDL.

Decreasing your LDL levels can also be accomplished by your activity level. If you remain active and strengthen your body, its ability to counteract the negative effects of LDL will be increased. You may also want to decrease the amount of sugar and carbohydrates that you consume. Both of these tactics can help your body in many other ways.

If you are concerned about the effects of high cholesterol, don’t hesitate to contact us at PCP For Life. We are committed to serving the greater Houston, TX area and your health is important to us. We can provide you with sound medical advice and diagnoses regarding you current cholesterol levels so call us today for a consultation

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Measles Outbreak Risks

Measles, mumps, rubella, polio, hepatitis B and varicella are all routine vaccinations and according to national data, most children in the United States have received vaccinations for these diseases. While economic disparities seem to show that those children on the lower scale are more likely to go without the proper vaccinations, signs are good that over the past 25 years fewer children are going without the appropriate vaccinations.

While vaccinations rates appear to be adequate, there are still outbreaks of measles across the United States. Trends in measles outbreaks have been identified and these trends can be a concern for many.

One of the first trends involves clustering of those who develop measles. Most of these clusters involve people who have not been vaccinated who have left the United States to travel abroad. These people travel to another country and contract the disease, returning to the U.S. with measles symptoms. Most of these people were verified as not vaccinated but a small number were not confirmed as unvaccinated.

Some people of certain religious faiths avoid vaccinations. In some cases, outbreaks occur among the participants of a certain group when one person travels to another country. If someone were to leave the country and contract measles, when they return they would quickly infect many of their fellow church members.

While religion may inhibit certain groups from obtaining the proper vaccinations, there are cultural reasons as well. People of similar cultural beliefs tend to stay together and when these cultural beliefs include an aversion to vaccinations, it is common for an outbreak to occur, especially for an illness such as measles.

When immunization rates are below 100%, the odds of an outbreak are much higher. Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children are increasing the risk of an outbreak in spite of the data that suggests that a fully vaccinated school population is simply less likely to contract measles.

Often, parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated will fail to heed warnings about the need for vaccinations and argue that since everyone else has a vaccination, why worry. The reality is that outbreaks can affect many people within a community causing increased health risks and unnecessary costs. The best approach is to aim for a 100% vaccination rate to ensure the safety of the community.

The measles vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines available today. Less than 5 percent of those who receive the vaccine fail to respond after the first dose, and after two doses, more than 99 percent of those receiving the vaccine develop a complete immunity to measles.

Today it is common for people to receive two doses of measles vaccine but it was not always this way. Prior to 1985, a single dose was administered to most people, and those who received only a single dose may be unaware of the benefits of a second dose. For these people the risk of exposure is higher.

While some of the population refuses to receive the proper vaccination for measles, and some are unaware of the need for vaccinations, particularly a second dose, others cannot receive vaccinations due to health restrictions. Some newborns are unable to receive measles vaccinations due to an interference with maternal antibodies. For these babies the risk of measles is an important concern.

Contact us at PCP For Life if you are seeking high quality, prompt and professional advice regarding measles and the vaccinations that can help you and your child. Our friendly staff will be happy to provide you with all of the facts regarding measles vaccinations and your potential risk.

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Recognizing Flu Symptoms in Your Child

Each year the flu season arrives and hospitals across the nation see significant spikes in the number of patients who need to undergo treatment. Most cases of the flue in 2014-2015 so far have been caused by the H3N2 strain of flu virus across Texas and vaccines have been able to provide limited protection. Parents need to understand what types of symptoms constitute an emergency in their child when it comes to the flu virus.


There is a wide range of symptoms when it comes to any type of flu and these can be mild or quite severe depending on the patient and the strain of flu virus. Not all symptoms constitute an emergency situation, but in some severe cases, the flu can lead to severe illness and even death.

Those afflicted with the flu often experience the following symptoms:

    - Fever (in some but not all cases)
    - Coughing
    - Sore throat
    - Runny nose or stuffy nose
    - Body aches and sore muscles
    - Headaches 
    - Fatigue
    - Vomiting and/or diarrhea (in some cases)

In most cases, a child experiencing the symptoms noted above can be treated at home with a fever reducing medication, plenty of fluids and bed rest. An anti-viral flu medication such as Tamiflu® can be prescribed by your pediatrician as well which will help to eliminate the virus. Once the fever has gone away, it is best to keep you child home for at least 24 hours to ensure that they are healthy.

In some cases, certain children can be at a high risk for complications arising from the flu. Those with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, sickle cell disease or any other chronic illness should be considered at high risk for complications. Children under the age of 2 are also at high risk for complications so be sure to call us at PCP For Life for advice on treatment in these cases.

Emergencies

While the flu can often be treated at home, there are situations where the flu can create an emergency situation. If you note any of the following symptoms in your child, be sure to get immediate medical attention:

In children

 - Fast breathing or trouble breathing
 - Bluish skin color
 - Not drinking enough fluids
 - Not waking up or not interacting
 - Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
 - Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
 - Fever with a rash

In addition to the signs above, get medical help right away for any infant who has any of these signs:

  - Being unable to eat
  - Has trouble breathing
  - Has no tears when crying
  - Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal

A flu vaccination is the best way to keep your family safe from contracting the flu. Call us at PCP For Life today to schedule a flu vaccination. Our skilled physicians are always ready to answer any questions you may have.

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