Archives for July 2019

Causes of Bronchitis

If you have bronchitis, it means the lining of your bronchial tubes is inflamed. Two of the most common symptoms of bronchitis are a thickening of mucus and difficulty carrying air in and out of the lungs.

The treatment you need for bronchitis largely depends on what caused it. For example, bronchitis may be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Oftentimes, the infection of the chest is secondary, following a respiratory tract infection.

Symptoms of Bronchitis

Bronchitis is either acute or chronic. It is chronic bronchitis if the symptoms persist and do not go away after two weeks. Acute bronchitis should go away with or without treatment. The symptoms of acute and chronic bronchitis are similar. They include:

  • Constant coughing
  • Producing mucus that’s white, yellow, or green in color
  • Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)
  • Body aches and fatigue
  • Feeling cold and feverish
  • Discomfort or pain in the chest area

A typical bout of chronic bronchitis is three months. Chronic bronchitis can lead to serious complications, which is why it’s important to see a family medicine provider if your acute bronchitis has turned chronic.

Causes of Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is usually the result of an infection from a cold, flu, virus or bacteria. In the case of a virus, your family medicine provider  may prescribe antiviral medication. In the case of bacteria, your family medicine provider or may prescribe antibiotics.

Bronchitis Risk Factors

There are some risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing bronchitis. Here are some examples.

  • Living with a smoker or being a smoker puts you at higher risk of developing acute or chronic bronchitis.
  • Occupational hazards such as working in a factory that produces toxic fumes or working with formaldehyde or toxic cleaning agents can lead to bronchitis.
  • Another risk factor is having a weak immune system because of certain medications or illnesses, which can make you more prone to developing respiratory and chest infections. People with compromised immune systems such as those with AIDS or HIV are also vulnerable to developing bronchitis.
  • Finally, gastric reflux sufferers are also prone to developing bronchitis due to stomach acid irritating the throat.

Preventing Bronchitis

Prevention usually involves reducing your exposure to irritants, quitting smoking, and keeping a healthy lifestyle. Getting vaccinated also protects you from certain virus strains, such as influenza, which reduces the risk of bronchitis developing as a result of it. If your occupation is a risk factor, wear a mask while doing your job. Also, wear a mask if your immune system is compromised or weak. Finally, eat a healthy diet and exercise to strengthen your immune system.

Bronchitis Treatment in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

If you are experiencing symptoms of bronchitis, our compassionate family medicine specialists at Advanced Medical will ensure you get the proper treatment for your condition. Our family medicine providers and staff take the time to listen to our patients because we know that every person’s illness is different and deserves our full attention. To make an appointment, call (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online now.

Safety Equipment for Equestrians

Horse riding is a fun activity that is not only healthy but also very enjoyable for animal lovers. Whether you are a professional equestrian or simply like riding in leisure time, horse riding is a fulfilling sport for everyone. Like with any sport or athletic activity, safety equipment is a pivotal aspect of keeping yourself safe from injury. Let’s take a look at safety equipment that equestrians should use every time they ride to keep themselves safe.

Reflective Clothing

One of the basic safety needs of an equestrian is reflective clothing. This type of protective gear helps the riders be more visible in situations with low light. Reflective clothing may also include straps which can be placed around the horse to make it more visible. Reflective clothing helps people see the rider and horse clearly so there is less chance of collisions or accidents.

Helmet

A good helmet serves as an airbag for your head and brain. Statistics show that in 2017, approximately 15,000 head injuries in the United States were caused by falling off or handling horses. This makes a helmet critical to head safety so in the situation a rider falls, there is minimal damage to the head.

Riding Vest

The riding vest protects the torso from bruising, prevents injury to the internal organs, and helps reduce injury to soft tissue in accidents. Some equestrians don’t like wearing riding vests because they tend to be bulky which leads to sweating. However, the safety benefits of a riding vest outweigh the inconvenience it may provide. Whether you are an occasional rider, speed game competitor, jumping rider, or long-distance rider, you should always wear a riding vest.

<h2″>Boots

There are a variety of boots available for equestrians. Two examples are tall boots and riding boots. Tall boots protect the riders’ legs from chafing while they ride. They also prevent riders’ legs from getting scraped by shrubs and branches on the trail. Riding boots are characterized by small heels. The purpose of these low heels is to assist the riders’ feet in the stirrup. They also protect the toes from getting trampled. The type of boot you should use when you ride a horse depends on the type of horse-riding activities you do and the safety needs specific to that activity.

Gloves

Gloves are crucial when riding horses because they provide extra strength and grip to the hands. The gloves protect against blisters from pulling and navigating the horse.

While it is impossible to guarantee you won’t get hurt while riding a horse, having the correct safety gear on can significantly lower your chances of injury. In the case you need assistance from injuries sustained while riding a horse, playing another sport, or from events that occur in routine life, you should have a trustworthy and experienced family medicine provider to lean on for support. The experts at Advanced Medical Clinic are happy to help you with any and all medical problems you may have. Call (561) 434-1935 to make an appointment or set an appointment online.