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Tips for Alleviating Migraine Pain

A migraine is not a headache, as anybody who suffers from it can tell you. A migraine is a neurological disease that affects the nerve pathways and chemicals in your brain. For migraine sufferers, just the thought of a migraine coming on can send shivers down their spine for it is more intense and disabling compared to a headache. Migraine attacks can result in lost work days and make you miss out on activities that are important to you. Anyone who suffers from migraine can never get enough tips for alleviating the pain.

What Does a Migraine Feel Like

Migraine pain is that throbbing on one side of the head that causes sensitivity to lights, sound, and nausea. Many migraine sufferers go through four stages: prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome. Women are more likely to experience migraines more than men, due to hormonal fluctuations. Migraines affect approximately 28 million women in the United States. Estrogen medication may trigger migraines, so if you are on estrogen therapy, you may want to ask your doctor for alternatives.

Preventing an Attack

Treatments for migraine pain often focus on the period before it becomes a full-blown attack. Medication such as Ibuprofen taken before the onset of a migraine can help prevent the need to just lie down in a dark room until the symptoms pass, which could take days. A migraine could last 24 to 72 hours. Healthy habits and lifestyle changes can help reduce the frequency of migraines in some people. Doctors recommend that you avoid skipping meals, which is a common migraine trigger, along with lack of sleep and high-stress levels.

Alleviating the Pain

To alleviate migraine pain, avoid bright lights, loud noise, and abrupt movements and place a hot or cold compress on the neck or head to help relieve the symptoms.

Medical treatments  and medications to prevent an attack are available for patients with migraines. Other than ibuprofen, prescription medication such as triptans can block pain pathways in the brain. Botox injections are approved for treating chronic migraine sufferers and block the transmission of pain signals, preventing migraine attacks. The effects of Botox injections can last for up to 12 weeks.

A very small percentage of people who get migraines receive appropriate care. If you suffer from migraines, a doctor can help treat your symptoms and prevent future episodes. To make the most of your visit to the doctor, keep a migraine diary where you can jot down details that can help you with information such as your migraine triggers and which types of treatment offer relief.

Primary Care Doctor in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

Dr. Ishan Gunawardene is an internal medicine doctor dedicated to helping his patients live their best lives. Migraines can impact your quality of life, and Dr. Gunawardene uses a combination of medicine,alternative therapies, and behavioral techniques to treat patients with chronic migraines.

Talk to Dr. Gunawardene about your symptoms and he will create a customized treatment plan just for you. To schedule a consultation, call (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 Causes of Serious Headaches

The pain from headaches and migraines can interfere with your daily life. You might not function at work as you should. The discomfort may even disrupt the time you spend with your family. When you understand the causes of serious headaches, you will know when you should visit a primary care physician or someone who is an expert in Wellington family practice. The most common causes are:

 

1. Brain Infection 

A brain infection, though not a common cause of serious headache, is a problem that can cause serious complications. Therefore, you should take notice if you have a serious headache accompanied by any of these symptoms:

·    Delayed Speech 

·    Vision Changes

·    Muscle Function Changes

·    Vomiting

·    Fever 

·    Chills

A brain infection usually stems from one of the following microbes: 

·    Virus

·    Bacteria

·    Fungi

 

2. Hormone Headaches 

If you’re a woman, you may experience hormone-related headaches triggered by changes in your estrogen levels. For example, you may notice your headaches occur before your menstrual cycle. Pregnancy, perimenopause, birth control medications, and menopause can all cause serious headaches due to hormone changes.

Hormone headaches in men can occur as well. Specifically, men who have low testosterone levels are more likely to experience chronic migraines than men with normal testosterone levels. 

3. Hemicrania Continua

This particular type of headache usually causes moderate pain, but you can experience bouts of severe pain. Keep in mind that the headaches from hemicrania continua happen daily, and you won’t have any periods without pain. In some cases, this type of headache will cause migraine-like symptoms like sensitivity to light, nausea, and vomiting. 

The cause of hemicrania continua isn’t known, but a specialist in family medicine Royal Palm Beach can prescribe a medication to manage your pain and other symptoms. 

 

4. Sleep Deprivation

Your body requires an adequate amount of sleep to function normally. When you don’t receive enough sleep, you may develop headaches or migraines during the times when you lack sleep. 

Moreover, sleep and headache disorders both rely on the same brain structures, which make you more prone to serious headaches. 

 

5. High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, classifies as a silent condition because it doesn’t cause any symptoms. However, when your blood pressure levels unusually rise , you may develop a severe headache. 

Generally, mild or moderate hypertension won’t cause headaches, which is when your blood pressure is between 140 to 159 over 90 to 99 or 160 to 179 over 100 to 190. 

 

6. Meningitis 

Meningitis is a term that describes inflammation  of the membranes surrounding your spinal cord and brain. In the United States, a majority of cases start with a viral infection. 

The initial symptoms of meningitis often mirror symptoms of the flu. Your neck could feel stiff, and you may even experience excessive sleepiness. Severe headaches and headaches accompanied by nausea and vomiting could occur, too. 

A primary care physician at Royal Palm Beach can diagnose and treat severe headaches. Therefore, you can go back to living your normal life without the debilitating headaches that interfere with your daily life. 

Contact Advanced Medical PA — a family medicine practice that serves Wellington and the surrounding Florida area — today for relief from your serious headaches. Call us at (561) 315-4172. While we’d love to speak to you personally, for your convenience, you can also use our online appointment form. 

5 Mistakes That May Be Sabotaging Your Hand Washing

Our hands are in contact with our surroundings more than any other body part. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought several red flags to light when it comes to maintaining proper hygiene, most notably with hand washing. To prevent the spread of contagious diseases and reduce exposure to bacteria, viruses, and germs, frequent and proper handwashing is a must.

Do you want to know if you are washing your hands properly? Avoid these five major mistakes that may be sabotaging your hand washing.

#1 Washing Your Hands Too Quickly

Many of us are guilty of being inconsistent when it comes to washing our hands. We flip open the faucet, rinse for a second or two, get a few squirts of soap, rinse for a couple of seconds, and then go off to the next activity of the day.

You should be washing your hands for at least 20 seconds—twice the length of the Happy Birthday song—to eliminate harmful germs from your hands and prevent illness. Make sure you get in between your fingers, the backs of your hands, and under your nails, too.

#2 Touching Dirty Surfaces or Items After a Wash

After washing your hands, make sure not to touch surfaces or objects that may contain germs or bacteria, such as the faucet or door handle. These surfaces can contain a lot of germs, especially in public restrooms. This mistake may be the hardest to avoid because of how inconvenient it can be to correct it. To avoid touching dirty surfaces after washing your hands, have paper towels on-hand or a clean towel to dry your hands and turn the faucet off as well as to open the door as you exit.

#3 Not Washing Your Hands Regularly

Think of a typical day and try to recall how many things you touch. Think about how many other people also touch these objects or surfaces and the germs you may be picking up as a result. You can easily infect yourself when you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with germ-infested hands.

To limit the germs we pick up and transfer, we must all practice frequent hand washing. Try your best to wash your hands before and after meals, when you clean wounds, and after you have touched an object that may be a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, or germs. Also clean your hands after you touch your pets, handle garbage, use the toilet, cough, sneeze, or blow your nose.

#4 Using Hand Sanitizer Instead of Hand Washing

Do not let the product descriptions and marketing ploys fool you. Traditional hand washing is still better in getting rid of the germs and bacteria on your hands. Thorough soaping and rinsing are more effective and can remove harmful things you have collected on your hands much better than hand sanitizer can.

If there is no other choice but to use hand sanitizer, make sure that it contains at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizers with an alcohol concentration of over 60% are more effective at killing germs.

#5 Not Using Soap at All

This is a mistake committed by many people and one you should do your best to avoid. Merely rinsing with water will not get rid of the oil on your hands, where germs often stick. When washing your hands, make sure to lather your hands with soap, scrub them well, and rinse off the soap, oils, and germs.

Improve Your Hand Washing Technique to Prevent the Spread of Germs and Disease

Hand washing is an often overlooked aspect of maintaining proper hygiene and preventing the spread of viruses and contagious diseases. However, it is a major defender against sickness. We all want to stay healthy, therefore, we must observe proper hand hygiene and avoid the mistakes that defeat the purpose of hand washing. Clean your hands often and properly to avoid the coronavirus and other diseases and keep you and your family safe.

Primary Care in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

You must stay vigilant and look out for your health and the health of your family. If you live in Florida, the providers at Advanced Medical Clinic can assist you when you get sick. We offer family-oriented and comprehensive care for your health care needs. Get in touch with us today. If you have inquiries or you wish to schedule a consultation, call us at (561) 434-1935 or book an appointment online.

What Causes Headaches?

Not only are headaches a nuisance, they can also bring your busy day to a screeching stop. While most headaches are not a sign of serious illness, there are some that can be due to life-threatening conditions. For this reason, it’s best to consult your doctor if you have a headache that is excruciating, persistent, and out of the ordinary.

Determining the cause of your headache helps doctors recommend the appropriate treatment plan to relieve your symptoms. Here are the most common types of headaches and what causes them.

Tension Headaches

A very common type of headache people experience is a tension headache. It is characterized by a constant dull pain on one or both sides of the head that lasts at least 30 minutes. Other symptoms may include sensitivity to light and sounds, tenderness in the face and neck, and pressure behind the eyes. This type of headache responds well to NSAIDs and does not usually restrict you from doing other activities.

Tension headaches are usually caused by triggers like hunger, dehydration, inactivity, lack of sleep, eye strain, stress, anxiety, and depression.

Cluster Headaches

A cluster headache is characterized by a piercing and burning sensation in or around the eyes and a non-throbbing pain typically on just one side of the head. It is usually accompanied by watery eyes, swollen eyelids and debilitating pain. Cluster headaches can repeatedly come back for a few months at a time. The exact cause of cluster headaches is not known, but tests have shown activity in the hypothalamus during a cluster headache attack. 

Hormonal Headaches

This type of headache is related to changes in hormone levels that are linked to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Menstrual migraines do not respond well to NSAIDs once the headache starts, which is why treatment usually involves preemptive pain relief. Hormonal headaches may occur during ovulation, which is usually due to the fluctuation of estrogen levels. The symptoms are similar to that of a migraine and the pain can be severe.

Migraines

A migraine is categorized as a primary headache. It is characterized by throbbing pain usually occurring on one side of the head. A person experiencing migraine is highly sensitive to bright lights, sounds, and smells, which is why nausea and vomiting usually accompany migraines. Some migraine sufferers experience an aura before the migraine manifests. The aura can last for an hour in some cases.

Doctors do not fully know the cause of migraines, but there is evidence that genetics play a role. People with relatives who suffer from migraines have a higher risk of getting migraines, as well.

Headache Treatment in Palm Beach, Florida

At Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida, we provide a variety of treatment methods to effectively relieve the symptoms of headaches.

With a combination of compassionate care, medication, and lifestyle changes, we can help make your headaches less severe or prevent episodes altogether.

We want you to achieve a better quality of life, and we do this by offering a high standard of primary and urgent care. If headaches are preventing you from living your life, call (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment now.

Vitamins You May Be Lacking if You Live in Florida

Living in the Sunshine State is great for everything from year-round golf to year-round beach activities, and thousands of snowbirds flock to Florida each winter for fun in the sun.

The advantages of living in Florida are plentiful, but there is one disadvantage to which health-conscious Floridians should pay attention: Floridians are at risk for certain vitamin deficiencies.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is naturally produced in our bodies when our skin is directly exposed to the sun’s UVB (ultraviolet B) rays. According to the Vitamin D Council, “in the southern United States, in places like Florida, your body can produce vitamin D most of the year.”

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, adults between the ages of 19 and 70 need at least 600 IU of vitamin D, and those aged 71 and over should get at least 800 IU. This vitamin is essential in the function of your bones, muscles, nerves, and immunity. 

It’s best for the body to get most of its vitamin D from foods, such as salmon, liver, tuna, mackerel, cheese, and egg yolks. Many foods are fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, orange juice, and cereals. 

Although sun exposure without sunscreen for 10 minutes can help the body produce more than 1,000 IU of vitamin D, this isn’t recommended since it can contribute to skin cancer.

Calcium Deficiency

Like vitamin D, calcium is necessary to maintain healthy bones, muscles, and nerve function. Low calcium might result in diseases like osteoporosis, which causes brittle bones and fragility. The culture in Florida isn’t as focused on drinking milk as it is in northern states, so low calcium levels tend to be a common health issue.

The NIH recommends adult men between the ages of 19 and 70 get at least 1,000 mg of calcium per day. Adult women should also consume this amount until they’re age 51 or over when the NIH recommends women start consuming at least 1,200 mg every day.

Floridians are especially susceptible to calcium deficiency because there is a direct correlation between vitamin D deficiency and a lack of calcium. Vitamin D is essential to calcium absorption in the body. 

Important Vitamins and Minerals for the Body

Calcium and vitamin D are the two most common vitamins that are lacking in people living in Florida, but they may also be at risk of having the following deficiencies:

  • Vitamin B-12
  • Iron
  • Iodine
  • Vitamin A
  • Magnesium

How Can I Find Out if I’m Deficient in Vitamins? 

Living in Florida and receiving inadequate amounts of vitamin D, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals could result in serious health consequences. If you’d like to find out whether you’re deficient in these essential nutrients and how to get on the road to a healthier body, call the Advanced Medical Clinic today at (561) 434-1935 to schedule an appointment.

You can also fill out our easy-to-use online appointment request form today. Our skilled and caring health professionals at the Advanced Medical Center can explain your options to combat deficiency and help you feel better and more healthy.

How Much Calcium Do You Need?

When we think of the contributions that the mineral calcium makes to our bodies, the first thing that comes to mind is strong bone, and this is true. However, calcium has multiple jobs. Yes, it builds bones, but our blood wouldn’t clot without calcium. Our heart would cease to beat and muscles would only expand and not contract.

Calcium is extremely important to good health and yet we are constantly losing the mineral from the body, just through the daily grind of living our lives. Calcium is lost through body waste: sweat, urine, and feces. We lose calcium through our largest organ, the skin that covers our bodies and through nail beds and hair. It is constantly being released.

While we are constantly losing calcium, the body doesn’t produce the mineral on its own. Calcium is delivered to our bodies through the foods we eat. If we don’t receive the right amount of calcium through calcium-rich foods, then the body will rob it from calcium-rich bones. Over time this becomes dangerous and compromises the bone’s strength and makes them easier to fracture.

Required Daily Amount 

The following is recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board and found in the Dietary Reference Intakes.  Recommended daily Intake requirements of calcium are calculated by age and gender. There is also a recommended daily allowance for pregnant and lactating women.

Male

·      0-6 months of age

200 mg of calcium per day

·      7-12 months of age

260 mg

·      1-3 years

700 mg

·      4-8 years

1000 mg

·      9-13 years

1300 mg

·      14-18 years

1300 mg 

·      19-50 years

1000 mg

·      51-70 years

1000 mg

·      71+ years

1200 mg

Female

·      0-6 months

200 mg

·      7-12 months

260 mg

·      1-3 years

700 mg

·      4-8 years

1000mg

·      9-13 years

1300 mg

·      14-18 years

1300 mg

·      19-50 years

1000 mg

·      51-70 years

1200 mg

71+ years

1200 mg

Pregnant

·      14-18 years

1300 mg

·      19-50 years

1000 mg

Lactating

·      14-18 years

1300 mg

·      19-50 years

1000 mg

The recommended daily allowance of calcium is necessary for proper bone health. It is also for keeping the correct amount of calcium in healthy people.

Calcium Rich Food Sources

Dairy is rich in calcium and will help to achieve the recommended daily allowance: cheese, milk, and yogurt. Additionally, there are non-dairy food sources that include calcium such as leafy green vegetables like Chinese cabbage, kale, broccoli, and spinach.

Other options include foods that don’t naturally have calcium in them but are fortified with the mineral. Read food labels to learn how much calcium is included in the foods you eat and drink. Keeping track of intake will assist you in knowing just how much you lack, and to know if taking a calcium supplement will be necessary to reach the recommended daily allowance.

Supplements

If you find it difficult to attain the recommended daily allowance of calcium for your gender and age category, then you may wish to take a calcium supplement. The mineral is taken in two forms, citrate or carbonate. Carbonate is the most common form and is readily available. A variety of over the counter medications includes carbonate, which neutralizes stomach acid. Some carbonate medications, depending on strength, will provide between 200 – 400 mg of calcium.

The National Institutes of Health’s’ Office of Dietary Supplements reports, “43 percent of the U.S. population (including almost 70 percent of older women) uses dietary supplements containing calcium, increasing calcium intakes by about 330 mg per day among supplement users.”

How to Know You’re Receiving the Right Amount of Calcium

It is imperative to know for sure that you’re receiving the correct amount of calcium. Your health provider can measure the calcium with a simple blood test.

There are two tests available. A total calcium blood test or an ionized calcium blood test will measure the amount of calcium present. If the correct amount of calcium isn’t found in your bloodstream, the doctor will make a recommendation that may include an adjustment in your diet or a prescription for a calcium supplement.

What Does Being a Family Doctor Mean?

Health is not only a reflection of the state of your body. It has a great deal to do with you and everything around you. In fact, the World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being”. Your lifestyle, your genetics, your financial situation, your stress level, your workplace environment, the wellbeing of your family – the safety of your community and society in general – are some of the many factors that your family doctor will have knowledge of as he or she guides you to a healthier state. So what exactly does it mean to be a family doctor?

Family Medicine 

Family medicine is a medical specialty that involves the care of individuals and families throughout the lifespan. In each stage of life, people have characteristic risks and unique needs. An infant is completely dependent on others for survival. Toddlers need guidance and encouragement as they learn about their environment and how to interact with others and society. Teenagers are in a stage of rapid growth and development, when positive and negative environmental and social influences can shape their futures. And older adults are faced with the natural challenges associated with aging. A family medicine provider understands each of these stages and is uniquely qualified to promote health, prevent illness, and treat diseases for their patients at all ages.

The Role of the Primary Care Provider

Your family doctor will be the primary care provider for your entire family. Today’s healthcare system is large and complex. When you are healthy, it may be simple to make it to your annual check up. However, staying healthy is a little more complicated. Your primary care provider is the one person in the system that knows you (and your children and spouse) and has your best interest at heart. He or she will not only perform annual exams, but will make sure you have all the recommended screening tests like mammograms or cholesterol levels done. They will also advise you of necessary immunizations to prevent avoidable infections, as well as educate you on a healthy lifestyle.

These are all very important activities to keep you free from illness – strong of mind and body. However, having a primary care provider is even more important when you do get sick. Knowing your medical history, including the medications you take, what works best for you, and what your preferences are, are invaluable when treating someone with an acute illness. You want a doctor that you know and trust, to turn to when you are at your most vulnerable.

Benefits of Having a Family Doctor 

Have you ever had to see a doctor that you did not know in an urgent situation? Imagine experiencing a new and concerning symptom – one distressing enough that you feel the need to go to the doctor. If you do not have a family doctor, you can expect to either spend a great deal of time explaining your past history, or at worst, receive treatment based on partial or inaccurate information. A family doctor, as the name would suggest, knows you and your family. You, most likely, have established a good relationship, and have shared your complete medical history. This would also have included your family history, such as any relatives who may have had heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or any other potentially hereditary illnesses.

This doctor will be aware of information that you may not realize is important, but that can make a big difference in your recovery, like whether you are married or have children, if you live alone, if you have a support system, whether you have transportation, and whether you are able to get a new prescription filled. Medicine is not only treating disease; it is understanding the needs of each individual patient within their unique environment and set of circumstances, and finding a way to help them achieve their highest level of health.

Your family doctor will also be in touch with your community. Infection and disease often occurs in patterns that are unique to geographical locations. For instance, antibiotics that may be effective against bacteria in Florida may not be the right choice in New Jersey.  Additionally, they will be aware of what is “going around” in the local schools and workplaces. Your family doctor is in the position to protect not only you from injury or illness, but also your spouse or children. He or she will guide you so that you can anticipate potential risks, take action to prevent injury or illness, and recover quickly if you do become ill. Having a family doctor that you know and trust is the first step in securing a healthy and happy life for you and each member of your family.

If you are interested in finding our more about primary care, family medicine, or the services we provide at Advanced Medical, PA, please call us at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or request one online.

The Importance of an Annual Wellness Exam

Everyone wants to live a long and healthy life. It takes conscious effort to achieve and maintain good health, and the effects can last your whole lifetime. Having an annual wellness exam is one of the most important things you can do for your body.

An annual wellness exam:

·       Is vital for the early detection and prevention of diseases

·       Provides time to review current medications and discuss side effects and benefits

·       Gives you an opportunity to work with your doctor to change or adjust bad habits that can lead to poor health and long-term problems

·       Ensures you are current with vaccines

·       Offers the opportunity to measure cholesterol, blood sugar, and other indicators of potential problems through lab tests

Many times, we don’t seek medical help until a small problem has become a large one. Making the right choices for your body can eliminate a lot of pain and help extend your life! Prevention is the best way to avoid sickness. At your annual well exam, your doctor gets a chance to learn about you and your health history, so that you have a baseline in case of illness or injury.

A wellness visit may include:

·       Weight and BMI

·       Blood work and labs

·       Urine analysis

·       Discussion of lab results

·       Blood pressure check

·       Discussion of history and any concerns

·       New prescriptions to address health issues

As a primary care physician, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene takes the time to get to know patients at their wellness exams, and is there throughout any hospital or rehabilitation stay to coordinate care and eliminate miscommunications among providers who don’t know your complete health history.

Advanced Medical Clinic provides comprehensive wellness exams with a doctor who will get to know you and be there when you need him. Call (561) 434-1935 for an appointment in Wellington or Royal Palm Beach, Florida today. We offer same day appointments.