Bryant Family Managed Care
  • Home
  • About
  • Clinics
    • Allergy Clinic
    • Medical Clinic
    • TeleMedicine
    • Urgent Care Clinic
    • Walk-In Clinic
    • Wellness Clinic >
      • The LOW-T Clinic
      • The IV DRIP Clinic
      • The SHOT Clinic
  • Contact
  • Patient Portal
  • Blog

BFMC Blog

Picture

Blog at
Bryant Family Managed Care


Your Family Clinic Blog

   

501-847-2835

Most Recent Posts

scroll down for all posts

Cold Versus Flu - Questions & Answers

2/13/2018

 

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

​The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Flu can have very serious associated complications.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?

​Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can tell if a person has the flu.

What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold?

​The symptoms of flu can include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue (tiredness). Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems.
Picture
Information provided by CDC.gov. Original article HERE

Heart Disease - Brought to you by BFMC from the CDC

1/19/2018

 

Preventing Heart Disease: Healthy Living Habits

By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar normal and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack. A healthy lifestyle includes the following:
  • Eating a healthy diet.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Getting enough physical activity.
  • Not smoking or using other forms of tobacco.
  • Limiting alcohol use.

Healthy Diet

Choosing healthful meal and snack options can help you avoid heart disease and its complications. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods.
Eating foods low in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high cholesterol. Limiting salt (sodium) in your diet also can lower your blood pressure. Limiting sugar in your diet can lower you blood sugar level to prevent or help control diabetes.
For more information on healthy diet and nutrition, see CDC’s Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Program website
Heart Disease
Choosing healthy meal and snack options can help you avoid heart disease and its complications. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Healthy Weight

​Being overweight or obese increases your risk for heart disease. To determine if your weight is in a healthy range, doctors often calculate your body mass index (BMI). If you know your weight and height, you can calculate your BMI at CDC’s Assessing Your Weight website. Doctors sometimes also use waist and hip measurements to calculate excess body fat. They may use special equipment to calculate excess body fat and hydration status.

Physical Activity

Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels. For adults, the Surgeon General recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking or bicycling, every week. Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day.
For more information, see CDC's Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Web site

No Smoking

Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit.
For more information about tobacco use and quitting, see CDC's Smoking & Tobacco Use Web site

Limited Alcohol

Avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can raise your blood pressure. Men should have no more than 2 drinks per day, and women only 1. For more information, visit CDC's Alcohol and Public Health Web site
Content from the CDC ​https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/healthy_living.htm

Make Health Your Resolution in 2018

1/3/2018

 

Make 2018 your healthiest year yet! Add these tips to your resolution list to boost your health and well-being!

Six Tips for 2018

  1. Make an appointment for a check-up, vaccination, or screening. Regular oral and medical exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better.
  2. Wash your hands often with soap and water to prevent the spread of infection and illness. Handwashing involves five simple and effective steps – wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry. Learn more about when and how to wash your hands.
  3. Make healthy food choices. A healthy eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. It also includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts, and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
  4. Get active! Start small – try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking further from your destination. Consider mall walking if the weather is cold or icy. Adults should get at least 2½ hours a week of moderate-intensity physical activity.
  5. Be smokefree. If you are ready to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569 for Spanish speakers) for free resources, including free quit coaching, a free quit plan, free educational materials, and referrals to other resources where you live. Need inspiration? Check out these videos from the Tips From Former Smokers® campaign.
  6. Get enough sleep. Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions—such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. Adults need seven or more hours per night.
Healthy Tips for 2018
Content provided by the CDC ​https://www.cdc.gov/Features/HealthyNewYear/index.html

Holiday Travel

12/16/2017

 

Going overseas for the holidays? Get prepared to have a safe and healthy trip.
With the holidays approaching, you may be traveling abroad to see loved ones or taking a vacation to a warm, tropical destination. The CDC Travelers’ Health website is a great resource for getting you and your family prepared for a healthy and safe holiday travel season.

Holiday Travel Tips from the CDC

Before You Go

*Visit a travel medicine specialist or your health care provider at least 4 to 6 weeks before you leave to find about needed vaccines and health concerns at your destination. Even if you are leaving soon, a visit to a travel medicine provider is still valuable. A doctor or nurse can counsel you on ways you can reduce your risk of getting sick or hurt while traveling.

*If possible, children should complete their routine childhood vaccines on the normal schedule before traveling. Some travel vaccines cannot be given to very young children, so it’s important to check with a travel medicine doctor, who should consult the child’s pediatrician, as early as possible before travel.

*If there is a risk of malaria at your destination, talk to your doctor about taking malaria-prevention medicine. Some of these drugs must be started 1–2 weeks before you leave. If you’re leaving sooner, let your doctor know. Malaria drugs are not 100% effective, and other diseases (such as Zika, dengue, and chikungunya) also are spread by mosquitoes, so you will still need to take steps to prevent mosquito bites.

*Zika is still a risk in many countries around the world. Pregnant women should NOT travel to areas with a risk of Zika. Because Zika can cause serious birth defects and be spread through sex as well as mosquito bites, partners of pregnant women and couples considering pregnancy should take prevention steps during and after travel.

*Pack a travel health kit. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines (enough to last your whole trip, plus a little extra), sunscreen, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, first aid supplies, health insurance card, insect repellent, and condoms.

*Check with your health insurance provider to find out about medical coverage outside the United States. Consider additional insurance that covers medical care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.

*Check the US Department of State website for information on security risks. Register your trip with the nearest US embassy or consulate through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get the latest safety and security information for your destination country.

Picture
Picture

During Your Trip

*Eat and drink safely. Contaminated food or drinks can cause travelers’ diarrhea and other diseases. Travelers’ diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness, especially in children. Reduce your risk by eating only food that is cooked and served hot. Drink water, sodas, or sports drinks that are bottled and sealed or very hot coffee or tea. Get on-the-spot food and water advice in CDC’s Can I Eat This? app.

*Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays when enjoying outdoor activities, such as snow skiing, spending time at the beach, swimming, and hiking.

*Use insect repellent to protect against diseases spread by mosquitoes, such as Zika, dengue, and malaria. To prevent insect bites, use an EPA-registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus/para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. Apply insect repellent on exposed skin. If you’re also using sunscreen, put the sunscreen on first, then apply the repellent. Be sure to follow instructions on the label and reapply as directed.

*Practice road safety. Always wear a seat belt, ride only in marked taxis or ride-sharing vehicles, and avoid overcrowded, overweight, or top-heavy buses or vans. Be alert when crossing the street, especially in countries where people drive on the left. Children should always ride in age-appropriate car seats when traveling. Parents should plan to bring car seats because they may not be available in many countries.

After You Return

*If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, find a clinic here. Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal or were around any sick people while traveling. This will help your doctor understand your symptoms to exclude certain infections and avoid unnecessary testing.

*If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

*If you become ill with a fever after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

*If you are pregnant and have traveled to an area with Zika risk, talk to your doctor or nurse about your recent travel, even if you don’t have symptoms. Your doctor or nurse will decide if and when to test you for Zika.

*See your health care provider if you are pregnant and developed a fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes during your trip or within 2 weeks after traveling to a country where Zika virus cases have been reported.

Lead Hazards in Some Holiday Toys and Toy Jewelry

12/15/2017

 
Picture

Protect children from exposure to lead in metal and plastic toys, especially imported toys, antique toys, and toy jewelry.
Many children get toys and toy jewelry as gifts during the holiday season but some toys may contain lead hazards. Lead is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell.
Children may be exposed to lead by simply handling toys normally. It is normal for toddlers and infants to put toys, fingers and other objects in their mouths. They may also be exposed to lead this way.

Lead in Toys

Protect children from exposure to lead in metal and plastic toys, especially imported toys, antique toys, and toy jewelry.
Toys imported into the United States and antique toys and collectibles often contain lead. To reduce children’s risk for exposure, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issues recalls of toys that could potentially expose children to lead. Learn more at the CDC Lead website.

Lead in Metal Toys
Protect children from exposure to lead in metal and plastic toys, especially imported toys, antique toys, and toy jewelry.

How can I test a toy for lead?

Only a certified laboratory can accurately test a toy for lead..
Do-it-yourself test kits are available, but they do not show how much lead is present and we don’t know how reliable they are at detecting low levels of lead.

What should I do if I am concerned about my child’s exposure to lead in a toy?

Lead in Metal Toys
To be sure your child’s toys are safe, check the Consumer Products Safety Commission list of recalled toys.

If you think your child has been exposed to a toy containing lead, remove the toy immediately.
The only way to tell if your child has been exposed to lead is to have his or her blood tested. Contact your child’s health care provider to see if such a test is needed. Your child’s health care provider can recommend treatment if your child has been exposed to lead.

Lead in Toy Jewelry

What are the effects of wearing toy jewelry?

Just wearing toy jewelry that contains lead will not cause children to have a high level of lead in their blood. However, chewing or sucking on the jewelry will.
Make sure that children in your home do not have access to jewelry or other items that may contain lead. A child can get lead poisoning if he or she swallows or puts jewelry containing lead in his or her mouth.

What should I do if I think my child put lead jewelry in his or her mouth?

If you think your child put jewelry containing lead in his or her mouth, remove the jewelry and see your health care provider. He or she can do a blood test to see if your child has been exposed to lead and recommend treatment if necessary.
There is no safe level of lead in blood, and most children with high blood lead levels do not have any symptoms. As blood lead levels increase, a larger effect on children’s learning and behavior will occur. A blood lead test is the only way to know if your child has an elevated lead level.
content from cdc.gov

Diseases & Related Conditions

12/12/2017

 

What are STDs?



Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are passed from one person to another through intimate physical contact – such as heavy petting –  and from sexual activity including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. STDs are very common. In fact, CDC estimates 20 million new infections occur every year in the United States. STDs can mostly be prevented by not having sex. If you do have sex, you can lower your risk by using condoms and being in a sexual relationship with a partner who does not have an STD. STDs do not always cause symptoms, so it is possible to have an infection and not know it. That is why it is important to get tested if you are having sex. If you are diagnosed with an STD, know that all can be treated with medicine and some can be cured entirely.

There are dozens of STDS. Some STDs, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, are spread mainly by sexual contact. Other diseases, including Zika and Ebola, can be spread sexually but are more often spread through ways other than sex.
The diseases, conditions, and infections below are listed in alphabetical order.

Bacterial Vaginosis
Any woman can get bacterial vaginosis. Having bacterial vaginosis can increase your chance of getting an STD.

​Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can be easily cured. If left untreated, chlamydia can make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant.

Gonorrhea
Anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea. Gonorrhea can cause very serious complications when not treated, but can be cured with the right medication.

Hepatitis
Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation.

Herpes
Genital herpes is a common STD, and most people with genital herpes infection do not know they have it.

HIV/AIDS & STDs
People who have STDs are more likely to get HIV, when compared to people who do not have STDs.

​Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Some health effects caused by HPV can be prevented with vaccines.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can lead to serious consequences including infertility.

STDs & Infertility
​
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are preventable causes of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility.

STDs during Pregnancy
For a healthier baby, ask your doctor about STD testing.

Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can have very serious complications when left untreated, but it is simple to cure with the right treatment.

Trichomoniasis
Most people who have trichomoniasis do not have any symptoms.

Other STDs
​
Chancroid, scabies, and more.

​Content provided by CDC at cdc.gov

Fight the Flu!

12/6/2017

 
Picture

December 3-9 is National Influenza Vaccination Week. If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, now’s the time! An annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect against flu.

This year, National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) takes place December 3-9, 2017. NIVW highlights the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond.

Vaccination is the Best Way to Prevent Flu!

As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination can still provide protection against flu. Most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and February in the United States, although activity can last as late as May. Flu activity is expected to increase in the coming weeks; the sooner you get vaccinated, the more likely you are to be protected against flu when activity picks up in your community. View CDC’s influenza summary map for a weekly update on flu activity in the United States.

Who Needs a Flu Vaccine?

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu viruses. This season, CDC recommends the use of injectable flu vaccines (flu shots) only. Again this season, nasal spray flu vaccine is not recommended. Vaccination to prevent flu is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu.

Are You at High Risk?

One of the goals of NIVW is to communicate the importance of flu vaccination for people who are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications that can lead to hospitalization or even death. Sinus and ear infections are examples of moderate complications from flu, while pneumonia is a serious flu complication that can result from either influenza virus infection alone or from co-infection with the flu virus and bacteria. Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), and multi-organ failure.
Flu virus infection can trigger an extreme inflammatory response in the body and can lead to sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Flu also can make chronic medical problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have flu, and people with chronic heart disease may experience a worsening of this condition triggered by flu. Flu vaccination and the appropriate use of flu antiviral medicines are very important for people who are at high risk of serious flu-related complications.

People at high risk include:
Pregnant women Children younger than 5 years old, but especially children younger than 2 years old People 65 years of age and older People of any age who have certain medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease For a full list of people who are at high risk, visit People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications. In addition, flu vaccination is especially important for: People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including Health care personnel Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated for flu)

Take Everyday Preventive Actions

In addition to getting your flu vaccine this season, CDC also urges you to take everyday preventive actions to protect yourself and your loved ones from flu. Everyday preventive actions include the following:
Avoid close contact with sick people. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or other necessities. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu. Additionally, if you get sick with flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, inhaled powder, or injectable medicine) and are not available over-the-counter.
Antiviral drugs can make flu illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications. CDC recommends that antiviral drugs be used early to treat hospitalized patients with flu, people with severe flu illness, and people who are at high risk of serious flu complications based on their age or health. Treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness instead of a very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay. Visit What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs to learn more.

Be a Flu Fighter!

Each year, people around the world work to study, track, and prevent flu. This year, CDC is recognizing these Flu Fighters and the work they are doing to prevent flu in the U.S. and around the world. Check out some of CDC’s own Flu Fighters, here. Do your part and be a flu fighter this year by getting a flu shot today!
As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, flu vaccination can provide protection against flu. Once vaccinated, you can enjoy this holiday season knowing that you have taken the single best available step to protect yourself and your loved ones against flu.
For more information on what you should know about the current season, visit Frequently Asked Flu Questions 2017-2018 Influenza Season.

content from the CDC ​
​https://www.cdc.gov/features/fighttheflu/index.html

Immunization schedule for adults according to the CDC

11/22/2017

 
​You may not realize that you need vaccines throughout your life. Adults need to keep their vaccinations up to date because immunity from childhood vaccines can wear off over time. You are also at risk for different diseases as an adult. Vaccination is one of the most convenient and safest preventive care measures available.

Bryant Family Managed Care Introduces Patient Portal

11/15/2017

 
Picture
BFMC Patient Portal gives you a secure, convenient online portal to schedule appointments, communicate, request prescription renewals, as well as make payments with a credit card.

To learn more goto ​https://www.bryantfamilymanagedcare.com/patientportal.html

Here's What Not to Do If You Wake Up in the Middle of the Night

9/28/2017

 

Here's What Not to Do If You Wake Up in the Middle of the Night

Published: 2017-09-28

Date Modified: 2017-09-28

Bryant Family Managed Care - Here's What Not to Do If You Wake Up in the Middle of the Night
Bryant Family Managed Care


Author: NAOMI GORDON
Publisher
Publisher: Bryant Family Managed Care

Here's What Not to Do If You Wake Up in the Middle of the Night
Or you can kiss a good night's sleep goodbye.
Turns out there are a number of things you definitely shouldn't do if you wake up in the middle of the night — and yes, not looking at the clock is definitely one of them. In a January 2017 interview with INSIDER, Michael Breus, PhD, aka the Sleep Doctor and author of The Power of When, offered tips for catching some much-needed shuteye, even when you happen to wake up before your alarm sounds. First and foremost, he advises against getting up and going to the bathroom unless you really need to, because that nagging urge to get up and go in the middle of the night can also hinder your ability to fall back to sleep. Dr. Breus says that just sitting up in bed can increase your heart rateand disrupt the rate at which your heart should be beating when you sleep. For most people, this is 60 beats per minute, but if you get up, your heart has to pump against gravity — and therefore, it reaches a rate above 60 bpm.
In order to reclaim your unconsciousness, your heartbeat has to lower itself back down to 60 bpm, which obviously won't happen right away and is sometimes the reason why it's not always easy to get back to sleep.
The Sleep Doctor also says that even though it's tricky, you should try to relax and make your mind go blank when you wake up in the middle of the night. Don't check your phone to look at the time, however instinctual it may be. Seriously, put it down! Panicking while trying to calculate the number of hours of sleep you have left until the alarm goes off is a massive no-no, too. Dr. Breus says that a lot of people have an irrational fear of not getting enough hours of sleep, but he advises not to stress about the hours slipping away. Instead, Dr. Breus suggests relaxing, however impossible it may seem at the time, because if you get worked up about anything, you can kiss the idea of getting any sleep at all goodbye. He recommends switching off your thoughts and letting sleep happen naturally, without trying to force it. So there you have it!
From: CosmopolitanUK.
<<Previous

    Archives

    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017

    Categories

    All
    Cold VS Flu
    Counterfeit Drugs
    Diabetes
    Flu
    Hepatitis
    Lead In Toys
    Shingles
    Shot Schedule
    Sleeping
    STD

Bryant Family Managed Care
408 Office Park Drive Ste 3
Bryant, AR 72022
501-847-2835
designed and maintained by BrazCo Copyright© 2020

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is provided for general health information only, and is not intended as medical recommendations or as professional advice. Also, the information provided on this site is not designed to replace the relationship that exists between a patient and his/her primary care provider and is no substitute for professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use the information provided on this site to diagnose a health problem. You should always consult your primary care provider for health care advice. For emergencies related to your health care, please dial 911.


​About | Blog | Clinic-Allergy | Clinic-Medical | Clinic-Urgent Care | Clinic-Walk In
Clinic-Wellness | Clinic-Low T | Clinic-IV & Drip | Clinic-Shot
Contact | Home | PatientPortal | Bryant Family Medical Clinic | Bryant Family Medical

  • Home
  • About
  • Clinics
    • Allergy Clinic
    • Medical Clinic
    • TeleMedicine
    • Urgent Care Clinic
    • Walk-In Clinic
    • Wellness Clinic >
      • The LOW-T Clinic
      • The IV DRIP Clinic
      • The SHOT Clinic
  • Contact
  • Patient Portal
  • Blog