Dr. Curtis McElroy

Category: Internal Medicine

  • Annual Physical Examination Tips

    Annual Physical Exam Tip Sheet

    Pre-Exam Preparation:

    • Schedule your annual physical exam at a time that works for you, and ensure it’s with a healthcare provider you trust.
    • List any symptoms, issues, or concerns you have to discuss during your exam.
    • Gather your medical history, including any recent tests, procedures, and the names and doses of medications you are taking.
    • Familiarize yourself with your family medical history as it may impact your own health risk factors.
    • Fast if instructed, usually for 8-12 hours before blood tests, and bring a list of allergies.

    During the Exam:

    • Arrive a little early to complete any necessary paperwork.
    • Be honest and open about your health habits, symptoms, and concerns.
    • Ask questions to clarify anything you don’t understand.
    • If a treatment or follow-up testing is recommended, understand the reasons, risks, and benefits.
    • Request explanations for any medications prescribed, including side effects and interactions with other drugs you are taking.

    Discussion Topics:

    • Discuss any changes in your health, including new or ongoing symptoms.
    • Talk about preventative measures like vaccinations, screenings, and lifestyle modifications.
    • Inquire about any recommended tests based on your age, sex, and health history.
    • Discuss your mental health, including stress, anxiety, or depression.
    • Talk about your diet, exercise routine, sleep habits, and other lifestyle factors that impact your health.

    Tests and Screenings:

    • Understand the purpose of each test or screening being recommended.
    • Inquire about the preparation, procedure, and any associated risks.
    • Ask when and how you will receive the results.
    • Discuss the implications of the test results for your health and any necessary follow-up.
    • If necessary, inquire about the cost of tests and if they are covered by insurance.

    Post-Exam Follow-Up:

    • Ensure you have a clear understanding of your healthcare provider’s instructions and recommendations.
    • Schedule any follow-up appointments, tests, or screenings.
    • Fill prescriptions and understand the dosing instructions.
    • Keep a copy of your exam summary, test results, and any other pertinent information for your records.
    • Share relevant information with other healthcare providers as necessary.

     

  • Tech Neck Headaches

    Are You Suffering From Tech Neck Headaches?

    A headache is a headache, right?

    Did you know that there are 150 types of headaches?

    They include tension-type headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, and hormone headaches with each having a list of causes and treatments that work specifically for that type of a headache.

    Tension-type headaches are the most common type of a headache among adults and teens. They cause mild to moderate pain and come and go over time and usually have no other symptoms.

    Migraines are often, but not always, intense headaches and are described as pounding throbbing pain. They happen often, anywhere from one to four times a month. With the pain there are other symptoms such as sensitivity to light, noise, or smells; nausea and/or vomiting; loss of appetite; and upset stomach or belly pain.

    Cluster headaches are intense and feel like a burning or piercing pain behind or around one eye. On the side of the pain the eyelid droops, the eye reddens, the pupil gets smaller. They tend to happen in groups with people getting them one to three times per day with each headache lasting 15 minutes to 3 hours.

    So what is a “tech neck” headache?

    “Tech neck” headache falls under the tension headache and is reasonably easy to deal with.

    The cause of “tech neck” headaches is the strain being placed on the neck muscles as you bend your head forward to look at your mobile device. The headache begins as a dull, aching head pain with a sensation of tightness or pressure across your forehead or on the sides and back of your head, and there may be tenderness on your scalp, neck and shoulder muscles.

    Why do these headaches occur?

    According to Kenneth K. Hansraj, MD, chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery & Rehabilitative Medicine, they happen because of the strain on your neck as you bend your head forward to view your mobile device.

    When your spine is in a neutral position, with the head aligned with neck and aligned with your spine, the head weighs about 10 pounds. At 15 degrees forward, the neck is now holding 27 pounds. At 45 degrees, it is holding 49 pounds, and at 60 degrees it is holding 60 pounds. That is 60 pounds of weight held by the neck muscles that are meant to hold 10 pounds. That much of a load can do a lot of damage over time.

    If you are experiencing neck soreness with headaches while using your mobile device, now is a good time to take notice and begin taking breaks from your smartphone or tablet.

    And, to prevent these types of headaches, be aware of your posture, sit or stand straight with your shoulders back while you use your phone.

  • New Technology To Help Seniors Track Fitness

    Seniors — Track Fitness and Stay Safe with New Technology

    You don’t have to be a tech-geek to appreciate some of the new, high-tech items that are being revealed almost daily. These gadgets are sophisticated and timely and can keep you safe and in the know about what is going on in your body and how you can best stay in shape.

    Technology today is much more sophisticated than simple fall-alert devices which are worn around the neck. Now, there are even dispensers for medication which can alert a caregiver or family member if an elderly person has forgotten to take their meds. You can also insert a GPS tracker in a shoe to be able to track senior’s movements.

    Independent seniors can also benefit from the new technology ? especially those who are on the fitness path.

    The following are some items which you might want to think about getting for yourself or a loved one:

    * Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Tracker ? This tiny device is both useful and encouraging. Besides tracking steps, calories burned and distance walked, it encourages the wearer to challenge, set goals and achieve them. It syncs with phones and computer to keep a record.
    * Jawbone UP Wristband ? This comfy band comes in small, medium and large and tracks sleep patterns besides your daily activities. This device is very helpful to those seniors who want to adapt a healthier lifestyle.
    * Prohands Via Hyand & Finger Exerciser ? An excellent device for seniors who need to improve hand strength and strength, this hand exerciser comes in two tensions.
    * Multifunction Pedometer ? Inexpensive, but high-tech, this sensor device doesn?t have to be clipped to clothing, but just carried in a pocket or purse. It tracks distance, time, calories burned and steps.
    * Amplified Phone Ringer with Strobe Flasher ? A device which could protect a senior;s well-being by giving him or her the ability to receive phone calls easily. It helps caregivers? peace of mind when trying to reach a loved one and provides more freedom to the senior who doesn’t want to miss a call.

    Don’t forget brain fitness when thinking about fitness and safety for seniors. Keeping the brain sharp has a great deal to do with how physically fit they are. Video and computer games can improve cognition issues, mental acuity and even the physical well-being of seniors who participate.

    Smartphones have been around for awhile and continue to provide senior-friendly features which have larger readouts and buttons.

    There are even some that have voice recognition, so they can call and receive calls with ease.

Copyright @ 2017 DrCurtisMcElroy