Dehydration is Summer’s Best Friend

Even though summer is coming to an end, the heat it's giving off is still taking a toll on each one of us. What does dehydration mean exactly? Well, dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in and your body doesn't have enough water or other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If you are unable to replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated.

Common causes of dehydration include vigorous exercise; intense diarrhea; vomiting; fever or excessive sweating. Not consuming enough water during exercise or in hot weather even if you're not exercising also may cause dehydration. You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment. The safest approach is to prevent dehydration in the first place. Keep an eye on how much fluid you lose during hot weather, illness or exercise, and drink enough liquids to replace what you've lost.

Anyone may become dehydrated, but young children, older adults and people with chronic illnesses are the most at risk. Infants and children are especially vulnerable because of their relatively small body weights and high turnover of water and electrolytes. On the other hand, as you age, you become more susceptible to dehydration. Your thirst sense becomes less acute and you're less able to respond to changes in temperature.

Having uncontrolled or untreated diabetes also puts one at high risk of dehydration. Other chronic illnesses, such as kidney disease and heart failure, make you more likely to become dehydrated. Even having a cold or sore throat makes you more susceptible to dehydration which leads you feeling less interested in eating or drinking when you're sick. A fever is prone to increasing dehydration.

As we all know, anyone who exercises can become dehydrated especially in hot, humid conditions or at high altitudes. Athletes who train for and participate in marathons, triathlons, mountain climbing expeditions and cycling tournaments are at particularly high risk. The longer you exercise, the more difficult it is to stay hydrated. During exercise, your body may lose more water than it can absorb. With every hour you exercise, your fluid debt increases. Dehydration can also be cumulative over a period of days, which means you can become dehydrated with even a moderate exercise routine if you don't drink enough to replace what you lose on a daily basis.

Living, working and exercising at high can also cause a number of health problems. Dehydration is the first, which commonly occurs when your body tries to adjust to high elevations through increased urination and more rapid breathing. The faster you breathe to maintain adequate oxygen levels in your blood, the more water vapor you exhale. When it's hot and humid, your risk of dehydration and heat illness increases. That's because when the air is humid, sweat cannot evaporate and cool you as quickly as it normally does, and this can lead to an increased body temperature and the need for more fluids.

If you’re wondering what could be the symptoms of dehydration, here is a list of what you can expect when experiencing mild dehydration:

●     Dry, sticky mouth

●     Sleepiness or tiredness — children are likely to be less active than usual

●     Thirst

●     Decreased urine output

●     No wet diapers for three hours for infants

●     Few or no tears when crying

●     Dry skin

●     Headache

●     Constipation

●     Dizziness or lightheadedness

As for severe dehydration:

●     Extreme thirst

●     Extreme fussiness or sleepiness in infants and children; irritability and confusion in adults

●     Very dry mouth, skin and mucous membranes

●     Little or no urination — any urine that is produced will be darker than normal

●     Sunken eyes

●     Shriveled and dry skin that lacks elasticity and doesn't "bounce back" when pinched into a fold

●     In infants, sunken fontanels — the soft spots on the top of a baby's head

●     Low blood pressure

●     Rapid heartbeat

●     Rapid breathing

●     No tears when crying

●     Fever

●     In the most serious cases, delirium or unconsciousness

When is it the best time to see a doctor?

If you're a healthy adult, you can usually treat mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, such as water or water with lime and sea salt. You should treat children and older adults with greater caution. Call your doctor if they:  

●     Develop severe diarrhea, with or without vomiting or fever

●     Has bloody or black stool

●     Has had moderate diarrhea for 24 hours or more

●     Can't keep down fluids

●     Is irritable or disoriented and much sleepier or less active than usual

●     Has any of the signs or symptoms of mild or moderate dehydration

You can help prevent dehydration from becoming severe by carefully monitoring someone who is sick and giving fluids, such as an oral rehydration solution at the first sign of diarrhea, vomiting or fever and by encouraging children to drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.

No matter what time of the year it is, stay hydrated at all times and prevent yourself from suffering from this unnecessary pain. At Gonzaba Urgent Care in San Antonio, we can assist you with guidance from our trained physicians about how to keep your hydration levels up to par. Call us at 210-921-6600 for any dehydration or any medical issues you may have. 

Asthma- Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

What is asthma? It is a chronic disease that affects your airways. Your airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways become sore and swollen. That makes them very sensitive and they may react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. When your airways react, they get narrower and your lungs get less air.

For those who have asthma, what kind of daily struggles do they encounter? Some people may miss school or work due to their asthma or in order to care for a child or loved one with asthma. For others, asthma impacts us in different ways, like not being able to participate in certain activities. Asthma impacts not only an individual, but society as well.

Asthma can limit one’s ability to get enough exercise and do things that they want and need to do. For example, sleeping well or playing sport with friends are activities that can be challenging for those with asthma. Controlling your condition by using your preventer medication before you go to bed (when symptoms can be worse) and before extensive or intense exercise (where shortness of breath is quite likely), will better equip you will have the energy to join in sports, especially after getting a good night’s sleep.

Experiencing fatigue due to lack of sleep and exercise is going to do little for your overall health, and certainly won’t improve your asthma, so make sure you are not holding yourself back by forgetting to take medication at the appropriate times.

Asthma is also responsible for the following on a daily basis:

●        40,000 missed school or work days

●        30,000 asthma attacks and 5,000 emergency room visits

●        1,000 hospital admissions

●        11 deaths

We all probably know someone whose life is impacted by asthma, actually. 1 in 12 people in the United States, or some 25 million people, suffer from asthma. With asthma so common, it is unlikely that anyone does not know at least one other person with asthma.

Asthma prevalence among children is slightly higher among males compared to females. This condition can be easily found in your area such as San Antonio and unfortunately asthma is poorly controlled. Resulting in 1 in 2 people with asthma experience an asthma attack every 12 months. Asthma is responsible for nearly a fourth of all emergency room visits. In 2009, 20 percent of all children with asthma had to go to an emergency department for care. Which in this case, the population of children in San Antonio would be more than likely to be affected by asthma than most of their citizens can imagine.

An asthma attack can be triggered by exposure to an allergen, such as tree, grass or weed pollen, dust mites, cockroaches or animal dander. Other common triggers are irritants in the air, such as smoke or chemical fumes, and strong odors, such as perfume.

Certain illnesses — particularly the flu, sinusitis or an upper respiratory infection — may also trigger an asthma attack, as can strenuous exercise, extreme weather conditions and strong emotions that change normal breathing patterns.

Warning signs of a potential asthma attack can include an increase in your need for rescue medication (especially albuterol), a worsening cough, shortness of breath (particularly if it wakes you up at night) and diminished tolerance for exercise. These causes can take a toll on one’s life and leave them traumatized if their attacks were to be recurring.

Symptoms of asthma include:

●      Wheezing

●      Coughing, especially early in the morning or at night

●      Chest tightness

●      Shortness of breath

Not all people who have asthma have these symptoms. Having these symptoms doesn’t always mean that you have asthma. Your doctor will diagnose asthma based on lung function tests, your medical history, and a physical exam. You may also have allergy tests.

Like any other chronic disease that exists, there are appropriate treatments one can take to reduce asthma symptoms and possibly control asthma attacks. Asthma is treated with two kinds of medicines: quick-relief medicines to stop asthma symptoms and long-term control medicines to prevent symptoms.

When dealing with an acute attack. In general, it is important to stay calm and use the medications your allergist has prescribed.

Quick-relief medications, often administered via an inhaler, are used to treat asthma attacks as needed. They include short-acting, rapid-onset beta2-agonist and/or anticholinergic bronchodilators (which relax airway muscles) and systemic corticosteroids (which reduce airway inflammation). If symptoms persist, see your allergist.

Maintaining good health and taking care of yourself is a great way of ensuring that you are generally healthy, so as to lessen the effects of asthma. If you are keeping fit, eating well, sleeping well and looking after your general wellbeing, the less likely you’ll be faced with unnecessary risks of illness.

Not only should the focus come from maintaining good health, but as well as monitoring what you eat. Particular food allergies can trigger the symptoms of asthma, so be aware of those foods which you may want to avoid. Yet, most asthmatic people can eat normally.

It’s important to stay informed with whatever the severity of your asthma is, it is advised to keep up-to-date with your doctor regarding your concerns of your condition. The more they know about your problem, the more efficiently it can be sorted out.

Panic can prevent a person with asthma from relaxing and following instructions, which is essential during an attack. Scientists have found that rapid breathing associated with strong emotions, like panic, can cause bronchial tubes to constrict.

Seek immediate medical treatment if coughing or shortness of breath persists or seems to be worsening. Visiting an urgent care clinic can ensure you receive fast treatment for your asthma attack. Gonzaba Urgent Care in San Antonio, Texas is an excellent option for anyone who needs help treating or managing their asthma related health concerns.

Common Causes, Symptoms and Treatments for Arthritis

The word “arthritis” means “joint inflammation.” Inflammation is one of the body’s natural reactions to disease or injury and includes swelling, pain and stiffness. If inflammation lasts for a very long time or recurs, as in arthritis, it can lead to tissue damage.

A joint is where two or more bones come together, such as the hip or knee. The bones of a joint are covered with a smooth, spongy material called cartilage, which cushions the bones and allows the joint to move without pain. The joint is lined by a thin film of tissue called the synovium. The synovium’s lining produces a slippery fluid called synovial fluid that nourishes the joint and helps reduce friction. Strong bands of tissue, called ligaments, connect the bones and help keep the joint stable. Muscles and tendons also support the joints and enable you to move.

With arthritis, an area in or around a joint becomes inflamed, causing pain, stiffness and, sometimes, difficulty moving. Some types of arthritis also affect other parts of the body, such as the skin and internal organs.

What causes this condition from occurring? There are many different types of arthritis and the cause of most types is not known. It’s likely that there are many different causes. Researchers are examining the role of genetics (heredity) and lifestyle behaviors in the development of arthritis. As a matter of fact, there are more than 100 different forms of arthritis and related diseases. The most common types include osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). All of them are known for causing pain in different ways.

In OA, the protective cartilage and fluid inside the joint begin breaking down due to years of use or injuries. This makes the movement of affected joints more difficult and painful. In time, bones may rub directly against one another inside the joint, causing severe pain. Inflammation can also result from this constant, painful friction. OA most often affects knees, hips, hands, and the spine. In most cases, OA does not affect the same joint on both sides of the body, such as both knees.

The intensity of pain varies from person to person. It can range from mild to moderate and may be manageable with drugs and regular physical activity. But for some it can be debilitating, making any movement of the affected joint almost impossible.

To ease pain and reduce inflammation, regular doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are needed. To only relieve pain, acetaminophen may be effective with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. If pain is severe, an analgesic combined with an opioid, such as codeine or hydrocodone, is prescribed. In severe cases, surgery to replace the damaged joint may be the only effective treatment.

Non-medicinal pain relief has proven very beneficial for people with OA. These treatments include hot & cold therapy, topical rubs, exercise, physical therapy, and others.

In RA, the joints are attacked by the body’s own immune system. The immune system normally protects a person from viruses, bacteria and other invaders. In people with autoimmune conditions (like RA), it becomes overactive and attacks healthy tissue. In the case of RA, the immune system goes after the lining of the joints, called the synovium. This causes a severe, chronic inflammation in the affected joints as well as low-grade inflammation throughout the whole body. Over time, the persistent inflammation breaks down the joint and damages it permanently. RA typically affects the joints on both sides of the body, such as both knees or both hands. Besides joints, RA can also affect internal organs like the liver, heart, spleen, and eyes.

People with RA often have flares of pain caused by sudden onsets of severe inflammation. The flares may last for days or weeks.

The pain caused by RA is usually treated by medications to control the disease by calming down the malfunctioning immune system. These include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic response modifiers (biologics). In addition, NSAIDs or analgesics may be taken.

In children, this type of inflammatory arthritis is called juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Like in RA, in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) the immune system attacks the joints and causes inflammation and pain. It typically appears in people who have psoriasis. PsA can affect any joint in the body.

Besides swollen joints, PsA often causes tenderness or pain in the connective tissue where tendons or ligaments attach to bones (called the enthesis), such as at the heel or bottom of the foot. Lower back pain is also common.

The pain and inflammation in PsA is managed and treated similarly to RA.

Although the exact cause of arthritis may not be known, there are several risk factors for arthritis. (A risk factor is a trait or behavior that increases a person’s chance of developing a disease or predisposes a person to a certain condition.) Risk factors for arthritis include:

Age. The risk of developing arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, increases with age.

Gender. In general, arthritis occurs more frequently in women than in men.

Obesity. Being overweight puts extra stress on weight-bearing joints, increasing wear and tear, and increasing the risk of arthritis, especially osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, San Antonio, has a significant amount of individuals who are obese and are likely to develop with arthritis.

Work factors. Some jobs that require repetitive movements or heavy lifting can stress the joints and/or cause an injury, which can lead to arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis. Construction workers in San Antonio, for example, could develop arthritis due to all of the construction that occurs in the city on a daily basis.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis may include joint pain and progressive stiffness that develops gradually.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include painful swelling, inflammation, and stiffness in the fingers, arms, legs, and wrists occurring in the same joints on both sides of the body, especially upon awakening.

Symptoms of infectious arthritis may include fever, chills, joint inflammation, tenderness, and sharp pain that is associated with an injury or infection elsewhere in your body.

In children, intermittent fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, and anemia, or blotchy rash on the arms and legs, may signal the onset of some types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Other forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are associated with joint stiffness, a limp, or joint swelling.

You should call your local doctor from Gonzaba Urgent Care in San Antonio about arthritis if:

●     The pain and stiffness come on quickly, whether from an injury or an unknown cause.

●     The pain is accompanied by fever.

●     The pain develops quickly and is associated with redness and extreme tenderness of the joint.

●     You notice pain and stiffness in your arms, legs, or back after sitting for short periods or after a night's sleep.

Home Remedies for Common Sicknesses

Are you tired of taking many different medications for small problems? You do have options! There are many household remedies you can make for nausea, dehydration, back pain, and the flu.

NAUSEA

One of the best and easiest ways to eliminate nausea is with ginger! Ginger was used by the Chinese for more than 2000 years and worked very effectively, especially in pregnancy. There are many ways you can have ginger. It can be used raw, drinking in tea, and eating candied ginger.

Another great way to eliminate nausea is with peppermint! Peppermint leaves and peppermint oil are helpful in dealing with indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. Peppermint can be used in forms such as ointment, leaves, and oil. Peppermint tea is a very common remedy, along with tablets and oil.

FLU

A great way to get through the flu is by building a tent remedy. To create a tent remedy,bring abowl’s worth of water to boil and then removed from the heat. In the boiling water, add peppermint as well. Covering yourself with a towel over the pot and breath steadily. This setup can help ease congestion by opening up airways.

Another great way to fight the flu with a homemade remedy is with salt water. When you gargle salt water it helps gets rid of the mucus build up in the back of the throat.

DEHYDRATION

Dehydration may be common but it is also a very serious.Fortunately, there are many household remedies for this! Lemon water is a great way to feel re-hydrated. Combining a lemon, honey, pepper powder, and a pinch of salt can help keep your body from working feeling dehydrated! The different ingredients will help by adding fluids and minerals needed to push your body forward.

These home remedies are very cost effective and can help you bounce back quickly when you're down with a bug! Lot of these ingredients can be found around the home or at your local grocery store!

If none of these treatments work or your condition worsens, you may need additional help. Run by Gonzaba Urgent Care for quick assessment and medical assistance.