Category Archives: Healthy Tips

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

As kids have returned to school, and infants or toddlers have returned to daycare, we have had many parents become concerned about Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. Many children in Michigan have developed this contagious disease, and we want to ensure you know what you should about Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.

What is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

Also known as HFMD, Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is most common among children or toddlers ranging from infant to five years old, although children off all ages can develop HFMD. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is contagious, usually infecting most children between spring and fall.

HFMD Symptoms

Early symptoms of HFMD include fever, sore throat, or hand-sanitizer reduction in appetite. You may notice your child seems to be feeling unwell. Within 24-48 hours, the mouth may develop painful sores, a flat red skin rash may appear on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Sometimes a blistered rash will appear on the buttocks, knees or elbow, this rash shouldn’t itch.

There is no prevention or treatment for HFMD. Most who have been infected will get better without medical treatment in 7-10 days. Majority of cases are not severe, but there have been reports of complications leading to other problems such as Menegitis. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is very contagious.

How is Hand, Foor, and Mouth Disease spread?

kissing, hugging, sharing utensils or cups
contact with blister fluid
touching surfaces or objects with the virus on them
sneezing or coughing
contact with feces

HFMD is most contagious during the first week that someone is infected. Some people, including adults who are infected may not show symptoms but can still spread the disease.

There is no specific treatment for HFMD or a vaccine to prevent it. You can help prevent the spread of this disease by disinfecting surfaces, frequently washing hands, avoid kissing or hugging those who may be infected, and avoid touching mouth, nose, or eyes without washing your hands before.

If you have any questions about Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease please contact our medical professionals at Millennium Medical Group. We will be happy to discuss your concerns!

Steer Clear of Frostbite or Hypothermia

When temperatures reach record lows, like they are right now all over the country, the flu tends to take a backseat while frightening words like “frostbite” or “hypothermia” are unfortunately tossed around. It’s not every day that we experience sub-zero temperatures, but if you live in Michigan that’s exactly what you’re dealing with this month. Your skin isn’t used to dealing with temperatures this extremely frigid, so you have to take the proper steps to keep safe, especially if you have to spend long periods of time outdoors in this brutal weather.

Frostbite occurs when skin or other tissue is frozen due to freezing temperatures or poor circulation. Dressing warm and in layers is a given, but because your fingers, toes, nose, and ears are most vulnerable to frostbite, it’s vital that you wear warm gloves, protect your head with a hat or two, and double up on socks.

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The first symptom of frostbite is loss of feeling in the skin. The early stages of frostbite, known as “frostnip,” brings burns and tingling of the skin, which results from the body using blood from deeper inside the body to keep warm, and taking it from extremities to do so. If you must be outside, perhaps to shovel, taking multiple breaks to warm up is not a good idea. Just get it done as quickly as possible and then get inside and crank up the heater. Applying dry, sterilized gauze between fingers and toes can help to remove moisture. If you notice white or grayish-yellow patches of waxy skin on your body, seek medical attention immediately.

Hypothermia is a condition where the core temperature of the body dips below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). This is a condition that usually affects the homeless. If you encounter someone who has been exposed to freezing temperatures for very long periods of time and notice them shivering excessively, replacing their wet clothing with dry clothing and covering their head and body in warm blankets can help fight against hypothermia.

Please contact Westland Clinic if you have any medical questions or believe you or someone you know needs treatment.

Common Winter Health Issues to Monitor

The warmth and joy of the holiday season is great; almost everyone can agree on that. But along with all those snowflakes and comfy sweaters comes a slew of unwanted colds and health problems that frequently pop up during the wintertime. If you notice that you or one of your loved ones has been experiencing any unusual pain, take a look at some common winter health issues so that you can take the necessary steps to avoid or treat them as soon as possible!

Pneumonia – A common misconception about pneumonia (a lung infection) is that you catch it because of the cold weather. This is actually untrue. Pneumonia is more common during the winter because people are indoors a lot and come in contact more often, which opens the door for germs to attack more aggressively than usual. Bacteria and fungus can cause pneumonia, so to keep a common cold from getting out of control, cough and sneeze into your sleeve, wash your hands a lot and consider scheduling a flu shot or a pneumococcal vaccine, which works well against most strains of pneumonia, this winter.
Acute Bronchitis – Irritation and swelling in the air passages of the lungs is known as acute bronchitis. It’s most common during the winter and can frequently stem from a cold or flu. Constant coughing is a typical symptom of bronchitis. By getting plenty of rest and drinking a lot of liquids (Adults – lay off the alcohol and cigarettes), acute bronchitis can usually be knocked out in the comforts of your own home.
Strep Throat – The winter air isn’t just brisk and chilly – it can also be very, very dry. And with dry air sometimes comes a sore throat. Severe sore throats, a heavy fever and enlarged lymph nodes can mean you have developed strep throat. It may hurt to swallow and you’ll likely experience some swelling with strep throat and sometimes it can lead to more serious complications if left untreated. To prevent it from getting worse, you may need some diagnostic testing done to see what type of antibiotics you’re going to need to treat it.

When eating a few cough drops just isn’t enough, the doctors at Westland Clinic are the ones to turn to when you’re feeling blue. Give us a call at 734-728-2130 for more info or fill out one of our patient forms today. Remember to practice healthy habits this winter and be careful shoveling that snow!

Westland Medical Clinic Is Participating In National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the annual national campaign to increase the awareness of breast cancer. Also called NBCAM, October is the month were women, men, public service organizations, professional medical associations and government agencies work together to promote breast cancer awareness all over Michigan and the Nation.

Early detection is imperative, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Individuals who detect this disease early in the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is 98%. Said by the ‘National Cancer Institute’. Westland Medical offices are actively participating in your early detection and mammography testing for your breast health.

Our Westland Michigan Medical clinic offers mammography exam also called a mammogram. This is a low-cost screening location. Call our office close to you, to schedule your mammogram and take these preventative early detection breast cancer awareness steps. One of the best ways to detect breast cancer early is to plan and practice these steps;

1. Self-breast exam

2. Schedule a Westland clinic breast exam or mammogram

Breast cancer affects millions of women, families and even men, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month raises awareness and is a type of health advocacy to give knowledge and services to individuals and families. Millennium Medical Group in Westland Michigan provides and encourages health care to families, communities and the public. Let us inform and help you this October and any time to early detect, diagnose and find treatment for breast cancer.

Do You Have Insurance Yet? With The ACA It’s Almost Time…

We have many patients asking about the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, also called “Obamacare”. The date is approaching in which all American citizens will be required to have health insurance. We hope that your employers have already delivered their notices telling you whether they will be offering Healthcare Coverage or not. This notice must be handed to you or first class mailed to all employees by October 1st, 2013. If you haven’t heard anything from your employer yet, it won’t hurt to ask. We want all our patients and citizens of Westland and Livonia Michigan being aware of their options.

If your employer is not offering healthcare coverage, you can find healthcare in the government approved healthcare marketplace. All individuals must be covered with healthcare insurance by March 31st, 2014, if you don not have it, you must buy it. (Open enrollment starts October 1st, 2013.) If a citizen of Westland or Livonia or any other city in Michigan does not obtain health care coverage by then, they will face a fine.

We know there are many more facts out there about this new Affordable Healthcare Act, information on if your employer is offering it, to spousal insurance, mandates, subsidies and more. At Millenium Medical Group West; the Westland Clinic center can help guide you through what you need to do to get healthcare coverage for you and your family before the time is up. Call our offices today or go to WWW.DOL.GOV/EBSA/HEALTHREFORM to find more detailed information from the government pertaining to the Affordable Care Act.