Living and vacationing in climates with high heat and humidity make us vulnerable to heat related illnesses. Heat exhaustion is a precursor to heatstroke. Both are potentially life-threatening and require immediate medical care. Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can occur after you've been exposed to high temperatures, and it is often accompanied by dehydration. There are two types of heat exhaustion: Water depletion. Signs include excessive thirst, weakness, … [Read more...] about Symptoms of Heat-Related Illnesses
Community Health News
4th of July: Top 5 Accidents and Injuries
4th of July is always a reason to celebrate. Even this year with social distancing in place, families will still find ways to enjoy the day. There are many ways to get outside and have fun. We’ve compiled a list of activities that can turn fun into an unintended mishap which can mean a visit to the emergency room. What is your favorite thing to do to celebrate July 4th? Here is a list of the top 5 activities that can go from good to bad quickly and what to watch out for. Fireworks – … [Read more...] about 4th of July: Top 5 Accidents and Injuries
Pediatric Essentials: Fever
When a child is running a temperature, the tendency to worry is natural, perhaps even universal among parents and caregivers. But fever, the body’s natural response to infection or illness, should not be cause for unnecessary concern. Here are a few guidelines that will help you to recognize the signs and causes of fever, understand how to properly care for your feverish child at home, and know when it’s time to call the pediatrician. WHAT CAUSES FEVER? Fever in itself is not an illness … [Read more...] about Pediatric Essentials: Fever
Pediatric Essentials: Allergies
If your child has allergies, you’re probably on high alert for signs of an allergic reaction and its triggers. This guide will help you understand allergies, how you can treat them at home, and when to seek the advice of your pediatrician or emergency medical facility. SYMPTOMS: MILD OR SEVERE? For most people, allergy symptoms usually range from mild to moderate. For example, during hay fever season, your child may experience itchy, watery eyes, frequent sneezing or nasal congestion. … [Read more...] about Pediatric Essentials: Allergies
Pediatric Essentials
Pediatric Essentials is a blog for parents and caregivers who need information quickly to be able to identify and be prepared for pediatric health emergencies. Very young children are at a higher risk for complications because they cannot properly describe how they feel or when their bodies aren’t functional as normal. New parents have even more concerns as they navigate their way through the health and safety of the needs of an infant. It can be daunting. This series will help you deal … [Read more...] about Pediatric Essentials
Can Vaping Worsen the Risk of Contracting COVID-19?
The human-to-human infection of COVID-19 is widespread across the world. Coughing, fever, and shortness of breath are primary symptoms found in most of the patients. COVID-19 also affects the lower respiratory tract, so those patients with chronic cardiovascular and lung disease are at high risk for complications of the disease. Many advisories have focused on the risk facing older people, those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, and people with compromised immune systems, such as … [Read more...] about Can Vaping Worsen the Risk of Contracting COVID-19?
The Race for a Coronavirus Vaccine
It’s been months since researchers in China sequenced the novel coronavirus now known as SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19. With billions of lives and trillions of dollars at stake just depending on a vaccine for COVID-19, scientists around the world are working 24x7 to create an effective and safe vaccine as quickly as possible. However, by some optimistic estimates, the world could see a vaccine in the not too distant future. But with every vaccine, there are unpredictable unknowns. Or worst-case … [Read more...] about The Race for a Coronavirus Vaccine
Seasonal Deadly Poisonous Texas Plants
Texans with a green thumb or those who venture into the wild in this state have a lot to be thankful for because Mother Nature didn't short-change us on natural beauty. Lovers of the great outdoors will occasionally run across certain hazards, whether they're out in the woods or in the backyard. Our high humidity can lead to a host of fungal problems in our gardens. No one should eat unfamiliar plants and people should research what's in their yards before a young child or a pet accidentally … [Read more...] about Seasonal Deadly Poisonous Texas Plants
Is Your Emergency Room Clean and Safe?
The outbreak of COVID-19 has induced general fear among many people and is keeping patients with medical conditions like heart attacks, strokes, acute appendicitis or other medical emergencies away from hospital ERs. They fear getting infected with the coronavirus or that hospitals are overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. This fear is real. Knowing about the hospital you choose for emergency treatment does matter. Know before you go. ER Rooms During COVID-19 Statistics confirm that the number … [Read more...] about Is Your Emergency Room Clean and Safe?
Do we really need to worry about ‘Murder Hornets’?
Vespa Mandarinia, a species of hornet dubbed as murder hornets, was first discovered in Washington by a beekeeper and has alarmed agricultural scientists. First, the coronavirus, now ‘murder hornets’? But, is it something that we really need to worry about? Let's first try and understand more about ants, hornets, and wasps. Every year, mosquitoes are responsible for millions of yearly deaths worldwide from malaria, dengue fever, and other diseases, according to the World Health Organization. … [Read more...] about Do we really need to worry about ‘Murder Hornets’?