Phillips Health Care Newsletter
10 Resons to Get Your Flu shot!!
by Phillips Clinic on 09/27/22
10 reasons to get a flu shot
1. A flu shot can save your life.
The flu can cause some serious complications that sometimes require hospitalization, such as dehydration, worsening of chronic illnesses, bacterial pneumonia, ear infections and sinus infections.
“Every year, about 200,000 people are hospitalized because of the flu,” says Dr. DeVeau.
In fact, influenza can lead to death in serious cases. During the 2017-2018 flu season, the CDC estimates 80,000 people died.
2. Getting a flu shot can reduce your sick days.
Whether you are hospitalized or take time off to recuperate at home, it’s going to cost you and your employer. The flu accounts for 111 million lost workdays and nearly $7 billion in lost productivity and sick days annually, says Flu.gov.
3. Most people are eligible to get the flu shot.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made it easy to know who should get a flu shot.
“Pretty much anyone over six months of age should get a flu shot,” says Dr. DeVeau.
4. There is a needle-free flu vaccine.
Afraid of needles? No problem – a needleless flu vaccine is available.
“A nasal spray can be given to people between the ages of 2 and 49 who are healthy, not pregnant and don’t have asthma,” he says.
Another version, the intradermal shot, has a very small needle that can be used on people 18 to 64.
“Really, you can’t feel the needle at all,” he says.
5. There is a flu shot for older adults.
There’s the regular flu shot that’s given to people over the age of six months, as well as a version suitable for people 65 and over, which gives them even better protection against the flu.
6. You won't get the flu from the flu shot.
A common misconception is that you can contract the flu from a flu vaccine, but Dr. DeVeau says that is not possible because the shot uses a deadened form of the virus.
7. The flu shot changes each year.
Before each flu season, the CDC determines which strains of influenza appear to most likely to occur that year. The vaccine will still reduce your chances of contracting certain strains of the virus and if you do get sick, having the vaccine can significantly reduce the severity of your symptoms.
“They kill that strain and they introduce it through the flu shot into our body,” he explains. “When your immune system comes into contact with that killed virus, it activates the immune system and creates antibodies. When you do come across the real flu, then you’re ready to fight it off and not get sick from the flu.”
8. Flu shot side effects are usually mild.
There are a few possible side effects from the vaccine, such as headache, stuffy nose or sore throat. While many people experience no side effects, if you do, they should only last for a day or so. Considering that the flu itself typically lasts for one to two weeks and the symptoms can be severe, the flu shot is a better alternative.
9. The sooner you get the flu shot, the better.
Flu season usually starts sometime in October and can last until May, so it is important to get vaccinated early.
“We used to want to wait until later in the flu season to give the shot, but because it’s so variable, the CDC now recommends that when you’re able to find a flu shot, you go ahead and get the flu shot at that time,” says Dr. DeVeau.
Ideally, the flu shot would take effect right away, but it takes about two weeks for your body’s immune system to create the necessary antibodies to fight off the flu so you’re protected against getting sick.
10. The flu shot helps with herd immunity.
“There’s a concept called herd immunity that refers to populations getting immunizations,” he explains. “If we all get immunizations, of course we can’t spread the virus elsewhere, so we’re all protected from it.”
The flu virus spreads easily – you can contract it when an infected person coughs, talks or sneezes and droplets get in your nose or mouth. You can also get the flu by touching something that has the virus germs on it, then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
“It’s easy to give to other people, and we see people all over the place, so you really are at risk,” says Dr. DeVeau. “The bottom line is definitely get your flu shot. It’s so important not only for yourself, but for the community to get your flu shot and keep us all protected.”
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
by Phillips Clinic on 09/04/22
Recommended Immunization Schedule for 18 years and under
by Phillips Clinic on 08/01/22
Make Sure Your Child’s Immunization Are Up To Date BEFORE School Starts.
Recommended Immunization Schedule for 18 years and under:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
SPORTS PHYSICALS
SPORTS PHYSICALS
A sports physical is a check-up to evaluate your child’s health and fitness for participation in the chosen sport. It is not the same as a regular physical. During the sports physical, the doctor is looking for anything that could make it unsafe to play. Call for your child’s appointment!
Call Phillips Clinic Family Practice for your appointment.
Stay Well! Stay Hydrated with Myers Cocktails!
by Phillips Clinic on 07/06/22
WHAT’S A MYERS COCKTAIL?
Myers’ Cocktail was originally developed by Dr. John Myers, a Maryland physician. He used IVs of multiple nutrients to treat a wide range of conditions.
Dr Myers believed that is that many common health conditions are caused by problems with the digestive system. These problems can prevent patients from absorbing the nutrients in food.
Plus, some health conditions may cause nutrients to be used up at a much faster rate—such as healing from, accidents, injuries, surgeries or chronic medical conditions
Both digestive problems and healing and chronic health condition issues can be addressed by delivering nutrients by IV. This is believed to be much more effective than either oral or injection, as the nutrients are delivered directly, bypassing the digestive system and resulting in a much higher concentration in the system.
Which vitamins and minerals are in the Myers'
Cocktail? Dr. Myers, the inventor of the cocktail, originally had one formula. But doctors now may customize the IV “Cocktail” depending on a patient's individual needs.
A standard formula can be made up of:
· Magnesium
· Calcium
· Vitamin B-12
· Vitamin B-6
· Panthenol (B5)
· B-Complex
· Vitamin C
Calcium can often be removed if there are cardiac or disease contraindications.
The Myers' Cocktail is delivered by “IV push”, usually takes from 10 to 15 minutes and is very safe. Patients may notice a feeling of heat or a flush in the chest and/or face, and sometimes in the legs.
Other times, there may be a passing metallic taste as the nutrients in the IV circulate through the circulation system in the mouth.
Myers’ Cocktails are often used to treat several conditions, including but not limited to:
· Congestive Heart Failure
· Chronic Upper Respiratory tract infections
· Asthma (Can Abort an Acute Asthma Attack)
· Allergies (including seasonal allergic rhinitis)
· Chronic Urticaria
· Chronic Sinusitis
· Migraines (including Cluster Migraines)
· Fibromyalgia
· Musculoskeletal pain syndromes
· Depression
· Fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome)
· Acute muscle spasm
· Dysmenorrhea
· Hyperthyroidism
And many other conditions
IV administration of nutrients, because it produces a marked increase nutrient concentration in the blood, floods ailing cells with these beneficial compounds.
If cells are repeatedly “flooded” with nutrients, the improvement may be cumulative. Many patients who receive a series of IV injections become progressively healthier. In these patients, the time between treatments may be gradually increased, and eventually the injections may no longer be necessary.
Thousands of doctors now regularly prescribe the ‘Myers’ Cocktail for treatment of a variety of conditions and to improve the well-being of their healthy patients as well. An energy boost is just one of the many benefits that has been associated with this treatment.
Myers’ Cocktail could potentially help you overcome your chronic conditions, help you feel better than you have in years or give you a great energy boost!. Could you go for a ‘Myers’ Cocktail?
Men's Health Awareness
by Phillips Clinic on 05/31/22
Did you know that men, on average, die almost five years earlier than women? Part of the reason is that men are more reluctant to go to the doctor, according to menshealthmonth.org. In fact, studies show that women go to the doctor twice as much as men.
Additionally, Men’s Health Network notes that certain conditions are more prevalent in men, which patients and their doctors should keep an eye on through regular appointments, including an annual physical with recommended screenings.
FOCUSING ON MEN’S HEALTH
Detecting symptoms of certain health conditions early, when they are more easily treatable, is a critical factor in helping men stay healthy. That’s why getting all your doctor-recommended health care screenings in a timely fashion is the kind of to-do list that no man should ignore.
Ten Important health screenings for men
include
· Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
· Blood Cholesterol
· Blood Pressure
· Colon Cancer
· Depression
· Diabetes
· Hepatitis C Virus
· HIV
· Obesity
· Prostate Cancer
Additional guidelines and screenings recommended according to Medicine Plus include:
Illness
It seems simple but if you’re sick — see your doctor. According to the Health in Aging Foundation, 40% of men said that when sick, they delay seeking medical care for a few days; and 17% percent said they would wait “at least a week.” Don’t wait. Prompt medical care can be the difference between life and death.
Medications
It’s important to take medications as directed, (and especially for seniors) to keep a complete list of medications and dosages handy.
Always inform any doctor you visit about your medications – the more they know about your meds, the better they can
Vaccines and Inoculations
Keep up with recommended shots, including for flu, shingles, pneumonia and diphtheria/tetanus, is vitally important.
Osteoporosis
If you are age 50 to 70 and have risk factors for osteoporosis, you should discuss screening with your provider. Risk factors can include long-term steroid use, low body weight, smoking, heavy alcohol use, having a fracture after age 50, or a family history of osteoporosis.
Skin Cancer
An annual skin exam is recommended for all men!
Make your check up & screening exam at Phillips Clinic today!
