Phillips Health Care Newsletter
KEEPING YOUR HEART HEALTHY
by Phillips Clinic on 02/01/23
January is Thyroid Awareness Month
by Phillips Clinic on 12/31/22
Understanding YOUR Thyroid
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located front and center at the base of the neck. It plays an important role in the communication system of the body. It regulates metabolism, or energy-related functioning within cells, by releasing or withholding thyroid hormone.
The thyroid gland influences just about everything in the human body, including the eyes, brain, heart, skin, hair, bones, bowels and mood.
When you experience weight loss, anxiety, palpitations, high blood pressure, brittle nails, constipation or a host of other symptoms , these symptoms can be related to a hormone imbalance brought on by thyroid that’s over or under functioning.
According to the American Thyroid Association, of the 20 million Americans who have thyroid disease, up to 60 percent go undiagnosed.
A lack of awareness might be partly to blame; thyroid disease doesn’t get the same amount of press as heart disease. Plus, , many of the symptoms of thyroid disease are vague.
Thyroid disease is sometimes mistaken for depression, irritable bowel syndrome, some other condition or aging.
The causes of a faulty thyroid are not fully understood — although your risk increases if you are female or if there is a family history of the disease.
· Muscle and Joint Pains, Carpal Tunnel, Tendonitis, Plantar's Fasciitis
· Neck Discomfort, Enlargement, Hoarseness, Goiter
· Hair Loss, Hair Changes, Skin Changes
· Constipation, Bowel Problems, Diarrhea, Irritable Bowel
· Menstrual Irregularities and Fertility Problems
· Family History of Thyroid and Autoimmune Disease
· High Cholesterol, Unresponsive to Cholesterol Medications
· Depression and Anxiety
· Unexpected Weight Changes without Changes to Diet Or Exercise
· Fatigue and Exhaustion
Source: About Health
Too much thyroid hormone, called hyperthyroidism, can cause irritability, a rapid or erratic heartbeat, weight loss, high blood pressure and diarrhea, among other things. It can weaken bones, sometimes leading to osteoporosis over time, and can leave patients feeling anxious and unable to focus, with racing thoughts.
An autoimmune disease called Graves’ disease leads to many cases of hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease, causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland, and triggers the thyroid to produce a surplus of thyroid hormone.
HYPOTHROIDISM
Symptoms of hypothyroidism, or not enough thyroid hormone, include depression, hair loss, weight gain, high cholesterol, extreme fatigue, constipation and stomachaches.
If your doctor suspects that a patient has thyroid disease, usually a blood test that gauges the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood will be ordered.
An elevated or reduced level of TSH indicates possible thyroid trouble. A small percentage of people, however, will have normal lab results even though they have thyroid symptoms, and may require additional testing.
Treatment for hypothyroidism is usually straightforward: patients take prescription medicine to boost their supply of thyroid hormone.
THE HOLIDAYS AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
by Phillips Clinic on 12/04/22
USE YOUR HEALTH BENEFITS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR
by Phillips Clinic on 11/28/22
USE YOUR HEALTH BENEFITS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR
The holiday season has arrived and your calendar is filling up. But, even though your time is already limited, it might be worthwhile to add a medical appointments to your schedule. Yes, you'll be extra busy, but you might save a significant amount of money by taking care of these appointments now, instead of waiting until next year.
PHILLIPS CLINIC OFFERS
ON-SITE EXAMS, TESTING, SCREENINGS and
IMMUNIZATIONS
Wellness Exams:
Have you had your yearly physical? A comprehensive wellness exam benefits anyone who has concerns about his or her health status. In particular, regular exams are considered the best way to prevent life-threatening illness and identify potential health issues before they become serious.
To help people achieve and maintain their well-being, we review each patient’s family and medical history, listen to how the patient perceives their own health, identify potential concerns, and help implement a plan for the patient to ensure their well-being for years to come.
Immunizations
Immunizations for children AND adults.
Gynecological Exams:
Gynecology is health care specifically for the female body, focusing on the sexual and reproductive organs. Proper gynecological care helps prevent many undesired cancers, diseases, and other illnesses by allowing for early detection.
On Site Radiology:
Our Clinic is one of the few in the Las Vegas Valley with access to an in-house x-ray machine. We have an x-ray technician on site and highly-skilled healthcare professionals available to read and interpret these x-rays.
Bone Density Scans:
At Phillips Clinic we offer bone density scans on-site. Our highly trained health professionals use bone density testing to assess the strength of bones and the probability of fracture in patients at risk of osteoporosis.
On Site Ultrasound:
Phillips Clinic offers a full spectrum of ultrasound treatments for your convenience. These services include evaluations of the heart, vascular system, renal system, abdomen, pelvis, thyroid, soft tissue masses, and much more.
Echocardiography
Cardiac echo (or simply an echo), is a sonogram of the heart is also offered at Phillips Clinic. Echocardiography, which uses ultrasound to create images of the heart, allows providers to assess heart-health.
Peripheral Vascular Testing
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) affects the areas that are “peripheral” (outside) your heart. Testis for PVD include ultrasound and treadmill.
Make Your “End of the Year” Appointment by creating your account and signing in
on our PATIENT PORTAL!
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.”
