Snakes are warm weather creatures, which means that here in the South, we can see them all year long. In Mississippi, there are over 40 species of snakes, a small number of which are poisonous. The types of venomous snakes that are most common in the United States are the rattlesnake, coral snake, water moccasin, and copperhead. While snake bites…
Flu season is fast approaching, and while we can’t all stay home to avoid the germs spreading around, we can be proactive to lessen the chances of getting sick this winter. No one wants to wake up with a sore throat, cough, and fever when there’s work to get done. On average, 200,000 Americans are hospitalized each year because of…
Let’s face it. None of us ever want to face sudden injury or illness. Unfortunately, it’s just part of life. In these moments, it can be difficult to decide if we should rush to urgent care vs emergency room. Each facility serves those who require immediate medical attention. However, they’re intended to serve different types of injury or illness, and…
When you or someone you love suddenly needs immediate medical care, you have a decision to make: Urgent Care or the ER? Both places offer (almost) 24/7 care that is available even when your normal doctor is not, but how do you know which one to choose? Especially around the holiday season when emergency rooms are notoriously filled to the…
For four weeks, the American Diabetes Association dedicates itself to educating the public about the disease that affects one in eleven Americans – 29 million people – and how we can protect ourselves and those we love. Diabetes, when left unmanaged, is responsible for blindness, nerve damage, and kidney disease, but healthy eating habits and regular exercise can greatly reduce…
According to the 2012 National Foot Health Assessment, 18 percent of adults in the U.S. over the age of 21 have experienced the pain and discomfort of ingrown toenails. That is about 40 million people! If you’re lucky enough to still be in the dark about these painful things, an ingrown toenail is when the side of the nail curves…
Toenails. They are something we do not typically think about very often. But if you or someone you know has ever lost one after becoming a serious runner, it is something you might think about a lot more. Ouch! For many runners, losing toenails is just something that happens. Toenails usually take about six months to grow back, and when…
Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. In order to protect yourself and the health of your loved ones, it is important to understand the basic reasons for a stroke as well as its signs and symptoms. There are two main types of strokes: Ischemic and Hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes occur as a result of clots…
Sinusitis happens when the tissue that lines your sinuses becomes inflamed for swells up. Healthy sinuses are typically full of air, but if you have sinusitis they can become filled with fluid. When fluid builds, that’s when germs can form and cause an infection. What causes sinusitis? The following conditions or circumstances can contribute to your sinuses being blocked: The…
Lactose intolerance means that your body cannot properly digest lactose, a natural sugar that’s found in milk and other dairy products. Did you know that lactose intolerance affects about 75 percent of the entire world population? When lactose travels through your colon and it’s not completely digested, it can prompt painful symptoms. Levels of lactose intolerance vary. Some people can…