Nashville Doctor

A fingernail or toenail infection that is caused by a fungus is called onychomycosis (say: “on-ee-koh-my-ko-sis”). Toenails are more likely to become infected than fingernails. This infection can make your nails thick and discolored. Your nails may also be brittle or change their shape. You may even have pain in your toes or fingertips.

Who gets fungal nail infections?
Anyone can get a fungal nail infection. These infections are more common in adults older than 60 years of age. They are especially common in people with diabetes or circulation problems. Children rarely get fungal nail infections.

Why did I get a fungal nail infection?
It may be hard to know where or how you got a fungal nail infection. A warm and wet place provides the perfect conditions for a fungus to grow. If you often wear heavy work boots that make your feet warm and sweaty, a fungus can grow around your toenails. If you often walk barefoot in locker rooms, you can pick up a fungus from the warm, wet floors.People whose hands are often wet (for example, dishwashers in restaurants and professional house cleaners) are more likely to get fungal fingernail infections.

Sometimes several people in a family will get fungal infections in their nails at the same time. This can happen because their immune systems aren’t't able to fight off the infection very well or because the infection is being passed when they use the same towels.

How do I find out if I have a fungal nail infection?
If you think you have a fungal infection in your fingernails or toenails, see your doctor. By looking carefully at your nails, your doctor might be able to tell if you have an infection.

How is a fungal nail infection treated?
Several medicines can treat a fungal nail infection. Some of these medicines are not safe for people who have liver problems or a history of congestive heart failure. Be sure to let your provider know if you have one of these conditions. Your provider will decide which medicine is right for you.

You might only need to take the medicine for 6 weeks. You might need to take it for 6 months, or longer. It depends on where the infection is and the severity of the infection.

Because of the high price of some of these medications your provider may consider other treatments like toenail removal in severe infections.

What can I do to take care of my nails?

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Family gatherings, special traditions, delicious treats - it just may be the most wonderful time of the year, especially for children. Unfortunately, for emergency room doctors it’s also one of the busiest. Take time out to learn how to protect your little ones from some common holiday dangers, and you and your family can enjoy a season that is not only happy but healthy.

Poisoning

• Mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, Jerusalem cherry plants, and other plants are commonly used as decorations during the holidays. Like many plants, these are considered potentially poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of children. Symptoms of plant poisoning can include rashes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you suspect that your child has eaten any part of a plant, immediately call your child’s doctor or the national poison control number: (800) 222-1222.
• “Bubble lights” containing methylene chloride can be poisonous if a child drinks the fluid from the light (even if labeled nontoxic). Snow sprays may be harmful if the aerosol propellants are used improperly.
• Alcohol poisoning is a common risk for children during the holiday season. Many parents host holiday parties where alcohol is served. Most parties will include seasonal alcoholic beverages like Eggnog and Boiled Custard. Parents must take care to remove all empty and partially empty cups as soon as possible. Because children imitate adults, many may drink the beverages they see adults drinking. Children become “drunk” much more quickly than adults; so even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous to children.
• Food poisoning is another potential holiday hazard. Practice food safety by washing hands, utensils, dishes, and anything else that comes in contact with raw meat, including poultry and fish, and raw eggs before and after use. Don’t contaminate a serving dish with raw meat.

Choking and Swallowing

• Tree ornaments, light bulbs, icicles, tinsel, and small toys are potential choking hazards for small children because they may block the airway. The general rule of thumb is that if it’s small enough to fit in the mouths of babies and toddlers, it’s too small to play with.
• Common holiday foods such as peanuts or popcorn are potential choking hazards and should not be given to children under age 4.
• The needles of holiday trees can cause painful cuts in the mouth and throat of a child who swallows them.
• Angel hair (made from finely spun glass) and ornament hangers may cause cuts, skin irritation, or eye damage if touched or swallowed by children.

Fire and accidents are also common safety hazards around the holidays. Click here for more information about keeping the holidays safe. We care about the safety of you and your family!

Fighting Depression

The holidays can be tough for people with depression. Feelings of sadness and hopelessness may make it hard to enjoy the season and the time with family and friends. It’s a good time to start becoming educated about depression. There are plenty of resources on-line to help you study up and reassure you that you aren’t alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) approximately 1 in 10 people are affected by depression each year.

Familydoctor.org offers an on-line pamphlet, “Depression: What It Is and How to Get Help”. During this time of year, a special type of depression, called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or winter depression, affects many people. In this season of giving, give yourself a gift — learn about depression and talk with your family provider about getting help.

drsam Newsletter Choking, Depression, Health Tips, Holidays, Nashville Doctor, Poisoning, Safety, Swallowing

Influenza (also called “the flu”) is a viral infection in the nose, throat, and lungs. About 10% to 20% of Americans get the flu each year. Some people get very sick. Each year, about 130,000 people go to a hospital with the flu, and 20,000 people die because of the flu and complications.The flu may cause fever, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and tiredness. Most people feel better after 1 or 2 weeks, but for some people, the flu leads to serious diseases, such as pneumonia. The influenza vaccine (the flu shot) can help protect you from getting the flu.

Who is at higher risk?
Some people have a higher risk of flu complications, like pneumonia. If you are in any of these following groups, you should get the flu vaccine every year:

• All children aged 6 to 59 months
• All adults aged 65 years and older
• All women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season
• Residents in nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• Individuals who have long-term health problems
• Children aged 6 months to 18 years who are on chronic aspirin therapy
• Health care workers who have direct contact with patients
• Caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months of age

How can I avoid getting the flu?
The best way to avoid getting the flu is to get the flu vaccine. You should get the vaccine when it becomes available each fall (in October or November), but you can also get it any time throughout the flu season (into December, January and beyond). The vaccine is available by shot or by nasal spray. The vaccines work by exposing your immune system to the flu virus. Your body will build up antibodies to the virus to protect you from getting the flu. The flu shot contains dead viruses. The nasal-spray vaccine contains live but weakened viruses. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot or the nasal-spray vaccine.

You can also reduce your risk of catching the flu by washing your hands frequently, which stops the spread of germs. Eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep also play a part in preventing the flu because they help boost your immune system. If you are sick, make sure that you cover your mouth when you cough and wash your hands often to prevent giving the flu to others.

Some people who get the vaccine will still get the flu, but they will usually get a milder case than people who aren’t vaccinated. The vaccine is especially recommended for people who are more likely to get really sick from flu-related complications.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t get the flu shot?
Yes. The following people should talk to their doctor before getting the flu shot:

• People who have had an allergic reaction to a flu shot in the past
• People with an allergy to eggs
• People who previously developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a reversible reaction that causes partial or complete loss of movement of muscles, weakness or a tingling sensation in the body) within 6 weeks of getting a flu shot

Can you test for the flu?
Yes. The flu can be tested in office using a nasal swab test. The patient will have a swab taken from the inside of their nose and tested with a rapid flu test kit. The results will be known within 5 minutes and the provider can accurately treat from there.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t get the nasal-spray vaccine?
Yes. The following people should talk to their doctor before getting the nasal-spray vaccine:

• Children less than 2 years of age
• Adults 50 years of age and older
• People with long-term health problems
• People with weakened immune systems
  Children with asthma or breathing problems
• People with diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease or lung disease
• People with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Pregnant women
• People who have had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past or who are allergic to eggs

If I get the flu vaccine, can I still get the flu?
Yes. Even with a flu vaccine, you aren’t 100% protected. Each year, the flu vaccine contains 3 different strains (kinds) of the virus. The strains chosen are those that scientists believe are most likely to show up in the United States that year. If the choice is right, the vaccine is 70% to 90% effective in preventing the flu in healthy people under 65 years of age. If you’re older than 65, the vaccine is less likely to prevent the flu. Even if you get the flu after being vaccinated, your flu symptoms should be milder than if you didn’t get the vaccine. You’ll also be less likely to get complications from the flu.

Is the vaccine safe?
Yes. The flu vaccine is safe. There are very few side effects. If you got the flu shot, your arm may be sore for a few days . You may have a fever, feel tired, or have sore muscles for a short time. If you got the nasal-spray vaccine, you may have a runny nose, headache, cough or sore throat.

Can I get the flu vaccine if I am pregnant or nursing?
If you are pregnant during flu season, you cannot get the nasal-spray vaccine. However, it is recommended that women who will be pregnant during flu season get the shot. Pregnancy can increase your risk for complications from the flu.It is also safe to get the flu shot while breast feeding your baby. The flu shot cannot cause you or your nursing baby to get sick.

What are antiviral flu drugs?
Antiviral flu drugs are prescription medicines that can be used to help prevent and/or treat the flu. There are four antiviral flu drugs: amantadine (one brand name: Symmetrel), oseltamivir (brand name: Tamiflu), rimantadine (brand name: Flumadine) and zanamavir (brand name: Relenza). All 4 of these antiviral drugs have been approved to treat the flu. If you take one of these drugs within 2 days of getting sick, it can lessen your symptoms, decrease the amount of time you are sick and make you less contagious to other people. However, most healthy people who have the flu get better without using an antiviral flu drug. Your doctor will decide whether one of these medicines is right for you.

Three of the antiviral flu drugs have also been approved to prevent the flu. These drugs are not a substitute for the influenza vaccine. They are most often used for flu prevention in institutions where people at high risk for flu complications are in close contact with each other, such as nursing homes or hospitals. For example, during a flu outbreak in a nursing home, residents and staff might be given the flu vaccine and an antiviral drug to prevent the flu until the vaccine takes effect.

drsam Newsletter Flu, Flu Shots, Nashville Flu Shot