Healthy Living Blog

Should I start mammograms at age 40 or 50? Do I need to remember that monthly breast self exam? If you’re feeling confused about the rules for breast cancer screenings, you may not be alone.

In the past several years, a number of medical groups have changed guidelines and often publically debated which recommendations women should follow to detect breast cancer. These conflicting opinions have been closely followed by the media. However, one fact that remains clear: detecting breast cancer early offers patients a better chance of survival.

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While none of us enjoy a doctor’s visit for an illness or injury, an annual wellness exam is a time you and your primary care physician can work together to prevent illness and take steps for a healthier life.

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Is coughing disturbing your sleep night after night? Or perhaps you have a dry cough throughout the day that just won’t go away. Coughing is usually associated with a respiratory illness or allergies; however, constant coughing can indicate other medical issues.

“Some patients develop a chronic cough during a cold or other respiratory illness and weeks later assume the lingering cough is normal, when in fact, they have developed asthma in response to the respiratory virus,” says Brent McQuaid, MD, a pulmonologist with LeBauer Pulmonary Care in Greensboro and LeBauer HealthCare at Burlington Station. “A constant cough, even if it doesn’t follow an illness, should be evaluated by a physician.”

For some patients, a cough may be the only sign of asthma according to McQuaid. Other asthma sufferers will experience more classic symptoms, such as shortness of breath, a tight chest, or wheezing.

“If your cough increases with exercise or exposure to cold air, dust, pet dander, or strong fragrances, there is a good chance you have asthma,” says McQuaid.

To diagnose asthma, a physician will administer a spirometry test that measures how much air your lungs can hold and how much air you can exhale after taking a deep breath. Other tests may also be ordered, or your doctor may see if your symptoms respond to medications designed for asthma.

Managing Asthma

Your physician can help you develop a plan to manage asthma. You may periodically need adjust this plan. Three important tools for controlling asthma include:

• Tracking Your Symptoms – Keep a diary to record when you have a flare-up with shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing; asthma symptoms during exercise; use of your quick-relief (rescue) inhaler; hay fever symptoms, such as sneezing or a runny nose; and any other conditions that seem to trigger an asthma flare-up.

• Measuring Breathing Function – A peak flow meter is a hand-held device you can use at home to measure how well your lungs are working. Your physician or nurse will teach you how to use the meter.

• Proper Use of Medications – Medications designed to provide long-term control of asthma, such as inhaled corticosteroids, treat the airway inflammation that leads to asthma symptoms. These medications are taken daily and help reduce or eliminate asthma flare-ups. Quick-relief inhalers are used as needed to quickly open airways and make breathing easier.

When to See a Doctor

If you have had a cough for six to eight weeks or regularly experience shortness of breath, wheezing, or a tight chest, make an appointment to see your primary care doctor or a pulmonologist. Pulmonologists specializes in diseases and disorders of the lungs. The LeBauer pulmonary team sees patients at three locations in the Triad area, including Greensboro, High Point, and Burlington. To schedule an appointment, find the LeBauer Pulmonary Care location nearest you.

 

 

 

 

 

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Are you striving for a faster 5K time, a lower golf score, or more moves on the basketball court? Perhaps you’ve been training regularly and eating right, but still not seeing results. A sports performance evaluation by a sports medicine physician can help you achieve your goals, prevent injuries, and move your game to the next level.

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From relationship problems to job hunting, stressful life events can quickly leave you feeling on edge and overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are a number of strategies that can help you manage anxiety in a healthy way and prevent an ongoing cycle of worry and stress.

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That spicy taco you had for lunch or the slice of chocolate cake after dinner may have been tasty at the time, but treats like these can often leave you reaching for the antacids. The discomfort of indigestion, often described as reflux or heartburn, strikes all of us at one time or another.

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We’ve all heard about the aches and pains of aging such as stiff joints or a sore back. Many people also believe getting out of breath more easily is a natural part of advancing age. However, if you’ve found yourself struggling to catch your breath after walking a short distance, it may be a sign of a pulmonary disease such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing is not a normal part of aging, but rather an indication of an underlying condition. These symptoms should be evaluated by a primary care physician or a pulmonologist. Pulmonologists are doctors who have received special training in diseases and disorders of the lungs and respiratory system.

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Specialized patient rooms, improved privacy and better appointments await patients at the new LeBauer Primary Care at High Point. Cone Health Medical Group is merging LeBauer Primary Care at Guilford/Jamestown with LeBauer Primary Care at High Point. The combined practice is moving into new space on the second floor of MedCenter High Point at 2630 Willard Dairy Rd.

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Immunizations aren’t just for young children. They are needed throughout our lifetime to protect our health and reduce the chance of complications that may result from preventable diseases.

September is National Immunization Awareness Month. This is great time to make sure you and your family have received the necessary vaccines to stay healthy.

Lebauer primary care providers can guide you through the specific vaccines you or your teen may need.

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The end of summer means a new school year is right around the corner. While shopping for back-to-school clothing and supplies is one of the more time consuming tasks for families, don’t overlook steps that will help your child start the year on a healthy note.

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