Category Archives: Holiday Season

Have a Healthy Holiday!

As the days grow shorter, the temperature is starting to get cold. Winter starts this month and even though we might have a few warm days, it is just as likely to snow.  The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to be prepared for the holiday festivities than to be healthy for all that’s in store?

Spread the Cheer, Not the Illness

There probably isn’t a time of year where people are closer so it pays to be careful. Influenza, also known as the flu, is a very contagious respiratory virus that can be passed down from person to person through sneezing, coughing, hugging or even talking. This type of illness can linger on surfaces, so it’s pretty easy to catch.  A few symptoms include:

  • Sore throat
  • Muscle aches
  • Extreme Fatigue
  • Coughing
  • Fever
  • Runny/stuffy nose

The severeness of each flu season cannot be predicted, however, the best way to prevent the flu is to have an annual flu vaccination.Healthy Holiday prevent flu

Precautions/Tips to Take for the Holiday Season

Flu season can begin as early as October and typically peaks between December and February. Many of us look forward to spending the holidays with our loved ones, so it’s very important that we take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others near you from getting sick. This holiday, take control to stay healthy. By simply washing your hands with soap, using hand sanitizer regularly, eating well-balanced meals (fruits, veggies, lean meats, etc.) and exercising, you’ll overcome this flu season.

Ready for a Checkup?

Are you in need of a checkup? Do you still need to receive your annual flu vaccination? Westland Clinic offers medical care to all ages. Our family practice office provides care for your entire family, as well as offers a wide range of medical care which includes; routine physicals, treatment of acute and chronic diseases and conditions. For more information, please do not hesitate to give us a call today at 734.728.2130 or visit us at our location.

How to Prepare For Your Beach Bound Spring Break Vacation

If you’re lucky enough to be going somewhere sunny and tropical for your spring break vacation, we’re very jealous. You’ll be able to enjoy time on the beach in the sun getting a tan. Unfortunately, this can also lead to sunburns, dehydration, and sun poisoning. In the short term these are awful to deal with, but in the long run, too many sunburns can cause skin damage and lead to skin cancer. We created this list of handy tips and tricks to keep you sunburn free while still getting the tan you want.

Avoid Skin damage this spring break
Don’t let sunburn and sun overexposure get you down on your Spring Break!

How to Avoid Sunburns, Dehydration, and Sickness 

Limit your Sun Exposure-

If your goal is to come back to Michigan with a tan, by all means, get a tan, just do it slowly. Michigan winters limit our exposure to the sun, and your skin need time to adjust to the increase in UV rays. You can still walk away from the beach with that golden look, but make sure you take it easy at first. It only takes 15 minutes of sun exposure for your skin to start to burn, so limit the time in the sun at first. Bring a beach umbrella, cover up when you’re not trying to tan, and be careful not to fall asleep in the sun for too long. After getting a little base layer down you can increase your time.

Sun Lotion-

If you want to increase the amount of time you spend in the sun use sunscreen. If you gou out into the sun without sunscreen lotion you’re taking a risk. Using sunscreen will not only prevent you from getting sunburned but will keep your skin healthier in the long run. Want to get a tan? Use a mixed sunscreen oil or use a  lower SPF and follow up with a tanning oil after.

Stay Hydrated-

Michigan has been cold and dreary, and when going to hot places we forget that we lose water in hot and humid conditions. Make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day, but especially at peak sunlight hours and the hottest times of day (10 am – 4 pm). Coupled with any alcohol you might be intaking, staying hydrated will be key. To stay hydrated make sure your consuming at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day or (upto) 1-2 ounces every hour your awake.

So have fun, stay safe, and enjoy your vacation! If you need any physicals or medical attention before your vacation please contact Westland-Clinic for all your medical needs.

No Shave November

Also known as Movember

movember

Support Men’s Health Awareness

No Shave November is a campaign created to grow awareness by letting your hair grow for 30 days. Men are challenged to grow out their facial hair, beard, mustache, whatever they can stand! This movement was created to raise awareness of Men’s Health issues, including a number of diseases and illnesses;

  • Prostate Cancer
  • Testicular Cancer
  • Poor Mental Health – Depression
  • Physical inactivity

The goal of the Movember

The campaign is to spread awareness by men growing out their hair and letting it grow wild and free. (With minimal trimming except for professional dress code reasons of course) This being something cancer patients do not have the opportunity to do.

Two Most Common Cancers in Men

Testicular Cancer and Prostate Cancer are seen to be the two most common cancers among men. The No Shave November (no-shave.org) campaign has risen over $650 million helping fund over 1,000 programs on these issues affecting men. The campaign also focuses on benefiting all cancer research.

No Shave November Facts

This is a web-based, non-profit organization, devoted to raising cancer awareness and raise money to support cancer prevention, education and research. Partnered with; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Prevent Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

Men who participate in Movember are encouraged to donate the money they would have spent on razors, shaving utensils and barber shops.

Make your appointment today at our Westland Medical clinic to schedule your exam. Spread awareness of Men’s health and the most common cancers in men, encourage the men in your life to see their doctor.

 

Common Winter Health Issues to Monitor

The warmth and joy of the holiday season is great; almost everyone can agree on that. But along with all those snowflakes and comfy sweaters comes a slew of unwanted colds and health problems that frequently pop up during the wintertime. If you notice that you or one of your loved ones has been experiencing any unusual pain, take a look at some common winter health issues so that you can take the necessary steps to avoid or treat them as soon as possible!

  • Pneumonia – A common sneezingmisconception about pneumonia (a lung infection) is that you catch it because of the cold weather. This is actually untrue. Pneumonia is more common during the winter because people are indoors a lot and come in contact more often, which opens the door for germs to attack more aggressively than usual. Bacteria and fungus can cause pneumonia, so to keep a common cold from getting out of control, cough and sneeze into your sleeve, wash your hands a lot and consider scheduling a flu shot or a pneumococcal vaccine, which works well against most strains of pneumonia, this winter.
  • Acute Bronchitis – Irritation and swelling in the air passages of the lungs is known as acute bronchitis. It’s most common during the winter and can frequently stem from a cold or flu. Constant coughing is a typical symptom of bronchitis. By getting plenty of rest and drinking a lot of liquids (Adults – lay off the alcohol and cigarettes), acute bronchitis can usually be knocked out in the comforts of your own home.
  • Strep Throat – The winter air isn’t just brisk and chilly – it can also be very, very dry. And with dry air sometimes comes a sore throat. Severe sore throats, a heavy fever and enlarged lymph nodes can mean you have developed strep throat. It may hurt to swallow and you’ll likely experience some swelling with strep throat and sometimes it can lead to more serious complications if left untreated. To prevent it from getting worse, you may need some diagnostic testing done to see what type of antibiotics you’re going to need to treat it.

When eating a few cough drops just isn’t enough, the doctors at Westland Clinic are the ones to turn to when you’re feeling blue. Give us a call at 734-728-2130 for more info or fill out one of our patient forms today. Remember to practice healthy habits this winter and be careful shoveling that snow!

Do You Have Insurance Yet? With The ACA It’s Almost Time…

We have many patients asking about the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, also calledobama care side effects “Obamacare”. The date is approaching in which all American citizens will be required to have health insurance. We hope that your employers have already delivered their notices telling you whether they will be offering Healthcare Coverage or not. This notice must be handed to you or first class mailed to all employees by October 1st, 2013. If you haven’t heard anything from your employer yet, it won’t hurt to ask. We want all our patients and citizens of Westland and Livonia Michigan being aware of their options.

If your employer is not offering healthcare coverage, you can find healthcare in the government approved healthcare marketplace. All individuals must be covered with healthcare insurance by March 31st, 2014, if you don not have it, you must buy it. (Open enrollment starts October 1st, 2013.) If a citizen of Westland or Livonia or any other city in Michigan does not obtain health care coverage by then, they will face a fine.

We know there are many more facts out there about this new Affordable Healthcare Act, information on if your employer is offering it, to spousal insurance, mandates, subsidies and more. At Millenium Medical Group West; the Westland Clinic center can help guide you through what you need to do to get healthcare coverage for you and your family before the time is up. Call our offices today or go to WWW.DOL.GOV/EBSA/HEALTHREFORM to find more detailed information from the government pertaining to the Affordable Care Act.