How do you know if you need the ER or Urgent Care?

Children can get into all sorts of trouble. They are curious, smart, and sometimes a little stubborn. If something attracts their attention, they will try various ways to get to it, inside it, on top of it, or taste it. As a result, children are often brought to a medical facility with bumps, bruises and minor cuts. For parents, how do you know when a situation needs the emergency room, or if pediatric urgent care in El Cajon is a better option for your little one? My Kid has a Boo-Boo! Where Do I Take Him? Many parents will panic every time junior takes a tumble, especially first-time moms and dads, and they might think the best course of action for a bleeding cut is the emergency room. But did you know you may be spending up to ten times longer in the ER than you would have in urgent care? They have to work with a lot of patients, not just children, so you may be spending most of your time sitting in the waiting room. Primary care physicians at urgent care offices are experienced with treating: Minor cuts, including most that need stitches Potential broken bones or simple fractures from a fall Strains, sprains and other minor muscle or tendon damage Fever, vomiting, diarrhea or severe sore throat Ear infection or eye infection Emergency rooms, on the other hand, are just that – for emergencies. If your child complains of chest pain or a squeezing feeling in the chest, has severe stomach pain, is bleeding uncontrollably, has any loss of consciousness, or starts to slur his or her speech this would be the best time to visit a hospital’s ER. Urgent Care can be Fun! Ok, so this part might be a stretch since doctors can sometimes be scary for kids – but pediatric urgent care centers...

The Common Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis

Sufferers from a condition called plantar fasciitis often have significant pain in their feet, especially the heels. This condition is caused by inflammation in the structure that supports the foot. Suffers of plantar fasciitis in Chicago often feel more discomfort in the morning; it can be felt on the side and sole of the foot as well as the heel. Those people that have a job that keeps them on their feet all day may suffer more, the symptoms can also flare-up when the sufferer places the foot in a stretched position. The pain can vary from minor discomfort which is noticeable only while walking to pain of such magnitude that it makes walking extremely difficult. The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in the very sole of the foot. Although pain from this particular disorder can occur anywhere on the sole it is most often isolated in an area about one or two inches from the heel. This area may actually be tender to touch but most certainly will be painful when one’s full weight is on the foot. A common sign of plantar fasciitis in Chicago is that the sufferer feels considerably more discomfort and pain first thing in the morning. There is a tendency for the heel to tighten up when it is not in use which is the case while the individual is sleeping. Because of this the first steps taken right out of bed can be quite painful. In most cases the pain eases with use but if the foot is stressed by standing for considerable periods of time or otherwise stressed the symptoms may worsen rather than improve. Those who suffer for the condition feel more pain when the foot is in a stretched position. A good example of this is going up a flight of stairs. The typical individual will...

Nurse Practitioner Locum Tenens – Today’s Mobile Workforce

Health care today is characterized by a growing demand for services, increased complexity of care, skyrocketing costs and a shortage of qualified professionals. With current reform attempts, many health care facilities are looking for ever more creative ways to battle these issues. As provider shortages have become more severe, a more significant portion of medical staff has become mobile and a majority of medical facilities are using nurse practitioner locum tenens to supplement their clinical staff. Education and Certification A nurse practitioner (NP) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Their education begins with the study and clinical experience of a registered nurse. If the initial degree is an associate’s, a bachelor’s degree must be pursued. This is followed by a graduate program where he or she must earn either a Master of Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. They must then pass a national board certification in their particular specialty. Nurse practitioners are qualified to treat both physical and mental conditions through traditional means of taking a complete history, conducting exams and ordering and interpreting tests. They can diagnose disease, provide treatment and prescribe medication. State Regulations Although regulations do vary from state to state, the field is state regulated nationwide. In some areas, NP’s work independently of doctors, while other states require a collaborative agreement with a physician. The extent of the collaborative agreement requirements also vary from state to state and the duties, responsibilities, treatments and prescriptions afforded to an NP may be different. Growing Shortage The United States is experiencing a very severe shortage of physicians. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has projected a shortage of 159,000 doctors by 2025. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) projects a shortage of 149,000 doctors by 2020 and the Heath Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects a deficit of 65,000 primary care physicians...

Learn How to Defend Yourself in a Fun and Exciting Way

Are you tired of feeling afraid when you leave your home, wondering if something bad is going to happen? Perhaps it is time to consider signing up for Jiu-Jitsu training at TOTAL Jiu-Jitsu, Los Angeles CA. Jiu-Jitsu does not rely on size or strength, but rather technique and leverage. The techniques you are taught will allow you to defend yourself even if you are facing a stronger or larger attacker. Jiu Jitsu is not only effective in teaching you self-defense; it is a lot of fun as well! Learning Jiu-Jitsu can also help to increase your self-confidence, and it requires you to think quickly while on your feet. Once you engage in it regularly, it will also help people to decrease stress levels. Stay Healthy and in Shape by Learning Jiu Jitsu: People initially want to sign up for Jiu-Jitsu to be able to defend themselves and their family members, but they usually stay long-term because of the added health benefits it offers. When starting Jiu-Jitsu, you will notice positive changes in your body and your mental health. It can improve your level of mental awareness, and you will get a great workout in the process. Whether your goal is to lose or maintain your current weight, get fit, learn self-defense skills, or any of the other many health benefits of learning Jiu-Jitsu, a quality Jiu-Jitsu training program at TOTAL Jiu-Jitsu will help you to achieve your goals. The many benefits of doing Jiu Jitsu are as follows: Learn Self-Defense Techniques Enhance Your Level of Fitness Gain Strength Improve Flexibility Lose Weight Improve Cardiovascular Health Improve Joint Mobility Training for the Whole Family! Children as well as adults can benefit from Jiu Jitsu. In fact, it is perfect for the whole family. In addition to the above benefits, it can teach self-discipline, bring families closer together, and promote a...

What Does A Podiatrist Do?

To many people a podiatrist is a “foot doctor.” A podiatrist in Chicago is a doctor, one who specializes in the treatment and prevention of conditions that affect the lower extremities; the feet, ankles and lower leg. A podiatrist needs to know a great deal more than just ailments of the lower limbs. While studying and working towards a DPM degree (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) the courses include such diverse areas as radiology and anesthesiology as well as various types of surgery including orthopedic. On their way to becoming board certified the podiatrist will normally have completed an internship and residency program. Once the podiatrist in Chicago becomes board certified they must obtain a license to practice. Like the majority of professional licensure exams they vary from one state to another but in all cases the podiatrist must pass an examination and evaluation. In many cases the license to practice is only valid in the state in which it was issued, should the doctor wish to move the practice to another state there is a good chance that the license will not be recognized and further exams will be necessary to gain a license in the new state. There are a number of issues that a podiatrist in Chicago deals with, these includes corns, bunions, toenail fungus as well as planter’s warts and ingrown nails. Depending on the condition the treatment may be quite quick while in other cases the length of care can be considerably longer. A podiatrist can also treat issues with the arch of the foot and problems with the lower leg such as poor circulation which is often the result of diabetes. It is highly recommended that anyone who suffers from any of these conditions or experiences any cramps, numbness or pain in the foot, ankle or lower leg make arrangements to be examined by...