Vasectomy

A vasectomy is considered a relatively small surgery in today’s massive surgical arena. In most cases, a vasectomy is a safe option for most patients to prevent pregnancy. There are several factors to consider prior to this surgery and important information to review—– If you are unsure about what takes place during and after the procedure, continue reading to satisfy your curiosity.

Treatment of HEAD and NECK DISEASES

We treat most diseases of the Head and Neck in adults and children. In this article we elaborate on a just a few of the things we do. Treatment of Allergies: Allergies are a big problem in Utah. From the first of April until October, a majority of people will suffer from itchy watery eyes, sore throats, sinus congestion, and headaches. Many people don’t know what to do and come to our office looking for solutions to these allergies. To treat allergies, three approaches are taken. First . . . Avoidance: This is simple enough if, for ex- ample, we know the person is allergic to a cat.

GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve, usually due to high pressure within the eye. Because the optic nerve transmits sight to the brain, this damage can cause permanent loss of vision. It is pain- less, progressive, and can lead to total blindness.

Open-angle Glaucoma is the most common form. This type occurs when there is resistance to the drainage of the aqueous humor.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Definition S Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid or, occasionally, bile flows back (refluxes) into your food pipe (esophagus). The backwash of acid irritates the lining of your esophagus and causes GERD signs and symptoms. Signs and symptoms of GERD include acid reflux and heartburn. Both are common digestive conditions that many people experience from time to time.

When these signs and symptoms occur at least twice each week or interfere with your daily life, doctors call this GERD. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. But for people with GERD, these remedies may offer only temporary relief. People with GERD may need stronger medications, even surgery, to reduce symptoms.

Ingrown Toenails

What Are Ingrown Toenails? A ngrown nails, the most common nail impairment, are nails with corners or sides that dig painfully into the soft tissue of nail grooves, often leading to irritation, redness, and swelling. Usually, toenails grow straight out. Sometimes, however, one or both corners or sides curve and grow into the flesh. The big toe is the most common location for this condition, but other toes can also become affected.

Causes Ingrown toenails may be caused by the following: Improperly trimmed nails Heredity Shoe pressure; crowding of toes Repeated trauma to the feet from normal activities Symptoms The following symptoms may be present with ingrown toenails: Pain Redness and swelling Drainage Odor Prominent skin tissue (proud flesh) Home Treatment If you suspect an infection due to an ingrown toenail, immerse the foot in a warm epsom salt water soak, or a basin of soapy water, then apply an antiseptic and bandage the area.

Depression

What is Depression? Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad, but these feelings are usually fleeting and pass within a couple of days. When a person has a depressive disorder, it interferes with daily life, normal functioning, and causes distress for both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her. Depression is a common but serious illness, and most who experience it need treatment to get better. Many people with a depression never seek treatment.

Croup

CROUP by Dr. Jim J. Gould, MD Sometimes the Bark is Worse than the Bite A roup is a common pediatric respiratory condition characterized by a barky cough, hoarseness, and occasionally stridor. Croup is most commonly seen between six months and six years of age, but can at times be seen outside of these age groups.

Boys are more frequently diagnosed than girls, but the condition is seen in both sexes. It accounts for 15% of ER and clinic visits for pediatric respiratory tract infections. Croup can be seen at any time of year, but is most common in late fall and early winter. We will discuss the underlying causes, general signs and symptoms, typical course, diagnosis, and treatment options for croup.

Concussion

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions. Effects are usually temporary, but can include problems with headache, concentration, memory, judgment, balance, and coordination.
Although concussions usually are caused by a blow to the head, they can also occur when the head and upper body are violently shaken. These injuries can cause a loss of consciousness, but most concussions do not. Because of this, some people have concussions and don’t realize it.

Pediatric Skin Conditions

Skin conditions are diagnosed and treated regularly in any busy pediatric practice. The dermatologic issues we see may range in seriousness from a mild nuisance to a life threatening condition. It would take a full medical text book to cover the entire gambit of conditions we see even at a superficial level. I would like to address just 5 of the more common skin findings or diseases we see in general pediatrics. I will cover the following conditions in my article: Molluscum Contagiosum, Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis of the scalp (“cradle cap”), Tinea Corporis (“ringworm”), and Fifth’s Disease.

Influenza

As the school year starts, our kids are exposed to more germs. As temperatures turn cooler, we stay indoors more. These two factors contribute to the start of cold and flu season. We are already seeing ads at the grocery store and at the pharmacy for the flu shot. Doctors continue to recommend the annual vaccination, whether in shot or nasal mist form, as the best defense against contracting influenza. Often confusion exists about the flu virus. People confuse in-fluenza, which affects the respiratory tract, with the “stomach flu,” with affects the gastrointestinal system and is not pre-vented by the vaccine. People may wonder if the flu is a serious illness that warrants vaccination. A review of influenza—its symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, treatment and prevention—will hopefully clear up this confusion and keep you healthier this flu season.