Newsletter August 2010

Whooping Cough - Protecting Your Family

Whooping Cough is commonly thought of as a disease only your grandmother had to worry about. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case in California. More than 1,300 people have been sickened already this year and for newborns who haven't been vaccinated, whooping cough can be life threatending.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a respiratory infection. It can easily spread from person to person, just like a cold or the flu and is a highly contagious disease. For vaccinated adults and older children, the infection is usually mild. A typical case starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks or months of severe coughing spells that cause an infected person to make a "whoop" sound as they try to catch their breath after the spell is over.

For infants, pertussis can cause much more serious symptoms. More than half of infants under one year of age who get whooping cough must be hospitalized. About 1 in 5 infants with pertussis get pneumonia and about 1 in 100 will have convulsions. In rare cases, pertussis can be deadly, especially in infants.

"Children should be vaccinated against the disease and parents, family members and cargivers of infants need a booster shot," said Dr. Edward Tellez, Pediatrician with Pioneer Medical Group.

Immunization of adults and older children is the best defense and will protect infants who are too young to receive the vaccination. State and county health officials suggest that everyone - especially those who live with or care for an infant - get re-vaccinated against pertussis.

Whooping cough can be prevented with the pertussis vaccine, which is part of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) immunization. DTaP immunizations are routinely given in five doses before a child's sixth birthday. To give additional protection in case immunity fades, the AAP now recommends that children ages 11-18 get a booster shot of the new combination vaccine (called Tdap), ideally when they're 11 or 12 years old. And because the vaccine's effectiveness wears off after five to eight years, Tdap boosters are also recommended for teens and adults ages 65 years and younger.

Talk to your physician at your next visit about getting vaccinated. For more up to date information, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis.

Understanding Thyroid Disease

Your thyroid gland is an important part of your endocrine (hormone) system. The thyroid makes a hormone that helps to regulate your heart rate, maintain healthy skin, and plays a crucial part in regulating your metabolism. When the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones (hypothyroidism), it can rob you of energy, dry out your skin, make your joints ache, and cause weight gain. When it produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism), it can make your heart race, and cause sleeping problems and weight loss.

In addition to the symptoms for hyper- and hypothyroidism, patients with thyroid problems may develop a lump in the front of the neck, hoarseness, difficulty speaking normally, voice changes, pain in the neck, difficulty swallowing, or a choking feeling.

Other types of thyroid problems include:

• Goiter (enlarged thyroid)
• Thyroid nodules (lumps in the thyroid gland)
• Thyroid cancer (malignant thyroid nodules or tissue)
• Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid)

Although there are currently no preventive methods, lifestyle changes, or vaccines for thyroid disease, there are many strategies for effective management. A healthy diet, exercise, proper nutrition and stress reduction can all minimize the chance of developing thyroid disease.

If you develop any of the symptoms listed above, contact your doctor for more information. Many treatment options exist and your doctor will determine the best course of treatment based on your diagnosis.

Ovarian Cancer - The Importance of an Annual Exam
Schedule Your Annual Exam Today!

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer. Your chances for developing this cancer are increased as you get older (women usually are menopausal or postmenopausal); if you have a family history of ovarian cancer or if you have a personal history of breast cancer; or if you have not had children. Studies show that women who have had at least one pregnancy lower the chance of getting this form of cancer.

There is no routine screening test like the Pap smear so you need to be aware of warning signs, which may include:

• abdominal bloating,
• swelling and/or a lump in the pelvis
• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• persistent nausea,
• stomach discomfort and/or gas.

Ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose since the symptoms can be confused with other conditions. It is important to see your physician if symptoms persist; ask your provider to re-evaluate you and be sure that a pelvic exam is included.

Make sure that you have a regular pelvic exam (usually every 1 - 3 years). More importantly, talk to your health care provider if you have a family history of ovarian cancer to determine if any special tests are necessary. Early detection is your best protection!

Remember, to keep feeling your best, ask your provider today about what you need to do to live a healthy life!