Yearly Archives: 2017

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  New Traditional Medicare Cards To Be Issued Between April 2018 and April 2019 – Be On The Look Out For Scams

  Posted on December 11, 2017

  With the goal of protecting patient’s identity, Medicare will automatically mail new Medicare cards, free of charge, between April 2018 and April 2019. Your new card will have a new Medicare Number that’s unique to you, instead of your Social Security Number.

  The new Medicare card will not change your Medicare coverage or benefits. However, you will need to take your new Medicare card to your doctor’s appointment and let them update your Medicare Number on your chart.

  Unfortunately, the potential for scams is high. Please be aware of anyone calling or asking for your current Medicare Number, which is the same as your Social Security Number, or for other personal information by contacting you about your new Medicare Card. Scam artists often claim to be from Medicare and use various scams to get your Medicare Number. For example, they may ask you to confirm your Medicare Number or Social Security Number so they can send you a new card, tell you that there’s a charge for your new card and they need to verify personal information, or threaten to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your Medicare Number or personal information.

  If someone ever calls you and asks for your Medicare Number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report the issue. When you receive a new card in the mail, please bring it into the clinic and we will update your insurance information on file.

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  Wine & Wishes Benefiting Make-A-Wish Alabama

  Posted on December 4, 2017

  Hosted by Laurel Green State Farm and benefiting Make-A-Wish Alabama, the first every Wine & Wishes event will take place on Thursday, December 7th at Bragg Mitchell Mansion.

  Enjoy a night to dress up and sample hors d’oeuvres with open bar. Entertainment will be provided by The Mailman & The Back Pew Riders. There will be a wine wall where for $20 you can pull a surprise bottle from the wall valued between $20-$100.

  The event will help raise funds to grant the wishes of local children battling life-threatening medical conditions. For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

• Access MD Wishes You And Your Family A Happy Holidays

  Posted on December 1, 2017

  I would like to wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with wonderful food, family, and friendship.

  Founded in 2012, Access MD continues to grow and expand and for that I am thankful. Each month new patients enter the clinic that add something unique to the practice. While there are membership opportunities still available, we are getting close to capacity.

  An Access MD referral or membership would be a wonderful gift for a wife, husband, daughter, son or friend. I would be happy to discuss new membership pricing with you and to answer any questions you or the potential new patient may have.

  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  Turkey Trot for Hope & Gobble Wobble 2017 Benefiting Camp Rap-A-Hope

  Posted on November 13, 2017

  The Turkey Trot for Hope will be held at Spanish Plaza in Downtown Mobile on Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd. The 5K will start at 8AM and the Gobble Wobble fun run will begin at 9AM.

  Proceeds from the event will benefit Camp Rap-A-Hope, a camp for Gulf Coast children with cancer. Camp Rap-A-Hope’s programs are provided free of charge to the campers and their families. The camp is funded through generous donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations.

  For more information and to register for the event please click here.

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  November Is Diabetes Awareness Month- What Is The Difference Between Glucose Level and Hemoglobin A1C?

  Posted on November 9, 2017

  Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause heart disease, stroke, eye problems, nerve damage, kidney disease and other health problems if not controlled. The most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. If you have type 1, your body does not make insulin. If you have type 2, your body does not make or use insulin well.

  Diabetes affects one in four people over the age of 65 and millions more are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes through diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle changes. For more information click here.

  Early detection and prevention are important. During your annual exams we perform two diabetic screening tests in your fasting lab work. The first is a fasting glucose level. This tells us what your blood sugar is that morning before you eat. We also test a Hemoglobin A1C level. This tests your average blood sugar level over the past three months and results in a range of normal, pre-diabetic, and diabetic. Please do not forget to schedule your annual exam and fasting lab work around the time of your membership renewal.

• Is Your Phone or Tablet Keeping You Awake At Night?

  Posted on November 1, 2017

  A common problem that I see many of my patients experience is trouble falling asleep at night. In a technology driven world, we tend to fall asleep with a phone or tablet in hand. Staying up late with your device can rob you of a good night’s sleep.

  Multiple studies have shown that the blue light that is given off by electronics affects our sleep health by slowing or halting the production of melatonin, the hormone that signals our brain that it’s time for bed. Without melatonin, we stay awake later than intended.

  The best solution is to eliminate night time phone or tablet sessions. But what do you do if you cannot give up a late night Netflix show, Facebook browsing, or book on your tablet or phone? Some phones and tablets, particularly Apple products, have a “Night Shift” option that turns off the blue light by using a warm orange-red filter on your screen. There are also apps available for download that can remove the blue light from your screen when you select to do so.

  Despite eliminating blue light from your screens, some studies suggest that staring at any screen before bed, whether it is giving off blue light or not, can keep you awake longer. I suggest to put your phone or tablet away at least one hour before bed to help you get a more restful night of sleep.

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  Woofstock Benefit for the Animal Rescue Foundation

  Posted on October 5, 2017

  The 11th Annual Woofstock will take place on October 22nd in Bienville Square. The entire family, canines included, is welcome to spend the day listening to live music, shopping local vendors, and enjoying food!

  All proceeds will benefit the Animal Rescue Foundation. The event will include vendor booths, canine demonstrations, a silent auction, the Weiner Dog Race and Doggie Costume Contest.

  Gates open at 11AM and admission is $15 for Adults and $5 for Children. For more information and opportunities to sponsor the event click here.

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  Who Should And Should Not Receive A Flu Shot?

  Posted on October 3, 2017

  Everyone six months and older is recommended to receive an annual flu shot. However, there are rare exceptions.

  Among adults, complications, hospitalizations, and deaths due to influenza are generally most common among those 50 years old and over. It is strongly recommended, based off of risk factor and potential for severe complications, that you receive the annual flu shot if you meet any of the following criteria:

  – People 50 years and older
  – People with chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
  – People who are immunosuppressed
  – Women who are or will be pregnant during the influenza season and women up to two weeks after delivery
  – People who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
  – Household caregivers of children younger than 5 years and adults aged 50 years and older and of people with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from
  influenza

  You should not receive the flu vaccine if you have a severe or life threatening allergy to any ingredient in the vaccine. Vaccine ingredient lists are available upon request from the location offering flu vaccines. If you have a history of egg allergy you should talk with your doctor or pharmacy before receiving a flu shot. For more information about the flu vaccine click here.

• When Is It Time For An Antibiotic For Congestion And Cough?

  Posted on October 1, 2017

  This time of year we see many patients with cold and upper respiratory symptoms. It can be hard, as a patient, to know when to call us for an appointment or if an antibiotic is needed. It is best to avoid antibiotics with a viral infection, especially if symptoms can be managed with decongestants or other over the counter medications. Antibiotics are generally used as a last resort if symptoms worsen and persist for more than 7 days.

  With upper respiratory viruses, the first few days of illness are too early to determine if an antibiotic should be used and are best treated by managing symptoms such as cough, congestion, and sore throat. A standard over the counter treatment of cough and congestion with sore throat would be Mucinex (green or blue box), Delsym Cough Syrup, and Advil or Ibuprofen for pain management. However, if you begin to worsen, run fever, or suspect that you may have the flu, it is time to come in and let us perform an examination to best choose a course of treatment.

  We encourage you to receive your annual flu vaccine at a location that is most convenient for you. If they are offering flu shots at work or at the local pharmacy, please do not hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity. In the clinic we will offer the Quadrivalent Seasonal Flu Vaccine. If you are 65 years and older and wish to receive the High-Dose Seasonal Flu Vaccine, you may receive that vaccine at your local pharmacy and we would be happy to help you with any questions you may have.

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  The 10th Annual GO Run 5K and One Mile Fun Run

  Posted on September 11, 2017

  The 2017 GO Run 5K and one mile Fun Run/Walk, presented by the Catranis Family Charitable Foundation, will be held on Saturday, September 16th at the University of South Alabama Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza.

  All GO Run proceeds will benefit the gynecologic cancer research taking place at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute. The event will include prizes, music, vendor booths, food, and children’s activities.

  The 5K will begin at 8:00 AM and Fun Run/Walk at 9:00 AM. For more information about the event and to register click here.