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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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What Is “Flesh Eating Bacteria” and How Can You Avoid It?
Posted on September 8, 2017
You may have recently heard or seen a news report that someone along the Gulf Coast contracted a “flesh eating bacteria” after swimming or fishing leading to hospitalization or sometimes major surgery. Vibrio vulnificus, or the “flesh eating bacteria,” is a naturally occurring organism that is found in warm brackish waters, bays or gulfs, particularly during summer months.

Those with compromised immune systems are more likely to get Vibrio if exposed. However, healthy people can also develop an infection after eating raw seafood, particularly oysters, and exposing open wounds to brackish or salt water.

Prevention is important. According to the ADEM/ADPH Coastal Alabama Beach Monitoring Program, you can easily check the bacteria levels in bodies of water near Mobile, AL by clicking here. Avoid eating raw shellfish and wear protective gloves when handling raw seafood.

If you have a cut or abrasion, do your best to stay out of brackish or salt water or cover the wound with a waterproof bandage if there’s a possibility it could come into contact with water sources. As always, wash cuts or abrasions thoroughly with soap and water after potential exposure and call us if you develop signs of infection.
The Return of Football and Saturday Tailgating
Posted on September 1, 2017
Football season is here! Whether you cheer “Go Jags,” “War Eagle” or “Roll Tide,” I hope you enjoy the fun and excitement that football season brings and create lasting memories with friends and family. While it is easy to live weekend to weekend during football season, please do not forget to call and schedule your annual exam.

Annual exams should be scheduled near the time of your annual membership renewal. Annuals only take an hour or so and include fasting lab work. Please keep in mind when calling to schedule that it is best to complete your annual exam during the morning hours to prevent you from fasting for a longer period of time. For fasting lab work, please refrain from eating after midnight before your labs are drawn. You can drink water and/or black coffee with no cream or sugar.