Archive for March 29, 2013

What is Strep Throat?

March 29, 2013 / / No comments

Strep throat is a bacterial infection with a germ called Group A Streptococcus.  Strep throat is a disease that causes a sore throat.

Strep throat is very contagious and is spread from person to person contact with fluid from the nose or saliva.  Be sure to change out your toothbrush if you have been diagnosed!

Signs and Symptoms

  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rash

If you or a family member suffer with a sore throat and any of the above symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor.  A simple throat culture will reveal if you have strep throat.  Often antibiotics are prescribed in the treatment of strep throat.  You are contagious for 24-48 hours once you begin treatment so be sure to stay home from work or school to avoid infecting others!

Dr. Jennifer Ackerman, Dr. Michael Ackerman, and Dr. Robert Lin have been our doctors, our confidants and our neighbors since 1999.  Now they continue their commitment to our health and well being with the opening of their new medical practice, Dominion Internal Medicine.  Now accepting new patients!

Call us today @ 540.878.5408 to schedule an appointment or simply for more information.

Most insurances accepted.

 

Compassionate Care for a Healthy Heart, Body and Mind

Category: Dominion Internal Medicine / Tags: ,

Prevent and Protect yourself from Lyme Disease

March 28, 2013 / / No comments

Springtime is here.  While we begin to enjoy the beauty of spring, we need to protect ourselves from Lyme disease.  Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread by black legged ticks.  In this article from The Center for Disease Control it shows in 2009 there were almost 30,000 confirmed cases in the United States.

Here are some helpful tips to safeguard you this spring –

  • Use a repellent with Deet
  • Know where to expect ticks.  Ticks live in moist and humid environments, particularly in wooded or grassy areas.
  • Modify your landscaping to create “Tick-Safe Zones.”  Keep patios, play ground areas away from shrubs, bushes and other vegetation.
  • Use a chemical treatment.  There are many safe chemical agents available or if you feel more comfortable, call a professional.
  • Prevent family pets from bringing ticks inside.  There are many tick medicine and collars available.  Work closely with your veterinarian to choose the right one for your pet.
  • Be sure to check for ticks after you have been outside.  Ticks can hide under arms, around the ears, inside belly button, back of knees, in and around all head and body hair, and around the knees.  Check clothing and pets as well.

What should you do if you are bitten by a tick?

Remove the tick using fine tipped tweezers as soon as you realize you have been bitten.  If you are unable to remove the entire tick, it’s very important that you schedule an appointment with your doctor.  If left untreated, Lyme disease may often lead to a stage of Lyme that is disabling and difficult to treat.  In rare instances it can be fatal.   If a tick is attached to your skin for less than 24 hours, your chances of developing Lyme disease is minimal.  To be safe, watch for signs or symptoms of Lyme disease by following these tips as provided by The Center for Disease Control.

  • Red expanding rash
  • Fatigue
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle and joint aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes

If you experience any of the above symptoms please contact your doctor.   Dr. Jennifer Ackerman, Dr. Michael Ackerman and Dr. Robert Lin of Dominion Internal Medicine are expert internist’s who will collect your medical history and perform a physical exam to determine if you are infected with this often hard to detect disease.  For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact our specialists @ 540.347.5408.  Now accepting CareFirst.

 

Compassion Care for a Healthy Heart, Body, and Mind

Category: Dominion Internal Medicine, Uncategorized / Tags: ,

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

March 26, 2013 / / No comments

Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms –

  • Sadness or feelings of guilt and or worthlessness
  • Anxious
  • Insomnia
  • Excessive sleeping
  • Irritable
  • Empty feeling
  • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
  • Loss of appetite or overeating
  • Restlessness
  • Thoughts of suicide

Depression is not always a psychiatric disorder.  It is a normal reaction to life’s happenings, symptoms of certain medical conditions, and also a side effect of some medical treatments.  It may also be associated with clinical depression.  If depression is left untreated your condition may worsen and last for a very long time!  If you are searching for wholeness in your life the physicians of Dominion Internal Medicine can help.  They will provide you with a full physical assessment and thorough evaluation of your symptoms to help determine the cause of your depression.  This will include blood testing to rule out other possible culprits.  Please call our office at 540.878.5408 to schedule an appointment.

Most Insurances accepted

Compassionate Care, for a Healthy Heart, Body, and Mind

Category: Uncategorized /

Is Fatigue Running Your Life?

March 25, 2013 / / No comments

Do you suffer with persistent fatigue?  You may be experiencing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS.)

What are the symptoms of CFS?

 

  • Unrefreshing Sleep
  • Fatigue
  • Memory/Concentration Problems
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Flu Like Symptoms – Sore Throat, Headache, Pain in Joints and Muscles
  • Dizziness
  • Mental Exhaustion

CFS is a debilitating and difficult disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that is not improved with bed rest and actually worsens with physical or mental activities.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please see a doctor.  CFS is manageable with simple lifestyle changes or medication may be prescribed.

Dr. Jennifer Ackerman, Dr. Michael Ackerman, and Dr. Robert Lin of Dominion Internal Medicine are experienced internists  who will help you get to the heart of your fatigue with close communication with you – the patient, and develop a treatment plan that will benefit you the most.  If you would like to schedule an appointment or simply for more information please contact our offices @ (540) 878-5408.

Most insurances accepted.

 

Compassionate Care for a Healthy Heart, Body and Mind

Category: Uncategorized /

Can’t Stop Coughing?

March 21, 2013 / / No comments

Can’t Stop Coughing?

You may have bronchitis.  Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, the large air passages in the lungs.  This inflammation usually causes increased mucus production in our airways.

Symptoms –

  • Hacking cough
  • Fatigue
  • Low grade fever and chills
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Yellow, white, or green phlegm

Call Your Doctor about Bronchitis if you are experiencing any of the following:

Persistent Cough  prevents you from sleeping

Wheezing or shortness of breath

Cough lasts for longer than 2 weeks

Mucus becomes darker and thicker or turns bloody

Is accompanied by low grade fever

Chest pain

Don’t delay in seeing your physician.  Pneumonia may develop and is most often caused by bacterial and viral infections.

 

Dr. Jennifer Ackerman, Dr. Michael Ackerman, and Dr. Robert Lin are certified experts in their field of internal medicine.  If you suspect you might have bronchitis, please contact Dominion Internal Medicine

@ (540) 878-5408 to schedule an appointment or simply for more information.

 

Compassionate Care for a Healthy Heart, Body, and Mind

Now Accepting CareFirst!

Category: Dominion Internal Medicine / Tags: , ,

Spring has SPRUNG! So have our Allergies!

March 20, 2013 / / One comment

Spring has SPRUNG!  So have our Allergies!

Let’s face it.  A lot of us suffer from allergies.  (Allergic reactions  occur when a person’s immune system reacts to a normally harmless substance in the environment.)  You might be experiencing some of the following if you suffer from allergies.

  • Red eyes
  • Itchiness
  • Hives
  • Hay fever
  • Runny nose
  • Rashes
  • Lethargic

This article from webmd.com will give you important tips to ask your doctor.  First and foremost you want to find out what is causing your allergies and what symptoms should  you be concerned with.

Don’t let allergies keep you from enjoying everyday life.  Contact the expert physicians of Dominion Internal Medicine today to schedule an appointment or for simply more information and treatment options available to you.

Compassionate Care for a Healthy Heart, Body and Mind

Most Insurances Accepted

Category: Dominion Internal Medicine / Tags: ,

Germs, Germs and Germs!

March 15, 2013 / / No comments

Germs are small microorganisms that are everywhere around us and invisible to the human eye.  Did you know if you cough or sneeze, germ filled droplets spread up to 12 feet.  Colds and flus usually spread this way.  Most germs are harmless. Germs even live on our bodies.  However, there are some germs that are fearsome because they are constantly mutating to break into your immune system’s barricades!

You can help stop the spread of germs by following these simple tips –

  • Wash your hands often.  Always wash before preparing or eating food and after you use the bathroom.
  • Clean and wash eating utensils and surfaces when preparing food.  Store and cook foods at recommended temperatures.  Don’t leave food sitting out.  Refrigerate food items immediately.
  • Cough and sneeze into your sleeve.
  • Stay home when sick
  • Don’t share personal items that can’t be disinfected.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.

While we can’t stop germs, following these simple tips can help reduce the spread of germs!

If you are feeling down and blue with cold or flu symptoms the physicians of Dominion Internal Medicine can help you feel better.  Call (540) 878-5408 to schedule an appointment or for simply more information.

Compassionate Care, for a Healthy Heart, Body and Mind.

Most insurance’s accepted.  Now accepting CareFirst.

Category: Dominion Internal Medicine / Tags: , ,

Acid Reflux?

March 13, 2013 / / 3 comments

Acid reflux is an ongoing symptom of mucosal damage caused by acids that travel back from the stomach into the esophagus.

Symptoms of acid reflux  –

  • Burping
  • Difficulty Swallowing
  • Hoarseness
  • Stomach Bloating
  • Nausea after Meals
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Chest Pain

Acid reflux can affect our lives and cause discomfort in our everyday activities, including work!  If you’re suffering with any of the above symptoms please don’t ignore them. We all feel acid reflux is a very common condition and can be treated by making a few changes in our lifestyle’s, diet and possibly medication (which is usually the case.)  However, if you experience chronic symptoms it could be a sign that the stomach acid has inflamed your esophagus.  When that occurs, the acid can damage the lining of your esophagus and cause bleeding.

Dr. Jennifer Ackerman, Dr. Michael Ackerman, and Dr. Robert Lin of Dominion Internal Medicine are experts in the field of Gastro esophageal reflux disease.  (Acid Reflux.)

For more information or to schedule an appointment please call our specialists @ (540) 878-5408.

Compassion Care for a Healthy Heart, Body, and Mind

Category: Dominion Internal Medicine / Tags: ,

Breathe Easy

March 8, 2013 / / No comments

If you suffer from wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath you may have Asthma.  Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways identified by variable and recurring symptoms.   Asthma is a condition in which the airways of the lungs become very narrow or completely blocked, making it difficult to breathe.  Unfortunately, there is no known cause for asthma, and currently there is no cure.  However, there are many prevention’s and practices you can follow to live symptom-free.

If you feel you might have symptoms of asthma it’s time for you to see a physician.  Dr. Jennifer Ackerman, Dr. Michael Ackerman and Dr. Robert Lin of Dominion Internal Medicine can help.  They understand the signs and symptoms causing your discomfort.  Please call (540) 878-5408 today to schedule an appointment or simply for more information.  Most insurances accepted.

Compassionate Care for a Healthy Heart, Body and Mind

Category: Dominion Internal Medicine / Tags: ,

Kidney Stones Ouch!

March 5, 2013 / / 8 comments

Kidney Stones Ouch!

What is a kidney stone?  A kidney stone is a solid concretion or crystal aggregation formed in the kidneys from dietary minerals in the urine.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Pain most commonly felt in the side and the back, between the ribs and hip.
  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Painful urination
  • Blood or discoloration in the urine
  • Persistent urge to urinate

If you are having any of the following symptoms it’s time to see a physician.

Pain so severe it is hard to sit or find a comfortable position

Pain accompanied by fever and chills

Nausea or vomiting

Blood in urine

Difficulty urinating

Don’t wait for your condition and the pain to worsen.  Contact Dominion Internal Medicine today @ (540) 878-5408.  Dr. Jennifer Ackerman, Dr. Michael Ackerman, and Dr. Robert Lin specialize in all Nephrology disorders and will diagnose and develop a treatment plan that is just right for you.

 

Most insurances accepted!                     Now accepting CareFirst!

 

Compassionate Care for a Healthy Heart, Body and Mind

Category: Dominion Internal Medicine, Uncategorized / Tags: ,
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