Author Archives: Trudy

Headaches: When to Call the Doctor

By: TRANG M. PHAM, M.D.

Headaches are our most common form of pain and a major reason for trips to the doctor. While most headaches are just a temporary nuisance, sometimes they can warn you about a serious health problem that needs immediate attention.

Causes of headaches

Headaches happen when nerve endings in your body react to triggers and send pain messages to your brain. Chemical activity in your brain, the nerves or blood vessels surrounding your skull, or the muscles of your head and neck can play a role in headaches.

A primary headache is caused by problems with pain-sensitive nerves in your head and is not a symptom of another medical problem. Primary headaches can be triggered by lifestyle factors, such as stress, alcohol (especially red wine), certain foods (such as processed meats with nitrates), poor sleep and poor posture.

A secondary headache is related to medical conditions that trigger pain-sensitive areas in the neck and head, including a neck injury, eye problems, and infections in your jaw, teeth, or sinuses. More serious causes of secondary headaches can be brain tumors, aneurysms, and meningitis.

Types of headaches

There are many types of headaches, but three of the most common are tension, cluster, and migraines.

Tension headaches are the most common kind and are often brought on by stress and tight muscles. Symptoms include:

  • Gradual start
  • Head usually hurts on both sides
  • Pain is dull or feels like a band or vice around the head
  • Pain may involve the back part of the head or neck
  • Pain is mild to moderate
  • Typically, does not cause nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light

Cluster headaches usually occur in a series that may last weeks or months. They are more common in men than women and may be caused by alcohol use, smoking cigarettes, bright light, exercise/exertion, hot weather or water, and foods with nitrates, such as bacon or lunch meat. Symptoms of cluster headaches include:

  • Severe pain on one side of the head, usually behind one eye
  • The eye that is affected may be red and watery with a droopy lid and small pupil
  • Swelling of the eyelid
  • Runny nose or congestion
  • Swelling of the forehead

Migraines mostly affect women. The average migraine lasts from four hours to three days, but severe attacks can last longer, badly impacting your work, family, and social life. In addition to headache pain, migraines can include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Lightheadedness
  • Sensitivity to light and other visual symptoms, such as flashing spots, wavy lines, and blurred vision

Treatment depends on the headache

Effective treatment depends on what type of headache you have. It may include:

  • Avoiding known triggers, such as certain foods and beverages
  • Stress management
  • Changing eating habits
  • Exercise
  • Resting in a quiet, dark place
  • Over-the-counter medications or prescriptions from your healthcare provider

Migraine and cluster headaches may need specific medicine management:

  • Preventive medicines: Prescribed by your healthcare provider and taken daily to reduce the onset of headaches.
  • Abortive medicine: Prescribed by your healthcare provider and acting on specific nerves and blood vessels in the head to stop a headache in progress.
  • Rescue medicines: Over-the-counter pain relievers to stop the headache.

When you should call your doctor

Most headaches can be treated with over-the-counter medicine and will go away on their own. But there are times when they can be a symptom of serious medical conditions, such as a blood clot, aneurysm or tumor in the brain, concussion, encephalitis, meningitis, or stroke. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience a sudden, severe headache with:

  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Convulsions
  • Shortness of breath
  • Confusion
  • Muscular weakness
  • Double vision
  • Change in level of consciousness

If headaches are an unpleasant part of your life, contact your MPCP healthcare provider to discuss what can be done to help you feel better.

 

Trang Pham, M.D.Dr. Pham is a MPCP partner and cares for patients in the Pasadena office. She holds her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Flu, Covid-19, RSV: Which vaccines do you need?

By: RAFEENA BACCHUS, M.D.

As fall arrives, it’s not just time for cozy sweaters and holiday preparations—it’s also a critical time to think about seasonal health protection. This year, the flu, COVID-19, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccines are essential tools to keep you and your loved ones safe.

At Maryland Primary Care Physicians (MPCP), we make vaccination easy with convenient scheduling through our Patient Portal and supportive care from our dedicated team. Let’s walk through what you need to know this season to stay healthy.

Why Get Vaccinated for Flu, COVID-19, and RSV?

These three viruses—flu, COVID-19, and RSV—are known for causing severe illness, especially in young children, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions. Vaccination offers a proven way to reduce your risk, lessen symptoms, and protect your community. Here’s how each vaccine can help:

  • Flu: Protects against the most common flu strains, reducing severity and risk of hospitalization.
  • COVID-19: Protects against the latest variants, helping avoid severe symptoms and complications.
  • RSV: Especially important for seniors and infants, who are at higher risk of RSV complications.

At MPCP, we focus on preventive care and compassionate support for all patients. Our experienced providers are here to help you make informed vaccination decisions and answer any questions along the way.

Schedule an appointment to get vaccinated in your patient portal. 

Who Should Get Vaccinated? CDC Recommendations

The CDC offers specific guidance on who should get each vaccine, based on age, health status, and other risk factors:

Flu Vaccine

  • Recommended for: Everyone 6 months and older.
  • Especially Important for: Adults 65+, children under 5, people with chronic health conditions, and pregnant women.
  • When to Get It: Early fall, as flu season peaks in winter.

COVID-19 Vaccine

  • Recommended for: Everyone 6 months and older.
  • New Variant Coverage: The latest COVID-19 vaccines are designed to protect against current variants, like EG.5.
  • When to get it: Fall, with annual boosters available for continued protection.

RSV Vaccine

  • Recommended for: Adults 60+ (especially those with chronic conditions like heart or lung disease, diabetes, or weakened immunity).
  • Additional Protection: For infants at high risk, long-acting antibody treatments are also available.

When to Get It: Any time during RSV season, which often overlaps with flu season in fall and winter.

Can You Get All Three Shots Together?

You may be able to streamline your vaccination schedule by getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. However, because the RSV vaccine is newer, health experts recommend receiving it separately. Here’s what you should know:

  • Flu & COVID-19: Generally safe to get these vaccines together. Just let your healthcare provider know so they can guide you.
  • RSV: Consult with your MPCP provider if you’re considering getting this vaccine with others, especially if you have a health condition.

Your MPCP provider will work with you to plan the best timing and combination for these vaccines, tailored to your health needs and lifestyle.

FAQs: About Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines

  • Why do I need these vaccines every year? Viruses like flu and COVID-19 mutate, creating new strains each year, and immunity from previous vaccinations fades over time. Annual vaccines ensure you’re protected against the latest strains
  • Are these vaccines safe to take together? Yes, the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can usually be taken at the same time, saving you a trip while keeping you protected. If you’re also getting the RSV vaccine, your doctor may advise taking it separately for the best immune response.
  • What are the possible side effects? Most people experience mild side effects like soreness at the injection site, fatigue, or a low fever, which usually resolve within a day or two and are signs that your body is building protection.

Why Choose MPCP for Your Vaccination?

At MPCP, we make it simple to manage your health. Our Patient Portal lets you:

  • Schedule appointments online for all your healthcare needs, including vaccinations.
  • Access your medical records anytime, so you stay informed about your vaccination history and health.
  • Message your provider directly, a helpful option if you have follow-up questions or health concerns after your visit.

Our team emphasizes a personalized approach to healthcare. We’re here to listen to your concerns, answer questions, and deliver high-quality, compassionate care.

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

Don’t wait — get ahead of the season by scheduling your flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines with MPCP today. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to stay healthy, and MPCP is here to make the process easy and comfortable whether you’re scheduling for yourself or a loved one.

Take Action Today: Contact your MPCP healthcare provider or log into the Patient Portal to schedule your vaccines and ensure you and your family are prepared for a healthy season!

Rafeena Bacchus, M.D.Dr. Rafeena Bacchus sees patients at MPCP’s Columbia office. She received her medical degree from SUNY at the Buffalo School of Medicine and completed her residency program in Internal Medicine at the University of Maryland. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

10 ‘Healthy’ Foods That Aren’t Good for You

By: OLADUNNI FILANI, MD

Even though food companies market many foods and beverages as “healthy,” some may not be nutritious choices. Many are packed with sugar, salt and other ingredients that can impact your health.

Here are 10 popular foods widely viewed as “healthy” that are actually not good for you.

  1. Veggie chips: “Veggie” may be in the name, but that doesn’t make them healthy. Many veggie chips are nutritionally similar to potato chips because they are highly processed, deep fried in oil and heavily salted. Also, some are made from potato flour with vegetable powder added for flavor, so you’re basically getting a potato chip.

If you’re craving a veggie crunch, look for those that are baked instead of fried and have less sodium.

  1. Fruit juices: All fruit juices are high in sugar. An eight-ounce serving of juice contains about eight teaspoons of sugar, the same as a soda. Fruit juices have “natural” sugar, but that doesn’t make it healthier than the sugar in soda.

On the plus side, fruit juice offers some nutrients. Studies show drinking no more than five ounces a day is linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. So a small amount of fruit juice is okay, but a lot can give you too much sugar and contribute to poor health.

  1. Plant-based meats: Plant-based meats are promoted as being healthier than real meat, but that’s not always the case. They are often highly processed and high in saturated fats and sodium, and they usually don’t contain the same protein levels as lean meat, fish, poultry and eggs.
  2. Granola and granola bars: Some granolas and granola bars are very nutritious, but many are loaded with extra sugar and are high in calories. For example, a 2/3-cup serving of Nature Valley Oats and Dark Chocolate Protein Granola contains 7 grams of added sugar and 290 calories, while Quaker Chewy Yogurt Granola Bars include 10 grams of added sugar per bar.

If you like granola but want to avoid unhealthy store brands, try making your own at home. You can use nutritious ingredients like nuts and oats and add sweetness with dried fruit.

  1. Flavored yogurts: Don’t let the small cartons fool you, flavored and “fruit on the bottom” yogurts can pack a lot of sugar in one serving. For example, a 5.3-ounce container of Dannon Strawberry Fruit on the Bottom yogurt contains a hefty 15 grams of added sugar. Yogurts that have candy toppings and “flip-style” yogurts can have even more.

Instead of choosing sweetened yogurt, try topping unsweetened yogurt with fresh fruit for a bit of natural sweetness.

  1. Protein drinks and bars: Just because a product is high in protein doesn’t make it healthy. These items are often loaded with extra sugar, sodium and artificial ingredients.

If you do want extra protein in your diet, you can get it by eating more protein-rich foods, such as fish, eggs and beans.

  1. Sports drinks and energy beverages: Advertising for these products say they boost energy and athletic performance, but they can also be high in added sugar and caffeine. A 20-ounce bottle of Fruit Punch Gatorade contains 34 grams of added sugar, and the Monster Energy drink has 54 grams per 16-ounce can. (This is more than your recommended daily amount of sugar!)

Most people who perform moderate exercise or normal daily activity don’t need sports drinks to stay hydrated. Plain water works just fine.

  1. Gluten-free snacks: People with gluten-related disorders need to avoid gluten — a protein found in wheat and several other grains. But nutritionists agree that for most of us eating foods with gluten is fine and there is no health benefit to cutting them out of your diet.

If you go gluten-free when you don’t need to, there’s a risk you could miss out on nutritious whole grains, fiber and micronutrients. Also, some processed gluten-free snacks tend to be lower in protein, fiber and vitamins and minerals than other snacks, and may have as much sugar and calories.

  1. Premade smoothies: Homemade smoothies can be a tasty way to get more fruits and vegetables into your diet. However, premade smoothies and those from some chains contain large amounts of calories and sugar. If you buy a smoothie, be sure to check the ingredients first and avoid the unhealthy ones.
  1. Some plant-based milks: Plant-based milks — including those made from almonds, coconut, rice, and soy — can be an excellent alternative to dairy products. However, many plant milks add sugar to improve their taste. For example, original Almond Breeze almond milk contains 7 grams of added sugar per 1-cup serving.

It’s a good idea to choose unsweetened plant milks if you want to limit added sugar. So before you buy a product, read the nutrition label and look for those with less sugar.

Dr. Filani cares for patients in MPCP’s Bowie office. He is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and completed his fellowship in Primary Care Sports Medicine at the University of Maryland.

All MPCP Offices Have Flu Vaccine Available

We are pleased to announce that all Maryland Primary Care Physicians offices have both regular dose, and high dose flu vaccines for those over age 65. Please call your provider’s office and make an appointment to receive your vaccine.

The recommendation for the RSV vaccine per CDC guidelines is for those individuals over the age of 60 with certain comorbid conditions. We recommend that patients discuss whether RSV is indicated for them with their provider. We currently do not offer the RSV vaccine but will notify you if that changes.

We currently do not have COVID-19 vaccines but will send out a notification once we have more information.