Tag Archives: queenstown

Move Over Lyme Disease, Here Comes Babesiosis

By: TIMOTHY KLEPPER, M.D.

Tick season is here, and we’re hearing the usual warnings about Lyme disease. But due to a mild winter and spreading tick population, there’s a new threat to watch out for: babesiosis (bah-bee-see-oh-sis).

Both Lyme disease and babesiosis are parasitic diseases carried by deer ticks, also called black-legged ticks. The CDC reports a significant increase in reported cases of both this year in the eastern U.S.

Lyme disease and babesiosis differ in their symptoms and health risks. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two, and what you need to look out for.

  Babesiosis Lyme disease
Likelihood of infection Low, especially if tick is attached for less than 36 hours Low, especially if tick is attached for less than 36 hours
How soon symptoms start 1-4 weeks after tick bite 3-30 days after tick bite
Symptoms Mild to severe flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness

In severe infections: yellowish skin or eyes, pale skin, dark urine, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, neck stiffness, sudden mood changes

 Circular bulls-eye rash around the tick bite

Early infection: flu-like symptoms: tiredness, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, fever, chills
Risks Can be life-threatening, especially if you have a weak immune system or don’t have a working spleen. May cause anemia, enlarged spleen, fluid buildup in your lungs, blood clotting problems, kidney or liver failure Late infection: neck stiffness, pain and swelling in your joints, numbness or pain in your limbs, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, heart problems. Usually not life-threatening
When you should see a doctor If you were bitten by a tick and have flu-like symptoms, especially if you have a weak immune system If you were bitten by a tick and have an expanding red rash around the bite or have flu-like symptoms
Usual treatment Combination of anti-parasitics and antibiotics Antibiotics Antibiotics

 

How to prevent tick bites

The best way to avoid getting sick with babesiosis and Lyme disease is to not get bitten. Remember the ABCs of prevention:

“A” stands for avoid. You want to avoid areas ticks are found, such as where there are low bushes, leaf litter and tall grass.

“B” stands for bug spray. Use it when you’re outdoors and think you’re going to be exposed to tick bites. The CDC recommends a bug spray that contains either DEET 30% or picaridin. You also could use a spray that has oil of lemon eucalyptus in it.

“C” stands for cover up. Wear protective clothing. If you have clothing over your skin, ticks won’t be able to bite you.

What to do if you’re bitten by a tick

Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible, then pull the tick off with steady pressure. Then wash your hands and the area of the bite with soap and water. Sometimes, the mouthparts of the tick will break off and stay in the skin. If you can remove them easily, use the tweezers to pull them out. If you can’t remove them easily, just let the skin heal. Your body will break down the remaining mouth parts over time.

Remember, your chances of getting a tick disease are much lower if you remove the tick within 36 hours of being bitten.

 

Dr. Klepper is a Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC partner and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He cares for patients in the Queenstown office.

YIKES! I’m Too Young to Have High Blood Pressure and Diabetes

By: DANIEL LAMPHIER, M.D.

When you hear “high blood pressure” and “diabetes,” do you think of health problems your parents or grandparents may have? Unfortunately, a growing number of young adults are dealing with these dangerous conditions. In fact, Millennials (born 1981-1996) are now being diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes at greater rates than any other age group.

What’s the cause of this unhealthy trend? Mostly, it’s lifestyle: Millennials eat a lot of processed and fast foods with high levels of calories, sugar, salt and fat. And they tend to be less active, preferring screen time to physical activity. As a result, about 70% of young adults are overweight or obese.

The bad news

Being overweight is a major risk factor for many chronic health issues, especially high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Left untreated, these two diseases can have life-long, devastating effects on your health.

High blood pressure (or hypertension) occurs when the force of circulating blood against the walls of arteries is too high. People with high blood pressure are 3.6 times more likely to get type 2 diabetes, 3.5 times more likely to have narrowed or blocked arteries, and five times more likely to suffer a stroke or heart failure. It’s called “the silent killer” because it often has no symptoms and most people don’t know they have it. The only way to detect it is to get your blood pressure checked by a health professional.

Type 2 diabetes results when your body can’t properly manage sugar, resulting in too much sugar circulating in your bloodstream. Diabetes greatly increases your risk of heart attack and stroke, kidney and eye disease, poor circulation and nerve damage. There’s no cure for diabetes but it can be managed through diet and medicine.

The good news

By making some basic lifestyle changes, you can greatly lower your risk for getting high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, or successfully manage the diseases if you already have them. In fact, some patients are able to improve their condition to the point that they no longer need to take medicine. Here are eight health strategies that apply to both high blood pressure and diabetes.

1. Eat healthy. No surprise here: a healthy diet can lower both high blood pressure and diabetes.

  • Consume fewer processed foods and fast foods that are high in salt and fat.
  • Avoid sweet snacks, desserts and sugary drinks such as sodas, fruit juices and fancy coffees.
  • Get plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
  • Choose nonfat dairy and lean meats, such as skinless chicken and fish.
  • Carbohydrates turn into sugar, so if you’re diabetic watch your carb intake.
  • No foods are strictly off-limits but focus on eating only as much as your body needs.

2. Reduce salt (sodium) in your diet. There is a strong link between sodium and high blood pressure, so reducing your salt intake is key.

  • Read food labels. Look for low-sodium versions of foods and beverages.
  • Eat fewer processed foods like canned soups, lunch meats and boxed meals. Only a small amount of sodium occurs naturally in foods. Most sodium is added during processing.
  • Don’t add salt. Use herbs or spices to add flavor to food.

3. Exercise. Regular physical activity helps bring down your blood sugar and reduce your blood pressure. Plus, it can help you lose extra pounds. You don’t have to join a gym — just walk fast or ride a bike. Aim for 30 minutes of activity that makes you sweat and breathe a little harder on most days of the week.

4. Lose weight. The bad effects of blood pressure and diabetes often climb as your weight increases, so weight loss is one of the best ways to prevent/control them. Losing even a few pounds can help.

5. Manage stress. When you’re stressed, both your blood sugar level and blood pressure go up. Find ways to relieve stress — through deep breathing, yoga, walking or relaxing hobbies.

6. Quit smoking. Diabetes makes you more likely to have health problems like heart disease, eye disease, stroke, kidney disease, blood vessel disease, nerve damage and foot problems. If you smoke, your chance of getting these problems is even higher. Talk with your doctor about ways to quit.

7. Limit your alcohol. Alcohol can make your blood sugar go too high or too low, and it can also raise your blood pressure. Women should have no more than one drink a day and men should have no more than two.

8. Monitor your blood pressure and get regular checkups. Home monitoring can help you track your blood pressure. Your MPCP provider can also evaluate your health situation and help you make a lifestyle plan you can live with.

 

Dr. Daniel Lamphier is a Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC partner and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He earned his medical degree from George Washington University, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, and cares for patients in the Queenstown office.

Bicycle Riding During COVID-19

By: Jamie Harms, M.D.

With families looking for safe outdoor activities during this time of COVID-19, many people are turning to bicycle riding to get some fresh air and exercise. Your chances of being exposed to the coronavirus while riding are low, but there are still some precautions you should take. And it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on good riding practices before you hit the road.

Coronavirus bicycle tips

  • Face mask: You don’t have to wear a face mask in Maryland while bike riding, but it’s a good idea to have one handy for when you stop or are riding close to others. In hot weather, try an athletic mask made from fabric that wicks moisture. Make sure your mask fits well and covers both your mouth and nose.
  • Social distancing: Try to keep at least 6 feet from other riders and pedestrians, especially at stops. If you’re on a busy bike trail, or if you’re drafting other riders, wear a mask.  Pack drinks and snacks so you can avoid stopping at crowded stores.
  • Shared bikes: If you plan to rent a bicycle, sanitize the handlebars and seat before and after you ride ─ and wash your hands.

 

Other bicycle safety tips

  • Wear a helmet:  Helmets are required for riders under 16. For everyone else, they’re your best safety gear. Wear one every time you ride.
  • Obey traffic signs and signals: Bicycles must follow the rules of the road like other vehicles.
  • Watch speed limits: Bikes are not permitted on roads with a speed limit of 50 MPH or faster.
  • Keep an ear open: You may not wear headsets or earplugs in both ears.
  • Don’t ride against traffic: Always go the same direction traffic is moving.
  • Know where other vehicles are: Learn to look back over your shoulder, or use a rear-view mirror.
  • Use hand signals: Hand signals tell motorists and pedestrians what you intend to do.

Graph of bikers hand signals

  • Ride in the middle of the lane in slower traffic: Get in the middle of the lane at busy intersections and whenever you are moving at the same speed as traffic.
  • Use lights at night: The law requires a white headlight and a rear reflector or taillight.
  • Sidewalk riding: You can ride on sidewalks, but pedestrians have right of way.

 

Special rules for electric bikes

  • Electric bike motors must automatically disengage at 20 MPH to keep you from going too fast.
  • Any person operating an electric bike must wear a helmet.
  • Electric bikes must follow the same traffic laws as cars and bicycles.
  • You can ride them on roads and bike paths, but not on sidewalks.
  • Electric bikes must yield to pedestrians and roadway traffic.

Feeling Down? It May Be the Winter Blues

By: Jamie Harms, M.D.

It’s the coldest, darkest time of the year. It seems like spring will never come. For many people, this time of year brings feelings of sadness ‒ the “winter blues.”

Perhaps you recognize some of the symptoms in yourself: increased sleep; increased appetite, with cravings for starches and sugars; weight gain; emotional irritability; and a heavy feeling in your arms and legs. You may find yourself withdrawing from social activities or having difficulty concentrating.

What causes the winter blues?

Scientists think these symptoms result from a decrease in the activity of serotonin in the brain when days get shorter. Serotonin is a chemical that helps nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. It is important for mood and alertness, and it helps control your appetite.

How to beat the winter blues

For most people, symptoms are mild, and they end when the days get longer. Here are things you can do to feel better:

  1. Get enough sleep. Sleep and moods are closely connected, and many of us skimp on sleep in our busy lives. Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night.
  2. Get some exercise. Exercise increases serotonin in the brain, so it can make you feel better physically and emotionally. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Bundle up and take some walks outdoors in the daylight if you can.
  3. Get some sun. Exposure to daylight can help boost your mood. Bundle up and go outside whenever you can, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
  4. Pay attention to what you eat. Decrease carbohydrates and caffeine, which may make you feel better for a short time but can make moods worse overall. Choose lean meats, fruits and vegetables.
  5. Pay attention to your thoughts. It’s easy to develop habits of thinking and reacting to life events that just make you sad or worried. Practice looking for a few good things every day, even if they’re small.

Some people have more severe symptoms of depression in the wintertime. This is called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you have more than mild symptoms, or symptoms that last more than a few weeks, contact your doctor. Treatments such as light therapy, anti-depressant medication, and psychotherapy can be effective for wintertime depression.