We’ve all been there: You wake up feeling off, or you sustain an unexpected injury and the panic sets in. Should you rush to the emergency room (ER), make an appointment with your primary care provider, or access virtual urgent care? The uncertainty can be overwhelming.
Symptoms that generally signal an emergency include:
Allergic reaction with trouble breathing, swelling or hives
Chest pain or squeezing sensation in the chest
Broken bones
Head, neck or spine injury
Intense pain, including severe headache or abdominal pain
Loss of consciousness
Major burns or electric shock
Pregnancy-related issues, such as severe cramping or bleeding
Poisoning or suspected overdose
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
Sudden slurred speech, visual changes or weakness on one side of the body
Suicidal thoughts
Uncontrolled bleeding
It’s important to know where to go for care before you’re sick or experiencing an emergency. Knowing this can save you precious time, make sure you get the right care promptly and ultimately make a world of difference when it matters most. •
See our providers for non-emergency urgent care needs via 24/7 video visits for minor illnesses, such as:
Coughs, cold, flu
Constipation or diarrhea
Fevers
Heartburn
Pink or red eyes
Sinus infections
Sore throat or strep throat
Urinary tract infection (women only)
Make an appointment with your primary care provider for the following:
Minor health concerns
Preventive and routine care
Screenings and vaccinations
Managing chronic health conditions (diabetes, asthma, heart disease, etc.)
Referrals to specialty care
If you are experiencing a serious or life-threatening medical emergency, call 911.
To find emergency care, virtual urgent care or primary care, visit houstonmethodist. org/care-central or call 713.790.3333 .
The term “selective hearing” describes a symptom of someone who prefers to avoid the topic at hand. The irony? Actual hearing loss is often one of those topics.
Maybe you’re struggling with hearing loss. Or maybe you’re struggling to start the conversation with your friend, parent or partner.
“Seeing a doctor who specializes in hearing is one of the first steps,” explained Dr. Jeffrey Vrabec, a neurotologist-otolaryngologist (ENT) with Houston Methodist Hospital.
“If you do have hearing loss, your ENT can explain what it means for you moving forward and recommend ways to prevent further damage.”
“While anyone can benefit from having their hearing evaluated, there are certain signs that a hearing test is definitely in order,” added Dr. Kenny Lin, a neurotologistotolaryngologist (ENT) with Houston Methodist Hospital.
Sign 1: Problems hearing in certain situations. The TV volume is going up. Closed captions are coming on. Hearing in situations with background noise is becoming increasingly difficult.
Sign 2: “Ear-y” symptoms. Pain, pressure or drainage compromises your ability to hear.
Sign 3: A ringing endorsement. Tinnitus — an early symptom that presents as static, buzzing, humming or chirping in the ear — is an ongoing complaint.
Sign 4: The family tree factor. Your parents or siblings show signs or have hearing loss.
Sign 5: The last one to know. Friends and family talk about the issue, but the person showing signs of hearing loss has not.
“Don’t ignore changes you notice in your hearing. Early treatment of hearing loss has even been shown to reduce the risk of cognitive changes in the future,” Lin stressed.
“There are situations where you don’t need to wait to experience hearing loss to have a hearing test,” Vrabec explained. He suggests it’s prudent to get proactive rather than waiting for hearing loss symptoms if you:
■ Are 65 or older
■ Have a family history of hearing loss
■ Listen to loud music
■ Work around loud noises
“In these situations, the likelihood you’ll experience hearing loss increases,” Vrabec said. “Establishing a baseline helps to easily identify changes in your hearing down the road.”
Once you’ve decided to get help, your first step may be a hearing test with an audiologist and a consultation with an ENT. This appointment usually includes:
■ A comprehensive audiogram
■ Discussion of ear and hearing health history
■ Discussion of how your symptoms affect you
■ Physical examination of the ears
These steps allow the audiologist to measure the loss of hearing and may also help identify underlying causes — be it wax blockage, infection, injury or permanent nerve damage.
“Based on your results, your audiologist and ENT can help recommend your next course of action or ways to avoid further loss,” Lin added. “The good news is, thanks to modern medicine and technology, most cases of hearing loss are treatable.” •
If you are ready to take the next step or are interested in more information on hearing loss, visit houstonmethodist.org/hearing-loss-central or call 713.441.1368.
Osteoarthritis is often known as a wear-and-tear disease. Unfortunately, when osteoarthritis strikes the knees, you may decide to take it easy and opt out of the activities you once enjoyed.
“While patients with osteoarthritis may experience knee pain during exercise, physical activity by itself is rarely the cause,” explained Dr. Gillian Wooldridge, a primary care sports medicine physician at Houston Methodist Hospital. “The most common cause of osteoarthritis is family history or injury.”
If your parents both had knee replacements, chances are higher you’ll have a problem, too,” Wooldridge said. “Here at Houston Methodist, we can help you manage your pain symptoms so you can continue to stay active.”
Osteoarthritis is the disease process of losing the cartilage in your knee — the tissue that cushions the ends of bones to decrease friction with joint movement. This is different from rheumatoid arthritis, which is a condition where the immune system attacks joints and their lining.
You should consult a doctor who can diagnose your knee pain as a symptom of osteoarthrosis or something else. Osteoarthritis has hallmark signs, which may include:
■ Inflammation and swelling
■ Joint tenderness or a feeling of the joint giving out
■ Pain described as deep and aching
■ Stiffness at times, though more common with rheumatoid arthritis
■ Varying amounts of discomfort during an activity or prolonged inactivity
While pain often occurs while standing, running or walking, it can also occur when sitting for extended periods. “You may notice symptoms more often when using the stairs,” Wooldridge added.
Family history, aging or injury are the common causes of osteoarthritis. While some studies indicate supplements such as glucosamine can help, there are actions you can take to reduce pain, such as:
■ Building strength, especially in the quadriceps (muscles that control the knee) and hips
■ Managing weight to decrease stress on the joints
■ Quitting smoking, because it lowers blood supply and delays healing
“Building strength, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight is important,” Wooldridge said. “One pound on your body is anywhere from four to nine pounds on your knee. If you’re overweight, any amount of weight loss could make a big difference.”
If your symptoms lead you to decreased physical activity, you may inadvertently add to the problem.
The good news? Your doctor can help you manage osteoarthritis pain by ensuring that your fitness routine builds muscles around the knees. With regular check-ins, your doctor will monitor your symptoms and, if needed, adjust your plan.
“My main focus is conventional care to reduce or delay your need for surgery,” Wooldridge said.
When medical care is needed, it often starts with these steps:
1. Topical ointments are available over the counter and deliver skin irritants that stimulate blood flow to decrease pain.
2. Oral medications, such as an over-the-counter acetaminophen or a prescribed anti-inflammatory can help with pain and swelling but require close monitoring of your kidney function by your doctor.
3. Injection therapies are administered by your doctor in the office. He or she will recommend corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, depending on your need.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your doctor will help determine the best course of action for your knees. •
If you are ready to take control of your osteoarthritis or get back in the game of life, we can help. To find support for your chronic knee pain, visit houstonmethodist.org/joint or call 713.790.3333
If osteoarthritis knee pain is coming between you and your fitness routine, consult your doctor. He or she may recommend exercise modifications to help build strength, manage weight and decrease pain symptoms, such as:
Joining a water aerobics class
Riding a bike on an even terrain
Starting a swim routine
Strength training with a professional trainer
Trying light elliptical or stationary bike exercises
Walking or hiking on a trail with soft ground
When these exercises no longer offer you relief, it’s time to talk to your doctor about injections or surgery.
We often don’t think about our health until something’s wrong, but there are steps any guy can take to stay well and reduce his risk of developing a chronic health issue.
“When you take care of yourself, your quality of life increases,” said Dr. Nathan Starke, a urologist specializing in men’s health at Houston Methodist. “You will have more energy to do the things you love.”
Dr. Akhil Muthigi, a urologist and fellowshiptrained men’s health specialist at Houston Methodist, added that many men could do a better job of prioritizing their health.
“Almost half of men over the age of 80 have low testosterone. But younger men can be troubled with symptoms of low testosterone (Low T), too — especially those who are overweight or have certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes and sleep apnea,” Muthigi explained.
While there are treatments for Low T, many men prefer to start by making healthy lifestyle changes that can naturally improve their testosterone levels.
“Losing weight may improve testosterone levels, and a healthy diet can help you achieve that,” Starke explained.
The key to a healthy diet when trying to elevate your testosterone levels is avoiding refined, simple carbohydrates, like the ones found in junk food. “These simple carbs can lead to spikes in your blood sugar and have been shown to reduce free testosterone levels,” Starke said.
Cardio is a great way to burn a lot of calories, and muscle built from strength training can boost your metabolism. “Both types of exercise can help you rebuild some of the muscle mass you might have lost as a result of low testosterone,” Muthigi said.
Cardio can be a run or walking at a brisk pace. If you’re new to strength training, start with body weight exercises — no gym membership needed.
Data shows that getting less than eight hours of sleep can reduce a man’s testosterone levels by as much as 15% the next day,” Muthigi explained.
A few hours of sleep might seem like enough to get you through the day, but it could contribute to lower testosterone.
While lifestyle changes can be effective, sometimes Low T symptoms will persist despite a man’s best effort, and many men will require the additional support of a medical specialist.
“If you’re having ongoing issues related to low testosterone, talking with your doctor about starting testosterone treatment could be a good idea. This can make your weight loss goals and lifestyle improvements much easier to achieve,” Starke added.
Taking proactive steps to start testosterone treatment can have wide-ranging health benefits like improving your mood,
your sexual function, lean body mass, muscle strength and bone mineral density. Getting your testosterone levels right can benefit your heart and your overall sense of well-being, too. •
Are you ready to tackle your health concerns? To find a specialist, visit houstonmethodist.org/mens-health or call 713.441.6455.
Ovarian cancer can be hard to spot, but the subtle signs are often there.
“Women can routinely experience the symptoms of ovarian cancer, such as abdominal discomfort and bloating, particularly in the menopausal years,” said Dr. Pedro Ramirez, a gynecologic oncologist and chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Houston Methodist Hospital. “Unlike other cancers, such as breast, cervical and colorectal, a preventive screening test is not available for ovarian cancer.”
Knowing the symptoms and your family health history can help you understand your risk and get help when you notice persistent signs, including:
1. Bloating
When your stomach feels fuller or bigger than usually after a big meal or eating certain foods, it’s common to have some discomfort or pain. But that bloating should come and go fairly quickly. If it doesn’t, you should talk with your doctor.
“A day or two of bloating is perfectly normal, but being bloated for two or more straight weeks could be a sign of something more serious,” Ramirez said.
2. Feeling full faster than usual
Feeling full, or satiated, after eating less food may seem like a good thing, especially when trying to maintain a healthy weight. But Ramirez noted that early satiety can be a symptom of ovarian cancer.
“Sometimes you are eating only a small amount, but it feels like you ate multiple plates of food,” Ramirez noted. “It can even get to the point where you can only handle one meal a day.”
3. Abdominal pressure or pelvic pressure
“Women may feel discomfort in their abdomen and pelvis that
they don’t understand. It’s not intense pain, but more like a fullness or heaviness,” Ramirez said.
Because these three symptoms are so common, it’s easy for women to discount them and attribute them to less serious conditions.
While the exact cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, certain things can make you more at risk, including:
■ Being overweight
■ Being 60 or older
■ Experiencing endometriosis
■ Having children later in life or never carrying a pregnancy
■ Having a family history of ovarian cancer, a gene mutation or Lynch syndrome
■ Starting your period at a young age
“Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) if you are at risk or have vague and sometimes mild symptoms,” explained Dr. Ryan Kieser, a gynecologic, medical and thoracic oncologist at Houston Methodist Hospital. “Your PCP will help you with tests and next steps. If you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, we can help you manage your care.”
It’s important to know what’s normal for your body and what’s not, so you can notice subtle changes. Paying attention to your body means everything from your breasts, periods, weight, bathroom habits, sleep, energy levels and more.
There is always time for you to prioritize your health and well-being. Take an hour and schedule your annual well-woman check. •
To learn more about ovarian cancer or schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/ ovarian-cancer-central or call 713.790.2700
At Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we know that joint pain affects every part of your life. With treatment plans customized for you, our specialists offer a full range of advanced nonsurgical and surgical techniques. Our expert joint care includes:
• Innovative pain control methods
• Physical therapy to improve mobility and range of motion
• The latest technology, including minimally invasive surgical techniques that help reduce recovery time