Don’t Be Sidelined by an Asthma Attack
When your chest is tight, you can’t catch your breath, and you are wheezing and coughing, it could be an asthma condition flaring up. Asthma is a long-term disease that is not curable but can be managed or controlled. It affects 25 million people in the United States.1 Asthma can restrict your airways and increase mucus production, causing breathing difficulties. When asthma gets out of control, it’s good to know the physicians at Medco ER in Plano, TX, are standing by to help.
Risk Factors for Asthma
You may be at risk for asthma if someone in your immediate family has been diagnosed with it. Allergies can contribute to asthma. Common triggers can cause an asthma attack. Environmental exposure to smoke, mold, dampness, dust mites, wood dust, chemicals, and air pollution can also increase your risk of developing asthma.2 If you have a history of viral respiratory infections, your chances of developing asthma increase. Also, obesity increases the risk of asthma.3
Diagnosing Asthma
Asthma can be detected by examining your family history and by running breathing tests such as spirometry, peak flow test, pulse oximetry and nitric oxide measurement.4 A chest or sinus X-ray may be ordered, and a blood test and allergy tests may be used to diagnose asthma.1
Types of Asthma
Asthma is a condition that can be categorized into different types. Knowing your particular type of asthma can determine the kind of treatment and management plan needed. The different types include:5
- Allergy asthma
- Aspirin-induced asthma
- Cough asthma
- Exercise-induced asthma
- Nighttime asthma
- Steroid-resistant asthma
- Occupational asthma
Emergency Room Visits
If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical help at the nearest Medco ER or emergency room.
- Persistent shortness of breath
- Blue tinged lips or fingernails
- Straining to breathe
- Tightness of chest
- Coughing a lot
- Changing posture to try to breathe
- Difficulty speaking
- Feeling confused or agitated
- Loss of consciousness
“If you are having trouble breathing and your medication isn’t helping, come to see us right away,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “We’re here 24/7 to help with your asthma attack.”
Treatment may include medications such as short-acting beta agonists, oral corticosteroids, bronchodilator, intubation, and oxygen. You may be kept for observation for a few hours to ensure your asthma is under control.6
Prevention Tips for Asthma Management
“See your doctor regularly for a plan of action that includes medications and management skills to help prevent flare-ups,” said Dr. Khan.
Controlling or managing your asthma requires a consistent plan of action. Take your medication consistently, even when you don’t have asthma symptoms.2 You can consider your asthma well controlled if you need your inhaler less than 3 times per week, do not wake up in the night with an asthma attack, and can go about your daily activities and exercise with few to no symptoms.7
Get Help Fast at Medco ER
When asthma attacks happen, you can find fast help at Medco ER. Our board-certified physicians are experienced in treating asthma and are ready to respond immediately to your condition.
Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-747-0370
2 https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/faqs.htm
4 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma-attack/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354274
5 https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/learn-about-asthma/types
6 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma-attack/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354274
7 https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/managing-asthma
What Every Parent Should Know About Ear Pain
Crying, fussy babies and whiny children who seem extra clumsy may all have one thing in common – they could be suffering from ear pain. When your little one is miserable and looks or acts sick, it is often so hard for parents to know what is wrong. At Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano, TX, we’re experts on children’s ear pain issues and we can take the guesswork out of parenting.
“Ear infections are so prevalent in babies and children. It’s something every parent will encounter at one time or another,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “It’s hard to know what to do when your baby is extra fussy, but we’re always available to take a look to make sure it’s not an infection.”
Common Causes for Ear Pain1
- Bacteria from a cold, virus, sore throat or upper respiratory infection
- Blocked Eustachian tubes
- Fluid behind ear drum
- Build-up of wax
- Trauma to ear
- Foreign object in the ear
- Swimmer’s ear
- Secondhand smoke
- Propped up baby bottle
- Teething
Symptoms of an Ear Infection
The first thing you may notice is your baby is frequently tugging or touching his ear. If he is grabbing his ear and crying, an ear condition might be causing his discomfort. Laying your baby down may make the pain worse, so she might cry when you put her down. You may notice discharge from the ear – clear fluid, wax buildup, yellow fluid or even blood. If the ear is infected, your child may run a fever. Your baby may be extra fussy and crying a lot. She may react to loud sounds or she might not react to quiet conversation. His balance may be off. These are all indicators that something is not right with the ear canal.
Treatment for Ear Infections
“You can try ibuprofen or acetaminophen at home to relieve the ear pain,” said Dr. Khan. “Be sure to follow the correct dosage. Also, the baby may experience some relief if you apply a warm compress – but not too hot – to the ear. But after a day, it’s time to bring your child in to Medco ER & Urgent Care so we can look inside the ear canal.”
Many ear infections will resolve without antibiotics. Antibiotics won’t help infections caused by viruses, but they will help with bacterial infections. Your physician will want to know if the child had been experiencing a sore throat or cold prior to the ear pain. A careful diagnosis will determine if antibiotics will help your child.
Chronic ear infections may need to be treated with the insertion of tubes to aid in drainage. Your child’s pediatrician can discuss this option with you if ear infections and ear pain are recurring.
When should I bring my child to Medco ER & Urgent Care?
If your child has been experiencing ear pain for a day or longer, it is time to come to Medco ER & Urgent Care where you will be seen by a board-certified physician almost immediately upon arrival. We’re open all day and night, every day of the year so you can get the care your child needs right away.
Our physicians are experienced in pediatrics and are good with children. Our fun pediatric exam room features a space theme and interesting things to do to keep our youngest patients relaxed and happy. We work hard to make sure your little one starts to feel better again.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-40001https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/ear-infections-children
What to do when you don’t know what’s wrong with your child
One of the hardest things about being a parent is knowing when your baby or child needs to see a doctor. Sometimes, the symptoms are so subtle, you can’t easily tell that anything is wrong. Sometimes, you just have to rely on your intuition—when you know that something’s not quite right with your baby or child.
“It’s often one of those ‘better safe than sorry’ scenarios when you bring your child in to be seen by one of our physicians, but you don’t really know what’s wrong,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora. “Often, it turns out that you were right—there was a medical condition that needed to be addressed.”
At Medco ER & Urgent Care, our board-certified physicians have years of experience in diagnosing both common and uncommon conditions in our youngest patients. With a range of diagnostic tools available in-house, we’re ready to go to work finding out just what is going on with the health of your little one.
Here are 4 steps we take in diagnostics:
1. Medical History
A careful medical history—including the child’s family health history—will be compiled upon your arrival. You will be asked about allergies, a history of chronic conditions, medications and past illnesses. It may be helpful to have a list of information and medications prepared in advance.
2. Physical Information
Your physician will careful examine your son or daughter and will note any information you relay about duration, behavior, fever, pain, sleep disruption and more. You will likely be asked several questions as the exam progresses. “Our physicians are good with kids,” said Dr. Vora. “We establish a rapport with your child and work together to get the needed information about how he or she is feeling.”
3. Rapid Results Labs
If appropriate, your physician may need to run some lab tests to aid in diagnosis. The doctor may require a strep, flu, virus, blood or urine test. Our in-house access to these labs ensures that the results will come in as quickly as possible.
4. Imaging Exams
Your physician may require an advanced diagnostic such as an x-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, or EKG. These individualized diagnostic tools are also available in-house so you can have easy access to a range of quality services in one convenient location.
Specialized Treatments
Now that the health concern has been pinpointed by your physician, a personalized treatment plan can be designed especially with your son or daughter in mind.
We offer specialized treatments for everything from:
- Asthma
- Orthopedics
- Breathing difficulty
- Allergies
- Lacerations or cuts
- Fracture
- Concussion
- Headaches
- Sprain and strain
- Strep
- Flu and virus
- Unexplained fever
- Infections
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Blood sugar
- Rash or skin condition
- Digestive issues
- Seizures
- Bites
- Burns
- Dehydration
Where can I find medical help for my infant or child?
For fast medical help, Medco ER & Urgent Care is on standby, day or night. Our Plano location is easy to access and is open 24/7. Our physicians, experienced in pediatric emergency medicine, are ready to help when you need us.
Our kid-friendly exam rooms, child-sized equipment, no wait access and concierge service will help to ensure a smooth visit so your child feels comfortable and safe while receiving top quality healthcare.
- Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road.
Call us @ 469-392-4000.