We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday Sept 7th. 

We hope you and your family had a wonderful and safe summer and are looking forward to a healthy fall! 

Types of Heat Illness: The gradual nature of extreme heat’s effects on the body makes it important to be aware of heat-related illnesses:

• Severe Sunburn – Reduces the skin’s ability to release excess heat.
• Heat Cramps – Muscle pains and spasms caused by heavy exertion and perspiration. This usually involves the muscles of the legs.
• Heat Exhaustion – A mild form of shock. Symptoms include:       Heavy sweating;  Feeling weak and/or confused;   A fast, weak pulse; Dizziness;  Fainting; Nausea/Vomiting;  Dark colored urine, which indicates dehydration.
• Heat Stroke – A truly life-threatening condition. The body loses the ability to sweat and the body’s core temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may occur in 10-15 minutes unless medical help is immediate.

 Prevention of Heat Illness:

• Know the heat index. The heat index tells you how hot it feels outside in the shade, and is measured based by comparing relative humidity combined with air temperature. A heat index of 90°F or above is dangerous. When the heat index is high, stay indoors in air-conditioned areas when possible.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat or using an umbrella., and use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more.
• Drink plenty of water or juice before starting an outdoor activity. Drink extra water all day. Keep in mind that heat-related illness are not only caused by high temperatures and a loss of fluids, but also a lack of electrolytes in the body. Remember to stay away from beverages that contain caffeine (such as tea, coffee and soda) or alcohol.
• Schedule vigorous outdoor activities for cooler times of the day, such as before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.
• During an outdoor activity, take frequent breaks. Drink water or other fluids every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Treatment of Heat Illnesses:

Rest in a building that has air-conditioning. If you can’t get inside, find a cool, shady place. Drink plenty of water, juice, or sports drinks. Do NOT drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks  as these can make heat exhaustion worse. Take a cool shower or bath, apply cool water to your skin, and try to fan air over the skin. Take off any tight or unnecessary clothing. You can also apply ice packs to the armpits, groin, neck and back. These areas contain many blood vessels close the surface of the skin.

If you are with someone who you suspect as having heat illness, monitor them closeley.  If they lose consciousness or become unresponsive CALL 9-1-1.  

If you are exercising alone and your symptoms worsen or you do not feel better within 30 minutes, you should contact your doctor.

We are pleased to report to our patients that Novant Health has reached an agreement with Aetna to continue our participation in the Aetna network. The two-year agreement will allow Aetna members continued access to Novant physicians, services and facilities.

Thanks to everyone who supported you (our patients) during this difficult process, and thank you patients for your patience!   As a result of our patient-provider relationships, almost 7000 patients of Novant Health sent letters to Aetna requesting an extension of coverage should a contract not get negotiated. That sent a strong message to the folks at Aetna and we’re confident helped bring them back to the negotiation table.

For our patients who are Aetna members, we apologize for any anxiety this process may have caused.  Thank you for allowing us to continue to provide high quality medical care for you and your families.

This weekend, CFPSM participated in The 2010 Carolina Parent Baby Fair.  This was a great event with vendors offering a wide array of goods and services.  CFPSM was proud to be part of this event, which was sponsored and held at the American Institute of Healthcare & Fitness on Saturday June 19. 

Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine will celebrate it seven year anniversary on July 3^rd and it is always a surprise to hear our patients say “I didn’t know you see children here”!   One of the things that set our office apart from other health care providers is our ability to manage almost all of you and your family’s needs (even your baby’s) in one convenient practice. 

 Well child-care and acute sick visits are something we enjoy doing for our patients.  We offer all of the state-funded and private pay pediatric immunizations including Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, HIB, Hepatitis B, Polio, Pneumococcal, and Rotavirus vaccines. We often see new-born babies as well as infant and toddler well child check-ups. 

In addition to immunizations, we also manage pediatric asthma, musculoskeletal injuries, non-surgical fracture care with waterproof casting and bracing as well as most other injuries and illnesses associated with children of all ages. 

So if you are expecting or are looking for a practice with the convenience of managing all of your family’s needs in one place, let CFPSM take care of your growing family and grow with you along the way.   

The most common diseases seen in North Carolina that you can get from a tick bite are Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, & Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI).

Fortunately there are several tactics you can use to prevent tick bites and reduce your risk of tick-borne disease:

Protect Yourself

• Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live particularly in or near wooded & grassy areas. Always walk in the center of trails, in order to avoid ticks.
• Use a repellent with DEET (on skin or clothing) & wear long sleeves, long pants and socks. Repellents containing 20% or more DEET can be applied to the skin, & they can protect up to several hours. Always follow product instructions and avoid the hands, eyes, and mouth.
• Wear light-colored clothing, which allows you to see ticks crawling on your clothing.
• Tuck your pant legs into your socks so that ticks cannot crawl up onto your legs and feet.

Skin Checks

Check your body for ticks after being outdoors, even in your own yard. Check these areas on the body:

• Under the arms
• In and around the ears
• Inside belly button
• Back of the knees
• In and around the hair
• Between the legs
• Around the waist

Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing and pets, so remember to check them too.

What to Do If You Are Bitten by a Tick

Remove an attached tick as soon as you notice it.  Try to remove it with tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Try NOT to crush the tick in the process. Do NOT use solvents (such as rubbing alcohol, nail polish, soap, etc) or attempt to burn the tick with a match or cigarette as this might irritate the tick and cause it to inject it’s fluids into your skin.  After removing the tick, wash the affected skin and your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Your risk of acquiring a tick-borne illness depends on many factors including where you live, what type of tick, and how long the tick was attached.

Watch for signs of illness such as rash or fever, and see your primary care physician if these symptoms develop. If possible, bring the live tick in a sealed container to your physician to determine identity & if it carries a contagious disease.

We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, June 1.

Thank you for your understanding and have a safe & healthy holiday weekend!

Dr. Bloom is also the medical director of the Carolina Sports Concussion Clinic, and among other affiliations, he works as a team physician for the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and USA Baseball National Teams when they compete at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C. and at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, N.C.

“We’re excited to add a respected physician like Josh Bloom to our Medical/Safety Advisory Committee,” said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO.  “Dr. Bloom’s history and familiarity with the USA Baseball National Teams, as well as his vast sports background makes him an ideal member of this already impressive group of professionals.”

Dr. Bloom joins committee chair Dr. Fred Mueller on the committee along with members Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Glenn Fleisig, Herndon Harding, Elliot Hopkins, Tommy John, Sandy Jones, David Klossner, Steve Marshall, Dr. James Ronai and John Sadler.

“Dr. Bloom has been involved with high school athletes and presently serves on the North Carolina High School Sports Medicine Advisory Committee,” said Dr. Mueller.  “I think he will be a great addition to our committee.”

Dr. Bloom and his wife Carie (MD) live in Cary and have three children: Payton (9), Taylor (5) and Braden (3).

For the last 17 years, the USA Baseball Medical/Safety Advisory Committee has published a number of articles, and a list of current information can be found at www.USABaseball.com or by clicking here.

About USA Baseball

USA Baseball is the National Governing Body of amateur baseball in the United States and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).  The organization selects and trains the World Baseball Classic Team and World Cup Team (and all other USA Baseball Professional Teams); the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team; the USA Baseball 18U, 16U and 14U National Teams; and the USA Baseball Women’s National Team, all of which participate in various international competitions each year.  USA Baseball also presents the Golden Spikes Award annually to top player in college baseball.  For more information, please visit www.USABaseball.com and www.GoldenSpikesAward.com.

You might have noticed the thick yellow green blanket coating everything over the past week. While the changing of seasons can be beautiful, it can also be bothersome and miserable for allergy sufferers. According to Weather.com, we are currently “Very High” on the national rank of Pollen Hot Spots. In fact, Medicine.net ranks Greensboro, NC  and Charlotte, NC  Numbers 7 and 3 on their Top 10 Worst Cities for Spring Allergies.

There a many types of allergies, which can consist of asthma, hay fever, pollen allergies, grass allergies, and mold/mildew allergies. Common symptoms can include: itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, congestion, post nasal drip, eyelid swelling, headaches, and rash.

There are many over-the-counter medications that are available to combat allergy symptoms. Remember to always consult your provider before starting new medications and ask your provider’s advice to determine which medication is right for you.