Internal medicine pearland is the field of medical specialty that focuses on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians who specialize in this care are called internists. An internist is a board certified physician who has gone through years of training in internal medicine. He or she can diagnose and treat a wide range of adult diseases including hypertension, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome and more. Hypertension Hypertension is a common health problem that affects millions of people around the world. It can lead to serious complications, including heart attack, stroke, kidney damage and other cardiovascular conditions. A blood pressure reading measures the force of the blood pushing against artery walls when the heart pumps and relaxes. The top number, or systolic pressure, describes the pressure when the heart beats and the bottom number, or diastolic pressure, indicates the pressure when the heart rests between beats. If the systolic pressure is higher than 140 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure is greater than 90 mm Hg, you may have hypertension. You can get a diagnosis by taking several blood pressure readings over time in a doctor’s office or clinic. The cause of high blood pressure is not known, but it often has links to other health problems. When a person develops hypertension as a result of an underlying medical condition, doctors call it secondary hypertension. Typically, people with this type of hypertension do not experience symptoms. However, in some cases, it can cause nosebleeds or headaches. There are a few things that can help reduce the risk of developing this type of hypertension, such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Also, there are medications that can lower blood pressure. You should discuss your risk of developing high blood pressure with your doctor to learn more about the best ways to treat this condition. Your doctor can prescribe medication or recommend lifestyle changes to control your blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing other health problems. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure regularly, and adjust the dosage of any medication as needed to keep you healthy. They will also work with you to change your diet and make regular exercise a part of your daily life. Allergies Allergies are when the immune system reacts to a substance that doesn't normally cause problems in most people. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites and pet dander. The body's immune system makes antibodies to attack allergens. These are called immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. Once the IgE antibodies find a specific allergen, they attach themselves to mast cells that live in your skin and respiratory tract (airways). Mast cells release chemicals called histamines that cause swelling, redness, itching and trouble breathing. In severe allergy reactions, your nose swells up, your eyes become watery, you have itchy throat or mouth and you may experience anaphylaxis -- a life-threatening reaction that can be fatal if not treated quickly. A doctor diagnoses allergies by reviewing your personal and medical history and performing a physical exam. They also do a blood test and a skin test to determine which allergens are causing your symptoms. The most common allergy symptoms include itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose. You can also have sneezing, coughing, itchy throat and a rash or hives. Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people have only a few minor allergy symptoms, while others have them often or even on a daily basis. Allergies can affect any part of the body, including the eyes, throat, lungs and digestive system. In some cases, they may occur only in a certain area of the body or at a particular time of day. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and they usually go away once exposure stops. But if your allergies aren't being treated, they can become chronic. Contact SIMCARE PLLC Pearland to make an appointment with a skilled internal medicine doctor who is experienced in diagnosing and treating your symptoms. Asthma Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung condition that causes swelling of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. It can affect people of any age, but it is more common in children and teens. It can be triggered by a number of factors, including environmental allergens and irritants. Asthma can be prevented or controlled with medication and lifestyle changes. The first step is to identify and avoid triggers. These can include colds, viruses and respiratory infections, pets, pollen, dust mites and exposure to indoor or outdoor air pollution. It's also important to keep your lungs healthy by maintaining an exercise routine. This will help your heart and lungs work together and reduce your asthma symptoms. Keeping up with vaccinations can help prevent flu and pneumonia from triggering asthma flare-ups. It is especially important to stay up to date on your influenza vaccinations if you are over age 65, or you have a history of asthma, or if you have a family member who has asthma. The best way to prevent asthma attacks is to identify and avoid your triggers. This can be a challenging task, because there are many outdoor and indoor allergens that can cause asthma, including dust mites, mold and pet dander. Another important part of prevention is regular monitoring of your breathing and taking action when symptoms appear. This may involve using a quick-relief inhaler, or adjusting your medication. It's important to see a doctor when you have an asthma attack so that they can give you the right medicine for your needs. These can be long-term medications that you take regularly to control your asthma or short-term medications that you use as needed to relieve your symptoms during an asthma attack. Rashes Rashes are often the symptom of an underlying condition, but they can also be caused by something as simple as a cold. A rash may occur in the form of bumps, blisters, and red patches on your skin. The most common types of rashes include eczema, psoriasis, poison ivy, hives, and athlete's foot. The best rash treatment involves your provider examining your skin and completing a medical history review. This includes a skin biopsies and blood tests to get to the bottom of what's causing your symptoms. Your provider might recommend a prescription-strength antibacterial, antifungal, or antihistamine cream or lotion to relieve your itchy skin and reduce your risk of further complications from the culprit. CN Internal Medicine in Alexandria and Lansdowne, Virginia has an outstanding team of internal medicine, family medicine, and primary care providers to help you keep your health top of mind. Call the office today or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled docs. You won't be disappointed! Our staff of friendly professionals will provide the best medical care in an environment that promotes healthy behaviors and prevents disease. The most important thing to remember is to follow your provider's instructions and do your part to keep your health in tip-top shape. Sprains and Strains Muscle strains and sprains are two common injuries that can occur while you’re participating in sports or while you’re doing your daily activities. Both sprains and strains can cause pain, swelling, and inflammation. A muscle strain occurs when a muscle gets stretched too far, or the tendon (tissue that attaches the muscle to bone) gets pulled out of place. Most sprains and strains heal on their own within a few weeks, but they can be painful to heal from. The doctor will diagnose a strain with a physical exam. They may do an ultrasound of the affected muscle to look for tears or fluid buildup around the strained area, or they may order an X-ray to see if there’s any damage to your ligaments. Sprains typically cause pain, swelling, and bruising. You may also feel a pop or tear as the sprain causes your ligament to stretch. There are grades for sprains, starting with grade 1 (mild sprain) and ending with grade 3 (severe sprain). Treatment for both sprains and strains includes resting the injured area, icing it, wearing a brace or other device that compresses the injury, and medicines to relieve pain. In severe cases, your doctor might recommend surgery to repair a ligament or tendon.

Hernias occur when tissue or an organ pushes through a weak spot in your abdominal muscles. This often results in a visible bulge and may cause pain or discomfort. Hernias can be difficult to diagnose and often go unnoticed until they become serious. They can also lead to life-threatening complications such as strangulation. Hernia Repair Surgery A hernia is a condition that occurs when the contents of your abdomen protrude through a weak spot in your abdominal wall. Hernias can be asymptomatic or cause pain and discomfort, so it’s important to get medical care for them as soon as possible. A doctor will diagnose a hernia through a physical exam. She will look at your abdominal area and ask you to stand up, cough or bend over so she can see where the hernia is located. If your hernia is large, the doctor may recommend surgery. This procedure is a safe and effective way to treat hernias. During hernia repair, a surgeon makes an incision around the hernia and places mesh to strengthen the weak area. The hernia is then pushed back into place and the incision is closed. Hernia surgery can be performed using open techniques or minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic hernia repair. Both of these methods are effective and can help patients recover faster and have less post-operative pain. Some of the most common types of hernias include inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia and hiatal hernia. These conditions can cause significant problems if not treated properly, such as infection, bowel damage and even bladder or testicular injury in men. There are several other hernia types as well, including epigastric hernia and ventral hernia. These conditions can be very uncomfortable and require a specialist who specializes in hernias to repair them correctly. When you choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas for your hernia surgery, you can rest assured that you’re receiving the latest hernia treatment options available today. Our board-certified hernia specialists are experts in minimally invasive hernia surgery, using the da Vinci surgical system to reduce the amount of trauma and risk for your body. Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is one of the first hospitals in Houston to offer this advanced technology for hernia surgery. Our hernia surgeons use this advanced technology for both inguinal hernia and umbilical hernia repairs to ensure you receive the best possible care. Hernia Surgery Houston If you suspect that you have a hernia, it's important to contact a hernia specialist as soon as possible. Hernias typically get worse over time without treatment and may eventually cause serious medical complications if left untreated, such as strangulation of the herniated tissues. At Surgical Associates of Southern Texas, our are highly skilled in the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques for hernia repair. We offer both traditional open hernia surgery as well as newer robotic hernia repair, which is more comfortable, faster, and offers less risk of complications than open hernia surgeries. Using the da Vinci Xi system, our hernia surgeons perform precision hernia repairs with reduced pain and faster recovery times than traditional hernia surgeries. They're also more accurate, meaning your repairs will be more precise and nearly perfect. Hernias can occur in a number of locations, including the lower abdomen, upper abdomen, groin and even the diaphragm. Depending on the location, hernias can be simple or complicated and can range in size from small to large. Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. They occur in the groin and typically develop in males as their abdominal walls weaken with age. This condition can be very painful and requires immediate hernia surgery to relieve pain and prevent further complications. Umbilical hernias are caused by a protrusion of the intestines, fat or fluids from the abdomen. They're most commonly seen in infants but can occur in adults as well. They're not life threatening but they do tend to get larger and require robotic hernia repair if they don't heal on their own. Hiatal hernias are located in the stomach and esophagus and can be more complex. They're also less common than inguinal hernias and are more likely to lead to complications if not corrected. Strangulation occurs when the herniated tissue becomes trapped in your abdomen and cuts off your blood flow. Complications can include fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and bowel activity. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's time to schedule a hernia evaluation with our hernia specialists in Houston. They'll use a variety of physical and diagnostic tests to identify the hernia and determine the best approach for treating it. Hernia Surgery Options Hernias can happen anywhere in the abdomen where there is a hole or weak spot in the muscle or connective tissue. They can cause a bulge, especially when you strain or bear down, or they may be asymptomatic. Surgical hernia repair can help restore normal function and prevent the hernia from coming back. Hernia surgery can be done in 2 ways: laparoscopic or open. The type of hernia that you have will determine the best procedure for you. Laparoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery, is a minimally invasive technique that can be performed with general anesthesia. This type of hernia surgery usually involves a thin tube with a camera (laparoscope) and surgical tools inserted through small incisions made in your abdomen. Your surgeon may use surgical mesh to close the hernia during this procedure. Mesh - a woven sheet of medical-grade material - helps strengthen the abdominal wall and reduces pain and tension on the surgical wound. Surgeons can place mesh through either laparoscopic or open hernia surgery. The use of mesh has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrence and may improve the chance of a hernia not coming back. The mesh used in hernia repair is typically made from synthetic materials or animal tissue. This type of material is absorbable, non-absorbable or a combination of both. Depending on your hernia, the type of mesh used can be very important in determining whether or not you will need another hernia surgery. If your hernia has been repaired, the doctor will often recommend that you have a regular checkup to ensure that your hernia is not recurring or causing any other problems. Hernia surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually requires no hospitalization and can be completed in just a few hours. However, you should not lift heavy objects or do strenuous activities for several weeks after the hernia surgery. Your doctor will provide you with instructions on how to move your body to promote healing and avoid a return of the hernia. Hernia Surgery Recovery A hernia is a weakness or tear in the abdominal muscles that allows fatty tissue or an organ, such as the intestines, to protrude through the muscle. They are most common in the groin, abdomen and navel, and are often present after surgery. Hernias can cause health complications if left untreated, including obstruction and strangulation. Strangulation occurs when a loop of the intestine or fat becomes trapped in the hernia, which can cut off blood flow to the affected area and lead to severe problems. Surgical hernia repair is an important step to preventing these serious health risks from developing. The surgeons at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas have the expertise and experience to help patients recover quickly from hernia surgery in Houston. The surgical team at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas offers a wide variety of hernia surgery options to address the needs of each patient. These include minimally invasive laparoscopic hernia repair, which uses small incisions to access the affected area and promote a faster recovery than open surgery. Robotic hernia surgery is another minimally invasive option. This procedure is performed by Dr. Harkins with a da Vinci robotic surgical system, which is a specialized tool that allows him to use two or more small incisions to perform hernia repair. This surgery is much less invasive than open hernia repair and leaves a small scar. It also causes less blood loss and pain, and a quicker recovery time than traditional hernia repairs. When you have hernia surgery, it is very important to follow a strict recovery schedule. This includes eating a healthy diet, exercising and not lifting heavy objects. These habits can prevent hernia recurrence and decrease your risk of having a second hernia surgery in the future. The doctors at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas are experienced and board-certified general surgeons who have the medical care and surgical skills to treat a wide range of health conditions. The physicians have years of experience performing hernia surgery, as well as procedures such as appendectomy, adrenalectomy, thyroidectomy and colorectal surgery. Hernias are a common condition that can have serious consequences. If left untreated, hernias can obstruct bowel movement and strangulate the intestines, which can lead to severe complication like gangrene. Having a hernia repaired can help prevent these health concerns from developing and allow you to enjoy life again.