Who is a Physiatrist? When Should You See a Physiatrist?

Physiatrists are also known as physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians. The American Board of Medical Specialties approved physiatry in 1947 after second world war wherein physiatrists provided excellent medical support to soldiers by leveraging immediate aid to those who suffered musculoskeletal injuries. In simple terms, a physiatrist is an expert in non-surgical musculoskeletal disabilities and neuromuscular disorders. Do you suffer from muscular pain? Do weather conditions hamper the mobility of your muscles? A physiatrist can help you regain the lost strength.

What does a Physiatrist do?

The rehabilitation physicians specialize in pediatrics, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, nonoperative treatment of bones, joints, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and other physical disorders. They diagnose and treat medical conditions with the aid of several methods like medications, physical therapies, nerve conduction testing, electromyography and other minimally invasive procedures such as ultrasound guided injections of the joints, tendons & ligaments and fluoroscopic guided epidural injections to reinstitute motion of the affected part. A physiatrist also supervises the rehabilitation team, physical & occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals circumscribing under his/her area.

Conditions treated by a Physiatrist

The scope of conditions prescribed by a physiatrist primarily include disorders ranging from musculoskeletal to spine and sports injuries. Just to name a few, the following conditions are treated by a physiatrist:

·         Chronic joint pain

·         Chronic back pain

·         Sports injuries

·         Tendonitis

·         Osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint diseases

·         Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, rotator cuff problems

·         Nerve entrapments (example, carpal tunnel)

·         Acute pain in joints or back

·         Spine injuries

Treatments performed by a Physiatrist

The role of a rehabilitation physician involves a comprehensive diagnosis of disorders and treatment of those diseases using customized medications, injections and therapies. There are two standard rehabilitation therapies which a specialist uses- physical therapy and occupational therapy. A specialist also uses supporting devices when needed (like orthotics which is used in treating neuromuscular and skeletal disorders). Non-operative and minimally invasive procedures used by a physiatrist includes:

·         Joint and bursa injections

·         Ultrasound-guided injections

·         Fluoroscopic or X-ray guided epidural injections

·         Facet joint injections

·         Radiofrequency denervation for back and neck pain

·         Sacroiliac joint injections

·         Trigger point injections

·         Prolotherapy, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and stem cell therapy

Treatment by Professionals

If you are suffering from any of the conditions listed in above sections or spine disorders, then you should seek immediate consultation from an expert physiatrist. For spine treatment in San Antonio, the South Texas Spinal Clinic, P.A. is one of the recommended clinics. They encompass the latest technology medical procedures to diagnose and treat the underlying disorders. Book an appointment now!

When Should You See an Obgyn?

Usually, females run to an ob/gyn's clinic only when they encounter a health issue. Are they doing it right? Well! The answer is no; regular check-ups should be a part of the routine. Let's understand when one should see necessarily see an obgyn:

Regular check-ups- Doctors strongly suggest teens of 13-15 years of age to start seeing an OB/GYN annually. This practice will keep a right track of their general medical history, and the doctor will be able to catch hold on any abnormalities even before they prevail. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, "In general the physical examination will include obtaining standard vital signs, determining body mass index, palpating the abdomen and inguinal lymph nodes, and making an assessment of the patient's overall health."

Pregnancy monitoring- An obstetrician is a specialist in baby delivery and pre/post-natal care. If you are pregnant or if your concerns are related to pregnancy then consult an experienced and expert OB/GYN.

Menstruation-related problems- Menstrual cycle starts at around 13 years of age, and that's why it is recommended to start seeing an OB/GYN this period onwards. If you have any abnormalities with your cycles, then you should immediately seek consultation from a specialist.

Breast exam- Prevention is better than cure, and hence, breast exams are necessary for the healthy survival of a woman's life. If a candidate has a family history of breast cancer, then this exam is a strict mandate. According to cancer.org, around 67% women in the US seek consultation on breast exams from an OB/GYN.

Pelvic exam- An Ob/GYN examines the vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, vulva, ovaries and uterus in the pelvic exam. It is necessary because it is related to female reproductive organs.

Pregnancy control- An Ob/GYN can suggest you different methods of birth control suitable for you. For a woman who doesn't want to conceive for a specific period should seek consultation from an OB/GYN because he/she can tell you the pros and cons of not conceiving as per your medical records.

Sex-related problems- If you are going through a problematic sex life then consultation from an OB/GYN can help you to great extents. Don't hesitate in seeking consultation on this subject because the specialist is concerned only about the problem area and is not interested in your private life.

Expert Obgyn in San Antonio

If you are facing any female related problem, then don't delay in seeking consultation with an ob-gyn in SanAntonio. Institute for Women's Health is a women's clinic in San Antonio, and obgyn here are expert professionals of this subject. Book an appointment now!

Vitamin B-12 Shots- Overcome Deficiency of Vitamin B12

Do your meals include sufficient Vitamin B12? If you aren't aware of the supply, then we would recommend you to consult a specialist immediately. Firstly, let's understand its primary factors. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin which is primary pre-requisite for body's fundamental functionalities like DNA synthesis, energy production, nervous health, RBC (red blood cell) formation and nervous system functionalities. It is one of the essential nutrients required for the body, and the deficiency of Vitamin B12 is the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world. To counterpoise the deficiency ailments medical science has developed Vitamin B-12 shots. 

What are Vitamin B-12 Shots?

These shots are high doses of vitamin B-12 injections which on inoculation exaggerate the levels of vitamin B-12 in patient's body. The therapeutic B-12 is present in the form of cyanocobalamin or hydroxocobalamin. Oral supplementation is also available in the form of methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin for those who find injections challenging. People who suffer from serious disorders of stomach or intestine, need to intake strong doses of B12 and sublingual supplementation may prove partially sufficient for and B12 shot is the only remedy available to them.

What are its advantages?

·         It helps in the formation of (RBCs) red blood cells.

·         It boosts energy level and immune system.

·         It facilitates the metabolic conversion of proteins and fats.

·         B12 shots help in improvement of diseases like diabetes, osteoporosis, muscular degeneration, and Lou Gehrig's disease.

·         It helps in minimizing the effects of Chron's disease

·         Vitamin B12 is present in abundance in non-vegetarian foods like beef, fish, meat, poultry. Due to this reason, vegans or vegetarians do not get sufficient supply of vitamin B12 and injection of its shots become necessary at a particular point in time for them.

Symptoms which indicate need for Vitamin B12 shots

Vitamin B-12 is also responsible for the production of digestive enzymes and transferring nutrients to cells. If your body fails in the proper functioning of fundamental processes, then fatal diseases can develop. It is significant to supply the essential nutrients required by the body on time else the results can be severe. You are suffering from the deficiency of vitamin B-12 if you encounter the following symptoms:

·         Fatigue

·         Laziness

·         Constipation

·         Unconsciousness

·         Depression or irritability

·         Decreased cognitive function

·         Headache

·         Sore or swollen tongue

·         Mouth ulcers

·         Heartbeat palpitations

·         Paraesthesia (pins and needles)

·         Vision problem

Specialists Around You

If you are looking for a specialist to consult about Vitamin B12 shots, then connect with specialists of K2Cryospa. You can also seek consultation with the specialists on cryotherapy in San Antonio. They are famous in San Antonio for cryotherapy. Connect today!

Is Spinal Stenosis the Cause of Your Back Pain?

Spinal stenosis is a spinal trouble usually discovered in people older than 50 years of age. The disease causes tapering of spaces within the patient's spine, thus, pressurizing underlying cardinal nerves. This force causes pain and worsens over time. One may not sense the upshot of narrowing spine initially, however, with age, many people endure radiating pain, numbness of nerves and fragility. The narrowing can supervene either at the center of the spine or in the branches of the vertebrae. The spinal cord is the rationale why humans can bend or stand, and one must not ignore any abnormalities happening to the backbone.

What are the types of spinal stenosis?

There are two classifications of this disease whose source area, where narrowing takes place, is the basis of differentiation:

1.       Cervical Stenosis- The contraction of bones and pressurizing of nerves happens in the neck of a person.

2.       Lumbar Stenosis- This is the most prevalent form of stenosis which occurs in the lower back.

What are its symptoms?

Are you facing severe pain or numbness in the lower back or around your neck? This abnormality can trigger doubt for stenosis to your specialist. Your specialist can ratify the dubiety by prescribing an MRI or CT scan for you if you observe the following prodromes:

In cervical spine (neck):

·         Numbness or prickling in foot, leg, hand or arm

·         Inability to walk

·         Body imbalance

·         Hand, arm, foot or leg turning weak

·         Bowel or bladder dysfunction in dreadful cases

In lumbar spine (lower back):

·         Numbness or prickling in foot or leg

·         Cramps in one or both legs

·         Foot or leg turning weak

·         Severe back pain

What are the primary causes?

·         Excess growing bone- A bone usually overgrows into spinal canal due to damage resulting from osteoarthritis. Another cause of bone overgrowth can be Paget's disease, a disease ordinarily borne by adults.

·         Herniated disks- In humans, there is an interweaving of the spinal cord with shock absorbers which veer to brittle with age. Any crack in disk's external surface may allow the inner material to force the nerves, thus, causing stenosis.

·         Ligament thickening- The ligaments that hold spine can congeal with age, thus bulging into the spinal canal.

·         Tumors- Unwanted growths in the spinal cord can pressurize nerves and cause nerve dysfunction.

·         Spinal injuries- Stenosis is an old age disease. However, accidents or trauma can transpire this condition in early ages as well. Displaced bone, swelling tissues or any fracture can cause this disease.

Spine Specialists in San Antonio

If you are looking for a spine doctor in San Antonio, then consult doctors at South Texas Spinal Clinic. Their specialists are dedicated to personalized care and are proficient in curing back pain and related diseases. If you take good care of your health and don't want your back pain disorders to overwhelm your lifestyle then consult one of the best spine doctors in San Antonio at South Texas Spinal Clinic.

Overview of Out-of-pocket Costs

Medicare covers a significant portion of your medical expenses, which otherwise may disturb your savings. There's a term associated with this insurance category known as ‘out-of-pocket' cost. This cost refers to a portion of your medical expenses which you have to pay by yourself whether if your coverage is original or Medicare Advantage plan as per your policy. These costs vary from one plan coverage to the other.

These self-pay costs include the amount of:

·         Co-Payment- If the patient's current active coverage has a policy of copay, then he/she has to pay a fixed amount to the insurance company on his/her each visit/prescription to the doctor. The insurance plan covers the rest expenses. Copay is applicable in four different fashion:

o   Copay on all bills

o   Copay on parent's medical expenses

o   Copay only for reimbursement claims

o   Copay just for non-network hospitals

·         Premium- A premium is a monthly amount which a candidate needs to pay to the insurance provider.

·         Deductibles- This is the amount which a candidate has to pay to insurance provider before the insurance coverage starts paying the candidate.

·         Coinsurance-  This is the percentage amount of the covered service after paying the deductibles.

In addition to out-of-pocket costs, a candidate also has to pay for services which his/her underlying coverage doesn't cover such as acupuncture, cosmetic surgery long-term nursing care, etc. In such cases, the candidate has to pay the entire amount, and the insurance provider in the association is not liable for processing any claims. MA plans have annual maximum expense limits on out-of-pocket. With this benefit, the candidate is required to pay only the set out-of-pocket amount for a year, and once that limit is reached, the upcoming medical expenses will be borne by the insurance provider.

A solution to out-of-pocket costs in enrolment into Medicare Supplement (Medsup) Plans. These plans cover majority out-of-pocket costs which original individual plans doesn't. These plans are expensive, and they provide broad coverage of services.

Factors influencing out-of-pocket costs

o   Part A and Part B coverage which majority of people possess.

o   Health care provider accepting assignment

o   The type and frequency of healthcare

o   If you require any service which is not covered by your active insurance plans

o   Additional health insurance with Medicare

o   Private contract with health care provider

Know from Experts

Gonzaba Medical Group is aligned to provide primary care, specialist care, walk-in services, auto accident injuries, etc. For any information related to Medicare or its related programmes like open enrolment, get in touch with Gonzaba Medical Group's experts.