News
By: Henry Dodd, MD, Pediatrician at Magnolia Pediatric Clinic
Do you ever wonder why your children want to read the same book over and over and over again? What about why they seem to behave so well in front of rarely seen relatives or strangers in public but save their worst behavior for home? In both cases, the answer is the same: children crave consistency. They know exactly how that book is going to end, thus they are comfortable and in control. Conversely, they will be reserved and cautious around strangers until they know the “rules of engagement”. When home and with trusted caregivers, they are more comfortable to explore and test boundaries.
From infancy to late adolescence, this same need for predictability and consistency is important. As caregivers, we share the awesome responsibility and challenge of creating the right boundaries in the correct proportions and at the appropriate times. Even amongst siblings close in age, their needs are unlikely identical.
During infancy, children are completely dependent on us. This is both exhausting but rewarding. To promote good health and development, we not only have to meet physical needs but also emotional needs. Babies need to be held, talked to, and taught how to play games like “Peek-a-boo” or “Pat-a-cake”. The repetition in these interactions teach them to look for patterns and know how to respond when faced with similar experiences.
Toddlers take many of the rituals learned as an infant, and they expound upon it to perform parallel play and eventually associative play with others. If a child doesn’t have that consistent interaction from caregivers, they will struggle to understand how to play alongside others or in a group. Each step along the way is important.
From school age to early adolescence, there is a tug-of-war between the need for independence and the need for hand-holding. There are many factors at play, but the most obvious is your child is now spending a large portion of time in a setting you have little control over with easily hundreds of different and new influences. This makes the structure and predictability we provide at home even more paramount. To best help our school age children, they need to know what is expected of them and when it is expected, but just as importantly, they need to know caregivers will be consistent with both discipline and privileges. Providing a predictable and positive environment will give our children the best opportunity to grow and thrive.
At Magnolia Pediatric Clinic, we want to help your children achieve their best health. When you come for wellness checks, we are not only looking after their physical health, but we are looking to make sure we are providing you and your children with the insight and tools to create that consistent and positive environment at home. Call (662) 293-7390 to schedule your appointment with one of our providers.
By: Amy Davis, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician and Medical Director of MRHC Express Care
The year 2020 has proven to be like no other we have experienced. With the ongoing pandemic, our lives have been flipped upside down and altered with an abundance of precautions. I miss the days before we knew the phrase “social distancing” as much as anyone.
I serve as Medical Director of Express Care, an urgent care clinic owned by Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth. Since March, we have tested and evaluated thousands of patients, some with severe symptoms, yet many who have mild or even no symptoms at all. That is the unfortunate makeup of the pandemic we are currently facing. Take the virus seriously. Your case may be mild but the person you infect may not be so fortunate. Our state health officer recommends Mississippians work and only go places for essential functions right now. It sounds so harsh, I know, but it is the only way to stop the spread until a vaccine is widely available.
I am optimistic about the vaccine and hope to take it myself before year end, but it is not realistic to think this vaccine will halt coronavirus any time soon. The vaccine will not be widely available to the general population until later in 2021. Hospitals are full and beds are limited throughout the nation, making it harder to treat patients effectively with COVID as well as other unrelated illnesses. Another pandemic 
problem is that thousands of individuals are delaying routine care out of concern of contracting COVID 19. I fear we will soon see advanced disease in patients who missed routine screenings such as mammograms. For all these reasons, we need to continue to follow the guidelines recommended by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is crucial for overall good health, in pandemic times or not. To specifically protect others, wash your hands directly after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- Be sure to social distance when possible. It is important to remember that even people who do not display symptoms may be able to spread the virus. Staying at least 6 feet apart is key when attempting to maintain a safe distance.
- Wear your mask whenever you are in a public setting. Masks have proven to help prevent you from getting or spreading the virus. Again, a mask may prevent the spread of the virus when you aren’t aware that you are infected with it.
- Frequently, clean and disinfect surfaces daily. Cleaning commonly used or touched items, such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, cell phones, etc.
- Be alert for symptoms. If you feel that you are experiencing a fever, cough, shortness of breath or other common COVID symptoms, please do not make plans to go about your day as normal. Discovering and monitoring the symptoms is critical to both your health and the people around you. For more common COVID symptoms, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.
I hope everyone will continue to take the virus seriously in the coming weeks. I’ve had the unfortunate opportunity to see firsthand how devastating this virus can be to patients and their families. If we continue to work together, and take the appropriate precautions, we will see a brighter 2021.
We are tough on our backs. Although your back can resist a lot of force, you may find years of hard work, home renovations or sleeping improperly have gradually led to a nagging, shooting or dull pain. Low back pain is especially common for adults in the United States. Thankfully, you have options available to help resolve and manage this issue. Your primary care provider (PCP) should always be your first call when you experience back pain.
What Causes Back Pain?
Factors that cause back pain can range from minor to serious. Possible causes can include:
- Arthritis, or other inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis
- Excess pressure from being overweight
- Inactivity
- Infection
- Injury from a workout, playing sports, car accident, or fall
- Osteoporosis
- Pregnancy
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis, or other skeletal irregularity
- Smoking
- Sprain or strain
- Work-related stress, including repetitive movements, heavy lifting or poor posture at a desk
Learn more: Low Back Pain
Best Solutions for Back Pain
The solutions for back pain often depends on the cause. Your PCP may recommend starting with the following to find relief:
- Apply heat and ice. Try applying ice packs a few minutes at a time for the first 48 to 72 hours after you experience the pain. Then, switch to using heat with a hot pack or heating pad placed on the painful area.
- Move, as often as possible. When you’re in pain, the last thing you may want to do is get up and move—but lying in bed all day may further aggravate back pain. Research shows that aerobic exercise increases the flow of blood and nutrients to your back, which helps reduce stiffness and aids in healing. Give your back a short rest for the first few days of intense pain, and then slowly increase your physical activity levels with a gentle stretching routine. You can incorporate more aerobic exercise with time.
- Take medication. Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. If you’re already taking prescription medications, talk to your PCP to be sure any pain reliever is safe for you to take.
- Try alternative methods. While medication can provide quick relief, it shouldn’t be a long-term solution. You may benefit from complementary methods for chronic pain. Ask your PCP for recommendations. Your provider may suggest acupuncture, biofeedback, cognitive therapy, physical therapy or spinal injections.
Still in Pain? Get Help
In many cases, acute back pain may heal on its own with at-home remedies. However, if your pain continues, you should schedule an appointment with your PCP. Your PCP will be able to help you determine the cause of your pain—possibly using imaging services such as MRI or X-ray—and then recommend treatment solutions. In some cases, such as when back pain is chronic, your PCP may refer you to a specialist for additional care.
Sign up for valuable health tips and benefits from MRHC or find a PCP at care.mrhc.org/primary-care.
Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly cancer for men and women combined in the United States, yet 1 in 3 adults have never received a colon cancer screening. These screenings allow your provider to detect signs of cancer, quite often before you have any symptoms. When found early, colon cancer has a five-year survival rate of roughly 90%.
Your primary care provider (PCP) can help you determine the best time to start receiving regular colonoscopies, but until your next appointment, here are some answers to common questions our patients ask about colorectal cancer screenings.
Do I Really Need a Colon Cancer Screening?
Yes. People of average risk should receive a screening colonoscopy every 10 years. “Average risk” means you do not have a personal or familial history of colon cancer and/or a history of inflammatory bowel disease, as these increase your risk of colon cancer. You’re also at a higher risk for colorectal cancer if you’re African American.
Those at average risk should begin regular colorectal cancer screenings at age 45, as the number of younger patients with colon cancer has risen in the past few years. If you are above-average risk, your PCP may recommend starting earlier or having more frequent screenings.
Read More: Cancer Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Why Are Colonoscopies So Effective for Cancer Screenings?
A colonoscopy is the most thorough screening test available. While other imaging tests only look at part of your colon (and could potentially miss signs of cancer growth), a colonoscopy uses a small camera to examine your entire colon and rectum.
Not only can colonoscopies detect cancer, they can prevent it as well. Polyps are precancerous growths on the interior walls of the colon. It can take as long as 15 years for polyps to develop into cancer. If your provider finds a polyp during your colonoscopy, he or she can remove it before it becomes cancerous.
Read More: 5 First Steps Following a Cancer Diagnosis
How Can My PCP Help Me?
One of the most important cancer-prevention measures you can take is talking with your PCP. Because your PCP is familiar with your health status and history, he or she can advise you on the best schedule for you to follow regarding colorectal cancer screening. In addition, if you have risk factors you can modify, such as your diet or exercise habits, your PCP can help you make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.
Stay in the know with other health tips and benefits by signing up for MRHC news updates.
If you’re a parent, it’s common to worry about your child. And if your child isn’t feeling well, you’re almost certain to wonder when to take your child to the doctor or another healthcare provider. Should you always go, just to be on the safe side? Or is it better to wait it out?
Mild Symptoms, Stay Home?
If your child only has a low fever, mild symptoms and is behaving almost normally, you might be OK with skipping a doctor’s visit. But if your child is not up to date on vaccines or has missed their annual flu shot, a trip to the primary care provider (PCP) may be needed.
The best way to know if your child needs to see a doctor is to watch how they act. Do they still have energy? Is their appetite normal, despite a fever or cough? Or are they acting lethargic and complaining about or appear to be in extreme pain?
Read more: Well Child Visits
When You Should Seek Care?
Fevers are normal as a body fights infection. But if your child is under 3 and has a fever of 102.2 degrees or higher, you need to call a doctor. An older child with a temperature this high could also need prompt medical care. Other potentially serious symptoms include:
- Bluish appearance
- Excessive diarrhea
- Inability to eat or drink
- Severe stomach, throat or ear pain
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble swallowing
- Widespread rash
- Worsening symptoms
Even if you think your child just has a cold, you should still call your child’s pediatrician or family medicine provider if your child has not gotten better after three days.
Read more: Sick Child Visits
When Is a Child Too Sick to Go to School?
In the past, many parents have sent children to school with minor colds and runny noses. But as COVID-19 cases in the area continue to rise, now is not the time to take risks. If your child has any symptoms that could be cold, flu or COVID-19, they need to stay home—and so do you.
If you think your child has the coronavirus and you’re looking for medical guidance, Magnolia Regional Health Center’s team of PCPs can provide testing, medical care and advice on how long you need to stay away from other people.
If your child is under the weather, find a PCP at care.mrhc.org/primary-care or call (662) 664-5181.
Occasional acid reflux—also known as heartburn—is common and not usually cause for concern. If acid reflux occurs frequently, however, it may be a sign of a more serious problem.
Normally, a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) keeps stomach acid from flowing backward into the esophagus. If the LES weakens, acid can get through. That can cause a burning feeling in your chest that can last up to two hours, especially after eating or during sleep.
Acid reflux that happens at least twice weekly may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). Ignoring GERD can lead to serious consequences for your health. These may include physical changes to the esophagus that can make it difficult to swallow or set the stage for cancer.
Curing acid reflux isn’t always possible, but there’s a lot you can do to manage it. You can:
1. Change habits that can make acid reflux symptoms worse.
One of the most important lifestyle changes you can make is to stop smoking, if you are in the habit of doing so. Smoking can hinder your production of saliva, which plays a role in reducing heartburn. Tobacco may also boost production of stomach acid and weaken the LES, according to the ACG.
Smoking isn’t the only harmful habit you can change. Eating too close to bedtime can trigger acid reflux, so avoid meals and snacks within at least two hours of sleep.
2. Raise the head of your bed.
Use wooden blocks or other means to move the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches higher than it is when flat, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends. That small amount of elevation during sleep may reduce acid reflux.
3. Lose weight.
If you’re overweight, shedding excess pounds may help improve symptoms.
Learn more: Magnolia Regional Health Center Weight Loss Seminar
4. Avoid foods and beverages that trigger symptoms.
Cut back on or eliminate spicy or fatty foods, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, peppermint, tomatoes and tomato products, and citrus fruits.
5. Try over-the-counter medications.
Non-prescription antacids may be all you need to treat occasional acid reflux, but they are unlikely to be enough to provide long-term relief from GERD.
6. Consider prescription medications or surgery.
If lifestyle changes and over-the-counter drugs don’t provide enough relief from symptoms, your primary care provider (PCP) may recommend a prescription medication, such as an H2 blocker or proton pump inhibitor. If your issues continue, your PCP may refer you to a specialist for additional treatment options, which may include surgical procedures to strengthen the LES.
Ready to manage acid reflux? Call (662) 664-5181 or visit care.mrhc.org/primary-care to find a primary care provider who can help.