Endometriosis predominantly affects women of reproductive age who have not had children. Women in their 30s and 40s are particularly susceptible to the disorder, but it can also affect teens, particularly those who have long, painful menstrual periods. Although the cause of endometriosis is unknown, the disorder happens as a result of hormonal changes in the body. Many believe that the disorder may be hereditary.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that lines the interior of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. It may grow on the ovaries, intestines, fallopian tubes, or rectum. While some women with endometriosis will not experience any symptoms, others may experience severe and prolonged pain, painful sex, or heavy menstrual bleeding.

Complications of Endometriosis

One of the most common complications of endometriosis is infertility. Roughly one-third of women who have this disorder are infertile. Sometimes, the tissue can be successfully removed during surgery, which can help increase the chance of pregnancy.
Many other severe complications may happen as a result of endometriosis, such as ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer, inflammation of the pelvic area and adhesions. Surgery may only help temporarily with many of these complications, as the issues may reoccur.

How to Treat Endometriosis

Endometriosis can often be managed through pain relievers, birth control pills or other hormonal therapies. As with the case of severe complications, surgery may not be a permanent solution for endometriosis. If there are recurring, severe issues after surgery, a hysterectomy may provide a solution.

Jupiter Medical Specialists Clinics

Jupiter Medical Specialists features a variety of women’s health care services. With JMS, you’ll be sure to receive the attention and care that you need. If you are experiencing the symptoms of endometriosis, be sure to schedule an appointment with a physician immediately. Immediate attention can help to prevent further complications from endometriosis.

If you have ever had a sinus infection (also known as sinusitis), you know how painful this condition can be. It typically results in swollen, inflamed nasal cavities and can last for a long time. Here is some information on common symptoms associated with this issue and when you may need to see a doctor.

Sinus Infection Causes

In most instances, a sinus infection will be caused by some sort of virus. However, there are some cases where allergies, nasal polyps, a deviated septum and even a tooth infection can trigger sinusitis. If the infection clears up relatively quickly it is known as acute sinusitis. If it lasts for two months or more, it is called chronic sinusitis.

Sinus Infection Symptoms To Look Out For

The most common symptom of a sinus infection is pain. There are several different sinuses located both above and below the eyes, any of which can hurt a great deal if an infection sets in. Many people feel pain on one side of the nose, in the forehead, between the eyes or in the teeth and upper jaws. But as bad as the pain may be, the nasal discharge that typically accompanies sinusitis is also no fun. You may have to blow your nose a great deal to get rid of the greenish-yellow discharge coming from your infected sinuses.

These are just a few of the common symptoms. Others include a sore throat, cough, headache and earache.

When to Visit a Doctor

In most instances, a sinus infection will eventually clear up on its own. However, there are other times where medical attention may be necessary. If your infection has lasted for more than 10 days and keeps returning, or if you have a fever along with sinus issues, please see your doctor so he or she can treat the problem properly. There may also be some underlying condition causing the infection that needs to be addressed.

Get in touch with your nearest Jupiter Medical Specialists Clinic location if you or a loved one is suffering from a sinus infection. Contact us online to schedule an appointment or to learn more about how we can help.

With July being UV Safety Month, this is a good time to provide some tips that can help protect you from ultraviolet (UV) rays and minimize your chances of developing skin cancer. You do not need to avoid the sun completely, of course, but be smart when you are outside. Not only will you reduce your UV risk, you will also lower the chances of suffering a severe sunburn that may necessitate a trip to your nearest emergency medical center.

Shade is a Good Thing

UV rays are typically at their peak between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so try to avoid being in direct sunlight during those hours. One way of telling how strong the sun’s rays are is by using what is known as the “shadow test.” The rays of the sun are at their strongest when you are taller than your shadow.

Wear the Right Clothing

Even though it may seem like it would be too hot to cover yourself properly while outside during the summer, you need to wear as much clothing as you can to cover your skin. Different clothes will provide you with different levels of protection from UV rays. For example, dark-colored clothing will protect you better than light-colored clothes. Fabrics that are tightly woven are more protective than those that are loosely woven.

Choose Your Sunscreen Wisely

The best defense against UV rays, of course, is sunscreen. But you cannot simply grab the first bottle or can off the shelf and assume you will get the right protection. You need to find products that offer protection against both UVA rays and UVB rays, and have an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30.

In addition, if you go for a swim or participate in an activity where you will sweat a lot, you need to re-apply your sunscreen when you get out of the water or dry off. There is no such thing as a “sweat-proof” or “waterproof” sunscreen. In fact, manufacturers are no longer allowed to put those terms on their labeling.

If you would like more information on protecting yourself from UV rays, or you have a medical condition that requires immediate attention, contact your nearest Jupiter Medical Specialists Clinic location. One of our skilled staff members will be ready to help.

Osteoporosis is, unfortunately, an all-too-common problem in the U.S., with an estimated 10 million sufferers. What is even worse is that as many as 34 million people, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, have low bone density – a major factor in determining whether someone is at risk of developing the condition. Here is some information that could help you reduce your chances of becoming one of these statistics.

Make the Right Choices

There are ways that you can either substantially lower your risk of getting osteoporosis or possibly even prevent it altogether. By implementing some healthy lifestyle changes, you could substantially impact the strength and overall health of your bones and minimize your osteoporosis risk later in life. These are some of them.

• Boost your intake of calcium and vitamin D – Both calcium and vitamin D are vital to the health of your bones. Consider taking daily supplements to ensure you get the proper amount of both nutrients – after talking to your doctor to make sure he or she recommends doing so.

• Get active – There are several different types of exercises that can significantly strengthen your bones, especially weight-bearing exercises such as jumping rope, walking, running, yoga, aerobics and others. Anything that requires your bones to support your body weight will help.

• Change your diet – While vitamin D and calcium – as well as magnesium – are vital, it is just as important that your diet help provide the energy you need to stay active. For example, if your diet is high in caffeine and salt, that could play a role in causing bone loss and, ultimately, osteoporosis. You will also want to maintain the ideal weight for your body type. It is important that you are neither overweight nor underweight.

Contact Us About Osteoporosis

These are just a few of the things you can do to lower your chances of developing osteoporosis. If you would like more information or you need treatment for this condition, get in touch with your nearest Jupiter Medical Specialists location.

Cholesterol levels often rise as we get older, potentially leading to clogged arteries that can lead to devastating consequences. If you have not had your cholesterol checked lately, make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. If you have been checked and your test showed you have high cholesterol, there are several steps you can take to lower your level and help ensure your heart is healthy.

Medications to Control High Cholesterol

You may be prescribed medication to lower your cholesterol level if your doctor determines you are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular problems. Statins are some of the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, often lowering cholesterol by anywhere from 20-50 percent. Other medications include bile acid, resins, fibrates and niacin.

Exercise

There are two types of cholesterol. LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or “bad” cholesterol, can lead to the accumulation of plaque in the walls of your arteries. HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol, travels through the bloodstream and removes LDL cholesterol, reducing a person’s risk for developing heart disease. By exercising on a regular basis, you can lower LDL levels and raise HDL levels by as much as 10 percent. If you can exercise on at least a moderate basis – such as taking a brisk, 45-minute walk each day – you can go a long way toward improving your health. People who work at a desk should try to walk around for about five minutes an hour if possible. Think about buying a pedometer, which tracks the number of steps you take, and aim for 10,000 steps per day.

Stay Away from Saturated Fat

One of the main culprits that raises LDL cholesterol levels is saturated fat. Try to cut back on meat and eat more fish, and consider substituting items such as canola or olive oil for butter, vegetable oil, shortening or lard when cooking. It is also very important to read your food labels to check the amount of fat on each serving. By doing so, it will help you keep track of the amount of fat you are consuming and make adjustments to your portion if needed. These are just a few of the ways you can fight high cholesterol and keep yourself healthy. If you would like to schedule an appointment for a cholesterol screening, contact one of our locations.

Pneumonia is a very serious infection of the lungs that can result in a high fever, coughing, and difficulty taking a breath. While many people can successfully treat this problem at home (with a recovery time that normally takes about 2-3 weeks), emergency medical attention will be required in some instances. Here is how to spot the signs of pneumonia so you can take the fast action necessary to avoid potentially serious complications.

Symptoms

Pneumonia symptoms often appear suddenly, typically after someone has the cold, flu or another type of upper respiratory infection. These often include:

• Chills and shaking
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Fever
• Rapid heartbeat
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting and nausea

Children often display varied symptoms depending on their age. For example, an infant may seem lethargic, grunt regularly or have a fever.

Getting Medical Help

If you have any reason to suspect that you or someone in your household has pneumonia, it is extremely important to get medical help as soon as possible. The faster treatment starts, the faster someone can recover from the condition. It is even more critical for young children, the elderly and those with asthma and other chronic health problems to see a doctor quickly. Emergency medical assistance will be needed if any of the following occur:

• Severe breathing problems
• Coughing up blood
• A feeling that you may faint if you try to stand or even sit up
• Chills accompanied by a fever
• Chest pains that increase in intensity

Jupiter Medical Specialists are here to make your healthcare journey simple. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.