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FIVE REASONS YOUR CHILD MAY NEED A CHECKUP THIS FALL Page 05

The expertise to

KEEP YOU MOVING Our sports medicine specialists can help keep your body in motion At Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Sugar Land, we know every movement matters. Our board-certified sports medicine specialists offer: • • • •

The latest imaging and technology Advanced nonsurgical treatments Minimally invasive procedures State-of-the-art physical and occupational therapy

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Long Meadow Farms Sugar Land

Whether you’re suffering from simple aches and pains or dealing with a complex injury, we can get you back on your feet — and keep you moving. And, you can be confident that we are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe during your visit.

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Houston Methodist Orthopedic Injury Clinic Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

18 convenient locations across Greater Houston

Schedule an appointment: houstonmethodist.org/sportsmed 281.201.0396

S epetember 2020

DEAR DOCTOR

The Pediatric Checkup Issue

DEAR DOCTOR:

What treatments are available?

Recently I’ve noticed some bulging veins near the back of my legs. Should I be worried?

Thanks to modern advances in medicine, there are a number of low-risk procedures and self-care treatments available. These can range from compression socks and lifestyle changes to sclerotherapy (small injections), and minimally invasive surgery. “A physical exam is required in order to determine the severity of varicose veins before a personalized treatment plan can be offered,” said Harlin. “Fortunately, most treatments can be performed in the office and patients can return home the same day.”

Complimentary online screening

UT Physicians at Sienna Village

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

DEAR READER: If your veins appear swollen, twisted and are bluish in color, they may be varicose veins. It’s a fairly common condition that generally affect the legs and feet of both men and women. In many cases, varicose veins are a cosmetic insecurity and harmless. In other instances, they can cause serious discomfort, aching, or put you at risk blood clots. Stuart A. Harlin, MD, a board-certified vascular surgeon with UT Physicians explains what to look out for and when you should seek treatment. What causes varicose veins? Weakened valves or increased pressure in your legs can cause veins to become enlarged. “If these valves are faulty, blood can flow backward and cause veins to stretch or twist,” said Harlin. “Other risk factors for varicose veins include prolonged sitting/standing, age, family history, obesity and pregnancy.” What are the symptoms? Varicose veins usually do not cause any pain. When symptoms do occur, you may experience swelling, throbbing or an achy or heavy feeling in your legs. There may also be skin discoloration or itching around the vein area. “For some, varicose veins are only a cosmetic concern,” said Harlin. “For others, varicose veins can lead to more serious issues.”

For a limited time, UT Physicians offers a convenient and secure way to get a preliminary screening for your veins. By visiting UTPhysicians.com/veins, you can share images of your veins with our vascular specialists. After completing the online submission, our experts will review your photos and contact you to discuss next steps. Stuart A. Harlin, MD, is a boardcertified vascular surgeon who specializes in the minimally invasive treatment of vascular disease. He sees patients in Sugar Land, Katy, Cypress, and Houston. Please call 713-486-VEIN (8346) to schedule an appointment. UT Physicians is the clinical practice of McGovern Medical School at The University of Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

CONTENTS FEATURES Five reasons your child may need a checkup this fall

MONTHLY DEPARTMENTS Dear Doctor Sponsored By

Health Matters Provided by

Sienna Plantation News is a Community Magazines LLC publication.

ADVERTISING INFORMATION Contact Denise R Williams, Publisher communitynews@entouch.net www.siennaplantationnews.com 281.750.2979

HEALTH MATTERS JOIN HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND HOSPITAL FOR A DIABETES EDUCATION WEBINAR You may have no symptoms at first. When they do appear, they may come on gradually. That’s the danger of diabetes. While the disease may not alert you to its presence early on, it’s doing damage all the same. According to Christine Fisher, M.S.N, R.N., C.D.E., inpatient diabetes educator with Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital., “Because of high levels of glucose in the system, people who develop diabetes have a higher risk of developing heart disease; nerve damage in areas,

such as the feet and legs; kidney or eye damage; skin or mouth infections; hearing problems; osteoporosis; and Alzheimer’s disease.” U.S. government estimates put the number of people with diabetes at 30.3 million, of which 7.2 million don’t know they have it. Are you one of those unsuspecting people? Ask yourself two important questions — do you have symptoms of diabetes and are there risk factors present? SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES You may experience the following symptoms: blurry vision, dry, itchy skin, fatigue, frequent urination, 3

increased thirst and hunger, infections of the bladder, gums, skin or vagina, slow-healing sores and bruises, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, and/or unexplained weight loss. If you’re experiencing unusual or multiple symptoms, see your health care provider. IDENTIFYING RISK FACTORS “Certain factors make you more likely to develop diabetes,” explained Fisher. Important risk factors for type 2 diabetes are: being African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American or Pacific

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FIVE REASONS YOUR CHILD MAY NEED A CHECKUP THIS FALL Excessive weight gain

With the fall season around the corner, maintaining regular health screenings or proactively addressing immediate health concerns is important for your child’s mental and physical well-being. Even though many families are staying home as much as possible to stop the spread of COVID-19, delaying wellness visits and immunizations schedules or ignoring signs and symptoms of illness can do more harm than good. The pediatric experts at UT Physicians share five reasons that may warrant a visit with your child’s health care provider.

With COVID-19 guidelines in place at many businesses, parks, and public spaces, there are fewer physical activities for children to enjoy outside. The increased boredom can lead to more screen time and frequent snacking, and puts children at higher risk for childhood obesity. Your health care provider can assess if your child’s weight gain is normal and offer guidance if additional steps should be taken to maintain a healthy weight.

Missing immunizations Vaccinations safeguard us from a number of serious illnesses, including whooping cough, measles, and hepatitis. Maintaining or catching up your child’s recommended immunization schedule can help prevent complications and provide early protection before they are exposed to serious diseases.

“Limit your screen time to less than two hours a day, increase exercise or outdoor activities to most days of the week, eat balanced meals with the inclusion of daily fruit and vegetable intake, limit junk foods, and eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages, including fruit juice,” said Tiffiny D. Williamson, DNP, a nurse practitioner at UT Physicians Multispecialty – Sienna. “These measures can help burn extra calories and prevent unnecessary weight gain.”

“Children who are behind on their vaccinations are not only at risk of getting sick themselves, but they can also spread the illness to others who aren’t protected,” said Uchechi K. Umeh, MD, a pediatrician at UT Physicians Multispecialty – Sienna. “Vaccines are not just important for infants but for children of all ages. Our goal is to keep children protected in any way we can.”

Recurrent urinary tract infections Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in infants and young children. However, they can potentially go untreated because the symptoms may not be obvious to the parents. Look for symptoms such as frequent, painful, or bloody urination; fever; abdominal pain; wetting of clothes/bedding by a previously potty-trained child; vomiting; or loss of appetite. These symptoms alone are not enough to diagnose a UTI so

Speak with your health care provider if you are unsure of which vaccinations are recommended for your child’s age range. 5

Migraine headaches

a urine test must be performed to look for bacteria in the urine.

It is common for children to experience headaches, but it is uncommon for them to experience migraine headaches, which are more severe and debilitating. Migraines can be associated with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and sensitivity to light or sound. “If these symptoms are accompanied with loss of sight, confusion, or weakness, then more evaluative testing may be needed to screen for nervous system disorders,” said Shade B. Moody, MD, a pediatric neurologist at UT Physicians Pediatric Center – Sugar Land.

“Some potential causes of UTI could be abnormal bowel or bladder function reflux of urine into the kidneys, or other urinary tract abnormalities,” said Eric A. Jones, MD, a pediatric urologist with UT Physicians Multispecialty – Sienna. “There are many effective treatments available, but personalized solutions will depend on the underlying cause.” Abnormal puberty and growth Children can experience puberty at different times, and these physical and emotional changes can affect boys and girls differently. While the timing and speed are often determined by genetics, what’s considered “normal” growth can vary. If your child seems relatively shorter or taller than their peers, talk to your health care provider.

Flexible health appointments options during COVID-19 It’s understandable to be apprehensive about taking your child to the doctor because of COVID19. Our clinics have implemented enhanced safety measures, which include masking, and physical distancing requirements to reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you are still concerned about in-person clinic visits, telehealth is a convenient option to visit with your child’s health care provider virtually.

“If you are concerned that your child is experiencing signs of puberty early, before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys, it is important to rule out any other medical conditions, “said Avni N. Shah, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist at UT Physicians Pediatric Center – Sugar Land. “Similarly, if your child has not started to show signs of puberty by age 12 for girls and 14 for boys, it is important to talk to your health care provider.”

To schedule appointments with UT Physicians Multispecialty – Sienna, please call 713-486-1200. For appointments at UT Physicians Pediatric Center – Sugar Land, please call 713-486-9360. UT Physicians is the clinical practice of McGovern Medical School at The University of Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

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videos can be viewed on the Fort Bend County Libraries website – www.fortbend.lib.tx.us – by clicking on the “Classes and Events” tab, selecting “Virtual Programs,” and finding the virtual “class” on the dates listed. The schedule for September includes: Intro to MS Word -- Monday, September 14

Islander; being overweight; giving birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more, or having gestational diabetes while pregnant; having a first-degree relative, such as a parent, brother or sister with diabetes and not exercising. The exact cause for type 1 diabetes is unknown but possible causes include genetics and exposure to viruses and other environmental factors.

Learn the basics of using this word-processing software program to create letters, resumés, forms, and other types of documents. Different segments in this multi-part series will demonstrate various features, such as text effects, changing font style and size, adding images, footnotes and endnotes, page numbers, tables, mail merge, and more.

To schedule an appointment with one of our primary care physicians, visit houstonmethodist.org/pcg/southwest or call 713.394.6639 for a physician in your area.

Intro to MS Excel – Monday, September 21

LIVE DIABETES EDUCATION WEBINAR | OCT. 8

Learn the basics of using this spreadsheet software program, which features calculation tools that are helpful for financial and statistical needs. In this multi-part series, learn how to use different features of MS Excel, such as formulas, filters, tables and graphs, pivot tables, VLOOKUP function, and more.

If you think you might have or are at risk for diabetes, we encourage you to join us for our LIVE diabetes education webinar at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8. Topics of discussion will be identifying risks, methods of diagnosis, type 1 versus type 2 diabetes and living with diabetes. Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit events.houstonmethodist.org/diabetes-sl or call 281.274.7500.

Intro to MS PowerPoint – Monday, September 28

ONLINE INTRODUCTORY TECHNOLOGY HOW-TO VIDEOS

Learn the basics of using this slideshow-presentation software program. In this multipart series, learn how to use different features of MS PowerPoint, such as creating slides, inserting text and pictures, and adding transitions and animations.

Fort Bend County Libraries will present a series of introductory video demonstrations to introduce people to various aspects of computer use and technology. These how-to

For more information, call Fort Bend County Libraries’ Communications Office (281-633-4734). 6

Expert ear, nose and throat care

CLOSE TO HOME Houston Methodist Welcomes Dr. Brian Wang Brian Wang, MD, is a board-certified otolaryngologist joining Houston Methodist ENT Specialists at the new practice in Sugar Land. Dr. Wang offers the most advanced techniques to diagnose and treat both simple and complex disorders of the ear, nose and throat. Dr. Wang’s expertise includes: • • • •

General otolaryngology Hearing loss and tinnitus In-office sinus/nasal procedures Minimally invasive salivary gland procedures

• Pediatric otolaryngology • Salivary stones and salivary gland disorders • Sinusitis and sinonasal disorders • Snoring and sleep apnea

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HEALTH CARE FOR EVERY GENERATION With locations across Greater Houston, primary and specialty care is just a call or click away. With safety screenings in place and a virtual visit option available, you can count on UT Physicians to offer the latest advancements in medicine. Your health matters. We are ready to help.

Schedule by phone: 888-4UT-DOCS (488-3627)

Schedule online: UTPhysicians.com