Leading Medicine Winter 2024, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital edition

LEADING MEDICINE WINTER 2024

Learn About the Different Types of Ankle Injuries

CARING FOR YOU:

Why Your PCP Is Pivotal to Your Health YOUR LINK TO HEALTH INNOVATIONS, NEWS AND TIPS IN NORTHWEST HOUSTON

Discover How Stress Affects Your Digestive System

Get Relief From

Common Ankle Injuries Whether you’re just getting back into exercise or are a regular marathon runner, you should be aware of the types of ankle injuries that could limit your activity and when you should seek treatment.

ANKLE SPRAINS

“The most common injury we see related to exercise is an ankle sprain,” explained Dr. Dr. Stephanie Stephanie Gardner, an orthopedic surgeon Gardner at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Willowbrook. “This happens when the foot twists or rolls. Typically, someone has been running or hiking on uneven terrain, but it can happen on level ground as well.”

Relief: You can reduce the swelling and pain with ice, elevation and rest.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

“This condition occurs when the thick band of tissue located on the bottom of the foot supporting the arch becomes irritated,” Gardner said. “While the cause is typically unknown, this condition causes pain on the inner edge of the heel.”

Relief: Regularly stretching the calf muscle, massaging the bottom of the foot and icing the bottom of the foot are good places to start.

ACHILLES TENDONITIS OR TEARS

Your Achilles tendon connects your heel to your calf muscle. After repeat impacts with the ground, it can swell, resulting in minor pain or discomfort. “You can prevent this injury by stretching your calf muscle before a workout,” Gardner said.

Relief: Like plantar fasciitis, stretching is helpful, as is icing the Achilles after exercise. If the tendon tears, there are surgical and nonsurgical options to heal it.

TURF TOE

As you can tell by the name, this injury is prone from turf play. It’s caused when the big toe is bent up into hyperextension, such as when pushing off into a sprint and having the toe get stuck flat on the ground. According to Gardner, the injury can cause limited movement along with pain and swelling.

Relief: Immediately after injury, the RICE protocol (rest, ice,

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compression, elevation) is best. Sometimes a protective boot is used for a severe injury. Taping the toe may help as you return to your sport.

BROKEN TOE

Toe fractures typically occur from a direct blow against a heavy object. Most of these heal without issues, but if the toe is misaligned, you need to see a doctor.

Relief: It’s important not to ignore the pain of a broken toe. Talk to a doctor if your toe appears crooked or misaligned, bruised or swollen. If the toe is well-aligned, then icing, buddy taping and using a stiff-sole shoe is best.

“It’s better to lead with precaution than push yourself too hard after an injury. Make sure you give your body time to heal and seek medical attention right away if you experience sharp pain from an impact,” Gardner noted.

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PREVENTION IS KEY You can stop injuries before they happen by making sure to: ■ Wear properly fitting shoes with good arch support.

■ Start out slow with a new training regimen and take breaks to allow your body to rest.

■ Warm up and stretch before and after exercising.

■ Listen to your body. Avoid playing when you’re tired or in pain.

Time to See a Specialist For severe or persistent pain, schedule an appointment with Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. To find a foot and ankle specialist in Northwest Houston, visit houstonmethodist.org/ foot-ankle-wb or call 281.737.0999.

BELLY BLUES:

How Stress Can Impact Your Digestive System Stress and anxiety can take a toll on your digestive system. Remember the last time you had a job interview or gave a public speech? Those nervous butterflies are tough to ignore, and they’re a signal of the connection between your belly and your brain.

“Your gastrointestinal tract has a highly sensitive nervous system, just like Dr. Arvind Reddy the brain,” explained Dr. Arvind Reddy, a specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. “Our sympathetic nervous system is activated by stress, which can lead to a queasy stomach and other symptoms.”

While not all gastrointestinal conditions are caused by stress, these experiences can worsen symptoms.

COMMON CONDITIONS AFFECTED BY STRESS

■ Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): This intestinal disorder often comes along with cramping, gas, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation. Some IBS patients find that stress can cause flare-ups.

■ Heartburn: This happens when the muscle between your esophagus and stomach opens, allowing stomach acid to flow the wrong way, causing burning or pain behind your breastbone.

■ Indigestion: These feelings of bloating or nausea, belching, gas and diarrhea can happen if you eat too much, too fast, consume high-fat foods or eat during stressful situations.

Stress can worsen underlying conditions and trigger unhealthy behaviors like overeating and smoking, both of which can impact indigestion.

“Indigestion can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or ulcers,” Reddy said. “Indigestion usually gets worse

during high-stress times and improves after the trigger passes.”

If you experience gastrointestinal symptoms more than 2-3 times a week, you should consider scheduling an appointment with a gastroenterologist. During the initial evaluation, your doctor will start uncovering the cause of your digestive upset to help you find relief.

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DON’T IGNORE YOUR SYMPTOMS Everyone has occasional stomach issues, but experts say it’s important not to overlook lingering or recurring digestive problems.

“Your quality of life can be impacted by frequent gastrointestinal symptoms,” Reddy said, “and they also can indicate a more serious condition.” It’s important to see a specialist if your symptoms don’t improve.

Whether you need screening for gastrointestinal cancers or treatment for conditions like reflux or foregut disease, our board-certified doctors are available to diagnose and care for your gastrointestinal needs.

Get Help With Your Gut Troubles Schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital by visiting houstonmethodist.org/gastroenterology or calling 281.737.2500.

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ESTABLISH CARE WITH AN ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDER Did you know your primary care office has multiple experts on the team? You may decide to choose an advanced practice provider (APP) as your PCP. An APP is a licensed nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is trained to provide the same type of care as a PCP, and who can also be your partner in optimizing your health. Just like a PCP, an APP can help you with: ■ Chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease ■ Physicals ■ Prescriptions ■ Referrals to specialists ■ X-rays and tests In addition, an APP’s appointment schedule may have more openings so that you can get in sooner. To schedule an appointment with a provider near you, visit houstonmethodist.org/pcg/northwest.

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CARING FOR YOU: Why Primary Care Matters You’re unique. Your health care should be, too. That’s why choosing a primary care provider (PCP) matters when it comes to building your best overall health.

“A PCP is your main point of care,” explained Dr. Hsin Li, a family medicine doctor at Houston Methodist Primary Care Group in Towne Lake.“We build a rapport with you and know your health history to give you Dr. Hsin Li personalized and continuous support.”

Your PCP can help you manage: ■ Allergies and asthma ■ Diabetes ■ High blood pressure ■ High cholesterol ■ Men’s and women’s health ■ Physicals and health screenings ■ Thyroid concerns Below are a few of the many reasons why it’s important to visit a PCP.

PREVENT AND TREAT ILLNESS

PCPs focus on disease prevention — they aim to help you stay healthy. Getting an annual physical helps you stay on top of routine screenings, immunizations and general well-being year after year.

When illness happens, your PCP can help with that, too.

“If something does come up, such as the flu, a rash or pink eye, I know your health history,” Li explained, “so I can quickly diagnose the issue, prescribe a medication and see you for follow-up as needed.”

TACKLE HEALTH GOALS

With an established PCP relationship, you have a long-term partner to help you work through obstacles in your quest for better health. Whether you want to quit smoking, lose weight or break the family cycle of diabetes or heart disease, your PCP can help you achieve your goal.

“When it’s possible, we start with lifestyle changes,” Li said.

“Together, we create a plan that can be as simple as adding a morning walk to your daily routine. Little changes can lead you onto a healthier path.”

If you need a little more help beyond lifestyle changes, your doctor may recommend tests or screenings to create a long-term health plan.

CONNECT YOU WITH SPECIALISTS

Navigating the health care system alone can be overwhelming, especially when you are managing a chronic condition.

Your PCP can make it easier by briefing specialists such as cardiologists, neurologists or endocrinologists on your health challenges.

“Knowing your health history helps us have better providerto-provider communication with specialists who may be involved in your care,” Li noted. “That supports an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan that’s right for you.”

Your specialist will help you manage your condition, but when you need to see the doctor for a screening or illness, your PCP is the best option. Together, they are your health care team.

PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ALL YOUR HEALTH NEEDS

When you find a PCP who understands your medical history and beliefs, you’ll form a provider-patient relationship that leads to more individualized and better care. This trusting partnership is built upon supporting your needs physically, spiritually and emotionally.

“We make sure you’re comprehensively cared for — not just from a medication standpoint, but from a mental, physical and emotional view as well,” Li said.

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Find a Primary Care Provider Who Is Right for You Houston Methodist Primary Care Group has more than 45 practices across the Greater Houston area. To find a provider near you, visit houstonmethodist.org/pcg/northwest or call 713.441.7965.

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FINDING THE RIGHT DOCTOR FOR CARE There’s no shortage of things that can go wrong with the human body, given that it’s home to more than 70 organs, 200 bones and 600 muscles. And when Dr. Raymond something does O’Bryan happen, whether it’s a sprain or a headache, you need to know what kind of doctor or care you need.

The four major types of medical care include: ■ Primary care – preventive care and diagnosis and management of acute and chronic conditions.

■ Specialty care – focus on organs and related diseases, such as gastroenterologists, cardiologists, neurologists and more.

■ Urgent care – timely help without a life-threatening concern.

■ Emergency care – immediate treatment of a serious or life-threatening issue.

Each may sound simple enough, but there’s nuance to consider within the categories.

WHEN TO SEEK PRIMARY CARE

As a medical expert who knows your entire health history and can diagnose, treat or triage almost any issue that arises, your primary care provider (PCP) should be the go-to partner for staying healthy.

The key to primary care is your annual physical exam to make sure you’re current on immunizations and routine health screenings — including the blood work that can help detect common health problems early.

“The sooner your PCP can catch a

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chronic health issue, the better,” said Dr. Raymond O’Bryan, a primary care sports medicine specialist at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. “Your PCP can catch a chronic issue at your annual visit and help you manage the condition moving forward.”

Most of the time, your PCP will start by implementing first-line treatments for your symptoms or issue — recommending lifestyle changes or medications known to help.

“I always suggest bringing up your concern with your PCP first. If necessary, your doctor may refer you to a specialist who can perform other diagnostic tests or procedures,” O’Bryan explained.

WHEN TO SEE A SPECIALIST

When does frequent heartburn become a reason to see a gastroenterologist? Do recurring headaches mean it’s time to

see a neurologist? Is high blood pressure something you need a cardiologist to help manage? And do you need a referral to see one of these specialists?

“Many medical plans require you to have a referral before scheduling an appointment with a specialist,” said O’Bryan. “While it can seem tedious, it helps ensure that patients are routed to the right experts for their specific symptoms.”

For instance, if medication and lifestyle changes have little impact on lowering your high blood pressure, it’s time to see a cardiologist who will help monitor your condition, administer tests and prevent complications.

“We rely on a specialist’s training for

specific conditions or for their particular skills,” O’Bryan said. “Their expertise and depth of knowledge in their respective fields of medicine means they will know the appropriate next steps to determine the cause of your issue and the best treatment options.”

WHEN TO GO TO THE ER VS. URGENT CARE

When the problem is more than something minor and you need immediate care, knowing when to go to urgent care versus an emergency room is important.

If you’re not experiencing a serious medical issue, urgent care centers or

virtual urgent care are great options to get care quickly. For example, vomiting or dizziness are situations where you may want to seek urgent care to quickly address the issue and find relief.

If you’re experiencing a lifethreatening issue, you should call 911 or go to an emergency room to get the immediate medical attention you need, including labs or imaging if necessary.

“It’s important to follow up with your PCP after any visit to urgent care or an emergency room,” O’Bryan added. “Your PCP can help determine if you need continued treatment, referral to a specialist or additional diagnostic studies.”

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CARE CLOSE TO HOME No matter what kind of care you need, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital has convenient locations throughout Northwest Houston. Visit houstonmethodist.org/care-willowbrook or call 281.737.2500 to find a doctor in your neighborhood.

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