Compassion Primary Care
Blog
Vertigo / dizziness
Dizziness is a common very non-specific complaint that has multiple causes that will not be addressed during this article. Some possible causes of dizziness include: dehydration, medications, anxiety, cardiac arrhythmias, electrolyte abnormalities, inner ear issues,...
Upper respiratory tract infections
Upper respiratory infections (URI) or the common cold are caused by several viruses such as . URIs are usually seasonal in nature, with an increase noted in the winter months. Symptoms of an URI can include low grade fever, chills, malise, sneezing, sore throat,...
Sinusitis
Sinusitis can be acute or chronic, for the purposes of this article the focus will be on acute sinusitis. Another name for sinusitis is acute rhinosinusitis. Sinusitis is inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinuses. Acute sinusitis lasts for 4 weeks or less. The...
Pharyngitis / strep throat
Sore throat or pharyngitis can be infectious (viruses and bacteria) or noninfectious. Viruses (such as adenoviruses, coronaviruses, influenza A and B) are usually the problematic organisms for sore throats. In addition to sore throat, other symptoms individuals with a...
Otitis Externa
Also known as swimmer's ear, otitis externa is inflammation of the external auditory canal. Bacterial infections are the most common cause of otitis externa, with the most common organisms being Pseudomonas aeruginosa, S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Risk...
Otitis Media
Commonly known as ear infection, otitis media usually affects children disproportionately more than adults. Otitis media is an acute infection that affects fluid in the middle ear and leads to inflammation of the mucosal lining in the middle ear. Common bacteria that...
Influenza
Influenza, most commonly known as the flu, is a seasonal viral infection. Here in the states the season begins in August and ends in March (usually peaking in the winter months). The flu is very contagious and usually disproportionately affects the very young, older...
Headache
Although headaches can be inconvenient, painful and at times debilitating, most are not life threatening. Most headaches can be characterized as tension, migraine or cluster. With tension headaches being the most common. New development of headaches with neurological...
GERD / Acid reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux is a common symptom that many people experience. Acid reflux is when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus. Occasional reflux can happen to healthy individuals but persistent reflux is a problem. Symptoms can...
Fungal infections
Unfortunately, fungal infections can be present on several areas of the skin (i.e. feet, groin, face, hand), scalp or beard and nails. The most common cause of a fungal infection (dermatophytes) are Trichophytan, Epidermopython and Microsporum genera. The focus of...
Long Haul COVID-19 Syndrome (LHCS)
This syndrome can occur due to lack of early treatment for COVID-19 and or receipt of one or more of the COVID-19 vaccines. Unfortunately, many clinicians in the healthcare field neither recognize or treat this syndrome. In addition, standard lab tests may not...
Concierge Medicine versus Direct Primary Care (DPCs), Similarities and Differences
Over the last several years two healthcare models have emerged which offer different healthcare options compared to traditional insurance models. Concierge medicine and DPCs have increased in popularity; although these models are similar, there are some key...