How much sleep do I need?

Most adults need 7 or more hours of good-quality sleep on a regular schedule each night.

Getting enough sleep isn’t only about total hours of sleep. It’s also important to get good-quality sleep on a regular schedule so you feel rested when you wake up.

If you often have trouble sleeping — or if you often still feel tired after sleeping — talk with your doctor.

How much sleep do children need?

Kids need even more sleep than adults:

• Teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night
• School-aged children need 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night
• Preschoolers need to sleep between 10 and 13 hours a day (including naps)
• Toddlers need to sleep between 11 and 14 hours a day (including naps)
• Babies need to sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day (including naps)
• Newborns need to sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day

Health Benefits

Why is getting enough sleep important?

Getting enough sleep has many benefits. It can help you:

• Get sick less often
• Stay at a healthy weight
• Lower your risk for serious health problems, like diabetes and heart disease
• Reduce stress and improve your mood
• Think more clearly and do better in school and at work
• Get along better with people
• Make good decisions and avoid injuries — for example, drowsy drivers cause thousands of car accidents every year

Trouble Sleeping

Why can’t I fall asleep?

Many things can make it harder for you to sleep, including:

• Stress or anxiety
• Pain
• Certain health conditions, like heartburn or asthma
• Some medicines
• Caffeine (usually from coffee, tea, and soda)
• Alcohol and other drugs
• Untreated sleep disorders, like sleep apnea or insomnia

If you’re having trouble sleeping, try making changes to your routine to get the sleep you need. You may want to:

• Change what you do during the day — for example, get your physical activity in the morning instead of at night
• Create a comfortable sleep environment — for example, make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet
• Set a bedtime routine — for example, go to bed at the same time every night

Sleep Disorders

How can I tell if I have a sleep disorder?

Sleep disorders can cause many different problems. Keep in mind that it’s normal to have trouble sleeping every now and then. People with sleep disorders generally experience these problems on a regular basis.

Common signs of sleep disorders include:

• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Still feeling tired after a good night’s sleep
• Sleepiness during the day that makes it difficult to do everyday activities, like driving or concentrating at work
• Frequent loud snoring
• Pauses in breathing or gasping while sleeping
• Tingling or crawling feelings in your legs or arms at night that feel better when you move or massage the area
• Feeling like it’s hard to move when you first wake up

Sleep and Your Health

Weight maintenance

Sleep affects your weight by controlling hunger hormones. These hormones include ghrelin, which increases appetite, and leptin, which increases the feeling of being full after eating.

During sleep, ghrelin decreases because you’re using less energy than when you’re awake.

Lack of sleep, however, elevates ghrelin and suppresses leptin. This imbalance makes you hungrier, which may increase the risk of eating more calories and gaining weight.

Recent research shows that chronic sleep deprivation, even as few as five consecutive nights of short sleep, may be associated with increased risk of:

• obesity
• metabolic syndrome
• type 2 diabetes

Proper insulin function

Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells use glucose, or sugar, for energy. But in insulin resistance, your cells don’t respond properly to insulin. This can lead to high blood glucose levels and, eventually, type 2 diabetes.

Sleep may protect against insulin resistance. It keeps your cells healthy so they can easily take up glucose.

The brain also uses less glucose during sleep, which helps the body regulate overall blood glucose.

Immunity

A healthy and strong immune system depends on sleep. Research shows that sleep deprivation can inhibit the immune response and make the body susceptible to germs.

When you sleep, your body makes cytokines, which are proteins that fight infection and inflammation. It also produces certain antibodies and immune cells. Together, these molecules prevent sickness by destroying harmful germs.

That’s why sleep is so important when you’re sick or stressed. During these times, the body needs even more immune cells and proteins.

Heart health

While the exact causes aren’t clear, scientists think sleep supports heart health. This stems from the link between heart disease and poor sleep.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the average adult needs 7 hours of sleep a night. Getting less than that on a regular basis can lead to health problems, many of which can hurt your heart health.

Lack of sleep is associated with risk factors for heart disease, including:

• high blood pressure
• increased sympathetic nervous system activity
• increased inflammation
• elevated cortisol levels
• weight gain
• insulin resistance

Supreme Medical Center in Houston

When it comes to getting better fast, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your physician at the first sign of illness. At Supreme Medical Center our doctors work with you to treat your symptoms and get you back to feeling like yourself in no time.

Supreme Medical Center
350 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Suite B240
Houston, TX 77060
281-809-5470
View our Facebook page
View our Google Business Listing

What is Heatstroke?

Heatstroke is the most serious form of heat injury and is considered a medical emergency. If you suspect that someone has heat stroke — also known as sunstroke — call 911 immediately and give first aid until paramedics arrive.

Heatstroke can kill or cause damage to the brain and other internal organs. Although heat stroke mainly affects people over age 50, it also takes a toll on healthy young athletes.

Heatstroke often happens as a progression from milder heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), and heat exhaustion. But it can strike even if you have no previous signs of heat injury.

Heatstroke results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures — usually in combination with dehydration — which leads to failure of the body’s temperature control system. The medical definition of heat stroke is a core body temperature greater than 104 F, with complications involving the central nervous system that occur after exposure to high temperatures. Other common symptoms include nausea, seizures, confusion, disorientation, and sometimes loss of consciousness or coma.

Prevent Heat Stroke

In order to prevent heat stroke you will want to take certain precautions in the warm spring and summer seasons. Always dress in cool, light weight clothing, limit time outside, have access to fans and air conditioning, and of course STAY HYDRATED.

At Supreme Medical Center, we provide IV therapy treatments to help our clients stay hydrated. If you have plans to go to an outdoor event, work outside for extended hours, or are just looking for a boost of hydration, schedule an appointment with our team.

We work with our patients to restore their bodies with the nutrients and vitamins they need to hydrate properly and maintain peak physical performance, even in the sweltering Houston sun.

Risk Factors for Heatstroke

Anyone can develop heatstroke, but several factors increase your risk:

Age. Your ability to cope with extreme heat depends on the strength of your central nervous system. In the very young, the central nervous system is not fully developed, and in adults over 65, the central nervous system begins to deteriorate, which makes your body less able to cope with changes in body temperature. Both age groups usually have difficulty remaining hydrated, which also increases risk.

Exertion in hot weather. Military training and participating in sports, such as football or long-distance running events, in hot weather are among the situations that can lead to heatstroke.

Sudden exposure to hot weather. You may be more susceptible to heat-related illness if you’re exposed to a sudden increase in temperature, such as during an early-summer heat wave or travel to a hotter climate.

Limit activity for at least several days to allow yourself to acclimate to the change. However, you may still have an increased risk of heatstroke until you’ve experienced several weeks of higher temperatures.

A lack of air conditioning. Fans may make you feel better, but during sustained hot weather, air conditioning is the most effective way to cool down and lower humidity.

Certain medications. Some medications affect your body’s ability to stay hydrated and respond to heat. Be especially careful in hot weather if you take medications that narrow your blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), regulate your blood pressure by blocking adrenaline (beta blockers), rid your body of sodium and water (diuretics), or reduce psychiatric symptoms (antidepressants or antipsychotics).

Stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and illegal stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine also make you more vulnerable to heatstroke.

Certain health conditions. Certain chronic illnesses, such as heart or lung disease, might increase your risk of heatstroke. So can being obese, being sedentary and having a history of previous heatstroke.

Protect Your Health with Supreme Medical Center

At Supreme Medical Center we believe a happy life begins with a healthy body and mind. Our goal is to ensure each one of our patients reaches their goals by eliminating medical concerns and issues that have the potential to stand in their way with quality preventive care and treatment.

We offer IV therapy treatment for a wide range of patient needs including weight loss, allergy treatment, vitamin packs, hydration, and more. These treatments are each catered to the individual’s needs and are effective at administering care quickly and at the source.

We work with our patients to ensure they are being heard and are treated with respect and care. Schedule an appointment with our team today to learn how Supreme Medical Center stands out from the other medical groups you have worked with.

Supreme Medical Center
350 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Suite B240
Houston, TX 77060
281-809-5470
View our Facebook page
View our Google Business Listing

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy.

Your body breaks down most of the food you eat into sugar (glucose) and releases it into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body’s cells for use as energy.

With diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should. When there isn’t enough insulin or cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream. Over time, that can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.

There isn’t a cure yet for diabetes, but losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active can really help.

Types of Diabetes

There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant).

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake). This reaction stops your body from making insulin. Approximately 5-10% of the people who have diabetes have type 1. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often develop quickly. It’s usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. If you have type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to take insulin every day to survive. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

With type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t use insulin well and can’t keep blood sugar at normal levels. About 90-95% of people with diabetes have type 2. It develops over many years and is usually diagnosed in adults (but more and more in children, teens, and young adults). You may not notice any symptoms, so it’s important to get your blood sugar tested if you’re at risk. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes, such as:

• Losing weight.
• Eating healthy food.
• Being active.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes, your baby could be at higher risk for health problems. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after your baby is born. However, it increases your risk for type 2 diabetes later in life. Your baby is more likely to have obesity as a child or teen and develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

Prediabetes

In the United States, 96 million adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. More than 8 in 10 of them don’t know they have it. With prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes raises your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. But there’s good news. If you have prediabetes, a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program can help you take healthy steps to reverse it.

Diabetes Treatment Options

While diet and exercise are one of the most important ways to help manage your diabetes, medication is sometimes needed in order to control the problem. Type 1 diabetics are insulin dependent and will require insulin treatments throughout their entire lives. Type 2 diabetics can often treat their illness with prescription medications. If you are unsure what your options are or if you even have diabetes, schedule an appointment with the physicians at Supreme Medical Center in Houston. We will work with you to get solutions that fit your needs and lifestyle.

Supreme Medical Center in Houston

When it comes to getting better fast, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your physician at the first sign of illness. At Supreme Medical Center our doctors work with you to treat your symptoms and get you back to feeling like yourself in no time.

Supreme Medical Center
350 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Suite B240
Houston, TX 77060
281-809-5470
View our Facebook page
View our Google Business Listing

How Do I Prepare for My First Doctor’s Visit?

What to bring

• Any insurance cards for current coverage
• Your driver’s license or another valid photo ID
• A list of any prescription medications and vitamins you’re currently taking
• A copy of your medical records from your previous doctor or primary care physician; if you don’t have these, you can ask your previous doctor to send them
• Your health history, including chronic conditions and illnesses and previous surgeries
• A list of specialists you see

A list of questions you’d like to ask, such as:

• How should I contact you when I have a question?
• Do you have an email address?
• What’s the best way to get a prescription refilled?
• How far in advance will I need to make an appointment?
• Where should I go if I need urgent or emergency care?

See what your plan covers before your appointment

Your office visit copay

What you pay and what your plan pays

The kinds of services your plan helps pay for

Visiting a New Doctor

Make an Introductory Appointment

Begin by making an appointment just to get to know the new doctor, and perhaps to have a physical. You may want to do this before you leave the former doctor, if possible.

Visiting the new doctor when you have a few minutes to talk generally is a much better way to start a new relationship than when you’re sick or hurt and must deal with those problems instead of your general health.

Make Copies of Your Medical Record

It’s good practice to keep copies of all your medical records. Therefore, make a second set of copies so you can keep one and give the other to the new doctor.

If possible, provide the copies to your new doctor before your visit. If they have time, they may review them before your appointment, which can help it go better.

Be Prepared With Questions

Write down a master list of questions to discuss with your new doctor.

If you decide to tell them why you left your old doctor, know that you’re providing information about your expectations for this new relationship.

Discuss these points respectfully and politely so you can establish a professional, trustful relationship.

Be a Good Patient

Once you’re with a new doctor, remember you need to invest as much in your health and the relationship as your new doctor does.

Yes, they’re supposed to fix your health problems—but they can do that better if you make healthy life choices and follow their instructions when problems arise.

What Questions Should I Ask a New Doctor?

Basics

• Is the doctor taking new patients?
• Is the doctor a preferred provider under my insurance plan?
• Does the doctor accept Medicare?

Determining a Doctor’s Qualifications and Background

• Is the doctor board certified? In what field?
• Is the age, sex, race, or religion of the doctor important to me?
• Will language be an obstacle to communication? Is there someone in the office who speaks my language?
• Do I prefer a group practice or an individual doctor?
• Does it matter which hospital the doctor admits patients to?

Location of the Doctor’s Office

• Is the location of the doctor’s office important? How far am I willing to travel to see the doctor?
• Is there parking? What does it cost? Is the office on a bus or subway line?
• Does the building have an elevator? What about ramps for a wheelchair or walker?

Know the Doctor’s Office Policies

• What days/hours does the doctor see patients?
• Are there times set aside for the doctor to take phone calls? Does the doctor accept emailed questions? Is there a charge for this service?
• Does the doctor ever make house calls?
• How far in advance do I have to make appointments?
• What’s the process for urgent care? How do I reach the doctor in an emergency?
• Who takes care of patients after hours or when the doctor is away?

Supreme Medical Center in Houston

When it comes to getting better fast, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your physician at the first sign of illness. At Supreme Medical Center our doctors work with you to treat your symptoms and get you back to feeling like yourself in no time.

Supreme Medical Center
350 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Suite B240
Houston, TX 77060
281-809-5470
View our Facebook page
View our Google Business Listing

Individuals living with an autoimmune disease will require lifelong care in order to manage and monitor their illness. In some cases, individuals living with one autoimmune disease may develop multiple immune disorders.

If you are looking for longterm care for your autoimmune disease, schedule an appointment with one of the physicians at Supreme Medical Care in Houston.

14 Common Autoimmune Diseases

1. Type 1 diabetes

The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

High blood sugar results can damage the blood vessels and organs, including the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the immune system attacks the joints. This attack causes redness, warmth, soreness, and stiffness in the joints.

Unlike osteoarthritis, which commonly affects people as they get older, RA can start as early as your 30s or sooner.

3. Psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis

Skin cells grow and then shed when they’re no longer needed. Psoriasis causes skin cells to multiply too quickly. The extra cells build up and form inflamed, red patches, commonly with silver-white scales of plaque on lighter-toned skin. On darker skin, psoriasis can appear purplish or dark brown with gray scales.

Up to 30% of people with psoriasis also develop swelling, stiffness, and pain in their joints. This form of the disease is called psoriatic arthritis.

4. Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) damages the myelin sheath, the protective coating surrounding nerve cells in your central nervous system. Damage to the myelin sheath slows the transmission speed of messages between your brain and spinal cord to and from the rest of your body.

This damage can lead to numbness, weakness, balance issues, and trouble walking. The disease comes in several forms that progress at different rates. According to a 2012 studyTrusted Source, about 50% of people with MS need help walking within 15 years after the disease starts.

5. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Although doctors in the 1800s first described lupus as a skin disease because of the rash it commonly produces, the systemic form, which is most common, actually affects many organs, including the joints, kidneys, brain, and heart.

Joint pain, fatigue, and rashes are among the most common symptoms.

6. Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes conditions that cause inflammation in the lining of the intestinal wall. Each type of IBD affects a different part of the GI tract.

Crohn’s disease can inflame any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus.

Ulcerative colitis affects only the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

7. Addison’s disease

Addison’s disease affects the adrenal glands, which produce the hormones cortisol and aldosterone as well as androgen hormones. Too little cortisol can affect how the body uses and stores carbohydrates and sugar (glucose). Deficiency of aldosterone will lead to sodium loss and excess potassium in the bloodstream.

Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and low blood sugar.

8. Graves’ disease

Graves’ disease attacks the thyroid gland in the neck, causing it to produce too much of its hormones. Thyroid hormones control the body’s energy usage, known as metabolism.

Having too much of these hormones revs up your body’s activities, causing symptoms like nervousness, a fast heartbeat, heat intolerance, and weight loss.

One potential symptom of this disease is bulging eyes, called exophthalmos. It can occur as a part of Graves’ ophthalmopathy, which occurs in around 30% of those with Graves’ disease, according to a 1993 studyTrusted Source.

9. Sjögren’s syndrome

This condition attacks the glands that provide lubrication to the eyes and mouth. The hallmark symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome are dry eyes and dry mouth, but it may also affect the joints or skin.

10. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, thyroid hormone production slows to a deficiency. Symptoms include weight gain, sensitivity to cold, fatigue, hair loss, and swelling of the thyroid (goiter).

11. Myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis affects nerve impulses that help the brain control the muscles. When the communication from nerves to muscles is impaired, signals can’t direct the muscles to contract.

The most common symptom is muscle weakness, which worsens with activity and improves with rest. Muscles that control eye movements, eyelid opening, swallowing, and facial movements are often involved.

12. Autoimmune vasculitis

Autoimmune vasculitis happens when the immune system attacks blood vessels. The inflammation that results narrows the arteries and veins, allowing less blood to flow through them.

13. Pernicious anemia

This condition causes a deficiency of a protein made by stomach lining cells, which is an intrinsic factor needed for the small intestine to absorb vitamin B12 from food. Without enough of this vitamin, one will develop anemia, and the body’s ability for proper DNA synthesis will be altered.

Pernicious anemia is more common in older adults. According to a 2012 study, it affects 0.1% of people in general but nearly 2% of people over age 60.

14. Celiac disease

People with celiac disease can’t eat foods containing gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and other grain products. When gluten is in the small intestine, the immune system attacks this part of the gastrointestinal tract and causes inflammation.

Supreme Medical Center in Houston

When it comes to getting better fast, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your physician at the first sign of illness. At Supreme Medical Center our doctors work with you to treat your symptoms and get you back to feeling like yourself in no time.

Supreme Medical Center
350 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Suite B240
Houston, TX 77060
281-809-5470
View our Facebook page
View our Google Business Listing

So, when should I worry about a fever? Read below to learn more about how your body fights infection and when to contact your doctor.

What Is a Fever?

A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature. It’s one part of an overall response from the body’s immune system. A fever is usually caused by an infection.

For most children and adults, a fever may be uncomfortable. But it usually isn’t a cause for concern. For infants, however, even a low fever may mean there’s a serious infection.

Fevers generally go away within a few days. A number of over-the-counter medications lower a fever. But you don’t necessarily need to treat a fever if it’s not causing discomfort.

Symptoms of Fever

Body temperatures vary slightly from person to person and at different times of day. The average temperature has traditionally been defined as 98.6 F (37 C). A temperature taken using a mouth thermometer (oral temperature) that’s 100 F (37.8 C) or higher is generally considered to be a fever.

Depending on what’s causing a fever, other fever signs and symptoms may include:

• Sweating
• Chills and shivering
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability
• Dehydration
• General weakness

Taking a temperature

To take a temperature, you can choose from several types of thermometers, including oral, rectal, ear (tympanic) and forehead (temporal artery) thermometers.

Oral and rectal thermometers generally provide the most accurate measurement of core body temperature. Ear or forehead thermometers, although convenient, provide less accurate temperature measurements.

In infants, a rectal temperature, if doable, is somewhat more accurate. When reporting a temperature to your health care provider, give both the reading and the type of thermometer used.

The average normal oral temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).

• A rectal temperature is 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) higher than an oral temperature.
• An ear temperature is 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) higher than an oral temperature.
• An armpit temperature is most often 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature.
• A forehead scanner is most often 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature.

Anything over the average normal temperature is considered a fever.

When to see a doctor

Fevers by themselves may not be a cause for alarm — or a reason to call a doctor. Yet there are some circumstances when you should seek medical advice for your baby, your child or yourself.

Infants and toddlers

A fever is a particular cause for concern in infants and toddlers. Call your baby’s health care provider if your child is:

• Younger than 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.
• Between 3 and 6 months old and has a rectal temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C) or has a lower temperature but seems unusually irritable, sluggish or uncomfortable.
• Between 7 and 24 months old and has a rectal temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C) that lasts longer than one day but shows no other symptoms. If your child also has other signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough or diarrhea, you can call sooner.

Children

There’s probably no cause for alarm if your child has a fever but is responsive. This means your child makes eye contact with you and responds to your facial expressions and to your voice. Your child may also be drinking fluids and playing.

Call your child’s health care provider if your child:

• Is listless, confused or has poor eye contact with you.
• Is irritable, vomits repeatedly, has a severe headache, sore throat, stomachache or other symptoms causing a lot of discomfort.
• Has a fever after being left in a hot car. Seek medical care immediately.
• Has a fever that lasts longer than three days.
• Has a seizure associated with the fever. Call 911 if the seizure lasts more than five minutes or your child doesn’t recover quickly.

Ask your child’s health care provider for guidance in special circumstances, such as a child with immune system problems or with a preexisting illness.

Adults

Call your health care provider if your temperature is 103 F (39.4 C) or higher. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs or symptoms accompanies a fever:

• Severe headache
• Rash
• Unusual sensitivity to bright light
• Stiff neck and pain when you bend your head forward
• Mental confusion, strange behavior or altered speech
• Persistent vomiting
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Abdominal pain
• Pain when urinating
• Convulsions or seizures

Supreme Medical Center in Houston

When it comes to getting better fast, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your physician at the first sign of illness. At Supreme Medical Center our doctors work with you to treat your symptoms and get you back to feeling like yourself in no time.

Supreme Medical Center
350 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Suite B240
Houston, TX 77060
281-809-5470
View our Facebook page
View our Google Business Listing

The CDC Recommends Following These 6 Tips to Enhance Immunity

Eat Well

Eating well means eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and fat–free or low–fat milk and milk products. Eating well also means limiting saturated fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars.

Eating well provides multiple nutrients that support optimal immune function. Be aware, however, that too much of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful. Talk to your health care provider if you think you need nutritional supplements.

Be Physically Active

Regular physical activity helps you feel better, sleep better, and reduce anxiety. Combined with eating well, physical activity can help a person maintain a healthy weight.

Following the physical activity recommendations for your age provides immediate and long–term benefits. Emerging research also suggests that physical activity may potentially benefit immunity.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight can affect how your body functions. Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more in adults, is linked to impaired immune functions. Obesity may also lower vaccine effectiveness for numerous diseases, including influenza, hepatitis B, and tetanus.

Safe ways to help maintain a healthy weight include reducing stress, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and engaging in regular physical activity.

Get Enough Sleep

Scientific evidence is building that sleep loss can negatively affect different parts of the immune system. This can lead to the development of a wide variety of disorders.

Quit Smoking

Smoking can make the body less successful at fighting disease. Smoking increases the risk for immune system problems, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Avoid Too Much Alcohol

Over time, excessive alcohol use can weaken the immune system.

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IV Therapy Treatment in Houston

At Supreme Medical Center we believe a happy life begins with a healthy body and mind. Our goal is to ensure each one of our patients reaches their goals by eliminating medical concerns and issues that have the potential to stand in their way with quality preventive care and treatment.

We offer IV therapy treatment for a wide range of patient needs including weight loss, allergy treatment, vitamin packs, hydration, and more. These treatments are each catered to the individual’s needs and are effective at administering care quickly and at the source.

We work with our patients to ensure they are being heard and are treated with respect and care. Schedule an appointment with our team today to learn how Supreme Medical Center stands out from the other medical groups you have worked with.

Supreme Medical Center
350 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Suite B240
Houston, TX 77060
281-809-5470
View our Facebook page
View our Google Business Listing

It is recommended that any sexually active person have annual exams in order to check their sexual and reproductive health. Schedule your appointment with Supreme Medical Center today to take control of your body.

What birth control options are available?

Your birth control options include:

Barrier methods. Examples include male and female condoms, as well as the diaphragm, cervical cap and contraceptive sponge.

Short-acting hormonal methods. Examples include birth control pills, as well as the vaginal ring (NuvaRing), skin patch (Xulane) and contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera). These are considered short-acting methods because you have to remember to use them on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

Long-acting hormonal methods. Examples include the copper IUD (ParaGard), the hormonal IUD (Mirena, Skyla, Kyleena, others) and the contraceptive implant (Nexplanon). These are considered long-acting methods because they last for three to 10 years after insertion — depending on the device — or until you decide to have the device removed.

Sterilization. This is a permanent method of birth control. Examples include tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men.

Spermicide or vaginal gel. These are nonhormonal options for birth control. Spermicide is a type of contraceptive that kills sperm or stops it from moving. Vaginal pH regulator gel (Phexxi) stops sperm from moving, so they can’t get to an egg to fertilize it. You put these products in the vagina right before sex.

Fertility awareness methods. These methods focus on knowing which days of the month you are able to get pregnant (fertile), often based on basal body temperature and cervical mucus. To avoid getting pregnant, you do not have sex on or around the days you are fertile, or you use a barrier method of birth control.

It’s also important to be aware of emergency contraception — such as the morning-after pill (Plan B One-Step, Aftera, ella, others) — which can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.

How do the different birth control options work?

Various types of birth control work in different ways. Birth control methods may:

• Prevent sperm from reaching the egg
• Inactivate or damage sperm
• Prevent an egg from being released each month
• Alter the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg doesn’t attach to it
• Thicken cervical mucus so that sperm can’t easily pass through it

What is the method’s effectiveness?

To be effective, any method of contraception must be used consistently and correctly. Contraceptives that require little effort on your part, such as IUDs, contraceptive implants and sterilization, are associated with lower pregnancy rates. In contrast, methods that require monitoring fertility or periodic abstinence are associated with higher pregnancy rates.

Is it reversible?

The method of contraception you choose depends on your reproductive goals. If you’re planning pregnancy in the near future, you may want a method that’s easily stopped or quickly reversible, such as a short-acting hormonal method or a barrier method. If you want to prevent pregnancy for a longer amount of time, you may consider a long-acting method, such as an IUD. If you’re certain that you don’t want to get pregnant at any time in the future, you may prefer a permanent method, such as sterilization. You may find that different contraceptive options work for you at different stages of your life.

Supreme Medical Center in Houston

When it comes to getting better fast, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your physician at the first sign of illness. At Supreme Medical Center our doctors work with you to treat your symptoms and get you back to feeling like yourself in no time.

Supreme Medical Center
350 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Suite B240
Houston, TX 77060
281-809-5470
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Joint Injections for Arthritis Pain

The Arthritis Foundation shares information about specific joint injections that help to relieve arthritis pain.

Corticosteroids

What it is: A combination of a corticosteroid (or “steroid”), like cortisone, and a numbing agent is injected directly into the joint affected by arthritis. These shots are given in the doctor’s office and usually are covered by medical insurance.

Benefits and Risks: Injections provide safe and effective reduction of pain and inflammation. Relief typically lasts about a month. An extended-release formula called Zilretta to treat osteoarthritis (OA) pain in the knee provides three months of symptom relief.

Some people will have a temporary flare of pain in the injected joint, which should resolve in 48 hours. Repeated cortisone shots can cause the cartilage to deteriorate and weaken tendons and ligaments around the joint.

Who It’s Best For: Steroid injections are good for people with a very painful or inflamed joint who need fast, temporary relief.

Joints Treated: Ankle, elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, and small joints of the hands, feet, spine and wrists. Zilretta is for use in knees; it has not been tested for shoulders or hips and is not to be used in small joints, such as hands.

Hyaluronic Acid

What it is: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural lubricant that breaks down in joints affected by osteoarthritis. HA injections — also called viscosupplementation — help replace the lubricant lost to breakdown. Different brands have different dosing schedules, usually one injection per week for three or five weeks. These shots are given in the doctor’s office and are often covered by medical insurance, but pre-authorization may be required.

The most common side effects are pain, swelling, and stiffness in and around the joint.

Joints Treated: HA injections are approved by the FDA for use in knees only, but it’s commonly used off-label in shoulders and hips as well.

Prolotherapy

What it is: Prolotherapy involves a series of injections of an irritant (often a sugar solution) into joints, ligaments and tendons. The treatment is based on the theory that the injections stimulate local healing of injured tissues. A treatment program may involve 15 to 20 shots given monthly for three to four months.

Benefits and Risks: Prolotherapy has been around for 75 years, and several placebo-controlled studies show that it relieves pain and stiffness.

Who It’s Best For: For people with OA who have not gotten enough relief from physical therapy and losing weight, this may be an option.

Joints Treated: Nearly any joint affected by tendinitis or osteoarthritis can be treated. Best results were found in knee, low back and fingers.

Autologous Conditioned Serum

What it is: Autologous conditioned serum (ACS) is made from your own blood. First, your blood is drawn and it sits in a special container, usually overnight. The incubated blood has an increased concentration of anti-inflammatory molecules. You go back to the doctor’s office the next day and the conditioned serum is injected into your affected joint(s).

This procedure is done by specialists — usually an orthopaedic surgeon or sports medicine doctor — who offer the service. Depending on the protocol, it may be a one-time injection, or done once a week for three or five weeks, or even twice a week for three weeks.

Benefits and Risks: A 2015 study published in PLoS One showed that ACS combined with physical therapy reduced knee OA pain and improved function for two years. Side effects are extremely rare, but you may have some swelling and bruising at the injection site.

Who It’s Best For: ACS treatments are best for people with moderate arthritis; results are less predictable in people with extensive joint damage.

Joints treated: ACS is more commonly used for muscle, tendon and ligament damage than it is for arthritis.

Aspiration

What it is: Joint aspiration, or arthrocentesis, is a procedure in which a syringe is used to draw excess fluid from a joint to ease swelling and pressure. A local anesthesia may be injected first to numb the area, and in certain situations an ultrasound may be used at the same time to help guide the needle.

Your doctor might send a sample of the synovial fluid for testing to determine cause of the fluid buildup, such as the presence of infection or inflammation. Aspiration is most commonly done on knees, but it may be used in elbows, shoulders or other joints. The procedure may need to be repeated if fluid buildup recurs. The cost of this procedure is generally a few hundred dollars and covered by insurance.

Benefits and risks: Removing excess fluid typically eases joint pain and stiffness and improves flexibility. It also provides information needed to diagnose certain arthritis and infectious conditions, so your doctor can provide appropriate treatment.

Risks are rare, but if bacteria get into the joint — especially with cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection — a joint infection may result. Patients who have a bleeding disorder may experience some bleeding from the procedure, and those who are allergic to the anesthesia should not receive that class of drug.

Who it’s best for: Joint aspiration can provide pain and pressure relief for those experiencing joint swelling from synovial fluid buildup. For people who experience undiagnosed joint pain, arthrocentesis can be used to diagnose osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis and seronegative (meaning a negative test for rheumatoid factor in the blood) spondyloarthropathies such as ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and others.

Joints treated: Knees are the most common sites for aspiration, but the procedure may be used in any joint except axial joints (the vertebra and rib cage).

Supreme Medical Center in Houston

When it comes to getting better fast, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your physician at the first sign of illness. At Supreme Medical Center our doctors work with you to treat your symptoms and get you back to feeling like yourself in no time.

Supreme Medical Center
350 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Suite B240
Houston, TX 77060
281-809-5470
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Scheduling an Appointment Today

At Supreme Medical Center we work with patients that have mild to severe allergy problems. We run comprehensive allergy testing to determine exactly what triggers each individual patient has and then create a treatment plan that not only suits their allergy needs but also their lifestyle. Schedule an appointment today to speak with one of our physicians about your options for allergy treatment and to learn more about IV immune system treatments. Below are steps you can take to reduce to your exposure to allergy triggers.

Spring allergy symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Runny nose
• Itchy eyes
• Sore throat
• Watery eyes
• Difficulty breathing, and more

Find relief when you schedule an appointment with one of our primary care physicians.

Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers

To reduce your exposure to the things that trigger your allergy signs and symptoms (allergens):

• Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
• Avoid lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
• Remove clothes you’ve worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
• Don’t hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
• Wear a face mask if you do outside chores.
• Take extra steps when pollen counts are high

Seasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up when there’s a lot of pollen in the air. These steps can help you reduce your exposure:

• Check your local TV or radio station, your local newspaper, or the internet for pollen forecasts and current pollen levels.
• If high pollen counts are forecasted, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
• Close doors and windows at night if possible or any other time when pollen counts are high.
• Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.
• Keep indoor air clean

There’s no miracle product that can eliminate all allergens from the air in your home, but these suggestions may help:

• Use air conditioning in your house and car.
• If you have forced air heating or air conditioning in your house, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules.
• Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
• Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
• Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

Rinse your sinuses

Rinsing your nasal passages with saline solution (nasal irrigation) is a quick, inexpensive and effective way to relieve nasal congestion. Rinsing directly flushes out mucus and allergens from your nose.

Saline solutions can be purchased ready-made or as kits to add to water. If you use a kit or home-made saline solution, use bottled water to reduce the risk of infection.

Homemade solutions should have 1 quart (1 liter) of water, 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) of canning salt and 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of baking soda.

Rinse the irrigation device after each use with clean water and leave open to air-dry.

Supreme Medical Center in Houston

When it comes to getting better fast, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your physician at the first sign of illness. At Supreme Medical Center our doctors work with you to treat your symptoms and get you back to feeling like yourself in no time.

Supreme Medical Center
350 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Suite B240
Houston, TX 77060
281-809-5470
View our Facebook page
View our Google Business Listing