Health

Two to three percent of the general population and 10% of diabetics experience locking, clicking, snapping, or catching of a finger or thumb, known as Trigger Finger or Trigger Thumb, also known as stenosis tenosynovitis. It is more common in diabetics and females older than 50. The ring and long fingers are most involved. The mechanism includes the tendon of the finger getting “caught up” on the pulley of the finger. Occasionally, there may be a nodule on the tendon as well.

Other conditions that may be associated with trigger fingers, besides diabetes, are rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, gout, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Greater than 60% of people with trigger fingers also have clinical evidence and positive nerve tests for carpal tunnel syndrome. Both hands and multiple fingers can be involved with those diagnosed with diabetes.

Once the triggering starts, it generally progresses. It becomes more frequent and more painful. Some people may find that the finger locks in a flexed position and must be manually manipulated to extend it. The tenderness is generally over the A1 pulley at the base of the finger on the palm side of the hand. Trigger finger is diagnosed by physical examination.

Conservative treatment with splinting, modification of activity, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, like Ibuprofen, may relieve symptoms in 40-97% of cases. The best initial treatment recommended is a steroid injection, which can offer relief in 60-90% of cases. The effectiveness of the injection decreases the longer the symptoms have been present. There may also be less effectiveness in diabetics. It is important to know that blood glucose levels and blood pressure readings may be elevated for a few days to a week, after receiving a steroid injection.

Surgical release of the trigger finger is an option for failed non-operative treatments, as described above. The success rate is greater than 90%. This procedure is done in surgery as an outpatient. A small incision is made and closed with sutures. Light duty with the hand is recommended until the sutures are removed in seven to ten days. A gradual return to activity is recommended after that, as tolerated. Returning to heavy lifting, gripping, and pulling may take up to four to six weeks. An Orthopedic surgeon does surgical release.
If you are experiencing a trigger finger, it is best to talk with your primary care provider. They can refer you to an Orthopedic Specialist.

If something happened to you, would your family, friends and medical team know your wishes? We always want to think we would be able to make our own medical decisions but what if we could not? This is a hard conversation to have with yourself and family, but it is vital.

Advance Directives help your family know what your wishes are, and many times relieve the stress of making medical decisions for you. The directives consist of a Living Will Declaration, Life-Prolonged Procedure Declaration, Power of Attorney and Appointment of Healthcare Representative, Do Not Resuscitate and Psychiatric Advance Directives.

May is Stroke Awareness Month. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked or disrupted. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke, resulting in stroke- related death every 3.5 minutes. It is the leading cause of disability in adults. These statistics are staggering, but we can do something about it. First, know and reduce your risk factors.

Every Spring as the trees bloom and pollen is released into the air, people who suffer from allergies begin to have watery eyes, sneezing, and sniffling. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), allergies (also known as hay fever) are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness.

Allergies occur when our immune system mistakes the pollen as a foreign invader and releases antibodies to attack it. When the antibodies attack, a chemical known as Histamine is released. Histamine is what causes the symptoms of allergies (itchy, watery eyes and runny nose) to occur.

Feb 1, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a public health emergency of international concern because of its overwhelming spread across countries.

The Zika virus was first discovered in 1947. The Zika virus disease is a disease is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito however; sexual transmission of the virus has been attributed in 2 cases.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report the most common symptoms of fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.

Indiana winters seem to drag on forever during the early months of the year, and those few warm days send everyone outside to get some much-needed Vitamin D and fresh air. These brief periods of high activity during an otherwise sedentary time of the year can put you at increased risk of injury. Staying active during the colder months will allow you to safely jump right back into those spring activities, like golfing, hiking, pickleball, or gardening.
Here are three tips to keep you moving this winter.

My mother gave me a paperback copy of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula as a high schooler. Initially skeptical, but it quickly became one of my favorite novels. The Gothic horror novel was published in 1897 and follows the adventures of vampire hunters traveling across Europe to destroy Count Dracula. One plotline in the story is about Lucy Westenra, who falls victim to Count Dracula. Lucy is given several transfusions of blood to save her life.

Dracula was primarily written in the 1890s. The concept of life-sustaining blood was well understood by the 19th century, and the first successful transfusion of human blood occurred decades before the novel’s publication. Now, a little over 100 years later, advances in science and medicine have led to safe and successful blood transfusions for thousands of people every day.

What are the benefits of employer lead wellness programs for the employee and employer? It is a wise investment for both parties.

Employee Benefit

The 2021 U.S. Census tells us that 66% of the nation has private insurance coverage. Most of this coverage comes from employer-based group plans and is the backbone of the American healthcare system. Many of us use our employer-based insurance to cover normal visits to our family physicians, labs, and unforeseen illnesses and injuries. However, a lot of us miss out on the advantage of wellness screenings and health education covered by our insurance. Sometimes it isn’t openly offered, or it is presented as an obligation instead of the huge benefit that it really is. Not partaking in your company’s wellness screening is like leaving money on the table.