What You Need to Know About the Acne Clinic

What is Acne?
Acne is the term for inflammation of the sebaceous glands. It results in plugged pores, pimples, and even deeper lumps that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms.

What causes Acne?
The exact cause of acne is not known, however, several factors contribute to the development of acne. These include rising hormone levels, heredity, and genetics.

The condition can also be aggravated by the following:

• Stress
• Environmental factors
• Hormonal changes

Who does Acne affect?
Acne is most common during adolescence, affecting three out of every four teenagers. However, it can also affect people in their 20s, 30s and 40s and pregnant women are also prone to breakouts.

Symptoms
Common symptoms of acne include the following:

• Whiteheads (below the skin surface)
• Blackheads (open comedones)
• Nodules (large and firm lumps below the skin)
• Pustules (yellowish lumps on the skin surface)
• Pimples (red spots with no pus)
• Cysts (very painful pus-filled sac, under the skin tissue and about 5mm in diameter)
• Dry, pink and itchy skin

Effects
Acne is not considered a serious health concern, however, it can have a crippling effect on a person’s self-esteem and well-being. People with acne may feel discouraged from pursuing social, academic, personal and professional opportunities because they are self conscious about their appearance.

Treatment
Improvements in acne treatment over the past 5 years have made even the most difficult acne cases treatable, and have produced excellent long-term results.

Our your physician will review your previous treatment plans, current treatment, and future goals in managing and treating your acne.

What You Need To Know About Allergy Testing

What Is An Allergy?

An allergy is a condition of having an exaggerated response to an aeroallergen, an otherwise harmless airborne substance.

What Are The Symptoms Of Allergies

1. Allergic Rhinitis: Commonly known as hay fever, symptoms may include nasal congestion, runny nose and eyes, sneezing, and itching
2. Allergic Conjunctivitis: When your eyes are exposed to an aeroallergen trigger, you may experience itching, burning, redness, swelling, and excess tear production
3. Asthma: People with Asthma will often suffer from a worsening in asthma symptoms when exposed to an aeroallergen trigger such as red, swollen airways, thick mucous production, chronic cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath

Know Your Triggers

When an allergic person encounters a trigger such as pollens, spores, moulds, animal dander, house dust or mites, the immune system reacts by releasing chemicals called histamines, which cause allergy symptoms.

Treatment Options

If you suffer from rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or asthma, allergy testing can determine which specific aeroallergens trigger your symptoms. Modern allergy treatment is simple, safe, and effective.

If a clearly identified trigger is found, one treatment option to prevent future symptoms is immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops)

Immunotherapy, taken as either a shot or a drop, is a safe and effective method to prevent repetitive allergic disease and can offer long-lasting relief and even a cure for many people.

What You Need to Know About Travel Medicine

Routine Immunizations
Are you up to date on your routine immunizations? Beyond the standard childhood vaccinations, there are many vaccines that are recommended for adults as well. Speak with your physician to ensure that you are up to date on all of your routine immunizations, including:

Tetanus/Diphtheria
Pertussis
Influenza (Flu)
Measles/Mumps/Rubella
Polio
Pneumococcal (Pneumonia)
Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Recommended Immunizations
There are many vaccine-preventable diseases that can be encountered while travelling abroad. Based on your destination, planned activities, and length of stay, your physician will determine which vaccines are right for you.

Hepatitis A and/or B
Typhoid Fever
Meningococcal (Meningitis)
Cholera/Traveler’s Diarrhoea
Japanese Encephalitis
Rabies

Required Immunizations
There are some areas of the world where you must provide proof of vaccination or prophylaxis before being allowed to cross international borders. These may include:

Yellow Fever
Quadravalent Meningococcal (Meningitis)
Polio

Malaria Prophylaxis
Malaria is endemic in many parts of the world and causes approximately 1 million deaths annually. Malaria prevention combines personal protective measures and medications. Personal protection includes measures such as clothing consisting of pants and long-sleeved shirts, and bed nets to prevent mosquito bites. If malaria medications are needed, your doctor will provide you with a prescription that can be filled at the pharmacy prior to your trip.

Food and Water Precautions
Traveler’s Diarrhea is one of the most common illnesses experienced by those travelling outside of Canada. Contaminated food or water is the most common source of this illness, and proper precautions play a large role in keeping you healthy during your trip.

Tap water should be avoided. Drinks from cans or bottles, and hot drinks such as tea are usually safe options for drinking.

Fruits and vegetables should be washed in a clean water source, and/or peeled prior to eating. Leafy vegetables such as lettuce should be avoided, as they are harder to clean.

Meat should be well cooked, and any food brought to the table should still be hot from cooking. Shellfish is one of the most common sources of illness, and should be avoided.

High Altitude Travel
Altitude sickness may be a concern for people travelling to areas that are 2,500m above sea level or higher, if they do not have time to acclimate (adjust) to their new environment. Medications are available to treat altitude sickness and should be discussed with your physician if you are travelling at high altitudes.

What You Need To Know About Pap Smear Tests

What Is A Pap Test (also called Pap Smear Test)?

A Pap Test (also known as a Pap Smear) is a test that may help prevent cervical cancer. The two-minute procedure involves collecting cells from the cervix, which can detect cell changes that, if left untreated for several years, could eventually turn cancerous.

When changes in cervical cells are found early, they can often be treated effectively before they become dangerous. Regular Pap testing can reduce cervical cancer deaths by 70 per cent.

What Causes Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is usually caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). However, several other factors are known to increase the risk of cervical cancer including:

• Sexual activity
• Smoking
• Weakened immune system
• Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
• Socioeconomic status
• Family history
• History of STIs (sexually transmitted infections)

What are the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?

In the early stages of cervical cancer, a woman may or may not experience symptoms. Common symptoms include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods
• Pain during sexual intercourse or bleeding after intercourse
• Clear, watery, or foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
• Increased amount of vaginal discharge

Prevent Future Health Concerns
Updated guidelines recommend Pap testing for women who are, or have been, sexually active. Testing should begin at age 21, and repeated every 3 years. Screening may be discontinued at the age of 70, if there have been 3 or more normal tests in the last 10 years.

Does vaccination prevent HPV?

Yes, vaccination is an effective way to prevent cervical cancer. This new and safe HPV vaccine is available at all Appletree locations. However, even if you have been vaccinated, you should still get a Pap test. Book your appointment today at any Appletree location, and detect the early signs of HPV.

What You Need To Know About Appletree’s Diabetes Program

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic and often debilitating metabolic disorder. Metabolism refers to the way our bodies use digested food for energy and growth. A person with diabetes has a condition that prevents their body from producing insulin, or properly using the insulin it produces.

This leads to high levels of glucose in the blood, which can damage organs, blood vessels and nerves. The body needs insulin in order to effectively use glucose as an energy source.

What are the different types of diabetes?

There are 3 types of Diabetes:

Diabetes Type 1
10% of the diabetic population is incapable of producing insulin.

Diabetes Type 2
90% of the diabetic population either does not produce enough insulin, or the insulin available is not working as intended.

Gestational Diabetes
Occurs in 2-4% of pregnant women.

What Causes Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes occurs as a result of the destruction of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

It’s unclear why these cells have been damaged, but the most likely cause is the body having an abnormal reaction to the cells.

Type 2 diabetes is due to a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes? 

Signs and symptoms of diabetes include:

• Unusual thirst
• Frequent urination
• Weight change (gain or loss)
• Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
• Blurred vision
• Frequent or recurring infections
• Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• Trouble getting or maintaining an erection

If left untreated or poorly managed, diabetes can lead to complications such as:

• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Eye disease
• Impotence
• Nerve damage

What treatments are available for Diabetes? 

At Appletree, we can help you manage your Type 2 diabetes. Whether you are newly diagnosed, or have been living with your diabetes for some time, we can help.

Appletree offers Diabetic Clinics, by appointment, specifically for Type 2 diabetes. Supervised by Internal Medicine specialists, these clinics are designed to assess your needs and help you manage your diabetic risk factors, including your blood pressure, weight, blood sugar levels and social habits.

You will receive nutrition and exercise advice, and will set goals to keep your condition in check. Your treatment plan will be analyzed and reviewed every three months to ensure that you receive the  care you require.

Referrals from your family doctors are welcome.

Well Baby Program & Vaccination

The Well Baby Schedule
There is a lot to learn as your child grows and develops. Booking regular appointments with a physician allows you to ensure that your child is healthy and meeting all of their individual developmental milestones.

The standard schedule for Well Baby is:

• 1-2 weeks
• 1 month
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months
• 12 months
• 15 months
• 18 months
• 2 years
• Annually until 16 years of age

Monitor Growth
Height, weight, and head circumference (for children under 2) will be measured at each visit.

Immunization
Vaccines will be administered during your Well Baby visits according to the Ontario Immunization Schedule. Immunization is a safe and effective way of protecting your child, and your community, from communicable diseases. Vaccines for the following will be offered:

• Rotavirus
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• Polio
• Haemophilus Influenza type B (Hib)
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella (German Measles)
• Pneumococcal disease (Pneumonia)
• Meningococcal Disease (Meningitis)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Influenza (seasonal)

Prevent Future Health Concerns
Any questions or concerns you have about your child’s growth and development will be addressed during the visit. These routine visits are an important early detection tool for discovering possible health concerns, so that treatment and management can be arranged right away.

Orthotic Clinic

If you are suffering from foot, knee or lower back pain, flat feet, bunions or plantar fasciitis, orthotics can help. 75% of people will suffer from foot related problems at some point in their life. The foot is a complex structure made up of more than 26 bones, 33 joints (20 of which are actively articulated), and more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments. As a result of their intrinsic structure, the feet are vulnerable to injuries. Foot pain that interferes with your normal activities is an indication that something is wrong and that you should seek medical help.

Causes

There are many causes of foot pain. Acute or abnormal strain is one of the most common causes of foot pain:

Running
Weight gain
Injuries
Arthritis
Poor shoe selection
Prolonged standing
Age-related changes
Calluses and skin problems

Certain medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, spinal problems, leg deformities, neurological disorders, pregnancy, obesity and medications can cause foot pain. Other lifestyle choices can also cause a person foot disturbances. These include wearing ill-fitting shoes or high heels and doing high impact exercise such as jogging or strenuous exercise.

Symptoms

Below is a list of the most common type of foot pain:

Heel problems:

Achilles tendonitis
Heel spurs
Plantar fasciitis

Arch problems:

Flat feet
High arches
Overuse

Forefoot problems:

Metatarsalgia
Bunions
Arthritis

Treatment

Appletree Medical Group offers custom fitted orthotics and gait assessments covered by OHIP. Orthotics varies in cost and is usually covered by employee health plans, private insurance and social assistance. When you book your appointment, the first step is to identify the specific cause of your foot pain. Next, a digital scan is taken of your feet while walking. Gait analysis produces an accurate map of your foot pressure distribution and identifies problematic patterns. This technology allows us to calculate and measure where support is needed in order to restore proper foot mechanics. Once the appropriate orthotics is chosen, your prescription is sent to the lab for fabrication. Whether for sport, casual, or dress shoes, turnaround time is approximately 3 weeks. A follow-up fitting will be scheduled to ensure the orthotics fit correctly.

Top Reasons Why Patients Prefer Custom Fitted Orthotics

1. Custom fitted orthotics are fabricated specifically for your feet, giving you the precise support your need.
2. 

   Our custom fitted orthotics are made from the highest quality materials available.

3. Non-prescription orthotics may help, but they do not maintain their shape and support for more than a few weeks. Our custom made orthotics have a longer life span and maintain their support usually for 2 years or more.

What is a Preventative Health Visit?

A Preventative Health Visit is part of what we call Preventative Medicine which focuses on helping patients avert and avoid disease. Screening for hypertension and treating it before it causes disease is an example of how good preventive medicine helps you stay healthy.

What happens during this appointment?

During your visit, we will update all your immunizations.  Depending on your age and sex, cancer screening tests may be ordered.  We will also take this opportunity to update your medical record to ensure that all relevant medical history is recorded on your chart. The doctor will make notes on your general appearance and then check your vital signs: temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. Height and weight will be measured and recorded on your chart. Additional testing such as a Snellen Test, a Hearing Test, or a Urine Test may be completed if indicated.
This visit is focused on Preventative Health.  Current health concerns should be addressed in a separate appointment.

Who needs a Preventative Health Visit?

All patients who do not have regular visits with a physician would benefit from a Preventative Health Visit.  This visit is covered by OHIP once per year.