Gumtree Medical Clinic

Corinth Relocation

2010-06-27T16:28:00.004-05:00

We have relocated the Corinth Office. We are now located at 207 Alcorn Drive. We feel this relocation will help us provide more space and time availability as the practice grows. We have now been up and running for a week and the kinks are being worked out. We appreciate the ability to have rented space from the Drs. Noyes during our acclimation to Corinth. We hope you will enjoy our new space as much as we do. If you need medical care for Internal Medicine problems (general medicine for adolescents and adults) or for Nephrology (kidney diseases) or Hypertension, please call for an appointment.

Again, we are located at 207 Alcorn Drive between Medical Plaza Pharmacy and Magnolia Regional Health Center and next door to Crossroads Medical Supply. Please call 877-690-5675 for an appointment!

Summer Time Blues Part 2--It is Hot!

2010-06-27T16:19:00.003-05:00

Summer is "officially" here and it is hot outside. It is easy to get over-heated and dehydrated during the summer time. It is very important to limit exposure to the heat as much as you can. One should try to plan trips and errands to utilize the cooler parts of the day when possible. If you want to play in the sun it is best to do so in the mornings or late afternoons. It is best to avoid the hottest time of the day--10AM to 4PM if possible.

If you find you have to be outside for extended times during the summer, it is important to keep up your fluid intake. It is very easy to get dehydrated during the heat of summer. As well, more serious complications such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke can occur. Several cases of heat exhaustion have been seen already. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and be safe in the heat so you can avoid complications and place yourself at medical risk.

We hope you have a fun summer! If you do need medical attention, we hope you will consider us for your medical needs. We are located at 88 Clark Boulevard in the Fairpark District in Downtown Tupelo. Please call for an appointment at 662-690-5675.

Summer Time Blues Part 1--The Sun and You

2010-05-22T10:43:00.003-05:00

School is out and summertime is here. Many people will be spending more time outdoors and some precautions need to be considered in light of this. Sun exposure continues to gather attention due to the health concerns from too much ultraviolet light. Increased UV exposure can lead to short term problems such as sunburn but long-term problems are more of a concern.

Cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are common in long term sun exposed areas. These are common and can be serious but generally can be controlled if attention is given soon enough. Melanoma is more of a concern as it is very difficult to treat and can be fatal.

Of concern to parents, children who get sunburned have a very much higher risk of developing melanoma than those who do not have a history of sunburn while younger. It is very prudent to avoid sunburn in any age group but it seems especially important in children and adolescents. Remember your sunscreen and use it often. Remember the sunscreeen will wash off while swimming and playing in the water as well as with heavy sweating so remember to reapply it.

If you are concerned about a skin lesion and the possibility of a skin cancer, please visit a health care professional for further evaluation. If you are fair skinned and are blonde or red-haired, you are more prone to skin problems from sun exposure. If you have had quite a bit of sun exposure in the past and are at fairly high risk for skin lesions, you should consider an annual skin exam by your family doctor or a dermatologist.

If you need help with your skin health, come by and see us at Gumtree Medical Clinic. We are located in the Fairpark District in Tupelo and at the Noyes Family Medicine Clinic in Corinth. Have fun in the sun but make sure it is safe fun!

Cold Weather

2010-02-13T11:54:00.003-06:00

Wow, it has really been a cold winter so far. It is very important to bundle up when going outside to avoid difficulties with cold exposure. With sub-freezing temperatures, it is not difficult to get frostbite and other injuries especially when cleaning windshields and other activities that seem to only require a "short time" to complete.

Many winter-time infections are going around as well including strep throat. It is important to be seen for possible strep throat if you have a prolonged, severe sore throat especially if accompanied by high fever, earache, and possible stomach aches. If you have been exposed to someone with strep throat, the presence of these symptoms suggests a high liklihood of the disease.

The pharyingitis (sore throat) will clear on its own without treatment. The danger of strep throat is the longer term complications from the streptococcal organism such as rheumatic heart disease and glomerulonephritis. The antibiotics used in patients with strep throat are used to prevent these complications.

If you are diagnosed with strep throat, it is important that you complete a full course of antibiotic therapy (generally 10 days) in order to safeguard against these complications. If you worry that you may have strep throat, we can do a rapid strep test and know quickly if you have the disease. There can be false negative tests and a throat culture is sometimes still indicated.

If you feel we can be of help with your medical illnesses, please call or come by and schedule an appointment. We are located at 88 Clark Boulevard in the Fairpark District in Downtown Tupelo and in the Noyes Clinic on Shiloh Road in Corinth. We can be reached at 662-690-5675 or toll-free at 877-690-5675.

Healthcare Reform

2009-07-25T12:08:00.004-05:00

I don't want this blog to become a political mouthpiece; however, I think it is not unwise to offer some objectivity into the heathcare reform debate. The following link is from CNNMoney.com and is an article from Fortune. Please read it no matter your position on healthcare reform; it may make you rethink your position.

My biggest fear is that the healthcare reform issue as it stands is a political issue and not a push to help reform MEDICAL CARE nor ACCESS to medical care for those without insurance or who are insurance poor. I don't think any of us would be opposed to Medical Care Reform, but I think what is being pushed for is a different animal.

If you want to follow the H'care reform debate or at least my opinions, please follow me on twitter. The link to my twitter account is listed below as well.

My opinions on H'care reform and any other political issue will in no way skew my medical judgement of your health and healthcare while or if you are a patient of mine. We are all entitled to our political opinions; that is what make America great. Our difference or similarity in opinion should not jeopardize one's professional judgement or actions and I will try my best to live to that standard.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/24/news/economy/health_care_reform_obama.fortune/?postversion=2009072410

www.twitter.com/rebel85

Corinth Office

2009-07-24T21:08:00.003-05:00

We are still so excited about the opportunity to practice in Corinth even if it is only part time. We have been going up for 3 weeks now and the support has been great. We appreciate all the patients who have been in to see us and the patients with upcoming appointments.

We are grateful to the Noyes for allowing us to rent space in their clinic. It is a great place to work and the rooms are decorated so uniquely. Dr. Erica has put a magic touch into the decor. They are available for onsite lab so that the patients don't have to travel again after the visit is over.

We are available to see patients in Corinth on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at the present time. As the demand grows, we anticipate being in Corinth full days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are here to help with Internal Medicine problems such as diabetes, edema, thyroid diseases as well and kidney problems and high blood pressure.

If you would like to make an appointment to be seen in Corinth, please give us a call at 662-690-5675 or toll free at 877-690-5675.

We are still available in Tupelo all day on Mondays and Wednesdays as well as Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings.

Corinth Office

2009-07-14T21:03:00.002-05:00

We are excited about the continued enthusiasm about our Corinth office. We have had three clinics up there so far and each have been a great experience. I want to thank Drs. Noyes for letting us rent some space from them; the clinic is so neat. I appreciate the warm wishes from the patients. It is nice to know that they feel convenienced that someone is coming to them and they don't have to drive to Tupelo for their Nephrology care. I am so glad we are able to help out in that way.

If you are in need of a Nephrologist for kidney problems or blood pressure problems, we would be glad to help out. As well, we are available to help with general Internal Medicine problems such as Diabetes, High Cholesterol or other problems.

You can contact us at 662-690-5675 or toll free at 877-690-5675.

We are located at 88 Clark Boulevard in Tupelo and at 2000 East Shiloh Road in the Noyes Clinic Building..across from the Bowling Alley.

Corinth Expansion

2009-06-30T22:25:00.003-05:00

Wow, the time is almost here. I have been contemplating getting back into practice in my home town for quite some time. I have made the decision to expand my practice up to Corinth starting in July. We will be going there on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons initially; we will plan to increase the time available as the need demands. I eventually hope to be in Corinth full days on Tuesdays and Thursdays if all goes well.

I have been able to rent some office space from Drs. Tim and Erica Noyes. They and their staff are some wonderful folks. I look forward to sharing space with them and learning from them. The clinic is so cleverly decorated and each examination room has its own theme. Dr. Erica is a very creative lady; her paintings add a very nice touch to the clinic as well.

I plan to practice Internal Medicine but with a special niche for Nephrology (kidney diseases) and Hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes. We are available by appointment but no referral is needed. We can mail you our initial visit forms so you can have those filled out when you come for your appointment and save you some wait time. As well, Dr. Tim and Dr. Erica have a full service lab which will help make your experience more convenient as well. Of course, you may get your bloodwork done wherever you like if you wish to use someone different.

I plan to start up on July 7th and we are taking appointments now. If you or someone you know would benefit from my services, I would appreciate the opportunity to serve you or them. If you or they have problems with their kidney function or difficult to control high blood pressure, please feel free to call and set up an appointment. We will be accepting insurance to make your visits more convenient as well.

If you would like to make an appointment, please contact us at 662-690-5675 or toll-free at 1-877-690-5675. The Corinth address is 2000 East Shiloh Road; remember we are in the Noyes Clinic Building.

Summertime

2009-06-23T09:26:00.003-05:00

Summer is here and it is hot. With heat indices in the 100 range, please take precautions to avoid complications from the sun and heat. Try to stay inside during the hottest parts of the day. If you do have to be outside, remember to stay well hydrated. by drinking plenty of fluids. If your kids go outside to play, have them come in fairly often for a cooling off period and get some liquids. It is best if they avoid playing outside during the middle of the day when the temperature is extreme as well.

If you are going to be out in the sun, use sunscreen and/or wear clothing that protects you from the UV rays. Sunburn especially in younger children increases the risk for melanoma skin cancers. Repeated exposure to sunlight, even without sunburn, increases the risk over time of other types of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

It is not only important to protect yourself during these hot times, but also remember to think about others. Check on your loved ones and make sure they are doing okay. Elderly people are especially prone to changes provoked by the heat. Also remember to protect your pets during the hot weather. Do not leave anyone or any pets in a car during this time of year. The temperature inside the car is much warmer than the temperature outside. Even with the windows down, there is still a great risk in leaving someone or a pet in the car.

Stay healthy this summer and think smart. If medical problems do besiege you, please give us a call. We are here to help with all your medical needs.

You can reach us at 662-690-5675. Our address is 88 Clark Boulevard in the Fairpark District in Downtown Tupelo.

Summertime

2009-05-27T14:47:00.005-05:00

We hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend. With the passing of Memorial Day and high school graduation ceremonies, the passing of spring into summer is occurring in the South. Many people will be enjoying the outdoors. We hope you will stay safe this summer while outside.

Mishaps do happen and if you run into things that are relieved by over the counter remedies, come by and let us check you out. We have antibiotic injections and tetanus shots available if you need them. If you haven't had a tetanus booster in the past few years, it might be a good idea to call and see if you need an update.

Remember to protect your skin with sunscreen while outside as well. Sunburn carries a high associated risk for later development of skin cancer.

It is also important that you check yourself for ticks after being outside especially if you have been in a wooded area.

If you have children in need of camp and sports physicals, we will be happy to get you set up for those.

We hope you have a fun and safe summer. If you find yourself in need of medical care, please call or come by today. You can find us at 88 Clark Boulevard in the Fairpark District in Downtown Tupelo Mississippi. Our phone number is 662-690-5675. As well we are on the web at http://www.gumtreemedicalclinic.com/.

Summer Time and Physicals

2009-05-11T11:30:00.004-05:00

Wow, school is almost out and summer is on the way!! Many kids will be participating in summer camps and sports camps over the course of the summer. If you need a camp or sports physical, give us a call or come on by; we will be happy to help get you ready for camp. If you need a physical check up, you can schedule one for yourself as well. We can do it on the same day or have you come back at your convenience.

It is also time for the creepy crawleys and the bugs to start showing up as well. If you get into trouble and need some help with bites or reactions, give us a call or come on by. We can get you started on medications to make your summer less miserable.

Keep us in mind for your medical needs this summer. We are located at 88 Clark Boulevard Tupelo, MS in the Fairpark District Downtown Tupelo. Our phone number is 662-690-5675. We wish you a great summer!

Secondary Hypertension

2009-04-14T12:22:00.006-05:00

Most cases of hypertension are due to "essential" or "primary" hypertension. This means that the bloood pressure is elevated and no underlying cause is identified or able to be treated. There are many elements in the development of hypertension that cannot be measured, tested, or possibly treated. These factors include genetics and the way different body processes work in the particular individual.

However, in some patients, there are determinable causes for the hypertension. Previously, it has been felt that approximately 5% of patients with hypertension had a remediable cause. Of the causes that are usually suspected and addressed, most can now be searched for with fairly simple tests.

Patients with certain characteristics to their hypertension are generally felt to need testing for one or several of these underlying conditions. If you have early or late onset hypertension (age of onset prior to 35 or so or over 60) then it is reasonable to look for an underlying cause. As well, patients who have resistant hypertension (requiring 3 or more blood pressure medications at high doses) merit an evaluation for secondary hypertension. If a patient has had stable blood pressure control and suddenly has difficulty with their blood pressure, then a secondary cause should be sought.

If you have characteristics which make you suspect you or someone you know may have secondary hypertension, please call us for further information. We are able to help you get the evaluation needed to search for these underlying conditions. If present, treatment of these problems can make your blood pressure more manageable. Many times the medication regimen can be reduced or discontinued. Many people do already have underlying damage from the hypertension and do require some therapy for high blood pressure but hopefully in lesser amounts.

If you have questions about hypertension or other medical problems, please feel free to contact us. We are open 8-5 Monday thru Thursday and 8-Noon on Fridays. Our telephone number is 662-690-5675. We are also on the web at http://www.gumtreemedicalclinic.com/.

Hypertension Risk Factors

2009-04-02T11:27:00.004-05:00

As most people know, hypertension is a common health problem.

In the United States, approximately 32 percent of African-Americans and 23 percent of white
people and Mexican-Americans have hypertension.

Hypertension is more common as people grow older.
-As an example, among people over age 60, hypertension occurs in 65 percent of African-
American men, 80 percent of African-American women, 55 percent of white men, and 65% of
white women.

Unfortunately, many people's blood pressure is not well controlled.

-According to the same national survey, hypertension was in good control in only 25 percent of
African-Americans and whites and 14 percent of Mexican-Americans.

A variety of risk factors have been associated with essential hypertension:

-Hypertension tends to be both more common and more severe in blacks.

-Hypertension in maternal, paternal or both parents is independently associated with the development of hypertension over the course of adult life.

-Evidence for a relationship between sodium intake and essential hypertension continues to
mount. It is likely that increased salt intake plays a role in causing hypertension but cannot act
alone to cause it. If other risk factors are present, increased salt intake may make the
development of hypertension more likely.

-Multiple studies show a clear association between excess alcohol intake and the development of
hypertension.

-Obesity is associated with an increased prevalence and incidence of hypertension, and weight
gain appears to be a main determinant of the rise in blood pressure (BP) that is commonly seen
with aging-High cholesterol may also associated with the development of hypertension. The role
of abnormal cholesterol occurs whether the patient is obese or not.

If you feel you may have one or more of these risk factors, please contact us or a physician of your choice to check up on your blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure, it is important to keep a check on your blood pressure and keep it controlled.

As well, it is important to keep a check on other factors such as cholesterol and kidney function to help prevent or slow any complications from the hypertension.

If you need further information or need a physician to see after you hypertension, please contact us for an appointment. We have establshed a hypertension center of excellence to help you get a better handle on your hypertension.

Contact us at Gumtree Medical Clinic 88 Clark Boulevard Fairpark District Tupelo, MS
Phone 662-690-5675

Hypertension Center of Excellence

2009-03-25T16:59:00.005-05:00

With coordination through local lab and radiology services, we are establishing a Hypertension Center of Excellence in Tupelo, MS. We want to provide you with expert hypertension evaluation and treatment.

We offer second opinions as well as an exhaustive search for underlying causes for you high blood pressure that might be correctable. Generally with a few blood tests and possible X-ray tests, we can determine if you have any of the more common secondary causes of hypertension. If found, treatment of these conditions may make your blood pressure easier to control and possibly reduce the number of medications required to keep your blood pressure controlled.

As well, we will work with you to find the best medication combination for you. It is important to establish an effective regimen for blood pressure control but also important to find a regimen that is well tolerated by you, the patient. Given Dr. Hale's pharmacy background and training in Nephrology, he can offer you expertise in designing a regimen that is sound from a pharmacologic standpoint as well as minimizing side effects and costs.

Uncontrolled hypertension carries risks of stroke, kidney failure, heart disease and other problems. As well, it causes faster progression of other diseases that are present including heart disease, kidney disease, diabetic complications, and vascular disease. We will work with you to better control your blood pressure and minimize the complications associated with hypertension.

We offer easy access to our clinic so that the community as a whole may benefit. We require no referral or other obstacles to be seen in regards to your hypertension. Your evaluation is only a phone call away. If you are concerned about your high blood pressure or that of a family member, we want to help.

Please call today to schedule an appointment for you consultation. Our clinic number is 662-690-5675.

Gumtree Medical Clinic will be closed March 13-24

2009-03-12T14:14:00.002-05:00

We will be closed March 13 through March 24. We will re-open on March 25 at 8:00 AM. We are sorry for any inconvience this may cause for you.

If you have an emergency during this time, please proceed to the nearest Emergency Room for further care.

If you need to schedule an appointment or a referral, please call March 25th and we will get an appointment for you as soon as possible. As always, we will try to see you on the same day or as soon thereafter that is good for you.

Have a great week and thank you for your indulgence!

National Kidney Foundation Kidney Month and World Kidney Day

2009-03-06T16:06:00.005-06:00

March is Kidney Month sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation. As well, March 12 is World Kidney Day. If you would like to find out more about problems that affect the kidney or find out if you have a kidney problem, please call or come by to set up an appointment.

We can talk with you about problems that may arise especially if you are at risk for kidney disease. Patients at higher risk are those with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, atherosclerotic vascular disease (hardening of the arteries), or family history of kidney disease. Early detection is the best way to prevent progression or at least slow the progression of kidney disease. If it progresses too far then you may well require dialysis or transplant to prevent death from kidney failure.

If you know you have kidney disease, please feel free to call or come by for an appointment to learn more about your disease and treatment options. We will be happy to offer a second opinion and make sure you are aware of all options available to you. As well, we can make sure you are optimizing the best methods for slowing the progression of you disease and help you learn how to protect against worsening of your disease.

If you want to come by, we will be happy to check you blood pressure and lab values to make sure you remain as healthy as possible. If an abnormality is present, we will let you know so that you can discuss it with your regular physician or make an appointment with us for further evaluation.You may contact us at Gumtree Medical Clinic..88 Clark Boulevard..Tupelo, MS 38804 or by phone at 662-690-5675

Hypertension--General Facts

2009-02-16T15:56:00.004-06:00

I have decided to spend some time including facts about hypertension on the blog site. This will be spread out over several entries to keep from overloading everyone at one time. Since it is a blog you will of course be able to scroll up and down to get the information you need. We will first start out with some general information about hypertension then get into some more specific information a little later. If you would like more information or need to get your blood pressure checked or checked out, call us at 662-690-5675.

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Blood pressure refers to the pressure that blood applies to the inner walls of the arteries. Arteries carry blood from the heart to other organs and parts of the body.

An individual's blood pressure is defined by two measurements:

Systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries produced when the heart contracts (at the time of a heart beat)
Diastolic pressure refers the pressure in the arteries during relaxation of the heart between heart beats.

Blood pressure is reported as the systolic pressure over diastolic pressure (eg, 120/70 or 120 over 70).

Untreated hypertension increases the strain on the heart and arteries, eventually causing organ damage. Hypertension increases the risk of heart failure, heart attack (myocardial infarction), and stroke.

The treatment of hypertension is the most common reason for office visits of non-pregnant adults to physicians in the United States and for use of prescription drugs
Analysis of NHANES data from 1999-2000 and United States Census bureau information results in an approximately 29 to 31 percent incidence of hypertension in the 18 year and older population of the United States.
This translates into 58 to 65 million hypertensives in the adult population in the United States, which is substantially higher than the 43.2 million estimate derived from the 1988-1991 NHANES-III survey.

The number of patients with hypertension is likely to grow as the population ages, since either pure systolic hypertension or combined systolic and diastolic hypertension occurs in over one-half of persons older than 65 years.

The rising incidence of obesity will also increase the number of hypertensive individuals.

Despite the prevalence of hypertension and its associated complications, control of the disease is far from adequate.
Data from NHANES show that only 34 percent of persons with hypertension have their blood pressure under control, defined as a level below 140/90 mmHg.
Slightly higher rates of control were reported in a regional population study (approximately 45 and 55 percent of men and women, respectively, have controlled hypertension).

Definitions of hypertension (high blood pressure):

Normal blood pressure: systolic <120 mmHg and diastolic <80 mmHg

Prehypertension: systolic 120-139 mmHg or diastolic 80-89 mmHg

Hypertension:
Stage 1: systolic 140-159 mmHg or diastolic 90-99 mmHg
Stage 2: systolic ≥160 or diastolic ≥100 mmHg

These definitions apply to adults on no antihypertensive medications and who are not acutely ill.

Next time we will discuss the risk factors for hypertension.

If you need you blood pressure checked as a screening or to see how your medications are working, stop by at your convenience and we will be happy to check it at no charge. If you blood pressure is elevated, we can help get it under control or make sure your regular doctor gets a copy of your reading(s) if you prefer.

If you are on treatment for high blood pressure and need further help or feel you need to be evaluated further, please make an appointment. We will be happy to help with your hypertension treatment.

Influenza update

2009-02-09T09:16:00.002-06:00

Flu season seems it is going to be late this year. It just now seems to be really surfacing even though a few cases were seen around the holiday time. We have seen several cases in the clinic over the past week or so. If you have symptoms that might be related to "the flu" (influenza), it is important to be seen as soon as possible. If seen within the first 48 hours of symptoms, medication can be given that may lessen the symptoms and the duration of the illness. If you are in contact with someone who has documented influenza, you should also be seen and started on prophylactic (preventative) doses of the medication to help keep from contracting the illness.

Influenza Symptoms

Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:

Fever (usually high)
Headache
Extreme tiredness
Dry cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle aches
Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults

If you exhibit any of these symptoms, please call or come on in so you can be tested and begun on the appropriate therapy. If you have any question, please feel free to call the clinic. We want to help keep you healthy or if you do become ill, get you back to health as soon as possible.

Flu Hits

2009-02-06T09:36:00.003-06:00

Flu season seems to be now getting started although maybe a bit late. Several cases have shown up here in the past few days. If you start feeling symptoms you feel might be the flu, come on in and get checked out. Symptoms include fever, chills, and sweats along with body aches, cough, phlegm and possibly sinus congestion along with runny nose.

If you begin treatment within 48 hours with Tamiflu, you can decrease the symptoms and shorten the course of the flu. We can run a flu test in the office so you know what you are dealing with and get you on the right medications.

If you are having cold and flu symptoms or need to see a doctor for other reasons, call or come by today. We want to help you get better!

Know your numbers!!

2009-01-28T10:35:00.005-06:00

As we get busier and busier, we have more and more to keep up with in life. Of course, some things are more important than others, but in terms of your general health, there are certain "numbers" that are very important. Some of these you are probably already aware; some may not be as familiar. Consider the following list and if you don't know your number, maybe you should check-in with your doctor to get up to date.

Blood pressure...Hypertension carries and potentiates many health risks. You should have your blood pressure checked each time you visit your doctor. As well, you should occasionally check your blood pressure at the pharmacy or other facility that has testing available. If you have a blood pressure greater than 120/80, you need to get it seen about. If you already know you have blood pressure problems, you need to monitor your blood pressure to make sure it is generally under 140/90.

Blood sugar...You should probably have a blood sugar check at least once a year unless you know you have diabetes mellitus. If that level is elevated, then more extensive testing can be done to see if you are diabetic or at risk for diabetes. If you are fasting, the blood sugar should be under 120; if you have eaten, the blood sugar should be less than 200.

Cholesterol..This one is fairly commonplace now as everyone is aware of the risk of heart disease and blood vessel disease associated with elevated cholesterol levels. More important than the total cholesterol level itself is the levels of the subunits of cholesterol. A fasting lipid panel should be checked once a year to make sure that all is well in this area. If you know you have problems with cholesterol, your physician will probably want to check it more often. With some cholesterol lowering medications, it is important to keep an eye on the liver numbers as well.

Creatinine...This one may not be well known but is important as well. This is a marker for kidney function. Even small changes from normal in the creatinine level can signal fairly significant changes in kidney function. A normal value is around 1 for most people and an increase from 1 to 2 can mean a decrease of up to 50% in renal function. As the numbers go higher, the renal function is further decreased but not by as big a factor. For example, from 1 to 2 is a 50% decrease in renal function; from 2-4 represents another 50 % decrease in function so the function is down to 25%. The next representation would be from 4 to about 7 or 8 at which level the function would be down to about 10-12%. Based on the way the changes occur, it is very important to catch the change in renal function early. The best chance to fix the kidney problem or at least significantly alter the worsening course is to catch the problem early. Once the creatinine level reaches 4 or greater, the chance for developing complete renal failure over the course of time is fairly high.

If you have not had these values checked recently, please check with your doctor in these regards. If you wish, come by the clinic and we will be happy to get you in touch with your numbers. We can also test for other diseases that you may be concerned about as well. If you wish further information or wish to get these tests performed, call today for an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome as well.

Cold and Flu

2009-01-27T12:25:00.002-06:00

It seems cold and flu season is setting in on the Northeast Mississippi area. Many "bugs" are going around including respiratory and GI illnesses. Many of the respiratory illness seem to want to hang on with fairly long durations of sore throat, cough, and hoarseness.

If you suffer from a respiratory infection this season, come on by and let us work to get you better. We offer antibiotic injections and steroid shots in the office to get you started on the road to recovery. If needed, we also can perform strep testing, mono testing, and flu testing in the office.

If you have a GI illness that persists, we can help with that too. We have injectable anti-nausea medications in the office. We will be happy to get you started on some prescription medications to help with the symptoms as well.

If you get under the weather this winter, come on by and let us help you get to feeling better. We accept walk-ins as well as same day appointments for your convenience.

Hypertension

2009-01-20T14:15:00.002-06:00

Most people are aware of high blood pressure and the effects it has on the body.
Many places now have a blood pressure machine near their pharmacy centers and you can easily check on your blood pressure. Even if you have not had problems in the past, it might not hurt to occasionally stick your arm in one of those machines and see what your reading is.

It is now recommended that if your blood pressure is above 120/80, that you get the blood pressure evaluated. Many people still don't require medications for their blood pressure until it reaches a level of 140/90; however, there are sub-groups of patients that need to be treated before the blood pressure reaches that level. Some of these groups include diabetics, people with kidney disease, and people with heart disease or previous strokes.

Even if your blood pressure is in the range that it is somewhat elevated but doesn't require medications there still may be interventions that will be helpful. It may even be possible to slow or stop the need for medications in the past by making some simple lifestyle changes.

As well, the physician can assess for other health risk factors while evaluating your high blood pressure. Patients with high blood pressure may well be at risk for cholesterol problems, heart problems, diabetes, and kidney problems. The physician can check for these risks and help with those as well. For any of these problems, prevention is the much preferred plan.

At Gumtree Medical Clinic, we specialize in hypertension (high blood pressure) and all its associated problems. We can check you for all the conditions listed above and help you get any of these that are present under control. We will be glad to discuss any of these with you and help you find the best treatment plan for you.

If you have difficulties with high blood pressure or other illnesses, please come by or call today.

Happy New Year

2009-01-13T16:33:00.002-06:00

We at Gumtree Medical Clinic hope you had a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. We hope your new year is off to a great start. If you have not done so lately, it might be a good time of year to make sure your health is at its best.

We will be glad to help you get off to a healthy start with a complete physical and check-up. If you have chronic medical problems, we would be happy to review your problems and therapy to make sure you are headed in the right direction.

It is now the midst of cold and flu season as well. If you become ill, come on in and let us get you back on your feet. We have flu vaccines still available and late is better than never. You can actually get a flu shot even in January. We also offer flu testing, mono spot testing, strep testing, and CBCs on site in an effort to find out what is wrong and get you on treatment quickly.

Holiday Time

2008-12-22T11:38:00.003-06:00

All of us at Gumtree Medical Clinic want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our office will be open on December 22 and 23 for regular hours. We will close for the Christmas holidays on December 24, 25, and 26. We will reopen on December 29 and December 30. We will be closed on December 31, January 1 and January 2 for the New Year's holiday.

Remember with all the great food at Christmas and the party food over New Year's, you might want to consider getting your cholesterol checked. Come in or call for an appointment to get a check-up and ask about getting your cholesterol checked. We can do other labs as well if those are needed.

Holiday Season

2008-12-07T15:40:00.004-06:00

Hey folks, we are now in the midst of the Holiday Season. Thanksgiving has come and gone as has Black Friday. Now the countdown of shopping days until Christmas is upon us and the days are slipping away. We hope your Christmas shopping is going successfully.

If you are being slowed down by coughs and colds and other nuiances, come on by and see us. We will try our best to get you back on your feet and on your way back to shopping bliss. We have same day appontments available as well as walk-in service. We want to give you the best opportunity to get well as soon as possible.

We have antibiotic shots available as well as "cortisone" injections to help. Our lab is equipped to give you quick results on CBC, strep tests, flu tests, mono tests and others to diagnose you illness and get you the best treatment.

Again, we wish you a happy holidays and hope all is going well. However, if you have gotten "under the weather", come see us today.

If you want to learn more about us, visit on the web at http://www.gumtreemedicalclinic.com/. For appointments, call 662-690-5675.

FLU TIME

2008-11-17T16:54:00.002-06:00

Folks, it is time to ready up for flu season. If you have not had your flu shot, you need to get one soon. Documented cases of the flu have been seen in Northeast Mississippi. If you do get sick, we have flu testing available; if you have the flu, you will want to get started on the right medicine as soon as possible. Several viruses mimic the flu but if you have high fever with chills, muscle aches and bone aches, chances are you have the flu.

Besides flu tests, we can also check for strep throat and mono. We offer full CBC capabilities as well. We also offer antibiotic injections and cortisone injections to get you back on your feet again.

We do hope you stay healthy this winter but if you do get under the weather, come see us. We offer walk-in service as well as same day appointments for your convenience. If you need an appontment or directions or just more information contact us at 662-690-5675 or gumtreemedicalclinic@yahoo.com You can also visit us on the web at www.gumtreemedicalclinic.com to learn more about our clinic and Dr. Hale.

Flu Shots

2008-09-25T08:35:00.002-05:00

Yes, believe it or not, it is THAT time again. Flu shots are in and ready to be given. Flu shots are generally given in the fall beginning in October. As that time is around the corner, we have flu shots available for those wishing to get them. Don't wait until those around you are getting sick because it takes a little bit of time to develop the immunity.

Come by or call today to set up and appointment to get your flu shot. Remember walk-ins are welcome and appointments are accepted. Our phone number is 662-690-5675 and our email is gumtreemedicalclinic@yahoo.com. Visit us on the web at www.gumtreemedicalclinic.com to learn more about our clinic and Dr. Hale.

Health Fair

2008-09-24T15:48:00.002-05:00

The health fair is now official. It is set for Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Barnes Crossing Mall. A number of physician offices and vendors will be present. There will numerous opportunites for screenings, such as blood pressure, glucose, glaucoma, etc. as well as opportunities for educational materials. It will be from 10AM to 2PM. Come on out and join us. For more information, call us at 662-690-5675 or email at gumtreemedicalclinic@yahoo.com.

Health Fair October 2008

2008-08-28T15:36:00.003-05:00

We are organizing a health fair for October 2008. We are planning to conduct this in conjunction with SleepCare at Fairpark. SleepCare is a sleep center that helps with patients who have sleep apnea.

The health fair will be held at The Mall at Barnes Crossing. It is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2008. We will update as soon as we have the definitive date available.

We plan to have a number of vendors present to help give out information about diabetes, hypertension, sleep disorders, kidney diseases, high cholesterol, and other diseases. We plan to have people available to draw blood and help you know your numbers. This will include cholesterol levels, glucose levels, and creatinine levels (information about how well the kidneys are working).

We hope you all will come out and explore ways to make you more healthy and/or keep you healthy.

If you would like more information about the health fair, please call at 662-690-5675 or email at gumtreemedicalclinic@yahoo.com

Back to School/ Athletic Physicals

2008-08-01T11:47:00.004-05:00

It's that time again. It is August again. Not only does that mean hot weather in North Mississippi, but the new school year is just around the corner. With the new school year comes all the preparations for school and gearing up for all the fall sports activities.

This is a great time to get a check-up and get up to date with school physicals, athletic physicals, and immunizations. At Gumtree Medical Clinic, we are here to help you get ready for school--medically.

Call or come by today to make sure you are ready for the new school year.

Welcome to Gumtree Medical Clinic

2008-07-28T10:20:00.002-05:00

Gumtree Medical Clinic is a walk-in clinic for all general medical problems as well as a specialty clinic for kidney diseases and difficult to control blood pressure problems. We are open Monday through Thursday 8am to 5pm and Friday 8am to Noon. Dr. Hale is available during all these hours even during the lunch hour for patients who wish to see a doctor during that time.

Walk-ins are welcome all day and appointments are accepted for those who prefer. We are available for same day appointments so that we can help get you better as soon as possible. Call or come by today for more information.