Thankfully, the air quality index (AQI) for Galveston is higher than average, at 81 on a scale of 100 (higher is better). But folks visiting Galveston from out of town may not be prepared for Texas-sized allergens in the air. Unusually sensitive people, like those with asthma, should be prepared for the unexpected while traveling. [...]
Hospitality Health ER in Longview and Tyler has encountered many patients that have mistaken a cold for a sinus infection, a sinus infection for a cold, and allergies for a cold. That’s because they can actually be difficult to tell apart—even by a doctor. A headache and stuffy nose are symptoms of all three, so [...]
“Don’t go out in the rain...you might catch pneumonia.” Thanks to our parents and grandparents, that all-too-familiar phrase rings through our minds each time we step out into cold, rainy weather. But just as you’re about to parrot back that same exact reminder to your kids as they walk out into the rain, you pause [...]
‘Tis the season for the flu and upper respiratory infections - and is it a pretty big one. As our doctors at Hospitality Health ER in Tyler and Longview are busy making their rounds this winter, so is the flu and upper respiratory infections. We’re seeing a lot of members of the community suffering from [...]
All of a sudden, your allergies begin acting up again—nose gets stuffy, eyes and throat get a bit itchy, and you feel unusually lethargic. You wonder what’s causing this flare-up only to realize it’s the beginning of a new season. Oh, it must be fall allergies. You may be right, but what does it mean [...]
Flu season is underway. But did you know that the flu vaccine is only about 17 to 53 percent effective in older adults? Since you’ll be going through the trouble of getting a shot, isn’t it important for it to actually work? Well, now there’s evidence of how you can make the flu shot work [...]
Unlike the DTap and MMR vaccines, which are required for a child to attend school, the flu vaccine is optional. About 38 percent of Americans refuse the vaccine, mainly because they think they don’t need it, believe it’s ineffective, or are scared of the side effects. If you’re one of these people, you may now [...]
How often do you think about the air you breathe? At the time this article was written, the air quality index (AQI) for Tyler - Longview - Marshall scored a 52, which the Environmental Protection Agency’s air quality branch rates as “moderate”. The score came with a health message for residents in the area: “Unusually [...]
People have come to accept sore throats as a part of life. Usually they aren’t an indication of anything too serious. But especially during the colder months, our emergency rooms in Longview and Tyler see plenty of patients struggling from sore throat complications caused by the flu or an infection: kids who refuse to eat [...]
It’s that time of year again—fever, sniffles, and aches abound. Even though it may still be 90+ degrees outside, flu season has officially begun. Make sure you take your family for their annual flu vaccination, especially if you have younger children or elderly family members. But get ready: you may be a little surprised at [...]
