Are You Suffering From a Sinus Infection?

When you hear someone say that their sinuses are bothering them, they are usually referring to achiness or congestion in cavities located within the skull or bones surrounding the nose.  These cavities include the sinuses behind the bridge of the nose, inside the cheekbones, over the eyes and behind the eyes.

Anything that causes swelling in the nose—whether that be an inflammatory reaction, an allergic reaction, or an infection--can affect your sinuses.

Nearly 31 million adults suffer from chronic sinusitis (also known as a sinus infection), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  There are four categories which heath experts divide sinus infections into: recurrent (several attacks per year), chronic (last 12+ weeks and continue on for months or years), subacute (last 4-12 weeks) and acute (last up to 4 weeks).

One of the most common symptoms of sinusitis is pain in either one or a combination of the following areas: the forehead, between and around the eyes, the sides of the nose, the cheeks, the neck, the top of the head, within the ear or in the upper jaw and teeth.  People with acute or chronic sinusitis also often experience nasal secretions that can be tinged with blood.

A healthcare provider can diagnose sinusitis by observing your symptoms and doing an exam of your face and nose. If your symptoms are recurring, you may need to undergo a CT scan to make sure it is indeed sinusitis. It should be noted that people often confuse nasal congestion with a sinus infection. However, a cold (which often causes nasal congestion) usually lasts about one to two weeks and goes away without requiring treatment. Acute sinusitis usually lasts longer and involves more symptoms.

If you are experiencing pain or pressure of the sinuses, Allegheny Medical can help.  We offer minor emergency medical care and no appointment is necessary.  To find out more about our services and our facility, please visit our website or call (412) 494-4550.

How Do I Know if a Burn Needs Medical Attention?

In order to figure out whether a person has a serious burn or a minor one, the first step is to determine the extent of the damage done to the body tissues.  Burns are classified in degrees--first, second and third.  A first degree burn is the least serious and only involves the the outer layer of skin with symptoms ranging from minor pain to redness and swelling.

A second degree burn means the second layer of skin, or dermis has been burned through.  Intense redness can be seen, as well as severe swelling, pain and blisters.  In a third degree burn, the skin may appear dry, white or charred and all layers of skin are damaged.

A first degree burn will not usually require medical attention unless it involves a major joint or large areas of the face, groin, buttocks, hands or feet.  For second degree burns, according to the Mayo Clinic, if it is no larger than 3 inches in diameter, it should be treated as a minor burn.  If it is larger or affects any of the previously mentioned areas, medical help should be acquired immediately.

Minor burns can be treated by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, by being held under cool running water for fifteen minutes and by covering the burn with loosely-wrapped gauze. Minor burns usually heal on their own.

If a person is suffering from a major burn, while waiting for emergency help they should elevate the burned body parts, cover them with a moist towel or bandage and avoid immersing a large burn in water.

Allegheny Medical's Minor Emergency Medical Care is a multi-specialty, walk-in health care facility offering medical treatment for minor burns, as well as other illnesses and injury.  If you or a loved one need emergency treatment in the Pittsburgh area, please call (412) 494-4550.

Allegheny Medical Treats Minor Car Accident Injuries

Allegheny Medical's minor emergency health care facility offers medical treatment for injuries sustained in car accidents.  Examples of these types of injuries include minor lacerations and wound repairs, minor burns and strains and sprains.  Car accident injuries specifically can affect all different parts of the body--but neck, back and head injuries are usually the most common.

For example, concussions are often associated with head injury as are headaches, lack of concentration, dizziness, depression or anxiety.  When it comes to the neck, one common injury is whiplash which is often associated with accidents involving rear impact.  Whiplash affects the soft tissue of the ligaments, muscles and nerves and can cause head and neck movement to be limited as well as neck pain.  Whiplash is often temporary, but in some cases it can be permanent and end up affecting many areas of an individual's life.

In terms of back injury, the disks of the mid and lower back are also often frequently injured in car accidents.  Compression fractures, bulges or herniations can also affect the spinal cord, and symptoms of these types of injuries include difficulty breathing, tingling, numbness and weakness of the arm or leg. As with whiplash and the neck, the back ligaments, muscles and nerves can be traumatized in an accident causing inflammation and pain.

While some injuries are immediately apparent after an accident, others do not manifest themselves until days, or sometimes weeks later.  In either situation, you can count on Allegheny Medical to treat your minor car accident injuries in a family friendly, comfortable and private environment. Please visit our page on our minor emergency medical care services to find out more.

Minor Emergency Medical Care from Allegheny Medical

When you or a loved one are in need of urgent minor medical care, you can turn to Allegheny Medical.  Our Minor Emergency Medical Care facility is a multi-specialty, walk-in health care facility offering medical treatment for injury and illness.

When you choose Allegheny Medical's Emergency Medical Care, you will be treated by a team of experienced medical professionals in a private, comfortable and family-friendly environment.  We are pleased to offer medical treatment for such ailments as strains and sprains, colds, flu and other viral illness, rashes, minor burns, ear, throat and sinus infections, and minor lacerations and wound repairs.  We can also provide vaccinations.

Named "The Best of Pittsburgh Healthcare Provider" in 2008, Allegheny Medical is an organization of physicians and health care professionals dedicated to serving the health needs of companies, individuals, families, and communities in Western Pennsylvania. Our primary care and internal medicine practitioners have been successfully treating patients for 25 years.

All of our services are coordinated between team members and there are no delays in delivery of care. The next time you or someone you love needs minor emergency medical care, think of Allegheny Medical.  No appointments are required and most insurances are accepted.  Our office is handicap accessible and we also offer reserved parking.

Urgent care offers convenient hours of operation: Monday through Thursday 9am to 7pm, and Friday 9am to 5pm.