Consider the following very typical scenario: you are one of the growing numbers of individuals who takes an aspirin everyday on the advice of a health care provider because of its cardioprotective properties. Then, one day you sprain your ankle and you consider taking a couple of over-the-counter ibuprofen two or three times a day for a few days for its anti-inflammatory effects.

Besides pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, a patient’s temperature is also considered a “vital sign.” The thing that makes a person’s temperature vital is that the body’s homeostasis, or ability to maintain all functions optimally, depends upon a certain range of heat. Most everyone can recite that the average body core temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit with a healthy range being anywhere from 97 to 99 degrees. Temperatures that vary below or above this average create an internal atmosphere that is not conducive to the various systems’ functioning. The term “fever” generally refers to anything over 99 degrees. In order to maintain the healthful range, the body has a regulating system that kicks in much like any thermostat. If the core temperature starts to rise, we begin a cooling mechanism through sweating. If the core temperature starts to decrease, shivering will initiate warming through muscle contractions.

What was your initial reaction the last time you reached for that shoe on the ground or picked up a weight at the gym and threw your back out?

Well, Bob Beane got part of it right (“Death reduction via sensible gun control is possible,” AFN, Aug. 15). Current and former gun controls have done little to curb mass violence.

Recently, I attended the AANP (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians) Convention, which was here in Phoenix at the Biltmore Resort.

Recently, I attended the AANP (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians) Convention, which was here in Phoenix at the Biltmore Resort.

MEDICAL ADVICE

Have you been told that you're anemic and automatically think you need more iron? Anemia does not necessarily mean you need iron. And, what about too much iron?

Have you been told that you're anemic and automatically think you need more iron? Anemia does not necessarily mean you need iron. And, what about too much iron?

Since the dawn of time, man has had to deal with illness, disease, recovery and death; that will never change. However, medical theories and practices do change. I have been privileged to witness many changes in the practice of medicine and nursing. Nurses no longer wear starched white uniforms and caps and doctors no longer are expected to take Wednesdays off to play golf. Nurses are now in the front lines of health care as independent medical providers of care in all aspects of medicine whether it is in primary care or specialties like cardiology, neurology or oncology, etc.

Since the dawn of time, man has had to deal with illness, disease, recovery and death; that will never change. However, medical theories and practices do change. I have been privileged to witness many changes in the practice of medicine and nursing. Nurses no longer wear starched white uniforms and caps and doctors no longer are expected to take Wednesdays off to play golf. Nurses are now in the front lines of health care as independent medical providers of care in all aspects of medicine whether it is in primary care or specialties like cardiology, neurology or oncology, etc.

Since the dawn of time, man has had to deal with illness, disease, recovery and death; that will never change. However, medical theories and practices do change. I have been privileged to witness many changes in the practice of medicine and nursing. Nurses no longer wear starched white uniforms and caps and doctors no longer are expected to take Wednesdays off to play golf. Nurses are now in the front lines of health care as independent medical providers of care in all aspects of medicine whether it is in primary care or specialties like cardiology, neurology or oncology, etc.

After work a couple of days ago, I was relaxing in my recliner watching TV coverage of one of those town hall meetings on health care reform. The camera zoomed in on one of those “grassroots” screaming at an elected official while the whole time reading verbatim from a prepared script!

After work a couple of days ago, I was relaxing in my recliner watching TV coverage of one of those town hall meetings on health care reform. The camera zoomed in on one of those “grassroots” screaming at an elected official while the whole time reading verbatim from a prepared script!

Valley Fever, Hay Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Scarlet Fever, Yellow Fever, Rheumatic Fever, Cat Scratch Fever. Fevers are here, there and everywhere. Elvis Presley said it best: "Lord almighty I feel my temperature rising." The presence of a fever is one of the first things we try to ascertain when someone is ill. The patient's temperature is one of the four basic "vital signs" with pulse, respirations and blood pressure following close behind. The thing that makes a person's temperature vital is that the body's homeostasis, or ability to maintain all functions optimally, depends upon a certain range of heat. Most everyone can recite that the average body core temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit with a healthy range being anywhere from 97 to 99 degrees. Temperatures that vary below or above this average create an internal atmosphere that is not conducive to the various systems' functioning. The term "fever" generally refers to anything over 99 degrees. In order to maintain the healthful range, the body has a regulating system that kicks in much like any thermostat. If the core temperature starts to rise, we begin a cooling mechanism through sweating. If the core temperature starts to decrease, shivering will initiate warming through muscle contractions. All fevers, however, are not bad. Many conditions will have a mild accompanying fever that does not need to be of concern, nor need to be treated. Oftentimes, a fever is a positive indication that the immune system is mounting a defense against infections (in other words, deliberately making an inhospitable environment for the invading microorganisms). Just think how uncomfortable you are when outside on a hot Arizona summer day. Some germs don't enjoy a very hot environment either. Granted, fevers greater than 104 degrees will grab a health professional's attention quicker than a fever of 102 degrees, but too often patients are afraid to admit that there has not been a fever or that the fever was only for a day or two. When we ask a patient if there is a fever we are not using that piece of information to determine the severity of the illness. What we are really trying to ascertain is if the fever occurred at the onset of the illness or later after a few days of illness, if the fever oscillates, waxes and wanes or spikes repeatedly. The cause of any fever and the timing of the fever are more important sometimes than the height of the fever. When we recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen for adults or children the goal is simply to reduce the discomfort of fever. Remember: no child under the age of 15-16 should be given aspirin for a fever - a topic for a whole other article. Cool compresses, light clothing and bedding will also be comforting and, of course, drinking plenty of fluids. When to seek medical help? Certainly if there is accompanying delirium, major stiff neck or headache or persistent vomiting or diarrhea. Other situations that warrant medical help include fevers in infants, and in otherwise compromised adults or fevers lasting more than three days. As with any situation involving your health and well being, if you're not sure, just call and ask. --Agnes Oblas is a nurse practitioner with a private practice and residence in Ahwatukee Foothills. For questions, or if there is a topic you would like her to address, call her at (602) 405-6320 or e-mail her at agirnnp@cox.net. Her Web site is www.newpathshealth.com.

The Affordable Care Act strengthened Medicare in important ways. Signed in 2010, the federal health law already has provided free preventive health benefits to millions of people with Medicare, and saved billions of dollars for those who hit the gap in their Part D prescription drug coverage.

After work a couple of days ago, I was relaxing in my recliner watching TV coverage of one of those town hall meetings on health care reform. The camera zoomed in on one of those “grassroots” screaming at an elected official while the whole time reading verbatim from a prepared script!

A jury began deliberations Thursday afternoon in the second-degree murder trial of Grace Pianka.

Still far short of the votes she needs, Gov. Jan Brewer finally gave lawmakers a peek Tuesday at details of her plan to expand the state's Medicaid program in a bid to whip up support.