The omicron variant is a form of the COVID-19 virus that has spread throughout the United States and all parts of the world.
Here is what we currently know about omicron from a variety of sources including the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
• What are the symptoms of the omicron variant?
When the temperature drops to freezing levels, frostbite becomes a concern for many people. Russell Anderson, D.O., a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Hillcrest, gives tips on how to avoid frostbite or what to do if encountered.
What you need to know about frostbite:
• Frostbite can develop within minutes to hours.
• Commonly occurs from exposure to wind or contact with a cold material such as metal, the ground or water.
Every morning, Kelly Shuler has her shoes laced up, ready to begin her workout long before the sun makes its first appearance.
Shuler is a dedicated race walker, a sport that has taken her all around the country. She has completed more than 160 half and full marathons in 41 different states.
“It’s been fun because I’ve met a lot of people who are outside of the medical field,” Shuler said. “I’ve got good friends all over the country because of it.”
Jack Sommers, M.D., has taken care of patients since he started practicing family medicine in 1981. Now, even when he leaves the office, his bedside manner is still valued by another form of life.
The Utica Park Broken Arrow provider and his wife, Mary, run an organic farm on their sprawling 75 acres of land. Known as the “manual labor” of the duo, Sommers takes care of 22 head of cows, a dozen chickens and two Great Pyrenees that keep watch of the place.
Throwing out your back can be a sudden and major inconvenience. Zee Khan, M.D., a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon for Utica Park Clinic, gives tips on what to do if this happens.
What to do:
• If able, use over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) or acetaminophens.
• Use heat/ice as needed.
Mark thought he might not see his family again when he was admitted for COVID-19 in 2021. In the first of our ‘Thankful’ series, Mark expresses his appreciation for the Hillcrest Medical Center staff that helped him through one of the darkest moments of his life.
Andrew Gottehrer, M.D., is well known for both his expertise in both medicine and music. And it is the correlation between those two fields that has enabled the New York native to achieve perfect harmony.
Gottehrer is board certified in pulmonary and critical care medicine with Utica Park Clinic (UPC). Prior to joining UPC, Gottehrer practiced independently on the Hillcrest Medical Center campus for two decades.
With the holiday season around the corner, many will take the time to enjoy family and food. Those treats can increase the likelihood of choking. Christin Baker-Hankton, D.O., who practices family medicine with Utica Park Clinic, shares several tips to help prevent or remedy a choking episode.
What are some choking signs:
For those experiencing stroke symptoms, time is of the essence. Andre Fredieu, M.D., medical director of the Oklahoma Stroke and Neurological Institute at Hillcrest, said the key is to B.E. F.A.S.T.T. It’s important to be fast recognizing symptoms of a stroke, getting to the hospital and treating a stroke.
Balance: Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
Eyes: Double or blurred vision
Face: Uneven smile or facial droop
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. If you or someone you know is having a heart attack, Raj Chandwaney, M.D., an interventional cardiologist with Oklahoma Heart Institute, shares what you need to know.
What to do:
• Call 911 immediately.
• While waiting for an ambulance, you can chew or swallow four baby aspirin or one adult aspirin.
What not to do: