When a Sore Throat Should Worry You

      More than 100 viruses can cause the common cold, but the highly contagious rhinovirus is often to blame. The virus enters the human body through the mouth, eyes and nose. A sore throat is usually the first sign of a cold and it typically goes away within four to five days. A runny nose, sneezing, fatigue, cough and a low-grade fever often accompany a sore throat.

     In a world of instant gratification, people want immediate relief from a cold and frequently head to urgent care for help.

      “Colds need to run their course,” says nurse practitioner Brenda Vitucci, CRNP of Meritus Health’s Urgent Care. “But if you have difficulty swallowing, breathing or a high fever, call your health care provider,” says Brenda.

ADHD: Not Just for Kids

Teresa Dumpé, CRNP

     Hear the words attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the mind thinks of a child bouncing off the walls. While ADHD in children is widely recognized, adults who struggle with the condition receive far less attention.

The undetected
     Approximately 7.8 percent of school age children are diagnosed with ADHD. For some of these children, symptoms improve or resolve by adulthood, but a third-to-one-half of the adult population continue to struggle with the condition. While health experts estimate that 4.4 to 5.2 percent of the U.S. population has adult ADHD, many believe the number is higher due to a lack of consistent guidelines for diagnosing adult ADHD.

     “Adult ADHD can be very disruptive because it can have a social and professional impact,” explains nurse practitioner Teresa Dumpé, CRNP of Robinwood Internal Medicine. “Some adults find ways to compensate for the condition, but it still can make everyday tasks challenging.”

Breast Health Shouldn’t be a Guessing Game

     It’s not uncommon to worry about breast cancer. One in eight women are diagnosed with the disease and most everyone knows someone who is touched by it. Rather than let the fear of breast cancer hang over our heads, Meritus Health clears the air on breast health and cancer. Here are some myths about breast cancer:

Breast cancer only occurs in older women.

Healthy Employee Spotlight: Running Woman

Melissa, after the Rehoboth Beach
Seashore Marathon

Registered dietitian Melissa Riley intends to see all 50 states someday, but not by tour bus or car. Melissa will run. You see, Melissa is a marathoner—a woman who runs 26.2 miles in less than four hours.

“I love the physicality of running and the mental challenge to improve my time every time I run,” explains Melissa. Melissa works full time as a clinical nutrition manager for Meritus Health, attends graduate school and performs nutrition consulting on the side, but she still schedules four-to-six marathons a year. To prepare, Melissa runs six days a week with Saturdays devoted to a long run between 12 and 20 miles.

“Running makes me feel good and it’s easy. All you need are sneakers,” says Melissa.