You’ve heard it from your friends, family and in the media. You may have that friend of yours who may have never mentioned a word that even sounded like gluten, but now it rules the discussion. What is gluten, then? Gluten is a protein and it is found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and a cross between wheat and rye called triticale. Those grains are fairly ubiquitous in all manner of dishes, so if it is avoided, it cuts out a fair number of dinner options. Who is affected by gluten may be the next thing you are wondering. For those with celiac disease, it’s a matter of avoiding real disease symptoms and serious consequences. The select group of people with this disease are not being picky when they turn these foods away. There are, however, people who do not have celiac disease who have some exposures to uncomfortable symptoms. This is called non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Others may feel that it’s solely a dietary option for their individual health goals, while not truly affected by symptoms. So, what is allowed with a gluten free diet?

• Natural Beans, seeds and nuts.
• Fruits and vegetables
• Eggs
• Meats, fish and poultry (not breaded, batter-coated or marinated)
• Most dairy products

Ok, and what isn’t?

• Barley
• Rye
• Triticale
• Wheat

There are more restrictions, which you can find at this link. Are you affected by gluten?

Healthy Summer Sun and Fun

Columbus-Ohio – When the the temperature climbs and the sun is shining, it’s a great time to be outside and enjoying all of the fun activities summer allows. At this time of year, everyone is looking forward to fresh air and vacation time. Unfortunately, one of the unique challenges that summer presents can get in the way of relaxing fun. We’re talking about increased risk to your skin that comes from too much exposure to the sun and, in a worst case scenario, higher risk of skin cancer. The good news is that there are healthy precautions you can take to make sure your skin is covered by sunburn protection. First, some background on the effects of skin cancer. You probably know someone who never wears sunscreen or protection from the sun’s damaging rays, and that person could even be you! It’s a dangerous game, because the damage can quickly add up to trouble. Skin cancer is often the result of years of prolonged, direct exposure to the sun and can produce cancerous moles on the skin. It’s strikingly common for people to overlook proper skin care. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, men displayed less knowledge than women in this area. 49% of men in the US admitted to not using sunscreen in the past year and 70% of men revealed that they did not know to be watching for. As a result, men over 50 and older were twice as likely as women to develop and die from skin cancer. Source The question you may now be asking is, “How can I enjoy worry-free days in the beautiful weather that this season brings?”. With a small amount of preparation! “Simple changes to ones daily behavior can truly reduce risk while not impacting day-to-day activities.”, advises Dr. Marc Pesa of Scioto Urgent Care. Before getting into the various sunscreen products available, there are simple adjustments you can make that don’t cost anything! Where possible, seek shade to prevent too much direct exposure to damaging rays. This shade can come from trees, overhangs or possibly umbrellas. It feels great to be in the sun, but it’s healthy to take a breaks and cool off in the shade. In addition, it’s beneficial to wear protective clothing. Hats are a great way to shield faces while out and about and you can look stylish in sunglasses that offer broad ray protection. Finally, simply wearing a shirt (or an extra layer or fabric in general) can shield direct exposure. Much is said about the relative effectiveness of the various skin care products available and whether they provide as much protection as they claim, but you can cut through the marketing with a few simple principles. The most common measure of effectiveness is the venerable SPF. We recommend at least 40 SPF at the minimum (applied 30 minute before heading out) , with frequent reapplication (every 2 hours). The second part of selecting a sunscreen is to always choose a sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection, protecting from UVA and UVB rays. “Getting into the habit of applying sunscreen, correctly and routinely, yields immediate results.”, notes Dr. Pesa. For a more in depth analysis of the various products available, check out Consumer Reports. A standard sunburn can be treated at home with a few over-the-counter methods. We recommend first cooling and moisturizing the affected area to prevent further irritation and discomfort. Sunburn can leave one sapped of fluids as the burns draw liquid to the surface of the skin. Therefore, remember to hydrated and drink water to avoid the effects of dehydration, such as dry mouth, thirst and headaches/dizziness. Treat the inflammation, including swelling and redness, by taking a dose of anti-inflammatory ibuprofen. If by some chance you develop serious burns and painful blistering, consult with Scioto Urgent Care for an examination and treatment. Left untreated or ignored, the damage could be lasting. If you have taken all of these precautions, you can substantially reduce your risk of skin cancer developing. The final step is to watch for unusual mole development and skin discoloration. If you see moles that are growing larger or changing shape during a head-to-toe self exam, or otherwise seem out of the ordinary, do not hesitate to see your doctor. “If detected early, and treated and removed, these types of cancers are frequently curable.”, says Dr. Pesa. Even if you do not notice any outwardly unusual signs, an annual visit to a doctor or dermatologist is recommended.

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About Scioto Urgent Care Scioto Urgent Care is one of central Ohio’s leading urgent care facilities. Located on the Northwest side of Columbus (near Dublin & Upper Arlington) the urgent care center has been treating patients since early 2004. Scioto Urgent Care is a convenient health care alternative when your regular family physician is closed or you can’t get a timely appointment. The Northwest Columbus urgent care location is open everyday, including weekends and holidays. You do not need to be a regular Scioto Urgent Care health care patient to enjoy our convenience and medical care. No appointment is necessary. Just walk in and receive care when you need it most.    

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About Scioto Urgent Care Scioto Urgent Care is one of central Ohio’s leading urgent care facilities. Located on the Northwest side of Columbus (near Dublin & Upper Arlington) the urgent care center has been treating patients since early 2004. Scioto Urgent Care is a convenient health care alternative when your regular family physician is closed or you can’t get a timely appointment. The Northwest Columbus urgent care location is open everyday, including weekends and holidays. You do not need to be a regular Scioto Urgent Care health care patient to enjoy our convenience and medical care. No appointment is necessary. Just walk in and receive care when you need it most.   Media Contact: Scioto Urgent Care 4760 Sawmill Road Columbus, OH 43235 United States of America Phone: (614) 789-9464 Fax: (614) – 789-9575

Addiction is a force that can change lives and cause complications with long term impacts. At Scioto Urgent Care, we have plans and services that can offer you a new start. With our help and motivation, you can achieve recovery in a great environment.

ADDICTION CARE

We offer specialized treatments for those suffering from addiction. Our pricing is $350 for the first visit of care and $150 biweekly until the point at which a patient is stable and doing well, (usually 1-3 biweekly visits for motivated patients) and then $200 monthly.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS

Contact Us to get addiction help today.

In what is in-arguably a positive trend for chain restaurants, more natural ingredients (over artificial ingredients) are making a strong push towards prominence. McDonalds has recently made a big push towards natural, fresh chicken and Panera has removed a selection of additives from their products. One could argue these moves are all responses to Chipotle’s positioning as the healthier, more tasty option in the fast-casual field. Chipotle is famous for their claim of fresh, organic ingredients and responsibly raised meats. While many ingredients that are being cut from menus are safe at the levels they are presented at, the perception of healthier food is key to marketing to an emerging fickle millennial demographic. From a health perspective, if this leads to a higher quality meal, ingredients and less questionable industrial production, it’s a win for consumers based on that alone. Industrial meat production has been accused of promoting overcrowded, unsanitary conditions with a high amount of antibiotic use as a preventative measure for livestock. That has been linked by some to antibiotic resistant bacterias. But, it’s important for customers to remember that artificial ingredients does not automatically mean more unsafe or toxic. Toxicity is based on doses, and as any chemist will tell you, it’s all about the dose. The levels present in food are commonly benign. But, if kids grow up demanding a higher quality chicken or beef, it can only serve them well on that basis alone by promoting healthy attitudes. Read More

Kids love to eat healthy, you just need to give them a choice. This is all according to a recent study:

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