Ask an expert
Q
How can you tell
the difference
between a viral infection
and a bacterial infection?
When should I go to the
doctor?
Q
My son is color-
blind. Are there any
ways to help with this
deficiency?
Q
I have type 2
diabetes. What are
the symptoms of poor
circulation in the feet
and extremities?
T
he following may be
symptoms of nerve or
circulation problems:
■■
Discomfort in legs while
walking.
■■
Numbness or tingling in hands
or feet.
■■
Cuts or sores that stay infected
or take a long time to heal.
You should make an
appointment to see your doctor if
you have any of these symptoms.
Good glucose control is an
important step in preventing
nerve disease. Keeping blood
vessels healthy will protect the
nerves, which need a constant
blood supply to function properly.
Regular exercise, healthy diet and
not smoking are also important,
as is keeping alcohol intake to a
minimum. Diabetes educators
can teach patients to do their own
foot care and avoid complications
down the road. Your doctor should
perform a foot exam at least once
a year.
C
urrently, there is no medical
treatment for inherited
color blindness. However, there
may be some things that can
help compensate, including
specially tinted contact lenses
and eyeglasses that may help
differentiate colors, and glasses
that block glare that can make it
easier to see differences between
colors. For people who don’t see
color at all and rely on rod cells
for vision (rod monochromatism),
tinted or dark glasses with side
shields can help rods work better.
Acquired colorblindness can
sometimes be improved with
surgery. If the problem is caused
by medication, color vision may
improve when the medication is
stopped. In either case, a good
start is to visit a local optometrist
and explain the situation.
T
here are no hard-and-fast
symptoms that distinguish
a viral infection from a bacterial
infection. However, there are
some distinguishing features,
depending on the system of the
body that is involved. For example,
any symptoms related to the
urinary tract (such as changes
in the urgency or frequency of
urination) associated with fever
are almost always related to a
bacterial infection. But it’s almost
impossible to distinguish between
the two when it comes to the
pulmonary system (bronchial
tubes and lungs). The symptoms
are the same—a productive
cough and fever—regardless
of the cause. Sore throat with
fever is also indistinguishable.
However, a temperature higher
than 101 degrees that persists for
a couple of days, especially when
accompanied by chills, warrants
a visit to the doctor, regardless of
the associated symptoms.
Jennifer Stephens, NP
Family practitioner
Dexter Clinic
38843 Dexter Road
Dexter, OR 97431
541-937-2134
David Deutch, MD
Ophthalmologist
PeaceHealth Medical Group
1162 Willamette St.
Eugene, OR 97401
541-687-6257
Aaron Pardini, MD
Endocrinologist
PeaceHealth Medical Group
1200 Hilyard St., Suite 550
Eugene, OR 97401
541-686-7029
INFECTION
DIABETES
COLORBLINDNESS
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Health Connection