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Doctor's Corner...
By Jerry Wessel, MD
During my 35 years of practicing medicine from the rugged coast of
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Jerry Wessel, M.D.
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Maine to the pristine waters of Alaska's Cook Inlet, I have treated a wide spectrum of people from all walks of life who have suffered with mental health problems. Fortunately, over the years, I have seen the stigma of receiving psychiatric treatment fade considerably. I now practice psychiatry at the Kneibert Mental Health Clinic located at 705 Pine Boulevard at the corner of Seventh Street in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. I also treat inpatients at Doctors Regional Medical Center located adjacent to Kneibert Clinic. At the hospital, there is a psychiatrist on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
After attending medical school at St. Louis University and completing my 3-year residency requirement in psychiatry at the University of Missouri in Columbia, I began to focus my attention on mental illness and for the past 20 years, I have been a board certified psychiatrist. At the Kneibert Mental Health Clinic, we treat many different problems such as depression, Bipolar Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder and anxiety. I have developed a particular interest in working with children as well as adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
There are many different medications available now to help people with attention problems. People with ADD usually have trouble concentrating on doing schoolwork or sticking with the job. Consequently, many of these people had trouble in class and usually quit school long before graduating. Many adults can relate to this scenario especially when looking back at difficult school days. At our office, we have testing available for ADD and other problems.
Depression and anxiety are conditions that damage and destroy human lives. There are many people in society who are depressed but who do not seek help when help is easy to get nowadays. There are about thirty different medications available now to help those with depression.
Thanks to the latest discoveries, we have many ways of helping people with emotional problems.
While living in the beautiful Napa Valley, prior to moving to Poplar Bluff, I received an award from the Alliance for the Mentally Ill in northern California in recognition of my service to the mentally ill. I was pleasantly surprised and truly honored by this recognition. Throughout the years I have continued to stay current with the latest psychiatric treatments and try to incorporate them into my everyday practice.
On a personal note, my family and I have been living in Poplar Bluff for over 5 years. We enjoy many of the Ozark gems of natural beauty and particularly enjoy an afternoon swimming at the Jacks Fork River.
I hope this brief encounter has helped you become just a little more acquainted with psychiatry and me. |
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Mammograms: Five Important Things You Should Know
By Jan Bone,
Diagnotic Imaging
1. Bring your most recent mammogram or report for a more accurate reading.
2. Come prepared: no powder or deodorant, which could show up as a suspicious area on the mammogram.
3. You should expect some discomfort due to the breast compression. Compression is necessary for sharper images and less radiation exposure.
4. Reports are not usually given the same day. A report is mailed directly to the patient as soon as the mammogram is read.
5. The report you receive in the mail may ask you to return for additional images. This allows the radiologist the give you an accurate report. |
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FDA Approves
Lyme Disease Vaccine
By Richard Wilson, RPh
Chief Pharmacist
The recent FDA approval of LYMErix is just in time to offer protection for the 1999 Lyme disease season. The vaccine has been demonstrated to be effective in the prevention of definite Lyme disease infection as well as asymptomatic infection.
It is thought when a tick bites a human vaccinated with LYMErix, the tick ingests the vaccine-induced antibodies. Once ingested, the antibodies interact with the bacteria in the tick, preventing the transmission of the bacteria to the human.
LYMErix is given over a year with three injections administered on a 0, 1 and 12 month schedule. For maximum protection you need all three doses. However, after two injections there is a 50 percent efficacy rate in preventing definite Lyme disease and an 83 percent rate in preventing asymptomatic infections.
The vaccine is indicated for people age 15-70 who are at increased exposure risk to tick bites relating to work (farming, forestry, landscaping) or hobbies (hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, hiking).
In addition to LYMErix vaccination, you can further decrease your risk of contracting Lyme disease by wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts and by tucking pants into socks. After each outdoor expedition check thoroughly and regularly for ticks. |
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At a glance...
Lyme Disease Vaccine LYMErix
Manufacturer: SmithKline Beecham
Drug class: Vaccine
Indication: For active immunization against Lyme disease in individuals age 15-70.
Dosage: 30 mcg/0.5mL given at 0, 1, and 12 months, administered via intramuscular injection; vaccination with all three doses is required to achieve optimal protection
Of note: Will not prevent disease in those who have unrecognized infection at the time of vaccination; Will not provide protection against other tick-borne diseases such as babesiosis or ehrlichiosis; Not recommended for patients with treatment-resistent Lyme arthritis (antibiotic refractory). |
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Advice for Parents
from Pediatrics...
By Devona Gibbs, RN, FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner
Children and the Internet
Without a doubt, the Internet is one of the most marvelous educational tools to be developed. It has the potential to reach countless young lives for education, communication and entertainment.
The number of American homes that have access to cyberspace is growing rapidly. The Internet is currently not regulated by government laws or guidelines as to what type of material should be available without censor.
This means parents themselves must be vigilant regarding what their children view on the Internet. Parents especially need to warn their children not to provide real names, addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers or photographs to anyone over the Internet.
Children should also be warned never to agree to meet an acquaintance from the Internet in person unless the parent is present.
With the help of well-informed, carding adults, the Internet can be a safe place for children to learn. For more information on making the Internet safe for your child, click on one of the following hyperlinks:
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