Ask The Experts

Ask the Experts: Could my chronic bad breath be a sign of something more serious?

By Kristy Bleizeffer Mar 23, 2017

Bad breath makes social interactions awkward for everyone, whether you're the giver of the offensive whiffs or the receiver. When gum, extra brushings and mouthwash don’t seem to help, it may be time to take a more active approach to controlling your halitosis.

Ask the Experts: Am I getting enough Vitamin D?

By Kristy Bleizeffer Mar 21, 2017

Casper, with its northern latitude and long, cloudy (not to mention windy) winters, has shown to have a high incidence of vitamin D deficiency. In Blue Envelope Health Fairs and other studies, up to a third of people tested were shown to have low levels of vitamin D. Some dangerously low. Here, Monica Janssen, a certified family nurse practitioner at Mesa Primary Care, deciphers the mysteries of this hard-to-get vitamin.

Ask the Experts: How to tell if a child has a break or a sprain?

By Kristy Bleizeffer Feb 9, 2017

Does a sprain or a break require a trip to the Emergency Room? If there is a fractured bone, what can doctors do about it? Here, orthopedic surgeon R. Lee Stowell, M.D., sheds light on an all-too-frequent rite of passage.

Ask the Experts: Could my abdominal pain be Crohn’s disease?

By Kristy Bleizeffer Jan 17, 2017

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella category for conditions that cause chronic inflammation of your digestive tract. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common forms of IBD. About 1.6 million Americans are believed to suffer from IBD, and it can cause unpleasant and even painful symptoms associated with eating. It can also be quite serious.

Children's Health

Ask the experts: What common childhood illnesses should parents know about?

By Kristy Bleizeffer Jan 13, 2017

It is normal for kids to contract six to eight colds or other bugs in a year, and this time of year is particularly hard, said Dr. Ketura Talbot, a family practice physician with Mesa Primary Care. Many kids are in school or daycare and not afraid to touch anything they can get their little hands on. Add to that their young bodies, and you’ve got a perfect vector for spreadable germs. Here, Dr. Talbot discusses four common childhood illnesses parents should know about.

Ask the Experts: What are the symptoms of RSV?

By Kristy Bleizeffer Jan 9, 2017

Winter is prime time for a variety of viruses in Wyoming, including RSV - respiratory syncytial virus. For parents of the very young, RSV can be particularly scary because it can lead to difficulty in breathing and may require hospitalization in severe cases. Here, pediatrician Melissa Knudson-Johnson, M.D., answers common questions about this common winter virus.

Children's Health

Does your child have strep throat or a sore throat?

By Matt Strand, P.A.-C. Nov 28, 2016

GAS, or strep throat, is the most common cause of sore throat in school-aged children between 5 and 15 years. It is seen most frequently during the winter and early spring months but can be seen anytime. It presents with a group of symptoms providers look for to help us identify it and treat it appropriately.