My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Allergies
Latex Allergies [Read/Print full article]
Overview
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Latex allergies are a reaction to natural latex rubber. Latex is found in all types of items, including everything from balloons to rubber gloves. Some individuals develop a latex allergy after repeated contact with latex. This occurs most often in people working in the medical field or the rubber industry.
Individuals with allergies to specific foods, related to rubber by their protein structure, are more susceptible to latex allergies. These foods include the following: bananas, chestnuts, kiwis, avocados, and tomatoes.
People with a history of atopic dermatitis, a skin condition that causes intense itching and a red, raised rash, are more likely to develop latex allergies.
The treatment includes avoiding latex materials and keeping an allergy kit with you at all times.
Additional References:
- External Link to American Latex Allergy Association
Symptoms
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If you are allergic to latex, you may develop a reaction within 5 minutes of exposure or within up to a few hours.
There are 3 types of reactions that can occur with a latex allergy:
- Irritant dermatitis: A rash caused by the friction of your skin rubbing inside a rubber glove. This is due to irritation caused by the latex and the powder used in the gloves. Your hands will look cracked and dry.
- Contact dermatitis: A rash that develops within 24 to 48 hours of exposure.
- Severe reactions: A reaction that includes hives all over the body, runny nose, watery eyes, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and loss of blood pressure or even shock. It can be caused by latex exposure to your skin or the mucous membranes of your face (including your mouth) or if your internal organs are touched with latex during a procedure or surgery. A severe reaction can be a medical emergency.
Diagnosis
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A latex allergy is usually diagnosed from the symptoms you have and the information you provide to us. A blood sample may be tested for sensitivity to latex.
Risk Factors
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Latex allergy usually affects people who are routinely exposed to rubber products. There are a number of factors that can increase your risk for developing a latex allergy:
- Wearing powdered latex gloves at work.
- Making rubber products.
- Having had several previous surgeries.
- Being born with medical problems needing urinary catheterization or surgery.
- Being allergic to foods that are related to latex, such as kiwi, avocado, banana, chestnut, and passion fruit.
Prevention and Treatment
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Prevention
To prevent the development of latex allergies, avoid contact with latex. Latex is found in many common items, including:
- Balloons, goggles, and tires
- Elastic straps, elastic in clothing and shoe soles
- Condoms and diaphragms
- Rubber bands and toys
- Dishwashing gloves
- Carpet backing and padding
- Pacifiers and baby bottle nipples
- Adhesive tape, erasers, and computer mouse pads
- Surgical gloves and blood pressure cuffs
Treatment
The best treatment is to:
- Avoid any latex materials.
- Avoid foods that arechemically similar to latex (banana, kiwi, avocado, passion fruit, chestnuts, or hazelnuts).
- Keep an allergy kit with you at all times.
- Consider wearing a MedicAlert bracelet.
- Bring nonlatex gloves with you when you think they may be needed.
- Remind all of the medical professionals treating you that you are allergic to latex if you have any medical or dental procedures planned.
Your Care with Me
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If you are having symptoms that concern you, your first contact will typically be with your personal physician, who will evaluate your health and symptoms.
If specialty care is needed, your personal physician will facilitate the process of scheduling an appointment in my department. If appropriate, she or he might call me or one of my colleagues while you are in the office so we can all discuss your care together. If we decide you need an appointment with me after that discussion, we can often schedule it the same day or soon thereafter.
Your first contact with me may be a phone consult regarding your reaction to latex. During your office visit, we will discuss your medical and family history and I will perform a physical exam. I will explain the findings of your exam and answer any questions or concerns you may have. We will discuss treatment options, and together we will create a treatment plan that is right for you.
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If you need to talk with me after your visit or procedure, please call my office. You can also e-mail me with nonurgent issues from this website whenever it is convenient for you.
If you have urgent concerns or issues while my office is closed, or need general medical advice, you can call the Appointment and Advice line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will be connected with a nurse who can give you immediate advice.
If you are experiencing a serious problem or an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room when the clinic is not open.
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Coordinating Your Care
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Having all of our Kaiser Permanente departments located together or nearby, including pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, and health education, makes getting your care easier for you.
Another major benefit is our comprehensive electronic medical record system, which allows all of the doctors and clinicians involved in your care to stay connected on your health status and collaborate with each other as appropriate.
When every member of the health care team is aware of all aspects of your condition, care is safer and more effective.
If you come to an office visit
- At the beginning of your visit, you will receive information about when you are due for your next test, screening, or immunization. We can discuss and schedule any preventive tests that you need.
- At the end of your visit, you may receive a document called the “After Visit Summary” that will summarize the issues we discussed during your visit. You can refer to it if you forget what we discussed or if you just want to recheck your vital signs and weight. You can also view it online under Past Visits.
- To help you prepare for your visit, please see additional details under Office Visit.
If I prescribe medications
We will work together to monitor and assess how your medications are working and make adjustments over time. Prescriptions can be filled at any Kaiser Permanente pharmacy. Just let me know which pharmacy works best for you, and I will send the prescription electronically in advance of your arrival at the pharmacy.
If refills are needed in the future, you can:- Order them online or by phone. Order future refills from my home page or by phone using the pharmacy refill number on your prescription label.
- Have them delivered to you by mail at no extra cost. Or you can pick up your medications at the pharmacy. If no refills remain when you place your order, the pharmacy will contact me regarding your prescription.
If lab testing or imaging is needed
For lab tests, I will use our electronic medical record system to send the requisition to the Kaiser Permanente laboratory of your choice. For imaging procedures, we will schedule an appointment with the Radiology department. When the results are ready, I will contact you with your results by letter, secure e-mail message, or phone. In addition, you can view most of your laboratory results online, along with any comments that I have attached to explain them.
If I refer you to another specialty colleague
If we decide together that your condition would also benefit from the care of other types of specialists, our staff will help arrange the appointment(s) with one or more of my specialty colleagues.
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Convenient Resources for You
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As your specialist, I have a goal to provide high-quality care and to offer you choices that make your health care convenient. I recommend that you become familiar with the many resources we offer so that you can choose the services that work best for you.
My Doctor Online is available at any time that is most convenient for you. From my home page you can:
Manage your care securely
- View and compose secure e-mail messages.
- Manage your prescriptions.
- View your past visits and test results.
- View your preventive services to see whether you are due for a routine screening or updated immunization.
Learn more about your condition
- Read about causes, symptoms, treatments, and procedures.
- Find interactive health tools, videos, and podcasts to help you manage your condition.
- View programs to help you decide on or prepare for a surgery or procedure.
Stay healthy
- Locate health education classes and support groups offered at every medical center.
- Explore interactive programs, videos, and podcasts that focus on helping you stay healthy.
- View your Preventive Services to see whether you are due for a routine screening or updated immunization.
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If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.