What People Want to Know: Common Health Questions Answered

When it comes to our health, questions are a good thing. Whether you’re wondering if a symptom is worth a visit, how often you should schedule a checkup, or what you can do to stay healthy as you age, you’re not alone. Every day, primary care providers hear many of the same questions from patients who want to better understand their health and make informed decisions. We’ve gathered some of the most commonly searched and frequently asked questions and asked Perham Health’s provider, Mindy Anderson, DNP, Family Medicine, to provide straightforward, trustworthy answers. Here are those questions, along with her answers:

What are flu symptoms?

When I hear someone say they have the “flu,” I’m generally thinking about influenza A or influenza B. Common flu symptoms include fever, body aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and decreased appetite. Some people may also have chills or a sore throat.

Most people with the flu can recover at home with supportive care—rest, fluids, and medications to help with fever and other symptoms. Staying well-hydrated is especially important.

If influenza is circulating in the community and your symptoms fit the typical pattern, we may not always need to do a test to confirm it. Testing can be helpful in certain situations, though, especially if the results would change treatment.

Most people do not need an office visit for mild flu symptoms. However, if symptoms are severe, getting worse, lasting longer than expected, or you are at higher risk for complications, it’s a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider. Antiviral medications can be particularly helpful when started early in people who are at higher risk.

What are ADHD symptoms?

ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It is a condition involving a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity that can interfere with daily functioning or development.

Symptoms of inattention can include difficulty following through with instructions, trouble staying organized, being easily distracted, frequently losing things, or being forgetful.

Hyperactivity and impulsivity can include fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, talking excessively, interrupting others, or acting without thinking.

And yes—all of us have days when we are distracted, forgetful, or a little more “bouncy” than usual! The difference with ADHD is that symptoms are more persistent and interfere with functioning.

For a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms must have been present for at least six months, occur in more than one setting (such as both home and school), and cause meaningful difficulty with functioning. An evaluation also looks at whether another condition or circumstance could better explain the symptoms.

What is RSV? What are RSV symptoms?

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, a very common respiratory virus. For most healthy adults and older children, RSV causes a relatively mild respiratory illness. However, it can cause more serious illness in infants, young children, older adults, and people with certain medical conditions.

Common RSV symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, decreased appetite, and sometimes fever or wheezing. In infants, you may also notice irritability, decreased activity, or difficulty feeding.

RSV can sometimes progress to bronchiolitis or pneumonia, particularly in young children.

The good news is that we now have vaccines and preventive treatments that can help protect those at highest risk. Talk with your primary care provider to see whether you or your family members qualify for RSV vaccination or other preventive options.

What are symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

The most common symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) include burning or pain with urination, needing to urinate more frequently, and having a strong or sudden urge to urinate.

Some people may also experience lower abdominal or pelvic discomfort, cloudy or bloody urine, or urine that has a stronger odor.

UTIs are usually caused by bacteria and may require antibiotics. However, not every urinary symptom is caused by a bacterial UTI, so testing and evaluation can be important before starting antibiotics.

If an infection moves from the bladder to the kidneys, symptoms can include fever, chills, nausea or vomiting, and pain in the back or side. Those symptoms warrant prompt medical attention.

How can I lower my blood pressure?

Healthy lifestyle changes are an important part of managing elevated blood pressure—and small changes really can add up!

Watch your sodium intake. Our diets can be surprisingly high in sodium, especially with processed, frozen, canned, and restaurant foods. For many people with high blood pressure, a goal of less than 2,000 mg of sodium per day is reasonable. Check nutrition labels and be especially mindful of foods and drinks marketed as “electrolytes,” which can sometimes contain a lot of sodium.

Focus on a heart-healthy diet. Think plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins. Limiting highly processed foods, excess added sugars, and saturated fats can also help.

Get moving. You don’t have to become a marathon runner overnight! A short walk, a few minutes of strength training, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator is a great place to start. Gradually work toward at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week, along with strength training.

Manage stress and prioritize sleep. Chronic stress and poor sleep can contribute to higher blood pressure. Things like breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, regular physical activity, and getting adequate sleep can all be helpful.

And remember—lifestyle changes are important, but some people also need medication to adequately control their blood pressure. That is not a failure; it is simply another tool we have to protect your heart, brain, kidneys, and overall health.

How can I lower my cholesterol levels?

Lifestyle changes can play an important role in improving cholesterol levels. At the same time, some people have high cholesterol because of genetics or family history, which isn’t something we can change. That’s why it’s important to look at the whole picture, including your cholesterol numbers and overall cardiovascular risk.

One of the best places to start is with your diet. Fill your plate with plants! Think fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and other high-fiber foods. Increasing soluble fiber and choosing healthier fats can help improve cholesterol levels.

Try to limit highly processed foods, excess saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates and added sugars.

And, of course, keep moving! A general goal is 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, plus resistance training at least two days per week.

But don’t let the numbers intimidate you. Any movement is better than none. Start with what feels manageable and build from there.

And if you need help figuring out what to eat, we have a great dietitian at the clinic who can help with specific, individualized recommendations!

Why am I so tired all the time?

Let’s be honest—a lot of us are trying to do way too much and not getting enough sleep!

When someone comes to the clinic with fatigue, one of the first things I ask about is sleep: How many hours are you getting? Are you waking frequently? Do you feel rested when you wake up?

I also ask about nutrition, hydration, physical activity, medications, and caffeine or alcohol use. Sometimes fatigue can also be connected to feeling down or depressed, or feeling anxious and constantly “ramped up.”

There are many possible medical causes of fatigue, too, including things like anemia, thyroid problems, nutritional deficiencies, sleep disorders, infections, and other medical conditions. Depending on your symptoms and history, we may recommend lab work or additional evaluation.

Fatigue is one of those symptoms that can have a lot of different causes, so if you’re persistently exhausted and can’t figure out why, that’s a great reason to make an appointment with your primary care provider. We can help you dig into what might be going on rather than simply telling you to “get more sleep.”

How long is strep throat contagious?

When we talk about “strep throat,” we are generally referring to an infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria.

Once someone with confirmed strep throat starts an appropriate antibiotic, they are generally considered much less contagious after about 12–24 hours of treatment, assuming they are feeling well and no longer have a fever.

A good rule of thumb is to stay home from school, work, or other close-contact activities until you have been on antibiotics for at least 12–24 hours and are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication.

And remember: not every sore throat is strep! Viruses are a much more common cause of sore throat, which is why testing can be important before starting antibiotics.

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