As summer heats up, maintaining your health can become a challenge. Kate Thompson, PA-C, a physician assistant with Pardee BlueMD specializing in family medicine and preventive care, shares her top tips for staying healthy during the summer months.
What conditions are more common in the summer, and when should someone seek medical attention?
We often see more cases of rashes caused by poison ivy or oak because of more time spent outdoors. For small areas not on the face, we can prescribe creams to reduce inflammation. Severe or widespread rashes might need oral medication.
Tick bites also happen more frequently in the summer. If you find a deer tick on your skin that’s been there for more than 36 hours (about one and a half days) or is swollen, we can prescribe antibiotics within 72 hours to help prevent Lyme disease.
What are some lifestyle habits/changes you can make to improve your health this summer?
Outdoor activities are important for our mental and physical health and summer is the perfect time. However, it is important to wear sunscreen, bug spray and stay hydrated. Summer is also a great time to take advantage of local farmers markets for seasonal produce to make adding fiber to your diet more exciting.
Why is having a primary care physician important, and how can regular visits impact overall health?
It is important to have a primary care physician that you trust to discuss any concerns or questions. Regular checkups are essential for maintaining and monitoring your health because we will regularly check things like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, mental health, and more. I believe it’s important to have a medical home where your provider knows you and your history so they can provide the best possible care, especially when you’re sick.
What is your background and what led you to a career in primary care?
After completing my undergraduate at UNC Chapel Hill I pursued my master’s in physician assistant studies at Wingate University in Hendersonville. I pursued medicine because I have always enjoyed puzzles. Diagnosing a medical condition is like assembling a puzzle; it requires piecing together various symptoms and test results to uncover the complete picture of a patient’s health. Each piece of information fits together, forming a comprehensive understanding that guides accurate diagnosis and treatment.
I have 6 years of experience in Internal Medicine thus far. I chose primary care because I like to develop relationships with patients and their families. I like to take care of the whole person and enjoy the variety of what I see in primary care.
How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
I enjoy exercising for stress management and health. I love playing tennis but haven’t had as much time for that since becoming a mom. The last couple of years I have enjoyed going to an exercise class. I like reading books or watching historical fiction TV shows. I spend a lot of time with my family – my 3-year-old and 6-month-old boys and a cocker spaniel keep me very busy.
Do you have a favorite cuisine or a go-to comfort food?
My dream job (outside of healthcare) would be a travel food vlogger or a judge on the Great British Baking Show. I enjoy traveling and my favorite part of traveling is to try the local cuisine; my best memories from traveling are experiences around food. My most memorable destination so far was Greece. I am very excited about my next trip this spring to the Amalfi Coast in Italy!
