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Alisha Risen,
APRN, CPNP
D E S T I N A T I O N
H E A L T H
2
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
WHEN A L I SHA R I S EN ,
APRN,
CPNP, was a junior at Greensburg High
School, a health teacher inspired her to
choose a nursing career. She followed
her dream, and today she is a pediatric
provider in her hometown.
Risen is a certified nurse practi-
tioner at the T.J. Health Greensburg
Clinic. The clinic—which opened last
September—provides a new option for
pediatric primary care services close to home.
CHILDREN’S CHECKUPS, SHOTS AND MORE
Time for
your baby’s checkup? Are your little one’s shots up-to-date?
Does your teen need a physical? The Greensburg clinic is
dedicated to kids. An ongoing relationship with a primary
care provider can help keep kids healthy from birth to
age 18. Risen provides a range of services, including:
Wellness exams.
Babies need frequent checkups at
each stage of infancy. By age 2 years, exams are generally
scaled back to once a year.
Vaccines.
Recommended immunizations help protect
babies and older kids against serious diseases.
Sports physicals.
These exams help ensure kids can
safely participate in sports.
Care for common illnesses and injuries.
These can
include sore throats; ear, eye or skin infections; respira-
tory illnesses; cold and flu symptoms; rashes; urinary
tract infections; and stomachaches.
Developmental concerns.
From first steps to hearing
problems, parents may have questions or concerns about
a child’s physical or emotional growth.
Certain lab tests,
such as rapid tests for strep, RSV (re-
spiratory syncytial virus) and flu. “We offer that right there in
the office, so parents can know before they leave,” Risen says.
Allergy shots,
when ordered by a specialist.
EXPERT IN KIDS’ HEALTH CARE
Risen, who splits
her time between the T.J. Health clinics in Greensburg
and Columbia, has additional training that allows her
to specialize in pediatrics. And she’s supported by a
highly qualified nurse. Risen can diagnose illnesses;
prescribe medicines; and, if needed, make referrals to
a specialist.
She provides age-appropriate patient education
and works to address a child’s physical, emotional and
developmental needs. “I want parents to feel comfort-
able that their children are getting quality care,” she says.
CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY
Born and raised in
Greensburg, Risen and her husband, an area doctor, have
two children. Before she became a nurse practitioner,
she was a registered nurse and served at Greensburg
Elementary for 15 years.
Risen is proud to serve her community, where many
parents already know her as a neighbor, former school
nurse and friend. And it all began with that high school
health class—and a love of kids.
“This is my home,” Risen says. “I’m helping to provide
a service that’s needed.”
GET IN TOUCH
T.J. Health Greensburg
–
Pediatric Services
603 Columbia Highway, Greensburg
Mondays andWednesdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
T.J. Health Columbia Clinic
902 Westlake Drive, Columbia
Tuesdays andThursdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For an appointment, call
270-973-KIDZ
(
270-973-5439
).
TAKING THE
PRESSURE OFF
How to ease the pain of sinusitis
YOU MIGHT FEEL
pain at first—some say it’s like a
mask squeezing tightly over your eyes and across your
nose. Your cheeks become tender and sore. Then comes
a stuffy nose, along with a nasty postnasal drip down the
back of your throat.
Perhaps you were just getting over a lousy cold. And now,
this! What youmight have is sinusitis—an all-too-common
condition, in which blocked sinuses often trigger infections
and facial pain or pressure. Bacterial or viral infections, aller-
gies, asthma, and other health problems can cause sinusitis.
HOW THE PRESSURE BUILDS
Within your skull are four
pairs of hollow spaces known as your paranasal sinuses.
They can be found around the eyes, nose, forehead and
cheekbones, and they connect to the nasal passages.
Inflammation makes their lining swell, keeping mucus
from draining properly. As a result, mucus and air be-
come trapped inside the sinus cavities.
And when that happens, your face—and perhaps even
your teeth—may hurt. These blocked sinuses make it easy
for germs to thrive. So your congested nose might also
produce a thick discharge. Other signs and symptoms of
sinusitis include:
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Coughing.
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Fever.
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Bad breath.
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A sore throat.
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Decreased sense of smell.
A TIMELINE OF SYMPTOMS
There are several different
kinds of sinusitis. Each is categorized by how long the
symptoms last. Common types include:
Acute sinusitis.
Symptoms last less than four weeks.
Recurrent acute sinusitis.
You may have this type if
you experience four or more infections that clear up and
return in a single year.
Chronic sinusitis.
These infections last longer than 12
weeks. Because the sinuses are always inflamed, symptoms
such as postnasal drip may go on for months or years.
SEEKING NEEDED RELIEF
If you think you have sinus-
itis, tell your doctor. He or she might suggest:
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Using a nasal saline rinse.
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Taking medicines for pain relief.
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Using decongestants or nasal sprays that reduce
swelling.
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Getting plenty of fluids and rest.
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Taking an antibiotic if bacteria—not a virus—caused
your infection.
If you have frequent sinus infections, your primary
care provider might refer you to an ear, nose and throat
(ENT) specialist.
The ENT will confirm your diagnosis and set up a treat-
ment plan that may include using steroid nasal sprays or
oral steroids, such as prednisone. Surgery is sometimes
an option for persistent sinusitis.
Sources: American Rhinologic Society; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
We l l n e s s
F a t u r e
PEDIATRIC PRIMARY CARE CLOSE TO HOME
Are you searching
for relief from sinusitis?
For an appointment,
call
270-651-1111
.