Iatros Family Health

Iatros Family Health Dr. Vincent Tichenor is a Direct Primary Care physician serving Taney, Stone, and Christian counties.

Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS), is an emerging tick-related condition that has become much more prevalent in the last 10 years...
06/06/2025

Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS), is an emerging tick-related condition that has become much more prevalent in the last 10 years. As such, we do not have quite as much evidence and experience with it as other tick-related conditions. AGS is not actually an infection, but is rather a food allergy that can develop after being bitten by a tick, usually a lone star tick. Specifically, it is an allergy to foods that are from mammal sources (such as beef, pork, or venison). The allergy usually develops around 4 weeks after the tick bite. Symptoms can be very different from one person to the next, but they usually include hives, stomach upset or pain, and diarrhea. The only real treatment we know of at the moment is avoidance of mammalian food sources, but a lot of research still needs to be done on AGS.

On an anecdotal note, Dr. Tichenor personally knows several people with AGS, but it is so new that he has also had conversations with several doctors from other parts of the country who were not aware of AGS at all.

Ehrlichiosis is a lesser-known tick-borne illness that is very similar to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). The Ozark...
06/05/2025

Ehrlichiosis is a lesser-known tick-borne illness that is very similar to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). The Ozarks are the epicenter for ehrlichiosis in the US. It is caused by a few similar species of bacteria that can be carried by either the deer tick or the lone star tick. Symptoms are delayed, usually 1-2 weeks after a bite has occurred. They are similar to RMSF and include fever, headache, and muscle aches. Some patients can even develop a rash. Ehrlichiosis, if left untreated, can become quite serious. Prevention as always is best, but if it is contracted, it can be easily treated with the same antibiotic used to treat RMSF.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is caused by a type of bacteria called a "rickettsia", which is why it is sometimes ...
06/04/2025

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is caused by a type of bacteria called a "rickettsia", which is why it is sometimes called a "rickettsiosis". It is carried by the American Dog Tick. As you can see in the map, the Ozarks are a hotbed for RMSF. The illness usually start 2-14 days after a bite and initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches. The disease gets its name from its rash, which starts 2-5 days after the illness starts. It starts in the wrists and ankles and spreads from there. As always, prevention and early removal is best, but thankfully RMSF is easily treated with an antibiotic.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is carried by the blacklegged tick, also known as deer ticks (pictured). Lyme...
06/03/2025

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is carried by the blacklegged tick, also known as deer ticks (pictured). Lyme disease can be short-lived, or may be a long-term issue if not appropriately treated. It starts mainly with a rash around the bite site that can spread out and look like a bull's-eye. It can also have fever, joint pain, and fatigue. Symptoms like joint pain and fatigue can last for years if it becomes chronic. Luckily for us in the Ozarks, Lyme disease is relatively uncommon here (see map). As always, prevention is best. Always do tick checks and remove any ticks as soon as you find them.

For more info: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html

How should you protect yourself against ticks? The first step is always awareness. By knowing a few simple things, you c...
06/02/2025

How should you protect yourself against ticks? The first step is always awareness. By knowing a few simple things, you can help prevent tick bites and illnesses.

1. DEET-based insect repellants are a good idea (at least 20-30% DEET), but a better way to prevent ticks is through the use of permethrin-treated clothing. A well-known brand for this is Insect Shield.

2. Perform tick-checks after being outdoors. Once you're done playing outside, remove all of your clothes and be sure to check EVERYWHERE for ticks. Most of the time (but not always) if you remove a tick within 24 hours, you greatly decrease your risk of a tick-borne illness.

3. If you have a tick attached to you, don't try any tricks like alcohol, vaseline, or open flame to try to remove the tick. The best way to remove it is to get a good set of tweezers, grasp the tick firmly as close to its head as you can, and firmly pull it out.

It's summer time, and that means many things, but in the Ozarks that means TICKS. The Ozarks are a hotspot for many tick...
06/02/2025

It's summer time, and that means many things, but in the Ozarks that means TICKS. The Ozarks are a hotspot for many tick-borne illnesses, and this week we will do a series of posts talking about ticks and possible illnesses associated with them. Stay tuned!

05/27/2025

This Memorial Day we remember all of our military members who have died in the fight for freedom, including Kaila’s great Uncle Lavern in WW2. Thank you to all of those who have given the ultimate sacrificed in service to our nation.

Jesus was a healer. In Luke 5, He says: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have ...
05/16/2025

Jesus was a healer. In Luke 5, He says: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” The ancient greek word for physician is "iatros". Here at Iatros Family Health, we want to heal the body, but we also know that true spiritual healing comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Worried about taking the leap into the world of Direct Primary Care? Schedule a free consultation with us to find out if...
05/15/2025

Worried about taking the leap into the world of Direct Primary Care? Schedule a free consultation with us to find out if DPC is right for you!

Insurance as a concept is a good thing. When used properly, it can save you from disaster. However, when it is misused (...
05/14/2025

Insurance as a concept is a good thing. When used properly, it can save you from disaster. However, when it is misused (like in our current healthcare system), it leads to bloated costs, long wait times, and short appointments. Visit us at Iatros Family Health to find out how we do things differently.

You may have heard the saying: "Good, cheap, and fast: pick two." The idea is that it is impossible to have all three. N...
05/13/2025

You may have heard the saying: "Good, cheap, and fast: pick two." The idea is that it is impossible to have all three. Not true with Direct Primary Care (or DPC, our clinical model here at Iatros). With DPC, you can have timely, quality care that also won't break the bank.

Address

2501 US Highway 160
Walnut Shade, MO
65771

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+14174137278

Website

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