Communicating with your physician – THE most important component in your health care involves just two steps!

#1 – KNOW your physician:

Dr. Hulon Crayton has been practicing Rheumatology since 1990, which makes him the most experienced, longest tenured, Rheumatologist in this region. In addition, he is Board Certified in Rheumatology, has maintained his licenses in good standing with all state licensing boards, and also completed his Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration, which makes him specially qualified to run The Arthritis & Infusion Center.  (* See additional information below.)

#2 – Communicate honestly with the physician you trust!

Most important, Dr. Crayton maintains there is no such thing as “cookie-cutter medicine”:  “I have learned over the years that what works for one patient may not work for others. If some medicine, or treatment plan, doesn’t work; or, if there are side effects, patients need to TELL me!”

There are no lab tests or x-rays that can show pain. “And, I’m not Bill Clinton in that I can’t ‘feel your pain’,” said Dr. Crayton with his usual humor. “Some patients tend to try to be stoic and push through the pain. I’d rather they open up about what’s really going on in their body. Communication with a doctor is THE most important component of good health care.”

“I really care about how my patients are doing under my treatment plans, but all too often they don’t want to complain. I wish they’d drop their politeness! When I ask how a patient is doing, ‘feeling fine’ is a reflex answer. The face a patient displays to the world is one thing, but I need to know what’s really going on, physically and emotionally, to provide the utmost in medical care.”

Teamwork is very important for doctor-to-patient and doctor-to-doctor relationships, and Dr. Crayton has a proven reputation of really listening to his patients in order to help them, and their families, cope with the changes rheumatic diseases may cause in their lives.

Some rheumatic diseases are very serious and can be hard to diagnose and treat, which is why it is very important to choose a rheumatologist who has the most experience in the region for treating rheumatic disease … and that person is Dr. Hulon Crayton! No referral is necessary. Learn more about Dr. Crayton at drcrayton.net.

·        Additional footnote information about Dr. Crayton:

What is a Rheumatologist?

A Rheumatologist is an internist who received further training in the diagnosis/detection and treatment of arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases. Also called “rheumatic” diseases, these conditions affect the joints, muscles, and bones. Rheumatologists treat arthritis, certain autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal pain, and osteoporosis. There are more than 100 rheumatic conditions, to include (but not limited to): Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, and tendinitis.

Why Choose Dr. Crayton?

In addition to his four (4) years of medical school, three (3) years of residency, and (2) years of fellowship training, Dr. Crayton has been practicing his specialty for almost a quarter of a century!  During that time, Dr. Crayton has compiled extensive training, and experience, in the successful treatment of his patients. Dr. Crayton has a commitment to life-long learning and frequently completes appropriate continuing-education courses.

 

Dr. Crayton is a much sought-after consultant who advises other doctors about a particular diagnosis and treatment plan. In other cases, Dr. Crayton acts as a manager of infusions needed by the patients of other physicians.

Meet our Infusion Team!

At The Arthritis & Infusion Center, we understand that Infusions are perhaps one of the most misunderstood of technological advances in medical science. Dr. Hulon Crayton did not create this technology, but was one of the physicians in the area who was forward thinking enough to use the technology in order to benefit his patients. And, we’ve mastered the process!

The Arthritis & Infusion Center's Infusion Team:
(L-R: Trinh Nguyen, LPN; Rebekah Williams, LPN; Jennifer Trapp, LPN)

What is Infusion Therapy?  This special service is provided to people who need to receive nutritional or other medicines, which cannot be treated with drugs by mouth. The infusion of drugs, or nutrients, directly into the body, through veins, muscles, or under the skin, makes for a more exacting and effective treatment. Fluid flows from a sterile bag through plastic tubing directly into the patient’s bloodstream.

Other physicians trust us for their therapy needs:  The Arthritis & Infusion Center infuses for other physicians. Many neurologists, primary-care physicians, gastroenterologists, and dermatologists ask us to infuse medications to their patients. (However, we do not infuse chemotherapy drugs.)

Our infusion services are done under Dr. Crayton’s direction and provided by a supervising nurse in a comfortable, welcoming suite. All you need to bring to an infusion is a smile and positive attitude. However, you can do a variety of activities while you are receiving an infusion, so call us to receive more complete information.

The most important fact to remember about Infusion Therapy is:
We teach patients how to care for themselves during therapy so they can be

active participants in their own health care.

Know Your Numbers: Bone Density Testing and Osteoporosis

The Arthritis & Infusion Center and Dr. Hulon E. Crayton encourage you to take an active role in your health care. Preventive health care and screenings are essential to achieving an overall healthy life just as changing the oil in your vehicle is necessary to maintain performance. In this video blog, Dr. Crayton explains why it is important to know your numbers in regards to women and Osteoporosis.

 

Remember, Pain is Not Normal, we can help! Call The Arthritis & Infusion Center today to schedule your preventative health check-up with Dr. Crayton. 

Arthritis Tips for Daily Living # 4

Continuing our series regarding “Arthritis Tips for Daily Living,” Dr. Hulon Crayton is always looking for ways to ease the pain for his patients associated with the simplest of daily tasks. The Arthritis and Infusion Center found an article in Significant Living magazine by Dr. Rick Caracciolo, and have adapted a list of his suggestions regarding things to keep in mind AROUND THE HOUSE and IN THE CAR:

·      Many furniture manufacturers have made lift chairs that no longer look sterile and can ease the pressure on your joints when you have to get up.

·      For cleaning, use reaching tongs to pick up items and expandable dusters.

·      In the car, seatbelt pullers, gas-cap turners, and car-key adapters would be  helpful.

·      When doing household chores, consider electric scissors, pre-threaded needles, or gardening tools with large handles.

·      Use a voice-activated or large button phone, complete with a headset.

You may find other information that’s helpful from the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, you may want to consider a subscription to ArthritisToday magazine, which covers other helpful hints to ease the pain of day-to-day living.

However, it’s vital that you find a doctor who really listens to you. Dr. Hulon Crayton has garnered a reputation for not only listening to his patients, but working in tandem with them to develop the most effective treatment plan available. Call us today to see how The Arthritis and Infusion Center can help make your life easier and more pain free!

“Why We Chose EMR”

"Most of my patients are totally unaware that the Federal Government has mandated that doctors and hospitals have Electronic Medical Records (EMR),” explained Dr. Hulon Crayton of The Arthritis and Infusion Center (AIC). “In fact, if medical practices do not comply by the year 2014, they will be penalized.

“Quite frankly, although it has greatly altered everything I do on a daily basis within the office, because I’ve had to learn a new way of doing things, I must say that my entire staff has acclimated quickly – and our patients like the efficiency of the process. We compile all prescriptions and tests ordered, as well as including test results and my personal notes regarding each specific patient,” said Dr. Crayton.

EMR systems are designed to keep a record of a person’s entire health and medical history in a computerized, electronic format. The initiative is not a new one. In fact, according to an article in US News and World Report, the Institute of Medicine began the process of encouraging such record keeping almost 20 years ago. The Institute maintained that EMRs “would make healthcare better, safer, and more efficient, if every person’s complete medical history was stored on computers linked across the country. Clinicians anywhere could then view every patient’s every blood test, hospital stay, and X-ray.”

According to Jon White, director of health information technology for the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality – “Electronic records help your doctor capture and manage your health information,” – which, in turn, should help deliver better care with better outcomes.

As usual, The Arthritis and Infusion Center is “ahead of the curve” in initiating this important digital process in maintaining patient records. “It is extremely important to me to be ‘connected’ to my patients, not only electronically, but also as a caring and compassionate physician, who really listens to their concerns. When my patients tell me they hurt, I believe them,” said Dr. Crayton. “I always tell them: Pain is not normal and we can help.

“I also encourage my patients to compile an electronic PHR – Personal Health Record – which they can bring into the office to make certain that whatever care they have received from other sources is accurately maintained within their AIC file.”

Can you predict the weather?

It’s that time of year that many dread – Hurricane Season.  Floridians are fortunate that we usually have time to prepare for such a weather-related occurrence; however, other people dread it because of the pain the low barometric pressure causes and the accompanying joint discomfort.  Patients of Dr. Hulon Crayton of The Arthritis and Infusion Center claim that they can actually “predict” weather changes.

DR. CRAYTON EXPLAINS WHY HE USES INFUSION THERAPY

Infusion Therapy is provided to people who need to receive nutritional or other medicines, which cannot be treated with drugs by mouth. The infusion of drugs or nutrients directly into the body, through veins, muscles, or under the skin, makes for a more exacting and effective treatment.

At The Arthritis and Infusion Center, only about 50% of Dr. Hulon Crayton’s patients actually need Infusion Therapy. However, those who receive this option experience a much better quality of life as a result.  

“Prior to this advanced technology, I’d actually have to watch patients’ health dwindle before my very eyes. Now, medical science has brought this more direct treatment forward, much to my relief. Although I did not create the technology, I’ve learned how to use it and have mastered the process, which brings relief to my patients,” said Dr. Crayton. 

Other physicians have also seen the benefit of infusions, and The Arthritis and Infusion Center infuses medication for Neurologists, Primary Care Physicians, Gastroenterologists, as well as Dermatologists. (Special note: Dr. Crayton does not infuse chemotherapy drugs.) 

Infusion Therapy isn’t for every patient of The Arthritis and Infusion Center.  Some medications are available by mouth and others can be injected. However, many of the newer medications are only available by Infusion Therapy, which just makes sense as an option for those who may have been suffering for years.

Dr. Crayton reminds his patients:  “Pain is not normal. Let us help.” If you would like to see if Infusion Therapy may be helpful to your condition, contact The Arthritis and Infusion Center at 873-6748.

Are You Experiencing a Vitamin D Deficiency?

At The Arthritis & Infusion Center, we are seeing more and more people who have a vitamin D deficiency. Why should you be concerned? Dietary Guidelines for Americans indicate vitamin D is a nutrient of concern in our diets, advising that people should choose foods that provide more vitamin D … or take supplements. Vitamin D is absolutely essential for good bone health, and it may even help with muscle strength. In addition, it is thought to protect against cancer and type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have indicated that non-Hispanic blacks seem to suffer from the highest rates of vitamin D deficiency, although further research is needed. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ultraviolet light from the sun helps people form vitamin D in the skin. It is then transported to the liver and converted to 25-hydroxyvitamin D, so getting into the sun on a regular basis would help elevate your vitamin D levels. 

A healthy, balanced diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, adequate calories, and enough calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K to minimize bone loss and maintain overall health. While calcium is the most important nutrient for preventing osteoporosis, vitamin D supplements help to preserve bone mass and prevent hip fracture. 

The National Institute of Health also advised that vitamin D is required for the proper absorption of calcium from the intestine. Only a few foods naturally contain significant amounts of vitamin D, including fatty fish and fish oils. Food fortified with vitamin D, such as milk and cereals, are a major dietary source for vitamin D. Unfortunately, vitamin D production decreases in older adults and those who are housebound. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D for adults is 600 IU and 800 IU for adults over age 70. (Note:  Doses of more than 2,000 IU per day is not advised, although larger doses can be given, initially, to those who are deficient as a way to replenish the body.)

 

Dr. Hulon Crayton always advises his patients that “Any pain is not normal. Let us help.”  Contact our office to schedule an appointment to see if you are suffering from a potential vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to osteoporosis. But remember:  A healthy diet and lifestyle are important to optimizing good bone health.

Do I Need a Bone Density Test?

Osteoporosis is a silent disease.  One in three men, and one in four women, will die within a year of a hip fracture.  Early detection is the key to preventing this silent killer.  A Bone Density Test determines whether you have osteoporosis or are at risk for this dreaded disease.  Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become more fragile and therefore, break more easily.

 According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the following people should seriously consider having a bone density test:

• Women, 65 years of age or older … or … a postmenopausal woman, under age 65, with one or more risks factors for osteoporosis … or … a postmenopausal woman who has stopped taking estrogen therapy or hormone therapy.

• Men, 70 years of age or older … or … if you’re a man between the ages of 50 and 70 with one or more risk factors for osteoporosis.

• Both men and women, over the age of 50, who have experienced a broken bone.

            Bone density tests are used to identify decreases in bone density before you break a bone, because they enable to Dr. Hulon Crayton to know your risks for breakage.  The test is quick, painless, and is the preferred method to measure your bone mineral density (BMD).

            So what are the risk factors for osteoporosis?

1.      Getting older, since bones weaken as you age.

2.      Your ethnic background: Caucasian/white women, or women of Southeast Asian descent, have the greatest risk of osteoporosis; however, all women certainly can have a significant risk of the disease, so a test to determine your BMD is in order, especially if you are postmenopausal.

3.      If you are of average height and weigh less than 125 pounds.

4.      Family history of osteoporosis or hip fractures.  Or, if you have a personal history of fractures after the age of 40.

There is no real preparation needed for this test, but it’s as simple as calling The Arthritis and Infusion Center to schedule your appointment.  Call (850) 873-6748 or go to www.DrCrayton.net for additional contact information regarding our practice.  Remember:  “Pain is not normal.  Let us help.”

"Pain Free" Thanks to Dr. Crayton

My name is Debra Brooks, and I saw Dr. Crayton a little over one month ago. When I came in, I told him my pain was an eight on a scale of one to ten, and sometimes the discomfort reached a level ten. In fact, I had begun to have to use a walker, or cane, just to get around, and it wasn’t unusual to have to hold onto walls. It was hard getting up from a seated position, so I had to use a lift chair. I was pretty much hurting from my neck all the way down to my feet.


When I first saw Dr. Crayton, he assessed my condition, and put me on a medication particular to my symptoms. Within three days, I started noticing my pain going away. Within a week, my pain was totally gone! I was able to get up and walk around on my own without any special assistance. When I went to the grocery store, I didn’t have to use the electric cart.  I’ve put my walker and cane into storage, and don’t use the lift chair any longer. To me, this is a true miracle.   

Now, I’ve started to lose weight, because I have more energy to get up and walk around to do things. I can even clean my own house, and was so excited, I cleaned it from one end to the other! I’m so happy that I want to spread the joy that I feel to others who are suffering. I highly recommend Dr. Crayton as the first place to call if you are in pain from arthritis or other chronic diseases.

Five Tips for the Prevention of Osteoporosis

Since May is National Osteoporosis Prevention Month, Dr. Hulon Crayton of The Arthritis and Infusion Center would like to remind people to be mindful of five (5) important steps to help prevent Osteoporosis: 

1)                 First and foremost, early detection is always key to disease prevention.  Actually, Osteoporosis is relatively easy to diagnose. Thanks to advanced technology, available in Dr. Crayton’s office, a bone density scan can quickly detect the loss of bone mass in a person’s body. This bone loss means that a person’s bones become more fragile and are more likely to break.

According to the Florida Department of Health, Osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease”, because there are often no symptoms until a fracture occurs. This website is an excellent resource for health information: www.doh.state.fl.us. The remaining ways to prevent osteoporosis involve lifestyle changes that include: 

2)                  Eating foods high in calcium

3)                  Getting plenty of exercise

4)                  Not smoking, and

5)                  Limit alcohol use 

However, genetics also factor into this disease. Taking supplements, like Vitamin D and Calcium, is something to consider as well. However, be certain to discuss with Dr. Crayton any medications you are taking and when you should add supplements to your diet. 

When one realizes that an estimated 44 million men and women, aged 50 and older, will be diagnosed with Osteoporosis this year alone … isn’t it time you contacted Dr. Crayton? 

Dr. Crayton always reminds his patients that any pain is not normal. The Arthritis and Infusion Center can help! Why not call them … today!  873-6748 … or www.drcrayton.net.

THE PATRIOT TEAM: Dr. & Mrs. Crayton

From the moment they met in 1979 at Fort Carson, Colorado, the young couple believed they’d make a dynamic duo.  Dinah Crayton had just finished a tour of duty in Seoul, Korea, and was in the Adjutant General Corp while Hulon was in the Chemical Corp.  When they left the military, Hulon entered medical school while Dinah followed suit to attend law school.  Even as a young mother, while they lived in Madison, Wisconsin, she served as a Company Commander in the Army Reserve, while Dr. Crayton also served in the reserves.  Dr. and Mrs. Crayton both attained the rank of Captain.  The military suited this couple who both enjoy traveling, learning, and experiencing other cultures.

Mrs. Crayton credits their military experience for teaching them very valuable lessons:  “Team work is the best possible alternative for reaching a consensus and achieving lofty goals and ambitions.  This philosophy has contributed to our solidarity.  Both Hulon and I were officers trained to lead and to defend our country.  As a Platoon Leader and subsequently as Company Commander, I was used to motivating and encouraging group effort and ensuring that the assigned tasks were completed.  I have used these same group and team principles to craft and achieve the working principles in our marriage.  Both Hulon and I believe in defending our country and upholding the Constitution of the United States of America.”

The Craytons take great pride in their service to their country and community. Dr. Crayton is especially proud of the care and attention he provides to veterans at The Arthritis & Infusion Center.  “Serving in the military is hard duty, and the rigorous training can often cause painful physical issues later in life,” explained Dr. Crayton.  “That’s why we always tell people that pain is not normal.  We can help.”  

10 Questions for Your Physician (Part 2)

Recently, The Arthritis & Infusion Center posted Part I of the Top Ten (10) Questions you should know when you go to visit your doctor.  In this second edition, we’ll look at other information you need to consider. 

As the most tenured Rheumatologist in Bay County, Dr. Hulon Crayton has always made it a point to a) educate his patients as to their various conditions, and b) encouraged them to be active participants in their treatment plan.  More importantly, one of Dr. Crayton’s gifts is to really listen to what his patients are saying, which helps him with an accurate diagnosis.  According to the US Department of Health & Human Services, the next set of questions you should ask Dr. Crayton include:

• What are the possible complications to this procedure?
• Which hospital do you recommend should I need additional care?
• How do you spell the name of the drug you are prescribing?
• Are there any side effects to this medication?
• Will this medicine interact with medicines I’m already taking?

In addition to these suggestions, The Arthritis & Infusion Center has compiled an article about how important it is to bring all your medications to your firstappointment with Dr. Crayton. REMEMBER:  Pain is NOT normal!  We can help!  If you are suffering from painful joints, call us today to get these, and any other questions you may have, answered.  Good medical care is a partnership, so join us today!