Phillips Health Care Newsletter

Time for Your Annual Physical

by Phillips Clinic on 05/31/24

ANNUAL PHYSICALS

Why are Check-Ups Important?

According to the CDC:

“Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. By getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances for living a longer, healthier life. Your age, health and family history, lifestyle choices (i.e. what you eat, how active you are, whether you smoke), and other important factors impact what and how often you need healthcare.”

What better time than summer to take some time and schedule an appointment—for adults (when it’s vacation time) and kids (when school is out).

RECOMMENDED FOR ADULTS

Recommendations for adults can include:

Personal & Family History

Any Complaints and/or Concerns

Vitals, including Height, Weight, Temperature, Respiration

& Blood Pressure

Blood pressure Check

Heart Health Check

Lung Health

Head & Neck Exam

Abdominal Exam

Skin & Nails Exam

Extremities Exam

General Appearance Physical Exam

ADDITIONAL EXAMS

FOR MEN

Testicular exam: Check each testicle for lumps, tenderness, or changes in size. Most men with testicular cancer notice a growth before seeing a doctor.

Hernia exam: Check for a weakness in the abdominal wall between the intestines and scrotum.

Prostate exam: Checking the prostate for its size and any suspicious areas.

ADDITIONAL EXAMS

FOR WOMAN

Breast exam. Feeling for abnormal lumps, lymph nodes in the underarm area and look for visual abnormalities of the breasts and nipples.

Pelvic exam: The pelvic exam allows examination of the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus and ovaries and a PAP test.

LABS

Complete blood count (CBC)

Chemistry panel

Urinalysis (UA)

Lipid Panel (cholesterol levels)

Blood Sugar (for diabetes)

PREVENTIVE

Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for all adults, 45 and over

Mammograms are recommended for women over 40.

FOR KIDS

Preschool age children (4-5 years old):

Preschool age children need to have their 4/5 year old vaccines before starting kindergarten. These can be given as early as age 4 but can wait until just prior to the start of kindergarten. A physical prior to starting first grade. The ideal time to schedule a physical examination is in the summer before your child will start kindergarten.

School age children (6-11 years old):

After starting school, a physical is recommended every two years. They will need vaccines again at age 11 or 12. If children are participating in sports, a sports physical is required.

Teenagers (12-17 years old):

If your teenager is participating in school sports, they will need an annual sports physical. If not, a physical is recommended every two years. There are vaccines recommended 11- and 12 years old, and then possibly again when at 16.

Phillips Clinic Family Practice providers go beyond the minimum recommended yearly primary care checkups, and offers wellness and anti-aging services as well.

May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month

by Phillips Clinic on 04/29/24

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps.

Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” Viewed under a microscope, healthy bone looks like a honeycomb. When osteoporosis occurs, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much larger than in healthy bone. Osteoporotic bones have lost density or mass and contain abnormal tissue structure. As bones become less dense, they weaken and are more likely to break. If you’re 50 or older and have broken a bone, ask your doctor or healthcare provider about a bone density test.

April is IBS Awareness Month

by Phillips Clinic on 04/01/24

IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). Irritable bowel syndrome commonly causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation.

Even though signs and symptoms are uncomfortable, IBS — unlike ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which are forms of inflammatory bowel disease — doesn't cause changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colorectal cancer.

Only a small number of people with irritable bowel syndrome have severe signs and symptoms. Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle and stress. Others may need

medication.

SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary widely from person to person and often resemble those of other diseases. Among the most common are:

Abdominal pain or cramping

A bloated feeling

Gas

Diarrhea or constipation — sometimes alternating Mucus in the stool

For most people, IBS is a chronic condition, although there will likely be times when the signs and symptoms are worse and times when they improve or even disappear completely.

Although as many as 1 in 5 American adults has signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, fewer than 1 in 5 who have symptoms seek medical help. Yet it's important to see your doctor if you have a persistent change in bowel habits or if you have any other signs or symptoms of IBS because these may indicate a more serious condition, such as colon cancer.

Symptoms that may indicate a more serious condition include:

Rectal bleeding

Abdominal pain that progresses or

occurs at night

Weight loss

It's not known exactly what causes irritable bowel syndrome, but a variety of factors play a role. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract and relax in a coordinated rhythm as they move food from your stomach through your intestinal tract to your rectum.

If you have irritable bowel syndrome, the contractions may be stronger and last longer than normal, causing gas, bloating and diarrhea. Or the opposite may occur, with weak intestinal contractions slowing food passage and leading to hard, dry stools. Abnormalities in your gastrointestinal nervous system also may play a role

causing you to experience greater than normal discomfort when your abdomen stretches from gas or stool.

TRIGGERS vary from person to person

Common triggers include:

Foods. The role of food allergy or intolerance in irritable bowel syndrome is not yet clearly understood, but many people have more severe symptoms when they eat certain things. A wide range of foods has been implicated — chocolate, spices, fats, fruits, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, milk, carbonated beverages and alcohol.

Stress. Most people with IBS find that their signs and symptoms are worse or more frequent during periods of increased stress.

Hormones. Because women are twice as likely to have IBS, researchers believe that hormonal changes play a role in this condition. Many women find that signs and symptoms are worse during or around their menstrual periods.

Other illnesses. Sometimes another illness, such as an acute episode of infectious diarrhea (gastroenteritis) or too many bacteria in the intestines (bacterial overgrowth), can trigger IBS.

March 2024-Allergies!

by Phillips Clinic on 02/28/24

What Is An Allergy

Nearly 20% of Americans have allergies. Allergies are an abnormal response of your immune system. Your body's defenses react to a usually harmless substance, such as pollen, animal dander, or food. Almost anything can trigger an allergic reaction, which can range from mild and annoying to sudden and life-threatening.

Some of the most common triggers include:

Pollen

Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds can trigger hay fever or seasonal allergies. You might have symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy, watery eyes.

Animal Dander

Proteins secreted by oil glands in an animal's skin and present in their saliva can cause allergic reactions for some people. The allergy can take two or more years to develop and symptoms may not go away until months after being away from the animal. If your pet is causing allergies, make your bedroom a pet-free zone, avoid carpets, and wash him regularly. A HEPA filter and frequent vacuuming may also help

Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in

house dust. Help prevent dust mite allergies by

covering mattresses, pillows, and box springs,

sing hypoallergenic pillows, washing sheets weekly in hot water, and keeping the house free of dust collecting-items.

Bug Bites & Insect Stings

Symptoms include extensive swelling and redness from the sting or bite that may last a week or more, nausea, fatigue, and low-grade fever. In rare cases when insect bites cause a severe reaction (anaphylaxis), symptoms may include difficulty breathing, swelling around the face, throat, or mouth, racing pulse, an itchy rash or hives, dizziness, or a sharp drop in blood pressure.

Molds

Molds make allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in some people.

There are many types of mold. They all need moisture to grow.

They can be found in damp areas such as basements or bathrooms, as well as in grass or mulch.

Avoid activities that trigger symptoms, such as raking leaves. Ventilate moist areas in your home

Food

Milk, shellfish, eggs, and nuts are among the most common foods that cause allergies. An allergic reaction usually happens within minutes of eating he offending food. Symptoms, which can include breathing problems, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, and swelling around the mouth, can be severe. Avoid all foods that you are allergic to.

Relieving Your Allergy Symptoms

Your Phillips Clinic Family Practice Provider Can Perform a simple Allergy Skin Test.

Symptoms which usually prompt an allergy test include:

Respiratory: itchy eyes, nose or throat; nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, chest congestion, cough or wheezing

Skin: itchiness or eczema

Abdominal: vomiting or cramping and diarrhea consistently after eating certain foods

Severe reactions to stinging insect stings

Skin tests can be performed in the office to determine what’s cause your symptoms. A very small amount of certain allergens is put into your skin by making a small indentation or “prick” on the surface of your skin. Your skin will react to the substances that trigger your allergies.

A personalized serum is then made up for you. You take this serum home, use a few drops under your tongue every day. You return every 12 weeks for a refill and follow-up. Within months, you should notice a significant reduction in your symptoms and the need for allergy medications. And in time, your allergies will disappear.

February is HEART HEALTH Month!

by Phillips Clinic on 01/31/24

February is Healthy Heart Month. To help keep your heart in shape, here are some ways the CDC recommends to help keep a healthy heart and prevent heart disease.

By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar normal and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack. A healthy lifestyle includes the following:

HEART healthy diet.

Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods.

Eating foods low in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high cholesterol.

Limiting salt (sodium) in your diet also can lower your blood pressure. Limiting sugar in your diet can lower you blood sugar level to prevent or help control diabetes.

Eating two or more servings a week of certain fish, such as salmon and tuna, may decrease your risk of heart disease.

At moderate levels, ALCOHOL may have a protective effect on your heart. For healthy adults, no more

drinks a day for men. (12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine & 1 1/2 ounces of liquor) Too much alcohol can be a health hazard.

BE SMOKE FREE

Smoking or using tobacco is one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease. Chemicals in tobacco can damage your heart and blood vessels, leading to narrowing of the arteries, causing plaque buildup (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can ultimately lead to a heart attack.

Smoking decreases oxygen in the blood, and makes the heart work harder, contributing to high blood pressure. The good news is, the risk of heart disease reduces as soon as you quit. So, no matter how long you’ve smoked, quit!

Regular, daily exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease. When you combine physical activity with other lifestyle measures, such as maintaining a healthy weight, the payoff is even greater.

Physical activity can help you control your weight and reduce your chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

According to the Mayo Clinic :

“In general, you should do moderate exercise, such as walking at a brisk pace, for about 30 minutes on most days of the week. That can help you reach the Department of Health and Human Services recommendations of 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity, 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity.

For even more health benefits, aim for 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 150 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity every week. In addition, aim to do strength training exercises two or more days a week..”

FISH OIL

Fish contain unsaturated fatty acids, may lower cholesterol. But the main beneficial nutrient appears to be omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fatty acid that may reduce inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the body can damage your blood vessels and lead to heart disease and strokes

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