Phillips Health Care Newsletter

JULY: ANTI-AGING MEDICINE

by Phillips Clinic on 06/28/23

WHAT IS ANTI-AGING MEDICINE?

Anti-aging medicine is based on preventive medicine for the early detection, prevention, treatment, and reversal of age-related disorders, and diseases.

90% of all adult illness is due to the degenerative processes of aging. This includes heart disease, most cancers, adult-onset diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, autoimmune disease glaucoma, and Alzheimer’s.

With early detection and appropriate intervention, most of these diseases can be prevented, cured, or have their downward course reversed.

Age Management medicine, also referred to as Anti-Aging medicine, is based on the very early detection, prevention, and reversal of age-related diseases. It is the newest clinical medical specialty—the “optimum” of wellness and longevity—and employs extensive treatments in the preventative health care field.

Within the last 100 years, the average lifespan has doubled. The medical community has now developed ways to ensure the second half of our lives is just as rewarding, happy and healthy as the first.

Anti-aging medicine aims to both extend lifespan as well as prolong healthspan - the length of time that we are able to live productively and independently.

Anti-aging therapies can include nutrition, physical fitness, skin care, hormone replacements, vitamins, supplements and herbs, focused on each individual's unique lifestyle, make-up and needs.

Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative Medicine, which includes Stem Cell Therapy and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy is “supercharged healing”. It’s harnessing and concentrating the body’s own naturally occurring components and unleashing them to repair, renew and replace damaged or injured cells, organs, muscle, nerve and bone. Our bodies have the potential to heal damaged tissue, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone while decreasing downtime and pain and limiting the need for rehab.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) comes from the patient's own blood. PRP is a concentrated source of growth factors, anti-inflammatory and regenerating factors that play major roles in healing.

Blood is drawn from the patient, spun in a centrifuge which concentrates platelets. After concentration, this serum is injected in the patient.

PRP injections can improved function and decreased pain in various conditions, including - but not limited to - wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle tendonitis.

Stem cells are the foundation cells for every organ, tissue and cell of the body. Stem cells can develop into cardiac muscle, as well as liver, brain, nerve, fat and skin tissue. These cells lead to creation of new—healthy—cells and are called generative cells.

Stem cell therapy is being used to treat diseases such as Heart Muscle Damage from Heart Attacks, Cerebral Palsy, Brain Hemorrhage and Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Autism, Parkinsonism, Motor Disease, Muscular Dystrophy, Liver Diseases, Huntington's Disease , Chronic Kidney Diseases, Multiple Sclerosis, Orthopedic Injuries, COPD, ED and Diabetes. Studies worldwide have shown encouraging results. Stem cell therapy is done by using generative cells from your own bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue, so consequently has no adverse effects.

Stem cell therapy is a minimally invasive procedure. It’s same day, in-office with little down time or pain, compared with surgery.

Because the therapy uses cells that are collected from the patient, and returned to the patient, the chances of reaction are minimal.

Other wellness and anti-aging therapies offered by Phillips Clinic include:

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Bio-identical hormone replacement for men and women offers your doctor the opportunity to create a customized hormone replacement therapy for each patient’s individual needs.

JUNE IS MEN'S HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

by Phillips Clinic on 05/28/23

JUNE IS MEN’S HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH!WHAT BETTER TIME FOR A MEN’S PHYSICAL?

ACcording to Harvard Health, “Men are less likely than women to get routine physical exams and screenings. A survey by the American Academy of Family Physicians found that 55% of men surveyed had not seen their doctor for a physical exam in the previous year, even though 40% of them had at least one chronic condition.

Nearly one-fifth of men ages 55 and over said they had never undergone screening for colon cancer, and almost 30% said they "wait as long as possible" to seek medical attention when they are feeling sick or in pain.”

For all adults, scheduling regular check ups and physicals, can help catch health problems when they are manageable, to address and teat them at their earliest stages.

How Often Should You Get a Physical

If you’re in your 20’s… every five years.

If you’re in your 30’s… every three years.

If you’re in your 40’s... every two years.

50 and above… every year

Recommended Screenings for Men

Blood Pressure

Every man should have their blood pressure checked regularly, and patients with other cardiovascular risk factors should check their blood pressure more frequently. This can be performed at your doctor’s office. High blood pressure is the biggest risk for heart disease and a significant risk for other serious health conditions

Blood Cholesterol

All men 35 or older should get their blood cholesterol levels checked regularly. Men who use tobacco; are overweight or obese; have a relative who had a heart attack before the age of 50; or have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a history of heart disease should get their cholesterol checked much earlier, at the age of 20. There are several measures of cholesterol, and all are important in determining heart disease risk.

Colon Cancer

All men should get screened for colorectal (colon or rectal) cancer by age 50. People with a family history of colorectal cancer should get a colonoscopy even sooner. There are several different tests that can help detect colon cancer, but colonoscopy continues to be the gold standard.

Men who have high blood pressure or take medication to control their high blood pressure should get screened for diabetes (high blood sugar). Anyone experiencing symptoms of persistently severe thirst, frequent urination, unexpected weight loss, increased hunger, and tingling in the hands or feet also should talk to their doctor about getting tested. The preferred screening for diabetes is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar over the last three months.

Weight

Using a BMI calculator to determine your body mass index (BMI) is usually a reliable, but not conclusive, indicator of whether you’re at a healthy weight. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 Is considered healthy, a BMI above 25 is overweight, and a BMI greater than 30 is obese.

Prostate Exam

Because PSA screenings recommendation vary widely among health care professionals, talk to your provider about the benefits and risks of screening to determine what is best for you.

Other Tests Include

EKG, STD, HIV & Hepatitis, blood tests and urinalysis. Some additional testing may be recommended for men 50 or over, or with family history of chronic disease.

MAY IS TIME FOR A PHYSICAL!

by Phillips Clinic on 05/01/23

At Phillips Clinic, we take an integrated approach to healthcare

We take the time to get to know you as an individual so that we may present you with a comprehensive plan to encourage life-long optimal health. This cooperative approach makes it possible for us to partner with you-- our patients-- to help you plan and encourage optimal, life-long health.

Our success in patient care and teamwork at the office is reflected in the fact we have retained staff and patients for over twenty-five years.

At Phillips Clinic Family Practice, where we believe that together we create the tools to live healthier happier lives!

We believe health care for adults and children should be practiced in an environment where it feels comfortable to talk about all aspects of your life. It is our goal to identify disease and risk factors and to treat them at the earliest stages possible.

We provide personalized health care for the entire family; children, adults and seniors! Our clinic is well prepared and well equipped to provide for the current and ongoing health care needs of the entire family.

We combine the best of holistic and conventional medicine techniques to treat the whole patient. We offer a multi-dimensional approach to wellness.

We commit to a proactive approach to wellness; identifying risk factor to our patients health and addressing them at the earliest possible stages.

ur physical exams consist of 3 appointments.

The first appointment is for the patients actual history and exam. Female patients may have their pelvic and pap smear done while they are here, if they choose to.

During that appointment our providers evaluate the patient and their family and personal history and determine what testing, if any, they feel is appropriate. They then order those studies and they are scheduled for an appointment with the nurse, imaging center, ultrasound tech, etc. There are many reasons that we do not do the testing on the same day. First, the patient needs to be fasting for most CHP labs. Also, many tests require prior authorization which generally takes at least a few days.

When the patients completes the recommended studies, they are scheduled to follow up with their provider. During the final visit of the CHP process, the provider will go over all studies, make lifestyle recommendations, adjust medications or add medications if necessary, etc.

I have also attached the form we give patients after their first appointment explaining what tests may be done.

Let me know what you're thinking.

Bone Density Scans:

At Phillips Clinic we offer bone density scans on-site. Our highly trained health professionals use bone density testing to assess the strength of bones and the probability of fracture in patients at risk of osteoporosis.

Echocardiography

Cardiac echo (or simply an echo), is a sonogram of the heart is also offered at Phillips Clinic. Echocardiography, which uses ultrasound to create images of the heart, allows providers to assess heat-health.

Peripheral Vascular Testing

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) affects the areas that are “peripheral” (outside) your heart. Testis for PVD include ultrasound and treadmill.

April is Stress Awareness Month

by Phillips Clinic on 04/02/23

Learning to cope with our stress and finding healthy ways to deal with these situations can go a long way in living a healthy and positive life.

What does stress mean to you?

Stress is a reaction to a situation where a person feels anxious or threatened. Learning healthy ways to cope and getting the proper care and support can help reduce stressful feelings and symptoms.

Common reactions to a stressful event can include:

• Disbelief, shock and numbness

• Feeling sad, frustrated and helpless

• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions

• Headaches, back pains and stomach problems

• Smoking or the use of alcohol or drugs

Affecting more than just your mind

Long-term stress can prove to be more than just a mental issue. From headaches to stomach disorders to depression – even very serious issues like stroke and heart disease can come as a result of stress.

When you are placed in a stressful situation, specific stress hormones rush into your bloodstream leading to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and glucose levels. This is helpful in emergency situations, but having this “rush” for extended periods of time can be dangerous and make you susceptible to the issues mentioned previously.

Learn to overcome issues you cannot change

Sometimes the stress in our lives is not something we have the power to change. Try to:

• Recognize when you don’t have control, and let it go.

• Avoid getting anxious about situations that you cannot change.

• Take control of your reactions and focus your mind on something that makes you feel calm and in control.

• Develop a vision for healthy living, wellness, and personal growth, and set realistic goals to help you realize your vision.

Healthy ways for coping with your stress

Here are some basic ideas to help you cope with stress:

• Take care of yourself – eat healthy, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, give yourself a break if you feel stressed.

• Share your problems and how you are feeling and coping with a family member, friend, doctor, pastor or counselor.

• Avoid drugs and alcohol. These can create additional problems and increase the stress you are already feeling.

• Recognize when you need more help – know when to talk to a psychologist, social worker or counselor if things continue.

Potentially the most valuable takeaway here is knowing how to talk to others about your stress. This goes both ways, as you need to know how to discuss your problems with others as well as talk to anyone that comes to you with their issues.

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

by Phillips Clinic on 02/27/23

COLORECTAL CANCER

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. Each year, more than 136,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 50,000 die of the disease.

With certain types of screening, this cancer can be prevented by removing polyps (grape-like growths on the wall of the intestine) before they become cancerous. Several screening tests detect colorectal cancer early, when it can be easily and successfully treated.

RISK FACTORS

You might be at an increased risk for colorectal cancer if you:

Are age 50 or older

Smoke or use tobacco

Are overweight or obese, especially if you carry fat around your waist

Are not physically active

Drink alcohol in excess (especially if you are a man)

Eat a lot of red meat, such as beef, pork or lamb, or a lot of processed meat, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs or cold cuts.

Have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps

Have a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease

Early stages of colorectal cancer don’t usually have symptoms. Later on, people may have these symptoms:

Bleeding from the rectum or blood in or on the stool

Change in bowel habits

Stools that are more narrow than usual

General problems in the abdomen, such as bloating, fullness or cramps

Diarrhea, constipation or a feeling in the rectum that the bowel movement isn’t quite complete

Weight loss for no apparent reason

Being tired all the time

Vomiting

PREVENTION

Be physically active for at least 30 minutes at least five days a week

Maintain a healthy weight and waist size

Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit

Limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day if you’re a woman

Or two drinks per day if you’re a man

Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which are good sources of fiber

Eat less red meat and cut out processed meat

EARLY DETECTION

Begin getting screened at age 50. If you are older than age 75, ask your doctor if you should continue to be screened.

If you are a high risk, talk to your health care professional about screening earlier and more often

Talk to your doctor about your screening test options

TESTS THAT FIND PRE-CANCER AND CANCER:

Colonoscopy – Every 10 years

Virtual colonoscopy – Every 5 years

Flexible sigmoidoscopy – Every 5 years

Double-contrast barium enema – Every 5 years

TESTS THAT MAINLY DETECT CANCER

Stool occult blood test (FOBT) (guaiac) Every year

Stool immunochemical test (FIT) – Every year

Stool DNA test (sDNA) – ask your health care professional; the FDA approved the use of the sDNA test in 2014

An abnormal result of a virtual colonoscopy or a double-contrast barium enema, or a positive FOBT, FIT or sDNA test, should be followed up with a colonoscopy.

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