Cook Your Way to Good Health!

 Cooking is good medicine.  What you cook is better medicine.  Culinary medicine can help you get better and stay healthy.  The healthy food plus cooking adds to great, healthy feelings.  This is what more doctors and healthcare providers are studying to recommend for their patients.  More residency training programs are including culinary medicine in their school curriculum.  

Food as medicine is hardly a new treatment.  Hippocrates quoted it thousands of years ago.  Research continues to show that proper nutrition with natural foods keeps low risk for disease lower, and it also keep high risk conditions from progressing and perhaps even occurring. Starting before birth is the optimal time.  Early good nutrition is important.

Make your healthy more wealthy by learning to shop for healthy food to prepare healthy meals.  This can save your money as well as your health.  Let it begin and/or continue with education (March is National Nutrition Month) and action with the intent of adding it to your healthy lifestyle.  Best health and eating!

Diabetes Awareness Month

 Diabetes is on the rise around the world.  Current global statistics reveal that 1 in 11 persons had diabetes in 2015.  This is about 415,000 million people.  A recently published study by JAMA found that almost 50% of Americans have pre-diabetes or diabetes.  About one-third of these patients were unaware they had either condition, and were already showing signs of diabetes.  National cost was almost $300 billion in 2012.  International cost in 2015 was $673 billion which is 12% of global health expenditure.

Pre-diabetes and diabetes are often discovered during the routine physical, or in the emergency room with severe hyperglycemia or complications secondary to the disease.  Patients may present without any symptoms or the classic triad of polyuria (increased urination), polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia (increased hunger).  Blood tests that confirm diabetic disease include: FBS (fasting blood sugar) / FPS (fasting plasma glucose) over 126 mg/dl; two hour plasma glucose over 200 mg/dl HgbA1c over 6.5.  Weight loss and dehydration may be apparent clinically as the heavy glucose molecule depletes the body's water volume.


Comorbidities associated with diabetes include hypertension, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and general vascular disease.  These are all chronic disease states as is the eye disease (diabetic retinopathy) which may lead to total blindness.   Diabetic neuropathy involves nerves especially those to the extremities causing numbness, tingling, and decreased sensation.  If vascular disease is present, this may lead to poor circulation.  As a result diabetic foot ulcers may emerge.  Due to lack of sensitivity these may go unnoticed until an infection occurs which left untreated may lead to amputation.


Treatment includes diet, exercise, and medication.  Surgery is also a consideration.  It is of utmost importance that the proper diet is followed.  Counseling with a dietician provides necessary nutritional information to keep and help keep blood sugar in normal range.  Weight maintenance at a  healthy level is beneficial as overweight states have been correlated with an increased risk of diabetes.  Excess weight can make diabetes more difficult to control.  Adherence to diet leads to better control overall even if on medication.  Along with routine exercise this helps maintain a healthy weight.  If you are losing weight and eating the right foods, diabetes may come into control without medication.  It is important to check your blood sugar often when lifestyle changes are being made.  Keeping your blood sugar within normal limits will help defend against secondary complications.  Most important, you will feel better.  Best health!

Know Your Medical History

One of the first things your doctors and healthcare providers want to know is why you made your appointment. Once you answer this question (hopefully before interruption) there will be questions about your general health and wellness, as well as more information about your reason for the visit. For specific concerns you may be asked:

• How long has this been going on?
• What have you done for it?
• Have you had it before?
• Where does it bother you?
• How often does it occur?
• What makes it better or worse?
• Are there any other symptoms?

You will be asked about how the other parts of the body are working, such as your eyes, ears, heart, breathing, and so on. This is called the “review of systems” (ROS). If there are any problems not related to your main problem, now is the time to let the doctor know.
This will be followed by your past medical history (PMH), which includes:

1. Diseases you have (high blood pressure, sugar diabetes, arthritis, cancer, depression,
   etc.), or have had that are better or gone (including childhood diseases such as
   measles, mumps, and inherited disease)
2. Operations and times you were in the hospital (including accidents)
3. Medication, including prescription, over-the counter (don’t forget about vitamins),
   natural (garlic, aloe), and herbal
4. Allergies and reactions to anything and what it did to you (for example: breaking out in a
   rash, swelling, itching, upset stomach, etc.)
5. Smoking, alcohol, drug use (how much, how often)
6. Shots (childhood, flu, last tetanus, etc.)
7. Sexual (active, using protection, number of partners, diseases)—in females this will also
   include menstrual period, pregnancy, last mammogram, and Pap test
8. Family history (conditions that run in family
   such as cancer, high blood pressure, etc.)
9. Social history—your job or jobs; family; marital status; living arrangement (house,
   apartment, alone, etc.); transportation (drive self, public transport, walk); ambulation
   (use walker, wheelchair); disability (deaf, blind, amputee, etc.); religion, ethnic customs, and traditions

If there is anything left out or that you feel the doctor should know, now is the time to speak up. It is sometimes hard to get someone’s full attention, so take advantage of it while you have it. Some doctors’ offices will have you fill out forms asking the above questions or will ask you the questions and fill out the form for you. This is not a substitute for the doctor’s personal interview and questions.
Writing or typing this information is a sure way to keep all of your PMH http://bit.ly/f8FZ55 . Make a copy for your doctor. While talking you both can refer to this vital source of health information.
Best health!

Diabetes Defense Is Good Offense

Diabetes is on the rise around the world.  Current global statistics reveal that 1 in 11 persons had diabetes in 2015.  This is about 415,000 million people.  A recently published study by JAMA found that almost 50% of Americans have pre-diabetes or diabetes.  About one-third of these patients were unaware they had either condition, and were already showing signs of diabetes.  National cost was almost $300 billion in 2012.  International cost in 2015 was $673 billion which is 12% of global health expenditure.


Pre-diabetes and diabetes are often discovered during the routine physical, or in the emergency room with severe hyperglycemia or complications secondary to the disease.  Patients may present without any symptoms or the classic triad of polyuria (increased urination), polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia (increased hunger).  Blood tests that confirm diabetic disease include: FBS (fasting blood sugar) / FPS (fasting plasma glucose) over 126 mg/dl; two hour plasma glucose over 200 mg/dl HgbA1c over 6.5.  Weight loss and dehydration may be apparent clinically as the heavy glucose molecule depletes the body's water volume.


Comorbidities associated with diabetes include hypertension, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and general vascular disease.  These are all chronic disease states as is the eye disease (diabetic retinopathy) which may lead to total blindness.   Diabetic neuropathy involves nerves especially those to the extremities causing numbness, tingling, and decreased sensation.  If vascular disease is present, this may lead to poor circulation.  As a result diabetic foot ulcers may emerge.  Due to lack of sensitivity these may go unnoticed until an infection occurs which left untreated may lead to amputation.


Treatment includes diet, exercise, and medication.  Surgery is also a consideration.  It is of utmost importance that the proper diet is followed.  Counseling with a dietician provides necessary nutritional information to keep and help keep blood sugar in normal range.  Weight maintenance at a  healthy level is beneficial as overweight states have been correlated with an increased risk of diabetes.  Excess weight can make diabetes more difficult to control.  Adherence to diet leads to better control overall even if on medication.  Along with routine exercise this helps maintain a healthy weight.  If you are losing weight and eating the right foods, diabetes may come into control without medication.  It is important to check your blood sugar often when lifestyle changes are being made.  Keeping your blood sugar within normal limits will help defend against secondary complications.  Most important, you will feel better.  Best health!

Family Health: Continuity of Your Care

Your family's health is of utmost importance.  Continuity of care is disrupted all to often due to lack of communication and follow-up.  Make sure your family members have accurate information for each person,  These suggestions will help you continue your health care communication continuous with less stress:

• call your doctor's office, testing center prior to appointment to be sure all is on time as scheduled
• reschedule appointments that are over an hour late especially if it jeopardizes your health conditions (e.g. persons with diabetes, hypertension, arthritis)
• read often on your health condition
• use email, fax, postal mail if unable to reach your doctor by phone
• get copies of your medical records and reports from all doctors you see
• contact your doctors for your test results, specialists reports if you fail to get contacted within 1 week
• tell your doctor what other doctors have told you as these reports often arrive after your visit, if at all

Best health!

Family Health: How to Keep Your Health History

Your medical history is the cornerstone of your medical record.

Use it to keep up with your health. Update your medical history often especially as new treatment plans and healthcare issues arise.  Copy and complete the following assessment to keep up with your family's health and medical history. 

MEDICAL HISTORY

 

NAME____________________________

DATE OF BIRTH_____________________________

 

INSURANCE COMPANY___________________

INSURANCE ID #________________________

PHONE______________   FAX__________________

ADDRESS__________________________

CITY_____________STATE___________

ZIP________________COUNTRY__________

EMAIL___________________________

 

PAST MEDICAL HISTORY

ALLERGIES______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

DRUGREACTIONS________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

DIAGNOSES & MEDICAL CONDITIONS (include year diagnosed)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SURGERY/ OPERATIONS (include year done)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MEDICATIONS (list prescription, over-the-counter, foods, herbs

also write dosage and how often taken)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PAST MEDICATIONS (list anything you have taken and stopped – note why it was stopped)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FAMILY HISTORY (list medical conditions in family members – list ages, list if deceased and reason)

MOTHER____AGE________

LIVING: YES___NO____

FATHER____AGE_________

LIVING: YES___NO____

______________________________________________________________________________________________

SISTERS_____AGES_________

LIVING: YES___NO____
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

BROTHERS __AGES_________

LIVING: YES___NO___

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

GRANDMOTHER (Mother’s mother) AGE__________LIVING: YES___NO___

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

GRANDMOTHER (Father’s mother)  AGE__________LIVING: YES__ NO___

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

GRANDFATHER (Mother’s father)    AGE__________LIVING: YES___NO___

 

GRANDFATHER (Father’s father)    AGE___________LIVING: YES___NO___
______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OTHER RELATIVES (list any more sisters, brothers, great grandparents, etc. especially those with medical conditions)_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OTHER MEDICAL TREATMENTS (list any other treatments like prayer, massage, chiropractor, exercise, physical therapy, etc.)___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

SOCIAL HISTORY

Home:  lives alone___ 

             lives with family___

             lives with friend____

             lives in facility_____facility name, address____________________year moved in____________

Marital: Single___Married____Divorced___Widow/Widower_____

Use of cane___ walker___ wheelchair___prosthetic_____

Other___________________________________________

Alcohol consumption: 

   How many times per day/week/year?________________

   How much per drink?____________________________

Cigarette use: Yes___ No___

   How many per day?________

   At what age did you start?_______

Sexual:  Are you active? Yes___No___

Drug use: Yes___ No___

 

OCCUPATIONS/ JOBS/SCHOOLING

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MY MEDICAL NOTES

Use extra page to list any other medical history

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________