Sustain the Hurricane Health Tips

Be organized and keep it simple.  When preparing for a hurricane or any weather emergency, this is important to do especially when it comes to your health.  Anxiety and uncertainty in this flight or stay adrenaline pumping situation can decrease your awareness of what you really should be doing to stay healthy and safe.  Taking care of yourself is primary to sustain the hurricane. 

These tips will help you prepare.

• stay well rested 
• avoid unnecessary distractions
• know the facts, be present and up to date on hurricanes and emergency preparation by reading and listening to lectures 
  
• prepare and check medical provider list to include your primary care doctors including specialists, nearest urgent care community health centers and hospital
• contact electric company to help with medical provisions like home oxygen should power failure occur
• contact community emergency services for listing if medical condition requires extra attention
• prepare food and water stock for two weeks or more
• freeze water for ice enough to fill two or more coolers
• keep prescription medication current with adequate supply for two months
• stay informed with neighbors and community resources
• get batteries for lights, radio, fans, medical devices like glucometer, blood pressure monitor
• charge all sources of power for telephones, limit use and keep turned off if not in use

Prepare yourself first, and plan before the storm arrives. Check and update your plan monthly. Stay healthy and safe.  Best health!

Men's Health Month Memorandum: It's Checkup Time!

"If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself." — Mickey Mantle

Statistics show that men are less likely than women to get routine health checkups and physical exams. Men are more likely to seek medical attention when there is an acute problem, and once that has resolved not until another acute problem. Part of the reason for this is lack of health education. Men are also more prone to the "this can't be happening to me" syndrome. Is ignorance truly bliss? Short term, maybe. Long term, no.

So what is a fella to do? Make a yearly checkup routine. Do it around your birthday or holiday like Father's Day or Christmas as a gift to yourself (your most important asset!). In addition to a complete medical history (be sure to take your notes and questions http://bit.ly/122ZEeF) and physical exam, there are other things your doctor should do. This includes:

• complete blood panel including a PSA (prostate specific antigen) if over 40 or have a history of prostate cancer in your family - please note that PSA screening is very controversial as to if it should be done and should be discussed at length with your doctor as this test does save lives
• EKG, baseline at first physical then every 2-3 years - yearly if over 50, have risk factors such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, increased cholesterol, family history of heart disease
• cardiac screening by a cardiologist if any signs or symptoms of heart disease especially if there is a family history of heart attack, angina
• colon cancer screening with stool guaiac cards - stool samples are placed on these and returned to your doctor who checks for blood (this should be done when a rectal exam is performed, but if for some reason it is not, be sure to get these cards)
• colonoscopy, baseline at 50, sooner if stool positive for occult blood or gross rectal bleeding, weight loss, stomach symptoms

Be sure to include regular visits to the dentist, and optometrist or ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Best health, guys!

by J.L. Richardson, M.D., family medicine doctor and author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

Listen to What Your History and Physical Should Include http://bit.ly/2MC0r5c

Premarin Pandemonium Prices!

Premarin Vaginal Cream is at an all time high of $379. Insulin is at all time high of unaffordable over $100 per bottle for most people who need it.  Do no harm is the medical mantra yet harm is done each time a person has to even think about buying medication.  Unaffordable prices is hardly the answer to this deceptive dilemma. Stay in the best health you can to prevent medication dependence.  Prevention and early intervention are essential to great health.  Seek alternatives to help you heal and stay well.  

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest patients in the care of the main frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease. -Thomas Edison

Best health!


Integrate Medical Treatments
https://mypatienthandbook.blogspot.com/2017/03/medical-treatments-for-your-good-health.html

Money and Your Medication 

https://mypatienthandbook.blogspot.com/2016/09/money-and-your-medication.html

"Healthy Life Lines" in Large Print Paperback

Live healthy.  Live Simply.  “Healthy Life Lines: Simple Tips to Improve Your Health” is a book that helps you attain good health and keep it stable.   This short book consists of one line health tips that promote wellness and good health.  These tips will encourage you to live a lifestyle of good health.  “Healthy Life Lines: Simple Tips to Improve Your Health” is now available in large print paperback book and on Kindle. 
Check it out https://amzn.to/2WCH7oM 

Healthy life lines include;

·       Be literate in health.

·       Focus on prevention to avoid intervention.

·       Constantly do things to improve your health

·       Embrace healthy routines.

·       Limit and avoid multitasking.

·       Find funny and laugh daily.

·       Keep a health diary.

·       Know your family medical history.

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!