What the point of a physical?

Whats the point of a physical?

Health Tip: Doctors are for healthy people too!

As a healthcare clinician, I find it very difficult to convince people of the importance of routine physicals. It seems to be the consensus of modern society that doctors are for sick people. The truth is that the whole paradigm has shifted in healthcare, and we have come to realize that most of the chronic conditions we face cannot be effectively treated, but, they can be prevented.

I have tried many different approaches to convince people of the importance of that yearly physical. It seems to be most effective to remind people that most strokes and heart attacks are caused by ‘silent killers’. What does this mean? This means that many conditions like high blood pressure have no symptoms (oftentimes high blood sugar is asymptomatic too, only showing up in a physical exam). Finding these conditions at a physical can be the key in avoiding that stroke or heart attack. For some reason though, that doesn’t seem to be enough to convince people of the value/importance of the physical.

As a missionary nurse, I have spent most of my career working in a developing country, where the epidemics entail infectious diseases (such as malaria, TB, or pneumonia). The contrast exists in developed countries where we have ready access to treat these conditions before they become a threat. Instead, we are plagued with conditions that cannot be readily treated ( heart disease, diabetes, asthma, etc), but, that can be prevented. This is the key. So, that’s the point of the physical.

I imagine a day when people see the doctor as the place to go when they’re healthy. Then, and only then will we start seeing a decline in the chronic conditions that plague modern society.

Our physical health is like our spiritual health. It must be nurtured and cared for daily. I think of how Romans 5 says that perseverance produces character. As we persevere in caring for our health spiritually and physically, we are also developing our character. Pretty inspiring to me to stay the course- one day at a time!

Can I drink a glass of wine?

Can I drink a glass of wine?

Health Tip: A glass of red wine a day (4-6oz) helps promote cardiovascular health.

In this blog, I am approaching the controversial subject of drinking. You will not see this addressed readily by your healthcare provider, as it is difficult to tell people the evidence without being fearful of instigating the abuse of alcohol. That disclaimer aside, the value of a glass of wine on your health is continually being validated. In fact, would you believe recent evidence suggests a glass of wine a day may prevent Alzheimers as well?  Once again, this fact was already established in scripture. 1 Tim 5:23 addresses the value of a glass of wine for stomach upset! I am always amazed at how many scriptural principles are affirmed in evidence based medicine… Should we tell medical researchers that all these new discoveries aren’t so new after all?! hmmmm

The biggest reason this is not promoted is that the benefits of alcohol are only seen in moderate drinking. What is moderate drinking? For women that is one glass of wine daily, and for men that is 2 glass of wine daily. More than this , and the benefits actually turn in to a health risk.  SO, this is probably why this subject is rarely broached. And yet, to me, this just further affirms value of moderation in everything God gives us to enjoy in this life.  1 Corinthians 6:13 is a great motto to live by …” I will not be mastered by anything”

Hopefully, the following information will help you understand the health benefits of that  glass of wine:  

“Moderate drinkers tend to have better health and live longer than those who are either abstainers or heavy drinkers do. In addition to having fewer heart attacks and strokes, moderate consumers of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine or distilled spirits or liquor) are generally less likely to suffer hypertension or high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, Alzheimer's disease and the common cold. Sensible drinking also appears to be beneficial in reducing or preventing diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, bone fractures and osteoporosis, kidney stones, digestive ailments, stress and depression, poor cognition and memory, Parkinson's disease, hepatitis A, pancreatic cancer, macular degeneration (a major cause of blindness), angina pectoris, duodenal ulcer, hearing loss, gallstones, liver disease and poor physical condition in elderly

Summer is here!

Summer is here! With the rising heat, we are all looking for a place to cool down. I don’t know about you, but, it seems like when Summer finally arrives I am caught off guard by the smothering heat.

So, the question is.:How can we stay healthy and hydrated in such heat? I would like to emphasize the importance of electrolyte rich fluids when you are sweating. Water is obviously an excellent drink, but, if you are sweating remember to pick up a Gatorade type drink. Think of it this way, if you are sweating you are loosing salt , and your body needs this replishined as quickly as possible. A little squeeze of lemon, salt and sugar will add the necessary ingredients to your water when you are sweating.

Another important aspect of the Summer months is to remember to protect our skin against the sun’s cancer inducing effect. A little sunscreen on our skin will go a long way to protecting against those common skin cancers.

As we enjoy these Summer months, let’s protect our skin with sun block and our bodies with the fluid it needs in those heat waves!

Itchy skin rash?

Health Tip: During this time of year many people are exposed to allergens that cause skin rashes such as poison ivy. Oatmeal baths and diphenhydramine ( benadryl) are good ways to soothe the skin when rashes erupt.

People are often asking me how they can know whether their rash needs to be treated or not. Although rashes can have a myriad of causes, that sudden itchy rash in the Spring or Summer is probably related to an allergen such as a plant. The first treatment is Benadryl. Although it makes everyone a bit sleepy, it is the treatment of choice to be used the first few days after exposure to relieve symptoms. In fact, Benadryl is the drug of choice for allergies of all kinds. It is a good idea to take it at night since it causes drowsiness. Oatmeal baths are a great way to soothe the skin when the rash erupts. Together this treatment plan will often help symptoms subside.

The only time steroids are indicated is when the itching is incessant and if the rash is widespread and/or erupts on the face. Steroids are used to help with those violent itching spells, but, once again, benadryl will often help if used quickly.

Finally, try to keep from itching as it will often leave to a second problem: infection.

As we head into the summer, I hope this tip helps you treat those rashes that are bound to come during this high allergen season.

Pass up that Steak..

Health Tip: Avoid eating red meat more than once a day. Studies show that if we have an additional serving of  red meat daily then the risk of heart disease rises by about 20%. So, pass up that steak for some fish or chicken whenever possible;-)

We all live in a culture that loves eating steak.. Eating a good steak is a sign of accomplishment. We work hard to anticipate a cookout that includes hamburgers, hot dogs, or steak. And yet, maybe our cultural norms are leading us towards heart disease.

The National Institue of Health recently did a study that showed that with each additional serving of red meat daily, we are at 20% greater risk of heart attack/disease. In fact, even our risk for cancer increases with additional consumption of red meat.

So, while we all live in a world that knows and values the taste of good steak, hamburgers, or hot dogs... it may be a good idea to pass up that red meat every now and again for chicken or fish.

My hope in this blog is to provide the information therapy to empower people to make informed decisions. The important thing is that for each of us we are informed in the choices we make with our health.

For me, as a chirstian, it is exciting to know that we have not been given a spirt of fear, but, of self control.( 2 Tim 1: 7) .and that we can make wise choices everyday to protect and equip our health-one day at a time.!