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Mental Health Awareness Month

2023-05-29T14:06:01+00:00May 29th, 2023|Adults, Direct Primary Care, Family Medicine, Family Practice, Health Care, Mental Health, Uncategorized|

Is It Stress or Anxiety?

Mental Health Awareness Month

Everyone experiences stress, and sometimes that stress can feel overwhelming.

You may be at risk for an anxiety disorder if it feels like you can’t manage the stress and if the symptoms of your stress:

– Interfere with your everyday life.

– Cause you to avoid doing things.

– Seem to be always present.

Searching for a health care experience that is personalized, convenient, and comprehensive? Roots Health DPC has redefined the way health care is being delivered.

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Practice Self-Care for your Mental Health: Build a toolbox full of healthy ways to cope

Simple, everyday actions:

–schedule quiet time for meditation, yoga, or reading

–spend a few minutes in nature, getting out to exercise, or playing a favorite song can help you feel grounded

–stick to a sleep routine to ensure enough sleep

–keep a journal

–connect with others in your community

Do you avoid going to the doctor because it’s a hassle? At Roots Health DPC we have made it simple. Our focus is on you. We provide the care you deserve without the hassle. Set up a complimentary session to meet Dr. Diaz and learn more.

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Mental Health Awareness

2023-05-22T15:08:22+00:00May 22nd, 2023|Adults, Direct Primary Care, Family Medicine, Health Care, Mental Health|

Your Mental Health at Midlife

Experiencing LOTS of ups and downs? No… you’re not crazy….its part of middle age.

Do find yourself loving life and feeling fabulous one day and having difficulty with overwhelm and gloom the next? Have you found yourself loosing it… over little stuff? Feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster? Welcome to middle age.

This is a time when our bodies and minds experience tremendous change, both physically and emotionally. Kids may be leaving the home or you might be transitioning careers after decades. It’s often when we need to deal with parents’ health issues or our own. For many, this is a time when some long-term relationships end or starting new relationships or choosing time alone.

So give yourself a break… you have a lot going on right now in your life!

You must fill your own cup first… Self-care becomes even more critical as we age.

Roots Health DPC is completely changing health care as you know it. Learn more about our personalized comprehensive approach that makes all the difference!

Set up a complimentary session to meet Dr Diaz today.

7 QUICK TIPS/TRICKS TO BOOST MINDSET AND IMPROVE MENTAL WELL-BEING:

1. Regular exercise reduces the risk of depression and improves mood

2. Ensuring adequate sleep that is restful and restorative is imperative

3. Quieting the mind through and directing thoughts utilizing tools

4. Training the brain with habit formation techniques

5. Social interactions creating supportive relationships to stay grounded

6. Prioritization, delegation, and time management skill building through education

7. Awareness around feelings and emotional responses

At Roots Health DPC we help patients on their wellness journey by working with them to achieve balanced whole lives. Let us help you figure out which self-care activities serve you best and create lasting lifestyle changes that work!

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Tips for Early Detection of Skin Cancer

2023-05-15T14:01:40+00:00May 15th, 2023|Adults, Families, Family Medicine, Family Practice, Health Care, Public Health, Uncategorized|

What are the skin changes you should not ignore? Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Knowing how to do a skin self-exam and what the warning signs are for melanoma are the key for decreasing risk. Follow these tips to increase your chances of spotting skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable.

How to perform a skin self-exam

Examine your body in a full-length mirror-Examine your body front and back in a mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.

Look at your underarms, forearms, and palms-Bend your elbows and look carefully at your forearms, underarms, and palms.

Look at your legs, between toes, and soles of your feet-Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and the soles of your feet.

Use a hand mirror to examine your neck and scalp-Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part your hair for a closer look at your scalp.

Use a hand mirror to check your back and buttocks-Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.

If you notice any new spots on your skin, spots that are different from others, or spots that are changing, itching or bleeding, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist.

Get your FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING IN MAY with board certified dermatologist, Dr Kiracofe!

CLICK HERE TO GET A FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING EXAM

Remember the “ABCDE rule”

Note changes in moles or birthmarks that can be warning signs of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

A-Asymmetry where one half looks different from the other

B-Borders of the mole that are irregular or not sharply demarcated

C-Color is varied from one area to another

D-Diameter over 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser)

E-Evolving or changing in size shape or color

Are you looking for High Quality health care with a board certified physician that you know and trust? Set up an initial complimentary consultation to learn more about how we always put patients first.

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Protecting Your Skin

2023-05-09T02:34:01+00:00May 8th, 2023|Adults, Direct Primary Care, Family Medicine, Health Care, Public Health|

SKIN CARE this SUMMER

Summer is almost here…. and with it comes lots of outdoor activities. Protecting your skin from the sun is imperative. Did you know that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer?

The good news is that skin cancer can be prevented and it can almost always be cured… when it’s found and treated early.

4 Simple Skin Cancer Prevention Tips:

-Seek the shade between 10am-4pm

-Do NOT get a sunburn

-Use broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher and reapply after 2hours

-Examine your skin once a month

Get your FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING IN MAY with board-certified dermatologist, Dr Kiracofe.

CLICK HERE TO GET A FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING EXAM

Are you looking for High Quality health care with a board certified physician that you know and trust? Set up an initial complimentary consultation to learn more about how we always put patients first.

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ABCs for burns.

2023-05-01T13:07:38+00:00May 1st, 2023|Direct Primary Care, Families, Family Medicine, Family Practice, Health Care, Public Health|

Burns Happen.

We all use things that are hot, flammable, or explosive and don’t think much about the risks… until we get burned.

Thermal burns are the ones we all think of…. Touching a hot iron for example. These are obvious hazards, but there are more severe burns you might not think of often.

Chemical burns are not as rare as you might think. One of my patients had some batteries explode in her pocket and burn her skin. She called and was directed to immediately irrigate with water.

Today we will go through the ABCs of burns and what to do if you have a burn.

Bottom line: Burns happen and there are steps that need to be taken immediately to improve the odds for successful healing.

What is the Basic Care for Burns?

Treating burns early is actually the most important:

  1. Remove the cause of the burn.

Immediately remove the cause of the burn from the affected area. If there is grease or chemicals on your skin (or clothing that’s caught fire), you need to remove the continued source of the burn as quickly as possible.

For chemicals you may need to double check that nothing is continuing to cause damage. In the case of my patient, the battery got into her shoe and it was not noticed right away. It caused more damage to her foot than her thigh because it was not treated as quickly.

  1. Treat the area with cold water.

Leave any affected burn areas under cold water for 10 minutes. This time is essential in reducing the heat in the skin and stopping the burn’s progression. You may even want to irrigate with water for longer depending on the type of chemical burn and extent.

  1. Evaluate the burn.

After 10 minutes of treatment with cold water, assess the existing damage and plan for needed treatment. Call your physician for guidance. If you’re traveling to a medical facility, keep a cool compress on the area while you travel, if possible.

  1. Keep the burn clean.

Burns break down skin and often breed infections that can be severe. Removing debris that might contain bacteria and keeping the area clean is important.

When do I need to seek Immediate Medical Care?

In specific cases, you should seek professional treatment for a burn immediately.

Circumferential Burns

If a burn area stretches all the way around a body part — like your finger, wrist, or leg — you absolutely need to see a doctor for evaluation and treatment.

Large Burns

When it comes to wound care for burns, a rule of thumb is that you can estimate burn size by thinking of your palm as 1% of your body area, while your arm or leg is closer to 9%. Different percentages of burned skin require different levels of medical attention, but suffice it to say if you have burn on 10% of your body you need to seek medical attention immediately.

What are the Next Steps for Burn Management?

In addition to caring for the burn itself, you’ll also need to deal with other issues related to your injury. To give your body time to heal, you’ll need to address two variables:

  1. Infection: Your skin is your body’s main defense against infections. When you burn your skin, you’re literally burning away your number one infection defense mechanism. Keep the burn site clean to avoid complications.
  2. Pain management: Burn wounds are notoriously painful. Talk to your doctor about medication options for pain management.
  3. Wound care: Evaluation of severity and which layers of tissue are affected will determine treatment. Consult with your doctor and consider Silvadene, commonly used cream that has both antibacterial properties and can promote wound healing.

Wound Care for Burns: Final Thoughts

If you find yourself questioning whether you should seek medical attention for a burn, seek medical attention. One advantage of our direct primary care model is that patients have a direct line to their doctor they can use at any time. My battery burn patient was able to call me immediately after her injury, and I could assist her in real time as she texted me pictures of the burns. We saved her thousands in hospital bills and follow up care because we were able to manage her care immediately to prevent ongoing damage.

When the seconds matter, direct primary care can make all the difference.

Call for your complimentary consultation today

Preventing heart disease is better than curing it.

2023-04-24T13:49:17+00:00April 24th, 2023|Adults, Direct Primary Care, Family Medicine, Family Practice, Health Care, Uncategorized|

Heart Disease: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Heart Disease is the number one killer for women…. knowing your risk is half the battle.

Are YOU at RISK? Use this FREE CALCULATOR

find out NOW

Heart disease is often preventable for women. The following lifestyle changes help lower risk and protect your heart.

Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight can raise your blood pressure, cholesterol, and increase risk for diabetes.

Losing 5% to 10% of your body weight can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and the risk of developing diabetes.

Quit smoking

Smokers have more than twice the risk for heart attack than do nonsmokers. The risk for blood clots also increases, which can cause stroke.

Get Active

Strive for regular moderate to high intensity physical activity. This can be done in 30 minute chunks, 5 days a week. Aerobic exercise reduces your risk of heart disease.

Change your fats

Change the fats in your diet. Avoid saturated fats. Substitute olive oil for butter. All fats are high in calories so use them sparingly to avoid weight gain.

Also limit the following:

• Full-fat dairy products

• Fatty meats

• Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils

• Convenience or other prepared foods high in fat

Eat fruits and veggies

Eat plenty of produce. We recommned eating at least 3 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruits daily, depending on your calorie needs. Diets high in fruits and vegetables are linked to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk for heart disease.

Fiber up

Soluble fiber helps reduce cholesterol. Oatmeal, whole-grain bread, and other whole-grain foods are excellent sources of this nutrient.

Drink alcohol only in moderation

Women should limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day. That’s equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, 4 to 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits.

Seeking a physician who can provide ample time for discussing all options? Contact us today as we are enrolling a limited number of new patients.

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Is Hormone Therapy safe?

2023-03-27T14:22:32+00:00March 23rd, 2023|Adults, Direct Primary Care, Family Medicine, Health Care, Uncategorized|

What’s the deal with Hormone Therapy? Is it safe?

After the Women’s Health Initiative study done in the early 2000s that demonstrated an increased risk of cardiac events, strokes, blood clots and breast cancer was terminated early, many believed HRT to have more risk than benefit. The number of women taking HRT dropped from 20% to 5% nationwide. One of the flaws in the study was that the women enrolled were over 60y old. For women 50-59years these risks are slightly increased but no where near as drastic as the original study.

The answer to safety is not an “all or none” proposition. HRT is not “good’ or “bad.” As with any treatment, the benefits and risks must be weighed for each individual woman. Remembering that menopause is a chapter in life and not forever helps. Discussing “how long” these symptoms will last or when and which ones warrant treatment is a conversation to have with your physician.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is not a panacea for the changes that occur in menopause throughout the body. Often there are better medications to treat a lot of these specific changes. For example, it is not generally recommended to try to prevent osteoporosis with HRT. Additionally, we would not treat mood disorders that become unmasked during this transition period with HRT.

There are so many symptoms… which ones warrant consideration for HRT?

  • Severe vasomotor symptoms occurring every hour or two and disrupting daily life (not responsive to behavioral/lifestyle modification)
  • Vasomotor symptoms that are interfering with sleep
  • Vaginal atrophy or Urinary Dysfunction

Who might be a candidate for HRT?

  • In general, women who are less than 60 and less than 10 y from menopause.
  • Women without a history of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, or breast cancer.

Isn’t HRT just pills?

  • Not all HRT is created equally and there are numerous different modes of delivery for Estrogen.
  • Pills by mouth can decrease testerone affects on hair loss and acne, while patches have a lot less risk of blood clots and stroke than pills.
  • Vaginal symptoms alone are best treated with cream or rings that produces only local estrogen exposure.
  • All women with a uterus taking estrogen will need to get progesterone in pill form or as an IUD as well to decrease risk for endometrial cancer.

What about “bioidentical” hormones?

  • Bioidentical hormones just means they have the same molecular structure we produce naturally. Estrogen patches and prometrium are FDA approved bioidenticals that are prescription medications.
  • People often refer to compounded formulations as bioidentical hormones… with compounded formulations there is not a lot of safety data and no regulation.

At Roots Health DPC we use the NIH Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (NCI) to assess risk for breast cancer. We assess for risk for cardiovascular disease as well when we discuss HRT treatment options so that patients can make informed decisions.

Not all HRT is equal and topical treatment options do not have the same systemic system side effects as pills and may be just as effective. A great resource for patients is NAMS (North American Menopause Society).

Are you looking for a physician who has time to discuss all your options with you? We are enrolling a limited number of new patients and would love to hear from you today.

Schedule an initial complimentary consultation.

Prediabetes Screening

2023-02-13T15:40:42+00:00February 13th, 2023|Adults, Diabetes, Direct Primary Care, Family Medicine, Health Care|

What is the best way to screen for Prediabetes and What Can I do if I have prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a diagnosis that gives us the opportunity to avoid developing diabetes and any of the complications that accompany it. I often refer to this as a warning sign… like the red “check-engine” light that comes on when your car needs servicing. Looking at the diagnosis as an opportunity to improve our health can dramatically shift our response to a new diagnosis and the actions we take.

Diagnosis

There are multiple available tests that are used to evaluate for prediabetes and diabetes. If a blood test shows that your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes, it is called “pre-diabetes.” The most commonly used tests are:

  • One test measures glucose after fasting.
    • Impaired fasting glucose consistent with pre-diabetes is between 100-125 mg/dL.
    • Diabetes is diagnosed with a fasting glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher.
  • Another test, Hemoglobin A1C, measures how much glucose has attached to red blood cells and provides a view of your blood sugar levels over the past three months. This test does not require fasting.
    • An A1C value of 5.7 percent to 6.4 percent is classified as prediabetes.
    • An A1C value of 6.5 percent or higher is consistent with diabetes.

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What can I do if I have pre-diabetes?

If you have pre-diabetes, you can make lifestyle changes to lower the chance of developing diabetes. Here’s what you can do to prevent Diabetes:

  • Eat a healthy diet – Try to eat a diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, but low in meats, sweets, and refined grains. Basic principles of healthy eating, portion control and counting carbohydrates will serve you well.

     

  • Weight Loss- If you are overweight, trying to get to a healthy body weight can help. Losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can lower your risk a lot. Your doctor can help you find healthy ways to do this.
  • Physical Activity: be active for 30 minutes a day – You don’t have to go to the gym or do heavy exercise to get a benefit. Activities like walking, gardening, and dancing can all help improve your health.
  • Quit smoking – If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to quit. People are much more likely to succeed if they have help when quitting.
  • Consider medical interventions –You might try a medication to lower your chances of developing diabetes, especially if lifestyle changes aren’t helping enough. One drug that is often recommend in these cases for persons with prediabetes is metformin. You can discuss this option with your doctor.

Uncontrolled diabetes is a serious disease with complications that include kidney failure, limb and vision loss. The diagnosis of Prediabetes is an opportunity to change the trajectory of your health and wellness journey. Educate yourself and ensure you are working with a doctor you trust to answer all of your questions, all of the time.

Learn more now!

Prediabetes – What is it exactly?

2023-02-11T03:11:19+00:00January 30th, 2023|Adults, Diabetes, Family Medicine, Family Practice, Health Care, Membership|

What is prediabetes? Who is at risk?
A look at the myths about diabetes.

Approximately 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Of those with prediabetes, more than 80% don’t know they have it. In fact, most people are not aware that they should be routinely screened.

So what is the harm in having prediabetes?

Prediabetes significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. As with anything… knowledge is power.

The good news is that if you have prediabetes, which is easily detected on bloodwork, you can make lifestyle changes to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems.

Is prediabetes more common than you thought?
Learn more about ways that you can maximize your wellness by setting up a FREE initial consultation with Dr Diaz to create a customized health plan based on your personal wellness goals.

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Today we are going to dispel some common myths about Diabetes.

Myth: You’re not at risk for Diabetes if you’re a healthy weight

Being obese or overweight is associated with a number of health problems, and it increases your risk for type 2 diabetes. This does not mean that you are immune to the disease if you maintain a healthy weight, however. Even people at a healthy weight can have diabetes

Myth: No One in My Family Has Diabetes, so I Can’t Get It

Having a close family member with type 2 diabetes does put you at increased risk for developing the condition. But the risk of diabetes goes up with age. The risk is higher in people with heart disease, high blood pressure, and who have excess weight or obesity, regardless of family history. Although you might not be able to change your family history or age, you can practice a healthy lifestyle to cut your risk.

Myth: There’s Nothing That You Can Do to Prevent Diabetes

Even though genetics factor into your risk for type 2 diabetes, lifestyle choices play an important role in preventing diabetes. Maintaining a healthy weight, daily exercise and healthy diet modifications can help reduce your risk for diabetes. Smoking can make it difficult for your body to use insulin, so not smoking can help decrease your risk for diabetes, as well. Alcohol consumption can also play a role.

Myth: It’s Your Fault if you have Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease, and people with diabetes are not to blame. There is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes, and while lifestyle factors do contribute to your risk for type 2 diabetes, even type 2 diabetes is not entirely preventable.

Myth: Diabetes is Inconvenient but not Serious

Diabetes results in more deaths than breast cancer and AIDS put together. There are several risks and complications associated with diabetes, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation that impact the quality of life significantly.

Next week we will take a look at how you can figure out your risk for prediabetes and determine what type of screening is appropriate.
Knowledge is Power. Sign up to receive “Mondays with your MD” for FREE and take control of your health today.

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Mondays with your MD – Soothing a Sore Throat

2022-11-20T23:18:25+00:00November 19th, 2022|Community, Direct Primary Care, Family Medicine, Family Practice, Public Health|

Soothing a Sore Throat…. Be in the Know this Winter.

Pharyngitis, commonly known as a sore throat, is a symptom that signals an infection involving the back of the throat.

Signs of pharyngitis include:

  • Sore, dry, or scratchy throat
  • Pain with swallowing
  • Redness/Inflammation of the throat

What causes Pharyngitis?

The most common cause for sore throat is a virus (such as the common cold, influenza, mononucleosis, yes …even covid). Viral infections don’t respond to antibiotics, and treatment is only necessary to help relieve symptoms.

Less commonly, pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial infection. These infections require antibiotics. The most common bacterial infection is strep throat. It is imperative not to leave strep throat untreated, especially in children.

How is pharyngitis diagnosed?

Physical exam

If you’re experiencing symptoms of pharyngitis, your doctor will check your throat looking for white patches, swelling, and redness and check for swollen lymph nodes in your neck. You should report any fever or cough as well.

Throat culture

If your doctor suspects that you have strep throat, they will likely take a rapid strep test in the office which can give you a result for strep throat in a few minutes. In some cases, a swab culture is sent to a lab for further testing.

Blood tests

If another cause of your pharyngitis is suspected, your doctor may order blood work looking for specific infections, such as mononucleosis or they may perform a COVID or flu test.

What can you do at home?

If a virus is causing your pharyngitis, there are things you can do at home that can help relieve symptoms:

  • drinking plenty of fluids/ pedialyte popsicles
  • gargling with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt per 8 ounces of water)
  • using a humidifier
  • resting until you feel better
  • throat lozenges can sooth pain

Medical treatment

For pain and fever relief, consider taking over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen after speaking with your doctor.

If the infection is caused by strep or another bacterial infection, antibiotics are necessary. Amoxicillin and penicillin are the most commonly prescribed treatments for strep throat. It is important that you take the entire course of antibiotics for strep throat to prevent complications such as rheumatic fever.

How can you prevent pharyngitis?

  • avoid sharing food, drinks, and eating utensils
  • avoid individuals who are sick
  • wash your hands often, especially before eating and after coughing or sneezing
  • use alcohol-based hand sanitizers
  • avoid smoking and inhaling secondhand smoke

When to Seek Care

Let your doctor know right away if you are having a sore throat so that they can guide you on the next steps for evaluation of cause and best treatment options.

Looking for a doctor that you can text anytime and is easy to reach quickly? Book a Meet and greet with Dr Diaz today.

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