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“The kissing disease”

2023-07-17T13:28:01+00:00July 17th, 2023|Adults, Direct Primary Care, Families, Family Medicine, Family Practice, Health Care, Public Health|

Mono, mononucleosis, is known as the “kissing disease.” This viral infection occurs in teens and young adults. It is spread through saliva and travels through groups living in close quarters, making outbreaks happen most frequently in dormitory living. It commonly causes a sore throat, but it can cause fatigue fever and swollen lymph nodes throughout the body.

What are the symptoms of mono?

Recognizing symptoms is essential for early diagnosis and effective care:

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Headache

• Muscle weakness

• Night sweats

• Sore throat

• Swollen lymph glands in your neck and/or underarms

• Swollen tonsils

Of note, these symptoms can be present in other diseases including Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer in young adults. It is important that you get an accurate diagnosis whenever you are sick. We recommend that you always seek care from your board-certified physician when it comes to your health and well-being.

Can you get into your board-certified physician quickly and easily when you need to see your doctor? At Roots Health DPC you can text your doctor directly for care when you need it.

What is the best care for Mono?

Supportive care is recommended generally to alleviate symptoms and facilitate smooth recovery. Most people recover from mono after about two weeks, though some symptoms may persist for longer.

Anti-inflammatory medications can help manage throat pain

Fluids to hydrate and nutrients to boost your immune system

Rest is crucial to prevent complications and aid recovery

Warm compresses to painful lymph nodes

Corticosteroids can be used in severe cases for tonsil swelling

Complications of mono include temporary inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), jaundice (yellowing of your skin and darkening of urine) or an enlarged or ruptured spleen.

Find Expert Board-Certified Care at Roots Health DPC Whenever You or Your Loved Ones Need Care.

Unlocking the Secrets of Incontinence: Reclaiming Control and Confidence

2023-06-26T13:24:40+00:00June 26th, 2023|Adults, Direct Primary Care, Family Medicine, Family Practice, Health Care|

Drips and Leaks…

what is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the accidental loss of urine. It is more common than most people are aware of.  25 million adult Americans experience temporary or chronic urinary incontinence. It can range from the discomfort of slight losses of urine to severe, frequent wetting.

What causes urinary incontinence and what to do about it?

It is caused by specific changes in body function that may result from diseases, use of medications and/or the onset of an illness. Women are most likely to develop urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after childbirth, or after the hormonal changes of menopause.

Although these conditions are incredibly common, women often suffer in silence. Some find these symptoms embarrassing and refrain from discussing them with friends or family members. Women should understand that leakage is NOT a normal part of aging and that goals of treatment include minimizing and eliminating the need for the use of pads as a self-management strategy.

Fortunately, the diagnosis and treatment of incontinence can dramatically improve the quality of life of women who suffer from these conditions.

Are you looking for health care that is unrushed, comprehensive, and convenient? Direct Primary Care makes health care simple.

How is urinary incontinence diagnosed?

Urinary incontinence is not normal and it is important to consult with your doctor. Urinary incontinence is diagnosed with a complete physical examination that focuses on the urinary and nervous systems, reproductive organs, and urine samples.

The common types of urinary incontinence are:

  • Stress incontinence—With stress incontinence, urine leakage occurs when the bladder is under pressure, such as when a person laughs, coughs, sneezes or exercises.
  • Urge incontinence—Urge incontinence involves a strong, sudden urge to urinate that results in leakage. These types of incontinence are defined by their causes. Many women may experience a combination of both stress and urge incontinence — a condition commonly referred to as mixed urinary incontinence.
  • Mixed Incontinence- A combination of both types

What is the treatment for urinary incontinence?

Specific treatment for urinary incontinence will be determined by your doctor based on what type of incontinence it is, the extent of the symptoms, any underlying medical conditions, and patient preference.

Treatments may include:

  • Behavioral therapies: such as bladder training or toileting routines
  • Diet modifications: Eliminating bladder irritants, such as caffeine, alcohol and citrus fruits.
  • Pelvic muscle rehabilitation: to improve pelvic muscle tone and prevent leakage and possibly biofeedback as well as vaginal weight training.
  • Medication : vaginal estrogens and anticholinergics
  • Modifying contributory factors: weight loss, eliminate medication side effects, treat constipation
  • Office procedures, Pessary, Surgery

Each person deserves an individualized consult with their physician regarding symptoms, diagnosis, and management for urinary incontinence.

Are you looking for a physician that takes the time to listen and gets solutions that work for you? We are accepting a limited number of new patients.

Brain Health Matters

2023-06-12T14:05:04+00:00June 12th, 2023|Adults, Direct Primary Care, Families, Family Medicine, Family Practice, Health Care, Mental Health, Public Health|

Brain awareness JUNE 2023

Brain health matters… it helps to keep us sharp and staves off the effects of dementia. There are lots of great things you can do to keep your brain healthy and there has never been a better time to start than now!

Keeping Your Brain Strong ‍

Eating Healthy, Exercising Daily, Getting Plenty of Sleep, Paying Attention to Your Mental Health and Socializing with others are critical components to brain health. Today we are going to focus on the most important Tip for Brain Health: Continuing to Learn New Skills.

Your Mind Matters. Your Brain Health is critical to your Well-Being. Are you looking for a physician that cares for the Whole Person? At Roots Health we are changing the way health care is done.

Use it or Lose It.

Become a lifelong learner to keep your brain active and healthy. Engage in activities that stimulate your brain!

Every time you learn something new you build new connections between your brain cells and the more stimulated your brain is, the more active it becomes. Challenging the brain is key.

  • travel to new places
  • learn a new language
  • take a course
  • play a new game: puzzles, chess, workbooks
  • read a book
  • draw or paint
  • listen to new music
  • learn new recipes
  • play a musical instrument: piano is thought to engage both left and right brain at the highest level

More than ever, it’s important to take care of our minds in the same way we take care of our bodies. At Roots Health DPC, we help patients by prioritizing health and wellness so they can reach their goals in life. Limited space available. Join today.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

Strategies for Overcoming Heart Disease

2023-04-17T14:15:19+00:00April 17th, 2023|Adults, Family Practice, Health Care, Public Health, Uncategorized|

A Woman’s Guide to Beating Heart Disease

Few women think heart disease is their greatest health threat. That thought could not be further from the truth. Unfortunately, it’s the nation’s number one killer, and women are its prime target. Over one-third of the women who die in the U.S. each year die of heart disease. In fact, more women die of heart disease each year than breast cancer.

The risk of heart attack and stroke increases with age. Women can start protecting themselves early to avoid heart disease.

Knowing your risk

Things that put women at risk include:

• Being postmenopausal

• Having had a hysterectomy

• History of or currently using birth control pills

• Being pregnant and having complications including diabetes or pre-eclampsia

Credit to: My Happy Doctor

Join us at the Community Health and Wellness Fair Sunday April 23, 2023, in Oak Park, where Roots Health DPC will be providing free screening for heart disease.

The following things put both women and men at risk for developing heart disease:

• Personal history of heart disease or stroke

• Age over 55

• Family history of heart disease

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Diabetes

• Past or current smoker

• Getting little or no exercise

• Obesity

• High-stress life

Knowing risk factors is half the battle towards beating heart disease. You can lower your risk of heart disease through preventative measures. Keep an eye open for our blog on prevention next week where we will do a deep dive on how to prevent heart disease.

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.

Prediabetes – Signs and Symptoms

2023-02-05T19:43:43+00:00February 4th, 2023|Adults, Diabetes, Family Practice, Health Care, Public Health|

What are the Signs of Diabetes? Why should I be screened for Prediabetes if I don’t have any symptoms?

Since 1 in 3 American adults have prediabetes (most of whom do not know they have it) and the risk increases with age… everyone should be tested based on their risk. Middle age is when prediabetes and diabetes diagnoses really begin to spike, but some younger people are at higher risk.

What increases my risk for type 2 diabetes?

There are a few things that can increase your risk of diabetes, these include:

  • Being overweight or having obesity, especially if you carry your extra weight in your belly area
  • Being 45 years old or older
  • Not doing enough physical activity
  • Smoking
  • History of diabetes during pregnancy, called “gestational diabetes”
  • History of polycystic ovary syndrome
  • History of high blood pressure
  • Family history of diabetes
  • African American or Latino

Are you at risk for Prediabetes? Knowledge is power. Since you are responsible for your health
and wellness… let us help you get all the information you need to make informed decisions for
your well-being. Sign up to receive relevant FREE weekly Health Tips: “Mondays with your MD”

Are there signs & symptoms?

The classic symptoms of DIABETES can include

Excessive thirst
Excessive hunger
Increased frequency in urination
Weight loss

But you can have both DIABETES and PREDIABETES for years without any symptoms

A really important piece for improving your health and wellness is the ease with which you can obtain information from a trustworthy source. Are you able to call your doctor directly and get all your questions answered? If you are looking for a physician who makes it simple to get your health care needs met, schedule your initial free consultation today.

Diagnosing pre-diabetes earlier increases the length of your life. Join us next week to find out how to screen for and diagnose prediabetes.

 

 

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.

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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