August 1st: Challenging Assumptions about Lung Cancer

We all make assumptions about who gets lung cancer. It’s easy to think it only affects smokers, but the truth is, that lung cancer can touch anyone’s life unexpectedly.

Take Mark, a patient of mine and a dedicated athlete who never smoked a day in his life. When he received a lung cancer diagnosis, it shattered the misconception that only smokers are at risk.

Lung Cancer Awareness Day on August 1st is a poignant reminder of this reality. It serves as a call to action for early detection and proactive health management.

Engage in meaningful conversations with your physician. Craft a healthcare plan tailored to you.

At Roots Health Direct Primary Care, we’ve seen firsthand the importance of personalized care in dealing with such challenges and we know that the risk factors for lung cancer go far beyond cigarette smoking to include radon and other inhaled substances in addition to genetic predisposition.

Mark’s journey helped me to advocate even more passionately for my patients. Our Direct Primary Care approach ensures every patient, like Mark, receives individualized attention and access to essential screenings. Whether you’re a smoker concerned about lung health or a non-smoker curious about preventive measures, we’re here to support your wellness journey.

Take control of your health outcomes.

Together, let’s challenge misconceptions and prioritize your health for a brighter, healthier future.

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.

Heart disease is often preventable.

The following lifestyle changes lower risk and protect your heart.

Maintain a healthy weight

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.

Get Active

Aerobic exercise reduces your risk of heart disease.

Change the fats in your foods

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

Eat fruits and veggies

Eat plenty of produce. We recommend eating at least 3 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruits daily.

Fiber up

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

Seeking personalized care with ample time to discuss all your options?

Get in touch today… we have a few spots open now.

What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver which can lead to cirrhosis.

On world hepatitis day, we are raising awareness about viral hepatitis. Here’s what you need to know:

What are the types of Viral Hepatitis?

• Hepatitis A (HAV): Spread through contaminated food/water; preventable with a vaccine.
• Hepatitis B (HBV): Transmitted through bodily fluids; can be chronic and severe. Vaccination is crucial.
• Hepatitis C (HCV): Spread via blood contact; often chronic but treatable with antiviral medications.
• Hepatitis D (HDV): Occurs with HBV infection; prevented by HBV vaccination.
• Hepatitis E (HEV): Spread through contaminated water; usually acute and self-resolving.

We know that education is part of making informed medical decisions. Partner to learn more.

What are the Symptoms?

• Jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes)
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Dark urine

How is Hepatitis Prevented?

• Vaccination: Available for HAV and HBV.
• Hygiene: Handwashing, safe food/water.
• Safe Practices: Use condoms, avoid sharing needles.

Looking for a more personalized approach to your healthcare?

Your Medications Should Be Affordable

Medications do not need to be expensive.

We know that medication costs have soared, often leaving patients struggling to afford them. At Roots Health DPC, we’re simplifying access to affordable medications. Here’s how:

• We purchase medications at wholesale prices and pass the savings directly to our patients.
• We eliminate the middleman to ensure our patients get their medications at the lowest possible cost.

This approach has reduced prescription costs by 50% to 90% for our patients.

A Selection of example Medications Available for Less Than $5 Per Month:

Metformin

Ibuprofen

Lisinopril

Amlodipine

Sertraline/Zoloft

Lovastatin

Sumatriptan/Imitrex

Loratadine/Claritin

We provide direct access to medications at reduced prices.

A Simple Solution for a “Complex” Problem

Our approach at Direct Primary Care (DPC) is centered on delivering comprehensive healthcare directly to our patients. We prioritize offering medications at reduced rates to ensure convenience for essential treatments for your health needs. Our expertise allows us to collaborate closely with you to identify the medications tailored to your health conditions.

Discover healthcare centered around YOU.

Around 96 million American adults, which is over one-third of the population, have prediabetes. More than 80% of these individuals are unaware of their condition. Most people are not informed that regular screening is necessary.

What are the risks associated with having prediabetes?

Prediabetes greatly raises the likelihood of progressing to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Understanding this condition is crucial for prevention and management.

The positive aspect is that prediabetes, which can be readily identified through blood tests, can be managed with lifestyle adjustments to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and other major health issues.

Prediabetes is more common than you think.

Let’s debunk a few prevalent myths about diabetes today.

Myth: Being at a healthy weight means you’re not at risk for diabetes.

Obesity and being overweight are linked to various health issues and raise the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, maintaining a healthy weight doesn’t make you immune to the disease, as even those at a healthy weight can develop diabetes.

Myth: Since no one in my family has diabetes, I won’t get it.

Having a close relative with type 2 diabetes raises your likelihood of developing it. However, the risk also increases as you age. Individuals with heart disease, high blood pressure, and those who are overweight or obese have a higher risk, irrespective of family history. While you cannot alter your family history or age, adopting a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk.

Myth: It is impossible to take any measures to prevent diabetes.

While genetics contribute to your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, lifestyle decisions are crucial in its prevention. Keeping a healthy weight, engaging in regular exercise, and making dietary improvements can lower your diabetes risk. Smoking impairs insulin use, so avoiding smoking can reduce your risk. Additionally, alcohol consumption can affect your risk.

Let’s look at your individual wellness objectives.