Mondays with your MD – 5 tips to prevent eczema flares

2022-10-10T21:29:01+00:00October 7th, 2022|Adults, Family Medicine, Health Care|

Winter is coming… 5 tips to prevent eczema flares!

Did you know that your skin is the largest organ of your body? Your skin works as a barrier to prevent infection. When your skin barrier is weakened you experience dryness, irritation, and inflammation. These are all signs that your skin needs attention. Follow these 5 tips to avoid flare-ups….

Keep Skin Moisturized

Moisturizing is key and it must be fragrance free! Slather on gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer several times a day, especially right after bath/shower. Highly recommended brands include CeraVe and Aquaphor.

Avoid Irritants

Highly sensitive skin is prone to irritation with perfumes, dyes, and chemicals found in everyday household products. The trick is to use hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products. Minimize flare-ups and itching by using fragrance-free soaps, shampoos, and detergents.

Be Temperature Aware

Pay attention to temperature and humidity. Take shorter baths with luke-warm temperature water. Avoid exposure to extreme heat/cold and wear 100% cotton allowing skin to breath. This helps with overheating and excessive sweating which can trigger a flare-up.

Supplement with Vitamin D

Vitamin D supplementation and direct sun exposure can lessen the severity of eczema symptoms and support your skin barrier and immune system. Vitamin D supplementation is a safe and tolerable therapy.

Partner with your physician

With eczema-friendly skin care and trigger management most people can control eczema. Your physician can create custom-tailored treatment plans that can include topical medications, specialized dressings, oral medications, or UV light therapy each of which has unique risks/benefits.

At Roots Health DPC, we partner board-certified physician services with patients who prioritize their own health and wellness. If you are interested in joining our practice please schedule a free meet and greet with Dr Diaz today.

Mondays with your MD – Getting to the root of your healthcare concerns

2022-10-08T18:48:36+00:00October 3rd, 2022|Community, Family Medicine, Family Practice, Health Care, Membership|

Are you frustrated with the existing health care system? Is your doctor treating your individual symptoms but not helping you find the root cause for the constellation of symptoms you have? Are you wondering if your health care needs might require an integrative approach?

Roots Health DPC provides a patient-centered approach that engages the whole person; nourishes the mind, body, and spirit; and encourages the conscious creation of personal health and wellness. Patients have constant direct access to board-certified medical care with ample time to fully evaluate and treat the root cause of symptoms.

Did you know that the average length of time spent in an office visit to cover patient concerns and circumstances is 7 minutes in the traditional insurance-based health care model? That’s right… 7 minutes! It is no small wonder that the typical health care experience feels piecemeal and rushed. You would not expect your mechanic to diagnose, let alone treat, your car problem in 7 minutes…. so why do we accept this substandard care for our own health and well-being?

At Roots Health DPC, we know that your health is the most important thing. It is the foundation for living life on your terms.

Why should you consider direct primary care for your health care?

Quality time
Quality time to understand your health care needs with your physician and create an individualized health care plan. We focus on the whole patient as a unique individual –taking into account each element of a person’s health, environment, and lifestyle.

Communication
Communication with your board-certified physician that is easy and ongoing making it simple to adjust the plan as necessary to meet your health care needs. Unlimited physician access and visits… in office and virtual

No Waiting. No Copays. Ever.

Affordable Transparent Pricing.

A low monthly membership fee provides unlimited direct access to your physician to work with you as a team to obtain and maintain your optimal health and well-being. Steep discounts on labs, medications, supplements, and imaging.

If you are looking for a board-certified physician that you trust to look at the whole picture and get to the root of your health concerns and help you build a healthier life…. consider joining us at Roots Health DPC. Schedule a Free Meet and Greet with Dr Diaz today.


Sign up here to make sure you never miss a “Mondays with your MD” post

 

 


    Mondays With your MD – New Covid Vaccine: Bivalent Boosters

    2022-09-25T19:22:53+00:00September 24th, 2022|Community, Coronavirus, Family Practice, Health Care, Pandemic, Public Health, Vaccine|

    The new bivalent booster offers better protection against recently circulating COVID-19 variants and helps restore waning protection from previous vaccination. It offers broader protection for new variants. People must complete the primary series (original monovalent vaccines) before getting a bivalent booster dose.

    covid-19-booster

    Who should get the new booster?

    • People 12 years and older should receive the updated Pfizer or Moderna (bivalent booster)
      This includes people who have received all primary series doses and people who have received the original (monovalent) boosters
    • At this time children ages 12-17 years can only receive the updated Pfizer bivalent booster.
    • Children under 12 years do not get a bivalent booster yet.

    What is considered “Up to Date” with all these boosters?

    Once you have completed the covid-19 vaccine primary series and received he most recent booster dose that is recommended

    When should I get the new booster? Which brand should I get?

    The new bivalent booster can be given at least 2 months or more after your last COVID vaccine. The monovalent booster should no longer be given to anyone 12 years of age and older.


    It is fine to get a booster from a different brand than the primary series or previous boosters. For example, if your primary series was Moderna you can get the Pfizer bivalent booster.

    What about kids under 12 years old?

    At this time, children under 12 years old will NOT receive the new bivalent booster dose although this is likely to change in the future.

    Children 5 years – 11 years who received Pfizer for their primary series should still get a monovalent booster 5 months after the last dose of the primary series.

    Children 5 years – 11 years who got Moderna for their primary series do not get a booster at this time.

    Children 6 months – 4 years should get all COVID-19 vaccination primary series doses.

    At Roots Health DPC we help our patients navigate the ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines around
    testing, treatment, and prevention. Set up a FREE “Meet and Greet” with Dr Diaz today.

     


    Sign up here to make sure you never miss a “Mondays with your MD” post



      Mondays with your MD – Who gets sleep apnea?

      2022-08-29T19:03:01+00:00August 29th, 2022|Adults, Health Care, Sleep|

      Did you know that trouble concentrating, headaches, urinating frequently at night, and many other symptoms can be caused by sleep apnea? Unfortunately, sleep apnea is often misdiagnosed in women.

      Learn about sleep apnea and signs that it might be affecting your health.

      Who gets sleep apnea?

      Both men and women can have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is commonly under-diagnosed in women because they do not present with “typical” symptoms. Often, women’s concerns are “dismissed” by their physician. Some doctors may have preconceived notions about what a typical sleep apnea patient looks like, and may overlook the reported symptoms by women when they don’t fit the common portrait. Education is key and allows women to advocate for their own health care needs.

      What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

      Snoring is the most obvious sign but it is more common in men. Other signs and symptoms of OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) include:

      • Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
      • Restlessness during sleep, frequent nighttime awakenings
      • Sudden awakenings with a sensation of gasping or choking
      • Dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening
      • Cognitive impairment, such as trouble concentrating, forgetfulness or irritability
      • Mood disturbances (often dismissed as depression or anxiety which can co-exist with sleep apnea)
      • Night sweats
      • Frequent nighttime urination
      • Sexual dysfunction
      • Headaches

      How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

      Speak with your primary care physician about your symptoms. If your doctor determines that you have symptoms suggestive of sleep apnea, you may be asked to have a sleep evaluation with a sleep specialist or an overnight sleep study to objectively evaluate for sleep apnea.

      How is sleep apnea treated?

      The treatment for sleep apnea is extremely individualized and based on the underlying cause for the sleep apnea. Most commonly the cause of the obstruction to the airway is treated. In a many cases the airway obstruction can be relieved with conservative therapies targeting the underlying cause.
      These       may include:

      • Weight loss
      • Sleep position changes
      • Treatment for underlying sinus or nasal congestion

      Additional therapies utilized (based on the underlying cause of the sleep apnea) include:

      • CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines or other mechanical therapy
      • Dental appliances that keep the airway open
      • Surgical procedures are usually reserved for unresponsive cases

      Diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea are important for your long term health. If you are looking for a physician who spends the time required to evaluate your health concerns and will get to the root of the your health care needs, schedule a FREE “Meet and Greet” at Roots Health DPC.



      We are now accepting new patients and would love the privilege of serving you in our clinic.

      Mondays with your MD – Back-to-school Health Tips

      2022-08-22T19:59:16+00:00August 22nd, 2022|Families, Family Practice, Health Care, Public Health|

      It’s that time of year again! Today we can review how to help children have a successful year.

      Focus on Nutrition

      Packing a healthy school lunch is key for giving your child a healthy energy boost during their school day.

      High protein foods (yogurt, cheese, beans, hummus) with fresh vegetables and fruits are best.

      Avoid empty calories added from sugars and solid fats.

      Hydrate with water. Drink the number of 8oz cups daily equal to age. (5 cups for 5 year old)

      Make Sleep a Priority

      Most healthy children need EIGHT TO TEN HOURS of sleep each night

      Put away electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime

      Encourage children to read a book before bedtime

      Eating a light healthy snack before bed can be beneficial, but avoid caffeine

      Learning Styles and Behaviors

      Now is a good time to schedule an annual exam with your doctor

      Review any questions or concerns you may have about age-appropriate behavior, developmental milestones, and learning needs that can affect your child’s ability to learn in a classroom

      Vision Screening is important. If your child is squinting, tilting head and holding handheld devices too closely are just some of the signs your child may have a vision problem.

      Exercise: Get Active

      School age children need 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity each day

      Encourage sports and outdoor activities after school

      Walk or Bike to school

      It is an exciting time with lots of changes to the routine. Parents play a key role in helping children make a successful transition.

      Mondays with your MD – HPV: What you should know

      2022-08-15T21:41:16+00:00August 15th, 2022|Adults, Family Medicine, Health Care, Public Health|

      Human Papilomaviurs, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States.

      70- 80% of women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lifetime. HPV can cause cervical cancer.

      The following questions and answers address what you need to know about HPV and screening for cervical cancer:

      What is human papillomavirus (HPV)?

      HPV is a group of viruses that can be passed through sexual contact. The types that infect the genital area are called genital HPV.

      Who gets HPV?

      Genital HPV is the most common STI in the United States. It is so common that 70-80% of women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lifetime.

      What are the symptoms of HPV?

      Most people with HPV do not have any symptoms which is why women need regular Pap tests starting at age 21. The Pap test can find changes on the cervix caused by HPV. If you are a woman between ages 30 and 65, you can also do a DNA test for HPV strains of the virus that cause cervical changes.
      HPV infections can sometimes cause genital warts. Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area and       physicians can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area.

      What health problems can HPV cause?

      HPV usually goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems including: cervical cancer and genital warts most commonly.

      Do I need to get tested for HPV?

      • If you are 21 to 29 years old, your doctor might suggest the HPV test if you have had an unclear Pap test result. Most women younger than 30 do not need the HPV test, because the immune system fights off HPV in the vast majority.
      • If you are 30 years or older, you may choose to have the HPV test and Pap test to screen for cervical cancer. If both tests are normal, the chance of getting cervical cancer in the next few years is very low and often you can wait up to five years for your next HPV screening.

      How can I prevent HPV?

      There are two ways to prevent HPV. One way is get an HPV vaccine. The other way to prevent HPV or any STI is to avoid sexual contact with another person.

       

      If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI with the following steps:

      • Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to prevent STIs when you have sex.
      • Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of getting STIs goes up with the number
        of partners you have.

      If I get the HPV vaccine, do I still need to use a condom?

      Yes. The vaccine does not replace or decrease the need to wear condoms. Using condoms lowers your risk of getting other types of HPV and other STIs.

      Do I still need a Pap test if I got the HPV vaccine?

      Yes. There are three reasons why:

      • Although the HPV vaccine protects against many of the HPV types that cause cervical cancer, it does not prevent all HPV types that cause cervical cancer.
      • You might not be fully protected if you did not get all the vaccine doses (or at the recommended ages).
      • You might not fully benefit from the vaccine if you were vaccinated after getting one or more types of HPV before vaccination.

      Talk to your doctor today about HPV screening

      Mondays with your MD – Just Tired or Fatigue?

      2022-07-24T01:59:47+00:00July 23rd, 2022|Adults, Family Practice, Health Care|

      Why am I always tired? How tired is too tired?

      Today we are exploring the difference between “being tired” and fatigue which often underlies a more serious medical problem.
      Tiredness happens to everyone – it’s an expected feeling after certain activities or at the end of the day. Usually, a good night’s sleep solves the problem.
      Fatigue is a daily lack of energy – unusual or excessive whole-body tiredness not relieved by sleep. Fatigue can prevent a person from functioning normally and affects a person’s quality of life.

      woman sleeping at desk

      What are the most common causes of fatigue?

      Lifestyle Factors

      Taking an honest inventory of things that might be responsible for your fatigue is often the first step toward relief.

      Evaluating the following can have an enormous impact on levels of fatigue:

      • Exercise
      • Nutrition
      • Alcohol use
      • Medications
      • Routines

      Modifications can often dramatically impact levels of fatigue.

      Medical Factors

      Underlying Medical Conditions that commonly cause Fatigue:

      • Anemia: iron deficiency anemia is a common blood disorder that makes it hard for your blood to move oxygen to your organs.
      • Thyroid problem: this small butterfly-shaped gland that sits in your neck regulates your metabolism and energy levels. When thyroid gland out of whack, you’re out of whack.
      • Depression: untreated and undiagnosed depression can rob your brain of the chemicals needed to work its best causing low energy levels and fatigue.
      • Infections, Sleep Apnea, Heart Disease are common problems that can manifest the symptom of fatigue as well.

      Recap

      Many physical and mental illnesses, as well as lifestyle factors, can cause your fatigue, and that can make it hard to diagnose. In some cases, it might be something simple and easy to fix, like having caffeine at bedtime. But other causes, like heart disease or COPD, are serious, and you may need to start long-term treatment right away.
      Your doctor can help you sift through your health issues, as well as diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits, on order to zero in on the cause and help you on the road to recovery.

      Mondays with your MD – Urinary Tract Infections: Separating Fact from Fiction

      2022-07-17T13:40:09+00:00July 17th, 2022|Adults, Families, Family Practice, Health Care, Urgent Care|

      Urinary Tract Infections

      Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are extremely common, especially in women. Dealing with them is no fun and often requires frequent trips to the bathroom, pain when urinating, and soreness in the lower abdomen, back or sides. Many turn to at-home remedies to tackle discomfort or try to change risky behaviors to avoid a repeat infection.

      Unfortunately, there are plenty of myths out there about UTIs that can make recognizing the causes and finding effective relief difficult.

      Separating Fact From Fiction

      Myth #1: Taking AZO for my UTI is “Good Enough”

      Although AZO may provide symptomatic relief, it can often mask underlying symptoms and delay seeking appropriate medical care.  In addition, it can cause discoloration of urine making the infection more difficult to detect on examination.

      Myth #2: Tampons Cause UTIs

      Some women think tampons make them more prone to developing UTIs since tampons are placed inside the body, while other feminine hygiene products are kept outside of the body. However, tampon use may be even more effective at preventing UTIs than pads. Tampons can keep the area dryer, leaving less of a chance for bacteria to flourish and cutting down on the risk of infection.

      Myth #3: Cranberry Juice Will Cure My UTI

      The cranberry juice cure is one of the most commonly believed myths about treating UTIs. However, don’t for a minute think that a bottle of cranberry juice can replace a visit to your doctor or proper medication. It turns out cranberry juice isn’t nearly as effective as many people think.

      Though some studies have demonstrated potential ability to prevent (not treat) symptomatic UTIs, there isn’t sufficient data to support routinely recommending it.

      Myth #4: Only Women Get UTIs

      Women definitely get UTIs more often than men. This is because the urethra, the duct that carries urine out of the body, is shorter in women, allowing bacteria to more easily reach the bladder. However, this is still a myth, as men can and do get UTIs. UTIs are more common in men who have not been circumcised and suffer from other medical issues including incontinence, prostate cancer or urinary tract stones.

      Myth #5: Sex Causes UTIs

      This one is both a myth and a fact. The real myth lies in the belief that only sexually active women get UTIs. Sex can definitely play a role, though, as bacteria near the vagina can inadvertently get into the urethra during sexual contact. Urinating after sex is CRUCIAL because it will allow your body to flush out vaginal bacteria that tends to get pushed into the urethra during sex.

      Does this mean that abstinence is a sure-fire way to protect yourself from UTIs? Think again. In fact, women are most at risk for getting UTIs while pregnant or experiencing menopause or perimenopause. This is due to the change of hormones in the urinary tract during these times.

      Talk to your doctor about UTI symptoms and appropriate treatment.

      Mondays with your MD – Telemedicine: Back to the Future

      2022-07-11T13:33:18+00:00July 11th, 2022|Adults, Direct Primary Care, Family Practice, Health Care, Telemedicine|

      Reminiscent of a time where patients could receive medical advice by simply calling their doctor on the phone….telemedicine, popularized with the pandemic, has always been a structured integral part of Direct Primary Care (DPC). Virtual care has been shown to increase access to health care and lead to improved health outcomes when utilized correctly.

      Telemedicine

      Telemedicine allows for an ongoing dialogue between patients and physicians about shared health goals and decision-making. This improves adherence to the medical plan of care by providing a platform for a collaborative approach to health, where chronic conditions can be managed.

      Telemedicine provides flexibility for scheduling and eliminates barriers between physicians and patients. Follow up appointments are made easier by removing travel times, childcare concerns, and time off work.

      Virtual consultations can prevent unnecessary in-person referrals to specialists and lead to shorter waiting times to see specialists.

      Telemedicine has always been a structured integral part of (DPC). When patients have an urgent care need or a follow up concern from previous visits, DPC physicians are able to quickly troubleshoot those problems with patients and determine the best course of action for each individual.

      Mondays with your MD – Women’s Rights to Reproductive Health Care in 2022

      2022-07-03T18:04:48+00:00July 3rd, 2022|Adults, Family Practice, Health Care, Pregnancy, Public Health|

      I am grateful today that I live in Illinois, but I do not believe access to health care should depend on where a woman is residing within the US. The disruption to appropriate health care for women has caused chaos in caring for women who are pregnant, and ultimately will lead to preventable deaths of women that will affect the entire nation for generations.

      People misunderstand the far-reaching consequences of the ruling by believing abortion to be a simple elective decision to terminate a “normal” pregnancy. This ruling, in fact, threatens the fundamental health care rights of women. It demonstrates HOW IMPORTANT the physician-patient relationship is and why neither government nor insurance companies have any place making health-care decisions.

      Reverting to state level laws from early 1900s, immediately following this ruling, has put numerous physicians in an impossible situation wondering how to legally provide appropriate care for their patients. In Utah, for example, the law describes the delivery of anything except a dead fetus as an abortion. Women who are severely infected or hemorrhaging as a complication of pregnancy, with a fetus that has a heartbeat but cannot survive outside of the uterus, have routinely been treated by terminating pregnancy as the standard of care… until now. With the change in law, instead of terminating the fetus and sparing the life of the woman, there will be an additional preventable loss of life. The lives of women will be lost.

      In some states, immediately following the ruling, physicians were asked to contact the legal department prior to caring for patients appropriately….this simple delay in care can cost the life of a woman who is hemorrhaging from an ectopic non-viable pregnancy in an emergency care situation.

      The supreme court decision eliminates equitable and safe access to medical care and will ultimately lead to higher maternal mortality rates in the US. There is absolutely no space for third parties, government bodies nor insurance companies, in the delivery of health care. These decisions must be made DIRECTLY between patients and their physicians.

      “The American Medical Association is deeply disturbed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn nearly a half century of precedent protecting patients’ right to critical reproductive healthcare—representing an egregious allowance of government intrusion into the medical examination room, a direct attack on the practice of medicine and the patient-physician relationship, and a brazen violation of patients’; rights to evidence-based reproductive health services. States that end legal abortion will not end abortion—they will end safe abortion, risking devastating consequences, including patients’ lives….

      We will always have physicians’ backs and defend the practice of medicine, we will fight to protect the patient-physician relationship, and we will oppose any law or regulation that compromises or criminalizes patient access to safe, evidence-based medical care, including abortion. As the health of millions of patients hangs in the balance, this is a fight we will not give up.”

      © Copyright 2020 Roots-MD LLC, dba Roots Health DPC
      Toggle Sliding Bar Area
      No waiting. Healthcare delivered when you need it.
      Go to Top