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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

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.

JOIN US

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.

Schedule an initial complimentary consultation

Pharmacy hidden fees

2023-02-27T03:45:36+00:00February 20th, 2023|Prescription Costs, Public Health, Uncategorized|

HIDDEN FEES AT THE PHARMACY. WHY IT MAY BE CHEAPER TO NOT TO USE YOUR INSURANCE.

“I used my insurance for birth control pills and my copay was $50. The same medication is available for $11.65 when paid in cash. That’s a difference of $38.3. How can the price be so different?”

Most Americans have insurance that offers coverage on prescription drugs, but not all medications are covered. When your pharmacy collects a copay with your prescription, you can actually end up paying more for the drug than you would have paid in cash.

Why Is My Prescription More Expensive With Insurance?

Depending on your health insurance plan and policy, you may pay more for your medication if your plan requires you to pay a set copayment to the pharmacy for your medication. Regardless of the cost of your medication, you would be responsible for this copayment, but sometimes your copay could be more costly than the medication itself.

Most of us believe that a copayment on prescriptions assumes that the insurer and the patients share the costs of the drug. However, when a copayment exceeds the cost of the medication itself, the prescription benefit manager (PBM) keeps the difference as a profit. A common example would be when you pick up a standard antibiotic or blood pressure medication which cost $4 and your copay is $10.

How Insurance Prescription Coverage Works?

Prescription coverage varies by insurance plan and the list of prescription drugs covered in a health insurance plan is called a formulary. If the medication you have been prescribed is not on the plan’s formulary, you may have to pay for that prescription out-of-pocket.
The cost of your prescriptions may depend on how the costs are factored into your deductible and your actual cost of medication is not known until the prescription is sent to the pharmacy.

Another little-known secret driving up the price of your prescriptions is known as a copay “clawback.” These are prescription drug overpayments that occur when your copayments exceeds the total cost of the drug. The insurance company tells the pharmacy what to charge. The insurance company can overcharge the consumer, forcing the pharmacy to collect that amount, and then takes the extra money back as profit. This practice is carried out through a middleman, known know as a pharmacy benefit manager, or PBM. PBM’s negotiate drug prices with drug companies on behalf of your insurer. Some PBM’s then charge a co-pay that exceeds the cash price.

Nearly half of the insured individuals whose plan doesn’t cover their prescription end up not filling their prescription. Almost one-third of insured individuals across all income groups also said that they or someone in their household was told their insurance plan would not cover a drug prescribed by their doctor.

 

https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/pbm-practices-consumers-generics-savings-USC/624702/

We’re disrupting the status quo in health care. At Roots Health DPC we believe patients deserve easily accessible health care at an affordable price. We provide excellent medical care and make it easy for patients to get the medications and services they need. Schedule a free consultation with Dr Diaz today and find out how much you can save

FIND OUT MORE!

How to Save Money on Prescriptions

Consider the following tips to optimize savings on your prescriptions:

1. Opt for the Generic Version

Opting for the generic version instead of the brand-name drug can offer huge savings. Generic medications are the same as brand-name drugs in dosage, safety, strength, route of administration quality, and intended use. The significant difference between brand name and generic is the cost. The price difference out-of-pocket comes down to the patent behind the brand name. Speak to your physician about what your options are.

2. Ask for a Different Medication

Your physician does not know which medications are on your formulary, but it is likely they are familiar with alternative drugs that are used to treat the same condition. If your prescription is not covered by your insurance and requires a hefty out-of-pocket cost, ask your physician what alternatives exist. At Roots Health DPC we help patients obtain medication at affordable prices.

3. Change Your Pharmacy

Surprisingly, the cost of your medication can vary depending on pharmacies. You can try GoodRx for your prescription if you have to pay out-of-pocket and consider changing pharmacies for a better price.

SET UP A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH DR DIAZ 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”

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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.

BOOK A FREE MEET AND GREET 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.

 

 

Habits: Directing Your Life Intentionally

2023-01-23T04:18:54+00:00January 22nd, 2023|Adults, Membership, Mental Health, Public Health|

Our brains are the most amazing organ. The brain organizes and integrates an incredible amount of data quickly while allowing us to operate on “auto-pilot” for much of our day. Our brains create systems and pathways that are so well worn that we can do routine tasks without shifting our focus to them.

How can we harness the strength of this amazing gift to help us create the life we want? By understanding how to intentionally form our habits

So… what is a habit?

Habits are behaviors we perform on a regular basis where some component of the behavior is considered “automatic.” Forming new habits just requires practice.

Developing new desired healthy habits is something we can direct our brain to do for us. Dr Diaz works with patients to help them build habits and reach their goals.

>> Learn more aT: Roots Health DPC <<

Habits are pathways in the brain that have formed through repetition. The repetitive pattern starts with a cue from the environment which triggers a behavioral response and is reinforced with a reward. The classic example was the experiment with Pavlov’s dogs where the dogs salivated (behavior) in response to the bell (cue).

In order to create a new, healthy habit—or even to break a bad habit—you’ll want to be as intentional as possible with all three parts: cue, behavior, reward. You can manipulate your environment to introduce cues that you can then intentionally start to associate with a desired behavior and reinforce it all with a reward.

Changing your life habits can be simpler than you may think. With a few tricks, you can gain or lose any habits you’d like.

Understanding these tips will help you stick to healthy habits and break bad ones as you work toward your health and wellness goals in 2023.

FOCUS ON THE CUE

In order to create new habits, we need to focus on the cue, NOT the behavior.

Let’s say you want to start practicing yoga on a regular basis. Instead of focusing on doing yoga, try focusing on developing the routine around initiating the yoga.

An easy way to do this is to choose a cue that already occurs regularly in your daily life, such as drinking morning coffee. During the early stages of developing your yoga habit, focus your effort on prepping your yoga space while you brew the coffee. Then go fill up your cup and go straight to the location in your home you have chosen to do yoga.

Develop the habit of prepping to do yoga every morning, which makes it more likely that you’ll actually do it. Do not focus on the behavior… you can start with 5 minutes daily of yoga and gradually build up to your targeted time.

After a while, you’ll start to notice that when you get up to get coffee (environmental cue), it takes little to no effort to set up your space and practice yoga (habitual response).

You’ll even start to look forward to it, and maybe even feel like something in your life is off when you do not practice yoga…. And that’s the power of habit!

REINFORCE WITH THE “REWARD”

Using the yoga example, you might get done and treat yourself to a (healthy) snack to go with your coffee. Whatever you do, be sure to incorporate a healthy reward into your habit routine.

The more often the cue, behavior, and reward occur in close time and proximity to one another, the stronger a habit becomes.

HEALTHY HABITS TO START RIGHT NOW

All habits are not created equal. Some habits can have positive impacts across multiple areas of our lives. The most impactful habits are ones that point you toward regular exercise, eating well, and getting good sleep. These three are my top picks for unlocking a healthier life starting today.

HABITS VS GOALS – Don’t confuse habits with goals.

Goals are great, but putting habits in place that move you toward your goals are key. The goal is the destination and the habit is the journey.

You have the tips you need to build healthy habits and break bad ones. Start the process today and build a better life for yourself…. one habit at a time. Interested in learning more about how you can use habits and achieve your health and wellness goals? Set up a FREE “Meet and Greet” to speak with Dr Diaz today. Space is limited.

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Holiday Stress – Mondays With your MD

2022-12-12T22:24:06+00:00December 12th, 2022|Adults, Mental Health, Public Health, Sleep|

Prioritize your mental health this holiday season

‘Tis the season of giving!

Make sure you fill your own cup first…there is nothing to give from an empty cup.

We all feel stressed from time to time during the holiday season – there are changes to routine, pressure to attend social events, shopping, cleaning, entertaining, travel, and more… that can all take a toll on our mental health.
Since the pandemic began, the loss of loved ones, financial stressors, and feelings of anxiety around the uncertainties have impacted many. It’s important to adjust at your own pace and take care of your mental wellbeing along the way.

Don’t let stress and negative thinking ruin your holidays and hurt your health.

With some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. Heck…you may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would!

5 Tips to “enjoy more and stress less” this holiday season:

1. LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS
… for yourself and others! The holidays do not have to be perfect… or even just like last year. Families change and grow and so do traditions and rituals. Remember feelings are not facts and they do not last forever. Try to focus on what really matters most to you this holiday season. Acknowledge your feelings and give yourself the space and time to process them and then, when you’re ready, choose to move on.

2. KEEP YOUR ROUTINE AND HEALTHY HABITS
Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to stress.

  • Get sleep
  • Eat healthy meals
  • Avoid excessive alcohol
  • Include regular physical activity
  • Use deep-breathing exercises, meditation or yoga.

3. PRACTICE MORE SELF-CARE

Make time for yourself and take a break. Reserve spending time just for you, without distractions. Engage in hobbies that bring you joy: take a walk, enjoy music, listen to an audiobook, get a massage, let your artistic side play. This simple tip may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do.

“You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day, unless you’re too busy: then you should sit for an hour” –old Zen proverb

4. SAYING “NO”
Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends, family, and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every activity or if you are unable to host them beyond your limits. Remember that “No” is a complete sentence. If you have an obligation that is taking more time than planned, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.

5. ASK FOR HELP
Reaching out for help during the holidays is one of the best things you can do. Speak with a person you trust…a friend, family member or your therapist, about your current feelings. You will discover that feeling down or stressed during the holiday season is very common. Give yourself the time you need to use tools to overcome those negative thoughts. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, if you find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores… talk to your doctor or mental health professional. You are never alone.

Looking for a physician who takes the time to listen and answers all your questions? We are enrolling a limited number of new patients.

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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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Mondays with your MD – Not another respiratory virus…. It SNOT FUNNY!

2022-11-11T23:38:02+00:00November 11th, 2022|Families, Family Practice, Health Care, Public Health|

Winter is coming….. that means LOTS of colds/flu…. AND its WORSE than ever before ALREADY! This is the first fall with our masks off…. And all these infections are coming back out with a vengeance.

The kids are coming home from school and everyone needs more tests and notes to return to school and work than ever before. As a working parent…. I know your time is valuable… you need the highest quality and fastest care possible.

No one wants to go to an urgent care with a bunch of other sick people and pick up another virus to deal with in the home next week!

Its not a surprise that after the disappearance of COVID mitigation strategies and low population immunity, as kids have flocked back to classrooms and day cares, there is a huge upswing of respiratory viruses circulating. RSV, rhinovirus, flu, Covid… you name it. Children, on the whole, are more susceptible to these microbes then they have been in years.

Most of these viruses have been around forever and many have always posed a risk for infants/toddlers, patients with underlying respiratory diseases and immunocompromised folks. This year, flu, covid, and other commonly known respiratory viruses including RSV are on the rise to the highest levels seen in decades.

Ways to prepare for THIS cold and flu season…

Get your flu shot and COVID boosters NOW if you have not already.

Wash your hands and kids hands frequently. Use hand sanitizer to avoid germs

Avoid areas with other people with cough and cold symptoms

Breastfeed: it transfers immunity to babies to fight infections

Eat healthy with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Stay rested. Getting sleep helps your immune system stay strong

If you want to know the most effective upper respiratory infection treatments and learn how to navigate this winter to minimize the disruptions to your routine …… sign up for our FREE GUIDE to
“Best practices for the common cold, flu, and COVID”

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