Give yourself the gift of TIME
Your TIME is VALUABLE
THIS IS NOT too good to be true!

Your TIME is VALUABLE
THIS IS NOT too good to be true!
SLEEP APNEA
Did you know that daytime fatigue, trouble concentrating, headaches, and many other symptoms can be caused by sleep apnea?
Learn about sleep apnea and signs that it might be affecting your health.
Sleep apnea is commonly under-diagnosed . Education is key.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Speak with your primary care physician about your symptoms suggestive of sleep apnea. An overnight sleep study can objectively evaluate for sleep apnea.
Navigating Health Care Alternatives:
Health Sharing Plans and Direct Primary Care
Insurance costs are increasing and have become a growing source of stress for individuals and families. Many are not aware there is another alternative—and it’s called health care sharing plans. Health sharing plans (HSP), also known as medical cost sharing, can save you and your family a lot of money on healthcare. We review the basics of these plans and explore how they differ from traditional insurance coverage.
Health Sharing Plans (HSP): How It Works
Members in an HSP “share” medical costs. As part of an HSP, you are responsible for paying an initial unshareable amount (IUA) each month (like a premium). There is also an “annual unshared amount” (like a deductible) that your medical expenses must exceed before the plan shares your expenses.
Health care sharing can be great for people who:
HSP vs Health Insurance
The Pros:
The Cons:
HSP and Direct Primary Care work well together
The DPC will meet vast majority of a person’s primary health care needs and any urgent care needs for a low monthly fee without copays or deductibles. DPC will ensure access to high quality low cost laboratories, medications , and consultations with specialists. You receive higher quality care with better access to your physician without waiting.
Are Medications Affordable?
Medications do not need to be expensive.
Out-of-pocket costs for medications have skyrocketed. We know patients are sick of trying to figure out how to get medications at a reasonable cost. At Roots Health DPC, we are making medications easily affordable for our patients. How?
We buy medications at wholesale cost – and pass that value to our patients…without marking them up. We remove the middleman, pharmacy benefit managers/retail pharmacies, that come between patients and their medications. We have effectively lowered the cost of prescriptions by 50% to 90% for our patients.
Here are Just a few Examples of Medications for Under $5/month
Metformin
Ibuprofen
Lisinopril
Amlodipine
Sertraline/Zoloft
Lovastatin
Sumatriptan/Imitrex
Loratadine/Claritin
A Simple Solution for a “Complex” Problem
DPC stands for Direct Primary Care – we deliver health care services, including medications, directly to our patients. We provide medications at discounted rates because we know everyone deserves fair pricing on the medications they require to stay healthy. We are uniquely qualified to partner with our patients to determine which medications will best treat their medical conditions and ensure they receive those medications at a reasonable price.
Gun Violence – A Public Health Crisis
Sadly, firearms are the leading cause of death in children in the United States. These deaths are completely preventable and occur at a rate more than 5x higher than drownings.
June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
TOP TIPS for PREVENTING FIREARM DEATHS
As with any health-related problem, prevention through education is a critical component. Did you know that firearms are present in 1/3 of households with children?
9 Critical Warning Signs of Violence
In almost every documented case of active shooters, there were warning signs. In 4 out of 5 school shootings at least one other person had knowledge of attackers plan but failed to report it.
Reporting warning signs of violence is critical to decreasing the risk of gun violence in our community.
Advocacy to protect children from gun-violence must take place at a national level to have meaningful impact. Basic measure such as stopping assault weapon sales and advocating for high-capacity magazine limits, alongside ammunition regulation, required background checks, and increasing gun manufacturer liability will be critical.
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.
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
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.
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
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 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.
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
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.
Debunking Myths: Women and Heart Health
Myth: Heart disease is a man’s disease
Fact: Heart disease is kills more women than men. Heart disease is the cause of one out of every three deaths and is the leading cause of death for women.
Myth: Heart disease only happens to older women
Fact: Heart disease affects women of all ages. For younger women, the combination of birth control pills and smoking increases heart disease risks by 20 percent.
Myth: If women are fit they are not at risk
Fact: The risk for heart disease is not eliminated if you exercise regularly. Factors like cholesterol, eating habits, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking directly affect risk.
Myth: Heart disease always has symptoms
Fact: The majority of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. Symptoms vary greatly between men and women. Women are often underdiagnosed or undertreated which can lead to higher mortality rates.
Myth: If heart disease runs in my family, I can’t do anything about it
Fact: Women with a family history of heart disease are at higher risk, but there’s tons that can be done to dramatically reduce risk. Women should discuss their personal risk factors with their healthcare provider and undergo regular screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and other heart disease risk factors.