We are currently open for normal visits, on top of this, in response to developments with COVID-19, we are currently offering telehealth visits as well, please give us a call to schedule a meeting. Please read more information regarding our COVID-19 Updates.
Our bones have a tough job to do, and they do it every moment of our lives. These sturdy structures help us move, protect our organs, keep us upright, and generally are essential to day to day living. As we age, we undergo certain changes that can have a lasting impact on the health of our bones, and by extension, our quality of life. Women, in particular, have to worry about bone loss as part of menopause and the associated hormonal changes. With a little care and time, it’s possible to slow down, prevent, and possibly even reverse bone loss.
The Major Players In Bone Health
Hormonal changes are just one factor involved in the changes our bones undergo throughout our lives. Each of the following elements has an important role to play and can be vital in taking control of our bone growth, development, and lasting health. If you’re looking for changes you can make to improve the longevity of your bone health, let this list be your guide.
Calcium Levels – The primary components of our bones are calcium and phosphorous. If your diet doesn’t include enough calcium, you may discover that your bones experience fractures or begin losing density earlier than expected.
Sedentary Lives – Our bones respond to the demands placed upon them, so physical activity is essential to lasting bone health. Osteoporosis sets in later and advances slower in those living an active lifestyle.
Weight – Contrary to what you may expect, it is those with extremely low weights that are at greater risk for bone problems than those who carry extra weight. This is often due to malnutrition or having bones that were smaller or lower density, to begin with.
Vices – Tobacco and Alcohol use have been shown to play a role in weak bones. Men and women alike experience higher levels of bone loss when these substances are included as a regular part of their diet.
What You Can Do To Maintain Your Bones
Protecting against bone loss means getting plenty of exercise, maintaining a calcium-rich diet, and eliminating or limiting your use of alcohol and tobacco. Vitamin D is another essential element in your diet that contributes to bone health, making outdoor exercise and dairy consumption even more essential to preventing bone loss. When hormonal changes play a role in bone loss, your physician may suggest bio-identical hormone replacement therapy to help slow its progress.
When you’re exploring ways to protect your bone health, it can pay to have an ally in your corner. Dr. Trang D Nguyen works with patients throughout the Conroe, TX area to help patients live long and healthy lives with good bone health. Our staff is always available to answer questions at our Conroe Family Doctor Offices or to help you schedule an appointment with Dr. Nguyen. Don’t wait until bone loss becomes a problem; start taking steps today to ensure your bones are resilient enough to last you a lifetime! We look forward to serving you.
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
-Fever or chills -Cough -Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing -Fatigue -Muscle or body aches -Headache -New loss of taste or smell -Sore throat -Congestion or runny nose -Nausea or vomiting -Diarrhea
Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
-Trouble breathing -Persistent pain or pressure in the chest -New confusion -Inability to wake or stay awake -Bluish lips or face
Conroe Family Doctor-In these COVID-19 times we are still open for in office visits as we as well as telehealth visits! Back to School is Starting and we are here in Conroe, TX for PHYSICALS FOR SCHOOL SPORTS OR WORK Stay Healthy and Safe! In these COVID-19 times make sure you are Also making your routine follow up appointments for existing conditions! Please give us a call at (936) 441-2012 to schedule an appointment today. Thank you, Stay Safe & Stay Healthy!
Yearly exams are an essential part of your health; they can prevent the onset of serious diseases, help keep track of your well-being, and keep yourself healthy with your healthcare providers. Many disorders and illnesses have been discovered because of wellness exams and allow your doctors to measure your recovery progress. These exams create the foundations of medical research and science for new vaccines and help prevent the onset of a current disease from developing further. However, for many who take part in these exams, the question arises: is there a difference between men and women in how they’re examined? We’re here to say yes, and explain how.
Wellness Exams for Women
There are huge factors in how women function. Hormones, reproductive systems, life spans, and chromosomes impact how a person develops over time. Their family and medical history will also influence how the body develops over time in significant ways. Medical exams will generally consist of an overall body exam for women, checking in on the vital parts, including the lungs, throat, stomach, tendons, heart, etc. Other exams will focus specifically on women’s anatomy, including pap smears and breast cancer screenings, to check on the reproductive system.
When it comes to diseases that affect women, some disorders only affect that gender, while others that affect both genders can exhibit different symptoms. For instance, osteoporosis is a condition more often occurring in women due to the decrease in estrogen after menopause, and the thinner bone framework women have compared to men. These biological differences make women’s health all the more critical, especially considering how our current healthcare system treats women.
Wellness Exams for Men
For men, these differences also account for unique conditions and other aspects of their biological makeup. For instance, the prostate, which helps produce seminal fluid and lengthen the lifespan of sperm, can face disorders later on in life as men’s testosterone levels decrease. Men are also susceptible to heart disease, colon cancers, strokes, high blood pressure, and other conditions more so than women, or affect men differently. Mental health disorders are often left undiagnosed in men due to the social ideals surrounding men, and the reluctance to seek help according to their sense of masculinity.
For tracking medical history, exams such as a prostate exam, testicular cancer exams, colon cancer examinations, high blood pressure, and cholesterol examinations are particularly essential in keeping men’s health optimal. Among these exams, tracking medical history and family history can help keep these diseases in mind and help doctors find better treatment forms.
During a wellness exam, you’ll receive a checkup of your height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse to track vital functions and overall state. Vaccines, medications, and screenings will also be taken into account by your physician for discussing preventative health measures for concerns and issues present. A physician’s role in these cases is to begin the process of diagnosis and help treat conditions that affect everyone’s lives.
If you’re searching for a physician, contact Dr. Trang D Nguyen at Conroe Family Doctor in Conroe, TX, to schedule an appointment today.
High blood pressure can become a serious concern if left unchecked, but thankfully there are a number of options available for keeping it down. While the most common involves prescription medication, there are other steps you can take if you’re avoiding medicating your condition. Maintaining healthy blood pressure involves changes in your lifestyle, activity, and food choices. With diligence, you may be able to delay or reduce your need for medication. In some cases, you may be able to prevent the need for the medication entirely.
Steps You Can Take To Keep Your High Blood Pressure Under Control
As we gain weight, its common for our blood pressure to increase alongside it. Among the reasons for this is the increased risk of sleep apnea, a breathing condition that can cause our blood pressure to rise. Losing weight is a powerful tool in preventing our blood pressure from rising, with even small losses showing significant changes in blood pressure levels. On average losing, 2.2 pounds results in a drop of 1mm Hg in your blood pressure.
Regular Exercise Can Help
Along with losing weight, increasing how much exercise you get can have a profound impact on your blood pressure. Taking half an hour a day to exercise can show a reduction in your blood pressure of up to 8mm Hg if done consistently. Maintaining this exercise level will be essential to seeing lasting results, as your blood pressure can rise again if you stop. Walking, swimming, dancing, and jogging are all activities that can help.
Maintain A Healthy Diet
Given these last two tips, it should come as no surprise that diet fits right in with maintaining healthy blood pressure. Avoiding cholesterol and saturated fat, as well as consuming vegetables, fruits, grains, and low-fat dairy products, can see your blood pressure drop by up to 11mm Hg. If you want to learn more about the diet that helps with high blood pressure, check out the DASH diet. (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension).
Sodium Reduction
Some people who experience high blood pressure do so as the result of having sodium-sensitive hypertension. This means that they are given to developing high blood pressure if they consume high levels of salt. Patients who have this condition should reduce the amount of salt they consume below 2,300mg a day, though less than 1,500mg is ideal for most of us. You can help accomplish this goal by reading labels, reducing how many processed foods you eat, and not adding salt to your diet.
If you have high blood pressure and want to know more ways you can help prevent the need for medication to control it, call our offices today. Dr. Trang D Nguyen has been helping patients like you battle high blood pressure from their clinic in Conroe, TX. At Conroe Family Doctor, we’re proud to teach our patient family how to maintain their health and enjoy life to the fullest. Don’t let hypertension take control of your life, take steps to reduce it, and your dependence on medication to treat it. Call today!
