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Check it out:
Some must-do
screenings and self-exams
There’s no denying how popular DIY projects are today. We
love to roll up our sleeves and get it done. But what about
health screenings that can alert us to possible health prob-
lems? Can we tackle some of those ourselves too?
You’ll need a doctor for most screening tests and ex-
ams, of course. But you can do some checks yourself, often
with a doctor’s input or recommendation. Examples of both
are below. Keep in mind, these are generalized guidelines.
You may need screenings earlier, more often or not at all.
Ask your doctor what’s right for you.
4 STEPS TO
BETTER JOINT
HEALTH
YOUR JOINTS
are truly amazing. Imagine walking, bend-
ing to smell a flower or tossing a ball—without your joints.
To help keep these moveable marvels healthy by prac-
ticing a little joint TLC:
1
Keep moving.
Exercise helps keep muscles around
your joints strong and in good working order. Aim for
150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise—such as
brisk walking or water aerobics—every week. And do
some activities to strengthen your major muscle groups
at least two days a week. And if you play sports, protect
your joints by wearing any recommended safety pads.
2
Lighten your load.
Excess weight puts stress on the
joints of your knees, hips and feet. Every extra pound you
gain puts four times the stress on your knees. But losing a
small amount of weight may help the health of your joints.
To keep pounds from piling on, practice portion con-
trol. Enjoy your favorite foods but in smaller amounts.
Eating naturally calorie-light fruits and veggies, as part of
a balanced diet, may also help. And many beverages are
high in calories. Cutting back on calorie-laden beverages
can help you lose weight.
3
Bone up on calcium and vitamin D.
This mineral-
vitamin duo helps build and maintain strong bones, re-
ducing the risk of osteoporosis—which thins bones and
makes them prone to fractures.
Sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products
along with foods such as broccoli, kale and canned salmon
with edible bones. Some juices, cereals, breads, soy milk
and bottled water have calcium added to them. Read the
labels. They may also contain vitamin D.
Your skin makes vitamin D when exposed to the sun.
However, being in the sun also raises your risk of skin
cancer. Ask your doctor if you should take a vitamin D
supplement.
4
Butt out.
If you smoke, your bones will thank you if
you quit. Smoking puts you at higher risk of fractures.
Quitting is easier said than done. These tips may help:
●
●
Talk with your health care provider about stop-
smoking medicines, both prescription and over-the-
counter. He or she can help you decide if one of them
might work well for you.
●
●
Pick a quit date, and let family and friends know so
that they can help support your decision.
●
●
Do a clean sweep of your home, car and work. Rid
them of any cigarettes, matches, lighters or ashtrays.
Sources: Arthritis Foundation; National Institutes of Health
If painful joints are
an issue, sometimes a
conservative option like
physical therapy is a great
first step. Call Samaritan
Physical Therapy
at 793-9605.
Sources: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; American Academy of Family Physicians;
American Cancer Society; U.S. National Library of Medicine
AT HOME
AT A PROVIDER’S OFFICE
Step on a scale.
Type
the results (plus your
height) into a body mass
index (BMI) calculator,
like this one, to see if
you’re overweight or obese:
www.morehealth.org/bmi.
Mammograms.
From ages
45 to 54, women should
have yearly breast cancer
screenings, switching to
every two years after that.
Measure your waist.
Place a tape just above
your hipbones, exhale and
measure. A waist greater
than 40 inches for men or
35 for women boosts type 2
diabetes and heart disease
risks.
Colonoscopy.
Starting at
age 50, colonoscopies or
other screening tests are
recommended for both men
and women to help prevent
colorectal cancer or find it
early.
Check your feet if you
have diabetes.
Your doctor
may have you look for and
report any sores or other
problems before they be-
come major infections.
Pap tests.
Starting at 21,
regular Pap smears help
guard against cervical
cancer in women.
Check your skin for
cancer.
Frequent (such
as monthly) self-skin
checks may help you find
cancer early. Changing
moles, blemishes or other
worrisome-looking areas on
your skin should be shown
to your doctor.
Blood pressure checks.
Have your doctor check
your blood pressure at least
every two years—and more
often if you have certain
conditions, such as heart
disease or diabetes.
Monitor your blood pres-
sure.
Your doctor may have
you use a portable monitor
at home if, for instance, you
have borderline high blood
pressure or your readings
might be high only at the
doctor’s office.
Cholesterol blood tests.
Start at 35, or age 20 if
you have risk factors such
as diabetes, high blood
pressure or heart disease.
LOOKING OUT FOR YOU
Samaritan supports initiatives to end unnecessary treatments
IN THE COMING MONTHS,
when you visit your Samari-
tan provider’s office, you may hear about two initiatives Sa-
maritan Healthcare is adopting. Samaritan has partnered
with Columbia Basin Community Partnership for Health
and Choosing Wisely, a program launched by the ABIM
Foundation with a goal of advancing a national dialogue
on avoiding wasteful or unnecessary medical tests, treat-
ments and procedures.
The two initiatives are targeted at local providers to
reduce unnecessary antibiotic usage and imaging for
simple headaches. Local providers, including those from
Samaritan Clinics, Confluence Health Moses Lake Clinic
and Moses Lake Community Health Center, will be work-
ing toward these goals.
Patient information will be placed in waiting and treat-
ment areas throughout Samaritan Clinics. An introductory
kickoff took place at the Samaritan Healthcare Commu-
nity Health Fair on May 14. At the kickoff, Jill A. Dudik-
Bross, MD, FAAP, gave community patients information and
education about the program and what it means for them.
F A L L 2 0 1 6
7
T H E
S A M A R I T A N
®
A guide to when
and how to use
antibiotics to
help you and your
loved ones avoid
drug resistance
Antibiotics
When you
need them–
and when
you don’t