Tagged: Preventative Care

Summer is almost here, and it’s about time. But before you run out the door for a day of fun in the sun, here are a few tips for a safe and regret-free experience. Plan ahead and take what you need with you, and then sit back and relax.

Each October, many charities, research organizations, medical institutions, and individuals participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to spread the word about the need for early detection and proper treatment for those diagnosed with breast cancer. Understandably, most people prefer not to dwell on their cancer risk or entertain thoughts of what might happen if they were diagnosed, but the reality is that breast cancer will affect roughly 1 in 8 women born today.

What do you picture when you hear the words “holiday heart?” The phrase might evoke images of warm family gatherings, wintry outings with friends that end with hot cider, or even chocolates. As lovely as these nostalgic scenes might be, “holiday heart syndrome” actually refers to an increase in emergency room visits and hospital admissions from an irregular heart rhythm that many people experience around the holidays. It can happen to anyone, even otherwise healthy people.

When we discuss preventative medicine and ways we can take responsibility for our health, annual wellness visits might come to mind as a means to accomplishing both. It seems to be part of the conventional wisdom most of us abide by, at least in theory. We may not make that visit every year, but we know we should. Or should we?

Up until a few weeks ago, it seemed warm weather would never arrive for the northern part of the United States. Thankfully, it seems spring (and in some places, summer) temperatures have finally arrived and even better, it looks like they are here to stay! However, along with longer, warmer days, comes a need to consider sun safety and the risk of skin cancer.

Depending on where you live, the weather may be showing little signs that spring isn't too far off. That's a hopeful signal, especially for those living in the areas that have been hardest hit by severe winter storms. Unfortunately, no matter what the weather does, we're still in the middle of what's commonly known as "flu season."

Last August, one of our members, Clifford Stoller, MD, wrote a guest post entitled The Truth About Back Surgery. In it, Dr. Stoller suggested that only a minority of back disorders actually require surgery. Taking on what has for a long time been conventional wisdom regarding the management and treatment of chronic back pain, he suggested a conservative approach as opposed to radical surgical intervention. A few months later, Jon. S., a member from Indiana, reached out to us because his experience with back pain so closely mirrored the statements Dr. Stoller made in his article.

The enrollment process with Liberty HealthShare includes a review of applicant health for two main reasons: first, because we are a community united by our shared belief in God, we agree together to honor him by stewarding our bodies as the gifts they are. Second, as we share medical costs as a community, that stewardship of our bodies results in the reduction of avoidable medical expenses. One of the lifestyle expectations we have for our members is that they will not engage in any kind of tobacco use.

Clifford R. Stoller, MD is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and is a member of Liberty HealthShare. Having recently retired from private practice, Dr. Stoller contacted us and offered to volunteer his services in the management of spine disorders. In this guest physician post, Dr. Stoller draws particular attention to the pitfalls of conventional wisdom regarding back pain, a broad symptom that can lead to improper, expensive treatments, up to and including surgery.

I was at a conference in Washington, D.C. when I received a reminder email concerning my October newsletter article. Friends and colleagues suggested I could write about autumn and highlight fall spices that can help address certain health conditions. Although it was a good and timely suggestion, as I did some sightseeing in our nation’s capital, I found inspiration in an unlikely place.I noticed there was a fast food establishment on just about every corner, and it got me thinking about a national epidemic that likely affects all Liberty HealthShare members, either personally or by association. That epidemic is obesity.

Viewpoints From A Naturopathic Physician by Kendra Pearsall, N.M.D. Medicine is and always has been more art than science. The information provided here is not to be treated as individual medical advice but rather a starting point from which to assess your own health practices. What is best for you is what restores and or maintains good health. Read with an open mind and consult with your personal physician on any changes you may want to make. I offer this article as a reminder to maintain a healthy dose of skepticism where it comes to conventional thinking (the kind usually passed down from academics and bureaucrats) that attempts to treat us all the same way.

May’s Memorial Day preserves the memory of veterans who have given their lives for our country’s freedom – a freedom that, among other things, gave us the Great American Backyard. In preparing our backyards for warm weather activities, we wage war on winter damage, insect infestations, and Pinterest fantasies. Before launching your offensive, read our Intelligence Briefing. It could keep you from being wounded in the Battle of the Backyard!

A Convenient Telemedicine Platform for Liberty HealthShare Members We here at Liberty HealthShare strive daily to make accessing medical care simple. This is why we don't have a "network" of physicians to which members must adhere. VideoMedicine makes accessing care that much easier whether you are away from home or just don't want the hassle of scheduling an appointment at a doctor's office.

Viewpoints from a Naturopathic Physician by Kendra Pearsall, N.M.D. People tell us their number one reason for joining Liberty HealthShare is the cost savings. Members report they are saving thousands over previous years' total healthcare expenses. Cost savings is one of the many reasons I LOVE being a member, and for that reason and more, I tell everyone I know about this wonderful program. I asked Liberty HealthShare's Executive Director, Dale Bellis, how Liberty is able to keep membership fees low.

by Elaina George, MD Ear infections are one of the most common problems for which people seek medical attention. The best treatments for the various types of ear infections depend on the underlying cause.

I was sitting at my desk thinking of a subject for my next newsletter article when my 11-year-old niece, Bayleigh, came to visit me. She said,” Aunt Susie, what are you doing?” “I’m thinking about what I should write for the next newsletter," I replied. With excitement in her voice and her eyes shining like Christmas lights, she said, “I know what you can write about. Write about your skin!” I pondered her idea and because she was so excited about her suggestion, I asked if she wanted to help. She sat down and began writing.

by Elaina George, MD The winter months increase the chance of illness. Two contributing factors are limited sun exposure and close proximity to others who are sick. There are plenty of natural steps you can take to decrease your risk of illness. Here are several:

With the cold weather and less sunlight that characterize the winter months, many of us find it difficult to continue with our warm weather exercise routines. Most of us will find we spend a lot more time sitting, whether it's at work or doing other indoor activities. However, we all know continued activity is best no matter what the weather. One of the ways you can combat sluggishness is through stretching. With just a little ffort, you can do these stretches at your desk and enjoy their energizing benefits.

Viewpoints from a Naturopathic Physician by Dr. Kendra Pearsall, N.M.D. Member of the LHS Physician Review Board An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease or dementia and two-thirds of these are women. One in three seniors (those 65 and older) die of dementia. Your odds of being diagnosed with dementia after 65 are high UNLESS you undertake preventative measures to protect and preserve your brain.

Stress can start with money worries or a health scare. It can be instigated by a traffic jam, a disagreement with a partner, or unreasonable demands at work or at school. Recently, several people have asked me about stress and how it affects us physically. How can a six-letter word wreak so much havoc and bring so much turmoil to our lives and health? Or does it?

Supplements are quite the topic of conversation lately. Many people wonder, "Should I take supplements?" "Are supplements safe?" Ideally, we should be getting our vitamins and minerals through foods in their whole, natural, and organic form. However, health professionals may prescribe supplements for a variety of reasons, such as poor eating habits, nutrient depletion from the medications we take, food processing and cooking that can deplete nutrients, stress, and disease processes.

Viewpoints from a Naturopathic Physician What Every Woman Needs To Know About Mammograms. Mammograms are x-rays of the breast that are used in screening for breast cancer. The current conventional medical recommendations are that all women aged 50-74 should get a mammogram every two years in order to screen for breast cancer. However, one of the largest and longest studies of mammography to date, involving 90,000 women followed for 25 years, found that mammograms have absolutely NO impact on breast cancer mortality. In other words, the death rate from breast cancer was virtually identical between those who received an annual mammogram and those who did not. In fact, the latest research shows that in addition to having little to no diagnostic value, mammograms can actually cause a number of problems:

The shape of healthcare is changing with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) legislation, and one of the main elements about which many Americans are excited is the inclusion of free preventative care in all health insurance under the ACA. This type of preventative care covers an annual physical and other basic tests and screenings that can help identify health problems early on potentially preventing more serious health conditions from developing.