| Walk With the Doc With many demands and distractions in life, maintaining our health can be challenging. The statistics speak for themselves. Nationally, weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, depression and high blood pressure are on the rise. Turning the tide will require more than a fad diet. A more successful approach is one that offers opportunities for small successes. Set the goal too high and you may become discouraged. A daily walk is often a good choice for sustainable success. Make the walk fun and you triple your chances for success. Perhaps, audio books, podcast or music are your thing. For many, a friend to chat with can make the difference. While I’ll miss the walk this Saturday, my walking partner will stand in for me. That’s right – we walk come rain or shine. Fortunately, every morning this year has been very nice. Monday morning I will be back, recharged, and looking forward to being here for you. Nancy Neighbors, MD Thoughts to Ponder Excess stress can lead to health problems. Finding a technique to balance unavoidable stress helps. Often some combination of exercise, muscle relaxation, meditation, massage therapy, or stretching activities like yoga and tai chi are the answer. Perhaps you are reconsidering late night shows that cut into your sleep. If you've been burning the candle at both ends, it's time to give your body a break. The foods we bring home determine what we eat. Consider shopping with a list rather than succumbing to last minute shopping impulses. When you plan in advance, fresh fruits and vegetables are more likely to end up in your basket. Shopping when not hungry also makes wise choices easier. As a bonus, a list can lead to significant savings at stores that match competitor’s prices. To realize amazing bargains on fresh produce, bookmark weekly specials at web sites like Aldi.com, Sprouts.com, Kroger.com, WinnDixie.com, etc. There's a stockpile of evidence that exercise is part of what keeps us in good physical and mental health. That’ s why my fall trip this year includes taking three long walks each day. It’s medicine for the body, mind and spirit. Annual Checkups Perhaps it's been a few years since you or someone you care about had a wellness checkup? These checkups are a good time to review your overall health and discuss plans that might eliminate the need in future years to remark, “Had I known I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” Annual checkups are also a time to discuss age appropriate screenings that can help spot potential problems. To get the most from an annual checkup complete your online health history using the reason for your appointment as “General Exam.” With this information in hand before your appointment I can often do more for you. Prostate Cancer Awareness September was prostate awareness month. If your special guy didn’t get the memo, you might mention that prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among American men. It’s important to understand the symptoms, the risk and how to make an informed decision about screening. More information is available at the links below: • ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer • CDC & Prevention of Prostate Cancer • National Cancer Institute Prostate Cancer • Medicare Preventive Services Educational Tools Medicare Part D It’s that time of year again for the Medicare generation with two ways to get Medicare prescription drug coverage–either with a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D), or with a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). With the costs of medications rising over 7% annually it’s smart to shop for plans that reduce cost for the prescription you routinely use. What may have been a bargain plan last year may not be a bargain in the coming year. Plans often revise their list of covered medications (formularies) and prices. To help get organized for this annual price comparison ritual you may find the Medicare and Medicaid Services website a good place to get started. To determine expected cost you need to compare each plan’s monthly premium cost, deductibles and out- of-pocket expenses. With a Medicare Advantage plan, you can skip this step since drug costs are part of the plan. While an insurance agent can be helpful, some may try to sell you a more expensive plan than necessary. It’s best to do your research before contacting an agent. |