Breastfeeding is the best way to give your child a healthy start in life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says human milk provides the most complete form of nutrition for infants. It is more convenient than bottle feeding because the milk is always available at the right temperature, and there are no supplies to sterilize or formulas to mix. Breast milk substitutes such as formula are harder to digest, especially for premature infants since they have an immature gut.
With summer vacation looming, parents and kids are getting ready for camp. Many camps require attendees to have a pre-
For most people, losing weight is a challenge that requires them to make lifestyle changes. They must focus on diet and exercise, reducing caloric intake while increasing physical activity. It is best to follow a low-
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are often a winter inevitability. They are caused by the oral form of the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-
Have you made a resolution to take better care of yourself this year? Be sure to consider not only your physical health but your mental health as well. According to a new federal report from the Centers for Disease Control, people in the United States have made great progress in some health areas — for example, they get more exercise and fewer teens smoke cigarettes — but they have lagged behind in many others, particularly in the area of mental health.
You hear it all the time: “Before beginning any exercise program, see your doctor.”
It’s good advice, especially if you’ve been sedentary and are now determined to get back into shape. It is important to consult a physician about your current state of health so you can be aware of possible limitations or problems that could arise while you’re working out.
There is good news about prostate cancer. It is one of the most common cancers men develop (the American Cancer Society says about one man in seven will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime), but it is often treated successfully, especially when detected early, still confined to the prostate.
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), lung cancer is the third most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in the United States among both men and women. Each year, more people die from lung cancer than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined.
The most important risk factor for lung cancer is smoking.
People who have diabetes must be extra vigilant about their eyes. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults between the ages of 20 and 74, and 45 percent of patients with diabetes develop diabetic eye disease, which can lead to severe vision loss or even blindness, according to www.DiabetesSightRisk.com. One diabetic complication that affects the eyes is diabetic retinopathy, in which blood vessels become blocked and prevent areas of the retina....
Hippocrates, the father of modern-
Too often we look for healing in medicine bottles. But perhaps it would be better if we looked elsewhere to the fruits and vegetables sections of our local grocery store.
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Have you made a resolution to take better care of yourself this year? Be sure to consider not only your physical health but your mental health as well.
According to a new federal report from the Centers for Disease Control, people in the United States have made great progress in some health areas —for example, they get more exercise and fewer teens smoke cigarettes — but they have lagged behind in many others, particularly in the area of mental health.
If you need an incentive to take inventory of your mental health, be aware Medicare covers a yearly screening for depression. It is part of the Annual Wellness Visit, during which you would discuss and create with your doctor a plan of preventive care for the coming year. According to Medicare Interactive (www.medicareinteractive.org), these screenings are designed to be completed by a doctor or other primary care provider to ensure you are correctly diagnosed and treated and receive follow-
The screening includes a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-
for or have symptoms of depression, your doctor will do a more thorough evaluation and, if necessary, refer you to a mental health professional for further care.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (www.cms.gov) says screening for depression in adults is reasonable and necessary for the prevention or early detection of illness or disability. The CMS describes depression as a mental disorder characterized by alterations in mood. The symptoms of depression have been recognized as far back as ancient times. (Hippocrates called it melancholia.) Depression is not a single disease, says the CMS; it is a syndrome manifested by a variety of diseases with distinct causes. Its origin includes psychological, social and biological factors.
Depression affects people across the age spectrum. In older adults, depression is often linked with comorbidities such as cancer, arthritis, stroke, lung disease and cardiovascular disease. Grief is another important risk factor for depression, and older people generally experience an accelerated loss of friends and loved ones as they age. Diagnosis of depression is based on a highly variable set of
MEDICARE COVERS SCREENING FOR DEPRESSION
symptoms. These symptoms include depressed mood; diminished interest or pleasure in activities the person formerly enjoyed; significant weight loss or gain; fatigue or loss of energy; feelings of worthlessness; and insomnia or hypersomnia.
Depression screening is important because it can help improve mental health and general medical outcomes. Under-
DR. JEFFREY FOXX
A Covington, Ky., native, Dr. Jeffrey Foxx founded Family Practice Associates of Lexington in 1983. Dr. Foxx holds the belief that “God is first, family is second and medicine is third.”
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