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Wellness Blog

Pap Tests: No longer a yearly ritual

Martha (Marte) A. Hoffman, ARNP | June 15, 2017 | Post comment
 

As you have probably noticed, your annual preventive exam doesn't always include a pap test anymore.  Why is this?  To answer, you need to know what a pap test tests, why it’s done and what is different now.

A pap involves the collection of cells from the lowermost section of the uterus, called the cervix. The cervix is located at the top of the vagina and is accessed by inserting a speculum into the vagina, so your provider can see the area.  A small brush is swept around the cervix and loose cells are caught and sent for analysis.

The cells are examined for distortions in... Read More

Men: Be the example

Stephen Campbell, MD | June 08, 2017 | Post comment
 

In June we celebrate Men's Health Month. A time where we encourage awareness of preventable health problems and early detection and treatment of diseases among men and boys. Healthy habits are some of the many examples we can provide to our children and loved ones for a lifetime of wellness.

Eat healthy.

Include a variety of vegetables and fruits daily. Think colorful! Fruits and vegetables have essential vitamins and minerals that can help protect from chronic disease.

Cut the fat!

Limit foods high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.

Get regular physical activity... Read More

Pounding the pavement?

Jenna Lisenby, DPT | June 01, 2017 | Post comment
 

If you can hear feet hitting the ground while you’re running, you're probably setting yourself up for injury. Excessive noise during running comes from bad form. Keep your feet close to the ground and try to use a quick, shuffling stride.

Don’t forget the American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. How are you getting your... Read More

Wear sunscreen, prevent cancer

Monica Edenholm, PA-C | May 25, 2017 | Post comment
 

Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime? Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer by protecting you from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Think about the following when enjoying our onset of beautiful weather.

What sunscreen should you use? Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA/UVB rays) Use SPF 50 Water resistant When should you use sunscreen? Everyday. The sun’s rays are harmful year-round. Even on cloudy days too. How much sunscreen should I use? Use enough sunscreen to coat all skin that will not be covered by clothing. Remember... Read More

Nature is Nurture

Everett Health Tips, Staff | May 23, 2017 | Post comment
 

You’ve probably heard that nature is good for you, but did you know there’s real science to back it up? A study from Stanford University found that 90 minutes in nature decreased activity in the areas of the brain associated with depression and anxiety. Furthermore, people living in urban areas are 20% more likely to develop anxiety disorders and 40% more likely to develop mood disorders. But don’t despair just because you live in the city, spending even just fifteen minutes in the park can significantly improve your mental health. So whenever you get the chance to get outside, take it.... Read More

Watch Your Eyes

Everett Health Tips, Staff | May 23, 2017 | Post comment
 

You probably don’t need us to tell you that staring at your screen for too long is bad for your eyes. Luckily there are things you can do to limit the harm. One common technique is the 20-20-20 rule. Look away from your screen for 20 seconds every 20 minutes, focusing on a point 20 feet away. Position is another factor. Your screen should be 20-30 inches away, and you should be looking down at it at a 15-20 degree angle. Lastly, make sure your monitor brightness is appropriate. If your screen lights up a dark room, it’s too bright, and if it seems dull and gray, it’s too dim. Following... Read More

Watch Your Own Back

Everett Health Tips, Staff | May 23, 2017 | 1 comment
 

There’s no getting around it, carrying a backpack can be uncomfortable, fortunately, there are some rules you can follow to make carrying your bag less strenuous.

Rule 1: Your backpack should never fall more than 4 inches below your waist. Low-hanging backpacks put too much weight on your shoulders, which leads to bad posture, so keep your straps tight. Rule 2: Your backpack shouldn’t be more than 5-10% of your body weight. Limit your load if you can. Rule 3: Compartmentalize. If your backpack has different compartments, do your best to spread the weight evenly to avoid putting too... Read More

ABCDEs of Melanoma

Matthew Majerus, MD | May 11, 2017 | 4 comments
 

May, with the return of stronger and longer hours of sunshine, is designated as Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Unfortunately, skin cancer has become a very common issue in our society. An estimated 1 out of every 5 Americans will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. Cases of the most serious and dangerous form of skin cancer, melanoma, doubled from the year 1982 to 2011.

What is Melanoma

Melanoma is when the cells that make the brown color of your moles become cancerous. On average, one American dies of melanoma every single hour. Because of this, it is... Read More

Fiesta Chicken Tacos

Cherita J Raines, MD, MPH | May 04, 2017 | Post comment
 

Try these simple chicken tacos that taste like delicious comfort food, but have few calories and are low in fat.

Total Time: 18 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 8 min.
Yield: 4 servings, 2 tacos each

Ingredients: 1 tsp. olive oil or coconut oil 1 medium red onion, chopped 1 lb. chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ tsp. cumin Salt and black pepper, to taste 8 (6-inch) corn or flour tortillas, warm ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, or your favorite fresh herb Instructions: Heat oil in large skillet over... Read More

Spring showers bring flowers & allergies

Vivek Agarwal, MD | April 13, 2017 | Post comment
 
Reduce your exposure to allergies Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after it rains, which helps clear pollen from the air. Lawn mowing, weed pulling, and other gardening chores that stir up allergens. Remove clothes you’ve worn outside and shower to rinse off pollen from your skin and hair. Don’t hang dry laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels. If you do chores outside, wear a pollen mask. When pollen counts are high Check the news! Local TV or radio station, your local newspaper, or specific websites for... Read More

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