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Gut Bacteria and Your Health

Gut Bacteria and Your Health

March 19, 2019 By Leave a Comment

gut bacteria

Most of the time when our medical provider talks about bacteria and our body it’s not a good thing. When it comes to the naturally occurring bacteria in your stomach, it looks like more can be better.

Somewhere between 300 and 500 different kinds of bacteria live in our intestines, and that’s a good thing. These bacteria work with other tiny organisms to make up the microbiota in our intestines. Researchers call the gut our “second brain”.  The microbiota in our gut affects everything from our metabolism to our mood to our immune system.

Gut Bacteria Linked to Chronic Illness

Research into this gut bacteria shows differences between the types of bacteria in healthy people versus those with certain illnesses. While it makes sense what’s happening in our gut would affect chronic diseases such as colon cancer or Crohn’s disease, gut bacteria may also increase your chances for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, autism, and rheumatoid arthritis.

How to Encourage Good Bacteria Growth

What goes into our bodies affects how our bodies work. Encourage good gut bacteria by eating a nutritious diet high in fiber-rich foods. Processed foods and diets filled with red meats can kill certain gut bacteria. Having a variety of gut bacteria appears in research to be as important as having a lot of good gut bacteria.

Exercise can also increase the variety of gut bacteria so aim for 30 minutes of exercise at least five times a week. We’ve discussed the importance of exercise in controlling blood pressure, reducing heart disease and managing type 2 diabetes. All those illnesses may have some link to gut bacteria which can be affected by exercise.

Finally, only take antibiotics when your provider determines it’s necessary. Antibiotics will not help your cold or flu. Those viruses must run their course. Antibiotics not only kill the bad bacteria but the good gut bacteria your body needs.

Research is on-going to determine how certain gut bacteria affect disease and what we can do to increase it in our intestines. If you’d like to learn more about gut bacteria and the research surrounding it, we found this article by WebMD to be especially helpful.

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Opioid’s Effect on Heart Health

February 26, 2019 By Leave a Comment

three wooden hearts, opioids and heart health

We’ve written a lot of warning about the risk of overdose due to opioid use. In 2017 72,000 people died from a drug overdose and 30,000 of those cases were due to opioid use. Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the nervous system reducing the perception of pain. Opioids can depress other systems of the body like the lungs where breathing may become so inhibited and slow it eventually stops leading to an overdose death. What we haven’t heard a lot about is opioid’s effect on the heart.

If there’s good news in the opioid crisis it’s that most opioids have little initial effect on the heart muscle’s operation. Why then are patients who use opioids at an increased risk to die from heart disease?

A study in 2016 showed opioid patients experience a 65% increased chance of death due to new heart complications. Other studies link an increase in heart disease among opioid users who also use other drugs, especially benzodiazepines, such Valium, either legally or illegally.

Other heart diseases related to use of opioids include:

  • Bradycardia
  • Vasodilation
  • Ventricular tachycardia
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Infectious endocarditis

What all these long, complicated words have in common is they can lead to problems from lightheadedness to sudden death.

Withdrawals and Heart Conditions

Quitting opioids after prolonged use includes heart-related risks of its own. Withdrawal includes a faster than normal heart rate and elevated blood pressure. Other withdrawal side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea may lead to dehydration, low blood pressure and sudden passing out. For all these reasons and many more, we strongly suggest opioid users seek out professional help when detoxing from opioid use. Not only can a medical staff support you as you continue in your rehab, but they can provide physical help to ensure you move safely away from opioid use.

We’re working to remove the stigma of seeking help for an opioid addiction because we know professional care during opioid detox and recovery is the safest way for a user to get and stay clean. Opioids affect every aspect of your body. Save your heart (and other body systems) by contacting our behavioral health clinic for information on opioid recovery.

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Opioid Addiction Recovery: More Than A New Year’s Resolution

January 29, 2019 By Leave a Comment

opioid recovery support

On January 1 the new year lies in front us as a fresh, crisp calendar with no blemish of our imperfect lives. For many it inspires grand ideas of losing weight, saving money or being a better person. After a holiday, some people with addictions will prescribe the same resolutions to their opioid addiction recovery as others do to overeating. However well-intentioned, New Year’s resolutions often get shoved to the side as normal life resumes. For addicts, however, this perceived failure can cause more anxiety, depression and drug usage.

If you’d like to end next year clean and sober, don’t let failed resolutions block your way. Start with these ideas to improve your chances of success.

Seek Professional Help

Resolving to stop taking opioids or drinking alcohol alone usually lasts until the withdrawal symptoms become overwhelming. Trying to manage your withdrawal symptoms alone can also be dangerous. Contact our behavioral health clinic or a drug treatment center near you to receive professional help through your withdrawals.

In addition to drug treatment, treating underlying mental illnesses can improve an addict’s chances at recovery success. Talk to a counselor or psychologist about treatment for behavioral health issues which may trigger your likelihood to relapse.

Find Support From Family and Friends

Family and friends have watched your decline into drug or alcohol abuse and use. Let them support you as you work your way back to health. Talk to those who will provide positive support for your opioid addiction recovery journey. Don’t try to manage your addiction alone. Your family may also want to seek therapy as they work through their own feelings about your addiction’s effect on them.

Create One New Healthy Habit Each Month

Your health has likely declined as addiction claimed more prominence in your life. A healthy habit could be as simple as eating three meals a day or sleeping a full eight hours every night. Don’t attempt to start a full healthy eating regiment or large scale exercise program while you’re undergoing recovery. In the beginning of your opioid addiction recovery, you may find yourself just surviving life without drugs or alcohol. Gradually bringing your body back into health, however, helps fill the time you once spent doing drugs and begins the journey toward total health.

Read or Listen to an Inspiring Book

If reading doesn’t excite you, fill your thoughts with positive messages through podcasts, YouTube videos or audiobooks. Find authors or speakers who encourage addicts through the recovery process and read or listen to their work.

Prepare for Relapse

Statistics show 85% of people in recovery will relapse in the first year. Realize you will probably relapse and be prepared to start over. Talk to your family, friends, and counselors about the signs of relapse and what steps you’ll need to take when it happens. Remember relapse isn’t a failure but is part of the process, although one of the most dangerous parts of the process because your body isn’t accustomed to the number of drugs you once took.

If you’re ready to treat your addiction this year, whether it’s January or June, our counselors are ready to help you find the resources you need for a healthier you. You don’t have to do it alone. Call our behavioral health clinic at 662-282-4359 for an appointment.

 

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I don’t understand what my provider said, but I’m afraid to tell them

December 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment

I don't know what my provider said

Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment more confused about your health than when you arrived? Maybe your provider prescribed a new medication or diagnosed you with an illness whose name is so long you can’t quite remember how it went. Either way, you are not alone. Nine out of ten patients across the nation have trouble remembering and understanding what their provider said. Even highly educated patients suffer from a lack of understanding about medical terms especially when they are under extreme stress or not feeling well.

Not understanding how to take your medication, how to care for an illness at home or when you should go back to the doctor can lead to serious complications and even death. If it’s so important to understand what your medical condition, what can patients do to make sure they fully understand what their doctor said?

Repeat it back

New guidelines suggest providers ask patients to repeat back in their own words what the provider said. If your doctor or nurse practitioner does not ask you to repeat their instructions back, you can offer it yourself. Simply start with, “You’ve given me a lot of information, here’s what I heard, is that right?” Then repeat back what your provider said.

Take someone with you

When your provider prescribes diagnoses an illness, it’s often hard to remember all the information when you get home. Ask a friend or relative to join you for the appointment. They might take notes or ask questions you can’t think to ask.

Ask questions

Sometimes it’s hard to remember all the questions you want to ask when you’re sitting in the crosshairs of your provider’s stare, even if they have the best bedside manner. Write a list of questions you want to ask prior to your appointment. The National Patient Safety Foundation suggests starting with these three questions:

  • What is my main problem?
  • What do I need to do?
  • What is it important that I do this?

If your provider adds a medication, always ask “should I continue taking all my current medications as well?”

Record the conversation

Most clinics have notices prohibiting the use of cell phones to record or take pictures in their building. These rules are based on HIPAA to keep other patients’ information safe. Ask your provider if you can record your conversation in case you can’t remember what they said when you get home. If you are comfortable writing notes, keep a notebook strictly for medical visits. Ask your provider to spell any conditions with which you are unfamiliar.

Know your history

Either write down a list of medications you take or take a picture of the label with your cell phone. They will ask for an update of medications at the beginning of the appointment. Also, list any major illnesses or surgeries you have had or major illnesses of your parents. If the patient is a child, list any illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer or heart disease in the child’s mother or father. Bringing this list to the appointment with you saves you time when filling out forms and helps the doctor to have a complete record of the patient’s medical history.

Healthcare has changed over the last two decades. Providers have less time to spend with individual patients and patients have more access to information via the internet than ever before. Admitting you don’t understand what a provider said can be intimidating. Don’t be embarrassed. You are among the majority.

Clearing up misunderstandings will give you confidence when you need to make a medical decision and it’s shown to lead to healthier lifestyles. Start taking control of your health by ensuring you understand what your doctor said.

 

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If you can relate to Demi Lovato’s relapse

December 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Demi Lovato drug relapse

Photo Credit Flickr @jus10h

Most of us met Demi Lovato as the fresh-faced female star of Disney’s Camp Rock and then Sonny with a Chance. She was in her early teens at that time with a bright future ahead of her. In her memoir, she admits to experimenting with cocaine for the first time when she was 17 and from there, her life spiraled out of control. She entered rehab for the first time at 18 but relapsed shortly afterward. She committed to rehab a second time and celebrated 6 years of sobriety in March of this year.

In June, Demi Lovato released a single Sober, which indicated she had relapsed and then overdosed in July. She talked openly about her relapse on Instagram in a post that has since been removed.

Addiction and Mental Illness

Drug addiction and relapse after years of sobriety aren’t limited to the rich and famous. In 2014, 21.5 American adults suffered from a substance abuse disorder. Eight million Americans suffered from a combination of mental health disorders and substance abuse. Lovato includes herself in those numbers and has openly discussed her bipolar disorder and eating disorders. Addiction recovery isn’t just about clearing the drugs from a person’s system. It’s about treating the whole person, including underlying mental illnesses.

Drugs, especially opioids, change the way an addicted person’s brain functions. Their ability to control cravings and other behaviors remained unstable even after completing a recovery program. Statistics show 85% of people who complete recovery will relapse within the first year.

Recovery, like treatment for other chronic illnesses, requires a lifestyle change. And like other chronic illnesses, lifestyle changes are hard to implement, but it doesn’t mean a person with an opioid or other drug addiction should stop trying. Instead, relapse should be viewed as part of the process of recovery not a failure of the person or the treatment.

Relapse may be the most dangerous time in the recovery process. If an addicted person resumes taking drugs at the same dosage they used prior to recovery, they are more likely to overdose because their body isn’t as immune to the effects of the drug as before. It’s important for friends and family members of a recovering person to watch for signs of a potential relapse and to encourage the person not to give up but to seek help from their doctor or therapist.

Signs of an impending relapse may include:

  • Isolation
  • Denial
  • Poor eating and sleeping habits
  • Not taking care of oneself
  • Skipping treatments or support meetings
  • Lying
  • Thinking about past drug use
  • Drug cravings
  • Reconnecting with people and places associated with past drug use

If you or someone you know has experienced a relapse, do not label yourself or your loved one as a failure. Instead, find the support you need through your medical provider, past treatment centers or a mental health professional. If you need someone to walk you through the recovery process for the first time or not the first time, reach out to our behavioral health team at 662-282-4359 for an appointment.

 

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Opioid Prescriptions in Mississippi Decrease by 40%

October 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment

decrease in opioid prescriptions

Earlier this year, the American Medical Association (AMA) reported an overall 22% decrease in opioid prescriptions in the U.S. between 2013 and 2017. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) found prescriptions among their members decreased by an average of 29% in that same time frame.

In Mississippi, BCBS reported a 43% decrease in opioid prescriptions from 2013 through 2017. They also found more than 50% of new opioid prescriptions in Mississippi met the dosing and duration guidelines set by the CDC.

While these numbers show promise, they do not mean the opioid crisis is over. It does show doctors recognize the problem and are initiating a decrease in opioid prescriptions and opioid addiction. Mississippi continues to have one of the highest opioid use disorder rates in the nation. In Mississippi, 6-9 people out of every 1,000 reporting the disorder.

Reducing the number of opioid prescriptions and avoiding long-term high doses of opioids especially with first prescriptions paves the way to reducing new cases of opioid addiction cases. However, we must continue the work to care for those in our state who suffer from this addiction. Talking about opioid addiction, removing the stigma of getting help and providing more comprehensive counseling to addicts and their families continues to be a priority for our behavioral health team.

We’d like to talk to your community, church or school group about the advances in the opioid epidemic as well as what you can do to help us fight for affected community members. Please contact our community educator, Debbie Pannell, LMSW, in our behavioral health center to schedule a time for her to speak to your group.

 

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Suicide Prevention and Opioid Addiction Recovery

September 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

suicide and addiction

Statistics paint a bleak picture when it comes to suicide and addiction. A Psychology Today article cites drug and alcohol abuse as the second most common risk factor for suicide. One in three people who take their own lives are under the influence of drugs. Poisoning composes the third leading method of suicide and three-fourths of those deaths by poisoning use drugs. The article points to drug or alcohol abuse as the leading indicator of suicide risk over depression or mental illness.

Links between attempted suicide and addiction include depression resulting from an inability to fight an addiction, the loss of relationships due to addiction and the use of drugs and alcohol to mask mental illness. Persons who abuse drugs may also have lowered inhibitions and show a readiness to take more risks.

Addiction Recovery Key to Suicide Prevention

Treatment for opioid addiction addresses not only the known addiction but also the mental illnesses and mental trauma triggering the addiction or depression caused by the addiction. It’s important for addicts and family members to expect a holistic approach to drug treatment. Managing both underlying mental illnesses and addiction improves an addicts chances at recovery and reduces the risk for suicide.

When an addict seeks treatment, family, friends and their medical team should ask the hard questions “have you considered or attempted suicide or are you considering suicide?”. Asking the hard question does not give your loved one ideas about suicide, but rather opens a conversation about an otherwise stigmatized subject.

Signs to Know

Not every person considering suicide shows signs of depression. Often family and friends piece together signs of a loved one’s suicide plan after the fact. Because of the increased risk of suicide related to drug addiction, it’s imperative for the addict to seek treatment and for friends and family to ask the hard questions.

Signs a person is considering suicide include:

  • Talking about wanting to die
  • Increasing drug or alcohol use
  • Talking about feeling trapped
  • Displaying increased anger or rage
  • Talking about not wanting to be a burden to others
  • Behaving recklessly
  • Sleeping less or more
  • Isolating themselves

If someone you know is discussing suicide, whether they have an addiction or not:

  • Ask them if they plan to commit suicide.
  • Listen without judgment.
  • Remove objects that could be used for suicide
  • Stay with the person or leave them in the care of someone else while you get help.
  • Call the suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Call 9-1-1 if self-harm is imminent.

Parents, spouses, children, and friends of addicts worry about overdoses and violence involving their loved one. Suicide and addiction adds another line to the worry. Treatment isn’t just about the addiction but about healing behavioral and mental health issues contributing to or caused by the addiction.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, call our behavioral health clinic at 662-282-4359 for an appointment or in case of a medical emergency call 9-1-1.

 

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How to recognize the signs of anxiety

August 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment

signs of anxiety

Everyone understands what it’s like to feel the rush of anxiety. Maybe it’s right before a big presentation or watching your kids walk to their first day of school. Nervousness is a normal part of being an adult, but if your worries and fears start preventing you from living your daily life, you might have more than nervousness. Anxiety disorders affect around 40 million American adults. The good news is that there are ways to recognize the signs of anxiety and combat it. Here’s what to look for physically and emotionally.

Physical

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Trembling
  • Muscle tension
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Sweating
  • Diarrhea

 

Emotional

  • Feeling jittery
  • Overwhelming dread
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Forgetfulness
  • Over-alertness
  • Anticipating the worst outcomes

 

While these physical and emotional signs of anxiety can be scary and overwhelming, knowing them can help you recognize your anxiety in the moment and combat it. Here are a couple of ways to do just that.

Pause

Start by taking a moment to close your eyes and breathe deeply. This can help you calm your mind and think rationally about the task at hand.

Think

Sometimes, our anxiety stems from our inability to know the future. Instead of trying to figure everything out at once, try thinking of ways to get through the next hour or day. This can help relieve some of the pressure you feel and teach yourself positive coping mechanisms.

Journal

Keeping a worry journal can help you express your anxieties in a healthy way. It can also help you work through certain scenarios, giving you the ability to know outcomes and have control over specific situations.

Talk

Try talking through your anxieties with a close friend or family member. Talking about the things that upset us can help us work through our anxieties. If you don’t feel comfortable discussing these issues with family and friends, consider utilizing a therapist to help you work through your worries.

Accept

There’s no way we can know every outcome or situation we will be presented within our lives. Accepting the uncertainties of life can help you deal with anxiety or even eliminate it.

Ask

If your anxiety is interfering with your daily life, it might be time to ask for help. Your physician can discuss your options for controlling our anxiety or even recommend a therapist or life coach.

Want to talk more about anxiety or need help identifying the signs? Make an appointment with us today.

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/effects-on-body#4

https://www.healthyplace.com/anxiety-panic/anxiety-information/anxiety-symptoms-recognizing-signs-of-anxiety

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-disorders-and-anxiety-attacks.htm

 

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9 Common Triggers for Migraines

June 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment

migraine headache

Few moments rank worse than feeling a severe headache or migraine coming on. From dark, quiet rooms to hours or even days of throbbing pain, anyone who has experienced this illness knows just how debilitating it can be. Migraines affect more than 36 million men, women and children in the United States. While they may seem to come out of nowhere, many share common triggers.

Stress

Unsurprisingly, stress is the main culprit for almost 70 percent of people who experience migraines. With a significant association between daily stressors and migraine activity, it can seem like migraines are never-ending, especially when the worry of the next attack is lurking at the back of your mind. But there are ways to combat stress-related migraines:

  • Make a list of things that cause stress
  • Try relaxation therapy or meditation
  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy sleep schedule

Changes in sleep

Speaking of sleep, an irregular sleep schedule or even changes in your regular sleep schedule can cause a migraine attack. Plus, this trigger makes sense when we dig into it. During sleep, our bodies renew and repair themselves. When we deprive ourselves of regular sleep, we become more prone to migraine attacks. To avoid sleep-related migraines, try going to sleep at the same time every night and aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep. You can also eliminate TV, phones, reading and music before bed to get a more restful sleep, as the light from these devices can result in disrupted sleep.

Hormones

Because of hormones, women are three times more likely to have migraines than men. About 75 percent of women find their migraine attacks happen around the time of their menstrual cycle. The change in estrogen and progesterone levels cause “menstrual migraines.” Certain methods of birth control can stabilize hormone levels, relieving you of any hormone-related migraines.

Caffeine and Alcohol

While a cup of coffee in the morning might seem like a good way to rev up for your day, it could actually be the culprit for your migraine attacks. The same could be said for the nightly glass of wine. On the other hand, some people claim that their migraines are eased by a cup of coffee. The best way to determine if caffeine or alcohol is the cause of your migraine attacks is to track your consumption and your migraines. Then you can adjust your caffeine or wine intake accordingly.

Diet

Several types of food can be the trigger for a migraine attack. Usually, these foods contain histamine and MSG, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, caffeine or anything with a strong smell. Even cheeses and cured meats can become triggers for migraine attacks. The best way to determine which foods are triggers for you is to track your eating habits and your migraine symptoms. This way you can determine which foods cause negative reactions and eliminate them from your diet.

Physical Exertion

While exercise can help reduce your stress levels and your risk of triggering a migraine, intense physical exertion has been shown to provoke migraines. These could include overexerting yourself at the gym or even intense sexual activity. Try tracking your migraine symptoms to see if they are related to any physical activity, then adjust your lifestyle accordingly.

Dehydration

Like alcohol and foods, dehydration is an easily trackable trigger for migraines. In fact, about one third of people say even the slightest dehydration can cause their migraine symptoms to start. Start by tracking your water intake. You can also carry a water bottle around to ensure you are getting enough fluids.

Changes in weather

We all know how our bodies react to changing weather. In springtime, we suffer from pollen and changes in barometric pressure. During summer, humidity and heat can send us rushing back indoors. Unsurprisingly, these factors are common weather-related triggers. Controlling the weather isn’t an option, but adjusting your schedule during the worst of these seasons can help prevent a migraine attack.

Light and Smell

Our senses can cause migraines too, especially when it comes to strong lights and smells. Bright natural light or even fluorescent or flickering lights can trigger your symptoms. The same can be said for strong odors, as they can activate certain nerve receptors in the nasal passages. Try wearing sunglasses on brighter days and using green light in your home, as it has been shown to not trigger migraines. Also, try avoiding perfumes, chemicals, gasoline or even strong food smells.

While everyone’s experiences with migraines is different, knowing the triggers can help you better manage your symptoms. To learn more about migraines and treatment plans, schedule an appointment with your provider today.

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/learn-more/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201

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HGTV Host And MS Native Advocates Men’s Health

April 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment

mens healthBen Napier and his wife Erin, both Mississippi natives and graduate of Ole Miss, host the HGTV show Home Town where they restore southern homes in Laurel, Mississippi.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center and The Manning Family Fund asked Napier to help promote their mission to find new ways to treat and prevent disease. The Manning Family fund focuses on four areas:

  • Children’s weight and wellness
  • High fidelity operating simulation
  • Men’s health
  • Alzheimer’s and other dementias

“Of all the health missions the MFF focuses on men’s health, mine in particular is something that I wake up thinking about and go to sleep worrying about.” Napier states in a blog on the Laurel Mercantile Website. Napier states the Manning Family Fund seeks to “Help the men in our communities — and those in our lives — live longer, healthier, happier lives.”

What is Men’s Health about?

Men’s health isn’t just about prostate cancer screenings. It emcopasses a wide array of issues includiing heart disease, cancer, injuries, diabetes, stroke, suicide, HIV/AIDs, undiagnosed depression, workplace fatalities, and homicide. According to Dr. David Gremillion from Men’s Health Network, “There is a silent health crisis in America . . . it’s the fact that, on average, American men live sicker and die younger than American women.”

Anyone with a father, brother, grandfather, son, nephew, uncle, or male cousin they care about should be concerned about these numbers. In the 1920’s the life expectancy gender gap was only 1 year. Men typically lived until age 53, and women lived until age 54. By 2014, men were dying almost 5 years sooner than women. The average life expectancy of American women is 81 while the average life expectancy of an american man is about only 76.

Why Men are at High Risk ?

Several reasons contribute to men’s higher risk. A higher percentage of men have no healthcare coverage.  Men make half as many physician visits for prevention as women do. Men are employed in the most dangerous occupations, such as mining, fire fighting, construction, and fishing.  Society discourages healthy behaviors in men and boys. Research on male-specific diseases is under funded. Men also may have less healthy lifestyles including risk-taking at younger ages.

Minority Men are at Very High Risk

Minority men are particularly at risk. According to the Manning Family Fund, “Minority men have the poorest health outcomes and lowest life expectancies in the United States. Of that group, African American men in the South face the most significant health challenges. African American men suffer disproportionately from high blood pressure, a known risk factor for stroke and heart disease. In fact, according to the CDC, nearly 44 percent of African American men have some form of cardiovascular disease. They are also more likely to develop prostate cancer, asthma, and diabetes than other groups. Yet, many African American men don’t seek care until their conditions are severe.”

Often there are barriers in the way that prevent men from seeking the help they need.

Napier explains, “The Manning Family Fund is working to break down the cultural, economic, psychological, political, and social barriers that keep men from eating better, exercising more, reducing stress, and getting regular checkups.”

What Can You Do?

 Find A Primary Care Provider.

You need someone with whom you can openly discuss all aspects of your health. When searching for a primary care provider, find someone you feel comfortable enough to open up about your sexual and mental health if necessary.

 See that Primary Care Provider.

Make and keep regular health screenings. Women are 100% more likely to make and keep regular health screenings than men, and it’s suspected that’s part of the reason they live five years longer than the average man.

 Move Every Day.

Aim to get 60 minutes of physical activity a day. If you have to break that into four 15 minute chunks, it still counts as 60 minutes. Also, try to vary your exercises to be an age appropriate mix of aerobics, muscle training, and stretching.

 Focus on Proper Nutrition.

Aim for 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Also, cut back on fatty and processed foods.

 Prioritize Sleep.

Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night.

 Keep Your Head in Check.

Mental health is really important. Pay attention to signs of depression and bipolar disorder. If you have a family history of mental illness, suicide, and/or substance abuse, you need someone to help you review the signs and symptoms.  Feeling suicidal is not a character defect, and it doesn’t mean that you are crazy, weak, or flawed. It only means that you have more pain than you can cope with right now. If you are feeling suicidal reach out to someone! You’re not alone. If nothing else, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 1-800-273-8255

Men’s health often gets put on the back burner or pushed aside as not as important, but remember when you’re sick and when you’re suffering, everyone close to you suffers too. Do them a favor and take care of your body, stay healthy, and have regular cancer screenings. If you’re ready to take that first step and talk to a medical care professional, please contact Mantachie Rural Health Care at (662) 282-4226.

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