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Supplements vs Diet: Are There Magic Pills or Magic Recipes?

Supplements and multivitamins are taken by over 100 million Americans. Despite the popularity of these pills, studies have found that getting essential vitamins and nutrients are best when they come from foods.


Most people that maintain a healthy diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and lean meat are getting the nutrients they need. However, there are some circumstances in which increased levels of some vitamins and minerals are needed. The first step in determining what supplements are right for you is to speak to your physician.

Screenings 101: Your Whole-Body Checklist

Sometimes making checkup appointments and getting blood drawn doesn’t feel all that important. Health screenings get pushed to the next year or worse, are forgotten entirely. However, getting screenings is one the most essential things both men and women can do for their health because even being active every day and eating a balanced meal aren’t enough to know that you are healthy.
Check the lists below to see which screenings at what time you should discuss with your physician so you can be proactive about your health.

• Blood Pressure

72-year-old man battling chronic health issues finds success with lifestyle changes

Twenty years ago, Wesley Jones, Ph.D., was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Jones was told at the time that it was not reversible.

As the years passed, Wesley’s health plummeted.

“I had chronic internal inflammation, significant kidney damage, two heart attacks with multiple stents and a bowel resection because of a blood flow blockage,” Jones explained. He was also suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a chronic inflammatory lung disease.

Preventing sports-related injuries

And just like that, we are just about to enter the fall sports season. All parents feel the need to protect their children— even more so while watching their child compete from the stands or sidelines. We all know sports-related injuries happen, but is there a way parents can intervene? According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control, more than half of all sports injuries in children are preventable. Below are tips and steps parents can take to reduce the risk of injury:

Breastfeeding Highs and Hurdles

Breastfeeding can be a great experience for both mom and baby, but that doesn’t mean it’s not hard work that comes with a set of big difficulties. Every mom is bombarded with articles that explain the benefits of breastfeeding and, while they are largely correct, it can put more pressure on a very personal situation. We want all mothers and families to feel they are supported and that they can come to us with any questions or concerns.

When to Call Your Child's Healthcare Provider

Back to school germs, injuries and illnesses are on the horizon and it may be hard to determine when you should give your pediatrician a call. Susan Myzer, CPNP- PC, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner with Lovelace Medical Group, outlines the general guidelines of when to consult your pediatrician.

Fever

If you are concerned or worried about your child’s fever, always call your pediatrician or seek medical attention.

Healthy Back-to-School Tips

It’s that time of year again! Schools will soon be back in session. Lovelace would like to remind parents that encouraging healthy habits is a great way to support your child’s health in preparation for the new school year. Susan Myzer, CPNP- PC is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner with Lovelace Medical Group. She has over 27 years of experience, and shares her top back-to-school tips for parents to help prepare children:

Stay or Go? When to Keep Your Child Home from School

It’s a decision every parent faces regularly: whether or not to keep a sick child home from school. It can be a complicated decision, especially if you are not sure what qualifies as “too sick for school.” If your child is not feeling well, your physician is the best person to consult about whether he or she can go to school. In general, parents should keep children home if they have any of the following symptoms or illnesses:

Lifesaving Habits for Child Car Safety

Every year children around the country are put in dangerous situations when they are left inside a vehicle. An average of 38 children die from heat related illnesses after being left inside a vehicle every year. This is usually due to adults forgetting their child, children finding their own way into a car or children being intentionally left in the car.

Hernias happen - and Lovelace can help!

A hernia is a common problem for both men and women, and is much more than a simple muscle pull. A hernia occurs when there is a weakness or hole in the muscle wall, allowing a bulge of tissue to protrude through the muscle.

The symptoms of a hernia may include a dull ache, feeling of weakness, heaviness, pressure or a burning sensation in your abdomen, groin or scrotum.

“You need to see your doctor before your symptoms worsen,” explained Mario Leyba, M.D., a board-certified general surgeon with Lovelace Medical Group.