Family medicine Posts

Many of us may feel more sad than usual in the wintertime as the days get shorter and the temperature outside drops. We may feel like “hibernating” and isolating ourselves within the house. And to some extent, that’s what winter is all about! It can be a restorative time for us to hunker down and recover from busier times in the year. But when mood or behavior changes start to affect your daily life, it may be more than just the change in season.

With the holidays come and gone, it’s safe to say winter is definitely here! The days are shorter, the air is colder, and for many of us, we’re stuck inside most of the time. On top of that, it’s cold and flu season.

If you haven’t had an annual preventive exam this year (or ever), there’s no time like the present to get one scheduled. The yearly exam (also called a checkup or physical) is your chance to see your doctor for a complete overall health review.

You don’t always have to be sick or hurt to see a doctor.

A yearly checkup is crucial to maintaining good health even if you’re feeling great and have no known medical conditions. If you have existing conditions, this appointment is a chance to check in on those and talk to your doctor about any other concerns.

Keep reading to learn what happens at an annual preventive exam, why they are so beneficial, and how to find a doctor if you don’t currently have one.

Aging is inevitable, however -- how you age is entirely up to you. Exercising, getting enough rest, and eating a well balanced diet sets a great foundation for overall health, both in your younger years and as you age.

When it comes to healthy eating, and creating a meal plan that promotes nutrition and sustenance, it can be hard to find where to start. It is all too common to be consumed by advertisements and articles claiming this diet is better than that one, you need to eat this and not that, and so on. No matter what your resolution may be -- to lose weight or eat clean -- adding or keeping fiber in your diet is essential to your nutritional goals.