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Women’s Guide to Guys' Health
Key tips for his 30s-70s
We first thought of this article as a “Men’s Guide to Good Health.” But, as primary care doctors we know that many of our male patients would never even see us for a check-up if it weren’t for their wives, mothers or girlfriends. “Men notoriously underestimate their level of disease risk or sickness,” says MPCP physician, Dr. Garth Ashbeck. “They tend to ignore scheduling regular health exams, perhaps because they’re not as used to seeing the doctor on a regular basis as are women. However, it is through those regular check-ups and screenings that we can catch health problems early, often when they’re most treatable,” he adds.
That’s why we’re directing these health tips to women, (but we hope you men will read on…..)
In his 30’s - Men at this age should see the doctor for a baseline check-up and then at least every other year until age 40.
Click to read more.
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To Our Patients:
We hope you enjoy this edition of HealthWise, our quarterly e-newsletter with tips to help you and your family stay well. With the start of 2013, we thought it was a good time to remind men to make a resolution to get a medical check-up and keep up with important screenings this year. We also offer some suggestions on key vaccines (it’s not too late to get the flu shot!) and ways to beat the winter blues.
Please share these articles with family and friends. Also, check out our updated website www.mpcp.com which makes it easier than ever to find key information on our doctors, services, hours and making appointments.
The Physicians & Staff of MPCP
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Beating the Winter Blues
--By Jamie Harms, M.D.
It’s the coldest, darkest time of the year. The winter holidays are over, and the groundhog is a month away from making his spring forecast. For many people, this time of year brings feelings of sadness- the “winter blues.”
Perhaps you recognize some of these symptoms of the winter blues: increased sleep; increased appetite, with cravings for starches and sugars; weight gain; emotional irritability, especially if you feel rejected; and a heavy feeling in your arms and legs. You may find yourself withdrawing from social activities, or having difficulty concentrating.
Scientists think these symptoms result from a decrease in the activity of serotonin in the brain when days get shorter. Serotonin is a chemical that helps nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other.
Click to read more.
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Do We Really Need Seasonal Vaccines?
Q&A with
Dr. Janice Rutkowski
Q: If I haven’t gotten the flu vaccine, isn’t it too late?
In Maryland, the flu season extends from December to May, so it is still important to get the vaccine. The flu can be very severe with symptoms that include headache, body ache, fever up to 105 degrees, coughing and sore throat. It can be extremely serious in the very young and very old. To lessen your chance of getting the flu, the Centers for Disease Control suggests that all patients over six months of age get the vaccine.
Q: Can’t the vaccine actually give you the flu?
No. Less than 1% if people getting the vaccine will have “flu-like” symptoms from it. If you’ve ever had an anaphylactic reaction to chicken eggs or prior flu vaccines, or have moderate or severe illness with a fever over 102 degrees, then the vaccine isn’t recommended. But most people tolerate it very well. Click to read more.
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• Check out our website!
We’ve updated our website so that it’s easier to find the information you need. Go to www.mpcp.com and click on your Practice Location if you ever have questions about office hours, policies, new doctors, making appointments, etc.
• New providers.
We’re proud to welcome Gale Cromwell, CRNP and Alyson Shields, MMS, PA-C to our healthcare team. Ms. Cromell, a certified Nurse Practitioner, joined the Broadneck practice. A certified Physician Assistant, Ms. Shields is at our Pasadena office. Both are accepting new patients.
• Great day, great cause.
A team of 20 MPCP doctors, staff and family members ran in the recent 5K Great Prostate Cancer Challenge. This annual event raises funds for prostate cancer screening programs and research.
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