With the holiday season now behind us, people look forward to the fresh start of the New Year and all the possibilities it brings. For many of us, that means setting resolutions to live a healthy, full life.
Without the proper planning and support, however, these ambitions can quickly be put off or even forgotten. In 2022, it’s time to break the cycle and make progress towards your goals.
By following tips from Wellstar health experts, you can create realistic resolutions, better your health and stay motivated.
Article Category: Highlights
Here’s to a Healthy You in ‘22
Published on January 03, 2022
Last updated 09:43 AM January 03, 2022
Pick one or two resolutions that you believe to be important, implementable and impactful. If the resolution is important to you, be sure you understand the ‘why’ behind the resolution.
- Dr. Rebecca Gomez
Wellstar Clinical Health Psychologist
How to reach your health goals
Making a resolution can sometimes feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Dr. Rebecca Gomez, Wellstar clinical health psychologist and Clinician Resiliency & Well-Being Program Lead, shared easy ways to identify and create goals.
“Pick one or two resolutions that you believe to be important, implementable and impactful,” Dr. Gomez advised. “If the resolution is important to you, be sure you understand the ‘why’ behind the resolution.”
Use the SMART goal-setting system to help define your goal and develop attainable resolutions.
- Specific — Be clear about what exactly you want to accomplish. Include as many details as necessary, such as potential obstacles or extra requirements.
- Measurable — Use metrics to measure your progress and determine how to meet the goal. If you have a big goal, you may need to set smaller milestones along the way to stay on track.
- Achievable — Attainability is an important factor to consider when it comes to goal setting. “While behavior change comes with any resolution, it is also unfair to yourself if you set a goal that is not feasible,” Dr. Gomez added.
- Relevant — Align your resolutions with your life purpose and reasonable wellness goals based on your current health status and available resources.
- Time bound — Set a realistic, target deadline to reach your goal with checkpoints at intervals along the way. Markers provide an opportunity to measure progress and reassess any changes needed to stay on track.
Keep in mind, you may encounter some bumps in the road along the way. Recognizing all the small accomplishments can help you stay motivated and win in the long run.
“Find ways to celebrate success throughout the year. Focus on what small steps you’ve accomplished rather than how far you have to go,” Dr. Gomez shared. “Also, have a resiliency plan to help you bounce back after a more challenging day.”
Partner with a Wellstar provider
When it comes to your wellness goals, staying healthy starts with a visit to your Wellstar primary care provider.
Drs. Shamamah and Asher Niazi, Wellstar internal medicine providers, shared why regular appointments are vital for your well-being.
“Wellness exams and health screenings are so important because they can pick up problems that the patient is not aware of yet,” explained Dr. Shamamah Niazi.
“A wellness exam provides a full 360° view of a patient’s health,” added Dr. Asher Niazi. “This includes what risk factors they may carry, and if they are up-to-date on all their preventive care like immunizations, vaccinations and other screenings.”
To check your health status and screen for potential medical issues, your physician will take your Foundational 4 numbers for:
- Blood pressure. A blood pressure test helps diagnose hypertension (high blood pressure), hypotension (low blood pressure), heart disease and other conditions.
- Blood glucose level. The amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood can indicate the onset of diabetes or risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.
- Blood cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad” cholesterol, can show clogged arteries which may lead to heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
- Body mass index (BMI). A higher level of body fat may indicate an increased risk for heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes.
Abnormal results during these tests can indicate risk factors, such as obesity or high blood pressure, or even the onset of a serious health condition like diabetes. Your physician may also perform other screenings — including hearing, vision or depression — to check your overall health and well-being.
Whether your resolution is weight to lose weight, better manage a chronic condition or be more active, your healthcare provider is a great source of support. They will work together with you to create a personalized plan to help you succeed.
Ready to tackle your wellness goals this year? Book an appointment with a Wellstar primary care provider today.
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Highlights
Prostate Cancer Screening in Black Men
Screening for prostate cancer is crucial for early detection and to help provide the best possible outcome. It is especially important for Black men to be vigilant about screening, as they are disproportionately impacted by this cancer.
About 1 in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 8 white men, according to a report from the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Black men.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at an average risk of developing prostate cancer begin screening when they are 50, but Black men should start earlier—at age 45 if they have no family history of prostate cancer, and at age 40 if any of their male relatives have had prostate cancer. Wellstar takes a personalized approach to cancer screenings, with clinicians discussing benefits versus risks of screening and helping patients evaluate their risk.
“Despite many physicians being aware of this and following this practice, Black men continue to be diagnosed with and die from metastatic prostate cancer. This is a trend that desperately needs to be reversed,” said Wellstar Primary Care Physician Dr. Earl Stewart. “We have adequate screening tools that do not even require a digital rectal examination.”
The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is more accurate than the digital rectal examination in helping to detect prostate cancer, according to Dr. Stewart. Patients should also discuss family history with their relatives. “Patients knowing their family history is so crucial in having those discussions with primary care physicians to determine the best age at which to start screening,” Dr. Stewart said.
Screening for prostate cancer is as simple as making a preventive appointment with your primary care physician, discussing your family history with him or her, and having a PSA blood test. This test may be performed during an annual physical or wellness visit. Shared decision making between physician and patient is important to discuss your risk, your need for testing and next steps to take if your PSA level is elevated and concerning. Knowing your risk can save your life.
“I know many personally who are near and dear to me who had the disease and who unfortunately died from complications of metastatic prostate cancer,” Dr. Stewart said. “I know many more who lived because they had the conversation and dared to move forward with appropriate screening at the appropriate age.”
Highlights
Team Up with Wellstar to Fight These Men’s Health Issues
If you’re a sports fan, you’re probably glued to every game, rooting for your team and analyzing every play. But are you as vigilant with your own health?
In addition to knowing your health stats—those important numbers like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar—you should also watch for health conditions that more commonly impact men.
An annual physical gives you the opportunity to ask your clinician questions about your health, and you’ll get a few quick, crucial health screenings that can catch issues early and put you on track for staying well.
“See your primary care provider at least once a year to check in on your well-being and stay up to date on essential screenings you may need,” said Wellstar Primary Care Physician Dr. Facia Dew. “Your provider will customize care based on your health history, age and other factors to help you feel your best.”
Take action against illness
Some illnesses are more likely to affect men than women, so men should be especially mindful about taking steps to prevent these issues:
Lung cancer
Men are slightly more likely to get lung cancer—the lifetime risk for men is 1 in 17, while it’s 1 in 18 for women, according to the American Cancer Society. Black men are about 12% more likely to develop lung cancer compared to white men. Decrease your risk of lung cancer by avoiding smoking.
With a low-dose CT scan of the chest, it only takes a few seconds to check in on your lung health. An order from your healthcare professional is required for a lung cancer screening. Contact your Wellstar primary care team or a pulmonologist to discuss if screening is right for you.
Parkinson’s disease
Men are 1.5 times more likely than women to have Parkinson’s disease, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Wellstar neurologists and neurosurgeons are experts in helping patients manage this condition.
Kidney stones
The risk of kidney stones is about 11% in men and 9% in women, according to the National Kidney Foundation. You can reduce your risk of kidney stones by staying hydrated and eating a low-sugar, low-sodium diet. Your care team can help you evaluate your risk factors, including personal and family history, obesity and being 40 or older.
Prostate cancer
While all men are at risk for prostate cancer, Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer and are more commonly affected at younger ages. Men who are 50 or older should ask their doctor about testing, and Black men should discuss testing with their care team at age 45. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, you should also consider screenings at a younger age, and your healthcare professional will discuss options with you.
Form healthy habits
According to Wellstar Urologist Dr. Scott Miller, men need to stay active and stay away from smoking. He also noted a few lifestyle changes that are sometimes overlooked can make a difference in how you feel.
“What’s often neglected is a full and consistent night’s sleep,” Dr. Miller said. “And keep stress under control—too much stress can negatively impact our immune systems.”
Highlights
Creating Your PeopleCare Plan
At Wellstar, we deliver personalized care to every patient, every time. That’s because we know you are more than a number, diagnosis or medical chart. Our dedicated experts support you through every stage of your wellness journey, providing care that is as unique as you.
That’s what PeopleCare is all about.
Because we know preventative care plays a major role in staying healthy, our primary care providers (PCPs) will build a PeopleCare plan just for you.
Your PeopleCare plan is your unique blueprint for better health. It doesn’t look like anyone else’s. PCPs create tailored treatment plans for each patient, based on your health concerns, family medical history and results from routine wellness exams.
Using these building blocks, PCPs can form an action plan and often get ahead of major health problems like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Four tests for better health
Wellness exams arm you with knowledge, so you can take control of your health.
No matter your age or medical history, it is recommended to get a medical check-up at least once a year. At your next doctor’s visit, make sure to “know your numbers” for:
- Blood Pressure: A blood pressure test uses an arm cuff and pressure gauge to measure the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps. This simple test can help diagnose hypertension (high blood pressure), hypotension (low blood pressure), heart disease and other conditions.
- Blood Glucose Level: With just a drop of blood, your doctor can analyze the amount of sugar, or glucose, in your blood. Elevated levels can indicate the onset of diabetes and an increased risk for heart disease, heart attack, peripheral vascular disease or stroke.
- Blood Cholesterol: A lipid panel is a simple blood test that shows your cholesterol levels, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) often called “bad” cholesterol. Abnormal cholesterol levels can indicate clogged arteries which may lead to heart disease, heart attack, peripheral vascular disease or stroke.
- Body Mass Index (BMI): The body mass index (BMI) estimates human body fat, using a person’s weight and height. People with high BMIs may be at an increased risk for health problems, including heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and more.
Wellness for everyone
For both men and women, basic wellness exams are an important step in staying healthy.
- Men: For men, colonoscopies and prostate exams are key to catching major diseases early. In addition to a digital rectal exam (DRE), a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a quick way to screen for prostate cancer. Using a blood sample, specialists analyze the levels of PSA. Higher than normal readings may indicate the presence of prostate cancer.
- Women: For women, an annual well-woman exam can help keep your reproductive health in check. Typically, these screenings include a mammogram, pelvic exam and pap smear to spot potential breast or gynecologic cancers.
To schedule a primary care appointment, call (770) 956-STAR (7827) or click the “Book Now” button at the top of the page.