The Examiner in may

Open Monday-Friday 8AM-7PM

337.527.6385- Clinic #
337.475.0056-Answering Service #
833.682.7682- Texting #

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High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal.  The higher your levels, the more risk you have for health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
To keep your BP in a healthy range you should eat plenty of vegetables and lean meats and avoid fatty, processed and fried foods. You should also be physically active every day, drink plenty of water, and avoid stress when possible. 
If you struggle with high BP, talk to one of our physicians about taking home our blue-tooth BP monitor. Your results are automatically sent to our office and scanned into your chart. Covered by most Blue Cross plans. 

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Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability.

When trying to remember the signs of a stroke, remember FAST!
Face drooping
Arm weakness
Speech slurred
Time to call 911
 
You should monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol. Keep your blood sugar down. Be active every day. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoid fried, fatty, and processed foods. Avoid being overweight. Do not smoke. Drink in moderation. See your physician every year for your yearly wellness.

With today’s advanced technology you do not need to go into the office to be seen. Try doing a virtual visit with your primary care physician. You can even have your vitals taken by buying a home blood pressure monitor. Our office also offers a home blood pressure monitor where your results are sent directly to our clinic. 

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Medicare Insured? 
Your Medicare plan SHOULD cover home visits! Our Nurse Practitioners offer home visits for those than cannot leave their homes. 
Call our clinic today to see if you qualify for a home visit/house call, 337.527.6385

TEXT US! 
Instead of waiting on hold, try texting our clinic instead. We will get back with you as soon as we can. DO NOT text us in case of an emergency. 833.682.7682

Instead of coming into the clinic, schedule a virtual visit! Don't be intimidated by a telemedicine visit, it is extremely easy to do and our receptionists will walk you through the process. 
ALMOST ALL insurance companies are covering telemedicine visits. Telemedicine isn't our future, it is our present.  

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Adequate sleep is an important part in living a healthy lifestyle. Sleep can affect your mental, emotional, and physical health, as well as your productivity at home and work. 

Poor sleep can be due to stress, poor eating, high BP, diabetes, or a serious sleep disorder.  
Tips to improve your sleep are sticking to a sleep schedule, choose healthier foods and beverages, avoid electronics before bed, and be physically active every day. 
If you are still having issues getting adequate sleep, schedule your appointment for a take home sleep test. Call 337.527.6385 or TEXT 833.682.7682

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Each year more than 3.5 million people develop skin cancer, the most common of all cancer types. The best way to lower your risk of skin cancer is to protect yourself from UV rays. This means avoiding tanning beds and lowering exposure to the sun.
If you are going to be in the sun, remember “Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap!” 
SLIP on a shirt, SLOP on sunscreen, SLAP on a hat, and WRAP on sunglasses

The tobacco epidemic kills more than 7 million people each year, of which almost 900,000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke. THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN NEXT TIME YOU LIGHT A CIGARETTE
Those who dip or chew tobacco get about the same amount of nicotine as regular smokers. 
Cancers linked to the use of smokeless tobacco include: Mouth, tongue, cheek, and gum cancer, cancer in the esophagus, and pancreatic cancer
STOP SMOKING BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! STOP GIVING PEOPLE SECOND HAND SMOKE LUNG CANCER

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Osteoporosis, often called a silent disease, is a condition in which one’s bones become thin, losing their strength. This can lead to easily broken or fractured bones.
Osteoporosis is most common in those 50 or older.
If you are a woman, your chances of developing osteoporosis are MUCH HIGHER.  
The older you become, the greater your risk. 
Menopause in women and low testosterone in men can lead to osteoporosis.
You are more prone to loss of bone if your calcium and vitamin D intake is lower than it should be.
Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking will both increase your risk of bone loss and fractures
At a certain age your physician will request for you to have a bone density test performed. 
You can prevent osteoporosis by eating foods that have a variety of vitamins and minerals. You need plenty of calcium and vitamin D. This includes milk, yogurt, cheese, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, salmon, tuna, and egg yolk. Also be sure to get plenty of exercise/physical activity.

It is up to us to take care of our elderly parents! They should be seeing their PCP AT LEAST once a year for their  wellness exam, where they will be scheduled for all yearly screenings needed. Taking care of elderly patients is a group effort between patient, caretaker, and physician. 

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This link will lead you directly to our patient payment portal where you can pay your balance without calling the clinic!