white-wilson

Category: Health

  • A Senior’s Guide to Managing Stress

    Throughout our lifetime, we will inevitably experience stress or changes that cause physical, emotional or psychological strain. Feeling stress is common for everyone, but undergoing too much can be overwhelming, especially for seniors. This is why it is essential to understand common causes of stress as well as how it affects the body and how it can be managed.

    While seniors have likely had their fair share of stress over the years, moving into a new age range comes with its own unique set of challenges.  Stress for those 65 and older can show up in many forms and be both positive and negative. For example, positive stress may come from exciting life events such as retirement, weddings and births, and negative stress may come from pain or mobility issues, death of loved ones and financial dependence.

    “Seniors are typically more susceptible to adverse physical reactions when it comes to stress because of age-related changes to the body,” says White-Wilson Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Pamela Lee. “This is why it is important to identify stressors and work to reduce them as much as possible. Understanding how you are personally affected can lead to better long-term health outcomes.”

    In older adults, stress can cause health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, warns APRN Lee. Recognizing whether your stress is physical, mental or emotional can help place you on the correct path to stress discovery and management.

    “For many patients, lowering stress levels can come from taking surprisingly simple steps,” says APRN Lee. “I always recommend establishing a healthy diet, participating in physical activity and setting aside time for mental reflection. These actions will improve your heart’s health while reducing the impacts of stress on the body.

    Healthy Eating Plate, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

    Eating a balanced diet can facilitate a healthy immune system and repair damaged cells. Harvard Medical School provides this example of a Healthy Eating Plate which explains how to create well-balanced meals.

    Consistent physical activity helps improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels and overall heart health. The American Heart Association recommends that adults participate in at least 150 minutes of physical activity every week. Several popular exercises among seniors include pickleball, walking and water aerobics. 

    Reflecting and connecting through meditation, yoga and journaling reduces muscular tension, calms the mind and slows the heart rate. Set aside some time each day to take a breath and focus on the positives. 

    “Once you have established these relieving practices, it is important to also remember that stress is normal function of life,” says APRN Lee. “In other words, stress is unavoidable at any age, but taking certain steps will help you to control or reduce the physical and mental strain it may cause.”

    APRN Lee emphasizes that stress can actually provide several cognitive benefits if it is managed properly. Always be aware of how your body responds to stress and the actions you take to control its affects. If you continue to experience issues related to stress, be sure to talk with your primary care provider for further explanation and guidance on your unique health and wellness needs.   

    Pamela Lee, APRN provides Internal Medicine care at White-Wilson Medical Center in Destin. Friendly and empathic, she helps her patients to be well-informed on their treatment options and works with them to make health-related decisions that will result in successful health outcomes. Learn more about APRN Lee and her approach to patient care here. 

  • Myth Busters: Monkeypox is the Next COVID-19

    Just as it seems like we are transitioning back to (a new) normal after the height of of COVID-19,  another illness is beginning to cause concern.

    Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by an infection with the monkeypox virus and is similar to smallpox. Beginning in January 2022, the United States, as well as many other countries around the world where monkeypox has not historically been reported, have been experiencing an outbreak of the disease. Understandably, this increase in numbers, as well as news coverage of the disease, has many wondering: Is this the next COVID-19?

    “There are many things that set COVID-19 and monkeypox apart,” explains White-Wilson Immediate Care Nurse Practitioner Mary Jean Middleton. “First and foremost, monkeypox has been around for decades whereas COVID-19 was a novel virus, first seen in late 2019. Therefore, we have significantly more research on monkeypox available to us than we did in 2020 for COVID-19”

    According to the CDC, monkeypox was first discovered in animals in 1958 and the first recorded human case occurred in 1970. Until recently, the majority of monkeypox cases were found in central and western Africa. Occasional cases were found in travelers who had been to countries where the disease usually occurs or in imported livestock, but the transmission was generally minimal.

    “One of the hardest parts of fighting COVID-19 was the fact that we knew little about it,” says APRN Middleton. “We had to quickly learn how it spread, how to prevent it and if it could be cured before we could really make any headway against it. With monkeypox, we have decades of experience and research to work off.”

    Like COVID-19, monkeypox can occur in patients of all ages and can be spread through respiratory droplets and bodily fluids as well as physical contact with infected people and items. However, the duration of the contact and exposure to respiratory droplets plays a role in the spread of monkeypox.

    “The current data shows that for monkeypox to spread from one person to another, there must be direct, prolonged exposure to respiratory secretions and bodily fluids,” say APRN Middleton. “That means you have to be in extremely close proximity to the person for a while, such as is the case with intimate contact or physical affection. A cursory pass by a person is not going to infect you nor is being in their presence for a few minutes. This is why the majority of the monkeypox cases we see are the result of close contact, like that between intimate partners. That’s a big difference from COVID, where the virus was spread unknowingly during quick interactions or in public spaces.,” she continues. “Add in the fact that only symptomatic people can spread the virus and infections are visible to those who are infected and to others, and you can see while it is much easier to get COVID-19 than monkeypox.”

    A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

    Signs and symptoms of monkeypox as well as pictures of monkeypox rashes can be viewed on the CDC website. Perhaps one of the biggest differences between the two diseases lies in the availability of vaccines.

     “As I am sure we all remember, COVID-19 vaccines didn’t even exist until late 2020,” she says, “with most people unable to receive them until Spring of 2021 through FDA emergency-use authorizations. For monkeypox, there are two current vaccines with full FDA approval that have been on the market since the 2010s. So, we are able to get ahead of this before it gets bad like in the case of COVID-19.”

    While monkeypox vaccine eligibility is determined by each state’s department of health, most recommend a monkeypox vaccine for people who have been exposed to monkeypox or who may be more likely to get monkeypox, including:

    • People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with monkeypox.
    • People who know one of their sexual partners in the past two weeks has been diagnosed with monkeypox.
    • People who have had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks in an area with known monkeypox transmission.

    “To sum everything up, I understand why people would be concerned with an outbreak of monkeypox following so closely behind COVID-19,” concludes APRN Middleton, “but you really don’t have much to worry about. We, as a country, are so much more prepared to fight monkeypox than we were with COVID-19, in part because of the lessons we learned over the past three years.”

    As always, if you have any concerns about your risk for monkeypox or think you may have been exposed, we at White-Wilson Medical Center are ready to help you through.”

    This Myth Is Busted!

    Mary Jean Middleton, APRN is a registered Nurse Practitioner caring for patients at the White-Wilson Immediate Care and Family Medicine clinics in Destin, Florida. Learn more about her approach to patient care here.

  • Ups and Downs: Weight Gain and Hormone Changes

    It’s no secret that as we age, our bodies experience a variety of changes. While most changes are inevitable parts of life, there are a few signs of aging that, with the help of your primary care provider and a few lifestyle changes, you can ease. Take weight gain for example.

    “Everyone, regardless of gender, can experience weight gain as they age,” explains Dr. Melissa Chrites, an internist at White-Wilson Medical Center in Fort Walton Beach. “While this is due to a lot of different changes happening in the body, one factor that plays a big part is changes in hormones.”

    According to Dr. Chrites, hormone changes happen to all of us as we age, and these changes can result in weight fluctuations. This is especially true for women.

    “As women grow older and enter menopause, hormone levels can change significantly,” says Dr. Chrites. “One of the biggest culprits of this being estrogen. While dropping estrogen levels don’t directly cause weight gain, this decrease can make it easier to gain weight by slowing your metabolism and make weight more visible by decreasing muscle mass.”

    A person’s metabolism is the process by which their body converts food and drink into energy.  The “faster” your metabolism is, the more calories your body can burn while at rest. This means a “slower” metabolism burns fewer calories at rest and may make it easier for you to gain weight than before.

    “Estrogen changes also affect muscle mass and how weight is distributed along the body.” Dr. Chrites explains. “When estrogen levels decrease so too does muscle mass. This decrease can result in more of what is called ‘visceral’ weight or weight that is noticeably visible. Whereas before, you were holding weight in your muscles and it was less visible, now it appears more visibly, oftentimes around your midsection.

    “These are just two reasons why maintaining or increasing your physical activity is so important as you age,” she continues. “Physical activity helps us burn those excess calories that our metabolism doesn’t get to and helps us tone our bodies to decrease the visibility of fat.”

    There are other hormones changes that can play a role in weight gain as we age. These include:

    • Testosterone, which affects both men and women and also affects muscle mass and metabolic rate. Like estrogen, testosterone tends to decrease as we age.
    • Insulin, which affects how your body creates and uses glucose. If you become insulin resistant, the excess glucose in your body is turned into fat. As you age, you become more likely to become insulin resistant.

    Now that we know which hormonal changes can contribute to weight gain as we age, what can we do about it?

    “As is the case at any age, adopting healthy habits is key to controlling and losing weight,” explains Dr. Chrites. “These include the usual suspects such as getting enough physical exercise and eating the right foods, as well as getting enough sleep and maintaining low levels of stress.

    “There are also medical ways to combat hormonal changes and weight gain,” she continues. “There are many factors to consider before using medications and hormone therapies and so it is important to understand how they will affect other parts of your health as well. Your White-Wilson primary care provider can talk with you about these methods and through the help of appropriate specialists, determine if they could possibly work for you.

    “Even if hormone therapies don’t seem to be a fit, don’t fret. Your primary care physician will be here to help you develop plans and implement methods that will keep you happy, and most importantly, healthy for many more years.”

    Dr. Melissa Chrites is an Internist at White-Wilson Internal Medicine clinic in Fort Walton Beach. Dr. Chrites specializes in primary care, the diagnosis and treatment of chronic illness and women’s wellness. She has a special interest in weight management and disease prevention. Learn more about Dr. Chrites’ approach to patient care and schedule your appointment with her here.

  • Tips for Navigating the Formula Shortage Crisis

    By Dr. Dale Volquartsen, Pediatrician

    Many parents today are faced with difficult decisions concerning the feeding of their infants in the midst of what is now a crisis due to the shortage of infant formula. As with most crises, there are numerous factors that play into the shortage.  For one, as the nation is emerging from the pandemic and there has been a significant increase in demand that was not anticipated. For another unexpected reason, fewer mothers are electing to nurse their children and that’s increasing the demand for formula. The largest factor, however, is the closure of a factory in Michigan where Abbott produces a large portion of their formula. In 2021, there were four infants, two of which who died, who are believed to have been made ill by consuming formula that became contaminated with bacteria from that factory. In February, that formula was recalled and the factory was closed. It is expected to reopen soon, but the supply will likely take about two months to reach the shelves.

    This shortage may be leaving families feeling desperate and willing to turn to potentially dangerous alternatives.

    Avoid these common mistakes:

    1. Please do not attempt to make your own formula. Right now, the internet is being flooded with people promoting different formula recipes. This is not a new phenomenon and has resulted in bad outcomes for infants in the past. Too much protein can harm an infant’s kidneys and liver. Inadequate electrolytes such as sodium have resulted in seizures and death. Inadequate fat and sugar content has a lasting effect on brain health and development. These are just a few of the bad outcomes from these imbalanced alternatives.
    2. Do not water down formula to make it “stretch”. The baby will get inadequate calories and the lower electrolytes can lead to seizures and death.
    3. I recommend that whole cow’s milk only be introduced after the first birthday. After six months of age, a day or two may be acceptable but only as the very last resort. The protein is more difficult for an infant to digest and cow’s milk increases the risk of iron deficiency.
    4. Plant-based milk alternatives are never appropriate alternatives for infants. Even though the ingredient labels may be similar to cow’s milk formulas, the actual ingredients are different in function. This means that the infant’s body does not metabolize and use those ingredients the same way.
    5. Toddler formulas are significantly different than infant formulas and should not be used except in older infants and only after all other options have been exhausted.
    6. The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that you do not purchase formula imported from outside America. There are numerous reasons for this, but the primary concerns include the difference consumer protection rules, shipping concerns and language/labeling risks. The importing of formula is also highly regulated, making it more difficult and expensive to procure.
    7. Avoid the temptation to hoard formula when you find it. This is actually part of the reason we are in such short supply. Early in the pandemic, there was widespread hoarding. This was followed by a significant decrease in demand the following year since there were ample supplies in homes. With the decreased demand, the formula companies did not accurately predict the demand for this current year.

    So, what is a mom to do in the face of this shortage? There are no simple answers, but here are some recommendations:

    1. If able, rely on nursing as much as possible. No formula can hold a candle to the milk a mother provides for her infant. Even if you are only able to provide a few ounces a day, that may make a big difference for your baby. Contact a lactation consultant in the case you may even be able to help a mother re-lactate.
    2. Look in smaller stores where the shortage may not have had such a large impact.
    3. For most babies, switching to a different formula or brand will not be a problem. However, if you have your baby on a special formula, ensure you speak with your pediatrician before making a switch. Samples of the proper formula may be available.  Your pediatrician will also ensure that the options chosen are healthy and appropriate.  Further, anyone needing a specialized formula can call Abbott at 1-800-881-0876 to request a formula on a case by case basis.
    4. If you qualify for WIC, be sure to enroll as they are the single largest customer purchasing infant formulas. SNAP (food stamps) and food banks may also be a solution. Here in the Florida Panhandle, you can call 2-1-1 to be connected with public services and nonprofits that that may be able to help.
    5. There may be some community groups that are working with families as well. They will often coordinate through social media outlets.

    I am confident that we will get through this crisis. Why?  Because we know we have excellent parents caring for their children.  We, the pediatricians of White-Wilson, are here to help all of you through this time and to help you make the best choices for your growing child.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician for any questions or concerns you have.

    Dr. Dale Volquartsen is a board-certified pediatrician with more than 30-years’ experience caring for children. Dr. Volquartsen cares for patients at White-Wilson Medical Center in DeFuniak Springs, Florida where he is accepting new patients.

  • Myth Busters: Only Allergists Can Treat Allergies

    With Spring in full bloom and summer just around the corner, we are seeing more than just tourists arriving here on the Emerald Coast. As is evident by the yellow dust showing up on our cars and, well, everywhere else, allergen levels are on the rise and with them often come an uncomfortable pressure in our heads and noses and itching in our throats. For some, these conditions are a seasonal nuisance, something to just grin and bear for a couple months, but for others, allergies have a serious effect on their overall wellbeing.

    In patients whose allergies result in more than a slightly stuffy nose and scratchy voice, seeking help from a medical professional can minimize or completely relieve these symptoms. When it comes to the medical treatment of allergies, most people generally think of Allergists, but did you know there is another type of doctor who can help?

    “Otolaryngologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat, but otolaryngology is a mouthful, so you’ll most commonly hear us referred to as ENT doctors,” explains White-Wilson ENT physician, Dr. Roger Skiles. “As specialists we are very experienced in treating any type of inflammation or discomfort in these areas and that includes those caused by allergies.”

    According to Dr. Skiles, allergy symptoms can often be mistaken for other conditions. Visiting an ENT physician in cases where the symptoms last a long time or are reoccurring can help narrow down the cause.

    “Especially this time of year, you will see a lot of patients coming into doctors’ offices complaining of sinus pain and itchy throats,” he explains. “They think it’s nothing but a sinus infection or cold, but many times, there is a greater underlying cause – allergies. We are able to administer tests to patients, exposing them to common allergens and determine which triggers a response. Once we know what is causing the allergic reaction, we can make a plan to offer long term relief or, potentially, prevent symptoms from returning.”

    Today, we have more treatment options than ever before, so just because symptoms are reoccurring, doesn’t mean they have to be. If you are experiencing repeated allergy or sinus issues, Dr. Skiles recommends you first talk to your primary care provider so that they can recommend a specialist that is best suited for your needs.

     

    Dr. Roger Skiles is a fellowship-trained Ear, Nose and Throat specialist caring for patients at the White-Wilson Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic in Fort Walton Beach. Dr. Skiles is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and has more than 40 years of experience caring patients. Learn more about Dr. Skiles and his approach to patient care here.

  • Mid-Year Health Screening Breakdown

    The halfway mark of the year is upon us and it’s time to take stock of all that you have accomplished and what is yet to come. While it’s a lot more fun to think about all the things you have achieved so far in the year, it is important to have a plan for those that still need to be done, especially when it comes to your health.

    “In order to keep yourself in tiptop shape, there are certain health screenings and exams we recommend patients receive every year,” explain Dr. Tyler Hamilton, a Family Medicine physician at White-Wilson Medical Center in Navarre. “First and foremost is your annual wellness exam.”

    As the name suggests, annual wellness exams are yearly physical where your primary care provider (PCP) reviews and charts your overall health. During these visits, your PCP will conduct a series of simple examinations, including noting your weight and height, taking a blood pressure reading, checking your lungs and heart and taking a visual examination of your physical wellbeing. The exam will include a series of questions that may be asked before your visit to get an in-depth health history and to determine areas your physician should pay extra attention to.

    “Dependent on a patient’s health history, a PCP may also order blood work to be completed prior to the annual wellness visit,” Dr. Hamilton explains. “Then when the patient comes in, we can go over the results and discuss if lifestyle or medication changes need to be made.”

    Beyond annual wellness exams, Dr. Hamilton highlights how your annual wellness visit can help you stay on track with important and potentially lifesaving screenings.

    “When I talk with a patient about a gap in their health history or the last time they received a screening, they are often surprised at how many years have lapsed,” notes Dr. Hamilton. “Especially during the pandemic, we tend to not realize how much time has passed and that we be past due for a screening. That is where a regular visit with your doctor can be lifesaving. Your doctor will make sure to order any of the screenings that you may need. The last thing we want to do is put off a screening and then find later that earlier detection would have been a game changer.”

    Additional, age based or risk factor-based screenings that your doctor may order include:

    • Colonoscopy – Should occur every 10 years beginning at age 45 for patients of normal risk. Patients with higher risk may need to begin screening earlier or receive them more often
    • Mammogram – Should occur annually for women 40 and older with normal risk of developing breast cancer. Patients with a higher risk may need to begin screening earlier.
    • Cervical cancer screening – Should occur every 3 years for females ages 20-29 and every 5 years for women ages 30-65, when combined with an HPV test.
    • Osteoporosis screening – Should occur every 15 years for female patients 60 and older with normal bone mass or only mild bone loss. More frequent testing may be required for female patients with greater bone loss.

    “Once we know your personal history and your family history, we can determine what screenings are best for you. Most of these screenings require a physician’s order so that the results can be sent to them for future monitoring and record keeping,” concluded Dr. Hamilton. “If you have a good relationship with your primary care physician, he or she will be the quarterback and your annual wellness visit is a time to review the playbook and make sure you have everything in place for the best, healthiest outcomes.”

    Dr. Tyler Hamilton cares for patients at White-Wilson Family Medicine Clinic in Navarre, Florida. He is now accepting patients of all ages. To learn more about him and his approach to patient care or to schedule an appointment online, click here.

  • How Technology Can Affect Your Little One’s Restful Sleep

    Technology is an ever-present part of our lives. From the computer you work on to smartphone you use to connect with friends and family, there is rarely a day that we go without some sort of screen in front of our faces. For many of us, daily use of screen-based technology didn’t become a part of lives until we were into our teens or even adulthood; but today’s children are being introduced to the latest innovations earlier and earlier.  As a result, doctors are seeing the effect it has on our little one’s growth and development.

    “Technology, at its core, can be beneficial,” explains DeFuniak Springs-based pediatrician, Dr. Dale Volquartsen. “It makes important tasks easier and quicker for many of us including our children. Where it becomes a problem is when it negatively affects a child’s health, and that’s just what we are seeing when it comes to screen-based technology and our kids’ sleeping habits.”

    As Dr. Volquartsen explains, studies have shown that too much technology use close to bedtime can inhibit a child’s ability to get a restful night of sleep. In fact, the greatest hindrance to a restful sleep for our children today is the presence of electronics in bedrooms.

    “The main perpetrators are laptops, tablets, smartphones and televisions,” he says. “These all emit blue light from their screens and it is that blue light, when overexposed to it, that has been shown to negatively affect sleep patterns and make it difficult not only for your child to fall asleep but also to stay asleep.”

    Beyond blue light, technology-use before bed can affect sleep on other levels as well. These including causing excessive brightness in sleeping areas and over-stimulating children with content when their minds should be winding down.

    “Anyone who has a child knows that entertainment aimed at them has so much going on,” explains Dr. Volquartsen. “From quick actions to loud noises and colorful scenes, it is enough to make anyone’s brain feel busy and overwhelmed. Now, consider a child whose brain hasn’t reached full maturity yet and therefore doesn’t process things as quickly as an adult usually can. It takes them longer to recover from that over-stimulation and when it occurs near bedtime, that leads to a decrease in the quality of and number of hours they’re actually sleeping.”

    To decrease the risk of reduced sleep time, Dr. Volquartsen recommends setting a bedtime for all electronics 60 minutes before the child’s personal bed time. This will allow the child’s brain the appropriate time to reset before its needs to fall asleep. Dr. Volquartsen also recommends that when it’s time to go to sleep, your children’s bedroom becomes a no-tech zone and that it is dark and quiet.  In fact, it would be wise to keep the bedroom free of electronics all the time.

    “The last thing you want to happen after your child has fallen asleep is for a noise or light from a notification to wake them up,” he says. “Keeping unnecessary electronics out of bedrooms during the night will eliminate that possibility.”

    Lastly, Dr. Volquartsen recommends keeping a routine sleep schedule, including a set time that a child goes to bed and when you wake them up.

    “Between the tech bedtime and your child’s actual bedtime, you can also introduce a calm activity such as reading them a story, giving them a bath, introducing a simple meditation or a time to pray. Whatever you choose, you will want to make sure you do it every night, so your child’s brain can recognize the pattern that this activity means sleep is soon.”  Prevent their exposure to frightening media as well realizing that what would never alarm us as parents could still be very alarming to a young child who has limited ability to discern between reality and make believe.  Even a simple cartoon can generate fear and nightmares in the young child.

    “Regardless whether they are related to tech, sleep issues are something you always want to discuss with your child’s pediatrician,” concludes Dr. Volquartsen. “They could be a normal part of growth and development or there could be something more at play, but your pediatrician can definitely help you figure out how to get your child the rest they need to grow and to thrive.”

    Dr. Dale Volquartsen is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and cares for patients at White-Wilson Pediatric Clinic in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. He is now accepting patients from birth to age 18. To learn more about him and his approach to patient care or to schedule an appointment online, click here.

  • Myth Busters: I Have to See a Gynecologist to Receive a Well Woman Screening

    By now, we should all know the importance of regular checkups with your doctor. These annual wellness visits are just as big a part of staying healthy as exercise and a nutritious diet; most importantly because it is often during these visits that doctors perform screenings for serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.

    While there are multiple screenings required for an in-depth annual wellness visit, the good news is that, in most cases, your primary care provider (PCP) can do them all. And this is especially true at White-Wilson Medical Center where our in-house laboratory and imaging services allow for more complex screenings to be done in one convenient location.

    However, when it comes to women’s health, there is the belief that the one-stop shop approach just doesn’t work.

    “Some women believe that their well woman screening has to be administered by a gynecologist,” explains Dr. Karen Hoffman, an internist at White-Wilson Medical Center in Niceville. “However, many primary care practices, including White-Wilson, are more than happy to provide well woman exams including the recommended screenings and tests.”

    According to Dr. Hoffman, basic women’s health needs are well within the scope of primary care providers training. If your provider offers these services, this means you won’t have to book with your gynecologist for things such as Pap smears, STD testing and even providing means of contraceptive.

    “It all comes down to the patient, their preferences and, especially, their health history,” says Dr. Hoffman. “For many women, their primary care physician is ready to provide the care they need in an environment they are already comfortable in. After the visit, your health history will be updated so your physician can continue to work alongside you to ensure you are doing everything you can to catch potential issues early. If you need more specialized care, your physician will be a good resource for getting you to the right place”

    Well woman exams, as well as annual wellness exams, are fully covered by most insurance policies. To schedule your next well woman exam, call White-Wilson Medical Center at 850-863-8100.

    THIS MYTH IS BUSTED.

    Karen Hoffman, DO is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine and the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. She has more than 22 years of experience caring for patients, including providing annual wellness and well woman examinations, as well a chronic disease treatment and management. Dr. Hoffman is accepting patients at the White-Wilson Internal Medicine Clinic in Niceville.

  • How To Properly Use Over-The-Counter Medications and Supplements

    It’s no secret that medications play a huge role in health care. For as long as people have roamed this Earth, medications, in the form of herbs, pastes, mixtures, pills and more, have been utilized by health care professionals to provide our bodies and minds relief from ailments of all types.

    While medications are undoubtedly helpful to many, as with most medical interventions, there are risks associated with using them.

    “It is your doctor’s job, along with your pharmacist, to know ­what medicines you can take based on your health background,” explains White-Wilson Family Medicine physician, Dr. Kirk Garcia-Rios. “This is why prescriptions are thoroughly reviewed at doctor’s visits. We are looking for potential causes of issues that have arisen as well possible negative interactions that could occur if we introduce a new medication. This is also why you should mention to your doctor if you take any over-the-counter (OTC) medications or supplements.”

    According to Dr. Garcia-Rios, OTC medications are those reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration and determined to be “safe and effective for use by the general public without seeking treatment by a health professional.” These medications tend to treat easily identifiable ailments such as headaches, stomach aches and coughs and, when their directional label is followed precisely, have little risk for adverse side effects.

    Supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and enzymes, on the other hand are not reviewed for safety or effectiveness by the FDA prior to being sold. This is purely up to the manufacturers. The FDA can step in if the supplement is found to be unsafe or the manufacturers are making false medical claims, but until that point, they really have little control over their sale and marketing.

    “Both OTC medications and supplements have their uses,” says Dr. Garcia-Rios. “Doctors often recommend them to patients and in many cases, you can use them with little to no adverse reactions. However, if you don’t have a set of medically-trained eyes looking at these meds before patients buy them, there is a chance that important information could be missed.”

    “For example,” he continues, “if you are on certain blood thinners, you cannot take aspirin, an OTC medication. Or you could be already on a prescribed medication that contains the same active ingredients as an OTC medication, which could ultimately lead to too much of that ingredient in your system and result in damage to your organs. The same can happen with supplements. It is possible to have too much of a particular vitamin or mineral and that can cause serious problems. Consulting with your doctor or your pharmacist can lower the likelihood of this happening.”

    In addition to consulting a medical professional before beginning a new OTC medication or supplement, Dr. Garcia-Rios emphasizes that you should also consult a doctor if the use of an OTC medication or supplement doesn’t seem to be working like it should. This will also reduce the risk of overuse and, likely, give your health care provider an opportunity to discover the underlying root of the issue and get you on your way to feeling better.

    “And finally,” says Dr. Garcia-Rios, “remember to never take a prescription medication that’s not prescribed to you personally by a doctor who has evaluated your health. Not only is this potentially against the law, but it is also extremely reckless for the reasons I mentioned before. You do not know how this medication will affect you, if you are allergic to it or if it will interact with your other medications, all of which can possibly result in severe or deadly outcomes.”

    “Prescription-level medications should only be provided by your personal physician,” he concludes. “If there is a medication you want to try, but your physician won’t prescribe it, there is likely a good reason behind it. And don’t forget, you are always welcome to seek a second opinion, just be prepared for the same outcome if using that medication will put your life in danger.”

    The providers at White-Wilson Medical Center recommend that you bring a list of your medications with you to each visit, especially your annual wellness visit. This allows us to ensure your patient record is up-to-date so we can provide the care that is right for you.

    Kirk Garcia-Rios, DO is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and has more than 15 years of experience caring patients at both military and civilian medical practices. Dr. Garcia-Rios is now accepting new patients at the White-Wilson Family Medicine Clinic in Fort Walton Beach.

  • Tackling the “Quarantine 15”

    During the fight against COVID-19, staying home and limiting interactions has been key to preventing community spread. While there is no argument that taking these steps has benefited all of us in the long run, unhealthy side effects have occurred during this time.

    “Many people have experienced weight gain during quarantine,” says Dr. Lee Barnes of the White-Wilson Family Medicine Clinic in Niceville. “If not addressed, these gains could result in the development of diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.”

    According to Dr. Barnes, this weight gain, known as the “Quarantine 15,” likely stemmed from a disruption in the routine as a result of the pandemic.

    “People were working from home with more readily available food to snack on,” he explains. “Add into this the decreasing time spent outside of the home and off of the couch, gyms being temporarily closed and the push to support local restaurants by ordering take out and it was inevitable that some of us would see growing numbers of the scales.”

    “The good thing is,” Dr. Barnes continues, “you can still turn it around before it gets too dangerous.  Diet and exercise continue to go a long way, but, given that we are still seeing great spread of the virus, it is going to look different than before.

    To tackle your quarantine weight gain while continuing to take precautions against contracting or spreading COVID-19, Dr. Barnes recommends prioritizing healthy habits at home. He suggests:

    • Implement at-home fitness routines in place of gym visits. There are still many at-home aerobic programs out there that can guide you in exercising if you aren’t sure what to do. Most are offering discounted programs for the New Year and there are even free alternatives on websites such as YouTube. If these types of classes aren’t your thing, something as simple as going for a jog or walk will help you burn calories and keep your lungs healthy.
    • Plan and prep your meals ahead of time. When we are hungry, we seek out what is easy and comforting. More times than not, these aren’t the best decisions. Planning ahead and prepping can help you make sure you have healthy meals on hand. 
    • Keep your mind and your hands busy. With activities that previously enjoyed remaining closed, boredom continues to be part of our daily lives. But, sometimes, our minds can confuse being bored with being hungry. We then seek out snacks to satisfy this ‘hunger’ and those snacks can add up. If we keep our minds busy with hobbies, we not only won’t have time to snack, our brains won’t feel these urges in the first place.

    While today’s buzz may be around the losing the “Quarantine 15,” Dr. Barnes reminds us that weight management is an important part of healthy living at all times.

    “Regardless if you are staying home or living your life as normally as before, maintaining a healthy weight should always be a priority. Tactics such as the ones I mentioned are easy steps everyone can take to start living healthier and happier and prevent the risk of future illness.”

    Dr. R. Lee Barnes is a board-certified Family Medicine physician at White-Wilson Medical Center in Niceville where he is currently accepting new patients.  Click here to learn more about Dr. Barnes’s approach to patient care.