Author Archives: akinzer

Winter Fitness: Keep moving!

by Nnemdi Baird, D.O.

Whether you made a New Year’s resolution to exercise more or not, there are many ways to keep fit during the winter. These tips don’t require special equipment or a gym membership. The key is to move, move, move! During your regular daily routines, adding some extra movement in your steps can improve your fitness level.

We recommend that our patients engage in moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes, five times a week.  Here are some ideas to help you get moving:

  • At work or shopping, park your car farther away and walk the extra few yards.
  • While doing household chores, put on some music and move with the vacuum or the dust mop.
  • When possible, take the stairs to help tone your back and leg muscles- and get your heart pumping.
  • Don’t just sit and watch television, get on the floor and do some sit-ups, push-ups or other floor exercises.
  • If you have a higher than average (more than 8 feet) ceiling- maybe in the garage or basement- jump rope.
  • Or try a new routine with some yoga or pilates or tai chi.  Your local library should have some books or even videos to show you how.
  • Even when temperatures are in the 30s, you can layer clothing and take a brisk walk as long as there is no risk of slipping on ice or snow.  Find a walking or workout “buddy” to help you stay on track.
  • Consider using an online or mobile app that helps you track your activity/fitness progress.

Whatever you choose, please stay active this winter.  A sedentary lifestyle puts you at greater risk for many health problems.  Don’t forget to encourage your family to keep moving too!

Nnemdi Baird, D.O.Dr. Baird joined Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC in 2013 and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She received her medical degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2009 and completed her residency training in Family Medicine at Albany Medical College/Albany Medical Center Department of Family and Community Medicine in 2012.

Women’s Health: The Latest Screening Guidelines for Every Age

Ladies, when was the last time you had a mammogram, or had your blood cholesterol checked?  Have you had your annual Pap test?  If you have to think about the answers to these questions, it may be time to make sure you’re up to date on important health screenings.

“Now is a great time for women to make a resolution to take better care of themselves this year,” says MPCP Columbia physician, Cecily M. Agcaoili, M.D.   “We know women of all ages are busy—often taking care of everyone else in the family- but skipping screening exams is not beneficial.  Regular screenings help you and your MPCP team detect some diseases at their earliest stages, when they are clearly most treatable.”

Screenings are usually advised at certain ages or life stages, however, it’s important to work with your doctor to determine when you should be screened for certain health issues.  “If you are at risk for specific conditions due to family history, ethnic background, or lifestyle risks, we may want you to be screened earlier, or to have more detailed screening tests that are available,”  says Rosemary Ayerle, Nurse Practitioner at MPCP Bowie.

Please use this chart as a general guide for screening and vaccine recommendations for healthy women at different life stages:

mpcp-screenings-vaccinations

 

Cecily M. Agcaoili, M.D.Dr. Agcaoili is a Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC partner and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2007 and completed her residency program in Internal Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center in 2010.

 

 

 

Rosemary H. Ayerle, CRNPRosemary Ayerle, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, joined Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC in 1997. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1982 and her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University Of Maryland School of Nursing in 1989. Ms. Ayerle is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Adult Practice.