Author Archives: Trudy

Surprising Health Benefits of Cold Weather

By: John A. Billon, M.D.

Although cold weather is often associated with health problems such as cold and flu, you may be surprised to learn that the cold has some health benefits, too. Read on to learn how lower temperatures can be good for you.

Fewer allergies: Plants don’t make pollen in the winter, so we allergy sufferers generally feel better in cold weather.

Less bug-borne disease: Pesky insects like mosquitoes and ticks are in short supply in cold weather, greatly reducing our risk of catching the nasty diseases they may carry, such as West Nile virus, Lyme disease and Zika virus.

Reduced inflammation: Similar to putting ice on an injury, cold weather can reduce inflammation and pain. One study found that runners exposed to cold temperatures recovered faster from workouts. This suggests that exercising in winter may result in less inflammation and soreness than in the summer.

Improved brain function: There’s evidence suggesting our brains work better at cooler temperatures. One study found that 62 degrees was the best for schoolchildren to learn, and other research found that people study better when the weather is cold.

Increased fat burn: Besides your body using more calories to stay warm, research suggests being cold can increase your ability to burn fat. It may trigger “brown fat” in the body, a good fat that can burn off other “white” fat. Also, exercising in cold weather boosts your body’s energy expenditure for hours afterwards, so you end up burning more calories.

Better emotional health: We’re less likely to be out and about in cold weather, causing us to spend more time with family and friends. Social interactions like these have been shown to reduce stress, making us more relaxed and happier. Also, if you experience seasonal depression – known as the “winter blues” ─ your doctor may recommend a vitamin D supplement to boost your mood and keep your emotions on an even keel.

Dr. Billon received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical School, completed his residency program in Family Practice at Stamford St. Peters University Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson, and is certified by the American Board of Family Practice. He practices at MPCP’s Arnold office.

Hypertension: Making Some Noise About the ‘Silent Killer’

By: Pio Poblete, M.D.

Most people who have hypertension don’t know it.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is when the pressure of the blood in your arteries rises to an unhealthy level. Left untreated, hypertension can lead to heart attacks or heart failure, strokes, aneurysms, and damage to your eyes and kidneys.

Even though hypertension is dangerous, most people experience no symptoms. They can be on the edge of a serious health episode and not still have a clue. That’s why hypertension is called “the silent killer.”

Are you at risk?

There are many factors that can put you at risk for hypertension:

  • Age. The older you are, the more your risk of high blood pressure grows.
  • Race. High blood pressure is widespread among blacks, and health complications from it tend to be more serious.
  • Family history. If you have close relatives with hypertension, you are more likely to get it.
  • Unhealthy weight. The more you weigh, the more the pressure you put on your artery walls and the higher your blood pressure.
  • Being a couch potato. People who are inactive tend to have a higher heart rate,  making your heart work harder and putting more pressure on your arteries.
  • Using tobacco. Whether you smoke, chew or are just around people who smoke (secondhand smoke), tobacco can cause your arteries to narrow, increasing your blood pressure and straining your heart
  • Too much salt (sodium). Before you reach for the salt shaker, too much sodium in your diet causes fluid retention, leading to higher blood pressure.
  • Too much booze. Having more than three drinks in one sitting can raise your blood pressure to unhealthy levels, and long-term heavy drinking can cause heart damage.
  • Stress. High levels of stress raise your blood pressure. And if you cope with stress by eating more, using tobacco or drinking alcohol, you only make the problem worse..

Your Next Step

Even though hypertension usually has no symptoms, it can be easily detected. Have your blood pressure checked at your next doctor’s appointment.

If you are diagnosed with hypertension, you can work with your doctor to control it. Your doctor may prescribe medicine, but you will also need to make lifestyle changes to keep your blood pressure down to healthy levels:

  • Eating a healthier diet with less salt
  • Exercising regularly
  • Quitting smoking
  • Limiting alcohol
  • Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight

People who make lifestyle changes and get their blood pressure under control can often reduce their need for medicine, and sometimes even stop taking it.

If you haven’t had your blood pressure checked in the last year, now’s the time to contact your doctor. Don’t let the silent killer sneak up on you.

Dr. Pio Poblete is an MPCP partner and sees patients in the Columbia office. He received his medical degree from University of Virginia School of Medicine and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Board Certified for Better Care

By: Michael Riebman, MD and MPCP President

If you look at the online profiles of our doctors, you’ll see they are “board certified” in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Cardiology.  This is an important distinction for physicians, and it gives you additional assurance that you and your family are receiving the best possible care.

A little background: To practice medicine, doctors must undergo years of rigorous training, including a premedical college degree, a degree from a medical school, and up to five years of full-time experience in a residency training program of their chosen specialty. Only after completing all these requirements are they able to practice medicine in the community.

Once they complete their specialty residency program, physicians can demonstrate extra expertise in their chosen medical specialty by earning a certification through one of the 24 accrediting organizations belonging to the American Board of Medical Specialties.  Certification means a doctor has acquired the extra knowledge and experience to practice a medical specialty, such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Cardiology.

Doctors earn this board certification by passing an examination administered by the member board in their specialty. The exams assess medical knowledge and clinical judgment, and include real-life situations that demonstrate a physician’s knowledge of the latest medical practices.

Medical boards issue time-limited certifications. Their certifications last for up to 10 years, but doctors have to complete additional work between these re-certifications, known as continuing medical education, such as reviewing their performance on patient care and self-assessing their knowledge of new medical developments.

In short, the re-certification program provides doctors a structured approach to improving the effectiveness of their performance in treating patients. It also assures patients that their doctors remain experts in their fields.

MPCP requires all of our doctors to be board certified. This gives our patients the added assurance they’re getting the highest level of care, and that our physicians are committed to keeping their skills sharp and up to date.

 

Michael Riebman, M.D.Dr. Riebman is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is the current president of Maryland Primary Care Physicians. He sees patients in MPCP’s Annapolis office.

Heart Disease Q&A: Knowing Your Numbers

With Dr. Falana Carter

Q: What does “knowing my numbers” have to do with heart disease?

A: We all have our numbers, like cholesterol levels, blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar. Those numbers can tell an important story about your risk for heart disease.

Heart disease is any disorder of the heart muscle, valves, rhythm or blood flow to the heart. Today in the U.S., heart disease is the number one cause of death among both men and women. So knowing your numbers is an important part of your health story. It’s also the first step to reducing your risk of heart disease.

Q: Isn’t heart disease something out of our control – you get it or you don’t?

A: There are two types of risk factors: things you can’t control and things you can. The things you can’t control are your genes: they may predispose you for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. If you have a family history of these health conditions, you may be at greater risk for heart disease.

However, there are things you can control, including blood pressure, blood sugar, your weight, cholesterol levels, and smoking. Getting them under control reduces your risk of heart disease. In fact, lifestyle changes can reduce your risk up to 60 percent – and that’s without medication!

Q: What changes should I make?

A: There’s a lot you can do. These things will improve your heart health, as well as giving you better health overall:

  • Quit smoking. For people who quit, their risk of heart attack falls to the same level as nonsmokers in just two years.
  • Improve cholesterol levels. Cholesterol in your blood includes LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides. A healthy diet and exercise are key to managing cholesterol, though some people may also need medicine.
  • Get active. Just 30 minutes of exercise four to five times a week can reduce your risk for heart disease by 30 percent. Exercise reduces your blood pressure and blood sugar. It also helps control your weight and lowers your cholesterol levels.
  • Control high blood pressure. Exercise and healthy eating, as well as avoiding salt, are keys to controlling blood pressure, but some people may also need medicine.
  • Follow a heart-healthy diet. Eat more foods that are low in fat and cholesterol, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and legumes. These foods are high in fiber, which is good for healthy cholesterol, and contain many nutrients.

Eat lean meats, poultry and fish (especially salmon or tuna, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids). And – very important – reduce your intake of salt and sugar.

  • Get to a healthy weight. Losing extra weight is good for your heart and can help lower high blood pressure and manage diabetes.
  • Control diabetes. Many people who have diabetes don’t know it, so get tested and treated.
  • Manage stress and anger. Everyone has stress and anger sometimes, but if it happens a lot, it can damage your heart. Managing stress and handling anger in healthy ways makes you and your heart feel better.

See your doctor to learn what your numbers are, and how they impact your heart health. Your physician can also help you make healthy lifestyle changes and manage your risk factors. Knowing your numbers and getting them under control can help the story of your heart be a long and happy one – for you and your family.

Dr. Carter is an MPCP partner and is certified by the American Board of Family Physicians. She sees patients at the Arundel Mills office.