Tag Archives: preventative care

MPCP - A man speaking to his doctor about colorectal cancer

Know Your Gut: Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Early Detection

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S., yet it’s also one of the most preventable. With early detection and lifestyle changes, you can dramatically lower your risk. Colorectal cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited, so, the most important step you can take is to stay on top of your screenings and reduce your risk factors.

Here’s what you need to know to protect your gut health and take charge of your future.

What Is Colorectal Cancer and Who’s at Risk?

Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum and often starts as small growths called polyps. Over time, some of those polyps can turn into cancer.

Who should start screening?

  • Everyone should begin regular colorectal cancer screenings at age 45.
  • Individuals with a family or personal history of colorectal cancer, genetic conditions (like Lynch syndrome), or inflammatory bowel disease may need to start screening earlier.

What are the most common risk factors?

  • Age: Most cases occur in adults over 45.
  • Family history: A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps can increase your risk.
  • Personal history: Women with uterine polyps can have a higher risk for colorectal polyps. 
  • Genetic conditions: Conditions like Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) raise the risk significantly.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis increases the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.
  • Type 2 diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes face a higher risk, even after accounting for shared factors like weight or inactivity.

If any of these apply to you, talk to your provider about starting screenings earlier or more frequently.

Change What You Can: Lifestyle Risk Factors

More than half of colorectal cancer cases are linked to lifestyle factors that you can control. By making healthy changes, you can lower your risk factors for colorectal cancer:

  • Achieve and maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk, especially for men. Losing even a small amount of weight can help.
  • Eat a healthier diet: Limit red and processed meats, such as hot dogs and bacon, and focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Cutting back on sugary drinks can also make a difference.
  • Stay active: Regular physical activity can significantly reduce your risk of colorectal cancer and improve overall health.
  • Quit smoking: Smoking isn’t just linked to lung cancer; it’s also a major risk factor for colorectal cancer. Quitting now can lower your risk over time.
  • Limit alcohol intake: Heavy drinking is associated with higher colorectal cancer risk. It’s best to avoid alcohol, but if you drink, limit yourself to no more than one drink per day for women or two for men.

Talk to Your Provider About Your Risk Factors

Are you over 45? Do you know your personal risk factors? The best time to take action is now. Talk to your MPCP provider to discuss when you should start screenings and how you can live healthier and lower your colorectal cancer risk.

MPCP - A woman and her doctor discuss osteoporosis

Understanding Osteoporosis: How to Keep Your Bones Strong for Life

We often focus on our hearts, weight, or blood pressure when we think about health. But how often do you think about your bones? Strong bones are just as essential to overall health as our weight or activity levels. In fact, bone health is so critical that osteoporosis—often called a “silent disease”—can lead to serious health risks, including fractures that may impact quality of life and even shorten it.

Here’s what you need to know about osteoporosis, why it’s so important to protect your bones early in life, and how to take action if you think you’re at risk.

What Is Osteoporosis, and Why Does It Matter?

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones lose density and strength, becoming more brittle over time. While most common in adults over 50, this deterioration can start much earlier in life due to poor habits or underlying health issues.

Fractures caused by osteoporosis aren’t just inconvenient—they’re serious. Studies show that a broken hip or spine can lead to reduced mobility, a higher risk of other health issues, and even increased mortality, similar to heart attacks or breast cancer. That’s why caring for your bones is just as important as caring for your heart.

Prevention Starts Early: Build Strong Bones Now

Building strong bones starts in childhood and continues into your 20s and 30s when bone density peaks. But it’s never too late to make changes that strengthen your bones and improve your overall health.

Here are a few key habits to adopt:

  • Eat for Bone Health: Include calcium-rich foods like dairy, leafy greens, and fortified cereals in your diet. Don’t forget about vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium.
  • Get Moving: Weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, and resistance training can help build and maintain bone density.
  • Ditch the Bad Habits: Smoking and excessive alcohol weaken bones over time. Quitting can make a big difference in your bone health.

Research has also shown that healthy habits benefiting your heart—like those outlined in the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8”—can also protect your bones. That’s because lifestyle factors like eating well and staying active reduce inflammation and promote overall health.

Are You at Risk? Spotting the Signs of Weak Bones

Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because you can’t see or feel your bones weakening. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to early warning signs:

  • Fractures from minor falls or bumps
  • A noticeable loss of height over time
  • Persistent back pain, which could indicate a spinal fracture

If any of these sound familiar, or if you have a family history of osteoporosis, talk to your doctor. Early detection through a bone density test can help catch the condition before a serious fracture occurs.

Watch: Early detection can make a big difference. 

What If You Already Have Osteoporosis?

If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis, know that you’re not alone—and there are effective treatments available. Your doctor may recommend:

  • Medications to slow bone loss or build new bone
  • A personalized exercise and diet plan
  • Strategies to reduce fall risks and protect your bones

Sticking to your treatment plan is essential. Studies show that many people stop taking their medications or don’t follow through with their exercise or diet plans.

Take Control of Your Bone Health Today

Your bones are the foundation of your body—literally. Taking care of them is an investment in your future mobility and independence.

Here’s how you can get started:

  1. Schedule a checkup with your primary care provider to discuss your risk factors.
  2. Adopt bone-healthy habits like exercise and a balanced diet.
  3. Stay informed!

Dr. Ariel Warden-Jarrett on Good Day DC to Discuss Flu and Cold Prevention

Dr. Ariel Warden-Jarrett Featured on Good Day DC to Discuss Flu and Cold Prevention

Dr. Ariel Warden-Jarrett from MPCP’s Bowie office joined Fox 5 DC to share expert tips to avoid cold and flu this fall—just in time for the holidays!

Catch the full segment from Good Day DC with Steven Chenevey and learn how simple lifestyle changes and proactive health habits can keep you feeling your best all season long.

Watch here: https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1547202

Protect Your Vision: Understanding and Managing Diabetic Retinopathy

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes. It damages blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. As high blood sugar levels cause these blood vessels to swell, leak, or become blocked, vision may be disrupted, often without noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred.

Why Annual Eye Screenings Are Crucial

Diabetic retinopathy often shows no symptoms in its early stages. By the time vision changes occur, the disease may be advanced. Comprehensive, yearly dilated eye exams are essential for early detection and treatment, helping to prevent or slow disease progression​.

The Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

Stage 1: Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)

  • Early Stage: Many people with diabetes experience this stage, which occurs when tiny blood vessels in the retina leak and cause swelling.
  • Macular Edema: If the macula (the part of the retina responsible for central vision) swells, it can lead to vision loss. This is the most common cause of vision problems in diabetic patients​.

Stage 2: Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)

    • Advanced Stage: The retina starts to grow new, fragile blood vessels.
    • Vision Risks: These new vessels often bleed into the vitreous (gel-like center of the eye), leading to floaters or even total vision obstruction​.

Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy

Anyone with diabetes—Type 1, Type 2, or gestational—can develop diabetic retinopathy. Risk factors include:

  • Duration of Diabetes: The longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk
  • Uncontrolled Blood Sugar: High levels over time increase complications
  • High Blood Pressure & Cholesterol: These can exacerbate the damage to blood vessels
  • Pregnancy: Gestational diabetes increases risk
  • Tobacco Use: Smoking accelerates disease progression​

Manage Your Diabetes to Lower Risk

Effective diabetes management can reduce your risk of developing or worsening retinopathy:

  • Stay Active: Regular exercise can help control blood sugar
  • Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
  • Take Prescribed Medications: Follow your doctor’s guidance for insulin or other treatments​

Take Charge of Your Vision Health

Annual diabetic retinopathy screenings are a key component of diabetes care, offering early detection of eye changes before symptoms arise. This simple, painless process includes administering eye drops to dilate your pupils and allowing your doctor to examine the retina for signs of leaking or abnormal blood vessels. Routine screenings can prevent vision loss through timely intervention, making them a vital part of managing your diabetes.

Convenient Screenings at MPCP

Maryland Primary Care Physicians (MPCP) offers in-office diabetic retinopathy screenings, making it easier to integrate proactive eye care into your diabetes management. Our approach provides:

  • Convenience: No need for separate appointments at external clinics.
  • Comprehensive Care: Screenings are seamlessly incorporated into our patient-centered diabetes care plan.
  • Proactive Health Monitoring: Detecting potential complications early allows for personalized care tailored to your needs.

Take control of your eye health today. Visit your patient portal to schedule your diabetic retinopathy screening at MPCP and protect your vision with compassionate, coordinated care designed to support your overall wellness.