This New Year, Resolve to Get Healthy -- But Don’t Focus on the Scale

The New Year is when it’s traditional to make resolutions to take off that weight you gained over the holidays. This is getting more attention than ever this year when many of us want to lose the pounds we’ve gained during the COVID-19 quarantine.

However, with weight gain and loss, the primary focus is your good health. Our physicians recommend you put your energy into establishing a healthy lifestyle.

Seek Help from a Dietician 

A key component of medical care for adults in Rockville, MD, is helping the patient develop healthful practices. This includes eating plenty of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Such healthy habits take the weight off and keep it off as long as you persist with this positive behavior. 

Your physician can refer you to a dietician, a professional who helps patients lose weight by establishing a healthy lifestyle, including sound nutrition and regular exercise. These professionals are there to help you incorporate healthy behaviors into your lifestyle. 

We don’t want to see you starve yourself for short-term weight loss that creeps back on as soon as the diet is over. Instead, with medical care for adults in Rockville, MD, we provide you with oversight and resources that lead to long-term weight loss and management.

Preparing for the Holidays with Tips For Weight Management in Rockville, MD

The holidays are well known for having some of the most delicious foods in what seems like a marathon of family meals and holiday parties. For people who may be trying to lose weight can be a really difficult and daunting time of the year where their resolve and work are really put to the test. But seeing as this is a common struggle in America, there are many ways you can deter the temptation of sweets and other tempting foods with some tips on weight management in Rockville, MD.

It's great to get ahead of the game by doing some preparation to tackle any dietary obstacle. Here is a list of things you can do:

1.     Keep the Sugar Out of the House

2.     Eat Earlier in the Day

3.     Stick to Your Regular Exercise Routine

4.     Focus on Whole Fruits and Veggies

5.     Walk Your Dog (If You Have One)

6.     Weigh Yourself Daily

7.     Start a New Tradition

8.     Keep It Simple

9.     Be Kind to Yourself

 

Weight management can be tricky, but if you try your best to be diligent and kind to yourself, it will set you up for success. Feel free to reach out to Bethel Medical Center if you'd like to find out more about how we can help you on your journey to weight loss.

Why Adults Should Still Go to the Doctor Regularly

A bad cold or the flu, seasonal allergies, and unusual aches and pains are some of the reasons people go to the doctor. It is to your advantage to seek help if you are not feeling well. However, health officials also recommend that you have regularly scheduled visits with your physician. Doctors may be able to help you avoid the full development of diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions if they can identify them at an early stage. Being proactive about your health begins with adult primary care in Rockville, MD.

Your doctor doesn’t weigh you, take your temperature, and check your blood pressure and heart rate on a whim. The readings from these diagnostic services, along with blood work, can tell them much about your current state of health. Depending on any symptoms you are experiencing, your primary care physician may refer you to a specialist.

Adult primary care is your first defense against threats to your health. However, your doctor needs to see if you have any troubling symptoms that may indicate serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. If you haven’t already had one, schedule your annual appointment today to enjoy peace of mind about your overall health.

What Happens During DOT Physical Exams in Rockville, MD?

If you are wondering what the process is for undergoing DOT physical exams in Rockville, MD, the staff at Bethel Medical Center is happy to give you details in this article.

As you know, Department of Transportation or DOT physical exams are mandatory to ensure you meet the requirements to obtain or retain a commercial driving license. Passing this exam provides assurances that no physical conditions are apparent that will impact your truck or bus driving performance.

A doctor, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner will do your DOT physical and begin by reviewing your medical history and any medications you take regularly. The exam will also include:

• Blood Pressure Testing
• Vision Test
• Hearing Exam
• Check for Spinal Deformities
• Check Breathing/Swallowing
• Neurological Exam of Reflexes and Coordination
• Listen to Heart and Lungs
• Abdomen and Hernia Check
• Urinalysis

Once you pass all of these tests, the examiner will issue you a medical certificate that will be valid for two years if you do not require periodic monitoring. In some instances, a certificate may be given that is only valid for three months, six months, or a year. These exams do not take long and are well worth the investment for your career.

Tips for Staying Positive While Losing Weight

Starting a healthy weight loss program should inspire you and make you feel proud of yourself, but it also takes time and patience. This fact can be difficult, but try to remember that when you start to lose weight from a place of acceptance and self-love, you are more likely to set realistic goals and allow for the small setbacks that are a common stumbling block for many.

Here are some useful suggestions to help you stay positive on your road to reaching a healthy weight with weight management in Rockville, MD.

Give Yourself at Least One Complement Every Day

It’s a fact that self-kindness leads to self-encouragement. Limit your self-doubt, which can lead to self-loathing. Remembering what you love about yourself will lead to the mindset of wanting the best for your body with weight management.

 Treat Every Day Like a New Beginning

Whatever happened yesterday doesn’t matter. Start each day by affirming to yourself that you will do the best you can today. Think of every day as a new opportunity for a fresh start. This will help you to avoid a potential cycle of negative self-talk that causes many people to give up on their weight management goals.

Set Achievable Goals

Aiming at unrealistic goals and coming down on yourself can contribute to increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This has been shown to increase the amount of belly fat stored by the body, particularly in women. Set attainable goals, such as trying a new exercise each week or switching sweets treat for healthier options, to help protect your self-esteem and respect your body’s limits.

 

How Diabetes Affects Your Skin

As all diabetics know, diabetes can have a negative impact on the health of the skin. High blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) are the cause of most of the skin problems related to diabetes. Skin conditions are a key element covered in diabetes treatment in Rockville, MD.

Many diabetics suffer from red, dry, and irritated skin, which is caused by damage to nerves (diabetic neuropathy), particularly nerves in the legs and feet. Damaged nerves struggle to send the message to perspire, and perspiration helps to keep skin moist and soft. Additionally, when skin is dry, it often cracks and peels, and can be quite itchy. Scratching can create small openings in the skin, and those provide easy access for germs to get under the skin, where excess sugar in the blood provides a perfect place for them to multiply.

When patients receive diabetes treatment, they also receive education on the many other skin problems associated with diabetes, such as:

Acanthosis Nigricans - Characterized by dark patches of skin around the neck, armpits, groin, and sometimes on the knees, elbows, and hands.

Bullosis Diabeticorum (Diabetic Blisters) - Painless and sometimes large, these blisters arise spontaneously on the tops and sides of the lower legs and feet, or sometimes on the hands or the forearms.

Diabetic Dermopathy - Scaly light brown or red patches that can appear on the fronts of the legs. They resemble age spots and sometimes are called skin spots.

Do You Need a DOT Physical Exam in Rockville, MD?

There are some jobs where you need to meet specific health requirements before you can be considered fit for employment. Long-term and temporary careers like truck or bus driving are regulated by the government and have strict standards.

At Bethel Medical Center, we conduct a large number of DOT physical exams in Rockville, MD, and we’re going to provide information here so you will know if you should schedule one. Upon passing your examination, you’ll be given a medical certificate that’s valid for two years. However, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, then you will need a DOT exam yearly.

Before we go further, however, let’s define a DOT physical exam. It is a medical checkup that ensures you physically meet the requirements of a commercial driver's job. A DOT physical includes a detailed health history, a physical exam, urinalysis, and other testing, such as a blood test.

A DOT physical is required of commercial drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). More specifically, DOT physicals are required for drivers who:

Transport hazardous materials that require their vehicle to use a hazmat placard.

Operate motor vehicles that carry or transport more than 8 people.

Operate vehicles that have a gross combination weight rating of 10,000 lbs.  

If you’re looking to be hired as a private or commercial truck or bus driver, it’s of great importance to take care of your DOT physical exam at your earliest convenience. You can contact our office in Rockville, MD, to schedule an exam or ask questions regarding the examination process.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking

Are you ready to quit smoking? You may have noticed that smoking can cause a variety of negative effects on your health, such as an increased risk of developing serious diseases like heart disease and cancer. While these risks seem like good incentives to quit, it can be very hard for some people because of withdrawal symptoms, which can include headaches, irritability, and intense nicotine cravings. It helps to have support, and the most up to date information on smoking cessation in Rockville, MD.

Even though quitting can challenging, the benefits for your physical and psychological health are worth it.

What Are The Top Benefits?

A Broken Addiction Cycle - Within a month of quitting, the nicotine receptors in your brain will return to normal, therefore breaking the cycle of addiction.

Better Circulation - Your blood circulation will improve anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks of smoking cessation. This makes doing any physical activity a lot easier and also lowers your risk of a heart attack.

Improved Taste and Smell - Because smoking damages the nerve endings in your nose and mouth, it dulls your senses of smell and taste. Within about 48 hours of quitting, the nerve endings begin to regrow, and your senses of smell and taste will begin to improve.

More Energy - Because you will have improved respiratory and physical activity due to smoking cessation, the increased oxygen in your body will also give you more energy.

Cleaner Teeth and Mouth - Smoking does make your teeth yellow, as well as causing bad breath and increasing your risk of oral infections. Within one week of quitting, you will begin to see and feel a difference in your mouth.

Tips for Keeping Your Blood Sugar Levels Low

According to the CDC, diabetes is “the condition in which the body does not properly process food for use as energy.” When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or use insulin as well as it should. This causes a sugar build-up in your blood. While this may sound incredibly clinical, it’s important to remember there are plenty of ways to help your body maintain good glucose levels. In addition to following medical advice for diabetes treatment in Rockville, MD, try some of these tips for healthy living:

Exercise Regularly - Exercise can help you lose weight and increase insulin sensitivity. Great forms of low-impact exercise include walking, swimming, and (light) weight lifting.

Control Stress - Hormones like glucagon and cortisol are released when you’re stressed, which causes your blood sugar to spike. You can try relaxing and meditating regularly to control stress. 

Drink Water - Drinking plenty of water helps keep your blood sugars within healthy limits. It also helps curb dehydration and flushes out the kidneys.

Portion Control - Monitoring serving sizes can help reduce calorie intake and help you choose foods that make big impacts in small portions.

Moderate Carbs - A low-carb diet helps reduce blood sugar levels and prevent sugar spikes. Try to limit your intake of pasta, cereal, potatoes, sweet drinks, beer, and baked goods.

Increase Fiber - Fiber slows carb digestion and sugar absorption for a more gradual rise in blood sugar. Vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains are great sources of fiber.

These are just some of the ways you can take control of your condition. Make sure to discuss these tips with your doctor when talking about your diabetes treatment plan.

Welcome to Our Blog

When you choose a primary care doctor, you want to ensure that you are getting the best care, provided with empathy, compassion, and expertise. Bethel Medical Center takes a comprehensive approach to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical conditions. We truly care about making sure you are the healthiest you that you can be. Our team provides medical care for adults in Rockville, MD, and the surrounding areas. We provide routine medical care every day, but we also have expertise in treating unique conditions that may be hard to get care for.

We strive to provide our patients with great care – and great information. That’s why we created this blog to help you and your family. We will cover a wide range of health-related topics that you may find interesting and helpful. We will be putting out new content on a regular basis, so be sure to subscribe. You do not want to miss out.

Our team works hard to gain an extensive knowledge of your medical history to provide you with the best care possible. We work with all kinds of medical conditions, including occasions where multiple conditions occur at the same time. We also provide less complicated medical services like routine physicals, DOT exams, and more. Make an appointment with our doctor today.