The Importance of Having a Trusted Family Physician

A trusted family physician is the linchpin for comprehensive and personalized medical care, and one cannot overstate the significance in the dynamic realm of healthcare. This enduring relationship between patients and their primary care doctors contributes to individual well-being and shapes healthier communities.

The fundamental aspect of family medicine pertains to the continuity of care. In contrast to infrequent visits to urgent care centers, emergency rooms or specialists, a family physician develops an extensive knowledge of an individual's medical history, thereby providing a comprehensive and nuanced comprehension of their health trajectory. Maintaining this continuity in care allows for the timely identification of possible health concerns, which empowers the implementation of preventative measures that substantially contribute to the sustained management of chronic ailments.

Furthermore, a family physician is the central hub for multiple health concerns. The centralization of healthcare communication and coordination between specialists ensures that patients healthcare in the community remains cohesive and well-orchestrated. The synergy between a family physician and specialists enhances the overall quality of care. It provides a more integrated and efficient approach to health management, offering patients a streamlined healthcare experience.

Routine check-ups such as complete physical examinations are pivotal in preventive healthcare. It establishes opportunity for family physicians to screen for cancer preventable health problems. Regular visits to a trusted family physician empower individuals by facilitating the identification of risk factors and early signs of diseases. This proactive and health promotional approach allows patients to make informed lifestyle choices, ultimately reducing the likelihood of developing chronic conditions and promoting overall health and wellness.

Accessibility is another pivotal factor in the importance of having a trusted family physician. Establishing a longstanding relationship with a primary care doctor ensures you have reliable medical advice and consultation resources. This accessibility proves invaluable, particularly in times of uncertainty or when swift medical guidance is necessary. Instead of navigating the complexities of the healthcare system alone, a trusted family physician becomes a reliable source of support and information, fostering a sense of assurance, support and guidance.

A family doctor is crucial for preventive care, like screenings and vaccines. Regular check-ups and shots, done with the help of a family doctor, make it possible to find and lower potential health risks early on. This proactive approach is essential for protecting against infectious diseases and keeping health problems from worsening, which is good for individual and group health.

The significance of having a trusted family physician extends beyond medical management; it encompasses a personalized and patient-centered approach to healthcare. Family physicians are skilled at building relationships and delving into medical history and their patients' unique circumstances and preferences. This personalized care fosters a sense of trust and collaboration between the patient and the physician, creating a conducive environment for open communication and shared decision-making.

Furthermore, having a family physician reduces reliance on emergency care services for non-urgent matters. Primary care makes the best use of healthcare resources and helps the system work better together. By taking care of routine health issues with a family doctor, people can save emergency services for situations that need instant attention. This makes the healthcare system more effective and long-lasting as a whole. 

Key Benefits of Exercise for Brain Health

 

My first general comment is that i need sentences not original to be referenced! If there is No reference for anything not original then remove the particular sentence moreso for things that involve numbers, specificity. I have taken the liberty to read this several times and add references but add additional one and list them at the end of this write up if you have, also english edit as needed. List of references just need to appear at the end.

The benefits of regular exercise are widely acknowledged for fostering overall health. Regular exercises is one of the many health promotional activities with immense health benefits. Beyond its well-known effects, regular physical activity benefits include but are not limited to supporting cardiovascular health, improving bone and muscle strength, decreasing metabolic syndrome, mitigating the effects of stress on the body, and reducing the risk of various cancers. Available literature has demonstrated a profound connection between physical fitness and brain health. (Reference 1)

Prolonged exposure to stress can negatively impact various body systems, contributing to health issues like elevated blood pressure, weakened immune function, and mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. While exercises can cause some injuries such as musculoskeletal injuries, it paradoxically aids the body systems positively including managing stress levels. Incorporating exercises with warm up and cool down period can reduce some of the injuries associated with exercises. Although exercise initially triggers a stress response,  decreased levels of stress-related hormones like cortisol and epinephrine following physical activity.

One of the neurotransmitters called norepinephrine can enhance the brain's stress-coping abilities by giving rise to flight or fight response to stressful events. Regular physical activity raises norepinephrine levels in brain regions associated with the body's stress response. Of particular interest is that about half of the brain's norepinephrine originates from the locus coeruleus, a brain region interconnecting numerous areas involved in emotional and stress reactions. The neurotransmitter likely plays a vital role in regulating the action of other more prevalent neurotransmitters involved in stress responses.

From a biological standpoint, exercise appears to provide an opportunity for the body to train in managing stress. Stress hypothesis suggests that people who undergo regular physical activities have positive emotional state and reduced stress(Reference 4). It compels various physiological systems integral to stress responses to communicate more effectively. The cardiovascular, renal, and muscular systems engage in closer coordination, all overseen by the central and sympathetic nervous systems, which also require enhanced communication. The workout for the body's communication network may be a key benefit of exercise, and as the population becomes more sedentary, the body's stress response efficiency declines.

Exercise is a powerful tool for enhancing mental health. Research suggests that exercise exerts comparable effectiveness in managing anxiety and mood disorders as antidepressants (Reference 2)

Physically active individuals tend to exhibit lower rates of anxiety and depression, potentially attributed to the release of brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin during exercise, which enhance mood. Psychologists frequently advocate for exercise as it brings a sense of achievement and accomplishment, contributing to a positive cycle of healthy behaviors. Prioritizing exercise in one's daily life can lead to the development of other favorable habits like healthy eating, increased social interaction, and improved sleep quality, collectively aiding in alleviating symptoms of depression.

Brain functions, including memory and cognition, improve from physical exercise. Exercise program has been shown to improve global cognitive ability (Reference 5)

Exercise boosts blood circulation to the brain and encourages the growth of new neurons, specifically in the hippocampus, an integral region linked to learning and memory. Individuals engaging in physical activity exhibit improvements in episodic memory, enhancing their ability to connect events, people, and places in daily life. Exercise has positively affected spatial navigation, aiding in remembering everyday occurrences, like parking locations. Active elderly individuals perform better in various cognitive tasks, including reasoning, vocabulary, memory, and reaction time, than their sedentary counterparts (Reference 5).

Regular exercise acts as a preventive measure against memory-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, exercise serves as a recommended intervention for individuals diagnosed with memory-related diseases, as interventions involving physical activity have shown the ability to increase the hippocampus's volume, a crucial brain region linked to learning and memory that is important for daily function.

Current evidence suggests that exercise's cognitive benefits apply across various age groups, implying its potential as a mental performance enhancer for people of all ages. Experts recommend participating in 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week or 75 minutes of more vigorous activity for optimal physical and mental health benefits (Reference 3). Any exercise routine, regardless of intensity, is better than not exercising at all. It's essential to find a training regimen that suits personal preferences, sticking with it consistently to experience the mental and physical advantages of regular exercise.

Reference 

1. Ross R et al., 2016, Importance of assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in clinical practice: A case for fitness as a clinical vital sign: A statement from American heart association, Circulation 2016:134 (24): e 653, Epub 2016, Epub 2016 2. Herring MP., O'Connor, PJ and Dishman, RK (2010) The effect of exercise training on anxiety symptoms among patients: a systemic review. Arch Intern Med, 170 (4): 321 3. Sattelmair, J et al. 2011, Dose response between physical activity and risk of coronary heart disease: a meta analysis, circulation 124 (7): 789-95 2011, Epub 2011, Aug 1 4. Larson E, Risk factor for cognitive decline and Dementia, Up to date (Accessed January 3, 2024) 5. Zheng G, Xia R., Zhou, W, Tao J, Chen l (2016): Aerobic exercise ameliorates cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A systenatic review and metaanalysis of randomised controlled trials, Br J Sports Med, 2016

Common Dermatological Conditions - Risk Factors and Treatment Options

 The skin is the human body's largest organ, and it protects against a range of external factors, including bacteria, chemicals, and temperature. Furthermore, it contributes to body temperature regulation.

Being the external layer that protects our body, the skin is subject to diverse conditions and disorders with varying degrees of severity. One of the most widespread skin conditions is acne. According to studies, roughly 85 percent of people between ages 12 and 24 have some form of acne. However, the condition recently became more frequent in adults too.

Acne is often triggered by hormonal changes and gradually subsides into adulthood. The cause of acne involve complex mix of factors such as excessive production of oil leading to the formation of sebum, bacteria, genetic influence, possibly diet and dead skin cells. The most common area for acne is the face, but it can also appear on the neck, shoulders, and back.

Acne can leave scars if untreated, so consulting your doctor is recommended. Treatment options vary depending on the severity, but they usually consist of topical creams in the form of over the counter or with a prescription as well as various forms of oral therapy. In some cases, referral to dermatologist maybe indicated. In addition, acne can contribute to significant psychological morbidity in some people and the need for mental health support may be indicated.

Another common skin condition is atopic dermatitis, or eczema, affecting mainly infants and children under five. The condition presents as dry and itchy patches of skin due to skin inflammation. In most cases, children outgrow the condition as they get older.

The factors contributing to eczema are an immune response to irritants or allergens, a history of eczema or other types of dermatitis, and even emotional triggers such as stress or anxiety. Treatments include moisturizers, topical steroid medication, short term steroid oral medication for severe flares, immunosuppressants (to regulate the immune system), and light therapy.

Psoriasis is another widespread condition affecting roughly range of 0.5 to 11.5 percent of the worldwide adult population and 0 to 1.4 percent in children (1). Despite having symptoms similar to eczema, like an itchy rash, psoriasis is an autoimmune condition causing inflammation in the skin and causing the formation of thick patches of scaly skin. These areas are called plaques.

Psoriasis can be caused by stress, skin injury, a reaction to certain medications, changes in body temperature, or streptococcal infections. The condition can manifest anywhere on the skin, the most common areas being the elbows and knees, face, scalp, fingernails and toenails, genitals, and lower back.

Psoriasis is diagnosed through a history, physical examination that includes full skin inspection, but a skin biopsy is useful to rule out other skin conditions. Treatment includes steroid creams, moisturizers, topical medication, and creams with vitamin D3 or vitamin A as well as biologic agents.

Skin cancer is another widespread skin condition, affecting almost one in five people at some stage of life. Most skin cancers are curable if found early. Skin cancer develops when the skin cells grow and multiply uncontrollably. This rapid and abnormal cell growth can be cancerous. Some forms of skin cancers include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and non melanoma skin cancer.

Treatment for skin cancer depends on its stage. Some tumors can be removed through a simple biopsy or cryotherapy (using liquid nitrogen). Other treatments include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and excisional surgery. Some ways to reduce the risk of skin cancer are using sunscreen with an SPF (skin protection factor) of 30 or higher, wearing clothing that covers the skin and hats to protect the face and avoiding sun exposure during the hottest hours.

It is important to see your doctor when noticing visible changes in the skin's appearance. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist who may suggest a biopsy, which consists of removing a tissue sample and analyzing it in a laboratory.