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What Is a Well Child Exam and Why Is It so Important?

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Most people only think about going to the doctor when they are sick or injured. Going to the doctor when they are healthy is just not something they consider to be necessary or important. However, when you are a parent, you want to be sure that you are doing everything in your power to help your child grow and thrive.

Get to know some of the important facts about well-child exams as well as why these exams are so necessary. Then, you can be certain you are doing what is best for your child's well-being.

What Is a Well-Child Exam?

A well-child exam is also often called a check-up, and it is an exam performed on your child when they are in good health. These exams occur periodically throughout your son or daughter's childhood to keep track of various aspects of their health and well-being.

When children are under the age of three, they need several well-child exams per year. However, between the ages of 3 and 21, an annual trip to the doctor for a well-child check will be sufficient. A well-child exam, therefore, is comparable to an annual physical exam for adults.

Why Are Well-Child Exams So Important?

There are many reasons that well-child exams are so important to your child's health and well-being. Some of these reasons include:

Height and Weight Checks

Firstly, having well-child exams keep track of your child's height and weight as they grow. Knowing your child's height and weight can help to determine a great deal about your child's health.

Height and weight measurements can determine whether your child is overweight or obese which can help you to change their lifestyle to improve health. But more than likely, your child is not in need of obesity treatment. For most children, height and weight checks are tests of whether or not they are thriving.

Thriving means that your child is within normal ranges of height and weight and is growing at a rate that is considered healthy for a child their age. Children who fail to thrive are underweight and/or significantly shorter than other children their age. This can be a sign of numerous genetic and other health conditions that you need to treat as soon as possible.

Milestone Checks

Your child's height and weight are not the only major aspects of their growth that need to be measured. Children are expected to meet certain milestones as they grow through infancy, toddlerhood, and childhood.

For example, by the age of 9 months, a child should be able to get into a sitting position on their own, crawl, and even stand holding onto an object or person. If your child falls behind on such milestones, they may need assistance like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or might need to be tested for certain health conditions.

At the age of five, though, your child should be able to count 10 objects, speak in clear and complete sentences, and stand on one foot for at least 10 seconds. Your child's doctor will ask them to perform such tasks when they are in the office along with the rest of the physical exam to test their milestone achievements.

For some children, the milestones that they have trouble meeting are verbal or communication issues. In such cases, speech therapy may be recommended to get them on track. It can sometimes be difficult for parents to notice these issues with their own child, but a doctor can provide an unbiased perspective and can help to get your child caught up and on track to meet the rest of their important milestones.

Knowing all of these facts about well-child exams and how important they can be for the well-being of your child, you can be sure that you keep up with their appointments and get them the medical care that they need to grow into a happy, healthy adult

Therapy Options to Help You Overcome an Opioid Addiction

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT

When you have been struggling with an opioid addiction for years, you may find it difficult to think that any form of treatment or therapy can help you overcome your opiate abuse issues. However, there are many different treatment and therapy options designed to all work together to give you a comprehensive treatment program for your opioid addiction.

If you are ready to finally overcome your addiction to opioid drugs, you need to know the various therapy options that can help you do so. Once you better know the different therapies you can utilize in your treatment program, you can be sure that you get the best treatment in your addiction recovery.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

One of the most popular types of therapy for addiction treatment and recovery is known as cognitive-behavioral therapy. This is a form of treatment that focuses on two aspects of a person's addiction, their cognitions (thoughts and feelings) and their behaviors (patterns of action).

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an individual therapy option that helps a person to discover the problematic thoughts, feelings and behaviors that contribute to their opiate addiction and substance abuse issues. Once the person is able to identify these issues, they can then learn to address them as well as develop specific strategies to cope with addictions in the future.

Art Therapy

Art therapy is another form of therapy that can be used to help you overcome your opioid addiction. This is a group therapy option rather than an individual form of therapy and focuses on helping a person recovering from an addiction to become better in tune with their emotions.

Through creating art, whether it be a drawing, painting or sculpture, and then discussing it, the recovering addict's emotions will become clear and the individual will be able to better identify what they are feeling. This awareness can lead to further insights about why someone feels the way they do and how their emotions affect everything they say or do.

Understanding and being aware of your emotions is an important step toward addiction recovery. Being able to sense emotional shifts can help a person deal with relapse early on - before substance abuse is resumed. The artistic practices learned in art therapy can also be used as a coping strategy once treatment is over.

Restorative Yoga

The physical as well as the mental and emotional body of a person becomes damaged when that person abuses opiate drugs. Therapy options like restorative yoga can help to heal both the mind and body when a person is recovering from an addiction.

Restorative yoga focuses on the mind-body connection and restoring that all-important connection. This is achieved through performing stretches and slow, deliberate movements while also practicing mindfulness. Oftentimes, the mindfulness starts with a focus on breathing while performing these physical actions.

However, once a person becomes more practiced at the sequence of poses and movements, the mind can be trained to focus on specific muscles, the heart, quieting the thoughts in the mind and being fully in the moment. Meditation after physical exertion is also a major part of a restorative yoga therapy practice because it helps to center the mind and the body.

When a person becomes more aware of the ways that their emotions and thoughts affect their physical being (and vice versa), they can be more in tune with what their mind and body need. This thinking pattern can help with post-recovery nutrition and relapse prevention. Yoga can be another excellent coping strategy when a person begins experiencing drug cravings or thoughts of opiate abuse.

These are some of the many therapy options that can help you in your journey toward recovering from your opiate addiction. Choose a treatment program that offers the therapies that you most connect with and you will be setting yourself up for success in your recovery efforts.

3 Smart Measures to Take When Living With Diabetes (Other Than Watching Your Diet)

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT

If you live with diabetes, you are probably aware of the right dietary choices to make, such as counting carbohydrates and calories and controlling your sugar intake. However, there are other things you can do to help manage your condition and avoid complications. Here are three non- dietary measures every person with diabetes should take.

1. Think Zen Thoughts and Eliminate Stress in Your Life

Diabetics are especially vulnerable to the negative aspects of stress. When you get bogged down or overwhelmed by emotional stress, your body is more likely to produce higher levels of blood sugar. When blood sugar rises to an unacceptable level, diabetics can experience serious complications.

Therefore, as a diabetic it's imperative to keep your stress in check. Relaxation is key to keeping your diabetes under control. You can eliminate stress by practicing various techniques that may help you stay calm and relaxed. Try the following methods.

Meditate on a Regular Basis

According to studies, mediation can help keep stress under control. All it takes is a short period of time each day to sit down and focus. Choose a quiet spot with no distractions. Just slow your breathing and concentrate on a peaceful and calming scene.

To further enhance the experience, say a mantra out loud, which may be a word or phrase you repeat several times. This form of meditation is referred to as transcendental meditation. To learn more about how it may help you, join a group or organization that teaches this art.

Find a Creative Outlet

Whether you choose writing, drawing , or playing a musical instrument, participating in a creative activity can lower your stress significantly. Find something you are good at, and seek ways to develop your creativity. You may find that your stress decreases dramatically.

Buy a Stress-Reducing Noise Machine

Listening to the soothing sounds of a babbling brook or white noise helps you tune out distracting noises in your environment, which can be an effective stress-reliever. You can buy an inexpensive machine that plays these sounds, sometimes referred to as a sound spa machine. These portable devices emulate soothing sounds that may also promote a better quality of sleep.

2. Exercise Regularly

Routine exercise can help you manage your weight, an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle for people with diabetes. With your doctor's approval, begin an exercise regimen. If you have been living a sedentary lifestyle, start off slowly. Take a brisk 20-minute walk a few times per week.

Once you become accustomed to routine physical activity, try swimming or cycling. Aerobic classes may be of benefit to you as well, as it may improve your insulin sensitivity. Another benefit of physical exercise is that it helps keep blood pressure under control. This is very important for individuals with diabetes.

3. Take Care of Your Feet

Proper foot care is essential for people with diabetes. Diabetics are prone to circulatory issues, and this may lead to a foot infection if you do not take care of your feet. As a diabetic, you should examine your feet regularly and look for signs of a potential problems, such as sores, blisters , and bruises. Have your doctor examine your feet during a visit as well.

You should also keep your feet clean and dry at all times, and do not go barefooted. Avoid bathing or soaking your feet in excessively hot water; opt for lukewarm water instead. Also avoid harsh soaps, and dry your feet after a bath or shower by patting them gently.

If your feet tend to become dry, moisturize the tops of your feet and the soles with a lotion. However, do not apply lotions between your toes. Another self-care tip is to soften your toenails before trimming them. A good time to trim them is after a bath or shower.

While the measures mentioned above can help in your diabetes self-care program, you should remember one important thing. See your doctor regularly for a physical checkup and to track your numbers. He or she can also recommend lifestyle changes and ways to better manage your condition
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Tips For Helping Your Loved One Through Opioid Addiction Recovery

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT

It is difficult to watch your loved one struggle with opioid dependence, yet there are many things that you can do to show your support once they have made the decision to end their addiction. Naturally, recovering from opioid dependency will change your family dynamics, and you can increase their chances of success with these tips.

Understand the Cycle of Opioid Addiction

No one starts out using opioids with the hope of becoming addicted. Unfortunately, opioids affect the brain by altering how it produces endorphins until it reaches the point that a person needs the drugs to feel good. Over time, a person's increasing tolerance requires them to use more of the drug to achieve the same effects.

As a person begins to use more heroin or opioid medications to feel good, it is common for them to experience social consequences such as being unable to maintain their job or family relationships. They may also begin to experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop using on their own.

Withdrawal symptoms can occur after a person has only been using heroin or opioids for a short time, and these can range from cravings to severe nausea or vomiting. Understanding why your loved one cannot just stop on their own puts you in the right mindset to be helpful with their treatment.

Attend Counseling Sessions As Needed

Although the physical effects of opioid addiction are severe, the use of heroin and other substances eventually takes a toll on a person's psychological wellbeing. You might have even experienced this first hand in your relationship when addictive behavior patterns influenced your loved one's interactions.

Attending counseling sessions is an important part of addiction recovery, and your loved one may request you to attend therapy with them. This is a great time to work on repairing your relationship. Make sure to take these counseling sessions seriously so that you and your loved one can learn positive ways of interacting.

Help Reduce Stress At Home

While your loved one works on learning better coping skills in counseling, it is important to avoid exposing them to too much stress at home. Focus on finding ways to promote relaxation such as taking a walk together when things get too tense.

At times, it may not be possible to avoid dealing with a stressful situation. When this happens, make sure to practice the positive communication techniques that you learn in counseling together. This way, you can both use challenges as a way to rebuild your relationship while avoiding triggers for their addiction.

Encourage Participation in Healthy Activities

Now that your loved one has decided to get clean, they need help finding healthy ways to fill the time that used to be spent on opioids. Work together to find a new exercise routine that your loved one can do with you to strengthen their body and promote emotional healing such as hiking or biking.

Prioritize Continuing Care Appointments

Addiction recovery takes time, and you can expect your loved one to need continuous monitoring as they work on stopping their use of opioids. Depending upon your loved one's withdrawal symptoms, they may require dual process treatment that involves medications combined with counseling.

Naturally, a dual process treatment program requires a significant time commitment, yet clearing your schedule is worth it. By making continuing care a priority, your loved one has the best long-term chances for overcoming their addiction.

Your loved one's realization that it is time to end an opioid addiction is the perfect first step toward reclaiming their life. At Cedar Grove Medical Associates, LLC, we encourage family participation in treatment so contact us today to find out more about how to help your loved one.

Advantages to Addiction Treatment in an Office Setting Rather Than a Residential Facility

Sun, 21 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Deciding that you wish to quit using drugs is one of the biggest and healthiest decisions that you'll ever make. Upon setting your mind to this goal, your next priority is to find a treatment program that is right for you.

While there are numerous factors that can influence this choice, one decision that you'll need to make is whether to seek treatment through a facility that provides inpatient care or one that offers regular appointments in an office setting. There are reasons to make either choice, but you may find that the office setting provides you with more advantages, including the following.

Less Disruption to Your Daily Life

While inpatient care can give you the help you need, it can also be highly disruptive to your everyday life. For example, if you're a single parent of young children, going away from home for an extended period of time can be a challenge, as you'll have to arrange for a family member to care for your children.

When you seek addiction counseling in an office setting, you're able to attend your appointments around a schedule that suits you and that has minimal disruption on the various elements of your life.

You Can Keep Your Rehab Private

Not everyone in your life will know that you're struggling with an addiction and you may prefer to keep it that way. In a residential program, you may need to spend several weeks away, and your absence can get people talking about where you might be.

You may feel the need to make up stories to account for your whereabouts to co-workers, neighbors, and even friends. This dishonesty can be exhausting and, given that truthfulness is a tenet of the recovery program, you might feel conflicted about not telling the truth about where you've been.

While in treatment in an office, you can tell anyone who asks that you're attending medical appointments and not have to feel the need to reveal more information.

Keeps You in the "Real World"

One of the challenges of inpatient treatment is that you're so immersed in this new environment that you're cut off from the outside world to a degree. As such, it can be difficult to integrate back to everyday life after you complete your treatment program.

With an office-based program, you're getting treatment for a short amount of time and then spending the rest of your day in the real world. This scenario allows you to stay acclimatized to the real world while you get treatment, which means that the transition after completing the program will be easier.

It May Be Financially Easier

In-patient care for drug addiction can pose a significant financial challenge to many families. If you're working but don't have the financial resources to take a leave of absence from work for the entirety of your treatment program, you may not be able to afford to enter the program.

Conversely, an office-based treatment program is easier financially. You'll be able to continue to work as you receive treatment, lessening the risk that you'd be unable to reach your goals due to financial limitations.

More Comfort

Whether you're introverted or you simply aren't fond of change, an inpatient program can possess many hurdles. The idea of living in a new dwelling and being surrounded by people you don't know can feel overwhelmingâ€”and perhaps be enough of an obstacle that you decide to avoid entering treatment.

When you elect for an office-based program, you'll have a greater degree of comfort. You'll still be able to enjoy living at home and being around your loved ones while you get the care you need.

If you're ready to get treatment for your addiction issues or learn more, contact Cedar Grove Medical Associates and Recovery Services

Tips to Manage Your Diabetes

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

When you have diabetes, it can seem like you're fighting an uphill battle alone and you may find dealing with your disease to be overwhelming. But you aren't alone. There are others living with diabetes who are faced with the same questions. Here are some useful tips to help you with managing your diabetes .

Find Support

Find support groups of others who are living with diabetes that you can go to when you need to talk to someone who understands what you're going through. They can be great resources for daily management tips, support and even recipes for healthy eating.

Keep People Informed

One of the best ways to help others understand diabetes is to inform them. Talk to your family and friend about diabetes so they know what signs to look for when your sugar is low or you need medical attention. Let your employer and other people you see regularly know about your disease so they'll be understanding.

Take Care of Yourself Daily

Along with finding the right support and educating others, you should also remember to keep track of your diabetes to watch for changes or patterns with your disease. Write down your blood sugar levels each day and adjust your insulin accordingly. If you noticed severe drops or spikes in your blood sugar readings, contact your doctor so they can help find a solution.

Diabetes is a lifelong illness but it doesn't have to be debilitating. People can life normal lives with diabetes if they take care of themselves and stay informed. To learn more about managing your diabetes, call Cedar Grove Medical Associates LLC.

Understanding What Medical Lab Testing Can Tell You

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

You want to take good care of yourself but sometimes it is hard to know what to do. Medical lab testing can offer information about your health which you didn't know before. Here are three things medical tests might help you understand.

Risk for Disease

One of the good things about medical testing is that it can alert you to diseases. Doctors can check your cholesterol levels to understand if you are at risk for any cardiovascular disease. Your blood indicates whether or not you might need to take preventative steps to avoid diabetes.

Basic Health Information

A blood test can give you an overview of your health by measuring the minerals in your blood and the condition of your blood cells. This tells you whether or not you're getting enough of essential minerals such as calcium. It also makes sure that your blood is functioning the way it is supposed to.

Current Infections

If you have been feeling under the weather, a doctor might request a blood test to make sure you don't have a virus. You can learn if you have the flu and other viral bugs this way, as your immune systems reaction will appear in your blood.

Although the idea of medical tests might not sound appealing, they can offer new information about your health. Call Cedar Grove Medical Associates LLC to learn more about medical lab testing.

Reasons Well-Child Checkups are Important

Sun, 27 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMT

When your child is healthy and seems to be developing normally, it may be tempting to skip well-child checkups with your pediatrician. However, even if your child isn't sick, there are a number of reasons these visits are important.

Stay Up-to-Date on Immunizations

It can be hard to keep track of which immunizations your child needs, but when you visit the pediatrician for regular well-child checkups , you are more likely to stay up to date on vaccines. Children who regularly receive vaccines are much less likely to get sick.

Ask Questions and get Answers

It can be so much easier to raise concerns when you and your child are face to face with your pediatrician, especially before your child is able to describe how he or she is feeling. Keep track of questions and bring them up at the next well-child visit.

Keep an eye on Your Child's Development

Checking up on your child's development is especially important in the first months. The doctor can help you know if your baby is gaining enough weight and growing at a healthy pace. It's still important to assess your child's development as they grow and can provide the opportunity to prevent disability or delays in development.

Well-child checkups can keep children healthy and help them to develop as they should. Call Cedar Grove Medical Associates LLC to learn about additional medical care for your family.

The Importance of Sports Physicals

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Before your child can participate in a sport, most schools require them to get a sports physical. Whether it is offered by the school or must be performed by your own doctor, getting your child a sports physical before allowing them to participate can help ensure their safety in several ways.

1. Detect Health Conditions

In some cases, the tests performed during a physical can uncover unknown issues, such as heart problems, that could be serious. Because children and adolescents are usually not tested for specific illnesses unless they complain about being in pain, a disease could possibly go undiagnosed.

2. Identify Limiting Factors

Certain issues, such as asthma and irregular blood pressure, need to be known so that your child may be properly monitored during any activity. The amount of time they play and their level of exertion need to be controlled in order not to aggravate certain conditions.

3. Education on How to Stay Healthy

You want your child to be able to play their best without taking unnecessary risks. Scheduling a sports physical can minimize the possibility of injuries and increase their awareness about staying healthy. Contact Cedar Grove Medical Associates when you require family medical services from a trusted provider.

4 Things Every Patient Needs to Know About Metabolic Syndrome

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT

If you have not yet heard of metabolic syndrome, you might be surprised to hear that it is a serious health condition that has been on the rise in recent years. Without treatment, metabolic syndrome can lead to heart disease and associated illnesses like stroke and heart attack.

Are you afraid that you might be at risk for metabolic syndrome? Do you think you might be facing heart disease in the future? This guide will help you figure out what steps you can take to prevent and treat metabolic syndrome.

1. Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome

Five main risks factors are associated with metabolic syndrome. While the presence of one symptom may not be enough to indicate that you have the condition, exhibiting several of these symptoms can say a lot. The first risk factor is a large waistline. Abdominal obesity occurs when you store more fat around the waist than around other parts of the body.

If you have high levels of fat, specifically triglycerides, in your blood, you might be at risk for metabolic syndrome. You may also be at risk if your doctor has recommended that you take medications for triglycerides. Another risk factor may be a low level of HDL cholesterol in the body. HDL is considered good cholesterol, and it plays an important role in your body.

High blood pressure is another risk because it can cause damage to the heart. If your doctor has prescribed blood pressure medication, this may be an indicator that you are at risk. Finally, a high fasting blood sugar may also indicate you are at risk for metabolic syndrome. It may also be an indicator of diabetes.

2. Causes of Metabolic Syndrome

There are several key causes linked to metabolic syndrome, and many are related to lifestyle habits. One cause of metabolic syndrome is stress. Stress leads to serious consequences because it is linked to hormonal issues that may influence your body's cortisol levels and weight. Some psychiatric illnesses can behave in the same way.

While some people of normal or healthy weight may have metabolic syndrome, obesity is one major cause linked to the condition. Finally, it is important to consider the lifestyle of the patient. Those who are sedentary are more likely to develop the condition than those who are very active.

3. Treatment for Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is treated in a number of different ways depending on what the doctor thinks is best for your health. The ultimate goal is to lower your risk of heart disease.

Some lifestyle changes your doctor may suggest for you include partaking in a healthier diet and being more physically active. Managing stress effectively and setting a target for weight loss are both important. Medication is one solution many doctors will consider. Medications may be used to treat issues that go along with metabolic syndrome like diabetes and high cholesterol.

4. Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome

If you are concerned that you exhibit some of the risk factors but don't quite have metabolic syndrome, there are still some steps you can take under the guidance of your doctor.

Some are lifestyle changes you can make today, like eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating fewer processed foods is ideal. You can also become more active, engaging in at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. One of the biggest goals for metabolic syndrome patients will be weight loss to get to a healthy range.

Cedar Grove Medical Associates LLC offers medical care for metabolic syndrome. Whether you think you might have metabolic syndrome or you are preparing for the future, seeing the doctor to develop a plan of action is beneficial.