Health Education

Having a family physician is an important part of maintaining your overall health and well-being. A family physician is a medical professional who provides comprehensive care for individuals and families of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. At OakBend Medical Center, we have a team of dedicated family physicians who are committed to providing

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and nobody knows the importance of breastfeeding more than mothers. Breast milk is a nutritional powerhouse for infants and can provide babies with complete nutrition and protects both mothers and children against illnesses. Breastfeeding protects babies from ear infections and diarrhea, and breastfed babies are at lower risk for serious

It’s essential to stay on top of your yearly preventative care checkup, especially when it comes to breast cancer. By being proactive and getting an annual breast cancer screening, your doctor can check for early signs of breast cancer and get you the treatment you need quickly, increasing your chance of complete remission. But what

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, killing over 800,000 Americans across gender and racial lines each year—that’s one in every four deaths, or one person every 36 seconds. If you look to positions two and three on the World Health Organization’s list of leading causes of death globally, you’ll see that stroke

Do you have difficulty falling asleep? Problems breathing during sleep? Or general issues disrupting your sleep and wake cycle? Are you concerned these occurrences could be the sign of short-term insomnia, or perhaps something more serious? No matter the symptoms, it’s important to discover the underlying cause of your sleep problems. Especially if you’ve found

What Are Diagnostic Tests? Chances are, anytime you’ve gone to the doctor’s office presenting symptoms of an illness or injury, your healthcare provider has requested that you undergo diagnostic testing of some sort.  Medical diagnostic tests encompass a wide variety of physical examinations—both invasive and non-invasive—given by medical professionals to confirm the presence or absence

Endometriosis affects about 11% of women of reproductive age, but many people don’t know what it is—and many women may not know that they have it. Endometriosis occurs when the lining of the uterus (called the “endometrium”) is present outside of the uterus. Most commonly, endometriosis occurs on the surrounding organs, like the fallopian tubes

Take a quick guess as to which of the body’s many systems includes the pancreas. If you guessed the digestive system, you are right! The pancreas is an often-overlooked gland organ that has a key role in digesting our food and producing our body’s insulin and glucose control. The pancreas is located behind the stomach,

When we hear the word “stress,” we often think about being overworked, tense, angry or in the midst of any number of negative situations. Technically, stress is simply the body’s response to changes in our environment—and it can be a good thing. The term for positive stress in our lives, eustress, is a short-term type

The thyroid is a small but powerful gland in the body that is responsible for almost all of the body’s hormone functions. The thyroid controls the hormones that affect your breathing, heart rate, body temperature and digestion. This butterfly-shaped gland is located at the base of the throat in the front of the neck. Most

Located in our throats, tonsils are one of those parts of the body that go fairly unnoticed until something is wrong. These lumps of tissue are located in the back of the throat, one on each side. The tonsils are part of the lymphatic system of our bodies, the system that fights infection and keeps

As we age, our bones and joints start to break down, a natural part of the aging process. We become weaker than we were before and more easily fatigued due to the stress that our bodies have been under for decades. However, some aging populations develop osteoporosis—a bone disease that occurs when the body loses

Arthritis is a blanket term for the hundreds of different conditions that make up joint pain or joint disease. Arthritis is a very common condition, with more than 50 million American adults and 300,000 children developing some sort of the condition in their lifetimes. People of all ages, sexes and races can develop arthritis, but

Digestive disorders can be tricky to diagnose, because we have no way to “reset” our digestive systems. They’ve been operating since before we were born, turning nutrients and calories that we consume into essential nutrients and building blocks for our bodies. The digestive system may look simple from the outside—we eat food, it gets processed,

All new moms and breastfeeding moms know that providing the proper nutrition to your growing baby is extremely important. Receiving adequate nutrition in the first few years of life is essential for building strong bones, healthy immune systems and robust minds in babies and toddlers. Luckily, breastmilk is the gold standard of infant nutrition. This

On the back of any official nutrition label– below the federally required information about calories, fat, sodium and sugar– are a list of vitamins and minerals that the food contains, as well as their Daily Recommended Amounts. Vitamins and minerals are essential elements that our bodies require to develop and function. The more recognizable vitamins

The human body’s immune system is a complex system of cells and organs that defend the body from germs and outside harm. When the body senses an intrusion, like cold and flu germs infiltrating the body, it makes antibodies—cells that attack the foreign intruder to destroy it—therefore healing the body from the inside out. The

Out of all the health issues that affect men annually, cancer is in the top ten. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, and almost 200,000 new cases are diagnosed annually and more than 30,000 men die from it each year. Annual physicals screen for this type of cancer so it can

Temperatures are climbing this summer, and before we know it each day’s forecast will top 100 degrees. While we can’t do much about the temperature outside, our bodies have ways of keeping our internal temperatures regulated. The biggest organ in our bodies, our skin, may seem like simply a thing that keeps our skeletons in

When people hear the term post-traumatic stress disorder, they often think of war veterans, or service members in the military who have been in active combat. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is certainly common in fields like law enforcement or military service, but can happen to anyone. PTSD is a disorder that develops in some

We all turn to the internet from time to time to find out answers to questions that are on my mind. Thanks to the internet’s endless information, we usually find an answer. With the giant surge in people consulting “Dr. Google” for their health questions, sometimes they feel more comfortable turning to the internet with

Accidents happen, and most of the time, a slight bump to the head is painful and inconvenient, but nothing to worry about. Usually, it’s just a matter of patching up any bumps and waiting out the pain and inconvenience. However, recent data shows that only one out of every nine concussions are reported across the

You’ve heard of the appendix, the organ in our bodies that resides in the lower right abdomen, and seems to serve no real purpose in the body. You’ve heard that even though this organ exists and functions within us, you can live normally without it, and if it bursts—you’re in for emergency surgery to remove

Children are naturally boisterous, but at what point does a short attention span and unruly behavior turn into something more serious? Nearly 10% of all American children between the ages of two and 17 have been diagnosed with a behavioral disorder like ADD ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder.) While the condition may be popularized

The ketogenic diet had been gaining popularity over the past few years within the dieting industry. What exactly is a ketogenic diet (or keto), and what are its pros and cons? Keto is a very high fat diet with low protein and carbohydrate. There are several variations of this diet, but its original variation has

Let me begin by saying that this article is more metaphoric with less scientific verbatim. The goal is to help my audience understand, remember and utilize what I am about to say to improved their heart health. This analogy that I am about to give is not new. In fact, I have given it at

Heart attacks are defines as a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle. It occurs when the heart muscle or part of the heart muscle does not receive enough blood flow. The more time that passes without blood flow to the heart, the greater the damage to the heart. Symptoms can vary between men

We’ve all had a headache before, and usually we can move through our day with a few pain pills and some grit. Headaches can be caused by a number of things, including allergies and even stress. But there’s a different type of headache that is debilitating, and can be a sign of a much more

It’s estimated that over half a million people in the United States suffer from Crohn’s disease—an often debilitating disease of the digestive tract. The disease causes inflammation and irritation in the small intestine and top of large intestine, but in some cases can spread all the way from the mouth, throat, stomach, intestines and waste

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related issues. Frequent coughing or wheezing is common, excess phlegm and mucus production, shortness of breath and trouble taking deep breaths. Almost 15 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, and even more Americans may be struggling with COPD and

It’s generally known that people with diabetes often struggle with many other associated health problems in addition to diabetes. After all, problems with blood sugar can affect almost every area of your body, so diabetic patients must pay close attention to changes in their body and report to their physician immediately. You may think that

This year, about 40,000 women are expected to die from breast cancer. For women, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, even though breast cancer death rates have been slowly decreasing since the late 1980s. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Three million American women have

Forgetfulness is a natural part of life, and a common symptom of aging. Memory can be affected by a variety of factors, including chronic stress, certain health conditions or even a lack of planning. However, sometimes adults are affected with something more– dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia and is

Over the course of an average lifespan, your heart will beat over 300 billion times. While the heart can be damaged in numerous ways throughout our lifetimes, it remains one of the muscles in our bodies that never stops functioning, pumping oxygen-rich blood into our entire bodies to fuel its many functions. So when something

You probably know that fried food, chocolate cake and loaded bacon cheeseburgers are not the best foods to consume as part of a healthy diet, but what exactly makes them so unhealthy? Junk foods and foods with a lot of animal products contain unhealthy fats, and may lack many nutrients that are important for overall

Hips, shoulders and knees. Between the major bones in your body lies a joint, a moveable connection that is made up of bones, cartilage, and a cavity. They bear your body’s weight and are covered with a layer of cartilage to protect the bones from rubbing against each other when moving. Cartilage ensures that your

While remaining moderately popular and the most cost-efficient and nutritious way to feed a growing infant, breastfeeding still struggles with popularity across some groups. Due to a lack of social support and opportunity, some mothers do not have the desire or ability to breastfeed their infant sons and daughters—but the research shows that both mother

Hormone changes immediately following pregnancy and labor are very common. The brain of a pregnant individual is almost soaked in a cocktail of hormones for nine months, and in a matter of days following birth, hormones that have been surrounding the brain disappear. Sometimes this causes a drastic shift in the mental state of an

The main difference between an ICU and a regular hospital floor (also sometimes known as Medical/Surgical) is the level of care provided. Nurses and other care practitioners in the medical/surgical field are widely trained across a variety of diseases and illnesses—after all, they deal with all sorts of conditions that require hospitalizations, including recovery from

Health risks are a serious and sometimes lifelong issue for many Americans, but some conditions and diseases affect men more than women. Historically, men have avoided going to the doctor to simply avoid bad news about their health, but this may actually be making their health worse. While a number of people are at risk

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which the force of blood through arteries and veins is too great, causing pressure on blood vessels. The condition is serious and needs monitoring under the best of circumstances, but especially in at-risk populations and those women who are pregnant. Pregnancy takes its toll on a

Hips, shoulders and knees. Between the major bones in your body lies a joint, a mobile connection that is made up of bones, cartilage, and a cavity. They bear your body’s weight and are covered with a layer of cartilage to protect the bones from rubbing against each other when moving. Cartilage ensures that your

Diabetes is a disease that affects many parts of your body. If you have diabetes, your body goes not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin correctly. Insulin is a hormone, produced by the pancreas, which regulates the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. High blood sugar levels, especially consistent ones, can do serious

Most of us know the familiar feeling of an upset stomach, especially after we eat something that doesn’t agree with us. Periods of constipation, indigestion or even diarrhea can seem like a part of our normal lives that we must endure or self-treat until symptoms pass. Usually, they do pass, within a few days. But

In the last two decades, high blood pressure has been a popular topic of conversation in the healthcare world and beyond. Known as the “silent killer,” high blood pressure can be a symptom of or a predecessor of many diseases and conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. The tissues and organs in your body

Obesity is growing in America. More Americans than ever before are overweight and more than a third of all American adults are obese, defined as having a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or higher. Obesity is a complex health issue, and can result from a combination of many different causes, including personal behavior, genetics,

Every four and a half minutes, a baby is born in the United States with a birth defect. These defects may affect how the body looks or operates—and range from mild to severe. Some defects are very visible and can be noticed immediately, like cleft palate or Down syndrome. Some must be found using special

According to the World Health Organization, salt intake has increased dramatically across the globe. Therefore, the prevalence of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke has increased as well. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams (mgs) a day, but it is hard to know how much salt is actually in

As a cardiologist, I believe that the heart is the most important organ in our body and my goal is to spread the basic knowledge about heart diseases to our people. Before we discuss common cardiac diseases, it is essential to have basic knowledge about our heart. The heart is a muscular organ located in

Even though the death rate from heart attack have decreased dramatically, heart disease is still the number one cause of death in our country. The medical term for heart attack is myocardial infarction (MI). Heart muscle receives oxygen and essential nutrients through small blood vessels called coronary arteries. Since young age onwards, fatty materials start

One of the other common but serious cardiac illnesses is heart failure. The heart works as a muscular pump to circulate blood to all parts of the body. If the heart is unable to pump or fill enough blood to meet the needs of the body, it is called heart failure. There are different ways

You may think you’re healthy—and you very well may be—but regular visits to your doctor are just as important as visits when you’re ill. Scheduling a yearly physical or annual exam can actually help you be healthier in the long run—and potentially reduce your medical costs. Sometime in adulthood, most of us have a drop-off

A butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, the thyroid is relatively small but packs a big metabolic punch when it comes to your body’s operating systems. Your thyroid influences the function of almost all of your body’s organs, including critical areas like your heart, brain, liver, and kidneys. Its malfunction or underperformance

Sharing is caring around the holidays—except when it comes to cold and flu germs. The sounds of sneezing and sniffling may be familiar during the winter months, but how do you know if you or those around you are battling the common cold, or another illness like the flu? While the common cold and the

Every year in the United States, nearly half a million babies die from illnesses related to premature birth. Premature birth is the number one cause of death of babies in the United States—one of the worst among high-resource nations like the U.S. A premature baby is defined as one who is born too early–before 37

How does Sepsis begin? When you’re sick, your immune system works to fight any germs that may be present in your body. If you develop an infection, your immune system will try to fight it, though you may need help with antibiotics or other medications. Sepsis is when your body stops fighting invading germs and

As a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse, no two days are alike. One of the misconceptions people have about being a NICU nurse is that they are just changing diapers and bottle feeding all day; they think the work is easy. However, that is far from the truth. Although the days vary greatly in

Clinicians, patients, and their families often ask themselves: What are the differences between cognitive deficits that come with normal aging, and those involved with true dementia? On an almost daily basis, I am confronted with patients from all age groups that complain about not remembering things, being less able to juggle ideas and facts in