July 13 B

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The Leader • Saturday, July 13, 2019 • Page 1B

Put a checkup on your back-to-school checklist Houston Methodist Hospital For The Leader

Directory

Dust off your daily planner: Backto-school time means getting back to a routine, busy schedules and long to-do lists. But the season also offers a fresh start, making it a great time to take stock of your family’s health and ensure that everyone is up to date on exams, screenings and health goals. Not sure why or when you should begin? We’ve got you covered. For mom Moms usually put the needs of everyone else before their own. Be sure these screenings are on your to-do list. • Pap test. This test looks for cancer in the cervix and can save your life. If detected early, cervical cancer is highly treatable. When to get it: After age 21, get a Pap test every three years. Once you hit 30, you can be tested once every five years. Talk to your doctor about getting an HPV test at the same time. • Mammogram. These X-ray images are your first line of defense against breast cancer. Screening mammograms lead to early detection, which reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer. As screening rates have risen, the death rate has gone down — 34 percent since 1990. When to get it: Schedule an annual mammogram starting at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer, your doctor may recommend you begin screenings earlier. For dad Men are known for avoiding doctor’s appointments. Not this year! Here’s what you need to know about the screening for the most common cancer in men. • Prostate cancer screening. One

chiropractic care

Northwest ChiropraCtiC George G. Junkin, D.C. D.A.C.B.N. Nutritionist 11500 NW Frwy - Suite 201 Houston, Texas 77092 Tel: 713-686-0828 www.drjunkin.com

internal Medicine/Pediatrics Nutrition/ Weight Loss Contributed photo Before the start of a school year is an ideal time for every member of a family to visit the doctor for a checkup.

in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Risk factors include being age 65 or older or having a family history of prostate cancer, abnormal prostate cells or certain genome changes. Depending on your risk, your doctor may recommend a digital rectal exam or a blood test to measure the amount of the substance prostatespecific antigen, which can indicate prostate cancer. When to get it: Houston Methodist recommends that men over 50 discuss the PSA blood test with their doctors. African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer should talk with their physicians about starting screenings at age 45. For kids Instill healthy habits in your chil-

dren by scheduling these appointments. • Sports physical. If your teens will be joining a team (or two or three) this school year, they’ll need a doctor’s approval to participate. Your child’s primary care physician can refer you to a sports medicine physician or orthopedics specialist, who can address sports-specific issues like proper nutrition and hydration, injury prevention, training and good form. When to get it: Although school district rules vary, one physical at the end of summer will typically cover your child for the school year. • Immunizations. Vaccines are a powerful tool for keeping your kids — and the kids around you — healthy. By the time they hit school age, most children have had most of their immunizations, but there are

a few to keep tabs on as they reach their teens. When to get it: • Flu shot – Annually • Meningococcal conjugate vaccine – Age 11 and booster at age 16 For more information on health screenings and immunizations, please refer to resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or talk to a trusted health care provider. The team of physicians at Houston Methodist Primary Care Group in The Heights is dedicated to providing personalized care in prevention and wellness for you and your family. Visit houstonmethodist.org/ pcg/heights if you would like to schedule an appointment with one of your neighborhood primary care physicians.

ClassPass opens door to new fitness possibilities By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

If you are looking to add some variety to your fitness routine, there’s a new monthly subscription service that has quite the following in the area. ClassPass provides access to a network of boutique fitness studios and gyms. Available in more than 2,500 cities around the world, including Houston, Dallas and Austin, ClassPass launched in Houston several years ago. The program’s local devotees are many. “I love ClassPass,” Cara Ramelow said. “I’ve been using it for a long time now. I get bored doing the same thing all the time, so it’s perfect for me. Also, the cost of classes are significantly cheaper than what you would pay at a studio.” Selena Crochet is a longtime member of the Foster Family YMCA who uses ClassPass to try different classes at a reduced rate. “I adore (the Y’s) instructors,” Crochet said. “But when my schedule doesn’t allow me to make it to one of their classes, ClassPass is a great way to ‘fill in’ that gap.” Kinsey Livingston, senior director of partnerships at ClassPass, said the company was founded by Payal Kadakia after she struggled to find a dance class to take after work in New York City. Kadakia never made it to a class, and her experience was the seed for a business model that allows members to choose from yoga, cycling, Pilates, barre, running, strength training, dance, sports, videos and more. “It’s a great way to discover new fitness studios, try new workouts and find the perfect routine for your lifestyle,” Livingston said. Some who use the service worry they undercut local businesses. Livingston said studios list their excess spots on ClassPass and are paid for every reservation ClassPass facilitates. “It’s completely free for partners

Preferred Health

Ana M. Torres, M.D. , P.A. 713.863.9200 427 W. 20th St. Ste #503 Houston, TX 77008 www.Thetorrescenter.com

ophthalmology

Dora Cantú, M.D.

713.864.8652 1740 W. 27th St. Suite 180 Houston, TX 77008 www.opiavisioncenter.com

obstetrics / Gynecology

Dr. Stephanie Fulton Stephanie Fulton, M.D. 1740 W. 27 St. Suite 301 Houston, TX 77008 713-880-2727 www.fultonobgyn.com

Major Hospitals Contributed photo ClassPass, which is available in more than 2,500 cities worldwide, is a monthly subscription service that provides access to a network of gyms and fitness studios. It is becoming popular among area residents.

to list their classes and open spots on the platform,” Livingston said. Re/forme Lagree Studio owner Meghan McAlpine at Revive’s Ella Oaks development said she welcomes ClassPass users but hopes to convert those users to re/forme clients. “We have actually found a lot of success in converting ClassPass users to clients once they realize how reasonable our prices are, and once they realize that the results they see from re/forme come with consistency in their routine, coming three to four times per week, which just is not economical through ClassPass,” McAlpine said. Livingston said ClassPass partners with all types of fitness companies, from small businesses to global brands, fitness studios and big box gyms. ClassPass users can use an

Memorial Hermann Greater Heights

Contributed photo ClassPass was founded by Payal Kadakia after she struggled to find a dance class after work.

app to filter by location, type of workout, day and time. The app also allows coordination with friends and gives users access to ratings and reviews. Molly Vitek said the service has inspired her fitness on the road. “I’ve used it in multiple cities,” Vitek said. “It always makes me work out when I am going to have credits left at the end of the cycle, and I get to try new places.” For more information, visit https://classpass.com/locations/ houston.

MORE THAN A HOSPITAL

One-Stop Access for All Your Health Care Needs Houston Methodist in the Texas Medical Center is more than just a hospital. We offer a full spectrum of care — tailored to your unique needs, including: • Specialty physician offices, imaging and labs • Teams of experts using the newest technologies • Six centers of excellence in cancer, cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, orthopedics and sports medicine, and transplant

To find a doctor, visit houstonmethodist.org/more or call 713.790.3333.

1635 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-867-2000 memorialhermann.org Physician Referral 713.222.CARE

St. Joseph Medical Center in The Heights 1917 Ashland Street Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-757-1000 Physician Referral 713-757-7575


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