Fauquier Health's Healthy Happenings Fall 2019

Healthy

FALL 2019

HAPPENINGS THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF

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SCHOOL The Importance of Yearly Physicals

Sports Physicals and Injury Prevention Online Scheduling at Fauquier Health

Regular Physicals & Preventative Care

ARE CRUCIAL TO YOUR HEALTH

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Allison Wescott, N.P., Ahmed Fida, M.D., Seokhan Kyle Song, M.D.

utumn is the time of year when we get back to a consistent schedule after summer time off, making it a good time to think about your family’s health and schedule a check up. Why? Preventative care is key to maintaining good health.

One of the most important health care team members is your family doctor. When you’re not sick, it can seem unnecessary to visit your primary care healthcare provider for a routine physical, but it is extremely important.

Erica Coleman, F.N.P.-B.C., Family Nurse Practitioner, said, “The

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key factor in a yearly physical [as opposed to sporadic visits] is that you get to know your provider — and he/she gets to know you and your family medical history.” The trend, Ms. Coleman explained, is for people to neglect regular doctor visits during their 20s and 30s, and then start them again in their 40s. By that time,

Your Health Has a New Number: 540.316.DOCS

Find a doctor today: visit FauquierHealth.com to learn more.

preventable or treatable issues may have become a health factor, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Ash Diwan, M.D. said, “The annual physical affords physicians the opportunity to address issues before they progress into serious problems, as well as look for trends which can serve as a warning for developing disease which an isolated appointment may not catch.”

Most physicals are longer appointments, so you can expect your provider to ask many questions.

Dr. Diwan explained, “An annual physical may consist of obtaining vital signs, routine blood work,

Ash Diwan. M.D.

Piedmont Internal Medicine

Steven Von Elten, M.D.

urinalysis, and a detailed physical examination. All parts of a physical are important as together they help form a detailed picture of an individual’s health.” Dr. Von Elten elaborated: “The laboratory component is important. Often, we find patients that feel well but are actually developing health problems that could have a dramatic impact on their health.”

Additional tests are performed according to the age, risk factors,

and sex of the patient. Vaccinations can also be updated at your yearly physical, such as your annual flu shot.

“The other thing I always address,” said Ms. Coleman, “is mental health.”

Dr. Diwan also emphasized that physicians routinely screen for mental health issues.

Physician offices focus on making health care easily accessible.

In addition to the physicians, nurse practitioners are also able to handle many health issues (including

yearly physicals). There are many locations in Fauquier County where patients can find extended hours, flexibility in scheduling, and same day appointments as available. Fauquier Health offers convenient online scheduling at FauquierHealth.org. Quick and easy direct communication with your provider through the electronic patient portal can be found at most locations for existing patients.

Exercise and Eat Right!

At your annual physical, your provider may encourage you to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Why? Disease isn’t always preventable, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle can decrease the chances of some health conditions. According to Steven Von Elten, M.D., “A healthy lifestyle includes eating well, exercising, getting a good night’s sleep, and reducing stress.”

Dr. Von Elten emphasizes the importance of routine exercise and often recommends 150300 minutes of moderate aerobic and strength resistance training per week and limiting the amount of time spent sitting. A healthy diet should include increasing intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and fish, and decreasing the consumption of meat, sugars, refined carbohydrates, trans-fats, saturated fats, sodium, and alcohol.

It is important to consult your healthcare provider before starting an exercise program or diet.

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Sports Health

Fauquier Health’s health care providers and your athlete Sports Physicals

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ports physicals are required in most schools for sports participation, and they are designed to help a health care provider discover any health problems that might interfere with your child’s sports participation and performance.

What can you expect at your child’s appointment? Basically, there

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are two parts to the 15-minute sports physical: the physical assessment and the medical history analysis. When discussing the athlete’s health history, Erica Coleman, F.N.P., Family Nurse Practitioner, said, “We ask about an athlete’s history of any illnesses, injuries, or concussions, as well as any family health problems that might be indicative of an inherited condition, such as cardiovascular issues. We’ll check to see if there has

been any history of asthma, passing out, trouble breathing, or dizziness during exercise.” The physical assessment part of the exam, she explained, evaluates height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and vision.

The basic health of the heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose and throat are examined. The provider will evaluate posture, the joints, strength, and flexibility. “Basically, the sports physical is for preventative purposes, and it’s extremely important,” she

said. “Sometimes we can provide tips for better sports performance and the reduction of injuries, like perhaps some warm-up stretching exercises or prescribing a better inhaler for asthma.”

Sports Injuries Now that your doctor has cleared your child to play, what happens if your child is injured while playing?

James P. Ward, M.D., Orthopedist, revealed that the most common types of sports injuries he typically sees are usually less serious sprains, strains and overuse injuries. “While we do see some more serious knee and shoulder injuries, most of the sports injuries young athletes get are the type of things that get better with time and rest rather than those that require surgery,” he said.

“Times have changed,” he explained. “Now kids are playing the same sport year round, which can lead to an increased risk of overuse

James Ward. M.D.

injuries due to certain parts of the body being used over and over.”

Are sports injuries preventable?

Some of them, of course, are not, but there are things your athlete can do to prepare for the sports season to minimize the strains and sprains of overuse injuries. “Prevention a lot of times comes down to appropriate technique and form while participating in a sport. Strength training can be a great thing for high

school athletes,” said Ward. Working and training the applicable muscles for a sport in a gym pre-season can reduce sprains and strains if, he emphasized, correct technique and coaching is used. He also noted that appropriate time off from a sport is imperative in injury prevention.

When should you take your child to see a doctor? According to Dr. Ward, a good rule of thumb is to give your doctor a call if it’s an acute injury has a specific onset, for example, if your athlete pivots suddenly and wrenches a knee and there’s a lot of pain and swelling.

Also, if your child is unable to bear weight on a limb, or not able to use an injured or painful part of their body as they usually do, that warrants a doctor visit sooner rather than later. For injuries without a specific onset, they can usually be treated with rest, antiinflammatories, and ice, but you child should see a doctor if it doesn’t get better, or gets worse, over a week or two.

Pediatric Dental Care

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he start of the school year is always a hectic time, and it’s important to keep basic healthy lifestyle practices in place when your family’s schedule gets busy — and that includes dental hygiene, especially for children. With homework and after school activities, bedtime routines can be rushed, and teeth-brushing skipped. Fauquier Health would like to remind you to remain vigilant about your child’s oral care.

Warrenton-based pediatric dentist Jennifer Woodside, D.D.S. recommends children visit their pediatric dentist every six months. “This may help prevent cavities, will lead to earlier detection of oral problems, and can remind your child how important it is to take care of their teeth,” she said. Following a healthy diet and minimizing sweets is important. If each child has a fun water bottle, they can carry water with them so it’s always available. This may encourage them to skip the sugary sports drinks and soda. Of course, brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing is a goal for everyone! Make it fun by creating a playlist your child loves. If your children are fussy and cranky just prior to bedtime, brush after dinner instead of waiting until it becomes a fight.

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Fauquier Health’s Online Services & You FauquierHealth.org Fauquier Health cares about your health, and is adding new healthcare providers all the time to better serve the community. Check out “find a provider” at FauquierHealth.org and choose a health care professional from the Fauquier Health System in a variety of disciplines including family practice, OB/GYN, neurology, hematology and oncology, rheumatology, internal medicine, urology, infectious disease, and cardiology.

Fauquier Health’s physician referral line can help find the right physician for you (540) 316-DOCS

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ime is always tight these days, it seems. Busy schedules make for chock-full days that seem to go by in a flash before you can get everything done that needs doing. Now, scheduling your medical appointments is a snap with Fauquier Health’s website at FauquierHealth.org and by calling the physician referral line 540.316.DOCS.

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On our website, you can click “online scheduling” under “find a provider”. You are only a few clicks away from making an appointment with one of Fauquier Health’s participating healthcare providers. Unsure of which provider meets your needs? Call the physician referral line to learn more about the wide variety of specialties offered here in Fauquier County.

Events & EDUCATION

Please visit the Events & Education page on FauquierHealth.org to see the full listing of upcoming events, dates, times, and locations. Most events are free to the general public, but may still require registration online. Additional updates and events can be found at FauquierHealth.org/events-education.

Healthy Lifestyles AARP Safe Driver Course See online calendar for dates Non-AARP Members: $20.00 AARP Members: $15.00 Registration required: 703.591.1847 American Red Cross Blood Drive See online calendar for dates Register at redcrossblood.org Walk-ins also welcome Medicare Made Easy Informational event to learn the ins and outs of Medicare See online calendar for dates Walk-ins are welcome

Support Groups Alzheimer’s and Dementia Related Illnesses Support Group Fourth Wednesday of each month 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Bereavement Support Group First and third Mondays of each month 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change Third Friday of each month 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Diabetes Support Group (Adult) Third Tuesday in November 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Diabetes Support Group (Youth) Third Tuesday in September and December 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

For Parents Fauquier Health is here for you through your entire childbirth experience, from pregnancy through caring for your newborn. Informational classes are held at Fauquier Hospital’s fourth floor OB Training room. Call 540.316.2640 or visit FauquierHealth.org/ events-education for details and registration information Baby Basics 101 See online calendar for dates 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Breastfeeding Made Simple See online calendar for dates 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Your Childbirth Experience (Multi-session classes) See online calendar for dates Prenatal Yoga for Expecting Mothers Every Tuesday, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Fee applies Postnatal Mommy & Me Yoga for New Mothers Every Thursday, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Fee applies

Families Overcoming Drug Addiction (F.O.D.A.) First and third Thursdays of each month 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Lyme Disease Support Group Third Thursday of each month Meetings start at 6:30 pm NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Connections Individuals Living with Mental Challenges and Family Support Third Monday of each month 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Stroke Support First Wednesday of each month 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Cancer Support Groups Blue CREW Prostate Cancer Support Group Second Wednesday of each month 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm CREW (Cancer Resources, Education and Wellness) Support Group Second Monday of each month 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

▶ Updates and more events at: fauquierhealth.org/community

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500 Hospital Drive Warrenton, VA 20186 Chad Melton President/CEO For more information on Fauquier Health services, call (540) 316-DOCS

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Fauquier Hospital 540-316-5000

Medical Imaging 540-316-4500 (Fauquier Hospital)

Sleep Center 540-316-2660

Patient Scheduling 540-316-5800 or 866-341-0845

Outpatient Registration 540-316-5819

The Villa at Suffield Meadows Assisted Living Facility 540-316-3800

Physician Referral 540-316-DOCS (3627) or 800-322-7500 Class Registration Support Group Information 540-316-2600 Family Birthing Center 540-316-4000 Home Care Shop 540-316-4437

Patient Accounts 540-316-2970 Patient Information 540-316-INFO (4636) Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 540-316-2680 (outpatient) 540-316-5488 (inpatient) Fauquier Health Rehabilitation & Nursing Center (FHRNC) 540-316-5500

Volunteer Services 540-316-2910 Wellness Center 540-316-2640 Wound Healing Center 540-316-HEAL (4325)