You At Your Best

sPonsor Content Dr. Tyler Brockman and Taesha Winford, APRN provide comprehensive medical care for all ages at Washington Regional's Fayetteville Family Clinic. Services include preventive care, physicals, treatment of acute illnesses and injuries, and treatment of chronic conditions. Dr. Tyler Brockman earned his medical degree from Kansas City University and completed the Clarkson Family Medicine Residency in Omaha, Nebraska. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Board of Family Medicine. Taesha Winford, APRN earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri‑Kansas City and nursing degrees from both Missouri State University and Southwest Baptist University. She is certified as a family nurse practitioner from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Appointments at Fayetteville Family Clinic located inside the William L. Bradley Medical Plaza, at 3 E. Appleby Road, Ste. 301 in Fayetteville, are available by calling 479‑404‑1200. The clinic is open Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. More information is available at www.wregional.com/clinics. Primary Care Here for You in Fayetteville This year has no doubt presented us with numerous challenges. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic encouraged many people to focus on protecting their overall health, wellness, and maintaining a strong immune system. Now is an ideal time to set some goals to improve your current health. Taesha Winford, APRN with Washington Regional Fayetteville Family Clinic recommends six steps to better understand and improve your health. 1. Schedule an annual wellness exam You should schedule an exam with your primary care provider once a year. During this visit, you will discuss any health conditions you may currently have as well as any preventive screenings you may need. Preventive screenings include things such as annual lab work, immunizations, depression screening, colon cancer screening, breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, bone density screening, prostate cancer screening, and lung cancer screening. These tests help aid in early detection of any underlying health issues and help you to be proactive in your lifelong health. 2. Know your numbers It is important to understand your individual numbers when it comes to healthy blood pressure, cholesterol levels, glucose levels, and your body mass index (BMI). This will help you identify areas where you may need to improve your health. Healthy blood pressure should be around 120/80. Your total cholesterol should be less than 200 and your HDL level should be less than 130. Fasting glucose levels should be 100 or below and your BMI should fall between 18.5‑24.9. Elevation of one or more of these readings increases your risk for developing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. 3. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly A diverse, healthy diet and regular exercise can improve your overall health tremendously. A healthy diet includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. Aim to get 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, preferably spread throughout the week. Benefits of a healthy diet and regular exercise include weight loss, strong teeth and bones, reduction in cancer risk, improved memory and better mood. 4. Don't smoke and limit alcohol consumption When it comes to smoking, the message is simple – quit. It may seem daunting, but Arkansas offers resources to help you quit smoking. If you are a current smoker and would like more information, call 1‑800‑QUITNOW and start the process towards smoking cessation. Alcohol, if consumed at all, should be in moderation. This is equal to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. 5. Get plenty of sleep A good night's rest is the foundation for good physical and mental health. Adults should get between seven and nine hours of quality sleep each night. If your sleep is frequently interrupted, you're not getting quality sleep. Sleep quality is as important as the amount of sleep you get each night. If you wake feeling unrested or wake frequently through the night, talk to your primary care provider about ways to promote healthy sleep patterns. Some underlying health conditions, such as sleep apnea, can also affect sleep. It is important to identify what factors are contributing to poor sleep so they may be corrected. 6. Wash your hands If you need to hear this once more, here it is – handwashing is vital in limiting the spread of disease. It is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your family from becoming ill. Wash your hands after eating, preparing food, after using the restroom, after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose, after touching an animal, after handling waste products such as garbage or soiled diapers, after caring for someone who is ill, and after returning from a public place such as the grocery store or work. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your face, eyes, or mouth and always wash hands prior to touching these areas. With any goal, it is important to remember that it should be time measured and obtainable. This helps contribute to your success and makes it easier to track your progress. If you have questions about your health or specific goals, contact Washington Regional Fayetteville Family Clinic at 479‑404‑1200. They can help you create individualized goals to start your path to better health. goals for www.wregional.com great health sunDay, DeCeMBer 27, 2020 | January - Goals for Great HealtH nWaDG.CoM/youatyourBest | you at your Best | 9

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