Top 5 Health Screenings Every Woman Should Have

Top 5 Health Screenings Every Woman Should Have

Top 5 Health Screenings Every Woman Should Have

Other than regular exercise and having a healthy diet, every woman should take time to schedule for routine health screenings to stay on top of their health. This helps detect health problems before they start.

Here at Sugar Land Physicians, a provider of top-notch medical services in Texas, we have compiled the five essential tests every woman should have.

  1. Physical exam

    Annual physicals are important to determine the overall status of your health. This type of test gives you the chance to talk to your primary care provider about any on-going pain that you might have.

  2. Blood pressure screening

    High blood pressure has no warning signs, so it can’t be detected without measuring. That is why you need to regularly check your blood pressure level.

  3. Cholesterol test

    Women aged 20 and older should get a cholesterol check every 4 to 6 years to assess your risk for coronary heart disease

  4. Breast cancer screening

    It consists of mammograms and clinical exams to detect if you are at risk for breast cancer. This is one of the most fundamental health care screening tests for women aged 40 and over.

  5. Pap smear

    Starting at age 21 or three years after becoming sexually active, women should have a pap test to identify abnormal cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.

Keep in mind to visit your primary care doctor in Sugar Land, Texas, to know if these tests are appropriate for you.

Are you looking for an internal medicine doctor in Sugar Land? If so, you’re in the right place. Our doctors are dedicated to providing quality care in a friendly and respectable manner. Book an appointment today!

Manage the Physical Challenges of Pregnancy with Prenatal Yoga

Manage the Physical Challenges of Pregnancy with Prenatal Yoga

Manage the Physical Challenges of Pregnancy with Prenatal Yoga

Many primary care doctor in Sugar Land, Texas prescribe this form of exercise to pregnant patients. This is because a woman’s body and mental outlook are transformed during pregnancy.

Pregnancy can:

  • Change a woman’s posture.

    During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes a natural shift in gravity as she gains weight, which causes a curvature of the spine.

  • Tighten her hip sockets.

    This is to support the additional weight they are carrying.

  • Anxiety about pregnancy and giving birth.

    Women tend to worry about their child’s well-being and their upcoming labor experience.

Performing yoga poses can help ease the discomfort and pain that a lot of women may experience as their pregnancy progresses. It can also help mitigate the stress they feel and improve their mental state.

Other benefits according to the American Pregnancy Association are:

  • Improved sleep
  • Reduced stress
  • Increased strength, flexibility, and endurance
  • Decreased lower back pain
  • Reduced risk of preterm labor

Acquiring medical services in Texas that can guide you through your pregnancy journey is important, especially for first-time mothers.

Get a certified and reliable Family and Internal Medicine Doctor in Sugar Land by contacting us here. Sugar Land Physicians would be happy to help you out!

Can Red Wine Improve Your Gut’s Microbiome?

Red Wine, Can It Improve Your Microbiome?

Red Wine, Can It Improve Your Microbiome?

A small sip of the red stuff now and then might help keep your gut bacteria healthy and happy, new research says.

According to this study, even just one glass of red wine a week can improve the diversity of the good bacteria in your microbiome, which in turn can help lower bad cholesterol and keep your weight down.

The microbiome is an assortment of bacteria in the gut that has an essential role in health. A healthy and well-maintained microbiome helps digest food and keeps most diseases at bay. Internal Medicine Doctors in Sugar Land say that an unbalanced microbiome, on the other hand, can contribute to poor functioning of the immune system, weight gain, and high cholesterol.

Since red wine contains polyphenols, it helps feed the good bacteria in the microbiome. Polyphenols are also found in fruits and vegetables and include antioxidants. Consuming these can aid with your gut health.

However, primary care doctors in Sugar Land, Texas caution that despite these findings leading to red wine’s probability of improving the diversity of good gut bacteria, there still needs to be more research conducted on whether it can improve one’s microbiome conditions.

Sugar Land Physicians your top provider for medical services in Texas provides you with easy-access care. Contact our office or visit our site for more information about our other services.

How to Prepare for an Ultrasound

How to Prepare for an Ultrasound

How to Prepare for an Ultrasound

There are a couple of things that a patient needs to do before going through an ultrasound check-up. The required steps may vary, depending on the area of the organ that is to be examined.

primary care doctor in Sugar Land, Texas may advise you to fast for eight to 12 hours before your check-up, especially if your abdomen is being examined. This is because undigested food might block the sound waves, making it difficult for the technician to get a clear image of your insides.

For an examination of the gallbladder, liver, pancreas, or spleen, an internal medicine Medicine doctor in Sugar Land or Family Medicine Medicine doctor in Sugar Land may tell his patients to eat a fat-free meal the evening before their test and then to fast until the procedure.

However, a patient can continue to consume water and take any medications as prescribed. For other tests, you might be asked to drink a lot of fluids and to hold your urine so that your bladder is full and better visualized.

Make sure to inform your physician about any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or herbal supplements that you take before your appointment.

When inside the exam room, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions and ask any questions you may have before the procedure.

For more information about Sugar Land Physicians other medical services in Texas, you may contact us here

Tetanus Shot: An Important Vaccine For All Ages

tetanus-vaccine

Tetanus is a disease caused by Clostridium tetani, a type of bacteria found worldwide in dust, soil, and manure. The bacteria enter the body through a wound, which may include a cut, puncture wound, deep scrape or burn, or any injury that breaks the skin. They produce a toxin that affects the nervous system and causes seizures and severe muscle spasms. Tetanus cannot be spread from one person to another. Nearly all tetanus cases occur in people who have not been vaccinated, or in adults who have not received a 10-year booster tetanus shot.

Tetanus Vaccine For All Ages

Tetanus vaccination is included as part of the U.S. Recommended Immunization Schedule for children. Infants and children receive the DTaP vaccine, a combination vaccine that immunizes against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Preteens and teens should receive tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine, which is a booster shot that provides continued protection against tetanus. During adulthood, a tetanus-diphtheria booster (Td) is recommended for protection against both tetanus and diphtheria. CDC also recommends one dose of Tdap for adults who have never received it. If you’re traveling internationally, particularly to a developing country where tetanus might be common, make sure your immunity is current as well.

When to Seek Medical Care

You should seek immediate medical care if you experience any of :

A wound that is deep, such as a knife wound or animal bite.
A wound that contains dirt or a foreign object.
You have a wound and have not been fully vaccinated against tetanus, or you’re unsure whether you have been fully vaccinated against tetanus.
You have a wound and haven’t received a tetanus booster in the last 10 years.
Note that you should seek immediate medical attention at a higher level of care – from an ER or primary care physician — if you have a deep or dirty wound, even if you’ve been fully vaccinated against tetanus. In emergency cases, the primary care physician can administer medication that contains antibodies that kill tetanus.

Get Vaccinated at Sugarland Physicians

To get up-to-date on your tetanus vaccination or if you’re unsure when to get a tetanus shot, visit your nearest Sugarland Physicians health clinic. We offer a complete range of immunizations for individuals age 18 months and older. Sugarland Physicians accepts same day online appointments and walk-in visits for your convenience.