As you get older, changes in your body can increase your chances of having medication side effects. Older people may have more health problems and take more medications than younger people. Do your doctors and pharmacists know about all the medications and supplements you take? Keep a list of everything you take and bring it along on each visit to your doctor or pharmacist. They can look for medicines that may interact with each other. And never stop taking a medication without talking to your doctor first. Visit www.healthinaging.org for more tips on how to safely manage multiple medications.
September is National Preparedness Month and The National Safety Council wants you to be ready when a hurricane, flood, earthquake or other emergency strikes. To stay safe, create emergency kits for your home and your car that include: communication devices such as radios and walkie-talkies with spare batteries, at least three days worth of non-perishable food, a first aid kit and other essentials. Emergency skills like knowing First Aid and CPR are always useful. Don't forget to practice taking shelter with your family regularly so you'll be confident if disaster strikes. For more information on how to stay safe during an emergency, visit nsc.org.
Alzheimer's can be a devastating diagnosis, but you don't need to face it alone. There are more than 5 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer's and more than 15 million family and friends caring for them. To find a support group near you, call 800-272-3900 or visit ALZ.org.
Many cancer deaths could be prevented by making healthy choices like not smoking, staying at a healthy weight, eating right, keeping active, and getting recommended screening tests. The American Cancer Society sets the standard for screening guidelines for a variety of cancers and provides tools and resources to be healthier. Visit us at cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345 for help in getting and staying healthy.
Our North Franklin location has been under construction and is finally complete. The grand opening of the newly expanded clinic is tomorrow, September 8.
With this new space some of our doctors from the Cool Springs office will be rotating days over to the North Franklin location. Dr. Karlekar will be working every Tuesday, Dr. Thorley will be working every Thursday, and Dr. Edmondson will be working two Fridays a month. To schedule or for more information about which provider will be at North Franklin, please call our scheduling department at Cool Springs (615)376-8195 or North Franklin (615)435-3854.
Our flu shot clinics start tomorrow! While patients will be allowed to receive their flu shot at the time of a regularly scheduled appointment, we are asking all walk-in flu injections to please come to our Flu Shot Clinics. These will be held every Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 1pm throughout the month of September. For more information about why it's important to get a flu shot this year, read Dr. Thorley's blog post on our website at https://www.coolspringsinternalmedicine.com/blog.
COOLSPRINGSINTERNALMEDICINE.COM
Blog: Cool Springs Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, PLLC: Internal medicine, Pediatric and Adult Urgent Care Franklin, TN & Brentwood, TN
The relationship between caffeine and headache is complex. Caffeine can help you feel more alert and give you a much needed pick me up. It also narrows blood vessels, which is part of the reason it has been used in headache medications. But it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Too much caffeine can stop helping a headache and start a new headache—a rebound headache. Moderation and careful use are needed when it comes to caffeine and your headache. Visit the National Headache Foundation online at www.headaches.org and learn more about this complicated relationship.
Want the ability to pay your bill online without having to login to your patient portal? We now offer pay online through our website. Look for this option under our "Patient Info" menu bar or follow the link here: https://easypay5.com/swidgetR101/CustomPages/PayNowForm2.aspx.
The American Cancer Society’s mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer, including breast cancer. Together, we can save more lives by encouraging our loved ones to take control of their breast health. If you’re a woman 40 or older, talk to your health care provider about the breast cancer screening plan that’s best for you. And everyone can help reduce their breast cancer risk by making healthy choices like maintaining a healthy weight, eating right, keeping active, and limiting alcohol intake. Visit cancer.org/fightbreastcancer to learn more.
Our flu shot clinics will continue through the month of October. If you have yet to receive your flu shot, now is the time to do so. These clinics are held at our Cool Springs location every Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 1pm. Learn more from Dr. Thorley about how important it is to get your flu shot this year at https://www.coolspringsinternalmedicine.com/blog/provider-newsletter.
COOLSPRINGSINTERNALMEDICINE.COM
Provider Newsletter: Cool Springs Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, PLLC: Internal medicine, Pediatric and Adult Urgent Care
Congratulations to our October Employee of the Month, Lisa Bohannon! Lisa has been with our clinic for many years and is a great asset to our front desk team. She always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude. Lisa goes out of her way to make our office feel like home for staff and for patients. She works the front desk, manages the provider's calendars, plans office parties, helps clean and organize, and loves to bring in her homemade dishes for us to enjoy. Thank you, Lisa, for everything you do, even behind the scenes, to make sure things run smoothly and for always being willing to help. Our offices would not be the same without you!
Atrial fibrillation is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. According to the American Heart Association, at least 2.7 million Americans are living with atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib. It is important to recognize potential risk factors, such as advanced age, high blood pressure, underlying heart disease, family history and sleep apnea because often AFIB has no symptoms at all. If you have AFib, creating a treatment plan with a physician and sticking to it you can lower your risks and improve your life. Learn more at Heart.org/AFIB.
HEART.ORG
Atrial Fibrillation
Teen drivers face many risks on the road, but one you might not think about is drowsiness. With busy school, work and social schedules, teens, like the rest of us, don’t get enough sleep. This can be deadly behind the wheel. A teen’s crash risk increases with 6 or fewer hours of sleep. The National Safety Council recommends teens get 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night. If your teen is getting out of school or work late and they are too tired to drive, make sure they have a safe ride home. For more information on teen driving risks visit DriveItHome.org.
How many times did you hit the snooze button this morning? We all crave sleep, but too many nights we fall short of the seven or eight hours we need to thrive. An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from a chronic sleep disorder, according to the Institute of Medicine. Sleep is vital to our health, safety, and overall well-being. Sleeping difficulties are often connected to underlying problems such as stress, depression, or anxiety. Psychologists can help people identify stressors and behaviors that may be disturbing sleep. They can help change those behaviors, and manage the thoughts, feelings and emotions that can interfere with a healthy night's sleep. For more information, including helpful tips to get a good night’s sleep visit www.apa.org/helpcenter.
Strokes do not discriminate. They can happen to anyone, at any age - and about one in four people worldwide will have one in their lifetime. While many adults don’t think they are at risk for stroke or reduced brain function, the reality is that nearly half of all adults in America have high blood pressure and untreated high blood pressure is one of the most common causes of stroke and also causes up to 60 percent of dementia. Healthy habits can reduce your risk of stroke and improve mental sharpness. Learn more at https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms.
October's Provider Newsletter is out on our blog. This month features an article from our North Franklin primary care provider, Macy Nelms, FNP-BC on the differences in COVID and the flu. This is new content available only on our blog and direct from your provider. Check it out at https://www.coolspringsinternalmedicine.com/blog.
Both of our offices will be closed to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26th. We will re-open with limited hours on Friday, November 27th. The hours for this day will be 7:30am to 3pm for both locations. Normal hours will resume on Saturday, November 28th.
Enjoy this time with your family and be thankful for the things you have been given!
Each November, National Diabetes Month brings attention to diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans. Living with diabetes means making time for regular physical activity, eating right, and keeping up with routine medical care. Staying up to date on all recommended vaccines is also an important step in staying healthy. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor which vaccines you need to stay healthy. Even if you don't have diabetes, you can protect others in your community and your loved ones by getting vaccinated. Visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults for more information. Don't Wait. Vaccinate!
For more information about Diabetes read an article from our North Franklin primary care nurse practitioner, Kristine Izzi, FNP-C here: https://www.coolspringsinternalmedicine.com/blog/september-provider-newsletter
November's Provider Newsletter is out on our blog. This month features an article from our Cool Springs primary care provider, Lauren James, FNP-C on maintaining a healthy weight. This is new content available only on our blog and direct from your provider. Check it out at https://www.coolspringsinternalmedicine.com/blog.
Many people with high blood pressure know their numbers, but may not follow their treatment plan because they feel fine or don't notice any symptoms. The results from uncontrolled high blood pressure are far from invisible or silent though. Heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems can be caused by unmanaged high blood pressure. Talk with your doctor to create an exercise, diet, and medication plan that works for you. If you've fallen off your plan, get back on it. Go to LowerYourHBP.org.
November is National Family Caregivers Month. According to the Alzheimer's Association Facts and Figures Report, more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's and an estimated 15 million people provide care to those living with the disease. To ensure people living with Alzheimer's and all those that provide care and support have the information and resources they need, the Alzheimer's Association is available 24/7. For resources and information call 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org.
Thank you to all the caregivers out there who are supporting a family member or friend in need, this month is about celebrating you!
This holiday season don't let stress get you down. More than 4 out of 10 Americans say they are not doing enough to manage their stress and for many, the holidays bring on even more stress. Here are some tips to help:
1. Take care of yourself.
2. Engage in activities that you and your family enjoy.
3. Have realistic expectations - no holiday celebration is perfect.
4. Remember what's important and what the holiday season is really about.
5. Consider volunteering at a local charity to put things in perspective.
6. Talk about your anxiety with friends and family, but if you continue to feel overwhelmed, consider seeing a professional such as a psychologist.
Visit www.apa.org for more information.
February can be one of the coldest months of the year. When the temperature bottoms out, make sure you’re prepared. Limit your exposure to the elements, especially in wet or windy conditions. The National Safety Council recommends that you bundle up with layers of loose clothing and cover your extremities. To prevent frostbite and protect against a loss of body temperature which can result in hypothermia, wear socks that keep feet warm and dry, thick mittens to protect fingers and hats and scarves that shield your head and face. Get more winter safety tips and resources at nsc.org.
Congratulations to our February Employee of the Month, Gemma Loredo! Gemma is an RN who started working with us during the COVID pandemic and has been a very valuable asset to our Triage team. Gemma is described by her peers as someone who is a very hard and thorough worker. She is also very caring and compassionate with patients. Gemma always has a smile on her face and a great attitude. We are very grateful to have her as part of our team and delighted to announce her as our February Employee of the Month!
Someone in the U.S. dies from a prescription opioid overdose every 24 minutes. Opioids are prescribed to treat many painful conditions, yet a recent National Safety Council poll found that one in three Americans don't realize the medicines they are prescribed are opioids. NSC recommends you talk with your doctor about alternatives to opioid pain treatment. You should also safely dispose of expired or unneeded prescription opioids in your home, never share them or flush them down the drain. To learn more about how you can protect yourself, call or make an appointment with your primary care provider today.
This year join the National Eye Institute in making your eye health a priority. Millions of Americans are affected by glaucoma, a group of diseases that can damage the eye. There are often no symptoms in its early stages, and it can lead to vision loss when left untreated. However, glaucoma can be detected through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. To learn more about ways to protect your sight, visit nei.nih.gov/glaucoma.
Some people experience depression with the change of seasons, often called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. It's more than just the winter blues. SAD is depression that lasts for a season and goes away the rest of the year. Symptoms of SAD are like those of depression; fatigue, sad mood, loss of interest, changes in sleep and weight, feeling of hopelessness or despair, and thoughts of suicide. Here are some tips to help manage SAD: experience as much daylight as possible, eat healthily, spend time with friends and family, stay active, and seek the help of a psychologist if you continue to struggle with symptoms. For more information about depression, read Dr. Edmondson's blog post on our website at https://www.coolspringsinternalmedicine.com/blog/december-provider-newsletter
The January Provider Newsletter is up on our blog. This month features an article from our Cool Springs primary care provider, Kristen Allen, NP about hypertension. This is new content available only on our blog and direct from your provider. Check it out at https://www.coolspringsinternalmedicine.com/blog.