Freeman Medical Musings Blog

June is Men’s Health Month, a time to offer men awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment for men of all ages. The tendency of some men is to “tough it out” – putting off doctor visits, ignoring symptoms or signs of illness and neglecting their health. "

This kind of procrastination, however, can prove fatal in some situations. Regular checkups, screenings and vaccinations are crucial for men to stay healthy and active, even if they’re feeling good and are symptom-free. Preventative care helps men and their doctors to remain proactive and increase their chances of avoiding health issues, and to effectively treat medical situations before they worsen and become more serious.

As men age, their bodies become more prone to certain diseases and conditions. Cardiovascular disease, for example, is the leading cause of death in men. Men are also more prone to developing symptoms of low testosterone and prostate cancer. Regular wellness checkups will help identify any deficiencies that may be causing other health-related issues, such as erectile dysfunction or high blood pressure. A Freeman primary care doctor can help men develop a personal wellness program to fit their lifestyle and address each aspect of their life – ranging from nutritional guidance and exercise to weight management. 

It's important that men of all ages regularly visit their doctors to screen for the following conditions.

All Ages:
•    Annual wellness exam. A yearly physical with your general practitioner is important for preventive care. Visits may include vaccinations, disease screenings, referrals for blood work, a height and weight evaluation, and potential additional tests for any chronic conditions.
•    Testicular cancer screening: While self-exams should be conducted monthly, the American Cancer Society recommends testicular cancer screenings also be performed at annual wellness visits.
•    Skin cancer screening: Yearly visits to a dermatologist for skin checks are crucial for preventing skin cancer. 
•    Dental exam: A thorough dental exam and cleaning is recommended at least every 6 to 12 months for optimal tooth and gum health.

Age 20 to 39:
•    Blood pressure: Beginning at age 20, men should have their blood pressure checked at least once every two years. 
•    Cholesterol: Beginning at age 20, most men should have their cholesterol checked every four to six years. 

Age 40 to 59:
•    Eye exam: At age 40, men should have a baseline comprehensive eye evaluation even with no signs or risk factors of eye disease. 
•    Blood glucose test: Blood glucose tests are used to screen for diabetes and are recommended for men every three years beginning at age 45. 
•    Colonoscopy: Men who are at an average risk for developing colorectal cancer should have their first colonoscopy at age 45 and then, an additional screening every ten years. 
•    Prostate cancer screening: Beginning at age 50, men should talk to their doctor about beginning regular screenings for prostate cancer. 
•    Shingles vaccine: Men should be vaccinated to prevent shingles at age 50.
•    Lung cancer screening: Men ages 55 to 80 with a history of heavy smoking (more than 30 packs per year) and who actively smoke or have quit within the previous 15 years should have a yearly lung cancer screening, even without symptoms of lung cancer.

Age 60 and up:
•    Pneumonia vaccine: Men over 65 should be vaccinated against pneumonia yearly.
•    Bone-mineral density test: Beginning at age 70, men should have the test at least once and up to as often as every two years depending on risk factors. 
•    Abdominal aortic aneurysm: A one-time screening is recommended for men between the age of 65 to 75 years who have a history of smoking.
•    Yearly eye exam: Men 65 and over with no risk factors should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years to screen for cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Men can choose June as the month they play a protective role in their health journey. To learn how to conquer new heights to living healthier and enjoy a lifetime of wellness, schedule an appointment with a Freeman Primary Care Physician by calling the Freeman Physician Finder at 417.347.3767 or 800.297.3337 or visit freemanhealth.com.
 

However, it’s also important to remember too much exposure to the hot summer sun can be harmful to your skin. The more time you spend in the sun this summer, the more you need to be mindful of the damage it can do.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer, in the US and worldwide but it’s also one of the most preventable. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma, and 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun. The good news is that when detected and treated early, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%! 

It’s no secret the sun can harm your skin with ultraviolet (UV) rays and prolonged exposure. While UV rays are present all year long, they’re stronger in the summertime. Because UV exposure can lead to premature aging and an increased risk for skin cancer, it’s important to take precautions to protect your skin throughout the summer. To keep your skin healthy, vibrant and youthful, here are some dermatologist-recommended tips for summer skin care.

• Use sunscreen regularly. Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin, including your face, neck, chest, hands and any area not covered by clothing. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you’re swimming or sweating. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Keep in mind, no sunscreen can completely block out all UV rays, so you should always combine sunscreen use with other protective measures.
•  Wear protective clothing. Lightweight and long-sleeved shirts, pants and long skirts made of tight-woven fabric in dark or bright colors provide the most protection. For more effective protection, select sun-protective coated clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label.
•  Put on a hat and a pair of sunglasses. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat helps protect your face, scalp, ears and neck from sun damage. To shield your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, look for UV-blocking sunglasses that are large-framed and wraparound. 
•  Enjoy the shade. Seek shade and avoid being outdoors in direct sunlight for too long. This is especially important between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, when the sun’s rays are the most intense.

Our skin will change throughout the year and should be cared for with consideration of the season. Since your skin needs a little extra attention and care during the summer months, take the time to use a summer-friendly skin care routine to ensure you and your skin have a happy and healthy summer. Enjoy every minute of daylight this summer, knowing your skin is protected!

About the Author
Ahmed Badawi, MD, PhD, specializes in dermatology identifying and treating conditions of the skin, hair and nails including acne, eczema, nail fungus, psoriasis, rosacea and skin cancer, among many others. He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas, and performed his residency at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. 
 

Volunteering can make a big difference in the lives of those we serve, but did you know that volunteering can benefit your health as well? Research shows that volunteering affords significant health benefits, especially for older adults. It also fosters self-worth and strengthens personal relationships.

Boost physical and mental health. Volunteer activities keep people moving and thinking at the same time. Research has found that volunteering among adults, age 60 and over, provided benefits to physical and mental health.

 Volunteers report better physical health than non-volunteers. Research also has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older. It helps minimize stress and increase positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine. By spending time in service to others, volunteers report feeling a sense of meaning and appreciation, both given and received, which can have a stress-reducing effect.

 Reduced stress further decreases the risk of some physical and mental health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety and general illness. In addition, people who volunteer have lower mortality rates than those who do not, even when controlling for age, gender and physical health.

Gain a new sense of purpose. The work that volunteers provide is essential to everyday activities, giving volunteers a sense of purpose, especially when giving their time and talent in the areas they find meaningful. Older volunteers experience greater increases in life satisfaction and self-esteem.

Nurture new and existing relationships. Volunteering increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common interests. One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to participate in a shared activity.

In many cases, volunteers have diverse backgrounds, which helps expand their social network and allows them to practice social skills with others. People volunteer for different reasons, such as exploring careers, sharpening skills, staying active during retirement, meeting new people and serving their communities. Yet all volunteers share a common desire to improve the health and welfare of people in their communities.

How To Get Involved

 There is a wide variety of volunteer opportunities in every community, whether you're interested in youth, environmental, health, religious or community causes. Check with local nonprofit and cultural organizations, schools, faith communities, or hospitals for options.

 Or consider joining Freeman Health System’s team of volunteers and making a difference in the lives of patients and staff. For more information, call Freeman Volunteer Services Manager Danae Taylor at 417-347-4603.

Kidney disease is one of the fastest-growing noncommunicable diseases in the United States, according to the American Kidney Fund. Nationwide, roughly 15% of American adults – 37 million people – suffer from chronic kidney disease.

Acting chameleon-like, chronic kidney disease’s signs and symptoms go unnoticed in a vast majority of patients until a diagnosis occurs.

Many people don’t realize their chronic kidney disease is something they may already have or have been at risk for quite some time.

The kidneys are vital organs that perform a variety of key functions: they filter blood for toxins, remove the body’s excess waste and fluids and regulate blood pressure, balance important electrolytes and minerals and stimulate red blood cell production.

When our kidneys are compromised in their ability to carry out any of these tasks, the consequences can be debilitating and even life-threatening. Chronic kidney disease progresses from stage 1 to stage 5, after which point patients require kidney replacement therapy in the form of dialysis or kidney transplant. Unfortunately, many patients are at-risk progressing very quickly toward kidney failure, whereas others can maintain stable kidney function very gradually.

Disease progression, experts say, can often be slowed when patients take an active role in making permanent, healthy lifestyle changes.”

The most common causes of chronic kidney disease in Americans are diabetes and high blood pressure. Roughly 37% of the US population have either diabetes or pre-diabetes, and 45% suffer from high blood pressure. Both diseases are perpetuated by unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Making strides towards more disciplined food selections, portion control, increasing physical activity and eliminating smoking will help decrease the risk of chronic kidney disease. These healthy lifestyle choices can also slow the disease’s progression. Even small changes can make a big difference.

Always let your doctor know if you are taking additional supplements or over-the-counter medications. Be sure to take medications only as prescribed. Many medications can be affected by chronic kidney disease if the kidneys cannot process those substances due to being damaged. Likewise, some medications contribute to developing kidney disease such as antacid medications and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

People are encouraged to meet regularly with their healthcare provider to screen for risk factors for kidney disease.

At Freeman Kidney Center, highly skilled, board-certified nephrologists treat conditions such as acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, hematuria or blood in the urine, and proteinuria or excess protein in the urine. With appropriate intervention, kidney patients can work and live normal lives. For details, called 417.347.8570.

Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute is recognized as a Level I STEMI center and the only facility in the area with that designation.

To receive this designation, a hospital must show that it has the providers and resources required for STEMI care, and that its physicians and staff annually meet rigorous educational standards.

STEMI refers to a ST-elevation myocardial infarction, a dangerous heart attack caused by a blockage in a major coronary artery. 

Freeman has a door-to-balloon time of 57 minutes, significantly lower than the 90-minute recommendation from the American Heart Association. Door-to-balloon time is a time measurement that starts when a patient with a cardiac emergency arrives at the emergency department and ends with the inflation of a balloon inside the blocked coronary artery. Time is muscle—the more time it takes to correct the problem, the more permanent damage the heart muscle can sustain.

Freeman has held Level I STEMI designation since 2017 and recently completed its renewal survey. The hospital now awaits confirmation of its continued designation, which is valid for three years. 

The STEMI Level I designation is a testament to teamwork at Freeman. The collaboration that takes place with every STEMI patient ensures we are providing highly efficient care, without sacrificing quality. Freeman is specifically equipped to treat STEMI patients–improving both speed and quality of care–by coordinating 911 response system, ambulance services, and hospitals in a comprehensive, integrated approach.

Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute has recently won multiple awards including: The American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain–MI Registry Platinum Achievement Award, as well as the Mission: Lifeline STEMI Gold Plus and the NSTEMI Gold Quality Achievement Awards from the American Heart Association. All three honors have been bestowed upon Freeman for the past three years and are a direct result of the focus and work of our cardiac performance improvement committee, administration, and physician commitment to deliver the highest cardiac standards and metrics. 

Freeman was one of only 323 hospitals and health care systems nationwide to receive the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR 2025 Chest Pain—MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award. Not only does this benchmark our performance with similar institutions, but it also fosters collaboration among all time critical diagnosis and emergency departments. Freeman first earned the award in 2020 and has held it ever since.

Each year, there are an estimated 605,000 new heart attacks and 200,000 repeat heart attacks (meaning the person has had one before) in the U.S. according to the American Heart Association. About 30% of those who go to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome were diagnosed with a STEMI. To prevent death, it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication. Studies show patients can recover better when health care providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.

Michelle Wolfe is the STEMI Coordinator for Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute, which provides nationally recognized care for Joplin and surrounding areas. To find out more, give the Institute a call at 417.347.5000 or visit freemanhealth.com/specialty/heart-vascular-care.

Who among us hasn’t at least been tempted to remove the batteries from a loud, light-flashing, noise-making toy? We know our children are having fun, but to adult ears, the noise is all but overwhelming.

While children are certainly drawn to sensory-stimulating toys that light up and make noises, these toys take away from the social engagement play is meant to provide, meaning parents and children alike communicate verbally less often when electronic toys are in use. Even toys marked as “’educational” -- according to the American Academy of Pediatrics – can ”elicit fewer adult words, fewer conversational turns [and] fewer parental responses than during play with traditional toys or books.” Like sugar, these toys light up the reward centers in our children’s brains without providing any real value to help them grow.

That said, what’s a parent to do with Christmas around the corner and all the shiny, new, battery-powered toys on display? Our advice is to go old-school! And if that makes you think of woodgrain building blocks and tinker toys, remember that there are plenty of non-electronic toys that are also fun and exciting! Here are some examples:

• Pretend Play Toys: Think Barbies, action figures, animals, and dinosaurs. Many franchises have their own line of toys, including low-tech options, that your child will get excited about. These are a great option for toys that have a “wow” factor while still giving children the opportunity to use language and stories to learn about the world around them.
   
• Manipulative Toys: This category includes woodgrain blocks as well as LEGO® sets, building kits, puzzles, and trains. These toys foster children’s fine motor skills, and some can also build early math skills.
   
• Art Supplies: Crayons, markers, coloring books, and paints all make great gifts that children can have fun with while building their creativity. If you want something more elaborate, art supply stores often sell activity kits you and your child can work on together.
   
• “Experience” Gifts: Does your child love sea creatures? Give them tickets (or even a membership) for a nearby aquarium. If your children are sports fans, consider tickets to a game. Classes – from painting and pottery to dance or martial arts – are great gifts your child can get excited about.

When it comes to gifts involving screen time, it is important to set screen time limits. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no screen time for children under 18 months (except video calls), one hour per day for ages 2-5, and no more than two hours of recreational screen time for ages 6 and older, not including homework. Too much screen time can lead to a decrease in attention span, affecting their abilities to focus at home and at school. Also, it has been found that kids with the most excessive screen time often do not get enough physical activity, leading to an increase in their risk for obesity and other subsequent long-term health issues. 

In short, choose toys that spark your child’s imagination, give them the chance to explore their world and encourage bonding with their family members. Just be sure the toy is age-appropriate for your child. In the process, you might save your sanity with less roar from noisy toys – and more peace and quiet.

The holidays bring parties, extra gatherings and seasonal foods that may make it challenging to follow a meal plan with diabetes.

Remember the importance of working towards feeling healthy and keeping blood sugar under control throughout the holiday season. With your personal goals in mind, make the holidays more about spending time with loved ones and enjoying the season overall versus focusing only on the food. Memories are made through moments. There is so much to enjoy over the holidays and controlling diabetes over this time is possible.

Here are some suggestions for navigating the holidays while keeping your goals:

•       Avoid skipping meals or snacks before holiday gatherings, as this may sabotage your goals.

•       Choose foods you have looked forward to, enjoying them mindfully and in moderation.

•       If you want more than one serving, consider portion size and take the second serving to go.

•       Keep moving on days you are eating holiday favorites with a morning or evening walk or holiday activity.

•       Remember to consider your beverage options and choose low carbohydrate drinks.

•       Take time for yourself during the busyness of the holidays. Read a book, craft, listen to holiday music, or take a drive and enjoy holiday displays.

•       Be kind to yourself; do not judge or feel guilt when wanting things that taste good.

•       Test your blood sugar often so you are aware of how the holidays affect your numbers and remember your personal goals.

•       Continue taking your medications as prescribed and talk with your doctor if you are unable to keep your numbers to goal.

Diabetes Plate Method

A great way to control your blood sugars while meal planning is to use the Diabetes Plate Method. This tool helps you keep carbohydrate portions in check while still enjoying them. Divide your plate into three sections, half of the plate for non-starchy vegetables such as green beans, carrots, broccoli, and salad, one-quarter of your plate for lean meats such as turkey, ham or beef, and the other quarter with carbohydrate rich foods such as potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

Follow this link for more ideas and a step-by-step guide to managing your holidays. It provides diabetes-friendly and budget-friendly holiday recipes. https://diabetesfoodhub.org/blog/your-diabetes-friendly-holiday-toolkit

A person is more likely to be struck by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year. It makes sense – it’s dark outside and kids are excited to trick or treat; they’ve waited all year for this night to arrive and to dress up as their favorite characters!

There are safety measures we can take, however, to keep our kids safe on the spookiest night of the year. When trick-or-treating, an adult should always accompany kids when moving from house to house. Stay in neighborhoods that you know. Cross the street at appropriate crossings, and make sure children are crossing with an adult. If available, it is statistically safer to attend community activities for Halloween such as popular trunk-or-treats events, which are often held in public parks or parking lots.

When moving from house to house, children should wear clothing that reflects light, and shoes and all accessories should fit well. Older children should travel with a buddy or in a group. Children should never enter a home without a parent accompanying them. Families and children should carry flashlights and glow sticks to make them more visible to drivers. Parents should also make sure they themselves wear light reflective clothing.

Many of us who grew up in the 70s and 80s have memories of the plastic masks held on by a small elastic band. No one could see, and they fogged up quickly. Thankfully, we have come a long way with costumes! When it comes to masks, make sure your child can easily see what’s in front of them. If using make-up instead of a mask, make sure it’s non-toxic; some kids with sensitive skin or eczema may have reactions. Additional ideas that won’t limit your child’s vision but bring creativity to a costume are wigs and hats. 

Remember, there’s safety in numbers when it comes to groups. If you can do your spooky activities when the sun is still up that’s the best time to head outdoors. Parents and guardians should stay with younger children at all times; even older teenagers should stay within a group.

When it comes to the coveted candy haul, have your kids wait until they are home to begin sorting out their candy. Have them wash their hands well – remember, your kids have been reaching into those candy bowls all night. You also want to think about the age of the child and potential choking hazards. Tampering with candy is rare but it can still happen. To be on the safe side, throw away any candy that looks like it has been unwrapped or altered in any way. Also, don’t let your kids go overboard on the spoils. Everyone enjoys a sweet treat but too much of a good thing can bring about a stomachache or even a toothache. Think about rationing out the treats so the kids can enjoy the treats over time.

Finally, if your child has any food allergies, remove those candies immediately. There is the Teal Pumpkin Project which is about making Halloween more inclusive for kids suffering from food allergies. A teal pumpkin or sticker in front of a home indicates non-food treats are being handed out that are safe for all trick-or-treaters. If you’re getting candy from homes that do not have a teal pumpkin, please go through the candy before your child enjoys the treats. Make sure there is nothing in there that will make them react.

Life can have its dark moments. For some, these moments can lead to a crisis, at which time an individual reaches her or his breaking point and suicide may seem like the only escape from the emotional pain.

Each year, we lose nearly 50,000 Americans to suicide, or approximately 137 lives a day. Here in Missouri, those numbers are indisputably headed in the wrong direction: We lost 1,219 individuals to suicide in 2022, an average of 19.1 per 1000,000 individuals, which is the 15th-highest mark in the United States. 

That said, suicide is among our most serious public health crises and a leading cause of death in America. The collateral damage is sweeping, with social, emotional and economic consequences. 
However, it’s also the most preventable type of death.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and anyone can take action to help prevent suicide. Regardless of how significant our actions may seem, we can provide hope to those who are in crisis and might be contemplating suicide – provided we’re willing to listen and talk openly about those dark moments.

Conversations about emotional well-being can be difficult. However, for a person in despair, simply articulating that fear or sadness to a supportive listener can help him or her share that burden, feel relief and re-grasp hope. So if you notice someone struggling, tell them they’re noticed, because your acknowledgment could save a life. 

On an individual level, there are simple ways we can identify and manage common life stressors in ourselves. The Centers for Disease Control recommends these practices for handling discontent and despair:

- “Breaks” from watching or reading the news
- Healthy eating
- Getting plenty of quality sleep
- Regular exercise
- Taking time to unwind
- Talking to others
- Connecting with community- or faith-based organizations
- Avoiding drugs and alcohol

If your situation isn’t improving, or you’re trying to help someone else through a rough patch, local resources are ready. 

The 988 crisis line Ozark Center – one of 200 nationwide 988 call centers, takes calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Regardless if the situation seems life-threatening, any individual in crisis or a concerned other can dial 988 to reach a trained crisis specialist for support. This support includes brief supportive counseling, referrals and education, and there is no charge for seeking help from a 988 professional or at the local crisis center.

People do care, and we can help. 

Debbie Fitzgerald is Director of Crisis Services for Ozark Center, which has been active in suicide prevention for more than 20 years. For more information, call 417.347.7720 or visit ozarkcenter.com.
 

Today’s technology makes monitoring and improving your health easier than ever. Whether you utilize a smart watch that can track everything from glucose levels to heart rate (both irregular and normal), or a device that delivers and monitors insulin, technology can help you manage, and possibly prevent, a life-altering event.

The National Institute for Health (NIH) estimates nearly a third of adults in the United States utilize a smart wearable device. These devices can contain health trackers that help provide a snapshot of your up-to-date health status, as well as help your provider monitor remotely your conditions, if needed.

Some examples of wearable health tech include blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, ECG monitors, and various fitness trackers that record everything related to workouts, daily steps and even sleep stages. Benefits of these can enhance health monitoring, detect potential health issues earlier, help with chronic disease management, and discounts to healthcare plans.

Heart Health Tracking

Current smartwatches are great and helping in this area. You can utilize a smart watch to measure your daily steps, and it can even remind you to get up and take a stroll. Smart watches can monitor your heart rate, and some watches will allow you to utilize an ECG to alert a user to an irregular rhythm. They can also detect high heart rates while you’ve been inactive, possibly pointing out a situation a user wasn’t aware of.

You can also utilize your smart watch to keep track of workouts and runs. These devices can measure your heart rate during the workout, as well as the distance you have traveled, even recording your route and marking splits for each mile traveled. If you’re interested in a weight-training program, some smartwatches even keep track of your reps throughout the workout.

With this data being recorded, it is also readily available to share with your healthcare professional during a checkup. Other things that can be checked and kept track of include your blood oxygen levels and blood pressure.

Diabetic Uses

People living with diabetes can use wearable tech to manage and even correct their condition. From measuring your glucose levels to administering insulin, technology can incorporate with smartwatches to help better monitor and understand what foods affect your glucose levels.

Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) monitor your glucose levels in real time and give you instantaneous readings that can both help you know when to change eating habits or administer medication. These monitors are also available over the counter.

CGM’s can also administer the medication directly for you when used with an insulin pump. Closed-loop systems (insulin pumps combined with a CGM) can take much of the guess work out of dealing with glucose levels. This system monitors and can either administer or suspend insulin delivery to the patient based on current glucose levels.

General Healthcare and Workout Uses

Wearable tech is also great for those who don’t have a medical condition they need to monitor. Whether you want to track your food, record your distance on a run, or make sure your heart rate is at optimal levels on a workout, smart tech is optimal for this. Wearable tech can help promote adequate recovery from workouts by suggesting what type of hydration to consume.

According to the American Heart Association, typical steps needed daily vary based on age, but usually ranges between 6,000 to 10,000 steps daily to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The AHA even goes as far to say that as few as 2,200 steps daily can help bring an individual back into healthy habits.

Research has also shown those who record what they eat daily tend to lose more weight than those that don’t. Wearable technology can log your meals and water intake, while keeping track of calories consumed, and even plan menus and recipes to help in your journey to a better you.

But probably the most important, and most overlooked, part of a healthy lifestyle is sleep. None of us get as much as we need, but utilizing wearable tech can help you understand your sleep habits and get a better picture of how to improve on the easiest thing we can do to improve our health. Wearable tech can also help indicate sleep apnea, meaning a discussion with your healthcare provider is necessary.

 Technology can be intimidating. But it is most definitely here to help in our everyday lives. Utilizing what is available to us, as well as discussing your health with your provider can lead not only to a better way of life, but also could add a few more years to enjoy it.