According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia, “a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behavior and emotion.”

Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia account for nine out of ten cases of dementia. Symptoms may include:

• Memory loss
• Personality and mood changes
• Difficulty in performing daily, routine tasks
• Difficulty in using words or comprehending others

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, we may be able to improve outcomes by making earlier diagnosis and providing patients and their families with better support and information.

Recognize Alzheimer’s Warning Signs

This September, in recognition of World Alzheimer’s Month, internal medicine doctors at St. Thomas Medical Group are encouraging Nashvillians to learn the ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s (via Alzheimer’s Association).

1. Memory loss disrupting daily life. It’s not uncommon to forget names or appointments as you age, but routinely forgetting information or asking for the same information on a repeat basis could be a sign of Alzheimer’s.
2. Difficulty in planning or problem-solving. Occasional errors are normal at any age, of course. But individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may exhibit greater difficulty concentrating on problems. Working through challenges could take longer than in the past.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks. Driving, budgeting, or remember rules to a game could be challenging for individuals with Alzheimer’s.
4. Time/place confusion. Not understanding where you are or how you got there could be a sign of dementia.
5. Difficulty judging distance or color/contrast. Difficulty judging spatial relationships can make tasks like driving risky and difficult.
6. Losing words (speaking or writing). Stopping mid-sentence or using odd word choice can be a sign of Alzheimer’s.
7. Misplacing items. It’s not uncommon for individuals with Alzheimer’s to place items in unusual spots. In some cases, this can lead to the individual accusing others of stealing.
8. Poor judgement. Affected individuals may lose their ability to exercise good judgement or make sound decisions.
9. Withdrawal from work or social life. From time to time, we all need a break from the demands of work, family, and friends. But for individuals with Alzheimer’s, the step back may be more pronounced and longer lasting.
10. Mood and personality changes. Many patients with Alzheimer’s may exhibit confusion, suspicion, depression or other new behaviors.

Find an Internal Medicine Doctor in Nashville

For more information about Alzheimer’s diagnosis and care, contact St. Thomas Medical Group. Call +1 (615) 297-2700.

We all experience seasons of our lives that are marked by fatigue and exhaustion. But for people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), sleep deprivation and difficulty with thinking and concentrating isn’t just a phase that lasts a couple weeks or months. Chronic fatigue syndrome is an illness that can have serious effects on many of the body’s systems for six months or more.

In patients with CFS, there is no primary illness or condition causing the fatigue. The fatigue is a force of its own, requiring, in some cases, a battery of medical tests as providers rule out other potential illnesses.

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Many patients describe their experience as being akin to the flu. Symptoms of CFS may include:

• Joint/muscle pain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory loss
• Headaches
• Digestive problems
• Chills
• Night sweats

CFS can affect patients mentally, as well. Mood swings, anxiety, depression, and panic attacks are not uncommon among individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

If faced with CFS, what can you do? While there is no “cure” for CFS, there are some strategies you can discuss with your doctor about implementing into your daily routine.

#1 Improve Quality of Sleep

Avoiding caffeine and alcohol altogether can be a good first step toward improving your chances of getting quality sleep. Try to establish a regular nighttime routine that lets your body know it’s time to go to bed. Avoid screens for at least 90 minutes prior to bedtime.

#2 Get Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency is widespread, affecting patients with CFS, as well as the general population. This deficiency makes it difficult for your body to absorb calcium. The deficiency can be responsible for bone pain, muscle pain, fatigue, and difficulty thinking. While you can get vitamin D through sun exposure, talk to your doctor about taking a vitamin D supplement, which allows you to know the actual amount of Vitamin D that’s getting into your system.

#3 Graded Exercise Therapy

Graded exercise therapy has patients start exercising with slow stretching and gentle movements. Intensity and duration of exercise is increased gradually over time as the body becomes accustomed to the movements. Graded exercise therapy has been shown to reduce fatigue in patients with CFS.

See an Internal Medicine Doctor In Nashville

Meet our internal medicine providers at St. Thomas Medical Group. For scheduling information, please call +1 (615) 297-2700. You can also request an appointment online.

Can you believe summer vacation is already over? It’s back to school for kids throughout metro Nashville. As you check off back-to-school supplies and clothes, have you remembered those sports physicals?

Completion of Metro’s “Preparticipation Physical Evaluation” form is required for any students wishing to participate in school sports. The examination and form, which Metro Nashville Public Schools makes available here, is a fairly straightforward process. But, if you have any questions or concerns, we’ve put together this post to walk you through the exam step-by-step. Here’s how it works at St. Thomas Medical Group…

Step 1: History Form

Prior to seeing your physician, you and your child will fill out the History Form. This is a basic pre-appointment form that asks questions about medicines and allergies, heart health, family history, bones and joints, and any potential medical issues. Questions, for example, range from “Have you ever had a stress fracture?” to “Do you have headaches with exercise?” etc.

The purpose of this form is to give the healthcare provider some basic background information about your student prior to the exam. This is an important time to list any events in one’s health history that could require further review or discussion with a healthcare provider.

If your student has special needs, there is a supplemental history form that will provide you with an opportunity to list these conditions.

Step 2: Physical Examination Form

Next up: the physical examination form. The physical examination will include a review of several health indicators, such as pulse, lung function, vision function, etc. Evaluations of the musculoskeletal system (from the neck down to the toes) will give the provider a chance to potentially detect any abnormalities in function.

In concluding the exam, the health care provider will (1) clear the student for all sports without restriction, (2) clear for sports without restriction but with recommendations for further evaluation or treatment, or (3) not provide immediate clearance.

Step 3: Clearance Form

Upon discharge, the student and parent will be provided with a clearance form that summarizes the exam findings. This form can be used in lieu of the physical exam form and health history form; it may be an appropriate alternative for any circumstances in which HIPAA concerns are an issue.

Step 4: Consent for Athletic Participation & Medical Care

Finally, the parent or legal guardian of the student athlete will fill out a form detailing allergies, medications, insurance information, and emergency contact information. This form acknowledges legal responsibilities and protocols in the event of injury.

Schedule a Student Athlete Sports Physical In Nashville

Don’t delay in scheduling your student’s sports physical. You can schedule an appointment in Nashville with a St. Thomas Medical Group provider by calling +1 (615) 301-7040. You can also make your appointment online (both new and returning patients).

Did you know that your health insurance plan covers you for one completely free wellness exam per year? According to healthcare.gov, a well-woman visit can include 16 specific preventive services for women and another 12 preventive services for pregnant women or women who may become pregnant… things like shots, disease screening, education and counseling.

It’s Really Free?

Yes! If you have Medicare or a health insurance plan obtained through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you are entitled to one free wellness exam per year from a doctor or provider in your plan’s network.

You Don’t Have to Be Sick to See a Doctor.

Our internal medicine providers at St. Thomas Medical Group are here for you when you get sick. But we also love seeing you when you’re healthy! Why? By getting the chance to visit with you when you’re healthy, we can build a relationship and establish a knowledge of your “baseline wellness.” That way, if you do get sick in the future, we have better context and knowledge about you. We may know something about your family history or personal medical history that could allow us to provide better, more accurate care. A well-woman visit is a great opportunity for establishing that “baseline wellness” with your doctor.

So, What Happens In the Well-Woman Visit?

We’ll use this appointment to look at your overall health and wellness. During this time we’ll document your health habits and history, perform a physical exam, and talk with you about your health goals.

#1 Health Habits & History

First we’ll open up with a discussion about your health and history. Things like…

• Medical history and family health history
• Sexual health and sexual partners
• Eating habits and physical activity
• Use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
• Mental health history, including depression
• Relationships and safety

#2 Physical Exam

Then, we’ll move to the physical exam portion of the well-woman visit, which may include:

• Measuring your height and weight
• Calculating your body mass index (BMI) to see if you are at a healthy weight
• Checking your blood pressure
• Taking your temperature
• Doing a clinical breast exam (feeling your breasts and under your arms for lumps or other changes)
• Doing a pelvic exam
• Pap smear (if it is due for your regular interval)
• Birth control and contraception management

(source: healthfinder.gov)

#3 Health Goals

Finally, we’ll talk about your health goals. If you want to lose weight or quit smoking, we can work together to develop a plan that will help you achieve that goal. We can also talk about what screenings or follow-up services might be appropriate for you. This is your chance to take action with your health!

How Can I Prepare for My Well-Woman Exam?

You can make the most of this appointment by coming prepared with a list of questions. Go ahead and write them down as you may not remember all of your questions during the appointment! Ready to schedule? Make your appointment online, or call +1 (615) 297-2700.

Squeeze it, smear it, and go?

Turns out, there’s a little more to proper sunscreen use, says the American Academy of Dermatology. As we get into some of Nashville’s hottest temperatures, a quick refresh of proper sunscreen use can help you and your family stay safe while outside.

Why Use Sunscreen?

• 1 in 5 people in the US will develop skin cancer.
• Using sunscreen is one of the most effective things you can do in reducing your risk for skin cancer.
• Sunscreen can help reduce premature aging of the skin.

How to Use Sunscreen

The Nashville doctors at St. Thomas Medical Group offer the following sunscreen recommendations…

• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen. “Broad spectrum” (you’ll see this printed on the front of the bottle) means the product offers protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVA rays can cause premature skin aging (such as wrinkling); UVB rays cause the visible sunburn we’ve all experienced. You need protection from both, and only a broad spectrum sunscreen can provide it.
• Choose a sunscreen that’s labeled SPF 30 or higher. SPF stands for “sun protection factor.” The number represents how much longer the product allows you to be exposed to the sun’s rays without getting burned. So, if your skin would normally burn in just 10 minutes of exposure, you would actually last 300 minutes (10 x 30), or 5 hours. Take that recommendation with a grain of salt, though. With water, sweat, and activity, sunscreen is more likely to be removed from the skin before it offers a full afternoon of protection!
• That being the case, reapply sunscreen regularly. A general rule of thumb is to reapply every two hours. If swimming or sweating, then reapply immediately.
• Also, the Nashville doctors at St. Thomas Medical Group recommend a water resistant sunscreen. Even if you don’t plan on going for a dip, water resistant sunscreens can offer extended protection in the heat of the summer when sunscreen is quickly carried away from the skin through sweat.
• Not sure how much to use? One ounce (enough to fill a shot glass) is a standard recommendation from the American Academy of Dermatology for covering the average body. You can adjust depending on your size and the amount of skin exposed. Most people tend to apply too little sunscreen.
• Apply sunscreen approximately 15 minutes before going outside. This allows time for the sunscreen to offer the protection you need!
• Finally, make sure to use a lip balm with SPF protection. Any skin exposed to sun needs protection, and only sunscreen can do the job!

Find a Doctor Near You In Nashville

Have more questions about caring for your family? Schedule an appointment online with a Children & Adult provider at St. Thomas Medical Group. Or, you can schedule your next appointment by calling +1 (615) 301-7040.