Doctor's Corner 

 

Two Thoughts for Your Consideration:
 
First:
The news of the past few weeks has been very stressful.  What with the 24-hour news cycle, and constancy of "talking heads" on television, it has been difficult to pull one's self away from the TV news channels.
 
Such constant attention to this news isn't good for us.  Whether it's morbid curiosity or obsessive aspects of our personality, or nagging worry- keeping our constant attention focused on the minute-to-minute changes in the global/local economy creates tension, anxiety, and general sense of doom. 

Life will 'go on', as we all are aware.
 
Here in the office, we will "turn off the news", and I suggest you try this yourself.  I think it can go a long way to relaxing us, just enough, to keep moods better and worries diminished (no, not an 'ostrich' reaction, but just some tempering of our natural tendency.)
 
 
Second:  
With the concerns about money and the economy, we can begin to "take charge" of our own personal financial situation by controlling our costs, and one way we can help, is by reviewing your list of medications, to see if we can find a "less expensive" alternative regimen to save your money.  If this is of interest, let us know and we will review your medications with that specific fact in mind.  We won't sacrifice the most important issue, safety and good health, but we can perhaps find medications that are generic, less expensive, but basically similar in effect.
 
Yours in good health,
 
Dr. Lakin 
 
 
 
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We are looking for the cure and soon! 

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Surprising, a glass of wine a day may also cut your odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in half, say researchers at the University of California, San Diego. 

 

For unknown reasons, this disease is increasing and already affects more than 40 million American adults.

 

One theory is that dark red wines, such as merlot, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, contain antioxidants, including reveratrol, shown in studies to help fight several diseases.

 

What good news!  Cheers!

 

 

(Good news for the "mature adult")

 

Rent the video   + +

Entertaining      + + +

Great               + + + +

A must see!      + + + + +

 

 

***Until next time.... See you at the movies!
 
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The winter season is beginning, and we all know what that means,...... busy, busy busy!

 

Here are some helpful tips to help you help us serve your medical needs better:

Utilize our website

If you have access to the Internet, visit our website at www.doctordoug.com.  You will find a "Patient Resource" tab with many options to contact us: refill your prescriptions, schedule your next appointment, and download patient demographic forms.  Simply type in your request with the required information, and hit the send button.  It's that easy!  No need to call, we will call you if we have any questions.

 

Our website also has a lot of information that may answer some of your questions about the office.  We are in the process of updating the site again, so watch for new articles from Dr. Lakin.

You can also sign up for our quarterly newsletter, "Updates With Doctor Doug" on our website.  The newsletter is a combination of medical updates, humorous articles, and fun pictures of our office and staff.

 

Dr. Lakin is always available to all his patients either through the office phone, or by email.  We have 24/7 coverage, and response time is usually within minutes.  Dr. Lakin's email is douglakin@aol.com.  Please do not use douglakin@doctordoug.com, as this email address is used for the newsletter information only and not checked on a daily basis.

Office Bulletin Board

Check out our new office bulletin board for information on our support groups, clinics, and current events.  We currently have an active Weight Support Group that meets every month, and a Protime, Diabetic, and Insurance Support Groups forming in

November.

 

 

Notaries in Our Office

                                                   

 

We are now offering a CD of your last physical.  If you would like one, please tell Cindy when you check out, and when all your lab work is back, we will burn a CD for your personal use.

More than 75 million Baby Boomers are approaching retirement, and while most will likely decide to stay put, some will be leaving behind their longtime residences.

 

Downsizing is a process and needs to be started as early as soon, even years before the actual move takes place.  Early planning makes dealing with a possible crisis situation, such as a health issue, a bit more manageable.

 

It's not an easy conversation to have, especially for seniors who have lived in the same place for years.  Lines of communication must be kept open between adult children and senior parents to make the switch easier.  Planting a "For Sale" sign on the lawn can be a sad moment for all involved.

 

Relocation can also be disorienting, confusing, and depressing.  Seniors should not feel like a burden if they need to lean heavily on family for advice and guidance.  They should also learn ahead of time about the services available in their new community, from hospitals and in-home nurses, to home maintenance and transportation.

 

There are many good resources to help.  Certified Relocation and Transition Specialists, for example, are relocation experts that help seniors make the transition into their new living spaces.

 

Here are some good resources to check out if you are starting to plan for a move.

 

                                             - Adrain Sainz, Associated Press

 

 

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A group of Phoenix drivers gained an average of 24% in fuel mileage after being coached in efficient driving techniques in tests of a new nationwide fuel-saving initiative.  Here are some of their suggestions that can save you money at the gas station.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates a 10 to 15% improvement in fuel economy by driving 55 instead of 65 MPH.  On the highway, use cruise control whenever possible.

 

Time studies show that fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic, and accelerating to and from a stop sign or traffic light don't save much time, but do waste fuel and wear out car components such as brakes and tires.

 

Jackrabbit starts waste fuel.

 

Check your tires.

Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy.  They also wear more rapidly.  Check the vehicle door-post sticker for minimum cold-tire inflation pressure.  Keeping tires properly inflated can reduce the average amount of fuel consumption by 3 to 4%.

 

Prolonged idling creates excess emissions and wastes fuel.  Turn your engine off when waiting at the drive-through or any time you are not moving for 30 seconds or more.

 

Getting all the junk out of your truck improves efficiency both in acceleration and braking.  Don't load up the roof rack, which increases wind resistance.

 

This can decrease your vehicles aerodynamics on the highway and lower fuel economy.  Using the air-conditioner is more efficient at highway speeds.

 

A properly tuned-up engine will run more efficiently.  Keep the wheels aligned.  Replace air filters as needed.  Consult the owner's guide for the recommended schedule.

 

Always use good quality oils with the viscosity grade recommended in the owner's guide.  Ford recommends SAE 5W-20 oil for most cars and trucks to provide the best fuel economy.

 

                                      -The Arizona Republic, Bob Golfen

 

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If someone asked you what to eat for stronger bones, it's unlikely that prunes would top your list.

 

But antioxidants in prunes (dried plums) increase bone formation in animals, say new tests at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.  Researchers suggest that eating prunes could benefit people at risk of osteoporosis. 

 

Previous research found that feeding prunes to animals could both prevent and reverse bone loss, and that post-menopausal women who ate 3.5 ounces a day (about 10 prunes) showed signs of improved bone mineral density.

 

Fight disease:

Prunes have more protective antioxidants than any other fruit (their dried form concentrates antioxidants).  Antioxidants help combat virtually every chronic disease, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and dementia.

 

Prevent wrinkles:

In a large study, elderly people who ate the most prunes, apples, vegetables, olive oil, fish, and legumes had fewer wrinkles and less skin-damaged skin than those who ate lots of meat, butter, and milk products.

 

                                                                                    -USA Weekend

 

The Arizona Strip, which lies north of the Colorado River and south of the Utah state line, contains or borders on an amazing number of wilderness and recreation areas.  There are endless opportunities for hikers, campers, anglers, photographers, fourwheelers, and those seeking solitude and beauty. 

 

Here are some of the parks and wildernesses to be discovered: 

 

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is only a dozen miles as the condor flies from the South Rim, but it feels like another world.

For more Details: www.nps.gov/grca or call 928-638-7875.

 

History, and prehistory, nearly oozes from the ground at Pipe Spring National Monument, off Arizona 389 about halfway between Fredonia and Colorado City.  Native Americans lived in the area for centuries, hunting and raising crops.

For more details: www.nps.gov/glca or call 928-608-6200

 

John D. Lee built his home in the early 1870's at one of the rare places where it's possible to easily cross the Colorado River.  When Emma, one of Lee's wives, first saw the desolate area, she supposedly said, "Oh, what a lonely dell," and the name stuck.  Today, a couple of short, self-guided hiking tours offer a look at the lonely outpost.

For more details call 928-608-6200

 

Nine wilderness areas in the Arizona Strip provide a primitive experience.

Cottonwood Point Wilderness

Beaver Dam Mountain Wilderness

Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness

Kanab Creek Wilderness

Mount Logan Wilderness

Mount Trumbull Wilderness

Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness

Saddle Mountain Wilderness

 

For more details: www.blm.gov/az/outrec/rec.htm or call 435-688-3200

 

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                                                               -Scott Graven, AZ Republic

                                      

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           . . . . . .Don't forget to vote on November 4th!

 

 

 

                                                

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