Uncategorized

By: Kayla Lunceford As you know breast cancer month is coming up. We are in charge of keeping our bodies healthy and strong and maintaining a great lifestyle. Going to the doctors, getting mammograms, eating healthy for men and women. Staying on top of our health helps catch anything out of the ordinary and help put a stop to it before it spreads throughout the body. Although breast cancer screening cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help find breast cancer early when it is easier to treat. We want to keep you all cancer free and healthy the best way we can but we can’t do it without you! We would like to keep you here celebrating the wonderful days ahead with family and friends. Let’s say yes to consistency and proving that we have power over our bodies. Here are ways to promote breast cancer awareness. Let’s say yes to consistency and proving that we have power over our bodies. Here are ways to promote breast cancer awareness.Spread the news: mammograms save lives.Raise awareness about risk factors.Share survivor stories.Become an ambassador.Take part in national, regional and local fundraising events.Raise awareness of helpful resources, care services and support groups.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have been known to mankind for most of recorded human history. Before the advent of modern medicine, people’s lack of awareness and understanding of STDs contributed to the widespread transmission of the infections while few or no treatments were available to treat the conditions. 1. Even virgins can contract an STDIf you’re in any type of romantic relationship or have had sexual contact with someone else, you could have an STD. Many of the most common STDs can spread simply through skin-to-skin contact. HPV, syphilis, and both kinds of herpes can spread with just skin-to-skin contact. Sores are the main concern with syphilis, but cancer-causing HPV varieties and the HPV varieties that cause genital warts are easily spread through skin contact. The HSV-1 strain of herpes, which causes cold sores, can be spread through normal family contact, which is why 3.7 billion people under age 50 have it. 2. Be ready for more serious health issues down the roadHPV has a well-known connection to cervical cancer, but it can also cause cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. Every year, about 20,000 women and 12,000 men are affected by cancers caused by HPV. If you know you have HPV, you can be on the lookout for signs of these cancers and catch them early. If you don’t have the disease yet, you may still be eligible to get the vaccine. 3. Be ready for a relationship discussionWhen starting a relationship with a new partner, it’s important to discuss sexual history. Your partner deserves to know if you have a serious STD or if they may contract a more common STD from you. Talk to Dr. Elkhalili about getting tested for these leading common STDs:ChlamydiaGonorrheaHIVHerpesHPVSyphilisTrichomoniasis Even if you currently don’t have an STDs you should still practice safe sex. 4. Build trust in monogamous relationshipsSTDs have a reputation for being asymptomatic, lying dormant for years, or having such mild symptoms that the infected person never feels that they need to get tested or treated. In fact, three-quarters of all women and half of all men with chlamydia have no STD symptoms. Imagine the anxiety you might experience if your partner starts to show symptoms years into your relationship. It’s easy to see how accusations of cheating could come up. Instead, get tested at the start of a relationship. 5. Stay in charge of your sexual healthSTD testing empowers you to take total control of your sex life. Routine testing and safe sex practices put you in the driver’s seat no matter what your romantic or sexual situation is. You’ll be able to make informed choices about your sexual health. We recommend STD testing for anyone who’s sexually active. Dr. Elkhalili and our team at Apex Medical Professionals are ready to help. Call or request an appointment at our Fair Lawn office today or take advantage of our telemedicine services. Please contact the office at 201-797-2003 for more information.

Many couples get together in hopes of starting a family, however there is also the question of “ When is the right time to have a baby?” There is no correct answer on the right time to have a baby, fortunately there are many ways to access birth control or contraception. Birth control allows individuals to control the size of their family, the spacing between children, or can help prevent pregnancy when you don’t want to have a baby. How do you choose the right birth control where there are so many options? Our providers at First Lithonia Medical Center are experts in this field and will guide you towards what works best for you. There isn’t 1 method of birth control that’s right for everyone. Each birth control has pros and cons. Here are some questions you should consider when choosing a birth control method: A few birth control methods that our providers at First Lithonia Medical Center are able prescribe include: The Pill, mini-pill, the patch, vaginal ring, and the Depo shot. These treatments are fairly easy to start, with the first step being scheduling an appointment with one of our providers to discuss which option works for you. Using birth control methods promote responsible sexual health all across the board. Below is a list of birth control methods you can receive at First Lithonia Medical Center:**information provided from FDA.gov Methods Number of Pregnancies Expected Use Some Risks or Side Effects Shot/Injection 6 Need a shot every 3 months. Loss of bone densityIrregular bleeding/ Bleeding between periodsHeadachesWeight gainNervousnessDizzinessAbdominal discomfort Oral Contraceptives “The Pill” (Combined Pill) 9 Must swallow a pill every day. Spotting/ bleeding between periodsNauseaBreast tendernessHeadache Oral Contraceptives “The Pill” (Extended/ Continuous Use Combined Pill) 9 Must swallow a pill every day. Spotting/ bleeding between periodsNauseaBreast tendernessHeadache Oral Contraceptives “The Mini Pill” (Progestin Only) 9 Must swallow a pill at the same time every day. Spotting/ bleeding between periodsNauseaBreast tendernessHeadache Patch 9 Put on a new patch each week for 3 weeks (21 total days).Don’t put on a patch during the fourth week. Spotting or bleeding between menstrual periodsNauseaStomach painBreast tendernessHeadacheSkin irritation Vaginal Contraceptive Ring 9 Put the ring into the vagina yourself. Keep the ring in your vagina for 3 weeks and then take it out for one week. Vaginal discharge, discomfort in the vagina, and mild irritation..HeadacheMood changesNauseaBreast tenderness

Health insurance is a great thing to have because it protects you from unexpected, high medical costs. For example, a broken leg can cost up to $7,500. You pay less for covered in-network health care plus you’re entitled to a free preventative visit each year. Having full coverage health insurance is associated with lower death rates and better health outcomes. Choosing to not have health insurance puts your physical, mental, and financial health at risk. You will have improved access to care, positive health outcomes, and reduced financial stress. Having access to care will give you greater access to prescription drug therapy, as well as an early diagnosis and treatment which could be beneficial to your health. Together you will have a greater peace of mind knowing you are covered if medical treatment is needed. Do you need more information about how to obtain medical insurance?Visit HealthCare.Gov for more information about open enrollment dates.