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General Practice
Dr. Stula and the Healthguard Medical Group is here to help you with all your health care needs.
We encourage you to contact us with your concerns.
Below are some topics our patients frequently ask about.
ARTHRITIS
Dr. Stula is currently using new techniques to help control
and ease the pain of two very different types of arthritis:
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Osteoarthritis of the
knee is often the result of accumulated wear and tear on the
joint. HYLAGAN is a new medication which is injected into the
knee, to replenish the natural lubrication. Hylagan injections
are given once a week for five weeks. Immediately after the
injection you may need to avoid heavy activity, such as jogging,
tennis or standing for long periods of time.
High Cholesterol
Dr. Stula recommends an on-going cholesterol-reduction
program for all patients diagnosed with high cholesterol. The
results from a standard blood test will determine if exercise
and diet alone can resolve the problem or if medications need to
be prescribed.
A new method of testing called Liposcience is highly recommended by Dr. Stula and cardiologists. It can show the break down of different particle sizes in HDL and LDL and there correlation to Heart Disease.
For more information see
www.lipoprofile.com
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
According to recent estimates, nearly one in three U.S.
adults has high blood pressure, but because there are no
symptoms, plus in 90 to 95 percent of the cases the cause of
high blood pressure is unknown and nearly one-third of these
people don't know they have it. In fact, many people have high
blood pressure for years without knowing it. Uncontrolled high
blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure
or kidney failure. This is why high blood pressure is often
called the "silent killer." The only way to tell if you have
high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.
Treating high blood pressure almost always includes making lifestyle changes to help control your risk factors. Controlling risk factors can reduce your risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's recommendations carefully. Sometimes, when lifestyle changes aren't enough to control high blood pressure, your doctor will also prescribe medication.
Lose weight if you're overweight
Many people with high
blood pressure are also overweight. If your doctor
recommends that you lose weight, you can work with other
healthcare professionals such as registered dietitians, nurses,
nurse practitioners, physicians' assistants, etc., to get
started on the right diet and physical activity for you. Losing
weight will reduce the strain on your heart, and often weight
loss will cause your blood pressure to drop. If you're given a
diet, follow it closely, including suggestions about reducing
how much alcohol you drink. Alcoholic drinks are low in
nutrients and high in calories, so if you're trying to lose
weight, avoid them.
Get regular physical activity
Lack of physical
activity can contribute to obesity and also increases your risk
for heart attack and stroke. Regular physical activity is
defined by the American Heart Association as moderate to
vigorous exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most or all days
of the week. Physical activity should definitely be a part of
your life. Don't be afraid to be active. It's always best to
consult your doctor before beginning a new activity program.
Avoid excessive alcohol. Some studies say that drinking more
than 3 to 4 ounces of 80-proof alcohol per day will raise blood
pressure. A person with high blood pressure can usually drink
alcohol in moderation. Limit your alcohol consumption to no more
than 1–2 drinks a day. If you're on a weight-reduction diet,
remember that alcohol is high in calories.
Stop smoking
Smoking is another major risk factor for
heart attack and stroke.
Manage your stress. Relaxing for short periods during your
workday, at night and on weekends also may help lower your blood
pressure. Stress can lead you to increase smoking, alcohol
consumption, overeating and other activities that raise your
risk for heart attack and stroke. A great stress-buster is
getting the amount of regular physical activity recommended by
the American Heart Association.
Decrease sodium (salt) intake. Most Americans eat far more
sodium than they need, and less sodium helps lower blood
pressure in most people. Your doctor may recommend a low-salt
diet if your blood pressure is too high. This means you'll have
to limit many salt-containing foods and cut down on how much
salt you use in cooking and at the table. Start reading package
labels regularly to learn about the sodium content of prepared
foods. Seventy-five percent of the sodium Americans consume
comes from processed foods. You'll also discover that herbs and
spices give food flavor and avoid the risk of high-sodium
intake.
Eat for heart health
The American Heart Association
recommends a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole-grain
high-fiber products. The diet should also contain fat-free and
low-fat dairy products, legumes, poultry, and lean meats and
fish (twice a week), preferably omega-3 containing fish (e.g.
salmon, trout, herring). Eating these foods and beverages will
help you consume a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat,
cholesterol and sodium (salt).
Discuss the use of oral
contraceptives with your doctor. The incidence of high blood
pressure isn’t directly related to a person’s sex. However,
doctors usually keep a close watch on a woman’s blood pressure
during pregnancy or if she’s taking oral contraceptives.
Some women who've never had high blood pressure develop it
during pregnancy.
Similarly, a woman taking oral
contraceptives is more likely to develop high blood pressure if
she’s overweight, has had high blood pressure during pregnancy,
has a family history of high blood pressure or has mild kidney
disease.
DIscuss the use of some medications with your doctor
Some other medications also can raise blood pressure and/or
interfere with the effectiveness of drugs used against high
blood pressure. People with high blood pressure should tell
their doctor all of the prescribed and over-the-counter
medicines they're taking. These include such drugs as steroids,
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nasal
decongestants and other cold remedies, diet pills, cyclosporine,
erythropoetin, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase
inhibitors.