Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Diana Macian, M.D. – WellcomeMD – Naples
Isometimes hear a kind of quietly heroic outlook from patients during an initial conversation about their arthritis: “It’s something I have to put up with. I have to be strong about it.” I admire that, for obvious reasons. But if you or someone close to you has arthritis, know that endurance is by no means the only tool we have.
Well over a quarter of us here in the Naples area have arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than a third of adults in our region with arthritis report severe joint pain.
All of us await a breakthrough drug or two that might alleviate the symptoms. But the most recent overview of research found that the widely touted glucosamine and chondroitin yield only “clinically questionable” and minimally effective long-term benefit, for knee and hip osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis is the most common kind). Vitamin D improves symptoms to a degree, for some patients. But of the dozen classes of drugs tested, “none…appears to have long-term clinically significant benefit,” the study concluded.
But it’s often useful to get our heads out of the medicine cabinet. For example, physical activity can improve quality of life for those with arthritis in several ways, studies have shown: among these are pain reduction, improvement in mood, and enhanced joint movement. Perhaps your family medical practice has a health coach who can prescribe safe exercises.
At WellcomeMD, our coach’s emphasis is on any physical activity program you can succeed with — not on winning body-builder medals. Any activity at all is better than none. Our focus is on balance, stretches, aerobics, flexibility and some strength training. Each program is tailored for each individual patient’s needs and capacity.
Work with your healthcare provider, too, on how diet may ease arthritis symptoms. On my desk is a recent review of 70 research studies on rheumatoid arthritis (the second-most-common kind) and diet. Their most important findings are that diet can help — “it is recommended that nutrition should be routinely addressed” — but that individual cases vary widely. Vitamin D supplements and avoiding salt helped some, for instance.
Some patients reported fasting gave significant but temporary improvement. Some patients were helped too by Mediterranean and vegetarian diets. The key, then, is to have a close and attentive collaboration with your personal physician.
WELLCOMEMD Naples
The path to long-term well-being is deeply personal. For example, your genetics profile holds valuable information about your best approach to optimal diet, fitness, and disease prevention. We use the most advanced lab tests and focuses on lifestyle, stressors, and environmental exposures to avoid, treat or reverse health issues.
Our goal is preventative care, with a personalized wellness plan for members. I see half the number of patients that most concierge physicians do…which means I always have time for you.
Discover the power of a personal relationship with your primary care physician.
We offer same-day appointments, superb 90-minute annual physical exams, a “waitless” waiting room, no-rush appointments with our physicians and a health and fitness coach. Members have 24-hour, seven-day access to me, including my cell phone number.
Do you need a new healthcare advocate?
Please give us a call at (239) 451-5105 for a tour of our membership medical practice and a free consultation or visit wellcomemd.com/naples-florida.
WELCOME MD
11181 Health Park Blvd Ste 2260
Naples, FL 34110
(239) 451-5105
