How a Strong Doctor-Patient Relationship May Improve Your Health

 

You may be surprised by the benefits you’ll enjoy when you get along well with your doctor.

The relationship between a doctor and a patient is an important one. Like any healthy relationship, it should be built on open communication, mutual respect and trust.

There’s nothing more valuable than your health—and partnering with a healthcare provider you feel is smart, compassionate and caring can go a long way towards keeping you healthier for a long time to come. If you don’t currently have a doctor you feel comfortable with, it may be time to find a new one. Taking time to find doctors you can easily talk to and who have your best interests at heart is worth the investment you put in to find them.

Here are some benefits of a strong doctor-patient relationship:

• You may be more likely to make appointments. If you have a strong relationship with one or more of your doctors, you’re more likely to go to appointments. Keeping up with routine appointments and follow-ups can help you stay healthier.
• You may be more likely to share and ask questions. Feeling comfortable talking to your healthcare provider is important. It allows you to more easily open up about any issues or concerns you have and to ask questions so that you are better informed about how to best take care of your health.
• You may be more likely to discuss difficult subjects. Many patients feel uncomfortable discussing personal subjects with their doctors, such as addiction, sexual dysfunction or mental health issues. If you have a good relationship with your physician, you’re more likely to feel comfortable broaching touchy subjects and asking for advice or treatment options.
• You may be more likely to take an active role in your care. When you trust your healthcare provider, you’re more likely to place trust in the suggestions he or she makes. This may push you to take better care of yourself, go for tests or screenings and follow through with other recommendations offered to improve your health.
• You may be more likely to think outside the box. Sometimes, the best solution to a health problem seems a bit outside the box. People with a strong doctor-patient relationship are typically more willing to discuss various alternatives to a problem and to decide together which is the best option for the patient.
• You may feel more in control. It’s important to feel like you are an active participant in healthcare decisions and to feel like you can talk to and trust your doctor. This not only increases your satisfaction with your healthcare experience, but it also makes you feel like you have more control over your own health and well-being.

These Are the Most Common Causes of Sleep Problems

 

Do you have trouble falling or staying asleep? This may be why.

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to good health. If you don’t sleep well, or get enough shut-eye, it can affect how you feel the next day. You may be tired, cranky, unproductive and miserable. If poor sleep is more the norm than the exception, not sleeping enough can also wreak havoc on your health. Poor sleep has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and depression, among other chronic conditions.

Some people label themselves as “bad” sleepers and simply accept that they don’t sleep well. But in many cases, there are underlying causes that affect a person’s sleep. If the cause is treated, often the quality or quantity of sleep improves.

Here are some of the most common causes of sleep problems:

• Medications – Some over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can interfere with sleep. If you’ve recently started a new medication and notice that you’re having sleep difficulties, ask a doctor or pharmacist if the medication may be to blame. Blood pressure medications and anti-depressants, as well as OTC medications containing caffeine or stimulants, are some of the most common sleep-disrupting culprits.
• Medical conditions – Some chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, GERD, asthma, cancer, arthritis, Parkinson’s and others, can interfere with your sleep.
• Sleep disorders – Sleep-specific health conditions, such as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, can affect sleep quality. Treating the sleep disorder can help you enjoy more restful sleep. Since sleep apnea causes you to periodically stop breathing through the night, it is especially important to treat sleep apnea if you have it because it can contribute to other serious health issues. If you suspect you have this condition, see a doctor and get tested.
• Stress – Stress can keep your mind active at night and is one of the leading causes of sleep issues. Left unchecked, stress can lead to temporary or chronic insomnia. Find ways to better manage stress during the day and you may find you sleep better at night. A mental health professional may help you get sleep-disturbing stress under control.
• Evening habits – What you do before you get into bed can have a major effect on your sleep. Try not to eat too much late in the evening or exercise too close to bedtime or it may keep you up at night. Create a relaxing pre-bedtime routine that doesn’t include screen time (blue light can mess with your sleep) and a comfortable environment that encourages restful sleep (not too warm/hot, quiet, etc.)
• Schedule changes – Your circadian rhythm is like a natural internal clock that tells your body when to sleep and when to wake. When you travel, have changing work shifts or stay up late/sleep in on the weekends, disruptions to your circadian rhythm may make it hard to fall or stay asleep, leading to insomnia.

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Date Last Reviewed: January 19, 2023

Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor

Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD

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3 Surprising Nutrition Facts that May Make You Healthier

 

Recent studies have uncovered this interesting information about what you eat and drink.

Each year, researchers look into countless connections between our diet and our health. Some of the findings they uncover lead to changes in dietary guidelines or may highlight links between what we eat and how healthy we are. Others may spur diet fads that are short-lived, ineffective or even dangerous.

With so much information at our fingertips about how food affects our health, it can be hard to figure out what it all means. That’s why it’s important to look at scientific information from trusted sources and to avoid marketing hype from companies trying to sell you some “good-for-you” product.

Of the many nutrition discoveries recently uncovered by scientists, here are a few interesting—and possibly surprising—ones that may affect your health (although more research needs to be done to confirm these findings):

• Fiber from whole grain breads and cereals may be superior in reducing heart disease risk. Although all types of dietary fiber are important in a healthy eating plan, a recent study published in the JAMA Network shows that eating more fiber from whole grain breads, bran, oats and other whole grain cereals may improve heart health more than increasing fiber from fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that some processed fiber-rich cereals also contain sugar and/or artificial ingredients, so choose wisely. Also, don’t skimp on those fruits and veggies—they still have loads of nutrients that support your health in many ways!
• Eating a wide variety of protein may lower your risk of high blood pressure. A study published in the journal Hypertension found that people who eat four or more types of protein were 66% less likely to develop high blood pressure than people who only ate one or two types of protein. Good sources of healthy protein include beans, seafood, poultry and lean meat. Try to include more plant-based proteins in your diet while limiting animal proteins with a high saturated fat content, such as red and processed meats.
• Red wine drinkers may have less belly fat than people who drink other types of alcohol. Thinking of having an adult beverage with dinner? Make it a glass of red wine. A recent study published in the journal Obesity Science and Practice suggests that drinking red wine may be linked to less accumulation of fat in your abdomen and around your internal organs compared to drinking white wine, beer or hard liquor. This type of fat has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. If you don’t already drink, don’t use these findings as a reason to start (or as an excuse to drink more) because drinking any type of alcohol may have negative health effects, too.

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Copyright 2023 © Baldwin Publishing, Inc.  Health eCooks™ is a designated trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Cook eKitchen™ is a designated trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

Date Last Reviewed: January 18, 2023

Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor

Medical Review: Jane Schwartz, RDN, CLT

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No information provided by Baldwin Publishing, Inc. in any article is a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical condition. Baldwin Publishing, Inc. strongly suggests that you use this information in consultation with your doctor or other health professional. Use or viewing of any Baldwin Publishing, Inc. article signifies your understanding and agreement to the disclaimer and acceptance of these terms of use.