My Memorial Docs: Memorial Clinical Associates

How Your Diet Can Keep Your Heart Healthy with Age

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a “silent” disease because it’s impossible to know if you have it unless you have a health screening. Many people have high blood pressure due to being overweight or having a poor diet, but there are steps you can take to reverse this condition. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (D.A.S.H.) diet is an effective method of lowering your blood pressure.

For advice on getting started with the D.A.S.H. diet, watch this video. The expert in this video walks viewers through a sample meal plan and explains the health benefits of vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, and nuts for your heart.

It’s important to consult a primary care physician about your nutritional requirements. Schedule an appointment with a physician at Memorial Clinical Associates in Houston by calling (713) 469-3259, or visit us online to learn more.

Find Expert Healthcare Advice with these Resources

Working with a primary physician on a regular basis is a great way to improve your overall health status. Check out these links to learn about improving the health of your lungs and what you can expect from physical therapy. 

• Do you understand the functions and anatomy of your lungs? You can learn more about your pulmonary system by reading over this link from the American Thoracic Society.
• Smoking has an immediate effect on the health and wellness of your lungs. Check out this article from HuffingtonPost.com for more information about maintaining the health of your lungs.
• How does exercise improve your lung health? Find out with this HowStuffWorks.com article.
• Physical therapy is designed to regain your balance, strength, flexibility, coordination, and gait following an injury or severe illness. Read over this article at WebMD.com for more information about what you can expect from physical therapy.
• What types of treatments might your physical therapist recommend for back pain? Get the facts regarding physical therapy with this link from Spine-Health.com. 

For more information about finding and working with your primary care physician, contact the doctors at Memorial Clinical Associates. Our practice offers exceptional, full-service primary care in the heart of Houston's Memorial communities. Visit us online, or call us today at (713) 407-3067 to schedule an appointment.

How to Keep Your Lungs Healthy

Your lungs are responsible for bringing oxygen into the body so that it can be distributed to your essential organs and tissues, while simultaneously removing carbon dioxide as you exhale. In most cases, your lungs remain healthy unless attacked from outside irritants and certain activities. Continue reading to learn what you can do to maintain the health of your lungs. 

Eat a Healthy Diet

Consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet is a great way to provide your lungs with the essential vitamins and nutrients they need to perform their daily functions. Research shows that antioxidant-rich foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, kale, and cabbage are extremely beneficial to pulmonary health. In fact, a 2010 study showed that individuals who consumed these types of foods had a much lower risk of developing lung cancer than individuals who did not incorporate cruciferous vegetables into their diets.

Exercise Regularly

While exercise itself does not make your lungs stronger, cardiovascular exercise makes it easier for your lungs to supply your heart and muscles with oxygen. Consider engaging in cardiovascular exercises at least three times a week, including walking, jogging, bicycling, or swimming.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking cigarettes and cigars is one of the worst things you can do to your lungs. Every time you smoke, your carbon dioxide levels rise, forcing your lungs to work harder and causing irreparable damage over time. Smoking also increases your risk of lung cancer, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Another way to improve the health of your lungs is to consider your home’s indoor air quality. Smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces, mold and mildew, and dust can all take a toll on the health of your lungs, so make sure you are taking the proper precautions.

Make sure your lungs are functioning properly by contacting the primary doctors with Memorial Clinical Associates at (713) 469-3259 today. Our Houston doctors and primary physicians provide yearly physicals, pulmonary function tests, and treatment for both acute and chronic pulmonary illnesses. 

A Look at the Common Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia is a medical condition in which an individual either has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the course of the night. Even though this condition can affect anyone, adult women tend to develop insomnia more often than adult men. Because those who suffer from insomnia are unable to get adequate sleep each night, they are at risk for developing medical complications such as obesity, depression, and anxiety. Here are some of the common causes of insomnia:

Drug or Alcohol Consumption

Frequent consumption of alcohol, nicotine, or illegal drugs can cause an individual to develop insomnia. In addition, some people who consume excessive amounts of caffeine may also find it difficult to drift off to sleep each night. Sometimes, individuals develop this condition as a side effect of taking prescription medications for their heart or blood pressure. Insomnia is also a common side effect of weight loss medications.

Interruptions in Circadian Rhythm

Circadian rhythm is the body’s internal clock. Every day, individuals rely on this biological mechanism to fall asleep and wake up at appropriate times. For those who frequently travel or change schedules at work, interruptions in this natural rhythm can make it very difficult to develop a regular sleep schedule. Circadian rhythm can also be interrupted by excessive noise in the sleep environment and shifts in altitude.

Psychological Issues

For individuals who suffer from stress, anxiety, or depression, it can be extremely difficult to relax and achieve uninterrupted sleep each night. If psychological issues play a role in an individual’s insomnia, his or her primary care physician or specialist must treat the underlying source of that psychological problem in order to alleviate the insomnia.

Memorial Clinical Associates is a full-service healthcare practice in Houston, TX. We strive to provide each of our patients with the latest medical treatment and compassionate care. To learn more about our services, give us a call at (713) 469-3259. 

Want To Know More About Maintaining Your Health? Then Read Through These Articles

In order to maintain your health, you need to recognize when a medical condition requires professional treatment. Chronic wounds and insomnia are two examples of medical conditions that require a doctor’s help in order to be effectively treated. You can learn more about the treatment options for both of these conditions by taking a look at these great resources.  

• Find out more about chronic wound care with this article from NursingTimes.net.
• Learn more about chronic wounds by taking a look at this helpful guide from Medscape.com.
• This Wall Street Journal article explains how doctors can help you get the treatment you need for chronic wounds.
• Discovery Fit & Health provides a great overview of the causes of insomnia and treatment options for individuals with insomnia.
• You can find more information about insomnia in this article from the National Institutes of Health.

Call (713) 469-3259 to schedule an appointment with one of the experienced primary doctors at Memorial Clinical Associates. Our Houston staff is dedicated to providing the most comfortable treatment environment possible.