My Memorial Docs: Memorial Clinical Associates

Can Weight Training Improve Quality of Life?

Whether you exercise regularly or struggle to stay fit, it can be a challenge to prioritize exercise in your busy schedule. While you may recognize the importance of regular exercise, did you know that it could help to prolong and improve your quality of life? In addition to helping you feel more energized and maintain a healthy weight, certain exercises can actually help patients to prevent disease. Talk to your primary care doctor about the benefits of weight training and other load-bearing exercises on your bones, muscle, and overall health.

• Increased Bone Density and Muscle Mass: Strength training exercises encourage the healthy breakdown and formation of new bone tissue. In addition, these exercises facilitate the development of muscle mass, which protects the bones from damage and helps the body better handle rigorous physical activity.
• Disease Prevention: Because strength training encourages new bone growth, it can also play a role in preventing the onset or progression of clinical diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis. With the supervision of a doctor or physical therapist, patients can also reduce the symptoms of obesity-related conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
• Improved Body Mechanics: Not only can strength training reduce symptoms associated with certain diseases, it can also significantly improve one’s posture, balance, and general coordination. These characteristics can be especially beneficial as individuals move into their senior years and try to maintain mobility, freedom and independence.
• Elevated Mood: As with any other physical activity, weight training triggers the release of endorphins, which, in turn, reduces anxiety and results in a positive upswing in mood. Strength training can also improve an individual’s level of comfort and confidence in both appearance and physical capabilities.

For more information, call Memorial Clinical Associates. Our practice offers exceptional, full-service primary care in the Heart of Memorial, Texas. Visit us online, or call us today at (713) 407-3067 to schedule an appointment.

The Causes of and Treatments for Osteoporosis

Several health conditions and disease are unique to adult and aging Americans, including osteoporosis. Affecting as many as 10 million individuals in the United States alone, osteoporosis describes the thinning of the bones that can lead to fractures and breaks. Talk to your primary physician about the causes of osteoporosis and what can be done to prevent and treat it.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a widespread loss of bone density that leads to brittle bones and heightens an individual’s risk of a fracture or break. These injuries occur most commonly in the limbs used in everyday movement and mobility, including the hips, ankles, waists and spinal column.

Causes of Osteoporosis

With age, new bone growth slows and overall bone density lessens. If a patient has not built up a sufficient level of bone tissue during his or her younger years, an uneven balance of bone loss and production can result in osteoporosis. Your primary physician can help you pinpoint the factors that can lead to this imbalance in your adult years:

• Low levels of estrogen in women
• Low levels of testosterone in men
• Insufficient calcium and vitamin D in one’s diet
• A lack of weight-training exercises to help build bone mass
• Improper use of corticosteroids
• Bone cancer
• Thyroid issues

Osteoporosis Treatments 

Unfortunately, many cases of osteoporosis go undiagnosed until a break or fracture occurs, at which point the disease has usually progressed to a more serious level. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatments include:

• Medications that inhibit further bone density loss by compensating for lost nutrients and hormones, as well as medications that control any pain and inflammation caused by the disease
• Dietary instructions that prioritize high calcium intake and nutrient-fortified foods
• Fitness regimens that emphasize weight-bearing and aerobic exercises
• Splints, surgery, and physical therapy for broken bones 

For more information, call 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.

Preventative Measures for Good Health: Resources for Further Reading

Although improvements in medicine and technology enable doctors to treat a variety of conditions more efficiently and effectively, prevention is one of the most powerful ways to protect your health. Talk to your primary doctor about the steps you can take to prevent or capably respond to a variety of health conditions.  

• Staying active as an adult can keep you healthier for longer. A regular fitness regimen of cardiovascular, endurance, and strengthening exercises can both prevent disease and improve physical freedom. Look through this list of exercises for seniors to learn more about what you could be incorporating into your own life.
• Resistance training can support healthy muscle, joints, and bone. Learn more about resistance training and how to design your own fitness plan with this strength training guide.
• While they may seem innocuous, minor bumps, bruises and cuts can lead to more serious complications if not treated early. This list of first aid kit essentials can help you prepare for and respond to unexpected accidents or injury.

For more information, call Memorial Clinical Associates. Our Houston office features a team of qualified and caring doctors to care for your health and medical needs. Visit us online, or call us today at (713) 407-3067 to schedule an appointment.

Staying Healthy in Your Golden Years

Regardless of age or gender, physical activity is an integral part of maintaining and even improving one's overall health. For older adults in particular, regular exercise and resistance training can both lower their risk for certain medical conditions and actually improve muscle strength.

In the video below, learn more about the suggested benefits of resistance training for older adults, and talk to your doctor about how to begin your own fitness regimen.

As adults age, remaining sedentary can affect both muscle strength and muscle power. By staying active, though, patients can prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and complications from obesity. Resistance training, in particular, can help to strengthen muscle, stabilize joints, and support healthy bones. Studies from the University of Michigan Healthy System suggest that in just 20.5 weeks of resistance training, adults can gain upwards of 2 pounds in lean muscle, an improvement that makes it easier to perform daily activities like standing, sitting, and taking the stairs. Doctors suggest that adults over the age of 50 consider adding resistance training to their fitness routine to enhance both their health and physical freedom.

For more information, call Memorial Clinical Associates. Our Houston office features a team of qualified and caring doctors to care for your health and medical needs. Visit us online, or call us today at (713) 407-3067 to schedule an appointment.

Full Plate: What Makes up a Healthy Diet?

While many know that a healthy diet is an essential part of maintaining one’s overall wellness, eating right can still be a challenge. Busy schedules, convenient fast-food options and, perhaps, an incomplete understanding of a proper diet can contribute to unhealthy decisions that impact your health. Talk to your doctor about what a healthy diet looks like and learn more about eating well below.

• Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are an integral part of a healthy diet. Try to consume an array of colorful fruits and vegetables, as the color is often a reflection of different essential vitamins and minerals. Dark leafy greens like kale, cabbage and mustard greens and fiber-filled fruits like berries and apples are nutritious and delicious options to add to your plate.
• Healthy Carbohydrates: Healthy carbohydrates like whole grains, beans, brown rice, and barley can not only help you feel full longer but are also necessary for organ function. Avoid unhealthy carbs like white flour or refined sugar, which can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels.
• Protein: Your body needs protein in order to maintain muscle mass, boost immunity, and protect the health of your circulatory system. Consider adding lean proteins such as fresh fish, chicken, turkey, beans, or nuts into your diet.
• Calcium: Calcium is an essential nutrient for healthy bones. Instead of high-fat option, though, use low-fat or non-fat dairy alternatives as a healthier way to receive the necessary calcium.

Everyone will face unique needs and restrictions in their diet. Consult with your primary doctor regularly or during your yearly physical to determine the health care and diet appropriate for you.

For more information, call Memorial Clinical Associates. Our Houston office features a team of qualified and caring doctors to care for your health and medical needs. Visit us online, or call us today at (713) 407-3067 to schedule an appointment.