MEDISAFEGreat phone app to help you

organize your health

STATINSAND DIABETES

Ask your doctor if this treatmentcould be right for you

INCONTINENCEIt can be treated

OSTEOPOROSISTreatment and prevention

MENTAL &PHYSICAL WELLNESS

Facts and Tips

LEONLICIOUS RECIPEMango Smoothie

1 L E O N C A R E S

MEDISAFE!

Medication Reminders:Many of you use Smart Phones and are able to download Applications.

The most popular FREE App for medications management is called MEDISAFE. We highly recommend you try it. With this App, your relatives or caregivers can also make sure

you are taking your medications adequately and will receive a signal when it’s time for a “refill” so you don’t miss any doses. Join the millions of Medisafers who are staying safe and in control of their meds. We are sure that you, your family or friends will feel reassured about your care.

GREAT PHONE APP FOR MEDICATIONS AND REMINDERS. DOWNLOAD THE APP TODAY!

2 L E O N C A R E S

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. This means that you can’t always control when you urinate. Urinary incontinence can range from leaking a small amount of urine (such as when coughing or laughing) to having very strong urges to urinate that are difficult to control. This can be embarrassing, but talk to your doctor about it. It can be treated.

Millions of adults in the United States have urinary incontinence. It’s most

common in people older than 50 years of age, especially women. But it can also affect younger people, especially women who have just given birth.

Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have this problem. If you hide your incontinence, you risk getting rashes, sores, skin infections and urinary tract infections. Also, you may find yourself avoiding friends and family because of fear and embarrassment.

WHAT IS URINARY INCONTINENCE?

3 L E O N C A R E S

What causes incontinence?Urinary incontinence can be caused by many different medical problems, including weak pelvic muscles or diabetes.

How can it be treated?Treatment depends on what’s causing the problem and what type of incontinence you have. If your urinary incontinence is caused by a medical problem, the incontinence will go away when the problem is treated. Kegel exercises and bladder training help some types of incontinence

through strengthening the pelvic muscles. Medicine and surgery are other options.

What are Kegel exercises?Stress incontinence can be treated with special exercises called Kegel exercises. These exercises help strengthen the muscles that control the bladder. They can be done anywhere, any time. Although designed for women, the Kegel exercises can also help men. It may take 3 to 6 months to see an improvement.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR • What type of urinary incontinence do I have?

• What is the likely cause of my urinary incontinence? Can this condition be treated?

• If so, will treating the condition cure my urinary incontinence? When can I expect relief from my symptoms?

• Should I start doing Kegel exercises? How often?

• Would a bladder training program help manage my urinary incontinence?

• Will any lifestyle changes help manage my urinary incontinence?

• I’m embarrassed by my urinary incontinence. Until my symptoms improve, what else can I do to help manage my condition?

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians. familydoctor.org4 L E O N C A R E S

Activities that challenge your creativity, likedrawing or playing an instrument, can helpbuild strong emotional health.

Getting in touch with nature provides a senseof balance and peace that’s essential to our continued mental health.

Staying engaged with the people around usand in our community play a big part instaying mentally fit.

It is important to take time to enjoy life. Set aside time for activities, hobbies and projects you enjoy. Let yourself be spontaneous and creative when the urge takes you.

Participating in a club or group of people who share your interests may provide a sense of belonging and is good for your mental health. Join a sports club, an evening walking group, a dance class, a theatre group, a choir, or book club.

Contributing to your community helps! Volunteer your time for a cause or issue that you care about. Help out a neighbor, work in a community gardenor do something nice for a friend. There are many great ways to contribute that can help you feelgood about yourself and your place in the world.

MENTAL WELLNESS FACTS

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Test your Knowledge!How much physical activity do adults need per week?a.150 minutesb.90 minutesc.30 minutes

PHYSICAL WELLNESS

The answer is... a. 150 minutes!According to the Centers for Disease Control, adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, plus muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a week.

Exercise Tip:Try walking 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Start with only a few minutes for a couple of days a week and then increase the minutes walking gradually. You can go for a walk to your community park, around your neighborhood, at the Leon Healthy Living Center facilities or in your own home during the commercials while watching your favorite television shows. Remember doing some movement/exercise is better than doing nothing!

?By: Tamara Matos

6 L E O N C A R E S

There’s a class of medicines, commonly called statins, used to lower cholesterol.

In 2013, the American Heart Association published guidelines for the use of these drugs in people who are at high risk of vascular or heart disease. One group consists of diabetics between 40 and 75 years old.

You can talk to your family doctor or cardiologist about your particular condition. In 2018 and 2019, the doctors

of Leon Medical Centers are carrying out an effort to raise awareness and educate patients on the use of these medications. Like all drugs, statins require a prescription and also have specifi c considerations (for example, interactions with other medicines that you are taking).

If you have diabetes and are between 40 and 75 years old, make sure to, ASK YOUR DOCTOR IF THIS TREATMENT COULD BE RIGHT FOR YOU.

STATINS AND DIABETESSTATINS AND DIABETES

Make your medical wishes known…Talk to your doctor today about Advance Directive!

7 L E O N C A R E S

10 LEONCARES

In past issues of Leon Cares, we’ve discussed osteoporosis, a condition most often seen in post-menopausal women can also affect men and patients who have to take steroids for any reason.

Osteoporosis is one of the major causes of bone fractures in the elderly. As a result, fractures of the hips, spine (compression) and wrists are the most common. All of these injuries hamper mobility, are painful, may require surgery, and limit a patient’s activities for a long time.

Osteoporosis is TREATABLE IF DETECTED ON TIME.

The test for its detection is

the DEXA scan which is quick and painless. Vitamin D and Calcium are essential for bone health, but they are an incomplete treatment when there is already established osteoporosis.

The most appropriate recommendations to prevent osteoporosis consist of exercising, not smoking, taking calcium and Vitamin D, and having a DEXA scan every two years. This test is the only one that can alert you to the need to start taking appropriate medications for osteoporosis and preventing fractures. Make sure to ask your family doctor to order the DEXA scan. As they say, an ounce of prevention…

OSTEOPOROSIS

LEONLICIOUS HEALTH RECIPECreamy Mango Smoothie

InstructionsBlend the milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, mango, and ice cubes in a blender until smooth and

creamy. Sip and Enjoy!

It’s Mango Season! Super Fruit for Fighting Depression

Certain fruits can help your body increase its inner odds of happiness. Natural emotional wellness supports your

physical, mental and emotional body with particular foods and beverages that can help you feel more joy in life! It’s mango

season! Mangoes are abundant in vitamins, minerals, lipids, amino acids,

antioxidants, are high in fi ber and a good source of Vitamin B... all soothing and

benefi cial for the nerves and a positive emotional outlook. Succulent mangoes

also provide an enzyme to aid indigestion and soothe your stomach.Relax, be happy and EAT mangoes!

Ingredients3/4 cup cold milk

1/4 cup vanilla yogurt 3/4 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups chopped fresh mango 3 ice cubes

9 L E O N C A R E S

JULY 2018

Member Newsletter

Publisher

Editors

Art & Production

Leon Medical Centers Health Plans8600 N.W. 41st Street, Suite 201

Doral, Florida 33166

Alina Campos-Vega, M.D.

Jennifer Oriol-Lamothe, R.N., CCE PCMH

Pilar B. GaunaurdSenior Graphic Designer

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orporation, including Cigna H

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ompany, C

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