Post written by Sandra T. Hao, M.D.

Osteoporosis happens when you lose too much bone, make too little of it or both. It makes a person’s bones weak and more likely to break.

Approximately 9 million adults in the U.S. have osteoporosis. About one in two women and nearly one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis.

People with osteoporosis cannot feel their bones getting weaker. Many people don’t know they have the disease until they break a bone. People with osteoporosis most often break a bone in the hip, spine or wrist.

A person with osteoporosis can break a bone from a minor fall or simply by lifting a child, bumping into furniture, bending over, coughing or even sneezing. These breaks can cause severe pain.

However, over half the people who suffer broken bones of the spine experience no pain at all. They become shorter and their spine may start to curve forward making it hard to stand up straight; they could have difficulty breathing as well.

Breaking a bone in the hip is even more serious, it usually requires surgery, it takes a long time to heal and may require that a person need ongoing care. People who had broken bones due to osteoporosis are more likely to break another bone than those who did not, and they also have a higher mortality rate.

Risk Factors For Osteoporosis

There are several risk factors for Osteoporosis that can help identify people who are more likely to get the disease, including: older age, being female, menopause, family history of osteoporosis, race/ethnicity such as Caucasian, Asian or Latino, low body weight/being small and thin, not getting enough calcium and vitamin D, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, getting too much sodium, protein and caffeine in the diet, low sex hormones, inactive lifestyle, rheumatoid arthritis, overactive parathyroid, too much thyroid hormones and other conditions, certain medications such as long term use of steroids, eating disorder, weight loss surgery.

Getting enough calcium and vitamin D, doing regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises, quitting smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol use, eating a well-balanced diet and preventing falls are essential for bone health.

Check with your healthcare provider before beginning a new exercise program and whether a medicine for osteoporosis is right for you. Osteoporosis and the broken bones it causes can be prevented. You are never too young or too old to protect your bones. Now is the time to take action!

Find out if you have osteoporosis before you break a bone. Ask your healthcare provider if you should have a bone density test.

So you’ve heard you should take Fish Oil and have no clue why…

“Fish Oil?! Why would I put little capsules full of fish oil in my mouth?”

It’s all about Omega-3

In taking a fish oil supplement, what you’re really getting and wanting is Omega-3. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid, meaning it cannot be synthesized by the human body but is vital for normal metabolism.

We need it, but have to receive Omega-3 through either diet or supplementation. Omega-3′s are found in both plants and animals, but the richest form and most easily absorbed are from oily fish.

You need both Omega-3 & Omega-6 (but we normally have enough Omega-6)

Ideally, your diet should have an even 1:1 blend of Omega-3 and Omega-6, but due to changes in the western diet we get adequate Omega-6 (found in poultry, eggs, avocado, plant oils, etc), but inadequate Omega-3.

We simply aren’t eating enough fish. Some studies suggest our ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 is closer to 15:1 or 20:1. We’re pretty far off track.

So why does it matter?

Omega-3 has been shown to support healthy joints, skin, and tissue; promote cardiovascular health; and support mental health.

Additionally, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), one of the components found in Omega-3, serves as an anti-inflammatory important for the everyday user and, in higher quantities, for those engaged in intense athletic activity (all our CrossFit athletes: this means you!).

Ok. Sold. More Omega-3. What can I do?

To begin, eat more fish. Though we’re a supplement company, we always recommend “Food First” — change your diet to get your proper nutrient; supplement afterwards when necessary. Doctors and dietitians recommend 1g Omega-3 per day or ~7g/week. A 3-oz serving of Alaskan salmon or herring contains approximately 2 grams of Omega-3, while 3-oz of sardines has about 1.3 grams. So, that would be eating fish 3-4 times per week.

You can also consider taking an Omega-3 supplement.

What should I look for?

When choosing an Omega-3 supplement, be sure to look at the amount of EPA & DHA content. Those are the key Omega-3′s you’re looking for. You want 1g of EPA & DHA combined per day… not just 1g of Fish Oil.

If you’re in the market, do consider ours (click the picture above to order). We recommend 2 softgels per day for a total 1.2 g EPA/DHA. As with all our vitamins, our LIFE= Omega-3 donates 2 months (60 days) of health to malnourished children worldwide.

We’ll have more to say about Omega-3 in the future, but thought this was a good start.

Graham Ripple

Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Life Equals

Life-Equals.com

I’m not what you would call “a morning person”, but I do like to get up and get my day started early.

Mornings are typically my most predictable time of the day to things accomplished…including working out. No one else is awake, no texts, no emails, and I’m completely free from all other forms of communication.

While an extra hour of sleep each day does sound good, I know that I’ll actually have more energy if I get my day started with exercise!

The problem with evening workouts is that life happens during the day and workouts tend to go by the wayside. Who knows when you’re going to get a flat tire, or the kids left their books at school and you have to run back up to the building, or you’re just too tired from yet another busy day?

I am of the opinion that morning workouts are ideal. It’s nearly impossible to have my morning workouts interrupted.

Here are a few tips and tricks I use to get myself out of bed in the morning:

1. Set the alarm (or phone in my case) across the room, not in reach of the bed.
2. Sleep in your workout clothes.
3. Have your shoes and socks set out, next to the bed, untied and ready to go.
4. Set out your water bottle the night before. (I even fill mine with water and put it in the treadmill holder the night before!)
5. Have your headphones and ipod/tv set up and ready to go.
6. Set a timer on your phone so you know when you’re workout is over!

These tips may sound a bit silly, but they work! Now good luck with your morning workout!

What other tips and tricks do you use to stay motivated and get your workouts in?

Andrew Green, M.D.

Post written by Jacob Wayman, Project Manager, Corporate Medicine & Wellness Division, KCIM

With the opening of our new Endocrinology/Bone Health & Osteoporosis Clinic, KCIM is proud to welcome Andrew Green, M.D. and the rest of his Midwestern Endocrinology staff to the KCIM family.

Dr. Green comes to KCIM with over 25 years of experience, specializing in the treatment of patients with diabetes and endocrine diseases.

His unique approach to caring for patients has earned him numerous awards, including being named to the list of “Best Doctors in America” every year since 2005. He encourages full participation by the patient as a member of the care team and actively encourages questions.

Kristi Ott, ARNP, FNP-C

Along with Dr. Green, his nurse practitioner, Kristi Ott, ARNP, FNP-C, is another great addition to the KCIM family. With over 15 years of nursing experience, Kristi is a true believer in the power of educating and actively involving the patient in every aspect of care.

In addition to Dr. Green and Kristi Ott, Sandra Hao, M.D. will join KCIM in June 2013. Dr. Hao will bring a unique approach to our new clinic by providing care to patients with endocrine conditions with special interests in osteoporosis, thyroid and pituitary gland disorders.

Sandra T. Hao, M.D.

Dr. Green, Kristi, and Dr. Hao will join KCIM’s Sajeev Menon, M.D., CeCe Laws, PA-C, MPA, CDE, and Carol Harrington, RN, BC, ANP, CDE in the continued care for endocrine and bone health related conditions for the Greater Kansas City community.

With such an esteemed staff and patient-centered focus, KCIM prides itself in providing the best health outcomes in Kansas City for patients seeking treatment for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).

All three health conditions stem from multiple health risks and as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, KCIM strives to provide as many services under one roof to ensure quality, comprehensive, and coordinated healthcare to all of our patients.

Mark Box, M.D.

Since our inception, Kansas City Internal Medicine’s medical providers have dedicated themselves to providing our patients with the highest quality patient-centered care in the Greater Kansas City community.

As a testament to this delivery of care, four doctors from KCIM’s esteemed medical staff were named to Kansas City’s Best Doctors List.

  Mark Box, M.D.

 Andrew Green, M.D.

Sam Hoeper, Jr., M.D.

James Maliszewski, M.D.

Andrew Green, M.D.

Founded by Harvard Medical School physicians and professors, Best Doctors identifies the top 5% of doctors by conducting extensive physician surveys to identify the doctors that their peers trust the most. It’s the largest ongoing, peer-reviewed survey in the medical industry.

Sam Hoeper, Jr., M.D.

With a database of nearly 50,000 doctors that represents the top 5% of doctors across 45 specialties and more than 400 sub-specialties of medicine, it’s a true accomplishment to be named to this esteemed list of medical providers.

For over two decades, Best Doctors has set out to find the game-changers in the field of medicine. They wanted to ask doctors all across the country who they thought, in their experience, were the best at what they do.

On behalf of the KCIM family we want to congratulate these four outstanding physicians for this great accomplishment.

James Maliszewski, M.D.

Our patients are truly fortunate to receive their medical care from a medical staff that has an intense level of passion for the delivery of high quality patient care, with a focus on the quality of life for both patients and our staff.

KCIM looks to quality of life as the key component of health and our team has proven time and again that our culture is woven into the very fabric of everything we do. We’re honored to have each of these doctors as part of the KCIM team!

Thank you to each one of our medical providers for providing the highest quality patient-centered care in Kansas City!

Post written by Jacob Wayman, Project Manager, Corporate Medicine & Wellness Division, KCIM

I recently had the opportunity to listen to a few of Kansas City’s top health care leaders at an area event and they had one clear message for area business leaders:

“Be prepared for the future.”

With many changes quickly approaching, the Affordable Care Act should be seen as an opportunity for change and a way to diversify yourself from your competition.

Our population is getting unhealthier by the minute and the cost of health care is increasing by the second. We need to take action.

Organizational leaders need to first acknowledge that many of their employees are unhealthy and that maintaining the status quo is a death sentence to the company and, most importantly, to their employees.

The time of doing nothing is over because organizations that continuously ‘push wellness to the next quarter’ will cease to exist. To remain competitive you have to be aware of the health of  your employees and know how to address it.

Acknowledging the need is the first step to progress, but actually implementing ‘wellness in the workplace’ is the solution. Organizations need to understand what resources they have and how to properly engage and utilize them. Wellness can be as simple or as in-depth as an organization’s resources may allow.

Offering healthy snack choices in the break room is a great choice for all organizations. Larger employers should consider offering on-site services such as health coaching, group wellness classes, or even an on-site health clinic.

Health care is an unknown road for most, so business leaders need to connect with local experts to identify the best strategy that benefits their organization. Business leaders need to prepare for the future by partnering with knowledgeable health care leaders who can guide them in the right direction.

Your employees are your most valuable asset and committing to a culture of health & wellness is an investment in your employees’ well-being and your company’s bottom line.

Now, more than ever, the message is clear: The cost of doing nothing is far greater than the cost of doing something.

Post written by Lara Wojtowicz, Application Support Specialist at KCIM

Did you know….

-Heart disease is the #1 killer of women?

-Heart disease will be the cause of death in 1 out of every 3 women this year? That’s approximately one woman every minute.

-90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease?

-The symptoms of heart disease can be different in women vs. men?

Even though these statistics are glaring, most women never think it will happen to them. Let’s take a look at few common questions to see where you stand when it comes to heart disease awareness.

Isn’t cancer the biggest threat for women?

A. False. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.

Doesn’t heart disease affect mostly older people?

A. False. Heart disease affects people of all ages.

I’m fit and exercise regularly, so heart disease can’t affect me, can it?

A. False. Even the most fit woman can have heart disease. For example, you can be thin but still have high cholesterol.

So what changes can you make that will help reduce your risk of heart disease?

• Quit Smoking
• Know your numbers: blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
• Stay Active
• Eat Healthy
• Learn CPR: Here is link to a video from the American Heart Association of Hands-Only CPR

Just making even one of these changes can lower your risk of heart disease and mean the difference between life and death, so get going today!

Post written by Jacob Wayman, Project Manager, Corporate Medicine & Wellness Division, KCIM

Kansas City Internal Medicine is proud to announce the opening of our very own Endocrinology/Bone Health & Osteoporosis Clinic on Monday, May 6^th.

The new clinic will be located on the 3^rd floor of our Menorah Medical Park location. With the merger with Midwestern Endocrinology Clinic, Andrew Green, M.D. and his medical practice will join KCIM’s Sajeev Menon, M.D. and Sandra Hao, M.D.  in the care of patients with diabetes, metabolic bone diseases, thyroid and pituitary disorders, and other endocrinology conditions.

Dr. Sajeev Menon will head up this newly expanded division and, with a focus on the care of metabolic bone diseases, said the clinic will be “the first of its kind.”

He went on to say, “Our goal is to provide a one-stop-shop for all of our patients who are experiencing any endocrinology or bone health issues. Our staff strives to make every experience at KCIM as seamless and comfortable as possible.”

We are excited to expand our already spectacular endocrinology division to further care for patients experiencing various endocrine conditions.

A key strategic goal for our practice through the Patient Centered Medical Home is to provide easily accessible, high quality care to each of our patients at KCIM. With the addition of Dr. Green and Dr. Hao, KCIM will be the premier Endocrinology/Bone Health & Osteoporosis Clinic in the Greater Kansas City area.

Frozen meals, good or bad?

There are a wide variety of frozen meals on the market. There are plenty of bad ones and a handful of options I actually recommend.

Many Americans like frozen meals because they are quick and convenient, but choosing the right nutrition within the frozen meal is the only way to make these quick and convenient meals worth it.

As a general rule, I recommend that any frozen meal you eat have less than 800 mg sodium and around 300 calories per entrée. There are a few brands that tend to fall within this calorie and sodium goal range including Lean Cuisine, Weight Watchers, Smart Ones and Healthy Choice. My personal favorite is Lean Cuisine for the wide variety of flavors and great taste!

One complaint that I often hear is that the meals are not filling. One suggestion is to add some additional frozen vegetables on top of the frozen entrée before microwaving.

This can increase the volume of the meal without adding many calories, while at the same time maximizing the number of vegetable servings you’re getting. Another idea is to pair the meal with a low-fat yogurt or piece of fruit.

Some people tend to think that frozen meals are too expensive, but the good news is they are also often on sale. I recommend looking for the ads and stocking up when they’re available. Store brands are also an option as long as the calories and sodium fall within the same parameters I mentioned above.

At the end of the day, frozen entrees are cheaper than eating out for lunch and also are generally better for our waistlines!

What do you think? Do you eat frozen meals? Which ones do you enjoy the most?

The benefits of belonging to a physician group that is an accredited Patient Centered Medical Home are multiple.  This is a way to bring customer service back and to provide care at the highest level, keeping all aspects of the patient as the center of the focus of care.

Kansas City Internal Medicine helps patients keep the majority of their care in one office by offering multiple services under the same roof. There is an emphasis on improving lines of communication with our patients and through all of our departments.

We have patient newsletters, provide a website and patient portal that provide up-to-date information about our office and patients can also schedule appointments, request prescription refills, and pay bills online.

The lines of communication also include all our departments… from how quickly you can get an appointment with your physician or midlevel team to how well your records are kept up-to-date with the way lab work is scheduled and immunizations are recorded in our charts.

When labs, immunizations or testing is performed in our office, the results go directly into our electronic medical records and the results are received quickly.

Physicians don’t have to wait for results to be faxed, sorted, put on their desk for review and then scanned into the electronic medical record.

We have specialty areas of rheumatology, endocrinology, podiatry, and provide services and exams like Medicare Wellness Exams, nutrition education and discharge planning.

Most patients think their physician is made aware of their hospitalization or emergency room visit and this is typically not the case!

Our care coordinators work as liaisons to improve the communication between your primary care physician and the hospital or emergency room in order to improve the follow up of care for your health issues.

Going to one place for the majority of a patient’s care helps build relationships with the health care team…from the front desk to the lab.  The benefits of this relationship look positive for the future as well.

The hope is that not only will customer service and communication improve within your primary care physician’s office, but all entities will start communicating with other medical facilities and services (hospital, emergency room, cardiologist, physical therapist, etc.), so there is less duplication of labs and services.

In the end, that’s better for everyone…and better for your overall health and care!