Keys to staying healthy

So it’s 2023 and we still don’t have time machines—who would’ve thought? Luckily, we have the next best thing when it comes to taking care of our bodies and minds: foresight. One of the questions we asked our top docs this year was about the advice they’d give to themselves 25 years in the past, and we got some pretty great answers. Here, we’ll break down the steps you can take today for a healthier life tomorrow.

Diet and Exercise

All right, it doesn’t take a genius to figure that eating right and moving your body is crucial in the long run, but did you know that these two in tandem work wonders with preventing or delaying chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer, dementia, and heart disease? Even just incorporating more veggies and taking a stroll after dinner can make a huge difference in your life.

Taking care of your mental health

Surprisingly, just as many of our docs said they wish they could tell their younger selves to have fun and relax as they said to watch diet and exercise. Why? It’s simple: happier people live longer. Happiness leads to those healthy behaviors, plus lower stress levels help stave off high blood pressure, which ultimately lowers your risk of stroke. Here’s the key takeaway: make sure to prioritize mental health days and do things that you love—for us, it’s taking a few minutes to flip through the latest edition of ABQ the Mag!

Schedule regular doctor’s visits, exams & scans

Of course we’d rather not have any health problems at all, but if we do, it’s always best to catch them early. For women, get annual pap smears and mammogram screenings every two years starting at 40 (talk to your doctor if you have a history of breast cancer). Doctors also suggest that men talk to their primary physician about prostate exams. And it’s a general concensus that everyone get screenings for colon cancer, high blood pressure and depression.

HAS THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET HELPED OR HARMED THE WAY PATIENTS SEEK CARE? Overall it has been quite helpful, however I have certainly seen instances of harm. STAYING HYDRATED IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT FOR GOOD HEALTH. WITH SO MANY WATER CHOICES (MINERAL, SPRING, SPARKLING, FILTERED, ALKALINE, PURIFIED, TAP), ARE THERE ANY GUIDELINES YOU WOULD RECOMMEND? Tap water is just fine, plenty of it. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 30S REGARDING YOUR SPECIALTY? Exercise, maintain a healthy weight, everything in moderation. WHAT WAS THE MOST UNUSUAL OR MEMORABLE PLACE OR SITUATION WHERE YOU EVER HAD TO GIVE MEDICAL CARE OR EXPERTISE? Airplane galley. WHAT FORTHCOMING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THAT WILL BENEFIT FUTURE PATIENTS? Targeted treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, treatments tailored by genetics. YOUR THOUGHTS ON UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE IN SIX WORDS OR LESS: Easy to imagine, difficult to implement. THE SO-CALLED FAUCI EFFECT (MORE INTEREST IN HEALTHCARE CAREERS, SPURRED BY COVID-19) SAW AN 18 PERCENT INCREASE IN MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS IN 2021. WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR FUTURE PATIENTS? Hopefully more doctors if the increased applicant pool can be met with increased positions in medical school classes and training programs. The current and projected physician shortage should have everyone concerned. STUDYING MEDICINE THEN VS. NOW: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Now, there is a much wider availability of education resources. COMPLETE YOUR OWN ENDING TO THE OLD SAYING, “AN APPLE A DAY…” An apple a day is good, two are better. IF YOU COULD PLAY THE MUSIC OF ONLY ONE ARTIST IN YOUR WAITING ROOM, WHOM WOULD IT BE? Foo Fighters.

ALSO IN THE TOP 3 FOR GASTROENTEROLOGY: Nina Nandy, Angelina Villas

STAYING HYDRATED IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT FOR GOOD HEALTH. WITH SO MANY WATER CHOICES (MINERAL, SPRING, SPARKLING, FILTERED, ALKALINE, PURIFIED, TAP), ARE THERE ANY GUIDELINES YOU WOULD RECOMMEND? Sufficient water and hydration are one of the most important issues in maintaining day to day health. Water in whatever form should be taken throughout the day in adequate amounts, especially in our elevated, dry environment. MOST MEMORABLE MEDICAL SITUATION? My first job after training was in a small hospital in rural Wyoming. One night when I was on call during a severe snowstorm, I was informed that a woman had arrived at the hospital parking lot in end stage labor. I ran out to the car and delivered a baby girl in the back seat and came back into the ER with a steaming, smoking baby squalling and healthy. I later apologized to the father that I was sorry the car’s upholstery had been fouled in the process. The father replied: “You don’t know the worst of it. I borrowed the car!” THE SO-CALLED FAUCI EFFECT (MORE INTEREST IN HEALTHCARE CAREERS, SPURRED BY COVID-19) SAW AN 18 PERCENT INCREASE IN MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS IN 2021. WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR FUTURE PATIENTS? In my practice, I do not get a sense that young people are more excited today to enter the healthcare professions. A review of Medical School applications for 2022 and 2023 will give a better idea as to whether this “Effect” is a real trend. COMPLETE YOUR OWN ENDING TO THE OLD SAYING, “AN APPLE A DAY…” An apple a day is an excellent source of vitamins, natural sugars, antioxidants and fiber.

HAS THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET HELPED OR HARMED THE WAY PATIENTS SEEK CARE? I think it has helped, though it continues to be an adjustment for everyone. The amount of nonsense on the internet is truly limitless, and that can be distracting and dangerous. But, when patients have agency over their health, they do better. A physician’s job becomes advising and translating, beyond diagnosing and treating.STAYING HYDRATED IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT FOR GOOD HEALTH. WITH SO MANY WATER CHOICES (MINERAL, SPRING, SPARKLING, FILTERED, ALKALINE, PURIFIED, TAP), ARE THERE ANY GUIDELINES YOU WOULD RECOMMEND? When it comes to water, drink a LOT of it, and don’t feel like it needs to come in a fancy bottle. We are lucky that Albuquerque’s tap water tastes really good! #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 30’S? If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live? Develop an exercise program and health habits that you enjoy and can stick with for the long haul. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 50’S REGARDING YOUR SPECIALTY? Keep exercising! Middle age is when use-it-or-loseit really gets rolling. Make sure you get enough protein in your diet, and get help from your doctor or a physical therapist to keep your body and joints healthy. It’s just as important to keep up with screening recommended by your doctor. These are high-yield years for protecting the elderly person you hope to become. MOST MEMORABLE MEDICAL SITUATION? I was my brother-in-law’s phone-a-friend when he was a contestant on the gameshow, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE IN SIX WORDS, GO! Yes please, as soon as possible! THE SO-CALLED FAUCI EFFECT (MORE INTEREST IN HEALTHCARE CAREERS, SPURRED BY COVID-19) SAW AN 18 PERCENT INCREASE IN MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS IN 2021. WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR FUTURE PATIENTS? We all benefit when eager, bright, and service-minded people opt in to health care for their careers, at any level. But our healthcare system needs to figure out how to support those people so that they can have long and satisfying careers, and inspire more people to work in health care! IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME 25 YEARS AND GIVE YOURSELF ONE PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? WHY? Mental health and physical health are inseparable. Make time to rest when you need to, and take care of your whole self. MOST REALISTIC MEDICAL SHOW ON TELEVISION, PAST OR PRESENT? “Scrubs” was a perfect and hilarious depiction of training to be a doctor. ARTIST WHOSE MUSIC WE’D HEAR THE MOST IN YOUR WAITING ROOM: Reggae music makes me feel so good, I would worry that my patients might not need me anymore!

ALSO IN THE TOP 3 FOR GERIATRICS: David Scrase, Julie Silverhart