2022 Partners in Health

LEARN FROM ATLANTA’S TOP HEALTHCARE EXPERTS 2022

Partners In Health

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YOUR DREAM SOLUTION TO BETTER MEN’S HEALTH Scott D. Miller, M.D., MBA

Wellstar North Fulton Hospital

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TREAT BACK PAIN FOR A NEW YOU IN 2022 Resurgens Spine Center

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HORMONES AND HOT FLASHES Paul E. Cox, M.D., MS Vital Living Healthcare

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2022 Partners in Health

Treat Back Pain for a New You in 2022

Looking for a new you in 2022, but back pain is getting in the way? While low back pain is one of the top diagnoses treated each year in the United States, there are a few changes you can make in your lifestyle so you can be your best self in the new year!

• Exercise – Exercise improves your health in many ways, including the health of your spine. One cause of back pain is weakness in the “core” muscles that support the spine. These muscles are small and not as strong as the larger muscles, which is why they are so prone to injuries. Strengthening these muscles can help prevent back injuries.

Sit-ups, crunches and pushups can help improve your core strength. Other options include stretching and yoga. Not only will these activities strengthen your core muscles, but they will also improve your flexibility, helping you be less susceptible to injuries.

As with any exercise regimen, check with your physician or spine specialist before you begin to ensure the exercises are safe for you.

• Healthy Body Weight – Staying fit is crucial to all aspects of your health, including the health of your spine. When you’re carrying extra weight, especially around the torso, those small muscles around your spine have to work harder just to keep you upright. While our weight is something many of us struggle with, if you can maintain your ideal weight, you can decrease your risk for back pain.

• Proper Lifting Technique – Using proper lifting technique can help decrease back pain. Use the big, powerful muscles in your legs to lift, not the small muscles in your back. When you need to lift something, squat down until your hips are parallel to the object’s center of gravity. By doing so, you will force your leg muscles to do most of the work, allowing you to keep your back straight as you lift.

• Stay Hydrated – Drinking plenty of water will help prevent back pain by maintaining the size of the fluid-filled discs between your vertebrae. These discs are responsible for absorbing much of the shock your spine experiences during the day. If you are not properly hydrated, the discs can become smaller and offer less support to your spine.

Overtime this can lead to back pain.

We hope these tips help you start 2022 off with a healthier spine. If you have back pain that keeps you from doing what you love, the physicians at Resurgens Spine Center are here to serve you in one of our 24 area locations.

Resurgens Spine Center • Non-surgical & Surgical Spine Care • 24 Convenient Atlanta Locations • www.ResurgensSpine.com

2022 Partners in Health

Your Dream Solution to Better Men’s Health

By Scott D. Miller, MD, MBA

In our busy world, most men underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep. The three pillars of great health are a nutritious diet, consistent exercise and regular sleep. First and foremost, a lack of sleep makes us more accident-prone. For instance, inadequate sleep can impair our ability to drive the same way drinking too much alcohol does. We also become more susceptible to falls and sports injuries. Sleep deprivation can also lead to a whole host of easy-to-ignore medical conditions such as weight gain, cardiovascular risk, mood alteration and a weakened immune system. To add salt to the wound, these medical conditions can further hinder our ability to achieve a good night’s sleep. When we sleep, the mind and body recharge themselves. For example, during this downtime, our body is hard at work repairing the damage that our cells endure throughout the day. Of course, without adequate sleep, our brains can’t function properly. We tend to sleep in cycles. Interruption of a sleep cycle often will lead to a feeling of tiredness. As such, even losing one hour of sleep can lead to significant sleep deprivation. So, how much sleep do we need? Seven hours per night is usually the minimum requirement for adult men. For those who require more sleep, typical indicators include difficulty waking up in the morning and feeling tired during the day. Here are some tips for having a good night’s sleep: The right environment—The ideal sleep environment is cold, dark and quiet. The bedroom should also be a dedicated space for sleep and intimacy. Work, hobbies, watching TV or browsing a computer screen can disturb your natural wind-down process. Ritual—Having a consistent bedtime routine and time will reinforce our internal clocks. Bedtime rituals can include a cup of herbal tea, a warm bath or some light reading. Avoid electronic devices, TV, caffeine, alcohol and eating during the last couple of hours of the day.

Exercise—Modest but consistent exercise will lead to a better night’s sleep. However, exercise should be avoided in the few hours leading up to bedtime. Weight control and other dietary concerns—Reducing your sugar and carbohydrate intake can decrease excess belly fat that is often associated with the most common sleep disorder, sleep apnea. Sleep Gives Men What They Want Minimizing consumption of alcohol and caffeine will also lead to a better • Mental resilience night’s sleep. • Improved heart and brain function Apps, wearables, and other devices—Apps • Being in a better mood for our handheld devices can help track • Increased productivity sleep, give reminders for starting our bedtime • Improved exercise tolerance and athleticism • Weight control routine, provide meditation routines with restful soundscapes and sync with a wearable device such as a smartwatch. Resist that • Enhanced intimacy temptation to check email before retiring for the evening. A notepad by the bedside—Sometimes just writing your thoughts down takes them off your mind.

If the preceding recommendations aren’t successful, seeking medical advice is the next best step. Your physician can evaluate you for a possible sleeping disorder and treat any associated medical conditions. Look for my article “Spring Forward or Fall Back,” which discusses injury prevention, in the next issue.

Scott D. Miller, MD, MBA, is the Medical Director of Robotic Surgery at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital. He is a urologist with Wellstar Urology in Roswell and has practiced in Atlanta for over 20 years. Wellstar North Fulton Hospital offers the Know Your Heart Screening that can determine your risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions. Call 770-956-STAR (7827) to learn more or schedule an appointment.

Scott D. Miller, MD, MBA • Wellstar North Fulton Hospital • 470.956.4230 • www.ScottDMillerMD.com

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2022 Partners in Health

Hormones and Hot Flashes

By Jennifer Colosimo

As we continue our conversation about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a common question often arises: If I don’t have hot flashes, does that mean I don’t need hormones? The short answer is, there’s not a short answer. Hormones exist in men and women uniquely, and they disappear in the same way. Hot flashes are a good sign that it’s time to start, but Vital Living Healthcare’s Dr. Paul Cox is here to help us understand the big picture about when it’s the right time to seek hormone replacement therapy.

If I’m not having hot flashes, what other symptoms could I be having that would determine it’s time to start hormone replacement therapy? Hot flashes are one sign and symptom of depleted hormones, but men and women can also experience night sweats, brain fog, irritability, forgetfulness, weight gain, low energy and poor sleep. Any of these symptoms could be a sign that it’s time to seek medical advice.

How does hormone replacement therapy help with any of these symptoms? This time the answer is simple: When we restore hormones to our body and our brain, we can alleviate the symptoms caused by that hormone deficiency. That includes brain fog, anxiety, a poor mood and anything on the aforementioned list, really. They will be tremendously minimized, if not gone.

I don’t have any of these menopause symptoms right now, but can hormone replacement therapy delay their onset? No. But this is kind of a trick question because you either still have hormones or you don’t. If you don’t have those symptoms, you probably still have hormones. So, in reality, it’s not about delaying the symptoms, but paying attention to when they start. And the good news is that you don’t need to think about hormone therapy until you’re experiencing these symptoms regularly. Are there any adverse side effects to starting hormone replacement therapy? In general, no, but it depends on the type of hormone replacement therapy you undergo. Hormone replacement therapy based on a horse estrogen, like Premarin, has been shown to increase your risk for breast cancer, stroke and other adverse events. Hormones that are native to the human body, like those we work with, have been shown to be safe and effective when administered correctly. Of course, that means seeking the guidance of a medical professional who is trained specifically in hormone replacement therapy.

Who is a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy? Men or women who are experiencing signs and symptoms of hormone deficiency are good candidates. Most people don’t have hormone deficiencies normally until their 40s and 50s, but studies show that the earlier you start hormone replacement therapy, the better the results.

Board-certified in anti-aging and family medicine, Paul E. Cox, M.D., MS, is an expert at turning back time. Firmly rooted in a scientific approach, Vital Living Healthcare focuses on early detection, prevention and innovative treatments to reverse age-related decline. By using state-of-theart equipment and techniques, along with focusing on all aspects of your health (mind, body, spirit and surroundings), Dr. Cox will create a comprehensive and personalized design for maintaining or reclaiming your health and vitality. Experience the healthcare you deserve and schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Cox today.

Paul E. Cox, M.D., MS • www.vitallivinghealthcare.com • 404.843.3636