Uncategorized - Sensenbrenner Primary Care

Beyond the Bedside: Heart Disease

April 16, 2024

Dr. Eric Sensenbrenner “Heart disease” is a term that can be used interchangeably with cardiovascular disease. Both describe poor blood flow to the heart, brain, or other parts of the body that result in tissue damage such as a heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Every minute, someone in the United States dies from heart disease. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include age, gender, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity. As you can see, we are unable to control or change some risk factors which poses a challenge to preventing cardiovascular disease. For those risk factors we can control, we try to maximize treatment through diet, exercise, and medication to best reduce a patient’s risk. It is important to know if anyone...

Beyond the Bedside: Essential vitamins for Primary Prevention

March 11, 2024

Uncategorized

By: Lori Blanchard Eaton, NP-C During patient consultations, I often address questions about vitamins and supplements. Vitamins and minerals provide the body with essential nutrients necessary for its normal functions. For the majority of individuals, a balanced diet can supply all the required vitamins and minerals. Yet, the prevalence of convenient, fast-food options in the American diet often leads to a deficiency in essential nutrients. It's important to note that supplements are not subject to FDA approval, meaning they do not undergo the rigorous safety and efficacy testing that most pharmaceuticals do. Despite this, there are cases where supplements might be necessary, such as in cases of known nutrient deficiencies due to age or financial constraints, intestinal malabsorption issues, thyroid disorders, post-operative recovery, etc. In this...

Spring Spinach Salad with Strawberries

March 8, 2024

Education, Uncategorized

This salad is often topped with ingredients like sliced almonds or feta cheese for added texture and richness. The homemade poppy seed dressing, typically made from ingredients like yogurt, honey, Dijon mustard, and of course, poppy seeds, adds a creamy and tangy dimension to the salad. Here's a high-level overview of how you might prepare such a salad: Salad Base: Start with fresh baby spinach as your green foundation.Strawberries: Hull and thinly slice ripe strawberries and mix them with the spinach.Additional Toppings: Add toasted sliced almonds for crunch and crumbled feta cheese for creaminess.Poppy Seed Dressing: Prepare the dressing by combining plain yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, a touch of vinegar (like Champagne or white wine vinegar), poppy seeds, and a bit of grated shallot for a punch...

Eating Healthier In The New Year

January 11, 2024

Education, Uncategorized

By Tristan Samson, Practice Manager It’s that time of year when resolutions are made, some kept, some broken but usually all are made with the best of intentions. Eating healthier is a common and commendable goal, and making realistic changes can lead to long-term success. Like a lot of people, I have my own struggles with having enough time in my day to eat right. I can struggle to be happy with my weight or to know what number is right for my body at now age 53. As I look at some of my own habits and where I can make adjustments, I want to share some practical and realistic ways to eat healthier in the New Year and all year long: Set Realistic Goals: I definitely...

A Holiday Message

December 6, 2023

Education, Uncategorized

Tis the season to celebrate and connect with people you care about. Nobody wants to be sick or inthe hospital for the holidays, but studies have shown that more people are admitted to the hospitalduring the winter months than at other times of the year. Colder weather, less physical activity,weight gain, and infections - such as the flu - can all contribute to the need for doctor visits andhospitalizations at some point during the colder months. Prevention is best. Wash your hands, cover your cough, take regular medications as prescribed. Stayin touch with your doctor to help handle health problems before they become a bigger issue.Whether you are healthy and have flu like symptoms or have also been diagnosed with conditionssuch as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (COPD),...

Phil’s Deli Angel Tree

November 29, 2023

Education, Uncategorized

This holiday season, we're excited to continue sponsoring the Salvation Army Women & Children's Shelter and the S.H.I.P. Program, which helps women and their children transition into their own homes out of homelessness. For those who are interested in contributing: Take an angel from our tree at Phil's Deli and select the items on the tag.Bring those items back to us, unwrapped, in a gift bag with the tagattached (only new items please).Gifts must be returned to Phil's Deli no later than Friday, December 8th• As always, we sincerely appreciate the support of our generous patrons and community. Thank you! ...

Beyond the Bedside: The Role of Exercise in Managing Type 2 Diabetes

November 8, 2023

Education, Uncategorized

By: Tyler Hyslep, PA-C Exercise plays a crucial role in managing type 2 diabetes and overall well-being. Engaging in physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity, allowing your body to use insulin more effectively. This means that the insulin your body produces or taken through medication can efficiently regulate blood sugar levels. Regular exercise also helps reduce insulin resistance, a key factor in developing and progressing type 2 diabetes. Exercise helps lower blood sugar levels by increasing glucose uptake by the muscles. During physical activity, your muscles use glucose for energy, leading to a decrease in blood sugar levels. This effect can last for hours after exercise, making it an effective strategy for managing and controlling blood sugar levels in the long term. Exercise also helps with weight loss....

Value-Based Medicine

October 2, 2023

Directory, Education, Uncategorized

You might be familiar with the term "value-based medicine," which, like many healthcare terms, can be a bit perplexing if you haven't delved into the intricacies of the healthcare system. The complexities of health insurance, reimbursement rates, and concepts like accountable care organizations can all feel overwhelming. You may be wondering how value-based medicine will ultimately impact your well-being or improve outcomes for you and your loved ones. What is value-based healthcare? Value-based medicine is a healthcare approach that delivers the best possible patient outcomes while efficiently managing costs. Unlike traditional fee-for-service models that reward care volume, value-based medicine prioritizes quality, patient satisfaction, and overall health improvement. It encourages healthcare providers to be more accountable and proactive in delivering personalized, evidence-based care. Ultimately, value-based medicine aims...

Apple and Ham Quiche

September 11, 2023

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Apple and ham quiche is a delightful dish that combines the sweetness of apples with the savory goodness of ham in a creamy, custard-filled pastry crust. Here's a basic recipe for making apple and ham quiche: Ingredients: For the Quiche Filling:1 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)1 cup diced ham1 cup diced apples (use a sweet variety like Gala or Fuji)1 cup shredded cheddar cheese4 large eggs1 cup heavy creamSalt and pepper to taste1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)For the Crust (if making homemade):1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup cold butter, cubed3-4 tablespoons ice water Instructions: If making homemade crust:In a food processor, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a...

Beyond the Bedside: Protecting Your Skin

August 8, 2023

Education, Uncategorized

By: Lori Blanchard Eaton “Beauty is more than skin deep.” This old saying holds profound meaning and emphasizes that inner beauty comes from qualities that are often unseen at first sight. But in some cases, beauty is a reflection of what is on the inside. Primary medicine often focuses on the solid internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, brain and kidney as these organs are vital to life. In this month’s Beyond the Bedside, I’d like to discuss the skin, another vital organ that is important for primary prevention. The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is made up of 3 layers which consists of water, protein, fats and minerals. The epidermis, the outer layer, is an important barrier to infection, chemicals,...