What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to multiply faster than needed resulting in red or discolored, scaly and itchy patches (plaques) on the skin surface.
What You Need to Know about the Newest Approved Sunscreen Ingredient
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved bemotrizinol (BEMT), the first new sunscreen ingredient approved in the United States (U.S.) in more than 20 years.
What is the Difference between a Migraine and a Headache?
Headaches are generally localized to specific area of the head, shorter in duration and less disabling. A migraine is more intense, lasts longer and has side effects that can impact activity and daily life.
Common Myths about PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event.
How to Protect Yourself from Osteoporosis
A disease of the bone, osteoporosis makes a person’s bones weak and more likely to break. Unfortunately, you cannot feel your bones getting weaker, so you may not know you have osteoporosis until you fracture a bone.
Why Can’t I Sleep?
If you struggle with getting a good night’s sleep, you are not alone. About 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep disorders, and 1 in 3 adults do not regularly get the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep.
What You Need to Know about Sexually Transmitted Infections
According to the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA), about 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STI) are diagnosed in the United States each year.
Why the Health of Your Feet Matters
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), the average person takes 8,000-10,000 steps each day, adding up to about 115,000 miles in a lifetime
What is Rosacea?
According to a survey by NRS, “more than 90% of rosacea patients said their condition had lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem, and 41% reported that it had caused them to avoid public contact or cancel social engagements.
What You Need to Know about Colorectal Cancer
Each year, about 150,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The average age at diagnosis for men and women is 66.
What are Adenoids?
While most of us have heard of tonsils, a related body part, adenoids, are also part of the ears, nose and throat functions. Like tonsils, adenoids are part of the body’s immune system.
What are Neuromuscular Disorders?
Neuromuscular diseases cause problems with the nerves and muscles that affect how a person’s muscles work.
How to Protect Your Family from a Measles Outbreak
As of March 6, 2025, the United States has had three measles outbreaks and a total of 222 cases across 12 states- a significant increase when compared to 2024.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
According to the National Kidney Foundation, 37 million adults in the United States are living with CKD – and approximately 90% do not even know they have it. When kidneys become damaged and are unable to do their jobs optimally over a period of time, it is called chronic kidney disease (CKD).
How to Reduce Your Risk of a Heart Attack
Andree Jones, DO, primary care sports medicine physician, shares risk factors for a heart attack and how to reduce your risk of heart disease.
Four Types of Food that Increase Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
By Misty Cox, FNP-C, WHNP, family nurse practitioner
Contents:
November is National Diabetes Month, and the timing is perfect as the holiday season means a lot of food and celebrations. The holidays are busy and many of us get out of healthy routines such as exercise, eating a balanced diet, and more.
Type 2 diabetes, unfortunately, does not take the holiday season off, so here’s four types of foods to avoid or moderate your intake of this holiday season and throughout the year. These four food types increase your risk of type 2 diabetes:
Heavily processed carbohydrates
Foods made with white flour, white sugar, and white rice are low in bran, fiber, vitamins, and minerals; examples include breads, muffins, cakes, crackers, and pasta. According to a 2007 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), a diet high in heavily processed carbohydrates increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 21 percent compared to those who ate a whole foods-rich diet.
Drinks sweetened with sugar
Sodas, sweet tea, fruit drinks, and lemonade can lead to weight gain and increase your risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Having just two sugar-sweetened drinks per day can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by as much as 26 percent, according to a 2010 study by the American Diabetes Association. Water is the best substitute and has many health benefits for your body.
Saturated and trans fats
Saturated fats are found in dairy products such as butter, whole milk, cream, and cheese as well as fatty meats. Trans fats are tied to fried foods (fast food restaurants, “bar” food) and packaged baked goods. Some healthy alternatives include:
- Snacking on nuts, not sweets
- Eating lean meats and/or poultry, and removing the skin
- Avoiding salad dressings such as blue cheese, ranch and thousand island and using olive oil and balsamic vinegar instead
- Cooking and baking with olive or canola oils
Red meats and processed meats
Processed meats such as hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats have higher levels of sodium and nitrites, which put you at not only higher risk of type 2 diabetes but heart disease. A study shared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a three ounce serving of red meat daily increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 19 percent, and a serving of less than three ounces of processed meats increased the risk by more than 50 percent. Protein is essential to your health so switch to wild caught fish, like salmon, or organic poultry like chicken or eggs combined with vegetables to optimize your meal plan.
Prediabetes is alarmingly prevalent. Did you know one of three Americans is prediabetic? Your best defense is getting information on your risk factors and how to optimize your lifestyle to decrease your risks. We primary care providers (PCP) are here to help. If you have not had your annual wellness exam, schedule it, and talk with your PCP about your health goals.
Resources
- Learn more about diabetes care or find a diabetes specialist
- Investigate your primary care options or find a primary care provider
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What Immunizations Does Your Family Need?
by Misty Cox, FNP-C, WHNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner
Contents:
Do you know anyone who has recently had Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)? Do you know what Hib is? Probably not in both cases. Affecting mostly children under five years-old, Hib is a disease that can seriously damage a child’s immune system and cause brain damage, hearing loss, or even death. According for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), before the four dose vaccine was available, approximately 20,000 children were affected by Hibs annually.
Hib is just one of many diseases we rarely encounter any longer thanks to vaccines. More than 16 diseases can be prevented or decreased in severity if vaccines are proactively administered. The most current example is COVID-19 and associated variants, including delta.
August is Immunization Awareness Month, so let’s review vaccines recommended throughout our lifetimes.
Please consult your primary care provider (PCP) for more information on recommended vaccines, timing, number of doses and when to receive based on medical history, risks, and other factors.
Childhood Vaccinations
The CDC has easy to review children’s vaccines schedules by age group on their website.
Early Childhood: Birth to Age 6
- Chickenpox/varicella
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough/pertussis (DTaP)
- Hib
- Influenza (flu): recommended annually from age six months and on
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
- Pneumococcal conjugate disease (PCV13)
- Polio (IPV)
- Rotavirus (RV)
Children: Ages 7-18
In addition to any vaccines missed that were recommended during early childhood, the CDC recommends the following vaccines for kids ages 7-18:
- Flu (annually)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
- Tdap (the DTaP booster)
If your child has certain health conditions that put them at an increased risk for serious diseases, your PCP may also recommend the following vaccinations be administered:
- Pneumococcal
- Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB)
Adult Vaccinations
The CDC also provides information to adults to help adults understand what vaccinations are recommended based on age, lifestyle, medical conditions, and more.
Young Adults: Ages 19-26
- Flu: recommended annually
- HPV, if not previously received
- Tdap, if not previously received
Adults: Age 50+
- Flu: recommended annually
- PCV13: recommended for all adults with a condition that weakens the immune system, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or cochlear implant
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23): protects against serious pneumococcal disease, including meningitis and bloodstream infections and is recommended for all adults age 65 and older
If you have one of the following medical conditions, talk with your PCP about additional vaccinations that may be recommended to decrease your risk of serious illness and complications.
- Asplenia
- Asthma
- Diabetes Type 1 and/or Type 2
- Heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease
- HIV
- Kidney/renal disease
- Liver disease
- Lung disease
- Weakened immune system
Adults: Special Groups
If you fall into one of the following categories, additional vaccinations may be recommended. Consult the CDC website for more information or speak with your PCP.
COVID-19 Vaccination
The COVID-19 vaccine is highly recommended to fight against the coronavirus and variants, like delta. This vaccine is now available for everyone age 12 and older. For the most current information on the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the CDC website.
If you have questions about what vaccinations you and your family need, DMG primary care providers (PCP) are here for you. To find a DMG PCP at a location near you, click here. We’re here to support the health of you, your family, and the entire community.
UV Safety for You and Your Dog
By Misty Cox, FNP-C, WHNP, family nurse practitioner
Contents:
July is UV Safety Month, and in Arizona, protecting ourselves and those we love against the harmful rays of the sun is even more important. Did you know Arizona has more sunny days per year than California and Florida?
If you’re like me, you enjoy the outdoors, especially when you can enjoy it with someone you love. In my case, that “someone” is often my dog, Alfred. Alfred and I can regularly be seen taking long, brisk walks together.
As a primary care provider and a “pet parent,” I’d like to share tips to protect you and your four-legged friend from the harmful rays of the sun. First, let’s check out some facts about skin cancer for humans and canines.
Facts about Skin Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society:
- Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.
- Melanoma is among the top five cancer types diagnosed in Arizona.
- Incidence of melanoma are increasing in Arizona at a slightly higher rate than that of the United States as a whole.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC):
- Skin tumors are the most commonly diagnosed tumors in dogs.
- Too much exposure to the sun is one of the top causes of skin cancer in dogs.
- Malignant melanoma is one of the most common skin cancers in dogs.
- Malignant melanoma in dogs grow quickly and have a high risk of spreading to other organs.
UV Safety Tips for You and Your Dog
Surprisingly, how we protect ourselves from harmful UV rays also apply to our dogs, with some minor adjustments.
Stay in the shade
Heading to the lake, beach or park this summer and taking your dog along? Be certain to bring a large umbrella to provide shade for you, your family and dog. Some parks have covered areas for picnics and gatherings; be certain to check the park’s website ahead of time to see if these spaces need to be reserved.
Wear protective clothing and accessories
If you are going to be out in the sun, wear certified UV protective clothing (and a wide brim hat), which can be purchased online or at most sporting goods stores. Believe it or not, UV protective shirts are available for dogs, too. In addition, remember if the pavement or ground is too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws; if your dog will not tolerate paw protectors, do not walk him if you cannot put your hand or foot on the pavement or ground comfortably for 30 seconds.
Wear sunglasses
Sunglasses protect the eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts and skin cancer in or on the tender skin around the eye for both humans and canines. If your dog likes to have his head out the window when in the car, sunglasses can also protect his eyes from wind and debris. Just like with humans, companies that are dedicated to making eyewear for dogs are plentiful; just do a Web search to find the dog goggles (“doggles”) that work for your dog.
Apply and reapply sunscreen
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that we use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and be certain your sunscreen is not expired; most sunscreens have a shelf life of three years.
Similarly, the AKC recommends a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for dogs. As dogs will often lick their skin, a sunscreen specifically made for canines should be used as some ingredients in human formulas are toxic for dogs.
For both you and your dog, sunscreen should be applied about 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapplied if you get wet or every two to three hours.
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Here’s Misty Cox and her dog
Stroke Awareness and Prevention
By Richard Fowler, MD, internal medicine physician
Contents:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 800,000 people in the United States annually have a stroke, and the majority of these are first-time occurrences. Additional striking statistics from the CDC include:
- Every 40 seconds someone has a stroke.
- Every four minutes a person dies of a stroke.
- One in every six deaths from cardiovascular disease is due to a stroke.
- One in every four people who experience a stroke have had a stroke in the past.
- Stroke is the leading cause of disability.
- Stroke reduces mobility in >50 percent of stroke survivors ages 65 and older.
Did you know May is National Stroke Month?
Strokes can occur at any age; in fact, according to the CDC, 34% of people hospitalized in one year due to stroke were under the age of 65. So, it’s important for all of us to be aware of how to prevent strokes.
Causes of Stroke
Leading causes of stroke include:
- Advancing age
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Prior stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Smoking
According to the American Heart Association, one in three Americans has one of these conditions or habits.
Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
Early action is important to surviving a stroke and decreasing the long-term impacts. According to the CDC, patients who arrive at the emergency room within three hours of their first symptoms often have less disability three months after a stroke than those who received delayed care.
Unfortunately, many people do not recognize all the signs and symptoms of a stroke. In fact, the CDC reports that in one survey, only 38 percent of respondents were aware of all major symptoms and knew to call 9-1-1 when someone was having a stroke.
While most people recognize sudden numbness on one side as a sign of a stroke, below are other signs and symptoms of a stroke. Note that all these signs or symptoms occur suddenly.
- Confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
- Dizziness, lack of coordination, loss of balance or trouble walking
- Severe headache with no known cause
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
F.A.S.T. to Save Lives
If you recognize signs or symptoms of a stroke in someone, follow these steps:
How Telehealth Can Support the Health of Your Family
By Troy Nelson, MD, medical director and pediatrician
Contents:
A March 2021 survey found that 61% of respondents had used telehealth vs. less than 20% in March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic created a need for a safe way to visit with a medical provider to get non-emergent medical care, and telehealth was the answer. At District Medical Group (DMG), including DMG Children’s Rehabilitative Services (DMG CRS), we offer telehealth appointments and have encouraged patients to use this technology to continue care for themselves and their families.
Even for patients that have complex conditions, telehealth can be used to support ongoing treatment and ensure patients remain healthy and on course with prescribed treatment plans during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Here’s some ways telehealth is being used to support the health of patients and support their families:
Intake Appointments for New Patients
While we love to meet new patients and their families in-person, their health and safety is our number one priority. Fortunately, through a telehealth meeting, we can gather all needed information about our new patient, understand the patient’s health and wellness goals and begin development of a treatment plan.
Consultations with Specialty Providers
Like intake appointments, when a new medical specialist is being engaged to support a patient’s health, a consultation between the patient and medical specialist may be able to be completed through a telehealth appointment. Assuming the patient is established with a DMG primary care provider (PCP) and other DMG providers to support their health, the new medical specialist will have access to the patient’s electronic medical records and can easily view the patient’s medical history and discuss next steps.
If the patient has a regular follow-up scheduled with a DMG specialty physician, it may be able to be completed through a telehealth appointment. Through a telehealth appointment, the patient’s physician can determine if an in-person visit is needed based on how the patient is doing on their treatment plan.
Behavioral Health Visits
Because a physical examination is not needed, behavioral health visits are among the easiest to facilitate through telehealth. COVID-19 has been stressful for people of all ages. That’s why maintaining scheduled visits with a behavioral health specialist is important.
Primary Care for Minor Illnesses or Injuries
If a patient has a minor scrape or bruise that is concerning or woke up with a cough, mild fever, or other non-emergent symptoms, we recommend the patient to contact their PCP to see if a telehealth visit is appropriate. In some cases, minor symptoms can be easily diagnosed and treatment prescribed without an in-person examination.
Reengaging with Your Medical Providers
If regular medical appointments were missed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a telehealth appointment is a good way to reengage with a medical provider(s). Through a telehealth visit, medical updates can be provided so the physician can determine the patient’s present health status and make appropriate referrals.
The health, wellbeing and safety of your family is our number one priority. At DMG, we’re here for you providing options to ensure your treatment plan stays on-track and support you in living a happy and healthy life.
