Category Archives: Patient Education

DASH diet – what is it?

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, low fat or nonfat dairy. It also includes whole grains; lean meats, fish and poultry; nuts and beans. It is high fiber and low … Continue reading

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Know Your ABCDE’s of Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon. Your risk of getting skin … Continue reading

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Insomnia and Anxiety

Sleeping pills are not always the best solution. More information on Insomnia Nearly one third of older people in the U.S. take sleeping pills. These drugs are called “sedative- hypnotics” or “tranquilizers.” They affect the brain and spinal cord. Doctors … Continue reading

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Nine moves for strength training

Here are the best recommended body weight strength training moves that combine for a complete body workout.  Do each exercise for desired time until you complete the set, take a one minute break and then move on to the next … Continue reading

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How to identify ticks and avoid tick bites

Tick season in Maine becomes more of a concern each year as tick borne illnesses are on the rise.  Here are some tips on prevention and tick removal. Prevention Wear light colored clothing to find ticks easily Wear EPA-approved insect … Continue reading

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Should I take antibiotics before a dental procedure if I’ve had a hip, knee or other joint replacement?

Short Answer:  No. Long Answer:  There has been a fair amount of recent recommendations to take antibiotics before a dental procedure if you’ve had a joint replacement to prevent a hardware infection.  There have been very few reported cases of joint … Continue reading

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What Does “Gluten-Free” Really Mean? The New FDA Labeling Standard

Earlier this month the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that food claiming to be “gluten-free” must meet a new stringent standard:  Gluten is a protein found mostly in wheat but also is some other grains.  To comply with the … Continue reading

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Do You Know the Unique Heart Attack Symptoms in Women?

When someone is having a heart attack we often imagine someone clutching their chest and describing the sensation of having an “elephant sitting on their chest”.  While this is often the case, women may experience different symptoms causing a delay … Continue reading

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Lyme Disease Transmission

To follow up on the deer tick post from the other day.  Many people ask, “why wait for the tick to be on 24 hrs before being concerned about Lyme transmission?”  Well,  there is an enzyme conversion in the tick … Continue reading

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Deer Ticks…They’re Baaack!!

Hope Health Family Practice offers you some handy tips about how to deal with Deer ticks. Remember to cover up and apply tick repellent when going for hikes or being in fields and woods. Remember to check yourself thoroughly when … Continue reading

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