Prescription: Integrated Medicine

If you heard that 84% of deaths from a specific medical condition were preventable and that those deaths were on the rise, especially in individuals of color, would you think we were highlighting an issue in the United States? 

Well, we are. First up in The Latest this week is a pair of articles on a CDC report on maternal mortality. Maternal deaths in the US continue to be higher than in other countries of similar economic status. 

This data continues to shine the light on the need for investment in women’s health and the importance of getting the care you need.

- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik

The Tasting Menu

• The Basics of Integrative Medicine 

• Deep Vein Thrombosis 5 Facts

• Understanding a Panic Attack

The Basics of Integrative Medicine 

When we think about medicine, our minds almost automatically jump to hospitals and prescriptions and doctor referrals. Which in many cases it is - when we’re sick we go to the doctor, they recommend some medicine, and we go home to feel better.

But that approach is also a very one-track approach – focused on your current ailment – and not necessarily on you as a person. The reality is, there are a lot of things that might make us sick – or just not feeling at our best – and not everything immediately requires a prescription.

Integrative medicine is a field that holistically looks at you. Everything is important - physical health, mental and emotional health, and spiritual health. While like all medical practices, it’s looking at your symptoms and what will best help you feel good, it incorporates traditional and alternative methods and treatments.

What does integrative medicine look like? Some examples include:

• Acupuncture

• Animal-assisted therapy

• Dietary or herbal supplements

• Aromatherapy or essential oils

• Tai-chi or yoga

• Nutritionists

• Chiropractors

Integrative medicine can really be used by anyone, but is utilized a lot by those suffering from chronic conditions (think migraines, headaches) where conventional methods might not always work or by those who either can’t tolerate or just don’t like taking prescription medication.

So if you’re looking to try something new or different when it comes to your healthcare, see if your doctor's office has an integrative medicine department or see if there are any local clinics or hospitals that provide services. In Stephanie’s experience, these clinics accept insurance for most treatments (at least the clinic she goes to does). 

Deep Vein Thrombosis 5 Facts

Walk the aisles on a long flight. Consider a standing desk or take walking breaks. 

Why? A sedentary lifestyle can increase myriad health problems. One of them is developing blood clots. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a particular kind of blood clot that can result in serious blockage. 

Here are 5 facts for you on DVT

• Birth control or hormone replacement therapy can increase your risk for DVT. Talk to you provider if you have other risk factors, like a family history of blood clots

• It’s not something to lose sleep over, just something to know about. In the US, the lifetime likelihood of developing DVT is between 2 and 5%

• Risk factors include family or personal history of blood clots, pregnancy or being recently post-partum or recent surgery

• It’s called deep vein because they occur deeper in the body, usually in the legs or pelvis

• The danger comes when a blood clot travels through the bloodstream to another area of the body. This is especially dangerous if it travels to the lungs where it can cause a pulmonary embolism

So what can you do to protect yourself? 

Talk to your provider about any risks you have from blood clots. 

If you sit for long periods of time, exercise your calf muscles. Check out these from the American Bloodclot Association.

Get up and move more! Short walking breaks make a big difference.

Understanding a Panic Attack

Knowing what you are experiencing is key to diagnosing the issue and long-term wellness. This is true of physical and mental health equally. 

So we’re myth-busting this week when it comes to panic attacks and anxiety attacks. Experts stress they aren’t the same thing, although there is no diagnosis definition for an anxiety attack. 

An anxiety attack is often associated with specific stressors. A panic attack can occur with no specific event or stressor. 

Anxiety attacks can range from mild to very severe symptoms whereas panic attacks are always intense. 

If there is a build-up and the feelings are long-lasting, it is more likely an anxiety attack. Panic attacks come on suddenly and symptoms resolve quickly.

So why is this important? It can be very difficult at the moment to process what is happening. However, over time, a pattern can arise that enables your provider to find the right course of treatment. Panic disorder and Generalized Anxiety disorder may present in similar ways but have different treatments.

Medical Term of the Week

Our research into Deep Vein Thrombosis, got us thinking about Charley Horses. You know that terrible cramping, often in the middle of the night. They are terribly painful. But are they serious? In fact, what are they?

Don’t be too alarmed. It’s a muscle spasm, often in the legs. Your muscle contracts, painfully, and doesn’t relax. If you get them frequently, you should ask your provider in case there is an underlying condition.

Making sure you’re hydrated and stretching before and after you workout can help prevent them. If you get one, try a lunge with the cramping leg back to get the muscle to relax. 

The Latest

Increase in maternal deaths in the US (from NPR) and worsening health crisis for pregnant people in the US (from New York Times)

Losing your job is hard. Losing your job while on medical or parental leave adds more complexity. When you worked at Google and they cancel your leave benefits when they lay you off, that’s intolerable (from CNBC)

Somi Javiad from HerMD was quoted in a piece on managing menopause symptoms (from Glamour)