Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Fall 2018

Fall 2018 3 Wellness Meet our new providers Gregory Ashton, MD Anesthesiology Dr. Ashton received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He received a master’s de- gree in public health from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Ashton completed his anesthesiology and perioperative medicine internship and residency at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Emily Dodd, MD Anesthesiology Dr. Dodd received her bache- lor’s degree from Texas A&M University and her medical degree from the Texas A&M Health Science Center Col- lege of Medicine. She completed her an- esthesiology residency at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Kaylee Nuckolls, DO Anesthesiology Dr. Nuckolls received her bachelor’s degree from Fur- man University in Greenville, South Carolina. She earned her medical degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medi- cine in Fort Worth. She completed her intern- ship and anesthesiology residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Nuckolls is certified by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. Aviral Singh, DO, MBA Hospitalist After earning a bachelor’s de- gree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Dr. Singh completed his master’s degree with a concentration in health care administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He received his medi- cal degree from William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hatties- burg, Mississippi, and completed his inter- nal medicine residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Tyler. As a hospitalist, Dr. Singh specializes in treating patients in the hospital setting. Aging actively Keeping in good health should be a priority throughout your life, but it is especially important as you age. There are a number of ways to ensure you keep your health on track, including scheduling regular checkups with health care provid- ers, participating in activities you enjoy, surrounding yourself with those you love, eating well and getting enough rest. An- other important way to stay healthy is to stay active, no matter your age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults can benefit greatly from participating in mod- erate physical activity each day. As you age, staying physically active can reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic health condi- tions. Healthy bones, muscles and joints, which help decrease your risk of falling and injury, are an added benefit. START HERE If you are looking for a place to start or continue an exercise routine, the Shan- non Women’s Fitness Center offers highly trained, educated staff who can provide fitness and exercise plans to suit your life- style while meeting your needs for optimal health.The Center also accepts both Silver Sneakers® members and Silver&Fit® members. These programs are designed to em- power older adults through participation in physical activity and social settings. Visit with a Shannon Women’s Fit- ness Center staff member to see if your insurance covers Silver Sneakers and Silver&Fit. Please remember to consult your health care provider before beginning a new exercise routine. Say goodbye to hip and knee pain Whether you’re walking down the street or climbing stairs, moving a knee or hip shouldn’t make you wince in pain. But that’s exactly what can happen when arthritis wears away the shock-absorbing cartilage at the ends of bones in a hip or knee joint. And it’s no way to live. If hip or knee pain has become a part of your life, here’s welcome news: There are more ways to ease your pain than you might realize. Give these tips a try: Trim down if you’re overweight. Those extra pounds place extra stress on weight- bearing joints, like the hip and knee. Losing weight reduces that stress and can curb pain. Give your hip and knee some TLC. Rest your joints, and do your best to avoid any activity that makes your pain worse. Applying heat or cold to your joint—for example, by us- ing warm towels or cold packs—can also ease pain. Check with your doctor to see whether you should try heat, cold or both. Make all the right moves. Appropriate exercise—specifically, physical activity that strengthens the muscles that support your hip or knee but doesn’t stress them—can help you move more comfortably and freely. Partner with your doctor for pain relief. Many different medicines ease arthritis pain, and your doctor can help find the right match for you. IS IT TIME FOR SURGERY? If steps like these don’t help and your pain is severe, your doctor may advise surgery to replace your damaged knee or hip with an artificial one. As many as 8 out of 10 people who undergo replacement surgery are pain-free within a year, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons reports. But joint replacement is major surgery. So carefully explore its pros and cons with your doctor. Visit shannonhealth.com to find a provider. Shannon Women’s Fitness Center Mondays through Thursdays, 5 a.m. to noon and 2 to 7 p.m. Fridays, 5 a.m. to noon 4208 College Hills 325-947-0590