The goal of preventative care is to help you stay healthy, early detection, and prevent certain diseases. Early detection may save your life! Make an appointment with your provider to discuss if you need any of the following.
Preventive & screening services

Women

• Mammogram (x-ray for Breast Cancer)
• Pap Smear (Cervical Cancer)
• Bone Density (special x-ray for Osteoporosis)

Men

• PSA (blood test for Prostate Cancer)
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (ultrasound for aneurysm)

Everyone

• Colonoscopy/Cologuard (Colon Cancer)
• Low-dose CT Lung screening (special x-ray for Lung Cancer)
• Diabetes (blood test hemoglobin A1C, foot exam, eye exam)
• Cholesterol (blood test)
• Transmitted diseases (Hepatitis B and C/ HIV)
• Weight assessment (Obesity)
• Tobacco cessation
• Immunizations: Flu, Pneumonia, Hepatitis B, Covid, Shingles
• Depression (how you feel)
• Cognitive (Dementia)
• Fall assessment
• Abuse/Counseling

Understanding Mental Health is crucial to survival in our chaotic world. It is an important aspect of your overall well-being and refers to a person’s emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how people think, feel, and act, and influences how they handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Just like physical health, mental health impacts a person’s overall quality of life. Taking care of mental
health involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle, seeking professional help when needed, and practicing
self-care.
Remember:

• Reach out for help and support
• Manage stress
• Prioritize self-care
• Develop skills to find a balance when times are difficult
• Seek professional help
• Educate yourself

Resources

About Mental Health

Save Cenla

Louisiana’s Mental Health Advocacy Service

Mental Health Statistics (2023)

Pain in the Nation

What is Obesity?

Obesity is the simple fact that you have too much body fat. Obesity is not just how you “see” yourself but the largest problem is what you cannot “see”. Obesity raises your risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and cancer. It is important that you have a healhy diet and exercise regularly.
Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity | Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity | CDC

If you are struggling to lose weight despite your efforts, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor/provider. Your doctor can evaluate you to make sure that there is not an underlying reasons why you can not lose weight. Here are some chronic illnesses that may affect the reason why you are not losing weight:

• Insulin Resistance
• Hyprothyroidism
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Menopause
• Fatty Liver
• Adverse Effects From Medications
• Depression
• Anxiety

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System shows that ten years ago, there was no state in the US with an obesity rate above 35 percent. The new study is shows that the following states have an alarming increase of obesity rates:

• West Virginia (41%)
• Louisiana (40.1%)
• Oklahoma (40.0%)
• Mississippi (39.5%)

*These states have the highest rates of adult obesity.

Nationally, 41.9 percent of adults have obesity. Black and Latino adults and people living in rural communities tend to have the highest rates of obesity.

• Black adults have the highest level of adult obesity at 49.9 percent.
• Hispanic adults have an obesity rate of 45.6 percent.
• White adults have an obesity rate of 41.4 percent.
• Rural areas of the country have higher rates of obesity than urban and suburban areas.

resources

• State of Obesity 2023: Better Policies for a Healthier America – TFAH
• Adult BMI Calculator | Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity | CDC
• Assessing Your Weight | Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity | CDC
• Balancing Food and Activity for Healthy Weight | Healthy Weight | DNPAO | CDC
• Tips to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight | CDC
• External Resources | Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity | CDC
• Sodium Intake and Health | CDC
• Disability & Health Fact Sheets | CDC
• Prevent Type 2 Diabetes | Diabetes | CDC
• Breastfeeding | CDC
• Overweight & Obesity | CDC
• CDC High Obesity Program

by body system

Lungs

• COPD
• Asthma
• Pneumonia
• PE
• Cystic Fibrosis

Heart/Circulation

• Heart Disease
• Heart Attack
• Cholesterol/Triglyerides
• CAD
• Blood Pressure
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Arrhythmia
• Peripheral Artery Disease
• Stroke

Urinary

• Incontinence
• Bladder Infections
• Enlarged Prostate
• Kidney/Bladder Stone
• Bed Wetting
• Prostatitis
• Kidney Infection
• Kidney Swelling
• Interstitial Cystitis

Endocrine

• Diabetes
• Grave’s
• Hashimoto’s
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• PCOS

Nervous

• Epilepsy
• Alzheimer’s
• Dementia
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s
• ALS
• Bell’s Palsy
• Neuropathy
• Cerebral palsy
• Shingles
• Sciatica

Musculoskeletal

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Back injury

Integumentary

• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea
• Acne

Lymphatic/Immune

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Lupus
• Celiac Disease
• MS

Reproductive

• Women- Endometriosis
• Women- Uterine Fibroid
• Women- PCOS
• Men- Erectile Dysfunction
• Men- Low Sperm Count
• Menopause
• HIV
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Digestive

• GERD
• Irritable Bowel
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Ulcer
• Constipation
• Gut Health
• Pancreatitis

Other Disorder

• Autism

• Down’s Syndrome
• Asperger’s

Skin Care refers to the practices and routines that help maintain the health and appearance, and overall well-being of your skin. It involves taking care of your skin’s unique needs, protecting it from external factors, and promoting its natural balance. A healthy diet is important as well.

Skin care involves good cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It also includes addressing specific concerns like acne, drying, and aging.

Medical conditions that involve the skin include:

• Cystic Acne
• Psoriasis
• Dermatitis
• Eczema
• Rosacea
• Vitiligo
• Skin Cancer

Please consider making an appointment with your provider if you have a rash that is unresolved or a change in a mole or growth that has changed in size, color, shape, or texture.

Achieving and maintaining a perfect balance between physical, mental and emotional well-being can be very challenging. It encompasses various aspects of a individual’s life, including physical fitness, mental and emotional stability, social interactions, and ability to function effectively in everyday life. It involves adopting healthy habits, such as eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, managing stress/sleep, and seeking appropriate care when needed. Overall health is not just the absence of illness or disease, but also the presence of positive well-being and vitality.

Steps to create a healthier version of you:

• Eat a balanced healthy diet. Limit intake of foods with excessive sugar/salt and processed foods
• Exercise regularly
• Get enough sleep and discuss sleep habits with your doctor
• Manage stress and seek help if needed
• Manage/address mental health concerns
• Stay hydrated
• Limit alcohol and avoid smoking
• Maintain healthy weight
• Good hygiene
• See your doctor at scheduled intervals and after hospital visits
• Follow up with your provider for all chronic illnesses including labs, x-rays
• Seek preventative care
• Nurture social connections
• Manage prescription medications and supplement
• Practice home safety (risk areas for falls)

Remember, achieving overall health is a lifelong journey, so making sustainable changes and prioritizing self-care consistently is important. It is necessary to assess your health needs and openly discuss any issues and concerns with your healthcare provider.

Men’s health encompasses a range of issues specific to the male population. Here are some keys areas of concern when it comes to men’s health:

Prostate Health

• Prostate Cancer- blood test (PSA) once a year.
• Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (large prostate)- digital rectal exam
  • Symptoms may include trouble urinating or emptying bladder
• Testicular Cancer- physical exam to testicle

Sexual health

• Erectile dysfunction
• Low sexual drive
• Sexual transmitted infections

Cardiovascular Health

• Heart Disease/Heart Attacks
  • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet and regular exercise are essential for good cardiovascular health.

Weight Management

• Obesity can increase the risk of several health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.

Mental Health

• Men are less likely to seek help for depression, anxiety, and stress due to social stigma.

Substance Abuse

• Men are at a higher risk to engage into risky behaviors.

*Regular health check-ups, screenings, and adopting a healthy lifestyle are key to maintaining optimal men’s health. It’s important to schedule an appointment with your provider for personalized advice and guidance.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is observed in September each year. It is dedicated to raise awareness about prostate cancer, encouraging men to get screened, and promoting education about the disease.

DEDICATION
I dedicate this education topic in honor of my father, Robert Floyd Naquin, Jr. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer with a PSA of 2.7. The normal PSA level is 0-4. Make special note that his PSA of 2.7 was within normal range but it was abnormal for him. Historically, his PSA was 0.2 but of “jump” to 2.7 indicating that he should be evaluated by a urologist. After undergoing a biopsy, he had a robotic radical prostatectomy. Six years later, I am happy to report that he lives a full active life. It is important to keep follow up appointments to continue to monitor that he does not have cancer reoccurrence or bone metastasis.

Women’s health aims to empower women to make informed decisions about their health, seek appropriate care, and lead healthy and fulfilling lives. It refers to the physical, mental, and social well-being of a women. It involves providing education, preventative care, screenings, and treatments tailored to meet the specific needs of women throughout their lifespan. It is important to assess mental and emotional well-being, including issues such as reproductive rights, body image, mental health disorders and domestic violence.

Reproductive health

• Menstruation
• Fertility
• Contraception
• Pregnancy

Breast health

• Mammogram
• Breast Exam
  • Self-Exam
  • Exam by provider/doctor

Sexual health

• Safe Sex Practices
• Sexually Transmitted Infections

Menopause/Perimenopause

• Physical and Emotional Changes
• Hormones

Mental health

• Addressing mental health specific to women
  • postpartum depression
  • anxiety
  • depression

Pelvic health

• Urinary Incontinence
• Pelvic Floor Weakness
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Weight management and nutrition

• Education on proper nutrition, managing weight, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

Preventative care

• Pap Smear
• Mammogram
• Bone Density
• Immunizations

Regular health check-ups, screenings, and adopting a healthy lifestyle are key to maintaining optimal women’s health. It’s important to schedule an appointment with your provider for personalized advice and guidance.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed in October each year. It is dedicated to raise awareness about breast cancer, encouraging women to get screened, and promoting education about the disease.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this education topic in honor of my mother, Wanda Dupuis Naquin. She had annual mammograms due to her history of cystic breast. After undergoing a needle guided biopsy, she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. She underwent treatment with a lumpectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy. During her first chemotherapy, she had a systemic reaction to the chemotherapy which led to reactive airway disease. Breast cancer affects so many different aspects of a women’s self-image. The day we went to the hair salon to shave her head was one the toughest days of her life. We were so thankful for the kindness of Miles Peret Cancer for her wig. We laughed when my son put on her wig and danced for her to make her smile. As a family, we attended the local breast cancer awareness party as she was recognized as a survivor. Unfortunately, it was the reactive airway disease that resulted in her death. It is important consult with your doctor if breast cancer runs in your family.

• Resources
• Mental Health
• VA
• Women in Military
• PTSD
• Insurance

• Lung
• Pancreatic
• Skin Melanoma
• Prostate
• Breast
• Colon
• Leukemia
• Bladder
• Kidney
• Thyroid
• Esophageal