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Patients Corner

Patients Corner

Stress Affects Heart Health

You don’t need fancy equipment or expensive therapy to start managing your stress. Here are a few everyday strategies that can make a big difference:

  • Deep Breathing: Just a few minutes of slow, deep breathing can calm your nervous system.
  • Exercise: Walking, jogging, or even dancing releases feel-good hormones that reduce stress.
  • Sleep Well: Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep a night. Poor sleep increases stress and heart risk.
  • Talk It Out: Sharing your thoughts with friends, family, or a counselor can ease mental burdens.
  • Meditation or Yoga: These practices combine movement, breathing, and relaxation. 
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Managing Stress with Health Insurance

There are some simple but very important steps you should always consider when looking into insurance coverage.  

  1. First finding out what insurances your community and health centers accept, and which ones are in network. This will help eliminate any unforeseen health care and prescription costs.    
  2. Second, find a local specialist trained in Medicare and Medicaid law and regulations, health insurance counseling and relevant insurance products. They are referred to as MMAP counselors.  Each community usually has a small number of MMAP counselor volunteers trained to help you understand your options and explain each plan in detail. MMAP counselors can normally be located at your local agency on aging or senior centers and their services are free, unlike insurance company employees, working on commission.  
  3. Make an appointment with the MMAP counselor. Insurance open enrollment normally starts early October-December and making your appointment sooner than later will ensure you get an appointment. At your appointment MMAP counselors can answer questions, show you how much out of pocket cost you will have, for prescription, doctors’ visits and specialist visits and enroll you in a plan for the following year.
  4. Last step, prepare for your appointment. Preparation should include making a list of all your current prescribed medications, know the name of your preferred pharmacies (can have up to 4), know how much out of pocket cost you can afford per month/year and having a list of all specialty doctors, will help this process go smoothly.
This image depicts a map of Michigan set against a white background, shaded in Spartan green. Across the map, several star symbols are distributed, marking various clinic locations. The clinics indicated include AHC Harbor Springs, AHC Cheboygan, AHC Alpena, AHC Ossineke, AHC Lincoln, AHC Oscoda, David R Games GLBHC, Old Town GLBHC, Janes Street GLBHC, Roosevelt S Ruffin GLBHC, Forest Community Health Center, and Birch Health Center. Each star symbol is shaded in white, of the same size, and serves to denote a distinct clinic location within the state. Image of Sandy Samp top left.

Joyful Habits

Our bodies and minds crave activity. You will thank yourself if you change your sedentary habits.
What new activities would bring you joy?
 

Acting, biking, bowling, camping, caring for a pet, cleaning, cooking, crafting, dancing, laundry, push-ups, sit-ups, yoga, drawing, fishing, gardening, spiritual activities, golfing, grocery shopping, hiking, visiting friends, journaling, jogging, jumping rope, knitting, listening to music, meditating, walking, organizing, painting, playing an instrument, board games, frisbee, team sports, tennis, hacky sack, reading, scrapbooking, singing, skating, sleeping, puzzling, storytelling, stretching, swimming, photography, tutoring, museum, volunteering, walking, woodworking, wrenching, writing. 
 

Make a plan. It is natural to backslide. Do not judge yourself harshly, start again.
Create joyful habits for yourself, you are worth it.
 

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Insurance Tips with Sandy

The Medicare Summary Notice (MSN), which provides information on Original Medicare Claims, is one of the key tools that the SMP program uses for catching fraud, errors, and abuse.

Reviewing and understanding MSNs is crucial for both Medicare beneficiaries and for SMPs. Go to tutorial reviews the basics of how to read your MSN.

If you’ve got questions, the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance program has answers. They don’t sell Medicare plans—they just help you understand them. Their local, certified counselors are here to guide you. They offer personal assistance at no charge. Let them be your guide to maximize your benefits and savings.

Call 1-800-803-7174 to speak to a counselor in your area. Or visit Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP)

This image depicts a map of Michigan set against a white background, shaded in Spartan green. Across the map, several star symbols are distributed, marking various clinic locations. The clinics indicated include AHC Harbor Springs, AHC Cheboygan, AHC Alpena, AHC Ossineke, AHC Lincoln, AHC Oscoda, David R Games GLBHC, Old Town GLBHC, Janes Street GLBHC, Roosevelt S Ruffin GLBHC, Forest Community Health Center, and Birch Health Center. Each star symbol is shaded in white, of the same size, and serves to denote a distinct clinic location within the state. Image of Sandy Samp top left.
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Your Type II Diabetes and Alcohol

Managing type 2 diabetes involves careful lifestyle choices, including alcohol consumption. Understanding how alcohol affects blood sugar is essential for making informed decisions.

Effects on Blood Sugar Alcohol impacts blood sugar in two ways: it can lower it by interfering with the liver’s glucose release or raise it if the drink contains carbohydrates. This can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or spikes, making monitoring crucial.

Medication Interactions Alcohol can interact with diabetes medications, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia, especially with insulin. Additionally, excessive drinking while on metformin may cause lactic acidosis, a rare but serious condition.

Safe Drinking Guidelines

  • Drink in Moderation: Men should limit alcohol to two drinks per day, women to one.

  • Never Drink on an Empty Stomach: Eating helps prevent blood sugar drops.

  • Choose Wisely: Opt for low-carb options like dry wines or spirits with sugar-free mixers.

  • Monitor Blood Sugar: Check levels before and after drinking.

  • Carry Medical ID: Helps in emergencies if blood sugar drops suddenly.

Who Should Avoid Alcohol? Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes, neuropathy, high triglycerides, liver/kidney disease, or those who are pregnant should avoid alcohol.

Conclusion Moderation and smart choices are key when consuming alcohol with type 2 diabetes. Always consult your doctor to ensure safe drinking habits

Article by Dr. Alvi Syed

Dietary Digest with Amy

Mindful Eating Leads to Smaller Portions

The skill of mindful eating will help your regular meals bring more pleasure and generally decrease the quantity you eat. The goal is to eat less and still enjoy your meal. 

The exercise:

  1. Take, wash and dry an apple. An orange or other fruit will also work.
  2. Look at the apple and think about the way you usually snack. Do you enjoy your food? Why are you so preoccupied that you miss the pleasure of eating?
  3. Concentrate on the apple. Be still.
  4. Be thankful for the earth, science, farmers and workers that made this apple available to you.
  5. Take a bite. Chew slowly and completely each bite. 
  6. Continue eating.
  7. Be aware of your breath.
  8. If your mind drifts to projects, deadlines, fears, sorrow, anger, past, future, bring your focus back to the apple.

Paying attention to the present is difficult in our busy lifestyles.

  • Apple fiber and antioxidants prevent plaque build-up in blood vessels, preventing heart disease.
  • The fiber also helps move waste through the small intestines, lowering the risk of irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Half of the apple’s vitamin C is in the skin. The skin is also rich in phytochemicals, which fight chronic disease.
  • Apples are packed with potassium, which can help keep blood pressure under control.
This image depicts a map of Michigan set against a white background, shaded in Spartan green. Across the map, several star symbols are distributed, marking various clinic locations. The clinics indicated include AHC Harbor Springs, AHC Cheboygan, AHC Alpena, AHC Ossineke, AHC Lincoln, AHC Oscoda, David R Games GLBHC, Old Town GLBHC, Janes Street GLBHC, Roosevelt S Ruffin GLBHC, Forest Community Health Center, and Birch Health Center. Each star symbol is shaded in white, of the same size, and serves to denote a distinct clinic location within the state. Image of Amy Seaver on top left.