Last updated 2 months ago
If you have diabetes or prediabetes, good nutrition is an important part of maintaining your overall health. While medication and blood sugar monitoring are valuable aspects of diabetes management, these steps alone are not enough to keep your condition under control. Consuming a better diet designed to keep your blood sugar stable will help you stay in the driver’s seat as you work to keep your diabetes in check.
What Diabetics Should Eat
It is possible to dine on a wide variety of foods without posing a threat to your blood sugar. To do this, you simply need to rethink the way your food is prepared and the portions in which you are serving it. For example, if you enjoy fried vegetables, you might find them just as delicious when they are sautéed in olive oil or roasted with herbs in the oven. Measuring and weighing your portions will also help you stay on the right track with your nutrition.
What Foods Should Be Avoided
There are some foods that you will want to strictly limit in your diet. Foods in this category include processed foods, high sodium snacks, soda, packaged fruits with added sugar, and full-fat dairy products. While it may be okay to indulge in these foods on rare occasions, they should not be a part of your daily diet.
Why Diet Matters for Diabetes
When you do manage your diet with a focus on better nutrition, you will find that you feel better day in and day out. This is because you will most likely have lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and lower cholesterol as a result of your healthy eating habits. You might also find it easier to maintain a healthy weight and find energy to exercise.
At Overland Park Regional Medical Center, we understand that it can be a challenge to make the right food choices when you have just been diagnosed with diabetes. To help our patients better manage their care, we offer diabetes education that includes personalized nutritional guidance. You can learn more about our diabetes care services on our website, and you can find a doctor to oversee your care through our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (913) 752-9337.
Last updated 2 months ago
Whether you have just been diagnosed with diabetes or you are looking for help lowering your cancer risk, the friendly and professional staff of Overland Park Regional Medical Center can help you get the care you need for a healthier future. You can explore more information about cancer prevention and diabetes management at the sites listed below before scheduling your medical services with us on our website. You can also reach us through our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (913) 752-9337 to find a doctor or get the answers to your health care questions.
Last updated 2 months ago
If you are over the age of 50, your doctor may talk to you about scheduling a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer. You can learn what to expect from this type of screening and discover why it is important by watching this short clip from the American Cancer Society.
The colonoscopy screening is intended to identify polyps, or non-cancerous growths, in the colon. These growths do have the potential to become cancerous, so it is valuable to spot them early on in their development. There are some other screenings that are more catered to finding cancer rather than pre-cancerous polyps, and you can learn about them in the video.
To schedule your colorectal cancer screening, contact Overland Park Regional Medical Center by calling (913) 752-9337. You can find information about our complete range of cancer care services by following this link to our website.
Last updated 2 months ago
The National Cancer Institute names colon cancer as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, making this disease a top concern in terms of screening and prevention tactics. It is important to note that although colon cancer is very common, it is also highly preventable with some key lifestyle changes. Here is a closer look at the steps you can take to reduce your future risk of colon cancer.
Eat a Healthy Diet
If you frequently consume processed meats, animal fat, or high-calorie foods, you may be putting your colon at risk. Choosing fresh fruits and vegetables, antioxidant-rich foods, and whole grains, however, can help you stay healthy for life. You can spot the best options within these food groups by selecting those that are rich in fiber, vitamin D, calcium, or folic acid.
Schedule a Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy exams are a unique type of cancer screening, because they can actually prevent cancer from forming. Precancerous polyps may develop in the colon before cancerous cells are present, and these are easily identified and removed through a colonoscopy. If you are older than 50 and you have never had a colonoscopy, it may be time to talk to your doctor about scheduling this screening.
Get Plenty of Exercise
Physical activity is a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle, and it has been shown to significantly reduce one’s chances of getting colon cancer. Even as little as 20 minutes of exercise performed three times each week can make a big difference. When you maintain this level of activity, your total health will improve as your cancer risk goes down.
To schedule your colonoscopy during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March, contact Overland Park Regional Medical Center by calling our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (913) 752-9337. You can also visit us on the Web to explore our comprehensive cancer care services and healthy living classes and programs.
Last updated 5 months ago
When you are in search of a reliable resource to keep you in touch with your health, explore the services offered by Overland Park Regional Medical Center, including our H2U health education program and our ongoing events and classes for the community. Check out our calendar of events on our website or connect with us through our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (800) 386-9355.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke discusses how TIA is different from acute stroke.
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