#preventivemedicine Tag

19 Oct

Posted at 20:13h in Author Interviews, Cannabis, Sleep Disorders

Cannabis/CBD Notice: Cannabis products are not FDA monitored or approved. Discuss your use of medicinal cannabis or CBD products with your healthcare provider before use. Dosing is variable and products may interfere with other medications, stimulants and alcohol. Do not use cannabis or CBD products if you are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant. Do not use cannabis products when driving or operating difficult or dangerous machinery. Keep out of reach of children. Children and pets should not be exposed to cannabis or CBD products.

Thanh-Huyen T. VuMedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Thanh-Huyen T. Vu, MD, PhD

Research Associate Professor

Department of Preventive Medicine

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Cannabis is widely used and legal in many states. Many people believe that it helps them sleep better. However, few studies have tested whether cannabis use is associated with sleep—particularly sleep that is measured using devices rather than self-reported. Our study asked adults about their cannabis use multiple times over 35 years. And more recently, we measured sleep duration and quality using a wearable device similar to an Apple Watch or Fitbit and asked people to tell us about their sleep.

We found that adults who used cannabis regularly over a number of years had sleep that we would describe as lower quality—more frequent awakenings and with less time during their sleep period spent asleep. However, when asked, adults who used cannabis and those who didn't reported similar sleep patterns—which wasn't the case when we measured it.

10 Jun

Posted at 14:58h in Laboratories
[caption id="attachment_74222" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Lab Ranges May Miss Early Signs of Metabolic Dysfunction Image source: Envato[/caption] A patient receives lab results from their doctor. The results are within normal ranges, and for many people, the conversation about their lab panel ends there. But normal on a standard lab report does not mean optimal, and the gap between those two things is where a significant amount of early metabolic dysfunction goes undetected. Researchers and clinicians working in preventive and functional medicine have been examining how conventional reference ranges are constructed, what they actually measure, and whether they reliably catch early-stage dysfunction before it progresses to diagnosable disease. Practitioners in the field of lifestyle medicine frequently use this kind of deeper metabolic assessment as a foundation for early intervention, working with patients before markers reach the thresholds that trigger a clinical diagnosis.

20 Nov

Posted at 23:50h in General Medicine, Primary Care
Frustrated with the rising costs and recurring treatments, patients are increasingly seeking solutions that prioritize their long-term well-being. In response, the healthcare sector is shifting its focus towards preventive care in primary care settings. The Growing Importance of Preventive Care in Primary Care Practices This proactive approach not only addresses immediate health issues but also emphasizes the prevention of future ailments, reshaping the healthcare landscape. By integrating preventive measures into routine care, providers are transforming patient outcomes and establishing new healthcare efficiency and effectiveness standards.

The Evolution of Preventive Care in Primary Care Settings

The traditional healthcare model, which often centered on treating illnesses as they emerged, is being transformed by a proactive approach to preventive care. This shift towards prevention is not only a medical necessity but a financial imperative, particularly as healthcare costs continue to escalate. As more patients seek primary care physicians near me who prioritize preventive care, healthcare providers are adapting their practices to meet this growing demand. By focusing first on the prevention of diseases before they have the chance to take hold, care providers can manage individual and public health in a far more sustainable manner. The evidence supporting this shift is strong, demonstrating that preventive care not only reduces healthcare costs but also dramatically and positively affects patient-centered health outcomes, including a reduction in hospital admissions due to chronic diseases.