The Universal Prescription
Posted on Sep 3, 2011
What if there was a medication you could take that would treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, depression, fatigue, and sleep disorders as well as many other common health issues?
What if that medication was free and the only side effect was weight loss? Would you sign up for this miracle prescription?
The good news is you don’t have to wait in line or jump through any hoops to obtain access to this treatment. All you need is a pair of comfortable shoes and the desire to improve your health. This miracle prescription is Exercise! The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association are making efforts to bring a greater focus on physical activity and exercise in health care settings. Research has proven that exercise has a role in the treatment and prevention of more than 40 chronic diseases including:
o Diabetes
o Heart disease
o Obesity and Hypertension
o Osteoarthritis and Cancer
A recent study published in the medical journal The Lancet reported that just 15 minutes of exercise a day may add as much as three years to your life. Additionally, there have been many studies proving that 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week or 150 minutes weekly can improve health. According to MedPageToday.com, working out just 15 minutes per day can reduce your chances of death by 14% and your chances of death due to cancer (the leading cause of death in McDowell County is cancer) by 10%.
McDowell County has many natural, free resources for fun exercise. Try hiking one of the beautiful trails to a waterfall; take your children or pets for a walk on the Greenway; or simply enjoy the scenic views by walking down your street.
Remember to talk with your primary care physician prior to starting a workout program because they can assess any risk factors that you may have and provide counseling on how to safely initiate an exercise routine. If you need to establish care with a primary care physician please call 828-659-3621 or visit our physician directory at www.mcdhospital.org today.
Dr. Adam Kinninger is a Doctor of Osteopathy currently stationed at Sugar Hill Primary Care Family Practice on Sugar Hill Road. He will be relocating to Mission Family Practice – Nebo later this year.
For more information on Primary Care services offered, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Adam Kinninger, call 828-659-3621 today.
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