Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wednesday Evening Appointments
Due to the high no show rates on Wednesday nights (5pm-7pm), we are considering to discontinue offering evening appointments every week. Please keep in mind that we offer these extended hours to accommodate our patients who can only make an appointment after their work hours. If appointments are not kept and patients are not calling to cancel ahead of time, we are not able to offer the appointment to someone else who may need to be seen.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Newsletter - July 2009
I can’t believe it has been 3 years since I opened my solo practice in Oviedo. I have been taking care of some of my patients for over 6 years. I have definitely found a home in my Oviedo and East Orlando community and I consider it a privilege to care for you and your families.
Office Happenings
▪Please join us on our 3rd Annual Patient Appreciation Days on July 1st & 2nd, 2009.
▪Our office hours will be 8am-7pm on 7/01/2009 and from 8am-5pm on 7/02/2009. The office will be closed on 7/03/2009 in observance of the 4th of July Holiday.
▪We are on Facebook! Find us by searching for Healthy Horizons Family Medicine.
Your Health
Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. OA is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the joint’s cartilage. Cartilage is the part of the joint that cushions the ends of the bones and allows easy movement of joints. The breakdown of cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint.
OA affects nearly 27 million Americans. OA typically affects only certain joints, such as the hips, hands, knees, low back and neck. After age 50, women are more often affected by OA than men. Symptoms of OA typically first begin after age 40 and progress slowly.
Common symptoms of OA is pain or stiffness in joints after periods of inactivity or excessive use, grating or “catching” sensation during joint movement and bony growths at the margins of affected joints.
Some factors that increase the risk of developing OA include heredity, being overweight, joint injury, repeated overuse of certain joints, lack of physical activity, nerve injury and aging.
The diagnosis of OA is typically based on a medical history and physical examination. Doctors sometimes recommend that patients have X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out other causes of pain and to determine how much joint damage has occurred. Joint aspiration, a procedure in which fluid is drained from the affected joints and examined, and blood tests also may be used to rule out other forms of arthritis in the body.
Treatment of OA varies with the severity of symptoms and focuses on decreasing pain
and improving joint movement. Treatment plans often include a combination of drugs, rest, physical activity, joint protection, use of heat or cold to reduce pain, and physical or occupational therapy. Many people with OA use pain medications such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help reduce joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Physical activity keeps joints flexible and maintains or improves muscle strength. Weight control is important for prevention of and to slow the progression of OA affecting the weight-bearing joints (knees and hips) and low back. It is known that for every one pound of weight lost, there is a four pound reduction in the load exerted on the knee for each step taken during daily activities. Weight loss of only 15 pounds can cut knee pain in half for overweight individuals with arthritis. Corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid derivatives can be injected into joints that are unresponsive to treatment. Dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, high dose omega-3-FA (EPA) have been shown in some studies of knee OA to relieve pain and improve joint function in severe OA. Surgery is an important consideration in people with advanced OA associated with joint damage and/or marked limitations in joint function. For more information go to http://www.arthritis.org
Special July Self Pay Pricing
▪New Patient Self Pay Initial Visit - $100 (savings of $50-$120) excludes injections or procedures/testing
▪Established Patient Self Pay Visit - $75 (savings of $5-$150) excludes injections or procedures/testing
▪New Patient Self Pay Well Woman Examinations (pap smears) - $150 (savings of $25)
▪Low Self Pay Laboratory Fees
Nutritional Supplements
▪25% off Nutritional & Weight Management Supplements from 7/1/2009-7/2/2009
▪10% off Nutritional & Weight Management Supplements from 7/3/2009-7/31/2009
Supplements that can be used in osteoarthritis:
▪Flexibility is rich in vitamins and minerals recognized as beneficial to the health of joints and soft tissues. Two important amino acids utilized in Flexibility include glycine and histidine. These amino acids are known to promote neuromuscular control as well as maintain healthy, flexible joints. Boron, another key ingredient, is vital in protecting joints and vitamin E is added to soothe muscle cramps associated with heavy exercise or everyday exertions.
▪Our most popular supplement, outside of our weight loss line is WINOmega. It is the best omega-3 fatty acid that I have found. Its purity, superior quality, high level of EPA, and EPA to DHA ratio are reasons that my children, husband and I take WINOmega each day. I have been able to reduce my cholesterol safely and effectively while controlling my wrist tendinitis. My daughter’s eczema is also now controlled.
▪All of our products are listed in the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) for Nonprescription Drugs, Dietary Supplements and Herbs. For more information go to http://www.rodriguesdo.com.
Thank you for being a valued patient,
Dr. Randi-Ann Rodrigues and Staff
Healthy Horizons Family Medicine
1410 West Broadway St., Ste. 106
Oviedo, FL 32765
Phone: 407-971-1290 Fax: 407-971-1291
www.healthyhorizonsfamilymedicine.com
Office Happenings
▪Please join us on our 3rd Annual Patient Appreciation Days on July 1st & 2nd, 2009.
▪Our office hours will be 8am-7pm on 7/01/2009 and from 8am-5pm on 7/02/2009. The office will be closed on 7/03/2009 in observance of the 4th of July Holiday.
▪We are on Facebook! Find us by searching for Healthy Horizons Family Medicine.
Your Health
Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. OA is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the joint’s cartilage. Cartilage is the part of the joint that cushions the ends of the bones and allows easy movement of joints. The breakdown of cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint.
OA affects nearly 27 million Americans. OA typically affects only certain joints, such as the hips, hands, knees, low back and neck. After age 50, women are more often affected by OA than men. Symptoms of OA typically first begin after age 40 and progress slowly.
Common symptoms of OA is pain or stiffness in joints after periods of inactivity or excessive use, grating or “catching” sensation during joint movement and bony growths at the margins of affected joints.
Some factors that increase the risk of developing OA include heredity, being overweight, joint injury, repeated overuse of certain joints, lack of physical activity, nerve injury and aging.
The diagnosis of OA is typically based on a medical history and physical examination. Doctors sometimes recommend that patients have X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out other causes of pain and to determine how much joint damage has occurred. Joint aspiration, a procedure in which fluid is drained from the affected joints and examined, and blood tests also may be used to rule out other forms of arthritis in the body.
Treatment of OA varies with the severity of symptoms and focuses on decreasing pain
and improving joint movement. Treatment plans often include a combination of drugs, rest, physical activity, joint protection, use of heat or cold to reduce pain, and physical or occupational therapy. Many people with OA use pain medications such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help reduce joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Physical activity keeps joints flexible and maintains or improves muscle strength. Weight control is important for prevention of and to slow the progression of OA affecting the weight-bearing joints (knees and hips) and low back. It is known that for every one pound of weight lost, there is a four pound reduction in the load exerted on the knee for each step taken during daily activities. Weight loss of only 15 pounds can cut knee pain in half for overweight individuals with arthritis. Corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid derivatives can be injected into joints that are unresponsive to treatment. Dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, high dose omega-3-FA (EPA) have been shown in some studies of knee OA to relieve pain and improve joint function in severe OA. Surgery is an important consideration in people with advanced OA associated with joint damage and/or marked limitations in joint function. For more information go to http://www.arthritis.org
Special July Self Pay Pricing
▪New Patient Self Pay Initial Visit - $100 (savings of $50-$120) excludes injections or procedures/testing
▪Established Patient Self Pay Visit - $75 (savings of $5-$150) excludes injections or procedures/testing
▪New Patient Self Pay Well Woman Examinations (pap smears) - $150 (savings of $25)
▪Low Self Pay Laboratory Fees
Nutritional Supplements
▪25% off Nutritional & Weight Management Supplements from 7/1/2009-7/2/2009
▪10% off Nutritional & Weight Management Supplements from 7/3/2009-7/31/2009
Supplements that can be used in osteoarthritis:
▪Flexibility is rich in vitamins and minerals recognized as beneficial to the health of joints and soft tissues. Two important amino acids utilized in Flexibility include glycine and histidine. These amino acids are known to promote neuromuscular control as well as maintain healthy, flexible joints. Boron, another key ingredient, is vital in protecting joints and vitamin E is added to soothe muscle cramps associated with heavy exercise or everyday exertions.
▪Our most popular supplement, outside of our weight loss line is WINOmega. It is the best omega-3 fatty acid that I have found. Its purity, superior quality, high level of EPA, and EPA to DHA ratio are reasons that my children, husband and I take WINOmega each day. I have been able to reduce my cholesterol safely and effectively while controlling my wrist tendinitis. My daughter’s eczema is also now controlled.
▪All of our products are listed in the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) for Nonprescription Drugs, Dietary Supplements and Herbs. For more information go to http://www.rodriguesdo.com.
Thank you for being a valued patient,
Dr. Randi-Ann Rodrigues and Staff
Healthy Horizons Family Medicine
1410 West Broadway St., Ste. 106
Oviedo, FL 32765
Phone: 407-971-1290 Fax: 407-971-1291
www.healthyhorizonsfamilymedicine.com
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