Everyone should get an annual physical. There are many benefits to having a regular check-in with your doctor, for both your physical and mental health. This is an opportunity to voice any concerns and learn about any steps you should take to improve your health. Most insurances cover the cost of an annual physical. If not, there are resources available that can help. At Center for Family Medicine, we believe every person deserves high-quality care.     Benefits of an Annual Physical An annual physical has several benefits: Improves your relationship with your primary care provider ..read more

Medical school students experience something exciting on Residency Match Day, which takes place on Friday, March 15th. On this important day, medical students find out where they will be completing their upcoming residency. This day can be compared to the prestigious ‘Ivy Day’ for high schoolers (when seniors learn if they were accepted to the Ivy League schools) or ‘Bid Day’ for college students (when college-aged students learn if they got into their top-choice sorority). To increase your familiarity, let’s talk more about Match Day in particular and why it is important to us at the Center f ..read more

February is American Heart Month, which serves as a month-long reminder of how important it is to take preventative measures against cardiovascular diseases. American Heart Month is the perfect time to learn more about CPR. When someone is having a heart attack or a stroke, CPR can save someone’s life—so it’s important to be prepared. Basic CPR Steps As written by the American Red Cross, the basic adult CPR steps are listed here. However, to summarize the Red Cross’s instructions, when performing CPR, be sure to first check to see if the person you’re helping is responsive. After that, if they ..read more

Resident Physician Dr. Carla de Matos Konrad joins Keloland Living to chat about ”Blue Monday”, the saddest day of the year, winter blues, and when to reach out to your healthcare professional about seasonal depression.  The post Beating the Winter SADs with Center for Family Medicine appeared first on Center for Family Medicine ..read more

These past weeks, do you find yourself with a lack of energy and ambition? Do you long for something that you can’t quite put your finger on? Do the days feel far too short? You might be experiencing seasonal depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is quite typical for someone going through the long winters of the Midwest. Fortunately, there are actions that you can take to try to combat the worst symptoms of seasonal depression. Remain Active As the cold weather blows in, it is tempting to stay indoors and warm all of the time. However, remaining active during this t ..read more

The 2022-2023 flu season resulted in 26 million cases, with 290,000 hospitalizations and 19,000 deaths. As of late November 2023, the CDC reports that there have already been over 2,000 hospital admissions for the flu this year. We share these statistics to highlight the potential consequence of influenza, and the importance of taking precautions against catching or spreading this common, but potentially deadly, disease.  One of the easiest ways to help avoid catching the flu or spreading it to loved ones is to receive a flu shot. This vaccine is available for almost all age groups and ty ..read more

Movember is all about men growing out their facial hair in support of men’s health. By ditching your razor blades in November, you can spark conversation surrounding men’s everyday health risks. By actively raising awareness, you can join in the Movember theme of “changing the face of men’s health.”  Mental and Physical Health Risks for Men There are three primary health risks that affect men the most. These include prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health battles. In the US alone, according to the National Institute of Health, over 2 million men have lived with prostate cance ..read more

World Mental Health Day is on October 10th of every year. In 1992, this date was established to raise awareness for mental health challenges and end the negative stigma. While many people live with varying mental health conditions, there’s still much to be done to create an understanding and accepting society. Let’s look into the importance of spreading awareness and what can be done to promote the mental well-being of ourselves and our loved ones:  The Importance of Mental Health Awareness Understanding the Stigma You, or someone you know, has likely experienced or lives with a mental he ..read more

Fall allergies can be just as tough to manage as spring allergies. They come with their own set of allergens, such as ragweed and molds, and can last well into November and beyond, depending on the weather.  Learn more about ragweed allergies, common here in the Midwest, and how to combat them and find relief.  What Causes Fall Allergies? In the fall season, ragweed is the leading cause of allergy cases. Ragweed will typically release pollen when nights are cool and days are warm, usually around August. This can last until October, affecting even those who usually react to spring pla ..read more

With August designated as National Immunization Awareness Month, it’s a good time to check that you are up to date on all your vaccines. Immunization, also called vaccination, stimulates your immune system to recognize viruses and bacteria that can cause infection and disease. If you’re exposed to the disease again, your immunity will ward it off quickly and you either won’t get sick at all or you’ll have a milder illness. What is National Immunization Awareness Month? According to the CDC, this month was designated to help educate medical professionals on the latest information about immunolo ..read more