Conventional doctor visits have become surface level and rushed, often leaving patients to be their own doctor. Fortunately, at PrimeHealth, we spend as much time as needed to help you achieve optimal health. Below, we’ve compiled guiding health questions to consider.
1. Should I take magnesium? If so, how much should I take?
Most people suffer from chronic magnesium deficiency. Causes of this include modern farming practices, excessive stress, and poor diet. Thankfully, there are major signs to alert of magnesium deficiency. These signs include muscle cramping/tension, chronic headaches, insomnia, and constipation. Magnesium is a very safe and affordable nutrient that’s used to treat many ailments. As such, I recommend taking 100-200mg of Magnesium Glycinate at night, depending on bowel movements. To treat constipation, you can increase the dose until you have loose stools. For constipation, you may also want to try Magnesium Citrate, which is more active in the gut. To find reputable, professional-grade supplements, please take a look at our Patient Store.
2. Am I getting enough sunshine?
Lack of sunshine has many negative effects on health. It alters sleep cycles, causes hormonal imbalances, and results in vitamin D deficiency. Without sufficient sun exposure, the body doesn’t know when to make cortisol and melatonin, the awake and sleep hormones. This negatively affects sleep and reproductive capacity. Further, vitamin D deficiency can cause or worsen many diseases, including autoimmune disorders, cancers, and osteoporosis. It’s important to get at least 20 minutes of sunshine each day. If you aren’t, make an effort to walk outside or grab a seat by a window.
3. Are my bowel habits normal?
“All disease begins in the gut” -Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. At PrimeHealth, we make optimizing gut health a top priority. Digestion doesn’t just concern eating and bowel movements. Instead, it represents how food is consumed, how nutrients are incorporated in your body, and elimination of waste and toxins. Your bowels are affected by many things, including your mood, activity level, sleep patterns, and the types, quality and quantity of foods ingested. If you have irregular bowel movements, please discuss with your doctor so that you can uncover and treat the root cause.
4. Should I relax more?
We are constantly bombarded by stressors that raise cortisol levels (the major stress hormone released by the adrenal glands). Excessive cortisol causes sleep disturbances, weight gain, irritable mood, and further hormone imbalances. At the extreme end, many of our patients suffer from “adrenal fatigue” and exhaustion from chronic cortisol elevation. It’s important to practice daily relaxation to counter this modern issue. This can include simple techniques, like deep breathing, meditation or walking outside. Though simple, they can have profound effects, including decreasing cortisol levels and creating resilience to life’s stressors.
More Health Questions?
Each of the health questions presented is important to consider and can help set you on the path towards health optimization. If you’d like more guidance or support or you have some more health questions, feel free to schedule a free phone consult with Dr. Rafatjah. Asking the right health questions and getting great answers from the right sources is so important, especially in an age where people think the internet can provide them with everything they need.
List of Health Questions to Ask your Practitioner
- What are the possible diagnoses or treatment options for my condition?
- What are the expected outcomes of each treatment option?
- What are the side effects of each treatment option?
- Are there any alternative treatment options available?
- How will my treatment plan be monitored and adjusted if needed?
- Is there anything I can do to manage my condition at home or prevent it from worsening?
- Are there any resources or support groups available for people with my condition?
