We treat many conditions
Your health is important to us! Dr. Lindsay's compassionate and thorough care includes disease prevention and management with a customized plan of care for each patient's unique needs. These are just some of the more common conditions we treat here at Family First Wellness. We look forward to seeing you soon!
See below for helpful information about:
Annual Exams, COPD, Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension and Hypothyroidism
Hypertension
What is hypertension?
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Hypertension is the pressure your blood places on the walls of your arteries over time, which can weaken your blood vessels, leaving you more prone to serious cardiovascular issues.
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To determine your blood pressure, Dr. Lindsay performs a simple and painless check using
a special cuff that measures two things:-
Your systolic pressure — the pressure against your arterial walls during a heartbeat
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Your diastolic pressure — the pressure of your blood in between heartbeats
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The resulting reading is two numbers — your systolic pressure over your diastolic pressure —and here’s how the numbers break out:
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Less than 120 over less than 80: Normal
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120-129 over less than 80: Elevated
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130-139 over 80-89: High blood pressure
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140 or higher over 90 or higher: Stage 2 high blood pressure
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The problem with hypertension is that there are often no warning signs of the condition until a complication arises, which is why frequent blood pressure checks at Family First Wellness are important.
What causes hypertension?
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High blood pressure is sometimes caused by certain medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, obstructive sleep apnea, kidney issues and certain medications.
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More often, however, hypertension develops over time, largely due to certain factors that place you more at risk, including:
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A diet high in sodium (salt), obesity, lack of exercise, aging, family history race (African Americans are more susceptible), smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and stress
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As you can see by this list, there are some risk factors that are beyond your control, but there are also plenty that you can mitigate, especially with the team at Family First Wellness in your corner.
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How is hypertension treated?
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Dr. Lindsay takes a proactive approach to hypertension with the goal of reducing your blood pressure through healthier habits. While prescription medications play a role and Dr. Lindsay ensures that you have what you need to lower your blood pressure numbers, certain lifestyle changes can also greatly improve the condition.
Diabetes
What is diabetes?
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There are several types of diabetes, which is a catchall term for any condition that prevents you from regulating the level of glucose in your blood because of not enough insulin or insulin resistance.
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Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas, which directs the sugar in your blood to where it needs to go and then carts off the excess.
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If you’re insulin resistant or your pancreas isn’t producing enough (or any) insulin, glucose doesn’t get to where it needs to go and, instead, builds up dangerously in your bloodstream.
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There are two main types of diabetes which include:
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Type 1 diabetes
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This form of the disease affects about 1.25 million people in the US and is considered an autoimmune problem in which your body mistakenly attacks your insulin-producing cells.
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Type 2 diabetes
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This type of diabetes accounts for the majority of diagnoses and occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin and your pancreas is unable to produce enough to overcome the resistance.
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No matter which type of diabetes you have, the bottom line is that sugars build up in your blood, which can have very serious implications.
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What are the health complications that arise from diabetes?
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The health complications that stem from diabetes are very serious, and even life-threatening.
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As the sugar builds up in your bloodstream, it can lead to several serious conditions including cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, neuropathy, or nerve damage, Vision loss and Kidney damage.
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As you can see by this list, diabetes can have an incredibly dangerous and widespread
impact on your health unless it’s properly managed.
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How is diabetes treated?
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Dr. Lindsay understands that diabetes can be controlled, but it takes a multi-pronged approach that requires your involvement.
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As part of her treatment plan, Dr. Lindsay typically recommends medications to control your glucose, dietary improvements, exercise and vigilant oversight.
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While the medications can be effective, nothing beats tackling diabetes through diet and exercise, which have been shown to greatly improve diabetes and, in some cases, put it into remission.
If you do your part and work with Dr. Lindsay toward a healthier lifestyle, you can gain the upper hand on your diabetes and prevent the many serious complications associated with the disease.
For help managing your diabetes, call Family First Wellness or request an appointment using this website's feedback feature.
Hypothyroidism
What is hypothyroidism?
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Your thyroid is a gland located in your neck that produces thyroid hormones, which have an effect on almost every area of your health.
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Most people go through life without giving their thyroid a second thought as everything functions as it should.
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When your thyroid underproduces critical hormones, the effects are so widespread that suddenly this small gland takes center stage.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
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The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, feeling colder, dryer skin, memory problems, thinning hair, muscle weakness or pain and high cholesterol.
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This list is by no means comprehensive as your thyroid hormones play a role in an incredibly wide range of areas, from keeping your body warm to maintaining optimal organ function.
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People respond differently to lower-than-normal hormone levels so no two cases are alike when it comes to hypothyroidism.
What causes hypothyroidism?
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Hypothyroidism can develop on the heels of an autoimmune disorder, certain cancer treatments, such as radiation, thyroid surgery and certain medications.
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While these are the primary causes of hypothyroidism, there are several factors that place you more at risk, including being a woman, being older than 60 and hereditary factors.
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No matter how the condition was brought on, the good news is that there is a solution.
How is hypothyroidism diagnosed and treated?
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To determine whether hypothyroidism is behind your symptoms, Dr. Lindsay performs a thyroid-stimulating hormone test, which is the most accurate tool for measuring your thyroid hormone levels.
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To perform this test, she simply draws some of your blood, which is analyzed in the lab.
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If she finds that you have insufficient levels of thyroid hormones, Dr. Lindsay is able to make up the difference through medications.
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Hypothyroidism can’t be cured, but Dr. Lindsay can effectively control the problem with synthetic thyroxine pills.
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It may take a little time to find the right dosage for your unique situation, but, rest assured, Dr. Lindsay is with you every step of the way as she works toward restoring hormonal balance in your body for better health and wellness.
If you suspect you may be dealing with hypothyroidism, call Family First Wellness or use this website's feedback feature to request an appointment.
Hyperlipidemia
What is hyperlipidemia?
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Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which the levels of lipids (fats) in your blood are too high. Also known as high cholesterol, this condition can lead to serious health complications, such as:
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Heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, kidney disease and high blood pressure
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When lipids build up in your blood, it hampers the healthy flow of nutrients and oxygen throughout your body, which is what leads to most of these health complications.
What causes hyperlipidemia?
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Your blood contains two main types of cholesterol:
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Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
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Known as the “bad” cholesterol, your LDL can build up on the walls of your arteries, causing them to narrow.
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High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
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This “good” cholesterol is responsible for clearing out the LDL from your arteries, delivering it back to your liver.
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Hyperlipidemia develops when there’s an excess of LDL in your blood and your HDL levels aren’t high enough to keep up with the excess.
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The primary factors that put you more at risk for this imbalance include:
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Unhealthy diet (too much saturated or trans fat), Obesity, Smoking, Lack of exercise, Diabetes and Hyperthyroidism
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In some cases, you may inherit naturally low levels of HDL, which means you have a harder time regulating your LDL levels, even if they’re low.
How is hyperlipidemia treated?
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If Dr. Lindsay diagnoses you with hyperlipidemia, the good news is that there are many steps you can take to reverse the condition, including:
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Prescription medications, losing weight, exercising more, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption
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The role that diet plays in your cholesterol levels is enormous, which is why Dr. Lindsay provides critical nutritional counseling.
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For example, it’s important that you steer clear of fried and fatty foods, as well as many complex carbohydrates (think processed foods like white bread and pasta). Instead, a diet that features healthier foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, reduces your LDL numbers and improves your HDL numbers.
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The bottom line is that you have the power to reverse your hyperlipidemia diagnosis if you work with Dr. Lindsay to make lifestyle changes that benefit your blood and your overall health.
For expert treatment of your hyperlipidemia, call Family First Wellness or use the contact feature of this website to request an appointment.
Annual Exams
Why is an annual exam important?
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Annual exams are some of the most important tools in your family’s health care arsenal as they allow Dr. Lindsay the opportunity to track your family’s health from one year to the next.
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During these visits, Dr. Lindsay assesses your health, paying close attention to any risk factors or preexisting conditions that have the potential to cause problems. With most health issues, the chance to intervene early can make a positive impact on the outcome.
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While annual exams are important for every member of the family, they’re especially critical for children, all of whom develop at a dizzying rate from the moment they exit the womb until they reach adulthood.
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During this time, Dr. Lindsay can oversee your child’s development, ensuring that important milestones are met and stepping in where necessary.
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What happens during an annual exam?
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When you or a family member visits Family First Wellness for an annual exam, Dr. Lindsay takes the time to thoroughly assess your health.
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To start, she records your vital statistics, including your:
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Blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, respiration rate, height and weight
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These numbers provide valuable baseline data that guides Dr. Lindsay in her care, allowing her to spot any trends that bear a closer look.
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With these numbers recorded, Dr. Lindsay sits down with you to discuss your health since your last visit and any concerns you may have.
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From there, she performs a physical examination in which she:
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Listens to your lungs and heart, examines your head and neck and palpates your abdomen
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After your physical exam, Dr. Lindsay collects blood from you, which can reveal some very important information about your health.
What preventive steps can I take to safeguard my family’s health?
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This is one area that Dr. Lindsay is passionate about and she reviews the steps you can take to improve your health.
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In many cases, lifestyle changes, such as more exercise or losing a few pounds, can make a marked difference in your ability to head off serious health issues.
Ultimately, every patient is unique and Dr. Lindsay recommends a preventive plan based on each person’s circumstances and health.
For peace of mind knowing that your family’s health is well looked after through annual exams, call Family First Wellness or request an appointment using this website's contact feature.
COPD
(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
What is COPD?
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COPD is a catchall term for conditions that make it hard for you to breathe, such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or asthma.
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Under normal circumstances, when you breathe in, your airways deliver the air to your lungs, which is equipped with bronchial tubes and smaller bronchioles to get the air to your alveoli, or air sacs.
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These tiny air sacs are ultimately responsible for the gas exchange between your lungs and your blood, releasing oxygen into your blood and removing carbon dioxide.
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With COPD, there’s a problem in this system that makes it hard for you to breathe, including when:
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Your airways and air sacs lose elasticity, your airways are inflamed, excessive mucus blocks your airways or the walls of your air sacs are damaged
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COPD is progressive, so the earlier you address the problem at Family First Wellness, the better able you are to fight back.
What causes COPD?
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The primary culprit behind COPD is cigarette smoking, which can greatly damage the tissues in your lungs.
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Up to 25% of people with COPD have never smoked, which means the condition can stem from:
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Long-term exposure to environmental irritants, asthma, ongoing problems with bronchitis or a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
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This last problem is fairly rare, but if you’ve developed unexplained COPD, this genetic disorder may be behind the problem.
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What are the treatment options for COPD?
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The overriding goal at Family First Wellness is to help you breathe easier again.
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After an extensive evaluation of your lungs and airways, Dr. Lindsay comes up with a treatment plan that best addresses your underlying problem.
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There are great medications that can offer on-the-spot relief, such as bronchodilators and steroids, but lifestyle changes are key to helping you better manage COPD and asthma.
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If you’re a smoker, the first order of business is quitting and Dr. Lindsay helps you accomplish this. It’s also important to exercise — your lungs rely on elasticity to perform well so you need to do your part to keep them working.
Rest assured, Dr. Lindsay works with you until your symptoms are under control and you’re able to lead a more active life.