Tag Archives: Heart Health

Here’s How You Can Boost Your Health | Fullerton, CA

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Smart lifestyle choices are the key to enjoying the most life has to offer. If you’re wondering how you can make a change that is going to make you feel better, these are some things we invite you to consider.

Your Eating Habits. Eating as many natural, unprocessed foods as possible is the first major component of health. Whole grains, fiber-rich foods, and lean meats and fish are the foundation of a well-rounded diet, as well as low-fat dairy products. Maintaining a properly balanced diet of natural foods helps you maintain your weight, ensures you are getting the vitamins and minerals you need, and can help you fight a variety of illnesses.

Get Active. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Regular exercise, even just a 30-minute walk per day, or at least five days per week, is a great way to be active. Regular exercise maintains heart health, reduces the risk of obesity (which can lead to other health complications), and offers an opportunity to take a mental health break.

Manage Your Stress. Whether we feel the pressure from our work or home life, chronic or accumulated stress over time can quickly degrade our quality of life. Meditation, yoga, exercise, reading, or any other activity that allows you to take a step back and relax will help keep your stress under control, and it’s very important we all find something that works for us.

Kick Harmful Habits. Tobacco products, cigarette smoke, and drugs are all things we should avoid if we want to boost our health. The consumption of alcohol, if you do, should be kept in moderation; binge drinking is not only a poor health choice, it may indicate that there are deeper problems to address.

Wear Sunscreen Daily. Skin cancer is a very real concern for people, as it can afflict anyone, at any age. Wear sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15, and when possible, wear a hat or other SPF-rated clothing when you intend to be in the sun for prolonged amounts of time. Check your skin for concerning discoloration or moles, and have them evaluated by a dermatologist if they change over time.

Women Should Check For Breast Cancer. Women are recommended to perform monthly breast exams. In the shower, place one hand over your head, and with the opposite hand, use two fingers to make small circles as you work around your entire breast, and repeat on the opposite side. You are attempting to feel for any lumps in the breast that may indicate a pose tally cancerous tumor. Women prone to breast cancer should begin receiving yearly mammograms at the age of 35, and those without a family history should begin at 40.

Follow these tips to boost your health, your body and mind will thank you for it.

If you would like to learn more about how you can ensure your health, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 or visit our website at www.gordongunnm.com for more information regarding women’s health. 

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding areas.

The Symptoms and Causes of Stress, and How To Overcome It | Fullerton, CA

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In this fast-paced world, we are all juggling responsibilities at home, work, and in our personal lives which cause us stress. Stress is a normal part of being human, and helps us navigate the world in its own way. Yet, chronic stress can be very detrimental to our health and well-being. Chronic stress is believed to raise the risk of increased blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic back pain, and depression, and inhibit our immune response. The symptoms of stress can stem from a variety of factors, but overcoming it is key.

Common Symptoms of Stress

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Recurring nightmares
  • Irritability
  • Headaches
  • Backaches
  • Loss of concentration

If you are experiencing an undue amount of daily stress, we invite you to consider the following.

  • Exercise regularly engaging in both aerobic and weight training.
  • Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation deep breathing exercises.
  • Maintain your immune system by eating well-balanced meals, exercising regularly, and getting sufficient sleep.
  • Discuss your symptoms and your feelings about them.
  • Keep a diary to gain insight into your concerns and emotional patterns.
  • Avoid destructive behaviors, including overindulgence of alcohol, caffeine, or smoking.

Stress happens, but it’s important to recognize the symptoms, discover the causes, and reach out for help in navigating away from stress to maintain your quality of life.

If you would like more information about dealing with stress, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today.

Dr. Gunn proudly serves Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

What To Know About Recovering From A Heart Attack | Fullerton, CA

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Heart attacks are a jolting experience. They can make anyone overwhelmed, anxious, fearful, and like their world has been turned on its head, and for good reason. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States. The following are ways you can begin recovering from a heart attack, and help yourself avoid one.

Take Your Medication. If you have had a heart attack, or have hypertension that puts you at an increased risk for a heart attack, be sure to take any prescribed medication as recommended by your doctor. It’s important to maintain your regimen, even if it comes with an adjustment period.

Quit Smoking. Cigarettes are a primary risk factor for heart disease. The carcinogenic ingredients in the cigarette and the smoke are awful for our health. Just one year after quitting cigarettes greatly reduces your risk of a heart attack.

Manage Stress. Chronically elevated levels of cortisol degrade your health over time in a number of ways that makes you more prone to experiencing a heart attack. Practice yoga, meditation, regular exercise, reading, or any other activities that help you take a moment for yourself away from the things that stress you out.

Eat Well. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet of high fiber, natural, and whole grain foods is paramount to retaining a healthy body weight, and keeps your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels within the normal range.

Stay Active. Going for a 30-minute walk, five times a week is an easy way to remain active if you have experienced a heart attack, or want to reduce your risk. Swimming, biking, running, and any other cardio you enjoy also work to maintain your health and reduce risk.

If you would like more information on recovery after a heart attack, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today. 

Top Tips To Improve Your Sleep | Fullerton, CA

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How long and how well you sleep each night has a profound impact on your health. It is recommended everyone get no more than eight hours of great sleep per night, as too little or too much sleep sharply influences your well-being. Here are some simple ways you can improve your sleep.

Create a Schedule. You influence your circadian rhythm, one of which is our sleep cycle. Going to bed and waking up at consistent times each day goes a long way. You will train yourself to fall asleep and wake up more easily. Keeping a sleep diary will help you track the change in the rhythm over time, and allow you to report how you feel each day. Ideally, as your cycle becomes synchronized, your quality of sleep, and how you feel in the morning will improve.

Avoid Caffeine, Nicotine, and Alcohol Before Bed. Not only is the overindulgence of these things bad for us in general, they greatly reduce the quality of our sleep. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants that can take up to eight hours to wear off. Nicotine in particular can can cause someone to sleep lightly and wake up before they are ready due to withdrawal. Alcohol is a depressant that often leads people to wake up at night and worsens snoring and sleep apnea.

Improve Your Surroundings. Keep blue light interference from televisions, phones, and laptops generally away from your sleep space. It reinforces the notion that your room is where you sleep. We influence our sleep rhythm, so when we reinforce sleeping patterns with a space that enhances relaxation and reduces distraction, we can enjoy a greater quality of sleep.

Limit Naps, Increase Activity. If you enjoy an afternoon nap, it may be disrupting your ability to sleep at night. Something that can help you improve your sleep is remaining physically active, and it releases endorphins and wears us out. However, we shouldn’t exercise within 2-3 hours of our bed time, because it doesn’t give our bodies enough time to return to normal levels before attempting to relax into sleep.

Avoid Food and Beverages Before Bed. Drinking liquids and the consumption of anything before bed will cause you to urinate in the night, breaking up your sleep cycle and causing you to feel more tired and groggy in the morning than you would have otherwise been.

If you would like more information about getting a good night’s sleep, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Gunn proudly serves Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

Understanding Urinary Incontinence In Women | Fullerton, CA

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It is estimated that for ten million Americans (85% of whom are women), incontinence of urine is socially embarrassing, physically limiting, or a significant disability. In fact, after psychiatric and neurological disorders, the uncontrollable or accidental loss of urine is the second most common reason individuals are placed in nursing home facilities.

Among women, between the ages of 45-64, 40% are estimated to have experienced incontinence of urine. Women often perceive that their problem is a normal result of bearing children and getting older, and therefore just cope with it. The true number of non-institutionalized women who have quietly altered their lives because of accidental loss of urine is actually unknown because they are reluctant to discuss their urinary incontinence. Women are frequently embarrassed and hesitant to admit their problems to their family, friends, or even to their personal physician.

However, they also limit exercising, dancing, traveling, and other activities, which would otherwise require them to be away from nearby toilet facilities. They frequently will change the style of clothes they wear to avoid embarrassment.

Urinary incontinence occurs when there is a sudden increase in abdominal pressure during certain activities such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, running, bending, lifting, etc. The primary cause of the problem is a weakness of the pelvic tissues (prolapse), which normally supports the bladder (cystocele) and its sphincter. The amount of urine loss with each episode of stress, varies with the degree of weakness, the volume of urine in the bladder, and the intensity of the abdominal pressure. Yet, urinary incontinence is a symptom of a condition, which is not normal and usually can be successfully treated to restore normal bladder function.

There is a type of urinary incontinence known as urge incontinence, in which someone perceives the urgent need to urinate, and will likely fail to get there in time. The amount of urine loss can vary with the cause of the urge, the volume of urine in the bladder, and the strength of the pelvic tissue. The most common physical cause is an infection of the bladder (cystitis) and/or urethra (urethritis), and it is corrected with the treatment of the infection. There are other causes such as chronic inflammation of the bladder, polyps or tumors, and certain medications. When no physical cause can be found after a complete medical evaluation, the cause is usually a result of a learned habit. Treatment may include medications, bladder retraining programs, and pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel exercises).

There are other less common, but important types of urinary incontinence:

Overflow incontinenceis a frequent spilling of a small amount of urine when the bladder is over-distended and can occur with certain medications, after pelvic surgery, or trauma.

Reflex incontinenceis the loss of urine when the person is completely unaware of the need to urinate, such as while sleeping or washing their hands. This type of incontinence may indicate an underlying neurological disorder.

The first step in correcting urinary incontinence is sharing the problem with your physician. Before your visit, you will be asked to fill out a patient history for urinary function form. This form should be completed prior to your office consultation.

You may be given a two-day “voiding diary” to record the number of liquids you drink and the number of times and amount you urinate during the day and night. You will also list the circumstances under which you regularly experience urinary urgency or incontinence.

After your patient history, physical examination, and voiding diary are completed and reviewed, simple office tests are performed which will further identify the primary cause of your incontinence. Once the cause (or causes) is determined, the proper treatment and alternative will be recommended and explained. Treatment begins with having a thorough understanding of normal urinary function, the cause of your urinary problem, and your treatment alternatives. Successful treatment is a patient-physician team mission and is an achievable goal.

If you would like more information on cholesterol, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

Menopause and Hormone Therapy | Fullerton, CA

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Menopause is a natural occurrence in which a woman’s ovaries cease producing estrogen, usually in their early fifties. Post-menopause is diagnosed when a woman has not menstruated for one year and marks the end of the reproductive period of her life.

Perimenopause is diagnosed when the menstrual cycles vary in frequency and length indicating a woman’s cycle is ending, and may be associated with psychological, emotional, and/ or physical symptoms. These disturbances are due to a declining ovarian production of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone that may be periodic or continuous.

The history of hormone replacement in women has seen many swings in popularity over the past few decades. In 1991 the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.) launched the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study involving about 161,000 healthy postmenopausal women aged 50-79 years with an average age of 63 years. The study was designed to test the effects of hormone therapy on heart disease, bone fractures, breast cancer, and colon cancer. One group of women who had undergone a hysterectomy received oral estrogen (Premarin) alone [estrogen replacement therapy or ERT].

A second group received a combination of Premarin and progesterone (PremPro) [combination hormone replacement therapy or HRT]. A third group received a placebo, which contained no hormones. In 2002 the study was stopped because the Provera group was associated with a slight increase in the incidence of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.

Millions of women in the U.S. stopped their hormones out of fear and they entered into “hot-flash hell”. A recent careful re-analysis and follow-up review of the data has revealed that the actual risks of breast cancer, stroke, and heart disease were not increased over time and were, in fact, decreased; especially in women who were perimenopausal when they initiated hormone therapy.

Following years of fear and confusion regarding the risks and benefits of estrogen replacement therapy, medical studies have now clearly established its safety and its health benefits. In March 2012 the North American Menopause Society released a statement that supports these findings, stating that combination hormone therapy (both estrogen and progesterone) initiated around the time of menopause is safe.

Gunn Center of Fullerton, CA offers some interesting and useful information on menopause and hormone therapy. If you would like more information, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today.

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

A Guide to Cholesterol | Fullerton, CA

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How much do we really understand about the different types of cholesterol, how high cholesterol can impact our health, and what we can do about mitigating the likelihood we develop high cholesterol? Many don’t, so we have put together a guide so you can better understand cholesterol, and make informed decisions for your well-being. To start, the liver produces 90% of the body’s cholesterol and does so while we sleep, while only 10% of cholesterol is derived from the foods we eat.

Cholesterol is an essential building block for the normal metabolism of the body. Cholesterol is a type of fat known as a lipid. Lipids cannot circulate alone in the bloodstream, they require a means of transportation. Water-soluble proteins, called lipoproteins transport cholesterol in the blood, and the amount of lipoprotein determines how much cholesterol can be moved. The three types of lipoproteins are:

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) – This is casually known as “good” cholesterol because it removes cholesterol from arterial plaque and transports it back to the liver to be metabolized. If the plaque within an artery were to build to the point it begins to restrict the flow of blood to the heart, a heart attack may ensue.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) – This is the “bad” cholesterol your doctor will warn you about because it deposits cholesterol into the inflamed plaque of the artery wall.

Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) – This lipoprotein is created by your liver to be released into the bloodstream and is considered “bad” for your health. It mainly carries triglycerides (another type of fat) to your tissues, and if we have this in high volumes, it can put us at risk for a stroke.

To calculate your cholesterol levels, your doctor will evaluate the sum of all three of these lipoproteins and your triglycerides to generate a lipid profile. Then, total cholesterol is divided by your high-density lipoprotein level, resulting in your cholesterol ratio number, and you want it to be low.

The implication of high cholesterol on your health is an increased risk that the fatty deposits along the walls of your artery or arteries clot, and cause a heart attack or stroke. While you may be able to survive a heart attack or stroke, it can be fatal. Thankfully, you can begin to restore the health of your arteries by incorporating heart-healthy foods into your diet, regularly exercising, drinking alcohol in moderation, losing weight, and quit smoking if you are someone who does smoke. 

If you would like more information on cholesterol, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

Daily Habits to Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure | Fullerton, CA

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One of the most common diseases afflicting Americans is hypertension or high blood pressure. While many enlist the help of medication to lower their blood pressure, that is not the only way to mitigate the associated risks. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or are at risk due to your lifestyle or habits, it’s important to understand easy changes that may dramatically improve your disposition.

Diet. The foods we eat and beverages we regularly consume are correlated to our blood pressure. Foods saturated in fat and cholesterol increase blood pressure, but fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy can help lower it.

Mind your weight. As your weight fluctuates, so can your blood pressure. An increase or decrease of 10 pounds may not seem like a lot, but it can make a big difference in your blood pressure.

Reduce Stress. When we become stressed, our cortisol increases and our blood pressure rises. To maintain or reduce your blood pressure, analyze the stressors in your life and find activities that help you overcome those stressors.

Watch your sodium intake. Even seemingly harmless amounts of sodium intake can adversely affect your blood pressure. If you are at risk or have recently been diagnosed with hypertension; begin reading food labels, reduce the amount of processed foods in your diet, and don’t oversaturate your meals with salt.

Exercise. Your blood pressure fluctuates, but cardio-driven activities such as walking, swimming, cycling, and dancing are all great activities to help reduce blood pressure.

If you would like more information on blood pressure, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today. Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

Depression | Fullerton, CA

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Depression is a common illness that can affect anyone, especially during this time of year. About one in twenty Americans (more than 11 million people) suffers from depression every year, and it occurs twice as often in women as in men. Depression is a medical disorder that can be treated.

Depression is a medical disorder, like heart disease and thyroid disease. It is more than feeling sad for a short time or feeling grief after a loss. These feelings are difficult to cope with, but they usually get better with time. Depression disrupts your daily life, and affects your thoughts, feelings, behavior and physical health. It is not a weakness, or a fault and it is not something you can ‘just get over’. Depression has been associated with many causes:

  • Chemical imbalances in the brain
  • Family history of depression
  • Other illnesses
  • Use of drugs or alcohol
  • Extreme stress or grief
  • Depression caused by a specific situation, sometimes triggers true depression

Symptoms of Depression

The period of time when you experience symptoms of depression is called an episode. An episode lasts at least two weeks with several symptoms occurring every day.

  • Lack of interest in things that you normally enjoy
  • Feeling sad, blue, or “down in the dumps”
  • Feeling sluggish or restless, and not able to sleep
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • Experience a change in appetite with either weight gain or weight loss
  • Thoughts of death or suicide, or attempt to commit suicide
  • Problems concentrating, thinking, remembering or making decisions
  • Sleeping too much or not able to fall asleep, or stay asleep through the night
  • Lack of energy and feeling tired all of the time

Depression may vary in severity from mild to severe. If you have mild depression, you will only have a few symptoms. It takes an extra effort to do the things you have to do, but you can usually accomplish those tasks. Moderate depression means you have many symptoms, and you may not be able to do things you need to do. If you have severe depression, you have nearly all the symptoms of depression. This type of depression almost always keeps you from performing your daily tasks.

Diagnosing Depression

A doctor diagnoses depression after assessing both your physical and mental condition. In looking for the cause of your depression, the provider will ask questions about other medical problems, use of certain medications, and the use of drugs or alcohol. Blood chemistries, including a thyroid work-up should be current, and if not, will be ordered. If your doctor determines that a medical problem may be causing your depression, treating that problem may correct your depression.

Treatment of Depression

Treatment may include antidepressant medication, psychotherapy or both. Antidepressant medications are helpful and are used to treat mild, moderate and severe depression. Antidepressants relieve symptoms in more than half of the people who take them. They work by changing the balance of chemicals in the brain. Most people who take them start to feel better after a few weeks. There are several types of antidepressant medication. All antidepressant medications can have some side effects. About half the people who take them will experience some side effects early in their treatments, usually within the first 2 weeks. Side effects usually subside after 2 to 4 weeks.

Common Side Effects

Dry mouth

Nausea

Dizziness

Constipation

Skin rash

Feeling sleepy or having trouble sleeping

Gaining or losing weight

Feeling restless

Decreased sex drive (libido)

Serious Side Effects (uncommon):

Trouble urinating

Heart problem

Seizures

Fainting

Finding the Right Antidepressant Medications

When an anti-depressant medication is recommended to relieve the symptoms of depression, your doctor will prescribe one from the following categories:

A. SSRI’s (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

First introduced in the 1980’s, the overall side effects of SSRI drugs tend to be less severe than the older antidepressants known as tricyclic (TCA) antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s). SSRI’s helped restore the brain’s chemical balance by increasing the available supply of the chemical messenger called serotonin (a neurotransmitter). SSRI’s appear to relieve depression by increasing serotonin levels without affecting the other chemicals in the brain and have fewer side effects than those of the MAOI’s and TCA’s. Available SSRI’s include: Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Paxil CR, Prozac and Zoloft.

B. SNRI’s (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)

Similar to the SSRI class of anti-depressants as discussed above, SNRI’s also blocks the reuptake of another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, in addition to serotonin.

Available SNRI’s include:

  • Remeron – good choice with weight loss, poor appetite or hypertension
  • Serzone – similar to Remeron; good choice with insomnia or anxiety
  • Effexor & Effexor XR – beneficial in anxiety and panic disorders
  • Pristiq – works within 2 weeks; no weight gain; minimal sexual dysfunction.

C. Other Available Antidepressants

  • Wellbutrin (Buproprion) – Blocks reuptake of dopamine. Cannot mix with alcohol, increases seizures; can cause weight loss.

For more information about depression contact the following organizations:

National Institute of Mental Health

6001 Executive Blvd., Room 8184 MSC 9663

Bethesda, MD 20892-9663

1-800-421-4211

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm

National Mental Health Association

1021 Prince Street

Alexandria, VA 22314-2971

1-800-969-NMHA (6602)

http://www.nmha.org

National Alliance of the Mentally Ill

Colonial Place 3

2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 3000

Arlington, VA 22201-3042

1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

http://www.nami.org

If you would like more information about depression, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Gunn proudly serves Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

What Breast Cancer Symptoms to Watch for | Fullerton, CA

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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among American women, affecting around 268,600 women and men each year. Breast cancer does not discriminate; it affects people of all ages and races. One of the first steps we can take towards effectively identifying and treating breast cancer is by taking preventive action and being aware of the symptoms that come along with this terrible disease. The following list includes breast cancer symptoms that we should all be aware of:

The way the breast or nipple feels

  • Nipple tenderness, lump or thickening in or near your breast or underarm area
  • Change in the texture of your skin or enlargement of the pores of your breasts
  • A lump in your breast (even if it’s small make sure to see professional for a screening)

Breast or nipple appearance

  • Any unexplained change in size or shape of your breast
  • Dimpling anywhere on your breast
  • Unexplained swelling of your breast
  • Unexplained shrinkage of your breast
  • Recent unexplained asymmetry of your breast. It’s common for women to have one breast larger than the other.
  • Your nipple is slightly inward or inverted
  • Skin of your breast, areola, or nipple that becomes red, scaly or swollen or resembles the skin of an orange

Nipple discharge

Particularly if you have clear discharge or bloody discharge

Most times these symptoms are not due to cancer, but if you have any breast cancer symptoms you should be seen by your doctor immediately to be sure you’re healthy and cancer free. Your doctor is the expert and will always be able to check for breast cancer before you have any noticeable symptoms.

If you would like more information about breast cancer symptoms, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Gunn proudly serves Fullerton and all surrounding areas.