Do you ever have an afternoon crash? If so you’re not alone. This is Judy Gaman and this is your Stay Young medical minute.  It’s common for people to feel a lack of energy in the afternoon, something we often describe as a crash or “hitting the wall” so to speak. There’s a simple formula that can help keep you energized. First start with a healthy lunch. Eating high fat, sugary, or high carb lunches can lead to extreme fatigue within an hour or two. About 1:00 get up and go for a brisk walk. This will get the blood flowing and wake the brain back up. At 3pm have a light snack, like almonds or raw veggies. And perhaps the best advice I can give you is to get up and take screen breaks to prevent eye strain. This Stay Young Medical Minute is brought to you by Executive Medicine of Texas, a leader in preventative and proactive medicine. Learn why patients from around the globe trust Executive Medicine of Texas to their health. Visit EMTexas.com that’s EMTexas.com

Is your shot record up to date? This is Judy Gaman and this is your Stay Young medical minute.  You may think that vaccines are just for kids and animals, but that thinking could get you into health trouble. Adults need vaccines too. Flu vaccines protect against the most common forms of the flu and pneumonia vaccines could keep you out of the hospital. Remember that even today people can die from the flu and from pneumonia. Tetanus is another vaccine that adults need at least every ten years, more often if there is an injury with broken skin. And if you know a thing or two about shingles, you know you don’t want them! If you’re over 50, the shingles vaccine may save you from unnecessary pain and suffering. This Stay Young Medical Minute is brought to you by Executive Medicine of Texas, a leader in preventative and proactive medicine. Learn why patients from around the globe trust Executive Medicine of Texas to their health. Visit EMTexas.com that’s EMTexas.com

Could the color of your urine be a clue to your health? This is Judy Gaman and this is your Stay Young medical minute. It’s important to notice the color and opacity of your urine. This simple observation can hold keys to your overall health. Urine should be light yellow and clear. When it’s cloudy or discolored, it could be a sign of illness. Cloudy urine is often a sign of infection, so is blood in the urine. Blood may also be a sign of a kidney stone. If your urine is darker than usual it may simply mean you need to drink more water, but brown urine can be a serious sign of liver problems and you need to seek medical attention. The lesson here is to pay close attention to what you’re body’s trying to tell you. This Stay Young Medical Minute is brought to you by Executive Medicine of Texas, a leader in preventative and proactive medicine. Learn why patients from around the globe trust Executive Medicine of Texas to their health. Visit EMTexas.com that’s EMTexas.com

When’s the last time you spent some time outside? Well, that’s probably too long. This is Judy Gaman and this is your Stay Young medical minute. In a world where we tend to go from the car to the office and back again, we may miss opportunities to spend meaningful time each day out in fresh air. Here’s a few tips that may help you connect again with nature. First, start your day by drinking your coffee outside on the porch or near the pool. That first 10 minutes of the day are so important. If you have a park or walking trail nearby the office, bring your tennis shoes and go for a stroll over the lunch hour or plan a walking meeting with a colleague. If you love to garden but don’t have a big yard, get a raised bed planter. Gardening is good for the body and the soul. This Stay Young Medical Minute is brought to you by Executive Medicine of Texas, a leader in preventative and proactive medicine. Learn why patients from around the globe trust Executive Medicine of Texas to their health. Visit EMTexas.com that’s EMTexas.com

There’s nothing worse than having motion sickness. If you’ve been there, you know. This is Judy Gaman and this is your Stay Young medical minute.  Motion sickness happens when your body loses its reference of stability. If you’re in a car or on a boat and feel that sudden wooziness, focus on something out in the distance that is stationary. This should help your body orientate again. If you’re prone to motion sickness, acupressure and ginger are always great and natural remedies. However, if your find yourself nauseated for no apparent reason, especially if that nausea lasts for more than a day or two, be sure to see your healthcare provider for a full physical exam. This Stay Young Medical Minute is brought to you by Executive Medicine of Texas, a leader in preventative and proactive medicine. Learn why patients from around the globe trust Executive Medicine of Texas to their health. Visit EMTexas.com that’s EMTexas.com

There’s one plant that you should always have growing at home. Any guesses on what that plant is? This is Judy Gaman and this is your Stay Young medical minute. Aloe Vera is a great plant because it can grow outside in many climates, but it can also thrive in the kitchen window. Now, if you’re a cat owner, you will need to keep this out of the reach of your feline since it’s toxic to them. For us humans though, aloe vera is the perfect cure for a surface burn from cooking or even a sun burn. You can just cut off a small section of the plant, slice it down the middle of one side and then spread the gel inside over the affected area. Did you know that Aloe also has great benefits for your mouth? While you can’t eat it straight from your plant, aloe containing mouth washes are great for reducing plaque, freshening breath, and reducing inflammation of the gum line.  This Stay Young Medical Minute is brought to you by Executive Medicine of Texas, a leader in preventative and proactive medicine. Learn why patients from around the globe trust Executive Medicine of Texas to their health. Visit EMTexas.com that’s EMTexas.com

Are you leading an active life? If so it may increase your longevity. This is Judy Gaman and this is your Stay Young medical minute.  You may have heard the term active life before and wondered what that means. Simply put, it means moving and doing. It doesn’t mean you have to be a star athlete, in fact some common daily activities can push you from inactive to active. It’s all about not taking the easy way out. Instead of looking for the closest parking space, park at the end of the isle and walk. If you’re a parent or grandparent, ditch the stroller and carry the kids. There’s no better exercise than lugging fifteen to thirty pounds around. If you’re a dog owner, change your strolls to brisk walks of jogs with your furry friend. Even household chores like washing windows, vacuuming and yard work help you stay active. This Stay Young Medical Minute is brought to you by Executive Medicine of Texas, a leader in preventative and proactive medicine. Learn why patients from around the globe trust Executive Medicine of Texas to their health. Visit EMTexas.com that’s EMTexas.com

Is city life making you old? Yes, and in more ways than one. This is Judy Gaman and this is your Stay Young medical minute.  Living in the city can mean pollution, both noise pollution and air pollution. Noise pollution can interrupt sleep patterns and increase your risk for dementia and inflammation due to stress. Air pollution can affect your skin and cause deeper wrinkles, rashes, pimples, and even uneven skin tone. In one study, air pollution was linked to a 22% increase in dark spots that are often found on the face. If you’re not ready to move, there are some ways you can fight back. For noise pollution, good windows and thick drapes can help reduce sounds and light that may keep you awake. For your skin, serums that are high in vitamin C will help fight free radicals and reduce the effects of pollution. This Stay Young Medical Minute is brought to you by Executive Medicine of Texas, a leader in preventative and proactive medicine. Learn why patients from around the globe trust Executive Medicine of Texas to their health. Visit EMTexas.com that’s EMTexas.com

Do you know the fastest growing age group for heart attacks? This is Judy Gaman and this is your Stay Young Medical Minute. If you’re like most people, you think that heart disease and heart attacks are for old overweight men. This faulty thinking has led to misdiagnosis and death in many cases. I bet you didn’t know that heart disease is the top cause of death in women. Or did you know that while heart attacks are on the decline overall, the fastest growing demographic is the under 40 group. Changes in diet, extreme stress, and lack of sleep all make this demographic a real target. The point is, that both men and women and those under 40 need to have regular physical exams and pay attention and report any symptoms, especially those associated with heat attacks. This Stay Young Medical Minute is brought to you by Executive Medicine of Texas, a leader in preventative and proactive medicine. Learn why patients from around the globe trust Executive Medicine of Texas to their health. Visit EMTexas.com that’s EMTexas.com

How often should you vacation? The answer may surprise you. This is Judy Gaman and this is your Stay Young medical minute.  Most people think that summer is the best time to vacation. While that’s true, it shouldn’t be the only time you take a break. The most successful people know that taking a vacation quarterly is the best way to help alleviate stress increase productivity. That’s right, a vacation actually increases productivity. When we take time to relax and unplug, the creative juices start to flow again. The key here is unplug Even if your vacation is a staycation, it needs to be a true break from phones, emails, and all the demands of the world. Can’t take off a week at a time? That’s ok, just take 4 or 5 day weekends and spread the days off over the course of two weeks. This Stay Young Medical Minute is brought to you by Executive Medicine of Texas, a leader in preventative and proactive medicine. Learn why patients from around the globe trust Executive Medicine of Texas to their health. Visit EMTexas.com that’s EMTexas.com