Good Health - Summit Medical Group...Additionally, flares can be triggered by weight gain and pregnant women, particularly during late term, may experience bouts of plantar fasciitis

April 2019

Good Health A FREE MONTHLY HEALTH e-NEWSLETTER

QUIZ: How Much Do You Know About Testicular Cancer?Testicular cancer may not be on the top of your mind. But knowing the risks and being aware of signs and symptoms can help prevent serious progression of the disease. learn more...

Plantar Fasciitis: Q&A With Dr. Evelyn Heigh In recognition of National Foot Health Awareness Month, we sat down with Summit Medical Group Arizona podiatrist, Dr. Evelyn Heigh, to discuss the common heel pain condition known as Plantar Fasciitis (pronounced PLAN-tur-fas-e-I-tis). learn more...

How Mental Health And Digestive Health Are Connected“Gut feelings” are the real deal. Your digestive organs, or “gut,” can react to emotions such as anxiety, sadness, and anger. And your brain can react to signals from your gut as well.learn more…

5 Common Questions About InfertilityAbout one in eight couples in the U.S. experience fertility problems. If you’ve been trying to conceive but aren’t getting pregnant, you may want to make an appointment with an obstetrician/gynecologist. Together, you can discuss the next steps you should take toward growing your family. learn more…

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Testicular cancer may not be on the top of your mind. But knowing the risks and being aware of signs and symptoms can help prevent serious progression of the disease. Test your knowledge and see if you know how to keep yourself healthy:

1. Who is at risk for testicular cancer? a. Men older than 65 b. Men aged 20 to 34c. Men older than 40d. None of the abovee. All men

2. What are the risks for testicular cancer? a. Family history of testicular cancerb. HIV infectionc. Being a white man from the U.S. or Europed. Tall heighte. Undescended testiclef. All of the above

3. Where does testicular cancer start? a. Cells that make testosterone b. Cells that make spermc. Cells that make estrogend. Cells that make insulin e. All of the above

4. What are the signs of testicular cancer? a. Swollen or heavy scrotum b. Painless lump in the testiclec. Pain in the testicle or scrotum d. Ache in the lower abdomen or groin e. All of the above

5. How can you detect testicular cancer? a. Yearly exam by a doctorb. Yearly self-examc. Monthly exam by a doctord. Monthly self-exame. None of the above

How Much Do You Know About Testicular Cancer?


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Answers

1. D: It’s a misconception that only older men are at risk for testicular cancer. The disease affects everyone—even infants. In fact, half of all testicular cancer patients are men ages 20 to 34.

2. F: Studies suggest that multiple factors play a role in a man’s risk for developing testicular cancer. 3. A & B: More than 90 percent of testicular cancer cases develop in the cells that makes sperm, called germ cells.

However, a rare tumor can come from cells that make testosterone. 4. E: Watch out for these symptoms. The earlier testicular cancer is caught, the better chance you have of keeping your

fertility. 5. D: Perform self-exams once a month during or after a bath or shower. Check each testicle at a time, holding it between

your thumbs and fingers of both hands and rolling slowly. Pay attention to any changes in consistency, size, or shape of the testicles. In addition, be on the lookout for smooth rounded bumps and hard lumps. See your doctor if you find anything out of the ordinary.

Who should I see for my pain?Some uncomplicated conditions causing testicular pain can be managed by a primary care doctor. However, sometimes, a specialist may need to get involved. If you have any concerns, you should speak to your SMGAZ provider.


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In recognition of National Foot Health Awareness Month, we sat down with Summit Medical Group Arizona podiatrist, Dr. Evelyn Heigh, to discuss the common heel pain condition known as Plantar Fasciitis (pronounced PLAN-tur-fas-e-I-tis).

What is plantar fasciitis?Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It is inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel bone to the toes.

What are the symptoms?Pain associated with plantar fasciitis is unique to the individual. However, plantar fasciitis pain is typically described as a sharp or stabbing pain in the bottom of the foot near the heel. It is typically worse with the first steps out of bed in the morning or after periods of rest.

What causes it?The most common cause of plantar fasciitis relates to foot structure with overly flat feet or high-arched feet being more prone to the condition.

Wearing non-supportive footwear on hard surfaces puts extra strain on the plantar fascia and can also lead to plantar fasciitis. This condition is more prevalent in people whose lifestyle or job causes repetitive impact to the heel.

Plantar fasciitis is also linked to tightness in the calf muscle which can cause the fascia to become irritated and inflamed.

Additionally, flares can be triggered by weight gain and pregnant women, particularly during late term, may experience bouts of plantar fasciitis.

How is it treated?When it comes to treating heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis, there are three key items that should be addressed:

1. Support: This primarily comes from shoes. Wearing shoes with good arch support, a rigid sole, and some cushion for shock absorption can help reduce the stress on the plantar fascia. Sometimes an insole or athletic taping can help provide added support to the feet.

2. Stretching: Exercises that stretch out the calf muscles help ease pain and assist with recovery. Stretching the foot and calf muscles while still in bed can reduce the severe pain that occurs with first putting weight on the heels

3. Inflammation: Ice is a natural anti-inflammatory and often an effective initial treatment to reduce pain and inflammation. One trick is to keep a plastic water bottle in the freezer and use as an ice pack to massage the arch. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, or injection therapy may be recommended to help provide relief.


Plantar Fasciitis: Q&A With Dr. Evelyn Heigh


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Can it be prevented? There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting plantar fasciitis. • Wearing supportive shoes that have good arch support help reduce stress on the plantar fascia.• Avoid going barefoot. When you walk without shoes the plantar fascia is put at greater strain.• Stretching the calf muscles before exercising can help prevent injury.• If you are overweight or suffer from obesity, losing weight will relieve your feet of some pressure.

If you are experiencing heel pain, talk to a foot and ankle specialist. Ignoring it could result in a chronic condition that could eventually cause knee or even hip pain. First-line strategies can begin at home, but if pain persists, it’s important to talk to a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.



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Meet The DoctorDr. Evelyn Heigh is a podiatrist with Summit Medical Group Arizona. She completed a comprehensive foot and ankle medical and surgical residency at Northwell Health Hospital System in Long Island, NY and completed a Fellowship in Podiatric Sports Medicine at the UCLA affiliated Podiatry Program in Los Angeles, CA. During her schooling and career, Dr. Heigh conducted clinical research, presented at national Podiatric medical meetings, and has published scientific works. She is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and board qualified by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.







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“Gut feelings” are the real deal. Your digestive organs, or “gut,” can react to emotions such as anxiety, sadness, and anger. And your brain can react to signals from your gut as well.

The gut and brain are linked by:• Nerve pathways• Chemicals that carry messages between these two areas of the body

Bacteria, viruses, and funguses living in your gut can affect these messages. In this way, they play a key role, too.

Gut-Wrenching EmotionsYou may have felt the gut-brain connection firsthand. Day-to-day stress sometimes causes an upset stomach.

The mid-gut connection can lead to longer-lasting problems in some people. This may lead to:• Functional indigestion—burning feelings or pain in your upper belly• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—belly pain with diarrhea or constipation

Depression and AnxietyHaving IBS raises your risk for depression and anxiety. One reason is the stress of living with an illness. Stress can bring on mental health problems.

Changes inside your gut may also affect your brain through chemical messages. And it’s a two-way street. Having depression or anxiety may affect your gut health.

What You Can DoThese steps can help you take care of both your gut and your brain:• Learn ways to keep stress in check. You might meditate, take deep breaths or listen to relaxing music.• Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Get plenty of fiber.• Exercise regularly. A steady regimen of physical activity can help symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.• Ask your health care provider if you should limit certain foods. You may need to cut back on foods with hard-to-digest carbs.

How Mental Health And Digestive Health Are Connected

What Should You Do?Tell your Summit Medical Group Arizona health care provider if you’re having gut symptoms. At times, you may be referred to a specialist called a gastroenterologist. If depression or anxiety is an issue, a mental health professional can help.









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Concerned About Infertility?Speak to your SMGAZ physician to receive professional advice and recommendations based on your personal situation.


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5 Common Questions About InfertilityAbout one in eight couples in the U.S. experience fertility problems. If you’ve been trying to conceive but aren’t getting pregnant, you may want to make an appointment with an obstetrician/gynecologist. Together, you can discuss the next steps you should take toward growing your family. Meanwhile, here are answers to a few questions that may be on your mind.

1. When should I consider being evaluated for infertility?You may want to consider an infertility evaluation if you:• Aren’t pregnant after having regular, unprotected sex for one year• Are a woman who’s older than 35 years old and aren’t pregnant after having

regular, unprotected sex for six months• Don’t have a regular menstrual cycle

2. Should my partner be evaluated for infertility, too?Yes. Infertility is just as likely to be due to the male partner as it is the female partner. 40% of the time it is due to a male related reason, 40% of the time it is due to a female related reason, and 20% of the time, the cause is unexplained. A male should speak with his primary care physician or a urologist if there are any infertility concerns.

3. What’s involved in an evaluation for infertility?A woman may receive several different tests when being evaluated for infertility. They may include:• Urine tests or blood tests to measure hormones involved in ovulation and fertility• Imaging tests, if needed, to look at reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes and uterus to make sure there aren’t

any issues affecting her fertility

An infertility test for a man usually involves a semen analysis to check his sperm. If there’s a problem with his sperm or there are other concerns, he may need to have an ultrasound to check whether there are any problems with the ducts or tubes through which semen travels.

4. Is there anything I can do to improve my fertility?Certain lifestyle factors can affect your fertility. If you’re a woman, being overweight or underweight, exercising excessively, drinking lots of alcohol, and smoking cigarettes can make it more difficult to get pregnant. If you’re a man, smoking, heavy drinking, using marijuana, and taking anabolic steroids can reduce your sperm count or lead to erectile dysfunction. 5. What treatment options are available for infertility?There are many different treatments for infertility. If you decide to pursue treatment, your plan will depend on the cause of your infertility. A wide range of oral and injectable medicines can help women with ovulation problems ovulate. Together, you and your doctor will determine which treatments may work best for you. Sometimes a referral to a fertility specialist is needed to consider things like Intrauterine insemination (IUI), where the sperm is inserted into the uterine cavity to assist in conception, or even Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.









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Good Health - Summit Medical Group...Additionally, flares can be triggered by weight gain and pregnant women, particularly during late term, may experience bouts of plantar fasciitis