February, 2023

Water safety 101

There is no better way to stay cool, have a fun time with family and be active in hot months than water recreation. Water parks, pools, lakes and beaches are great summer destinations. Stay safe and enjoy the water by following these safety tips: • Learn how to swim. You and your children must learn to swim. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children ages 1 to 4. • Supervise children. Stay alert when children are in or around water. Consider safety features such as fe...

Understanding prediabetes

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, you're far from alone. Roughly 1 out of every 3 Americans—96 million of us—has prediabetes. Although the health condition can be silent, it can pave the way for type 2 diabetes and other complications. Prediabetes: The inside story With prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes—yet. Carbohydrates in the food we eat get turned into glucose, or sugar, which is the mai...

How to cut back on salt

Salt gives many foods a boost of flavor, but there's a catch. Salt has sodium, which can contribute to high blood pressure—a major cause of heart disease and stroke. You can take steps to help keep your blood pressure down. The first step is to avoid salting foods when preparing or eating them. You'll also want to reduce your intake of sodium overall, most of which comes from other foods besides table salt. That doesn't mean settling for bland foods. Check out these tips: Add zing with her...

News Briefs - February 2023

Please make note of the following updates involving Watson Clinic medical providers, including those who have expanded their locations and appointment availability in recent weeks. Brooke Livingston, APRN, FNP-C , a registered nurse practitioner working alongside Family Medicine physician Dr. Rony Alvarado at Watson Clinic Highlands , recently changed her last name to Pate. Please make a note of this change when scheduling appointments. Emily Beriswill, APRN and Brandi Plummer, APRN , ...