Addressing some common health care concerns

As you gather enough health care data, trends begin to emerge. This is true in our community, where doctors frequently treat certain health needs practically every day.

Common concerns

Dr. Tania Crussiah of Meritus Family Medicine — Williamsport said some of the most common conditions she treats are issues related to obesity and mental health.  

“We treat patients from newborn to elderly, but the top health issues are the same, no matter the age,” she said.

“Patients frequently visit us for guidance with nutrition,” Crussiah explained.  

A healthy body mass index — or BMI — for most people is between 20 and 25 percent. To reach this number, Crussiah recommended at least 30 minutes of cardiac activity, three times a week, in combination with three, low-carb, high-nutrient meals each day.

“There are a lot of healthy food options and we can help people in our community better understand the best eating practices for their needs,” she said.  

The four basics of health

Crussiah suggests focusing on four areas for a healthier mind and body:

Sleep: Get a good night’s rest every day so you can recharge.

Exercise: Move your body and get your blood pumping faster to promote good thoughts.

Proper nutrition: Eat healthy, wholesome food to nourish your mind and restore your body from the inside out.

Stress management: Avoid stress when possible and practice stress-reducing activities, such as journaling, to reduce the harmful effects of anxiety.

“You are the caretaker of your own body,” Crussiah said, “but there is a great deal of help and support available for you in our community.”

But how do I get there?

While not a health issue, Crussiah said the third most common issue she hears about from her patients is transportation.  

“Many people need assistance to get to a specialist, to a lab for testing or to a location where chest X-rays can be completed to check for things like pneumonia,” she said.

Counseling

For patients who struggle with these common issues, a light can be found at the end of the tunnel with the help of on-site care managers and social workers.

“No matter if a patient is struggling with depression, anxiety or another mental-health need, each is compassionately cared for,” she said.

“Yes, there is a need for more psychiatrists in the area, but our team members do a great job with the short-term counseling they offer to our patients.” This service is now available to all patients at Meritus Medical Group primary-care practices.

The team can also help with transportation. Care managers can provide taxi vouchers and will work with patients to come up with longer-term solutions for their transportation barriers.

Tell us what you think about health care

Crussiah encouraged everyone to care for their body and mind with positive thoughts and regular visits to their primary-care provider.

What do you think are the health issues that require more attention and more services in Washington County? Please let us know by taking the community health needs assessment survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CHNA2019WCMD.

Meritus Health, at 11116 Medical Campus Road, east of Hagerstown, is the largest health system in the area, providing hospital and outpatient services to the community. For more information about programs and services, go to www.MeritusHealth .com.