"I

like to get to the root of the problem,” says primary care physician (PCP) Ali Salari, D.o., who provides family medicine at the Stans-bury Health Center. He recalls

a patient who was experiencing fatigue and sleep loss, was overweight, and had high blood pressure. once Dr. Salari diagnosed sleep apnea and treated it, the patient’s blood pressure and weight decreased and the fatigue subsided.

“Seeing my patients regularly—over a period of time—allows me to get to know them well,” Dr. Salari says. “this helps me figure out the underlying is-sues that may be affecting their overall health.”

Stan Weyland, who has had difficulty managing his diabetes for years, was able to drop his average blood sugar level significantly after six months of seeing

Dr. Salari. “What made the difference and empowered me to do this was having things explained to me better regarding how my blood system works,” says Weyland, whose wife is thrilled to see him more ener-getic. “everyone needs to find a doc they can trust and who will sit you down and talk with you.”

One dOctOr, many benefitsDoctors who fall under the primary

care umbrella include family medicine and internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, and geriatricians. All have specialized training in their respective areas; however, unlike non-primary care physicians, they provide care for longer periods of time in their patients’ lives. Pediatricians, for example, often treat patients from when they are —Continued on back page

newborns until they turn 18. A broader view. While specialists

and emergency care physicians usually focus on a single health issue, PCPs take a holistic approach to their pa-tient’s health. By getting to know their patients better and understanding the larger picture of their lives, PCPs gain a wider understanding of someone’s overall health.

For example, when one of the young patients of pediatrician

Allyson Salek, M.D., of the South Jordan Health Center, complained of recurring stomachaches, Dr. Salek pieced together a number of variables in the child’s life that could have been contrib-

uting to the problem, includ-ing a mother who was going

through breast cancer treatment. After ruling out medical possibilities,

Dr. Salek determined the child’s stress was causing stomachaches.

“there needs to be someone who understands the whole family dynamic—not just the health problem,” Dr. Salek says. “A family needs a home base, where their overall health is the focus.”

In sickness and in health. in addi-tion to offering patients continuity of care and a central place for most of their health care needs, PCPs are also their patients’ first line of defense when it comes to addressing health issues and supporting them in preventive care. And they’re ready to note any red flags that may arise between visits before they become too serious. For Dr. Salek and Margaret Solomon, M.D., an internist

Ali Salari, D.O., shares a laugh with patient Stan Weyland during his visit.

The big picturePrimary care

Because PCPs see patients

regularly, they have a chance to spot

problems before they become too

serious.

“I

spring 2010

healthcare.utah.edu

INSIDE 2 fit in more fruits and veggies | 3 taKe aCtion for Your Heart

life & healthBringing the very best in health care to tooele County

expanded coverage

at the stansbury Health center, most insurance plans are accepted. and we now accept selectHealth!

By Elizabeth Smith, M.D., and Johanna Greenberg, PA-C

ou MigHt remember your mom saying, “eat your vegetables!” And it might conjure up a bad memory from your child-hood, but as a parent, you

know your kids—and you—should eat your fruits and vegetables. they’re an important part of a healthy diet and provide valuable nutrients and fiber. eating more fruits and vegetables also makes you less hungry for unhealthy snacks, and taking the time to introduce your kids to a variety of fruits and vegetables can help them develop a lifetime of healthy eating habits.

10 tOP tiPstry these sug-

gestions to help your whole family eat more fruits and vegetables.1. keep a bowl of fresh fruits on the counter so your kids will see them and ask for them. 2. Serve fruits and vegetables at every meal. this doesn’t mean you have to serve each person a whole plate of broccoli! instead, try grat-ing vegetables into soups or top-ping off cereal with fresh fruit.3. Set a good example. kids will eat vegetables if you do. Snack on fruit or order vegetables when you go to a restaurant.4. Make it easy on yourself. once a week, refrigerate or freeze cut-up fruits and vegetables so you can more easily prepare meals at the end of a long work day.5. Challenge family members to reach their daily fruit and vegetable goal and reward the winner with a prize.6. Ask that fruits and vegetables be offered at school functions and for school lunches—not just french fries!

7. let your children cook with you and choose what fruits or vegetables are served. everyone is more likely

to enjoy food they have taken part in preparing.

8. try making fruits and vegetables fun—dress up sand-

wiches with faces made of fruits and vegetables.9. Be persistent! For some foods, it may take multiple times before your child acquires a taste for it.10. think raw. Some kids don’t like the smell, flavor or color of certain cooked veggies, so small, raw pieces may be more appealing to them.

a few OtHer tHings tO cOnsider

Not everyone will like every type of food. texture can play a role in the types of foods that chil-dren enjoy. if you prepare vegeta-bles one way and your child doesn’t like them, you may need to try a new approach to the same food. Children are also more likely to eat new foods when they are combined with old favorites. For example, vegetables are a great pizza top-ping or can be added to pastas and macaroni and cheese, and fruit can be added to yogurt.

Eat up!

nutritiOn

Introduce your kids to

a variety of fruits and vegetables for a healthy

future.

getting mOre fruits and veggies in yOur life

Y

Elizabeth Smith, M.D.

Johanna Greenberg, PA-C

2 h e a l t h c a r e . u t a h . e d u

michael sheets, m.d., is a professor in the division of cardiology at the university of utah school of medicine. He specializes in diagnosing and managing a broad spectrum of heart disease conditions.

By Brent D. Wilson, M.D., Ph.D., and Jack Morshedzadeh, M.D.

iD you kNoW heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the united States? every 25 seconds, an American

has a heart attack, and about one every minute dies from one. the vast majority of these individuals never knew they were at risk for heart disease.

wHat are tHe risk factOrs fOr Heart disease?

traditionally, these have in-cluded high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco use, physical inactivity and fam-ily history. We now know that sleep apnea, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, erectile dysfunction and peripheral arte-rial disease also increase your risk.

HOw dO i knOw if i Have Heart disease?

New tools allow us to detect heart disease at an early stage, en-abling us to take action that can prevent heart attacks and heart failure. the cardiology specialists

Heart attack

at university of utah Health Care have access to all the advanced methods of detecting coronary disease.

wHat can i dO tO reduce my risk Of Heart attack?

■■■ eat healthy, including plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid foods high in fat, cholesterol and salt.

■■■ exercise. Start slowly and build up to at least 30 minutes of mod-erate exercise five or more days a week. Walking is a good start.

■■■ Maintain a healthy weight.■■■ Quit smoking.■■■ Check your blood pressure and

cholesterol regularly.

wHat are tHe symPtOms Of a Heart attack?

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but many are subtle—with only mild discomfort. Com-mon signs include:

■■■ Chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes. usually located in the center of the chest, this can be an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or ache, and it often gets worse with activity.

■■■ Discomfort in one or both arms,

D

Know the signs

Michael Sheets, M.D.

the back, neck, or jaw.■■■ Shortness of breath (with or with-

out chest discomfort).■■■ Breaking out in a cold sweat, nau-

sea, palpitations or light-headedness.

wHat sHOuld i dO if i am Having a Heart attack?

Dial 911 immediately. often, people aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long to get help. the Ameri-can Heart Association has launched the “Act in time” campaign to in-crease awareness of heart attack and the importance of calling 911 at the onset of heart attack symptoms.

meet dr. sheets

time fOr a Heart-tO-Heart?If you would like to schedule an appointment with cardiology specialist Michael Sheets, M.D., at the Stansbury Health Center, call 435-843-3008.

aPPOintment

h e a l t h c a r e . u t a h . e d u 3

—Continued from front pageand pediatrician, it means they can keep an eye on the development of children and provide ongoing care such as immunizations and blood screenings.

“We also are strong advocates for our patients and remind parents that health needs to be a priority,” says Dr. Salek, who knows that busy families under a lot of stress some-times need someone to follow up on their children’s care.

On yOur sidethe ability to coordinate care

among several doctors is another key benefit of having a PCP, especially when a patient needs multiple specialists for complex health issues. the PCP can make sure unnecessary tests aren’t repeated, keep an eye on potential medication problems, prioritize medical issues, and develop an ongoing health plan, according to Dr. Salari.

“We have a responsibility to make sure our patients’ health dollars are being used wisely,” he says. “As primary care physicians, we can help coordi-nate all of this and help our patients

understand what they are being told by specialists,” Dr. Salari explains.

At the Redwood Health Center, one of Dr. Solomon’s elderly patients who has atrial fibrillation (an abnor-mal heart rhythm) and osteoporosis was advised by her bone specialist to receive medicine to strengthen her bones—but this same medicine could trigger atrial fibrillation. Dr. Solomon spoke to both of her patient’s specialists to make sure they were aware of the patient’s multiple conditions and the risks involved. Dr. Solomon, in turn, explained it all to the patient. “Pa-tients who have chronic conditions and multiple specialists really need someone who has their eye on the big picture concerning their health,” Dr. Solomon says.

“She takes care of everything i need to be healthy and sees me even when her schedule is full,” says 82-year-old Mildred Stevens, who smiles when she talks about her PCP, Dr. Solomon. “She is really thorough and kind about making sure i’m ok.”

Need a PCP of your own? Visit healthcare.utah.edu/stansbury to learn more about the doctors and services available at the Stansbury Health Center.

The big picture

University of Utah Health Care wants to do its part to help preserve our planet’s valuable resources. FSC certification means that we comply with the highest social and environmental standards. That’s why we’re using 10 percent recycled paper that is FSC certified. And we print Life & Health at an FSC-certified press.

Contains post consumer

recycled material

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

PaidTacoma, WA

Permit No. 1066

LIFE & HEALTH is published as a commu nity service for the friends and patrons of STANSBUry HEALTH CENTEr, 220 Millpond road, #100, Stansbury Park, UT 84074, 435-843-3008, healthcare.utah.edu.

Jared amerson, m.H.a.Center Manager

Information in LIFE & HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider.

Models may be used in photos and illustrations.

Copyright © 2010 Coffey Communications, Inc. CUN25023c

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stansbury Health center220 millpond road, #100stansbury Park, ut 84074

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stansbury Health center220 millpond road, #100stansbury Park, ut 84074

eXtended HOurs On weekdays!

Health center: 435-843-3008M – F: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.Saturday: 8 a.m. to noonPharmacy: 435-843-3050M – F: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.Saturday: 8 a.m. to noonmoran eye center: 435-843-3040M – F: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Our sPecialties

■■■family medicine

■■■cardiology

■■■dermatology

■■■Optometry

■■■Pediatrics

■■■Podiatry

h e a l t h c a r e . u t a h . e d u /s t a n s b u r y

o■Highly skilled, caring physicianso■same-day appointments availableo■most insurance plans accepted

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