Even if it Feels Embarrassing to Discuss, Come See Us!
We get it. There are some things you might not feel comfortable talking about. Things happening with your body that might feel a bit... embarrassing. But please know that no matter how squeamish it might feel to you, to our care teams, it's all in a day's work--we're here to help! So for this edition of the We Are Valley newsletter we're taking a look at a few topics that you might not bring up in the office break room, but you should definitely discuss with your provider.
In general, people don't like to talk about their bowel movements, but if there's a change in your stools, your care team wants to hear about it! We had a quick chat with the ARNPs at Valley's Gastroenterology Clinicfor the scoop on poop.
Feeling a bulge in your vagina? Overactive bladder? Leaking pee? If you're experiencing any of these issues, or other discomfort in your pelvic floor, you're not alone and you don't have to just "deal with it"--Valley's Urogynecology team is here to help! To get an idea of when and why a patient might want to schedule an appointment, we sent over 5 questions to the urogynecology team.
Understanding Erectile Dysfunction and Other Men's Health Conditions
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects people across the age spectrum and can be treated in multiple ways. Men's Health Clinic provider Paul Niemi, ARNP, explains what ED is, treatment options, and how Valley's Men's Health Clinic, a part of the Urology Clinic can help with ED and other issues in this video.
Feeling Foggy? Snack Tips to Avoid the Mid-Day Slump
If you feel foggy or tired an hour or two after eating, it might help to take a closer look at what you ate.
When a meal is high in fast carbohydrates and light on protein, fiber and healthy fats, your blood sugar rises quickly and then drops.
Some carbohydrates like white bread, white rice, and pasta, or low fiber snacks like chips and pretzels, are digested quickly and can lead to spikes and energy crashes, especially when eaten alone.
That drop is what drives fatigue and cravings. That doesn't mean they can't fit in a healthy diet, but pairing them with protein like nut butter, cheese, or nuts, or choosing high fiber options like whole grains, beans, or fruit, can make a big difference.
Next time, try combining protein, fiber-rich carbs, and healthy fats and see how you feel.
Valley Medical Center is committed to sharing relevant health information and resources with our community to help you manage health conditions, treat illnesses and disease, and improve your health and well-being so you can focus on what matters most to you. We appreciate you taking a few minutes to fill out this brief survey and share what information you would be most interested in. Thank you for your participation!
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Content in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the guidance of a medical professional.
Valley Medical Center, 400 S. 43rd St., Renton, WA 98055
