Posts from 2021

Lifestyle medicine
Dec 14 2021

Could lifestyle medicine help you be healthier?

Healthy Living  •  By Miles Varn, MD

You know what a healthy lifestyle looks like—healthy food choices, regular activity, and avoiding health harming habits like smoking, excess alcohol, and substance use disorder. What you might not know is that there are physicians and other healthcare providers who focus on preventing and treating health problems by using evidence-based therapeutic lifestyle interventions to prevent... Read More

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seasonal affective disorder
Dec 7 2021

Managing seasonal affective disorder as pandemic stress continues

Uncategorized  •  By Miles Varn, MD

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of people worldwide who are experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. As we enter a second winter of living with the pandemic and its stresses, many people will be working to manage not only feelings of sadness, worry, and burnout related to the pandemic, but also the... Read More

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mental health provider
Nov 30 2021

Signs you may need to find a new mental health provider

Healthy Living  •  By Miles Varn, MD

In 2020, 24.3 million adults in the U.S. received care from a mental health provider. If you’re currently seeing a mental health specialist, it’s wise to occasionally take stock and check to see if you’re benefitting from your treatment and your mental health provider is still a good fit. Over time, your needs may change,... Read More

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Nov 23 2021

Holiday wishes

Holiday  •  By Miles Varn, MD

All of us at PinnacleCare wish you and your loved ones a healthy, happy holiday. We are here to help whenever you need us, every day of the year. Whether you’re working to be your healthiest self, or facing a significant health issue, you can always rely on us for support and guidance. Warmest wishes,... Read More

doctor retiring
Nov 16 2021

Is your doctor retiring? These strategies can help you find a new one.

Healthy Living  •  By Miles Varn, MD

The stress and trauma experienced by many healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic has added to an issue that was already on the radar—a looming shortage of both primary care physicians and specialists. Many doctors are choosing to retire early and others are choosing to leave medicine because of burnout or mental health issues caused... Read More

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registered dietitian
Nov 9 2021

How working with a registered dietitian can help during cancer treatment

Complementary & Integrative Medicine  •  By Michael Scott, ND, MSA

Nutrition can make a positive difference in the wellbeing of people who are undergoing cancer treatment. We talked with Ginger Hultin, MS, RDN, clinical dietitian and owner of the virtual private practices, Champagne Nutrition® and Seattle Cancer Nutritionist, to find out more about this topic. In addition to her work with patients, Ms. Hultin serves... Read More

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vaccinated
Nov 2 2021

How to ask family and friends if they’re vaccinated before holiday gatherings

Healthy Living  •  By Miles Varn, MD

As the winter holidays approach, people are hoping to make up for the togetherness they missed during last year’s holiday season because of the pandemic. Much has changed since last year’s holidays and even since COVID-19 vaccines first became available last winter: Vaccines: Everyone 12 and older has been eligible to be vaccinated for some... Read More

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breast cancer risk
Oct 26 2021

Five changes you can make to lower your breast cancer risk

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

While there are some factors that affect breast cancer risk that you can’t change–genetic mutations, family history, age, having dense breast tissue, race, and ethnicity–there are proactive changes you can make that have been associated with lowering your risk. These lifestyle changes include: Reach and maintain a healthy weight. Studies have found an association between... Read More

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fragmented care
Oct 19 2021

How to protect yourself from the risks of fragmented care

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

You end up in the emergency department after breaking your ankle in a minor car accident. You tell the nurse that you take blood thinners because you’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. The doctor treating your ankle says he’s reviewed your electronic medical record, so you assume he’s aware of the medications you take. But... Read More

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medical cannabis
Oct 12 2021

Medical cannabis 101: A discussion with Dr. Caroline MacCallum

Complementary & Integrative Medicine  •  By Michael Scott, ND, MSA

Medical cannabis has been legalized in all but 14 states in the U.S. and its use for treating a range of conditions is a growing topic of conversation in the medical community. We talked with Caroline MacCallum, MD, a specialist in internal medicine, with expertise in complex pain and cannabinoid medicine. Dr. MacCallum is the... Read More

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