The focus of primary health care is preventing patients from becoming sick, Dr. Zachary Thurman of Knox Community Hospital told the Mount Vernon News.
“That includes things like talking with patients about lifestyle,” he said. “Everything from the food that we eat to how much sleep you get at night to exercise and smoking cessation.”
Other healthy habits he discusses with patients include limiting the amount of alcohol they consume and their time in front of computer screens.
He compares it to paddling a canoe.
“A little subtle ruddering with that paddle is either going to steer you off course or can really hone you in,” said the physician. “I talk to patients about making small changes over time.”
Establishing healthy habits early in life will lead to better health for the future, he said.
“I tell patients we want to see them healthy not just at 25 but at 55, 65, 75 and 85,” said Thurman.
One of the most important decisions of all is to either not start smoking or to quit smoking as soon as possible.
He believes it is important to develop long-term relationships with patients so that he will know and understand them and they will trust their physician’s advice.
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the importance of those relationships, stated Thurman.
“Having a thoughtful conversation with your family doctor is helpful. Increasingly, there is a lot of information out there. That can be two sided. You’re kind of fighting misinformation a lot of times, too.”
Family doctors value their role as interpreters of medical information for their patients.
Today, obesity is probably the most common health problem, the doctor said. Diabetes and high blood pressure follow. Some patients as young as age 10 have diabetes, he said.
The primary care physician helps patients manage those conditions through medication, diet and exercise, helping to guide them to a healthier lifestyle.
“Is there a way we can help show people other ways to eat?” he asked. “That’s a lifelong journey to help figure that out. It’s difficult and it takes a while.”
He tries to encourage families to put healthy limits on screen time as well.
“Have an end time to social media and cell phones,” he said. “Maybe it’s an hour before bedtime. The problem isn’t just some of the bullying and information that comes through technology. It’s also the fact that if you have a phone in your room at night your sleep is going to be affected. That sort of sets in motion these other negative cycles such as lack of energy and lack of exercise. All these things are related.”
For more information about Knox Community Hospital’s primary care, call 740.326.3521.
