Author: Roseman Medical Group

Aging & Weight Gain

Posted on by Roseman Medical Group

Americans refer to the “Quarantine 15”, pointing to the weight gain many experienced during the lock-down starting in March 2020 as a result of COVID-19. Add to that adjusting to our new normal as well as stress, and many continue to grapple with their weight. As we age, we experience hormonal changes, muscle loss, a more sedentary lifestyle, and a slower metabolism, all of which contribute to weight gain. Sarcopenia, a process that accelerates as we age, results in the break down of our muscles which is then often replaced with fat, which requires less energy to operate than muscle. A reduction in calorie consumption would combat this, but many of us continue our existing eating habits, which then leads to weight gain. Exercise, especially weight bearing exercise and weight training, can stimulate new muscle growth. Together with an increase in protein, we can conserve muscle and bone mass. Our hormones also fluctuate and decline as we age. Both estrogen and testosterone help regulate muscle mass and fat distribution. As we age, we also become more sedentary, sitting all day for our jobs, or commuting, and with added stress, there is less time to move. Our metabolisms slow as well and need special attention to keep them revved. If you have concerns about this issue, talk to your RMG healthcare provider.

Some quick tips include:

  1. Prioritize sleep – aim for 8 hours a night.
  2. Move – add weight bearing exercise like walking, running, or biking 2-3 times per week.
  3. Consider HIIT workouts, which move your heart rate in and out of different zones and help burn fat.
  4. Consider yoga, meditation, prayer, or other mindfulness practices to help combat stress.
  5. Add an additional serving of protein to your diet, and limit alcohol, sweets, and processed foods.  Fill up on fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber foods.
  6. Be aware of your hormone levels and discuss therapies with your provider.
  7. Keep a journal. Journals help us more accurately report our behaviors and allow us to see meaningful trends. Writing is also therapeutic!
CONTACT US

Roseman Extends Vaccinations Through Deployment of Mobile Van

Posted on by Roseman Medical Group

Roseman University served as a COVID-19 Vaccination site at both its Henderson and Summerlin campuses and via various community-based events administering more than 11,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines to our community members. We are continuing our efforts through Roseman’s College of Medicine Mobile Vaccination Van in order to ensure equitable vaccine access to residents in high-risk communities in Southern Nevada. The mobile van is also a solution to help eliminate barriers to getting the vaccine, such as transportation and childcare. 

We are working alongside our community partners to target these communities. To date, the van has teamed up with The City of Las Vegas, Civica Academy, Futuro Academy, Leadership in Training (LIT), and Vintage at Seven Hills for pop-up vaccine clinics. These pop-up clinics have been located in North Las Vegas, East Las Vegas, and Henderson. At the pop-up clinic, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals administer the COVID-19 vaccine to young people aged 12 and up, parents, seniors, and the general public. 

The College of Medicine is looking forward to continuing its grassroots outreach efforts by working with community partners to make sure high-risk communities have fair and easy access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Media Coverage

Fox Las Vegas (KVVU)

Mobile Vaccine Clinic Rolls Out in Vegas

June 22, 2021

ABC Las Vegas (KTNV)

Roseman University Mobile Vaccination Van

June 22, 2021

Fox Las Vegas (KVVU)

New Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Van to Launch

June 23, 2021

Article by Vanessa Maniago & Sheyla Pierre

Learn More About Gastroparesis – August is National Gastroparesis Awareness Month

Posted on by Roseman Medical Group

August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month. Up to 5 million people in the US are impacted by Gastroparesis, but it is not a well understood condition with symptoms that commonly occur with other gastrointestinal disease. The condition can occur at any age, but average age of onset of symptoms is 34 years.

According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Gastroparesis is a condition where symptoms occur as the stomach empties too slowly usually during or after eating a meal. The cause is a malfunction in the nerves that serve that region. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, retching, stomach fullness after a normal sized meal, or early fullness with the inability to finish a meal. Symptoms can occur after a viral infection or due to diabetes, past surgeries, medications or other illnesses.

Healthcare providers will take a medical history, order blood tests, and order either an endoscopy, upper GI series via X-ray, or an ultrasound. Further tests that look at the rate the stomach empties can be conducted including Scintigraphy, ingestion of the SmartPill, a wireless motility capsule or via a breath test.

Once a diagnosis is confirmed, treatments are aimed at managing comfort and symptoms over time.  This may include dietary and lifestyle changes, medications or potentially surgery.

Speak to your Roseman Medical Group provider if you have any gastrointestinal symptoms that bother you.

Article by Vanessa Maniago

Roseman Medical Group provides quality, empathic, patient-centered care. Our primary care providers are dedicated to your health and well-being. Contact us at 702-463-4040 to schedule an appointment.

Summer 2021 Health Monthly

Posted on by Roseman Medical Group

Welcome to the Summer Issue of the RMG Health Monthly e-Newsletter.

The world seems wider than it has been in a while, with domestic and international travel increasing, mask mandates lifted, and an overall US vaccination rate of 67 percent at the Fourth of July. While the US has reached this new vaccination milestone, vaccination rates vary greatly state by state which is impacting the emergence of the Delta Variant. We continue to urge our RMG patients to be sure they are vaccinated and to report any cold or flu-like symptoms to their healthcare practitioners. COVID-19 vaccines are now available to all people age 12 and older while Clinical trials continue to test the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine for children under 12.

In this Summer Edition, find some healthy eating ideas and tips that complement the stunning array of fresh vegetables and fruits available at our local farmer’s markets, geographically dispersed around the Las Vegas Valley.

Find out about Gastroparesis, a condition which impacts the speed at which the stomach empties, leaving the patient uncomfortable around mealtimes.

Learn more about leveling blood sugar through diet, exercise and a commonsense approach from Shawnna Short, Clinical Nurse Practitioner at Roseman Medical Group.

Find out more about Roseman University’s mobile vaccination van and how Roseman has administered over 11,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

In September, we look forward to welcoming you back to the Neighborhood Health Series virtually, as we tackle the Fall and New Year with relevant and timely topics on health and wellness.

We wish our RMG patients a healthy and happy summer, time with family and friends, time outdoors and good health always.

In good health,

Your Healthcare Partners – Roseman Medical Group

Summer 2021 Health Monthly Articles

Cool Healthy Cooking with Produce from the Local Farmer’s Market

Learn more about Gastroparesis – August is National Gastroparesis Awareness Month

What is the deal with Insulin Resistance?

Roseman Extends Vaccinations Through Deployment of Mobile Van

Subscribe to Newsletter

Cool Healthy Cooking with Produce from the Local Farmer’s Market

Posted on by Roseman Medical Group

Hot summer days call for cool Summer food! Summer cooking is an optimal time to welcome healthier, lighter cooking into your home and in your backyard. Summer eating surely brings back memories of Summer’s past, of children eating popsicles, fresh watermelon, corn on the cob, peaches and plums, and burgers and dogs on the grill. Warmer weather can dampen our appetites too, making lighter food more enjoyable and easier to digest. Fresh produce is in abundance in the summer and local Farmer’s Markets offer fresh, healthy vegetables and fruits that are often less expensive than traditional grocery stores. For a list of Southern Nevada’s local Farmer’s Markets, click here. With all of your purchases, try some of these healthy recipes that are easy and inexpensive to make.

Nothing says summer like a cool Gazpacho, which is said to have originated in the southern regions of the Iberian Peninsula. It is widely eaten in Portugal and Spain, particularly during the hot summers, as it is refreshing and cool, while savory and satisfying. Check out this recipes from Delish.

Turkey burgers can offer a leaner alternative to burgers made with pork or beef. They can also be made with almond flour in place of breadcrumbs to create a gluten-free option. Grated parmesan can make lean burgers moist and rich. Turkey burgers can get tough if overworked. So, make your patty once and take tender and misshapen over tough and perfectly round.  Turkey burgers can be served in lettuce leaves, with toppings of avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers and greens. Throw eggplant, zucchini, onions on the grill alongside your burgers for a simple dinner. Check out the allrecipes version.

Watermelon is often thought of as a cool conclusion to a meal, but it can take front and center as the main item on the dinner menu with the addition of bitter greens and salty feta cheese. Any olives will do, though this recipe calls for Kalamata Olives.

Finally, summer is only actually summer when ice cream or sorbet has been eaten. Sorbets offer a lighter version with less fat and sugar, with real fruit as its base. Use any berry, peaches, plums or even fresh melons. You don’t need an ice cream machine with this simple recipe. Enjoy the process and enjoy the end product. Click here for sorbet recipe.

Roseman Medical Group wishes you a wonderful summer with healthy eating and time with family and friends!

Article by Vanessa Maniago

Roseman Medical Group provides quality, empathic, patient-centered care. Our primary care providers are dedicated to your health and well-being. Contact us at 702-463-4040 to schedule an appointment.

What is the deal with Insulin Resistance?

Posted on by Roseman Medical Group

Insulin resistance is a condition that affects how your body uses insulin. Under the best circumstances, blood sugar (glucose) easily moves into cells with the help of insulin. When you eat, glucose (blood sugar) rises quickly. This will signal insulin to be released by the pancreas. Insulin acts like the key that will open the door to cells and allow glucose to enter so it can be utilized to make energy. When someone is insulin resistant, cells do not open the door freely when insulin is knocking. In turn, your pancreas will send out extra insulin to normalize blood sugar. This works for a short time until your body can no longer keep up.  At some point, no matter how much extra insulin the pancreas sends out, your blood sugar is still too high. Elevated blood sugar will eventually lead to prediabetes, type II diabetes and heart disease.

You are at increased risk for insulin resistance if you are overweight or physically inactive. Some health conditions put you at greater risk. Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or if you’ve had gestational diabetes all increase your risk of developing insulin resistance. Some risk factors are uncontrollable, like family history of diabetes, age and ethnicity.

There are some things you can do to prevent or even reverse insulin resistance.

Follow a healthy diet by trying the Plate Method recommended by the American Diabetes Association:

  • Use an 8- or 9-inch dinner plate
  • Half the plate should be colorful, lower carbohydrate veggies (broccoli, salad greens, radishes, asparagus, brussels sprouts, peppers)
  • ¼ of your plate should be lean protein (salmon, lean beef, chicken, eggs, cheese)
  • ¼ of your plate should be complex carbohydrates (whole grain pasta, fruit, whole grain bread, beans, brown rice, potatoes, dairy)
  • Avoid sugary drinks and concentrated sweets (candy, cake, cookies)

Exercise more:

  • Use a pedometer and get a minimum of 10k steps per day
  • Aim for 30 minutes of brisk walking everyday
  • Never sit longer than 90 minutes at a time
  • Try adding strength training a few times per week

Work with your Roseman Medical Group health care provider to get your other health issues under control:

  • Keep your follow up appointments with your primary provider
  • Take your medications on time
  • Complete yearly lab work

Insulin resistance is preventable and even reversable. Type II diabetes is a progressive disease that worsens over time. Preventing insulin resistance from progressing to Type II diabetes is key. The providers at Roseman Medical Group are here to help you navigate through your healthcare journey. Talk to your provider about any concerns you have.

Article by Shawnna Short, Roseman Medical Group Family Nurse Practitioner

Roseman Medical Group provides quality, empathic, patient-centered care. Our primary care providers are dedicated to your health and well-being. Contact us at 702-463-4040 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Farbman on KLAS 8 News Now

Posted on by Roseman Medical Group

Raising awareness about Alzheimer’s, brain health

by:

Posted: / Updated:

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The ability to think clearly and remember everyday tasks can be things most people take for granted but it can be a daily struggle for those with brain disorders.

June is  Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s but only 45% of them actually get diagnosed. Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem solving or other thinking abilities.

It’s not the occasional forgetting of your car keys, it’s the more severe kind of forgetfulness that interferes with daily life.

There is a basic test, brain scan and blood test conducted before diagnosing someone with a brain disorder. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.

Typically, it takes someone else recognizing the early signs that something is wrong.

“Most of the time, at least early on, the symptoms are noticed by the family and not the patient. Frequently, when I see a patient in the office who comes in worried saying ‘I think I have Alzhiemer’s,’ they don’t. But if they are brought by another family member that’s when it’s usually more worrisome. It’s almost like they forget they are forgetting,” said Eric Farbman, associate professor of neurology as Roseman University.

Some of the common early signs are difficulty with complicated tasks that you don’t do often or are not part of your routine like managing a checkbook.

There is a very active local chapter here of Alzheimer’s Association which is a great resource if a loved one or spouse is recently diagnosed.

June 2021 Health Monthly

Posted on by Roseman Medical Group

Welcome to the June edition of Health Monthly.

Though the Summer Solstice is not until June 20th, it certainly feels like summer. The days are hotter, the nights shorter, and schools all over are in recess. We hope you had a safe and healthy Memorial Day Weekend. We give thanks to the US Military who have given their lives in service to our country.

This month read about ways to stay healthy in the summer months.  The summer months bring new opportunities to practice good health, to be outdoors, and to enjoy time with family and friends.  There are also specific things to look out for in the summer months that can help keep us healthy.

Read about the links between stress and memory loss. There are several acute and chronic conditions that can cause reversible memory loss.  Stress is one of them. Your primary care provider at Roseman Medical Group can do a quick “mini-mental” assessment to better understand memory loss and to determine next steps and the need for further assessment.

Also, read about our very own Dr. Eric Farbman and his lifelong commitment as a Neurologist. This month is Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Month, and so you can read about the various diseases Dr. Farbman treats and the latest treatments used. You will also get to learn about his personal journey as a physician and how he stays involved with his own passions.

We look forward to seeing you this June and remember to stay on track this summer with your follow-up appointments, imaging, and bloodwork. It continues to be our pleasure to serve you, and we appreciate you putting your trust in us to be a part of your well-being.

 

In good health,

Your Healthcare Partners – Roseman Medical Group

June 2021 Health Monthly Articles

Essential Safety Tips to Enjoy Your Summer and Eliminate Stress
Memory Loss and Stress – Working with Your Primary Care Provider to Find Answers
Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness
Clinic Spotlight – Treating Parkinson’s Disease with Hope and Optimism
Roseman Dental – New Orthodontic Treatment Price

Subscribe to Newsletter

Treating Parkinson’s with Hope and Optimism – Eric S. Farbman, MD

Posted on by Roseman Medical Group

This article was originally posted on Roseman University of Health Sciences’ blog, as well as published in the May/June edition of Roseman University’s print edition of spectRUm magazine.

About Eric S. Farbman, M.D.

Eric Farbman, M.D. grew up in New Jersey as the oldest of three and the son of an engineer father, and homemaker and social worker mother. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Tufts University and while deciding if his path was leading towards a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) to conduct research, or a Doctor of Medicine (MD) to treat patients, an old friend encouraged Dr. Farbman to overnight his application (on the last day of the late period) to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). That advice helped catalyze his decision-making process and set him on his path in medicine.  He went on to receive his M.D. from Rutgers University Medical School.

Medical school curriculum was difficult, but once exposed to clinical experiences, Dr. Farbman began to feel more optimistic about his decision to attend medical school. He enjoyed the neuroscience and neuropathology courses, which led to his future sub-specialty in neurology. Following a four-year residency, Farbman went on to complete a Movement Disorders Fellowship, all through University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Farbman found Pittsburgh to be the ideal place for residency training and to enjoy a favorite pastime, baseball, on the river at PNC Park– which he describes as a beautiful and accessible baseball stadium.

In 2006, following a year of work in Pittsburgh, Dr. Farbman moved to Las Vegas to join the practice of Dr. Steven Glyman and Dr. David Ginsburg. Eventually the UNSOM/UNLV Neurology department subsumed the practice and Dr. Farbman moved into academic medicine with ease, treating patients while helping to educate future students. Dr. Farbman and Dr. Ginsburg ultimately moved to Roseman University and see patients at the Roseman Medical Group practice located in the medical building adjacent to Spring Valley Hospital.

Specialization in Movement Disorders

Dr. Farbman specializes in Movement Disorders, a class of neurological diseases that include Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, dystonia, ataxias, and tremors. With Parkinson’s Disease, Farbman likens the diagnostic and evaluation of patients as putting together the pieces of a puzzle, a puzzle he enjoys solving. Parkinson’s patients might experience a fall, yet that symptom can be related to several other diseases. Ruling out other diseases helps ultimately form the diagnosis, along with presentation of some specific symptoms common to the disease.

Overview of Parkinson's Disease

According to the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive movement disorder resulting from the loss of nerve cells in the brain that produce a substance called dopamine. The cause of Parkinson’s Disease is unknown. One in every 800 individuals develops the condition, which is more common in men than in women. Parkinson’s Disease increases with age, with 90% of patients above 45 years of age, and may be related to genetic mutations. Exercise throughout adulthood may reduce a person’s risk.

Early symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease begin on one side of the body, with diminished fine motor control, or reduced foot or arm movement. Other symptoms include tremors, stiffness, posture imbalance, difficulty swallowing, constipation and urinary incontinence. Patients may experience slower movement and speech, fatigue, forgetfulness, loss of smell, and sleep disorders. Symptoms of late-stage Parkinson’s Disease include an expressionless face, soft voice and stooped posture, and an inability to walk.

Healthcare providers conduct thorough physical exams, noting specific signs and symptoms that are seen in Parkinson’s Disease. Diagnostic testing may play a role in evaluating the disease. Sleep studies, swallowing studies and psychological testing also can assess the severity of the condition.

Treating Parkinson's Disease

Of all the diseases Farbman treats, Parkinson’s is one closest to his heart. “Given its prevalence, its impact, how it can affect patients in multiple ways, Parkinson’s is both more prevalent and less deadly than Huntington’s. I estimate that in Southern Nevada there are roughly 15,000 people living with Parkinson’s Disease right now.” Many may be living with symptoms but are simply just not yet diagnosed, especially among those under 40 with early-onset disease who may not consider Parkinson’s a Disease that could even impact them.

Several medications are available to manage symptoms, such as tremors and stiffness, in the condition’s early stages. Balance training, stretching and strengthening exercises, and aerobic activity are utilized to help to maintain a patient’s function.  Speech therapy is also often recommended. Deep brain stimulation, (DBS) which is a surgical procedure, also may relieve symptoms. Dr. Farbman specializes in this modality, which through an embedded device and neurostimulator, deep brain stimulation is delivered to patients to improve their symptoms.  Dr. Farbman is currently managing 200 patients with this therapy. There is now a Levodopa pump that can be prescribed for Parkinson’s patients as well.

According to Dr. Farbman, about 1% of the population will get Parkinson’s and 2% of those over 65 will get it. He also notes that given the multitude of treatment options, that there are far worse diagnoses that exist than Parkinson’s diagnosis.  In its advanced stages, quality of life still can be good–more so life with limitations, not restrictions.

Clinical Research of Parkinson's Disease

Dr. Farbman is very interested in clinical research around Parkinson’s and says, “Fortunately, this is an exciting time to be treating Parkinson’s Disease.” In addition to the recent FDA-approval of many new Parkinson’s treatments, there are many clinical research trials ongoing. Roseman University is a site for both the Parkinson Study Group and the Huntington Study Group with studies for patients with many different degrees of the disease, from newly diagnosed to advanced. A new study will soon be started on multiple system atrophy, an atypical Parkinson-plus disorder with no current treatments, as well as an essential tremor study. Farbman is hopeful that there will be some new Huntington’s research studies soon as well.

Treating Parkinson's at Roseman Medical Group

Dr. Farbman is a gentle, affable, kind person with a natural gift for teaching and explanation. With his patients, he is patient and informative, delivering complex information in an approachable way. Active among the multiple support groups around the Valley, Dr. Farbman is truly a beacon of hope and telegraphs his optimism to his patients.  

For patients wishing to learn more about Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, or other movement disorders, or to make an appointment to see Dr. Farbman, please call the Roseman Medical Group, the medical practice of Roseman University’s College of Medicine at 702-463-4040.

For most, a diagnosis can feel like an interminable journey of the unknown. Dr. Farbman uses his experience, intellect, talents and gifts to give patients information, support, and hope in navigating Parkinson’s and other Movement Disorders.

Article by Vanessa Maniago

Memory Loss and Stress – Working with Your Primary Care Provider to Find Answers

Posted on by Roseman Medical Group

Many treatable medical problems can cause reversible memory loss, including stress, anxiety and depression. COVID-19 and its effects left in its wake an increase in mental health issues. Though the end of the pandemic is in sight, experts anticipate a long-term impact on people’s mental health. Adjusting to changes in our schedules, new mask mandates, and new social obligations can also lead to additional stress and anxiety as we explore our lives after COVID.

Stress, anxiety, and depression can cause forgetfulness. Many treatable medical issues can cause memory issues. Often those with memory issues feel afraid to speak with doctors and assume they could have Alzheimer’s or other neurological issues.

Patients can put their fears aside with a visit to their primary care provider, who can ask various questions and conduct a “mini-mental” assessment which can yield helpful information and clues towards diagnosis. Other tests and evaluation can be ordered to rule out several treatable medical issues.  According to the Mayo Clinic, possible causes of reversible memory loss include:

  • Medications. Certain medications or a combination of medications can cause forgetfulness or confusion.
  • Minor head trauma or injury.  A head injury from a fall or accident — even if you don’t lose consciousness — can cause memory problems.
  • Emotional disorders. Stress, anxiety, or depression can cause forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty concentrating and other problems that disrupt daily activities.
  • Alcoholism. Chronic alcoholism can seriously impair mental abilities. Alcohol can also cause memory loss by interacting with medications.
  • Vitamin B-12 deficiency.  Vitamin B-12 helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. A vitamin B-12 deficiency — common in older adults — can cause memory problems.
  • Hypothyroidism. An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can result in forgetfulness and other thinking problems.
  • Brain diseases. A tumor or infection in the brain can cause memory problems or other dementia-like symptoms.

Patients of Roseman Medical Group should bring their concerns to their primary care provider. Patients should not fear the worst in noting recent memory loss as there are many causes that with the right diagnosis, can be addressed.

Article by Vanessa Maniago

Location

5380 S. Rainbow Blvd, Suite 120
Las Vegas, NV 89118

Phone: (702) 463-4040

Legal
Navigation
Roseman University