Falcon Health Center

01/07/2026

The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals with a cervix who are at an average risk for cervical cancer should start screenings at age 25 and continue until at least age 65.

Depending on the screening, it should be done every 3 to 5 years.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗣𝗩 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 (testing only for HPV infection) should be done 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀.
𝗣𝗮𝗽 𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗿 (testing for abnormal cells in the cervix) should be done 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝟯 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀.
If you are 𝗰𝗼-𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 (Pap smear & HPV testing), it should be done 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀.

If you are at a higher risk of cervical cancer, you might need a different screening plan. See if you are at increased risk: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html

Screening plans aren’t one-size-fits-all. Talk with your primary care provider to determine which screenings you need and the right time to get them.

01/06/2026

January is 𝗧𝗵𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵. Your thyroid is a small gland in your neck, but it plays a big role in your health. It generates hormones that help regulate your metabolism, helping your body create and use energy. When the thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can affect your entire body.

The two main thyroid conditions are hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄?
• About 20 million Americans are living with a thyroid condition
• Neraly 60% don’t know they have one
• Women are 5 to 8 times more likely to develop thyroid disease

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of thyroid condition, but 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:
• Tiredness
• Muscle weakness or aches
• Increased sensitivity to heat or cold
• Change in bowel patterns
• Slow or rapid heart rate
• Unexpected weight gain or loss

01/05/2026

Feeling the winter slump? A few simple daily habits can help boost your energy and mood as the colder months continue.

💤 Stick to a consistent sleep schedule. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends.

☀️ Get 10-20 minutes of morning light. Sunlight helps regulate your body clock and can improve sleep and mood. A short walk or sitting by a window (even if it's cloudy) counts.

🏋️‍♀️ Stay active with regular movement. Short bursts of activity throughout the day can be just as helpful as a longer workout.

🔅 Wind down before bed by reducing screen time and dimming the lights about two hours before sleep. Reading, listening to music or light stretching are great alternatives.

01/04/2026

Lactose intolerance happens when your body doesn’t produce enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose (the sugar in milk). When lactose isn’t properly digested, it can cause digestive discomfort after eating dairy products. 🥛

About 65% of adults worldwide have difficulty breaking down and absorbing lactose. Some people may have lactose intolerance without noticeable symptoms, while others experience clear digestive issues.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:
• Bloating
• Gas
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain or cramping
• Stomach gurgling or rumbling
• Diarrhea

If this sounds familiar, it might be time to talk to a provider about your options.

01/03/2026

Do you want to start exercising regularly but are not sure how to begin? Don’t worry! We’ve got tips to help you get moving more in the new year. 🏃⬇️

Introducing Exercise Into Your Daily Routine

01/02/2026

Cervical cancer screenings help detect changes in cervical cells before they develop into cancer. These screenings may include a Pap smear, an HPV test or both.

A Pap smear looks for abnormal cells in the cervix that could become cancerous if left untreated, while an HPV test checks for high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus that cause cervical cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer was once one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in the U.S. Thanks to regular screenings and follow-up care, cervical cancer can often be found early—greatly reducing the risk of serious illness or death.

That’s why staying up-to-date on screenings is so important!

At Falcon Health Center, we provide health education, annual visits, routine physical exams, gynecological testing and more. 📞 Call (𝟰𝟭𝟵) 𝟳𝟮𝟴-𝟬𝟲𝟬𝟭 to schedule your appointment today.

01/01/2026

Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year! 🎉 Just a reminder, 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟵:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠-𝟱:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠.

Falcon Health Center is here to support all your healthcare needs in 2026. Looking for a new provider? Take a look at our exceptional team of physicians here: https://www.woodcountyhospital.org/medical-services/urgent-care/falcon-health-center-providers

12/31/2025

Struggling to get a good night’s sleep? 😴 Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep or causes you to wake up too early. It can be short-term or long-lasting and may occur on its own or as a result of another health condition.

Many causes of insomnia can be improved with lifestyle changes and proper treatment.

If trouble sleeping lasts for several weeks and happens multiple nights a week, try these tips:

✅ Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
✅ Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet
✅ Avoid caffeine, alcohol and ni****ne close to bedtime
✅ Skip daytime naps, especially in the afternoon
✅ Exercise regularly, but finish workouts at least 5 hours before bed
✅ Power down all screens before bedtime

If sleep problems persist, talk with your healthcare provider to find out what might be the cause.

12/30/2025

As you get ready to celebrate the New Year, make safety part of your celebration, especially on the road. Keep yourself and others safe with these tips:

🚫 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲
Even small amounts of alcohol can impact your judgement. If you plan to drink, leave the driving to someone else.

🚗 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿
Before the celebration begins, pick a designated driver so everyone can enjoy the night and get home safely.

📱𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲
Look into rideshare services or public transportation options in advance. A little planning can make a big difference.

👀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗹
If you’re out driving tomorrow night, stay focused and watch for unpredictable drivers on the road.

Wishing you a safe and happy New Year’s Eve!

12/29/2025

Do breathing techniques actually work? Yes, they do! Deep diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing, is a simple yet powerful way to calm your body. This technique helps slow your heart rate, lower blood pressure and cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, regulate mood and calm racing thoughts. Even better, practicing it regularly can help build resilience to stress over time.

The next time you start to feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, focus on matching your breathing to the rhythm of the snowflake. Save this image and return to it whenever you need a moment to reset. ❄️

12/28/2025

Are you setting goals for the New Year? Now is the perfect time to reflect on what you want to achieve in the year ahead and get excited about starting something new. The real challenge comes in staying consistent and turning those goals into lasting habits.

Here are a few things you can do to help see your resolutions through:

✅ 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀: Choose a few meaningful goals rather than a long list. This allows you to focus all your energy on one or two things, instead of becoming overwhelmed by tackling too much at once.

✅ 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱: Research and outline a clear path (with steps) to your goal. A well-thought-out plan makes your resolution feel achievable.

✅ 𝗕𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰: Make your goal as detailed as possible and break it down into actionable steps, such as “go for a 30-minute walk three times a week.”

✅ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Share your goals with someone else. Working on your goals alongside others or having someone to check in with keeps you inspired and accountable.

✅ 𝗕𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁: Understand that setbacks are normal, but don’t let a small slip derail your progress.

12/27/2025

Long travel days or exam stress leaving you sore? 😩 Falcon Health Center offers 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 to help ease tension, improve circulation and promote natural healing.

No medications, no downtime — just relief that helps you reset before the new year.

📞 Call 419. 728.0601 to schedule an appointment today.