North Polk Family Medicine

09/09/2025

Falls in Older Adults: A Serious Risk
41,000 people over the age of 65 died from falls last year.
More older adults die from falls than from breast cancer or prostate cancer.
Medications are one of the biggest risks for falls.
Medications that increase fall risk:
Benzodiazepines (used for anxiety, sleep, etc.)
Opioids (pain medicines)
Older antidepressants
Anticholinergic medications (like Benadryl)
Muscle relaxants
If you or a loved one takes these medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist about safer options and ways to reduce fall risk.

09/02/2025

09/01/2025

Lyme Disease Awareness
Although Iowa is on the western and southern edge of Lyme disease territory, the number of cases has grown greatly in the last 10 years.
Protect yourself from ticks:
• Apply an effective tick repellent (such as DEET).
• Wear light-colored, protective clothing with long sleeves and pants.
• Tuck pant legs into socks when outdoors.
• After yard work, hunting, hiking, or camping, thoroughly check yourself for ticks.
If you find a tick:
• Remove it right away and save it for identification.
• Watch for flu-like symptoms (fever, body aches, fatigue) or a bullseye-shaped rash.
Treatment and prevention:
• Lyme disease is treatable.
• A single dose of antibiotic can prevent infection after a known deer tick bite (before symptoms appear).
• If you develop symptoms, testing and a longer course of antibiotics may be required.

07/24/2025

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 𝕕𝕒𝕪
Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) State Softball - 4A Title Game
🆚Pella
📍Fort Dodge, IA
🏟️Harlan Rodgers
🕔5pm
🎟️ $15 shorturl.at/6oifv
📺 http://bit.ly/40zSjpv
Comet Nation, we will have a sendoff today at 1 p.m. by the new field entrance, come cheer them on!

07/14/2025

As you may know, I had knee surgery last week, which means our appointment schedule will be limited for the next couple of weeks. Nonetheless, we will stay on top of refills and be available to discuss any concerns you may have by phone through the clinic.

06/25/2025

Are You Salting Your Food Too Much?

A recent study in the European Journal of Nutrition found that frequently adding salt to your food can increase your risk for Fatty Liver Disease — a condition that’s rapidly becoming one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).

Need help managing your health? Call North Polk Family Medicine at (515) 984-6426 to schedule a check-up.

06/04/2025

North Polk Family Medicine is a small comfortable community clinic. We care for all ages and offer a large range of services. Call us for acute or chronic concerns.

05/27/2025

The supplement market is booming, and more people than ever are turning to natural products for help with arthritis, energy, weight loss, and more. But it's important to be cautious. Not all supplements are as safe as they seem.

Some have been linked to serious health issues, including liver failure. Supplements that have raised concerns include:

Turmeric
Green tea extract
Ashwagandha
Black cohosh
Chinese skullcap
Garcinia cambogia
Germander
Linoleic acid
Red yeast rice
Comfrey

Before starting any new supplement, talk to your healthcare provider and do your research.

05/24/2025

Please have fun but be careful this weekend!

05/20/2025

Alzheimer’s Disease: New Testing Options
Did you know Alzheimer’s disease affects more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined?
One in ten people aged 65 and older currently lives with Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to double by 2050.
But there’s encouraging news: the FDA has just approved a new blood test that could help diagnose Alzheimer’s earlier and more accurately.
The test is a pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio it is for adults 55 and older who are showing signs or symptoms of the disease. It works by measuring two proteins in the blood. The ratio of these proteins tends to correlate with the presence or absence of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are a key hallmark of Alzheimer’s.

05/15/2025

Did you know a "broken heart" can actually be deadly—especially for men?

A new study found that men are twice as likely to die from Broken Heart Syndrome (yep, it’s a real thing called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy) compared to women. Even though more women get it, men have a higher fatality rate. Researchers think it might be linked to hormones or how different types of stress affect men and women.

Just another reminder to take emotional well-being seriously.