Oaks Medical Group

07/22/2026

World Brain Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about neurological conditions and the importance of brain health.

It is estimated that more than one billion people worldwide are living with neurological conditions. Approximately 1 in 3 people are affected by a neurological disorder, making these conditions one of the leading causes of illness and disability around the world.

Ways to support your brain health:

Take time to learn about your brain and your neurological condition.
Practice meditation or mindfulness to help reduce stress and give your brain time to recharge.
Challenge your mind with brain games, puzzles, reading, or other mentally stimulating activities.
Stay physically active, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep to support overall brain health.

If you are living with a neurological condition, contact your healthcare provider today to schedule an appointment and review the treatment plan that best supports your individual needs.

07/10/2026

Chronic Disease Awareness Day

Chronic Disease Awareness Day is dedicated to address the significant impact of chronic diseases in the United States.

Did you know that 7 out of 10 deaths in the U.S. are caused by chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, which collectively claim more than 1.7 million lives each year. These numbers show an urgent need to reduce preventable chronic conditions, which account for over 90% of U.S. healthcare spending.

Call Oaks Medical Group now to set up an appointment in one of our 9 locations to assess your health which will lead you to better health outcomes.

06/27/2026

05/19/2026

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, with May 19 recognized as National Hepatitis Testing Day. Viral hepatitis remains a major public health concern in the United States, and many people are unaware they are infected. Increasing screening and vaccination can prevent or effectively treat most cases.

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is usually a mild, short-term illness. Symptoms may include fever, joint pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). There is no specific treatment, but vaccination is highly effective at preventing infection. Routine vaccination is recommended by groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can cause both acute and chronic infection. It is preventable through vaccination, starting within the first 24 hours of life, with catch-up vaccination recommended through age 59. Many people do not experience symptoms, making testing essential. While there is no cure for chronic hepatitis B, treatments can significantly reduce the risk of liver damage, liver cancer, and death.

Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is not preventable by vaccine, but it is highly treatable and often curable. Most people can be cured in 8–12 weeks with oral medications. Like hepatitis B, many people do not feel sick, so testing is the only way to know. Early treatment can prevent serious complications such as liver disease and cancer.

05/01/2026

Sleep health plays a critical role in both our personal well-being and overall functioning. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 45% of Americans report that poor or insufficient sleep affected their daily activities at least once in the past week.

Many adults regularly get less than the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Over time, insufficient sleep is linked to higher perceived stress, mood changes, reduced focus, and an increased risk of conditions such as Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and Depression. It also impacts safety and performance by impairing reaction time, decision-making, and emotional regulation—raising the likelihood of accidents and workplace errors.

Sleep disorders often go unrecognized and untreated. Conditions like Insomnia and Sleep Apnea affect millions of people worldwide. Symptoms such as loud snoring, frequent waking, or persistent fatigue are often dismissed, delaying proper care.

Ways to Improve Sleep Quality

1. Sleep window (consistency over perfection)
Choose a realistic bedtime and wake time that allows for 7–9 hours of sleep. Keep them within about an hour of each other most days. Wake time consistency is especially important, as it helps anchor your internal body clock.

2. 10–5–3–2–1 rule (a flexible guide)
Use this as a framework, not a strict rule:
10 hours before bed: stop caffeine
5 hours before bed: avoid alcohol
3 hours before bed: finish heavy meals
2 hours before bed: end work
1 hour before bed: turn off screens
Even partial changes—like cutting caffeine 6–8 hours before bed or reducing screen time 30–60 minutes before sleep—can make a noticeable difference.

3. Wind-down ritual (signal, not perfection)
Create a short, repeatable routine (5–20 minutes) to help your brain transition into sleep mode. This could include light stretching, reading, or listening to calming audio. Consistency matters more than complexity.

4. Light exposure (high impact)
Morning light exposure helps regulate your sleep–wake cycle and makes it easier to fall asleep at night. In the evening, dim lights and reduce screen brightness to support your body’s natural rhythm.

5. Temperature matters
A slightly cool room (around 60–67°F / 15–19°C) helps the body initiate sleep more effectively.

6. Limit time awake in bed
If you can’t fall asleep after about 20 minutes, get up and do a calm, low-light activity. This helps prevent your brain from associating the bed with wakefulness.

7. Naps (use strategically)
Short naps (20–30 minutes) earlier in the day can be helpful, but longer or late-day naps may interfere with nighttime sleep.

04/08/2026

NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
April is National Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person's ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, and form relationships with others. Being autistic means you may feel things and react to them differently than non-autistic people. You may find socialising confusing or tiring, and you may become overwhelmed in loud or busy places.
According to WHO, about 1 in 270 people in the world has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism is understood as a spectrum. We understand the spectrum to mean each autistic person has a unique combination of characteristics.
Children with ASD can be nonverbal or they have restricted or repetitive behaviors. ASD also affects people of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Autism is not a learning disability or a mental health condition but people with ASD can have a learning disability.
Autism begins before the age of 3 years and it can last throughout a person's life, although symptoms may change over time. Some children show ASD symptoms within the first 12 months of life. In others, symptoms may not show up until 24 months of age or later. Some children with ASD gain new skills and meet developmental milestones until around 18 to 24 months of age, and then they stop gaining new skills or lose the skills they once had.
Even adults can be living with Autism and have not been diagnosed.

Diagnosing ASD can be difficult since there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorder. Providers and specialists look at a person's behavior and development to make a diagnosis.
If you are worried about your child or a loved one; call one of our offices to schedule your initial Autism assessment appointment.

More information on autism at:
https://www.cdc.gov/autism/about/index.html

03/18/2026

Vote for us in both categories at https://bestofslc.com/vote/