Jarrell Family Medicine

08/24/2026

Healthy Tips for a Fun Labor Day! As the end of summer fast approaches, here are some health tips to enjoy the last few weeks!
1. Hydration: Hydrate Well
Even in late summer, heat can be intense. Aim for 12–16 cups of fluid daily (about 3–4 liters). Water, sparkling water, unsweetened iced tea, and coffee are best. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to avoid dehydration
2. Sunscreen:
Put on broad-spectrum sunscreen that filters out both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of 15 or higher before you go outside. Don't forget to put a thick layer on all exposed skin. Get help for hard-to-reach places like your back. And remember, sunscreen works best when combined with other options like protective clothing and hat
3. Stay Active
Gentle movement boosts mood and energy. Walk the beach, hike, bike, or try a new activity like wake surfing or fishing
4. Sleep and Reset
Use the extra day to adjust your schedule gradually, avoid late-night heavy meals, and aim for consistent sleep to support recovery

08/10/2026

August is Sleep Awareness Month. Sleep Awareness Month aims to educate the public about the critical role of sleep in overall health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Poor sleep is linked to numerous health issues such as increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, anxiety, depression, and impaired cognitive function. Talk to your doctor if you think that you should be tested for sleep apnea, an important sleep disorder that can be treated.

08/03/2026

There are several immunizations recommended for older adults. The pneumonia vaccine is one. The CDC recommends that all adults age 65 and older get pneumococcal vaccination. This vaccine helps protect you from getting a serious infection, including pneumonia. There are multiple forms of the pneumococcal vaccine: Talk to a health care provider to find out which is best for you.

07/13/2026

National Minority Mental Health Month, also known as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month or BIPOC Mental Health Month, is observed every July to highlight the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities in the United States. Individuals often face systemic barriers to mental health care, including language obstacles, institutional racism, sexism, and xenophobia, which contribute to lower rates of treatment and higher rates of distress in some groups. For example, in 2023, only 15.1% of Black adults and 17% of Hispanic adults received mental health treatment, compared to 27% of White adults. Minority Mental Health Awareness Month emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive interventions, community support, and advocacy to address these inequities

06/30/2026

Alzheimers and Biomarkers-What about biomarkers?
Biomarkers are characteristics we can measure that help show what’s happening inside the body. Scientists have identified several biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s. While testing for biomarkers can provide some information about a person’s risk, these tests can’t tell for sure whether or not someone will develop the disease. Right now, many of these biomarkers are used mostly in research settings or to help doctors in diagnosing the disease.
Genetic variants are a type of biomarker that have been associated with Alzheimer’s risk. Variants in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene are one example. A variant called APOE ε4 has been associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s in certain populations, while a variant called APOE ε2 may offer some protection against Alzheimer’s in others.
At-home tests are available for a fee to test for APOE variants. People considering such tests will benefit from talking with a doctor or genetic counselor to better understand the test and what their results may mean. Learn more about Alzheimer’s and genetics.
Other biomarkers for Alzheimer’s include levels of the proteins beta-amyloid and tau. Doctors may use brain scans and cerebrospinal fluid tests that measure these protein levels to help determine whether a person’s cognitive difficulties are caused by Alzheimer’s or not. Blood tests are also now available that can measure levels of beta-amyloid. However, none of these tests are commonly used to indicate someone’s risk outside of a research setting.
Identifying who may or may not develop Alzheimer’s is complex. Researchers continue to investigate biomarkers and other risk factors for the disease. Learn more about biomarkers that help diagnose Alzheimer’s or a related dementia at the National Institute on Aging:

Learn about biomarkers—measures of what’s happening in the body—used in dementia detection and research, such as MRI and PET tests.

06/15/2026

There are currently 16.9 million cancer survivors in the United States. Despite the challenges in addition to the short-term and long-term effects of treatment, cancer survivors are resilient. The Huntington YMCA celebrates survivors during National Cancer Survivor Month, and encourages individuals touched by cancer to learn more about how we support recovery through our LIVESTRONG program at the YMCA. Visit https://www.ymca.org/what-we-do/healthy-living/fitness/livestrong today.

06/15/2026

Alzheimers and lifestyle?
There are some risk factors, like age, that you cannot change. However, there may be ways to promote better brain health and reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by addressing certain lifestyle factors, including:
• Unmanaged chronic health issues, such as high blood pressure or hearing loss
• Physical inactivity
• Unhealthy diet
• Alcohol misuse
• Smoking
• Not getting enough sleep or not sleeping well
• Social isolation
• Lack of mental stimulation
Researchers cannot yet say for certain whether making positive changes in these areas can prevent dementia, but doing so is beneficial to living a healthier lifestyle overall

06/06/2026

Celebrate America 250 in Cabell County! 🇺🇸🎆

Find more information here: www.CabellCounty.org/America250

06/06/2026

Family history is also an important risk factor. People with a parent or sibling diagnosed with Alzheimer’s have a higher risk of developing the disease than those who don’t have family members with the disease. Families can have many things in common, including their genes, environment, and lifestyle, that all may play a role. For example, lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise, which can be influenced by family, can affect overall health and increase risk for Alzheimer’s. Importantly, not everyone with a history of Alzheimer’s in their family will develop the disease and vice versa — not everyone who develops Alzheimer’s has a family history of the disease.

06/01/2026

From the time of our country’s founding 250 years ago, the story of America has been one of the constant efforts of Americans—from all races, ethnicities, ge...