“Dear Dr. Jennings and Staff,
After my second son was born I became very ill. In a period of three years I had over 26 surgeries and went from a happy healthy woman to a very frail frightened one. I had Dystrophic Calcifications that were forming throughout my bladder, pelvis, ovaries and uterus. I was passed from one Doctor to the next. The doctors never took the time to explain to me what was wrong with me and how we could attempt to make things better. When the calcifications finally stopped I was left with a lot of painful scar tissue, severe back problems and chronic pain. I feel so blessed that I found Dr. Jennings as he not only takes the time to help me understand where and why I have pain but he manages my medications responsibly and helps find other solutions to my illness. Even though I went through physical therapy in the past no one taught me how to do the excercizes correctly. Dr. Jennings has taught me some wonderful stretches and excersizes that actually work. He checks with me to make sure that I continue to do the physical therapy properly and never gets frustrated with me when I have forgotten how to do a stretch or excersize. I have never had a Doctor treat me with as much respect and concern as Dr. Jennings and his staff. He and his staff have restored my faith in health care.”

– Kim H.
Salt Lake City

PFP’s guide to easy nutritous eating

A Fun Forecast For Your Funny Bone

You will be tested repeatedly in the home by unruly and demanding children.

Remember the commercials from the 1970’s for Calgon?  A nice bubble bath can take both you and high stress levels, away.

Viewer question of the week
April Sponsor
Hands of Change Massage

Lisa D. Rossi, LMT
801 440-6370

The web show to watch to get answers you can trust!

“I’m so grateful to be part of Personal Family Physicians.  I feel I’m important whether I’m walking in the office or calling on the phone.  During a recent medical experience I felt my health mattered not just to Dr. Jennings, but also to Marilyn, Pam and Stephanie.  Each of them made special efforts to help me through a painful experience.  Dr. Jennings and Marilyn took time from their non-office hours to ensure I had the care I needed.  Because of their attention to my health needs, I was able to heal at home.  Every day I count myself very fortunate to be one of their patients.  Thanks to each of you.”

– Mary Dupaix
Murray, UT

PFP’s guide to easy nutritous eating

A Fun Forecast For Your Funny Bone

The Ides of March are nigh!  Are ye eatin’ the corned beef and cabbage a bit much? A quick swallowin’ of a live frog could cure your stomach ache – according to Irish Folklore. Sore eyes from watching too much March Madness? Soothe them by rubbing with boiled daisies.  Other folk cures include tying a bunch of mint around the wrist to ward off infection and disease, drinking boiled down carrot juice to purify the blood, or placing black sheep’s wool in the ear to alleviate earache.
Here’s hoping you celebrate the Wearin’ O’ The Green on St. Patrick’s Day, but leave those folk remedies and ole Wives’ Tales in a bygone era.
Éirinn go brách!

Viewer question of the week
April Sponsor
Hands of Change Massage

Lisa D. Rossi, LMT
801 440-6370

The web show to watch to get answers you can trust!

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Dining with Your Doc! 

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Monthly Topic:
‘Tis the Season for Wheezin & Sneezin’

Itchy, watery eyes. Stuffy, drippy nose. Sneezing and wheezing. Itchy skin rashes.

We’ve all seen these manifestations of allergies. Many of us experience allergy problems from time to time or chronically. But what’s behind these symptoms? Why do we suffer with the same itchy, sneezy, drippy nose routine year after year?
We live in a world of microorganisms which are out to get us. The only thing standing between us and hoards of potential germ-invaders is our immune system. Three cheers for these heroic neutrophils, macrophages, basophils, and other white blood cells. They’re on the job 24/7 to protect us and keep us alive.

Our immune system isn’t perfect. Sometimes it reacts when there is no imminent danger from hostile invaders.The trigger may be a simple pollen granule from ragweed or a few dead skin cells from Fido. Our immune system can be overly protective, waging war on innocuous substances that have no ability or interest in invading our cells.

That’s what allergies are – an unnecessary response by our immune system to a non-threat. Grass pollen will not cause pneumonia or meningitis. Milk protein can’t infect our skin or gut. But if we are “allergic” to these substances, our immune system has incorrectly categorized these molecules as something to be feared and resisted. So whenever we are exposed to allergens (things we are allergic to), the sentries of our immune system send out the alarm, and the troops are activated, releasing chemicals and communicating to other tissues and cells to wake up and come join the fight.

So the good news is that when you are suffering from allergies, you know your immune system is working, albeit in a nonproductive way. The other good news is that there are a variety of ways to tone down or prevent this hyperactive behavior.

Want to learn more about your immune system and allergies? Join us for the next Dining with the Doc on Friday, March 16. We’ll discuss how this remarkable system works and what we can do to modify the ill effects of immune malfunction.

A confirmed RSVP is required.  Please call Pam or Stephanie at 801-998-8492 to confirm your seat for Dining with Your Doc!
Friday, March 16th, 11:45am-1:00pm
Join us for an interactive, entertaining, and educational lunch hour.  Lunch is on us, but space is limited to 35 seats, so call today!  Check our calendar  for details.

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Dining with Your Doc! 

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Monthly Topic:
Wearing Out or Rusting Out

We all hope to grow old some day, primarily because it is better than the alternative.  However, we dread the changes that come with age including loss of vitality, beauty, physical and mental function, and independence.

Many of the changes associated with aging may not be inevitable.  Aging is a process that begins at birth.  Some of the changes are determined by our genetic inheritance, but much of it is attributed to our environmental exposure and experience.

For example, in the past it has been assumed that senility comes invariably with age.  Recent research has pointed out that the brain, like many other organs, responds positively to healthy use and can wither from neglect and lack of use.

We lose muscle mass and strength with age, but the rate of decline should be slower than was previously estimated.  Regular physical activity (with some attention to strength training, flexibility and agility) can improve endurance, strength, physical capacity, and helps maintain our independence.

Many age-related changes in the skin are due to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.  Sure, we will get some wrinkles and sagging over time, but the degree of change is very dependent on our behavior.

More people tend to rust out rather than wear out.  In other words, physical and mental inactivity, poor eating habits, and excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, loud noise, and other environmental hazards will accelerate our genetically programmed rate of decline.

Growing old gracefully requires a conscious effort to protect your health, avoid harmful factors, and maintain a positive attitude toward life and yourself.  Sure, there will be marked changes in our physical appearance and abilities; we can’t make time stand still.  The real objective should be to maximize our health, emphasize functionality, and focus on maintaining our physical and mental health so that we can accomplish in life what we hold most important.

Join us for our next ‘Dining with Your Doc!’ event and learn more about Rusting Out or Wearing Out!

You must RSVP to attend this event.  Please call 801-998-8492 to confirm your seat for Dining with Your Doc!
Friday, February 24th, 11:45am-1:00pm
Join us for an interactive, entertaining, and educational lunch hour.  Lunch is on us, but space is limited to 35 seats, so call today!  Check our calendar  for details.

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Dining with your Doc! 

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Monthly Topic: Math for Eaters

Confused about calories, fat grams, Nutrition Fact labels, or Recommended Daily Intake for nutrients? Don’t feel alone.

There’s an overabundance of information about eating and nutrition available, yet we are suffering the consequences of inappropriate eating and its adverse effects on health.

Eating healthy foods doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or tasteless. Making better food choices does require some basic nutritional information and forethought, but it does not mean becoming a fanatic or food extremist.

Our bodies are designed to run on a variety of foods. That means we should eat a broad selection of several types of foods; there is no one perfect or ideal food or nutrient.

One of the fundamental problems we face is that so many of the things we eat are processed, concentrated, and modified in ways that increase the energy content but decrease the multitude of other important nutrients found in the original ingredients. We gain weight from the excess intake of energy, and our health may suffer from lack of essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients.

It is important to know and understand the composition of the foods and beverages we use to fuel or bodies and satisfy our taste buds. Many foods and products are marketed as tasty, satisfying, and desirable, and are presented as the “best” choices available. In reality, a lot of these highly advertised products should be labeled with a skull and crossbones!

If you’re unsure about how to read a Nutrition Facts label or explain the difference between a carb and a calorie, join us at the next Dine with Doc. We’ll cover the essentials in “Math for Eaters,” a concise review of nutrition basics which will help you make better food choices and thereby improve your long-term health.

Call 801-998-8492 to reserve your seat for Dining with your Doc!
Friday, January 20th, 11:45am-1:00pm
Join us for an interactive, entertaining, and educational lunch hour.  Lunch is on us, but space is limited to 35 seats, so call today!  Check our calendar for details.

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Dining with your Doc! 

---

Monthly Topic: Math for Eaters

Confused about calories, fat grams, Nutrition Fact labels, or Recommended Daily Intake for nutrients? Don’t feel alone.

There’s an overabundance of information about eating and nutrition available, yet we are suffering the consequences of inappropriate eating and its adverse effects on health.

Eating healthy foods doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or tasteless. Making better food choices does require some basic nutritional information and forethought, but it does not mean becoming a fanatic or food extremist.

Our bodies are designed to run on a variety of foods. That means we should eat a broad selection of several types of foods; there is no one perfect or ideal food or nutrient.

One of the fundamental problems we face is that so many of the things we eat are processed, concentrated, and modified in ways that increase the energy content but decrease the multitude of other important nutrients found in the original ingredients. We gain weight from the excess intake of energy, and our health may suffer from lack of essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients.

It is important to know and understand the composition of the foods and beverages we use to fuel or bodies and satisfy our taste buds. Many foods and products are marketed as tasty, satisfying, and desirable, and are presented as the “best” choices available. In reality, a lot of these highly advertised products should be labeled with a skull and crossbones!

If you’re unsure about how to read a Nutrition Facts label or explain the difference between a carb and a calorie, join us at the next Dine with Doc. We’ll cover the essentials in “Math for Eaters,” a concise review of nutrition basics which will help you make better food choices and thereby improve your long-term health.

Call 801-998-8492 to reserve your seat for Dining with your Doc!
Friday, January 20th, 11:45am-1:00pm
Join us for an interactive, entertaining, and educational lunch hour.  Lunch is on us, but space is limited to 35 seats, so call today!  Check our calendar for details.