What is lifestyle medicine? | HSS

We spoke with HSS Lifestyle Medicine Program Director, Heidi Prather, DO, to learn about the benefits of the lifestyle medicine approach.

What is lifestyle medicine?

Lifestyle medicine is a coordinated team-based approach to health care that integrates six vital “pillars” of good health to treat, reverse and prevent lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Physicians, dietitians, physical therapists, mental health professionals, and other lifestyle medicine professionals partner with motivated individuals to make meaningful, lasting changes that will benefit all aspects of a patient’s health for years to come.

Is lifestyle medicine new?

No, lifestyle medicine is not new. According to the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, it’s actually the foundation of conventional medicine. Patient care guidelines for the initial treatment of the most common chronic lifestyle disorders, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease, generally include lifestyle changes such as losing weight, eating a more healthy and exercise more, instead of starting treatment with medication.

What is new is the recognition of lifestyle medicine as a well-defined practice in today’s healthcare environment. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine began providing board certification in Lifestyle Medicine to qualified physicians in 2017. And the timing is critical: According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. , 37.3 million people in the United States have diabetes.1. That’s about 1 in 10, but 1 in 5 of those people with diabetes don’t know they have it. Additionally, the total number of Americans with diabetes is expected to rise to more than 54.9 million by 2030.two

What are examples of lifestyle-related diseases?

Lifestyle-related diseases are extremely serious. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, lifestyle-related illnesses such as diabetes and obesity were considered factors that increased the risk of hospitalization and death from the infection. Obesity also increases the risk of musculoskeletal conditions, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. More than 42 percent of adults in the United States are obese, and among them, 9.2% are severely obese.3

The situation is dire enough that New York City has made lifestyle medicine a priority. In February 2022, Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Department of Health and Hospitals announced the expansion of lifestyle medicine services at six public health care sites, making it the most complete lifestyle medicine in the country. HSS is participating in the Mayor’s Council for this program, and we are excited to have a seat at the table in the discussion to help improve the health of New Yorkers.

Is there a link between lifestyle-related diseases and musculoskeletal conditions?

People with musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis commonly complain of knee, hip, and back pain. But many of them have co-existing lifestyle-related “comorbidities”, other health problems that contribute to their poor health.

These lifestyle-related diseases, as well as musculoskeletal conditions, share a common root in inflammation. We’re not just talking about swelling in an arthritic joint, but systemic inflammation throughout the body that is a hallmark of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Lifestyle medicine approaches can help treat all of these conditions by reducing inflammation.

What are some of the ways lifestyle medicine can help people?

Lifestyle medicine encompasses six pillars, which focus on replacing unhealthy behaviors with positive behaviors. Each pillar is based on the results of medical research, which means that it is based on evidence. The six pillars include:

Nutrition, especially a diet rich in predominantly plant-based, whole foods, such as vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, and seeds. Physical activity, with regular exercise that you enjoy, can be done daily and maintained throughout your life. Stress management, with a focus on learning coping mechanisms and stress reduction methods to improve your well-being. Avoid risky substances, such as tobacco and addictive drugs, and limit other substances such as alcohol. Restful sleep, for the prevention of reduced immunity and other health problems. It’s not just about how many hours you’re lying in bed, but about the quality of sleep you’re getting. Social connection, for emotional health. Unfortunately, many of us have become more isolated during the pandemic. But studies show that people with a strong social support network are more likely to make and maintain healthy lifestyle changes.

What are the benefits of lifestyle medicine for people with musculoskeletal conditions?

Taking an integrated lifestyle medicine approach to care can not only relieve arthritis symptoms, but also improve overall health by reducing reliance on diabetes medications, lowering blood pressure, and reducing risk Of cancer. If you have not made much progress in managing your musculoskeletal condition, it may be because you have comorbidities that also require attention.

That’s where lifestyle medicine can help you. If you’ve been experiencing muscle, bone, or joint pain and are ready to make some healthy changes, a meeting with a lifestyle medicine physician may be just what the doctor ordered. That nagging pain can become a catalyst for a new, more comfortable, healthier, and possibly longer life.

Pain is a sign that your body is not in balance. It is also an opportunity to make a positive change.

What can I expect from a lifestyle medicine consultation at HSS?

A lifestyle medicine consultation begins with a comprehensive evaluation by a lifestyle medicine physician that includes:

A discussion about your pain and other symptoms A comprehensive health exam to screen for all potential medical problems A discussion of your personal goals An assessment of your support network Measurements such as blood pressure, body mass index, and neck and neck circumference your waist Lab tests such as blood tests and urine tests Questionnaires that measure how active you are in participating in your health care and how likely or confident you are to make a lifestyle change

What happens after a consultation?

Based on the results of your evaluation and tests, we may refer you to other lifestyle medicine professionals, such as:

A dietitian, to discuss your eating habits and help you develop a dietary plan to help you feel better. A physical therapist or exercise physiologist, to assess your fitness level and design an exercise plan that meets your needs and preferences. A health coach, to help you set your goals, identify stressors, and develop techniques to reduce stress and build or maintain relationships that support your health. Community Programs, to provide helpful information on lifestyle medicine behaviors and invite you to form social connections with others in the program.

Your lifestyle drug providers meet regularly as a team to discuss your progress and your ability to meet recommendations. We also make sure that you receive consistent messages that will increase your chances of success. That pain that brought you to see us in the first place can become a barometer of what works for you: it flares when you eat certain foods, for example, and subsides when you follow your team’s recommendations.

Lifestyle medicine does not passively try to make a symptom feel better. The goal is to help you improve.

How do I start?

If you’re thinking about making a change, living with that change, and motivated to take responsibility for maintaining those changes, lifestyle medicine may be for you. Lifestyle medicine services at HSS are provided in person and through telehealth. Call 212-774-7653 for more information.

Over the next several months, we’ll be posting additional articles on each pillar of lifestyle medicine and linking it to resources. Stay tuned!

1. A Snapshot: Diabetes in the United States | Diabetes | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2. Diabetes 2030: Insights from Yesterday, Today, and Future Trends – PMC (nih.gov)
3. Facts about obesity in adults | Overweight and Obesity | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Source: www.hss.edu