The Doctor is In

Dr. Schoenewe of Eastern Oklahoma Medical Clinic, Inc recommends wise steps to staying healthy this holiday season.

With the busy holiday season rapidly approaching, it’s time to consider taking some wise steps to evaluate your health and begin taking measures to remain healthy through this particularly stressful time of the year.

Dr. Corey Schoenewe of the Eastern Oklahoma Medical Clinic, at the Southcrest Medical Plaza of Southcrest Hospital, recommends taking preventive measures to avoid stress, depression and infectious diseases often associated with the holiday season.

“Washing your hands, consuming a balanced diet, and controlling stress levels by exercising regularly, are the key to staying healthy,” according to Dr. Schoenewe, a Broken Arrow native who runs the clinic.

Between five and twenty percent of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from the flu each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC describes symptoms as fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

Especially vulnerable to these infectious diseases are the elderly, young children, women who are pregnant, and teachers and nurses, who should all be vaccinated against the flu each year. People with pre-existing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) need to take special care and be sure to get the vaccine.

The holiday season is a fun time for most of us, filled with parties, celebrations and social gatherings with family and friends. But for others, it is a time of sadness, grief, self-evaluation and loneliness, and this can lead to depression.

When our exciting holiday plans fail to live up to our expectations, with family members arguing, moody relatives and children, family conflict, and over spending on credit cards, many can expect a bout of depression. Even in a non-depressed state, the holidays can be stressful and even disappointing.

Depression is a particular problem at this time of the year due to these stressors, and patients would be wise to be screened for it. Dr. Schoenewe conducts an extensive screening process through a questionnaire and detailed interview. Antidepressant medications may or may not be prescribed, depending upon the diagnosis.

“Patients are our main concern at the Eastern Oklahoma Medical Clinic,“ explains Dr. Schoenewe, “We will accept anyone, whether you have insurance, Medicare or no insurance at all.”

    The entire staff at the Eastern Oklahoma Medical Clinic is bilingual in English and Spanish. Dr. Schoenewe also has a degree in Spanish, and lived in Mexico City after college. Raised and schooled in Broken Arrow, where his parents still live, and obtaining his medical degree at OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Schoenewe did his medical residency at the University of Oklahoma in the Family Practice program in Tulsa.

When asked why he wanted to become a doctor, he replies, “I have always wanted to practice medicine. I know it sounds corny, but I just like helping people.”

The Eastern Oklahoma Medical Clinic is completely computerized with an electronic record system that is totally secure and far exceeds the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Patient records can never be stolen or tampered with, so you can be sure of your privacy and safety at this clinic.

Walk-ins are welcome, although most patients do make appointments ahead of time, and the clinic does accept most health insurance policies.

Dr. Schoenewe is ably assisted by his professional staff: Natalie Luna-Acosta, who is the receptionist and Viridana Valdivia, the medical assistant. Clinic hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday open until 8 p.m. and Friday until 12 noon.

For more information, contact

Eastern Oklahoma Medical Clinic, Inc.

Southcrest Medical Plaza

(918) 392-2468