Posts

Chronic Care Management

Chronic Care Management: Because Great Healthcare Doesn’t End at Your Appointment

/in /by

When most people think about healthcare, they think about the time they spend with their provider during an office visit.

But what happens between those appointments?

For patients living with multiple chronic conditions, that’s often when the biggest challenges arise. Questions about medications. New symptoms. Difficulty managing treatment plans. Coordinating care between specialists. Making sense of lab results. Recovering after a hospital stay.

That’s where Chronic Care Management (CCM) makes a meaningful difference.

At Lake Country Medical Group, our Chronic Care Management program is designed to provide ongoing support for eligible patients long after they leave the exam room. Rather than waiting until the next appointment, our care coordination team stays connected throughout the month, helping patients navigate their healthcare journey with confidence.

What Is Chronic Care Management?

Chronic Care Management is a Medicare-supported program designed for patients living with two or more chronic health conditions that are expected to last at least 12 months or for the remainder of their lives.

The goal is simple: provide continuous support that helps patients stay healthier, avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, and better manage their conditions every day.

Our CCM team works closely with patients by:

  • Coordinating care between primary care providers, specialists, hospitals, and pharmacies
  • Reviewing medications and helping patients stay on track
  • Answering healthcare questions between appointments
  • Following up after hospitalizations or emergency room visits
  • Helping patients understand and manage chronic conditions
  • Identifying concerns early before they become bigger health issues
  • Developing and updating personalized care plans
  • Connecting patients with community resources when needed

It’s healthcare that extends beyond the office visit and provides peace of mind knowing there’s a dedicated team available to help every step of the way.

A Program Built on Compassion

Behind every successful care coordination program is a team committed to serving patients with compassion, consistency, and excellence.

Over the past several years, Alicia Ramfos has played a vital role in building and leading Lake Country Medical Group’s Chronic Care Management program. Under her leadership, the program has grown into an essential part of how we care for patients beyond the walls of our offices.

Alicia’s dedication to patient-centered care, innovation, and collaboration has helped create a program that has positively impacted countless patients and families throughout our community.

Today, Alicia has transitioned into a new role focused on Population Health and Business Development, where she continues helping Lake Country Medical Group expand its services and strengthen the care we provide throughout the Lake Country. While her responsibilities have evolved, the patient-first philosophy she established remains the foundation of our CCM program.

Welcoming Eden Wages

As our Chronic Care Management program continues to grow, we’re excited to welcome Eden Wages as our new CCM Program Director.

Although Eden is stepping into a new leadership role, she is certainly not new to the program. This August marks three years with Lake Country Medical Group, and during that time she has been an integral member of our Chronic Care Management team.

Many patients may recognize Eden from her work in medication management and pharmacy services, but throughout her time with LCMG she has gained experience in virtually every aspect of Chronic Care Management. From working directly with patients to supporting care coordination behind the scenes, she has developed a deep understanding of the program and the people it serves.

That experience makes Eden uniquely prepared to lead the program forward. She understands that great healthcare isn’t just about treating illness, it’s about building relationships, staying connected, and helping patients feel supported every day between appointments.

Working alongside the outstanding team that Alicia helped build, Eden is committed to continuing the tradition of compassionate, personalized care while helping the program continue to grow and evolve.

Care That Never Stops

“Healthcare doesn’t happen only during office visits. Some of the most important care takes place between appointments, and that’s exactly why our Chronic Care Management team exists,” says Dr. Nicolas Chronos. “By staying connected with our patients throughout the month, we’re able to answer questions, identify concerns early, coordinate care, and ultimately help people live healthier lives.”

At Lake Country Medical Group, we believe great healthcare is built on relationships, communication, and continuity of care.

Whether you’re managing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD, or multiple chronic conditions, our Chronic Care Management team is here to help you stay connected, informed, and supported throughout your healthcare journey.

Because exceptional healthcare doesn’t end when your appointment is over.

It continues every day in between.

Could You Benefit from Chronic Care Management?

If you have Medicare and are living with two or more chronic health conditions, you may qualify for our Connected Care Management program. Through our Connected Care Institute, our team provides ongoing support between office visits, including personalized care planning, medication management, care coordination, and regular check-ins designed to help you better manage your health.

To learn more about our Connected Care Institute and our Chronic Care Management program, Click Here:

Or call Lake Country Medical Group at (706) 485-4004 to speak with a member of our team and learn whether Chronic Care Management is right for you.

magnesium blog

Magnesium Deficiency: Signs, Symptoms, and Why So Many Adults May Be Low

/in /by

By Nicolas Chronos, MD, FACC, FESC , Karen Schwartz, DNP, WHNP-BC and Dr. Phoebe Sahawneh, PharmD

Understanding the Importance of Magnesium for Your Health

Magnesium may not get as much attention as vitamins like D or B12, but it plays a critical role in nearly every major system in the body. From supporting heart health and muscle function to helping regulate sleep, mood, and energy production, magnesium is essential for overall wellness.

According to Dr. Nicolas Chronos, magnesium is one of the most overlooked nutrients in modern healthcare.

“Magnesium is involved in hundreds of cellular processes throughout the body,” says Dr. Chronos. “It supports cardiovascular health, nerve signaling, muscle function, and energy production. When levels are low, the effects can show up in ways many people would never immediately connect to magnesium.”

At Lake Country Medical Group, providers are seeing increasing interest in magnesium deficiency, especially among adults experiencing fatigue, muscle cramps, poor sleep, headaches, or ongoing stress.

A Collaborative Approach to Wellness at Lake Country Medical Group

At Lake Country Medical Group, patient care often involves collaboration across multiple specialties to help patients better understand the many factors that can impact their overall health and wellness.

This article was developed with insight from:

  • Dr. Nicolas Chronos, cardiologist and founder of Lake Country Medical Group, who focuses on cardiovascular health, prevention, and whole-body wellness
  • Karen Schwartz, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and primary care provider at Lake Country Medical Group, who works closely with patients on preventive care, hormone health, bone health, fatigue, sleep concerns, and overall wellness
  • Dr. Phoebe Sahawneh, part of Lake Country Medical Group’s PharmD and medication reconciliation team, who helps patients and providers evaluate medications, supplements, interactions, and overall medication safety

Together, the team works to help patients identify underlying factors that may be contributing to symptoms like fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, poor sleep, and low energy, including potential nutritional deficiencies such as magnesium deficiency.

How Common Is Magnesium Deficiency?

Research suggests magnesium deficiency may be far more common than many people realize.

National nutrition surveys indicate that nearly half of U.S. adults do not consume enough magnesium through diet alone. Some researchers estimate that a majority of adults may have what is known as chronic latent magnesium deficiency, meaning magnesium stores within the body are depleted even when standard bloodwork appears normal.

One reason magnesium deficiency can be difficult to detect is because less than 1% of the body’s magnesium is found in the bloodstream. Most magnesium is stored in bones, muscles, and tissues.

“Patients are often surprised to learn that a normal lab result does not always rule out low magnesium stores,” explains Dr. Phoebe Sahawneh. “The body works very hard to maintain stable blood levels, even when overall magnesium reserves may be declining.”

Symptoms of Low Magnesium

Because magnesium supports so many body systems, deficiency symptoms can vary from person to person.

Common signs of magnesium deficiency may include:

  • Muscle cramps or muscle tension
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Increased stress or anxiety
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Weakness
  • Tingling sensations
  • Irregular heartbeat in more severe cases

“These symptoms are often nonspecific, which means they can easily be attributed to stress, aging, or other health conditions,” says Karen Schwartz, WHNP-BC. “For many patients, symptoms like fatigue, poor sleep, headaches, or muscle tension may have several contributing factors, including nutritional deficiencies that are often overlooked.”

Karen Schwartz notes that magnesium also plays an important role in bone health, muscle function, stress regulation, and overall wellness.

Why Are So Many People Low in Magnesium?

Several modern lifestyle factors may contribute to widespread magnesium deficiency.

Processed Foods and Modern Diets

Many highly processed foods contain significantly less magnesium than whole, unprocessed foods. Refining grains and processing packaged foods can strip away much of their natural mineral content.

Changes in Soil and Farming

Research has also shown that fruits and vegetables may contain lower mineral levels today than they did decades ago due to changes in farming practices and soil depletion.

Aging and Medications

As people age, the body may absorb magnesium less efficiently. Certain medications can also lower magnesium levels over time, including:

  • Acid-reducing medications
  • Some diuretics
  • Certain antibiotics
  • Some medications used for blood pressure or heart conditions

“This is where medication review becomes especially important,” explains Dr. Phoebe Sahawneh. “Many patients do not realize their medications may impact nutrient levels. Our medication reconciliation team helps evaluate the full picture, including possible interactions, deficiencies, and supplement considerations.”

Best Food Sources of Magnesium

Increasing magnesium-rich foods is often the first step providers recommend.

Foods naturally high in magnesium include:

  • Leafy green vegetables
  • Almonds and cashews
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Avocados
  • Beans and legumes
  • Whole grains
  • Dark chocolate
  • Bananas

“Nutrition remains foundational,” says Dr. Chronos. “Supplements can sometimes help, but healthy dietary habits are still incredibly important for long-term health.”

Should You Take a Magnesium Supplement?

Not all magnesium supplements are the same. Different forms of magnesium vary in how well they are absorbed and tolerated.

Some forms are commonly used for muscle support and sleep, while others may be more likely to cause digestive side effects.

According to Dr. Phoebe Sahawneh, choosing the right supplement should depend on the individual patient, their symptoms, medications, and overall health history.

“Patients often walk into the store and see multiple magnesium products without knowing the differences,” she says. “That is why it is important to discuss supplements with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting them.”

The Bottom Line on Magnesium and Overall Wellness

Magnesium is a vital mineral that supports heart health, sleep, muscle function, energy production, and nervous system balance. Yet many adults may not be getting enough through diet alone.

If you are experiencing persistent fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, poor sleep, or increased stress, it may be worth discussing magnesium levels and nutritional health with your provider.

At Lake Country Medical Group, the care team works collaboratively across specialties, including cardiology, primary care, women’s health, and medication management, to help patients better understand the factors that may be impacting their overall wellness.

Lake Country Medical Group is currently accepting new patients. If you would like to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment with a member of our team, we are here to help.

📞 706-485-4004
🌐 lakecountrymedicalgroup.com