Small Habits, Big Health Impact

Internal medicine physician shares how lifestyle changes can prevent chronic disease

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Internal medicine physician Shirisha Kamidi discusses her article 'Small habits, big impact on health.' Kamidi explains why prevention through lifestyle modifications is often more powerful than treatment when addressing conditions like diabetes and hypertension. She shares a real-world example of a patient who normalized high blood pressure through simple lifestyle adjustments rather than medication. The conversation emphasizes the cumulative power of small habits such as daily walks, balanced eating, and stress management.

Why it matters

Kamidi's perspective as both a hospitalist and a lifestyle medicine specialist provides a unique lens on the importance of preventative care. By incorporating lifestyle changes early on, individuals can often avoid or even reverse chronic diseases, reducing the burden on the healthcare system. Kamidi's personal experience with gestational diabetes also lends credibility to her advocacy for proactive, community-based wellness initiatives.

The details

Kamidi recommends starting with small, sustainable changes like a daily 5-minute walk that can gradually be increased. She also advises adding more vegetables and fruits to each meal, managing stress through relaxation techniques, and maintaining good sleep habits. Kamidi shares how she was able to prevent gestational diabetes in her second pregnancy by making lifestyle modifications early on. As a hospitalist, Kamidi sees firsthand how receptive patients are to lifestyle education when they are in the hospital setting and not rushed by other obligations.

  • Kamidi was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during her first pregnancy.
  • During her second pregnancy, Kamidi proactively implemented lifestyle changes and was able to prevent gestational diabetes.

The players

Shirisha Kamidi

A triple board-certified physician certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, and lifestyle medicine. Kamidi currently works as a hospitalist at Baptist Hospital in Southaven, Mississippi.

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What they’re saying

“With very small changes, we can start with doing a five-minute walk every day and slowly increasing it to 10 minutes, 15 minutes, and then 20 minutes.”

— Shirisha Kamidi, Internal Medicine Physician (KevinMD)

“I feel like when it comes to health, community activities also play a big role. Having a community gathering where we can talk about how we can make small changes helps.”

— Shirisha Kamidi, Internal Medicine Physician (KevinMD)

The takeaway

Kamidi's approach emphasizes the power of small, sustainable lifestyle changes to prevent and even reverse chronic diseases. By incorporating simple habits like daily walks, balanced eating, and stress management, individuals can significantly improve their long-term health outcomes. Kamidi's experience as both a hospitalist and lifestyle medicine specialist underscores the importance of a proactive, community-based model of healthcare that empowers patients to take an active role in their wellness.