To My Patients,
Hope all is well.
It's been an unusually long time since the last "To My Patients," but here we are.
The practice has been very busy, both in the office and through telemedicine. Our Colorado crew, all four of them, spent almost three weeks with us - a yearly tradition of togetherness and happiness.
The garden is blooming vigorously this year, flowers and vegetables alike. The Garden Phlox has done particularly well, blooming ahead of schedule, as you can see from the picture.
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Time Away
We'll be out of the office the week of September 1st, returning Tuesday morning, September 9th. It promises to be exciting; I'll let you know all about it when back.
Insurance and Billing Notes
Dealing with health insurance continues to be tough for both patients and physicians. Much of the difficulty is obtaining prior authorization (PA) for medications such as inhalers for asthma and COPD, and weight-loss medications (Ozempic, Mounjaro, and others). Occasionally approval comes quickly, but more often it's a tedious, drawn-out process.
Billing can also be confusing. Sometimes you'll notice an open balance - for example, if a telemedicine encounter carries a copay, or if part of a charge isn't covered by insurance. By the time you receive a statement (now by email unless you prefer paper), we've already appealed and settled what we could. Please always make sure we have your current insurance information on file.
Medical Notes
Sleep as Medicine
Just as we prescribe medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes, your nightly sleep is a powerful therapy that works silently and effectively - provided you take it consistently.
Think of sleep as medicine. Many of us underestimate the importance of good, regular sleep. Adequate sleep lowers blood pressure, reduces risk of diabetes, strengthens the immune system, and helps memory and mood. Poor sleep raises body inflammatory processes and can contribute to the development of heart disease, stroke, worsening of diabetes, and others. Think of quality sleep as one of your "daily medications" for longevity.
During sleep, the body is actually very active. The brain consolidates memories, clears toxins such as beta-amyloid (which is linked to Alzheimer's disease), and resets its circuits for attention and learning. Muscles, bones, and tissues repair themselves; growth hormone and other repair signals become more active at night, and the immune system mobilizes and produces infection-fighting cells. People with inadequate sleep are at a higher risk for colds, flu, and other infections.
Without adequate sleep, irritability, anxiety, and depression worsen; people who sleep well handle stress better, they have less brain "fuzziness" during the day. For the elderly, good sleep is also protective against cognitive decline and dementia.
Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep each night, but individual needs vary. Scientific studies show that performance, judgment, and reaction times all decline with chronic sleep debt. But length of sleep is not everything. Quality matters: frequent nighttime awakenings, sleep apnea, or restless legs can undermine the benefits of sleep even if hours seem sufficient. Improving sleep quality - whether by treating sleep apnea, restless legs, or other conditions - can improve alertness and heart health. And it can increase life quality and longevity.
Most importantly, think sleep as your key to a healthier, longer life!
New Frontiers in Heart Risk Testing
Beyond the familiar cholesterol panel, newer tests now give a clearer picture of cardiovascular risk:
- ApoB – measures the actual number of "bad" cholesterol particles.
- Lipoprotein(a) - a genetically inherited cholesterol particle linked to early heart disease.
- Insulin Resistance - indicates how effectively the body uses insulin, a key factor in metabolic and heart health.
- Coronary Calcium Score (CT Scan) - shows if cholesterol has already begun forming plaques in arteries.
These tests are becoming part of preventive care and help identify those who may need more aggressive risk reduction, long before symptoms appear.
Nutrition Nuggets
Sometimes small swaps make a big difference:
- Try half an avocado instead of cheese on a sandwich - more potassium, less sodium.
- Add berries to breakfast - natural antioxidants and fiber that support the microbiome.
- A handful of unsalted nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios) is linked to lower risk of heart disease. As a bonus, almonds are mild appetite suppressor, and had a very low glycemic index, so important for people with diabetes or even prediabetes.
- Want to minimize sugar consumption? Try a pinch of monk fruit extract (the pure one, not in combination with a filler).
Sandy and I wish all of you and your families a happy, healthy late summer and fall.
Stay well,
Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D.
www.drstaw.com
Dr. Staw on Facebook
2000 Post Road, Fairfield CT 06824
(203) 853-1919
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