Sent 10-3-2017
Hope all is well; still taking advantage of the outdoors? It's sure a nice time of the year in our part of the country, go outside and take a walk while you still can! → Office Hours for the Next Two Weeks
Sandy and I are going to take a
"real vacation" this time (it's been a long time in coming...).
We'll be in Israel and France for a little over two weeks, visiting friends
and family, and sightseeing.
We will be out of the office starting Friday, October 27, through Monday, November 13. We will be back in the office on Tuesday, November 14. During our vacation time, Janine will be in the office during our usual office hours, and Dr. Sarfraz will be covering me. If necessary, Janine will be able to reach me. Please plan ahead and let us know if you need anything before we leave on the 27th of this month. We're in the office this week, and if you need an appointment or a prescription, please call asap! → Flu Shots
I
would like to remind everyone that it's now time to get your flu vaccine. It
doesn't matter if you get it in the doctor's office or the pharmacy, just
make sure you get it.
Enjoy your Halloween! Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D. www.drstaw.com weightloss.drstaw.com www.twitter.com/drstaw Dr. Staw on Facebook |
Thursday, October 26, 2017
To My Patients
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
To My Patients
Labor Day is over, with only two days left until fall, and the time is approaching to walk in the park and watch the leaves turn color. Personally, we took a walk up and around Kent Falls, it's beautiful and it's only about an hour away from the office - any easy excursion for some great exercise! → Want to keep your carb intake low?
It's
so important for control of diabetes and pre-diabetes, and for weight
control. Here are some low carb suggestions.
And the list goes on, give us a call and ask for more! → Longevity in the US, revisited
The CIA report of 2016 still ranks
the US 41st in the world in longevity (average life expectancy 79.8 years,
77.5 for males, 82.1 for females). This continues to be a very disappointing
statistic, despite having the best medical facilities in the world, and
despite spending more than any other country on health care per capita. More
and more reports are emerging about the role of faulty lifestyles in
decreasing longevity. A recent report strongly suggests that more than 40% of
premature deaths in the US occur because of faulty lifestyles, with the most
important one the combination of overweight and lack of exercise. Number two
(used to be number one) is smoking.
To make a long story short: Want to live longer? Don't just rely on medical care, make sure you stay at an acceptable weight, be physically active, avoid tobacco in all forms, don't drink alcohol to excess and avoid unnecessary or illicit drugs. For more detail, look at my last year's letter on this subject, available on my blog at http://drstaw.blogspot.com/2016/11/to-my-patients-september-2016.html → Office hours
Please note that the office will
be closed this Thursday, September 21, it's Rosh Hashanah.
In addition, we'll be away, visiting our son and his family in Denver, from Thursday, September 28th, through the following Tuesday, October 3rd. If you need an appointment, please call us today and we'll see what we can do to help you out as quickly as possible! → To our Cigna Patients
Our
Cigna contract is running out as of November 1st. However, I will continue to
see Cigna patients on an out-of-network basis at affordable fees (fees will
be scaled down even further for patients with financial issues, as we do with
all other non-participating insurance plans). We hope to reestablish our
relationship with Cigna soon. I want to remind everyone that we do
participate with ConnectiCare, they have been very good to our patients.
Please call us if you have concerns!
Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D. www.drstaw.com weightloss.drstaw.com www.twitter.com/drstaw Dr. Staw on Facebook |
Monday, November 28, 2016
To My Patients, October 2016
Autumn is upon us, but you may still find some days warm enough to walk
outdoors; take advantage of the time you've got!
Please be aware that Sandy and I will be away for a few days, from Thursday afternoon next week, 10/27, through the following Tuesday. We'll be back in the office on Wednesday, 11/2. We'll be visiting our son and his family in Denver, Colorado. We miss them since they moved from our area over two months ago.
Janine will be in the office during our regular hours, and Dr. Sarfraz will cover if necessary. Please plan ahead, if you need an appointment before we're back, call us immediately!
→ Difficulty Falling Asleep or Staying Asleep?
Please be aware that Sandy and I will be away for a few days, from Thursday afternoon next week, 10/27, through the following Tuesday. We'll be back in the office on Wednesday, 11/2. We'll be visiting our son and his family in Denver, Colorado. We miss them since they moved from our area over two months ago.
Janine will be in the office during our regular hours, and Dr. Sarfraz will cover if necessary. Please plan ahead, if you need an appointment before we're back, call us immediately!
→ Difficulty Falling Asleep or Staying Asleep?
If
this is your problem, you don't necessarily have to resort to prescription medication.
Many patients have found the Relaxation Response, practiced at bed time, to be
very helpful. It's a progressive muscle tension-relaxation routine that takes
2-5 minutes to complete. It's a proven stress management tool which works even
better if practiced more than once a day.
Others have used one or more over-the-counter preparations. The most effective ones, according to some authorities, are Melatonin, valerian and L-tryptophan. They work better when combined with a relaxation technique, but are not very effective for severe insomnia.
Feel free to discuss sleep problems when you're in the office, even if it's not the main reason for your appointment.
If you want a copy of my preferred version of the Relaxation Response, please let me know by phone or email.
→ Banking Calories Before The Holidays
Others have used one or more over-the-counter preparations. The most effective ones, according to some authorities, are Melatonin, valerian and L-tryptophan. They work better when combined with a relaxation technique, but are not very effective for severe insomnia.
Feel free to discuss sleep problems when you're in the office, even if it's not the main reason for your appointment.
If you want a copy of my preferred version of the Relaxation Response, please let me know by phone or email.
→ Banking Calories Before The Holidays
The holiday season is around the corner, with parties,
parties and parties. And with the parties comes eating and overeating, and then
comes the weight gain. The average American gains 1-3 pounds during the holiday
season. It doesn't sound like a lot of weight, but many people don't shed the
extra weight, or take months to lose it.
"Banking calories" is not a great lifestyle, but if you find it hard to control your food intake during holiday time, the method may work well for you.
With calorie banking you cut down on what you eat, but not starve, for several days before the big feast. Many Americans consume 4,500 calories (or more) during the Thanksgiving meal, which is about 3000-3500 calories more than they should. This is enough for a gain of one pound at the Thanksgiving dinner alone!
It not too hard to cut 500 calories of food (that's about one and one half bagels) for a few days before an eating event, and it doesn't even have to be on consecutive days. A little increase in exercise will help too, and pushing away from the table is a good way to start.
The old Chinese saying still holds "He who takes medicine and neglects diet wastes the skill of his doctor." So help me not waste my skills.
Until next time, stay well,
Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D.
www.drstaw.com
weightloss.drstaw.com
www.twitter.com/drstaw
Dr. Staw on Facebook
"Banking calories" is not a great lifestyle, but if you find it hard to control your food intake during holiday time, the method may work well for you.
With calorie banking you cut down on what you eat, but not starve, for several days before the big feast. Many Americans consume 4,500 calories (or more) during the Thanksgiving meal, which is about 3000-3500 calories more than they should. This is enough for a gain of one pound at the Thanksgiving dinner alone!
It not too hard to cut 500 calories of food (that's about one and one half bagels) for a few days before an eating event, and it doesn't even have to be on consecutive days. A little increase in exercise will help too, and pushing away from the table is a good way to start.
The old Chinese saying still holds "He who takes medicine and neglects diet wastes the skill of his doctor." So help me not waste my skills.
Until next time, stay well,
Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D.
www.drstaw.com
weightloss.drstaw.com
www.twitter.com/drstaw
Dr. Staw on Facebook
To My Patients, September 2016
It's been a wonderful summer; fall is around the corner. It's a great
opportunity to take advantage of the outdoors, walking hiking, apple picking,
you name it...
It's also a good time to take care of yourself, make sure you are at optimal health.
→ My Take On Optimal Health
It's also a good time to take care of yourself, make sure you are at optimal health.
→ My Take On Optimal Health
I
have been looking at US health and longevity data for many years and was very
active in a niche organization dealing with health risk reduction.
By health standards, we are not doing very well in the US. But you, as an individual, can do a whole lot better.
In a 2015 survey, the US ranked approximately #43 in longevity, with a life expectancy of 79 years, at least 5 years below the top ranking countries such as Monaco, Japan and Singapore. Yet the per capita cost of medicine in the US is the highest in the world. Still, early detection of disease, and the treatment of disease is the most aggressive and advanced in the world (despite all of its deficiencies), and that's a good thing.
But the key to longer, healthier life is lifestyle. That's where you can do something for yourself beyond what the health system does not do for you.
There's no need to re-emphasize the danger of smoking. It's still the number one primary cause of premature death in the US.
Overweight and lack of physical activity, combined, is the number two cause of premature death in the US.
You can increase your physical activity and lead an interesting life even if you don't go to the gym. The fall season is a great time to take a walk by the beach, hike on a nature trail, visit the outdoors flea market (at least 10 of them in Fairfield County), or walk the long corridors of the museums. Apple picking is a great weekend activity in the fall. Are you into the Pokémon game? Good. People active in the game, "chasing" the Pokémon, have reported impressive weight losses of 30-40 pounds, and they are having fun doing it.
Healthier foods have now become common place in supermarkets and many restaurants. Organic and less processed food is much more available. There are an increased choice of low sugar, whole grain, and low saturated foods. But you still have to read the label carefully. Farmer's markets are offering fresher, tastier fruit and vegetables.
Even the fast food places now offer much healthier foods, including chicken that is not fried, and fresh salads (but please avoid those French fries and the heavy duty salad dressings-a little oil and vinegar will do).
With all of that, still don't forget early detection, which is the most important part of your routine physical examination, plus prevention, which includes immunizations and treatment of known health risks.
So there's a lot you can do for yourself to increase longevity. As a whole we don't have to be part of the "43rd ranking" of longevity. Individually we can do a whole lot better than that.
→ Keeping It Healthy
By health standards, we are not doing very well in the US. But you, as an individual, can do a whole lot better.
In a 2015 survey, the US ranked approximately #43 in longevity, with a life expectancy of 79 years, at least 5 years below the top ranking countries such as Monaco, Japan and Singapore. Yet the per capita cost of medicine in the US is the highest in the world. Still, early detection of disease, and the treatment of disease is the most aggressive and advanced in the world (despite all of its deficiencies), and that's a good thing.
But the key to longer, healthier life is lifestyle. That's where you can do something for yourself beyond what the health system does not do for you.
There's no need to re-emphasize the danger of smoking. It's still the number one primary cause of premature death in the US.
Overweight and lack of physical activity, combined, is the number two cause of premature death in the US.
You can increase your physical activity and lead an interesting life even if you don't go to the gym. The fall season is a great time to take a walk by the beach, hike on a nature trail, visit the outdoors flea market (at least 10 of them in Fairfield County), or walk the long corridors of the museums. Apple picking is a great weekend activity in the fall. Are you into the Pokémon game? Good. People active in the game, "chasing" the Pokémon, have reported impressive weight losses of 30-40 pounds, and they are having fun doing it.
Healthier foods have now become common place in supermarkets and many restaurants. Organic and less processed food is much more available. There are an increased choice of low sugar, whole grain, and low saturated foods. But you still have to read the label carefully. Farmer's markets are offering fresher, tastier fruit and vegetables.
Even the fast food places now offer much healthier foods, including chicken that is not fried, and fresh salads (but please avoid those French fries and the heavy duty salad dressings-a little oil and vinegar will do).
With all of that, still don't forget early detection, which is the most important part of your routine physical examination, plus prevention, which includes immunizations and treatment of known health risks.
So there's a lot you can do for yourself to increase longevity. As a whole we don't have to be part of the "43rd ranking" of longevity. Individually we can do a whole lot better than that.
→ Keeping It Healthy
If you need any help staying on track, or if you think
there's something you can do better, please feel free to reach out by email or
phone.
If you need any help, I'm here.
Stay well,
Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D.
If you need any help, I'm here.
Stay well,
Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
To My Patients - May 2016
|
Well, spring is here, really? Is it April showers or May showers? In any
case, here are some important spring health topics you may want to think
about while you're hiding from the rain.
→ Lyme Disease, It's The Season
Lyme
disease usually begins to show its ugly face in the spring, and this year
does not appear to be an exception. It's too early for this year's official
statistics, but last year showed a significant increase in the percentage of
infected ticks, and a resulting increase in Lyme disease incidence in our
area.
Endemic in our area, Lyme disease is caused by the bite of an infected deer tick, which then injects the Lyme-causing Borrelia bacteria through the skin of the affected person. If a large enough number of bacteria is injected, typically when the deer tick is attached to the skin for 24-48 hours, Lyme disease may develop. To make things more complicated, the same deer may carry other bacteria, those responsible for Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Cat Scratch Fever, which have symptoms overlapping with Lyme. Symptoms may develop several days to several weeks after the bite, including fatigue, headache and stiff neck, fever and chills, muscle aches, joint pain, and swollen glands. But that's also typical of so many other conditions. So the diagnosis is not always clear cut. The typical "bull's eye rash" appears in a minority of the cases. When it does appear, the diagnosis becomes easier. Blood tests for Lyme detection may not become indicative for at least 2-3 weeks after infection, frequently after symptoms have already begun, and perhaps even resolved. According to many experts, false negative tests occur at an uncomfortably high rate, and the Lyme disease may go untreated for too long, which may lead to serious consequences such as chronic pain and neurologic damage. Don't forget to inspect your body for presence of deer ticks, every time you do an outdoor activity such as gardening or playing sports on grass. So, during this "Lyme season" and in our endemic area, if you have suspicious symptoms with no clear cut explanation, or an engorged tick is attached to your skin, seek medical evaluation (call us if you need some advice). Do so even if you are not sure you were bitten by the bug. Early treatment is key! → Ginger Root Has Value
If
you have mild nausea and/or stomach discomfort, ginger, rather than
prescription or over-the-counter medication, may help. It comes in many
forms, the actual fresh root, a dried root preparation, a root oil extract,
and even as a candy. It's been used for thousands of years, especially in the
far east, and is worth a try. For some people it even works to relieve
arthritic pain. Need additional information? Call us, I've got plenty to say
on the topic...
→ A Spring Check-Up
Your car needs a tune-up, and so do you. Your
physical exam is a gateway to better health.
Why wait until the end of the year? Call today for an appointment. Stay well, Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D. www.drstaw.com weightloss.drstaw.com www.twitter.com/drstaw Dr. Staw on Facebook |
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