Greetings from sunny Highlands Ranch, Colorado. The skies are really blue, the snow crested mountains are great, and all is well with the younger generation.
I keep getting questions about the Coronavirus. While there's no US epidemic at this time, precautions are in order. There's no need to repeat here what has been recommended by the CDC on their website.
However, at the office we may need to go beyond the usual recommendations, but certainly not to panic.
If you feel that there is a chance, even a very small one - or you're not sure - that you may have been at risk for exposure to the Coronavirus, then:Above all, don't panic; call or email if you have any questions, we're back in the office on Wednesday (but feel free to call us sooner).
- Make sure you follow the CDC guidelines.
- Call about 30 minutes before arriving at the office (even from the parking lot), so we can take appropriate measures and give you additional instructions.
Stay well!
Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D.
www.drstaw.com
www.twitter.com/drstaw
Dr. Staw on Facebook
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
To My Patients - emailed 3/1/2020
Sunday, February 23, 2020
To My Patients - emailed 2/22/2020
Hope all is well. Winter is still with, us but not nearly as cold as some of us (the older guys) can remember. Some of our patients are home-bound and required urgent medical attention, so I made a few house calls (does anyone else still do that?).
Our next mini vacation will be at the end of the month - a repeat Denver trip - the youngest grandchild's 7th. A little while after that, it will be Israel, we haven't been there in over two years. We'll be out of the office from Wednesday PM, February 26, through Tuesday, March 3.
We'll be back in the office on Wednesday morning, March 4th.
Please call (203-853-1919) Monday morning if you need anything before we go!
And now to the business of medicine:
The Flu
The flu is still here, it's a second wave. If you think that you're coming down with it, don't wait to be treated. The earlier the better, the treatment can be a life saver. It's not time (yet) to worry about the Corona virus, but let's have the flu vaccine under our belt.
Good Rx
The high cost of medication continues to be the subject of so many (justified) complaints. If that's a problem you face, arm yourself with a coupon from goodrx.com. The price you'll pay is frequently less than your copay, and could be much less than the un-insured price. It may be worth doing pharmacy-shopping for expensive medication.
CT Screening For Lung Cancer, a re-visit
Cancer of the lungs and bronchi (the breathing tubes) remains, by far, the number one cause of cancer deaths in the US (projected to be approximately 137,000 in 2020), mostly caused by smoking. A lot has been said about prevention - just don't smoke - but early detection is also of major importance.
Low-radiation CT scan of the chest has been recommended for several years by pulmonary physicians and the USPSTF (US Preventive Services Taskforce). It is recommended for people between the ages of 55-80 who smoked the equivalent of one pack a day for 30 years (2 pack a day for 15 years will qualify...), even if they quit smoking less than 15 years ago.
When it comes to lung cancer, early detection is the key to survival. Many insurance companies will pay for lung cancer screening, and some radiology facilities will do it free of charge when there's no insurance. If you need it, don't think twice, just do it.
Aspirin, Not Only For The Heart
Several large-scale studies have shown that low dose aspirin taken on a regular basis is associated with a significant decrease in gastrointestinal cancer (for example, a 40% decrease in colon cancer, 38% decrease in stomach cancer, and a 34% decrease in pancreatic cancer). But it's not for everyone and there are side effects, so don't do it on your own, get a medical opinion - sounds like a great topic for our next visit!
Do You Like Your Chocolate?
It's OK to have some, even every day, as long as it's dark chocolate with over 70% cocoa. There are several claims for medical benefits, mainly through the flavanols in the cocoa. Some studies even suggest that it improves memory and recall (the proof: once you get used to it you never forget to eat it again. Take it from a chocoholic).
Stay well, until next time!
Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D.
www.drstaw.com
weightloss.drstaw.com
www.twitter.com/drstaw
Dr. Staw on Facebook
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
More about Insurance and Post-Holiday Hours
To My Patients,
Emailed before Thanksgiving 2019
Hope all is well. Ready for the Thanksgiving holiday, and the winter after that? Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal, eat well, but eat smart too!
→ A Couple of Announcements
Hope all is well. Ready for the Thanksgiving holiday, and the winter after that? Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal, eat well, but eat smart too!
→ A Couple of Announcements
Communicating
with our office.
During off hours, when we don't answer the phone personally, you can always leave a message. Your voice message reaches me by email. I can also be reached directly by email at istaw@drstaw.com.
An exciting weak with the grandchildren.
We'll be away the week after Thanksgiving, in Disney (Orlando) with our younger son and daughter in law and, of course, with the "young ones," - their first Disney visit.
We'll be back in the office on Monday morning 12/9/2019. During that time, Janine will be in the office part of the time, and I will still be available by email.
If you need anything before, we leave, or have upcoming medication renewals, please let me know as soon as possible.
Medical insurance.
We now participate in the following insurance plans:
During off hours, when we don't answer the phone personally, you can always leave a message. Your voice message reaches me by email. I can also be reached directly by email at istaw@drstaw.com.
An exciting weak with the grandchildren.
We'll be away the week after Thanksgiving, in Disney (Orlando) with our younger son and daughter in law and, of course, with the "young ones," - their first Disney visit.
We'll be back in the office on Monday morning 12/9/2019. During that time, Janine will be in the office part of the time, and I will still be available by email.
If you need anything before, we leave, or have upcoming medication renewals, please let me know as soon as possible.
Medical insurance.
We now participate in the following insurance plans:
- Medicare, including most Medicare Advantage plans
- Aetna
- ConnectiCare
- United Health Care
- And the most recent addition: Anthem and its
affiliated plans (e.g. Empire Blue Cross)
→ A Touch of Medicine
Shingles.
The Shingrix immunization vaccine (a 2-shot sequence, spaced at least two months apart) is recommended for people over the age of 50 (even if you took the "old" injection more than 4-5 years ago). The vaccine is much more effective than the old one, and is particularly important for the elderly, who are much more susceptible to shingles and its complication with advancing age. Highly recommended.
Alzheimer's revisited.
Approximately 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, the vast majority over 65 years old, but the disease may take many years to develop, with only minor symptoms that may not arouse any suspicion.
A common question asked by patients is "Do you think I'm developing Alzheimer's?" Some are scared just of the thought of Alzheimer's, especially if it affects someone close to them. The answer is not always easy and may not be reliable without extensive testing. Since there's no cure at this time, it may be more important to do what you can to prevent or delay the onset of the disease.
Some of the main risks of developing Alzheimer's, and related forms of dementia, include: Genetics (relatively rare!), smoking, diets high in saturated fats, excess alcohol intake, sedentary lifestyle, and lack of social interaction.
What are some of the recommendations to decrease the chances of developing premature Alzheimer's/dementia?
The Shingrix immunization vaccine (a 2-shot sequence, spaced at least two months apart) is recommended for people over the age of 50 (even if you took the "old" injection more than 4-5 years ago). The vaccine is much more effective than the old one, and is particularly important for the elderly, who are much more susceptible to shingles and its complication with advancing age. Highly recommended.
Alzheimer's revisited.
Approximately 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, the vast majority over 65 years old, but the disease may take many years to develop, with only minor symptoms that may not arouse any suspicion.
A common question asked by patients is "Do you think I'm developing Alzheimer's?" Some are scared just of the thought of Alzheimer's, especially if it affects someone close to them. The answer is not always easy and may not be reliable without extensive testing. Since there's no cure at this time, it may be more important to do what you can to prevent or delay the onset of the disease.
Some of the main risks of developing Alzheimer's, and related forms of dementia, include: Genetics (relatively rare!), smoking, diets high in saturated fats, excess alcohol intake, sedentary lifestyle, and lack of social interaction.
What are some of the recommendations to decrease the chances of developing premature Alzheimer's/dementia?
- Tobacco: If you do - don't
- Exercise. If you don't - do. Exercise regularly (a
good regimen is 150 minutes a week, 30 minutes 5 times a week).
- Eat a "Healthy diet," e.g. Mediterranean,
low saturated fat, low in "fast carb's" (low sugar, white flour
products).
- Be socially active: friends, family, or other social
networks (and I don't mean the internet).
- Keep your brain active. Puzzles, word games.
Challenge your brain.
- For diabetics: Keep your blood sugar under control.
It's not only the fasting sugar, not only the A1C, but it's important to
keep the blood sugar from spiking after meals.
- For people with high blood pressure: Keep it under
control to minimize cerebrovascular complications.
- Coffee. Believe it or not, "reasonable"
amount of coffee (even decaf) may help (usually no more than 4-5 cups a
day).
- Cholesterol. If not within acceptable limits, Statin
drugs may help.
- Supplements (Gingko Biloba and others): None has
been proven in controlled studies to be effective. However, some
non-controlled observations seem to show that MCT oils (medium-chain
triglycerides) may help in treatment and prevention.
- For people with a genetic predisposition to
dementia: the recommendations are still valid!
If you have any questions, feel free to call the office or contact me by email. If you're concerned about having diabetes or you think you may be a prediabetic (especially it there's a family history of diabetes), don't wait, call, it's an easy test.
So, like in many other medical conditions, we're back to the issue of lifestyle, and maybe medication...
Confusing? Need to know what is the right move for you? Don't hesitate to ask next time I see you, or email.
Stay well and have a great Thanksgiving,
Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D.
www.drstaw.com
istaw@drstaw.com
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