Author: Cheryl Friedenberg

Maybe You Should See the Doctor?

Even after a week, that nagging cough won’t go away. “Maybe you should see the doctor,” your spouse suggests. The doctor? For a cough? And some sniffling? And an achy throat?

Alright, it’s time to call the doctor. You call….and get a busy signal…again and again. Finally the phone rings and it’s answered…by a machine. When they do call back, there is no opening for 5 days.
The healthcare landscape is changing and it affects us all. Every day, 10,000 people turn 65, further increasing the demands on an already stretched system. Plus, fewer doctors are entering internal medicine. This unfortunately results in longer times in waiting rooms and less time with the doctor.
This is why I created Prevention First Healthcare. Because patients deserve more–more time with their doctor, more research into their specific medical needs and more knowledge on how to live a healthier life. Our mission is not only to get you well, but to keep you well. We do this in many different ways, most importantly providing immediate access to a doctor 24 hours a day. All of my patients receive a special phone number which is answered by a live receptionist during office hours, plus my personal cell phone number for emergencies after hours. And it is our goal to make sure you are seen within one day of your call, if not sooner.
Every patient receives a comprehensive 90-minute physical evaluating every aspect of health and well-being. Through screenings, counseling and testing, we develop a proactive health and wellness plan. By exploring family histories, medical conditions and lifestyle choices, we map out your needs and provide specific remedies such as weight loss and nutritional counseling, exercise programs, smoking cessation and other tools, all tailored to you. All subsequent appointments with me last 30 minutes or longer, ensuring you are receiving the best possible treatment and all of your questions are answered.
Need testing or an appointment with a specialist? Not a problem. Before you leave the office, a member of our staff will schedule your appointment for you, dramatically reducing your wait time and any possible delay in diagnosis.
And in cases where an illness is diagnosed and action is needed, Prevention First Healthcare strives to be there every step of the way, coordinating everything from house calls to hospitalization, if necessary.
Best of all, I am ready to see you as soon as you arrive. We certainly realize your time is just as valuable as ours so we strive to make sure we always stay on schedule.

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Bucks County senior medical practice

Three Little Words Can Do More Harm Than Good

There is a certain comfort that comes with the words “I feel fine.” The phrase provides a security blanket that assures us that if we are not feeling certain symptoms, we are “safe” for the time being. And if I am feeling fine, why do I need to see a doctor? I am not looking for trouble.

Truth be told, if you don’t see a doctor annually, you may not be looking for trouble, but trouble has a good chance of finding you.
We are taught as parents that one of our primary responsibilities is to make sure our children receive annual examinations and the necessary vaccinations. We spend thousands of dollars to take our pets to the vet and our cars to the dealership for regular oil changes and maintenance checks. And yet, as we get older, we forget that this proactive care is so essential when it comes to our own well-being.
What changes when we become adults? Well, for starters, many of us start leading much more sedentary lifestyles, with little to no exercise and absolutely zero regard to what we are eating between work and shuffling our kids to school, dance recitals, and soccer practice. The results are downright fearful with two-thirds of our population overweight, and one in every three people suffering with some form of diabetes. The onset of chronic illness such as heart disease and cancer runs rampant as our age increases, leading to 70% of all deaths. Snore at night? That heavy breathing should not be taken lightly—it may be a sign of sleep apnea, which could increase your chance of a stroke by 30%.
The fact is NOW MORE THAN EVER you need to see a doctor regularly, even when you think you are on top of your game. When was the last time you had an annual physical examination? For most of us, it was a lot longer than a year ago. And when we say a physical, we mean much more than blood work and an EKG. An adult patient deserves an adult evaluation.
-A comprehensive review of your family history, including parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins, to determine which ailments and illnesses run through your family tree.
-A lifestyle evaluation, reviewing your daily diet and level of activity. We examine everything from how many steps you take in a day to the number of fruits and vegetables you consume (or in most cases, don’t consume).
-An Epworth sleep evaluation to screen for sleep apnea and identify any needs for treatment.
-A mini mental evaluation which will explore the potential for memory loss and a Zung depression analysis, which will screen for any undiagnosed depression.
-An extensive review of your occupational history where we look at all of your work settings and determine the need for any specific health screenings as a result of your job(s). If we do locate a form of illness or cancer, it is far more treatable in its earlier stages.
-Lastly, a comprehensive exam while undressed which includes necessary rectal exams, prostate exams for men, and breast exams for women.
Is the annual exam a pleasant experience? I doubt it will ever top of the list of your favorite activities. However, by taking the time to have yourself checked out regularly, you can assure yourself that you will be able to continue to enjoy your favorite activities. From this exam, we put together a wellness program to make sure you feel fine for a long to come.

You don’t wait until your car breaks down before you get the oil changed. Why would you wait for your body to break down before you go to the doctor? By seeing a doctor on an annual basis, you not only add years to your life, but most importantly, you add life to your years.

New Shingles Vaccine

The CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix, 2 to 6 months apart. Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and PHN. Shingrix is the preferred vaccine, over Zostavax®, a shingles vaccine in use since 2006.

Prevention First Healthcare is a concierge medical practice in Bucks County, PA providing patients with detailed care, easy access to their doctor and no waiting for an appointment.

New Blood Pressure Recommendations

Dr. Marc Rabinowitz of Prevention First Healthcare discusses the latest Blood Pressure Recommendations. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure tested. Understanding your blood pressure numbers is key to controlling high blood pressure. Consult with your physician.

Preventing Dementia

Dr. Marc Rabinowitz of Prevention First Healthcare, Southampton, Bucks County, PA discusses Dementia. A new study shows women who exercise at a high cardiovascular level will have an 88% less likelihood of developing dementia. Why is that?

February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month

According to a recent article in American Heart Association News, The number of Americans at risk for heart attacks and strokes just increased. An estimated 103 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure, according to new statistics from the American Heart Association. That’s nearly half of all adults in the United States.  (https://news.heart.org/more-than-100-million-americans-have-high-blood-pressure-aha-says/)

“With the aging of the population and increased life expectancy, the prevalence of high blood pressure is expected to continue to increase,” said epidemiologist Dr. Paul Muntner, co-chair of the group that wrote the AHA’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2018 Update, published Wednesday in Circulation.

HealthFinder.gov states that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

Additionally, only about one in five Americans gets enough exercise.

What can you do to keep your heart healthy?

-Watch your weight

-Don’t Smoke.  Smoke exposure contributes to about 34,000 premature heart disease deaths a year, according to the American Heart Association

-Control your numbers…get your Cholesterol and Blood Pressure checked frequently.  Take the correct measures to keep your levels in check.

-Drink alcohol in moderation

-Exercise 3-4 days/week for at least 150 minutes of physical activity

-Eat healthy by lowering your sodium and trans-fat intake while eating more fruits and vegetables.  Cut down on refined or processed foods.

-Get enough sleep

-Take care of your teeth and gums

Watch this video from the National Institute of Health video https://youtu.be/ix0L91x_NNs and take the #movewithheart Pledge. Read this comprehensive Heart Health Guide for men and women from The NY Times. https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/how-to-prevent-heart-disease

Abington-Jefferson Health Privileges

Dr. Marc Rabinowitz Hospital privileges affiliations

Abington-Jefferson Health Privileges

We are pleased to announce:

As of February, 2018, Dr. Marc Rabinowitz is a provider at Abington-Jefferson Health in addition to  Doylestown Hospital and Holy Redeemer where he has access to lab and radiology results and will participate in community speaking events.

Dr. Marc Rabinowitz created Prevention First Healthcare in Southampton, PA because he felt that his patients deserved more than a traditional practice could provide; more time with their doctor, more research into their specific medical needs, and more knowledge how to live a happier, healthier life.

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