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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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.

This includes:

-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

Heart Month is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and cardiovascular diseases.

Learn more about heart disease and its risk factors.

Heart Disease in the United States

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.¹
One person dies every 33 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.¹
About 695,000 people in the United States died from heart disease in 2021—that’s 1 in every 5 deaths.^1,2
Heart disease cost the United States about $239.9 billion each year from 2018 to 2019.³ This includes the cost of health care services, medicines, and lost productivity due to death. (https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm)

Are You Heart Smart?

What to Know for a Healthier Heart

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in five deaths is due to heart disease, even though the disease is largely preventable.[1]

Keeping your heart healthy starts with living a heart-healthy lifestyle. But first, you need to get smart about your heart. Knowing what causes heart disease, what puts you at risk for it, and how you can reduce those risks can help you make informed decisions to protect your heart and keep it strong.

Want to test your knowledge? Take this short Heart Smart Quiz:

Heart Smart Quiz

True or False? High blood pressure is also known as hypertension and occurs when your blood pressure is consistently 130/80 mm Hg or higher.
True or False? Your body mass index, or BMI, shows if your weight is in a healthy range for your height and is one measure of your future risk for heart disease.
True or False? Cholesterol helps make hormones, vitamin D, and substances to help you digest foods. Your body needs it for good health, but in the right amounts.
True or False? Eating lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, using fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and limiting foods high in saturated fat or sugar-sweetened beverages are all part of a heart-healthy diet.
True or False? Not getting enough sleep or getting poor quality sleep on a regular basis increases the risk of having high blood pressure, heart disease, and other medical conditions.
True or False? To strengthen their heart, adults should aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as brisk walking each week.

Answer Key: All answers are True.

How did you do? Knowing your own risk factors for heart disease can help guide your lifestyle choices, so talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you’re clear. Just as important: know your numbers. Your weight, waist size, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels all affect your heart. If they aren’t where they should be, make a pledge to begin improving them.

Adding more physical activity to your day, eating a heart-healthy diet, managing stress, getting enough quality sleep, and not smoking can put you on the path to better heart health.

Learn more about heart disease prevention from The Heart Truth® at www.hearttruth.gov and download the Heart Smart Basics fact sheet to improve your knowledge about heart health.

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

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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Prevention First Healthcare

Author: Cheryl Friedenberg