Tag: Dr. Marc Rabinowitz

An Apple A Day Won’t Make Me Go Away

With medical care becoming overly frustrating for most Americans, new medical recommendations coming out practically every month so it seems and the busy, crazy lives all of us lead, I do my best to simplify the complicated for my patients.

Do I recommend an apple a day?  Sure.
Should I tell you to eat bread every day like Oprah to lose weight?  Um.  This one we should tackle when you come in for a visit or call.

Obviously, there is so much more to patient care.
Take for example the most recent study by the National Institutes of Health.  A study was released finding that the systolic blood pressure once defined for high blood pressure as 140 is now being recommended and lowered to 120. What I do with my preventative and personalized care medical practice is listen to my patients and their concerns.   When they read about the blood pressure study and call me to be seen, I listen, take their blood pressure and make recommendations based upon the findings.

I always take blood pressure readings both sitting and lying down and also when my patient is standing up.  I look for Orthostatic Hypotension — also called Postural Hypotension —a form of low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down. Orthostatic Hypotension can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded, and maybe even faint.

What do we do when we find there is high blood pressure?
There are 3 steps every American can take to diminish their risk for high blood pressure, which is prominent in 1/3rd of the population over the age of 50.

Weight Management
When you bear more weight on your body, more blood has to be pumped throughout your system.  This puts great stress on your heart.  Watching your weight is very important to your overall health; something we promote very strongly in our preventative and personalized medicine practice.  Eat healthy, exercise regularly and reduce your caloric intake.

Salt
Be conscious of your salt intake.  I usually recommend for the average patient to keep your salt intake no higher than 4,000mg per day, if not closer to 3,000.  Salt increases fluid in your body and bloodstream and causes blood pressure to rise.  Read food labels and try to be aware when you eat out how much salt is in your food.  If you have a weak heart, restrict your diet to 2,000mg/day of salt.  If you have good kidneys, light salt is another option.  Light salt contains a percentage of potassium which counteracts the effects of salt.

Medication
Prescription medication has proven to help those with high blood pressure.  But prescriptions also cause some uncomfortable side effects.  Speak with your prescribing doctor if you have any side effects from blood pressure meds.  There are many options out there, so an adjustment may be necessary.

If you take prescribed medications to help with your blood pressure, patient compliance is crucial.  Take your medicine the same time every day and do not miss a dose.  Pack it with you on vacation and store your medication in a cool, dry location, out of the reach of young children.

What is the best solution to high blood pressure?  Being seen regularly by an accessible and knowledgeable doctor concerned with your overall health and wellness would be my number one prescription… Along with the Apple a Day Keeping the Doctor Away!

The world of healthcare may be rapidly changing for many, but hundreds who choose to put prevention first are clearly adding years to their life and life to their years. Why don’t you join them today? To schedule your FREE consultation, call 215.PREVENT (215-773-8368) or visit www.215prevent.com.

Dr. Marc S. Rabinowitz
Prevention First Healthcare

The Doctor is Ready for You…Or is He

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 five days.

The healthcare landscape is changing and it is affecting all of us. 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 doctors, 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 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.

For less than $4 a day, which may be tax deductible or reimbursable through a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account, you can make an invaluable investment in a healthy future. With many studies indicating that personalized concierge medicine reduces hospitalization and costs of medication, joining Prevention First could actually save you significant money.

Isn’t it time you make yourself a priority? I invite you to join the hundreds of people who have added years to their lives and life to their years by putting PREVENTION FIRST.

To schedule a complimentary consultation, call 215.PREVENT(215.773.8368) or visit www.215prevent.com.

Bucks County Internist Named One of America’s Top Physicians

Dr. Marc Rabinowitz Featured in Consumer’s Research Council of America 2010 Top Physicians

(Southhampton, PA) – Dr. Marc Rabinowitz, a nationally-recognized internist for more than two decades, and founder of Prevention First Healthcare, has been named one of America’s Top Physicians by Consumer’s Research Council of America in its 2010 edition. This is the second time Dr. Rabinowitz has received this title; he was also featured in the 2008 edition.

To determine America’s Top Physicians, the Consumer’s Research Council of America utilizes a point value system for experience, training, professional associations and board certification; and recognizes the medical professionals throughout the Country with the highest scores to create an objective resource guide.

A Cum Laude graduate of LaSalle University, Dr. Rabinowitz received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Temple University, Alpha Omega Alpha in 1986 and went on to be an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the School before entering in private practice in 1991. In addition, he served on the Medical Executive Committee and Board of Directors for Holy Redeemer Hospital, as well as the Board of Directors of the Patients and Physicians Alliance.

Branching out from traditional medicine, Dr. Rabinowitz formed Prevention First Healthcare, a concierge medical practice designed to promote proactive care through education, counseling, comprehensive screenings, and continuous one-on-one communication between the patient and doctor. Prevention First patients receive comprehensive 90-minute physicals, nutritional counseling, exercise training, smoking cessation, regular testing, house calls if needed, a personal assistant to handle all referrals and insurance matters, and most importantly, Dr. Rabinowitz’s personal cell phone number which can be used at any time necessary.

For more information about Dr. Rabinowitz’s practice, Prevention First Healthcare, please visit www.215prevent.com or call 215-PREVENT (215-773-8368)

A Number With The Power To Save Your Life

In a world of super-sizing and excessive indulgence, the term “Body Mass Index” can sound like a real bummer. But this simple number is much clearer than a crystal ball when it comes to seeing your future.

Your body mass index is easy to compute; take your weight and divide it by your height (in inches) squared, then multiply that number by 703. Remember that 1 foot = 12 inches. Let’s say that you are 5 foot 9 and weigh 165 pounds. Your BMI would be 165 divided by 69 x 69 (4761) x 703, equaling 24.4.
Ideally, we determine a normal body mass index at 25. Anything over 25 is labeled as overweight and anything over 30 is classified as obese. If your body mass index is over 25, you are not alone. Two out of every three Americans is labeled overweight. The scary thing is that studies have proven that for every five points you accrue above 25, you could be shortening your life by two years. Obesity can lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and it is the number one leading factor when it comes to contracting chronic illnesses, such as heart attacks, sleep apnea, strokes, certain cancers and diabetes. A six foot, 300 pound man could be shortening his life span by 8-10 years if he does not change his habits.

John is the perfect example of this. A patient of mine for many years, I watched as he packed on the excess weight, eventually carrying many more pounds than he should. As expected, with the excess weight came the arrival of sleep apnea, swollen legs, high cholesterol, and continuous fatigue preventing him from completing everyday activities. John identified the issue and put prevention first. How? We started with nutritional counseling. This is not dieting; this is not deprivation; it’s healthy eating, It involves figuring out delicious heart-smart substitutions for his favorite foods and correcting portion sizes. Then, we taught him simple, easy steps to increase his everyday activity—for example, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking at the end of the lot. John hates exercise, but by following these tips, he was getting fit without even knowing it.

Just by making simple changes in his diet and his life, John lost 50 pounds over an eight-month period. His sleep apnea improved significantly, meaning better sleeping patterns and less fatigue. His cholesterol went down, meaning no more expensive medications. His legs are no longer swollen and he feels as though he can accomplish so much more in a day than ever before. Naturally, both he and his wife are overjoyed at the difference in his quality of life.

The result is wonderful, but not at all surprising. I recently returned from a conference on personalized preventative healthcare presented by the National Institutes of Health. Through many extensive studies, the NIH concluded that while genetics will always play a role in the onset of chronic illness, obesity plays a huge factor as well. Furthermore, they have found that exercise and healthy eating have proven to be just as effective as expensive medications, if not more so, in battling diseases such as diabetes. While those who have stock in the pharmaceutical companies may not find this news so enlightening, it certainly reinforces those who invest in their own healthy lifestyles.

Try it for yourself. Start by cutting out sugary sodas and lattes, many of which can pack 200 calories or more on your daily diet. Also, walk an extra 500 steps a day. Just by following these two tips daily, you should see a positive result in a matter of weeks.

My practice, Prevention First Healthcare, offers exercise and nutritional counseling to all of our patients. We also provide healthy treats, including whole grain muffins and dark chocolate, and information on how to shop heart-healthy. By fostering healthy lifestyles, we have found that people look at healthcare more as a pleasure and not a chore. Our practice is geared around proactive care to ensure a longer, better life, all for less than your average monthly cable bill. It may sound too good to be true, but I can assure you that John and many of our other patients can attest to the power of putting prevention first.