About Me

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My practice motto has been "we help you live a longer, healthier life..." I’ve been in private practice 35 years, and in the last 25 years have placed great, and ever increasing, emphasis on prevention. I practice preventive care by first identifying health risk factors (the factors which predispose you to disease) and then developing the best strategy to minimize or eliminate these risks. Special diagnosis and treatment tracks in my office include asthma, COPD, high cholesterol and obesity, and diabetes.I now place special emphasis on the provision of truly affordable health care to all, including patients with HSA's, high co-pays, and high deductibles.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Health Pearls: Back Pain, Aspirin, Best Fruits


  • For common low back pain, Tylenol (acetaminophen), even in high doses, may not be any better than placebo (recent article in The Lancet). Over the counter NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen, or Aleve (Naproxen), or prescription meloxicam (Mobic) are generally effective. Better still, drug-free therapeutic massage therapy may be very effective. It works by relaxing the low back muscles, and by stimulating the brain to release pain-relieving dopamine and serotonin.
  • If you take aspirin to lower your risk of a heart attack, you would want to make sure that the aspirin you're taking works for you. A simple urine test which measures Thromboxane A2 levels is available through our office to make sure you are not "aspirin resistant." Ask me about this at your next office visit!!!
  • Summer time is fruit-eating time. Some of the best fruits are those that have a low Glycemic Load, namely they only minimally increase your blood sugar level. The best include: Strawberries (one half cup), cherries (12 cherries), and peaches (1 medium size). All have a Glycemic Load of 3 or less, which is very low and good.

    If you want a reliable list of the Glycemic Index of common foods, call the office or send me an email → istaw@drstaw.com.
Take a walk in the cooler hours of the day, and stay hydrated.