Tag Archives: internal medicine fort myers

08.07.17
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Vitamins, Supplements that are Good for Your Heart

vitamins

A healthy diet could aide in saving your life. By eating balanced, nutritious meals, you are fueling the body with what it needs to keep your cholesterol and sugar levels in check, while fighting off harmful diseases. Instead of thinking about what to take out of your diet, focus your attention on what foods you should be adding in to your daily eating habits. Lean meats, fruits, vegetables, “good” fats, and whole grains are essential to your health, especially heart health.

However, no one has the perfect diet. Life gets in the way sometimes, and you could have a few days in the week in which you didn’t get in enough vitamins. Whether you were too busy or just not in the mood for a salad, your diet can sometimes fall short. That’s OK. If your consistently eating healthy over time, your body will reap the benefits. Since we cannot have the perfect diet, it can be good for you to supplement your diet with vitamins, but talk to your doctor about what you should or can take daily, especially if you think you may have a vitamin deficiency.

For this article, I wanted to share with you some vitamins and supplements that you can take to help with your cardiovascular health. Whether you currently have a heart condition or not, it’s always a good idea to try and keep your heart at its healthiest, since heart disease is the #1 killer in America. The following list are supplements and vitamins that can help keep heart conditions at bay, or keep your heart from further deterioration.

Magnesium – Magnesium helps sodium move throughout the cells in the body, supports relaxation and dilation of vascular arterial walls and stabilizes heart rhythm.

Omega-3 – Omega-3 helps the body balance cholesterol and triglycerides, which is great for people who are at risk for heart disease. Omega-3 is also known to lower blood pressure and slows down the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) – Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that fights off free radicals, and manages blood pressure and cholesterol. It also helps with keep the arteries healthy and muscle cells optimally utilizing energy.

L-carnitine – L-carnitine helps transport fat into the mitochondria to be used and burned as fuel by cells.

Arginine – Arginine is an amino acid that helps improve vascular function.

Phospholipids– are necessary to “prime” the HDL particle thus allowing it to sop up cholesterol.

If you’re looking for help with your diet or have concerns about your heart health, Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness of Fort Myers offers comprehensive dietary consults to his patients. Dr. Kordonowy also offers vitamins and supplements for you to purchase online here.   Dr. Kordonowy offers direct patient care membership and concierge services including the unique Inpatient Advocate Service™. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kordonowy, call 239-362-3005, ext. 200 or click here.

03.27.17
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Ways to Help Treats Upper Respiratory Illness Symptoms

Spring has sprung but that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods just yet when it comes to cold and flu season. Upper respiratory illnesses (URI) are common in the early spring, just like the fall and winter seasons. The upper respiratory system includes the mouth, nose, sinuses, larynx, throat, and trachea. Unfortunately, many of the these URIs are viral and cannot be treated by antibiotics. These infections are not usually treated with antibiotics unless there is proof of a bacterial infection.

The common cold is a URI and a viral illness. Symptoms can include: a stuffy nose, muscle aches, sneezing, a sore throat, post-nasal drip, cough, and a mild fever (under 101.5). A cold can last anywhere from 3 to 14 days. If you’re illness is lasting at least 10 days with no improvement, you should schedule an appointment for an evaluation with the doctor.  Also, if you are experiencing a high fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, confusion, chest pain, teeth-chattering chills, or rib pain, you should make an appointment to see the doctor as soon as possible. At my office, our nursing staff can triage patients quickly with the above-mentioned issues. We can test for influenza (the flu) and low oxygen levels to check for more serious illnesses beyond a cold or allergy. We can also test for strep throat in our office quickly through a swab test.

Since viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics, there are many remedies a person can do to lessen the symptoms and duration of his or her URI. Below, I’ve shared a few things that can be used when suffering from a URI.

  1. Vitamin C – When taken at a high dosage (1000mg 3 times a day), vitamin C has been known to shorten the duration of a cold.
  2. Zinc gluconate (Coldeez brand) – Take 5 to 6 lozenges per day every two hours. The high level of zinc gluconate (13.3 mg) improves symptoms and shortens duration of illness.
  3. Antihistamines (Zyrtec, Claritin, Alavert, Loratidine, Tavist,) can help with coughs and drying secretions.
  4. Vicks menthol rub can help breathing and provide relieve at night when applied to the chest, throat, and upper lip.
  5. Nasal saline can help flush out nostrils.
  6. Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammation medication can reduce a fever, headaches, and muscle aches. If you are on blood thinners or anti-platelet therapy, use acetaminophen instead of Iburprofen or asprin. If you are allergic to NSAIDS, avoid Ibuprofen, Aleve, or aspirin.

Below,  I’ve shared are a few links to medicinal products I offer and approve  on my website to help ease URI symptoms.

Sinus Relief Products

Cold and Cough Products

Pain Relievers

Allergy Medication

If you’re experience a long-lasting cold, flu-like or strep throat symptoms, give me, Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipids & Wellness of Fort Myers, and my team a call today at 239-362-3005, ext. 200 or click here to contact us to schedule an appointment today.

01.25.17
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Don’t Fear Fat because it Doesn’t Make You Fat!

fat

Fat doesn’t make you fat. Many nutritious foods out there are high in fat actually. The human body needs fat; it gives us energy, builds cell membranes, helps with blood clotting and muscle movement, reduces inflammation, and helps us absorb some vitamins and minerals. Fats are both  “good” and “bad.”  Good fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, bad fats are man-made trans fats, and saturated fats fall in between.

Dietary fat can actually help people lose weight, because fat can help a person fill fuller for longer, so a person potentially is consuming less calories. When a person eats fat, it also slows the entry of glucose into the blood, which helps moderate sugar levels.

Here is some information about the different kinds of fats:

Monounsaturated Fats –  These fats are found in avocados, olive oil, peanut oil, most nuts, canola oil, sunflower oil, and high-oleic oil.

Polyunsaturated Fats – These fats are essential fats, and the body requires them for normal bodily functions; the body can’t produce these fats. Essential fats must be eaten. Polyunsaturated fats can reduce (slightly) LDL cholesterol. Polyunsaturated fats can be found in salmon, herring, sardines, sunflower, safflower, soybean, flaxseed, cottonseed, corn, sesame and, grape-seed oils.

Trans Fats – This type  is associated with elevating LDL cholesterol, as well as HDL cholesterol in the blood.  T

Saturated Fats – These fats a are found in red meat, whole milk, cheese, and coconut oil.  Often baked processed and packaged foods are heavy in saturated (and trans) fat. Too much saturated fat in one’s diet can raise cholesterol (both LDL and HDL).  It is recommended that saturated fat is limited to 10 percent of the day’s caloric intake.

Want more control of your diet? Contact Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness in Fort Myers today. Dr. Kordonowy offers dietary counseling and  weight loss strategies. To book an appointment, click here or call 239-362-3005, ext. 200.

01.12.17
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Acid Reflux Facts

Put a little extra spicy sauce on your dinner? Or, did you overate last night? There’s a good chance you may feel like your breathing fire right now. Suffering from heartburn with that burning sensation in your chest is no fun. Nearly everyone experiences heartburn in their life. However, if you’ve been experiencing heartburn at least twice a week for multiple weeks, there’s a good chance you have acid reflux disease.  In the US, about 10 to 20 percent of the population suffers from this disease. More than 60 million Americans suffer from heartburn at least once a month. Not only is this a horrible disease to physically deal with, but $40 billion annually is spent on diagnosing and treating the disease.

There are two types of acid reflux disease: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). With GERD, the stomach acid travels to the esophagus and with LPRD the refluxed material travels further up the throat. Most people will experience heartburn when the lining of the esophagus encounters too much stomach acid for a prolonged period.  The resulting tissue inflammation of the esophagus causes the burning sensation. Chronic acid reflux is associated with abnormal cellular/tissue changes that over time increased the risk of esophageal cancer.  This “precancerous” tissue change is known as Barrett’s Esophagus/Disease. This concern/development is one of the reasons physicians will recommend a referral to a gastroenterologist for direct endoscopy of the esophagus for new onset and significant chronic heart burn.

Chronic reflux can lead to persistent cough, night time sleep difficulty, hoarseness of the voice and scarring or stricture of the esophagus.  The primary symptom of stricture or blockage/tumor in the esophagus is a sensation or actual experience of food or pills getting “stuck” in the chest.  Left unattended over time this can result in an emergency known as food bolus impaction- a very dramatic emergency due to intense pain/lodging of food and intense salivation as normal saliva can’t get down into the stomach.

Chest pain: Often, people experience chest pain from the stomach acid splashing into the esophagus. This type of chest pain can sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack. If you have chest pain, do not ignore it and contact a doctor for evaluation.

Pain when lying down: When you lay down, acid can better leave the stomach and enter the esophagus. If you’re experiencing heart burn, try angling your back in bed, and avoid a big meal or fluids before bedtime.

Pain from Eating: When a person with acid reflux eats a big meal, the stomach pushes the contents up, which causes heart burn. To avoid this, avoid big fat-filled meals and watch alcohol and tobacco intake. Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate and nicotine/smoking decrease the muscle tone of the lower esophagus which promotes refluxing of stomach contents/acid.

Bitter taste in the mouth: When the acid is released upward from the stomach, it can land in the back of your throat and leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Sometimes, this bitter taste can cause people to choke.

Other symptoms: Coughing, hoarseness, sore throat, nausea, asthma, trouble swallowing, pain in the chest with eating, and extra saliva.

There are quite a few treatment options for acid reflux. For minor cases, avoiding certain food and beverages (chocolate, coffee, greasy or spicy foods, alcohol) will help reduce heartburn. Also, cutting back or stopping smoking, reducing weight, and taking over-the-counter medications can help.

For more serious cases, a person should talk to his or her doctor about symptoms; the heartburn could be a sign of another possible condition, or stronger prescription medication may be needed. As noted earlier if the problem is significant and especially if the sensation of food getting stuck is noted a direct endoscopy by a specialist is recommended.

If you’re suffering from acid reflux or heart burn and unable to manage it, it’s time to contact a doctor. Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness of Fort Myers can diagnose and treat you for your symptoms. Don’t deal with the pain anymore and call 239-362-3005, ext. 200 or click here to book an appointment.

01.12.17
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Vitamin C Healthy Benefits

It’s cold and flu season now. Flu shots have been returning at local clinics and pharmacies. For preventative home care, many people turn to vitamin C to ward off colds and flus; this vitamin helps the immune system function at an optimum level. However, the benefits of vitamin C go beyond just helping fight off a cold. The vitamin is great to consume to maintain overall health in the body, because cells need vitamin C to work properly. Our bodies do not naturally produce the vitamin, so it’s important for us to consume this vitamin through our diet.

These are all benefits this vitamin provides for the body:

  • According to the Journal of American College of Nutrition, proper levels of Vitamin C helps the body burn more fat during exercise with up to a 30% difference between optimal and insufficient levels.
  • Vitamin C helps improve blood cell function and vascular relaxation, which can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, and lower blood pressure.
  • Vitamin C fights off cell-damaging free radicals in the body, which can help your body reduce inflammation.
  • This vitamin may enhance chemotherapy’s effect on cancer cells, and improves the quality of life in cancer patients.
  • This can help with cataracts, because it helps increase the blood supply to the ocular areas.
  • This vitamin has been known to help repair wounds in the body, because it helps the growth of connective tissues that speed up the healing process.
  • Low levels of this vitamin and diabetes are related; this vitamin helps the process of insulin and glucose in the body.
  • A disease associated with severe vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy.

If you’re looking to improve your overall nutrition, besides just adding vitamin C, it’s best to talk to a doctor. Dr. Kordonowy offers the unique Biophotonic scanner to assess your body stores of certain antioxidants.  Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness of Fort Myers provides dietary education services and counseling, as well. To book an appointment, click here or call 239-362-3005, ext. 200.

10.19.16
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Learn About Concierge Plans

Looking for quality time with your doctor to discuss medical issues? When you have a direct relationship with your doctor, he or she is in tune with your needs. This relationship is possible when you go to a concierge doctor.  Concierge services, like those provided by myself, Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness of Fort Myers, offer patients personalized and unlimited access to the doctor. In my practice, I offer four different concierge memberships: basic, gold, premier, and platinum. Below, I will discuss the details of each plan, as well as the benefits of signing up for a concierge health plan.

Basic – The Basic concierge health plan is for patients ages 16 to 50 years old and costs $49 per month with a one-time enrollment fee of $150. With this service, the patient receives:

  • 3 office visits per year including a full physical examination annually.
  • Annual physical and comprehensive lab profile (this alone retails for more than 150 dollars).
  • Same day appointments one established.
  • Online access to medical records/results via a patient portal (private e-mail attached to your chart).
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the e-mail portal
  • Free after hour phone consults- my normal after hours call fee is waived for members.
  • Additional labs at highly discounted rates.
  • Annual seasonal flu vaccine.
  • Tetanus booster if indicated.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan) annually.
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Gold – The Gold concierge health plan is for patients ages 50 to 65 years old and costs $89 per month with a one-time enrollment fee of $150. With this service, the patient receives:

  • Unlimited office visits.
  • Annual physical and comprehensive lab profile.
  • Same day appointments once established.
  • Online access to medical records/results via the patient e-mail portal.
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the patient e-mail portal.
  • Free after hour phone consults.
  • Additional labs at highly discounted rates.
  • Annual seasonal flu vaccine.
  • Vaccine boosters when needed – tetanus, Tdap.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan).
  • Hospital Advocacy (Premier Inpatient Advocate Service™) available at an hourly rate
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Premier – $1,750 per year with no enrollment fee. This product is open to anyone interested and features the unique Inpatient Advocate Service™ Program. Dr. Kordonowy requires that all Medicare patients join the practice as Premier members. This membership plan is payment in exchange for services not covered by Medicare. With this service, the patient receives:

  • 24/7 direct phone access to Dr. Kordonowy’s private cell phone.
  • Same day appointments for established patients.
  • Online access to medical records/results.
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the e-mail portal.
  • Free after hour phone consults.
  • Concierge services not covered by Medicare.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan).
  • Hospital Advocacy (Premier Inpatient Advocate Service™) -unlimited hours and 7 days a week visits while in the hospital. I have privileges at Health Park, Gulf Coast and Lee Downtown.
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Platinum – The Platinum concierge health plan is patients 16+ and costs $2,500 per year with no enrollment fee. With this service, the patient receives:

  • 24/7 direct phone access to Dr. Kordonowy’s private cell phone.
  • Same day appointments.
  • Unlimited office visits.
  • Annual physical and comprehensive lab profile.
  • Same day appointments.
  • Annual seasonal flu vaccine.
  • Vaccine boosters when needed.
  • Online access to medical records/results via the e-mail portal.
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the email portal.
  • Free after hour phone consults.
  • Cardiovascular stress test annually.
  • Advanced lipoprotein testing at highly discounted rates.
  • Concierge services not covered by Medicare
  • Three dietitian visits.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan).
  • Hospital Advocacy (Premier Inpatient Advocate Service™) -unlimited hours with 7 day a week visits while in the hospital.
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Concierge plans and doctors provide a more comprehensive level of care to the patient. A concierge contract puts the patient back in charge of their care instead of insurance or government interference.  Spending the right amount of time with the patient while offer a high level of accessibility and service is the goal.  With more time and access to a doctor, a patient is able to fully and thoroughly discus symptoms, ask questions and discuss their issues and concerns. A long term relationship with your doctor allows them to understand the patient’s history, know “total person” and thus limit health risks from unnecessary testing and referrals.

If you’re looking for a high level of service from your doctor, a concierge doctor, like Dr. Kordonowy, may be right for you.  Concierge memberships are limited. To book a consult with Dr. Kordonowy or to discuss selecting a plan, call 239-363-3005, ext. 200 or click here.

08.31.16
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The Benefits of Using Sunscreen

Florida is the Sunshine State, but with that comes a lot exposure to the sun. Floridians, snowbirds, and tourists love the state for its sunshine and warm weather. However, too much sun exposure can be dangerous. Overexposure to the sun creates oxidative radicals in a person’s skin tissue. The result? Premature wrinkles and aging of the skin, painful sunburns, and skin cancer. Below, I will discuss the importance of safety in the sun, which includes using sunscreen.

Living in a sunny climate places a person at a higher risk of developing melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. In 2015, it was estimated 73,000 Americans were to be diagnosed with melanoma.  Long sun exposure and a few sunburns in your lifetime increases your risk of developing melanoma.

The sunlight contains ultraviolet rays,  UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA rays are emitted all day and are the ones that contribute to skin cancer; UVB rays are the most intense from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – these rays are the ones that are known to cause sunburns; and UVC rays do not reach the Earth’s surface.

Regardless of your complexion, it is recommended to wear sunscreen if prolonged exposure to the sun is anticipated. Cancer doesn’t discriminate based on skin shade, so protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is critical.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone uses sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Topical sunscreens offer a physical barrier/blocker of the sun’s UV radiation. The strength of protection of SPF 30 or higher is endorsed. Using the Biophotonic™ Scan offered in Dr. Kordonowy’s office, the amount of protective antioxidants derived from your vegetables and fruit in your skin can be measured.

It’s good to use sunscreen on a cloudy day, up to 8 percent of the sun’s rays can still penetrate your skin. Sunscreen should be applied to skin 15-30 minutes before heading outdoors, so the skin can absorb it. One ounce of sunscreen is the suggested amount to use over the body. Sunscreen should be applied  every two hours.

People have written about sunscreen not being safe for a person’s skin because of certain chemicals, but is it believed the benefits that sunscreen provides (preventing sunburn and skin cancer) beats out the not-yet proven claims of toxicity on the body. No one has died yet from sunscreen chemicals, but many people die each year from melanoma.

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their life. With high odds, it’s in your best interest to protect yourself from developing this type of cancer. If you have any concerns  or looking for a doctor in the area, contact Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness in Fort Myers by clicking here or calling 239-362-3005, Ext. 200.