My philosophy of medicine has changed over the past few years.  I used to treat common health issues (diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, high cholesterol, heart problems, heartburn, etc.) as the problems arose.  However, I have now taken a particular interest in preventive medicine and wellness:  identifying trends in symptoms before the actual disease develops, and promoting overall health.

For the last two years, I have been educating my patients regarding a healthy lifestyle based on nutritious whole foods, vitamins and modest exercise that can reverse the trends toward obesity, diabetes and heart disease, which are growing epidemically in our society.  I have helped many patients lose weight, prevent diabetes, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol through life style changes and supplementation.

Patient initiative is an integral part of any wellness philosophy.  Simply showing up at a doctor’s office and obtaining a prescription for the symptoms is not sufficient. Patients need to be proactive in their approach to optimal health and wellness.  This must involve lifestyle changes: consumption of nutritious foods, participation in modest exercise, and avoidance of behaviors and habits that are harmful to their health.  A doctor can talk until he is blue in the face and prescribe unending medications, but if patients won’t take responsibility for their own health, he can only put a band aid over their life-threatening conditions.

As I grow in my Christian faith, I have come to understand that wellness has both a physical and a spiritual aspect.  There are times when poor spiritual health can lead to physical symptoms and illnesses; poor physical health can also impact a person’s spiritual well being.  Many doctors and health professionals are working to understand this connection.  As recently reported in Reader’s Digest, studies on prayer are being conducted at some of the leading medical centers in the United States.  I try to be prepared to deal with both my patients’ physical and spiritual issues.  I pray for my patients and, when asked, with them.