Tag Archives: dr kordonowy

06.01.26
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Why More Fort Myers Patients Are Choosing a Membership-Based Doctor

IMLWP
IMLWP

For many patients in Fort Myers, the traditional healthcare model has started to feel rushed, reactive, and frustrating. Appointments can take weeks to schedule. Office visits may feel too short to fully discuss symptoms, lab results, medications, lifestyle changes, and long-term goals. For people managing chronic conditions, complex health concerns, or simply trying to stay proactive as they age, that kind of care often does not feel like enough.

That is one reason more Southwest Florida patients are exploring membership-based primary care.

A membership-based doctor, often referred to as concierge medicine or direct primary care, is designed to restore the relationship between patient and physician. Instead of relying on high-volume, insurance-driven visits, this model allows practices to limit the number of patients they accept. The result is more time, better access, and a more personalized approach to ongoing health management.

At Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness Practice in Fort Myers, this approach includes longer appointments, direct physician access, advanced preventive care, and a “medical home” model built around continuity. Standard visits are typically 30 to 60 minutes, while initial appointments may allow up to 90 minutes for a deeper review of the patient’s history, concerns, goals, and overall health picture. The practice also emphasizes advanced metabolic profiling, lipidology, chronic disease management, and care coordination for patients who need support beyond a basic office visit.

For many patients, access is one of the biggest advantages. A membership model can offer same-day acute visits, after-hours advice, direct communication with the physician, and more responsive follow-up. That can be especially valuable for busy professionals, retirees, seasonal residents, and anyone who wants a doctor who knows their history instead of starting from scratch every time. IMLWP’s membership information also notes that concierge memberships include unlimited office visits, annual physicals with comprehensive labs, specialist care coordination, on-site pulmonary and cardiac stress testing, body fat analysis, metabolic rate testing, and access to an in-house dispensary for generic medications at wholesale cost.

Another reason patients are making the switch is prevention. Many people do not want to wait until a health issue becomes serious before getting answers. Membership-based primary care gives physicians more room to look at patterns, monitor risk factors, evaluate advanced labs, and guide patients through lifestyle, medication, and wellness decisions before small concerns become larger problems.

This model can be particularly helpful for patients managing high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, thyroid concerns, hormone and endocrine issues, cardiac risk, digestive concerns, and other ongoing conditions. IMLWP’s Fort Myers practice highlights comprehensive care for a wide range of adult health concerns, along with advanced lipid testing for cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention.

For patients tired of feeling rushed, overlooked, or shuffled through the system, membership-based medicine offers something refreshingly old-school: a real relationship with a doctor who has time to listen.

In Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida, patients are not just looking for another appointment. They are looking for access, trust, prevention, and a physician who can help them think long-term. For many, a membership-based doctor is not just a different way to receive care. It is a smarter way to protect their health.

Ready to learn more or schedule in Fort Myers, Florida? You can reach the office of Internal Medicine Lipid and Wellness Practice by dialing 239-362-3005. Or, visit them on the web at www.IMLWP.com today!

05.26.26
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5 Ways a Concierge Doctor Can Help Boost Your Health in Ft. Myers

imwlp concierge doctors ft myers florida
imwlp concierge doctors ft myers florida

Finding the right doctor can make a major difference in how a person feels, ages, and manages long-term health. For many patients, traditional healthcare can feel rushed, reactive, and impersonal. Appointments may be short, lab work may only cover the basics, and deeper health concerns can get pushed aside until symptoms become more serious.

Concierge medicine offers a different approach.

At Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness Practice in Ft. Myers, the focus is on personalized, proactive care that helps patients better understand their health and take meaningful steps toward improvement. Instead of waiting for illness to become the reason for care, concierge medicine allows patients to build an ongoing relationship with a physician who has the time to look deeper.

Here are five ways a concierge doctor can help boost health and support long-term wellness.

1. More Time With the Doctor

One of the biggest advantages of concierge medicine is time. Longer appointments allow for more detailed conversations, more thorough evaluations, and a better understanding of the patient’s full health picture.

In a rushed visit, it can be difficult to discuss fatigue, weight changes, sleep concerns, stress, medications, family history, hormones, heart health, and lifestyle in a meaningful way. With concierge care, patients are not treated like a checklist. They are treated like whole people.

That extra time can lead to better questions, better answers, and a clearer path forward.

2. Personalized Health Plans

No two patients are exactly alike. Age, genetics, metabolism, lifestyle, medical history, stress levels, and goals all matter. A concierge doctor can create a health plan based on the individual, not a one-size-fits-all template.

This may include customized lab testing, nutrition guidance, medication management, cardiovascular risk assessment, weight management support, hormone evaluation, and practical lifestyle recommendations. The goal is not simply to “manage numbers,” but to help patients feel better and function better.

Personalized care can be especially helpful for patients who have been told their labs are normal but still do not feel like themselves.

3. A More Proactive Approach to Prevention

Traditional medicine often focuses on treating problems after they appear. Concierge medicine is designed to be more proactive.

For example, advanced lipid testing, metabolic markers, inflammation levels, blood sugar trends, and family history can reveal risk factors that may not show up on basic testing. This deeper view allows the physician to identify potential issues earlier and help patients take action before bigger problems develop.

Prevention is not just an annual physical. It is an ongoing strategy.

4. Direct Access and Better Communication

When patients have questions, waiting days or weeks for guidance can be frustrating. Concierge medicine often allows for better communication and improved access to the physician.

This can be especially valuable when reviewing lab results, adjusting medications, discussing new symptoms, or making health decisions. Patients benefit from having a doctor who knows their history and can provide more informed guidance.

Better access can also create peace of mind. Health should not feel like a guessing game with a voicemail system as the referee.

5. Whole-Person Wellness Support

Good health is more than the absence of disease. Energy, strength, sleep, mood, metabolism, heart health, hormones, and quality of life all play a role.

Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness Practice takes a comprehensive approach to care by looking at how different systems in the body work together. This type of whole-person view can help uncover patterns that may be missed when each symptom is treated separately.

For patients in Ft. Myers who want more personalized attention, deeper testing, and a physician relationship built around prevention, concierge medicine can be a powerful option.

A concierge doctor does more than respond to illness. The right physician helps patients understand their health, protect their future, and create a smarter plan for living well.

Ready for a great concierge doctor right in Ft. Myers, Florida? Visit: www.IMLWP.com today!

05.12.26
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Advanced Lipid Testing Explained: What Your Standard Blood Work Isn’t Telling You

Find a doctor fort myers imwlp

A standard cholesterol panel is a useful starting point, but it does not always tell the full story about cardiovascular risk. Many people are told their cholesterol is “normal,” only to later discover they had hidden risk factors that were never checked. That is where advanced lipid testing can make a meaningful difference.

Find a doctor fort myers imwlp

Most routine blood work includes total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. These numbers are important, but they are broad markers. They show how much cholesterol is being carried in the blood, but they do not always reveal how that cholesterol is being transported, how many potentially harmful particles are present, or whether genetic risk factors are quietly increasing a person’s chance of heart attack or stroke.

Advanced lipid testing goes deeper.

Instead of only looking at LDL cholesterol, often called “bad cholesterol,” advanced testing may evaluate markers such as ApoB, LDL particle number, LDL particle size, lipoprotein(a), and inflammatory or metabolic indicators tied to cardiovascular risk. These markers can help uncover risk that may be missed on a basic lipid panel.

One of the most important markers is ApoB. ApoB is a protein found on many of the particles that can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries. In simple terms, ApoB can help show the number of potentially artery-damaging particles in circulation. A person may have an LDL cholesterol number that appears acceptable, but if their ApoB is elevated, they may still have more cardiovascular risk than expected.

Lipoprotein(a), also known as Lp(a), is another critical marker. Lp(a) is largely genetic, which means lifestyle changes alone may not significantly lower it. The standard lipid panel does not include Lp(a), and many people never know they have elevated levels unless it is specifically tested. The American Heart Association notes that elevated Lp(a) can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, and that a standard cholesterol test does not include this marker.

This is especially important for people with a family history of heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, early heart attacks, or unexplained cardiovascular events. Someone can eat well, exercise, maintain a healthy weight, and still have inherited lipid risks that deserve attention.

Advanced lipid testing may also help identify insulin resistance patterns. Elevated triglycerides, low HDL, and certain particle patterns can suggest metabolic stress long before major disease is diagnosed. This matters because cardiovascular disease often develops quietly over years. Waiting until symptoms appear is not prevention. It is damage control.

At IMLWP, the focus is on a more complete and proactive view of health. For patients who want to understand their real cardiovascular risk, advanced lipid testing can be an important part of a prevention-focused evaluation. Rather than relying only on basic lab ranges, the practice looks at the broader picture: family history, inflammation, metabolic health, lifestyle, hormone status, body composition, and deeper cardiovascular markers.

This type of testing can be especially helpful for patients who have been told their labs are “fine” but still have concerns. It may also be valuable for those with high blood pressure, diabetes, prediabetes, weight gain, fatigue, menopause-related metabolic changes, chronic inflammation, or a strong family history of cardiovascular disease.

The goal is not to create fear. The goal is clarity.

When risk is identified earlier, patients and providers have more options. Nutrition, exercise, targeted supplementation, medication when appropriate, weight management, blood sugar control, hormone optimization, and lifestyle changes can all be part of a smarter cardiovascular prevention plan.

Standard blood work can miss important clues. Advanced lipid testing helps fill in the blanks.

For individuals who want a more personalized, prevention-based approach to heart health, IMLWP offers a deeper look at the numbers that matter. Because when it comes to cardiovascular disease, what is not being measured may be exactly what needs attention.

It’s Time You Got the Care You Deserve

If you’ve been searching for a primary care doctor in Fort Myers who takes the time to understand your unique health needs, your search ends here. Experience healthcare that truly revolves around you. Schedule your appointment with IMLWP today and discover the difference that dedicated, patient-focused care can make. Explore their concierge membership plans today and learn how they can help you take control of your health journey.

Still have questions? Feel free to give them a call at 239-362-3005 Ext 200.

09.15.17
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Gallstones – What you need to know!

Gallstones

GallstonesGallbladder pain is unmistakable if you have ever experienced it. It can range from a dull ache to a sharper debilitating doubling over kind of pain that seems to go straight through your core.

It is alarming to say the very least. With so many organs in your abdomen, there are many reasons this area can be experiencing pain. If you haven’t previously had a gallbladder attack you may not be able to pinpoint what it is without some medical intervention.

Let’s see if we can help narrow it down for you:

Where is your gallbladder located? The gallbladder sits in the upper right part of your abdomen just under your liver. This organ’s purpose is to store and concentrate bile, provide bile salts for fat digestion, and it also helps cholesterol transport and recycling.

Gallstones, for the most part, begin to form in the gallbladder when the cholesterol cannot be kept in a dissolved state, so it begins to crystallize and turn to stones. When these stone get larger, they’re known as gallstones. If they don’t affect bile movement a person will never know these stones are there because they have no signs or symptoms. Stones can be seen with imaging techniques such as ultrasound or CT scan.

A person’s gender and race seem to dictate the likelihood of developing gallstones. For example, gallstones are prevalent in 5 percent of black males but 64 percent in Native American women.

How do you know if your pain is gallstone pain? The pain you feel will be located in the upper center or right of the abdomen; this pain will be persistent for one to six hours, especially after eating fatty/rich foods. Often, this obstruction in the bile duct will resolve on its own and pain will disappear; however, if this pain lasts longer than six hours, the pressure in the gallbladder builds leading to distension, inflammation, and swelling; this is referred to as cholecystitis.

If a patient has cholecystitis and it is quickly diagnosed, it will be treated with fluids, bowel rest, and antibiotics. If they have another attack, gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is a recommended. If not treated right away, the cholecystitis symptoms will worsen; a person will become feverish, nauseous, and even vomit. The pain will begin to spread up to the upper part of the back, and this is when a person usually heads to urgent care or the ER.

Serious cases of cholecystitis can lead to further and more life-threatening complications such as infection of the liver bile ducts, gangrene of the gallbladder, and pancreatitis. All these conditions require hospitalization, drainage, and antibiotics.

If a cholecystectomy is needed, gallbladder removal, this is a same-day surgery and patient can eat later in the day or the following day. A person doesn’t need a gallbladder to survive. Without the gallbladder, only small amounts of fat can be digested at a time. If a person consumes too much fat, he or she will experience diarrhea.

If you been experiencing abdominal pain, it’s time to see your doctor. Gallbladder issues, left untreated over time will get worse. If it’s extreme and you are unable to see your doctor quickly, head to the ER or an urgent care center. For a primary doctor in the Fort Myers area, contact Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness. Through an examination and testing, Dr. Kordonowy can diagnose the cause of your stomach pain. To book an appointment, click here or call 239-362-3005, ext. 200.  Dr. Kordonowy is a concierge doctor and provides direct primary care services.

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.

04.05.17
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The truth about Salt

Including salt in your diet, for the average person, is just fine. We need sodium to be able to function properly. Moderation is key. Too much or too little can have negative effects.

What is salt’s role in our health?

Salt helps to maintain the electrical charge in cells It also distributes fluids. The nervous system requires it to function. Dietary salt also helps promote proper muscle function and movement.  In the intestines, sodium helps the body absorb chloride, amino acids,

It can also promote proper muscle function and movement.

On average you only need to replace about 2,000 milligrams of sodium each day.

The American Heart Association reports the average American takes in around 3,436 milligrams per day – far more than needed, which can lead to issues over time.

Too Much Salt:

  • Possibility of raised blood pressure
  • Brain tells you that your thirsty because of the increased salt in the body.
  • Kidneys try to rid the body of excess salt through urine.
  • Elevated blood pressure from too much salt can lead to an enlarged heart.
  • Extra pressure on the heart because of the presence of excess water in the blood.
  • Water retention and bloating.

Too Little Sodium

  • Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach.
  • Loss of proper muscle control.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Disorientation, seizures, brain damage.
  • Headache.
  • Cerebral edema (brain swelling).

Track your daily sodium by following serving information on food labels which also list the amount of sodium per serving.

If you’re experiencing any symptoms consult a doctor to determine what the cause could be. Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid, & Wellness in Fort Myers can give you a dietary assessment and determine what amount of dietary salt you should be ingesting. To book an appointment with Dr. Kordonowy, click here or call 239-362-3006, ext. 200. Or to find a doctor in your area visit www.ipalc.org/find.

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.