Supporting Liver Health for Hepatitis C

The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body—it’s responsible for storing nutrients, aiding in the digestive process, and removing waste products, harmful chemicals, and other toxins from the body. The word “hepatitis” means inflammation (swelling) of the liver, which makes it harder for the liver to perform these functions. Put simply, if you have Hepatitis C, your liver may not be working as well as it should.  This can cause symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and joint and muscle pain.

For this reason, it’s very important to take steps to support your liver after receiving a Hepatitis C diagnosis. While Hepatitis C may be treated with antiviral medications, following some simple health practices can help your liver function without complications for as long as possible.

Eat Well
A healthy diet is important for everyone, but it is absolutely crucial for patients with Hepatitis C to eat well.  In general, appropriate nutrition for Hepatitis C includes monitoring iron intake, replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats, consuming moderate amounts of protein, and limiting intake of caffeine and high-sodium foods.

Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol can be extremely taxing on the liver, leading to increased inflammation and scarring of the tissue.  While a drink or two is generally fine for most people, patients with Hepatitis C need to take extra precautions to protect their liver.  I strongly recommend that my patients with Hepatitis C avoid alcohol entirely.

Maintain a Healthy Weight
Like alcohol, excess weight can place undue stress on the liver, so patients with Hepatitis C should strive to maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise.  Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine also has beneficial effects for your overall health in general. If you find that you’re having trouble shedding those extra pounds, don’t hesitate to give the office a call.  I can help you meet your weight loss goals.

Use Caution with Supplements and Over-the-Counter Medications
There are many medications that seem relatively harmless but can actually have negative effects on your liver.  Tylenol is one example, and many herbs and supplements also fall into this category. Therefore, it is extremely important to let me know about any medications you might be taking, including vitamins and supplements.

Regularly Monitor Hepatitis C
This one is crucial—patients with Hepatitis C should come in for a check-up a minimum of twice per year, and more often if needed.  At these appointments, we’ll monitor your liver enzymes, discuss your symptoms, and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.  Patients who follow-up regularly tend to have better liver functioning and overall health, so it’s important to attend your appointments and closely follow any medical or dietary instructions.

If you'd like to sit down and ask any questions about treatment, I'm here for you. You can schedule an appointment online by clicking the link below.

What All Patients Should Know About the HPV Vaccine

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. There are more than 40 different types of HPV, which together are responsible for about 14 million new infections each year.

In most patients, the body’s immune system is able to clear the HPV infection on its own, over time. However, there are times when the body cannot clear the HPV infection which can lead to cervical cancer, anal cancer, or anogenital warts.

These statistics may sound scary, but the good news is that HPV can be easily prevented with a vaccine called Gardasil. Gardasil protects against the nine types of HPV that are responsible for the vast majority of HPV-related cancers and anogenital warts.

Gardasil has been approved since 2004 for use in younger patients, but the FDA recently announced an expanded approval for the vaccine. The organization now recommends that men and women up to age 45 receive the Gardasil vaccine. This new recommendation is based on research indicating that Gardasil is safe and effective in this age group.

The ideal time to receive Gardasil is during early adolescence (around age 11 or 12), but patients who were not vaccinated as teens now have the opportunity to receive the vaccination as adults. Serious side effects with Gardasil are rare, and you can not get HPV or any HPV-related diseases from the vaccine. However, mild side effects can occur, such as pain or swelling where the injection was given.

The Gardasil vaccine is available from our office by prescription, and is often covered by insurance. It’s typically administered as three separate injections given over the course of six months. To schedule an appointment for Gardasil, you can book an appointment online below, or contact the office at 310-360-6807.

Take an important step in protecting your present and future health.

Why It’s Important to Choose a Primary Care Provider

In the not-too-recent past, it was common for patients to develop close relationships with their physicians, often seeing the same doctor for decades.  But as healthcare has changed and people have become busier, many patients are now neglecting to choose a primary care provider (PCP). Often, these are younger patients who generally consider themselves to be healthy, and thus may not see the need for a PCP.   

In reality, developing a trusted, ongoing relationship with a personal physician is important for everyone, regardless of age or health status.  When a provider knows you well, they’ll be better equipped to offer medical care that meets your individual needs. In fact, multiple studies have shown that patients who have a PCP experience better health overall.  Choosing a PCP can also offer some specific health benefits, including:

Higher patient satisfaction:  People who have a PCP tend to be happier with their healthcare.  When you work with a doctor who knows you well, communication is easier and you don’t need to repeat your health history at every visit.  He or she is also able to make better referrals when you need to see a specialist, and stress levels are decreased because you don’t need to search for a new doctor every time you need one.

Lower healthcare costs: People who have a PCP save money.  Insurance co-pays for PCP visits tend to be significantly cheaper compared to those for specialists or urgent/emergency care.  Additionally, people who have a PCP tend to experience fewer health conditions that can lead to costly hospital visits.

Better long-term health: People who have a PCP tend to be healthier in the long-run.   When you see your doctor on a regular basis, we can often identify problems early on, before they become major health issues.  We can also work together to manage chronic conditions and prevent long-term complications.

As a PCP, my goal is to serve as your “home base” for all things health-related.  This includes preventative services such as check-ups and immunizations, medical care for acute illnesses or injuries, management of chronic conditions, and appropriate referrals in the event that you need to see a specialist.  I can also assist with things like explaining test results and helping you navigate the (sometimes confusing) healthcare system.

Along with my two nurse practitioners, Emily and Jeanne, I offer a full-range of primary care services in my Beverly Hills office.  You can schedule an appointment online below, or by calling 310-360-6807. We look forward to getting to know you and serving as your healthcare home base.