Happy New Year! Another year has rolled around and we are once again making resolutions. Don’t worry I am not going to talk about weight ☺ suffice to say our patients lost a total of over 500 pounds last year and we are hoping for more this year! I don’t generally believe in resolutions because they seem to be so easily broken, instead set yourself some targets that you can achieve at your own pace. Continue to be positive and try to achieve what you find self fulfilling regardless. I would mention that no one can achieve their full potential if they are not healthy, so hopefully one of your goals will be to strive for optimal health. But no pressure, enjoy the New Year and may you achieve all your heart desires. Stay well. Sincerely, Dr Tuakli

Babies, babies, babies!

Babies, babies, babies! People often comment that there are so many baby pictures in my office. That’s because I love babies and they are pictures of children I have taken care of over the years, many of whom have graduated from college already. Over the years we have less and less babies in our practice. This may be because of all the anti-aging signs in the office, perhaps mothers think you have to be walking and talking to be a patient of mine! The average age of my adult patients is also increasing so not as many are getting pregnant. Be that as it may, we love our littlest patients as much as the older ones. I am still certified by Johns Hopkins with privileges in the newborn nursery and I take care of many small people. Many people do not realize that Family physicians do 3 years post graduate training in pediatrics just like pediatricians. Their focus tends to be more on out patient healthy children than sick hospitalized ones. A common question asked is why someone would choose a family physician (board certified of course) over a pediatrician to take care of their children. Here are some of the reasons: A family physician knows the whole family and what history may be relevant to the baby. The child doesn’t have to find a new doctor at 16 and has someone who has followed them and their family all their lives. With female children family physicians can answer questions about periods and gyn issues. Girls are developing much earlier these days. Family physicians generally have less children in their practice so they know and care about the intricacies of each individual child. We know all our babies by their first name. In our practice we have a dedicated room for babies so they don’t have to wait in the waiting room. And they don’t have to compete for space. In many cultures it is assumed that the person who takes care of the mother is able to take care of her whole family, it is more the norm than the exception, family practice is a holistic specialty that encompasses everyone. It is the one specialty that specializes in you whatever your age. In this country there is a push to use specialists for everything, for example I know my patients are often surprised when I treat their rash and it goes away yet they thought they would have to go to a dermatologist because they have something on their skin. Everyone should really think through their options, as always knowledge is power, and then do what makes sense for them, their family and their personal aspirations. ‘My’ last baby was born the week before Xmas rounding out a family of five and 2015 for us. Looking forward to 2016 and more babies to love and care for!

Go Ravens, there's always another chance

GO RAVENS! Last night I had the privilege of speaking to a group of people at the Ravens Performance Center in Owings Mills. This is a huge (200,000 sq ft) facility with 3 outdoor and one full sized indoor practice fields, TV studio, offices, basketball court, the world’s largest gym, you name it. Not your average home away from home. All very interesting and their wonderful PR guy Edward Burchell, Jr. described the Ravens philosophy and how the Ravens are creating their brand. He even let me hold his super bowl ring. “Wait a minute! Are these real diamonds?” Wow, that is quite a ring and I am not even a football fan! So after all this fun, we got down to business it is always so interesting to realize the importance of health to everyone no matter who they are. The popular and very charismatic sportscaster Gerry Sandusky shared with me how some of the topics I raised were relevant to him and his family. A celebrity chef described his strategy for managing what sounded like a grueling travel schedule. Isn’t it a wonderful thing to know that using today’s technology and knowledge we can all live a long healthy life without illness weighing us down? It’s right there within your reach but you do have to take charge and grab it. I am passionate about passing on this simple message. It may not have the ‘wow factor’ of that ring but it’s really powerful when you think about it. As the New Year beckons I would like to share some of the tips I gave last night on how to stay healthy. Take charge, you know your body better than any doctor. Form a partnership with your doctor with open communication. Once the two of you have come up with a game plan, stick to it. Pencil in at least 2 ‘health days’ on next year’s calendar right now! If you are over 35 get your hormone levels checked. Control your weight, draw a line in the sand that can’t be crossed under any circumstances. Be in tune with your body and don’t put things off. Remember that mental health is just as important as physical health and put in the time and energy to optimize your health and ultimately your life. You can change your health and achieve your goals if you really want to. Season’s Greetings, Go Ravens!

Need more time with your doctor?

Need more time with your doctor? In today’s hurried world both the doctor and the patient can feel frustrated by the amount of time available to speak with each other. Did you know that the insurance company rarely pays for more than a 15 minute visit with a primary care physician (PCP) unless the patient has a diagnosis they think should take longer. Even then extra documentation is required to show why it would take so long. Its ironic that they pay specialists for more time (even when it is a pop in and “keep taking the same medicine” visit) than they do for PCP’s who are supposed to be on the frontline and have a deeper understanding of you and your family’s overall health. I recently admitted a critically ill patient who had just returned from overseas and the insurance company refused to pay for my hospital visits to take care of him. Even though they saved a bundle by not having to pay specialists. They said his care is covered by the $20 a month they pay me for capitation. Small wonder most doctors don’t bother to take care of their own patients in the hospital anymore. They simply turn them over to a hospitalist who doesn’t know anything about them, kind of like a mechanic who only handles exactly what is in front of him. I recently returned from a conference (way out in the Boonies!) on alternative medicine and once again learned fascinating information I would love to share with my patients. But where is the time? While I am at conferences I keep thinking “wow! So and so may really benefit from that”. “I wish I had known that before so and so had that surgery” “I have a zillion patients who complain of fatigue, fibroids etc…If only I could have more time with them” When I come back I always like to meet with my VIP patients to discuss how new information may help them and what changes we can make to their vitamin regimens. Unfortunately I cant do that with everyone, however, if you feel that you would like to schedule a private self pay consultation with me please call the office. I am bursting to share the great news of how to improve health with everyone. Believe me my own regimen changed last weekend! Here’s to real health and vitality.

My new book!

Happy Spring at last! What a long winter that was, fortunately it gave me ample time to work on my book. My book is entitled "Lifting the veil of menopause, A more natural solution"............................. As I see it the veil refers to both the fact that a lot of people are not interested in talking about menopause but also the veil that comes down when I tell people (who upto that point were excited) what my book is about. Usually I get an off handed "Oh....that's interesting". Actually, they are absolutely right,menopause is a fascinating subject. Everytime I got into the research papers I would get so engrossed it was hard not to get off topic. Everyone knows that hot flashes are the commonest symptom of menopause in the US but did you know that the commonest symptom in 15 countries in Latin America is joint pains and muscle aches? That women in Iran complain that sexual dysfunction due to menopause is affecting their marriage? Well, its not my intention to write another book about my book :). The book will be available in June. You can buy it from all the usual outlets like Amazon and E Books.I will be talking about my book at the Face Place Spa in Columbia on May 9th 2915.Make sure you call ahead because space is limited. If you would like to order an autographed copy at pre-publication pricing please call our office.Time to get out there and exercise in that wonderful weather;) Yours in health Dr. Tuakli

Detox 2015!

Happy new year!!! Its that time again, Detox time :) Now that the gorging and partying and sitting around of the holidays is over, this would be a good time to consider a detox program and of course revamping your exercise program. Get into a healthier mind set for the spring. I am at your service and here to help if you need me. As an added incentive for the rest of January all detox and weight loss products along with the sauna will be 10% off, let's get started :)

New Year VIP program 2015

Happy New Year! Welcome to those who joined our VIP program this year.*********** This blog is to discuss the program in more detail and to explain how it may be particularly helpful for various people.****************** In a nutshell the program is one which requires an annual one time fee. For this fee patients enhance their already VIP status :) ****************** BENEFITS: VIP's get immediate same day appointments.************** Extended visits on special days. ************ No waiting time in the office. ************* Direct telephone access to the doctor as well as email. ************** Courtesy Hospital visits throughout the Baltimore Washington Area.**************** Same Day prescriptions.******************* 10% off all products.********** $60 maximum for office visits including those for people already enrolled in the HRT and Anti-aging programs Free blood draws in the office. ********************* One free Executive Physical with memory testing etc annually.*********************** Home visits when you are unable to come to the office. *************************** WHO SHOULD DEFINITELY CONSIDER ENROLLING: People who travel a lot, you will have access to your doctor wherever in the world you are. International patients.*********************** Terminally ill patients and the elderly. ************** People who have a hard time leaving the house and dont want to get sick from sitting in urgent care and emergency room centers.*************** People with high insurance deductibles.************** The office visits will still count towards your deductible but you will know that you never have to pay more than $60 in the office. This way you can get affordable care but you will have insurance should something catastrophic happen like needing surgery or hospitalization.********** If you like the idea that whatever healthcare facility you end up in your personal physician is monitoring your care and watching out for your best interest. This can save many extra days in the Hospital and unnecessary medication and tests because I know my patients and can tell the physicians what you may or may not need.******* If you have a cafeteria plan, put it to good use to improve your health throughout the year.*************** Let's have a healthier 2015 than 2014 in all ways, I am at your service!