Karl J. Edelmann, MD, FAAFP

If you’re one of my patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, I know you have your hands full managing your condition. But the next time you’re in the office, we need to talk about living a heart-healthy lifestyle. The inflammation involved in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can raise your risk for a heart attack by 23 percent. In the meantime, here’s more on IBD and heart attacks.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/ibd-sufferers-have-higher-risk-heart-attack

I spend time discussing nutrition with my patients because poor nutrition can lead to many health issues, like type 2 diabetes -- one of the biggest public health issues. But you can lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy diet. Here’s what you need to know.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/poor-quality-diet-significantly-raises-risk-type-2-diabetes

Studies show that patients in MDVIP-affiliated primary care practices like mine experience better health outcomes than patients in traditional practices.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/health-outcomes?utm_campaign=gmbpost&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=gmbpost

I get a lot of questions about metabolism from my patients. I know it’s a confusing subject. And it doesn’t help that there’s so much misinformation about how to speed up your metabolism in late night TV commercials and internet ads. Here is an overview of how your metabolism works and the role it plays in your health.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/how-your-metabolism-works

Weight loss is a top concern in my practice. Many patients can drop some weight after making some simple lifestyle changes. But sometimes, lifestyle changes aren’t enough. There’s a deeper issue involved, for example, gut health. Here’s how your gut biome can affect your weight.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/how-your-gut-biome-can-affect-your-weight

I have patients with GI issues – mostly IBS and some SIBO. I advise them to watch out for gluten, but I also educate them on fodmaps – foods with simple carbohydrates (or sugars) that the small intestine doesn’t absorb well. If you have a GI issue, you should understand fodmaps. Here’s what you need to know.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/suffering-ibs-gluten-may-not-be-problem

Learn how my practice takes the time to focus on chronic care and the difference I can make as your primary care physician.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/benefits/chronic-care-support?utm_campaign=gmbpost&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=gmbpost

Men are notorious for putting off early detection screenings -- even in my practice. This can be problematic, as early detection screenings and tests help save lives. The good news for men is that you don’t need every test, every year. Here are the preventive screenings most men should get, broken down into two categories by age group.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/mens-screening-and-preventive-tests-your-40s-50s-and-beyond

It's important to have a primary care physician you can see when you need them. My patients appreciate being able to get same/next-day appointments.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/benefits/24-7-doctor- availability?utm_campaign=gmbpost&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=gmbpost

Depression is often associated with women more than men. But it also affects men and in large numbers. Unfortunately, men are less likely to address their depression than women. One reason is many men don’t experience textbook depression symptoms. Here’s some information I use to help educate my patients.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/depression-men-looks-different-it-does-women

Happy Father’s Day! The men in our lives protect us – whether they’re our partners, fathers or sons. Unfortunately, many of them don’t protect themselves from health issues. And there’s a surprising gap in understanding many basic men’s health issues. How much do you know about men’s health? Take our quiz to test your knowledge.

https://www.mdvip.com/menshealthiq

Managing a chronic condition can be very expensive. Co-pays, medications, diagnostic procedures and lab tests are costly. But did you realize that the some of the most expensive illnesses are preventable? That’s right. Lifestyle plays a role in these illnesses. Learn more about these conditions and work with me to help you prevent and/or control them.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/most-expensive-preventable-illnesses-treat-us

Learn how my practice has time to focus on your unique health needs and to customize a wellness plan for you.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/benefits/our-doctors?utm_campaign=gmbpost&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=gmbpost

Throughout my entire career I’ve preached weight management to my patients. Obesity takes a huge toll on your heart. Studies suggest the toll is greater on women; in fact, obesity in some women can double, even triple their risk for heart failure. Here’s what you need to know.

Obesity Can Triple the Risk of Heart Failure in Women, Study Says While obesity can lead to declining heart health, a new study states that women with obesity can face triple the risk of heart failure. Learn more.

You deserve a better healthcare experience.

MDVIP | Benefits of Our Patient Centered Care Program Learn about the MDVIP approach to patient centered primary care. Discover the benefits of seeing private doctors & being part of the MDVIP wellness program.

My patients can get same- and next-day appointments because it's important to have a primary care physician you can see when you need them.

On Call Doctors Available 24/7 - Membership Benefits - MDVIP Doctor availability is one of many MDVIP benefits, which means patients in MDVIP-affiliated practices can reach their doctor after hours and on the weekends.

In my practice, it’s my women patients who ask for help for their depression. However, I know some of my male patients are also struggling – but they don’t ask for help. And their relatives don’t recognize that they’re depressed because men’s depression symptoms vary from textbook symptoms. Here’s what you need to know.

Depression in Men Looks Different than It Does in Women | MDVIP Depression also affects men and in large numbers — about six million American men struggle with depression. However, it usually goes undiagnosed.

Bone thinning is problem that predominantly affects women. However, men can suffer from osteoporosis, too. A risk factor for men is a loss of muscle mass. A recent study found that maintaining lean body mass can help men forestall osteoporosis. Here’s what you need to know.

Lean Body Mass Can Help Forestall Osteoporosis, Particularly in Men | MDVIP Most men aren’t too concerned about their own bone density. Understandably so. Bone thinning affects far more women than men. Take hips for example. Hip osteopenia is prevalent in 56 percent of women and 18 percent of men and hip osteoporosis affects 16 percent of women and 2 percent of men, accor...

At my primary care practice, we have time to focus on your unique health needs and customizes a wellness plan for you.

MDVIP Benefits: Experienced Primary Care Doctors - MDVIP MDVIP affiliated primary care doctors are from all over the country and provide personalized and holistic healthcare & medical approaches.

The typical American diet is laden with sugar. Unfortunately, it wreaks havoc on your heath. Many of patients wonder why sugar such a problem. How much sugar is OK. And of course, how to cut back. Here’s what you need to know.

Why is Sugar Bad for You? 68& of processed food contains some added sugar. Sugars cause a chemical response in the brain associated with addiction and can cause health problems.

Many of my patients skip seeing their dentist. This isn’t a good idea for your dental health or your heart health, as periodontal disease raises your risk for heart attacks. Moreover, as your body fights the bacteria associated with the gum disease, it raises inflammation, increasing your risk for a long list of serious health conditions. Here’s what you need to know.

Talking To Your Dentist May Help You Avoid Disease | MDVIP Learn the benefits of reaching out to your dentist and asking the right questions. Read about the link between your mouth and heart and how to avoid disease.

Find out how we go beyond concierge medicine, providing members affordable, personalized healthcare with advanced preventive services and conveniences.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/concierge-medicine?utm_campaign=aug-gmb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=gmbpost

During office visits you may have heard me mention triglycerides, a type of blood fat. They often take a backseat to cholesterol, but they can raise your risk for heart disease. Here’s what you need to know.

How to Lower Triglycerides | MDVIP Triglycerides are a lipid that can increase your risk of heart disease. Here’s what you need to know about triglycerides and how you can lower them.

Did your resolutions already fall by the wayside? If your answer is yes, don’t fret. My colleague and MDVIP’s Associate Medical Director, Alan Reisinger, MD has some suggestions to help get you back on track.

These Tips Can Help You Achieve Your Resolutions | MDVIP As an internal medicine physician for 36 years, I was never fond of New Year’s resolutions. They always seemed artificial and destined to fail. And if you’ve ever made one, you probably know what I’m talking about. In fact, about 45 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions each year,...

When I talk to my patients about strength training, I sometimes get some push back, especially from some of my older patients. But I encourage them to do it because the stronger your muscles are, the easier it is to handle a serious health challenge, maintain your daily tasks and remain active.

Muscle Strength is Tied to Biological Age, Study Says | MDVIP Discover the connection between muscle strength and biological age to help increase your life expectancy. Learn how to increase your grip strength over time.

A few of my patients have IBS – a condition that affects the large intestine, causing abdominal pain and digestive issues. For years I warned IBS patients to avoid gluten; however, new evidence suggests gluten might not be a trigger – it’s FODMAP foods. Here’s what you need to know.

MDVIP | Gluten May Not Be A Trigger For Your IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome is triggered by certain foods. Discover a study that showed gluten might not be a trigger & learn which foods you should try to avoid.

Unhealthy cholesterol numbers raise your risk for heart disease. But don’t assume your heart is healthy because your total cholesterol is below 200. Half of patients with ideal cholesterol have an underlying heart condition. Read why there’s more to heart health than just cholesterol from Dr. Alan Reisinger, MDVIP associate medical director.

There’s So Much More to Heart Disease than Just Cholesterol Numbers | MDVIP The year I graduated from medical school, 1982, a brave new world of cardiology was just beginning. Researchers conducting a trial of the drug lovastatin discovered it lowered cholesterol in a small group of patients with a genetic predisposition for dangerously high cholesterol. Patients with this....

As we age, most of us will experience some hair loss. Your hair will also probably shed faster, grow slower and thin. Some of my patients have asked how they can keep their hair healthy. What’s surprising to most of my patients is that healthy hair is not achieved through expensive products – it’s through your diet. Here are seven foods that can help you maintain healthy hair.

7 Foods to Incorporate into Your Diet for Healthier Hair | MDVIP Discover 7 foods that you can incorporate into your diet daily to promote healthier hair. Learn about the key element to healthy hair and how to achieve it.

You’re probably familiar with the typical risk factors of heart disease – high blood pressure, unhealthy blood fats, obesity, stress, poor nutrition, sleep deprivation and sedentary lifestyle. But a commonly overlooked risk factor is oral health. Learn more about the heart health – dental health connection from Alan Reisinger, MD, FACP, MDVIP associate medical director.

Bad Teeth & Heart Disease | MDVIP Having bad teeth has been linked to heart disease. It is important to practice good dental hygiene and schedule regular check ups with your dentist.