Arthritis is a widespread and potentially debilitating condition that affects well over 50 million adults nationwide. As an experienced physician, Dr. Chaula Patel provides care to help patients manage arthritis, preserve joint function, and provide relief from the associated symptoms.
Arthritis is not a single disease; instead, it is a term that applies to more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect the joints, the structures within the joint, as well as other connective tissues in the body. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common forms of arthritis.
Although unique characteristics define each rheumatic disease, all types of arthritic conditions include symptoms of pain and stiffness around either a single or multiple joints. Some forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, are associated with a degenerative process that wears down the cartilaginous cushion within the joint. As the cartilage diminishes, painful bone-on-bone contact ensues. While the damage of osteoarthritis is generally confined to the joint itself, rheumatoid arthritis involves a more widespread inflammatory and immune response, which can also affect the surrounding connective tissues as well as other organs.
It’s essential to keep in mind that the symptoms of an arthritic condition can develop slowly over time or seemingly emerge out of the blue. And, while some arthritic joint changes are visually apparent, as in the case of knobby fingers, some cases of joint damage can only be detected with diagnostic imaging.
Of course, the specific treatment for an arthritic condition depends upon which rheumatic disease is present. However, the goal in every case remains the same. Treatment is designed to help alleviate discomfort, preserve joint function, and reduce disability to the extent possible. With this in mind, Dr. Patel takes an integrative and holistic approach to care; prescribing medication, exercise, and physical therapy to suit a patient’s needs. She may also recommend yoga and tai chi, or integrative therapy such as ozone prolotherapy to alleviate symptoms and restore healthy tissue.
While type 2 diabetes can have many consequences on your overall health and well-being, it is both a preventable and manageable condition. As your trusted partner in care, Dr. Chaula Patel in the Bronx, NY can help you control your blood sugar and establish a healthier lifestyle and diet.
Diabetes is a serious disease, which if not properly managed, can lead to complications affecting every aspect of your health and overall quality of life. Unfortunately, the incidence of this disease is on the rise worldwide, and it represents one of the most challenging public health problems of the 21st century. According to the latest fact sheet issued by the American Diabetes Association, in the United States alone, close to 30 million adults and children have diabetes.
When someone has diabetes, it means that the body is unable to either produce or properly use a hormone known as insulin. This essential hormone helps to convert sugars, starches, and other foods into energy that the body needs to function.
Too much-unused sugar in the bloodstream can lead to several long-term complications, including:
Type 2 diabetes constitutes 90-95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. While it can develop at any age, it’s seen most frequently in middle-aged adults. Both genetics and lifestyle factors, such as being overweight, inactive, and eating a diet high in sugar, can contribute to a person’s risk.
Treatment for type 2 diabetes means working with your doctor to create a healthy plan to keep your blood sugar under control. At the office of Dr. Chaula Patel, we take a holistic and integrative approach to care. We focus on lifestyle and dietary changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, losing weight, and exercising to control blood sugar. Medication may also be prescribed as needed. Patient education is also a big part of care. Dr. Patel teaches patients how to monitor their own blood sugar and make wise dietary choices. She also offers a comprehensive weight management program that is tailored to address individual needs.
At the office of Dr. Chaula Patel, patient care and comfort are the top priorities. Dr. Patel provides the skilled and compassionate care required to help patients with fibromyalgia alleviate their discomfort, reduce flare-ups, and stay active.
There is probably nothing that causes more fear and anxiety or hinders your ability to live your life in comfort than the presence of physical pain. Fibromyalgia is a long-term and debilitating condition that is characterized by pain and tenderness throughout the body.
The condition affects each person differently. Some individuals with fibromyalgia might also experience muscle fatigue, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Restless Leg Syndrome, and exhibit sensitivity to temperature, loud noises, or bright lights. Additionally, painful menstrual periods are common in women with fibromyalgia.
While the exact causes of fibromyalgia are unclear, it’s believed that genetics may play a role with some people inheriting a tendency to develop the condition. Studies have also demonstrated that individuals with fibromyalgia may process pain signals differently. And, an acute flare-up might arise in response to stress, hormonal changes, or even changes in barometric pressure.
To alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia and help manage the condition, taking a holistic approach to care is best. As a practitioner of integrative medicine, Dr. Chaula Patel tailors a plan of care that encompasses conventional, complementary, alternative therapies to offer optimum relief and support overall well-being. Treatment may include medication, exercise, physical therapy, massage therapy, stress reduction techniques, psychological support, dietary changes. Dr. Patel may also recommend activities like Yoga and Tai Chi, which have proven helpful to many people.
As a practitioner of holistic and integrative medicine, Dr. Chaula Patel provides a combination of conventional, complementary, and alternative approaches to care to help patients chart a path to wellness and enjoy optimal health.
In integrative medicine, every patient is assessed from multiple perspectives to gather a complete and comprehensive view of overall health and wellness. In addition to checking physical health; a patient’s lifestyle, as well as emotional, social, and environmental influences, are all considered. With this approach to diagnosis and care, a treatment plan can be developed to address the complex interplay of contributing factors, and the unique specifics of every case.
At the office of Dr. Chaula Patel, all healing sciences, whether they are categorized as conventional, complementary, or alternative medicine, are incorporated into a patient’s treatment plan. Her goal in every situation is to address an individual’s needs while facilitating the body's innate healing process and promoting whole-patient wellness. In addition to providing care that addresses existing issues, Dr. Patel also emphasizes the importance of preventive care. She helps patients develop healthy skills and behaviors to support their overall well-being.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, close to 75 million adults across the nation have high blood pressure. While you may not notice any apparent symptoms, untreated hypertension can have severe consequences. At the office of Dr. Chaula Patel in the Bronx, we monitor your ongoing health and provide a holistic and integrative approach to care. We can help you manage high blood pressure and protect your overall wellbeing.
Blood pressure is simply a measure of the force of blood against the walls of your arteries as it's pumped from the heart throughout the body. When one's blood pressure is consistently too high, it can damage the blood vessels over time. Your heart will also need to work harder, and cardiovascular problems will ensue. Hypertension significantly increases your risk of a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, and other health problems. What's more, those experiencing hypertension report increased states of agitation and anxiety, which in turn can further aggravate the condition.
Diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors contribute to the risk of hypertension. Diets that are high in salt content are a common cause of high blood pressures. Being overweight as well as certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and thyroid gland disorders, also go hand in hand with high blood pressure. What's more, substances such as alcohol, drugs, and certain medications can serve as compounding factors.
Recognizing and treating hypertension in its earliest stages can be instrumental in preventing further health problems. A comprehensive physical exam with Dr. Patel not only includes a routine blood pressure check but also involves an extended conversation to gather a complete portrait of one's medical history and current lifestyle. By taking a fully informed and integrative approach to care, Dr. Patel offers her patients individualized treatment founded upon a complete understanding of their needs and concerns. In addition to medication, Dr. Patel offers various treatment options, including dietary advice and a comprehensive weight management program for patients who may benefit from it. Dr. Patel will also advise patients in stress management techniques or fitness plans.
At the Bronx office of Dr. Chaula Patel, we offer the latest, non-invasive method of care to reduce stubborn body fat and achieve a slimmer look without any surgery or downtime.
SculpSure® body contouring is a safe, comfortable, and non-invasive treatment that is designed to reduce areas of stubborn fat to produce a slimmer appearance. Performed with advanced laser technology, SculpSure® treatments are FDA-cleared to address pockets of fat around the abdomen, love handles, back, thigh, and beneath the chin that are resistant to diet and exercise.
SculpSure® treatment delivers targeted laser energy to areas of fat cells just below the surface of the skin. This action sets a process in motion whereby the compromised fat cells can then be naturally broken down and safely eliminated from the body.
As a non-surgical method of care, a SculpSure® body contouring procedure permanently reduces up to 24% of the treated fat cells in the targeted area with noticeable improvements seen in as few as six weeks, and best results visible in just a few months.
A typical procedure takes under half an hour with no recovery time following treatment. Furthermore, multiple treatments may be required to achieve optimal results.
Candidates for SculpSure® treatment are ideally within 10 to 15 pounds of their target weight and do not have any complex medical conditions that may contraindicate the procedure.
As a skilled and experienced physician, Dr. Chaula Patel can provide you with the appropriate vaccines and medicines required to help ensure your health and well-being while you travel.
Today, global travel is easier than ever before. Although a long-distance overseas journey is always exciting, it’s important to be aware of any health risks associated with your destination.
While certain diseases have been almost eradicated or are uncommon in the United States, you may encounter them in certain places abroad. Dr. Patel keeps abreast of the latest vaccination recommendations and requirements for destinations overseas and remains current with all health-related travel advisories.
Dr. Patel also provides recommendations for essential medications to have on hand for the prevention and management of everything from traveler’s diarrhea and motion sickness to malaria and dengue fever. Furthermore, you’ll be informed of other measures such as the appropriate insect repellant to apply, clothing to wear, and any eating or drinking precautions to take. In this way, you can further reduce your risk of exposure to any microorganism-borne diseases. And, if any of your routine vaccinations are not up-to-date, Dr. Patel will get you current and on track with these as well.
It’s a good idea to contact Dr. Patel’s at least 4-6 weeks before you travel overseas. In this way, her office can provide the needed vaccines and medications in the most effective and timely way.
Yellow Fever
TicoVac (Tick-borne encephalitis)
Jynneos (Monkeypox. This vaccine is currently only available through the NYC Department of Health)
Cholera (currently unavailable from manufacturer)
Gardasil 9 (HPV 9-valent)
Haemophilus Influenza B
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Influenza quadrivalent and high dose (“Flu”)
Japanese Encephalitis
Meningitis
Meningitis B
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Monkeypox
Polio
Prevnar 20 (Pneumonia)
Rabies (for pre-travel prevention and post-wound series completion, not for initial wound treatment)
Shingrix (Shingles)
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
Tick-Borne Encephalitis
Typhoid
Varivax (Chicken Pox)
Malaria, Altitude, Motion Sickness, and Traveler’s Diarrhea prescriptions provided (if necessary for your trip)
We do not administer COVID vaccinations at our office.
A weight-loss journey is about more than just losing extra pounds. It’s also about keeping the weight off and supporting your overall well-being. Dr. Chaula Patel provides skilled and experienced care to help patients safely and effectively reach their weight loss goals.
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to your overall wellbeing. In addition to increasing one’s risk for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, liver disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, being overweight can contribute to orthopedic problems such as osteoarthritis in the knee or ankle joints. Also, for some people being overweight can have an impact on their self-image and emotional health.
As everyone knows, it’s hard to lose weight! With both genetic and non-genetic factors often at play, it can be difficult to shed unwanted pounds and get back into shape.
Dr. Chaula Patel provides a holistic and compassionate approach to weight loss. She provides the supportive care and guidance you need to lose weight and to keep those extra pounds from returning. Every patient is unique, and Dr. Patel personalizes every diet and exercise plan to support healthy and satisfying results of care! Approved weight-loss medication is prescribed only if needed. And, while monitoring your progress every step of the way, Dr. Patel also keeps an eye on any underlying medical problems you may have as well as your hormone levels and nutritional status.