Question 1

What is Lifestyle Medicine?

Accepted Answer

Lifestyle Medicine focuses on nutrition and diet, activity and exercise, mindfulness, sleep, purpose, and other health-promoting lifestyle changes, and includes review of labs and other relevant data. Recommendations are given to discuss with your primary care physician.   Visits can be in-person if you are in the Lompoc area (north Santa Barbara county) or via video (via smart phone or laptop) if you are elsewhere in the state of California.

Question 2

What are Allergy Treatments and how does this work?

Accepted Answer

As a sufferer of allergies most of my life, I know how miserable seasonal/environmental allergies can be. My undergraduate studies were in microbiology and immunology (after I switched from biochemistry/nutrition). I remember in class learning about our immune system and allergies, and thinking that there should be a pollen pill or something that we could ingest to help our bodies learn to react differently to allergens. If only I had known at the time that indeed there is a treatment like this - sublingual immunotherapy (aka SLIT).    I've started my own journey with this and am happy to help others on this journey as well. The entire program takes 4-5 years. It is as effective allergy shots. Because it is not FDA approved treatment at this time, it is not covered by insurance. Nonetheless, I find it to be less expensive than spending the next 20 years or more buying allergy medications and tissues and suffering anyway.  The lab tests may be covered by insurance, you are welcome to ask your insurance provider, or have your PCP order the tests, or I am happy to order the labs for you for a discounted direct pay price. Please ask if you have other questions.

Question 3

Do you take insurance or Medicare?

Accepted Answer

Please refer to the Lompoc Health site for details on insurance and billing.  I no longer do private billing and everything goes through that office. See the link on the home page.

Question 4

Where can you treat patients? Is it limited to patients in California?

Accepted Answer

Due to state licensing laws, I am limited to treating patients with a residence in California (I have a California license only). Video visits (telehealth) are available throughout the state, and in-person visits can be made at Lompoc Health.