Ask Dr. Cox

Today, I want to do things a little differently.

First, let me introduce myself. I often get asked about what exactly I do.

I'm a board-certified emergency medicine physician with over 25 years of experience. Recently, I’ve shifted my focus to health and wellness, and here’s why.

I've realized that the traditional healthcare system often doesn't prioritize your best interests. It seems like a "good" patient is often a sick patient. This has frustrated me because, in the emergency department, I frequently see patients who made lifestyle choices without understanding the severe consequences until it’s too late. These choices often lead to serious conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and cancers.

Over my career, I've discovered that there are proactive steps we can take to prevent these conditions. Unfortunately, traditional healthcare doesn't prioritize prevention. In reality, there's little that's truly healthy in "healthcare" as it's currently practiced—it's more about managing sickness and illness.

This realization led me to pivot into the health and wellness field, where I believe patients can be empowered to take control of their own health. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this need, as people had to navigate their health without relying on a strained healthcare system.

It's crucial to understand that you have more power over your health than you might think. Simple strategies can help you manage weight, control hunger, and prevent illnesses, significantly reducing your risk of severe health issues. My frustration stems from having to treat patients after these consequences have occurred, which is often too late.

This frustration fueled my journey to explore alternative methods of healthcare. My goal now is to empower you to take charge of your health through small investments of time and effort, and by thinking differently about your health. By doing so, you can achieve the ideal health you desire.

That's a bit about me. I also maintain a weekly blog, and I invite you to participate. Drop a comment about what you’d like to learn more about, and I’ll do my best to address your questions in future posts. Your feedback helps me provide the information you need to make informed decisions about your health.

If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.

Thanks.