About Fawzia Zawahir M.D. Expertise I can answer medical questions that are encountered in a general medical practice. I do have an interest and expertise in holistic and naturopathic medicine and my practice is considered to be an integrated medical practice.
Experience I am a licensed medical doctor with a family practice located in Bayridge, Brooklyn.
Publications Zhanqing Shen, MD, Antonio Palma, MD, Manu Rajachandran, MD, Gino Oliva, MD, F. Zawahir, BS and Michele Nanna, MD. “Prediction of single and multi-vessel coronary disease in patients after myocardial infarction according to quantitative ultrasound wall motion analysis.” American Heart Journal. 1992, p.949.
Y. Maraket, MD, J Wu, MD, A Palma, MD, F Zawahir, BS, M Goldberg, MD, Michele Nanna, MD. “A rapid non-geometric method for calculating left ventricular end-diastolic volume by echocardiography.” Clinical Research, 1994, p.326a.
Education/Credentials Medical School: New York Medical College
Residency: Beth Israel Medical Center
Awards and Honors Stay Beautiful Safely
Keeping Skin, Hair and Nails
Looking Great During Pregnancy
By Nicole Gray
Nail Care
Admittedly, a woman’s beauty routine might feel downright spartan when she’s pregnant, but there is one area of virtual freedom. You can maintain well-groomed hands and feet. According to Dr. Fawzia Zawahir, a Jersey City, N.J.-based pediatrician trained in maternal-fetal health, “Manicures and pedicures are OK, because nail lacquer is not absorbed into the nail bed.”
According to Dr. Zawahir, the issue of absorption is key. “The areas of greatest concern are with those products that can cross the placenta," she says. "Things that cross the placenta can affect the way DNA replicates, which may lead to birth defects.”
Question QUESTION: Hi Dr.
Is there a recognised condition for when some males reach middle age and their abdomens begin to swell whe the rest of their body stays normal?
Or, is this a genetic thing?
Like my father and uncles I had a normal belly that slowly grew until now at 50 my waiist is 42 inches.
This is not fat,its more like swelling.
I have actually decreased my calorie intake and increased my exercise which hasnt helped.
Also I dont drink so its not a beer belly.
I do see a few other guys like this so maybe its a genewtic thing.
THe swelling is accomanied by gas and indigestion.
I have found that cutting out red meat has helped.
Any thoughts appreciated!
ANSWER: Hi there! You pose an interesting question. I have a few additional questions I would like to ask before we proceed.
What is your current height and weight? How long has your waist been at 42 inches? What is your daily caloric intake and what kind of exercise do you do?
O.k. those questions relate to your weight etc. I would also like to know if you have been tested for food allergy. Have you had any type of scan done like a sonogram or CAT scan to rule out anything in your belly? Are there any other foods other than red meat which make the situation better or worse? Are your gas and indigestion relieved by anything?
I hope these are not too many questions for you, but it would help me to understand the situation better.
Thanks!
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QUESTION: Hi again
I am 5'8", 250 pounds. It has been 42" for at least a year.
I eat around 1500-2000 calories a day, often less but never more.
I have never been tested for a food allergy but I yesterday I got back from a 5 day to relatives where I ate red meat and my stomach bloated up hard as a rock, two belt buckles, and I got a rash under my arm pit. I didnt eat much more than normal and was very active.I did drink more alcohol than I normally do, which is a couple beers a week.
I have never had a sono or CAt but did have a sigmoidoscopy/barium enema for colorectal cancer screening.The gastro said I looked OK with the exception of one benighn polyp.
I plan on fasting today and no red meat again and I am sure the rash will clear up and my stomach will shrink a bit.
The only thing that relieves the gas is a herbal preparation containing fennel, chamomile, ginger,and a couple others.
Answer Hi. Thank you for the additional information. I believe the answer may be twofold. The decrease in gas/symptoms with withdrawal of red meat certainly points to the possibility of food allergy and the smart thing to do would be to avoid it. Remember that meat is not just meat it is also the product of animals treated with many chemicals, hormones, antibiotics etc. Also meat obtained from your grocer which has been stored may be sprayed with chemicals to keep the appearance of freshness. Trying organic hormone free meat may be an option for you if it is difficult to give it up.
All in all from what you have said the increase in girth seems to have started with a genetic component, but becomes more prominent when your abdomen fills up with gas. Trying to identify the gas producing foods and preventing its build up will be beneficial to you. Using supplements to reduce gas such as Beano or Mylanta/Maalox may be helpful. To aid in digestion and prevent gas I advocate the use of plant enzymes which come in the form of tablets and are available at your health food store. I would continue with your herbal mixture once the gas starts.
I did want to mention that there is some discussion and evidence that the deposition of tissue in the abdomen may be the result of immune tissue developing from recurrent allergic challenge. I hope that you may get tested for food allergies. There are several methods, RAST, IgE, skin, ALCAT.
It may also be a good idea to get an image of your abdomen (CAT/sono) to make sure that there is nothing out of the ordinary. It is good that your colonoscopy is negative, but that only looks at your colon, you should know what is going on with the other organs.
I wanted to add that I have no stake or commercial interest in any of the above mentioned products! Try to squeeze in a little more cardio, it will help the body metabolize the fat. I hope this answer was helpful. Good luck!
