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 Please help me figure out how to explain my problem accurately to a physician. I think I must be using the wrong terms or something, because so far no one has taken me seriously.
I have been to two different primary care doctors and have not been able to accurately characterize my problem because they have both told me I'm fine.
Here's what's going on: I have had voice hoarseness for several years, getting worse. Even when voice sounds okay it always feels strained, as though I've been yelling or talking non-stop for a long time, even though I haven't. It feels like either a strained throat muscle or like my voice is extremely tired.
I have phlegm in my throat all the time and clear my throat often. I also have been getting a weird flutter in my throat, like butterflies in the stomach only this is in my throat.
My voice is also different than it was a few years ago. It seems a tiny bit deeper and "vibrates" more when I speak. Other people can't hear it but I can feel it. I also occasionally "croak" when talking, like a boy going through voice changes. The volume is lower, I can't speak very loudly and people are always having trouble hearing me.
I explained all of the above to a new primary care doctor today and although my voice sounded slightly hoarse and gravely to me she said the quality of my voice sounded fine to her. Well, maybe it sounded normal to her, but it doesn't sound like it used to. To me it sounded hoarse, and it also felt like it was taking extra effort to speak and my throat generally felt "tired." I think it could be allergies, or a form of acid reflux. She finally relented and gave me a referral to an ENT, but I'm concerned about how she couldn't hear the hoarseness or "graveliness" in my voice when I clearly could. Granted she was just meeting me for the first time and had no basis for comparison, but I still thought she might be able to hear that I was slightly hoarse.
What should I say to the ear, nose and throat specialist or to my primary care doctor when I see her again to ensure they understand exactly what I'm concerned about? I know it is not normal to always feel as though I'm straining to speak, even if it appears there is nothing wrong.
Answer Hello TH.
Thank you for your interesting question. I know it is hard when a doctor does not recognize you concern. Sometimes as a doctor when someone comes in with a problem and everything looks normal to us we may not address it adequately.
In your next encounter with a doctor, it is important that you explain that you have noticed a change in your voice. You may also note if others have noticed this change as well. The things I may be concerned about given your symptoms are thyroid function, and visualizing the larynx to see if there are vocal nodules or other lesions of the larynx which may affect your voice. Even a neurological compromise to the vocal chords may give the feeling that the voice is weak. It is possible that repetitive throat clearing may have led to nodules and therefore your symptoms (one possibility).
The main thing for your next visit to the doctor is to narrow down the complaint to the most important points; hoarseness, croaking, and the lowering of volume. This will help your doctor zero in on the issue. Do not offer too many symptoms, it becomes confusing for the doctor. I would insist on direct laryngoscopy to see the vocal chords and a blood test for your thyroid. You have the best knowledge of your body, be your own advocate and if someone refuses to do any testing find another doctor. At least if you are tested and nothing is wrong then you can put your mind at ease.
