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Suffolk, VA
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Bio
Innovative, advanced primary health care delivered on-time in a personalized fashion. We provide high quality medical care with special focus on proactive care. We are a limited-size, private-fee practice. Our services include ongoing primary care, extended appointments, in-depth cardiovascular and diabetes risk evaluations, genetic testing, digital mole tracking, nutrition and fitness consultations, in addition to the full spectrum of a traditional primary care practice.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Internal Medicine
Family Medicine
Doctor Q&A
276 Answers
414 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Different causes: Heartburn can be triggered by caffeine (coffee, tea, soda, chocolate), alcohol, tobacco, mints, citrus foods and sometimes spicy food. It can also occ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
See your doctor: That sounds like an issue you should see your doctor about. Suggest you do so sooner rather than later to try to decrease your chances of long-term c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
See physician: There are a few considerations here that range in severity. Typically the "pins & needles" you get from "sleeping on it wrong" doesn't last all day. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Yes: Probably most important would be to stop smoking if you smoke. If you live with someone who smokes, encourage them to quit. Everyone with asthma shoul... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Yes: Yes, there is evidence to suggest that fatty, salty, and/or sugary foods can contribute to subsequent craving for those foods later. The good news is ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
It depends: If you mean low blood pressure in a seriously ill, hospitalized person (i.e. Septic shock) then generally we give fluids and sometimes certain medicat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Yes: Not exactly herbal, but certainly very natural and often overlooked is saline rinse/irrigation of the nasal passages. You can make your own, or use o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Many possibilities: I'd suggest seeing your doctor for more detailed discussion and evaluation. Considerations include anxiety/depression, various sleep disorders, sleep ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
See a doctor: Lots of possible explanations but if it hurts to breath you should not put off getting an evaluation and treatment. The list of problems includes res... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Talk to doctor: There are different possible reasons & 2 common ones would be psychological & vascular. If you're anxious/stressed about your blood pressure's effect ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Visit the Doctor: There are a number of reasons that a couple may have trouble trying to conceive. There may be hormonal imbalances or structural lesions that make fert... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Not necessarily: In general you shouldn't need a pain medication just for a pelvic exam. There may be some exceptions to that and some of it may depend on why you nee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Risks: Advil (ibuprofen) is an nsaid, and this class of medicine can increase your risk of bleeding, which could increase the risk of the surgery. Advil (ib... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Need clarification: If your clinician said it was the mean glucose, i suspect s/he did an A1c (a way to look at the average sugar over past few months). 114 is equiv to a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Support system: This really speaks to why having a support system in place is important when providing care for someone. Being a sole caregiver sometimes leads to ta... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Yes, but...: Yes, you can go back and get a repeat urinalysis as a "test of cure", but often that is not necessary if you are now feeling well and asymptomatic. H... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Yes: Generally you have to become sensitized to latex before you can become allergic to it. This means you need to be exposed to it at least once for your... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
No: Generally, if the prostate is tender and swollen we'd be thinking about prostatitis. In bph, the prostate is enlarged, but not usually tender. With ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
More than one: In general, when medications are prescribed appropriately, the risk of mi or other adverse effect is low compared with the expected benefit. However s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Many: It is associated with kidney problems (diabetic nephropathy), eye problems (diabetic retinopathy), nerve problems (diabetic neuropathy), vascular dise... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Need more info: Are you saying constipation has been present for 6 months, and that weight loss is an issue? This is potentially concerning in an older patient and so... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Get checked out: There are a variety of possible causes of hair loss. Not sure if you're a male or female, but regardless some of the causes are treatable (eg. certai... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Need an exam: Glad to hear you're not feeling sick, but since these are new and unusual symptoms, sounds like you should see your doctor for an exam and more detai... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Can't tell: Unfortunately there isn't a way to determine that for certain. In the future the best way to avoid getting trich or any other std is abstain or use ba... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Harmful: Unborn babies are still developing & are more easily hurt by chemicals. The negative effects of k2, spice, etc seen in teens can include: heart attack... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Need an exam: I'm not exactly sure what you mean by you "bow movement" are normal, but in general back pain and radiating numbness are symptoms that should be eval... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Urgent eval: I agree with dr. Weisberger--your husband may have a serious problem and urgent evaluation by a doctor is important. Good luck.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Need an exam: I think you probably should see your doctor for a more thorough history & an exam to sort this out. Considerations would include an airway issue (ex a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Probably not: Probably not. Many men loose their hair gradually as they age. Some other things can cause this too, but tend to be less common. It's probably wort... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
More than 1 cause...: ...To those symptoms, but a some common considerations are upper respiratory infections or allergies. Some ex of infections: a "cold", ear infection,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Usually not: It's possible to have a period after getting pregnant, but it's usually notably lighter than normal. And periods typically restart after birth, althou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Unknown: All meds & supplements have potential side effects, and usually it's a pretty long list of potential but uncommon side effects. Side effects are not a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Not long: If you're following good dental hygine routine, bleeding should reduce then stop over a few wks or less. Do you floss? Often times when we don't flos... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Start w/ these : Tx generally start with a healthy diet, & regular exercise, both of which can help achieve & maintain ideal weight. If you use any tob products, then ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Not necessarily: Several things can make a pap smear abnormal including cancer, pre-cancer, infections, or even a false positive result. If yours is abnormal you'll p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Control glucose: Most important is to control ur blood sugar-w/o that it will likely cont to progress. Tx aimed @ sx include oral: gabapentin, pregabalin, some antidep... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Try these: You might consider moisturizing/lubricating eye drops as a first approach for these symptoms. If this isn't sufficient then next i'd usually suggest a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Requires discussion: That is a good question. I'd recommend you have a discussion with your doctor looking at the risks and benefits and then together come up with the rig... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Recheck: I can't tell what day you're writing this but it generally takes several days for your urinary levels of HCG to get elevated enough to be detected, an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Let this prompt you: ...To get a thorough evaluation of your cardiovascular risk, and then to take the steps needed to reduce your risk. You do have risk because of your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Urine specimen: Generally they involve exposing a testing dipstick of sorts to your urine. Generally you can urinate on the test portion of the dipstick. Good luck!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Eye & contact care: Be sure you're cleaning and using your contacts as directed by your eye doctor. Consider switching to daily disposable contacts if you use monthly con... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Sort of: Gum pain could be indicative of an infection (tooth, abscess, etc) and this could certainly cause a significant headache. If you have a mouth/gum pro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Lubricating drops: Look for plain lubricating or moisturizing drops for short-duration dryness/itching symptoms. If it's longer lasting you might consider allergy eye d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 55-year-old female asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Work w/ your doctor: There are many possibilities with chest pain, and i'd recommend you involve your doctor in that evaluation. It sounds like you've already started a w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Deciding to take it!: Your decision to become more active was the first step to becoming more active will lead to another step and another! good for you for identifying th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Needs more eval: Most "regular" headaches don't last that long or fit that description. I'd suggest you see your doctor to get a thorough evaluation. Good luck.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
It means that...: ...You need to go see your doctor to get some urine testing and an exam and history. If you have a UTI you'll want to get it treated before it gets w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Often heat, but...: If you've acutely injured your back (strain, contusion/bruise, etc) then cold compresses for the first few days will probably help. If this is a chro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Dowdanswered
Internal Medicine 22 years experience
Gum care: Dental care can be harder with braces. However, with good, regular dental care, you're gums should become healthy and stop being swollen. Floss daily... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
12
Recommendations
1.4K
Thank you notes
Aug 24, 2013
Knowledgeable answers, caring and dedicated
Aug 21, 2013
Good Answers, provide helpful feedback
Aug 21, 2013
Good Answers, provide helpful feedback
HealthTap member
The printout says Contiguous axial CT Images from lung bases -the level of the femoral necks w/I UV contrast per renal stone protocol. It says that the remainder of solid abdominal organs are unremark...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you for answering my question. I didn't start feeling crummy until after I used the bleach so I'm wondering if it's from that. There's the possibility of it being a bug....I work with preschool ...Read More
HealthTap member
You summed it up great. We just wish we had a good preventative medicine and a pain medicine that works to use to use both before and during. We have been to doctors many times, but nothing she got re...Read More
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO,2001
Graduated 2001MD
Residency
SENTARA NORFOLK GENERAL HOSPITAL
Residency
SENTARA NORFOLK GENERAL HOSPITAL
Awards
Valedictorian
Top Internist, Virginia. HealthTap 2011
Most Compassionate Internist, Virginia. HealthTap 2011
Affiliations
Cornerstone Private Practice
Publications
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