Locations
Office
Tempe, AZ
My office hours
Friday: 8:00am - 9:00pm
Show moreInsurances accepted
Aetna
Blue cross blue shield
Cigna
Humana
Medicaid
United healthcare
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Arizona
Health Net
UnitedHealthcare
About
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.
Urgent Care
Licenses
United States: Arizona
Doctor Q&A
84 Answers
271 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 54-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Not typically: In my experience it's usually the other way around, where a vaginal or vulvar yeast infection for example sets you up for a uti. Although its also po... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Nothing: You can try a 1/2 teaspoon of honey before bed. If she has any nasal congestion you can try nasal and suction. Can also try a cool mist vaporizer.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Yes: All anti-inflammatory medications increase risk for a cardiovascular event (mi, stroke, death). These risk seems to be associated with higher doses. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Shouldn't : Unless you have celiac disease (also known as gluten enteropathy). What other symptoms do you have?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
History : Migraine is diagnosed by your history. Classically migraine is associated with an aura, nausea and/or light sensitivity. But there a number of migra... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Get evaluated ASAP: You may need x-rays of your cervical spine or other imaging. There are some signs that can be reassuring, such as having a full range of motion at yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Normal: That's not unusual for stomach flu. It depends on the particular virus that caused the stomach flu (aka. Viral gastroenteritis). Sometimes stomach... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Yes: Esgic, (acetaminophen butalbital and caffeine) also known by the name Fioricet contains butalbital (a barbiturate), caffeine and acetaminophen. It ca... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
BV? Yeast? Trich?: If u r w/o risks for stds most likely cause would be yeast (thick, white curd-like, no odor). There r otc medications for that i'm sure u r aware. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
My seven month old has diarrhoea and vomiting. i am told its viral so i have to give fluids but how?

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Orally: Even if you have to spoon or syringe feed your child you should if that's the only way they'll keep it down. If they won't keep anything down then yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
No : But it would best to at least consult with someone who is certified. If these are school age kids it's better that they be taught even if you aren't... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
?: Not sure how you could sustain an abrasion from something as soft and flimsy as a condom. If its more a friction abrasion from too much sex activity ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
No: That would be entirely dependent on the facility at which you are an instructor. Meaning - you'd only need to be CPR certified if it's their policy. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Multiple: Binge drinking is considered alcoholism. There are many harmful consequences of excessive drinking. Liver failure is an obvious one. But it can als... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Flight or Fight: As you've indicated "goose bumps" occur in response to cold as your body's way of generating heat. But this reaction (piloerection) also occurs in re... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Migraine: Could be an ocular migraine. Is there a family history of migraine or personal hx of other migraine variants? Check your blood pressure to be sure thi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Many possibilities : It may be stomach flu or food poisoning. Pancreatitis strikes in the luq but usually causes nausea & vomiting. Does she drink alcohol excessively? ... 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. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
It can: Any pain medication can cause rebound headache. Especially if you're taking it too often. See medication overuse headache (moh). This includes Ibu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Yes, but....: Benign hypermobility joint syndrome (bhjs) is associated with increased risk for fracture. More often patients experience unexpected day time joint pa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
In your eye?: If it's a subconjunctival hemorrhage it often takes a long time to resolve. It acts like a bruise - changes color over time. Look up subconjuntival ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
If i get nauseas and headaches on my birth control pills dos that mean i need more or less estrogen?

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Neither: Oral contraceptive tolerance is trial and error. There's no evidence that one combination or dosage causes fewer side-effects then the other. The ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Need more info: Could be pulmonary embolus, myocardial infarct, pneumonia. Obviously one can't provide a diagnosis on that information alone.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Yes: Yes it's normal. Those cells are a subset of the total WBC count. If your WBC count is low, that often needs follow. Those two cell types are ofte... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Under chin?: What do you mean under your chin? You mean you're throat is sore and you localize it to your trachea? It's still would be considered pharyngitis. S... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
With a pot?: Not sure what you are saying. You broke you hand and now have pin and needles sensation in your hand w/ a pot?
If you broke you hand within the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Limit Exposure: Heat illnesses occurs from one thing. Excess heat! so the hotter it is the more you should limit your exposure. Hydration is crucial. Drink cool f... 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. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
OTC Antihistamine: Start with an over the counter antihistamine. However if this a seasonal or chronic issue with you the nasal corticosteroid sprays which are prescrip... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Many: Chest pain. Many forms of trauma, particularly head trauma. Pulmonary embolism. Meningitis. Serious respiratory, pelvic, gastrointestinal and skin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
No: Antibiotics don't directly cause discharge. Broad spectrum antibiotics as a result of reducing your normal "flora"(protective bacteria) can lead to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Depends: Depends on what the anticipated cause of the pid is and on how sick you are. Pid by definition is infection of the upper genital tract structions in ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Ignore: NO NARCOTICShttp://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/treating-migraine-headaches/.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Ignore: Don't over medicate! I see a lot of patients with MOH. Medication overuse HA's.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Lots!: You have post nasal drip. The mucus drains over night to the back of your throat. You can use nasal saline to clear the mucus before bed. You can t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
See your PCP: Exertional chest pain can be a sign of heart disease. If you have risk factors for cardiac disease: high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes get ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Experience: Nortriptyline which as you may know is a tricyclic anti-depressant. Amitriptyline also a tricyclic has been shown to be effective for headache preven... 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. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Variable: Any form of chronic pain can effect mood and vice versa. It's become clear that chronic pain can lead to depression, anxiety etc. And treatments for ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
For Emergencies Only: Usually emergent situations are self-evident. Ex's. Include some forms of chest pain, significant head trauma, open fractures, intractable seizures, r... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
It shouldn't : That's unusual. My concern is moderate-severe sleep apnea is a cardiovascular risk factor (ie. Increases risk for stroke & heart attack). If you a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Benadryl (diphenhydramine)....: ..If it's an allergic sinus headache. You can take a anti-inflammatory medication, like advil (ibuprofen) if there aren't reasons for you not to take ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Depends: If u overdose you'll often feel nauseated & vomit. Side-effects of medications r usually dose-dependent. But u could be taking the recommended d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Any: Any food if infected can cause food poisoning. If by home food you mean foods that you prepare and store or can yourself there's even greater possi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
ER : Er evaluation. Of course it depends on the details and force of the trauma. But if there is significant pain, particularly in association with any n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Not too concerned: I expect they are just your lingual tonsils or circumvallate papillae (taste buds). This can occur for many reasons, including allergies. If they re... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed Feb 05, 2022
A 30-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Don't over treat : There is much unwarranted fear about fever. The latest pediatric guideline are treat a fever >102 regardless & only treat < 102 for pain which at tha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
???: Only if you have an std oral or pelvic could you give him an std.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Many possibilites: It could be something as benign as muscle pain from physical activity. Has she had any trauma? Does she have a fever? Where in her legs does she ha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old member asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Balanitis: That sounds like balanitis which is often from yeast. If you're uncircumcised you're at increased risk for this. However the only way to get an accu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
No.: How do you know whether it's infected or not blocked with wax? The only was to determine that is to have a health care provider look in your ear.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
See a counselor or: And/or psychiatrist. Although it would be best to start with the pcp. Often stress is the cause of nightmares. Anxiety and depression may be an i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old male asked:

Dr. Mark Toscaanswered
Urgent Care 22 years experience
Need more info.: Could be many things. Anxiety/panic, reaction to a allergy medication (decongestant), hyperthyroidism. Would need more info. Depends on your age, r... 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.
4
Recommendations
250
Thank you notes
May 29, 2013
Very accurate and timely responses.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Tosca is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Tosca is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you so much for your opinion. No, she doesn't drink at all, and just recently the nausea has begun. There is swelling in her LUQ now, and we are worried. You mentioned what she fears...pancreati...Read More
HealthTap member
Thanks, no I am not allergic to PCN. I have NP n chronic sinusitis. Also taking nasal spray n nasal irrigation . Hope this works for me.
HealthTap member
i have noticed the urine darker than normal last night. no other symptoms though. thank you for answering my question.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO
Graduated 2001MD
Medical/Graduate school
University of Arizona, Nutritional Sciences, BS
Graduated 1993MD
Residency
Midwest University Opti, Arizona 2001-2004
Awards
Thought Leader, Third Place, Mesa Region, AZ - Summer
2013
Top Family Physician, Third Place, Mesa Region, AZ - Summer
2013
Top Doctor, Third Place, the Mesa Region - Spring
2017
Affiliations
Mountain park health center
Banner desert medical center
St lukes behavioral health center
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less