East County Internal Medicine

01/07/2026

Lymphedema, which is the accumulation of fluid and fibroadipose tissue due to disruption of lymphatic flow for a variety of reasons (table 1), is a chronic condition that can be managed but is generally not cured.

01/06/2026

New guidelines on how to define obesity. This is a major reality check for America.

More than 75% of U.S. adults are considered obese, according to criteria that include 3 anthropometric factors (waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio) specified in the Lancet Commission's obesity criteria. Based on the new criteria, more than a third of adults in this cross-sectional database study were reclassified as obese, compared with a BMI-only definition. Estimated obesity prevalence increased significantly with age—nearly every adult over age 50 was considered obese. Researchers suggest that age-specific criteria are warranted.

This cross-sectional study involved National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data on 14,414 U.S. adults, from 2017 to 2023.

12/31/2025

Are you isolating yourself at home? Does the thought of socializing sound unpleasant? It's not pathological until it effects your functionality, but you are very likely suffering from anxiety/depression.

12/30/2025

Taking a water pill is not a good thing.

12/29/2025

Watch for lymphedema. Swelling is never normal.

12/16/2025

🌟 **Discover the Power of Telehealth at East County Internal Medicine in Bradenton, Florida!** 🌟

Thanks to Florida's forward-thinking telehealth laws (Section 456.47, Florida Statutes), residents in East County and across the state have easier access to high-quality primary care – right from home!

At **East County Internal Medicine**, led by **Shaan Kunwar, DO**, we specialize in comprehensive primary care services, including preventive health, chronic disease management (such as diabetes and hypertension), wellness check-ups, and more.

With telehealth, you can:
✅ Connect virtually with Dr. Kunwar for follow-ups, medication reviews, or non-emergency concerns – saving time and avoiding traffic in our beautiful East County area.
✅ Enjoy the same standard of care as in-person visits, with secure, private consultations.
✅ Access proceduarlists when needed, all while staying with your trusted local primary care team.

It's perfect for busy East County families, seniors, or anyone managing ongoing health needs!

Ready to experience convenient primary care? **Book your telehealth or in-person appointment online today** at EastCountyIM.com 👩‍⚕️💻

Have you used telehealth with us? Share your story in the comments! 👇

12/02/2025

🚨 FLORIDA NURSING CRISIS ALERT 🚨

Florida just hit DEAD LAST in the nation for NCLEX nursing exam pass rates: only 83% (national average 89%.

That means thousands of potential nurses are NOT making it into the workforce… at the exact moment our hospitals and clinics are already short-staffed.

Lawmakers are now pushing for a major crackdown:
❌ Stricter oversight of underperforming nursing programs
❌ Possible closure of schools with consistently low pass rates
❌ New incentives to attract and retain graduates

If this isn’t fixed fast, the nurse shortage in the Tampa Bay area (and all of Florida) is about to get even worse.

Stay informed on how this directly affects healthcare in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Polk & beyond.

👉 Read the full story and ongoing updates at:
https://eastcountyim.com/2025/12/02/florida-hits-rock-bottom-in-nursing-exam-pass-rates-and-your-local-hospital-could-pay-the-price/

Your health news source for East Hillsborough & surrounding counties.

11/26/2025

⚠️ Important Privacy Update for Our Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch & Parrish Patients

Yesterday (November 25, 2025), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), now led by Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, signed a new federal directive that gives U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) direct access to Medicaid enrollment records for roughly 79 million Americans nationwide — including names, addresses, phone numbers, and other personal details.

Key points for Florida families:
• This is a nationwide policy — it applies to Florida’s Medicaid program just like every other state.
• Undocumented immigrants are already ineligible for regular Medicaid benefits (except emergency care), so many experts and state officials see this as using healthcare data primarily for immigration enforcement rather than preventing fraud.
• Privacy advocates warn that fear of data-sharing could cause eligible U.S. citizen children and lawfully present residents (especially in mixed-status families) to drop or avoid Medicaid coverage.
• Florida has not yet joined the states seeking an immediate injunction, so the data-sharing is expected to begin here unless legal action is filed.

Your Medicaid coverage itself is not being taken away, but this change has raised serious concerns about medical privacy. We’ll keep you posted on any Florida-specific developments or protections.

Knowledge is the best medicine — please share with anyone in our community who relies on Medicaid so they stay informed.

East County Internal Medicine
941-727-7771 | Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch

11/24/2025

Remember that telehealth is an option for connecting with your primary care doctor, and you can use it to your advantage.

11/18/2025

Stay tuned. We are nearing the launch of a new book that provides useful, practical, evidence-based information, tips, and advice. The Patient Survival Guide is information derived from patients' questions over the years of practicing outpatient medicine. This is information that people can use to cut through all the noise.

11/13/2025

Getting fantastic results with GLP-1 weight loss options. The market is proliferating with new options, however costs remain high.

For folks who are moderately to severe overweight, would recommend they speak to their doctor about it.

Relatively low side effect profile and been around since 2012, there is safety in that. It's not something brand new, which I would be leery of, in other words.

It's quickly becoming adopted as the choice for safe and effective weight loss, the days of surgical weight loss are numbered. Bariatric weight loss is and has proven to be dangerous, many post operative complications that can be life long or even end tragically. None of those risks exist with GLP-1 technology. It's putting surgical weight loss out of business.

As always, do your due diligence and discuss with a doctor. Weigh the pros and the cons of morbid obesity vs. the treatment.

11/11/2025

Struggling to Find a Primary Care Doctor in Florida? You’re Not Alone… and It’s Getting Worse.

Right now in 2025, over 100 million Americans – including hundreds right here in Manatee County – do not have access to a primary care physician.

Florida is one of the hardest-hit states.
We rank near the bottom nationally for primary care access, and wait times for new patient appointments in the Bradenton-Sarasota area now average 4–10 weeks… when you can even find a practice that’s accepting patients at all.

The reasons are painful but real:
- Severe doctor shortages
- Early retirements and burnout
- Insurance companies paying primary care less and less while making paperwork unbearable
- Rapid population growth (especially in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish & surrounding areas)

The result? More people giving up and using ERs and urgent cares for routine problems → higher costs, worse outcomes, and needless suffering.

At East County Internal Medicine, we saw this crisis coming years ago.

That’s exactly why we made the decision to break free from the insurance system entirely and create a model that puts patients first – always.

With our affordable membership program:
✅ Same-day or next-day appointments (really)
✅ No crowded waiting rooms
✅ Direct access to Dr. Kunwar by phone, text, or portal – anytime
✅ No fighting with insurance denials
✅ Comprehensive primary care that actually prevents problems instead of just reacting to them

Quick Access to Care
No Insurance Middle man

If you’re tired of the broken system…
If you want a doctor who actually knows you…
If you’re worried about what’s coming in 2026 with even higher premiums and narrower networks…

Come join the hundreds of your neighbors in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, and beyond who have already made the switch to sane, affordable, relationship-based primary care.

Call us today at 941-727-7771 or message us to learn more.
New patients are always welcome – no waiting list, no games.

East County Internal Medicine
Dr. Shaan Kunwar
11009 Gatewood Drive Suite 104
Bradenton, FL 34211
941-727-7771
www.eastcountyim.com

Your health can’t wait for the system to fix itself.
Take control today. 💙

East County Internal Medicine Independent Primary Care in Bradenton Since 2017 Dr. Shaan Kunwar, DO and our team deliver evidence-based, compassionate care — without corporate bias. Live Phone Answering Solo Practice Same-Day Scheduling No Affiliations Evidence-Based Medicine Self-Pay Only (Update...