Archives for August 2017

Getting the Most From Your Primary Care Visit

Have you ever gotten home from a family medicine provider visit and realized you forgot to mention something you wanted to talk about? Or maybe you arrived at your visit without important information, like the name of the new medication a specialist prescribed. Your next appointment may not be scheduled for months, and it’s often difficult to make time for an extra trip. Yet, good communication is essential for insuring that all your health needs are met. So, whether you are seeing a new provider, or returning for a follow-up appointment, here are some tips to make sure you get the most from all of your primary care visits.

Go Prepared

The time to organize your thoughts is before you get to your appointment. Preparing ahead of time will help you maximize the time you spend with your provider. Write your questions down and bring the list to the appointment with you. If you’ve researched a new treatment or have questions about a specific illness, don’t bring pages of literature with you. There’s just not enough time to review this during an office visit. It’s better to add these concerns to your list of questions so that you don’t get bogged down on one topic and miss out on addressing other health issues.

To create the best plan to meet your healthcare needs, it is important that you supply all pertinent information. If you have orders for blood work, X-rays, or other diagnostic tests, make sure you complete them in enough time that the results have been sent to the office. Also, if you had any “homework,” such as keeping a log of your blood sugars or blood pressures, make sure you bring it to the visit. And, if you have seen a specialist, have been to an emergency room, or have been in the hospital, it is best if you arrange for your records to be forwarded to your primary care office before your scheduled visit. This gives your family medicine provider the time to review the information before you arrive, leaving more time for discussion and your physical exam.

If you are seeing a new primary care provider for the first time, it is even more important that you arrive with updated and accurate information. Try to have your medical records, including all your past immunizations, forwarded before your visit. It is also a good idea for you to write out your medical history, chronologically, in your own words and bring it to the visit. Additionally, you should include a history of any illnesses your siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents had and the age that these illnesses occurred. This overview will give your new provider an even better picture of your healthcare needs.

All of Your Medications Matter

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is that your family medicine provider know ALL the medications you are taking. Five to 17% of all hospitalizations of older patients are the result of problems with medications; and drug interactions cost billions of dollars while increasing the average hospital stay by 7 days. Bring a complete list of all the medications, over the counter drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements you are taking. It is also important to list the dosage and how many times per day you are taking them. Try to include why you are taking these medications and who originally prescribed them if you can. If you are unsure, or have any questions about what information is important regarding your medications, just put everything you are taking on a regular basis into a shopping bag, and bring it to the appointment. Updating your medication record is an important part of every visit, so make a routine of bringing updates regularly.

Use your Time Wisely

It is important to have a good relationship with your provider and he or she is genuinely interested in you, but be realistic about what can be accomplished in one visit. If you have a number of health issues, it is important to organize your thoughts and address all of your concerns. While telling stories may be entertaining, it may not be productive and could take time away from discussing important issues. So, budget your time and try to stay focused on your health. This is also not the time to paint rosy pictures or avoid embarrassing topics. Honesty and full disclosure will go a long way to help you achieve health. Use your primary care visit to its fullest potential by trusting your provider with sincere information.

Don’t Go It Alone

Sometimes you might have a lot to discuss at your visit, or you might be worried about the results of your tests. Not everyone is comfortable with medical information, so you may have trouble remembering everything your family medicine provider tells you during a visit. In these situations, you might bring a trusted friend, spouse or family member with you. They can offer you support, take notes for you, help you remember to cover all your concerns, or maybe even think of questions that you don’t.

Leave with a Plan

So now you have gone prepared, brought all your important information with you, and reviewed all of your concerns and test results. Most likely, there will be recommendations to be followed, prescriptions to be filled, or follow up testing to be done. Often, you will be advised to return within a certain amount of time. Make sure you understand all that is expected of you. Your health depends on it! So, ask questions, take notes, and clarify what you may not understand. Make sure you know the plan, agree with the plan, and are capable of carrying out all that is recommended. By arriving prepared, making the most of your time during the visit, and leaving with a good understanding of a realistic plan, you will have made the most of your primary care visit, and will be well on your way to good health.

At Advanced Medical PA, we look forward to providing you with all your primary care needs. To learn more about us and the services we offer, or to schedule your primary care visit, call us at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or request one online.

At Home Tips for Dealing with High Blood Pressure

Has your family medicine provider told that your blood pressure is too high? Maybe you’re already taking blood pressure medication. You’re not alone. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the world. Uncontrolled blood pressure can cause a number of additional health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, circulation problems, vision problems, and stroke. Unfortunately, high blood pressure often goes unnoticed because there usually are no symptoms, so it’s important that you know what you can do to keep your blood pressure normal. Here are some important tips on how you can deal with high blood pressure at home.

What is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is actually the amount of pressure inside of your arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry blood filled with oxygen to the rest of your body. The top number, or systolic pressure, is the pressure produced when the heart contracts. The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, is the pressure in your arteries in between contractions. Both numbers are important. The goal is to keep the systolic pressure below 140, and the diastolic pressure below 90. Pressures higher than this that go untreated cause damage to the heart, arteries and organs, such as the kidney, eyes, or brain.

What are the Risk Factors of High Blood Pressure?

Some causes of high blood pressure are genetic. Men have a higher incidence than women. African Americans are also at a higher risk. However, while family history increases your chances of having high blood pressure, lifestyle plays a big role. People that are overweight have poor dietary habits including a high sodium intake and those who don’t exercise regularly are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

How is High Blood Pressure Treated?

If you have hypertension, it is important that you work closely with your health care provider to keep your blood pressure controlled. You may be prescribed one or more medications to help lower your blood pressure. It is very important to take the medications as directed, near the same time every day. Get into a routine and stick to it. You should also buy a home monitor, check you blood pressure and even keep a log that you can bring to your next appointment. However, just as important as taking your medications, there are changes that you can make to your lifestyle that can help control your blood pressure:

Low Sodium Diets

Sodium is found in most foods, and it plays an important role in controlling the fluid balance in your body. It is also the main ingredient of table salt. If you eat too much sodium, you will start retaining fluid. The extra fluid increases the pressure within your arteries, resulting in an increase in blood pressure. There are a number of things you can do to lower the amount of sodium you take in every day.

  • Don’t use a saltshaker and don’t add salt when you’re cooking.
  • Try experimenting with other spices, but check the ingredients because they may have added salt.
  • Use lemon instead of salt.
  • Use fresh foods; canned, boxed, frozen and processed foods have more sodium.
  • Avoid foods high in sodium such as olives, soy sauce, Chinese food, bacon and bottled condiments.
  • Beware of chips and pretzels, cold cuts, pizza, poultry injected with sodium solutions, soups and sandwiches
  • Read food labels. Low sodium is 140 mg or less and no sodium is 5 mg or less per serving.
  • When dining out, ask for no salt, no spices and no sauces.

Healthy Diet/Healthy Weight

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight. The ideal BMI for both men and women is between 20 and 25. By following a healthy diet you will not only maintain your ideal BMI; you will also have a positive effect on your blood pressure and decrease your consumption of the high fat foods that are bad for your heart and cardiovascular system. Here are some basic dietary guidelines to keep you on the road to good health.

  • Reduce your alcohol intake to two or fewer drinks per day.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables.
  • Eat more fish and more low fat animal proteins (but watch the sodium content).
  • Consume the recommended daily amount of fiber, which is 20 to 35 grams per day.
  • Reduce the amount of caffeine you consume. Limit coffee to less than 2 cups per day.

Exercise

Daily exercise will help to lower your blood pressure. It is recommended that you exercise 30 minutes per day, most days per week. Walking is an ideal form of exercise, but you must continue a regular routine. Stopping routine exercise will cause your blood pressure to rise again. If you are not exercising regularly now, you should follow the rule of “start low and go slow.” Start with 15, or even 10 minutes per day. Increase just a little every day, until you reach 30 minutes.

Avoid some Medications

Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can increase your blood pressure. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, are readily available at your local store, yet they can cause an increase in blood pressure. Other medications to avoid are nasal decongestants, weight loss products, and illicit drugs. Some women will experience an increase in blood pressure while taking oral contraceptives. It is advised to talk to your family medicine provider before taking any of these medications if you have high blood pressure.

Signs that You Should Seek Emergency Care 

Even with careful adherence to your medication and lifestyle plan, there are times when you blood pressure may be high enough for you to go to the emergency room, or to call 911. If you experience any of the following symptoms with a blood pressure of 180/110 or higher, please seek immediate help:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Numbness or weakness
  • Change in vision
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Severe headache

Remember that high blood pressure often occurs with no symptoms. That is why it is important to have regular checkups with your healthcare provider. Once you know that you have hypertension, it is important to talk to your family medicine provider about your plan, and follow the recommendations. High blood pressure is a chronic illness, and chances are that you will have to continue to take your medication and adjust your lifestyle for the rest of your life, so don’t ever stop taking your medications without consulting your family medicine provider. But remember, there are a lot of things that you can do at home to keep your blood pressure under control.

To learn more about high blood pressure, its treatment, and what you can do to keep yours controlled, call Advanced Medical PA at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or request one online.